Just My Five Cents Worth (GE 2011)

I must really say that this GE 2011 has surprisingly drawn the attentions of many Singaporeans, especially the young generation. From my personal outlook, this is the most successful impact of GE 2011. This is our nation and it is only right that we get involved in it, whether little or much.

Well, having said that, we know that GE is a time when people will fight for democracy, because they feel that it is for the betterment of Singapore and as citizens, they should have the rights to choose the leadership of the government. Ever since Singapore achieved independence, it has never been really democratic, or to put it in the politically right perspective, liberal democracy.

Do we really think that democracy will work in Singapore? Well, I’m not too sure. We have multi-racial citizens. What if democracy happens? No one has the answer. Only God has

Over the decades, Singapore has so much peace and security. It is also known throughout the world that Singapore is a peaceful country. This is something we should never take for granted.

If one day, opposition takes over and we have a new government who advocates democracy, I’m not sure how it would end up. Maybe better or maybe worse. That also means that we are going to give it a gamble, because nobody can prove if democracy works in Singapore. If the new government is better, praise God. If worse, it is at the expense of Singaporeans.

Thus, despite the fact that I don’t agree with certain things that PAP do, I will still support them, not just because of their track records, but for the stability and security of our nation, which translates to communities, families and individuals.

In my humble opinion, I also find it biblical to support the present government. In Romans 13, the Bible tells us to submit to authorities at all times, even if the government is evil. In other words, it is a command to be unconditionally submissive unto the government. To put things into perspective, submission doesn’t mean obedience. Submission is about our heart attitude, while obedience is about our actions. The Bible commands that we must have unconditional submission to the authorities, and complete obedience unless God’s Word is violated.

Everyone must submit himself to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. – Romans 13:1

In this GE, we have crossed the line of unconditional submission when we criticised against the government in our attitudes. We got angry, frustrated and even bitter… These are understandable though, for we are merely human beings manifesting our fleshly nature. The point is that we (Christians) still need to repent for the attitudes that we have before God. I must admit… I too, took some time to repent before God during this GE 2011. That was the moment when I felt God’s heart…. was broken. I felt His heart for His people, not because of which party they cast their votes for, but rather, their heart attitudes. Take Tin Pei Ling for example, many have criticised her; some even became personal. We are created in the image of God, like it or not… she too, is an image of God. I have a friend, whom I respect, used this phrase as a joke to his wife whenever the wife commented something about him. ‘Do you have a problem with God’s creation?’

I think what he said is very true. Do we have a problem with God’s creation when we criticise the very person whom He has created? No wonder our Daddy’s heart is broken…

Whether opposition or PAP… I’m not so concerned about it. I trust that God is the One who established the government. He is sovereign and bigger than the outcome of every GE. Though alot of people may not agree with me, I still think that regardless of what the government does, we should submit and support them, unless they are telling us ‘Pursuant to section 49, Sub-section 7E paragraph A of the Parliamentary Elections Act, I declare that every citizen must not worship Jesus.’

God is the One who appointed the government. He can ‘destroy’ the government (if evil) just like how He did to Pharaoh and Nebuchadnezzar.

My personal conviction is this… if we really want to have a change in government, potential candidates should always join the government and work from there, i.e. Daniel, Joseph, etc. And not oppose the government. Daniel and Joseph did not bow down to the wrong unbiblical ways of the government. Neither did they oppose upfront because of the evil government. But they submitted to their leadership. Because of that, God blessed them and raised them up to such a capacity that they were able to influence even the evil government to lead and change the whole culture.

I was hoping that Minister George Yeo would be able to do that. He shared about a transformed PAP. If only he were given a chance to fulfil it.

By entering into opposition, it shows one thing (again, my personal viewpoint) – we are trying to take things into our own hands and we think that we are bigger than God. Why not pray for those who are already elected? The Holy Spirit has the power to convict, judge and transform.

I have read much about MM Lee too. Many things in the early years were covered up. Even our history textbook doesn’t tell us the truth. When I read the “shocking truths” (as what the historians described), I didn’t find it that shocking actually. Because I believe that God has raised him up for such a purpose, just like God raised Pharaoh up for one purpose – His glory. If not for this man of great vision (of course, many others too), Singapore would not be where she is today. You got to give it to this builder. And because God used him to demonstrate His glory, Singapore is now the city of Antioch.

For the Scripture says to Pharaoh, “For this very purpose I have raised you up, that I might show my power in you, and that my name might be proclaimed in all the earth.” – Romans 9:17

Just my five cents worth.

P.S: Cheers to all the elected ones… whether opposition or PAP, let’s support all and pray for them, for the betterment of Singapore.

Hearing God In Surround Sound

By Steven Furtick

The most important skill that you’ll ever develop as a human being is the skill of hearing God. Knowing His voice. Being able to discern what He wants you to do in any given situation.

But that’s easier said than done. In a world full of competing voices and distractions, it can be hard to tell what God’s voice sounds like. It can be easy to mistake it for something else.

It reminds me of watching a movie in surround sound. Every time a phone rings, I usually think my phone is ringing. Sometimes it is. And sometimes it isn’t. When you’re surrounded by sound it’s simply hard to tell what noises are real and what noises are not.

We have the same dilemma in hearing from God. We live life in surround sound. Most of us operate at a near frantic pace. We’re surrounded by literal noise all day long. We hear messages that directly compete with what God is trying to tell us. And in the midst of this environment, it can be hard to tell what’s God’s voice and what’s the voices of others.

Right here is where I might come in and say something like, “the problem is you need to turn off your surround sound so you can hear God’s voice.” But I won’t say that. Because surround sound is the world we live in.

In other words, we can complain all day that our lives are really busy. That there’s too much noise. But guess what, that’s not changing. Yes, we can and should hit the off button on the surround sound and periodically take breaks by spending time in silence or taking a vacation. But these are short-lived moments at best. After they’re over, we’re right back to the 95% of our life that is spent in surround sound. With real noise, real demands, and real distractions. And it’s the place we really need to hear from God.

Many Christians think that in order to hear God, they need to spend a week in the mountains. Or maybe go real crazy and take a short-term vow of silence at a monastery.

I have news for you, the same God who speaks in the mountains and monasteries is also speaking to you in the middle of your crazy, noisy day.

If we want to hear from God, we’re simply going to have to learn to be able to filter out all of the noise and all of the static and tune into God’s frequency. Don’t confine yourself to the mountains or the monastery. God is speaking to you in the middle of you surround sound life. Even today. Even right now.

Yes, it’s difficult. But that fact should not lead you to think it’s impossible to discern God’s voice in the midst of all the noise around you.

It should lead you to tune in and pay attention more than ever.

Discouragement, Love & Compassion

Was worshiping God and reflecting through what He has been speaking to me lately. Before I knew it, I was on my knees and tears came down from my eyes. I was crying out for His love and compassion to fill me. I was broken on the inside as I felt God is broken when He looks at me.

I felt a nudge to pen down my thoughts openly. In fact, I haven’t done that for ages. I used to enjoy blogging, but as busy-ness gets on me, I could only pen my thoughts in my journal book – short & sweet

To think that I had planned to continue with my reading on ‘Surviving The Anointing’ by David Ravenhill after worshiping. Well… God is good at messing our plans so that He can put His into us.

In a busy world like this, it is a great challenge to constantly wait upon the Lord for Him to prophetically reveal His plans. I must say that the Singapore’s culture has made it even harder. If Singaporeans are lack of compassion nowadays, the leaders have no one to blame except for themselves. They are the ones who are constantly moving Singapore to new and greater heights and with that, competitions, challenges, efficiency, stress and pressures are all inevitable. I’m not saying that these are bad stuff. They are great, because we need to be a progressive generation to stay relevant to the world. Yet at the same time, we are easily sucked into the Mammon (Matt 6:24) – system of this world where we place our confidence in. We place our faith and confidence in the system and structure of Singapore, rather than the God who gives Singapore such creativity to produce the orderly system and structure. The result of this is palpable. A society that lacks love and compassion.

