20 September 2014 by Dr Yeo Teck Thiam -

In the time that I have from leaving office and the workplace, I thought about many values held with esteem and significance in this world, goals that often propelled working men and women in their vocations and purpose for life.

Certainly, people look to a glorious career, to achieve notable success, and to make a name for their selves. These are things and goals worthy of pursuit in this life.

ref : bravedialogue.com

Yet if the hope for life has regards for these values, it does not make much sense why Jesus came to offer us new life. There is also a cross to bear in the call. It is an emblem of suffering and shame. These are hardly stuffs that make up glory, honor and power for life.

On the other hand, we know that few people realize lofty positions in life. So I also wonder if our lives are failures when we have no such achievements. Is life destined to be mediocre for most of us? 

We have a dilemma, for there are certainly differences that we sense are important.

ref : gizmorati.com

Sometimes these aspirations are also piously renounced in church. But if we look at people’s lives, we may find this is not exactly how people live as they preach. So we also want to know truth from what people preach or do.

If we do not know the difference, we may be living for the wrong things or seeking the wrong places. Then at the end of the road, we may regret spending our lives for wrong things.

On career, education and church work

I say this especially with regard to education, career and church work. So I want to begin through seeing these in real lives, and in biblical history. This hindsight has value, for we also know Scripture gives this for our instruction. 

ref : improvementera.com

Jesus had many followers. We may hear mostly about the 12 disciples, or the patriarchs and prophets. Yet, there were the women who helped in Jesus’ ministry doing mundane and menial work. They had no apostolic tasks. Would we consider them unimportant?

Yet these women had the great honor of being first to see the risen Jesus. Our Lord took the trouble to appear to the women first!

Those that offered hospitality and homes for Jesus in His travels were likewise commended. We remember Martha and Mary whose house in Bethany was one of Jesus’ favorite places when He was in Jerusalem. We cannot hope for a greater Guest of Honor in our house.

ref : jandmranch.com

God honors housewives and maids. Jesus honors ordinary people doing menial work or showing love. Jesus washed the disciples’ feet to demonstrate this. So I sense that it does not really matter what work I do, so long as it is what Jesus wants me to do. The Lord wants me to show the love of God, rather than fret over doing great things for Him.

I also realized that when Jesus was born, this was joyfully announced to shepherds who were watching their flocks by night. The glory of the Lord shone around them. Yet God did not send angels to the chief priests to tell them, so that they could proclaim the good news in the Temple in Jerusalem.

ref : columbiaubf.org

We see this also in education and career. God called Peter, James and John but they were fishermen and unschooled. My amazement is why God must work in such ways when there are better men and easier choices.

The disciples were privileged to learn directly from Jesus because they were perhaps not so smart. On the other hand, it seems God would have Paul use the brains gifted to him, to learn by himself.   

ref : wikimedia.org

Paul was a Jew from Tarsus, a city on the coast of Turkey. He was brought up in Jerusalem and studied law at the feet of Gamaliel, the renowned scholar in the time of Jesus. Without a doubt he was outstanding for Paul testified that he excelled beyond his peers.¹ Evidently, God gave Paul a harder schooling schedule. So we can decide which situation we prefer in life.

The Roll Call in Honor

It would have been noted that in speaking of Jesus appearing to the women, I used the word “honor”. This is because honor comes through our work and status. It was the prestige bestowed by Jesus to the women.

So honor is the reward given for a position or work. It may be from men and it may be given by God. So in this sense, it is a reward for whatever we do or gained from work and status. 

ref : lds.org

In worldly view, honor comes from being chairman, leader, preacher, and so on. When we take the “first” position, and do such “work” in society, people honor us. But it is a worldly view. It is worldly because such reward is an honor from men, not from God.

It is why Jesus said that when you pray, do not be like hypocrites who love standing in front of the synagogue and at street corners to pray, to be seen by men. Jesus said they already had received their “reward”. These men were seeking honor for what they were doing. So Jesus said they had already received this reward of “honor” from men.²

ref : blogspot.com

But there would be no honor given by God. This is because these were not done for God. Honor from God comes when we do things for God. That God sees for Himself.

So the women and servants of God are honored in helping humbly and caring for others. Our society can say they did nothing remarkable. Still, we say these are honorable folks because the honor from God cannot be taken away.

ref : blogspot.com

It is also about housewives who gave the best parts of their lives looking after children and bringing them up to be godly people. It is about parents who set examples to their children in how to behave as God wants, and living as what God tells us.

In this regard, Jesus reminded us that some who are first shall be last in God’s kingdom.³

To this end, I also do not look to the pursuit of teaching people, or “preaching” to others how to conduct themselves. My witness for Jesus is not merely “preaching” to others.

ref : glcc-online.org

My witness for Jesus is to tell others the “real” result of Jesus transforming my life. It is better that I show Jesus living in me as my testimony. A picture of my life is worth more than a thousand words of “preaching”.

So I conclude my duties in God’s calling for me are not directly material. It is not really about being a church leader, an influential citizen, or a capable organizer. What God requires of His people is to act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with Him, as the prophet Micah said.⁴

The Splendor of Achievements

There is also a splendor we must note from work and what we do. Splendor is seen in the houses people built, cars they bought, and land they owned. This is the crowning glory of a career and is seen from these achievements.

ref : dupontregistry.com

However, this earthly glory cannot shine. This is because it is not part of a person. It can only be seen in his achievements. This “glory” is therefore only seen in the splendor of our achievements and possessions. But it does not actually speak of the person’s worthiness, for he may be wicked, ruthless, a scoundrel or a dictator.

Yet this glory is eagerly pursued because without its splendor, there can be no worship. Men therefore want their work to have this splendor, to be majestic. Kings show their glory in their splendid clothing and kingdoms. They hope to be gods.

ref : blogspot.com

In fact, it is something that Satan offers as well. We remember the temptations that Jesus encountered in the desert. Satan offered Jesus the splendors of his kingdom of the world. Satan offered these in order to be worshipped.

For this purpose, God does not want us to pursue glory on earth. Jesus tells us not to seek such things, to be glorified and worshipped by others. We do not have to be teenage idols or be gods amongst men.

The Glory of God

For this reason also, God said He will not give His glory to another. Instead, God will make His glory to shine in us. We do not have to seek it. Glory from God hence has this important difference from splendor and honor.⁵

The glory of God is not like earthly pretensions. The glory of God comes from His holiness. God’s glory shines because of this holiness. So God’s shekina glory can be seen. It is brighter than the sun. Paul saw this on the road to Damascus. Peter, James and John saw this at the Lord’s Transfiguration. The Israelites saw it at Mount Sinai.

ref : wordpress.com

Satan can never offer such true glory. Men can never attain this by achievements. We can never have such glory of our own. It is because this glory is not about what we achieved. We cannot earn it. We also cannot buy it.

God places His glory into us when we live godly lives through righteousness. It is not about achievements but about godliness. That was why Moses’ face shone after meeting God. The glory of God was reflected in his face.⁶

So Jesus said we are His jewels in the City of God. It is because precious stones sparkle when the glory of God shines around. The glory of each person will differ for each one because righteousness is from how we walk with God on earth.⁷

ref : blogspot.com

Thus our jewel’s quality depends on how godly we are. It has nothing to do with careers and achievements. So the housewife and poor men like Lazarus may shine more gloriously than that of a pastor or church leader. The glory that God shines through us is not about doing “church” work.

Likewise, the lives of Pharisees and Sadducees are reminders. Those social elite laid down great career plans, strove hard for success and their honorable places in society. They were well rewarded in society, and their achievements were for others to see. Regrettably however, they rejected the hope Jesus offered in the Kingdom of God. So I reckon none of them saw the glory of God’s kingdom.

ref : staticflickr.com

To sum up, I think it is quite clear to everyone that doing things as God calls us is not particularly “rewarding” in this life. On the other hand, our rewards and God’s retirement benefits are “out of this world”.

So to housewives, road sweepers, farmers, maids, and also to the rich, the famous, the powerful, Jesus calls to cast aside the perishable crown. Lift up your eyes and see the road where God is leading you home and to glory.

Scripture References

¹Acts 26:4,24,  Phil 3:4-6     ² Matt 6:1     ³ Luke 13:30      ⁴ Micah 6:18    ⁵ Isaiah 42:8  ⁶  Exodus 34:29     ⁷  Revelation 21:19

NB:     Scripture texts are from NIV.

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The post The Road To Glory 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.

21 Sept 2014 -

Come and experience an outstanding worship experience with the Grammy Award-winning American Christian music artist, worship leader and singer-songwriter, Israel Houghton and his band The New Breed in just another two weeks’ time.

Who Is Israel Houghton?

Israel Houghton (pronounced, hoh’-tin) (born May 19, 1971) is a Grammy Award-winning American Christian music artist, worship leader and singer-songwriter, mostly known for his cross-cultural style of Christian music that fuses elements from gospel, jazz and rock. Houghton is usually credited as Israel & New Breed and currently signed to Integrity Music. Houghton is a worship leader at Joel Osteen’s Lakewood Church in Houston, Texas.

Houghton has served as worship leader for the Promise Keepers and Champions for Christ events, as well as the Hillsong Conference 2006–10, and Hillsong Conference Europe 2008-2010. Israel currently serves as a worship leader (alongside Cindy Cruse-Ratcliff, Steve Crawford and Da’dra Crawford-Greathouse) at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX, pastored by Joel Osteen.

Other Performances

Israel and New Breed accompanied Alicia Keys at the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards for a performance of George Michael’s “Freedom ’90.”

Israel and New Breed performed at the 50th Annual Grammy Awards, taking part in a segment saluting Gospel music, alongside the likes of Aretha Franklin and BeBe Winans.

Houghton also sang with Michael W Smith on his 2008 Album, “A New Hallelujah”, recorded at Lakewood Church in Houston, TX.

For a listing of the awards he has won, go to http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Israel_Houghton#Awards

WHEN?                     | 6^th October 2014 (Public Holiday)|                          

WHAT TIME?           | 7PM |                                  

WHERE?                   | Grace Convention Centre, PJ |

Exciting news for students out there, discounted passes available for students (limited)! So, what are you waiting for? Faster secure your seats today!

GET YOUR PASSES FROM SELECTED OUTLETS.

CANAANLAND | SALVATION BOOKSTORE, SS2 | DRUMSTORE, PARADIGM MALL | GLAD SOUNDS | GRACE BOOKSTORE

This concert is hosted by Grace Convention Centre on the 6th October 2014.

For more info, please check out http://www.graceconventioncentre.com/

The post Coming Real Soon! Israel Houghton Concert in Malaysia This October | 6 Oct 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.

21 Sept 2014 by Melisa Chong-

“Stop Hunger Now” is an international organisation from the USA, which has a branch in Malaysia. Every year, they partner with organisations to host meal packing events for the poor.     

Early this year, a “Stop Hunger Now” meal packing event was hosted by 4 churches in Melaka: Straits Baptist Church,  City Community Church,  Real Love Ministry Fellowship, and Philadelphia Gospel Assembly. The purpose of the meal packing event was to connect and mobilise young adults from different churches to reach the impoverished communities. Starting in early 2014, the committee led by Melisa Chong, met regularly to make plans for 4 months, ending with a meal-packing day on the 5^th of July 2014 at City Community Church. A packed meal contains rice, soy, dehydrated vegetables and flavouring mix including 21 essential vitamins and minerals. 

Listening to the opening speech and instructions before the packing starts

Funding came from corporate sponsors, church collections, friends, and was promoted on Facebook. The committee also sold T-shirts,  car stickers, and organised  “Run For The Hungry”, a 2km run in different routes in Melaka.

Melisa commented, “We really experienced God’s provision for this event. We are not big churches so raising a minimum RM25,000 in just over 2 months was a huge task! We thought a majority of our funds would come from corporate sponsors but it was actually individuals and church collections which contributed most. We also received more than double the amount of T-shirt orders we expected, raising more than RM35,000. Boy did we learn to trust God!”

The packaged meals were sent to CREST Malaysia, a Crisis Relief and Services Training organisation in Malaysia whose theme is “Bringing God’s love to the poor and needy in crisis.” They in turn will distribute the meals to impoverished communities in the country.

