November 21, 2010
Faith, fear and risk – they are all verbs that describe our challenge to live godly lives and fulfil God’s great purpose for us.
“And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.” (Hebrews 11:6)
Faith is being convinced of who God is and is built on the unshakeable foundation of an abiding relationship with Him. It is fixing our eyes constantly on God and who He said He is.
Fear comes about because of uncertainty. Without perfect foreknowledge, it is easy for us to be intimidated by the physical limitations and future provision. The only way for us to overcome fear is to step out and act out our faith in God.
Risk then becomes the action-verb for faith. However, it will be foolish to think that any type of risk undertaken by Christians is a demonstration of active faith.
While it is true that Noah, Abraham, Moses and all biblical heroes of faith took risks – they do so because they had a trusting relationship with God and were convinced of who God is. They were fixated on pleasing God and therefore were able to overcome their fears. Convinced of God, they took the risk.
What men call risk, God calls it faith.
Friday, November 19, 2010
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Staying faithful when Life is difficult
November 14, 2010
How can disciples remain faithful to God in the face of hardships and trials?
Saw an interesting quotation this week that read, “Everything will be okay in the end. If everything is not okay, it is not the end.”
Not a bad advice if you are facing a bad situation; and quite a biblical way to handle life’s problems.
To trust God and serve Him faithfully in times of great trials calls for faith. This faith requires that we take our eyes off life’s physical circumstances to the Supernatural invisible God of life.
During times of great stress and struggles, we put our hope in God and pray that everything will work out well in the end. However, if in spite of our petitions and prayers, things fail to change for the better and sometimes even if it takes a turn for the worse, we must not lose heart.
Trials and difficulties cannot put a full stop to our lives. Even if everything is not okay, it is not the end.
To remain faithful disciples of Jesus, we must learn to shift our focus from the huge mountains to the God of the mountains. To live faithfully, we learn to discern the Presence of the Invisible in the pressures of the visible. Then we can declare as Habakkuk did in Habakkuk 3:17-19,
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to tread on the heights.”
How can disciples remain faithful to God in the face of hardships and trials?
Saw an interesting quotation this week that read, “Everything will be okay in the end. If everything is not okay, it is not the end.”
Not a bad advice if you are facing a bad situation; and quite a biblical way to handle life’s problems.
To trust God and serve Him faithfully in times of great trials calls for faith. This faith requires that we take our eyes off life’s physical circumstances to the Supernatural invisible God of life.
During times of great stress and struggles, we put our hope in God and pray that everything will work out well in the end. However, if in spite of our petitions and prayers, things fail to change for the better and sometimes even if it takes a turn for the worse, we must not lose heart.
Trials and difficulties cannot put a full stop to our lives. Even if everything is not okay, it is not the end.
To remain faithful disciples of Jesus, we must learn to shift our focus from the huge mountains to the God of the mountains. To live faithfully, we learn to discern the Presence of the Invisible in the pressures of the visible. Then we can declare as Habakkuk did in Habakkuk 3:17-19,
“Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
He enables me to tread on the heights.”
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Faith, trust and risk
November 7, 2010
What is faith? The Bible says,
‘Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’ (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith is conviction in an invisible God who creates, sustains and controls the visible world. Faith is belief in what this invisible God says He has done and will do. Our faith is in a Person, not a plan or a program or even a church. Our faith is in the Person, Jesus Christ. ‘No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (John 1:18).
Faith trusts the invisible God and believes that the unseen is more solid and real than what our naked eyes can see. Faith, when exercised, will inspire others to trust God and gives God the free hand to demonstrate who He is.
Risk is part of the faith equation. Where there is no risk, there is no need for faith. Hudson Taylor, the founder of O.M.F, captured it in one statement,
"Unless there is an element of risk in your exploits for God, there is no need for faith."
Yet all risk is calculated risk. Jesus says we are to sit down and count the cost before building – and that is our role as disciples of Jesus. To do our homework thoroughly, know the cost, all the risks and consequences and then ultimately – still trust God.
When our faithfulness and faith in God come together as one, God, the Master builder, takes over. A beautiful partnership between God and us unfold and the results are miracles and divine encounters.
In following God, the greatest challenge is not circumstance, but our lack of faith in a trustworthy God.
Without faith, it is impossible to be faithful because the root of faithfulness is faith.
What is faith? The Bible says,
‘Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.’ (Hebrews 11:1)
Faith is conviction in an invisible God who creates, sustains and controls the visible world. Faith is belief in what this invisible God says He has done and will do. Our faith is in a Person, not a plan or a program or even a church. Our faith is in the Person, Jesus Christ. ‘No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son, who is himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made him known. (John 1:18).