I must say that whether you’re a believer or not, if you’re not careful, you will easily fall into this trap. Culture trap. Everything has to be fast and efficient. If it’s not fast and efficient, it’s not effective. But I would beg to differ. Jesus, though at times was very efficient, He was always effective. His effectiveness was not dependent on His efficiency. His effectiveness was based on three things: Focus, Love & Truth.

Without focus, it is hard to have the element of love. Without truth, there is no true love.

I remember that when I still had a tad more time few years back, I was able to spend more time with people and observing them. It was a great season where the love and compassion in my heart grew. I would be so burdened for an individual that I didn’t just pray for him/her, but I would put the love and compassion into actions.

Now that I’m in full-time Christian ministry, I realise that I’m slowly losing these elements. It should be ever increasing, but I am so caught up with events and programs that are not even fulfilling the two most important things – helping people to love God and people. I would say that I wish I don’t have to do some of those things at times. I would rather focus on the three things – Focus, Love & Truth. Because my heart is for evangelism and discipleship. I’m praying that proper boundaries will be set in place so that God will divinely release me to focus on these two things – evangelism and discipleship, which I believe very strongly that it is my loving Father’s very heartbeat. As such, every programme and activity that does not bring converts and make disciples should be taken off from the Church. It is not enough that I believe it alone. I’m praying that more will come to this understanding.

These few days have been challenging in my personal life. There were moments of discouragement and encouragement. I thank God for speaking in advance to protect me from discouragement. In the book ‘Surviving The Anointing’, David Ravenhill shared a story about the devil putting his old equipment on auction. The demons were helping him by running around picking up some of the old equipment that was going to auction off. One of them came to Satan with a very worn-out equipment and said, ‘Here, Satan, this item looks very worn-out and outdated. Shall we put this up for auction?’

The devil instantly responded, ‘No, no, no, no!!! Whatever you do, don’t ever touch that. That’s my most valuable instrument. The reason why it is so worn-out is because I have used it over and over again.’

Surprised, the demon asked, ‘What is it?’

‘Discouragement’, said the devil.

Every man and woman of God will go through discouragement. Let’s face it. As long as you are in this world, Jesus said that you will face tribulations. ‘But take heart, for I have overcome the world.’ (John 16:33)

While discouragement is the greatest weapon the devil uses against us, it is also the greatest instrument which God uses to lead us into greater heights – of praising and worshiping Him. King David, often in his discouragement, spent time worshiping and thanking God. In one of the psalms written by this great man of God, he said, ‘Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.’ (Psalm 61)

According to some scholars, David probably wrote this Psalm when he was running away from his enemy who tried to snatch his throne of kingship. And that enemy was his very own son, Absalom! I mean, what could be more discouraging than that?!

But I really love this tender man of God. He simply worshiped God.

So while discouragement is the greatest tool of the enemy, it is also the greatest shaping instrument of our heavenly Father. It is at the lowest of lows that we turn to God in prayer and worship and say, ‘Whom have I in heaven but You? And earth has nothing I desire besides You.’ (Psalm 73:25)

It is normal for us to fall. We are never defeated by falling. We are only defeated if we decide not to stand up, if we decide not to try again. The greater the fall, the higher we can bounce up. Each falling must be followed by bouncing up. As long as we try again, we will bounce up with the help of God and the power of the Holy Spirit. We are not fighting to gain victory; we are fighting from victory, because victory was already with us when Jesus died on the Cross and rose again on the third day. We have all the resources from heaven to fight back the weapons of the evil ones. We can stand firm and wear the armour of God with full protection. We can confess with our mouth, because our mouth is like the double-edged sword (Revelation 1:16), which builds faith and slays the devil.

The crucial thing for us is not about going through discouragement, but to capture that discouragement. So often, people go through discouragement without realising that they are falling downwards. People think that ignorance is being innocent. No, it’s not. Ignorance in our own life situation will slowly cripple us.

We need to realise that we are discouraged so that we can take necessary action to bounce back. In the garden of Eden, God asked Adam after the latter had sinned, ‘Where are you?’ (Gen 3:9) It was not a question about Adam’s geographical location. God is all-knowing. He knew exactly where Adam was hiding. It was not a question for God Himself. It was a question for Adam. It was a question to help Adam realise where he was, so that God can bring him from where he was to where he should be.

That’s the same thing for us. We need to acknowledge and realise our discouragement so that God can bring us to ‘the rock that is higher than ourselves’.

Through this period of discouragement, God began to surface out things in my heart. He was doing a cleansing work. His work will continue until the return of Jesus Christ. His primary job is to make us more like Him.

God was speaking to my spirit – ‘Where is the love and compassion you used to have?’

I broke down in tears. William Booth (Salvation Army) once said, ‘Try tears‘. Indeed, when all else fails, try tears. Allow God to break you.

I have been meditating on that – ‘Love & Compassion’. I cried, ‘Father, fill me with Your love and compassion. Help me to see like Jesus sees. Help me to feel like Jesus feels, even for a single individual.

It is not enough to love God wholeheartedly. It is incomplete. “We got to love people fervently” – like what Pastor Kong Hee from CHC often quoted.

I want to make disciples. Discipleship is a lifestyle, not a bible study or meeting. Discipleship has to be built on love and compassion.

God allowed discouragement to seep in, so that I would bounce back with greater love and compassion for His people. Isn’t God amazing? I’m so touched by His love.

I am convinced that the longer we become a Christian, the more tender our heart should be, the more we should be crying out in tears to depend on God. If your heart is getting more hardened, if you are no longer crying out in tears to the Lord as you grow older as a Christian, something has dried up in your heart.

Try tears. Allow God to break you.

If I take everything away from you one day, would you still love Me?

God asked, ‘If I take everything away from you one day, would you still love Me?’

It was very painful… I broke down in tears… And I worshiped Him.

“My highest call
My greatest cause
Is loving You
Your perfect love
Has won my heart
Now I am yours

Your sacrifice
Demands my life
And I will live to honor
Your holy name
The price you paid
So I sing

You’re my first love
You’re my true love
You’re my reason
You are why I breathe
I will give you
My devotion
All of me
All of me

You chose the cross
You chose me
Surrendered your life
You chose me
Though I did not deserve
You chose me

So I choose to love
Just as You chose me
I put You first
As You first loved me
I’ll treasure Your grace
As You died for me”

I replied, ‘Yes, I will…‘

Have We Stepped Out Of Our Comfort Zone?

Majority of people are living in their comfort zone. They prefer to stay within their comfort zone, rather than stepping out of it to the uncharted waters.

Achievement expert Brian Tracy says, “90% to 95% of people will withdraw to the comfort zone when what they try doesn’t work. Only that small percentage, 5 or 10 percent, will continually raise the bar on themselves; they will continually push themselves out into the zone of discomfort, and these are always the highest performers in every field.”

Now this is the same for us as Christians. We, too, have a predilection to stay in our own comfort zone.

One of my favourite speakers, Dr. A.R. Bernard, the founder and CEO of Christian Cultural Center (in Brooklyn, New York – with 30,000 over members), the President of Council of Churches of the City of New York representing 1.5 million Protestants, Anglicans and Orthodox Christians, he who also sits on NYC Economic Development Corporation Board and NYC School Chancellor’s Advisory Cabinet, said, ‘We preach separation, but really we practise isolation.’

He was referring to Christians who do not engage the culture of the world but hide within the four walls of the Church.

In his teaching, ‘Culture – The Church’s Greatest Competitor’ during Asia Conference 2008, he said that ‘Churches want to protect their members. They protect them from the world, which is in fact, isolating them from the people of the world.’

We begin to focus on serving in the Church and we fail to go and impact the world.

By doing so, Churches are actually hindering the growth of their flocks from being the salt and light of the world!

