Weeks 21 & 22 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

On 2nd June, at 22:35, Sebastian Matthew TSE was born in Kwong Wah Hospital, Yau Ma Tai, Kowloon, Hong Kong. About 23 hours earlier, mommy Wai-wa felt the water broke. Father Nic was not yet home, working on a late assignment. The superwoman made her own way to the hospital by taxi, after descending the 100 steps of their 5 storey building by herself. Nic met her in the hospital a few minutes later.

Kim and I went to the hospital the next evening to visit Wai-wa, who was already in the Labour Ward. I prayed for her for a smooth delivery and for God’s protection of both mother and child. I have forgotten to ask God to remove the birth pain, but praise God that Wai-wa managed to go through it later like a brave woman! The same evening Kim and I went to meet a friend for dinner in a nearby restaurant. By 22:00, Kim & I were back in the Hospital and Wai-wa was taken into the delivery room. Shortly past 22:35, Nic came out weeping uncontrollably. It was a cry of joy. Apparently he was stunned by the birth experience. He witnessed God’s amazing design firsthand!

Although Sebastian was generally healthy, weighing 6lb 6oz, he had a minor infection. The doctor put him on antibiotics. So he was housed in an incubator and strapped to a drip for the duration of the drug. It had been most difficult for the parents, being separated physically from him for a period of some 5 days!

Because only the parents were allowed to visit Sebastian during the incubator time, daddy had been taking lots of pictures and videos and kept us updated on Sebastian's development on Facebook. The parents said he seemed to look bigger every day, always hungry for more milk. :)

I praise and thank God for the smooth delivery, a natural birth without any surgical aid. But Wai-wa has always been an amazingly tough woman. She is also a handy woman around the house. Our son Nic is a blessed man indeed!

Sebastian is our first grandchild. It is a surreal feeling to become a grandpa for the very first time at the age of 62. Also in July, I will fly to Vancouver to celebrate my father’s 100th birthday. It would be great to have a picture of the 4 of us – great grandpa, grandpa, daddy and Sebastian!

As I write, Sebastian is still not yet home. Whilst I cannot wait to meet and hold him, hopefully in just a few days’ time, I composed the following poem to welcome him:

Hi Sebby

Sebastian 敬 Matthew 予 is your name,

given by your parents Wai-wa and Nicholas.

Your family name Tse 謝 stands for thanks-giving,

thus your full name means “Thanking The Reverent for His Gift”.

God says you were fearfully and wonderfully made,

how true indeed is His Word.

We saw you grown in your mummy’s tummy,

since the happy announcement some 7 months ago.

Despite of God’s perfect plan,

you were born into an imperfect world.

I know your minor infection is only a blip,

because I am sure the Almighty will see you through.

God says children's children are a crown to the aged,

indeed you have made an old man very proud!

I praise and thank God for a smooth delivery,

that both you and mummy were safe.

I cannot wait to see you face to face,

and give you a big welcome hug and kiss.

Little Sebby is God’s workmanship and he belongs to God. That applies to every creature that ever lived. "The Mighty One, God, the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to the place where it sets. From Zion, perfect in beauty, God shines forth…..He summons the heavens above, and the earth……."…every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine……for the world is mine, and all that is in it. [Ps 50:1-6, 9-12 NIV]

People who fail to recognize the Lordship and Sovereignty of God today will one day be shocked. "'Therefore this is what the Sovereign LORD says: In my wrath I will unleash a violent wind, and in my anger hailstones and torrents of rain will fall with destructive fury. I will tear down the wall you have covered with whitewash and will level it to the ground so that its foundation will be laid bare. When it falls, you will be destroyed in it; and you will know that I am the LORD. So I will spend my wrath against the wall and against those who covered it with whitewash. I will say to you, "The wall is gone and so are those who whitewashed it……Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives……And then you will know that I am the LORD.'" [Ezek 13:13-23 NIV]

Here I would like to borrow Apostle Paul’s words to exhort you - "As God's fellow workers we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain. For he says, "In the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you." I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation. We put no stumbling block in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses……in hard work….in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and in sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; through glory and dishonor, bad report and good report; genuine, yet regarded as impostors; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on……sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything. [2 Cor 6:1-10 NIV]

These are God’s Word for all of us. “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. 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 16:1-7,11,20,33 NIV] In my 20 years of walking in the LORD, I certainly can testify to it.

Amen and amen!

