Last week we had a small exercise to illustrate our cell vision: “Get Ready to get dirty for God”. Actually, I just made that up, but the vision is along that lines. It’s taken from James 1:22-27 and 2:14-25. Its about stepping out from our comfort zone. It’s taking ourselves out from our convenience radius and expanding our ministry outwards, in line with GTPJ’s 2007 vision.

All of us each had a pot and dirt, and sunflower seeds. Using our hands, we transported the dirt into the pot and planted the seeds. Whether the seeds will actually grow, it’s up in the air, I have as much experience growing sunflowers as I have bouncing on a pogo stick while playing a banjo (which is none). The idea of the illustration is to get our hands dirty, so we prayed while clutching the dirt in our hands. We are not praying for God to tell us what ministries we should be in. We’re praying that we make ourselves available, for whatever purpose He wants us for.

‘Dirty’ here doesn’t necessarily mean physically dirty: going on missions, doing relief work etc, although those are good. It means welcoming discomfort. To me, I like doing all the grunt work, so it is within my comfort zone to do physical stuff. But put me in front of the elderly to minister, take away my precious golf on Saturday mornings, put me in front of kids: these are somethings I am not particularly good at, or keen on; so these are out of my comfort zone.

Of course, to each, God has given gifts of ministry: I will obviously fail miserably if I try to join Eileen or Siew Inn in dance ministry, so there are things that are beyond my ability zone, and although I grant God can work miracles, having me twirling a tambourine and doing twinkly toes dance moves might even breach the realm of reality. Plus, I would likely be brought down by Pastor Vincent’s tranquilizer gun. Like laws of gravity, there are a few things that keep this world running normal. God can use me for other things.

But we need to understand that He wants to use us. It’s up to us to be used. There are missions for the energetic ones. For those not so physically fit, other missions to Laos, Cambodia are less demanding physically; but requires spiritual intercessions all the same. Prayer ministry is always needed, whether for prayer meets or healing rooms. Ushers, hospitality are vital ministries in GT, frontline ministries that do not require specialised skills; just a willing heart, a broad smile and good breath. Altar workers are needed for services; sometimes, I have to step in because we are short…I don’t even know what the protocol is, or what to do. Musicians are stretched with the additional services. Worship leaders, vocalists are vital; and if you’re not comfortable singing individually, the Choir is an excellent place to develop friendship and vocal skills. The AV (Audio Video) team always need people, especially those interested in electronics and audio. Publicity and publications requires creative people, tech savvy people to come up with video announcements. Those gifted in drama or acting, we have the Creative Ministries to come up with plays for Easter/Christmas etc. Teachers are needed to equip students in Eximius, our school of arts. If you’re great with kids (or want to prepare for parenthood), the Junior Church is there. People are also needed in Young Adults, Youth ministries. Traffic controllers are needed to direct vehicles and make everyone happy coming in and out of church: this is the most overlooked ministry, and for MDs and CEOs to don those yellow jackets so that we can park properly, please park as you are told, thank them and give them a big smile. We should be ever thankful for these people! Van drivers also are needed for transporting people. We have other ministries in Life Community Services: Heritage Home, Rumah Juara, Senior Home. Of course, if you’re not so comfortable yet in our church, everyone can start off in Cell.

Equipping ourselves with classes from GTSOM or GTNET are all part of getting ready to get dirty. Classes like EE and MEP allows us to step forward, possibly doing things out of our comfort level like evangelising to colleagues at work, or to a stranger hundreds of miles away with a spear in his hand.

So as 2007 kicks off, ask ourselves: Are we ready to put our hands to the plough? Are we ready to stop making excuses for our conveniences? Are we ready to stop taking the back seat and always choose the easier things to do? Are we ready to get our hands dirty and do what He wants us to?

Now….who knows anything about growing sunflowers?

Got this from Uncle Tony via email to the choir team - A good reminder to all

A Heart Without Idols 

Francis Frangipane 

When we first come to Jesus, He accepts us just as we are: problems, sins, and all. As our needs are met, however, we gradually discover that God is seeking something from our lives. What He seeks is our worship. But true worship is the consequence, the result, of seeing God as He is. It springs naturally from a soul purified by love; it rises like incense from a heart without idols. 

The God Whose Name Is Jealous 

Christ does not personally destroy the idols of sin and self within us. Rather, He points to them and tells us to destroy them. 