The team preparing to pack the food into boxes

When asked why she was so passionate about reaching out to the poor, Melisa explained, “During my university days in Australia, I was exposed to the idea of community work in my church, and I felt drawn to reaching out to the poor. I always thought the poor are overseas like in Africa. It wasn’t until last year, when I visited a school in Sentul that gives education to children from really poor families that I met the poor in Malaysia.” 

After meeting many children who live in deplorable living conditions, who are malnourished, whose parents can’t even afford to pay school fees and who themselves because of the environment they grow up in, find learning a challenge, Melisa was convicted.

“I was reminded of the story of The Rich Man and Lazarus in Luke 16. Lazarus was at the rich man’s gate waiting for what fell from the rich man’s table. The poor are right at our doorsteps! And too often when we help the poor, we give our leftovers. Sentul is less than 2 hours away from my home and I couldn’t believe such poverty could exist so close to home,” she added.

Teamwork

Melisa testified that undertaking the “Stop Hunger Now” Melaka project was challenging because all 9 committee members are working folks. Some decisions needed to be made during the day so their phones were busy. Besides, they also had to answer to their pastors. They had to coordinate people, events, etc. It required great responsibility and commitment, having to balance work, church ministries, and making themselves available. In the course of working, friendships were formed. “I must say this is one of the best committees I have ever worked with,” Melisa enthused.

“Run for the Hungry” participants at Straits Baptist Church.

The so-called Generation-Xs and the Gen-Ys volunteered for the packing. They are often stereotyped as the “Entitlement generation” who are selfish, materialistic, ambitious and worldly. But these selfless young people have proven the world wrong. There were also teens and older uncles and aunties who joined them as volunteers, totalling 130 persons from various churches working in 3 shifts. A total of 165 boxes with over 35,000 meals were packed and sent to CREST!

Students of Multimedia University Melaka participating in the packing process

The committee has seen God’s hand in everything, from the fundraising, miraculously withholding the rain until “Run for the Hungry” was completed, and providing all resources and manpower. Everyone agreed, “All glory goes to God. Truly the poor has a special place in God’s heart!”

Malacca Stop Hunger Now Meal Packaging Event Committee 2014
Top from left to right: Lionel Thien, Stanley Too, Daniel Ee, John Tan
Bottom from left to right: Jerome Liew, Melisa Chong, Elina Goh, Priscilla Chin, and Kenneth William.

After the interview, Melisa has inspired me to also do my part in reaching out to the poor, corporately or on a personal level. God truly has a heart for the poor.

Printed on the back of the event T-shirts are these words of Jesus “…as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.” (Matt. 25:40). God also promised, “If you help the poor, you are lending to the LORD–and he will repay you!” (Prov. 19:17).

What could be better than a reward from God?

165 boxes packed!

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The post Stop Hunger Now- Reaching the poor in Melaka 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.

21 Sept 2014 by 张微微 -

耶稣基督，垂听祷告的神

 “身为家中第三代基督徒的我，从母亲那里得知原来外公那一代是敬奉鬼神的。那时，外公对基督徒非常抗拒。他认为基督徒整天都无所事事，游手好闲，没事就常常来烦他。那个时候的外公，也认为只有没有能力的人才需要神的帮助。”微微分享到当时村里来向外公传福音的传道人，都被她的外公赶出门外。

她继续分享外公信主的经历，“有一天，外公跟一群朋友出去砍树。在村庄里，有一颗大榕树，每逢过年过节，村里的人都杀鸡、杀猪，来供奉那看棵榕树。因为听说那颗树的鬼很厉害。外公很大胆地跟朋友说，“我们去砍那颗树。” 他的朋友们也很放胆地同意去砍了。结果，一回到家就开始不停地吐血、拉血。后来，外公的朋友三天内都过世了。我们家也请了巫师来，可惜那巫师治不了附在外公身上的鬼。巫师当时也说，外公最多只能活七天。”

张微微

逼于无奈之下，外公要求妈妈去请传道人来家里，因为他要信耶稣。他说，“既然我所拜的神不能救我，这样，若我死的话，也要信耶稣而死。”当晚，外公就在传道人的带领下，决志接受耶稣成为他个人的救主。过后，外公还活了十七年才回到天父的怀中。就这样，救恩临到了微微的家族。

“唯有我是耶和华；除我以外，并没有拯救者。”（以赛亚书 43：11）

至于微微的母亲，在信主后，之前的一些坏习惯，例如抽烟、喝酒等，都完全放下了。 常常祷告的母亲，从小就对微微说耶稣爱她，“在妈妈的一生中，令她最痛苦的事，就是在我大姐过世后，就接著有了患上小儿麻痹症的我。妈妈也说，如果不是因为有耶稣，她早就疯了。”

不愿只风闻有你，但愿亲眼看见你

从五岁开始就患上了小儿麻痹症的微微，模糊的印象中记得，当时母亲一直在一旁哭泣。她分享到，“让我最难忘的，是妈妈按手在我的头上，为我祷告。”

张微微

由于家里经济状况不允许，让没有能力看医生的微微，病情每况愈下。“所以，除了祷告之外，我们真的做不了什么。很多人都说我是没有办法活下来了。甚至，连我的爸爸都放弃了我，跟妈妈说不要再给我喂药。因为他实在是看不下去我那不死不活的样子。或许我死了会更好，因为至少我不再需要痛苦地活着。”

尽管周遭有许多患上小儿麻痹症的孩童都一一离世，但是母亲深信那位让外公活下来的神，必定能够救活微微。

病情一直没有任何的起色，再加上家乡炎热的天气，让微微患上了癫痫病。痛不欲生的微微在母亲的鼓励下，一直坚持不放弃，相信耶稣能拯救和医治她。 “那时候我对耶稣并没有很深的认识，可我就是紧紧地地抓住祂。当我痛的时候，当我无助的时候，我都会喊耶稣。每次当我看到妈妈的脸，我都有活下来的勇气”微微说。

“所有信靠他的人，必不致失望。”（罗马书 10:11）

新的开始从来不易

在一次母亲四处寻医的经历中，发现其实微微无法适应家乡的气候，便与微微的父亲商议要搬迁。然而，想到要离乡背井、没有工作、陌生的环境等因素，让微微的父亲却步。意想不到的是，母亲的坚持让全家人都同意搬迁到城市里生活，父亲最后也一同搬迁。

张微微 （左）与马圣同学

微微说，“来到城市后，我的病情慢慢好转。手开始能动，也可以用拐杖走路。除此之外，我也可以去学校念书。记得小时候，我们全家人星期天都一定要上教会。如果不去，回来就会被妈妈打。所以，我从小就在教会长大，在主日学听圣经故事，可以说我在神的爱中成长。”

尽管微微在教会中长大，却对神的救恩毫无头绪。“过去，我一直活在律法之下，自己其实不确定能不能上天堂，一直都活在恐惧中。”

上帝的慈绳爱索能打破一切恐惧的捆锁

1994年的受浸，让微微心中的恐惧和不安更加地巨大。“我一直没有办法胜过试探，一直活在罪中，心里常想我都受洗了，怎么可以这样软弱呢？甚至有的时候会想，如果我真的死了，一定会下地狱。所以，我就跟耶稣说，‘除了你，还有谁能救我呢？求你帮助我，也告诉我应该要怎样做才能得救。’”

“因为‘凡求告主名的，都必得救。’”（罗马书 10:13）

感谢神，祂不只垂听了微微的祷告，更应允她的呼求，特别预备了一位外来的牧师，来更肯定地回答微微心中的疑问。“我记得我们在街上遇到，他问了我的名字、住在哪里、还问我是不是基督徒。我回答他说，我是基督徒。更奇妙的是，他继续问我是否确定自己得救。我当时笑笑地对他说，自己其实还没有确定。后来，他就邀请我出席一场培灵会。在那培灵会中，我才知道，只要我口里承认耶稣为主，心里相信就必得救。”

“因为心里相信就必称义，用口承认就必得救。”（罗马书 10:10）

微微说，“就是这么简单！从那天开始，我就让耶稣成为我个人的救主，让主掌管我的生命。”

张微微，现为马来西亚圣经神学院（马圣）的神学生。

注脚：此文章由 Joycelyn Loh CM整理。

The post 信心，让一切都变为可能… 爱，使凡事都有来盼望！ 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.

21 Sept 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

On 17^th of September, former Senator Dato’ Tee Thiong Hock shared a message at the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship at Damansara Utama that sparked my interest to write a commentary on the meaning of filial piety.

The population of people aged 65 years and older is projected to increase threefold of the 2010 population, 30 years from now. According to the National Statistic’s Department (NSD), senior citizens (those who are 65 years and above) are expected to reach 4.4 million people, which is at least 11.4 percent of the population. This makes Malaysia an ageing population by year 2021.

Although elderly parents have always expected to stay with their children under one roof, this trend appears to be changing due to many reasons.

Ref: motherandchild

For one, many of our elderly parents (over 65 years old) have lived in a sandwich-generation of taking care of the generation before them and after them, namely the grandparents and the children. And beyond that, the baby boomers (born in year 1946—1964) have invested most of their savings to send their children overseas, in hope to pave a brighter future for them. Some even sell their car and house to finance their children’s education and first residence overseas. And many of the children chose to establish their career overseas upon graduation, living miles away from their parents.

Ref: smucac

Another common reason children stay apart from their elderly parents would of course be conflicting attitudes, different lifestyles, and the distance of work from home.

Some of the elderly parents also require immediate and constant medical attention such as dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. Hence, sending them to nursing homes appears to be a viable choice considering the busy working schedule of the children. An article in FMT reported that taking care of two parents with stroke at home could amount to RM10,000 per month, compared to the price range of RM800 to RM5000 per month in nursing homes (for those who provide only basic needs and those who provide constant medical attention respectively).

Ref: ytsnursing

To put it simply, whether we are staying with our elderly parents, staying apart from our elderly parents, or sending them to nursing homes, let us not judge each other unfavorably or favorably. I believe each decision is made based on one’s unique reason, circumstances, and even motivation. Before we judge, let us look at ourselves first. After all, at the end of the day, it is God who makes the final judgment. It is He who we answer to. (Jer 17:10)

I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve. (Jer 17:10)

But if we do harbour selfish intentions for not providing financially for our parents, the Bible says we are worse than an unbeliever. (1 Tim 5:8)

Ref: medicaldaily

Anyone who does not provide for their relatives, and especially for their own household, has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. (1 Tim 5:8)

So, for the sake of discussion, let say our middle-class parents are left to fend for themselves, are they able to pay for their own nursing homes during their twilight years? The news reported that while the rich and affluent have no financial difficulty and the poor can seek government assistance; the middle-class parents can neither afford staying in the nursing home long-term nor qualify for government assistance. That means they would need to live off their depleting Employee Providence Funds (EPF) to live in their nursing home. Some have no choice but to reenter the workforce.

Ref: blogspot

Although it is true that the living cost in owning a house and a car is rising, this should not be a reason for children to nullify their responsibility in providing for their elderly parents. Even if we are unable to financially provide now, we need to plan in providing financially for our elderly parents in the future (residence arrangement and medical fees). That is a tangible and practical way of filial piety.

Without filial piety, I believe the testimony of our Christian faith is greatly weakened to the point of deserving criticisms from nonbelievers.

Dato’ Tee Thiong Hock

Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you. (Exo 20:12)

Tee shared how his sons, Jin Wee and Jin Liang, who are now both senior doctors in Australia and UK showed filial piety to him and his late wife despite the distance between them.

Since they were in college, they would communicate weekly with the parents. And every year for special occasions (such as Birthdays, Mother’s Day, and Father’s Day), Tee’s sons would send them a card with encouraging words, accompanied with a basket of seafood, a basket of fruits, a bouquet of flowers, or other types of gifts. Besides, they would also find reasons to pay for their parents’ stay in luxurious hotels with dinner according to the parents’ choice, every alternate month. And when the sons returned home for a visit, they would insist on going for a family trip.

Ref: starwoodvacationnetwork

Although Tee and his late wife never expected his sons to return them for anything, he realized the best way to have them practice filial piety is to graciously accept their financial contributions and gifts. Hence, he urged all parents to instill the value of giving back in their children by accepting their financial contributions and gifts. By doing so, the grandchildren would also exemplify the action of filial piety of their parents, which will be continued from one generation to the next.

