PK - A Messenger of The Gospel

December 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2012-01-03T06:30:00.000-08:00

Year 2012 will mark the beginning of the end of the world. A 7-year Tribulation will precede the end. Some says the Tribulation is imminent, whilst some says it has already started, by judging recent disastrous events happening in the world, be it economic or natural.

It is without doubt that the end is near. The only certain timing is what was prophesied in Daniel 7 and Daniel 12:

[Dan 7:25 NIV]

25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.

[Dan 12:7,10-12 NIV]

7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

11 "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

“Time, times and half a time” represents the 2nd half of the 7-year Tribulation which will start “from the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up.”

The abomination that causes desolation is set up when the Anti-Christ reveals himself to the world and set himself up as the Lord of the world.

My estimate is that all these, including the end, will occur within this decade, i.e. before 2020!

At a time such as this, “blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end”. To make it possible, may I suggest you become a saint, i.e. by doing 5 things, each starting with one letter of the word SAINT:

1) Seek God’s face and His presence always

2) Aware of Satan’s evil schemes

3) Invest in God’s Kingdom with all you have – talents, time, energy, money….

4) Not giving up on your faith whatever happens

5) Trust in the Lord always

If you are not a believer in Jesus yet, it is time to accept Jesus into your life as your personal Lord & Saviour, before it is too late! You can believe in your heart and confess with your mouth by saying the following prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I want to turn away from my sins; I am willing to begin a new life with Your help. Thank you for shedding Your blood on the cross so my sins could be forgiven. Lord Jesus, please forgive my sins and come into my heart and my life right now. From this moment forward, my life belongs to You and You alone. I will love You, serve You, tell others about You, and trust You to live Your life through me. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen!”

It is time to acknowledge the Lordship of our Creator God and accept our dependence on Him. “How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number — living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. These all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works — he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD. [Ps 104:24-35 NIV]

The same call came from Prophet Hosea who was confident of the Lord’s return one day. "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." [Hos 6:1-3 NIV]

Indeed, let us come to God with confidence for He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." [Heb 4:12-16 NIV]

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Let nothing distract us from ways that are firm. “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor." Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil. [Prov 4:5-9, 24-27 NIV]

November 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-12-04T06:24:00.000-08:00

At work, we are running a Bible Study and a Praying Meeting alternately each week. In the Bible Study this week, the teacher was sharing from Ps. 8, one of my favourite psalms.

[Ps 8]

1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

The teacher correctly highlighted God’s majestic love through a number of comparisons:

1) Children / Infants VS Enemies / Foe / Avenger: children / infants are no match of enemies / foe / avenger

2) Man VS Heavens: man is no match of the Heavens

Yet His Majesty is mindful of us; care for us; crown us with glory & honour; made us ruler of His creation!

This week, our grandson Sebby turned 6 months old.

I witnessed his growth week by week from a tiny 6lbs + at birth to about 20lbs today. Indeed from the day Sebby was conceived in his mother’s womb, God the Creator has been at work.

[Ps 139:13-16]

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Like a seasoned craftsman, God’s handiwork continues after Sebby’s birth.

What touched me most about Ps 8 was the contrast of an infant with an enemy!

In New King James version, [Ps 8:2] reads:

"Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger."

A baby is vulnerable, totally helpless. He or she is defenseless in the face of an enemy. Yet, God protects him or her from harm!

From about 2 months, Sebby was not happy just lying down. He wanted to be held so that he could stand up.

At 3 months, he was already quite energetic.

At 4 months, he became more active, moving his arms like a young bird flapping the wings.

At 5 months, he enjoyed bouncing, when he was held standing up. When lying on his back, he could roll over by himself.

At 6 months, he became very agile, finding his feet with his hands and putting them in his mouth. :)

Yet, even at 6 months, he still could hardly sit up properly by himself!

Sebby enjoys singing, esp. praise songs, although he does it in his own way that babies do. But we can see that he is happy although he has not got the understanding of God yet.

Looking at Sebby, I can truly appreciate God’s amazing love towards man!

I claim God’s promises that He is mindful of us; He cares for us; He crowns us with glory & honour and He makes us ruler of His creation!

We are made for doing great things because that is God’s design intent for mankind, the crown of His Creation.

As I live each day with that expectation, I begin to see the promises coming true in my work, in my ministries, in every aspect of my life!

It is the right thing to do to sing praises to our great God. “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn? shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.” [Ps 98:1-9 NIV]

Despite of the unfaithfulness of His people, God remains faithful. He patiently waits for us to repent. "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. "In that day," declares the LORD, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master.' I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips; no longer will their names be invoked. In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety. I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD. "In that day I will respond," declares the LORD- "I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth; and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and oil, and they will respond to Jezreel. I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.' I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people'; and they will say, 'You are my God.'" [Hos 2:14-23 NIV]

This is the good news of Jesus Christ. “……..We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” [Titus 3:1-8 NIV]

Justice and righteousness are the foundation of God’s throne; the foundation of His City where we will dwell for eternity one day. These are eternal values that God has established and they hold true even in the sinful world we live in. “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan…….By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down……An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern…… If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure……When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall…….The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.” [Prov 29:2,4,6,7,14,16,27 NIV]

October 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-11-09T06:29:00.000-08:00

Two people I knew passed away in October. The first one I do not claim to know personally, but he was world famous alright. His name was Steve Jobs. He was not a computer scientist. He had no training as a hardware engineer or an industrial designer. He had a semester at Reed College and a stint at an ashram in India. Jobs’ expertise was less in computers than it was in the humans who used them.

In the world of technology, most people can hope to revolutionize one industry at most, but Jobs did it every few years with stunning regularity: computers, movies, music, phones. In 2011, he became the most celebrated business executive of his generation. Apple’s market capitalization passed that of Exxon Mobil, making it the planet’s most valuable company. Steve has made the cover of TIME magazine 5 times – 1982, 1997, 2005, 2010 and 2011. He passed away at the relatively tender age of 56.

The other person I knew who passed away in October was my Dad. Comparing to Steve Jobs, my Dad could not be more different. He was only known to his family and a very small circle of friends and relatives. He was a barber by profession. He used to cut my hair since my childhood days; he still did it occasionally until he emigrated to Canada in 1995, well after his retirement!

One of the few things I remember about my Dad was that he was a very good Mahjong player. I guess he had a lot of practice; there seemed to be a Mahjong game going on at home almost every evening. I hated it because the noise prevented me from concentrating on my study or homework!

Like a typical Chinese father of his generation, my Dad hardly communicated with his children. I guess he did not know how. His job was to put food on the table and paid the bills. For someone who had only the equivalent of a primary education and had 6 children to raise, he did a pretty good job as a father. One thing I did remember all my life was his exhortation to me when I finished secondary school. On the Book of Memorandum of my graduation year, he wrote in Chinese something like “A man should make his body his slave; enduring hardship and trials”. I have truly benefited from that sound advice ever since!

He and my Mum became born again Christians in 1994, after a Christmas celebration service, where I shared a testimony. As we came out of the service, I asked them if they would like to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour; they promptly said yes. I led them through the sinners’ prayer on the street pavement!

In 1997, 2 days before Christmas, I received a phone call from my sister in Vancouver that my Dad had a stroke. He was already 86 years old and we thought it was time to bid farewell. I caught the first flight out from Hong Kong and arrived on Christmas Eve. My Dad was lying in the hospital bed sleeping, looking very frail and pale. I laid my hand on his body and asked God to heal him!

The next morning was a sunny Christmas Day and a White Christmas; it had been snowing the night before. We received news that Dad woke up and the doctor thought it was a miracle that he recovered. I gave all the glory to God!

In the intervening years, Dad led a very active life in Vancouver, playing Mahjong and billiard at his favorite community centre. He and Mum had a good time travelling to Hong Kong and China, catching up with old friends and relatives. They also visited us in London including attending one of the Sunday services!

In the past couple of years, my prayer for my Dad was for him to make 100, God willing. Came 2011, we made plan to celebrate his 100th birthday. He had been in an old folks home for over a year and his health was clearly deteriorating rapidly. When the family gathered in July to celebrate his 100th birthday, we had to do it in the hospital because had a chest infection. Most of his children made it to the celebration, including granddaughter Elsie and great granddaughter Nikki. I showed my Dad pictures of our grandson Sebby (his great grandson) who was just over one month old at the time!

On 10th October, when Taiwan celebrated her 100th birthday, we received news that my Dad passed away peacefully. The Lord had brought him home in his sleep. On the 20th, I flew to Vancouver to conduct a memorial service for my Dad. It was held for a small family gathering at the burial and the Lord blessed us with dry weather despite of the rainy forecast. On his tombstone he was remembered as having “lived a long and good life”!

The Bible says that our days are numbered by God. Whether, one ends at 56 or 100, God is the one who decides. No one can add another day to his or her life without God’s blessing. He is the Lord of our lives! I am not sure where Steve Jobs went after his death, but I know for certain that my Dad is with the Lord. That is God’s promise for everyone who believes in Jesus!

The Lord is the name of our God. Besides being the Creator, He is also the Lord of our lives. “You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men." ……. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning? though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered…….The length of our days is seventy years? or eighty, if we have the strength……Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom……May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us? yes, establish the work of our hands. [Ps 90:1-17 NIV]

The story of Daniel’s 3 friends may not ring true in the minds of modern men, but it was true all the same. When they did not worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar made, they were thrown into a blazingly hot furnace. “Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?......if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"…… his advisers…..see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."…….They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.” [Dan 3:1-6, 12-15, 22-30 NIV] The God of Creation whom they believed in saved them!

If we truly believe in God, we shall be a people of courage and power in testifying about Him. Let the fire of the Holy Spirit burn strongly in us. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…..For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord……join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…” [2 Tim 1:2-14 NIV]

Here are a few worthy sayings that embody the wisdom of God. “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way…..He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers……A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense…..He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die…….Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails……The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble…….Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. [Prov 19:2,8,11,16,20,21,23,27 NIV]

September 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-10-02T06:12:00.000-07:00

Our chapter of church planting in Europe finally closed when God helped us to complete the sale of our house in London on Friday, 30 Sept., 2011, although I already relinquished my role as Regional Pastor for Hope West Europe at the Euro Leaders Conference in September, 2010. The house sale was a miracle considering the economic situation in the UK and the price was a good one too. In addition, God reserved a seat for Kim to fly Upper Class back to Hong Kong 2 days after the sale; she only had to pay airport tax of HK$3269. God’s favour is amazing!

It was a beautiful chapter of our lives that started on Friday, 22 May, 1998, when, by faith, we left Hong Kong and landed in Heathrow Airport, London. On the Sunday of the same week (24 May, 1998) the Lord gave us a word of confirmation and encouragement from a prophetic preacher, a total stranger, when we visited Kensington Temple, the fastest growing church in London at the time. The prophetic word had helped to launch our church planting work in London and beyond.

It was a Call to Sacrifice, leaving Hong Kong at the peak of my career as a Director in a top international consulting engineering firm. I had no idea what Kim and I were getting ourselves into. We came out of Heathrow Airport with fear and trembling, hanging onto the belief that it was God who called us to Europe. The prophetic word on Sunday though was a tremendous boost of my faith to start the 1st church in Europe!

It was a chapter of our lives that is full of wonderful memories and thanksgiving – our first meeting of 4 people in our small flat in North London on our 1st Sunday in London. After receiving the prophetic word, I preached to 3 people with zeal and excitement on the message of Fulfilling God’s Given Vision :).

Then we had our first public service on 2 Aug., 1998 in London City YMCA where 12 people and a dog attended. In the same month we held our first camp on 30 Aug., 1998. Ps. James Loke, an Elder of Hope of God International and 23 other people joined the historic event. It was at the camp where I met our dearest sister Adelaide who became my faithful prayer partner since. Together we won many battles in the heavenly realm as we advanced the Kingdom of God in Europe in the intervening 12 years. Thank you Adelaide; your rewards in Heaven shall be massive!

In the years that follow, Kim & I met many beautiful people, in the UK and different parts of Europe, through mission trips, camps, conventions…….There are many people I wanted to give thanks to, esp. the European church pioneers and co-workers – Tor & Wander, Albert & Claire, Marcus & Stephanie, Joel & Olivia, Reto & Christine, Ondra & Jana - you are history makers in Hope Europe. You now have many off-springs that are spreading out to eventually touch the whole continent of Europe. It is exciting to see the mustard seed parable becoming a reality!

I am of course greatly indebted to my core leaders in the UK – Vincent, Twin, Aaron, Eldos & Esther, Jo (now back to Hope Brisbane), Roger & Lorisa, Dexter & Precious, Nong …. your partnership in the Gospel has blessed so many lives who are serving God with you in the UK or serving God back home. They are just too many to name, but you all have a special place in my heart. I must not forget my Leaders in Asia who provided the spiritual covering!

When we left for London in 1998, we thought it was one-way. Who knew that 12 years later God had other plans?

The BBC Ministries were launched in Hong Kong on 6 Nov., 2010, the day when I was invited to a Freemason dinner & dance party, which I politely declined :). BBC are parallel ministries of church planting (Building Biblical Churches) and marketplace outreach (Building Bridges for Christ).

On the church planting ministry front, we meet every Saturday for church fellowship in an office I rented in the heart of Kowloon – the Worldwide Centre. Now we have 10 regular people attending. We are going to have water baptism for 2 new believers soon in the beach next to where we live before the water gets cold. :) I will also conduct membership class and leadership training soon.

On the marketplace ministry front, I am building bridges for Christ in a 200 people consulting engineering company I work for five days a week. I am trying to reach out to the people there through good work and example. I taught Principles of Good (Biblical) Leadership. I also write a monthly message on Work Hard Work Smart and started a weekly explorer class. The Owner of the company, who is not a believer, recently asked me to be his family counsellor!

I sometimes pinch myself to see if I am dreaming or not. Why would the Most High God choose ordinary me to be a part of His Kingdom plan on earth? I guess it is because I am a fool in the eyes of the world whom God can manifest His wisdom and power. :)

Indeed our God is mighty. If we want to serve God, we need His wisdom & power. But how? This Psalmist explain how - “Sing for joy to God our strength……Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre……He established it as a statute for Joseph when he went out against Egypt……He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud……..You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god. I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it………"If my people would but listen to me……how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!......." [Ps 81:1-10,13-16 NIV]

Daniel understood God’s command of not bowing down to an alien god. God granted him and his 3 friends wisdom far above the magicians and enchanters in the whole kingdom. “………To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” [Dan 1:1-21 NIV]

Apostle Paul says “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” [1 Tim 1:12-19 NIV]

Here are some trustworthy sayings. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends…….The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil………In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps……..Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making…….Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD…….The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. [Prov 16:1-7,9,11,20,33 NIV]

Amen and amen!

August 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-09-04T06:17:00.000-07:00

I am always very interested in God’s time table and His timing. As I sit quietly and meditate on the major events that have been and are happening around the world, I would very much like to know the time we are in, and of course only God knows :).

[Matt. 24:1-35] provided a lot of the Signs of the End of the Ages, which we are witnessing them happening right now.

Whilst the Old Testament is the forerunner of the New Testament,

the Old Testament Feasts are symbolic of the New Testament events,

events after the birth of Jesus Christ.

The first 4 feasts have been fulfilled in the New Testament time. Believers are eagerly waiting for the trumpet call that signals the 2nd coming of the Lord in glory and power.

The question every believer is asking is - When will this happen?

