4 September 2014 by Kim Yung CM -

“There are two things that exist in the eyes of God; the heavens and the earth. When you’re not on earth, you’re in heaven” shared Pastor Jack Piong who recently preached at Faith Oasis Fellowship on the 23rd of August.

Pastor Jack Piong

He reflected on three simple passages below from the Bible. “One of the biggest questions in our Christian walk is, “How will I know God’s will for my life?” he shared.

Genesis 1:1
In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was without form and void, and darkness was over the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.

Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

Revelations 22:20
He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming soon.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

As we continue to reflect on God’s will for our lives, there are two aspects that we generally come up, God’s will and our own will. Every human being has at some time or other clashed with the Will of God or the Will of other men. Due to the fact that everyone is different, we acknowledge that we seldom think as others do or even share the same opinions.

ref : blogspot.com

The result of this constant clash of thinking can often result in a stronger attachment to our own Will. “All of us make plans over and over again but in the end the Lord says that it is His plan that prevails,” shared Jack. We can nourish our Will much as a woman nourishes her baby. A constant diet of self-will feeds our pride and the result is the same as over-eating. When our pride grows out of proportion to our intelligence and the result is disaster. When man begins to make unreasonable demands and man begins to become slaves to themselves.

John 17:14-15
I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 15 I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one.

John 6:63
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh is no help at all. The words that I have spoken to you are spirit and life.

ref : pinimg.com

God preferred to give us an example of how to overcome rather than take away our frailties by giving us Jesus. Through the knowledge of the Lord we can conclude that He preferred to have human beings overcome His archenemy by the power of the Spirit living in them.

Psalm 91:4
He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Proverbs 19:21
Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the LORD’s purpose that prevails.

How do you know what’s God’s plan?

ref : tumblr.com

“If you continue to surrender to God, whatever that comes your way and whenever you have the peace to do the things that God wants you to do, you will know that, that is the direction that God wants you to move” shared Jack.

In order to live in His will, we must look at the life of Jesus and to the Word of God. Jesus saw in every facet of His life, the Will of His Father. He seemed preoccupied with it. When He spoke, He told the crowds the words He spoke were the Father’s words. When He healed, He told them He only did the “work” of the Father. When He was in pain, He saw the love of the Father for mankind permitting Him to suffer in order to redeem us.

Praise and Worship at Faith Oasis Fellowship.

In addition to that, according to the Bible, Jesus reminded us of the desire for worldly possessions when He said, “No servant can be the slave of two masters: he will either hate the first and love the second, or treat the first with respect and the second with scorn”. With all our desires to be good and holy there is in our soul that constant struggle between what we are and what we want to be.

“God’s will is to bless you! Remember that! He wants to prosper you and make you successful. Sometimes in our life and in our walk we always wonder why God has blessed my neighbour and not me,” shared Jack. We can continue pondering and comparing our own blessings and the blessings that others have received over and over and it still will not result in any positivity. “Know that there are reasons in it” he said. We need to love God, have faith in Him, and be obedient to His Word. You can only solve a problem through the grace and strength of God.

John 14:15
If you love me, keep my commands.

Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans for welfare[a] and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.

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The post What Is God’s Will? Seeing Beyond. appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

4 September 2014 by Rev Dr Jai Kumar –

当你觉得自己已经再也没有任何盼望时，你可以指望那好牧人。

耶和华是我的牧人，我必不会缺乏。

我虽然行过死阴的山谷，也不怕遭害。

我一生的日子，必有恩惠慈爱紧随着我。

（诗篇23）

好牧人看顾他的羊群

彼得前书 5：7

你们要把一切忧虑卸给神，因为他顾念你们。

神就是我们的好牧人，祂顾念我们，祂也带领我们度过困难、挑战的时刻。尽管我们生命中会面对各式各样情感、物质和生理上的挑战和攻击，但那好牧人总是每时每刻医治、恢复和扶持我们。

腓立比书 4:19

“我的神必照他在基督耶稣里荣耀的丰富，满足你们的一切需要。”

或许祂并没有照着“你想要和祈求”的给你，但是祂必定会按着“你的需要”供应你。

大卫与神的关系

大卫对上帝的描述和理解是非常亲密和深厚的，是超越我们所能测量的。尽管他的生命有瑕疵、不足之处，但他打从心底深深地述说有关上帝的事！当他在旷野中保护他的羊群，与熊和狮子打斗时，他经历了上帝的美好和信实。他心里清楚知道，无论生命遇到任何景况，神永远都不会让他失望，亦不会离弃他。这也是为什么他如此渴望住在神的同在中，沉浸在神的恩膏里。

他说，

诗篇 42:1-2

神啊！我的心渴慕你，好像鹿渴慕溪水。我的心渴想神，就是永活的神；我什么时候可以朝见神的面呢？

虽然他的工作并不显著，但他选择成为负责任的人

大卫还未成为以色利人的王之前，他只不过是在旷野中看顾羊群的牧童，是不显著且被边缘化的。但是，他却与上帝有着亲密的关系。同时，他看重自己被托付的责任，尽全力地看顾那些羊群，甚至愿意舍命地保护羊群。上帝看见他的忠心，便提升他成为以色列人的王。

路加福音 16:10

在最小的事上忠心的，在大事上也忠心。

他比喻神为好牧人！他知道前面的山谷或许幽暗、危险且孤独，但他也不怕遭害。他是一个勇敢和有责任感的人，即使家里托付予他的工作是不显眼的差事。

他全然倚靠的是上帝，而不是他身后的财富或势力

大卫的生命非常有意思之处就是，他一再而再地强调自己的帮助是从创造天地的耶和华而来（诗篇 121:2）。

即使他拥有身为王的威严、能力和权力，他依然处谦卑，知道若不是神，自己什么都不是。

箴言 3:34

他讥笑那些好讥笑的人，却赐恩给谦卑的人。

不幸的是，我们在现今的社会中，经常遇见那些仗着自己的财富而自负的人，骄傲已经控制了他们的生命；但是那威严且富裕的大卫却是如此地谦卑!他曾说，‘我一生的日子，必有恩惠和慈爱紧随着我！’也说，“耶和华时我的牧者！”

神让我们在旷野中的旨意

今天的你又是如何呢？你知道吗？若我们没有经过旷野，就无法真实地经历并明白上帝的真实和美好。我们需要清楚知道旷野对我们的重要性，因为那是神装备我们的地方，好让我们能够大大地被神使用。虽然旷野是一个孤独且幽暗的地方，一个离帮助有段距离的地方，却是一个提升我们到另一个领域的踏脚石。

那是一个破碎的过程；一个为预备我们将来的地方；那也是一个透过试炼和考验来塑造我们品格和信心的地方。这正是大卫还未去到生命尖峰前所经历过的旷野。

祂是如此靠近我们，我们却不认识祂

除此之外，好牧人会在你行过死荫的幽谷之际做些什么呢？他会一路相伴。你知道吗？宗教告诉我们神是坐在祂的宝座上，遥不可及的。我们需要透过行为和表现来证明自己。那都是错误的！我们的神是无所不在的神，祂无处不在！就像好牧人一样，祂温柔地跟在我们的后面，牵引我们、帮助我们、承担我们的痛苦、医治我们的伤痛、使我们从破碎中得着修复，甚至赐给我们盼望！

然而，可悲的是，尽管祂是如此靠近我们，也向我们显明祂自己，很多时候我们仍无法认出祂。祂如此紧随着我们，却从来都不会勉强我们，但又不会离弃我们。祂以无所不能的能力来引导我们；‘祂就是祂’，若我们让神来引导我们，祂肯定是信实可靠的。

约翰福音 10:11-14

“我是好牧人，好牧人为羊舍命。”

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

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.’

References for picrtures:

http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DavidtheShepherdBoy.jpg

http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/DAVID-SHEPHERD-BOY-TENDING-SHEEP-7X10.jpg

http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/2012842_univ_lsr_lg.jpg

http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/going-to-the-hill-visions-quest.jpg

http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/JESUS-LOOKING-ACROSS-THE-WORLD.jpg

http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Jesusmyshepherd.jpg

The post 每周灵粮——好牧人 appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

4 September 2014 -

Early in our marriage, my wife, Joy, and I became embroiled in a heated discussion.

What I wanted to say was, “Because of my frustration, I’m finding it difficult to steer this conversation in a positive direction, but that’s what I want to do.”

What came out instead was, “As hard as it is to say something nice about you right now . . .”

I hit the pause button and did an instant mental replay. The look on my face revealed that even I realised it was an exceptionally weird thing to say.

Silence filled the room. I gulped.

ref : reminderindia.com

Joy cracked up. Her laughter turned down the thermostat of our conversation and defused a potentially explosive situation. Fortunately for me, she understood what I meant to say and not what I actually said.

During a conflict, healthy communication isn’t always easy. In our marriage, Joy and I have tried to practise three useful skills that keep doors open to positive communication:

1) Avoid “you” statements. Conversations go south in a hurry when the “you always” or “you never” phrases are thrown in.

“You” comments usually sound like blame and cause the communication doors to slam shut.

ref : .soulshepherding.org

A positive alternative is “I feel” statements. Compare the following two sentences to see which one you would rather hear from your spouse:

• “You always leave the dishes stacked up.”
• “I feel overwhelmed by the large stack of dirty dishes.”

When you point a finger by saying “you always” and “you never,” you risk escalating the discussion into defensive resistance, anger and retaliation. By honestly communicating how you feel, however, you open the door to a room filled with empathetic understanding.

2) Make a critique sandwich. Clear communication involves the uncomfortable task of critique. Critique, in its best sense, simply means to evaluate. But it’s all too easy to become harsh in our evaluation; when that happens, critique mutates into cutting criticism, resulting in damaging arguments.

ref : rightattitudes.com

By serving a critique sandwich – where you place a tasty compliment on either side of the critique – you create hearty communication filled with nicely flavoured words and a positive evaluation aimed at growth.

ref : blogspot.com

For example, Joy once complimented me on my clothing, saying, “You have a good sense of style.” Then she added, “And because of that, I’m a little surprised you would choose that tie. It just doesn’t bring out the best in that shirt.”

I chuckled. By the kind way she said it, I knew she wasn’t giving me a failing grade on every clothing choice. She was simply evaluating that particularly ugly tie. (As I recall, it was pretty hideous.) To finish her critique sandwich, she added, “And I must say that your hair looks fabulous today!”

How could I get angry at my wife when she told me how fabulous I looked?

3) Restate your positive intent. When negative emotions escalate to dangerous levels, beware of giving the impression that your sole purpose in communicating is to wound. If you really want to heal instead of hurt, why not say so?

In the middle of a discussion that starts to head in a hurtful direction, you could say something like, “Before we go on, I’d like to say that I don’t want this one issue to overshadow all the good things that I love about you.” And it wouldn’t hurt to name a few!

ref : blogspot.com

A carefully worded statement of intent can stop the escalating anger and lead to productive conflict resolution. Even if the words don’t come out exactly right (like my odd statement to my wife), at least you can try to let your spouse know that you want to heal the relationship. And if you’re lucky, like me, your spouse will see through your muddled words to your loving intent.

By using “I feel” statements, making critique sandwiches and restating your intent, you can open doors to positive communication, mutual understanding and a happy, thriving marriage.

Clark Cothern is the senior pastor of Living Water Community Church in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He and his wife, Joy, have been married for 30 years.

