Dear…
‘Then the word of the Lord came unto me saying, Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee, and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations..’
Jeremiah 1:5
Is God the proverbial absentee Father? It seems to be for most of us from the way we conduct our daily living. Fact is God is omnipresent, but sadly for many of us, believers or not, He is as good as persona non grata. For if we truly believe that He is in our midst, should we not live our lives reverently, and also be very conscious of our disposition?
‘That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with the might by His Spirit in the inner man. That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye being rooted and grounded in love.
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fullness of God.’
Ephesians 3:16-19
God is omnipresent, it is just that our visualization of God is coming from our finite and carnal perspective.
The flawed man in all of us cannot comprehend God in a form that is not digestible by the operating system in our mind – our finite understanding. In the culture of our fallen world, God must be represented by physical symbols and if that is not possible, then by implicit symbols of what the sinful world subscribe to, be it power, status, pride and self righteousness.
‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance against such there is no law…’
Galatians 5:22-23
The “Christian” God is a God of love, a God Who in the human form of His beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ leads by example the fruits of the Spirit. To know God, we must seek to live out His countenance of love as commanded in Galatians 5:22-23, and in doing that, you will ‘see’ God at work in your life.
‘If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.’
Galatians 5:25
'And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that he may be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, for it beholdeth him not, neither knoweth him, ye know him, for he abideth with you, and shall be in you...'
John 1416-17
Looking at the mirror of where we are today, the need for a total transformation from the heart, and not just a superficial makeover is clearly on the cards for all. Difference is, those who profess to seek the Lord will start first, for refinement will begin with the faithful, and as for those who are non believing or unwilling, the barnacles in your life will still be given an opportunity to be removed, but the longer it is allowed to deepen its grip upon your heart, the more painful it will be when the Spirit of God comes a calling.
‘Now unto Him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us…’
Ephesians 3:20
First mover I am not, for many more faithful men and women have preceded me since God first made Adam. But moving in my relationship I am, and not sure if this is an understatement of my past decade of actively seeking and following Christ – “the most wonderful decade of my once miserable finite life.”
Does that conjure immediately this sense of material abundance, excellent health, adoring family and friends, power, prestige and everything that the devil tempted Christ with in exchange for His submission?
For me, and I believe for many who seek to be like Christ, the fallen world is not going to get any better, in fact, the harsh reality of a sinful world is felt more evidently, for we no longer are under any delusion, and the devil will use the stick since his carrot is not working. And God can and will allow us to be subjected, within our limits, to the devil’s harshness, for only then will we truly be refined and that once limpid spirit in us be transformed into an indomitable spirit that has learned to rest upon the Spirit of God residing in our hearts.
‘Man’s goings are of the Lord, how can a man then understand his own way?’
Proverbs 20:24
This recognition that being a Christian is the willingness to undergo a “cleansing” process, to allow God to transform us from the carnal to the spiritual in His likeness will help us to learn to let go more quickly of our understanding and sense of self dependency and submit to Him to let Him work His will upon our very being.
Understand first, then follow our logic cum instinct, that is the way of the world. With Christ, we do things in reverse. Be cognizance of God’s will(and this sensitivity can only come from a determination to be in His presence, in His Words, in His Works), follow and we will see His ways affirmed and clarified after we learn to walk in faith. The world looks for conclusions, the faithful follower looks to Christ our Savior.
‘Out of the depths have I cried unto Thee, O Lord.’
Psalm 130:1
Each of us today could be going through a seemingly difficult phase of our life. And it often seems so unbearable that we just wish that an easier option will appear and if it does, God will understand why we choose not to endure His way. And we can also rationalize our disobedience by the fact that He seems not to be present anyway, for if He is, we should not have to undergo such trials!!
‘Thou art my portion, O Lord: I have said that I would keep Thy words.’
Psalm 119:57
God is present. He will allow us to struggle, till we are willing to submit to Him for He looks for a humble and contrite heart. Most of us will feel a certain anger with this suggestion. Like our children, they will resist and desist, much as our intent is good for them. But unlike us imperfect and finite human parents, God is Sovereign and Perfect. We are far from His equal and the sooner we recognize that reality and the quicker we do not repeat the mistake of the prideful Satan who seek his own ways, the quicker we will be able to have that God given inner peace that will keep us steadfast through the storms or in the midst of temptations, the unqualified joy of thankfulness that will help us hold our gaze towards Christ always, and the resolute strength and resilient faith, that comes from knowing God that will allow us to go through it all, till God’s plans for us are fulfilled.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(28th Jan 2011)
Is present day Mubarak’s Egypt similar to the 1970s Iran of the Shah’s days?? A sense of déjà vu
Both nations are key players in not just Biblical times, but our present times. Many have long forgotten that Egypt was always at the bulwark of the Arab charge, be it in war or peace with their erstwhile relations, the Israelites. It has been some time since the last major Arab Israeli war in the early 1970s(Yom Kippur War) but would the present civil unrest lead to the unseating of a corrupt but stabilizing lynch pin in the Middle East. Will a demise of Egypt, the defender of the Sunni Muslims lead to an open field for their arch rivals, the very potent Shiite grouping led by Iran, and soon to include Iraq. Not too sure if the oil rich Arab Sheikhs in the Gulf States, the ruling elite, who are primarily Sunnis will be quivering beneath their robes, what with a restless predominantly Shiite population waiting to be stirred by the Iranians, who hark for the days of old Persia.
Have we not been through this before? Yes, a past era of high oil and gold prices, with double digit interest rates and stagflation of the late 1970s/early 1980s. And while not the the only cause, the Iranian revolution led by the Mullahs, led to the unseating of the Shah of Iran and transformed the political landscape of the Middle East, with Iran, once firm friends of the Americans turned into arch enemies and with it, hyper oil prices that killed a nascent Western economic recovery.
If this scenario plays out again, with Mubarak's Egypt reprising the role of the Shah's Iran, the present inverted asset world we find ourselves in, where many are over-leveraged on overpriced assets, resting on the small pivot of very low and unreal interest rates will quickly find themselves cleaned out through and through, when one’s ability to service huge debts is overwhelmed, as oil prices hyperventilate, leading to bond vigilantes demanding even higher interest rates as they pounced on the reality that heavily indebted Western nations delusory hope of new revenue from economic recovery are put to rest in the oil slick of rising prices.
