just for funz..;p
Monday, September 28, 2009
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Sabbath
It's been quiet here for awhile...Shall post something I've been thinking about recently, triggered from some stuff I read online. For your musing & pondering too! =)
John 5:17 “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
John Piper re-interpreted the meaning of the passage in his own words, of which this caught my attention when he mentioned what Jesus meant:
“My Father and I created a perfect world, a paradise, and then we rested, not that we were tired, but stepped back as it were and enjoy the perfect display of our own glory revealed in our creative handiwork”
That’s what Sabbath is for—the restful, focused, enjoyment of God, not just because I’m tired and that I needed something that I can rely back on at the end of the day.
Another interesting part:
“But then sin entered the world, and through sin came sickness and calamity and death. And from that moment, my Father and I have been working again. We have been working—in many ways that you don’t understand—to restore a Sabbath paradise to the universe. We have been working to overcome sin and sickness and death.”
He never stopped working. Not even today. The only time He ever did was on the 7th day after He created the Earth & everything...just so that we can overcome sin, by the grace and mercy of Him.
John 5:17 “My Father is working until now, and I am working.”
John Piper re-interpreted the meaning of the passage in his own words, of which this caught my attention when he mentioned what Jesus meant:
“My Father and I created a perfect world, a paradise, and then we rested, not that we were tired, but stepped back as it were and enjoy the perfect display of our own glory revealed in our creative handiwork”
That’s what Sabbath is for—the restful, focused, enjoyment of God, not just because I’m tired and that I needed something that I can rely back on at the end of the day.
Another interesting part:
“But then sin entered the world, and through sin came sickness and calamity and death. And from that moment, my Father and I have been working again. We have been working—in many ways that you don’t understand—to restore a Sabbath paradise to the universe. We have been working to overcome sin and sickness and death.”
He never stopped working. Not even today. The only time He ever did was on the 7th day after He created the Earth & everything...just so that we can overcome sin, by the grace and mercy of Him.
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Obama's 'change' mantra loses lustre
His popularity rating falls below 60% for the first time amid doubts over health-care reform
WASHINGTON: Six months into his historic presidency, Americans are beginning to show the first real signs of doubt that President Barack Obama can deliver on his promise of change.
A new poll out on Monday suggested that amid the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s, rising unemployment and a ballooning deficit, the honeymoon could be waning for Mr Obama.
And his determination to push through a radical reform of the creaky health-care system could come to define the success or failure of his presidency.
He has invested much personally in his high-stakes campaign, a cornerstone of his 2008 White House race which saw him defeat Republican rival John McCain to become America's first African-American president.
But the far-reaching plans to afford health insurance for all Americans have left many worrying about who will end up footing the bill.
Six months after his Jan 20 inauguration attracted record crowds and television audiences, Mr Obama remains popular at home with a 59 per cent approval rating, according to a poll by ABC News television and the Washington Post.
But it is the first time that the rating had slipped below 60 per cent. And it marks a 6 per cent fall since last month.
Mr Obama's detractors have plenty of fodder to fuel their discontent.
Unemployment has hit more than 10 per cent in 15 states and in Washington, the promised economic recovery has still not arrived and the nation's deficit has passed US$1 trillion (S$1.44 trillion).
While 52 per cent of Americans said they still supported the Democratic leader's economic policies, that is down from 56 per cent last month.
And 46 per cent said they did not back his proposals. For the first time, the number who strongly disapprove surpassed those who strongly approve.
Those voicing confidence in his plans to kick-start the ailing economy have also tumbled from 72 per cent before his inauguration to 56 per cent to date.
Despite White House assurances that 'the green shoots' of economic recovery can be seen, many Americans are hurting, rocked by job losses, a credit crunch and seemingly unending home foreclosures.
The administration admitted on Monday that it would delay releasing budget figures for a day, but denied it was to hide the true scale of the deficit.
Mr Obama unveiled in February massive plans to restimulate the world's largest economy and create or save some three million jobs within two years.
He was met by a wave of scepticism, notably among Republicans who have accused him of aggravating the deficit with his US$787 billion stimulus, burdening generations to come with a huge debt.
So, more than anything, it is likely to be the final cost which could scupper his plans to reform the health-care system, one of the most expensive and worst-performing among industrialised nations.
Former president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary know too well the political cost of trying - and failing - to find a solution to the problem.
But Mr Obama is determined to get his message across, and this week has a series of media and political events to publicise his case, including a prime-time press conference today.
He has fought back hard to keep his message on track. 'Just the other day, one Republican senator said - and I'm quoting him now - 'If we're able to stop Mr Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him',' he said on Monday.
