I have just made a lightning visit to the UK, attending the Hope Fest (Easter Camp). I landed at Heathrow Airport early on Easter Friday morning, went home for a quick shower, picked Marcus up at Luton Airport, stopped for a good pub lunch along the way before arriving at the camp site in the pm. I left the camp on Easter Monday pm and flew back to Hong Kong in the evening. I thank God for sustaining me during this short visit!It was great to meet up with friends in our UK churches after being away in HK for about 6 weeks. I also met 3 new friends from Paris. The camp was beautifully organized with all the churches contributing to leading worship, presentations and teaching. We had a record attendance of over 280 people. It blessed my heart to see all the churches growing and people are on fire for God. I was encouraged to see pastors and leaders rising up to lead God’s
flocks. To God be the glory! The theme was on “The Saints” (A Sanctified Church). We learnt about what it meant to be a true Christian, walking in holiness with God, growing into the likeness of Christ until the day we meet God face to face in Heaven.
This is a huge challenge because we are living in a fallen world. We are being influenced by values that are not helpful to this course, especially living in a materialist society like Hong Kong. There are so much temptations around us – money, sex and power, the same 3 challenges that tempted mankind since th
e beginning some 6000 years ago. They are the same 3 challenges that caused the first man Adam to fall [Gen. 3:6], when he disobeyed God. They are the same 3 challenges that confronted Jesus, who overcame with the Word of God [Matt. 4:3-10].
e beginning some 6000 years ago. They are the same 3 challenges that caused the first man Adam to fall [Gen. 3:6], when he disobeyed God. They are the same 3 challenges that confronted Jesus, who overcame with the Word of God [Matt. 4:3-10]. I really am glad that I am a Christian with the Bible (the Word of God) providing a manual for holistic living. I feel fulfilled and satisfied, and I look forward to living each day with excitement and purpose. But there is a price to pay – strict discipline. A true Christian walk requires strict discipline in body, mind and spirit. Unless we approach the walk holistically, failure in one area would make it a failure. I may be 61 years old today, I feel healthier and happier when I apply God’s principles in m
y daily life – good work ethics, faithful relationship (spouse, family and friends) and healthy lifestyle (in eating, exercising, resting). I can experience God’s power and help in a very challenging world. This is truly the abundant life that Jesus came to give us [John 10:10], a life that is meaningful and worth living.
y daily life – good work ethics, faithful relationship (spouse, family and friends) and healthy lifestyle (in eating, exercising, resting). I can experience God’s power and help in a very challenging world. This is truly the abundant life that Jesus came to give us [John 10:10], a life that is meaningful and worth living. Yes, we need to know the time we are in and discern God’s leading in the way forward. “May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you. May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support……May he remember all your sacrifices……..M
ay he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests…….Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” [Ps 20:1-9 NIV]
Esther was able to discern God’s timing for her people and responded accordingly despite of the danger. “When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the
Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther's instructions. [Est 4:12-17 NIV]. Because of her faith, God used Esther to save a whole nation!
God will hear our prayers and can use us when we walk in
obedience. Jesus was no exception when he was on earth as man. Let us stop being a spiritual infant, understand this truth and become mature. “…… During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained 
themselves to distinguish good from evil. [Heb 5:1-14 NIV]
For those of us who are spiritual leaders, let us faithfully lead God’s flocks. Indeed our rewards will be great. ‘“He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.’ [Prov 27:18, 23-27 NIV]
Amen and amen!
ay he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed. We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests…….Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.” [Ps 20:1-9 NIV]Esther was able to discern God’s timing for her people and responded accordingly despite of the danger. “When Esther's words were reported to Mordecai, he sent back this answer: "Do not think that because you are in the king's house you alone of all the Jews will escape. For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the
Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Then Esther sent this reply to Mordecai: "Go, gather together all the Jews who are in Susa, and fast for me. Do not eat or drink for three days, night or day. I and my maids will fast as you do. When this is done, I will go to the king, even though it is against the law. And if I perish, I perish." So Mordecai went away and carried out all of Esther's instructions. [Est 4:12-17 NIV]. Because of her faith, God used Esther to save a whole nation!God will hear our prayers and can use us when we walk in
obedience. Jesus was no exception when he was on earth as man. Let us stop being a spiritual infant, understand this truth and become mature. “…… During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn. In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained 
themselves to distinguish good from evil. [Heb 5:1-14 NIV]For those of us who are spiritual leaders, let us faithfully lead God’s flocks. Indeed our rewards will be great. ‘“He who tends a fig tree will eat its fruit, and he who looks after his master will be honored. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever, and a crown is not secure for all generations. When the hay is removed and new growth appears and the grass from the hills is gathered in, the lambs will provide you with clothing, and the goats with the price of a field. You will have plenty of goats' milk to feed you and your family and to nourish your servant girls.’ [Prov 27:18, 23-27 NIV]
Amen and amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment