The Straits Times, Tuesday, 22 May 2012

My knees went weak when my eyes fell on the article “Tough ‘social choices’ ahead” in today’s papers. I couldn’t believe what I was reading. To address the dismal total fertility rate (TFR) of Singapore, Mr Chan Chun Seng, the Acting Minister for Community Development, Youth and Sports, is suggesting that our society consider having children out of wedlock! It may have just been a statement intended to provoke but it was no less surprising, and worrying, that it is a ministerial comment, no less.

Others have suggested before that we consider polygamy to help our TFR. Absurd as this might sound, it is at least having children within the institution of marriage. But to suggest that we make babies outside of marriage is totally ridiculous! Whilst it may appear to solve one social issue of having more Singaporeans, it is in fact opening another huge door to future social problems.

For one, the institution of marriage is openly challenged. On the one hand, we are promoting MarriageWorks; yet on the other hand, we are sending a signal that when it comes to having babies, it still works outside of marriage. With more and more engaging in pre-marital sex, we just gave them to green light to get pregnant in the name of national service. Don’t worry where these babies will go after they are born. Just know that the women will not be frowned upon as single mothers. Add to that, these children out of wedlock will likely have no father figure in their lives. No problem – just devote more budget and attention to “Dads for Life!” … if we can get the fathers to own up that they fathered these out of wedlock in the first place. Looks like we may need to draft a pre-coitus agreeement for easy download via an app! Worse yet, gay couples may be allowed to adopt these children … shudder.

The Straits Times, Friday, 4 May 2012

It really saddens me that we should be talking like that at the ministerial level. What kind of a people have we become? And what will we become if we continue along this path? It is so clear that Singaporeans are not wanting to have babies because of selfish reasons. That’s a harsh statement but there really is no other way to put it. We have had enough forums and seminars on TFR and these have yielded largely the same answers … we are all too consumed with ourselves, with making money and wanting our own freedom to sacrifice it for the task (or burden) of parenting.

Perhaps, the minister’s statement is one made out of desperation. And quite understandably too. Values built up over many years of nation building and economic progress are not easy to address, much less change. But does this really justify having Singaporean babies at any cost, even out of wedlock? As with everything else in Singapore, children are seen and regarded in economic terms too. Did not the debate about casinos go the same way? Don’t worry about the social ills of gambling, just think of how many more jobs the casinos will generate. Just set up more counselling centres to help those with gambling and debt issues. So, don’t bother too much about the consequences, just make babies, get the TFR up, and we will set up additional services to deal with the problems up ahead.

Yes, Mr Chan is right in that these are tough ‘social choices’, and my heart goes out to him for having to handle such tough issues in his first ministerial portfolio. My concern is that when statements like these are made publicly, it has already signalled the beginnings of a change management process for the ground to accept these tough decisions ahead.

I remember the day in 2003 all too clearly. Prior to leaving my job and company for fulltime ministry, I did what most would consider a responsible thing to do – I reviewed our family’s finances. Taking our savings and dividing it by monthly expenses, the wave of emotion that overwhelmed me caught me totally by surprise. Fear flooded my heart, my knees went weak and all I could manage was a prayer that whimpered, “Oh God…” Quite immediately, I heard the Lord ask, “Have I not shown you I am faithful?” Although I struggled, I decided that day, that moment, to trust God completely with finances.

Fast forward a few years to 2007, to when Serene was pregnant with Deborah Hope, our 6th child. One afternoon, when I was just thinking about how we would manage with a growing family and one more on the way, fear gripped my heart … again. What followed was a series of questions in my mind, pondering and considering the financial needs of our larger-than-normal family way into the future! Amidst the voices in my head, the Spirit spoke, gently but so assuringly, “One day at a time. One day at a time.” I can’t explain the peace that ensued but it sure brought me back to the right perspective, putting my trust in the Lord again.

