Dear….
‘Wherefore, sirs, be of good cheer: for I believe God, that it shall be even as it was told me.’
Acts 27:25
I was just at a wake last Saturday, for my late uncle. Like my bereaved cousins said, rare do our paths crossed unless it is a wedding or a funeral. And fetish I do not have, but since the Spirit of God imbued me with the desire to follow than just stay at the believer stage, I often make it a point to make a visual inspection of the deceased at the wakes I attend. No different from my daily scrutiny of the obituary page in the daily newspaper. It not because I am a fan of the popular forensic series, CSI, but rather, what is written on the obituary and what is the parting look(notwithstandin g that it has been touched up) do give one an inkling about the deceased’s life, their state of peace or lack of it, as well as their relationship or non relationship with God.
‘For I know of nothing against myself, yet I am not justified by this, but He Who judges me is the Lord.’
1 Corinthians 4:4
For many, to “die in peace” could mean that one had a great life, as measured by material happiness, loving family and good friends, and that one has attained what one desires in life. And in leaving, most cares are taken of, and it would in all probabilities, mean family is self sufficient, and one is debt free and has make peace with most. We come into the world with nothing, and cannot bring anything with us, this is true, but for most, the point between birth and death can be fairly cluttered with affairs of the heart that cannot be so easily unknotted. And even if one can, can one be truly at peace either not knowing where yonder is or even if one knew, can one be sure that the belief is correct or for a Christian, that one is truly ready to face God our Maker and account for our response or lack of response to His leading in our heartbeat days of past?
‘Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.’
1 Corinthians 10:12
I know I have a great relationship with God. He speaks to my heart often enough, and I know His will with greater lucidity than ever before and He affirms it often enough to leave no room for doubt. And God has indeed bless my life tremendously. But here is where many of us often make an erroneous assumption about our relationship with our Sovereign God. Many will realize that it is not an equal relationship, for who are we compared to the Omnipresent God? But many find it hard to understand that the love of God is not just equated with all things that the carnal us perceive as nice on earth, but the love of God often meant the need to allow us to be tested and refined through the storms of life which could include letting go of what we thought we hold dear. It might seem painful, but it will be gainful, for God is perfecting us for His return, when He will live amongst us, even as His Spirit is already residing in the hearts of those who believe, much as we the temple of God needs to and continues to undergo further refinement.
“You are My witnesses,” says the Lord. And My servant whom I have chosen. That you may know and believe Me. And understand that I am He. Before Me there was no God formed. Nor shall there be after Me. I, even I, am the Lord. And besides Me there is no savior…’
Isaiah 43:10-12
In times of bed and roses, our relationship with God tends to move to the superficial, as our hearts begin to wander off with, when our sense of well being moves away us away from the state of being in the presence of our Lord to doing things our carnal hearts decide.
Is it not true in human relationships that we often takes things for granted, when affairs of the heart seems to be going well, not realizing that tensions and frustrations are growing steadily?
I find it is in times of deprivation(more often perceived than real), when storm clouds gather in the horizon, that I cling on to our Lord with greater tenacity. Even that desire to look to Him, by His grace comes from a daily desire to spend time with Him. One looks for familiarity and comfort in times of upheavals, and our willingness to seek God, when trouble seeks us will only come naturally, if time with God is more than part and parcel of our daily living.
‘The quest of international security involves the unconditional surrender by every nation in a certain measure, of its liberty of action – its sovereignty that is to say and it is clear beyond all doubt that no other road can lead to such security.’
(letter from Albert Einstein to Sigmund Freud quoted in the letters to the press in Financial Times 8th July 10 by a German reader)
Individuality is the in trait of our present generation. But can society truly function without the consensus of the majority on the principle of commonality for the greater good? Are we in the age of the tyranny of the minority? Is this form of relationship any better than that of the need to sub-serve to the greater majority or more often than that, the stronger hands? Man through eons is still searching for that ideal relationship amongst themselves.
‘This is the love of God, that we keep His commandments.’
1 John 2:1-11
God looks for a humble and contrite heart. A heart that is prideful, self-dependent and unbelieving, will not be thankful and will never be able to be willing to receive the sanctifying spirit of God’s healing love. Man’s relationship with God has been hindered by our desire to be “independent.” God wants to renew His relationship with us, as a Father with a child, but it must be one that He leads, we follow.
‘For in Him we live, and move, and have our being, as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also His offspring.’
Acts 17:28
As our Lord deepens His relationship with me, it often involves the stripping of the next layer of “blob” that is not just blocking my ability to have a clear vision of Him, but that makes it difficult for me to cling on to Him. I have never done a lipo-suction so cannot tell how painful it is, but with God’s refining process, the “pain” moves to “gain” the sooner we learn to submit to His will, by coming unto His presence with our all.
‘Thus saith the Lord, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches. But let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth Me, that I am the Lord Which exercises loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, saith the Lord.’
Jeremiah 9:23-24
God knows me, even before I was in my mother’s womb. I am learning to know Him better day by day. What about you?
In Spirit and truth – digging up the past
‘Happy are the people who are in such a state. Happy are the people whose God is the Lord!’
Psalm 144:15
As I finally felt compelled, prayerfully by the Spirit of God to complete and submit the final draft for my planned 2nd Book “Happy Family – A mirror of God’s love.” to Rosanne, my dear friend, publisher and co-laborer in this ministry of using art to share the gospel, the Lord brought about a renewal of contacts with relatives(separate from those at the funeral) whom we have not been in touch for most of our adult lives.
