It’s July and we’re into the second half of the year! Where did the first half go? Time is moving so quickly it’s scary when you actually pause to think about it. It is as if there is an escalation, a quickening, a hastening, an increased sense of urgency. For sure, God is at work and His plan is unfolding. Regardless the state of the economy, the threat of the H1N1 virus or the prevailing darkness over the land, God’s purposes will stand. He is definitely moving forward and it’s exciting to partner Him in the ministry.
The last two months took me to Hinghwa Methodist Church (twice), Ang Mo Kio Methodist Church (healing service and 4 Sunday services), Bedok Methodist Church (MAN’s Fellowship), Park Mall Fellowship (marketplace fellowship) and of course, my home church in Covenant Vision Christian Church. Each time I prepare, I never know what to expect. As I yield everything to the Lord, He never fails to show up in such wonderful and special ways. The word in season was released through the message “Flour Power” based on 2 Kings 4:38-41. It wasn’t an easy message to preach as it challenged certain popular Christian trends that are prevalent today whilst challenging believers to examine their relationship with Jesus, the true Vine. I was very encouraged when, across the different services and churches, quite a few stepped forward to thank me for releasing the word without compromise. Praise God!
On home ground at Covenant Vision Christian Church, I am learning more and more about being a pastor. As I interact with the people, the Lord shows me the needs as well as the potential of and in each individual. There is much to be done with this new community. We are introducing a series of teachings to lay the right foundations in these precious lives. Coming up, Rev Francis Khoo and I will be speaking on “The Promises of the Holy Spirit” at CVCC’s Sunday 10am services (5,12,19,26 Jul & 2,9 Aug), and “Growing in the Word” at CVC’s Spiritual Growth Seminars on Friday 8pm (10,17,24,31 Jul & 7 Aug). Our desire is to raise Word-based and Spirit-led disciples of Jesus Christ who will boldly step out in faith. Do consider coming for these teachings.
At the same time, I am preparing and praying towards a 3D2N “Transformetion” Weekend, 8 – 10 Aug, organised by Covenant Vision. I am providing pastoral oversight for this event, and will also be teaching across four sessions. Participants are coming to encounter God with one request – that they be changed from the inside out that they can in turn be used to change lives around them! If you are ready for radical change, and would like to join us, call 6391 0027 for more information or to register.
8 July will be significant for me as it marks 9 years since the Lord invited me to follow Him in the year 2000. These 9 years have been nothing short of amazing! As I look back, I can only recount the faithfulness and goodness of God and be filled with awe and gratitude for His love and grace. 9 is the number of completion, and I see the completion of a phase in my ministry. Although a new phase is always exciting, it also means a leaving of a comfort zone. I really don’t know how or where God will lead me. As such, I will be seeking Him for fresh revelation and understanding, without which I will not be able to accomplish the tasks He has set for me. I am presently on a 40-day prayer and fast regime – please pray with and for me.
May and June saw 3 birthdays being celebrated as Esther turned 6 on 1 May, Sarah turned 9 on 22 May and Deborah Hope turned 2 on 7 June. That marked the end of our birthday series for all our children … thank God for the break … until we start all over again from next January!
Next in line was Serene, who turned 40 on 1 July and crossed into a new season as wife and mother. She has been and continues to be a pillar of strength in the family, and I am truly blessed of the Lord with such a wonderful helpmeet. Each time someone asks me how I am doing, the first thought on my mind is the tremendous role Serene is playing and how that enables me to fulfil what the Lord has called me to in the ministry. I only have appreciation and gratitude in my heart for the blessing I have in my dear wife.
Anna Joy, our youngest, was dedicated to the Lord on 7 June and has been growing very well. She is only 3.5 months old but her progress has been phenomenal. In fact, her developmental milestones are all taking place earlier – able to flip, can recognise sounds and voices, can smile and laugh, can ‘talk’ and respond. As I reflected upon this one day, I sensed that Anna Joy has been given to us as a prophetic sign of the times. In the same way she is able to handle such tasks so quickly, things are also speeding up in God’s timeline. That said, prophetic baby notwithstanding, she is just so cute and adorable. All her siblings love her so much and are ever ready to help play with and look after her. Indeed, all of our children are blessings from the Lord!
So many things, so little time! Well, God did promise me an abundant life in Jesus Christ and there is not a day that goes by without our family experiencing His fullness in so many ways. Glory! That said, these are times for us to be focused and not distracted. I don’t want to miss out on what God has for me, and where He is leading me and my family. Constantly, I ask, “Am I keeping in step with Him? Am I aligned with His Kingdom?” These questions have of late weighed heavy upon my heart for it is so easy for me to be distracted with day-to-day matters, family needs and the cares of this world. If my eyes are not diligently fixed upon Jesus, I find them wandering and straying. Before I know it, I’m hooked on Facebook, glued to the TV and eyeing the latest iPhone. God is moving forward! Where am I in God’s larger scheme of things? Am I faithfully fulfilling His call upon my life? Are you?
In my personal reflections, “The Bride of Christ”, I was provoked to consider the difference between being the Body of Christ and the Bride of Christ. I don’t want to miss the mark, or in the words of the Apostle Paul, I don’t want to be disqualified after I have preached to others (1 Cor 9:27). Also, the bible warns of a great falling away in the last and final days (2 Thess 2:3). In Rev Francis Khoo’s Prophetic Word for 2009, the same warning is released that many will fall away in the 2nd half of 2009 because of discouragement, distraction and deception. May we press in to hold on dearly to our Lord Jesus Christ, relying only on the sufficiency of His grace to sustain us. The days ahead will reveal whatever is hidden in our hearts and test the genuineness of our faith (1 Pet 1:7). Indeed, whatever can be shaken will be shaken so that what cannot be shaken will remain. Thank God we have received His Kingdom that cannot be shaken, therefore let us serve Him acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Heb 12:25-29).
Thank you for journeying with me and my family through this simple bi-monthly newsletter. We are deeply appreciative of your prayers that strengthen and sustain us for each new day as we serve God and His people. May you experience His power and provision in your families, your lives and your situations too!
One Day At A Time 