29 July 2014 -

好像极少有人对生活一直满意，更常见的是因着我们所处的境况，我们在精神及情感上经历的波动。所以，我想问你：你对生活满意吗?你一直在享受你的生活吗?

神爱我们，对我们的生活有美好计划。耶利米书第29章11节说祂的想法和计划都是为着我们，是“赐平安的意念，不是降灾祸的意念，要叫你们末后有指望。”约翰福音第10章10节耶稣说”我来了，是要叫羊得生命，并且得的更丰盛 （完全充分，直到溢满）。”

对我来说这是启示，当我意识到神希望我享受现在的生活，而非仅勉强过得去，并守护直到我进入天堂；这也是改变生活的启示，当我知道我的快乐和满足感不必基于我的境况，在基督里面，我能学会“无论在什么境况都可以知足。（满足到我不会被打扰或感到不安）。”

真正的满足是什么意思?

满足并不意味着在你的生活中你永远不想改变、不想拥有别的事物。这意味着在你的生活中，无论神选择去做什么，你都会以良好的态度满足地等待；这意味着即使当你希望有什么事情发生时，你仍然对神有足够的信任去相信：如果他不给你所想要的，他会把你的最佳利益放在心上，你将发现他赐予你比最初想要的更好的事物。

世界充满难题，当事情没有以我们计划的方向进展时，我们都会有机会；这是如此奇妙，当你达到这样的境界时，即使你没有如意，你也会快乐！

我了解到，即然世界可能不会改变，那么我需要面对境况去改变我的方法–我的态度、我的期待。对我来说，当我发现神希望我拥有对他的伟大期待时，这是一个伟大的突破；为了在我的生命中做伟大的事情，他想让我把所有的希望放在他里面，锻炼我在他里面的信心。

神想为你做什么?

以弗所书第3章20节说，神照着在我们心中运行的力量 “能够（实现祂的目的）充充足足的成就一切，超过我们所求所想的（完全超越我们最高的祈祷、渴望、思想、梦想）”。我喜爱这些词语：充充足足的，超过我们所求所想的！

我们把期望放在正确的地方——神里面是很重要的。我们侍奉了不起的神，我想鼓励你请求他在你里面、通过你做伟大的事情。

继续阅读

References for pictures:

http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/236x/27/b7/48/27b74895656400136c47b0133c8c3668.jpg

http://static.squarespace.com/static/50f6f564e4b0b5974a2f2dda/t/51489932e4b0ca38af4a75e0/1363712308221/cf_TheOtherSide_02.jpg

http://wide-wallpapers.net/girl-on-the-road-bare-feet-wide-wallpaper/

29 July 2014 by Lim Poh Ann -

When satan puts negative, discouraging or destructive thoughts in our minds, it’s time to declare God’s word to counter his lies. Not knowing the truth is disastrous. Be prepared. Be equipped.

How did Jesus overcome the wiles of the devil when He was tempted in the wilderness?

ref : http://fc02.deviantart.net/fs6/i/2005/096/2/8/Temptation_by_Tazi_san.jpg

When Jesus was tempted in the wilderness, he drew the Sword of the Spirit to fight against the wiles of the devil. Physically he was at His weakest moment after a forty-day fast when Satan tempted Him (Matthew 4:1-11).

There were three different attempts by Satan to make the Son of God fall. He challenged the Son of God to:

• Command the stones to turn to bread.

• Jump down from the highest point of the temple.

• Fall down to worship the devil in exchange for all the kingdoms of the world.

For each of Satan’s attempts, Jesus overcame the attacker with the Word of God.

ref : http://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/Jesus_rebukes_Satan_1882.jpg

Jesus rebuked Satan by quoting three times from the book of Deuteronomy:

Deut. 8:3
Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. This was directed at Satan’s call to Jesus to command the stones to turn to bread.

Deut. 6:16
You must not test the Lord your God. This was directed at Satan’s call to Jesus to jump down from the highest point of the temple.

Deut. 6:13
Fear only the Lord your God; you shall worship him. This was directed at Satan’s call to Jesus to fall down to worship the devil in exchange for the all the kingdoms of the world.

The Word available to Jesus in His time was just the Old Testament. So He dug deep into His knowledge of the Word of that era. Even as a boy He had a firm grasp of the Word. His parents found him sitting in the temple, learning from the teachers and asking them questions (Luke 2:46). He had the word literally at His fingertips as He could interpret, beginning with Moses and all the prophets, all the scriptural references alluding to Him. This happened after His resurrection when Jesus joined in a conversation with two believers who were walking on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:25-27).

Among the tools at our disposal for spiritual warfare, the weapons of offense are the Sword of the Spirit and prayer. The helmet, breastplate and shield are merely protective (Ephesians 6:10-18).

ref : https://kzlam36.files.wordpress.com/2010/12/sword-of-the-holy-spirit.jpg

Of course, it is not head knowledge of the Word which will stand us in good stead against the devil. We also need to be in a right relationship with God, “having girded our loins with truth and having put on the breastplate of righteousness” (Ephesians 6:14).The saints defeat the devil by the blood of the Lamb and by their testimony. None can testify with conviction and power unless they are righteous before God, having been cleansed by the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 12:11).

We need to bear in mind that Satan can even quote scripture in the second temptation: “Throw yourself down and God will send angels to bear you up.” But Jesus stood firm against Satan’s suggestion by saying, “You must not test the Lord your God.”

ref : http://shoutitforlife.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/importance-of-reading-the-bible.jpg

We must not only be imbued with the Word in our hearts and minds but must also know how to “rightly handle” the Word. We must know the Word in its entirety, not allowing Satan to use half-truths and twist scriptures to suit his devices: “Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth” (2 Timothy 2:15) KJV. If the devil quotes, “It is written …” we must rebuke him by saying, “It is also written …”

These temptations of Jesus happened before He embarked on His ministry. Even so, we have to be proven faithful before we are called to do God’s work. Like Joseph, we have to demonstrate our capacity in overcoming temptation and trials before we are bestowed the honour to serve Him.

ref : http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cjV6FHnGoPE/Ui8HgREyBcI/AAAAAAAAO2A/oi9OfUlFkVM/s640/Sword+&+Holy+Spirit.JPG

Jesus knew exactly how to wield Sword of the Spirit when He faced each temptation of the devil. If Jesus needed the Word to be victorious against temptation, how much more we, weak mortals, need to be well-equipped with knowledge and understanding of scriptures.

May we be ever ready for battle against the enemy. May we know how to draw the Sword of the Spirit when temptation strikes.

Footnotes:
The temptation of Jesus in the wilderness (Matthew 4:1-11):

Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. After fasting forty days and forty nights,he was hungry.
The tempter came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God, tell these stones to become bread.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.’”
Then the devil took him to the holy city and had him stand on the highest point of the temple. “If you are the Son of God,” he said, “throw yourself down. For it is written:
“‘He will command his angels concerning you,
and they will lift you up in their hands,
so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.’”
Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’”
Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.”
Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’”
Then the devil left him, and angels came and attended him.

Note: Dr Lim Poh Ann is a medical practitioner. He was the former editor of Asian Beacon magazine (December 2008 – October 2011). He can be reached at his blog, Porridge for the Soul: http://limpohann.blogspot.com/

Source of Article : http://limpohann.blogspot.com/2013/04/sword-drawn-ready-for-battle.html

|Share The Good News|

29 July 2014 by Natasha Kim CM -

“Why? Why has this happened to me?” is a common cry that people say when the unexpected happens to them. But just as we change our clothes according to the season from spring, to summer, and from autumn to winter, there is an unwavering fact that the seasons in our life change all the time too.

ref : http://iheartinspiration.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/seasons-change1.jpg

“The Lord is saying that there is a season of change and you’ve got to adapt to that new change. You’ve got to allow yourself to flow into it and adapt to what the Lord is now bringing in the new season so that you can receive the blessings and the things that the Lord has prepared for you!” shared Rev. Dianithi who preached at Faith Oasis Fellowship, on the 19th of July 2014. God cannot release blessings onto your life if you aren’t prepared to receive them.

Rev Dianithi

Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

“You must understand that every adversary leads you to a new vision. The situation will allow you to see something that God has for you” said Dianithi.

Genesis 13:7-9
7 ..and there was strife between the herdsmen of Abram’s livestock and the herdsmen of Lot’s livestock. At that time the Canaanites and the Perizzites were dwelling in the land. 8 Then Abram said to Lot, “Let there be no strife between you and me, and between your herdsmen and my herdsmen, for we are kinsmen. 9 Is not the whole land before you? Separate yourself from me. If you take the left hand, then I will go to the right, or if you take the right hand, then I will go to the left.”

The scripture above according to Genesis is very interesting because Abram received his inheritance after he separated from Lot whom he considered his own. The vision that Abram was as far as he could see and it only came to pass after he obeyed the Lord and journeyed alone.

ref : http://up4discussion.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/romans828.png

“It took some quarrel and adversary here before they separated. Lot means veil or covering, only when they separated the veil was removed. This shows us that God has to take something or remove something from you before you can see what He has for you” he shared. There are things that we hold dearly in our lives but there must be nothing that should come between you and the Lord.

When the Lord speaks into your life and when He gives you vision it’s because He knows that you have the strength to accomplish it. The struggle in so many cases only comes when we begin to trust in our own strength.

ref : http://elieai.files.wordpress.com/2014/04/035_trusting_god.jpg

“When you look to Him you will find that you do not have to struggle because God will give you the strength and inspiration to reach your divine destiny! God’s limitation is not Him it is us, because we often limit the unlimited power of God!” said Dianithi.
God can do great things through you! He will give you direction and guidance. As Christians we need to have the vision of the things that are possible when God is with us, because with God all things are possible.

ref : https://d22d7v2y1t140g.cloudfront.net/m_1784792_vAj49TS5BbmJ.jpg

“God says I have removed that veil and I want to see you capture that vision of mine that I have given to you!” said Dianithi. Once you have that vision, partner with God so that you will have the strength to see the vision come to pass, so that the days of gloominess and sorrow are gone. From there, God will lead you into a new vision and into the next step where you will need Him to guide you once more.
You need to have a loving and everlasting partnership with God that will last for eternity. “Adversaries and challenges in your path will strengthen you and the vision that God gives you will still remain. Seize that vision!” said Dianithi.

