January 2012 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Linsanity, Lincredible, Linpossible, Linfinite….are some of the words played by the media to describe Asian sensation Jeremy Lin who has scored more points in his first five NBA starts (playing for New York Knicks) than Jordan and Lebron since 1976.

With his sudden rise from NBA benchwarmer to must-see TV, Lin, 23, has crushed all kinds of conventions – like the one that said he was a nice Ivy League player but would never thrive in the NBA. Lin, an Asian American and a Harvard grad, is a first. Harvard has produced more US Presidents (eight) than NBA players (four, and none since 1950s).

In college, Lin faced additional challenges, including frequent racial taunts – real original stuff like a fan yelling, “Sweet-and-sour pork!” When Lin entered the gym for one summer-league game, someone redirected him: no one was playing volleyball that night!

Bill Plaschke’s recent article in LA Times titled “Knick’s Jeremy Lin Holds Mirror Up To America” has made a valid point about the issue.

Of all the drives, dunks and dazzling shots Jeremy Lin is forcing upon the stars of the NBA, none of it compares with the moves he's putting on a larger collection of everyday people. Jeremy Lin has dribbled America into the previously quiet corner of its casual prejudice and lazy stereotypes of Asian Americans.

It's been barely two weeks since the beginning of a tale that rocked the sports world with great basketball and bad puns, but so much already has changed. When America now looks at Lin, it should see more than an Asian American kid from Harvard who overcame ignorance at every level to become a star guard for the New York Knicks. America should see itself in the murky reflection of a society that has long considered it reasonable to publicly categorize Asian Americans in ways that would never be acceptable for other, more vocal minorities.

America should see the game video from the Knicks' MSG network in which cameras focused on a homemade sign that showed Lin's face above a fortune cookie with the words, "The Knicks Good Fortune.''


"In this country, Asian Americans are stereotyped as the meek and the mild, the ones who will always take the racism," said Daryl Maeda, an associate professor of ethnic studies at the University of Colorado who specializes in Asian American studies. ''There is a perception that it's OK to offend Asian Americans because they simply won't fight back.''

There was finally push-back last weekend at ESPN, which fired one employee and suspended another for separately describing the Knicks' first loss with Lin as a starter as a "Chink in the armor." In marginalizing the Jeremy Lin story, that newsman actually illustrated its real importance. This newfound basketball force has forced Americans to take a deep breath and think. He has forced America to realize it has become too comfortable compartmentalizing Asian Americans with a list of stereotypes that are misguided, mean-spirited and just plain wrong. Such as that one that says, you know, they can't play sports.

"The one thing I think is interesting about this whole Jeremy Linsanity is that it has forced us to think about how we think and talk about race in general,'' Maeda said. "Asian Americans have long been put into this safe little slot, and Jeremy has taken us out of those places.''

What blesses my heart most about Jeremy Lin is not so much his achievement as an Asian American in a sport that is dominated by non-Asian. It is really his Christian faith that is most inspiring. Before each game, Lin and his Christian teammate Landry Fields would geek out with a handshake ritual:

1)    Fields and Lin exchange snappy high fives with opposite hands

2)    They pretend to don glasses, because nerds wear glasses

3)    Fields, like Lin a devout Christian, presents Lin with an invisible Bible

4)    Lin whizzes through the pages. Must be a speed reader.

5)    Old and New Testaments read, both players remove their glasses…

6)    ….and stick the in shirt pockets…

7)    Both players then point skyward to their God before taking the floor

Lin's is a story of perseverance and persistence, of hard work and humility. But most of all, Lin's is a story of strong faith in Jesus Christ, of devotion to Bible study and prayer and of commitment to spreading the Gospel whenever he gets the opportunity.

"Much of it comes down to humility," Lin said. "We as Christians are called to be humble. And if we really understand the Gospel, we will be humble. We should be humble, and understand that everything that is good comes from God."

What a testimony!

