My treasured possession

My treasured possession

Scripture:

I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the Lord Almighty. But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner’s fire or a launderer’s soap. He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the Lord will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the Lord, as in days gone by, as in former years. Malachi 3:1-4

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.  I will prevent pests from devouring your crops, and the vines in your fields will not drop their fruit before it is ripe, ” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 3:10-11

“On the day when I act,” says the Lord Almighty, “they will be my treasured possession. I will spare them, just as a father has compassion and spares his son who serves him Malachi 3:17

Observation:

In the first Scripture, we see the prophecy concerning John the Baptist, the messenger who would prepare the way before the Lord. Later, John the Baptist prophesied about Jesus “He who comes after me will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire. His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.” The purpose of the refining process is to burn away the impurities and bring forth pure silver and gold. The launderer’s soap also gives us the picture of cleansing. The process of refining could be painful, in the form of trials and suffering, but the end result is our mature character. The description of “offerings in righteousness” remind us of our Lord Jesus’ perfect sacrifice for us that we might receive His righteousness, for only by Jesus’ righteousness are we able to stand before God. As we walk with the Lord, we are also reminded that our good deeds done in faith are offerings of righteousness to the Lord.

The second Scripture speaks about the blessings attached to tithing. Some theologians say that tithing is not compulsory in the New Testament as the important thing is to give willingly as God loves a cheerful giver. However, there is an innate principle that the more we give to God, the more we will receive, as we simply can’t outgive God and God is no man’s debtor. One thing we may not realize is the preservation part of God’s blessing as mentioned in verse 11. We should not take for granted the tremendous blessedness of being free from major illness, robbery and accidents because the Lord’s protection is upon us.

The third Scripture shows the Lord’s love for those who serve Him, like a father’s love for his faithful son. In Christ, we are God’s treasured possessions, highly valued and precious. Therefore, we should never look down on ourselves or think we are failures in life because God really loves us so much!

Application:

Praise the Lord, for the joy of His prophecies that show us how He holds the future in His hands. Some of us may be undergoing trials. Pray for God to help us through this refining process and continue to lean on Him for strength. Know that giving to the Lord is never in vain, and remember to thank God for His providence and protection, for how He keeps trouble and sickness from us, even when we are not aware of it. Praise the Lord for His great love for us, that He loves us as His treasured possessions, highly valued and precious.

Prayer: Praise You, Heavenly Father, for the prophecies that show Your might and power. You hold all things in Your hands, and nothing happens apart from Your Heavenly will. Help us O Lord, in our trials and troubles. Thank You that You are always there for us. Give us strength O Lord, to overcome all that assail us, and still praise Your Holy name. Give me a generous and cheerful heart O Lord, as I give towards Your holy work in the land. Thank You for the providence and protection that You give me, even when I did not realize it. I thank You dear Lord that You love me as Your treasured possessions, in spite of all my faults and weaknesses. May Your name be praised forever, O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

A messenger of the Lord Almighty

A messenger of the Lord Almighty 

Scripture :

“My covenant was with him, a covenant of life and peace, and I gave them to him; this called for reverence and he revered me and stood in awe of my name. True instruction was in his mouth and nothing false was found on his lips. He walked with me in peace and uprightness, and turned many from sin. “For the lips of a priest ought to preserve knowledge, because he is the messenger of the Lord Almighty and people seek instruction from his mouth. Malachi 2:5-7

Has not the one God made you? You belong to him in body and spirit. And what does the one God seek? Godly offspring. So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful to the wife of your youth.

“The man who hates and divorces his wife, ” says the Lord, the God of Israel, “does violence to the one he should protect,” says the Lord Almighty.

So be on your guard, and do not be unfaithful. Malachi 2:15-16

Observation:

In the first Scripture, we see the Lord’s expectation of those who are priests. We who are in Christ are called to be a kingdom of priests, so in a way, this calling is also for us. Indeed, in a workplace or neighborhood where we are among unbelievers, we are often God’s only messengers and intermediaries on their behalf, and it is our duty to care for them and pray for them.

