Weeks 51 & 52 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

As the “Noughties” draw to a close and major cities around the world welcome the New Year with firework displays, we look back at a decade of earth-shaking events, starting with the 9/11 Attack in 2001 and ending with a World-wide Recession in 2009. In between, we had the Iraq War and many natural disasters (tsunami, earthquake, flooding and wild fire). The events brought about greater co-operations and interdependence among the nations. The past decade ended with 192 nations coming together in Copenhagen, trying to agree on measures to tackle global warming. In the next decade, I foresee a New World Order of total interdependence of all the nations emerging.

In the UK, we are expecting an election year in 2010. Major political parties are positioning themselves, with the opposition Conservative trying to unseat the incumbent Labour. The latest polls show the Conservatives with an average lead of 11 points.

In the election battle, the nation’s economy and finance will no doubt take centre-stage. This year, the UK government's debt as a percentage of its overall economic output will hit almost 70%, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF). Leading credit ratings agencies have expressed concern and suggested the UK's AAA rating - reserved for only the very safest borrowers - is under threat, sparking widespread hysteria in the media that UK debt is spiralling out of control. Reading some headlines, you might even be forgiven for thinking UK plc is on the verge of going bust. The truth is that the UK has the lowest level of debt of all the leading developed economies of the world. Its 68.7% of GDP compares favourably with the US (84.8%), Italy (115.8%) and Japan (218.6%) in particular.

Ahead of the general election, which must be called by June 2010, Prime Minister Gordon Brown will warn economic recovery is still fragile. His New Year message will outline priorities for the coming year - in which Labour will seek to be re-elected for a fourth successive term. These will include cutting the deficit, reforming public services, cleaning up politics, and "maintaining Britain's global strength".

David Cameron, the opposition Conservative leader, has written that there are "reasons to be cheerful" despite the economic and meterological gloom. His challenge is how to mix the grim, economic realism of spending cuts with a positive message about how the Tories might change Britain. The aim will be to persuade voters that the Tories are about more than just cutting the deficit, that they still have policies to reform the public services, and welfare state. The pitch, broadly, will be that spending cuts will restore the growth that can help mend what David Cameron calls Britain's broken society. Get that right and Mr Cameron might just win the election with a small majority. Get that wrong, the 3rd largest party Liberal Democrat may have an outside chance to share power, allowing their leader Nick Clegg a taste of leading the nation, albeit jointly.

Whichever party wins the election, 2010 will be a difficult year for many. Unemployment will continue to rise as UK comes out of recession and moves slowly into positive growth again. But in my personal opinion, uncertain times are also opportune times!

When people realize that no political party has all the answers to their problems, hopefully many will turn to our Lord Jesus Christ, the Owner of Planet Earth and the Universe. Let us humbly come to Him and say “My heart is not proud, O LORD, my eyes are not haughty; I do not concern myself with great matters or things too wonderful for me. But I have stilled and quietened my soul; like a weaned child with its mother, like a weaned child is my soul within me….. hope in the LORD both now and for evermore. [Ps 131:1-3 NIV]

We can learn so much from the kings of Israel and Judah in the O/T times. Whenever a leader walks with God, God’s blessings will come to him and his people. “Uzziah was sixteen years old when he became king, and he reigned in Jerusalem for fifty-two years…….He did what was right in the eyes of the LORD….He sought God during the days of Zechariah, who instructed him in the fear of God. As long as he sought the LORD, God gave him success.” [2 Chron 26:3-5, 14-18 NIV] Will we see a God-fearing man leading the UK again? Not in a 21st century politician, I don’t think, unfortunately!

Our only hope is in our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church. “For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come….” [Eph 1:15-23 NIV]

In the midst of all these uncertainties and not so encouraging news, it is therefore encouraging to know that “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases………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 49 & 50 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Increasingly in the past decade, as the world faces the challenges of a deteriorating global environment, we are learning a whole new vocabulary of terminologies such as global warming, climate change, greenhouse effect. Because all 6 greenhouse gases (principally CO2, Nitrous Oxide and Methane) are measured relative to a similar mass of carbon dioxide (CO2) in heat absorption and warming the atmosphere, we came to learn about terminologies like carbon footprint, carbon intensity, carbon neutral, carbon offsetting, carbon leakage, carbon sink, carbon sequestration, carbon capture and storage – quite a lot of carbon to think about!