Well, it’s 2012, and today, we have seven children. Yes, in total, nine of us in the Lim Tribe. In terms of finances and provision, one would think that there would no longer be any shred of doubt in my heart, having heard so clearly from God and experienced His grace and provision all these years in full time ministry. Well, yes and no. Yes, because we are still trusting in God, holding on to His Word and standing on His unfailing faithfulness. We are so thankful for what we have and how He has blessed us by His grace. Does it mean that I am no longer affected by what goes on around me? I wish that would be so, but truth is, I am still learning and growing in Him. And until I get there eventually, I still struggle and waver every now and then in my journey of faith.

At times, I like to be that proverbial ostrich with my head in the sand. It’s easier that way, I rationalise, if I don’t take too much notice of news reports of inflation and rising costs. After all, I don’t want fear to affect my faith. Sounds nice and spiritual, but this is merely denial and totally unrealistic. The fact is costs have risen across the board and our family needs and expenses have all increased.

The same trolley full of groceries costs more this year than one year ago. Our special diet and health needs require less processed foods and more fresh foods – organic at times. I am also discovering that a growing teenager eats more than growing toddlers, and more often too! Eating out is a luxury so I am thankful that we eat home quite a lot – thanks to Serene’s labour of love in our furnace of a kitchen. Then again, the rates for utilities, like water, electricity and gas, are also climbing.

The younger ones may be more easily occupied by recycled toys and books but new hobbies and activities for the older ones all cost money. How I long for the good old days where kids catch fish in the longkangs and spiders in the bushes. Today, you must pay for artificial longkang fishing. Plus, don’t forget the cost of petrol to drive there.

Grateful as I am to list ACS as my alma mater, my only regret is that I did not take Chinese more seriously, preferring instead to join the league of ACScians who proudly declare our deficiency in the 2nd Language. This simply means that I am unable to save on Chinese tuition fees since I do not have the capability of teaching my own kids – not that my schedule permits it in the first place. Thanks to Singapore’s education policy, we have another figure to consider. It has also just dawned on me that tuition fees for three children is different from that for six. Seven soon?

Still on education – homeschooling more precisely – the question, “Lord, we did hear you correctly to homeschool, did we not?”, pops up a lot more in today’s economic scenario. For one, we lose out on subsidised education and Edusave. Even public transportation is more expensive for our children because they are not issued Student Passes to enjoy student rates. For another, we have to purchase curricula and books on our own, often importing from USA.

Like I said earlier, it’s extremely tempting to just be in denial, to ignore the rising costs and the crazy economy. If I position it really well (ostrich butt sticking out and all), I might even be seen as extremely spiritual and full of faith! Well, I don’t think that’s the right response at all. As a steward of the finances God has blessed us with, we must do our part to be prudent, to spend wisely and to cut unnecessary expenditure. To do that, we should and must evaluate our family’s finances in the context of the economy and determine how to best manage with godly wisdom.

Invariably, the issues of contentment and covetousness will have to be addressed – not just once, but over and over again. When we can afford it, are our wants rationalized and justified as our needs? The line is just so fine and the heart so deceitful. Now that belts have to be tightened, would we remain satisfied or would we grumble and complain? Would we continue to give thanks for what we have and not gripe about what we don’t have or could have?

All said, one thing remains very clear to me. The Lord has called me into fulltime ministry, to serve Him and to serve others. As a servant of God, I am convinced that I have the best Master who loves me and truly knows how to look after me and my family. The Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out grain,” and, “The labourer is worthy of his wages.” (1 Tim 5:18)

In the words of Jesus, we are of more value than the sparrows and the flowers of the field. If God looks after them and provides for them, how much more will He take care of His children? For sure, there is no need to worry at all for my heavenly Father knows our every need. My part is to continue to faithfully serve Him, to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness”; His part is to ensure that “all things are added to me” (Matt 6:33).

The words of the Lord still resound in my heart: “Have I not shown you I am faithful?” and “One day at a time … one day at a time.” Yes, Lord, You have been more than faithful! Even when I have been faithless, You remain totally faithful for You are consistent and unchanging. I will take it one day at a time. As You have seen me through my yesterdays, You will walk with me today, and will also lead me into all my tomorrows.

Amidst rising costs, let faith arise! … “Hey, who left the fan on?”