'Think about that. This isn't about me. This isn't about politics. This is about a health-care system that is breaking America's families, breaking America's businesses, and breaking America's economy.'
Health care is just one issue on Mr Obama's plate. He was also the driving force behind the stimulus plan, has ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison by January, and campaigned hard for legislation to limit greenhouse gases.
But health-care reform looks set to be his biggest test yet, with many within his own Democratic party yet to be won over. With an eye on looming mid-term congressional elections next year, some fear they could pay the price at the ballot box.
'The Barack Obama experiment with America is a risk our country can't afford. It's too much, too fast, too soon,' argued Republican Party chairman Michael Steele.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
WASHINGTON: Six months into his historic presidency, Americans are beginning to show the first real signs of doubt that President Barack Obama can deliver on his promise of change.
A new poll out on Monday suggested that amid the worst economic crisis since the Great Depression of the 1930s, rising unemployment and a ballooning deficit, the honeymoon could be waning for Mr Obama.
And his determination to push through a radical reform of the creaky health-care system could come to define the success or failure of his presidency.
He has invested much personally in his high-stakes campaign, a cornerstone of his 2008 White House race which saw him defeat Republican rival John McCain to become America's first African-American president.
But the far-reaching plans to afford health insurance for all Americans have left many worrying about who will end up footing the bill.
Six months after his Jan 20 inauguration attracted record crowds and television audiences, Mr Obama remains popular at home with a 59 per cent approval rating, according to a poll by ABC News television and the Washington Post.
But it is the first time that the rating had slipped below 60 per cent. And it marks a 6 per cent fall since last month.
Mr Obama's detractors have plenty of fodder to fuel their discontent.
Unemployment has hit more than 10 per cent in 15 states and in Washington, the promised economic recovery has still not arrived and the nation's deficit has passed US$1 trillion (S$1.44 trillion).
While 52 per cent of Americans said they still supported the Democratic leader's economic policies, that is down from 56 per cent last month.
And 46 per cent said they did not back his proposals. For the first time, the number who strongly disapprove surpassed those who strongly approve.
Those voicing confidence in his plans to kick-start the ailing economy have also tumbled from 72 per cent before his inauguration to 56 per cent to date.
Despite White House assurances that 'the green shoots' of economic recovery can be seen, many Americans are hurting, rocked by job losses, a credit crunch and seemingly unending home foreclosures.
The administration admitted on Monday that it would delay releasing budget figures for a day, but denied it was to hide the true scale of the deficit.
Mr Obama unveiled in February massive plans to restimulate the world's largest economy and create or save some three million jobs within two years.
He was met by a wave of scepticism, notably among Republicans who have accused him of aggravating the deficit with his US$787 billion stimulus, burdening generations to come with a huge debt.
So, more than anything, it is likely to be the final cost which could scupper his plans to reform the health-care system, one of the most expensive and worst-performing among industrialised nations.
Former president Bill Clinton and his wife Hillary know too well the political cost of trying - and failing - to find a solution to the problem.
But Mr Obama is determined to get his message across, and this week has a series of media and political events to publicise his case, including a prime-time press conference today.
He has fought back hard to keep his message on track. 'Just the other day, one Republican senator said - and I'm quoting him now - 'If we're able to stop Mr Obama on this, it will be his Waterloo. It will break him',' he said on Monday.
'Think about that. This isn't about me. This isn't about politics. This is about a health-care system that is breaking America's families, breaking America's businesses, and breaking America's economy.'
Health care is just one issue on Mr Obama's plate. He was also the driving force behind the stimulus plan, has ordered the closure of the Guantanamo Bay prison by January, and campaigned hard for legislation to limit greenhouse gases.
But health-care reform looks set to be his biggest test yet, with many within his own Democratic party yet to be won over. With an eye on looming mid-term congressional elections next year, some fear they could pay the price at the ballot box.
'The Barack Obama experiment with America is a risk our country can't afford. It's too much, too fast, too soon,' argued Republican Party chairman Michael Steele.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Friday, June 5, 2009
Tribute to God
A Tribute to Our Lord Jesus Christ
I believe many of you had heard the news about the 4.93 a few weeks ago during a sermon by Wenjiang. Honestly, I did not want it to be announced until I have made sense of it and able to tell of the story that is praise worthy to our Lord Jesus Christ. I would normally procrastinate this sort of testimony and because I am unable to put it across in manner that glorifies God, the testimony to the power of our Lord Jesus goes unseen. Many of you, mostly those I serve closely with, have heard or seen bits and pieces of what I have been through these few months. However, here is a full picture of what the Lord has done in my life: A Tribute to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This was a semester that I was quite worried about because for some factors. This semester’s subjects were tougher than the usual that I have experienced for the past few semesters. This was also a semester that I was adapting to a new role of a Ula, many things that I don’t know and trying to learn and with many heartaches as well. In addition was a role to be the Uni-YA camp head, managing such a big event with many new things like the air-con was quite a challenge to me. In the midst, I was challenged by the devil to doubt God’s calling for my life, to doubt His goodness and His providence and many many times I struggled. However, throughout the entire semester, I had the deep assurance that this is something God called me to do and I will do it uncompromisingly. I do not want to regret not doing what He called me to do just because of a few CAP or GPA points.