The magic figure is 2 degrees Centigrade, which is considered as the limit of global temperature increase that planet earth can tolerate without disastrous consequences. In order to keep global warming below 2C, the whole world has to work together to limit CO2 emission from rising further. According to the science, we have till 2018 to stop the increase. Thereafter the peak, if we manage to reduce the emission by 4% per year, we may have a 50% chance of keeping global warming below 2C.

This in fact is the main objective of the 15th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), also referred to as COP15, which takes place in Copenhagen from 7th to 18th December. Practically all the nations of the world, large and small, rich and poor are coming together to try to agree on what needs to be done in each country in order to achieve the target.

Whether it is by chance or by design, it is good to see the world waking up to the fact that we can not ignore the damages we have done to the environment anymore and business as usual will no longer be acceptable. Although I am no eco-maniac, I believe it is right and responsible to lead a greener life-style. And this should apply to every single citizen of this global village. But in my heart, I am more concern for the spiritual well-being of its citizens.

As a believer in Jesus Christ, I know that the world will come to an end one day. Whilst it is not for me or anyone to predict when that will be, I do not think it is a million years away. The worsening global environment and the rapid depletion of natural resources including food and water are just some of the signs of the end. The question for everyone to answer is where will one end up in the end.

As a born again Christian, I am like one of the captives brought back to Zion by the Lord in the Old Testament time, “…..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]. For those of us who are building God’s Church, we are sowing seeds for the final harvest - ingathering of souls. We may sow in tears, but may we reap with joy!

Spiritual warfare is inevitable when we try to win souls, make disciples and plant churches around the globe. But like God’s people in the Old Testament time, God would always deliver His people from the enemies when they were walking with God. “All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD. Then the Spirit of the LORD came…..He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. Tomorrow march down against them…….You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you…….Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.'" Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD.”…….Early in the morning……As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful." ……As they began to sing and praise, the LORD set ambushes against the men of Ammon and Moab and Mount Seir who were invading Judah, and they were defeated” [2 Chron 20:13-23 NIV]. I believe that the Lord will continue to grant us His supernatural help in our battle with the enemy if we have faith in Him and walk with Him.

Indeed we reap what we sow and our motives and actions are not hidden from God. “….Each one should test his own actions. Then he can take pride in himself, without comparing himself to somebody else, for each one should carry his own load. Anyone who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with his instructor. Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers” [Gal 6:1-10 NIV].

Be sure to know that “…….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 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 16:1-7,9,11,20,33 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 47 & 48 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

As a golfer, I have huge respect for golfers who are winners of Major Championships (British Open, Masters, US Open and US PGA), the 4 Grand Slams of golf. A world class professional golfer would be lucky to win 1 or 2 of them in a lifetime. Tiger Woods, still in his prime, has already won 14 of them, plus winning another 57 other PGA tour events. This explains why he is such a formidable figure in golf. Whenever and wherever Tiger plays, he attracts media attention.

On Friday, 27th November, he attracted media attention of a different kind. He crashed his car onto a fire hydrant and a tree just outside his Florida home. The golfer was found semi-conscious with facial injuries. Police officers were told Woods' wife Elin had used a golf club to break the car's rear window and help him out.

Woods, who has been married for five years and has two young children, has recently been the subject of tabloid allegations about his private life. These include alleged affair with New York socialite Rachel Uchitel. Another more recent allegation is a claim from Jaimee Grubbs, a Californian cocktail waitress, who said she received many texts from Tiger and had a number of sexual encounters with him. The clean-living reputation of the world’s richest athlete has sadly been tarnished!

I am not in the business of tabloid gossip. In fact I am saddened by the whole story and it gives me absolutely no pleasure to bring it up, except to highlight the fact that we all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of our Creator God. Without exception, we are all sinners who needed a Saviour.

The positive thing of the incidence is that Tiger issued a statement of apology, saying that “I have let my family down and I regret those transgressions with all of my heart. I have not been true to my values and the behaviour my family deserves. I am not without faults and I am far short of perfect. I am dealing with my behaviour and personal failings behind closed doors with my family……...”