Weeks 19 & 20 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Last Friday, a Christian Senior Architect at work came to me for advice. She had a dream just before the 311 (11th March) disasters in Japan. In the dream, she saw major natural disasters happening. She shared with me that she wanted to study the Bible systematically by joining a Bible Seminary. She would only work half-time then. Clearly the Lord is stirring the hearts of many through dreams and visions as the Day is getting nearer!

Yesterday at BBC, we started a new teaching on A Kingdom Church. We were 4 people; a few regular people couldn’t make it. As an introduction we started with some definitions of the Kingdom of God, which the Bible explained using a number of parables. The one that struck me most was The Parable of the Wedding Feast.

[Matt 22:1-14 NKJV]

And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables and said: "The kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who arranged a marriage for his son, and sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come. Again, he sent out other servants, saying, 'Tell those who are invited, "See, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatted cattle are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the wedding."' But they made light of it and went their ways, one to his own farm, another to his business. And the rest seized his servants, treated them spitefully, and killed them. But when the king heard about it, he was furious. And he sent out his armies, destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. Then he said to his servants, 'The wedding is ready, but those who were invited were not worthy. Therefore go into the highways, and as many as you find, invite to the wedding.' So those servants went out into the highways and gathered together all whom they found, both bad and good. And the wedding hall was filled with guests. "But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, 'Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?' And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, 'Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.' "For many are called, but few are chosen."

It talked about 3 categories of people:

1) Group 1 – people who have known the Groom and were invited to the wedding

2) Group 2 – people who were invited to the wedding in the last minute

3) Group 3 – people without a wedding garment

In Group 1, not everyone who knew the Groom will respond to the invitation, implying the falling away of believers who did not keep their faith till the end.

Group 2 are those who accepted the invitation just before the start of the wedding feast; those who were saved shortly before the return of our Lord Jesus, during the 7 Years of Tribulation.

Group 3 are those who are not TRULY born again.

The Kingdom of God will consist ONLY of people who will be at the wedding feast – The Groom (Jesus Christ), the Bride (The Church or Zion), people who are very close to the Groom and friends & colleagues of the Groom. All will receive God’s gift of salvation and spend eternity with God.

But these people have different levels of relationship with the Groom and will have different rewards in Heaven, which I will share deeper in the BBC teachings and in my quarterly Newsletters to Church Leaders.

The most important thing is to ensure that one is at the wedding feast, i.e. having confessed Jesus as one’s Lord and Saviour, and keeping that faith without waivering till the end. No doubt, when we observe all the happenings around us in different parts of the world, the wedding is not a million years away!

On the same subject, I notice a lot more people are seeking “god”, may be due partly to the world happenings.

But the 2nd most important thing is for one to find the right god – the God of Creation, the God who came to earth some 2000 years ago to die for our sins, and the same God who will return as the Groom of the Wedding, and not false ones which Satan has created to deceive many.

In Hong Kong, one popular topic of conversation is about owning a property, because prices are not only sky high but keep on rising, due partly to a devalued HK dollar. Many young people are worried about never able to own a property. Money or making money therefore becomes the main goal in life. But the Bible is clear on this issue. “For all can see that wise men die; the foolish and the senseless alike perish and leave their wealth to others. Their tombs will remain their houses forever, their dwellings for endless generations, though they had named lands after themselves. But man, despite his riches, does not endure; he is like the beasts that perish. This is the fate of those who trust in themselves, and of their followers, who approve their sayings…..Do not be overawed when a man grows rich, when the splendor of his house increases; for he will take nothing with him when he dies, his splendor will not descend with him. Though while he lived he counted himself blessed? and men praise you when you prosper ? he will join the generation of his fathers, who will never see the light [of life]. A man who has riches without understanding is like the beasts that perish. [Ps 49:10-20 NIV]