Jesus’ 2nd coming will be a repeat of the Day of Noah. Noah became the father of Shem, Ham & Japheth after the age of 500 [Gen. 5:22] and the flood came when Noah turned 600. So the ark probably took Noah and his 3 sons a good 50 years to build. But during this time, people took no interest in what Noah was doing or simply ignored Noah’s warning of the flood.

Then God says in the verses following the Signs of the End of the Age in [Matt 24:36-39]:

“No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

Today, people in the world are showing a lot of interest in eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, despite of the many Signs of the End of the Age - “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places”!

Here are a few scriptures to encourage all Christ followers to be alert and ready for Jesus’ 2nd coming as if He will return tomorrow:

[Rev 19:7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

[Rev 21:2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

[Eph 5:25-27] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

[1 Thess 5:1-6] Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety", destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

The Church of Jesus Christ – the Bride – should be alert

and ready for the 2nd coming of the Lord.

Besides the Bride (a lover of Jesus), there will be 2 other groups of believers at the wedding – the Bridesmaids and the Guests.

If you are a bridesmaid (a very good friend of Jesus),

make sure that your lamp is full of oil (the Holy Spirit)

and you are not sleeping (alert).

[Matt 25:1-5] "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

If you are a Guest of the Groom (an acquaintance of Jesus),

make sure you wear wedding clothes at the wedding (truly born again & walking with God).

[Matt 22:11-13] "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

The best way of staying alert and being ready is to practice the 3Ss:

1) Stay close to God through (understanding) His Word and (walking in) His Spirit and living in His presence (in prayers),

2) Strive for holiness, and.

3) Serve God

This is a good prayer to pray at this time – “Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth…..come and save us. Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved….O LORD God Almighty…....Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. …..Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted…….Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” [Ps 80:1-7,14,15,19 NIV]

If anyone doubts the love of God, he or she should observe the faithfulness of God towards a rebellious people Israel. "'…This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel……..all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD…….I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him……..And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.' [Ezek 38:17-23 NIV]

We are living in a time of great deception. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. [Col 2:8-15 NIV]

These are some of God’s promises who choose to walk in righteousness. “A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted……Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm……The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes……..An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble……..No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.” [Prov 12:3,5,7,10,12,13,21,26,28 NIV]

Amen and amen!

July 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-07-31T00:27:00.000-07:00

Lately, the issue of leadership is very close to my heart. The problems and turmoil we witness in the world today are the results of poor and/or ungodly leadership.

God has established 4 principal institutions that govern the world – family, workplace, government and Church, and God appoints leaders in each to govern on His behalf.

The Church has the single most important role to play:

[Eph 3:10-11]

10 His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms,

11 according to his eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.

God made known His wisdom through the Church and He expects His Church to set an example for the world to follow. But ungodly leadership in the Church has allowed Satan to persuade unbelievers in the world to discredit God and believers (God’s people)!

I am teaching A Kingdom Church at BBC, and indeed the domain of God’s Kingdom covers the entire universe – everything visible and invisible. And each individual believer has a significant role to play in advancing God’s Kingdom, whether it is in the family, in the workplace, in government or in church.

God’s original intent is that top leadership is male – father in a family, male boss in a workplace, male president or prime minister in government and male pastor in a church. But when men fail God in exercising leadership God’s way, women rise up to take the leadership role!

Mothers are raising up families; bosses in workplaces can be both male & female in the modern world; women are taking up top leadership in government in many nations and we have seen women as top leaders in ministries. Although not ideal, I believe God would rather see good female leadership than poor male leadership governing His world!

Now, as a Christian in the marketplace, I am trying to introduce Godly principles in leadership. Recently I gave a talk on Principles of Good Leadership in our company. Although good leadership includes many aspects, I set out 5 aspects using the word DREAM (i.e. dream leadership :)). I used 5 principles in a workplace context:

D for Delegation

One particular boss in our company does not know how to delegate. He micro-manages the projects, resulting in a lack of ownership and frustration of his sub-ordinates. Lack of ownership leads to lack of responsibility and pride in the work they do. The boss also ended up doing a lot of the junior work himself!

R for Respect

Every worker is valuable because he or she can contribute to the success of a project, if motivated correctly. In this sense, every worker deserves respect. A good leader needs to recognize the strengths of his or her sub-ordinates and assign them in roles that will maximize their strengths and optimize the performance of the project team.

E for Example

Good leaders lead by example. When we expect our sub-ordinates to work hard, we should not be taking time off to play golf or shopping during office hours :). When we expect them to work smart, good leaders should teach the principles of working smart and apply them to their own lives.

One recent example was that I taught my sub-ordinates the importance of having a strong and healthy body and the ways to achieve and maintain it. By way of example, I shared with them what I do. When they see a 62 year old working hard and energetic and not falling sick easily, they may want to follow :).

A for Authority

A good boss cannot expect someone to be responsible for a project without providing the right level of authority. This includes support of resources and manpower.

Recently, we are getting complains from the client on a number of projects because a certain project engineer did a sloppy job. But the truth was that he did not get enough support from management!

M for Mothering

Mothering includes both encouragement and discipline. When someone does a good job, the boss should praise the person for a job well done. This builds loyalty and trust. On the other hand, a mistake should be corrected and bad behavior should be disciplined out of love [Prov. 13:24, Prov. 29:15].

I look forward to seeing the above principles being implemented in our company as my way of seeing God’s Kingdom advancing in the marketplace :).

A nation will be blessed when its king follow God’s principles. “Endow the king with your justice, O God, the royal son with your righteousness. He will judge your people in righteousness, your afflicted ones with justice. The mountains will bring prosperity to the people, the hills the fruit of righteousness. He will defend the afflicted among the people and save the children of the needy; he will crush the oppressor. He will endure as long as the sun, as long as the moon, through all generations. He will be like rain falling on a mown field, like showers watering the earth. In his days the righteous will flourish; prosperity will abound till the moon is no more. He will rule from sea to sea and from the River to the ends of the earth. The desert tribes will bow before him and his enemies will lick the dust. The kings of Tarshish and of distant shores will bring tribute to him; the kings of Sheba and Seba will present him gifts. All kings will bow down to him and all nations will serve him.” [Ps 72:1-11 NIV]

God demonstrates His ways through the nation of Israel in the Bible. When people of God did not walk according to God’s principles, He disciplined them. “…..when the people of Israel were living in their own land, they defiled it by their conduct and their actions. Their conduct was like a woman's monthly uncleanness in my sight. So I poured out my wrath on them……I dispersed them among the nations……for it was said of them, 'These are the LORD's people, and yet they had to leave his land……the nations will know that I am the LORD, declares the Sovereign LORD, when I show myself holy through you before their eyes.” [Ezek 36:16-28 NIV]

Whilst God expects leaders to lead correctly, He also expects followers to obey their leaders. ‘“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. "Honour your father and mother" — which is the first commandment with a promise —"that it may go well with you and that you may enjoy long life on the earth."……Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. Obey them not only to win their favour when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.’ [Eph 6:1-8 NIV]

Many families are broken when the father commit adultery. God expects all men to love and honour the women of their youth. “Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well……Let them be yours alone, never to be shared with strangers. May your fountain be blessed, and may you rejoice in the wife of your youth. A loving doe, a graceful deer? may her breasts satisfy you always, may you ever be captivated by her love. Why be captivated, my son, by an adulteress? Why embrace the bosom of another man's wife? For a man's ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all his paths……He will die for lack of discipline, led astray by his own great folly.” [Prov 5:15-23 NIV]

Amen and amen!

June 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-07-06T07:20:00.000-07:00

After 6 months of waiting and praying, I officially launch the marketplace ministry in my workplace by sending out my first message “PK COLUMN – Message No.1.2011” to all 150 staff, with the big boss’ permission. It titled INTRODUCTION, a life testimony of where I came from and where I am heading. The key points were:

1) Graduated from Hong Kong Technical College (now Hong Kong Polytechnic University) as a top student in 1969.

2) Won a place to be trained in the UK as a structural engineer.

3) Returned to Hong Kong in 1976 with a MSc(Eng) degree, a Chartered Structural Engineer status, a wife and a British Passport.

4) Joined Mott Hay & Anderson HK (now Mott MacDonald HK) as a Senior Structural Engineer in 1981.

5) Spent the next 16 years with Motts, becoming a Director in 1992. Motts was involved in 5 of the 10 mega projects in Hong Kong at the time – the HK International Airport, the Tsing Ma Bridge, the Tung Chung New Town, the North Lantau Express Way and the West Kowloon Reclamation.

6) Became the first Chinese to win the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers President’s Cup in golf in 1988.

7) Became a born-again Christian in 1991.

8) Responded to the Call of God to be a missionary in the UK in 1998, at the peak of my professional career.

9) Spent the following 12 years planting churches in many cities in UK and Europe, while working 3 days a week, initially as an Associate Professor at the London South Bank University and later as a Consultant with major consulting firms in London (the WYG Group and AECOM Europe).

10) In Jan., 2010, whilst on holiday in HK, was offered a 6-month contract with AECOM Asia as Project Manager on the iconic Station Entrance Building of the West Kowloon Terminus (WKT) of the Express Rail Link project, managing a 300 people team including Aedas (Architect), Buro Happold (Structural Engineer on the complex geometry roof), Meinhardt (M&E Engineer), ALT (Cladding Engineer), BMT (Wind Specialist), MVA (Transport Engineer), Widnell (QS) and AECOM Asia (Civil, Structural, Fire and Planning Engineers).

Then I told them that it was God’s plan for me to return to Hong Kong. The rest of the Message is reproduced in the following:

“At the beginning of 2011, I joined Canwest/DAAL as a Director through Mr. Lawrence Wong and Mr. David Au, who were long-time friends and fellow professionals.

In the 6-months of working in Canwest/DAAL, I got to know quite a few people in the company through working directly and indirectly, and through the Christian Prayer Group.

At 62, I have learnt many valuable lessons in life through over 40 years of my working life and 20 years as a Christian and a church leader. I am thankful for the full life that God has given me and I want to give all I have learnt in life back to the construction industry and my fellow professionals.

I believe I can work with you to make Canwest / DAAL

one of the top consultants in HK

and one of the best workplace that people want to join.

I know you are all working very hard. I am no exception. From Monday to Friday, I come to office at 8:00 each morning and I leave the office at 7:00 in the evening, unless I have other engagements. On weekends, I am planting a church and spend time with my family. I also constantly think about how I can improve myself and the company. You will seldom see me riding the MTR without a book in my hands, unless I was travelling with someone. :)

I believe each person is valuable and has the potential to achieve great things in life.

To reach one’s highest potential, working hard alone is not enough.

One also needs to work smart.

These may include improving all aspects of one’s life. I will share more about this in future. To achieve better results, the company will also need to improve its facilities. I understand Senior Management is taking steps in achieving this.

I will keep you posted on my thoughts and on the development of the above.”

After the message was sent, I could see the different responses, as expected. But all in all, they were positive. One of Christian Prayer Group members – a Senior Architect told me that one of her team members wanted to know more about Christianity. Praise the Lord!

My next message in the PK COLUMN will be entitled – Work Hard / Work Smart. :)

We are God’s workmanship and everyone needs the Lord. We are made to worship and we will only be satisfied when we find & worship the true God. “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you.” [Ps 63:1-11 NIV]

Out of pride, many people still refuse to believe in the LORD of creation. They are in effect their own god. But, 'This is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'In the pride of your heart you say, "I am a god; I sit on the throne of a god in the heart of the seas." But you are a man and not a god, though you think you are as wise as a god. Are you wiser than Daniel? Is no secret hidden from you? By your wisdom and understanding you have gained wealth for yourself and amassed gold and silver in your treasuries. By your great skill in trading you have increased your wealth, and because of your wealth your heart has grown proud. "'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: "'Because you think you are wise, as wise as a god, I am going to bring foreigners against you, the most ruthless of nations; they will draw their swords against your beauty and wisdom and pierce your shining splendor. They will bring you down to the pit, and you will die a violent death in the heart of the seas. Will you then say, "I am a god," in the presence of those who kill you? You will be but a man, not a god, in the hands of those who slay you. You will die the death of the uncircumcised at the hands of foreigners. I have spoken, declares the Sovereign LORD.'" [Ezek 28:1-10 NIV]

“it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. [Eph 2:1-13 NIV] This mystery of God’s plan for mankind can only be understood by those who chose to humble themselves and accept Jesus as Lord & Saviour!

“A man who remains stiff-necked after many rebukes will suddenly be destroyed without remedy…….A man's pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor….. Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trusts in the LORD is kept safe.” [Prov 29:1,3,6,9-11,13,20-23,25,26 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 21 & 22 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-06-06T22:46:00.000-07:00

On 2nd June, at 22:35, Sebastian Matthew TSE was born in Kwong Wah Hospital, Yau Ma Tai, Kowloon, Hong Kong. About 23 hours earlier, mommy Wai-wa felt the water broke. Father Nic was not yet home, working on a late assignment. The superwoman made her own way to the hospital by taxi, after descending the 100 steps of their 5 storey building by herself. Nic met her in the hospital a few minutes later.

Kim and I went to the hospital the next evening to visit Wai-wa, who was already in the Labour Ward. I prayed for her for a smooth delivery and for God’s protection of both mother and child. I have forgotten to ask God to remove the birth pain, but praise God that Wai-wa managed to go through it later like a brave woman! The same evening Kim and I went to meet a friend for dinner in a nearby restaurant. By 22:00, Kim & I were back in the Hospital and Wai-wa was taken into the delivery room. Shortly past 22:35, Nic came out weeping uncontrollably. It was a cry of joy. Apparently he was stunned by the birth experience. He witnessed God’s amazing design firsthand!

Although Sebastian was generally healthy, weighing 6lb 6oz, he had a minor infection. The doctor put him on antibiotics. So he was housed in an incubator and strapped to a drip for the duration of the drug. It had been most difficult for the parents, being separated physically from him for a period of some 5 days!

Because only the parents were allowed to visit Sebastian during the incubator time, daddy had been taking lots of pictures and videos and kept us updated on Sebastian's development on Facebook. The parents said he seemed to look bigger every day, always hungry for more milk. :)

I praise and thank God for the smooth delivery, a natural birth without any surgical aid. But Wai-wa has always been an amazingly tough woman. She is also a handy woman around the house. Our son Nic is a blessed man indeed!

Sebastian is our first grandchild. It is a surreal feeling to become a grandpa for the very first time at the age of 62. Also in July, I will fly to Vancouver to celebrate my father’s 100th birthday. It would be great to have a picture of the 4 of us – great grandpa, grandpa, daddy and Sebastian!

As I write, Sebastian is still not yet home. Whilst I cannot wait to meet and hold him, hopefully in just a few days’ time, I composed the following poem to welcome him:

Hi Sebby

Sebastian 敬 Matthew 予 is your name,

given by your parents Wai-wa and Nicholas.

Your family name Tse 謝 stands for thanks-giving,

thus your full name means “Thanking The Reverent for His Gift”.

God says you were fearfully and wonderfully made,

how true indeed is His Word.

We saw you grown in your mummy’s tummy,

since the happy announcement some 7 months ago.

Despite of God’s perfect plan,

you were born into an imperfect world.

I know your minor infection is only a blip,

because I am sure the Almighty will see you through.

God says children's children are a crown to the aged,

indeed you have made an old man very proud!

I praise and thank God for a smooth delivery,

that both you and mummy were safe.

I cannot wait to see you face to face,

and give you a big welcome hug and kiss.

