Dear….
Is Wikileak the light that shines forth in the darkness of this world? In its unwelcome opening of the Pandora Box of sinful man's real thoughts about fellow men, will it bring about more honesty in the world, or even greater subterfuge and discord amongst men?
But what if the perpetrators of such openness are of less than honorable intent? Imagine the present grip that they are starting to have on the lives of many, and the foretaste of the potential destructive power of the unseen masses unleashed in reaction to measures taken against the perpetrators of Wikileak.
‘That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life…’
1 John 1
Interestingly, God has already given us the solution to ensure that none will need to be under the grip of such threats. Speak the truth with grace and love, that is what the Bible teaches us. Doing that does not mean that one will have no detractors, but it will definitely be disproportionately fewer and with no skeletons in one’s cupboard, none can rustle up any possibility of a hint of blackmail.
‘Blessed is the Lord God of Israel, for He has visited and redeemed His people.’
Luke 1:68
But way before Wikileak, there is already the light of the gospel of God’s love. A light that will take away the unbearable darkness encapsulating the lives of many, for darkness is the absence of light. And this gift of salvation and freedom from the bondage of death is why the world should celebrate Christmas, for that is the day that our Lord Jesus Christ is born. But in reality, many in our present world are either ignorant of this truth or don’t give much thought to its significance and as a result, continue to be in the bondage of the devil through life and thereafter.
‘And(‘the devil’) saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.’
Matthew 4:9
But is freedom not a desire innate in humanity? The recent tragedy of lives lost amongst the boat people from Afghanistan, whose boats came to grief in the treacherous waters of Christmas Island, brings memory flooding back. Of that period in the post Vietnam war in the 1970s, when many fled from communist ruled Vietnam and the rest of Indochina, and took to the shark and pirates infested waters of the South China Sea, crammed into their rickety boats, looking for perceived freedom in the Western democracies.
Life for many of these refugees are better but is it that significantly better? It is a moot point, for freedom from one carnal need, could mean an enslavement to the next pertinent need. Now that Christmas is over, many of us in the developed world would have likely overindulged in the festivities, and have received one too many presents that remain unopened, even if they are unwrapped. Surfeit of blessings does bring about a drop in our sense of satisfaction or in economic jargon, our marginal utility drops. And worse, with the New Year just a whisker away, deep in many hearts, is a dread and fear of another long slog, before we get another short reprieve when the world literally slows down again in December.
But God never planned for our life to be this burdensome and meaningless.
‘And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offence toward God, and toward men.’
Acts 24:16
As I resume the pounding of the computer keyboards, my heart is a lot more uplifted than most of this morning. The troubled heart came about because our good Lord had allowed me to be tested on a decision I have been praying that He will not lead me to have to make. The test came and like all good imperfect men, I struggled. The rational me wants to do what is good for myself as my finite minds sees it, much as the spirit man in me knows that it will dishonor God. To speak the truth and to live the truth is indeed daunting and on my own strength, not possible.
But God is good. Time with God is always good, for we will be cognizance of His Spirit’s correction, and the time spent with God in the past and the present, has ensured that I will still come unto the light of His presence, much as my sinful self prefers to do otherwise and stay in the shadows. In staying in God’s presence, submission to His will, will come, and Acts 24:16 convicted me of the obvious truth, much as I will like to be oblivious to the will of God.
‘Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.’
Matthew 4:10
Many in the sinful world today have yet to reach the level of relationship that I have with our beloved Father in Heaven. This is not meant to be a statement of smugness or pride, but rather, an loving admonishment and more importantly, a humble reminder to all who profess to be a Christian that believing has to be translated into a responsive following to the leading of the Spirit of God residing in our hearts, in order for transformation into Christ-likeness to occur. Many do not realize that God has not just promised us an eternal life of joy and peace in heaven, but also a life of blessed peace and joy in this finite world, come what may. But we must want to stay in His presence always and respond to His will. I am have grown in Christian maturity because I want to and I work responsively on staying in the sanctifying presence of our Lord, much as I still am imperfect.
For disbelievers, the gift from God remains unopened since the day Christ was born. And ditto for many of the professed believers, for the outer layer that is, the Xmas wrappings might be opened, in the sense that they have mouthed their acceptance of the salvation, but the gift of salvation is never fully taken out from its original box as evidence by their continued carnal life in disobedience to the leading of the Spirit of God.
Only God knows the genuine repentance of our hearts.
‘But ye that did cleave unto the Lord your God are alive everyone of you this day.’
Deuteronomy 4:4
And what about determined but imperfect followers of Christ like myself? I have fully enjoyed the blessings from our Lord by letting His Spirit residing in my heart transform me from the natural to the spiritual man. But often, my carnal self do surface, and I get distracted momentarily like now. The gift is from God, but when we finally meet God our giver, can we unequivocally state with God given assurance that we have received and responded to it well? Thankfully, God is perfect, much as I the willing is imperfect and God the giver will ensure that we receive His gift well by being with us always, if we allow Him.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(29th Dec 10)
Last words??
'But he answered and said, 'It is written , Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.'
Matthew 4:4
As I was rummaging through the internet, taking time with our Lord for guidance and affirmation as to His will for this last sharing for the year, He brought me to the site of the Online Bible College (http://onlinebiblecollege.com/site/meet-the-team/), which had a biopic on the key servants of God in this wonderful ministry of Word. The late founder, David Collins, whom I had a couple of correspondences with, before he left at the age of 44 to be with the Lord back in year 2006, has in that short span, written many spirit inspired lessons that have truly benefited many Christians like myself who seek to grow in the Word of God. David's parents, Paul and Bunty, whom I am privileged to communicate with regularly, have now taken on the responsibility and much as they are in their twilight years, God is using them wonderfully for His work.
God would use all of us who are willing in His ways, to do His will. Would the words that I have shared this year and in years past be like water that slipped off oil or have they truly ministered to you, and it will, if it is truly from our Lord to a receptive heart?
I count myself blessed to be used by our good Lord to write relentlessly these past 8 years. Prayerfully, it has not been inundating but rather, spiritually uplifting. And I am gratified that our Lord has broadened my ministry from the internet to the printed book and to all who have been generous in accepting my first book "Reflections - A traveler's muse" this past one year, it is with joy that I dare say that the second book "Happy Family - A mirror of God's love" is truly on track to be completed the way both Rosanne my dear friend and publisher and myself know that the Lord so wills. And I do ask that you continue to pray for us in this ministry of using art to share the gospel and that you will be as generous in accepting a copy of the book and to share your blessings with those who are in need, be it spiritual or material or in anyway the Spirit of God will show you.
In giving, we truly receive. And God has commanded all who love Him to share the gospel by sharing the love of God through our relationship with people He placed in our lives.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
In Spirit and Truth #27 In Retrospect (23rd Dec 2010)
Dear..
‘I have trusted in your mercy’
Psalm 13:5
“Looking back” is the word most will use. “Retrospect” is what the master of the written wit,the late PG Wodehouse would use to doll up the English prose. But the meaning is the same.
Psalm 13:5 is succinct in its intended meaning, but for one to speak it with heartfelt thanks, it must come from a series of experiences that lead to a profound gratitude for what has been.
And indeed, for me, not too sure if has been the same for you, it has been a very challenging year, as far as work is concerned, for one never felt so stymied and stripped apart. Yet through it all, God has never left me, and He has taught me tremendously, what it means to be humbled and contrite, yet His grace is ever present.
“Buy gold as refined by the Lord” was the word God impressed upon me these past two years, and indeed, I can now empathize better with the inanimate yellow metal that has to go through the fire many times in the purification process. We are indeed oppressed but never crushed, and indeed the Spirit of God residing in the faithful will give us that indomitable strength to stay steadfast, when prevailing conditions seem to demand otherwise. And this inner strength with total reliance on our good Lord will be used by Him to bring us forth in the days ahead, as the End Times intensifies.
‘Ye have said, It is vain to serve God. And what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?’
Malachi 3:14
“Do not return to Egypt” was the other word that God also deeply impressed upon me these past three years. And as shared, there were so many good and compelling reasons to move on in my career. And God knows being imperfect, one will vacillate, even if one is sure about having received His crystal clear commands not to do otherwise. But with such certainty as to where God wants me to be, no doubts were allowed to linger too long in my psyche and literally with no “escape route,” I had to stand firm, obey God and move on within my confines to deal with whatever circumstances were thrown at me, trusting in Him always. But through it all, God taught me about the need to honor Him in our lives, to be truthful much as self survival seems to dictate otherwise, to be of good cheer and of good heart with people He placed in our seemingly wretched lives, for people must see the light of God’s love in our lives, much as darkness seems to be the straightjacket squeezing us in.
When the colors of our natural sinfulness be it green(envy), red(anger), yellow(fear) or purple for peacocks??(pride) are drained from us, the splendor of God’s love will shine forth with clarity.
But Christian living is not about sacrifice, but obedience. Of course in obeying the leading of the Spirit of God residing in our hearts, we often are asked to let go of things we hold dear, but God will not leave us too long hanging on the thread of hope, but He will affirm and through this past one year and the previous years, He indeed provides more than suffice to ensure that we can live out fully His will wherever He places us.
And as I closed this retrospective reflection, let me conclude with this word “sell into strength with patience” that our Lord has ingrained in me this year. As shared previously, in our very low interest rate environment which punishes the prudent saver, compounded by the bubbly appreciation in asset prices, which rewards the aggressive investor, it is indeed difficult to want to acquiesce to this command of the Lord. Should we not be good stewards to grow the resource He gives us? Yes with the wisdom God gives us, we should be good stewards, but wisdom must be put aside, if God tells us otherwise and how do we know if we heard right? I have come to learn that if we truly place God as first in our lives, we will know His will. If there is an issue, it is that our carnal self is still warring against our spiritual self. But God is good. He will intervene and indeed He has for me this past one year, the most recent just two days back, when I find myself no longer able to resist the desire to make my monies work better. I expanded the command of God from just “selling into strength with patience” to include “buying into weakness with patience.’ Seems logical enough and I did make a couple of purchases. That same morning after, I was awaken with this deep distress in my heart. The Spirit convicted me of my sins, and the peace returned when I fairly quickly drop off the desire to buy, when God clearly stated to sell.
Your year might have been different in the nature of events surrounding your lives. But I am sure like me, you would have truly experienced the presence and love of God in your life this year, and like me, in your own inimitable way, you want to and will continue to testify to God’s goodness and love for us all.
‘Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? Saith the Lord of hosts. Because of Mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.’
Haggai 1:9
The past teaches us about the present and prepares us for the future. I believe this year has been one of intense refinement for the faithful. We are asked to buy gold, as in our character refined, from our Lord, much as the non believers are busy cumulating temporal material wealth from the devil. And a life as refined by God is needed to ensure that we will not just stand firm upon the Lord our Rock, but that God will use us to bring forth His love to many who will hunger for certainty and meaning in their lives where the only certainty without God, is even greater uncertainty. The year 2011 will be a watershed year, not because I have a prophetic word, but rather, as a keen observer of human follies, many are converging towards the peak of leveraged greed, pride and deceit, the necessary recipe for a tumultuous year. And the present extreme weather in Europe could be a harbinger of what is to come to befall the world next year, in not just the physical but in the economic, social and political landscape. The borrower is a slave to the lender. To disobey God is to obey the devil.
‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it…’
Psalm 127:1
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
22nd Dec 2010
Power of Your love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbg8qS9iokY
'...Jesus stood and cried out saying 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'
John 7:37-38
Yesterday, as I was listening to a new CD, a collection of Christian songs in Mandarin sung by a Taiwanese all girls group, I was quite surprise to hear them sing the familiar Don Moen song "Power of Your love" in English. The song is not new to me, just like Scriptural knowledge is probably no stranger to many of you. Yet, God always surprises me with His prescience, and I have attached the above link to the song, in this case, sung someone else with with interesting pictorial representation of the plans of God for our life.
Take time to reflect upon the words. It aptly describe my life this year and I believe yours as well, how truly the love of God not just sustains us, but lift us up closer to the spirit men and women He wants to transform us to.
‘I have trusted in your mercy’
Psalm 13:5
“Looking back” is the word most will use. “Retrospect” is what the master of the written wit,the late PG Wodehouse would use to doll up the English prose. But the meaning is the same.
Psalm 13:5 is succinct in its intended meaning, but for one to speak it with heartfelt thanks, it must come from a series of experiences that lead to a profound gratitude for what has been.
And indeed, for me, not too sure if has been the same for you, it has been a very challenging year, as far as work is concerned, for one never felt so stymied and stripped apart. Yet through it all, God has never left me, and He has taught me tremendously, what it means to be humbled and contrite, yet His grace is ever present.
“Buy gold as refined by the Lord” was the word God impressed upon me these past two years, and indeed, I can now empathize better with the inanimate yellow metal that has to go through the fire many times in the purification process. We are indeed oppressed but never crushed, and indeed the Spirit of God residing in the faithful will give us that indomitable strength to stay steadfast, when prevailing conditions seem to demand otherwise. And this inner strength with total reliance on our good Lord will be used by Him to bring us forth in the days ahead, as the End Times intensifies.
‘Ye have said, It is vain to serve God. And what profit is it that we have kept His ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts?’
Malachi 3:14
“Do not return to Egypt” was the other word that God also deeply impressed upon me these past three years. And as shared, there were so many good and compelling reasons to move on in my career. And God knows being imperfect, one will vacillate, even if one is sure about having received His crystal clear commands not to do otherwise. But with such certainty as to where God wants me to be, no doubts were allowed to linger too long in my psyche and literally with no “escape route,” I had to stand firm, obey God and move on within my confines to deal with whatever circumstances were thrown at me, trusting in Him always. But through it all, God taught me about the need to honor Him in our lives, to be truthful much as self survival seems to dictate otherwise, to be of good cheer and of good heart with people He placed in our seemingly wretched lives, for people must see the light of God’s love in our lives, much as darkness seems to be the straightjacket squeezing us in.
When the colors of our natural sinfulness be it green(envy), red(anger), yellow(fear) or purple for peacocks??(pride) are drained from us, the splendor of God’s love will shine forth with clarity.
But Christian living is not about sacrifice, but obedience. Of course in obeying the leading of the Spirit of God residing in our hearts, we often are asked to let go of things we hold dear, but God will not leave us too long hanging on the thread of hope, but He will affirm and through this past one year and the previous years, He indeed provides more than suffice to ensure that we can live out fully His will wherever He places us.
And as I closed this retrospective reflection, let me conclude with this word “sell into strength with patience” that our Lord has ingrained in me this year. As shared previously, in our very low interest rate environment which punishes the prudent saver, compounded by the bubbly appreciation in asset prices, which rewards the aggressive investor, it is indeed difficult to want to acquiesce to this command of the Lord. Should we not be good stewards to grow the resource He gives us? Yes with the wisdom God gives us, we should be good stewards, but wisdom must be put aside, if God tells us otherwise and how do we know if we heard right? I have come to learn that if we truly place God as first in our lives, we will know His will. If there is an issue, it is that our carnal self is still warring against our spiritual self. But God is good. He will intervene and indeed He has for me this past one year, the most recent just two days back, when I find myself no longer able to resist the desire to make my monies work better. I expanded the command of God from just “selling into strength with patience” to include “buying into weakness with patience.’ Seems logical enough and I did make a couple of purchases. That same morning after, I was awaken with this deep distress in my heart. The Spirit convicted me of my sins, and the peace returned when I fairly quickly drop off the desire to buy, when God clearly stated to sell.
Your year might have been different in the nature of events surrounding your lives. But I am sure like me, you would have truly experienced the presence and love of God in your life this year, and like me, in your own inimitable way, you want to and will continue to testify to God’s goodness and love for us all.
‘Ye looked for much, and, lo, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I did blow upon it. Why? Saith the Lord of hosts. Because of Mine house that is waste, and ye run every man unto his own house.’
Haggai 1:9
The past teaches us about the present and prepares us for the future. I believe this year has been one of intense refinement for the faithful. We are asked to buy gold, as in our character refined, from our Lord, much as the non believers are busy cumulating temporal material wealth from the devil. And a life as refined by God is needed to ensure that we will not just stand firm upon the Lord our Rock, but that God will use us to bring forth His love to many who will hunger for certainty and meaning in their lives where the only certainty without God, is even greater uncertainty. The year 2011 will be a watershed year, not because I have a prophetic word, but rather, as a keen observer of human follies, many are converging towards the peak of leveraged greed, pride and deceit, the necessary recipe for a tumultuous year. And the present extreme weather in Europe could be a harbinger of what is to come to befall the world next year, in not just the physical but in the economic, social and political landscape. The borrower is a slave to the lender. To disobey God is to obey the devil.
‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it…’
Psalm 127:1
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
22nd Dec 2010
Power of Your love
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mbg8qS9iokY
'...Jesus stood and cried out saying 'If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'
John 7:37-38
Yesterday, as I was listening to a new CD, a collection of Christian songs in Mandarin sung by a Taiwanese all girls group, I was quite surprise to hear them sing the familiar Don Moen song "Power of Your love" in English. The song is not new to me, just like Scriptural knowledge is probably no stranger to many of you. Yet, God always surprises me with His prescience, and I have attached the above link to the song, in this case, sung someone else with with interesting pictorial representation of the plans of God for our life.
Take time to reflect upon the words. It aptly describe my life this year and I believe yours as well, how truly the love of God not just sustains us, but lift us up closer to the spirit men and women He wants to transform us to.
