How Is Your Heart Today?

Our local newspaper carried the news of reactions from "netizens" in response to a donation drive by the NTU Student Union for one of its student who was suffering from Leukaemia.

The New Paper reported that an informal online poll on a local forum showed that close to 80 per cent of the 120 forum users did not want to donate money to help 18-year-old Li Bingbing, who is a scholar from China. The reason is because he is a foreigner.

I was rather disturbed with this reaction. I mean, donation is purely personal. You can decide to who or what you want to donate to but why do you need to brand them as not worthy of your help simply because he is not one of us? Is he not a human being?

There was a follow up story after the story broke of how a Singaporean man, Mr Lim whose daughter was saved through a transplant where the bone marrow was donated by a man in China.

Mr Lim felt that even if those netizens did not want to donate, they should not have condemned the donation drive.

'They may be disgruntled, but to deny someone an opportunity to life reflects badly on themselves.

'Such reactions are very revealing of the heart of the person,' he said.

How true!

The classic story of the "The Good Samaritan" needs to be repeated here. Jesus narrated this parable in response to a question being asked, "Who is my neighbour?"

Being a neighbor to someone is not limited to family relations or proximity. It is showing the love of God to all who are in need, who ever they may be, where ever they may be.

I pray that as Singapore progressed and becomes more and more affluent, our hearts will continue to be more and more compassionate towards all in need, regardless of race, religion or status. After all, we are all created equal.

Luke 10:25-37

On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?". "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind'; and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'" "You have answered correctly," Jesus replied. "Do this and you will live." But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, "And who is my neighbor?" In reply Jesus said: "A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. 'Look after him,' he said, 'and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.'

"Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?"

The expert in the law replied, "The one who had mercy on him." Jesus told him, "Go and do likewise." ( NIV )

Our God Reigns

Our God Reigns! The spiritual exhortation resounded in my mind and heart throughout the last week as we concluded the prophetic & healing conference. It was brought closer to home when the results of the GCE 'A' level examinations were released. There were joy as well as heartache as each student received their result slip from their school last Friday.

As parents, we feel the anxiety felt by our children. How do we counsel our children on this? I am reminded of the story of David in 1 Sam 30. David was blamed when the Amalekites raided their camp and captured their wives and children. What did He do? David "strengthened himself in the LORD" (1 Sam 30:6). He seek the Lord's direction and was able to recover all that he lost and more.

In all circumstances, good or bad, remember that "Our God Reigns!". He is sovereign in all situations. Draw strength from Him and seek Him to direct your ways.

Prophetic & Healing Conference II

The conference which started on Friday came to an end on Sunday. Along with the teachings and practical sessions were testimonies of healing. Praise God indeed for all the lives touched!

Every one has a motivation for coming to the conference. Some came to seek healing for themselves, others to learn how to administer healing or to learn how to release a prophetic word. Rev Bruce Collins and Rev Mark Aldridge took pain to explain the basis and concepts of the healing and prophetic ministry. Jesus in all His humanity, brought healing to the sick and oppressed through the power of the Holy Spirit. He laid the foundation for the 12 apostles and the 70 disciples to follow after His footsteps, effectively setting the stage for all believers to be able to do all that He did. ( John 14:12 )

Coupled with Sunday's sermon on exercising the gifts of the spirit, the underlying message is clear - God continues to speak and heal through his disciples. We are given the mandate to do as Jesus did. With the gifts given to all christians, the question then is what are we doing with it? Are we actively seeking to use the gifts as the Holy Spirit directs or are we burying it somewhere where it will never surfaced?

That is the challenge that was presented to all and Rev Peter Koh in his closing message mentioned that platforms will be made available ( e.g WIN ) so that all can continue to exercise the gifts in this ministry.

Just imagine what will happen if all will heed the call to do just that!

Prophetic & Healing Conference

PLMC's long awaited Prophetic & Healing Conference has started! On Friday, over 500+ members filled the pews in the Sanctuary and listen to Pastor Bruce Collins preach his first message on the Lord's Mission - Preaching of the Good News that the Kingdom of God is come!

I sensed a great awakening in the hearts of the members to reach out and grow deeper in our walk with the Lord as well as move strongly in the prophetic and healing ministry. Having seen and heard Rev Bruce Collins before, I greatly anticipated that God will use him and Rev Mark Aldridge to minister strongly to the congregation. Hallelujah, God never cease to amaze me. When every altar call was made,it seems like the whole church was up in front instead of sitting back at the pews. What a ministry time!

Expect the Unexpected! We are in for a great ride.

Stay tuned for more to come.