Ref: cavinteo

When Tee’s wife was diagnosed with a terminal disease, both of his sons flew back immediately from their positions and accompanied the mother for six weeks, extended out of favor from one week. Both showed love in practical and tangible ways—one important one is contributing to the finances required for the hospital expenditure.

Ref: stfrancishealthcare

In addition, they also offered their mother in the last two months physical comfort and encouragement. Jin Wee showed love by brainstorming all kinds of delicious breakfast to stimulate his mother’s losing appetite. Jin Liang on the other hand, decorated the room with unique, colorful, and petite food items (i.e. Nyonya kuih, Tau Foo Fa in an odd-shaped bottle, etc) in every corner of the room to catch the mother’s attention, in hope to lift up her spirits. He even reminded Tee who was demoralized to be gentle with his words to his mother, because that might be the last words to her.

Hence, such is the meaning of filial piety. Where would we be when our parents need us? When Tee’s wife passed away, his son Jin Wee asked his father to stay with him in Australia, in a room already prepared for him. And every day, he would call his father to learn about his whereabouts and activities. And despite the time difference in UK, Jin Liang would make an effort to call at least twice or thrice a week to share his life with his father.

Ref: gbtimes

Lastly, regarding the living arrangements with your parents, every family has their own preferences and capacity. Personally, I asked my father before, “Would you rather stay with me or would you rather stay in a nursing home?” He honestly told me that he can live independently but he will rather stay with his children. Perhaps, that would shed some light to your future arrangement of your parents’ residence as well.

Are you able and ready to provide and take care of your parents when they need you? The good news is that we can plan now.

Ref: gbtimes

NOTE: The article above is written based on the sharing by Dato’ Tee Thiong Hock, which sparked the commentary of this sermon. It is an expanded version of his sharing with elaboration by the writer.

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The post Your elderly parents need you. It is our duty to provide for their needs—Dato’ Tee Thiong Hock 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.

22 September 2014 -

Focus on the Family Malaysia is organizing a Father & Son Adventure Camp to provide fathers and sons with exclusive one-to-one time for playing, communicating, collaborating and relaxing with one another – all in the midst of an “adventure-camp” setting.

“In our daily lives, so many things seem to crowd into the schedule we have with our sons. It is so important that we spend time with them for the purpose of bonding, nurturing and imparting of our values and beliefs.” said Lee, the Executive Director of Focus on the Family Malaysia.

ref : blogcdn.com

This bonding is especially vital in times of strain in the relationship between father and son, as so often happens. Studies show that those able to deal constructively with crisis were those who had bonding experiences together.

Lee added, “Another important reason for fathers to spend time together with sons is to foster a ‘secure attachment.’ Development experts suggest that such attachment is central to a teenager’s development of social competence, higher self-esteem, and well-being.”

ref : fathersinthefield.com

Attachment of sons to fathers during adolescence may also provide the secure base from which teens can explore and master new environments, widening their social world in a psychologically healthy manner.

“Therefore, we need to find time to be with our boys for the purpose of bonding, helping them feel secure and thus increasing their well-being” said Lee.

Event Details:

Date : Day: 14 & 15 November 2014 | Friday & Saturday

Cost: RM 400.00 per pair (tent included) OR

RM 270.00 per pair (participants to bring their own tent)

Age Requirement: Sons to be between the ages of 8 – 13

Venue: SUFES Campsite | Tapah, Perak

Registration: Online at www.family.org.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.

Facebook : /focusonthefamilymalaysia Twitter : @familiesMY

Focus on the Family (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd.

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

Contact : 03-7954 7920 Fax : 03-7954 7858 (Fax)

Email : focus@family.org.my Website :www.family.org.my

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The post FATHER & SON ADVENTURE CAMP | 14 – 15 November 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.

22 Sept 2014 – 

我们所有人都有某种梦想或愿景：在我们的生活领域，在神的帮助下，我们期待拥有更好的自我，期待取得更多的成就。

也许，这期待就是拥有好的体形、拥有更健康的身体；也许，你期望在业务上拥有更佳的金融稳定性、拥有更大的成功；也许，你期待拥有更多的事工机会。

无论你的目标是什么,有一件事是肯定的：如果没有自律和自制，这些几乎不可能实现。

在我的生命中，我曾经认为：如果我吃了其中一块巧克力饼干,我就会吃上一打。为什么? 因为我没有自制力…, 我对改变自己绝对没有信心。

但事实是：我们能够改变。通过神的恩典,我们能够开始做出正确的选择，我们能够培养新的习惯，去帮助我们享有更加美好的生活。

知晓你的力量源泉

首先，过自律的生活、建立新的习惯比仅仅拥有意志力要难得多。

我永远不会忘记听到有关话语力量教诲的时刻。那天, 我离开教会时说：“这是对的！ 我要闭上我的口， 不说一句坏话，我要约束自己！”

你大概会猜想这事的结果如何。是的，我极力保持安静；但后来，我意识到，我很抑郁。神对我的内心说话：“虽然你闭上了你的口，但内心没有任何改变。”

这里的教训是： 即使在神要求我们做某事的时候，我们仍然不能成功地做成它，除非我们依靠他。约翰福音15章5节已经改变了我的生活，它说：…因为离了我，你们就不能做什么。

每天用点时间读神的话语，在祷告中与他交谈。我的一些最重大的突破就是安静地坐在他灵里面的结果，知道如果他不让它发生，我做不成任何事。

你不“工作”，就不能享有“福利”

几年前, 人们在得到加薪、假期和特殊利益之前，会在他们的职位中长时间地工作；如今，这些好处提前得到了。虽然我完全同意人们拥有好的利益，但如今拥有的权益感实际上会伤害我们。

我相信很多人期待“不工作的福利”。换句话说,他们想拥有所有好结果，同时不必自律或承担任何责任。

大学足球教练文斯 隆巴迪（Vince Lombardi）有句名言：他要教会他的球员如何自律，这样，他们就能说到做到、心想事成。

你看，尽管今天我们能够用微波炉很快加热出一顿饭，但却不能“以同样的方式很快成为基督徒”。实际上，我喜欢称神的过程为”逐步增长的律法”。为什么? 因为逐渐地， 随着我们做出正确的选择， 主就会带我们到应许之地。

是的，开始时，约束自己会是困难的；这不会感觉良好，你不会喜欢它。但是，每一次你选择做正确的事，下一次它就会变得更容易些，你离你的目标就会更近一步。

是真理？还是结果?

继续阅读

References for pictures:

http://shechive.files.wordpress.com/2012/01/enjoy-life-17.jpg

http://delegatesolutions.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/new-beginning.jpg

http://images.forwallpaper.com/files/images/d/dcab/dcab4747/258566/enjoy-life.jpg

http://www.radicalriders.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/man-reading-bible.jpg

The post 如何过上你期待的生活？ 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.

22 September 2014 by Rev Dr Jai Kumar -

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Rom.8:28)

A PROCESS IN OUR JOURNEY

As a believer we face trials and sometimes things can be painful and disappointing. But as long as we are faithful to the Lord He will work it out for our good.

Life is a journey and in a journey there is a process that we need to go through before we can reach our destination.  Often a lack of wisdom and understanding and a concretised mentality will lead us into great confusion and hurts in ministry. God works in ways that are so different and far deeper than from the way we have often been thinking and comprehending Him.

Isaiah 55:8

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD.

THE CRUSHING AND BREAKING IS PART OF THE PROCESS

A valley experience is an absolute requirement in ministry before you can go to the mountain top. There can be no compromise in this area.  People who have tried a shortcut have paid a heavy price in the end.

ref : metakosmik.com

But have you ever realized that no matter who we are, there is a weakness in humans. We always seek to reach the mountain top and we refuse the valley experience. The fact of the matter is that, by doing so we miss out on the most significant things that God wants to teach us in our lives. We don’t want the pain but we want the gain. But in God’s purposes and plan He requires us to go through the crushing and the breaking process before He can promote us to stand on the mountain top.

You know what? There will be no wine to make the heart glad unless the grape is crushed. There will be no bread to feed the hungry until the wheat is crushed and broken. There will be no oil to heal the sick unless the olive is crushed and broken.

ref : churchtoyou.org

Why does the crushing and the breaking takes place? The crushing and the breaking takes place so that you may grow to have greater wisdom and stronger character. God forms His character in the process so that in time to come you will be able to withstand the pressures of life in your future ministry. You will never go off balance when greater blessings are poured out into your life.

THERE IS A SEASON WHEN PEOPLE WILL LEAVE YOU

Ministry is so different from the corporate world. In the corporate world you can hire and fire people. In ministry it’s painful when people leave you. In ministry it’s a different relationship that you build and establish between people. People will stick to you like a glue in certain seasons especially when the need is desperate. They would prioritize all their time to be attached to you day and night. You start to do everything for them as though you are mentoring a child. You pray for them, you feed them, you deploy tremendous effort to change their mindset and built them up and finally put them on the right track.

ref : huffpost.com

Suddenly there comes a season when the atmosphere changes for them and they leave you. And if you have not gone through the crushing and the breaking process in the purposes of God you are going to be disappointed and you are going to view things in a negative way.

BLESS THEM AND LET THEM GO

Certain people will leave your life at some point in time and when they do, let them go! Don’t try to talk them into staying. You need to understand something; your destiny is not tied up to those who walk away.

The scripture says: “They went out from us, but they did not really belong to us” (1 John 2:19)

ref : wordpress.com

Some people don’t belong to your boat. Some people don’t belong to your journey. Remember there is always a season in your life and ministry. People come and people go. You know what? When people don’t belong to your journey anymore, even a bucket of ‘super glue’ can’t make them stay!

(Ruth1:14 )…,,,,,,Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung tightly to her.

ref : jw.org

Orpah leaving her mother-in-law didn’t make her a bad person. It just meant her part in the story was over. Therefore, we need to understand that when somebody is saying goodbye to you, you must recognize that their part in your story is over as well; otherwise you will keep trying to raise the dead.

DISCERN GOD’S WILL IN YOUR SEASONS

(2 Samuel 12:16-17) David pleaded with God for his child’s life. He fasted and he prayed and spent nights lying on the ground. Despite all his desperate prayers and pleas God took his baby. Can you imagine that? But when his child died, David had to face the reality that he could do nothing more. So he got up washed himself, changed his clothes and he ate (2 Samuel  12:20-21) he had to move on!

ref : redeemingeve.com

Here is something we need to understand. When something is over and finished and you have tried every way possible to make it work. You have fasted, you have prayed, you have seeked God’s will and apparently nothing seemed to have worked, it has ended up in total failure. You need to accept God’s will in this matter. Listen!  All you have to do is get up wash yourself, change your clothes start moving and living again!!

GOD HAS A GREATER PLAN FOR YOU

Never beg anyone to stay with you against their will. Please try to understand that when people have to leave you, it is not an accident! It is indeed in the plan and will of God. Your current circumstances will not determine your future. God has a greater plan for you. He has got something better in store for you in the future.

ref : photographyheat.com

The problem is we refuse to see the reality. So often we refuse to let go of what we currently have in order to receive what God is waiting to give us. But God is saying unless you let it go I can never work with you and move you forward in my plan and purpose for your destiny to be fulfilled.  So keep trusting God until it comes to pass. It’s all part of His plan.

Psalms 18:2 –

The LORD is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.

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 – YOUR DESTINY IS SELDOM TIED-UP TO SOMEBODY 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.

23 Sept 2014 – 

每一對婚姻關係裡，爭吵當然是難免的。每一對夫婦最迫切學習的課題，就是掌握如何吵架。

婚姻生活裡，健康與不健康的爭吵，完全不一樣，它的關鍵就在於雙方如何來表達自己的意見。

The post 吵架的藝術 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.

23 September 2014 by Jason Law CM -

Seremban Life Assembly located in Oakland Industrial Park, Seremban, has a distinctive identity and structure as a church without walls. This identity is encapsulated in the concept that the local church is primarily a spiritual home for God’s children, but it is in the spiritual kingdoms where most battles are fought and influences are spread.