Saturday, December 18, 2010
In Spirit and Truth #26 Last Stop (18th Dec 10)
Dear ...
Just one more day, then we are off to the romantic city of lights, Paris,
leaving cold dowdy Churchill England, for cool sophisticated Gaullist France.
Things might have changed since such post war impressions were formed when the
dogged bull dog like resoluteness of the Brits ensured that they survived
Hitler's massive air assault during World War 2.
Very unlike the French who built the Maginot Line, a defensive wall, their
version of the Great Wall of China, which unfortunately was useless and crumbled
in the German armored assault, that led to viva France being a puppet country of
Germany.
One narrow English Channel, two once great imperial powers that colonized a
large part of the world, whose legacies still play a part in present day
history, yet such great differences.
The French might still dominate the haute couture of our present world, but it
is the English language that is very much the lingua franca of our world.
But if spreading the good news of the gospel is the most profound legacy of the
British, why didn't the same happen for the frogs, the derogatory name the Brits
call their neighbors?
With the storming of the Bastille, which today marks the French Independence
day, once royally ruled France became a Republic, a progressive state ruled by
the elect from the masses. Thrown out with the king was the clergy, which
unfortunately was corrupt and France became Catholic in name, but fiercely
secular in nature
'and he shall turn the hearts of the father to the children, and the hearts of
the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the Earth with a curse.'
Malachi 4:6
The Brits today have largely come home, having devolved themselves of their
colonies. The French concept of home is self-centeredness. Are these impressions
biased. A few days in Paris will not be a good indication, and even if it is, it
will be better not to judge but to pray for this once strong Christian nation.
So on a prayer and faith, today ie Thursday Dec 9th, leaving just as the violent
start of the student strikes and future anarchy in England began, we are off to
Paris (on the Euro tunnel). And France has decided to keep up with the English
by having their worst snowstorm since 1987 with many flight delays. But God is
good, the bad weather just preceded us by a day.
'This Book of Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it
day and night... Then you will have good success.'
Joshua 1:1-9
Truth is a command to all who seek to obey our Lord. To be otherwise is to be
like the devil, the master of deceit.
'..when therefore I was thus minded did I show fickleness?
...that with me should be the yea and yea, and the nay and nay?
2 Corinthians 1:17
The day we left London was also the day of the violent student riots. There is
justifiable anger on the part of the students on the broken promises of the
Liberal Democrats. Yet just like the vigilantes in the Wikileaks revenge attacks
on Visa and Mastercard, is there justification for such behavior?
'Woe to the multitude of many people. Who make a noise like the roar of the seas
. And to the rushing of nations...'
Isaiah 17:12
But of greater consequence is the world now undergoing the beginnings of a
revolution where the youths are so disgusted with the hypocrisy of the adults
that with the empowerment of the Internet, their raw energy are being channeled
into destructive chaos. Will this be a prelude to such raw youthful
anti-establishment anger being harnessed by the anti-Christ who works on the
facade of distorted truth and human rights(or more like selfishness)?
'Little children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that the Antichrist
is coming, even as many Antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the
last hour.'
1 John 2:18
Our children must see Christ likeness in us. Sadly, reality is they see more of
the devil in many fathers. And paradoxically, what they resent, will also be
exhibited in them, as we are now witnessing not just in the Western world, but
the world at large.
God will not allow this sinful cycle to endure in perpetuity. Malachi 4:6 is a
reminder of His coming wrath, yet His grace.
'... For your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord. ...That your children shall
come back
to their own border.'
Jeremiah 31:16-17
God blesses
Eng Hieang
Dec 12th Peaceful Paris for now
An afterthought
Home is where our heart is. Home for most of us is where our physical abode is.
It is where our relationships are based, be it family, friends and colleagues.
But in our globalized world, for many an intrepid traveler, home is no longer
permanent, just as relationships, for friendships tend to be more superficial
and marriages tenuuos.
What about Christians? The present world is but a temporal abode. Yet we spent
so much of our all in futility trying to make it secure permanently.
And what about our bodily shell. It is a temporal shell upon which the Spirit of
God resides, working to make ready our very being, when it departs to be with
Christ in permanency.
'Whereas ye know not what shall be tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a
vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.'
James 4:14
We are now home, back in Singapore. The streets are pretty quiet, as many are
away. But come nearer Christmas, most will be back to spend time with the family
and friends. But there are some who will never come home, if the obituary pages
are any indication. Where have they gone to? Might not matter to many who do not
know the deceased, for the living will be busy with the festive celebrations and
making plans for the next year.
But what if there is no next year for you? What if this is your last stop and
the buck literally stops here?
Will your desire be the same as that of the Psalmist in Psalm 42?
'As the hart pantheth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, my
God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the Living God, when shall I come and appear
before God.'
Psalm 42:1-2
And that state of desire to be with God will be dependent upon how obedient have
we lived out our life in respond to His call, for His Spirit is at this very
moment calling out to you. Till the last breath leave us, your heart can still
respond to the saving grace from the gift of salvation for which our Lord Jesus
Christ was brought to Earth on Christmas day. Do take time now to ponder upon
what Christmas truly means, before a fullstop is sprung upon your finite life
unexpectedly.
'I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and
complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the
gospel of God's grace.'
Acts 20:24
Just one more day, then we are off to the romantic city of lights, Paris,
leaving cold dowdy Churchill England, for cool sophisticated Gaullist France.
Things might have changed since such post war impressions were formed when the
dogged bull dog like resoluteness of the Brits ensured that they survived
Hitler's massive air assault during World War 2.
Very unlike the French who built the Maginot Line, a defensive wall, their
version of the Great Wall of China, which unfortunately was useless and crumbled
in the German armored assault, that led to viva France being a puppet country of
Germany.
One narrow English Channel, two once great imperial powers that colonized a
large part of the world, whose legacies still play a part in present day
history, yet such great differences.
The French might still dominate the haute couture of our present world, but it
is the English language that is very much the lingua franca of our world.
But if spreading the good news of the gospel is the most profound legacy of the
British, why didn't the same happen for the frogs, the derogatory name the Brits
call their neighbors?
With the storming of the Bastille, which today marks the French Independence
day, once royally ruled France became a Republic, a progressive state ruled by
the elect from the masses. Thrown out with the king was the clergy, which
unfortunately was corrupt and France became Catholic in name, but fiercely
secular in nature
'and he shall turn the hearts of the father to the children, and the hearts of
the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the Earth with a curse.'
Malachi 4:6
The Brits today have largely come home, having devolved themselves of their
colonies. The French concept of home is self-centeredness. Are these impressions
biased. A few days in Paris will not be a good indication, and even if it is, it
will be better not to judge but to pray for this once strong Christian nation.
So on a prayer and faith, today ie Thursday Dec 9th, leaving just as the violent
start of the student strikes and future anarchy in England began, we are off to
Paris (on the Euro tunnel). And France has decided to keep up with the English
by having their worst snowstorm since 1987 with many flight delays. But God is
good, the bad weather just preceded us by a day.
'This Book of Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it
day and night... Then you will have good success.'
Joshua 1:1-9
Truth is a command to all who seek to obey our Lord. To be otherwise is to be
like the devil, the master of deceit.
'..when therefore I was thus minded did I show fickleness?
...that with me should be the yea and yea, and the nay and nay?
2 Corinthians 1:17
The day we left London was also the day of the violent student riots. There is
justifiable anger on the part of the students on the broken promises of the
Liberal Democrats. Yet just like the vigilantes in the Wikileaks revenge attacks
on Visa and Mastercard, is there justification for such behavior?
'Woe to the multitude of many people. Who make a noise like the roar of the seas
. And to the rushing of nations...'
Isaiah 17:12
But of greater consequence is the world now undergoing the beginnings of a
revolution where the youths are so disgusted with the hypocrisy of the adults
that with the empowerment of the Internet, their raw energy are being channeled
into destructive chaos. Will this be a prelude to such raw youthful
anti-establishment anger being harnessed by the anti-Christ who works on the
facade of distorted truth and human rights(or more like selfishness)?
'Little children, it is the last hour, and as you have heard that the Antichrist
is coming, even as many Antichrists have come, by which we know that it is the
last hour.'
1 John 2:18
Our children must see Christ likeness in us. Sadly, reality is they see more of
the devil in many fathers. And paradoxically, what they resent, will also be
exhibited in them, as we are now witnessing not just in the Western world, but
the world at large.
God will not allow this sinful cycle to endure in perpetuity. Malachi 4:6 is a
reminder of His coming wrath, yet His grace.
'... For your work shall be rewarded, says the Lord. ...That your children shall
come back
to their own border.'
Jeremiah 31:16-17
God blesses
Eng Hieang
Dec 12th Peaceful Paris for now
An afterthought
Home is where our heart is. Home for most of us is where our physical abode is.
It is where our relationships are based, be it family, friends and colleagues.
But in our globalized world, for many an intrepid traveler, home is no longer
permanent, just as relationships, for friendships tend to be more superficial
and marriages tenuuos.
What about Christians? The present world is but a temporal abode. Yet we spent
so much of our all in futility trying to make it secure permanently.
And what about our bodily shell. It is a temporal shell upon which the Spirit of
God resides, working to make ready our very being, when it departs to be with
Christ in permanency.
'Whereas ye know not what shall be tomorrow. For what is your life? It is even a
vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.'
James 4:14
We are now home, back in Singapore. The streets are pretty quiet, as many are
away. But come nearer Christmas, most will be back to spend time with the family
and friends. But there are some who will never come home, if the obituary pages
are any indication. Where have they gone to? Might not matter to many who do not
know the deceased, for the living will be busy with the festive celebrations and
making plans for the next year.
But what if there is no next year for you? What if this is your last stop and
the buck literally stops here?
Will your desire be the same as that of the Psalmist in Psalm 42?
'As the hart pantheth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after Thee, my
God. My soul thirsteth for God, for the Living God, when shall I come and appear
before God.'
Psalm 42:1-2
And that state of desire to be with God will be dependent upon how obedient have
we lived out our life in respond to His call, for His Spirit is at this very
moment calling out to you. Till the last breath leave us, your heart can still
respond to the saving grace from the gift of salvation for which our Lord Jesus
Christ was brought to Earth on Christmas day. Do take time now to ponder upon
what Christmas truly means, before a fullstop is sprung upon your finite life
unexpectedly.
'I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and
complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me - the task of testifying to the
gospel of God's grace.'
Acts 20:24
Monday, December 13, 2010
In Spirit and Truth #25 Gullible's Troubles (14th Dec 10)
Dear...
>>
>> 'An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
>>them.'
>> Luke 2:9
>>
>> My apologies to all and sunder for regaling you with too many travel tales, but
>>the Spirit of God's love burn intensely in my heart these past few days and
>>glorify Him I must.
>
> '....what is man that Thou art mindful of him. Or the son of man that Thou
>visiteth him?'
> Hebrews 2:6
>>
>> On fire, the quaint ex Roman garrison town of Chester, a lovely place we
>>visited just yesterday morning, had a big one last night. All rail services have
>>been suspended and it is definitely not the spiritual fire in me that ignited
>>the real destructive flames, I am thankful we visited yesterday and not today.
>>And on weather not whether, our visit yesterday was in lovely cold but snow free
>>weather. Just below Chester was Wales, and if you read the news, the South West
>>where Wales is located had the most terrible weather yesterday.
>>
>> The snow did resume its fall in Chester, but at about the time we were leaving.
>>How great is our God. And indeed it was a joy also to chance upon a Wesley
>>Methodist Church of all places in Chester, the same namesake church as my
>>church in Singapore.
'And again, I will put my trust in Him. And again, behold, I and the children
whom God hath given me.'
Hebrews 2:13
Was it prescient or not that we were in the hallowed grounds of Manchester
United the day England lost the bid for the 2018 World Cup?
In the midst of the dogged British efforts, Putin, the Russian Prime Minister
seemed pretty nonchalant about not throwing his heavy political weight behind
the Russian bid. Yet, Russia won by a clear margin. Was there good reason for
his confidence? The day China officially opened the 2008 Olympics, Putin was
caught on camera in the stadium in Beijing in deep cold contemplation. The next
morning, Russia invaded Georgia.
Today, with the successful World Cup bid, atheist Mother Russia seems ready to
reclaim her place in the world stage, and what better platform than to take it
away from the once Great Britain, her imperial rival from the Tsarist days.
The world we are all traveling has just become a more troubled place, with one
more heavyweight nation ready to stamp its authority.
And was England which ranted and grieved at their unsuccessful bid gullible to
believe the verbal offers of support from the lobbied delegates in FIFA? Was
England paying the price for it's inquisitive media's scoop on the perceived
corruption in FIFA?
The truth hurts, and this cliche has now been brought to mainstream reality by
Wikileaks.
Does it mean that no one will dare speak their mind anymore and the world will
go into greater deception and double speak? Likely.
As Christians, we are asked to speak the truth. Does it mean the need to
moderate the living out of our beliefs in this new reality? The answer is no.
Christ speaks the truth. His disciples do the same with all boldness. The men of
God in the pre Christ days like the prophet Isaiah also speak as God leads.
The world we live in today has grown darker as sin permeates even more broadly
and deeply.
We must be the lamp of truth, for the light of God to shine forth.
'...to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing humility to all
men.'
Titus 3:2
But the truth must
- be spoken not based on our own understanding for that will be judgmental and
flawed
- be spoken with love and humility and that can only happen when we ourselves
learn to see and live out the will of God. Then can the world see the truth of
God's love in us and reflect against their own sinfulness.
'... That those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good
works. These things are good and profitable to men.'
Titus 3:8
To speak the truth with love and grace does not mean that your thoughts will not
appear in Wiikileak. In fact it is likely you will be persecuted in a deceitful
world that desires to stay away from the light of the gospel truth.
'For from you the Word of the Lord has sounded forth... In every place. Your
faith toward God has gone out, so we do not need to say anything.'
1 Thessalonians 1:8
But God is Sovereign. Will you on the platform of truth He will place you in,
live out your faith like the giant of truth that Gulliver was in his travels
through the land of Lilliput? Or shriveled down to a wimp overawed by the
monsters of deceit dominating the present landscape of our world?
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
Dec 4th London -1 degree
>>
>> An afterthought
Secularism is the new and common religion of this sinful world. And political
correctness is the language of choice in the one world religion.
Every man is king of not just his own castle, but every common space. There is
freedom of expression and depravation as long as no being higher than man are
allowed in this space. Man is god and there is zero tolerance for love,
selfless love, for God is love, but total encouragement for anarchy, lusts,
selfishness and deviant behavior.
Tolerance is the key concept here but in reality anyone who dares even look
beyond secularism will be smashed with a sledgehammer. And ditto for speaking
the truth.
Secularism today is the upgraded and re-tweaked warped version of the anti
Christ Communist.
Some might recall the extreme ranting of the gay gossip columnist Perez Hilton
on television. He literally beat up the Ms America contestant when she expressed
her support for the traditional family, when asked a question by him on
alternative lifestyles as one of the judges.
Is this not bigotry and intolerance contrary to the professed respect for
individuals that many atheists are propagating?
Welcome to the world of delusion
>>
>> 'An angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around
>>them.'
>> Luke 2:9
>>
>> My apologies to all and sunder for regaling you with too many travel tales, but
>>the Spirit of God's love burn intensely in my heart these past few days and
>>glorify Him I must.
>
> '....what is man that Thou art mindful of him. Or the son of man that Thou
>visiteth him?'
> Hebrews 2:6
>>
>> On fire, the quaint ex Roman garrison town of Chester, a lovely place we
>>visited just yesterday morning, had a big one last night. All rail services have
>>been suspended and it is definitely not the spiritual fire in me that ignited
>>the real destructive flames, I am thankful we visited yesterday and not today.
>>And on weather not whether, our visit yesterday was in lovely cold but snow free
>>weather. Just below Chester was Wales, and if you read the news, the South West
>>where Wales is located had the most terrible weather yesterday.
>>
>> The snow did resume its fall in Chester, but at about the time we were leaving.
>>How great is our God. And indeed it was a joy also to chance upon a Wesley
>>Methodist Church of all places in Chester, the same namesake church as my
>>church in Singapore.
'And again, I will put my trust in Him. And again, behold, I and the children
whom God hath given me.'
Hebrews 2:13
Was it prescient or not that we were in the hallowed grounds of Manchester
United the day England lost the bid for the 2018 World Cup?
In the midst of the dogged British efforts, Putin, the Russian Prime Minister
seemed pretty nonchalant about not throwing his heavy political weight behind
the Russian bid. Yet, Russia won by a clear margin. Was there good reason for
his confidence? The day China officially opened the 2008 Olympics, Putin was
caught on camera in the stadium in Beijing in deep cold contemplation. The next
morning, Russia invaded Georgia.
Today, with the successful World Cup bid, atheist Mother Russia seems ready to
reclaim her place in the world stage, and what better platform than to take it
away from the once Great Britain, her imperial rival from the Tsarist days.
The world we are all traveling has just become a more troubled place, with one
more heavyweight nation ready to stamp its authority.
And was England which ranted and grieved at their unsuccessful bid gullible to
believe the verbal offers of support from the lobbied delegates in FIFA? Was
England paying the price for it's inquisitive media's scoop on the perceived
corruption in FIFA?
The truth hurts, and this cliche has now been brought to mainstream reality by
Wikileaks.
Does it mean that no one will dare speak their mind anymore and the world will
go into greater deception and double speak? Likely.