It is right for every Christian to testify about God. Give thanks to the LORD….make known among the nations what he has done. Sing to him, sing praise to him; tell of all his wonderful acts. Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. Look to the LORD and his strength; seek his face always. Remember the wonders he has done, his miracles…….[Ps 105:1-10 NIV]

Jeremy Lin has the right idea about humility. It will keep us from becoming proud and forget our God when we are doing well. "But I am the LORD your God, [who brought you] out of Egypt. You shall acknowledge no God but me, no Savior except me. I cared for you in the desert, in the land of burning heat. When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me…..” [Hos 13:4-8 NIV]

Jeremy Lin and many others before him are great examples of witness. “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart……No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees! [Heb 12:1-12 NIV]

We who believe have been made righteous through Christ. We are blessed as we continue to live a life of righteousness. “The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked bring shame and disgrace. Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner…..The light of the righteous shines brightly, but the lamp of the wicked is snuffed out……Misfortune pursues the sinner, but prosperity is the reward of the righteous. A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. [Prov 13:5-6,9,21,22 NIV]

December 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Year 2012 will mark the beginning of the end of the world. A 7-year Tribulation will precede the end. Some says the Tribulation is imminent, whilst some says it has already started, by judging recent disastrous events happening in the world, be it economic or natural.

It is without doubt that the end is near. The only certain timing is what was prophesied in Daniel 7 and Daniel 12:

[Dan 7:25 NIV]

25 He will speak against the Most High and oppress his saints and try to change the set times and the laws. The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time.

[Dan 12:7,10-12 NIV]

7 The man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, lifted his right hand and his left hand toward heaven, and I heard him swear by him who lives forever, saying, "It will be for a time, times and half a time. When the power of the holy people has been finally broken, all these things will be completed."

10 Many will be purified, made spotless and refined, but the wicked will continue to be wicked. None of the wicked will understand, but those who are wise will understand.

11 "From the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up, there will be 1,290 days.

12 Blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end of the 1,335 days.

“Time, times and half a time” represents the 2nd half of the 7-year Tribulation which will start “from the time that the daily sacrifice is abolished and the abomination that causes desolation is set up.”

The abomination that causes desolation is set up when the Anti-Christ reveals himself to the world and set himself up as the Lord of the world.

My estimate is that all these, including the end, will occur within this decade, i.e. before 2020!

At a time such as this, “blessed is the one who waits for and reaches the end”. To make it possible, may I suggest you become a saint, i.e. by doing 5 things, each starting with one letter of the word SAINT:

1) Seek God’s face and His presence always

2) Aware of Satan’s evil schemes

3) Invest in God’s Kingdom with all you have – talents, time, energy, money….

4) Not giving up on your faith whatever happens

5) Trust in the Lord always

If you are not a believer in Jesus yet, it is time to accept Jesus into your life as your personal Lord & Saviour, before it is too late! You can believe in your heart and confess with your mouth by saying the following prayer:

“Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I want to turn away from my sins; I am willing to begin a new life with Your help. Thank you for shedding Your blood on the cross so my sins could be forgiven. Lord Jesus, please forgive my sins and come into my heart and my life right now. From this moment forward, my life belongs to You and You alone. I will love You, serve You, tell others about You, and trust You to live Your life through me. In Jesus Name I pray. Amen!”

It is time to acknowledge the Lordship of our Creator God and accept our dependence on Him. “How many are your works, O LORD! In wisdom you made them all; the earth is full of your creatures. There is the sea, vast and spacious, teeming with creatures beyond number — living things both large and small. There the ships go to and fro, and the leviathan, which you formed to frolic there. These 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]

The same call came from Prophet Hosea who was confident of the Lord’s return one day. "Come, let us return to the LORD. He has torn us to pieces but he will heal us; he has injured us but he will bind up our wounds. After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will restore us, that we may live in his presence. Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth." [Hos 6:1-3 NIV]

Indeed, let us come to God with confidence for He is able to sympathize with our weaknesses. "For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart. Nothing in all creation is hidden from God's sight Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are-yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." [Heb 4:12-16 NIV]

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus. Let nothing distract us from ways that are firm. “Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor." 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 4:5-9, 24-27 NIV]

November 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

At work, we are running a Bible Study and a Praying Meeting alternately each week. In the Bible Study this week, the teacher was sharing from Ps. 8, one of my favourite psalms.

[Ps 8]

1 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens.

2 From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise because of your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger.

3 When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place,

4 what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him?

