War is still being waged on many fronts in the world — just a few days ago, we saw Israel defending her right to exist with a bombardment of key Hamas installations and institutions in the Gaza. Afghanistan and Iraq still remain flash points, rumors of war abound in India and Pakistan, and mad men such as the likes of Ahmadinejad still call the shots in some countries, hell-bent on ushering in war and destruction on the world thinking they are giving their gods glory by so doing.

With all this in view, it’s apt that this exhortation from Arthur W. Pink landed in my Inbox today, reminding us that, no matter what, God is sovereign and in complete order, and that as His children, we can count on His providence for He is faithful and our good Father.

How faithless are we, when we worry and fret, forgetting for that one second that the Lord our God hath made good His promises in the past, and shall do the same today and forevermore because He alone is faithful!

Hallelujah!

How countless are Your works, O Lord! In wisdom You have made them all; the earth is full of Your creatures! Here is the sea, vast and wide, teeming with creatures beyond number — living things both large and small. All of them wait for You to give them their food at the right time. When You give it to them, they gather it; when You open Your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When You hide Your face, they are terrified; when You take away their breath, they die and return to the dust!

Psalm 104:24, Psalm 104:25, Psalm 104:27-29

The providence of God is His care of and provision which He makes for His creatures; with His supervision and superintendence of them. The providence of God in His government of the world is a subject of deep importance to the Christian, for by proper views thereof, he will learn to see God’s activities — in the daily works of His hands. Yet, though Christians assent to this truth, nevertheless they are prone to overlook it in exercise, and thereby to be deprived in great measure of that poise of mind and comfort of heart, which a deep and constant improvement of this doctrine is calculated to impart.

Nothing is more strengthening to faith, stabilizing to the mind, and tranquilizing to the heart of a Christian — than for him to be enabled to discern his Father’s hand guiding, shaping, and controlling everything which enters his life; and not only so, but that He is also governing this world, and all people and events in it. Alas, we are living in an age of terrible skepticism, when most of what happens is attributed to natural causes, while God is more and more banished from the world, in the consideration of His creatures. It is not only a fact that God governs the world in a general sense, but He also regulates all its affairs, and controls all creatures in it, “working all things after the counsel of His own will” (Ephesians 1:11).

God is not troubled by anything that is now taking place in His world — either in its political, social, or religious sphere; nor should we be troubled. The helm is still in His hand; and Satan himself cannot so much as touch a hair of our heads, without His direct permission.

Arthur W. Pink, “Divine Providence”

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

Genesis 1:1

Back when I was completing my Diploma in Mass Communication, journalism was one of my favorite subjects and I remember well one of the golden rules of good journalism: ensuring that the who, when, why and what of any story are covered.

Examining the opening words of God’s Word with a journalistic eye, it bewilders me to know how well God covered the angles, written by the hand of Moses, in just that short sentence of 10 words (in our translation)!

Here, let’s look at it again:

When?

In the beginning. We know not when this beginning was; the Bible does not give us a timeline or any clue as to when this beginning was, but we know that all that is was made in six literal days (yom in Hebrew).

Some theologians, though, have put down an appropriate number by tracing the lineage of man through the ages.

Who?

God! God is the Creator of all that that is. No single-cell organism came out of some muck, evolve and became a living creature. No, God spoke and it just happened or became.

What happened?

God created.

What did He create?

God made the light and separated it from darkness (Genesis 1:3-5), the heavens (Genesis 1:8), the seas, separated land from water (Genesis 1:9-10), the creatures in the sea, the winged creatures in the air (Genesis 1:20-21), animals on land (Genesis 1:24), and finally man and woman on the sixth day (Genesis 1:26-31) before He rested and sanctified the seventh (Genesis 2:1-3).

Now, you might be wondering where the “why” is. It’s true that this first sentence that stamps God’s authority on and sovereignty over all things does not address the reasons behind God’s creations, but it’s not too difficult to find out later on as God revealed it progressively to us in His Word, the Bible:

The heavens declare the glory of God,
and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

Psalm 19:1

For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse.

Romans 1:20 

God further reveals to us His authority over His creation when He answered Job in chapters 38 and 39, and reveals His knowledge of all that is happening with His created beings in those two wonderful chapters!

Turning our attention back to that first verse of the Bible: though Genesis 1:1 consists of a simple 10-word sentence it sufficiently proclaims God’s sovereignty and His lordship over all that is.

Besides, do you not sense the tone of finality in that sentence alone? It’s stated matter-of-factly. The period at the end of the sentence is so definite, as if telling all who dare defy this fact that no argument will be entertained. It’s stated fact. All that is is His handiwork; all that is is there because He created it; all that is is created by Him is made through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord without whom “was not any thing made that was made” (John 1:1-3).

Finally, it’s apt that this statement is the opener for the Bible and it’s no wonder that God chose it to be so — His authority and sovereignty over all is stamped right from the beginning!  

Soli deo Gloria!

