6 August 2014 -

“You are always late!”
“Why can’t you help out more around the house?”
“Did you rearrange my things again?”

Does this sound familiar? Do you often get into an “attack” mode with your spouse whenever you communicate? Funny how it seemed second nature for many of us to be a “cheerleader” during our courting days, when being supportive, polite and thoughtful came so naturally to us. Fast forward – a couple of years or for some of us, just months into marriage and we wonder where all the love, kindness and gentleness has gone.

ref : http://img.allw.mn/content/www/2010/08/conversation1.jpg

Some of you might ask at this point, “Why should I be my spouse’s cheerleader when my spouse doesn’t give me much to “cheer” about?” But you’ll surprise yourself if you first work at being your spouse’s cheerleader, you’ll find there’ll be more to cheer about and you might soon find your spouse being your number one cheerleader too.

Ready to get started? Here are 5 ways to ensure your spouse feels honored!

Use “I” or “We” statements
Being our spouse’s number one cheerleader entails us learning to speak gently when we disapprove of something our spouse has done or failed to do. Use plenty of ‘we’ and not ‘you’ statements. When you say “Why do you keep doing that?” what your spouse hears is, “You are a lousy decision maker.” When you say, “Can you please help?” what your spouse hears is, “You are not helping at all” and when you say, “Can you think about me and the kids when you do that?” what your spouse hears is, “You are being extremely selfish.”

ref : http://powertochange.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/154126069.jpg

Plenty of accusatory statements tend to automatically spew from our mouths when we feel anxious, frustrated, tired and hurt but we must learn to exercise self-control and speak graciously by using more ‘I’ and ‘we’ statements. For example, “It would be great if we could do this differently. Can we work on this together?” or “I’d really love it if we could … …”

It takes practice to speak from a “we perspective”. Let your spouse know that you want the both of you to be a team. Show that you take full responsibility for your actions too. Assure your spouse that you are not looking to correct him or her or to prove that you are right about things but that you genuinely want to work together because you care about him or her and your family too.

Do thoughtful little things for each other frequently

Start by simply making the effort to stop doing the very things that annoy your spouse. If your spouse likes the tube of toothpaste capped after use, make a mental note to do it. If you know that it irks your spouse to be late for appointments, then make the effort to keep to schedules.

ref : http://datingadviceinpittsburgh.files.wordpress.com/2013/01/couple-cooking-romantic-dinner-at-home.jpg

You can also go up another notch and initiate doing things for your spouse even when you have not been asked to, like making your spouse a cup of coffee when he or she looks a little tired or taking the initiative to keep the children quiet when your spouse is having a conversation over the phone. Begin with the little things, do them often and be amazed at how much closer you and your spouse will feel towards each other.

Thank your spouse daily
Thanking your spouse for everything that he or she does daily for you and the rest of your family will give a real boost to your marriage. For example, when your spouse gives the kids a bath, or tucks them in or helps you pick up your dirty laundry from the floor and throws it into the wash for you, showing that you’re thankful will make your spouse feel valued and reassures him or her that his or her efforts have not gone unnoticed.

ref : http://www.thehealinggroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/image.jpeg

There is always a strong temptation to lapse into a stale familiarity and we unconsciously begin to take our spouse for granted after marriage, but we have to remember that nothing that our spouse does for us is expected of him or her. Our spouse could have easily chosen to be unhelpful or disinterested. Every act of kindness that your spouse shows to you is a conscious choice that he or she has made. Have this in mind and be grateful for every little thoughtful thing that your spouse does for a closer bond with him or her.

Encourage your spouse as often as possible

ref : http://jagal.me/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/happy-couple1.jpg

Save your admiration for your spouse only. Be generous with compliments and encourage your spouse every chance you’ve got. Sometimes, a spouse needs that much more of a push to be more involved in your relationship. So take the time to encourage your spouse with words of affirmation like “I think you are really good with the kids. They laugh so much when they are with you.” or “You are really sweet. You give me the best back rubs even when I know you’ve had a hard day yourself.” Giving your spouse a pat on the back every now and then will encourage him or her to be that much more vested in your relationship.

Keep couple-time sacred

ref : http://ioneelev8.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/black-couple-grilling1.jpg

Set aside time for just the two of you. Make your spouse feel like you’re his or her number one fan by showing that you are perfectly capable and willing to put everyone and everything else aside to have time exclusively for each other. Put away your mobile devices, resist the urge to say yes to another appointment if it clashes with your time with your spouse and give your undivided attention to your spouse even if it is for a couple of hours, once a week. Pencil it into your schedule and stick to it.

Do give it a shot at being your spouse’s number one cheerleader and be overjoyed at how much more you’ll have to cheer about as you and your spouse develop an even closer, more deeply satisfying relationship with each other.

Focus on the Family Malaysia is a non-profit organization set up with a clear vision to strengthen families. We help families to thrive by providing sound family content, relevant resources, effective events and programs, and counseling help.

Focus on the Family (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.
6-2 Jalan Bersatu 13/4, 46200 Petaling Jaya, Selangor
Telephone : 03-7954 7920, 03-7954 7858 (Fax)
Email : focus@family.org.my Website :www.family.org.my

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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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7 Aug 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

Divorce and breaking of families are rising because husbands and wives are not practicing the teachings of the Bible.

On Aug 3^rd, Rev Dr Timothy Ong, Sr Pr of Trinity Methodist Church in Petaling Jaya (PJ) shared how God intended the church to be a model for a family.

Started in 1955, Trinity Methodist church is homegrown from one of the 14 parish groups of Wesley Methodist Church in K.L. And in 1959, the church was formally constituted with 72 members, which doubled in their first anniversary.

Rev Dr Timothy Ong

Wives, be subject to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself being Savior of the body. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives ought to be to their husbands in everything. (Eph 5:22-24)

Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her, so that He might sanctify her, having cleansed her by the washing of water with the word, the He might present to Himself the church in all her glory, having no spot or wrinkle or any such thing; but she would be holy and blameless. So husbands ought also to love their own wives as their own bodies, he who loves his wife loves himself; for no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as Christ also does the church, because we are member of His body. (Eph 5:25-30)

What do these verses say to us? Rev Timothy shared that the verses above show us that Jesus loves the family as much as he loves the church. Many parallelisms have been drawn between a husband and wife, and Jesus and the church.

Hence, in that same spirit and manner, Rev Timothy shared that husband and wife need to work together to raise their home, like how Christ raised the church.

“Do you know that the dynamics of the church and families are interlinked? And if you’re talking about Christian education at the church level, the church families must do Christian education at home as well. We must bring the church to our families,” said Rev Timothy.

He referred to the church in the book of Acts, as a model for how a family in Christ should be like. (Acts 2:42-47)

Devote Yourself to Teaching Children

Firstly, like the church in Acts, God’s family must be devoted to fellowship and teaching. (Acts 2:42)

They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. (Acts 2:42)

Parents must be serious about learning, practicing, and imparting biblical teaching to their children, because a child’s first education comes from home and they learned fastest in their first five years of life.

Ref : heartofthematteronline

“This is the time to teach children right and wrong, pray and also the Word of God, so that when they grow up, they will grow into maturity in their faith,” said Rev Timothy, sharing how eagles demonstrate to us great parenting skills in teaching their eagles.

Like an eagle that stirs up its nest,

That hovers over its young,

He spread His wings and caught them,

He carried them on His pinions.

The Lord alone guided him,

And there was no foreign god with him.

(Deut 32:11-12)

A remarkable thing about eagles (apart from ducks and geese), shared Rev Timothy, is that they must learn to fly by observing their parents. The eagle would fly around the nest, to demonstrate how to fly to the eaglet. And the day would come when the eaglet would finally be strong enough to fly a short distance to the nearest branch before eventually flying off. Hence, like the eagle that patiently and persistently shows its eaglet on how to fly, Rev Timothy shared that parents must too be patient in teaching and flying off.

Ref : acuteaday

“Teach them how to pray starting with the Lord’s Prayer. I still remember in memorizing the Ten Commandments at a young age,” said Rev Timothy.

Fellowship with One Another in the Family

Secondly, teaching must be complemented with fellowship as well. Fellowship means serving, sharing, and participating together in a common cause. In other words, the meaning of fellowship is to be ‘in the same ship together,’ shared Rev Timothy.

Share Blessings with one another in the Family

Thirdly, Rev Timothy also urged the family to practice the spirit behind the breaking of bread. (Acts 2:46-47)

Day by day continuing with one mind in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they were taking their meals together with gladness and sincerity of heart, praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord was adding to their number day by day those who were being saved. (Acts 2:46-47)

“Breaking bread is not so formalized like the Holy Communion today but to remember Christ’s love to us and to invoke our response to his love. Before the breaking of bread, there is this agape feast, which is like pot-bless to enjoy together.

“In the family context, the agape feast means your family considering in sharing meals with needy friends, families, and older people in nursing homes. Through that, children will learn to love and care for each other,” said Rev Timothy.

Ref : uvm

God’s model of family is one that is devoted into maturing faith and also fellowship, by providing everyone in the family the opportunity to walk life together and see God’s hand in everyone’s life. That way, faith becomes real when we witness God answering our prayer or even the prayer of our family!

Rev Timothy also encouraged the parents to make the Bible relevant by referring the Word with the current events happening in the world. In that way, we can take every opportunity to teach them about the relevance of God’s Word in their life.

“Talk about the happy and sad days and how you see God at work. Tell your children how you relate life events with God. Was God at work or not at all?” said Rev Timothy.

A Family Stays United

Lastly, like the Acts church, Christian family stay united because they have common values of loving God and serving others. (Acts 2:44-45) Because they are united, they share with each other everything they have.

And all those who had believed were together and had all things in common; and they began selling their property and possessions and were sharing them with all, as anyone might have need. (Acts 2:44-45)

Ref : stthomascrookes

“I often mentioned that this church is our second home; office is the third or fourth home. And we are committed to worshipping together, fellowshipping together, and serving together,” said Rev Timothy.

What are hindering the spiritual growth of your family today? Perhaps, like the Acts church, we should really decide to live out our family that way.

Visit Trinity Methodist Church in Petaling Jaya at http://www.trinitypj.com

ADDRESS | 6 Jalan 5/37, 46000 Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

CONTACT | 03-7956-5986 / 5872 / 5302

EMAIL | admin@trinitypj.com

SUNDAY SERVICES 

8:30 AM | Liturgical (English)

10:45 AM | Contemporary (English)

6:00 PM | Expository (English)

10:45 AM | Chinese

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7 Aug 2014 by Lim Poh Ann-

A prominent leader, Bill Johnson, teaches that Jesus operated only as a man and not God during His earthly ministry.*

But did Jesus set aside His divinity when He came down to earth?

Bill Johnson ref : http://www.immanuel.nu/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/bill-J-2.jpg

Here are nine reasons why Jesus was not a mere man when He came down to earth.

1. His conception was supernatural. He was not the product of the fusion of a sperm and ovum. It was the Holy Spirit who caused Jesus to be formed within Mary’s womb (Luke 1:35).

2. God the Father endorsed Jesus as His beloved Son when He was baptised in the river Jordan (Luke 3:21-22).

3. Jesus commended Peter for the latter’s confession that He was the Christ, the Son of the living God. (Matthew 16:16-17).

4. God the Father again endorsed Jesus as His beloved Son by when the latter was transfigured (Matthew 17:5).

5. In Jesus’ high priestly prayer in John chapter 17, Jesus asked God the Father to glorify Him with the glory they both shared before the world was made (John 17:5). Jesus also prayed that believers will be one, just as He and the Father are one (John 17:11). Can a man share God’s glory before the world was created? Can a man be equal in standing with God the Father?

ref : http://www.catholicmannight.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/02/Sermon_On_The_Mount_Copenhagen.jpg

6. Now this is the clincher. You hear it straight from the horse’s mouth:

And the high priest stood up in the midst and asked Jesus, “Have you no answer to make? What is it that these men testify against you?” But he remained silent and made no answer. Again the high priest asked him, “Are you the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?” And Jesus said, “I am, and you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven.”

(Mark 14: 60-62).

7. Jesus predicted His forthcoming resurrection from the dead—that it would vindicate the special claim He made for Himself (Matthew 12:38-40). Can a mere man predict his own death and resurrection and then bring it to pass?

8. If God is the same yesterday, today and forever, can He change? If God is immutable, can the Son of God, Jesus, put off and then put on His divinity again?

9. Lastly, which I believe is the most important reason: POWER TO FORGIVE SINS.

Jesus has the power to forgive sins. A man filled with the power of the Holy Spirit can perform miracles. But can a mere man forgive sins?

Before healing the paralytic who was brought to Him on a stretcher from the roof, Jesus demonstrated His authority and ability to forgive sins (Mark 2:1-11).

