Let’s face it. All of us have a list of the things or qualities we want in our future partners – myself included. As I was coming out with a list of my own at the start of the year, I felt a tugging within that the list did not feel right.

Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:3)

And so I came out with a different list. It was my list for my spouse in the hopeful future.

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#1 Present to him a woman who loves God as much as she loves him

Loving God need not mean my spouse takes the backseat. Loving and honouring God is different from loving and honouring him; because loving God helps me love him better, and not the other way around.

#2 A woman who does not allow the past hold to her against him

There will be times when I will spooked especially when the incidents are similar to the experiences in the past, but I will not hold it against him. It was a different time in a different place with a different person.

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#3 A woman who although is independent, is pleased that he had chosen her to be a part of his life

I may be opinionated. I may be headstrong. But I will strive to be a woman who demonstrates her love for her spouse by being adaptable, understanding and in everything she does, always loves.

#4 A woman who does not demand to be loved and will be content with him

I will be honest here. I will whine and ask for TLC* from him – men sometimes can be (for the lack of a better word) dense.

However, I will not make demands for him to demonstrate his love. I will not put him down, but instead defend him if people try to condemn him.

I will have faith in him and not give up. I will learn to be content with him, since I’m not perfect myself.

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2-3)

* TLC = Tender Loving Care

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#5 A woman who is a mother without neglecting being his wife

I look forward to children and hope my future spouse does too. I know that it is a common “fact” that the husband takes a backseat when the kids come.

The kids will be a handful and will take a large portion from ‘our’ time. But I want to be a wife first and a mother second because I want to be…

#6 …A woman who teaches love

By loving the father of my children with all my heart, because he is my chosen partner. I will cover him and our future children with prayers. Challenge him and the children to go the distance and achieve what they desire. And however it is hard to do, I will always try to balance my expectations with the natural gifting of those whom I love and want to nurture.

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#7 A woman who didn’t “let go”

Marrying someone isn’t a done deal. The “signed, sealed, delivered” didn’t come with a clause saying that the other party will stop making an effort in looking good, in engaging the other as a person, and being the person he loved in the first place.

Above all, I want to let him see that although I’m a woman who does not need to be with a man, but chose to want and need a man. I want to learn to lean on him, as he on me, not because of fairy tales or nagging from others, but because I want to love and be loved, to need and be needed, in sickness or in health, for richer or for poorer, to love, to cherish and always remain true to each other – ‘til death do us part.

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A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.  (Proverbs 31:10-12)

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“Father I just want to thank you for this wonderful day. Lord, you have helped us to journey with you all this while. Father I pray for us to have strength to pursue what is ahead of us. Bring us from strength to strength, faith to faith, and glory to glory. May you continue to accomplish what your Word has desired to do in Jesus name, Amen!” shared Pastor Keith Tay as he led City Harvest Church Kuala Lumpur (CHCKL) in prayer, on the 26^th of September 2015.

“One of the things we talk about in the Bible is the Promised Land. We know that it is the Kingdom Land and it is so significant because Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt into the wilderness and Joshua became the leader who led them into the promised land. Growing up I always thought that the promised land was the promise that God gave to the children of Israel when they were suffering in Egypt but as I was studying the Word of God again, I realized the promised land was promised to Abraham, instead of the children of Israel,” Keith shared. Abraham was the one who received the promise, that his descendants would one day inherit and will dwell in the promised land.

The Lord had said to Abram (Abraham), “Go from your country, your people and your father’s household to the land I will show you.

“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:1-4)

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So Abraham, his wife Sarah and his nephew journeyed into the unknown. “God wants to bless you but you must first venture out. We need to understand that God’s blessings are not handed over just like money does not grow on trees. It requires us to pursue and obey,” shared Keith.

The Call

Many people who are serving full time often get asked, “How do you know that you are called by God?” or “How do you discover what God has called you to do?” “The call, this is where faith makes sense. In order for us to obey the call, we firstly need to have faith,” he said.

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1)

Pastor Keith Tay citing the Bible scriptures

“It is about the certainty and the assurance that faith is something that you can hold on to. In order to have faith, let us first settle the most important question. ‘What do you hope for?’, and ‘What do you want to see?’” asked Keith. Often times, when people are unable to know what we hope for or what we want to see, then faith seems to be useless, because everything seems to be okay in our lives. To discover your call, figure out what you want. In the case of Abraham, he wanted to be a father. “Faith makes sense when you have something to hope for,” he shared. But these days, there are so many distractions and there are so many things for a person to want. To know your calling, you need to focus and know what you really hope for or hope to see.

The calling of God is often the call to the unknown and it requires us to have hope on what we know. Abraham had to leave where he was, though his place of birth, which is The Ur of Chaldeans was an important city that thrived by two rivers. It was a place where the people worshipped many Gods. He left because he wanted to serve the one and only God. To find our your calling you need to ask yourself, “How do I become a part of establishing the Kingdom of God in this life?” or “God, how would you make me a testimony?”

The Covenant

“I will make you into a great nation,
and I will bless you;
I will make your name great,
and you will be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
and whoever curses you I will curse;
and all peoples on earth
will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:2-3)

The above are the four promises God made to Abraham. “After being a Christian for a while, we begin to immerse ourselves in chasing the blessings of God. We are so much into wanting God to answer our prayers to what we think will be good, but I want you to know that the covenant is not just about the promises, the covenant is about the relationship,” shared Keith.

For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying,”Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.” And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. (Hebrews 6:13-15)

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A covenant is like a bond; a life-long relationship. Abraham is known as the father of faith because when everyone was worshiping other gods, he rejected worldliness and pursued a relationship with God. God and Abraham shared a very close relationship with each other. “The promises of God does not exempt us from struggles and fears, but in our struggles, we get to remember our covenantal relationship with God,” said Keith. Abraham trusted not in his circumstances; he trusted in God, knowing that God will not fail him.

“Sometimes we seek for the confirmation of men so much that we no longer have that connection with God,” he shared. We need to lead a spirit-led life.

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. (Hebrews 10:3)

So in Christ Jesus you are all children of God through faith, for all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female,for you are all one in Christ Jesus. If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise. (Galatians 3:26-29)

The Journey

So Abram went, as the Lord had told him; and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he set out from Harran. (Genesis 12:4)

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“As he set out on his journey, Abraham is not promised that his life will be better in Canaan. Simultaneously, when God calls you out to a place, you can almost be certain that it is not going to be easy. We must have an assurance in God that through all the tough times, God will be with us,” Keith shared.

“Calls from God are not always what we want to hear because they usually mean disruption, dislocation and leaving your comfort zone. It simply means change,” he said. If God has called you, and you are resisting, then the thing you are resisting is change. Abraham failed miserably at times during the journey but through the whole journey, he grew closer and closer with God! Even if you think you have failed God miserably, God wants you to know that He still wants you to follow him.

When Abraham received God’s calling, he received God’s promise, and he also had to go through certain things in life. Abraham was promised that the whole world will be blessed through him. Just like Abraham, God’s desire is that you have a personal relationship with Him and know Him in such a way that you want to obey Him. And through your faithful obedience, you will be a blessing. “The journeys of faith are the only ways we can move into the future that God has for us. The fate of our Christian life is that we cannot be too safe, we cannot afford not taking risks. Stepping out is a call for everybody, not just for a group of people,” said Keith. You are called to be the salt and light, only if you are willing to venture out!

And through your descendants all the nations of the earth will be blessed, all because you have obeyed me. (Genesis 22:18)

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Bob and Melissa Seong have a strong marriage – not without thorns and briers – but it was through their struggle of staying and paying RM700,000 debt together that pulled them tighter.

Three months after their marriage, Bob found himself cheated by his partner, resulting in the loss of his six and a half acre land and company car.

In the same year, his father passed away due to a heart attack. And his mother who chaired a communal bank (called kutu) racked up a debt of RM700,000 following the abscondence of some members.

Yet, it was during this time that Melissa’s faith grew leaps and bounds. At one time, the home pressure escalated so much that she had to leave the house for two weeks for peace sake. At that time, she made up her mind to stick to her marriage, no matter what.

Bob (first row, left) with his sons Gabriel (first row, right), Jeriel (second row, most left), and Zuriel (second row, middle), and Pastor Sudir

Bob also was torn between pleasing his wife and his mother, not knowing to believe in Jesus Christ or honor his mother by following her ancestral worship.

The pressure at home was so great that the couple would often quarrel and this in turn pushed Bob away from the Christian faith, so much so he declared one day that he was never going to step into the church.

Hearing her husband, Melissa’s spirit was crushed. She believed that breakthrough would only come into the family business if they walked as one in Christ.

During one day of her lonely walk with God, she cried out to God at two in the morning. Standing at her window before the soft breeze that blew into her bedroom, she asked God to help her marriage.

Suddenly, words rolled out from her tongue, “I forgive my earthly father”. And she collapsed on her knees in tears. Melissa suffered rejection due to a neglected childhood. Named as “Chuan”, which means change in Hokkien, she was named for the sole purpose of fulfilling a superstition that the next child will be a boy, after six girls in the family.

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Since then, she felt that a huge stone was rolled away. Her countenance changed to a gentle and quiet spirit. Instead of pestering Bob, she began to pray. And before her anniversary, Bob told her that he actually knew who the real God is despite his idol-worshiping.

At that time, Bob would still visit different gods and mediums. At one time, he even attempted to engage a medium to offer him lottery numbers, and prepared cigarette or pork and beer for the spirits. But Melissa prayed for the spirit to leave, causing the medium to give up trying.

Hence, in 1988, Bob finally accepted Jesus Christ in a church camp at Cameron Highland. To him, Jesus was just another god among the many gods he was already worshiping.

Now, as husband and wife, Bob and Melissa can truly walk as one in Christ. They would often pray together to God in the car during their business trips with only enough money for gas.

To pay his debt, Bob has still five and a half acres of land from his father. It is a do-or-die business because this land – which is located between Kuala Lipis and Benta – is a no man land. Yet in faith, they built houses on this land.

By the time they launched the properties, every house was sold off! Not only were they able to pay off their debt by giving houses for free to the debtors, they were able to gain their first capital.

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Although no legal documents were signed in the communal bank, Bob and Melissa kept to their word to repay all the members.

In fact, the stress in paying the debt was so great that they did not have children for five years. Bob was worried that he could not raise a family due to debt. And Melissa, having a neglected or rejected childhood before, feared of not being able to raise a family.

These fears were concealed even from themselves, until a pastor revealed to them of their underlying cause of infertility. After repentance to God and prayer by the pastor, Melissa had her first child. This was a fulfillment of a prophesy made during her infertility that she would have a child who looks fair, chubby, and cheerful.

Even in their church life, the couple struggled. Their church became increasingly small as young people migrate to the city, followed by their parents. Eventually, they had no church to go to.

Because her children had no Sunday school to go to, Melissa would teach her children the direct application of God’s Word whenever she comes across a situation. Bob will constantly uphold the kids in prayer. And all issues – personal and business – were shared and discussed openly on the business table.

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They would also invite pastors and missionaries to stay in their home and hold a church service at their home whenever they visit. This follows their strong suit in hospitality, which is in hotelier and also property development.

Each child was discipled one-by-one by Bob’s and Melissa’s words and most importantly, deeds and actions, during the economic recession.

In one of the economic recession for example, the couple were feeling spiritually dry until God brought them a group of pastors who ran the Homecoming gathering.

It was in these gatherings they learned to wait upon God, so much so that Bob even encountered Jesus. Praying on his knees, he saw Jesus walked towards him and said to him, “I am well pleased.” God heard his desire of wanting to experience Him.

The couple felt so uplifted from the conference that they decided to start a church service at home, drawing up to 40 people at one point. They had their service in English, Chinese and Bahasa, before shifting to a hotel and then finally releasing their multiplied church into their respective ministry of Chinese and Sabahan.

Today, Bob and Melissa are still running church at their home with a businessman and his wife, and their cleaner with her four children. They will share the Word while the children serve in praise and worship and children’s ministry (Sunday school and piano classes).

Like brick and sand – which were the early business of Bob and Melissa – the couple is truly inseparable now, having built their family on the rock of Christ.

