2015 – Do new things, 2016 – Do MORE new things!

Finally, the year 2015 has come to an end. Another new beginning is about to take place….

This year, I started to do something new.

1.    Pray More

It happened one day after the cell meeting. I realised that I have been talking too much and probably speaking too little edifying words. That was then I told myself: “Talk less.” And when I uttered those words to myself, I heard in my mind: “Talk less. Pray more!” An so the adventure of spending more time in prayer began each evening as I wrestle with the LORD over my life. Thank God, He heard me and granted my plea for my daughter’s scholarship. Better still, He speaks on unexpected occasions. On the Sunday service in about mid-August, an extra collection for mission fund was initiated; I was planning not to give to mission this year. Then as the bag was passing around and approaching me, I heard a voice: “Give, one hundred-fold”. It was a clear call for me to support the mission fund. So, in quick time as the bag came to me, I pulled out a $10 note and dropped into the bag. Later, as I was thinking about the incident, and wondering what this hundred-fold thingy meant, then it dawned on me that God will multiply my giving by returning it to me one hundred-fold what I have given for the mission fund. How will God make a $1000 come to me? I really have no idea, but that is His job if what I heard is true. Did I get the $1000? Yes. I did, in unexpected way. Praise the LORD! But why did HE give me this $1000?

I am still learning how to pray. More so, I am also learning how to listen to God’s voice. It is an exciting journey and I shall continue to pray and listen to God more in 2016.

2.    Be financially conscious

 It all started when Apostolic Pastor John Koe in several of this teaching and preaching mentioned that God told him to buy certain stocks in the stock market and the price rose after he bought them. That, to me is something totally new. I have never invested in stock, and also I don’t think God want to make us rich through the stock market.

I have $10,000 in a fixed deposit and honestly I don’t even know what the interest per annum is. Then sometime early this year, I saw a bank statement stating that for 6 months of deposit, my interest was $12.50. That really woke me up. I think I could do better than a 0.25% gain for a $10,000 in 6 months. And so, I read up on stock investing, started to open a stock account and put some money on blue-chips and more secure stocks. Initially, stock prices went up and I sold off these, and sure, I made some money for the first few months as the STI index reaches its peak in April 2015. Then, everything changed from May onwards and it was a downward movement. So I just hold my stocks and collect dividends, which is not bad either. The only loss is the paper-money loss in the stocks, which I believe in a long terms will recover. In late August 2015, the stock market dropped drastically. Prior to that day, I did something which seemed stupid at the time – I sold off some stocks even though it was below the buying prices. I didn’t know why I did that but I just felt terrible seeing the prices kept dropping every day. On that fateful day, 25 August when the STI index plunged, I quickly bought back many of all those stocks that I sold and some new ones. As quickly as it dropped, it then went up also and I made good gains. Things moved so fast that I wasn’t even sure what I did right. As the month of August came to an end, I found that I made a gain of $1001. The amount of money gained took familiar and I recalled the words – “Give, 100-fold”. I don’t think I will do what I have done in the stock market again as I really don’t know what I have done during that week when the stock prices fell. I am still holding to all the invested stocks mainly for dividend now. It is just too risky to sell at a loss and hoping to buy back at a lower price. But hey, that is a good method to make gains and I still used it sparingly when I am certain the prices of stocks will continue to drop and will recover in a short while later, which is usually true.

My sole purpose of wanting to collect dividend on the stock market is to prepare for retirement in a few years. Then, I can still use the dividends to give to charity organizations that I am currently supporting. With this investment and the dividends that I now collected, I started to give to Scripture Union, Singapore this year. I am hoping that this investment will grow and I can give to more organizations next year, in addition to those that I am supporting monthly for many years now – GMB, SA, NKF, St Luke Hospice and SBC.

3.    Mission Trip

This year, I went for my first ever mission trip to Sarangani, Philippians. I learnt many things there and that has changed my life now. I have written this in my previous post. In 2016, I will be more conscious and make an effort to go for mission trips and see how the LORD will lead. And the special thing about this trip is … the mission trip fee is all sponsored by God! The $1000 and a subsequent money gain were just enough for the mission trip for myself and my daughter who also went for the mission trip!! I didn’t need to fork out any money for the trip.  “When GOD gives a VISION, HE also gives the PROVISION!” Amen!