Doomsday it might seem. But what matters is not this, but rather, what is needed to shake one out of one’s dangerous complacency, for we are all individually accountable to the Lord our God when He returns to judge the world. Till Christ returns, the world will continue to move in cycles. For without the amplitude of cycles, the world will either totally forget about God when things are seemingly great and man feels almost godlike, or when things are so depressed like that of the subprime crisis just not too long ago, that men will sink into oblivion and have not the time to grasp the love of God if they were allowed to fall over the abyss.
'Say not ye, There are yet four months and then cometh the harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields, that they are white already unto harvest...'
John 4:35
The time is now. Would you need to go through it all again, before you are willing to acknowledge the Sovereignty of God our Father?
Friday, January 28, 2011
Thursday, January 20, 2011
In Spirit and Truth #31 Down from Wudang(20th Jan 10)
Dear...
'But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak.
For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak.: for it is not
you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.'
Matthew 10:19-20
This morning, in church, my mind wondered off a little in the midst of the
sermon as my thoughts were captured as regards this sense of inadequacy. I have
been asked to consider a task which I was not sure if I was truly ready to
handle. And on a similar vein, I have also asked a couple of brothers in Christ
to take on a totally unrelated task which for reasons, they might not feel too
ready either.
But God is good. He affirms our desire to serve Him much as we are imperfect,
and as I turned the Hymn Book without any thought, it was exactly the page
that the Pastor was preparing to sing for the close of the service a minute
after my action. God is prescient and what struck me more was that this
particular page had two hymns of great relevance to my present thoughts.
"Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service."
"Whom Shall I Send?"
The words of the first hymn "Lord, whose love through humble serve" urges us the
believers to not just live out our faith in words, but in works. And to move
from words to works can indeed be daunting for many a professed believer.
But the command from God is clear, we who have received the sanctifying love of
God in our lives, must translate that blessing into blessing others God places
in our lives.
And it is never on our own strength but upon the grace of God, and it is never
about who we are, but
Who God is.
The second hymn "Whom shall I send?" is the call from God to all of us to go
forth to the world, to share the gospel of love and salvation. All of us who
take time to be in the presence of our beloved Father will be cognizance of His
will. Yet, like me, we often let our fears or sense of inadequacy or even pride
hinder us from doing the what we know is the will of God. But we are also
reminded that God is Sovereign and He not just stands with us in battle, but the
victory is already His and our participation is for our own spiritual growth as
we will allow Him to show us His ways, which are always good.
'...Did you receive the Spirit by the works of law, or by hearing of faith?'.
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect
by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain - if indeed it was in
vain?'
Galatians 3:3-5
A friend of mine just came back from a trip to Mount Wudang in China. It seems
that it is now possible to spend a few days up in this once forbidden grounds to
meditate as well as learn some fine Tai Chi moves for a fee. Guess even Shaolin
Temple has gone commercial, so why not Wudang?
As a determined follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, we desire to be refined, to
be transformed from the carnal man to the spiritual man, for God is Spirit. And
much as the Spirit of God resides in the hearts of us the believers, as the
Spirit of God leads, are we prepared to climb the mountain of faith and be
ambivalent when descending down the valley of despair?
This is quite unlike the swashbuckling tales of the Chinese "wuxia" or
pugilistic genre that I quite enjoy watching on television, where the heroes or
heroine after a period of intense honing of their
pugilistic skills, descend to the plains of mainstream life, from whichever
mountain their teacher is ensconced, ready to be all conquering,
'But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord. I say "You are my God." My times are in
Your hand...'
Psalm 31:14-15
'There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is
faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.'
1 Corinthians 10:13
Much as I have by the grace of God gone through the fire of refinements many
times over, and have gained a little more luster in my spirituality, I am far
from the spirit man that God desires me to be. My imperfections will continue to
surface at every test that God allows me to go through. Difference is, my
willingness to move from self to God is much more certain and the momentary
sense of hesitation is not allowed to sink any roots that will hold me back from
submitting to His will. I have matured in my spiritual growth because I have
learned to be willing when I am clear about the Lord's will. And I do know the
will of God, because His Spirit will impress upon my heart that has learned to
be sensitive to His prompting, for I am determined to stay in His presence
always.
'Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go, keep her; for she is life.'
Proverbs 4:13
As I close this sharing, I am reminded and also like to remind you my brothers
and sisters in Christ to take time to be with our Lord and this need not have to
be in a mountain retreat.
And when you sense His calling, to take time to let His Spirit clarify that
calling. And to respond in faith, much as doubts might set in not as to what we know as His will, but our sense of inadequacy of meeting God's expectations or even our questioning the rational f that call from God. God understands our human frailty. His only expectation from us is not what we can do, but are we willing to obey and He will give us that peace of heart immediately, much as we might not get the conclusion that we are looking for, for all things are at God's timing and in His way.
'Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.'
Psalm 119:105
Peace is what man desires and seeks. And peace is what God gives to all who seek
Him, wherever we are, if we are willing to come unto His presence. And God often
imbue that peace in us through His affirmation through "coincidences," and let
me just share two more snippets of His hands at work.
The hymn right after the above two hymns is my favorite "Sois la Semilla" This
was the theme song of my baptism class and also the name of my first small
group. I am reminded truly how from a small seedling
of faith all of us were when we first believed, God will nurture and bring us
forth. But we must be willing to believe in Him as Abraham did.
And I was just at the supermarket this evening. And after almost 12 long years,
I bumped into a couple, friends whom I have not met for that long, but just
happened to see their photos in this morning's newspaper. If life is one of
coincidences, than truly we better be fully honed in our skills to cope with the
unexpected.
But life is a tapestry of God's handiwork and truly we must learn to trust in
His grace and obey as He leads. And our faith is a continued process of refinement till Christ takes us home, but can we be the lamp that the light of God shines forth into the darkness of this world?
'But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day.'
Proverbs 4:18
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
When His Spirit affirms
'Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the
Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall
send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Be not afraid of their faces for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the
Lord.'
Jeremiah 1:7-8
Not too sure if anyone detected a longer gap of silence since my last sharing
"back to school.' It might not be a bad thing for deluge of words, even if with
good intentions can be overwhelming. I was not up in some mountain retreat but
close. The word that our good Lord gave me this year was to "pace it" and the
two weeks break might not have improved my writings significantly, but may the
words and thoughts shared be truly reflective of the will of God for you. And
God is also prescient as to His timing and ways, and this verse from Jeremiah
1:7-8 which He lead me to this morning, as I prepared to complete this message
mirrors the opening verse above from Matthew 10:19-20 and indeed it is a
reminder and assurance that we never walk alone and all grace are from our Lord
and all glory is to Him.
