20170614- 1Kings 3 : Oxleygate Affairs- Late Dad & Son & A Tale of 2 Babies

1 Kings 3
It was a dream in Gibeon that King Solomon ( who succeeded his dad David) that God asked what Solomon would want.

And so Solomon asked for this :

• an understanding heart to judge his people
• and that he may discern between good and bad

And according to God, because Solomon did not ask for :-

• long life
• riches & honour
• life of his enemies

with a caveat that that says "IF he will walk in his ways, to keep his statutes and commandments as his late dad David did walk, He will lengthen his days"...and God promised to grant him what he asked for plus the riches and honour such that there shall not be any among the kings like him ever before.

And immediately after this dream, the story of the mothers and their babies was written.  I had read this story as a child and I did not know it was from the bible until latter years when I became a believer in my 20s. In the past, i thought of this story betraying the awesome love of the real mum and not the evil selfish mum. And the absolute great leadership of King Solomon - his wisdom in bringing out the truth of the case by suggesting to cut the baby into two as a test!

The Oxleygate Affairs in little Red Dot
Fast forward to 2017, 14 June.  Something happened in little sunny red dot.  A scandal about the late renown Prime Minister LKY and his present son who is now the PM.  The washing of dirty linen in public over the family affairs over the will of 38 Oxley Rise.  The bombshell allegations by the 2 younger siblings towards the current PM, their elder brother is causing ripple effects all over the nation and beyond.

As I reflected on this ,  I am reminded of the late King David and his son King Solomon.  Like father like son thing.  Perhaps wisdom in leadership was clearly lacking here in little red dot. Wish this scandal would go away soon. 

What contributes to good governance?
What are the qualities of a good leader in the nation?
What does it mean to have a great minister to lead the country?
What is the happiness index of the country?

It seems that we are living in a very troubled time in history.
The Trump presidency is also full of surprises.  Lies and scandals.
And little red dot is not spared either with this Oxleygate scandal.

Hmm...Maranatha Lord Jesus!  There is only one King and Ruler on this earth.  And that is all I need to know.  Earthly leaders here on globe may come and go, but You O Lord reigns forever!  Thank God! Wise up!

So here is Despicable Me 3 Minions singing this Papa Mama Loca Pipa....try your karaoke here!

20170608 : 1 THESS 4: 16-17 What is meant by caught up together in the clouds?

1 Thess 4:16-17 " For the Lord shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first; Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall ever be with the Lord"

When I was a new young believer, I was very fascinated with the Rapture.  This word was never found in the bible. But many pointed to this verse in Thess.  And as I began to read more in the bible, new terms from books like pre-tribulation, mid-tribulation or post-tribulation fascinated me even more!  

Then I got confused.  Sometimes fearful to read about how save is safe?  Frightened to read and imagine about the verse where I knocked the door and Jesus opened saying " Go away from me , I know you not" Yaks. So I hate the idea of being persecuted, tortured to deny Christ.  So I always preferred to be "Caught up" fast fast (if I am not dead when He comes a second time)

Now almost coming to 30 years of knowing Jesus Christ - I will only say the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.  It is ok to fear the Lord.  it is ok to still have fascinations and wonder to those verses whom even great theologians or preachers may not have the full answer.  

Happen to read 1 Thess 4 - the whole chapter.  At first was only mediating on the study to be quiet and MYOB part.  Cos I need to fast from some noisy stuff like texting and sorts.
Then came to the reading of this fascinating part on being caught up together in the clouds!
LIKE THIS! Caught UP !
1. For the Lord shall descend from heaven

•  with a shout, 
• with the voice of the archangel
• and with the trump of God; [wonder what is this trump of God means???- trumpet sound made by God?

1. 1. 
      
2. 2. and the dead in Christ shall rise first; 

3. Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,

 4. to meet the Lord in the air, 

5.and so we shall ever be with the Lord"

What an order of ascension!
So got such thing as "rapture" or not? Heh heh heh!
But whether or not got to suffer tribulations? I dunno too.  But I want to believe that not one of my hairs will perish even if hated by everyone because of His name! (Luke 21:18) Scary world we are living in now....Bombing in London Bridge....In Manchester, terrorism in Phillipines...

MARANATHA LORD JESUS! THERE IS A HIGHER THRONE!