Ephesians 3:20
Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us,

1 Samuel 17:34-36
But David said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep sheep for his father. And when there came a lion, or a bear, and took a lamb from the flock, 35 I went after him and struck him and delivered it out of his mouth. And if he arose against me, I caught him by his beard and struck him and killed him. 36 Your servant has struck down both lions and bears, and this uncircumcised Philistine shall be like one of them, for he has defied the armies of the living God.”

John 5:8
Then Jesus said to him, “Get up! Pick up your mat and walk.”

 |Share The Good News|

30 July 2014 by 信望爱 FHL 音乐事工–

《以马内利与你相遇》，一场由信望爱团队竭尽所能，强烈渴望让人与以马内利的神在敬拜赞美中相遇的音乐会，于2014年7月5日在双溪毛糯卫理布道所顺利举行。

“不是倚靠势力，不是倚靠才能，乃是倚靠我的灵方能成事。”（撒迦利亚书4章6节）

信望爱团队与儿童们配搭的一首动作诗歌

尽管在筹备的过程中，信望爱团队经历了许多的挑战，然而我们的上帝是信实的，祂的恩典永远够我们用！在神的带领和供应下，以及团队和各方面的配合，让整个筹备过程，包括地点安排、排练、派发邀请单张等都顺利地进行。更感恩的是，圣灵在每个接受我们邀请的人心中做预备的工作，让当天接近130位出席的人带着一颗敞开的心，在音乐会中与神相遇。

“我们知道，为了爱神的人，就是按他旨意蒙召的人的益处，万事都一同效力。”（罗马书 8章28节）

聚会的开始，信望爱团队就透过敬拜赞美将人带入神的同在里。透过诗歌的一字一句以及打动人心旋律的配搭，让全场深深沉浸在神的同在中。让在场的人心中深深感受到神爱的充满，有者甚至不禁流下泪水。

钟恩雄传道分享信息

除此之外，信望爱团队与儿童们配搭的一首动作诗歌《我的天堂》，让音乐会现场洋溢着活泼喜乐的气氛，瞬间充满着浓厚的温馨与爱的气息。由芙蓉恩庆卫理公会的钟恩雄传道所分享的信息，更是让前来参与的新朋友有机会更认识这位充满爱又奇妙的神。

当天音乐会的见证分享，更是让所有出席者更真实地认识神的爱。因着耶稣的爱，让黄慧瑜姐妹能够勇敢站在人前分享自己所走过的生命历程，从软弱、自弃到如今坚强、勇敢，真实的生命经见证更是感动了在场所有的人。

黄慧瑜姐

继见证分享之后，信望爱团队继续呈现多首诗歌。当中也播放了一段的影片，正是信望爱队长曾家升弟兄和陈兆华弟兄的亲身经历，讲述了他们如何从领受祝福，到成为祝福别人生命的人。感谢神！这见证影片不但激励，同时也挑旺了许多在场的弟兄姐妹。音乐会更以双溪毛糯卫理布道所主理牧师，徐恩杰牧师，呼召在场的弟兄姐妹重新回到神的里前，再次立约作为结束。

徐恩杰牧师呼召时段

成立于2012年8月附属于华人年议会大专事工的《信望爱》音乐事工，盼望致力兴起和培育一班青少年，透过诗歌和影片来传达神的爱、藉着听觉和视觉，让人们能听见并看见神伟大的爱，同时也能成为许多教会及青年人的祝福。“Be blessed and be the blessing”！愿信望爱团队能够继续谦卑被主使用，成为更多人的祝福。

愿将一切颂赞、荣耀归于我们这位伟大又全能的父上帝，哈利路亚！

信望爱 FHL 音乐事工团队

欲知更多有关《信望爱》音乐事工的详情与更新，欢迎浏览https://www.facebook.com/fhlmusicministries/info (Facebook) 或是联络曾家升弟兄（014-952 1618）（西马）或是陈兆华弟兄（016-852 9523）（东马）。

注脚：此报导由 Joycelyn Loh （CM）整理。

30 July 2014 by Mindy Oon CM - 

Are you feeling weary in life? Or Are you feeling like you just don’t know how much longer you can keep going? We’re all been there – all of us have felt overwhelmed, tired and stressed to the max. But we don’t have to live this way, because with God’s help, we don’t have to stress out over our lives.

Satan wants us to believe that stress is a normal part of life – that it’s just something that we have to put up with. He wants us to try and cope with stress and weariness, rather than conquer them! And because we have not learnt to conquer stress, when things get inconvenient or uncomfortable, our first reaction is to panic. We start stressing out when there’s people coming over for dinner and the house is in a mess. We stress out when the boss wants to meet us. We worry about paying for our house and our car.

Soar Above The Storm

However, God has something better for us that always feeling stressed out. Isaiah 40:31 says ‘But those who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles, they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint.’ Without a doubt, there will be days or even months that will seem harder and longer than others. But no matter how challenging or busy things get around us, God’s word says that we can be at rest on the inside.

In Isaiah 40:31, an eagle is used to illustrate how God renews our strength. An eagle does not panic when a storm is coming. Chickens run and ostriches put their head in the sand. But the eagle uses the winds of the storm to help him soar even higher. The eagle soars above the storm. Just like the eagle, we too do not need to stress out when we are weathering a storm. All we have to do is learn to rest and wait upon the Lord.

Change Your Outlook

While we deal with storms in life from time to time, more often than not it’s the little things that cause us to feel stressed out and weary. The car breaks down, the kids are late for school, the toddler spills his milk all over the floor, you’re stuck in a traffic jam, your paycheck is late….

Most of us can relate to this. And most of the time, there is not much we can do to change the situation. However, we need to realize, it is not just the events of life that are making us weary. It is also our attitude towards those events that is making our blood pressure go up. We may not be able to change the events of the day. But we can change our attitudes and our outlook.

When you know in your heart of hearts that God is with you, and that He is your source of strength, and that with Him all things are possible, stress has no place in your life. Things that stretch you to your limits now build your faith. The people who drive you up the wall now drive you to pray for them. And the problems that used to scare you now strengthen you. It is time that we realize that with God on our side, we can laugh at the things that used to make us cry.

Matthew 6:25-34 urges us not to stress out over the things that are happening in our lives because our Heavenly Father watches over us.

 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing?  Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they?  Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?

 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin;and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these.  Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

“Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’  For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things.But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.

Cast Your Cares Upon Your Heavenly Father

Like the eagle, we too can soar above the storms rather than struggle through them. If you are weary or stressed out, don’t lose hope because God is for you and He will never leave you. 1 Peter 5:7 says ‘Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you’. Don’t live your lives exhausted and overwhelmed. Ask God for his peace, especially when things are hectic and crazy! Remember Philippians 4:6-7 ‘Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts  and your minds in Christ Jesus.’

References for pictures:

http://www.blackstoneorthopedics.com/stress-can-affect-body/

http://www.izreke-citati.com/eagles-in-the-storm/

https://amanderings.wordpress.com/2011/10/

http://fineartamerica.com/featured/cast-your-cares-on-lord-j-l.html

31 July 2014 - 

1. 下次如果覺得自己了不起時, 試試行在水上。

2. 當撒旦提起你的過去時, 請提醒牠的未來。

3. 你不是幸運, 是蒙福。

4. 若想要真正活著, 得先徹底死去。

5. 機會也許只敲一次門, 但試探卻總是在按門鈴。

6. 我們常在強壯時, 忘了神。

7. 那些只在星期天呼喚”天父”的人, 在一星期餘下的日子裡活得像孤兒。

8. 不要以自我為中心, 要以基督為中心。

9. 沒有基督, 沒有平安; 認識基督, 得到平安。

10. 為什麼我們不常向朋友提起神？因為我們不常向神提起我們的朋友。

11. 當把你的一切獻給基督, 因為祂把祂的一切都給了你。

12. 你現在所追求的, 值得基督為它死嗎？

13. 使你向神靠近的人, 是你真正的朋友。

14. 神愛我們, 不是因為我們是怎樣一個人, 而是因為祂是怎樣一位神。

15. 神的應許像夜空裡的星星。夜越深,星星的光芒越亮。

继续阅读

References for pictures:

http://readingacts.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/walking-on-water.jpg

http://amchurch.net/files/2010/03/WalkLikeJesus.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ojiIWBfRN30/T8Qj57xsnVI/AAAAAAAAASc/wW8EIYPOGAs/s1600/Stars.jpg

31 July 2014 by Jason Law CM -

The Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-12) are well-known, even to non-Christians. They are one of the central pillars in Christianity, and with their focus on the spirit of love and humility, represents a complete shift in direction from the ‘seek to win at all cost’ mindset of the world. Echoing the highest ideals of the teachings of Jesus on mercy, spirituality, and compassion, the Beatitudes have a special place of regard in the hearts of Christians.
SIB Cheras is a church that is small in size (around 80 members) but great in its spirit of fellowship and humility. The church is full of young people who are hungry for God. Unlike most churches, announcements come after the message, and unlike some churches where its members leave right after the message, the members of SIB Cheras discipline themselves to stay around until the end of the service. Furthermore, although a small church, this has helped them make it a point to stay in after church hours so they can fellowship over home-cooked lunch together.

