Saved to Save

As I was preparing for cell last week, I was somehow prompted in the morning and thought of The Salvation Army. For a long time, I have thought that the two "S" donned by Salvation Army officers on their uniforms used to mean "Saved to Serve". But as I read about the meaning of it, I felt the Lord teaching me that our main business should not be "Saved to Serve" more than we should be "Saved to Save". And just, as I was leaving for cell, I visited the Our Daily Bread website and, lo and behold, the article for the day is "Seek and Save". It was clear that God was making a point here and I would just like to share the article which I shared with cell last Friday here. You are saved to save.

Saved and Saving

Image adapted from Source

D L Moody: “One day I saw a steel engraving that I liked very much. I thought it was the finest thing I ever had seen, at the time, and I bought it. It was a picture of a woman coming out of the water, and clinging with both arms to the cross. There she came out of the drowning waves with both arms around the cross perfectly safe. Afterwards, I saw another picture that spoiled this one for me entirely, it was so much more lovely. It was a picture of a person coming out of the dark waters, with one arm clinging to the cross and with the other she was lifting some one else out of the waves. That is what I like. Keep a firm hold upon the cross, but always try to rescue another from the drowning.”

Source: http://www.gutenberg.org/files/19830/19830-h/19830-h.htm

About The Salvation Army's S S Badges

by Major Sanjivani Dushing

“… Saving' is a very close and a personal related word for one's life. (The human). A Person takes a good education, search for a good job, work hard & earn a big salary or income to have a better life living standard but at the same time a person tries to save something for his future. Some parents start to save money or open a saving account in the bank for their children from the time of their birth. Saving is an important and hard process but essential for the human's life.

The Bible also tells about saving but not about the worldly saving. God himself sent his only son to save the sinners from their sins. God is counting us as His treasure of Heaven. He does not want any single soul to be destroyed or to be perished but he wishes that every single soul should be with him forever, safe in Heaven.

The Salvation Army is in process of saving souls since 145 years around the world. The Founders William & Catherine Booth had taken this responsibility to cooperate with God in saving souls.

The SS (as shown above) on Salvation Army uniforms used to mean” Saved to save.” It was a statement of early Salvationists' faith that they were saved so that they could lead others to Salvation. People also refer it as “Saved to Serve” but When William Booth started The Salvation Army it was a Christian mission. In fact, that is what he called it. The aim of the mission was to” go for souls and go for worst.” There was nothing greater than saving souls. The Salvation Army saved the drunkards from their drink, the criminals from the prisons and girls from the streets by proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

If I show my love & compassion by giving him food to eat, clothes to wear, and a place to rest in but if I don't put a thought of God's word in his heart, my mission remains incomplete.
 

... Dear readers, Let us go forward day by day, with Love & Compassion for dying men to save.”

Source: http://web.salvationarmy.org/ind%5Cwww_ind.nsf/vw-issue/164A063C5C9F1F076525776C00355CB3?opendocument&id=5FFB38DEF45186A76525776C003507B1

Seek And Save

August 10, 2012 — by Marvin Williams

Read: Luke 19:1-10

The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost. —Luke 19:10

Image Source

Lachlan Macquarie, governor of New South Wales from 1810–1821, had a way of making everyone feel included in the new colony. When the “exclusives” (free settlers, civil servants, and military officers) shunned the society of the “emancipists” (transported convicts given conditional or absolute pardon), Governor Macquarie insisted that they be treated as social equals.

Jesus showed interest in Zacchaeus, a shunned tax collector in Jericho, and included him in the recipients of His salvation plan (Luke 19:1-10). A marginalized and hated man because of his profession, Zacchaeus was desperate to see Jesus and climbed a tree to get a glimpse of Him. When Jesus passed by, He saw Zacchaeus’ desire and told him to come down because he had a divine appointment at his house. Some complained that Jesus was spending time with a sinner. His loving attention changed Zacchaeus’ life. He repented and offered restitution for those he had defrauded. Salvation had come to his house.

Jesus’ mission was simple: Diligently search for lost people, whatever their social standing, and offer them God’s salvation plan. As followers of Christ, we too have that as our mission.

Lord, help us show compassion
To a world that’s lost in sin,
So when we share the gospel,
Hungry souls for Christ we’ll win. —Sper
 

Christ’s mission is our mission.

Source: http://odb.org/2012/08/10/seek-and-save/

We have two hands, one to hold on to God and another to save another. What are you doing with your hands today?

Image Source

Be the Song You Are Meant to Be

Thanks to my sister for sharing this with me...

Yep, we are all a symphony written from above, written out of God's love.

Each of us have notes to play; we need to stay in tune and also in unison with fellow instruments.

We will then be a wonderful symphony that brings hope, comfort and warmth.

And yes, the less I get in the way, thinking I know best, the more God can let the music play.

Be the best song you are meant to be...