With the dawn of redeeming grace
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth
Jesus, Lord at Thy birth

So goes one of the most beloved Christmas carols Silent Night. How wonderful it is as we remember the birth, life, death and resurrection that we are comforted by this truth in a song — that Christ is Lord!

The prophets testify of this in the Old Testament, and the Gospels of the apostles Matthew, Mark, Luke and John further verify and testify to His Lordship. In the gospel according to the apostle John, he, under divine inspiration, tells us of the lordship of Jesus thus:

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made.

John 1:1-3

While none of us can choose who our parents are, where we’ll be born and when, Christ did, and demonstrated His lordship also. Right from the beginning when Adam and Eve sinned, God admonished the devil and gave the promise that one day, the seed of the woman shall bruise his head (Genesis 3:15).

At this point, allow me to take a detour. As I read and re-read the account in Genesis on the fall of man and the promise made, the interesting fact was that though it was made by God, we do not know if it was the Father, the Son or the Holy Spirit who made the promise. Nevertheless, all three are one, and in that case, it was also our Lord Jesus Christ who effectively said to the creation He made in His likeness: “One day, I’ll personally redeem you and restore our relationship tainted by your sin!”

Jesus Christ was Lord; Jesus Christ is Lord, and He will be the Lord, declaring the end from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-11)!

John the Baptist knew well who was Lord even while he was formed in Elizabeth, his mother’s, womb. As Mary visited Elizabeth, not only did John the Baptist, while still in his mother’s womb, leap with joy, but Elizabeth herself was filled with the Holy Spirit, declaring her pleasure that the mother of her Lord has come visiting (Luke 1:39-45).

Even His genealogy (Matthew 1:1-17) is His choosing and given to us that we might know who the Savior would be — throughout the Old Testament we see the hand of God in the lives of those He has chosen to be the line from whence Jesus Christ will be born into. We read of the accounts of those in the royal lineage: of Abraham, of Tamar, of David, of Solomon, of Rahab, of Boaz and Ruth. Further, we see how God worked in their lives, further giving us glimpses into the redemptive ministry of our Savior and Lord.

The birth of Jesus was the promise of God to His creation fulfilled. Jesus came to die, the perfect sacrifice, once and for all, to appease God’s wrath, and reconcile us to God (Hebrews 10:1-18). He rose again after three days as He foretold and promised (John 2:19), demonstrating His lordship over the finality of death.

Here’s another detour: I’ve always marveled at how Jesus could slip away from the crowds when the Pharisees sought to lay their hands on Him. Perhaps our Lord was really good at doing so. Perhaps He indeed was of form that He didn’t really stand out. Perhaps it’s all those, but one thing is crystal clear and undeniable — He alone held the reins on when He would be captured, beaten, spat on, put on the cross, and rise again. Once again, it leaves us no doubt as to His lordship!

We have done nothing to deserve this grace and mercy, but God in all His love promised it and Jesus Christ fulfilled it, reconciling us with God when we believe by faith.

In all this, we will do well to remember that God directed this plan of salvation and how His merciful and gracious gift would be presented. We remember a night two thousand years ago, when a babe was placed in a manger in the town of Bethlehem, born into the lineage that God said He would be, His glory, kingship and lordship announced by angels to shepherds in the fields (Luke 2:8-21) and further demonstrated when the Magi came presenting gifts, bowing low before the King.

Finally, beloved, as we celebrate and remember the birth of Jesus Christ our Savior, His love for us, His saving grace, and His abundant mercy, let us also remember and rejoice that He alone is Lord! It is an apt time to remember this too, for hardships and trials will test many in the new year due in just a few days’ time — when it seems all is hopeless, remember that our Lord is in full control.

Soli deo Gloria!

A number of concerned brethren have been wondering what the new direction I’ve hinted at might be. Well, you’ll find out in this “announcement”!

First off, let me say that the blogroll you see on the sidebar is far from being complete. Being the idiot that I am, I have somehow forgotten to back up my former blogroll, so that means I have to build it from scratch. If your blog was previously on my blogroll but is now not, please don’t think any worse of me or that I’ve deliberately left you out! I ask for your understanding and some time to fine-tune the categories before I reinstate it.

What’s this babble got to do with the new direction, you ask? Lots, I say! If you look through the links, you’ll get an inkling of the topics that I’ll be covering in the revamp. Here’s a very obvious hint: notice especially the words “reformed” and “Calvinism”.

Woah, hold on now and don’t click away, my dear brethren and sisters who don’t hold to the Calvinist position! It’s not all “doom and gloom” from your perspective. Trust me, because here comes the other part of the revamp.

I’ll also be concentrating more on the exposition of Scripture. Yes, I know I am no Dr. John MacArthur or R.C. Sproul, but being one who holds to the viewpoint that every Christian should be a theologian, I shall (attempt to) share what I’ve learned from the Bible on the blog. In other words, I’m adopting a heavier slant on Scripture, with the operative verse here being 2 Timothy 2:15. The inaugural post will (hopefully) be posted right before Christmas, and a series of sorts will follow right after, beginning with the first chapter of Genesis.

