Weeks 07 & 08 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I landed at Hong Kong International Airport on Thursday 18th Feb. evening. I moved into the serviced apartment the next day because I could only check in before 6:00pm. I thank God for the apartment because it only takes me 30 min. to get to work door to door. The apartment is part of a 4-star hotel which is well facilitated with a Health Club and swimming pool, which I have yet to visit. :o)

My apartment is on the 15th floor, with a nice view of a bay, although the 3 famous bridges could only be seen from a different part of the building. The apartment is a studio flat, but its 400 sq. ft. is the size of a normal 2-bed flat in Hong Kong! It has a double bed-room area, separated by a blind from the living room / study area. It also has a nice sized pantry equipped with fridge, microwave cooker and a small stove, if I am keen enough to cook something simple. It also has a hotel - style toilet / shower room. The apartment is serviced twice a week, including cleaning and reprovisioning of fresh bed sheets, pillow cases, towels etc.. It is plenty of space for myself, and for Kim when she visits.

On Saturday 20th I conducted a water baptism for my cousin sister who came to faith in Christ last October when her husband was facing terminal cancer. The husband also became a Christian although he has now gone home to the Father. The baptism was done in the bath tub of her flat and it was witnessed by my sister, her daughter, her son-in-law, sister of the son-in-law and 2 of her grandchildren. It was followed by a yummy hot-pot dinner making the whole occasion joyous and celebrative. The date was actually the 7th Day of the Chinese New Year which is called “Yan Yat” – everyone’s birthday. This will help her and myself to remember the special day easily. :o)

My cousin sister is the 3rd daughter of my father’s older brother. Like our family, they were also from working class background. Whilst on our side, only father & mother work to raise 5 of us, a few of their 7 children had to support their father in selling fish door to door since young. I am not sure how many of the children actually completed primary schooling. The oldest son became a policeman, who was found dead in a cemetry one day some 25 years ago. He committed suicide and I subsequently found out that he was in serious debt which he couldn’t repay! I can imagine that their upbringing must be much tougher than ours, because our parents managed to put all of us through primary & secondary schoolings. I was the only child who went on to college and training as a structual engineer in the UK. It therefore blesses my heart to see my 3rd cousin sister becoming a Christian. It brought tears to my eyes when I saw the glowing joy on her face when she shared about her faith before the baptism. It could only come from knowing the true and loving God!

On Sunday 21st evening, the day before I started work, I did a Jericho prayer walk around the office building where I will work in the next 6 months. It was already dark and the whole place was deserted except one security guard. After about the 4th round my prayer walk caught the attention of the guard. He must be wondering what I was up to, but he did not do anything because I was walking on the public footpath. :o) After the 7th round, the building did not fall down, but I knew in my spirit that some of the strongholds had been demolished. I believed that God had acknowledged my prayers and prepared the place for me to minister and be His salt & light.

I have just completed a full 5-day week at work. The project has already been going for a good 9 months, so I was thrown into the deep end on Day 1. I praise and thank God that He gave me the strength and wisdom to cope. I also thank those of you who have been praying for me. I will share more in my next e-mail as this one is getting rather long. :o)

The joy of my cousin sister is a testimony of our great God. His glory fills the whole earth. “O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! You have set your glory above the heavens. From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise…….When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, the son of man that you care for him? ……..Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth! [Ps 8:1-9 NIV]

For my marketplace ministry, I expect very intense warfare going forward. The prayer walk was my acknowledgement of God’s power & help, without which my labours would be futile. Nehemiah recognised this in the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem. He positioned watchmen in strategic locations and he mobilised every worker to be on guard. “…….Wherever you turn, they will attack us. Therefore I stationed some of the people behind the lowest points of the wall at the exposed places, posting them by families, with their swords, spears and bows……..From that day on, half of my men did the work, while the other half were equipped with spears, shields, bows and armor. The officers posted themselves behind all the people of Judah who were building the wall. Those who carried materials did their work with one hand and held a weapon in the other, and each of the builders wore his sword at his side as he worked……. [Neh 4:10-23 NIV].