As Christians, we are asked to speak the truth. Does it mean the need to
moderate the living out of our beliefs in this new reality? The answer is no.
Christ speaks the truth. His disciples do the same with all boldness. The men of
God in the pre Christ days like the prophet Isaiah also speak as God leads.
The world we live in today has grown darker as sin permeates even more broadly
and deeply.
We must be the lamp of truth, for the light of God to shine forth.
'...to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing humility to all
men.'
Titus 3:2
But the truth must
- be spoken not based on our own understanding for that will be judgmental and
flawed
- be spoken with love and humility and that can only happen when we ourselves
learn to see and live out the will of God. Then can the world see the truth of
God's love in us and reflect against their own sinfulness.
'... That those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good
works. These things are good and profitable to men.'
Titus 3:8
To speak the truth with love and grace does not mean that your thoughts will not
appear in Wiikileak. In fact it is likely you will be persecuted in a deceitful
world that desires to stay away from the light of the gospel truth.
'For from you the Word of the Lord has sounded forth... In every place. Your
faith toward God has gone out, so we do not need to say anything.'
1 Thessalonians 1:8
But God is Sovereign. Will you on the platform of truth He will place you in,
live out your faith like the giant of truth that Gulliver was in his travels
through the land of Lilliput? Or shriveled down to a wimp overawed by the
monsters of deceit dominating the present landscape of our world?
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
Dec 4th London -1 degree
>>
>> An afterthought
Secularism is the new and common religion of this sinful world. And political
correctness is the language of choice in the one world religion.
Every man is king of not just his own castle, but every common space. There is
freedom of expression and depravation as long as no being higher than man are
allowed in this space. Man is god and there is zero tolerance for love,
selfless love, for God is love, but total encouragement for anarchy, lusts,
selfishness and deviant behavior.
Tolerance is the key concept here but in reality anyone who dares even look
beyond secularism will be smashed with a sledgehammer. And ditto for speaking
the truth.
Secularism today is the upgraded and re-tweaked warped version of the anti
Christ Communist.
Some might recall the extreme ranting of the gay gossip columnist Perez Hilton
on television. He literally beat up the Ms America contestant when she expressed
her support for the traditional family, when asked a question by him on
alternative lifestyles as one of the judges.
Is this not bigotry and intolerance contrary to the professed respect for
individuals that many atheists are propagating?
Welcome to the world of delusion
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
In Spirit and Truth 24 In the midst of the devils (2nd Dec 10)
Dear ..
If white is angelic, then snow covered Edinburgh is Heaven?
For the Presbyterian Church has it's origins in Scotland.
Leaving the bitter cold of Scotland, I will soon be in a slightly less frosty Manchester, the 2nd largest city in England. But I doubt it will get any less cold, though my son is looking forward to his visit to the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford, home of the Red Devils. If soccer is the religion of the world,then England is the cradle of this great obsession.
On the subject of passion, one observation in many mainstream guides on the
cities I visit is that an active gay and lesbian nightlife is now very much
part of the promoted colors that make the city an attraction. Churches are
passé, unique lustful relationships are now natural
'For I have no man like minded, who will truly care for your state, for they
all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.'
Philippians 2:20-21
It's past 4am again UK time, 12pm Singapore time. Guess my biological clock is
only half set to the new realities of my present physical location. But is it not the same for all cultures that find themselves ensconced in a
land away from home? Many first generation immigrants to foreign lands cling on
to the vestiges of their culture and food for more emotional comfort than
reasons of nostalgia.
Being a china man gastronomic wise, after 3 days in the land of fish and chips, we finally had a welcome Chinese meal at a restaurant in Chinatown in
Manchester. It was also great to see and speak in Chinese to the waitress, much
as it took some time to figure out the apt dialect within the broad spectrum of
the varied tongues of the Chinese race.
'Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that
times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
Acts 3:19
But life is more than satisfying the stomach. Would it not be great in a
strange land to meet more friendly and helpful fellow human beings who can guide
us babes in a strange ward? Moving on our own within UK via rail, we have been
blessed to meet nice locals who have helped make the trip pleasant and less daunting. Are they Christians? I am not sure. Does it matter? No if it is just
about directions to a place on Earth, but an imperative yes if it is about
pointing us to Christ, our redeemer. Would it not be a blessing if in every
place big or small that there resides faithful Christians whose life would
magnify forth the light of God's love, a welcome respite for the traveler that
all humanity is, till Christ calls us home?
'Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you to
me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe.'
Philippians 3:1
Rudyard Kipling is one of my favorite writers, much as my dalliance with his
work has been limited to a couple of short stories and one movie cartoon " the
jungle book." Yet this man of bygone days of the British Raj when Great Britain
was truly great in his writings must have captured and inspired many of his
peers to venture forth into the exotic lands of the Indian subcontinent. And for
the present man like myself, his writings evoke a nostalgia for a romantic
bygone era. Would my sharing be in the same league? If it is from me, it is but a wistful hope. But if it is truly from the Lord, then it will not just assure a searching heart, but invoke that responsive desire on your part to take that step unto His presence.
God indeed blesses
Eng Hieang
Dec 1st 5am minus 1 degree Manchester
One afterthought
I have progressed from writing from the washroom to sharing the inspiration of
our Lord from the bedroom. The wonders of an iPhone with free wifi where one can
happily tap away while lying on the bed. Only risk is a static finger and a sore
neck from this less than ideal posture.
And indeed God is good. The cold snap has moved ahead of me, from North in
Scotland going down South and South West. By the time I headed down from
Scotland to Manchester in the North East, I still feel the biting coldness but
have avoided much of it's collateral damage. And severe it is with massive disruptions in transport and daily living with many stuck overnight in the extreme cold on the roads, train stations and airports(see link http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20101202/tuk-no-hope-of-respite-for-frozen-britai-dba1618.html)
'we are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed.'
2 Corinthians 4:8
And this has summed up my journey through this 'annus horribilis' weather in
UK to date, yet God protects and provides. Queen Elizabeth made famous this term
'annus horribilis' when she summed up the terrible year of scandals besetting
the royal family back in the early 1990s.
And one final final after thought, for insomnia makes the mind fertile and
frivolous? Man plans God indeed directs. Many Irish fled both their English
rulers and the potato famine to new lands. I like many have benefited from the
Irish catholic priests who ended up as educators and religious teachers in the
developing countries. The Americans had the benefit of the Irish origin Kennedy
'royal' dynasty. A comeuppence for the English who were not just kicked out of
America by their ex citizens, but had the conquered, an Irish descendant running
a bigger country to theirs. So much for the much vaunted special
relationship.
The Scots were not far off either. Many ended up in Dark Africa as missionaries
and explorers like Dr David Livingstone. And the English might think they own
HSBC, but it is the Scots who are the engine room.
And like the Romans whose land routes in her empire facilitated the spread of
Christianity. The sly English, at least that seems to be what the conquered in
the British Isles think of them, by their sea routes in their empire opened up
even more opportunities for the spread of the gospel.
And what about Wales? For now, they had the late famous actor Richard Burton
and the present actress Catherine Zeta Jones, wife of Wall St actor, Michael
Douglas.
But in truth they had Sir Henry Morton, a Welsh who managed to find the long
lost medical doctor and Christian missionary, Dr David Livingstone in dark
Africa. How apt, a Welsh meeting a Scot in Africa during the reign of Victorian
England which was at the zenith of her power
Always at God's timing
2 Dec minus 2 degrees Manchester
If white is angelic, then snow covered Edinburgh is Heaven?
For the Presbyterian Church has it's origins in Scotland.
Leaving the bitter cold of Scotland, I will soon be in a slightly less frosty Manchester, the 2nd largest city in England. But I doubt it will get any less cold, though my son is looking forward to his visit to the hallowed grounds of Old Trafford, home of the Red Devils. If soccer is the religion of the world,then England is the cradle of this great obsession.
On the subject of passion, one observation in many mainstream guides on the
cities I visit is that an active gay and lesbian nightlife is now very much
part of the promoted colors that make the city an attraction. Churches are
passé, unique lustful relationships are now natural
'For I have no man like minded, who will truly care for your state, for they
all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.'
Philippians 2:20-21
It's past 4am again UK time, 12pm Singapore time. Guess my biological clock is
only half set to the new realities of my present physical location. But is it not the same for all cultures that find themselves ensconced in a
land away from home? Many first generation immigrants to foreign lands cling on
to the vestiges of their culture and food for more emotional comfort than
reasons of nostalgia.
Being a china man gastronomic wise, after 3 days in the land of fish and chips, we finally had a welcome Chinese meal at a restaurant in Chinatown in
Manchester. It was also great to see and speak in Chinese to the waitress, much
as it took some time to figure out the apt dialect within the broad spectrum of
the varied tongues of the Chinese race.
'Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that
times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.
Acts 3:19
But life is more than satisfying the stomach. Would it not be great in a
strange land to meet more friendly and helpful fellow human beings who can guide
us babes in a strange ward? Moving on our own within UK via rail, we have been
blessed to meet nice locals who have helped make the trip pleasant and less daunting. Are they Christians? I am not sure. Does it matter? No if it is just
about directions to a place on Earth, but an imperative yes if it is about
pointing us to Christ, our redeemer. Would it not be a blessing if in every
place big or small that there resides faithful Christians whose life would
magnify forth the light of God's love, a welcome respite for the traveler that
all humanity is, till Christ calls us home?
'Finally my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you to
me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe.'
Philippians 3:1
Rudyard Kipling is one of my favorite writers, much as my dalliance with his
work has been limited to a couple of short stories and one movie cartoon " the
jungle book." Yet this man of bygone days of the British Raj when Great Britain
was truly great in his writings must have captured and inspired many of his
peers to venture forth into the exotic lands of the Indian subcontinent. And for
the present man like myself, his writings evoke a nostalgia for a romantic
bygone era. Would my sharing be in the same league? If it is from me, it is but a wistful hope. But if it is truly from the Lord, then it will not just assure a searching heart, but invoke that responsive desire on your part to take that step unto His presence.
God indeed blesses
Eng Hieang
Dec 1st 5am minus 1 degree Manchester
One afterthought
I have progressed from writing from the washroom to sharing the inspiration of
our Lord from the bedroom. The wonders of an iPhone with free wifi where one can
happily tap away while lying on the bed. Only risk is a static finger and a sore
neck from this less than ideal posture.
And indeed God is good. The cold snap has moved ahead of me, from North in
Scotland going down South and South West. By the time I headed down from
Scotland to Manchester in the North East, I still feel the biting coldness but
have avoided much of it's collateral damage. And severe it is with massive disruptions in transport and daily living with many stuck overnight in the extreme cold on the roads, train stations and airports(see link http://uk.news.yahoo.com/4/20101202/tuk-no-hope-of-respite-for-frozen-britai-dba1618.html)
'we are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed.'
2 Corinthians 4:8
And this has summed up my journey through this 'annus horribilis' weather in
UK to date, yet God protects and provides. Queen Elizabeth made famous this term
'annus horribilis' when she summed up the terrible year of scandals besetting
the royal family back in the early 1990s.
And one final final after thought, for insomnia makes the mind fertile and
frivolous? Man plans God indeed directs. Many Irish fled both their English
rulers and the potato famine to new lands. I like many have benefited from the
Irish catholic priests who ended up as educators and religious teachers in the
developing countries. The Americans had the benefit of the Irish origin Kennedy
'royal' dynasty. A comeuppence for the English who were not just kicked out of
America by their ex citizens, but had the conquered, an Irish descendant running
a bigger country to theirs. So much for the much vaunted special
relationship.
The Scots were not far off either. Many ended up in Dark Africa as missionaries
and explorers like Dr David Livingstone. And the English might think they own
HSBC, but it is the Scots who are the engine room.
And like the Romans whose land routes in her empire facilitated the spread of
Christianity. The sly English, at least that seems to be what the conquered in
the British Isles think of them, by their sea routes in their empire opened up
even more opportunities for the spread of the gospel.
And what about Wales? For now, they had the late famous actor Richard Burton
and the present actress Catherine Zeta Jones, wife of Wall St actor, Michael
Douglas.
But in truth they had Sir Henry Morton, a Welsh who managed to find the long
lost medical doctor and Christian missionary, Dr David Livingstone in dark
Africa. How apt, a Welsh meeting a Scot in Africa during the reign of Victorian
England which was at the zenith of her power
Always at God's timing
2 Dec minus 2 degrees Manchester
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
In Spirit and Truth 23 Union Jack (30th Nov 2010)
>>>> Dear ...
>>>>
>>>> 'For He is good, For His mercy endures forever towards Israel.'
>>>> Ezra 3:11b
>>>>
>>>> In adverse weather conditions, literary or real, is where I often see the truth of God's care for those who seek Him, down to the minute details of the strands of our hair.
>>>>
>>>> Going right smack into an ongoing 10 days unexpected and unprecedented winter blitz is not exactly the most ideal way to visit UK but God is sovereign. The Brits might have been caught a little short with less salt to smooth out the iced up airport runway, but last evening's landing was bumpy but safe. And now going up north to frigid Scotland seems a folly, but snow covered landscape were aplenty but thankfully, the snow drifts stopped short of Edinburgh to ensure our train journey was not disrupted, much as any places beyond that was non passable.
>>>>
>>>> 'you both know Me, and you know where I am from...'
>>>> John 7:28
>>>>
>>>> To know God is a blessing and privilege open to all. And much as it has been more than two millennium since Christ was born, God is ever present whenever we come unto His presence. And there is always no reason not to be thankful once we learn to look from His perspective
>>> '..old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy.'
>>>> Ezra 3:12
>>>
>>> United kingdom is not Republic of Ireland though the latter was part of UK in the old days before the Emerald Isle became independent. But what is to stop mother England from joining it's erstwhile neighbor in the boondocks of a crisis of confidence next year when the summer of discontent takes over from the present disconsolate winter?
>>>
>>> The Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom comprising England as its core, and flanked by Wales in the left, Northern Ireland ( but not Republic Ireland) further up left and the independent minded Scots smacked up north.
>>>
>>> The British Isles was once the foundation upon which the British went forth to build a great empire. Today, it is back down to size and would once great men in her heyday, if they were alive today not wept like the old men of Israel who had once witnessed her greatness?
>>>
>>> 'and he did not humble himself before the Lord as his father Manasseh had humbled himself, but Amon trespassed more and more.'
>>> 2 Chronicles 33:23
>>>
> Is China the new empire and is finally living up to it's name as the center of all civilization?
> The rest of the BRIC countries might not agree, but most are agreed that living standards at least in major cities of Asia are fast moving up.
'For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.'
Philippians 2:21
Yet is this increased wealth in China the sowing of the seeds of a future break-up of the vast country as disparities lead to pride and envy and the center cannot hold as the grip of the Chinese Communist party becomes tenuous in this new confidence amongst her population?
That might be sometime before we see the divisive warlord days of post Qing empire and the tumultuous Republic period of the early twentieth century.
But in Europe, the dissolution of nation hood into a One Europe seems to be nearer reality. The Irish fought hard for independence from the English but now has taken the first step towards subservience to a greater sovereign, the European Commission. And the Catalonians as symbolized by Barcelona soccer club to us soccer fans, wants to not just beat Real Madrid(pride of mainstream Spain) 5-1 recently, but be free from the Spaniards and the way out is to pledge allegiance to a greater One Europe. And what about Belgium, where Brussels is the seat of the European Commission yet paradoxically is a divided country? Will the Flemish and the Dutch speaking divide of Belgium subscribe to a greater sovereign instead of the present Belgium King?
These are interesting times. Europe is ready for the anti - Christ as it's ruler. Question is, do they go back to the arms of the Russian bear, a proven atheist anti Christian nation or do they pay obeisance to the new representation of anti-Christ in the making?
Self first, aligned to what the prideful Satan professes is the attitude of many in Europe today, and with the economic crisis putting at great risk this much desired lifestyle, the hearts of many Europeans are ready to receive a new god of prosperity that can maintain their desires.
Is there a lesson for us to learn from what is happening in the Old World(ie Europe?) For Asia the nascent economic powerhouse or even for USA, the New World? History will repeat itself like the proverbial three generational curse. Difference though is that the cyclical nature of human behavior that marks the history of mankind will end when the present God returns and it is clearly nearing.
God blesses
Eng Hieang
Nov 30th at 4am in -6 degrees Edinburgh, Scotland
An after-note
As I spend my quiet time this morning in a less than ideal place, in the bathroom to avoid waking my fast asleep son( a deja vue on my last trip to Paris 4 years back), God knows my heart is desirous of receiving His truth.
Interestingly, the cover of the Dec daily bread shows a snow covered scene straight out from where I am now.
How prescient, but the accompanying verse Luke 1:68 is even more meaningful.
Indeed, God has allowed me to go through the present winter storm, just like the storms of life, but He shelters the faithful.
I illogically left( much against my concerns)for the near blizzards of Scotland from the 'warmer' climes of London last Sunday morning without realizing that I by His grace just missed a strike at the London Tube, a great inconvenience .
God will be with me always, if I remain steadfast in Him and I go where He leads me.
He has redeemed us. But are we prepared to be the lamp from which His redemptive grace shines forth through our lives, into that of others He places in our paths?
'..for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins through the tender mercy of our God with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us. To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. To guide our feet into the way of peace.'
Luke 1:76-79
And so I urge you
'But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.'
James 1:22
>>>>
>>>> 'For He is good, For His mercy endures forever towards Israel.'
