Weeks 33 & 34 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I have just made a trip back to London for the Europe Leaders Conference (ELC). Although it was just for a week, I managed to do a fair bit during this trip.

During Ps. Simon and Sis. Lai Eng’s visit to London for the ELC, Kim introduced them and myself to the musical Jersey Boys. I must say it was very enjoyable with many Golden Oldies like Sherry, Can’t Take My Eyes Off You, Oh What A Night, Bye Bye Baby, Big Girls Don’t Cry and Walk Like A Man. They brought back a lot of memories of my growing up years (way before Kim’s time of course). And I can see why seeing a musical is on the “must do” list for visitors to London!

The theme of the ELC was on Wisdom, a timely topic for the church. I pray and hope that God’s people will have His wisdom as we venture forward to build HIM churches around the globe. We will need God’s wisdom to be effective and relevant wherever we plant.

The ELC also marked the close of a chapter in my ministry where I relinquished my role as Hope West Europe Regional Pastor. It was emotional but at the same time gratifying to see the succession of younger leaders carrying on the building God’s church in West Europe. I will now focus on Hong Kong and China, as led by the Lord!

Besides preaching in the Combined Service at London Central, I also visited London West (Ealing), which had made huge steps in the past year. I believe it is because Dexter, the pastor is ready to take up the role.

They are now using a very nice church hall in West London, close to an Underground Station. They now have a lot of talents. They have a great worship team and one member is training his children to be involved in the worship team. And one of the members is a builder. He is helping to build a sound room at the back of the hall. Its great to see members using their talents to serve in the church.

Hope London West will celebrate their 5th Anniversary this weekend and they are expecting 200 people, praise the Lord!

I also visited my dentist friend Dr. Gouw for a cleaning while I was in London. He is a Christian from Indonesia and it was great to catch up with him. I noticed a poster on the wall of the reception room. It was a National Health Service poster by the UK Government. What captured my attention was the message – “Stop tobacco use before Ramadan”. I have never seen one on “Stop tobacco use before Easter” or “Stop tobacco use before Christmas”. Why Ramadan is more important than Easter or Christmas??? Why the favouritism by the UK Government??? I thought the UK used to be a Christian Nation, or wasn’t it any longer???

This is an alarm bell for all Christians in the land. The Scripture in [Matt 10:32] "Whoever acknowledges me before men, I will also acknowledge him before my Father in heaven.” came to me! Let all Christians realize the subtlety of the enemy’s cunning schemes. Let us cry out to God – “O God, do not keep silent; be not quiet, O God, be not still. See how your enemies are astir, how your foes rear their heads. With cunning they conspire against your people; they plot against those you cherish. "Come," they say, "let us destroy them as a nation, that the name of Israel be remembered no more."…….. May they ever be ashamed and dismayed; may they perish in disgrace. Let them know that you, whose name is the LORD — that you alone are the Most High over all the earth. [Ps 83:1-4,17,18 NIV]

Sometimes we can be very naïve. We need to know God’s Word better and its true meaning. One such Scripture is found in King Solomon’s Song of Songs. “How delightful is your love, my sister, my bride! …….You are a garden locked up……Your plants are an orchard of pomegranates with choice fruits, with henna and nard, nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes and all the finest spices…….. [Song 4:10-15 NIV]. The fruit (9 in number) in the garden is in fact mirrored by the fruit (9 in number) of the Holy Spirit in [Gal. 5:22,23]. When the 3 Magi brought gold, incense and myrrh to Jesus the child, they represented Jesus’ purity, faithfulness and gentleness!

Our response to God’s Word will depend on the type of “soil” we are. “When anyone hears the message about the kingdom and does not understand it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is the seed sown along the path. The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away. The one who received the seed that fell among the thorns is the man who hears the word, but the worries of this life and the deceitfulness of wealth choke it, making it unfruitful. But the one who received the seed that fell on good soil is the man who hears the word and understands it. He produces a crop, yielding a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown." [Matt 13:3-9,18-23 NIV]. Let us be good soil that will yield a 100, 60 or 30 times.