Faith trusts the invisible God and believes that the unseen is more solid and real than what our naked eyes can see. Faith, when exercised, will inspire others to trust God and gives God the free hand to demonstrate who He is.
Risk is part of the faith equation. Where there is no risk, there is no need for faith. Hudson Taylor, the founder of O.M.F, captured it in one statement,
"Unless there is an element of risk in your exploits for God, there is no need for faith."
Yet all risk is calculated risk. Jesus says we are to sit down and count the cost before building – and that is our role as disciples of Jesus. To do our homework thoroughly, know the cost, all the risks and consequences and then ultimately – still trust God.
When our faithfulness and faith in God come together as one, God, the Master builder, takes over. A beautiful partnership between God and us unfold and the results are miracles and divine encounters.
In following God, the greatest challenge is not circumstance, but our lack of faith in a trustworthy God.
Without faith, it is impossible to be faithful because the root of faithfulness is faith.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
God's Kingdom rule
October 31, 2010
The kingdom of God is here and not yet.
We live in an age of tension – the time when God’s reign is here but yet not fully in place. Victories are relished in the midst of sin. While there is healing, there is still sickness and pain. The kingdom of God coexists with the ugliness of man’s sin.
Yet the light has penetrated into the darkness and disarms its lies and deceptions. Where the light has fallen, there is liberty. There is freedom to choose the light over the darkness.
As disciples, we long to walk in obedience but struggle with surrendering our wills to His kingdom rule. One of the reasons for our struggle is because it is frightening to relinquish our control over to God.
If we have been walking with God long enough, we realize that God has His own ideas, His own timing and His own way of doing things.
God cannot fit into a box. He is uncontainable, unpredictable and honestly, doesn’t fit into our framework or our timetable. And that honestly is quite annoying.
What do we do with such a God?
I suggest we follow His cues, go by His timetable and play by His rules.
Then perhaps when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, “Your kingdom come, Thine will be done on earth as it is in heaven. … for Thine is the kingdom, power and the glory forever” - we can truly AMEN it.
The kingdom of God is here and not yet.
We live in an age of tension – the time when God’s reign is here but yet not fully in place. Victories are relished in the midst of sin. While there is healing, there is still sickness and pain. The kingdom of God coexists with the ugliness of man’s sin.
Yet the light has penetrated into the darkness and disarms its lies and deceptions. Where the light has fallen, there is liberty. There is freedom to choose the light over the darkness.
As disciples, we long to walk in obedience but struggle with surrendering our wills to His kingdom rule. One of the reasons for our struggle is because it is frightening to relinquish our control over to God.
If we have been walking with God long enough, we realize that God has His own ideas, His own timing and His own way of doing things.
God cannot fit into a box. He is uncontainable, unpredictable and honestly, doesn’t fit into our framework or our timetable. And that honestly is quite annoying.
What do we do with such a God?
I suggest we follow His cues, go by His timetable and play by His rules.
Then perhaps when we pray the Lord’s Prayer, “Your kingdom come, Thine will be done on earth as it is in heaven. … for Thine is the kingdom, power and the glory forever” - we can truly AMEN it.
Friday, October 22, 2010
Rut, Rot or Revival
October 24, 2010
“Rut, Rot or Revival” – the famous prophetic Pastor and Revivalist, A.W. Tozer issued a challenge to the 1960s’ church then. His message is still as relevant today.
A church that is satisfied with her status quo will only rut and rot but the church that is open to changes; changes directed by God, will revive and thrive and become a blessing.
However, revival and change come at a price – and every member must pay. No one is exempted. Each member must embrace a new mindset and fulfil the higher calling of God in our individual life in order for revival to happen. When individuals are passionate about God, the spiritual landscape is transformed.
Revival and renewal birth new visions and new visions bring forth changes.
Our English congregation started in 1992. It has been a long 18 years.
We can keep our status quo and stay where we are or break forth with new wings to participate in God’s plan for us as a community. The former guarantees security, predictability and gives us a sense of control. The latter probably creates anxiety, reveals surprises and will seem chaotic at times because the church will be under new management – GOD. It will mean that we are responding to God’s initiatives and have to learn to read His moves and understand His leadings.
Yet, what greater security for the church than that of being in His will!
“Rut, Rot or Revival” – the famous prophetic Pastor and Revivalist, A.W. Tozer issued a challenge to the 1960s’ church then. His message is still as relevant today.
A church that is satisfied with her status quo will only rut and rot but the church that is open to changes; changes directed by God, will revive and thrive and become a blessing.
However, revival and change come at a price – and every member must pay. No one is exempted. Each member must embrace a new mindset and fulfil the higher calling of God in our individual life in order for revival to happen. When individuals are passionate about God, the spiritual landscape is transformed.