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

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The post Communication Unravelled appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

5 Sept 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

“Father, we thank you for your powerful presence in this beautiful church. You have blessed this church with so much but the best has yet to come,” prayed Pr Edmound Teo of International Christian Assembly (ICA) Hong Kong as he ministered on August 24^th at Metro Tabernacle during their 32^nd Anniversary. He shared how we must not forget the love of God based on Rev 2:1-7.

“To the angelof the church in Ephesus write: These are the words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand and walks among the seven golden lampstands. ² I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked people, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. ³ You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary.

⁴ Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. ⁵ Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove your lampstand from its place. ⁶ But you have this in your favor: You hate the practices of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.

⁷ Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God. (Rev 2:1-7)

Pr Ong Sek Leang on-stage at Metro Tabernacle 32nd Anniversary

Pr Edmound shared how he was shocked to find how unhealthy he was from his doctor during a recent body check-up.

“Nobody believed me when I told them about my health because I looked young and healthy on the outside. But only the doctor can tell what’s happening inside my body,” said Pr Edmound, bidding the audience to do a spiritual check-up on themselves.

In Revelation 2, Jesus did an ‘x-ray’ on the churches’ true spiritual condition. He was not only speaking about the church but also the individuals of the church, because they are the ones who determine the church’s spiritual condition. And only Jesus can accurately see the external and internal condition of our church.

The congregation in Metro Tabernacle

Nevertheless, Pr Edmound stressed that Jesus gave this firm exhortation to the church based on the spirit of love, which He passionately declared when He died for the church 2014 years ago.

So, how does Jesus see the church of Ephesus? Firstly, He sees the church of Ephesus as a dynamic church, from their deeds, hard work, and perseverance. (v 2) Secondly, He sees this church as a discerning church because they have tested their apostles according to God’s Word. (v 2) Thirdly, they are a dedicated church because they persevered and endured hardships for Jesus. (v 3) Fourthly, they are a determined church because they have not grown weary and continued living for Christ. (v 3) And lastly, they are a disciplined church because they cannot tolerate the evil deeds by the Nicolaitans. (v 6)

Although the church of Ephesus appeared to be a great church to worship in, Jesus said, “Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first.” (v 4) This is a very sobering statement from Jesus because he has used a strong word ‘against’ although the church has done so much for Him.

Ref: 8-images

“Be it a dynamic, discerning, dedicated, determined, and discipline leader, at the centre of it all, Jesus said, ‘Go back to your first love,’” said Pr Edmound.

Even though the church in Ephesus was young and inexperienced, Paul commanded them:

“And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:17-19)

“Jesus is ‘against’ us not because He hates us but He loves us. And He said that with much pain. He’s calling out for our attention to return. You see love, it’s so easy to fall in love than to stay in love,” said Pr Edmound.

Ref: 8-images

He shared how at one time; he was struggling in knowing the Will of God for his ministry’s direction. He asked God, “What do you want me to do and where do you want me to go?”

Quoting what God told him, Pr Edmound shared, “It’s not about the ‘what’ and ‘where.’ Why don’t you pray ‘why’? This is because if your heart is right, even if you’re at the wrong place doing the wrong thing, I will take you to the right ‘what’ and right ‘where.’”

Ref: miraclelifeministries

Pr Edmound shared an analogy of how we can be present in our church but absent from God. A church member lost his cell phone in church. But even after searching high and low for the phone, he and his staff could not retrieve the phone though they could still make a call, which indicated connectivity. Like the phone, some of us are physically present in church but our hearts are far away from God.

Reflecting on himself, Pr Edmound shared his love for God was, 30 years ago. When he first knew Christ, he would read the Bible from cover to cover for four months, and sleep with his Bible. Even though he did not knew much English then, he would attend English services conducted by Christ’s Ambassadors and go to church on Fridays to pray despite the emptiness of the building.

Ref: nathanrouse

“I loved Jesus so much that the people around me couldn’t stand me because they didn’t love Jesus. It was very annoying to them. I would be telling them about Jesus. So, they didn’t like me and kicked me out from their group and I thanked God for the opportunity to suffer for Christ,” said Pr Edmound.

Now, having known the Word better from attending seminary, preaching the Word, and conversing better, Pr Edmound confessed that he has struggled in reviving the flame of first love he once knew in his heart.

But how can he forget about Jesus? Had it not been Jesus, Pr Edmound would be in prison without the opportunity to serve Him… now with a beautiful wife and two wonderful children.

Ref: ariannacristinadotcom

“Every time I talk about Jesus, about my first love for Him, I want to repent again. I want to come back to that first place. It’s not about where I am right now but where I was before. John said, ‘How far you have fallen!’ I am not asking you where you are right now, but where do you want to go?” said Pr Edmound.

The Scripture says to love Jesus with all our heart, all our soul, all our strength, and all our mind, because He loves us with everything He has. (Mark 12:30; Luke 10:27)

Again, we love Him not because we forget about us loving Him, but we forget how He loves us. We love Him because He first loves us. (1 John 4:19)

Hence, as we recall the times when Jesus showed His Love to us, the natural response would be to love Him back.

Pr Edmound (middle)

ABOUT Pr Edmound Teo: Growing up in East Malaysia, Pr Edmound was well-versed in Bahasa Melayu but he could barely speak a few words of English. As a student who won the Yayasan scholarship to study in a secondary boarding school in Melaka, he attended a local church there and accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior despite his difficulty in understanding the Bible. After a few months, he was filled with the Holy Spirit suddenly while he was alone in his room. He began to devour the Word even more, and eventually started his calling as a missionary in Africa and many other countries. The Lord finally sent Pr Edmound to Hong Kong, where he has served for more than 17 years now. As the senior pastor of ICA Hong Kong, Pr Edmound has turned the wheel of leadership and witnessed ICA’s phenomenal growth into the largest international church in the world. 

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The post Remembering your First Love—Metro Tabernacle 32nd Anniversary appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

5 Sept 2014 by Lim Poh Ann-

Can we seek medical treatment if we believe in miraculous healing?

Three years ago, Jane, a fervent Christian in her 50’s, noticed a small breast lump. As she believed in miraculous healing, she adamantly refused medical treatment. That proved to be a costly decision. Recently, she succumbed to breast cancer –– whereas she could have been cured if she had sought medical treatment early.

However, her story does not discount the fact that God still performs miracles today. Even terminally ill patients have testified to miraculous healing. 

More often, however, healing takes place when God works together with doctors and medicine. Let’s explore some of the issues related to faith and medicine.

Ref: nunspeak

Is God pro-health?

God desires that man enjoy the blessings of good health. One of His many names is Jehovah-Rapha––‘God our healer’. The Israelites were promised fertility and health if they obeyed God. They were also warned that they will be afflicted with diseases if they disobeyed Him (Deuteronomy 28: 27,28).

Healing was as much a part of Jesus’ ministry as preaching. Among those healed were lepers, paralytics and the blind. In the majority of cases, Jesus healed people without requiring faith on their part (Mark 6:56). Sometimes He performed few miracles because of their lack of faith. But, nevertheless, He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them (Mark 6:5).

Ref: untilallhaveheard1

God, being sovereign, does not heal always. And we cannot possibly fathom why some remain unhealed. Many disabled people gathered round the pool of Bethesda. But Jesus chose to demonstrate His healing virtue to one invalid (John 5:2-9).

Total wellness is an integral part of God’s will for His people: “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers” (3 John 1:2).

Does God heal only through supernatural means?

Having faith does not necessarily mean we have to shun medical treatment. Isaiah ordered a poultice to be applied to King Hezekiah’s boil (Isaiah 38:21). The apostle Paul told Timothy to drink some wine for his stomach ailments (1 Timothy 5:23). If “a merry heart doeth good like a medicine” (Proverbs 17:22), then the latter has a definite place in the life of believers. Certain plants (herbs) have healing properties (Ezekiel 47:12). A notable example is foxglove (digitalis) which has long been used to improve the pumping ability of a weak heart.

Ref: biblevector

Do doctors have any role to play in healing?

Jesus certainly does not discount the role of doctors in treating diseases. Otherwise He would not have said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician but those who are sick” (Luke 5:31). The apostle Luke was a doctor who followed Jesus in His healing ministry. Jesus seems to imply that doctors and practitioners of supernatural healing should happily coexist. Why can’t both camps work together and learn to respect each other?

Does seeking medical treatment signify a lack of faith?

How can we be deemed as lacking in faith––or considered as “second-class” believers––when we seek medical treatment? Scripture expressly says that medicine, herbs and physicians all have a role to play in healing.

Ref: evangelnorth

Does believing in miraculous healing mean that we cannot seek medical treatment?

Believers who are sick should avail themselves of miraculous healing:

• Affirm and declare by faith that God heals all our diseases (Psalm 103:3).
• Let the elders of the church pray for them (James 5:14).
• Seek to be ministered by those endowed with the gift of healing (1 Corinthians 12:28,30).

However, the sick need not shun or stop medical treatment as a demonstration of faith. Doctors treat but God heals. ‘Faith healers’ who insist that patients stop medical treatment––as a precondition for supernatural healing––may face litigation if death occurs. For example, a diabetic patient may slip into coma and die if drugs (or insulin injections) are suddenly stopped. 

Ref: theamericanjesus

Shouldn’t medicine be rejected as it represents man’s ingenuity?

The view that any product of man’s creativity is evil is indeed seriously flawed. Having created the world, God gave man the injunction to multiply, subdue and rule the earth (Genesis 1:28). This ‘cultural mandate’ drives all of man’s productive endeavours––from scientific to economic; from sustainable development to environmental conservation. Our creative potential bears the marks of our Creator, who created each snowflake distinct from the rest.

Countless lives have been saved since the advent of antibiotics and vaccination. It’s baffling why some hyper-spiritual ‘faith healers’ wholeheartedly embrace the benefits of modern inventions but reject modern medicine. Logically, they should stop travelling in cars and airplanes, and stop enjoying the benefits of mobile technology.

Some ‘faith healers’ view modern medicine as evil as the serpent has long been a symbol of the medical fraternity. Clearly they have forgotten the account when God told Moses to make a bronze serpent. Those bitten by snakes would not die if they looked at the serpent set on a pole (Numbers 21:8-9).

Ref: rplp.rice

Those with terminal cancer with bony metastasis have been told, if their faith in God is strong, they would be able to endure the excruciating pain. Is there any merit in such a practice?

If the pain persists despite prayer and healing ministry, the humane option is to give the patient a strong pain killer such as morphine. Why prolong their agony by withholding medicine? Let them spend their last days in comfort. No healer, no matter how impressive his or her list of success stories, should be found lacking in a most needful quality––compassion. 

Some patients have been told they are not healed because they lack faith. Is this the right thing to do?

Whether their faith is great or feeble (Mark 9:24), patients who seek miraculous healing trust God. They also respect the healer for his or her successful track record. Why burden them with false guilt in their darkest moments? However, in cases where sin hinders healing, the foregoing does not apply.

Ref: ahchealthenews

Is sincerity enough?

Jane sincerely believed she could experience miraculous healing. She thought that the kind of faith which pleased God was that which rejected medical intervention. 

But her sincerity wasn’t enough. The tragedy was that she had placed great faith in a particular ‘faith healer’––instead of digging into scripture to discover for herself the truth regarding faith and medicine.

A proper understanding of the relationship between faith and medicine is essential. God’s people are destroyed for lack of knowledge (Hosea 4:6). Tragedies similar to Jane’s case could have been prevented if people grasp this truth: Miraculous healing and medical treatment are not mutually exclusive.

Ref: seminaryondemand

AN APPROACH TO SICKNESS When we are sick or minister to those who are sick, what approach should we adopt?

• Remove hindrances to healing––unconfessed sin, unbelief.

