A Crimson Worm On A Tree

"My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, so far from my cries of anguish?" (Psalm 22:1; NIV)

"But I am a worm and not a man, scorned by everyone, despised by the people." (Psalm 22:6; NIV)

Image credits: ChatGPT

When Jesus hung on the cross and cried out in anguish, He was quoting Psalm 22:1. He is the Lamb of God who came to take away the sin of the world. (John 1:29) 

And, in the context of Christ's crucifixion on the cross, "I am a worm..." in Psalm 22:6 makes sense as it prophetically refers to the Messiah (Jesus Christ). 

Click here for I’ve never heard it explained like THIS!!🙌🔥 

Click here for Crimson Worm. 

That's how much God loves us. "But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8; NIV) Hallelujah!

Thank you for reading Tell The World That Jesus Lives!

Book review: Limitless by Nick Vujicic

“Limitless” is Nick Vujicic’s first devotional which draws on materials from two of his previous books, Life Without Limits and Unstoppable.

As explained by Nick, the title “Limitless” refers to God’s limitless love and power. This is a powerful devotional because it is a collection of his personal testimonies of his faith walk with God despite the challenges of having no arms and legs.

The struggle he has faced would resonate with readers of his books. For example, this is his take on unanswered prayer:  “I prayed to God that I would wake up with arms and legs. Those prayers were not answered. I grew angry and then depressed. Thoughts of suicide drove me to make an attempt on my own life, but I stopped short when I realized my death would burden my loved ones with guilt and grief. Over time, I came to understand that God has not brought me into the world without limbs to punish me. Instead, He had a plan for me, an incredible plan to serve Him by inspiring and leading others to lives of Christian faith.”

There are 50 chapters in this 163 pages devotional and I think it would be really useful to read 1 chapter several times for a week before moving on to the next chapter. Through repetition and constant renewal of our mind based on the same chapter over a week, I think readers could potentially assimilate the truth and wisdom of God’s Word concerning, inter alia, our faith in Him, and receive a greater insight / revelation of God as God in His limitless love and power.

At the end of each chapter there is a useful recapitulation which summarizes the lessons learnt and comes forth as apples of gold in setting of silver. Consider chapter 3, for example, where Nick wrote: “Whatever circumstances you face, God will use you for His purposes. It may be years before you understand what that purpose might be. In some cases, you may never know the full extent of His plans or why He allows some things to happen to you. That’s why it is necessary to put your faith in action by knowing God is with you and by knowing that even though bad things may happen, they do not change the fact that He loves you.”

This devotional is a great help for us to overcome personal limitations by deepening our faith in and walk with our limitless God. After reading it, you may, well, wanna bless someone else with a copy of “Limitless”. Happy reading!

For more information on Nick Vujicic, please click on the following links:

* NickVujicic Home Page

* NickVujicic World Outreach Web Series Trailer

 

Walk On by Kong Hee

(Source: City Harvest Church news bulletin, September 27 - 28, 2014)

The Christian experience is often known in the New Testament as a “walk”. After we are saved and birthed into the kingdom of God, God expects us not to remain where we are, but to take action and walk progressively into the vision and destiny He has called us.

When Solomon was a teenager, his father David instructed him to walk in the ways of the Lord God … that he may prosper and have success (1 Kings 2:3). Later on, the Lord God Himself told Solomon that if he would walk in His ways as his father David did, God would lengthen Solomon’s days (1 Kings 3:14). When the time came for Solomon to construct the temple, the word of the Lord came to Solomon, saying that if he would walk in His statutes, execute His judgment, keep all His commandments and walk in them … the Lord will dwell among the Israelites and will not forsake them (1 Kings 6:11-13).

From Solomon’s life, we can learn that a successful life is not just found in our position (as kings and priests unto God), but in our disposition, which is our walk. 

In the Old Testament, a priest had to walk out of his tent, enter the Outer Court, then into the Holy Place, and finally into the Holy of Holies, where the very Presence of God dwelled. Similarly, the New Testament gives us four instructions concerning our Christian walk, guiding us into the Presence and Power of God.


1. Walk In The Spirit, Not In The Flesh

Galatians 5:19-21 describes the flesh as sinful physical desires, wrong beliefs, negative emotions and carnal excesses. How can we as believers keep ourselves from walking in the flesh? A few verses earlier give us the answer …

Galatians 5:16 “I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.”

The Holy Spirit does not control us. He simply stands alongside us while we do the navigating through life. He leads us and guides us by bearing witness in our spirit.


