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1) Send link for 1-2 sermons on Sunday

2) Send reminder to everyone in chat during the week

Rotation order: Justine, Eric, Jenny, Yuyu, Wendy, Lisan, Joey, Hans

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https://padlet.com/justinelee1235/sermons-t3dl1mbpfgvgt1v4

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22 Jun 2025

(Kor-Eng-Chi)

https://youtu.be/3wcE1LVOT0Q?t=2723

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Preston Church: Story of Lovingkindness and Faithfulness - Rebekah 慈愛與誠實的故事-利百加 by Bro. Eric Kim

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Today, I received a meeting invite from my manager for tomorrow with a note

"You are welcome to invite a support person to come along to the meeting with you."

I will find out for sure tomorrow, but this most likely means I won't make it through the probation.

I was thinking if I should write this tomorrow when I know for sure, but I thought I should do so now before I find out what's going to happen.

About a months ago, when my manager became sour with me and threatened me with probation.. I panicked and became very afraid.. around that time, Pr Joseph Lee sent me his sermon scripts so I could translate it.. Thank God, Pr. Joseph is very kind person.. not only he sent through the script, but also kept to the script 99% of the time, knowing I'm not used to interpreting.

Also, I could really feel God was with him. Through Pr. Joseph, God spoke to me.

"Why are you so afraid, Eric? O you of little faith.."

This sermon, 'Why are you so afraid' was the first script he sent to me.. as soon as I saw the title, I felt God was talking to me about my recent struggle with work.

Pr. Joseph makes it very clear in the sermon.. disciples didn't need to panick and wake Lord Jesus up.. only because He said "Let us go to the other side." They didn't understand what that meant.

The 'crazy wind' made them 'crazy' too.. and that's how I reacted when my manager threatened me with my probation.

This 4 weeks has been a very fruitful time for my faith.. I think I finally learned what it means to be "be strong and of good courage"... which I believe is my current chapter of faith.. started in 2021... when I prayed with aim to 'listen to God', and 3 bible passages quickly popped up in my head one after the other.

Matthew 11:28-30 Yoke of Lord Jesus

Matthew 6:33-34 do not worry about tomorrow

Joshua 1:7-9 Be strong and very courageous

I won't go into too much detail as it will get too long.. :')

But these 3 passages.. have become a promise from God, even though I'm most likely going to lose my job tomorrow in that meeting.

Because His word will always be fulfilled.. now is not the time for me to panick and pray in desperation.. to wake Lord Jesus up..

Instead, it is time for me to quietly wait for the grace of Lord Jesus, which will SURELY come soon.. When and how, I do not know.. it is upto God, as He alone holds tomorrow. But one thing I know, He has already acted to resolve my problem. I just need to wait faithfully. 🙏

Thank God that I can always rely on Him.. and give thanks whether in good time, or in times of trial. May all glory be given unto the name of Lord Jesus.

Update on the next day:

I came back from that meeting not long ago. And yes, for the first time in my life so far, I was 'laid off' rather than 'hand in my resignation' to leave a company.

Thank God, I feel quite different from before in my heart.

4 weeks ago, when I was threatened.. I was really 'crazed' by the 'crazy wind'. Like disciples panicking on the boat, accusing Lord Jesus Christ.

But I know God has promised especially in this case to provide for me and my family. I really honor that and even feel thankful all these have happened. I know this belief is deeply rooted in 'hesed' and 'emet', the very character of God revealed in Exodus 34:6.

Looking back, I think this is really the meaning of 'Be strong and of good courage'. Strength not because of self-reliance but submitting to God's promise. Courage not because I'm fearless but because God's grace is sufficient. The thorn in flesh and the trial is but for a moment.. but God's grace is eternal.

Now, I have time to slow down and rest first time in 5-6 years.. I'll enjoy this little break God has given me. One day at a time. I don't know when will be God's timing for a new job, but I fully trust it will be the right timing of God. Perfect as always. 😊

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29 Jun 2025

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Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

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8 Jul 2025

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2023/6/3 Extinguish That Fire! 趕快滅火！ Pr. Timothy Yeung 楊志豪 傳道

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22 Jul 2025

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People Defined By The Gospel | True Jesus Church

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15 Jul 2025

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Rom 14 - A Nurturing Environment | True Jesus Church

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I didn't write for last 1 month, because I thought I'll write after getting a new job, so anyone reading won't have to feel bad for me.. 🥲

I got close to getting 2 jobs.. especially the 2nd one... I started to loosen up, because I was expecting the job offer to come through any day....