Isa 42:9 (NRSV)

See, the former things have come to pass, 
and new things I now declare; 

before they spring forth, I tell you of them.

For the new year 2016,  do more new things …

So, I will be focusing on 5Fs – Faith; Fitness; Family; Friends; Finance

Faith – Doing more reading on the Bible and writing about devotions as reflection-thoughts. I will post some of these reflections in this blog. I will make an effort to post at least once a month of my Biblical reflections. Definitely, I will pray more … and listen more.

Fitness – I must be more discipline to train for the Marathon. For the past few years, I did not do well for the Marathon. This year, I struggle to complete the marathon as my training was badly affected by the haze in September to early November. In 2016, I will work on strength, speed and cover more distance in my run. So, God helps me! (new target is faster than 5hr 7min)

Family – I thank God for my wife and the 3 girls. They are my inspirations and drive in everything I do. One of my daughter will be going to Australia and likely our next holiday trip will be there to. Hopefully, one day I will run the Marathon there also. (Wow, something new?)

Friends – I have been to Riverlife Church for 5 years now. In the coming years, I must get to know more people. So I will be looking out for new cell groups and see if I can grow in friendship.

Finance – I need to learn more and grow more in my investment. Then, I need to give more to charity and find a new organization to support in 2016. Presently I am thinking about Our Daily Bread (ODB) and TTC.

And so, have a Blessed New Year, 2016!!

Agape!

Isa 48:6 (NRSV)

You have heard; now see all this; 
and will you not declare it?

From this time forward I make you hear new things,

hidden things that you have not known.

Mission Trip Reflection - I Left My Heart in Sarangani

RiverLife Mission Trippers (I'm standing on the second left)

 On 27 to 30 Nov 2015, I joined RiverLife Church on an oversea Mission Trip to Sarangani, South Philippines. This is my first mission trip. We conducted 2 evangelistic meetings, prayers for the sick and also assisted the medical team with 2 doctors in the team. Saragani is not my first preference. I actually signed up for Yangon in September. But there was no doctor available and so the church had to cancel that mission trip.

Why did I decide to go for this Mission Trip?

I had never gone for any mission trip before. What can I do there? I don’t think I can contribute in any significance ways. In June this year, after Rev Daniel Lim from International House Of Prayer (IHOP, Kansas City) came to teach and preached in RiverLife Church, he encouraged us to pray for 1 hour daily and also to read 10 chapters of the Gospels daily. It was a difficult assignment for me. So, I tried to do these, at least for a good few days. Certainly, when we “draw near to God, He will draw near to us” (Jas 4:8)

Reading 10 chapters of the Gospels is very challenging. It was difficult to remember so many short stories in the Gospel at one go. So after one round of completing the 4 Gospels, I decided to read it again slowly…& pray about what I read, and just do it for half an hour a day, regardless of how much chapters I have covered. It was then, I learnt to be sensitive to His prompting – The WORD and Prayer always go together, like 2 hands clapping, creating an impact. I remembered the day as I was reading on the Gospel of Matthew (chapter 9) and praying for the compassion of Christ for the multitude and the ripe harvest field:

³⁶ When he saw the crowds, He had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. ³⁷ Then he said to his disciples, “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. ³⁸ Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.”

2 words in this short passage keep coming to my minds as I prayed for the missionaries in the mission fields – compassion and workers. I need compassion and I need to be a worker. As I continued to pray, I felt the LORD telling me to go and try it out, don’t just kneel down and pray. I was scared, I stop praying and try to think of excuses. Every month, I give quite a good portion of my salary to organizations with mission work, “Lord, see, I have done my part, right?” Silence. No more prompting from the Spirit. (Have I quenched the Holy Spirit?)  “OK, Lord, I will go.”

We stayed at King James Hotel, a simple motel with double-decker beds for twin sharing. The room is really small and queasy.

Mission Work in Saragani

We spent the Saturday and Sunday ministering to the Blaan Tribe. Most of the tribal people are farmers, living simple lifestyle. Many are uneducated and could not speak English or Tagalog. We need the local churches help for interpretations.

