Friday, 31 August 2007
One of the most prolific Christian novelists is C.S. Lewis. He wrote a series called The Adventures of Narnia to bring out gospel truths.
Here is my first attempt in writing a short story. Tell me what you think :-)
"Brethren. Thanks for coming here tonight.
"The reason why I have called for this meeting is because I am very concerned for the people of God. There has been a sudden surge in false teachings and wrong doctrines, and the situation appears to be getting more prevalent by the day! More and more people are being swayed over by these heresies. [1]
"We have to stand firm together on this, because I have no doubts that Satan is the one behind all this! Evil has entered our midst!” [2]
"Amen to that brother! The teachings are causing disunity among the people, and even giving them the licence to sin and break laws! We have to do something to clamp down on this immediately before it gets further out of hand.” [3]
"How dare these people propagate what goes against the very foundation of our faith! Sir, give me the names of these people! I promise you that I will spare no effort to weed out these evildoers and infidels once and for all, so help me God!" [4]
[1] Acts 4:15-17
[2] Matt 12:24, Mark 3:22, Luke 11:15
[3] Matt 9:14, Mark 2:18, Luke 5:33, Matt 12:2, Luke 6:2, Matt 12:10, Mark 3:2, Luke 6:7
[4] Acts 9:2, Acts 22:4-5, Acts 26:10-12
T.G.F.I. 4 (Thank God for Internet Part 4)
Thursday, 30th August 2007
One of the feedback I have gotten from some of you is that
rather than sending an email with a summary of the posts for the week, it would be better for people to actually subscribe to the emails.
About a week ago, my churchmate Philip suggested that I got myself a mailing list and call it "rootss-friends".
I did a Google search and chanced upon a free mailing list provided by NotifyList.com
Setting up a mailing list takes less than 10 minutes. Those of you out there who prefer to receive ROOTSS on a daily basis (ie. push) rather than via visiting the URL (ie. pull), you may subscribe to the "ROOTS-Friends" mailing list by clicking here.
I checked out the list recently and was pleasantly surprised to see some of the names on it.
One of the feedback I have gotten from some of you is that
rather than sending an email with a summary of the posts for the week, it would be better for people to actually subscribe to the emails.About a week ago, my churchmate Philip suggested that I got myself a mailing list and call it "rootss-friends".
I did a Google search and chanced upon a free mailing list provided by NotifyList.com
Setting up a mailing list takes less than 10 minutes. Those of you out there who prefer to receive ROOTSS on a daily basis (ie. push) rather than via visiting the URL (ie. pull), you may subscribe to the "ROOTS-Friends" mailing list by clicking here.
I checked out the list recently and was pleasantly surprised to see some of the names on it.
The "Rainy-Day" Mentality
Wednesday, 29th August 2007
OK, let's get back to the series of meditations on the "counsel of the ungodly".
What is the motivation behind people of the world accumulating wealth?
Is it because they feel a sense of security when they see six, seven, or eight figures in their savings account?
Is it a form of insurance to safeguard for a "rainy-day", such as a sudden medical illness, or an unfortunate car accident, or a loss of a job?
The saying to "save for a rainy day" sounds very noble indeed.
However, if God is not in the picture, then it becomes the mere "counsel of the ungodly".
The correct mentality for having savings should be a positive one. One where the wealth that we possess is meant to to bless others everytime the Holy Spirit prompts us to do so. One where we take the attitude that we are blessed, so as to be a blessing.
Rather than a "rainy day" mentality, which is negative and relegates God's involvement in our daily lives to a passive one where He is "watching us from a distance".
Which brings me to another excerpt of the DVD compilation called Humorous Bible Illustrations, which I blogged about back in January 2007. This one is entitled "The Rainy-Day Mentality".
OK, let's get back to the series of meditations on the "counsel of the ungodly".
What is the motivation behind people of the world accumulating wealth?
Is it because they feel a sense of security when they see six, seven, or eight figures in their savings account?
Is it a form of insurance to safeguard for a "rainy-day", such as a sudden medical illness, or an unfortunate car accident, or a loss of a job?
The saying to "save for a rainy day" sounds very noble indeed.
However, if God is not in the picture, then it becomes the mere "counsel of the ungodly".
The correct mentality for having savings should be a positive one. One where the wealth that we possess is meant to to bless others everytime the Holy Spirit prompts us to do so. One where we take the attitude that we are blessed, so as to be a blessing.
Rather than a "rainy day" mentality, which is negative and relegates God's involvement in our daily lives to a passive one where He is "watching us from a distance".
Which brings me to another excerpt of the DVD compilation called Humorous Bible Illustrations, which I blogged about back in January 2007. This one is entitled "The Rainy-Day Mentality".
Role Reversal
Tuesday, 28th August 2007
On the night of 14 August 2007, just before going to bed, I listened to a sermon on my MP3 player, and ended up crying like a little baby.
The climax came when the preacher declared, "I don't care what your past has been like. God can still use you!"
My wife must have thought I was listening to yet another NCC sermon...
...but I was not.
When people read my blog, they are surprised to find that I am actually not from NCC but from PLMC.
I have also been accused of promoting the sermons of NCC to PLMCians.
Well, there's going to be a reversal of roles today...
I am going to promote a sermon of PLMC to you NCCians instead. :-)
On 1 August 2007, Pastor Reuben Ng was assigned to PLMC. I have not had the privilege of meeting him in person yet, but am very much looking forward to doing so.
Anyway, he preached his very first sermon at TNG (The Next Generation -- which is what we call our Youth service) on 11 Aug 07, and this was made available on our church's website on the evening of 14 Aug 07.
That same night, I downloaded and listened to it and tears just constantly flowed down my face. The person of Jesus was mentioned numerous times, as well as the love of Abba Father.
Although I have heard the story of the Prodigal Son so many times, Pastor Reuben offered a fresh revelation, especially on Luke 15:20...
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."
The Greek word for "ran" (trecho) denotes the rapid sprinting like a runner in a 100-metre race.
The Greek word for "embraced" (epipipto) denotes a falling over oneself in order to press upon.
The Greek word for "kissed"(kataphileo) denotes kissing over and over again, in a fervent display and showering of deep affection.
What a wonderful picture of Abba Father's love for us!
Pastor Reuben also shared his testimony of how the LORD turned his life around. He used to be a foreign exchange currency trader living on the edge and making big bucks. He frequented pubs and got back home in the wee hours of the morning in a complete state of drunkedness.
Then something happened to him in early 2000 that caused him to contemplate suicide. Yet God intervened, restored to him the years the locusts had eaten, and he is now an anointed preacher of the Word of Christ!
That's why he entitled his sermon, "I Shouldn't Be Here", which you can listen and be likewise ministered to.
Thanks Rev Wee Boon Hup, because Pastor Reuben Ng is truly a Godsend to PLMC...
... and the LORD's way of affirming to me, once and for all, that I should remain in the church of my forefathers...
[Update: I have made available a playlist of Pastor Reuben's sermons on my blog for your listening pleasure. Just click on the Imeem image you see on the left].
On the night of 14 August 2007, just before going to bed, I listened to a sermon on my MP3 player, and ended up crying like a little baby.
The climax came when the preacher declared, "I don't care what your past has been like. God can still use you!"
My wife must have thought I was listening to yet another NCC sermon...
...but I was not.
When people read my blog, they are surprised to find that I am actually not from NCC but from PLMC.
I have also been accused of promoting the sermons of NCC to PLMCians.
Well, there's going to be a reversal of roles today...
I am going to promote a sermon of PLMC to you NCCians instead. :-)
On 1 August 2007, Pastor Reuben Ng was assigned to PLMC. I have not had the privilege of meeting him in person yet, but am very much looking forward to doing so.
Anyway, he preached his very first sermon at TNG (The Next Generation -- which is what we call our Youth service) on 11 Aug 07, and this was made available on our church's website on the evening of 14 Aug 07.
That same night, I downloaded and listened to it and tears just constantly flowed down my face. The person of Jesus was mentioned numerous times, as well as the love of Abba Father.
Although I have heard the story of the Prodigal Son so many times, Pastor Reuben offered a fresh revelation, especially on Luke 15:20...
"But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him."
The Greek word for "ran" (trecho) denotes the rapid sprinting like a runner in a 100-metre race.
The Greek word for "embraced" (epipipto) denotes a falling over oneself in order to press upon.
The Greek word for "kissed"(kataphileo) denotes kissing over and over again, in a fervent display and showering of deep affection.
What a wonderful picture of Abba Father's love for us!
Pastor Reuben also shared his testimony of how the LORD turned his life around. He used to be a foreign exchange currency trader living on the edge and making big bucks. He frequented pubs and got back home in the wee hours of the morning in a complete state of drunkedness.
Then something happened to him in early 2000 that caused him to contemplate suicide. Yet God intervened, restored to him the years the locusts had eaten, and he is now an anointed preacher of the Word of Christ!
That's why he entitled his sermon, "I Shouldn't Be Here", which you can listen and be likewise ministered to.
Thanks Rev Wee Boon Hup, because Pastor Reuben Ng is truly a Godsend to PLMC...
... and the LORD's way of affirming to me, once and for all, that I should remain in the church of my forefathers...
[Update: I have made available a playlist of Pastor Reuben's sermons on my blog for your listening pleasure. Just click on the Imeem image you see on the left].
Back in the Will of God
Monday, 27th August 2007
I would like to testify again that the LORD has really more than restored my career.
I have mentioned before that had taken a paycut to work as a contract staff on 1 Jan 05 doing process documentation. Back then, every morning on the way to work, my wife and I would pray in agreement Rom 4:17, "to call for things that are not as though they are" for a wonderful, stable job.
On 9 Mar 05 (I remember the day because it is also my mom's birthday), I was called into my boss' room and informed that the head of shared services had tendered her resignation. She offered me the job, and I gave thanks to the LORD because He had answered the earnest prayer of my wife and I.
On 15 Apr 05, I became a permanent staff and God also more than restored the paycut I suffered.
In May 05, we recruited a manager (who impressed me because he boldly told us during the interview that he could not work late on Thursdays as he had to attend bible study classes). He started circulating his pastor's sermons in the office. I took one back to listen in the car, started crying within 10 minutes, and went back for more. Now I have his pastor's entire sermon series :-)
Since feeding on grace messages and believing that God is for us and not against us, it has been one blessing after another in the workplace.
In Oct 06, the LORD gave me a huge payrise. In Dec 06, the LORD gave me the biggest bonus in my entire career. In Jan 07, the LORD gave me a spot award for being in Korea for a mere 3 days. And then in Jul 07, the LORD gave me a 2nd payrise in the space of 9 months.
As a result of listening to grace messages, the LORD has also given me wisdom in
managing those He has placed under my care in the workplace. In Dec 06, I was moved to tears when they surprised me with a huge birthday cake in the shape of a soccer ball.
I was caught totally unprepared, so I did not have my camera with me. Had to make-do with a photo snapped with the 2 megapixel camera of my handphone, so please excuse the quality of the photo taken.
That gesture was an affirmation by the LORD that I have been a good boss.
Anyway, about one month ago, a couple of them came to see me to inform me that their workload was getting heavier. I told them that I would do my best, but given the company culture, getting additional headcount was the exception rather than the norm.
Which now leads me back to what happened on 14 Aug 07. After much prayer and deliberation, I made a decision to submit to my senior pastor.
That same afternoon, I had a meeting with my CFO together with a couple of finance colleagues from another department. During that meeting, those other colleagues highlighted to my CFO that the workload for my team was becoming more and more unmanageable (this other department works very closely with the staff I mentioned above). My CFO asked me about it, and I confirmed that they have been working until 10pm or 11pm almost every night, and sometimes even on weekends. As a result, he approved another 2 headcounts!
When I left the meeting, I realise that God had given me the breakthrough. In fact, another department was fighting my battle for me, and all I needed to do was to pick up the spoils, so to speak.
When I informed my staff about it, they were overjoyed. One of them (who is a believer and a keen reader of my blog) told me that her prayers have been answered.
The will of God is found in the Word of God. The Bible tells us to submit to those who are placed in authority above us, and that makes it God's will for us.
When I was back in the will of God, He gave me instant results! I found favour with my CFO and also with these 2 team members of mine. Belinda, if you are reading this -- it's not me who got you the 2 additional staff to help you with your work, it is God who did it, and all praise and glory goes to Him and Him alone.
Coming back to the verse I mentioned earlier about positive confession. The context of Rom 4:!7 is about God changing Abram's name to Abraham -- which means "father of many". Whenever he introduced himself to people as "father of many" (even though he was still a father of none), he was calling for things that were not as though they were. And very soon, what is in the spiritual realm gets manifested in the physical realm.
When I was a contract staff back in Jan 05, my wife and I would pray in agreement that I have a wonderful, stable career... and it has now come to pass. Hallelujah!
Which brings me to another excerpt of the DVD compilation called Humorous Bible Illustrations, which I blogged about back in January 2007. This one is entitled "Positive Confession".
I would like to testify again that the LORD has really more than restored my career.
I have mentioned before that had taken a paycut to work as a contract staff on 1 Jan 05 doing process documentation. Back then, every morning on the way to work, my wife and I would pray in agreement Rom 4:17, "to call for things that are not as though they are" for a wonderful, stable job.
On 9 Mar 05 (I remember the day because it is also my mom's birthday), I was called into my boss' room and informed that the head of shared services had tendered her resignation. She offered me the job, and I gave thanks to the LORD because He had answered the earnest prayer of my wife and I.
On 15 Apr 05, I became a permanent staff and God also more than restored the paycut I suffered.
In May 05, we recruited a manager (who impressed me because he boldly told us during the interview that he could not work late on Thursdays as he had to attend bible study classes). He started circulating his pastor's sermons in the office. I took one back to listen in the car, started crying within 10 minutes, and went back for more. Now I have his pastor's entire sermon series :-)
Since feeding on grace messages and believing that God is for us and not against us, it has been one blessing after another in the workplace.
In Oct 06, the LORD gave me a huge payrise. In Dec 06, the LORD gave me the biggest bonus in my entire career. In Jan 07, the LORD gave me a spot award for being in Korea for a mere 3 days. And then in Jul 07, the LORD gave me a 2nd payrise in the space of 9 months.
As a result of listening to grace messages, the LORD has also given me wisdom in
managing those He has placed under my care in the workplace. In Dec 06, I was moved to tears when they surprised me with a huge birthday cake in the shape of a soccer ball.I was caught totally unprepared, so I did not have my camera with me. Had to make-do with a photo snapped with the 2 megapixel camera of my handphone, so please excuse the quality of the photo taken.
That gesture was an affirmation by the LORD that I have been a good boss.
Anyway, about one month ago, a couple of them came to see me to inform me that their workload was getting heavier. I told them that I would do my best, but given the company culture, getting additional headcount was the exception rather than the norm.