If Tiger Woods is a believer in Jesus Christ, this would be a good prayer at this time: “May my cry come before you, O LORD; give me understanding according to your word. May my supplication come before you; deliver me according to your promise. May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous. May your hand be ready to help me, for I have chosen your precepts. I long for your salvation, O LORD, and your law is my delight. Let me live that I may praise you, and may your laws sustain me. I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands. [Ps 119:169-176 NIV]

When King Solomon was walking with God, when his devotion was genuine, his prayer was powerful and God’s glory filled the temple. “When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple.......When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshipped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, "He is good; his love endures for ever." Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand head of cattle and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep and goats…….the LORD appeared to him at night and said: "I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for myself as a temple for sacrifices. "When I shut up the heavens so that there is no rain, or command locusts to devour the land or send a plague among my people, 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. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place……." [2 Chron 7:1-6,11-22 NIV]

Unbelievers cannot see God’s glory because they have been blinded by the god of this age. But the servants of God will continue to preach Jesus Christ as Lord although it is by no means easy. “………The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake……We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body. So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you……For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” [2 Corinthians 4:1-18 NIV]

Let us ask God for wisdom, understanding and knowledge because God says “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…..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…….” [Prov 2:1-12 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 45 & 46 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

On 18th November, the Queen of the United Kingdom delivered her Speech to the nation. Written by the government, the Queen's Speech sets out the legislative agenda for the year ahead and is the centrepiece of the state opening of Parliament. Each session of Parliament begins with this royal address, and usually takes place in November, and covers the following year.

The ceremonial trappings surrounding the speech make the event one of the high points of the parliamentary calendar, unrivalled in its spectacle and tradition despite some of the more arcane practices having been toned down in recent years. The Queen normally attends in person at the state opening of Parliament and delivers the speech from the grand throne in the House of Lords.

The decision over what to put in or leave out of the Queen's Speech is a politically crucial one, usually the subject of months of political wrangling within government as ministers and lobby groups fight for their favoured measures to win a slot in the crowded legislative agenda. A Cabinet committee - which includes the leaders of the Commons and Lords, the chief whip and chief law officers - helps decide on its content, with the prime minister having the final say.

This year’s Queen Speech is the last one before the General Election in May/June 2010. The Conservatives have been tipped to win the next election, ending 13 years of Labour government. The Speech was seen as a Labour election manifesto which started with “the government's overriding priority is to ensure sustained growth to deliver a fair and prosperous economy for families and businesses, as the British economy recovers from the global economic downturn. Through active employment and training programmes, restructuring the financial sector, strengthening the national infrastructure and providing responsible investment, the government will foster growth and employment……….”

I sense that the UK is moving into a very interesting era. A Conservatives win with a big majority is by no means certain. A majority of a few seats will make policies passing into laws difficult, especially policies on finance and the economy. This may lead to the International Monetary Fund getting involved in the UK finance policy making process!

No matter which political party comes to power in government, I feel secure to know that my future is in God’s Hand.

I feel secure because “Your hands made me and formed me…... May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word. I know, O LORD, that your laws are righteous, and in faithfulness you have afflicted me. May your unfailing love be my comfort, according to your promise to your servant. Let your compassion come to me that I may live, for your law is my delight. May the arrogant be put to shame for wronging me without cause; but I will meditate on your precepts. May those who fear you turn to me, those who understand your statutes. May my heart be blameless towards your decrees, that I may not be put to shame.” [Ps 119:73-80 NIV]

I really appreciate King Solomon’s attitude towards God when “…..He said: "O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you in heaven or on earth — you who keep your covenant of love with your servants who continue wholeheartedly in your way….When your people Israel have been defeated by an enemy because they have sinned against you and when they turn back and confess your name, praying and making supplication before you in this temple, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your people Israel and bring them back to the land you gave to them and their fathers. When the heavens are shut up and there is no rain because your people have sinned against you, and when they pray towards this place and confess your name and turn from their sin because you have afflicted them, then hear from heaven and forgive the sin of your servants, your people Israel. Teach them the right way to live, and send rain on the land that you gave your people for an inheritance. When famine or plague comes to the land, or blight or mildew, locusts or grasshoppers, or when enemies besiege them in any of their cities, whatever disaster or disease may come, and when a prayer or plea is made by any of your people Israel — each one aware of his afflictions and pains, and spreading out his hands towards this temple — then hear from heaven, your dwelling-place. Forgive, and deal with each man according to all he does, since you know his heart (for you alone know the hearts of men), so that they will fear you and walk in your ways all the time they live in the land that you gave our fathers……When they sin against you — for there is no-one who does not sin — and you become angry with them and give them over to the enemy, who takes them captive to a land far away or near; and if they have a change of heart in the land where they are held captive, and repent and plead with you in the land of their captivity and say, 'We have sinned, we have done wrong and acted wickedly'; and if they turn back to you with all their heart and soul in the land of their captivity where they were taken, and pray towards the land that you gave their fathers, towards the city you have chosen and towards the temple that I have built for your Name; then from heaven, your dwelling-place, hear their prayer and their pleas, and uphold their cause. And forgive your people, who have sinned against you. Now, my God, may your eyes be open and your ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.” [2 Chron 6:12,14,24-31,36-40 NIV]