Day 1 (28^th Nov):

Day 1: crowd response to altar call

On the first day, we had our evangelistic meeting in a school training shade. The whole place was packed and people kept coming. Seeing the huge crowd, tear came to my eyes as I saw what Jesus saw – they were helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. After the first Evangelistic meeting which Pastor Rhoda preached, many raised their hands in responded to the altar call. I found Eleazer to be my interpreter. Together, we approached those who raise their hands and talk to them. We also prayed for healing for many of them suffered under the harsh lives as farmer labouring under the hot sun. I remember one pregnant lady, Mala came to me with tearful eye. She said that the baby inside her is not moving any more and request prayer for the baby. Nervously, Eleazer and I prayed really hard that our God who give life and who bring this baby into her body will also sustain the life of the baby inside her. I believe God will protect her. After we prayed, I asked her to go for checkup, but Eleazer said that the people don’t have money to see doctors.

Many rush to collect used clothing from us during the lunch break. What we Singaporeans have taken for granted are precious to them. Could we help them to have a better life in other ways also?

Giving clothing to the Blaan People

  In the afternoon, I was asked to pray for the sick after their medical consultation. Being very new to such mission work, I just want to be led by the Spirit to do what He wanted me to do. As I interact and pray for them, I soon sense their difficult life, many of them look much older than their age. Also, most of them married and have children at a very young age. As I pray for them, I also sense that relational problem is one issue that cause their sickness.

Lyka, 30 years old came to me with a deep cut wound on her neck. The fresh could be seen. Through the interpreter, Isabel, I asked her what caused the injury. As they were having a long conversation in their Blaan dialect, suddenly, I heard an inner voice telling me, “her husband slashed her.” Just to be certain that I was not in illusion, I looked at the medical record and saw that her occupation is a housewife, meaning that she is married. I waited for a while and then interrupted the conversation by telling Isabel to ask Lyka, “Did your husband slashed your neck?” Isabel turned and stared at me in shock. “I cannot tell you.” She said quickly and walked away. I was kept wondering what going on? Later, she returned with Ed, the pastor’s son and Ed told me that Lyka was slashed by her husband. They had divorced and now Lyka is worried that the husband is planning to harm her. We then prayed for healing and protection for Lyka.

Later, I saw Pastor Ken and told him about the whole incident. Pastor Ken explained that in tribal village, the harm that her husband wanted to do could be through black magic or spiritual occult.

Then there is Radquel, 22 years old, who is dumb after giving birth to a 4 month old baby. Through the conversation, I founded that her husband had died earlier while she was pregnant. After praying for her, she managed to utter the words: “Amen” and “Praise God”. I sense strongly that it was the emotional hurt that stifled her speech. I encouraged her to let go of the past and move forward in life, if she want to gain her speech again.

That night, before I went to sleep, I asked the Lord, why He wanted me to know about Lyka being slashed by her husband. “She needs spiritual protection”. If I had not known about her situation, I would have just prayed for healing for her. It was a busy Saturday. We had breakfast at 5.30am, and so I woke up at 4:30am to have some devotion. Today, I prayed for hours for the Blaan people. As I reflected on the day, God seem to tell me why He wanted me to be here in Sarangani – to see how God love the world (Jn 3:16), and I too to learn how to love the world. Thank you, Lord. You had to force me out of my comfort zone to see how You love the world.

Day 2 (29^th Nov):

Day 2: crowd hearing Pastor Rhoda preaching

On Sunday, again I woke up at 4:30am. What would I learn from God today? I wonder.

Arriving at about 7am at the gymnasium, the team spent some time in worship and prayer. The place had no electricity and Pastor Rhoda was concerned and she managed to get help, while the team prayed for smooth running of the day’s events. God is good, as people started streaming into the gymnasium; the electricity has been fully restored. Once again, my personal quotation of: “God may be slow, but never late” comes true.

During prayer time, one lady came to me crying and through the interpreter; she claimed that her kidneys were very painful. We prayed for her and after praying, the interpreter asked her how she felt. They talked for a while and he brought her up to the stage to testify. I could not understand what is going on as they were not speaking in English. Then a large group of people came to me and again, I started to pray for individual after asking them about their sicknesses through the interpreter. There is no time to verify whether any healing took place. My hope is that our LORD will continue to work His healing power on this people.