Seremban Life Assembly is an interdependent church, where many homes network together, and an emphasis is placed on unity among the children of God, to create a strong Kingdom of God. The church have faith that while the homes have children, the army comes from the Kingdom, and thus for revival to take place, Christians must take up the Kingdom concept.  

Seremban Life Assembly in Oakland Industrial Park, Seremban.

‘Seremban Life believes that every Christian has a part to play in God’s Kingdom, and it is the role of the church to train them up as disciples so that they are able to minister to others one day. We place an emphasis on our church members rather than inordinately on pastors. The leaders act as a guiding light to the other members of the church, not as a top-down manager,’ sis Tan Lee Leng, the church administrator shared.

Under the Kingdom Concept, there are three pillars (Jesus as model; Bible as the Standard; Holy Spirit as Guide). ‘The Kingdom concept was discussed and prayed over by 30 pastors at a meeting, and Full Gospel Church in Johor is practicing it at present. The three pillars of the Kingdom Church stresses on the primacy of Jesus, the Bible, and the Holy Spirit in the lives of Christians. That means that the focus is not on the pastor, but in people’s relationship with God.  

Sister Lee Leng leading worship.

‘Our goal is to shift the mindset of our church members from looking at the Church as organizational structures to looking at themselves as being a part of it. The two central thoughts we aim to develop in them are:

1. LET JESUS RECEIVES ALL THE GLORY

2. LET JESUS BE THE KING OF ALL

Ultimately, our hope is that this will all come together in forming a Godly system, not just in the church, but also in personal lives, workplaces, and families,’ sis Lee Leng shared.

Elder Kwan Swee Cheong sharing a testimony to encourage the church.

Reverend Jai Kumar was a guest speaker in Seremban Life on the 14^th of September, and he shared about what the Kingdom mindset is. He shared that the crucial time of the End Days is drawing near, and that there is an urgent need for the Gospel of the Kingdom to be preached. ‘Jesus preached the Kingdom message. His primary concern was for the Kingdom of God,’ Reverend Jai imparted.

Paul also had feelings of honour about the Gospel; he did not feel ashamed about it, and he held the Gospel in the highest sense. In Romans 1:16, he writes to the Romans about the power of God that comes through the Gospel.

Reverend Jai sharing about the Kingdom.

‘Our God is an awesome God, full of compassion and mercy, and there is nothing like the Word of God. It is not just mere head knowledge; God’s Word comes with the anointing of the Holy Spirit. God is revealed in 2 ways; through the Holy Spirit and through His teachings. The lives of Christians hinges on the combination of these two. Christ cannot be separated from His teaching, and when we have this type of awareness and mentality about the Gospel, we have the power to change the culture and atmosphere of the world around us,’ Reverend Jai communicated.  

The Kingdom Mindset

In a kingdom, there is a king. Christ is our King but we have too often boxed Him in our mentality. We need to develop God’s mindset and be passionate about the Church, which has a role as a pillar and foundation of the Truth. But while the church is the headquarters of God on earth, its members cannot be confined within its four walls. They must be trained and equipped so that they can go out and penetrate the society, influencing and impacting the culture of the entire community in the process.

ref : jkimc.com

God’s Kingdom, the Church, cannot be birthed without God, and it is the Christian’s mandate to uphold the integrity of the Church, and ensure it stays connected to God. Reverend Jai exhorted that we need to take the Kingdom message seriously and do justice to God. The values, principles, and ethics on Earth must reflect that of Heaven’s.

The Correlation Between God’s Commandments and the Human Condition   

God’s commandments are made expressly for the best way the earth functions, and when the values and atmosphere of Heaven is reflected on Earth, we solve most of man’s problems. Like the mustard seed that is tiny by itself, but when released it conquers the forest, we must not underestimate ourselves when we are connected to God. We are precious in His eyes and the glory of God brings power for transformation.

ref : revivalhut.com

Christians cannot be separated from God, nor can they exist in isolation from the rest of the world. Reverend Jai shared that the salt and light is never to function by themselves, they are supposed to infuse and penetrate its surroundings. But first we must catch the principle Jesus taught in Mark 10:42-45; that everyone who wants to be great must first be a servant.

Mark 10:42-45New International Version (NIV)

⁴² Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. ⁴³ Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, ⁴⁴ and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. ⁴⁵ For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

The Role of the Church as a Kingdom Advancer

Reverend Jai also shared that as the Church, we must not just talk about spiritual stuff until we have lost our relevance. As long as we are on Earth, there are certain practical issues we have to address in the fabric of life. Unbalanced and lopsided theology has adverse effects. God’s commands and counsel are active, directed for action, and we must act on them. We must be both spiritual and enlightening, spiritual and also relevant.

Reverend Jai ministering at Seremban Life Assembly.

As agents of change, we must be concerned about what is going on around us and address the everyday needs of the world. Christians must take their responsibilities as stewards of the earth seriously, in environmental concerns, in social justice, in education, in economic empowerment, and other such matters. God is preeminent in all things and we need to learn to listen to God’s voice. The Kingdom Mentality is all about transforming both the physical and spiritual climate and environment of the world.

Worship at Seremban Life Assembly.

Reverend Jai shared that we cannot fulfill our calling as a people of God if we are only stuck behind our pulpits and church walls. We are not cosmic accidents.  Everyone is important and invested with an important responsibility. We are supposed to go out and be the light of the world.  We need to develop grateful hearts and we need to go out and tell the world of God’s message. In the Last Days, churches with a Kingdom mindset such as Seremban Life Assembly has an extremely important role to play. 

Seremban Life Assembly started its services in October 2013, and is located at Lot No. 3983/2, Jalan Haruan 1, Oakland Industrial Park, 70300 Seremban. You can find out more about them on FaceBook at /serembanlifeassembly/info or their website at www.serembanlifeassembly.com and their services at www.serembanlifeassembly.com/services/

NOTE: Some pictures kindly contributed by Reverend Jai.

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The post Seremban Life Assembly : A Church Without Walls 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.

23 Sept 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

You are right. It’s not easy to walk with God. And no, I am not chasing away folks who are interested to know Christ.

I have accepted Christ when I was 15 years old. After nine years, I finally gave my life back to Christ and I expected a smooth life, where God would take care of everything. You know, I would fall into the right career, which pays me well doing what I love. I would have time to spend with family and friends. 

I hate to tell you this. But these are not the full reality at all. They are all inaccurate.

Let’s fast-forward to what is happening four years from the time I gave my life back to Christ. My career has been…. to say the least, different from what I expected. I returned to Malaysia after studying overseas, expecting myself to be a power-career-lady scaling the corporate ladder through double glass doors and golden elevators. I did. I entered a multi-national company, the most prestigious one in my field. But I realize working in a corporate is not quite my habitat. So, I asked for a job for more time with God.

Ref: 8tracks

The Lord amazingly opened this door as a writer for a Christian media, much to my surprise. Although I did think about working for a magazine, never have I thought there would be an online Christian media in Malaysia.

There was a struggle between choosing a stable-income job in a multi-national company and choosing to become a writer (which I was never familiar with) for a non-profit start-up. It sounded risky but the desire to join this start-up was strong.

How about love? Both of us met with a simple desire to want to experience love. Both of us believe in God. So, while we look towards the future with hope, it did not work out in the end.

So, here I am, thinking where are the promises of God? Is this what I signed up for?

Ref: i.huffpost

Well, my dear friends… let me break it to you. Being a Christian does not mean that everything will work well. Sometimes, you go through a roundabout, make a reverse, and go through several bumps in life. You cry out to God when things don’t work, “Why God? Why have You treated me like this? Why have You not answered my prayers?” 

As much as all of us would like to always make the right decision and discern God’s voice, being a Christian is not a point to achieve but a journey to take with God. Sometimes, we make the right decision having heard correctly from Him. Sometimes, we make the wrong decisions having discerned incorrectly from Him. Sometimes, we bring pain into our own lives because of sin. Sometimes, the pain is brought by God to discipline us to be better people. Bottom line is this: all things work together for the good of those who love Him. (Rom 8:28)

Ref: elephantjournal

As long as our heart is right in God, it doesn’t matter that we are in the wrong place at the wrong time because eventually, the Lord will lead you to the right place. So, do not be afraid to take on this life with boldness and freedom.

Also, yes, walking with God does not mean we will never ever make mistakes in life. We may make fewer mistakes (if we learn from them) but let us be kind to ourselves when we do, and perhaps also to other people who have hurt us. Although God has already forgiven us, we are still sinners and imperfect. Forgive yourself and forgive others. Though this truth is plain and simple, I find it funny how I am still surprised when troubles come my way, as if God’s pleasure on me has left. But the Bible has clearly stated do not be surprise of troubles in your life. (1 Pet 4:12) And God has pleasure on you not because of your merits, but He has appointed favor on you as His beloved child.

Ref: fashionhotbox

Also sometimes, I feel that a believer-in-Christ feel most lonely among their pre-believer friends. And the leaders feel most lonely among the people they shepherd. In the name of so-called protecting God’s image and a Christian image, sometimes I find myself sweeping my troubles under my feet with a happy mask proclaiming everything is fine. If I am known as the woman of God, then nothing should perturb me because God is my strength. How can I even lead someone to Christ or lead my brothers and sisters-in-Christ when my life is far from perfect or just plainly messy?

Well, the truth is I am a human (This is such a revelation!). Your pastors are humans. Your cell group leaders are humans. We, as believers-in-Christ, are humans. Is not pain a normal occurrence in our life? Are we all freed from road accidents, terminal diseases, and other misfortunes in life? If not, why are we not allowed to feel sad or disappointed? Does it really bring glory to God to cover all our struggles and weaknesses beneath our rug and paint a rosy picture for the people around us (especially nonbelievers)? If life is so perfect, where is the need for God in our life?

If anything, even though I am a writer for a Christian media who supposedly receives God’s Word like an overflowing cup, I can tell you there are days I feel downright fearful of my future, I get angry with God, and I find myself unhappy with the people around me. But I can also tell you that during these days, God has never given up on me and continually pursues me as that one lost sheep from the pack.

Ref: tumblr

So, yes, that’s the beauty of the gospel. The gospel is about Christ accepting and loving you as everything you are—good and bad—even though you are unfaithful. Yes, He sees you to the last bits of your ugliness and weaknesses. Yet, He never turned away because His Love is unconditional.

I believe in God not because I am a ‘superhuman’ against all predicaments of life. I believe in God simply because He is real in my life. I prayed to Him and He answered my prayers, whether it is a yes, no, wait or even His silent presence. Through my life of daily walking with God, I learned what the Bible said about Him is the truth—not merely a fluke or a fairytale for the naive.

This truth is real to me because I have personally experienced His Goodness. So, yes, my faith in God is not only based on doctrine or His Words (though they are a fundamental part of my faith), but really experiencing His Love for me. And no, I am not embarrassed to tell you that the troubles I go through in life because it is through my weaknesses… your weaknesses… that Christ strength is shown.

Ref: 4loveofthetruth

Now, that is what I believe an authentic faith is. Life is not rosy all the time walking with God but it’s worth it.

You are freed to be who God made you to be. I see how God fashioned every child of His to portray different images of Him at different angles. Yes, we may come in different sizes, talents, skills, and personalities, but all of us have one Father in Heaven. As what the Thai phrase says, we are ‘same-same but different.’ So, I don’t see each of us fitting into this robotic and rigid mold of man-made rules of what a model Christian should be like, though we live according to the principles of the Bible.

Ref: tumblr

I believe all of us are uniquely made. You are made to be you and I am made to be me. Hence, there’s no point comparing and competing on who is better or who is worse? Why divide the body of Christ through denominations, doctrines, and preferences? The Lord rewards us individually without favoritism. Why should we set each other as benchmark to compete? If anything, we should only look at each other for encouragement because the rewards in Heaven are unlimited and freely available for everyone.

Perhaps then, a food for thought, can we try to be less of a ‘Christian’ but more of a person who loves God and enjoys God’s love even in pain?

Ref: lovethispic

At the end of the day, I believe the gospel—if presented in its real and authentic way—is very attractive. What are people looking for in the world today? At the heart of theology, what people are really looking for is true love… the love that comes first from accepting them wholly for who they are.