Little Sebby is God’s workmanship and he belongs to God. That applies to every creature that ever lived. "The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth…..He summons the heavens above, and the earth……."…every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine……for the world is mine, and all that is in it. [Ps 50:1-6, 9-12 NIV]

People who fail to recognize the Lordship and Sovereignty of God today will one day be shocked. "'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the LORD. So I will spend my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, "The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it……Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives……And then you will know that I am the LORD.'" [Ezek 13:13-23 NIV]

Here I would like to borrow Apostle Paul’s words to exhort you - "As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses……in hard work….in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on……sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. [2 Cor 6:1-10 NIV]

These are God’s Word for all of us. “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. All a man's ways seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the LORD. Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends? even the wicked for a day of disaster. The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him……Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. [Prov 16:1-7,11,20,33 NIV] In my 20 years of walking in the LORD, I certainly can testify to it.

Amen and amen!

Weeks 19 & 20 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-05-29T02:55:00.000-07:00

Last Friday, a Christian Senior Architect at work came to me for advice. She had a dream just before the 311 (11th March) disasters in Japan. In the dream, she saw major natural disasters happening. She shared with me that she wanted to study the Bible systematically by joining a Bible Seminary. She would only work half-time then. Clearly the Lord is stirring the hearts of many through dreams and visions as the Day is getting nearer!

Yesterday at BBC, we started a new teaching on A Kingdom Church. We were 4 people; a few regular people couldn’t make it. As an introduction we started with some definitions of the Kingdom of God, which the Bible explained using a number of parables. The one that struck me most was The Parable of the Wedding Feast.

[Matt 22:1-14 NKJV]

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."' But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. "But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are called, but few are chosen."

It talked about 3 categories of people:

1) Group 1 – people who have known the Groom and were invited to the wedding

2) Group 2 – people who were invited to the wedding in the last minute

3) Group 3 – people without a wedding garment

In Group 1, not everyone who knew the Groom will respond to the invitation, implying the falling away of believers who did not keep their faith till the end.

Group 2 are those who accepted the invitation just before the start of the wedding feast; those who were saved shortly before the return of our Lord Jesus, during the 7 Years of Tribulation.

Group 3 are those who are not TRULY born again.

The Kingdom of God will consist ONLY of people who will be at the wedding feast – The Groom (Jesus Christ), the Bride (The Church or Zion), people who are very close to the Groom and friends & colleagues of the Groom. All will receive God’s gift of salvation and spend eternity with God.

But these people have different levels of relationship with the Groom and will have different rewards in Heaven, which I will share deeper in the BBC teachings and in my quarterly Newsletters to Church Leaders.

The most important thing is to ensure that one is at the wedding feast, i.e. having confessed Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour, and keeping that faith without waivering till the end. No doubt, when we observe all the happenings around us in different parts of the world, the wedding is not a million years away!

On the same subject, I notice a lot more people are seeking “god”, may be due partly to the world happenings.

But the 2nd most important thing is for one to find the right god – the God of Creation, the God who came to earth some 2000 years ago to die for our sins, and the same God who will return as the Groom of the Wedding, and not false ones which Satan has created to deceive many.

In Hong Kong, one popular topic of conversation is about owning a property, because prices are not only sky high but keep on rising, due partly to a devalued HK dollar. Many young people are worried about never able to own a property. Money or making money therefore becomes the main goal in life. But the Bible is clear on this issue. “For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings…..Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed? and men praise you when you prosper ? he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life]. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. [Ps 49:10-20 NIV]

Indeed Satan, who wants to be God, has throughout the ages distract men from knowing the true God and enticed men to worship all kinds of idols that are detestable to God. “And there before me was the glory of the God of Israel……..Then he said to me, "Son of man, look towards the north." So I looked, and in the entrance north of the gate of the altar I saw this idol of jealousy. And he said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing — the utterly detestable things the house of Israel is doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable." Then he brought me to the entrance to the court. I looked, and I saw a hole in the wall. He said to me, "Son of man, now dig into the wall." So I dug into the wall and saw a doorway there. And he said to me, "Go in and see the wicked and detestable things they are doing here." So I went in and looked, and I saw portrayed all over the walls all kinds of crawling things and detestable animals and all the idols of the house of Israel. In front of them stood seventy elders of the house of Israe……Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, 'The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.'" Therefore I will deal with them in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them." [Ezek 8:1-12 NIV] Even a God of infinite mercy will not tolerate the sins of men forever!

“……If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold…….And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. [2 Cor 3:7-18 NIV] The glory of God will become more and more evident in God’s people before the end. They will be anointed by God to do His bidding, blessing and condemning as God wills!

Let us heed the advice of the Lord. “You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. [Prov 8:5-11 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 17 & 18 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-05-14T17:43:00.000-07:00

I touched on Marketplace Ministry in my last message as strategic in end-time evangelism. I believe it is God’s calling for me at this time after 12 years of church planting in the UK.

In Feb 2010, God opened a door for me to return to Hong Kong to work for one of the top consultants AECOM on the prestigious West Kowloon Terminus of the Express Rail Link to China. I was Project Manager for the iconic Station Entrance Building, project managing a multi-disciplinary team comprising Aedas (Architect), Buro Happold (Structural Engineer, Environmental Engineer), Meinhardt (M&E Engineer), MVA (Traffic & Transportation Engineer), EDAW (Landscape Architect), Quantity Surveyor (Widnell), ALT (Cladding Specialist), BMT (Wind Engineering), AECOM (Civil Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Construction Planner, Fire Engineer). The client was MTRC. It was a great opportunity to meet many senior professionals in the Marketplace and an excellent start to the Marketplace Ministry.

I thought it was God’s will for me to continue with AECOM when I learnt that its CEO is a committed Christian leading the Engineering and Construction Fellowship (ECF) in Hong Kong. I became a member of ECF, but so far there was hardly any activity. Also after my 6-month contract with AECOM expired, it was not renewed.

I spent the following 4 months job hunting, and God used that time to help me set up the BBC School.

In January 2011, God opened a different door, allowing me to join a smaller consultant as a Director. The work nature is very different, working on a large number of much smaller building projects.

Somehow I sense that God is showing me a principle that our desire may not be what He has in mind. My idea of Marketplace Ministry in a big company proved to be not what God had in mind.

Indeed His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. His will may not be the same as ours. The key is to submit to His will and willingly to do what He calls us to do.

So far, I have a lot of opportunities to incorporate God’s principles in management:

1) I started monthly meeting for the staff and I used that opportunity to teach

2) Besides teaching some topics on structural engineering, I have taught best practices in project management

3) I introduced some management tools in making resource planning more effective

Going forward, I will incorporate more teachings that directly apply God’s principles. In fact, I gave a talk on The Principles of Good (Biblical) Leadership yesterday. :)

A few weeks ago, I witnessed to the big boss over dinner on the essence of the Gospel. Soon after that, he asked me to accompany him in a lunch time meeting organized by the church where his wife attends. I believe he is interested to know more. It would be great if he accepts Jesus as his Lord and Saviour one day!

Living in a world with a “can’t wait” mentality, waiting is unacceptable to most people. Yet, God’s timing is different from ours. Very often, He expects us to be patient. “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no-one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare…….Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” [Ps 40:1-17 NIV]

Soon after I joined Hope some 18 years, God gave me the gifts of prophesy and intercession. I saw the importance of intercession soon after I went to Europe for church planting. God has made me a watchman during the time in Europe, a bit like God’s calling for Ezekiel. “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself [Ezek 3:17-27 NIV]. Some 2 years ago, I warned a church pastor in obedience to God’s Word so that God would not hold me accountable. Sadly, he did not heed my warning and, today, he ended up getting his marriage and his family in a mess!

I count myself privileged to be given the opportunity to serve the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords. God has blessed me as tentmaker all this time and as one who gave up the right of support from the churches I planted. “If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible…….To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” [1 Cor 9:1-12,19-23 NIV]

A Psalmist has put these questions to us. “Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know! "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” [Prov 30:4-6,32-33 NIV] Thank you Lord for your eternal Word!

Amen and amen!

Weeks 15 & 16 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-04-22T21:05:00.000-07:00

The Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism is a rich resource of Christian learning. One Occasional Paper I came across is No. 40 - Marketplace Ministry.

Mark Greene says in “Evangelism Isn’t Working” that the workplace is incredibly strategic for mission and ministry. We spend 50 to 70% of our waking hours there. It is:

• the one place where Christians and non-Christians have to meet

• the one place where the playing field is even, where Christians and non-Christians are subject to the same corporate culture and the same pressures

• the one place where the non-Christians can actually see the difference that Christ can make to a life – not for a couple of hours over dinner but for 20, 30, 40, 50 hours a week over a couple of years or more.

Often the people who know us well don’t live next door; they work at the next desk. Many TV shows are set in the workplace – police, law firms, offices, hospitals. That’s where the drama and life-changing decisions take place.

We need a rediscovery of the priesthood, prophethood and kingship of all believers, teaching/pasturing, proclaiming and wisely ruling/managing God’s people and creation respectively [Jeremiah 18:18].

Spirituality is about discovering and responding to the presence and purposes of God in every context, every task, every relationship and every moment of every day.

The dominant model of spirituality in today’s evangelical community depends heavily upon ‘monastic’ practices of withdrawal and disengagement. The following comparisons highlight the problem.

The ‘Spiritual’ Realm vs The Marketplace

Withdrawal vs Engagement

Solitude vs Community
Silence vs Noise
Stillness vs Movement

Serenity vs Chaos

Peace vs Stress

Simplicity vs Complexity

Meditation vs Multi-tasking

Order vs Interruption

Centred vs Scattered

Focused vs Busyness

Seriousness vs Humour

Quietness vs Raised voices

In order for Christians who spend a large part of their daily life in the marketplace to discern and respond to the presence of God ‘in every moment of every day’, we need models of spirituality that engage the realities and challenges of daily life in the marketplace and not away from it.

The post-conversion counseling commonly given to a new convert comprises (i) begin daily Bible reading and prayer; (ii) find a Bible-believing church to attend and (iii) tell someone about your decision. These 3 indicators, commonly known as ‘edge’ activities become the measure of spirituality of the believer. But what do the daily activities of work, recreation, sleep, shopping, friendship, family life, eating, commuting – activities that take up so much of the average Christian’s day – have to do with living in the presence of God?

Marketplace Christians can expand their understanding of spiritual discipline – typically understood as ‘edge’ activities – to include activities more often associated with the everyday. If a spiritual discipline is broadly understood as any activity undertaken intentionally and routinely that nurtures us into the likeness of Christ, then such activities as nurturing friendship, acts of service, perseverance, providing for the family, community building, the sharing of meals, attentive listening, helping a colleague, doing one’s best in the job etc. can be embraced in a new and liberating way.

Marketplace Christians can reclaim aspect of their work as spiritually significant when they see what they do as a reflection of the work of God. A simple exercise list of some of the working roles of God – Creator, Provider, Redeemer, Judge, Architect, Gardener, Healer, Teacher, Reconciler, Administrator – and then to reflect on what aspects of his or her daily work connect with the work of God.

Marketplace Christians can find support and fellowship in naming and responding to the presence of God in their work by linking up with other Christians in similar profession or fields of work.

Spirituality in the marketplace is not an exercise in solitude but one pursued in community.

Indeed our job in the marketplace can be a mission and a ministry if what we do glorifies God. God is glorified when our activities reflect His glory.

Being Christ-like in a predominantly secular world is challenging, to say the least. And we can only do so with God’s help. God will back us up when we walk in His way. God will come to our help when we cry out to Him. “Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends……..I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life. But I trust in you, O LORD…….Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you…….Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. [Ps 31:9-18 NIV]

For us to be an effective Marketplace Christian, we need to have confidence in the might of our God. "He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses……."Every man is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them. They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish. He…..is the Maker of all things…….the LORD Almighty is his name. [Jer 51:12-19 NIV]

Marketplace Christians can grow spiritually if they are determined to do God’s bidding in a secular world. They shall not remain as babies like the Corinthians whom Apostle Paul addressed. “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready………So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow…….By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds…….If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work…..” [1 Cor 3:1-15 NIV]

Let us seek God’s knowledge, understanding and wisdom. “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers…….[Prov 24:3-7 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 13 & 14 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-04-12T06:04:00.000-07:00

With Easter coming, one remembers the Passover Lamb Jesus and the Feast of Passover that the Jews still celebrate each Jewish New year.

History tells us that our Chinese ancestors worship the God of Heaven who created all things. It could not be further from the truth to claim that Buddhism is the national religion of the Chinese. All one needs to look at are the similarities between ancient Chinese worship and the Old Testament practices in the Bible.

1) Chinese New Year / Jewish New Year (Passover)

The Lord commanded Moses to tell the Israelites how to celebrate the New year (Passover).

[Ex 12:1-6 NIV]

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…….The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect…….Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.

In the New Year, the Chinese offer suckling pig (instead of suckling lamb) to their idol of worship and put new writings of blessings on red papers (blood coloured) on the door frame to protect the household and to warn off evil spirits.

[Ex 12:7-8 NIV]

8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.

In the New Year, the Chinese eat steamed cakes without yeast.

[Ex 12:19 NIV]

19 For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses…….

The Chinese have New Year housing cleaning to remove all the molds (yeast) in hidden places.

2) The Most Holy Place

The Most Holy Place, where God dwells, is separated from the Holy Place by a curtain. Only the High Priest is allowed to enter it once a year, to seek God’s forgiveness and blessings for His people.

[Ex 26:33 NIV]

Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

The Chinese also have a curtain in front of the god figure or idol of worship.

3) Blood

Old Testament – animal sacrifice

[Lev 1:5 NIV]

He is to slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and then Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

New Testament – Jesus the perfect sacrifice

[Heb 9:12 NIV]

He (Jesus) did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

Red (colour of blood) is the main colour theme in the Chinese altars and places of worship.

4) Incense burning

Incense burning as an offering to God is found in Chinese worship, not found in other religions. It is similar to the Altar of incense found in the Old Testament which God instructed Moses to build. It has 4 horns at the 4 corners, which one can find in Chinese altars or places of worship.

[Ex 30:1-4 NIV]

"Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense. It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high — its horns of one piece with it. Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.

5) Idol worship

God commanded the Israelites to worship Him alone, the one who brought them out of slavery in Egypt.

[Ex 20:23 NIV]

Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.

Sadly today, a lot of Chinese worship all kinds of wooden or stone idols made by human hands, exactly the sort of thing God commanded the Israelites not to do.

6) Chinese writing

There are many Chinese words that have meanings connected to stories in the Bible. One outstanding example is the word “righteousness”. It consists of the word “lamb” and “I”, i.e. I am righteous through the Lamb Jesus in me.

I can believe that our Chinese ancestors worshipped the God of Heaven.

I pray and hope that the day will come when many Chinese will find their root and return to worshipping the true God!

Christians have a continuous relationship and dependence on God through prayers. We cry out to God in times of need and trouble; we cry out to God for mercy & grace. Prayer and worship are active demonstration of our faith and trust in God. “To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place……Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. [Ps 28:1-7 NIV]

It is most insightful to see how God deal with a rebellious people, His chosen people. They will be punished by God when they disobey, yet God will save them at the end when they repent. “The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes, on Pharaoh, on Egypt and her gods and her kings, and on those who rely on Pharaoh. I will hand them over to those who seek their lives, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited as in times past," declares the LORD. "Do not fear, O Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, O Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you," declares the LORD. "Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished." [Jer 46:25-28 NIV] We should understand this principle as God’s people. God disciplines us because He loves us!

