Heard one of the leader prayed a week ago and somehow set me on a meditative mood. During WIN, again the verse was used in prayer. John 3:30 ; " He must increase, I must decrease ". We knelt as we allow God to deal with us as we confess that many a times, we have put ourselves up above Christ.
As I meditate on this verse, I sensed the Lord dealing with me as I ran through the many events and situations that I have been in where I felt good and received praises for it. Many a situation I get elevated instead of Christ.
Do I look for recognition or praises whenever I complete a job well? Do others see me more than who I represent - Jesus? I must admit...the "I" stands out many times.
John, the Baptist had a good grasp on his place in the Kingdom … and Jesus' place! His goal in life was to fulfill the mission given to him, whatever that meant, even imprisonment and death if necessary. When his disciples got jealous because of Jesus' popularity, he promptly corrected them. Like John, we must know our place in the Kingdom. All our actions must point to Jesus and the attention must not be on us.
One practical point I could take away from this is to remind myself that the focus must not be on me, but Christ. To this end, I have to condition my heart to give God the glory as He rightly deserve, inwardly as well as outwardly in what I say. I must be conscious of what I do and what I say, in speech or in words, not to direct attention to myself but to Christ.
To quote from someone who put the message across in a most beautiful way :
"Look at a candle and how it burns. The more the light shines, the more the candle diminishes. What a beautiful illustration of the believer in Christ! The more he learns the gospel of Christ, the more precious Christ becomes and the less he thinks of himself. One who is truly the Lord's, shines forth the light of HIS righteousness, grace, goodness, mercy, forgiveness, and truth. In so shining, self does not get bigger and more noticeable--the CHRIST does! The glory is not to self but to HIM. John the Baptist said, "He must increase, I must decrease" (John 3:30)."
Christ be Glorified.
Amen.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Friday, October 19, 2007
Of Prophesy And Healing
WIN on Tuesday night proved to be something of an eye opener. Speaker Bruce Colin spoke on the prophetic and healing ministry. Pastor Peter Koh has been teaching us on listening to God and speaking what we hear for the edification of others. Bruce essentially put the icing on the cake.
John 14:12
The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. (NLT)
The prime theme of his message : You can do what Jesus did. Jesus give us a model so that we can do what He did. We are ambassadors, and as such we have the spiritual authority to do that.
How do we grow in our authority ?
1. Know who we are in Christ - children of God and clothed in His righteousness
2. As ambassadors we can only do what God wants us to do
3. Submit to authority - heavenly as well as earthly - there is no place for arrogance.
4. Keep a clear conscience
5. Keep short account. Do not let the devil use unconfessed sins to detract from what you are doing.
6. As priest of the most high God, our primary motive is to minister to the Lord in worship, prayer and meditation.
7. Use your authority. It is of no use if you don't act on it.
The problem with us (or me) is the difficulty to take hold of what we know (our spiritual authority in Christ) and acting upon it. In prophetic or healing ministry, we seldom venture forth to minister for fear of being wrong. Jesus said that if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we could command the mulberry tree to be uprooted and plunge into the sea, and it will obey.
Well, the message is clear. Do not take away the blessings that the Lord wants to bestow on His people through you simply because you chose to keep quiet.
I am looking forward to hear Bruce speak again during the prophetic seminar coming up in February 2008.
John 14:12
The truth is, anyone who believes in me will do the same works I have done, and even greater works, because I am going to be with the Father. (NLT)
The prime theme of his message : You can do what Jesus did. Jesus give us a model so that we can do what He did. We are ambassadors, and as such we have the spiritual authority to do that.
How do we grow in our authority ?
1. Know who we are in Christ - children of God and clothed in His righteousness
2. As ambassadors we can only do what God wants us to do
3. Submit to authority - heavenly as well as earthly - there is no place for arrogance.
4. Keep a clear conscience
5. Keep short account. Do not let the devil use unconfessed sins to detract from what you are doing.
6. As priest of the most high God, our primary motive is to minister to the Lord in worship, prayer and meditation.
7. Use your authority. It is of no use if you don't act on it.
The problem with us (or me) is the difficulty to take hold of what we know (our spiritual authority in Christ) and acting upon it. In prophetic or healing ministry, we seldom venture forth to minister for fear of being wrong. Jesus said that if we have the faith of a mustard seed, we could command the mulberry tree to be uprooted and plunge into the sea, and it will obey.
Well, the message is clear. Do not take away the blessings that the Lord wants to bestow on His people through you simply because you chose to keep quiet.
I am looking forward to hear Bruce speak again during the prophetic seminar coming up in February 2008.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
How Time Flies!
I was not looking forward to it...but in the end...it still comes round.
Just celebrated my 50th birthday a few weeks ago. It was a low-key affair. Had a few makan sessions with family and friends.
How time flies! Time for a little reflection. Looking back, I have to say this....God has been good! I am not saying this because I have arrived, or I have achieved my goals. Rather it was a period of up and downs. Many times I felt like I have failed, but it is by God's grace that I am here and able to celebrate my fiftieth year.