Which now leads me back to what happened on 14 Aug 07. After much prayer and deliberation, I made a decision to submit to my senior pastor.
That same afternoon, I had a meeting with my CFO together with a couple of finance colleagues from another department. During that meeting, those other colleagues highlighted to my CFO that the workload for my team was becoming more and more unmanageable (this other department works very closely with the staff I mentioned above). My CFO asked me about it, and I confirmed that they have been working until 10pm or 11pm almost every night, and sometimes even on weekends. As a result, he approved another 2 headcounts!
When I left the meeting, I realise that God had given me the breakthrough. In fact, another department was fighting my battle for me, and all I needed to do was to pick up the spoils, so to speak.
When I informed my staff about it, they were overjoyed. One of them (who is a believer and a keen reader of my blog) told me that her prayers have been answered.
The will of God is found in the Word of God. The Bible tells us to submit to those who are placed in authority above us, and that makes it God's will for us.
When I was back in the will of God, He gave me instant results! I found favour with my CFO and also with these 2 team members of mine. Belinda, if you are reading this -- it's not me who got you the 2 additional staff to help you with your work, it is God who did it, and all praise and glory goes to Him and Him alone.
Coming back to the verse I mentioned earlier about positive confession. The context of Rom 4:!7 is about God changing Abram's name to Abraham -- which means "father of many". Whenever he introduced himself to people as "father of many" (even though he was still a father of none), he was calling for things that were not as though they were. And very soon, what is in the spiritual realm gets manifested in the physical realm.
When I was a contract staff back in Jan 05, my wife and I would pray in agreement that I have a wonderful, stable career... and it has now come to pass. Hallelujah!
Which brings me to another excerpt of the DVD compilation called Humorous Bible Illustrations, which I blogged about back in January 2007. This one is entitled "Positive Confession".
The Aftermath - Part 3
Sunday, 26th August 2007
I have blogged earlier about the some of the responses that I have received from NCC members and PLMC members.
There is also a 3rd group of people that have emerged with a consistent message, and I believe that is what God is now putting in my heart. They have advised me not to publicise any further about my being relieved from leadership, because it may cause further misunderstandings and confusion.
Even though they agree that there is a sense of injustice in the way I've been treated, nonetheless the one who carried it out is after all my senior pastor. And the proper biblical response, no matter what, is to submit to those that have been placed in authority above us.
An often-quoted passage in scriptures to support this is the incident where David chose to spare King Saul's life even though he had opportunity to do otherwise, as recorded in 1 Sam 26: 7-12.
7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.
8 Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice."
9 But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go."
12 So David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep.
I have come to realise that if I continued to blog about this incident, rather than edifying the body of Christ, Satan can instead take advantage of this and stir up further divisions.
So please understand if from henceforth, I will refrain from blogging about anything that paints my senior pastor in a bad light. We have agreed to disagree on the doctrine of grace, and have agreed to work together on things we agree upon, such as outreach, evangelism, cell church, etc.
I seek the forgiveness of everyone whom have been hurt by this turn of events.
I seek especially the forgiveness of my senior pastor if my more recent blog entries have put him in a bad light, because that was not the intention at all. I want to reiterate that he does have a shepherd's heart, as mentioned in this blog entry.
I realise that God's ways are higher than our ways, and when we choose to submit to those whom He has placed in authority over us (against our own better judgement and human understanding), somehow He will cause things to happen, and circumstances to change such that we will find favour with those around us.
And this was exactly what happened to Esther when she chose to submit to Hegai, the palace eunuch as recorded in Esth 2:15. God caused her to find favour with all who worked in the palace and especially with King Xerxes. He selected her as his queen, and ended up in a position where she could save her fellow countrymen.
Which brings me to another excerpt of the DVD compilation called Humorous Bible Illustrations, which I blogged about back in January 2007. This one is entitled "Submission". :-)
I have blogged earlier about the some of the responses that I have received from NCC members and PLMC members.
There is also a 3rd group of people that have emerged with a consistent message, and I believe that is what God is now putting in my heart. They have advised me not to publicise any further about my being relieved from leadership, because it may cause further misunderstandings and confusion.
Even though they agree that there is a sense of injustice in the way I've been treated, nonetheless the one who carried it out is after all my senior pastor. And the proper biblical response, no matter what, is to submit to those that have been placed in authority above us.
An often-quoted passage in scriptures to support this is the incident where David chose to spare King Saul's life even though he had opportunity to do otherwise, as recorded in 1 Sam 26: 7-12.
7 So David and Abishai went to the army by night, and there was Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. Abner and the soldiers were lying around him.
8 Abishai said to David, "Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands. Now let me pin him to the ground with one thrust of my spear; I won't strike him twice."
9 But David said to Abishai, "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? 10 As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. 11 But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. Now get the spear and water jug that are near his head, and let's go."
12 So David took the spear and water jug near Saul's head, and they left. No one saw or knew about it, nor did anyone wake up. They were all sleeping, because the LORD had put them into a deep sleep.
I have come to realise that if I continued to blog about this incident, rather than edifying the body of Christ, Satan can instead take advantage of this and stir up further divisions.
So please understand if from henceforth, I will refrain from blogging about anything that paints my senior pastor in a bad light. We have agreed to disagree on the doctrine of grace, and have agreed to work together on things we agree upon, such as outreach, evangelism, cell church, etc.
I seek the forgiveness of everyone whom have been hurt by this turn of events.
I seek especially the forgiveness of my senior pastor if my more recent blog entries have put him in a bad light, because that was not the intention at all. I want to reiterate that he does have a shepherd's heart, as mentioned in this blog entry.
I realise that God's ways are higher than our ways, and when we choose to submit to those whom He has placed in authority over us (against our own better judgement and human understanding), somehow He will cause things to happen, and circumstances to change such that we will find favour with those around us.
And this was exactly what happened to Esther when she chose to submit to Hegai, the palace eunuch as recorded in Esth 2:15. God caused her to find favour with all who worked in the palace and especially with King Xerxes. He selected her as his queen, and ended up in a position where she could save her fellow countrymen.
Which brings me to another excerpt of the DVD compilation called Humorous Bible Illustrations, which I blogged about back in January 2007. This one is entitled "Submission". :-)
The Effect of Wrong Impressions
Saturday, 25th August 2007
Sometime in early August, my cell group attended a talk by Creation Ministries International that was held in my church.
During that talk, the speaker told us that one of the reasons why people do not believe the Genesis account (such as creation, Noah's flood, etc) is because they have seen pictures of Noah's Ark drawn in cartoon form.
Usually, it is drawn no larger than a bathtub, with giraffes' heads sticking out from it, and appears so unstable that it can topple at any time, what more withstand a huge catastrophic flood.
Somehow, such wrong impressions can consciously or unconsciously discredit the bible and relegate its accounts to a mere fairytales or fables, and cause people not to believe the truth that can set them free.
The truth of the matter is that the Ark that Noah built was very, very huge and very, very stable. It was the size of 81 five-room HDB flats (27 flats X 3 storeys high), which I blogged about here.
The giraffes' head did not need to protrude from the top, and there was sufficient room for the dinosaurs, hippos, elephants, as well as hundreds and thousands of other animals.
This brings to mind another wrong impression that has been created down down through the ages, and that relates to how our Lord Jesus has been portrayed.
Many artists have painted Him as effeminate and emaciated, with long-flowing hair and slender fingers.
I really don't think for one moment that a carpenter that had to work with His bare hands had time for facials and manicures.
Is it any wonder then, that people look up to celebrities such as David Beckham and popstars such as Click Five, instead of our Lord Jesus?
The world is crying out for a hero, and that is why Spider-man and Transformers are such box-office sellouts. But that void can only be filled by the real superhero --none other than Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Which brings me to another excerpt of a DVD compilation called Humorous Bible Illustrations, which I blogged about back in January 2007. This one is entitled "Jesus Our Hero".
Sometime in early August, my cell group attended a talk by Creation Ministries International that was held in my church.
During that talk, the speaker told us that one of the reasons why people do not believe the Genesis account (such as creation, Noah's flood, etc) is because they have seen pictures of Noah's Ark drawn in cartoon form.Usually, it is drawn no larger than a bathtub, with giraffes' heads sticking out from it, and appears so unstable that it can topple at any time, what more withstand a huge catastrophic flood.
Somehow, such wrong impressions can consciously or unconsciously discredit the bible and relegate its accounts to a mere fairytales or fables, and cause people not to believe the truth that can set them free.
The truth of the matter is that the Ark that Noah built was very, very huge and very, very stable. It was the size of 81 five-room HDB flats (27 flats X 3 storeys high), which I blogged about here.
The giraffes' head did not need to protrude from the top, and there was sufficient room for the dinosaurs, hippos, elephants, as well as hundreds and thousands of other animals.
This brings to mind another wrong impression that has been created down down through the ages, and that relates to how our Lord Jesus has been portrayed.
Many artists have painted Him as effeminate and emaciated, with long-flowing hair and slender fingers.
I really don't think for one moment that a carpenter that had to work with His bare hands had time for facials and manicures.
Is it any wonder then, that people look up to celebrities such as David Beckham and popstars such as Click Five, instead of our Lord Jesus?
The world is crying out for a hero, and that is why Spider-man and Transformers are such box-office sellouts. But that void can only be filled by the real superhero --none other than Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Which brings me to another excerpt of a DVD compilation called Humorous Bible Illustrations, which I blogged about back in January 2007. This one is entitled "Jesus Our Hero".
The Aftermath - Part 2
Friday, 24th August 2007
Following from yesterday's entry in which I mentioned the response of NCC members in particular, today I shall blog about the response of PLMC members.
I have discovered that there are other cell leaders who have started to embrace grace teachings, but I told them to be wary about openly propagating these teachings, because our pastor-in-charge would take similar action to remove them from leadership as well.
One fellow brother is prepared to face such a consequence, and he has left the following comments on my blog...
--------------------------------------------
to which I responded...
Following from yesterday's entry in which I mentioned the response of NCC members in particular, today I shall blog about the response of PLMC members.
I have discovered that there are other cell leaders who have started to embrace grace teachings, but I told them to be wary about openly propagating these teachings, because our pastor-in-charge would take similar action to remove them from leadership as well.
One fellow brother is prepared to face such a consequence, and he has left the following comments on my blog...
--------------------------------------------
Hi Mal!
As your fellow PLMC church-mate, it grieves me that we CGLs have to keep "low profiles" if we want to bless our cell members with the message of grace.
Well, I believe that if I am to serve, I have to serve in "spirit and in truth" as service is worship to my Lord!
So if I am going to continue to serve as a CGL in PLMC, I will have to come clean with senior pastor and let him know where I stand on the doctrine of grace.
Does that mean I may step down as CGL? Yes, if he insists.
Does that mean I will abandon my flock? Absolutely not! I have no intention of leaving my cell and the sheep that my Lord has put me with.
Hey, being CGL is only a "title" given by man. But being a minister of the gospel is every Christian's calling. (Mk 16:15)
Amen?
to which I responded...
Hi Phil
You are indeed a bold eagle.
I believe senior pastor is monitoring my blog, so what you are openly declaring here is going to make you the next one whose neck is on the chopping block :-)
Oh by the way, Boldeagle is the name of Phil's blog, and it has just been given the Best Christian Blog of the Week award.
So the LORD must be giving His affirmation here :-)
But what moves me the most (and confirms that the LORD wants me to stay on in PLMC to change things from the inside) is the care and concern shown by the PLMC members from my cell and cluster.
On 4 August (the very day the news broke), the leader of 3L6 (one of the other cells in my 3L cluster) gave me a call to express his care and concern.
On 5 August, the "newly-appointed" leader of 3L7 invited my wife and I over to his place for a time of fellowship.
On 7 August, I got an sms from the leader of 3L2, who encouraged me with the verse Ecc 3:1.
On 8 August, our 3L cluster leaders invited my wife and I to their house for dinner.
On 9 August, the leaders of 3L5 and co-leader of 3L6 treated us to breakfast. I also received a call from the co-leader of 3L1.
On 10 August, members of 3L2 invited me out for dinner.
I am very touched by all these gestures. It is the LORD's way of reminding me that all these wonderful people are my extended family.
I thus want to thank the LORD for the "cell church" vision that He gave Rev Wee Boon Hup, and want to affirm the current pastor-in-charge that he has been doing a fabulous job in upholding that vision ever since he took over in Jan 2005.
Sure, he and I have differences about the grace teachings, but we stand united that PLMC should operate as a cell church. Praise be to God!
The Aftermath - Part 1
Thursday, 23rd August 2007
Wow, so much has happened since news broke
about my being relieved from official leadership in PLMC, that I don't know where to start.
The number of visits to ROOTSS has also shot up fivefold. While it used to average about 10 per day, it is now about 50 per day, and reached a peak of 89 on 8 August.
Looks like God is indeed causing something good to come about from something bad :-)
I have received feedback from both PLMC and NCC members.
There are fellow PLMC cell leaders who embrace Pastor Prince's teachings, but I am sworn to secrecy not to expose their identities. I have also warned them to be wary and keep a" low profile" because my senior pastor said he would take similar action against them if word ever got to him that they were propagating teachings he did not subscribe to.
Then, there are also NCC members have extended their warm invitation to "cross over", saying that they look forward to seeing my entire family over there.
Take for example a dear sister who requested for my email address and sent me a 2-page letter. I have obtained her permission to reproduce its contents below, because I believe that it will minister to 2 groups of people out there.
The 1st are non-NCC members who can identify with the struggle that she and her husband went through and are currently at a spiritual crossroad.
The 2nd are NCC members who went through a similar spiritual journey, and can look back to say "been there, done that".
Her name has however been withheld at her request because she does not want her husband or previous church to be implicated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi. I am the ‘Anonynmous’ reader who asked for your personal e-mail yesterday. Thanks for your prompt response in providing me with your contact address to allow me to share some thoughts with you on a one-to-one basis.
It was at my hubby’s constant prodding that I read your blog last Sunday. In fact, that was the first time I read anyone’s blog. I heard that many people have put up blogs to share their thoughts and comments but have never gotten the interest to read them. This is perhaps the Holy Spirit in me leading me to read yours. I must say that I am very much impressed, blessed and amazed at your wonderful sharing. You definitely have a gifting in this area.
Your sharing on last Sunday about almost attending the 1st Service in NCC brought back a lot of memories for me. It had also shown me that how far my hubby and I have come in our Christian walk.
More than 6 years ago, like you, my hubby was a much respected leader in our old church where we have grown up in for almost 20 years. Thus we had very close ties with our pastors and many friends whom we have grown up with. But we had reached a point that we felt a sense of unexplained ‘restlessness’ in the church we were attending. I had cried out to Abba to show us what we could do about this ‘restlessness’ as it was getting ‘more serious each day’.
