Author: Hans Sangtoki

Bible Reading: Isaiah 44:9-22

“He feeds on ashes; a deluded heart has led him astray, and he cannot deliver himself or say, “Is there not a lie in my right hand?” (Isaiah 44:20)

The reality of Idolatry is complete blindness to God and His truth. We fall into idolatry when we believe that something is worth pursuing apart from God and His excellence. Most often, we pursue acceptance, status, pride, wealth, comfort. More deeply, we pursue pleasing ourselves with whatever we desire. We genuinely think what we desire is good and will satisfy us. This is a great danger.

If God forsakes and rejects us, we will never be able to know that we are living in idolatry and that our lives are not consecrated for God. We think our idolatry is good and reasonable. We think that it will make us happy and satisfied. We will have no consciousness of the evil and sin we are committing if God does not choose to have mercy and reveal Himself to us. 

The carpenter created an idol out of wood he collected and worshipped it. It is absurd that he would worship something equivalent to his firewood. Yet that is precisely us. Why do we pursue so hard to be accepted and seen more capable of others when there is full acceptance in Christ? Why do we pursue earthly wealth when our riches are stored up in heaven? Why do we desire idleness and slothfulness when God promises the greatest joy in suffering and toil? 

Our idols are absurd and replace God with an inferior thing. This is all of us. However, only those who God gives mercy can realise the depths of their sin. If God does not intervene with His mercy, we will continue disobedience and ignorance of God’s ways. This is a basic principle. We are 100% reliant on God’s grace. 

Have you ever realised how bound you are by your sins? Do you understand that if God never gives grace, you won’t even realise you missed out on grace? 

Sin is a binding power. It encapsulates us and poisons us from within. We cannot escape its grasp by ourselves. Our one and only hope is in Christ. If you have ever realised and been freed from an aspect of idolatry, you will know that God has intervened and worked to open us up to this grace. 

Again, we are 100% reliant on God’s working. We must learn what it means to pray based on this reality. When we pray for ourselves and others, remember that the only way others or ourselves can change and repent from idols is if God reveals it to us through His Word. Only by God’s mercy is there salvation. 

Therefore, learn to pray in fear and trembling, first for our own souls, then for the souls of others. Pray that our eyes may be opened to see more of God’s glory through His Word. Also, pray for others that the gospel and light of Christ may penetrate through them, and they can come to know the true God. Our key asset in ministry is prayer. Prayer is actually one of the key assets of Christian life. It is based on a humble crying for mercy because we know that we are in the dark forever without it. 

Let’s learn together what it means to humble ourselves before God and His plan. 

Lord, please forgive me when I did not discern and know Your way. I want to love You and follow You. I cannot do it by myself. Please have mercy on me and reveal to me my sins, including my hidden ones. Change me and create in me a new heart. Also, for others, I pray that You may have mercy on them too that they may realise their sins and turn to You. All is only by Your mercy. Please help us. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading: 1 Peter 2:20-25

“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7)

Christ came to earth for one reason alone — obedience to the Father. Christ gave up His glory for a human body out of obedience. Christ suffered and bore our sins on the cross out of obedience. Out of love, Christ obeyed the Father to carry out His plan of redemption for His people. He endured “for the joy that was set before him” (Hebrews 12:2). Christ knew of the joy there is in obedience to the Father and the glory and exaltation that will follow for those who humbly obey. 

Christ’s perfect obedience meant enduring scorn, suffering and abasement. The apex is visible on the cross where the author of Life was put to death. This was the Father’s will. Isaiah 53:10 says, “Yet it was the will of the LORD to crush him”. 

However, it also means life for us and redemption from sin. The Father’s will is for His chosen people to return to Him from their rebellion in sin. This is the unsearchable love of God that exceeds comprehension. Haggai 2:7 proclaims, “And I [the LORD] will shake all nations, so that the treasures of all nations shall come in, and I will fill this house with glory, says the LORD of hosts.” It was for this reason that Christ obeyed. 