God works in mysterious ways. That is why we grow stronger in our faith everytime we see His hands at work in every facets of our life. He is always there. It is when we take our eyes off Him and are overwhelmed by the worries and frustrations we faced that finally put us down.
Two passages in the Bible has been my guiding light these past years.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJV)
Proverbs 3:5,6
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. (NKJV)
Gal 2:20 reminds me of my place in this life. I don't own myself. I am a redeemed person, purchased by Christ with His blood to live for Him.
Proverbs 3:5,6 is my guiding principle. Knowing and trusting Him to guide me in my everyday life helps to ensure that my life remain in focus on Him.
What am I looking forward to after 50? Well, it has to be the same answer. Live my life for Him. God is not finish with me yet. There are plenty of things to do but I pray that those things are what He wants me to do, and not of my own.
Just celebrated my 50th birthday a few weeks ago. It was a low-key affair. Had a few makan sessions with family and friends.
How time flies! Time for a little reflection. Looking back, I have to say this....God has been good! I am not saying this because I have arrived, or I have achieved my goals. Rather it was a period of up and downs. Many times I felt like I have failed, but it is by God's grace that I am here and able to celebrate my fiftieth year.
God works in mysterious ways. That is why we grow stronger in our faith everytime we see His hands at work in every facets of our life. He is always there. It is when we take our eyes off Him and are overwhelmed by the worries and frustrations we faced that finally put us down.
Two passages in the Bible has been my guiding light these past years.
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. (NKJV)
Proverbs 3:5,6
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. (NKJV)
Gal 2:20 reminds me of my place in this life. I don't own myself. I am a redeemed person, purchased by Christ with His blood to live for Him.
Proverbs 3:5,6 is my guiding principle. Knowing and trusting Him to guide me in my everyday life helps to ensure that my life remain in focus on Him.
What am I looking forward to after 50? Well, it has to be the same answer. Live my life for Him. God is not finish with me yet. There are plenty of things to do but I pray that those things are what He wants me to do, and not of my own.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Passing Of A Friend
Received an SMS on Sunday that one of my former colleague passed away last Saturday. It was kind of a shock to everyone as she was seemingly healthy. On Friday, while getting ready to go to work, she collapsed and was rushed to hospital. She died without gaining consciousness. She was 34 yrs old. The odd thing about it was that the death certificate records that the cause of death was a stroke and "cancer". No body knew she had cancer.
Again, this reminds us of the uncertainty of the world we live in. One moment we are full of life, enjoying every moment and making plans for the future. The next, our life could be snuffed out...be it health, or accident, etc. We all know that the inevitable will come, we just do not know when.
Do we seek the good life of wealth, health and pleasure in this life? When one comes to die, he comes to say "goodbye" to all these; he leaves them forever. Solomon is an example of one who sought all three: power, wealth, and pleasure, to which he added worldly wisdom beyond any man of his day. Yet, when he reached the evening of life he was constrained to say, "All is vanity and a striving after wind. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, all hath been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecc. 12:13). So many are striving after the vanities of life, paying for these worthless bargains with the price of their own soul, the most precious possession in the world.
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt 16:26).
Jesus taught us that the man or woman who loses his or her soul loses all; one who makes such a bargain, though he gain the whole world, is at the last a fool.
While living this life, we are prudent to also heed what comes after it and to ensure that we prepare for the journey ahead. How do we do that? Well, as christians we know what we will inherit after this life is over. Live life as what God would have you live it...in Him and for Him. Only then can we experience the abundant life in Christ and nothing can take that away from us, not even death.
I take comfort that she is now with Jesus and we will meet again.
Again, this reminds us of the uncertainty of the world we live in. One moment we are full of life, enjoying every moment and making plans for the future. The next, our life could be snuffed out...be it health, or accident, etc. We all know that the inevitable will come, we just do not know when.
Do we seek the good life of wealth, health and pleasure in this life? When one comes to die, he comes to say "goodbye" to all these; he leaves them forever. Solomon is an example of one who sought all three: power, wealth, and pleasure, to which he added worldly wisdom beyond any man of his day. Yet, when he reached the evening of life he was constrained to say, "All is vanity and a striving after wind. Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter, all hath been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man." (Ecc. 12:13). So many are striving after the vanities of life, paying for these worthless bargains with the price of their own soul, the most precious possession in the world.
"For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matt 16:26).
Jesus taught us that the man or woman who loses his or her soul loses all; one who makes such a bargain, though he gain the whole world, is at the last a fool.
While living this life, we are prudent to also heed what comes after it and to ensure that we prepare for the journey ahead. How do we do that? Well, as christians we know what we will inherit after this life is over. Live life as what God would have you live it...in Him and for Him. Only then can we experience the abundant life in Christ and nothing can take that away from us, not even death.