Bob (front row, middle) with his sons Jeriel (left), Gabriel (right), and Zuriel (back row)

Their eldest son is named Jeriel after foundation in the Bible, to signify how the family was built on the principles and ways of God.

Their second son was named Gabriel after strength, to remind them how God was their strength during the 1995 economic crisis.

Their third son was named Zuriel after rock, to remind them how God promised to get them out of the miry clay and put them on the rock.

Their daughter is named Adriel after honor in the Bible, to remind how God reminded her to honor her mother-in-law, by paying her debts.

Their company is named after the Bible, called Living Stones.

Hence, Bob and Melissa Seong’s marriage stood strong today, not because they have less struggles and sorrows than anyone. But because they have decided in their hearts to stick to each other and to God, no matter what. 

| Share the Good News |

Worship with the rest of the world unto the Lord on the Global Day of Worship (GDOW) today! Find out in your neighbourhood church on what they are doing today. Your neighbourhood church may just be celebrating GDOW. 

| Share the Good News |

Driving one night, I noticed how the moon was unusually bright and round. Admiring its beauty, I was reminded how God is always there with me, even though His Presence is sometimes shadowed by the dark clouds of trials and challenges. It felt like He was not there though He was always there. And how majestic the moon looked that dark night, where leaves glistened under its soft light.

The climate of this country feels uncertain. And recently, many of my friends are undergoing many personal uncertainties in their life as well such as job transitions, business failures, and marriage breakdowns.

Needless to say, I also have my own personal struggles. And the feelings that came over me was fear…

But as I prayed to God, I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to start reading the book of Romans, which personally spoke to me about trials and challenges.

In uncertainties, God is my certainty.

So you have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children. And since we are his children, we are his heirs. In fact, together with Christ we are heirs of God’s glory. But if we are to share his glory, we must also share his suffering. (Romans 8:15-17 NLT)

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In times of uncertainties, an important question to ask ourselves is: Who are we to God? We are the children of God. We are heirs of His Glory!

But to share in His glory, we must also share in his suffering. As followers in Christ, Jesus already said to us, “In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b)

Apostle Peter also said in his letter, “Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice in as much as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed… if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.” (1 Peter 4:12-13;16)

Although the Bible tells us that we will undergo trials and challenges, we will be victors instead of victims! In fact, Apostle Paul said, “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” (Romans 8:18 NIV)

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This brings me to a question, “What kind of sufferings did Paul go through?” We can find the answer in his letter to the Corinthians.

Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was pelted with stones, three times I was shipwrecked, I spent a night and a day in the open sea, I have been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers, in danger from bandits, in danger from my fellow Jews, in danger from Gentiles; in danger in the city, in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and in danger from false believers. I have labored and toiled and have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked. Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my concern for all the churches. Who is weak, and I do not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn? (2 Cor 11:24-29 NIV)

Compared to what Paul went through, my suffering pales much more to him. The only thing I could attempt to relate is my lack of sleep!

Yet, in all his feeling of weakness, how did Paul respond to it? He continued saying, “If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness.” (2 Cor 11:30 NIV)

Paul continued explaining yet another suffering of a physical ailment, which he pleaded God to take it away. But God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weaknesses.” (2 Cor 12:9a NIV)

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And responding to God’s answer, Paul said, “Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest one me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” (2 Cor 12:9b-10 NIV)

Wow! What words of revelation. When I am weak, then I am strong in Christ. God’s strength is shown through my weaknesses. Hence, my trials and challenges are here to show me not only who I am to God, but also who God is in my life!

While we may feel alone in facing our trials and challenges, Paul went on saying that he was not alone because the Spirit of God is actually continually interceding for him. (Romans 8:26) Likewise, the Spirit of God is also continually interceding for us.

For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches heart knows what is in the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26 ESV)

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Hence, in spite of his trials and challenges, Paul went on saying, “if God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died – more than that, who was raised – who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding of us.” (Romans 8:31-34)

What words of life! Do you feel charged and condemned? Remember that it is God who justifies, and it is Jesus Christ is now and constantly interceding for us before God.

Can anything including trials and tribulations separate us from the love of Christ? Paul asked, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?” (Romans 8:35 ESV) He continued saying, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.”

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We are not victims but more than victors! Nothing can separate us from the love of God – neither death nor life, angels nor rulers, things present nor things to come, power, height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation – will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:37-39)

Hallelujah! Hence, do not be afraid of uncertainties in your life for God is your rock, your certainty. He does not change like the shifting shadows. (James 1:16-18) He is the same yesterday, today, and forever. (Hebrews 13:8)

Finally, my dear brothers and sisters, “consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do.” (James 1:2-8)

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I started reading God’s Word with a heavy heart. But upon reading, I find that His Word to be a comforting and soothing balm, offering hope and wisdom over what I am facing. Hence, take heart and be strong! Do not be afraid. In uncertainties, God is our certainty and our rock. He will do what He says in His Word.

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So, here I am going through this cycle of pain again. I murmured and complained in my heart against God. I threw my bitterness at Him. I was passive-aggressive in my conversation with Him.

“Why God did you do this to me?” I murmured in my heart. “Oh right, yes. You are God. I am just clay. Who is this clay talking back to her Potter?” And then, I back-pedalled to apologise to Him, “Father, if I am not honest with You and tell You how I feel, I don’t really know how to have a relationship with you.”

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So, when things go wrong, the first person I blame is God.

“Don’t you think that God is innocent in this issue?” my friend asked in a conversation. “Haven’t you choose this road to follow Him and now, you beat yourself up for suffering in it?”

This process was all-too-familiar. It’s funny, almost déjà vu. Years ago, I underwent the same process of over-stretching and over-spending myself, steadily compromising my time with Him.

In the name of defending the good name of Christianity, I said yes to every obligation and request that came to me.

But the truth is I could not stand letting go of my ego in failing to fulfill the promises I made. I did not pray. I did not consider carefully. I wanted to please people more than God. I failed. I fell. And then I blamed God, when He need none of my defending or my contribution in life.

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So, as I walk through this worn-out path, I heard God said to me in the stillness of night, “My child, what do you think I want you to learn from this?”

As I repeated this question, I was amused with myself. I saw this recurring pattern of behavior towards pain. Why am I doing this over and over? This got to stop!

And then, I found hope in the middle of my pity pool. There is a reason for my pain! God wants me to learn something! And this time, I shook my fist at my pain, “You will not get all my attention this time! I will now turn my eyes to the lessons God want me to learn.”

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For the pain you are going through now, what is God wanting you to learn?

For me, this time, I will not be the same again. 

This time, I will learn the art of rejoicing, worshipping, and praising God in all circumstances. (Phiil 4:4, Phil 4:11b-13) No longer will I be a Christian soaked in pickle juice, but I will ooze an unstoppable love, joy and faith. (Col 3:12) I will walk with lightness on my feet and a tune in my heart!

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Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! (Phil 4:4)

…for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. (Phil 4:11b-13)

For the LORD your God is living among you. He is a mighty savior. He will take delight in you with gladness. With his love, he will calm all your fears. He will rejoice over you with joyful songs. (Zeph 3:17)

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This time, I will not sulk or mourn over a negative comment or an unexpected situation. But I will be like a wide-eyed child, ready to learn and be enchanted with the world. I will see problems as opportunities to discover, experiment, and grow in God. I resort to be a learner in all situations from God, counting everything and everyone as worthy of lessons to be learned.

Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. (Matt 11:29)

And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. (Matt 18:3-4)

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Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you. Instruct the wise and they will be wiser still; teach the righteous and they will add to their learning. (Prov 9:8-9)

This time, I will cease my complains to God, but I will sit quietly at the feet of Jesus, waiting and expecting Him to speak to me. I will ask the Holy Spirit to give me His Eyes and His understanding to see my Father’s majesty, beauty, and glory in everything and in everyone.

In the morning, O LORD, You will hear my voice; In the morning I will order my prayer to You and eagerly watch. (Psalm 5:3)

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Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable – if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me – put in practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (Phil 4:8-9)

It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings. (Prov 25:2)

This time, I will cease to have my eyes look covetously at others but I will set my eyes on every good and little thing that God has granted me, taking every opportunity to thank Him. I thank God for being alive! I thank God for my wonderful family and friends! I thank God for knowing Him and giving me the most precious gift of having a relationship with Him!

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. (1 Thes 5:18)

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And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. (Col 3:17)

But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. Those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. (1 Tim 6:6-10)

This time, I will draw close to God and not turn away or hide from Him when going through my pain. I will lay hold of every promise with a bold faith. (1 John 5:14) I will make my requests and petitions to God. I will make known all my desires to Him. (Phil 4:6-7) I will let Him know my deepest hurts and anguishes because I know He cares for me. (1 Pet 5:7)

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This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. (1 John 5:14)

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Phil 4:6-7)

This time, I will stand in hope of my future – not because of my prowess or strength – but because of His Strength! I know that in my weaknesses, His Strength is shown. (2 Cor 12:9) I can put my trust in Him and I can depend on Him.

Do you not know? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. (Isa 40:28-31)

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If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. if anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Pet 4:11)

This time, I will not listen to what the world tell me who I am. But I will accept and embrace my true identity as the chosen one, the set apart, (1 Pet 2:9) the heir of Abraham’s rich inheritance, (Gal 3:29) the co-heir of Jesus Christ, (Rom 8:17) the beloved vessel of God’s mercy and glory (Rom 9:23), and the child of God (John 1:12, Eph 1:5). I hold the same power that resurrected Jesus Christ from death! (Ephesians 1:15-21) Because I am in Him, I am a new creation. (2 Cor 5:17) I can look to the future with hope and boldness. I will trust in Him. He will do what He says.

I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his holy people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength he exerted when he raised Christ from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every name that is invoked, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (Eph 1:15-21)

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Commit your way to the LORD, Trust also in Him, and He will do it. (Psa 37:5)

This time, I will conquer my emotions of defeat with the truth of God’s Words. (Psalm 18:30, Prov 30:5) I believe in every word of the Bible as truth, and I await and expect God’s Promises to unfold in my life. (Psalm 33:4-5) I believe that God will do what He says in His Word, for He spoken the world into existence. (Psalm 33:4-5) Nothing is too hard for Him. (Gen 18:14, Jer 32:27) His timing is perfect. (Rom 8:28) His works are great and his thoughts are very deep! (Psa 92:5) I wait to praise Him again and again! (Psa 43:5)

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. (Prov 30:5)

For the word of the LORD is right and true; he is faithful in all he does. The LORD loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of his unfailing love. By the word of the LORD were the heavens made, their starry host by the breath of his mouth. (Psa 33:4-5)

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

Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. (Psa 43:5)

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Trust in the LORD forever, for in God the LORD, we have an everlasting Rock! (Isa 26:4)

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“When you talk about churches in Kuala Lumpur, a medium-size church has 500 people. But we only have 50 people in our church. So, irrespective of the size, as long as we remain faithful, God will bless our resources,” said Elder Jacob Yeng from Air Jernih Prebysterian Church (AJPC) in Kuala Terengganu.

“We are called to be faithful with whatever God gives us and we must be willing to be use by Him in whatever ways and wherever He chooses,” he added. 

Having studied in Singapore and England, Jacob returned to his birthplace in Kuala Terengganu. As God’s beloved, he wants to be God’s lighthouse for Christians coming to this place.

Pastor Jacob Yeng (5th from right, light blue shirt) with his church family in a game session of Air Jernih Prebysterian Church (AJPC) Family Camp on October 2015

Although he is a full-time pharmacist, husband, and father of three boys, he desires to root himself in Kuala Terengganu to uphold and build the Church there.

In fact, many graduating students have chosen to stay in Kuala Terengganu to serve the community. Dr Su Peen for example, had chosen to open his dental clinic in Kuala Terengganu upon his graduation, alongside his comrades Jerome Ng Tee Wei and his girlfriend Lee Hui Yi who are currently working in a pharmaceutical company.

From left to right: Lee Hui Yi, Dr Su Peen, Jerome Ng Tee Wei, Elder Jacob Yeng

“I praise God because He is bringing people into the small towns,” said Elder Jacob, adding how towns tend to shrink due to the migration of people into cities.

