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!

Weeks 07 & 08 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

In my first message in 2011, I shared that “God has been trying to get our attention for a while now – financial crisis, wars and famines, but do not be surprised to see greater distresses around the globe, from 2011 onwards, before the eventual Day of the Lord!”

Some of the signs of the end of time were described in [Matthew 24]:

[Matt 24:7-8 NIV]

7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

8 All these are the beginning of birth-pains.

In 2010, there were 26 major earthquakes, averaging more than 2 a month. Since the start of 2011, we already recorded 5 major earthquakes in January alone!

Besides the natural disasters, the most significant events in 2011 so far has been the uprising of peoples’ power in countries ruled by authoritarian governments like Tunisia and Egypt. We are seeing similar protests in Libya, where the Government deployed tanks & fighter jets in an attempt to put down the uprising.

This open defiance of protesters against authoritarian government in the Middle East has spread to Morocco and Iraqi……...

[Matthew 24] went on to say:

[Matt 24:12-14 NIV]

12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold,

13 but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

One sure sign is “the gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations”.

As Christians, we should do 2 things both now and in the days to come:

1) Do not fear what have been happening and what are to come, no matter how stressful they seem. Find peace in God. Stand firm in our faith to the end.

2) Preach the gospel as a testimony to all nations, wherever God puts us. Depend on God’s grace and anointing.

I have made up my mind to do just that :)

Because of your great love and your gift of salvation “I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders. I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High. My enemies turn back; they stumble and perish before you. For you have upheld my right and my cause; you have sat on your throne, judging righteously. You have rebuked the nations and destroyed the wicked; you have blotted out their name for ever and ever……The nations have fallen into the pit they have dug; their feet are caught in the net they have hidden. The LORD is known by his justice; the wicked are ensnared by the work of their hands….The wicked return to the grave, all the nations that forget God. But the needy will not always be forgotten, nor the hope of the afflicted ever perish. Arise, O LORD, let not man triumph; let the nations be judged in your presence. Strike them with terror, O LORD; let the nations know they are but men.” [Ps 9:1-5, 15-20 NIV]

God’s ways can be difficult to fathom with our human mind at times. It includes things that seem bad at the time. One example was God commanded the Israelites to be taken as captives to Babylon. “…….This is what the LORD says: "When seventy years are completed for Babylon, I will come to you and fulfill my gracious promise to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD, "and will bring you back from captivity……[Jer 29:1-14 NIV]. Our job is to trust and obey!

Another example was God’s call to Paul to serve Him, although Paul used to persecute Christians big time. "Brothers and fathers, listen now to my defense…..Then Paul said: "I am a Jew, born in Tarsus of Cilicia, but brought up in this city. Under Gamaliel I was thoroughly trained in the law of our fathers and was just as zealous for God as any of you are today. I persecuted the followers of this Way to their death, arresting both men and women and throwing them into prison, as also the high priest and all the Council can testify. I even obtained letters from them to their brothers in Damascus, and went there to bring these people as prisoners to Jerusalem to be punished. "About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?' "'Who are you, Lord?' I asked. "'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied……"'What shall I do, Lord?' I asked. "'Get up,' the Lord said, 'and go into Damascus. There you will be told all that you have been assigned to do.' [Acts 22:1-21 NIV]

“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, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure, 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. Then you will understand what is right and just and fair — every good path. For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, [Prov 2:1-12 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 05 & 06 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

In my last message, I shared about the opening God has created for me to join a medium size consulting company at 633 King’s Road, on the 15th floor.

It is a modern 35 story office building, opened in 2007. I have since found out that an English speaking church - Island ECC (Evangelical Community Church) is housed on the 1st & 2nd floors. On the 10th floor housed the All Nations House of Prayers under the Incubator Ministries!

The building is a spiritual lighthouse for God in Hong Kong!

And I believe that God has called me to work in this building for a very special purpose. Let me explain.

There is a prayer group in the company I work for. Every Thursday, a number of them come together to pray at the All Nations House of Prayers on the 10th Floor. I have joined them 3 times so far. For the first 2 times, we prayed for personal needs. On the 3rd time, I suggested that we shared about their views of the company.

One senior architect who joined the meeting shared that the company lacked system. Although senior architects play the role of project managers, oversee the running of projects and co-ordinate inputs from architects, engineers and quantity surveyors, she finds a lack of co-operation from the engineers and the quantity surveyors. Although all 3 disciplines are from the same company, the clients often comment that they seem to be dealing with 3 different companies. It is an issue of disunity!