20170607 - 1 Thess 4:11 Study to be Quiet

1 Thess 4:11 "And that you study to be quiet, and to do your own business, and to work with your own hands.."

Today, reflecting on the above past verse which I remember reading.  
Just began to fully understood this verse at last.
With a world of technology and apps and group chats - noises from all over the places.  Freedom of speech is really a interesting term nowadays.  
To avoid conflicts of any sort - of hurting others even unconsciously - the best is to study to be quiet and to do your own business.  Just like the accounting software called MYOB - Mind Your Own Business! Hey it is from Thessalonians! Must be a "Believer's Software" LOL.

Bible Verses aboutBeing Quiet

 Proverbs 17:28 WOW!

Even a fool who keeps silent is considered wise; when he closes his lips, he is deemed intelligent.

Exodus 14:14 AMEN!

The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

James 1:19 YES!

Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger;

Proverbs 11:12 INDEED!

Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.

Proverbs 29:11 SMART!

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Job 6:24 MUST BE TEACHABLE! YES so shut up and not be trigger happy! Yeah!

“Teach me, and I will be silent; make me understand how I have gone astray.

Psalm 4:4 REFLECTING....

Be angry, and do not sin; ponder in your own hearts on your beds, and be silent. Selah

1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 ONE OF MY FAVOURITE VERSES! REVISTED!

And to aspire to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs, and to work with your hands, as we instructed you, so that you may walk properly before outsiders and be dependent on no one.

Psalm 46:10 SLOW DOWN YES!

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!”

Lamentations 3:26 MUST LEARN!

It is good that one should wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Proverbs 10:8 SHUT UP IS GOOD!

The wise of heart will receive commandments, but a babbling fool will come to ruin.

Psalm 37:7 WORLD A MESS YES! THE TRUMPET IS CALLING!

Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for him; fret not yourself over the one who prospers in his way, over the man who carries out evil devices!

Proverbs 18:13 YEP!

If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.

Proverbs 13:3 YES! YES!

Whoever guards his mouth preserves his life; he who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.

Proverbs 10:19 HOW TRUE! RESTRAIN FROM MOUTH AND THE TEXTING!

When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Ephesians 4:29 YES!

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

James 3:1-18 HORRIBLE TONGUE!

Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body. If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire! ...

Amos 5:13 WONDERFUL REVELATION IN SUCH A TIME!

Therefore he who is prudent will keep silent in such a time, for it is an evil time.

Isaiah 30:15 I MUST BE WILLING!

For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” But you were unwilling,

Job 13:5 AWESOME!

Oh that you would keep silent, and it would be your wisdom!

1 Peter 3:4 GOT TO CHANGE TO BE GENTLE LIAO....

But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God's sight is very precious.

Colossians 4:5-6 MUST LEARN...

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Luke 5:16  JESUS IS A QUIET MAN TOO...

But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.

Mark 1:35 HE IS MORNING PERSON...I CHUM.. I AM AN OWL:(

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed.

Proverbs 17:1 KEEP QUIET IS GOOD!

Better is a dry morsel with quiet than a house full of feasting with strife.

1 Timothy 2:2 PRAY FOR PRESIDENTS - ALL RACES !

For kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.

Psalm 141:3 LOVE THIS VERSE TOO! GOT A GUARD TO HELP NOT TO SNORE AT NIGHT TOO!

Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!

Ecclesiastes 9:17 SOFT SOFT!

The words of the wise heard in quiet are better than the shouting of a ruler among fools.

Zephaniah 3:17 NEED HIS QUIETNESS!

The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.

2 Timothy 1:7 YEAH! SELF CONTROL IS WHAT I NEED! 

For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.

2 Timothy 2:15 TOUGH TO HANDLE AND SPEAK THE WORD OF TRUTH NOWADAYS...

Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.

Proverbs 21:23 HOW TRUE IN TODAY'S WORLD

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

Galatians 5:22-23 EAT THE 9 FRUIT EVERY DAY! GOOD DIET!

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.

Proverbs 17:27 KEEP COOL!

Whoever restrains his words has knowledge, and he who has a cool spirit is a man of understanding.

Job 34:29 QUIET IS GOOD

When he is quiet, who can condemn? When he hides his face, who can behold him, whether it be a nation or a man?—

Ecclesiastes 3:7 YES!

A time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;

Matthew 5:5 MEEK IS GOOD!

“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.