In this interview, Elder Jacob shared about six principles of leadership that he follows:

#1 Be Dependent on God

A leader needs to acknowledge dependence on God. Given the title Jedidiah by a discerning pastor – which means beloved of God – Jacob believed that God will fulfill his every need.

“I believe that everything I need, God will give it to me, be it in ministry or work. In that way, I find strength. I can always rely on God to provide. This is my modus operandi for the past twenty years.

“Sometimes, we rely too much on our own strength. But when we rely on God, the results are far better than what we can behold. That really taught me,” he added.

He shared how God led him to speak before a congregation in Cambodia from his heart, which touched many people, instead of speaking from his prepared notes.

One of the cell groups of Air Jernih Prebysterian Church (AJPC) having a picnic in Kuala Terengganu

#2 Be Humble

A leader also needs to be humble before God and men, by acknowledging and meditating on how great God is.

“I reminded myself to be humble because it’s only in humility that God can touch us. But when you’re prideful, that’s when you stumble and fall,” he said, adding how he washed his elders’ feet during his ordination as a sign of respect.

To humble himself, he also always reminded himself that there are many people who are better than him in serving God.

The church holding guitar classes for their members every Thursday night at 9 PM

“We have extraordinary teachers who are far better than me. If you think you give sacrificially, there are others who give more.  It’s a constant reminder for me and a bit of both – from me and the Holy Spirit.

“And the Holy Spirit is like a gentleman. He doesn’t encroach into your life but he gently reminds you. One of the ways is through reflection. Sometimes, he won’t tell you but he lets you see. And you will understand what He wants to show,” he added.

#3 Be Compassionate

A leader must also be compassionate.

“Without compassion, it’s impossible to emphathize with your church members. How are you going to understand what they are going through? You can’t even have the burden to pray for people.

“What the young experience now is really different from what I experienced when I was younger. And to understand, I need to emphatize with them,” he said.

Photo session of Air Jernih Prebysterian Church (AJPC) with a guest speaker

#4 Be Hospitable

Hospitality is the hands and feet of love! Jacob shared how he felt encouraged to see his church members volunteering to bring the students in the church out for a meal.

Following Francis Chan who promotes giving everything, also called radical love, he wants to exemplify this walk to the church.

“As you radically love your neighbours, that’s when they come and witness the love of Jesus. Sometimes, the first step you take to love must be intentional. And you don’t have to do it alone. You have the Holy Spirit. 

“The Holy Spirit is such a gentle person. As you move, He moves with you. If you’re not intentional in your loving, He would wait to move with you,” he said.

Global Day of Worship Workshop held in the church on October this year

#5 Be Courageous

A leader must also be courageous in making the right decision, amidst disagreements.

“Sometimes, in the leaderhip position, there will be disagreements on how things should be ran or emphasized. But we need to make a stand, and courage is necessary.

“Because if you are unwilling to make a decision, that’s actually poor leadership. So, courage is important. We neeed to make dificult decisions because if you don’t, the church will not have a proper direction,” he added.

Elder Jacob Yeng (first from left) having a meal with his church members and a visiting speaker

#6 Be Mindful of Ministry

Lastly, a leader must be mindful of ministry in everything he or she does.

“I always believe – as a pharmacist and a business person – whatever roles you are in, always adopt them as training grounds with ministry in mind. Ministry must be our ultimate goal.

“And our job is where we can learn and train for our ministry. Jesus worked as a carpenter for at least seventeen years and he only had three years of ministry. That is like one fifth of his training period,” he said.

AJPC Christmas Caroling 2014

So, here are the six leadership principles shared by Elder Jacob from Air Jernih Prebysterian Church, Kuala Terengganu.

What would be your personal leadership principles?

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If you could grab a cuppa with 28 Asian leaders all at once, would you take this opportunity to have a heart-to-heart talk with them?

Dr John Ng, Chief Passionary Officer of Meta Consulting, had done all this for us by spending the last four years interviewing and compiling the heart-throbbing and gut-wrenching life stories and lessons of 28 distinguished and prominent Asian leaders. 

In his 308-page book entitled ‘HEART to HEART with Asian Leaders,’ the book boasts a repertoire of insiders’ stories of esteemed leaders we grew up with, including Lim Guan Eng, Idris Jala, Francis Yeoh, Roland Wong and Sandra Lee amongst the list.

The attendees of the book launch

“All of the leaders showed great recovery efforts because all of them failed. Leaders get punished. Leaders are fallible creatures; they are human beings. But the true test of a leader is the ability to bounce back, recover, and become even greater leaders,“ said Dr John, adding how integrity and humility were common key characteristics he observed in all the leaders he interviewed.

More than 90 Christian leaders and businessmen attended the ‘Heart to Heart’ book launch on November 22^nd, graced by guest speakers YB Hannah Yeoh, Dato’ Roland Wong, and first Malaysian Olympic badminton medallists – Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang. 

Dr John Ng (1st from right) with Dato’ Roland Wong (3rd from right) and his sportsmen, Cheah Soon Kit (2nd from right) and Soo Beng Kiang (4th from right)

YB Hannah Yeoh shared how the book contained invaluable insights of personal pitfalls and vulnerabilities revealed by our leaders, some which might be hidden even in a private setting. 

“A book like this gives us insight into leaders’ personal thought process. Sometimes, leaders are often misunderstood. They can make a decision. But people do not understand why they make such a decision.’ 

“And so, to have a book like this and have them explain certain unpopular decisions they had to make, this would help us appreciate not just the action, but the thought process behind it,” said YB Hannah Yeoh. 

Dato’ Roland Wong, a guest speaker and interviewee in the book, also graced the event to meet face-to-face with the attendees. Having served as the Deputy President of the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) from 1993 to 2009, he shared about his firm belief of walking together as a family.

Dato’ Roland Wong with Dr John Ng (right)

“If you punch one hole and another person punches another hole in the same boat, we will all sink together. I always tell people that we are in the same family, the same boat,” said Dato’ Roland who practiced collaborative leadership in making all decisions.

In fact, his leadership comes from a heart of genuine love for people, which was especially evident in his father-son relationship with national badminton legends, Cheah Soon Kit and Soo Beng Kiang. 

“I am like a father to them. They are like my godsons. I mean I can tell them off and yet, today they would still come and support me. You know, I spent quite a lot of time with these guys. I took them out separately for lunch and dinner. 

“They were the ones who won the Thomas cup. To me, they were the top players. After they won the last point, Beng Kiang took the shuttlecock, ran up to the stage and gave it to me. So, thank you both for supporting me,” he said, looking at his beloved godsons with love. 

Dato’ Roland Wong (1st from left), YB Hannah Yeoh (2nd from left), YB Teresa Kok (3rd from left), and Dr John Ng (1st from right)

He also shared about his testimony of how he knew God during a financial crisis in year 1997. Overcame by God’s love, he shared how God gave him, His transcending peace, wisdom, and hope, to overcome his near-bankrupt state.

“Even though I would lose money in a project, I would complete the project with a ‘Well done!’ And because of that, I have won my clients’ trust. I have established a good relationship with them,” he added.

Lastly, he shared that an aspiring young person must have the four D’s to succeed, which include desire, determination, dedication, and discipline.

“So, for aspiring young people, if you’re starting a business, you must work together as a team, stay focused, start small, and do things step-by-step” said Dato’ Roland, in summarizing his personal nuggets for success.

From left to right: Dato’ Roland Wong, Dr John Ng, and YB Hannah Yeoh

Hence, such was the depth and wealth of information shared by Dato’ Roland’s lifelong lessons of leadership – which is only a fragment of what is covered in the book. Imagine the wealth of knowledge we would acquire from all the 28 Asian leaders! 

“I am passionate about leadership because the world needs leaders who can lead in the volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous climate today. Leaders can make a difference, either for good or evil. And I am so glad that we have leaders who can do this,” said Dr John. 

Dr John Ng has also written other 5 books including Dim Sum for Great Parenting — Tips for Parents; Dim Sum for Great Marriages; Dim Sum Leadership; Dim Sum Leadership (version 2): Your Second Serving; and Smiling Tiger, Hidden Dragon.

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Note: All pictures are credited to Scott J Wong

The birth of Jesus and the events surrounding it are some of the most powerful and life-changing stories in human history. To help people engage with both the story and its meaning, a team from Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang, Kuala Lumpur had broken it down into 12-second blocks. And they will be posting it out on Instagram day-by-day throughout December leading up to Christmas Day!

You can follow the story on Instagram here: instagram.com/htbbchurch or @htbbchurch

The project was headed up by actor and director Tan Boon Kit who recently became a Christian. Before writing the script for each video, he hadn’t heard much of the Christmas narrative and so he came with fresh eyes to the story.

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“The part of the message that resonated the most within me whilst writing for #12SecondChristmas was that Jesus came from the most humble of origins, yet He came to save us then, now, and forever, for our sins,” said Boon Kit.

The two verses that really impacted him were:

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
(John 1:11-12)

But you, Bethlehem, in the land of Judah, are by no means least among the rulers of Judah; for out of you will come a ruler who will shepherd my people Israel.
(Matthew 2:6)

The videos will be posted at 3 PM each day from the 1st to the 25th December.

Check out their first video here!

You can follow the story by following @htbbchurch on Instagram or here.
#12SecondChristmas
htbb.org/christmas

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How God called Kwong Tek to leave his profession to serve full time in the church

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Costly offering

We recently received a book through the post called “Moving the Hand of God” in which the author explained that if we are really desperate for God to answer our prayer, our prayer must be accompanied by an offering which should really cost us. The author gave the biblical examples of Hannah who was so desperate for a child that she promised that if God were to give her a son, she would give him up to serve God. Another example is the widow who gave her last bit of flour and oil to feed God’s prophet Elisha and was then provided for by God with a continuous flow of oil. At that time we were desperately concerned about certain matters in the church and were fasting and praying to find a solution. After reading the book I thought I should try accompanying my prayer with an offering so that God would answer. I wondered what offering would be costly enough. God revealed it a week later.

Tek recounted:

While on holiday on a bus to Singapore with my daughter Cristal, I suddenly said to her, “I am afraid God may want me to go full time for Him but I am very reluctant.” Cristal replied, “You should pray for His direction.” I decided I wouldn’t because resigning from my medical work was not what I wanted to do. On returning to Perth I found Goldie sharing excitedly about the lessons the Lord was teaching her in her preparation of her talk. Vaguely I heard she was preaching about Peter walking on water but I did not really pay much attention.

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At that time I was helping my brother Kwong Wai pastor a church. We were both working in our professions – he was a lecturer in Engineering, I was working as a government medical doctor. A crisis arose in our church: members were confused and troubled by complaints from other members. This drove us to our knees pleading to the Lord for solution and direction.

Reminder

On Saturday morning as I went out of the house to pick up the newspaper a thought suddenly flashed across my mind: “Kwong Tek, it is time you pay your vow.” And I remembered the time thirty odd years ago when I was interviewed by the medical faculty board in Hong Kong University. The interviewers asked me, “Why do you wish to study medicine?” I had boldly answered, “Because I want to be a missionary doctor.” Well, here I was, working as a doctor all these years; true, serving God most of the time, actively involved in lots of Christian and church activities – but all the time working fully as a medical doctor. Was God reminding me to keep my promise now? I let the thought pass.

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I had lunch with Pastor Derek Hong from Singapore whom I met for the first time. I sought his advice concerning our church problem. The next morning while I was reading the newspaper he phoned me and said he had been thinking of what we talked about and he felt led to tell me that I should seriously consider leaving my job and spend more time doing God’s work. Although Goldie was working at her desk beside me during the telephone conversation, I kept this to myself. I waited until evening to tell her. She was not surprised. She told me that like Peter in her sermon, I had to be sure Jesus was telling me to come before I step out of the boat. She said she had recently read an article on ‘guidance’ which suggested how we can make sure: a scripture passage, at least two confirmations from people who know nothing about our circumstances and the confirmation of the witness of the Holy Spirit to our spirit.