As we walk with God, we will understand God’s way more. If we persevere with God even in tough times, we will grow in faith and gain God’s wisdom and power. “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power…….as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" [1 Cor 2:1-9 NIV]

Our Lord God is in control of everything that goes on in the world. “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice……..There is no wisdom, no insight, no plan that can succeed against the LORD. The horse is made ready for the day of battle, but victory rests with the LORD. [Prov 21:1-3,30,31 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 11 & 12 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-03-29T05:23:00.000-07:00

2 weeks on, the world’s 3rd largest economy, a mighty nation is still coming to terms with the triple disaster that devastated the NE of Japan. For the first time, Emperor Akihito appeared on national TV, pledging his sympathy and prayers for his People.

His Imperial majesty the Emperor Akihito has been on the throne since his father Emperor Hirohito died in 1989. The Emperor is called the Tenno in Japanese, literally meaning “Heavenly King”, also referred to as Son of Heaven.

No doubt, the nation of Japan needed a lot of prayers right now – to stop the spread of radiation into the food chain and the environment that may cause widespread harm in the longer term; prayers to help Japan rebuild many of the prefectures badly damaged by the tsunami, but more importantly, prayers for the Japanese to know the true Son of Heaven.

Many people in the world believe that Jesus was only a prophet, in the same breath as Mohammed, the father of Islam.

But the Bible states that Jesus is the Son of God, the true Son of Heaven.

• The Archangel Gabriel told Mary that her son Jesus would be called the Son of God

[Luke 1:35,38 NIV]

35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

• Nathanael, a true Israelite, declared that Jesus was the Son of God

[John 1:47-49 NIV]

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."

48 "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."

49 Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."

• Jesus himself acknowledging that he was the Son of God

[Luke 22:66-70 NIV]

66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them.

67 "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me,

68 and if I asked you, you would not answer.

69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."

70 They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am."

Indeed, all earthly authorities are established by God [Rom.13:1], be they good or not by God’s or men’s standards. Throughout the ages, whenever we had a good king, or president, or prime minister, the people would be blessed. The opposite was true when we had a bad one, because God’s blessings flow through good leaders.

Be encouraged to know that, if you exercise your leadership according to God’s teachings, as a parent, a teacher, a leader in the workplace, a leader in government or a church leader, the people under you will be blessed!

In my workplace, I am watching what I say and do very carefully. But I firmly believe that if I walk by the Spirit of God, God will bless and the people will praise our Father in heaven [Matt. 5:16].

It would be fantastic if all Christians do reflect God’s glory on earth. I will try!

It is true that “the LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me…….The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall……He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great…….Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD; I will sing praises to your name.” [Ps 18:20-50 NIV]

Throughout the ages, God has used His prophets to speak His mind. Although kings sought the counsel of prophets, very often they only listen to what they want to hear. “Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and had him brought to the third entrance to the temple of the LORD. "I am going to ask you something," the king said to Jeremiah. "Do not hide anything from me." Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I give you an answer, will you not kill me? Even if I did give you counsel, you would not listen to me." But King Zedekiah swore this oath secretly to Jeremiah: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us breath, I will neither kill you nor hand you over to those who are seeking your life." Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "This is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live. But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians and they will burn it down; you yourself will not escape from their hands.'" King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I am afraid of the Jews who have gone over to the Babylonians, for the Babylonians may hand me over to them and they will mistreat me." "They will not hand you over," Jeremiah replied. "Obey the LORD by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared. [Jer 38:14-20 NIV] As a result, the kings or leaders brought upon themselves and their people God’s wrath instead of God’s blessings.

The Son of God Jesus will one day come back to judge the world. Let us respond to God’s grace now, rather respond to His wrath later. “…if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" Why not say-as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say-"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved…….As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." [Rom 3:1-12 NIV]

Be sure to know that “The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead……When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy……The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death…..The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath……The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner! [Prov 11:8-10,19,23,28,30,31 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 09 & 10 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-03-12T22:57:00.000-08:00

I was reading the Book of Romans Chapter 1 on Friday, as the last of my readings for Weeks 9 & 10. What Apostle Paul said was most insightful, and they are timeless and most relevant for our time.

Paul called himself the worst of sinners in [1 Tim 1:15,16]:

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.”

He made the point of Christ Jesus’ mercy in saving sinners. He talked about Jesus’ unlimited patience for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Indeed God the Father and the Son of God Jesus have patiently waited 2000 years for men to repent. Jesus, although He was God, selflessly allowed Himself to be crucified by sinful men, so that we who believe may inherit eternal life.

Because Paul knew that he had been shown mercy, he tiredlessly served God. God allowed Paul to write 13 of the 66 books in the Bible. All his teachings are invaluable in helping all Bible-believing Christians to become what God had in mind for His Church.

Paul powerfully made plain God’s thoughts in [Romans 1]:

[Rom 1:18-25 NIV]

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is for ever praised...

Mankind has come a long way since the first man 6000 years ago. Today, we can have clean water by turning on the tap. We can instantly contact someone 8000 miles away by telephone or chatting on line. We have put man on the moon. We have discovered and invented many things that allow us to enjoy a more comfortable life. On average we are much better educated than our ancestors. People in general are more knowledgeable, yet, morally we have not advanced an inch. Our sinful nature is evident in the deeds that are reported daily in the news – murder, sexual immorality, fraud, cruelty, injustice ………

We, the crown jewel of God’s creation, have become prideful, selfish, greedy, lustful…….what Paul described as “their thinking became futile and hearts were darkened”. It is the result of not honouring and glorifying our Maker, although we know God through what has been made - the universe, the different seasons, different kinds of animals, birds, fish, plants, flowers......!

Although God has been patient, His righteousness and His justice cannot be withheld forever. Like Paul said “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness”.

I hope I do not sound insensitive at a time of great distress and disaster in many parts of the world, most recently in Japan, but I believe God’s judgment of the world has already begun. Like what I shared in my last message “wars, famine, earthquakes are signs of the end that will increase in intensity before the end – the 2nd coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Whilst I would not say for certain that the 7-year tribulation has started, I do not think it is far off!

If you think what we are seeing is dreadful, wait for the great tribulation which will last for 3.5 years. The Bible says that it will be like “labour pain on a pregnant woman” and will come after the Antichrist reveals himself. And I am seeing small signs of his schemes which I will share another time.

Our Lord Jesus is coming back for His bride – the Church that is “without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Make sure all Christians measure up when He turns up!

I am working on mine. I pray for God to help me to do the impossible - man changing himself. “Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer — it does not rise from deceitful lips. May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right………I have resolved that my mouth will not sin…….I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer……And I — in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” [Ps 17:1-15 NIV]

God is not unfair and unjust. He gives everyone the opportunity to repent. He always give plenty of warnings. But for those who remain stubborn and unrepentant, God will judge accordingly. This is what happened to the Israelites. “the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying: "This is what the LORD Almighty……says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?' declares the LORD. 'Jonadab…..ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, "Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you shall live in the land I have given to you and your fathers." But you have not paid attention or listened to me…….."Therefore, this is what the LORD God Almighty….says: 'Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.'" [Jer 35:12-19 NIV]

Time is running out and there is a real urgency to share the Gospel. During the week, I treat my work as a ministry. I am praying for a Bible class for not-yet believers at work to start. On the weekends, I run the BBC school. I am serving God 24/7 for “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…….For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."……’ [Rom 1:16-25 NIV]

God has been trying to get our attention. He has been calling us to respond. “……Let all who are simple come in here!"……."Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding…….rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer." [Prov 9:1-12 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 07 & 08 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-02-27T05:06:00.000-08:00

In my first message in 2011, I shared that “God has been trying to get our attention for a while now – financial crisis, wars and famines, but do not be surprised to see greater distresses around the globe, from 2011 onwards, before the eventual Day of the Lord!”

Some of the signs of the end of time were described in [Matthew 24]:

[Matt 24:7-8 NIV]

7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

8 All these are the beginning of birth-pains.

In 2010, there were 26 major earthquakes, averaging more than 2 a month. Since the start of 2011, we already recorded 5 major earthquakes in January alone!

Besides the natural disasters, the most significant events in 2011 so far has been the uprising of peoples’ power in countries ruled by authoritarian governments like Tunisia and Egypt. We are seeing similar protests in Libya, where the Government deployed tanks & fighter jets in an attempt to put down the uprising.

This open defiance of protesters against authoritarian government in the Middle East has spread to Morocco and Iraqi……...

[Matthew 24] went on to say:

[Matt 24:12-14 NIV]

12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

One sure sign is “the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations”.

As Christians, we should do 2 things both now and in the days to come:

1) Do not fear what have been happening and what are to come, no matter how stressful they seem. Find peace in God. Stand firm in our faith to the end.

2) Preach the gospel as a testimony to all nations, wherever God puts us. Depend on God’s grace and anointing.

I have made up my mind to do just that :)

Because of your great love and your gift of salvation “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging righteously. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever……The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands….The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God. But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish. Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men.” [Ps 9:1-5, 15-20 NIV]

God’s ways can be difficult to fathom with our human mind at times. It includes things that seem bad at the time. One example was God commanded the Israelites to be taken as captives to Babylon. “…….This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity……[Jer 29:1-14 NIV]. Our job is to trust and obey!

Another example was God’s call to Paul to serve Him, although Paul used to persecute Christians big time. "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense…..Then Paul said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' "'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied……"'What shall I do, Lord?' I asked. "'Get up,' the Lord said, 'and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' [Acts 22:1-21 NIV]

“My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, [Prov 2:1-12 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 05 & 06 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-02-13T06:17:00.000-08:00

In my last message, I shared about the opening God has created for me to join a medium size consulting company at 633 King’s Road, on the 15th floor.

It is a modern 35 story office building, opened in 2007. I have since found out that an English speaking church - Island ECC (Evangelical Community Church) is housed on the 1st & 2nd floors. On the 10th floor housed the All Nations House of Prayers under the Incubator Ministries!

The building is a spiritual lighthouse for God in Hong Kong!

And I believe that God has called me to work in this building for a very special purpose. Let me explain.

There is a prayer group in the company I work for. Every Thursday, a number of them come together to pray at the All Nations House of Prayers on the 10th Floor. I have joined them 3 times so far. For the first 2 times, we prayed for personal needs. On the 3rd time, I suggested that we shared about their views of the company.

One senior architect who joined the meeting shared that the company lacked system. Although senior architects play the role of project managers, oversee the running of projects and co-ordinate inputs from architects, engineers and quantity surveyors, she finds a lack of co-operation from the engineers and the quantity surveyors. Although all 3 disciplines are from the same company, the clients often comment that they seem to be dealing with 3 different companies. It is an issue of disunity!

I asked those present to start praying for a better system and for the senior management.

I am finding the same issues with the projects under my control. The lack of system created many problems, resulting in “fire-fighting” all the time!

One major problem is leadership, or the lack of it! Everyone is left to one’s own devices, working long hours but not seeing the results needed to progress the projects satisfactorily!

As I sought the Lord for wisdom in how I could help to improve the situation, I felt in my heart that the company needed a major overhaul. The management style and company culture both needed to be reformed.

I believe God has called me at this time to be His light in the marketplace, starting with this company. I know God has taught us many of His principles in the Bible, in the management of projects, personnel, finance, clients etc.. All successful companies understood and practice these principles, including non-Christian ones.

I have some ideas already, but I will share more when I start to see results, hopefully in the not too distant future :)

I will first commit them to the Lord in prayers!

Jesus says “I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him [Ps 2:1-12 NIV]. God the Father has anointed His Son Jesus with all authority and power. He answered Jesus’ prayers. We, as Jesus co-heirs, can have the same power and authority. Yes, we shall see God anointing His children to do His bidding on earth, all the way till the end of time. But be sure to serve the Almighty God with integrity and a sincere heart, because no one can deceive God!

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They keep saying to those who despise me, 'The LORD says: You will have peace.' And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, 'No harm will come to you.'………See, the storm of the LORD will burst out in wrath, a whirlwind swirling down on the heads of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come you will understand it clearly……..But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds” [Jer 23:16-40 NIV]. Let us hear God clearly and prophesy only what are from the Lord!

Hearing God includes knowing when to move on. When a servant of God is not welcome in one location, God will open other doors. I find the same with my marketplace ministry since my return to Hong Kong 12 months ago. “After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila…who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla……Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks……But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God” [Acts 18:1-17 NIV].

Hearing God includes heeding God’s words of wisdom which are abundant in Proverbs. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor…..He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance…….He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy…….He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall. He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty……..He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favour than he who has a flattering tongue…….He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. [Prov 28:7,8,10,13,18,19,23,24,26,27 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 03 & 04 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-01-31T06:07:00.000-08:00

Finally the waiting is over and I praise God that He grants me the faith and perseverance to pass the test!

I shared previously that after my 6-month contract came to an end at the end of August last year. I tried looking for another job. I contacted many people I knew – clients, consultants, contractors, …. and I exhausted every possible avenue, and nothing happened, except one good Christian friend gave me a very small transportation job out of kindness!

I was under a fair bit of pressure, because by faith, I have suggested to Kim to resign from her bus & school job in London and join me here in Hong Kong. I knew it is important to do that because it is not wise for us to be separated for too long!

Also by faith, I rented an office space to start the BBC Ministries in November!

Kim resigned from her jobs on 1st November and was planning to join me in December!

Although I had been through the waiting test before, back in 2005, at that time Kim was working and our monthly expenses were not high. This time the monthly outlay is much higher – monthly rental for the apartment, monthly rental for the BBC School and monthly mortgage repayment for our London house!

The test really stretched my faith to near breaking point, and I had to dig deep in my trust in God and tried to remind myself the many victories God had given me in the past!

Then I had a lunch meeting with some old engineering friends just before Christmas and learned that one of the regulars could not join because he was really busy. I registered that in my mind but at the time I was still chasing a couple of other opportunities.

Came the new year, those other opportunities were confirmed dead. So I picked up the phone and call this busy friend. He sounded excited on the phone and hinted that I could relieve him of some of his workload!

The next morning I went into his office for a chat with his boss (the Managing Director) and got an offer to start work the following Monday (10th Jan.). Praise the Lord!!!

The office address is 633 King’s Road and I like it, because [Matt. 6:33] is my signature scripture – “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” And King’s Road to me means the way of the King (Jesus). I knew then the job was from God!

The MD was my neighbour back in the early 80s at Braemar Hill Mansion in North Point Midlevel, where our 2 sons grew up. He kind of knew about my working history and the fact that I left Hong Kong at the peak of my career to go to the UK as a missionary. Hong Kong after all is only a small village. It was a good job that I didn’t do anything bad :).

On the first day of work, the MD invited me to lunch and introduced me to a number of his senior staff. He pointed out that 2 of the ladies (senior architects) were Christians. In the conversation they got to know that I was a pastor in the UK :).

The company is a one-stop building consulting firm and the total staff is over 150, comprising all disciplines of the building profession. I found out that there was a prayer group in the company!

Indeed this is a great opening to minister in the marketplace, esp. when senior management is opened about it. It is a busy practice working on a vast number of small building projects – both private and government. Hence the opportunity to meet many clients, architects and other sub-consultants, plus all the not-yet believers in the company, including my Director friend and the MD……. a huge harvest field!

All in all, I really am grateful to God for His faithfulness and His amazing providence, and for not testing me beyond what I could bear [1 Cor. 10:13] ! But it is more than just financial provision. It is also a ministry!