5 You made him a little lower than the heavenly beings and crowned him with glory and honour.

6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet:

7 all flocks and herds, and the beasts of the field,

8 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

The teacher correctly highlighted God’s majestic love through a number of comparisons:

1) Children / Infants VS Enemies / Foe / Avenger: children / infants are no match of enemies / foe / avenger

2) Man VS Heavens: man is no match of the Heavens

Yet His Majesty is mindful of us; care for us; crown us with glory & honour; made us ruler of His creation!

This week, our grandson Sebby turned 6 months old.

I witnessed his growth week by week from a tiny 6lbs + at birth to about 20lbs today. Indeed from the day Sebby was conceived in his mother’s womb, God the Creator has been at work.

[Ps 139:13-16]

13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well.

15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth,

16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

Like a seasoned craftsman, God’s handiwork continues after Sebby’s birth.

What touched me most about Ps 8 was the contrast of an infant with an enemy!

In New King James version, [Ps 8:2] reads:

"Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants You have ordained strength, because of Your enemies, that You may silence the enemy and the avenger."

A baby is vulnerable, totally helpless. He or she is defenseless in the face of an enemy. Yet, God protects him or her from harm!

From about 2 months, Sebby was not happy just lying down. He wanted to be held so that he could stand up.

At 3 months, he was already quite energetic.

At 4 months, he became more active, moving his arms like a young bird flapping the wings.

At 5 months, he enjoyed bouncing, when he was held standing up. When lying on his back, he could roll over by himself.

At 6 months, he became very agile, finding his feet with his hands and putting them in his mouth. :)

Yet, even at 6 months, he still could hardly sit up properly by himself!

Sebby enjoys singing, esp. praise songs, although he does it in his own way that babies do. But we can see that he is happy although he has not got the understanding of God yet.

Looking at Sebby, I can truly appreciate God’s amazing love towards man!

I claim God’s promises that He is mindful of us; He cares for us; He crowns us with glory & honour and He makes us ruler of His creation!

We are made for doing great things because that is God’s design intent for mankind, the crown of His Creation.

As I live each day with that expectation, I begin to see the promises coming true in my work, in my ministries, in every aspect of my life!

It is the right thing to do to sing praises to our great God. “Sing to the LORD a new song, for he has done marvelous things; his right hand and his holy arm have worked salvation for him. The LORD has made his salvation known and revealed his righteousness to the nations. He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to the house of Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth, burst into jubilant song with music; make music to the LORD with the harp, with the harp and the sound of singing with trumpets and the blast of the ram's horn? shout for joy before the LORD, the King. Let the sea resound, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it. Let the rivers clap their hands, let the mountains sing together for joy; let them sing before the LORD, for he comes to judge the earth. He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples with equity.” [Ps 98:1-9 NIV]

Despite of the unfaithfulness of His people, God remains faithful. He patiently waits for us to repent. "Therefore I am now going to allure her; I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her. There I will give her back her vineyards, and will make the Valley of Achor a door of hope. There she will sing as in the days of her youth, as in the day she came up out of Egypt. "In that day," declares the LORD, "you will call me 'my husband'; you will no longer call me 'my master.' I will remove the names of the Baals from her lips; no longer will their names be invoked. In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field and the birds of the air and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle I will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety. I will betroth you to me forever; I will betroth you in righteousness and justice, in love and compassion. I will betroth you in faithfulness, and you will acknowledge the LORD. "In that day I will respond," declares the LORD- "I will respond to the skies, and they will respond to the earth; and the earth will respond to the grain, the new wine and oil, and they will respond to Jezreel. I will plant her for myself in the land; I will show my love to the one I called 'Not my loved one.' I will say to those called 'Not my people,' 'You are my people'; and they will say, 'You are my God.'" [Hos 2:14-23 NIV]

This is the good news of Jesus Christ. “……..We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone.” [Titus 3:1-8 NIV]