Christianity’s hope lies in the perfect obedience of Jesus Christ and whether the Father accepted his obedience or not. However, we know that on the cross, Jesus shouted, “it is finished”. And, three days after dying on the cross, it was pleasing for the Father that He was raised from the dead. He then ascended into heaven to be seated at the right hand of God. Jesus’ obedience was perfect and wholly accepted by God. Because of that, we can have life in the secure atonement of our sins in Jesus’ blood. 

1 Peter 2:21 says, “For to this you have been called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving an example, so that you might follow in his steps”. Christ’s perfect obedience is an example of our obedience in the new life that we have that is justified by Christ’s sacrifice. 

Our obedience is our turning away from sin and our turning towards God. If we understand the significance of Christ’s obedience, then we will understand that all this time, we have been living in a sinful, rebellious way against God. Obedience is returning in repentance to God and His ways. 

Christ suffered in obedience in His perfection out of true love for the Father and us. We suffer in obedience a lot of the time because of our sins and our constant desire to return to the world and its ways. Yet, because Christ first loved us, He wants us to learn to love Him back in the way of obedience. 

Just like how Christ endured for the joy set before Him and the crown of glory awaiting Him at the right hand of the Father, we endure until the day we may live with God in glory. The whole Christian life is hope and waiting for the day that we will be perfectly changed from our sinful ways and become whole servants of our Lord. Day by day, live in obedience knowing that one day that is what we will become. Stay faithful on earth, do His will, and await the day He says, “well done, good and faithful servant…enter into the joy of your master” (Matthew 25:21). 

Lord, thank You for Your perfect obedience on the cross. As I learn about Your obedience, show me the depths of my sin and the glory of Your grace in Your death. Also, please help me to obey You and return to You in this earthly life. Keep me faithful and hold me as I journey on this pilgrim walk towards Zion, where I will be perfected in glory as a perfect and holy servant of You. Thank You, God, for the hope there is in Christ. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Bible Reading: Philippians 3:8-21

“forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Who has thought about eternity and heaven in this past week? I know with assignments and piling school work, it would be very scarce to think about eternity in my day to day life. Nonetheless, whether we like it or not, each day, we are creeping one step closer to eternity. Time does not stop, and the things of this earth are temporary. Have you ever stopped to think about this? 

Even as Christians, often, we are scared to think of eternity. It’s frightening to stare death in the eye. Even though for those of us who are children of God, we know that heaven awaits us, the fear of the unknown still sends chills down our back. It’s uncomfortable to speak and think about death and eternity. Yet, there is no escaping because it is surely coming. 

Paul teaches us about how we must view eternity. 

First, “our citizenship is in heaven”. For children of God, the thought of eternity should be filled with comfort and joy because heaven is our home. True children of God long for it because there, our sinful bodies will be transformed into heavenly bodies, and there we will be with our God and see Him face to face. The true longing of a Christian is to know God and obey Him. In heaven, we will be able to know God in His full glory and obey Him perfectly in our perfected bodies. That is such a sweet joy to look forward to when we get to come home. 

Does this ring with you? If it doesn’t, where does your true desire lie? Will it be waiting for you in eternity? Pray that God gives us all hearts that long for Him and Him alone. 

Paul says, “many of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things” (Philippians 3:18-19).

Are we among those who set their minds on earthly things, or are we citizens of heaven? 

Those who are in Christ will mature to have their gaze fixed for eternity. God will wean us from this temporary world and set our minds and joys on the things above. When we know our destiny and hope and joy are secure in God alone, our life on earth will be driven with purpose and zeal for God. We will know what our priorities are. Life will no longer be about enjoying temporary memories, making lots of friends, pursuing fame, riches and social status. As Paul puts it, “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord” (Philippians 3:7-8).

When our gaze is fixed heavenward, our life will be driven for one thing alone — to know God and obey Him. Then, our lives can be effectively used by Him, and we can live lives that are abundant and full of joy. The greatest thing is, when we die, there will be nothing to lose because, in heaven, we will be able to know God and obey Him forever and ever. Can we say with Paul, “for to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain”? 