I like the humble attitude of King Solomon when he wrote this proverb: “I am the most ignorant of men; I do not have a man's understanding. I have not learned wisdom, nor have I knowledge of the Holy One. 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 30:2-9 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 31 & 32 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Recently, I read an article in The Economist with interest. It was entitled “The Chinese are everywhere”. Even in the farthest backwaters of Africa, the Chinese were moving in.

Deep in Lestho’s arid, starkly beautiful eastern highlands, Mokhotlong is the remotest town in one of Africa’s poorest countries. Proper road access was not available until 1950s. Today, on the main street, the petrol station is Chinese-owned. Next to it stands the Hui Hua supermarket. Then comes the Hua Tai ironmonger and the Ji Li Lai general store. Farther down the road is the Fu Zhong hardware and furniture wholesaler.

It is one of four enterprises owned by Chen Juo-feng, who is only 22. Mr. Chen started off with just one shop when he came to Lesotho four years ago from Fujian, a coastal province that has provided many Chinese emigrants through the ages; 172 other members of Mr. Chen’s family are scattered across Lesotho, too.

My wife Kim is a 5th generation Chinese in Malaysia. Her great great grand parents also came from Fujian. Her many uncles are shop and business owners in different parts of Malaysia.

This gave me a thought that Chinese probably have very strong pioneering and entrepreneur spirit in their blood. One can find them all over the world. If they are disciples of Jesus, they can fulfil God’s command to “go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation” [Mark 16:15] :o).

Whether you have a pioneering and entrepreneur spirit in your blood or not, if your are a believer in Jesus, you are called by God to preach the good news to all creation. The time is near. Like what the psalmist says “We give thanks to you, O God, we give thanks, for your Name is near; men tell of your wonderful deeds. You say, "I choose the appointed time; it is I who judge uprightly. When the earth and all its people quake, it is I who hold its pillars firm. To the arrogant I say, 'Boast no more, 'and to the wicked, 'Do not lift up your horns. Do not lift your horns against heaven; do not speak with outstretched neck.'" No one from the east or the west or from the desert can exalt a man. But it is God who judges: He brings one down, he exalts another. In the hand of the LORD is a cup full of foaming wine mixed with spices; he pours it out, and all the wicked of the earth drink it down to its very dregs. As for me, I will declare this forever; I will sing praise to the God of Jacob. I will cut off the horns of all the wicked, but the horns of the righteous will be lifted up.” [Ps 75:1-10 NIV]

I find it amazing that even someone as wise and rich and powerful as King Solomon has written (under God’s instruction of course) the Book of Ecclesiastes It may appear to sound negative, that life is meaningless, yet it is full of wisdom. He said “In this meaningless life of mine I have seen both of these: a righteous man perishing in his righteousness, and a wicked man living long in his wickedness. Do not be overrighteous, neither be overwise - why destroy yourself? Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool- why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all [extremes]. Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city. There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. Do not pay attention to every word people say, or you may hear your servant cursing you- for you know in your heart that many times you yourself have cursed others. All this I tested by wisdom and I said, "I am determined to be wise"- but this was beyond me. Whatever wisdom may be, it is far off and most profound- who can discover it? So I turned my mind to understand, to investigate and to search out wisdom and the scheme of things and to understand the stupidity of wickedness and the madness of folly.” [Eccl 7:15-25 NIV]

In the Explorer Study of Christianity for seekers yesterday, I shared about the hypocrisy of the Pharisees. Jesus came to give us an abundant life, not bound by the rules of man. “At that time Jesus went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry and began to pick some heads of grain and eat them. When the Pharisees saw this, they said to him, "Look! Your disciples are doing what is unlawful on the Sabbath." …….He answered, "Haven't you read what David did when he and his companions were hungry? He entered the house of God, and he and his companions ate the consecrated bread-which was not lawful for them to do, but only for the priests. Or haven't you read in the Law that on the Sabbath the priests in the temple desecrate the day and yet are innocent? I tell you that one greater than the temple is here. If you had known what these words mean, 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the innocent. For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." [Matt 12:1-14 NIV]

