January 26, 2010

Power from heaven for financial freedom (1)



Introduction

Why do I agree to give a talk on finances? In this time of increasing global turmoil with intensive destructive forces at work, the hearts of people are being crushed under a greater sense of uncertainty and emptiness. Indeed, even a Christian feels lost at times. When I think of such big issue like life and death which hits upon every family and even every life without notice, my heart feels heavy and wordless.

The more I think of this subject of financial management, the more I realize it is not management practice that matters. What matters is the way we treat our lives. When people are dying like flies, or worse, what is the value of lives? Can a life be measured by monetary value? Why, indeed why do people who have gone through a great disaster choose to live on even when all their loved ones have died and all that they have established in life had vanished and there seems no foreseeable physical and emotional relief from their pains?

How does finance come in? Can money solve their problems? If so why did not money prevent such disasters? Why is there such great a disparity between the opulent rich and the poor living below poverty line? The matter is not management. It is value.

So I intend to talk about value when I talk about financial management.

The fact that you are reading this or listening to this talk means that you are not yet the opulent rich. This message is therefore for those who are still in want and still feel they lack.

When I asked my prayer partner what make people feel that they still lack, she thought that all should feel contented with what little they have (and have-not) and there is no such word as bare minimum. When I search my deepest soul, I realize that it is a matter of security craving. Different people look for different thing to fill their security vacuum. The thing may be love, friendship, companionship, sense of achievement, self-esteem, others’ respect and acceptance, physical comfort etc. Many think that a lot of these can be bought with money. That is why money becomes a prominent object of want.

The goal of a money talk is therefore to facilitate people to find ways to feel more secure.

So the focus of this talk should be on value.

What is your value in life? What is the life purpose of a Christian? An average Christian would know the answer easily. We live to glorify God, to fulfill God’s plan for us on earth. We believe that God has a good plan for each Christian. We believe He can help us to live and complete that plan. So why are we still lacking in security? Why do we still feel we lack?

When we see this life goal we realize that we are on a different track from the race track God has set for us. All those men and women of faith who had completed the race before us had run on another track, the track of faith. If we run on a wrong track we would never reach the same destination as they did. No amount of money and/or capable financial management could transfer us to that goal.

How do we know we are not on the right track? When we feel that we are in financial want.

How do we go back to the right track? Here are the seven steps: (7 Rs in brief)

1. Repent and renounce your past and present money mismanagement.

2. Be Reconciled with God in your value in life. A humble and contrite heart He will not overlook.

3. Renew your mind (not be conformed to the world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, so that you know what the good, acceptable and perfect will of God is).

4. Review: review and assess your current damaged situations, the ruined walls -your assets and liabilities, and ask God for an effective plan to address them.

5. Rebuild: ask God for fresh strategies, supplies and support to rebuild your new financial security.

6. Restore: ask God to restore with seven folds what the enemy had stolen from you.

7. Reap the harvest of your financial management. Continue on the right track of faith, led by the Holy Spirit.

There are three absolute conditions for successful implementation of the above steps:

1. You must be led by the Holy Spirit.

2. You must have faith.

3. You must focus on the author and finisher of faith: Jesus Christ Himself.

How to be led by the Holy Spirit?

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you answers to the above seven steps.

Spend time in the presence of God. Worship Him in Spirit and in truth. Read His words. Wait for Him to speak to you (through His words, dreams and visions). In quietness and stillness wait upon Him. Attend prayer meetings where there is a strong presence of the Holy Spirit and consistent focus on Jesus and the love and grace of God. Have Holy Communion with other Christians with clear focus on Jesus (His shed blood and broken body on the cross and what they mean). Attend church where only the words of God (the full Gospel of Jesus Christ) are being preached (not man’s words or man’s philosophy). Attend church where the Gospel messages are being followed by signs and wonders (healing, deliverance and transformed lives).

