Restore us to yourself O Lord

Restore us to yourself O Lord

Scripture:- You, LORD, reign forever; your throne endures from generation to generation. Why do you always forget us? Why do you forsake us so long? Restore us to yourself, LORD, that we may return; renew our days as of old unless you have utterly rejected us and are angry with us beyond measure. Lamentations 5:19-22

Observation:- Lamentations ends with a cry to the Lord. Lord, you reign forever. Lord, it has been so long. Lord, restore us, let us return, renew our days as You did before! Oh Lord, have you utterly rejected us in your anger? The Jews cry to the Lord. Throughout the last 2,000 years, there have been terrible periods in history when the Jews were persecuted and killed in many countries – in the Roman empire under the Caesars, in Russia under the cruel Communists, in Germany, during the reign of Adolf Hitler, in Spain, during the terrible Spanish inquisition.  In the last days, this will happen again when the Anti-Christ shows himself in the temple at Jerusalem. The Bible speaks of only 3 ½ years, but what terrible years it will be.

There are times when we may feel that God has forgotten us, that He has forsaken us for a long time. In our grief and despair, it is important for us to let our emotions and pour it out to God. Our Lord reigns forever, His throne endures from generation to generation. A 1000 years is like a day to the Lord. He is timeless, though for us we become impatient even after a few minutes. The Lord is slow to anger and abounding in love. If we return to Him and cry out to Him, His deliverance will surely come, though not always immediately, surely in due time. He will not be angry beyond measure for those who humble themselves and come back to Him.

Application:- Always hold the vision in our minds that the Lord reigns forever and His throne endures from generation to generation. He is the eternal God, all-powerful. When we feel discouraged or sad, pour out our emotions to God. Pray for God to restore us to Himself. Our relationship with God is far more precious than gold or money.

Prayer: ­Lord, Your glory extends from generation to generation. In Your hands You hold all things. In my despair, I will turn to You O Lord. Let Your ears hear and answer me. Knowing You is far more precious that anything in the world. Bring me back, O Lord, and let me know Your sweet presence again. In Jesus name, Amen

An ordinary man with an extraordinary God

An ordinary man with an extraordinary God

This Friday, we were privileged to have brother Yew, the leader of a Klang FGB Chapter and former director of Informatics share his testimony.

Brother Yew began by sharing how 30 years ago, he met Jesus Christ while a student at University Malaya. Thereafter, he went to church at Glad Tidings, PJ. In his second year, he continued his studies in the campus at Bangi, a small place with no church at first. Then, a young man put up a church just outside campus and the initial congregation was very small, and consisted mainly of sisters.

Now brother Yew always viewed himself as a very ordinary person. He was not the best in class, and did not stand out in sport or any particular area. Basically, he was just a timid boy from a small village in Pahang with simple thinking. Still, in the small church, where the few members had no choice but be active, the Pastor began to ask him to help out, and brother Yew responded. In the 2 years in Bangi, brother Yew found tremendous time and opportunity to serve God, driving the church van, leading song-leading, giving out tracts in kampungs, even Nilai. People were speaking in tongues and weeping, on fire for God. In that time, he remembered also renting a projector and holding Christian movies as a form of evangelism Looking back, Yew commented that simple submission to the pastor can be very good and that through service, God was actually giving him confidence. He likes to say that he is an ordinary guy with an extraordinary God.

In his younger days, brother Yew, being acutely aware of his shortcomings  asked God “How can I compete with the best?” Every year, Malaysia has 200,000 new graduates, and in China, the number is 6 million. The numbers and competition are mind-boggling, but brother Yew realized that his early years of serving was storing blessing for his life in the future by his faithful God! In 1985, when brother Yew joined Informatics, there were only 4 staff – the boss, himself and two counter girls. In 3 months, he was promoted to manager by his boss who was only 2 years older. When the company opened a new branch in Klang the boss was looking for a new partner. There was none and brother Yew. After 6 months, he became a director of the company. With only RM12,500 borrowed from his parents, brother Yew started the business, but blessings came pouring in. One branch expanded to 30  branches, and many started making money from day 1. However, the cost for success was less time for God. Informatics became a top company in Singapore and even became international, even opening branches in the UK.