Indeed Satan, who wants to be God, has throughout the ages distract men from knowing the true God and enticed men to worship all kinds of idols that are detestable to God. “And there before me was the glory of the God of Israel……..Then he said to me, "Son of man, look towards the north." So I looked, and in the entrance north of the gate of the altar I saw this idol of jealousy. And he said to me, "Son of man, do you see what they are doing — the utterly detestable things the house of Israel is doing here, things that will drive me far from my sanctuary? But you will see things that are even more detestable." Then he brought me to the entrance to the court. I looked, and I saw a hole in the wall. He said to me, "Son of man, now dig into the wall." So I dug into the wall and saw a doorway there. And he said to me, "Go in and see the wicked and detestable things they are doing here." So I went in and looked, and I saw portrayed all over the walls all kinds of crawling things and detestable animals and all the idols of the house of Israel. In front of them stood seventy elders of the house of Israe……Each had a censer in his hand, and a fragrant cloud of incense was rising. He said to me, "Son of man, have you seen what the elders of the house of Israel are doing in the darkness, each at the shrine of his own idol? They say, 'The LORD does not see us; the LORD has forsaken the land.'" Therefore I will deal with them in anger; I will not look on them with pity or spare them. Although they shout in my ears, I will not listen to them." [Ezek 8:1-12 NIV] Even a God of infinite mercy will not tolerate the sins of men forever!

“……If the ministry that condemns men is glorious, how much more glorious is the ministry that brings righteousness! For what was glorious has no glory now in comparison with the surpassing glory. And if what was fading away came with glory, how much greater is the glory of that which lasts! Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold…….And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. [2 Cor 3:7-18 NIV] The glory of God will become more and more evident in God’s people before the end. They will be anointed by God to do His bidding, blessing and condemning as God wills!

Let us heed the advice of the Lord. “You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, gain understanding. Listen, for I have worthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. To the discerning all of them are right; they are faultless to those who have knowledge. Choose my instruction instead of silver, knowledge rather than choice gold, for wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. [Prov 8:5-11 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 17 & 18 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I touched on Marketplace Ministry in my last message as strategic in end-time evangelism. I believe it is God’s calling for me at this time after 12 years of church planting in the UK.

In Feb 2010, God opened a door for me to return to Hong Kong to work for one of the top consultants AECOM on the prestigious West Kowloon Terminus of the Express Rail Link to China. I was Project Manager for the iconic Station Entrance Building, project managing a multi-disciplinary team comprising Aedas (Architect), Buro Happold (Structural Engineer, Environmental Engineer), Meinhardt (M&E Engineer), MVA (Traffic & Transportation Engineer), EDAW (Landscape Architect), Quantity Surveyor (Widnell), ALT (Cladding Specialist), BMT (Wind Engineering), AECOM (Civil Engineer, Geotechnical Engineer, Construction Planner, Fire Engineer). The client was MTRC. It was a great opportunity to meet many senior professionals in the Marketplace and an excellent start to the Marketplace Ministry.

I thought it was God’s will for me to continue with AECOM when I learnt that its CEO is a committed Christian leading the Engineering and Construction Fellowship (ECF) in Hong Kong. I became a member of ECF, but so far there was hardly any activity. Also after my 6-month contract with AECOM expired, it was not renewed.

I spent the following 4 months job hunting, and God used that time to help me set up the BBC School.

In January 2011, God opened a different door, allowing me to join a smaller consultant as a Director. The work nature is very different, working on a large number of much smaller building projects.

Somehow I sense that God is showing me a principle that our desire may not be what He has in mind. My idea of Marketplace Ministry in a big company proved to be not what God had in mind.

Indeed His ways and His thoughts are higher than ours. His will may not be the same as ours. The key is to submit to His will and willingly to do what He calls us to do.

So far, I have a lot of opportunities to incorporate God’s principles in management:

1) I started monthly meeting for the staff and I used that opportunity to teach

2) Besides teaching some topics on structural engineering, I have taught best practices in project management

3) I introduced some management tools in making resource planning more effective

Going forward, I will incorporate more teachings that directly apply God’s principles. In fact, I gave a talk on The Principles of Good (Biblical) Leadership yesterday. :)

A few weeks ago, I witnessed to the big boss over dinner on the essence of the Gospel. Soon after that, he asked me to accompany him in a lunch time meeting organized by the church where his wife attends. I believe he is interested to know more. It would be great if he accepts Jesus as his Lord and Saviour one day!