Practice living the words of God and take a step of faith in the Spirit (practicing the gifts of the Holy Spirit; practice praying in the Spirit, speaking in tongues). Do not doubt or let the sin of unbelief cripple your spirit. Never grief the Holy Spirit by denying His power in you.

Only the Holy Spirit can convict us of sins, of self-righteousness and of judgment. Only the Holy Spirit can transform and renew our minds and reveal God’s will to us. Only the Holy Spirit can make and do all things (working together for our good). He is the sanctifier and edifier. He is the grace and blessing of God, comforter, helper, and finger of God. Read all scripture about the Holy Spirit.

Word of caution: do not think that you are led by the Holy Spirit in your rational mind. What you reason out may not be from Him. He works perfectly without your mental input. You cannot take credit for what He has done.

How to have faith?

Faith is given by God to every Christian, in the same measure and precious as the one given to the Apostles. Jesus said all you need is faith as small as a mustard seed. It is not how much or how big your faith is that counts. What works miracles is simple faith not off-set by unbelief. Faith is a substance and certainty in itself. Just have faith. Do not doubt. Remember: when you can see the obvious result you do not need faith! Read all scripture about faith and start practicing faith.

Why must one focus on Jesus?

Jesus is the one who has won the battle for us on the cross. He has redeemed us from sin and death. He has borne the curse (including the curse on Adam that he had to toil on the ground before he could eat of it) for us. Jesus is the only one entitled to every blessing from God. He is the only righteous one. Without His sacrificial blood we cannot have any access to God. There is no way any Christian can finish his race on the right track without looking to Jesus! Do not let others fool you into thinking that you only need to acknowledge Jesus once (on the occasion of receiving His salvation) and thereafter conveniently put him aside. He is our every blessing!

Jesus said, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. “ He also warned that many would say they had done a lot of works and wonders in His name, but His answer for them on that day would be, “I never knew you. Depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!” (Matt. 7:22-23)

One pastor challenged his congregation: “If you do not have a habit of seeking God and staying close to Him, what makes you think you will suddenly be ready one day when Jesus comes to take His own people with Him to heaven?” Think about that. The matter is far more serious than having a good financial report on earth.

Remember the story about a beggar called Lazarus who went to heaven and an unnamed rich man who ended down in hell? Jesus knew the beggar by name. But the rich man remained unknown as far as Jesus was concerned.

To stay close to Jesus and be known by Him is absolutely essential!

2010-01-26

January 24, 2010

CHAPTER SIXTY-SIX: HOW DOES A WATCHMAN KNOW HE IS BEING CALLED?



A young man discussed this matter regarding special calling with Jack one day. Is it difficult to know what one’s calling in life is? How does one know he is being called to be a watchman? Jack has never thought of this before. He himself has stumbled his way into this spiritual journey in the first place. Surely there are other more focused ways!

As they discussed, he asked the young man what he thought his calling was. The young man told him that he felt more inclined to be an intercessor too. He said his favorite character in the Bible was Elijah. It was indeed an interesting and unusual choice. The Holy Spirit has been working on him! Jack thought about his own favorite Bible character. He could only think of two with whom he sort of identified: the prophet Jeremiah and the wall builder Nehemiah.

Are there similarities in these two Bible characters? How were they called to be watchmen? Jeremiah was called when he was a young man. He was a reluctant watchman. He was asked to speak to audience who rejected his messages. He had been ridiculed and even persecuted for his messages. He saw visions and spoke prophecies. God’s words burned inside him and he had no choice but to speak them. Yet he was most unwelcome for speaking the truth.

Jack of course had not encountered such experiences as he never saw significant visions for nations and assigned risky duties. All he ever saw and did was mostly limited to within his personal and sometimes wider church/mission scope. At times he was urged to pray in the Spirit although he did not know the content of his intercessions. He definitely has an easier watchman life than the ancient watchmen! However, deep in his heart he wanted to identify with Jeremiah. He felt as if he could see how Jeremiah wept for his city and nation who rejected his prophecies. This picture touched his heart.

