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!