Over the weekend church service, the Lord ‘whispered’ to me during the corporate worship time.
“Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.”
1 Samuel 15:22
Beginning 2008 on the right note
With the start of 2008 slowly taking pace, many of us have charted plans and projections for the new year. And I’m sure plenty of us (including me) have also jotted down goals that we believe would be for His Kingdom and glory.
However, I was gently reminded that at times, in the course of our pursuit of these goals, the underlying motives might not be as pure as we thought it to be.
The heart is deceitful above all else. (c.f. Jeremiah 17:9)
Obedience to God all the way
This is a personal reminder that obedience to God is the primary priority for me as His child.
And this takes precedence over everything including things/goals that are even labelled as “For Him” or beyond my logical understanding.
Cos if it is truly “For Him” that I seek, then shouldn’t I be fully trusting and obeying His ways and not mine?
Ultimately, the end of goal for us all is to follow Jesus’ example (c.f. John 5:19) of walking right and close with our God; to obey what He sets us off to be or to do according to His purpose and will, even to the point of death.
Thank You Lord for this reminder! =)
Andrew: Inside & Insights 
wow, thanks a lot bro! think that’s a very good and timely sharing. God also spoke to me the same thing this year as well… amazing! 😀
God is Good 🙂
You are not thinking straight. Everyone who goes to ‘Laodicea’ kind of church will say what you had said – about being “obedient” when in actual fact you have no intention to obey the cross. Your heading, misquote and fake smile gave you away.
To carry the cross is a sacrifice. So obedience is sacrifice in the N.T. The quote from the OT simply means that God takes no pleasures in legalistic and ritualistic earthly sacrifices.
Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye PRESENT your bodies a living SACRIFICE, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.
Sorry to be a party pooper.
Get Real:
No prob… I should thank you for taking the time to bother to comment which gives me another perspective.
But I think you have “crossed the line” by saying….
“Everyone who goes to ‘Laodicea’ kind of church will say what you had said – about being “obedient” when in actual fact you have no intention to obey the cross.”
I am fine with you supposedly pointed out by errs, but in that process you have condemned the Church of Jesus Christ which you are also part of with your stereo-typing.
I dunno what bad experience you may have had with a ‘Laodicea’ kind of church but we are one Body.
Somehow we all need to love and forgive to reconcile just like we would or have to with our own natural family.
And personally it is with such display of “bickering” within the Family of God that blinds and stumbles people from the true message of the cross.
Jesus commands his disciples “to love one another as He loved us, so that the world may know that we are His”
Let’s strive for that for His glory.
Not sure if you agree with me?
Hey folks, let’s give Andrew some space. For 2 decades i was like Saul(Acts8),a self righteous zealous Saduccee, well trained by the establishment,& cutting down anyone who dares to criticise the establishment.
The Lord has given Andrew an open & listening heart. He is learning to listen to the Holy Spirit. He didnt erase any comments & has posted verses routinely taught by the establishment because he wants to hear other views, a more complete picture.
Nobody changes overnight. I took 2 decades & i’m still learning to obey everyday. How about you?
Shouldnt we encourage each other to be more Christ-like instead?
I believe that he’s a rebel like me. If the Lord ask him to go, he will go, and if the Lord ask him to stay, he will stay. Let the Lord guide him.
And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 1Kings19
Fair comments indeed, Andrew.
Get real, thanks for the reminder to be a “living sacrifice” but let’s never resort to personal attacks.
Sorry, there is a misunderstanding, in 1Sam15.22, the “sacrifice” refer to the “burnt offerings & sacrifices”/”zebach” (Hebrew) while in Rom12.1, the sacrifice refers to as a “sacrificial victim or lamb”/”thysia” (Greek)
To carry the cross daily is a “thysia”. Obedience is “thysia” in the N.T and not “zebach”. Andrew is talking about “zebach”. Getreal talks about “thysia”. So, the quote “zebach” from the OT means that God takes no pleasures in our monetary offerings today if we DONT OBEY HIM.