What are the characteristics God requires of a priest? A priest must revere God and stand in awe of His name. When we worship, we must revere God. Worship is not a chore to be done over with. It is a precious time of adoration of the living God. Secondly, the priest has true instruction in his mouth and no falsehood on his lips. Speaking the truth is something very important for us in God’s eyes. Thirdly, he walks with God in peace and uprightness and turns many from sin. It is so important for us to have a lifestyle of walking with God, communing with Him daily in prayer and Bible reading. To walk with God is to walk in peace and uprightness. Integrity is something we should all aim for in life. Also, we must not be afraid to speak up, to voice out against unrighteousness, and in so doing, to have the opportunity to turn others from sin.

In the second Scripture, we see how the Lord feels about divorce, which He hates! Marriage is instituted by God, and it is God’s will for a man to watch over and protect his wife. And the Lord loves godly offspring. That is why it is so important for us to teach our children well from young to walk with God.

Application:

Recognize our calling as priests, as intermediaries between the lost and God. Desire to inculcate a lifestyle of walking with God and in deep worship for Him. Let truth and peace and uprightness be part of our character for God. Pray to God for boldness to speak up when we need to stand up for righteousness. Remember the holiness of the sacrament of marriage, and ask God for strength to be faithful to our vows. Pray regularly for God’s blessing and peace upon our children, and teach them to walk with God as best we can, led by the Holy Spirit.

Prayer:

We praise You O Lord, for You have called us to be priests, who bring others to you, and Your truth to them. Help us O Lord walk with You daily, in deep adoration and worship. Let uprightness and peace and truth be found in us and give us boldness to stand up for the truth. Let us be faithful to our partners we pray, and good teachers for our children, that they may walk with you too. In Jesus name, Amen.

Come into me, and I will work in you

Come into me, and I will work in you

FGB Jaya One/Goh Tze Meng/22/6/12

God has been faithful. In my short career, God has made me fruitful for Him despite my age. I spent my last 8 years in Canada, working for the Canadian government. Later, UCSI Canada contacted me and asked me to set up UCSI Blue Strategy in 2008, and since then, business has been good. Two years back, God called me to come back to Malaysia. I took a major pay cut to come back, but felt I needed to spend more time with my aging parents. UCSI has many different businesses, and in Malaysia, I am also heavily involved in the construction arm.

Today, I want to share about my turning point, about how during a troubled time, God became my helper. In my younger years, my faith was not strong and I did have some doubt about whether God existed although I went to Sunday school and learned a lot about the Bible. I had the head knowledge but did not apply the principles. In my first year of University, I met had my first girlfriend and thought that she was the one for me and that we would get married one day. Studies brought me to Canada while she went to Australia, and I soon found out that she had been cheating on me with a guy from church. And to think that I was the one who encouraged her to go to church. Not long after, we broke up on my birthday. It was a double whammy and I thought that life had ended because of a girl. I considered ending my life, and proceeded to climb out of my apartment window and sit on the ledge.  Then I remembered that someone had told me that if anyone who committed suicide would go to hell where there would be painful suffering. So I decided not to do it and went back in.

It was 10pm when I turned off the lights and went down on my knees. I told God “If this is your will, I will accept it, but I am thoroughly hurt and I need your help.” I prayed from 10pm till 5am. On my knees, I kept asking God over and over “Give me peace and give me rest, give me peace and give me rest”. About 4am, my knees hurt and I got on my bed but I still kept praying. And then at 5.30am, something spectacular happened. In Canada, it was still completely dark during winter time but I suddenly saw thick clouds unfolding on the ceiling of my room, and very bright sunlight streaming out, lighting up my whole room. I thought my depression had caused me to go mad, making me see things. I slapped and pinched myself to check if I was awake. I questioned “Is that you, Lord, or is it Satan or am I going mad?” Suddenly, I heard a thundering voice say “Come in Me and I will work in you.” Now in addition to seeing things, I was also hearing things and I was worried. However, I asked the same question again and the same voice spoke the same words. Straight after that, everything disappeared and the room returned to complete darkness. I lay on my bed but felt as though I was physically lifted up and that all my troubles and sorrows were stripped away. I had never felt so much peace. When God answers prayer, He answers with honor and glory. I then felt myself being placed on the bed again.

My engineering exam was only weeks later and in Engineering, you can’t cheat. It is either you know it or you don’t. I studied 8 hours a day but it was like nothing was going in. I was still physically and emotionally drained. It was then that I decided to fast for 40 days. My non-Christian friends from different countries who had always dined with me were puzzled as to what had happened to me. I used the fast as an opportunity to tell them about my faith, to sow a seed in their hearts.