'But when they deliver you up, do not worry about how or what you should speak.
For it will be given to you in that hour what you should speak.: for it is not
you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father who speaks in you.'
Matthew 10:19-20
This morning, in church, my mind wondered off a little in the midst of the
sermon as my thoughts were captured as regards this sense of inadequacy. I have
been asked to consider a task which I was not sure if I was truly ready to
handle. And on a similar vein, I have also asked a couple of brothers in Christ
to take on a totally unrelated task which for reasons, they might not feel too
ready either.
But God is good. He affirms our desire to serve Him much as we are imperfect,
and as I turned the Hymn Book without any thought, it was exactly the page
that the Pastor was preparing to sing for the close of the service a minute
after my action. God is prescient and what struck me more was that this
particular page had two hymns of great relevance to my present thoughts.
"Lord, Whose Love Through Humble Service."
"Whom Shall I Send?"
The words of the first hymn "Lord, whose love through humble serve" urges us the
believers to not just live out our faith in words, but in works. And to move
from words to works can indeed be daunting for many a professed believer.
But the command from God is clear, we who have received the sanctifying love of
God in our lives, must translate that blessing into blessing others God places
in our lives.
And it is never on our own strength but upon the grace of God, and it is never
about who we are, but
Who God is.
The second hymn "Whom shall I send?" is the call from God to all of us to go
forth to the world, to share the gospel of love and salvation. All of us who
take time to be in the presence of our beloved Father will be cognizance of His
will. Yet, like me, we often let our fears or sense of inadequacy or even pride
hinder us from doing the what we know is the will of God. But we are also
reminded that God is Sovereign and He not just stands with us in battle, but the
victory is already His and our participation is for our own spiritual growth as
we will allow Him to show us His ways, which are always good.
'...Did you receive the Spirit by the works of law, or by hearing of faith?'.
Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect
by the flesh? Have you suffered so many things in vain - if indeed it was in
vain?'
Galatians 3:3-5
A friend of mine just came back from a trip to Mount Wudang in China. It seems
that it is now possible to spend a few days up in this once forbidden grounds to
meditate as well as learn some fine Tai Chi moves for a fee. Guess even Shaolin
Temple has gone commercial, so why not Wudang?
As a determined follower of our Lord Jesus Christ, we desire to be refined, to
be transformed from the carnal man to the spiritual man, for God is Spirit. And
much as the Spirit of God resides in the hearts of us the believers, as the
Spirit of God leads, are we prepared to climb the mountain of faith and be
ambivalent when descending down the valley of despair?
This is quite unlike the swashbuckling tales of the Chinese "wuxia" or
pugilistic genre that I quite enjoy watching on television, where the heroes or
heroine after a period of intense honing of their
pugilistic skills, descend to the plains of mainstream life, from whichever
mountain their teacher is ensconced, ready to be all conquering,
'But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord. I say "You are my God." My times are in
Your hand...'
Psalm 31:14-15
'There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man, but God is
faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able, but will
with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.'
1 Corinthians 10:13
Much as I have by the grace of God gone through the fire of refinements many
times over, and have gained a little more luster in my spirituality, I am far
from the spirit man that God desires me to be. My imperfections will continue to
surface at every test that God allows me to go through. Difference is, my
willingness to move from self to God is much more certain and the momentary
sense of hesitation is not allowed to sink any roots that will hold me back from
submitting to His will. I have matured in my spiritual growth because I have
learned to be willing when I am clear about the Lord's will. And I do know the
will of God, because His Spirit will impress upon my heart that has learned to
be sensitive to His prompting, for I am determined to stay in His presence
always.
'Take fast hold of instruction, let her not go, keep her; for she is life.'
Proverbs 4:13
As I close this sharing, I am reminded and also like to remind you my brothers
and sisters in Christ to take time to be with our Lord and this need not have to
be in a mountain retreat.
And when you sense His calling, to take time to let His Spirit clarify that
calling. And to respond in faith, much as doubts might set in not as to what we know as His will, but our sense of inadequacy of meeting God's expectations or even our questioning the rational f that call from God. God understands our human frailty. His only expectation from us is not what we can do, but are we willing to obey and He will give us that peace of heart immediately, much as we might not get the conclusion that we are looking for, for all things are at God's timing and in His way.
'Your Word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.'
Psalm 119:105
Peace is what man desires and seeks. And peace is what God gives to all who seek
Him, wherever we are, if we are willing to come unto His presence. And God often
imbue that peace in us through His affirmation through "coincidences," and let
me just share two more snippets of His hands at work.
The hymn right after the above two hymns is my favorite "Sois la Semilla" This
was the theme song of my baptism class and also the name of my first small
group. I am reminded truly how from a small seedling
of faith all of us were when we first believed, God will nurture and bring us
forth. But we must be willing to believe in Him as Abraham did.
And I was just at the supermarket this evening. And after almost 12 long years,
I bumped into a couple, friends whom I have not met for that long, but just
happened to see their photos in this morning's newspaper. If life is one of
coincidences, than truly we better be fully honed in our skills to cope with the
unexpected.
But life is a tapestry of God's handiwork and truly we must learn to trust in
His grace and obey as He leads. And our faith is a continued process of refinement till Christ takes us home, but can we be the lamp that the light of God shines forth into the darkness of this world?
'But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more
unto the perfect day.'
Proverbs 4:18
God Blesses
Eng Hieang
When His Spirit affirms
'Then said I, Ah, Lord God! Behold, I cannot speak: for I am a child. But the
Lord said unto me, Say not, I am a child: for thou shalt go to all that I shall
send thee, and whatsoever I command thee thou shalt speak.
Be not afraid of their faces for I am with thee to deliver thee, saith the
Lord.'
Jeremiah 1:7-8
Not too sure if anyone detected a longer gap of silence since my last sharing
"back to school.' It might not be a bad thing for deluge of words, even if with
good intentions can be overwhelming. I was not up in some mountain retreat but
close. The word that our good Lord gave me this year was to "pace it" and the
two weeks break might not have improved my writings significantly, but may the
words and thoughts shared be truly reflective of the will of God for you. And
God is also prescient as to His timing and ways, and this verse from Jeremiah
1:7-8 which He lead me to this morning, as I prepared to complete this message
mirrors the opening verse above from Matthew 10:19-20 and indeed it is a
reminder and assurance that we never walk alone and all grace are from our Lord
and all glory is to Him.