• Seek miraculous healing and medical treatment. These options are not mutually exclusive.

• Wait upon God.

• Acknowledge His sovereignty. Commit the results to God.

• When miraculous healing does not occur, do not put the blame on the sick.

• Be open-minded about miraculous healing without medical intervention.

• Don’t try to figure it out––God’s ways are beyond us.

• His peace and presence will comfort us when all else fails.

The above article was first published in the Oct- Nov 2013 issue of Asian Beacon magazine, Vol. 45 No. 5

RELATED POSTS:

WHEN GOD DOES NOT HEAL God does not answer all our whys this side of eternity when we’re confronted with non-healing––even when all the prerequisites have been fulfilled for spiritual healing.

DON’T TRY TO FIGURE IT OUT

HEALING VERSUS SOVEREIGNTY OF GOD MEDICINE AND SUPERNATURAL

HEALING: MUTUALLY EXCLUSIVE? WHEN SICKNESS STRIKES A biblical view of sickness and healing

LONGEVITY: REWARD FOR FAITHFULNESS?

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The post Faith and Medicine: Friends or Foes? appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

5 Sept 2014-

I haven’t done it and I don’t know if I will. Dumping ice water over your head and posting the video on social media. Don’t get me wrong, I certainly believe in the cause, and even more important, in the man behind it. I am a proud alumnus of Boston College, and since former BC ball player Pete Frates started this whole movement, I couldn’t be more supportive. Promoting awareness and more importantly raising funds for ALS is a worthy cause.

Ref: i.kinja-img

ALS, more commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease, is a progressive neurodegenerative disease that attacks nerve cells and pathways in the brain and spinal cord. When the cells die so do voluntary muscle movement and control. In the later stages of the disease a person is totally paralyzed even though their minds remain alert.

Pete Frates is only 26 years old, but despite being confined to a wheelchair and on a respirator and feeding tube, he is leading the Ice Bucket Challenge. Pete’s initiative has already raised more than $53 million for ALS research. It is a great idea especially the part about challenging three friends to do it as well. Of course the best part is raising money to find a cure for ALS. It has been 75 years since Gehrig gave his famous “luckiest man on the face of the earth” speech and there still is not a cure or even an effective treatment for ALS.

Ref: heepochtimes

But I do have my concerns or at least reservations about the whole charity selfie phenomenon. I was recently reading about the history of Hawaii. The stories of the sacrifices Christian missionaries made to serve the people of Hawaii were incredible. Just to get to Hawaii required a six-month sea journey around Cape Horn navigating through some of the most treacherous waters in the world. The hardships these people went through just to get to Hawaii included seasickness, starvation and even death. They graduated from places like Yale and Princeton and gave up everything to serve in a foreign land. They received no salary, left behind all their family and had to start ministries from scratch. Once they got there they had to learn a new language and a whole new culture. Their wives died delivering children because there were no doctors. These missionaries were attacked and their churches burned because whalers and other sailors did not like the Christian teaching that young women should not be sexually abused.

Read more

The post Ice Bucket Challenge: Charity Selfie or True Sacrifice appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

5 Sept 2014 - 

《韦伯斯特字典》里定义“怜悯”为“超出公平的期待或需求的美德”。

怜悯不是公平的，但却是属神的，是有力量的，是效仿基督的。神把公正带到我们的生活当中。要在生活中荣耀神，我们需要学习更加完全信靠他。我们每个肢体每天有机会可以去做些事情，在与我们的朋友、家人、同事、甚至零售店的收银员的交往中去荣耀神。

在任何时候人们伤害或者让我们失望的时候，我们的人性会因为他们的缺点而讨厌他们。但神却要让我们爱所有人，包括我们的仇敌。（见马太福音5章43-48节）

如果他们在你的内心中看到了爱心，而不是愤怒和论断，那正显示出“超出期待之外的美德”。而且更为重要的是，这提供了一个有力的证据，那就是神在你的内心动工。我相信生活中最大的特权之一就是效仿耶稣基督。那我们就能在属灵上更加慷慨，给出人们所期待的怜悯。

不计较的智慧

当有些人伤害或冒犯我们的时候，我们很容易去列一张清单，算入他们所做错的每一件事情。但神告诉我们，要去喜欢他。

圣经耶利米哀歌3章22到23节告诉我们，神在每个清晨都有全新的恩典。以赛亚书42章25节中，神说，“唯有我，为自己的缘故，抹掉你的过犯，我也不纪念你的罪。”

当我和戴夫刚结婚时，我非常擅长打分。每一次我们有争执时，我都会算上从他遇上我的那天开始他所做的每一件对我不好的事情。

我不会忘记有一天，在我重新翻开我们的清单后，戴夫看着我说：“你何必要记着这些没有的东西？”

对于我们自身来说，最好的事情就是忘掉那些伤害，忘掉别人曾经对我们所做错的事情，让过去的事情真的成为过去。

事情的背后总有一个原因

我经常会说，明白事情背后的原因时会有怜悯之心。怜悯让我们关注那个人，而不仅仅是他对我们所做的事情。

如果你走进一家零售店，收银员非常不满，还给你摆出一副臭脸。你可以选择：

你可以说：“我不喜欢你的态度，我是这里的顾客，我不喜欢你现在的处理方式，我要告诉你的经理。”

或者你可以更加怜悯一些说：“你今天看上去很辛苦，我只想说，上帝爱你，而且真的关心你。”你可以相信那个人还有好的一面，或者意识到他们情绪低落是有理由的。

当某些人伤害我们时，我们本能的第一反应是，你不可以这样对我。但如果你想认为这样不会受到责备，那还会有其他事情找上门。”

然而，记住每一个人的错误会在某种程度上加剧我们对自己的伤害。

在我一开始遇见戴夫时，我自身有很多困扰，均来自我在成长过程中受到的性和情绪方面的虐待。曾经被伤害过，这就让我每隔几天就会开始一些争论，说一些让我后悔的事情。

继续阅读

References for pictures:

http://www.susiehemingway.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/06/Give_me_your_hand_by_vicktormm1.jpg

http://fc08.deviantart.net/fs12/f/2006/338/3/0/broken_promise_by_don_paolo.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-RI4dk0-RWvY/TcMMxHbxm-I/AAAAAAAACSM/zOOunPoezGg/s1600/bible%2Bheart%2Btree.jpg

The post 怜恤人的人有福了：学会分享神所赐予的怜悯 appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

6 September 2014 by Jason Law CM -

For three days, during the recent weekend of 29th – 31st of August, the Methodist Church of Malaysia had their National Methodist Prayer Convention (MPC) 2014, with a purpose of seeking after God’s direction for the Methodist Church, and for the Methodists’ role in the larger Body of Christ.

Close to 12,000 people turned up for the main celebration held in Putra Stadium on the 31st of August. The date was chosen for a symbolic meaning, and prayers were offered for God’s blessing, direction, and intercession on occasion of Malaysia’s National Day.

At the Methodist Prayer Convention 2014

The Methodist Church is a prominent Christian denomination in Malaysia. From the pioneer work started in 1894 by a handful of missionaries among the Tamil population in Penang, it has grown to encompass close to 200,000 people in 1034 congregations across the nation, making it the largest Protestant denomination in the country.

The current bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia, Bishop Ong Hwai Teik, shared about the three main directions for the Methodist Church of Malaysia, taken from Galatians 3:28, Ephesians 2:14, and 2 Chronicles 7:14.

Galatians 3:28
28 There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.

The coming together of Methodist Christians from throughout the country, including Sabah and Sarawak, manifest the reality of Galatians 3:28. Bishop Ong shared that this undivided unity across the board of the Body of Christ for God’s heart is especially pertinent for this season in Malaysia.

Bishop Ong Hwai Tek

The coming together of Christians from all races, and from both West and East Malaysia, reflects the people’s heart in obeying the injunction in Ephesians 2:14, to overcome racial and other barriers.

Ephesians 2:14 New International Version (NIV)
14 For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility,

On a deeper level than just coming together, Bishop Ong shared that there is a purpose for a gathering such as this, which can be found in 2 Chronicles 7:14.

‘The MPC 2014 is a collective response in humility towards the call and promise of our gracious God, to acknowledge that we are called by His name and that we belong to Him. We would then acknowledge His Lordship by admitting our need for Him by our intercession and seeking His presence and favour, accompanied by a sincere spirit of repentance and the forsaking of evil behaviors and actions,’ Bishop Ong outlined in a letter to the Methodist Church of Malaysia. ‘We are here together to seek God to bring restoration and revival to our church and this land’.

This call of obedience is reflected in the theme taken up by the convention: ‘A Church After God’s Own Heart’.

2 Chronicles 7:14
14 if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

There were many solemn moments during the celebration, but also a powerful air of commitment to God, and an encouraging and joyful feeling of unity as One Body that spread all across the stadium. The praises to God were thundering, backed up by 4 whole columns of choirs, and a full band from the Boys’ Brigade of Malaysia.

One of the choir columns at the MPC 2014.

Rev Dr Stephen Seamands shared a message about what it means for a church to be after God’s heart. He took his message from John 2:1-11, in which Jesus performed His first miracle of turning water into wine, when the wine had run out.

‘The first thing to take note of here is Mary and the servants’ response to Jesus’ command to fetch more water. They did not question the command; basing their actions on their own knowledge ie ‘what we need is more wine, not water’. Oswald Chambers said that “The Spirit of obedience brings more joy to God than anything else in the world.” The servant’s obedient response allowed them to be a part of what Jesus was doing,’ Rev Seamands shared.

Rev Stephen Seamands (right) with a Chinese language interpreter.

He shared that Jesus’ word to us are specific to our background, circumstances, and personality. They are always personal. But while this is true, we can also learn much through the waterpots in John 2:1-11 about God’s communication to us. They symbolized three things:

A. The waterpots represent a religion of form and duty that’s not flowing from our hearts.

The waterpots were used “for the Jewish rites of purification” (John 2:6). It is possible to have clean hands but an unclean heart. Jesus can turn the water of outward cleansing into the wine of inner transformation and renewal.

B. The waterpots represents walls and barriers of resentment and disunity.

The Jews had a wall that divided them from the Gentiles, and they used the water from the waterpots to stay uncontaminated from contact with Gentiles. Jesus can take the water of bitterness and alienation and turn it into the wine of fellowship and reconciliation.

C. The waterpots represent places of ministry and service God is calling us to.

Just like Jesus used the water to cleanse His disciples’ feet, we are called to various forms of ministry and services.

Rev Seamands shared that the servants first obeyed, and then the miracle proceeded. This order is important.

Bishop Ong Wai Teik and the other leaders leading the congregation into the Last Supper.

The highlight of the celebration was the Holy Communion Sunday Prayer in which 12,000 people prayed and partook of the Eucharist as One Body in Christ. A moment of silence was taken in remembrance for the victims of MH17 and as a token of respect for God’s sovereignty even in the midst of tragedy.

In his benediction, Bishop Ong shared that vision for the Methodists of Malaysia is to build strong and deep from the inside and stand as Christ-worthy nation-wide, that the Methodist Church will not stand in isolation but in solidarity with the 9.5% of the nation’s Christians.

The MPC 2014.

‘It means that as September 16 midnight approaches, and as all the churches in Malaysia take up the call to pray for our nation 24 hours 7 days a week, from that date and for the next 2 years, the Methodist Church of Malaysia will be counted to join in. Because we all know that real breakthrough can only come through prayer,’ Bishop Ong enjoined.