Confirmation

On Sunday night when we were praying together, Goldie said she saw a picture of tumultuous water. At once I recalled what she had said about her sermon and in my mind I seemed to hear Jesus’ voice saying, “Come”. There and then I reached for my bible and turned to Matthew 14 to see if the word “Come” was actually there. I read:

“Jesus immediately said to them “Take courage! Don’t be afraid.”

“Lord, if it’s You,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to You on the water.”

“Come” He said.

At that time, I was working for the government on a half-yearly contract basis due to the poor economic environment in the country. After a few years due to the strong recommendation of my superior I was confirmed as a permanent staff. Was Jesus really asking me to leave my boat, my security and step out into the water?  Would I now ‘throw’ all this away?

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On Monday, our church elder Lawrence Wulff phoned the Elders in FGA Kuala Lumpur for their reply to our invitation to come to Perth to help us in our difficulties. He reported the conversation to me: they did not feel led by God to come. However they gave four suggestions. “One of it is,” Lawrence chuckled, “Kwong Tek should come out to be in full time service.”

That evening I was with our co-workers Patrick Chen and May Wong in the church office working on our speakers’ program. Finishing our work, out of the blue May looked at me and said, “Dr Chong, have you considered seriously coming out full time?”

That night I told Goldie that the final test would be our teenage daughter Lisal. A few months before when she found out that I had cut down my government working hours to 70% because of church work,  she was upset because of the reduction in salary. How would she take zero income?

When she came out of her room, I said to her, “We want to share something important with you.” Somehow she knew what was coming. “Are you going into full time? No I am not happy about it.” I told her that was what I felt God was telling me to do. And before I even recounted the events that led to this decision she quietly said, “But if God wants you to do it, I guess we don’t really have a choice.”

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We really didn’t. But we made this choice gladly and with anticipation of what walking on water would entail.

Note:

Since 1992 till today the Chongs have felt led by God not to ask for a salary from any organization but to live by faith. God has been a wonderful paymaster, not only blessing financially ( through past investments and unexpected family gifts) but in all areas of family life, ministry, health, etc.

They can testify with Peter who asked Jesus, “We have left everything to follow you! What then will there be for us?” Jesus said to them, “…. everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or fields for my sake will receive a hundred times as much…”  Matt.19:27-29. God did keep His word.

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The Chongs were the first Asian editors and publishers of Asian Beacon 40+ years ago in Melaka.  Goldie still contributes a Q&A column in AB. The Chongs have started their own website: www.deargoldie.com. This article was posted in their website in October 2015 

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Veronica Louis shared how God changed her from a teenager who attempted suicide to becoming the hope-bearer of the homeless people in Kota Raya.

Her confident yet gentle and quiet spirit, is the result of ten years of molding – the day she said, “God, give me one more chance to live” on the hospital bed.

Veronica Louis or better known as Veron is a beautiful and smart girl. But growing up, she sought attention from her friends.

But unfortunately, bad company corrupts good character. (1 Cor 15:33) She hung out with the wrong crowd, coming home in the wee hours of the morning.

Veronica Louis

“I craved for attention from the friends I knew outside of school. They didn’t have good character and I ended up doing a lot of things. At that time, I felt nice because everything I did brought comfort to me.

“They made me feel important and appreciated for the first time. I thought that was what life is about,” she said, reminiscing her 15-year-old self.

However, her quest for attention did not fill her emptiness. In fact, she woke up one day at 17 years old. She decided to take her own life.

“I felt an emptiness that filled my heart. You can’t explain this emptiness. There was no hope. There was no way out. When I thought about my life, all I could think of was that I am worthless,” she said.

She could not picture her life, one year down the road. So, she decided to end her life by swallowing the medications kept in the house.

Veronica Louis praying for a street person, having found her calling for the street people

The next thing she knew – she was at the hospital. The doctor said that the massive medications she took affected her liver. She only had a 50 per cent chance to live.

“I could hear my mother crying beside me. When I heard her cry, I knew that my parents were always there for me but I never knew they loved me,” said Veron.

At that point, I said to God, ‘Give me a second chance. I will change my life and I will do everything to please you.’ I saw a hand coming down and my hand reached out to hold that hand,” she said.

Upon recovery, she found a way to a church through a friend. Although she was born in a Christian family, she neither knew the Bible nor had a relationship with Christ.

But the Word of God that touched her heart was 2 Timothy 1:7, shared by the pastor at church. It was the only Bible verse she knew!

For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love, and self-discipline. (2 Tim 1:7)

The street people lining up for food in the H. O. P. E. ministry founded by Veron for the street people

“Every morning, when I felt discouraged in my life, that was the only Bible verse I would confess in. And without me realizing, the Word of God was so powerful that it broke a lot of addictions and fears for me.

“Practically, all of my friends knew that I attempted to take my life. How would my friends think of me? I had a difficult time. But I went through it even without me knowing it,” she said.

The pastor connected her with Pastor Justin and Pastor Jacquie Ryan who were also ministering in that same church. Every week, they would meet up with her in church. But Veron was hesitant to open up.

“Whenever someone talked to me about God at that time, I’d say, ‘Can you go and look at yourself first? Why are you talking to me? You don’t even know me?’ So, when anyone tried talking, there’d this wall I built,” said Veron.

She would be silent week after week… until one day, she finally broke down in tears. That was after two years the Ryans’ steadfast and faithful love towards her. She finally allowed God to began the healing work in her. 

Pastor Justin Ryan with his wife Pastor Jacquie Ryan

“I had built a wall so high because I did not want people to see the hurts I had. But if I hadn’t let God deal with the wall, He’d not be able to do anything in my life.

“God wanted to bring me to that place to mold me. But I had things stopping me. Sometimes, we need to just surrender and let God do what He needs to do. If you need to talk to a person, talk to a person,” she said.

The Ryan couple walked with Veron, day after day. They would call her every day! And through their unconditional love, Veron began to heal from a place of hopelessness to a place of hope.  

Most of all, in her journey towards recovery, the Ryans helped Veron to discover the Will of God for her life. Praying on her knees for a year, she finally discovered God’s Will for her through His clear voice spoken to her. 

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“God said, ‘What I got you out of is what I am calling you into. So, go back to the people who are hopeless and give them hope.’ That’s how I know what I’m being called to do – to just comfort and love the street people, and to change their life completely,” she said.

The ministry is called H. O. P. E. Street Ministry, which stands for the acronym Helping Other People Excel. This ministry is under the One Voice Ministries founded and led by the Ryans.

So, on 31^st March 2012, Veron began her first day of street ministry to the hopeless in Kota Raya.

Without any street ministry training, she took off to the streets of Kota Raya to hand out food with the Ryans. Carrying 40 bags of food, they waited for a street person to approach them. Every 15 minutes, one would approach before fleeing. 

“That was what happened the first day. As much as we didn’t trust them, they didn’t trust us as well. It’s not easy for them to open up and talk to us,” she said.

But as a few months passed, the number of street persons approaching them rose to 90 people. They saw the genuineness of their heart.

The long line of street people queuing up for food

Blessing the people with food.

“We didn’t only give out food. We also made a point to talk to them and get to know them,” she said.

After two years of faithful service, God spoke to the trio to move to a covered shelter, so that more can be done for the street people.

Renting a premise now, they share the gospel, worship, fellowship and do activities with the street people every alternate Saturday. They also pray for and counsel them, in addition to providing them food.

Leading the people in worship.

Recently, they have also started a Bible course, which awards every graduating street person with a certificate. One of them treasured the certificate so much that he even wanted it laminated.

And once in a while as well, opticians, doctors, and hairdresser would visit the premise to offer service for the street people.

The hairdressers who gave their time and talent for the street people

The opticians checking the sight of the street people

“Our ministry is all about giving hope to the hopeless. We want to encourage the street people to build their life all over again. It is not easy. But with God, all things are possible.

“We are constantly sharing the gospel because the power in the Word of God. It is a double-edged sword. And we have seen how it has been working in their lives,” she said.

A memorable story Veron shared was how a 60-year-old man returned to his family in Malacca and got a job. After a business failure, he ended up on the streets for 10 years. Through their ministry, he became one of their regular visitors and accepted Christ! Recently, he even returned to financially bless the ministry.

“People would ask whether I am afraid of the streets. But the street people already knew us for three years. Kota Raya feels like home to me. Practically at every stop, I would see someone I know,” she said.

Veron praying for an elderly street person

A street person even offered Veron full protection when he saw her passing out leaflets for the ministry alone. To make sure she is safe, he followed her the whole day until she returned to her car.

“The street people are actually very loving. They are like our family,” said Veron.

For example, she would meet up with a 80-year-old couple who had children but they stayed alone, with the street ministry volunteers. As one of the firstfruits who accepted Christ through their ministry, they would disciple the couple every Thursday night, teaching them about the Word of God. She shared that a large portion of the street people are elderly people.

Sometimes, even before they reached their rented premise at 8:15 AM, there would be people waiting for them already there.

The street people playing games together

The street people smiling for the prizes they won from the games

“It’s also a place where people just want to come to us, to feel that comfort. They know that with us, they can trust us. They know that we are there to build them back,” said Veron, adding how they assist the street people to build their lives by finding them a job and reconciling them to their families.

And indeed, Veron has seen God’s miracles through the ministry. A 15-year-old runaway teenager worked for McDonalds, before he decided to reconcile with his family in Johor Bahru. Another street person from Sabah also reconciled with his 80-year-old mother who advertised for a search for him in the newspaper.

“When I was four years old, I used to see all these street people and beggars. I’d think to myself, ‘How nice if I had a big house. I could bring all these people into my house,’” Veron said.

Little did she know, she is now living out her dream! A bright-eyed girl whose future is redeemed in the hands of her Loving Father, Veronica Louis is now redeeming the future of the street people, one person at a time.

Leading new believers of Christ in prayer and baptising them to His glory.

Veronica Louis leading the H. O. P. E. ministry, for her love for the street people

“Recently, we have also held a baptism service for the street people. And praise God that six of them got baptized and three of them accepted Christ. All Glory to God!” said Veron.

She added, “I must also say that my family has been a great inspiration to me as well, in supporting me and praying for my ministry. Every time I have a prayer request for the ministry, I would tell my mum and she would pray for me.”

Where the street people are – is where her second home and second family is.

Visit http://onevm.net/ for more information about H. O. P. E. street ministry, a sub ministry of the One Voice ministries under Pastor Justin and Pastor Jacquie Ryan.

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On November 29^th, THE MOVEMENT, a band of Christ-centred men from different churches led a passionate worship at Victory Church at Ara Damansara.

Co-founded by Pastor Ramesh Kumar and Bro Asaph Shavindran this January, THE MOVEMENT moves very strongly in prophetic and free-flow worship. The band of six members has since ministered in churches, evangelistic dinner banquets, and camps (Nicholas Teh from Grace Assembly PJ was unable to join this time).

Pastor Ramesh Kumar from Full Gospel Christian church, vocalist and guitarist of The Movement

THE MOVEMENT desires to fully surrender to the Holy Spirit and worship according to God’s agenda, not men’s agenda.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in the Spirit and in truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. (John 4:23)

Rogers Sek, bassist of THE MOVEMENT shared his testimony of how God’s grace drew him back to church after backsliding for 10 years. He found that we need to be faithful in the little things given by God, before bearing bigger responsibilities from Him.

Rogers Sek from Holy Trinity Bukit Bintang, bassist of The Movement

Pastor Ramesh from the Full Gospel Christian Church in Brickfields also shared a timely message on what God taught Him in times of trouble. He shared about how the disciples faced the storm when they crossed the lake in Luke 8 (expanded with permission by the writer).

#1 God is with us in the storm

Luke 8 shows us that although it was Jesus’ idea to cross the boat, a storm came and threatened to capsize the boat. Likewise, although we are doing what God calls us to do; we will still face obstacles and challenges.

However, like how Jesus was with His disciples in the boat, He is with us as well in the thick of our storm. Indeed, our God never leaves us or forsakes us. He promised to be always with us.