Revival and renewal birth new visions and new visions bring forth changes.
Our English congregation started in 1992. It has been a long 18 years.
We can keep our status quo and stay where we are or break forth with new wings to participate in God’s plan for us as a community. The former guarantees security, predictability and gives us a sense of control. The latter probably creates anxiety, reveals surprises and will seem chaotic at times because the church will be under new management – GOD. It will mean that we are responding to God’s initiatives and have to learn to read His moves and understand His leadings.
Yet, what greater security for the church than that of being in His will!
Saturday, October 16, 2010
A Macedonian Call
October 17, 2010
Missions is not an optional department in the church ministry.
It is intrinsic to our calling as a church. Like a fish cannot but swim, a bird cannot but fly, so a church cannot but do world missions. However, the church will only be most effective and involved when she focuses her energy, resources and prayers on one mission field.
For BHLC, we have identified our mission field – the Dalits of India. Thus, it is our church’s aim to empower the Dalits of India to break the caste system.
Born as the ‘untouchables’, they have been labelled by the Hindu scriptures as the ‘unborn’, which in translated means, ‘it would be better if they had never been born’.
As sub-humans, they are denied water, education and healthcare by all levels of society. After being oppressed for more than three thousand years, the Dalits have finally cried out, ‘enough is enough!’ Open invitations to Christians have been issued by the Dalit leaders - not unlike that of the Macedonian call in Acts 16:9-10,
"During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
What do we do with such a vision?
We must conclude that NOW is the time to stand with them.
To that end, we have committed to help build a school for them in India.
Missions is not an optional department in the church ministry.
It is intrinsic to our calling as a church. Like a fish cannot but swim, a bird cannot but fly, so a church cannot but do world missions. However, the church will only be most effective and involved when she focuses her energy, resources and prayers on one mission field.
For BHLC, we have identified our mission field – the Dalits of India. Thus, it is our church’s aim to empower the Dalits of India to break the caste system.
Born as the ‘untouchables’, they have been labelled by the Hindu scriptures as the ‘unborn’, which in translated means, ‘it would be better if they had never been born’.
As sub-humans, they are denied water, education and healthcare by all levels of society. After being oppressed for more than three thousand years, the Dalits have finally cried out, ‘enough is enough!’ Open invitations to Christians have been issued by the Dalit leaders - not unlike that of the Macedonian call in Acts 16:9-10,
"During the night Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us." After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
What do we do with such a vision?
We must conclude that NOW is the time to stand with them.
To that end, we have committed to help build a school for them in India.
Friday, October 8, 2010
Spiritual Friendships
October 10, 2010
If we can only do one thing, what is the one thing BHLC will do and must do? The answer will be discipleship. Thus, I envision BHLC as a church that anchors in discipleship and mentorship.
For this to happen, I will pray with you for three sets of spiritual friends:
(1)‘Paul’ - He is a spiritual mentor who is committed to love, guide and walk with you. He exemplifies what it means to follow Christ and imparts wisdom and understanding in your faith journey. You will be inspired by him.
(2)‘Timothy’ – someone younger in faith, who watches your moves, laughs at your jokes and looks up to you. You will be aspired to live worthy of his respect.
(3)‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’ – peers with whom you have a spiritual alliance. They are your comfort and towers of strength as you brave through life’s challenges.
True spiritual friendships are scarce and gifts bestowed by God. Like precious pearls, they are to be treasured and cherished.
As Thanksgiving draws near, if you have any of such friends, thank God.
If not, start praying for them. “Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord” and He will give you.
"Hold a true friend with both your hands." (Nigerian Proverb)
If we can only do one thing, what is the one thing BHLC will do and must do? The answer will be discipleship. Thus, I envision BHLC as a church that anchors in discipleship and mentorship.
For this to happen, I will pray with you for three sets of spiritual friends:
(1)‘Paul’ - He is a spiritual mentor who is committed to love, guide and walk with you. He exemplifies what it means to follow Christ and imparts wisdom and understanding in your faith journey. You will be inspired by him.
(2)‘Timothy’ – someone younger in faith, who watches your moves, laughs at your jokes and looks up to you. You will be aspired to live worthy of his respect.
(3)‘Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego’ – peers with whom you have a spiritual alliance. They are your comfort and towers of strength as you brave through life’s challenges.
True spiritual friendships are scarce and gifts bestowed by God. Like precious pearls, they are to be treasured and cherished.
As Thanksgiving draws near, if you have any of such friends, thank God.
If not, start praying for them. “Every good and perfect gift comes from the Lord” and He will give you.
"Hold a true friend with both your hands." (Nigerian Proverb)
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