Nehemiah was not called until he was already an established official (cupbearer) well trusted by the King in the Persian court. There was no mention of his calling by God. Nevertheless, he was touched and interceded fervently when he heard the sad news about his city and nation back home. He prayed until he knew God has answered his prayers. He was indeed granted favor by the King to return to Jerusalem to re-build the walls. He was different from Jeremiah as he was not only an intercessor he was a builder too. How could a cupbearer (a man who tested the wine before handing the wine to the King so that no one could poison the King) become a capable and efficient governor and city builder? This sounds impossible, yet Nehemiah had succeeded. What he completed was physically evident, in the form of the duly completed walls of Jerusalem, built in 52 days despite external political and military threat and harassments and internal discouragement among the workers.

Jack would like to identify with him in that he stayed close to God and prayed through the whole building project. It appeared to Jack that during Nehemiah’s intercessions, God had revealed to him His plan for the walls of Jerusalem and thus all Nehemiah did was to listen carefully and obeyed God’s instructions! It was no easy task but certainly exciting and worthwhile! The picture of Nehemiah kneeling down before the great God in heaven, interceding day and night until God answered (complete with a wonderful work plan and supplies) is certainly inspiring to Jack.

How does a watchman know he is being called? Looking at the above two cases, there is no one definite answer. God’s way cannot be limited. However, the certainty is that when one stays close to God, and is sensitive to the Holy Spirit, God will let him know. In the above two examples, one watchman was selected by God even when he was in his mother’s womb. Another watchman became one when he paid attention to news about God’s people and cared about matters that touched God’s heart. No matter how they were called, both had chosen to obey the calling. Both are models for emulation for all watchmen-to-be. Thus Jack concluded.

2010-01-24

January 22, 2010

CHAPTER SIXTY-FIVE: WHAT ARE THE QUALIFICATIONS OF A WATCHMAN (ON THE WALLS)?



Recent events had prompted Jack to review his role as a watchman. He does not want to fool himself into thinking that he is especially righteous or holy so he qualifies as one. He knows he is not yet the spiritual man he has strived to become. When he first started this journey of living in the Holy Spirit, he only wanted to know God more and follow Jesus by faith (in the Spirit). However, something happened on the way and he encountered events which he has never had a clue previously in his natural man. The spiritual realm has been revealed to him gradually as if he was watching a never ending movie that has no fixed plot.

After a dry eventless season, he recently encountered intensive working of the Holy Spirit in him. One night he was sleepless for four hours during which he saw nine visions! He knew they were visions as he was not dreaming. Another day he even saw two visions in broad daylight! Most recently he was led to wake up after only one and half hours of sleep. He was not allowed to continue his sleep although he was reluctant to get up from his comfortable bed. Then he saw a vision. The vision conveyed a sense of urgency and he had no choice but to jump out of his bed at 1.30am.

When he sat down at the kitchen table he opened his Bible to see if he could have a confirmation of the vision. What he read was exactly what he saw! He realized that he had seen part of the army scene described in the book of Joel chapter two! When he came to verse 17 he knew he was asked to intercede. So he interceded in accordance with the verse which commands: “Let the priests, who minister before the Lord, weep between the temple porch and the altar. Let them say, ‘Spare your people, o Lord, do not make your inheritance an object of scorn, a byword among the nations. Why should they say among the peoples, ‘where is their God?’”

He was tired and sleepy but he persisted (knowing that he was asked to stand in the gap for the priests as well as they were sleeping), “Spare your people, o Lord!” After he had prayed these words sometime he was led to pray for his own nephew, a lost sheep somewhere. So he interceded for the poor young man. Unlike what he thought at first, although he had completed his “watchman assignment’ for that occasion, he did not feel in a hurry to return to bed. Instead, he continued to worship and sing hymns. He was also led to intercede for a number of other matters (mostly for people) and read the Bible at intervals. By the time he knew the time with God was over that morning, it was already 3.30am. He had only four hours of sleep after that but he felt well and refreshed that day!