The Lord reminded me on the many dysfunctional families in Singapore, including mine, where ancestor worship used to predominate and God never had a place in the families of my parents and grandparents time. Literally, the varied branches of the family tree have long gone their own separate ways, bringing with them unresolved grief and angst. My branch of the family is blessed, to know the Lord our God and He has brought much healing to us, but how can our spirit be fully right with God, when the truth is that there are still traces of non forgiveness residing in the subconscious crevices of our hearts. Much as one cannot imposed one’s faith upon others, it is important on a personal level, for old wounds amongst relatives, long subsumed in one’s consciousness to be brought forth and healed and God is making it happen for my parents’ family tree. And by His grace, in how we live out our faith in this reconnected relationships, our relatives will see the transformation that God has wrought upon our lives, and begin to appreciate and desire to know the same God for their lives.
‘Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls.’
Jeremiah 6:16
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Friday, July 23, 2010
In Spirit and in Truth #3 Submission (23rd July 10)
Dear...
'....You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, nor does His word dwell
in you, for you do not believe the one He sent.'
John 5:37-38
Does this statement apply to me today? Prayerfully not, for I do have a relationship with our father in heaven from the day(back in 1999)when I started to seek our Lord in reading and reflecting upon His Words. God speaks to me often enough through His Words and/or coincidence of circumstances. His Spirit sprung forth in my heart to fill and lift up my very being that wonderful night in Bangkok back (in 2001) but since that "big" or more like defining moment in my relationship with God, my communion with God has reverted to the same modus operandi as before, though co-mingled with the clarity of His Words and coincidence of circumstances were the sprinkling of visions through dreams,the latter often coming in sets of three.
'He and all his family were devout and God fearing; he gave generously to those
in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he
had a vision. He distinctively saw an angel of God... '
Acts 10:1-4
I am still imperfect, but my fear of and love for God has grown tremendously by His grace these past decade. The closest I ever "saw" God was in a vision He gave me(as in Ezekiel 43) when I saw this bright light and felt myself lifted up, even as I heard the resonance of His wave-like roaring voice, commanding me to rise with
the Oriole. Pray Lord that you strengthen me, and prayers as a mainstay ministry for me is indeed where God has led me to since that surreal but uplifting experience back in year 2002.
'.... because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.....you
received the Spirit of sonship.'
Romans 8:14-15
The Online Bible College module that I am presently doing now is titled "A God
Who guides." And indeed the author talks about the meaning of guidance under the
New Covenant. We are not just subjects of God's kingdom, we are now sons of the
Most High God. It means that we have a real and continued relationship with God,
and guidance flows out of this relationship with God.(Romans 8:14). We will know His will because we know God and He will tell us His will and our prayers will be answered if we are willing to obey and ask and respond according to His will as His Spirit speaks to our spirit.
This is vastly different from the Santa Claus approach that many view as the basis of their liaison with God, on a need and/or want basis, and on the erroneous and prideful assumption that we the finite human knows best, and that God is there at our beck and call,because we are told that He loves us that He will gives us all that we fancy!! There is no desire to develop a real relationship with God.
'...He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen to one being
taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious, I
have not drawn back.'
Isaiah 50:4-5
Is it not wonderful? We are free from the burdens of prediction, for is not life uncertain, yet we often find ourselves weighed down by the need to bring stability to what is a dynamic and unpredictable world?
Often, many of us read or seek the Bible for a message that will be an elixir to our present needs, when we should be seeking a relationship with God, for the Word is God, and every Word in the Bible is good and will edify, correct, and teach us at God's timing and form. Understand that and we can feel less fettered
with the need to "hear" God for answers we want to hear and instead, learn to luxuriate in the love of His presence.
You could say, I have gone through this route, done that and thankfully, by His grace, learn to let God lead, rather than I lead Him, even as I spent time in His Words. God will draw near to us, as we draw near to Him, and in learning to submit to His will, God has begun to speak to me in even more direct ways. The past two years, as documented in my sharing of recent past, God now speaks in all resonance directly to my heart, leaving a deep impression, in the stillness of the transient point between my sleeping and waking up.
'This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.'
Acts 10:16
Thrice repetitive was the vision that God gave the Apostle Peter, on the command to reach out to the Gentiles, considered by the Jews to be unclean and till now, was never in the ministry of Peter.
Thrice repetitive was the word "buy physical gold" that the Spirit of God impressed upon my heart back in May 2008. I was not too willing to submit to God's command for it seems illogical then, but peace of heart only returned to me when I finally completed (after 6 months of dragging my feet) the series of purchases of what I believe God truly wanted me to buy, that is, physical gold. Of course I have now, by God's grace come to truly learn that it is our character as refined by the crucible of God's refining fire, that is the true gold that God wants us to buy. But are we willing to truly submit?
'... But God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be
seen.'
Acts 10:40
Will I like all who seek to live out the faith that God gives us, be willing to faithfully respond as God leads, even to the point of "death' if God so commands, holding on to the promise that God will resurrect us from the ashes of death, to a new and even more wonderful beginning?
This year, the Lord left two deep impressions thrice in my heart, again in the transient moment between sleeping and awakening. The first was the word "patience' and patience is indeed a very difficult fruit of the Spirit to live out, when circumstances around me seems to demand an immediate and urgent response. And God is very precise. Just last month, He added on the word "Stop" and strange as some might think I am, it is no hallucination. Our good Lord knows that patient I might have been, but fidgety is slowly creeping into my mental state, as the "water levels" around my sense of well-being is fast approaching the drowning stage. And for additional clarity, God again reminded me, for the third year running(the first in the midst of the sub-prime crisis), not to go back into the bondage of Egypt, much as it seems logical for me to consider a career change.
'Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth, give me an un-divided
heart, that I may fear Your name.'
Psalm 86:11
I have come to learn that when life's circumstances seem to be the most challenging, when our sense of well-being as determined not by our relationship with God, but rather with the world is at its most difficult, is when our hearts are increasingly less cluttered.
Question then is "will we fill it up with our woes and angst" or should we not be like King David, who in the midst of his woes, fully and submissively opened his heart to the infilling and the leading of the Holy Spirit?