In the afternoon, I was again at the last station, praying for the patients after their medical consultation. This time, I managed to share the Gospel using the Bridge to Life illustration to Alrey, a Catholic. He came to get some medicine for his ulcer. After asking about his faith, I felt that he needed to know about Jesus Christ as his personal Saviour and Lord because his faith is based on his family and he just followed them. I led him to say the salvation prayer through the interpreter.

Joshua Sarosa, 11 years old was carried by his mother, Jennylyn as he suffered from polio since birth and is mentally handicapped. He appeared to be a 3-years old boy. As I saw them, my heart cried for them and the suffering she and the boy had endured all this 11 years. I prayed my longest prayer during this mission trip for them. It was at this moment; I wished the Prophet Elijah is in our midst and just performed a miracle on this boy, restored him mentally and strengthened both his feet. But nothing of this sort happened. Perhaps, God has His own timing. I believe HE will make everything beautiful for Joshua and Jennylyn in God’s timing.

There was a lady who came to me with her left middle finger paralyzed. When I squeezed her finger, she could not feel anything. Also, when I instructed her to bend the finger, she could not do it. Her index finger was also injured with scars, probably through hard labour. After praying for her and for the middle finger to have mobility and feelings, I again checked on her. This time, she could bend the middle fingers and feel my pinching. To be sure, I made her do that a few times.

For the more than two hours, I encountered many people with backache and pain all over their bodies. Life in Blaan tribe, working under the scorching sun is tough. The more I prayed for them, the more my heart felt for them. I thank God that I can now look at people and see them as the image of God, not just a human being.

Lessons Learnt from this mission trip

This trip has certainly strengthened my prayer life. It has stirred in me a greater desire to talk to God as a personal friend. In the past, prayer is a duty and a request to ask from our Daddy God. Now, prayer is a friendship and the path to the heart of God, to see people and things as HE sees. Prayer is now not just me talking to God, but to hear His Rhema word and be His servant and friend. I believe that is why HE spoke to me about Lyka’s condition.

My eyes have somehow opened to get a glimpse of what missionaries are supposed to do. I may not have seen the whole picture, but certainly, I have seen their hearts of compassion and a love for the people they serve. Would I be able to do more and one day heeds that calling? May be a few more of these short trips to sharpen myself would certainly help in the preparation.

Giving financially to mission has added a new meaning after this trip. I could see how the money is being put to good use. My next step is to increase the portion of my monthly salary to mission work.

Above all, I have added Lyka, Radquel, Joshua, Jennylyn, Alvery and others into my daily prayer. My heart goes to them and hope that God will transform their lives and make them beautiful in HIS times (Ecc 3:11)

Agape

Kar Wai, my room-mate and two Blaan pastor’s sons – Eleazer (between Kar Wai and me) and Ed, serving as interpreters

WHY?

"WHY?"

My friend John Foppe was born with no arms.
But John never asks the question,
"WHY do I have no arms?"
The question he asks is,
"WHAT can I do with my feet?"

Having watched John eat with chopsticks, I'd say,
"Almost anything!"

When tragedy strikes, or when we lose everything, 
or when a lover walks out on us,
the question we usually ask is "WHY?"
"WHY me?"
"WHY now?"
"WHY did she leave me for a loser?"

Asking "WHY?" questions can send us in circles.
Often, there is no answer to "WHY?"
Or it doesn't matter why!

Effective people ask "WHAT?" questions.
"WHAT do I learn from this?"
"WHAT am I going to do about it"

When the situation is really desperate, they ask,
"What can I do, just in the next 24 hours, to make things better?"

The happiest people don't bother about whether life is "fair".
They just make the most of what they have.

And is life fair? Probably not. But it doesn't matter why!

Hope of a parent

The year 2015 began with much anticipation for me.

As with all parents, we like to see our children grow up well and to do well in their lives’ pursuits. Most important of all, they grow up to be good citizens, obey and honor God. There is a commandment that we as parents like to see our children grow up with:

“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honor your father and mother – this is the first commandment with a promise: ‘so that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’” (Eph 6:1-3)

(click to enlarge)

Also, in Singapore, education plays a very important part of the family life. And the ways I see how our children can bring honor to the family are: (1) study hard and do well in their education, and (2) grow up in a strong relationship with God and be of service to others.

Looking back to the last four years, I thank God that they have matured and grow up.

