Hall of Faith Series: Abel and Enoch (Hebrews 11:4-5)

Welcome to the first post in the Hall of Faith Series. 

I hope you'll be blessed.

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Abel offering a
'more excellent sacrifice than Cain'

The list of characters in the Hall of Faith of Hebrews 11, starts from the early beginnings of history with righteous Abel, who was the first one on earth to ever experience death and death by violence. 

"By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh" (Hebrews 11:4) 

As we all know the account from Genesis, he was the second son of Adam and Eve. Unlike his brother Cain, Abel took heed to what his parents said God required of them after their fall in the Garden of Eden. This was now the only way to approach God as sinners - offering a blood sacrifice. It was, of course, looking forward to Christ, the Saviour, who was to come and be '...the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world' (John 1:29). God gave Abel true saving faith. 


Abel was a shepherd, but Cain was a farmer (see Genesis 4:2). The Bible say in Genesis 4 that one day Cain and Abel decided to offer a sacrifice to God. Cain decided to offer fruits and vegetables he has grown. This does not sound too bad at first. However, he totally missed the whole meaning of the offering. He had no faith in it. It is was just a duty to him.


Abel on the other hand understood by faith what the offering represented. The blood of the blameless lamb was to be his substitute before God for his sins. Through faith he saw his Redeemer. That was what he brought to God - '...the firstlings of his flock and of the fat thereof' (Genesis 4:4). It was also his best. The Bible says that 'the Lord had respect unto Abel and to his offering: But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect' (Genesis 4:4-5). God looked into Abel's heart and found faith and saw him as righteous. But He did not find it in Cain. 


Cain, of course, was angry with God and Abel and so, murdered his own brother! In 1 John 3:12, it says why he slew him: 'because his own works were evil, and his brother's righteous.' Even in his death he still speaks faith to us. 


May the Lord give us the faith of righteous Abel! 

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The next character in the Hall of Faith is that of Enoch. We know so very little about him, except for these precious words: 

"By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him:  for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God" (Hebrews 11: 5). 


Enoch and Elijah, were the only ones on earth to ever experience this: not tasting earthly death.


God did this for Enoch because he pleased Him. That is indeed a precious thing to have that said about you. But without FAITH it is impossible to please God (see Hebrews 11:6). When we approach God we must believe '...that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him' (11:16). Therefore, Enoch was full of faith in God. 


The only other place in the Bible where we know something more about Enoch's faith is in Jude 1:14-16, where Enoch is said to have prophesied, saying that '...the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, to execute judgement upon all, and to convince all that ungodly among them of their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him...' 


This is just a glimpse of the godliness and faith of this man of God. 
May the Lord grant us the faith of Enoch that causes us to please God always. 


Thank you for joining me on this journey. My presentation here is very poor. But I know it will be a learning journey for me and am being blessed with it as I hope it will bless you, too. 

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Learn More: 
Genesis 4:1-16
Hebrews 11: 4-6

QLD Floods - A Year On

These days are the first anniversary of the terrible floods that devastated our beautiful state of Queensland. At this time last year, QLD experienced the worst flooding since the 1970s. Water covered most of the State for many weeks. In some places the water would drain and then some time later it would re-flood! However, it was the freak event in a town about two hours away from us, Toowoomba and the Lockyer Valley, that shook us all as we watched it on the news. That wall of water that took many lives from one community...our hearts and prayers go out to them at this time. 

It reminded us of the frailty of life and how our lives depends on Him always. 

A few days later the beautiful Brisbane CBD was flooded, too, along with many surrounding suburbs. It devastated the lives, homes, and businesses of many.

It was a fearful time, and yet as my sister, Joy, said, the Lord gave us peace in it all, even though there were some nervous moments. He protected us and, thankfully, we were not directly effected. Yet our hearts broke to see the suffering of those around us. 

It was touching to see how the whole community came together. How strangers helped victims in the clean up. It was amazing how the city was soon up and running in a short period of time. God was good and merciful in it all. 

I just would like to share a small video clip of a boy in Toowoomba who prayed for his life as the waters came rushing past him...a very moving scene. 

Warning: This video unfortunately begins with an Advertisement. I can't control this nor what's in it. This is the only place I can find this footage at the moment. So, if you're interested to see it. you can just scroll down the page until the advertisement ends and then scroll up again to watch....very sorry about that. 

My sister, Joy, has posted some more photos. See here. 


It is difficult for many and it is an event that will remain fixed in my memory always, I'm sure. My prayers are with all those still hurting, that they may know Christ as Saviour, Redeemer, and Comforter. 

Hall of Faith Series - Introduction

As I've been thinking and praying about what the Lord would have me share with you this year, He reminded me, through a friend's blog post, of the 'Hall of Faith' in Hebrews chapters 11 and 12. In these days of uncertainties, turmoil, suffering, and spiritual challenges that daily confront us, I believe it is important to remember that we are surrounded by a '...great...cloud of witnesses' (Heb.12:1), always cheering us on and always encouraging us to hold fast to our faith in Him and run the race with endurance and perseverance. 