>>>> Ezra 3:11b
>>>>
>>>> In adverse weather conditions, literary or real, is where I often see the truth of God's care for those who seek Him, down to the minute details of the strands of our hair.
>>>>
>>>> Going right smack into an ongoing 10 days unexpected and unprecedented winter blitz is not exactly the most ideal way to visit UK but God is sovereign. The Brits might have been caught a little short with less salt to smooth out the iced up airport runway, but last evening's landing was bumpy but safe. And now going up north to frigid Scotland seems a folly, but snow covered landscape were aplenty but thankfully, the snow drifts stopped short of Edinburgh to ensure our train journey was not disrupted, much as any places beyond that was non passable.
>>>>
>>>> 'you both know Me, and you know where I am from...'
>>>> John 7:28
>>>>
>>>> To know God is a blessing and privilege open to all. And much as it has been more than two millennium since Christ was born, God is ever present whenever we come unto His presence. And there is always no reason not to be thankful once we learn to look from His perspective
>>> '..old men who had seen the first temple, wept with a loud voice when the foundation of this temple was laid before their eyes. Yet many shouted aloud for joy.'
>>>> Ezra 3:12
>>>
>>> United kingdom is not Republic of Ireland though the latter was part of UK in the old days before the Emerald Isle became independent. But what is to stop mother England from joining it's erstwhile neighbor in the boondocks of a crisis of confidence next year when the summer of discontent takes over from the present disconsolate winter?
>>>
>>> The Union Jack is the flag of the United Kingdom comprising England as its core, and flanked by Wales in the left, Northern Ireland ( but not Republic Ireland) further up left and the independent minded Scots smacked up north.
>>>
>>> The British Isles was once the foundation upon which the British went forth to build a great empire. Today, it is back down to size and would once great men in her heyday, if they were alive today not wept like the old men of Israel who had once witnessed her greatness?
>>>
>>> 'and he did not humble himself before the Lord as his father Manasseh had humbled himself, but Amon trespassed more and more.'
>>> 2 Chronicles 33:23
>>>
> Is China the new empire and is finally living up to it's name as the center of all civilization?
> The rest of the BRIC countries might not agree, but most are agreed that living standards at least in major cities of Asia are fast moving up.
'For they all seek their own, not the things of Jesus Christ.'
Philippians 2:21
Yet is this increased wealth in China the sowing of the seeds of a future break-up of the vast country as disparities lead to pride and envy and the center cannot hold as the grip of the Chinese Communist party becomes tenuous in this new confidence amongst her population?
That might be sometime before we see the divisive warlord days of post Qing empire and the tumultuous Republic period of the early twentieth century.
But in Europe, the dissolution of nation hood into a One Europe seems to be nearer reality. The Irish fought hard for independence from the English but now has taken the first step towards subservience to a greater sovereign, the European Commission. And the Catalonians as symbolized by Barcelona soccer club to us soccer fans, wants to not just beat Real Madrid(pride of mainstream Spain) 5-1 recently, but be free from the Spaniards and the way out is to pledge allegiance to a greater One Europe. And what about Belgium, where Brussels is the seat of the European Commission yet paradoxically is a divided country? Will the Flemish and the Dutch speaking divide of Belgium subscribe to a greater sovereign instead of the present Belgium King?
These are interesting times. Europe is ready for the anti - Christ as it's ruler. Question is, do they go back to the arms of the Russian bear, a proven atheist anti Christian nation or do they pay obeisance to the new representation of anti-Christ in the making?
Self first, aligned to what the prideful Satan professes is the attitude of many in Europe today, and with the economic crisis putting at great risk this much desired lifestyle, the hearts of many Europeans are ready to receive a new god of prosperity that can maintain their desires.
Is there a lesson for us to learn from what is happening in the Old World(ie Europe?) For Asia the nascent economic powerhouse or even for USA, the New World? History will repeat itself like the proverbial three generational curse. Difference though is that the cyclical nature of human behavior that marks the history of mankind will end when the present God returns and it is clearly nearing.
God blesses
Eng Hieang
Nov 30th at 4am in -6 degrees Edinburgh, Scotland
An after-note
As I spend my quiet time this morning in a less than ideal place, in the bathroom to avoid waking my fast asleep son( a deja vue on my last trip to Paris 4 years back), God knows my heart is desirous of receiving His truth.
Interestingly, the cover of the Dec daily bread shows a snow covered scene straight out from where I am now.
How prescient, but the accompanying verse Luke 1:68 is even more meaningful.
Indeed, God has allowed me to go through the present winter storm, just like the storms of life, but He shelters the faithful.
I illogically left( much against my concerns)for the near blizzards of Scotland from the 'warmer' climes of London last Sunday morning without realizing that I by His grace just missed a strike at the London Tube, a great inconvenience .
God will be with me always, if I remain steadfast in Him and I go where He leads me.
He has redeemed us. But are we prepared to be the lamp from which His redemptive grace shines forth through our lives, into that of others He places in our paths?
'..for you will go before the face of the Lord to prepare His ways, to give knowledge of salvation to His people by the remission of their sins through the tender mercy of our God with which the Dayspring from on high has visited us. To give light to those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death. To guide our feet into the way of peace.'
Luke 1:76-79
And so I urge you
'But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.'
James 1:22
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
In Spirit and Truth #22 YES (23rd Nov 10)
Dear…
‘Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?’
Then Peter said unto them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.’
…Then they that gladly received this word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.’
Acts 2:37-41
“I do” is an affirmation most couples at the altar gladly mouthed in the solemnization of a marriage. Of course, for some, “I don’t” becomes the new catchword when relationships amongst once dovey eyed couples flounder on the rocks.
“I will” is when the very sanctifying Spirit of God imbue in us this great desire to respond the only heartfelt way we can and must, to the love of God, by accepting His grace and the salvation offered to us the sinners.
After 7-8 years of inundating many of you with my wonderful experiences with God, I am blessed to know that some have accepted the faith, and even more have grown in your faith, though my role has been more as a recipient of your testimonies and maybe a bit player in your journey with our Lord, for it is God Who brings about the increase.
‘Be diligent to present yourself approved to God.’
2 Timothy 2:15
A resolute “yes” many of us might echo in our moments of spiritual oneness with the Spirit of God, but what about the follow through? We still live in a fallen and sinful world, and much as we agree to start on a new cleansed slate, our carnality is still very much in evidence, and agreeing to be a believer is just the beginning of a period of following as the Spirit of God refines us in the fire of life to make us ready for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism of fire might refer to the first time one’s endurance is tested in a severe ordeal. For followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, it might be more apt to describe our journey as one of intermittent and increased intensity of baptism of fire, yet always ending well with the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, that will bring us closer to Christ-likeness. Like the lacquer works I collect, lacquer in its liquid form is mildly poisonous, yet every layer of lacquer overlaid with loving care by a master craftsman on a raw piece of carving, over months, will bring forth a tensile strength that will not just last centuries, but will retain its lovely sheen, notwithstanding the ravages of time.
‘All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.’
2 Timothy 3:12
Like those health warnings at the entrance to a particularly challenging ride in the theme parks, Christians must be fully cognizance of what you are committing to. But not many truly understand the depth of commitment to this covenant with God, and when the pain starts to creep in, many will fall by the wayside. But it need not be so, for the Spirit of God is with us and will imbue us with that inner strength to not just sustain us when the temperature heats up, but to bring forth the desired grain of Christ-likeness that God wants to mold all who seek Him into.
‘Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.’
Hebrews 13:21
The means is not the end, and refinement is not a conclusive but a continuous action, and what matters is the transformative experience with the Spirit of God, that one receives in going through the process. We must decrease and God must increase and much as we are stripped of what we are today as molded by the world, God will now transform us unto His likeness.
‘And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’
2 Corinthians 12:9
‘Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.’
2 Kings 5:15
Have I been put through enough times in the furnace, lovingly worked by the Lord our God to know from experience that indeed I ‘see” God better in my times of trials. And that God delivers every time? Yes I have and though the imperfect me still surface at the next challenge, by the grace of God my turnaround time from self to Him is much shorter and in my greater willingness to submit, I see and understand the grace and plans of God quicker and in greater clarity.
‘Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things that ye have, for He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’
Hebrews 13:5
To live our faith is tough. Thoughts of self interest must be fleeting, yet selflessness must grow into our second nature. Lusts and carnal desires that promises instant gratification must be put to rest, cold blooded we are not, but hot blooded of the lustful type we cannot, for we must look away from the sinful but delectable to the Divine God. Crushed we will not be, but repressed we will be subjected to, and we resist not our oppressors, but instead submit to God our Provider. Irrational, faith in action might seem to the carnal man, but the old us long tainted by the bite of the forbidden fruit must die, and the new us, the spirit man that God wants to mold us in His Spirit must now rise forth.
‘So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.’
Hebrews 13:6
I am still learning. I have been humbled by the experiential knowledge of truly how great our God is. And I look forward to the day where my spirit will move in one with the Spirit of God, where no trace of the once carnal me will ever surface again.
And indeed God is moving me to the next phase of my journey with Him. Which is, like the early Christians, who were sent forth to the world, after a period of preparation, when they rested with the Lord till His Spirit rested upon them. The time has come for me and all who do feel led, to reach out to the community in more concrete ways, for the days of great need are now with us, for inflation and yet limpid real growth will be the overhanging and burdensome cloud on the lives of many these next few years.
‘And all that believed were together, and had all things common. And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need……..And the Lord added to the church daily as should be saved.’
Acts 2:44-47
6od Blesses
Eng Hieang
(23rd Nov 10)
As the year ends, it is indeed apt for me as this juncture of my faith to make a pilgrimage not to the Holy Lands, but rather, to the source of the growing Christian faith in Singapore. Mother England has seen better days, not just as an Imperial power but as a once pioneering Christian nation, where the fruits of seeds long laid by its faithful men and women in the wide reaches of the British Empire, is now bearing fruit in the once heathen lands. What will God show me in my next three weeks in the British Isles, I have no inkling, but I know it will have a bearing on our faith as Asia carries the baton of sharing the gospel to the last unreached people of the world, and this will include not just the tribes in the remote jungles of Irian Jaya, the lands of Central Asia, but also the present generation of the Western world, many of whom, unlike their devoted forefathers, no longer have a relationship with the Sovereign God or for that matter, knows Santa Claus better than our Lord Jesus Christ.
‘Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do?’
Then Peter said unto them, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.’
…Then they that gladly received this word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.’
Acts 2:37-41
“I do” is an affirmation most couples at the altar gladly mouthed in the solemnization of a marriage. Of course, for some, “I don’t” becomes the new catchword when relationships amongst once dovey eyed couples flounder on the rocks.
“I will” is when the very sanctifying Spirit of God imbue in us this great desire to respond the only heartfelt way we can and must, to the love of God, by accepting His grace and the salvation offered to us the sinners.
After 7-8 years of inundating many of you with my wonderful experiences with God, I am blessed to know that some have accepted the faith, and even more have grown in your faith, though my role has been more as a recipient of your testimonies and maybe a bit player in your journey with our Lord, for it is God Who brings about the increase.
‘Be diligent to present yourself approved to God.’
2 Timothy 2:15
A resolute “yes” many of us might echo in our moments of spiritual oneness with the Spirit of God, but what about the follow through? We still live in a fallen and sinful world, and much as we agree to start on a new cleansed slate, our carnality is still very much in evidence, and agreeing to be a believer is just the beginning of a period of following as the Spirit of God refines us in the fire of life to make us ready for the return of our Lord Jesus Christ. Baptism of fire might refer to the first time one’s endurance is tested in a severe ordeal. For followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, it might be more apt to describe our journey as one of intermittent and increased intensity of baptism of fire, yet always ending well with the sanctification of the Holy Spirit, that will bring us closer to Christ-likeness. Like the lacquer works I collect, lacquer in its liquid form is mildly poisonous, yet every layer of lacquer overlaid with loving care by a master craftsman on a raw piece of carving, over months, will bring forth a tensile strength that will not just last centuries, but will retain its lovely sheen, notwithstanding the ravages of time.
‘All who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.’
2 Timothy 3:12
Like those health warnings at the entrance to a particularly challenging ride in the theme parks, Christians must be fully cognizance of what you are committing to. But not many truly understand the depth of commitment to this covenant with God, and when the pain starts to creep in, many will fall by the wayside. But it need not be so, for the Spirit of God is with us and will imbue us with that inner strength to not just sustain us when the temperature heats up, but to bring forth the desired grain of Christ-likeness that God wants to mold all who seek Him into.
‘Make you perfect in every good work to do His will, working in you that which is well-pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to Whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.’
Hebrews 13:21
The means is not the end, and refinement is not a conclusive but a continuous action, and what matters is the transformative experience with the Spirit of God, that one receives in going through the process. We must decrease and God must increase and much as we are stripped of what we are today as molded by the world, God will now transform us unto His likeness.
‘And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.’
2 Corinthians 12:9
‘Now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.’
2 Kings 5:15
Have I been put through enough times in the furnace, lovingly worked by the Lord our God to know from experience that indeed I ‘see” God better in my times of trials. And that God delivers every time? Yes I have and though the imperfect me still surface at the next challenge, by the grace of God my turnaround time from self to Him is much shorter and in my greater willingness to submit, I see and understand the grace and plans of God quicker and in greater clarity.
‘Let your conversation be without covetousness, and be content with such things that ye have, for He hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.’
Hebrews 13:5
To live our faith is tough. Thoughts of self interest must be fleeting, yet selflessness must grow into our second nature. Lusts and carnal desires that promises instant gratification must be put to rest, cold blooded we are not, but hot blooded of the lustful type we cannot, for we must look away from the sinful but delectable to the Divine God. Crushed we will not be, but repressed we will be subjected to, and we resist not our oppressors, but instead submit to God our Provider. Irrational, faith in action might seem to the carnal man, but the old us long tainted by the bite of the forbidden fruit must die, and the new us, the spirit man that God wants to mold us in His Spirit must now rise forth.
‘So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.’
Hebrews 13:6
I am still learning. I have been humbled by the experiential knowledge of truly how great our God is. And I look forward to the day where my spirit will move in one with the Spirit of God, where no trace of the once carnal me will ever surface again.
And indeed God is moving me to the next phase of my journey with Him. Which is, like the early Christians, who were sent forth to the world, after a period of preparation, when they rested with the Lord till His Spirit rested upon them. The time has come for me and all who do feel led, to reach out to the community in more concrete ways, for the days of great need are now with us, for inflation and yet limpid real growth will be the overhanging and burdensome cloud on the lives of many these next few years.
‘And all that believed were together, and had all things common. And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need……..And the Lord added to the church daily as should be saved.’
Acts 2:44-47
6od Blesses
Eng Hieang
(23rd Nov 10)
As the year ends, it is indeed apt for me as this juncture of my faith to make a pilgrimage not to the Holy Lands, but rather, to the source of the growing Christian faith in Singapore. Mother England has seen better days, not just as an Imperial power but as a once pioneering Christian nation, where the fruits of seeds long laid by its faithful men and women in the wide reaches of the British Empire, is now bearing fruit in the once heathen lands. What will God show me in my next three weeks in the British Isles, I have no inkling, but I know it will have a bearing on our faith as Asia carries the baton of sharing the gospel to the last unreached people of the world, and this will include not just the tribes in the remote jungles of Irian Jaya, the lands of Central Asia, but also the present generation of the Western world, many of whom, unlike their devoted forefathers, no longer have a relationship with the Sovereign God or for that matter, knows Santa Claus better than our Lord Jesus Christ.
Sunday, November 14, 2010
In Spirit and Truth #21 NOW (14th Nov 10)
Dear...
'...Just as they have chosen their own ways......So will I choose their
delusions. And bring their fears on them. Because, when I called no one
answered. When I spoke they did not hear. But they did evil before My eyes. And
chose that in which I do not delight.'
Isaiah 66:3-4
It is not often you hear from me on a Sunday. And it is seldom I throw out what
the Lord has put in my heart the past one week and write a totally new sharing.
But when the Spirit of God speaks, nothing else matters except total obedience. And may the thoughts that I
am about to pen be truly from the Lord and that you will receive it with a
willing heart.
"Now" is an order I sometimes barked at my two children to get things long not
done, for procrastination is a trait that should not be allowed to have a
prolonged existence. As a professed believer of our Lord Jesus Christ, all of us
are commanded to seek God with our all and to love others as much as ourselves.
Reality is not many of us diligently nor willingly do that and as a consequence,
we are far from ready when Christ returns. And as a direct consequence of not
staying always in the presence of God, we find ourselves subjected to the
continued bondage of the woes of this present sinful world.
'But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the
Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God
is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.'
John 4:23-24
It has been half a year since our good Lord brought me to this new series "In
Spirit and Truth" and I am still learning as to what it truly meant. Scripture
states that the Spirit of God resides in the hearts of the believers, and the
Spirit searches our hearts, using our spirit as the lamp. Does it mean that the
light of God, ie His Spirit shines forth through communion with our spirit, into
the deep recesses of our hearts, bringing enlightenment to our very soul, once
carnally driven by our natural senses, now transformed into the spirit man that
God wants us to be, for God is Spirit? In simplistic terms, it means that we
must no longer live life as driven by our wisdom based on our finite
understanding, but live life as led by the promptings of the Holy Spirit which
communes with our spirit man.
'Jesus said to them. "My food is to do the will of Him Who sent Me, and to
finish His work. Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the
harvest?" Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for
they are already white for harvest.'
