stephen-on-bible

The way we frequently use the term 'worship' seems as if we are so well acquainted with its understanding and practice. But is it really so? To me it appears the true meaning of worship is waning in our day. There are many worshippers today but are they devout worshippers? It is time to blow the trumpet and call people to get back to the Scriptures and gain some comprehension of what devout worship is. Few days ago, in my meditation on Psalm 9:1-2, I have observed two features associated with devout worship, which I would like to share with you. Telling of God’s Wonders David expressed, "I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders" (Ps. 9:1). David praised the Lord with his whole heart and spoke of all His wonders. Now this telling about God’s wonders is not only his mention of God’s greatness in his worship to Him but also seems to be speaking of His majesty to others. Eugene Peterson, in his popular translation, The Message , put...

Recently, in our training class, questions were raised from the Holy Bible about why God did certain things which seems unreasonable to our finite minds. No doubt we all find some incidents in the Scripture, leading us to question – Why God did that thing? How did He let that happen? How can He do that? When people do not make sense, that is endurable, but when God does not make sense, it is quite troubling to our mind. Don’t we expect God to be the most reasonable being, I mean, according to our perception? What then shall we do when God does not make sense to us? Here is one important lesson I have learned in life— when it comes to man, we look at his actions and understand who he is. But when it comes to God, we need to look at who He is and understand His actions. The Scripture makes it clear that we do not always comprehend His ways and cannot at all times trace His paths, for He is infinite and sovereign. • As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than y...

For centuries, this notion has been deeply ingrained in Christianity—work/job/business is secular and Christian ministry is spiritual. This led many to consider that ministry is a spiritual activity, a life lived for God, but work is a secular thing, a life lived for oneself. Consequently, the Christian workers are viewed as the most blessed people, for they are called to serve God, while the believers who hold jobs are simply the ordinary ones. Fortunately, this perspective is now slowly changing. [1] I am glad to see a revival in the marketplace (workplace) today, emphasizing that work is not secular but spiritual, and it is also a ministry to the Lord. Praise God! As good and necessary this teaching is, however, it ought to be taught with utmost balance, particularly considering certain cautions, for when God moves, Satan too moves. Where the wheat is sown, the devil tries to sow the weeds as well. When good is desired to be spread, evil seeks to lurk beneath it. So, what are the ...

We are aware of the exhortation from God’s word to us—to live holy, to pursue righteousness, to shun evil and to do good. But many of us suppose this process of sanctification is something that happens in isolation. This is something individualistic. This is my pursuit, my responsibility, my concern, my commitment, my act of discipline. Yes, we know it is the Holy Spirit who is the source of sanctification. But we assume He does His sanctifying work just personally in us—the Spirit of God sanctifies and I have to yield to His sanctifying work through submission and discipline. Now, there is no doubt of untruth in this assertion, but is this completely true? Sanctification in Community It is written, "See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness " (Heb. 3:12-13). Again it says,...