I have just returned from Bangkok. It is the place where the Spirit of God moved me from a reticent cursory believer to desirous and more submissive follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bangkok is also where God gave me a rejuvenation in my secular career. It has been a good decade since and though my feelings are mixed, for this trip could be an unwinding of many business relationships. Yet, I know God has a purpose, and in fully letting go and letting Him, He will communicate His plan for me which will be good. And I have come to believe that the twelve years I spend in Bangkok developing a business relationship of trust with the many people there will be used by God for His Kingdom, as He softens the once very hard ground that is Thailand, a ground that is increasingly being softened, for hearts to be readied to know His will. But am I willing to let Him reconfigure a solid business relationship into a spiritual bedrock of love?
'I know, o lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.'
Jeremiah 10:23
Watch this space
Rgds and God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(18th July 2010)
What is spirit and truth?
It seems that in the 1930s Albert Einstein wrote to Sigmund Freud on his thoughts that for the greater good, countries must give up their sovereignty in exchange for stability. Not sure why is an intellectual giant asking the views of a known high priest of carnal lust, but fast forward to the present situation in continental Europe, the once unthinkable of not just one united Europe economically but politically with real power in the hands of a few no longer seem implausible!!
In our sinful world, it is an apt question. Do we give up our independent free spirit to one of enslavement in exchange for a continued life of delusory material well being? To satisfy one's insatiable carnality, yes and this will be the dilemma countries in the Europe will soon have to ask themselves
But for the man who seeks after God, it is the converse.
We give up our carnal self for the Spirit of God. And in letting go of our own understanding, a trait that Adam and its seeds acquired from believing in the lie of the devil, we in our submissively living out in all obedience, the leading of the Holy Spirit, God will show us the truth of His promises.
Is it not better to be slave to a loving and faithful God then to remain enslaved to the devil?
'....You have never heard His voice nor seen His form, nor does His word dwell
in you, for you do not believe the one He sent.'
John 5:37-38
Does this statement apply to me today? Prayerfully not, for I do have a relationship with our father in heaven from the day(back in 1999)when I started to seek our Lord in reading and reflecting upon His Words. God speaks to me often enough through His Words and/or coincidence of circumstances. His Spirit sprung forth in my heart to fill and lift up my very being that wonderful night in Bangkok back (in 2001) but since that "big" or more like defining moment in my relationship with God, my communion with God has reverted to the same modus operandi as before, though co-mingled with the clarity of His Words and coincidence of circumstances were the sprinkling of visions through dreams,the latter often coming in sets of three.
'He and all his family were devout and God fearing; he gave generously to those
in need and prayed to God regularly. One day at about three in the afternoon he
had a vision. He distinctively saw an angel of God... '
Acts 10:1-4
I am still imperfect, but my fear of and love for God has grown tremendously by His grace these past decade. The closest I ever "saw" God was in a vision He gave me(as in Ezekiel 43) when I saw this bright light and felt myself lifted up, even as I heard the resonance of His wave-like roaring voice, commanding me to rise with
the Oriole. Pray Lord that you strengthen me, and prayers as a mainstay ministry for me is indeed where God has led me to since that surreal but uplifting experience back in year 2002.
'.... because those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God.....you
received the Spirit of sonship.'
Romans 8:14-15
The Online Bible College module that I am presently doing now is titled "A God
Who guides." And indeed the author talks about the meaning of guidance under the
New Covenant. We are not just subjects of God's kingdom, we are now sons of the
Most High God. It means that we have a real and continued relationship with God,
and guidance flows out of this relationship with God.(Romans 8:14). We will know His will because we know God and He will tell us His will and our prayers will be answered if we are willing to obey and ask and respond according to His will as His Spirit speaks to our spirit.
This is vastly different from the Santa Claus approach that many view as the basis of their liaison with God, on a need and/or want basis, and on the erroneous and prideful assumption that we the finite human knows best, and that God is there at our beck and call,because we are told that He loves us that He will gives us all that we fancy!! There is no desire to develop a real relationship with God.
'...He wakens me morning by morning, wakens my ear to listen to one being
taught. The Sovereign Lord has opened my ears, and I have not been rebellious, I
have not drawn back.'
Isaiah 50:4-5
Is it not wonderful? We are free from the burdens of prediction, for is not life uncertain, yet we often find ourselves weighed down by the need to bring stability to what is a dynamic and unpredictable world?
Often, many of us read or seek the Bible for a message that will be an elixir to our present needs, when we should be seeking a relationship with God, for the Word is God, and every Word in the Bible is good and will edify, correct, and teach us at God's timing and form. Understand that and we can feel less fettered
with the need to "hear" God for answers we want to hear and instead, learn to luxuriate in the love of His presence.
You could say, I have gone through this route, done that and thankfully, by His grace, learn to let God lead, rather than I lead Him, even as I spent time in His Words. God will draw near to us, as we draw near to Him, and in learning to submit to His will, God has begun to speak to me in even more direct ways. The past two years, as documented in my sharing of recent past, God now speaks in all resonance directly to my heart, leaving a deep impression, in the stillness of the transient point between my sleeping and waking up.
'This happened three times, and immediately the sheet was taken back to heaven.'
Acts 10:16
Thrice repetitive was the vision that God gave the Apostle Peter, on the command to reach out to the Gentiles, considered by the Jews to be unclean and till now, was never in the ministry of Peter.
Thrice repetitive was the word "buy physical gold" that the Spirit of God impressed upon my heart back in May 2008. I was not too willing to submit to God's command for it seems illogical then, but peace of heart only returned to me when I finally completed (after 6 months of dragging my feet) the series of purchases of what I believe God truly wanted me to buy, that is, physical gold. Of course I have now, by God's grace come to truly learn that it is our character as refined by the crucible of God's refining fire, that is the true gold that God wants us to buy. But are we willing to truly submit?
'... But God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be
seen.'
Acts 10:40
Will I like all who seek to live out the faith that God gives us, be willing to faithfully respond as God leads, even to the point of "death' if God so commands, holding on to the promise that God will resurrect us from the ashes of death, to a new and even more wonderful beginning?