Come 2000, brother Yew became very tired . The journey had become rough and tough. That year, brother Yew made up his mind to quit the company and sold his share. Despite that, he still stayed on a couple of years to tie up loose ends and only cut off completely on 1 Jan 2005. Now, he was no more a big shot in a big cooperation. Nevertheless, he believed that God restores what we may have lost. Praise be to God, the last 5 years, the financial numbers did not go down. Many times, with nothing to do, brother Yew wept before the Lord and asked “What should I do?”

The main advice brother Yew told us, and especially young people is “Peg your future to God”. In Klang, the FGB Chapters have come together to form tne Sunrise Prayer. As many as 10 offices in Klang pray together at 7am, giving God the firstfruits of the day.

Jesus was born in a humble manger while Adam was born in the garden of Eden. Jesus was successful although Adam was not because Jesus followed God.

Brother Yew encouraged us “Do you keep God far away in your life? Ask God to open way for me to glorify you. In Klang, the results of prayer is the Banquet system, where unbelievers are treated to banquets at various places, sponsored by the FGB. Where is the harvest? In the field. Focus on Jesus alone. Jesus name must be on the increase. Peg your life to Jesus and watch him make an ordinary life extraordinary!           

Full-time in the Marketplace

Full-time in the Marketplace

This Friday, we were privileged at FGB Jaya Chapter One to have brother SC Khoo, a businessman and director of Influence Point, a marketplace ministry organization that gives 51% of its profits to kingdom work.

In beginning his sharing, brother Khoo first shared how a sudden call in the middle of K.L. at 4.30pm changed his life. A brother from the call had asked him to come to Jakarta that same night. Trusting God’s calling, he rushed to book a flight and got the 10.30pm flight on Air-Asia. Arriving in the hotel at 2.30am, he was asked to meet in the lobby at 7am. And at the meeting, he was amazed to find some of the richest billionaires of Indonesia. There were developers, bankers, top corporate people of the highest echelons, and all these people were Christians and so actively involved in the marketplace ministry. This trip opened brother Khoo’s eyes to become aware of the incredible possibilities of the marketplace ministry and how it could transform lives in ways beyond our imagination. He exclaimed that the marketplace ministry in Indonesia was 10 years ahead of the marketplace ministry in Malaysia.

A non-believers for many years into his career, brother Khoo was finally saved one day, and immediately quit his job the next day. Before he was a Christian, money was his life, and he was literally a slave to money. In the name of work, he would go to the pub, and come back from home at 3 to 4 am. His relationship with his wife was on a thin line. But the moment he was saved, the desire to sin left him, and he was madly in love with God and with his wife. Thereafter, he was without a job for a year and saw all his money used up quickly for that was how God dealt with him and his ego. Nevertheless, that 1 year, he grew incredibly close to God and experienced times enjoying the glory of God in his room or sitting beside Jesus on the bed. He even heard the Lord’s voice on His handphone on 2 occasions. After the 1 year, he heard the Lord’s call for him to go into missions, and he went to Myanmar where he preached and evangelized until he was thrown out of the country, never allowed to return again. And then God told him to return to the corporate world and he has been there for the past 6-7 years in marketplace ministry.

Moving on, brother Khoo shared about the miracle of Sentul City, which has a land area about half the size of Singapore. The board members of Sentul City see themselves as pastors cum businessmen. When the coordinator first brought them all together, the 8 board members did not talk to one another, but today, through much prayer and teamwork, Sentul City is a Kingdom City. Its business plan is not just to make profit but also to plant churches ahd help the poor. Through this trip, God was telling brother Khoo, this is possible!

Why are they so successful? In this company, 51% of the profit goes to a foundation that disciples nations. Surrounding Sentul were villages of a different religion who were suspicious of receiving help from Christians. They were turned away the first time. The second time, they managed to convince a village that they just wanted to help, not to convert. At that time, the land was hard, filled with rocks. However, intercessors who were businesspeople came and prayed and walked the land and asked God to heal the land. The land was infertile because there was no water and no crops were grow. But the intercessors prayed and dug a well, and water came out. Today, the village is fruitful and successful, and her people have accepted the Lord. Bringing the Master there brought transformation to that village.