Rem, our present day English bible is translated from Hebrew & Greek, and there’s no 100% perfect translation. Newer translations are even worst. Try translating a verse into ur own dialect & you will know what i mean. Seek the Lord & HE will teach you. You do not need anyone to teach you.
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Lexicon Results for zebach (Strong’s H2077) Hebrew for H2077 זבח Transliteration
zebach Pronunciation zeh’·bakh (Key)
Part of Speech masculine noun
Root Word (Etymology)from H2076 TWOT Reference
525a
Outline of Biblical Usage 1) sacrifice
a) sacrifices of righteousness
b) sacrifices of strife
c) sacrifices to dead things
d) the covenant sacrifice
e) the passover
f) annual sacrifice
g) thank offering
=======
Lexicon Results for thysia (Strong’s G2378) Greek for G2378 θυσία Transliteration thysia
Pronunciation thü-sē’-ä (Key)
Part of Speech feminine noun
Root Word (Etymology)from G2380 TDNT Reference
3:180,342
Outline of Biblical Usage 1) a sacrifice, victim
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John14.25 But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost,whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you.
As I see it, I call it. It is as simple as that.And it can be offensive, I do not deny that.
I have often done my thing, and say my piece without respect of persons – as best as I can and know how. This is possible because I am not beholden to anyone except Him.
Perhaps, you have not fully understood the many scattered postings. You need to sieve through the messages carefully and note that there is a recurring theme.
Now to stand up to wicked rulers/ministers requires sacrifices.
To stand up to injustices, requires sacrifices on your part.
To stand up for the truth, may require sacrifices.
To stand up to bullies, require sacrifices.
To be transparent requires sacrifices sometimes.
Not going up to where the Lord tells you not to, requires sacrifices.
Laying down your crown, requires sacrifices.
Do you know why we are sheep?
Mat 23:35 so that on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah the son of Berachiah, whom you killed between the TEMPLE and the ALTAR.
Sheeps are to be sacrificed! Your master is the pattern LAMB for all of us to follow!(Think about the prophetic language there)
Unless you come to appreciate the depth of the true gospel and the seriousness of the TRESPASS and how it has misled the masses, you will not feel the indignation. And i won’t even dare to put myself in the Lord’s shoes!
Consider below:
Mat 10:34 DO NOT THINK that I have come to bring peace on earth. I DID NOT come to send peace, but a SWORD.
Mat 10:35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Mat 10:36 And a man’s foes shall be those of his own HOUSEHOLD.
Mat 10:37 He who LOVES father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who LOVES son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.
Mat 10:38 And he who does not take up his cross and follow Me is NOT worthy of Me.
Mat 10:39 He who finds his life shall lose it. And he who loses(SACRIFICES) his life for My sake shall find it.
Mat 10:40 He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.
There is plenty of ‘love’ mentioned in that passage but the focus is not on LOVE. There is such a thing as misplaced ‘loyalty’ and ‘love’. Think about it. Solomon said, there is a time and season for everything under the sun, even war! So don’t , like many, think the bible is ALL about love,peace and no war against injustices and trespassing against the Almighty!
Luk 12:49 I have come TO SEND FIRE on the earth. And what will I do if it is already kindled?
Luk 12:50 But I have a baptism to be baptized with, and how I am pressed down until it is accomplished!
Luk 12:51 Do you suppose that I have come to give peace on earth? I tell you, NO, but rather division.
Luk 12:52 For from now on, there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
Luk 12:53 The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
Luk 12:54 And He also said to the crowd, When you see a cloud rise out of the west, immediately you say, There is a shower coming. And so it is.
Luk 12:55 And when you see the south wind blow, you say, There will be heat; and it occurs.
Luk 12:56 Hypocrites! You know to discern the face of the heaven and the earth, but how is it that you do not discern this time?
Luk 12:57 And why, even of yourselves, do you not judge what is right?
(the above is in prophetic language. if you can interpret,good. if not, leave it)
Lastly, i apologize for any statement that maybe perceived as ‘personal attacks’. Anyway, how can anyone attacks anybody without knowing the other personally? So personal attacks is a misnomer to me. So please, take my remarks as general attack on hypocrisy.
