On 25^th of July, 158 participants came to learn about the meaning of intercession from Dr Bradley Stuart – founder and director of Yada International – at New Life Restoration Centre, Petaling Jaya. Yada International provides resources to help the Body of Christ to know God’s destiny for them through intimacy with Him.

Two-third of the participants were under 35 years old, answering the burden and call of organizers Malaysia National Prayer Nurturing (MNPN) and Malaysian Youth Prayer Gathering (MYPG) to nurture the young in finding intimacy with God through prayer and intercession.

Dr Bradley began teaching about intercession with its meaning first. Intercession means to “enter-into-a-session-with-God.” According to the Collins Dictionary, intercession is “to come between two parties or act as a mediator or advocate; to intercede in the strike.” The two key words here is being a “mediator” and an “advocate.”

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So, what does the Bible tells us about intercession? Although the word “intercession” is found a few times in the Bible, its true meaning can be seen through many practical examples of people recorded in the Bible.

For one, Moses stood in the gap for the Israelites before God, when the Israelites sinned against God in making the golden calf. (Exo 32) He reminded God of His Covenant with the Israelites. And this turned God’s wrath away. Psalm 106:23 says, “Therefore He (God) said that He would destroy them, had not Moses His chosen one stood in the breach before Him, to turn away His wrath from destroying them.” Hence, when God’s wrath comes, we can call for His Mercy.

Moses standing in the gap between God and Israel | Ref: pukwang

Moses and Aaron also stood in the gap and atone for the Israelites’ rebellion against Moses, which stopped the plague that killed 14,700 people that day. (Numbers 16:49) Number 16:48 says, “He (Aaron) took his stand between the dead and the living, so that the plague was checked (or stopped).” What a powerful privilege God has given us, that we can stand in the gap and stop the plague of corruption in this land. This is because God is a God of truth and justice.

We can also see how intercession and practical actions for deliverance come hand-in-hand. When Moses was on his way to Egypt to redeem the Israelites, the Lord sought to kill him. This is because although Moses was chosen, he had not circumcized his son, which defied the ordinance of God. Having discerned this, his wife Zipporah quickly took a flint and circumcized her son. And this has stopped God from killing Moses. (Exo 4:24-26) Hence, Zipporah had saved her husband’s life by taking practical actions, in addition to praying in her room.

Moses bidding farewell with his father-in-law before leaving to Egypt with his wife Zipporah | Ref: instonebrewer

Nehemiah had also taken practical actions after interceding.  Having heard of the ruined walls of Jerusalem, Nehemiah wept and mourned for days, fasting and praying before God. He intereceded for Jerusalem, saying, “On behalf of the sons of Israel Your servants, confessing the sins of the sons of Israel which we have sinned agaisnt You; I and my father’s house have sinned.” (Neh 1:6) Nehemiah interceded for Israel’s sins and reminded God of His Covanent with them. (Neh 1:8-9) After that, he prayed for God to grant him favor when he peititioned to King Artaxerxes to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. (Neh 1:11) God heard his prayer and granted him favor. And so, that was how the walls of Jerusalem were rebuilt.

Nehemiah meeting King Artaxerxes | Ref: reformedtheology

Prophet Daniel also saved lives by interceding and taking practical actions. During the Babylonian reign, the King Nebuchadnezzar ordered the slaining of all wisemen in the land, because none of them could descirbe his troubled dream. Having heard this, Daniel who was amongst the wisemen, interceded with three of his friends (Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah) for God to reveal the dream. So, God heard his prayer and revealed to Daniel the mystery of the dream. Daniel took this revelation to the king. And because of Daniel, all the lives of wisemen of Babylon including Daniel and his three friends, were saved. (Dan 2)

Prophet Daniel revealing to King Nebuchadnezzar his dream | Ref: google

The role of intercessor is evidently powerful in the Bible, changing the course of history and saving the lives of many. When Job was struck with disaster after disaster, he mourned and said, “There is no umpire between us, who may lay his hand upon us both.” (Job 9:33) In the Jewish law, the umpire or arbitrator works to bestow a day between party to party, for a certain time to decree, judge, or decide a matter in court. And we know God is constantly looking for a man to stand in the gap. For Ezekiel 22:30 says, “I (God) searched for a man among them who would build up the walll and stand in the gap before Me for the land, so that I would not destroy it; but I have found on one.” And how blessed we are that we have intercessors in this land, standing in the gap between God and this nation.

Job with his three friends | Ref: http://www.pathsofreturn.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/book-of-job.jpg

Nevertheless, when God reveals to us His “pearls” of wisdom and revelation, guard them carefully as precious pearls. Matthew 7:6 says, “Do not give what is holy to dogs, and do not throw your pearls before swine, or they will trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you to pieces.” In a group setting especially, pray for the spirit of discernment and wisdom in knowing who and when to release these “pearls.”

Hence, who can intercede or who can enter-into-a-session with God? Every believer in Jesus Christ can intercede but some go deeper than others. Ezekiel 47:1-5 sheds light on the depth of intercession. In this passage, God was revealing to Ezekiel a vision of  the waters from the temple.

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In verse 3 of Ezekiel 47, it says, “When the man went out toward the east with a line in his hand, he measured a thousand cubits, and he led me through the water, water reaching the ankles.” At this level, we pray occasionally, usually when we are in need. Also called as an “SOS” or “emergency” prayers, the prayer starts and ends quickly like a fizzle.

Verse 4 brings us into a deeper level of intercession. It says, “Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the knees.” At this level, we become more serious and disciplined with our prayer, having seen that God answers our prayer. Hence, we want to go deeper.

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Continuing with verse 4, it says, “Again he measured a thousand and led me through the water, water reaching the loins (around the waistline).” At this level, we began to wait upon God and listen to Him. We become alligned with God in our prayer and intercession, praying and interceding for the people according to what we hear from God.

And finally, verse 5 tells us the deepest level of intercession. It says, “Again he measured a thousand; and it was a river that I could not ford (or cross), for the water had risen, enough water to swim in, a river that could not be forded.” At this point, intercession is no longer a ministry but a way of life. We trust God enough to allow Him to carry us according to His stream, flow, and direction. We no longer resist His Will in our lives but we fully surrender and submit to His Course for us. Instead of a one-time overarching decision – to be in the river – we are called to make this decision moment-to-moment, day-to-day.

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Each believer in Jesus Christ can go in as deep as they desire or as they are willing to allow the Lord to take them to. Every one of us are called to pray and intercede. It is a way of life, not a ministry for the “more spiritual” believers. In fact, praying and interceding is an oxygen-tank, a necessary way of life to develop a more intimate relationship with God. More than a feeling-driven action, praying and interceding is an act of our will against our flesh. Jesus said before, “Keep watching and praying that you may not enter into temptation; the spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.” (Matt 26:41) If we were to pray and intercede according to our feelings, chances are we would not pray and intercede regularly and frequently.

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So, what happens when we are in the river, at a stage where we can trust and surrender to God? Ezekiel 47 gives us a beautiful picture of believers in the River of God.

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He (man in the vision) said to me (prophet Ezekiel), “Son of man, have you seen this?” Then he brought me back to the bank of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, on the bank of the river there were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then he said to me, “These waters go out towards the sea, and the waters of the sea become fresh. It will come about that every living creature which swarms in every place where the river goes, will live. And there will be very many fish, for these waters go there and the others become fresh.” (Eze 47:6-9)

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Continuing on verse 12, God revealed to Ezekiel with this vision:

“By the river on its bank, on one side and on the other, will grow all kinds of trees for food. Their leaves will not wither and their fruit will not fail. They will bear every month because their water flows from their sanctuary, and their fruit will be for food and their leaves for healing.”

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What a beautiful picture of God’s fullness in a believer, soaked in His River! We could see the brimming abundance, the constant renewal, and the continual bearing of fruit. It is a picture of paradise! The fullness of Jesus Christ in a believer, that all of us can go to, even here on earth. What a great promise we can have in God. Hence, praying and interceding is not an ancilliary religious pursuit, but a way of living and communing with our Living and Loving God.

May we all say, “God, we want You. Take us deeper with You. Teach us to pray and intercede. Enlarge our appetite and increase our desire to pray and interceded, according to Your Word. We want to go to Your Living River.” Amen.

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The post God, take me Deeper with You through Praying and Interceding – Dr Bradley Stuart appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

On 24^th of July, two servants of God came to share about the significant relationship between Christians and the Jews today in the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship (FGBMF) led by Yesudas Snalthan in Menara TA, Kuala Lumpur.

Christians (or Gentiles who accepted and believe in Jesus Christ) and Messianic Jews (or Jews who accepted and believe Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour) are in fact, brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ. The Bible says God will make both groups into one new man, reconciling them both in one body to God through the cross. (Eph 2:14-16) That is how God define church – Jews and Gentiles – worshiping together as one new man!

For He Himself is our peace, who made both groups (Jews and Gentiles) into one and broke down the barrier of the dividing wall, by abolishing in His flesh the enmity, which is the Law of commandments contained in ordinances, so that in Himself He might make the two into one new man, thus establishing peace, and might reconcile them both in one body to God through the cross, by it having put to death the enmity.

(Eph 2:14-16)

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We all know Jesus’ final commandment to the disciples before His ascension, which is, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15 NASB) And all creation means all people including the Jews.

In fact, God has never forgotten about His promises to Israel, which is essentially a Jewish nation. Some Christians believe in the replacement theology. This theology says that because the Jews have failed God. Hence, the “church” (which is made out of believing Gentiles) now replaces Israel altogether in receiving the promises of God.

But we know that this replacement theology is untrue. In 1948, God has fulfilled His Word in Isaiah 66:8 in making Israel a nation. This shows God’s ongoing fulfilment of every promise in the Bible for Israel. Israel is still God’s chosen nation because “the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.” (Rom 11:29 NASB) The question therefore is, “How are Christians a part of God’s plan in restoring Israel?”

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Besides Jesus’ final commandment to preach the gospel, there is another purpose that Jesus came for, which many churches had missed. Prophet Isaiah revealed to us this other purpose in Isaiah 49:6.

He (God) says, “It is too small a thing that You (Jesus Christ) should be My Servant

            To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel;

            I will also make You a light of the nations

            So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.”

(Isa 49:6 NASB)

We often stressed Jesus’ final commandment, but Jesus also came to restore the nation of Israel (Isa 49:6). That is to make a one new Church of the Jews and Gentiles. But how is God planning to accomplish that? Let us look at the Bible.

In Isaiah 49:11-23, God will lead the scattered nation of Israel back to their homeland, from faraway lands, from the north, from the west, and from the land of Sinim (meaning China or the East). (Isa 49:11-12) Great numbers would return to Israel until the place will be too cramped to stay. (Isa 49:20) And these are exciting times for us because we are seeing this prophecy happening now.

Exodus of the Israelites led by Moses over the Red Sea | Ref: fineartamerica

So again, how are Christians a part of this plan of Israel restoration? We can find this answer in Isaiah 49:22 NASB; God says, “Behold, I will lift up My hand to the nations and set up My standard to the peoples; and they will bring your sons in their bosom, and your daughters will be carried on their shoulders.” (Isa 49:22 NASB) Who are these nations?

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In Hebrew, these nations are called gō-w-yim, which means Gentiles. In other words, God has purposed the Gentiles to carry the Jews in our arms and on our shoulders. While we as Malaysians may not physically contribute to help Jews make Aliyah or return to their homeland, we are called to pray and intercede for the Jews to make Aliyah. We need to recognize that God has purposed Christians to be part of His Plan in revealing Jesus Christ to the Jews. In fact, Paul has mentioned about this beautiful Plan in Romans 11.

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Paul said in Romans 11:25, “For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery – so that you will not be wise in your own estimation – that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.” The Greek word for fullness is plērōma, which is the same word used for “fullness of Deity” in Christ (Col 2:9) and the “fullness of God.” (Eph 3:19)

Some Bibles translate this fullness as the “number” of Gentiles. But according to the Greek word, it would be more accurate to understand fullness as the fullness of Christ in our life, which is the maturity in Christ. And when we as individuals or collectively as “Gentile” believers come into that fullness in Jesus Christ, we become part of God’s plan in revealing Jesus Christ as the Savior to the Jews. In other words, the coming of the Church of Malaysia into her fullness, is actually part of God’s Plan in revealing Jesus Christ to the Jews!

Not only that, Paul in Romans 11:1b also says, “But by their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles, to make them jealous.” In other words, God has purposed our salvation in Christ to provoke the Jews into jealousy and into the Kingdom of God.

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To grasp the full picture of how God has interwoven Christians into Israel’s restoration, let us look at Romans 11 again. We owe our salvation to the Jews, because it is by their transgression, that salvation has come to us. (Romans 11:1) Yet, it is through our salvation and fullness in Jesus Christ, that the Jews enter the Kingdom of God. (Romans 11:25)

Why did God make this plan? God has purposed this, so that none of us can boast. The Jews cannot boast of their natural Abrahamic lineage in earning their salvation. And the Gentiles cannot boast of their free gift of salvation in Jesus Christ. “For God has shut up all in disobedience so that He may show mercy to all.” (Romans 11:32 NASB)

This is done so that all will know that it is by God’s mercy and grace, we can be reconciled to God. “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9 NASB)

Not only that, through this Plan, God is working to unite the Messianic Jews and the believing Gentiles together into one new man and one Church, and this has been mentioned many times in the Bible. (Eph 2:14-16, Gal 3:28-29, Rom 10:12, Col 3:9-11)

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God’s redemptive Plan of the Jews and Gentiles is so beautiful that even Paul exclaimed at the end, “Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and unfathomable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who became His counselor? Or who has first given Him that it might be paid back to Him again? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be the glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36 NASB)

Only in Jesus Christ, we see the beautiful Church of Jews and Gentiles connected together on the same foundation built by the prophets and apostles of the Old and the New Testament. Indeed, “there is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” (Gal 3:28) We are all but one in Christ. Amen.

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Note: To arrange for speakers for sharing about the relationship of Christians with the Messianic Jews in churches, please contact Chuck Chung at chuckchung7@gmail.com

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

Apostle Suubi with translator Pastor Hii

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

On 25^th of July, Dr Bradley Stuart, founder and director of Yada International, came to share about the difference between intercession and prayer at New Life Restoration Centre, Petaling Jaya.

Dr Bradley Stuart of Yada International in New Life Restoration Church, Petaling Jaya

Organized by Malaysia National Prayer Nurturing (MNPN) and Malaysian Youth Prayer Gathering (MYPG), the event was held to nurture intercessors and prayer warriors amongst the young people.

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men (1 Tim 2:1 KJV)

Supplication, prayer, and intercession are deepening levels of communing with God. Supplication is when we come to God with our prayer list. Prayer is when we come to God with what is in our heart. And supplication is when we start asking deeper questions such as the strategy to solve a problem.

As intercessors, we identify God’s heartbeat for a matter and we stand in the gap for God on the matter. How do we identify God’s heartbeat? We draw into intimacy with God, to hear from Him a strategy for practical action and deliverance to completely solve a specific problem.

Samuel hearing the voice of God

For example, Dr Bradley realized that the more he prayed for a specific problem, the worse it got. Hence, during his intercession with God, God showed him a tree with bad fruits, which only produced more bad fruits when pruned. Hence, the way to deal with the problem is to completely resolve it from the roots with a practical strategy.

Prayers, on the other hand, are more general and are used to directly present the needs to Jesus, so that Jesus can carry out the intercession for us. It is simply becoming aware of the needs of people and lifting their needs to Jesus. Prayers are often done in pastoral and care.

Prayer warriors also carry a larger burden than intercessors because they cover a wider area of needs, for a larger group of people.

But intercession is used on a selected few, as per need basis. For example, intercession may involve probing a specific reason of an unanswered prayer. Hence, intercession must be specific and prophetic. 

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The church needs both prayer warriors and intercessors. The prayer warriors have the duty of bringing the needs of the people to God, covering their needs and petitions.

But when the prayer warriors identify a prayer that needs intercession, these prayers are passed to intercessors to intercede for a practical strategy to completely solve the matter. Sometimes, intercessors also act as watchmen to alert the prayer warriors about a coming attack, so they can stand together against an enemy.

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Hence, without intercessors, prayer warriors would not have enough time to carry out their duties. Without prayer warriors to identify deeper needs, intercessors will not be able to remain in a place of intimacy to hear from God clearly.

What is Paul’s understanding of intercession?

We are called to pray “on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests” and to “keep on praying.” (Eph 6:18) 

Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. (Eph 6:18 NIV)

In other words, we are called to be disciplined in prayer though resisting into getting in a schedule, routine, pattern or formula. This is because we are called to “pray in the Spirit.” Hence, that means we need to allow room for Him to prompt us in His Time and in His Way to intercede. And when we follow His prompting, we will receive fresh revelation and manna every time.