And it didn't come through... which was extremely tough experience to go through... 🥲

This morning though, while joining online morning prayer.. I pondered how God always trained me through my work. From getting the jobs, to dealing with the work, the colleagues, and the managers. Some good, some bad.. all for spiritual growth.

Now, He is training me by 'not having a job'. I never knew having any job is still easier than not having a job.. 🥲 I'll be more grateful with any job I will get next.. 🙏

I've been learning about 'how to wait' from the scripture... and 2 words are truly sustaining my current waiting period..

They are Qavah and Yachal.

Qavah קָוָה is extremely interesting word.. It literally means 'twisted cord', but also means 'waiting with hope and trust'. Its noun form is 'Tikvar', which is the word used for Rahab's scarlet 'cord'.

When Rahab waited the invasion of Israelites that would see her family saved, she waited with the scarlet cord, which was given to her as a 'sure sign' that God's lovingkindness (hesed) and faithfulness (emet) will be shown to her and her family.

In application, Qavah is an 'active' form of waiting. Here are some of the things I'm doing daily to Qavah for a new job.

Praying, Studying God's word, Applying jobs, reminding myself of God's promises, keeping Sabbath as best as I can without worries, doing divine work, also shedding tears but strengthening myself in God, comforting my family, being comforted by my family... and repeat.

Each of these actions are '1 more twist' in the cord that strengthens the wait, which gives hope and trust..

I realised I don't like waiting at all.. T_T so being able to 'actively' wait has been really great.... thank God..

Yachal יָחַל

Yachal is not exclusive to Qavah. In fact, these 2 words overlap, and we need both of them to be able to endure the wait.

While Qavah is more 'active doing' while waiting, Yachal is the mental hope, like a lit candle, which if it goes off, we lose hope to wait any more.

In the climax of Lamentation 3, from around verse 21, lists both Qavah and Yachal...

But Yachal comes first.. as Jeremiah says

Lamentation 3:21

This I recall to my mind, Therefore I have hope (Yachal יָחַל).

Until this verse, Jeremiah had lost Yachal, and became extremely negative... however, this is the beginning of the turning point.. one of the most beautiful turning points in the bible...

That turning point came with reviving Yachal.. by 'recalling to mind', meaning 'remembering'.

So Yachal is a lot to do with 'remembering God's love and care in the past'. Like, remembering testimonies in the past.

Thank God.... I have a library of testimonies.... 🥲 When I think back and ponder of all the testimonies.... I realise, God's help ALWAYS came.. and also NEVER late...

Because of this, I know... God's help will still come for the current problem too.. He will always come JUST on time.. When and how, I do not know.. but it's not a question of 'if', but a question of 'when'.

Whenever I start to be negative and lose heart... I now recall God's grace in my life in the past... and that has really helped to revive positive mindset.. the 'Yachal'.

While this year has been very tough... I know that God still loves me and my family dearly... with every hurt, there's a purpose.. for me to learn something new... not just for me, but also to share with others in church.

I do look forward with hope and trust (Qavah), that God's help will come soon, and I will be able to testify this painful process to my fellow brothers and sisters in church. 😊🙏

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29 Jul 2025

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Women Worthy Of Their Name | True Jesus Church

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4 Aug 2025

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Fruit of the Holy Spirit Within Romans (1) 罗马书中圣灵的果子 (1)

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I've been studying the Hebrew word for 'waiting with hope and trust', Qavah much more for last 2 weeks.

In fact, I'll be sharing my learning in tomorrow's sermon I'll be speaking.. 🙏

It's very clear that I didn't get my heart of Qavah right 2 weeks ago when I nearly got the job offer.

There are 2 very important aspect of Qavah.

1. The cord (Qavah means twisting a cord, like Rahab's scarlet 'cord') MUST be tied to God and God only

2. The tension in waiting can't be too loose nor too tight

2 weeks ago, when I felt I was going to get the job offer, I really loosened up, and even began to celebrate it already..

This attitude got both of these wrong.

1. When I thought I'll get the job, I stopped applying for other jobs and thought my 'wait' will be over. By doing this I made it clear the cord was tied to the job and not God. This, subtly made the job an idol.. which is very scary...