What are the qualifications of a watchman? He concluded that all a watchman needs is to be ready when called for an assignment. So far, all he did was to seek God, be thirsty for God’s presence and His words, be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and heeded His calls. There was no other requirement on him. There is nothing special about him. He believes that a lot of others like him are quietly responding to the calls of the Holy Spirit and intercede as required. Is it an exciting life? Yes! He feels happy and honored, as the almighty God cares to be present and listen to a man’s prayers.

Notwithstanding the odd hours he has to get up at times, he would not trade these with any other events. No words can describe the joy one feels in the presence of the holy, majestic, all powerful yet caring God!

2010-01-22

January 20, 2010

CHAPTER SIXTY-FOUR: WATCHMAN, WALLS OF MY HEART AND MORNING STAR



A time has come for Jack to take stock as a watchman.

He has gone on this journey in the Holy Spirit for almost a year during which he has experienced the reality of the spiritual and supernatural realm as described in the Bible. He has also discovered the ability of man to communicate with the Holy Spirit. He has encountered God.

The year can be compared to that of a class conducted by the Holy Spirit. Although he was not exactly the responsive and sensitive student, he has managed to see and hear important messages at random and responded accordingly. He knew that there had been times he failed as watchman and other watchmen must have stood in for him. He is grateful for that.

Even now he is still not sure of how he could receive the interpretations and explanations to some of his visions. He relies on others to interpret for him if possible. Otherwise he takes a long time to decipher the message by reading relevant passages in the Bible over and over again and asking for more signs from the Holy Spirit. He used to think that it would get easier as he continues his quest. He is wrong. When he first sought God in the Holy Spirit, he saw visions easily and had the related interpretations almost immediately. As the year went by he lost momentum and could not settle down to seek God’s presence quietly. He did not even enquire of God and he saw less and less visions. Lately when he resumed his quest he found that he saw visions without any clue to interpret them!

The recent events were good illustrations of how he had to go through a lot of channels before he understood the message the Holy Spirit was trying to pass to him. On this subject he still has promptings in his heart that the message is more than just a personal one for the young man who is seeking to become godly. He needs to look further beyond the walls of Nehemiah. He needs to search his heart and see if there are walls there to be pulled down as well. He needs to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal His greater purpose if any for making him read the book “Walls of my heart” after reading the book of Nehemiah.

Surely it was no coincidence that he was led to read both books. He has determined in his heart to find out more about this message which he is yet to decipher. Indeed, he has been listening to teachings about a Christian being the temple of the Holy Spirit and that the body of Christ consists of individual Christians together becomes a church. Church building is in fact body building for Christ. Each member of the body of Christ needs to be built up. The walls are made up of each brick (member of the body of Christ). Hence, re-building the ruined walls require regeneration and rebuilding each individual member of the church.

What is a watchman’s role in this rebuilding effort? He needs to really listen and watch. When he receives a message it is his role to pass it faithfully to the intended target. Like in the rebuilding project in Nehemiah, the job of a watchman is never completed until the walls are completed. But he dared not presume anything, knowing the serious consequences of human presumption.

Apostle Peter warned us of this, “And so we have the prophetic word confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” (2 Peter 1:19-21)

Carry on watching and praying!

2010-01-20

January 19, 2010

CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE: watchman saw visions of wolves, serpent and one young man




Something amazing happened. Jack found out lately how patient the Holy Spirit has been in trying to give him an important message. The following is a summary of the sequence of recent events illustrating this:


He attended Sunday morning worship and was filled with the Spirit.

The following Tuesday he was prompted by the Holy Spirit to read the Book of Nehemiah. He thought the book has something to do with church building. But he kept this thought to himself at the back of his mind.

After the above experience he was fired up to read the Bible, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to reveal more to him so he would know God’s will and obey.