Last year, my youngest daughter completed her Secondary 3 examinations with very good results. She also did her “O” Level Chinese. For all her previous years of schooling, she has never taken her studies seriously. Our main concern for her was her Chinese language, which she failed in Secondary 2. Thankfully, in 2014, she somehow has “awaken” and was much more driven.  She was selected by the school to compete in the National Science Challenge and the school team of 4 participants reached the quarter final stage. This is a very good exposure for her and we are all very pleased with her achievement.

(click to enlarge)

She received her Edusave scholarship award from our Member of Parliament in January 2015.

Beginning of 2015, we have been praying that she would do well for her “O” Level Chinese result. Within, 1 year and with the help of a tutor, she studied very hard and even wrote 35 compositions on her own initiative.. With such dedication, it’s much easier to pray for her that “God will reward her exceedingly far more than what we ask or imagine (Eph 3:20)”. I remembered once, when we were having dinner and I prayed that God would give her A1 for her “O” Level Chinese, the children started laughing. At that instant, I remembered Genesis 18:9-15, when the LORD told Abraham (a 99 year old man) that his wife will bear a son, Sarah started to laugh. It was at that moment, I felt my spirit quicken and prompted that my prayer request is fulfilled. Amen!

Keziah has completed her “A” Level examinations and we are expecting her results. Doing well in her examinations would be a boost to her esteem, rightfully so as she has worked very hard. My regular prayers for them would be to see God blessing them with good results. In time, I began to pray and “see” with my mind “eyes” that they actually do well. I must thank God that HE has taught me many things about prayer during my personal time with HIM. And it is this confident, that faith turn into reality. With her exceedingly good results, we are now bolder to ask God for more. We prayed that she would try to get a scholarship for her oversea university studies.

Thank God, He granted my birthday wish and a few days after that, Ministry-Of-Health send her the scholarship letter.

…

One of the greatest joy as a parent is to see that the children’s faith grow in the LORD.  We are thankful that all the girls are well discipline and growing in the LORD. They are also using their talents to serve in the church. Charlotte is very much involved with the church’s youth and leading the cell. Keziah serves in the music ministry.

Recently, Keziah started doing some part-time job. It was very thoughtful of her to give some of her monthly salary to the parents. My greatest hope is that the girls will grow up to give and serve, just as Jesus Christ came to serve and to give HIS life as a ransom for us all.

I can truly say as the Apostle John: “I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.” (2John 4)

We can’t decide which family we want to be born into, but we can decide to grow together. Thank you, girls for being part of our family.

Agape

Life after Bethany … What’s next?

It has been exactly 4 years since my family left Bethany Presbyterian Church (BPC) and worships at Riverlife Church. So much has changed …

Looking back, one may ask why I have left in the first place. At that time, my children were beginning their teenage lives. The way I saw BPC youth ministry then, it was clear that my children will not be able to have a strong spiritual foundation. At one stage, during my Bible class, I asked a group of youth whose parents are deacon and elder of the church; “If your parents give you the liberty to decide whether to leave this class or sit here to discuss the Bible; what will you choose?” Almost unanimously, all said that they will not come to church. At that moment, I started to ask myself whether my children feel that way and the answer was clear. I need to provide a new spiritual environment for my children.

4 years has passed, I thank God that my children are very much motivated spiritually. And when their spirit is right with God, their lives are also on the right path. Their studies improved tremendously. They are faithful in prayer and devotion. They would seek out others who are down and pray for them and with them. I often received SMS and messages asking me to pray for them. Whenever things happen, their first thought is to seek God. That is really a huge encouragement to me. They are also more involved in the church, sometimes to the extent of over zealousness at the expenses of their studies. This can be a challenge to us as parents on guiding them to set the right priority. This may be a conflict at times. It is like a runner who wants to train and run very fast and far in the shortest time possible, not understanding that they will get injured. While the coach (aka parents) who asks them to moderate their training. The zealous runner will see the coach (aka parents) as lack of passion. That said, my children have always been an encouragement to me in their walk with God. They are now learning to listen to God. Theology and spirituality goes hand-in-hand and I am glad they understand this.

…

As for me, even though I have worshipped God at this new place for 4 years; I still could not call it my “oikos”. I am still a stranger there. Even though the church is more than 3000 strong, we hardly have opportunity to build relationship except within the cell group (less than 25 people). This is even so when we attended their church camp. There is no interaction. It’s like 4 Sunday worship and sermons squeeze together, no Bible discussion, no devotional time.