Rev 2:16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will FIGHT against them with the sword of my mouth.
Fire and the Sword mean the WORD of God. It’s that simple. Hebrews 4:12 – “double edged” sword
Ephesians 6:17 – the sword of the spirit, which is the Word of God.
Jeremiah 23:29 – is not my word like fire, declares the Lord
God is a consuming fire.
God doesn’t fight people but He does oppose them with the words coming from His mouth. Hopefully now it makes sense why the sword and fire are coming out of the mouth of these people in revelations.
Getreal, thank you for clarifying. i understand what you are saying. Following Jesus certainly involve sacrifices, be it the high-paying banking job, BMW, fancy condo, or the Phd/Masters, comfortable sg life, time, resources, fame, recognition etc… It’s anything that we say we must have and cannot do without. It’s an idol that must be sacrificed.
Didnt apostle Paul mentioned in Phil3 that
he considered all these things that were gain to him as rubbish, and counted as loss for the sake of knowing Christ?
Not going up to where the Lord tells you not to, requires Obedience first, and Sacrifices later. If you cant obey, there wouldnt be any thing to sacrifice. And not everyone is at your level, who can give up everything in a jiffy & go share the gospel like JESUS. We all need time as we are growing in different levels of spiritual maturities.
Matt19:29 And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.
Pls bear in mind that it’s a gentle whisper from the Lord during worship & not during a sermon. In Saul’s case, he assume sacrifices = obedience but was rebuked harshly by the Lord thru Samuel.
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Now here we are plainly told that humble, sincere, and conscientious obedience to the will of God, is more pleasing and acceptable to him than all burnt-offerings and sacrifices.
Obedience is enjoyed by the eternal law of nature, but sacrifice only by a positive law. Obedience was the law of innocency, but sacrifice supposes sin come into the world, and is but a feeble attempt to take that away which obedience would have prevented. God is more glorified and self more denied by obedience than by sacrifice. It is much easier to bring a bullock or lamb to be burnt upon the altar than to bring every high thought into obedience to God and the will subject to his will. Obedience is the glory of angels (Ps. 103:20), and it will be ours. (2.) That nothing is so provoking to God as disobedience, setting up our wills in competition with his. This is here called rebellion and stubbornness, and is said to be as bad as witchcraft and idolatry, v. 23. It is as bad to set up other gods as to live in disobedience to the true God. Those that are governed by their own corrupt inclinations, in opposition to the command of God, do, in effect, consult the teraphim (as the word here is for idolatry) or the diviners. It was disobedience that made us all sinners (Rom. 5:19), and this is the malignity of sin, that it is the transgression of the law, and consequently it is enmity to God, Rom. 8:7. Saul was a king, but if he disobey the command of God, his royal dignity and power will not excuse him from the guilt of rebellion and stubbornness. It is not the rebellion of the people against their prince, but of a prince against God, that this text speaks of.
And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of the LORD, and have gone the way which the LORD sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites. But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto the LORD thy God in Gilgal. And Samuel said, Hath the LORD as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of the
LORD? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams. For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.
Fairly put joe. Put I am not sure whether we are in sync on how we read or see the word.
Firstly, we are not talking about personal sacrifices to reach personal goals. Gurus translate the scripture to fit into their worldview or agendas. Today’s ministers of God are no less guilty.However, we believe that the sacred word is written solely for the ‘church’ or the ‘called out ones’. These sacrifices are made pertaining to and furthering God’s kingdom only.This is one of the areas we differed.
As you are aware, kingdom’s people or christendom, are a divided lot. Generally, the dividing line split the whole into two groups. Starting with genesis which spoke about two conflicting seed(s) to the kingdom of Israel splitting into northern and southern kingdoms, we can also see the split in the NT as described in parables of the wheat and tares, the two sons etc.
And i won’t push obedience too far because, at the end of the day, who precisely are you pledging your allegience to when so many are coming in the name of God, nation,talents, business and what have you?