Did Jesus turn away the tax collectors, the prostitutes, and the so-called great sinners in life? Remember He came to save the sick, not the healthy. (Mark 2:17) Hence, if you doubt God’s love for you, remember that He has loved you even before you accepted Him. He loves you while you are a sinner (though after accepting Christ, God no longer sees you as sinful). Do not be afraid. God loves you.

Ref: newgenerationforgod

It’s time for you to love and accept yourself for who you are…and what I mean is everything.

Hence, the conclusion is this: Believing in Christ does not mean you are freed from pain because pain is part and parcel of life. But in pain, we can still have hope that none of our pain is wasted and at the end of the day, they are worth it in Christ.

Have faith. Do not be afraid. After all, you are the child of God.

Ref: i.huffpost

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24 Sept 2014 by Kim Yung CM-

Bishop Benjamin from Hyderabad was born and brought up in a Christian family. He recalled how his family was very poor; they lived in a tiny space with a mud floor and a leaf roof, and that was their shelter they called home. He grew up in a difficult situation where the food he ate were precious to him.

“There were many times where my mother would cut one egg into four pieces, then each person would have a piece of egg. I remember in that poverty-stricken stage, that I wouldn’t dare to eat my egg. I’d just look at it and then eat my rice and some ‘sambal’,” said Benjamin who recently shared his testimony at a Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship’s meeting at Summit on the 10^th of September.

Ref: aroyaldaughter

As a small boy, Benjamin’s mother would tell him the story of Jesus. At a mere age of seven, he already knew how much Jesus loved Him and how God gave His only son to save him.

“My mother asked me if I would like to receive Jesus into my heart and so I received Him into my heart,” he shared.

Through the rough patches of his life, he emerged triumphantly! Now he is a soon-to-be grandfather with a loving family and travels the world.

His experience has indeed taught him the importance of allowing children to have their story time.

Ref: markjmartin

“We need to help them receive Jesus into their hearts and tell them that this Almighty, great, glorious and gracious God lives in them; that no matter where they go and no matter what they encounter, they can call upon Him and God will deliver them from trouble! That is such an important truth, both for the little babies and for the big boys and girls! Amen,” he shared.

The story of Jesus gave him hope for the future and provided him with strength, so much so that he evolved into a young man who would stand in front of a crowd with his other young friends and tell people about Jesus. When God revealed to Him that there was a need for the people in the rural areas to know Him, Benjamin stepped out and stayed in the rural areas and continued to preach to those in need.

Ref: frankrondon

“It was beautiful, God anointed and filled us with the Holy Spirit and the gift of speaking in tongues,” he said.

Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you. (Luke 6:38)

Ref: angelsculture

“After 35 years, we were able to plant several hundred Churches in India and outside of India with the glory of God! It was a slow change but God blessed me and satisfied my heart to serve Him,” he shared.

Through his humble walk to serve God, where he put people first before himself, and though he was poor and never thought he would marry, God blessed Benjamin with the finest girl who was born into a family with chauffeurs; a girl who loved him despite his background. God took his desire and took him to greater heights that he would have never even imagined.

Take delight in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. (Psalm 34:7)

“Today I stand before you, not as a poor, broken, struggling man; I stand before you blessed!” he said.

Ref: katherinepasour

Favour and victory is yours if you have the passion and desire for God’s heart, for within you lies the authority to make a difference in this world that God has given us and granted us stewards of.

Then he will fill your barns with grain, and your vats will overflow with good wine. (Proverbs 3:10)

But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is alive and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? Therefore do not be anxious, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the Gentiles seek after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them all. But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you. (Matthew 6:30-33)

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24 September 2014 by Dr Yeo Teck Thiam -

I think many people who read the book of Job are struck by the terrible sufferings he endured in this earthly life. Yet, as the story candidly informed us, Job was a godly man and righteous. There seemed no reason why he had to face such terrible things, except that God permitted Job to encounter these disasters.

As Scripture tells us, Job was viciously attacked by Satan because God permitted it. Would this seem good, when we say God is good all the time? Why does God permit such sufferings?

These questions and many similar puzzles in our world need answers, and I think we can see Scripture is aware of the issues involved, such as encountered in the sufferings of Job. So, it seems good to find out what Job’s story has to say to us.

The Background Story of Job

In the opening scenes in the book of Job, we are presented with the sons of God coming to meet the LORD God. And Satan also came. This scene is hardly possible to be on earth, for God is in heaven. The gathering is therefore of celestial beings reporting to God. For Satan is also not an earthly being. Yet this reporting has curious aspects to consider.

In the first place, Satan is no longer an angel of light, for he is a fallen angel. He had lost his place in heaven. Satan, therefore, was unlikely invited to heaven after being cast out. Yet Satan came, to present himself before God.

ref : ytimg.com

Satan was evidently summoned, for he still had to report to God whether he liked to or not. He was not going there to enjoy himself. The question to Satan showed he had to answer to God, for Satan was asked where he had been. God asked Satan, “Where have you come from?” God is Sovereign! 

Nevertheless, Satan took the opportunity also to bring accusations against God’s Creation, for he was certainly not reporting the good things he saw, when he said that he had been “roaming through the earth, and going back and forth in it.” Job 1:7  

Satan Roams the Earth

Here we have another aspect. It concerns a special interest about the earth and God’s Creation of this world. However, Satan’s purpose was not exactly about having a holiday on earth when he said he was roaming the earth. Rather, the underlying intentions were evil. Satan was seeking rebellion and bringing accusations against God because of sins on earth.

Nevertheless, the consideration put to Satan was unexpected. God said, “Have you considered my servant Job? There is no-one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil.”  Job1:8

God’s challenge to Satan is obvious. Yet it is necessary to grasp the purpose, for God does not tempt anyone to do evil. Thus, we need also to know why this challenge came about, when God spoke of Job.

ref : lexicorient.com

Satan is the Accuser and Adversary of mankind and it is in this context that we have an understanding for God’s challenge to him. This is because in accounting himself before God, Satan must justify his actions, for Satan roams the earth seeking to do evil.

Hence Satan brings accusation against every sin in man. Here, Satan was also presenting his case and his rights to demand punishment on account of sin on earth, just as he had been condemned to. The accusations were from his evidence in roaming this earth.

Yet, Satan might have his case to demand punishment for sins. But he has no case against the godly. He had no case against Job because the man of God was blameless and upright. What sins could Satan demand that Job be punished for?

So God’s consideration presented to Satan was clear. Satan’s accusations fell apart in the case of the godly. Before God, Satan had no case against Job.

ref : fuyinchina.com

As this story unfolds, it is evident also that Satan was seeking for ways to attack Job, but he was unable because he had no case to demand punishment for Job. Instead, Satan accused God of protecting the godly man from being attacked. Obviously, this was Satan’s counter challenge to God in the case of Job.

The Accuser of the brethren contended that Job was godly only because God protected him. If God took away His Presence and Protection, and allowed Job to be tested without the safety of the hedge that God had placed around him, then Job would denounce God. Job 1:9-11.

The Hedge of Protection around the Godly

It may seem obvious that God protects the godly from harm and from Satan’s attacks. Yet, I think it is useful to consider how this protective shield is given.

When a danger confronts us, we will naturally seek to step aside to avoid it. Our evasive actions may be timely in many circumstances, but our actions often cannot fully account for our being saved. In a car crash, or accident, some get hurt but others miraculously escape. The outcome cannot be explained by luck.

So, I think of the hedge God gives to cover godly men. If demons and evil spirits are there to cause trouble, we also know God has His angels camped around us to give us protection.

For it is written:

“Because you have made the LORD your dwelling place —

no evil shall be allowed to befall you,

no plague come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways.”

Psalm 91:9 – 11

To this end, we give thanks that God sets His angels to guard over us and protect us from danger and harm thrown against us by Satan. This is the hedge that Satan was complaining when he said that he was unable to attack Job. It is in the charge that God gave for our guardian angels.

The Struggles on Earth

Satan was asking for permission to test Job when he said, “Does Job fear God for no reason? Have you not put a hedge around him and his house and all that he has, on every side? But stretch out your hand and touch all that he has, and he will curse you to his face.” Job 1:9 – 11

Clearly, Satan is a formidable accuser and awesome adversary. Satan was demanding that God remove this protection for Job so that his faith might be tested!

ref : wordpress.com

Satan’s contention demands a test of faith for the children of God. It is evident in the trials of Job. There is always a test of obedience for godly men and women, whether their faith is genuine.

It is in the struggle between good and evil. It is because life is not meant to be robotic. If life has a choice, coercion makes obedience meaningless. Therefore the struggle is whether Christians will also choose to obey God without coercion.

Blessed be the Name of the LORD

Thus, many know that Job also was subjected to fiery tests on his faith, as the book on Job tells us. Job suffered bodily in the flesh, for he was inflicted with many hurtful diseases. His wealth was also attacked and he suffered many misfortunes. Even his children were not spared. Their house collapsed and they died under the rubble. Job 1:18

Yet, as we know, Job did not sin in all these calamities. Instead he said, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked shall I return. The LORD gave, and the LORD has taken away; blessed be the name of the LORD.” Job 1:21

ref : blogspot.com

Some may question whether this test of faith is necessary. It seems sufficient that God provides the righteous and the godly with a protection for their lives on earth, and hence there is no further need to resolve.

However, this is incomplete. It is because the question of sin is not resolved for mankind. Everyone must die to this life because of sin. For it is appointed for every man to die once and after this, the judgment. Hebrews 9:27

ref : deepintoscripture.com/

God’s decree is in His judgment on sin in Adam. Death is the condemnation for sin, so Adam died because of sin. Even the godly must die in this earthly life because all men are sinners.

So where is the hope for those who choose to follow God? What then, is there for those who are godly?

God’s Redemptive Council for Men

It is in the covenant given through Abraham on account of his faith. God swore by Himself to provide this, “Surely I will bless you and give you many descendants.” Genesis 22:17, Hebrews 6:14

Thus in God’s promise to Abraham, there is a redemptive council to provide a complete way for mankind to be saved from sin. The blessing is given by grace through faith for our salvation. God did not intend that His blessings are only confined to earthly life.

ref : wordpress.com

Rather, God purposed that life will be eternal for those who are godly, and walk with Him. To achieve this, God ransomed us from the judgment of death meted for sin. It is necessary that sins must be atoned for, in order that God may endow us with the right to have eternal life. A sacrificial atonement for sins to God is necessary to remove the curse of sin from mankind.

Yet this atonement is not man’s right to have because we cannot work for it. The atonement is therefore sacrificial because it redeems us by the blood of the sacrifice, and given by grace.

My Redeemer Lives

God’s hedge for the godly is for this earthly life. It is sufficient for our time on earth. But God has a far greater plan and council to deliver us from sin completely, so that we may have life eternally. This salvation will come through faith, through believing in Jesus, and committing ourselves to God to save us. We cannot save ourselves from sin and death is evident.

ref : blogspot.com

So, in Job’s story, his faith is summed in his defiant confession, “Oh that my words were written! Oh that they were inscribed in a book!”

“For I know my Redeemer lives,

and at the last he will stand upon the earth.

And after my skin has been thus destroyed,

yet in my flesh I shall see God,

I shall see him with my eyes,

I, and not another.

How my heart yearns within me!”

Job 19:25, 26 (NIV)

Job’s faith in God sums up the hope of every man. We shall die to this life, but God will raise us up again. We shall have life after this death, for our Redeemer lives to save us.

ref : wp.com

So the confession of faith declares that the righteous shall live by faith. Habakkuk 2:4

Jesus died to redeem us from sin. His resurrection is God’s guarantee that we shall rise from the dead, for God accepted the sacrificial atonement Jesus made for sins on our behalf.

ref : wordpress.com

It is God’s design in Job’s example that Satan cannot falsely accuse those that God saves by faith because the believers choose God. Satan cannot accuse the faithful that they obey God because of God’s protective hedge given for this life.

Like Job, those who faithfully endure sufferings and trials due to Satan’s enmity show that Satan’s accusations are groundless.

For it is written: “I am crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I live in this body, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20

NB:         Scripture texts are from ESV, unless otherwise stated.