It came as a surprise to me, the request to return a call to an invitation to speak in Ho Chi Minh City over the Easter Weekend. In my mind, it did not seem likely that I would be able to go, given our own programmes for Holy Week. And also, the invitation came a little close to the dates of travel (6-8 April) I felt. Still, it has always been my policy to remain open for one never knows how the Lord might lead. So I returned the call to a Dr Simon Chong. I then learned that he is the Country Director (Vietnam) of the Methodist Missions Society. As he shared more, I felt a certain drawing to go – it would be nice to visit Vietnam; and interestingly, what was previously scheduled for that Saturday had just been cancelled, thereby setting me free to go.

Hoa Hung Church, where International Christian Fellowship is located on the 3rd Floor.

Still, l had to settle a few details first. Firstly, I needed to seek the Lord if this was His bidding. Secondly, I would like Serene to be in agreement, seeing that I would leave her and the family for the weekend. Thirdly, my Senior Pastor would have to grant me leave from a major Church weekend. Although Dr Chong needed an answer promptly, he graciously allowed me to process the above without any pressure. It would be about a week and more later that I finally said “yes” to the invitation. When I shared it on Facebook, Sis Linda immediately asked if she could tag-along. I said “ok” but she had to find another sister-in-Christ to go with her. And she did, in Sis Madeleine. With two sisters coming with me, I thought it’d be good if I had a brother with me. As I considered bringing my son, David, someone promptly offered to sponsor his air ticket. And so, that settled my two ‘tag-alongs’ and also one ‘dragged-along’ – haha!

Preaching at the 7pm Good Friday Service.

As expected, the days and weeks leading up to the trip were packed with teachings and activities. All too soon, it was time for us to head to Ho Chi Minh City. On Good Friday morning, the entire family accompanied David and I to the airport, and saw us off. A short 1.5hr flight and we landed in sunny and hot Ho Chi Minh City. We were met by Bro Loh Han Chew, a staff of International Christian Fellowship (ICF). Hopping into a taxi, we experienced our very first taste of Vietnamese driving in Vietnamese traffic, with numerous motorbikes weaving in and out. Arriving at Elios Hotel, we linked up with Sis Linda and Sis Madeleine (who arrived one day earlier) and proceeded to lunch … yes, Vietnamese food. After lunch, we walked to Pastor Albert Low’s office for a short briefing and meeting by this Singaporean businessman-cum-pastor who has been in Vietnam for the past 16 years. He explained that ICF is a church plant of Methodist Missions Society catering to expatriates working in Vietnam. Church licenses are difficult to come by in communist Vietnam so it is deed the Lord’s favour that the government approved MMS’ appplication and ICF was born 1.5 years ago.

That night, we assembled at the 3rd floor of the local Hoa Hung Church, where ICF meets. It was a small worship hall with a simple set-up. The leaders did not know how many would turn up as it was their very first Good Friday service. They had applied for permission to hold this special service and approval was given by the communist government. Being a work day, it would be a challenge for some to come for that service at 7pm. Well, praise the Lord, about 50 turned up that night – really encouraging. Sis Madeleine shared her testimony and I stepped up to share the Word, “Boldness by the Blood”.

The team, posing for a tourist pix in front of Notredame Cathedral.

The next day, Saturday, was a free day for us. We took the opportunity to be tourists and walked around the city, taking in the sights, culture and people. We soon got used to crossing the roads with confidence. That night, we met up with Sis Angie (Tran Dang), who accepted Jesus as Saviour just a few weeks ago in Singapore at one of my Old Testament teaching sessions, for dinner. Yes, Vietnamese food again!

Motorcycles, motorcycles and more motorcycles!

Vietnamese dinner with Sis Angie (Tran Dang).

On Sunday, we gathered at ICF for the 10:30am Easter Sunday Outreach Service. This time, the congregation size was about 80 – 90. We celebrated through praise and worship, led by the ICF Worship Team. A testimony was shared by Bro Andrew Ong, a Singaporean working in a Vietnamese advertising agency. Sis Linda shared a song “Grace” by Laura Story, accompanied by David on the piano. Thereafter, I preached “Made for Life”, challenging many to consider the resurrection power and life we have through Jesus Christ. The response was encouraging as hands were raised to indicate re-dedication and a desire to appropriate a life of meaning and purpose in Christ. At the call for salvation, one lady at the back raised her hand. I then invited her to step forward and together we prayed with her as she declared her faith in Jesus as Saviour and Lord!

