Why It Is Difficult To Have The Lord's Supper In Church Services

Why It Is Difficult To Have The Lord's Supper In Church Services

From Jesus' time to the early church, the Lord's Supper was not just bread and wine (or elements of that). It was a communal meal (aka a full meal).

Now 𝐚𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠, Jesus took bread, and after blessing it broke it and gave it to the disciples... - Matthew 26:26 (See also Mark 14:22).

Note: For those who say that we must literally follow the Bible without understanding the principles of truth, you should only use wine instead of grape juice. For some of us, we prefer Ribena.

Believers gathered, not just for sustenance, but also for fellowship (koinonia), which means the '𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐩𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧' in this eternal life in Christ. Read 1 Cor 11:17-34. It's not for the purpose of socializing with friends. That's not fellowship.

In the early church, the communal meal was also known as the Agape feast (Jude 12). Holy Communion was done in the context of Agape feast (1 Cor 11:17-34). At the feast, each individual brings his food to the table (like a modern potluck). It's shared participation. The rich will bring more while the poor may bring less, but everyone gets a share equally.

The Agape feast and the Eucharist (Holy Communion) were always held together until around 3rd century when it became separated.

Today, this is seldom practised as it is difficult to have the Lord's Supper during church services. People may have communion with Christ, but 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

Though the early disciples met regularly in the temple courts, 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐛𝐫𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐛𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐢𝐫 𝐡𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 (Acts 2:46). Because Agape feast & Eucharist can be better done in a home setting, so that believers can have 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫.

While the Lord's Supper signifies the past (what Christ did), the present (His actual presence) and the future (His return), it also encompasses koinonia because communion with Him must lead to communion with one another, since His Body was broken so that we become the Body of Christ to serve one another.

By participating in Holy Communion on the church pews, it has diluted and missed the original purpose of the Lord's Supper. Perhaps it's time to return to its significance. #homechurching

P.S: The abuse in the Corinthian church did not stop the Agape Feast & Eucharist from taking place, but was simply rebuked and corrected by Paul. Today, we avoid this by instituting man-made ordinances that are simply traditions. There is no issue with having tradition as long as it does not prevent us from following the Word. Sadly, the tradition for Holy Communion prevents some from biblical participation.

P.P.S: In Agape feast, we will also discover who is generous and sacrificial, and who is self-centred, NOT by the amount of food we bring (for some are richer), but 𝐛𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐞𝐚𝐭.

Three Phases of 40 Years

Three Phases of 40 Years

A generation generally refers to 40 years in the Bible (Num 32:13). To see our grandchildren's generation, it will be the third generation.

If we break down our lives into three generations of 40 years:

First 40 years will be the time of exploration:

- We explore and venture into all that we desire. We take risks to step into new things and keep testing variants. We want to give the youth years to discover our assignment on earth.

Second 40 years will be the time of consolidation:

- We narrow down and prioritise our lives to fulfill our assignment. We put away every unnecessary and seemingly good stuff so that we can focus on the God-stuff. We continue to take risks (since faith is spelt 'risk') but focused-risks in targeted areas. We run with the goal of our heavenly call and no longer swerve to the left or the right.

Third 40 years will be the time of impartation:

- We teach our children's children to go after God and His Kingdom. We impart whatever principles, lessons and experiences that we have learnt to them. We continue to take risks to build deeper into our assignment and complete it (there is no retirement and "in the sweet by and by" in the Kingdom by the way). Finally, we bless our children and our children's children before we commit our spirit to the Lord.

Just something that came to my mind as I was in the Theta brainwave frequency before hitting the sack.

Disclaimer: I'm not saying that this is the fixed way it should be but something to ponder about as I'm approaching the second phase.

P.S: Oh yes, it shouldn't be surprising to live till 120.

The Power Of The Mind Part 2

Came back from a swim and looked into the mirror. Soon... I'll be 40. The reality of Beholding is as real as Becoming. Your age does not have to determine your life, energy and health.

And what I am going to share is a living testimony of the power of your mind that God has created.

People often say, “Mind over body.” This is actually supposed to be literal. Your mind has the power to control every part of your body, including cells (as mentioned in Part 1).