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Another way of intercession is praying with the Spirit or praying with an unknown tongue. Although many charismactic churches called praying in the spirit as praying in tongues, it is actually praying with the Spirit, as mentioned by 1 Corinthians 14:14-15.

For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my understanding; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my understanding. (1 Cor 14:14-15)

Finally, travailing is the deepest form of intercession, as mentioned by Paul to the church of Galatia. (Galatians 4:19)

Travail refers to the labour pains of a woman, or painful or laborious efforts. Thus, travailing involves our Bridegroom (Jesus Christ) sharing His heart’s cry with His Bride (the Church) and giving us the Holy Spirit as our midwife, to give birth to His Heavenly purpose on earth.

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My little children, of whom I am again in travail until Christ be formed in you. (Galatians 4:19)

How does travailing look like? Romans 8:25 NIV mentioned that “the Spirit intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the spirit.” The word “wordless groans” is immediately followed by “and he who searches our hearts.” This shows that the “groans” here refers to the groans of the hearts.

In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God. (Romans 8:25-27 NIV)

In travailing, Jesus shares with us His heart burden for a specific person, group, or matter. And we began to feel His pain, sorrow, desire, and earnestness birthing from our hearts.

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We know that these feelings did not come from ourselves but they are supernaturally birthed from Him, so that we can identify with God’s heartbeat.

After travailing with Jesus, we have a newborn and intense passion and desire in us, to bring forth the good Will of God for the specific person, group, or matter, into reality.

And that is the difference between prayer and intercession, both unique but inseparable force of the Church in hosting God’s Presence and Power.

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For other articles written on Dr Bradley Stuart:

Why praying and intercession are important to God?

God, take me Deeper with You through Praying and Interceding

The post The difference between Intercession and Prayer – Dr Bradley Stuart at New Life Restoration Centre, Petaling Jaya appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

Organized by Malaysia National Prayer Nurturing (MNPN) and Malaysian Youth Prayer Gathering (MYPG), Dr Bradley Stuart – founder and director of Yada International – came to share about how we can intercede and deal with root issues, at the New Life Restoration Centre, Petaling Jaya.

Exodus 34:7 says, “Keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children and the children’s children to to the third and the fourth generation.”

The passage above talks about iniquity, transgression, and sin as unique yet connected entities to one another. All three work together and fits into Ephesians 6:12, which word “wickedness” or “ponēria” in Greek means iniquity.

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Ephesians 6:12 says, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness (iniquity) in the heavenly places.”

Iniquity starts from a person, which influences a family, a community, and finally, a nation. In other words, nothing can happen in a nation without it starting from an individual.

Praying for a person who has iniquity but perceived to have sin, is like placing a bandage on an open wound. This prayer is ineffective because it does not heal the wound. What then do we do with a person with iniquity, also known as trespasses?

James 5:16 gives us the answer saying, “Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails to much.”

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In the Old and New Testament, sin in Greek and Hebrew means “to mess them up.” Let us imagine that we are archers. The picture of sin is like us drawing a straight arrow to the target, but we keep missing the mark involuntarily due to our flesh.

The severity of sin is akin to getting a cut, which can be healed immediately by applying a band-aid. If we deal with sin, we do not need to deal with its progression towards transgression and iniquity.

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Transgression is more severe than sin. Let us imagine that we are archers again. The picture of transgression is us having a straight arrow but we willfully choose to miss the mark this time. Unlike sin, this is a willful act of rebellion and overstepping the limits we are fully aware of.

The severity of transgression is akin to getting an infection into the cut. Its bondage thus is stronger than sin. At this stage, we need to pray harder because we are opening the door for demonic powers to come in.

An example of transgression would be God saying that we shall not lie. But we go beyond the limits and overstep the boundaries. We transgress by lying knowing that it is wrong.

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Iniquity is more severe than transgression. Basically, iniquity is the result of willful and repeated action of the same transgression over time. And because we choose to repeatedly transgress against God’s Word, we sear our conscience. At this point, it becomes harder for us to differentiate right from wrong and Truth from lies.

Coming back to the picture of the archer again, iniquity is like us having a crooked arrow to begin with. Why crooked? Crooked symbolized the perversion or bending of the Truth to justify our desire to continue committing the same transgression.

At this point, we have established an automatic pattern of behavior, even though it is against the Word of God. Iniquity becomes embedded in our character, disposition or nature. As a result, we have a tendency to do wrong without even thinking about it.

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The three words that sum up iniquity are unrighteousness, wickedness, and lawlessness, that are ongoing.

Isaiah 53:5 gives us a picture of iniquity. It begins first with, “But He (Jesus Christ) was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities.”

Firstly, why “bruised”? This is because iniquity bruises our character. More than transgression, iniquity is akin to having the infection enter our bloodstream. It becomes part of who we are.

Continuing Isaiah 53:5, the following verse says, “The chastisement for our peace was upon Him (Jesus Christ), And by His stripes we are healed. All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way.”

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The iniquity in Isaiah 53 refers to this verse, “All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way.” We no longer follow God but we walk and turn as we please.

And certain iniquities have direct effect on our body. Psalm 103:3 says, “… who forgive all your iniquities and who heals all your diseases.” For example, a research study has shown that more than 60 percent of cancer patients had trouble forgiving.

Iniquity keeps us captive in one area of our life. Acts 8:23 says, “For I see that you are poisoned by bitterness and bound by iniquity.”

However, this also begs the question, “Did Christ not wash all our iniquities away when we believe Him?” The Bible did say that we are a new creation in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) and we will receive the Holy Spirit as believers in Christ (Acts 1:8).

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Nevertheless, we also carry with us rebellious patterns, from the times before we believe in Christ. The Holy Spirit continually works in us to break free from these patterns and make us more Christ-like.

For example, Dr Bradley shared how his battle with the iniquity of rejection resulted in 19 spiritual battles to completely overcome rejection.

Dr Bradley Stuart of Yada International in New Life Restoration Church, Petaling Jaya

If our sinful nature would automatically turn to be Christ-like the moment we accept Him, then why are we still struggling with some of our sinful habits even as believers?

Hebrews 12:1b says, “let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us (besets us), and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us.”

The words above were written to believers in Jesus Christ. Yet, they are called to choose to “lay aside every weight” (weight meaning sin here) and to “run with endurance.” Laying and running shows an active and repeated choice on our part, day-by-day and moment-to-moment, to follow God’s Word.

Also, it is mentioned here “the sin which so easily ensnares.” Although we believe in Jesus Christ, we are not immune to sin. In fact, it says here that sin can “easily ensnares” us.

That is why Jesus Christ gave us the Holy Spirit who will write the laws of God in our heart. (Heb 10:15-16) As long as we are in our flesh, we will go through the battle of God’s Spirit against our flesh to follow God’s Word. That is why even Paul lamented the contradicting desire of his flesh and the Spirit of God. (Gal 5:17)

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The first occurrence of iniquity in the human history is in Cain, which held him captive and caused him to rise up and to murder Abel. Punished by God, Cain said, “My punishment (also means iniquity in Hebrew) is greater than I can bear!”

And while we as civilized men shook our heads towards the great sin of murder, many iniquities can come through the word we spoke. James 3:6 says, “The tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body.”

In fact, we can trace iniquity back to the Garden of Eden, the time when Satan was casted down from Heaven.

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Ezekiel 28:15-18 says about Satan, “You were perfect in your own ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within, and you sinned. Your heart was lifted up because of your beauty; you corrupted your wisdom for the sake of your splendor. You defiled your sanctuaries by the multitude by your iniquities, by the iniquity of your trading.”

Satan did not fall because of one sin, but a “multitude of iniquities” was found in him. Satan fell because of repeated sins, which eventually turned into iniquity. It started with the iniquity of pride, followed by “a multitude of iniquities.”

Looking at the severity of iniquity, what is the responsibility of intercessors? Ezekiel 33:7-8 gives us the answer saying, “So you, son of man: I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore you shall hear a word from My mouth and warn them for Me. When I say to the wicked, ‘O wicked man, you shall surely die!’ And you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at your hand.”

The work of an intercessor is to warn the people of their specific iniquity, so that they can be turned away from their wicked ways.

Ref: foolcdn

Even in iniquity itself, there are levels of it, in which its fullness bring judgment. Genesis 15:16 says, “But in the fourth generation they shall return here, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.” And during Abraham’s time, we see God destroying the Amorites in Sodom and Gomorrah. (Gen 18:18-33)

In how God dealt with the Amorites, we can see God’s justice. He does not bring judgment until the iniquity is complete or reaches its fullness. And because Sodom and Gomorrah have reached its fullness of iniquity, they are destroyed.

Iniquity progresses from a person to his or her family, to their community, and to their nation, as you see from Judah to David; and then, from David to David’s sons, which resulted in Israel becoming known as an adulterous nation. Cain built the first city to try to defend himself from his iniquity, which was greater than he could bear.

In Genesis 6 when Noah and in Genesis 18 when Sodom and Gomorrah have reached the fullness of iniquity, God’s judgment had to come.

Ref: theswordbearer

Also, iniquities like to work together. Applying the principle of God where two is bettter and bigger than one, we often see iniquities working in pairs.

For example, 1 Samuel 15:23 says, “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft and iniquity is as stubborness and idolatry.” Stubborness and idolatry work together well, and often come together in a person. A stubborn person makes an idol of what he believes in and is unteachable. Bitterness and unforgiveness also come together.

The iniquities of our fathers are not passed on, but we can choose to emulate, practice, or take on. God does not make us pay for our father’s sin because of what Jesus Christ has done on the cross.

But without Jesus, our sin can be passed on to the third and fourth generation (Exo 34:7) and even the tenth generation (Deut 23:2). We can see these examples in the Old Testament.

For example, Abraham first had the iniquity of deception for lying to the Pharaoh that Sarah was his sister instead of his wife. (Gen 12:10-13) Later, we see his son Isaac deceiving the men of Gerar with the same deception of his father, word for word. (Gen 26:6-7) This is followed by Isaac’s son, Jacob, who deceived his father for his older brother’s blessings. The son of Jacob also deceived their father Jacob of Joseph’s death when he was sold as a slave. (Gen 37:31-33)

Ref: ldscdn

Another example of iniquity is the sexual iniquity, which can lasts for 10 generations (Deutronomy 23:2).

For example, Judah had the iniquity of lust, which his daughter-in-law Tamar saw and tricked him. Ten generations later, David battled with the same iniquity nd committed adultery with Bathsheba. (2 Sam 11) His son Amnon later committed incest with his sister (2 Sam 13:1-15) and his other son Absalom had sexual intercourse with all of David’s concubine.(1 Sam 16:20-23) Not to mention his son Solomon also loved many women (1 Kings 11:1-4), which turned his heart away from the Lord. And from Genesis 28, Israel was called as an adulterous generation.

People who have iniquity are called “workers of iniquity” in Matthew 7:23. They are enslaved to a cycle of sin, but they enjoy it and are not willing to give up.

But we are privilege to have this knowledge, so we can break this cycle. Identifying inquity in people also helps us to pray for the Lord to open their eyes and have them repent. Thus, this will save us hours of praying.

Ref: cimexico

Finally, if we were to relate iniquity to a plant, the flower is the sin and the greenery is our transgression, and the root is iniquity. And for each one – sin, transgression, and iniquity – we need to deal with it accordingly.

Many Christians reach a point of frustration and they do not break free because they have not gotten down to the root of iniquity. They are placing a bandage over a bruise.

To identify whether a wrongdoing is a sin, transgression, or iniquity, ask yourself these questions. If one does it accidentally, it is a sin. If one does it deliberately, it is a transgression. If one does it automatically, it is an iniquity. Asking these questions will help us pray and deal with each one more effectively.

For more information about praying and intercession, please visit Yada International.

Malaysia National Prayer Nurturing (MNPN) and Malaysian Youth Prayer Gathering (MYPG) are also actively raising up prayer warriors and intercessors. For more information on learning to pray and intercede in Malaysia, please contact 12prayer@gmail.com.

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For other articles written on Dr Bradley Stuart:

Why praying and intercession are important to God?

God, take me Deeper with You through Praying and Interceding

The difference between Intercession and Prayer

The post How to intercede and deal with the root issue of iniquity? – Dr Bradley Stuart of Yada international appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

Come and join the ADORE Youth Concert 2015 #UNDIVIDED at the KL Baptist Church on 22 August, 2015 (SAT).

Date | 22 August 2015 (SAT)

ADORE Bash | 6 PM – 7:30 PM

ADORE Concert | 7:30 PM – 10 PM

Venue | KL Baptist Church, Main Sanctuary

Address | 70 Cangkat Bukit Bintang, 50200, Kuala Lumpur

Held with success since year 2008, KL Baptist Church will be continuing this worship concert for youths to celebrate and sing together this year.

Brandon Ho, a familiar face of the 8TV Quickie, will be the emcee for the night. Divine Motion will also be performing the LED Neon Dance as the opening for the show. 

This Youth Concert for the youths is brought to you by the youths. If you are young at heart, do join us.

Should you need more information, kindly call the church office +603-2141 9154 or visit us at www.klbc.org.my

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The post ADORE Youth Concert 2015 #UNDIVIDED | KL Baptist Church | 22 August, 2015 | SAT | 7:30 PM – 10 PM appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

When I first knew that I was going to watch The Tailor Made Man, I didn’t know what to expect. But after going to a dozen of Christmas production, the Tailor Made Man stood out because it made the Bible real.

More than 1200 people came to watch The Tailor Made Man in PJ Live Arts over five shows from 7^th to 9^th of August.

Why real? When I read the Bible, a few characters seemed unreal to me due to their flawlessness. I wondered if they were even human.

And one such perfect man is Joseph, said to be a picture of Jesus Christ in the Old Testament, for his flawlessness.

Joseph being sold as a slave by his brothers

But The Tailor Made Man brought to life, a Joseph that we can all relate to. From being arrogant and pompous as his father’s favourite son, to struggling with his fleshly desires when confronted by Potiphar’s seductive wife, we now know Joseph was human after all.

The theme of The Tailor Made Man runs in the vein of dreams – dreams as we know of biologically, dreams as we made them out to be, and dreams given by God.

Joseph was given the gift of dreams. And yes, this story is not far from every one of us. I believe all of us are born as dreamers, which dreams are softly whispered by our Dream Giver (God) before they came to be. (Acts 2:17, Joel 2:28)

Joseph was given the dream that the sun, the moon, and eleven stars, which represented his widowed father and brothers, will bow down to him. (Gen 37:9) His future was bright and assured.

But his brothers wanted to destroy him with his dreams by selling him as a slave. Such unity of the brothers showed us that Joseph must have received multiple gestures of favoritism from his father Jacob, one that we know was the multi-colored coat (or a custom-made jacket in the play). (Gen 37:3)

Jacob showing favor to Joseph by giving him a custom-made jacket

Joseph was given a dream but it was destroyed by the fallen nature of people – his own pride, Jacob’s favoritism, and his brothers’ jealousy.

Yet, albeit men’s fallen nature, God’s given dream prevailed. His Words remained indestructible. (Matthew 24:35) We know later, Joseph said, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good in order to bring about this present result, to preserve many people alive.” (Gen 50:20)

In the play, we also see the relentless, gentle, and loving pursuit of God, personified as The Tailor in Joseph’s life. Through Jacob’s house, Potiphar court, the prison dungeon, and Pharaoh’s palace, the Tailor never left and forsook him.

Joseph being thrown into prison but gaining favor from the head jailer

The director Darren Yeoh has also done well in crafting ironic yet humorous punchlines of the relatable life pains and pangs we all can relate to.

For instance, we do good but we are quickly forgotten. Although Joseph helped to interpret the dream of the Pharaoh’s chief financial officer in the show, she completely forgot about Joseph once she was reinstated to position. (Gen 40:23)

Joseph interpreting dreams for the chief financial officer

Not only are we forgotten, our righteousness are repaid by evil. Joseph was thrown into prison for doing what is right – he refused the pursuit of the Potiphar’s wife.

Joseph receiving favor from the Potiphar for his excellent management skills

Joseph’s misfortune in life was marked by the tyranny of others. He was a slave and a prisoner because of someone else. How many of us can relate to this situation?

Joseph struggling in his flesh in resisting the pursuit of the Potiphar’s wife

But it is in the depth of his despair and hopelessness, Joseph found God to be true, steadfast and faithful, against the backdrop of family feud, violence, accusation, betrayal, adultery, and wickedness.

The brothers of Joseph selling him off as a slave, out of jealousy

The audience walked with Joseph through his sufferings, reaching a triumphant feeling when Joseph was finally elevated to be the Pharaoh’s right hand man. But none could compare to the heart-tugging reconciliation of Joseph with his brothers and father, which brought the audience to heart-warming tears.