John 4:34-35
The disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ thought he was off center when Christ
talked about food as not of filling one's physical hunger, but rather, a
completion of the call of God to share the gospel with the unsaved. Today,
conventional wisdom will tell all of us that we must set aside sufficient
provisions before we embark on full time ministry, for in man's understanding,
full time ministry meant one's source of income goes to zilch or near zilch. Of
course, there are a minority who after a period of struggle from the first call
of God finally take that final step of faith to leave their comfort zone to go
where God calls.
The financial markets have been good, yet the recovery brings with it new
challenges as the consequences of the sub-prime crisis brings about a paradigm
shift in the way business is done in the financial industry. Oppressed I do
feel, but crushed my spirit is not for I often remind myself of God's
faithfulness through my life and how much as logic dictate otherwise, by His
grace, in my obedience to His will, He has delivered where man think not
possible. Yet bring imperfect, I still struggle to totally let go and let God
and this was my state of being as I went to church this morning.
"Evangelism" was the sermon shared today and the Bible reading was from John
4:34-35. What is enough is a question the insecure me often struggle with. God
is good, He has more than blessed me all these years, much as I often find it
easier to acknowledge His grace upon the conclusion of a difficult period and on
that one occasion that I did acknowledge His Sovereignty in the midst of my
struggles, His Spirit brought me to a new maturity in my Christian growth, from
half-hearted believer to determined follower.
Like many who profess our love and faith, I still struggle with my carnal self,
and am not prepared to commit my all to the present harvest, but rather hoping
that God will give me more time to be more ready, materially. Does it mean that
to be ready meant that I quit my job and go into the ministry God is calling me
to, a thought He placed in my heart these past few months to be a channel of His
blessings to those in need?
Most of us tend to equate full time ministry with an actual action, in terms of
a change of vocation, often marked by an income drop. Could it more correctly
defined to mean a change in our heart, a total surrender to the will of God
wherever He places us today? Take my present situation. I am very concerned that
the very basis for the viability of my business in my present employment looks
increasingly bleak. And like the opening verse in Isaiah 66:3-4, am I not paying
attention to what the Spirit of God is leading me on and in choosing my own
ways, the extrapolated fears of a very present threat is shaking my faith?
Like Abraham, when God call us, by His lifting the veil in our once blinded
hearts, we who call ourselves Christians have already stepped into full time
ministry RIGHT NOW, wherever we are. If we understand that, it is no longer
about what matters to us, but what is the will of God. And in obedience with our
all, God has and will provide, and we no longer need to fear our circumstances,
for the grace of God is suffice for the day. And on a practical basis, it mean
that I will use the wisdom that God gives me to honor Him in the day's
activities, knowing that He is Sovereign and giving no thought to the next day
and as His Spirit leads, to learn to put aside that wisdom and follow as He
wills. For God is our employer.
'And he who reaps received wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both
he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.'
John 4:36
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
What I shared is an enlightenment to me. To look at my life as one of full time
ministry wherever I am. And if I am prepared to let go of my fears and
understanding, and live as the Spirit of God leads. God looks for obedience and
not sacrifice. Finite man looks for certainty and conclusions.
As I reflect upon the past three years, the Spirit of God has indeed spoken to
me in very clear terms. For me it has as shared previously been a series of
three affirmative dreams in each of the messages that God gave me. Yet, in my
disobedience on hindsight, I have come to learn how "right" God was much as
logic had dictated at that point, a perceived need on my part to vary His
command.
The message I received today from the Spirit of God is a variation. It is not a
dream but an enlightenment on the need to look at my daily life as one of serving and doing the will of God.
Everything else is peripheral and God has provided and will provide. And there
is no room for disobedience which include allowing my sense of self survival to
creep back into my psyche.
As some might recall, God gave me three messages these past three years
- in the midst of the sub prime crisis in mid 08, there was every compelling
reason to change my place of employment. Yet God spoke to me in three dreams on
His command to stay and affirmed it with the word "to not go back to Egypt" for
that was what the disobedient Israelites did thinking that Egypt was safer than
the threat of the Babylonians. And indeed God delivered for my firm almost died
twice but is still standing today
- in the same sub prime crisis, in Dec 07 the word He gave me in three visions,
in the midst of His blessing me materially was to distribute and not cumulate.
And by His grace, much as I could not resist cumulating, much as He allowed me
to learn a painful lesson, He has returned most of what I lost back to a
repentant me.
- and in the same subprime crisis, in May 08, the only buy action He placed in
my heart again through three impressions in my sleep was to buy physical gold at
then price of US$750/oz And obeyed I finally did after some struggle with my
rational mind to do otherwise, and on hindsight, at present prices of US$1400
where the whole world is now enamored with the useless metal, I should have
bought more. But it is gold as refined by God that He truly wants us to buy. And
the pain I am going through now, I must persevere, for God is selling me gold as
in one's spirituality as refined by circumstances He allows us to go through.
And what is the fourth message that God has given me this year in 2010? It is to
"sell into strength with patience." And easy task in concept, but in reality,
one struggles very hard to restrain from selling too fast for the better part of
this year, and now one struggles with the urge to buy as the continued printing
of monies seem to indicate the increased appreciation in prices of assets.
Much as God has spoken to me in the context of finance, for God will come down
to our frame of reference. God will speak to each of you in ways you will be
able to relate to and understand. The command(my fifth message) today from God
is for all of us who love Him to give our all to Him NOW, wherever He places us.
There is no need to be concerned about the uncertain tomorrow, but rather to be
sure to do the will of God today and know that the Sovereign God is faithful and
knows our needs.
'It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing, the words that I
speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life. But there are some of you
that believe not...'
John 6:63-64
'...Just as they have chosen their own ways......So will I choose their
delusions. And bring their fears on them. Because, when I called no one
answered. When I spoke they did not hear. But they did evil before My eyes. And
chose that in which I do not delight.'
Isaiah 66:3-4
It is not often you hear from me on a Sunday. And it is seldom I throw out what
the Lord has put in my heart the past one week and write a totally new sharing.
But when the Spirit of God speaks, nothing else matters except total obedience. And may the thoughts that I
am about to pen be truly from the Lord and that you will receive it with a
willing heart.
"Now" is an order I sometimes barked at my two children to get things long not
done, for procrastination is a trait that should not be allowed to have a
prolonged existence. As a professed believer of our Lord Jesus Christ, all of us
are commanded to seek God with our all and to love others as much as ourselves.
Reality is not many of us diligently nor willingly do that and as a consequence,
we are far from ready when Christ returns. And as a direct consequence of not
staying always in the presence of God, we find ourselves subjected to the
continued bondage of the woes of this present sinful world.
'But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the
Father in spirit and truth, for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God
is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.'
John 4:23-24
It has been half a year since our good Lord brought me to this new series "In
Spirit and Truth" and I am still learning as to what it truly meant. Scripture
states that the Spirit of God resides in the hearts of the believers, and the
Spirit searches our hearts, using our spirit as the lamp. Does it mean that the
light of God, ie His Spirit shines forth through communion with our spirit, into
the deep recesses of our hearts, bringing enlightenment to our very soul, once
carnally driven by our natural senses, now transformed into the spirit man that
God wants us to be, for God is Spirit? In simplistic terms, it means that we
must no longer live life as driven by our wisdom based on our finite
understanding, but live life as led by the promptings of the Holy Spirit which
communes with our spirit man.
'Jesus said to them. "My food is to do the will of Him Who sent Me, and to
finish His work. Do you not say, 'There are still four months and then comes the
harvest?" Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for
they are already white for harvest.'
John 4:34-35
The disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ thought he was off center when Christ
talked about food as not of filling one's physical hunger, but rather, a
completion of the call of God to share the gospel with the unsaved. Today,
conventional wisdom will tell all of us that we must set aside sufficient
provisions before we embark on full time ministry, for in man's understanding,
full time ministry meant one's source of income goes to zilch or near zilch. Of
course, there are a minority who after a period of struggle from the first call
of God finally take that final step of faith to leave their comfort zone to go
where God calls.
The financial markets have been good, yet the recovery brings with it new
challenges as the consequences of the sub-prime crisis brings about a paradigm
shift in the way business is done in the financial industry. Oppressed I do
feel, but crushed my spirit is not for I often remind myself of God's
faithfulness through my life and how much as logic dictate otherwise, by His
grace, in my obedience to His will, He has delivered where man think not
possible. Yet bring imperfect, I still struggle to totally let go and let God
and this was my state of being as I went to church this morning.
"Evangelism" was the sermon shared today and the Bible reading was from John
4:34-35. What is enough is a question the insecure me often struggle with. God
is good, He has more than blessed me all these years, much as I often find it
easier to acknowledge His grace upon the conclusion of a difficult period and on
that one occasion that I did acknowledge His Sovereignty in the midst of my
struggles, His Spirit brought me to a new maturity in my Christian growth, from
half-hearted believer to determined follower.
Like many who profess our love and faith, I still struggle with my carnal self,
and am not prepared to commit my all to the present harvest, but rather hoping
that God will give me more time to be more ready, materially. Does it mean that
to be ready meant that I quit my job and go into the ministry God is calling me
to, a thought He placed in my heart these past few months to be a channel of His
blessings to those in need?
Most of us tend to equate full time ministry with an actual action, in terms of
a change of vocation, often marked by an income drop. Could it more correctly
defined to mean a change in our heart, a total surrender to the will of God
wherever He places us today? Take my present situation. I am very concerned that
the very basis for the viability of my business in my present employment looks
increasingly bleak. And like the opening verse in Isaiah 66:3-4, am I not paying
attention to what the Spirit of God is leading me on and in choosing my own
ways, the extrapolated fears of a very present threat is shaking my faith?
Like Abraham, when God call us, by His lifting the veil in our once blinded
hearts, we who call ourselves Christians have already stepped into full time
ministry RIGHT NOW, wherever we are. If we understand that, it is no longer
about what matters to us, but what is the will of God. And in obedience with our
all, God has and will provide, and we no longer need to fear our circumstances,
for the grace of God is suffice for the day. And on a practical basis, it mean
that I will use the wisdom that God gives me to honor Him in the day's
activities, knowing that He is Sovereign and giving no thought to the next day
and as His Spirit leads, to learn to put aside that wisdom and follow as He
wills. For God is our employer.
'And he who reaps received wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both
he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together.'
John 4:36
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
What I shared is an enlightenment to me. To look at my life as one of full time
ministry wherever I am. And if I am prepared to let go of my fears and
understanding, and live as the Spirit of God leads. God looks for obedience and
not sacrifice. Finite man looks for certainty and conclusions.
As I reflect upon the past three years, the Spirit of God has indeed spoken to
me in very clear terms. For me it has as shared previously been a series of
three affirmative dreams in each of the messages that God gave me. Yet, in my
disobedience on hindsight, I have come to learn how "right" God was much as
logic had dictated at that point, a perceived need on my part to vary His
command.
The message I received today from the Spirit of God is a variation. It is not a
dream but an enlightenment on the need to look at my daily life as one of serving and doing the will of God.
Everything else is peripheral and God has provided and will provide. And there
is no room for disobedience which include allowing my sense of self survival to
creep back into my psyche.
As some might recall, God gave me three messages these past three years
- in the midst of the sub prime crisis in mid 08, there was every compelling
reason to change my place of employment. Yet God spoke to me in three dreams on
His command to stay and affirmed it with the word "to not go back to Egypt" for
that was what the disobedient Israelites did thinking that Egypt was safer than
the threat of the Babylonians. And indeed God delivered for my firm almost died
twice but is still standing today
- in the same sub prime crisis, in Dec 07 the word He gave me in three visions,
in the midst of His blessing me materially was to distribute and not cumulate.
And by His grace, much as I could not resist cumulating, much as He allowed me
to learn a painful lesson, He has returned most of what I lost back to a
repentant me.
- and in the same subprime crisis, in May 08, the only buy action He placed in
my heart again through three impressions in my sleep was to buy physical gold at
then price of US$750/oz And obeyed I finally did after some struggle with my
rational mind to do otherwise, and on hindsight, at present prices of US$1400
where the whole world is now enamored with the useless metal, I should have
bought more. But it is gold as refined by God that He truly wants us to buy. And
the pain I am going through now, I must persevere, for God is selling me gold as
in one's spirituality as refined by circumstances He allows us to go through.
And what is the fourth message that God has given me this year in 2010? It is to
"sell into strength with patience." And easy task in concept, but in reality,
one struggles very hard to restrain from selling too fast for the better part of
this year, and now one struggles with the urge to buy as the continued printing
of monies seem to indicate the increased appreciation in prices of assets.
Much as God has spoken to me in the context of finance, for God will come down
to our frame of reference. God will speak to each of you in ways you will be
able to relate to and understand. The command(my fifth message) today from God
is for all of us who love Him to give our all to Him NOW, wherever He places us.
There is no need to be concerned about the uncertain tomorrow, but rather to be
sure to do the will of God today and know that the Sovereign God is faithful and
knows our needs.
'It is the Spirit that quickeneth, the flesh profiteth nothing, the words that I
speak unto you, they are spirit and they are life. But there are some of you
that believe not...'
John 6:63-64
Monday, November 8, 2010
In Spirit and Truth #20 Twilight (8th Nov 10)
Dear…
‘What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? Shall it declare Thy truth?
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me. Lord, be Thou my helper.’
Psalm 30:9-10
These past few days I have traipsed round the various institutional facilities that look after the aged. It has been an enlightening yet sobering experience for me, to witness for myself the possible future that awaits the still spunky but increasingly creaky us, for Father time will catch up with all of us.
Blood and sweat might oft be the price many are willing to pay to attain riches and recognition, but as Psalm 30:9 so succinctly remind us, when we breathe our last, and are co-mingled with the dust, does our past achievements truly matter?
‘For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.’
Psalm 31:10
To be able to age gracefully and to die peacefully and painlessly, that is a thought few give much space to in our present living, for death is a taboo for many, and there are more compelling distractions for the present. Yet, it will do one good to make that rare side trip to the places where the aged are cared for to help one reformulate one’s priorities in life and reexamine one’s state of readiness when our outer shell deteriorates and more importantly, what comes after when our system shuts down?
‘Be diligent to present yourself approved to God...’
2 Timothy 2:15
Would amnesia be a good option when you meet God in the afterlife? Dementia is a growing trend globally. It is also possible that the increase in statistics is due to greater awareness of what ails many. To forget the difficult past is a delectable option for many a troubled soul but it weighs heavily on one’s care givers, who are not just burdened by the physical demands of looking after you, but also the sense of angst of you forgetting past shared relationships. But it grieves God our loving Father even more, that many who still retain their faculties, have long forgotten the possibility of a relationship with Him, as their minds have long been captured by the delusions of this sinful world. At a home I visited, they have a mock bus stop set up with bus no. 3 as designated service provider. This is an outlet for dementia patients, who somehow in their DNA still retain the desire to go home, for much as they are permanently ensconced at the nursing home. A delusion this might be, but necessary to ensure that dementia patients do not vent their frustrations when told the truth that home is where they now are. In us, the cognitive living being, is the same DNA that God has placed in our hearts, to want to seek that relationship with Him. Much as this desire might be subsumed by the potent mix of our carnality and the devil’s delusion, it is simmering, and if we are willing, God will help us break free.
‘Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.’
2 Corinthians 4:10
Morbid it might seem, but as shared previously, I do take time to read the daily obituaries in the newspapers and at wakes, I do take a close look at the now lifeless shell. Judgmental prayerfully I am not, but I always like to look for clues from the words expressed in the obituary and from the expression beyond the skilful hands of the embalmer, the life that this once living soul had led. Faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ will carry the countenance of a heart filled with joy and inner peace, that will be expressed in both their physical expressions as well as etched on the lives of others God placed in their lives and I have come to believe and know that it is true.
‘We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.’
2 Corinthians 5:8
Care for the elderly is a broad catchword for the myriad of needs. From simple day care centers(no different from nurseries for toddlers, indeed how we go one full cycle), to nursing homes where more care and attention is needed, to community hospitals where longer term medical maintenance is essential, to acute Hospitals for dealing with immediate and urgent medical conditions and ending with Hospices(where healing is more for the soul than for the body).
Three days worth of intense visits on the ground does not make me an expert to advise all us future old foggy on choice of facility, but it does get me thinking, and prayerfully, may the closing thoughts shared be truly from our Lord, and may you take time to reflect and respond to, while we still have the time.
‘He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given will He pay him again.’
Proverbs 19:17
One common impression that struck me in all these facilities that I had the privilege to visit as well as go into in depth discussion with the key personnel running it, is the dearth of resources in the face of increasing overwhelming needs. These are all charitable run institutions, where success is not measured by how much material profits one makes, but how much love can we give and receive? And on the latter, it is something to be thankful for that in an increasingly clinical Singapore, we still have, albeit a minority, well trained committed professionals who are willing to answer their call to service. And also to be thankful that we can still draw on the human capital of our more impoverished neighbors to provide the necessary labor in this very demanding industry.
‘…….The borrower is a slave to the lender’
Proverbs 22:7
We are all living on borrowed time. And like Dr Faustus, the devil will eventually want us to account for the debt we owe him or it, for much as the world is temporal, he wants our soul for eternity for the short-lived carnal gratification we sinfully seek. One haunting image of all these homes I visited is the lack of spirit or sense of purpose in many of the aged. It is understandable if one’s life revolves around things of the world, as our natural senses deteriorates, much as our soul is very much alive, our spirit starts to lose its will and one waits to die. But it need not be this way, for life need not end with death, for eternity awaits us.
