Weeks 41 & 42 (08) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I have always enjoyed following the major news around the world, in order to discern where the world is heading. But these days it is mostly the same boring stuff - the world's financial crisis and global share markets going up and down like a yo-yo, despite Governments of the world's major economies doing everything possible to stem it. I guess this will continue until some kind of world system is set up to regulate financial & banking practices that every nation will have to subscribe to.

I did come across a piece of news that I found amusing. The news was about an English double-glazing salesman remarrying his first wife whom he divorced 20 years ago. They had since 4 other marriages between them, the men 3 and the woman 1. The man said it took him all these while to figure out that she was the one!

We do become undecisive sometimes with our choices, changing our mind on stuffs like which tie or shirt or jacket to wear. But taking 3 other marriages to find out that the first choice was right is......hmmm.....!!! However, I am kind of happy for the man because God's Word does encourage us to "rejoice in the wife of our youth" , implying the first wife. :o)

Indeed there is so much wisdom in God's Word. As a pastor, I know it is every pastor's dream to have a church which like their pastor. Oops, the secret is out! But it is true. And God's Word gives me insight in realising this dream. It says "May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word.......May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes." [Ps 119:73-80 NIV] The answer is simple - a church which respect God will also respect their pastor who obeys God's Word. Elementary. :o)

God's Word not only teaches us God's wisdom, it also reminds us of God's power. One of the greatest miracles recorded in the Bible besides Jesus' resurrection is God stopping the sun and the moon from going down on a day when Joshua and his men were fighting the Amorites. "So Joshua marched up from Gilgal with his entire army, including all the best fighting men. The LORD said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you." .........On the day the LORD gave the Amorites over to Israel, Joshua said to the LORD in the presence of Israel: "O sun, stand still over Gibeon, O moon, over the Valley of Aijalon." So the sun stood still, and the moon stopped, till the nation avenged itself on its enemies........There has never been a day like it before or since, a day when the LORD listened to a man......" [Josh 10:7-14 NIV] It is interesting to note Joshua's confidence in God's promises and faith in his prayer. Powerful stuff!

God's Word is absolutely key to our survival as a Christ follower. Because "Many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist. Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for.......Anyone who runs ahead and does not continue in the teaching of Christ does not have God; whoever continues in the teaching has both the Father and the Son." [II Jn 1:7-11 NIV]

God's Word also builds our trust in God. "Humility and the fear of the LORD bring wealth and honor and life.....The eyes of the LORD keep watch over knowledge, but he frustrates the words of the unfaithful........Pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise......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 22:2,4,12,17-19 NIV]

AMEN!

Weeks 39 & 40 (08) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

As the "financial earthquake" referred to in my last e-mail continues to shake the world, I am seeing a glimpse of [Rev 18:10-15 NIV] "......they will stand far off and cry:'Woe! Woe, O great city, O Babylon, city of power! In one hour your doom has come!' The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no one buys their cargoes any more........The merchants who sold these things and gained their wealth from her will stand far off, terrified at her torment........". I do so with reverence in my heart!

The financial crisis that started in America has now become global [Pic shows US National Debt at over $9 trillions]. It has led to governments of large economies having to work closer together in finding ways to stem the crisis. A day after seven central banks around the world cut interest rates in a co-ordinated effort to calm financial markets, the International Monetary Fund chief Dominique Strauss-Khan urged countries to act "quickly, forcefully, and co-operatively" to solve the global economic problems. The IMF chief said further co-ordinated action was necessary. "All kinds of policy co-operation are to be commended," he said. He also issued a stark warning against countries acting unilaterally to fight the crisis, referring to recent isolated moves by certain European Union member countries!

Today, finance ministers from the Group of Seven most industrialised nations - the US, Japan, Britain, Germany, France, Italy and Canada - are gathering in Washington to address the global crisis. In addition to that meeting, US Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson is going to meet the G20 nations, which include major economies like Russia, China and India. Talks will also be held at the International Monetary Fund in the US capital over the weekend.

As I reflect on the Book of Revelation, I was pondering about the timing of a one-world government [Rev 17]. I can see signs of an embryonic one-world government, at least in financial policies, coming into being. Eventually, we will also see the establisment of a one-world religion [Rev 13]. The two will work in tandem, paving the way for the Anti-Christ.

It is crucial time to discern our God's leading and ask Him to "Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end. Give me understanding, and I will keep your law and obey it with all my heart. Direct me in the path of your commands, for there I find delight. Turn my heart toward your statutes and not toward selfish gain. Turn my eyes away from worthless things; preserve my life according to your word. Fulfill your promise to your servant, so that you may be feared." [Ps 119:33-40 NIV]

The "ark of the covenant" that symbolised God's presence was key in leading the Israelites. "This is how you will know that the living God is among you.......See, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth will go into the Jordan ahead of you........And as soon as the priests who carry the ark of the LORD-- the Lord of all the earth-- set foot in the Jordan, its waters flowing downstream will be cut off and stand up in a heap.......So the people crossed over opposite Jericho." [Josh 3:9-16 NIV] As the Israelite needed God to help them crossing the Jordan in the dry and entering the promised land, the Church will need the guidance of the Holy Spirit to chart our way ahead, giving us wisdom in building His Church at this time. We will need God's help in dealing with the one-world religious system that is to come. Only God can preserve the Church of Jesus Christ!

Jesus warned about the end of the age by asking His followers to "..... keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour." Apostle Peter said about the last days that "........ scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised?........But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 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. But in keeping with his promise we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, the home of righteousness." [2 Pet 3:3-7,10-13 NIV]

"A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth. A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered." [Prov 17:24,27 NIV] Yes Lord, grant us your wisdom, your knowledge and your understanding that we may discern the time we are in and walk according to your will.

AMEN!