Then the exam time came. Engineering exams are such that you are only given 3 hours to attempt a paper that requires at least 3 ½ hours if you are good and 4 hours for most students. There were 5 questions, and l did not know how to answer any of them. All around me, my fellow students were already writing furiously, knowing how limited time was. I knew I was in deep trouble as I could not continue my studies if I failed. My parents could not support me financially anymore and I already had to work to help pay my university fees. I decided to pray,. “Lord, you promised me you would work in Me if I came to you. I come to you now, Lord. Work in me.

This had taken 15 minutes and now I looked at the questions again. Amazingly, thoughts came into my head and I was able to apply the principles and answer the first question. The same thing happened for the other questions, and I completed the paper. Still, I did not know what I had written and spent anxious days waiting for the results, praying to God just for a pass. Amazingly, that paper’s score turned out to be the best I had ever gotten in my entire university life.

Another testimony I have is during my working life. I was reading a book that said it our faith level is 10, we can perform miracles. If you doubt even a little, miracles cannot be performed. That day, it was raining at the construction site, and with rain, no work could be done, and we also could not get our pay. So I decided to pray to God for the rain to stop. I walked out into the rain, amidst strange stares from my colleagues and lifted up my hands. In faith, I prayed to God to let the rain stop around the construction site. After about 5 seconds, the rain really stopped. At that time, I felt my faith wavering, and I prayed “Lord, help me not doubt”. Then I asked for a further confirmation, asking God to let a ray of sun come down towards me through the clouds, and in less than 5 seconds, it really did! It was a strong confirmation to me again that God is indeed real and active in our lives!

From these 2 experiences, there are a number of principles we can learn. Firstly, Psalms 51:17 says that the Lord accepts those who have a broken, contrite heart. “My sacrifice, O God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” Secondly, we are to test the spirits, to see if they are from God. 1 John 4:1-6 says that the spirits must acknowledge Jesus Christ as Lord and the experience must have biblical foundations. I later realized that the vision of the cloud was consistent with the Israelites’ experience when God’s presence went with them in a cloud during their travels. The command to “come into Me, and I will work in you” is consistent with John 15, where Jesus told His disciples “I am the vine, you are the branches. Remain in me and I will remain in you”. 1 Corinthians 10:13 is also an important application which tells us that the Lord will not let us be tempted beyond what we can bear.  Also, we must have faith when we ask. In Matthew 17:20 Jesus says “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” We must believe what we say will happen, like my experience with the rain and the sunshine. In Matthew 7, Jesus tells us to seek so that we will find, ask so that we will receive and knock so that the door will be opened for us. We also must never forget God’s faithfulness even in our times of trials. We must not be like the Israelites who grumbled and complained, forgetting all that God had done for them. 

My name will be great among the nations

My name will be great among the nations

Scripture:

“I have loved you,” says the Lord. “But you ask, ‘How have you loved us?’ Malachi 1:2

“A son honors his father, and a slave his master. If I am a father, where is the honor due me? If I am a master, where is the respect due me?” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 1:6

My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the Lord Almighty. Malachi 1:11

Observation:

The name Malachi means “messenger”, and in this last book of the Old Testament, we see the Lord asking the Israelites to come back to true covenant ways with Him. They had a form of religion, but their heart was not in it, and the Lord could not accept their half-hearted worship.

In the first Scripture, the Lord begins by questioning how Israel could possibly doubt His love. After all the Lord had done for the Israelites, bringing them out of Egypt, giving them the promised land and establishing them as a strong nation with their own unique identity, they still questioned how the Lord had loved them. This brings to mind the behavior of a spoilt child who does not appreciate all that his parents have done for him, giving him a roof over his head, food to eat and bringing him to school everyday. Instead, he screams at his parents for not buying him a toy his classmate has or grumbles when he has a less favorite food for breakfast. Sometimes, we too, may have a tendency to grumble and complain with life, even questioning God as to why we are where we are. If only we would open our eyes to see how much God has loved us, giving us a peaceful life, a roof over our head, family and friends who care. There are so many things we can thank God for but it is up to us whether we choose to value them.

In the second Scripture, the Lord now questions His people for not giving Him proper honor and respect as their Father and Master. We can say we are Christians, but if we do not honor the Lord with our lives, we dishonor Him. If we persist in sin, we are disrespecting God. We must be constantly aware that what we do gives God proper honor and respect.