As I pray about the next 6 months and beyond, I try to contemplate what God has installed for me. I am reminded of Apostle Pauls’s encouragement to Timothy. "I Have been reminded of your sincere faith......For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands. 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……..But 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…….Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you-guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us……...” [2 Tim 1:5-15 NIV].

As I make plans about the future I also understand that “To man belong the plans of the heart,but from the LORD comes the reply of the tongue. 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 works out everything for his own ends — even the wicked for a day of disaster…….Through love and faithfulness sin is atoned for; through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil. When a man's ways are pleasing to the LORD, he makes even his enemies live at peace with him……In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps……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!

Weeks 05 & 06 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

In my last message, I have missed out something I did in Hong Kong when I was there. I went for a job interview with AECOM Asia, the Asia counterpart of my current company (AECOM Europe) in Hong Kong. I can confirm that I am offered a job because the contract is now signed. I will be working in a senior role on the West Kowloon Terminus of the Express Rail Link to China which had a lot of controversy and protests recently because of its high costs. However, if it is viewed in perspective, the cost of the 26km high speed rail link is nothing compared to the 10,600km of high speed rail network that is being planned and built in China. The infrastructure investment would help the Hong Kong economy in the long term.

I will be working in the Mass Transit Railway (MTR) Office in Kam Ting, in the NW of Hong Kong. I will initially be staying close to the office to save travelling time. It is a serviced apartment in Ting Kau, right next to the 3 modern long span cable-suspended bridges in Hong Kong, 2 of which were designed by my previous company Mott MacDonald. They are the famous Tsing Ma, Kap Sui Mun and Ting Kau Bridges, engineering masterpieces that visitors to Hong Kong will witness coming from the airport into the city by bus or car.

I take this opportunity to testify about God’s amazing providence in the past 12 years since I left Hong Kong for church planting in Europe. I left a high flying career in Hong Kong and started church planting using our savings. Two years later, God opened doors for Kim and I to work, making enough for our daily living. Four years ago, God miraculously opened a door for me to rejoin my old profession in civil/structural engineering. It was a miracle because I was already 57 years old and not having worked in the industry for some 8 years. Also, the company employed me to work in the railway sector, something completely new to me. The 3-days a week income allowed us to pay for our 2 sons’ weddings and helped them onto the property ladder in Hong Kong. The 2nd miracle is that the 4 years of railway experience prepared the way for my new job in Hong Kong.

In the 12 years, we managed to establish 4 churches and 4 centers in pioneering stage in West Europe. Whilst in Hong Kong, I retain overall responsibility over Hope West Europe, which has in place local leadership structures for their day-to-day running. I shall stay in touch with all the top leaders and provide continuous guidance through e-mails & Skype calls. I shall also return for major events like church camps & conferences.

Whilst in Hong Kong, I aim to reach out to people in the market place, a ministry also close to my heart. “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel….” quoting Apostle Paul’s word in [Eph. 6:19]. I pray and hope that God will use my new job and position to touch many senior professionals for the Gospel in Hong Kong & beyond. I pray and hope that I can be a bridge builder for the Gospel.

Today, very sadly, “The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together against the LORD…..The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them. Then he rebukes them in his anger and terrifies them in his wrath, saying, "I have installed my King on Zion, my holy hill."….. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession” [Ps 2:1-12 NIV]. Indeed, I will continue to seek God and ask Him for His favour in making known clearly the mystery of the Gospel wherever He sends me!

God is building His Church all over the world. It is not unlike the instruction given by the Holy Spirit through King Cyrus in building the temple of God in Jerusalem. “Let the temple be rebuilt……..Do not interfere with the work on this temple of God.……May God, who has caused his Name to dwell there…..Let it be carried out with diligence” [Ezra 6:3-12 NIV]. Let us diligently build the Church of Jesus Christ in preparation for His glorious return one day!

Borrowing Apostle Paul’s word again, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service…….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…..But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me…….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 1:12-17 NIV]

This is what the Lord says - "I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion……Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just; by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. With me are riches and honour, enduring wealth and prosperity. My fruit is better than fine gold; what I yield surpasses choice silver. I walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full….” [Prov 8:12-30 NIV]. May we love & seek God with all our heart and enjoy an abundant life as Jesus promised both now and forever.

Amen & amen!

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!