Pr David of SIB

On the 20th of July 2014, Pr David, the Zone 4 Pastor for SIB, shared on the message of the Beatitudes. He opened by challenging our minds on the concept of blessings. He shared that the understanding of the Beatitudes is extremely valuable, because it provides our foundation in how we respond to hardship and challenges. It is an undeniable fact that catastrophes are unavoidable. How then are Christians to respond to them?

‘Everyone wants to be blessed. That is a natural part of being human. All the more so as Christians, we want to be blessed according to Jesus’ standards. However, we must understand what God’s definition of blessing is. Is it obtained from honorary titles, is it obtained by material wealth, or is it obtained by something else entirely? When Christ speaks of blessings, it is from God’s standard, and His standard is different from this world,’ Pr David opened.

Blessed Are The Poor… (v3-4)

ref : http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m7dd6yGZm71ram87ko1_1280.jpg

‘In Matthew 5:3-4, Jesus taught that the poor are blessed. What did Jesus mean? Is God anti-wealth? No. In fact, Jesus was teaching the people of the true meaning of blessing. He was speaking from the spiritual perspective. Unlike some rich people who are imprisoned by addiction, greed, possessiveness, and discontentment, the poor knows the truly important things in life,’ Pr David shared.

Very often, we find that the poor in possessions have a richness in the spirit. They’re diligent in seeking after God and not complacent in the spiritual matters. They make prayer and communication with God a daily thing, and they have something that cannot be bought by money. By having a deep bond of relationship with the Creator, they’re investing in the Eternal and lasting things of God. And in time, they will be rewarded and all their mourning will be turned into solace.

Blessed Are The Meek (v5)
This is the attitude that Jesus was teaching about in v5, which talks about a Christian’s response to God’s Word.
‘When Jesus was speaking of the meek, He wasn’t talking about the one who is namby-pamby. God’s work is complete, and as His creations, we too are complete. Being meek in Jesus’ context is being open to His word,’ Pr David explained.

ref : https://jeffwalker.files.wordpress.com/2011/10/peter-and-jesus-in-the-water.jpg

Hebrews 4:12 tells us that the Word of God is like a two-edged sword, and though it may be painful, it always produces a harvest of righteousness and peace to those who have been trained by it (Hebrews 12:11).
The person who is meek brings forth the Kingdom of God through their lives, and is steadfast through challenges and persecution. No power in this world can destroy them and they inherit the earth.

Blessed Are The Ones Who Thirst For Righteousness (v6)
Jesus also said blessed are those who thirst for His righteousness. The righteousness of God leads us to be more like Jesus, helping us to live a full life, so that we become blessings and positive influences in the lives of others.

ref : http://glorycompany.files.wordpress.com/2012/11/righteous.jpg

‘The word ‘thirst’ has a significant connotation. It talks about the one who is desperate about listening and responding to God’s Word. We cannot go against the Word of God; it leads to consistent spiritual strength.

‘There is a danger in spiritual poverty. It often leads to the dangers of complacency and self-righteousness. People who have all the advantages in life ie knowledge, experience, possessions, should be an encouragement and the shoulders that prop up the less advantaged or younger believers,’ Pr David imparted.

Blessed Are Those Who Are Pure In Heart, Merciful and PeaceMakers (v7-9)
All together, these three verses speak about proactiveness. Pr David encouraged us to be discerning towards the needs of others. He shared a story about a rich and poor neighbor.

A neighbor who was rich in possessions and one who was poor in possessions lived next to each other. Yet the rich neighbour’s house was always dark, because he was too miserly to light his house up with the electricity, and the poor neighbour’s house was always lit by his candles.
One day, the poor neighbor knocked on the door of the rich neighbour’s house. The rich neighbor was about to scold the poor neighbor angrily when the poor neighbor told him the reason he came. He held out a lit candle to his rich neighbour and innocently told him, ‘Sir, I see your house in gloom everyday without any lights in it. Living alone, you must be lonely. I came to give you this candle so that it may light your house up and bring some happiness into your heart.’
This moved the heart of the rich neighbor so much that he broke down and repented of his attitude towards the poor neighbour.

The ‘poor’ neighbour was poor materially but rich in spirit.

Riches Is Not Only Measured By The Material
Pr David shared that richness is not only measured by the material, but is also measured through the treasures God places in our hearts. This is true richness.
‘The world is full of challenges. What is our response? What do we do about it? We must never give up our inheritance in Christ for the temporary riches of the world. Look at the life of the prophets and gain encouragement through whatever struggles we have in life (Matthew 5:12). The world sees God through the lives of Christians.

ref : http://poetrybydeborahann.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/blessed-are-by-joe-cacazos-free-photo-5225.jpg

‘But challenges can also come from within. Taking an example, when we go online, are we using our time responsibly? The Internet is full of all kinds of things these days. How is our self-control?

Very often, we have to realize that we cannot attain the standard of God without the help of the Holy Spirit. It is extremely important that we keep ourselves in our relationship with God’s Spirit everyday, and the Beatitudes remind us of the richness that comes from this relationship’ Pr David closed.

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1 Aug 2014 by Joycelyn Loh CM –

何谓社会公义？拿督陈忠登医生在其著作《一位基督徒看社会公义》中，提及了公义的一致性包含数个层面，其中包括它是否符合事实？是否符合之前所定的法律与标准？是否符合程序等？

那么，基督徒又应该如何实践公义的原则呢？当社会不公不义时，基督徒又该做出怎样的回应?且来听听拿督陈忠登医生怎说吧!届时也邀请了马圣荣誉院长陈金师牧师/博士及吉隆坡长老会原道堂长老张文光律师做信息的回应。

由马来西亚圣经神学院主办，西马华福联络中心、吉隆坡福音堂协办的马来西亚圣经神学院创院36周年特别讲座及新书推介礼，将以《基督徒与社会公义》为主题。此讲座将于2014年8月17日（星期日），晚上8时在吉隆坡福音堂举行。

入场免费！这千载难逢的机会，你又岂能错过呢？赶紧约定您的亲朋戚友一同出席此特别讲座及新书推介礼吧！

欲知更多详情，欢迎电邮至ccms@mbs.org.my 或致电 03-6037 1727。

1 Aug 2014-

What are you doing next weekend. Join more than 600 participants to the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship Malaysia bi-annual National Convention on 7-9 August 2014 at Hotel Pullman in Kuala Lumpur.

With the theme “Let His Light Shine!”, this convention is endorsed by NECF and brings men (and some women) to two days of life-enriching seminars and workshops through the powerful testimonies and teachings of eight regional marketplace ministry leaders.

Ref : lisapetrilli

These include Rev Dr Peter Chu, Senior Pastor of Taipei Truth Church, Taiwan, Mr Zheng Sheng Tao, President of Shenli Group, China, Mr Tony Tseng, Founder of Good TV, Taiwan, and Dr Hugo Chan, National Director of FGBMFI Hong Kong. For more information about the speakers, please refer to http://bit.ly/1n62rsD

Registration for the convention is open to all at RM180/pax and is available with very attractive rates at the 5-star Pullman. Bookings are pouring in from Taiwan, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, Myanmar and even Australia.

In conjunction with the convention, an evangelistic banquet will be held on 7 August evening with Mr Alex Kurniawan and Mr Zheng Sheng Tao as guest speakers. Banquet tickets are sold separately at RM100/seat. Christians are encouraged to invite friends to this evangelistic banquet.

To book your place at this convention or to purchase banquet tickets, kindly contact:

FGBMF MALAYSIA

Tel.: 03-78057185 / 6

Email: admin@fgb.com.my

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1 Aug 2014 by Natasha Kim CM-

“Adversities face us every day but there is always some good that comes out of even the worst adversity we face” shared Pastor Dr Paul Chen at the River of Life Sanctuary, Bandar Puteri on the 20th of July, 2014. At any time, we have the wonderful privilege of pouring out our heart before God and telling Him exactly how we feel. There is always a purpose for adversity, one side is positive and stimulates spiritual and emotional growth; the other carries the potential to defeat and destroy us.

Pr Dr Paul Chen preaching

Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. (Hebrews 4:16)

Types of Personal Adversities People Face

• Earning a living, paying our taxes, raising our families and taking care of their health.
• Everyday, people are killed in road, air or over the sea accidents.
• A family member may be seriously ill with an incurable disease.
• We may lose our job.
• We may get robbed.
• Family relationships may be under great stress.

Ref : tumblr

We may even face adversity in the form of having to face an unreasonable, angry, frustrated, and even bitter person that makes other people’s lives unpleasant. According to the Bible, Job faced this adversity too. When misfortune hit him, his friend Elihu said, “But now you are laden with the judgment due the wicked; judgment and justice have taken hold of you” (Job 36:17). His wife said to him, “Are you still maintaining your integrity? Curse God and die!” (Job 2:9). However, despite these adversities, Job replied in Job 2:10 and said, “You speak as one of the foolish women speaks. Shall we indeed accept good from God, and shall we not accept adversity?” In all this, Job did not sin with his lips.”

Then I would still have this consolation—
    my joy in unrelenting pain—
    that I had not denied the words of the Holy One. (Job 6:10)

For I know that my Redeemer lives, and at the last he will stand upon the earth. (Job 19:25)

Ref : spiritofthescripture

The apostle Paul gives us an example of the adversity in his life and how he learned to respond to its presence. He too rebuked the adversity and responded with:

“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good,for those who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Phil 4:4-7)

That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

Ref : theology.geek.nz

Even when Paul encountered a slave girl with a demonic spirit that led to his arrest, where he was beaten and imprisoned at Philippi, he did not give up and continued to persevere and respond positively. This is because he knew what he had to do from the time he received the vision of a man crying for help in Acts 16:9. His Macedonian call succeeded and Philippi was the first ‘European’ city that Paul evangelized, which went triumphantly westward as it becomes the first city to be evangelized in Europe.