Easter Sunday Outreach Service at 10:30am

Enjoying Vietnamese Iced Coffee by the roadside.

It was a very short ministry trip – not too demanding, with even time for us to rest and fellowship over drinks and meals. That said, we knew that the Lord was with us and He is doing something exciting in Vietnam. Regardless constraints and restrictions, it is indeed a land with many opportunities for the gospel to be preached and the love of Jesus to be shared with the Vietnamese people. I am so thankful He gave me the privilege to visit Ho Chi Minh City and to speak to the expat community there. I believe this is just an exploratory trip that will open new doors for more to come. In the meantime, we will keep praying for the country and for God to prepare the ground for a mighty outpouring and move of His Holy Spirit!

Have you ever felt totally and utterly overwhelmed before? You try to keep your head above the water but your mind is just cramped full of details and questions. Try as you might to escape these thoughts, there just seems to be no way out. You are crying out for answers and all you experience is this oppressive sense of the entire room closing in on you! All too soon, you are surrounded and hemmed in by fear and anxiety.

That must have been how Gehazi, felt too when he went for a morning walk with Elisha, only to see the city entirely surrounded by the Syrian army! Immediately, he says to Elisha, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” It must have been a scary sight! They were totally surrounded by horses and chariots. And it would only be a matter of time before the army closed in on them. However, whilst Gehazi saw and reacted in the natural, Elisha saw something else in the spiritual, and cooly replied, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 2 Kings 6:16  Gehazi must have wondered, “Hello?! It’s just the two of us. Who else is with us? If we don’t start running, we are dead ducks!” At the request of Elisha, the Lord opened Gehazi’s spiritual eyes and the young man couldn’t believe what he saw … he was still surrounded, but this time, by a far greater number of the Lord’s army, horses and chariots blazing with fire! (2 Kings 6:17)

Whether you are an executive braving the corporate jungle, or a homemaker trying your best to keep your house and children in order, you know what I am talking about. There are just those days when you feel totally surrounded and overwhelmed by the ridiculous demands and pressures of life. You look at the “Syrian army” around you and are so tempted to say, “It’s no use! I’m totally surrounded. I might as well give up!” DON’T!

The enemy wants to keep you in the natural, but you need to understand that the battle is in the spiritual. If your eyes are continually fixed on the problem, it will appear larger and larger until it consumes you! Do you not see that this is the ploy of the enemy? He wants to surround you, to besiege you, to starve you, to weaken you and finally, to kill you.

"'For the mountains shall depart and the hills be removed, but My kindness shall not depart from you, nor shall My covenant of peace be removed,' says the Lord, who has mercy on you." Isaiah 54:10

Instead, ask the Lord to open your eyes that you may see! Ask Him to reveal the truth of His presence and protection over and around you. In Psalm 125:1&2, the psalmist declares, “Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the LORD surrounds His people from this time forth and forever.” (italics mine) In Zech 2:5, God Himself declares, “I will be a wall of fire all around [Jerusalem], and I will be the glory in her midst.” YES, people of God, YOU ARE SURROUNDED … not by the enemy … but by the power, by the presence, by the abundance, by the grace, by the love of God!

I know it’s not easy when you are in the midst of a trying time and everything seems to be closing in on you. In the narrowness of that moment, call on the LORD and ask Him to open your eyes that you may have the right perspective to be strong in Him. Learn from the psalmist who said, “I called on the LORD in distress; the LORD answered me and set me in a broad place. The LORD is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?” (Psalm 118:6&7, italics mine.) Indeed, if God is for you, who can be against you (Rom 8:31)? Do you not know that the battle is not yours to fight, but the Lord’s? Do you not know that the heavens have been opened over you, that every spiritual resource has now been made available to you in Christ? Do you not know that whatever the enemy throws at you, absolutely nothing can separate you from the love of God? If not, then ask the Lord to open your eyes that you may see!