All of us are in the marketplace for a reason. The first question we must resolve is “Is God really interested in our business, our job?” We need to get an answer from God. Is making money evil? No! We are placed to be successful. How we use the money attaches the value to it. If we use the money for corruption it becomes evil. When we use the money to help the poor, it becomes good.

In the beginning, God made Adam and Eve to take care of the garden of Eden. Broken branches needed to be cleared, fallen leaves needed to be tidied up, animals needed tending at times. This was labor, and at the very beginning, God ordained labor, work! It was and is a worship to God! The same assignment given to Adam and Eve still prevails with us today. We must take care of the city, we must fix what is wrong. The city is also God’s creation. If our company is not doing well, we have a job to help fix it. Labor is worship!

In the gospels, after preaching one day, Jesus asked Peter to throw his net on the right side, and reluctantly he did and was immediately amazed at the great number of fish that were caught. It was big harvest, big gain, and the fishermen would have made a huge profit that day, for none of the other fishermen had caught anything.

Upon returning to the corporate place, brother Khoo was asked by his boss to head up a new company. He agreed but informed his boss that he would work by certain principles, which included no bribing. One day, the sales manager came to his office excitedly saying that he had closed a deal worth RM250,000. However, the employee of the other company had asked for a cut. Brother Khoo agreed to give him the commission, but that it would be in black and white and addressed to the company. Obviously, the employee refused to have it that way, and the salesman in anger lost the business and his commission. When he went home, brother Khoo cried to God “Show him you can prosper the company, Lord!” Soon after, brother Khoo received a call from the managing director of a company whom the group had sued before for non-payment. In such unusual circumstances, the MD was actually willing to do business with them again. This time, brother Khoo requested cash on delivery, and the business brought in was worth RM1,000,000. He told the Sales Manager, this is my God.

All of us are in full-time ministry, not just pastors. Our job is our ministry and our ministry is for God. If you have a business, view yourself as a business pastor and your employees as the congregation. With that view, does your attitude change? If I am a CEO and one of the staff is sick, I’m not too bothered. I can replace him. However, if I am a Pastor, I will go to the staff and show concern, even pray for him. We are called the salt and light of the world for a reason. Our job is our ministry

Jesus was a businessman. He was known as carpenter and earned a living. After Jakarta, brother Khoo did some Bible Study. In the gospels, there were 35 miracles recorded and 31 out of these occurred in the marketplace. In the book of Acts, out of 40 miracles, 39 were in the marketplace. Jesus didn’t choose priests as His disciples, He chose marketplace people- fishermen, tax collectors. The gospels were written by marketplace people.  Jesus often spent time with sinners for that was His job, to save the sick. Your job is your ministry. Know that making money is not wrong. Labor is worship.

What should be the Spiritual Business Plan

Firstly, discard the deception you are not a minister

Reject the deception that your job is not spiritual

Welcome Jesus to the workplace, dedicate your workplace to Jesus

Ed Silvoso has a chair beside him in the office called the red chair. Ed is the managing director but that’s where  His CEO sits, Jesus. God the Father can be the chairman, the Holy Spirit can be the Legal Advisor.

At Influence Point, brother Khoo gives 51% of the profits to kingdom business. Jesus is the CEO and majority shareholder.

A top lady executive in a Fortune 500 company heard Ed Silvoso’s message and started seeing herself as a pastor to her company. She came early and prayed over the business, praying blessing, and inviting Jesus to be CEO. At that time, her company was in the process of taking over another company. One morning, Jesus spoke to her, and told her the accounts were flawed and told her specific details where to look for the flaw. She told the CFO where to look, and although the first set of auditors had overlooked the flaw, a second set was asked to go in and found it just as she had said. The CFO had asked her where she got her source, and she said God, to his great surprise. After the incident, the CFO asked her, what else did God tell you? Did He tell you about me?

In another testimony, a man in a major telecommunications company heard the message and invited God to come to his company. He prayed for the employees in his department. Before, it had been known for high sick leave, but the sick leave came down tremendously, and the CEO asked him what had happened. He said “Its God”. When the company built the new headquarters, the CEO appointed him as judge as he was trusted. He prayed and there were no accidents at all during the entire construction. The people couldn’t believe it and called the audit team in but could find really no accidents. God’s favor was on that man.