Through these examples, we can see the significant leading of the Holy Spirit and the missionaries who were sensitive to His leading. They took the route of prayer and relied heavily on the Holy Spirit’s guidance. Had Paul followed his own plans, he would have been confined to Asia. Just as the missionaries before us who continuously sought after the Holy Spirit for their journey ahead, we too should do the same in order for us to see the plans God has for us. Blessed are those who seek the Lord wholeheartedly in all they do and respond according to His purpose.

Ref : todaysfreshmanna

Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God. (John 3:18)

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2 August 2014 by Donna Uning CM -

“In desperation, his inner being cried out,” said Dr Albert SK Chia, telling about his friend who experienced a near death situation. Dr Chia, from Tawau, Sabah, was speaking at a healing rally at Tabuan Jaya Anglican Church here recently. He was accompanied by his wife, Dr Wong Si Lian, who also ministered at the three-day rally.

“God showed him, ‘I love you,” he continued, “Even if you run away from Me, ‘I still love you.’” After the incident, his friend, “was on fire for God; he goes everywhere to testify.” His friend, formerly a non-Christian, had earlier given a testimony to the church.

ref : http://www.nlc-teesside.com/images/series/encounter.png

“Whatever happened to him can happen to you; miracles can happen tonight!” he said to the church, which was already full as people continued to come in. “The heart of God, the Father, is to bring the great healing to those who belong to Him,” he said. “Seek Him; don’t worry if you’re not a Christian tonight.”

Exodus 15:26,
“If you listen carefully to the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you.”

“This is the promise of God; His promises lasts from eternity to eternity,” Dr Albert said. He has a track record from Genesis; He fulfills His promises.

Psalm 103: 2-3,
“Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits— who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,”

“Nothing is impossible in the eyes of the Lord,” he added. “Since 2001, wherever we go, signs and wonders accompany us bringing healing to the sick. Don’t look at me, I’m just an instrument. I have no power,” he said, telling, “Look at Jesus; He is the source of power.”

“I’m just one of those who love the Lord. The church of Jesus Christ is a powerhouse, He has power to heal and set people free,” he said whenever a church moves in the power of the Holy Spirit. When Jesus was on earth, He was healing all types of sicknesses, suffering, pain, and the demon possessed. He heals every type of sicknesses and pain. “He’s here tonight! He’s the same yesterday, today and tomorrow; and He’s alive today!”

Dr Albert SK Chia speaking at Tabuan Jaya Anglican Church, Kuching.

“There’s a source here,” he called lifting his Bible. “Nothing is impossible,” he said. “It is an exciting night because we’re going to encounter a living God. That’s why we sing God is good all the time, God is good,” he added calling three important steps.

First, when we are sick, we go to the doctor. “When you need divine healing, you call Jesus,” he said. “If you need divine healing tonight, you’ve come to a right place because He is a healer. You call on Him, not anybody. He is Jehovah Rapha, the Lord who heals you,” he added. You are in a right place because this is the church of Jesus Christ.

Second, thirst for divine healing. “Only when there is a longing, God can satisfy,” he said.

Revelation 22:17,
“The Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” And let the one who hears say, “Come!” Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life.”

“Whoever is thirsty, come to Jesus; whoever needs help, come to Jesus; and He will give you the water of life, spring of living water,” he said.

Third, believe. “You must believe,” he said. You believe your doctor, then your faith is in the doctor and you take the prescribed medication. “Here you believe in your heart that Jesus will heal you,” he said. “That healing is yours. Believe! Believe healing is done. I am healed,” he continued saying, “It’s as simple as that. God doesn’t make things complicated. Believe in Him.”

“Faith is important. Without faith, nothing can happen; with faith, all things can happen!” he said telling, “By faith, we can. Faith is invisible, receiving the impossible.”

Many came up feeling God’s touch

“His manifestation can come in diverse forms,” he said. He then explained the many ways we encounter God including, you may cry, it’s okay; you may feel heat on your body, it’s okay; you may be slain or fall, it’s okay.
“God is in control; let it be because that’s divine encounter with God. The moment you are slain, you feel encounter with Him. When you laugh it out, God wants to show He is moving in your life. Whatever the manifestation, receive it by faith. Are you ready?”
Dr Albert SK Chia has been in the healing and deliverance ministry since 2001. He and his wife, Dr Wong Si Lan minister widely all over the world. She is called in the nurturing and training ministry through cell group dynamism. They currently live in Tawau, Sabah.

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 2 August 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

“Now, I want you to be like the Bereans of Acts Chapter 17 who were more noble than the people in Thessalonica because they received the Word readily but they checked with the Scriptures daily to see whether it was so,” said Pr Philip Marc, unravelling about the signs of the end times on 20^th June at the All Malaysian Convocation (AMC) 2014. 

Pr Philip Marc

He shared about a principle that can never fail in keeping men in everlasting ignorance; that is condemnation before investigation. Prov 18:13 says:

To answer a matter before one hears it, it is a folly or shame to him.

In his quest for searching for the Truth, the Lord brought Philip to the All Nations Convocation Jerusalem (ANCJ) in 2009. Although there were many Halleluyah messages of encouragement, blessings and edification, the message of Replacement Theology and returning to our true Hebraic roots in particular made him twist and turn.

Ref : candycoatedreality

INFO NUGGET: Replacement Theology states that, “because Israel rejected Yeshua as the Messiah, therefore Yahweh rejected Israel and the Jews as His Covenant people and now, the Church have replaced Israel as God’s chosen people.” This implies that the Lord breaks His covenants, which we all know to be false)

“So, I was fighting with the Lord and the Lord replied me, ‘You were searching for the Truth and in your quest of searching for truth, I brought you to Jerusalem.’ What you are going to be receiving now is many years later on of on-going studies and Revelation. This is the truth I believe God has given me,” said Pr Philip, as he promised to give many bible verses to support his sharing for the return of Christ for clarity. 

Pr Philip Marc

Above all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, “Where is this ‘coming’ he promised? Ever since our ancestors died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation. (2 Pet 3:3-4)

But they deliberately forgot that long ago by God’s word, the heavens came into being and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word of God, the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the Day of Judgment and destruction of the ungodly. 

Ref : earlymorningmanna

But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day. The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Pet 3: 8-9)

The Bible says that in the Lord’s eyes, 1000 years is like one day, and one day is like 1000 years in regards to the coming of the Lord. For every one day of creation, it corresponded to 1000 years of history, which is ‘HIStory’ or His Story actually! God created the earth in six days and on the seventh day; He rested (Gen 2:1-2).

Man was created on the sixth day (Gen 1:24-31) and thus number ‘6’ is the number of man. When God created man, the first man Adam was told to have dominion over the Earth (Gen 1:28). Dominion, rulership of earth was to be given to the race of men for 6000 years, whereby Pr Philip mentioned that the 6000 years from the time of Adam till now, has nearly come to pass.

Ref : genesissecretsrevealed

And when 6000 years are up, Pr Philip shared that Jesus will return and the earth will enter her Sabbath Rest, where there will be peace on earth for 1000 years (Rev 20:2-6) for on the seventh day, God also rested and thus, the earth and all creation rest from all of her groaning! (Rom 8:19-22)

SIGNS IN THE HEAVENS

I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. (Joel 2:30-31) 

I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and glorious day of the Lord. And everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ (Acts 2:19-21) 

But in those days, following that distress, “‘the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the heavenly bodies will be shaken.’ At that time people will see the Son of Man coming in clouds with great power and glory. (Mark 13:24-26) 

I watched as he opened the sixth seal. There was a great earthquake. The sun turned black like sackcloth made of goat hair, the whole moon turned blood red.  And the star of the heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its unripe figs, being shaken by a strong wind. (Rev 6:12, 13) 

There will be signs in the sun, moon and stars. On the earth, nations will be in anguish and perplexity at the roaring and tossing of the sea. People will faint from terror, apprehensive of what is coming on the world, for the heavenly bodies will be shaken.  At that time they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. When these things begin to take place, stand up and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near. (Luke 21:25-28) 

“In Joel, that day is called the terrible day of the Lord. But in Acts, it’s called the glorious day of the Lord! Is the Bible contradicting itself? No, the Bible is affirming itself. And it is the day of the return of the King and the salvation of Israel,” said Philip. 

For those who have acknowledged Jesus as Lord and lived their lives accordingly, it’s a glorious day. But for those who have rejected Him and those only calling Him as Saviour but not submitting to Him as Lord, it’s a terrible day for them. 

Ref : ph16

From the Bible passages above, we gathered that there would be many signs predating the coming of Christ including the moon turning into blood and not giving its light, the falling of stars, a great earthquake, the roaring and tossing of the sea, the darkening of the sun, and the shaking of the Heavenly bodies. 

SO, WHAT SIGNS HAVE BEEN FULFILLED? 

The Blood Moons (Joel 2:30-31; Acts 2:19-21; Rev 6:12) are fulfilling 

The first one came to pass on April 15 this year. The second blood moon is predicted to occur on 8^th October this year, followed by one in 4^th April and 28^th September next year. This resembles the prediction of Rev 6:12, which says, ‘the whole moon turned blood red.’

Ref : markconn

The Falling of Stars (Mark 13:24-26) fulfilling

As for the sign of falling stars from the sky (Mark 13:25), Pr Philip shared that the unprecedented number of falling ‘stars’ and meteors in all around planet earth (from China to Italy, Mexico, and the United States) are seen coming from the sky. Also, he shared about a particular meteor that exploded over Russia in Feb 2013 and that is a sign that Jesus Christ is coming soon. 

For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. (Matt 24:27).

This was the trajectory and heading of this Russian falling star!