This message is about repentance. If you withdraw from the sound of that word, it is because you need a fresh cleansing of your soul. In fact, we are talking about a type of repentance that is uncommon to those who only seek forgiveness but not change. We are speaking of deep repentance - a vigilant, contrite attitude that refuses to allow sin or self to become an idol in our hearts. 

In Exodus we see Christ’s view of idols. He warns, 

“Watch yourself that you make no covenant with the inhabitants of the land into which you are going, lest it become a snare in your midst. But rather, you are to tear down their altars and smash their sacred pillars and cut down their Asherim - for you shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God.” (Exodus 34:12-14). 

There are many aspects to the nature of Christ. He is the Good Shepherd, our Deliverer, and our Healer. We perceive God through the filter of our need of Him. And thus He has ordained, for He Himself is our one answer to a thousand needs. 

But how does Jesus see us? Looking through His eyes, the church is His bride: bone of His bones and flesh of His flesh (Eph. 5:22-32). He has not saved us so we can live for ourselves again; He has saved us for Himself (Col. 1:16). True salvation is a betrothal. He purifies us for our marriage. From His perspective, our independent ways are idolatrous. They kindle the fires of His jealousy. 

An idol is not an occasional sin; it is something that rules us and makes us its slave. For some, fear is an idol; for others it is lust; for still others it is rebellion or pride. Whatever challenges Jesus’ right to our hearts becomes His enemy, which He will confront. Because of His jealousy toward us as His bride, in regard to these false gods, the Lord demands we destroy these idols ourselves. 

From the above Scriptures we see that Jesus does not want us to “carefully” take down that hidden altar of sin so we will not break it; rather He commands that we “TEAR DOWN” what is offensive. He is not politely asking us to dismantle, bolt-by-bolt, our pillars of pride; instead, He demands that we “SMASH” them to pieces. When He shows us an inner idol, we must demolish it completely. We cannot secretly harbor the slightest intention of ever using that idol again. It must be destroyed. 

You may feel you are not worshiping any idols. You do not stand, morning by morning, before a statue of Baal and praise it as your god. Indeed, we do not worship the idols of the ancient heathen. Like everything in our modern world, man has sophisticated idolatry as well. Paul talks of the antichrist who will appear in the last days as that one “who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God” (2 Thess. 2:4). 

Where is the temple of God on earth - is it a building? Perhaps, but in no other place in Paul’s teaching does he refer to the temple of God as anything other than the church. Yet, even if Paul is referring to a man seated as a god in Jerusalem, somewhere in that man’s life he had to first think of himself as “being God.” 

Let us perceive the antichrist as did the apostle John, who saw it not only as one who was coming, but also as a spiritual enemy that sought to infiltrate and then replace true Christianity (1 John 2:18; 4:3). The antichrist spirit is a religious spirit; it is manifested in that thinking which refuses to be taught and corrected by Christ or anyone else. The spirit of antichrist is resident in much of the church today, opposing the move of God, displaying itself as being God. 

Simply put, the spirit of antichrist is that spirit which exalts self as deity. You see, the spirit of antichrist is much more subtle than someone suddenly announcing to the world he is the Creator. Again, our world is far too sophisticated for that. For us today, we must look for the influence of antichrist in our religious traditions: are those traditions founded upon Scripture or upon man? And then, beyond our traditions, in the immediacy of our own hearts, we must discern the disposition of the antichrist spirit in the thought structure of our flesh nature. Is there something in your soul which opposes and exalts itself above God, taking its seat in the human temple of God, displaying itself as being God? The resistance in you against God is an idol. It is the most powerful idol in the human heart. 

But the false god of self-rule does not stand alone in man. The ancient god Mercury would be hard pressed to keep pace with today’s gods of Anxiety and Haste. The world has taken its bloodlust out of the ancient Roman arenas and put it into violent movies. They have taken the goddesses of fertility from the Greek hillsides only to idolize sex in our theaters and televisions. What mankind has done is move the pagan temples from the high places of the countryside to the hidden places of the human heart. 

If we exalt money, status, or sex above the Word of God, we are living in idolatry. Every time we inwardly submit to the strongholds of fear, bitterness, and pride, we are bowing to the rulers of darkness. Each of these idols must be smashed, splintered, and obliterated from the landscape of our hearts. 