2. By loosening up, I let the tension slip.. this also meant, I acted like I knew what God will do.. 🥲

So I repented of this, and continued to study how I should wait on God. The more I study about Qavah, the more I realise it's HUGE teaching and it can be found everywhere in New Testament.

Here are some of the teachings of Qavah mindset.. waiting while not loosening up, and also tying the hope only on God.

Romans 8:23–25 — Groaning with Hope

“...we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons... But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience.” (ESV)

Sometimes Paul uses Greek words to describe Hebrew word.. and this passage is really talking about Qavah

Luke 21:36 — Watch and Pray

“Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen...”

Lord Jesus telling us to 'Watch and pray' is very much a command to Qavah always, and keep the tension at all times...

Matthew 7:24–27 — The Wise Man Built on the Rock

“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock.”

When we hang the cord of Qavah on the Rock, then we will be like the wise man. If not, we become a foolish man.

Now, all thanks to God, a new interview for a job started this Monday.

This job came out of no where.. and yet, suddenly, it became very promising..

I had an interview with the manager on Monday, and the manager was very kind.. and he said clearly that I seem to be very good fit for the role.

He immediately booked next interview in the office, which was on Wednesday (yesterday).

I went to office, and had interview with 4 more people. It could be scary and tiring, but I felt very peaceful, and I didn't feel tired at all after nearly 1 and half hour of interviews.

At the end, my manager said he will make decision by end of this week, with big smile and all. From his body language, I feel it's very likely that I'll get a job offer.

Now, this had the same outlook from the previous interview which I started to loosen up...

But this time, I did differently...

1. I kept reminding myself, no matter how good this prospect seems, it is entirely upto God whether I get this job or not. But, it's ok even if I don't get the job because, God will still be with me, and He will lead me to another job in that case. By having this mindset, I tied the cord of Qavah on only God and not the job.

2. I still applied for other jobs still. Not because I wanted to, or wanted more security, but only because I didn't know which job God would have me get. By this attitude, I kept the tension in my Qavah. I also didn't act like I'll get this job and start to celebrate...

At the end of the day, I'll be very surprised if this job also doesn't come through. But, that's ok... I will just hold onto God and keep the tension. That is the lesson that God is wanting me to learn from this sudden pause in my life.

This waiting for a job for last 1.5 months has been very fruitful spiritually. I really thank God... It can be longer too of course.. perhaps another month or two.. but I know God will provide for my family no matter what, and to have this assurance is better than a thousand jobs :) (Not that we can ever get 1000 jobs though 😆)

May God continue to guide and teach me... and lead me to learn new Hebrew words... it's so very meaningful, and it really helps me to deeply understand the bible much much more.

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10 Aug 2025

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Asking For God's Guidance On Prayer | True Jesus Church

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Preacher Silas' insight to 'Lord's prayer' was very interesting.. I didn't know the term is also of Catholic origin. x_x

The 'daily bread' part is very relatable..

I also have to battle daily 'not to eat too much daily bread' physically, because my body type gains weight so easily T_T

Such body type will be a blessing in the olden days.. I just need to eat little to maintain healthy weight.. but in the modern era? I wish I had body type like Enoch. 😆 Eat so much but we never know where all the calories disappear to..

Anyway, a quick update on my job search. :)

Thank the grace of God.. On last Friday, I've received a verbal offer for the job I was interviewing last week. This job came out of no where.. as I received the first call on a Thursday, and in just 8 days, I've received the verbal offer.

The timing was perfect too.. because, I spoke a sermon last Friday about 'Waiting on the Lord with Hope and Enduring Faith"

This sermon was about yachal and qavah...

and God made me to qavah until the very last hour of the day for the verbal offer to come through.. and thank God, I was able to share the joyful news during the sermon as a testimony. 🥲🙏

It really reminds me, Lord Jesus is never late, never early. Always on time, and His timing is perfect.

I'm now batlling a new season of waiting.

The peaceful, calm season.. It's so hard to keep the tension of qavah to 'Watch and pray'. My tendency is to just relax and enjoy the time before new job starts..

But I know that'd be undoing my learning in 'Waiting on the Lord', and I know I need to be better than that. ><

So I'm still studying about qavah even more.. and have learned that the tension of this 'wait' is not about being busy, but about keeping the relationship bond with God.

Just like the 'daily bread'.. I need 'daily twist' in the qavah with my relationship with God. This concept isn't easy at all.. in fact, I find this harder than holding tight to God in distress.. 😆 But I also don't want to have 'need of distress' all the days of my life... then I realised, relationship tension with God is just like between married couple.