Jesus forgave the woman caught in the act of adultery (John 8: 10-11).

If Jesus was merely a man filled with the power of the Holy Spirit—as some illustrious leader would have us believe when He walked on this earth—then we would still be dead in our sins.

ref : http://blog.ambassadorhighway.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/06/woman-taken-adultery.jpg

How can he save us when he himself is a sinner? Even if he is filled with the Holy Spirit and absolutely righteous, he will not have the power to forgive our sins.

The conclusion is this: Jesus humbly gave up His rights and privileges, not His divinity when He came down to earth.

This is the danger. In our mad scramble to see and experience signs and wonders, we are willing to “go off the map”.

Are we willing to exalt supernatural experiences over and above sound doctrine? 

RELATED POSTS

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What do you think is the true measure of a believer? Does it rest solely on how much anointing or power he or she has? Or how many spectacular feats he or she can perform?

http://bit.ly/1o3ayNo

RUNNING AFTER SIGNS

Is there a rationale for pursuing signs and wonders?

http://bit.ly/1m0GVre

EIGHT WAYS TO FIGHT FALSE TEACHING

How to develop discernment and escape the clutches of destructive heresies

http://bit.ly/1g2CpED

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WORD OR SPIRIT?

Should the believer emphasise the Word or Holy Spirit more?

http://bit.ly/1nQkr0L

WHAT OPEN-MINDEDNESS MEANS

Being open-minded means having a non-judgmental attitude as we process the teaching material—being willing to listen or study the facts of the matter without any pre-conceived ideas or prejudices. Certainly, it is implied we are NOT intimidated by any teacher, no matter how well-known, illustrious or respectable he or she may be. We cannot say to ourselves or others, “Coming from this great man of God, it must be right.” That is highly dangerous. That is NOT being open-minded.

http://bit.ly/Nlc8cT

*Quotes from Bill Johnson’s books:

Jesus did everything as a man, laying aside His divinity in order to become a model for us.

…Jesus did everything in His earthly ministry as a man who had set aside all His divine privileges and power in order to model the Christian life for us.

..Jesus set aside His divinity, choosing instead to live as a man completely dependent on God.

The above 3 quotes are taken from:  http://bit.ly/1sg3gqR

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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: http://limpohann.blogspot.com/2014/05/did-jesus-set-aside-his-divinity.html

8 Aug 2014 by Natasha Kim CM-

A minister of Irish origin in the UK, Pastor Dr John Andrews and his family graced City Harvest Kuala Lumpur on the 26^th of July 2014 where he preached on how God wants us to excel in the ordinary the most.

“The ordinary is where most of us live. We want to believe that our lives are exciting, exceptional, amazing and awesome yes? I always get a bit suspicious of someone on twitter whose life is always ‘awesome’. My experience, if I could be really honest with you, everything’s not as awesome, in fact most of the time life is pretty routine and mundane, doing the same sorts of things everyday,” he shared.

Pr Dr John Andrews sharing the good Word

Twice in the Spotlight

So many people have dreams of doing something spectacular in their lives but they don not pay attention to something that is really routine.

“I’m going to show you powerfully that Jesus pays attention to the ordinary. If you can excel in the ordinary stuff, then when it comes to the exceptional stuff, you’ll fly!” John spoke with encouragement.

Ref : iliketoquote

He then began by leading everyone to the Bible according to Luke 2:41-52 which tells of Jesus as a young boy (aged 12 years old) who stayed back after the festival of the Passover at Jerusalem even after his parents had left. The parents were on a day’s journey in a group, thinking Jesus was with them. But they only realised after a day that he was missing and so they returned to Jerusalem to look for Him.

⁴⁶ After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions. ⁴⁷ And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers. ⁴⁸ And when his parents saw him, they were astonished. And his mother said to him, “Son, why have you treated us so? Behold, your father and I have been searching for you in great distress.” ⁴⁹ And he said to them, “Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?” ⁵⁰ And they did not understand the saying that he spoke to them. ⁵¹ And he went down with them and came to Nazareth and was submissive to them. And his mother treasured up all these things in her heart. ⁵² And Jesus increased in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and man. (Luke 2:46-52)

John then led everyone to another paragraph in Luke 3:21-23, which tells of Jesus, an already grown man (aged 30 years old now) who was baptised.

“These are two amazing passages of scripture that are really important for us. As human beings, they are attractive to us because they show Jesus in the limelight,” he shared.

At the age of 12, Jesus was in the limelight when he was in the temple, in a three-day debate where everyone was scratching their head and totally amazed by Him. And at the other end of the passage, at the age of 30, the spotlight returned to Jesus once more (according to the scripture below), which tells the Father opening the Heavens and saying that He was pleased with Jesus.

“Bang! Jesus is back into the spotlight and He begins a more-than-three-year-program that literally impacts the world. We love all of that! The bit that we don’t love is the bit in the middle,” shared John.

Now when all the people were baptized, and when Jesus also had been baptized and was praying, the heavens were opened, ²² and the Holy Spirit descended on him in bodily form, like a dove; and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son;with you I am well pleased.” (Luke 3:21-23)

Growing in Obedience

Now what happened to the many years in the middle of Jesus’s life? One may wonder. Most people just rush past that bit in the middle while reading this. But from the end of chapter two to verse 21 of chapter three is 18 years of Jesus’s life! So what did He do in 18 years? How did he survive?

“Now from some clues and some insights when we put the gospels together, we have worked that stuff out. The reality is 18 years of Jesus’ life was off the radar and this child prodigy just ‘dropped off the edge of the earth’ and didn’t reappear till he was 30. Now if you just ask someone to wait for 8 minutes, they will freak out!” he shared.

During the gap Jesus stayed in Nazareth, a very small town that was unnoticed by many, Jesus remained obedient under the orders of His parents. He made a decision to grow.

Ref : meetville

“Nazareth was so small and so insignificant that even on the map of its day, less than 300 people lived in Nazareth,” shared John.

“Many people say to me, ‘If I lived somewhere else, my life will be better’, ‘If I have what you have, my life would be better’ or ‘If only I have the opportunities you have then I can make this stuff work’. What encouraged me tremendously is that Jesus lived in a time without prospects and lived with a family that did not stand out from the crowd. He lived there and grew so successfully that when He became 30 years of age, He’s ready to go!” shared John. 

Ref : positiveway

In the back-end of nowhere, Jesus grew. He gave himself to excellence and made sure that whatever His world looked like or whatever the world was going to give Him or not give Him, He was going to be ready for what God has for Him!

“Today may suck, today may not be what you want it to be, today you may be a day that you’re not enjoying in terms of where you are and Jesus must have had days like that, days when it was boring, routined, days when He did not want to go to the workplace, days when He was hoping something would change; but he got through every one of those days because He knew that there would come a day when God would call Him!” said John.

“If you are waiting for your world to become perfect before you make the decision to grow in God and to be the best that you can be, it’s never going to happen. There will never be a set of events that will just be absolutely be perfect. Lots of things will be good and there will be stuff that’s bad, there will be stuff going for you and stuff going against you,” he said.

Don’t wait for the perfect moment before you make your move!

Excel in the ordinary.

Ref : ytimg

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8 Aug 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

“In our natural mind, God created the sun for the purpose of giving light. But is that what the Bible says? The Bible says let the lights be for signs and seasons, being the first reason and giving light on the earth, the third reason,” said Pr Philip on 20th of June at the All Malaysian Convocation (AMC) 2014. 

Then God said, “Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be for signs and for seasons and for days and years; and let them be for lights in the expanse of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. (Gen 1:14-15) 

Ref : asoftervoice

Unlike the spring, summer, autumn and winter we know, the word for seasons in Hebrew is Moet. Moet means appointed time or Wardim. And this appointed time always refers to the Feast of Adonai or the Feast of the Lord (Lev 23:2). Hence, put together, Genesis 1:14-15 meant that the sun, moon, stars, and planets are for YHWH to send signs or signals on His Feasts as well as to mark the days to celebrate the Feast of the Lord. 

“Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘These are my appointed festivals, the appointed festivals of the Lord, which you are to proclaim as sacred assemblies (Holy Convocations).’” (Lev 23:2) 

“When you look at the calendar that we follow today, all these blood moons appear to fall randomly on different months. 

“But the shock and horror or excitement comes (depending on where and how you are positioned), is when you realize the first blood moon happens on the very first day of Passover, the second blood moons happens on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), the third blood moon next year happens on the first of Passover again, and the fourth blood moon happens again on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacle (Sukkot) again. Do you think this is a coincidence?” said Philip. 

Ref : portaldossegredos

From the time of Jesus Christ, there had been seven series of blood moons occurring on feast days like in the above manner. But Pr Philip only focused on the final three sequences blood moons (Find out here for all seven blood moons).

According to NASA, these blood moons are highly unusual. Called a ‘Tetrad’, which are four successive total blood moons (total lunar eclipses where the moon turns blood red), this is a rare occasion having occurred only three times in the last 500 years. Curiously, Pr Philip shared that the blood moons all fell on Yahweh’s Feast’s Days. And each time it happened, it is tied to the fate of the Jewish people. 

The last tetrad occurred in year 1967 – 68, where Israel won the six-day war and recaptured Jerusalem. 

When the previous blood moons occurred before that in year 1949 – 1950, Israel declared independence as a country on 14th May 1948. Isaiah 66:8 came to pass, which says, “Who has ever heard of such things? Who has ever seen things like this? Can a country be born in a day or a nation be brought forth in a moment? Yet no sooner is Zion in labor than she gives birth to her children.”

Going further back to 1493 – 1494, before the occurrence of the 4 blood moons, Pr Philip shared how King Ferdinand and Queen Isabella of Spain proclaimed an edict to dispel Jews in four months. With nowhere to go, Christopher Columbus—an unknown Jew in Spain at that time—set out on a voyage to find a safe haven for the Jews to stay. As we know, Columbus found America, which till today is the safest place for Jews to stay in! Also, contrary to popular belief that Columbus’ voyage was funded by Queen Isabella, two Jewish Conversos and another prominent Jew funded his voyage. As the Jews fled Spain, many gave Columbus their wealth.

Ref : wikimedia

From these accounts, we can see how each tetrad is significantly tied to the Jewish people. The Rabbis believe that the blood moon is a bad omen to the Jews. But Pr Philip shared that every time the blood moons occurred in the past three instances, although sorrow and calamity would come upon the Jewish people, they would always end up rejoicing in victory! It is always sorrow and calamity that turns into joy!

“Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, and they will rebuild the ruined cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit. “I will also plant them on their land, And they will not again be rooted out from their land which I have given them,” Says the LORD your God. (Amos 9:14-15) 

“Now, we have NASA technology, we can see these things are happening! We can now actually “look into the future’”. Let me give you some numbers because our God is a God of Mathematics,” said Pr Philip. 

He shared that from 1948 (the year Israel declared independence) till 1967 (the year when Israel won the six-day war), we have 19 years. And from 1967 till 2015 when the last blood moon ends, it is 48 years. Put together, we have the year where Israel declared independence as a country, which is 1948! Is this a coincidence again? 

NASA calls the final blood moon of this set of tetrads a “super moon” because on this day, the moon would be at its closest point to the earth, thus making it look huge. This final blood moon falls in the Shemitah year of Israel, which is their Sabbatical year. The Shemitah year is the year of wiping out debts.

Ref : i.dailymail

Taking into account the next Sabbatical year of the Jewish calendar that starts on 13^th Sept 2015, Pr Philip shared that the coming Shemitah day that falls on 13^th Sept 2015 as a day to watch out for. This is because the past two major stock market crashes—year 2001 and year 2008—that set the world in an economic chaos both occurred as Israel entered into their Shemitah year which always occurs on 29 Elul (last day of their civil calender) going into 1st Tishrei – Rosh Hashanna (1st day of their civil calendar).

In year 2008, when Israel entered her Shemitah year, the Lehman Brothers scandal led the stock market to crash 7 percent that day, a 777.7 point drop in the NYSE, leading to the loss of six million jobs. This economic crash in the United States affected other countries as well—effects that can be felt until today.

Ref : arkadiansystems

Next year, on Sept 13 is when Israel again enters her Sabbath year and Adonai marks it with a solar eclipse. What will happen? What will bode for America and the world? Can the US economy take another major blow?

The US is already having more than USD 17 trillion debt. If the US defaults on their loan, the whole world would be in trouble. Bloomberg reported:

“Failure by the world’s largest borrower (United States) to pay its debt — unprecedented in modern history — will devastate stock markets from Brazil to Zurich, halt a $5 trillion lending mechanism for investors who rely on Treasuries, blow up borrowing costs for billions of people and companies, ravage the dollar and throw the U.S. and world economies into a recession that probably would become a depression. Among the dozens of money managers, economists, bankers, traders and former government officials interviewed for this story, few view a U.S. default as anything but a financial apocalypse.”