Finally, though I’m no Tim Challies, you’ll also start seeing some book reviews here as I plan to expand my library of theological writings, especially those by the Puritans and other worthwhile teachers.

Now that I’ve shared the direction for 2009, I’ll answer a few questions you might already have in mind:

1. How about the archives?

The archives will be reinstated at another address for the time being, or I might just leave them out totally for now until I acquire a new hosting arrangement.

2. Will updates be as often as before?

Sadly, no. First off, I’ll have less time to blog because I’m starting on a new job soon and, secondly, the new focus will require me to do a lot more studying and thinking before anything sensible is posted. At the moment, I think it’ll be quite safe to assume a maximum of two posts per week.

3. How about your controversial self? I remember heated debates on various topics…

I might still prove to be somewhat controversial at times, but I see that as a subjective term anyhow.

However, if I am controversial because I have not rightly divided the Word of God (oh, shame on me!), please feel free to correct me in love. I don’t necessarily mean sweet, tender words (though I, like everyone else, love a kind word often); be direct if you have to. I know there are brethren and sisters who are never hesitant to correct me and I want you to know I appreciate you very much for not willing to let a brother step off the narrow path!

4. What happened to “warning the flock” in your original tagline? Are you ignoring the wrong teachings in Evangelicalism today? Where’s the love you profess to have?

Alright, calm down. I haven’t forgotten the discernment aspect of the blog ministry. Let’s just say that I’ve found a use for a parked domain that I’ve had for some time *grin*. Inspired by one of my all-time HBO mini-series, the domain is bandofbereans.com. All posts that deal with the likes of the prosperity “gospel”, wolves and other silliness we see in our churches today will be at bandofbereans.com.

The site is ready, but is currently without any real content. The announcement for that site will be made in due time.

5. How about… ?

Um, okay, my mind’s stopped trying to be clever at second-guessing, so if you have any comments, questions, bouquets or brickbats (not shoes please, I’m not George Bush!), feel free to leave me a note in the comments section.

Soli deo Gloria!

Photo Credit: “One Way” by EternalTedium.

Part 1:

Part 2:

It’s important that brethren and sisters in Singapore are made aware that the gay movement is not just active in the U.S., but even in Singapore, and that perhaps we’ll see more of such cases in future here too.

DBS (Development Bank of Singapore) Bank  has removed all references to Focus On The Family (FOTF) in its advertising, after its credit card promotion supporting the evangelical Christian organisation provoked some angry reactions. Since the bank’s Nov 13 credit card promotion where DBS said that it would donate money to FOTF, “a charity dedicated to helping children and families thrive”, members of the gay and lesbian community have called for a boycott of the bank.

– “Online campaign leads to rethink at DBS.” Business Times 5 Dec. 2008.

Back in April, I highlighted that a Singaporean couple was charged with distributing some evangelism tracts from Jack Chick which are considered seditious here and have been registered as a banned publication.

Following a long silence, the trial has now commenced, and I’ll be following it very closely. Below is the news article taken from today’s Straits Times.

Couple on sedition trial
by Elena Chong

A Christian couple who allegedly distributed seditious publications to three Muslims went on trial on Thursday.

Ong Kian Cheong, 49, a technical officer with SingTel, and his wife, Dorothy Chan Hien Leng, 45, an associate director with Swiss bank UBS, are facing four charges each.

They are accused of distributing a comic strip booklet titled The Little Bride to Mr Irwan Ariffin, 32, at Sembawang Drive on Oct 19 last year.

The booklet is said ‘to promote feelings of ill-will and hostility between Christians and Muslims in Singapore’ according to the charge.

They allegedly distributed the same objectionable booklet to Ms Farharti Ahmad at Woodlands Drive 72 on March 6 last year, which the charge says, could ’cause feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between the two religious groups’.

The couple are said to have distributed another seditious publication, Who is Allah, to Mr Isa Raffee at Segar Road in the first week of last December.

The last charge accuses them of having a total of 439 copies of 11 tracts at their Maplewoods Condominium in Bukit Timah Road on Jan 30.

Mr Irwan, a staff sergeant with the Traffic Police, told the court that he opened his letter box on Oct 19 - the first day of Hari Raya Aidilfitri - and found the booklet.

After reading it, he felt angry and very offended.

He said the publication was ’somewhat condemning’ of his religion.

There were also other offensive references to Prophet Mohammed.

At the start of cross-examination, the couple’s lawyer, Mr Selva K. Naidu, offered his clients’ apologies for the hurt caused to his feelings and asked if he would accept their apology.

Mr Irwan, who had made a police report that day (Oct 19), said the damage had been done.

‘I do not know how many such publications that have been distributed throughout Singapore, and if any apology were to be addressed, it should not be made to me alone,’ he said. The trial continues.

Photo by WONG Kwai Chow, taken off the online article.