Weeks 41 & 42 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

It is not often one hears about a good news story in the news media these days. The exception is the recent Chilean miner story. Before you switch off, please allow this story to strengthen your faith and hope in Christ. It has certainly helped me. :)

I finished my 6 month contract working on the high speed rail project on 20th August. So it has been 62 days and I am still job hunting. I keep reminding myself how God has provided for me in the past and how God made me wait for nearly a year in 2005 before opening the door for me to work in my profession again. The 4 years working experience on rail projects has helped me to land the HK job.

This is our human problem. We forget easily. And when we are waiting again, we find it hard going!

But I will continue to believe God to give me the best. :)

This brings me back to the miner story.

It is inspiring because of the scale of the problem – 33 lives trapped 622m below ground when the mine shaft collapsed.

It is inspiring because it brought out the best in the Chilean people.

First we have a Billionaire President Sebastian Pinera who had his rating boasted above 70% because he portrayed himself as a man of the people He was at the mine on 23 August to announce that the men were still alive, telling TV cameras: "It will take months to get them out. It will take time, but it doesn't matter how long it takes to have a happy ending. He has been a constant presence, and was on hand at the final rescue, proclaiming the operation a "miracle", giving thanks to God!

Secondly, they have an equally caring mining minister Laurence Golborne. Mr Golborne has been at the mine almost constantly since August, briefing journalists with equal affability in Spanish and English. His approval ratings are said to be about 85%. His twitter feed has added 15,000 followers in the last week of the rescue. Some commentators have already labelled him the most popular man in Chile!

Then they have companies helping in the rescue operation.

Firstly, Schramm Inc describes itself as a "century-old Chester County, Pennsylvania manufacturer and global supplier to the hydraulic drilling industry". The firm can have had few better publicity campaigns than the Chile mine rescue. Their machine - the Schramm T-130 machine, known as Plan B - was the second of three machines assembled at the site, but it proved more effective than the other two drills. The T-130 eventually bored the rescue shaft that was used in the rescue.

Secondly, State-run mining firm Codelco, the world's top copper producer, also played a major part in the rescue. Analysts say it showed expertise and resourcefulness during the crisis.

Thirdly, Barcelona star David Villa signed two shirts for the miners. Football clubs are among the most prominent groups keen to send their support. Real Madrid sent signed shirts and invited the minors to a game in the Spanish capital. Manchester United reportedly made a similar offer. They were both following the example of Barcelona striker David Villa, who got in early by donating a signed shirt to the miners. Villa's father and grandfather were both miners.

Finally, Nasa sent a group of experts to help the rescue team advise the miners on diet and the psychological effects of spending long periods of time in isolation.

After more than two months underground, the first of the 33 miners was brought safely to the surface on 13 October. Here are the details:

• Ascent 622m

• Temperature 36°mine 8-18°surface

• Time 15-20 mins

• Speed 1m/s

The miners were brought to the surface one at a time in a specially-designed capsule. The capsule, dubbed "Phoenix" after the mythical bird that rose from the ashes, will carry the men nearly half a mile through solid rock in a shaft just wider than a man's shoulders as their two month ordeal draws to an end.

The story is truly a testimony of hope and faith in action.

For your information, I am seeking God on 3 fronts – church ministry, marketplace ministry and job. While I am waiting for God to provide my next job, I am learning from the miners rescue story to keep working hard towards the result, instead of wondering and doing nothing. I will share more in the next message.

God’s love, care & promises for His people were wonderfully demonstrated when He delivered the Israelites out of Egypt. “He brought out Israel, laden with silver and gold, and from among their tribes no one faltered. Egypt was glad when they left, because dread of Israel had fallen on them. He spread out a cloud as a covering, and a fire to give light at night. They asked, and he brought them quail and satisfied them with the bread of heaven. He opened the rock, and water gushed out; like a river it flowed in the desert. For he remembered his holy promise given to his servant Abraham. He brought out his people with rejoicing, his chosen ones with shouts of joy; he gave them the lands of the nations, and they fell heir to what others had toiled for — that they might keep his precepts and observe his laws. Praise the LORD.” [Ps 105:37-45 NIV]

Prophet Isaiah used the 3 major nations of his time (some 2700 years ago) to represent the nations of the world, that one day people from every nation will worship the true God. “…In that day there will be an altar to the LORD in the heart of Egypt, and a monument to the LORD at its border. It will be a sign and witness to the LORD Almighty in the land of Egypt. When they cry out to the LORD because of their oppressors, he will send them a savior and defender, and he will rescue them. So the LORD will make himself known to the Egyptians, and in that day they will acknowledge the LORD. They will worship with sacrifices and grain offerings; they will make vows to the LORD and keep them. The LORD will strike Egypt with a plague; he will strike them and heal them. They will turn to the LORD, and he will respond to their pleas and heal them. In that day there will be a highway from Egypt to Assyria. The Assyrians will go to Egypt and the Egyptians to Assyria. The Egyptians and Assyrians will worship together. In that day Israel will be the third, along with Egypt and Assyria, a blessing on the earth. The LORD Almighty will bless them, saying, "Blessed be Egypt my people, Assyria my handiwork, and Israel my inheritance." [Isa 19:16-25 NIV]