The Tailor who is perpetually with Joseph throughout all seasons of his life

Lastly, this show begged a scrutiny of its title The Tailor Made Man; a title that appeared to suggest that Joseph had no control over the jacket he wears, much like how we have no control over certain life circumstances.

But in this show, we can see how Joseph struggled and chose his reaction towards his uncontrollable circumstances. His journey was not one of a natural disposition of sweet trust and obedience to God. But it is a real struggle, of screaming, wrestling, and contending with God for the injustice and infliction he suffered.

Joseph was a real man struggling with his faith in God. Yet, he emerged refined as pure gold, prepared in the furnace of challenges to contain the massive dream that God has ordained for him. 

The Pharaoh appointing wise men in his kingdom to interpret his nightmare

And in his journey with the Tailor, we can see how Joseph was not paralyzed in depression and inaction. Although he struggled in his faith, the Tailor pursued and built his faith in him. And Joseph responded.

In waiting for the Dream Giver, God Himself, to fulfill His dream, Joseph did not think of any task too small or too big for him. But he took everything that was already in his hands and did it well. Joseph gained the immeasurable skills of managing people of all walks – slaves, prisoners, the rich, the powerful, citizens and also foreigners. 

Joseph and his prison companions

The story ended with the Tailor making a new jacket, which is red in color. Personified as the blood of Jesus Christ, the audience applauded when the Tailor announced his new red jacket, saying, “This, I made for you.”

Produced by Actspressions, it is no wonder that The Tailor Made Man won the Audience Choice Award and was nominated for Best Costume at the 11^th BOH Cameronian Arts Awards in 2013. My only regret is how this show only lasted a few days.

Coming to the end, I wondered how lavish, big, and extravagant Joseph’s dream is. Imagine having the sun, the moon, and the stars bowing to us. And yet, that is the dream that God gave Joseph.

Joseph in meeting the Pharaoh

Likewise, in reflection, the dream that God gives us will be no less and no smaller, but glorious and great to bring glory to our Father in Heaven! A dream so big that we know without God, we can no way accomplish. This is the type of dream God wants all of us to have – a dream birthed from faith in action and action in faith.

God wants us to dream dreams. He wants to partner with us in realizing this dream He has placed in us. And like Joseph, we too are tailor made in accomplishing and containing this dream. He is only waiting for you to realize this dream, a dynamic journey between you and the Father in having you come into your fullness – the fullness of who He has made you to be – so that you will glorify your Father in Heaven. And when we know who God made us to be, we will never want to be someone else or pursue another person’s dream.

A dream from God is not just a dream but it is a dream that will come true with faith in action and action in faith. Ask your Father what is the dream He has placed in you, that burning desire and burden of the heart. And get ready for a life of adventure with God towards fulfilling that dream!

Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it. (John 14:12-14)

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All of the pictures were credited to Actspressions

The post A Dream Come True – The Tailor Made Man by Actspressions appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

To date, there is much controversy surrounding homosexuality, transgenderism and other different sexual lifestyles. In the case of Pr Edmund Smith, he found himself during his tattered journey of loving and then leaving the lifestyle of a transgender and a homosexual.

Through the road of curiosity and discovery, Pr Edmund managed to get out of the maze he was in and surrendered his soul to our perfect Creator who formed Adam and Eve.

On the 4^th of July 2015, Pr Edmund graced Faith Oasis Fellowship and said “God has set me free from a lot of things and He is still setting me free. None of you can say, ‘I’m perfect.’”

“Good is not even enough to describe the goodness of God. God is more than good! For those who do not know my history, I was an ex-transgender. A transgender is someone who believes that he is trapped in the wrong body. I was born a boy and I am a real boy but all my life since I was four years old, I believed I was a girl due to various reasons,” shared Pr Edmund. 

When God created us He knew what He was doing. God’s plan is perfect and good. He had already ordained us before we were birthed out of our mother’s womb.

Ref: xinergized

“No matter what race you are, or how tall or short you are, whether you’re a man or a woman, God made you the way you are for a reason, for a purpose. You are no mistake!” shared Pr Edmund as he spoke with true conviction. He also went on to share that most of the people who choose this way of living have something happened in their past. 

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5)

“When everyone was in school, my classmates had wonderful dreams, one to become a doctor, one to become a lawyer, and so on. I however, wanted to become a woman! That was my mission. I was a mess and that was the devil’s work, to also make us feel that we are not a mess.

“Denial is fatal! If you’re a mess, look at yourself, and say that you’re a mess and call to Jesus for help. Do not lie to yourself!” he said.

Only Jesus has the power to save! His name is the only one in all the world that can save anyone. (Acts 4:12)

Ref: blogspot

He likened humans to an onion, where we often need to be peeled off one layer at a time in order to reveal the realness that is inside of you – that is the real you. We have a God who understands each of us, and who is there for each of us 24 hours every day. But meanwhile, most of us are busy trying to gain our fellow human being’s attention. We crave to be understood by them.

“The perfect Attention-Giver is dying to give you attention!” shared Pr Edmund.

While God could draw your attention while you are occupied with life, He wants you to come back to Him on your own will. God will not pull you in, but He is waiting for you.

“My parents had three sons before me, and when I was born, I was a disappointment because I wasn’t the girl of their dreams. My mother and father wanted a girl so bad. My father rejected me all his life, and never told me that he loved me.

“I’ve never been loved by a man and I knew the reason was because I was not a girl! I was his unwanted son, so even as a little boy, I knew I was supposed to be born a girl” shared Pr Edmund.

When he told his mother that he wanted to be a girl, she allowed him to be one, not realising the consequences that would occur.

“So I grew up as a girl for the first five and a half year of my life. I wore dresses at home. I played with tea sets and dolls. I knew nothing about being a boy! In my heart, I thought the more girly I became, the more daddy would love me. But the more girly I became, the more daddy hated me. It sounds funny to some of you, but as a little boy it was painful,” he added. “I had a gender identity disorder”

Pastor Edmund and his wife in his church family retreat

Only before he officially had to enter kindergarten, his mother broke the news to him that he was a boy and not a girl. Feeling confused and distraught, Edmund would refuse to go to school. From then onwards, his mother who was his best friend became his enemy and began abusing him.

He enlightened everyone by sharing that the children’s perception of their mother shape their perception of women and the children’s perception of their father shape their perception of men.

“My perception of women at this point, was that they would only love you for a few years and then they would abuse you. So, I couldn’t stand women. And when it came to men, they would never love me though I was looking for love. I would do anything for men who would give me attention,” he shared.

He was looking for love in all the wrong places for all the wrong reasons. Edmund was a transgender up until his early twenties. He sought help from “Choices,” a Singaporean-based organisation that reached out to homosexuals and he finally broke free from homosexuality.

“Today, God has restored me! When I tell you there is freedom, there is freedom! I knew what it meant to be in prison now that I have freedom. Today, I’m comfortable with men as my brothers, I’m comfortable with women as my sisters, I’m comfortable with my wife as my lover.

“There is nothing that God cannot do. The question is do you want God to do it for you or not? If you’re a prostitute,e you can change! If you’re a gossiper, you can change! If you’re a liar, you can change! If you’re a cheater, you can change. And if you’re a homosexual, you can change!” he said.

Ref: pinimg

Now he embraces being a man and loves being one!

For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favor lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning. (Psalms 30:5)

Today, together with his wife, Pr Edmund shared the love of God with broken fellow human beings. They founded a ministry known as “Real Love Ministry” (RLM), a ministry created to help homosexuals resolve the three issues in their lives namely, the self, the vacuum, and barrier issues.

For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. (John 3:17)

“…And Jesus said, “Neither do I condemn you; go, and from now on sin no more.” (John 8:11)

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– Kim Yung

For more information, Pastor Edmund Smith who is based in Malacca can be contacted through his email address at  reallovemalaysia@gmail.com.

The post Through Jesus, there is Freedom – a Story of an Ex-transgender appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

As the Senior Pastor of SIBKL Lake City, I would like to give thanks to the Lord for the successful publishing of our first album entitled “Coming Back.” We praise God for this debut album for its great quality, good music arrangement, and distinctive blend of voices. 

All this can be done because of the blessing and help from our Lord. He has sent us an experienced and talented worshiper from Jakarta Praise Community Church in Indonesia, Ricky Sutanto from the Openhands Production, who did the arranging and mixing process in Jakarta, Indonesia and later mastering in Nashville, United States. I must say that we are thoroughly inspired by Ricky’s talent and his capability!

Ricky Sutanto (middle) with Pastor Kenny Tham and his wife

With his experience and guidance, along with the brimming talent of our church youths in vocal and music, an album of great quality is born – a sure blessing for our nation and other nations including Indonesia, Brunei, and even other English-speaking countries.

I have been carrying this burden of publishing this album since a few years ago when I saw the talent and passion for vocal and music amongst many young people from Sabah and Sarawak, including those who were working and studying in the Peninsular Malaysia. 

As a spiritual father of the church, I shared this burning desire with a few of my leaders who were very supportive of this vision. But due to some unavoidable matter, we had to delay this plan.

However, in year 2004, the Lord has brought to mind this plan again. And I am thankful for Cilivella Jamious (or known as Vella), a manager and a deaconess for the Praise and Worship department, of which we also refer to as the Prophetic department, for braving this challenge and shouldering the responsibility of publishing this album.

The “Coming Back” album

With the help from our Mighty God, we praise Him for sending us Ricky Sutanto through our brothers and sisters-in-Christ at BWCC church who recently published an album with him as well. 

We also thank our generous supporters who were willing to bear the whole cost of the album production. Praise God for their willing hearts in sowing into the Kingdom of God!

In producing the album, we encouraged our youths to write the songs of their heart unto the Lord. Through this process, not only did we discover their talent in singing, we also found them to be talented in composing songs that carried the heartbeat of God from his Word and the sermons from the church, though the arrangement of the songs were assisted by Ricky Sutanto.

From left to right: Tunung Robin, Jhawn Lawai, Cilivella Jamious (worship leader)

From this album, we greatly desire that God’s voice, His Message, and His Vision can be delivered throughout this nation from our recorded album, whenever and wherever this album is listened to. This is the very reason we wanted to publish this album. 

Indeed, the talent of the youths of this generation shall not be limited by the four walls of a Sunday church service or other inhouse events, but they shall transcend beyond that to touch the lives of thousands of people.

We praise God for the hard work and patience for every team member, especially the excellent recording by The Ark Studio in TTDI. Although we only started the recording process in May, the Lord has enabled us to remarkably complete the recording process within one month through prayer made in faith. 

I thank God and I would like to congratulate the manager Vella; the singers including Jhawn Lawai, Wendy, Tunung, Vella, Imanuil, Anir, Helenlina, and Veronica; the musicians including Jeredy, Paulus, Timothy, Dominic, Jeffrin, and Elijah; and the production team Wagner and Mervin.

Musicians, singers, and the production team of the “Coming Back” album

I would have loved to mention how much I appreciate their voice one-by-one here. But from listening to the ten songs in the album, I think it suffice to mention that the singers and musicians are very good and unique in their craft. Each song carries a distinctive and personal message from God.

In closing, we are happy to publish this Bahasa worship album on 8th of August, 2015 in SIBKL Lake City. We pray with all of our heart that this album can be distributed and played throughout Sabah, Sarawak, Peninsular Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, and other nations.

May our humble work of art glorify God and play a part in releasing His Kingdom into your life. Amen. 

Listen to “Coming Back” by SIBKL Lake City here https://itun.es/id/qJBc9

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The post Launch of “Coming Back” by SIB KL Lake City | Bahasa Worship Album appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

Pada 16 haribulan Ogos, Pr Les Galida berkhutbah di SIB Lake City dengan tajuk ibadahnya, “Perlumbaan untuk seorang Orang Percaya Yesus.”

Sedangkan bagi kita, di sekeliling kita ada banyak saksi. Oleh itu, marilah kita buang segala halangan yang menghalang kita dan dosa yang berpaut pada kita. Marilah kita tempuh perlumbaan di hadapan kita dengan tekun.

Hendaklah pandangan kita tertumpu kepada Yesus, kerana iman kita bergantung kepada-Nya dari permulaan sehingga akhir. Yesus tidak putus asa, walaupun Dia harus mati pada kayu salib. Sebaliknya, kerana kegembiraan yang menantikan-Nya, Yesus tidak peduli bahawa mati pada kayu salib adalah suatu hal yang memalukan. Sekarang Dia duduk di sebelah kanan takhta Tuhan.

Fikirkanlah betapa beratnya penderitaan yang dialami oleh Yesus, kerana orang berdosa sangat membenci Dia! Oleh itu janganlah berkecil hati dan putus asa.

(Ibrani 12:1-3 Alkitab Berita Baik)

Ref: psychscene

“Saya ingin membawa kita untuk membuka firman Tuhan dalam kitab Ibrani untuk berkongsi ayat ini dalam Ibrani, fasa kedua belas. Saya sangat yakin Tuhan menaruhkan ayat ini ke dalam hati saya untuk berkongsi pada pagi ini, iaitu ayat pertama hingga ayat ketiga,” Pr Les berkata.

Firman Tuhan di atas memberi dorongan kepada kita bahawa kita mempunyai banyak saksi-saksi di sekeliling kita, bagaikan awan-awan di langit. Siapakah saksi-saksi ini? Saksi-saksi ini ialah orang-orang iman seperti kita yang disenaraikan dalam bab sebelas Ibrani termasuklah Abraham, Ishak, Yakub, Yusuf, Musa, Rahab, Gideon, Barak, Simson, Yefta, Daud, Samuel dan lain-lain lagi.

“Inilah saksi-saksi yang ditulis oleh penulis kitab Ibrani untuk mengingatkan kita bahawa kita bukan keseorangan dalam perlumbaan iman kita dan pertahanan iman kita sehingga  ke garis akhir,” Pr Les berkata.

Penari-penari penyembahan Tuhan di SIB Lake City

Seterusnya, penulis kitab Ibrani ini mendorong kita dan berkata, “Marilah kita buang segala halangan yang menghalang kita.” Jadi, kalau kita mahu berlari dalam perjalanan kerohanian kita, kita mestilah membuang segalanya yang membuat kita berlari dengan perlahan, membuat kita penat lelah, dan membuat kita berhenti berlari.

Ketika firman ini dituliskan, umat-umat Kristian sedang mengalami pelbagai penderitaan dan penganiayaan dari orang-orang yang tidak percaya kepada Tuhan Yesus. Pertahanan persekutuan antara umat-umat Kristian adalah susah di kalangan orang-orang yang tidak mengamalkan amalan baik berdasarkan firman Tuhan.

“Samalah seperti kita pada masa ini. Sebagai orang Kristian, perjalanan kerohanian kita bagaikan kerja yang keras. Kita selalu hendak menerima perlimpahan berkat sebaik sahaja menjadi orang Kristian.

“Tetapi jangan lupa. Di sisi perjalanan iman kita sebagai orang percaya kepada Yesus, ada pekerjaan yang keras. Jadi, segala halangan-halangan peribadi yang membuatkan kamu susah untuk maju dalam Tuhan dan tidak semangat untuk hal-hal rohani, buangkanlah semua,” Pr Les berkata.

Pr Les memuliakan Yesus dengan penyanyi-penyanyi penyembahan Tuhan

Halangan-halangan yang membuat kita berasa terikat dan tersesak termasuklah masalah kewangan, masalah pekerjaan, masalah pergaulan, masalah keluarga, dan penderitaan secara emosi, secara jiwa, dan secara pemikiran.

Bayangkan kalau kita mahu mendaki gunung Kinabalu. Seboleh-bolehnya, kita mahu membawa beban yang paling ringan supaya kita tidak cemas, tidak penat, dan tidak hilang fokus.

“Samalah dengan perjalanan kita dengan Yesus, bawa yang patut sahaja dan tanggalkan semua yang kurang terutama, mungkin penting tetapi bukan terutama. Buangkanlah semua itu,” Pr Les berkata.

Seterusnya, penulis Ibrani ini mendorong kita untuk membuang dosa-dosa yang berpaut kepada kita, seakan-akan belitan ular. Jika kita tidak bebas daripada belitan ular ini, lama-kelamaan kita akan mati. Maka, pekerjaan dosa itu adalah seperti belitan ular.

“Dosa-dosa kecil dan dosa-dosa besar – dalam alkitab kita – dosa itu tetap sama. Dosa adalah dosa, tetap ada akibatnya. Jadi, mungkin kita berfikir, ‘Wah! Dosa kita yang besar sudah diampuni Yesus.’ Tetapi dosa kecil atau dosa besar, kadarnya tetap sama.