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The post Seeking In Unity for A Church After God’s Heart: The Methodist Prayer Convention 2014 appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

6 September by Kim Yung CM -

Live out the life that Christ has poured into us. “In our Church life we tend to serve Jesus through our Church programs whether it be worship or leading our Home groups; we tend to worship Jesus through our activities. I want us to learn the great art of being able to allow Jesus to minister through us after He’s ministered to us. It is quite important that we are engaging in what I consider encounters with God on a regular basis so that we can continually stay updated, and be relevant in our Christian faith” shared Pastor Jim Mclaughlan who heads Enlarge Ministries recently preached at City Revival Church, Subang on the 24th of August. As we get older we need to challenge ourselves to take risky steps of faith into a whole new world, or a new opportunity that God brings us to.

Pastor Jim Mclaughlan

The Church should be over achieving in our generation and not under achieving. “If we do not take steps of faith to do what God calls us to do, we get settled, we get comfortable in our faith and we stay at the same level” he shared. The understanding of God in our lives needs to constantly grow and transform in this ongoing newness that we are experiencing today; because God is continuously working a good work in our modern day society and God is limitless and is always relevant in our lives.

Colossians 1:27-28

To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. He is the one we proclaim, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.

The ability for a Church to adopt a Christian Christ culture is the number one challenge of the Church in our generation because of what we see and what are impressed by in our world. The biggest challenge of this day is bringing people to the knowledge and understanding of Christ.

ref : aimsites.org

“A relevant Church means I’m fitting in with God’s plan for the world. I’m not just shaping into a fishbowl of believers that are stuck in a rut, going round and round the bowl. There are times where the want to be perfect in Christ that we don’t understand the ability for Christ to flow through our lives to world that needs Him” he shared.

James 2:20-24

Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.

Be a Difference

Many people in our world want to be different by being someone else; they copy looks, the way people talk, and try to copy the way people live. An example Jim shared, was when he was walking down the street one day and he saw a Chinese man with pure blond hair, numerous tattoos and a bunch of ear piercings. “As soon as I saw that I said, “Okay you’re different. I can see that you’re displaying your differences to the world because you want to be different” shared Jim. You are already different when you are in God.

ref : peoplepeople.se

“We need a Church on the radical front and they have got to know who we believe, the Saviour, and the one living in our lives. Everything else that we were born to, has no relativity to eternity” he shared. We have to allow Jesus to flow through us to help us allow the authority of God to minister through us.

ref : wordpress.com

“As soon as you start to witness for Christ you are going to have a revolution, a revival or a riot because the devil, he doesn’t like it when the Church gets stirred up for the community. He wants you to go to sleep and slumber away your day” shared Jim. God’s heart is to make the Church strong so that it can make its people strong enough to make a difference in this world.

City Revival Church, Subang

1 Corinthians 11:1-2
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ. Now I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I delivered them to you.

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The post He makes all things New; We should too! appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

7 Sept 2014 by Yeo Teck Thiam-

I know people are hardly surprised when two or more persons have the same name. It is one of the coincidental circumstances we encounter in life. It is amusing to a certain degree, but certainly not funny if this causes confusion!

Having a common name is not unusual. Nevertheless, it is important that there are no mistaken identities that impact understanding and relationships. This will be the more distressing, if we only have a common name to get by.

This occurs in Scripture also, and the name that I have in mind is Mary. I think we can count at least four persons called ‘Mary’ in the Gospels, and certainly, some more Marys in the New Testament!

The first of these women in the Gospels was, of course, Mary the mother of Jesus. Then there was Mary Magdalene, then Mary the wife of Clopas, and lastly, Mary the sister of Martha and Lazarus in Bethany.

Ref: turnbacktogod

Accounting Three Marys First

In the Gospels, after Jesus was crucified, Mary the mother of Jesus was also called Mary the mother of James. It is necessary to note this, so that none is mistaken that there was another Mary called the mother of James. Mary’s children included James, Joses, Simon, and Jude. (Matthew 13:55, Mark 15:40, 16:1, 3:31, Luke 8:9, 24:10)

On the other hand, Mary the wife of Clopas is clearly another woman. When Jesus was crucified, Mary the wife of Clopas was at the cross besides Mary the mother of Jesus. Here, we can note there is obvious close kinship between the two Marys, as it would only be possible for close relatives to be at the scene of an execution. John 19:25

The early church fathers said that Mary the mother of Jesus was related by marriage to Clopas, as he was Joseph’s brother. So Clopas was the brother in law of Mary the mother of Jesus. This means that Mary the wife of Clopas, and Mary the mother of Jesus, were sisters in law.

However, I would not be able to place a family relationship for Mary Magdalene to Jesus. Jesus cast out seven demons from her, and she followed the Lord faithfully from then. (Luke 8:1-3)

Ref: rosaryinfo

These women deserved to be remembered. Their names were also linked on the first day of the week when they were joined by several others to go to the tomb where Jesus was placed after His crucifixion.

Women might not be in the lead role in the band of disciples. But the Lord honoured them because these women were the first to be told that Jesus had risen from the dead. Mary Magdalene was also the first to see the Lord after the Resurrection. (John 20:18, Mark 16:9)

And so, I write this brief account of some women to remember for Mother’s Day too.

Other Women Helping in Jesus’ Ministry

We know that Jesus went from town to town in Judea and Galilee, and preached also in Samaria and the coast round Phoenicia. The group of ladies were very important for the needs of the band that travelled with Jesus in our Lord’s ministry. They travelled with Jesus on many occasions as we read in the Gospels. (Luke 8:1-3, 23:55, Mark 15:41)

They provided necessary household help, to cook, to wash clothes, and tidy things on these journeys. I would not imagine Jesus and the disciples stayed in hotels, or eat in restaurants, wherever they went!

We know Mary Magdalene was one of them. However, I shall not do justice to several other ladies if I only speak of the Marys in the band of disciples. So I mention here also, Salome, Joanna and Susanna among these women.

Salome, as we know was the sister of Mary the mother of Jesus. She was called Mary’s sister in John 19:25, but as Salome in Mark 15:40. She was the mother of James and John, Jesus’ disciples. For this reason, we can understand why she came to Jesus and requested the Lord to make James and John to sit on His right and left hand! The other disciples were obviously very upset that Salome wanted Jesus to give special favour for relatives. It is in human nature, I guess! (Matthew 20:20)

Joanna was the wife of Cuza the manager of Herod’s household in Galilee. She was among the women who went to the tomb on the first Lord’s Day. Her presence would have been very helpful, as no man was among the group, and they were approaching soldiers guarding the tomb. Joanna would have some authority to speak as someone connected to King Herod’s household.

Ref: 2s2u

At Jacob’s Well in Sychar

Traditionally, the Jews would have nothing to do with Samaritans. Yet, we remember Jesus and the disciples travelled through Samaria. On this memorable occasion recorded by the Apostle John, Jesus had not travelled by the normal route along the Jordan River to avoid Samaria. John 4:9

Naturally, this was problematic, as it would clearly be unbecoming for a respected rabbi to rub shoulders with Samaritans. Thus Jesus stayed by Jacob’s well at Sychar, instead of going into town. (Sychar is, of course, on the outskirts of the ancient ruins of Shechem, the town near where Jacob put up his tent after leaving Padam Aram. So we understand this was the well he dug at Sychar.)  

On this occasion, it was also apparent the women were not present, for none was mentioned as being with Jesus at the well when the disciples left for town. There were evidently no women to tend to household chores, so the disciples went to town to buy food! (John 4:8)

Thus there was also no woman in the group to give Jesus a drink of water from the well. Jesus asked this Samaritan woman of low repute who came by, and this surprised her as well.

Nonetheless, the story of this Samaritan woman deserves a mention because she told the towns folk about Jesus, despite her personal disrepute. Thus she became the first woman evangelist we hear in church history!

Ref: coreyouthmin

The Other Mary, Sister of Lazarus

So also, I shall like to tell of the other Mary, sister of Lazarus. This Mary did not follow Jesus in His travels. It would seem there is nothing worthy to mention her, for she had not contributed much that we can speak of, in relation to Jesus’ ministry.

She was the sister of Martha and Lazarus, and their home was in Bethany, on the outskirts of Jerusalem. What we know is that Mary and Martha were faithful servants of the Lord, all the same. Even though they were not in the thick of service or preaching, yet their home was Jesus’ preferred resident when the Lord came to Jerusalem! No one can ask for a more honoured Guest than having Jesus at his home! (John 12:1)

Naturally, this means Martha was always very busy when Jesus came. There were the disciples also, besides Jesus. That was why Martha asked Jesus to get Mary to help her in the preparations. Martha saw the need to get much work done. Luke 10:40

It is important to note that Jesus did not brush off Martha because she was a faithful servant. However, Jesus showed Martha the honor to sit at His feet. Mary was doing what a disciple would do by sitting at Jesus’ feet! This was a privilege that not many have. So Jesus said that what Mary preferred would not be taken away from her!

Ref: wikiart

We also remember Mary did other needful things that Jesus wanted us to know. She was the only person to prepare Jesus for the day of His death by anointing the Lord’s feet with the diffusive woody incense perfume, nard, at their family home in Bethany. Jesus said that wherever the Gospel is told, what Mary of Bethany did for Him would be told.

This was Mary’s honor for what she had done would be prophetically remembered with our Lord’s last week in Jerusalem. In fact, when memories faded with time, and new generations might be confused with so many Marys in her time, John wrote carefully in his Gospel to identify her.

John called her in John 11:2, “It was that Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped his feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick” (KJV).

She was “the same one” who anointed the Lord is an equivalent way to clarify this in contemporary speech. Obviously, long after the event, but having so many Marys, presented a dilemma which John the disciple took care to clarify!

Ref: preachingthelectionary

A Sinful Woman in Perea

In speaking of washing Jesus’ feet like what Mary did, I would like to include here, the story of the woman who came to a Pharisee’s house when Jesus was in Perea. This account in Luke 7:36 happened on the banks across River Jordan from Jerusalem, but had sometimes been confused with the account of Mary anointing Jesus in Bethany.

It is not often that some well known Christians made this mistake, but it is known this sinful woman was famously confused with Mary! Thus, if anyone is mistaken, one can take consolation that this confusion is common and well known. 

Luke told of Jesus being invited to a Pharisee’s home for a meal. The Pharisee was called Simon, and he had obviously invited other leading folks and friends to this dinner. Jesus was not the honoured Guest, as was the case in Bethany. (cf. John 12:2)

Jesus was not surrounded by His followers is clear because Jesus was reclining at the table with Simon’s other invited guests. This was a formal occasion in a Roman dining setting.

We know also that Simon was far from being a disciple of Jesus. He did not approve of friendship with sinners. We can see he disapproved of Jesus for allowing this sinful woman to touch Him (v.39).Those guests also were not among Jesus’ disciples can be noted from the way they talked among themselves. (Luke 7:49)

The woman was known to lead a sinful life in this town and had only heard that Jesus was going for this dinner! Thus Simon did not invite any “sinners” to his meal. (v. 37)

This woman stood behind Jesus at the Lord’s feet and wiped His feet with her hair, and poured perfume on them. If this seemed a strange description, it is because Jesus was reclining at the table, and His feet on the divan couch would be away from the table. We often see this reclining at a formal meal in movies with a Roman theme. The sitting arrangement is known as a triclinium (v. 38).