Speaking about protection, some even protect their flocks from experiencing new things in new environments. I guess we have forgotten who the true Protector is – our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, it seemingly appears to be protection, but the truth is, we’re trying to take control of the element of God’s protection. We almost forget that Holy Spirit is living right within us!

Sometimes, our protection precludes a member from experiencing growth in his/her walk with God.

For instance, it is not uncommon to see people leaving Church to another. But if a Church member decides to leave his/her Church to another in order to fulfill the call of God in his/her life, why do we feel so uptight about it? Are we more concerned about losing the numbers or the call of God in the person’s life? Does our protection hinder his/her growth or help his/her growth?

Unless the person totally cuts himself/herself off from a community, we should rejoice that he/she is growing in another environment! Because what we truly desire to witness is life transformation of an individual, instead of life incrementation!

Over-protection hinders growth.

Moving back to the topic, many Churches are staying in their comfort zone. We already have plenty of Churches in the world and plenty of them desire to plant plenty of Churches. Yet only a few will stop focusing on building ministries in Church and start going out beyond the four walls to impact the society.

Why do we prefer to stay in our comfort zone?

Because it is safe to be among Christians. It is safe to be with the people we know. We want to be with like-minded people. We are afraid of getting hurt. The truth is – we are fearful of failures!

For example, we struggle a great deal in making a decision. Yes, it’s good to pray and fast. But some even ask for signs and wonders!

Joyce Meyer, in her teaching, ‘God’s Timings and His Ways’, said, ‘We need three prophecies, three trumpet blasts, five thunders and lightnings, two appearances of angels before we make a decision! ‘

We can have a good laugh about it. But there are many out there who are really seeking for signs and wonders because they are so afraid of failures.

If we pray and think that it is from God, then we should just move on!

Some may ask, ‘How do I know if it is really from God?’

You will never know if you never try…

Some continue, ‘What happens if it is wrong?’

Then it is wrong! But you learn to hear God better next time.

If we never try, we will never grow in hearing God.

Even if we were to make a mistake, as long as our heart motive is pure, God is able to make the best out of it.

‘And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.’
- Rom 8:28 ESV

Christianity is about taking risk for Christ. It’s not about us. It’s about Him. When we dare to take the risk for God, He will take care of the results. For He is GOOD and BIG enough.

I have a YWAM Thailand T-shirt that says, ‘If you’re not living on the edge, you’re just taking up space.‘ How true it is…

When I left my career with the Air Force, I took a risk to leave a job which gave me stable income. I was doing well in my career. I had grade A for consecutive years. For practical reasons, I could have stayed, since I have a relationship on hand. I would eventually need to prepare for marriage. But I decided to leave because I felt God spoke to me about going into theology.

Did God really call me into theology? I still believe so… but I missed the timing. Nevertheless, God is BIGGER than my mistake. I was ready to apply for theology when God stopped me and led me to Discipleship Training School with YWAM (Youth With A Missions). I was kinda resistant at the beginning. Then I said, ‘God, I will do it as long as You call me to do so.’

Faith involves risk.

So I took the risk to go, despite being discouraged by others. But by the grace of God, I have learnt and experienced a great deal of things that I would never have had if I were to remain in my comfort zone!

Albert Einstein said, ‘Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.’

‘Failure means that we have successfully learnt a new way that doesn’t work.’
- Anonymous

God is BIGGER than our mistakes and failures. He is ABLE to turn our mistakes into the fulfillment of His intended purpose. He is totally sovereign. He is our Jehovah HaGoel, our REDEEMER. Hallelujah!

Joseph said, ‘You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.’
- Gen 50:20

‘But I have raised you (Pharaoh) up for this very purpose, that I might show you my power and that My name might be proclaimed in all the earth.’
- Exo 9:16

Coming back to the comfort zone, from my personal outlook, it is measurable to our stewardship as Christ-followers. In the parable of the talents (Matthew 25), the servant, who did not work on the one talent which he was given by the master, responded, ‘I was afraid, and I went and hid your talent in the ground.’
- Matt 25:25 (ESV)

The New Living Translation says, ‘I was afraid I would lose your money, so I hid it in the earth. Look, here is your money back.’

The servant was afraid of losing the one talent. He was not willing to step out of his comfort zone. He would rather have the one talent with him, than to invest and lose it.

This is the kind of attitude we have. ‘Better-safe-than-sorry’ attitude. We want to live a comfortable life; stay in a cosy hut; have a stable income; build a family and then retire to live a simple and unperturbed life. This is NOT the life that we, as Christians are called to live! I name this as ‘bad stewardship’.

Abraham was told to leave his comfort zone.

Now the LORD said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you.”
- Gen 12:1 ESV

Jacob was blessed and given a responsibility because he left his comfort zone.

“…you shall spread abroad to the west and to the east and to the north and to the south, and in you and your offspring shall all the families of the earth be blessed.”
- Gen 28:14 ESV

Moses led Israel out of Egypt because he (finally) stepped out of his comfort zone.

“So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt.”
- Exo 3:10

Joshua led Israel into the Promised Land because he was willing to take risk for God.

‘And Joshua commanded the officers of the people, “Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, ‘Prepare your provisions, for within three days you are to pass over this Jordan to go in to take possession of the land that the LORD your God is giving you to possess.’”
- Jos 1:10-11 ESV

The list just goes on and on…

Leaving our comfort zone shows that we make a decision out of faith, not fear. To the degree that we trust God, to the degree we are willing to leave our comfort zone. Our values are shown by how we live them out, not what we think we believe in.

Faith involves risk.

Hence, if we are not willing to leave our comfort zone because we are afraid of failures, the truth is, we do not really trust in God’s character. We do not really know Him. Yes, we can say verbally that we trust God, but our actions will show if we really trust Him or not.

Attached are links to two short videos about trusting God and stepping out of our comfort zone to grow in Him.

Trust And Fall
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9sPVwmbBD4&feature=PlayList&p=97378662513B40CC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=18

Balance Beam
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA_uwWPE6lQ

Therefore, let’s leave our comfort zone and encounter God in a new dimension. Pray and go into any new environment where rivers of revelations are waiting for you. Things of God do not just come to you. If you are physically hungry, you will get food to fill your stomach. If you are spiritually hungry, you gonna go and seek it!

We need to have a ‘Gen-Y’ attitude.

‘Generation Y or Millennial Generation (1980-1994) is confident, ambitious and achievement-oriented. They seek out new challenges and are not afraid to question authority. Generation Y wants meaningful work and a solid learning curve.‘

Christianity today must be MORE than yesterday.

May God help us.

Source:
Generation Y
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generation_Y
Characteristics of Gen Y
http://legalcareers.about.com/od/practicetips/a/GenerationY.htm
Climbing Out Of Your Comfort Zone
http://www.naturalphysiques.com/cms/index.php?itemid=40

Pastoring The Working Flock

This is an article from ‘PreachingNOW’. This is in conjunction with my past written note, ‘Is Church More Holy?’

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I just finished reading Knowing Christ Today by Dallas Willard. The last chapter is called Pastors as Teachers to the Nations. He builds the case that the Great Commission is first to Judea and then others are sent elsewhere … but the first “mission field” is our own homes and communities. Pastors are to be the ones that help us develop of knowledge of Christ in the fullest sense of “knowledge.” In doing so, they become the teachers to the nations.

Below are some excerpts from the last four pages of the book. Regular readers of the Kruse Kroncile will quickly understand why I highlight them.

