You "heard" it right!!

What an assurance that I felt last Friday night (25 July)!!  Or was it mere coincidence if you believe in that? The theme for my Bible study a week earlier was the same as the invited preacher’s first session.

A Friday earlier, I was leading a Bible character study. It’s kind of hard to decide what to prepare. Will I get a favourable respond from the cell members? After considering a few Bible characters, I think it’s best to pray for guidance. Then the impression I got was “Live by faith, not by sight” (2Cor 5:7).

One person that I know that probably fulfil this is – Abram, contrast that with Lot in Genesis Chapter 13. And so this is what I have prepared, with my title is: Our decisions affect our destiny:

After the Bible study, I think the members did not seem to show any interest. Some were wondering why I chose such a topic. Maybe it is God’s way of telling me not to do it again. I don’t have a gift of teaching. I can’t even hear God clearly. This is probably the last time for me to do some Bible teaching and even learning how to hear from God.

On 25^th July, Friday, night, as I listened to Pastor Benny Ho teaching on the Book of Ruth, I felt so comforted that it’s as if God was telling me that I heard Him rightly. Yes, “Decision determines Destiny!” – as it’s the title of his first session. To confirm that, Pastor Benny Ho, also talked about Lot, making Moabic (freshly) decisions. We need to “walk by faith, not by sight”

“But, LORD, why did you show me this?” I quietly asked.

I looked around the worship hall, and most of my cell members were not present. Maybe God was using me to bring HIS message to them as they missed the opportunity to hear from such an inspiring expository preacher, Pastor Benny.

And so, “Yes, I may not be able to teach. But, thank you God, I heard your prompting, not my imagination. Amen!” J

Agape

Which Leader should I Follow?

There is quote that will get leaders thinking: “If you think you are leading and no one is following, you are only taking a walk” – Benjamin Hooke

Wow! Most of the time, we like to be known as a leader. But often wonder why things doesn’t get moving, or the group is not growing, or people are not following. Worst still, we didn’t realize that we are just taking walk (and maybe get lost).

As I was thinking about Christian leadership, I couldn’t help but reflect on the recent re-shuffle of the cell group that I am presently attending. The cell has grown bigger (more than 20 members) and 2 new leaders have been appointed so that the group can split into 2 groups. The present cell leader will be promoted to higher office, as an Area Overseer. How the 2 new leaders were appointed was beyond my time as I only joined the cell about more 2 years ago.

In December 2013, the cell leader asked me which of the 2 new leaders would I want to follow. My selection was quite obvious. A Christian leader who openly tells the group that “there is no need to pray since God knows all my needs” and “I don’t need to have devotional time, as God is everywhere” will have difficulty leading, perhaps only walking partners. A Christian leader must speak with godly wisdom. Such talks will only de-motivate members to draw near to God.

Just last month, I am told that all the cell members will go to one group, leaving one of the new leaders without any follower. Through a series of miscommunication, I ended up with this new leader. So, it will be only 4 of us (our wives included). The Area Overseer will join us for the time being to add the number to 6, so that it looks less pathetic.

I guess the other members must be wondering why I choose to go with this new leader. Should I let them know of the miscommunication? Is there a need to explain?

God always has a peculiar way of preparing His children to do His Will. This time He prepared me for all this new development even before it happens. After I informed the leader who is now known as Area Overseer, of my choice of the leader I like to follow, my family went on a Cruise. During the 4 days of relaxation, the word “Friendship” kept appearing on my mind. As I sense the Spirit prompting, 2 Bible verses which I have remembered trigger my thoughts:

John 15:15 – “I do not call you servants any longer, because the servant does not know what the master is doing; but I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything that I have heard from my Father.”

Ecc 4:9, 10 – “Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up the other. But woe to one who is alone and falls and does not have another to help.”

I remember that during the cruise, I asked myself this question, “would I be able to be friended with difficult people, or work with people I don’t quite get along or even seem doesn’t quite fit to be a leader?” I knew then that I would love to say, “No!” But the 4 days of reflecting on the work of Christ on the Cross led me to say, “Yes, in God’s Will”

And so, it all became clear why I kept thinking about “Friendship” during the Cruise. It is to prepare me to take the path less trout, to follow a leader who probably fewer people want to follow. And hopefully, I can obey Ecc 4:9, 10 – to help those who fall.

Agape