Abba was so wonderful and ‘constructed’ a chain of events shortly after my desperate prayers that led us to attend the Midweek Service in NCC in July 2001. I could still remember vividly how ‘shocked’ I was by the presence of God during worship at that service. Tears just kept flowing down my cheeks and I felt so very loved by Abba – a feeling which had deserted me for a long, long time. It was the same wonderful feeling that I felt when I accepted Christ 24 years ago.
The Bible Study session that followed worship was equally ‘shocking’ to me as I had never heard the Scriptures explained in such a simple and logical manner. In fact, there were some points presented by Pastor Prince that were so contradicting to what I knew before that I was getting increasingly uncomfortable. But something that Pastor Prince had said during the service really impressed me. He challenged the congregation not to believe everything that he had shared over the pulpit but to study the Scriptures ourselves to determine if he had dissected the Word accurately. He was the first (and still the only) pastor I know who has the courage to make such kind of comments. One must have done a thorough job before he can have that kind of confidence to make such remarks to the congregation.
We (my hubby and I) left the Midweek Service with a mixture of emotions – happy on the one side that we have ‘recaptured’ the feeling of being loved by Abba, confused on the other as the Scriptures were shared in a manner that is totally ‘foreign’ to us (bearing in mind that we had been Christians for more than 20 years). I kept wondering to myself, if what Pastor Prince had shared was true, what had I believed all this while???
My hubby was also faced with the same question and he decided to ‘check’ Pastor Prince out more – by studying the Word and referring to much bible-related literature and we continued to attend the Midweek Service for another 2 years.
During these 2 years, we were literally ‘straddling’ between attending Midweek Service in NCC on Thursdays and regular Sunday Service in our old church (as we did not want to ‘lose’ our ties with our friends and pastors). It was really tough as we had 2 young kids in tow. But the toughest issue we faced during these 2 years was the ‘conflicting’ message we received from both churches when the same scriptures were preached. Can you imagine the dilemma we were put through when we had just heard Pastor Prince’s sharing on a particular verse during Midweek Service and 3 days later, our senior pastor was sharing the same verse but with such a contrasting explanation that left us bewildered (rather than ministered).
Finally, I had enough of this ‘dis-ease’ and confronted my hubby that he, being the head of the house, had to decide which church we were to attend as a family. That really put him in a spot (looking back, I thank Abba for His wisdom in me to force my hubby to face up to his spiritual struggle which he had been trying to deal with during the 2+ years).
After much prayer and deliberation, my hubby made the tough decision that we, as a family, would move on from our old church as the spiritual feeding he had received from NCC had thoroughly quenched his thirst for the Word and intimacy with God. Hence, in Sep 2003, we officially attended NCC for their Sunday Service.
It’s been 4 years since we had moved over to NCC but we are indeed thankful that Abba had given us the strength and courage to move on as we, as a family, have been very blessed by Pastor Prince’s ministry. Each week, the message delivered is based purely on the unadulterated Word of God, doctrine- and denomination-free. This, to me, is so very precious and has greatly freed me of much religiosity and legalism. It really ‘simplified’ my faith in Him. I thank our Heavenly Abba for leading my hubby and me to this church to receive the true revelation of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ as He (Abba) wants it to be. It’s all about His Grace to us.
In your blog, you made the following comments:
As I sat there, I felt the Lord telling me, "Son, I know how much you hunger and thirst for My Word, but what are you doing here?"
I replied," Huh? Lord, I've been finally relieved of my church commitments, so here I am to worship you with the other 15,000 likeminded of your beloved."
"Yes, but where are your wife and kids? Are you honouring me if you attend one church, yet your family is still attending another? Moreover, remember you said you wanted to change things from the inside? How is this possible when you are outside?"
You then left the Rock Auditorium, went home and ended up going to PLMC... as a family.
When I read the above comments, something in me just wells up with the thought that perhaps the missing ‘element’ of coming to NCC today was that you did not ask your wife along. In the Father’s eyes, both of you are one. By attending NCC alone last Sunday, you have thus become ‘outside’ the circle of your marriage and family. I really don’t think that Abba do not want you to come to NCC but He would like you, as a head of your family, to lead your loved ones along to His Wonderful Grace.
I could tell from your blog that you have a wonderful revelation of this Gospel Revolution which Pastor Prince has been preaching with his heart and soul. Share this with your beloved wife and hear what she has to say. Abba had given her to you as your helpmate.
Shalom!
[Name withheld by request]
Wow, so much has happened since news broke
about my being relieved from official leadership in PLMC, that I don't know where to start.The number of visits to ROOTSS has also shot up fivefold. While it used to average about 10 per day, it is now about 50 per day, and reached a peak of 89 on 8 August.
Looks like God is indeed causing something good to come about from something bad :-)
I have received feedback from both PLMC and NCC members.
There are fellow PLMC cell leaders who embrace Pastor Prince's teachings, but I am sworn to secrecy not to expose their identities. I have also warned them to be wary and keep a" low profile" because my senior pastor said he would take similar action against them if word ever got to him that they were propagating teachings he did not subscribe to.
Then, there are also NCC members have extended their warm invitation to "cross over", saying that they look forward to seeing my entire family over there.
Take for example a dear sister who requested for my email address and sent me a 2-page letter. I have obtained her permission to reproduce its contents below, because I believe that it will minister to 2 groups of people out there.
The 1st are non-NCC members who can identify with the struggle that she and her husband went through and are currently at a spiritual crossroad.
The 2nd are NCC members who went through a similar spiritual journey, and can look back to say "been there, done that".
Her name has however been withheld at her request because she does not want her husband or previous church to be implicated.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hi. I am the ‘Anonynmous’ reader who asked for your personal e-mail yesterday. Thanks for your prompt response in providing me with your contact address to allow me to share some thoughts with you on a one-to-one basis.
It was at my hubby’s constant prodding that I read your blog last Sunday. In fact, that was the first time I read anyone’s blog. I heard that many people have put up blogs to share their thoughts and comments but have never gotten the interest to read them. This is perhaps the Holy Spirit in me leading me to read yours. I must say that I am very much impressed, blessed and amazed at your wonderful sharing. You definitely have a gifting in this area.
Your sharing on last Sunday about almost attending the 1st Service in NCC brought back a lot of memories for me. It had also shown me that how far my hubby and I have come in our Christian walk.
More than 6 years ago, like you, my hubby was a much respected leader in our old church where we have grown up in for almost 20 years. Thus we had very close ties with our pastors and many friends whom we have grown up with. But we had reached a point that we felt a sense of unexplained ‘restlessness’ in the church we were attending. I had cried out to Abba to show us what we could do about this ‘restlessness’ as it was getting ‘more serious each day’.
Abba was so wonderful and ‘constructed’ a chain of events shortly after my desperate prayers that led us to attend the Midweek Service in NCC in July 2001. I could still remember vividly how ‘shocked’ I was by the presence of God during worship at that service. Tears just kept flowing down my cheeks and I felt so very loved by Abba – a feeling which had deserted me for a long, long time. It was the same wonderful feeling that I felt when I accepted Christ 24 years ago.
The Bible Study session that followed worship was equally ‘shocking’ to me as I had never heard the Scriptures explained in such a simple and logical manner. In fact, there were some points presented by Pastor Prince that were so contradicting to what I knew before that I was getting increasingly uncomfortable. But something that Pastor Prince had said during the service really impressed me. He challenged the congregation not to believe everything that he had shared over the pulpit but to study the Scriptures ourselves to determine if he had dissected the Word accurately. He was the first (and still the only) pastor I know who has the courage to make such kind of comments. One must have done a thorough job before he can have that kind of confidence to make such remarks to the congregation.
We (my hubby and I) left the Midweek Service with a mixture of emotions – happy on the one side that we have ‘recaptured’ the feeling of being loved by Abba, confused on the other as the Scriptures were shared in a manner that is totally ‘foreign’ to us (bearing in mind that we had been Christians for more than 20 years). I kept wondering to myself, if what Pastor Prince had shared was true, what had I believed all this while???
My hubby was also faced with the same question and he decided to ‘check’ Pastor Prince out more – by studying the Word and referring to much bible-related literature and we continued to attend the Midweek Service for another 2 years.
During these 2 years, we were literally ‘straddling’ between attending Midweek Service in NCC on Thursdays and regular Sunday Service in our old church (as we did not want to ‘lose’ our ties with our friends and pastors). It was really tough as we had 2 young kids in tow. But the toughest issue we faced during these 2 years was the ‘conflicting’ message we received from both churches when the same scriptures were preached. Can you imagine the dilemma we were put through when we had just heard Pastor Prince’s sharing on a particular verse during Midweek Service and 3 days later, our senior pastor was sharing the same verse but with such a contrasting explanation that left us bewildered (rather than ministered).
Finally, I had enough of this ‘dis-ease’ and confronted my hubby that he, being the head of the house, had to decide which church we were to attend as a family. That really put him in a spot (looking back, I thank Abba for His wisdom in me to force my hubby to face up to his spiritual struggle which he had been trying to deal with during the 2+ years).
After much prayer and deliberation, my hubby made the tough decision that we, as a family, would move on from our old church as the spiritual feeding he had received from NCC had thoroughly quenched his thirst for the Word and intimacy with God. Hence, in Sep 2003, we officially attended NCC for their Sunday Service.
It’s been 4 years since we had moved over to NCC but we are indeed thankful that Abba had given us the strength and courage to move on as we, as a family, have been very blessed by Pastor Prince’s ministry. Each week, the message delivered is based purely on the unadulterated Word of God, doctrine- and denomination-free. This, to me, is so very precious and has greatly freed me of much religiosity and legalism. It really ‘simplified’ my faith in Him. I thank our Heavenly Abba for leading my hubby and me to this church to receive the true revelation of His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ as He (Abba) wants it to be. It’s all about His Grace to us.
In your blog, you made the following comments:
As I sat there, I felt the Lord telling me, "Son, I know how much you hunger and thirst for My Word, but what are you doing here?"
I replied," Huh? Lord, I've been finally relieved of my church commitments, so here I am to worship you with the other 15,000 likeminded of your beloved."
"Yes, but where are your wife and kids? Are you honouring me if you attend one church, yet your family is still attending another? Moreover, remember you said you wanted to change things from the inside? How is this possible when you are outside?"
You then left the Rock Auditorium, went home and ended up going to PLMC... as a family.
When I read the above comments, something in me just wells up with the thought that perhaps the missing ‘element’ of coming to NCC today was that you did not ask your wife along. In the Father’s eyes, both of you are one. By attending NCC alone last Sunday, you have thus become ‘outside’ the circle of your marriage and family. I really don’t think that Abba do not want you to come to NCC but He would like you, as a head of your family, to lead your loved ones along to His Wonderful Grace.
I could tell from your blog that you have a wonderful revelation of this Gospel Revolution which Pastor Prince has been preaching with his heart and soul. Share this with your beloved wife and hear what she has to say. Abba had given her to you as your helpmate.
Shalom!
[Name withheld by request]
T.G.F.I. 3 (Thank God for Internet Part 3)
Wednesday, 22nd August 2007
OK, let's take a short break from the serious posts...
I happened to be reading my daughter's blog recently when I chanced upon an application that can play music called Imeem.
Confession time. ROOTSS was first launched on Yahoo! 360 in July 2006, but it was my daughter who introduced me to Blogger... and Windows Movie Maker... and Cbox... and Club Penguin... So you know who the real IT maestro is :-)
Anyway, I have just added Imeem on my blog as well, and my all-time Top 10 favourite Christian songs as a playlist.
Enjoy :-)
OK, let's take a short break from the serious posts...
I happened to be reading my daughter's blog recently when I chanced upon an application that can play music called Imeem.Confession time. ROOTSS was first launched on Yahoo! 360 in July 2006, but it was my daughter who introduced me to Blogger... and Windows Movie Maker... and Cbox... and Club Penguin... So you know who the real IT maestro is :-)
Anyway, I have just added Imeem on my blog as well, and my all-time Top 10 favourite Christian songs as a playlist.
Enjoy :-)
No More in Leadership, but still in Servanthood
Tuesday, 21st August 2007
One of the reasons why I upgraded to an MPV in Jan 2007 was so that it could be used to ferry people around.
Every last Friday of each month, my cluster leaders hold a meeting at their home for all the cell leaders in the cluster. For the past 7 months, I have been giving a ride to some of them who happen to stay nearby.
Now that I am no longer a cell leader, I will not be required to attend those monthly meetings anymore.
But since I have dedicated my car to the LORD's use, I told my cluster leaders that I will continue to ferry these dear brothers and sisters of mine to their home.
After all, even though I may no longer be a leader, I remain a servant.
One of the cell leaders did tell me not to take the trouble, as this would be going out of the way.
But I am reminded about our LORD asking us as his followers to "go the extra mile," (Matt 5:41), so I will continue to be remain faithful in this area.
One of the reasons why I upgraded to an MPV in Jan 2007 was so that it could be used to ferry people around.
Every last Friday of each month, my cluster leaders hold a meeting at their home for all the cell leaders in the cluster. For the past 7 months, I have been giving a ride to some of them who happen to stay nearby.
Now that I am no longer a cell leader, I will not be required to attend those monthly meetings anymore.
But since I have dedicated my car to the LORD's use, I told my cluster leaders that I will continue to ferry these dear brothers and sisters of mine to their home.
After all, even though I may no longer be a leader, I remain a servant.
One of the cell leaders did tell me not to take the trouble, as this would be going out of the way.
But I am reminded about our LORD asking us as his followers to "go the extra mile," (Matt 5:41), so I will continue to be remain faithful in this area.
A Time and Season for Everything
Monday, 20th August 2007
My season of serving as cell leader and treasurer is over. Yet, my season of serving in NCC (if that is what God ultimately wants me to do) is at least 6 months away. This is because NCC requires that a person attends regularly for at least 6 months before he is allowed to serve, and the 6-months clock as far as I am concerned has not even been allowed to start ticking yet...
So I am currently "in limbo" in terms of serving the Lord.
Instead of the harvestfield being plentiful and the labourers few, here is a case of a labourer without a harvertfield :-(
I thus thank the LORD for an sms that the cell leader of 3L2 sent me, which is Ecc 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven".
I was approached by FT Liu (the co-founder of NTUICF) to become take a more active role in connecting back to the NTU Christian Fellowship, and he sounded pretty excited when he heard of my current "commitmentless" status. We will be meeting up for lunch soon, so I'll update you on the outcome.
I have shared before that I hold the CF very dear to my heart, because that was the launching pad and platform for my passionate zeal in serving Him just after rededicating my life to Him. So maybe it's now come full circle.
Furthermore, the fact that the doors are currently closed in PLMC and NCC (while the door in NTUCF is open) may just be the Lord's way of calling me to serve Him in that area.
Do continue to keep my family and my church in your prayers.
My season of serving as cell leader and treasurer is over. Yet, my season of serving in NCC (if that is what God ultimately wants me to do) is at least 6 months away. This is because NCC requires that a person attends regularly for at least 6 months before he is allowed to serve, and the 6-months clock as far as I am concerned has not even been allowed to start ticking yet...
