Christian - Others

How Will A Christ-led Israel Respond To Hamas? Collin Leong, September 11, 2023 1. Introduction There are so many debates on whether Christians should support Israel or condemn Israel in the war with Hamas. It is difficult to chose a side, since both sides are using the bible as the source of their opinions.  For example, those who are pro-Israel often emphasize biblical prophecy , God’s covenant with Israel , and Israel’s right to self-defense . Here's what they lean on: 1.  Covenantal Promises & Prophecy Genesis 12:1–3 – God promises to bless those who bless Abraham’s descendants. Genesis 15:18–21 – The land is given to Israel as an everlasting possession. Romans 11:28–29 – “The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable,” affirming Israel’s continued place in God’s plan. Jeremiah 31:31–37 – God promises to “plant them in this land with all my heart and soul.” Ezekiel 36:24 – God will gather Israel from the nations and restore them. 2.  Just War and Government Au...

 Jude 1:9 says: "But even the archangel Michael, when he was disputing with the devil about the body of Moses, did not himself dare to condemn him for slander but said, “The Lord rebuke you!”" While the verse is brief and the Bible doesn’t elaborate further, several interpretations have emerged from both biblical context and early tradition. One widely held view is that Satan wanted to use Moses’ body to incite idolatry. The Israelites had a history of venerating physical objects (like the bronze serpent or the golden calf), so if Moses’ body had been accessible, it could have become a shrine—distracting the people from worshiping God. That may be why Deuteronomy 34:6 says God Himself buried Moses in a secret location. Another interpretation is that Satan was making a legal accusation, perhaps claiming Moses was unworthy of honorable burial due to his sin (like striking the rock in Numbers 20). In this view, the dispute reflects Satan’s role as the accuser, while Michael, rat...

Why Did Judas Kiss Jesus? By. Dr. Nicholas Schaser The Anointing Kiss: When Judas arrives at Gethsemane, he tells the accompanying crowd, “The one I will kiss (φιλήσω; philéso) is he; seize him”. Then, Judas “kissed him” (κατεφίλησεν αὐτόν; katephílesen autón ). The Greek word for “to kiss” (φιλέω; philéo) also means “to love,” so it’s ironic that Judas chooses this gesture to mark his disloyalty to Jesus. Luke flags this irony when Yeshua asks, “Judas, would you betray the Son of Man with a kiss (φιλήματι; philémati)?”. While, in one sense, the betrayer’s behavior appears out of place, it is also appropriate insofar as the kiss recalls one of the  rituals of royal coronation  and foreshadows the references to Jesus as  “King of the Jews”  before his crucifixion! Samuel's Gesture When Samuel installs Saul as king of Israel, “Samuel kissed him (ἐφίλησεν αὐτὸν; epílesen autòn) and said, ‘Has not the Lord anointed you to be prince over his people Israel?’”. In the conte...

Pray We pray with expectancy and surrendered-ness.  Pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest, ask him to send more workers into his fields. (Matthew 9:38). The Greek word for "Pray" is DEOMAI, meaning to plead desperately. 'When we work, we work. When we pray, God works."  Hudson Taylor  Pride We naturally admire the wisdom and good judgement of those who come to us for advice.  How come only the most sensible people agree with us? I'm so humble that I'm proud of it!  (I'm proud of my humility) Repentance Sin unrepented does not disappear; it accumulates. Wisdom is to embrace repentance when God gives the opportunity. (Hosea 13:12-13) Resurrection   If you walk to a junction, who would you ask which way to go? The man who is dead or the man who is alive? I believe in Jesus because He rose from the dead. Righteousness (Hosea 10:12) "Sow for yourselves righteousness; reap steadfast love; break up your fallow ground, for it is the time to seek t...

Believe/Faith Unbelief is not a problem of the intellect but of the will. Doubt makes the mountain which faith can move. Feed your faith and your doubts will starve to death. Faith keeps the man who keeps his faith. Faith gives us the courage to face the present with confidence and the future with expectancy. Faith is the daring of the soul to go farther than it can see. Faith is the hinge that holds the believer to a personal relationship with God. Faith is something like electricity. Yougea can't see it, but you can see the light. When we do what we can, God will do what we can't. Christianity   Christianity is not the end of your life, but a turning point of your life.  Commitment God is not looking for convenience-based commitment, but conviction-based commitment.  Cross The cross is the gateway to our salvation. Death The greatest tragedy is not dying unexpectedly. The greatest tragedy is living unprepared.  Your valley is not your grave, but it is God's stage t...

Trees In The Bible - Part 1 Collin Leong. Jan 25, 2025 Introduction In the scriptures, trees are used as analogies and parables, and for practical use. For example, it is used to symbolize people who: a) Meditates on the Word:  Psalm 1:3 -   "That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither—whatever they do prospers." b) Are bearing spiritual or moral fruits:   Matthew 7:17 -   "Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit." c) Are connected to Christ:   John 15:5 -   "I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." d) Are godly and close to God:  Ps 92:12-13 - "But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the LORD’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God." e) Are wise: Proverbs...