Living in a world with a “can’t wait” mentality, waiting is unacceptable to most people. Yet, God’s timing is different from ours. Very often, He expects us to be patient. “I waited patiently for the LORD; he turned to me and heard my cry. He lifted me out of the slimy pit, out of the mud and mire; he set my feet on a rock and gave me a firm place to stand. He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the LORD. Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders you have done. The things you planned for us no-one can recount to you; were I to speak and tell of them, they would be too many to declare…….Yet I am poor and needy; may the Lord think of me. You are my help and my deliverer; O my God, do not delay.” [Ps 40:1-17 NIV]

Soon after I joined Hope some 18 years, God gave me the gifts of prophesy and intercession. I saw the importance of intercession soon after I went to Europe for church planting. God has made me a watchman during the time in Europe, a bit like God’s calling for Ezekiel. “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked man, 'You will surely die,' and you do not warn him or speak out to dissuade him from his evil ways in order to save his life, that wicked man will die for his sin, and I will hold you accountable for his blood. But if you do warn the wicked man and he does not turn from his wickedness or from his evil ways, he will die for his sin; but you will have saved yourself [Ezek 3:17-27 NIV]. Some 2 years ago, I warned a church pastor in obedience to God’s Word so that God would not hold me accountable. Sadly, he did not heed my warning and, today, he ended up getting his marriage and his family in a mess!

I count myself privileged to be given the opportunity to serve the King of all kings, the Lord of all lords. God has blessed me as tentmaker all this time and as one who gave up the right of support from the churches I planted. “If others have this right of support from you, shouldn't we have it all the more? But we did not use this right. On the contrary, we put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ. Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible…….To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” [1 Cor 9:1-12,19-23 NIV]

A Psalmist has put these questions to us. “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? What is his name, and the name of his son? Tell me if you know! "Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him. Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.” [Prov 30:4-6,32-33 NIV] Thank you Lord for your eternal Word!

Amen and amen!

Weeks 15 & 16 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

The Lausanne Committee for World Evangelism is a rich resource of Christian learning. One Occasional Paper I came across is No. 40 - Marketplace Ministry.

Mark Greene says in “Evangelism Isn’t Working” that the workplace is incredibly strategic for mission and ministry. We spend 50 to 70% of our waking hours there. It is:

• the one place where Christians and non-Christians have to meet

• the one place where the playing field is even, where Christians and non-Christians are subject to the same corporate culture and the same pressures

• the one place where the non-Christians can actually see the difference that Christ can make to a life – not for a couple of hours over dinner but for 20, 30, 40, 50 hours a week over a couple of years or more.

Often the people who know us well don’t live next door; they work at the next desk. Many TV shows are set in the workplace – police, law firms, offices, hospitals. That’s where the drama and life-changing decisions take place.

We need a rediscovery of the priesthood, prophethood and kingship of all believers, teaching/pasturing, proclaiming and wisely ruling/managing God’s people and creation respectively [Jeremiah 18:18].

Spirituality is about discovering and responding to the presence and purposes of God in every context, every task, every relationship and every moment of every day.

The dominant model of spirituality in today’s evangelical community depends heavily upon ‘monastic’ practices of withdrawal and disengagement. The following comparisons highlight the problem.

The ‘Spiritual’ Realm vs The Marketplace

Withdrawal vs Engagement

Solitude vs Community
Silence vs Noise
Stillness vs Movement

Serenity vs Chaos

Peace vs Stress

Simplicity vs Complexity

Meditation vs Multi-tasking

Order vs Interruption

Centred vs Scattered

Focused vs Busyness

Seriousness vs Humour

Quietness vs Raised voices

In order for Christians who spend a large part of their daily life in the marketplace to discern and respond to the presence of God ‘in every moment of every day’, we need models of spirituality that engage the realities and challenges of daily life in the marketplace and not away from it.

The post-conversion counseling commonly given to a new convert comprises (i) begin daily Bible reading and prayer; (ii) find a Bible-believing church to attend and (iii) tell someone about your decision. These 3 indicators, commonly known as ‘edge’ activities become the measure of spirituality of the believer. But what do the daily activities of work, recreation, sleep, shopping, friendship, family life, eating, commuting – activities that take up so much of the average Christian’s day – have to do with living in the presence of God?

Marketplace Christians can expand their understanding of spiritual discipline – typically understood as ‘edge’ activities – to include activities more often associated with the everyday. If a spiritual discipline is broadly understood as any activity undertaken intentionally and routinely that nurtures us into the likeness of Christ, then such activities as nurturing friendship, acts of service, perseverance, providing for the family, community building, the sharing of meals, attentive listening, helping a colleague, doing one’s best in the job etc. can be embraced in a new and liberating way.

Marketplace Christians can reclaim aspect of their work as spiritually significant when they see what they do as a reflection of the work of God. A simple exercise list of some of the working roles of God – Creator, Provider, Redeemer, Judge, Architect, Gardener, Healer, Teacher, Reconciler, Administrator – and then to reflect on what aspects of his or her daily work connect with the work of God.