If I want to be with Meggy only in times of 'need', how bad is that marriage relationship???

Of cousre I want her to hold me strong in times of distress... and thank God, she really held me tight in the recent struggle of job loss and job search... may God bless her bountifully.. 🙏🙏🙏

But more than this, I wish to spend peaceful yet meaningful days together with Meggy... and the more I think about this, the more I feel my relationship with God should be like that too.

It means praying with my full heart not just in times of distress, but in times of peace and prosperity too.. really not easy, but I shall give my full efforts in this, as usual. 😉

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17 Aug 2025

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2024 09 20 Treasure Hidden in a Field 寶貝藏在地裡

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This sermon reminded me that.. the greatest Treasure we can ever find in our lives is Lord Jesus Christ.

It's actually very amazing that.. 2000 or so years after the death and resurrection of Lord Jesus Christ, His name is so famous in the world we are living in.

However, knowing the name is far from knowing who He truly is. Sadly, many Christians in this world only knows His name and not who He truly is.

After learning the meaning of 'hesed' חסד, I truly started to believe God's promises in the bible will ALL come true. Even when I lost my job 2 months ago, I knew God will provide a new one in due time. Not because I'm good or qualified to be so.. in fact, Melbourne job market is extremely competitive right now and few, so if it wasn't for God, I wouldn't be able to get another job for months and months. But thank God, I will be starting a new job soon.. although I'm still waiting for the official contract to come through, I believe God will guide one way or the other. :)

But I should never forget.. the biggest promise in the bible... the biggest treasure.. is not that God will satisfy all our needs, or even that we can enter heaven.. but is the revelation of Lord Jesus Christ, so that we can 'know' Him.. (Jeremiah 31)

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22/08/25 Fri (pm) - 幼年所娶的妻 Wife of Your Youth

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This sermon reminded me that Meggy and I married quite early too. (Though not as early as the couple in Germany 😆) Indeed Meggy is my 'wife of youth', and one whom I need to constantly care for.. Although, as I'm still without a job, until early September when my new job will hopefully start.. 🙏 and Meggy has been caring for me and also my family by working had everyday.. 🥺

Having a spouse whom each other can rely on in the good and bad times, is such a blessing... and may Lord Jesus guide my marriage throughout our lives. 🙏

On a side note, I recently learned about the meaning of the name 'Isaac' and it's truly fascinating...

If you google "What's the meaning of Isaac", it will typically say 'laughter'. While this isn't wrong, it's very far from the full meaning. His name has also a lot to do with how husband and wife's relationship should be too.

I just LOVE Hebrew language because each word has so much connected meanings to it.. and it usually means 3-4 things in English..

In short, Isaac comes from the root word צְחַק (tsachaq) which has various meanings in English, laugh, jest, play, mock.. this word can be positive as well as negative, depending on the context.

Just keeping it short... or else I'll end up writing an essay 🥲.. when a group of people fully trust each other.. they will often joke at each other.. Even things that seem 'offensive' will be treated as jokes and they will have a good time laughing together. That describes one of the main meaning of the word tsachaq.

The problem is this.. when you haven't built that trust yet, and joke as if you are close friends.. those jokes will become misunderstood and become offensive..

It takes time for a new group to form trust before they can truly show themselves and joke at each other.

When Isaac 'caressed' Rebekah, so that Abimelech found out they were married couple, the word 'caressed' is actually tsachaq. It's likely that these two were 'joking' at each other in a way others can tell they were husband and wife and not siblings.

When Ishmael 'mocked' at Isaac, which led to Sarah's anger and subsequent banishment, this word too is 'tsachaq'. He 'joked' with a wrong intent.

After knowing this, everytime Meggy and I joke to each other.. I feel very warm, because I know this is the right 'tsachaq', that's pleasing to God's eyes.. It also scares me that, if I don't pay much attention to my relationship with her long enough, this tsachaq will either disappear, or will soon be misunderstood and become negative consequence..

All in all, marriage is like a garden that needs to be constantly attended to, or else it will soon be overun with bad outcomes. 🙏

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5 Sep 2025

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23/08/25 Sat(Pm) - 福音茶會 Gospel Tea Fellowship

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10 Sep 2025

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28 Dec 2025

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20/12/2025 Sat (Pm) 唱詩禱告會 Hymns & Prayer

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Sis. Victoria's sharing really touched my heart..