So I am currently "in limbo" in terms of serving the Lord.
Instead of the harvestfield being plentiful and the labourers few, here is a case of a labourer without a harvertfield :-(
I thus thank the LORD for an sms that the cell leader of 3L2 sent me, which is Ecc 3:1, "There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven".
I was approached by FT Liu (the co-founder of NTUICF) to become take a more active role in connecting back to the NTU Christian Fellowship, and he sounded pretty excited when he heard of my current "commitmentless" status. We will be meeting up for lunch soon, so I'll update you on the outcome.
I have shared before that I hold the CF very dear to my heart, because that was the launching pad and platform for my passionate zeal in serving Him just after rededicating my life to Him. So maybe it's now come full circle.
Furthermore, the fact that the doors are currently closed in PLMC and NCC (while the door in NTUCF is open) may just be the Lord's way of calling me to serve Him in that area.
Do continue to keep my family and my church in your prayers.
A Surprise Visit (to a Fellow Ex-Cell Member)
Sunday, 19th August 2007
One of the pull factors for my remaining in PLMC is the friendships that have been built up in the past 2 years.
In fact, I still keep in very close contact with the guys from 3L2, and we do meet up for lunch occasionally.
Two of them work within a stone's throw from my office, so they like to drop in unannounced, and we will end up at the cafeteria, chatting over a cup of coffee and tidbits.
Well, I decided to do the same thing to another ex-3L2 member -- none other than Pastor B.
On 5 Aug (which was the first Sunday when he was at Cairnhill Methodist Church), practically the entire 3L2 turned up at the service to give him a welcome. He has blogged about it here.
I was invited to join them as well, but that was also the day just after I was relieved of my church commitments, and I had other plans in mind, which I blogged about here.
To make up for not being able to see him that Sunday, I decided to pay him a surprise visit 2 days later to pass him the DVD recording of his farewell service.
Turns out that his office is actually not in the school, but in a nice cosy apartment in Novena Court, located in the vicinity of Novena Church.
It looks like a cool place to chill out. Besides the room where his office is located, there is a kitchen, and living room with a comfy-looking sofa.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so I'm sure he will include some other shots of his new hangout (besides the one of his office, which I have lifted without permission from his blog)
... as soon as he is done unpacking the boxes sitting on that comfy-looking sofa :-)
One of the pull factors for my remaining in PLMC is the friendships that have been built up in the past 2 years.
In fact, I still keep in very close contact with the guys from 3L2, and we do meet up for lunch occasionally.
Two of them work within a stone's throw from my office, so they like to drop in unannounced, and we will end up at the cafeteria, chatting over a cup of coffee and tidbits.
Well, I decided to do the same thing to another ex-3L2 member -- none other than Pastor B.
On 5 Aug (which was the first Sunday when he was at Cairnhill Methodist Church), practically the entire 3L2 turned up at the service to give him a welcome. He has blogged about it here.
I was invited to join them as well, but that was also the day just after I was relieved of my church commitments, and I had other plans in mind, which I blogged about here.
To make up for not being able to see him that Sunday, I decided to pay him a surprise visit 2 days later to pass him the DVD recording of his farewell service.
Turns out that his office is actually not in the school, but in a nice cosy apartment in Novena Court, located in the vicinity of Novena Church.
It looks like a cool place to chill out. Besides the room where his office is located, there is a kitchen, and living room with a comfy-looking sofa.
A picture is worth a thousand words, so I'm sure he will include some other shots of his new hangout (besides the one of his office, which I have lifted without permission from his blog)
... as soon as he is done unpacking the boxes sitting on that comfy-looking sofa :-)
Keeping Things in the Right Perspective
Saturday, 18th August 2007
I have received verbal and written feedback from various persons over the past few days, and I really want to thank the LORD for your concerns for my family and me :-)
I would like to assure everyone of you that there is no quarrel between my senior pastor and me. On the contrary, we are still very much on talking terms and will be meeting for lunch for a time of fellowship together very soon.
To keep things in the right perspective, I would like to share an email that I wrote to him on 31 July 2007, which was 4 days before that meeting with him...
At the end of the day, he knows that I have nothing against him personally. I hold these strong convictions about the grace messages because I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, and it is only natural to want to share this good news with others in my oikos.
Similarly, I know that he has nothing against me personally. Since he does not subscribe to the grace teachings [yet :-)], and as the one that God has appointed to shepherd PLMC at this point in time, he has to take the appropriate and necessary action to ensure that the leadership remains united.
We have thus agreed to disagree, but remain very much co-labourers in the Lord.
Do continue to keep all of us in your prayers. Thank you.
I have received verbal and written feedback from various persons over the past few days, and I really want to thank the LORD for your concerns for my family and me :-)
I would like to assure everyone of you that there is no quarrel between my senior pastor and me. On the contrary, we are still very much on talking terms and will be meeting for lunch for a time of fellowship together very soon.
To keep things in the right perspective, I would like to share an email that I wrote to him on 31 July 2007, which was 4 days before that meeting with him...
Hi Pastor
My wife and I met up with our cluster leaders last night.
We had a long discussion, and I will abide with whatever decision you make.
I agree wholeheartedly with them that you have a shepherd's heart, and I told you so via sms back in Dec 06.
There were 2 incidents that my cluster leader related , the first being you helping her get an aircon for her room (which I was in the loop as Treasurer) and the 2nd being your humility in helping to roll up the microphone and other wires after the Know Jesus Week event in the school.
I myself have experienced this aspect of you. The first was in Jul 2006 when you so kindly agreed for the NTUCF Alumni to hold its talk at Room Gabriel. The second was when you gave up your own copy of Passionate Commitment to me to pass to my cell member, when the cell ministry director was not contactable.
At the Ohana Camp, one member also shared that you left the comforts of your hotel room (even though you had a long and tiring day) to attend to his car, which alarm had malfunctioned.
I thank you for going the extra mile in all the above.
It is with this backdrop that I know that you are concerned for the sheep that you have been appointed to shepherd, and you have to take the actions deemed necessary to protect them.
I have already mentally prepared my cell members, and my co-leader has kindly agreed to step up as the leader. We may be without a co-leader for the time being, but I am sure God will still continue to minister to us and work within us, in spite of the limitations. After all, Rom 8:28 says that in all things, God works together for the good of those who love Him, and are called according to His purpose.
I thank the Lord for the privilege of being able to serve Him as cell leader of 3L7 for the past 7 months, and the Treasurer for the past 1 year. I have learnt much during this period. But that season has come to an end, and like Paul McGee said, it is time to SUMO (shut up, move on)...
May God continue to bless your ministry in PLMC.
At the end of the day, he knows that I have nothing against him personally. I hold these strong convictions about the grace messages because I have tasted and seen that the Lord is good, and it is only natural to want to share this good news with others in my oikos.
Similarly, I know that he has nothing against me personally. Since he does not subscribe to the grace teachings [yet :-)], and as the one that God has appointed to shepherd PLMC at this point in time, he has to take the appropriate and necessary action to ensure that the leadership remains united.
We have thus agreed to disagree, but remain very much co-labourers in the Lord.
Do continue to keep all of us in your prayers. Thank you.
How are You going to Change Things from the Inside when you are Outside?
Friday, 17th August 2007
Saturday 4th August was the day I was officially relieved of my commitments as cell leader and Treasurer of my church.
I took that as an indication that it was time for me to join the 15,000 others...
So the very next day, I got up, filled with excitement and anticipation, and made my way to Suntec City. After parking the car, I took the escalator up to the 1st level (where Carrefour is located).
It was 7.23am and the scene that was before me was just so moving, I wept uncontrollably like a baby.
I quickly took the escalators up to the 3rd floor to join the queue. At about 7.45am, the doors were opened, and I followed the others into the Rock Auditorium.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord telling me, "Son, I know how much you hunger and thirst for My Word, but what are you doing here?"
I replied," Huh? Lord, I've been finally relieved of my church commitments, so here I am to worship you with the other 15,000 likeminded of your beloved."
"Yes, but where are your wife and kids? Are you honouring me if you attend one church, yet your family is still attending another? Moreover, remember you said you wanted to change things from the inside? How is this possible when you are outside?"
I had no answer so I kept silent. The story of the Gerasene demoniac came to mind. After getting healed, he had wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus told him to remain in the Decapolis to share the good news of what He had done with his fellow inhabitants there.
Out of impulse, I had gotten ahead of the LORD. I was ready to move, but I had not considered the fact that my wife and kids were not yet ready to move.
In fact, just two weeks ago, I had advised a colleague of mine to remain at the church where she is, because her husband has not felt the need to move. I told her that God would not tell her one thing, and her husband another. Yet here I was, doing something against my own better judgement.
I quickly repented, left the Auditorium, went down to the carpark and drove home.
It was now 8.10am, and the wife and kids were still in bed.
We ended up going to PLMC... as a family.
As I reflected, I realise that I have grown to love PLMC. After all, this is the church where my family has been worshipping in for 5 whole generations: my great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, siblings and now wife and children. This is the church of my roots. I am sure my dad, especially, would like to see his great-grandchildren worshipping at PLMC too.
The truth of the matter is that I do not want to abandon the church of my forefathers, just because the current pastors are not ready to embrace the gospel of grace and finished work of Jesus on the cross. Rather, my deepest desire is to see her being revived...
..and the way to change things from the inside is to remain inside.
Still, I was glad that the journey to Suntec City was not a fruitless one. The scene I beheld of hundreds upon hundreds queuing up patiently has become a faith picture in my mind for PLMC.
God has no favourites. What He is doing in NCC, He can sure do in PLMC as well.
To those of you guys from NCC reading this post. I really, really would love to join you, but it has to be the LORD's timing, not mine. Meanwhile, please continue to pray for my pastors.
I look forward to the day where I have to get up extra early to stand in line for one and a half hours in order to worship the LORD here in PLMC. Amen?
Saturday 4th August was the day I was officially relieved of my commitments as cell leader and Treasurer of my church.
I took that as an indication that it was time for me to join the 15,000 others...
So the very next day, I got up, filled with excitement and anticipation, and made my way to Suntec City. After parking the car, I took the escalator up to the 1st level (where Carrefour is located).
It was 7.23am and the scene that was before me was just so moving, I wept uncontrollably like a baby.
I quickly took the escalators up to the 3rd floor to join the queue. At about 7.45am, the doors were opened, and I followed the others into the Rock Auditorium.
As I sat there, I felt the Lord telling me, "Son, I know how much you hunger and thirst for My Word, but what are you doing here?"
I replied," Huh? Lord, I've been finally relieved of my church commitments, so here I am to worship you with the other 15,000 likeminded of your beloved."
"Yes, but where are your wife and kids? Are you honouring me if you attend one church, yet your family is still attending another? Moreover, remember you said you wanted to change things from the inside? How is this possible when you are outside?"
I had no answer so I kept silent. The story of the Gerasene demoniac came to mind. After getting healed, he had wanted to follow Jesus, but Jesus told him to remain in the Decapolis to share the good news of what He had done with his fellow inhabitants there.
Out of impulse, I had gotten ahead of the LORD. I was ready to move, but I had not considered the fact that my wife and kids were not yet ready to move.
In fact, just two weeks ago, I had advised a colleague of mine to remain at the church where she is, because her husband has not felt the need to move. I told her that God would not tell her one thing, and her husband another. Yet here I was, doing something against my own better judgement.
I quickly repented, left the Auditorium, went down to the carpark and drove home.
It was now 8.10am, and the wife and kids were still in bed.
We ended up going to PLMC... as a family.
As I reflected, I realise that I have grown to love PLMC. After all, this is the church where my family has been worshipping in for 5 whole generations: my great-grandparents, grandparents, parents, siblings and now wife and children. This is the church of my roots. I am sure my dad, especially, would like to see his great-grandchildren worshipping at PLMC too.
The truth of the matter is that I do not want to abandon the church of my forefathers, just because the current pastors are not ready to embrace the gospel of grace and finished work of Jesus on the cross. Rather, my deepest desire is to see her being revived...
..and the way to change things from the inside is to remain inside.
Still, I was glad that the journey to Suntec City was not a fruitless one. The scene I beheld of hundreds upon hundreds queuing up patiently has become a faith picture in my mind for PLMC.
God has no favourites. What He is doing in NCC, He can sure do in PLMC as well.
To those of you guys from NCC reading this post. I really, really would love to join you, but it has to be the LORD's timing, not mine. Meanwhile, please continue to pray for my pastors.
I look forward to the day where I have to get up extra early to stand in line for one and a half hours in order to worship the LORD here in PLMC. Amen?
Relieved to be Relieved
Thursday, 16th August 2007
The inevitable had to come.
Back in January 2007, I was called into my senior pastor's office for a chat. He shared with me that he did not subscribe to the teachings of New Creation Church, and as part of the leadership, I should not propagate these teachings, because it would send mixed signals to the church members. As an ordinary church member however, this would not be an issue.
I was very clear about where I stood. Ever since I started listening to Pastor Prince's sermons in August 2005, the spiritual scales have fallen from my eyes, and I love the person of Jesus more and more each day! Every single book of the Bible has become interesting, be it Leviticus, or Numbers, or Ruth, or Esther, because Jesus is the central focus and God's redemption plan is a common thread right through the 66 books.
The LORD has also more than restored my marriage, family and career.
Just like the proverbial beggar who had discovered nourishing gourmet food, the only proper response was to tell other "beggars" about the food.
So the choice was obvious -- Acts 4:19. Between obeying God or obeying men, I had to obey God.
And so, the inevitable had to happen. I have just been asked to step down as a cell leader and the Honorary Treasurer of my church. But the wonderful irony is that rather than feeling hurt or angry, I actually felt a sense of relief and inner peace. I shook his hand and even thanked him for relieving me of my commitments :-)
Now I am able to take a sabbatical to worship the Lord Jesus Christ with 15,000 others without any emotional or spiritual baggages.
I hold no hard feelings against him because I know he means well, and had to take a stand to do what he did. I will continue to pray him up each day, for the spirit of revelation to be upon him. After all, who am I to judge, when I myself was once wary about messages with an "overemphasis" on grace :-)
This arrangement is thus a win-win for everyone. On his part, he has maintained the unity of the leadership. On my part, I can now blog unreservedly in my own personal capacity without conveying the wrong impression that I am representing the views of my church.
I thank the LORD for the opportunity He gave me to serve Him in PLMC, but that season is now over. Like Paul McGee would say, it is time to SUMO, ie. shut up and move on.
I am sure the LORD has even more exciting days lined up for me. I know of fellow church members who have been attending NCC's services regularly, so I will probably be joining them. After all, this path has already been taken before like I mentioned in an earlier post, and I am sure there will be more to follow.
Like the Psalmist says, surely goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me all the days of my life. Amen?
The inevitable had to come.