YOUR SONG
Music and Lyrics by Corrinne May, ‘Crooked Lines’ 2012

Silent, wordless
Everything was still
You breathed us, yearned for us
Our hearts began to thrill
A brand new creation
A symphony
Written from above
Written out of Love

Chorus:
Let me be Your instrument
Let me be Your voice
Let me be the reservoir
Where thirsty hearts rejoice
Let me be the hand
That wipes the tears away
Oh Lord,
If it be Your will
Let me be Your Song

A violin, a piano
Each one has a role
Major or minor
Or just a single note
So take the time to stay in tune
Cause we’ll never know
When we’re called to play
It could be today



A song of hope for the hopeless
A song of comfort for the pain
A song that warms the frozen heart that
It might beat again

For what am I but a single breath
That only You sustain
The less I get in the way,
The more the Master can let the music play

God's Love Letter To You, Yes, You

Hi everyone, if you ever wonder if there is a God and what He thinks about you, well, it has never been a secret, just that we have not come to read His thoughts for us... Here's His love letter to you, yes, unmistakably you... It blessed me and hope it blesses you too.

The Parable of the Pencil (Adapted)

Hi everyone,

Was in chapel today and heard about the Parable of the Pencil. 

I adapted it and hope the below will bless you as it has blessed me:

The Parable of the Pencil

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting it into the box.

"There are 7 things you need to know..." he told the pencil, "...before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."

"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."
 

"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."

"Three: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."
 

"Four: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."

"Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

"Six: Use your ability to erase appropriately, help others to correct mistakes and not to run them down and negate their mark."

"And finally Seven: You need to work alongside other pencils to see beautiful things achieved. There are times when a darker shade of pencil needs to be used and there are times when a lighter shade is essential."

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Now, replace the pencil with YOU. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess. 

John 15:4 (NIV, 1984) "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me."

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various challenges in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

James 1:2,3,4 (NIV, 1984) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Three: The most important part of you will always be what's inside. For some of us, we operate out of broken lead inside and no matter how much we sharpen, the tip will always come out broken and break. If you inside is broken, it's time for you to receive God's lead.

1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV, 1984) "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Luke 6: 45 (NIV, 1984) "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

Ezekiel 26:36 (NIV, 1984) "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

Four: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

The bible is full of imperfect people who makes mistakes. The difference is that they did not let them stop them from growing: David, Peter, Moses, Abraham and the list goes on. 

Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything. 

Romans 12:11 (NIV, 1984) "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

Six: Use your ability to erase appropriately, help others to correct mistakes and not to run them down and negate their mark.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV, 1984) "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV, 1984) "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 2: 25-26 (NIV, 1984) "Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."

And finally Seven: You need to work alongside other pencils to see beautiful things achieved. There are times when a darker shade of pencil needs to be used and there are times when a lighter shade is essential.

Romans 12:4-8 (NIV, 1984) "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish. You can have a life with a meaningful purpose and a wonderful relationship with God everyday.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV,1984) "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 1:4-5a (NIV, 1984) "The word of the LORD came to me, saying,  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;"

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV, 1984) "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil, it has no point.

The Kingdom of God - For You & Others

Thy Kingdom Come from Curtis Wiklund on Vimeo.

What is the Kingdom of Heaven?
Is it to come or is it already here?

God's Kingdom or yours? It's your choice?

LIFE Box from Ryan Brien on Vimeo.

What's the big deal with the Kingdom of Heaven?
Are you letting the Kingdom of God transform you?


Amazing Grace from Bradley Miller on Vimeo.

The Amazing Grace of God and the invitation to the Kingdom of God

The Kingdom of God from Stewart H Redwine on Vimeo.

Is the Kingdom of Heaven significant?

Is it worthy?

Are we prepared?

If it's here, why is there evil around?

Are we like the Pharisees and the religious leaders then who was rebuked by Jesus? Do we deprive others of the Kingdom of God? Do we bring it to others?


Matthew 9:10-13 (NIV)
While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and “sinners” came and ate with him and his disciples. When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?” On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
 
Matthew 23: 13 (NIV)
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men’s faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV)
The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

Are You Rooted Below & Bearing Fruit Above?

All of us seek to discern the will of God in our lives because we believe He knows best. I have my fair share of waiting too and sometimes, it is to wait for open doors from the Lord, sometimes it is waiting while in God's calling for our calling to come to fruition, sometimes it's for things and/or us to take shape and sometimes it's for us to complete our God-given task despite how much we may want to bail out. But waiting on the Lord is something that all of us will be familiar with.

The topic of bearing fruit is of particular interest to me. I did a search through the bible on scripture verses with the words "bear fruit" and "fruitful" and it seems that God called us to be fruitful by:

1. being fruitful and multiply - This is a common theme in the Old Testament in which God told Abraham, Noah and various other people that His blessing will cause His people to multiply in number to inhabit the earth and to preserve the generations. This is seen throughout the Old Testament in Gen 1:22, 28; Gen 9:1,7; Gen 17:6; Gen 35:11; Gen 48:4; Jer 23:3; Ps 105:24; Ex 1:7; Ez 36:11. The main thing of being fruitful here is receiving God's blessings and multiplying in numbers.
   