It's easy to give thanks when things are going well.. but it's extremely difficult to give thanks when things aren't going well.

Nevertheless, giving glory to God in times of our suffering is far more precious to God..

The word glory in Hebrew, kabod, carries this nuance too. God's glory always follows AFTER suffering. Because kabod means both glory and suffering. The greatest glory ever manifested is the ressurection of Lord Jesus Christ, and it followed only after His cruel and miserable death on the cross.

Our purpose of life is 'to glorify God', and by that definition, it's inevitable that we will go through suffering through heavy burdens in our lives. No suffering would mean it will be very difficult to bring glory to God. If you ask youth to share testimonies, typically, they either don't know what to say, or their 'glory' is quite light.. because.. they haven't gone through the sufferings in life yet.. for this very reason, when I pray for Seth and Enoch, I don't pray for their worldly peace... but rather, for God to be with them through their sufferings, so their faith can be refined and made stronger.

Sis. Victoria's suffering seems almost cruel why God would allow such things to happen. Yet her attitude and her answer... "I must rely on the word of God" is absolutly full of truth (emet). I have no doubt whatsoever, after these sufferings, what will come is abundance of God's glory through her.

As she never let go of God through her sufferings, so will God never let go of her too. For God's lovingkindness (hesed) and truth (emet) will never ever betray our hopes. Not even once.

In Melbourne, a local Australian person was baptised early this year. What followed him sadly, is battle with cancer. Now, his children (all grown up with families) want to bring him to their church for 'miracle healing sessions'. I'm quite sure they will be blaming his cancer to TJC too.. "you got this cancer because you got baptised in that church".

I do not know why these things must be so.. this brother in Melbourne, nor sis. Victoria.. but I know for sure, behind these sufferings is God's never ending love and faithfulness. The only questions are.. can they hold on until the end? and.. will the church brothers and sisters show God's love for them to help them to hold on..?

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It's really heartbreaking to hear that a brother committed suicide, even though believers were visiting him to show care.. 😭

It reminds me how.. I tried to show care to a truth seeker in Chch years ago.. which ended up in him going to jail.. not once, but twice... and I don't know how he is now.. but I know he will still have a death wish for me... 🥹

These thoughts remind me.. humans are very limited... we are limited because we don't know the future, nor can we control the future. Only God can.

We are also limited because, our cares can sometimes wound instead.. and our weaknesses can literally lead others to death too... physically or spiritually..

Recently.. I spoke a sermon on Hosea 6:6 "I desire mercy(hesed) and not sacrifice".

I was always confused by this verse.. and thank God for the opportunity to learn about the book of Hosea (had to lead SYC class on it :P), which touched this verse, and so I studied a lot.. and it has helped my faith dramatically... which also helps me to deal with the guilt of 'not trying harder'.

In short, the conclusion of Hosea 6:6 is this short story I once read in a book.

"There was a little child who came to his mother with a small piece of paper. He gave it to her and asked her to read it.

The note read;

Invoice:

Cutting the grass - $5

Cleaning my room - $2

Looking after younger brother -$3

Total - $10

He looked at mum with hopes that he'd get a reward for his hard work.

Mum smiled, took out another piece of paper, wrote something on it and gave it to her son.

It read;

Carrying you for 9 months and giving birth - Free of charge

Looking after you when you are sick and feeding you every day - Free of charge

Giving hugs and kisses whenever you need - Free of charge

Cost of love - Free

The boy looked at this note, and he had tears welling up in his eyes.. took back his own invoice, crossed it off and wrote FULLY PAID"

In my current understanding, this little story is the conclusion of Hosea 6:6. Perhaps not a perfect fit, but very very close, the more I think about it.

When we do 'more work' for God.. whether sermon speaking, interpreting, leading classes, evangelising, donating more money etc etc.. we inevitably write an invisible Invoice in our hearts to God.

We might not ask God to materially bless us, because we understand it's wrong, yet we hope God would reward with better health, better peace, better loving relationships etc etc.. the list goes on and on. Even asking God "since I brought this person before You, please love him/her more" is an Invoice too... 🥹

That is why, when we are met with a disaster while serving God faithfully, it hurts so much. I definitely felt hurt many times... "God, I served You diligently.. so why did this happen?" is the result of 'Invoice' not being paid..

But now I realise, I've been wrongfully charging God with 'Spiritual Invoices'.