Yes, let us continue to “Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live……Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — the LORD, who remains faithful forever. He…..gives food to the hungry. The LORD……lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous…….The LORD reigns forever……for all generations. Praise the LORD. [Ps 146:1-10 NIV]

Indeed our help is from God. “This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." [Jer 17:5-10 NIV]

If you are not a believer in Jesus yet, let me encourage and challenge you with the Word of God. “The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. "After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul….who ruled forty years. After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' "From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' "Brothers…..it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. "We tell you the good news....."Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: "'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'" [Acts 13:16-41 NIV]

The Word of God is the bread of life for our soul. Therefore “pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise (the Word of God)…..for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD…... [Prov 22:17-29 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 01 & 02 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-01-15T20:09:00.000-08:00

Six students from Brisbane are having their “summer” break in Hong Kong and we came together to pray for Queensland and Brisbane. I led them to pray for God’s mercy in the rebuilding of the devastated region and city!

But the word of Lord came to me in Jeremiah 14. I believe we need to pray differently!

[Jer 14]

1 This is the word of the LORD to Jeremiah concerning the drought:

2 "Judah mourns, her cities languish; they wail for the land, and a cry goes up from Jerusalem.

3 The nobles send their servants for water; they go to the cisterns but find no water. They return with their jars unfilled; dismayed and despairing, they cover their heads.

4 The ground is cracked because there is no rain in the land; the farmers are dismayed and cover their heads.

Jeremiah appealed to God for His mercy:

7 Although our sins testify against us, O LORD, do something for the sake of your name. For our backsliding is great; we have sinned against you.

8 O……Savior in times of distress, why are you like a stranger in the land……like a warrior powerless to save?

This was God’s response:

10 ……"They greatly love to wander; they do not restrain their feet. So the LORD does not accept them; he will now remember their wickedness and punish them for their sins."

Then God said to Jeremiah:

11 ………."Do not pray for the well-being of this people.

12 Although they fast, I will not listen to their cry…….Instead, I will destroy them with the sword, famine and plague."

Jeremiah finally prayed:

20 O LORD, we acknowledge our wickedness and the guilt of our fathers; we have indeed sinned against you.

21 For the sake of your name do not despise us; do not dishonor your glorious throne. Remember your covenant with us and do not break it.

22 Do any of the worthless idols of the nations bring rain? Do the skies themselves send down showers? No, it is you, O LORD our God. Therefore our hope is in you, or you are the one who does all this.

Some of you may not like what I am going to share, but I sense it is from the Lord. You have the choice of deleting his message now or reading on.

God has been trying to get our attention for a while now – financial crisis, wars and famines, but do not be surprised to see greater distresses around the globe, from 2011 onwards, before the eventual Day of the Lord!

God is just and righteousness. He will not allow injustice and unrighteous to continue forever. His judgment of the world has started.

I appeal to all Bible-believing Christians around the world to get on our knees and pray according to [2 Chron. 7:14]:

[2 Chron 7:14]

if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

We need to start with ourselves. God’s people need to repent of our wicked ways and ask God for His forgiveness, yes, for our own sins and wickedness as God’s people. Then God will begin to hear our prayers. God will not listen to prayers from wicked and sinful Christians, me included. Indeed, I pray for God to forgive my sins and cleanse me from all unrighteousness each day!

This is the starting point.

We can then pray for the sins of the people of the world and for their salvation.

I appeal to all Christians who believe in Jesus as the Lord and Saviour to do likewise.

This is my prayer. “O LORD, I call to you; come quickly to me. Hear my voice when I call to you. May my prayer be set before you like incense; may the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Set a guard over my mouth, O LORD; keep watch over the door of my lips. Let not my heart be drawn to what is evil, to take part in wicked deeds with men who are evildoers; let me not eat of their delicacies. Let a righteous man strike me — it is a kindness; let him rebuke me — it is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it. Yet my prayer is ever against the deeds of evildoers…... [Ps 141:1-10 NIV]

This is a word of warning from the Lord. “'This is what the LORD says: "'When men fall down, do they not get up? When a man turns away, does he not return? Why then have these people turned away? Why does Jerusalem always turn away? They cling to deceit; they refuse to return. I have listened attentively, but they do not say what is right. No one repents of his wickedness, saying, "What have I done?" Each pursues his own course like a horse charging into battle…..The wise will be put to shame; they will be dismayed and trapped. Since they have rejected the word of the LORD, what kind of wisdom do they have? "'I will take away their harvest, declares the LORD. There will be no grapes on the vine. There will be no figs on the tree, and their leaves will wither. What I have given them will be taken from them.'" [Jer 8:4-6,8,9,13 NIV]

Another word of warning is that, going forward, we will see great persecution of the true church of Jesus Christ, not unlike the Early Church. “Having brought the apostles, they made them appear before the Sanhedrin to be questioned by the high priest. "We gave you strict orders not to teach in this name," he said. "Yet you have filled Jerusalem with your teaching and are determined to make us guilty of this man's blood." Peter and the other apostles replied: "We must obey God rather than men! The God of our fathers raised Jesus from the dead-whom you had killed by hanging him on a tree. God exalted him to his own right hand as Prince and Savior that he might give repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel. We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him."…….They….had them flogged…..Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.......Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ. [Acts 5:27-42 NIV]. We need to do likewise until The End.

Be assured to know these - “The eyes of the LORD are everywhere, keeping watch on the wicked and the good…….The LORD detests the sacrifice of the wicked, but the prayer of the upright pleases him……The LORD detests the way of the wicked but he loves those who pursue righteousness…..Death and Destruction lie open before the LORD — how much more the hearts of men!....Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil…..The LORD tears down the proud man's house but he keeps the widow's boundaries intact. The LORD detests the thoughts of the wicked, but those of the pure are pleasing to him……The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous……The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. [Prov 15:3,8,9,11,16,25,26,29,33 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 51 & 52 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2011-01-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

As we enter a new decade in 2011, major cities around the world welcome it with firework displays that symbolise optimism and expectations, hopes and dreams.

That is a right attitude which reflects a positive human spirit. Man in all generations look forward to a better future each year, without change. But it is change that will bring about a better future.

Ironically, as we celebrate the birth of a New Year, Hong Kong mourn the death of one of Asia's leading democracy advocates, Szeto Wah.

Mr. Szeto has worked for decades to establish, preserve and protect Hong Kong people's democratic institutions, freedom and human rights.

A core member of the Democratic Party, Mr. Szeto first came to public prominence as a long-time leader of Hong Kong's largest teachers' union. Time Magazine named him one of the 25 most influential people in Hong Kong, calling him "Democracy's Foot Soldier." Known to the people of Hong Kong simply as "Uncle Wah," he was one of Hong Kong's earliest elected representatives, and continues to be one of the Special Administrative Region's most popular and admired politicians.

Mr. Szeto has long devoted himself to the development of democracy in Hong Kong. In 1973, he formed the Professional Teachers' Union, one of the earliest pressure groups in Hong Kong to fight for the interest of teachers. He served as its president from 1974-90 and as its vice president from 1990-96.

In 1985, Hong Kong had its first functional constituency elections, in which Mr. Szeto was elected to represent the Education professionals in the territory. In the same year, he served as a member of the Basic Law Drafting Committee, the body appointed by Beijing to draft Hong Kong's post-1997 constitution. Following his condemnation of the 1989 Tiananmen crackdown, he withdrew from the committee. He is also the chairman of the Hong Kong Alliance in Support of Patriotic Democratic Movement of China, the organization formed in 1989 to support the democracy movement in China.

In late 1996, Szeto Wah led a public challenge to China to make its appointment system for the selection of the Chief Executive more democratic, transparent and accountable to the public. In this campaign, he ran as the Democratic Party's nominee for the "Shadow Chief Executive" and secured over 100,000 signatures in his endeavor to educate the public about their rights.

Szeto Wah's dedication to freedom of expression and human rights has been recognized worldwide. In December 1997, the Czech Republic presented Mr. Szeto with its distinguished "HomoHomini" Human Rights Award.

Mr. Szeto was also devoted Christian and the Christian faith had reinforced his life-long goal of fighting for a more democratic Hong Kong and, hopefully, a more just and fair society.

The God that Christians worship considers “righteousness and justice as the foundation of His throne” [Ps. 89:14]. Hence Mr. Szeto’s Christian faith is correctly expressed when he pursued justice and fairness relentlessly. In this regard, Mr. Szeto has my greatest respect!

The new decade is a decade of change, yes, rapid change. It will be faster than Apple changing its i-phone models. :)

Behind that change is a hidden agenda that is more sinister than what appears to the undiscerning. It is a new World Order that moves the nations towards greater co-operation in economics, religion, green issues etc......paving the way for the inevitable!

It was the same spirit of co-operation that led to the building of the Tower of Babel in the early human history [Genesis 11:4]!

As Christians, we hold onto God’s promise that He will one day restore His rule and reign on earth, which will have righteousness and justice as the foundation. It is only then when the dreams of so many like Szeto Wah and others who have gone before him and come after him would be realized. Let us “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good. His love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of gods…Give thanks to the Lord of lords….to him who alone does great wonders….who by his understanding made the heavens…..who spread out the earth upon the waters….who made the great lights……the sun to govern the day….the moon and stars to govern the night; His love endures forever. [Ps 136:1-12 NIV]

It is time to seek the Lord, when His grace and mercy are still on offer. "If you will return….to me," declares the LORD."If you put your detestable idols out of my sight and no longer go astray, and if in a truthful, just and righteous way you swear, 'As surely as the LORD lives,' then the nations will be blessed by him and in him they will glory." This is what the LORD says to the men ……"Break up your unplowed ground and do not sow among thorns. Circumcise yourselves to the LORD, circumcise your hearts….., or my wrath will break out and burn like fire because of the evil you have done — burn with no one to quench it……'Sound the trumpet throughout the land!....So put on sackcloth, lament and wail, for the fierce anger of the LORD has not turned away from us……..[Jer 4:1-9 NIV]

Just before Jesus was crucified, “...Pilate took Jesus and had him flogged. The soldiers twisted together a crown of thorns and put it on his head. They clothed him in a purple robe and went up to him again and again, saying, "Hail, king of the Jews!" And they struck him in the face……..When Jesus came out wearing the crown of thorns and the purple robe, Pilate said to them, "Here is the man!" As soon as the chief priests and their officials saw him, they shouted, "Crucify! Crucify!" [John 19:1-12 NIV] The same Jesus who was crucified 2000 years ago will return in glory and power to judge the world. Anything (and anyone) that is unrighteous and unjust will be thrown into hell and be burned for eternity!

If you pursue righteousness and justice, you will not be disappointed, because “The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked……Blessings crown the head of the righteous, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked. The memory of the righteous will be a blessing, but the name of the wicked will rot…..The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked…..The wages of the righteous bring them life, but the income of the wicked brings them punishment…..The tongue of the righteous is choice silver, but the heart of the wicked is of little value. The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of judgment……What the wicked dreads will overtake him; what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever…..The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. The way of the LORD is a refuge for the righteous, but it is the ruin of those who do evil……...[Prov 10:3,6-7,11,16,20-21,24-25,28-32 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 49 & 50 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-12-15T17:49:00.000-08:00

This will be the last Christmas that we greet you before Kim and I relocate permanently back to Hong Kong, although I have gone ahead to make preparation. This Christmas has a very special significance for both of us!

Kim & I spent our 1st Christmas in London in 1998, and although it has been a long 12 years, it seems like yesterday when we landed in London Heathrow Airport – on Thursday, 21st May 1998, to be precise!

Kim & I look back with many fond memories of our early meetings in the small living room of our North London flat. We certainly remember vividly our 1st public service at London City YMCA on 2nd August, 1998. We had 12 people and a dog. :)

Besides Hope London, Kim & I are honoured to be part of the church planting work in Europe, visiting Albert in Holland for the first time in 1999, conducting a Bible Seminar in Berlin, and going to Switzerland in the same year to prepare the launch of Hope Zurich in 2000. Since then various groups blossom in different parts of Europe to become what Hope Europe is today. We are privileged to have known and worked with the early pioneers like Marcus, Tor & Wanda, Tonje, Albert, Joel & Olivia, Reto & Christine, under the remote guidance of Ps. Ben in Singapore before Ps Prakich came to Europe much later. It is such a joy to see how they have prospered, got married, started families and continue to move strongly in God in their different ways today. We are eternally grateful for the friendship and partnership in the Gospel in Europe!

In the UK, we feel tremendously blessed to have faithful co-workers being brought by God into our lives one by one to build up what is Hope UK today. Vincent, Twin, Aaron, Roger & Lorisa, Dexter & Precious, Eldos and others who are too many to name, you all have a very special place in our hearts.

Of course Kim & I do not forget the friendship and guidance of our leaders in Asia, since we join Hope in October 1993. Kim & I met a lot of you, if not all, in our first conference in Bangkok, Thailand in January 1994 – Ps. Simon, Ps. Wilson, Ps. Ben, Ps. Prakich, Ps. James, Ps. Dennis, Ps. Kwong Li, Ps. Willie….you are all good and faithful servants of the Lord!

Also, I must thank you Adelaide for being my praying partner since early days in Hope Europe, until now (and hopefully many more years to come). Your rewards in Heaven shall be great. Your “behind the scene” dedicated intercessions and countless prayer sessions on the phone have made it possible for the many victories we have won. You are a great woman of God!

And finally, even if my brain ceases to function, losing all of my memories, and my heart beat is slowed to a murmur, how can I not remember and thank you Kim, my wonderful wife of 34 years. You shall have the lion share of our rewards in Heaven. And I thank God for our dearest Nic & Ben, our precious flesh & blood, and Wai-Wa & Suki, our beautiful daughters-in-law. You are my joy and my delight. Please forgive me for not being the normal dad that you deserve to have. But I want you to know that you are always on my mind. If I could save time in a bottle, I would spend them with you!

Very often, when I sit alone in my room or my office in Hong Kong, preparing some teachings or quietly doing my devotion, many of your faces come to my mind. I have had some success in the secular world, but none of them come close to knowing you and co-working with you in advancing God’s Kingdom. We will have much to share and celebrate when we get to Heaven one day!

As I continue this journey in Christ, starting a new chapter in Hong Kong, my zeal for the Lord has grown stronger despite of the slow start. My excitement is due partly to the sensing that the end is near. There is a real urgency to preach the Good News of Jesus Christ!

If you are a believer in Jesus and for whatever reason your fire has grown dimmer along the way, may I fan that fire of yours and encourage you to come back strongly to the Lord without delay. You will not regret it, I guarantee you!

And if you are not a believer yet, I encourage you to find a good church to get to know Jesus without waiting much longer. You will not regret it either, I double guarantee you!

Indeed, we will have much to celebrate in Heaven because “When the LORD brought back the captives to Zion, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations," The LORD has done great things for them." The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy. Restore our fortunes, O LORD, like streams in the Negev. Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.” [Ps 126:1-6 NIV]

When that glorious Day arrives, “….no longer will violence be heard in your land, nor ruin or destruction within your borders, but you will call your walls Salvation and your gates Praise. The sun will no more be your light by day, nor will the brightness of the moon shine on you, for the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your God will be your glory. Your sun will never set again, and your moon will wane no more; the LORD will be your everlasting light, and your days of sorrow will end. Then will all your people be righteous and they will possess the land forever. They are the shoot I have planted, the work of my hands, for the display of my splendor. The least of you will become a thousand, the smallest a mighty nation. I am the LORD; in its time I will do this swiftly." [Isa 60:10-22 NIV]

As we get closer & closer to that Day, we shall see God’s glory displayed among His people through signs & wonders & miracles. Jesus healed a man born blind to make the point. “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life……Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man's eyes. "Go," he told him, "wash in the Pool of Siloam" (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.” [John 9:1-11 NIV]

Let me close by asking you a few questions. “Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know!”. [Prov 30:1-9] I only know Him as God the Creator, our Heavenly Father. But the name of His Son is Jesus Christ and we celebrate His birth on earth this Christmas Season. :)

Amen and amen!