Marketplace Christians can find support and fellowship in naming and responding to the presence of God in their work by linking up with other Christians in similar profession or fields of work.

Spirituality in the marketplace is not an exercise in solitude but one pursued in community.

Indeed our job in the marketplace can be a mission and a ministry if what we do glorifies God. God is glorified when our activities reflect His glory.

Being Christ-like in a predominantly secular world is challenging, to say the least. And we can only do so with God’s help. God will back us up when we walk in His way. God will come to our help when we cry out to Him. “Be merciful to me, O LORD, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak. Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors; I am a dread to my friends……..I hear the slander of many; there is terror on every side; they conspire against me and plot to take my life. But I trust in you, O LORD…….Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love. Let me not be put to shame, O LORD, for I have cried out to you…….Let their lying lips be silenced, for with pride and contempt they speak arrogantly against the righteous. [Ps 31:9-18 NIV]

For us to be an effective Marketplace Christian, we need to have confidence in the might of our God. "He made the earth by his power; he founded the world by his wisdom and stretched out the heavens by his understanding. When he thunders, the waters in the heavens roar; he makes clouds rise from the ends of the earth. He sends lightning with the rain and brings out the wind from his storehouses……."Every man is senseless and without knowledge; every goldsmith is shamed by his idols. His images are a fraud; they have no breath in them. They are worthless, the objects of mockery; when their judgment comes, they will perish. He…..is the Maker of all things…….the LORD Almighty is his name. [Jer 51:12-19 NIV]

Marketplace Christians can grow spiritually if they are determined to do God’s bidding in a secular world. They shall not remain as babies like the Corinthians whom Apostle Paul addressed. “Brothers, I could not address you as spiritual but as worldly-mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready………So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow…….By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds…….If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work…..” [1 Cor 3:1-15 NIV]

Let us seek God’s knowledge, understanding and wisdom. “By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. A wise man has great power, and a man of knowledge increases strength; for waging war you need guidance, and for victory many advisers…….[Prov 24:3-7 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 13 & 14 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

With Easter coming, one remembers the Passover Lamb Jesus and the Feast of Passover that the Jews still celebrate each Jewish New year.

History tells us that our Chinese ancestors worship the God of Heaven who created all things. It could not be further from the truth to claim that Buddhism is the national religion of the Chinese. All one needs to look at are the similarities between ancient Chinese worship and the Old Testament practices in the Bible.

1) Chinese New Year / Jewish New Year (Passover)

The Lord commanded Moses to tell the Israelites how to celebrate the New year (Passover).

[Ex 12:1-6 NIV]

The LORD said to Moses and Aaron in Egypt, "This month is to be for you the first month, the first month of your year. Tell the whole community of Israel that on the tenth day of this month each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household…….The animals you choose must be year-old males without defect…….Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.

In the New Year, the Chinese offer suckling pig (instead of suckling lamb) to their idol of worship and put new writings of blessings on red papers (blood coloured) on the door frame to protect the household and to warn off evil spirits.

[Ex 12:7-8 NIV]

8 That same night they are to eat the meat roasted over the fire, along with bitter herbs, and bread made without yeast.

In the New Year, the Chinese eat steamed cakes without yeast.

[Ex 12:19 NIV]

19 For seven days no yeast is to be found in your houses…….

The Chinese have New Year housing cleaning to remove all the molds (yeast) in hidden places.

2) The Most Holy Place

The Most Holy Place, where God dwells, is separated from the Holy Place by a curtain. Only the High Priest is allowed to enter it once a year, to seek God’s forgiveness and blessings for His people.

[Ex 26:33 NIV]

Hang the curtain from the clasps and place the ark of the Testimony behind the curtain. The curtain will separate the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.

The Chinese also have a curtain in front of the god figure or idol of worship.

3) Blood

Old Testament – animal sacrifice

[Lev 1:5 NIV]

He is to slaughter the young bull before the LORD, and then Aaron's sons the priests shall bring the blood and sprinkle it against the altar on all sides at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

New Testament – Jesus the perfect sacrifice

[Heb 9:12 NIV]

He (Jesus) did not enter by means of the blood of goats and calves; but he entered the Most Holy Place once for all by his own blood, having obtained eternal redemption.

Red (colour of blood) is the main colour theme in the Chinese altars and places of worship.