Back in January 2007, I was called into my senior pastor's office for a chat. He shared with me that he did not subscribe to the teachings of New Creation Church, and as part of the leadership, I should not propagate these teachings, because it would send mixed signals to the church members. As an ordinary church member however, this would not be an issue.
I was very clear about where I stood. Ever since I started listening to Pastor Prince's sermons in August 2005, the spiritual scales have fallen from my eyes, and I love the person of Jesus more and more each day! Every single book of the Bible has become interesting, be it Leviticus, or Numbers, or Ruth, or Esther, because Jesus is the central focus and God's redemption plan is a common thread right through the 66 books.
The LORD has also more than restored my marriage, family and career.
Just like the proverbial beggar who had discovered nourishing gourmet food, the only proper response was to tell other "beggars" about the food.
So the choice was obvious -- Acts 4:19. Between obeying God or obeying men, I had to obey God.
And so, the inevitable had to happen. I have just been asked to step down as a cell leader and the Honorary Treasurer of my church. But the wonderful irony is that rather than feeling hurt or angry, I actually felt a sense of relief and inner peace. I shook his hand and even thanked him for relieving me of my commitments :-)
Now I am able to take a sabbatical to worship the Lord Jesus Christ with 15,000 others without any emotional or spiritual baggages.
I hold no hard feelings against him because I know he means well, and had to take a stand to do what he did. I will continue to pray him up each day, for the spirit of revelation to be upon him. After all, who am I to judge, when I myself was once wary about messages with an "overemphasis" on grace :-)
This arrangement is thus a win-win for everyone. On his part, he has maintained the unity of the leadership. On my part, I can now blog unreservedly in my own personal capacity without conveying the wrong impression that I am representing the views of my church.
I thank the LORD for the opportunity He gave me to serve Him in PLMC, but that season is now over. Like Paul McGee would say, it is time to SUMO, ie. shut up and move on.
I am sure the LORD has even more exciting days lined up for me. I know of fellow church members who have been attending NCC's services regularly, so I will probably be joining them. After all, this path has already been taken before like I mentioned in an earlier post, and I am sure there will be more to follow.
Like the Psalmist says, surely goodness and lovingkindness will pursue me all the days of my life. Amen?
Minority Report
Wednesday, 15th August 2007
Just the other day, a dear brother, while trying to convince me that a Christian can lose his salvation, said "the majority of us hold this view", giving the impression that just because a majority of people embrace the same line of thinking, therefore that makes it correct.
Sorry, but I beg to differ on this.
Let's look at a case in point as recorded in Numbers 13.
12 men, one from each tribe, were sent to spy out the promised land of Canaan.
- Joshua from Ephraim
- Caleb from Judah
- Shammua from Reuben
- Shaphat from Simeon
- Igal from Issachar
- Palti from Benjamin
- Gaddiel from Zebulun
- Gaddi from Manasseh
- Ammiel from Dan
- Sethur from Asher
- Nahbi from Naphthali
- Geuel from Gad
Let's read the report the 12 spies came back with...
Majority Report
27 They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.
28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.
29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan."
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
Minority Report
30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Although not mentioned here, we know that Joshua held this view too, because later on we read that out of the 12 spies, only Caleb and Joshua entered the Promised Land).
To cut a long story short, 2 of the 12 spies gave a good report. 10 of the 12 gave a bad report.
In the end, the majority won...
...the right of wandering in the wilderness for another 40 years.
Yes, there is such thing as collective wisdom, but at times, there should also be room to consider the merits of the minority report. Amen?
Just the other day, a dear brother, while trying to convince me that a Christian can lose his salvation, said "the majority of us hold this view", giving the impression that just because a majority of people embrace the same line of thinking, therefore that makes it correct.
Sorry, but I beg to differ on this.
Let's look at a case in point as recorded in Numbers 13.
12 men, one from each tribe, were sent to spy out the promised land of Canaan.
- Joshua from Ephraim
- Caleb from Judah
- Shammua from Reuben
- Shaphat from Simeon
- Igal from Issachar
- Palti from Benjamin
- Gaddiel from Zebulun
- Gaddi from Manasseh
- Ammiel from Dan
- Sethur from Asher
- Nahbi from Naphthali
- Geuel from Gad
Let's read the report the 12 spies came back with...
Majority Report
27 They gave Moses this account: "We went into the land to which you sent us, and it does flow with milk and honey! Here is its fruit.
28 But the people who live there are powerful, and the cities are fortified and very large. We even saw descendants of Anak there.
29 The Amalekites live in the Negev; the Hittites, Jebusites and Amorites live in the hill country; and the Canaanites live near the sea and along the Jordan."
31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." 32 And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. 33 We saw the Nephilim there (the descendants of Anak come from the Nephilim). We seemed like grasshoppers in our own eyes, and we looked the same to them."
Minority Report
30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." (Although not mentioned here, we know that Joshua held this view too, because later on we read that out of the 12 spies, only Caleb and Joshua entered the Promised Land).
To cut a long story short, 2 of the 12 spies gave a good report. 10 of the 12 gave a bad report.
In the end, the majority won...
...the right of wandering in the wilderness for another 40 years.
Yes, there is such thing as collective wisdom, but at times, there should also be room to consider the merits of the minority report. Amen?
What does the Holy Spirit Convict a Believer of?
Tuesday, 14th August 2007
[Warning: this post contains “extremely disturbing” content. Please read with caution and care.]
Growing up as a Christian, I have encountered others in the faith who tell me that the Holy Spirit convicted him of this particular sin in his life, or that particular wrongdoing in her life.
I now know for a fact that the Holy Spirit only convicts a person of one SIN – the sin of unbelief.
Once a person accepts Jesus Christ into his life and becomes born again, the Holy Spirit’s job now is not to convict him of his sin, but of his righteousness in Christ.
Woah, how can you say that! That’s heretic teaching, I hear some of you shouting already (and that’s why I thought I had better include a warning at the top of today’s post)
Let’s turn to the Scriptures and read what Jesus had to say to His disciples about the Holy Spirit:
John 16
8 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement;
If you read Jn 16:8 in isolation, it does appear that the Holy Spirit is the One convicting us of our sins.
But let’s proceed to read verses 9 to 11 as well...
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;
11 and concerning judgement, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
Although Jesus was speaking to His disciples, He distinguishes the three roles of the Holy Spirit when dealing with 3 sets of individuals or groups of individuals
In verse 9, Jesus says the Holy Spirit convicts those who do not believe in Jesus concerning sin. All of us were there once. For myself, it was at the Billy Graham Crusade that the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin of unbelief. I responded by stepping forward and joining thousands of others at the National Stadium to receive Jesus Christ.
In verse 10, Jesus says that because He would return to heaven to sit at His Father’s right hand, He would send the Holy Spirit to dwell in those of us who are believers that we are the righteousness of God in Him.
Finally in verse 11, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit convicts the world regarding the judgement that the devil would face.
So beloved, as a believer, continue to allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of your righteousness in Christ. As Pastor B says, right believing produces right living. Amen?
[This revelation of God’s truth was uncovered on pages 134-144 in Chapter 11 of Pastor Joseph Prince’s latest book, Destined to Reign].
[Warning: this post contains “extremely disturbing” content. Please read with caution and care.]
Growing up as a Christian, I have encountered others in the faith who tell me that the Holy Spirit convicted him of this particular sin in his life, or that particular wrongdoing in her life.
I now know for a fact that the Holy Spirit only convicts a person of one SIN – the sin of unbelief.
Once a person accepts Jesus Christ into his life and becomes born again, the Holy Spirit’s job now is not to convict him of his sin, but of his righteousness in Christ.
Woah, how can you say that! That’s heretic teaching, I hear some of you shouting already (and that’s why I thought I had better include a warning at the top of today’s post)
Let’s turn to the Scriptures and read what Jesus had to say to His disciples about the Holy Spirit:
John 16
8 “And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgement;
If you read Jn 16:8 in isolation, it does appear that the Holy Spirit is the One convicting us of our sins.
But let’s proceed to read verses 9 to 11 as well...
9 concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me;
10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me;
11 and concerning judgement, because the ruler of this world has been judged.
Although Jesus was speaking to His disciples, He distinguishes the three roles of the Holy Spirit when dealing with 3 sets of individuals or groups of individuals
In verse 9, Jesus says the Holy Spirit convicts those who do not believe in Jesus concerning sin. All of us were there once. For myself, it was at the Billy Graham Crusade that the Holy Spirit convicted me of my sin of unbelief. I responded by stepping forward and joining thousands of others at the National Stadium to receive Jesus Christ.
In verse 10, Jesus says that because He would return to heaven to sit at His Father’s right hand, He would send the Holy Spirit to dwell in those of us who are believers that we are the righteousness of God in Him.
Finally in verse 11, Jesus says that the Holy Spirit convicts the world regarding the judgement that the devil would face.
So beloved, as a believer, continue to allow the Holy Spirit to convict you of your righteousness in Christ. As Pastor B says, right believing produces right living. Amen?
[This revelation of God’s truth was uncovered on pages 134-144 in Chapter 11 of Pastor Joseph Prince’s latest book, Destined to Reign].
God Qualifies the Called
Monday, 13th August 2007
One of the stickers stuck on the front windscreen of my car reads
"God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called."
This is indeed a very profound statement and is yet another example of God's ways being higher than our ways. As employers, we will look at the qualifications of potential candidates for a particular vacancy and shortlist only those that meet the minimum requirements.
God, on the other hand, looks at the heart of the individual. If he is FAT (faithful, available and teachable), God will use him and equip him accordingly.
Take the case as recorded in 1 Sam 16 when Samuel was in the house of Jesse to anoint the successor to Saul for the throne.
6 Samuel saw the eldest son Eliab and thought "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Take yet another case of Jesus choosing His twelve disciples. If He followed the world's ways, then He would have called the Pharisees (religious sect that took the Law seriously) and the scribes (teachers of the Law). Yet He selected those despised and looked down upon by society such as fishermen and tax-collectors. In Acts 4:13, these disciples of His were described as "unschooled, ordinary men".
It is therefore God's prerogative to choose anyone He wants for His purposes. In fact, He even used a donkey as recorded in Num 22:28. And in Luke 19:40, Jesus said that even the stones will cry out if He had asked His disciples to keep quiet.
Which brings me to a more recent but related topic. Some have questioned the credibility and theological soundness of pastors who have not gone through bible school or college.
But does it really matter in God's eyes?
Paul says in 1 Cor 1:26-28
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are
God does not call the qualified. Rather, He qualifies the called. There is this particular pastor that may not have a degree in divinity or theology, but he answered the call, and God has equipped Him accordingly. He used to stammer as a teenager when asked to speak in class, but God has transformed him into one of the most eloquent and anointed speakers in this day and age. Now, he speaks to tens of thousands of people, and his church has grown hundredfold from 150 to 15,000. In fact, God has so prospered his ministry that his sermons are now broadcasted overseas as well, in countries like Canada, USA, Australia and Africa.
May God continue to qualify the called. Amen?
One of the stickers stuck on the front windscreen of my car reads
"God doesn't call the qualified. He qualifies the called."
This is indeed a very profound statement and is yet another example of God's ways being higher than our ways. As employers, we will look at the qualifications of potential candidates for a particular vacancy and shortlist only those that meet the minimum requirements.
God, on the other hand, looks at the heart of the individual. If he is FAT (faithful, available and teachable), God will use him and equip him accordingly.
Take the case as recorded in 1 Sam 16 when Samuel was in the house of Jesse to anoint the successor to Saul for the throne.
6 Samuel saw the eldest son Eliab and thought "Surely the LORD's anointed stands here before the LORD."
7 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."
Take yet another case of Jesus choosing His twelve disciples. If He followed the world's ways, then He would have called the Pharisees (religious sect that took the Law seriously) and the scribes (teachers of the Law). Yet He selected those despised and looked down upon by society such as fishermen and tax-collectors. In Acts 4:13, these disciples of His were described as "unschooled, ordinary men".
It is therefore God's prerogative to choose anyone He wants for His purposes. In fact, He even used a donkey as recorded in Num 22:28. And in Luke 19:40, Jesus said that even the stones will cry out if He had asked His disciples to keep quiet.
Which brings me to a more recent but related topic. Some have questioned the credibility and theological soundness of pastors who have not gone through bible school or college.
But does it really matter in God's eyes?
Paul says in 1 Cor 1:26-28
26Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. 27But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. 28He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things—and the things that are not—to nullify the things that are
God does not call the qualified. Rather, He qualifies the called. There is this particular pastor that may not have a degree in divinity or theology, but he answered the call, and God has equipped Him accordingly. He used to stammer as a teenager when asked to speak in class, but God has transformed him into one of the most eloquent and anointed speakers in this day and age. Now, he speaks to tens of thousands of people, and his church has grown hundredfold from 150 to 15,000. In fact, God has so prospered his ministry that his sermons are now broadcasted overseas as well, in countries like Canada, USA, Australia and Africa.
May God continue to qualify the called. Amen?
Does Martyrdom Still Exist?
Sunday, 12th August 2007
You must have read in the newspapers and seen on TV the story about the 23 Koreans being held hostage by the Taliban, and how they have started to kill them one by one.
I was having lunch with my cell members the other day, when this topic came about during the course of conversation. It seems that the Korean government had banned its citizens from travelling to Afghanistan. Yet these 23 missionaries disobeyed the orders of their secular government to obey a higher calling to go where the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.
If we accept the argument that they were obeying God rather than men, then the question arises as to why did God not protect them? After all, Psalm 91 promises that he who dwells in the shelter of Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty; and even though thousands may fall around them, no harm would come upon them.
Consider the following:
In Biblical times, we read of John the Baptist being beheaded in Matt 14. We read of Stephen being stoned to death in Acts 7. We read about the first apostle James being put to the sword in Acts 12.
In 1956, the missionary Jim Elliot was killed by the natives in Ecuador.
Closer to home, in 2003, Pastor Simon Loh of Faith AOG succumbed to SARS when he went to visit his church member in hospital.
And now these Koreans in Afghanistan may yet end up as martyrs as well.
Psalm 91 also tells us that "with long life" will the LORD satisfy us with. So how do we reconcile this verse with the above incidents?
Could it be that these people were ready to die for the LORD?
Consider the following passage in Matt 20:
20Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
22"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered.
23Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
Here, we find that the apostle James, one of the sons of Zebedee, declaring that he could drink the cup of suffering that Jesus was going to drink, to which Jesus replied that "you will indeed drink from my cup". James was willing to die for Christ, and indeed he did.
If we read Acts 7, we also see that when Stephen was being stoned, he said in Acts 7:59, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit".
Contrast this with the apostle Paul. He was stoned and left for dead (as recorded in Acts 14:19 and 2 Cor 11:25), but he survived the ordeal. Paul was not ready to die for the LORD, not just yet anyway.
When Paul was finally ready to leave this side of heaven, he wrote to Timothy, "I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7).