2. being fruitful in self and God - As we go into the New Testament, the focus now is on being holy and righteous in our call to be God's children, bearing the fruit of the Spirit of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:19-24). In fact, Luke 13:1-9, Rom 7:4-6 encourage us to bear fruit for God rather that bear fruit of death; a warning of of what will happen if we do not repent and continue in our lives of darkness. So being fruitful has to also mean to be holy and righteous, living as children of God.
    
3. being fruitful to bless - Perhaps God ultimately wants us to bear fruit to not only bless ourselves but also to bless other through us. Why? Because God has appointed us to bear fruit that will last (John 15: 16) and which will be for the Father's glory (John 15:8). And God longs for His children to return to Him.
   
   Paul is very familiar with this as he mentioned in Philippians 1:22 that he was torn between going back to God and yet remaining in his body to have fruitful labour in the body; to bless others. Ultimately, God wants to make us fruitful so we can be a blessing to others and this one really spoke to me a lot a lot during this period.
   
   Early on in Genesis, the Abrahamic Convenant spoke about being blessed and being a blessing.
   
   
   Genesis 12:2-3 (NIV)
    2 "I will make you into a great nation
          and I will bless you;
          I will make your name great,
          and you will be a blessing.
   
    3 I will bless those who bless you,
          and whoever curses you I will curse;
          and all peoples on earth
          will be blessed through you."

As I struggle with my current job transition (transition out of something which is so comfortable and which is so working well for me), I kept bargaining with God that I am already impacting lives where I am. I further went on to justify that if I move, I am not sure if I am going to be effective for Him, given the new environment and new stresses to come in this new portfolio etc. But the real reason, I have come to realise is that I was so in my comfort zone. God dealt with me and made me realised how He has wanted to re-position me to bless others at a different playing field. Talking about revelation from God bringing about re-elevation.

As I did my QT, God first brought me to the story of Elijah in 1 King 17 and 18. I had previously shared in cell how Elijah is an interesting reminder because he has just popped up suddenly in the bible but every step of the way, he obeyed God and God positioned him from one level of faith to another. Firstly God provided for him as He sent the raverns to feed him and thereby helping Elijah know that God will provide for him and bless him. Then God brought him to the widow, another level of faith, and wanted to bless not only him but also the women and her son as he made it possible for the widow and her son to be fed through his instructions. Then, God brought him to yet another level of faith when the widow's son died and had Elijah working with God to restore the boy's life. Finally God brought him to the showdown with the prophets of Baal to bring people back to Him, as everyone realised that ""The LORD -he is God! The LORD -he is God!" (1 King 18:39). The Lord brought Elijah from one level of faith to another, blessing first himself then others through him.

In the same way, I felt the Lord reminding me how He wants to bring me to a different field to bless others and that my season here is just over. And yes, He will bless as He calls; to bear fruit. The further confirmation came when I was preparing for chapel from Luke 5:1-9 when God showed how obedience brought fruitfulness to both self and others. As Simon obeyed and casted the net (even though he felt it was strange and maybe useless), the result was a catch of fish not only enough for himself but also for the other fishermen. All these is possible just because Simon said "But because you say so, I will let down the nets." (Luke 5:5).

In our round up of the story of Joseph in sermon, we seen how God has worked in his life to make him fruitful (Gen 41:52, Gen 49:22).

As Raymond mentioned, we are all definitely called to serve God's purpose, though in different ways. And all of us have been blessed with at least one gifting and Paul edges us to desire and excel in gifts that will build up the church; blessing others.

At the end of the day, God wants us to be fruitful and to stay with the vine as we are reminded from John 15. But to bear fruit, we need, first and foremost, to remain in the vine (John 15: 4-5); we need to take root below and bear fruit above (2 King 19:30, Isaiah 37:31).

Jeremiah 17:8 (NIV)
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water
       that sends out its roots by the stream.
       It does not fear when heat comes;
       its leaves are always green.
       It has no worries in a year of drought
       and never fails to bear fruit."

Psalm 92:13-14 (NIV)
13 planted in the house of the LORD,
       they will flourish in the courts of our God.

14 They will still bear fruit in old age,
       they will stay fresh and green,

Like Joyce mentioned, you can say we are all different trees bearing fruit at different seasons. It is important to be rooted well and bear the right fruit. Jesus reminded us in Matthew 7:17 that one can also bear bad fruit too. So stay rooted in God's word and plans, which are the soil and water and the tree will grow to eventually bear fruit. And He will keep pruning you for fruitfulness, not giving up on you (John 15:2).