In the third Scripture, the Lord speaks of how His name will be great among the nations from where the sun rises to where it sets, and nations everywhere will worship Him in purity. How true this prophecy has been fulfilled today, as people of every tongue and nation all over the world worship our Lord Jesus deeply and magnify His great and glorious name!

Application:

Thank God that He loves you. Even if things are not going our way, and we are irritated by problems here and there, focus on how much God loves you. Thank Him for even the simple things we always take for granted. The ease with which we breathe the air around us, the food we can enjoy, the mobility that we have.

Pray to God to help us always pay Him proper honor and respect as our Father in Heaven, our Lord and Master. Take time to worship Him deeply with purity in heart, knowing that brothers and sisters everywhere in the world worship Jesus likewise.

Prayer:

Praise You O Lord for Your great love. Forgive me O Lord, for the times I lost sight of Your love, when I got sidetracked by small things. Let me always have that awareness of Your great love, always supporting me. Let my heart O Lord, always give You all the honor and respect You deserve. Forgive my sins, lead me in ways that honor and please You! I worship You so deeply, Lord Jesus, even now, even with brothers and sisters all around the world. Only You, Lord Jesus, deserve all the honor and glory and praise. May Your name be lifted high forever. In Jesus name, Amen!

His name the only name

His name the only name

Scripture: On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which lies to the east of Yerushalayim; and the Mount of Olives will be split in half from east to west, to make a huge valley. Half of the mountain will move toward the north, and half of it toward the south. Zechariah 14:4

On that day, fresh water will flow out from Yerushalayim, half toward the eastern sea and half toward the western sea, both summer and winter. Then Adonai will be king over the whole world. On that day Adonai will be the only one, and his name will be the only name. Zechariah 14:8-9

Observation: In Zechariah 14, we see a powerful prophecy of the end times, when our Lord Jesus Himself will come back and rule as king over the whole world with Jerusalem as His capital. The Jews mistakenly expected Jesus’ first coming to be like that and were disappointed because they did not understand the Lord had to die first to prepare the way for salvation to be made available to all men. However, Jesus’ Second Coming will see this prophecy come to pass, and after the dust has cleared and Jesus’ kingdom established, the survivors of all the nations will come up annually to worship the King and celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles. If they do not come, they will have no rain.

In the first Scripture, the focus is on the Lord standing on the Mount of Olives and the Mount being split in half from east to west, making a huge valley. Job, even in his pain, prophesied that “My Redeemer lives, and in the end he will stand again upon the earth”. We too look forward to our Lord’s coming and the day He will stand upon the earth. The impact of the earthquake will be so great that it splits the Mount of Olives into two. How mighty our God is! Even a great mountain cannot stand before Him! Praise the Lord!

In the second Scripture, we see a picture of fresh water flowing out from Jerusalem in two directions, and in both summer and winter. The flowing of water symbolizes life, and our Lord Jesus will be king of the whole world! The Scripture says further that He will be the only one people will worship, and the only name people will call on. Now, there are still many who do not realize that there is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved, but in that day, everyone will know! As the Scripture says, one day, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord!

Application: Meditate and know the fact that the Lord is coming again and He will stand upon the earth. Praise Him for His great power, that even mountains cannot stand before Him. Praise Jesus for the living water He gives us in the Holy Spirit. Pray that this living water will flow in both summer and winter, in both the good times and difficult times of our lives. Praise the name of Jesus, the only name by which men can be saved.

Prayer: Bless You O Lord Jesus for Your great power and strength and even now You prepare to come again just as Your Word has prophesied. Help us be ready O Lord. Send forth Your Holy Spirit to dwell deeply in us! Give us that living water that refreshes us and gives us life in both summer and winter. Praise Your great name Lord Jesus! There is no other name under heaven by which men can be saved. Let every knee bow and every tongue confess that You, Lord Jesus are Lord.

Refined like silver, tried like gold

Refined like silver, tried like gold

Scripture: And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God. Zechariah 13:9

Observation: There is a segment within the church these days that preach no more suffering for believers because Jesus has already suffered for us. This movement says that once one becomes a Christian, he is destined for an effortless life, full of grace and blessing.