“Mungkin kita tidak sedar apakah dosa-dosa ini. Dosa-dosa tersebut mungkin ialah perbuatan-perbuatan yang kita membuat kompromi. Misalnya, dosa membunuh, sudah pastilah kita tahu itu memang dosa.

“Tetapi kalau dosa memfitnah atau menggosip orang, kita berfikir bahawa perbuatan-perbuatan ini mungkin diperbolehkan. Dosa-dosa ini kita anggap kecil dan kita pandang remeh. Tetapi itu sebenarnya menjadi satu umpan untuk iblis. Dan lama-kelamaan, ia akan mematikan rohani kita, “ Pr Les berkata.

Penganut-penganut Kristian di SIB Lake City

Kalau kita terus memilih untuk berdosa, dosa-dosa ini akan membuat kita tidak tekun dalam perlumbaan kita dan malas untuk mengakhiri perlumbaan ini.

Mengapakah Tuhan membayangkan perjalanan kita sebagai orang Kristian seperti satu perlumbaan? Ini adalah kerana seperti orang Kristian, setiap pelumba sudah mempunyai satu ruang perlumbaan yang ditetapkan di antara garisan-garisan. Setiap pelumba hanya perlu menumpukan perhatiannya untuk berlari dalam perlumbaannya dan tiba di garisan penamat. Dia tidak perlu berlari di ruangan pelumba-pelumba lain yang berbeza daripadanya.

“Tuhan sudah menetapkan perlumbaan kita secara peribadi dan kita haruslah menyediakan hati kita untuk berlari dan berlari. Ada waktu kita berlari laju, sewaktu kita bersemangat dan mempunyai tenaga yang kuat.

“Tetapi pada waktu kita berada dalam keadaan yang lelah, seakan-akan kita tersesat jalan, kita mahu berjalan. Dan ketika kita sudah tidak ada kemampuan untuk berjalan lagi, apakah yang harus kita lakukan? Kita mahu merangkak ataupun berehat seketika tetapi kita haruslah terus maju dan terus maju,” Pr Les berkata.

Ref: landcareonline

Objektif kita dalam perlumbaan bukanlah untuk lebih cepat atau lebih lambat daripada umat-umat Kristian lain, tetapi kita mahu berlari sampai ke garisan akhir. Perlumbaan ini bukan pertandingan sesama sendiri, tetapi Tuhan sudah mengetahui setiap bakat dan kemampuan kita yang istimewa dan berbeza. Maka, Tuhan sudah menetapkan perlumbaan secara peribadi untuk kita secara masing-masing.

Di dalam firman ini, dalam alkitab Bahasa Inggeris, Yesus juga dikatakan penulis dan penyempurna iman kita. Tuhanlah yang merancangkan perlumbaan kerohanian kita supaya kita boleh lebih mengenaliNya dan juga menjadi garam dan terang untukNya dalam dunia kegelapan ini.

Apa yang paling menyenangkan hati kita ialah Tuhan sudah berjanji bahawa Dia tidak akan membiarkan kita kesendirian dalam perlumbaan ini. Tetapi, di dalam roh kudusnya, Dia akan memimpin kita sehingga kita memenangi perlumbaan ini seperti saksi-saksi iman pada zaman lalu.

“Memang jadi orang Kristian itu tidak mudah. Ada diskriminasi. Ada orang yang berasa kita pelik. Tetapi kita tetap mesti menjaga iman kita dalam Tuhan. Ia memang tidak mudah kerana ada banyak hal-hal yang menggoda kita.

“Berapa orang yang meninggalkan iman kerana kasih, kerana cinta, kerana wang, dan kerana kekuasaan. Berapa banyak orang telah menjauhkan diri dari Tuhan kerana dia tidak tekun untuk menghadapi penderitaan yang benar-benar menguji imannya dengan Tuhan,” Pr Les berkata.

Seorang penganut Kristian yang sedang berkongsi tentang timpahan dosa-dosa kita pada Yesus di kayu salib

Kita haruslah berhati-hati dengan dosa-dosa yang berpaut kepada kita, terutamanya dosa-dosa yang memerangkap kita apabila kita tidak sedar. Mungkin kita berasa susah untuk membebaskan diri daripada pautan dosa.

Tetapi kita mestilah ingat roh kudus Tuhan sentiasa ada untuk membantu kita untuk membebaskan diri daripada dosa. Jika kita bertaubat dengan Tuhan, pasti Tuhan akan mengampuni segala dosa kita kerana Tuhan Yesus sudah menebus segala dosa-dosa kita di kayu salib termasuk dosa yang lalu, dosa sekarang, dan dosa yang akan datang.

“Tuhan tahu kecenderungan kita sebagai manusia untuk jatuh dalam dosa. Tetapi ingat, penebusan Yesus adalah sekali dan sempurna. Oleh itu, kita tidak perlulah menambah perbuatan-perbuaatan oleh diri kita dalam kerja penebusan Yesus ini.

“Apa yang kita perlu lakukan adalah kita haruslah percaya dalam hati dan mengaku Yesus adalah Tuhan yang mati untuk kita di kayu salib dan kita diselamatkan,” Pr Les berkata.

Penulis Ibrani juga mendorong kita untuk menumpukan perhatian kita kepada Yesus. Seperti pelari profesional, kita hanya perlu memandang terhadap gol kita iaitu muka Yesus dan bukan memandang pelari-pelari lain di belakang, di kiri, atau di kanan. Kita juga mestilah buka mata kita semasa kita berlari supaya penglihatan kita terhadap Yesus adalah jelas.

Ref: northwest

Firman juga mengatakan bahawa Yesus adalah permula dan pengakhir iman kita. Yesuslah yang telah merancangkan iman kita dan Dia akan menyertai kita dalam menyelesaikan dan menyempurnakan perlumbaan ini.

Dan sebagai pelumba profesional, kita haruslah berlari dengan hati yang sesungguh-sungguhnya dan tekun terhadap gol kita. Walaupun kita terjatuh akibat tersepak batu halangan, kita mestilah bangun dan terus berlari sehingga garis penamat.

Dalam perlumbaan kerohanian, Yesus merupakan satu teladan yang terbaik untuk kita mengikuti. Walaupun Yesus mengalami pelbagai halangan dan penderitaan dari iblis, pihak berkuasa di Roma, dan tolakan daripada murid-muridnya sendiri, Dia tetap berlari dalam perlumbaanNya untuk mati di kayu salib dan menebus dosa kita. Dalam perjalanan ke kayu salib, Dia dicaci, dipukul, dan ditelajangi oleh tentera Roma. PenderitaanNya sungguh besar sehingga seorang orang Yahudi dipaksa untuk memikul beban salibNya supaya Yesus tidak mati dalam perjalananNya ke Bukit Golgotha.

Ref: yrdsb

Namun, walaupun Yesus berasa takut dan tidak yakin akan kemampuanNya untuk sampai ke garisan akhir di kayu salib di taman Gethsamane, Dia bangun selepas berdoa dalam taman tersebut dan berkata dengan Bapa Tuhan bahawa hatiNya sudah siap.

“Ketika kita menjadi orang Kristian, kita mestilah berkata dengan hati kita, ‘Hatiku siap untuk menjadi pengikut Kristian. Apapun yang terjadi di sepanjang hidup saya, hatiku siap.’

“Kesiapan hati seperti itu akan memampukan kita menghadapi apapun rintangan dalam hidup kita secara peribadi. Ini adalah kerana kuasa Tuhan itu menyertai kita. Ingat kita tidak kesendirian dalam perlumbaan kita,” Pr Les berkata.

Akhirnya, firman Tuhan berkata orang dosa sangat membenci Yesus, walaupun Yesus amat mencintai orang dosa. Maka, kalau ada orang yang membenci kamu atau tidak menyukai kamu disebabkan iman kamu, kamu tidak kesendirian atau kesepian kerana Tuhan Yesus memahami penderitaan kamu.

Lebih-lebihnya, kalau Yesus sudah memenangi perlumbaanNya dengan berjaya, Dia pasti boleh membantu kita menyelesaikan perlumbaan kita.

Ref: abcnews

“Kalau Yesus yang merupakan seratus-peratus manusia boleh menang dalam perlumbaanNya yang ditetapkan oleh Tuhan, saya percaya kita dalam generasi ini dan di tempat ini yang memiliki roh kudus Tuhan juga boleh menang dalam perlumbaan kita yang ditetapkan Tuhan.

“Tuhan tidak pernah mengecewakan kita. Mungkin semasa kita berlari dalam ribut, kita bertanya, ‘Adakah Tuhan masih dengan saya?’ Tuhan masih dengan kamu kerana Dia sudah berjanji bahawa Dia tidak akan membiarkan kamu kesendirian. Ingat jangan kecil hati dan jangan hilang harapan. Janganlah kita putus asa sekali kerana kita ada Tuhan bersama kita,” Pr Les berkata.

Marilah kita pulang kepada Tuhan! Yesus adalah satu-satunya juru penyelamat kita yang boleh membawa kejayaan dalam perlumbaan kerohanian kita. Tuhan memberkatimu. 

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The post Perlumbaan untuk seorang Orang Percaya Yesus – Pr Les Galida di SIB Lake City appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

Come join the 3rd Revival Evangelistic Lunch meeting at Menara TA One, Kuala Lumpur, on 21st of August from 12:45 PM to 2 PM.

Date | 21 August (Friday)

Time | 12:45 PM – 2 PM (Light lunch will be provided)

Venue | Menara TA One

Address | 10th Floor, No 22 Jalan P. Ramlee, 50250 Kuala Lumpur

Held by the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship (FGBMF), Pr Manjit Singh is an ex-banker and a gifted Bible teacher who also moves in the gifts of healing.

Pr Manjit Singh (right)

Pr Manjit Singh has been serving as a pastor for the River of Life church in Semua House for more than 15 years with his wife Pr Sharon who is gifted in the word of knowledge and prophecy. The church is a multi-racial group with an emphasis of reaching out to the Punjabi people. The church has a prophetic edge and moves strongly in signs and wonders.

More than 70 people came to the first Revival Evangelistic Lunch meeting

The people who came forward for prayer in the More than 70 people came to the first Revival Evangelistic Lunch meeting

The FGBMF launched their first revival evangelistic meeting in June this year at Alpha Hub Cafeteria of Lot 10 in Kuala Lumpur. More than 70 people came with distinguished Ghana High Commissioner as one of the attendees. The meeting concluded with FGBMF National President H H Fong blessing the attendees with a closing prayer, followed by Rev Dr Bernard Teh, evangelist Gabriel Eng, and pastor Gan Jin Teck ministering to the attendees before they adjourned for a lunch blessed by Dato Robert Tan. This meeting was followed by a second revival meeting held in July at Menara TA One chapter. The speakers for this event came from Jerusalem.

The attendees of the first Revival Evangelistic Lunch meeting

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The post Revival Evangelistic Lunch | by Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship | Menara TA One | 21 August (Friday) | 12:45 PM – 2 PM appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

I often find reading the Bible or spending time digging deeper into the Word of God a challenge in my busy lifestyle. But thank God for mobile Apps! With the 5 Apps below, I could find time listening, reading, and/or sharing the Word of God (when I am driving or doing some manual work). 

Bible.is 

Ref: bible.is

I find Bible.is incredibly helpful when I cannot find time to read the Bible. With a selection of different versions of the Bible including ESV, KJV, NASB, NIV, WEB, etc (and 1650 languages), I can download the whole Bible overnight over a fixed line. This Bible also comes with dramatised version, with background music and also the voices of each biblical character. It feels like watching a movie from listening to the Bible. The App also comes with 61 Jesus films, which we can download into our mobile phone. 

Our Daily Bread

Ref: ggpht

Our Daily Bread is a devotional book that I personally grew up with. I used to receive its monthly printed booklet. So, I got excited when I found out that Our Daily Bread is translated into an App now. Like Bible.is, we can also download Our Daily Bread month-to-month and play the voice recording of each daily sharing. Each usually lasts from three to four minutes. Read by millions of people around the world since 1956, I love how the writers of Our Daily Bread could see God in the simplest and most ordinary happenings in life. 

YouVersion

Ref: christiantoday

YouVersion is a Bible App I use to read the Bible. With an overwhelming 1115 versions and 798 languages, I would personally use only one or two versions including NIV and NASB, and another two versions to refer to such as AMP and KJV. I have also used the different plans offered in YouVersion before such as Bible in 90 days. Other plans include “What is God’s Purpose For My Life?” and “Scary Close-Reflections for Finding True intimacy.” YouVersion is like my faithful digital pocket Bible. 

The Daily Bible Devotional

Ref: staztic

As for devotionals, I find myself using this App most consistently because I like how this App delivers a bible verse followed by a concise message, one in the morning and one in the evening. Most of all, sometimes, I find God speaks to me through this App as well, for how timely the messages are. In this App, we get to also “like” the devotional and leave messages under each devotional as a user. I also like how I can easily copy the messages and share them with my family and friends through text message, Whassap, etc. 

Ask Pastor John

Ref: mzstatic

And finally, Ask Pastor John is an App I use a lot, in growing in my walk with God. I like how the questions are sent by listeners to Pastor John Piper, from all over the world from listeners like me. The answers given are also very concise and easy to follow, covering a rich variety of theological and practical questions that last from six minutes to over eight minutes. Some of the questions you get are like “How do I choose between Two Good Things?” or “Can Jesus Really Understand My Temptations?”  or “Should My Spouse Talk to Others About our Marriage Struggles?”

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The post 5 Christian Mobile Apps we can all use! appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

Pada bulan Ogos haribulan 23, Pastor Joshua Low berkhutbah di Hosanna Praise Assembly di Kajang tentang pendengaran suara Tuhan.

Lihat, Aku (Yesus) berdiri di muka pintu dan mengetuk; jikalau ada orang yang mendengar suara-Ku dan membukakan pintu, Aku akan masuk mendapatkannya dan Aku makan bersama-sama dengan dia, dan ia bersama-sama dengan Aku. (Wahyu 3:20)

“Untuk Yesus datang ke dalam hidupmu, saudara-saudari mesti membuka pintu kerana Yesus mengetuk. Tetapi, janganlah kita melewati ayat yang berkata, ‘jikalau ada orang yang mendengar suara-Ku.’

“Sebelum kita membuka pintu, Yesus akan bersorak. Kadang-kadang, saya berjumpa dengan orang percaya yang sudah lama. Tetapi apabila saya memberitahunya saya boleh mendengar suara Tuhan, dia terkejut.

“Orang yang keras hatinya ada masalah dalam komunikasinya dengan Yesus. Komunikasinya sudah terputus. Maka, betapa kuat sorakan Yesus pun, dia tidak dapat mendengar Yesus,” Pastor Joshua berkata, lalu dia bercerita tentang Hana dalam alkitab.

Pastor Etmi, isteri pastor Joshua, yang juga berkhutbah

Walaupun Hana dikasihi suaminya Elkana, Hana berasa susah hati kerana rahimnya sudah ditutup oleh Tuhan dan Penina, iaitu isteri suaminya yang lain, yang mempunyai anak. Maka, Hana mengunjungi rumah Tuhan dan berdoa kepada Tuhan dalam tangisannya. Dia bernazar dengan Tuhan bahawa jika Tuhan membuka rahimnya untuk melahirkan anak, Hana akan mempersembahkan anak pertamanya sebagai pelayan Tuhan.

“Kebanyakan ibu bapa berdoa kepada Tuhan, ‘Biar anak-anak saya menjadi doktor atau ahli bisnes supaya gaji mereka adalah banyak dan mereka boleh memberi saya sikit.’ Kita mahu anak-anak kita mendapat upah yang tinggi dan menjadi kaya.

“Tetapi anak pertama yang Hana kembalikan, Tuhan memberi Hana balik tiga anak lelaki dan dua anak perempuan. Hannah bagi Tuhan satu anak dan Tuhan bagi Hana lima anak,” Pastor Joshua berkata lalu mendorong orang-orang percaya untuk mengikuti teladan Hana. 

Anak pertama Hana ialah Samuel. Maka, Samuel diberi tugas oleh imam bernama Eli untuk melayani Tuhan di rumah Tuhan.

“Pada suatu hari, Tuhan mengajar Samuel sebagai hamba Tuhan: macam mana dia boleh mendengar suara Tuhan dengan jelas? Kadang-kadang kita tertanya, ‘Ini suara siapa? Suara saya, suara iblis atau suara Tuhan?’” Pastor Joshua berkata.