4) Incense burning

Incense burning as an offering to God is found in Chinese worship, not found in other religions. It is similar to the Altar of incense found in the Old Testament which God instructed Moses to build. It has 4 horns at the 4 corners, which one can find in Chinese altars or places of worship.

[Ex 30:1-4 NIV]

"Make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense. It is to be square, a cubit long and a cubit wide, and two cubits high — its horns of one piece with it. Overlay the top and all the sides and the horns with pure gold, and make a gold molding around it.

5) Idol worship

God commanded the Israelites to worship Him alone, the one who brought them out of slavery in Egypt.

[Ex 20:23 NIV]

Do not make any gods to be alongside me; do not make for yourselves gods of silver or gods of gold.

Sadly today, a lot of Chinese worship all kinds of wooden or stone idols made by human hands, exactly the sort of thing God commanded the Israelites not to do.

6) Chinese writing

There are many Chinese words that have meanings connected to stories in the Bible. One outstanding example is the word “righteousness”. It consists of the word “lamb” and “I”, i.e. I am righteous through the Lamb Jesus in me.

I can believe that our Chinese ancestors worshipped the God of Heaven.

I pray and hope that the day will come when many Chinese will find their root and return to worshipping the true God!

Christians have a continuous relationship and dependence on God through prayers. We cry out to God in times of need and trouble; we cry out to God for mercy & grace. Prayer and worship are active demonstration of our faith and trust in God. “To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place……Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy. The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song. [Ps 28:1-7 NIV]

It is most insightful to see how God deal with a rebellious people, His chosen people. They will be punished by God when they disobey, yet God will save them at the end when they repent. “The LORD Almighty, the God of Israel, says: "I am about to bring punishment on Amon god of Thebes, on Pharaoh, on Egypt and her gods and her kings, and on those who rely on Pharaoh. I will hand them over to those who seek their lives, to Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his officers. Later, however, Egypt will be inhabited as in times past," declares the LORD. "Do not fear, O Jacob my servant; do not be dismayed, O Israel. I will surely save you out of a distant place, your descendants from the land of their exile. Jacob will again have peace and security, and no one will make him afraid. Do not fear, O Jacob my servant, for I am with you," declares the LORD. "Though I completely destroy all the nations among which I scatter you, I will not completely destroy you. I will discipline you but only with justice; I will not let you go entirely unpunished." [Jer 46:25-28 NIV] We should understand this principle as God’s people. God disciplines us because He loves us!

As we walk with God, we will understand God’s way more. If we persevere with God even in tough times, we will grow in faith and gain God’s wisdom and power. “When I came to you, brothers, I did not come with eloquence or superior wisdom as I proclaimed to you the testimony about God. For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Jesus Christ and him crucified. I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling. My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit's power, so that your faith might not rest on men's wisdom, but on God's power…….as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" [1 Cor 2:1-9 NIV]

Our Lord God is in control of everything that goes on in the world. “The king's heart is in the hand of the LORD; he directs it like a watercourse wherever he pleases. All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart. To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice……..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 11 & 12 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

2 weeks on, the world’s 3rd largest economy, a mighty nation is still coming to terms with the triple disaster that devastated the NE of Japan. For the first time, Emperor Akihito appeared on national TV, pledging his sympathy and prayers for his People.

His Imperial majesty the Emperor Akihito has been on the throne since his father Emperor Hirohito died in 1989. The Emperor is called the Tenno in Japanese, literally meaning “Heavenly King”, also referred to as Son of Heaven.

No doubt, the nation of Japan needed a lot of prayers right now – to stop the spread of radiation into the food chain and the environment that may cause widespread harm in the longer term; prayers to help Japan rebuild many of the prefectures badly damaged by the tsunami, but more importantly, prayers for the Japanese to know the true Son of Heaven.

Many people in the world believe that Jesus was only a prophet, in the same breath as Mohammed, the father of Islam.

But the Bible states that Jesus is the Son of God, the true Son of Heaven.

• The Archangel Gabriel told Mary that her son Jesus would be called the Son of God

[Luke 1:35,38 NIV]

35 The angel answered, "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.

38 "I am the Lord's servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her.

• Nathanael, a true Israelite, declared that Jesus was the Son of God

[John 1:47-49 NIV]

47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him, "Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false."

48 "How do you know me?" Nathanael asked. Jesus answered, "I saw you while you were still under the fig tree before Philip called you."