This year, the Lord left two deep impressions thrice in my heart, again in the transient moment between sleeping and awakening. The first was the word "patience' and patience is indeed a very difficult fruit of the Spirit to live out, when circumstances around me seems to demand an immediate and urgent response. And God is very precise. Just last month, He added on the word "Stop" and strange as some might think I am, it is no hallucination. Our good Lord knows that patient I might have been, but fidgety is slowly creeping into my mental state, as the "water levels" around my sense of well-being is fast approaching the drowning stage. And for additional clarity, God again reminded me, for the third year running(the first in the midst of the sub-prime crisis), not to go back into the bondage of Egypt, much as it seems logical for me to consider a career change.
'Teach me Your way, O Lord, and I will walk in your truth, give me an un-divided
heart, that I may fear Your name.'
Psalm 86:11
I have come to learn that when life's circumstances seem to be the most challenging, when our sense of well-being as determined not by our relationship with God, but rather with the world is at its most difficult, is when our hearts are increasingly less cluttered.
Question then is "will we fill it up with our woes and angst" or should we not be like King David, who in the midst of his woes, fully and submissively opened his heart to the infilling and the leading of the Holy Spirit?
I have just returned from Bangkok. It is the place where the Spirit of God moved me from a reticent cursory believer to desirous and more submissive follower of our Lord Jesus Christ. Bangkok is also where God gave me a rejuvenation in my secular career. It has been a good decade since and though my feelings are mixed, for this trip could be an unwinding of many business relationships. Yet, I know God has a purpose, and in fully letting go and letting Him, He will communicate His plan for me which will be good. And I have come to believe that the twelve years I spend in Bangkok developing a business relationship of trust with the many people there will be used by God for His Kingdom, as He softens the once very hard ground that is Thailand, a ground that is increasingly being softened, for hearts to be readied to know His will. But am I willing to let Him reconfigure a solid business relationship into a spiritual bedrock of love?
'I know, o lord, that a man's life is not his own; it is not for man to direct his steps.'
Jeremiah 10:23
Watch this space
Rgds and God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(18th July 2010)
What is spirit and truth?
It seems that in the 1930s Albert Einstein wrote to Sigmund Freud on his thoughts that for the greater good, countries must give up their sovereignty in exchange for stability. Not sure why is an intellectual giant asking the views of a known high priest of carnal lust, but fast forward to the present situation in continental Europe, the once unthinkable of not just one united Europe economically but politically with real power in the hands of a few no longer seem implausible!!
In our sinful world, it is an apt question. Do we give up our independent free spirit to one of enslavement in exchange for a continued life of delusory material well being? To satisfy one's insatiable carnality, yes and this will be the dilemma countries in the Europe will soon have to ask themselves
But for the man who seeks after God, it is the converse.
We give up our carnal self for the Spirit of God. And in letting go of our own understanding, a trait that Adam and its seeds acquired from believing in the lie of the devil, we in our submissively living out in all obedience, the leading of the Holy Spirit, God will show us the truth of His promises.
Is it not better to be slave to a loving and faithful God then to remain enslaved to the devil?
Thursday, July 15, 2010
In Spirit and in Truth #2 First world blessings, third world giving (15th July 10)
Dear….
‘…I spoke to you in your prosperity. But you said, ‘I will not hear.’
Jeremiah 22:21
Is giving so difficult? Or more correctly, is self denial very much against the nature of the carnal and sinful man. When Adam took a bite of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, he not only disobeyed God, but he wanted to be his own man, making his own decisions. Nay does man realize that he has not just moved away from the likeness of God, but has moved towards the likeness of the fallen angel, the devil, the father of all pride and self-centeredness.
‘Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines. Though the labor of the olive tree may fall. And the fields yield no food. Though the flock may be cut off from the fold. And there shall be no herd in the stalls – Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation.’
Habakkuk 2:17-18
Is it more justifiable not to give when one seems not to be in a position to give? If giving is from the basis of one’s sense of sufficiency of provisions, it is indeed correct that there will never be enough to go round. But as Christ has shown, it is not what one has, but the willingness to give from the heart, and the Spirit of God will magnify our gifts many times over.
‘…Did not your father eat and drink. And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy. The it was well. Was not this knowing Me?’ says the Lord. Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness…’
Jeremiah 22:15-17
I have by the grace of God learned to be more than a cheerful giver. In giving, I have indeed been blessed many times over by our good Lord in manifold ways, and not just materially, and nothing can replicate that sense of joy and compassionate love, that communion with God, when we give from the heart And I have learned that indeed we will never be able to out give God. And in giving, we should be assured not on the basis that God will return to us manifold immediately, but rather, God has already given and God will more than provide what we need for ourselves and others at His timing and His form.
In fact, often in my giving, are times when I feel least equipped emotionally and materially, because life is going less well it seems, and in giving, life did not improve, in fact, it could get a little worse. Yet I have also learned that in crossing the chasm of faith, in faithfully living out our lives as stewards of God’s blessings, the Spirit of God will draw near to us, and that sanctifying grace makes everything else of irrelevance. And yet God do know our limits and our needs in this difficult world, and He will more than provide, if need be.
Singapore today is a very blessed country. The world has come to us, and indeed, if the number of millionaires(both born or naturalized) are any indication, on a per sq foot of terra firma, we must be sitting on some pretty decent purchasing power.
‘For the poor will never cease from the land, therefore I command you, saying, “You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.”
Deuteronomy 15:11
Yet, is it true that in our midst are many who struggle to even have more than one decent meal a day. And this could include many children of school going age as well as the old? Are we a first world country in terms of material blessings, but giving like we have less than those cheerful givers in the third world?
‘But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money……..having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!’
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Fact or fiction? It is of less relevance than for us to answer God’s call, to minister to the widows and the orphans. It is good to take a step back from our pursuit of more wealth and learn to acknowledge God for our present blessings and thank HIM responsively by sharing our blessings, be it material, time, skills, and whatever God has provided us with, as He leads.