Asaph Shavindran from Victory Church, guitarist and vocalist of The Movement

Shaveetha Dianithi from Victory Church, keyboardist of The Movement

#2 God wants us to fix our eyes on Him in the storm

Yet, we often also forget about God when we face our problem. It is not until we have exhausted all our resources, that we come seek Him. In fact, sometimes God is the last person we go to when we have a problem.

Like the disciples, the storm takes center-stage than Jesus Himself. But what does Jesus want us to do? He says, “In this world, you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”

Jesus’ solution for us is to fix our eyes on Him in overcoming our storm. And fixing our eyes on Him would involve unraveling His Word. Jesus ‘was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God’ (John 1:1-2). Simply put, Jesus is inseparable from the Word of God. The Word of God contains every solution to all the problems we have.

Edwin Manibo from Full Gospel Christian Church, electric guitarist of The Movement

Aaron Chew from Wesley Methodist Church in Klang, drummer of The Movement

#3 God listens to the whisper of a humble heart in a rumbling storm

Some of us may feel unworthy to come before God because of our mistakes and sin. Yet God hears the whisper of a humble heart over a rumbling storm.

The LORD says, “My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chron 7:14)

Another verse says, “Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you (1 Peter 5:6-7).”

Why is it so important to be humble? This is because only a humble person can receive instructions from God.

Pastor Ramesh Kumar preaching the Word

The Movement leading a passionate worship in Victory Church, Ara Damansara

#4 God brings us into a storm only to bring us higher

After Jesus rebuked the storm, He asked His disciples, “Where is your faith?” It is an interesting question because it showed that Jesus expected them to have faith.

At this point, the disciples had already witnessed the blind receiving sight, the lame walking, the deaf hearing, the lepers cleansed, and the dead raised. All miracles happened in the human realm.

Yet, when the saw Jesus calmed the storm, they were fearful and amazed. That was the first time they saw even the realm of nature obeying Him. They asked amongst themselves, “Who is this? He commands even the winds and the water, and they obey Him.”

Likewise, we may find our faith challenged when we encounter a new and bigger obstacle, even if we have seen God worked many miracles in our life before. But if God has brought you through your past problems, why can’t He do the same for you this time?

Most of all, God brings us into a storm, not to bring us down but to bring us higher. From going through the storm, the disciples learn who Jesus is. Jesus is God. And nothing is impossible for Him! Jesus showed the disciples that He is bigger than the storm! And likewise, through our storm, He will show us that He is bigger than our problem.

Pastor Joel Liew of Victory Church saying a prayer for the church

As a worship team, THE MOVEMENT focuses on teaching and allowing people to experience prophetic worship, encounter God, receive impartation from the LORD, and receive breakthrough where it is needed.

Invite THE MOVEMENT for a Spirit-filled worship by contacting Asaph at asaph86@yahoo.com or Pastor Ramesh at badgbie@hotmail.com.

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This is a story of how Ashley Low, a woman of faith, believed and prayed that God will resurrect her husband!

“How amazing God is for His amazing love for all of us! Because God has resurrected my husband from dead to life seven years ago,” said Ashley Low in an evangelistic dinner held at the River of Life Sanctuary on 25^th of November, organized by the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship (FGBMF).

After his husband was diagnosed with nose cancer 17 years ago, Ashley immediately called her mother to seek advice from her family medium. Growing up drinking talisman ashes, she believed that the medium could heal her husband.

Ref: pinimg

So, Ashley faithfully fed her husband ten burnt talisman in water every day. After three months, his cancer spread to his lymph nodes. This time, the medium advised Ashley to feed her husband with scorpion wine. But still, it did not work.

“So, the master (medium) said, ‘Looks like your son-in-law needs the ultimate treatment. He needs to get strike by lightning,’” said Ashley.

So, she knelt down facing the Heavens and asked God to send the lightning. When it rained, she sent Tony to the garden to wait for the lightning. But he was not struck.

Ref: latimesphoto

“Then, my mum said, ‘Come to my rooftop and sit there. Surely, you will get strike!’ I was really desperate and much blinded by my superstition. So, I did not ask any questions,” said Ashley.

She waited for a heavy downpour with rumbling thunder and lightning. When it finally came one night, Ashley immediately drove her husband to her mother’s house. Standing on the third floor, Tony sat on the roof under the rain to wait for the lightning to strike.

“My mum and I stood at the door with an umbrella, looking at him. We tried to speed up the process. I saw a TV antenna and shouted, ‘Lo kong, can you put your hand on the antenna?’ And he did exactly that,” she said.

Ref: i.imgur

The thunder came and Ashley jumped for joy! She thought her husband would get struck by lightning this time. But it did not happen. After ten minutes, the mission was called off.

“Do you know how good God is? Even though I did not know God, He preserved Tony’s life so that he can tell you His mighty wonderful story today,” said Ashley.

Nine months passed without seeking treatment. At this point, the cancer had spread to Tony’s bones. He could not sleep at night. The couple finally decided to visit the hospital. Following a MRI scan, the doctor revealed that the cancer had spread to many lymph nodes and eight parts of his bones.

“My mother called and said that the master wanted to come and pray for my husband. I told my mother that I never wanted to see him again,” said Ashley.

So, the couple converted from Taoism to Buddhism. They meditated daily and became vegetarians for ten years. They even went to Tibet, India and Kathmandu to learn and practice the precepts.

Ref: i.telegraph

“We are trying to seek the truth and find the cure for cancer. But we never found any cure,” said Ashley.

In 1998, the doctor diagnosed Tony at stage four of cancer. He was told that he only had another three months to live. The chemotherapy he went through shrunk his cancer. But it came back three times after that.

The second attack came in year 2000, attacking his eyes, followed by his bones and finally his brain in year 2008. The tumour grew to be as big as an avocado in the brain.

In year 2005, Ashley accepted Jesus Christ. That is three years before her husband’s brain operation. God spoke to her at 3 AM while she was in deep sleep. She just returned from her family pilgrimage trip from India. In the trip, her husband and son shove their head and wore orange robes like monks for seven days.

“Nobody preached to me about God. But God just echoed into my ears and asked me to go to church. I looked up at the ceiling, ‘You must be joking. I just got back from India. I am a staunch Buddhist! Why would I go to church’” she said, ignoring the voice.

Ref: threelittlewildflowers

But God was relentless and persistent with His Voice. Through another incredible journey, Ashley finally accepted Christ after one year of searching!

However, Tony still did not believe in God. Upon diagnosis of brain tumour, he resisted to seek medical advice. He knew that he was not going to make it.

Hence, the tumour kept growing until one day Tony had a major seizure and had to be admitted into the hospital. Before the operation, Ashley invited her pastor to come pray for him.

“When the pastor came to the ward, my husband chased him out. He said, ‘I don’t need to know your God. I already found my god. If you want me to believe your God, I need a direct line,’” said Ashley.

Ref: newchurch

The pastor still prayed for Tony before his 16-hour operation. Ashley knew that she had to send a prayer request to all her church friends as well.

On the fourth night after the operation, four doctors called Ashley and Tony’s father to the hospital. They wanted them to sign a consent form to switch off the life-support machines that kept Tony alive. His lungs, kidneys, and brain were no longer working.

“On that night, I bowed down and cried out to God. And I remembered what the Bible told me in Jeremiah29:13. It says, ‘You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.’

“So, I used that and asked the LORD. I said, ‘LORD, tonight I want to claim all your promises because you said that even though my husband is not a believer, he has been sanctified by a believing wife.’ (1 Cor 7:14)

“I prayed that night and asked God to reveal to me on what I should do. On that night, the LORD revealed to me, John 11:11. He said, ‘He has fallen asleep; but I am going there to wake him up,’” said Ashley.

Jesus waking Lazarus up from the dead in John 11 | Ref: pinimg

So, she waited. On the fifth day, another organ of Tony began to fail. Ashley panicked because God was supposed to heal him. On that day, Pastor James came to the hospital and gave her a CD called ‘Breath of God.’ This CD had woke a 10-year-coma patient in Assunta hospital before.

“I played the CD right next to my husband’s bed. After playing for five minutes, I saw tears rolling down from his eyes. I knew at that instant, that God’s healing already began in him,” said Ashley.

She asked the LORD for confirmation. And the LORD revealed to her Ezekiel 37:12-14, which says:

Therefore prophesy and say to them: ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says: “I am going to open your graves and bring you up from them; I will bring you back to the land of Israel. Then you, my people, will know that I am the Lord, when I open your graves and bring you up from them. I will put my Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land. Then you will know that I the Lord have spoken, I have done it, declares the Lord.”

Ref: licdn

At that time, Pastor James told her that she needs to destroy three idol things, which belonged to her husband. But she chose to guard Tony instead.

When the sixth day came, another organ of Tony was about to fail. She knew she had to burn the idol things. She rushed to her mother’s house with her sister-in-law. But when she reached there, she could not speak a word seeing the idols standing before her in the house.

Her sister-in-law spoke and asked her mother for the idols. To Ashley’s surprise, her mother brought out all of Tony’s idols in a wheelbarrow, filled with lots of newspapers, a matchstick and a kerosene.

“At that instant, I knew that God’s miracle was happening in front of me. I was too busy looking at my mum. And I thought to myself, ‘Will she scold me?’ But God paved the way,” said Ashley.

Ref: pinimg

Pastor James came to burn the idols beside the dog’s house. The next day, which is the seventh day, Tony woke up.

“I called my mum and told her, ‘Mum, Tony woke up!’ My mum was so happy to hear the good news. But she said to me, ‘So good to hear that Tony woke up but I don’t know why my dog died!’” said Ashley.

“When my husband woke up, the first thing he said was, ‘I saw Jesus,’” she added. “He wanted his direct line. So, now he got his direct line.”

To you it was shown that you might know that the LORD, He is God; there is no other besides Him. (Deut 4:35)

“Sometimes, I asked God why we have to go through a lot of adversities and sufferings. But now I know that only through the sufferings of our own journey, we can draw close to God,” said Ashley before her husband Tony’s sharing.

Out of the 220 attendees invited for the evangelistic dinner, more than 30 people accepted Christ. Praise God!

The attendees of the evangelistic dinner who accepted Christ having heard of the incredible healing hands of God

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Seventeen years ago, Tony Low was diagnosed with nose cancer. When Tony died, he saw Jesus Christ, a luminous man wearing a long robe. Jesus resurrected Tony from the dead!

And today, he is alive – speaking and praising God for His miraculous healing hands. He is a God of second chances.

Tony Low (2nd from left) with his wife Ashley Low (1st from left)

“I have turned away from God for fifty years, until I saw Jesus Christ seven years ago. So, what did I learn from God?

“It doesn’t matter what language you speak – French, Spanish, Italian – whatever language it is, this God understands the language of prayer! So, if you want to talk to Him, you got to speak by prayer,” said Tony Low.

Ref: scripturalism

Tony spoke in an evangelistic dinner held at the River of Life Sanctuary in Desa Sri Hartamas, on 25^th of November. Organized by the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship (FGBMF), more than 220 people attended this event.

The doctors wanted his wife Ashley Low and his father to sign the consent form. But Ashley refused. On the fifth day after his brain operation, he had a vision.

The first thing he saw was his body lying on bed.

“I asked myself, ‘Why am I looking at myself?’ Then, a very strong voice said, ‘Look up.’”

“I saw a bright sun faraway in the sky. It’s like the Heavens were opening up. The clouds were moving right and left away from the centre. And this incredible sun started coming down.

Ref: purpleark

“Then, it started changing shape. I realized that it was not the sun! It was a being. It was someone wearing a long gown like the color of the sun, shining very brightly,” Tony said.

Pure light emanated from the being that he could only see the silhouette of the body. The being came nearer and nearer. Finally, he stood on the right side of Tony.

“So, I always asked all the pastors, ‘Why is this God so shy? He didn’t want to see me eye to eye.’ But now I know the Bible. Exodus 33:23 says, ‘You cannot see my face, for no one may see me and live.’

“I can tell you that the God whom you serve today is basically light! Go to 1 John 1:5. Jesus is light and there is no darkness in Him at all,” he said.