“’YHWH is an Elohim of Seasons and Patterns”, Philip Marc said and He doesn’t violate His patterns.

People who understand this fact knows that Sept 13, 2015 is an ominous day for America and planet earth. Pr Philip shared that everything that can be shaken will be shaken, and everything that has been built upon the Babylonian system will fall. He shared that the domino chip to watch out for, is the fall of American as many prophets have warned, from John Mulinde to Lance Lambert. Six months before the start of the Jewish calendar or specifically on the 1^st of Nisan/Abib, Yahweh also marks the day with a total eclipse of the sun—the sun is turned into sackcloth and does not give out its light.

Ref : nasa

“The next set of four blood moons will happen around 500 years from year 2015. Do you seriously think that Jesus will wait for another 500 years to return? All of the above mentioned prophecies about the moon turning into blood and the sun not giving out its light before the great and terrible Day of the Lord comes, is already at hand, brothers and sisters!” said Pr Philip.

“Many things are happening in the Heavens that we do not know about. The Heavens declare the glory of God. The Heavens are the Billboards of Yahweh,” he added. 

The heavens declare the glory of Yahweh; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they reveal knowledge. They have no speech, they use no words; no sound is heard from them. Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun. 
(Psalm 19:1-4) 

“Verse two (in Psalm 19) is what you call a Jewish idiom. What it means is like a father telling his son, ‘How many times do I have to tell you? How many times do I have to repeat myself until it sinks into your thick head? Day after day, night after night, I tell you the same thing, how many times do I have to repeat myself until you get it?’” said Pr Philip.

Visiting Israel, Pr Philip talked about how his local tour guide who was getting married, shared about his marriage customs. 

Because Jesus was born in a Jewish culture, he used many parables that were familiar to the culture at that time.

Ref : kopparorm

“The Bible is about a wedding. Jesus said, ‘In my Father’s house, there are many rooms. When Joseph got married to Mary, they didn’t seal it with intimacy yet. But just like any Jewish man there, he would return to his father’s house and build an extension to his father’s house. And when the room is ready, he would bring back the bride,” said Pr Phillip. This is what Jesus is doing too.

Matthew 25 is about the wedding. When the bridegroom (Jesus) went away, the brides (us) went into slumber while waiting for his arrival as He ‘tarried’. And like the brides, many churches fell asleep, until at the stroke of midnight, a voice issued forth, “Wake up! Wake up! Your groom is here!” 

“Are you the sleeping bride or are you the watchman that issues the midnight cry, the wake up call?” asked Pr Philip. “You are called to be a watchman to sound the midnight cry, to wake the slumbering bride before it’s too late.”

Pr Philip shared that every feast in Leviticus 23 speaks about Jesus. It is the Father’s chronological prophetic time clock of His complete plan of Redemption which starts from the feast of Passover, followed by Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, Pentecost, Trumpets, Atonement, and Tabernacles. 

Passover (Pesach) — which is celebrated from the 14th to 15th day of the first month from evening to evening— is the festival to commemorate the angel of death ‘passing over’ the Jewish homes, which had the blood of the lamb on their doorpost before they were released from Egypt into the desert. Jesus was crucified as the perfect passover lamb of God on the day of Passover in Jerusalem, fulfilling this feast. Passover represents our salvation. 

Ref : wikimedia

Unleavened Bread (Chag HaMotzi) — celebrated on the next night for 7 days—is a feast to symbolize a holy walk with God—because yeast or leaven symbolizes evil and sin most of the times in the Bible. Unleavened bread (Matzah) that has holes, burn marks and stripes symbolize the beaten body of Christ, the sinless bread of life who came down from heaven and whosoever eats of Him shall not perish but have everlasting life, which grants us our salvation. Matzah is the perfect picture of Isa 53:5; He was pierced (holes in matzah) for our transgressions, bruised (burn marks on matzah) for our iniquities and by his stripes (stripes on matzah) we were healed.  

Matzah bread
Ref : reformjudaism

The First Fruits (Yom Ha Bikurim) — celebrated on the day after the Sabbath following Passover—is a feast to acknowledge the fertility of the land that God gave them, and also to bring their first fruits of the land to God. This is also the same day when Christ resurrected from the dead, becoming the first fruits of the dead and first born from the dead, the first born among many brethren (Col 1:15, 18, Rev 1:5, Rom 8:29) eventually followed by all believers in Christ. 

Pentecost (Shavu’ot) — celebrated in late May or early June—is done to celebrate the receiving of the Torah by Moses on Mt. Sinai. But to us currently, Pentecost is the falling of the Holy Spirit. Taken into context, Pr Philip shared that Pentecost has actually been fulfilled through the sending of the Holy Spirit, where Jesus became the Baptizer with the Holy Spirit. John the Baptist said, “I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.” The letter of the law which kills was given through Moses on the day of Pentecost on Sinai, but the Spirit of the law which brings life was given through Jesus Christ on the day of Pentecost in the upper room in Jerusalem (Acts 2).

Falling of Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost
Ref : lovettfineart

The first four feasts have been fulfilled; the following 3 feasts: Trumpets, Atonement and Tabernacles have yet to be fulfilled.

Trumpets (Yom Teru’ah) — celebrated in September — is done to proclaim the New (civil) Year. It is also to sound impending judgement. In olden days, the trumpet was a signal for the faithful to stop harvesting to worship God. It was also used for alarm, rallying the people, a sound of war and judgement. The feast of trumpets will be fulfilled when Jesus comes for His bride, the rapture.

1 Thess 4:16 and 17 says, “For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.”

Pr Philip shared that next year on 13th Sept, Israel will enter her next Sabbath cycle. What does this mean? To the Jewish people, this day is also called as Yom Hadin – the day of Judgement. It is also called by them, ‘the day no one knows.’
Atonement (Yom Kippur) — celebrated on the tenth day of the seventh month, the day of Atonement prophetically speaks about the day of the return of Christ to earth, Israel as the King of kings, Lord of lords (Rev 19). It is also the day of the salvation of Israel, where the Jews will behold Him coming on the clouds, even Him whom they pierced (Zech 12:10, Rev 1:7).

Ref : lds

Tabernacles (Sukkot) — celebrated on the fifteenth day of the seventh month for seven days to the Lord. Each year, the Jews will build little temporary shelters outside their homes and live and worship in them to remember that for 40 years, their ancestors lived in succahs – temporary shelthers, tents or tabernacles. Pr Philip shared that this final of the seven feast of Adonai also called the Feast of Joy or Rejoicing will be fulfilled when Jesus is back on earth to reign for 1000 years, residing in the tabernacle with men, the dead in Christ and those who have overcome, will reign with Him for 1000 years!  

Pr Philip shared that next year when Israel enters her Sabbath year, it is also the 70th year anniversary of World War 2 (year 1945). The year 2017 is also the 70th anniversary for the finding of the Dead Sea Scrolls (year 1947). It is also the 500th anniversary of Martin Luther nailing his 96 thesis to the Church of Wittenberg door. Then, he shared that 2018 will be the 70th year that Israel has become a nation. He shared Jesus being the God of numbers that He is stating something here; ‘70’ is a number among other things where God will have His say, he believes it is a time of reckoning and judgement! It is also a number for a living generation. Pr Philip reminded the audience, Jesus said, “and this generation will by no means pass away until all of these things have occured”. (Matt 24:34) He speculates that the year 2018 will be the year that a generation will be passing away.

Ref : godshotspot

Pr Philip also shared how year 2017 is a prophetic year to behold, especially in the skies. On 23 September 2017, NASA observed a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head will appear (Rev 12:1-2). In the astrological sign, this picture of Rev 12:1-2 is a sign of Virgo rising. He shared that Virgo symbolizes the virgin but this picture may also speak of the sign of Israel, which is the picture of Joseph dreaming the sun, moon and eleven stars bowing down to him. Pr Philip shared that Joseph represents the one star, which is Israel.

Nine months before that, around the time of Hanukkah on 20th Nov 2016, another strange sign happens again. The planet Jupiter, which the Jews call the King Planet symbolizing Messiah, enters into the womb of Virgo which represents the virgin. Jupiter stays in the womb for 41 weeks before exiting Virgo. And 41 weeks is nine months, the gestation of pregnancy!

It is Rev 12:1-2 coming to pass in the cosmos where in this act of the heavens, the virgin is no longer with child. When Jesus first came to earth, He was in the womb of the virgin for nine months before the virgin gave birth.

Ref : ytimg

Pr Philip shared that when Jesus came to earth for the first time, the majority of the people missed his coming although the Heavens declare His coming. The wise men from the East, prophetess Anna, old Simeon and some shepherds received him, but how many people missed his first coming? 

“Are we going to miss the signs of the season? We are called to be as the sons of Issachar who understood the times (the signs and seasons) and knew what to do. ‘You, the children for the light are not meant to be ignorant”, Paul admonished, “as you are to understand the signs and the seasons. You know all these things” (1 Thess 5). Jesus said if you see all these things happening, know that my coming is near, (Matt 24:33)” said Pr Philip.

We are to understand the signs and the seasons. As what is recorded in Gen 1:14 and 15, Yahweh placed the sun, moon and stars in the heavens to give signs (signals) in its seasons, which is precisely what He is doing now. Pr Philip asked are we going to be watchful or are we going to miss His second coming? The majority of the people missed Jesus’ first coming and He told them, “you have missed the time of My visitation“. (Luke 19:44)

Jesus Christ by Akiane Kramarik
Ref : godreports

He shared even as the Heavens once again declare the Glory of the Lord and again tell His Story before it happens, will we this time pay heed and prepare to be the bride to meet our bridegroom or will we miss the time of His visitation to fetch His bride?

Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man. (Luke 21:36) 

Now, when you see all these things happening, look up, lift up your heads because your redemption draws near! (Luke 21:27)

In closing, Pr Philip reminded the audience that the five foolish virgins who were not allowed to enter in to the wedding banquet of Matthew 25 were only foolish. They were not evil, wicked, liars or adulterers. Likewise, Hosea 4:6 says, “My people are destroyed from lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also reject you as my priest; because you have ignored the law of your God, I also will ignore your children”. Again, they were not evil, wicked, liars, and adulterers. He urged the attendees to get wise, arm themselves with knowledge and wisdom that comes from above, so that we will not miss His coming—when  He is about to return soon for His Bride!

Philip Marc (middle)

He who testifies to these things says, “Surely I am coming quickly.” Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! (Rev 22:20)

| Share the Good News |

8 August 2014 by Rev Dr Jai Kumar -

除非你放开手中的种子，否则它将无法发芽成长。

约翰福音 12：24

我实实在在告诉你们，一粒麦子若不落在地里死了，仍旧是一粒；如果死了，就结出许多果实来。

约翰福音6章所记载的那位小男孩将自己仅有的五饼二鱼献给了耶稣，结果五饼二鱼竟然带来了倍增的收获。小男孩所给予的，竟然倍增，喂饱了数千位在饥饿中的人。这也正是我们需要明白的事。

若他一直紧握着那五饼二鱼，那五饼二鱼也只能让他一人得到饱足，而其余的人就唯有继续挨饿。然而，他的给予却倍增，喂饱了5000人。当我们愿意将自己的手中的种子给予神的时候，祂将会为我们行那奇妙的神迹。

所以，如今还有什么事让你犹豫挣扎的呢？你觉得沮丧、失望！你一直在等待突破的出现；你一直在等待一个答案。你或许尝试过了许多的方法，甚至使出浑身解数想要去解决自己所面对的问题，然而可惜的是，事情终究没有如想象中的一样！

拿出你的种子，并让它在地里死去，然后长出你所需要的神迹吧!不要因着我们都活在恩典之下，就一直期待从无中生有。若是这样，你或许只在浪费自己的时间而已！！

圣经记载了耶稣拿过那五饼二鱼，向天观望，献上感恩和祝福后，便开始分给门徒，让门徒派给群众。圣经也提到，他们全都吃得非常饱。而且你知道吗？所剩余的，装满了12个篮子。当我们愿意将自己的种子给神的时候，上帝能为我们所行的，难道不是非常奇妙的吗？

一个种子的原则

在神国度的原则中，神很清楚地让我们知道，每件事情都始于一颗种子。我想告诉你，神的国度是以“一个种子的原则”来运行的。

神所做的事都以一颗种子的原则来做。神的话语是一颗种子；神的国度是一颗种子。当一颗种子发芽时，就有了生命；生命是从一颗种子诞生的。没有种子，就不会有任何事情发生。你接下来的收获，就在你手中的种子里。