Justice and righteousness are the foundation of God’s throne; the foundation of His City where we will dwell for eternity one day. These are eternal values that God has established and they hold true even in the sinful world we live in. “When the righteous thrive, the people rejoice; when the wicked rule, the people groan…….By justice a king gives a country stability, but one who is greedy for bribes tears it down……An evil man is snared by his own sin, but a righteous one can sing and be glad. The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern…… If a king judges the poor with fairness, his throne will always be secure……When the wicked thrive, so does sin, but the righteous will see their downfall…….The righteous detest the dishonest; the wicked detest the upright.” [Prov 29:2,4,6,7,14,16,27 NIV]

October 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Two people I knew passed away in October. The first one I do not claim to know personally, but he was world famous alright. His name was Steve Jobs. He was not a computer scientist. He had no training as a hardware engineer or an industrial designer. He had a semester at Reed College and a stint at an ashram in India. Jobs’ expertise was less in computers than it was in the humans who used them.

In the world of technology, most people can hope to revolutionize one industry at most, but Jobs did it every few years with stunning regularity: computers, movies, music, phones. In 2011, he became the most celebrated business executive of his generation. Apple’s market capitalization passed that of Exxon Mobil, making it the planet’s most valuable company. Steve has made the cover of TIME magazine 5 times – 1982, 1997, 2005, 2010 and 2011. He passed away at the relatively tender age of 56.

The other person I knew who passed away in October was my Dad. Comparing to Steve Jobs, my Dad could not be more different. He was only known to his family and a very small circle of friends and relatives. He was a barber by profession. He used to cut my hair since my childhood days; he still did it occasionally until he emigrated to Canada in 1995, well after his retirement!

One of the few things I remember about my Dad was that he was a very good Mahjong player. I guess he had a lot of practice; there seemed to be a Mahjong game going on at home almost every evening. I hated it because the noise prevented me from concentrating on my study or homework!

Like a typical Chinese father of his generation, my Dad hardly communicated with his children. I guess he did not know how. His job was to put food on the table and paid the bills. For someone who had only the equivalent of a primary education and had 6 children to raise, he did a pretty good job as a father. One thing I did remember all my life was his exhortation to me when I finished secondary school. On the Book of Memorandum of my graduation year, he wrote in Chinese something like “A man should make his body his slave; enduring hardship and trials”. I have truly benefited from that sound advice ever since!

He and my Mum became born again Christians in 1994, after a Christmas celebration service, where I shared a testimony. As we came out of the service, I asked them if they would like to accept Jesus as their Lord and Saviour; they promptly said yes. I led them through the sinners’ prayer on the street pavement!

In 1997, 2 days before Christmas, I received a phone call from my sister in Vancouver that my Dad had a stroke. He was already 86 years old and we thought it was time to bid farewell. I caught the first flight out from Hong Kong and arrived on Christmas Eve. My Dad was lying in the hospital bed sleeping, looking very frail and pale. I laid my hand on his body and asked God to heal him!

The next morning was a sunny Christmas Day and a White Christmas; it had been snowing the night before. We received news that Dad woke up and the doctor thought it was a miracle that he recovered. I gave all the glory to God!

In the intervening years, Dad led a very active life in Vancouver, playing Mahjong and billiard at his favorite community centre. He and Mum had a good time travelling to Hong Kong and China, catching up with old friends and relatives. They also visited us in London including attending one of the Sunday services!

In the past couple of years, my prayer for my Dad was for him to make 100, God willing. Came 2011, we made plan to celebrate his 100th birthday. He had been in an old folks home for over a year and his health was clearly deteriorating rapidly. When the family gathered in July to celebrate his 100th birthday, we had to do it in the hospital because had a chest infection. Most of his children made it to the celebration, including granddaughter Elsie and great granddaughter Nikki. I showed my Dad pictures of our grandson Sebby (his great grandson) who was just over one month old at the time!

On 10th October, when Taiwan celebrated her 100th birthday, we received news that my Dad passed away peacefully. The Lord had brought him home in his sleep. On the 20th, I flew to Vancouver to conduct a memorial service for my Dad. It was held for a small family gathering at the burial and the Lord blessed us with dry weather despite of the rainy forecast. On his tombstone he was remembered as having “lived a long and good life”!

The Bible says that our days are numbered by God. Whether, one ends at 56 or 100, God is the one who decides. No one can add another day to his or her life without God’s blessing. He is the Lord of our lives! I am not sure where Steve Jobs went after his death, but I know for certain that my Dad is with the Lord. That is God’s promise for everyone who believes in Jesus!