However, a close study through the Scripture shows that suffering is very much a part of the Christian life, even in the New Testament. In the book of James, he exhorts the believers to consider it pure joy when they endure trials of many kinds, because the testing of their faith produces perseverance so that they may become mature and complete, not lacking anything.

In Hebrews, it is also written how the Lord chastens those he loves and should we be weary in the toils of the world, to look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before Him, endured the cross, scorning its shame and is sat down at the right hand of God!

In the Scripture today, we see the description of the third part, the remnant being refined as silver is refined, tried as gold is tried. This refining process involves going through the fire, but the fire removes the impurities and brings forth pure silver or gold.

In life, the Lord sometimes allows us to go through suffering, but it is a process by which we become more and more like Him in maturity, in love, in dependence on the Lord.

Application: No matter what suffering we are going through and how tough life seems, look to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. How much more He suffered. Instead, accept the situation we are in, and trust God that He is using it to make us better and stronger. As we are refined in the fire, we will come forth like gold.

Prayer: Praise You, O Lord, for good days and bad days, for times of pleasure, and times of testing. Help me O Lord and give me strength during the difficult times. Sustain me, and let my eyes always look to You, for You are my God and You will help me through the darkest valley, the darkest night, and I will come forth refined, like gold. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.

A Spirit of grace and supplication

A Spirit of grace and supplication

Scripture: A prophecy: The word of the Lord concerning Israel. The Lord, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person, ….. : Zechariah 12:1

Then the clans of Judah will say in their hearts, ‘The people of Jerusalem are strong, because the Lord Almighty is their God.’ Zechariah 12:5

 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son. Zechariah 12:10

Observation: In the first Scripture, we see the introduction to the Lord’s prophecy concerning Israel, with particular focus on three characteristics of the Lord. Firstly, the Lord is the One who stretches out the heavens. Even just looking at the skies, we can’t help but wonder how great our God is to create something so vast and awesome - what more the expanse of the universe itself and the billions of galaxies invisible to the most powerful telescope. Secondly, the Lord is the One who lays the foundation of the earth. We tend to take for granted even the solidity of the ground we stand on. It is the Lord who holds land and matter in place by gravity, who gives His creation a stable ground by which they are able to live within order and purpose. Thirdly, the Lord is the One who forms the human spirit within a person. Each one of us has a spirit specially formed by God. It is fashioned out of God’s own spirit, and thus, we are created in His image. Man’s spirit is made to worship but will only find its true place when he worships the Almighty God Creator, our Heavenly Father, our Everlasting Lord!

The second Scripture reminds us that we are strong because the Lord Almighty is our God. We are not strong because of our own talents or ability. We are strong only because of God’s mercy and grace and generosity.

The third Scripture speaks of the Lord pouring out His Holy Spirit, describing Him as the spirit of grace and supplication (prayer). As God pours out His Spirit, He lavishes His grace, His unmerited favor upon us, blessing us with His presence. God’s Spirit not only blesses us but intercedes for us and through us in groans that cannot be expressed as the Scripture records. As the Holy Spirit indwells us more and more, we are able to likewise show grace to others and intercede for them.

Application: Praise the Lord for His great works, the beauty of the skies, the strength of the foundations of the earth, even for the spirit within us that He Himself formed. Know that we are precious for God made us, and breathed His Spirit in us. Always remember that we are strong because the Lord is our God, and not to be proud in ourselves.  All that we have, our abilities and opportunities come from God according to His grace. Ask God to pour forth His Spirit of grace and supplication more and more upon us, that we too may show grace and intercede for others.

Prayer: Praise You, Heavenly Father, for You created all things. The heavens are Yours, the foundation of the earth are Yours, even my spirit within me is Yours. Blessed be Your Holy name! Let me always remember O Lord that I am strong because You are my God! I am not weak, but strong in You! Pour forth Your Spirit more and more upon me, I pray, that I might receive more of Your grace. Teach me O Lord to pray for others through Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus name, Amen.

Unforgiving to seeking forgiveness – A father’s day story

Unforgiving to seeking forgiveness – A father’s day story

FGB Jaya One/Brother Raymond Chai/15/6/12

Since it is almost Father’s Day, I will share about my earthly father and my Father God’s love.

In the past, I grew up in a family of idol worshippers without feeling Christian love. I passed my Form 3 exam but wanted to come out and work because I was so eager to make money. I knew money was important and that you could buy and do anything with money. And so I went into business.