‘Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.’
2 Timothy 2:7
Is the destitute unique to Singapore? Clearly not, for this is a global reality. But in Singapore, we are equipped by the grace of God, not just materially, but in many ways, be it skills set, network, and language capability to be used by the Lord to make a difference to the lives of those around us, and if God so wills, to bring them through our works of love, unto His presence. Singapore is the Antioch of the East, and we must live out God’s calling to be the light that shine forth in the darkness of an Asia that is stirring, as man thirst for that inner peace.
The time is now for us who call ourselves Christians to do some serious soul searching and ask ourselves, “what is the command of God and are we living out faithfully the truth of God’s words, to share the gospel of love, not just in words, but in works as well? And a good start to this process will be to take time with God, and be still and know His will, and be willing to respond as He will surely lead.
'A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.'
Proverbs 18:23
A dollar, ten minutes of our time or a little kindness from each of us might not seem much, but collectively it adds up. But of even greater significance is God wants us to be used by Him in His will, and in not blessing others with the gifts that God has blessed us all with, we are depriving not others, but ourselves of witnessing and experiencing the grace of God in our own lives.
‘But seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you…’
Matthew 6:33
Impoverishment is not just of the physical. As a country that has previously no natural resources nor accumulated wealth, save for our strategic location, God blessed first generation leadership and its people, we have been blessed materially these past few decades since our inception as a fledging nation. But have we lost sight of what matters in life and more important, what matters to enter the Kingdom of God?
God will not leave us to continue in our follies, for eternity is at stake. Clearly, like most developed countries that have lost its way, we are already witnessing the manifestations of our sinful disobedience in terms of increased divorced rates, latch-key children, pre-marital sex at increasingly young age, and if recent newspaper reports are to be believed, increased emotional disorders amongst school children of early ages of twelve and also increased rate of terminal diseases amongst the population at increasingly early ages.
‘And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from Me, ye that work iniquity…’
Matthew 7:23
The Bible is replete with examples of God’s grace upon those who turn their hearts back to Him. Yet, the Bible is also littered with many who sow their own seeds of destruction, by their continued disobedience.
‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it….’
John 15:22
The calm before the storm, is this where we are now?
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(15th July 2010)
In spirit and truth, dwelling a little deeper
At worship today, as we sang the last song, the words “giving to the Lord our soul” spoke to me about the need for us not just to have a desirous heart that seek God, but a willingness to give up everything that is cluttering our heart and leave the entire space in our heart for the infilling of the Spirit of God. Is it not the case for all of us that we often only begin to comprehend God’s ways and see the fruits of His promises, when His very Spirit lift us up from the morass of our own understanding.
A generous heart as in the sharing above serves to teach us and inculcate in us the attitude of letting go, and it is a very necessary step in our ultimately letting go and letting the Spirit of God fill our very being.
Only in yielding to the Spirit of God, will we be able to experience the truth of what is till now head knowledge, that is, “To give is to receive “ and may you reflect upon, pray about and act responsively to this thought.
‘…I spoke to you in your prosperity. But you said, ‘I will not hear.’
Jeremiah 22:21
Is giving so difficult? Or more correctly, is self denial very much against the nature of the carnal and sinful man. When Adam took a bite of the fruit of the Tree of Knowledge, he not only disobeyed God, but he wanted to be his own man, making his own decisions. Nay does man realize that he has not just moved away from the likeness of God, but has moved towards the likeness of the fallen angel, the devil, the father of all pride and self-centeredness.
‘Though the fig tree may not blossom, Nor fruit be on the vines. Though the labor of the olive tree may fall. And the fields yield no food. Though the flock may be cut off from the fold. And there shall be no herd in the stalls – Yet I will rejoice in the Lord. I will joy in the God of my salvation.’
Habakkuk 2:17-18
Is it more justifiable not to give when one seems not to be in a position to give? If giving is from the basis of one’s sense of sufficiency of provisions, it is indeed correct that there will never be enough to go round. But as Christ has shown, it is not what one has, but the willingness to give from the heart, and the Spirit of God will magnify our gifts many times over.
‘…Did not your father eat and drink. And do justice and righteousness? Then it was well with him. He judged the cause of the poor and needy. The it was well. Was not this knowing Me?’ says the Lord. Yet your eyes and your heart are for nothing but your covetousness…’
Jeremiah 22:15-17
I have by the grace of God learned to be more than a cheerful giver. In giving, I have indeed been blessed many times over by our good Lord in manifold ways, and not just materially, and nothing can replicate that sense of joy and compassionate love, that communion with God, when we give from the heart And I have learned that indeed we will never be able to out give God. And in giving, we should be assured not on the basis that God will return to us manifold immediately, but rather, God has already given and God will more than provide what we need for ourselves and others at His timing and His form.
In fact, often in my giving, are times when I feel least equipped emotionally and materially, because life is going less well it seems, and in giving, life did not improve, in fact, it could get a little worse. Yet I have also learned that in crossing the chasm of faith, in faithfully living out our lives as stewards of God’s blessings, the Spirit of God will draw near to us, and that sanctifying grace makes everything else of irrelevance. And yet God do know our limits and our needs in this difficult world, and He will more than provide, if need be.
Singapore today is a very blessed country. The world has come to us, and indeed, if the number of millionaires(both born or naturalized) are any indication, on a per sq foot of terra firma, we must be sitting on some pretty decent purchasing power.
‘For the poor will never cease from the land, therefore I command you, saying, “You shall open your hand wide to your brother, to your poor and your needy, in your land.”
Deuteronomy 15:11
Yet, is it true that in our midst are many who struggle to even have more than one decent meal a day. And this could include many children of school going age as well as the old? Are we a first world country in terms of material blessings, but giving like we have less than those cheerful givers in the third world?