In the end, God gave me John 15:7-8 as a reminder verse as I move to this new chapter; that I need to just choose to remain in Him in all circumstances and He will bless. At the end of the day, many will come to know the Lord through my ministry and work of my hands, not because of what I have done but because of what the Lord has shown Himself to be through me; that I am a disciple of God.

John 15:7-8 (NIV)
7If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. 8This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

The Lord has blessed me these few weeks so hope it blesses you too.

A Delay is not a Denial from God

Received this from Raymond and it's a nice reminder about what God can do in our lives.

I like a quote in the article "remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go". And yes, how true it is, sometimes, we let the daunting path ahead distract us from remembering what God has done in our lives so far.

As 1 Cor 1:26 beckons us "think of what you were when you were called".

A Delay is not a Denial from God

by Rick Warren

These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day! Habakkuk 2:3 (LB)

"Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go."

The Bible is filled with examples of how God uses a long process to develop character, especially in leaders. He took eighty years to prepare Moses, including forty in the wilderness. For 14,600 days Moses kept waiting and wondering, "Is it time yet?" But God kept saying, "Not yet."

Contrary to popular book titles, there are no Easy Steps to Maturity or Secrets of Instant Sainthood. When God wants to make a giant oak, he takes a hundred years, but when he want to make a mushroom, he does it overnight. Great souls are grown through struggles and storms and seasons of suffering. Be patient with the process. James advised, "Don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed." (James 1:4, Msg)

Don't get discouraged. When Habakkuk became depressed because he didn't think God was acting quickly enough, God had this to say: "These things I plan won't happen right away. Slowly, steadily, surely, the time approaches when the vision will be fulfilled. If it seems slow, do not despair, for these things will surely come to pass. Just be patient! They will not be overdue a single day!" (Habakkuk 2:3, LB)

Remember how far you've come, not just how far you have to go. You are not where you want to be, but neither are you where you used to be. Years ago people wore a popular button with the letters PBPGINFWMY. It stood for "Please Be Patient, God Is Not Finished With Me Yet." God isn't finished with you, either, so keep moving forward. Even the snail reached the ark by persevering!

In what area of your spiritual growth do you need to be more patient and persistent?

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want...

All the Way my Savior Leads Me

All the way my Savior leads me

Who have I to ask beside

How could I doubt His tender mercy

Who through life has been my guide

All the way my Savior leads me

Cheers each winding path I tread

Gives me grace for every trial

Feeds me with the living Bread

You lead me and keep me from falling

You carry me close to Your heart

And surely Your goodness and mercy will follow me

All the way my Savior leads me

O, the fullness of His love

O, the sureness of His promise

In the triumph of His blood

And when my spirit clothed immortal

Wings its flight to realms of day

This my song through endless ages

Jesus led me all the way

Jesus led me all the way

All the way my Savior leads me

All the way my Savior leads me

"I Can No Longer Trust in You Lord" ~ Me

This very song, ministered to my heart last Sunday as we worshipped in church. I had been praying to the Lord for something which has been close to my heart but I was coming to a stage where I can no longer trust the Lord. I remember that as the worship leader led us in worship and sang the very words "I will trust in you", asking us to put our hands on our hearts, I just could not do it and I could not mouth these very words...Have you ever felt this way and felt that no matter what happens, you just seem to lose faith and in what God is doing in your life?

"Remember how I have walked with you?" ~ The Lord

It was until this song that came up that the Lord was prompting me gently that He has been there with me all the time and He has guided me through to where I am. And true enough, there had been such changes and miracles in my life, so much so I know it is not from man but from God. From how He has brought me back, to how He had placed people around me, helped me overcome my severe inferior complex, brought me a partner, helped and led me in ministry, healed and restored me from a hurt I had years ago, all these within a short span of 5 years, it just had to be God. And how could I doubt Him? And frankly, as the lyrics expresses it well "who have I to ask beside?". This is one such time when the praise and worship session was already enough to minister to me, even before sermon. And of course, by the time the sermon came and it was a hammer to the nail's head as I am reminded again that the Lord is my Shepherd and He cares for us and knows what is best for us; more than we know what is good for us.

The Life of Fanny Crosby

And the Lord continued to speak into my heart throughout the week, even as I prepared for cell. I later come to know that the hymn, from which this song has been adapted from, was written by a God fearing lady Fanny Crosby. She had, in her lifetime, written over 8000 Christian hymns, despite her handicap that she had to struggle with during her life. Fanny had lost her sight from the age of six week after a botched medical procedure by an inept doctor, which left her blind from henceforth. Imagine losing your sight and not  knowing what this world is like. But yet, God used her and she wrote many wonderful hymns including "All the Way my Savior Leads Me" and "Blessed Assurance". 

