My Life

Acknowledgement and Confession

2007-04-01T23:10:00.000+08:00

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths.” - Proverbs 3:5-6
This verse has really reached out to me recently. In just these 2 verses, it clearly indicates how one should live his/her life, Faith.

Faith requires two elements… both belief and restoring of the mind. Pastor have really drilled and instilled that in my mind. But that is a quiet reminder that to really increase in my faith, I need both elements.

The one part that really hit me is verse 6. There are so many times in our lives where we always want to know His ways and what to do. Many times by the mere lack of understanding of this verse, we are unable to hit excellence and greatness for Him. But the key is just right there, to acknowledge Him.

Acknowledgement is not just admitting that God can do it but rather, it is the recognition of His existence, authority and power. That is why I believe in the power of confession. When one confesses, he/she acknowledges God and all that He brings.

JEHOVAH-JIREH
JEHOVAH-ROPHE
JEHOVAH-NISSI
JEHOVAH-M'KADDESH
JEHOVAH-SHALOM
JEHOVAH ELOHIM
JEHOVAH-TSIDKENU
JEHOVAH-ROHI
JEHOVAH-SHAMMAH
JEHOVAH-SABAOTH

I know of people where they just ask God for the direction but never acknowledge Him. What happen to them? They get frustrated. All glory goes to God and that if we do not acknowledge what He is in our lives; we will never really achieve it. This really reminded me of how I must approach and connect to Him.

In essence, we have to appreciate and understanding the placing and priority of how certain ‘things’ work. Faith requires us not just to believe in Him but it also requires the constant renewing of our minds. Purpose comes only when we acknowledge/confess Him and be directed by His path. Missing the order or any of the steps could hinder one’s potential.

A Restart

2004-11-29T09:23:00.000+08:00

Well, its been a long time since I last wrote on my blog... 2004. It is time I use this medium to note down about my life.

The Power in Persecution

2004-10-27T21:45:00.000+08:00

"Persecution has driven the Body of Christ to the foundation of the Word Of God and a reliance on the Holy Spirit"
Pastor Dennis Balcombe

I did not go for Pastor Dennis Balcombe's meeting but I managed to get hold of his CDs and I spotted this statement made by him. This one statement revealed this to me, Persecution... aka trials and tribulations. There are 2 ways I can react to it. Stumble and fall, losing faith or... Increase my Faith, making it stronger and more Anointed than before! It is through such persecution that I believe defines and shapes one character, revealing our strengths and our weaknesses. Giving us the opportunity to improve myself.

Then this thought cross my mind out of no where. Why do Youths so on fire and so enthusiastic for Christ? Persecution! This is the factor that stretches one's Faith! As I know that as I continue to do His Will, I will have tribulations and would be oppressed by others in doing so.

John 16:33
These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

It is through such circumstances that God would reval Himself and do His miracles. God is most real to us at this moment of time! There were so many times in my life that I tried my best for the Lord but persecution from people around me overwhelmed, but God is good and He always reveal himself in a new and different way to me and does a Work that gets me throught. With every encounter, I have grown to realise that I have gone from strength to strength!

I also understand that even though I face tough times, that no matter what, God always remember what I have done for Him and the efford and determination I have placed. That is a point I have realised like what these verses speak off,

2 Corinthians 4:8-9
We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed

Romans 8:28
And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

Then God truly revealed to me this... There is a direct relationship between Persecution, Evangelism and Spiritual Growth! When you face one of the three, you will get the other two. For instance, when you evangelise, people will persecute you and mock you for what you are doing but in the process, you will grow even closer to God's Word and draw more from the Holy Spirit. When I get persecuted for my beliefs, its makes me grow more in the Lord as it would require me to press deeper into God's presence for His wisdom and help. And in due process, knowing Him better, I would seek to bring as many Souls to Christ, having His burden!

That is why Youths are so evangelistic! As they rely so heavily on Him. They dare to boldly spread the Gospel. This has really got me thinking of how I need to change and renew my mind. For me, I truly seek to grow in the Lord and bring the harvest in and that I have to understand that in this world we will have tribulation and that to a certain degree, trials actually act as an indicator that I am doing His will and purpose. I want to have even more boldness and courage to be able to change the world! Like it is written in the Beattitudes,

Matthew 5:10-12
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Testimony Against Them!

2004-10-25T22:56:00.000+08:00

Can you believe it? People can say such things about God and His Church!
"Brainwashing you" ... "Why give 10% tithe?" ... "I 'love' God but not His fan-clubs"!!!

These are just a sample of what blasphemies I hear everyday! The sad thing is that there are people so harden in their hearts. I have fought the good fight and defended against their mockery and went on the offensive. They claim I was being very aggressive even though I felt that I was only starting. But I don't care for its even written, that "the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force" (Matthew 11:12).