‘One final point about pastors as teachers of the “nations.” Pastors are sent to make disciples of Jesus, apprentices to Jesus in kingdom living. Life is primarily devoted to work. All legitimate work is devoted to work. All legitimate work is devoted to the creation of value, of what is good to a lesser or greater degree. … Discipleship to Jesus, properly guided by pastors, enables individuals to find in their work a divine calling and see the hand of God in their efforts to create what is good and to serve others in love. (208)

Therefore the focus of discipleship to Christ is not the church, but the world. If it is focused on the church, it will stagnate and leave most people at dead end, for their life is not the church. Discipleship is for the sake of the world, not for the sake of the church. It is carried out in those situations where people spend their life. Above all, the “world” is work, the realm of creativity for which human beings were created according to Genesis 1:26. Unfortunately, “discipleship” as Christian groups now teach and practice it, where they do so at all, consists mainly of “special” activities of various kinds, religiously characterized, motivated, and organized. But we recall Peter Berger’s lifesaving words: “The revelation of God in Jesus Christ … is something very different from religion.” It concerns our work in life. It is this that God redeems, and with it our life, and with it our souls. (209)’

The next to last paragraph in the book …

‘ “Pastors,” then, are the ones who guide disciples into their place in their world and show them how to “exercise dominion in life through the one man, Christ Jesus” (Rom. 5:17). Real life, “ordinary” life, is the place of disciples and the place of discipleship. There disciples “reign” in the office, laboratory, farm, the schoolroom as well as in media, sports, the fine arts, and so forth. They reign for what is good in the home, the community, and in international organizations and relations. They effectively care for the goods of human life that come under their care and influence. “The fruit of the light is found in all that is good and right and true” (Eph. 5:9). Special “church” activities involve the fellowship of disciples in worship, teaching, learning, and caring for one another. Those activities constitute a school of love. But all of that is for the creative life of individuals in their world and their work. There they will form and exercise the character that they will carry forward in eternity. “Divine service” is not a church service, though it might include that. Divine service is life. It is in the world, in daily business of whatever level and importance, that there unfolds, in Paula Houston’s wonderful phrase, “the great adventure that was once Christianity.” It can be so for everyone one of us. (211)’

The sad reality is that while people in the “helping professions” (ex. nurses, teachers, social workers) are sometimes lifted up in church, the vast majority of business people (like managers, business owners, accountants, sales workers, etc.) report never having heard a sermon that speaks of the work they do as service to Christ. Those who that report that they have heard sermons affirm their work report that the affirmation is usually backhanded … as in the idea that God has placed them there so they can work against greed or exploitation of workers. Or maybe their work is useful because it provides resources to fund the church’s programming and facilities.

Most business people know that to some degree they are additives, not detractors, to societal well-being. They transform matter, energy, and data from less useful states to more useful states. They generate income for others. They organize human systems where people cooperate and compete to produce goods for endless win-win transactions in the marketplace. Many sense that their work has intrinsic value … that it is somehow deeply expressive of who they are at their core. Unfortunately, based on what they hear at church, God does not agree.

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Source:
1) Pastoring the Working Flock
http://krusekronicle.typepad.com/kruse_kronicle/2009/07/pastoring-the-working-flock.html

Does Serving Sustain Our Relationship With God?

Some people equate bigger ministries with the level of spiritual maturity.

Does serving in greater capacity necessarily insinuate that a person has an intimate relationship with God?

No.

There are scores of cases where pastors and leaders fall. Some do not even have close family ties with their children. Why is this so? More often than not, they are too caught up with ministries such that they have no time for personal moments with God and their own family.

Relationship with God and ministry are not supposed to be deemed as one. The danger comes when we link them together.

What happens when we are busy with ministries?

The result is analogous to what would happen when we are too busy with our work/job.

We begin to read and meditate on Scriptures FOR THE SAKE of preparation for teachings in ministry. We prepare everything for ministries. But we forget to prepare ourselves. We do not have personal time with God to reflect on our lives.

Joseph Chean (Base Director of YWAM Singapore) once said, ‘Ministry does not sustain our inner life. Only two things do. Obedience to God regardless of the circumstances and taking time to reflect on our life.’

Some may say, ‘When I give myself to serve others in ministry, God will renew me.’ Bible reference: ‘he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.’ – Pro 11:25 (NIV)

Yes, it’s true. But it is only true when you have something to give.

He who has love gives love unto others; he who has wealth gives wealth unto others, and the list goes on.

What about a poor man who is able to give his money unto others? He who gives the money, in fact, gives out of love/compassion, which he first has it.

What’s then, the underlying principle of giving?

We give what we have. For we cannot give what we do not have.

If we try to give when we have nothing much to give, it only leads to human works and we eventually end up feeling burnout.

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.
- John 15:5 (ESV)

Here, Jesus is saying to His disciples that they need to abide in Him (remember His love and grace) in order for them to bear fruit of love.

By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.
- John 15:8-9 (ESV)

Here, Jesus is saying to His disciples that in order for them to prove to the world that they are His disciples, they are to show love. Where do they get the strength to love? From the Father. As the Father has loved Jesus, Jesus loved His disciples. Thus, as Jesus loved His disciples, they are to love others.

This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
- John 15:12 (ESV)

Can we truly love others by ourselves?

The answer is No.

We need to have the love of God to love others. But we cannot give the love of God to others unless we first experienced His love. That’s what makes ‘Abide In Him’ so imperative.

We cannot give what we do not have.

This marks the reason why ministry must flow out of our personal relationship with God. It is not ministry that builds our relationship with God!

Sometimes, we observe new believers serving in a few ministries and we feel so encouraged. We deem that the new believers are doing well in the Lord. Nevertheless, that’s just our own human gauge and perceptions.

If a new believer doesn’t have time to grow in the Lord and ground his feet with strong foundation, yet he begins to start serving and getting involved with ministries, the time may come when he simply experiences burnout.

Without first experiencing a loving relationship with God, how can he pour out God’s love to others? This kind of love is based on what we call ‘works’.

Yet many serve because they are asked to serve, or simply following others, or feel that there is a need in the ministry.

Some may say, ‘But there is a need for me to help with the ministry. They do not have enough manpower.’

The need to feel needed actually shows how much a person thinks God cannot do, instead of acknowledging Him as the true Provider who will and is able to meet all the needs out of His glorious riches.

When we look at Jesus’ ministry, His primary focus was not to meet all the needs of the people. It was to do what the Father wanted Him to do.

‘So Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of his own accord, but only what he sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, that the Son does likewise.’
- John 5:19 (ESV)

‘For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of him who sent me.’
- John 6:38 (ESV)

Jesus withdrew from the crowd, instead of ministering to everyone who was in need. He knew that He was just a human and he couldn’t possibly meet all the needs. He needed to be renewed by the Father through personal time and prayer.

‘But now even more the report about him went abroad, and great crowds gathered to hear him and to be healed of their infirmities. But he would withdraw to desolate places and pray.’
- Luke 5:15-16 (ESV)

Our doing must come out of our being and this boils down to knowing God first.

‘Then they said to him, “What must we do, to be doing the works of God?” Jesus answered them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in him whom he has sent.” ‘
- John 6:28-29 (ESV)

The more we know God, the more we will believe in Him.

Knowing God always comes first.

Jesus’ ministry was born out of His relationship with the Father. The eleven apostles’ ministry only started after spending three years plus with Jesus. Apostle Paul’s ministry did not begin until he returned from Arabia after a period of time.

‘But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace, was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with anyone; nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me, but I went away into Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.’
- Gal 1:15-17 (ESV)

The early apostles understood how important it is to know God first.

Jesus answered, “The most important is, ‘Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. And you shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’
- Mark 12:29-31 (ESV)

The Lord is one. Loving God comes before loving others. Without the vertical relationship of the Cross, we cannot have true horizontal relationship of the Cross.

This goes the same for transformation of lives. Without us getting transformed in our own lives, we can forget about transforming the lives of others. Revival starts with ourselves first.

Kris Vallotton (Senior Overseer of School of the Supernatural Ministry and Senior Associate Pastor of Bethel Church in Redding, California) said, ‘We can teach what we know, but we can only impart who we are.’

For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to strengthen you.
- Rom 1:11 (ESV)

Apostle Paul wanted to impart to the Roman Christians some spiritual gift. But he first, had it himself, so that he could impart. If not, it would simply be knowledge, instead of impartation.