Can we as faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, be different because we have lived our active life differently and have come to know a loving and Sovereign God, Who has prepared our hearts and has make ready a place in Heaven for us? Yes we can, but the preparation of being made ready is now and not till the lights in our lives are dimming. Do that and we will like the Psalmist gladly proclaim the joyful truth that
‘Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep, for Thou, Lord only makest me dwell in safety.’
Psalm 4:7-8
Without God, once we are out of the limelight, the twilight zone that we find ourselves in is indeed depressing. With Christ as our Lord, every moment is a joyful highlight in our blessed life.
‘So then death worketh in us, but life in you.’
2 Corinthians 4:12
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
8th Nov 10
Aging successfully
God always surprises me with His prescience, and as I complete this sharing, I was reminded of the recent receipt of the latest copy of "Uncommon voices" - the quarterly publication by the Methodist Welfare Services. And by coincidence, it was a special edition on aging.
Lots of interesting articles garnered from interviews with those on the field working with the aged, but let me just share a couple of gems of truth, that may encourage you to take time to read this very meaningful publication.
"we cannot add days to our lives, but we can add life to our days"
How true this comment is, and in living a life that honors God, He will truly bring joy and inner peace to our days.
Successful aging is
- to borrow a verse from the Bible '..to be ready for every good work' (Titus 3:1)
- to plant our lives in the right places as the Spirit of God leads us
'The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree. He shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord. Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age. They shall be fresh and flourishing. To declare that the Lord is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.'
Psalm 92:12-15
‘What profit is there in my blood, when I go down to the pit? Shall the dust praise thee? Shall it declare Thy truth?
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me. Lord, be Thou my helper.’
Psalm 30:9-10
These past few days I have traipsed round the various institutional facilities that look after the aged. It has been an enlightening yet sobering experience for me, to witness for myself the possible future that awaits the still spunky but increasingly creaky us, for Father time will catch up with all of us.
Blood and sweat might oft be the price many are willing to pay to attain riches and recognition, but as Psalm 30:9 so succinctly remind us, when we breathe our last, and are co-mingled with the dust, does our past achievements truly matter?
‘For my life is spent with grief, and my years with sighing: my strength faileth because of mine iniquity, and my bones are consumed.’
Psalm 31:10
To be able to age gracefully and to die peacefully and painlessly, that is a thought few give much space to in our present living, for death is a taboo for many, and there are more compelling distractions for the present. Yet, it will do one good to make that rare side trip to the places where the aged are cared for to help one reformulate one’s priorities in life and reexamine one’s state of readiness when our outer shell deteriorates and more importantly, what comes after when our system shuts down?
‘Be diligent to present yourself approved to God...’
2 Timothy 2:15
Would amnesia be a good option when you meet God in the afterlife? Dementia is a growing trend globally. It is also possible that the increase in statistics is due to greater awareness of what ails many. To forget the difficult past is a delectable option for many a troubled soul but it weighs heavily on one’s care givers, who are not just burdened by the physical demands of looking after you, but also the sense of angst of you forgetting past shared relationships. But it grieves God our loving Father even more, that many who still retain their faculties, have long forgotten the possibility of a relationship with Him, as their minds have long been captured by the delusions of this sinful world. At a home I visited, they have a mock bus stop set up with bus no. 3 as designated service provider. This is an outlet for dementia patients, who somehow in their DNA still retain the desire to go home, for much as they are permanently ensconced at the nursing home. A delusion this might be, but necessary to ensure that dementia patients do not vent their frustrations when told the truth that home is where they now are. In us, the cognitive living being, is the same DNA that God has placed in our hearts, to want to seek that relationship with Him. Much as this desire might be subsumed by the potent mix of our carnality and the devil’s delusion, it is simmering, and if we are willing, God will help us break free.
‘Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.’
2 Corinthians 4:10
Morbid it might seem, but as shared previously, I do take time to read the daily obituaries in the newspapers and at wakes, I do take a close look at the now lifeless shell. Judgmental prayerfully I am not, but I always like to look for clues from the words expressed in the obituary and from the expression beyond the skilful hands of the embalmer, the life that this once living soul had led. Faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ will carry the countenance of a heart filled with joy and inner peace, that will be expressed in both their physical expressions as well as etched on the lives of others God placed in their lives and I have come to believe and know that it is true.
‘We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.’
2 Corinthians 5:8
Care for the elderly is a broad catchword for the myriad of needs. From simple day care centers(no different from nurseries for toddlers, indeed how we go one full cycle), to nursing homes where more care and attention is needed, to community hospitals where longer term medical maintenance is essential, to acute Hospitals for dealing with immediate and urgent medical conditions and ending with Hospices(where healing is more for the soul than for the body).
Three days worth of intense visits on the ground does not make me an expert to advise all us future old foggy on choice of facility, but it does get me thinking, and prayerfully, may the closing thoughts shared be truly from our Lord, and may you take time to reflect and respond to, while we still have the time.
‘He that hath pity upon the poor lendeth unto the Lord, and that which he hath given will He pay him again.’
Proverbs 19:17
One common impression that struck me in all these facilities that I had the privilege to visit as well as go into in depth discussion with the key personnel running it, is the dearth of resources in the face of increasing overwhelming needs. These are all charitable run institutions, where success is not measured by how much material profits one makes, but how much love can we give and receive? And on the latter, it is something to be thankful for that in an increasingly clinical Singapore, we still have, albeit a minority, well trained committed professionals who are willing to answer their call to service. And also to be thankful that we can still draw on the human capital of our more impoverished neighbors to provide the necessary labor in this very demanding industry.
‘…….The borrower is a slave to the lender’
Proverbs 22:7
We are all living on borrowed time. And like Dr Faustus, the devil will eventually want us to account for the debt we owe him or it, for much as the world is temporal, he wants our soul for eternity for the short-lived carnal gratification we sinfully seek. One haunting image of all these homes I visited is the lack of spirit or sense of purpose in many of the aged. It is understandable if one’s life revolves around things of the world, as our natural senses deteriorates, much as our soul is very much alive, our spirit starts to lose its will and one waits to die. But it need not be this way, for life need not end with death, for eternity awaits us.
Can we as faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, be different because we have lived our active life differently and have come to know a loving and Sovereign God, Who has prepared our hearts and has make ready a place in Heaven for us? Yes we can, but the preparation of being made ready is now and not till the lights in our lives are dimming. Do that and we will like the Psalmist gladly proclaim the joyful truth that
‘Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased. I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep, for Thou, Lord only makest me dwell in safety.’
Psalm 4:7-8
Without God, once we are out of the limelight, the twilight zone that we find ourselves in is indeed depressing. With Christ as our Lord, every moment is a joyful highlight in our blessed life.
‘So then death worketh in us, but life in you.’
2 Corinthians 4:12
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
8th Nov 10
Aging successfully
God always surprises me with His prescience, and as I complete this sharing, I was reminded of the recent receipt of the latest copy of "Uncommon voices" - the quarterly publication by the Methodist Welfare Services. And by coincidence, it was a special edition on aging.
Lots of interesting articles garnered from interviews with those on the field working with the aged, but let me just share a couple of gems of truth, that may encourage you to take time to read this very meaningful publication.
"we cannot add days to our lives, but we can add life to our days"
How true this comment is, and in living a life that honors God, He will truly bring joy and inner peace to our days.
Successful aging is
- to borrow a verse from the Bible '..to be ready for every good work' (Titus 3:1)
- to plant our lives in the right places as the Spirit of God leads us
'The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree. He shall grow like the cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the house of the Lord. Shall flourish in the courts of our God. They shall still bear fruit in old age. They shall be fresh and flourishing. To declare that the Lord is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him.'
Psalm 92:12-15
Thursday, October 28, 2010
In Spirit and Truth #19 Pilgrim's progress (28th Oct 10)
Dear…
‘For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him…..’
2 Chronicles 16:9
In my quiet moments, I tend to be quite reflective, and much as most will know I can talk incessantly like the cicada, as I learn to take time with our good Lord, He does cause me to ponder upon the impressions He leaves upon my heart, and He also speaks to me much as I can be on the move, for my heart now desires to be close to Him always. And the title, “A Pilgrim’s progress” is truly inspired by the Spirit of God who led me to change it from the original “Riding the Bull” to “A Pilgrim’s journey” and again re-tweaked to “A Pilgrim’s progress.” And I am sure that by the time I conclude this piece, God’s purposes for choice of title will be illuminated.
Interestingly, Pilgrim’s progress is also a once popular book written in 1678 as an allegory of the Christian’s journey but don’t mistake it for Pilgrim’s Pride, the owner of a frozen chicken business in the States.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doubting_Castle#First_Part)
‘Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in Me……..for without Me ye can do nothing’
John 15:4-5
I am no longer a dithering Christian. I do know that indeed God draws near to me, when I truly seek to draw near to Him. And indeed, God has allowed me to bear forth wonderful fruits for His Kingdom, when I learn to lean no longer on what I have or who I am or whom I know, but rather upon Who He is.
‘Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not Thy peace at my tears, for I am a stranger with Thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.’
Psalm 39:12-13
It has been a 12 good years since my carnal self decided in its own foolish ways that it was time to have one more “C” ie church to add to my cool collection of the material “4 Cs” of this world. But God has other plans and it has been a wonderful decade since He moved me from scheming believer to a humbled but passionate follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. Life has never been more wonderful with God, but without God, it must be the most challenging times of my life, this past 10 years. And on these thoughts, the Lord brought me to Psalm 37 which will form the main thrust of today’s sharing, and may it edify as it will surely would, if it is from the Lord and if your heart is willing.
‘The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.’
Psalm 37:18-19
As mentioned in my last sharing, it is difficult for many to remember the days of fear and famine of the subprime crisis, just a few short years back, when we now seem to be inundated with the largesse of steroid enhanced purchasing power from appreciating real assets. And without sounding like a party pooper nor do I plan to flash any semblance of predictive powers on what is ahead, I am reminded by the Spirit of God to revisit the days of the past, and may in doing so, it will not just encourage the many troubled, much as on the surface there should be seemingly no troubles with so much roubles or dollars sloshing all over, but more importantly, are there lessons that God wants us to draw from our past, to prepare for the future by ensuring that we live right in His eyes for the present?
‘I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth, and His seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.’
Psalm 37:25-27
I have on rare occasions been encouraged by brothers in Christ to shorten my meanderings, for it might be easier and be more receptive for a generation that is always on the move who are used to bite size messages. There is indeed a place for this and I have been like many a beneficiary of the Daily Bread, with its crisp one verse pointers. But as the Lord leads and till He shows me otherwise, taking time to read, ponder and reflect upon what truly is a free form sharing as God leads will speak to you, if only you are willing to take time with a receptive heart. For we are to please God, not men.
Softening the ground is what I have just done, for much as the intention is not to deluge you with a near half century of my whimsical life, God placed the thought in my heart to start from the point back in 1998, when I, at the age of 37, barely raised a half hearted desire to go back to church, for the wrong reason, after a forgetful absence of 10 years, once He answered my prayers for a better job back in my lows in 1988.
‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.’
Psalm 37:23-24
I was a believer at age 15, and till age 37(in yr 1998), I was like a drunk stumbling in and out, calling upon God in my moment of sorrows. And only in 1998 did I consider going back to a church that I have long absent myself for good reasons of career, family and other more compelling distractions.
Does the carnal world truly runs parallel with the Spiritual realm? It does, and the while 1998 marks the starting point of my sobering up, at least to give some thought to thinking of what till now for me was an invisible God, on what He can give me, it was also the year that mark the crescendo of the Asian Crisis that has roiled many lives in the few years preceding.
But contrary to popular and primarily correct notions that it is in our troubles that we go to God, for me, it was a little different. Much as I was in the eye of the storm, by virtue of the business I was in, and the markets that I covered, I came out relatively unscathed, and initially attributed it to my abilities and just when I thought I have got everything covered, the final rug pulled from under me truly reminded myself that man’s abilities is finite. And interestingly that recognition of a greater force, our omnipresent God was an acknowledgement of His Sovereignty not at my point of despair, but rather a natural step in the journey God has led me to embark on a few months earlier, when I was still riding the waves of volatility pretty well.
‘Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land, when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.’
Psalm 37:34
God looks not for sacrifice but obedience. And having acknowledge that my surviving the conundrum of the Asian crisis was by His grace, I was determined to be a good believer and in doing that, indeed took on many tasks that in my Machiavellian past, I will not do for it brings no monetary rewards. A good man I might think I am, but God is looking for more than good, He wants us all to move from mere believers to followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. It needed a divine intervention to move me across the chasm of faith, and that “Bangkok experience”, so called the second phase of my pilgrimage, did it but on reflection, for good reason. For much as God has again shielded me through the implosion of Internet bubble in year 2000, there were more significant issues at stake. When His Spirit sanctified my very being, I literally died to Christ and now had a new beginning, to learn how to not just believe in the existence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but how to live like Christ. On dying, the year that God upgraded me from believer to determined follower was also a painful period when half a dozen colleagues and related passed away in a short span of one and a half years. It was painful and I never felt it that much as I put thoughts to paper in the obituaries that I penned for all my dear friends, yet it was a gainful period for much as none were healed physically, all who were willing were healed spiritually and indeed God has never been more real and graceful and faithful to us the faithless.
‘Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou will revive me…..’
Psalm 137:7
Not exactly Psalm 37, but close enough, but more importantly, where God leads and that is the wonderful part about a life that follows God, for in the highs of an uplifted spirit or in the lows of a present and burdensome darkness, He is with us, but we must be willing to let go and let Him. When we follow, we often still question, when we obey, we follow unconditionally.
And on this, marks the third phase of my spiritual progress, for much as the seeds of the subprime crisis had its roots in the myopic reaction of Greenspan and other equally culpable parties in dealing with the fallout from the internet bubble, what was important was what the self preserving thinking human would do in the midst of a big fire? Logically to run for safety and where I work, there were few places more dangerous than this, in the midst of the subprime crisis back in year 2008. When God speaks, one must not just listen, but obey and much as there was every reason to leave my place of employ, God spoke to me in all clarity on the need to stay put and to trust in Him. Illogical it was at that point, but who would have imagined that my firm literally had a resurrection twice over, and having seen God’s faithfulness, truly “death” as in loss of financial security(and interestingly I suspect people are more afraid of losing their sense of material well being than actual mortality) now has less of a hold on the once fearful and insecure me.
‘Faithful is He that calleth you, Who will also do it. Brethren pray for us.’
1 Thessalonians 5:24-25
A verse a dear friend just shared at our worship today and it truly reminds myself and I am sure you too, in your own journey with God that indeed God will deliver on His promise. But are we prepared to wait upon Him? And waiting is not about doing nothing, but can we continue to praise Him always, take time to pray to stay in His presence, to love others and to thank Him in all circumstances?
‘And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.’
Acts 2:40
And this brings me to the present ongoing phase four of my pilgrimage, which only ends when God takes me Home. Life has never felt more like in a strait-jacket, for deceitful men in a natural sinful reaction to the troubles of their own making these past decade have increasingly move from common sense and integrity in doing business to looking for ways to whitewash their sinful past and to absolve themselves from any consequences of their continued disobedience. It is indeed becoming almost unbearable and impossible on our own strength to be in this world yet not be of this world.
‘He fashioneth their hearts alike, He considereth all their works.’
Psalm 33:15
Yet, God has prepared me and I am sure all for us for this day, when the fire of refinement gets more intense, and where correction must start with His people. This is the gold that God wants us to buy from Him, so that we can stand firm as the world shakes in greater intensity, as God sieves out the wheat from the chaff.
‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take upon you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’
Ephesians 6:12-13
It is a difficult time, but yet a wonderful time of my life, for I have learned to total rest upon the Lord our God. The difference for me back in 1998 at the onset of my Christian life was that I acknowledge God after the fact, that is, after my troubles are over, but now, I have come to learn to always acknowledge Him as Lord in the midst of joy or in troubles. And I am learning to be the spirit man that God wants all of us to be, where our spirit will align with His Spirit, where we will move as He moves.
‘Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ………The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound therof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.’
John 3:5-8
And just in case you might be wondering if after 12 years, in particular the past 10 years, have I truly progressed to deserve a good pass from God as a Christian, that only God knows, but more important is that God must not be passé in our life.
‘..abstain from every form of evil. And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, Who will also do it. Brethren pray for us.’
1 Thessalonians 5:22-25
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(27th Oct 10)
‘For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him…..’
2 Chronicles 16:9
In my quiet moments, I tend to be quite reflective, and much as most will know I can talk incessantly like the cicada, as I learn to take time with our good Lord, He does cause me to ponder upon the impressions He leaves upon my heart, and He also speaks to me much as I can be on the move, for my heart now desires to be close to Him always. And the title, “A Pilgrim’s progress” is truly inspired by the Spirit of God who led me to change it from the original “Riding the Bull” to “A Pilgrim’s journey” and again re-tweaked to “A Pilgrim’s progress.” And I am sure that by the time I conclude this piece, God’s purposes for choice of title will be illuminated.
Interestingly, Pilgrim’s progress is also a once popular book written in 1678 as an allegory of the Christian’s journey but don’t mistake it for Pilgrim’s Pride, the owner of a frozen chicken business in the States.
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Doubting_Castle#First_Part)
‘Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine, no more can ye, except ye abide in Me……..for without Me ye can do nothing’
John 15:4-5
I am no longer a dithering Christian. I do know that indeed God draws near to me, when I truly seek to draw near to Him. And indeed, God has allowed me to bear forth wonderful fruits for His Kingdom, when I learn to lean no longer on what I have or who I am or whom I know, but rather upon Who He is.