Indeed there is hope for everyone who comes to the Lord by faith. God welcomes everyone in the world who chooses Him. The pagan woman who begged Jesus to deliver her daughter despite of Jesus initial comment was an excellent example. “…..a woman whose little daughter was possessed by an evil spirit came and fell at his feet. The woman was a Greek, born in Syrian Phoenicia. She begged Jesus to drive the demon out of her daughter. "First let the children eat all they want," he told her, "for it is not right to take the children's bread and toss it to their dogs." "Yes, Lord," she replied, "but even the dogs under the table eat the children's crumbs." Then he told her, "For such a reply, you may go; the demon has left your daughter." She went home and found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.” [Mark 7:24-37 NIV]

King Solomon, the wisest king ever lived, exhorts us with these words of wisdom “Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man's rebuke to a listening ear. Like the coolness of snow at harvest time is a trustworthy messenger to those who send him; he refreshes the spirit of his masters. Like clouds and wind without rain is a man who boasts of gifts he does not give……Like a club or a sword or a sharp arrow is the man who gives false testimony against his neighbor. Like a bad tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in times of trouble. Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart…….Like cold water to a weary soul is good news from a distant land. Like a muddied spring or a polluted well is a righteous man who gives way to the wicked……Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control. [Prov 25:12-14,18-20,25,26,28 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 39 & 40 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I have been observing the nations of the world on the issue of “the temple and the land”. The two are intimately linked. If the temple (the church) is strong in a nation, the land will also be blessed. The opposite is true if the church is weak and poor!

China, since 1949 when Chairman Mao established the Peoples Republic of China, has undergone some amazing changes. Chairman Mao has done China a favour by destroying all idol worshipping. In the midst of the Cultural Revolution, God moved through the underground churches. A conservative estimate put China in front of many western Christian nations in terms of its Christian population. A figure of a few hundred millions of born again Christians has been mentioned. These are mostly in rural China.

Although China is still Communist in name, she is a social capitalist in reality. Economic growth at double digits will make China the largest economy in 10 years’ time. I can see God blessing the land through the temple!

When God moves, Satan is there also to try to hinder the move.

I was in Shenzhen last weekend for 3 days, teaching and ministering in a Shenzhen church retreat. The city is becoming richer after 30 years of open-door policy and economic growth. You can hardly see a bicycle on the street. I would say there are more expensive European cars than bicycles.

I see the same 3 areas of temptation in the city (sex, money and power) that Satan deploys since the beginning of mankind. Many will fall and be destroyed if they do not find Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.

The retreat was in a nice beach resort in Dapeng Bay, where many Chinese swam to Hong Kong to escape Mao’s Cultural Revolution in the 70s. The programme had a lot of fun time – games, BBQ, swimming and frisbee on the beach. I was asked to speak on “balancing church/work/family in a busy life”. We also had a long Q & A session, including difficult questions on business ethics and unbelieving business partners.

I also see many challenges in the church I ministered in – broken families (divorces) and children growing up without good male role models. One good thing is that the people are all hungry and eager to learn!

I know many have and many will come to the Lord. But there is a lack of shepherds and spiritual leaders, esp. male ones in China. There is real urgency to train up more of these leaders. There is a great need to plant vibrant and Biblical churches in the land!

I am excited about the prospect of church planting in China. I often wonder why there are so many Chinese in the world. What is God’s plan for them? Yes, “How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures…….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. May the glory of the LORD endure forever; may the LORD rejoice in his works — he who looks at the earth, and it trembles, who touches the mountains, and they smoke. 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. But may sinners vanish from the earth and the wicked be no more. Praise the LORD, O my soul. Praise the LORD.” [Ps 104:24-35 NIV]

One day many people on this planet earth will wake up to the fact that the end is near. It will be a time of tribulation. “In that day men will look to their Maker and turn their eyes to the Holy One of Israel. They will not look to the altars, the work of their hands, and they will have no regard for the Asherah poles and the incense altars their fingers have made. In that day their strong cities……will be like places abandoned to thickets and undergrowth. And all will be desolation. You have forgotten God your Savior; you have not remembered the Rock, your fortress. Therefore, though you set out the finest plants and plant imported vines, though on the day you set them out, you make them grow, and on the morning when you plant them, you bring them to bud, yet the harvest will be as nothing in the day of disease and incurable pain.” [Isa 17:7-14 NIV] Let us pray that it will be short.

I pray and hope that many will respond to the Gospel, just like the time of John the Baptist. “…….so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. The whole Judean countryside and all the people of Jerusalem went out to him. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. John wore clothing made of camel's hair, with a leather belt around his waist, and he ate locusts and wild honey. And this was his message: "After me will come one more powerful than I, the thongs of whose sandals I am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit." [Mark 1:1-13 NIV]

The time has come for us to fear one thing – the Lord. Do not fear those who kill the body. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell. [Matt 10:28] “He whose walk is upright fears the LORD, but he whose ways are devious despises him……A wise man fears the LORD and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless………He who fears the LORD has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, turning a man from the snares of death. [Prov 14:2,16,26-27 NIV]

Amen and amen!