This beloved hymn came to Fanny as a result of a prayer. Struggling financially, she desperately needed some money. As her usual custom, Fanny began to pray. A few minutes later, a gentleman offered her five dollars, the exact amount she needed. Later recalling the incident, she said, “I have no way of accounting for this except to believe that God put it into the heart of this good man to bring the money.”  The poem she wrote afterward became “All The Way My Savior Leads Me.” 

She later said, “ If per­fect earth­ly sight were of­fered me to­mor­row I would not ac­­cept it. I might not have sung hymns to the praise of God if I had been dis­tract­ed by the beau­ti­ful and in­ter­est­ing things about me.”

Speaking about trusting in the Lord. Fanny's example humbled me.

The Sudden Promotion of Glory of The Salvation Army's Territorial Commander

It's interesting how as Elder Freddy was preaching on Psalm 23, a psalm that one would usually see at funerals (and some would also associate with funerals), my whole week has come to be dominated by the sudden departure of one of our beloved leaders in The Salvation Army. And even as we go through a heart-wrenching week, coping emotionally with the sudden promotion to glory of our late Territorial Commander, God continued to minister to me and prepared me for cell.

It had been a difficult week as many of us struggled to come to terms with the sudden death because the weekend before, we had a carnival and our commander was amidst us, having fun with us and taking photos. His wife has also remarked how he had such great fun, going around to just be around our staff as we raised funds to bless our counterpart's work in Myanmar. And on Sunday evening, he had a simple dinner fellowship with all the heads of departments and officers, just hours before his departure. 

Thanking God for His Grace

Then on Monday morning, we were told that he had gone home to be with the Lord. As we slowed down from all the funeral arrangements on Friday, I remember sitting down with my colleague and we both remarked how we really thank God for his life; how it had been a blessing to many. We thank God for how He had taken him home without prolonged pain and agony. We thank God for His grace in allowing us to have our last "farewell", so as to speak, with the commander on Saturday and also for the heads and officers to have their's on Sunday.

Trusting in God

But what was more heart-wrenching was even seeing our commander's wife, having to deal with the whole incident. They had been a loving couple who have served the Lord for over 40 years now and have just travelled to Singapore barely 3 years ago to serve their last leg before his retirement in June this year. I could imagine the shock and grief of losing someone you love in such a manner. But what really amazed me was her strength and calmness through it all, even in the midst of this when the icelandic volcano eruptions have grounded flights, making it impossible for her family to come and be with her and also for her and the body to be flown back to UK. 

Reflecting on it, I would have broken down long ago. But what was amazing was how this humble lady had calmly addressed us at the funeral, thanking God for a good companion, confidante and father who shared 45 years of life together. And something she had said became deeply entrenched in my heart... "I don''t understand why but I know and trust that it's God's will and therefore I know that this is God's timing for him to be called home". And it was not her strength which has spoken to me but the peace I sensed, genuine peace, which demonstrated to me how she has really trusted the Lord even through this circumstance. And thank God because halfway through the wake service, we received news that Singapore Airlines has managed to secure places for our late commander, his wife and an accompanying officer for them to travel back to UK to be with their family. 

Light Amidst Darkness

So while it was an emotion-filled week, it was also a positive week where God shined through... I like what Lydia shared during cell yesterday of her revelation from Psalm 23:4...

Psalm 23:4

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. 

... that with every shadow, there is light. And so even amidst all the negativity, something positive came out for me too as I saw God at work.

"I shall not be in want"

But God did not stop there and continue to speak to me, both to me as a child and I also believe to all in the cell. Throughout the week, God continued to speak to me on this theme of Psalm 23:1 "The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not be in want." Through my quiet time throughout the week, God brought me to various passages everyday and spoke about being contented in Him and keeping kingdom perspective. Many a times, we get so caught up with our perspective of things of the world, we lose sight of things of God. 

In quiet time yesterday, I read from Mark 8:33 when Jesus rebuked Peter after he rebuke Jesus for speaking about what is to happen to himself; rejected, killed and that He will rise again after 3 days. And Jesus spoke these words "You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men". God later sent a colleague to come to me with a verse from Matthew 6:19-21:

Matthew 6:19-21

19. "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

It is true that after so much have happened this week, I have come to realise that anything can happen anytime. We can plan all we want, just as my commander and his wife has planned to retire and return to UK in June to be with their family. But ultimately, we do not know what's going to happen next. And this fact that we may go home to be with the Lord anytime became even more real as I was working to "close the emotional chapter" on the demise of my late commander, only to come to hear of another case of the son of a another, barely 30 years old, found suddenly dead in his room.

As the Psalmist wrote, "the Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not be in want". Do you truly believe in this verse and that the Lord knows what you need? Do you trust the Lord? As I reflect upon my episode on Sunday when I told God I can no longer trust in Him, I come to realise that the loss of faith and trust came not as a result that God is unfaithful etc. Someone at the funeral had mentioned that God is too wise and righteous to be wrong, too faithful to be unfaithful. But it lies with our contentment in the Lord and many a times how we have desired what the Lord has not intended for and yet feel annoyed, frustrated and angry with the Lord. The Lord ask us to keep our kingdom perspective of eternity and to trust in Him that He is the Almighty God. There are many things that we may not understand but He is always there in control and He has His plans for you.