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25 Sept 2014 by Adeline Lum CM-

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Sam 16:7)

“It’s been five years since I accepted Christ. But the Lord has allowed me to be a deacon, a leader of a cell group and a FGB leader, I asked God, ‘Why me?’”

“We are still human. I told God, ‘I cannot.’ But the Lord understands and He knows us very well,” said Karlos Yan, a cheerful and positive chap who wore a bright smile on his face.

Karlos Yan

Before he accepted Christ, he was a financial planner who enjoyed the life of smoking and drinking. In search for potential business associates, he stumbled upon the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship (FGBMF) in Taman Desa. 

In one FGBMF meeting, Karlos went with the intention to increase his clients’ business investment. But during the meeting, he ended up sharing with the leader about his crumbling finance and family. At that time, he was in a business debt and he was about to divorce his wife who was pregnant with their first daughter. But the leader of the FGB prayed for Karlos and his wife. Karlos accepted Christ in the meeting, followed by his wife later when Karlos told her about his faith. That was the turning point of his life.

The Lord provided Karlos a check to pay off his business debts. His relationship with his wife also became better over time. Karlos grew so much as a believer that the church appointed Karlos as a church-planter in an isolated area at Meru, Klang. For the past five years, Karlos have faithfully preached in the church with his family starting with only a few attendees at 8 AM every Sunday. Recently, the Lord has also led him to buy a house in Meru, Klang. Although his church remained small today, Karlos and his family never stopped serving weekly in his church.

Ref: blogspot

“It’s not about finding the results but being faithful to Him,” said Karlos. He is more concerned with being faithful than bearing fruits.

In fact, his faithfulness reminded me of the parable of the talents, where Jesus specifically used the words—Well done, good and faithful servant! (Matt 25:23).

His master replied, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’ (Matt 25:23)

Why have Jesus not used the word ‘fruitful’ instead of ‘faithful’? 

What does ‘fruitfulness’ actually mean?

Ref: id83

FRUITFULNESS AS WE PERCEIVE

Sometimes, we refer to fruitfulness as the tangible results that we see in from our church ministry, career, and home. This type of fruitfulness, also called external fruitfulness, has nothing to do with moral values, but focus purely on measurable results such as the number of people attending church, our salary increment, and also the transformation in our spouse’s behavior.

FRUITFULNESS AS GOD PERCEIVE

While we tend to focus on external fruitfulness, we often forget something that is more valuable in God’s eyes (though less tangible), called as the internal fruitfulness.

This internal fruitfulness refers to our character (Matt 7:17-20) and the manifestation of the fruit of the Holy Spirit in us (Gal 5:22-23, 1 Peter 3:4), which comes from walking closely with God daily in our life.

Ref: deviantart

This internal fruitfulness helps us to grow to become more like Christ. Instead of seeing the fruitfulness occurring outside of us, we see fruitfulness coming out from within us. 

Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them. (Matt 7:17-20)

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. (Gal 5:22-23)

Ref: vividlife

Your beauty should not come from outward adornment, such as elaborate hairstyles and the wearing of gold jewelry or fine clothes. Rather, it should be that of your inner self,the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great worth in God’s sight. (1 Pet 3:4)

EXTERNAL VERSUS INTERNAL FRUITFULNESS

So, how shall we picture external fruitfulness and internal fruitfulness?

Internal fruitfulness is likened to the roots growing out of a seed that is planted underground. Although this process is hidden from men, it is clearly seen in the eyes of God.

Before we show external fruitfulness in the form of a tender plant, the Lord is more interested in establishing our root first in His Word. Only when we have built strong roots that are continually connected to God, we will see the process of the plant breaking its ground!

Ref: graceologydotcom

Though this plant may come from a tiny mustard seed, its continual growth and strengthening of the roots of trust and obedience would allow it to grow into its full stature as a tree—so large that birds can ever perch on them. (Luke 13:18-19)

And the beautiful thing about this tree is that it does not only look externally strong, it is also internally strong because of its roots. It can withstand against any uncertain and hazardous weather!

My friends, you are that tree. Karlos Yan is that tree. So, do not despair when troubles challenge your faith because every challenge helps to drive your roots deeper underground to God’s Living Water and adds a fiber of strength to your being. As you establish your roots in the Lord, you become that strong and large tree that can serve others!

Ref: transformationaltrend

But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit. (Jer 17:7-8)

FAITHFULNESS ABOVE FRUITFULNESS

Hence, if you are laboring for your church, ministry, work, or home without any external fruits, do not give up. Even though men do not see or men forget, the Lord sees your hard work and He will never forget your labor for the Kingdom.

Instead of complaining, Karlos has turned to Scripture to remember the promises of God for His children. God is faithful and He will fulfill His Will on earth as it is in Heaven. 

Ref: christianpost

And we also thank God continually because, when you received the word of God, which you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human word, but as it actually is, the word of God, which is indeed at work in you who believe. (1 Thes 2:13)

Since you have in obedience to the truth purified your souls for a sincere love of the brethren, fervently love one another from the heart, for you have been born again not of seed which is perishable but imperishable, that is, through the living and enduring word of God. (1 Pet 1:22-23)

Note: This article is an expanded version of his sharing with elaboration by the author.

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The post To be Faithful even in the Face of Unfruitfulness—Karlos Yan 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.

25 Sept 2014 by Joycelyn Loh CM –

 “耶和华的喜乐就是我们的力量！” 黄志明牧师于9月13日在吉隆坡非拉铁非教会梦の工厂（Dream Factory）聚会这么分享着。

“你们要靠着主常常喜乐，我再说，你们要喜乐。要使大家看出你们谦和的心。主已经近了。应当毫无忧虑，只要凡是借着祷告祈求，带着感恩的心，把你们所要的告诉神。这样，神所赐超过人能了解的平安，必在基督耶稣里，保守你们的心思意念。” （腓立比书 4：4-7）

Dream Factory 聚会开始前以“等一个人的咖啡”为主题的小组游戏

放声歌唱的知更鸟

黄牧师分享到很多时候，我们的心情都被环境影响，就像温度计一样，受到了大环境气温的影响。“有别于一般的鸟类，知更鸟，不论晴天或是雨天都在歌唱。正如腓立比书4章告诉我们，我们要靠主常常喜乐。但是，当我们要常常喜乐时，就会发现并不是每一天都好景常在。那么，我们应该要如何靠主常常喜乐呢？”

他继续以彼得前书 1章8至9节来与梦の工厂（Dream Factory）超过260位的年轻人分享该如何得着神的喜乐。“当我们面对种种的压力的时候、在阴天的时候、经历挫折的时候，我们是否仍能想知更鸟一样，无论晴天或雨天都向主放声歌唱呢？”

Dream Factory 聚会开始前以“等一个人的咖啡”为主题的小组游戏

Dream Factory 聚会开始前以“等一个人的咖啡”为主题的小组游戏

“你们虽然没有见过他，却爱他；现在虽然不能看见他，却信他。因此，你们就有无法形容、满有荣耀的大喜乐，”（彼得前书 1:8-9）

有黑影，是因为有阳光！

“你知道吗？当我们处在黑暗中时，我们很容易会放弃，那是因为我们的心情会告诉我们要放弃。但其实当我们得着从神而来的喜乐，脸上有笑容的时候，就是我们拒绝自己的心情还有仇敌要我们放弃的时候。”黄牧师更以自己过去一个星期的亲身经历来勉励所有的年轻人，喜乐是从心里发出的。喜乐，能带来极大的感染力。即便生命中出现黑暗的影子，我们仍要继续坚持地往前走。

喜乐不是一种心情，喜乐是一种态度！

 “你想成功吗？那么，我们就需要拥有忍耐（雅各书 1:2-4）。要如何在在百般试炼中能够忍耐到底，就是要将一切看为大喜乐。” 黄牧师分享到若我们要在困难和挑战中继续坚持不放弃，那么我们需要培养喜乐的态度。

Dream Factory 聚会

他更分享了法兰柯医生在集中营里所得的领受，“人可以夺去我们生命的一切所有，但是唯独一样东西人无法夺去的，就是人活着的意义。很多时候，我们的快乐和喜乐都建造在环境上。当环境改变时，或是当我们所拥有的东西被夺去时，我们就会伤心、沮丧。但其实，喜乐与悲哀是我们自己可以决定的。你可以不需要让环境剥削、定夺我们的情绪。”

他更说到生命中有些事物是我们没有办法选择的，就像我们的父母、我们的家等。但是，你很想改变吗？那么，改变我们能够改变的事情，接受我们不能接受的事情。“求神赐给我们智慧，让我们看见并知道哪些事情是可以改变的。同时，也求神帮助我们能够学习如何接受我们无法改变的事情。因为这样，我们就能决定自己的心情。”

黄志明牧师

 “有一天，一位母亲带着两个孩子去到一个很漂亮的玫瑰园。大儿子就跑来对妈妈说，‘妈，为什么你带我来这个鬼地方？你看，这些所有的花朵都长满了刺，难看死了！’可是，这个时候小儿子就跑过来对妈妈说，‘妈，你看！好漂亮，好漂亮！所有的刺都长满了花。’” 黄牧师说到喜乐与否，不是由我们所拥有的而决定。喜乐与否，取决于我们是否拔除自己眼中的那根刺。

喜乐不应该被我们的环境而影响，喜乐应该是一种态度！

注脚：吉隆坡非拉铁非教会（PCKL）于2010年起，在黄志明牧师的带领下，开始了青少年事工，命名为梦の工厂 (Dream Factory)，为的就是要转化与改变这个城市的年轻人。整个团队的核心领袖皆为大学生与中学生，负责接触，牧养与门训的工作。打破过往千篇一律的聚会模式，每周都加入了适合年轻人的团队游戏与创意元素，让每周青少年聚会的平均出席人数增长至200人。借着聚会当中，黄牧师充满恩膏的信息分享，建立了许多愿意为神献上一切所有的勇士，为耶稣赢得自己的学校、转化青少年的生命。

注脚： 更多有关吉隆坡非拉铁非教会梦の工厂 (Dream Factory)的更新与详情，欢迎浏览 https://www.facebook.com/DF.PCKL

注脚： 所有照片源自吉隆坡非拉铁非教会。

The post 黄志明牧师：喜乐，是力量的泉源！ 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.

25 Sept by Mindy Oon CM-

Fear can show up unexpectedly, and we need to be able to recognize it so that we can deal with it right away. We have been given the power and authority over the enemy, but authority is of no use if it is not exercised. Being free from fear does not mean that we will never experience fear. It means that we will not let it rule our lives, and that we can still continue to carry out what we need to do, despite being afraid.

Galatians 5:1 says, “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” God’s word tells us that we have been set free. And yet, we still need to ‘stand firm’ so that we are not again trapped by the yoke of bondage. Our enemy does not give up easily, and we must be watchful and alert, immediately recognizing it when our freedom in Christ is being stolen.

Ref: tumblr

In Proverbs 24:16, The Bible says that the righteous man falls seven times and gets up again. He does not give up! Many times we may fail; we all have our weak moments. But this does not mean that we have lost the victory. If we give up, God will not be able to help us as we receive His help through faith, and not through hopelessness. This is why we are encouraged to praise Him and thank Him if we want to see a breakthrough.

Ref: amazonaws

Some of our fears are more deeply rooted that others, and we may need to fight it more. The good news is that we can learn to recognize it and deal with it. The longer we let fear remain, the harder it will be to get rid of it. Romans 8:37 says that we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. God has given us all that we need to overcome our fears. Luke 10:19 says, “I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.” God has given us the authority to overcome everything and anything that the devil throws at us. While dealing with our fears may take time, don’t give up. While God has given us freedom, it is something that we need to maintain. Everyday is a new day to conquer your fears.

Ref: tumblr

Each time you feel fear and still decide to do the task ahead, you are confronting that which you are afraid of. You may not be totally fearless, but with each step, you will be more and more willing to face that which you are afraid of. Psalms 56:3-4 says, “When I am afraid, I put my trust in you. In God, whose word I praise – in God I trust and am not afraid.”  Trust in Him when you are afraid, and He will come through for you. Do not let fear paralyze. Know that with God, we can do it even if we are afraid!