God, being more tender than a nursing mother, never rebuked me for this... instead, He kept loving me as His son.. quietly but surely.

How does this relate to the case of me dealing with the person who threatened the church through me and went jail, and perhaps the likes of a brother committing suicide despite care?

The thought "We tried, yet it didn't turn out well" is subtly saying "We did our work, but God did not respond".

This.. as subtly as it might be, is still an Invoice in our hearts to God... because we are defining what the outcome should have been.

Result is either;

God didn't do His work or;

I must try harder or;

God does not love me etc..

All of these are very harmful for our faith.. 😭

This bitterness, which is mentioned in Hebrews 12:15, can lead us to leave the church... as we are disappointed either in God, in others in the church or in ourselves.

So what can we do instead?

It's to cross out and write 'FULLY PAID', each time we subtly write Invoice in our hearts to God.

We love God and others as ourselves, not because we are servants of God.. but because we are His dear children.

When we are washed in His blood, our feet washed and partake the Holy Communion, we truly become His children spiritually. When we serve God in our own ways.. we are never perfect.. like the child in the story. But it was never for us to be perfect.. but that we remain as His dear children, and call Him 'Father'.

We don't 'try harder', because no matter how much effort we put, we will never be enough to bring good results. We can't even define what 'good' is, because only the Father can.

The more we rely on ourselves, the further we get from being a child ironically.. and we try to be grown up 'servants' in a house.. servants don't share inheritance of the Master.. because they are not His children.

Of course, we do our best to serve God, but not as servants, but as His children. I imagine this as.. a child, wearing servant clothes.. like a butler, with long sleeves, while being clumsy, yet doing best with sweats and all..

Our Father who watches over the child will have a smile in His face, because the child is truly giving his best.

If the child, after a hard day, writes an invoice to the Father, Father will smile and write;

"Dying on the cross for you to save you from sin - Free

Caring for you when you are sad and in tears - Free

Looking after you every day and making sure you are safe - Free

Cost of love - Absolutely free

Because you are My child"

Each time I try to 'serve harder', I think of the spiritual Invoice I'm quietly writing.. and it disolves my invoice.. and I feel utterly touched how much my Father has done for me throughout my life, or even before I was even born.

What He requires me to do, is not 'try harder' or 'love more'.

Instead, He desires me to remain as His child.

THAT is the message of Hosea 6:6

For God said, "I desire hesed (like family love), and not sacrifice"

Lastly, experiencing sending someone to jail.. or to hear a brother committed suicide while not being of much help... is absolutely heartbreaking....

With Hosea 6:6 in mind.. this is how I will respond now..

I will still be very confused why such things had to happen.

I'll bring my sadness in heart to my Father in prayer..

"My Father.. I tried my best... and I don't know why this had to be the outcome.

But I know You are full of love.. I don't understand this now, but I will later.

I also know, You will never tell me "You didn't try harder"

But instead.. "Well done My child.. You gave your best in your own limits." and You will give me a hug and comfort me.. You always have."

It is ok for a child to not understand, yet be heartbroken and cry.

We see it often from children.. for example, crying for a toy they couldn't buy in a store.

While that feels very childish, we are not too much different spiritually before God our Father.

I still don't understand many things in faith, but I do have full trust in God my Father now.. no matter what happens, if I remain in Him, everything happens according to His will. I don't have to understand it. I just need to continue to hold onto His hand.

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9 Feb 2026

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2024-06-28 Is God's Love Unconditional? 神的愛是無條件的嗎？

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The reason why I ended up in this sermon is because.. learning the Hebrew word hesed (Steadfast Love) from Hosea 6:6 led me to believe, 'If X then Y' conditions are very dangerous in faith... while 'Because Y, therefore X' where Y is always true, like God's love, is much more sustainable.

First of all, I absolutely 100% agree with Pr. Timothy that God's love is NOT unconditional. Greek word Agape might be more blur, but Hebrew word 'Hesed', used so widely in Old Testament to describe God's unfailing, everlasting love, is always love through covenant(s).

Covenant IS conditional. Otherwise, it won't be a covenant. Some covenants such as Noahic covenant is less conditional. As long as Rainbow appears, it's a reminder this world won't be destroy again by water. Yet, what if one day, Rainbow never appear? then the covenant has come to an end. (like destruction of the world through fire)

Yet, God's initiating love.. which in Hebrew is likely 'Hannun' meaning grace (also from Exodus 34:6) is undeserved love to those who may not even feel the need yet. This part of God's love is indeed unconditional. God first loved each and every one of us, therefore we love Him too. Never the other way around.