Weeks 47 & 48 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-12-06T03:10:00.000-08:00

If you ask a mainland Chinese who has visited Hong Kong where Canton Road is, I believe most of them can tell you. It is well known for luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Dior, Prada, Salvatore Ferragamo …….. And very often you see cash rich mainlanders queuing up outside the shops as if a big sale is on (even when it is not)!

Once on TV, I saw this group of Mainland Chinese men coming to Hong Kong regularly on shopping trips, each spending 6 figures at a time! These days, Mainland Chinese spend an average HK$7,000 plus, surpassing the Europeans on HK$6,000 and the SE Asians on HK$4,000. What a change from 30 years ago before China’s modernization. Is it a good thing or not? I will let God be the judge!

Whilst Chairman Mao has successfully imposed himself as the only god for his people to worship, modern China is hungry for a new form of worship. The heart of worship that God has created in all of us will always be empty without an idol, be it the true God, an imitation deity or a man-made object.

This is nothing new. I have been there. I see how my form of worship changed over the years:

As a poor boy, I worshipped the toy cars that my friends owned. I went as far as stealing one of them!

In my school years, I worshipped my Chemistry teacher for his self-confidence & cool look, and my History teacher for her beauty.

After graduation, I worshipped money for the many dream things that I could buy. For a season, I worshipped Seve Ballesteros when I was crazy about golf.

Then 20 years ago, I found an idol (Jesus Christ) that can give me true peace, even in the midst of all the troubles that we face today in different parts of the world. Now I can understand what Jesus meant when he said:

[John 14:27] “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.”

And although Job in the Old Testament was before Jesus’ time, I can believe that he had God’s peace in his heart when he went through the trial that Satan put him through with God’s permission. It is interesting to note that when one is doing a “Job” time, there are always a few “Eliphaz/Bildad/Zophar” on hand to provide folly advices. I am experiencing that right now!

Jesus can give us peace because He is the Word of God and a timely Word of God (not words of man) can do wonders. In the past 2 weeks, I was reading a paragraph of Psalm 119 a day and every one was a gem. They reflected my heart cry. “Righteous are you, O LORD, and your laws are right. The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy. My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words. Your promises have been thoroughly tested, and your servant loves them. Though I am lowly and despised, I do not forget your precepts. Your righteousness is everlasting and your law is true. Trouble and distress have come upon me, but your commands are my delight. Your statutes are forever right; give me understanding that I may live. [Ps 119:137-144 NIV]

If you are truly a servant of God, He can strengthen you in times of trouble. “He said to me, "You are my servant….in whom I will display my splendor." But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God."……But this is what the LORD says: "Yes, captives will be taken from warriors, and plunder retrieved from the fierce; I will contend with those who contend with you, and your children I will save. I will make your oppressors eat their own flesh; they will be drunk on their own blood, as with wine. Then all mankind will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer……." [Isa 49:1-4,25,26 NIV]

When Jesus was persecuted, He only spoke when it was time to do so. “At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, and if I asked you, you would not answer. But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God." They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am." Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We have heard it from his own lips." [Luke 22:66-71 NIV]

If you are interested in what God says about us, here they are. “It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel……The purposes of a man's heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding draws them out. Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?......A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid a man who talks too much. …….If a man curses his father or mother, his lamp will be snuffed out in pitch darkness……A man's steps are directed by the LORD. How then can anyone understand his own way?.......The lamp of the LORD searches the spirit of a man; it searches out his inmost being.” [Prov 20:3,5-7,19,20,24,25,27,29 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 45 & 46 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-11-20T17:47:00.000-08:00

I was up early on Sunday morning, sitting in my comfortable serviced apartment and watching a beautiful sunrise. My next day job still has not materialized and I was praying and seeking God.

Then I read the e-mail of my dear friend Dr. Johan Combrinck, Founder of AFnet. AFnet was started some 25 years ago and it is a ministry that is blessing the churches in Africa through the training of thousands of pastors and is blessing the continent through various social programs.

Below is an extract from the AFnetAid website www.afnetaid.org :

AFnetAid is not just slapping a temporary superficial bandage on a huge underlying problem, HIV/AIDS in Africa. The AIDS pandemic is killing an entire generation of fathers and mothers and leaving millions of children without the physical and emotional support of parents. Our aid brings healing from within as we reach out to these children so a new generation can break the cruel and seemingly hopeless cycle of poverty and disease. AFnetAID seeks to inspire hope for the future as we take AIDS orphans off the streets and give them back their childhood, equip them with the skills they need to thrive rather than just survive, and provide compassionate care to meet their physical needs of food, clothing, shelter, and medical attention. Band-aids represent healing, but also love and caring. You can help us wipe the tears, kiss the boo boos, and treat the wounds. Hope and healing is happening!

For Only US$35 a month, you can ensure a child receives:

- Tuition and a uniform for school

- Day care for younger siblings

- Meals before and after school

- Care packages for extended family

- Medical care access

- Educational and legal assistance

- Grief and trauma counselling

- Vocational training

I was humbled by the passion and love my dear friend has for God and the people of Africa. It changed the perspective of my own situation and my mission for God.

It reminded me of the following scriptures:

[Matt 25:31-40 NIV]

31 "When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.

32 All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats.

33 He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.

34 "Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.

35 For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,

36 I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'

37 "Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?

38 When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you?

39 When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'

40 "The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

Our Lord God is much bigger than our problems. Let us reflect upon the love of God and what He has done for us. Let us roll up our sleeves, fix our eyes on Jesus and start doing the will of God. Whatever we do on this side of eternity, make sure that we will end up on the right side of God!

Indeed God has been faithful in all these years I have known Him. I want to “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. Open for me the gates of righteousness; I will enter and give thanks to the LORD……I will give you thanks, for you answered me; you have become my salvation……..This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. O LORD, save us; OLORD, grant us success. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the LORD. From the house of the LORD we bless you…….You are my God, and I will give you thanks; you are my God, and I will exalt you. Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever. [Ps 118:1,19-29 NIV]

In my search for my next job, I have been evaluating various opportunities. I am looking for confirmation and want to make sure that it is from God. God’s warning to His people is loud and clear. "Woe to the obstinate children," declares the LORD, "to those who carry out plans that are not mine, forming an alliance, but not by my Spirit, heaping sin upon sin; who go down to Egypt without consulting me; who look for help to Pharaoh's protection, to Egypt's shade for refuge. But Pharaoh's protection will be to your shame, Egypt's shade will bring you disgrace……..because of a people useless to them, who bring neither help nor advantage, but only shame and disgrace." [Isa 30:1-5 NIV]

Jesus has shown us how to resist the temptation of the world. “Jesus, full of the Holy Spirit, returned from the Jordan and was led by the Spirit in the desert, where for forty days he was tempted by the devil. He ate nothing during those days, and at the end of them he was hungry. The devil said to him, "If you are the Son of God, tell this stone to become bread." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone.'" The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. And he said to him, "I will give you all their authority and splendor, for it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. So if you worship me, it will all be yours." Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Worship the Lord your God and serve him only.'" [Luke 4:1-13 NIV]

I will continue to seek God’s guidance through studying His Word and listening to the prompting of the Holy Spirit. “My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you, turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God. For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. He holds victory in store for the upright, he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, for he guards the course of the just and protects the way of his faithful ones. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path.” [Prov 2:1-15 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 43 & 44 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-11-08T06:17:00.000-08:00

Follow on from my last message on the story of the 33 Chilean miners who were trapped over 600m below ground for 69 days, I can see that that they faced it with determination and strong will (or faith?). One of them ran the equivalent of 5 km a day, pulling a heavy weight behind him. Instead of focusing on the problem, the hopeless situation of waiting to be saved, they practiced positivity.

In these past 2 weeks in particular, I have been learning to wait upon the Lord. I have also been trying to comprehend the meaning of God’s Word in [Ps 127:2] “In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat — for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

I praise God that while I am waiting for my next job, I did not lose any sleep. Indeed God grants sleep to those He loves :o)

But I am also digging deeper in my faith – “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see” [Heb. 11:1]

Daniel in the Bible was a man of integrity with no weak spots, no scandals, and no sins that his enemies could identify. And when King Darius came into power during Israel's 70-year captivity, he relied on Daniel's wise, insightful counsel. Yet there were others who didn't like this Hebrew prophet.

Because Daniel had a habit of praying openly every day, his enemies convinced King Darius to foolishly sign a law that would prohibit prayer to anyone except the king. The penalty for breaking this law was being thrown into a den of lions. Sure enough, Daniel prayed as he always had, and it was reported to Darius. The frustration for the king was that as powerful as he was, he couldn't change a law that he himself had set into motion. So Daniel was sent to die in a den of lions. Yet the Bible tells us that Daniel slept while the king was up all night. I find it interesting that the child of God in the den of lions slept peacefully, while the faithless man in the palace with all its luxuries was up and worried and stressed out. Yes, God gives rest to his loved ones.

And so it is for the person who puts his or her trust in God. When we are worrying, we are really saying that God isn't in control, that God is not paying attention. When we worry, we are not trusting in the providence of God.

And what is the providence of God? It is the belief that God is in control of the universe. And specifically as Christians, it means we believe there are no accidents in our lives. Nothing touches us that has not first passed through His hands.

Although I have a number of job opportunities, the waiting is not over yet. Besides, I want to be sure it is from God.

In the meantime, I practice positivity:

1) I do 45 min. of prayer jog plus aerobic exercise every morning.

2) I rented an office space and launched the BBC (Building Biblical Churches / Building Bridges for Christ) school last Saturday

Along the way I had a couple of pleasant surprises:

1) HSBC sent me HK$550 worth of SOGO gift certificate for being a good customer

2) A good Christian friend and business owner offers to pay me to help him with a small engineering project

While I am waiting for God to open the right door, I shall continue to “Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.” [Ps 118:1]

I can relate to the Psalmist when he said, “I love the LORD, for he heard my voice; he heard my cry for mercy. Because he turned his ear to me, I will call on him as long as I live. The cords of death entangled me, the anguish of the grave came upon me; I was overcome by trouble and sorrow. Then I called on the name of the LORD:"O LORD, save me!" The LORD is gracious and righteous; our God is full of compassion. The LORD protects the simple hearted; when I was in great need, he saved me. Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the LORD has been good to you. For you, O LORD, have delivered my soul from death, my eyes from tears, my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before the LORD in the land of the living. [Ps 116:1-9 NIV]. That is my kind of worshipper!

It would be very sad if this is what God think of me and my worship. “The Lord says: "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish." Woe to those who go to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, "Who sees us? Who will know?" You turn things upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Shall what is formed say to him who formed it, "He did not make me"? Can the pot say of the potter, "He knows nothing"? [Isa 29:13-16 NIV]

When Jesus contemplated on the cross, he also had to dig deep in his faith. His human body simply could not cope. “……..Jesus….began to be deeply distressed and troubled. "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death," he said to them. "Stay here and keep watch." Going a little farther, he fell to the ground and prayed that if possible the hour might pass from him. "Abba, Father," he said, "everything is possible for you. Take this cup from me. Yet not what I will, but what you will." [Mark 14:32-42 NIV]

Even the wisest and richest of al kings felt hopelessly inadequate and unworthy in front of the Almighty God. King Solomon couldn’t help but confessed “ "I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know! "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” [Prov 30:2-6 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 41 & 42 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-10-21T06:43:00.000-07:00

It is not often one hears about a good news story in the news media these days. The exception is the recent Chilean miner story. Before you switch off, please allow this story to strengthen your faith and hope in Christ. It has certainly helped me. :)

I finished my 6 month contract working on the high speed rail project on 20th August. So it has been 62 days and I am still job hunting. I keep reminding myself how God has provided for me in the past and how God made me wait for nearly a year in 2005 before opening the door for me to work in my profession again. The 4 years working experience on rail projects has helped me to land the HK job.

This is our human problem. We forget easily. And when we are waiting again, we find it hard going!

But I will continue to believe God to give me the best. :)

This brings me back to the miner story.

It is inspiring because of the scale of the problem – 33 lives trapped 622m below ground when the mine shaft collapsed.

It is inspiring because it brought out the best in the Chilean people.

First we have a Billionaire President Sebastian Pinera who had his rating boasted above 70% because he portrayed himself as a man of the people He was at the mine on 23 August to announce that the men were still alive, telling TV cameras: "It will take months to get them out. It will take time, but it doesn't matter how long it takes to have a happy ending. He has been a constant presence, and was on hand at the final rescue, proclaiming the operation a "miracle", giving thanks to God!

Secondly, they have an equally caring mining minister Laurence Golborne. Mr Golborne has been at the mine almost constantly since August, briefing journalists with equal affability in Spanish and English. His approval ratings are said to be about 85%. His twitter feed has added 15,000 followers in the last week of the rescue. Some commentators have already labelled him the most popular man in Chile!

Then they have companies helping in the rescue operation.

Firstly, Schramm Inc describes itself as a "century-old Chester County, Pennsylvania manufacturer and global supplier to the hydraulic drilling industry". The firm can have had few better publicity campaigns than the Chile mine rescue. Their machine - the Schramm T-130 machine, known as Plan B - was the second of three machines assembled at the site, but it proved more effective than the other two drills. The T-130 eventually bored the rescue shaft that was used in the rescue.

Secondly, State-run mining firm Codelco, the world's top copper producer, also played a major part in the rescue. Analysts say it showed expertise and resourcefulness during the crisis.

Thirdly, Barcelona star David Villa signed two shirts for the miners. Football clubs are among the most prominent groups keen to send their support. Real Madrid sent signed shirts and invited the minors to a game in the Spanish capital. Manchester United reportedly made a similar offer. They were both following the example of Barcelona striker David Villa, who got in early by donating a signed shirt to the miners. Villa's father and grandfather were both miners.

Finally, Nasa sent a group of experts to help the rescue team advise the miners on diet and the psychological effects of spending long periods of time in isolation.

After more than two months underground, the first of the 33 miners was brought safely to the surface on 13 October. Here are the details:

• Ascent 622m

• Temperature 36°mine 8-18°surface

• Time 15-20 mins

• Speed 1m/s

The miners were brought to the surface one at a time in a specially-designed capsule. The capsule, dubbed "Phoenix" after the mythical bird that rose from the ashes, will carry the men nearly half a mile through solid rock in a shaft just wider than a man's shoulders as their two month ordeal draws to an end.

The story is truly a testimony of hope and faith in action.

For your information, I am seeking God on 3 fronts – church ministry, marketplace ministry and job. While I am waiting for God to provide my next job, I am learning from the miners rescue story to keep working hard towards the result, instead of wondering and doing nothing. I will share more in the next message.