Jeremiah 29:11-13

11. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Psalm 91: 1-2, 4, 14-15

1. He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."

4. He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

14.  "Because he loves me," says the LORD, "I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

15. He will call upon me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.

Isaiah 55:8-9

8. "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways," declares the LORD.
9. "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts. 

The Lord Holds You and Your Life

Even as I read from Ruth today, I am reminded about Naomi and the Lord's hand upon her and her life. She had lost both her husband and sons and was bitter, not knowing that the Lord has His plans for her. 

Ruth 1:20-21

"Don't call me Naomi (meaning pleasant)," she told them. "Call me Mara (meaning bitter), because the Almighty has made my life very bitter. 21. I went away full, but the LORD has brought me back empty. Why call me Naomi? The LORD has afflicted me; the Almighty has brought misfortune upon me". 

But little does she knows that Ruth would be a blessing to her, as they seek to survive, and will also be the blessed line where the Messiah Jesus would ultimately come from. 

Ruth 2:17-18

So Ruth gleaned in the field until evening. Then she threshed the barley she had gathered, and it amounted to about an ephah. She carried it back to town, and her mother-in-law saw how much she had gathered. Ruth also brought out and gave her what she had left over after she had eaten enough.

Yet Another Lesson in Trusting in the Lord

In fact, just another interesting point to note: I had initially been in a frenzy because God has spoken to me so clearly and so much throughout the week, I was approaching cell not knowing how to proceed, lest it becomes a very heavy session with all the scriptures and thoughts. I was in a frenzy because I had not known how to organise and bring across what God has spoken to me. For a moment, I had not trusted God, until a colleague came to me with Isaiah 50:4:

Isaiah 50:4

The Sovereign LORD has given me an instructed tongue, to know the word that sustains the weary. He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen like one being taught.

And as I reflect on last night and how God has given me to word and the prompting to speak the words, I thank Him and look back wondering why I had not trusted Him that He will be guiding the session. I thank God for that and for everyone of you who served and shared in love and edification. Thank you again.

In closing, I just want to encourage you with something from my devotion this week:

Psalm 91: 1-2, 4

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the LORD, "He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust."... He will cover you with his feathers, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

Ruth 2:12b

...May you be richly rewarded by the LORD, the God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge.

Dalit Child Sponsorship

Today is the Mission Drive weekend. I thought it is good to share about how I came to sponsor one of the Dalit Child some weeks ago on 13th March. Before the CE course on that day, I saw the Dalit Child booths and the pictures of the Dalit children. There is a prompting within my heart to go to the other side of the booths and to look at one of the pictures in the middle row. I saw a little boy, he looks quite different from other boys, seems pretty mature for boy of his age? There is something outstanding about him. Then I look at the description, he had a elder sister who had paralysis and most of their family's income is spent for her treatment, they do not have enough to eat and pay for. When I read this, somehow it gripped my heart. I felt a prompting that I could be God's vessel to bless this family and this little boy by sponsoring him so that through education support, the family would be able to break out of current situation of poverty trap, also recognizing how tough it is for the family taking care of a young girl who is immobile. However I see a bright future ahead of this little boy as God will provide and bless even though I believe the situation maybe tougher than I could ever imagine. Therefore I really hope this little contribution will bring a little light into this little boy's life and his family, and he will be empowered to rise up to the calling God had put into his heart. Also I pray that the little boy and his family will witness God's love through the most simple way of giving and acts of love, may they see God's miracles in their life, especially his sister that God will cause her to walk one day! That many will testify the goodness of God and power of God at work! I thank God that I obey God when I felt prompting to be part of the Dalit Child Sponsorship program, it is always a blessing to give. It is also my first time involving in this program, felt privileged to give even though I had other concerns too. But I am glad I choose to put God's will above all in my heart. I hope I can pray constantly for the Dalit Child I am sponsoring, looking forward to exchanging letters and writing to encourage and show love, even though I am not quite sure what to really write. Also look forward to visit the Dalit Child maybe next year 2011, by God's grace and his good timing. As I ponder and share about the process of sponsoring the Dalit Child, is there anything God is prompting and challenging you in the area of mission? Dear fellow brothers and sisters, I urge you to respond to the call God had put in your heart. A little step of obedience will not only bless the lives of the individuals you are touching but will also bring you one step closer to the heart of God. It is all about God.

Building Your Life

Last Thursday, I was to share in chapel at work; the first chapel for the year. Though I had been nervous about sharing, I thank God for bringing me to the topic and for even blessing me myself with the sharing... God was placing something in my heart towards the end of 2009 and was affirming it through my sharing. I hope to also share this with you and hope it will bless your heart.