He was reminded one day by his prayer partner that he was yet to read one little booklet about God’s creative power for finances. She gave him that booklet sometime ago and he forgot all about it. So he finally located it in an unused briefcase and read it.

While reading the booklet he said amen to the Bible verses and repented his past careless words about finances. He also asked the Holy Spirit to show him what seeds he should plant in accordance to the inspired teachings.

The minute he finished the booklet he received a phone call. Someone from a Christian organization invited him to give a talk on managing finances in two weeks time. He knew this was the seed he asked for, so he agreed without hesitation.

One morning he decided to do research on what the Bible says about finances. He spent the whole morning before God reading God’s words and meditating on God’s matters.

By the afternoon he was a bit tired and sleepy so he decided to rest by reading a book. He took one book at random from the shelf of some new books he bought about a month ago while travelling overseas. The book is “Walls of My Heart” by Dr. Bruce and Barbara Thompson.

When he had read a few pages he closed his eyes to rest. He saw a clear vision of a young man from his church. The young man was walking alone outdoor (with tall grass nearby and no building in sight). He was followed by a pack of wolves (or wild dogs). He seemed troubled but he was not aware of the presence of the wolves and the danger! Jack responded in surprise and opened his eyes. He had not been praying for the church and had no reason to see this young man at all. But he thought it would be better to wait for clearer instruction from the Holy Spirit before he told the young man or anyone.

He spent the whole afternoon reading the book in between doing his usual chores. By night time he almost finished reading the book. He felt tired and closed his eyes to rest for awhile. The minute he closed his eyes a second vision appeared. He saw the young man close up and there was a pole by the side of the young man. There was a serpent coiled round the pole and its mouth was open. Its head was at level with the young man’s ear as though it was speaking to the young man. Jack was stunned so he opened his eyes. He knew he should not delay and he called the leader of the church, who confirmed that he should communicate with the young man about the visions.

Later at night the young man (who was contacted by the church leader) called him. Jack thought the leader had already told him the visions so he asked the young man what he had been doing. The young man said he was concentrating on character building and wanted to learn to become a godly grown man. He said he was no longer a child. So he should learn to be a grown up from godly people. So Jack shared how he was led to read Nehemiah and later the book on “Walls of My Heart” which makes use of Nehemiah’s example for character building. He suggested that the young man read Nehemiah.

The next morning Jack re-read the introduction of the book and discovered that the writer in fact quoted a verse from Ephesians 4:13, “Till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.” Verse 14 says, “That we should no longer be children…” So the answer to the young man’s quest is in the book of Ephesians!

The young man called and said Jack had not yet told him the visions so Jack told him accordingly. Jack also shared with him about his discovery and asked him to read the book of Ephesians chapter 4, which aptly ends with the verse, “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another even as God in Christ forgave you.” (By the way, the dangers of the enemy, the lying serpent and angry wolves were all described in that chapter too!)

The Holy Spirit summed up His instruction with this verse from Ephesians 5:1, “Therefore be imitators of God as dear children.”

Imagine the long suffering the Holy Spirit must have gone through in order to accommodate Jack in his dull in hearing and seeing in the spirit. On the other hand Jack was elated that God has not given up in revealing to him important visions like this so that he can continue to learn to carry out the task of a watchman. The books of Nehemiah and Ephesians have benefitted him too. The book “Walls of My Heart” is a must-read for all hurting Christians, aspiring counselors and watchmen.

January 19, 2010

January 11, 2010

CHAPTER SIXTY-TWO: WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT POURED ON A CONSTRUCTION WORKSITE SUPERVISOR



Jack told a friend (a construction work site supervisor who had been seeking to be filled by the Holy Spirit) that the New Year series of sermons would be on getting to know more about the Holy Spirit and suggested that he attends the Prayer House worship service on the second Sunday morning. During the worship, Jack heard a loud noise which sounded as though a tractor was running at full force toward the main entrance of the building. He also heard sizzling sound like something burning. In his mind he was reminded of Nehemiah and the re-building of the Jerusalem walls (wherein half the men had to be on guard against the enemy). So he went out and investigated.