Ref: larsjustinen

Jesus told the Pharisee Simon that He had something to tell him. Then Jesus told the parable of two men who were forgiven debts owed to a moneylender. Jesus asked Simon who would love more, the one who was forgiven a small debt, or the one who owed a large sum of money and was forgiven. It seemed natural that the one with the bigger debt would love more. (v. 43)

Jesus wanted Simon to know that he had made little effort to find God in his heart. Simon did not even offer the customary kiss, or water to wash hands and feet before a meal. It was obvious Simon had little love for the Lord. In fact, it does seem his invitation to Jesus was for people to know, and that was why the sinful woman got to know Jesus was coming for this dinner!

Simon had followed the customary practice of announcing the meal formally, and this was not an issue. However, the fact that he did not follow customary courtesies for Jesus, contradicted his supposed good intentions.

So we find that Jesus was reclining near the entrance where servants and the woman could stand nearby to him. Had Jesus been an honoured guest, this would not be likely because Jesus would be sitting in the centre, out of uninvited reach, and facing the upper room entrance.

Nevertheless, Jesus acknowledged that she was caught in a sinful life and had a bigger debt to be forgiven. But God forgives all who turn to Him for life. The woman had faith and Jesus blessed her.

The Lord did not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. The love of this woman for Jesus was evident, and her desire to walk with God was also seen from her tearful repentance. So Jesus said that the woman who had been forgiven for many sins, had loved God more. Her faith had made her right before God.

They also Serve who Stand and Wait

When we consider these women in the Gospel, we do not see many deeds that were notable achievements, or that showed outstanding abilities. Most of these women were only standing by, or doing menial tasks.

Yet I think the Lord did not ignore their love and their desire to serve God. God blessed them. So I think it is a worthy reminder that serving the Lord is not about doing great deeds and significant things. If it were, then surely housewives, servants, and labourers have no future with God.

Ref: jandmranch

So I think of what was lovingly written long ago by a blind English poet. He said,

When I consider how my light is spent

Ere half my days, in this dark world and wide,

And that one talent, which is death to hide,

Lodged with me useless, though my soul more bent

To serve therewith my Maker, and present

My true account, lest He returning chide;

“Doth God exact day-labor, light denied?”

I fondly ask: But Patience, to prevent

That murmur, soon replies, “God doth not need

Either man’s work or his own gifts; who best

Bear his mild yoke, they serve Him best: His state

Is kingly; thousands at His bidding speed,

And post o’er land and ocean without rest;

They also serve who only stand and wait.”

John Milton

Note: Mr Yeo Teck Thiam is a retireer who used to work as a chemical engineer, specializing in food and perfume chemistry for an international food company and perfumer. His other main interest is astronomy and other mathematical matters, relating to the Biblical passages.   

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7 Sept 2014 by Kim Yung-

Loo Ann grew up in the state of Malacca, with a big family of many siblings. Growing up, she did not have much knowledge about Christianity as her family was brought up with Buddhist beliefs. It was only when she moved out of her parents’ house and moved to Melbourne that she got to know the Lord.

Ref: bennyhinn

A Series of Confusion which led to Revelation

While in Melbourne, 18 year old Loo Ann lived with her already married sister and her family; she recalled how her sister would make it compulsory to attend the church together on Sundays during her stay with her.

“I remember how I would sit right at the back. I wouldn’t sit with them as a family,” shared Loo Ann.

After numerous mundane Sundays, there was one particular Sunday at church that was unlike the others. The message preached that particular day somehow touched the core of Loo Ann’s heart which brought her to a stream of tears. Although she did not understand why at that time, everyone knew that the Holy Spirit was upon her; and when the altar call was made she found herself making her way to the front.

“On that day itself, I received the baptism of the Holy Spirit,” she said.

Loo Ann and Kenneth’s wedding photo

After a peculiar series of events, her sister and her family stopped going to church and so did Loo Ann. When she began studying in university where she pursued a double degree in Computer Science and Accountancy, she stayed with her brother and worked part-time in a Chinese restaurant. During this time, one of her friends would often try to encourage her to attend Church, where she would respectfully reject the offer. When she heard an Easter camp was coming up she was also hesitant to attend. The day before the camp, an overwhelming feeling of uneasiness swept over her. She could not explain it.

“I just felt like I just had to go for the camp, and because I could not get rid of that feeling I called my friend and said that I would go if it’s okay” she shared.

“At that camp the Lord really touched me, the message was very much about Moses and the burning bush and that encounter with God. From that day onwards I really gave my life to the Lord,” said Loo Ann.

From there, she built a strong foundation of faith by getting involved in Overseas Christian Fellowship and the navigators Bible study.  All this happened in about a span of two years from the time she moved to Melbourne. Loo Ann and a bunch of her university friends even got involved in a church that was to kick off; it was called Hope of God. There, they served by doing little things such as helping to set up the chairs, cooking lunch, serving in the children’s ministry and more. When the Church wanted to build an outreach in the City Centre, it was her and her friends that helped pioneer it!

A New Season

While in university, it was prophesied that she would have a ministry in Malaysia. Loo Ann was about 22 years old when she graduated; she had a tough decision to make because it was time for her visa to expire and she did not want to leave Melbourne.

“I went to enrol in a Bible school but I could not get my visa extended no matter how hard the school tried. Finally the school team told me, ‘I think the Lord wants you to go home.’ I went home very disappointed,” shared Loo Ann.

Kenneth and Loo Ann in the New Life Youth in the early 90′s

The pastors over in Melbourne because they knew Pastor Jeremiah of New Life Church, wrote her a reference letter to attend one particular church in Malaysia because they knew she would be well taken care of there. There, she became part of the initial group that started the youth ministry in that small church while she simultaneously began her life in the corporate world in I.T. (Information Technology). At the beginning, she really struggled with the working life and serving God at the same time. The time was tiring but somehow her focus kept her going in the youth ministry.

Do Not be Discouraged!

She met her husband Kenneth in that same youth ministry and he proposed to her soon after. As we all know, nothing in life is without troubles and it wasn’t always smooth sailing. Loo Ann was diagnosed with Endometriosis before she got married. It really hit her hard.

“I was having severe pain! They thought I was having appendicitis and proceeded with operation. When they cut me up they found that the appendix was fine. So the doctor looked around and found a 10 centimetre blood cyst in my ovary” she said.

They immediately proceeded to remove the cyst and they told her that she would have trouble conceiving. This incident discouraged her but she continued strong with her faith in God!

Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
⁶ In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.
⁷ Be not wise in your own eyes;
    fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. (Proverbs 3:5-7)

Miraculously just a month into her marriage, she gave birth to a baby girl!

“The Lord is good!” she shared.

In the second year into her marriage, she was head hunted and offered a job in San Francisco, she however turned it down because she felt that the Lord wanted her to be in Malaysia. Her growing family caused her to quit her corporate job and explored teaching, contract work, and pursued many other things as she moved forward.

Loo Ann in Melbourne during an Easter camp

During her and her family’s growth, she soon gave birth to a son! As a family, they continued to loyally serve the Lord. Loo Ann shared that she would leave her job because of difficulties of juggling family life, but it never once crossed her and her husband’s mind to cut down on ministry.

“We had determined that we would always serve God as a family, that nothing would distract us. That became like a guide for us,” she shared.

The Power of the Word

During her time of pursuing contract work, she experienced the uneasiness of an unconducive working environment which allowed employees to smoke while working. She prayed hard to quickly finish the job that was estimated to finish in three months.

“The Lord gave me so many insights in my job,” she shared. Through prayer and persistence she managed to finish it in a span of three weeks!

After she was done however, the constant smell of smoke that surrounded her continued to affect her even after she left. Her sinus continuously got worse to the point that she could not stay in air-conditioning or even sleep at night without having at least three pillows under her head. This stayed on with her for many years from before she was even pregnant with her son.

Loo Ann with her husband as a young family

“It got so bad that it came to a point where she told the Lord, ‘They told me that there is no cure but that I can go for operation. I will not go for operation but I will confess every day the scripture that says ‘By your stripes I am healed’ (Isaiah 53:5),” she said.

Every day she would confess this portion of scripture!

“One day all of a sudden, it just happened that I was having less difficulty breathing and over the course of time, I gradually did not have any problems breathing anymore. This was just by confession!” shared Loo Ann.

So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. (Isaiah 41:10)

The Lord is Good

Through her experiences in life and faithfulness to the Lord she received, the Lord’s favour into her life.

“Our first focus is serving Him, so we never had problems with work and all that. The Lord always provided,” she shared.

In the year 2007, her husband Kenneth was ordained a Pastor and then following that, she and her husband were approached by New Life Church to take over New Life in Puchong as pastors. In the year 2008, they took over and they have been serving there as pastors ever since!

Pastor Kenneth’s Ordination

In the year 2012, they felt that the Lord wanted them to resign from where they were in the corporate world. From there they started their own business in Engineering.

“The Lord has been good. Having our business has helped us manage our time better. We are very much a husband and wife team in Church and in our business,” she shared.

Through her years of walking with the Lord she shared, “I have learnt that I mustn’t separate secular from the sacred. My initial years of working life I remember really struggling having to work and serve the Lord. I think the real problem was compartmentalizing, that ministry was God and work was work.

“That was the reason why there was strife and struggle. I realised that our life is ministry itself, that our life is a service to God. Over the years I’ve learnt that, as long I learn to live out my life in Christ, doesn’t matter whether it is work, family, or ministry; they are all one because I am one with the Lord” shared Loo Ann encouragingly for all to know.”

The portrait of a happy family

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The post The Lord will uphold you in the Palm of His Hand appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

8 Sept 2014 by Network J Malaysia - 

2014 Yeah Show 第一站首先于8月2号在新加坡举行，接下来8月22及23日分别在马来西亚的怡保和吉隆坡举行。

今年的见证嘉宾是香港著名乐队《温拿》的成员之一陈友。点子多多，曾组电影公司，制作不少卖座电影的陈友，事业发展到中国大陆，却也牺牲了和太太及儿子的相处时光。到他倦鸟知返，太太却被诊断患上绝症！太太生命开始到数，陈友才发现原来一切不在人的掌控之中，往常在事业上运筹帷幄的他，第一次感觉自己能力真的有限！遍寻名医之后得到都是令人灰心的答案，惟有转向上帝，结果上帝聆听了他“很不专业”的祷告，太太居然神迹地康复！

香港著名乐队《温拿》的成员之一陈友分享见证

上帝不但医治了太太的病，更医治了陈友！多年在娱乐圈打滚的他，看似风光的背后，原来一直不快乐，上帝的爱填补了他心中的洞，让他充满喜乐！为此陈友立志：无论什么地方有需要，他都愿意去传扬上帝的美妙作为！这次更在吉隆坡站大秀鼓技，将现场气氛带到高点！

林以诺牧师

在天灾人祸频传的今天，已经没有人能“好老定”地计划自己的生活。今年的短剧也表达现代人的悲哀，一切不到自己掌控，惟有在有限的生命里寻找依靠！压轴登场的林以诺牧师先以栋笃笑方式指出现代人的荒谬生活，例如：和家人同桌吃饭，彼此没有交集，原来都忙着和“不在”的人简讯和上传照片，反而冷落了身边人；无论到什么地方，第一时间便是寻找WiFi,若找不着，整个人便失魂落魄，顿时失去人生意义一般。。其实，林牧师形容：上帝便是超强收讯的网络，无处不在，只要你呼求，他从来不会连接不上，永远不会让你落单。耶稣基督就是那永恒的依靠！最后，林牧师以一首今年Yeah Show 主题曲《智慧人生》提醒大家，作出有智慧的决定，领受这白白得来的恩典与祝福！

为马航空难者哀悼的签名布条

这次分别在怡保及吉隆坡举行的3场布道会，约有6千人进场，其中怡保站的入场券更在布道会前一个月已经售罄！8月22日是为马航空难者哀悼的日子，Network J也特地在怡保及吉隆坡会场准备了布条让与会者签名向逝者致哀并为家属献祝福。Yeah Show 2014共3场布道会，决志及回转人数约200人，荣耀归主！

林以诺牧师信徒讲座及Yeah Show 重聚日10&11/9(三及四）晚8时蕉赖民政大厦，入场免费！更多有关详情， 请浏览 https://www.facebook.com/networkj.malaysia?ref=hl/  或致电0122189249

Network J (Network for Jesus) 是一间非盈利的基督教布道机构，本着基督的信、望、爱精神，为耶稣编制网络，透过不同媒体、活动、形式推动布道事工，分享基督 的爱和救恩。过去10年，Network J 在马来西亚的吉隆坡及怡保等地举办超过18场大型布道会，接触超过50,000人。 Network J 一年更举办多场信徒讲座，林以诺牧师特地来马以上帝的话语栽培信徒。 详情欢迎浏览 https://www.facebook.com/networkj.malaysia?ref=hl/

注脚： 照片源自 Network J Malaysia.