New Year, New Hopes
I love new years, partly because it is a time I can draw the old year to a close, keep the sweet memories and let go of the pains. On the other hand, new years will usually bring hope; hope that things could perhaps be better.

New years have traditionally been a time for me to reflect upon the past year and how things have been. At the end of 2009, I participated in my first watch night service. Not knowing what to expect, I went to the service all excited and left it being all awed by what God has done in my life, not only in 2009 but also in the years preceding it from the time I came back to Him. It became very clear to me how God has placed me in a rehabilitation programme and helping me to rebuild my life.

So as 2010 starts, God continues to drive home this point as I saw how real He is in my life. Sure, it has not been smooth sailing all the way, but only thing I realised is that God has never left me and has helped me to weather through it all.

As I was preparing for the chapel sharing, I prayed and asked God to guide me to what He wanted me to share. Following my reflection at the watch night service, quiet time and also at the first department devotion for the year, He brought me to Luke 6:46-49 and spoke about building our lives.

Luke 6:46-49 (NIV)
The Wise and Foolish Builders
46"Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do what I say? 47I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. 48He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep and laid the foundation on rock. When a flood came, the torrent struck that house but could not shake it, because it was well built. 49But the one who hears my words and does not put them into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. The moment the torrent struck that house, it collapsed and its destruction was complete."

2010 has started and while many of us try to set things right for the new year and make resolutions, let me ask:

How would you like to build your life this year?
All of us are building our lives all the time, so how would you like to build it this year?

From the parable of the wise and foolish builder, we can see similarities between building a house and building our lives.

Lesson 1: The Master Plan

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV)
¹¹ For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. ¹² Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. ¹³ You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

Just as a house require a master plan, so do our lives. What's your master plan? Do you believe that God has His plans for you.

In Genesis 15, we see how God made a covenant with Abraham for offspring as many as the stars and to give his offspring the promised land. God has His plans for Abraham to be made into a "great nation" and that He will bless him and make his name great and he will be a blessing to many (Gen 12:2-3). That came to pass as his descendants grew and how Christ also came from his lineage. God has His plans for Abraham, as He did with Moses, Jacob, Joshua, David, Paul and so on and He has His plans for you.

Are You Happy?
I recall 5 years back my life was in a low period; everything from work, friendship, family was falling apart. But interestingly, God began to draw me back to Him during this period and ministered to me time and again in various circumstances from Jer 29:11. The verse appeared again and again and even appeared on my current workstation when I reported to work.

Over the span of 5 years, God brought me back to church, brought me to my current workplace, put me into ministry as well as restored relationships and granted me with new relationships. Just last week, a day before chapel, an insurance agent came to me on the streets and asked me "are you happy with your life?" and I found myself responding to myself in my heart "yes"... I have come to realise how I am not only happy but joyful how life has changed from the time I came back to walk with the Lord, and to see how every step of the way He had blessed me and blessed others through me.

Believe it or not, I have come to realised how God has brought me...

• ... spiritual and emotional restoration through Riverlife, as I began to learn about His word and was ministered to by His word as I listened and applied it to my life;
  
• ... emotional restoration and restoration to my confidence through my current workplace as He gave me good genuine colleagues, used my skills and blessed me in my work ministry;
  
• ... spiritual and character growth through the cell ministry which He has called me to, as I learned to rely on Him and do His will. Not only have I grew spiritually the most during these years of ministry, I have also come to encounter God as real, and
  
• ... emotional and character growth through the restoration of relationships, granting and blessings of relationships in my life.
  

God had His plans for me and while at many times I could not understand why certain things had to happen, on hindsight, it made perfect sense. There were just too many "coincidences" that happened in my life that I know God is watching over me and guiding me.

And the latest "coincidence" is when different ones of you shared with me how the Lord spoke to you through the verses cards I have given out at the beginning of the year; different verses for different ones of you. And I thank God for that.

So will you let the master builder, who knows the plan, build your life or will you want to build your life according to your fancy? The Lord has His plans for your life.

Lesson 2: Strength to Build the House

Isaiah 41:10 (NIV)
So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Genesis 15:1 (NV)
"Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward. "

Hebrews 13:5-6 (NIV)
"Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." So we say with confidence, "The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?"

Life is full of trials and whoever did say that a Christian's life is smooth sailing? The truth of it is, trials will still come and the only difference is that we have a God who IS with us through the storms; we have "Immanuel" ("God with us"), one who we can rely on for strength.

At the watch night service, I have come to realised how God has brought me through the various trials of my life; trials which I had thought I would not survive; trials which made me break down and questioned God how long He would allow me to go through it.

