Happy New Year!
By the Lord’s grace, the past year was indeed fulfilling. If you missed my updates, here they are once more: “How Was 2015 For You?” & “2015: A Season of Sowing”. I don’t think I am alone when I say that it is as if I zoomed through 2015 and suddenly found myself in 2016. And it doesn’t seem to be slowing down at all.
Just three weeks into the new year and we have already witnessed so many happenings. The financial markets are in turmoil and the economy is terribly shaky. The threat of terrorism has become even more real with bombs going off nearby and militants arrested right here in our own country! Around the world, elections and leadership changes only indicate the growing discontent amongst the people. And we shouldn’t be surprised at all, for in certain nations, in the name of political rightness, refugees and migrants are treated with more favour even if it’s at the expense, safety and sanctity of their own people! One cannot help but wonder, what in the world is going on?
As Christians, of course, we are confident that Jesus is the answer. Even so, at the risk of offending some (or many), let us not be so naive as to presume everything is well in church communities. Those who read my post, “First The Natural Then The Spiritual: The Lord Prepares Me For The New Year”, would know the object lesson I learnt through the reinstalling of my laptop’s Operating System (OS) without reintroducing the same bugs that caused the problem in the first place.
It has become very clear to me that, in much the same way, the Body of Christ needs a reinstallation of OS too. This is because the bugs of worldliness, glamour, prosperity, progress, etc have found a lodging place in the hearts of believers. Even worse, in our bid to remain relevant, we have also allowed gnostic and new age influences to redefine doctrines and permeate worship styles! Perceived as upgrades, and received as the next new thing, these have become so entrenched in church culture that it is not quite as easy to discern and even harder to remove. We keep looking for upgrades but what we desperately require is a reinstallation – a return to the old paths, to the ancient paths!
Personally, I am convicted of the need to get back to basics, and that will be my focus for 2016 and beyond. For a nation as educated as Singapore, our biblical literacy leaves much to be desired. In our quest for progress and productivity, many have little or no prayer life. Feasting is one of our favourite past times so we rationalise that fasting is only for times past. We know how to build bigger churches but don’t know what the kingdom of God means. We are engaged in numerous activities but are unclear of our God-given kingdom assignments. Healthy? I think not!
If you have not yet made a new year’s resolution, or have already broken yours, join me in this focus of getting back to basics because this is the only guarantee that will keep you on track against the tide of deception that is already in the world and the Church. As the prophet declared in Jer 6:16-17, “Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it.” In a world gone crazy, only in God’s ways will you find rest for your souls. If you don’t know where or how to start, allow me to serve you through the various initiatives of Archippus Awakening [click on links to find out more] – KINGDOM101: Kingdom Foundation for Kingdom Assignments, KINGDOM WORLDVIEW Seminar with Darrow Miller 19 & 20 Feb, WATCH & PRAY: Movie Event 24 Feb & 2 Mar, Awakening Event: AWE2016 15-17 April.
This is what I will be doing with my marriage and family too. With attention directed at a new and young ministry, I had overlooked certain fundamentals in the household, taking these for granted instead of taking charge. I will be revisiting the basics over and over again so that I can be the husband and father that I am to be to Serene and our seven children, so help me God. Thanks for your prayers as we learn and navigate parenthood with our tribe of varying ages, interests, talents, personalities and challenges.
Once again, here’s wishing you a blessed new year! Things are uncertain and the times are a-changing, but we can most certainly trust in the certainty of our unchanging God! Thank you for always being there for us and journeying with us.
In His love and for His glory!
Henson
One Day At A Time 