“I Am a Jealous God” 

“You shall not worship any other god, for the Lord, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous God!” (Ex. 34:14) The Lord did not say He was, at times, jealous; He said His Name, which reveals His nature, is Jealous. Right next to His Name “I AM” is His Name “JEALOUS.” His love is not some ethereal principle of “higher cosmic consciousness.” His love is focused upon us, actually jealous for us as individuals. He “calls his own sheep by name” (John 10:3). Jesus knows your name. He loves you personally. The fact that Christ is jealous for us as individuals, caring and providing for each aspect of our lives, and that He suffered humiliation and death on the cross to pay for our sins, demonstrates how great a love it is with which He loves us. He gave all. He deserves all. 

His jealousy for us is perfect. It is not the same as human jealousy: petty, possessive, and insecure. He is not sitting in heaven wringing His hands, wondering what we really think of Him. His jealousy is based upon His pure love for us and His desire to bless us and fulfill our lives in Him. He understands us, yet knowing our weaknesses, He still “jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us” (James 4:5). His promise to us is faithful: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5 KJV). He refuses to stop loving us. You may think of yourself as a sinner, as unlovable - as though no one wants you, but Jesus desires you. 

Early in my ministry, upon occasion I gave up on certain individuals, people who seemed to me hopelessly unreceptive to God. As the years passed, I would later discover these same individuals were now walking with God. Jesus is faithful. He loves you with a love that is jealous for you as a person. 

God knows, however, that in order for you to experience His love, the idols of self and sin must be destroyed. And to prove our intentions and love for Him, He tells us to smash these idols. Would you be holy? 

Remove the idols of self and sin from within you. For holiness exists in a soul purified by love; it exudes like incense from a heart without idols. 

Just recently, I had a chance to meet up a few old friends, also my former course mates during campus. Well, we had not been keeping in touch ever since we graduated five years ago, and leading to d-day, I was, of course, excited and eager to get together and catch up with one another. 

Well, all of us were amusing ourselves in reminiscing our campus days. (Yeap, I do miss those cherished moment I had had back then) At this time, I was, in fact, looking back in awe of God’s faithfulness in our lives. I made a point in our chat where I mentioned (to one of them), that whatever she sees in me today is a reaping of what she had sown from the time whilst in campus. 

Ok, I have constantly clear-cut myself that evangelism is not a sales pitch for Christ until I met this sister during my first year of campus. She strikes me as someone who is genuine with her friendship. To be honest, I dislike pretentious and hypocritical people; particularly those who are to some extent do/ say one thing and acted/ meant the other way. I do appreciate the sincerity of this sister with her struggles in Christianity. Well, during our second year, she was determined that her parents would accept her being baptized in water, also her endless attempt in weeks of fasting prior to her baptism, had led me to an eye-opening in Christ. Deep deep down, I know that she loves God very very much. I am indeed thankful and kind of respect her laissez-faire attitude towards me when I was sort of skeptical about certain issues in my campus life. 

Ok, this is what I call it – people and relationship matter. Regardless of how great an evangelistic event, people will eventually react because of the “you” factor – yeap, they could identify you well, plus they have seen the difference in you. 

The main point that I am trying to talk about here is that, we all should never, yeap, not at all; underestimate how God is able to exponentially increase the harvest of the small gestures of compassion you have sown in someone’s life. It is by way off, one of the richest experiences an individual could ever have. 

And well, here I am today, in Christ, because one sister extended her friendship to me. Obviously, along the way, I also come to cross pathway with other tremendously good people whom I owe much of who I am, I am today. Yeap, to my compassionate cell leader, thoughtful and caring assistant cell leaders, and a bunch of wonderful cellies, not forgetting those out there who knows me, special thanks to all for always being there for me. (Appreciate that!) 

Well people, this is how simply it can be started off. People and relationship matter. Yeap, why wait, start sowing in someone’s life today! Hey, people do not care how much you know until they know how much you care. Agree, right? God is faithful, and for sure, will honour you with harvest base on the measure of trust and belief you sow. 

Philippians 2: 4 – 5, “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

3 John 1: 5, “… but that which we have had from the beginning; that we love one another.” 

Romans 12: 13, “distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.” 

The clear sky, with the morning sun blazing down, gives no indication of any uncommon behaviour from Mother Nature. In fact, it had been a nice drive down, pass the border of Johore, into the state that has faced the brunt of the annual flooding in Malaysia. News footage of water rising up to the roofs and people ferried away on boats seem far removed from the very normal landscape we see.