In his journal entry for 28 October 1949, Jim Elliot wrote his now famous quotation, expressing his belief that missions work was more important than his life, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
We see a consistent pattern here. The apostle James was ready to die for Jesus. Stephen was ready to die for Jesus. Jim Elliot was ready to die for Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is a gentleman and will not force anything upon us. If we do not believe in healing, He will not force restoration of health upon us. If we do not believe in longeivity, He will not force long life upon us.
If we are ready to die a martyr, then be prepared to die a martyr.
You must have read in the newspapers and seen on TV the story about the 23 Koreans being held hostage by the Taliban, and how they have started to kill them one by one.
I was having lunch with my cell members the other day, when this topic came about during the course of conversation. It seems that the Korean government had banned its citizens from travelling to Afghanistan. Yet these 23 missionaries disobeyed the orders of their secular government to obey a higher calling to go where the harvest is plentiful but the labourers are few.
If we accept the argument that they were obeying God rather than men, then the question arises as to why did God not protect them? After all, Psalm 91 promises that he who dwells in the shelter of Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty; and even though thousands may fall around them, no harm would come upon them.
Consider the following:
In Biblical times, we read of John the Baptist being beheaded in Matt 14. We read of Stephen being stoned to death in Acts 7. We read about the first apostle James being put to the sword in Acts 12.
In 1956, the missionary Jim Elliot was killed by the natives in Ecuador.
Closer to home, in 2003, Pastor Simon Loh of Faith AOG succumbed to SARS when he went to visit his church member in hospital.
And now these Koreans in Afghanistan may yet end up as martyrs as well.
Psalm 91 also tells us that "with long life" will the LORD satisfy us with. So how do we reconcile this verse with the above incidents?
Could it be that these people were ready to die for the LORD?
Consider the following passage in Matt 20:
20Then the mother of Zebedee's sons came to Jesus with her sons and, kneeling down, asked a favor of him.
21"What is it you want?" he asked. She said, "Grant that one of these two sons of mine may sit at your right and the other at your left in your kingdom."
22"You don't know what you are asking," Jesus said to them. "Can you drink the cup I am going to drink?" "We can," they answered.
23Jesus said to them, "You will indeed drink from my cup, but to sit at my right or left is not for me to grant. These places belong to those for whom they have been prepared by my Father."
Here, we find that the apostle James, one of the sons of Zebedee, declaring that he could drink the cup of suffering that Jesus was going to drink, to which Jesus replied that "you will indeed drink from my cup". James was willing to die for Christ, and indeed he did.
If we read Acts 7, we also see that when Stephen was being stoned, he said in Acts 7:59, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit".
Contrast this with the apostle Paul. He was stoned and left for dead (as recorded in Acts 14:19 and 2 Cor 11:25), but he survived the ordeal. Paul was not ready to die for the LORD, not just yet anyway.
When Paul was finally ready to leave this side of heaven, he wrote to Timothy, "I have fought a good fight. I have finished the race. I have kept the faith" (2 Tim 4:7).
In his journal entry for 28 October 1949, Jim Elliot wrote his now famous quotation, expressing his belief that missions work was more important than his life, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose."
We see a consistent pattern here. The apostle James was ready to die for Jesus. Stephen was ready to die for Jesus. Jim Elliot was ready to die for Jesus.
The Holy Spirit is a gentleman and will not force anything upon us. If we do not believe in healing, He will not force restoration of health upon us. If we do not believe in longeivity, He will not force long life upon us.
If we are ready to die a martyr, then be prepared to die a martyr.
The Secret of Getting a Payrise and Making Wise Investments
Saturday, 11th August 2007
I shared a couple of days ago about getting a 2nd payrise in the space of 9 months.
What is the secret you may ask? Read on...
With the recent buoyancy in the property as well as equity markets, what should the new covenant believer's response be? Read on...
There will be those who stay away from together. After all, the market is full of gamblers and speculators and institutional investors who will eat the man-in-the-street alive, what less one who is a not-so-street-smart Christian.
But if Christianity is supposed to be relevant for everyday living, then it should be useful in helping us to make everyday decisions as well, and not just the more "spiritual" ones like where to serve in church, or which cell group to join, or which D&N courses to sign up for.
It should help us to make less "spiritual" decisions such as what career to take, which schools to put our kids in, which house or car to buy. Yes, even which investments to make.
Jesus said in Matt 10:16 that He has sent us into the world as sheep amongst wolves, hence we are to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Therein lies the secret! We are sheep, and Jesus is our shepherd. In John 10:4, Jesus tells us that His sheep knows His voice. When Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised that He would send us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. This same Holy Spirit is now within us to guide us in making wise decisions (and that includes making wise investment decisions).
Let me share a personal testimony with you. I was in Price Waterhouse from 1991 to 1994, after which I left to do some internal audit and IT consulting work. I returned to PwC in 2000 to join their accounting and payroll outsourcing arm.
Between the years 1994 and 2000, I had accumulated several stocks and shares. Having returned to the audit firm, I had to dispose of all the shares of practically every one of these companies because they were audited by PwC (Price Waterhouse had just merged with Coopers & Lybrand and about 75% of the listed companies were their clients). I was reluctant to do so because it would mean realising losses amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. But the partner-in-charge of Risk Management gave a very stern warning during one of the briefing sessions: there would be an audit check conducted, and if anyone selected was found to hold such shares, he would be sacked immediately. I had to choice but to realise those heavy losses.
Fast forward to a Saturday in February 2006. I walked into the POSBBank near my place, and an advertisement for a unit trust-linked fund caught my eye. I went to see the customer relationship officer and decided shortly thereafter to commit quite a substantial amount. At that time, there was no investment analyst recommending this fund. Yet, somehow I felt an inner peace within.
Now fast forward again to July 2007. That investment that I bought in Feb 2006 had appreciated by more than 35% in a mere 16 months! There was a penalty clause for early redemption of 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% and 1% in the 1st 5 years respectively. Yet, even after deducting the 4%, the profit was more than what I had expected over the entire 5-year period, so I decided to cash out.
And the profit earned on that one single investment more than restored the losses realised when I had to sell those shares while working in PwC! When God restores, He always over-restores!
Since then, the market has softened and had I held on to it, the investment would have depreciated by about 10%. So I sold it at around its peak.
When I look back upon the investments made between 1994 and 2000, and that single investment made in 2006, I realise that I am no genious when it comes to timing the market. If I were, I would not have gotten burnt to begin with.
So what made the difference, you may ask?
Something happened to me in July 2005, which I blogged about here.
In those earlier years of making poor investments, I was not tithing! The LORD wanted to bless me, but I was preventing Him from doing so!
Now that I have been doing so, the floodgates of heaven have been thrown open wide! Hallelujah!
It does not matter whether the amount is 10 cents or $100,000. When we tithe our 10%, God sanctifies the other 90%, and that prevents the devil from touching it.
I give my daughter $30 as an allowance each week. Now that she does not stay back for any CCA, she gives $10 of that to church each week. Oh LORD, bless her heart (I am crying when typing this because I thought I was the one who was generous...). As her earthly father, I feel moved to increase her allowance to $100 already, so that $10 becomes 10%. If an earthly father who is evil know how to give good things to his children, how much more so our Heavenly Father?
The LORD says in Matt 25 that those who are faithful in litte things will be put in charge of many things.
Let's paraphrase that here.
If you are able to tithe $100 on a $1,000 salary, then the LORD will allow you to tithe $200 on a $2,000 salary. If you are faithful in being able to tithe $200, then He will put you in a position to be able to tithe $300.
I myself was giving more than 10% to the church in the past year, and the LORD caused the base to increase, not once but twice.
And that's the secret to getting a payrise :-)
How about the secret to making wise investments?
In Eph 1:13, Paul refers to the Holy Spirit as the one who marks us with His seal. So instead of following the market, let's follow the Marker when making investments.
So what is the secret to getting a payrise and making wise investment decisions? Tithe, and be led by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit.
Speaking of tithing, do you know that it came about even before the Law of Moses? Fellow churchmate and NTU Alumnus Philip Ng has blogged about this here.
I shared a couple of days ago about getting a 2nd payrise in the space of 9 months.
What is the secret you may ask? Read on...
With the recent buoyancy in the property as well as equity markets, what should the new covenant believer's response be? Read on...
There will be those who stay away from together. After all, the market is full of gamblers and speculators and institutional investors who will eat the man-in-the-street alive, what less one who is a not-so-street-smart Christian.
But if Christianity is supposed to be relevant for everyday living, then it should be useful in helping us to make everyday decisions as well, and not just the more "spiritual" ones like where to serve in church, or which cell group to join, or which D&N courses to sign up for.
It should help us to make less "spiritual" decisions such as what career to take, which schools to put our kids in, which house or car to buy. Yes, even which investments to make.
Jesus said in Matt 10:16 that He has sent us into the world as sheep amongst wolves, hence we are to be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.
Therein lies the secret! We are sheep, and Jesus is our shepherd. In John 10:4, Jesus tells us that His sheep knows His voice. When Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised that He would send us the Holy Spirit to dwell in us. This same Holy Spirit is now within us to guide us in making wise decisions (and that includes making wise investment decisions).
Let me share a personal testimony with you. I was in Price Waterhouse from 1991 to 1994, after which I left to do some internal audit and IT consulting work. I returned to PwC in 2000 to join their accounting and payroll outsourcing arm.
Between the years 1994 and 2000, I had accumulated several stocks and shares. Having returned to the audit firm, I had to dispose of all the shares of practically every one of these companies because they were audited by PwC (Price Waterhouse had just merged with Coopers & Lybrand and about 75% of the listed companies were their clients). I was reluctant to do so because it would mean realising losses amounting to tens of thousands of dollars. But the partner-in-charge of Risk Management gave a very stern warning during one of the briefing sessions: there would be an audit check conducted, and if anyone selected was found to hold such shares, he would be sacked immediately. I had to choice but to realise those heavy losses.
Fast forward to a Saturday in February 2006. I walked into the POSBBank near my place, and an advertisement for a unit trust-linked fund caught my eye. I went to see the customer relationship officer and decided shortly thereafter to commit quite a substantial amount. At that time, there was no investment analyst recommending this fund. Yet, somehow I felt an inner peace within.
Now fast forward again to July 2007. That investment that I bought in Feb 2006 had appreciated by more than 35% in a mere 16 months! There was a penalty clause for early redemption of 5%, 4%, 3%, 2% and 1% in the 1st 5 years respectively. Yet, even after deducting the 4%, the profit was more than what I had expected over the entire 5-year period, so I decided to cash out.
And the profit earned on that one single investment more than restored the losses realised when I had to sell those shares while working in PwC! When God restores, He always over-restores!
Since then, the market has softened and had I held on to it, the investment would have depreciated by about 10%. So I sold it at around its peak.
When I look back upon the investments made between 1994 and 2000, and that single investment made in 2006, I realise that I am no genious when it comes to timing the market. If I were, I would not have gotten burnt to begin with.
So what made the difference, you may ask?
Something happened to me in July 2005, which I blogged about here.
In those earlier years of making poor investments, I was not tithing! The LORD wanted to bless me, but I was preventing Him from doing so!
Now that I have been doing so, the floodgates of heaven have been thrown open wide! Hallelujah!
It does not matter whether the amount is 10 cents or $100,000. When we tithe our 10%, God sanctifies the other 90%, and that prevents the devil from touching it.
I give my daughter $30 as an allowance each week. Now that she does not stay back for any CCA, she gives $10 of that to church each week. Oh LORD, bless her heart (I am crying when typing this because I thought I was the one who was generous...). As her earthly father, I feel moved to increase her allowance to $100 already, so that $10 becomes 10%. If an earthly father who is evil know how to give good things to his children, how much more so our Heavenly Father?
The LORD says in Matt 25 that those who are faithful in litte things will be put in charge of many things.
Let's paraphrase that here.
If you are able to tithe $100 on a $1,000 salary, then the LORD will allow you to tithe $200 on a $2,000 salary. If you are faithful in being able to tithe $200, then He will put you in a position to be able to tithe $300.
I myself was giving more than 10% to the church in the past year, and the LORD caused the base to increase, not once but twice.
And that's the secret to getting a payrise :-)
How about the secret to making wise investments?
In Eph 1:13, Paul refers to the Holy Spirit as the one who marks us with His seal. So instead of following the market, let's follow the Marker when making investments.
So what is the secret to getting a payrise and making wise investment decisions? Tithe, and be led by the inner witness of the Holy Spirit.
Speaking of tithing, do you know that it came about even before the Law of Moses? Fellow churchmate and NTU Alumnus Philip Ng has blogged about this here.
Thnks Fr Th Mmrs
Friday, 10th August 2007
The title of today's post is actually the name of a song by rock band Fall Out Boy. They have deliberatly dropped the vowels from the phrase "thanks for the memories", leaving behind only the consonants.
Anyway, we had what we called a "BarneyLor" farewell on 29 July 2007, to thank Pastors Barnabas and Loretta for their faithful service in PLMC, and to send them off to Cairnhill and Living Waters Methodist Churches respectively.
Here are but 2 highlights of that evening:
1. Jimmy Leong from the band testified about the impact that Pastor B has had on his life, and we moved into a time of worship by singing Great God, the theme song for our Ohana Camp. Perhaps this can be considered another evo of the song, because it was sung with great gusto by the people, as a rousing tribute and finale to its composer.
2. Pastor B also made a great impact on the children. Here is the Silver Boxes' choir expressing how they felt about the one overseeing their ministry.
Thks fr th mmrs, Pastor B and Loretta, and may the LORD bless your ministries in ACSJ and ACSI!
The title of today's post is actually the name of a song by rock band Fall Out Boy. They have deliberatly dropped the vowels from the phrase "thanks for the memories", leaving behind only the consonants.
Anyway, we had what we called a "BarneyLor" farewell on 29 July 2007, to thank Pastors Barnabas and Loretta for their faithful service in PLMC, and to send them off to Cairnhill and Living Waters Methodist Churches respectively.
Here are but 2 highlights of that evening:
1. Jimmy Leong from the band testified about the impact that Pastor B has had on his life, and we moved into a time of worship by singing Great God, the theme song for our Ohana Camp. Perhaps this can be considered another evo of the song, because it was sung with great gusto by the people, as a rousing tribute and finale to its composer.
2. Pastor B also made a great impact on the children. Here is the Silver Boxes' choir expressing how they felt about the one overseeing their ministry.
Thks fr th mmrs, Pastor B and Loretta, and may the LORD bless your ministries in ACSJ and ACSI!
Blessed to Bless (the Community and the Nations)
Thursday, 9th August 2007
Today, our nation celebrates its 42nd birthday. Happy birthday Singapore!
But that's not the subject for today.
Rather, I wanted to share that the LORD has truly blessed me at my workplace. I have blogged before that I started out as a contract staff back in January 2005, and by God's grace, I was made a permanent staff three and a half months later.