Friday, January 7, 2011
In Spirit and Truth #30 Back to school (8th Jan 11)
Dear…
‘Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’
Proverbs 22:6
Today marks the start of the new school term for many children in Singapore. My children's school starts a little later, and so the mood at home is still decidedly relax, before the rigorous routine of our school system resumes. Hard work, just like discipline does the soul good, and knowing that God provides is not a license to be a loafer. In fact, being a Christian, we are asked to be good stewards of the gifts that God has bless us with. The difference as a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ is that we work hard for the Lord as He leads, and not for ourselves or upon our own understanding.
And that challenges are for our refinement, much as blessings are from our Lord to be shared His way.
Every school year, there are new lessons to learn. In line with this reality, let me also use a new approach just this once in my sharing, and I will only use Proverbs 22(and not verses across the Bible as is the norm), as our good Lord leads and indeed there will be lessons He will show us, as we meet and follow Him, in the midst of the various storms as well as the clear sky days of this year.
‘A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.’
Proverbs 22:1
Silver I used to have at US$3/oz, unfortunately none at present prices of US$30/oz. Interestingly, a few years back or rather many dollars back, it was reported that the twin billionaire buddies of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates were not just soul mates in philanthropy but also more than significant holders or hoarders of physical silver, rumored at US$8-10/oz then. Just this morning, I remembered that I do have two platinum coins of an oz each, issued by Johnson Matthey. Not many know this once famous name, for till recently, for more than two decades since the hyperinflationary dragon was slay by even higher interest rates by the then US Federal Chairman Paul Volcker, precious metal was passé.
Today, life has come full circle. Fool’s gold is back and for good reason for paper monies is becoming fait as indebted Governments continue to try to print their way out of trouble. Preservation of one’s wealth and concomitant lifestyle that wealth can buy is good enough justification for taking this route of hoarding increasingly expensive and non-edible to almost useless gold. But there is another gold as shared previously that God wants us to buy, our character as refined by Him, through circumstances that He will allow to challenge us in our faith.
‘By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life.’
Proverbs 22:4
Just yesterday, I had my regular lunch with a dear non believer friend, who is an octogenarian. A friend and mentor, I have always benefitted from his wisdom, and indeed, he shared with me his pride in having been not just successful in his business, but doing it with integrity. And being able to use his wealth to help others with no expectations.
Indeed, this friend has achieved his good name, as in Proverbs 22:1, and he has lived out the command of God more than many professed Christians in name, but continued sinners in heart. But who is truly good? for God looks not for works, but obedience and late last year, when the Lord tested me, I would have failed if not for His grace, and all the good works that I think I have done is irrelevant if I had sinned.
‘The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.’
Proverbs 22:2
I was reviewing the book “Great Gatsby” with my son yesterday. A book that portrays the promise of a surging America in the decadent post World War 1 1920s. Interestingly, present day economic powerhouse China seems to be what America was nine decades back. And China today, like the America of the 1920s, wealth was never equally distributed and the gap in fact widened. The difference of course is that with globalization, there is greater awareness of such disequilibrium and through the internet, power to the disenchanted masses to organize themselves, and that is keeping the not just the Communist party in China awake, but likely many other governments in restless slumber, as inflation intensifies.
Yet, as in Proverbs 22:2, a little liberal extension on my part here, but still a fact, which is, rich or poor, life is finite for all, and all will meet the Lord our God in eternity, only deviation being in eternal joy in Heaven or in perpetual damnation in Hell?
‘Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’
Proverbs 22:6
Time to revisit this opening verse(ie Proverbs 22:6) in today’s sharing. My children was what kept me awake early this morning, not that they have been naughty, but rather, like all parents, we do “worry” for our children. Be it any recognized deficiency or simply what the future holds for them, and if we have prepared them sufficiently.
Indeed, what are we preparing them for? Is it to be able to cope with the present world successfully with wealth as the predicator of success or to be ready for eternity in the Kingdom of God? As a Christian, the answer is obvious, yet many professed Christian parents seems to think otherwise in their actions. And for those like me who recognize the urgency to train our young, it can seem quite daunting to futile as our young wards does not seem to be willing recipients. But all things are in God’s timing and way, and God will deliver, for the prayers of the faithful will be answered and that is not just the reassurance but the certainty of our faith, to allow us to persevere as Christian parents, not just with our own children, but with other people whom God will place in our lives, for we are all His children.
‘The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.’
Proverbs 22:7
Today’s headline in the newspaper was about the increased indebtedness of Singaporeans related to property mortgages as well as increased tendency to rollover credit card bills, especially amongst the younger population. Today’s young adults are the product of our material success as a nation. The Macdonald burgher generation, whose comfortable life are a given, in exchange for a life of intense academic pursuit, the latter being the perceived key to a life of material comfort.
Many of us have clearly forgotten our past life of lesser means, and unfortunately, have not been able to ingrain in our children the reality of the harshness of a life of material deprivation. And worse, we have in our relentless desire to keep our blessings, have deprived them of the experiential knowledge of the source of our comfort and grace, our Abba Father.
Singapore and Hong Kong have benefitted tremendously from the flow of wealth globally. But as past history has shown, it is a double edged sword, and we can be very if not more susceptible to a change in investors’ sentiments that could trigger an outflow of such hot monies as well. Are we, in the pursuit of mammon, enslaving not just ourselves but the future generation to a life of servitude with the debts many are now happily taking, blissfully unaware that the rising tide of interest rates while not approaching the Biblical proportions as witnessed in the Great Queensland flood, might catch many unaware with a sudden increase in tempo.
‘He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.’
Proverbs 22:9
The past three years have been personally challenging for me in my business and financials. Yet, there was never insufficient means to share the Lord’s blessings, for God provides. On January 2nd, the Lord impressed upon my heart the thought “to pace it.” What does it mean? Today, January 5th, I am reminded by His Spirit that the past three years of refinement is over in the main. He will release His blessings through the faithful, to be used for many who will hunger both for physical food and in the spirit. And herein lies the danger for as we see our faith “rewarded,’ just like King Solomon and many once faithful servants of God, our hearts will move away from the Lord surreptitiously. “Take time” with God always, that is, always keep pace with the Lord as He leads, and not us leading Him, for this will be a year of great upheavals yet great transfer of blessings.
‘Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.’
Proverbs 22:15
‘Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.’