我们当中有多少人知道，我们能够数算一粒苹果中到底有多少颗种子，然而只有神才知道一颗种子中，能够长出多少粒苹果？你知道吗？单凭肉眼来评估我们的种子，是无法决定自己能够获得多大收获的。

关于种子，我想告诉你一些非常有能力的事。如果神要在你的生命中行大有能力的事，祂就会将种子赐给你。神要你去耕种自己的种子。不要忽视或是白白地浪费神所赐给你生命中的种子。有的时候，一个想法就是一颗种子。有时，神所赐的是一颗异象的种子。也有的时候是一颗奇迹的种子。

千万不要埋怨，或老是说自己只有那么一点点的种子而已。除此之外，也不要吃了自己的种子。如果你吃了自己的种子，那也只能喂饱你一天而已。但是，如果你将自己的种子栽种在地里，那么这颗种子将能一生都使你饱足。

除非你将种子种在对的地方，不然它无法结出果子。我想要提醒你，你的种子里承载着一个容量极大的潜能，足以影响你的未来。没有人能够知道这潜能到底有多大。

没有人能够理解那潜能的容量，也没有人有能力预测我们的种子所能带来的收获。换言之，我们只需要栽种自己手中的那颗种子，而上帝将会使它生长。你其实无法完全理解它到底是如何生长。

你要栽种，才有生长

我想要问你的是，你如何运用神所赐给你的种子呢？

我知道有些人拥有极有能力的种子，然而仍因着自己的愚昧而过着怨天尤人的生活。你需要将神所摆放在你生命中的种子撒在土里，却不要乱撒，而是有策略地撒在好土里。

圣经马可福音 4章26至27节这么说，

神的国好像人在地里撒种，他夜里睡觉，白天起来，种子发芽生长，自己也不知道怎么会这样的…

是神使你的种子发芽生长；那是神赐给我们生命其中一种的喜爱和祝福。我们不需要做任何事情，因为那种子将会自己发芽生长，结出果实。

切勿介入这属神工作的过程中，也不要为着自己所领受的祝福而夸口或是吹嘘自己。

切勿说，‘看啊，我所做成的事！’或是‘看我得到的成就！’；‘看啊，我怎样因着自己的聪明所得来的！’千万不要这样做！

你知道吗？世上有其他像你一样努力的人。可惜的是，一些不幸、倒霉事情的发生，抹灭了他们平生所付出所有的努力。因此，切勿吹嘘！切记，你所拥有的一切，都是因着神的恩典。所以，不要为上帝所赐的祝福而过分自我吹嘘！

这一切并不是因为你，而是因着那隐藏在你种子里的能力。唯有神才能开启它。上帝会使那种子生长。若神没有看顾和建造你的收获，那么你的劳力都是白费的，你只不过在浪费自己的时间。

因此，那问题是，你如何看待自己手中的那颗种子？

要谨慎你种子所栽种之处

若你将自己的种子栽种在错的地方，那么魔鬼就会来偷窃你的种子。因此，你需要看守自己的种子。

听好了！若你拿取属神的东西，举例来说，你的十一奉献来满足自己的私欲，像是购买车子等，你则要小心了，因为那算为偷窃得来的钱。

玛拉基书 3:8

“人岂可夺取神之物呢？你们竟夺取我的供物，你们却说，我们在何事上夺取你的供物呢？就是你们在当纳的十分之一，和当献的供物上。”

马太福音 6:33

你们要先求他的国和他的义。这些东西都要加给你们了。

到底是什么让你一直爱不释手，以致于你一直在如何抓紧神的事上挣扎不已？你是否曾意识到自己其实活在捆绑中，无法得着自由呢？是否整日活在不必要的焦虑、对将来的未知数充满恐惧呢？还是你所拥有的财富、权势、计划、孩子、或是感情呢？当你离开这世界时，你将会为后代留下什么东西呢？

还记得那只拥有五饼二鱼的小男孩吗？他将仅有的给予时，结果带来了极大的收获，喂饱了5000人。当然，从属肉体的角度而言，五饼二鱼当然无法喂饱5000人，但那给予却成为了一颗神迹的种子。

耶稣说，在人所不能的事，在神却能。

Rev Dr 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.’

Note: This article was translated by Joycelyn Loh in Christianity Malaysia (CM).Amen.

References for pictures:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

9 August 2014 by Jason Law CM -

Pr Peter Tsukahira is well-known international Speaker, an anointed teacher of GOD’s word and a marketplace mentor, and on the 19th of July, 2014, he was here in Petaling Jaya to conduct the SOM Conference 2014 about Israel and the Mystery of God’s Favour, held at Grace Convention Center. Specifically, for the first session, he established the understanding of Godly favour, by using the life of Joseph as an illustration.

Pr Peter Tsukahira

‘What I want every Christian to understand is that every one of us are God’s favour-ites. This means that God intends to bring His prosperity, peace, and freedom to each one of us. The word ‘favour-ite’ here contains a hyphen, and is not the same as the word ‘favouritism’; God does not play sides. But God’s favour is not instantaneous. In order to be within God’s favour, we must conform to His purposes for our lives,’ Pr Tsukahira shared.

‘God often hides His design in His Creation, and there are reasons why He does this. Firstly, God does not want to be manipulated. Therefore, we need to find and understand God’s identity and character. It is by understanding who He is, and by walking with Him, that we learn to have the same mind and heart with God and gain the ability to see the world in a proper perspective.’

The Nature of God And His Favour

Who is God and what is He like? Most of all, God is moral. He is above carnality and lust. So, His favour has a holy and pure purpose, and is never for us to fulfill the lust of the flesh. But sole morality does not tell us how to accomplish God’s purpose in our lives. They just bring us into His presence. Many times, we go through seasons of life, and we don’t understand what is going on, but in those times, remember that God always has a design and a purpose for each one of us.

ref : http://godshotspot.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/7950675_orig.jpg

‘You know how in Esther 4:14, she was told that she was born for such a time as this? That is the case for all of us; God works with us or without us. Understand this, and we will know how to be in God’s favour. We will know that God has a place for us and it brings a constant awareness of being God’s favour-ite. God’s Kingdom operates foremost as a big family, and the best analogy for a relationship with God is that of parenthood and child,’ Pr Tsukahira imparted.

The Life of Joseph
Pr Tsukahira used the story of Joseph as an example of a life of Godly favour. ‘The Bible stories are there for a purpose; they are universal and they teach us about our times through the revelation given by the Holy Spirit. And 1/3 of Genesis was given to the life of Joseph. His was an important story. The gifts of God comes with His design, and His design for Joseph was there with him at every step, including the time when he was sold into slavery, and the time when he was falsely accused and put into prison,’ Pr Tsukahira communicated.

ref : http://bigbible.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/06_Joseph_Dreams_JPEG_1024.jpg

From the beginning, we notice that Joseph’s life was one that was of special favor from God. He was from the line of Abraham and his covenant; he was born of Rachel, Jacob’s love, which made him Jacob’s favourite. And he was blessed with certain innate qualities that would later bring him from the depths of life up onto its pinnacle.

‘Do you know that if God did not allow Joseph to be sold by his brothers, Joseph would never have gone into Egypt where his destiny would later be fulfilled? God did not cause the incident, but it was within His will. Even at the very start in Egypt, we see God’s favour was there. The gift of administration that God had given to Joseph helped him to rise in Potiphar’s household (Genesis 39:2-6),’ Pr Tsukahira pointed out.

One foundation for this was that Joseph was living a life that was honouring God, but it would later lead him to trouble, due to the jealousy of Potiphar’s wife. Pr Tsukahira contextualized; ‘Joseph was doing God’s will. Despite the possibilities it provided him, he did not exploit the lust of Potiphar’s wife for his personal self, and it got him into prison. He spent 13 years in prison as a result, and in those days, there were no such thing as Amnesty International. Many of us would inevitably wonder if God was sleeping’.

ref : http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NXUfGtYxfq4/TcZR0d08TGI/AAAAAAAAAco/NS3RSGfs8xE/s1600/joseph%2Bprison.jpg

However, in Genesis 39:21-23, we find that though Joseph had fallen into the lowest depths, God’s favour was still with him, and people noticed. God allowed him there for a purpose, and God moulded him throughout that time. There were many possible things that may have run through Joseph’s mind in Egypt, one of them being revenge. But though the Bible does not record it, many things could have taken place during the 13 years in prison.

Joseph’s revenge dies out and he discovers that the emotion does not come from God. He learned that such an emotion does not build, but only destroys, and this transitioned him to forgiveness. He held on to the dreams God had given him in his homeland and starts to learn. He learnt about servanthood and to carry out his responsibilities well. He learnt to love and have compassion for his fellow men, including the Egyptians. He learnt to connect. He learned to respect authority and to love justice. He learnt what it meant to have power, but more importantly, its righteous use.

ref : http://www.art-prints-on-demand.com/kunst/noartist/r/raphael_joseph_tells_his_dream.jpg

It was in prison that Joseph met the chief baker and cupbearer, and exhibited the gift God had given him to interpret dreams (Genesis 40). From this, he also learnt about patience, but more significantly, it opened the way for Pharoah to know about him (Genesis 41:9-13).

‘Joseph grabbed his chance. He shaved and changed his clothes (Genesis 41:14), and he was careful (Genesis 41:16) and astute (Genesis 41:33) in the way he talked. The savvy Joseph here is different from that of the ‘naïve’ man in the earlier passages, and Pharoah made him the second most powerful man in a powerful kingdom, answerable only to him (Genesis 41:39-43).’

ref : http://blog.thefoundationstone.org/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/joseph.jpg

‘In 5 minutes, his life changed, but the 13 years in prison had already changed him. The 13 years was a preparation for something great for Joseph. Very likely, it was the right amount of time for God to mould him,’ Pr Tsukahira communicated.

Applicability of Joseph’s story

Joseph was an example of a marketplace leader. He was from the very first an administrator. He wasn’t a prophet, priest or missionary. What are the great lessons we can learn from Joseph’s life? What does God want for Malaysia? What is our role in it? How ready are we to come into that role? In Genesis 45:4-9, Joseph showed that he clearly understood what he had undergone during his time in Egypt.

ref : http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Vdnh2wYryjE/UeBTNH3J_aI/AAAAAAAAH7g/r8B-39XWntE/s1600/Joseph-bro.jpg

‘Joseph’s story teaches us that we do not need to be in full-time ministry to be God’s ministers and be in His favour. It also tells us that even in our darkest moments, God can still redeem it and accomplish His purposes for us. The question is; what He has found in Joseph, will He also find it in us? The principal point in Joseph’s story is that every stage of his life was long enough for God’s purposes for him, and that point also applies to all of us,’ Pr Tsukahira closed.

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9 Aug 2014 by Natasha Kim CM-

For every level of breakthrough in life, there will be times of challenge. Many factors conspire to prevent us from reaching our true potential.

“As Christians, when we are not careful, we get a bit lazy when it comes to Jesus. But if we are to see our world changed and in turn be world changers, moving beyond mediocrity, then we must come to terms with the battle which always accompanies breakthrough. Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb… that’s where fruit is,” said Pr Dr John Andrews at City Harvest Church Kuala Lumpur on the 26^th of July 2014. 

Pastor Dr John Andrews being an encouragement to the youths

While Jesus was growing up, He was ready to grow because He grew in the backend of nowhere and yet He was determined to be the best that God wanted Him to be.

“Because of that when he gets his moment, He is ready to go! And I think that if He can do that, I can do that!” shared Pr John .

Most of us lead very predictable lives, because though many would love their lives to be adventurous and exciting all the times, many love the routines and the comfort of the familiar.

“I challenge you to open yourself up to try new experiences even in the ordinary aspects of your life. If you love drinking tea, try coffee and if your favourite ice cream is strawberry, try chocolate. Don’t just stick to what you know but rather train your life for new experiences by seeking them out and embracing them when they come. Moving to new levels and breaking through life beyond the shakes will inevitably involve experiences, opportunities, and demands beyond the normal routine of what has gone before,” he said.

Ref : revfave

There are even times when we allow the pain and bitterness in our lives to get ahead of us and prevent us from moving forward.

“When we experience some pain and we are not careful, we enjoy wearing it like a plaster for the whole world to see,” said Pr John.

The trick is to have a hold of your mind is to continuously think positively, even when you do not feel like doing so. But it will eventually become a habit that will help obscure the pain your life. If it’s the past that is holding you back, learn to trust God and make it a habit of leaving your worries to Him. Know that you do not have to have the weight of the whole world on your shoulders, but God can and will carry them for you and lead you to the brightest unimaginable future, if only you allow Him to. Your history does not determine your destiny!