Although I was the only son among my parent’s six children, my relationship with my own father was always bad. I was an arrogant, proud person. Saving face was very important to me and I often spent 10 dollars for every 1 dollar made.

In 2000, I met my goal and earned RM20Million in a year. I employed 2 bodyguards and insisted on staying at the suites of the hotel and enjoy 5-star treatment wherever I went. I wanted to show how great I was. I wanted to show my father how wrong he was in looking down on me. However, my father never appreciated me.

I would buy him the best dinner and fly him first class, but they did not enjoy it. Being brought up in a very frugal manner, my father was not comfortable eating such expensive food or incurring such expensive airfare which he deemed totally unnecessary.

I would go to the nightclub and mixed with Tan Sris, Datos, and high flyers. However, I also cultivated a dangerous addiction to drugs. Still, I thought I was in control, until the day I lost everything. Money, property, relationships, reputation were all gone. I owed money on credit cards, to banks, to loan sharks. I was so depressed.

Now my father was 70 years old, and had put some property in my name, Even in my poor state, I still desired to live the high life and sold one of my father’s properties. When I went to the bank, I found out there was no money there, to my great shock. Then I found out my father, whose name was joint on the property had withdrew all the money. I was so mad and went to confront him.

He asked me why I needed so much money. I told him that he had given my sisters money and the property was mine. I lied to him that I needed it for cashflow and to run the business. He calmly asked me to bring the creditors and he would pay them. I became violent, screaming that he should not put the property in my name if he did not intend to give it to me. Trembling, my mother asked him to give in to me. He threw the bank book at me, and in anger I threw it back, cursing him, and ran away. I continued to sell of the little assets I had left and left Malaysia. I seriously planned to commit suicide to take revenge on my father and overdosed on drugs. I went into a coma for many days and woke up depressed. No one bothered about me. Even those who cared about me probably thought I had gone off too far to be worth saving. Only 1 sister, the only Christian in my family messaged me. She said “I love you. We all love you. Forget the past. Start again. Your father is already 70 years old. How many more years will he live? Can’t you forgive him for these few years? I broke down and cried before calling her. She immediately proceeded to send money to me and asked me to come back. I was still addicted to drugs but she believed in Jesus and trusted that I would use the money to come home.

She invited me to stay at her home, next to brother Tan Teck Seng. Earlier, brother Tan had tried to share Jesus with me, but I had shot him down saying that if I received Jesus, I could not smoke, drink or go to nightclubs. I told him my parent’s gods were also god but did not restrict me that way.

On the 3^rd day in her home, my niece asked me to take her to her church youth meeting. Since I had nothing else to do, I took her there and observed their meeting. There were about 20 youths aged from 12 to 30. As I looked at them, I started to think back over my life, when I was 12, 25, 30, realizing that I had never had a life like that. They were so humble, so simple, so joyful. I had been like a monkey out of a cage. I realize their life was something different. They held hands as they started to pray. I asked them to pray for me, and they stood around me and prayed. I was deeply touched and felt the peace of God’s presence. I told them I wanted to accept Jesus. The shocked youth leader, who knew my background led me in the sinner’s prayer and my life started from that day washed in Jesus’ precious blood.

My eyes and ears were opened and I wondered why I had done all those silly things. The next day, my sister called brother Teck Seng and he took me to the FGB Damansara chapter. There I asked to receive Jesus again, this time in English, to make absolutely certain Jesus heard me.

Day by day, I felt the difference in my life. I went to church to see Jesus, and the Pastor spoke about forgiveness. Before I had made up mind never to forgive my father, but now I was more concerned about whether he could forgive me. I cried and cried for hours and the Pastor prayed for me. I wanted to ask my father for forgiveness and my sister arranged for him to meet me.

Leading up to that meeting, I was constantly bombarded with fears that my father would not forgive me, and I was really anxious. Before I had even gone near him, God’s presence fell on me, and I started crying. I hugged my father, saying I was sorry and for all the things I had done to him all my life. My father never scolded me but said everything was ok, that the past was over. He too cried and hugged me for a long time. That day, our relationship was restored by Jesus.