Then we pass a plantation filled with brown murky water. And on the other side, we watch as the river, banks long broken, overflows into the oil palm plantation. Grim silence befalls us as we see homes sitting in 3-4 feet of water. We can only imagine how bad it had been a week ago, before the water receded yesterday.

An ambulance zooms by us, sirens blaring.

Above us, a helicopter grazes the tree tops, breaking any sense of commonality we feel as we enter into ‘ground zero’.

*

So what happened yesterday?

Actually, it’s not so dramatic….

7 of us went down to Johore yesterday for a recce trip and came away not only quite satisfied with the result, but also a little overwhelmed with the amount of things to be done over the next few weeks. We touched base with the local church in Kluang as well as Yong Peng, but we didn’t go into the critical areas. Kota Tinggi was still inaccessible as well as some orang asli villages. Segamat and Batu Pahat were also hot spots hit.

In Kluang, we worked with Project Eden, an interdenominational group supported by 16 churches, and they had a distribution centre, where they would cart the goods and supplies to villages. The Kluang area has receded, and as we drove through the roads, we saw people sunning and cleaning their furniture, mattresses and stuff. We also saw the rubbish and dirt brought in by the river, and broken roads by the river side. While the river was now docile, and I was glad for it, the curious side of human nature wondered how it would be like if it rained, and wanted the opportunity to experience it. Probably the same curious nature of Malaysians that makes us want to stop by the road to see a kemalangan.

In fact, I read the news that some people are bringing other people around Kota Tinggi in boats to see the flood. When asked why, they simply said, “Well, it’s Visit Malaysia Year 2007, so why not visit Kota Tinggi.” They charge 5 – 10 ringgit, have no life jacket, and you might be shot by the police helicopter. Otherwise, it’s wholesome fun for the family.

In Yong Peng, we helped out two relief centres, Yong Peng School with 116 families and 777 people; Seri Bertam School with 102 families and 481 people. The numbers are expected to fall as more and more families move back into their homes following the good weather.

So how bad is it?

Compared to last week, the water has receded a fair bit. Flooding was caused by

a) Rain, obviously

b) Tide – Even without rain, high tide caused the river to overflow the already weakened banks

c) Release of dam water – Overflowed dams are being stressed and to avoid breaking, they need to be released, causing more water to wash down the river and flood the areas.

Kluang and Yong Peng are already moving into Phase 2: Rebuilding stage. Kota Tinggi and some other places might still be in Phase 1, where basic necessities need to be provided. In Kluang and Yong Peng, it’s BAU: Business as usual. Except for the occasional flooded park where we saw young kids doing backstrokes and diving, and older guys fishing, traffic and businesses are opened and running. The roundabouts and roads that were flooded with 3 feet of water up until two days ago bear no signs of flooding. It’s quite amazing how resilient Malaysians can be, that as soon as the water clears, they bounce back and start work again, as if nothing happened.

What is needed?

1) Diapers/sanitary pads

2) Rice

3) Biscuits

4) Insant noodles/dry food

5) Can food

6) Cooking oil

7) Milk powder

8) Underwear

NO CLOTHINGS please, because we don’t want to be a dumping ground for unwanted laundry.

Delivery is to church at No. 6, Jalan 13/4, Jalan Bersatu, 46200 PJ. Map can be found here

http://gtpj.com/images/map_gtpj_eng.jpg

Call

Edward (0122656559)
James (0129168946)
Chin Choy (0126818388)

For delivery

What’s happening this Saturday?

We’re headed down with the supplies, and will be in 2 groups: one working with the Red Cross covering Yong Peng and Kota Tinggi, the other working with Project Eden, covering Batu Pahat and Segamat, likely. Plans will change.

There will be other trips down, so if you miss this one, no fear, there will be others. Right now, if you can’t be available, make sure you pray and continue to contribute. The guys will be doing a lot of grunt work, but we’ll need the ladies to minister/help the people at relief centres as well for now, and later on to help in the rebuilding.

Those going down:

1) Wear Breathable shirts, dri-fits, climacool shirts with sweat control, because you will sweat and stink

2) Shoes with extra socks. Might want a secondary pair of sandals in case things get wet and dirty

3) Bring down extra change of clothes

4) Bring some water

5) Do not bring any valuables or accessories

6) Probably some sandwiches or something

We’re NOT going down for a fun trip. So make sure you’re healthy because we will be working. You will be separated into groups as per leaders discretion, pls do not ask to change to be with someone you prefer etc etc. You are there as a worker, so do what you are required to do, and take care of yourself and don’t be taken care of!