The Word of God says “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. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the assembly at the gate he has nothing to say. He who plots evil will be known as a schemer. The schemes of folly are sin, and men detest a mocker. If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength! Rescue those being led away to death; hold back those staggering toward slaughter. If you say, "But we knew nothing about this, "does not he who weighs the heart perceive it? Does not he who guards your life know it? Will he not repay each person according to what he has done? Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is sweet to your soul; if you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” [Prov 24:3-14 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 29 & 30 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

In the past few months I have been seeking God about His plan for me now that He has brought me back to my hometown Hong Kong. The job has been an amazing experience. It connected me to the Hong Kong Profession again. And I believe this will prepare the way for a ministry which I will share more in future.

The Bible Study for seekers finally started on 24/7. An old engineering colleague joined the first session. As I reflect on the date, which I believe was God’s perfect timing, it confirms that our relationship with God should be a 24/7 one – i.e. all the time. God is everywhere. We can trust in God’s presence even when we are not in a Christian fellowship.

We had our second session yesterday, and we had 4 people, 100% percent growth. Praise the Lord!

In these past few months, it was like a sabbatical for me, away from leading churches on a daily basis. It allowed me to reflect on my journey with God and His future plan for me. It also allowed me to get to know myself better.

Besides ministering in the work place through prayer, life examples and Godly principles, God is also teaching and showing me areas I need to improve/strengthen.

One thing I can confirm is that when something good is going to happen, the enemy would work even harder to hinder/stop it from happening. The attack would be more intense.

Being away from my wife and staying alone in a hotel room does present huge challenges in resisting sexual temptation. Whilst we do not have pros hanging around the hotel or knocking on the doors at night, if one has a laptop and an internet connection, internet pornography is only a click away if one does not have Self Control.

One aspect of the fruit of the Holy Spirit is Self Control. And it is one of the hardest to cultivate and maintain. But God is always good to those who love Him [Rom 8:28]. Besides resisting it in my mind and my will, I have made a little sign to warn myself. It is next to my wife’s picture. AND, I can see the sign each time I sit in front of my computer alone in the hotel room. :o)

Living like a bachelor in these past 5 months, I learn to appreciate the challenges our unmarried brethrens face in the area of sexual purity, esp. if they live alone. But be sure to know that God can help us to be more than conquerors if we trust in His power and seek to cultivate Self Control. If one continues to struggle in this area, one should seek help from a Christian leader or mentor.

I also learn and practise a “3-second” rule. If my eyes start wondering toward the body of an attractive woman, the front cover of an “adult” magazine or the bosom of a scantly clad woman on TV, I will make sure that it will not have my attention for more than 3 seconds. It is also a practical way of cultivating Self Control. :o)

Mental tiredness and stress can cause self control to be weakened. When this happens, the following psalm very much reflects my heartbeat. “When my heart was grieved and my spirit embittered, I was senseless and ignorant; I was a brute beast before you. Yet I am always with you; you hold me by my right hand. You guide me with your counsel, and afterward you will take me into glory. Whom have I in heaven but you? And earth has nothing I desire besides you. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever. Those who are far from you will perish…….. But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign LORD my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.” [Ps 73:21-28 NIV]

It is important not to be alone in our walk with God. Because “…..If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up…….Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.” [Eccl 4:9-16 NIV]

As I come to the last chapter of the Bible, I am really glad that it has a very happy ending for those who believe in Jesus. “……..Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book." …….the time is near……..Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city……” [Rev 22:7-19 NIV]

Be sure to know that when you “……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…..In his heart a man plans his course, but the LORD determines his steps…….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 & amen.

Weeks 27 & 28 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I am reading a book on communication. The author noted 5 qualities that good communicators have:

1) possess great confidence
2) exhibits authenticity
3) prepares thoroughly
4) focuses on others
5) utilizes humour.