The post 林以诺牧师大型栋笃笑布道会 Yeah Show 2014 <好脑定> appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

8 September 2014 by Rev Dr Stephen Kau –   

Why am I talking about the history of the shipping industry? Well, I think it’s a helpful parallel for what’s happening in the American church and other churches in general over the last forty years. Around the same time that jetliners were causing waves for the shipping industry, cultural changes were also rocking the church. Prior to the 1960s, most churches in America were small with a very utilitarian function; they transported people into communion with God by providing the basic necessities for living a Christian life.

ref : blogspot.com

But by the 60s and 70s, the Baby Boomers grew up and many stopped going to church. The culture had changed; secular values, youth culture and entertainment had taken root and the church could no longer compete. Traditional churches, built for utility, struggled. But like some ship owners at the time, entrepreneurial pastors began tinkering to see if a new purpose for the church could be found.

What these “pastorpreneurs” found was that people would still attend church in a post-Christian culture if it appealed to their felt needs. Rather than viewing the church as simply a means to an end (connecting people with God), they made the church an end in itself. The logic was simple. If the masses did not feel the need to connect with God, then perhaps another “felt need” could draw them into the church; the need for community or entertainment, help with the kids or marriage. While they consumed the upbeat music, support group, dramas and the therapeutic sermons, they will hopefully find God too.

ref : svconline.com

But by starting with consumer’s desires they were mirroring the shift in passenger shipping away from the liner voyages to cruising. They were making the church itself the destination rather than the vehicle. New jargon was even developed to articulate the shift. The goal was no longer connecting non-believers to God but rather connecting the “unchurched” to our ministry.

Reframing the church as the destination triggered explosive growth in the size of congregations. Logic dictates that larger churches, like larger cruise ships could offer consumers more choices to address their needs and desires. As a result, church growth went from a byproduct of the mission to its goal and the programs and facilities churches incorporate today would have been unimaginable a few decades ago.

Coffee shops, bookstores, health clubs, recreation centers, even auto mechanics and production studios are now common “ministries” in many mega churches. Just as modern cruise ships have redefined the passenger shipping, today’s mega churches have redefined our understanding of ministry and like the cruise industry, mega churches have flourished.

ref : sacredsandwich.com

Today, half of all churchgoers in the United States attend the largest 10 percent of churches. What rarely gets reported, however, is that on average 50 smaller churches close their doors every week in the United States. The church as destination model hasn’t advanced the church in America, it has consolidated it.

Both the cruise industry and the mega churches have been incredibly successful ever since. In the 1970 only 500,000 people took a cruise and there were only 10 mega churches in the United States. In 2010 over 14 million people cruised and there are now over 1500 mega churches. If the transformation of the passenger shipping industry has helped us understand the emergence of the mega church phenomenon, what might it say about its weaknesses?

In the early years of the cruise business, ship owners believed the airlines were their competition. Rather than flying to Bermuda, the Caribbean or Mexico, cruise lines tried to sell the romance and glamour of an ocean voyage (Remember ‘The Love Boat’?”) as superior to the speed of air travel. Eventually, however, cruise lines accepted that they were not in the transportation business but rather the vacation business. This meant they were not really competing with the airlines or other cruise lines but with Disney World and Las Vegas.

ref : mailchimp.com

To win more of the vacation market, some cruise lines began to downplay the allure of the sea and instead built amenities aboard their ships with what people expected to find at land based resorts. Today, besides having large numbers of shopping lots and casinos, there are ships with water-parks, roller coasters, golf courses, planetariums, bumper cars, cinemas, even tree-lined parks with carousels and ice skating rinks.

By trying to compete with the land-based resorts, these cruise lines literally lost sight of their unique proposition – the sea. Ships are so crammed with entertainment and amenities designed to lure the passengers and their dollars, it is now possible to spend all day on a ship and never see the ocean. While a passenger may catch a musical, play golf or ride a roller coaster, the inherent limitations of a ship, no matter how big, means these experiences will never match what is possible on land. Broadway will always have better productions and Six Flags will always have better rides. As a result, the modern cruise industry is engaged in a strange delusion. It is ignoring the one thing it can offer that no one else can – the allure of sea travel – to compete in areas where it can never win.

ref : thecruiselines.com

The church can learn an important lesson from this delusion. Relevance backfires when it overshadows your uniqueness. Not every cruise line has succumbed to this temptation, nor has every mega church. Some, however, finds the accolades of cultural relevance too affirming and the pressure to fill thousands of seats every weekend too demanding. They will spend millions of dollars for state-of-art theater equipment, stock their children’s department with Xboxs and 3 stories playgrounds and even run live twitter feeds during worship.

Churches that can’t afford these “wows” factors or a tattooed pastor with electric personality, may still feel the pressure to run an expanding array of programs normally found at community colleges or YMCA all to attract consumers away from their devices and health clubs to the church.

ref : internetmonk.com

At the same time these churches strip away their distinguishing qualities, gone are the crosses, stained glass windows, steeples, hymns, pews and liturgies. Sanctuaries become auditoriums; choir becomes bands, communion becomes a coffee bar. Like a cruise passenger who never experiences the sea, some attenders may be so occupied with the programs, entertainments and productions that they may never actually experience the church.

A pastor of a mega church testified about a convicting conversation he had with a newcomer to his congregation. The man, from a Hindu background came to the large church about a month earlier because he was curious about Jesus. “Everyone here has been very friendly to me,” he reported to the pastor, “and my family has been enjoying all of the programs and facilities of the church this past month. But I do have one question, “When am I going to learn about Jesus?” The church’s reason for having its mega-building and programs is to more effectively draw people to Christ but the pastor wondered out loud whether they had gradually confused their methods and their mission. After all, the church could survive if people don’t meet Jesus but not if they don’t meet their budget.

ref : titanicuniverse.com

This story reminded me of a recent research conducted by Barna. While pastors are scrambling to discover the secret bullet to engage young adults, Barna found the top reasons millenials want to attend church is to be close to God (51%) and to learn more about God (31%). Imagine that. It’s like discovering people want to take a cruise because they like the sea, not golf courses and roller coasters necessarily.

Mega churches, like huge cruise ships project an appearance of stability and security but it is precisely these qualities that make them vulnerable to disaster. The Titanic was called “unsinkable” because of her unprecedented size but it was her size that made her unable to turn quickly enough to avoid the iceberg. Similarly, many church commentators continue to affirm the growth and stability of mega churches without recognizing the inherent vulnerability of these ecclesiastical Titanics that are far less nimble than smaller churches.

Eventually we will learn that no matter how much money, effort or innovation the church possesses, it will never be as cool as the culture. Relevance is a race it cannot win but in our misguided attempts to compete with the culture, we risk losing sight of the only thing of value the church can offer the world – Jesus Christ.

ref : pinimg.com

I do not believe mega churches should be abandoned, nor do I believe they are going to disappear as the religious landscape of America and the world changes. There are challenges ahead, however, for the mega church movement and for the smaller churches that seek to emulate its values. Our skill in navigating these waters will depend on our ability to understand why mega churches emerged, what makes them successful and the inherent weaknesses they often disguise as strengthens.

One question that our Hindu friend asked that I believe needs our urgent and immediate focus, more than all our fancy programs, buildings and facilities, “When are we going to learn about Jesus?”

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The post Are Our Churches Turning Into Cruise Ships? appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

8 September 2014 by Rev Dr Jai Kumar -

For though we live in the world we are not carrying on a worldly war, for the weapons of our warfare are not worldly but have divine power to destroy strongholds. (2 Corinthians 10:3-4 RSV)

Mark 3:27

“But no one can enter the strong man’s house and plunder his property unless he first binds the strong man, and then he will plunder his house.

So it is in the spiritual realm where a war is constantly fought that will manifest in the physical.

EPH 6:12.
For we do not war against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places,

SPIRITUAL WARFARE

Behind every conflict, unrest and war in the real world there is yet an unseen spiritual war that is taking place behind the scene. Waging war in the spiritual realms illustrates events in the physical which unfortunately many of us are ignorant of.

ref : daat.ac.il

Israel entering the “Promised Land” is an illustration of the faithful entering the land of promise and rest. We see from Israel’s example, a nation, who because of unbelief was not able to receive the promises of God. Only those who believed entered the promise but the faithless generation was kept out. 

In the same way today, many “born-again Christians” fail to receive the blessings promised because of unbelief. We do not believe God is strong enough, to overcome the strongholds in our lives!! There are many who suffer from strongholds of fear and uncertainty and this has obviously prevented them from appropriating the blessings of God in their lives. They walk around in a thinking mind which is not in line with what God says in His word.

Numbers 13:19
Before Israel was to enter the Promised Land, Moses send out 12 spies, into the land to see what the cities were like, including if there were any stronghold in the land. 

The twelve spies returned and reported what they saw (physical) we get two different perspectives from the spies. Ten spies reported the land was too strong and impossible to conquer. (Physical)

Numbers 13: 27-29

Then they told him, and said: “We went to the land where you sent us. It truly flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit. 28 Nevertheless the people who dwell in the land are strong; the cities are fortified and very large; moreover we saw the descendants of Anak there. 29 “The Amalekites dwell in the land of the South; the Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the mountains; and the Canaanites dwell by the sea and along the banks of the Jordan.”  

THEY BELIEVED IN WHO GOD IS

However, Caleb and Joshua rejected the view of the 10-spies; they saw God as a sovereign God high and lifted up who is capable of giving them victory over the giants and strongholds of the land. (Spiritual)

ref : wall321.com

Therefore we as the Lord’s army need to know how to wage war against the enemy and to remove strongholds. Like in the olden days where walls were built to fortify cities; the enemy would always pull down these strongholds first before they take over the cities. We need to target the spiritual strongholds of our enemy, satan.

Num.13:30-31

Then Caleb quieten the people before Moses, and said, “Let us go up at once and take possession, for we are well able to overcome it.” 31 But the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we.”

THE STRUGGLE BETWEEN THE FAITHFUL AND THE FAITHLESS 

(Heb.11:1) Do you agree..”Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe”? 

ref : bible.ca

You could almost see the struggle, the faithful minority versus the faithless majority. The people were so defeated and faithless in God’s ability they would have stoned Moses, Joshua and Caleb if the Lord did not intervene (Numbers 14). They were planning to go back to Egypt after they selected a leader. 