I foresee a time of challenging of our faith going forward, as the end approaches. But we shall not fear but give “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort……” [2 Cor 1:3-11 NIV]

Only the wisdom of God will see us through the difficult time ahead. Indeed the wisdom of God has been trying to get our attention. “Wisdom calls aloud in the street, she raises her voice in the public squares; at the head of the noisy streets she cries out, in the gateways of the city she makes her speech: ‘How long will you simple ones love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge? If you had responded to my rebuke, I would have poured out my heart to you and made my thoughts known to you. But since you rejected me when I called and no-one gave heed when I stretched out my hand, since you ignored all my advice and would not accept my rebuke, I in turn will laugh at your disaster; I will mock when calamity overtakes you — when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. Then they will call to me but I will not answer; they will look for me but will not find me. Since they hated knowledge and did not choose to fear the LORD, since they would not accept my advice and spurned my rebuke, they will eat the fruit of their ways and be filled with the fruit of their schemes. For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm." [Prov 1:20-33 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 43 & 44 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Today (9th November) marks the 20th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. World leaders are gathered in Berlin to celebrate the occasion.

Walls were traditionally built to protect against invading enemies. The most famous example is the Great Wall of China. But in a modern era, walls are often built to separate and divide communities of different ideologies such as the one in Berlin (between communism and capitalism) and the one in Gaza (between Jews & Muslims).

But more and more, walls are coming down. Communities are encouraged to live together in harmony. Through education, the younger generations are more tolerant of differences and they learn to respect people of different racial, social and religious background. It appears to be a good and healthy development. But, behind the scene is a hidden agenda that is subtle and sinister!

Interestingly the “green” agenda has also been used to bring people of different religious background together. Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the secretary-general of the United Nations, recently attended a faith-and-ecology celebration in Windsor Castle, where he told an audience of gorgeously attired Bahais, Buddhists, Christians, Daoists, Hindus, Muslims, Jews, Shintos and Sikhs that “you are the leaders who can have the largest, widest and deepest reach” when warning people about climate change. Religions, he said, had established or helped to run half of the schools in the world; they were among the world’s largest investors; and the global output of religious journalism was comparable at least to Europe’s secular press.

Deception can indeed be very subtle. In the name of saving the planet, good-hearted faithful and unfaithful are joined together to advance an agenda allowed by God and keenly pursued by Satan to achieve what will ultimately be a One World System. Do not rejoice when it happens!

This is why preaching “Jesus as the only way to heaven” will be increasingly unpopular and difficult. Anything seen to divide and alienate communities will be isolated and destroyed (Islamic extremism is one example that the world is joining hands in eradicating). Only the power of God can help the Gospel and His Kingdom advance until the full number has come in [Matt. 24:14 & Rom. 11:25]. The key is to ask God to “……teach me your decrees. Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. I hold fast to your statutes, O LORD; do not let me be put to shame. I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free. [Ps 119:25-32 NIV]

For those who are still weary with sorrow, be encouraged to know that one day true peace and harmony will come when we get to heaven. Just like the time when the Israelites no longer had to wander in the desert, "Since the LORD, the God of Israel, has granted rest to his people and has come to dwell in Jerusalem for ever, the Levites no longer need to carry the tabernacle or any of the articles used in its service.”……They were……to stand every morning to thank and praise the LORD. They were to do the same in the evening…..” [1 Chron 23:25-32 NIV] There will be no more wandering (in the spiritual desert) in heaven where we will experience rest in the Heavenly Father.