To us, it is more prudence to identify the Seed. The DNA of the Lord is in the seed. In the case of of King saul and david, this DNA is further proven as it is in the principle of God to first initiate the natural before the spiritual.
The david line is the line of the elect by grace.
Rom 11:5 Even so then at this present time also there is a REMNANT according to the election of grace.
And it is these group of people we want to sieve out from the rest that will make the difference in the world!
Hey GetReal
I was thinking that it would be a smashing idea for us (including joe if he’s ok) to just hang out and have more exchanges.
And who know’s… we might become buddies! Ha ha…
If you ok, just drop me an email =)
Andrew, make it a barrel of Tiger, opps, Perrier or green tea lah.
GetReal,i’m fully aware of that. Which country are u from? i dunno where u come from & ur background.
Anyway, it doesnt matter, i think i’m the one who posted on the parable of wheat & tares, & numerous other postings on the true disciples of Christ, and to follow what the JESUS says, rather than merely what man says.
Can we say we believe in JESUS but we dont believe in anything else HE said or tell us to do besides john3.16?
Discount 99% can? Even the demons believed that Jesus is the Son of GOd, how come they are not saved??????
Jesus saith unto him, I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. John14.6
And, behold, they cried out, saying, What have we to do with thee, Jesus, thou Son of God? art thou come hither to torment us before the time? Mat8.29
Wow, very interesting exchanges going on here… Imagine how strong the Kingdom of GOD can be with people like you guys – Love your GOD with all your minds too! I’m really encouraged by the sincerity, courage and persistence all of you have as you take steps to validate your beliefs!
Our faith should never be a just-blindly-follow one. But of course, neither is it for divisive purposes. It would be so awesome and greatly strengthening for the Kingdom people to be relentless in pursuing to understand and love GOD.
With JESUS as the focus, may your meet up (if there is one) be a fruitful and enlightening one. The HOLY SPIRIT be amongst you! Cheers! 🙂
Joe, give us a lesson on the serpent?
Sorry, i only believe in what the Bible(JESUS) says, not the words of man. My prev sincere pastor at the mega prosperity church used to say “Man can lie to you, but GOD will never lie”. For many years, nothing happened, then one day, i realised isn’t he a man too? Thank GOD!
Anyway, if you believe in the teachings of William Branham & the serpent seed teaching, i’m sorry but i would rather believe what my LORD JESUS said.Only JESUS SAVE!
http://www.carm.org/chapel/serpent_seed.htm
http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain4.htm
“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in
heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matt7
I am no Mormon – you assume too much. Nor do I subscribe to that crap. You must have misunderstood the postings by jumping into your conclusion – unfortunately.
In any case, you didn’t tell us what your believe of who the serpent was and what exactly did it do?
Tell us what you believe, not telling us your believe in God when even the demons have done the same – you quoted it, remember?
We are quite interested in your views.
GetReal, besides the serpent in Gen3 which deceived Eve to sin, i do not know which serpent are you talking about. I certain do not subscribe to any DNA of serpent seed which is never mentioned in the Bible. Why not you pray and ask the Lord for wisdom?
Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden? And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. Gen3
Tell us what you have been taught about the beginning and how it got us where we are.
If you don’t even start the story right, how can you then say you know the scriptures?
Or what you rather you fall back on the argument that ‘you do not listen to man but the bible’?
But have you not been taught by men? – you keep referring to people’s quote and teachings.
If you claim you do not listen to them and only the bible, are we suppose to follow your stance and not listen to you too? If that’s the case, no one should preach nor say anything isn’t it? If so, how do we then spread the gospel and make disciples? All churches might as well shut their doors?
Who is the serpent, the woman, the man, the seed and the trees? Do you read the story literally or do you think they are metaphors or figure of speech perhaps in prophetic languages?
Having said that, do you see any significance in the curses on them? How would it affects us if at all?
The story must flow from genesis to revelation if it is from the same Author?
Would it be fair to your listener to tell your story from the middle, like the chinese use to say….’no head, no tail’? How would we know if you are telling the truth or know what you are talking about if you don’t even know who these characters were and the message behind the story since it relates to Jesus correcting what had gone wrong from the beginning?