It truly pays to belong to a strong and balanced Church like City Harvest Church. The one thing that I was most sad of is their lack of faith. I have surely fought the good fight and have gained good ground against them. Then God really shot a Word into my spirit let me remember these verses...

Luke 9:4-6
"Whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And whoever will not receive you, when you go out of that city, shake off the very dust from your feet as a testimony against them." So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.

Wow, these verses really made all the difference. It was so relevant to what I am facing. As it is harvest time, I went from one to another, invite them to Church but I have yet to bear any fruits yet but instead of getting a positive responds, I receive such a reception. From that moment on, I decided to be a testimony against them.

There are some that got so angry but silenced that they do not even say a word to me, dare not even come close to me over such issues. Well I dare them to come again, as I am more prepared and more heavily armed to take them all on. I do fear them for my God has not given us a Spirit of Fear but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Some had even said why am I always so cheerful and happy. They see such a difference presence in me. Although they tried to derail me by saying stuff to try to change that, I was so encouraged that they see a difference.

God is good and that through such a stand-off, I was actually able to short-list the people that were very potential and open to The Word of God. I believe that progressively, I would be able to attain as many souls in my 2+ years in National Service to be disciples of Christ.

Opportunities

2004-10-24T18:47:00.000+08:00

After Cell Group, my leader had a meeting with us. Many questions were raised but one stood out and was talked about the longest. As the other Cell Group was going to multiply, she felt that she wanted 1-2 of us to go over and rise up to be leaders. What an opportunity! It was not for me as I know that the Lord is in the midst of building me up. I really felt that it was the chance for some in this Cell Group to seize, but no one took the challenge and it opportunity left.

Later on, the Lord spoke to me and told me a truth about Opportunity. As it is written,

John 14:6
Jesus said to him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me."

Like this verse, we would not get Godly Opportunities except through Him. Jesus' ministered for 3-1/2 years, He went from town to town, city to city to spread the Good News, He only visited each place once only. Hence like Jesus, opportunity only come around once. Another fact is that Jesus did not stay a day longer or shorter so does opportunity, the window of opportunity is only for a specific time only. As the people asked Jesus to stay, He still went on so does opportunity.

There are 2 ways to react to opportunity, Yes, accepting or No, rejecting it. If you delay and give no answer, it is basically a No as we would be letting the opportunity go. If we do not take such opportunity, we are basically rejecting it and in the end, we would need to be accountable to Him as in the instance when certain towns rejecting Jesus (Luke 10:13-16).

It is good for us to wait on the Lord as it instills Faith in us but make sure God does have got to wait for us, for He can always go on and pass that particular opportunity to others.

He went on and impressed upon me that forget those past opportunities which were wasted and focus on the future as opportunities we would have more to come and pray that when it comes we will grab it and confess it.

Going the Distance...

2004-10-21T22:38:00.000+08:00

In a vision God has shown to me, He shown to me a room illuminated by dim light. In this room, there was a flight of stairs. The flight of stairs was tall, but yet narrow. There were railings on both side. It was covered by mist and fog. On top of this flight of stairs was a door. This door which was slightly open, was beaming forth a bright light, brighter than the light in the room.

For many days I have been praying and seeking Him for what is the intrepretation for this vision. After many days of supplication, He revealed to me...

I am now in that room illuminated by that dim light, this represents where my spiritual growth is at. The reason that the light was dim was not because it was not bright or weak but this was due to the light that was shown from the door was by far much brighter than that of the light in the room. God was showing to me that that light coming from the door is the standard that God has for us, the destiny and purpose He has for me. I am going through a time of transition and a moulding period. A time where I am going from a place to higher ground as stated in this vision.

The flight of stairs symbolise the distance I have to go. It was a long distance. It was narrow, telling me that going from where I am to where I need to be, there is little or no compromise and as it is narrow, I would be scarifices, those excess baggage. Hence it truly symbolised the distance and the journey I have to go with the Lord.

The mist and fog represents the trial and tributations that we would have to go through in order to reach that door. This mist and fog and fog will hinder us in 2 different ways... the first is that it blurs the vision and purpose God has given to us. The next is that the mist would make the steps wet, making us slip. These are the times when we stumble and fumble.

The railing represents the two source of guidance and encouragement that we can always rely upon. The first is the Word Of God and the other is The Holy Spirit. Even when the mist and fog clouds our vision, we can use these railings to guide us to our path. When the mist and fogs makes the path wet and slippery, we can always grab hold of those railings, by confess His Word and His Promises, drawing more and more from the Holy Spirit.