People put in a lot of efforts in dieting and exercising. I have nothing against that. It is, in fact, good, because that is self-discipline. But there is a problem with that. It can become a form of addiction. Stop your diet or exercise regime for one week and see how you respond. If you get uncomfortable, you are likely addicted to it. In other words, your trust is not in Jesus but your ability to exercise and follow a diet. I used to go to the gym regularly in the past. So I understood about this form of addiction. The last I went was in 2007, about more than 13 years ago, until I was devastated when I was diagnosed with an incurable autoimmune disease (now healed by God). I learnt never ever to trust in diet and exercise again.

Disclaimer: I’m not saying that observing diet and exercise is no good. It’s good if you are free from being addicted to it. It’s good if you do not over rely on them. You will know if you have become dependent if you have “withdrawal” symptoms/feelings when you stop for a while.

I’m sharing something more superior than observing diet and exercise. The former only reaches the “body” realm. But the mind is more superior than the body, because the mind is in the “soul” realm. If we allow the Spirit to function correctly, He will move through the soul (mind) before touching the body.

By meditating and beholding who Jesus is, your mind has the power to control your body cells (including weight loss and muscle development). I’m not kidding. That’s why I have to put the photo as a proof. People who didn’t meet me for some time kept thinking that I must have gone to the gym to beef up. They refused to believe that I merely went for swimming.

Here are the keys to what I did to produce the outcome:

Gym: Last I went was 2007. More than 13 years ago.

Weight-lifting: By no means. I’m short enough.

Jogging: Last I went was 2018.

Cross-fit: Zero time. Never ever pay to be tortured, since the Cross already paid for you to be free from torture. 

Diet: Three normal meals per day as a normal person does. Never observe any diet.

Coffee: Twice a day

Swim: The only exercise I do is swimming. Three times a week, 10 laps per time. Period.

Special diet: Potato chips often around mid-night. Frequency: Regularly.

Health supplements: Word of God. Not just once a day. But regularly throughout the day.

I know this might be unbelievable to some, especially for those who really put in a lot of efforts for diet & exercise, of whom I honour them for the discipline, which is important.

But this is meant to point to the possibility of God’s kingdom reality for your physical body through the power of your mind in Christ. Not many people preach about this, but the Kingdom is meant to flow through our spirit, soul and body. Life and health are imparted through the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus.

If the kingdom of God can flow through our spirit to destroy sickness in our body, the kingdom of God can also flow to sustain strength, life and power in our body.

I’m pretty radical when it comes to certain beliefs in Christ. In fact, many believers think I’m crazy when I share the things that I believe in. But I rather believe God to the extreme, than to look back and have a faith that sits on the fence.

This post is pushing the limit to challenge us to see beyond what is humanly possible so that we can trust Him for the impossible. There are already lots of supernatural weight-loss miracles, so why can’t we believe in supernatural health and body? Christ IN you includes spirit, soul and BODY. Jesus!

Disclaimer: I’m not asking you to drop what you are doing in your diet and exercise, nor to eat junk, but challenging you to behold the Word, meditate and use the power of the God-given mind to produce cells in your body.

P.S: Jesus must be really buff on earth as a carpenter. No joke. He's not some limp-wristed pantywaist.

Delay In Raising Lazarus From The Dead

The following explains why Jesus had to delay in raising Lazarus from the dead.

1) Why did John write the Gospel of John? The main idea/purpose of this book will reveal why he only documented certain works of Christ.

2) What did the Jews believe in regarding the Messiah and the resurrection of the dead?

3) Were there prophecies in the Old Testament pointing to the Messiah raising the dead or regarding the resurrection of the dead?

Additional Background information about the Jewish law:

Those who don’t believe in resurrection “have no share in the world to come.” - Mishnah Sanhedrin 10:1

“The very height of mourning is not till the third day. For three days the spirit wanders about the tomb, wondering if it may return into the body... then it hovers no more, but leaves the body to itself.” - Genesis Rabbah 100 [64a]

“During the first three days. Experts return to the cemetery and examine the dead to determine whether they are really dead...” (Semachot 8:1)

The Power Of The Mind Part 1

The Power Of The Mind Part 1

There are truths in the Word that are now confirmed by Science. Science does not prove God. It confirms God by discovery.