Orang percaya sedang memuji Tuhan dengan nyanyian lagu-lagu rohani

Ketika Samuel sedang tidur, Tuhan memanggilnya, “Samuel! Samuel!” (1 Sam 3:4) Tetapi Samuel tidak mengerti suara Tuhan dan berlari ke imam Eli. Samuel berkata dengan Eli, “Ya, bapa, bukankah bapa memanggil aku?” Eli berkata dengan Samuel, “Aku tidak memanggil. Tidurlah kembali.” (1 Sam 3:5)

Keadaan ini berlaku sebanyak tiga kali sebelum Eli mengerti bahawa Tuhanlah yang sedang memanggil Samuel. Pada kali ini, Eli berkata dengan Samuel, “Pergilah tidur dan apabila Dia memanggil engkau, katakanlah: Berbicaralah TUHAN, sebab hamba-Mu ini mendengar.” (1 Sam 3:9)

Maka, TUHAN datang dan memanggil Samuel seperti kali pertama hingga kali ketiga. Pada kali keempat sahaja, barulah Samuel sedar bahawa Tuhan sedang memanggilnya.

“Kamu masih online dengan Tuhan? Mungkin saudara-saudari berkata, ‘Pastor, saya sibuk.’ Tetapi Tuhan ada cara-Nya. Kalau kita hendak belajar bagaimana kita boleh online dengan Tuhan, kita boleh belajar dari Yesus,” Pastor Joshua berkata.

Sewaktu Yesus menjadi lebih terkenal daripada pemimpin-pemimpin agama di Jerusalem dan orang-orang Farisi, mereka dengki akan kejayaan Yesus. Maka, mereka selalu merancang untuk menurunkan Yesus.

“Tetapi kalau iblis mahu menyentuh kamu, dia mesti meminta izin daripada Tuhan. Mungkin Tuhan mengizinkan iblis untuk menyentuh badan kita dan memberi penyakit.

“Tetapi roh kita adalah milik Tuhan. Jadi, janganlah kamu berasa takut. Apa-apapun yang terjadi kepada badan kita, badan adalah sementara tetapi roh akan balik kepada Tuhan,” Pastor Joshua berkata.

Jadi, janganlah kita berasa takut kerana apabila kita mati dalam Yesus, kita juga akan bangkit dengan Yesus dalam badan yang baru.

“Maka, apabila Tuhan memanggil saya, saya mahu bersedia. Janganlah sewaktu Tuhan memanggil saya, saya sedang mabuk, tidak membuat apa-apa, atau hidup dalam dosa. Saya mahu sedia menampil Tuhan,” Pastor Joshua berkata.

Orang-orang percaya Tuhan yang sedang memuji Tuhan di Hosanna Praise Assembly, Kajang

Apabila kita berkomunikasi dengan Tuhan, iblis berasa sangat takut dengan kita. Ini adalah kerana komunikasi kita dengan Tuhan membawa kuasa.

“Aku (Yesus) berkata kepadamu: Sesungguhnya barangsiapa percaya kepada-Ku, ia akan melakukan juga pekerjaan-pekerjaan yang Aku lakukan, bahkan pekerjaan-pekerjaan yang lebih besar dari pada itu. Sebab Aku pergi kepada Bapa; dan apa juga yang kamu minta dalam nama-Ku, Aku akan melakukannya, supaya Bapa dipermuliakan di dalam Anak.” (Yohanes 14:12-13)

Kalau orang percaya ada firman Tuhan dan roh Tuhan di dalamnya, Tuhan akan menunaikan apa-apa yang kita meminta daripada-Nya. Ini adalah kerana kalau firman Tuhan berada di dalam isi hati kita dan kita memahami kehendak Tuhan disebabkan komunikasi kita dengan-Nya, kita tidak akan meminta sembarangan dari Tuhan. Tetapi permintaan kita akan menyenangkan hati Tuhan dan hati kita juga.

“Wah! Iblis sangat takut kerana selepas Tuhan menunaikan janji-Nya, kita akan lebih bersemangat. Tetapi iblis tidak mahu kamu menjadi lebih bersemangat. Iblis tidak mahu kamu setia. Dia mahu kamu berubah setia.

“Banyak orang Kristian berubah setia kerana mereka menghadapi masalah di dalam komunikasi mereka dengan Tuhan. Mungkin saudari berasa, ‘Sudah lama saya tidak mendengar suara Tuhan. Saya pun tidak tahu itu suara Tuhan ke tidak.’

“Jadi, saudari sudah menjadi binggung dan ragu-ragu akan kasih Tuhan. Sedangkan alkitab sudah berjanji bahawa kasih setia Tuhan baru setiap hari,” Pastor Joshua berkata.

Penyembah-penyembah Tuhan dalam nyanyian memuliakan Tuhan

Namun, terdapat orang-orang Kristian yang hanya mendengar suara Tuhan pada masa yang lapang iaitu pada hari Ahad sahaja. Tetapi pada hari-hari yang lain, mereka tidak mahu berkomunikasi dengan Tuhan.

“Sebenarnya, kasih Tuhan sedia ada setiap pagi dan kita boleh berkomunikasi dengan-Nya tiap-tiap pagi. Pagi-pagi, Tuhan sudah datang untuk mencari Adam. Bukan Adam yang mencari Tuhan.

“Tetapi Adam dan isterinya bersembunyi selepas mereka berdosa. Tuhan mencari mereka tetapi dua-dua bersembunyi sampai hari inilah, isu ini menjadi masalah pertama manusia.

“Kalau Tuhan datang melawat dan mengetuk pintumu, apakah yang perlu saudari buat? Kita perlu mendengar suara-Nya dahulu dan selepas itu, membuka pintu. Yesus memasuki hidup kita. Oh, itu persekutuan yang indah,” Pastor Joshua berkata.

Walaupun Yesus sibuk dalam pengajaran dan penyembuhan orang-orang, Dia tahu bila masanya untuk beristirehat (Markus 6:31) kerana Bapa-Nya di syurga bekerja enam hari dan beristirehat satu hari (Kejadian 2:2).

Lalu Yesus berkata kepada mereka: “Marilah ke tempat yang sunyi, supaya kita sendirian, dan beristirehatlah seketika!” Sebab memang begitu banyaknya orang yang datang dan yang pergi, sehingga makan pun mereka tidak sempat. (Markus 6:31)

“Yesus mengajar mereka, ‘Janganlah terlalu sibuk.’ Tetapi kita perlu pergi ke satu tempat untuk menenangkan dan merehatkan badan dan jiwa kita tanpa handphone kita.

“Hanya dalam posisi sedemikian seperti Samuel yang sedang beristirehat, kita boleh mendengar suara Tuhan dengan jelas,” Pastor Joshua berkata.

Pastor Joshua yang sedang berkhutbah

Namun, sesetengah orang Kristian mengutamakan perkerjaannya lebih daripada komunikasi dengan Tuhan. Mereka berkerja tiap-tiap hari tanpa rehat kerana mereka tergoda dengan upah yang tinggi dan juga perasaan yang hebat.

“Kalau bapa kita mahu kita berkerja, mungkin dia akan menggunakan rotan. Tetapi Tuhan kita baik dan sabar. Tuhan tidak akan menakutkan kita,” Pastor Joshua berkata.

Lebih-lebih lagi, Yesuya 40:31 mengatakan, “‘tetapi orang-orang yang menanti-nantikan TUHAN mendapat kekuatan baru: mereka seumpama burung helang yang naik terbang dengan kekuatan sayapnya; mereka berlari dan tidak menjadi lesu, mereka berjalan dan tidak menjadi lelah.”

Kadang-kadang, Tuhan bertanya, “Berapakah lama agaknya anak-anak Aku boleh menunggu?” Tuhan mahu menguji kesetiaan kita. Abraham menunggu 25 tahun sebelum rahim Sara dibuka oleh Tuhan. Tetapi Sara tidak sabar untuk menunggu untuk Tuhan. Yusuf di Mesir juga menunggu 13 tahun sebelum dia menjadi perdana menteri.

“Tak ada cepat-cepat, instant-instant punya. Semua instant bahaya, amen? Kamu makan instant mee, mati pun instant. Semua instant-instant, apa-apa yang tergesa-gesa ada akibatnya. Tuhan kita adalah panjang sabar. Jadi, kita mesti kuat dalam sifat itu.

“Tetapi manusia mahu cepat. Jadi, ini adalah satu pengajaran yang penting dalam hidup kita yang baru dalam Yesus,” Pastor Joshua berkata.

Mungkin bos kita menyuruh kita membuat sesuatu secara cepat tetapi tidak betul. Tetapi dalam keadaan ini, kita haruslah menenangkan fikiran kita dan berbicara dengan roh kudus Tuhan untuk cara-cara-Nya yang betul dan efektif.

“Sewaktu Tuhan datang dalam hidup kita, kita boleh mendengar suara Tuhan. Cara Tuhan adalah indah. Maka, kita haruslah pelihara jaringan komunikasi itu. Jangan sampai terputus.

“Jaringan itu tidak menggunakan bateri dan tidak memerlukan caj electrik. Jadi, kita caj dengan apa? Kita caj dengan doa. Tuhan pasti akan berbicara dengan kita apabila kita mahu berbicara dengan-Nya,” Pastor Joshua berkata.

Selepas pastor Joshua berkhutbah, Pastor Daniel menampil ke hadapan untuk berkongsi tentang kesaksiannya. Sebagai orang percaya dari gereja Methodist yang konservatif dan tradisional, dia menganggap Tuhan hanya akan berkomunikasi dengan kita menerusi perkataan-perkataan dalam alkitab sahaja.

Tetapi pada tahun 2007, roh Tuhan berbicara dengan roh Pastor Daniel dengan suara yang jelas. Pastor Daniel menerima satu perintah dari Tuhan untuk membina satu gereja di Sulawesi, Indonesia. Pendeta gereja tersebut sudah mengalami kebakaran gerejanya sebanyak tiga kali. Pada kali keempat ini, pendeta gereja ini diberikan sebidang tanah. Tetapi dia tidak mempunyai kewangan untuk membina gereja.

“Saya pun pergi ke Sulawesi untuk melihat tanah tersebut dan membuat rancangan pembangunan. Saya mempunyai iman bahawa Tuhan pasi akan menyelesaikan urusan kewangan.

“Maka, saya membuat satu perjanjian bisnes dengan Tuhan. Tuhan akan menyumbangkan wang dan saya menyumbangkan tenaga. Namun, saya tidak akan meminta siapa-siapa untuk menyumbangkan kewangan. Tuhanlah yang bertanggungjawab dalam urusan kewangan,” Pastor Daniel berkata.

Pastor Daniel mula membina modal kecil pembinaan gereja. Apabila orang-orang datang dan melihat modal tersebut, mereka menyumbang wang tanpa diminta oleh Pastor Daniel kepadanya. Maka, Pastor Daniel pun membina dan membangunkan gereja tersebut dengan anak-anak muda di Sulawesi yang menyenangkan hatinya.

“Saya nampak ibu-bapa mereka bekerja di sawah padi. Tetapi anak-anak kecil mereka dibiarkan keseorangan di sekeliling sawah tersebut.

“Ada anak-anak yang termenung di batu, termenung di bukit, dan termenung di semak-samun. Mereka tidak tahu apa yang mereka sedang buat. Hati saya berasa sangat berat untuk mereka,” Pastor Daniel berkata.

Pastor Joshua Ong (sebelah kiri) dengan Pastor Daniel

Tetapi apa yang menyenangkan hatinya ialah iman mereka yang kuat terhadap Tuhan. Walaupun mereka masih kecil dan mentah, mereka boleh berdoa seperti orang dewasa.

Apabila Pastor Daniel sudah menyelesaikan tugasnya untuk membina gereja dan membeli tiket penerbangan untuk pulang ke Malaysia, dia mendengar suara Tuhan yang jelas sekali lagi.

“Tuan Yesus suruh saya pergi ke Jakarta kali ini pada pukul tiga. Roh kudus-Nya berbicara dengan saya. Tetapi saya belum membeli tiket penerbangan.

“Saya pun telefon sini dan telefon sana, dan saya mendapat tiket. Saya belum mandi dan belum makan. Tetapi saya cepat-cepat pergi ke lapangan terbang dan berlari ke pesawat,” Pastor Daniel berkata.

Dalam pesawat, roh Tuhan berbicara dengan Pastor Daniel dan berkata, “Kamu tidak pergi ke sana untuk membina gereja fizikal. Tetapi kami pergi ke sana untuk membina gereja rohani Aku – bukan gereja batu-bata tetapi gereja berasaskan roh kudus.”

Di Jakarta, Pastor Daniel membina satu gereja rohani dengan menyatukan orang-orang percaya dari gereja-gereja berbeza untuk bersekutu dalam doa. Pastor Daniel berkata hanya disebabkan bantuan dan kata-kata Yesus kepadanya, dia boleh melaksanakan tugasnya. Dia berkongsi tentang Daniel 11:32 yang mengatakan, “tetapi umat yang mengenal Tuhan-Nya akan tetap kuat dan tetap bertindak.”

Pastor Daniel sedang berkhutbah tentang kesaksiannya mendengar suara Tuhan

Pastor Etmi menyambung kesaksian Pastor Daniel dan mengatakan, “Kalau hati saudari tidak mendengar suara Tuhan, jangan mengeraskan hati saudari hari ini. Kalau saudara-saudari sudah biasa mengeraskan hati, Tuhan tidak mahu berbicara lagi.

“Hati kita sudah menjadi seperit isteri Lot, iaitu menjadi batu. Tetapi janganlah menjadi batu. Itu adalah peringatan supaya kita jangan mengeraskan hati kita.”

Janganlah kita seperti Simson yang tidak tahu apabila Tuhan sudah meninggalkannya. Walaupun Tuhan sudah berjanji tidak akan meninggalkan kita, tetapi janganlah kita melengahkan komunikasi kita dengan Tuhan sampai kita ragu-ragu akan penyertaan Tuhan dalam hidup kita.

“Simson ingat semasa dia membuat dosa, Tuhan masih dengannya. Janganlah sampai orang percaya tidak tahu adakah Tuhan bicara atau tidak bicara dengannya. Kita haruslah sensitif dengan suara Bapa kita di syurga,” pastor Etmi berkata.

Maka, pastor Etmi berdoa dengan orang-orang percaya di Hosanna Praise Assembly, Kajang, “Bapa di Syurga, terima kasih. Kita mahu jadikan hati kita seperti tanah yang subur dan lembut – tanah yang menghasilkan ketika benih firman jatuh ke dalam hati kita. Kita mahu mendengar suara-Mu, Tuhan! Engkaulah segala-gala-Nya bagi kita.” 

Mahukah saudara-saudari berbicara dengan Tuhan pada hari ini? Tuhan Yesus sedang berdiri di pintu hati saudara-saudari sekarang. Kalau saudara-saudari mahu berkomunikasi dengan Tuhan dan mendengar suara-Nya, pasti Tuhan akan berbicara dengan kamu. Jangan takut. Engkau ialah anak Bapamu di Syurga! Dia pasti akan mahu berkomunikasi dengan engkau kalau engkau mahu berkomunikasi dengan-Nya.

Domba-domba-Ku mendengarkan suara-Ku. Aku mengenal mereka dan mereka mengikut Aku. Aku memberi mereka hidup sejati dan kekal, dan mereka tidak akan binasa. Tidak seorang pun dapat merampas mereka dari tangan-Ku. Apa yang diberikan oleh Bapa-Ku kepada-Ku lebih besar daripada segala-galanya. Tidak seorang pun dapat merampas mereka daripada tangan Bapa. Bapa dan Aku satu.” (Yohanes 10:27-30)

Pastor Etmi yang sedang memberi pujian kepada Tuhan dalam doanya

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The post Mahukah saudara-saudari berbicara dengan Tuhan? – Pastor Joshua Low di Hosanna Praise Assembly, Kajang appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

Anak-anak Malaysia yang setia, ini Tuhanmu yang sedang bercakap dengan kamu. Sudah lama anak-anak semua. Sudah lama Saya tidak mendengar suaramu yang indah. Di manakah semua anak-anak Aku? Di mana kamu sedang berselindung? Saya menyahut, “Anak-anak semua! Kamu di mana?” Ya, Saya Bapamu. Ya, Aku Bapamu yang sesungguh-sungguhnya sedang menunggu untukmu dengan sabar, panjang lebar kasih Saya untukmu, anak-anak kesayangan-Ku.

Hati Aku sangat pedih. Hati Aku sangat pedih kerana anak-anak Saya yang Saya kasihi sedang berasa takut. Mereka takut manusia. Mereka takut masa hadapan mereka. Makanan untuk setiap hari, mereka berasa bimbang. Mereka bimbang, tertanya-tanya, “Adakah anak aku boleh makan esok? Agak berapa lamakah saya perlu tinggal dalam keadaan ini?”