Without personal growth and intimate relationship with God, we can forget about imparting life and spirit unto others.

Our God is a jealous God. If ministry comes before relationship with Him, we are but under the sin of idolatry.

“You shall have no other gods before me.”
- Exo 20:3 (ESV)

Some may say, ‘Yes, God must come first, so ministry must come first before family and friends.’

My question is, ‘Isn’t God a wholistic God? What makes us think that God is not present when we’re building relationship with our family and friends? Is not family and friends a ministry? Is there a separation in God’s kingdom?’

It is very important, therefore, not to mix ministry with our relationship with God. With this, there is a separation. ‘Love God and love one another.’ This speaks of relationship with God and relationship with others (this is every other thing which we call ‘Ministry’).

Our ministry must flow out of our personal relationship with God.

Having said this, I do not mean that we should only focus on our relationship with God. The key after knowing that ministry flows out of our relationship with God is the word ‘Balanced’. While we serve others, we should not neglect our own walk with God. The key is knowing that our personal walk with God must take priority.

‘Should we carry on serving as much when we are feeling burnout?’

From my personal outlook, we should take a break and get renewed by God. I don’t mean that we stop everything that we are doing, but we can simply reduce the capacity of our ministry.

More often than not, what really leads to burnout is due to our inability to balance between our relationship with God and ministry. We get involved in every activity. We think that we should be there.

Sometimes, we need to learn how and when to withdraw.

Jesus did not get involved in everything. He knew when he needed to withdraw and spend moments of solitude with the Father. If not, He would suffer from burnout, for He was manifested in the form of human flesh at that point in time.

Therefore, we need not be involved in every activity for the sake of being there or to support others, unless God tells us to do so. But Singaporeans do have the ‘kiasu’ attitude that they must go and mark their attendance!

‘If I’m not there, it shows that I’m not committed!’

Well, we need to understand that by going there, it doesn’t make us any more committed. For God searches our heart and mind to know what kind of attitude we have when we go.

A committed person is a responsible person. A responsible person needs to learn how to take care of his personal walk with God, even if it means to give ministry, activities or events a miss.

Commitment to our relationship with God must come first; not commitment to activities/events. If God wants us to build on our relationship with Him and skip the doing, what say should we have?

Do we even ask God if we should go for the event?

Many experience burnout because they do not learn to withdraw. They continue to keep going, even when there are signs of weariness.

Sometimes, burnout isn’t really a bad thing. We learn to rest and reflect and build on our personal relationship with God. God may allow it to happen, because we did not obey Him in the first place!

‘But we need to bring more people into the kingdom of God. We must press on!’

Yes, evangelism is important. But there is no necessity to feel needed. The closer we are to God, the more He can use us to impact many lives and bring them into His kingdom. In fact, God’s primary purpose for us is not evangelism, but to know Him personally. That is the highest call of our Christian lives – Worship.

I have been to different Churches on a regular basis. Some Churches are very prophetic in nature and they focus alot on intimacy with God. On my personal viewpoint, they do lack evangelism.

On the other hand, some Churches are very evangelistic in nature and they are considered as mega Churches. But they lack intimacy with God. Numbers, in fact, are not an indication of good spiritual growth.

Multi-level marketing (MLM) companies grew rapidly with huge numbers of employees at a certain point in history. Yet many of them did not sustain. Why?

Quantity doesn’t equate to quality.

I know of one organisation which has a good balance – intimacy with God and evangelism/discipleship (ministry). There is so much to learn from.

Evangelism must come out of worship. The Cross represents the balance. Vertical side is worship; horizontal is evangelism and discipleship.

If we only focus on worship, it’s like Jesus who remains at the throne of the Father without coming down to earth to do the horizontal part.

If we only focus on evangelism/discipleship, we are no different from social organisations and community centres.

Jesus first has His relationship with the Father before He came down for evangelism and discipleship. Though His ministry was always effective, it was seemingly inefficient.

Effectiveness comes out of worship.

His intimate relationship with the Father brings out effectiveness. When He prayed on the sick, they received healing; when He preached, many came to know Him. When He delivered, captives were set free, etc. Why? Obedience. He did what the Father told Him to do.

Was His ministry seemingly inefficient? Yes. He could spend the day simply to minister to one person – the Samaritan woman in Gospel of John chapter four. But He knew that by being effective, it induced great efficiency.

‘Many Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony.’
- John 4:39 (ESV)

Nowadays, we are doing the opposite. We try to be efficient, but not effective. We want to win souls and begin to focus on evangelism, etc.

In fact, effectiveness is the key to having efficiency, not the other way round.

Look at how Jesus’ discipleship has a multiplication effect which started from 12 effective disciples. When Jesus ascended to heaven, He had a total of 120 disciples.

‘In those days Peter stood up among the brothers (the company of persons was in all about 120).’
- Acts 1:15 (ESV)

On the day of Pentecost, another 3000 were added. Then it grew to 5000.

‘So those who received his word were baptized, and there were added that day about three thousand souls.’
- Acts 2:41 (ESV)

‘But many of those who had heard the word believed, and the number of the men came to about five thousand.’
- Acts 4:4 (ESV)
Look at below.

Looking at the early Church’s effectiveness, time taken to reach 120 disciples is about 3 years. Supposed that each disciple has 12 disciples (taking away the fact that the early Church grew to 5000 within a short span of time).

120 disciples x 12 = 1440 disciples
1440 x 12 = 17280 disciples
17280 x 12 = 207360 disciples
And the list goes on…

How about our current approach towards efficiency?

Supposed that the time taken to reach 120 disciples is 3 months.

120 disciples x 12 = 1440 disciples

Due to the lack of intimacy with God as they are asked to disciple others within a short period of time without first building a strong relationship with God, we supposed that some backslides; some waver in faith; some are indifference to the Kingdom of God, etc… About 50% (An estimated figure. See report below) are left, which is 720 disciples.

720 x 12 = 8640 disciples
4320 (50% are left) x 12 = 51840 disciples
25920 x 12 = 311040, which is in fact, 155520 disciples
And the list goes on…

In the long run, we will see that quality brings quantity.

Efficiency doesn’t necessarily mean effectiveness. Rather, effectiveness brings efficiency. Instead of focusing on the speed and quantity, we should really centre our focal point on quality first – Relationship with God.

Report by Bob Unruh
WorldNetDaily
January 16, 2009

Half of Americans who call themselves “Christian” don’t believe Satan exists and fully one-third are confident that Jesus sinned while on Earth, according to a new Barna Group poll. Another 40 percent say they do not have a responsibility to share their Christian faith with others.

Because of the need to be efficient, we start serving as much as we can and we get involved with everything that is possible to advance the kingdom of God. Unknowingly, we begin to compare the capacity of serving as a benchmark for spiritual maturity. We think that we are doing more than others and we are better. We become ruled by the Singapore system instead of God’s statutes. In the end, we fall into the trap of our enemy, Mr. S.A. Tan.

Yes, we do more, but we become less of who God wants us to be.

‘Does serving sustain our relationship with God?’

I guess the answer is obvious.

May God help us.

Source:
1) Barna Poll
http://virtueonline.org/portal/modules/news/print.php?storyid=9775

What Does It Mean To Dwell In Understanding?

Through some difficult experiences and lessons learnt, with the aid of my relationship with Carol, I begin to understand what it means to dwell in understanding.

Pastor Tan (CHC), once shared that husbands should dwell in understanding towards their wives, just as Christ towards the Church. Jesus loves the Church much more than the Church loves Him.

The same goes for us as believers and leaders (in any sphere of influence which God has placed us in, not necessary in Church, as Church is just one of the seven pillars of society) – to dwell in understanding towards other believers (of course, non-believers too).