Ref : independent

And in the same passage of Matthew 24, we find later in verses 32—35: 

“Now learn this lesson from the fig tree: As soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, you know that it is near, right at the door. Truly I tell you, this generation will certainly not pass away until all these things have happened. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away. (Matt 24:32-35) 

“If this blazing rock, the height of the Empire States Building had only held together for just a few more seconds, the meteor would have hit earth with megatons of nuclear warheads that would have made Nagasaki and Hiroshima look small,” Pr Philip quoted a congressional hearing that was summoned as to why NASA was unable to see this incoming doomsday meteor. 

Pr Philip shared that astronomers dubbed comet ISON the ‘comet of the century’ for its ability to light up the night sky! This comet made its closest approach to the sun (periphery) on Hanukkah day, which is on 28 November 2013.

Hanukkah, the Feast of Dedication, also called as the Festival of Lights (John 10:22), is celebrated in remembrance of the Jewish temple that was redeemed and rededicated to God. Legend has it that the sacred oil found to light the menorah was only enough for one day but as they lit it, it burned supernaturally for eight days, giving rise to the name, “the Festival of Lights.”

Ref : .rightattitudes

Is it a coincidence that Comet ISON, what NASA calls the greatest light ever recorded in modern history besides the sun and moon, became brightest on the day the Jews celebrate the Feast of Lights?

Sun turning into sack cloth (Joel 2:30-31, Rev 6:12) fulfilled in 2015

NASA shows that solar eclipse had been occurring in this world.

Pr Philip shared that on March 20th (Adar 29 / Nisan 1), there will be a total solar eclipse where the sun will be turned into sack cloth and not give out its light. Following this incident, we will see another solar eclipse six months later on 13th of Sept (Rosh Hashanna and the Feast of Trumpets).

Ref : thenewmagi

A Great Earthquake (Rev 6:12) yet to be fulfilled

Pr Philip shared that of the four signs of Rev 6:12 (a great earthquake, the sun turning into sack cloth, the moon turning into blood, and falling stars), three are an astronomical certainty recorded by NASA.

He shared that if the great earthquake comes, we are in the sixth seal. The question is then, has the great earthquake come? A great earthquake can ‘totally destroy communities near the epicenter’, reaching 8 or beyond on a Richter scale. An earthquake of above 6.2 on the Richter scale ‘causes a lot of damage in populated areas.’ 

Was the earthquake that happened in Acheh a great earthquake? How about the earthquake in Haiti and Fukushima? Pr Philip shared that now, mega quakes are actually happening frequently all over the world.  

Pr Philip shared that a great earthquake to look out for will be at San Francisco, which many Yahweh’s prophets have foreseen ‘San Francisco falling into the sea’! Great devastation ensues! Scientists and geologists say a great quake along that great rift is past due and it is only a matter of time before this occurs.

Earthquake in Haiti
Ref : i.dailymail

If Yellowstone in United States erupts, it is said that it will cause a global climate change. The US Geological Survey was quoted saying about Yellowstone: 

‘Such a giant eruption would have regional effects such as falling ash and short- term (years to decades) changes to global climate. The surrounding states of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming would be affected, as well as other places in the United States and the world.’ A blanket of ash would cover the earth and blot out the suns rays and surely but surely, life on planet earth will wither and die!

Yellowstone volcano, largest supervolcano on the North American continent
Ref : ibtimes

Roaring and Tossing of the Sea (Luke 21:25-28) fulfilled

A tsunami that devastated nations, describes the verse well of ‘nations will be anguish and perplex at the roaring and tossing of the sea.’ On December 2004, a tsunami hitting Sumatra Indonesia killed 230,000 people. Another recent deadly tsunami happened in the North Pacific Coast of Japan, killing more than 18,000 people. Deadly tsunamis had been happening since the past 500 years, killing thousands of people.

Ref : dickinson

ABOUT Philip Marc: Philip Marc is an Elder in the International Council of Elders and Golden Gate Keeper of the All Nations Convocation Jerusalem.  

Disclaimer: The views or opinions expressed by the columnists are solely their own and do not necessarily represent the views or opinions of Christianity Malaysia.com 

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2 Aug 2014 by Rajen Devadasen-

There are Christian leaders who believe the tragic disappearance of MAS flight MH370 from KL to Beijing – which went missing on March 8, 2014 after taking off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport – propelled Malaysia onto the consciousness of billions for a reason. Many Malaysians, Christians and non- Christians alike, seem to sense a looming sea change within our unique nation.

Ref : i.kinja-img

The pessimists among our ranks point to disturbing calls to introduce hudud first in the PAS-controlled state of Kelantan and then in stages across the whole country! The tragic, unexpected death of opposition politician cum legal lion Karpal Singh on April 17 stilled Malaysia’s most courageous voice against the spread of hudud. Only time will tell if equally valiant men and women with a deep understanding of the Federal Constitution of Malaysia will rise to take a stand against moves threatening our country’s secular identity.

Ref : todayonline

On the other hand, the optimists among us believe the weaknesses our leaders showcased for the entire planet to see throughout the course of televised MH 370-related press briefings will act as catalysts for improvement. Who is right?

A Different Kind Of Revival

An interesting website I came across – http://countrymeters.info/en/Malaysia/ – showed me that between January 1 and May 2 this year, the net migration of people into and out of Malaysia stood at minus 3,761, which means more people opted to leave Malaysia than come to Malaysia on a long-term basis. Furthermore, the net migration figure for one single day, May 2, was minus 30; one person leaving every 48 minutes!

Ref : mushroomnetworks

Using the country search function on that site, I carried out checks on Singapore, the United States, Australia, China and Myanmar. What follows are the corresponding net migration numbers from January 1 to May 2, 2014 and the net figures just for May 2: Singapore (+8,027; +64); the US (+462,429; +3,678), Australia (+45,551; +362), China (-144,100; -1,147), Myanmar (-5,007; -40). For the same periods, Malaysia’s numbers, as mentioned, were -3,761 and -30.

Read more

3 Aug 2014 by Natasha Kim CM-

Everyone has hurts. For some, the trials may seem more than they can bear and their pain is so intense that even their faith in God may be challenged. For others, trials and tribulations become victorious pathways into a closer fellowship with Jesus Christ. In this case, our response to adversity reveals our true view of God. There are times when God reveals the reason for our adversity and there are times that He will not. Sometimes, God has to prepare our hearts to accept His purpose for allowing adversity. On the other hand, there are some things God never reveal to us and we just need to trust His perfect will for us. Pastor Dr Chen shared at The River of Life Sanctuary Bandar Puteri on the 20^th of July 2014, on how we should respond.

Pastor Dr Chen sharing how we can be strong through Christ

1)      Face Adversity with a Postive Attitude

In the Bible, Apostle Paul and Job faced their difficult adversities with a positive response. Pr Chen shared about a story of a farmer, which illustrates how we look at something can make a world of difference on how we behave. According to the story, the farmer decided to sell his farm and move somewhere else. He engaged a realtor to look the farm over and prepared a sales ad. But before putting it in the paper, the realtor called and read the proposed advertisement to him, saying, “See if this meets with your approval.”

The advertisement spoke of a good location, a well maintained house, sturdy barns, lush pasture lands, a beautiful pond, fertile soil, and a great view. The farmer listened carefully, and then said, “Read that to me again, slowly.” So, the realtor read it to him again. Finally, the farmer said, “No, don’t print that ad. I’ve changed my mind. I’ve always wanted a place like that. I’m not going to sell.”

Ref : harvestglobalnetwork

2)      All things work for good for those who Love God.

I want you to know, brothers,that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the wordwithout fear. (Philippians 1:12-14)

“Paul is saying all these things that have happened to me have resulted in clearing the way so that the Gospel might be preached more effectively and because of Paul’s imprisonment, others were encouraged,” shared Paul.

Ref : lovethispic

3)      Have the same mind set as Jesus Christ.

…who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:6-8)

“Like Paul we need to be secure, knowing who we are (verse 6-7) and submissive (verse 8),” said Paul.

Ref : turnbacktogod

4)      Forgive, do not be bitter.

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus (Philippians 2:5)

“A positive mind-set of Christ, requires that we be, selfless, secure and subservient. Do not complain and argue for we cannot achieve these when we hold bitterness in our souls. Bitterness is like hanging a dead albatross around your necks. It rots. Get rid of it!” shared Paul. Life is not fair and all of us will experience hurt at one point or another but how you handle it will make you bitter or better. Unforgiveness causes so many broken relationships and leaves so many bitter. Remember to leave your past in the past so it does not hurt your future.

Ref : lovethispic

Surely resentment destroys the fool, and jealousy kills the simple. (Job 5:2)

Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord. (Romans 12:19)

 And the Lord restored the fortunes of Job, when he had prayed for his friends. And the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. (Job 42:10)

Paul shared that we need to choose who we want to be and he gave an illustration of the Vulture of the Hummingbird.

“Vultures look for rotting meat and thrive on that diet. They live on the past because they fill themselves with what is dead and gone. Hummingbirds however, they choose to ignore the smelly flesh of dead animals. Instead, they look for the colourful blossoms of desert plants. They live on what is fresh and sweet, they seek new life! Each bird finds what they are looking for, we all do. Time to be a hummingbird!” he said.

Ref : My Renewed Mind

In everything that happens in our lives, know that it is more important to God that we become the men and women that He wants us to be than for us to spend a lifetime of comfort and pleasure. God has a plan and a purpose for your life. Anytime you violate His principles, you will experience trial and anytime Satan strikes you, you will experience trouble. Regardless, with each adversity comes the glorious opportunity for spiritual growth. The key to adversity is your response. The apostle Paul submitted himself to the will of God, and adversity became a dynamic teacher of God’s wondrous truth. Look towards to good always and be grateful in your daily lives.

Whatever you are facing, God loves you; and He is willing to take you right where you are today and change your life if you will let Him. Adversity does not have to end in defeat. It can be the point of the greatest advancement in your own walk with God if you will allow Him to work in your life.