Anak-anak kesayangan Aku, bukankah Aku Bapamu di Syurga? Bukankah Saya yang mencipta alam bumi ini? Bukankah gunung-ganang dan kekayaan di dunia ini milik Aku? Bukankah Aku Bapamu yang kuat dan setia yang boleh memberi apa-apa sahaja yang kamu perlukan? Anak-anak-Ku, mengapa kamu tidak datang untuk meminta pada Aku, keinginan dalam hatimu? Mengapa anak-anak-Ku semua tidak datang untuk meminta gunung-ganang dan kekayaan yang berlimpah-limpah dari-Ku, Aku, Aku Bapamu di Syurga yang mendengar segala permintaan kamu? Anak-anak, Aku sanggup… Aku sanggup memberi semua untuk kamu. Bukankah Saya sudah memberi Anak Kesayangan Saya, sesatu-satu anak Saya untukmu supaya kamu boleh datang kepada Aku. Bukankah Saya sudah membuka jalan ini untuk kamu datang kepada Saya?

Maka, anak-anak, Aku Yesus Kristus sedang berdiri di pintumu sekarang dan mengetuk pintu hatimu. Sanggupkah kamu memberi Saya masuk ke dalam isi hatimu?

Anak-anak kesayangan-Ku, Saya tidak pernah melupakan kamu. Malah, nama kamu tertulis di tapak tangan-Ku. Saya selalu berfikir tentang kamu. Tidak pernah Saya terlelah apabila kamu membuat doamu kepada Saya. Tidak pernah Saya menoleh ke belakang apabila kamu ingin melihat wajah-Ku. Saya sentiasa menantimu, anak. Jangan takut untuk menghadapi Bapamu di syurga. Usahlah kamu memikirkan perkara yang lalu, perkara yang menyakitkan hati, perkara yang kamu tidak boleh ubah sekarang. Tapi anak-anak kesayangan-Ku, lihatlah ke masa hadapan! Buka mata dan lihat betapa terang dan betapa indah jalan dan rancangan-Ku ada untukmu. Ya, rancangan yang tidak boleh dimusnahkan oleh sesiapa-siapa, tetapi rancangan yang terselindung dalam Aku.

Maka anak, Saya di sini. Bapamu di sini. Bapamu mendengar. Bapamu ada di kesampinganmu dan Bapamu tidak akan meninggalkanmu.

True Worshippers – Jadi SepertiMu

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

Shofar Lau, beloved son of God, shared about how God revealed Himself to him even before he knew God.

A Sarawakian from a traditional Chinese family, Shofar grew up going to the temple with his family, practicing the traditions such as drinking burnt talisman. He often wondered if there was vested power within the statues there.

But it was only when he turned 18 years old, he was exposed to God through his roommate who was often seen reading the Bible. Shofar asked many question. But none of the answers satisfied him.

On 25th of September, Shofar Lau was invited as a speaker in the Full Gospel Business Men Fellowship (FGBMF) in the KL Ebenezer Jalan Gereja chapter led by Steven Toh. 

He thought, “How can one claim that his god is true when there are so many other gods in this world?” Hence, looking up to the sky, he asked in his heart, “Whoever is the highest God, please reveal yourself to me.”

Steven Toh, president of the KL Ebenezer Jalan Gereja chapter

So, Shofar graduated and came to a college in Kuala Lumpur (now KUTAR) with a friend. But after one month, his friend left the college. Yet, God did not leave Shofar alone. He sent him a Christian friend who invited him to join the Bible studies and fellowship. After six months, Shofar moved in with him with other Christians as well. And a year later, Shofar accepted Christ.

“Looking back, if my friend had not leaved me, I would have never become a Christian because I was an anti-Christian in high school. I would often fight with my classmate on whether God actually created the universe,” Shofar said.

His life appeared normal after believing in Christ. But even before he realized, God was already paving a path of blessing and favour for him.

Coming from a humble background, Shofar recalled how he had to work part-time to pay for his college tuition fees. At one time, he only had RM10 in his bank account. But two years into his career, God opened an opportunity for him to start an engineering lab educational equipment business, which he did considerably well.

Shofar Lau in the workplace

“But after a few years, I felt really dry spiritually. I started to question myself, ‘What is the meaning of life?’ and ‘Why am I here?’” said Shofar who began returning to church

The business continued to prosper, so much so, at one point Shofar had the means to give a six-figure check to the church.

“I am revealing this number not because I want to boast but I want to tell you about the glory of God,” said Shofar.

God brought to mind that day when Shofar was compelled during a Christian seminar at his university to give.

“Guess how much I give to the seminar? Guess how much I put in the envelope? Nothing.  Zero. I gave an empty envelope. But I gave to God my heart. I told God, ‘I want to give something in this envelope to you,’” said Shofar.

And how God honoured his desire! His business prospered. Yet, Shofar was reminded of 1 Corinthians 10:26 and Psalm 24:1.

The earth is the LORD’s and the fullness thereof, the world and those who dwell therein, for he has founded it upon the seas and established it upon the rivers. (Psalm 24:1)

The earth is the Lord’s and everything in in. (1 Corinthians 10:26)

Shofar Lau

“I realized that I have not given to the Lord because everything I have belongs to God in the first place. I was giving Him what was already His. What I realized is that we cannot outgive God. He will always outgive us,” said Shofar.

After his six-figure check, his business of RM30 million turnover per year multiplied ten folds to RM300 million a year. This amount was unprecedented in his industry!

Yet, this overwhelming number of projects came with a price. Shofar worked long hours, day and night. Slowly, he began to compromise his time with God and church.

“Now that I recall, it is one of the mistakes I made in my life. There was no balance between my work and my life. I did not realize that I was working all the time, so much so I even neglected my health and went into depression,” said Shofar.

The sudden death of his mother who was pink in health triggered his depression. Shofar was burdened with the guilt of not spending enough time with her while she was still alive. Added to the pressure of managing over 30 engineers, Shofar slowly sunk into depression – one that sent him to a hospital during a work trip in Sabah.

“Even till the middle of the night, I just could not sleep and I felt really restless. I felt so tired that I thought I was going to drop dead. So, I went to the hotel receptionist to get a taxi to the hospital,” said Shofar.

Shofar Lau sharing how deep his depression was

In the hospital, Shofar insisted to overnight at the emergency ward although the medical officer assured him of his healthy condition. So, he slept and woke up to continue working again, having felt better. But not long after, Shofar had a panic attack and went to see the doctor. This time, the doctor asked him to quit his work in Sabah and return home in Kuala Lumpur.

“Now, I understand why people want to commit suicide. Depression is the disease of the soul. You cannot focus in life and you just want to die. Life is literally hell on earth. And one of the symptoms is insomnia,” said Shofar.

He added, “Sometimes, I just want to sit there and talk to the doctor. And I feel better. So, that is the extent of my depression.”

Although he did a full body check-up, which results were normal, he still felt something was very wrong. Suddenly, he remembered that there was one person he had not asked.

“Suddenly, I remember my God! The world has no answer for me. ‘But God, You must have the answer!’” said Shofar who immediately picked up his Bible to read, which verse 2 Chronicles 5:13-14 caught his eyes and moved his spirit. This verse talks about praising God.

The trumpeters and musicians joined in unison to give praise and thanks to the LORD. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals and other instruments, the singers raised their voices in praise to the LORD and sang: “He is good; his love endures forever.” Then the temple of the LORD was filled with the cloud, and the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the temple of God. (2 Chronicle 5:13-14)

“I did not know what to say to praise God. So, I just lied down and say, ‘I praise the Lord. Hallelujah. I praise the Lord.’ And you know what happen? I just sleep. Perfect sleep!” said Shofar, whose body was wrecked from over fatigue.

Shofar Lau

Having not experienced a deep sleep for six months, Shofar praised God again the next day and slept soundly without any problem. So, that was his daily sleeping medication – praising God!

“I realized that the Presence of God repels darkness. That is the principle of God. Before this, I could not even praise God. But now I can praise Him from my heart.

“My eyes were opened from that one experience. It was just one verse and it settled my problem. Wow! So, I turned to look at the Bible. It was so thick. I wondered what’s more in it.

“So, I started reading and God just opened my eyes to the Truth. I realized that there is a difference between knowledge and truth. Knowledge deals with my head. But Truth deals with my heart,” he said.

At one time, he was so voracious for the revelation from God that God just opened his eyes to His Word, day after day.

“My eyes were just glued to the book. I could not stop reading. I asked, ‘God, what are you saying?’ And He gave me a lot of revelations,” he said, citing Jeremiah 33:3.

Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know. (Jer 33:3)

“In the past, when I looked at the Word of God, I would understand it in an intellectual manner. But when God opened my spiritual eyes, I looked at His Word in a different angle. And through His Word, God healed me physically and relationally,” Shofar said.

Shofar Lau 

He recalled how God lifted his anger from his wife after an argument, when God literally spoke to him in an audible voice. And through that intervention, Shofar was released from the bondage of anger.

That is why reading the Word of God is so important to Shofar. It is the only way he could renew his mind, as said in Romans 12:2.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Rom 12:2)

“What convicted me is the verse, ‘What good will it be for me to gain the whole world yet forfeit my soul?’ Even if I were to get a business deal greater than what I experienced, I will not take it. I don’t want to. I want to enter through the small gate and narrow road that leads to life,” said Shofar, citing Matt 16:26 and Matt 7:14.

Right now, Shofar is actively involved in the foreign people ministry and worshipping in RLS Church in Desa Sri Hartamas. His goal in life now is to do what God the Father asks him to do.

“Why am I here? What is the meaning and purpose of this life? It’s not about me but God has a plan. I need to fit into His Plan. (Gal 2:20) It is like a jigsaw puzzle. And I am one piece of that jigsaw puzzle, a living stone, built into the building of God’s New Jerusalem. I don’t want to miss out (1 Pet 2:4-5),” said Shofar, citing Galatians 2:20 and 1 Peter 2:4-5.

I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now life in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. (Gal 2:20)

As you come to him, a living stone rejected by men but in the sight chosen and precious, you yourselves like living stone are being built up as a spiritual house, to be a holy priesthood, to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1 Pet 2:4-5)

“That day will come; the time of departure is at hand but I don’t know when. I kept reminding myself to fight the good fight. Will I be able to do this? Especially when God has revealed to me now, I must go on,” said Shofar, citing Paul in 2 Tim 4:6-8, as these verses kept popping in his mind.

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing. (2 Tim 4:8)

Indeed, out of all the wealth Shofar has acquired, he realized the greatest wealth lies not in his possessions on earth, but in his Lord Jesus Christ.

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Visit KL Ebenezer Jalan Gereja chapter of FGBMF at 1 to 2 PM every Tuesday at Ebenezer Hall, 5th Floor, Sri Ebenezer, 2-8 Jalan Gereja, 50100 Kuala Lumpur.

The post The Greatest Wealth lies not in Possessions but in Jesus — Shofar Lau appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

We need to understand that our God is a God of covenants. And there are two types of love of God – one is the common love and the other is the covenantal love.

Common love is an unconditional love given freely to all people, regardless of their responses.

We can see the definition of this common love in Matthew 5, where Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in Heaven.” In this verse, we are called to love our enemies, following the nature of our Father.

Every person who loves, knows this common love of God. 1 John 4:8 says, “The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.” In other words, anyone on earth can feel and receive this love whether they love or know God.

Ref: tumblr

This article is written as a reflectional piece based on the sharing of Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang on how we can attain victory in our spiritual encounter with God at Prescott Hotel Klang on 16^th to 18^th of July 2015. He started the session by explaining how we can enter a covenantal love with God.

Covenantal love, on the other hand, can be conditional and unconditional, initiated and given by God. An example of unconditional covenantal love is when God made a covenantal love with Noah that He will never destroy all living things with flood again. (Gen 9:11) In other words, without any conditions on us, God will hold His promise. However, an example of conditional covenantal love (or basically a covenantal love with conditions) is that Noah and his descendents would have to answer for every flesh of blood they consume and every human they murder, as God requires life for life due to the sanctity of a human life. (Gen 9:4-6)

Now, the question is how can love and covenant come together? Should not all love come without requirements? Yes, that love has already been defined, which is common love.

But covenantal love is different from common love. Common love only involves one party, God loving us. Covenantal love involves two parties — God loving us first and us loving God back. It is a two-sided, active, dynamic, and ongoing love relationship between us and God. In the covenantal love, we become God’s son and daughter, and we get to personally know God as our Father in Heaven.

Ref: womennet

The greatest example of a covenantal love is the covenantal love established by Jesus Christ. According to the Word of God, this covenant is established when we believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He died for our sins on the cross, rose on the third day, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Believing this is the condition to enter this covenantal relationship with God. In this covenantal relationship, God becomes our Father in Heaven, and we become His son and daughter, through Christ.

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” (John 3:17-18)

In fact, this covenantal love has been formed since the beginning. When God created Adam and Eve, he intended to have covenantal love and common love with us.

Adam and Eve knew God’s common love, meaning they experienced and felt love. But when Adam sinned, the covenantal love with God is broken. (Gen 2:6-17) Thus, they lost a relationship with God or they are separated from Him because of sin. Because they broke the covenant, they suffered a spiritual death, followed by a physical death. (Gen 2:17)

Hence, as descendents of Adam and Eve, we too “by nature” are “children of wrath” in the eyes of God, “indulging the desires of the flesh and the mind” (Eph 2:1-3). All of us are spiritually dead and separated from God, untill Jesus Christ reconciled us with Him. Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)

Ref: gracestories

However, although the covenantal love with God is broken, God’s common love remains. This explains why we can still experience and feel love without knowing or believing in God, while we are here on earth.

On a side note, another question that might emerge is why did God give Adam and Eve the ability to sin, by planting the tree of knowledge of good and evil? Would it not be more loving if God made Adam and Eve immune and incapable in deciding to sin?

First of all, Adam and Eve are made in the image of God. (Gen 1:27) And a key character of God is that He is love. (1 John 4:8) For love to happen, it must exist only in free-will. In other words, love has to come from the ability to decide or the ability to make a choice. It cannot be forced or programmed. Hence, to allow the operation of free will, God must plant the tree of knowledge of good and evil. This is because love can only happen in free will.

Ref: google

But even though Adam and Eve broke the covenantal love with God, God has never stopped reaching out to us since then.

After Adam and Eve, we see God reaching out to Noah with His covenantal love. And because Noah had done all that God had commanded him, God made a covenantal love with Noah. Firstly, God blessed Noah to multiply and subdue all animals, consuming them as food. Secondly, Noah was commanded not to eat flesh with blood and to require life for life for a man. The covenant made with Noah is effectively carried out to the rest of mankind because all of us are actually descendents of Noah. (Gen 6:18)

Even until today, we see the effects of Noah’s covenant with God. The world had been multiplying and humans had always been stronger than animals, subduing them and consuming them as food. Capital punishment for murder had been practiced by governments since the early ages (though some are not practicing them now). And the apostles in the New Testament commanded the Christian Gentiles to abstain from flesh of blood. (Acts 15:28-29)

Let us look also at other covenantal love God made after Noah. Who can forget the great covenant God made with Abraham? God promised Abraham that He will make him a great nation and give his descendents the promised land. (Gen 12:1-3; Gen 15) Sealed by blood (Gen 15:9), we can see how this love covenant is carried by faith and not by strength – from Abraham to his son Isaac, to Jacob, and to the 12 tribes that made the people of Israel. In fact, this covenantal love foreshadows the kind of covenantal love that we would have with God, through Jesus Christ.

Ref: salemwebnetwork

And when the people of Israel has multiplied to become a Jewish nation, God made a covenantal love with them through Moses. He gave them the Law and the Ten Commandments. (Exo 20:1-17) Following the commandments would promise a multitude of blessings, and disobeying them would result in disciplining from God, even to the point of God being silent.

Here, we may ask how can God be loving when his covenant included discipline for not obeying them? Firstly, like a loving father, love is not marked by giving all that his children want, but giving them all they need.

Instead of seeing discipline as a punishment, it is necessary for the child to grow up to his or her greatest good. For example, if our children were to study for their exam, we as parents would reward or encourage them. But if they were lazy, we as parents would limit their video game time or withdraw privileges. While our children would see our discipline as unloving, we know that this action is best for them.

Hence, in a relationship of a Father and child, basically a covenantal love, discipline is necessary to make us more like Him, which is being the best person God has intended us to be.

Ref: dumbonyc

Also, it is interesting to see how personal God is when He makes a covenantal love with His People. Every time when He makes a covenant in the Bible, God will address Himself with a personal name such as LORD God, GOD, the Lord, the LORD, the Lord of hosts, and also other specific names that described His character such as Elohim, El Shaddai, Adonai, Jehovah Jireh, Jehovah Shalom, etc. Throughout the Bible, we see God wanting us to know Him, through a covenantal love.