Arise! Take Up your bed! and Walk! thats what Jesus commanded! Now that I see the vision, will we ARISE, take up our feet and walk the path God has set for us? For many are called, chosen, but how many will be found faithful? Will we still progress and walk by faith when mist and fog comes into our lives?

As in everything, it would take time. Would we be faithful in trusting him during this time? Would be have the patience and perservence to go the distance and fulfill the destiny God has for us? It might be a long trip but as we progress nearer to the light, our surroundings would be brighter and brighter, we would feel the warmth! Remember Delay does not mean Denial!

How to win what was lost!

2004-10-19T08:44:00.000+08:00

2 Cor 10:4-5
"For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ"

During my Bible study this verse really hit me, impacting me hard. It was revealed that how we win the lost is by changing their thinking and mindset, liberating the devil's dominance in their life! That is so true. Recently as I reach out to those in my Unit, I was faced by such great opposition. They challenge the ways of God's way... was crossing over to giving to God... I understand that only when they understand and liberated to obedience of God can the devil's stronghold be broken in their lives.

I really pray and hope that when I am in battle again with them, I will be able to not just win the battle but to liberate them from the clutches of the devil!

Truths about Reaching Out

2004-10-17T07:50:00.000+08:00

God revealed to me certain truths about evangelism...

Mark 16:15
"And He said to them, 'Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature."

It is written in the Great Commission that WE, not just a few or the leaders are supposed to preach the gospel. Anyone and EVERYONE who calls themself a Christian is appointed and order to evangelise. The word Commission can be defined as an appointment given by Jesus to act upon, hence we have been given the authority by Him to do it in His Name! Let us be called, chosen, and faithful.

Mark 16:20
"And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs."

But let us note that God will only act if we act first. Hence look at the order of Mark 16:20, only when we go forth and preach will God work through us. Knowing this, when we first evangelise with His Kingdom's will at hand, will He use the signs such as our lives to reflect what we confess to others.

Another truth that was revealed to me was the importance of ONE. Do not under estimate the power of one because all throughout the Bible God used just ONE to move and bless the entire world. From Gensis to Revelation, God used people like Abraham, Moses, Daniel, Paul deliver an entire nation and touch their generation! Let us be that one who move our enitre generation, let us be the one who stands in the gap, that I am the one who makes a differences... Let us be the one who have such a desire to bring souls to Christ, that we can be counted upon to bring revival and salvation to as many as we can!

Down but not OUT!

2004-10-15T18:13:00.000+08:00

Today I was supposed to bring my un-church friend to Church and really hope that it would be the day he received Jesus in his life! But at the last moment he told me that he could not make it, giving the reason that has a meeting with a friend.

I was disappointed as it was fact was that I arrange with him as early as Monday. What could be more important than going to meet the Lord?

I was sad that there are people who are not even the least interested in Jesus like the Word says...

Mark 4:19
"and the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the desires for other things entering in choke the word, and it becomes unfruitful."

It has been sometime since I brought anyone and he/she stayed all the way. I was really hoping that with a change in surroundings would make me be able to give some souls to the Lord. I was pretty down at this point as I was really hoping and praying I would be able to bring him to Christ!

The I was reminded of these two verses...

Galatians 6:9
"And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."

Hebrew 10: 35-36
"Therefore do not cast away your confidence, which has great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise"

I realised that there would be times like this where there will be no fruits to reflect the efford I have placed in bring the lost but if I do not give up and that I go the distance, my friends would finally come. The next big event is in November but after being reminded of these 2 verses, I cannot wait till November to bring my friends, they must not lose and that it is about time they too get Jesus Christ in their life!

I have worked out a more specific plan on how and who to reach out. I shall not stop but I shall push forward! With this heavier burden for the lost, I have come out with a list of friends that I must get them to the Lord during this period, it has forced me to be more creative in how to reach out.

Although it is good to plan which gives one vision, I will do the more important of praying and supplication. Without that, no matter what I do or how much efford I place, it will not succeed in bring friends.

Ashamed

2004-10-13T20:57:00.000+08:00

Last night, the last verse I read during my quiet time was...

Mark 8:38
"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

... and this verse truly made an impact on me.

As I was riding my Sergeant's car to get a lift to Y.M.C.A so that I would be on time for my Bible Study. There were two other others also sitting in that car. He asked me why was I going? Instead of revealing that I was going for a bible study, I told him I was going there to meet a friend. Well I reasoned with myself that what I said was not wrong and that I was still right. Then The Holy Spirit smoked my heart with that last verse that I just read the day before!

For the rest of the trip, I was shell shocked, unsure of what to do. My intent of my words was so clearly wrong that I dare not even tell them that I was going for Bible Study. It was like what Jesus said to Peter... "Assuredly, I say to you that this night, before the rooster crows, you will deny Me three times" (Matthew 26:34) that furthered impacted my heart! Why did I do that? Was I so afraid to say such things?