Briefing : 5:00am
Departure Time : 5:30am
Departure Venue :

Church (No. 6, Jalan 13/4, Jalan Bersatu, 46200 PJ)

Thanks for the volunteer in venturing to make a difference!

Numbers to take note

Sunita (012 3995005)
Kenneth Koh (012 2063380) - overall Coordinator
Donald Lim (012 3956080)

More pictures can be found in Alf’s blog here!

Message adapted from Pastor Jim Yost
Text taken from John 4

The challenge of evangelism is moving out of our current situation into new territories. Often times, we’re so comfortable within our own ‘walls’, that we fail to see the urgency we have as christians to tell others about Him. These major challenges are addressed in John 4, in the famous episode where Jesus ministered to the samaritan woman and from there came the first house to house evangelist.

1) Go outside the walls

The story begins here with Jesus moving from Judea to Galilee in the early part of his ministry.

“He left Judea and departed again to Galilee. But He needed to go through Samaria.”

The history behind Samaritans and Jews was long and bitter. Conflict has always been present, as the Jews looked at the Samaritans as lower class, because they came from the intermarriages that occurred during the captivity of Israel and Judah under Persia and Babylon before. In order to get to Judea, however, the quickest route was through Samaria, much like how we need to go through the Seremban to get to Malacca. Which is nice, since we can get Seremban siew pau on the way.

But going through Samaria wasn’t nice, and usually Jews took the round about way to go around Samaria, making a 3 day journey into a week!

So imagine the disciples’ reaction when their master decided, “OK, boys, lets go to Galilee, back to your hometown!!”

Disciples: Yaaay! In time for reunion dinner!!

Jesus: Let’s go through Samaria!

Disciples: *silent, desperate dismay and hoping Master was just fooling around…*

But Jesus had a reason. Where there were walls, He intended to go beyond these walls in his ministry.

a) Culture walls

Jesus had had enough of these I am a Jew, you are a Samaritan nonsense. Christians these days don’t hang out with non-christians…how are they gonna reach out? If the Jews play their exclusive party cards, who on earth is gonna tell the good news to the Samaritans?

b) Gender walls

So Jesus sits at the well, while his disciples all go and get food. I can just imagine those disciples, huddling together and saying, “OK, guys, lets stick together because we’re in Samaria. This kampung area very dangerous one….” And ALL disciples left! They could be asking, “Hey, what about Jesus?” “Nah, I’m sure he can handle himself, he’s Jesus, dude. We gotta stick together in case we get attacked by these Samaritan crooks…”

So Jesus sits there, and there comes a woman.

In those days, it wasn’t proper for a self-respecting man to speak to a woman in public. I can’t imagine how someone would ask a person out on a date those days. Or a movie.

Anyways, Jesus initiates the conversation, asking for a drink. He broke down the gender walls.

c) Social Walls

There was something more to this woman. She came in the sixth hour to draw water. Days were counted at sunrise during those time, so sixth hour would mean around noon. It was blazing hot. It was lunch time. The well was way below the village, that means with a full bucket, she would have to to haul it up the hill again. Usually people came in the early morning to draw water.

She wanted to avoid the crowd, because she was ostracised. Why? We can assume that she was either a prostitute by profession or an immoral woman whose reputation is known in the village.
The most ostracised are often the most open people to the gospel.

2) Build relationship with in the new walls

In verses 10 - 26, the conversation ensues. Jesus talks about the living water where one may drink and not thirst again. The woman, perhaps believing or not, thinks there’s nothing to lose, if there’s really a fountain that she can drink and not thirst, that would save her a lot of trips to and fro. Plus, she needn’t come and draw water or face the ridicule of the other people. If there’s no fountain, so what? She had had a good chat with a crazy man, it was cool. And a Jew as well! How cool is that?

She was still referring to the physical realm when she asked Jesus. Jesus then moves the conversation subtly to a more spiritual aspect, asking her to bring her husband. And responded to her statement that she had no husband by saying she had had five. And one more on the side.