The Lord is the name of our God. Besides being the Creator, He is also the Lord of our lives. “You have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. You turn men back to dust, saying, "Return to dust, O sons of men." ……. You sweep men away in the sleep of death; they are like the new grass of the morning? though in the morning it springs up new, by evening it is dry and withered…….The length of our days is seventy years? or eighty, if we have the strength……Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom……May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us; establish the work of our hands for us? yes, establish the work of our hands. [Ps 90:1-17 NIV]

The story of Daniel’s 3 friends may not ring true in the minds of modern men, but it was true all the same. When they did not worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar made, they were thrown into a blazingly hot furnace. “Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up?......if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"…… his advisers…..see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."…….They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.” [Dan 3:1-6, 12-15, 22-30 NIV] The God of Creation whom they believed in saved them!

If we truly believe in God, we shall be a people of courage and power in testifying about Him. Let the fire of the Holy Spirit burn strongly in us. “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you…..For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. So do not be ashamed to testify about our Lord……join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life-not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. This grace was given us in Christ Jesus before the beginning of time…” [2 Tim 1:2-14 NIV]

Here are a few worthy sayings that embody the wisdom of God. “It is not good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty and miss the way…..He who gets wisdom loves his own soul; he who cherishes understanding prospers……A man's wisdom gives him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense…..He who obeys instructions guards his life, but he who is contemptuous of his ways will die…….Listen to advice and accept instruction, and in the end you will be wise. Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the LORD's purpose that prevails……The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble…….Stop listening to instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge. [Prov 19:2,8,11,16,20,21,23,27 NIV]

September 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Our chapter of church planting in Europe finally closed when God helped us to complete the sale of our house in London on Friday, 30 Sept., 2011, although I already relinquished my role as Regional Pastor for Hope West Europe at the Euro Leaders Conference in September, 2010. The house sale was a miracle considering the economic situation in the UK and the price was a good one too. In addition, God reserved a seat for Kim to fly Upper Class back to Hong Kong 2 days after the sale; she only had to pay airport tax of HK$3269. God’s favour is amazing!

It was a beautiful chapter of our lives that started on Friday, 22 May, 1998, when, by faith, we left Hong Kong and landed in Heathrow Airport, London. On the Sunday of the same week (24 May, 1998) the Lord gave us a word of confirmation and encouragement from a prophetic preacher, a total stranger, when we visited Kensington Temple, the fastest growing church in London at the time. The prophetic word had helped to launch our church planting work in London and beyond.

It was a Call to Sacrifice, leaving Hong Kong at the peak of my career as a Director in a top international consulting engineering firm. I had no idea what Kim and I were getting ourselves into. We came out of Heathrow Airport with fear and trembling, hanging onto the belief that it was God who called us to Europe. The prophetic word on Sunday though was a tremendous boost of my faith to start the 1st church in Europe!

It was a chapter of our lives that is full of wonderful memories and thanksgiving – our first meeting of 4 people in our small flat in North London on our 1st Sunday in London. After receiving the prophetic word, I preached to 3 people with zeal and excitement on the message of Fulfilling God’s Given Vision :).

Then we had our first public service on 2 Aug., 1998 in London City YMCA where 12 people and a dog attended. In the same month we held our first camp on 30 Aug., 1998. Ps. James Loke, an Elder of Hope of God International and 23 other people joined the historic event. It was at the camp where I met our dearest sister Adelaide who became my faithful prayer partner since. Together we won many battles in the heavenly realm as we advanced the Kingdom of God in Europe in the intervening 12 years. Thank you Adelaide; your rewards in Heaven shall be massive!

In the years that follow, Kim & I met many beautiful people, in the UK and different parts of Europe, through mission trips, camps, conventions…….There are many people I wanted to give thanks to, esp. the European church pioneers and co-workers – Tor & Wander, Albert & Claire, Marcus & Stephanie, Joel & Olivia, Reto & Christine, Ondra & Jana - you are history makers in Hope Europe. You now have many off-springs that are spreading out to eventually touch the whole continent of Europe. It is exciting to see the mustard seed parable becoming a reality!