Lord, fix my eyes towards eternity. Teach me to think of heaven and to know that that is my end goal. Please help me and change my desires. Do not let me be content with this world but let me find true joy only in knowing You and obeying You. Make that the one and only longing in my heart. Thank You, God, for Your Son, who has brought salvation and hope for humankind. In Jesus name, Amen. 

Bible Reading: Mark 7:1-23

“And he said, “what comes out of a person is what defiles him. For from within, out of the heart of man, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride, foolishness. All these things come from within, and they defile a person.” (Mark 7:20-23)

Jesus came from heaven to earth to reveal the truth to the world. If He never came, humanity would continue to be in the dark with no hope whatsoever. However, praise God because Jesus did come to unveil to us our greatest issue and to be the solution to that problem. 

There is no other man like Him, and there is no other religion like Christianity. Our God loved us so much that He came from above to be with us. He came as the physician who diagnoses our disease and as the remedy which will bring us healing. 

Other religions observe the symptoms, seek remedy for those symptoms and hope to make themselves well again. They will never understand the inner cause of their disease, and even if they did, they would find not possible treatment. Christ is the one and only saviour of humankind who came to diagnose our illness and become the medicine we all desperately need. 

At that time, the Pharisees were criticizing the disciples who ate food without washing their hands. It was Jewish custom and law for people to wash their hands before eating to remain ceremonially clean and ‘holy’ before God. Yet, Jesus rebuked them, saying, “You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men.” 

The laws that they held on to were not God’s laws. They were laws the Pharisees had made themselves. Jesus knew that inwardly, the Pharisees made lots of strict laws and followed them only that people would see them and praise them for being ‘holy’. Their hearts didn’t really love God. They loved the attention and praise of others. 

Jesus then said to everyone there, “There is nothing outside a person that by going into him can defile him, but the things that come out of a person are what defile him” (Mark 7:15). What Jesus reveals to us is that we are not made sinful and unholy from outward things. These included touching certain objects and animals and not giving your sacrifices, and doing other rituals in Jewish culture. 

In today’s terms, what makes us unholy and sinful is not missing out on church and not praying to God. Jesus reveals that the root cause of our sin is much deeper than that. He even goes on to say that murder, adultery, coveting, wickedness, deceit and all these horrible things we do are not what makes us sinful. These are the fruits of sin, but what makes us sinful lies within us. 

It is like a man with cancer. Sure he feels a little unwell at times, but he does not know that inside of him, something is killing him from within. Sin is far worse than cancer, and Jesus tells us that it lies within our hearts. Our hearts are sinful because they are inclined to rebellion against God. Because our hearts and will and desires are sinful, out come from our lives sinful things. The root problem is that we hate God and desire to please ourselves. This problem lies in every one of us. 

For a problem like this, no matter how hard we try, we won’t be able to change our hearts. That is why Jesus came to diagnose and heal. He came to die on the cross for our sins that we could be made right with God and be given new hearts because of Christ’s perfect obedience. He is the true physician, and we all desperately need Him. Have you turned to Him today? 

Lord, please forgive me because I have taken sin lightly and misunderstood it. Sin is not outside of me, but it is my heart that is rebellious against You. I cannot change my heart. Please have mercy on me and forgive me. Please change my heart and make it new. You are God, and in Christ alone, there is forgiveness of sins. Please help me to understand the depths of my sins that I may understand the riches of Your grace. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading: Mark 4:26-34

“And he said, “The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground. He sleeps and rises night and day, and the seed sprouts and grows; he knows not how. The earth produces by itself, first the blade, then the ear, then the full grain in the ear. But when the grain is ripe, at once, he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come” (Mark 4:26-29)

When we look again to the grand masterplan of God and how He desires to work out His kingdom amongst us, we can rest with the hope that God is the sole author of this story, and we can abide in Him as He works. True children of God long for God’s kingdom come among them. That means they long that wrong may be made right, they long that God’s ways and truth may be made plain, and they long for submission to God in their own heart and their communities. 