He went to the front entrance and found that it was peaceful and calm. He noted nothing unusual. So he walked round the building to the backyard. There he discovered that the neighbor property was under re-construction and workmen were working with tractor and welding tools. The worksite was separated from the church building by a chain-link fence. There was no protective temporary fencing for security.

So he prayed in the spirit as he walked round the whole church compound, for God’s protection. When he reached the front entrance he looked at the wide open gate and decided to close it. After that he returned to the worship service. Shortly after that he noted that his friend’s seat was vacant. However after a while he saw the friend returning. After the service he was engaged elsewhere and did not notice that the friend had left.

In the evening due to his fever he thought of not attending the evening service which sermon would be a continuation of the morning’s sermon. However as he lied on his bed the power blacked out and he was unable to rest further. So he decided to go to the evening service. He was surprised to see his friend there as well.

After the service he asked the friend whether the worship services benefitted him. The friend told him that that morning he wanted to leave for his worksite as a new project was being launched but he could not get out as he thought the gate was locked (unaware that Jack was the one who closed it shortly before he wanted to leave). So he thought he better stayed back for the whole service as God probably wanted him to stay. After the end of the service he rushed to his worksite but while driving, he found tears gushing out and he also burst out speaking in tongue (praying in the spirit) for the first time in his life! He had to stop the car by the road side s he could not drive on.

That morning’s sermon was on how the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin, righteousness and judgment. The preacher told them that when the conviction comes, tears will flow. At the same time the Holy Spirit would also comfort. How true it had turned out to be for the friend. He was beaming all over that evening despite his red and swollen eyes. His face was radiant and the light of Christ was on him. It was indeed a most blessed start for him for this New Year.

January 11, 2010

January 7, 2010

CHAPTER SIXTY-ONE: NEHEMIAH, PRAYERS, WATCHMAN AND WEAPONS


On the first Tuesday after the Sunday encounter with God the Holy Spirit, Jack decided to spend time doing the morning worship and Bible reading on his own. He started his praise and worship in the spirit while driving and by the time he reached home he continued to sing hymns and choruses. Then he read the Bible. The Book of Nehemiah came to his mind and he read the verses aloud. The reading continued and before he realized it was noon and he had spent the whole morning reading the Bible. The reading was different from his previous reading of the same Book. The whole Book brought to him a clear message about the church they are building right now.
The place was meant for prayers and intercessions and was used for that purpose for the past ten years. All the services were conducted in the evenings and focused on worship, healing and deliverance. People came and left as they wished. Many had been ministered to, received healings and deliverance but had not returned with gratitude. The Christians returned to their own churches. The non-believers maintained their distance. Only now a decision is made to start the Sunday morning worship like a church does.
Jack pondered on the task of re-building of a church. He could imagine how Nehemiah felt. It was a monumental task for Nehemiah, to rebuild the Jerusalem walls. Nehemiah started the project alone. With God. God was the master builder. Nehemiah merely listened and obeyed. He prayed every step of the way. He prayed and God answered immediately. He did not take things for granted. In fact, Nehemiah had followed the Holy Spirit all the way.
Nehemiah was a watchman. He watched and prayed and interceded. God answered and gave him the solutions. He obeyed and followed the instructions. His problems were thus solved.
Jack noted in Nehemiah the following spiritual truth applicable in the present re-building efforts:
1. Recognize that the war is not against flesh and blood but against spiritual principalities, rulers and wicked forces in the heavenly realm. (Ephesians 6)
2. Recognize the key role of the Holy Spirit (the power behind all re-building efforts) and the words of God (the sword of the Spirit).
3. Recognize the importance of regular prayers and intercessions (to switch on the power).
4. Recognize the rightful functions of the gates and the walls. The gates are to open and welcome the entrance of the King of kings, Lord of lords. The walls are for the defense against the enemies.
The strategy of Nehemiah is to: watch, pray, defend and build.
Jack was led to note that Nehemiah deployed half his men to build and half to be equipped with weapons and posted behind the workers/builders. Even the builders wore swords. The materials carriers worked with one hand and held a weapon in the other. Such caution and defense!
His conclusion is that we need to pray more and read the Bible more, much more than what we have been doing. Without the words of God (the swords of the Spirit), without the switch (prayer) that switches on the power of God in the spiritual realm, the battle will be lost. Above all, we must seek the presence of the Holy Spirit as He is the power source.
January 6, 2010