Next, when bidding for a huge contract, the CEO, a non-Christian asked him “Ask your God what will it take for the company to win the contract?”. The man prayed, and was told to ask the CEO to present the company’s environmental preservation book, which had nothing to do with the contract. Nevertheless, the CEO showed at his presentation and amazingly 2 weeks later, the company won the contract, and largely due to that environmental preservation book, which none of the other competitors had done.

In closing, brother Khoo exhorted us to have the mindset that we are all ministers and pastors in the marketplace, and let God use us to pray and make a real difference to transform the marketplace where we work and live.

Under his shadow we would live

Under his shadow we would live
Scripture:- Moreover, our eyes failed, looking in vain for help; from our towers we watched for a nation that could not save us. People stalked us at every step, so we could not walk in our streets. Our end was near, our days were numbered, for our end had come. Our pursuers were swifter than eagles in the sky; they chased us over the mountains and lay in wait for us in the desert. The LORD’s anointed, our very life breath, was caught in their traps. We thought that under his shadow we would live among the nations. Lamentations 4:17-20

Observation:- Filled with terror, hopeless, frantically searching for help from anywhere, one cannot truly begin to fully understand the emotions felt by the people of Jerusalem in that time. Judah looked and looked for help from Egypt, but it did not come. There was nothing they could do to withstand the armies of Babylon. The people dared not go down to walk in the streets as the vicious armies flooded the city. Those who ran to the mountains were chased down, those who fled to the desert found the enemy waiting.
During the time of the Japanese occupation, the people of Malaya must have felt that way. Their hope had been in the British, but the colonial masters had fled before a superior army. People lived in fear. Men were killed, women forcibly taken, even children not spared. In many countries in Africa today, life is likewise uncertain, as rogues and rebels do as they wish among a poor, fearful people. In the days to come, in the time of tribulation, such scenes could well be commonplace all over the world.
In the last days, Jesus prophesied that we who follow Him would be handed over to be persecuted and killed and hated by all nations for His name’s sake. Brother would turn against brother, children against parents. It would be a terrible time. The Lord’s anointed would be caught in traps, and many would perish. Yet all who hold on to Jesus will live again and dwell under God’s shadow among the nations.

Application:- In life, there are difficult times that we must endure. For some of us, it could be truly terrifying times. However, though we lose all, those who lose even our lives, we need to remain sure and believe that this is all only temporary, and in the end, we have a great hope, a great God, whose shadow will cover us, and we will dwell with Him forever one day.

Prayer:- Lord, in my times of fear, even in my times of despair, I will continue to trust in You. Sustain me O Lord, and keep me safe in Your arms, till I see You face to face when You return. Bless You, Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

The Writing on the Wall

The Writing on the Wall

This Sunday, we were privileged at CDC to have brother Ronald Ooi speak to us from Daniel Chapter 5, as we continued our series on the book of Daniel.

The chapter begins with King Belshazzar, who was probably the grandson of the great King Nebuchadnezzar, having a great banquet for a thousand of his nobles. In the course of the feast, King Belshazzar gave the order for the goblets taken from the temple of Jerusalem by King Nebuchadnezzar to be brought in and used. The drunken crowd proceeded to use these holy items flippantly and even praised the gods of gold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. In ordering for these items to be used, King Belshazzar was trying to indicate to the nobles that he was equal to the great King Nebuchadnezzar.

The action of using the holy goblets in this way was akin to stealing God’s glory. The warning is for us to be careful not to steal God’s glory in any way, but always be mindful to give God the glory. Of the 10 lepers whom Jesus healed, only one came back to thank Jesus. It is so important for us to live simple and thankful lives to God, grateful for all He has given us, even our lives. If we become proud and think we have become great in our own strength, we steal God’s glory, and as Belshazzar found out, can be very dangerous indeed.