Often, when we long for such things, we are disheartened. We long for God to work, but it seems that His work is prolonged if we stay optimistic and say He is working at all. In our own hearts, we constantly battle and fall into sin. Sometimes it seems as if the battle can never be won. We long to change. We long to be changed by God. Also, when we look at the world around us, there are so many people who are living in sin and do not know God. We long that they may know God. We long that God may show His truth and rule even greater amongst people on earth. We also long that our brothers and sisters in our church might grow in faith and come to know God more. We wait earnestly for God’s kingdom to come in the church and on the earth. 

God promises that His kingdom will come because He is the one who is working. We can rest assured in God. Jesus tells a parable of a man scattering seeds. He does nothing to the seeds, but in due time, the seed grows and bears fruit until it is a full-grain. That is how God’s kingdom works in our lives and our ministry as we serve others. 

The seeds are God’s Word. God’s Word is above all things and above all, man. The Holy Spirit uses God’s Word to speak to mankind and to change hearts. Only through God’s Word can there be a spiritual revival. This means two big things for us. 

1. If we want God’s Kingdom to come in our hearts, that is, we want to put off our old self and put on our new self that is renewed with a heart that loves God, the one thing we need is God’s Word. Put every diligence into seeking God’s Word. Read it for yourself, seek a community to study and learn it together (church), and pray with humble hearts that God will work through it. Though at times, we may feel dry and feel that nothing is changing, God promises that He is the one who works through His word to bring spiritual growth. If we are truly His, God’s promises for us will not fail because He is faithful. 

2. When we serve and long for others to come to know God, do not be disheartened when there is no fruit. Instead, in humility, serve God’s Word diligently and carefully. God is the one who does the working and reviving. Our part is to be faithful to God’s Word and present it as it is. When we do that, God Himself will work in His own time, and He promises that His kingdom will grow even though it may seem unnoticeable. 

God’s kingdom is paradoxical. It is surely coming, though it does not come in fanfare and grandeur. Slowly but surely, God is working in this world to gather His people until one day, Christ returns in full glory to make known to all people that He is the King of Kings. 

Lord, thank You for Your promises about Your kingdom. Thank You that You are the King, and we can trust in You. Lord, please teach me to be diligent in reading Your Word. Teach me to be diligent in serving Your Word. Let me watch You work through Your Word to change my heart and the hearts of those around me that we may be pulled away from sin and that You may be the king over our lives. Thank You for Your promises, and thank You that You never leave us. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading: Proverbs 4:1-27

“Get wisdom; get insight; do not forget, and do not turn away from the words of my mouth. Do not forsake her, and she will keep you; love her, and she will guard you.” (Proverbs 4:5-6)

As young people, we often arrogantly think we have it all right. It is good to challenge assumptions and battle for the truth in many situations. However, we must remember to seek wisdom in everything. At the baseline, know who we are. Do not think we have it all sorted out and arrogantly act as if we know the truth. We often do not see our blind spots regardless of how much we think we know and have studied. We must be teachable, humble-hearted and willing to learn in all aspects of our lives. 

How can we get wisdom? John Piper gives some points in his sermon “Get Wisdom”. 

1. Seek wisdom first and foremost in God’s Word. Psalm 19:7 says, “The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is pure, making wise the simple.” To live lives that please God and honour Him, we must learn from God’s Word.

Even though in Christ, we are justified, on earth, our sinful habits do not go away by themselves. God calls us into the process of sanctification. In this process, God longs to change our hearts and renew them every day so that our lives may be transformed into “living sacrifices” (Romans 12:1) so that we can live for Him and bring Him glory on this earth. Only God’s Word can revive our souls. It is perfect and pure and will make us wise for salvation. 

How much do we treasure God’s word? Do we desire to learn from God’s Word? How often do we come to God’s Word in humility, willing to learn? God’s Word makes us wise. 

2. However, wisdom makes no room for pride. Wise people never think they have gained wisdom. Their hearts are always teachable and willing to learn. In fact, 1 Corinthians 3:18 says, “Let no one deceive himself. If anyone among you thinks that he is wise in this age, let him become a fool that he may become wise.” Being wise means having a humble and teachable heart that longs to obey God’s will. The world will think that we are foolish when we long to learn from God. But that is ok. 