The human brain operates in five different waves, namely: alpha, beta, delta, theta and gamma. Each of them has different ranges of frequency.

Adults usually function in the beta brainwaves when we are awake. However, young children function in the theta brainwaves (4-8 Hz), which is also known as the dreamy/drifty state of mind. It is associated with creativity and intuition.

As adults, there is a period where we operate in the theta brain frequencies ----- just before we sleep and just after we are awake; at that subconscious state of mind. This was also the times when King David meditated on God (Ps 63:1, 6) ----- before he slept and early when he awoke. Personally, I received revelation on marriage covenant few years back in that subconscious (theta) state of mind.

Our mind, at theta frequencies, is capable of deep and profound learning, intuition (aka spiritual revelations), creativity, memories, healing and growth.

This theta state of mind is also achievable during deep relaxation, inner peace and meditation (including speaking in tongues).

The Bible teaches in so many ways about the importance of mind renewal through meditation, prayer and tongues.

For they are life to those who find them, and healing to all their flesh. - Prov 4:22

God already knew the power of our mind when He created us, and He taught us how to operate correctly so that we receive intuition, learning, health, etc.

The New Age spirituality and the Tibetans understand Theta Healing (brain frequencies) more than Christians, because we tend to reject anything supernatural. We always forget that there are only counterfeits when there is an original. God is the Creator of our mind. He is the Creator of brainwaves and frequencies.

There have been studies that showed that theta frequencies can kill tumours in the body. Those in New Age who practise Theta Healing (through a different medium) have gotten cancer patients healed, limbs regrown, etc.

We, who are in Christ, have been given the original Tool, the Word of God, to renew our mind and by will, operate in the frequencies to destroy every disease in our bodies. 

There is much more to our mind than you think you have. And before you relegate everything to the New Age and the demonic, go back to the Word and study again.

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐢𝐭 𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐨𝐮𝐬, and then you will have good success. - Joshua 1:8

Beloved, I pray that in all respects you may 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐛𝐞 𝐢𝐧 𝐠𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡, just as your soul prospers. - 3 John 2

The way for us to prosper in health (and beyond health) is to meditate on the Word and get our mind renewed (with the theta state of mind).

Disclaimer: There are plenty of resources you can look at with regards to the human brainwaves. The resources are not supposed to change the truths in the Word. They are supposed to confirm it.

Stretching Your Faith

Stretching Your Faith

How did Jesus walk without unbelief when He had to be feeding five thousands with five loaves and two fish for the first time in His life? How did He walk without unbelief when He had to raise the dead for the first time on earth? 

I find that pretty intriguing.

"Most assuredly, I am saying to you, the Son is not able to be doing by Himself anything except that which He is seeing the Father doing; for whatever things that One is doing, these things also the Son in like manner is doing. For the Father is fond of the Son and is constantly showing Him all things which He Himself is doing. And greater works than these will He show Him in order that you may be marvelling." - John 5:19-20 (WUESTNT)

Some charismatic circles teach that Jesus saw what the Father was literally doing, and He followed likewise. For example, the Father spat on the ground... and Jesus did the same in order to heal the blind man (John 9:6). If this is true, then Jesus probably had to check out if the Father started walking with His left leg or right leg before He followed suit.

Some say, "Well... that's common sense. Don't need to see what God is doing when it comes to walking." Well, what is common sense to you doesn't mean it is common sense to Him. If you want to stick to one principle, you have to be consistent and stick to all. You can't pick and choose what you want to suit your own theology.

Let me submit to you that what Jesus saw in John 5:19 is the will and the heart of the Father. He knew that the Father would always heal and always provide. So He did likewise.

Verse 20 says that the Father would show Him greater works. In other words, Jesus had to stretch His faith beyond what He already saw in the "lesser" works of God.

What Jesus saw and did prepared Him to do the "greater" works. This is the same principle as 1 Samuel 17:37 - "And David said, “The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

Jesus had to lean on the healing and miracles He saw and stretched His faith for the feeding of five thousands and the raising of Lazarus from the dead.