As God's children, the safest and most secure place is in the Father's arms, where we are constantly surrounded by His everlasting love.

My dear friend, no matter how tough a situation (or a person) may be, nothing is too difficult for the one who places his trust in God. Pray for the Lord to open your spiritual eyes to see Him for who He truly is and that you, being wrapped in Christ and His righteousness, are totally safe in His arms because He surrounds you completely. And then, walk in the freedom and victory He has already secured for you by the precious blood and through the completed work of Jesus Christ upon the cross!

“What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” Psalm 8:4

In the course of ministry, I come across a lot of lost, broken and hurting people. You would think that these are non-believers, without the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. But no, many of these are Christians who have been in church for quite a while. Regardless their background, situation, experience or spiritual maturity, it becomes clearer and clearer to me that apart from a real relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ, humanity is desperately and devastatingly doomed. By our own strength, we are such a hopeless bunch! Yep, that’s right … totally and utterly hopeless. And to think that God would stoop to our level to reach out to us that He might save us – that boggles me! I mean, what does He see in us at all?

Think about it for a moment. He calls, we run away. He promises, we don’t believe. He gives, we take Him for granted. He loves, we reject Him. He blesses, we are never satisfied. He forgives, we sin again, and again, and again, and again. But does He stop? Is He deterred at all? Not at all! He promptly does it all over again! How do you explain that? No wonder the psalmist declares, “What is man that You are mindful of him?” We don’t deserve His attention, not one bit. We don’t deserve the blessings in our lives, nor the grace and favour we enjoy day after day, moment by moment. And I am not just referring to Christians here. Even non-believers enjoy God’s providential love and grace, whether they acknowledge Him or not. Truly, it blows my mind … what is man that You are mindful of him?

The psalmist looks and marvels at creation, the work of an all-powerful God, and wonders, “Where and how do I fit into all these?” I am so small, so insignificant. And yet, this God loves and cares for me. I keep messing up and He keeps cleaning up. I keep running and He keeps pursuing. Indeed, how does one make any sense of this? Little wonder then that it is so easy and so tempting to think that God exists to serve me, and not the other way around. How else can anyone explain this strange phenomenon of a God who constantly chases after Man? And so, in the finiteness – and selfishness – of our hearts and minds, we conclude, “Yes, I am the centre of the universe and that’s why God simply can’t do without me!” Oh, hearts that are so prone to being deceived; how naive, how gullible, how fallen. And yet, His grace reaches out to us?! What is man that You are mindful of him?

Is there even an answer that could satisfactorily address this aching question in the psalmist’s heart? I’ve heard many sermons and propositions about how we are made in God’s image, that we have a purpose, that God has a plan for each of us, that we are special in His heart, that … and the list goes on. These are all so nice and encouraging to hear, but I believe it still falls far short of fully comprehending the amazing love and grace of God and the relationship we have been privileged to have with Him. That He would create us in the first place. That He would send His only Son to die for our sins and in our place. That He would give us His Holy Spirit to enable and empower us. That He would bring us into His very presence. That He would allow us to participate in the work of His Kingdom. That He would one day share His glory with us. That He would …

Wow, wow, wow! I still can’t take it all in. But should that even be a surprise at all? After all, how can a finite being ever hope to fully fathom or comprehend One who is infinite? It’s best to just leave the discussion as it is and join the psalmist in gaping awe and wonder, “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?”

I love it when the world discovers something that the Bible has already declared thousands of years ago. The experts may attribute it to some revelational research, crediting themselves for such wisdom and intelligence in their field of study; but all they have done is only prove that the Bible is indeed true.

The Straits Times carried one such ‘discovery’ in the article “Love’s brain chemistry” by Diane Ackerman on Tuesday, 27 March 2012.

The Straits Times, REVIEW & FORUM, Tues 27 Mar 2012.