Since I was a little girl and from the beginning of my walk with the Lord, I've loved and been blessed and encouraged by the stories and biographies of Godly Christians who've lived their lives for the Lord and gave their all for Him who redeemed them. Most were ordinary, simple folk whom the Lord used to change history, to glorify His name, and build His kingdom. 

Through their FAITH they '...wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance; that they might obtain a better resurrection: And others others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover of bonds and imprisonment: They were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword: they wondered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitue, afflicted, tormented; (Of whom the world was not worthy:) they wandered in deserts, and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth. And these all, having obtained a good report through faith...' (Heb.11: 33-39a). 

Their God is my God, too - our God! That give me strength and hope and inspires me to persevere. Reading about them has also inspired my present love for history. I realised that God is very much at work in the world and that history is really His Story! 

I invite you to join me these coming months (or longer??) on a 'tour' or 'journey' of heaven's Hall of Faith! The hall is long and it goes back to the beginning of time. Meet their Mighty God and Saviour. See them conquer their sins, weaknesses, fears, and doubts through FAITH in Him. 'This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith' (1 John 5:4b). See them give themselves to the Lord and He doing mighty things in their lives and through them. 

Whenever, the Lord gives me the time, I'll share a bit about a character from either biblical times or from early and late antiquity and modern times, as the Lord leads! I'll also try to place these characters in their historical context and see how the Lord used them even in the small and ordinary things as well as the big and extraordinary to influence people and change history. 

Look out for this picture to follow up on this series!

Many Blessings,  

Crowned With Goodness - Happy New Year!

Happy New Year to all in our Lord Jesus! 

I can't believe that 2011 has just ended. It's been an amazing year to be sure. A LOT has happened, many changes, many sorrows, and also many joys. Floods, storms, earthquakes, tsunamis, revolutions, revolts, victories and defeats, death and destruction, and also revival and joy! These are just the amazing paradoxes of this year. In it all we can say: 'Eben-ezer...Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.' (1 Samuel 7:12b). It is really exciting and humbling to think that we live in days when history is being made. It is days in which our God and our Heavenly Father is working mighty things that we at times do not know or understand. But we can be sure, as His children, that they are always good and full of infinite wisdom. Personally I can declare that He has been faithful. 'Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and they paths drop fatness.' (Psalm 65:11). Amen! Jesus is very good!

Now a new year is before us - 2012! A new beginning and full of new opportunities to experience God's goodness and faithfulness! It is a time of making new resolutions....unfortunately, I'm very bad at keeping them! We need His grace always. My prayer for this new year, it to know the Lord Jesus more. To lose myself and find Him more. It is not always easy, but this is true life and yes, true joy. I want to spend time with Him more. I want to rely and trust Him more fully. I want to see Jesus lifted high in my life, my family, in the Church, and around the world. 

At this moment, let us also remember our brothers and sisters  in the Lord around the world who are suffering and are persecuted. I have in mind the sad bombings of Churches in Nigeria this past Christmas. May the Lord strengthen them and comfort them. 

Tonight is also the 1st anniversary of the bombings of the Church in Alexandria, Egypt where many died and many others were injured. 12 months later, Egypt has undergone unbelievable change. The Church in Egypt has suffered a lot and yet in the midst of that darkness, the Lord Jesus shines in His people. That is a comfort for all His people everywhere. I believe that next year will bring many more changes both on the personal level and on the more general, worldwide level, some perhaps may not be what we would like to have. But through it all, He will be with us and we will see Him, if we just look up to Him and call on His name! 

The following video clip has gone viral on the internet. Though you will most probably never see it on the normal media. It happened a few weeks ago in Cairo, Egypt in the Moukatam Cave Church, during a long 'Night of Prayer and Return to God' meeting in which at least 70,000 people attended. Earlier this year, some members of this Church experienced martyrdom during one of the many attacks on Christians this year. See what the Lord is doing.

'And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.' (Acts 2:21) 

'The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.' (Proverbs 18:10)

Thousands in Egypt shout JESUS for 10 consecutive minutes. It was also totally spontaneous! 

The song "Hail, Jesus, Your my King!' in Arabic while the congregation shouts JESUS!

Amen! May the Lord give us more of this worldwide in this coming new year! 

Before ending, I just want say thank you to all my friends for encouraging me. This year I started blogging. It has been an amazing experience. I look forward to being blessed by all of you again this new year! 

God Bless,

Merry Christmas! This Day in History: Christmas Truce, 1914

Merry Christmas to all! 

Well, this is the end of this lovely day, spent happily and quietly with my family. The Lord gave us a good and blessed time together. We worked, sang, laughed, prayed, ate, and opened presents together. A really special time. It is hard to believe it's come and gone so quickly. This is life. It goes very quickly. But with Jesus, this is never the end...it is always only the beginning! Because of this day 2,000 years ago, we can have life and hope for tomorrow, as well as today. A new year is now before us and we can always rely on Him to be with us to guide us and to satisfy us. Let us rejoice in Him! Let us love and fear Him! He is our life! 