How consistent are you in stringing the word of God together and make the message complete?
The honor is yours.
correction – Or would you rather that you fall back on the argument that ‘you do not listen to man but the bible’?
Hi GetReal
Most grateful if you can take your queries (which have veered off from the entry’s topic)between joe privately.
Please dun misunderstand that I am being unfriendly, but the exchange has become a personal thing between you and joe.
I think it is only appropriate.
Anyway I believe joe is ever-willing to answer your queries.
Thanks 🙂
The gospel is for all to hear. Joe has a gospel to tell. We all want to hear it.
There is nothing secretive about the gospel. There is nothing personal about it unless you make it so.
Or unless, you want to personally censure it. That’s your personal call.
ah..joe is a big boy and can take care of himself lah. you go smile somewhere else can?
thanks hor
GetReal:
This site always welcome constructive comments that are helpful and beneficial in allowing others to learn from. If it didn’t, your past comments would have been removed a long time ago.
But in this instance, as I’ve said earlier, you have veered way off the topic of the entry.
So pls also don’t misunderstand my request for you take your queries privately with joe has to do with wanting the gospel to be kept a secret.
Cos in any case, it is not the gospel that you are enquiring, but about joe’s beliefs on serpent and his personal convictions towards the bible.
Hope this clarifies.
On looker:
I know where you’re coming from. I am not defending joe.
I think as you are passer-by, you may not have known that I am the moderator for this site. Hence my earlier comments.
erm..you ok or not? they are all talking about the bible…very friendly leh…how is it ‘off topic’? because the pap say so is it?
Hi friends
As moderator and to encourage personal responsiblity over comments, most appreciative that from now on all comments made would be filled with authentic and valid email addresses as requested by wordpress.
Thank you for your co-operation and happy commenting! =p
We all can see that he is flaming a legitimate and open discussion – of course he will deny it.
And here you have someone professing love in the name of God but are intolerance of others views or allow the seekers of truth to be transparent for all.
1Jo 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.
If there is nothing to hide, come into the light and speak out boldly for all to hear and see.
They are all talking about the bible, nothing personal was esquired or should matter. Let the word be spoken!
Anyone going to flame or blame someone for an for an exit and denies it? 🙂
now who is getting personal huh?
can’t take the heat and use illegitimate and cowardly methods to find faults…tsk tsk tsk.
reminds me of certain regime and religious organization these people come from.
stir a bit, the stench overflows.
told you was fake right? =)
We are not ignorant of THEIR wiles and cowardly ways.
Hi guys
My personal email is andrewong2024@hotmail.com
Please feel free to also direct your personal comments there.
I sincerely welcome the criticisms, and would be delighted to engage in this sort of exchanges on a more personal level rather than with us behind our online personas.
Hey! I would not even mind meeting you guys over a cuppa if you guys are fine with that idea.
I welcome your love and correction if it means helping me to grow in Christ and in becoming more like Him. And from your comments, it seems like I need it =P
Looking forward to your emails.
Bless 🙂
LORD Jesus only tell us to go to the lost sheep.(Mat10). we r not qualified to teach anyone, esp those taught by men with pre-conceived notions which is not in found the bible. Ask your own rabbi, or find someone who has graduated from theological college. Better still, let’s learn to be silent where the bible is silent.
Rom15.20 Yea, so have I strived to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest I should build upon another man’s foundation:
Andrew, thank GOD for your open heart. i agree it’s proper to use honest emails, to sieve out the seekers of Truth with nothing to hide. btw, it’s still premature for a cuppa.
Leviticus 19:36 Use honest scales and honest weights, an honest ephah and an honest hin. I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of Egypt.
Folks, dont worry, andrew wont send any spam or viruses to you. Maybe the most, is he might just pray for you.
Rom12.12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Hmmm… not such a friendly crowd after all leh… (not refering to Andrew or Joe)
Wow, these really are “hard sayings”!! Julie
Very practical example for my blog, thanks Julie
Andrew, well done for trying and for your patience