On the last quality, the author suggested that rare is the communicator who is able to connect with people without using humour. Because I want to be a better communicator, so I am learning to utilise humour in my communication more. :o)

I enjoy what the author said about communicating across culture. For someone who uses English as a second language, I can appreciate very much what the author is talking about. He quoted:

1) Dry cleaners in Bangkok: Drop Your Trousers Here For Best results
2) Hotel Brochure in Italy: This Hotel is Renowned for its Peace and Solitude. In Fact, Crowds from All Over the World Flock Here to Enjoy Its Solitude
3) In a Tokyo hotel: Is Forbidden to Steal Hotel Towels Please. If You Are Not Person to Do Such Thing Is Please Not to Read Notis.
4) In a Bucharest hotel lobby: The lift is being fixed for the Next Day. We regret That You will Be Unbearable
5) In a hotel in Athens: Visitors Are Expected to Complain at the Office between the Hours of 9 and 11 a.m. Daily
6) In a Rome laundry: Ladies, Leave Your Clothes Here and Spend The Afternoon Having a Good Time.
7) Outside a Hong Kong tailor shop: Ladies May Have a Fit Upstairs
8) In a Rodes tailor shop: Order Your Summer Suit. Because Is Big Rush We Will Execute Customers in Strict Rotation
9) In a Copenhagen airline ticket office: We Take Your Bags and Send Them in All Directions
10) At a Budapest zoo: Please do not Feed the Animals. If You Have Any Suitable Food, Give It to the Guard on Duty
11) In an Acapulco hotel: The Manager Has Personally Passed All the Water Served Here

I also find children’s thoughts most amusing.

On love, a 5 year old girl thought that “love is about a girl putting on perfume and a boy putting on after shave and they go out and smell each other.”

When asked about “HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHOM TO MARRY?”, a boy answered “You got to find somebody who likes the same stuff. Like, if you like sports, she should like it that you like sports, and she should keep the chips and dip coming."

When asked “WHAT IS THE RIGHT AGE TO GET MARRIED?”, a girl answered "Twenty-three is the best age because you know the person FOREVER by then."

When asked “HOW CAN A STRANGER TELL IF TWO PEOPLE ARE MARRIED?”, a boy answered "You might have to guess, based on whether they seem to be yelling at the same kids."

When asked “WHAT DO YOU THINK YOUR MOM AND DAD HAVE IN COMMON?, a girl answered "Both don't want no more kids."

When asked “WHAT DO MOST PEOPLE DO ON A DATE?”, a boy answered "On the first date, they just tell each other lies, and that usually gets them interested enough to go for a second date.”

When asked “WHAT WOULD YOU DO ON A FIRST DATE THAT WAS TURNING SOUR?”, a boy answered "I'd run home and play dead. The next day I would call all the newspapers and make sure they wrote about me in all the dead columns."

When asked “WHEN IS IT OKAY TO KISS SOMEONE?”, a girl answered "When they're rich."

When asked “IS IT BETTER TO BE SINGLE OR MARRIED?” a girl answered "It's better for girls to be single but not for boys. Boys need someone to clean up after them."

When asked “HOW WOULD THE WORLD BE DIFFERENT IF PEOPLE DIDN'T GET MARRIED?”, a boy answered "There sure would be a lot of kids to explain, wouldn't there?"

When asked “HOW WOULD YOU MAKE A MARRIAGE WORK?” a boy answered "Tell your wife that she looks pretty even if she looks like a truck."

God loves children because they are in most cases innocent and trusting. God wants us to be childlike for the same reason. When we are childlike in our faith, we have 100% trust in God. We know God as who He really is.