‘But know this, that in the last days, perilous times will come. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money……..having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!’
2 Timothy 3:1-5
Fact or fiction? It is of less relevance than for us to answer God’s call, to minister to the widows and the orphans. It is good to take a step back from our pursuit of more wealth and learn to acknowledge God for our present blessings and thank HIM responsively by sharing our blessings, be it material, time, skills, and whatever God has provided us with, as He leads.
‘Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.’
2 Timothy 2:7
Is the destitute unique to Singapore? Clearly not, for this is a global reality. But in Singapore, we are equipped by the grace of God, not just materially, but in many ways, be it skills set, network, and language capability to be used by the Lord to make a difference to the lives of those around us, and if God so wills, to bring them through our works of love, unto His presence. Singapore is the Antioch of the East, and we must live out God’s calling to be the light that shine forth in the darkness of an Asia that is stirring, as man thirst for that inner peace.
The time is now for us who call ourselves Christians to do some serious soul searching and ask ourselves, “what is the command of God and are we living out faithfully the truth of God’s words, to share the gospel of love, not just in words, but in works as well? And a good start to this process will be to take time with God, and be still and know His will, and be willing to respond as He will surely lead.
'A poor man pleads for mercy, but a rich man answers harshly.'
Proverbs 18:23
A dollar, ten minutes of our time or a little kindness from each of us might not seem much, but collectively it adds up. But of even greater significance is God wants us to be used by Him in His will, and in not blessing others with the gifts that God has blessed us all with, we are depriving not others, but ourselves of witnessing and experiencing the grace of God in our own lives.
‘But seek ye first His kingdom, and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you…’
Matthew 6:33
Impoverishment is not just of the physical. As a country that has previously no natural resources nor accumulated wealth, save for our strategic location, God blessed first generation leadership and its people, we have been blessed materially these past few decades since our inception as a fledging nation. But have we lost sight of what matters in life and more important, what matters to enter the Kingdom of God?
God will not leave us to continue in our follies, for eternity is at stake. Clearly, like most developed countries that have lost its way, we are already witnessing the manifestations of our sinful disobedience in terms of increased divorced rates, latch-key children, pre-marital sex at increasingly young age, and if recent newspaper reports are to be believed, increased emotional disorders amongst school children of early ages of twelve and also increased rate of terminal diseases amongst the population at increasingly early ages.
‘And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you, depart from Me, ye that work iniquity…’
Matthew 7:23
The Bible is replete with examples of God’s grace upon those who turn their hearts back to Him. Yet, the Bible is also littered with many who sow their own seeds of destruction, by their continued disobedience.
‘Except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it….’
John 15:22
The calm before the storm, is this where we are now?
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(15th July 2010)
In spirit and truth, dwelling a little deeper
At worship today, as we sang the last song, the words “giving to the Lord our soul” spoke to me about the need for us not just to have a desirous heart that seek God, but a willingness to give up everything that is cluttering our heart and leave the entire space in our heart for the infilling of the Spirit of God. Is it not the case for all of us that we often only begin to comprehend God’s ways and see the fruits of His promises, when His very Spirit lift us up from the morass of our own understanding.
A generous heart as in the sharing above serves to teach us and inculcate in us the attitude of letting go, and it is a very necessary step in our ultimately letting go and letting the Spirit of God fill our very being.
Only in yielding to the Spirit of God, will we be able to experience the truth of what is till now head knowledge, that is, “To give is to receive “ and may you reflect upon, pray about and act responsively to this thought.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
In Spirit and in Truth #1 What does it mean? (10th July 10)
Dear..
'But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit, and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.'
John 4:23-24
With the end, comes the new beginning. Apt as it might be, for with the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, came His resurrection and the light that is not only at the end of the tunnel, but the light that forever has broken free, the grip of death and that of the devil upon Adam’s seeds. And if this is true, and it is, should we as Christians who profess to be followers of Christ, no longer have any constraints to literary live and die like Christ in all circumstances that come our way, for death has been conquered?
John 4:23-24 was the verse that concluded my last sharing for the series “Reflections for the moment#72 Time out, and time in” and this is the verse that God impressed upon my heart deeply since, for I believe it sets the tone for the next leg of my and prayerfully your journey with Him as well.
‘And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.’
Luke 24:49
Taking time with God is good, for correction, clarity, assurance and leading comes at His timing and form. It just been less than seven days since I officially took a hiatus from my sharing and already, my fingers are itching from withdrawal symptoms. God is good. He does not keep the desirous waiting too long and just this morning, He woke me up at 5am and for those who are familiar with this syndrome of lying in bed, vacillating between prayers and dozing off, it is quite a challenge to have clear thoughts. The Lord gave me the first thought that is prayerfully the first step in this new direction in the Word based ministry, with series 4 aptly titled “In spirit and in truth.”
‘..Ye cannot serve God and mammon.’
Matthew 6:24
'..I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them...they will follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws. They will be My people and I will be their God.'
Ezekiel 11:19-20
God is Spirit and He wants to transform us from the carnal man to the spirit man. To be willing to be transformed, we must be desirous to seek the truth of God’s Word. To be able to live out fully the truth of God’s will, we must be able to totally commit to discard our carnal self and in all obedience put on the spirit man, that God wants us to be.
‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’
Luke 8:8
With this thought, I am a little stuck as to how to proceed.? But God is good. I just received a pamphlet from this American based ministry who provides hearing aids to the deaf, and their ministry slogan is “Faith comes by hearing.” And indeed how can we move from the carnal to the spirit man? Faith is the key to unlocking our spirituality, and though faith comes from God, we must be willing to come to Him to receive that faith. Is your heart willing to ‘hear and respond’ to the leading of the Holy Spirit in residence?
‘…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.’
