Do not let the past rob you of your future

FGB Jaya One/Gus Kirby/5/10/12

Hebrews 10:24-25 says ^“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” God gives us warning to prepare us.

I first joined FGB in Taman Mayang about 6-7 years ago. One of the brothers approached my principal for a room and I felt convicted to join this fellowship. I saw that the group was struggling with the worship so the Lord prompted me to help in the area of worship. Over the years, I found FGB to be a tremendous ministry of testimonies. Before, my perception was limited, but the Holy Spirit convicted me that He accepts people whatever denomination who come to Him. We all comes as children of God. As the verse goes “As many as received him, as many are called children of God. Brothers shared how God rescued them. I too felt compelled to share with those who did not know God. There are those who are discouraged. There are those who need a helping hand. We all need a helping hand and brothers and sisters to come and walk alongside us. We are one body, and Christ is the head of the body. Even one small cut causes the whole body to be in pain. Unless there is agreement with God, no miracles take place. It take men agreeing with God. God gave us choice, free will. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you will be saved.

I have 4 brothers. For real transformation, there must be 2 in agreement. As the Scripture says, we must try to come together often in the name of Jesus, and He will be there with us. A threefold cord is not easily broken. The devil seeks to bring disunity and discord. We need to keep professing the Lord as Lord of our lives. God will arrange the steps of a righteous man. God does not look at numbers or the outward appearance. He looks at the heart Out of the abundance of the heart are the issues of life.

The Lord knows us by name. He knows the number of every hair on our heads. God is very meticulous, like accounting. You are important and precious to God. When 2 or more pray, bring God in. We must learn to live life lifting up and serving one another. We often think we can do things on our own, that we don’t need others. However, no man is an island. 

I like to watch Animal Planet. The Scripture says that we can learn from the beasts and the birds. My favorite are the big cats, the lions. When the female lions go hunting, they will move to isolate the prey that is weakest from the rest of the herd. When we isolate ourselves, then we become targets.

In my family, we had a reputation of serving in the church. There was peace in the home but my dad had a problem with alcohol and nicotine. It was a bondage he could not get over. My mum prayed constantly for deliverance from these vices. On the outside, people saw us a good family, but we had no conviction, no fear of the Lord. My brothers and I also picked up nicotine and did what the world did.

One of my first jobs in my career was to go to the Middle East, and it was a culture shock for me, but I was very thankful for the Bible my mum gave me. After the 3 years, I came back, but began following the world again, going back to the vices. I went into gambling and when I went to Australia, found even more gambling there. I lost everything and came back bitter and depressed. I was angry especially with friends who deserted me although I had treated them well in my better times.

My Pastor told me “You are the prodigal son, God had his hand on you, but you let go”. I realized that when I came back from the Middle East, I had let go of God. Then I met a friend of 10 years who had a totally transformed life. He had been a worst drinker, and I was so happy to see his life transformed. From that meeting on, he fasted and prayed for me and my family. My pastor says the reason you and I are in the kingdom of God is because someone prayed for us. Another wise saying my Pastor told me was “Don’t let your past rob you of your future”. I finally realized I had to surrender to God, to just come to him like a child.

We must acknowledge the gathering of saints be it in church, in FGB or in a cell group. I realized I must share how God delivered me from my nicotine habit. I began to attend a small fellowship. Our Lord Jesus said that He will build His church.

We must pray for our leaders. The Holy Spirit convicted me not to speak against my leaders. Its easy for us to criticize and complain. There is power in our tongues. The eye gate and the ear gate are also important. The proverbial “see no evil, hear nor evil, speak no evil” is so true. In Christ, he who was a liar lies no more. We must be careful what we speak. God has promised us that He will never leave us nor forsake us.

My mum passed away 5 months ago. She was faithful, always praying for her children. When she was diagnosed with cancer, we went through it together as a family. I am so thankful to the cell members who came alongside us to support us. She did not suffer for too long. We were so touched that even in her pain, she still had the heart of a mother, showing concern for us rather than for herself. The promises of God are Yes and Amen

In closing, I want to leave with you Psalm 50:15, the number to call in times of trouble. I first heard it in a sermon by Reinhardt Boenke. It says “ call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honor me.