The opening line reads, “A relatively new field, called interpersonal neurobiology, draws its vigour from one of the great discoveries of our era: that the brain is constantly rewiring itself based on daily life. In the end, what we pay the most attention to defines us. How you choose to spend the irreplaceable hours of your life literally transforms you.” (emphasis mine)

New field? Great discoveries? Did not the Apostle Paul urge his charges in Rom 12:2 not to be conformed to the world, but to be transformed by the renewing of the mind? By the wisdom of God, Paul knew what these neurobiologists would discover years later. He knew that whatever the mind is set on, that is what will ultimately define us. In Rom 8:5, Paul warns, “For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” He says it again, albeit with different words, in Col 3:2, “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth.”

"...and they shall become one flesh." Gen 2:24

What thrilled me most was the paragraph that was highlighted in the article: “When two people become a couple, the brain extends its idea of self to include the other; instead of the slender pronoun “I”, a plural self emerges who can borrow some of the other’s assets and strengths. The brain knows who we are. The immune system knows who we’re not, and it stores pieces of invaders as memory aids. Through lovemaking, or when we pass along a flu or a cold, we trade bits of identity with loved ones, and in time we become a sort of chimera*. We don’t just get under a mate’s skin, we absorb him or her.” (emphasis mine)

Hey, Moses knew this long before there was a field called neurobiology! In Gen 2:24, Moses wrote prophetically, “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” Referring to the divinely appointed institution of marriage, this alludes to the consummation of that marriage through the most intimate physical act of sexual union between the husband and his wife. In the words of the neurobiologist, through that act of “lovemaking”, the couple “absorbs” each other. In biblical terms, the two have become one!

Romantic as this sounds, we must not miss another application. In warning the Church in Corinth against sexual immorality, the Apostle Paul quotes from Gen 2:24. “Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For ‘the two,’ He says, ‘shall become one flesh.’” (1 Cor 6:16) In our society today, sexual promiscuity is celebrated more than frowned upon. Can you imagine what is happening, given our new neurobiological understanding!? If, through sexual union, a couple becomes a composite of one another, then multiple partners simply results in multiple composites of bizarre proportions. In other words, we have created an undefinable level of mutated monsters that are wreaking havoc in relationships and societies today!

I thank God for such articles that affirm the Word of God – not that the Word of God needs any such affirmation in the first place. There is only one phrase I totally disagree with where Ackerman considers humans “as the most social apes”. My prayer for her is that she would one day come to know the One True God who created us all in His image and be saved through faith in Jesus Christ. Amidst all her wonderful discoveries as a neurobiologist, may she receive the revelation that all this cannot simply happen by chance through evolution. Before Ackerman and her colleagues ever discovered such wonderful truths about the brain and the mind, the Creator God has already recorded the findings in the Bible.

*Chimera: An organism, organ, or part consisting of two or more tissues of different genetic composition, produced as a result of organ transplant, grafting, or genetic engineering.

THERE IS MORE!

This was the theme for Covenant Vision School of Ministry’s Encounter Weekend this year. Over 24 & 25 March, Sat and Sun, more than 80 of us, comprising students and alumni, gathered at Fort Canning Lodge (YWCA) for our yearly corporate encounter with the Lord. With the theme clearly stated, many came with that one expectation – that the Lord would pour out so much more into our lives and ministry.

Everyone came with a heart of expectation and a readiness to receive, for there is MORE!

From the word “go”, the Holy Spirit took over. Whether it was praise and worship, teaching sessions, discussions, morning prayer or meal and fellowship times, the Lord was present with us. Through laughter and tears, God lavished more and more of His love and grace upon every participant.

Whilst hearts were prepared to receive more that weekend, the Lord led me to teach about “Barriers to More”. Not exactly an easy thing to do but the conviction was so strong that I could not shake it off. Drawing from 2 Sam 11 & 12, from the infamous account of David and Bathsheba, I shared TEN barriers that would keep one from receiving more from God. After the message, the participants responded to the altar call and streamed forward, one by one falling on their knees before the Lord.

Groups discussion time, led and facilitated by CVSOM Alumni.