Proverbs 22:17
As I close these thoughts from my time with our Lord, I have enclosed a link ( http://www.covenantvision.org/mediacentre/search/Rev%20Francis%20Khoo )to the prophetic word that Rev Francis Khoo released for year 2011. I listened to it last night, and do feel a little troubled. Even without such reminders from anointed servants of God, we all fully well know that the world is a troubled place, maybe difference being the intensity and depth and breadth are taking on “biblical proportions.” Most might look upon prophecies as one of prediction, but for believers, it should be less about what might happen, but rather, it must be taken as a reminder to all of us of our own state of readiness for the day Christ returns or possibly earlier if you are called home to be with the Lord.
To be willing to be transformed by the Holy Spirit residing in our hearts, to be diligently seeking God, it must come from us, and that desire translated into a responsiveness can only come if we truly take time to reflect upon and learn from the Spirit of God, whom Christ has left with us to teach, guide, correct and provide for our spiritual growth. For we struggle not just against our deceitful self, but also against principalities and fallen angels.
Rgds and God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(8th Jan 2011)
‘Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’
Proverbs 22:6
Today marks the start of the new school term for many children in Singapore. My children's school starts a little later, and so the mood at home is still decidedly relax, before the rigorous routine of our school system resumes. Hard work, just like discipline does the soul good, and knowing that God provides is not a license to be a loafer. In fact, being a Christian, we are asked to be good stewards of the gifts that God has bless us with. The difference as a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ is that we work hard for the Lord as He leads, and not for ourselves or upon our own understanding.
And that challenges are for our refinement, much as blessings are from our Lord to be shared His way.
Every school year, there are new lessons to learn. In line with this reality, let me also use a new approach just this once in my sharing, and I will only use Proverbs 22(and not verses across the Bible as is the norm), as our good Lord leads and indeed there will be lessons He will show us, as we meet and follow Him, in the midst of the various storms as well as the clear sky days of this year.
‘A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favor rather than silver and gold.’
Proverbs 22:1
Silver I used to have at US$3/oz, unfortunately none at present prices of US$30/oz. Interestingly, a few years back or rather many dollars back, it was reported that the twin billionaire buddies of Warren Buffett and Bill Gates were not just soul mates in philanthropy but also more than significant holders or hoarders of physical silver, rumored at US$8-10/oz then. Just this morning, I remembered that I do have two platinum coins of an oz each, issued by Johnson Matthey. Not many know this once famous name, for till recently, for more than two decades since the hyperinflationary dragon was slay by even higher interest rates by the then US Federal Chairman Paul Volcker, precious metal was passé.
Today, life has come full circle. Fool’s gold is back and for good reason for paper monies is becoming fait as indebted Governments continue to try to print their way out of trouble. Preservation of one’s wealth and concomitant lifestyle that wealth can buy is good enough justification for taking this route of hoarding increasingly expensive and non-edible to almost useless gold. But there is another gold as shared previously that God wants us to buy, our character as refined by Him, through circumstances that He will allow to challenge us in our faith.
‘By humility and the fear of the Lord are riches, and honor, and life.’
Proverbs 22:4
Just yesterday, I had my regular lunch with a dear non believer friend, who is an octogenarian. A friend and mentor, I have always benefitted from his wisdom, and indeed, he shared with me his pride in having been not just successful in his business, but doing it with integrity. And being able to use his wealth to help others with no expectations.
Indeed, this friend has achieved his good name, as in Proverbs 22:1, and he has lived out the command of God more than many professed Christians in name, but continued sinners in heart. But who is truly good? for God looks not for works, but obedience and late last year, when the Lord tested me, I would have failed if not for His grace, and all the good works that I think I have done is irrelevant if I had sinned.
‘The rich and poor meet together; the Lord is the maker of them all.’
Proverbs 22:2
I was reviewing the book “Great Gatsby” with my son yesterday. A book that portrays the promise of a surging America in the decadent post World War 1 1920s. Interestingly, present day economic powerhouse China seems to be what America was nine decades back. And China today, like the America of the 1920s, wealth was never equally distributed and the gap in fact widened. The difference of course is that with globalization, there is greater awareness of such disequilibrium and through the internet, power to the disenchanted masses to organize themselves, and that is keeping the not just the Communist party in China awake, but likely many other governments in restless slumber, as inflation intensifies.
Yet, as in Proverbs 22:2, a little liberal extension on my part here, but still a fact, which is, rich or poor, life is finite for all, and all will meet the Lord our God in eternity, only deviation being in eternal joy in Heaven or in perpetual damnation in Hell?
‘Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.’
Proverbs 22:6
Time to revisit this opening verse(ie Proverbs 22:6) in today’s sharing. My children was what kept me awake early this morning, not that they have been naughty, but rather, like all parents, we do “worry” for our children. Be it any recognized deficiency or simply what the future holds for them, and if we have prepared them sufficiently.
Indeed, what are we preparing them for? Is it to be able to cope with the present world successfully with wealth as the predicator of success or to be ready for eternity in the Kingdom of God? As a Christian, the answer is obvious, yet many professed Christian parents seems to think otherwise in their actions. And for those like me who recognize the urgency to train our young, it can seem quite daunting to futile as our young wards does not seem to be willing recipients. But all things are in God’s timing and way, and God will deliver, for the prayers of the faithful will be answered and that is not just the reassurance but the certainty of our faith, to allow us to persevere as Christian parents, not just with our own children, but with other people whom God will place in our lives, for we are all His children.
‘The rich ruleth over the poor, and the borrower is servant to the lender.’
Proverbs 22:7
Today’s headline in the newspaper was about the increased indebtedness of Singaporeans related to property mortgages as well as increased tendency to rollover credit card bills, especially amongst the younger population. Today’s young adults are the product of our material success as a nation. The Macdonald burgher generation, whose comfortable life are a given, in exchange for a life of intense academic pursuit, the latter being the perceived key to a life of material comfort.
Many of us have clearly forgotten our past life of lesser means, and unfortunately, have not been able to ingrain in our children the reality of the harshness of a life of material deprivation. And worse, we have in our relentless desire to keep our blessings, have deprived them of the experiential knowledge of the source of our comfort and grace, our Abba Father.
Singapore and Hong Kong have benefitted tremendously from the flow of wealth globally. But as past history has shown, it is a double edged sword, and we can be very if not more susceptible to a change in investors’ sentiments that could trigger an outflow of such hot monies as well. Are we, in the pursuit of mammon, enslaving not just ourselves but the future generation to a life of servitude with the debts many are now happily taking, blissfully unaware that the rising tide of interest rates while not approaching the Biblical proportions as witnessed in the Great Queensland flood, might catch many unaware with a sudden increase in tempo.