The God Who Was with me is the God Who Is with me. Therefore, I can stretch further. Greater works require greater stretching. We need to go beyond our comfort level. This applies to all areas: healing, prophecy, word of knowledge, relationship, finances, etc.

If you are comfortable at getting a word of knowledge for ailment, then stretch for names, vocation, address, contact number, etc.

If you are comfortable at giving 5-10% away, then stretch for 20% first, and watch how God supplies extra to you.

If you are comfortable at your job (because of stable income), then quit your job and go after what God is already telling you to do.

We can't see the "greater" if we are not willing to stretch further. Every time when we stretch a little more, we destroy unbelief a little more.

Divine Intelligence

Divine Intelligence

Since Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used in machines to think like humans and mimic our actions, Human Intelligence is of a higher level, because we created AI.

But there is still a more supreme level than Human Intelligence. That is Divine Intelligence. The Corinthian church, who was carnally-minded, immature and prideful, actually moved in gift of word of wisdom (the Greek word 'sophia' means Divine Intelligence).

They operated in such wisdom from time to time because of the gift. However, we are not meant to move from gift to gift ----- that is meant for infants aka carnally-minded believers. We are meant to move in identity according to the image of Christ who walked in fullness of God's wisdom and power.

Jesus walked in God's fullness so that the operation of Divine Intelligence is always constant and consistent. Since Jesus now lives in us, Divine Intelligence is now in us (1 Cor 1:24, 30). For we have the mind of Christ (1 Cor 2:16).

Our mind in Christ is superior to Human Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence. Science (cf. Dr Caroline Leaf) has discovered that our mind has the ability to literally produce good cells (at our will) and change our bodies, actions and lives.

This is why the Bible teaches that we are to 'meditate on the Word', 'set our mind on things above', 'be renewed in the spirit of our mind', etc.

We can walk in such Divine Intelligence that encompasses all that Christ walked in on earth and beyond (John 14:12). That includes divine health, divine wealth (not necessarily money), and foretelling, etc.

I would like to say that New Age spirituality and some other powers (which I have personally witnessed and confronted) are counterfeit, because the enemy wants to lure people to them. 

However, just because there is a counterfeit does not mean that we should be fearful of walking in the Original Divine Intelligence. For if you don't do so, you are walking less than you were created to be; you are not giving Christ the full glory of what He sacrificed for on the Cross; and you are giving the enemy the opportunity to keep deceiving others because you fail to rise up and walk in the mind of Christ.

P.S: I don't subscribe to the prosperity gospel.

Progressive Christianity

Nicer building and greater use of digital technology do not mean necessarily mean progressive Christianity. It just means that we are progressing with times and the world, but at the same time, we are also diluting Christianity.

If we need to put a lot of effort to entertain and engage people, by the same token, we need to do likewise in order to keep them from leaving.

That’s not the Gospel.

The Gospel of the Kingdom is so relevant and timeless that it can reach everyone’s spirit, soul and body such that they realise that without it, they cannot live this life on earth.

The Kingdom doesn’t play catch-up. The Kingdom is the government realm of God that is to be established on earth as it is in heaven.

Systematic Theology

Systematic Theology

Since no man is perfect in theology, all man-made approaches to bible interpretations have their flaws.

The simplest and clearest approach to systematic theology, however, is not what we learn from men, but from Jesus Himself ------ Jesus exegeted God by the way (John 1:18). The method is actually given in the Bible, instead of some theological textbooks (of which I have also studied).

If anyone's 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 is to do God's will, he will know whether the 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠 is from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority. - John 7:17

The word 'teaching' means 'doctrine', where the Greek word 'didaskalía' is derived from. 'Didaskalía' is where the word '𝐬𝐲𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐥𝐨𝐠𝐲' comes from.

True Christian theology leads to life applications. The head knowledge must translate to the hands in action. Because Jesus emphasizes on doing the will of God.

How does one know if the doctrine/teaching is of God? The answer is simple ------ 𝐢𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐲𝐨𝐧𝐞'𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐝𝐨 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥.