2. Walk In Faith, Not In Fear

Without faith, it is impossible to please God. In fact, we still need faith even when we get to heaven. How do we obtain faith? By hearing the Word of God; if the Word of God says it, that settles it!

The opposite of faith is unbelief, which brings about fear. Interestingly, in the Bible, the number of times it is recorded that God says, “Fear not!” is 365 times! That means, we must have faith and be unafraid every single day – by standing on the promises of God’s Word.

3. Walk In Love, Not In Lust

Faith and love go hand in hand; you cannot have one without the other. Galatians 5:6 says that faith can only work through love. That is to say that love keeps our faith working in the right direction, for the right purpose. 1 John 4:18 tells us that perfect love casts out all fear. One touch of God’s love and all our fear, anger and bitterness melt away. Friends, walk in love, because our God is love (1 John 4:*).

4. Walk In Light, Not In Darkness

As God is light and in Him is no darkness at all (1 John 1:5), so must we endeavor to abandon every dark thought and every practice of darkness – especially when it comes to our relationship with others.

1 John 1:7 “But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.

In the Bible, we read of men who have walked with God.

Revelation 3:4 “You have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.”

Abraham walked with God in the path of faith.

Moses walked with God in the path of obedience.

David walked with God in the path of worship.

Elijah walked with God in the path of prayer.


Just like these heroes of faith, let us also continually walk on with Jesus as we serve faithfully in the different ministries in church; as we serve in our workplace and our schools; and as served in our home and our community. Church, let’s walk on with God in Spirit, faith, love and light!



Preaching the gospel of Christ in a way that’s both progressive and heartfelt, Dr. Kong Hee is a highly sought-after conference speaker worldwide, and his messages minister to millions of people around the world who are inspired to become true ambassadors for Christ wherever God has placed them. Kong is also the founder and senior pastor of City Harvest Church – a thriving, contemporary congregation in the heart of Singapore. His international TV program, Alive! With Kong, encourages millions around the world each week. For more information on Kong’s ministry and materials, please visit konghee.com.

What Can We Offer to God?

There are a good many things we can offer to God from whom all blessings flow. Everything we possess comes from Him; the earth is the LORD's and the fullness thereof.

We can offer to God our tithes, offerings, time, talent and so forth for the advancement of His kingdom. All of these would constitute part of offering our body as a living sacrifice unto Him out of love translated into willing obedience. Additionally, we can offer sacrifices which are direct and personal to God Himself.

Today, the Holy Spirit beckons me to meditate on Psalms 50:14-15 (NKJV):-

"Offer to God thanksgiving, And pay your vows to the Most High. Call upon Me in the day of trouble;I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me."

Yes, we can offer to God thanksgiving. Nobody is perfect, unless, of course, if your name is "Nobody". Let us, therefore, set a guard over our tongue and be mindful to give thanks to God habitually. 

When, where and what do we give thanks to God? 

"in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NKJV)"

Why do we give thanks to God? 

"Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. 1 Chronicles 16:34 (NKJV)" "Oh, that men would give thanks to the Lord for His goodness, And for His wonderful works to the children of men! Psalms 107:8 (NKJV)"

Just as important as thanksgiving would be the keeping of our promises to God -- rendering unto Him what is due lest we be guilty of honouring Him only with our lips.

Then, when we call upon him in the day of great distraught and He will come to our rescue. The day of trouble speaks of a particular momentous day. It could be our Waterloo where the odds are turning against us. Alternatively, it could be the day when we face our Goliath. 

When God delivers us and saves the day for us, we shall proclaim His goodness and mercies all the more!

Thus, we do well to give Him thanks (and praise), pay our vows and call upon Him. At the very least, we could offer to God the sacrifices of praise and thanks. "Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God. Psalms 50:23 (KJV)"

To wrap up our reflection for today, the following take on Psalms 50:7-15 from The Message is as follows for your edification:-

“Are you listening, dear people? I’m getting ready to speak;

    Israel, I’m about ready to bring you to trial.

This is God, your God,

    speaking to you.

I don’t find fault with your acts of worship,

    the frequent burnt sacrifices you offer.

But why should I want your blue-ribbon bull,

    or more and more goats from your herds?

Every creature in the forest is mine,

    the wild animals on all the mountains.

I know every mountain bird by name;

    the scampering field mice are my friends.

If I get hungry, do you think I’d tell you?

    All creation and its bounty are mine.

Do you think I feast on venison?

    or drink draughts of goats’ blood?

Spread for me a banquet of praise,

    serve High God a feast of kept promises,

And call for help when you’re in trouble—

    I’ll help you, and you’ll honor me.”