Then came the preparation for the exams. The 2 weeks before the exams started was a very crucial one to me, I thought that I could study really hard to catch up with whatever I needed to. (Just like many previous semesters. Please don’t try this, if you can be consistent, do be). One and a half weeks before the exams, I got a fever. I thought that it was a normal fever and that God is going to test me again like the last semester when I had a terrible cold and cough. I continued to study, drinking a lot of water and when it did not subside in 2-3 days, I took some panadol. But the fever and headache got so bad that I could not study anymore but to take more rest. The day after I had shepherded my sheep (he was so afraid that he might get it from me), I woke up with many spots on my body and this really startled me. Is this chicken pox? Is God going to give me this biggest test ever? Am I going to be able to take my exams? Will I need to stay back for one more semester? I was really afraid and did not know what was going to happen. I pray and ask God not to test me.
I went to the doctor and there he told me that I have got Chicken pox! I was still at a loss of what to do, but I was more assured when the doctor told me that I could still take the exams. I went away from the fellowship in school and back home to be isolated. This was the beginning of the 2 day nightmare. The first day was an outbreak of sores and spots. It was all over and was extremely itchy. It was so bad that I could not do anything. I tried everything, calamine lotion, air con, bath, fan, study my notes, reading my Bible, praying. Nothing I can do consistently for more than 5 minutes. I wasn’t even able to sleep and thus stayed up the whole night staring blankly into space. I could even recall the frustration of why I had to go through this and I vent it by punching my pillow I tried to read the book of Job (he was famous for the sores), but it just showed me how far I am away from Job. Job was praising God in the midst of something worse than me, I was almost blaming God for what is happening. It showed me how far I have fallen short of the standard of God.
The next night was a night of high fever reaching 39 degrees for almost 5 hours. An extreme headache accompanied with it. I was just lying on my bed, asking God to take it away. Even in the midst of sleeping, I was dreaming non-stop and constantly waking up. At times I wonder, will this have a permanent impact on my life. To top it up, my mum was frustrated with what happened to me because she was very worried too. Her frustration made her blame what happened to me on being too busy doing church stuff, causing me not to have enough rest. But I thank God for my mum, she made meals for me, brought the meals and water to me, went up and down the stairs to take good care of me, and nursed me back to health. So, there were voices by the devil telling me to doubt God and start cursing Him. Thankfully, with whatever conscious mind I had I that time, I don’t remember saying or thinking anything blasphemous to God. I kept holding onto the promise that God is going to bring me through tonight because He died and rose again and has conquered all illness.
The next morning came where the fever subsided, I was relieved. However, before I rested my mind, I remembered that the next day is my first exam and I have not fully prepared. The anxiousness and fear once again gripped me. I enquired from the school and I must take the paper if not I will have to stay back for one more semester. After some praying and thinking through, I decided to go on with the papers. For the next 3 weeks, I went for papers less adequately prepared as compared to past semesters. Normally, I could study till late and push the limits by my determination, but this time there was no way I could do that. The sickness took the energy and I just could not study and had to restIt was a period of much uncertainty and also many things I have learnt. It was a period of experience His grace and providence to a greater extent, a time where I understood His heart better, and a time that I understood myself better.
My thanksgiving
I thank God for my mum specifically who was suffering from knee problems but made meals and drinks, and brought them to me by climbing up and down the stairs. She is a faithful mother who also took a week’s leave to take care of me and nursed me back to health. For my uncle, a taxi driver who took me to and fro from NTU and back home at a minimal cost. The NYC community: The brothers and sisters who contributed to the blessing box of encouragement and bringing it all the way to my doorstep. The many text messages that came to remind me of the Truth and keep my mind from turning too negative. My dear sheep, Eng Seng who came to pray for me on my first paper and told me that he missed me so dearly.