You could sense her discomfort as she tries to steer the conversation away to a more philosophical one, yet, Jesus has already initiated the truth. The truth has to be discovered, to cause her to desire it, first of all, then to discover it. He caused her to face the truth about herself, and the truth about who he is:

25 The woman said to Him, “I know that Messiah is coming” (who is called Christ). “When He comes, He will tell us all things.”
26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am He.”

The problem is that many people don’t know there’s another source of help. Christians need to help them know that there is a choice.
3) Break Down Walls

In verses 27 - 42, the disciples came back and completely ignored her. This is strange, because she was there, and they just ghosted past her, as if to say that her presence was so insignificant, it didn’t merit a question. Pretty stuck up fellows, aren’t they?

In v 28, she left her waterpot and ran back to her town to tell people about Jesus. She became an evangelist immediately, a normal response for people coming to faith. Wow! She came down with the purpose to get water, but once she saw the truth, water didn’t matter to her anymore. She didn’t want to be burdened by the pot!

How many of us say this: “God, you know I’m cool with all this evangelism, missions or social work. But listen, I’ve got this job. Or I’ve got this issue with my family. I got this new kid. So, tell you what, let me see when I’m free then I’ll serve you, ok? Let me do what I came down to the well to do, that is, let me get my waterpot home first, ok?”

It’s not to say we neglect our duties at work or as a father or in our families, but we’ve got to learn that we’ll never find time to serve as long as we have a waterpot in our hands. Service has to come alongside your other duties. What’s our waterpot today? What’s our security today? Drop the pot.

At this point, the disciples were concerned about one thing:

31 In the meantime His disciples urged Him, saying, “Rabbi, eat.”

They only thought about themselves, or the physical needs, at which point, Jesus says the he has food to eat. The disciples contend among themselves, wondering, hey who beat us to it? Who gave Jesus food?? They still couldn’t think beyond their walls.
Are our cell groups too inward focused? We need to get out, we need to be kicked and we need to get uncomfortable. Don’t like ministering in the missions field? We need a kick. Uncomfortable about dealing with orphans? We need a kick. Uncomfortable about starting a prayer group at work? We need a kick. Uncomfortable about wasting a Saturday evening in quiet reflection and prayer for missions at church? We need a kick!! Uncomfortable about going out to provide humanitarian aid for flood victims? Boy, do we need a kick.
What is the will of the father in our lives?

You get the answer when you answer:

1) What’s God doing in your life?

2) What’s God doing in your geographic region?

Get the answers and you’ll get God’s will in your life.

As Pastor Jim Yost ends: “A believer’s voice is the sign of life.” Like the Samaritan woman, the first street evangelist of her time, we need people to hear our voices about the truth of the gospel.

When we were young kids, we hardly have any dilemma or problem with faith. Yeap, when we begin learning to walk, and we fall, we never said, “I will never walk again.” In no way had this came to our thoughts, not at all! Instead, we would get up and toddle again. Our parents, for sure, am overjoyed to see us, their baby girl/ boy taking our very first steps, ya….
 
Children are so adorable simply because they are so childlike in their approach. Children would laugh when they feel joyful; they would cry when they feel hungry – ok, so feed them and they would laugh again. Our parents’ hearts would melt when they see us, yeap, their little ones cuddle up peaceful to sleep, with no hint of worry on our faces.
 
And as we grow older (and older), things seem to revolutionize progressively. Yeap, life does not appear to be as simple as it seems to be. Uh huh, things get greyer (and greyer) by the years. The world snares at us to conform and compromise. Our hearts grew cold(er) and hard(er) with each fleeting frustration and disappointment. Our integrity stand grew soft(er) as we become more thoughtless, hence giving in to instantaneous satisfactions. And as we become (supposingly) more sophisticated, we have to rationalize and evaluate. And as a result, too much of that, we invalidate and paralyze our faith. Yeap, we turn out to be obsessive to ourselves; we are all embittered by our circumstances. Well, and the dilemma here is, simply because … well, we had “grown up”. Err, but that does not necessarily mean we are mature.
 
In Hebrew 11:16, “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”  Here, the Bible says it extremely clear that it is impossible to please God without faith. To make gigantic strides for God, a ginourmous faith, I guess, is required to go with that. It is at places of extremities where God meets His people to make gigantic strides for Him. Well, Abraham was challenged to leave his homeland, Moses did, some time in the wilderness, Elijah ran away, and Peter had to get his feet wet….
 