Strangely, at that moment, I felt the need to wait and not pray for anyone yet. It was a lesson of obedience for me not to run ahead of the Holy Spirit in my own enthusiasm. After two songs, I sensed the leading to sing “More Love More Power” and promptly communicated that to the worship leader. Everyone joined in and cried out for more of the Lord, and in a while, I sensed the release from the Holy Spirit to begin praying. I motioned to the leaders to proceed and we moved forward to pray. Oh, how the Holy Spirit ministered to everyone! I believe the Lord set many of them free that night.

All on their knees with hearts ready to remove any barrier that stands in the way of MORE from the Lord.

This is our 5th Encounter Weekend. And yet, God never fails to surprise me year after year. The way He leads the speakers in the preparation of the messages is simply amazing. Without discussion, we find the message and points flowing seamlessly from one into another. Even in the logistics, rooming and groupings, we see the Lord’s hand arranging everything so perfectly and beautifully. At the close of the event, this is the first time we have participants running up so readily, one after another, to share their encounters and to give glory to Jesus! It was so wonderful to see lives impacted by God.

Truly, there is so much MORE that God has in store for every believer. If we would but position our hearts rightly before Him, to be aware of the barriers that so often stand in the way, He is more than ready and willing to give us MUCH MUCH MORE!

When non-believers ask questions, they are usually very good and interesting ones; at times, amusing even   But what is even more interesting is the response of the Christian to whom the questions are posed.  Perhaps, it is just simple faith that has seen these believers through their entire Christian life.  For, when it comes to handling tough and tricky questions, many find themselves at a loss.

Take for example the following remarks and questions made and posed by someone* who started reading the bible given by a well-meaning believer …

“The bible, in the Genesis section, says that the God (that all bible readers refer to) is the god of the Israelis (Jews) only,  not the Egyptians, not all the other peoples of the world. Then where did these people come from. Another pair of Adam and Eve? Also, if the original Adam & Eve keep producing offspring from the same genes, many of the descendents would have been very sick with Down’s Syndrome, be Mongoloids, half wits, idiots, crippled etc. It also said that those well known descendents of Adam and Eve had servants. Who are these servants? Are they not also descendents of Adam & Eve. If so, then they are the relatives of these well known descendents like Abraham, Moses Noah etc. Then why are they made servants. They should be the children and grand children of these people, not servants. Don’t tell me they made their relatives their servants and god was still so happy with them?

This God also encouraged killing of animals to sacrifice to him and he also asked Abraham to sacrifice his son to him. He also asked for first born sons to be sacrificed to him. He was encouraging killing of people! And he also frequently asked to be glorified, like being very proud. I thought wise people always say,”Be humble. Don’t be proud!” Also, actual history says that people who lived long long ago did not live long because there were no medicines, vaccines, medical knowledge etc. They normally died at 30+. So, why did the descendents of Adam & Eve live for hundreds of years? Is that possible?

I stopped reading after I realised that there are too many doubts unanswered.”

You have to admit that these are really good questions!  But what are the answers?  If these questions were directed at you by your non-believer friend, how would you answer?

*If you are that someone who asked these, don’t be upset to find your questions here. These are really good questions and that’s why I have used them for illustration. Or perhaps, these look or sound extremely similar to what you have asked before. Not surprising at all, because these aren’t original and many have struggled and wrestled with the same issues.  The truth is, Christians may or may not have all the answers you are looking for. That said, it does not alter the Truth that God is the God of all creation and that Jesus is the only Way of salvation and to eternal life. My prayer for you is that your heart will be open to all God has for you, that you will respond in faith to believe in Jesus and be saved!

It’s going to be an exciting time for me, preparing to teach and preach through the Old Testament (OT) this year. Starting from 2 March, I will going through all 39 books of the OT in 20 sessions. That, as many will agree with me, is a very tall order. There is just so much to cover! How can I possibly manage everything in just 20 weeks?!

Well, for one, it’s not going to be an academic or theological discourse although I am praying it will stir many to think more deeply and even challenge one’s own theology. In one hour per session, I hope to provide a broad overview of the key themes contained within each book and move quickly and purposefully to how we are to learn from and apply these in our present-day Christian daily walk with the Lord.

Above all, I am praying that we will all see Jesus in the Old Testament and come to appreciate the awesomeness of our God, His power and sovereignty over all creation, over all nations, over all our lives!