I adjure you, O daughters of Jerusalem,
by the gazelles or the does of the field,
that you not stir up or awaken love
until it pleases.
- Song of Solomon 2:7 (ESV)

There is a limit to a person’s capacity to love God. This speaks of spiritual growth. God truly understands how much a person can love Him. For example, if we can’t lay down everything for Him at the moment, we can simply acknowledge it and ask Him to help us grow to that level. There’s no need to act holy and say, ‘I can!’ when we really can’t. For God searches our hearts and minds.

‘I am He who searches mind and heart, and I will give to each of you according to your works.’
- Rev 2:23b (ESV)

This is the same for our response towards others. If a person is not able to walk out a truth in the Bible, we NEED to dwell in understanding.

My beloved is like a gazelle
or a young stag.
Behold, there he stands
behind our wall,
gazing through the windows,
looking through the lattice.
- Song of Solomon 2:9 (ESV)

God doesn’t encroach our personal choice. Instead, He waits patiently until we are ready to move along with Him. The same goes for us towards others. If a person is not ready/willing to respond in the right way, we need to wait. If we think that something must be done, why not divert all the attention and energy to prayer and intercession?

Wanting a person to do what the Bible says is like telling a smoker not to smoke and quote the Scriptures, ‘Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God?’ – 1 Cor 6:19a (ESV)

Someone once said to a sister, ‘I can quote many references from the Bible to show you that you should do this…’

Sometimes, saying the right thing and demanding the right response doesn’t work. In fact, demanding for the right response isn’t the most loving way to approach an issue. It only causes a person to resist. Now, this is not about head knowledge.

Some like to quote, ‘Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into Him…’ .

“Bible says, ‘Speak the truth in love’, so I must speak the truth in love.”

Yet, this verse is quoted commonly out of context. Understanding the background and cultural settings of Ephesians and the purpose of apostle Paul’s letter, this verse is telling us that a wrong doctrine (false teachings) should be corrected.

When a person doesn’t respond according to the truth, it doesn’t mean that he does not understand about the truth. It is simply because he is unable to walk in the truth at that point in time. For this, the Bible has it’s say.

‘Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness.’ - Gal 6:1a (ESV)

Every person has at least one area of his life which he has yet to overcome. We, too, cannot live out what the entire Bible says at this moment of our lives. We are all in the journey of sanctification.

Some may say, ‘I’ve encountered this before but I managed to walk through it. So you can do so too.’

Self-righteousness, is a sin by itself.

There are those who are clean in their own eyes but are not washed of their filth.
- Prov 30:12 (ESV)

Bible refers our righteousness to filthy rags.

All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.
- Isa 64:6a (NIV)

My question is, ‘How long did it take for you to walk through it? Do you remember how difficult it was and how you struggled with it? Why is it now that you cannot identify with others?’

Even if the person took a very short period to overcome, that doesn’t mean it works the same way for the other. Each of us is created uniquely. Each has his strength in certain areas which the other does not have.

In a nutshell, we can overcome this and others can overcome that… but we may not be able to overcome the SAME thing at the moment.

How about those who respond out of their emotions?

We often say, ‘Feelings are real, but they are not necessarily true.’

The contrary is similarly important.

Feelings, though are not necessarily true, they are REAL.

We need to acknowledge and affirm someone’s feelings instead of saying, ‘Grow up’, ‘Just get over it’, ‘Don’t follow your feelings, follow the Truth – the Word of God.’

In fact, we are the ones who should really GROW UP and dwell in understanding!

We need to accept (not agree) and identify with the person’s feelings at that point in time. Even if the person responds based on his emotions, we still need to accept him and wait upon the Lord to grow and transform him so that he can overcome and respond according to the truth.

We need to allow him to have the time to grow spiritually. It’s not an instant thingy, or magic! Life transformation is a life-time process. Remember that intrinsic motivation lasts, not extrinsic one (pressures).

Just as God waits patiently for us to grow and overcome some areas of our lives, we also need to look upon the grace of God and show love to others.

If God’s way of growing us is through grace training (Epistle of Titus) by the greater revelations of His love (Song of Solomon), then we also ought to learn this from Him and apply to others.

This brings to knowing Him and loving others. We cannot give what we do not have. Well, this induces me to write another entry about serving.

There is no point forcing or keep referring back to the Scriptures to demand a right response. It’s a matter of the heart, not head. If not, bible scholars will be the best pastors/leaders in the world.

We need a heart to feel and identify, not the head.

Though the average distance between the head and the heart is just 6 inches, yet for many people, it takes several years for a single knowledge/truth to travel from the head to the heart.

Jesus is our role model when it comes to empathy and identifying with others. He came to walk among sinners. He identified with them. He met them where they were.

So we are to learn from His example to meet others where they are, not where we are. If Jesus were to meet us where He is, we’re totally condemned.

It is so easy to perceive where others are and say, ‘You have much to grow.’ But true maturity is perceiving where others are and say, ‘I identify with you; I understand; I know you can’t; continue to wrestle with God; I will be praying for you, etc.’

Just as Christ loves the Church and dwell in understanding (of their weaknesses), so we also ought to love others and dwell in understanding, instead of simply looking at the truth and ignore a person’s feelings.

God wants our heart capacity to increase, not head capacity. Else we are no different from Pharisees.

May God help me.

Life As A Marathon

Many of us know that our lives are analogous to running a marathon. There are quite a number of Scriptures in the Bible which likens our lives to running a race.

What we need in running a marathon is perseverance. Without perseverance, we will not be able to finish the race. Many started well, but they either gave up too soon or suffered burn-out. Some even decided to leave the running track to go for fast food like Mac Donald (in the vicinity of East Coast). They get distracted. They prefer instant gratification like the remnants of Israel in the book of Malachi. They forget that delayed gratification has much more fulfillment, for it is accompanied with the maximum glory of God.

As we run a marathon, what we can definitely see ahead or behind us is people. This is what keeps us on track. If we are running and we don’t see anyone, that’s when we have run off the track. We have to either go back to the last spot which we remember or even go back to the starting point and start running again.

Sometimes, we stray away from God; we fall away from keeping up with Him. Fellowship groups and buddies are people whom we can look up to. What if we come to a point that we seem to be alone and we can’t perceive anyone of them to look up to? Then we should go back to the last place/moment where we felt God’s presence. Worse comes to worse, we go back to our starting point – Salvation. There cannot be anything worst than that.

No matter what happens, the only thing we need to remember is to cling unto God. Our hearts may fail us; the choices we make may result in pain and guilt, but as long as we keep going back to God, we are eligible to continue the race and finish it well.

I remember running my marathons few years back. During the race, I need water, bananas and even power gels to boost my endurance. In reality, we need the Word of God and the Holy Spirit to renew us. They are like solid food/milk and water. We need these to replenish our strength and carry on running the spiritual race. I cannot imagine how I could stay on track without these vital elements.

Every runner in the race needs to be geared up with respective sport attire, both for comfort and optimum/long-lasting performance. Likewise, we have the armour of God (Ephesians 6) which God has given us to fight this battle.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
- Eph 6:10-12 (ESV)

Indeed, this marathon which we are called to run is not easy. It would be an understatement to say that it’s not easy. In fact, it is very difficult. But God has given us all that we need to finish this race. What we need by ourselves is to persevere.

Keep going back to God no matter what has happened.

For me, I’m running with a tad weariness now. I’m waiting for some water or bananas in front. I know they are just in front. I just gonna keep running… if I’m too tired to run, I can simply walk. As long as I do not stop, I will reach the water point. Once I arrive, I will be recharged.

I’m waiting for little encouragement from God to empower me in running this race.

I want to finish the race well like apostle Paul and accomplish the task that God has given me.

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace.
- Acts 20:24 (NIV)

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
- 2 Tim 4:7 (ESV)

A New Song

God impressed upon my heart to start worshiping Him with a new song.