I take comfort that she is now with Jesus and we will meet again.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
The Grace Gospel - My Thoughts
In my previous post, I have mentioned that I will do a review of Pastor Prince's book "Destined To Reign". I have completed it and will share some thoughts here.
Pastor Prince message on grace and the finished work of Jesus on the cross stands out strongly throughout the chapters and I am sure that all will agree that we are saved by grace and grace alone, not of works. What follows after salvation is that the christian should not be bonded to follow the law. Because your sins of past,present and future are forgiven, the believer do not need to ask for forgiveness anymore,contrary to basic foundations of Christian living of continual repentance and producing the fruit or results of repentance. Pastor Prince asserts that the christian who received grace will be so in love with Jesus that he will not want to live in sin anymore. His message is one of living in grace, devoid of laws that binds.
I can understand how Pastor Prince's teachings has stir up a storm. There are major issues brought up in the book that challenges basic beliefs. Top on the list is not seeking for forgiveness for sin and the Holy Spirit role of conviction of righteousness, not sin. This has been addressed in a number of posts on blogsites. I don't intend to start a doctrinal discussion here knowing that there are strong viewpoints on both sides of the fence, judging from the numerous posts on this. Neither am I a theologian to be able to engage in deep theological discussion.
While there are many whose lives are transformed by God through Pastor Prince's ministry, it is still God who works through him. Give God the glory that is due to Him. Continue to study the scriptures and ask God to reveal His deep truths to us so that we will be able to lift each other up, not put them down. The Scriptures clearly tells us to “watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Doctrines aside, I am amazed by what God is doing in NCC. Through the various testimonies I have heard of lives being changed and new converts coming into the kingdom through the ministry and services in NCC, I cannot but continue to praise God for His mighty works done in NCC. I am reminded of Paul's message in Philippians 1:18 that for whatever motives "..the fact remains that the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice..".
So, after reading the book, what is my advise to my son? Well, I have told him of the major differences in teachings and continue to encourage him to dig deeply into the Word of God to discover the truths. He can continue to attend NCC as long as he is comfortable and continue to grow in his spiritual life as well as his service to God.
In the final analysis, what is important is where your beliefs takes you. If that leads you to a greater love for Jesus and bearing fruits in the process, all glory be to God. That is where God wants us to be, isn't it?
Prosperity and health and everything good are just benefits of salvation, but that is not the end of it. We must be ready to live for Him, even to the point of suffering, for Him.
The Great Commission awaits...let's not be sidetracked and lose our focus to bring in the harvest...that's my prayer.
Pastor Prince message on grace and the finished work of Jesus on the cross stands out strongly throughout the chapters and I am sure that all will agree that we are saved by grace and grace alone, not of works. What follows after salvation is that the christian should not be bonded to follow the law. Because your sins of past,present and future are forgiven, the believer do not need to ask for forgiveness anymore,contrary to basic foundations of Christian living of continual repentance and producing the fruit or results of repentance. Pastor Prince asserts that the christian who received grace will be so in love with Jesus that he will not want to live in sin anymore. His message is one of living in grace, devoid of laws that binds.
I can understand how Pastor Prince's teachings has stir up a storm. There are major issues brought up in the book that challenges basic beliefs. Top on the list is not seeking for forgiveness for sin and the Holy Spirit role of conviction of righteousness, not sin. This has been addressed in a number of posts on blogsites. I don't intend to start a doctrinal discussion here knowing that there are strong viewpoints on both sides of the fence, judging from the numerous posts on this. Neither am I a theologian to be able to engage in deep theological discussion.
While there are many whose lives are transformed by God through Pastor Prince's ministry, it is still God who works through him. Give God the glory that is due to Him. Continue to study the scriptures and ask God to reveal His deep truths to us so that we will be able to lift each other up, not put them down. The Scriptures clearly tells us to “watch your life and doctrine closely” (1 Timothy 4:16).
Doctrines aside, I am amazed by what God is doing in NCC. Through the various testimonies I have heard of lives being changed and new converts coming into the kingdom through the ministry and services in NCC, I cannot but continue to praise God for His mighty works done in NCC. I am reminded of Paul's message in Philippians 1:18 that for whatever motives "..the fact remains that the message about Christ is being preached, so I rejoice..".
So, after reading the book, what is my advise to my son? Well, I have told him of the major differences in teachings and continue to encourage him to dig deeply into the Word of God to discover the truths. He can continue to attend NCC as long as he is comfortable and continue to grow in his spiritual life as well as his service to God.
In the final analysis, what is important is where your beliefs takes you. If that leads you to a greater love for Jesus and bearing fruits in the process, all glory be to God. That is where God wants us to be, isn't it?
Prosperity and health and everything good are just benefits of salvation, but that is not the end of it. We must be ready to live for Him, even to the point of suffering, for Him.
The Great Commission awaits...let's not be sidetracked and lose our focus to bring in the harvest...that's my prayer.
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