God’s love, care & promises for His people were wonderfully demonstrated when He delivered the Israelites out of Egypt. “He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered. Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them. He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. They asked, and he brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert. For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham. He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy; he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for — that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the LORD.” [Ps 105:37-45 NIV]

Prophet Isaiah used the 3 major nations of his time (some 2700 years ago) to represent the nations of the world, that one day people from every nation will worship the true God. “…In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border. It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them. The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance." [Isa 19:16-25 NIV]

Indeed there is hope for everyone who comes to the Lord by faith. God welcomes everyone in the world who chooses Him. The pagan woman who begged Jesus to deliver her daughter despite of Jesus initial comment was an excellent example. “…..a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. "First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.” [Mark 7:24-37 NIV]

King Solomon, the wisest king ever lived, exhorts us with these words of wisdom “Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear. Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give……Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor. Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble. Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart…….Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked……Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. [Prov 25:12-14,18-20,25,26,28 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 39 & 40 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-10-07T05:19:00.000-07:00

I have been observing the nations of the world on the issue of “the temple and the land”. The two are intimately linked. If the temple (the church) is strong in a nation, the land will also be blessed. The opposite is true if the church is weak and poor!

China, since 1949 when Chairman Mao established the Peoples Republic of China, has undergone some amazing changes. Chairman Mao has done China a favour by destroying all idol worshipping. In the midst of the Cultural Revolution, God moved through the underground churches. A conservative estimate put China in front of many western Christian nations in terms of its Christian population. A figure of a few hundred millions of born again Christians has been mentioned. These are mostly in rural China.

Although China is still Communist in name, she is a social capitalist in reality. Economic growth at double digits will make China the largest economy in 10 years’ time. I can see God blessing the land through the temple!

When God moves, Satan is there also to try to hinder the move.

I was in Shenzhen last weekend for 3 days, teaching and ministering in a Shenzhen church retreat. The city is becoming richer after 30 years of open-door policy and economic growth. You can hardly see a bicycle on the street. I would say there are more expensive European cars than bicycles.

I see the same 3 areas of temptation in the city (sex, money and power) that Satan deploys since the beginning of mankind. Many will fall and be destroyed if they do not find Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

The retreat was in a nice beach resort in Dapeng Bay, where many Chinese swam to Hong Kong to escape Mao’s Cultural Revolution in the 70s. The programme had a lot of fun time – games, BBQ, swimming and frisbee on the beach. I was asked to speak on “balancing church/work/family in a busy life”. We also had a long Q & A session, including difficult questions on business ethics and unbelieving business partners.

I also see many challenges in the church I ministered in – broken families (divorces) and children growing up without good male role models. One good thing is that the people are all hungry and eager to learn!

I know many have and many will come to the Lord. But there is a lack of shepherds and spiritual leaders, esp. male ones in China. There is real urgency to train up more of these leaders. There is a great need to plant vibrant and Biblical churches in the land!

I am excited about the prospect of church planting in China. I often wonder why there are so many Chinese in the world. What is God’s plan for them? Yes, “How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures…….all look to you to give them their food at the proper time. When you give it to them, they gather it up; when you open your hand, they are satisfied with good things. When you hide your face, they are terrified; when you take away their breath, they die and return to the dust. When you send your Spirit, they are created, and you renew the face of the earth. May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works — he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. I will sing to the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live. May my meditation be pleasing to him, as I rejoice in the LORD. But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD.” [Ps 104:24-35 NIV]

One day many people on this planet earth will wake up to the fact that the end is near. It will be a time of tribulation. “In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made. In that day their strong cities……will be like places abandoned to thickets and undergrowth. And all will be desolation. You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines, though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.” [Isa 17:7-14 NIV] Let us pray that it will be short.

I pray and hope that many will respond to the Gospel, just like the time of John the Baptist. “…….so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." [Mark 1:1-13 NIV]

The time has come for us to fear one thing – the Lord. Do not fear those who kill the body. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. [Matt 10:28] “He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him……A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless………He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. [Prov 14:2,16,26-27 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 37 & 38 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-09-21T06:36:00.000-07:00

25 years ago, I was the Project Director in charge of the redevelopment of the Hong Kong side of a township named Sha Tau Kok, that straddles the border between Hong Kong & China. It was for some 4000 people who were living in tin huts on stilts.

Since the opening up of China in 1978, many mainland Chinese came to the China side of Sha Tau Kok to buy gold ornaments, jewelleries and Hong Kong clothing, plus taking a peep at cosmopolitan Hong Kong. But because the Hong Kong side of Sha Tau Kok looked more like a slump than the “Pearl of the Orient”, Hong Kong’s renowned name, the HK Government decided to give it a facelift. Over HK$100 millions were spent on just 4000 people, to provide them with new housings, a primary school, a community centre, a police station, a fire station and a sewage treatment works.

Shenzhen, the region that is immediately north of the border, where Sha Tau Kok (China side) is a part, is one of the fastest growing region in China. It recently celebrated its 30th Anniversary since Ex-Chinese Leader Tang Shiu Ping declared it as a Special Economic Region. Today’s Shenzhen, boasting a population of over 15 millions, rivals Hong Kong in terms of skyscrapers, hotels, shopping malls, luxury boutiques, eateries.....

Because of the relatively lower housing prices, a lot of Hong Kong people bought homes in Shenzhen and commute into Hong Kong to work.

Two recent trips to Shenzhen gave me a glimpse of the vast expanse of territories and the huge populations (1200 millions) that made up China today.

The more recent visit was to celebrate our elder son Nic’s 33rd birthday. My Shenzhen friend borrowed a chauffeured driven 7-seater to show us around the city, ending up with lunch in a posh Chinese Restaurant in Pot Portofino, a nice resort with a Mediterranean feel. The young ones plus yours truly spent the afternoon in Happy Valley, an amusement park, enjoying the many crazy & fun rides. :o)

The previous trip to Shenzhen was to meet a pastor who is leading an underground church of over 100 people. They got to know me through the sister of our Hope London member (Hason). They invited me to speak in their church retreat from 1st – 4th October.

The pastor is a Swiss who has been in China for 10 years. He married a Chinese lady from Hunan. I am ashamed to know that he can speak better Putonghua (Mandarin) than I do. :o(

I am very excited about it and I look forward to preaching/teaching the Word of God for the very first time in China. I want to know and understand what the Chinese are thinking in post-Communist China. May the Gospel of Christ reach and impact them before they are corrupted by materialism brought about by modernization and opening up to the “free” world. :o)

I recently listened to a sermon about the Chinese and the God of their ancestors. I was encouraged to know that our ancestors, for the past 4500 years, worshipped the God of Heaven, not Buddha. Our forefathers worshipped their ancestors, not unlike Catholics worshipping the Saints. This is a fact the later generations did not know!

Today, if a Chinese becomes a Christian, his or her unbelieving parents would call him or her betraying the ancestors. This is the work of Satan, deceiving multitudes of Chinese.

Today, many Chinese are proud to call themselves the descendents of the Dragon (Satan), not knowing that they are the descendents of God!

I pray and hope that many would realize this deception and turn around before it is too late. One day, all will see the glory of God. Yes, “The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty…..Your throne was established long ago; you are from all eternity……O LORD, the seas have lifted up their voice; the seas have lifted up their pounding waves. Mightier than the thunder of the great waters, mightier than the breakers of the sea — the LORD on high is mighty. Your statutes stand firm; holiness adorns your house for endless days, O LORD. [Ps 93:1-5 NIV]

When prophet Isaiah saw the glory and majesty of God, he was humbled. “…… I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory." At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke. "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty……" [Isa 6:1-13 NIV]

Sadly, today many religious leaders are not doing the will of God….. “Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples: "The teachers of the law and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat. So you must obey them and do everything they tell you. But do not do what they do, for they do not practice what they preach…….Everything they do is done for men to see……they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues……."Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You shut the kingdom of heaven in men's faces. You yourselves do not enter, nor will you let those enter who are trying to. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites!......You snakes! You brood of vipers! How will you escape being condemned to hell? [Matt 23:1-22,33-39 NIV]

May the wisdom, the understanding and the knowledge of God come to you that you may know good from evil. God says that “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion……Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full. [Prov 8:12-21,32-36 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 35 & 36 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-09-10T20:26:00.000-07:00

In a recent news release, Professor Stephen Hawking, the celebrated UK physicist, who has motor neurone disease, will complete his last day as Lucasian Professor of Mathematics, Cambridge University, on 30 September. He will take on a new role as director of research.

The Lucasian Professorship was established in 1663 and previous holders have included Isaac Newton.

In his 1988 bestseller, “A Brief History of Time”, Prof Hawking appeared to accept the role of God in the creation of the Universe.

"If we discover a complete theory, it would be the ultimate triumph of human reason - for then we should know the mind of God," he said.

He had previously argued that belief in a creator was not incompatible with science but in a new book, he concludes the Big Bang was an inevitable consequence of the laws of physics.

“The Grand Design”, part serialised in the Times, says there is no need to invoke God to set the Universe going.

“The Universe can create itself from nothing”, says Prof Hawking. “There is no place for God in theories on the creation of the Universe and spontaneous creation is the reason there is something," he concluded.

Britain's most famous physicist sets out to contest Sir Isaac Newton's belief that the universe must have been designed by God as it could not have sprung out of chaos.

Citing the 1992 discovery of a planet orbiting a star other than our Sun, Prof Hawking said: "That makes the coincidences of our planetary conditions - the single Sun, the lucky combination of Earth-Sun distance and solar mass - far less remarkable, and far less compelling as evidence that the Earth was carefully designed just to please us human beings."

He adds: "Because there is a law such as gravity, the universe can and will create itself from nothing. It is not necessary to invoke God to light the blue touch paper and set the universe going."

This change of view about God’s act of creation by a prominent scientist is regrettable. But again each of us has to decide for himself or herself what to believe.

For me, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men."………You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning — though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered. We are consumed by your anger and terrified by your indignation. You have set our iniquities before you, our secret sins in the light of your presence. All our days pass away under your wrath; we finish our years with a moan. The length of our days is seventy years — or eighty, if we have the strength; yet their span is but trouble and sorrow, for they quickly pass, and we fly away. Who knows the power of your anger? For your wrath is as great as the fear that is due you. Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom……May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us — yes, establish the work of our hands. [Ps 90:1-17 NIV]

Although we are sinners who deserve death in the hell of fire, God has shown us His mercy and His grace. “Come now, let us reason together, "says the LORD."Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool. If you are willing and obedient, you will eat the best from the land; but if you resist and rebel, you will be devoured by the sword." For the mouth of the LORD has spoken. See how the faithful city has become a harlot! She once was full of justice; righteousness used to dwell in her — but now murderers! Your silver has become dross, your choice wine is diluted with water. Your rulers are rebels, companions of thieves; they all love bribes and chase after gifts. They do not defend the cause of the fatherless; the widow's case does not come before them.” [Isa 1:18-28 NIV]. Let us take note of God’s warning and rebuke.

Do not remain stubborn. The Lord’s wedding banquet is being prepared. Let us accept the invitation gladly without delay. Yes, “…..the kingdom of heaven is like a king who prepared a wedding banquet for his son. He sent his servants to those who had been invited to the banquet to tell them to come, but they refused to come. "Then he sent some more servants and said, 'Tell those who have been invited that I have prepared my dinner: My oxen and fattened cattle have been butchered, and everything is ready. Come to the wedding banquet.' "But they paid no attention and went off-one to his field, another to his business. The rest seized his servants, mistreated them and killed them. The king was enraged. He sent his army and destroyed those murderers and burned their city. "Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding banquet is ready, but those I invited did not deserve to come. Go to the street corners and invite to the banquet anyone you find.' So the servants went out into the streets and gathered all the people they could find, both good and bad, and the wedding hall was filled with guests………."For many are invited, but few are chosen." [Matt 22:1-14 NIV]

Be sure to know that “Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, who leave the straight paths to walk in dark ways, who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways……For the upright will live in the land, and the blameless will remain in it; but the wicked will be cut off from the land, and the unfaithful will be torn from it. [Prov 2:11-22 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 33 & 34 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-09-01T06:51:00.000-07:00

I have just made a trip back to London for the Europe Leaders Conference (ELC). Although it was just for a week, I managed to do a fair bit during this trip.

During Ps. Simon and Sis. Lai Eng’s visit to London for the ELC, Kim introduced them and myself to the musical Jersey Boys. I must say it was very enjoyable with many Golden Oldies like Sherry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Oh What A Night, Bye Bye Baby, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Walk Like A Man. They brought back a lot of memories of my growing up years (way before Kim’s time of course). And I can see why seeing a musical is on the “must do” list for visitors to London!

The theme of the ELC was on Wisdom, a timely topic for the church. I pray and hope that God’s people will have His wisdom as we venture forward to build HIM churches around the globe. We will need God’s wisdom to be effective and relevant wherever we plant.

The ELC also marked the close of a chapter in my ministry where I relinquished my role as Hope West Europe Regional Pastor. It was emotional but at the same time gratifying to see the succession of younger leaders carrying on the building God’s church in West Europe. I will now focus on Hong Kong and China, as led by the Lord!

Besides preaching in the Combined Service at London Central, I also visited London West (Ealing), which had made huge steps in the past year. I believe it is because Dexter, the pastor is ready to take up the role.

They are now using a very nice church hall in West London, close to an Underground Station. They now have a lot of talents. They have a great worship team and one member is training his children to be involved in the worship team. And one of the members is a builder. He is helping to build a sound room at the back of the hall. Its great to see members using their talents to serve in the church.

Hope London West will celebrate their 5th Anniversary this weekend and they are expecting 200 people, praise the Lord!

I also visited my dentist friend Dr. Gouw for a cleaning while I was in London. He is a Christian from Indonesia and it was great to catch up with him. I noticed a poster on the wall of the reception room. It was a National Health Service poster by the UK Government. What captured my attention was the message – “Stop tobacco use before Ramadan”. I have never seen one on “Stop tobacco use before Easter” or “Stop tobacco use before Christmas”. Why Ramadan is more important than Easter or Christmas??? Why the favouritism by the UK Government??? I thought the UK used to be a Christian Nation, or wasn’t it any longer???

This is an alarm bell for all Christians in the land. The Scripture in [Matt 10:32] "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” came to me! Let all Christians realize the subtlety of the enemy’s cunning schemes. Let us cry out to God – “O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. "Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more."…….. May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. [Ps 83:1-4,17,18 NIV]

Sometimes we can be very naïve. We need to know God’s Word better and its true meaning. One such Scripture is found in King Solomon’s Song of Songs. “How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! …….You are a garden locked up……Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices…….. [Song 4:10-15 NIV]. The fruit (9 in number) in the garden is in fact mirrored by the fruit (9 in number) of the Holy Spirit in [Gal. 5:22,23]. When the 3 Magi brought gold, incense and myrrh to Jesus the child, they represented Jesus’ purity, faithfulness and gentleness!

Our response to God’s Word will depend on the type of “soil” we are. “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." [Matt 13:3-9,18-23 NIV]. Let us be good soil that will yield a 100, 60 or 30 times.

I like the humble attitude of King Solomon when he wrote this proverb: “I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know! "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” [Prov 30:2-9 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 31 & 32 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-08-21T21:29:00.000-07:00

Recently, I read an article in The Economist with interest. It was entitled “The Chinese are everywhere”. Even in the farthest backwaters of Africa, the Chinese were moving in.

Deep in Lestho’s arid, starkly beautiful eastern highlands, Mokhotlong is the remotest town in one of Africa’s poorest countries. Proper road access was not available until 1950s. Today, on the main street, the petrol station is Chinese-owned. Next to it stands the Hui Hua supermarket. Then comes the Hua Tai ironmonger and the Ji Li Lai general store. Farther down the road is the Fu Zhong hardware and furniture wholesaler.