Ref : favim

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4 August 2014 by Rev Dr Jai Kumar -

Your Seed Has No Power To Multiply Unless You Let It Go.

John 12:24
“Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.

The Young boy in John Chapter 6 was willing to give his 5 barley loaves and two fish to Jesus to produce a harvest of multiplication. What he gave multiplied into a huge harvest and fed an enormous group of hungry people. Here is what we need to understand.

If he had kept the 5 barley loaves and 2 fish for himself, it would have only satisfied his hunger and left the rest go hungry. Instead he gave it away and it multiplied to feed 5000 hungry people. What an awesome miracle God can do to your seed if you are willing to give it away.

ref : https://sermonsfromsilverside.files.wordpress.com/2012/07/jesus_feeds_5000_people_31491947_std.jpeg

What is it that you are struggling with so long today? You are frustrated! You are disappointed! You have been waiting for a breakthrough, you have been longing for an answer. You attempted every method; you have tried everything possible within your ability to try to resolve your problem. But unfortunately you are not getting there!

Take your seed and sow it for a miracle that you need right now. Don’t try to manipulate this principle just because we are under grace. If you are expecting something from nothing, you are wasting your time!!

ref : http://s3.amazonaws.com/rapgenius/9512a12.jpg

The Bible says Jesus took the 5 loaves and 2 fish, looked up to heaven, gave thanks, He blessed it and gave them to the disciples to distribute to the multitude. The scripture says and they all ate and were filled and you know what? 12 baskets full of fragments were left over on top of it. Isn’t it awesome what God can do, if only you are willing to give your seed away?

A SEED PRINCIPLE

In God’s economy there is an established principle that God has given us; that everything begins with a seed. I want you know that the Kingdom of God operates on “A Seed Principle”.

Everything God does He does it with a seed. The word of God is a seed. The Kingdom of God is a seed. When the seed fertilises the egg, life is given birth. Life begins in a seed. Without the seed nothing happens. Your next harvest is in your seed.

How many of you know that anyone can count the number of seeds in an apple but only God knows the number of apples in a seed? You know what? You cannot determine the size of your harvest by looking at your seed.

ref : https://farm6.staticflickr.com/5466/9506763311_dbf4c2eb66_b.jpg

There is something very powerful about the seed. If God is going to do anything powerful in your life then He will give you a seed. God wants to work with your seed. Don’t take for granted nor ignore the seeds that God brings into your life. Sometimes it’s a seed of an idea. Sometimes it’s a seed of a vision. Sometimes it can be a seed of a revelation.

Don’t ever say, don’t ever complain, that I have just got a handful of seeds. On the other hand, don’t ever eat your seed. If you eat your seed, it will only feed you for a day. But if you sow your seed it will feed you for a life time.

ref : http://dbartosik.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/sowing-seeds1.jpg

Your seed will not bear fruit until you sow it in the right place. I want you to be aware that your seed carries a powerful potential for your future. There is indeed a QUANTUM CAPACITY locked in your seed. Nobody can understand the potential.

Nobody can comprehend the capacity. It’s beyond your understanding to measure the potential harvest your seed is carrying. In other words, you sow the seed and God will grow it. You don’t know how it’s going to work. You have no idea how it’s going to grow.

YOU GOT TO SOW IT, IN ORDER TO GROW IT

The question I want to ask you is that, WHAT ARE YOU DOING WITH YOUR SEED THAT GOD HAS PLACED IN YOUR HAND?

I know some people who are carrying a powerful seed in them and yet cursing the day in which they are living simply because of ignorance. You got to scatter what God has deposited in your life. Don’t scatter indiscriminately but sow strategically, sow in good ground.

ref : https://endlessfalling.files.wordpress.com/2014/07/sower.jpg

The Bible says in Mark chapter 4 :26-27

The Kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seeds on the ground and should sleep by night and rise by day and the seed should sprout and grow, he himself does not know how…

It’s God who grows your seed; that’s a part of God’s favour and blessing, you don’t have anything to do with that because the seed produces crop by itself.

Don’t ever get involved in this process which belongs to God nor ever boast that you are responsible or take credit for your blessings.

Don’t ever say look what I have done! Look what I have achieved! Look how I have increased my bans because of my cleverness! Don’t ever do that!

ref : http://images.forwallpaper.com/files/images/a/afbe/afbe651f/188482/close-up-autumn-autumn-wallpaper-grass-wheat-harvest-ear-ears-ears-of-corn-the-harvest.jpg

You know what? There are other people who have worked as hard as you have worked. But unfortunately tragedy had struck them and wiped out everything they had laboured for all their life. So don’t ever boast! Whatever you have got, remember it is by the grace of God. So don’t take too much credit for what God has blessed you with.

It’s not all about you. It’s the power that is locked into your seed. Only God can unlock it. God will let the seed do its work. If God doesn’t build your harvest, you labour in vain. You are wasting your time.

The question is again, what are you doing with your seed?

BE CAREFUL WHERE YOU SOW YOUR SEED
If you put you seed in the wrong place, the devil will come after your seed. The devil will always go for your seed. Therefore, you need to guard your seed.
Listen! If you take what belongs to God, for example your tithe and try to buy a car or buy something to fulfill your own selfish desire, you need to watch out. That is considered stolen money.

Malachi 3:8:
“Will a man rob God? Yet you rob me. But you ask, ‘How do we rob you?’ In tithes and offerings.”

Matt 6:33:
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

What is it that you have cherished so dearly and so long in your life that you struggle to keep your grip on to it so tightly? Have you ever realized that you are virtually locked into a life without freedom? Living with unnecessary anxiety, uncertainties and frantic phobia of your future. Is it your wealth? Is it your position? Your plans? Your children? Your relationship? What is the legacy after all that you are going to leave behind when you leave this world?

ref : http://www.thesocialleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/3generations.jpg

Remember that young boy who had nothing except 5 loaves and 2 fish, gave it away to produce a harvest of food for 5000 hungry people. Of course humanly, 5 loaves and 2 fish was certainly not enough to feed the 5000 people but it became a seed in their hand for a miracle.

Luke 18:27
But Jesus said, “What is impossible with man is possible with God.”

Rev Jai Kumar

Note: Rev Dr Jai Kumar is an ordained & licensed minister of Covenant Ministries International N.J. USA. He is also the representative of Faith International Bible School for Malaysia & Singapore. He is the founder and senior pastor of Full Gospel Outreach Ministry KL, a member of ECCM, Spiritual Adviser & overseer of  Capstone Ministries/Capstone Community Church -C3 ( Bangalore );Co-founder and adviser of Kingdom Christian Fellowship, Subang Jaya, he is also the author of a book entitled, ‘God’s Time Clock.’

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5 August 2104 by Mindy Oon CM -

The Planetshakers Band will be coming to lead worship in Kampar on Friday,  8^th of August 2014. The ‘Night of Fire’ will be held in the Tunku Abdul Rahman University College, Kampar.

Well known for their conferences as well as their songs of praise and worship, Planetshakers City Church was planted in 2002 in Melbourne, Australia. Led by Pastor Russell and Sam Evans, Planetshakers is a vibrant, Spirit-led church that is dynamic and that aims to empower and win this generation for Christ. Throughout the years, Planetshakers have released many albums, including their most recent one, ‘Endless Praise’ which features songs such as ‘No Other Name’ and ‘Leave Me Astounded’.

‘Night of Fire’ will also see Pas Rudy Nickkerud from PlanetUNI preaching the Word of God. Entry is free, and doors open at 7.30p.m. Be there early as seats are limited! For more information or to get your hands on the invites (printed especially for you to invite all your friends), call 012 515 7944 or 012 369 7515.

5 August 2014 by Joycelyn Loh CM –

配合马来西亚艺人之家《众星园》5周年的欢庆，艺人之家将于2014年10月17及18日举办5周年唱演会，主题为《微爱时代》。因此，艺人之家于2014年8月4日在吉隆坡 The Gardens Mall的The Han Room举行了一场《微爱时代》异象分享午餐会。

张爱群牧师在大会司仪，Cheryl 李欣仪的介绍后开始分享她在5年前如何开始了艺人之家这事工。她分享到，“透过神所赐的异象，就是凝聚大马基督徒艺人，作光作盐影响年轻世代；帮助艺人建立自我及属灵生命；以健康的形象，正面讯息回馈及影响社会。当时我领受了这异象后，便凭着信心开始了艺人之家。”

感谢神，艺人之家从刚开始的5位成员成长至今接近30位成员！张爱群牧师也分享到在如今的社会，特别是马来西亚，每个人的生活中都非常需要这些微爱行动。

除此之外，Yen饶嬿婷与 Alan Yun 袁锦伦也在异象分享午餐会中分享了他们在艺人之家的成长与经历。饶嬿婷分享到，“上帝不需要艺人，但是艺人需要上帝！”在艺人之家里，她能够亲身经历到上帝的真实，也看见了神在艺人之家所倾倒的爱，让软弱的，得刚强、疾病的，得着医治等。

Alan Yun 袁锦伦则表示，当初自己是在一间咖啡店认识到张爱群牧师，并且听见了爱群牧师的分享。然而，他并没有很认真地听进去。可是，一直到了Jaeson Ma牧师的音乐分享会再次与爱群牧师的相遇，让他的生命有了转捩点。

“感谢神，当时爱群牧师看见了我，上前来关心并问候我。其实，那个时候我的母亲患上了癌症第四期，我的心里是非常担心，并且害怕会失去她。爱群牧师听见了，便为我祷告。尽管我还是每个星期回到教会聚会，但是我并不再参与任何服事或是小组聚会。” Alan Yun 分享到。

他也说到，因着他当时所追求的女孩子，也就是他目前的女朋友成为了一名基督徒，他便鼓励女朋友到艺人之家去聚会，可是自己却没有委身在艺人之家的聚会里。在艺人之家，他亲眼见证了神在艺人之家所行的神迹，也看见了自己女朋友在艺人之家的成长，让他委身在艺人之家的聚会。