While we are on this side of eternity, the only division we should avoid is division in the Body of Christ. Apostle Paul did not mince word when he told the Church of Corinth that “In the following directives I have no praise for you, for your meetings do more harm than good. In the first place, I hear that when you come together as a church, there are divisions among you….No doubt there have to be differences among you to show which of you have God's approval…….For I received from the Lord what I also passed on to you: The Lord Jesus, on the night he was betrayed, took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and said, "This is my body, which is for you; do this in remembrance of me." In the same way, after supper he took the cup, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood; do this, whenever you drink it, in remembrance of me." For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes. Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognising the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick…….But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment… [1 Cor 11:17-34 NIV]

Therefore, “pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise; apply your heart to what I teach, 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, I teach you today, even you. Have I not written thirty sayings for you, sayings of counsel and knowledge, teaching you true and reliable words, so that you can give sound answers to him who sent you?.... [Prov 22:17-29 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 41 & 42 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

On Saturday 17 October, I officiated the wedding ceremony of our elder son Nic & Wai Wa. Because of work commitment, Kim & I departed from London after work on Thursday night, arriving in Hong Kong on Friday evening, and the wedding was on the next day. I prayed for a good night sleep!

On Saturday morning, Kim & I woke up at around 6am. We decided to stay in bed and prayed in agreement for the whole day’s proceeding. I sensed God’s presence throughout.

The wedding was held at the Canadian International School, Nic's place of work. The ceremony was conducted in a large space with nice high ceiling and a large terrace. It was excellent for the service and for refreshments afterwards. Nic invited the children from his class (Reception 1). Over twenty 3 – 4 years old children turned up with their parents, all dressed up smartly for the occasion. One little blonde haired girl came in a flowery cheungsam (Suzie Wong dress) because the Mum was expecting a “Chinese” wedding! All the children were so cute and well-behaved.

The evening reception was held in Helena May, a women club housed in a colonial building on Garden Road. The venue was cosy and beautiful, a great setting for a western wedding reception. The friends of Nic & Wai Wa put together a very interesting programme, which included a very nice video of Nic & Wai Wa. The food was buffet style, with a quality that rivalled that of a 5 star hotel. The choices of dessert were also wonderful. It was a brilliant idea because we had guests from all kinds of background and culture. Everyone was able to find something to suit one’s taste bud.

Looking back, I can see God’s hand and blessing on the wedding day. I was surprised how alert I was and practically unaffected by jet-lag throughout the whole day. Also, everything went better than expected. All praises and thanksgiving to God!

As parents, Kim & I are absolutely delighted (and relieved) that both our sons are now married and we have 2 beautiful daughters (in law) added to the family. Our younger son Ben took a picture of Kim & I relaxing at home after the wedding and someone commented that it was a picture of 2 contented parents with both their kids finally married. Funny, but true :o).

I am also thankful to God for His amazing provision, and I am not referring to our sons’ wives, although they are God-sent. The fact that God miraculously opened a door for me to work in my civil engineering profession again some 4 years ago allowed me to comfortably finance the 2 weddings!

It is interesting to note that the middle of the Bible is also the shortest chapter in the whole Bible. Yet it encapsulates the essence of what all creatures should do with our lives. “Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love towards us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.” [Ps 117:1,2 NIV] The psalmist (possibly King David) reflects the correct attitude and heartbeat towards our great God through these simple words.

King David also demonstrated his words in action in wanting to build a great house for the Lord. Although God told him that it will be his son Solomon who will build the house, David did his utmost in preparation and supply of materials and labour. “Then David said, "The house of the LORD God is to be here, and also the altar of burnt offering for Israel."……. David said to Solomon: "My son, I had it in my heart to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God…… "Now, my son, the LORD be with you, and may you have success and build the house of the LORD your God, as he said you would. May the LORD give you discretion and understanding when he puts you in command over Israel, so that you may keep the law of the LORD your God. Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave to Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. "I have taken great pains to provide for the temple of the LORD a hundred thousand talents of gold, a million talents of silver, quantities of bronze and iron too great to be weighed, and wood and stone. And you may add to them. You have many workmen: stonecutters, masons and carpenters, as well as men skilled in every kind of work in gold and silver, bronze and iron — craftsmen beyond number. Now begin the work, and the LORD be with you." …….Now devote your heart and soul to seeking the LORD your God. Begin to build the sanctuary of the LORD God, so that you may bring the ark of the covenant of the LORD and the sacred articles belonging to God into the temple that will be built for the Name of the LORD." [1 Chron 22:1-19 NIV]