Yet, before Jesus Christ came, only the Israelites can establish an individual covenantal love with God. For example, David, an Israelite, made a covenantal love with God. In this covenant, God promised to establish his throne forever and to bless his son with an unending love, when David wanted to build God a temple on earth. (1 Sam 7:1-16)

As for Nebuchadnezzar and Cyrus, who were both Gentiles, although they personally knew God – Nebuchadnezzar making a great confession of God (Dan 3:28-29) and Cyrus being called as the shepherd (Isa 44:28) – neither knew God the way the Israelites did. The Old Testament points out that Gentiles cannot establish this covenantal relationship with God.

Only when Jesus Christ came, this covenantal love is opened to the Gentiles as well. We may wonder if God have loved the Gentiles (basically the non-Jews who believe in Christ). But although God revealed Himself to the Israelites first, God has already purposed to establish a covenantal love with us as the Gentiles since the days of the Old Testament.

Citing the prophet Hosea, apostle Paul said of God’s Word, “I (meaning God speaking here) will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called ‘Not my loved one.’ I will say to those called ‘Not my people,’ ‘You are my people’; and they will say, ‘You are my God’” and “In the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called ‘children of the Living God.’” (Rom 9:25-26).

Ref: ballroomdancechicago

Before Christ came, only the Israelites were called “loved one,” “His people,” and “children of the Living God.” Yet, in the passage above, Hosea prophesied how the Gentiles will be shown love and called His people and children of God. We might think God is unfair. But the Bible also says, “So the last will be first, and the first will be last.” (Matt 20:16) The Israelites were chosen first but they cannot boast of their natural heritage from Abraham for their salvation in God. The Gentiles cannot boast as well because they are saved only through faith. This is done so that God’s mercy is extended to all, so that none can boast. And all glory goes to God.

Under the new covenant with Jesus Christ, He brings together Jews and Gentiles as one perfect man. This new covenant is far superior than the old covenant of the Israelites, because Jesus was the perfect sacrifice for our sins. He died once for all. (1 Pet 3:18) Because of Jesus, we do not need to offer blood sacrifices like what the old covenant required from Israelites, to atone for our sins.

Because Jesus Christ died for us and God accepted Jesus as a perfect sacrifice, God no longer remember our iniquities. (Heb 8:12) In the new covenant, God place in us His Spirit, so that we no longer need to depend on our human flesh to observe all His commandment. But His Spirit will help us to follow God. Through Christ, we have God’s spirit in us!

Prophet Ezekiel said of the LORD, “I (meaning God speaking here) will give you a new heart and a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit in you and move you to follow my decrees and be careful to keep my laws.” (Eze 36:26-27) Prophet Jeremiah also prophesied the same. (Jer 31:31;333-4)

Ref: reachforthestarberriesa

In this new covenant as well, Jesus Christ becomes our mediator (Heb 12:24; 1 Timothy 2:5). ‘For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all people.” (1 Tim 2:5-6a) Jesus also becomes our high priest who sits at the right hand of the throne of God in Heaven, constantly interceding for us. (Heb 3:1; Heb 6:20; Heb 8:1, Rom 8:34) The new covenant is established on better promises (Heb 8:6) and freedom in Christ. (Gal 4)

Hence, we are living in a time when many prophets and kings desired and yearned to see during their days. But they did not and they could not. (Luke 10:24) Without the covenant with God, no one can have a relationship with God because they are not His children or His people. Only under the covenant with Jesus Christ, we receive the Holy Spirit in us who testify that we are God’s children. (Rom 8:16)

And again, the condition to be in this covenant is to believe. Jesus said, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I do in my Father’s name testify about me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.” (John 10:25-30) And Jesus also said, “Whoever belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.” (John 8:47)

Ref: amazonaws

So, common love is free for all to have and experience while they are alive on earth. But covenantal love only happens when we want to respond to God’s offer of a Father-and-child relationship with Him. And the condition to enter this covenant is really to believe in Jesus Christ, that He is ‘the way and the truth and the life.’ He said, “No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 3:17-18)

And yes, this covenantal love is open and free for all. No matter how bad your past is or how sinful you think you are, God will never reject you. He will always accept you and receive you as His son or daughter in Heaven. No sin is too big for God to reject you. And nothing in this world can stop His covenantal Love in Jesus Christ from reaching you! Only, you need to believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and He died for our sins on the cross, rose on the third day, and is now seated at the right hand of the throne of God. Only believe in your heart, confess with your mouth. And you have stepped into the Kingdom of Heaven, where you call God as your “Abba, Father!”

“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)

Ref: iamblessedrix

Note: This article is not vetted by the speaker Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang and may not accurately represent the information he shared. It is a reflectional piece put together by the writer from her perspective and understanding as a participant of his seminar, Victory in Spiritual Encounter. Hence, the writer encourages the reader to examine this article in light of the Bible scripture to make a personal stand on this matter. The Bible, again, holds all authority in all matters. To gain a more accurate understanding about this topic, you can also attend the Victory in Spiritual Encounter by Reverend Lieow.

Rev Lieow

Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang has ministered to the Tamil community and Orang Asli community. At present, Reverend Lieow is stationed at Tapah, where he continues to serve as the Senior Pastor to the Orang Asli church there, and supervised the co-workers among the tribes. Reverend Lieow has over 30 years of experience in healing, deliverance, interpretation of dreams, and spiritual discernment of various types of spirits in the crosss-cultural Malaysian context. And in his seminars, he will teach on how to deal with these issues based on James 5:13-16. Reverend Lieow is married to Mary Chok Fonng Yeen and has four chidlren. For more information on his seminar, please email him at lieow55@gmail.com and kingbun@gmail.com 

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The post Entering into a Covenantal Love with God – Rev Lieow Meng Kuang appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

All of us as the children of God, the King of kings, are the princes and princesses of His Kingdom. So, our Father will surely find us a partner who can take care of us. He will look at all the men and find a suitable candidate for us. Then, He will call the candidates one-by-one and say, “Let us choose the one from the chosen candidate.”

We may at look at the chosen candidate and say, “Well, I think this person is good, Father. So, can we get married right away?

And God respond, “Hmm… no my dear. Please wait for me to test and to equip him first so that he can really take good care of my precious Princess (or Prince).”

Ref: http://www.carolinetran.net/blog/wp-content/uploads/2011/09/los-angeles-engagement-photo-08.jpg

This was a random illustration of finding the Mister or Miss Right in a tea time conversation with my friend. Yet, it is indeed true. We meet different people in different season of our life. And there will be a time when we will ask God, “God, I know. This is the one, right? I just knew.” But God’s answer to our prayer may be, “No.” And at that moment, we could not comprehend or accept the answer.

“Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.” (Mark 10:9)

We often want to start a relationship right away or in an instant way. We can wait no longer because we are afraid of losing that person to some else. We tend to want to rush things, just like the princess in the illustration. But our Father’s heart is to give us the best one.

Ref: http://www.wishespoint.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/waiting1.jpg

Love blinds?

Once, a speaker shared humorously about marriage. He said, “When you are looking for a life partner, open both of your eyes big enough to see clearly. When you get married, see your life partner with one eye closed. Lastly, when you have children, see your life partner with two eyes closed.”

This is so true. But we tend to do this the reversed way, resulting in many unsuccessful marriage in our society now. When we have a crush on someone, we can’t seem to see any flaws in our crush, just like the princess in the illustration above. Yes, love blinds in this scenario.

Hence, we can thank God for having a Father who loves us deeply and cares for us. He helps to equip our life partner with the ability to take good care of us, and vice versa. That is why He wants us to patiently wait.

Ref: https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/6d/46/7f/6d467f5195fa62cb5593ac9c1cf278b6.jpg

“And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Romans 8:28)

Of course, in the season of waiting, it is not just waiting for our partner for waiting sake, but to allow God to prepare him or her. At the same time, God is preparing us to be someone better as well. Hence, sometimes, it is not us waiting for God. But God is waiting for us to be prepared in receiving His blessings.

A meaningful quote once says, “Blessed is the man who finds a girl that loves God more than him. And blessed is the girl who finds a man who waits for her and asks for her from God.”

Ref: http://36.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lx118frOQw1r40feto1_500.jpg

“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; therefore he will rise up to show you compassion. For the Lord is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (Isaiah 30:18)

Waiting is not easy.

“Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God. Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:7-8)

Love never runs out and it will wait until you are ready. Don’t just love because you are lonely. Love only when you are ready. To us, waiting is a waste of time. But to God, waiting is a form of work. We need to know that sometimes, it is not about waiting, it is about what you do in the season of waiting.

Ref: http://i.ytimg.com/vi/Q7T-tX2hhDQ/hqdefault.jpg

Be Blessed!

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

The LORD God is the Lord of Hosts (Rev 19:11-20), and this has been mentioned 261 times in the Old Testament Scripture. Therefore, He rules over the angelic hosts, including the fallen angels. As a ruler, it is the LORD God who established the covenant with day and night, and the laws of heaven and earth. (Jer 33:25-26) These laws govern not only the physical world but also the spiritual world as well.

For example, God appointed a time to judge the devil Satan, his angelic host and man. The law appointed for men is for men to die once and then face judgment. (Heb 9:27, Job 30:23) This judgment will be held on a fixed day, whereby Jesus Christ will be the judge. (Dan 8:19, Acts 17:30-31)

This article is written as a reflectional piece based on the sharing of Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang on how we can attain victory in our spiritual encounter with God at Prescott Hotel Klang on 16^th to 18^th of July 2015. In this second session, Reverend Lieow discussed on whether Christians can still hold past covenantal ties to dark spirits.

Ref: scienceandreligiontoday

Not only men, the devil and his angelic hosts have an appointed day for judgment as well. The reason the devil is not destroyed is because his appointed time of judgment by God has not come. God has the power to destroy the devil and his angelic host. In the end, Jesus will go on a war with his armies of heaven. He will throw the beast and the false prophet into the firey lake of burning sulfur. And the kings of the earth and their armies will also be killed by the sword coming out from the mouth of Jesus. (Rev 19:11-21)

Yet, before the devil’s appointed time of judgment, he is given authority under a long chain in this world. He is called ‘the ruler of the world,’ ‘ruler of the kingdom of the air,’ and ‘the spirit who is at work in those who are disobedient.’ (John 14:30; Eph 2:1-2) The whole world is under the control of the evil one. (1 John 5:19) All of the children of Adam are subjected under his rule. (Eph 2:1-2)

But on the cross, Jesus Christ has ‘disarmed the powers and authorities’ of the devil and his angelic hosts. (Col 2:15) He is seated ‘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.’ ‘And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the church’ (Eph 1:21) Jesus ‘is the head over every power and authority’ (Col 2:10).

Ref: scottattebery

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On the cross, God made Jesus who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:21) On the cross, Jesus forgave us all our sins and canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us. He had take this charge away and nailed it to the cross. (Col 2:14)

Yet, some of us who are first-generation Christians may hold certain past covenantal ties with the devil, his angelic host, and the elemental forces of this world. How can this be? Are not all past covenantal ties broken when we believe in Jesus Christ? The answer is yes! We are justified and sanctified by the blood of Jesus. (Rom 5:9; Heb 13:12)

However, if we still practice religious activities associated with worshipping an idol, we are actually offering ourselves as slaves to who we obey. Paul says to the Romans church, “Don’t you know that when you offer yourselves to someone as obedient slaves, you are slaves of the one you obey – whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness?” (Rom 6:16)

Having an idol is actually a sign of covenant with the fallen angelic hosts and principalities. When God wanted to establish Israelites’ land, He commanded them, “Do not make a covenant with them (people living in the land) or with their gods…. Or they will cause you to sin against me, because the worship of their gods will certainly be a snare to you.” (Exo 23:32-33)

Ref: getupwithgod

That is why God took the subject of idolatry seriously. The first commandment that God gave the Israelites through Moses was, “You shall have no other gods before.” This is followed by, “You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath on in the waters below. You shall no bow down to them or worship them; for I, the LORD your God.’ (Exo 20:1-5)

Hence, shall we partake food offered to idols? Scripture has much to say about this. The apostles consulted the Gentiles believers in Christ to abstain from food sacrificed to idols. (Act 15:28-30)

Paul has also addressed this matter clearly to the Corinthian church.  He says, “Consider the people of Israel: Do not those who eat the sacrifices participate in the altar? Do I mean then that food sacrificed to an idol is anything, or that an idol is anything? No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God, and I do not want you to be participants with demons. You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot have a part in both the Lord’s table and the table of demons. Are we trying to arouse the Lord’s jealousy? Are we stronger than he?” (1 Cor 10:18-22) Hence, when we partake from and worship God and the demon, we are actually arousing God’s jealousy.

Ref: fineartamerica

Some of us may think that if we consecrate the food by the word of God and prayer, even the food offered to demons is acceptable. Paul says, “For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.” But if we were to read the whole passage, this part was written for believers who added human restraints to justify their faith in Christ. Not only they abstain from certain foods, they also forbid people to marry. Hence, although all food is to be eaten and received with thanksgiving, Paul has clearly stated that we shall not partake in food offered to idols.

In addition to idols, when we subject ourselves to elemental principles – basic or rudimental principles or personification of natural forces – we are actually choosing to be enslaved by them.

Paul rebuked the Galatian church by saying, “But now that you know God – or rather are known by God – how is that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you want to be enslaved by them all over again? You are observing special days and months and seasons and years!” (Gal 4:9-10) The weak and miserable forces refer to elemental forces. (Gal 4:3) The people in this Scripture knowingly follow religious practices associated with elemental principles. While I know some of us unknowingly follow to appease the people around us, it is perhaps wise to not practice it, to avoid any chances of being enslaved by them.

Paul also rebuked the Colossian church by saying, “Since you died with Christ to the elemental spiritual forces of this world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its rules?”

Ref: frock-off

Hence, based on biblical Scripture, it is unwise to partake or perform religious rituals associated to idols and elemental principles.

Also, the purpose of this article is not to induce fear amongst ourselves or to make us paranoid on whether we have any past covenantal ties.

Jesus Christ already says, “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand.” (John 10:27-29)

And ‘for in Christ, all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority.’ (Col 2:9-10)

Darkness has no authority in our life. In fact, Scriptures says, “You are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”

Ref: catholiclane

“Since He (God) did not spare His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for His own? No one – for God Himself has given us right standing with Himself. Who then will condemn us? No one – for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and He is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us.” (Rom 8: 32-24)

And finally, “Nothing can separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow – not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below – indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus or Lord.” (Rom 8:38-39)

At this point however, on a side note, I also need to point out one sobering fact. Nothing external can separate us from the love of God. But personally, I do believe that we – ourselves – can separate ourselves from His love based on our free will. We can choose to walk away from God in thoughts and actions.

With that said, this article is written, so that we now do not unknowingly practice religious activities associated with worshipping or elemental spirits. In the past, some of us might have unknowingly participated. But now that we know, children of God, let us be wise and choose to do the right thing. Like the psalmist who says, “Teach me good discernment and knowledge, for I believe in Your commandments” (Psa 119:66); let us grow mature to eat solid food, like those ‘who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good and evil.” And hallelujah! We praise God for the access and availability of His Word in our lives. Amen.

Ref: theimaginativeconservative

Note: This article is not vetted by the speaker Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang and may not accurately represent the information he shared. It is a reflectional piece put together by the writer from her perspective and understanding as a participant of his seminar, Victory in Spiritual Encounter.Hence, the writer encourages the reader to examine this article in light of the Bible scripture to make a personal stand on this matter. The Bible, again, holds all authority in all matters. To gain a more accurate understanding about this topic, you can also attend the Victory in Spiritual Encounter by Reverend Lieow.

Rev Lieow

Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang has ministered to the Tamil community and Orang Asli community. At present, Reverend Lieow is stationed at Tapah, where he continues to serve as the Senior Pastor to the Orang Asli church there, and supervised the co-workers among the tribes. Reverend Lieow has over 30 years of experience in healing, deliverance, interpretation of dreams, and spiritual discernment of various types of spirits in the crosss-cultural Malaysian context. And in his seminars, he will teach on how to deal with these issues based on James 5:13-16. Reverend Lieow is married to Mary Chok Fonng Yeen and has four chidlren. For more information on his seminar, please email him at lieow55@gmail.com and kingbun@gmail.com 

The post Can Christians have covenantal ties with darkness? – Rev Lieow Meng Kuang appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

The priesthood of believers in God has began since the beginning of time. It is a perpetual theme we see running from Genesis to Revelation.

But the only priest that can become a mediator between God and the whole mankind is Jesus Christ. (1 Tim 2:5) He is our High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek. (Psa 110:4, Heb 6:19-20)

This article is written as a reflectional piece based on the sharing of Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang on how we can attain victory in our spiritual encounter with God at Prescott Hotel Klang on 16^th to 18^th of July 2015. In this session, he explained about the priesthood of believers, starting first with Jesus Christ.