Then suddenly, the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the wall. Whenever “Suddenly” appears in the Bible, it shows the picture of something happening in a very unexpected matter out of the blue. The king became so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking. He summoned all the astrologers, diviners and wise men to tell him what the words meant, but they could not, and the king became even more frightened.

Then the queen mother came and admonished the king frankly “Don’t look so pale. There is a man in your kingdom who has the spirit of the Holy Gods in him…. The queen mother proceeded to describe the qualities of Daniel, having insight and intelligence and wisdom like that of the gods, having a keen mind, and knowledge and understanding, and the ability to interpret dreams, explain riddles and solve difficult problems.” Now as a young man, Daniel honored God by keeping pure, and throughout his career, God was with him and blessed him with all these things. In the book of James, it is written, that if anyone lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, but he who asks should believe and not doubt. In today’s generation, God is also looking for Daniels and Danielles who will be faithful to him, and whom He will bless with wisdom, ability, understanding, and many great gifts, and they will make a difference in every sphere of society, be it political, business, education, entertainment or sports. The ability to solve difficult problems is especially valued wherever one goes.

Another point to note is the fact that King Belshazzar did not know Daniel. This shows that he had been sidelined. When King Belshazzar took over the throne, he probably brought in his own team, his own people, rather than use those who had served King Nebuchadnezzar. Nevertheless, in due time, Daniel was lifted up, when he was needed again. In times of crises, quality shines through.

Once put in that position, asked to interpret this sign, Daniel knew that his words would not be what the king wanted to hear, and in a fit or rage, the king could well order him killed. However, Daniel spoke the truth, even though it hurt, which showed his remarkable courage.

The way Daniel addressed the king is also instructive. Firstly, he declined the gifts and the position, showing he was not interested in those things. Then he addressed the king politely as His majesty. Brother Ronald told us at this point that it is important for us to speak the truth in a gentle, respectful manner as advocated by the apostle Peter for us to be respectful to the authorities placed above us.

Then Daniel proceeded to remind King Belshazzar how great and powerful King Nebuchadnezzar was. Yet when he became arrogant, the Lord humbled him until he gave glory to God. Even though King Belshazzar knew this, he had not given glory to God and that was why he was now judged.

Today, the earthquakes, the plagues, the wars that are ever increasing in the world show us that Jesus is coming again. These signs are a warning for us to remember that the end is near, and our Lord will return soon.

In closing, brother Ronald prayed specifically for the young adults of the church, asking God to fill them with wisdom and knowledge and ability like Daniel of old, that they would make a great impact on society for God.

They are new every morning

They are new every morning

Scripture:- Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. I say to myself, “The LORD is my portion; therefore I will wait for him.” The LORD is good to those whose hope is in him, to the one who seeks him; it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD. Lamentations 3:21-26

Observation:- In the midst of the great anguish and sorrow felt by Jerusalem, Lamentations 3 gives us an amazing picture of a people yet willing to hope in the God who has punished them. “Yet this I call to mind” shows us that Jerusalem remembers. She remembers that her God is a loving and compassionate God and that is why the people of Israel are not completely wiped out. The people remember that God’s faithfulness, His love and compassion are new every morning. With this in mind, they will declare “the Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him”. And we are reminded again the promise of Scripture, that the Lord is good to those whose hope is in Him, to those who seek Him. And it is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

Application:- Perhaps some of us have fallen away from God, pursuing selfish desires or ambitions but now we realize our folly. Perhaps now, we may be facing a difficult, seemingly insurmountable problem, be it health, family, relationship, financial or occupational. This is the time to remember God and find hope. We are still alive because of God’s great love and unfailing compassion. Let us remember that God’s mercy is new every morning, and great is His faithfulness. Let us declare “The Lord is my portion, therefore I will wait for him”. Hope, and continue to hope in Jesus for salvation. Seek the Lord, waiting quietly for Him to save us. The Scripture says the Lord is good to those who hope in Him. Let us not give up but wait patiently and quietly in Him, never losing hope.

Prayer:- Lord, forgive me where I have fallen away from You. I remember You, now O Lord, how loving and compassionate You are. I thank You that Your mercies are new every morning, and great is your faithfulness. You are my portion, therefore I will wait for you. Save me O Lord according to Your great love. In Jesus name, Amen.