‘He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.’
Proverbs 22:9
The past three years have been personally challenging for me in my business and financials. Yet, there was never insufficient means to share the Lord’s blessings, for God provides. On January 2nd, the Lord impressed upon my heart the thought “to pace it.” What does it mean? Today, January 5th, I am reminded by His Spirit that the past three years of refinement is over in the main. He will release His blessings through the faithful, to be used for many who will hunger both for physical food and in the spirit. And herein lies the danger for as we see our faith “rewarded,’ just like King Solomon and many once faithful servants of God, our hearts will move away from the Lord surreptitiously. “Take time” with God always, that is, always keep pace with the Lord as He leads, and not us leading Him, for this will be a year of great upheavals yet great transfer of blessings.
‘Foolishness is bound in the heart of a child, but the rod of correction shall drive it far from him.’
Proverbs 22:15
‘Bow down thine ear, and hear the words of the wise, and apply thine heart unto my knowledge.’
Proverbs 22:17
As I close these thoughts from my time with our Lord, I have enclosed a link ( http://www.covenantvision.org/mediacentre/search/Rev%20Francis%20Khoo )to the prophetic word that Rev Francis Khoo released for year 2011. I listened to it last night, and do feel a little troubled. Even without such reminders from anointed servants of God, we all fully well know that the world is a troubled place, maybe difference being the intensity and depth and breadth are taking on “biblical proportions.” Most might look upon prophecies as one of prediction, but for believers, it should be less about what might happen, but rather, it must be taken as a reminder to all of us of our own state of readiness for the day Christ returns or possibly earlier if you are called home to be with the Lord.
To be willing to be transformed by the Holy Spirit residing in our hearts, to be diligently seeking God, it must come from us, and that desire translated into a responsiveness can only come if we truly take time to reflect upon and learn from the Spirit of God, whom Christ has left with us to teach, guide, correct and provide for our spiritual growth. For we struggle not just against our deceitful self, but also against principalities and fallen angels.
Rgds and God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(8th Jan 2011)
Saturday, January 1, 2011
In Spirit and Truth #29 Yesterday once more (1st Jan 2011)
Dear...
'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of
God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for very good work.'
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"Yesterday once more" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwxsWIYJI2A) sung by the
siblings, Richard and Karen(late) Carpenter is still one of my favorite secular
songs, much as it harks from the period of the 1970s. And it is more than just
nostalgia or maybe it is, for many of us who tend to remember fondly the good
parts of the past, while quite easily forgetting the forgettable aspects.
But as for me, since the Spirit of God imbued the sanctifying presence of God
unto my very being almost a decade back, and through time spent in His Words and
in all my imperfections, in doing His work, I have come to appreciate and be
thankful that every second of my life lived till now has been a blessing, much
as one has and will still go through the amplitude of emotional challenges that
the fallen world has and will continue to subject all of us to, believer or not.
'If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of
Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you
have carefully followed.'
1 Timothy 4:6
Is 'deliberate malnourishment' the right way to describe 'anorexia.' What often
started out as a conscious attempt to align one's physique to meet the match
stick definition of modern beauty, often spiral into an uncontrollable rejection
of food necessary for our bodily well-being. This is my layman's interpretation
of what anorexia mean, but what matters is that promising young lives are being
loss unnecessarily, be it the recent report on the French model who died, having
suffered from anorexia or in the case of Karen Carpenter, seems like just
yesterday(though it was in the 1980s) that we read about her death, after
coming out from one year of rehabilitation from anorexia.
'But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.'
1 Timothy 5:6
Seems rather paradoxical, this verse from the Bible. Is not attaining and
soaking oneself in the material pleasures of the world what most are living for
and literally would die for? Like today's Daily Bread reading, the author
encourages us to chew upon the Word of God, and He will speak to you. And indeed
do ponder upon this verse in your reflective moments with our Lord and I am sure
your response will be very dissimilar to that of a betel nut chewer, who gets a
temporary high and then spit out the messy aftereffects.
The Word of God is God and God is the Word, and those who truly seek to spend
time in His Word, will indeed not just be refreshed in the body and in the
spirit, but will as in 1 Timothy 4:6, be used by our Lord Jesus Christ to 'feed'
people He will place in their lives, to point them to the source of all comfort
and grace, God our Father in Heaven.
Are you spiritually anorexic? Seems like a rather inappropriate question to ask
when most are still savoring the lingering days of a month of festivity and
relaxation, but it is not just a necessary question, but a question of life and
death. It is a reality that many professed Christians hardly read the Bible, and
if they do, most take it like a quick inconsequential bite of breakfast, before
rushing headlong into the demands of the world.
It is no wonder that many do not feel that spiritual connect with our
omnipresent God, and many easily caved in, when subjected to the temptations of
the devil, for they are spiritually malnourished,
'For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all
things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.'
1 Timothy 4:8
Strange things have happened to me, and more since the Lord placed me in this
ministry of His Word, to encourage and be encouraged. And what you are reading
now is fresh from the oven, reason being an earlier draft I had done for some
reason could not be loaded from my Apple Imac, much as everything else in this
computer is working, be it my inbox and sent box. And I could see the contents
of my draft in my Iphone notwithstanding that the change in year has led to a
bug in the Iphone's alarm not working globally. But it matters not, for I have
come to learn that God is Sovereign, and spiritual attack or not from the devil,
it is for me to take time to ponder upon God's will and to submit to His will.
Very different from my carnal past , where frustration will translate into anger
and verbal assault in varied colors.
And indeed, the Word of God has truly transformed my very being, but like 1
Timothy 4:8 which exhorts all who seek our Lord, that the Word of God must lead
to a response from us to His Word. Anorexic many Christians might not be, but
God is not looking for 'couch potatoes' either.
'Whose voice then shook the earth; but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once
more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more,
signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are
made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.'
Hebrews 12:26-27
I like many determined followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, I spent the best part
of the past two years buying gold from our Lord, as in our characters going
through the painful but gainful fire that God will put all through, who
professed to be like Christ. I believe that all who were willing are now much
purified, much as we are still imperfect and I believe it is for reasons that
God is preparing us for and will show us all this year, ie year 2011.