When I first started attending Riverlife for Sunday worship, it was much a loner. This gives me a lot of time before worship services for silent mediation and preparation. Soon, I cultivated a heart to be still before God (Psa 46:10) and to be eager to listen to HIM and not to talk (Ecc 5:1-2). As such, I usually enter into a time of worship whereby the Holy Spirit would reveal Himself to me during the services. I began to understand what Jesus said that those who worship God must worship in Spirit and in truth.

Other than worship, my spiritual growth is very much left to myself. As such, I am now a bit slack. I used to do my own personal Bible Study. Now that I am in this new place with no assignment, the motivation to be grounded in the WORD has stalled. So in 2015, I need to rejuvenate my love for God’s Word. I am starting with the 4 Gospels.

Moving ahead, I am seeking God for direction – should I stay or move on? Recently, during Michelle and Henry’s wedding in BPC, I still feel a tinge of unwelcome from a certain group of people as I crossed their path. Their body language of uneasiness and cold side-glance indicated than I am still not welcome. Even though I have left BPC, I still keep the door open if God wants me to return. I am still a member of the church and have been faithful in tithing. And so, after attending the wedding, it seems that the “door” is still closed.

In everything, God makes beautiful in His own time (Ecc 3:11)

Agape

The Way God get my attention

Sometimes it takes a really nasty situation to happen to teach us an insightful spiritual truth. My most recent car accident and the subsequent event is an indication of this.

The past few weeks were very hectic, so hectic that I kept thinking about the things I have been doing. On Thursday evening, after leaving office, I was careless and met a car accident. The lorry in front of me suddenly pulled a stop at the traffic light. Thankfully, only my car engine-cover and bumper were damaged. The lorry was ok. Why did it happen? I should not be thinking and pondering over bad situations while driving. It’s a very costly lesson.

Then, when I was washing up after dinner that night, I noticed that the kitchen sinks were choked. I hate choked sinks. The sinks were all right the previous night. Why did they happen suddenly? Add to the accident earlier, I lost my cool and became furious. I grumbled and grumbled. It spoilt the night and everybody mood. I felt so lousy. Why must this happen to me? Now, everything has to be interrupted and I have to look for a mechanic. The choked sinks have to wait.

Come Friday morning, I perfunctory read Our Daily Bread for the usual devotion with my hand phone. Most days, when the passage is familiar to me, I would skip the Bible text. This morning the text is the familiar parable of the soils – Matthew 13:13-23. I must confess that it has been quite a while when I learn to “listen” to the Bible. Today, instead of skipping the Bible text, I mindlessly touch the button, and the Bible text appeared on my screen. That’s when the real truth began to unfold …

The verse that jumped out to me was verse 22:

²² And the one on whom seed was sown among the thorns, this is the man who hears the word, and the worry of the world and the deceitfulness of wealth choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful.

The 2 things that hit me there and then was “the worry of the world” and “choke”. I have to admit that for the past few weeks, I was burden by the concern of my jobs, life and many earthly things. It began to occupy my thoughts more and more than the presence of God if I am honest to admit. What is particular interesting is the word “choke” appears on this text. So, this is the reason why a choked sink happened last night out of a sudden. Sure, I am a Christian. I believe in Christ. I treasure the Word. I even learn to be obedient and serve in many aspect of Christian ministry. But honestly, I cannot say that I am fruitful. To be fruitful is explained in the verse 23, - one who yield a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. We can serve in the flesh or we can serve in the Spirit. Flesh-led ministry will only leads to burn-out and little fruit. Spirit-led-ministry on the other hand is fruitful – 100fold, 60fold, 30fold. With a better understanding after reading and meditating on this parable, I am illuminated by the Holy Spirit! I began to see all the past service – teaching ministry; preaching ministry; youth work; anything that the church ask me to do – are Flesh-led-ministry. No wonder, there is little fruit. And why is it Flesh-led? A person who is burden by the concern of the world (or even the church) or the drive for wealth and success will not be able to have a Spirit-led ministry. The Holy Spirit is easily grieved or quench by us. In the eyes of fellow Christians, we may appear faithful when we are doing “church-works”. But as far as God is concern, HE is most happy when what we do is led by the Holy Spirit.