King David had a childlike faith in God. When he was hotly pursued by the enemy in the Desert of Judah, he trusted in the Lord for help and comfort. “O God, you are my God, earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water. I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory. Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you. I will praise you as long as I live, and in your name I will lift up my hands. My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods; with singing lips my mouth will praise you. On my bed I remember you; I think of you through the watches of the night. Because you are my help, I sing in the shadow of your wings. My soul clings to you; your right hand upholds me.” [Ps 63:1-8 NIV]

Job trusted God with a childlike faith. Finally, God vindicated him because in all his trouble he never sinned against God. “Then Job replied to the LORD: "I know that you can do all things; no plan of yours can be thwarted…..My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes."…….The LORD blessed the latter part of Job's life more than the first. He had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, a thousand yoke of oxen and a thousand donkeys. And he also had seven sons and three daughters……..After this, Job lived a hundred and forty years; he saw his children and their children to the fourth generation. And so he died, old and full of years.” [Job 42:1-17 NIV]

One would need childlike faith to understand a lot of the events that will unfold in the days to come. Because of his childlike faith, God allowed Apostle John the privilege of writing the Book of Revelation after he was allowed to see many unspeakable things of the future. “After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: "Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God, for true and just are his judgments. He has condemned the great prostitute who corrupted the earth by her adulteries. He has avenged on her the blood of his servants."……..Then a voice came from the throne, saying: "Praise our God, all you his servants, you who fear him, both small and great!" Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: "Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns. 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………Then the angel said to me, "Write: 'Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!'" And he added, "These are the true words of God." [Rev 19:1-10 NIV]

With a childlike faith, we know that Jesus “…possess knowledge and discretion…….hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech…….have understanding and power……..better than fine gold…….walk in the way of righteousness, along the paths of justice, bestowing wealth on those who love me and making their treasuries full…….was appointed from eternity, from the beginning, before the world began.” [Prov 8:12-31 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 25 & 26 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Last Saturday I had a good time sharing a meal and a long conversation with our younger son Ben. He talked about the challenges of leading a home group in a local church and being a Christian generally. I can understand and relate to what he shared.

The world is changing. The way we do church also has to adapt with time. And I believe it is common to city life all over the world. Urbanisation and capitalism contribute to a life that is busy, exhausting and money focused, leaving very little room and time for God.

The truth is that the world system is against the ways of God. For us to move with God, we need to have the make-up and determination of a salmon that swims upstream against the current, and in our case, the current of the world system.

Whilst our God is eternal and unchanging, so are His principles, we can receive wisdom from God to help contemporary Christians leading busy urban lives to walk consistently with God. I believe the key is in application.

I sense that a lot of Christians separate their spiritual life from their natural life, ending up with may be once a week or less for God, when they go to church or home group. The rest of the time they lead lives no different from that of unbelievers. I mean, they do not sense God’s presence and power in their daily life. Jesus said in [John 15:5] “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Christianity should be celebrated 24/7. A confessing Christian should have the potential to experience God’s presence and power all the time, if he/she treats everything he/she does as for the Lord – study, work, marriage, family, church, leisure, eating and resting......indeed everything is a ministry if it follows God’s principles. That is what Paul means when he says in [Acts 17:28] ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.'

That is what I meant when I said the key is in application. Application is faith with action – applying God’s principles in everything we think, say or do. I must admit I am not there yet. It will take time. So don’t beat yourselves up each time you fail, but ask for God’s forgiveness and move on. But do celebrate each time you succeed. This way, you can begin to experience God’s promise of an abundant life.

You have probably heard a thousand times that the Word of God is spiritual food. But have we seriously thought what this means. Natural food feeds our body and keeps our physical being alive; spiritual food feeds our spirit and keeps our spiritual being alive.

The Word of God describes people, situations or principles that we can learn from – eternal wisdom of God that we can apply to our daily life. I say it again – think application when you read or study the Bible. A word of warning here – don’t get too discouraged when you cannot measure up yet. In God’s time, you will. I am still learning. :o)

When we read the Book of Psalms, we can learn from David about his close relationship and his dependence on God. When the Philistines had seized him in Gath, he cried out to God. “Be merciful to me, O God, for men hotly pursue me; all day long they press their attack. My slanderers pursue me all day long; many are attacking me in their pride. When I am afraid, I will trust in you…….What can mortal man do to me? ……… In God, whose word I praise, in the LORD, whose word I praise……..For you have delivered me from death and my feet from stumbling, that I may walk before God in the light of life.” [Ps 56:1-13 NIV]