Ref : selfster

but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance, in afflictions, hardships, calamities, (2 Corinthians 6:4)

as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. (2 Corinthians 6:10)

And David was greatly distressed, for the people spoke of stoning him, because all the people were bitter in soul, each for his sons and daughters. But David strengthened himself in the Lord his God. (1 Samuel 30:6)

Just like what God said to Joshua in the Bible, God is also telling us to be a leader, to be a law-keeper, and to be a learner!

Be strong and courageous, for you shall cause this people to inherit the land that I swore to their fathers to give them. ⁷ Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go.⁸ This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. ⁹ Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:6-9)

Ref : daydreamsaboutgod

“If our focus is only temporal, any cost we are asked to pay for the eternal will be viewed as a sacrifice. However, if our focus is on the eternal, any cost we are asked to pay in the temporal, will be viewed as an investment,” shared Pr John .

As we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal. (2 Corinthians 4:18)

When you need strength, get into God’s presence and get back into His promise and His purpose for your life; it is so important to pray for His presence! A story according to 2 Kings 4 is one of encouragement; it tells of a woman in desperation after she had lost her husband and was in debt. She and her family faced a life of slavery and the future suddenly seemed dark.

Ref : beingcovers

“She turns to the prophet Elisha for help and he offers her a way out through a miracle of enlargement. God would take her little and increase it! She had to break the mould of limitation and raise the bar of expectation,” said Pr John .

Elisha said, “Go around and ask all your neighbors for empty jars. Don’t ask for just a few. ⁴ Then go inside and shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each is filled, put it to one side.” (2 Kings 4:3-4)

Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20)

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9 Aug 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

On 3^rd of August, Erik Lai and his wife, Julia, were walking out from his aunt’s house in Subang Jaya Section 18 at 6:30 PM, when they were attacked by two robbers—the front rider armed with a 12-inch screwdriver and the pillion rider with a machete.

“At first, we thought they were asking for directions. Suddenly, he pulled out a machete, we realized that it’s a robbery,” said Erik.

The pillion rider with a machete pulled Julia’s document bag and threatened her to let go; but Julia refused and managed to snatch it back. When that failed, the robber turned to Erik and tried to grab his knapsack and hand phone, but that failed as well. At that moment, the robber became agitated and threatened to slash the couple with his machete. But the couple were surprisingly calm.

 “I realize it’s either they are in control or you are in control. When you panic, they will be in control. There’s calmness and peace of mind. So, we did not even have time to pray but I just respond to the situation from our years of following God that He is with us in times of trouble,” said Erik.

Ref : ananiasfaithfulone

He negotiated with the robbers to not take their personal belongings in the bag, but only take the money. The front rider hesitated because he was expecting to receive money from Erik, which bought time for his wife Julia Wong to step back.

But just when she stepped back, the front rider saw her and grabbed her bag while trying to stab her with his screwdriver. Julia screamed at the top of her lungs for help. Erik rushed to grip the front rider’s hand to prevent him from stabbing his wife, while the pillion rider brandished his machete at Erik and wanted to snatch his knapsack. Julia continued to scream and this caused the robbers to panic. They realised they were in danger and fled as quickly as they could.

Amazingly, no one was harmed and no belongings were taken!

“Everything happened in split second. God is always in control, we need to really faithfully walk in His Ways, so that His presence goes with us,” said Erik.

Ref : blingcheese

“We had been threatened or robbed before in those early days but they were mostly by gangsters, mostly extortion cases, but not with machete. This robbery is done with the intention to harm.

“We have seen on the internet that many victims of such snatch thieves and robberies suffered serious injuries and loss. But miraculously, we are delivered, so that must be divine intervention and protection. Even the police officers were also quite surprised and amazed,” said Erik thanking God.

Despite having suffered no loss or injury, he made a police report so that the police are aware that robbers and snatch thieves are rampant around Subang Jaya. He hopes that this will protect the residents in the area.

And even after the trauma, Erik and his wife hold no grudge for the robbers. In fact, they are praying for them to know Christ, to receive him, and repent of their ways.

Erik Lai (right) with his wife Julia

“The first thing that came to my mind (during the robbery) is that I wanted to talk to them; I wanted to give them the opportunity to realize that they are wrong. They are very young from their voice and built, probably in their twenties,” said Erik.

He added, “Always try to make a friend out of every enemy. We should always try to be a peacemaker; that’s the role that God has called us—love your enemies.”

Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. (Matt 5:9)

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)

Praise the Lord for protecting His children!

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10 Aug 2014-

I’ve heard people say that growing up as an evangelical meant they never talked about sex. This wasn’t my experience. I grew up in the thick of evangelical purity culture and we talked about sex A LOT. We just spent all of that time talking about how and why NOT to have it.

As someone who waited until I was married to have sex, I was assured that I would be guaranteed an easy and rewarding sex life. When reality turned out to be different, I was disappointed and disillusioned. Only through gradual conversations with other married friends did I realize I wasn’t alone.

Ref : abcdefghijkxy

I started to wonder if maybe the expectations themselves were wrong. Maybe what I’d been told or inferred about post-marital sex simply wasn’t true.

Here are four of the biggest lies about sex I believed before marriage.

1. Any and all physical contact is like a gateway drug to sex.  

Once in high school I attended a big Christian youth conference. One night, one of the chaperones addressed the girls: “Girls, we have noticed some very inappropriate touching going on…”

The inappropriate touching she meant turned out to be two high school couples in the youth group holding hands. This woman was deadly serious. “I know it may not seem like a big deal to you,” she said. “But hand-holding leads to OTHER THINGS!”

I heard similar things from parents, teachers, church leaders and books. In my church it was not unusual for people to pledge not only to save sex until marriage, but even to save their first kiss for their wedding day. “Don’t start the engine if you aren’t ready to drive the car,” and other similar metaphors warned me that any physical contact was a slippery slope straight into the jaws of fornication.

Ref : love-theonlyrule

On this side of things, I can honestly say that there are SO many conscious decisions you have to make between kissing and having sex. Despite what Hollywood says, clothes do not take themselves off and bodies do not magically and effortlessly fit together.

If you are committed to waiting until you’re married to have sex, there are many valid reasons to set boundaries on your physical relationship, but the fear of accidentally having sex shouldn’t be one of them. 

2. If you wait until you are married to have sex, God will reward you with mind-blowing sex and a magical wedding night. 


Before my wedding night, I had been told that honeymoon sex isn’t usually the best sex. I had heard that good sex takes work. I knew that it would probably be uncomfortable at first. But what nobody ever, EVER told me was that it was possible that it just might not work at all at first. On my wedding night, my mind and heart were there, but my body was locked up tighter than Maid Marian’s chastity belt.

Read more

10 Aug 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

Pr Happy Yang has been called by God to love all people, particularly one not of her own race and color. But like Jesus, whose love was extended to tax collectors, Samaritans, and Romans —people from all walks of life— Pr Happy knew that every person is welcomed and has a place in God’s Kingdom.

At 30 years old during her morning prayer, Pr Happy received a vision from God of children screaming for help behind bars. The Lord said, “If you don’t reach them, Satan will.” With that revelation from God, the Lord opened doors for her to minister to children, particularly from the Indian community.

Pr Happy Yang and her late husband Alex Yang, with their daughters

“God has given me the heart for Indian children. I feel God’s heart for them. For me, it doesn’t matter what race they may be, the Kingdom of God welcomes them and they need to hear the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Pr Happy whose church congregation is mostly from the Indian community, though not all have accepted Christ.

“We don’t know who will receive the Word but to us, it is all about sowing the Word of God into their lives with every opportunity we have,” said Pr Happy.

In 2005, Pr Happy and her late husband, Pr Alex Yang, pioneered their church, OASIS, The Peoples Church, at their home. As the congregation grew, they moved to Ara Damansara two years later. In Ara Damansara, doors were opened for them to minister to underprivileged children and families living at the low cost flats in Lembah Subang. They began visiting these families, who are mainly from the Indian community. As a result of these visitations, many children and their families came to church. Again, as the numbers grew, they moved to a bigger location nearby in year 2010.

Children receiving food supplies from home visitation

Although the church went through a difficult period, the Lord began to work through their difficulties. Seeing how the church began to cater for the Indian community, the worship leaders and singers in the music ministry learned to sing Tamil and Indonesian worship songs. The church also started conducting the church service in English, with interpretation in Tamil and sometimes, Bahasa Malaysia.

On a weekly basis, Pr Happy and her church members visit the homes of the Indian families to build a better relationship with them. “We spend time getting to know them and their living condition. It also provided valuable insight into their home environment, and their needs,” said Pr Happy. This led Pr Happy and her late husband to begin a ministry that provided some of these families with monthly provisions, especially those who are single mothers. “As the Bible points out in James 2:15-16, if we realize someone has needs, we will try to meet the needs instead of instructing the person to pray about his or her situation. Hence, in this matter, we want to be relevant and practical,” she said.

A mother and daughter receiving food provision from OASIS, The Peoples Church

As Pr Happy and her late husband continued to faithfully serve the community, in year 2011, the Lord gave them a vision to start a baking and tailoring center. By the end of 2011, a lady from Indonesia, with an expertise in tailoring walked into church. She was an answer to their prayers and a confirmation of the vision given. God eventually sent various groups of people from the expatriate community to other believers-in-Christ to sponsor and provide the sewing machines, ovens, and other miscellaneous things needed.

“When God spoke and gave us the vision for the center, we told God that if he wanted us to start the center, He would have to provide. And, true enough, God is faithful and a provider.  We are blessed as we didn’t have to raise funds for the center and we will only raise funds if necessary. We want to practice bringing everything in prayer and look to God, not men for provision. And, God has never failed us,” said Pr Happy.

Children learning how to sew with donated sewing machines

Both baking and sewing classes are held mainly for children and teenagers from the underprivileged community. “We are not into setting up a business to generate income. Our aim is to provide the children and teenagers with skills, which they can use to be self-sufficient in future, should they not be academically inclined.” Apart from these baking and sewing classes, free tuition classes is also offered to these children and teenagers to help them excel in their studies.

Children learning the art of baking

Besides that, her late husband, Pr Alex started the OASIS Football Club to help instill discipline into the lives of young boys from the community. Currently, her son-in-law, Daniel Foong, has taken charge of the club and jerseys have been made for the boys with their respective names and numbers. They recently organized two friendly matches with outsiders.

“Ultimately, from all these projects, we want to show them that there is hope for them. Many of them think that life would be like their fathers or mothers. That’s why we want to tell them that in Jesus Christ, they have a hope and a future, and that they don’t have to remain in this vicious cycle of a lifestyle that leads to drugs, alcoholism and gangster-ism. We are excited of the change we have seen in them and the desire for something better for themselves,” said Pr Happy.

A boy smiling at the camera, as member of the OASIS Football Club

Since 2010, the church has been implementing a coupon exchange program, which runs twice a year. Every good action performed by the children is rewarded by a coupon, such as attending church, bringing a friend, helping out, and memorizing bible verses. These coupons that are collected for six months will then be exchanged for daily household items ranging from food, toiletries, stationaries, school bags, and accessories on a specific day in church. Items are donated by church member and generous individuals. The coupon exchange program teaches the children the value of things.

Children huddling together at the Coupon Exchange booth, excited to exchange for items

Pr Happy and her church want to show the community that God is not against them but He loves them very much. “We want them to know that God wants a relationship with them. Sometimes it is difficult because most of them grew up without much attention and appreciation, and they have been told that they are of no worth. But in church, we continually tell and show them that we love them and we find practical ways to express our love for them,” said Pr Happy.

Reflecting on the past, Pr Happy is grateful and thankful for her church leaders and members in OASIS The Peoples Church for their support and dedication; she is appreciative of the contribution, provision, and support from friends and other fellow believers in the ministry. “There are times when we feel tired and weary, alone, and lack encouragement. But God has always brought people of the same heart and mind to support us, just like how God provided Moses with two other individuals to lift his hands. So I really appreciate the people around me and how hard they have labored. I also believe that God will always refresh us as we continue to draw closer to him each day,” said Pr Happy with joy and contentment.

Worshipers in Oasis, The Peoples Church, who could sing in English, Bahasa Melayu, and Tamil

Because of God’s overflowing provision for OASIS The Peoples Church, it has given the church the opportunity to support literacy programs for the children in the slums of Delhi, led by Pr Solomon Kings. “We recognize that our calling as a church is to the poor and needy, especially among the children, here in Malaysia and overseas. That’s where my heart is because I believe children are the next generation. It is through the children, we can reach the adults – their families. We see our church as a family-oriented church,” said Pr Happy.

Lastly, Pr happy is thankful that God has kept OASIS The Peoples Church by His power and they continue to place their faith in Jesus Christ (1Peter 1:5). She recognises that it is the Grace of God that has enabled and empowered them to do this ministry among the poor, needy and underprivileged children and their families in the community of Lembah Subang until now. She also believes that God will continue to be faithful as they keep on sowing into these lives because as it is written in 2 Peter 3:9 (KJV), which says, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

It is through the children, we can reach the adults

“Thank you, Jesus, for the privilege to serve You. To you be all the glory, honor, power and praise,” exclaimed Pr Happy.