His grace
I had to go to an isolation room for my papers so that I won’t spread to the others in the main hall. Most of the times I am there early and in another room waiting for the exam to start. The times of waiting can be quite agonizing because I know I have not prepared adequately but I needed to sit for the paper no matter what and there is nothing that I can do at that point. There was one paper, while I was waiting and worrying that I am not prepared, Tim sent me a text message, it was a passage from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul was recounting God’s grace upon His life. Verse 9 really reminded me of God’s grace and His power, that it is sufficient and enough to bring me through anything. I was really clinging onto God’s grace for any outcome of this examination. I held His grace dearly to my heart as I prepare for the next papers, that when I did my best to study but yet not able to adequately prepare, I know His grace will cover me. And indeed, 4.93 or whatever outcome is there is a testimony of His grace that sufficiently covered me. It was then that my determination, perseverance was taken away from me, that I realize how great God’s grace is. It is something that the Lord made me learn through these circumstances.
His timing
Another thing that amazes me is the timing of His blessings. He times His blessing in a way that will bring Him most praise and glory. This was the worst semester for me in terms of the academic preparation under the circumstances of ministry and the illness but is by very far, the best semester in terms of the academic results. If such results were to be given to be in the past few semesters, I would have become proud and claim it as my achievements and not given glory to the Lord. If it was given to me earlier without these circumstances, I would have wanted to do even better and pursue the first class honours in the expense of my calling from God.
Let go, let God
I was quite bent on pursuing my first class and was a bit disappointed when I realize it’s going to be a arduous task as I will have to get 4.9 for the next 2 semesters which I thought was quite impossible. I was beginning to get bitter with God because I thought that if I had spent less time in ministry and more time to study, I would not be risking my first class honours like now. But I made a decision after speaking to my mentor one day that I know that I am pursuing God’s call and purpose in my life and first class or not, it is up to Him. I found confidence in the will of the Lord for my life.
It is through these circumstances that God’s power is shown so magnificently in my weakness. No one including myself can attribute it to myself to get such wonderful results. It is indeed a true tribute to the Lord. It really tells me that God spares no good gift to His child in His timing and in accordance to what He knows is best for His child. He shows me that He really takes care of me and His power is more unimaginable as I obey Him more and more in my life.
Through this testimony, I will like to encourage you to continue to pursue God’s will for your life relentlessly, to be faithful to keep to what He has called you to do and to be, to continue to fulfill the Great Commission. And His assurance is that His grace will cover you and He wants the best for you as you follow His call in obedience.
Enghow
I believe many of you had heard the news about the 4.93 a few weeks ago during a sermon by Wenjiang. Honestly, I did not want it to be announced until I have made sense of it and able to tell of the story that is praise worthy to our Lord Jesus Christ. I would normally procrastinate this sort of testimony and because I am unable to put it across in manner that glorifies God, the testimony to the power of our Lord Jesus goes unseen. Many of you, mostly those I serve closely with, have heard or seen bits and pieces of what I have been through these few months. However, here is a full picture of what the Lord has done in my life: A Tribute to Our Lord Jesus Christ.
This was a semester that I was quite worried about because for some factors. This semester’s subjects were tougher than the usual that I have experienced for the past few semesters. This was also a semester that I was adapting to a new role of a Ula, many things that I don’t know and trying to learn and with many heartaches as well. In addition was a role to be the Uni-YA camp head, managing such a big event with many new things like the air-con was quite a challenge to me. In the midst, I was challenged by the devil to doubt God’s calling for my life, to doubt His goodness and His providence and many many times I struggled. However, throughout the entire semester, I had the deep assurance that this is something God called me to do and I will do it uncompromisingly. I do not want to regret not doing what He called me to do just because of a few CAP or GPA points.
Then came the preparation for the exams. The 2 weeks before the exams started was a very crucial one to me, I thought that I could study really hard to catch up with whatever I needed to. (Just like many previous semesters. Please don’t try this, if you can be consistent, do be). One and a half weeks before the exams, I got a fever. I thought that it was a normal fever and that God is going to test me again like the last semester when I had a terrible cold and cough. I continued to study, drinking a lot of water and when it did not subside in 2-3 days, I took some panadol. But the fever and headache got so bad that I could not study anymore but to take more rest. The day after I had shepherded my sheep (he was so afraid that he might get it from me), I woke up with many spots on my body and this really startled me. Is this chicken pox? Is God going to give me this biggest test ever? Am I going to be able to take my exams? Will I need to stay back for one more semester? I was really afraid and did not know what was going to happen. I pray and ask God not to test me.