I want to know You

Jesus, You…
You are my God
You are my Saviour
I want to know You

Jesus, You…
You are my Lord
I am Your servant
I want to know You

As I was worshiping, Holy Spirit began to minister to me. A simple and beautiful song. Praise God!

I suppose this is just the chorus. May God help me with the verses.

How Vulnerable Is Our God?

Before the foundations of the earth were laid down, Jesus, the Lamb of God was already slain. God already had this in mind to reveal His wondrous love to His people.

And all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain.
- Revelations 13:8 (ESV)

There was no plan B. Our big and sovereign God did not come out with Jesus-plan after Adam and Eve sinned. He knew it.

Some may ask, ‘Then why did He allow it, since He knew it would happen?’

Because of free will…

Without free will, there is no true love. God wants His people to love Him out of their heart, not mechanically, but relationally.

God is sovereign and big enough to give us free will, yet knowing the choice we would make. How amazing is that? I don’t have a good explanation for that. But He really is BIG, much BIGGER than we ever could imagine.

How big is our God?

Let’s take some time to look into this.

He finished His creations in six days.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WEgp2_Rcc80&feature=related

A quick overview of the universe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ovA_E18syUU&feature=fvsr

Journey out of the Milky Way
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eV8-vijFhM

A 3-D tour of the universe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fuKcTN-VwCw&feature=related

A light speed tour of our Universe
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3-Wnn_yCQk&feature=related

He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.
- Colossians 1:15-17 (ESV)

How awesome is our God!

Some facts…

With our modern technology, we can only see as far as 14 billion light years. However, the size of the universe is deemed to be no smaller than 156 billion light years wide!

Well, what does a light-year indicate? It is the distance that light can travel in a year. Light travels at the speed of 300 thousand kilometres per second. A light-year is equal to about 9.46 trillion kilometres.

How long does light take from earth to reach the sun?

It takes less than one light-year to reach the Sun from where we are. In fact, the mean distance is simply 150 million kilometres, which is equal to 8 minutes and 19 seconds!

How far can we see with our naked eyes?

Those stars we see at night? Well, it’s a relatively short 2.9 million light years away from earth.

How many stars are there in the universe?

First of all, we have to know about galaxies. The galaxy which we are living in is called The Milky Way, which we have seen in the videos above. The sun, which is one of the many stars, belongs to the same galaxy. In the Milky Way (just one galaxy), it is estimated to have several hundred billion stars. In the universe, it is estimated to have several hundred billion galaxies!

How many stars are there in the universe then?

You gonna calculate…

It has been said that counting the stars in the Universe is like trying to count the number of sand grains on a beach on Earth.

Yet God’s thoughts concerning an individual are much more than the grains of sand.

How precious concerning me are Your thoughts, O God! How vast is the sum of them! Were I to count them, they would outnumber the grains of sand.
- Psalm 139:17-18a (NIV)

Well, the facts above still do not really define the SIZE of God. He is much BIGGER than we think He is!

Yet, this is the very same God who says…

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you…
- Jeremiah 1:5 (ESV)

Even before a word is on your tongue, behold, I know it altogether.
- Psalm 139:4 (ESV)

For I formed your inward parts; I knitted you together in your mother’s womb. You are fearfully and wonderfully made.
- Psalm 139:13-14 (ESV)

But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
- Matthew 10:30 (ESV)

This is His heart for us.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5nq3Zy-pzk&feature=related

God, who is so BIG and powerful, is also PERSONAL to an individual. He listens to us and hears our cries.

In my distress I called upon the LORD; to my God I cried for help. From his temple he heard my voice, and my cry to him reached his ears.
- Psalm 18:6 (ESV)

Because He is so personal, He made Himself to be vulnerable.

Who can ever break the heart of an Almighty God, who created the heavens and earth and all the living creatures and all that have breath of life?

You and I.

Yes… you and I… He loves us so much that He is willing to allow us to break His heart.

How unbelievable…

The Ultimate Sacrifice that He sent is to demonstrate the fullness of His love. His only desire is this… that we will obey Him and love Him wholeheartedly.

Who are we as compared to His glory?

Who are we that He would die on the Cross for our sake?

Who are we to be chosen by Him for eternal life?

Who are we to be able to have a relationship with a living God like Him?

Who are we to grumble about our lives when He has given us the best gift of salvation?

Who are we that we forget that His grace is sufficient for us?

Who are we that He had to suffer disappointments, rejections, criticisms, persecutions, betrayal, pain and even death?

Job questioned God in his distress and God answered by asking him more than 70 questions.
- Job 38-40

Today, do we need to post ourselves with those 70 over questions?

God, who is so BIG and WONDERFUL, yet is also as vulnerable as to our heart’s responses.

Each time when we disobey Him, it breaks His heart.
Each time when our heart is broken, His, too, is broken.

Jesus wept.
- John 11:35 (ESV)

Hosanna (by Hillsong United)

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me

Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdom’s cause
As I walk from earth into eternity

May God help me…

Source
How Far Can We See?
http://www.cfa.harvard.edu/seuforum/howfar/see.html
How Big Is Our Universe?
http://www.nasa.gov/audience/foreducators/5-8/features/F_How_Big_is_Our_Universe.html
Universe Measured
http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/mystery_monday_040524.html
Light-Year
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light_year
How Many Stars In The Universe?
http://www.esa.int/esaSC/SEM75BS1VED_index_0.html
Sun
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sun
Naked-eye Gamma Ray Burst
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2008/21mar_nakedeye.htm

What Does It Mean To Have More Anointing?

More often than not, we ask for more anointing of the Holy Spirit so that we can be empowered to do the works of God.

In fact, everything of the Holy Spirit has been given to us. What more are we asking for?

When we believe that Jesus is Christ, we have received the Holy Spirit.

And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit.”
- John 20:22 (ESV)

When the manifestation of the Holy Spirit comes upon us, we receive power.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
- Acts 1:8 (ESV)

Jesus said that we will do greater works than what He has done.

“Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes in Me will also do the works that I do; and greater works than these will he do, because I am going to the Father.
- John 14:12 (ESV)

The reason why we can is because He has given us all that we need.

And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore…”
- Matthew 28:18-19 (ESV)

Power is not asking for more anointing, nor by praying more. Power is about yielding ourselves to the Holy Spirit. To the degree that we yield, to the degree the power of the Holy Spirit can be manifested in and through us.

We will experience tough times, challenges, valleys, etc. God puts us through (though He is not necessary the cause) this process so that we may learn how to yield more and more to Him.

Maturity is not calling Jesus ‘My Saviour’, but ‘My Lord’. We don’t make Jesus Lord of our life. When He died on the Cross and resurrected, He is already Lord! Thus, we should make ourselves His servants.

Lordship of Christ is about giving up our rights and keep yielding to Him so that His power is made perfect in us.

God often puts us through a time of preparation before He commissions us to live out the call of our life. The time of preparation is for us to learn how to yield to Him. The more we yield, the more we see His power.

There are a few who know their personal life calling but they haven’t been able to start living out because they have not passed the test; they are still in the period of preparation. Only God’s kind of furnace can burn, shape and prepare us for commissioning. It doesn’t work when we try to figure it out by ourselves. The only necessitated task is to yield.

Often times, we do not know our exact life calling. We may not even realise that we could already be in it. Nevertheless, the time of preparation is still needed. God will reveal when we are ready to be commissioned.

The fullness of the Holy Spirit is already in us. It is a gift from God. We simply received it. But the power of the Holy Spirit depends on our willingness to yield.

Instead of asking for more of the Holy Spirit, we need to ask, ‘How much does the Holy Spirit have of us?

May God help me.

Is Church More Holy?

Some people think that we should serve more in Church than focusing on the corporate world…

I totally disagree.

Is Church more holy? I don’t think so. When God first created the world, everything was deemed to be good. Yes, some may say that Adam fell and the world became sinful. But Jesus’ blood had restored it. How good the world can become depends on how we perceive it and how we live it.