Through Pr Happy and her church’s example, we can learn that Christ knows no difference in race or colour; that all is equal in God’s eye.

Love beyond color.

Love like Jesus.

ABOUT Pr Happy: Pr Happy Yang is a housewife who was called into ministry alongside her late husband, Pr Alex Yang. Over the many years of being involved in ministry, she has led cell groups, was a youth pastor, has led children ministries for 20 some years, and is very active in missions work in India and The Philippines. Now, she is the Senior Pastor of Oasis, The Peoples Church. She has four beautiful and wonderful daughters, Charity, Cassiemarie, Charis and Carmen, and two sons-in laws, Allen and Daniel, who are all serving the Lord faithfully. She is also a grandmother of two grandchildren, Telsia and Christopher.

Visit OASIS The Peoples Church

Website | https://www.facebook.com/OASISTPC | http://www.twitter.com/OasisTPC

Address | B-1-05 & B-2-05, Block B, Jalan PJU 1A/41B, Pusat Dagangan NZX, Ara Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor

Tel | 03-7804-1735 | 012-388-3875

Email | oasistpc@gmail.com | alexyangcp@yahoo.com

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10 August 2014 by Jason Law CM -

Who are we as Christians? Foremost of all, as Christians we are given not just the calling to know God, but also the privilege. It is what sets the foundation of our identities, and this knowledge is the single most important thing in our lives.

Pr Daniel Ho leading the reading of the Word.

This year, Damansara Utama Methodist Church is renewing their commitment to God by returning to the basic and important things in relation to Him. As part of this commitment, on last Sunday, the 3rd of August, 2014, Pr Daniel Ho, the senior pastor of DUMC shared about the importance of knowing God, employing Deuteronomy 4 as a base for his message.

Every Christian is called to know God. This should be the starting point in the way we do things, in the way we think, in the way we talk with people, in the way we live our lives, and in everything that is in it. The way to a fruitful Christian life is to know God and His ways. How can we be successful Christians if we don’t even know who God is?

Knowing God’s Word

How do we know God? Primarily and the simplest way to know God is through knowing His Word, a reminder which has exist even since the time of Moses (Deuteronomy 4:1a,10,35). The Word of God gives us a comprehensive record and picture of who God is.

The Knowledge of God’s Word is very important in the Christian life. The well-known Burning Bush Bookstore at DUMC.

‘Through the Word, we know that God is awesome, majestic and glorious. We also know that He is good, loving, and faithful to the end. These things are so important to know because it will help us to go through tough times. Moreover, God’s Word also tells us that He is holy and righteous, and so for you and I as Christians, we want to live lives that is holy and that will take sin and compromises seriously,’ Pr Daniel shared.

Obedience To God’s Word

Besides knowing His Word, we must also personalize the Word into our lives by obeying it. Deuteronomy 4:5-8 counsels us about obedience to God’s Word, and reminds us of our privilege in having a relationship with God who is so close to us.

ref : http://www.chapelofgrace.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/Obedience.png

‘As we obey God’s Word, we will begin to experience His presence in a wonderful way. We will begin to experience great, amazing fellowship with Him, and we will begin to know Him more and more; that is always the reality. Not only that; obedience to God’s Word also shows our love for God (John 14:15, 23-24). Obedience and love are really two sides of the same coin. When we love God, we will want to obey Him, and when we obey Him, it is an indication of our love for Him.

‘More than that, we find that we grow in wisdom, insights and understanding as we obey God. We can all testify that the more we obey Him, the wiser we grow. The years of walking with God will give us His wisdom in handling issues and in our approach to life; wisdom not of men, but from God,’ Pr Daniel imparted.

Guarding Our Hearts Against Idolatry

Deuteronomy 4:15-19 warns us of the danger of idolatry. As Christians, all of us understand idolatry as worshipping images rather than God, but idolatry actually goes deeper. Pr Daniel shared that idolatry is in fact preoccupation with anything that draws us away from God, including our work.

‘God’s original design for us is to have dominion over everything in our lives, including our work. And as such, work must be under our control and not our masters. God gives us 24 hours in a day; that is God’s design for our best interest, and it must be enough for our work.

ref : http://www.inspiredbythis.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/over-work1.jpg

‘Our work must not draw us away from God, and when it is time to rest, we should rest. Otherwise, we will find that we’re borrowing time and end up in exhaustion. Ultimately, it will also affect our function at work,’ Pr Daniel counseled.

Not just in work but in all cases, idolatry has an effect. ‘Preoccupation always leads to addiction. Addiction always leads to compromise, and compromise will always lead to the corruption of our faith.’

Through Keeping Covenant With God

The Lord promises well-being when we keep covenant with Him. This covenant is not just for our generation, but for both us and our generations. ‘We must make certain that the knowledge of God does not die with our generation. Our children must know God for themselves. Share about the knowledge of God and teach them to your children and to their children after them. Start them young in their walk with God. It is the reason why we make it a point to conduct our Sunday services as a family worship.

Damansara Utama Methodist Church

‘It is not easy, especially for parents with young children, but it is very important, because it encourages families to worship together, and to learn about God together. As a church, let’s be patient with one another. If we want absolute silence in the midst of worship, you know what, that is found in a cemetery. The church is not a cemetery but a nursery. It is a place where families are nurtured together,’ Pr Daniel shared.

We must keep covenant not just in good times but in difficult times as well. One such example is the testimony of Ben Underwood. Ben’s remarkable story is also shared in the book written by his mother, Aquanetta Underwood, Echoes of an Angel.

Pr Daniel Sharing The Testimony of Ben Underwood

Ben went blind at a very young age due to retinal cancer, but he never gave up on life and God throughout the short time he had on Earth. He shared that there were times when he struggled in his faith, but both him and his mother found ways (and a very unique ability) to adapt and hold on to God even in tough times. Despite his challenges, Ben’s courage and knowledge of God led him to live a full life when he was on Earth.

Further Links and Discussions:

Links to Ben Underwood’s testimony:
Ben Underwood Intro Video : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XUXh-X1iveU

Ben and Aquanetta Underwood at New Hope: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LdDLEikgbWM

Link to the book, Echoes of an Angel:
http://www.amazon.com/Echoes-Angel-Miraculous-Story-Could/dp/1414386222/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1407639239&sr=1-1&keywords=echoes+of+an+angel

Questions for discussion:

1. In order to know God why is it vitally important to know His Word? What are you doing each day in knowing God’s Word and how are you living it out daily? How have you seen God transforming your life, your situation and your work or study place as you obey His Word?

2. What has been or can become idol(s) in your life? How can you guard against this and how can your cell members help one another to do so?

3. In your keeping covenant with God how have you seen well-being, wisdom, understanding and blessings in yourself and your loved ones? What would you further do in order to ensure that you, your loved ones and the generations to come by his grace would keep covenant with God and why is this important?

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11 August 2014 by Network J -

很多人都老神在在<好脑定>, 以为人生是 :

结婚生子买楼买车儿女成材登六退休安享晚年弄孙为乐；

但现实是:

天有不测人有祸福 今年才过了一半，各样的天灾人祸却

人生不是‘好老定‘ 事事如意 我们的人生需要‘好脑定‘ ,脑定就心定,学会倚靠永恒的主

就能看透世情……

感谢神Network J International于 2013年怡保及吉隆坡4场Yeah Show 《不知所谓！不知所为？》都取得很好的反应: 超过8,000人次进场, 接近400人决志及回转,多人表示对基督教有兴趣! 

今年林以诺牧师布道机构Network J International继首站新加坡之后，吉隆坡再次成为林以诺牧师大型栋笃笑布道会“YEAH SHOW 2014”《好脑定》全球巡回布道会的其中一站！

林以诺牧师为香港阡陌社区浸信会主任牧師暨飞跃网络国际义务执行董事，城市宣教學博士，為香港著名基督教佈道者之一。同时亦为电视/电台节目担任主持。

第9次来马举行大型栋笃笑布道会的林以诺牧师，除在香港教会讲道，更常被邀请在各大保险、地产公司及大学等主讲激励大会。演讲风格幽默抵死的他为香港基督教布道创出了一番新气象。并于香港商业一台主持<静默的革命>心灵节目,主持的基督教旅游节目节目<以诺游踪>更获在香港无线电视TVB播放。自2003年开始在全球巡回举办大型栋笃笑布道会，包括香港、澳门、纽西兰、澳洲、加拿大、新加坡及马来西亚等。是少有以栋笃笑方式開佈道会的华人牧師。细心观察,大胆评论,林牧师以他独有的栋笃笑方式向大家解说,

往往让观众能在笑声中领略生命的真正的意义,如何找到真正的平安,活得坦然,拥有喜乐!

陈友

今年布道会的见证嘉宾是香港著名乐队《温拿》的成员之一陈友。早在90年代，陈友便返回中国大陆发展广告和电视创作事业，创办城市电视，是五虎中最有“搞头”的一位。事业安定后，陈友决定回到香港和分隔多年的太太团聚，以为终于可以补回多年来失去的时光，谁料晴天霹雳，太太在此时被诊断患上绝症！平日对工作上的各样难题都能迎刃而解的他，第一次发现有他解决不了的难题，体会人的能力真的有限! 绝望之中，他作出一个选择,结果经历了一次奇迹! 这次受林以诺牧师之邀来马，他将站在Yeah Show布道会的舞台上和大家分享他的奇特经历!

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11 August 2014 by Rev Dr Jai Kumar -

SATAN WILL CHASE AFTER YOUR SEED

Never underestimate the power of your seed God has deposited in your life. Your potential is a seed. Your vision is a seed. Your children are seeds. Your money is a seed. The word of God is a seed. Your time is a seed. Your wife is a seed.

ref : https://62e528761d0685343e1c-f3d1b99a743ffa4142d9d7f1978d9686.ssl.cf2.rackcdn.com/files/28339/wide_article/width926x450/8rf7629t-1375164337.jpg

The only reason why the devil wants your seed is because that is where his reproduction comes. Did you know that the devil has no power to reproduce by himself? The devil has no seed of his own. He has got no power to reproduce.

Therefore the only strategy he uses to reproduce is to recruit your seed! And take them captive and keep them under his control. So the devil chases after your son, he chases after your daughter, he comes after your husband, he comes after your wife.

In other words, he comes after the seed of the children of the righteous. He wants to rob your seed.

1 Peter 5:8 KJV
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour:

You need to understand the scheme of your adversary. The devil will chase after your seed by attacking you from all sides. He will come to steal your seed. He will be satisfied as long as he can get your seed because that is how he can destroy you and your entire household.

John 10:10
he comes to steal destroy and kill…..

THE GREATER THE HARVEST THE GREATER THE BATTLE

You can more or less predict the harvest of your seed by the battle that goes on over your seed. The greater your potential is for the work of The Lord in the Kingdom of God, the greater your adversary will try to snuff you off. He wants to rob your seed and immobilize you. He will use different strategies to undermine you.

It is the reason why the devil fights you so hard. He fights your family, he fights your finances, he fights your children, he fights your marriage; it is because he knows you carry a Quantum power in your seed for the future.

ref : http://www.johnlund.com/Images/10015300316-future.jpg

Here is something you need to know. The devil is not interested in your past. He is only interested in your future potential. He will never waste his time worrying about your past but he is interested in the potential of your future. That’s the reason why, he is after the seed of your idea, the seed of your vision and the seed of your household.

Your seed is about where you are going in the future. Your seed is about what you are going to produce in the future in the Kingdom of God. Your seed is about your power and authority you carry to tread on scorpions and serpents and wage war against the dark forces. Your seed is about using your light to dispel darkness and setting the captives free and healing the sick.

ref : http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IVrMHhZXQi0/UElbssTE-fI/AAAAAAAAAIc/l-NHfJmo3q0/s1600/moses_in_the_bulrushes_zoom.jpg

You can check the scriptures. The only reason all the male children were killed and eliminated when Moses was born was that satan wanted to snuff off the seed potential that Moses was carrying to deliver the whole nation who was under slavery and bondage into freedom.

Again when Jesus was born, King Herod passed a decree to kill all the male children from infant to 2 years. Can you imagine; 2000 babies were killed.

Why? Because king Herod knew there was a King of Kings that was born in the east to bring light to the world, who has come to set the captives free and heal the sick and the lame, the deaf and blind. Satan could not stand the birth of this powerful seed and therefore he wanted to crush the seed by all means.