A colleague of mine from New Creation Church joined us a month after that (in May 2005) and started circulating his Pastor's sermons in the office.
Slowly but surely, the spiritual scales began to fall from my eyes. Like Pastor B said, "right believing producing right living", and the LORD has been blessing me exceedingly abundantly above all that I can imagine.
Last year, I got the biggest bonus ever. And then just last month, I got a 2nd pay increment in less than a year!
I bought the latest book by Pastor Prince sometime in mid-July 2007 entitled "Destined to Reign". I am not really a book person, but it took me less than 5 days to finish reading the entire 324-page book.
Blessed to Bless...
Having been so blessed, I would like to be used by Him to bless others in return. I am therefore going to set aside a portion of my year-end bonus to bless those who want a copy of the book, but for whatever reasons cannot afford to buy it.
...the Community and the Nations
Since my church's theme includes the community and the nations, this offer goes out to not only you folks here in Singapore, but everyone around the world where the book can be delivered to.
Please send me an email at mloh77@starhub.net.sg if you would like to take up this offer. The first 25 emails I receive are guaranteed a book.
Today, our nation celebrates its 42nd birthday. Happy birthday Singapore!
But that's not the subject for today.
Rather, I wanted to share that the LORD has truly blessed me at my workplace. I have blogged before that I started out as a contract staff back in January 2005, and by God's grace, I was made a permanent staff three and a half months later.
A colleague of mine from New Creation Church joined us a month after that (in May 2005) and started circulating his Pastor's sermons in the office.
Slowly but surely, the spiritual scales began to fall from my eyes. Like Pastor B said, "right believing producing right living", and the LORD has been blessing me exceedingly abundantly above all that I can imagine.
Last year, I got the biggest bonus ever. And then just last month, I got a 2nd pay increment in less than a year!
I bought the latest book by Pastor Prince sometime in mid-July 2007 entitled "Destined to Reign". I am not really a book person, but it took me less than 5 days to finish reading the entire 324-page book.
Blessed to Bless...
Having been so blessed, I would like to be used by Him to bless others in return. I am therefore going to set aside a portion of my year-end bonus to bless those who want a copy of the book, but for whatever reasons cannot afford to buy it.
...the Community and the Nations
Since my church's theme includes the community and the nations, this offer goes out to not only you folks here in Singapore, but everyone around the world where the book can be delivered to.
Please send me an email at mloh77@starhub.net.sg if you would like to take up this offer. The first 25 emails I receive are guaranteed a book.
Shut Up, Move On
Wednesday, 8th August 2007
On Valentine's Day this year, my 3L7 cell group had a romantic dinner together. During that dinner, one of my cell members mentioned about an upcoming event on 26th - 28th July 2007 called "Change & Influence", which was the theme for the Eagles Leadership Conference 2007 (ELC 2007) organised by Eagles Communications. We decided to sign up together as a cell.
Even though 26th and 27th July was U-1 and U (those of you who are my colleagues would know what these stand for, but for the benefit of the others, U means "ultimo" and it is the day that we close the books each month, with U-1 being the day before that), I trusted the LORD to provide a way for me to attend the Conference.
Praise be to God that my leave was approved by the CFO's secretary (my boss is now on a 6-month sabbatical since May 07 and my big boss was travelling at the time when I applied for leave).
Anyway, the Conference was a wonderful experience, and I saw our 3 Pastors, as well as the TRAC President Rev Wee Boon Hup, District Superintendent West Rev Jonathan Seet, and Faith Methodist Church PIC Rev Kow Shih Meng there.
Here are highlights of ELC 2007 for your viewing pleasure:
One of the speakers at the Conference was a guy by the name of Paul McGee. He gives
motivational talks based on godly principles for a secular audience. He is known as The SUMO Guy, because of the S.U.M.O principle that he came up with, which stands for Shut Up, Move On (hence the title of today's blog entry). He has also written two books that made it to the bestsellers on Amazon.com
Essentially, he is trying to convey that we should not let past baggages and failures prevent us from experiencing victory. We should "shut up" what has happened already in the past, and then to "move on" from there.
The apostle Paul himself says in Phil 3:13 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead". If Paul had allowed what he did in the past (persecuting Christians, approving Stephen's stoning, etc) to affect him, then he would not have been able to be used by God to bring the gospel to the Gentiles and write two-thirds of the New Testament.
Which brings me to another excerpt of a DVD compilation called Humorous Bible Illustrations, which I blogged about back in January 2007. This one is entitled "If-Only-itis"
On Valentine's Day this year, my 3L7 cell group had a romantic dinner together. During that dinner, one of my cell members mentioned about an upcoming event on 26th - 28th July 2007 called "Change & Influence", which was the theme for the Eagles Leadership Conference 2007 (ELC 2007) organised by Eagles Communications. We decided to sign up together as a cell.Even though 26th and 27th July was U-1 and U (those of you who are my colleagues would know what these stand for, but for the benefit of the others, U means "ultimo" and it is the day that we close the books each month, with U-1 being the day before that), I trusted the LORD to provide a way for me to attend the Conference.
Praise be to God that my leave was approved by the CFO's secretary (my boss is now on a 6-month sabbatical since May 07 and my big boss was travelling at the time when I applied for leave).
Anyway, the Conference was a wonderful experience, and I saw our 3 Pastors, as well as the TRAC President Rev Wee Boon Hup, District Superintendent West Rev Jonathan Seet, and Faith Methodist Church PIC Rev Kow Shih Meng there.
Here are highlights of ELC 2007 for your viewing pleasure:
One of the speakers at the Conference was a guy by the name of Paul McGee. He gives
motivational talks based on godly principles for a secular audience. He is known as The SUMO Guy, because of the S.U.M.O principle that he came up with, which stands for Shut Up, Move On (hence the title of today's blog entry). He has also written two books that made it to the bestsellers on Amazon.comEssentially, he is trying to convey that we should not let past baggages and failures prevent us from experiencing victory. We should "shut up" what has happened already in the past, and then to "move on" from there.
The apostle Paul himself says in Phil 3:13 "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead". If Paul had allowed what he did in the past (persecuting Christians, approving Stephen's stoning, etc) to affect him, then he would not have been able to be used by God to bring the gospel to the Gentiles and write two-thirds of the New Testament.
Which brings me to another excerpt of a DVD compilation called Humorous Bible Illustrations, which I blogged about back in January 2007. This one is entitled "If-Only-itis"
Bring My Son Back to the Church
Tuesday, 7th August 2007
As good Christians, we are often encouraged to bring our friends and relatives to church.
Does it sound weird if we are being asked to bring Jesus to church? Read on...
In Pastor B's "swan sermon" in PLMC on 29 July, he mentioned that his desire was to see a revival taking place in PLMC. He pictured the Sanctuary being filled to the brim, and worshippers having to stand at the back because all the pews would have been filled.
At present, when one observes the sanctuary each Sunday at 9am or 11.15am, one would notice that there are still empty pews, because many of us (myself included) would stream in at about 9.15am or 11.30am.
Now contrast this to another church where hundreds upon hundreds of people queue up hours beforehand in order to hear the Word of God. After getting into the church premises, some even end up having to sit on the floor.
So wherein lies the difference, you may ask?
Could it be that the difference is that Jesus Christ is the central focus? Listen to any typical sermon of that church, and you will hear Jesus being exalted at least two (if not three) dozen times.
If we want to see vibrancy in any church, we have to bring Jesus back into the church.
Many churches nowadays place a heavy emphasis on prayer, missions, evangelism, outreach, cell ministry, worship and music, etc. These are all noble and worthy, but let us remember that these pursuits should be the fruit, rather than the root.
The focus should be on Jesus. When we lift Jesus up, all men will be drawn unto Him. And the activities as mentioned above will all flow out from there.
Which reminds me of a song I used to sing in Sunday School...
"Bring my Son back to the Church" was what the LORD told Pastor Prince in 1997. After he obeyed the LORD, God prospered NCC and it has multiplied hundredfold from 150 to more than 15,000 today.
God does not play favourites. What He has done in NCC, He can do here in PLMC as well. I look forward to our congregation growing from 2,400 to 24,000. Not only will there be standing room only in the Sanctuary, even the cry rooms and library would be filled to overflowing. There will even be video-feeds from the Chapel, Fellowship Hall and dare I say it, PLMGSS!
Let's bring Jesus back to the church, and we will see a mighty revival. Amen?
As good Christians, we are often encouraged to bring our friends and relatives to church.
Does it sound weird if we are being asked to bring Jesus to church? Read on...
In Pastor B's "swan sermon" in PLMC on 29 July, he mentioned that his desire was to see a revival taking place in PLMC. He pictured the Sanctuary being filled to the brim, and worshippers having to stand at the back because all the pews would have been filled.
At present, when one observes the sanctuary each Sunday at 9am or 11.15am, one would notice that there are still empty pews, because many of us (myself included) would stream in at about 9.15am or 11.30am.
Now contrast this to another church where hundreds upon hundreds of people queue up hours beforehand in order to hear the Word of God. After getting into the church premises, some even end up having to sit on the floor.
So wherein lies the difference, you may ask?
Could it be that the difference is that Jesus Christ is the central focus? Listen to any typical sermon of that church, and you will hear Jesus being exalted at least two (if not three) dozen times.
If we want to see vibrancy in any church, we have to bring Jesus back into the church.
Many churches nowadays place a heavy emphasis on prayer, missions, evangelism, outreach, cell ministry, worship and music, etc. These are all noble and worthy, but let us remember that these pursuits should be the fruit, rather than the root.
The focus should be on Jesus. When we lift Jesus up, all men will be drawn unto Him. And the activities as mentioned above will all flow out from there.
Which reminds me of a song I used to sing in Sunday School...
Lift Jesus Higher
Lift Jesus Higher, Lift Jesus Higher.
Lift Him up for the World to See.
He Said If I Be Lifted up from the Earth.
I Will Draw All Men unto Me
"Bring my Son back to the Church" was what the LORD told Pastor Prince in 1997. After he obeyed the LORD, God prospered NCC and it has multiplied hundredfold from 150 to more than 15,000 today.
God does not play favourites. What He has done in NCC, He can do here in PLMC as well. I look forward to our congregation growing from 2,400 to 24,000. Not only will there be standing room only in the Sanctuary, even the cry rooms and library would be filled to overflowing. There will even be video-feeds from the Chapel, Fellowship Hall and dare I say it, PLMGSS!
Let's bring Jesus back to the church, and we will see a mighty revival. Amen?
Rightly Dividing the Word
Monday, 6th August 2007
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)
I am currently reading Walking on Water by Joshua Lye, and I must say that it is a very refreshing book.
Instead of the "fiery" style that I have gotten used to, this dear brother puts across his points in a very calm and persuasive manner.
In chapter 11 of his book, he talks about "rightly dividing the word of truth". I can identify with him the struggles faced when attempting to read the Bible.
When I was much younger, I had the impression that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament were like 2 separate personalities. In the Old Testament, He was always angry, never satisfied, just waiting to zap the living daylights of our people. In the New Testament, He was more approachable but had "gone soft".
It was only recently that by His grace, I began to understand that I needed to "rightly divide the Word of God", like what Paul tells Timothy in 2 Tim 2:15.
What I know now is that the Bible is one consistent message of God's redemption plan for mankind.
In the Old Testament, a covenant was cut between God and His people. In order to obtain God's blessings, the people of Israel had to obey all the commandments that He gave via Moses.
However, this covenant was but a shadow of a better one that was to come. The New Covenant was cut between God the Father and God the Son. This New Covenant was`sealed by the blood of Jesus, and it is the one that believers this side of the cross are partakers of.
The God of the Old and New Testaments are the same. God has also not "gone soft" on sin, like what I had thought previously. In fact, His full judgement fell upon Jesus on the cross. When the sin of the entire universe was upon the body of Jesus, we read in Matt 27:46 that God had to abandon His Son.
This leads us back to the topic of "rightly dividing the Word". When we come across verses in the Old Testament, we should remember that Paul tells us in 1 Cor 10:11 that they were written "for" us (for our admonition) and not "to" us.
Take for example the passage that Pastor B mentioned in his final sermon. Deut 28 spells out a whole list of blessings (in verses 1-6 and 13-14) as well as curses (verses 15-19).
These blessings and curses were pronounced under the old Mosaic covenant.
We read in Gal 3:13 that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us". That means to say that the curses no longer apply to the new-covenant believer.
But the blessings continue, because Christ only redeemed us from the curses of the law. We continue to enjoy the blessings because Christ fulfilled the requirements of the law on our behalfs.
So we are still blessed in the city and the country (verse 3), we we will not be cursed in the city and the country (verse 16), because Jesus was cursed in the city and the country on our behalfs. It was in the city of Jerusalem that Jesus was whipped, cursed and spat on. And it was outside the city on Calvary’s hill that He was pierced and crucified.
Pastor B also referred to Jn 15:5-6, where Jesus told His disciples that those who abide in Him will bear much fruit, but those who do not will be thrown away.
Paul tells us in Gal 2:20 that "it is no longer I that lives, but Christ lives in me", so we as new-covenant believers have the assurance that we abide in Christ at all times, and His Holy Spirit abides in us.
Some may argue that Jesus addressed John 15 to His disciples. But do you know that one of His disciples was actually a "non-believer"? This disciple did not remain in Him, was tempted by the devil for 30 pieces of silver, and ended up being "thrown away".
Pastor B warned us that we should be careful of false teachings and wrong doctrines.
I agree wholeheartedly with him on this point!
Let us rightly divide the Word of God, and not allow the evil one to confuse us with what is no longer applicable to the new-covenant believer, and thus rob us of the joys and blessings that is rightly ours. Amen?
15Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15 (King James Version)
I am currently reading Walking on Water by Joshua Lye, and I must say that it is a very refreshing book.
Instead of the "fiery" style that I have gotten used to, this dear brother puts across his points in a very calm and persuasive manner.
In chapter 11 of his book, he talks about "rightly dividing the word of truth". I can identify with him the struggles faced when attempting to read the Bible.
When I was much younger, I had the impression that the God of the Old Testament and the God of the New Testament were like 2 separate personalities. In the Old Testament, He was always angry, never satisfied, just waiting to zap the living daylights of our people. In the New Testament, He was more approachable but had "gone soft".
It was only recently that by His grace, I began to understand that I needed to "rightly divide the Word of God", like what Paul tells Timothy in 2 Tim 2:15.
What I know now is that the Bible is one consistent message of God's redemption plan for mankind.
In the Old Testament, a covenant was cut between God and His people. In order to obtain God's blessings, the people of Israel had to obey all the commandments that He gave via Moses.
However, this covenant was but a shadow of a better one that was to come. The New Covenant was cut between God the Father and God the Son. This New Covenant was`sealed by the blood of Jesus, and it is the one that believers this side of the cross are partakers of.