I went to the doctor and there he told me that I have got Chicken pox! I was still at a loss of what to do, but I was more assured when the doctor told me that I could still take the exams. I went away from the fellowship in school and back home to be isolated. This was the beginning of the 2 day nightmare. The first day was an outbreak of sores and spots. It was all over and was extremely itchy. It was so bad that I could not do anything. I tried everything, calamine lotion, air con, bath, fan, study my notes, reading my Bible, praying. Nothing I can do consistently for more than 5 minutes. I wasn’t even able to sleep and thus stayed up the whole night staring blankly into space. I could even recall the frustration of why I had to go through this and I vent it by punching my pillow I tried to read the book of Job (he was famous for the sores), but it just showed me how far I am away from Job. Job was praising God in the midst of something worse than me, I was almost blaming God for what is happening. It showed me how far I have fallen short of the standard of God.
The next night was a night of high fever reaching 39 degrees for almost 5 hours. An extreme headache accompanied with it. I was just lying on my bed, asking God to take it away. Even in the midst of sleeping, I was dreaming non-stop and constantly waking up. At times I wonder, will this have a permanent impact on my life. To top it up, my mum was frustrated with what happened to me because she was very worried too. Her frustration made her blame what happened to me on being too busy doing church stuff, causing me not to have enough rest. But I thank God for my mum, she made meals for me, brought the meals and water to me, went up and down the stairs to take good care of me, and nursed me back to health. So, there were voices by the devil telling me to doubt God and start cursing Him. Thankfully, with whatever conscious mind I had I that time, I don’t remember saying or thinking anything blasphemous to God. I kept holding onto the promise that God is going to bring me through tonight because He died and rose again and has conquered all illness.
The next morning came where the fever subsided, I was relieved. However, before I rested my mind, I remembered that the next day is my first exam and I have not fully prepared. The anxiousness and fear once again gripped me. I enquired from the school and I must take the paper if not I will have to stay back for one more semester. After some praying and thinking through, I decided to go on with the papers. For the next 3 weeks, I went for papers less adequately prepared as compared to past semesters. Normally, I could study till late and push the limits by my determination, but this time there was no way I could do that. The sickness took the energy and I just could not study and had to restIt was a period of much uncertainty and also many things I have learnt. It was a period of experience His grace and providence to a greater extent, a time where I understood His heart better, and a time that I understood myself better.
My thanksgiving
I thank God for my mum specifically who was suffering from knee problems but made meals and drinks, and brought them to me by climbing up and down the stairs. She is a faithful mother who also took a week’s leave to take care of me and nursed me back to health. For my uncle, a taxi driver who took me to and fro from NTU and back home at a minimal cost. The NYC community: The brothers and sisters who contributed to the blessing box of encouragement and bringing it all the way to my doorstep. The many text messages that came to remind me of the Truth and keep my mind from turning too negative. My dear sheep, Eng Seng who came to pray for me on my first paper and told me that he missed me so dearly.
His grace
I had to go to an isolation room for my papers so that I won’t spread to the others in the main hall. Most of the times I am there early and in another room waiting for the exam to start. The times of waiting can be quite agonizing because I know I have not prepared adequately but I needed to sit for the paper no matter what and there is nothing that I can do at that point. There was one paper, while I was waiting and worrying that I am not prepared, Tim sent me a text message, it was a passage from 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, Paul was recounting God’s grace upon His life. Verse 9 really reminded me of God’s grace and His power, that it is sufficient and enough to bring me through anything. I was really clinging onto God’s grace for any outcome of this examination. I held His grace dearly to my heart as I prepare for the next papers, that when I did my best to study but yet not able to adequately prepare, I know His grace will cover me. And indeed, 4.93 or whatever outcome is there is a testimony of His grace that sufficiently covered me. It was then that my determination, perseverance was taken away from me, that I realize how great God’s grace is. It is something that the Lord made me learn through these circumstances.
His timing
Another thing that amazes me is the timing of His blessings. He times His blessing in a way that will bring Him most praise and glory. This was the worst semester for me in terms of the academic preparation under the circumstances of ministry and the illness but is by very far, the best semester in terms of the academic results. If such results were to be given to be in the past few semesters, I would have become proud and claim it as my achievements and not given glory to the Lord. If it was given to me earlier without these circumstances, I would have wanted to do even better and pursue the first class honours in the expense of my calling from God.
Let go, let God
I was quite bent on pursuing my first class and was a bit disappointed when I realize it’s going to be a arduous task as I will have to get 4.9 for the next 2 semesters which I thought was quite impossible. I was beginning to get bitter with God because I thought that if I had spent less time in ministry and more time to study, I would not be risking my first class honours like now. But I made a decision after speaking to my mentor one day that I know that I am pursuing God’s call and purpose in my life and first class or not, it is up to Him. I found confidence in the will of the Lord for my life.