Ref: betterchristianity

The LORD’s voice rumbled like the thunder. Hearing His voice, Tony’s body quaked before Him. Jesus said to Tony, “Tony, doooo nottttt be afraaaaidddd… Remeeeeemmberrr thisss: I waaaalkkk in froooontt of youuuu fooorrr the ressssttt offf yourrrr lifeeeeee.”

Tony woke up on the seventh day. His wife Ashley immediately brought in the doctor to test his kidneys and lungs. They were working hundred per cent like normal.

But when the brain surgeon came, he told Tony that he had removed a quarter of his brain. As a result, Tony would be paralyzed from neck down.

“You know God never gave me something without a reason. I was paralyzed because I was a stubborn man. I had to wear pampers because I could not go to the toilet.

“Two nurses had to carry me, one on the left and one on the right to help me sit on the toilet bowl. And these nurses were ladies! God is telling me, ‘You want to live like this without me?’

“So, I became very hungry for God. Sitting on the wheelchair, every pastor would ask me the same question, ‘You cannot use your hands. Someone can put the Bible in front of you. But who turns the Bible for you?’

Ref: bible-web-big

“Ahhh… you better come and know this God. He had a sense of humor! Paralyzed from neck down, I prayed to God, ‘I want to know you.’ Nothing moved. I am still paralyzed. But suddenly, my little finger began to move. This awesome God allowed me to turn the Bible to read!” said Tony.

So, he did nothing but read the Bible day and night. In only one month, he finished reading the whole Bible. Upon closing the book with his pinky finger, he felt his feet burning in hot fire. Instinctively, he jumped out from his wheelchair!

“Can you imagine I jumped up? I looked right and left. I thought I saw another vision. It could not be real. How could I be standing? That’s because I didn’t know this God! Our God can create something out of nothing!” said Tony.

So, he called his wife Ashley to witness his first few steps. From waddling like a baby, he danced with his wife in three hours! Praise God!

Ref: indonesiandancefestival

“This God is real! It’s not just talk from the air. He only gave me one assignment and that is to tell you that He is the Living God,” said Tony.

For this is what the Lord says—

he who created the heavens,

    he is God;

he who fashioned and made the earth,

    he founded it;

he did not create it to be empty,

    but formed it to be inhabited—

he says:

“I am the Lord,

    and there is no other.

(Isa 45:18)

 

Having part of his brain removed, Tony should be paralyzed from neck-down. But today, Tony is walking, dancing, and rejoicing with the Lord.

Nothing is impossible for God! He is an almighty and all-powerful God. On that evangelistic dinner night, more than 30 people accepted Jesus Christ.

Tony Low (6th from right) with his wife Ashley Low (7th from right)

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“Tonight, can we extend the boundaries of what we think is appropriate and stop to clean it up. Stop trying to make it tidy. Let’s get messy! Cause I tell you when the Spirit of the Living God falls in your heart, it’s messy.

“When the Spirit of conviction comes, He rights things that are wrong. He heals brokenness. It’s messy. So, let revival happen in all its messy glory tonight!” said Jacob Cook from Bethel Music on 18^th of October in SIBKL, Petaling Jaya.

From left to right: Amanda Cook, Josh Baldwin, and Hunter Thompson

More than 1,700 people came to worship in the Spirit-saturated night of the Californian worship group, with Jeremy Riddle, Kalley Heiligenthal, Amanda Cook, Josh Baldwin, and Hunter Thompson onstage.

Before the worship began, Jacob prayed for God to enlarge the hearts of the attendees, so that they will have a bigger capacity to dream and imagine. He prayed that revival will happen in Malaysia.

Standing in the gap, the worshippers of Bethel Music prayed until God’s presence would come like a hurricane and stir up faith to a flickering light and a full-blown fire in Malaysia.

Everyone lifting their hands to worship God

“There is only one condition that happening. You always have to be one accord. Let us tear down that separation. We are the sons and daughters of one Father. We are family. This isn’t just an event or concert. This is our living room. We are all love-sick for Jesus”.

As Bethel Music sang their first song, Fall Afresh, the Holy Spirit’s presence was invited in.

Kalley Heiligenthal and Jeremy Riddle feeling the Presence of God

Jacob Cook sharing the Word of God

“Holy Spirit, You are welcomed. It’s You, we want to see. It’s You, we want You to fill us. Pour on us afresh. Do something extraordinary in this place tonight. Holy Spirit, may Your breath fall and may your tongues of fire fall”.

The crowd lifted their hands feeling the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, which saturated the atmosphere. All eyes were on Jesus, the King of kings and the Lord of lords.

Worshipers of the Bethel Music nigh, in Spirit and Truth

“The atmosphere on that night was emotional but electric with the Spirit of God ever present. Each song just drew me closer to God’s great calling,” said Adrian Nicholi Vincent, an attendee of the Bethel Music.

Another attendee Grace Sng added, “There was such an atmosphere of deep hunger and keen anticipation for God’s Presence to manifest. I could recall numerous moments when it felt like the heavens were opened. Everyone just lifted unhindered praise and worship to God in one spirit and heart.”

Everyone lifting their hands as one body in Christ

On that night, Bethel Music worshipped a repertoire of songs including Breaking Through, Ever Be, God I look to you, No Longer Slaves, We will not be Shaken, Our Father, Forever, One Thing Remains, etc.

“I hope that we are on a voyage of discovering that God has been on our side all along that we can live a whole life full of heart, with the capacity to process pain, wrestle with truth, and find ourselves steady at the end of our pilgrimage.

“There is an endless possibility for God to create a world within us, a world transformed through the bravery of perfect love. My prayer is that you will experience that realm… that you are a brave new world.

Jeremy Riddle basking in the Presence of God

“May you be filled with hope with the One who’s mercy is timeless and whose love remains kind, as boundless as the sea,” said Amanda Cook in a video shown, relating to their vision for Bethel Music next year.

Jacob Cook shared about how a song called Kind was written by his wife Amanda from their house, which filled the place with God’s Presence. The song talks about what God is not.

“I so long for the day where Malaysian believers and all of the prophetic songs that you write with those unique expressions in love… So, write your songs. Painters, paint your paintings. Dancer, dance your dance,” he said to a roaring applause of the audience agreeing with his hope.

Amanda Cook leading worship with passion

“God is the creator of arts. That’s the best way to teach the world how to love God. I am so grateful”.

The worship night ended with an encouragement, “I just want to say that we are so proud of you… You guys are carrying a torch to your nation. No matter what happens, that torch is touching so many parts of the earth. So, when you are raised, shine your light no matter what.

“We just feel this hunger that is unmatched. There is something about Southeast Asia. There’s this tipping point where the believers had been contending for something so long but the world oppresses the object of your desire – the outpouring of the Spirit in your nation. If you press a little longer, that will happen”.

God’s presence manifested strongly and heaven was brought to earth as the Bethel Music team guided every attendee to usher in the Spirit and fully surrender their whole hearts to Jesus Christ.

The Bethel Music team praying for Jeremy Riddle

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During this year-end school holiday, Acts Global Networking (AGN) launched a three-day English literacy programme from 7^th to 9^th of December for Jinjang Utara Rumah Panjang in collaboration with HELP University (HELP).

A total of 140 children of Jinjang Utara aged 6 to 17 learned how to read and write English from the Jolly Phonics English curriculum, some of them for the first time.  

Held at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Jinjang, YB Datuk Dr. Loga Bala Mohan, Deputy Minister of Federal Territories, officiated the closing ceremony of this programme.

Pastor Raymond Mooi, Director of AGN, gave a closing speech, followed by Dato’ Professor Dr. Zakaria Ahmad, HELP University Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), and YB Datuk Dr. Loga Bala Mohan.

Souvenirs were presented to the sponsors for the event before the live demonstration of students completing the English literacy programme.

Presentation of appreciation plaque by YB Datuk Dr. Loga (middle) to HELP representative Dato’ Professor Dr. Zakaria Ahmad (right), accompanied by AGN Director Rev Raymond Mooi (left)

Pastor Raymond Mooi, AGN Director, giving a speech in the closing ceremony

“Education is one of the few things that does not get wasted, lost or devalued. Not only a child can gain knowledge through education, learning also trains his or her mental discipline.

“A better educated child has a better chance in their future career, especially in a time where illiteracy is almost impossible to find,” said Pastor Raymond Mooi, Director of AGN.

Arrival of the poor children of Jinjang Utara at the school by a AGN-sponsored bus

Whilst many parents enroll their children for school holiday camps to acquire a new skill, hundreds of parents from Jinjang Utara could not even make ends meet.

Living in a hand-to-mouth existence, ten children are typically found cramped into a dilapidated 480-square-foot space, amidst increasing threats of gangs, drug pushers, prostitution, and violence.

Hence, in light of their plight, AGN decided to teach the poor children of Jinjang Utara English language, an international and global language.

Widely employed by schools in United Kingdom, they decided to employ the Jolly Phonics English curriculum to teach.

A student of HELP university teaching the poor children of Jinjang Utara how to read

“We employ this curriculum to help the poor children of Jinjang Utara to read and write English. Most of them do not go to school – some even at the age of ten to eleven years old.

“Hence, through this programme, we hope to assist them to gain entry into schools and complete their education,” said Mary Ramamoothy, Event Coordinator of AGN, adding how they also provide them tuition assistance as well.

Under Datin Sara Skadiang, certified trainer of the curriculum, 30 HELP college students were vigorously trained over two days to teach the poor children of Jinjang Utara synthetic phonics.

The result of programme was staggering as the children successfully mastered all 42 sounds. This shows us that the children have a high enthusiasm and capacity of learning a new language, which is undoubtedly the doorway to acquiring more knowledge in the English medium.

Enthusiastic faces of the children, having mastered all 42 sounds

“I am so amazed with how the children could pick up English so quickly. When they first came, some of them could not even speak a word. But in only three days, all of them could speak English,” said Jonathan Ambalagan, another AGN Event Coordinator.

“Moving forward, we hope to get more well-educated and qualified individuals who would volunteer to teach the children on a regular and consistent basis.

“We have the burden for their future. But change can only happen when we put our hands together for a single cause,” added Chong Weng Lian, Chief Operating Officer of HELP Academy.

Revision of the lessons led by Jolly Phonics trainer, Datin Sarah Skadiang

Growing up as an orphan, Pastor Raymond also echoed the same sentiment, “Compassion will always give you the passion to go the extra mile and make a sacrifice to serve the ones you love with joy.

“In fact, I believe that all of us can really be God’s answers to those who are sick, those without hope, and those who are suffering and hurting. We truly hope that more people can join us to help these children.”

Live Demo of the Jinjang Utara children of the Jolly Phonics programme

The poor children of Jinjang Utara need our support! We know that only education holds the power to break poverty.

Support a child for one year now with only RM1000. This amount will cover a child’s uniforms, shoes, school fees, transportation fees, and curricular activities.

AGN is also currently raising funds to build a resource center for the poor community of Jinjang Utara.

Group photo at the Closing Ceremony with the VIPS, Jinjang Utara children, teachers from HELP and volunteers from AGN

For this three-day launch, AGN sponsored the food, learning materials, stationery and transportation for all the students, while HELP covered the training cost for the teachers.

Please contact Mary Ramamoothy, Event Coordinator of AGN, if you would like to assist as a volunteer or assist financially. You can contact her at 016-367-2568 or email her at maryjonathan.acts@gmail.com.

ABOUT: ACTS Global Networking (AGN) is a non-profit organisation mainly focusing on education and social concern activities. One of the community activities that it has been involved in over the past fifteen years is its “street ministry” where the organisation reaches out and helps the hurting and neglected children and youth in Jinjang. Weekly outdoor activities with an average attendance of 100 are conducted to instill moral values in children. Volunteers even make weekly home visits to better respond to each family’s respective needs. AGN has many success stories of these children having progressed to secondary education and a few are even completing their university education through the sponsorship of kind benefactors like HELP Education Group. AGN has been extending support, counseling and meeting the material needs of this needful community for over 15 years.

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When 34-year-old Reverend Simon Soh found out that he would be transferred from pastoring in Cameron Highlands to Kota Bharu, he was obedient to follow the instruction of the Bishop of the Anglican Church in West Malaysia.