I asked those present to start praying for a better system and for the senior management.

I am finding the same issues with the projects under my control. The lack of system created many problems, resulting in “fire-fighting” all the time!

One major problem is leadership, or the lack of it! Everyone is left to one’s own devices, working long hours but not seeing the results needed to progress the projects satisfactorily!

As I sought the Lord for wisdom in how I could help to improve the situation, I felt in my heart that the company needed a major overhaul. The management style and company culture both needed to be reformed.

I believe God has called me at this time to be His light in the marketplace, starting with this company. I know God has taught us many of His principles in the Bible, in the management of projects, personnel, finance, clients etc.. All successful companies understood and practice these principles, including non-Christian ones.

I have some ideas already, but I will share more when I start to see results, hopefully in the not too distant future :)

I will first commit them to the Lord in prayers!

Jesus says “I will proclaim the decree of the LORD: He said to me, "You are my Son; today I have become your Father. Ask of me, and I will make the nations your inheritance, the ends of the earth your possession. You will rule them with an iron scepter; you will dash them to pieces like pottery." Therefore, you kings, be wise; be warned, you rulers of the earth. Serve the LORD with fear and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry and you be destroyed in your way, for his wrath can flare up in a moment. Blessed are all who take refuge in him [Ps 2:1-12 NIV]. God the Father has anointed His Son Jesus with all authority and power. He answered Jesus’ prayers. We, as Jesus co-heirs, can have the same power and authority. Yes, we shall see God anointing His children to do His bidding on earth, all the way till the end of time. But be sure to serve the Almighty God with integrity and a sincere heart, because no one can deceive God!

“This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Do not listen to what the prophets are prophesying to you; they fill you with false hopes. They speak visions from their own minds, not from the mouth of the LORD. They keep saying to those who despise me, 'The LORD says: You will have peace.' And to all who follow the stubbornness of their hearts they say, 'No harm will come to you.'………See, the storm of the LORD will burst out in wrath, a whirlwind swirling down on the heads of the wicked. The anger of the LORD will not turn back until he fully accomplishes the purposes of his heart. In days to come you will understand it clearly……..But if they had stood in my council, they would have proclaimed my words to my people and would have turned them from their evil ways and from their evil deeds” [Jer 23:16-40 NIV]. Let us hear God clearly and prophesy only what are from the Lord!

Hearing God includes knowing when to move on. When a servant of God is not welcome in one location, God will open other doors. I find the same with my marketplace ministry since my return to Hong Kong 12 months ago. “After this, Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. There he met a Jew named Aquila…who had recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla……Paul went to see them, and because he was a tentmaker as they were, he stayed and worked with them. Every Sabbath he reasoned in the synagogue, trying to persuade Jews and Greeks……But when the Jews opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, "Your blood be on your own heads! I am clear of my responsibility. From now on I will go to the Gentiles." Then Paul left the synagogue and went next door to the house of Titius Justus, a worshiper of God” [Acts 18:1-17 NIV].

Hearing God includes heeding God’s words of wisdom which are abundant in Proverbs. “He who keeps the law is a discerning son, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father. He who increases his wealth by exorbitant interest amasses it for another, who will be kind to the poor…..He who leads the upright along an evil path will fall into his own trap, but the blameless will receive a good inheritance…….He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy…….He whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but he whose ways are perverse will suddenly fall. He who works his land will have abundant food, but the one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty……..He who rebukes a man will in the end gain more favour than he who has a flattering tongue…….He who trusts in himself is a fool, but he who walks in wisdom is kept safe. He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. [Prov 28:7,8,10,13,18,19,23,24,26,27 NIV]

Amen and amen!

Weeks 03 & 04 (11) - Blessings of Divine Guidance

Finally the waiting is over and I praise God that He grants me the faith and perseverance to pass the test!

I shared previously that after my 6-month contract came to an end at the end of August last year. I tried looking for another job. I contacted many people I knew – clients, consultants, contractors, …. and I exhausted every possible avenue, and nothing happened, except one good Christian friend gave me a very small transportation job out of kindness!

I was under a fair bit of pressure, because by faith, I have suggested to Kim to resign from her bus & school job in London and join me here in Hong Kong. I knew it is important to do that because it is not wise for us to be separated for too long!

Also by faith, I rented an office space to start the BBC Ministries in November!