It is through these circumstances that God’s power is shown so magnificently in my weakness. No one including myself can attribute it to myself to get such wonderful results. It is indeed a true tribute to the Lord. It really tells me that God spares no good gift to His child in His timing and in accordance to what He knows is best for His child. He shows me that He really takes care of me and His power is more unimaginable as I obey Him more and more in my life.
Through this testimony, I will like to encourage you to continue to pursue God’s will for your life relentlessly, to be faithful to keep to what He has called you to do and to be, to continue to fulfill the Great Commission. And His assurance is that His grace will cover you and He wants the best for you as you follow His call in obedience.
Enghow
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Conclusion of Camp; Commencement of Victorious Living
Dear Uni-YA people...
This brings us near the conclusion of this month’s die-hard focus on the camp and its theme of Victory in Christ. Have heard many great stories of how God had moved in each and every one of our lives at the camp.
Even as now I am in the Leadership Conference in Kuching, I am still praying and thinking about the camp and also how we can continue to achieve victory in our lives. Indeed victory, a victorious life in Christ, is not a once-off thing but a process of achieving it, actualizing it and maintaining it. In this coming Saturday’s message, I will speak about Hindrances to Victory while in our sub-groups we will explore about how we can all Maintain our Victory.
Was very touched when I see the red-shirts working and playing alongside the green-shirts and blue-shirts, all just wanting to achieve one purpose which was to gather together, praise God’s name, grow in God, fellowship with God. Many sense that we have moved one notch up in our spiritual life, as a group and individually, which indeed is an answer to our prayer that this camp will achieve such an objective. Would like to congratulate one and all once again, the camp comm, sub-comms, volunteers, all the teachers at the workshops and lastly also all you guys for being such supportive and Spirit-filled participants. Special thanks to our HK brothers and sisters as well once again for making the trip down and blessing us so much with your presence and lives.
To a great season of growth and harvest in the coming months, when God’s temple will be further built and that His glory will come down in power...amen!
WJ
p/s: special acknowledgment to Justin and his camera for this shot...cheers
This brings us near the conclusion of this month’s die-hard focus on the camp and its theme of Victory in Christ. Have heard many great stories of how God had moved in each and every one of our lives at the camp.
Even as now I am in the Leadership Conference in Kuching, I am still praying and thinking about the camp and also how we can continue to achieve victory in our lives. Indeed victory, a victorious life in Christ, is not a once-off thing but a process of achieving it, actualizing it and maintaining it. In this coming Saturday’s message, I will speak about Hindrances to Victory while in our sub-groups we will explore about how we can all Maintain our Victory.
Was very touched when I see the red-shirts working and playing alongside the green-shirts and blue-shirts, all just wanting to achieve one purpose which was to gather together, praise God’s name, grow in God, fellowship with God. Many sense that we have moved one notch up in our spiritual life, as a group and individually, which indeed is an answer to our prayer that this camp will achieve such an objective. Would like to congratulate one and all once again, the camp comm, sub-comms, volunteers, all the teachers at the workshops and lastly also all you guys for being such supportive and Spirit-filled participants. Special thanks to our HK brothers and sisters as well once again for making the trip down and blessing us so much with your presence and lives.
To a great season of growth and harvest in the coming months, when God’s temple will be further built and that His glory will come down in power...amen!
WJ
p/s: special acknowledgment to Justin and his camera for this shot...cheers
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Characteristics of a Victorious Church Part 2
Continuing on our exploration on what are the characteristics of those who are victorious, let’s go back to the scenario of the big all-stars Rugby game we were playing in.
Halfway through the game, you got bumped down by this meaty opponent standing in your way, yet again. You lost the ball but God picks it up and passes to you again. He urges you to continue running, passing the ball forward to your teammates and continue running. But you felt so discouraged and tired as you realized that you are injured on the side. You wondered at the moment why God doesn’t just end the game there and then since His team has already won.
Victorious people, besides giving thanks to God and proclaiming His goodness, will see certain character qualities growing in their life or in the church.
3. Spiritual growth
a) Quality growth
Our life in God grows as we have victories in Him. Having faith fully in Christ’s victory will bring about fruitfulness and quality in our life!
Many times as we walk with God, we often stumble over mistakes and challenges, fall into temptations and sins again, struggle to have breakthrough in our ministry or personal life. Yes no doubt, we may even fall to a certain sin many times. (when the worship song goes, “Oh how many times have I broken Your heart, but still You forgive, if only I come.”) However, let’s not get stuck in the same test that God gave us! He has intended victory for us in the tests that He gave us!
Is it the same commitment issue that we are struggling with again and again?
Not that we are going to be fully committed at the snap of a finger but we need to understand more and love God more so that we will choose to commit more and more.
Is it the same anger or hatred that we are feeling towards certain people (our family, CG members, ourselves) again and again?
