Gathering of Old Friends

After so long, we finally met again. Friends of old gathered at my place for some makan and fellowship. There was a lot of catching up to do, with some of us not meeting up for the last 30 years.

One thing that has kept us together is our common faith in Christ. Though we have moved to different churches and are involved in different ministries, the bond continues to be strong as we kept in touch over the years.

We are planning a bigger gathering with a few more friends roped in. I sensed a new opportunity coming up - a new ministry perhaps, who knows! I know that God is preparing us for greater things ahead for this group...I can't wait.

Hebrews 10-24,25

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.( KJV )

What Now, Lord?

Life is never at a standstill. We are continually buffeted with situations and crossroads where life changing decisions has to be made. I have seen for myself some major decisions I have made that has changed the course of my life many times. The question continually pops up : "Am I in God's will?". We seems to struggle with this as the answer always seem to be elusive.

Again as I faced another crossroad, I am reminded of 3 timeless lessons from Charles Swindoll in today's devotion.

" First, God's solutions are often strange and simple, so be open. We try to make God complex and complicated. He isn't. Don't make the carrying out of God's will complicated. It isn't. Stay open to His strange yet simple solutions.

Second, God's promotions are usually sudden and surprising, so be ready. At the time you least expect it, it'll come. Just like His Son's return from heaven. Suddenly and surprisingly He will split the clouds and be with us. Just when we expect Him the least He'll be there, like a thief in the night. And that's the way His promotions are. He watches you as you faithfully carry out your tasks, and He says to you, "I know what I'm doing. In a sudden and surprising moment, you be ready. I know where you are, and I know how to find you. You just stay ready as you carry out your job."

Finally, God's selections are always sovereign and sure, so be sensitive. That applies to choosing a mate as well as losing a mate. It applies to our being moved from one place to another, even though we thought we'd remain there ten more years. It also applies to those God appoints to fill the shoes of another. How easy to second-guess God's selections! How necessary, when tempted to do that, to remind ourselves that His selections are sovereign and sure.

God is looking at your town, your city, your neighborhood, and He's looking for His people to whom He can say, "You are Mine. I want to use you there because you proved yourself faithful there." The only difference is our geography. Our calling is to be faithful in the demanding tasks, whether that is our education, our marriage, our occupation, or just the daily grind of life. That's the kind of men and women God wants to use. "

Just as I am, where I am and what I am doing right now, be open, be ready and be sensitive as I continue to be faithful to the tasks God has laid out for me.

MONEY can't buy you happiness.

Can happiness be bought with Money? That was the discussion I had with a couple of colleagues during our usual lunchtime talk. Their lunch time practise were always to drive out to the nearby food centres for a meal. Most of the time, it will also mean a visit to the Toto/4D queue for their weekly bets.

Although their reasons are varied, there is an underlying assumption that all their problems will be solved once they can hit the jackpot. For that they will be happy.
True. Money can solved a whole lot of problems and bring you happiness, albeit momentarily. However, money could also bring you a host of other problems as well.

An article in a recent newspaper mentioned that going by past examples, lottery winners rarely end up happy. Instead, many of them end up in the dumps. It cited that 2 out of 3 winners lose or spend all their money within 5 years.

So, why gamble? The odds against you winning is so high and even when you win, chances are that you will not be happy.

The answer lies in your heart. The Bible tells us that "the love of money is the root of all evil". The reason most gamblers do not stop to think about what they are doing is that they are motivated by greed. That, of course, is what gambling is all about. If you win, you get back the money you put down plus a lot more. You bet a little in hopes of winning a lot.

According to the Bible, there are three legitimate ways to get money. First, you can work for it. (2 Thessalonians 3:10) Second, you can make money through wise investments. (Luke 19:1-27) Third, you can receive a gift or an inheritance. (2 Corinthians 12:14) There is no fourth category.

Perhaps we should hear again the words of the Apostle Paul in I Timothy 6:6-10.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."



Let us ask God to teach us contentment with what we already have. This is the central issue in the gambling debate. Do we believe that God will take care of all our needs all the time? If the answer is yes, then we don't need to help him out by gambling. If the answer is no, then we've got problems a lot bigger than whether or not to buy a lottery ticket.

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.