Listen! The Lord would have destroyed the faithless generation, but Moses interceded. Because of Moses, God instead allowed the generation of the faithless Israel to wander around the deserts of Sinai and die there. 

A PRICE TO BE PAID FOR UNBELIEF

Israel’s plight illustrates a point, when we reject God’s promises because of unbelief; we end up wandering in a wilderness. An 11-day journey kept them wondering for 40 years in the wilderness because they refused to take God at His word. Instead we easily buy into what the world is selling us.

You know what? Obeying the Lord is not always easy, but nevertheless it’s always the best option. Sometimes it may be tough, and we have to stand alone for what we believe. Know however, that when we are following the Lord, we’re never really alone because He’s always with us. Each time we choose to obey Him, He strengthens us to stand firm and promises to bless us.

ref : biblelessonsite.org

In the case of Joshua and Caleb they were able to see victory through the eyes of God despite the strongholds in the Promised Land. Joshua and Caleb were wearing God’s armour, as opposed to the 10-spies. 

They were willing to wage war on the Canaanite cities, because they knew it was not them, but the Lord who would give them victory. It is The Lord who will fight the battle for them.

ref : thehistoryblog.com

David fought Goliath by wearing the armour of God. He did not fight Goliath by his own strength and his own might. 

Before the battle took place in the field, it was already conceived in the mind. The minds of the 10-spies were controlled by fear. They had a grasshopper mentality of defeat and failure. The army of Israel before the Philistine Goliath, a giant, was defeated in the mind, before an arrow flew. The battle began in the mind, and then it manifested in the physical.

The armour of God gives us the ability to be victorious in the battle of the mind. Putting on the full armour of God, allows us to stand against the schemes of Satan, whose goal is to defeat and paralyse the faithful children of God.

WHAT IS A STRONGHOLD?

A stronghold is a faulty thinking pattern based on lies and deception out of line in God’s word. Deception is one of the primary weapons of the devil, because it is the building blocks for a stronghold. What strongholds can do is cause us to think in ways which block us from God’s best. It will block you from walking in the blessings of God. You need to be reminded that satan’s battle ground is your mind. If he can manipulate and control your mind he can conquer your life.

HOW TO COUNTERACT A STRONGHOLD?

It is important to grow in God’s Word, because it is your primary weapon for tearing down the strongholds of deception that the enemy has been sowing into your mind.

ref : wall321.com

The apostle Paul defines strongholds as speculations or lofty things raised up against the knowledge of God. It is any type of thinking that exalts itself above the knowledge of God, thereby giving the devil a secure place of influence in an individual’s thought-life. When you carry any thought that is not in line with God’s word the enemy will find you.

In John 8:31-36, Jesus tells us that we can be held in bondage due to strongholds in our lives. And His solution was to, “continue in my word… and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” (v. 32-32).

Strongholds are torn down as we meditate on God’s Word, which is the truth!

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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The post The Word This Week – Pulling Down Strongholds appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

9 September 2014 by Jason Law CM –

于8月29至31日这三天，为了寻求上帝对卫理公会未来方向的心意以及卫理公会在基督肢体中所的角色任务，马来西亚卫理公会举办了2014卫理公会祷告大会（MPC）。

将近12,000人於8月31日前往Putra Stadium共聚一堂参与这盛事。此祷告大会所拟定的日期也别具意义，选择在马来西亚国庆日向神献上祷告并为未来方向代求，也愿祂的祝福降临于此。

卫理公会是马来西亚其中一个历史悠久的基督教宗派。自1894年开始，由一群宣教士在槟城淡米尔族群的宣教工作中开始至今，已成长至全国将近200, 000人，1034所堂会，亦成为全国最大的宗派。

马来西亚卫理公会现任会督，王怀德会督，从加拉太书 3:28、以弗所书 2:14以及历代志下 7:14在大会中分别分享了有关马来西亚卫理公会的三个主要方向。

加拉太书 3:28

如果你们属于基督，就是亚伯拉罕的后裔，是按照应许承受产业的了。

来自全国各地，包括沙巴和砂捞越，卫理公会的基督徒齐聚一堂也证实了加拉太书 3:28所记载的。王会督分享到，特别在马来西亚现今的季节中，为着上帝的心意基督肢体不分彼此，同心合一是尤其重要。

王怀德会督

来自东马和西马，各个族群的基督徒齐聚一堂，更是反映了神百姓甘心乐意地顺服，正如以弗所书 2:14所记载的，跨越了族群和其他的障碍。

以弗所书 2:14

基督就是我们的和平；他使双方合而为一，拆毁了隔在中间的墙，就是以自己的身体除掉双方的仇恨。

另外，王会督也提到齐聚一堂中更深层的目的，是我们能够从历代志下 7:14看到的。

‘MPC 2014 的目的是要我们谦卑自己回应神的呼召和应许，并且承认我们是所召的、属神的子民。藉着彼此之间的代祷、渴慕寻求神的同在和喜悅，带着真诚认错悔改的心，转离我们的恶行，以此将我们生命的主权交托给神。’王会督在一封致马来西亚卫理公会的信函中这么提出。‘我们聚在一起为的就是要一同为我们的教会和这片土地，寻求上帝的修复和复兴来祷告。’

而这顺服更体现了今年大会主题所说的：‘体贴上帝心意的教会’。

历代志下 7:14

这称为我名下的子民，若是谦卑、祷告、寻求我的面，转离他们的恶行，我必从天上垂听，赦免他们的罪，医治他们的地。

尽管在此庆典中有许多庄严的时段，然而现场也能深深感受到对上帝委身的属灵氛围，馆内更充满了振奋人心主内合一的喜乐。四组完整的歌咏团队，还有马来西亚基督少年军的乐队，让赞美神的声音如雷鸣般响亮。

Stephen Seamands牧师（博士） 也分享了何谓体贴神心意的教会。他继续以约翰福音 2:1-11来分享耶稣行的第一个将水变成酒的神迹。

‘我们首先要注意的是，当耶稣吩咐人拿更多的水时，马利亚和仆人的反应。他们并没有质问耶稣的吩咐；他们没有凭着自己的知识去行，譬如‘我们需要的并不是水，而是更多的酒。’Oswald Chambers曾说，“相较于世上其他事物，上帝更喜悦我们对祂的顺服。”那仆人顺服的回应，让他们能够在耶稣所做的事上有份。’ Seamands牧师分享到。

他更分享到，耶稣对我们所说的话，是特别为我们量身定做的，是特别针对我们的背景、环境和人格特质的。可是，我们依然可以从约翰福音 2:1-11中学习所记载各类型的器皿，明白上帝要对我们说的话。那些器皿意表了三样事情：

一、器皿意表了信仰成了仪式化的宗教仪式和习俗，而不再是从我们心中活出来的。

这里的器皿就像“犹太人习俗中洁净”（约翰福音 2:6）所用的。我们可能会拥有清洁的手，却没有清洁的心。耶稣能让我们像水变酒一般，经历内在的更新和转变。

二、器皿意表了怨恨及不合一的墙与障碍

犹太人为自己与外邦人筑了一道墙，他们就像是使用器皿所盛的水，来将自己与外邦人区别。耶稣能将苦水和疏离的水变为团契及和好的酒。

三、器皿意表了上帝呼召我们去的服事禾场

正如耶稣用水来为门徒洗脚，我们也是被呼召进入到不同的事工及服事的禾场。

Seamands牧师也说到，仆人首先需要顺服，然后神迹才能发生。这个顺序是非常重要的。

整场庆典的亮点在圣餐主日，12,000人一同祷告，然后一同在主里擘饼。同时，也特别为 MH 17 的罹难者默哀，同时也纪念上帝在患难中掌权的权柄。

王会督在他的祝福祷告中也分享到马来西亚卫理公会的异象，就是要建立基督根深蒂固的根基下刚强的教会，基督的名广传并让卫理公会与其他的基督肢体一同建立成长。

王会督更嘱咐说：‘这也意味着当9月16日午夜来临，马来西亚众教会将响应一周7天，每天24小时为我们的国家祷告的活动，在未来两年中，马来西亚卫理公会也会加入此祷告行列。因为我们都清楚知道，唯有透过祷告，才能带来真正的突破。’

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

The post 2014卫理公会祷告大会：同心合一寻求体贴上帝心意的教会 appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

9 September 2014 -

Cultural influences

What exactly is culture? While there’s no standard definition, the University of Manitoba anthropology website gives a concise starting point: “Culture is the system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors and artifacts that the members of society use to cope with their world and with one another, and that are transmitted from generation to generation through learning.”

Because every person comes from a family with a unique background, shared beliefs, values and customs, you could say that every marriage is “cross-cultural”. But in a marriage where each spouse comes from different ethnic backgrounds, not only is there the bridging of two unique individuals, there is also a bridging of two different cultures. 

ref : offbeatmarriage.com

Take Western and Asian cultural values, for example: Whereas Western culture typically values individualism, rights and privilege, equality and self-assertion, Asian culture values collectivism, duty and obligation, hierarchy and self-effacement. No wonder culture clashes happen! 

Finding a common dictionary
So just what is your spouse thinking? Whether or not you and your spouse share the same first language, you’ll likely have different cultural dictionaries for defining and interpreting certain values, customs and behaviours. Here are some ways to help decipher cultural influences on common marriage conflicts: 

ref : theroot.com

Conflict and communication style: Does your spouse come from a culture that values hierarchy and submission to authority, or one that values assertive self-expression? Your spouse’s cultural background may help you understand why they avoid conflict, dive right into it, or find expressing their feelings so difficult.

Finances: Money is a common area of conflict for all types of marriages, but it’s worthwhile to explore how your cultural background affects the way you approach finances.

ref : picdn.net

What kinds of feelings, values and beliefs do you and your spouse hold about money? What were you taught as children, and what did your parents model for you? How different are your beliefs about who should make the money, who should spend it, and under what circumstances?

Love Languages: Ask each other, How do you give and receive love, and how did your cultural upbringing influence this? Where some cultures show love by performing tasks for another, others express love physically and with words (hugs, kisses, encouraging touch, words of affirmation). Find out how your spouse shows they care.

ref : dailystormer.com

Expectations of marriage: Do you and your spouse agree on what it means to form a new family? Often, conflict happens when spouses have different expectations and boundaries concerning their ties to their parents. For a spouse whose culture values collectivism, their ties to their family of origin can be much stronger than for a spouse whose culture values individualism. Making sure you are both on the same page on extended family boundaries can relieve tension in your marriage: You can still maintain good family ties and preserve ample space for your own family to grow.

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

6-2 Jalan Bersatu 13/4, 46200 Petaling Jaya

+603-7954 7920

focus@family.org.my

www.family.org.my

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Check out our Marriage Campaign! Visit us at www.marriedforloveforlife.my

Focus on the Family 90-second audio program is aired over TRAXX FM at 8.15 a.m. and 6.45pm every Monday to Friday

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The post Culture Clash appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

9 Sept 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

College is an exciting time of our life, where we enter with much anticipation of our newfound independence and first-time experiences.

Here are 6 ways be awesome in college!

#1 Bounce to the Beat, not to the Lyrics

I love mainstream songs! But while I bounce to that catchy beat, I find some lyrics deliver a consistent message of: sex is okay, pop this pill, drink that beer, skip that class, smooch that girl, get me drunk, cheating’s fine, and lose yourself. After all, YOLO! While you dance to that beat, guard your mind against the lyrics. Ground yourself in the Word of God and live it. You will be wise beyond your years.