My life and attitude changed, and I overcame my addiction to smoking, drinking and drugs. Like the prodigal son, I had sinned against God and against my father, but was now forgiven. I had been set free. Satan had no longer any hold over me! I began living a peaceful, joyful life, full of love.

Despite that momentous meeting, my father still had doubts whether I had truly changed because he knew my character. He imagined that perhaps I was pulling off some trick to get back the money from him. 1 month passed, then 3 months, and 6 months, and I still remained in my new character. Come the 9^th month, my father was convinced that I was truly changed and that Jesus is the true God. He threw away all his idols and the whole family accepted Christ. Life was never the same again.

God fully mended our relationship and I never had arguments or quarrels again with my father. Instead, we respected each other. What God has done for me, he can do for you too!  

Favor and Union

Favor and Union

Scripture:

So I shepherded the flock marked for slaughter, particularly the oppressed of the flock. Then I took two staffs and called one Favor and the other Union, and I shepherded the flock. Zechariah 11:7

And the Lord said to me, “Throw it to the potter”—the handsome price at which they valued me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the Lord. Zechariah 11:13

Then the Lord said to me, “Take again the equipment of a foolish shepherd. Zechariah 11:15

Observation:

In Zechariah 11, the Lord directs Zechariah to act out a scene where he finds employment as a shepherd over a flock marked for slaughter. Zechariah’s role-play is symbolic of the state of Israel which has brought about the judgment of God whereby God no longer acts as a good shepherd over them.

In the first Scripture, we see how Zechariah takes two staffs. The first is named Favor or Grace and the other in called Union, Both staffs are broken, to show God removing His favor and peace from Israel. In the Psalms, it is written “how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell together in unity”. For us, when we enjoy favor and grace and peace with our family, we should realize it is a great blessing from God and not take it for granted. If we persist in sin like Israel, there may be a time when God removes His presence from us and that is where we will lose favor and peace.

In the second Scripture, Zechariah is asked to throw his wages of 30 pieces of silver to the potter. The price of 30 pieces of silver was not cheap, but it was the price of a slave, the lowest he could be paid. This shows how Israel did not value God. This Scripture also had incredible prophetic significance as later Judas Iscariot betrayed the Lord for 30 pieces of silver. After the Lord was condemned, Judas, in remorse, threw the money in the temple and went off to hang himself. This money, seen as blood money, could not be put in the temple treasury and was instead used to purchase the potter’s field as a burial place for foreigners. We should never fail to appreciate how truly precious and valuable our Lord is.

In the third Scripture, the Lord asks Zechariah to role-play again as a foolish shepherd. He is a shepherd that does not care for his flock but even feasts on the meat of the choice sheep. One of God’s judgments is to place above people wicked leaders. Some commentators have likened this foolish shepherd to the Anti-Christ which is to come. Good leaders are so important. We need to pray often to God to bless our church, our company, our state and nation with good leaders.

Application: Thank God for the favor and grace and peace that He bestows upon us. Pray that God will continue to grant us unity in our family, in our church, in our work, in our ministry for with unity, comes peace and harmony. Declare our adoration for our great God, who is more precious than silver, more valuable than gold. Pray to God to give us good leaders and bless our leaders with righteousness and wisdom.

Prayer: Thank You, Heavenly Father for Your great favor and grace and peace that You bestow upon us. Grant us unity O Lord, in our family, our church, our work, our ministries. Praise You, O Lord, for Your greatness and faithfulness. You are more precious O Lord than silver, more valuable than gold. Nothing on earth can compare to You, O Lord. Blessed be Your Holy name. Grant us good leaders, we pray, in our nation, our church, our workplace, our home. Bless them with righteousness and wisdom, that we too will be blessed under them. Praise be Your name forever O Lord. In Jesus name, Amen.

Rain in the springtime

Rain in the springtime

Scripture:

Ask the Lord for rain in the springtime;
    it is the Lord who sends the thunderstorms.
He gives showers of rain to all people,
    and plants of the field to everyone. Zechariah 10:1

From Judah will come the cornerstone, 
    from him the tent peg, 
from him the battle bow, 
    from him every ruler. Zechariah 10:4

I will strengthen them in the Lord
    and in his name they will live securely, ”
declares the Lord. Zechariah 10:12

Observation:

The first Scripture beckons us to ask the Lord for rain in the springtime. It is the Lord who sends rain that gives life to people and crops and animals. Rain has always been precious in Scripture, especially in the agrarian economies of those days. Without rain, there would be no crop, no income. In terrible droughts, no rain would even mean death. When we think of rain, we think of blessing, we think of life. It is God alone who gives us blessing and life. How we need to hope in him!

