Weeks 03 & 04 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I have just returned from a 2-week trip to Asia. I thank God for the blessed time in Chiang Mai, Thailand where we had our Hope International Ministries [H.I.M.] Global Conference. It has been many years since I was in Thailand and it was great to fellowship with our Thai brethrens again. They have always inspired me in their zeal and faith in serving the Lord.

I also spent a week in Hong Kong, catching up on many old friends, besides, of course, our 2 amazing sons and wonderful daughters-in-law. Among my friends were my old Technical College classmates of 40 years. We had a reunion lunch and had some very interesting conversations. Most of them have started enjoying their well earned retirements, after successful careers in civil/structural engineering. One of them, however, has just completed a Master Degree in Divinity and will start his ministry next month. We used to share a studio flat when we first went to the UK for our engineering training some 40 years ago. It is amazing that we both come to faith in Christ fairly late in our lives and both are now in ministry.

There were 8 of us at the lunch. There was one other born-again Christian and a Catholic. We tried to share our faith with the other 4 not-yet believing classmates. The exchanges were interesting and challenging at the same time. One of them has become a fervent Buddhist who believes in becoming a better person through hard work. He confessed to feeling depressed many times when he failed to attain his ideal of being good all the time. The Word of God in [Rom 7:18] “…For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” came to mind. God certainly knows us better than we do. :o)

As I walked the streets of this tiny city (in size) of 7.5 million people, I really feel for the vast majority of them who live each day without knowing why they are here. Money becomes their god and main goal in life. I was like them 20 years ago, so I can relate to them. It will be great if they can have what I have now in Christ – peace that transcends all understanding!

I was jogging in a nearby park one morning and a young man caught my attention. He was sitting on a bench with his eyes closed and his head bowed in prayer. There was a bible on his lap. I ran past him a couple of times, and he was still deep in prayer. After my run, I purposely stopped close to him and kept an eye on him while I did some stretching. When he opened his eyes, I greeted him and started a conversation. He was uncomfortable with a total stranger disturbing his quiet time and he tried to decline my fellowship by telling me he had to leave for work soon. When I commended him on his quiet time early in the morning, he politely described his fairly long devotion as “fast food”. I told him that I was a pastor in London having my holiday in Hong Kong. He told me with a hint of sadness in his tone that less than 2% of the population is confessing Christians. I really admired his faith and I quietly asked God to bless him as he departed in a hurry.

This young man’s devotion reflected the heart of this psalmist who cried out to God. “O LORD, hear my prayer, listen to my cry for mercy; in your faithfulness and righteousness come to my relief……I spread out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land…..Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you. Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul……Teach me to do your will, for you are my God; may your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” [Ps 143:1-12 NIV]

Whilst I can understand the young man’s disappointment with the small Christian population, he should be aware of a deeper problem of Christians’ unwillingness in giving to God. Unlike the Israelite exiles returning from captivity, who gave generously towards the rebuilding of the house of God, out of the little they had. “Now these are the people of the province who came up from the captivity of the exiles, whom Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had taken captive to Babylon (they returned to Jerusalem and Judah, each to his own town…..When they arrived at the house of the LORD in Jerusalem, some of the heads of the families gave freewill offerings towards the rebuilding of the house of God on its site. According to their ability they gave to the treasury for this work 61,000 drachmas of gold, 5,000 minas of silver and 100 priestly garments….... [Ezra 2:1,68-70 NIV]

But I am confident that as we faithfully give to God (in time, energy, talents, finance…) we will see His Kingdom advanced all over the world. “For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. On the contrary, we speak as men approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but God, who tests our hearts. You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed — God is our witness……We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.” [1 Thess 2:1-20 NIV]

Finally, “….pay attention to what I say; listen closely to my words. Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; for they are life to those who find them and health to a man's whole body. Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm. Do not swerve to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.” [Prov 4:20-27 NIV]

Amen & amen!

Weeks 01 & 02 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

The start of the new decade in 2010 has seen the United Kingdom and many countries in the Northern Hemisphere frozen in sub-zero temperatures for over 2 weeks.

The country was caught out in the supply of salt to grit the roads. Despite of lessons learnt last February when we also had unexpected heavy snow fall, the local governments and Highways authorities were unprepared for worse weather conditions this time. The low supply caused many minor roads un-gritted, resulting in slippery road surfaces. It got so bad that in places walkers had to crawl on the icy surfaces because walking was not possible!

Whilst many school children were pleasantly surprised by the extended Christmas holidays because of impossible transport / traffic conditions, a lot of businesses were badly affected by the deep freeze. Not an encouraging start for the UK economy as the country was hoping to come out of recession and into positive growth soon!

Then a detrimental earthquake shock the capital of Haiti on the 12th January, killing tens of thousands and adversely affecting millions of lives. In the word of President Barack Obama, it is “cruel” for this to happen to one of the poorest countries in the world that is not unknown to natural disasters!

In my quiet moments I could not help but looked to Heaven and asked God, “Why God? What are you trying to tell us?” God did not answer me with an audible voice. I was somehow assured in my heart that He was not blind to what was going on.

The Lord of the universe, our Lord God, is still the Lord of all. The world may be under the control of the evil one temporarily, the eyes of the Lord are watching over everything that is happening on this planet.

Please do not be angry with me if I say “God allowed all man-made and natural disasters to happen in order to get our attention.” This is what I sense in my spirit! Time is running out. This new decade is a time of ingathering of souls. The world events will quicken this process. Many will respond positively to the signs of the end of the age. There is no room for pride. It is not a time to reason against God.

I came to faith in Christ at the age of 42 when I finally dropped my pride and my human reasoning against the Lord of the Universe, the Maker of Heaven & Earth. “…… Though the LORD is on high, he looks upon the lowly, but the proud he knows from afar. Though I walk in the midst of trouble, you preserve my life; you stretch out your hand against the anger of my foes, with your right hand you save me. The LORD will fulfil [his purpose] for me; your love, O LORD, endures for ever — do not abandon the works of your hands.” [Ps 138:1-8 NIV]

The Lord admonishes the people of the world “……Do not be stiff-necked…..submit to the LORD. Come to the sanctuary, which he has consecrated for ever. Serve the LORD your God, so that his fierce anger will turn away from you. If you return to the LORD, then your brothers and your children will be shown compassion by their captors and will come back to this land, for the LORD your God is gracious and compassionate. He will not turn his face from you if you return to him."
[2 Chron 30:6-12 NIV]

The truth is that “…..Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds….But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation — if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. This is the gospel that you heard and that has been proclaimed to every creature under heaven……present to you the word of God in its fullness — the mystery that has been kept hidden for ages and generations, but is now disclosed to the saints. To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory. We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ.” [Col 1:21-29 NIV]

My question is “……Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Who has gathered up the wind in the hollow of his hands? Who has wrapped up the waters in his cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth?....Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him.” [Prov 30:1-9 NIV]

Amen and amen!

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!