January 6, 2010

CHAPTER SIXTY: OUT OF HIS HEART WILL FLOW RIVERS OF LIVING WATER

Religion Blogs


26 years ago Jack first encountered God in a big way and the amazing experience imprinted in his heart had never faded all these years when he continued to seek God’s presence through God’s words. However, he sometimes thought with sadness that he would never encounter God again in that way. Last Sunday he attended the first Sunday morning worship service in the Prayer House. God met him in exactly the same way and more powerful and touching. Jack was totally overwhelmed!

It was like any other Prayer House worship except that it was in the morning for the first time. They started the first Sunday morning worship with the leader singing in the spirit followed by the first hymn, which was a short chorus with the full Gospel message in the song. As Jack knelt down and sang, he was totally surrounded by the words (lyrics) which became alive and real. The Holy Spirit worked deeply in him and he was filled with such great peace and joy and gratitude as the Gospel of Christ was sung.

Tears streamed down like a river and washed him through out the worship. The love of God came to him and worked into his heart. He was led (in the spirit) to focus on the cross and Jesus’ painful yet powerful humiliation, suffering and even death, just for the sake of all mankind. He felt the heart of God saying to him: “How much I have loved you, and many others, indeed, the whole world!” All the hymns (and choruses) were Jesus-focus. The whole Gospel of Christ was narrated in the lyrics.

The Word of God became real: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

As they took Holy Communion, he was reminded of the body of Christ, broken for him and many, and by which (Jesus’ stripes) he was healed, and the blood of Christ, shed for him and many for the forgiveness of their sins. He was redeemed, and set free, all because of God’s love.

He was reminded that God is love and God’s perfect love cast out all fears. God is light and darkness must flee in the presence of God. God is life and Jesus has conquered death! As Paul has declared victoriously: “O death, where is your sting?” He took the bread and cup in grateful tears.

What a morning! Jack was completely soaked in tears but he was not alone. He shared this experience with a leader in the evening and was surprised that two leaders of the church had the same encounter that morning with God (the Holy Spirit) and were equally soaked in tears too!!

The sermon (based on the Acts of the Apostles) was another blessing. The preacher preached the first incidence of the Holy Spirit pouring onto the disciples of Jesus Christ on the Pentecost Day at the third hour (around 9am, the time of the morning sacrifice) of that day followed with their speaking and praising God in many tongues (other languages) and preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, converting three thousands to Christ, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. The church was thus born empowered mightily by the Holy Spirit.

At the ninth hour (around 3pm, the time of the evening sacrifice) of a day, Peter and John went up to the temple and Peter healed a man who was lame from his mother’s womb. This was the first miracle specifically recorded after the out pouring of the Holy Spirit on the disciples.

Indeed, God has answered Jack’s prayer on looking for a church (read chapter forty-three: “I am looking for a church”). He was grateful and filled with great joy.

On the last day, that great day of the feast (of Tabernacles), Jesus stood and cried out, saying: “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart shall flow rivers of living water (Holy Spirit).” (John 7:37-39)

January 6, 2010

January 1, 2010

CHAPTER FIFTY-NINE: JACK DISCOVERS THAT GOD IS REAL AND GIVES GRACE (UNMERITED FAVOR)!