Today I'd like to share a small historical event that took place during WWI. It was the Christmas Truce of 1914, when Christmas brought a glimpse of the final peace that will one day come because of the first and second coming of the Prince of Peace. It also shows how the Christmas carol, 'Silent Night' has brought  many people, far and wide and under difficult circumstances together, through the grace of the Holy Spirit. 

Unfortunately it's late now and I feel pretty tired after such a lovely but long day, so I won't be able to write about it myself! But I'll give you some links and a documentary video clip.   

The Truce of 1914

Christmas Truce (Wikipedia)

In WW2, Christmas brought similar moments of peace and reconciliation...even if it lasted one night. Click here to watch Silent Night - A touching WWII true story (a few graphic war scenes and  perhaps a bit of course language). 

God Bless, 

Libera - Inspirational Music

Hello again, my dear reader friends! It's been a while since my last post and Christmas is almost upon us! I believe it is an amazing season...not because of all the silliness that goes on around in the world during that time, but because of the amazing thing that we remember at this special time every year. How the Great God of Heaven and Earth and all that is in them, the Great God of the Universe, our Great Creator, should love us so much that He would give us His most precious Son to redeem us from sin and death and give us eternal life to all who believe and receive His salvation. I never ever cease to wonder at this. This greatness that choose to be a small helpless baby, born in a very poor home, and in a poor, dirty manger. To grow and become a Man and die on a horrible cross...all for us! It is beyond our understanding! But we can accept it with humility and thanksgiving and give our lives to Him as an offering. Thank you, Lord! 

This is the GOSPEL:

"For God so loved the world, that He gave His 

        Only begotten 

        Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not 

        Perish, but have 

        Everlasting 

        Life" 

John 3: 16

Amen!

We do not want to celebrate this season in the way the world celebrates...just gifts and material things...but it is a time to worship our Redeemer.

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Recently, I discovered an amazing boys choir based in London, called Libera. They mainly sing classical sacred music and they are just amazing and so heavenly. You've probably already noticed the music video I put on the top of the blog for the Carol of the Bells...I think this is the best version I've found for it so far. Here is some more for you to be blessed by this Christmas time:

Be Blessed. 

This Day in History - Remembrance Day 2011

The Armistice Carriage 

Today is Remembrance Day or Armistice Day. On this day in 1918 the Armistice treaty  was signed, thus ending the First World War - one of the bloodiest in history. This day is always commemorated on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour. Added to this, this year we've got another 11 (2011)!! 

This is a very special day to remember the sacrifice our soldiers have paid to guarantee us freedom and peace. I have deep respect and admiration for those who put their lives willingly at risk to defend us. May God bless them and protect them. It is a great blessing to live in a free country. It's more precious to me especially when I look at other countries who do not have this blessing, who have their own armies against their own people (Remember Tiananmen Square in China or more recently, the Copts in Egypt). 

So, today let's thank God for all these blessings and pray for our soldiers who are giving so much for us. 

They shall not grow old, 

as we that are left grow old:

Age shall not weary them, 

nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun

and in the morning 

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM!

~ From For The Fallen (1914) by 

Laurence Binyon (1869-1943)

Peace and Freedom are very precious things and are never cheap. It also reminds me of our own spiritual journey to heaven, as portrayed so beautifully in Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress. It is a journey full of dangers and snares - a narrow way - as we fight our own flesh and Satan's attacks and snares. But if we persevere we shall overcome and gain the crown of life. (see James 1:12, Revelation 2:10) 

Here is a lovely song - 'He That Overcomes' by Jimmy and Carol Owens:

The trailer of the movie the Lord of the Rings: The Return of the  King (2009), said something very true, touching, and profound: 

There can be 

No triumph without loss.

No victory without suffering. 

No freedom without a sacrifice.  

This is what our Saviour has done to purchase our freedom form sin and to defeat Satan. This is our journey, too. We are to follow in His steps. May the Lord grant us the grace to endure and persevere to the end. We must not give up. 

~God bless

IDOP 2011 - International Day of Prayer for the Persecuted Church

Well, dear friends, it's true. I've been away from blogging for a while. I've been pretty busy with university assignments and exam preparations....whew! quite hectic! But the Lord is always good and very faithful. His mercies endure forever. Praise the Lord! Well, I hope to get back to it as soon as possible. I'm still thinking about what to share next:)

However, tonight I'd just like to encourage you all to join in this year's IDOP (from 6th - 13th of November). Whether in Church, or with family and friends, or just alone in our time with the Lord. Let's remember our brothers and sisters around the world who are suffering persecution and hardship. Pray that the Lord would be with them and strengthen them in their tribulations and deliver them from evil. Pray that those who are in prisons would be released. Pray that the Lord would provide all their needs. Pray that they would be given courage to witness to the Lord in these very hostile places. Pray that the Lord would provide them with His precious Word. 

Prayer Changes Things! 

'Remember them that are in bonds, as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the body.'  Hebrews 13:3