Hebrews 12:1-2
God put His Spirit into man when He created us out of dust(Isaiah 42:5 ..Who gives breath to the people on it. And spirit to those who walk on it..). The Spirit of God left man(Psalm 51:11 Do not cast me from Your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me..) when Adam disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit and severed his relationship with God. But God loves and has forgiven men, and with the sacrifice of His beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ, salvation is offered to all who repent and believe, and His Spirit has returned and resides in the hearts of men who believed.
In my Bible(New King James Version), the headline title preceding Hebrews 12:12 states the following “Renew Your Spiritual Vitality” and it is indeed time for those who profess to be followers of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, that is, Christians to honor what you have committed when the Spirit of God resided in your heart, when you first believed.
‘For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition…’
1 Timothy 6:7-9
May the next few weeks, or maybe even months or years be a time of Spirit led journeying as we learn and witness together on a regular basis, what it truly means to live out life as a spirit man, the fruits of the Spirit. And may you response to the truth of God’s word, by boldly crossing the chasms that life will throw into your path, knowing that the Spirit of God will carry you forth.
‘But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses…’
1 Timothy 6:11-12
In theory it is easy, in practice it is not possible if it is a partnership with the Holy Spirit, but it is only possible through Christ, if we are willing to be like Christ. God does not walk with us(as in His following us) but rather, we walk with God(as in our following Him).
And what does it mean?
‘…For if we died with Him. We shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful. He cannot deny Himself.’
2 Timothy 2:11-13
In Spirit and truth, this is a rudimentary concept that I am writing(on the job training) as I am being taught by the Spirit of God. Prayerfully, I have not confused anyone, but as I complete this “kickoff” piece, the Spirit of God reminded me of my own journey as a believer. And may that give you a sense of where God is leading us all now.
‘The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.’
Acts 11:19-26
I first heard about God and mouth my belief at around age 15. Does that make me a Christian? In name yes, in practice, no, for I never seek to truly know God. And like most who call themselves Christians today, it was mere branding, and I don’t pray, don’t read the Bible and hardly praise or thank God. And forget about works, for it does not fit in with the reality of the jungle that is our present world.
But on hindsight, it was a preparatory phase. And I only became a desirous follower of our Lord Jesus Christ when the Spirit of God sanctified my very being at age 40. Does it mean then that since faith comes from God, the timing is not ours, and we have no part to play till God decides His Spirit long residing in our hearts when we first believed, will move our heart? On the contrary, while salvation is given to all who repent and believe, we have to work on our salvation, not for our salvation. To be transformed from the clean slate that we now are, by the redeeming blood of Christ, to the spirit man, to be like Christ that He wants us to be, needs a response from us. We must want to come unto God’s presence to receive faith from Him. God decided that I needed 25 years to be moved from part-time Christian to a truly desirous follower of Christ. Could I have “speeded up” my receiving of faith and growth in Christian maturity? I believe so, and in the Bible, God clearly exhorts all of us to seek Him with our all and to love others for God is love, and in loving others, we will know God. The End Times are intensifying, and time is short. Many will not have the luxury of prodding along, and if we are not willing on our own steam to turn with our all to God, God will and has intensified circumstances to make us pay attention to what awaits us, eternal damnation if we continue to be indifferent.
‘Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf.’
1 Peter 4:16
I have been a desirous follower of Christ for the past decade, thanks to His sanctifying spirit upon me back in Bangkok. This period has been my most joyful and peaceful, much as the storms in my life have never been more intense. And I pray this truth of God’s grace is clearly attested in my life as lived and witnessed by many on this mail-list, who have encouraged me as well as allowing me to encourage you, as led by the Spirit of God.
‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father.’
Matthew 5:11-16
But spiritual growth and refinement is a continuous process. God reminded me that I have followed, but have I truly lived as a man of spirit and truth. We can never lead Christ, but it is a question of how in step are we with His very leading? To follow means that we are always looking at our circumstances as well as looking for the next few steps ahead before we are willing to move into the next clear step that God has shown us. To live is quite different. It is the willingness to boldly step into the next move that God has shown us with all clarity, regardless of circumstances and without regard for what comes after, because we know it matters not, for it is obeying God that truly only matters. For we have come to learn that nothing is accidental in God's plan, but rather we become incidental, when we take our eyes off Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.
‘And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him.’
Genesis 7:5
‘By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went.’
Hebrews 11:8
I have followed Christ tentatively, but I have not lived my life like Christ and this is where our good Lord is bringing me to and you too, if you are willing.
'Into Your hands I commit my spirit, redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.'
Psalm 31:5
‘For this God is our God forever and ever, He will be our guide even unto death.’
Psalm 48:14
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(10th July 2010)
'But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit, and in truth for the Father seeketh such to worship Him. God is a Spirit, and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.'
John 4:23-24
With the end, comes the new beginning. Apt as it might be, for with the death of our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross, came His resurrection and the light that is not only at the end of the tunnel, but the light that forever has broken free, the grip of death and that of the devil upon Adam’s seeds. And if this is true, and it is, should we as Christians who profess to be followers of Christ, no longer have any constraints to literary live and die like Christ in all circumstances that come our way, for death has been conquered?
John 4:23-24 was the verse that concluded my last sharing for the series “Reflections for the moment#72 Time out, and time in” and this is the verse that God impressed upon my heart deeply since, for I believe it sets the tone for the next leg of my and prayerfully your journey with Him as well.
‘And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you, but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.’
Luke 24:49
Taking time with God is good, for correction, clarity, assurance and leading comes at His timing and form. It just been less than seven days since I officially took a hiatus from my sharing and already, my fingers are itching from withdrawal symptoms. God is good. He does not keep the desirous waiting too long and just this morning, He woke me up at 5am and for those who are familiar with this syndrome of lying in bed, vacillating between prayers and dozing off, it is quite a challenge to have clear thoughts. The Lord gave me the first thought that is prayerfully the first step in this new direction in the Word based ministry, with series 4 aptly titled “In spirit and in truth.”
‘..Ye cannot serve God and mammon.’