Yet, the LORD had also been preparing Pastor Simon’s and his wife Choo Pei Ting’s hearts to come to Kota Bharu during a clergy retreat there last year.

During the retreat, they were touched by retired Bishop Andrew Phang’s testimony on how he heeded the call of his Bishop to transfer from Kuala Lumpur to Kuantan.

Pastor Simon (far right) with his wife Choo Pei Ting (2nd from right) in his former church in Cameron Highlands, All Souls Church

“I believe God allowed us to listen to Bishop Phang’s testimony to encourage us, at that time,” said Pastor Simon.

His wife Pei Ting added, “I was really encouraged to see how the Bishop submitted to God although his children preferred to stay in Kuala Lumpur. The transfer was easier for us because we are adults. We can adapt to the transition better.”

During the retreat, they had the opportunity to visit Saint Martin’s Anglican Church together with the other pastors. Having surveyed the place, the couple had an idea of how the church looks like.

Hence, on 13^th of January this year, they moved to St. Martin’s Church, with the hope to reach out to the neighbouring Chinese community there.

Pastor Simon Soh and his wife Pei Ting attending the Singapore-Malaysia Chinese Clergy Retreat in Kota Bharu in September 2014

And since they moved there by faith, they had never stopped seeing the goodness of God!

The Anglican Diocese of West Malaysia donated a sum of money to restore their church after the devastating floods in December last year.

A brother-in-Christ also sponsored the construction of a compound wall and fence to replace the 30-year old chain-link fence.

Four young men from the MV Logos Hope helped to re-paint the interior walls of their vicarage, which had watermarks from the flood.

Pastor Simon (far right) and his wife Pei Ting (2nd from right) having breakfast with Logos Hope Volunteers

The couple are also thankful to Mr Arthur De Silva and his wife Shirley for graciously offering their home for them to stay during their first three months in Kota Bharu.

During that time, Pastor Simon and his wife had the opportunity to clean and refurbish their vicarage, which is located next to the church.

Not only that, in August this year, the choir group Hymnsmen did not mind driving for nine hours all the way from Kuala Lumpur to perform in their 20-member church.

“We hope churches in the west coast would send their talented troop to churches in Kota Bharu, so that we can invite our neighbours and other churches to come and enjoy the performance as well,” said Pastor Simon.

Pastor Simon (Back row, 3rd from left) in a Chinese Disciple Makers Seminar at Our Saviour’s Church in Kuala Lumpur

Mostly, he thanked his mother and his 101 year-old grandmother who had been encouraging him to be a pastor, which led him to quit his corporate work in Fernleaf and Talam Transform Berhad.

Since young, they saw that he was a prayerful person, with an innate desire to share the gospel even during his secondary school days.

In fact, his sharing was so persistent that his friends would nickname him as ‘Ye So Chai’ or Jesus’ man.

“Of course, at that time I was very bold. I was not worried about how my classmates would see me.  But today, I must use wisdom to bring them to Christ in a way that does not offend them,” said Pastor Simon.

Pastor Simon Soh (far right) and his wife Pei Ting (5th from right) throwing a farewell gathering for Reverend James Ming and his family

Having settled in for close to one year now, Pastor Simon is getting used to his busy routine of preparing sermons, leading a weekly bilingual Bible study, and also overseeing the renovation works in the church compound.

“If God has called you to serve here, do not wait. But seize the opportunity because the days are short already. The LORD is coming back soon.

“So, we better work hard while we have daylight. We need to respond to His Calling by faith and trust Him,” he added.

Pastor Simon celebrating his wife Pei Ting’s birthday in the Saint Martin’s Anglican church in Kota Bharu

A ‘ye so chai’ or Jesus’ man, Pastor Simon is indeed working to show who Jesus is to the people of Kota Bharu.

However, as a new pastor in a new place, he needs a lot of prayer support from the west coast churches.

Please contact Pastor Simon at simonwmsoh@yahoo.com or cpeiting@yahoo.com if you would like to share your church’s talents or resources.

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Pastor Matt Fielder, Senior Pastor of Kingdomcity Kuala Lumpur, sat down with Christianity Malaysia for an amicable conversation on how he fell in love with this country 15 years ago.

“Something hit me when I came to Malaysia. I made a prayer to God and asked Him to break my heart for this country. And I have never prayed this in any of the country I have been in before,” said Pastor Matt who had been travelling extensively as an evangelist to many nations before.

It all began when he met three international students from Malaysia in his university student ministry in Adelaide.

Pastor Matt Fielder

“For some incredible reason, I seemed to have an affinity and connection with Malaysian students,” said Pastor Matt.

In only two years, the international students of his university ministry rapidly grew to 300 people. It was during that time as well, he found that many Malaysian and Singaporean students backslided from their faith when they came to Adelaide.

Hence in year 2002, Pastor Matt visited pastors in Malaysia and Singapore to build a relationship with them. He hoped to immediately receive and connect arriving Christian students in Adelaide and Australia to the church, so that none would lose faith.

Little did he know, God was weaving the beautiful thread of him settling in Malaysia. From that one visit, it multiplied to 60 times in the next 13 years!

“Every time I landed, I used to hear that beautiful voice in the airport, ‘Selamat datang Tuan-Tuan dan Puan-Puan.’ And that was it. I was in a mess every time I came. I found that I came alive here!” said Pastor Matt.

He also added how God molded his shepherd heart by first taking care of Asian university students.

“Once I started looking after my Asian family, it made me pastoral. It broke me and softened my heart. So, it brought a pastoral heart in me, which I didn’t know I had. So, yea, that’s a big thing for me,” said Pastor Matt.

In year 2008, Pastor Matt was prompted by God to make his visit a permanent stay. During a visit to minister in a friend’s wedding in Malaysia, he met up with his 16-year friend Pastor Mark Varughese who was the Senior Pastor of Kingdomcity Kuala Lumpur at that time.

“For some strange reason, we felt like we would work together. And because both of us have a heart for this country, it just continued from there,” said Pastor Matt.

And finally, in year 2013, Pastor Matt sold everything he had and moved to Malaysia with his wife Lisa and two daughters. With five suitcases and 20 boxes, he made his one-way trip to Malaysia.

“We felt the calling back in year 2000. But my daughters were five and three years old at that time as well. We didn’t move over until they were fourteen and seventeen years old. I wanted them to be in agreement. So, in 2011, both of my kids felt that God had spoken to them as well,” said Pastor Matt.

People would often ask why he would move from Australia to Malaysia, to which he retort why would he not. Malaysia is such a beautiful country with amazing people and food!

Pastor Matt Fielder

“I tell people that I was born in England and raised in Australia. But I was made for Malaysia. I have always felt like this is home. And people are kinda shocked to hear that,” said Pastor Matt.

Even when he had an accident in Phnom Penh, he wished that he could go home back to Malaysia! The church feels like family to him. Thus, when he landed in Malaysia, he went to the church on Sunday even though he was on leave.

“I was in church even though I should have probably rested. But I have to go and see family. I am not preaching or doing anything. I am just attending. But it’s your uncles and aunties who are there. They are giving you a big hug or the young ones talking to you. That’s family. There’s nothing better,” he said.

Firmly rooted in Malaysia now, Pastor Matt Fielder had no intention of leaving the church. He is a massive believer of being planted. In his whole life, he had only been to only three churches. He was in his first church for 18 years, before joining the Planetshakers church for nine years. And even then, Planetshakers was birthed from his first church.

“I am planted in Kingdomcity now. That’s the bottomline. God can say whatever He wants, and we will do exactly what He wants us to do. But I believe that where we are is exactly where we are supposed to be,” said Pastor Matt.

He shared that being planted in the ground provides us an unlimited space to grow our roots deep and wide, compared to a pot plant. Only when we plant ourselves in a church, we begin to grow. ‘In fact, God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as He wanted them to be.’ (1 Cor 12:18)

Pastor Matt Fielder

“If you are a guest in the church every week, you may only see five per cent of what is happening in the church. it’s like eating in a fast food restaurant every day. You missed home cooked meals,” said Pastor Matt.

More than a church, Kingdomcity is a home to Pastor Matt. And more than just church members, the people of the church are family to him.

“The defining culture of this church is acceptance of all people. Everybody that walks through the doors walks into love. That is our passion. Our whole purpose is to make this church feels like home,” said Pastor Matt.

Indeed made for Malaysia, Pastor Matt is rooted in love for his church and the people in Malaysia.

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The Book of “Lamentations” is a record about the destruction of Jerusalem and its toll on the people of Judah. It was reported to be written by Jeremiah. Though composed in poetic form, the book is not to be mistaken for a work of fiction. By writing it as a poem, the effect of the reality is delivered across more clearly.

1. The Covenant Breached

Jerusalem was totally destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians. This happened because Judea had breached the covenant (promise of eternal blessing) that GOD had given His people. This covenant was recorded in Exodus 19:5-8. It was given to Israel through Moses at Mount Sinai. It was presented decades before the Israelites entered the Promised Land. Israel’s twelve tribes were to follow GOD’s commands if they wished to remain under His protection. During the 8th to the 6th centuries BC, Israel (the northern kingdom of 10 tribes) and Judea (the southern kingdom mainly of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin—with Jerusalem its capital city) were exposed to attacks from Egypt, Assyria and Chaldea (Babylon).

Ref: freakingnews

2. The Fall of Israel and Judea 

Around 628 to 586 BC, over a period of some 40 years, three kings ruled Judea: Josiah, Jehoiakim and Zedekiah. Israel had fallen earlier to Assyria by 721 BC. This was about 135 years before Jerusalem’s fall. The fall of Jerusalem had been prophesised for about 100 years before the event. This prophecy was recorded in Isaiah 39:6 and Micah 4:10.

3. The Prophecy and Jeremiah

Jeremiah had prophesised that unless Judah repented, it too would fall like Israel. The covenant was breached because all classes of persons, from kings, nobility, priests, prophets, men and women were engaged in the worship of pagan idols. They had no love of GOD and preached as well as practised apostasy. Religion was superficially dealt with. The fasts and feasts decreed by GOD were neglected. False, foolish and misleading visions were championed by Jerusalem’s prophets.

The sin of Judea was never exposed by her prophets(Lam 2:14).Things were so bad that GOD even assured Jeremiah that He would pardon Judah if only He could find one person who lived truthfully and who practised justice in Judea(Jer 5:1). This was not to be the case. Jeremiah instead prophesised that the Jews would be captives in Babylon for 70 years (Jer 25:11& 12).He himself was unharmed by the Babylonians (Jer 39:11-14). Jeremiah was kidnapped by members of the Jewish nobility and forced to live in Lower Egypt, (Jer 43:5-7) possibly till his death.

“Lamentations” was probably written during a three month period extending from the burning of Jerusalem to Jeremiah’s residence in Lower Egypt.

Ref: wikimedia

4. The Destruction of Jerusalem

Before the fall of Jerusalem, the city had a reputation of being unassailable (4:12). She was a city which represented the perfection of beauty and was a joy to all who saw her. Jerusalem’s enemies were glad that the day of her destruction had finally arrived. They felt that it was worth their wait to witness the event (2:15-16).The whole city had been destroyed: palaces, walls, fortifications, gates (2:8& 9).However, Jeremiah realised that the enemy would be repaid by GOD for the humiliation of His people (3:60-66).A plea for the restoration of His people from the devastation was made (5:19-22). Edom, who frequently cooperated with Jerusalem’s captors in their attacks on Israel & Judea, would suffer such retribution (4:21& 22). 

5. GOD’s Response to Disobedience

GOD’s anger dealt with the source of His people’s disobedience. He uprooted it out like a consuming fire (1:18, 20; 2:3; 4:11). GOD distanced Himself from His people. He Himself cast away the glory that they represented. His wrath had now caused them to be emotionally and spiritually depressed (2:1&2). In doing this, GOD had left the way open for the enemy to subjugate His people, treating them instead as His own enemy and destroying everything in their path(2:3-5). Jerusalem received an unbearable punishment (1:14).This gave the enemy gratification that it was GOD who delivered His own people up for punishment (1:21). He had not spared their destruction and He let the enemy rejoice and triumph over the fall of His people. Never before had GOD dealt with anyone in this way (2:20). The powers of evil rejoiced at the fall of GOD’s people (1:7b). The enemy (the devil) became a glorified entity instead (1:9).