‘Hear my prayer, O Lord, and give ear unto my cry; hold not Thy peace at my tears, for I am a stranger with Thee, and a sojourner, as all my fathers were. O spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go hence, and be no more.’
Psalm 39:12-13
It has been a 12 good years since my carnal self decided in its own foolish ways that it was time to have one more “C” ie church to add to my cool collection of the material “4 Cs” of this world. But God has other plans and it has been a wonderful decade since He moved me from scheming believer to a humbled but passionate follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. Life has never been more wonderful with God, but without God, it must be the most challenging times of my life, this past 10 years. And on these thoughts, the Lord brought me to Psalm 37 which will form the main thrust of today’s sharing, and may it edify as it will surely would, if it is from the Lord and if your heart is willing.
‘The Lord knoweth the days of the upright: and their inheritance shall be forever. They shall not be ashamed in the evil time: and in the days of famine they shall be satisfied.’
Psalm 37:18-19
As mentioned in my last sharing, it is difficult for many to remember the days of fear and famine of the subprime crisis, just a few short years back, when we now seem to be inundated with the largesse of steroid enhanced purchasing power from appreciating real assets. And without sounding like a party pooper nor do I plan to flash any semblance of predictive powers on what is ahead, I am reminded by the Spirit of God to revisit the days of the past, and may in doing so, it will not just encourage the many troubled, much as on the surface there should be seemingly no troubles with so much roubles or dollars sloshing all over, but more importantly, are there lessons that God wants us to draw from our past, to prepare for the future by ensuring that we live right in His eyes for the present?
‘I have been young, and now am old, yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. He is ever merciful, and lendeth, and His seed is blessed. Depart from evil, and do good; and dwell for evermore.’
Psalm 37:25-27
I have on rare occasions been encouraged by brothers in Christ to shorten my meanderings, for it might be easier and be more receptive for a generation that is always on the move who are used to bite size messages. There is indeed a place for this and I have been like many a beneficiary of the Daily Bread, with its crisp one verse pointers. But as the Lord leads and till He shows me otherwise, taking time to read, ponder and reflect upon what truly is a free form sharing as God leads will speak to you, if only you are willing to take time with a receptive heart. For we are to please God, not men.
Softening the ground is what I have just done, for much as the intention is not to deluge you with a near half century of my whimsical life, God placed the thought in my heart to start from the point back in 1998, when I, at the age of 37, barely raised a half hearted desire to go back to church, for the wrong reason, after a forgetful absence of 10 years, once He answered my prayers for a better job back in my lows in 1988.
‘The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord; and He delighteth in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand.’
Psalm 37:23-24
I was a believer at age 15, and till age 37(in yr 1998), I was like a drunk stumbling in and out, calling upon God in my moment of sorrows. And only in 1998 did I consider going back to a church that I have long absent myself for good reasons of career, family and other more compelling distractions.
Does the carnal world truly runs parallel with the Spiritual realm? It does, and the while 1998 marks the starting point of my sobering up, at least to give some thought to thinking of what till now for me was an invisible God, on what He can give me, it was also the year that mark the crescendo of the Asian Crisis that has roiled many lives in the few years preceding.
But contrary to popular and primarily correct notions that it is in our troubles that we go to God, for me, it was a little different. Much as I was in the eye of the storm, by virtue of the business I was in, and the markets that I covered, I came out relatively unscathed, and initially attributed it to my abilities and just when I thought I have got everything covered, the final rug pulled from under me truly reminded myself that man’s abilities is finite. And interestingly that recognition of a greater force, our omnipresent God was an acknowledgement of His Sovereignty not at my point of despair, but rather a natural step in the journey God has led me to embark on a few months earlier, when I was still riding the waves of volatility pretty well.
‘Wait on the Lord, and keep His way, and He shall exalt thee to inherit the land, when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it.’
Psalm 37:34
God looks not for sacrifice but obedience. And having acknowledge that my surviving the conundrum of the Asian crisis was by His grace, I was determined to be a good believer and in doing that, indeed took on many tasks that in my Machiavellian past, I will not do for it brings no monetary rewards. A good man I might think I am, but God is looking for more than good, He wants us all to move from mere believers to followers of our Lord Jesus Christ. It needed a divine intervention to move me across the chasm of faith, and that “Bangkok experience”, so called the second phase of my pilgrimage, did it but on reflection, for good reason. For much as God has again shielded me through the implosion of Internet bubble in year 2000, there were more significant issues at stake. When His Spirit sanctified my very being, I literally died to Christ and now had a new beginning, to learn how to not just believe in the existence of our Lord Jesus Christ, but how to live like Christ. On dying, the year that God upgraded me from believer to determined follower was also a painful period when half a dozen colleagues and related passed away in a short span of one and a half years. It was painful and I never felt it that much as I put thoughts to paper in the obituaries that I penned for all my dear friends, yet it was a gainful period for much as none were healed physically, all who were willing were healed spiritually and indeed God has never been more real and graceful and faithful to us the faithless.
‘Though I walk in the midst of trouble, Thou will revive me…..’
Psalm 137:7
Not exactly Psalm 37, but close enough, but more importantly, where God leads and that is the wonderful part about a life that follows God, for in the highs of an uplifted spirit or in the lows of a present and burdensome darkness, He is with us, but we must be willing to let go and let Him. When we follow, we often still question, when we obey, we follow unconditionally.
And on this, marks the third phase of my spiritual progress, for much as the seeds of the subprime crisis had its roots in the myopic reaction of Greenspan and other equally culpable parties in dealing with the fallout from the internet bubble, what was important was what the self preserving thinking human would do in the midst of a big fire? Logically to run for safety and where I work, there were few places more dangerous than this, in the midst of the subprime crisis back in year 2008. When God speaks, one must not just listen, but obey and much as there was every reason to leave my place of employ, God spoke to me in all clarity on the need to stay put and to trust in Him. Illogical it was at that point, but who would have imagined that my firm literally had a resurrection twice over, and having seen God’s faithfulness, truly “death” as in loss of financial security(and interestingly I suspect people are more afraid of losing their sense of material well being than actual mortality) now has less of a hold on the once fearful and insecure me.
‘Faithful is He that calleth you, Who will also do it. Brethren pray for us.’
1 Thessalonians 5:24-25
A verse a dear friend just shared at our worship today and it truly reminds myself and I am sure you too, in your own journey with God that indeed God will deliver on His promise. But are we prepared to wait upon Him? And waiting is not about doing nothing, but can we continue to praise Him always, take time to pray to stay in His presence, to love others and to thank Him in all circumstances?
‘And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.’
Acts 2:40
And this brings me to the present ongoing phase four of my pilgrimage, which only ends when God takes me Home. Life has never felt more like in a strait-jacket, for deceitful men in a natural sinful reaction to the troubles of their own making these past decade have increasingly move from common sense and integrity in doing business to looking for ways to whitewash their sinful past and to absolve themselves from any consequences of their continued disobedience. It is indeed becoming almost unbearable and impossible on our own strength to be in this world yet not be of this world.
‘He fashioneth their hearts alike, He considereth all their works.’
Psalm 33:15
Yet, God has prepared me and I am sure all for us for this day, when the fire of refinement gets more intense, and where correction must start with His people. This is the gold that God wants us to buy from Him, so that we can stand firm as the world shakes in greater intensity, as God sieves out the wheat from the chaff.
‘For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take upon you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.’
Ephesians 6:12-13
It is a difficult time, but yet a wonderful time of my life, for I have learned to total rest upon the Lord our God. The difference for me back in 1998 at the onset of my Christian life was that I acknowledge God after the fact, that is, after my troubles are over, but now, I have come to learn to always acknowledge Him as Lord in the midst of joy or in troubles. And I am learning to be the spirit man that God wants all of us to be, where our spirit will align with His Spirit, where we will move as He moves.
‘Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. ………The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound therof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit.’
John 3:5-8
And just in case you might be wondering if after 12 years, in particular the past 10 years, have I truly progressed to deserve a good pass from God as a Christian, that only God knows, but more important is that God must not be passé in our life.
‘..abstain from every form of evil. And the God of peace Himself sanctify you wholly, and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is He that calleth you, Who will also do it. Brethren pray for us.’
1 Thessalonians 5:22-25
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(27th Oct 10)
Sunday, October 24, 2010
In Spirit and Truth #18 Maze (23rd Oct 10)
Dear…
‘Put them in fear, O Lord; that nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.’
Psalm 9:20
If you are in Singapore or Hong Kong today, or for that matter Shanghai , Beijing, or Mumbai, and if you happen to be on the right side of the pecking order of society, you might feel smug, what with your appreciating net-worth, as ‘hot’ monies chased after the finite(at least for now) real assets(primarily in properties) leading to a recalibration in perception of what constitutes an acceptable bubble. And on that, even tea is bubbling as an investment class, and we are not referring to the once popular bubble tea amongst the mass consumers.
‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.’
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
But is your smugness contributing to the present smog once again enveloping this part of town. With bio-fuel becoming fashionable again, with rising price of fossil fuel and demand in China, the haze is back, and is it more than coincidental that the last serious case of haze was back in year 2006 when stock markets were booming, prior to the onset of the sub-prime crisis.. The haze emanating from the fast receding green lungs of Indonesia is with us again. Slash and burn is a practice of the Dayaks and other tribal people of the Island of Borneo and other erstwhile parts of the sprawling Indonesian Archipelago.. But it was never a problem till the past decade or so, when commercial exploitation of once virgin jungles turn a large part of Indonesia into plantation land. And much as most can see the long term damage to the environment and personal health, the powers to be seem not to give much of a care, be it for strategic reasons or possible person benefits. And much as we can clearly see the haze, the unseen creeping damage it is doing to one’s long term well being is insidious but certain.
'The idols of the nations are silver and gold. The work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak....So is everyone who trusts in them.'
Psalm 135:15-18
And as I look out of my window into the altar like Marina Sands casino, from the cool comfort of my air conditioned room, insulated from the acrid smell and oppressive warmth of this smog, the wetness of the floor outside from the rain did mislead me at least on the first day of this new season of haze into thinking that Singapore did look pleasantly misty like, no different from Europe in late Autumn. Of course, there is no longer any illusion that this is haze from ashes from once vibrant green trees, and not dew from the same green trees. But in one’s moment of wistful thinking, it did look like the cool ambiance of the Genting Highlands, and here, we also have the casino to match.
An idle afternoon this is, and till China raise interest rates again, or something nasty erupt to frighten the markets, this is a great time for reflection. And the thought did strike me this morning on how Christianity can be fairly difficult for many to comprehend, for it is a relationship with a living God and through Him with fellow men, and relationships take time to develop and requires commitment. And like a maze, there are many twists and turns, albeit always pleasant when we let go and let God. But often, the carnal man needs certainty or at least vestiges of certainty as they understand it or perceive it to be, and this is often represented by visual symbolism that they can feel, see or touch. Is this why man find it easier to acknowledge idols of their own making, be it represented by the varied materials available in this world or simply a concept based on their finite understanding, where man determines the god or gods he is comfortable with? God is Spirit cannot be understood or accepted or even visualized if man remains carnal.
‘…for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’
Joshua 1:9
But God is not a detached nor distant God. He is omnipresent. It is that the carnal man is at a different plane from the Spirit God. But God wants us to move to the spirit man, and He will strip us of our carnality, the shroud of sin we wear, if we are willing to let Him. A God that let us decide is not a God Who does not prompt us, for even the finite and sinful father that we are, we will never let our children blindly go down the suicidal path. Question is, as we stumble through the maze of life, are we paying attention to the very clear guidance of God, yet to many, they are oblivious to? How do we get people God placed in our lives to recognize and reach out to the ever loving hands of God our Father, for when they do so, they will be amazed at how real is the presence of the Living God? You and they need to take that first of several steps into faith, always looking only towards God, for faith comes from God and not from us, but we can receive faith from Him.
‘He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias’
John 1:23
From maze, to amaze, guess it is time to come back to the haze. Singapore has never had it so good. Wealth is flaunted, and most have never felt richer, at least asset wise. And indeed, we are probably the only country in the world that seems to lower the drawbridge to welcome the flood of monies looking for a home. But beneath all this gloss, are there issues that God wants to attract our attention to? Is our calling as a nation to be the depository for the carnal world’s wealth and its attendant sins, a safe haven in a world that is increasingly dangerous or have we forgotten that God bless us in our weakness, to go forth an bless our neighbors with the plenty He has given us?
The haze is like black soot that spoils the lovely party dress one had just put one, and it does remind all of us in Singapore that there are things beyond our control, for we can be pristine, but if our neighbors are spewing ashes all over, it affects the neighborhood. No different from Hong Kong and her environmental woes from what is happening in mainland China.
What about food? Three years back, we might have all the gold in the world, but had the food crisis exacerbated, and even a king’s ransom we might be willing to pay, might not guarantee us certainty of food supply, as our traditional food sources either hoard to extort a bigger price from us or simply because of the need to appease their hungry population, even if they can ill afford to pay. Are we about to see a deja vu?
Amazing isn’t it, how a haze filled lazy afternoon can do to one’s fertile mind. Dazzled I don’t think you are, but daze might be the state of mind for many in a world that is increasingly difficult and harsh. And much as many still seek to attain what the world values, increasingly, the reality is beginning to sink in that nothing in the world can truly satisfy that lingering hunger in one’s heart.
‘Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow.’
Isaiah 50:10-11
Can we as people who profess to believe in God continue to laze at a leisurely pace, ignoring the command of God to all who claim to believe to follow Him, to live a life that will be more like Christ and less like the devil? The world can only fathom the good news of the gospel message, when they see the message lived out in us the messenger. Then only will they consider the possibility of trying out this relationship with the ever present God, this small but very important step into the presence of God, from Whom faith will be given to all who seek Him.
‘Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves…’
Matthew 10:16
Craze I am not, for being in this world but not of this world, does create situations where we no longer behave with and within the norm. And when I continue to write and talk about God speaking to me, and when one begin to speak with love but boldness the truth, one do stand the risk of not just ridicule, but being included in the bonfire to be razed for many do not like the light of God’s truth to shine through their cloak of darkness.
‘Fear them not therefore, for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light, and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house tops….’
Matthew 10:26-27
A prophet Stephen my cowardly self plan not to be, for even if you were to replace stones with gold coins/gold bars, it serve no purpose to a dead man, for the prophet Stephen was stoned to death. But like him, we must be steadfast in our gaze towards God, come what may, even if the PSI measure on the haze jumps from the present undesirable 102 to the previous peak of 212 back in year 2006 or double that to the 400s.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(21st Oct 10)
Of tigers and lions
A little snippet of historical fact I thought might be interesting. A book I picked up showing prints and old photographs of Singapore recorded the presence of many tigers in Singapore, the last was shot in the mid 1800s. So much for us being a lion city, when reality is pussycats did once abound in abundance. But that is the carnal, but Christ is the Lion of Judah, and myth it might be about the sighting of the lion by Parameswara, the Palembang prince who founded Singapore and name us after his sighting of the lion or ‘Singa,’ as a country, we are anointed to be the place where the Lion of Judah will roar into the darkness in our hinterland. And God is graceful. The tigers have long been associated with evil, at least in Malay tales of the man eating tiger or Harimau, which transforms into harmless old ladies to lure unsuspecting children into its lair. Not just the tigers are gone, but the abject poverty that our forefathers lived with is now replaced with great material wealth. But what about our Spiritual riches that is still latent and not fully surfaced if not long subsumed by our pursuit of material success??
'Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.'
Acts 17:30-31
‘Put them in fear, O Lord; that nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah.’
Psalm 9:20
If you are in Singapore or Hong Kong today, or for that matter Shanghai , Beijing, or Mumbai, and if you happen to be on the right side of the pecking order of society, you might feel smug, what with your appreciating net-worth, as ‘hot’ monies chased after the finite(at least for now) real assets(primarily in properties) leading to a recalibration in perception of what constitutes an acceptable bubble. And on that, even tea is bubbling as an investment class, and we are not referring to the once popular bubble tea amongst the mass consumers.
‘But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him. But God hath revealed them unto us by His Spirit, for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.’
1 Corinthians 2:9-10
But is your smugness contributing to the present smog once again enveloping this part of town. With bio-fuel becoming fashionable again, with rising price of fossil fuel and demand in China, the haze is back, and is it more than coincidental that the last serious case of haze was back in year 2006 when stock markets were booming, prior to the onset of the sub-prime crisis.. The haze emanating from the fast receding green lungs of Indonesia is with us again. Slash and burn is a practice of the Dayaks and other tribal people of the Island of Borneo and other erstwhile parts of the sprawling Indonesian Archipelago.. But it was never a problem till the past decade or so, when commercial exploitation of once virgin jungles turn a large part of Indonesia into plantation land. And much as most can see the long term damage to the environment and personal health, the powers to be seem not to give much of a care, be it for strategic reasons or possible person benefits. And much as we can clearly see the haze, the unseen creeping damage it is doing to one’s long term well being is insidious but certain.
'The idols of the nations are silver and gold. The work of men's hands. They have mouths, but they do not speak....So is everyone who trusts in them.'