Matthew 6:24
'..I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them...they will follow My decrees and be careful to keep My laws. They will be My people and I will be their God.'
Ezekiel 11:19-20
God is Spirit and He wants to transform us from the carnal man to the spirit man. To be willing to be transformed, we must be desirous to seek the truth of God’s Word. To be able to live out fully the truth of God’s will, we must be able to totally commit to discard our carnal self and in all obedience put on the spirit man, that God wants us to be.
‘He who has ears to hear, let him hear.’
Luke 8:8
With this thought, I am a little stuck as to how to proceed.? But God is good. I just received a pamphlet from this American based ministry who provides hearing aids to the deaf, and their ministry slogan is “Faith comes by hearing.” And indeed how can we move from the carnal to the spirit man? Faith is the key to unlocking our spirituality, and though faith comes from God, we must be willing to come to Him to receive that faith. Is your heart willing to ‘hear and respond’ to the leading of the Holy Spirit in residence?
‘…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.’
Hebrews 12:1-2
God put His Spirit into man when He created us out of dust(Isaiah 42:5 ..Who gives breath to the people on it. And spirit to those who walk on it..). The Spirit of God left man(Psalm 51:11 Do not cast me from Your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me..) when Adam disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit and severed his relationship with God. But God loves and has forgiven men, and with the sacrifice of His beloved Son our Lord Jesus Christ, salvation is offered to all who repent and believe, and His Spirit has returned and resides in the hearts of men who believed.
In my Bible(New King James Version), the headline title preceding Hebrews 12:12 states the following “Renew Your Spiritual Vitality” and it is indeed time for those who profess to be followers of our beloved Lord Jesus Christ, that is, Christians to honor what you have committed when the Spirit of God resided in your heart, when you first believed.
‘For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and clothing with these we shall be content. But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition…’
1 Timothy 6:7-9
May the next few weeks, or maybe even months or years be a time of Spirit led journeying as we learn and witness together on a regular basis, what it truly means to live out life as a spirit man, the fruits of the Spirit. And may you response to the truth of God’s word, by boldly crossing the chasms that life will throw into your path, knowing that the Spirit of God will carry you forth.
‘But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses…’
1 Timothy 6:11-12
In theory it is easy, in practice it is not possible if it is a partnership with the Holy Spirit, but it is only possible through Christ, if we are willing to be like Christ. God does not walk with us(as in His following us) but rather, we walk with God(as in our following Him).
And what does it mean?
‘…For if we died with Him. We shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful. He cannot deny Himself.’
2 Timothy 2:11-13
In Spirit and truth, this is a rudimentary concept that I am writing(on the job training) as I am being taught by the Spirit of God. Prayerfully, I have not confused anyone, but as I complete this “kickoff” piece, the Spirit of God reminded me of my own journey as a believer. And may that give you a sense of where God is leading us all now.
‘The disciples were first called Christians in Antioch.’
Acts 11:19-26
I first heard about God and mouth my belief at around age 15. Does that make me a Christian? In name yes, in practice, no, for I never seek to truly know God. And like most who call themselves Christians today, it was mere branding, and I don’t pray, don’t read the Bible and hardly praise or thank God. And forget about works, for it does not fit in with the reality of the jungle that is our present world.
But on hindsight, it was a preparatory phase. And I only became a desirous follower of our Lord Jesus Christ when the Spirit of God sanctified my very being at age 40. Does it mean then that since faith comes from God, the timing is not ours, and we have no part to play till God decides His Spirit long residing in our hearts when we first believed, will move our heart? On the contrary, while salvation is given to all who repent and believe, we have to work on our salvation, not for our salvation. To be transformed from the clean slate that we now are, by the redeeming blood of Christ, to the spirit man, to be like Christ that He wants us to be, needs a response from us. We must want to come unto God’s presence to receive faith from Him. God decided that I needed 25 years to be moved from part-time Christian to a truly desirous follower of Christ. Could I have “speeded up” my receiving of faith and growth in Christian maturity? I believe so, and in the Bible, God clearly exhorts all of us to seek Him with our all and to love others for God is love, and in loving others, we will know God. The End Times are intensifying, and time is short. Many will not have the luxury of prodding along, and if we are not willing on our own steam to turn with our all to God, God will and has intensified circumstances to make us pay attention to what awaits us, eternal damnation if we continue to be indifferent.
‘Yet if any man suffer as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God on this behalf.’
1 Peter 4:16
I have been a desirous follower of Christ for the past decade, thanks to His sanctifying spirit upon me back in Bangkok. This period has been my most joyful and peaceful, much as the storms in my life have never been more intense. And I pray this truth of God’s grace is clearly attested in my life as lived and witnessed by many on this mail-list, who have encouraged me as well as allowing me to encourage you, as led by the Spirit of God.
‘Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father.’
Matthew 5:11-16
But spiritual growth and refinement is a continuous process. God reminded me that I have followed, but have I truly lived as a man of spirit and truth. We can never lead Christ, but it is a question of how in step are we with His very leading? To follow means that we are always looking at our circumstances as well as looking for the next few steps ahead before we are willing to move into the next clear step that God has shown us. To live is quite different. It is the willingness to boldly step into the next move that God has shown us with all clarity, regardless of circumstances and without regard for what comes after, because we know it matters not, for it is obeying God that truly only matters. For we have come to learn that nothing is accidental in God's plan, but rather we become incidental, when we take our eyes off Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.
‘And Noah did according unto all that the Lord commanded him.’
Genesis 7:5
‘By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed, and he went out, not knowing whither he went.’
Hebrews 11:8
I have followed Christ tentatively, but I have not lived my life like Christ and this is where our good Lord is bringing me to and you too, if you are willing.
'Into Your hands I commit my spirit, redeem me, O Lord, the God of truth.'
Psalm 31:5
‘For this God is our God forever and ever, He will be our guide even unto death.’
Psalm 48:14
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(10th July 2010)
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