Kim resigned from her jobs on 1st November and was planning to join me in December!

Although I had been through the waiting test before, back in 2005, at that time Kim was working and our monthly expenses were not high. This time the monthly outlay is much higher – monthly rental for the apartment, monthly rental for the BBC School and monthly mortgage repayment for our London house!

The test really stretched my faith to near breaking point, and I had to dig deep in my trust in God and tried to remind myself the many victories God had given me in the past!

Then I had a lunch meeting with some old engineering friends just before Christmas and learned that one of the regulars could not join because he was really busy. I registered that in my mind but at the time I was still chasing a couple of other opportunities.

Came the new year, those other opportunities were confirmed dead. So I picked up the phone and call this busy friend. He sounded excited on the phone and hinted that I could relieve him of some of his workload!

The next morning I went into his office for a chat with his boss (the Managing Director) and got an offer to start work the following Monday (10th Jan.). Praise the Lord!!!

The office address is 633 King’s Road and I like it, because [Matt. 6:33] is my signature scripture – “seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” And King’s Road to me means the way of the King (Jesus). I knew then the job was from God!

The MD was my neighbour back in the early 80s at Braemar Hill Mansion in North Point Midlevel, where our 2 sons grew up. He kind of knew about my working history and the fact that I left Hong Kong at the peak of my career to go to the UK as a missionary. Hong Kong after all is only a small village. It was a good job that I didn’t do anything bad :).

On the first day of work, the MD invited me to lunch and introduced me to a number of his senior staff. He pointed out that 2 of the ladies (senior architects) were Christians. In the conversation they got to know that I was a pastor in the UK :).

The company is a one-stop building consulting firm and the total staff is over 150, comprising all disciplines of the building profession. I found out that there was a prayer group in the company!

Indeed this is a great opening to minister in the marketplace, esp. when senior management is opened about it. It is a busy practice working on a vast number of small building projects – both private and government. Hence the opportunity to meet many clients, architects and other sub-consultants, plus all the not-yet believers in the company, including my Director friend and the MD……. a huge harvest field!

All in all, I really am grateful to God for His faithfulness and His amazing providence, and for not testing me beyond what I could bear [1 Cor. 10:13] ! But it is more than just financial provision. It is also a ministry!

Yes, let us continue to “Praise the LORD. Praise the LORD, O my soul. I will praise the LORD all my life; I will sing praise to my God as long as I live……Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, the Maker of heaven and earth, the sea, and everything in them — the LORD, who remains faithful forever. He…..gives food to the hungry. The LORD……lifts up those who are bowed down, the LORD loves the righteous…….The LORD reigns forever……for all generations. Praise the LORD. [Ps 146:1-10 NIV]

Indeed our help is from God. “This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD. He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? "I the LORD search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve." [Jer 17:5-10 NIV]

If you are not a believer in Jesus yet, let me encourage and challenge you with the Word of God. “The God of the people of Israel chose our fathers; he made the people prosper during their stay in Egypt, with mighty power he led them out of that country, he endured their conduct for about forty years in the desert, he overthrew seven nations in Canaan and gave their land to his people as their inheritance. All this took about 450 years. "After this, God gave them judges until the time of Samuel the prophet. Then the people asked for a king, and he gave them Saul….who ruled forty years. After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.' "From this man's descendants God has brought to Israel the Savior Jesus, as he promised. Before the coming of Jesus, John preached repentance and baptism to all the people of Israel. As John was completing his work, he said: 'Who do you think I am? I am not that one. No, but he is coming after me, whose sandals I am not worthy to untie.' "Brothers…..it is to us that this message of salvation has been sent. The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Jesus, yet in condemning him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath. Though they found no proper ground for a death sentence, they asked Pilate to have him executed. When they had carried out all that was written about him, they took him down from the tree and laid him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and for many days he was seen by those who had traveled with him from Galilee to Jerusalem. They are now his witnesses to our people. "We tell you the good news....."Therefore, my brothers, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him everyone who believes is justified from everything you could not be justified from by the law of Moses. Take care that what the prophets have said does not happen to you: "'Look, you scoffers, wonder and perish, for I am going to do something in your days that you would never believe, even if someone told you.'" [Acts 13:16-41 NIV]

The Word of God is the bread of life for our soul. Therefore “pay attention and listen to the sayings of the wise (the Word of God)…..for it is pleasing when you keep them in your heart and have all of them ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD…... [Prov 22:17-29 NIV]

Amen and amen!