'I will deliver them to trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for their
harm, to be a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all paces where I
shall drive them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence
among them, till they are consumed from the land that I gave to them and their
fathers.'
Jeremiah 24:9-10
I look forward to reading and reflecting in the presence of our Lord, the
prophetic word that Rev Francis Khoo from Covenant Vision Center traditionally
released at year end. As I write this sharing, I am not sure if our Lord has
released the word through this faithful servant of His, but will take a look and
if available, I will include the link for your prayerful thoughts. God through
history, does speak through His servants. But it is not a question of accuracy
of prediction, but rather, every word of God has a purpose, that will be very
specific to us, as we take time in His presence.And it is in this context that I
believe that all who hear or read messages shared by fellow men, no matter how
anointed they are or seem to be, must be cognizant that it is God Whom they must
look to, not men. Words from men are to point us to Christ, our Savior and
Redeemer, but men must not take the place of God.
'The Lord has said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah, Do not go to Egypt.
Know certainly that I have admonished you this day.'
Jeremiah 42:19
This is the closing verse that I felt the Lord wants me to leave with all. Most
might be familiar with the story of how the remnants of once mighty Israel, were
determined to run back into the perceived safety of Egypt, back to the place of
bondage of yesteryear, a place where God through Moses led them out of. Why,
because in their rational thinking, the remnants were afraid of the wrath of the
Babylonians, and they could not accept that indeed God wanted them to stay with
the Babylonians.
As we head into the first few days of this new year, is it right to continue to
live a life of bondage, an "Egyptian" lifestyle, because we do not trust what
God is saying to us now, to put Him as first and foremost in our daily living,
and not our needs and aspirations or fears? I fear God will not allow us to
remain spiritually anorexic nor uncomfortably slouched in our seats. I believe
that this year 2011 will be a watershed year, more intense than year 2008, for
your soul is at stake, and the times are near for the return of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
'Therefore thus saith the Lord, Ye have not hearkened unto Me, in proclaiming
liberty...behold I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to
the pestilence, and to the famine, and I will make you to be removed into all
the kingdoms of the earth.'
Jeremiah 34:17
And the signs are stirring and pointing to a strong possibility of the horrible
yesteryears of the late 1970s/early 1980s making a comeback.
- a famine of food and also words. The former as climate change and rising
affluent population coupled with hedge fund speculation lead to a shortage of
food and hyper prices. And for the latter, as Christianity gets pushed into the
sideline by the rising tide of secularism.
- the emergence of One Europe as the fragility of the European Union will lead
to a need to reconfigure the EU built around Aryan Germany as the core, and not
the present unrealistic union of equals. And Europe can never be truly one as
long as the British Isles remain an island of independence but with the summer
of discontent of strikes and civil unrest and changing coalition governments,
fast approaching in near bankrupt UK, the English Channel will soon be paved
over literally and the Sterling Pound could be yesterday's currency.
- the borrower is indeed a slave to the lender, and if investors ever lose
confidence in the ability of heavily indebted countries to ever set their
finances right, the days of high teen interest rates could be back to haunt us
again, and indeed "yesterday once more, the song of the 1970s might not hit the
charts, but events reminiscent of the late 1970s and early 1980s could make a
comeback, and rest assured, none of us will be very nostalgic about those
painful days, especially if you happen to be perched right now on a mountain of
debt simply because you believe that all these free monies will ensure that
stock price and property markets will continue their unreal climb?
- greater anarchy and xenophobia
In the 1970s, the Western world had its anarchist groups, with hijacking and
bombings a common occurrence. Japan had its Red Army, while Italy and Germany
had their own versions of home spun terrorists. And protectionism and racialism
will be the tools that politicians bankrupt of ideas to salvage their indebted
economy will find as convenient tools to rally a disgruntled population.
Do excuse me for going a little wild with my thoughts here. But we are still a
little intoxicated from all the parties past few days. But do take time in the
presence of our Lord. It is not what will happen, but will we be willing to
anchor ourselves upon Christ our Rock, should it happen? God is faithful, but
for us to remain faithful, to want to cling on to Him, when the shaking starts,
the preparation has to start now. And please do not make this your New Year
resolution, for resolutions are rarely kept, but instead pray that you will, by
the Grace of God, be resolute, for the days are upon us.
Regards and God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(1st Jan 2011)
'All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine,
for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of
God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for very good work.'
2 Timothy 3:16-17
"Yesterday once more" ( http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YwxsWIYJI2A) sung by the
siblings, Richard and Karen(late) Carpenter is still one of my favorite secular
songs, much as it harks from the period of the 1970s. And it is more than just
nostalgia or maybe it is, for many of us who tend to remember fondly the good
parts of the past, while quite easily forgetting the forgettable aspects.
But as for me, since the Spirit of God imbued the sanctifying presence of God
unto my very being almost a decade back, and through time spent in His Words and
in all my imperfections, in doing His work, I have come to appreciate and be
thankful that every second of my life lived till now has been a blessing, much
as one has and will still go through the amplitude of emotional challenges that
the fallen world has and will continue to subject all of us to, believer or not.
'If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of
Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you
have carefully followed.'
1 Timothy 4:6
Is 'deliberate malnourishment' the right way to describe 'anorexia.' What often
started out as a conscious attempt to align one's physique to meet the match
stick definition of modern beauty, often spiral into an uncontrollable rejection
of food necessary for our bodily well-being. This is my layman's interpretation
of what anorexia mean, but what matters is that promising young lives are being
loss unnecessarily, be it the recent report on the French model who died, having
suffered from anorexia or in the case of Karen Carpenter, seems like just
yesterday(though it was in the 1980s) that we read about her death, after
coming out from one year of rehabilitation from anorexia.
'But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives.'
1 Timothy 5:6
Seems rather paradoxical, this verse from the Bible. Is not attaining and
soaking oneself in the material pleasures of the world what most are living for
and literally would die for? Like today's Daily Bread reading, the author
encourages us to chew upon the Word of God, and He will speak to you. And indeed
do ponder upon this verse in your reflective moments with our Lord and I am sure
your response will be very dissimilar to that of a betel nut chewer, who gets a
temporary high and then spit out the messy aftereffects.
The Word of God is God and God is the Word, and those who truly seek to spend
time in His Word, will indeed not just be refreshed in the body and in the
spirit, but will as in 1 Timothy 4:6, be used by our Lord Jesus Christ to 'feed'
people He will place in their lives, to point them to the source of all comfort
and grace, God our Father in Heaven.