Ref: jamespaulgaard

6. Magnitude of Divine Punishment

The greatness and majesty of Judah was taken way (1:1&6) and desolation and bitterness pervaded the lives of its inhabitants. Treachery and enslavement by Judea’s enemies was the only way of life (1:3 & 5). The pain was intensified by GOD’s anger at them and they felt it terribly (1:12&13). A crushed and trodden spirit was present in people’s lives. Sorrow and comfort seemed distant. When people’s hands were outstretched for some sort of deliverance, the only response they obtained was a spiteful one (1:15-17). Multitudes were slain in the street and death reeked in their houses (1:20 & 21).This was punishment for rebellion (1:18).People were being eliminated openly amidst their moaning & groaning (2:5). The bitter side of GOD’s purpose had been fulfilled as He had promised (1:17&18; 2:17; Jer 5:15-17).  

7. The Life of Despair

7.1 Cost

The standard of living in Jerusalem had fallen as basic survival rather than prosperity was the focus (1:11; 5:9). Life had seemed cheap (4:1&2).People recalled their former days of abundance. Now they had no vision from GOD (1.7a; 2:9&10). Those who used to be well-off were now exposed to hardship (4:5).Everyone lost their inheritance (5:2). They now had to pay for basic utilities such as wood and water (5:4).

7.2 Social Profile

GOD’s people became despised and were dishonoured. Their hearts were weakened with their lack of confidence (5:17). They appeared to be the equivalent of a morally and spiritually bankrupt people (1:8-10). They were exposed to famine (1:11; 5:10).People’s looks were totally transformed. They were not a sight to admire (4:8), possibly due to hunger, captivity and depression.

No age group was spared death and enslavement. No joy was found amongst GOD’s people (5:11-15).There was no family life. Society had broken down (2:9). People led lives that were the equivalent of being slaves (1:3; 5:3 & 5).Jerusalem’s nobility (the younger generation) had fled the country (1:6).Men had no identity and appeared to be mere physical creatures (4:1-2).

Ref: blogspot

Women took their degradation quietly and the elders were equally silent in their mourning (2:10, 5:11). Infants had no food (4:3&4). Openly, there was vast suffering in the streets with the death of infants if they had not yet been carted off by the enemy (1:5; 2:11&12). Women were even considered to have abandoned their children (4:3).Children strived amidst hunger, and women ate their healthy infants—a satanic practice, no doubt (2:19 & 20; 4:10)! Young men, representing the future generation, were slain on the streets (1:15; 2:21).Terror was felt on all sides by women when they saw this happening (2:22).

Priests, prophets, men and women were physically ostracised by their invading captors (4:15-20). Priests and prophets were slain unsparingly in their very own sanctuary by the enemy (2:20).GOD seemed to have destroyed the very religious structure that He had established at Sinai (2:6 & 7).

Compared to Sodom, which was destroyed instantly, Jerusalem was probably worse off. This was because she had to ride out her punishment under her enemies (4:6). She was uprooted and exiled to Babylon, some 500 miles away. This was for a period amounting to 70 years and Judeans then knew what it was to be exploited as a prisoner, living under conditions of slavery in a foreign land.

8. The Prophet’s Spiritual Reflections

The author of “Lamentations” experienced terrible alienation. He was in tears and his spirit was troubled. The prophet saw a massive catastrophe that possibly could never have been ended (2: 13). It seemed to him that Judea had become the world’s refuse dump (3:45). He went through bitterness, hardship as a captive (3:5-7). Physically, he felt wasted away and spiritually he seemed to be broken (3:4). He sensed that he was biting the road and eating the dust (3:16). His soul appeared totally devastated and he had lost all hope and strength (3:17& 18).It seemed that prayer was blocked off by GOD. The prophet felt that he was like prey to beasts and a target for destruction—except that it was GOD who appeared to be his enemy(3:8-13).His sense of alienation was so bad that it looked as to him as though everyone considered him a fool (3:14).

Ref: gci

However, despite this dark cloud, the author learnt the meaning of humility during his bitter affliction and wandering (3:19& 20). He viewed the affliction as arising from GOD’s wrath (3:1-3). He knew that GOD does not afflict His people without reason (3:22-36).Both good and evil are within the decrees of GOD, he testified (3:38). He was aware that the sin of GOD’s people had brought about the devastation—devastation so great that had never been experienced before (1:1, 2, 18 & 20). He retained his hope in GOD’s love, kindness and compassion. GOD was sufficient for him, a day at a time. The prophet realised that his redemption would eventually come about. He accepted that his wait for restoration would prove to be a good thing in time to come. The magnitude of his suffering did not escape him (3:46-59).He recognised his own sin and offered up his repentance (3:39-44).

9. Lessons from Lamentations

Reflections on the destruction of Jerusalem illustrate the following considerations:

1. i) GOD is patient with those who disobey His laws: He gives them ample warning and time to repent;
2. ii) When His patience runs out on us, GOD’s intervention would be very devastating physically, emotionally and spiritually; we would be “sinners in the hands of an angry GOD” (paraphrasing Jonathan Edwards, the 18th century American preacher and theologian);

iii) GOD will use the agencies of the unsaved when dealing with us over our sin;

1. iv) GOD’s use of the unsaved for His purposes will not exempt them from His retribution later;
2. v) Before imposing intense suffering on us for our correction, GOD would have forgiven us;
3. vi) GOD’s love for His people is all-pervading: He would ultimately restore His blessings to us—but the punishment must be served out, though;

Ref: god-heart

vii) Sin is always present in our lives: it must seriously and immediately be dealt with and not taken lightly—the longer the delay for repentance, the more likely sin may become a way of life and the greater would be the devastation, if sin were allowed to persist;

viii) defeat, destruction, devastation, desolation, despair, depression, dispossession, degradation and demonisation, which constitute the spirit of an alienated people, came across the whole of Jerusalem from hell: GOD’s people alone, had invited this on themselves;

1. ix) Jerusalem was destroyed twice in history on such a scale as recorded in “Lamentations”: the second occasion was in 70 AD– Christ Himself then warned His people of their soon-to-be experience (Matt 24:34);
2. x) The lament on Jerusalem is a very graphic warning about hell—hell is downtrodden Jerusalem magnified infinite times over.

                                          ————–

NOTE: Tony Dibble worships at Endeavour Christian Gathering, in Perth, Western Australia. Prior to this, he was attending the Church of Our Holy Saviour (COHS), in Labuan, East Malaysia. When in Kuala Lumpur, he worships and preaches at Faith Oasis Fellowship (FOF) Subang Jaya, Selangor.

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“As a new tree today, we should be producing a different fruit. But if you and I are producing the same fruit – you are still a very hot-tempered person, you are still a greedy person, you are still a materialistic person, you still don’t know how to apportion your finances for God – you are still the same person in your life before Christ,” said Rev Lawrence Yap, Senior Pastor of Charis Christian Centre in Cheras on 10^th of January, 2015.

Nothing changed because of the error in our understanding. We want the healing but we do not want the Healer. We want the comfort but we do not want the Comforter. We want the blessings but we do not want the Blesser. 

Even the evangelist Billy Graham noted that only 0.1 per cent of the thousands who received Christ in his evangelistic events, return for discipleship.

“It’s not because God is not real but people went there for His benefits, without realizing that God actually calls us for sacrifice instead of only benefits. Unless there’s surrender, there’s no fruit-bearing business.”

Rev Lawrence Yap, Senior Pastor of Charis Christian Centre

How do we know that God has transformed our lives? The people around us would be able to see a visible change in us.

“When our old classmates see us in our reunion, some of them would say, ‘You really changed. You know, you were a rascal in class before. How come you’re so gentle now?’ Then you say, ‘I thank God, He changed my life.’

“Congratulations to all of you when your old classmates or relatives gave you that remark. Not that you’re doing better on your own. But by the grace of God, we have been transformed. Let us not fail to realize that what we are is the result of God working in us.”

The work of God starts from within. Although we are good-looking in appearance, the Lord looks at our heart.

Ref: chubbybeavers

“I’m sure you have encountered many beautiful women and handsome men. But after you know them, you know them as ‘the dark force.’ We are supposed to change after believing in Jesus. 

“You may have all the charisma in the world. But charisma without character equals to catastrophe. I’m sure you have seen enough – whether one is a celebrity or a world leader – without character, there is no support. And they end up becoming a catastrophe.” 

Some world-class athletes for example made hundreds of millions, yet a few still fell in bankruptcy. Without character, their lives became a catastrophe. 

“This reminds me of the Old Testament… God is a God of Details. He gave very detailed instructions on how the robe should be designed.”

At the hem of robe, we will see a bell and pomegranate alternating all around the hem. (Exo 28:34, Exodus 39:26)

“A person may have all the charisma in the world – likened to the bell with lots of noise – but without the fruit of the Spirit, without love, he is like a loud clanging cymbal.

If I speak in the tongues of men or of angels, but do not have love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal (1 Corinthians 13:1)

Ref: blogspot

“You and I have to ask ourselves, ‘Since I become a Christian, how have I been changed?’ The true us is not who we are during Sunday worship. Because entering the sanctuary, we as humans know how to use the right lingo and posture to come to church. 

“But the real us comes out when somebody blocks your car or when you come, the guard tells you not to park there. That’s our true self , when hot water is poured into the tea bag.”

Pastor Jarrid Wilson shared, “It’s true. I’m proud to be a Christian… But… I can honestly say that the way some Christians act breaks my heart. It’s something that keeps me up at night. This is my struggle.”

Wilson cited examples of how we should not take our critical judgment of other people’s actions to the social media.

“Don’t jump to your own dogma and proclaim whether some people are going to hell… Sometimes, we can be the worse critic and the most arrogant person. We have come to the state of being self-righteous and began to bring down judgment to other people,” said Pastor Lawrence.

Where is the fruit of the Holy Spirit?

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)

Pastor Lawrence praying for blessing and healing for the school students and elderly folks

Fruit also means the good works that God has prepared us to do. Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.”

In fact, James made this statement even clearer. James 2:14-17 says, “What good it is, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, ‘Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,’ but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it. In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.”

“I have this conviction, that the Christian faith is not about walking into the church but walking out of the church to bless others. So many people have the notion of walking into the church – ‘That represents our Christian faith.’

“But it’s how you walk out of the church and what kind of person you are, which represents your Christian faith. Your Christian life does not end on Sunday, but church is out there from Sunday to Saturday, when you are out in the community.

“I pray that you will capture the statement I am making here. It is what happens when we walk out of there. Have the Word of God challenge your action plans? That is the bearing of fruit that we want to emphasize, especially when there’s a fair bit of hype in religious conformity.” 

Pastor Lawrence Yap

Divisions happened in the church over petty arguments such as if we should give out Angpow or if we should participate in Lou Sang (a Chinese New Year tradition of mixing food ingredients of a dish), to name a few.

“No point arguing about small matters like these. But are we doing things that will forge out unity and bring out the Love of God?”

A recent news told how a good-natured doctor called the ambulance and stayed with an elderly wounded man, despite him hurling racial remarks at her.

“I mean… is that what your religion is about? We argue what to touch, what not to touch, what to abstain, and what not to abstain. There’re so many believers arguing about rights and rituals that they don’t focus on discipleship.

Ref: squarespace

“It’s not only about being knowledgeable in the Word of God. But it’s about living it out to walk the talk. It’s time where Christians walk the talk. People do not need religion. They need care, love, concern, and understanding, which should be the fruit of our religious beliefs.

“Let me ask this question: What acts of kindness have you done to display the love of God? What changes have taken place? I am not saying an overnight change. Since you become a beliver, have you brought the fruit of soul into the Kingdom? 

“One of the things in God’s heart is to bring souls into the Kingdom. I want to challenge you to bring at least two people into the Kingdom of God. Our fruitfulness does matter to God. It’s not God’s intention for you to just float through life. He has given and commissioned us uniquely to bring forth fruits.”

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