Weeks 01 & 02 (07) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

We are two weeks into the New Year. A tabloid newspaper suggested that all New Year resolutions die by the time we get to Week 3. Sales on "How to Diet Successfully" books would plummet and the ones already bought would be left to gather dust. Everyone is back to one's normal self - eating what one craves.

But for those who want to achieve greater things in life, we should aim to stick to our goals and game plans. So, for the first 2 sermons, I chose the theme "How To Live An Optimum Life". The sermons were "Planning is Key" and "Managing for Success". Time and tides truly wait for no man. We have to maximise our opportunities in making God's voice heard.

Having been back in the market place for a year, I can see the importance of being a voice for God in every sphere of the world, inside and outside the church. God's Kingdom is advanced when His Voice is heard in a fallen world through our deeds and speeches. I see so much wisdom in the servant of God Moses when he prayed "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.......Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days......May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children. 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. 90:12-17 NIV] I can really relate to Moses heart cry. I need God's favour to go through each day!

I try to influence my boss and colleagues with Christian principles in business dealings. I stood firm when my boss tried to cheat our client for money that we did not earned. It may cause some strain between the two of us, but one cannot avoid tension when one is fighting against what is evil. I know integrity pays at the end because God will back us up. "Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire," says the LORD Almighty. "Not a root or a branch will be left to them. But for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings. And you will go out and leap like calves released from the stall........." [Mal. 4:1-4 NIV]

Our holy God desires us to be holy. He does not mince words when He says "If your hand causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out. And if your foot causes you to sin, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life crippled than to have two feet and be thrown into hell. And if your eye causes you to sin, pluck it out. It is better for you to enter the kingdom of God with one eye than to have two eyes and be thrown into hell,"[Mark 9:42-50 NIV] Scary stuff but true!

Be sure to know that "Ill-gotten treasures are of no value, but righteousness delivers from death. The LORD does not let the righteous go hungry but he thwarts the craving of the wicked. Lazy hands make a man poor, but diligent hands bring wealth."[Prov. 10:2-5}

Amen!

A Testimony of God's Faithfulness

As 2006 draws to a close, I have the opportunity to reflect on the past 16 years since I came to accept Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour. My growth in Christ had a very slow start. It took off when I started serving God with my all - time, finance and talents - 3 or 4 years later.

Walking with God is a journey that is both exciting and frightening. Exciting is when one sees God's blessings and help. Frightening is when one's prayer is taking longer and longer to be answered!

My greatest test has been in the area of finance. For one who used to have plenty is a greater challenge. It started when I decided to give up my full time engineering director job in September, 1996. At that time, I had plenty of reserve, property in Hong Kong, Melbourne and London, cash in the bank, golf club debenture and other investments. It did not take a lot of faith. God also provided 2 part-time jobs that met all our needs. Now, looking back, I can see that God used that time to prepare me to have greater faith!

The real test came when Kim & I responded to God's call to come to the UK for church planting 8 years ago. During the 9 months of preparation before the move in May 1998, God raised the bar by throwing in the Asian Financial Crisis. My wealth was reduced to a fraction of what I thought I had. I sold the Melbourne property at a loss and the Hong Kong one was on the market without a buyer. It was really scary then!

Upon arrival in London, we focused on pioneering the church and lived off our savings. Despite of the setback in our finances, I still held onto God's promises in [Matt. 6:33]. Soon the Hong Kong property was sold, also at a loss. I also liquidated all my assets in Hong Kong including the golf club debenture!

Two years into pioneering the church, we knew that we had to start bringing in some income. God opened a door for Kim to work, escorting special needs children to school. But the income could only meet 50% of our expenses. About 6 months later, God opened a door for me to do part-time lecturing at a London university. We were then able to pay all the bills. We could even afford to treat ourselves sometimes. God is always faithful!

Then came another test. My university suddenly stopped hiring PT lecturers in January 2005. Amazingly before it happened, God opened a door for Kim to work in the school as well. Her combined income was just enough to support us!

For a whole year in 2005, I have applied to some 30 jobs. But God was silent, except in guiding me in building the church. I introduced many changes to the church and the church moved to the next level of growth!

During that time, I was assured in my spirit that a job would come after the summer. Then came the end of autumn; I started to panic. I wrote to 2 full time posts, one of which was over 2 hours car journey from London. I did not even received any acknowledgement of my applications. I knew then it was not God's will!

In June, 2005 I became a committee member of the Institution of Structural Engineers and I got to know 2 company directors who were on the committee. When nothing happened towards the end of the 2005, a thought entered my mind to talk to them about job opportunities. I decided in my heart to speak to the one named John. After the Christmas busy period was over I called John, but his office was closed till the New Year. I picked up the phone in the morning of 2nd January, 2006. When John answered the phone, he told me that he was wanting to call me!!!

The next day, I was offered a job as an Associate, working 3 days a week. The test was finally over!

The past year was truly incredible. The job was tailored made for me. I started praying for my colleagues and my clients, and I have experienced miracle after miracle, which I will not go into details here. The amazing thing is the finances that the job brings. God knew all along the financial committments I had to make in 2006, including our younger son Ben's wedding. The Lord truly and duly provided "all these things"!

I know in my heart that the job does not only provide for our financially needs. God put me back in the market place for a greater purpose. I am prayerfully waiting for God's next move. :o)

Thank you for reading this rather long testimony. I hope you are encouraged by God's faithfulness!