49 Then Nathanael declared, "Rabbi, you are the Son of God; you are the King of Israel."

• Jesus himself acknowledging that he was the Son of God

[Luke 22:66-70 NIV]

66 At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them.

67 "If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us." Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me,

68 and if I asked you, you would not answer.

69 But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."

70 They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?" He replied, "You are right in saying I am."

Indeed, all earthly authorities are established by God [Rom.13:1], be they good or not by God’s or men’s standards. Throughout the ages, whenever we had a good king, or president, or prime minister, the people would be blessed. The opposite was true when we had a bad one, because God’s blessings flow through good leaders.

Be encouraged to know that, if you exercise your leadership according to God’s teachings, as a parent, a teacher, a leader in the workplace, a leader in government or a church leader, the people under you will be blessed!

In my workplace, I am watching what I say and do very carefully. But I firmly believe that if I walk by the Spirit of God, God will bless and the people will praise our Father in heaven [Matt. 5:16].

It would be fantastic if all Christians do reflect God’s glory on earth. I will try!

It is true that “the LORD has dealt with me according to my righteousness; according to the cleanness of my hands he has rewarded me…….The LORD has rewarded me according to my righteousness, according to the cleanness of my hands in his sight. To the faithful you show yourself faithful, to the blameless you show yourself blameless, to the pure you show yourself pure, but to the crooked you show yourself shrewd. You save the humble but bring low those whose eyes are haughty. You, O LORD, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop; with my God I can scale a wall……He trains my hands for battle; my arms can bend a bow of bronze. You give me your shield of victory, and your right hand sustains me; you stoop down to make me great…….Therefore I will praise you among the nations, O LORD; I will sing praises to your name.” [Ps 18:20-50 NIV]

Throughout the ages, God has used His prophets to speak His mind. Although kings sought the counsel of prophets, very often they only listen to what they want to hear. “Then King Zedekiah sent for Jeremiah the prophet and had him brought to the third entrance to the temple of the LORD. "I am going to ask you something," the king said to Jeremiah. "Do not hide anything from me." Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "If I give you an answer, will you not kill me? Even if I did give you counsel, you would not listen to me." But King Zedekiah swore this oath secretly to Jeremiah: "As surely as the LORD lives, who has given us breath, I will neither kill you nor hand you over to those who are seeking your life." Then Jeremiah said to Zedekiah, "This is what the LORD God Almighty, the God of Israel, says: 'If you surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, your life will be spared and this city will not be burned down; you and your family will live. But if you will not surrender to the officers of the king of Babylon, this city will be handed over to the Babylonians and they will burn it down; you yourself will not escape from their hands.'" King Zedekiah said to Jeremiah, "I am afraid of the Jews who have gone over to the Babylonians, for the Babylonians may hand me over to them and they will mistreat me." "They will not hand you over," Jeremiah replied. "Obey the LORD by doing what I tell you. Then it will go well with you, and your life will be spared. [Jer 38:14-20 NIV] As a result, the kings or leaders brought upon themselves and their people God’s wrath instead of God’s blessings.

The Son of God Jesus will one day come back to judge the world. Let us respond to God’s grace now, rather respond to His wrath later. “…if our unrighteousness brings out God's righteousness more clearly, what shall we say? That God is unjust in bringing his wrath on us? (I am using a human argument.) Certainly not! If that were so, how could God judge the world? Someone might argue, "If my falsehood enhances God's truthfulness and so increases his glory, why am I still condemned as a sinner?" Why not say-as we are being slanderously reported as saying and as some claim that we say-"Let us do evil that good may result"? Their condemnation is deserved…….As it is written: "There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." [Rom 3:1-12 NIV]

Be sure to know that “The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead……When the righteous prosper, the city rejoices; when the wicked perish, there are shouts of joy……The truly righteous man attains life, but he who pursues evil goes to his death…..The desire of the righteous ends only in good, but the hope of the wicked only in wrath……The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise. If the righteous receive their due on earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner! [Prov 11:8-10,19,23,28,30,31 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 09 & 10 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I was reading the Book of Romans Chapter 1 on Friday, as the last of my readings for Weeks 9 & 10. What Apostle Paul said was most insightful, and they are timeless and most relevant for our time.

Paul called himself the worst of sinners in [1 Tim 1:15,16]:



“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.”

He made the point of Christ Jesus’ mercy in saving sinners. He talked about Jesus’ unlimited patience for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life.