So, make a date with me. The 20 sessions are not scheduled back to back, but deliberately packaged into four mini-series with breaks in between. To this end, we begin in March and will only end in November. Please share this with others so you can make a pact to come together.

• Venue: Covenant Vision Centre, 154 Tyrwhitt Road, Singapore 207567
• Fridays, 8:00pm
• 2,9,16,23,30 March
• 27 Apr, 4,11,18,25 May
• 3,10,17,24,31 August
• 2,9,16,23,30 November

For those who are just unable to make it – especially my friends around the world – don’t fret. These teachings will be uploaded onto our Covenant Vision Media Centre so you won’t have to miss a session.

Please pray for me as I go through the materials. It’s wonderful to read the stories and accounts all over again, to encounter the Lord through the Scriptures. Pray that the Holy Spirit will bring each word alive in me and that I will have His wisdom to convert these into power-packed points to stir and touch even the coldest heart for Jesus!

Smiles are often associated with positive outlooks and dispositions. Just check out the numerous quotations and sayings on smiles and you will see that the encouragement is to all to always wear a smile

When we meet someone, we automatically ask, ” How are you?” They quickly reply, with a smile of course, “Fine, thank you!” But what really goes on behind that smile? Is there something more that the person is going through? Could that smile be merely a facade of strength? I’ve come to realise that a smile may not be what it seems. Instead of revealing a spirit of joy and peace, it is often the opposite, concealing hurt, pain, sorrow and anxiety.

Behind that smile … a father’s heart is deeply broken by a prodigal son. He is concerned with the decisions his son has taken in haste, without much thought, without any regard to the consequences. The father’s hope and dreams for one who would bring him pride and joy, dashed for the moment. All these hidden from public view – behind a smile.

Behind that smile … a man weeps at the prospect of losing his wife to another man. His manly pride devastated at the discovery of an adulterous relationship, right under his nose. His desperate attempts to woo her back are repeatedly spurned by the one who once clung to him for love and support. What will he tell the children? Has he failed as a husband and a father? What else is there to do but pray? How can he face each day, but smile?

Behind that smile … a woman hides the pain of miscarriage, that all is well. Yet, deep inside, the sense of loss is very real. It’s not merely emotional or hormonal. There was a life and there is none now. The excitement, expectation and elation that is no more. Few can understand, not even her husband. Can she share with others? Should she share in the first place? Maybe it’s better to go through this alone, with a smile.

Behind that smile … a woman worries for her family’s survival. Her husband is out of a job and trying his best to earn his keep. She doesn’t know if their finances can last beyond the week. Her children are not aware of the situation and asks for things that children ask for. Her gentle “no” is challenged by an innocent “why?” So as not to give her man added pressure, she puts on a brave front, and smiles.

Behind that smile … a young lady wrestles with emotions for a man who pays her no attention. She waits but he never calls. She tells herself, “it’s ok, the right one will come along … soon.” As if her own questions are not enough, others ask insensitively, “you still not married?” What can she say? How should she answer? Just a plain “no, not yet”, accompanied by the sweetest of smiles.

So you see, a smile may look nice but it may not tell the full story. For many, it is largely cosmetic, hiding a much deeper issue. And yet, because we are all so busy these days, we just don’t have the time to get behind that smile! In fact, we may even be fearful to discover what really lies behind that smile, requiring us to give more time to this person. No, thank you! A smile is just fine!

But if we would be willing to scratch a little of that surface, we will discover that there is just so much pain in this fallen world. When that thin veneer of a smile comes off, we see people who need a listening ear, a compassionate heart, a shoulder to cry on, a directing of their souls back to Jesus. All it takes is sincerity to ask how this person truly is … “How are you, really?” You’ll be surprised how quickly the smile fades, making way for tears to fall and burdens to be shared.

As happy as the world presents itself, that is just what it is – a presentation. May we be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit to discern a smile that radiates with true joy, from one that is merely a front. Then, with His love, grace and enablement, get behind that smile, restore the real person within, that a real smile would finally emerge.