We need to be proactive in seeking to experience God’s love and forgiveness more and more so that we can learn to forgive ourselves or others! We can’t be stuck with playing and replaying all the negative things that happened which caused the anger or hatred.
‘But He knows the way I take, when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.’
‘For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance.’
‘See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sakem for My own sake, I do this. How can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another.’
‘In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.’ <1 Peter 1:6-7>
God allows temptations to come because He wants to see growth as we overcome them. He wants us to be tested so that our faith can produce fruits that will last when difficult times come! Don’t seek to take shortcuts in our walk with God! If not we will be knocked down again and again by that meaty opponent!
‘When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through and places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left,” When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.’
THINK!
3) We can seek for career advancement, our future, promotion etc. Can we also be proactive in seeking for spiritual growth and fruitfulness in our understanding and maturity in God?
b) Quantity growth
Where there is quality growth, quantity growth will follow naturally.
‘They devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculously signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to everyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And you surely will know the end of this part says… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’
I think we do know this whole part well, especially the last line there. We love to have that in our CGs, schools, workplaces, camps! And the point may not be whether we believe in what God says that He will add, but it’s more of whether we are doing what we are supposed to be doing… in the first 7 lines.
Are we growing ourselves and in our CGs qualitatively? Because if we are, quantity growth will follow naturally as well.
And lastly, victorious people or church will have:
4. Developmental growth
Here I want to conclude too with the rugby game. When you were tripped over by the opponent’s tackle, God helped you up once again and He whispered into your ears how to avoid that opponent. You just have to muster up your courage and strength and do what He says! Though for the next few times you may fail to pass through again, but ultimately when you do, you would find that you have just completed another yard!
Have we been moving forward in life as well? Yes, we have grown older in age and moved forward in terms of our life stations. But have we really improved along the way too and developed ourselves in all areas. Have we grown older with maturity or in ignorance?
THINK!
4) As compared to 1 year ago (or any other time frame), are we more matured in our understanding and the way we handled things (our emotions, issues with people, life decisions, choosing to make Kingdom-minded choices at our crossroads)?
Carrie
Halfway through the game, you got bumped down by this meaty opponent standing in your way, yet again. You lost the ball but God picks it up and passes to you again. He urges you to continue running, passing the ball forward to your teammates and continue running. But you felt so discouraged and tired as you realized that you are injured on the side. You wondered at the moment why God doesn’t just end the game there and then since His team has already won.
Victorious people, besides giving thanks to God and proclaiming His goodness, will see certain character qualities growing in their life or in the church.
3. Spiritual growth
a) Quality growth
Our life in God grows as we have victories in Him. Having faith fully in Christ’s victory will bring about fruitfulness and quality in our life!
Many times as we walk with God, we often stumble over mistakes and challenges, fall into temptations and sins again, struggle to have breakthrough in our ministry or personal life. Yes no doubt, we may even fall to a certain sin many times. (when the worship song goes, “Oh how many times have I broken Your heart, but still You forgive, if only I come.”) However, let’s not get stuck in the same test that God gave us! He has intended victory for us in the tests that He gave us!
Is it the same commitment issue that we are struggling with again and again?
Not that we are going to be fully committed at the snap of a finger but we need to understand more and love God more so that we will choose to commit more and more.
Is it the same anger or hatred that we are feeling towards certain people (our family, CG members, ourselves) again and again?
We need to be proactive in seeking to experience God’s love and forgiveness more and more so that we can learn to forgive ourselves or others! We can’t be stuck with playing and replaying all the negative things that happened which caused the anger or hatred.
‘But He knows the way I take, when He has tested me, I will come forth as gold.’
‘For You, O God, tested us; You refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens on our backs. You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but You brought us to a place of abundance.’
‘See, I have refined you, though not as silver; I have tested you in the furnace of affliction. For My own sakem for My own sake, I do this. How can I let Myself be defamed? I will not yield My glory to another.’
‘In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire- may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.’ <1 Peter 1:6-7>
God allows temptations to come because He wants to see growth as we overcome them. He wants us to be tested so that our faith can produce fruits that will last when difficult times come! Don’t seek to take shortcuts in our walk with God! If not we will be knocked down again and again by that meaty opponent!
‘When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through and places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, “I will return to the house I left,” When it arrives, it finds the house swept clean and put in order. Then it goes and takes seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first.’
THINK!
3) We can seek for career advancement, our future, promotion etc. Can we also be proactive in seeking for spiritual growth and fruitfulness in our understanding and maturity in God?
b) Quantity growth
Where there is quality growth, quantity growth will follow naturally.