And here are four reasons why Jesus Christ is our High Priest or really the perfect priest.

Only Jesus descended from Heaven

Firstly, Jesus is our High Priest because He is the only person who descended from Heaven. (John 3:13)

Jesus says, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me.” (John 6:38) He also says, “I am the living bread that came down from heaven.” (John 6:51)

Only Jesus has seen the God and is in closest relationship with the Father. (John 1:18) That is why Jesus can fully understand the will of God while He was ministering on earth. (John 5:19, John 14:10)

This full understanding of God the Father makes Jesus a perfect priest for God because He does all that God wants Him to do. Jesus says, “I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)

Ref: dreamatico

Only Jesus is fully human and fully God

But understand that Jesus is not like God. Jesus is God.

Isaiah prophesied the birth of Jesus, calling Him “The mighty God.” (Isa 9:6) John referred to Jesus as ‘the one and only Son, who is Himself God.’ (John 1:18) Even Jesus declares, “Verily, verily, I say unto you. Before Abraham was, I AM.” (John 8:58) “I AM” is the name of God. (Exo 3:14)

Yet, Jesus is fully human as well, which makes Him the perfect priest for us. Like us, Jesus got hungry (Matt 4:2), got tempted (Heb 4:15), and died. (Mark 15:37)

He was made ‘fully human in every way, in order that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and He might make atonement for the sins of people.’ (Heb 2:17)

Because Jesus is fully human, He is able to empathize with our weaknesses and help those of us who are being tempted. (Heb 2:18; Heb 4:15) This is the second reason why Jesus can be the High Priest for us.

Ref: jmichaelrios

Only Jesus can offer the Perfect Sacrifice

The third reason Jesus is the High Priest for us is that His sacrifice on the cross is perfect. (Heb 10:14)

The Israelite priests had to atone for sins by offering the same animal sacrifices day after day, which can never take away sins. (Heb 10:11)

But Jesus only sacrificed for sins once and for all when He offered Himself. (Heb 7:27) ‘He (Jesus) did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but He entered the Most Holy Place once for all by His own blood, thus obtaining eternal redemption.’ (Heb 9:13)

‘For one sacrifice, Jesus has made perfect forever those who are being made holy.’ (Heb 10:14) And ‘so Christ was sacrificed once to take away the sins of many’ (Heb 9:28a)

Because of Jesus, ‘we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body.’ (Heb 10:19)

Ref: blogspot

The Most Holy Place is the holiest place in the temple of Jerusalem, which has the Ark of the Covenant. It is separated from the temple sanctuary with a curtain. Only the priests are allowed to enter this place, lest anyone should die in the Presence of God. In fact, only one priest can enter this place once a year to offer sacrifices and atone for sins.

But when Jesus died, the curtain in the temple torn from top to bottom. (Matt 27:51) This signifies Jesus tearing the barrier of sin between men and God, Jesus being sin for us, so that in Him we might become the righteousness of God. (2 Cor 5:21)

Because of our faith in Jesus, we are therefore justified before God (Rom 5:1, Gal 2:16).  And we can come into His Presence, to the Most Holy Place.

Ref: followingafterjesus

Only Jesus can be the Perfect Intercessor

The fourth reason Jesus is the High Priest is He is the perfect intercessor for us.

He is the priest who is now at the temple of the Living God and is standing

at the right hand of God. (Mark 16:19, Acts 2:23, Rom 8:34) ‘For Christ did not enter a santuary made with human hands that was only a copy of the true one; he entered heaven itself, now to appear for us in God’s presence.’ (Heb 9:24)

So, what is Christ doing for us in God’s presence? He is interceding for us. (Rom 8:34) In fact, He is always interceding for us. (Hb 7:24-25)

And ‘because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore, He is able to save completely those who came to God through Him, because He always lives to intercede for them.’ (Heb 7:24-25)

Because Jesus is our immortal priest, He is able to constantly intercede for us, covering our sins with His blood when we come before Him and repent.

Ref: ggpht

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Note: This article is not vetted by the speaker Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang and may not accurately represent the information he shared. It is a reflectional piece put together by the writer from her perspective and understanding as a participant of his seminar, Victory in Spiritual Encounter.Hence, the writer encourages the reader to examine this article in light of the Bible scripture to make a personal stand on this matter. The Bible, again, holds all authority in all matters. To gain a more accurate understanding about this topic, you can also attend the Victory in Spiritual Encounter by Reverend Lieow.

Rev Lieow

Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang has ministered to the Tamil community and Orang Asli community. At present, Reverend Lieow is stationed at Tapah, where he continues to serve as the Senior Pastor to the Orang Asli churchthere, and supervised the co-workers among the tribes. Reverend Lieow has over 30 years of experience in healing, deliverance, interpretation of dreams, and spiritual discernment of various types of spirits in the crosss-cultural Malaysian context. And in his seminars, he will teach on how to deal with these issues based on James 5:13-16. Reverend Lieow is married to Mary Chok Fonng Yeen and has four chidlren. For more information on his seminar, please email him at lieow55@gmail.com and kingbun@gmail.com 

The post 4 Reasons Jesus is our High Priest – Reverend Lieow Meng Kuang appeared first on Malaysia’s most comprehensive Christian news website and was launched in September 2012, incorporated with the vision of delivering up-to-date news, information, and commentaries relevant to Christians across denominational lines.

“When I have depression, it was hard for me to control myself. Thinking back, I thank the people who took care of me. But I feel that if you want to get out of depression, what you really need is courage,” said Hiromi Wada, a 28-year old Hong Kong actress and singer who found God in the midst of her suicidal attempt.

A girl whose contagious laughter reverberates from her soul, Hiromi started performing early at only 14 years old. Yet, behind her smiling face, Hiromi grew up struggling with low-self esteem due to the lack of affirmation by her mother.

“I’m actually a very stubborn person. But somehow, I gave people the impression that I am very innocent and that I can be easily persuaded to change my thoughts,” said Hiromi who often became a prime target for manipulation in the entertainment industry, for her vulnerable appearance.

“So, most of the time, I felt really hurtful because I was thinking to myself, ‘How do I respond to this person?’” said Hiromi, whose trust on people began to erode over the years.

Nevertheless, although she did not know God at that time, she persevered and believed that her talent would help her shine in the entertainment industry.

“I persevered because I love the performing arts. But I didn’t want to do anything against my values to be promoted into stardom. If I want to get up, I want my effort and talent to be the reasons of my success,” said Hiromi, who began to realize how fragile humans are.

Hiromi Wada

“But no matter how stubborn you are and how much you persevere, there will come a day when you’ll reach exhaustion; you’ll lose all hope in this world when the people, even your good friends betray you. You’ll feel that there is no one to trust in this world,” said Hiromi.

After much disappointing experiences with people, she began to isolate herself at home. And with no hope and no purpose in life, Hiromi began hearing voices in her head with an unexplainable nauseating pressure, evident of a demonic attack.

But it was also during this time, she was exposed to God when she heard about how a friend at the last-stage of cancer was miraculously healed upon prayers by a group of Christian brothers and sisters.

“I felt so encouraged when I heard about my friend’s testimony because I thought, ‘Miracles can still happen in this world.’ So, I saw a way out from my depression,” said Hiromi.

However, she believed that it was actually her friend’s personal optimisim that healed her. “But actually, how much strength does a person has? For me, I cannot even control what will happen to me in the future.”

Hiromi did not think that such a miracle would happen to her. Sinking deeper into depression, she finally decided to commit suicide.

She began to understand that people under depression do not necessarily want to commit suicide. But because the mental torture is too great, taking one’s life appears to be an easy way to stop the torture.

“Normally, I would be fearful of many things. But at the moment I decided to commit suicde, there is a million times of strength for me to do it,” said Hiromi who recalled hearing the voice of a demon while she wanted to buy the sleeping pills to commit suicide.

“I actually talked to a person. I said, ‘I know you want me to die. Why don’t you just let me die?’ So, I asked this person to help me,” said Hiromi.

Hiromi Wada

Typically, a pharmacist would not sell a large number of sleeping pills without prescription from the doctor. Yet, the pharmacist surprisingly sold Hiromi many sleeping pills, believing that she was buying them for long-term usage.

“After I bought the pills, I didn’t really care about the voices in my head anymore. As long as I could commit suicide, I would have accomplished my mission,” said Hiromi, who began calling her friends for one last time.

“I realized that when a person really wants to commit suicide, she (or he) will not want to tell anyone about her (or his) intention. Because for me, it was hard for me to leave my loved ones behind when I called them.

“I would act normally and call them, ‘Hey, what are you doing now?’ We would even talk about having lunch together. I would laugh over the phone. But I thank God because I chose taking sleeping pills as a way to die. I wanted to die comfortably,” said Hiromi.

But when she reached home with the pills, her mind launched into a battleground. Two voices fought in her head, like an angel over a demon. A voice spoke to her, “Don’t do that!” She became disturbed because she wanted to die peacefully. At that point, a gentle voice spoke to her, “Why don’t you try praying? God will help you.” Because Hiromi wanted peace, she prayed and a novel transcendent peace came upon her.

“But because I was so stubborn in completing the mission, I still wanted to commit suicide. And I didn’t know how it happened because I just fell asleep,” said Hiromi who did not sleep for days due to depression.

“So, now that I have believed in God, I realized that my mental illness was caused by depression. And I have a burden for people with the same problem,” said Hiromi.

She explained, “When you have depression, it’s like you are being pulled back by this claw that would not let you go. It’s very torturing. Although it’s not a physical bleeding that is caused by a cut, mental illness is worse to me. It tears you apart and sucks the energy out of you.”

“It makes you lose all meaning of life and will to live. I realized that the life of a human is indeed fragile. So now, I want to go and encourage people with how God led me out of depression.”

Hiromi shared how people with mental illness need to dig deep into the root of depression with the help of the Holy Spirit. Every time when she feels afraid, she would ask herself, “Why am I so scared?” When she is frustrated, she would ask herself, “What caused this anger?” As we ask ourselves, we will start to understand the root cause of our problem.

Hiromi Wada

“Of course, it is God who told me. Actually, I have blind spots. There are things that I cannot see,” said Hiromi.

While God was leading Hiromi out of depression, the Lord also led her to her husband, a gift from God to her. Coming from a broken family, she had always wanted to get marry to experience the warmth of a happy family. But after a few romantic heartaches, she began to give up the idea of marriage altogether until she met her husband.

Interestingly, she never noticed her husband who grew up in the same church she had been attending for the past few years. Yet, God connected them. And as they conversed, both realized that they held similar family and moral values.

Hence, having completely healed from depression during the process, Hiromi decided to get marry with her husband, with the blessings of their pastors.

Both left Hong Kong to live a new and simple life in Australia plucking strawberries and digging farming grounds, leaving behind the glitz, glamour, and money in the entertainment industry.

“I don’t know how the entertainment industry in Malaysia is like. But the industry in Hong Kong is considerably complicated,” said Hiromi.

Brownnosing and flattery are commonplace and even expected to get a role in the entertainment industry. But for Hiromi, even if she were to perform a deed or express an appreciation, she would have to do them from a sincere heart, void of the sole agenda to illicit return.

“So, my personality would not allow me to be insincere. I said to myself, ‘Fine, it’s okay. Maybe it’s better for me to comtemplate and think if there is something else I could venture into,’” said Hiromi.

Hiromi Wada (second from left)

But to her surprise, even the industry in Australia, which she attempted to be involved in, was equally complicated. Her husband and her income began to dwindle, and they lost money to a questionable business.

“I still remember how I was at a garden in Australia. I just cried out to God while kneeling on the floor. I said to God, ‘God, why did you treat me this way? I just wanted to live a simple life,’” she said.

However, looking back at her days in Australia with her husband, she thank God for those hard times in building a strong foundation for marriage.

“We only had each other there in Australia. So, even though we would quarrelled, we would come back to each other. Had it not been those times, my husband and I would have many differences in opinions and we wouldn’t understand each other’s needs especially with busy schedule we have now in Hong Kong,” said Hiromi.

But because they understood each other, both constantly hold each other in prayer.

The couple decided to return to Hong Kong after a few months of staying in Australia. And to Hiromi’s surprise, the entertainment industry was still offering her jobs despite her exiting from the industry for a certain period.

“So, it seemed to me that God was telling me to enter the entertainment industry again. Even though I am not very active in socializing, I still get calls from the industry. This shows that God is paving the way for my entertainment career now in Hong Kong.

“So, I am not afraid when I don’t get projects, because I know and trust that God would give me the best. If I don’t get a project, I would say, ‘God, You must have something better for me,’” she added.

Hiromi Wada in a photoshoot

Even then, her faith did not come naturally but was also built during hard times. Hiromi recalled how God brought her to the desert whereby she had no income for three months, the first in her life. Struggling with her faith in God, she cried out to Him, “What do You want me to learn, God? I am very tired. Can you let me rest for a while?”

“God made me reach the the dead end of my entertainment career, where it felt like there was no hope anymore. I felt so tortured. I would cry until I laughed. I was not emotionally stable at that time.

“Yet, one day, I woke up and told myself, ‘I won’t do that to myself again.’ Suddenly, I felt a supernatural mega strength came upon me. Actually, I understood the concept of faith. But my heart could not accept it.

“So, God put me in a dead end and He asked me, ‘Have you done it? What are you losing? You have nothing to lose. You lost everything.’ I finally got the lesson. The faith in God suddenly changed my heart. When it ‘clicked,’ God began to bring everything to me,” said Hiromi.

She understood that her entertainment career from then onwards would be led in full dependence on God, and not through clever human schemes.

One thing led to the next and through her faith in Christ, she was introduced to her current manager outside of Hong Kong, Wen-Ji, who loves her like a dear sister.

“I had many managers but they didn’t feel like a family to me. I understand that we need to do business. But it is important for the artiste and manager to communicate. Sometimes artistes are treated like products. If this product is not good, then just find another product.

“Actually, as artistes, we have feelings too. There are also things we want to do. And many artistes hope to reach a place where they can decide on what they can do. Every one is just waiting for that moment,” said Hiromi, thanking Wen-Ji for basically loving her.

Hiromi Wada (Centre)

“Wen-Ji is really good. She is always asking me how I am feeling and how my day is. And I feel when a person respects me, I am okay with anything. Actually, that’s my personality – it’s not hard for me to trust people,” said Hiromi.

Yet, because of the negative experiences with a number of dishonest people in the industry, she learned to put up bars to protect herself.

“But I also thank God for the people who make me feel that they will love me no matter how much I changed. And when you feel their love, your bars will quickly come down. I will tend to completely trust a person.

“Although there are people who leave us in life, which is really hurtful, there are also those who stand behind us and closely support us. For me, I don’t know how to return their kindness except to do my best in work for them,” said Hiromi.

Entering into the entertainment scene again, Hiromi hopes to expand her career in singing and acting. She also hopes to sharpen her connection with people in the performing arts, by silently observing and understanding the background, personality, and motivation of people in a coffee shop, for example.

“In the past, I was quite oblivious with the people around me. I didn’t know how to discern. Whatever a person said, I would immediately trust. But God gave me a lot of training through the people who hurt me. I thank them for teaching me.

“And now, through a person’s eyes, I can tell about the state of a person’s heart. I realized a person’s words can never betray his or her heart. So, what we say about our eyes being the window to our soul, is true,” said Hiromi.

Hiromi Wada

Also, as the daughter of God, Hiromi also learned to be grateful and contented with what God gave her, away from the constant pressure of comparison.

“We like to say, ‘If only I’m like her, then I will be happy.’ But then, why even have you in this world, in the first place? The truth is: you are the one and only unique creation of God. So, why don’t we focus on discovering ourselves, the treasures and talents buried in us?” said Hiromi.

“Also, for every job I do, I do not see how much money I’ll get or how big the project is. Well, of course, every artiste would charge a certain price. But we don’t always need to talk about money first. To me, it’s more important on whether the project is meaningful,” Hiromi added who would share her testimony with school and university students.

A person with childlike faith and cheerfulness, Hiromi Wada, beloved daughter of God, is fully restored to who God made her to be even after all the hurts she experienced. In her, no bitterness or unforgiveness are found. But God has fully restored her to complete innocence, beauty, and wisdom. In fact, her restoration is so evident in her countenance that one can feel the emanating love, joy, and peace from her. Her sheer presence in the entertainment industry brought glory to God!

“I believe that every one has a life caling in different areas. And I also hope that I know my calling in life too. People had been telling me that I have a contagious smile and laughter.

“I thought to myeslf, “Maybe I am given the gift of making people around me happy.’ So, when I am onstage, it’s not only for my sake, but for the people’s sake, to make them happy and enjoy the show. Ultimately, the show is not about me but other people,” said Hiromi.

“He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in Him.” (Psalm 40:2-3)

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