“So, this is the reason why God did not show me what ministry I should be involved after leaving the previous church.” I have prayed many times about this. Always, I sense that the Spirit just want me to learn to worship the Triune God. “Just be my friend (John 15:15)” was the reply I got from the Spirit prompting. God is teaching me what spirit Worship is. He teaches me in many precious occasions. That is another story.

Now I know, what God want me to do is just lay down the worry of this life.

Agape

Prayer that touches God

Emotion is a powerful tool … when tears flow, my compassion is being stirred. That was how I felt when I heard a visitor who came to join us in cell group fellowship last Friday.

She has an autism son who is now 28 years old. She shared of her struggles and rejection by people because of her son all these years. Tears rolled as she shared her ordeal. I believe this is her cross that the LORD has given to her to carry. Once, her son was sick so badly that he went into the Intensive Care Unit. She talked about the prayer she made when her son was lying there. “Jesus was never sick, never had flu. As Jesus was, so are you.” And for that, she claim God’s healing. True enough, the doctor called her that night that her son can be out of ICU. From her many sharing, I knew that most of them are not theologically right. For example, she said that she lay hand on her husband’s car that it will never meet an accident and no parking summon will be on the car.

That night, as I walked out of the cell meeting, I asked the LORD two questions: (1) “LORD, are we to be like you in all aspect of life?” Then within me I feel that He is saying, “No.”  Jesus is single, I am married and that is OK. Jesus is circumcised, I am not. And that is OK. Jesus is divine, I am human. And it is OK.

OK, if we understand the Bible wrongly, then my second Question is: “When we pray wrongly (because we understand the Bible wrongly), do we still get our prayer granted?”  Again, I heard Him said, “Yes!” A deeply hurt, weeping prayer always touches MY heart! (not the words of the prayer).

Then I began to understand. I believe God looks more at the pain in our hearts and the tears in our eyes than the words in our mouth when we pray, even if our prayers are theologically wrong.

As I ponder over this, 2 persons in the Bible came to mind:

Hannah was deeply distressed and prayed to the LORD, and wept bitterly. (1Sam 1:10) Her tears moved God to act and granted her a miracle child – Prophet Samuel.

King Hezekiah was at a point of death that he wept before the LORD. Even the prophet Isaiah told him to prepare for his death.

2King 20:3 “Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully and with wholehearted devotion and have done what is good in your eyes.” And Hezekiah wept bitterly.

2King 22:19 Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken against this place and its people—that they would become a curse and be laid waste—and because you tore your robes and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the Lord.

A compassionate and humble heart is more pleasing to the LORD than a good Bible knowledge. Beware: A good theological knowledge can be a stumbling block to drawing close to God. Also, it can swell the head but not humble the heart.

What then does God requires of me, just an ordinary man, I mused. This I believe is what God wants of me:

He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
    And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
    and to walk humbly with your God.  (Micah 6:8)

And when I act justly, love mercy, walk humbly (and not sacrifice Micah 6:6,7)); then I know God is with me in everything I do or ask.

Agape

"Let the Fruits show the Tree"

What!! The pastor actually copies his Sunday Sermon outline?!

I was very surprised to come across an article in the internet with the same passage outline and the sermon preached in Church, 2 Sunday ago. 

Sermon Plagiarism? Not sure whether this is acceptable, but I feel that a pastor shouldn’t do this. I actually try other similar sermon outline for his message on my own and it is easily done. Why didn’t he try it out on his own?

The Pastor preached on a 5-fold ministry of the church from the passage in Eph 4:11-13 = (1)Apostles; (2)Prophets; (3)Evangelists; (4)Pastors; (5)Teachers. Many of the Charismatic churches use this passage as the basis to appoint their leaders as Apostles. Also in 1 Corinthian 11:28, Apostle Paul stated that: “in the church God appointed first of all apostles, second prophets,  third teachers, then workers of miracles, also those having gifts of  healing, those able to help others, those with gifts of administration, and those with speaking in different tongues.

Go, google “Fivefold ministry” and you will have a better understanding. The leaders are going to appoint an Apostle that is outside their founding leaders. What a big title! Another preacher stated that an apostle is the highest rank, like the General in the army. [I am sure he misunderstood the word, “first” in 1Cor 11:28].