‘They devote themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe, and many wonders and miraculously signs were done by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to everyone as he had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And you surely will know the end of this part says… And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.’
I think we do know this whole part well, especially the last line there. We love to have that in our CGs, schools, workplaces, camps! And the point may not be whether we believe in what God says that He will add, but it’s more of whether we are doing what we are supposed to be doing… in the first 7 lines.
Are we growing ourselves and in our CGs qualitatively? Because if we are, quantity growth will follow naturally as well.
And lastly, victorious people or church will have:
4. Developmental growth
Here I want to conclude too with the rugby game. When you were tripped over by the opponent’s tackle, God helped you up once again and He whispered into your ears how to avoid that opponent. You just have to muster up your courage and strength and do what He says! Though for the next few times you may fail to pass through again, but ultimately when you do, you would find that you have just completed another yard!
Have we been moving forward in life as well? Yes, we have grown older in age and moved forward in terms of our life stations. But have we really improved along the way too and developed ourselves in all areas. Have we grown older with maturity or in ignorance?
THINK!
4) As compared to 1 year ago (or any other time frame), are we more matured in our understanding and the way we handled things (our emotions, issues with people, life decisions, choosing to make Kingdom-minded choices at our crossroads)?
Carrie
Characteristics of a Victorious Church Part 1
‘When you go to war against your enemies and see horses and chariots and an army greater than yours, do not be afraid of them, because the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt, will be with you. 2 When you are about to go into battle, the priest shall come forward and address the army. 3 He shall say: "Hear, O Israel, today you are going into battle against your enemies. Do not be fainthearted or afraid; do not be terrified or give way to panic before them. 4 For the LORD your God is the one who goes with you to fight for you against your enemies to give you victory."
3This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, 4for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 5Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God.
Let’s pause for a moment and look at the verses bold above. What is the one most important thing that comes to mindbefore we go any further? That with God there is victory? More than this but I believe one very important thing that we need to first recognize and know is that God has INTENDED victory for us. Yes, He has intended victory for us over all the domains that we have previously explored. Whether we know it, feel it, experience it or not.
Now imagine that you are playing in a major all-stars Rugby game. (E.g. the movie ‘The Longest Yard’) The amazing thing here is that, the final score of the game has been flashed on the big billboard already, even though the game is still ongoing. Which means the team that you are in will ultimately win. You wonder why. You look around. Guess who is the Coach and Owner of this team. You might want to stop right now and go for a celebration buffet over the victory. But God says that you still need to finish running the yard, to carry the ball from one end to the other, to pass through that next opponent you see in front of you. But all the time God reminds us to say, “we have already won.”
With this in mind, let us learn the characteristics of those who are victorious in Christ. Remember that it’s the victory that God has intended for us, regardless of whether we have felt or experienced it
Praise and Thanksgiving
When we experience victory personally or corporately as a church, we will give praise and thanksgiving to God for it because we realize that victory can only come from God, not through any human effort. In fact, when we know that God has intended victory for all His people and His church as a fact, we ought to be praising and giving thanks to God! (Recall the praise song last Sat: ‘The song in my heart, the song in my soul, the song I was born to sing, it’s Your song of freedom, and I am free to dance again’)
A few examples in the Bible where people of God sang and praised God:
Moses and the Israelites –‘But the Israelites went through the sea on dry ground, with a wall of water on their right and on their left. That day the Lord saved
Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the Lord. - Exodus 15:1
David –
Proclamation of the Greatness of God
One of the worship songs goes: ‘Proclaim Your awesome power, tell of mighty deeds. Declare Your future Kingdom of everlasting peace…All of my days I will sing of Your Greatness, all of my days I will speak of Your Grace, all of my days I will tell of Your wondrous love, Your love in my life, Your love.
Victorious people who know that God has the final victory can’t help but proclaim the goodness and the greatness of God in their lives or to others around them. Once again, as we proclaim God’s goodness and greatness, we also want to acknowledge His leadership over our lives. We are casting down the control that the devil has over our lives. We are casting down the pride that we have held onto.
‘One generation will commend Your works to another; they will tell of Your mighty acts. They will speak of the glorious splendor of Your Majesty, and I will meditate on Your wonderful works. They will tell of the power of Your awesome works, and I will proclaim Your great deeds. They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love. The Lord is good to all; He has compassion on all He has made. All You have made will praise You, O Lord; Your saints will extol You.’ - Psalm 145:4-10
Something I learnt recently from the book <
THINK!
Are we making sense of what God is doing in our life, who He is, when things don’t seem to go our way? Are we maturing in our understanding of how God can work in our life? (how He can discipline, teach us, not just bless or comfort us)
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