When we read the Book of Job, we learn the sovereignty of God and our need to trust Him under all circumstances - good times and bad times. “God is mighty………God is exalted in his power. Who is a teacher like him? Who has prescribed his ways for him, or said to him, 'You have done wrong'? ……. How great is God-beyond our understanding! The number of his years is past finding out. "He draws up the drops of water, which distill as rain to the streams; the clouds pour down their moisture and abundant showers fall on mankind. Who can understand how he spreads out the clouds, how he thunders from his pavilion? See how he scatters his lightning about him, bathing the depths of the sea. This is the way he governs the nations and provides food in abundance. He fills his hands with lightning and commands it to strike its mark. His thunder announces the coming storm; even the cattle make known its approach.” [Job 36:5-12,22-37 NIV]

When we read the Book of Revelation, although there are many things we cannot interpret precisely yet, we know the Jesus’ beloved disciple John had the privilege of receiving God’s coded revelation that will unfold in the days ahead. We should rejoice and hang onto God’s promise of a wonderful ending and a future hope. “Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!” [Rev 12:10-17 NIV]

When we read the Book of Proverbs, we can learn from the wisdom from God through His servant King Solomon. “The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight; for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young — let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance — for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.” [Prov 1:1-11 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 23 & 24 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

I celebrated Father’s Day last Sunday going hiking with our elder son Nic. Our younger son Ben was away in Canada.

We went to a place called Bride’s Pool, a scenic area in the NE part of Hong Kong, near the China border. Although the total walk was more than 5 hours, I enjoyed every minute of it.

We saw some beautiful scenes of old villages, lovely flowers and a gorgeous waterfall, which I was tempted to jump in for a swim because it was a hot day.

We were also amused when we saw an old banner which says “Should you come across any suspected illegal immigrants please call the police by dialling 999 or 112”. It was displayed in this general area at a time when many Chinese crossed the border trying to come into Hong Kong illegally.

We also had a yummy lunch in a small village close to Sha Tau Kok, an area that straddles the Chinese border. I was involved in the planning and redevelopment of Sha Tau Kok into a new town for the 4000 villagers living there way back in 1986.

I really enjoyed the bonding time with Nic, something I would like to do a lot more with him and Ben. Looking back, I can see that I have not been a model father in their growing up years. Although I provided for the family comfortably, sent the boys to good schools and universities, I did not spent near enough time with them, when they needed my guidance most.

Now I am older and wiser, after knowing Christ, I understand God’s plan for a family, the basic unit of a healthy society. I understand the leadership role of a father, which is a lot more than simply providing for the family. If you ask 10 children today which one they like better, mother or father, I am certain that 9 out of 10 would say mother, sadly!

God holds a father accountable for the well being of his family, the wife and the children. The Bible is very clear in the roles the man should play as a husband and as a father and the wider role of leadership in the work place and society. The world would be a much better place if men understood God’s principles and plans for them.

The failures of fathers playing their correct roles have caused much misery in the world today. The failures have also caused many to misunderstand the heart of God the Father, resulting in their rejection of God’s love and His plan of salvation for mankind. It is up to the Church to live up to God’s ways and principles and to bring about changes in God’s people to rectify the mistakes and to repair the brokenness in families and societies.