Ref: cannice

#2 Get a Part-time Job

If you think age is a sign of maturity, think again because age does not commensurate with maturity. There are young people who think and act maturely and older people who think and act immaturely. But if you would like to mature quicker emotionally and mentally, pick up a part-time job or an internship to experience the responsibilities of a working adult. When you experience that, you will start to appreciate the money and time spent during your college days.

Ref: wallcoo

#3 Timeless Good Character still Works

As much as some contemporary culture tells you that being lazy, living without a direction, or basically being stupid are ways to live an exciting and adventurous life, these qualities prepare you for a dysfunctional life. The traditional way of—being diligent, keeping integrity, being punctual, being polite, and living with a goal in life (basically good biblical principles)—is what smart and successful people do. Spend time reading books… many books. 

Ref: thoughtpursuits

#4 Find out what you like and dislike

Use your extra time to discover what you like and what you dislike, also what you are naturally good at and what you are naturally bad in. Harness on what you like and what you are good in. Do not start exploring only when you start working because you will have less time then. If you find yourself interested in another degree, talk to a few working adults who have completed your degree before making a decision. Find a mentor who is working in the same industry as you if you can.

Ref: vnews

#5 Get to know different types of people

Don’t isolate yourself with only Christian friends or only non-Christian friends. Have a wide circle of friends and get to know them in person. You can control the influence of your friends on you by determining how much time you want to spend with them. Learn from their life experiences. Make authentic friendships.

Ref: gayletales

#6 You may want to date but no sex

You can experience dating but make a firm decision of not having sex. Your body is the temple of Christ, where the Spirit of God resides in you. He loves you and you do not need to prove anything to get His Love and affection. Learn from your dating experiences of who you actually are. But if you would like to maximize your college time, you can choose to delay your dating experience. Your preference will change anyway as you mature into a working adult. Plus, you are saving sex for marriage.

Ref: spotonlists

Have an awesome college life!

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The post 6 Ways to be Awesome in College appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

10 Sept 2014 - 

我們愛，因為神先愛我們。 （约翰一书 4：19）

親愛的孩子：

不經意地看見你愉悅的掛下電話，臉上滿了笑意，也像剛充飽了電一般，心裡不禁為你感到喜樂。我看得出來，現在的你正在為著人生的下一階段作準備。這個階段，不同於之前的任何一段，為了這階段，神正在為你預備一位同伴，陪你走一生的路。這個轉彎，就是婚姻；這轉彎的起頭，就是為了婚姻的交往。

婚姻，是神所定規的。因為神說一個人獨居不好。所以，在你所熟悉的故事裡，你知道當神作創造的工的時候，神對所造的一切東西，樣樣都說好。但是到了第六天，神造了人的時候，神不只沒有說好，反而說不好。神說，『那人獨居不好。』不是說人造的不好，乃是說人只造了一個，只造了一半，所以說不好。於是，神在第六天把夏娃造出來，帶到亞當面前。因此，夏娃的產生，乃是為著婚姻。

如你所見，婚姻不是人起頭的，乃是神起頭的。婚姻的起點，不是在人犯罪之後，乃是遠在人犯罪之前。人不是第一天受造就犯罪，人是第一天受造就結婚。神把夏娃造好之後，第一天就帶給亞當。這不是犯罪之後的事。婚姻的事，乃是神發起的。

婚姻在神面前的地位就是如此。神的目的乃是要有一個丈夫，有一個妻子，是能彀彼此幫助的，所以稱他的妻子作配偶。『配偶』希伯來文的意思是說，要配他，來幫助他。你在這裡可以看見，神要人有一個共同的生活，要彼此有交通，彼此有幫助。這是神的目的。

愛是婚姻的根基，愛也是家庭的根基。愛引兩個人去結婚，愛也維持兩個人在家庭裡。你如果好好的餧養牠，愛是很容易生長的。你如果餓牠，愛是很容易死掉的。有許多人在結婚之前有愛，所以他們結婚。在結婚之後，他們就下手去餓他們的愛，所以他們的愛就逐漸的死掉。

沒有人是故意要讓婚姻中的愛衰微，但這就是世界的洪流，慢慢的，讓我們失去對彼此起初的愛。

沒有愛的結合是一件痛苦的事，沒有愛的家庭更是一件痛苦的事。在一個家庭裡沒有愛，也許在目前，在中年以前還不覺得；但是到老年的時候，你就要看見說，這一個家庭是何等不行，是冰冷的家庭。那一個分別就大。所以要學習在中年以前，就餧養你家庭裡的愛。要想法子餧養牠，自然而然在這一個家庭裡就充滿了愛。

继续阅读

References for pictures:

http://www.beforethecross.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/marriageoneflesh-600.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-QMQeeMknM4w/UHCPteEAwoI/AAAAAAAAAzw/rhK98fxCOkY/s1600/God+Marriage+Divorce.jpg

http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bx31y3PxG9c/UlgNC6k3vLI/AAAAAAAAADQ/5HATkIBsFB0/s1600/marriage.jpg

http://traveldealsjunction.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/Marriage.jpg

http://www.q107.com/files/2014/06/marriage.jpg

The post 婚姻不是愛情的墳墓－婚姻篇 appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

10 September 2014 by Jason Law CM -

In Mark 16:12-20, Jesus gives the Great Commission, and it talks about not just listening to God’s Word but acting on them.  

‘Mark 16:20 is a very fascinating scripture. This is because it talks about action, it talks about work, it talks about doing something. And the disciples went out. The words look like very ordinary ones; went out. But the Lord was with them and accompanied them with signs and wonders,’ Elder Dorai Manikam shared in FGA KL’s Sunday Worship Service on the 24^th of August.

Elder Dorai Manikam

‘Now, we know that if we want to do anything, you have to prepare for it, focus on it, and just do it. And you see here, that the disciples were men of action. When Jesus said go out into all the world, they went. When Jesus said preach the Gospel to all men, they preached. When Jesus said believe that you’ll do miracles, they believed. When Jesus said to do all three and integrate them as a whole, they did’.  

The disciples were men of action. This is important to keep in mind because it is by our actions that people will see whether we’re disciples of Christ or not. Elder Dorai imparted, ‘‘Talking about it will not do, only our actions will carry us through’. In Proverbs 20:11, the Bible says even small children are known by their actions. The Lord has told us that if we believe Him and work in His name, He will work with us’.

William Carey

He shared the story of William Carey. ‘When William Carey wanted to go and preach the Gospels to the world, a senior statesman told him, “Sit down, young man. If God wanted to take His Word to the whole world, He can do it without you and me.” Sounds very profound but very wrong. But William Carey persisted.

‘He reasoned, “If the British East India Company could form a structure and go out and brave seas and storms and jungles for glory and gold, how much more should we not come out with means and structures to take the Gospels of Jesus Christ to the ends of the world. We must expect great things and attempt great things for God”.

‘That’s what he wrote, and out of that came the British Missionary Society, and the London Missionary Society was formed, and missionaries started to be sent out to Malaya and Taiping. The ones they reached started sharing the Good News, and the rest is history. If it’s not for one man, you and I wouldn’t be sitting here in this church today.’

The quadrant that produces results.

‘The secular world also has a quadrant, outlined by expectations and the attempts to do great things. Christians have a Great Commission because we have a Great Gospel. And that Gospel derives its meaning from the person and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. We cannot separate the Gospel from Jesus Christ; we have a Great Commission because we have a Great Gospel. And we have a Great Gospel because we have a Great Saviour.

‘Jesus said in Mark 16:17, that signs would accompany those who go out and believe and do things in His name. In His name, we will cast out demons. In His name, we will speak in tongues. In His name, we will lay hands on the sick and they will recover’.

And what follows are not mere words.  There was a great missionary movement (Mark 16:20). Out of that missionary movement, there was a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit seen in the Book of Acts. That great outpouring of the Holy Spirit changed the world.      

Paul’s first mission journeys started from the Antioch church.

Elder Dorai exhorted that we must take up the Antioch Church Mission. The Antioch church was defined by its missionary outreach. Paul’s missionary journeys first started from there.

‘Today, God wants to take the church to a level that it has never experienced before. It is the work of the Holy Spirit, and when the Spirit begins to blow, all we need to do is to put up our sails and God will carry us through. But sometimes, as Christians, we hear people preach at us and question why we don’t go out into the Great Commission. And many people go out unprepared and in condemnation.’

Jesus’ discipleship pattern was different. During the time the disciples were with him, Jesus was already preparing them for the Great Commission. The disciples traveled with Jesus, they saw the power of Christ with their own eyes, and Jesus taught them how to pray and minister when He was there with them.

Jesus discipled His followers before handing them the Great Commission.

When it was time for Jesus to rise up to Heaven and give the disciples the Great Commission, they were prepared. Elder Dorai shared that this was the discipleship pattern and principle the Church should pick up. The first step needs to be preparation, followed by the right priority, and then comes the power of God.      

In his sharing, Elder Dorai related many detailed testimonies and impactful stories, too extensive and many to list here, of how lives were changed simply because there were people who were obedient and faithful enough to not just listen to God’s Word, but also act on them.

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Note:  This article is written from the perspective and interpretation of the writer, to condense and accentuate the message of the speaker for a more general readership and in a style more suited for online reading.

The post The Great Commission: When We Obey and Act, God Works appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

10 Sept 2014-

Marriage is a momentous occasion in life as it celebrates the union of two distinct individuals. Couples often share a strong bond at the start of their life together but many take it for granted, assuming that it will remain strong because they are, after all, “married.” The demands of modern life however, can weaken the bond over time if couples are not intentional about maintaining the strength of their union.

In view of this, Focus on the Family Malaysia has embarked on a campaign called, I Do! Married for Love. Married for Life., aimed at raising awareness on the importance of strengthening marriages. Through the campaign, married couples will be provided with avenues, tips and practical advice to better navigate and strengthen their marital relationship through life’s many changing situations.

The first event, Date Night, is organized as a special “night out” for married couples and the second, Crazy Little Thing Called Love, is a unique theater performance that brings familiar marriage and family relationship scenes to life! Both events are aimed at inspiring couples to begin investing in their relationship – to put the strengthening and celebrating of their marriage on top of their priority list. A good relationship takes effort but it is surely worth it!

EVENT DETAILS

Date Night

10th October 2014 | Friday
Tropicana Golf & Country Resort
7.30 PM to 10.30 PM
RM 180 per couple

Dating does not stop the moment you both say ‘I DO.’ In fact, dating regularly has been proven to strengthen marriages. Join us for Date Night with the person who matters most — your spouse! Strengthen your marriage through fun couple activities and discover what dating can do for your relationship. A good relationship takes effort but it is surely worth it!

Crazy Little Thing Called Love

22nd November 2014 | Saturday
Damansara Performing Arts Centre (D’PAC)
7.30 PM - 10.30 PM
RM 150 per couple
RM 80 per individual

Life has a way of overwhelming a marriage — jobs, kids, errands, disagreements… so much drama! Crazy Little Thing Called Love is a marriage conference with a difference. Through a theater performance, familiar marriage and family relationship scenes come alive! Discover a little more about each other through each scene and leave with encouragement and hope to strengthen your relationship.

2-in-1 Special Bundle for Married Couples! Register now for both Date Night & Crazy Little Thing Called Love and pay RM300 per married couple only.

REGISTRATION

Online at marriedforloveforlife.my or call 03-7954 7920 or email focus@family.org.my

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

03-7954 7920 (Phone) 

03-7954 7858 (Fax) 

focus@family.org.my 

www.family.org.my

facebook:focusonthefamilymalaysia 

twitter:@familiesMY

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The post Married for Love. Married for Life | 10 Oct | 22 Nov appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.