RIGHT ATMOSPHERE WILL DETERMINE THE RIGHT HARVEST

Atmosphere is a very crucial matter that determines your harvest. Atmosphere is where you sow your seed. Don’t sow you seeds at random- indiscriminately. There are good ground and rocky ground. There are good soil and bad soil.

Please understand not everybody is a good ground. Don’t waste your time sowing good seeds with carnal people.

One example: People who don’t respect your time will not respect your wisdom. People who switch off their phone and don’t respond to your call. People who only look for you in times of need. People who always give excuses and lie to you.

ref : http://www.gophoto.it/view.php?i=http://static.hdw.eweb4.com/media/wallpapers_1920x1080/quotes/1/1/time-and-life-quote-hd-wallpaper-1920×1080-1851.jpg#.U-gtLKNdCSo

You know what? Some people don’t belong to your boat. Some people don’t belong to your journey. You need to get rid of such people and cut them off before they exploit your goodness and take you for a long ride.

You must sow it in the right atmosphere. Everything happens in a right atmosphere. Everything God wants to do will happen in the right atmosphere. Your seed will only thrive in the right ground.

Your seed will not take root when you sow it in the wrong people. If people don’t have an appetite for your seed, then it’s the wrong ground to sow your seed. You know what? The atmosphere in which you sow your seed is a very critical matter. Watch out for the people who say they know it all.

ref : http://blog.zennioptical.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/eye-roll.jpg

They are the most dangerous people. Therefore, you need to get rid of some people who are unproductive. I don’t care how much you give to unproductive and lazy people, they will still sit there waiting for hand-outs upon hand-outs. Why should you be wasting your time with people who are going nowhere?

You know what? There are people who are sitting right below a treasure of gold and yet not making an effort to look for it. Even when you point out to them it’s there, they will come up with a flood of excuses. What can you say of such people!?

You and I will have to give an account to God as to what you did with the seed that God has given you.

THE MONEY THAT GOD PLACES IN YOUR HAND IS A SEED
Matthew 25:14-30: Parable of the talents. The master entrusted seeds to each one of his servant. But not all of them sowed the seeds to produce a harvest. The one talent man refused to sow and therefore did not receive a harvest.

Returning after a long absence, the master asks his servants for an accounting. To the first two servants, he said well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; I will set you over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.”

ref : http://sharingthegoodnews.files.wordpress.com/2013/09/willem_de_poorter_parable_talents_minas.jpg

The third servant, however, has merely hidden his talent in a hole in the ground, and he said to his master, I was afraid. But his lord answered him, “You wicked and slothful, lazy servant. You ought therefore to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I should have received back my own, with interest. Take away therefore the talent from him, and give it to him who has the ten talents.

Apparently he held his seed in his hands and refused to sow and therefore it did not multiply. Your seed will have no power to produce a harvest unless you let it go and sow it in good ground.

For to everyone who has, will be given, and he will have abundance, but from him who doesn’t have, even that which he has will be taken away.

ref : http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-0zMB63S_nOw/UbNS3ntpWAI/AAAAAAAAAUQ/3HTqmugd2uA/s1600/Stewarship_poster.jpg

Here is a divine principle that needs to be understood. God will never entrust into your hands what you can’t value and care about. When He gave Adam the Garden of Eden, it was sufficiently adequate and it was abundantly prosperous. But you know what? He did not expect Adam to just take it easy and do nothing about it. He said to Adam to tile the ground and take care of it so that it will produce much (Gen.1:28-29).

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat.

ref : http://www.oakdiocese.org/ministries/stewardship/social-justice-as-stewardship/handsteamwork.JPG/@@images/image/preview

The question I wish to ask you again, what are you doing with the seed that God has placed in your hands? What is it that you are holding in your hand so tightly right now that you have become so dependent upon? Listen! If you refuse to let it go, you will remain where you are!! You will stay there! No matter how justified your reasons may be, I want to tell you today if you don’t throw it to the ground and let it go, you have nothing left!

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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12 August 2014 - 

拥有选择的权力是神赐给我们的最大礼物之一。事实上，每一天，我们都面临着数以百计的决定。

我们决定是否要起床，吃什么东西，做什么事情，想什么事情，说什么话。从发型开始，我们对所有事情做决定……直到在工作或者家庭这些重要事情中做决定。

尽管看起来我们的日常选择无足轻重，但它们真的非常重要。

申命记30章19节记载说：“我今日呼天唤地向你作见证，我将生死、祸福陈明在你面前，所以你要拣选生命，使你和你的后裔都得存活。”

重要的是要明白，你做的每一个选择都是播撒一粒种子，在你的生命中这些种子会结出果实，或生或死。所以，如果我们想拥有耶稣为我们牺牲的生命：一个充满着平安和喜乐的丰富生命，那么我们就需要做出明智的选择。

好的选择带来好的生命

我觉得很多时候我们能善于专注生命的大决定但被小决定而打败。所罗门的雅歌2章15节实际上告诉我们，就是“小狐狸”毁坏葡萄园。同样的，我们每天都在日积月累很多微不足道的决定从而足够影响到我们的生活。

让我给你举个例子。我养成了一个习惯，每天晚上9点钟上床，这样我可以9:30左右卧榻鼾睡。如果我上床准时的话，那么我能够准时起床，在开始我其余一天的生活之前和神度过有质量时间。

现在，有些人可能会认为，你的就寝时间真那么重要？

没错！因为如果我只是简单的按照我的喜好，决定上床时间，我就会破坏我与神交通的时间，这也是我作为基督徒需要成长的一件事。如果持续几天后，因为熬夜我最终也会感到疲倦和熬困苦，开始想知道为什么一切都显得那么艰难。

这看起来很简单，但我相信这些“小”事情对我们生活的影响要远远超过我们所意识到的。在我们选择中使用智慧意味着我们更深入的知道我们所要的，我们所想的，我所感觉的。

智慧的选择是现在所做的会使我们的未来得到满足。与此相反，愚蠢的选择往往是不计后果的行为。其实我已经知道了愚蠢一词的定义是“没有常识”。

现在，这里有个好消息：如果你做了愚蠢的选择（我们都做过的），因为这样的选择你现在并不快乐，但你可以改变。战胜一连串错误决定的最好的方法就是做一连串正确的决定。

第一步就是我们要为我们已经做出的错误选择负责。诚实的面对自己很重要，如果我们想要去改变。耶稣说，真理必叫我们得以自由（约翰福音8章32节），这包括真理和我们本身。

下一步是要痛下决心决定改变……为你的未来开始进行一系列明智的选择。

你需要知道的事情……

继续阅读

References for pictures:

http://www.pyroenergen.com/articles13/images/insomnia-cant-sleep.jpg

http://petergowesky.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/10/choices.jpg

http://www.healthyalberta.com/Images/AL-change.jpg

12 August 2014 by Mindy Oon CM - 

Dr. Femi Olowo from London spoke at FGA Ipoh on the 10 of August 2014. His sermon was on Spiritual Warfare, and touched on several important points with regards to this topic.

We are engaged in Spiritual Warfare because we have an enemy. 1 Peter 5:8 tells us to ‘Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”

Tools of the Enemy

There are several common tools that the enemy uses to attack God’s people. First, he uses temptation. When Jesus was in the wilderness, the devil tried to tempt Him. Matthew 4:3 says ‘The temper came to him and said, “If you are the Son of God       , tell these stones to become bread”.  Secondly, he uses deceptions. 2 Corinthians 11:3 “But I am afraid that just as Eve was deceived by the serpent’s cunning, your minds may somehow be led astray from your sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” Thus, in order to make sure that we are not deceived, we need to know what the Word of God. Third, the devil uses accusation. He accuses us day and night, just as he accused Job, saying that Job only loved God because of the blessings that God had given to him. Revelations 12:10 refers to the devil as “…. For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down”.  And fourthly, our enemy causes strife, especially in families. Proverbs 6:16-19 says “There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.

Objectives of the Enemy

The objectives of our enemy is stated clearly in John 10:10 (The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full) Many of us know this verse by heart, but we do not realize that the devil is going all out to steal, kill and destroy. He wants to steal our belongings, our joy, our peace, he wants to steal the good relationships that we have. He desires that we are down with sickness and diseases, and he wants to end out life prematurely. And last but not least, the enemy wants to destroy our spiritual life, and he wants to destroy our faith in God and our destiny.

The Enemy’s Camp is United

Satan’s kingdom is one that is united. Matthew 12:26 says “If Satan drives our Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand?” Satan was once part of God’s kingdom and he learnt organization before he fell. Ephesians 6:11-12 tells us to “Put on the whole armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”  Our enemy is methodological, and he has schemes to attack God’s people.

Our Mind is the Battlefield

ref: http://garrettkell.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/chess-board.jpg

2 Corinthians 10:3-5 tells us that “For though we live in the world, we do not wage war as the world does. The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds. We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every though to make it obedient to Christ.” In this fight, our mind is one of the keys to win the battle. We need to start pulling down strongholds, casting down imagination, casting down high ungodly concepts and casting down contrary thoughts. Remember that God is on our side, and with Him, nothing is impossible. Spiritual warfare is not one that we can avoid. Satan has his plans and is going all out to steal, kill and destroy God’s people. Thus, we need to put on the full armor of God, and start fighting the good fight of faith!

12 August 2014 -

Wow, I’m a mommy? He’s a daddy? We think we know what the baby needs. But what about us?

Jay and Nancy Gueldner couldn’t have been happier when they discovered their first baby was on the way. Both in their 30s, with solid careers and a happy marriage, the Gueldners were confident they could handle their new roles as parents.

“We knew an infant was an enormous responsibility, and we knew it would be a huge life change,” Nancy says. “But we had no idea that one little baby could be so all-consuming.”

ref : http://www.skinnymom.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/couple-baby.jpg

When Robby arrived, it didn’t take long for the Gueldners to notice the effect on their marriage.

“I’m sure we neglected each other,” Nancy remembers. “We used to have all the time in the world to spend together and nurture our relationship, and then suddenly, the baby was the first priority.”

It’s no secret that most moms and dads are blindsided by the magnitude of this transition. Indeed, even the most unflappable person can become unhinged following the baby’s birth. But what many couples fail to realize is that stress, sleep deprivation and emotional exhaustion can seriously damage a marriage.

ref : http://cbsnews1.cbsistatic.com/hub/i/r/2012/06/25/af61fe4b-a644-11e2-a3f0-029118418759/thumbnail/620×350/bde23bb2689e667b6c226be361adc03e/ctm_woman_062512.jpg

Studies show that more than half of all married couples experience a decline in marital satisfaction following the birth of a baby. Furthermore, most couples report having eight times more conflict in their marriages after the baby joins the family. Trouble is, finding time to cultivate your relationship with your spouse – without your little one wailing in the background – isn’t always easy.

“So many people told us to leave our son with someone so we could connect as a couple,” Nancy says. “But we didn’t have family nearby at the time, and we didn’t feel comfortable hiring a babysitter we hardly knew.”

If a weekend getaway or even a romantic dinner for two isn’t realistic, there are other do-able ways keep your marriage on solid footing:

ref : http://guidedoc.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/man-woman-using-couples-therapy-exercises-for-communication.jpg

• Communicate positively with one another. In spite of the emotional ups and downs common to new parents, make a habit of supporting and encouraging your spouse.

“Jay and I really tried to be kind to each other even when we didn’t feel like it,” says Nancy.

Scorekeeping, nit-picking and those niggling feelings of jealousy may be normal, but tearing one another down won’t go unnoticed. Sharing emotions and coming up with appropriate solutions is a key component to a healthy marriage – now and in years to come.

• Make it a priority to spend time together. Whether it’s enjoying an evening walk, ordering take-away after the baby has gone to bed or grabbing a few minutes to talk over breakfast, try to find ways to engage in conversation that work for both of you. It’s easy to get hyper focused on your baby’s day-to-day care. Still, having fun together as a couple will create a loving foundation for the whole family.

ref : http://ak.picdn.net/shutterstock/videos/3013075/preview/stock-footage-animation-of-a-couple-spending-time-together-in-their-living-room.jpg

• Maintain an overall sense of team. On top of issues like who will earn what portion of the income and who will do the laundry when, ease the parenting transition by detailing role responsibilities. Nagging one another about who should load the dishwasher – all while the baby is screaming to be fed—will only result in increased irritability. Rather, compromise with one another, maintain flexibility and work through expectations. If each person helps out, then you can avoid resentment and establish a united front early on.

ref : http://www.hellomagazine.com/imagenes//healthandbeauty/mother-and-baby/2013010310579/new-years-resolutions-for-mums-and-dads/0-53-598/baby–z.jpg

• Understand that intimacy changes. It’s common for a new mom to experience sadness and frustration at the ways pregnancy; childbirth and nursing have changed her body. Fatigue and sleeplessness further complicate the physical aspect of many marriages. With less time and energy for sexual closeness, it’s crucial for husbands and wives to discuss new approaches to intimacy. As unromantic as it may sound, sex can be thoughtfully planned into your schedule. And don’t despair: you can rediscover that pre-baby passion.