The God of the Old and New Testaments are the same. God has also not "gone soft" on sin, like what I had thought previously. In fact, His full judgement fell upon Jesus on the cross. When the sin of the entire universe was upon the body of Jesus, we read in Matt 27:46 that God had to abandon His Son.
This leads us back to the topic of "rightly dividing the Word". When we come across verses in the Old Testament, we should remember that Paul tells us in 1 Cor 10:11 that they were written "for" us (for our admonition) and not "to" us.
Take for example the passage that Pastor B mentioned in his final sermon. Deut 28 spells out a whole list of blessings (in verses 1-6 and 13-14) as well as curses (verses 15-19).
These blessings and curses were pronounced under the old Mosaic covenant.
We read in Gal 3:13 that "Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us". That means to say that the curses no longer apply to the new-covenant believer.
But the blessings continue, because Christ only redeemed us from the curses of the law. We continue to enjoy the blessings because Christ fulfilled the requirements of the law on our behalfs.
So we are still blessed in the city and the country (verse 3), we we will not be cursed in the city and the country (verse 16), because Jesus was cursed in the city and the country on our behalfs. It was in the city of Jerusalem that Jesus was whipped, cursed and spat on. And it was outside the city on Calvary’s hill that He was pierced and crucified.
Pastor B also referred to Jn 15:5-6, where Jesus told His disciples that those who abide in Him will bear much fruit, but those who do not will be thrown away.
Paul tells us in Gal 2:20 that "it is no longer I that lives, but Christ lives in me", so we as new-covenant believers have the assurance that we abide in Christ at all times, and His Holy Spirit abides in us.
Some may argue that Jesus addressed John 15 to His disciples. But do you know that one of His disciples was actually a "non-believer"? This disciple did not remain in Him, was tempted by the devil for 30 pieces of silver, and ended up being "thrown away".
Pastor B warned us that we should be careful of false teachings and wrong doctrines.
I agree wholeheartedly with him on this point!
Let us rightly divide the Word of God, and not allow the evil one to confuse us with what is no longer applicable to the new-covenant believer, and thus rob us of the joys and blessings that is rightly ours. Amen?
Walking on Water
Sunday, 5th August 2007
In an earlier blog entry, I mentioned that I was invited by the NTU Christian Fellowship to speak at their recent Freshmen Orientation Camp about blogging for the Lord.
It just so happened that another alumnus by the name of Joshua Lye (whom I did not meet until that night itself) was also invited to speak about writing for the Lord.
Together with his wife, Florence, they have just released a book entitled Walking on Water (hence the title of today's post).
This book documents their journey from one of dryness whilst in a denominational church (he was a Lutheran while she was a Methodist), to one where they no longer experience burnout because they have learnt what it means to rest in the finished work of Jesus.
I have just finished reading Destined to Reign by Pastor Prince, and have now begun to read Joshua's book.
Joshua's and my spiritual journeys are somewhat similar. We backslid during the years before we entered NTU. We rededicated ourselves to the Lord and served Him zealous whilst on campus. Yet, somehow deep inside, there was still something missing spiritually and this prevented us from having a sustainable walk with Him, ultimately resulting in spiritual exhaustion.
Then by the grace of our Lord, an awakening took place which opened our spiritual eyes to the gospel of grace and finished work of the cross. This has resulted in us wanting to share our new-found joy and revelations with others.
Another similarity is that we are both "boring" accountants :-)
There are differences between Joshua and me, however.
Firstly, he was a Lutheran married to a Methodist. I am a Methodist who married a Lutheran.
Secondly, he shares what has happened in his life via a book. I share what is happening in mine via a blog.
Thirdly, while I take a more direct (some would even call "confrontational") approach, Joshua's approach is more persuasive. Those who "eat soft don't eat hard" 吃软不吃硬 (ie. prefer the soft rather than the tough approach) would definitely be uplifted by the testimonies found in his book.
Whatever may be our similarities or differences, what cannot be denied is that the Holy Spirit is doing a mighty awakening work, especially amongst the traditional churches. Just as the Lord was declaring in Zech 4:6, "it is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit." Amen!
In an earlier blog entry, I mentioned that I was invited by the NTU Christian Fellowship to speak at their recent Freshmen Orientation Camp about blogging for the Lord.
It just so happened that another alumnus by the name of Joshua Lye (whom I did not meet until that night itself) was also invited to speak about writing for the Lord.Together with his wife, Florence, they have just released a book entitled Walking on Water (hence the title of today's post).
This book documents their journey from one of dryness whilst in a denominational church (he was a Lutheran while she was a Methodist), to one where they no longer experience burnout because they have learnt what it means to rest in the finished work of Jesus.
I have just finished reading Destined to Reign by Pastor Prince, and have now begun to read Joshua's book.
Joshua's and my spiritual journeys are somewhat similar. We backslid during the years before we entered NTU. We rededicated ourselves to the Lord and served Him zealous whilst on campus. Yet, somehow deep inside, there was still something missing spiritually and this prevented us from having a sustainable walk with Him, ultimately resulting in spiritual exhaustion.
Then by the grace of our Lord, an awakening took place which opened our spiritual eyes to the gospel of grace and finished work of the cross. This has resulted in us wanting to share our new-found joy and revelations with others.
Another similarity is that we are both "boring" accountants :-)
There are differences between Joshua and me, however.
Firstly, he was a Lutheran married to a Methodist. I am a Methodist who married a Lutheran.
Secondly, he shares what has happened in his life via a book. I share what is happening in mine via a blog.
Thirdly, while I take a more direct (some would even call "confrontational") approach, Joshua's approach is more persuasive. Those who "eat soft don't eat hard" 吃软不吃硬 (ie. prefer the soft rather than the tough approach) would definitely be uplifted by the testimonies found in his book.
Whatever may be our similarities or differences, what cannot be denied is that the Holy Spirit is doing a mighty awakening work, especially amongst the traditional churches. Just as the Lord was declaring in Zech 4:6, "it is not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit." Amen!
Bicentenary: Another Milestone
Saturday, 4th August 2007
Wow, how time flies.
It seemed like only yesterday that this blog reached its 1st major milestone -- the 100th post -- on 24th April 2007.
100 days later, it has now reached its 2nd major milestone -- the 200th post.
Oh ya, thought I'd change the template of my blog to mark this milestone.
Here's to the next 200.
Wow, how time flies.
It seemed like only yesterday that this blog reached its 1st major milestone -- the 100th post -- on 24th April 2007.
100 days later, it has now reached its 2nd major milestone -- the 200th post.
Oh ya, thought I'd change the template of my blog to mark this milestone.
Here's to the next 200.
Ungracious Moments
Friday, 3rd August 2007
I suppose all of you would have known by now of my strong convictions about the gospel of grace and the finished work of the cross.
So it will probably be puzzling when a person who subscribes to the doctrine of grace does not himself display "gracious" behaviour.
That is exactly how a dear brother of mine put it to me in an email to me earlier this year :-)
There were 2 incidents where I have been accused of being less than gracious. One relates to an email I sent about "what family means" when I was still part of 3L2. I have blogged about that here.
The other relates to walkathon cards.
I took over the role of Treasurer of my church sometime in August last year.
We had a fund-raising project for PLMGS Secondary School that was held in July, where members would walk from the church to the school. Walkathon cards were distributed via the cell leaders at the start of the year and was supposed to be returned by July.
As at October 2006, there were still some 80 walkathon cards that were not returned to the church office, despite numerous phone call reminders from the church staff. The staff even got scolded by some of the members.
As the Treasurer, I took it upon myself sometime in early December to follow-up with the cell leaders of the members who had not return the cards. Through a series of emails and phone calls, all the cards were finally accounted for (ie. either returned to the church office, or a police report had been filed to declare the card as missing or lost).
Along the way, feathers were ruffled. But I make no apologies for the approach I had to take.
The church office had chosen to take a soft approach. After 5 months, there were still dozens of cards not accounted for.
I took a tougher approach and within a month, all were accounted for.
Where is the grace, you might ask?
I would reply by asking you to read the following passages
Matthew 16
7They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."
8Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
Jesus rebuked His disciples because they should have known better. After all they had witnessed with their own very eyes Jesus feeding the multitudes...
9Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
Here is another...
Matthew 21
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
Jesus rebuked the money changers because they should have known better.
13"It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'
Coming back to the walkathon cards. The cell leaders should have known better. The church office had been chasing for the cards for 5 months! If the soft approach had continued to be taken, I can tell you, hand on heart, they would still be chasing for the cards till this very day.
In Dan 5:12, we read that Daniel had a "spirit of excellence", and this is something that my cluster leaders are very strong advocates of. May we likewise be in service to the Lord!
I suppose all of you would have known by now of my strong convictions about the gospel of grace and the finished work of the cross.
So it will probably be puzzling when a person who subscribes to the doctrine of grace does not himself display "gracious" behaviour.
That is exactly how a dear brother of mine put it to me in an email to me earlier this year :-)
There were 2 incidents where I have been accused of being less than gracious. One relates to an email I sent about "what family means" when I was still part of 3L2. I have blogged about that here.
The other relates to walkathon cards.
I took over the role of Treasurer of my church sometime in August last year.
We had a fund-raising project for PLMGS Secondary School that was held in July, where members would walk from the church to the school. Walkathon cards were distributed via the cell leaders at the start of the year and was supposed to be returned by July.
As at October 2006, there were still some 80 walkathon cards that were not returned to the church office, despite numerous phone call reminders from the church staff. The staff even got scolded by some of the members.
As the Treasurer, I took it upon myself sometime in early December to follow-up with the cell leaders of the members who had not return the cards. Through a series of emails and phone calls, all the cards were finally accounted for (ie. either returned to the church office, or a police report had been filed to declare the card as missing or lost).
Along the way, feathers were ruffled. But I make no apologies for the approach I had to take.
The church office had chosen to take a soft approach. After 5 months, there were still dozens of cards not accounted for.
I took a tougher approach and within a month, all were accounted for.
Where is the grace, you might ask?
I would reply by asking you to read the following passages
Matthew 16
7They discussed this among themselves and said, "It is because we didn't bring any bread."
8Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, "You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread?
Jesus rebuked His disciples because they should have known better. After all they had witnessed with their own very eyes Jesus feeding the multitudes...
9Do you still not understand? Don't you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered?
Here is another...
Matthew 21
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves.
Jesus rebuked the money changers because they should have known better.
13"It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'
Coming back to the walkathon cards. The cell leaders should have known better. The church office had been chasing for the cards for 5 months! If the soft approach had continued to be taken, I can tell you, hand on heart, they would still be chasing for the cards till this very day.
In Dan 5:12, we read that Daniel had a "spirit of excellence", and this is something that my cluster leaders are very strong advocates of. May we likewise be in service to the Lord!
Connecting Back to the Youth
Thursday, 2nd August 2007
Last Tuesday, I was invited to the Freshmen Orientation Camp of the Nanyang Technological University Christian Fellowship ("NTUCF"). I will blog about what happened then in a future post.
Anyway, I have a sentimental attachment for this Fellowship because it was the platform that the Lord used as a means to serve Him passionately, just after rededicating my life to Him.
I have shared in an earlier post that I had backslidden pretty badly during my teenage years, until the Lord called me back to Himself during the combined MYF-Sunday School Camp in December 1987.
As a result, I was really on fire for Him, so the only booth that I headed for during our Freshmen Orientation in June 1988 was the one set up by the CF. In the first year, I served as Program & Publicity Coordinator. In the second year, I served as Editor. In the third year, I served as Chairman of Canopy (the nickname for Freshmen Orientation) and Vice-Chairman of Resource & Publication. At the end of my third year, I was one of the two Scrutineers at the Annual General Meeting.
In fact, my undergraduate days was when I was most active in "CCA".
During our time in campus, we had our weekly meetings at the top of Nanyang House, and I remember having to carry an overhead projector (OHP) up the slope and another 4 flights of stairs when it was my duty to set up the room and arrange the chairs for the meetings.
I told the LORD that after I graduated, I would sow back into the ministry which He had so graciously allowed me to reap from in terms of developing a heart of service for Him.
All this time, I had wanted to connect back to the CF, but somehow I had lost touch with them.
Then, sometime in 2005 (by divine appointment some would say) I was attending a B2B event at Pasir Ris, when I caught up with a fellow CF alumnus and churchmate Philip Ng. He informed me about a Yahoo Group that was set up by the alumni. This is how I got connected to FT Liu, one of the co-founders of the Group.
One thing led to another and I was subsequently invited to an NTUCF Corporate Meeting in Jan 2006.
Of course since then, technology has advanced from the transparency OHP to the LCD projector.
At that meeting, I had the privilege of blessing them with a projector. Here is a picture taken of me and Carlsen, the then-Chairman of the CF.
Yes, it took all of 15 years, but the LORD finally made it come to pass. Thanks be to God for allowing me to sow back into the ministry!
Last Tuesday, I was invited to the Freshmen Orientation Camp of the Nanyang Technological University Christian Fellowship ("NTUCF"). I will blog about what happened then in a future post.
Anyway, I have a sentimental attachment for this Fellowship because it was the platform that the Lord used as a means to serve Him passionately, just after rededicating my life to Him.
I have shared in an earlier post that I had backslidden pretty badly during my teenage years, until the Lord called me back to Himself during the combined MYF-Sunday School Camp in December 1987.
As a result, I was really on fire for Him, so the only booth that I headed for during our Freshmen Orientation in June 1988 was the one set up by the CF. In the first year, I served as Program & Publicity Coordinator. In the second year, I served as Editor. In the third year, I served as Chairman of Canopy (the nickname for Freshmen Orientation) and Vice-Chairman of Resource & Publication. At the end of my third year, I was one of the two Scrutineers at the Annual General Meeting.
In fact, my undergraduate days was when I was most active in "CCA".
During our time in campus, we had our weekly meetings at the top of Nanyang House, and I remember having to carry an overhead projector (OHP) up the slope and another 4 flights of stairs when it was my duty to set up the room and arrange the chairs for the meetings.
I told the LORD that after I graduated, I would sow back into the ministry which He had so graciously allowed me to reap from in terms of developing a heart of service for Him.
All this time, I had wanted to connect back to the CF, but somehow I had lost touch with them.
Then, sometime in 2005 (by divine appointment some would say) I was attending a B2B event at Pasir Ris, when I caught up with a fellow CF alumnus and churchmate Philip Ng. He informed me about a Yahoo Group that was set up by the alumni. This is how I got connected to FT Liu, one of the co-founders of the Group.One thing led to another and I was subsequently invited to an NTUCF Corporate Meeting in Jan 2006.
Of course since then, technology has advanced from the transparency OHP to the LCD projector.
At that meeting, I had the privilege of blessing them with a projector. Here is a picture taken of me and Carlsen, the then-Chairman of the CF.
Yes, it took all of 15 years, but the LORD finally made it come to pass. Thanks be to God for allowing me to sow back into the ministry!
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