Our devotion and humility before God stem from the fact that it is God who made us. All we have in material possessions, talents, health, career, families etc are from Him. Hence our boasting is in the Lord. “Brothers, think of what you were when you were called. Not many of you were wise by human standards; not many were influential; not many were of noble birth. But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. He chose the lowly things of this world and the despised things — and the things that are not — to nullify the things that are, so that no-one may boast before him. It is because of him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God — that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption. Therefore, as it is written: "Let him who boasts boast in the Lord." [1 Cor 1:26-31 NIV]

Only God is wise. His advice and instruction are the best. Therefore “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 19:20-29]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 39 & 40 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

As we journey towards the end of the Age and look forward to the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, we need to distinguish between the agenda of God and the agenda of man. This will help us to remain focused in God’s work and the advancement of His Kingdom, and to know how we best spend our time and resources.

Today (Friday 9th Oct.) at 1231 BST, NASA crashed two unmanned spacecraft into the Moon in a bid to detect the presence of water-ice. The $79m (£49m) mission is called LCROSS (the Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite). NASA scientists were hoping to find water-ice in the impact plume, because a supply of water on the Moon would be a vital resource for future human exploration. LCROSS was to have helped paved the way for US astronauts to return to the Moon by 2020. This search for life or life-supporting elements in the universe besides planet earth is a clear denial of God’s original creation found in the 1st chapter of the Bible. It is also an agenda of man that chooses NOT to believe in God the Creator, not to mention the total waste of money at a time of financial crisis.

This news was eclipsed by the award of the 2009 Nobel Peace Prize to President Obama "for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and co-operation between peoples, for his vision of and work for a world without nuclear weapons, for creating a new climate in international politics whereby dialogue and negotiations are preferred as instruments for resolving even the most difficult international conflicts, for USA playing a more constructive role in meeting the great climatic challenges the world is confronting, for strengthening democracy and human rights and for giving the people of the world hope for a better future.”

To those who long for world peace, these are noble initiatives indeed!

But to the discerning, it is in reality an agenda of man, paving the way to a period of false peace before the Anti-Christ reveals himself. This is not to infer that President Obama is necessarily the Anti-Christ. He and many other modern history-makers, are merely paving stones for the eventual arrival of the Anti-Christ himself.

Recently I preached on a message about “Faith that sees the Final Difference” based on [Heb. 11:29]. Somehow, unbelievers seem to be better off than believers [Ps 73:2-5] in the present world, until we see the final difference [Ps 73:16-19]. Yes, in the face of struggle, believers can find strength in [Ps 112:1-8 NIV] – “Blessed is the man who fears the LORD, who finds great delight in his commands. His children will be mighty in the land; the generation of the upright will be blessed. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness endures forever. Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for the gracious and compassionate and righteous man. Good will come to him who is generous and lends freely, who conducts his affairs with justice. Surely he will never be shaken; a righteous man will be remembered for ever. He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the LORD. His heart is secure, he will have no fear; in the end he will look in triumph on his foes.”

When we have acquired the faith to see the final difference, we will have the confidence to “sing to the LORD….proclaim his salvation day after day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvellous deeds among all peoples. For great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; he is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the nations are idols, but the LORD made the heavens. Splendour and majesty are before him; strength and joy in his dwelling-place.….ascribe to the LORD the glory due to his name……Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let them say among the nations, "The LORD reigns!"…..Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures for ever. Cry out, "Save us, O God our Saviour; gather us and deliver us from the nations, that we may give thanks to your holy name, that we may glory in your praise." [1 Chron 16:23-36 NIV]

Apostle Paul understood that only God is wise. He urged his brothers “to be wise about what is good, and innocent about what is evil. The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet. ……Now to him who is able to establish you by my gospel and the proclamation of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery hidden for long ages past, but now revealed and made known through the prophetic writings by the command of the eternal God, so that all nations might believe and obey him — to the only wise God be glory for ever through Jesus Christ! Amen. [Rom 16:17-20, 25-27 NIV]

God has also granted King Solomon lots of wisdom, which are recorded in the Book of Proverbs. Little gems include “A wise son heeds his father's instruction, but a mocker does not listen to rebuke…..Pride only breeds quarrels, but wisdom is found in those who take advice…..The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death…..He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm. [Prov 13:1,10,14,20 NIV]

Amen!