Indeed God the Father and the Son of God Jesus have patiently waited 2000 years for men to repent. Jesus, although He was God, selflessly allowed Himself to be crucified by sinful men, so that we who believe may inherit eternal life.

Because Paul knew that he had been shown mercy, he tiredlessly served God. God allowed Paul to write 13 of the 66 books in the Bible. All his teachings are invaluable in helping all Bible-believing Christians to become what God had in mind for His Church.

Paul powerfully made plain God’s thoughts in [Romans 1]:

[Rom 1:18-25 NIV]

The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness, since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God's invisible qualities — his eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse. For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles. They exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshipped and served created things rather than the Creator — who is for ever praised...

Mankind has come a long way since the first man 6000 years ago. Today, we can have clean water by turning on the tap. We can instantly contact someone 8000 miles away by telephone or chatting on line. We have put man on the moon. We have discovered and invented many things that allow us to enjoy a more comfortable life. On average we are much better educated than our ancestors. People in general are more knowledgeable, yet, morally we have not advanced an inch. Our sinful nature is evident in the deeds that are reported daily in the news – murder, sexual immorality, fraud, cruelty, injustice ………

We, the crown jewel of God’s creation, have become prideful, selfish, greedy, lustful…….what Paul described as “their thinking became futile and hearts were darkened”. It is the result of not honouring and glorifying our Maker, although we know God through what has been made - the universe, the different seasons, different kinds of animals, birds, fish, plants, flowers......!

Although God has been patient, His righteousness and His justice cannot be withheld forever. Like Paul said “The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of men who suppress the truth by their wickedness”.

I hope I do not sound insensitive at a time of great distress and disaster in many parts of the world, most recently in Japan, but I believe God’s judgment of the world has already begun. Like what I shared in my last message “wars, famine, earthquakes are signs of the end that will increase in intensity before the end – the 2nd coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

Whilst I would not say for certain that the 7-year tribulation has started, I do not think it is far off!

If you think what we are seeing is dreadful, wait for the great tribulation which will last for 3.5 years. The Bible says that it will be like “labour pain on a pregnant woman” and will come after the Antichrist reveals himself. And I am seeing small signs of his schemes which I will share another time.

Our Lord Jesus is coming back for His bride – the Church that is “without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.” Make sure all Christians measure up when He turns up!

I am working on mine. I pray for God to help me to do the impossible - man changing himself. “Hear, O LORD, my righteous plea; listen to my cry. Give ear to my prayer — it does not rise from deceitful lips. May my vindication come from you; may your eyes see what is right………I have resolved that my mouth will not sin…….I call on you, O God, for you will answer me; give ear to me and hear my prayer……And I — in righteousness I shall see your face; when I awake, I shall be satisfied with seeing your likeness.” [Ps 17:1-15 NIV]

God is not unfair and unjust. He gives everyone the opportunity to repent. He always give plenty of warnings. But for those who remain stubborn and unrepentant, God will judge accordingly. This is what happened to the Israelites. “the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah, saying: "This is what the LORD Almighty……says: Go and tell the men of Judah and the people of Jerusalem, 'Will you not learn a lesson and obey my words?' declares the LORD. 'Jonadab…..ordered his sons not to drink wine and this command has been kept. To this day they do not drink wine, because they obey their forefather's command. But I have spoken to you again and again, yet you have not obeyed me. Again and again I sent all my servants the prophets to you. They said, "Each of you must turn from your wicked ways and reform your actions; do not follow other gods to serve them. Then you shall live in the land I have given to you and your fathers." But you have not paid attention or listened to me…….."Therefore, this is what the LORD God Almighty….says: 'Listen! I am going to bring on Judah and on everyone living in Jerusalem every disaster I pronounced against them. I spoke to them, but they did not listen; I called to them, but they did not answer.'" [Jer 35:12-19 NIV]

Time is running out and there is a real urgency to share the Gospel. During the week, I treat my work as a ministry. I am praying for a Bible class for not-yet believers at work to start. On the weekends, I run the BBC school. I am serving God 24/7 for “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes…….For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: "The righteous will live by faith."……’ [Rom 1:16-25 NIV]

God has been trying to get our attention. He has been calling us to respond. “……Let all who are simple come in here!"……."Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed. Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of understanding…….rebuke a wise man and he will love you. Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer." [Prov 9:1-12 NIV]

Amen and amen!