The word 'will' means 'desire; intend'. If we desire to do God's will when studying His Word, the Holy Spirit will guide us into all truths (John 16:13; 1 John 2:20). Because spiritual truths from God must be spiritually discerned (1 Cor 2:10-16). Otherwise, non-believers can simply apply human methods to interpret the Bible. If spiritual truths can be interpreted that way, then you don't need the Spirit of God.

But the anointing that you received from Him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. 𝐁𝐮𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐇𝐢𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐨𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡𝐞𝐬 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐚𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐠, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in Him. - 1 John 2:27

This passage is to guard the Ephesians against deception and false teachings by the way.

In a nutshell, if we study the Word for the sake of more knowledge, we open ourselves more to deception and false teachings than someone who studies the Word so that he can obey and do God's will.

Disclaimer: This is not an excuse not to study the Word diligently (2 Tim 2:15).

P.S: The disciples of Christ were unschooled, ordinary men (Acts 4:13) who did great exploits. They didn’t go to the School of Great Bible Studies. Today, those who are scholars remain as scholars, but those who study and obey the Word literally do great exploits.

Breaking The Religious Mind

A number of people asked, "How do I know which job God wants me to take?"

This question has its root founded on the religious mind, which has been widely taught in many Christian circles. As a result, believers genuinely struggle to find out God's will concerning the job they should go for. They are waiting for God to speak to them and lead them to a particular job, or rather, the 'so called' God's best for them.

Well, you will realise that Jesus and Paul didn't talk about how you should wait upon God to get a job. Because that's not the main priority in the Kingdom. I know this is going against the normal flow of 'Spirit-led' decision. But the term 'Spirit-led' has been so spiritualised that we misunderstood it.

The main priority of a believer is to fulfill the Great Commission. In other words, you can choose any job if it supports the main work. Otherwise, if the job prevents you from fulfilling the Great Commission, quit that job because it's not God.

When we delight ourselves in Him, He puts His desires in us, since we are one with Him (John 15:5; Ps 37:4; 1 Cor 6:17). For it is God who works in us both to will and to do for His good pleasure (Phil 2:13).

We are still thinking of religion where God is separated from us. Christianity doesn't have a God who is far away from us. In fact, He lives in and through us (Acts 17:28; Gal 2:20).

My son often likes to ask me, "Papa, what should I do?" And I'll reply, "What do you like to do?" When he shares his desires and passion, I'll say, "Do it!"

If you delight yourself in God, and share your desires and passion with Him, He will say, "Do it!" 

Your desires and passion will direct you to choose a job. God usually doesn't say, "This is the job for you. You can't do any other job." No. He is your FATHER! He empowers you to CHOOSE the job because He lives in and through you.

We are so afraid to take a step of faith and make the decision that we often cripple ourselves into thinking, "If God doesn't say anything, I don't do anything." That's not sonship. That's not the New Covenant. That's a slave's mentality.

When I was going to leave my previous salaried job, a Pastor-friend said to me, “Are you sure? Now you have a family, you know? You cannot just make a decision like that.” I was pretty surprised to hear that coming from a faith-filled person.

We are more concerned with making a mistake than stretching in faith because we have a wrong view of God where He appears to be smaller than who He says He is in Romans 8:28.

P.S: There is no God's best for getting a spouse either. Sorry to burst your spiritual, holy & religious bubble.

Complete In Christ

You have been made complete in Christ. - Col 2:10

The word ‘complete’ also means ‘made full’ and ‘filled’. It’s root word comes from ‘pletho’, meaning ‘full in quantity’, which is also used on the Day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled (pletho) the disciples.

There is no “higher level” you can attain in Christ or “more anointing” you can hunger after. You have been made complete in Christ.

Christianity begins complete because Christ completed His works on the Cross. If you don’t start, continue and live from where Christ had finished, you are finished.

The Kingdom is upside down from the world (and often the church). If you think there is a higher level of attainment, you have not been crucified with Christ. That’s not humility. That’s actually pride, for you think that you can go higher and others are therefore, “lower” than you.

This immobilises believers because they think that they always need “more” in order to serve Him and do His works.

The day you see yourself complete in Christ is the day you cease to strive for identity and recognition. It will be the day you step out in faith to do what He wants you to do.