This article was published with permission from Focus on the Family Malaysia. For more information, please visit or contact us.

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13 August 2014 - 

以前，我同學對我的印象常常是『無聊的人』，為什麼呢?因為無論作什麼，我都會問他們「然後勒? 這件事做完對我有什麼好處。」他們總會對我說「做的時候會覺得很快樂阿!!這叫作『娛樂』，懂嗎?」於是我嘗試去唱KTV、去看風景、玩電腦遊戲、看漫畫…之類的，我一直在這些事物中找尋快樂的蹤跡，除了越來越「渴」，我什麼也沒得到。老實說，我一點都不懂，不懂他們所謂的「娛樂」。

也許聽起來很可笑，但我曾經獨自很認真地思考著『為什麼會有娛樂?』仍百思不得其解，我也問了身邊的人，他們只是簡單地跟我說「你壓力太大了，放輕鬆一點!娛樂就是要你有喘息的機會!」感覺很有道理，不過聽完我還是一頭霧水。我捫心自問：「如果…娛樂的目的真的是為了快樂，那為什麼做完後回到家，獨自望著天花板時只覺得越來越空虛呢?」

就這樣過了很久，雖然一切好像看似都很順遂，但總覺得好像缺了什麼。

不過，我也慢慢適應了這樣無味的生活。偶爾我還是會把這個問題拿出來想一下，感覺起來生活很沒意義，讀書為了好工作，好工作為了找個好配偶共組甜美的家庭，再來就養兒育女，含飴弄孫，然後勒?最後我想….這個問題看來是無解了，或許真的是我想太多了，一切就是那麼自然就出現了，哪來那麼多『然後勒?』。

直到有一天，我真的覺得無聊到我什麼都不想做的時候，我突然想起我還有一件事可以做!我把我那本吹了會有灰塵飛起來的含註解恢復本聖經翻開了，很認真的開始讀。不翻開還好，一翻開我只有不斷得驚訝!好多東西是我未曾想過的。隔天我再度翻開時，我竟然找到了這困擾我好久的答案:『為什麼會有娛樂?』。

我們都知道起初神為人造了一個園子─伊甸園，人的一切都由神來，不必自己去找食物、居所……，但因著人的犯罪墮落，被迫離開這個園子，離開神。後續呢?夏娃生了該隱和亞伯，在創世紀4章17節提到: 「該隱與妻子同房，他妻子就懷孕，生了以諾。該隱建造了一座城，並按著他兒子的名，將那城叫作以諾。」 感覺起來好像在講故事的一句經節它的註解是這樣寫的:「該隱離開神的面之後，為著保護和自存，就建造了一座城。他在這城裏產生了無神文化。在伊甸園中，神是人的一切，是人的保護、維持、供應和娛樂。人失去神，就失去了一切。這迫使人發明人的文化，其主要元素是城為著生存、畜牧為著維生、音樂為著娛樂、以及武器為著防禦。在本章所發明出來的無神文化，要繼續發展，直到在大巴比倫達到極點。」

继续阅读

References for pictures:

http://www.workies.com.au/sites/default/files/entertainment_130711.jpg

http://www.marcandangel.com/images/10-happiness-mistakes.jpg

13 Aug 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

On 19^th of July, Pr Peter Tsukahira talked about restoring what is lost, at the SOM Conference 2014, “Israel and the mystery of GOD’s favor” held at Grace Convention Centre, Petaling Jaya.

Restore the Lost

He began by sharing the story of Apostle Peter, who healed a crippled man at the temple’s gate called Beautiful. Seeing the crowd who was drawn to the miraculous healing, Peter shared about Jesus; he said to the crowd, “Heaven must receive Him (Jesus Christ) until the time comes for God to restore everything, as He promised long ago through His holy prophets.” (Acts 3:21)

Ref : torange

Based on the final chapter of the Old Testament below (Mal 4:5-6), Pr Peter shared that before Jesus returns, He will restore the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents (we know that John the Baptist was the one in the spirit of Elijah).

“Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.“He will restore the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers, so that I will not come and smite the land with a curse.” (Mal 4:5-6 NASB)

“We are in a period of restoration now that would lead us to the return of the Lord. That’s because the Lord has restored Israel back to her people. In 1948, a nation (Israel) that is annihilated, dysfunctional, scattered, and death, came back to life!

“You’re looking at an event at a great historic precedence. Never a nation reaching its glory and then attacked by enemies, scattered, and began to wander in nations of the world for nearly 2000 years, ever come back,” said Pr Peter.

Return to our Abrahamic Roots

Pr Peter praised the blooming Messianic congregation in Israel, with Jewish believers-in-Christ worshiping God in Jerusalem. He shared that was the first time we see this event happening after the book of Acts! Indeed, God’s Word never passed away, though the grass withers and the flower fades. (Isa 40:8; 1 Pet 1:24).

“God promised Abraham a Promised Land and He would not break this promised. As the family of Abraham as well, we want our children to know this too because we have a covenant with God,” said Pr Peter.

If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Gal 3:29 NIV)

Ref : wikimedia

“The Bible is very clear on who are the fathers of our faith—it’s not Billy Graham or Martin Luther—but they are Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. (Matt 22:32) Paul was also referring to these three people. We are the children of Abraham through faith.

”So, the church is beginning to restore its Hebrew roots. It’s more than just a detail of our seminary course but it’s a paradigm shift. It’s when the rules that define what success is changes. It’s a game changer,” he added.

We Need a Paradigm Shift!

Pr Peter shared an example of the importance of a paradigm shift.

Kodak, a multibillionaire pioneer in producing high-resolution photography from year 1888, went bankrupt in year 2012. What has caused their bankruptcy, especially when Kodak had many businesses (such as household cameras, medical industry, film-processing, and high-resolution graphics printing).

The answer is digital photography. Kodak was not fast enough to make the turn, though they have 100 years of experiences.

Ref : businessinsider

But the interesting thing is that Kodak already invented the first digital camera in 1975 by using the microchip. By the early 1980’s, they already had their first digital camera in the market, 15 years ahead of their competitors.

“Obviously, there are managers who know that they have the invention of cameras in the future. But they think, ‘We are into film and chemicals.’ They had been in that for 100 years. It’s about high-resolution films using chemicals. It’s not about electronics. And they argue just long enough for other companies to come and do it.

“So, now Kodak is history. The truth is that the new paradigms appear while the old paradigm is still working. The one most vigorous in opposing the new are the most successful in working in the old,” said Pr Peter.

Restore the Laws of God’s Kingdom

Hence, we need to restore the laws of God’s Kingdom in our life. Pr Peter shared when God first became the king of the Israelites in the desert, the first thing He told Moses to tell them is:

This is what you are to say to the descendants of Jacob and what you are to tell the people of Israel: ‘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 19:3-6 NIV)

Ref : pearlsofprofundity

In Exodus 20, God called out Moses and gave the Israelites the law. This law sets Israel apart from other kingdoms because it shows God’s kingdom is lawful; whereas, for other kingdoms, the king is the law. In Egypt for example, whatever the Pharaoh says is law. To put it simply, the Pharaoh can choose one day to create and another day to banish the law according to his whims and fancies. But God’s ways are different.

“God says, ‘In my Kingdom, that’s not how I work. This is my law and for my law, nothing will change. Don’t try to manipulate me or buy me. Just do what I say. Not only you become a nation, you become a great nation. You will become an example nation for all times,” said Pr Peter.

Serve Freely in God’s Kingdom

The paradox of serving God’s Kingdom is that we are serving FREELY under God’s law.

When Jesus came, Jesus did not abolish the law but He fulfilled the law to its perfection. (Matt 5:17) Hence, by fulfilling the law, Jesus is no longer bound to the letter of the law that kills (Matt 5:20) but by the Spirit of the law that sets us free, without losing the lawfulness of God.  And because He died to the law, He is released from the law. Likewise, we as believers in Christ died to the law as well and are released from the law! (Rom 7:4-6) That is what you call as true freedom.

Ref : minutemenministries

Apostle Paul who was the Pharisee of the Pharisees becomes the greatest example of freedom when he said:

So, my brothers and sisters, you also died to the law through the body of Christ that you might belong to another, to him who was raised from the dead, in order that we might bear fruit for God. For when we were in the realm of the flesh, the sinful passions aroused by the law were at work in us, so that we bore fruit for death. But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code. (Rom 7:4-6 NIV)

“So, this Kingdom describes for us the structure that you live in. You want to live in a Kingdom that has justice. You should know that bad law restricts your freedom. And good laws protect your freedom,” said Pr Peter.

See the Beauty in God’s Laws

In describing the beauty of the law, Pr Peter shared about ‘The Rules of Associations Football,’ which is one of the 12 most influential books that changed the world. The book was written in 1863 by a group of people in England who decided to get together and write a standard set of rules to be used in the football match.

Ref : ndtvimg

“If you change one of the laws in football, you change the game because the law makes the game. If you don’t have rules for football, there will be no game, which causes the intense enjoyment for millions of people. I grew up in a hippy generation; laws are a restriction to our freedom to me,” said Pr Peter.

But when he read Psalms, the psalmist exclaimed, “Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long.” (Ps 119:97) When Pr Peter first started reading the first five books in the Bible, he realized that there were many laws about religion, marketplace, real estate transaction, healthcare, hygiene, and education.

We are ALL Priests in God’s Kingdom

“I was looking at the core of the entire culture in the Bible! I realized that the examples of God’s Kingdom are for all of us. God says, ‘In my Kingdom, I rule in every area of the society.’ What would be like in your city when Jesus returns on Wednesday afternoon right in the middle of the city?

“A handful of people recognize Him on the sidewalk and ask, ‘What are you doing here?’ Jesus says, ‘I am back. Where’s my kingdom?’ And we say, ‘Lord, didn’t you know that everyone’s working? Come back on Sunday when all of us are there,’” said Pr Peter.

This idea is hilarious because it’s preposterous. When Jesus comes back, every knee will bow. At that time, God will establish for Himself a complete Kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

Pr Peter Tsukahira

“There’s no division between sacred and secular. Everything you do in God’s Kingdom is supposed to be holy. If you’re a lawyer or a judge, you need to do it in the fear of God. There’s nothing more exciting in this world than serving God. There’s no option because all of us are priests.

“We need to move away from spiritual experiences, the perimeter of success for a religion. The paradigm shifting is this: if everyone can be anointed and is accountable for what he or she does, then that means everybody else needs to get out of the church. It’s not how many people get in but how many people sent out from the church,” said Pr Peter.

And when we realize that we are holy priest in all areas of our life, the church will change cities! The church should be a factory producing qualified people and sending them out to impact the world.

“We don’t need big numbers. Jesus is always turning away from the crowds because if we are going to do this with our churches, we can change this church in this generation. The good thing about God’s purposes is that it will happen with or without us. But some of us say, ‘I want to be in the centre of God’s purposes!’” said Pr Peter.

Ref : eborg2

Be a Priest who Serve your King!

Pr Peter shared that when the Israelites finally settled in the Promised Land, harvesting and prospering, they became tired of having an invisible king. So, they told Prophet Samuel that they wanted a human king like other Kingdoms.

A human king is not a good idea because he will draft their children to serve him as carpenters, steelworkers, soldiers, farmers, cooks, and bakers. He will receive the best of all plantations and cattle and tax their grain. To put it simply, the people will become the human king’s slaves. Despite knowing these laws, the Israelites still wanted a human king. (1 Sam 8:11-20)

In short, the Israelites rejected God as their King. And as time goes by, their kingdom eventually disappeared and the Israelites were dispersed all over the world for nearly 2000 years.

“The Israelites saw darkness until they see a man in light (Jesus Christ). This man can walk on water, He turned water into wine, and He can heal. This man is expected to save the Israelites. They knew. They had expectations. They want God to bring them back in the whole society,” said Pr Peter. Yet, the Jewish people until today rejected Jesus Christ as the Messiah, though many eyes are beginning to open.

Pr Peter shared when Jesus is resurrected and reappeared to his disciples, they asked him right before he went up the sky, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the Kingdom to Israel?”

Ref : amazonaws

Hence, a question we should be asking ourselves is, “Are we restoring our country for the Lord Jesus?”

“Whatever your eschatology is, Jesus is returning and He expects us to do what we are supposed to do,” said Pr Peter.

In a nutshell, are we restoring to the Kingdom of God what is lost? If we serve under God’s Kingdom, we are serving Him in freedom, justice, love, mercy, and everything that is good. And to restore what is lost, let us begin restoring the Kingdom starting in ourselves.

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