Ref: theyec

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26 September 2014 by Jason Law CM -

What is prayer? If it is merely conversing with God, why is it so difficult for some people? Well, many reasons have been given for this. Some have said that when they pray, they feel nothing. For them, it is as if they are shooting arrows into an empty air. For others, the very thought of talking directly with God terrifies them and they rely on others to pray on their behalf.

Lest we judge them, we have to remember that Christians are also humans, and many Christians are young in their faith. How comfortable are we after all in praying aloud, as a representative of our churches, even after years of being in the faith?

However, prayer is extremely important and one of the cores of the Christian faith. How are we to have a relationship with God if we don’t talk or listen to Him? Michael Cheng’s book, ‘Man of the Hour’, aims to guide Christians in this important discipline; towards experiencing the amazing power of prayer.

Michael Cheng’s ‘Man of the Hour’

As Michael himself admitted in the preface of the book, there are many other books written by spiritual masters on the subject of prayer, and the Bible itself is the most complete and meaningful exposition on the subject of prayer. Why the need for another book on prayer then?

Michael Cheng in fact wrote his book as a clarion call for Christians. As he relates, he had a near-death experience, when God mercifully restored him back to life. Michael knew that everything God does has significance. Every day, we spent hours online, on our cellphones, on social media sites, going out shopping with friends, and so on. And yet, though many Christians claim to have a relationship with God, many of us scarcely spent time talking with God even though it is a great privilege given freely.

Michael Cheng (3rd from left) with FGB brothers.

Michael communicated that as he pondered over the reason God extended his life, he realized that God has a message for His people that He wanted Michael to pass down. God longs to fellowship with His children. This book was written as a result of a very personal experience, as motivation for Christians to give one hour, out of the twenty-four that God has given us, back to God.     

The story of Michael’s near-death experience and how God delivered him is related in detail in the book. This provides a context about where Michael’s need to write this book came from. He also explains the book’s title; why ‘Man of the Hour’?

The Purpose for ‘Man of the Hour’

Prayer is not just a one-way communication with God, but also God revealing Himself to us because prayer is essentially a two-way communication. Thus, the importance of prayer cannot be over-emphasized, and it is in fact, the most oft-repeated command given in the Bible. Michael provides illustration regarding this through two parables of Jesus, and through the life of Jesus Himself. For example, in Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus taught His disciples how to pray.  Further illustration is given through the messages of the Old Testament and New Testament prophets.

Ref : wallpoper

Secondly, why one hour? Michael shared that God had impressed upon him the modest “one hour” daily and does not demand more than that. To put it into picture, God has given each of us 24 hours a day. If we subtract from that total, seven hours of sleep and seven hours of work, we will have ten hours to spare. Thus, a tithe (10%) of the ten hours would be one hour which should be given back to God in fellowship with Him.

Ref : blogspot

Michael relates the account in Matthew 26:40-41, in which Jesus mourned over the weakness of His disciples.

Matthew 26:40-41New International Version (NIV)

⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

A context is given: ‘Jesus was agonizing in the Garden of Gethsemane shortly before His betrayal by Judas. He had asked Peter to pray with Him but He was disappointed when Peter was not able to answer the call to pray.’ This incident spurred Michael to accept the challenge to pray at least an hour a day, to be obedient to the bidding of the Spirit and learn to live victoriously on a daily basis.

Far from a legalistic or capricious imposition, the ‘one hour prayer’ call is made from a heart of gratitude and as a response to God’s love for us. Michael’s encouragement is that God may call us to pray longer which would be wonderful!  

Six Principles of Prayer

In order to guide Christians in their prayer life, Michael provides a mnemonic device for 6 principles from the word PRAYER itself:

1. P –Praise and Thanksgiving | Begin with Praise and Thanksgiving
2. R – Repentance | Repentance Pleases God
3. A – Agenda | Have a Written Agenda
4. Y –Yield | Yield to the Holy Spirit
5. E – Edification | Edification leads to Effective Prayer
6. R – Revelation | Receive Revelation for Wise Decision Making

A brief consideration is provided for each of the principles before delving into each of the six principles, each in their own chapters.

Ref : mygraceumc

While Michael has graciously provided a summary of each of these chapters for the readers of Christianity Malaysia, there is much more to be gained from reading the book itself. In his book, Michael relates many of his personal experiences, as well as a lot more of his reflections on Scriptural verses, in each of the area of prayer, helping to make them all relatable.

Ref : marketplaceleaders

Top leaders have given endorsements for the contents of the book:

• Reverend Loh Soon Choy, former Dean of the Malaysia Bible Seminary, commended Michael for his attractive, refreshing creativity, simplicity, modesty, and practicality with a memorable structure regarding the ‘One Hour’, all without being legalistic.

• Lee Gee Koon, the Chairman of the Governing Council, FGBMF Malaysia, recommends the book as ‘a must read for every Christian who wants to pray at least an hour a day so as to live an overcoming life’.

• Dr Wong Hong Meng, member of the Governing Council, FGBMF Malaysia, describes Michael’s book as

‘a clarion call for us to devote at least an hour a day to come into personal relationship with Almighty God. We know that we need to pray more but could not or would not do it. Michael tells us why we need to pray and how through his six principles. A most timely contribution for the building up of our prayer lives’.

Ref : constantcontact

Written with much urgency but also much humility, Michael Cheng’s ‘Man of the Hour’ is both a much needed boost of encouragement for Christians struggling with the issue of prayer and a great source of edification regarding the topic.

Information About The Book:

Title: Man of the Hour

Author: Michael Cheng

Publisher : Akitiara Corporation Sdn Bhd (website: www.akitiara.com; email: akitiara@po.jaring.my)

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The post Michael Cheng’s ‘Man of the Hour’ : A Clarion Call For Prayer 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.

27 September 2014 by Michael Cheng -

Michael Cheng has written four articles (see below) for how we can pray according to the acrostic “PRAYER.” In this article, he will be touching on the letter “E”, which stands for edification.

According to the Webster’s Dictionary, the term “edification” means to instruct and improve especially in moral and religious knowledge.” An individual believer is edified when he is built up, or strengthened in his faith through knowledge and understanding of God’s word and also experience of God’s grace and truth.

ref : godscareerguide

I understand edification therefore, as the process by which a Christian attains spiritual maturity as he lives according to God’s ways in the light, truth, and authority of His Word. It is important to note first that we are edified through reading and studying God’s word, hearing a sermon preached, fellowshipping with fellow believers and in many other ways that God may use. But as we are here focusing on the act and practice of praying and communing with God, I would like to compare the edification of a believer during prayer to the charging of a car battery. When we pray and seek God’s face, we are being connected to tour power source and our spiritual battery can then be charged up.

Ephesians 4:11-13 says:

“And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-13)

The scripture passage above helps us understand God’s plan for individuals and churches. God’s goal in releasing spiritual gifts to the church is to equip leaders so that they can teach believers God’s word with insight and accuracy. These believers will in turn become mature Christians who are able to instruct others and build up the body of Christ.

ref : vimeocdn

The gift of tongues is one of the spiritual gifts given by Christ to the church to build it up. In fact, it is specifically mentioned by our Lord Jesus as one of the signs that follow a believer in Mark 16:17.

In 1 Corinthians 14:4, Paul says praying in tongues helps in spiritual edification:

“He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.” (1 Corinthians 14:4)

As mentioned previously, I testify here also within the context of my own church background, I know that my sharing concerning speaking in tongues may be controversial to some Christians from a non-Charismatic background. I’m aware of the controversy that speaking in tongues caused to the Corinthian Church (1 Corinthians 13) and also to the churches today. I am not advocating any spiritual gift as more superior than other gifts and I am of the opinion that even if we have all the gifts and have not love, it is futile. Love is by far superior and no one can dispute that.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal.” (1 Corinthians 13:1)

The verse above mentions 2 kinds of tongues—tongues of men (known tongues—Greek: dialectos) and tongues of angels (unknown tongues—Greek: glossa). The first kind refers to a known language that you have not learnt but God can enable you to speak it at an opportune time to a specific audience for a specific purpose. This gift of tongues was first poured out on the disciples on the day of Pentecost after Christ’s resurrection from the dead.

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born?” (Acts 2:4-8)

The second type of tongues refers to an unknown tongue that is used to speak to God, not man.

“For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men by to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries.” (1 Corinthians 14:2)

This gift of tongues is usually used in private to help us pray more effectively and bring us into more intimate communion with God. I have personally experienced the power of praying in tongues and would encourage all of you to use your gift of tongues in your prayer time, as it is also in the experience of Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 14:14-15:

“For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my understanding in unfruitful. What is the conclusion then? I will pray with the spirit, and I will also pray with the understanding. I will sing with the spirit, and I will also sing with the understanding.” (1 Corinthians 14:14-15)

When we pray in tongues, we edify or build up our faith, which will encourage us to pray more.

ref : sallysjourney.typepad

Sometimes, we do not know what to pray for. In such a situation, we start to pray in tongues allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through us so that our prayers are in harmony with God’s will.

“Likewise, the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.” (Romans 8:26-27)

Thus, praying in tongues, I believe, helps us to intercede for others in accordance to the perfect will of God. I may not consciously be able to pray using actual words as my vocabulary and language is limited and I do not know the will of God regarding the person or situation I am praying for, but the Holy Spirit knows. When I pray in tongues, I am allowing the Holy Spirit to pray through my spirit, so I can pray the perfect prayer, which is in accordance to the will of God.

ref : morganguyton

God has promised us in 1 John 5:14-15:

“Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that HE hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.” (1 John 5:14-15)

Therefore, praying in tongues is important as it builds up our faith in God and also helps us to pray more effectively since it is the Holy Spirit praying through us in accordance to the will of God.

ref : wikimedia

It is also my experience that when I pray in tongues, the gifts of the Spirit, such as the gift of prophesy, word of wisdom, and word of knowledge (and etc) are released in my life. There was an occasion when a brother confided in me of his fears about his foot, which was turning gangrenous and might need amputation. As I prayed for him in tongues, the Lord gave me a bible passage in Proverbs 3:25-26 to comfort, encourage, and assure him that healing is on the way.

“Do not be afraid of sudden terror,

Nor of trouble from the wicked when it comes;

For the LORD will be your confidence,

And will keep your foot from being caught.” (Proverbs 3:25-26)

Recently, I met him and enquired about his foot and praised God, he told me that the condition of his foot has improved and his foot is still intact!

ref : ashleycampbellmassage

Finally, when we pray in tongues, our spirits would be rested, refreshed, and restored, as we can deduce from the following verse:

For with stammering lips and another tongue

He will speak to this people,

To whom He said, “This is the rest with which

You may cause the weary to rest,”

And, “This is the refreshing”;

Yet they would not hear. (Isaiah 28:11-12)

There was a period in my Christian walk when I neglected praying in tongues. As a result, I experienced spiritual dryness and apathy in my life and ministry. However, when I resumed my devotion by using this gift of speaking in tongues, I was fired up again to walk victoriously and serve more in the enabling power of the Holy Spirit.

ref : proofdirectory

In summary, while I testify to how praying in tongues edifies me since I am focusing on the act and practice of prayer itself, edification must also come from the other ways mentioned at the beginning of this article, if we desire to be a truly “full gospel” holistic Christian!

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27 September 2014 by Donna Uning CM -

Pastors Colin and Helen Mitchell from Kehilat Hacarmel were here recently to share about Israel and God’s message with the church in Kuching.

Speaking at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Pastor Helen began explaining about the current situations in Isifiya and Israel. She talked about Kehilat Hacarmel, a place where people from different ethnic nationalities live, pray and worship.

Pastor Helen Mitchell sharing with the church.

“When we pray, we’re actually an army,” she said adding, “It is our weapon.” A place for preaching and pastoring, Kehilat Hacarmel is a shelter within the congregation.

“We are winning the battle on our knees,” she continued.

Ephesians 2:4,

“But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy.”

Ps Colin continued with the message about restoration.  Jesus’ disciples were asking about the coming restoration of the Kingdom.

Acts 1:6-8,  

“Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”

He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

The Jewish apostles took the gospel and started preaching the gospel all over. “I don’t think they totally understood what was going to happen,” he said. They knew that the Lord had said the one verse that all Christians know of by heart.