In the second Scripture, we see a prophecy concerning our Lord Jesus. He is the cornerstone that is the foundation of the whole church. Without the cornerstone, the whole building crumbles. The tent peg is a very important illustration. The word “Amen” in Hebrew gives us the meaning of support with the illustration of a tent pegged into hard solid ground. When we say Amen, we are declaring our complete trust and dependence on God our Helper!

The third Scripture focuses our attention on strengthening and security. The Lord strengthens us and enables us to live securely. We depend on the Lord for strength and security. It is in His name, Jehovah Jireh, the Lord our Provider. It is in His name, El-Roi, the God who sees. He is our shelter and our strength!

Application:

Thank God from our hearts for all the lavish blessings he has given us. Thank God for even the rain on our land that gives us water and life. Even when things don’t go our way, meditate on how God so generously blesses us, even when we don’t deserve it!

Praise Jesus that He is our chief cornerstone, the whole purpose and meaning of our Christian lives. Let us never forget its all about Jesus! Amen! Let us say Amen! Praise the Lord! Let us declare our complete trust and dependence on God our Savior.

Pray to the Lord to strengthen us, and to help us live securely. It is God who watches over us and keeps us safe. It is God who strengthens our hands and helps us accomplish all that we have set out to do. Praise His name!

Prayer:

Thank You O Lord, for Your generous and lavish blessings upon me. Forgive me O Lord, for the times when I have complained and failed to appreciate Your goodness. Continue to send Your rain on my land O Lord, even the spiritual rain of Your Spirit! Praise You, Lord Jesus, for You are my chief cornersone, my reason and purpose in life! Never let me forget You, O precious Lord. Heavenly Father, strengthen me I pray, and help me live securely in the shadow of Your wings. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.

Like jewels in a crown

Like jewels in a crown
Scripture:
But I will encamp at my temple to guard it against marauding forces. Never again will an oppressor overrun my people,for now I am keeping watch. Zechariah 9:8
Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you,  righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.  Zechariah 9:9
The Lord their God will save his people on that day as a shepherd saves his flock. They will sparkle in his land  like jewels in a crown.  Zechariah 9:16
Observation:
In the first Scripture, we see a description of the Lord encamped at His temple, guarding it against marauding forces, diligently keeping watch. In the Psalms, it is written “Unless the Lord stands watch over a city, the watchmen stand guard in vain”. Our very bodies become the temple of the Holy Spirit when we receive Christ into our hearts. How comforting that the Lord watches over us and stands guard to protect us.
In the second Scripture, we see the prophecy that was fulfilled when Jesus entered Jerusalem riding on a donkey during Palm Sunday! We might be having a bad day, but remember, we are called to rejoice, for we have a great king! And our king is not proud and arrogant and unapproachable. He is gentle, and humble, and always willing to listen to us, may His great name be praised!
In the third Scripture, we see the promise that the Lord will save his people as a shepherd saves his flock. The Lord is our shepherd – this image is repeated many times in Scripture. We are also so precious to Him that we are likened to jewels in a crown. We should never look down upon ourselves as we were purchased by His precious blood!
Application:
Praise God that He encamps around us to protect us and keep us safe. Even in troubling moments, believe God is for us, always protecting us! Remember to rejoice often! Even when we don't feel like it, remember that Jesus is our Great King and praise Him with great joy! Know that Jesus is kind and humble. Thank Him for His gentle characteristics and come to Him like a little child. Praise Him that He is our Good Shepherd, guiding us like a shepherd guides his flock. Declare that we are precious in Jesus! To God, we are like jewels in a crown, praise His holy name!
Prayer:
Praise You O Lord,for You are our Great Protector. You stand watch over us by day and by night. You will protect us and keep us safe from harm always. Let my soul rejoice in You, Lord Jesus,for You are my Great King, Holy and Victorious! Praise You O Lord, for Your gentleness and humility and care for us lowly ones. Guide us O Lord,for You are our Good Shepherd. Praise You,O Lord, that even when we were without value, You saw us as precious jewels. May Your name be praised forever. In Jesus name, Amen.