除了马来西亚艺人之家成员的分享，异象分享午餐会也少不了远道而来的宋逸民与宋达民的分享。他们分享了自己的亲身经历与见证，当中包括信主见证以及如何在台湾开始了爱在四月天的运动等。他们的分享让在场的企业家、艺人与媒体更加明白来临10月将要举办的《微爱时代》5周年唱演会的意义，还有更认识艺人之家这事工。

此异象分享午餐会历时约2小时，接近80人出席。当中也有来自台湾的著名音乐制作人林宏修、Frederick 李洺中、 Aenie 王淑君、 Jane 黄明慧、Emily 林佩琦、Berreca 赖佩恩等。

（左起）李洺中、李欣怡、林佩琦、宋逸民、張愛群牧師、宋達民、饒嬿婷、黃明慧、王淑君、賴佩恩、袁錦倫

欲知更多有关《微爱时代》马来西亚艺人之家《众星园》5周年唱演会，请浏览www.facebook.com/starparkm 或是联络 Jessmyn Kan (012-670 5518)，或Email至starparkmalaysia2011@gmail.com

注脚：《微爱时代》唱演会将于2014年10月17及18日，晚上8点再在Mega Star Arena举行。凭票入场。

注脚：所有照片源自马来西亚艺人之家《众星园》。

5 Aug 2014 by Rev Dr Steven Kau-

It is going to take time, decades at least, before we are able to accurately tally the cost of our cultural addiction to pornography. But as Christians, we know what it means to tamper with God’s clear and unambiguous design for sexuality. The cost will be high. It must be high.

We all know the cost must be high in fractured families and heartbroken parents, husbands and wives. Already we are seeing too many of these and each one is its own tragedy. We know the cost will be high in the countless thousands of women who are abused in front of cameras so they can be violated for other people’s pleasure. That is a sickening tragedy as well.

Ref : goodmenproject

But an overlooked cost and one that will become clear in time is that porn is stealing the best years from millions of young Christian men and women. Porn is dominating their lives during their teens and twenties. It is controlling their lives during those years when energy is high and responsibility is low, when the world lies open before them and the possibilities are endless; when they are charting the trajectories for the rest of their lives. Their dreams and their abilities are hampered and squelched by a reckless commitment to sin.

So many young Christians have stunted their spiritual growth through what I call pornolescence.

Pornolescence is that period when a person is old enough to know that pornography is wrong and that it exacts a heavy price but too immature or too apathetic to do anything about it. Pornolescence is that period where he/she feels the guilt of his/her sin but still enjoy it too much to give it up. He/she may make the occasional plea for help or ask for an accountability partner. But he/she doesn’t really want to stop. Not yet. A lady who is indulging in pornolescence for example may phone a friend on occasion or plan to speak to one of the older women in the church but in the end her internal shame weighs heavier than her desire for holiness. So she continues on, night after night.

Ref : mediasalon

My goal in this article is to give you 7 good reasons you need to stop looking at porn right now.

1.  THE COST TO YOUR SOUL

I want to begin here, with the cost to your soul. If you are consumed with pornography and unwilling to put this sin to death, you have every reason to be concerned with the state of your soul. God promises that if He has saved us, we will gain new passions and new affections. We will have not only the ability but also the desire to replace sin with holiness; to replace immorality with sexual purity. If you have no sorrow for sin, if you have no real desire for victory, if time and again, you recklessly choose your sin over your Savior, you need to ask yourself this: Do I love pornography enough to go to hell for it? If this sin continues to dominate your life, it may stand as proof that you do not have a saving, sin-slaying faith. Hell is too long and too horrifying to mess around with your soul. For the sake of your soul, stop looking at pornography.

Ref : testimoniesofheavenandhell

2. THE COST TO YOUR NEIGHBOR 

Even those who know next to nothing about the Christian faith know this: Christians are commanded to “love your neighbor as yourself.” Just like Jesus, Christians are to esteem others higher than themselves and to place the concerns of other people ahead of their own. Of all people, Christians should know that pornography exacts a high cost of those who create it; the cost to their bodies, to their souls, to their mental well-being, to their dignity, to their future. A vast amount of the pornography you enjoy is created by people against their wills. The simple fact is, by watching porn, you are watching rape and deriving pleasure from it. You become a willing participant in sexual violence and you allow that actor on the screen to suffer for your pleasure. For the sake of your neighbor, stop looking at pornography.

Ref : wavesministry

3. THE COST TO YOUR CHURCH

At a time when the Christian church is crying out for more and better leaders, an entire generation of young men and women are infantilizing themselves by their dedication to pornography. In this time they constantly choose sexual immorality over God and their spiritual growth is stunted. For the sake of your church, stop looking at pornography.

4. THE COST TO YOUR FAMILY

There is scarcely a pastor ministering today who has not seen a family crumble and fall under the weight of pornographic addiction. Men are tearing apart their families for the sake of illicit pleasures; women are shunning the attention of their husbands in order to read or to watch what is forbidden and what seems to promise greater and easier satisfaction. Children are being exposed to pornography through the trails their parents leave behind. Fathers are inviting Satan into their homes by their commitment to what God forbids and what Satan loves. For the sake of your family, stop looking at pornography.

Ref : tinsiggayo

5. THE COST TO YOUR MISSION

The Lord’s commission is an urgent commission because it is a matter of eternal life and death. Time is short and hell is forever, which makes the Christian’s business an urgent business. And yet so many Christians are distracted by something an evil and as wasteful as pornography. Their attention is arrested, their energy depleted, their usefulness undermined. Don Whitney says it well: “If there are any regrets in heaven, they will only be that we did not use our earthly time more for the glory of God and for growth in His grace. If this is so, this may be Heaven’s only similarity with hell, which will be filled with agonizing laments over time so foolishly squandered.” For the sake of your mission, stop looking at pornography. 

6. THE COST TO YOUR WITNESS 

Christian are called to be different, to stand out from the rest of the world by their desires and by their behavior. Christians are to put sin to death and to display the power of God in removing and destroying all competitors. And yet so many Christians have had their witness shattered when the sordid truth comes out and when others learn that they profess faith in Christ on the one hand and are consumed with lust on the other. Parents undermine the gospel they have been telling their children and pastors undermine the gospel they have been preaching to their congregations, if they succumb to pornography. For the sake of your witness, stop looking at pornography.

Ref : versifylife

7. THE COST TO YOUR SAVIOR

By making light of pornography, you are making light of the death of Jesus Christ. If you are a Christian, you acknowledge in your profession of faith that the cost of forgiveness was nothing less than the death of God’s beloved Son. Jesus suffered and died for your sins. How can you, as a Christian, then toy with your sin and take it lightly? How can you cling to it? As Spurgeon says with his customary eloquence, “Sin has been pardoned at such a price that we cannot henceforth trifle with it.” For God’s sake, stop looking at pornography.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 makes it clear as day, “For this is the will of God, your sanctification that you abstain from sexual immorality.” A Christian’s growth in holiness and his development in Christian maturity are directly and in inextricably tied to sexual purity. A person cannot full-out pursue God while also full-out pursuing porn. God cannot be mocked. God will not allow you to soar to spiritual mountain tops while you stoop in pornographic filth. God will not allow you to grow in Christian maturity while you wallow in your incessant pornolescence.

Ref : illbehonest

For the sake of Christ’s Church and out of the love for Christ’s Church, put that sin to death. Do it for Him, do it for yourself and do it for us. 

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6 August 2014 - 

你喜欢如何度假？如果你知道如何进入到神的安息之中，那么你确实知道如何度假了。

我曾经的生活是如此地苦苦挣扎。我对周遭的一切都疲于应付，毫无喜悦可言，这都源于我童年所遭受的虐待。结婚初，因为自己不开心，我希望大卫也不要开心。当他快乐而我不快乐时，我简直要疯了。他既不同情我，也不会如我所愿的不开心。这一切让我无法忍受。

但后来，他成为我心中的楷模，我开始十分渴望平静、喜乐和感情稳定。我希望进入神的安息。

何谓“神的安息”

神的安息并非工作后的休憩。而是一种相信神的能力，无论发生了什么事，或是你在做什么，你都会安息在神身边。当我们进入神的安息时，不论在什么情况下，我们都会始终如一，保持平静和情绪稳定。

生活在重重压力的世界中，我们真的很需要这种安息。最坏的结果是，如果你一直低落、恐惧和疲惫不堪，生活便失去了意义。这种压力会对健康产生很坏的影响，比如头疼、高血压和心脏病、神经问题，它会完全剥夺我们的平静、喜乐和稳定。

我们必须学会如何进入神的安息。第一步就是坐下。就像婴儿一样成长，他们不会一开始就跳出摇篮奔跑，首先，得学会坐、站、走，然后才开始学跑。

以弗所书2章6节说，当我们接受神作为我们的救世主时，“他叫我们一同与基督耶稣复活，一起与他坐在天上”。如今我们身在地上，心却与耶稣同坐天上。

这意味着，我们是和神在一起的，并且在神的里面。他为我们所做的、他赐给我们的，我们都可以拿，并且是属于我们的。我们不必担心、恐慌和挣扎，不必努力去改变我们不能改变的事，比如我们自己、别人、环境等等。我们可以全心把它们交付于神，并且信任他能够做到我们所不能的事情。

面对事实吧，我们能做的事情是有限的，并且我们总会在事情完成后才知道最终答案。我们把能做的做了，然后把余下的事情交托给神。如果我们要做一些我们力所不能之事，那将是压力最大的事。

进入“神的安息”的关键

继续阅读

References for pictures:

http://screen-wallpapers.com/wallpapers/view/3997

http://ja-nae.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/have-faith-800×532.jpg

 6 Aug 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

On 19^th of July,  Pr Peter Tsukahira talked about how we can align ourselves to God’s purpose at the SOM Conference 2014 “Israel and the mystery of GOD’s favor” held at Grace Convention Centre in Petaling Jaya.