Psalm 135:15-18
And as I look out of my window into the altar like Marina Sands casino, from the cool comfort of my air conditioned room, insulated from the acrid smell and oppressive warmth of this smog, the wetness of the floor outside from the rain did mislead me at least on the first day of this new season of haze into thinking that Singapore did look pleasantly misty like, no different from Europe in late Autumn. Of course, there is no longer any illusion that this is haze from ashes from once vibrant green trees, and not dew from the same green trees. But in one’s moment of wistful thinking, it did look like the cool ambiance of the Genting Highlands, and here, we also have the casino to match.
An idle afternoon this is, and till China raise interest rates again, or something nasty erupt to frighten the markets, this is a great time for reflection. And the thought did strike me this morning on how Christianity can be fairly difficult for many to comprehend, for it is a relationship with a living God and through Him with fellow men, and relationships take time to develop and requires commitment. And like a maze, there are many twists and turns, albeit always pleasant when we let go and let God. But often, the carnal man needs certainty or at least vestiges of certainty as they understand it or perceive it to be, and this is often represented by visual symbolism that they can feel, see or touch. Is this why man find it easier to acknowledge idols of their own making, be it represented by the varied materials available in this world or simply a concept based on their finite understanding, where man determines the god or gods he is comfortable with? God is Spirit cannot be understood or accepted or even visualized if man remains carnal.
‘…for the Lord thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.’
Joshua 1:9
But God is not a detached nor distant God. He is omnipresent. It is that the carnal man is at a different plane from the Spirit God. But God wants us to move to the spirit man, and He will strip us of our carnality, the shroud of sin we wear, if we are willing to let Him. A God that let us decide is not a God Who does not prompt us, for even the finite and sinful father that we are, we will never let our children blindly go down the suicidal path. Question is, as we stumble through the maze of life, are we paying attention to the very clear guidance of God, yet to many, they are oblivious to? How do we get people God placed in our lives to recognize and reach out to the ever loving hands of God our Father, for when they do so, they will be amazed at how real is the presence of the Living God? You and they need to take that first of several steps into faith, always looking only towards God, for faith comes from God and not from us, but we can receive faith from Him.
‘He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias’
John 1:23
From maze, to amaze, guess it is time to come back to the haze. Singapore has never had it so good. Wealth is flaunted, and most have never felt richer, at least asset wise. And indeed, we are probably the only country in the world that seems to lower the drawbridge to welcome the flood of monies looking for a home. But beneath all this gloss, are there issues that God wants to attract our attention to? Is our calling as a nation to be the depository for the carnal world’s wealth and its attendant sins, a safe haven in a world that is increasingly dangerous or have we forgotten that God bless us in our weakness, to go forth an bless our neighbors with the plenty He has given us?
The haze is like black soot that spoils the lovely party dress one had just put one, and it does remind all of us in Singapore that there are things beyond our control, for we can be pristine, but if our neighbors are spewing ashes all over, it affects the neighborhood. No different from Hong Kong and her environmental woes from what is happening in mainland China.
What about food? Three years back, we might have all the gold in the world, but had the food crisis exacerbated, and even a king’s ransom we might be willing to pay, might not guarantee us certainty of food supply, as our traditional food sources either hoard to extort a bigger price from us or simply because of the need to appease their hungry population, even if they can ill afford to pay. Are we about to see a deja vu?
Amazing isn’t it, how a haze filled lazy afternoon can do to one’s fertile mind. Dazzled I don’t think you are, but daze might be the state of mind for many in a world that is increasingly difficult and harsh. And much as many still seek to attain what the world values, increasingly, the reality is beginning to sink in that nothing in the world can truly satisfy that lingering hunger in one’s heart.
‘Who is among you that feareth the Lord, that obeyeth the voice of his servant, that walketh in darkness, and hath no light? Let him trust in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God. Behold, all ye that kindle a fire, that compass yourselves about with sparks, walk in the light of your fire, and in the sparks that ye have kindled. This shall ye have of mine hand, ye shall lie down in sorrow.’
Isaiah 50:10-11
Can we as people who profess to believe in God continue to laze at a leisurely pace, ignoring the command of God to all who claim to believe to follow Him, to live a life that will be more like Christ and less like the devil? The world can only fathom the good news of the gospel message, when they see the message lived out in us the messenger. Then only will they consider the possibility of trying out this relationship with the ever present God, this small but very important step into the presence of God, from Whom faith will be given to all who seek Him.
‘Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves, be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves…’
Matthew 10:16
Craze I am not, for being in this world but not of this world, does create situations where we no longer behave with and within the norm. And when I continue to write and talk about God speaking to me, and when one begin to speak with love but boldness the truth, one do stand the risk of not just ridicule, but being included in the bonfire to be razed for many do not like the light of God’s truth to shine through their cloak of darkness.
‘Fear them not therefore, for there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, and hid, that shall not be known. What I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light, and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house tops….’
Matthew 10:26-27
A prophet Stephen my cowardly self plan not to be, for even if you were to replace stones with gold coins/gold bars, it serve no purpose to a dead man, for the prophet Stephen was stoned to death. But like him, we must be steadfast in our gaze towards God, come what may, even if the PSI measure on the haze jumps from the present undesirable 102 to the previous peak of 212 back in year 2006 or double that to the 400s.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(21st Oct 10)
Of tigers and lions
A little snippet of historical fact I thought might be interesting. A book I picked up showing prints and old photographs of Singapore recorded the presence of many tigers in Singapore, the last was shot in the mid 1800s. So much for us being a lion city, when reality is pussycats did once abound in abundance. But that is the carnal, but Christ is the Lion of Judah, and myth it might be about the sighting of the lion by Parameswara, the Palembang prince who founded Singapore and name us after his sighting of the lion or ‘Singa,’ as a country, we are anointed to be the place where the Lion of Judah will roar into the darkness in our hinterland. And God is graceful. The tigers have long been associated with evil, at least in Malay tales of the man eating tiger or Harimau, which transforms into harmless old ladies to lure unsuspecting children into its lair. Not just the tigers are gone, but the abject poverty that our forefathers lived with is now replaced with great material wealth. But what about our Spiritual riches that is still latent and not fully surfaced if not long subsumed by our pursuit of material success??
'Truly these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.'
Acts 17:30-31
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
In Spirit and Truth #17 The great flood (20th Oct 10)
Dear…
‘That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried away with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive..’
Ephesians 4:14
At dinner last night with a friend from Down Under, he passed me a copy of the Australian National Museum annual report, and in there, amongst their recent acquisitions was a painting from Persia depicting the scene of Noah’s Ark amidst the great flood.. The accompanying comment in the report was that it was a worthwhile acquisition as Noah’s Ark was depicted across the art of the major religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. It is a fact that there are indeed overlaps in the characters of the Bible in the books of the other two faiths.
‘And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.’
Revelation 12:15
But let me restrict my meanderings to an area that I prayerfully might make less mistakes on in my understanding, where the world now increasingly finds itself in the same boat, literally. And this is the great flood of cheap monies that is fast building up and where less indebted countries that are on a firmer footing find themselves also under increased pressure to either release the monetary taps in their own backyards, so as to literally raise the floating platform that they are on, to be able to flow with the rising tide of fiat monies to be competitive export-wise or to put on more sandbags of capital controls to keep out the flood of cheap monies from damaging their economies.
In all floods, fast moving flotsams can do plenty of damage, and it is likely that the world is already witnessing the “flotsam of protectionism, xenophobia and social unrest” as competitive devaluation negates any hoped for benefits and yet, brings in its wake, the rising specter of inflation, and with it, the possibility of stronger economies finally pulling the plug in the bathtub, by raising interest rates to suck out the liquidity awash in their economies. If this happens, it would the very painful experiences of stagflation, per se that of the 1970s be resurrected and eventually do lasting damage to the psyche of the present generation?
What can and should we do in this rising tide?
'Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.'
Revelation 3:10
If the sports arena is where carnal men vent their primeval instincts in a civilized society, the global economy is where proxy wars are fought amongst nations for dominance and national interests, and much as the USA is the publicly maligned main culprit of this easy money policy, is it also the unseen force behind the fast rising prices of agriculture(the US being a major food exporter) as well as key beneficiary of arms sales ongoing in a simmering Middle East and an uneasy India/Pakistan standoff ? But the same could be said for any of the other major countries as each jostle for influence, no different from a tribe of gorillas, where the ordained leader weakens with age, and more youthful and energetic usurpers make their moves.
Imaginative minds one might have, but is this not the inherent sinful judgmental nature of men, often behind the innocuous posture of curiosity? The recent news that hog our papers on perceived sexual indiscretions in our schools has brought me many an inquiring question, for some do perceived incorrectly that I have an inside track. Truly, as Christians, we are reminded to put our carnality aside and put on the Spirit man. And in such situations, it is better to ask our Lord in our prayers, what He would want us to pray for the people involved, rather than speculate on the “what ifs” of the rumored indiscretions. A little digression in my thoughts here, but I thought it important to remind all to learn to rein in one's carnal desire to contribute to the flood of opinions that not only does no good to edifying a fellow brother, but brings oneself into an act of disobedience to our Father in Heaven, for an untamed tongue is dangerous for others and ourselves.
‘If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness.’
Isaiah 58:10
God commands us to seek Him with our all and to love our neighbors as ourselves. And God blessings will be upon those who seek to obey His command, for in giving, we do receive.
‘And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.’
Isaiah 58:11
Flood of the physical nature is devastating. The Yellow River in China is not just the believed source of Chinese civilization, but a perpetual river of sorrow whenever its banks overflow. As a Christian, God wants to use us as the instrument upon which His love will flood through and so overwhelm a resistant yet thirsting world, that many will no longer see any reason for not acknowledging the grace of God.
Last night, the Lord placed this deep conviction in my heart. Which is, as professed followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must be willing and determined to live out our faith, the way God commands us to. And which is, to be a holy and living sacrifice for His glory. And what does that entail on a practical level?
- To always look at all issues from God’s perspective, that is, how would our Lord Jesus Christ look at it?
- And to deal with all issues the way Christ would.
‘But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea….and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’
- Acts 1:8
Men of faith can point us to God, but it is the Living Word of God as encapsulated in the Bible and the omnipresent Holy Spirit residing in our hearts that will be our guide and teacher. But we must be a willing and determined disciple always being engaged in a relationship with the Spirit of God residing in us. And as we take time in the presence of God, His Spirit will sanctify, assure and lift our very being, and gives us that indescribable joy and peace, a release from the delusory yet very real dam placed by Lucifer upon our being, that has long held us back from being the child of God that He wants us to be.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(20th Oct 10)
‘And it shall come to pass that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die, but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried, they shall call on My name, and I will hear them, I will say, It is My people, and they shall say, The Lord is my God.’
Zechariah 13:8-9
It is not the flood that will destroy the world, but the fire that will. Would it not be better now to go through the fire of refinement under God’s loving hands, and be there with Christ when he returns, than to be left behind and be destroyed by the eventual fire of His wrath upon sinful men?
'..their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet. Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets. And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths. It shall come to pass in that day That a great panic from the Lord will be among them..'
Zechariah 14:12
As I reflect upon this verse, which seems to cannily reflect the eye witness accounts of the aftermath of the Nagasaki atomic bomb in the closing days of World War 2. I was in Nagasaki early this year. A beautiful place, now rebuilt from the horrors of the atomic bomb. Yet it need not have to go through this if only the Japanese leadership of pre World War 2 would pay heed to the warnings that God sent to them, through a faithful Korean lady, on the fire that will destroy them if they persist in their evil ways. Is the present world making the same mistake?
The difference is that flood waters might recede, but for sinful men, the fire will burn in eternal damnation
'But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.'
Revelation 21;8
‘That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried away with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive..’
Ephesians 4:14
At dinner last night with a friend from Down Under, he passed me a copy of the Australian National Museum annual report, and in there, amongst their recent acquisitions was a painting from Persia depicting the scene of Noah’s Ark amidst the great flood.. The accompanying comment in the report was that it was a worthwhile acquisition as Noah’s Ark was depicted across the art of the major religions of Judaism, Islam and Christianity. It is a fact that there are indeed overlaps in the characters of the Bible in the books of the other two faiths.
‘And the serpent cast out of his mouth water as a flood after the woman, that he might cause her to be carried away of the flood.’
Revelation 12:15
But let me restrict my meanderings to an area that I prayerfully might make less mistakes on in my understanding, where the world now increasingly finds itself in the same boat, literally. And this is the great flood of cheap monies that is fast building up and where less indebted countries that are on a firmer footing find themselves also under increased pressure to either release the monetary taps in their own backyards, so as to literally raise the floating platform that they are on, to be able to flow with the rising tide of fiat monies to be competitive export-wise or to put on more sandbags of capital controls to keep out the flood of cheap monies from damaging their economies.
In all floods, fast moving flotsams can do plenty of damage, and it is likely that the world is already witnessing the “flotsam of protectionism, xenophobia and social unrest” as competitive devaluation negates any hoped for benefits and yet, brings in its wake, the rising specter of inflation, and with it, the possibility of stronger economies finally pulling the plug in the bathtub, by raising interest rates to suck out the liquidity awash in their economies. If this happens, it would the very painful experiences of stagflation, per se that of the 1970s be resurrected and eventually do lasting damage to the psyche of the present generation?
What can and should we do in this rising tide?
'Because you have kept My command to persevere, I will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth.'
Revelation 3:10
If the sports arena is where carnal men vent their primeval instincts in a civilized society, the global economy is where proxy wars are fought amongst nations for dominance and national interests, and much as the USA is the publicly maligned main culprit of this easy money policy, is it also the unseen force behind the fast rising prices of agriculture(the US being a major food exporter) as well as key beneficiary of arms sales ongoing in a simmering Middle East and an uneasy India/Pakistan standoff ? But the same could be said for any of the other major countries as each jostle for influence, no different from a tribe of gorillas, where the ordained leader weakens with age, and more youthful and energetic usurpers make their moves.
Imaginative minds one might have, but is this not the inherent sinful judgmental nature of men, often behind the innocuous posture of curiosity? The recent news that hog our papers on perceived sexual indiscretions in our schools has brought me many an inquiring question, for some do perceived incorrectly that I have an inside track. Truly, as Christians, we are reminded to put our carnality aside and put on the Spirit man. And in such situations, it is better to ask our Lord in our prayers, what He would want us to pray for the people involved, rather than speculate on the “what ifs” of the rumored indiscretions. A little digression in my thoughts here, but I thought it important to remind all to learn to rein in one's carnal desire to contribute to the flood of opinions that not only does no good to edifying a fellow brother, but brings oneself into an act of disobedience to our Father in Heaven, for an untamed tongue is dangerous for others and ourselves.
‘If you extend your soul to the hungry and satisfy the afflicted soul, then your light shall dawn in the darkness.’
Isaiah 58:10
God commands us to seek Him with our all and to love our neighbors as ourselves. And God blessings will be upon those who seek to obey His command, for in giving, we do receive.
‘And the Lord shall guide thee continually, and satisfy thy soul in drought, and make fat thy bones, and thou shalt be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose waters fail not.’
Isaiah 58:11
Flood of the physical nature is devastating. The Yellow River in China is not just the believed source of Chinese civilization, but a perpetual river of sorrow whenever its banks overflow. As a Christian, God wants to use us as the instrument upon which His love will flood through and so overwhelm a resistant yet thirsting world, that many will no longer see any reason for not acknowledging the grace of God.
Last night, the Lord placed this deep conviction in my heart. Which is, as professed followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, we must be willing and determined to live out our faith, the way God commands us to. And which is, to be a holy and living sacrifice for His glory. And what does that entail on a practical level?
- To always look at all issues from God’s perspective, that is, how would our Lord Jesus Christ look at it?
- And to deal with all issues the way Christ would.
‘But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto Me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea….and unto the uttermost part of the earth.’
- Acts 1:8
Men of faith can point us to God, but it is the Living Word of God as encapsulated in the Bible and the omnipresent Holy Spirit residing in our hearts that will be our guide and teacher. But we must be a willing and determined disciple always being engaged in a relationship with the Spirit of God residing in us. And as we take time in the presence of God, His Spirit will sanctify, assure and lift our very being, and gives us that indescribable joy and peace, a release from the delusory yet very real dam placed by Lucifer upon our being, that has long held us back from being the child of God that He wants us to be.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(20th Oct 10)
‘And it shall come to pass that in all the land, saith the Lord, two parts therein shall be cut off and die, but the third shall be left therein. And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried, they shall call on My name, and I will hear them, I will say, It is My people, and they shall say, The Lord is my God.’
Zechariah 13:8-9
It is not the flood that will destroy the world, but the fire that will. Would it not be better now to go through the fire of refinement under God’s loving hands, and be there with Christ when he returns, than to be left behind and be destroyed by the eventual fire of His wrath upon sinful men?
'..their flesh shall dissolve while they stand on their feet. Their eyes shall dissolve in their sockets. And their tongues shall dissolve in their mouths. It shall come to pass in that day That a great panic from the Lord will be among them..'
Zechariah 14:12
As I reflect upon this verse, which seems to cannily reflect the eye witness accounts of the aftermath of the Nagasaki atomic bomb in the closing days of World War 2. I was in Nagasaki early this year. A beautiful place, now rebuilt from the horrors of the atomic bomb. Yet it need not have to go through this if only the Japanese leadership of pre World War 2 would pay heed to the warnings that God sent to them, through a faithful Korean lady, on the fire that will destroy them if they persist in their evil ways. Is the present world making the same mistake?
The difference is that flood waters might recede, but for sinful men, the fire will burn in eternal damnation
'But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.'
Revelation 21;8
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)