Learn to become a fool. Seek the things of God even though they are contradictory to the world. Your friends and peers might scorn, but God’s ways are higher and better, and in the end, we will be most satisfied in Him as we live a life to glorify Him. 

Take a look at the beatitudes. Those who are blessed are those who are poor in spirit, those who mourn, are meek, hunger and thirst for righteousness, are merciful, pure in heart, peacemakers, and persecuted for righteousness. This is the kind of person that pleases God. The end means of wisdom is that we may live lives that please and honour God. Are we willing to be people who are shaped to be humble, lowly, and always seeking to gain wisdom from God’s Word? 

If we want to please God, let us learn to deny ourselves and lay down our pride and arrogance. Walk in humility. Learn from God and His Word, and He will surely guide us and shape us into His heavenly servants. 

Lord, plant in me a pure heart of humility. Please forgive me for my arrogance and unwillingness to learn. Please rebuke me and teach me to learn from Your Word despite how hard or hurtful it may be. Give me a teachable heart. Only by Your Word can I be revived and renewed to love You and please You. Please give me Your Word and help me come humbly to Your Word to learn wisdom from You each day. Thank You, God. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Bible Reading: Psalm 34

“Oh, fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him have no lack!” (Psalm 34:9)

Sooner or later, we will realise that this life is not in our hands. Tides may turn, and the chapters of our lives will change. This may be overwhelming, and many times, we struggle to adjust to new circumstances that God places in our lives, whether good or bad. We are often left feeling insecure, small, and helpless, like infants who have no control over their surroundings. 

In these times, God works to teach us what it really means to trust in Him. At Gethsemane, Jesus prayed, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for you. Remove this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but your will” (Mark 14:36). In the hardest and darkest trial of all, our Lord teaches us that obedience to God’s will is always the step we should take. Jesus trusted the Father in obedience because He knew that the Father had a larger plan for His people’s salvation. So too, as Romans 8:28 says, “and we know that for those who love God all things work together for good”, God has a good plan for our lives, a plan that will bring glory to Him as we grow to see His greatness. 

Obedience and humble submission to God’s will is the only place where we can rest in peace and security. Jesus promises this to us Himself in Matthew 11:29, which says, “take my yoke upon you, and learn from me. for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” God’s will is always work good for His children. The fruits of His children are those who listen to His voice and follow Him, those who take upon His yoke willingly in gentleness and lowliness. Only God’s children will know the peace and rest there is in Christ. 

Our faith’s security should not lie in the physical blessings we have around us. It should not even lie in the spiritual means of grace we have around us, such as our pastor, church, friends, and family. One day, all these may fade away. We may be moved elsewhere by God, away from our family, friends and even church community, which we love so dearly. 

We should only feel secure and bind our faith to God’s will. If we live in God’s will for our lives in this current moment, rejoice and have peace. If not, seek God’s will until you find it and pursue to live under it for the rest of your life. 

Take hold of the abundant promises found in Psalm 34 for God’s children who humbly submit themselves to God’s will. 

“Those who fear him have no lack!”

“The eyes of the LORD are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.”

“Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the LORD delivers him out of them all.”

“The LORD redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in him will be condemned.”

However, on the contrary, towards the wicked, it is said, 

“The face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.”

“Affliction will slay the wicked, and those who hate the righteous will be condemned.”

Where do we stand? Are we amongst the righteous who submit themselves in reverence to God’s good will? Or are we among the wicked who reject God’s will and choose our own path, which leads to destruction?

Seek the Lord and trust in Him.

Lord, even though it is difficult, please teach me to trust in Your will for me. Show me with clarity Your ways for my life. Lead me in Your path. When I stray, pull me back. Forgive me when I want to go my own way. Let me know and experience the peace and joy there is in Your path. Thank You that You are a loving God and that You first loved us in obedience to the Father’s will by dying on the cross for our sins. Teach me to follow You. In Jesus’ name, amen.