I am of course greatly indebted to my core leaders in the UK – Vincent, Twin, Aaron, Eldos & Esther, Jo (now back to Hope Brisbane), Roger & Lorisa, Dexter & Precious, Nong …. your partnership in the Gospel has blessed so many lives who are serving God with you in the UK or serving God back home. They are just too many to name, but you all have a special place in my heart. I must not forget my Leaders in Asia who provided the spiritual covering!

When we left for London in 1998, we thought it was one-way. Who knew that 12 years later God had other plans?

The BBC Ministries were launched in Hong Kong on 6 Nov., 2010, the day when I was invited to a Freemason dinner & dance party, which I politely declined :). BBC are parallel ministries of church planting (Building Biblical Churches) and marketplace outreach (Building Bridges for Christ).

On the church planting ministry front, we meet every Saturday for church fellowship in an office I rented in the heart of Kowloon – the Worldwide Centre. Now we have 10 regular people attending. We are going to have water baptism for 2 new believers soon in the beach next to where we live before the water gets cold. :) I will also conduct membership class and leadership training soon.

On the marketplace ministry front, I am building bridges for Christ in a 200 people consulting engineering company I work for five days a week. I am trying to reach out to the people there through good work and example. I taught Principles of Good (Biblical) Leadership. I also write a monthly message on Work Hard Work Smart and started a weekly explorer class. The Owner of the company, who is not a believer, recently asked me to be his family counsellor!

I sometimes pinch myself to see if I am dreaming or not. Why would the Most High God choose ordinary me to be a part of His Kingdom plan on earth? I guess it is because I am a fool in the eyes of the world whom God can manifest His wisdom and power. :)

Indeed our God is mighty. If we want to serve God, we need His wisdom & power. But how? This Psalmist explain how -  “Sing for joy to God our strength……Begin the music, strike the tambourine, play the melodious harp and lyre……He established it as a statute for Joseph when he went out against Egypt……He says, "I removed the burden from their shoulders; their hands were set free from the basket. In your distress you called and I rescued you, I answered you out of a thundercloud……..You shall have no foreign god among you; you shall not bow down to an alien god. I am the LORD your God, who brought you up out of Egypt. Open wide your mouth and I will fill it………"If my people would but listen to me……how quickly would I subdue their enemies and turn my hand against their foes!......." [Ps 81:1-10,13-16 NIV]

Daniel understood God’s command of not bowing down to an alien god. God granted him and his 3 friends wisdom far above the magicians and enchanters in the whole kingdom. “………To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds. At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king's service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.” [Dan 1:1-21 NIV]

Apostle Paul says “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners — of whom I am the worst. But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.” [1 Tim 1:12-19 NIV]

Here are some trustworthy sayings. “Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The LORD works out everything for his own ends…….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………In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps……..Honest scales and balances are from the LORD; all the weights in the bag are of his making…….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 and amen!

August 2011 - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I am always very interested in God’s time table and His timing. As I sit quietly and meditate on the major events that have been and are happening around the world, I would very much like to know the time we are in, and of course only God knows :).

[Matt. 24:1-35] provided a lot of the Signs of the End of the Ages, which we are witnessing them happening right now.

Whilst the Old Testament is the forerunner of the New Testament,

the Old Testament Feasts are symbolic of the New Testament events,

events after the birth of Jesus Christ.

The first 4 feasts have been fulfilled in the New Testament time. Believers are eagerly waiting for the trumpet call that signals the 2nd coming of the Lord in glory and power.

The question every believer is asking is - When will this happen?

Jesus’ 2nd coming will be a repeat of the Day of Noah. Noah became the father of Shem, Ham & Japheth after the age of 500 [Gen. 5:22] and the flood came when Noah turned 600. So the ark probably took Noah and his 3 sons a good 50 years to build. But during this time, people took no interest in what Noah was doing or simply ignored Noah’s warning of the flood.

Then God says in the verses following the Signs of the End of the Age in [Matt 24:36-39]:

“No-one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father. As it was in the days of Noah, so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. For in the days before the flood, people were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, up to the day Noah entered the ark; and they knew nothing about what would happen until the flood came and took them all away. That is how it will be at the coming of the Son of Man.”