If I was able to have a discussion with Pr. Timothy, I would share my thoughts. That.. God's hesed.. love through covenant.. IS unconditional within the covenant boundary. As long as we stay within the covenant, His love covers us even though we never deserved it before, and will never deserve it in the future.

As long as this becomes 'I deserve God's love', comes the conditions "If I do X, then God should do Y for me." kind of mindset creeps in. Some of these conditions sound right and biblical.

"If I put God first in my life, then He will keep His word and provide everything I ever need."

"If I serve God more, then He would be more pleased with me."

But from my own very testimonies, these were sometimes not true. Not because God lied, for He never will, but because my motivation took the wrong turn.

Like when I was studying for MBA in 2020, as COVID broke out, I put divine work first, with weekly online EXCO meetings that lasted 1-2 hours each. I had to study at least 2 hours a day every day.. 7 days a week to stay on top of my part time MBA studies. I offered that time up, not asking anything back. As a result, I received "High Distinction" grade for my first paper, and average Distinction grade which resulted in a shiny certificate at the end of the year.

Following year, I thought to myself "I'll put God first again in my studies, and He will again reward me another certificate"

This was NOT a good motivation at all. I thought it was, but it wasn't.. and God, through His infinite mercy, allowed me to struggle in my paper then.. and made me reflect on my own thoughts. Only then I realised.. "ah... by having such mindset, I've put study ahead of God."

If X then Y type of motivation is often transactional.

This logic is EVERYWHERE... in fact, in IT, every program is built on countless IF X then Y logic.

In society, "If I work, then I should get paid." "If I treat you well, then I deserved to be treated well too."

This is fair, and very just.

But when it comes to God's word, this logic fails a lot.

Just because I do a lot of divine work, doesn't necessarily mean I will not get sick, or have a car accident, or get in an argument with a divine co-worker, or to feel shame in my own servitude.

As long as I remained in 'If X then Y' logic, it drove me to work harder, give more, try harder, which resulted in burnout... :')

This is EXACTLY how, many TJC church council members eventually shrink in their faith to protect themselves, or even leave church in disappointment.

What's also fascinating is.. this is devil's logic too. When he tempted Jesus, he said;

"If You are the Son of God, then turn this stone into bread."

"If You fall down, then angels will hold You up."

"If You worship me, then I will give all these things to You."

Also in Eden, the logic is;

"If you eat the fruit of knowledge of good and evil, then you will be like God"

The more I think about this the more frightening 'If X then Y' is.. so just, so natural, yet could be so deadly...

Yet, God DOES use 'If X then Y' passages to warn us to remain in His covenant.

Exodus 19:5

“If you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession…”

But.. the difference is again... if we remain in the Covenant by doing our part in X (which often isn't much effort at all... in truth), then God's love will become unconditional in the covenant.

Lastly, how does 'Because Y, therefore X' improve this logic?

Again, Y must be something always 'true'.

I can't say "Because I am kind, so I will be nice to others."

I am kind in general.. but I get very grumpty too.. rather easily at home with Seth and Enoch. XD

But if I say "Because God has always shown His unfailing love to me, so I will love others around me with what little I can too.", then this remains true as long as I remain in God's covenant.

Because the condition is already fulfilled, as I love others, I don't require them to love me back. If I had "If X then Y" logic, I will get upset, I will get sad, I will get disappointed when I love and they don't love me back.

But because I don't require them to love me back at all, so I can continue to love others with nothing back.

I have tasted this already by trying it out a few times.

In some cases, the person loved me back with a Woolworth gift card.. :') it made me feel sad actually... not happy.. because by accepting it.. I feel like I made the love transactional again. But, I know rejecting it will make the person feel very uneasy... so I accepted it.

It did become a proof though... how I was really not looking for any type of reward back.

So in conclusion..

Is God's love unconditional? No.

Is God's covenant conditional? Yes. This is why entering the Covenant truthfully is extremely important. For TJC, this will be our 3 Sacraments, and learning the other 7 basic beliefs.

Is God's love conditional within the covenant? No. Not at all. He treats all His children the same. He does not show partiality.

Can we still end the covenant if we are not careful? Yes. Absolutely. That is why we must continue to grow in faith with accompanied fruits of love.