There isn’t such thingy as secular and spiritual. There should not even be a line being drawn. To God, everything is spiritual and He wants His kingdom to be established on earth, not just the Church!

In fact, there is a list of areas of influence, such as…

Art
Business
Church
Distribution (such as media)
Education
Family
Government
Health
Many more…

Church is simply one of the areas of influence. If everyone is called to serve in the Church, who is going out to reach the world? If everyone is going out for missions, who is going to do the funding?

It all depends on our mindset.

If we are having a kingdom perspective for climbing up a corporate ladder where God has placed us specifically in, there is nothing wrong with that. The higher we climb, the greater sphere of influence we have for God’s kingdom. I’ve seen great servants of God in the corporate world impacting and influencing lives for Jesus.

If we think that climbing up a corporate ladder is a worldly perspective, the same can also happen to Churches. Isn’t it analogous to the world if the members in the Church focus on climbing up the spiritual ladder with a worldly perspective to gain higher authority and greater acknowledgment?

Well, again, it all depends on our mindset.

Church is a place that serves to cultivate and build spiritual strengths and discipleship so that people can go into all the world and make disciples, not go into all the Churches in the world and make disciples! Church is to renew and empower those who are called to serve God’s kingdom outside Church so that they can go out and minister to the world effectively.

If we receive a call from God to be in business, then we should strive to be the best businessman so that our sphere of influence can be made as large as possible. I know of someone who is the boss of a training company. He sets up a system so that he can effectively evangelise to his employees who are non-Christians through his regular coaching. That is marketplace ministry!

If God’s calling for us is to be in education, then we should focus on it, rather than striving to serve in higher capacity in Church. What happens next? We find ourselves unable to balance our time and finally, we experience burn-out. Well, God has never intended it to happen. We can only blame ourselves. I know of a cellgroup leader who stepped down from leadership because God has called him to focus on being a trainer in business. That’s his calling! That’s his ministry! That’s his missions field!

If we think that we should only focus on climbing up the ‘biblical or spiritual ladder’ in Church, we have missed the point of what kingdom perspective is all about.

Church is not more holy. It is simply one of the areas of God’s influence to the world.

Unity In Christ-Followers

Few days ago, I was just saddened by Churches who are ignorantly building their own ministry, instead of the Kingdom of God. In my heart, I was praying and asking God, ‘Why don’t they come together to fulfil Your Great Commission?’

Just yesterday, Joseph Chean, the base director of YWAM Singapore, shared something that made my heart really tender. In fact, I was feeling that way throughout the day. Mind you, I’m not an emotional person. I was simply,  radically elated when I heard it. Yes, God is moving powerfully!

He went to attend a conference in Hong Kong, which was held by Call2All – A worldwide movement calling the church to a renewed, focused collaborative effort to fulfill the Great Commission.

Call2All is about all nations, all spheres of society and every unreached person everywhere in the world. It is a strategy-centered, action-oriented movement focusing on where the Church is NOT, rather than where it is. It’s purpose is not to replace existing ministry but to network, train and focus the body of Christ to fulfill the Great Commission.

My mind was totally blown away when I heard this. This is what I have been anticipating for. Unity in Churches.

For example, Wycliffe is gifted in translating Bible into different languages so that even the unreached groups will be able to read the Bible in their own language. Thus, Call2All draws resources and strength from Wycliffe to advance the Great Commission. When all Churches and missions organisations collaborate to serve for the same kingdom purpose, it’s a matter of time when the Great Commission can be fully accomplished on earth.

Call2All gathers Churches and missions organisations all around the world to partner with one another to reach every country and people group on earth. They strategise in such a way that each will reach out to different parts of the world, so that places that are covered DO NOT need repetitive works!

For information, there are still over 6200 unreached people groups in the world. This figure is really huge.

Anyhow, Call2All has planned to fulfil the Great Commission on earth by 2020!

* Number of people to reach with the gospel by 2020 which is 1.73 billion

* Hundreds of pledges to engage unreached people groups

* Over a 100,000 new houses of prayer

* Hundreds of new oral bible teams that will work in the most remote parts of the world

* 1.8 million new church plants

(Source: call2all.org)

Isn’t that amazing? Praise God!

“I do not ask for these only, but also for those who will believe in me through their word, that they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me. The glory that you have given me I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and you in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that you sent me and loved them even as you loved me.”
- John 17:20-23 (ESV)

Jesus’ last prayer before He was arrested is for the unity of believers. For when there is unity, there is unstoppable power.

I was reminded by the Holy Spirit that this was what happened when God’s people wanted to build the Tower of Babel.

And the LORD said, “Behold, they are one people, and they have all one language, and this is only the beginning of what they will do. And nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them.”
- Genesis 11:6 (ESV)

Nothing that they propose to do will now be impossible for them!

That’s the power of unity!

For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD
as the waters cover the sea.
- Habakkuk 2:14

Thank You, Lord! Let Your name be glorified from the east to the west. Amen!

Building Ministry or God’s Church?

“We do not work with missions organisations.”

“We don’t invite speakers from other denominations.”

“We are going to build our Churches in the mega cities.”

“We are planting our Churches all around the world.”

“We are targeting every region in the world.”

“We want to reach all 238 countries and territories.”

“We are planning to build strong and biblical Churches because only that counts.”

My question is, “Are you building your own ministry or the Kingdom of God?“

For many centuries, Churches have been fighting with Churches on their doctrines and methodologies of running the Church. Dean Sherman said, “Our fight is not against flesh and blood. People are not our enemies.”

Yet this is still going on all around the world. Worse, because even Christians are doing that.

When a Church starts to preach about riches and prosperity, the other would point and say that it is unbiblical. When another preaches about grace, the other would say that their teaching is not balanced. When signs and wonders happened in a Church, others would say that these are not from God. Scores of skepticism are going between Churches, simply because they don’t experience the same move of the Holy Spirit in their respective Churches. Isn’t that absurd?

“True or not? How can slaying of the Holy Spirit be possible?

“Is it real healing? Or fake one? Or they simply get people to act as though they have received healing?”

“Prosperity gospel? What is this?!”

“They are not doing the right thing. Thank God we are.”

“Thank God that our doctrines are more sound.”

“Why do they get involved in politics? Thank God we don’t.”

“They speak in tongues! Must be from the evil ones.”

“They don’t speak in tongues. They’re not baptised by the Holy Spirit.”

“Why are they so contemporary? They’re not of the Kingdom. They’re of the world!”

“Why do you attend courses outside of our Church? We should support our Church.”

“We should worship properly and not dance around. That is not showing respect to God.”

“We should start with praise songs before worship songs.”

The list never ends.

My question is, “Is this really important?!”

Well, instead of working together for the Kingdom of God, many Churches are building their own ministries. Yes, out of the lips says, “We’re building the Kingdom of God!” But lip service doesn’t count. Actions reveal what is really in the heart.

Why does a Church want to target all regions of the world by herself when many other Churches and missions organisations are already reaching the same areas? Simply because she desires to build her own ministry? Or own brand name?

Every Church has its own unique vision, gifts, strengths and weaknesses. Nevertheless, all are but under the same Head – Jesus Christ. Thus, we are all one in Christ! Instead of working on the same purpose that God has intended for the world through His Church, we’re wrestling with our differences.

If Churches truly want to establish the Kingdom of God on earth, it’s time they should work in unity, accept the differences and leverage on one another’s strengths to fulfill the full Great Commission on earth.

“If on the Sabbath a man receives circumcision, so that the law of Moses may not be broken, are you angry with Me because on the Sabbath I made a man’s whole body well?”
- John 7:23 ESV

It may seemingly appear to be out of context but the truth is, this is analogous to what is happening between Churches! “We pray and people get healed. This is the right way. You pray, people fell down to the ground before they get healed. It’s demon!”

The time is coming when God will judge the true heart condition of individual Churches so that all mouths will be silent.