Jesus said in Matthew 18: 3-4, “Assuredly I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”
 
In conclusion, having a childlike faith is the most significant factor to move into the glory of God. Yeap, having a childlike faith means that we all have to renounce all that we are – our intellect, authority, riches, etc to humble ourselves to a position that we are able have faith and receive accordingly. Well, we need to unlearn what we have learned.
 

There are 3 pictures painted of the church

1) Family-based

In this case, churches are family units, concerns centres around building family, focusing on children development, and family issues.

2) Community-based

Several large churches in USA no longer call themselves just churches, but as community centres, as they look into the current community issues, to make the church more relevant in making a difference to the people around them.

The third picture, that is not as acceptable/agreeable as the above, is:

3) “Army - Military” -based

The church has always been painted as a docile organisation of believers. Yeah, we’re here to help you. Not accepted? We accept you. Having problems? Sure, we’ll stay the whole night talking to you. Healing, prayer? Come along! Not interested in serving, coming to service? Don’t worry brother, we’ll pray for you…

There’s nothing wrong with this. We are called to impact family and community, and the church must always be there to address the needs of the people around it.

But what about the 3rd?

Isn’t this borderline extremist?

We used to sing “I’m in the Lord’s army, YES SIR” when we were kids. Perhaps it’s time that we take a more militant approach to our attitudes. This doesn’t mean we take up arms literally, but militant in terms of our commitment.

In terms of how we approach ministry, and having a goal, having a purpose. In terms of how we support our leaders. In terms of having a vision to move forward to take the land. In terms of mobilisation of our resources to not only do church events, but to move out and make an impact on the outside. In terms of how we approach our spiritual walk. Military attitude equals to discipline and sacrifice. To wake at 6 am to do devotion, to commit to an accountability group, or attend classes/seminars when you don’t feel like it: that’s the context of a militant approach.

To be ‘armed for battle’, there are basically 3 things to look into

1) Enjoy the fullness of the Spirit

To live in the spirit, and to invite him daily for consecration. To do so with more sensitivity to his will and to those things outside his will. When we do things, or have events, do so with the commitment of it to the holy spirit.
2) Grow in the full stature of Christ

God’s desire is for us to grow in him. To be more matured, and that means to go deeper, seeking his presence, the way Elijah, Moses and David did.

3) Equipped for God’s work and service

Through the word of God: 2 Tim 3:16 says all scripture is profitable. Basic bible knowledge is vital for us to be equipped. Other ways to be equipped is through prayer and training or mentoring.

These 3 points sound pretty familiar don’t they?

1) Dwell

2) Dive

3) Delve

So let’s have a good start to 2007 and have the Three Ds in our mind!

A friend of mine asked me the other day, “What if Jesus were to return tomorrow?” I was startled, having someone posing me such a rather ‘crucial’ question, and since then it kept mingling in my mind…. 

Well, I was just wondering here, myself now…. what if we all know Jesus will be returning the day after, i.e. tomorrow? So, how prepared are we to give Him an account of our life? I wonder, if we would be jumbling at the very last minute doing all we could in order to renounce those accumulated sins, making right of all the accumulated outstanding “wrong-doings” before Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Well, well, well, unless it is our daily lifestyle in keeping short accounts, chances are, we would for sure (undeniably) unable to do all these within 24 hours (or less). 

Ok, so the question here seems to be kind of straightforward, but yet so pivotal, particularly when it comes to questioning the fundamentals of our walk with Christ. It is true that the Bible says that we are all justified by our faith in Christ. It is also true that the Bible says that we are all saved for good works. Well, these two fundamentals are possibly complementing, and not reciprocally exclusive to each other. Well, Christ would never ever suggest we retain a complacent lifestyle knowing well we will all go to Heaven. 

Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace you have been saved through Faith, and that not of yourself, it is the gift of God, not of worlds, lest anyone should boast.”

Romans 5:1-2, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.”

Well, it is so important for each and every one of us to adapt an anticipative lifestyle to His return. Anticipative lifestyle as in a lifestyle of compliance to His Word and is reflective to the Glory of Jesus Christ. There have got to be some sense of peace, integrity, and love that is so outstanding that it may attract others so much that they would like to find out the formula to a successful life. And this is where we could share the Gospel of Christ.   

In conclusion, our so-called position before the Lord has to be that we are all consistently prepared for His return at any one time. 

So, how anticipative are you towards His return, mind to share?