Pr Peter Tsukahira

What does Israel teach us about finding God’s favor?

Jesus is God’s most favored son, a chosen picture for all human to follow through all times. If you want to know the Will of God, look at how Jesus lived his life. But when we come to God’s plan in favoring nations, God only chose one nation as a picture of what He desires throughout history. And that is Israel.

“Israel is bound to God in an unbreakable bond. God would never change his mind about Israel,” said Pr Peter.

When Israel is glorifying God during the times of David, Israel was the emblem of God’s strength and glory amongst the nations. But when they are disobedient, they become an example of an inescapable chastisement from God.

Ref : wikimedia

What does God’s choice of Israel teach us about the Kingdom of God?

Why should we look to Israel? Pr Peter shared that if you doubt God’s favor over Israel, we only need to look at Jesus whose primary message is the Kingdom of God.

Jesus began his ministry by proclaiming, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near.” (Matt 3:2 NIV) and he also taught his disciples to pray with, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matt 6:10 NIV) In fact, many stories, particularly in the book of Matthew, began with the same words of, “The Kingdom of God is like…”

Hence, when we become believers in Christ, this phrase of ‘the Kingdom of God’ is never really far from us. But to many people, this phrase sounds vague, spiritual, and general.

Most of us believed that the Kingdom of God began in the ministry of Jesus. After all, Jesus is the King of kings and Lord or lords. (Rev 19:16) Hence, some of us perceive that the Kingdom of God began when Jesus came to establish His Kingdom on earth.

However, Pr Peter shared that the Kingdom of God actually started in the book of Exodus (Chapter 19) among the Israelites, who is a group of people ruled by God, the King. By looking into the results of Israel’s history in the Old Testament, it gives us a future perspective.

This is because God intended to use Israel as a nation to show Himself to the nations of the world.

“God didn’t recycle the whole nation but started with one man called Abraham, passed down to his son Isaac, then Jacob, and then 12 sons,” said Pr Peter.

From Jacob to Joseph, the sons of Israel migrated and flourished in Egypt. And when Moses brought them out of Egypt to the Sinai desert, they are finally freed from slavery! But what are they freed to do? All their lives, they had only known being slaves.

Ref : xrysostom

“In the desert, you know during summer time, finding shades is a matter of life and death. They (the Israelites during the time of Moses) were massive and disorganized slaves who did not ever know freedom. If you were to take the most dysfunctional nation in the world, it could not be worse than Israel because they could not even survive,” said Pr Peter.

‘You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words you are to speak to the Israelites.” (Exo 19:4-6 NIV)

“God says, ‘I become King.’ Therefore, you and Israel become the kingdom of God, which is a kingdom of priests,” said Pr Peter.

Likewise, when we believed in Jesus Christ, we are accepted into the Kingdom of priests as well. (Exo 19:6) We are not here by accident, because like how God appointed the Israelites to be ‘a kingdom of priests’, He calls us into the Kingdom of God for the purpose of priesthood as well.

What does it mean to be chosen?

Jesus said to his disciples, “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you…” (John 15:16 NIV)

Although we live in a fallen world, separated from God, He desires for everyone in the world to know and accept Him. (1 Tim 2:3-4) He calls out to every one of us and some of us responded.

“Whatever your story is, something in us began to turn. Jesus said, ‘For many are called, but few are chosen,’” said Pr Peter. (Matt 22:14 NASB) In other words, all are called, but only those who responded to God’s calling are chosen.

“It’s God who call but you choose to be chosen. It’s the call to give up your human life, give up your selfishness, your ambitions, and your hopes. It’s when we are ready to give up those things, we can answer those call. It’s giving up what is yours and taking what God gives,” said Pr Peter.

‘Chosen’ is called Fascia in Greek, meaning to effectively call and the person comes out. And this is only the first step of getting into the door of the Kingdom!

Ref : jesusindisney

So, what happens when You are Chosen?

Firstly, we need to learn about the one who chose us. We need to learn about the character of God, called as discipleship. After we understand who God is, the greatest discovery in the Kingdom of God is to understand, “Who am I in the eyes of God?”

“The person who calls us is our loving father and creator. God not only called us or chose us, but He designed every one of us from even before the day we were born and before our names are given; there’s already a plan in his mind and more than that, there’s a dream in his heart for you.”

“First, you learn about Him. Then, you learn about you! Here’s where the real excitement comes. Here’s where the real passion of His Kingdom is revealed. He’s not going to force you to live the life that He has planned for you. If you’re ready, you got to buckle your seatbelt,” said Pr Peter.

Ref : inspiredfountainpen

But many of us prayed that prayer, “God, tell me what you really want me to do in my life.” However, God knows when we mean our prayer. Sometimes, we are not ready to do His Will, God chose to remain silent and patiently waits for the time you are willing.

God gives You an Ability for His Kingdom!

When you come to the point when you’re ready to do what God asked you to do, He anoints you with abilities to glorify His Name and advance His Kingdom.

“Very quickly, you realize, ‘Hey! I can do this!’ You even come to a point, ‘Hey! I am good in this!’ If you began to do what He dreamt in His heart for you to do even before you know Him and you’re born, this ability emerges.

“It’s called your gift given by the Holy Spirit. That gift given is holy, pure from God; holy in the sense it’s set aside for you, no one except for you can touch it but only you. You do what God tells you to do and then you realize that gift is powerful and designed for you,” said Pr Peter.

Pr Peter used to think during his younger days that the Holy Spirit behaves like a Santa Claus who gives gifts at the fastest person who springs up to him. He recalled always sitting at the front row, anticipating in sprinting forward to receive the speaker’s anointing.

But after years of asking for specific gifts by the laying of hands of anointed pastors, the results remain fruitless. Pr Peter realized he could not use any of those gifts because they were not meant for him, but specifically for the pastor or speaker.

“When you do what God wants you to do, you will start to realize this ability. I believe when God sees us using the gifts He gave us, it just delights Him so much!

“Maybe, it’s not even connected to what you’re talking about. You use that gift and you obey what God says. That’s what you call ‘the anointing’, which is God’s hand. But the anointing is for your use. And if you don’t use your anointing, it will remain not used forever,” said Pr Peter.

Ref : moneyandfaithinmotion

When we move according to our anointing, we help other people to help find out their calling and function as well because of our obedience. This is because the anointing of God bears fruits and multiplication!

“It’s important because at the end of all this, all of us will be standing before the King who designed us before we were born. We would have to individually give an account of our priesthood in the Kingdom because after that, we want Him to say the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant!” said Pr Peter.

When we recapture the Kingdom of God, Pr Peter shared that Christianity will have a movement. But because we do not understand how the Kingdom of God works, we tend to spiritualize the Kingdom. For example, sometimes we think that the presence of Jesus in our lives symbolize the Kingdom of God. But if we think this way, we are identifying the Kingdom with feelings.

“That’s why so many churches are designed to produce those feelings, and not produce the lives that want to create the actual fruits of advancing the Kingdom. We need to stop spiritualizing. We need to realize the Kingdom of God is a very practical and down-to-earth Kingdom.

“Each individual is anointed by the Lord to produce fruit. God never intended every people to be in the religion part of the Kingdom; 11 out of 12 tribes did something else!” said Pr Peter. In other words, every believer in Christ—whether in ministry or in the marketplace or at home—holds their priesthood in their respective field.

Pr Peter shared an illustration of how we cannot use someone else’s gift though it might be a fine gift. When David was only a shepherd teenager, he volunteered himself to King Saul to kill Goliath. But instead of wearing the best armor owned by King Saul himself, David only took with him a slingshot. He was gifted in using the sling.

Ref : eroi

Continuing the story, Pr Peter also explained how God’s gifts are very practical. Having no sword, David only had a slingshot to defend his flock of sheep. Furthermore, shepherding on the hillside of Bethlehem allowed David to refine his skills of picking fine stones of different compositions, shapes, and sizes. He must have practiced slinging for a thousand times while shepherding, even killing a bear and a lion. (1 Sam 17:36)

That is why young David was confident of killing Goliath. It is said that David picked five stones, because number five resembled God’s grace, goodness, and favor towards human. Pr Peter explained that we may have spiritualized the number of stones because there were practical applications of picking only five stones.

Firstly, David knew the fight with Goliath cannot last long and must end very soon because of Goliath’s bigger size. The longer the fight, the less chance he has to win.

Secondly, David knew that the only place he could strike Goliath is the exposed small area of his forehead, which is not covered by his head helmet. Every part of Goliath’s body is covered with armories.

Thirdly, David went to fight Goliath with a strategy. As soon as the battle started, David sprinted across the battlefield towards Goliath. Signaling Goliath’s defensive stance, he looked straight ahead at David, exposing his forehead. In that instance, David slung the stone, which hit squarely on his forehead, the only place that would kill him.

From this story, Pr Peter shared how David’s anointing as a skillful warrior came with long hours of practice, wisdom, and most of all, practicality.

Ref : positivebrand

“David was a gifted warrior! He was gifted with his sling. I tell you this story because some of you already know your gifts. Some of you need to realize that that the gifts that God gives you are very practical. He’s not going to hold you accountable for something else.

“Did you do what He made you to do? We are only accountable to those areas that we are responsible for. If you know what’s going to be in the final exam, why are you reading more? We all want our responsibilities to be big. This Kingdom is real and practical. God already gave us and they are practical,” said Pr Peter.

In a nutshell, by knowing God and who we are in God’s eyes, we will be given abilities for His Kingdom! Do you know what God has anointed you with today? When we know, we are able to align ourselves to His Purpose.

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