Question Now, who appoint these ministries? Why is there a need to appoint Apostle?

 Answer: God

Question: So, how do we know that someone is appointed by God for a ministry?

My Answer: Let the fruits show the tree. You know that it is an apple tree by looking at its fruits. That is how God chooses it to be an apple tree. If people are blessed by your teaching, then you know what God has appointed you to be. In the same way, if every time you speak, crowd of people accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior, then you will know what God has appointed you to be. Likewise, it is for all other ministries and leaders.

Question: So, we don’t need to actually give people label and title?

My Answer: Exactly! The label and title comes naturally after a while when people see your fruits. Just keep doing what is passionate and what you know God calls you to do. Let the fruits that you bore be the label that people will tack on you. This is how God’s calling is. We should call those serving in full-time Christian ministry as “servant of God” rather than preacher, pastor, etc. Then after a while, let people see their fruits and their title will change to be Teacher so-and-so, Pastor so-and-so, Apostle so-and-so, etc.

Question: So, don’t need to appoint Apostle, meh?

Answer: Don’t need, lah.

Matthew 12:33 (NRSV) "Either make the tree good, and its fruit good; or make the tree bad, and its fruit bad; for THE TREE IS KNOWN BY ITS FRUIT."

Agape

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

Is God still healing people?

Yes, He does … and it has to begin with me!

During last Sunday worship service, the preacher Pastor John Koe, after a series of praying for those who were sick, closed with this remark: “Healing is simple. And it is free. There is no pain and you get a new (he mentioned a body part of someone who he prayed for and got healed, so he claimed).” Making such remark can sound victorious and full of faith. What about those who are not healed after praying. I wondered how they were feeling at that moment. I know of a cell mate who is not healthy and need surgery soon. Was she praying for healing?

In a previous Sunday, Pastor John Koe also mentioned that what if you prayed for someone and he is not healed. He simply answered: “Next!” Then he elaborated, “keep on praying until someone gets healed, if this person does not get healed, move on to the next.” Is this the right way to do in a healing ministry, I mused? Is that what the Bible teaches about praying for the sick?

Christians are divided on the issue of whether God still bestows spiritual gifts, one of which is the gift of healing (1 Cor 12:9). What is this spiritual gift of healing?  Simply put; if you have prayed for someone and that person (Christians or non-Christian) got healed by God through your prayer, then you may have the gift of healing, even though some or most of your prayers may not result in divine healing. The way it is healed can also varies – progressive healing which is faster than normal medical healing or immediate healing. Some may argue against this view and claim that those with the gift of healing will have 100% success with immediate healing like Jesus did. Since we don’t see that happen, then the gift of healing has ceased. For me, that is too extreme, as we are not divine and it is God’s prerogative to heal. He is the healer; we are His agent by praying, not the healer. So, whatever ways God choose to heal or to delay healing, I rejoice. Hence, healing prayer is also part of my walk with God.

And so my journey with Him begins … with me!

Recently, God has been very gracious to me. Many of my prayers are answered affirmatively. So I decided to pray for healing for myself. Now, what should I pray?

Last year, during the June BPCEC church camp, I injured my index toe of my left foot and suffered a black toe. It has never been healed till today. Then, during the December Standard Chartered Marathon, I injured another 2 toes on my right foot, and ended up with 3 black toes. And so, I always wear socks to cover up my toes whenever I go for cell meetings. Can God changed something visible like black toes back to normal? Well, the best way to find out is to pray. And so, in February, I prayed that God will heal my injured toes. And then, I just forget about it. Even when I go for cell meetings, I no longer wear socks to cover my feet.

Then, a few days ago, as I was showering and washing my hair, I saw that the toes on my right foot have fully recovered. The index toe on the left foot which was black the longest for more than 9 month is still black. My first thought was: “The first shall be last and the last shall be first” – how amazing it is! Praise the Lord! I would expect that the toe that was injured 6 month earlier would be healed 6 month in advance than the other two toes.

OK. Some may doubt that this is God’s healing. But to me, something black can become normal in last than 3 weeks and visible to the eyes is amazing. But, why did God choose to heal only 2 toes and not all 3, and to reverse the order of healing – the last to heal first? I got no answer, and so now I am praying for that injured toe, … and wait for His healing.

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