In the past few months I have been seeking God about His plan for me now that He has brought me back to my hometown Hong Kong. The job has been an amazing experience. It connected me to the Hong Kong Profession again. And I believe this will prepare the way for a ministry which I will share more in future.The Bible Study for seekers finally started on 24/7. An old engineering colleague joined the first session. As I reflect on the date, which I believe was God’s perfect timing, it confirms that our relationship with God should be a 24/7 one – i.e. all the time. God is everywhere. We can trust in God’s
presence even when we are not in a Christian fellowship.We had our second session yesterday, and we had 4 people, 100% percent growth. Praise the Lord!
In these past few months, it was like a sabbatical for me, away from leading churches on a daily basis. It allowed me to reflect on my journey with God and His future plan for me. It also allowed me to get to know myself better.
Besides ministering in the work place through prayer, life examples and Godly principles, God is also teaching and showing me areas I need to improve/strengthen.
One thing I can confirm is that when something good is going to happen, the enemy would work even harder to hinder/stop it from happening. The attack would be more intense.
Being away from my wife and staying alone in a hotel room does present huge challenges in resisting sexual temptation. Whilst we do not have pros hanging around the hotel or knocking on the doors at night, if one has a laptop and an internet connection, internet pornography is only a click away if one does not have Self Control.
One aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is Self Control. And it is one of the hardest to cultivate and maintain. But God is always good to those who love Him [Rom 8:28]. Besides resisting it in my mind and my will, I have made a little sign to warn myself. It is next to my wife’s picture. AND, I can see the sign each time I sit in front of my computer alone in the hotel room. :o)
Living like a bachelor in these past 5 months, I learn to appreciate the challenges our unmarried brethrens face in the area of sexual purity, esp. if they live alone. But be sure to know that God can help us to be more than conquerors if we trust in His power and
seek to cultivate Self Control. If one continues to struggle in this area, one should seek help from a Christian leader or mentor.I also learn and practise a “3-second” rule. If my eyes start wondering toward the body of an attractive woman, the front cover of an “adult” magazine or the bosom of a scantly clad woman on TV, I will make sure that it will not have my attention for more than 3 seconds. It is also a practical way of cultivating Self Control. :o)
Mental tiredness and stress can cause self control to be weakened. When this happens, the following psalm very much reflects my heartbeat. “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish…….. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” [Ps 73:21-28 NIV]
It is important not to be alone in our walk with God. Because “…..If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up…….Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” [Eccl 4:9-16 NIV]
As I come to the last chapter of the Bible, I am really glad that it has a very happy ending for those who believe in Jesus. “……..Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." …….the time is near……..Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city……” [Rev 22:7-19 NIV]
Be sure to know that when you “……Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends — even the wicked for a day of disaster. 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…..In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps…….Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD……The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the LORD. [Prov 16:1-7,9,11,20,33 NIV]
Amen & amen.
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