It is important for man to have this understanding. “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. Like sheep they are destined for the grave, and death will feed on them. The upright will rule over them in the morning; their forms will decay in the grave, far from their princely mansions. But God will redeem my life from the grave; he will surely take me to himself. 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]

The question is "Can anyone teach knowledge to God, since he judges even the highest? One man dies in full vigor, completely secure and at ease, his body well nourished, his bones rich with marrow. Another man dies in bitterness of soul, never having enjoyed anything good. Side by side they lie in the dust, and worms cover them both.……” [Job 21:22-34 NIV]

For “Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by water and blood-Jesus Christ. He did not come by water only, but by water and blood. And it is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth. For there are three that testify: the Spirit, the water and the blood; and the three are in agreement. We accept man's testimony, but God's testimony is greater because it is the testimony of God, which he has given about his Son. Anyone who believes in the Son of God has this testimony in his heart. Anyone who does not believe God has made him out to be a liar, because he has not believed the testimony God has given about his Son. And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. [1 John 5:1-12 NIV]

This is the advice of a wise father to his son. “Listen, my son, and be wise, and keep your heart on the right path. Do not join those who drink too much wine or gorge themselves on meat, for drunkards and gluttons become poor, and drowsiness clothes them in rags. Listen to your father, who gave you life, and do not despise your mother when she is old. Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding. The father of a righteous man has great joy; he who has a wise son delights in him. May your father and mother be glad; may she who gave you birth rejoice!” [Prov 23:19-35 NIV]

Amen & amen.

Weeks 21 & 22 (10) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Israel and the Middle East will no doubt take centre stage as we enter the final chapter of the history of mankind in the years ahead.

On Monday 31st May, Israel caused an international furore when its commandos shot dead 9 protestors on a Turkish ship that was bound with humanitarian supplies for Gaza, which Israel has been blockading. The commandos boarded the ship before dawn in an effort to prevent it from reaching Gaza but opened fire when some on board tried to repel them with sticks and, according to the Israelis, knives. The Israelis impounded 6 ships in all and detained 600 campaigners with a view to deportation. Most governments deplored Israel’s actions but America was more hesitant, persuading the UN Security Council not to lay the blame exclusively on Israel.

For years, many in the international community have been complicit in a policy that aimed at isolating Gaza in the hope of weakening Hamas, a radical Islamic organisation who are Israelis phobic. But the policy turns out to strengthen Hamas in its grip over the strip that measures 10kmx40km. No doubt the conflict will continue and no one can predict the future.

The nation of Israel has a special place in the Kingdom of God. In the Old Testament, we see how God deliver the Israelites from slavery and turned her into a proud nation who worship God. But along the way many rebel against God, unknowingly crucified the Messiah and are still waiting for the Messiah to come. The Bible says that they are the last to be saved when the full number of the Gentiles has come in [Rom 11:25-26].

I saw a recent e-mail calling to pray for Israel. Yes, it is the right thing to do. Let us pray for a softening of heart. Let us pray for the knowledge of the Lord to be made known to the Israelis. It will bless God’s heart!

Let the Israelis one day say that “we have heard with our ears, O God; our fathers have told us what you did in their days, in days long ago. With your hand you drove out the nations and planted our fathers; you crushed the peoples and made our fathers flourish. It was not by their sword that they won the land, nor did their arm bring them victory; it was your right hand, your arm, and the light of your face, for you loved them. You are my King and my God, who decrees victories for Jacob. Through you we push back our enemies; through your name we trample our foes. I do not trust in my bow, my sword does not bring me victory; but you give us victory over our enemies, you put our adversaries to shame. In God we make our boast all day long, and we will praise your name forever.” [Ps 44:1-8 NIV]

Indeed, "What is man, that he could be pure, or one born of woman, that he could be righteous? If God places no trust in his holy ones, if even the heavens are not pure in his eyes, how much less man, who is vile and corrupt, who drinks up evil like water!” [Job 15:2-16 NIV] Man is but a filthy rag without God’s grace. His forgiveness allows us to receive the gift of righteousness.

But His grace will not wait forever. Although “the Lord is ……patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare. Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. That day will bring about the destruction of the heavens by fire, and the elements will melt in the heat.” [2 Peter 3:9-18 NIV ]

The sad thing is “a fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions. When wickedness comes, so does contempt, and with shame comes disgrace……Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honor. The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge; the ears of the wise seek it out. From the fruit of his mouth a man's stomach is filled; with the harvest from his lips he is satisfied. The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. [Prov 18:2-3,9,12-15,20,21 NIV]

Amen & amen.