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On the eve of the last day of 2009, Jack was led to give thanks for the year. He looked back and without hesitation agreed that it was a year full of unmerited favor from the Almighty God, Whom he called Abba Father in his prayers.

He summarized below what happened to him when he sought God seriously through being led by the Holy Spirit:

1. He was led by the Holy Spirit to encounter the reality of God.

As a result, he learned to live differently. He attended a Prayer House to worship and pray instead of attending the usual services of a church. He attended seminars teaching him in practice how to wait upon God, worship God for hours and not feel bored or tired. He listened to teachings on the needs to keep one’s temple (the body, which is the temple of the Holy Spirit) holy (being separated from the worldly values and worldly beliefs and practices) for the indwelling Spirit of Christ. He learned how to keep his temple cleansed (through the regular and daily washing of God’s words, the Holy Spirit, and the presence of God).

2. He was led by the Holy Spirit to re-examine his faith and belief system.

As a result, he saw and admitted his religious failures in the past despite having been a committed evangelical Christian for over 25 years, reading Bible daily, attending church without fail and serving in Sunday school etc. faithfully. He had a lot of knowledge about what is right to do and made his best effort too, though without the power of the Holy Spirit (as the churches he attended preached Holy Spirit for mind knowledge and not in practice with power). He had been disillusioned over the years watching the weak churches, pastors, elders and members being attacked spiritually and succumbed. He admitted he had been guilty as he was part of the church system without making any effort to seek the Holy Spirit and cry for help!

3. He learned about the true church.

As a result, he sought God on his own at home and also attended a place where he found worshippers really seeking God, basked in God’s presence and instead of the “Thing” called church. As he continued to seek, he found the true church in the Acts of the Apostles. He shuddered at the thought that he had been so deceived and was part of the “Thing” for so many years. Without the Holy Spirit, church becomes the “Thing”!

4. He practiced as a member of the true church.

He learned that as he takes Holy Communion with the other believers of Jesus Christ, he becomes a member of the corporate body of Christ. Christ is the head of the body. The words Jesus spoke about His disciples abiding in Him and being one with Him as He is one with the Father in heaven become a reality. By this belonging, the body of Christ enjoys the authority (over all spiritual principalities, rulers and wicked forces in the heavenly realm) and all privileges of Christ who has given to His believers.

5. He learned to trust God (including believing the words of God and obey).

As he allowed himself to be led by the Holy Spirit, he found that gradually he could listen to what the Holy Spirit was saying to him. It was not in audible voice. Ideas (in visions/pictures, dreams and God’s words) came into his heart. He sought confirmation in the words of God. He learned to follow them.

He learned to communicate to God. His prayers changed. Unlike the former usual political correct prayers which he had uttered as he was expected to do so, he was led by the Holy Spirit to pray in ways he had never imagined before. He knew it was not his usual human effort that was in the pilot set anymore.

6. He learned to use a variety of spiritual gifts.

He prayed in the spirit. He sang in the spirit. He mingled his prayers with worship and praise songs. He exercised his faith and even prayed for the sick that were brought to him on a day when all the usual healing leaders were absent. He continued to read the Bible in new light under the tutorship of the Holy Spirit. He shared with (and perhaps taught) others through his writing what he had learned.

7. He lived by the Spirit (and by faith).

After listening to repeated teachings and reading the Bible about divine healing and divine health from Jesus, he stopped his medicine for nose allergy and high heart rate. By faith he believed he was completely healed. He now enjoys divine health.

Looking back, Jack marveled at the amazing things that happened. He has discovered the reality of God’s presence. He has learned that God responds to our prayers without hesitations. God loves us. Indeed, the Holy Spirit has responded to his request so fast that he was caught surprised.

Today he tells himself and all his readers that he is very happy because God is real! Holy Spirit is real. Jesus is real.

His New Year resolution is thus: Be real. Live in the Spirit.

2010-01-01

2024 not abandoned: a new spiritual journey

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