Are you spiritually anorexic? Seems like a rather inappropriate question to ask
when most are still savoring the lingering days of a month of festivity and
relaxation, but it is not just a necessary question, but a question of life and
death. It is a reality that many professed Christians hardly read the Bible, and
if they do, most take it like a quick inconsequential bite of breakfast, before
rushing headlong into the demands of the world.
It is no wonder that many do not feel that spiritual connect with our
omnipresent God, and many easily caved in, when subjected to the temptations of
the devil, for they are spiritually malnourished,
'For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all
things having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.'
1 Timothy 4:8
Strange things have happened to me, and more since the Lord placed me in this
ministry of His Word, to encourage and be encouraged. And what you are reading
now is fresh from the oven, reason being an earlier draft I had done for some
reason could not be loaded from my Apple Imac, much as everything else in this
computer is working, be it my inbox and sent box. And I could see the contents
of my draft in my Iphone notwithstanding that the change in year has led to a
bug in the Iphone's alarm not working globally. But it matters not, for I have
come to learn that God is Sovereign, and spiritual attack or not from the devil,
it is for me to take time to ponder upon God's will and to submit to His will.
Very different from my carnal past , where frustration will translate into anger
and verbal assault in varied colors.
And indeed, the Word of God has truly transformed my very being, but like 1
Timothy 4:8 which exhorts all who seek our Lord, that the Word of God must lead
to a response from us to His Word. Anorexic many Christians might not be, but
God is not looking for 'couch potatoes' either.
'Whose voice then shook the earth; but now He hath promised, saying, Yet once
more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more,
signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are
made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.'
Hebrews 12:26-27
I like many determined followers of our Lord Jesus Christ, I spent the best part
of the past two years buying gold from our Lord, as in our characters going
through the painful but gainful fire that God will put all through, who
professed to be like Christ. I believe that all who were willing are now much
purified, much as we are still imperfect and I believe it is for reasons that
God is preparing us for and will show us all this year, ie year 2011.
'I will deliver them to trouble into all the kingdoms of the earth, for their
harm, to be a reproach and a byword, a taunt and a curse, in all paces where I
shall drive them. And I will send the sword, the famine, and the pestilence
among them, till they are consumed from the land that I gave to them and their
fathers.'
Jeremiah 24:9-10
I look forward to reading and reflecting in the presence of our Lord, the
prophetic word that Rev Francis Khoo from Covenant Vision Center traditionally
released at year end. As I write this sharing, I am not sure if our Lord has
released the word through this faithful servant of His, but will take a look and
if available, I will include the link for your prayerful thoughts. God through
history, does speak through His servants. But it is not a question of accuracy
of prediction, but rather, every word of God has a purpose, that will be very
specific to us, as we take time in His presence.And it is in this context that I
believe that all who hear or read messages shared by fellow men, no matter how
anointed they are or seem to be, must be cognizant that it is God Whom they must
look to, not men. Words from men are to point us to Christ, our Savior and
Redeemer, but men must not take the place of God.
'The Lord has said concerning you, O ye remnant of Judah, Do not go to Egypt.
Know certainly that I have admonished you this day.'
Jeremiah 42:19
This is the closing verse that I felt the Lord wants me to leave with all. Most
might be familiar with the story of how the remnants of once mighty Israel, were
determined to run back into the perceived safety of Egypt, back to the place of
bondage of yesteryear, a place where God through Moses led them out of. Why,
because in their rational thinking, the remnants were afraid of the wrath of the
Babylonians, and they could not accept that indeed God wanted them to stay with
the Babylonians.
As we head into the first few days of this new year, is it right to continue to
live a life of bondage, an "Egyptian" lifestyle, because we do not trust what
God is saying to us now, to put Him as first and foremost in our daily living,
and not our needs and aspirations or fears? I fear God will not allow us to
remain spiritually anorexic nor uncomfortably slouched in our seats. I believe
that this year 2011 will be a watershed year, more intense than year 2008, for
your soul is at stake, and the times are near for the return of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
'Therefore thus saith the Lord, Ye have not hearkened unto Me, in proclaiming
liberty...behold I proclaim a liberty for you, saith the Lord, to the sword, to
the pestilence, and to the famine, and I will make you to be removed into all
the kingdoms of the earth.'
Jeremiah 34:17
And the signs are stirring and pointing to a strong possibility of the horrible
yesteryears of the late 1970s/early 1980s making a comeback.
- a famine of food and also words. The former as climate change and rising
affluent population coupled with hedge fund speculation lead to a shortage of
food and hyper prices. And for the latter, as Christianity gets pushed into the
sideline by the rising tide of secularism.
- the emergence of One Europe as the fragility of the European Union will lead
to a need to reconfigure the EU built around Aryan Germany as the core, and not
the present unrealistic union of equals. And Europe can never be truly one as
long as the British Isles remain an island of independence but with the summer
of discontent of strikes and civil unrest and changing coalition governments,
fast approaching in near bankrupt UK, the English Channel will soon be paved
over literally and the Sterling Pound could be yesterday's currency.
- the borrower is indeed a slave to the lender, and if investors ever lose
confidence in the ability of heavily indebted countries to ever set their
finances right, the days of high teen interest rates could be back to haunt us
again, and indeed "yesterday once more, the song of the 1970s might not hit the
charts, but events reminiscent of the late 1970s and early 1980s could make a
comeback, and rest assured, none of us will be very nostalgic about those
painful days, especially if you happen to be perched right now on a mountain of
debt simply because you believe that all these free monies will ensure that
stock price and property markets will continue their unreal climb?
- greater anarchy and xenophobia
In the 1970s, the Western world had its anarchist groups, with hijacking and
bombings a common occurrence. Japan had its Red Army, while Italy and Germany
had their own versions of home spun terrorists. And protectionism and racialism
will be the tools that politicians bankrupt of ideas to salvage their indebted
economy will find as convenient tools to rally a disgruntled population.
Do excuse me for going a little wild with my thoughts here. But we are still a
little intoxicated from all the parties past few days. But do take time in the
presence of our Lord. It is not what will happen, but will we be willing to
anchor ourselves upon Christ our Rock, should it happen? God is faithful, but
for us to remain faithful, to want to cling on to Him, when the shaking starts,
the preparation has to start now. And please do not make this your New Year
resolution, for resolutions are rarely kept, but instead pray that you will, by
the Grace of God, be resolute, for the days are upon us.
Regards and God Blesses
Eng Hieang
(1st Jan 2011)
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