It is one of four enterprises owned by Chen Juo-feng, who is only 22. Mr. Chen started off with just one shop when he came to Lesotho four years ago from Fujian, a coastal province that has provided many Chinese emigrants through the ages; 172 other members of Mr. Chen’s family are scattered across Lesotho, too.

My wife Kim is a 5th generation Chinese in Malaysia. Her great great grand parents also came from Fujian. Her many uncles are shop and business owners in different parts of Malaysia.

This gave me a thought that Chinese probably have very strong pioneering and entrepreneur spirit in their blood. One can find them all over the world. If they are disciples of Jesus, they can fulfil God’s command to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” [Mark 16:15] :o).

Whether you have a pioneering and entrepreneur spirit in your blood or not, if your are a believer in Jesus, you are called by God to preach the good news to all creation. The time is near. Like what the psalmist says “We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds. You say, "I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more, 'and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.'" No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. In the hand of the LORD is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs. As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.” [Ps 75:1-10 NIV]

I find it amazing that even someone as wise and rich and powerful as King Solomon has written (under God’s instruction of course) the Book of Ecclesiastes It may appear to sound negative, that life is meaningless, yet it is full of wisdom. He said “In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness. Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise - why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool- why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all [extremes]. Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city. There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you- for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others. All this I tested by wisdom and I said, "I am determined to be wise"- but this was beyond me. Whatever wisdom may be, it is far off and most profound- who can discover it? So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.” [Eccl 7:15-25 NIV]

In the Explorer Study of Christianity for seekers yesterday, I shared about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Jesus came to give us an abundant life, not bound by the rules of man. “At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." …….He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread-which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." [Matt 12:1-14 NIV]

The Word of God says “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say. He who plots evil will be known as a schemer. The schemes of folly are sin, and men detest a mocker. If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this, "does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” [Prov 24:3-14 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 29 & 30 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-08-01T05:27:00.000-07:00

In the past few months I have been seeking God about His plan for me now that He has brought me back to my hometown Hong Kong. The job has been an amazing experience. It connected me to the Hong Kong Profession again. And I believe this will prepare the way for a ministry which I will share more in future.

The Bible Study for seekers finally started on 24/7. An old engineering colleague joined the first session. As I reflect on the date, which I believe was God’s perfect timing, it confirms that our relationship with God should be a 24/7 one – i.e. all the time. God is everywhere. We can trust in God’s presence even when we are not in a Christian fellowship.

We had our second session yesterday, and we had 4 people, 100% percent growth. Praise the Lord!

In these past few months, it was like a sabbatical for me, away from leading churches on a daily basis. It allowed me to reflect on my journey with God and His future plan for me. It also allowed me to get to know myself better.

Besides ministering in the work place through prayer, life examples and Godly principles, God is also teaching and showing me areas I need to improve/strengthen.

One thing I can confirm is that when something good is going to happen, the enemy would work even harder to hinder/stop it from happening. The attack would be more intense.

Being away from my wife and staying alone in a hotel room does present huge challenges in resisting sexual temptation. Whilst we do not have pros hanging around the hotel or knocking on the doors at night, if one has a laptop and an internet connection, internet pornography is only a click away if one does not have Self Control.

One aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is Self Control. And it is one of the hardest to cultivate and maintain. But God is always good to those who love Him [Rom 8:28]. Besides resisting it in my mind and my will, I have made a little sign to warn myself. It is next to my wife’s picture. AND, I can see the sign each time I sit in front of my computer alone in the hotel room. :o)

Living like a bachelor in these past 5 months, I learn to appreciate the challenges our unmarried brethrens face in the area of sexual purity, esp. if they live alone. But be sure to know that God can help us to be more than conquerors if we trust in His power and seek to cultivate Self Control. If one continues to struggle in this area, one should seek help from a Christian leader or mentor.

I also learn and practise a “3-second” rule. If my eyes start wondering toward the body of an attractive woman, the front cover of an “adult” magazine or the bosom of a scantly clad woman on TV, I will make sure that it will not have my attention for more than 3 seconds. It is also a practical way of cultivating Self Control. :o)

Mental tiredness and stress can cause self control to be weakened. When this happens, the following psalm very much reflects my heartbeat. “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish…….. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” [Ps 73:21-28 NIV]

It is important not to be alone in our walk with God. Because “…..If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up…….Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” [Eccl 4:9-16 NIV]

As I come to the last chapter of the Bible, I am really glad that it has a very happy ending for those who believe in Jesus. “……..Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." …….the time is near……..Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city……” [Rev 22:7-19 NIV]

Be sure to know that when you “……Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends — even the wicked for a day of disaster. The LORD detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished. Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him…..In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps…….Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD……The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. [Prov 16:1-7,9,11,20,33 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 27 & 28 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-07-18T07:07:00.000-07:00

I am reading a book on communication. The author noted 5 qualities that good communicators have:

1) possess great confidence
2) exhibits authenticity
3) prepares thoroughly
4) focuses on others
5) utilizes humour.

On the last quality, the author suggested that rare is the communicator who is able to connect with people without using humour. Because I want to be a better communicator, so I am learning to utilise humour in my communication more. :o)

I enjoy what the author said about communicating across culture. For someone who uses English as a second language, I can appreciate very much what the author is talking about. He quoted:

1) Dry cleaners in Bangkok: Drop Your Trousers Here For Best results
2) Hotel Brochure in Italy: This Hotel is Renowned for its Peace and Solitude. In Fact, Crowds from All Over the World Flock Here to Enjoy Its Solitude
3) In a Tokyo hotel: Is Forbidden to Steal Hotel Towels Please. If You Are Not Person to Do Such Thing Is Please Not to Read Notis.
4) In a Bucharest hotel lobby: The lift is being fixed for the Next Day. We regret That You will Be Unbearable
5) In a hotel in Athens: Visitors Are Expected to Complain at the Office between the Hours of 9 and 11 a.m. Daily
6) In a Rome laundry: Ladies, Leave Your Clothes Here and Spend The Afternoon Having a Good Time.
7) Outside a Hong Kong tailor shop: Ladies May Have a Fit Upstairs
8) In a Rodes tailor shop: Order Your Summer Suit. Because Is Big Rush We Will Execute Customers in Strict Rotation
9) In a Copenhagen airline ticket office: We Take Your Bags and Send Them in All Directions
10) At a Budapest zoo: Please do not Feed the Animals. If You Have Any Suitable Food, Give It to the Guard on Duty
11) In an Acapulco hotel: The Manager Has Personally Passed All the Water Served Here

I also find children’s thoughts most amusing.

On love, a 5 year old girl thought that “love is about a girl putting on perfume and a boy putting on after shave and they go out and smell each other.”

When asked about “HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY?”, a boy answered “You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming."

When asked “WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?”, a girl answered "Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then."

When asked “HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?”, a boy answered "You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids."

When asked “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?, a girl answered "Both don't want no more kids."

When asked “WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?”, a boy answered "On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.”

When asked “WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?”, a boy answered "I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns."

When asked “WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?”, a girl answered "When they're rich."

When asked “IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?” a girl answered "It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them."

When asked “HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?”, a boy answered "There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?"

When asked “HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?” a boy answered "Tell your wife that she looks pretty even if she looks like a truck."

God loves children because they are in most cases innocent and trusting. God wants us to be childlike for the same reason. When we are childlike in our faith, we have 100% trust in God. We know God as who He really is.

King David had a childlike faith in God. When he was hotly pursued by the enemy in the Desert of Judah, he trusted in the Lord for help and comfort. “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” [Ps 63:1-8 NIV]

Job trusted God with a childlike faith. Finally, God vindicated him because in all his trouble he never sinned against God. “Then Job replied to the LORD: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted…..My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."…….The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters……..After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years.” [Job 42:1-17 NIV]

One would need childlike faith to understand a lot of the events that will unfold in the days to come. Because of his childlike faith, God allowed Apostle John the privilege of writing the Book of Revelation after he was allowed to see many unspeakable things of the future. “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants."……..Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!" Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready………Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God." [Rev 19:1-10 NIV]

With a childlike faith, we know that Jesus “…possess knowledge and discretion…….hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech…….have understanding and power……..better than fine gold…….walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full…….was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.” [Prov 8:12-31 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 25 & 26 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-07-07T06:11:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I had a good time sharing a meal and a long conversation with our younger son Ben. He talked about the challenges of leading a home group in a local church and being a Christian generally. I can understand and relate to what he shared.

The world is changing. The way we do church also has to adapt with time. And I believe it is common to city life all over the world. Urbanisation and capitalism contribute to a life that is busy, exhausting and money focused, leaving very little room and time for God.

The truth is that the world system is against the ways of God. For us to move with God, we need to have the make-up and determination of a salmon that swims upstream against the current, and in our case, the current of the world system.

Whilst our God is eternal and unchanging, so are His principles, we can receive wisdom from God to help contemporary Christians leading busy urban lives to walk consistently with God. I believe the key is in application.

I sense that a lot of Christians separate their spiritual life from their natural life, ending up with may be once a week or less for God, when they go to church or home group. The rest of the time they lead lives no different from that of unbelievers. I mean, they do not sense God’s presence and power in their daily life. Jesus said in [John 15:5] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Christianity should be celebrated 24/7. A confessing Christian should have the potential to experience God’s presence and power all the time, if he/she treats everything he/she does as for the Lord – study, work, marriage, family, church, leisure, eating and resting......indeed everything is a ministry if it follows God’s principles. That is what Paul means when he says in [Acts 17:28] ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.'

That is what I meant when I said the key is in application. Application is faith with action – applying God’s principles in everything we think, say or do. I must admit I am not there yet. It will take time. So don’t beat yourselves up each time you fail, but ask for God’s forgiveness and move on. But do celebrate each time you succeed. This way, you can begin to experience God’s promise of an abundant life.

You have probably heard a thousand times that the Word of God is spiritual food. But have we seriously thought what this means. Natural food feeds our body and keeps our physical being alive; spiritual food feeds our spirit and keeps our spiritual being alive.

The Word of God describes people, situations or principles that we can learn from – eternal wisdom of God that we can apply to our daily life. I say it again – think application when you read or study the Bible. A word of warning here – don’t get too discouraged when you cannot measure up yet. In God’s time, you will. I am still learning. :o)

When we read the Book of Psalms, we can learn from David about his close relationship and his dependence on God. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath, he cried out to God. “Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack. My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in you…….What can mortal man do to me? ……… In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise……..For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” [Ps 56:1-13 NIV]

When we read the Book of Job, we learn the sovereignty of God and our need to trust Him under all circumstances - good times and bad times. “God is mighty………God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, 'You have done wrong'? ……. How great is God-beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out. "He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion? See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea. This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance. He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach.” [Job 36:5-12,22-37 NIV]

When we read the Book of Revelation, although there are many things we cannot interpret precisely yet, we know the Jesus’ beloved disciple John had the privilege of receiving God’s coded revelation that will unfold in the days ahead. We should rejoice and hang onto God’s promise of a wonderful ending and a future hope. “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!” [Rev 12:10-17 NIV]

When we read the Book of Proverbs, we can learn from the wisdom from God through His servant King Solomon. “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young — let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance — for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” [Prov 1:1-11 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 23 & 24 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-06-27T02:32:00.000-07:00

I celebrated Father’s Day last Sunday going hiking with our elder son Nic. Our younger son Ben was away in Canada.

We went to a place called Bride’s Pool, a scenic area in the NE part of Hong Kong, near the China border. Although the total walk was more than 5 hours, I enjoyed every minute of it.

We saw some beautiful scenes of old villages, lovely flowers and a gorgeous waterfall, which I was tempted to jump in for a swim because it was a hot day.

We were also amused when we saw an old banner which says “Should you come across any suspected illegal immigrants please call the police by dialling 999 or 112”. It was displayed in this general area at a time when many Chinese crossed the border trying to come into Hong Kong illegally.

We also had a yummy lunch in a small village close to Sha Tau Kok, an area that straddles the Chinese border. I was involved in the planning and redevelopment of Sha Tau Kok into a new town for the 4000 villagers living there way back in 1986.

I really enjoyed the bonding time with Nic, something I would like to do a lot more with him and Ben. Looking back, I can see that I have not been a model father in their growing up years. Although I provided for the family comfortably, sent the boys to good schools and universities, I did not spent near enough time with them, when they needed my guidance most.

Now I am older and wiser, after knowing Christ, I understand God’s plan for a family, the basic unit of a healthy society. I understand the leadership role of a father, which is a lot more than simply providing for the family. If you ask 10 children today which one they like better, mother or father, I am certain that 9 out of 10 would say mother, sadly!

God holds a father accountable for the well being of his family, the wife and the children. The Bible is very clear in the roles the man should play as a husband and as a father and the wider role of leadership in the work place and society. The world would be a much better place if men understood God’s principles and plans for them.

The failures of fathers playing their correct roles have caused much misery in the world today. The failures have also caused many to misunderstand the heart of God the Father, resulting in their rejection of God’s love and His plan of salvation for mankind. It is up to the Church to live up to God’s ways and principles and to bring about changes in God’s people to rectify the mistakes and to repair the brokenness in families and societies.

It is important for man to have this understanding. “For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed — and men praise you when you prosper — he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life]. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. [Ps 49:10-20 NIV]

The question is "Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest? One man dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease, his body well nourished, his bones rich with marrow. Another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good. Side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both.……” [Job 21:22-34 NIV]

For “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by water and blood-Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. [1 John 5:1-12 NIV]

This is the advice of a wise father to his son. “Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!” [Prov 23:19-35 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 21 & 22 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2010-06-12T05:59:00.000-07:00

Israel and the Middle East will no doubt take centre stage as we enter the final chapter of the history of mankind in the years ahead.

On Monday 31st May, Israel caused an international furore when its commandos shot dead 9 protestors on a Turkish ship that was bound with humanitarian supplies for Gaza, which Israel has been blockading. The commandos boarded the ship before dawn in an effort to prevent it from reaching Gaza but opened fire when some on board tried to repel them with sticks and, according to the Israelis, knives. The Israelis impounded 6 ships in all and detained 600 campaigners with a view to deportation. Most governments deplored Israel’s actions but America was more hesitant, persuading the UN Security Council not to lay the blame exclusively on Israel.

For years, many in the international community have been complicit in a policy that aimed at isolating Gaza in the hope of weakening Hamas, a radical Islamic organisation who are Israelis phobic. But the policy turns out to strengthen Hamas in its grip over the strip that measures 10kmx40km. No doubt the conflict will continue and no one can predict the future.

The nation of Israel has a special place in the Kingdom of God. In the Old Testament, we see how God deliver the Israelites from slavery and turned her into a proud nation who worship God. But along the way many rebel against God, unknowingly crucified the Messiah and are still waiting for the Messiah to come. The Bible says that they are the last to be saved when the full number of the Gentiles has come in [Rom 11:25-26].

I saw a recent e-mail calling to pray for Israel. Yes, it is the right thing to do. Let us pray for a softening of heart. Let us pray for the knowledge of the Lord to be made known to the Israelis. It will bless God’s heart!

Let the Israelis one day say that “we have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.” [Ps 44:1-8 NIV]

Indeed, "What is man, that he could be pure, or one born of woman, that he could be righteous? If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water!” [Job 15:2-16 NIV] Man is but a filthy rag without God’s grace. His forgiveness allows us to receive the gift of righteousness.

But His grace will not wait forever. Although “the Lord is ……patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.” [2 Peter 3:9-18 NIV ]

The sad thing is “a fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace……Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. [Prov 18:2-3,9,12-15,20,21 NIV]

Amen & amen.