Today, people in the world are showing a lot of interest in eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, despite of the many Signs of the End of the Age - “Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places”!

Here are a few scriptures to encourage all Christ followers to be alert and ready for Jesus’ 2nd coming as if He will return tomorrow:

[Rev 19:7] Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.

[Rev 21:2] I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

[Eph 5:25-27] Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word, and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.

[1 Thess 5:1-6] Now, brothers, about times and dates we do not need to write to you, for you know very well that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, "Peace and safety", destruction will come on them suddenly, as labour pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief. You are all sons of the light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be alert and self-controlled.

The Church of Jesus Christ – the Bride – should be alert

and ready for the 2nd coming of the Lord.

Besides the Bride (a lover of Jesus), there will be 2 other groups of believers at the wedding – the Bridesmaids and the Guests.

If you are a bridesmaid (a very good friend of Jesus),

make sure that your lamp is full of oil (the Holy Spirit)

and you are not sleeping (alert).

[Matt 25:1-5] "At that time the kingdom of heaven will be like ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. Five of them were foolish and five were wise. The foolish ones took their lamps but did not take any oil with them. The wise, however, took oil in jars along with their lamps. The bridegroom was a long time in coming, and they all became drowsy and fell asleep.

If you are a Guest of the Groom (an acquaintance of Jesus),

make sure you wear wedding clothes at the wedding (truly born again & walking with God).

[Matt 22:11-13] "But when the king came in to see the guests, he noticed a man there who was not wearing wedding clothes. 'Friend,' he asked, 'how did you get in here without wedding clothes?' The man was speechless. "Then the king told the attendants, 'Tie him hand and foot, and throw him outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.'

The best way of staying alert and being ready is to practice the 3Ss:

1) Stay close to God through (understanding) His Word and (walking in) His Spirit and living in His presence (in prayers),

2) Strive for holiness, and.

3) Serve God

This is a good prayer to pray at this time – “Hear us, O Shepherd of Israel, you who lead Joseph like a flock; you who sit enthroned between the cherubim, shine forth…..come and save us. Restore us, O God; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved….O LORD God Almighty…....Restore us, O God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved. …..Return to us, O God Almighty! Look down from heaven and see! Watch over this vine, the root your right hand has planted…….Restore us, O LORD God Almighty; make your face shine upon us, that we may be saved.” [Ps 80:1-7,14,15,19 NIV]

If anyone doubts the love of God, he or she should observe the faithfulness of God towards a rebellious people Israel. "'…This is what will happen in that day: When Gog attacks the land of Israel, my hot anger will be aroused, declares the Sovereign LORD. In my zeal and fiery wrath I declare that at that time there shall be a great earthquake in the land of Israel……..all the people on the face of the earth will tremble at my presence. The mountains will be overturned, the cliffs will crumble and every wall will fall to the ground. I will summon a sword against Gog on all my mountains, declares the Sovereign LORD…….I will execute judgment upon him with plague and bloodshed; I will pour down torrents of rain, hailstones and burning sulfur on him and on his troops and on the many nations with him……..And so I will show my greatness and my holiness, and I will make myself known in the sight of many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD.' [Ezek 38:17-23 NIV]

We are living in a time of great deception. “See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the basic principles of this world rather than on Christ. For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. In him you were also circumcised, in the putting off of the sinful nature, not with a circumcision done by the hands of men but with the circumcision done by Christ, having been buried with him in baptism and raised with him through your faith in the power of God, who raised him from the dead. When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your sinful nature, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, having canceled the written code, with its regulations, that was against us and that stood opposed to us; he took it away, nailing it to the cross. And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross. [Col 2:8-15 NIV]

These are some of God’s promises who choose to walk in righteousness. “A man cannot be established through wickedness, but the righteous cannot be uprooted……Wicked men are overthrown and are no more, but the house of the righteous stands firm……The wicked desire the plunder of evil men, but the root of the righteous flourishes……..An evil man is trapped by his sinful talk, but a righteous man escapes trouble……..No harm befalls the righteous, but the wicked have their fill of trouble.” [Prov 12:3,5,7,10,12,13,21,26,28 NIV]

Amen and amen!