Right after I got off the car, I repended. I told God that from this day forth, I would boldly declare the Name of Jesus, all the time with no exceptions. Right after that, I really felt that the Lord had truly brought me up to a new level, bringing me to a new level of righteousness and sanctification.

And during my bible study this verse was shared to further emphasise this point...

1 Corinthians 1:30
"But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God--and righteousness and sanctification and redemption--"

The Bible study was splendid and really kept me in awe! I received other revelations and impressions from God that I would share in another time.

Wheat & Tares

2004-10-11T20:10:00.000+08:00

Being in the Army serving my National Service does have its Ups and Downs. I truly got to thank God that I have made friends with some of the people I have met. God has nor just given me this honor and privilege to get to know them but in this short period, one has actually willing to come to my Church this week! Wow! I will praying and believing, praying and fasting for his salvation.

Like what God says...
Matthew 9:37
Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few."

As this verse came to my mind, The Holy Spirit reminded of "The Parable Of The Wheat And Tares" (Matthew 13:24-30). Like in the parable, there are certain groups of people that would try to dislodge what I am trying to do.

These people are such a challenge. They speak with such desire to destroy the name of Jesus and what His church is trying to establish on this earth! They would literaly go into a verbal battle over every issue that range from Pastor Sun to the way we giving in church! They would raise questions such as... "Why does He Yao Sun do this and that"... "Pastor Kong is brainwashing us! Why do we give so much?"... I was shocked and taken aback! No matter how I reason and explain, they would never understand. It was at times a little discouraging. But then in the middle of one of these 'unconstructive debates', The Lord spoke to me, and reminded me of these 2 verses...

1 Corinthians 2:14
"But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Matthew 7:8
"Do not give what is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn and tear you in pieces."

Immediately, I stopped and ended the consversation. Later in the night while doing my quiet-time, The Lord spoke to me again, impressing upon me how the mightly man of God, Elijah battled and fought against the prophets of Baal. That in times, it might seem to be discourage, that through such tribuations, it not only build him up but saved a whole nation!

John 16:33
"These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."

I was so encouraged by what the Lord had spoken to me over this issue. They might be saying we have been brainwashed... but in actual fact we have renewed our minds and understand thw ways of the Lord. It was such a pity that such people cannot understand the power of supernatural giving and that they have been brainwashed by the devil and the ways and thinkings of this world. and I was reminded by a verse that was just 2 verses away from what God shared with me...

1 Corinthians 2:16
"For 'who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?' But we have the mind of Christ."

Wow! I will keep on keeping on and ensure that I do my part to save as many souls to Christ!

The Importance of His Anointing

2004-10-10T17:34:00.000+08:00

Today, before cell group, The Lord really hit and impressed upon me these two verses...

Acts 1:8
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

Acts 4:31
"And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness."

The Lord pointed out to me that first we need we need to be filled with the Holy Spirit, receiving His power and anointing in order for me or any Christian to truly reach the destiny that God has for us, to fulfill the Godly vision he has given to us and to do the Great Commission!

He showed to me an example of a well, where beneath this well there is an unlimited and endless reservoir of living water. Then it hit me the verse found in Matthew regarding the Beatitudes where Jesus said…

Matthew 5:8
"Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, For they shall be filled."

That living water is the Holy Spirit with all its Power and Anointing! As we continue to draw from that well, we will not only be filled but we will hunger and thirst more for the Holy Spirit, having a burden for holiness and a desire to do more for Him. It was during this moment, I realize why no matter what I do, I always feel that I must do more and more and even more for Him! I cannot stop and I won't want to!

Immediately, God revealed that only with the Anointing and Power can we truly be righteous. Then God revealed this verse to me…

Hebrews 5:12-13
"For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe."

Immediately, this verse hit my mind…

1John 2:27
"But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you, and you do not need that anyone teach you; but as the same anointing teaches you concerning all things, and is true, and is not a lie, and just as it has taught you, you will abide in Him."

Wow! That was the difference between a believer who comes and goes and is never changed and being a Disciple of Christ where we do not need our Leaders to always tell us what we need to! Without The Holy Spirit and His Anointing and Power, we can never be spirit-filled and truly do the works of his Kingdom.

To end, The Holy Spirit sent forth this verse to really hit upon me how important it is to have The Holy Spirit in my life…

Hebrew 6:1
"Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection"

Wow! Wow! Wow! As you can see from the order what was said from Hebrew 5:12 to Hebrew 6:1, only when we have The Holy Spirit and His Anointing can we truly go on to perfection and maturity in The Lord!

The bridge between Salvation and Going on to Prefection is to have The Holy Spirit, carrying His Anointing and Power so that we can mature in the Lord, going from Glory to Glory!