At the end of 2009, I have come to see how God has given me to strength every step of the way... to forgive others (something which had gripped and tormented me for years in 2005), pull through in ministry and in facing challenges in relationships in my life. Particularly in ministry, at the moment when I was the lowest, God sent me Isa 41:10 and assured me through various other scriptures that He will send help. It's funny how sometimes verses jumps out at you when you least expected it and it is the same with the verses which spoke to me. For weeks and months, friends have been encouraging me with verses but it was not until a colleague opened his diary to write something that the verse Isa 41:10 just popped out to me at that point in time and ministered to my heart. As I continued to hanged on, God continued to assure me through various other verses in my quiet time which spoke to my heart and gave me strength.

As I stood on the stage with the cell at the end of Kent and Elly's wedding last week, I have come to see how the cell has grown and I can only thank God for giving me the strength to pull through it all and to be able to see what I see today.

Are you building your life with your own strength? God reminds us that He is God Almighty and that He will not leave us. Why build your life yourself when the master builder can give you strength; strength to overcome challenges?

Lesson 3: The foundation that has the power to hold it all together

Acts 4:11 (NKJV)
This is the 'stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone'

The cornerstone (or foundation stone) concept is derived from the first stone set in construction, important since all other stones will be set in reference to this stone, thus determining the position of the entire structure.

In the same way, the Holy Spirit in you not only will help you to overcome challenges but also will help you to achieve with power from God.

In Acts 3-4:22, we saw how both Peter and John were empowered by God and what the power from God can do. The power from God brings...

• ... salvation - "But many who heard the message believed, and the number of men grew to about five thousand...Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:4, 12)
  
  
• ... healing - "It is by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified but whom God raised from the dead, that this man stands before you healed" (Acts 4:10)
  
  
• ... courage and wisdom - "When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus" (Acts 4:13)

God has blessed me with much throughout the last few years, in work, relationship or ministry and its amazing to see how when we work with God, things get achieved. At work, I always get amazed whenever I submit my monthly reports and to see how much has been achieved. I know deep in my heart that it is by the grace of God that my work ministry is taking off so well, something beyond my imagination. In the same way, at the watch night, I have come to realise what God has done through this cell and the various life transformations that have taken place. Again I realised that it is really by the grace of God that these transformations are possible because I would not have been able to effect these transformation without God's power. In the same way, I see God's power at work in my family as He continue to draw my family, one-by-one back to Him. Even my mum, whom I have been praying for her to come back to God has, unexpectedly, agreed to go back to church last year.

Lesson 4: The importance of upkeeping the house and having the right occupants

Matthew 12: 43-45 (NIV)
43"When an evil spirit comes out of a man, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. 44Then it says, 'I will return to the house I left.' When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order. 45Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that man is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation."

How would you like to build your life this year? Would you like this to be a year when you draw even closer to the Almighty God, trusting and entrusting your life to the Master builder? Will you be a wise builder and build your life on Him, His word and His will for you?

For different ones of us, we are at different stages. For some of you, you might be needing to come back to the Lord and trusting that He has His plans for you, plans to prosper you and not the harm you, plans to give you hope and a future... for some of you, you might need to learn to rely on God's strength, especially when everything else is not working in your strength... for some of you it might be to hold on to God for His spirit to empower you and yet for some, it is to learn to upkeep our lives and have the right occupant, the Holy Spirit, on our lives. Whatever the stage, I invite you to just say a prayer for yourself and entrust yourself into God's hands...

What are you building your life on?

I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
I don't know about tomorrow
I just live from day to day
I don't borrow from its sunshine
For its skies may turn to gray

I don't worry o'er the future
For I know what Jesus said
And today I'll walk beside Him
For He knows what is ahead

Chorus
Many things about tomorrow
I don't seem to understand
But I know who holds tomorrow
And I know who holds my hand

I don't know about tomorrow
It may bring me poverty
But the one who feeds the sparrow
Is the one who stands by me

And the path that be my portion
May be through the flame or flood
But His presence goes before me
And I'm covered with His blood

Prayer for the Workplace

Hi everyone!

Got this nice prayer at our devotion today and it was interesting as the facilitator got us to take a line each and pray as we are ministered by it. A nice reminder that we enter our work with God and His presence is always with us.

My Heavenly father, as I enter this workplace
I bring your presence with me.

I speak your peace, Your grace, Your mercy,
and Your perfect order in this office.

I acknowledge You power over all that will be spoken,
thought, decided, and done within these walls.

Lord, I thank You for the gifts You have blessed me with.
I commit to using them responsibly in your honor.

Give me a fresh supply of strength to do my job.

Anoint my projects, ideas, and energy so that even my
smallest accomplishment may bring You glory.

Lord, when I am confused guide me.

When I am burned out infuse me with the light of the Holy Spirit.

May the work that I do and the way I do it bring faith, joy,
and a smile to all that I come in contact with today.

And Lord, when I leave this place, give me travelling mercy.

Bless my family and home to be in order as I left it.

Lord, I thank You for everything You've done,
everything You're doing, and everything Your're going to do.

In the Name of Jesus I pray, with much love and thanksgiving.

Amen.