John 3:16,

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”

In His message, whosever was not just for the Jewish; it incorporated everybody. The Jewish apostles told of the gospel and pretty soon something amazing happened. Gentiles started to get saved and they didn’t quite know what to do about it.

Jerusalem was the focal point and it is going to be a focal point again. Paul said in Galatians;

Galatians 3:28,

“There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.”

“I have news for you. You don’t have to be Jewish,” said Ps Colin, who is a Jew. The church had misinterpreted what Paul was saying, telling God was finish with the Jews. 

“There are no second class citizens in the Kingdom of God; God is no respecter of persons,” he said. There are advantages of being a Jew, but also serious disadvantages, he added. He told how he was saved in a Pentecostal church in the East Side of London. The only two Jews in his church then were him and Jesus. While this Jew was being saved in East London, God was saving Jews all over the world.

“While the Gentile church has been running away from its Jewish and Hebrew roots in the last 2000 years, the synagogue has been running away from the Messiah. It’s a miracle any Jews got saved at all,” he said. But there are a few being saved through the ages. C.S. Lewis’ wife was a Messianic Jew.

Pastor Colin Mitchell.

“But God is a God of restoration; He wants to restore everyone and everything,” he continued. “Indeed some of you may need the joy of your salvation,” he said telling, “Some of you may need restored faith.” With everything that has been happening all around, you need to make sense of what is happening.

“Base your opinion on the Word of God and not the media,” he said. He also stressed about being politically correct and Biblically correct.

“There is no excuse if you are better equipped than the other parts of your nation,” he said. “Take a stand now!” he called.

Acts 3:19-21,

“Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Messiah, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus. Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.”

“We need more than just worship,” he said. Jesus is not returning until the time of restoration of all things spoken by the prophets. He’s coming back not to New York, London, Berlin, KL or Kuching. He is coming back the same way He ascended from the Mount of Olives.

“There were 50 Jewish Christians in 1957; and 20 000 today are worshipping Jesus in Jerusalem,” he told.

Acts 3:1-2,  

“One day Peter and John were going up to the temple at the time of prayer — at three in the afternoon.  Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts.”

Romans 2:9,

“There will be trouble and distress for every human being who does evil: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.”

“It’s time to make a spiritual impact across Malaysia,” he said. “Let the whole of Borneo know!” he called telling us not to just carry the lost to the gate and never carry them in. “The gospel is the only power on earth which can transform our enemies,” he said.

“We cannot sit on the fence anymore, it’s uncomfortable,” he said.

Acts 3: 6-8,

“Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man’s feet and ankles became strong. He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God.”

They are saying, ‘get up and be a part of us. The people who saw him probably saw their percentages or offering lost. They thought he was not good enough to go in and left him outside; it was like leaving someone at the gate and calling that gate ‘Beautiful’.

“Nobody needs to be left outside!” he called. If you can’t share the gospel, pray for them, “The reason we don’t pray biblical prayers is because we don’t read the Bible,” he said. “We don’t know it.”

Joel 2:28,

“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”

“The world is getting darker, the church needs to be stronger,” he said.

Ephesians 6:10,

“Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.”

“How can you take the Word of God when you don’t know it?” he asked. Proclaim, declare and pray the Word of God.

Psalm 46: 1-2,

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear.”

There are too many fearful Christians; but His perfect love cast out fears. “What are you afraid of? He doesn’t want us to be afraid,” he said. “He wants us to take a stand and walk in victory,” he said. The pastor continued by confirming our authority in Jesus and being the covenant people.

Pastor Colin Mitchell speaking at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Kuching.

“If you want Jesus to come back, pray for the salvation of the Jews,” he ended asking us to pray for the peace of Jerusalem.

Pastors Colin and Helen Mitchell are from the United Kingdom. The couple had been to Penang and Kuala Lumpur earlier.  They currently serve at Kehilat HaCarmel, Israel. The talk was organized by Full Gospel Businessmen Fellowship.

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27 Sept 2014 by Lim Poh Ann-

Five ways believers could possibly jeopardise their eternal destiny

It seems that believers in Christ have nothing to fear regarding their eternal destiny as nothing can separate us from the love of God (Romans 8:38-39).

Furthermore, believers have been chosen and destined to be God’s people and have been sealed with the Holy Spirit, “who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance” (Ephesians 1:4-5, 13-14).

It seems they have already bought their ticket to heaven. And, one day when their sojourn on earth is completed, they will get to enjoy eternal bliss.

True, in most cases, believers have this assurance that their eternal destiny is safe and secure. Even when they sin, provided they confess their sins, repent and start over a new leaf, their eternal destiny remains secure.

Ref: tinypic

God often disciplines His children who have gone astray. But He also draws them back to Him with the cords of love and gives them multiple chances to repent. Hosea was told by God to woo back his unfaithful wife, mirroring God’s attitude towards wayward Israel.

The Parable of the Prodigal Son and the account where Jesus forgave the woman caught in the act of adultery speak volumes about a God who is slow to anger and willing to forgive. Indeed, where will we be if not for the grace and mercy of God?

However, under special circumstances, believers may risk losing their salvation:

• CONTINUAL LIVING IN SIN

• WILLFULL DENIAL

• FAILURE TO OVERCOME DECEPTION

• PRESUMPTUOUS FAITH

• FAILURE TO PERSEVERE

Let’s consider each in turn.

CONTINUAL LIVING IN SIN

If believers continue to sin with impunity—their consciences progressively hardened despite the prompting and conviction of Holy Spirit—they might reach a point of ‘no return’ when their chances of getting to heaven may be seriously jeopardised.

Ref: transparencymag

“I wish to remind you, as you all know, that God, when once he had brought the people out from Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe” (Jude 1:5). For an amplification of this reference in Jude, go to 1 Corinthians 10:1-11 below.  **

If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God (Hebrews 10:26-27).

And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud” (2 Peter 2:20-22).

More on what happens when believers sin repetitively

WILLFULL DENIAL

If believers willfully deny God—whether it out of rebellion or in the face of persecution—their eternal destiny may also be at stake.

If we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
If we deny Him,
He also will deny us.

(2 Timothy 2:12).

Ref: thetruthmadesimple

Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:9-13). This means that believers have to remain faithful and strong amid persecution. Only overcomers get the crown.

For it is impossible to restore again to repentance those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, if they then commit apostasy, since they crucify the Son of God on their own account and hold him up to contempt. For land which has drunk the rain that often falls upon it, and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is cultivated, receives a blessing from God. But if it bears thorns and thistles, it is worthless and near to being cursed; its end is to be burned.

(Hebrews 6: 4-8).

FAILURE TO OVERCOME DECEPTION

When believers are not discerning and vigilant and fall prey to deception, then their place in heaven may no longer be assured.

Ref: robmcqueary

The coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders, and with all unrighteous deception among those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth, that they might be saved (2 Thessalonians 2:9-10).

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. But evil men and impostors will grow worse and worse, deceiving and being deceived (2 Timothy 3:12-13 *).

But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them,and bring on themselves swift destruction (2 Peter 2:1*).

Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you (1 Timothy 4:16*). This implies that if we embrace false doctrine, we will not be saved.

Notice from these preceding three references * on deception, we can infer that both deceivers and deceived—perpetrators and victims—bring destruction upon themselves.

Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved (Matthew 24:10b-13).

Here we note that believers have to preserve themselves unscathed from deception in order that they might be saved.

PRESUMPTUOUS FAITH

Some might pat themselves on the back and say, “Well, we have been serving God for many years, and have been mightily used by God to minister in signs and wonders. Since God has been using us as channels to bless others, He definitely must be pleased with us, right?” This may be true. But it may not necessarily be so.

Ref: roxaynewest

To assume that performance can replace a personal relationship with God is beingpresumptuous. Here’s why:

Therefore by their fruits you will know them. “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!’ (Matthew 7: 20-23).

The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess’(Luke 18: 11-12).

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realise that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked (Revelation 3:15-17).

Like the Pharisee and the church at Laodicea in Revelation, we might think we are spiritually rich. But, in fact, we are just the opposite—spiritually poor.

We are most blessed, Jesus tells us in the Sermon on the Mount, when we recognise we are spiritually poor (Matthew 5: 3) and hunger and thirst after righteousness (Matthew 5:6).

Here are two examples of presumptions with serious consequences for those who embrace it: 

• To think that our future sins have been forgiven at conversion is to come under deception. 

• Similarly, we are also deceiving ourselves when we think can afford to get rid of sin consciousness in our lives. 

FAILURE TO PERSEVERE

Hebrews chapter 10 reinforces the fact that persevering faith is needed to remain saved:

But my righteous one will live by faith.

    And I take no pleasure

    in the one who shrinks back.”

But we do not belong to those who shrink back and are destroyed, but to those who have faith and are saved.

(Hebrews 10:38-39).

Ref: ldssmile

Self-discipline to finish the race:

“Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified” (1 Corinthians 9:24-27).

Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life (1 Timothy 6:12).

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7).

But how many have the faith to persevere?  Jesus laments in Luke 18:8b: “When the Son of Man comes, will He find faith on earth?”

Don’t shoot ourselves in the foot

If someone tells you it is written in scriptures that nothing can separate us from the love of God, you ought to point out that it is also written in the Word that we, on our part, can choose to deny God or continue living in sin, thereby nullifying God’s love for us.

While it is true we cannot be separated from God’s love because of His great mercy, we can choose to shoot ourselves in the foot by denying God or continually living in sin. Through these senseless volitional acts, we are nullifying God’s love towards us and jeopardising our eternal security.

Ref: bocsupportnetwork

Similarly, when we are presumptuous in our walk with God, fall prey to deception or fail to persevere, we cannot be fully assured that our eternal destiny will be secure.

This post might seem harsh to some. However, I make no apology for these unpalatable truths. If one chooses instead to listen to “feel good” teachers who feed you with soothing, ear-tickling messages, one is free to do so. Everyone has the choice of free will. There is no coercion.

Frankly, would you prefer Comforting Lies or Bitter Truth? 

This blog, Porridge for the Soul, strives to present to you the whole counsel of God. Not just what people would normally like to hear but the whole truth. Most of the references alluded to here will not be brought up by those who overemphasise grace.

There are two sides to God’s character: He is loving and merciful as well as holy and just. If we are forced to make a difficult choice between these two sides of God’s character, it is better to err on the side of His holiness rather than on His mercy. We have everything to lose if we think He is an indulgent God like Santa Claus and, finally, it turns out He is not.

Those who violate God’s word in one or more of the five areas mentioned above are not merely shooting themselves in the foot. When we consider the fact that their eternal destiny might be at stake, their predicament is much worse than putting a bullet to the head.

RELATED POSTS

BACK FROM HEAVEN AND HELL

Two men share about their supernatural experiences in heaven and hell.

REPETITIVE SINNING

What fate awaits those who sin repeatedly after they have believed?

OVERCOMING DECEPTION 

Understanding the wiles of satan is the first step towards winning the battle against deception. For we must not be ignorant of satan’s devices.

HANG IN THERE, DON’T GIVE UP

Sometimes, we don’t like to admit that trials and tests are an integral part of the Christian experience as much as blessings and victories. However, the process of growing into maturity involves learning to persevere through our trials and doubts, and arriving at a place of unshakeable faith.

WHAT TRULY MATTERS IN THE END

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

DANGER OF PERFORMANCE CULTURE

In our eagerness to perform, have we lost out in that which is most essential?

FAITH versus PRESUMPTION

Footnotes: **

SAVED BUT LATER DESTROYED

“For I do not want you to be ignorant of the fact, brothers and sisters, that our ancestors were all under the cloud and that they all passed through the sea. They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea. They all ate the same spiritual food and drank the same spiritual drink; for they drank from the spiritual rock that accompanied them, and that rock was Christ. Nevertheless, God was not pleased with most of them; their bodies were scattered in the wilderness.

“Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in revelry.” We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did—and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. We should not test Christ, as some of them did—and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did —and were killed by the destroying angel.

“These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the culmination of the ages has come” (1 Corinthians 10:1-11).

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

The post Shooting Ourselves in the Foot 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.