Weeks 37 & 38 (09) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Lately, I have been thinking a lot about the spirit of man, the spirit of Satan and the Spirit of God and how man’s spirit can be influenced by the other two. The truth is that our maturity in Christ is a direct product of that influence.

There is a huge battle going on in the Heavenly, with God trying to protect and guide His people and Satan trying to destroy and misguide God’s people. The weapons are respectively Faith and Fear.

The Spirit of God is humility, submissiveness and interdependence. The spirit of Satan is pride, rebellion and independence. They are the exact opposite of one another. And the spirit of man is being pulled in both directions, depending on the will of man and the man’s daily walk.

I shared about the 3 priorities in the world today (God’s, Satan’s and ours) in a recent leadership teaching and I passionately believe that they are the keys to our victory in Christ in an increasingly secular world.

Dan Brown (author of Da Vinci Code, Angels and Demons) made the headline again with his latest book “A Lost Symbol”. The prologue to the book was an initiation ceremony of Freemasonry – a man willingly welcomed a death curse upon his own life! The book sold over 300,000 copies in the first 36 hours of release in the UK.

We are what we eat, naturally and spiritually. For our well-being, we need to differentiate between what is good and what is junk. Sadly, junk food, whether natural or spiritual, seems always more appealing and "tasty"!

The Word of God is good food for our soul. It is a light to our path, a lamp to our feet. Different books in the Bible are there for special purposes, offering us various aspects of God’s instructions to us.

The Book of Psalms shows us man’s relationship with God. Through the psalmists, we see God’s hand and God’s heart. God spoke through the psalmist who and what He is. “Praise the LORD, O my soul. O LORD my God, you are very great; you are clothed with splendour and majesty. 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. 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 [Ps 104:1,24-30,33-34 NIV]. They teach us how great our God is and why God deserves our praises and our worship.

Many Christians find some part of the Old Testament uninteresting, not unlike food for patients, esp. chronic ones, often bland & boring. The Book of Chronicles 1 & 2 are such examples. “The sons of Levi: Gershon, Kohath and Merari. The sons of Kohath: Amram, Izhar, Hebron and Uzziel. The children of Amram: Aaron, Moses and Miriam. The sons of Aaron: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar…… Azariah the father of Seraiah, and Seraiah the father of Jehozadak. Jehozadak was deported when the LORD sent Judah and Jerusalem into exile by the hand of Nebuchadnezzar……These are the men David put in charge of the music in the house of the LORD after the ark came to rest there. They ministered with music before the tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, until Solomon built the temple of the LORD in Jerusalem. They performed their duties according to the regulations laid down for them [1 Chron 6:1-3,14-15,31-32 NIV]. Such information, I dare say, is good bedtime reading, esp. for insomnia sufferers.:o) But without them, I would not know the names of the great grandfather, grandfather and father of Aaron, Moses and Miriam! They are a special group of people whom God has chosen to minister before Himself.

The New Testament not only consists of the 4 Gospels that tell the story of Jesus, it also contains a lot of the instructions for believers. Through Apostle Paul, God spoke about the sinfulness of man. “We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do — this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. For in my inner being I delight in God's law; but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? Thanks be to God — through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin [Rom 7:14-25 NIV]. He openly confessed that it is a struggle for man to live for Christ, which further demonstrates how amazing God’s grace and forgiveness is.

The Book of Proverbs is a treasure house of God’s wisdom. Through the writing of the wisest king of all time Solomon, God shares with us His wisdom, as opposed to the wisdom and wickedness of man. “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity. Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favour and a good name in the sight of God and man. Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Honour the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops; then your barns will be filled to overflowing, and your vats will brim over with new wine. My son, do not despise the LORD's discipline and do not resent his rebuke, because the LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in. Blessed is the man who finds wisdom, the man who gains understanding, for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honour. Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. She is a tree of life to those who embrace her; those who lay hold of her will be blessed. By wisdom the LORD laid the earth's foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; by his knowledge the deeps were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. [Prov 3:1-20 NIV]

May the Word of God continue to help us to know God and build us up in Him. Amen!