"For God's gifts and his call are irrevocable." (Romans 11:29)
At YWAM's iDTS school last Saturday, we learnt about Identity and Destiny. What is our identity in Christ? What is our destiny? They teach that in YWAM because God calls us to lead purposeful lives. And God places a wonderful calling on each of our lives ... we just need to know it!
As believers, our identity is an awesome one - we are children of our Abba Father, the Great High God. That blows my mind away. Our destiny...or calling in life... is more tricky, and often, it's as we walk close to God that we know what it is.
Today, a colleague told me about a friend who was undergoing cancer. It started off as a cancer in the lung but has spread to the brain. It's a tough road but this cancer sufferer's journey is made just a little easier with the help of a caring oncologist. This oncologist is a Christian, and every morning, she would gather all her patients' files and pray over them. WOW! This really inspires me. Talk about identity and destiny. This oncologist's identity is as a child of God. Her destiny is to use her God-given skills as a doctor to treat the sick, to make them better. But what a power-packed destiny it is, because she also has access to the throne of grace of her Abba Father, who is God Almighty! May I also walk out my God-given destiny by accessing the love and power of my Abba Father, to bless those around me.
Prayer today: Father God, as your children, we are highly privileged. Help me to use my God-given skills, but more importantly my access to you, to bless those around me. Help me to always remember my identity as a child of God, and live out my full destiny. All the days of my life were written in your book before one of them came to be. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Tuesday, June 30, 2009
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Prayer requests: Nothing is too small or too specific for God
Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. (Isaiah 59:1)
This week, God reminded me of the power of specific prayer. At the workplace, my team and I were organising a community event whereby 20 colleagues had volunteered to have their heads shaved, to raise money for a children's cancer charity organisation. The event was to take place at the cafeteria at our workplace - and it had a capacity of 200+ persons. My team and I were involved with executing the entire event - from publicising it internally, rallying for donations, and planning the logistics.
While we did everything we could to ensure flawless execution of the programme, there was one thing that was completely out of our control - the number of people who would turn up. We didn't want to be contrived about it ... and to invite only select people. We wanted all our people who would support the cause to come, and to cheer on our brave colleagues who were having their heads shaved. Yet, we knew that if people turned up in droves, we would have a crowd control problem on our hands. So we prayed a specific prayer: God, please let the RIGHT NUMBER of people come.
It's funny how I can believe that God is the maker of the universe, and doubt that He would be able to answer this prayer. So I was pretty stressed about it all. Ten minutes before the event, no one was there. But when it started, God brought in just about 200+ people - the ideal number - so much so that the atmosphere was electric! There was loads of camaraderie and cheering; but we weren't packed like sardines :)
And I'm still really inspired and awestruck by the event, and how generous everyone was! Within 3 short weeks, we've raised over SGD 100,000 for the cancer-stricken kids, and we have another week of fund-raising to go! That God brought in the right number of people sounds like a small thing. But for me, it's another example of an answer to specific prayer, and God being in control of everything and everything! This one will go into my personal chequebook of faith of just how great our God is!
Prayer today: Abba Father, thank you for making our charity event such a success. While I could plan the logistics to flawless execution, the number of attendees was completely out of my control. But it was completely in your control. I know that now. You are awesome Father, and I praise you that no prayer request is too small or too specific for you to answer! :)
This week, God reminded me of the power of specific prayer. At the workplace, my team and I were organising a community event whereby 20 colleagues had volunteered to have their heads shaved, to raise money for a children's cancer charity organisation. The event was to take place at the cafeteria at our workplace - and it had a capacity of 200+ persons. My team and I were involved with executing the entire event - from publicising it internally, rallying for donations, and planning the logistics.
While we did everything we could to ensure flawless execution of the programme, there was one thing that was completely out of our control - the number of people who would turn up. We didn't want to be contrived about it ... and to invite only select people. We wanted all our people who would support the cause to come, and to cheer on our brave colleagues who were having their heads shaved. Yet, we knew that if people turned up in droves, we would have a crowd control problem on our hands. So we prayed a specific prayer: God, please let the RIGHT NUMBER of people come.
It's funny how I can believe that God is the maker of the universe, and doubt that He would be able to answer this prayer. So I was pretty stressed about it all. Ten minutes before the event, no one was there. But when it started, God brought in just about 200+ people - the ideal number - so much so that the atmosphere was electric! There was loads of camaraderie and cheering; but we weren't packed like sardines :)
And I'm still really inspired and awestruck by the event, and how generous everyone was! Within 3 short weeks, we've raised over SGD 100,000 for the cancer-stricken kids, and we have another week of fund-raising to go! That God brought in the right number of people sounds like a small thing. But for me, it's another example of an answer to specific prayer, and God being in control of everything and everything! This one will go into my personal chequebook of faith of just how great our God is!
Prayer today: Abba Father, thank you for making our charity event such a success. While I could plan the logistics to flawless execution, the number of attendees was completely out of my control. But it was completely in your control. I know that now. You are awesome Father, and I praise you that no prayer request is too small or too specific for you to answer! :)
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Spiritual warfare and lies about God
10 "This is what Sennacherib king of Assyria says: On what are you basing your confidence, that you remain in Jerusalem under siege? 11 When Hezekiah says, 'The LORD our God will save us from the hand of the king of Assyria,' he is misleading you, to let you die of hunger and thirst... 14 Who of all the gods of these nations that my fathers destroyed has been able to save his people from me? How then can your god deliver you from my hand? 15 Now do not let Hezekiah deceive you and mislead you like this. Do not believe him, for no god of any nation or kingdom has been able to deliver his people from my hand or the hand of my fathers. How much less will your god deliver you from my hand!" (2 Chr 32:10-14)
When Sennacherib king of Assyria and all his forces were laying siege on Lachish, he taunted the people of Judah and spouted lie upon lie, to make them doubt God. He told them that Hezekiah was misleading them when he said God would be able to deliver them. Sennacherib sounded real convincing, but in fact, it was he who was lying.
In the same way, Satan is the Father of lies. He lies to us to make us doubt God's goodness, His strength, His might, His ability to deliver us. I remember one year when we were engaged in spiritual warfare to push back his kingdom, he sowed this doubt in my mind, "Are you SURE your God can keep you?" When I allowed these thoughts to assault my mind, my faith began to falter ...
That's why we need to keep our armour on - especially the belt of truth and the shield of faith. In the face of insurmountable odds, am I sure my God can keep me? Yes He can. And He will. His word says so. He is a God that cannot lie.
20 King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. 21 And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons cut him down with the sword.
Hallelejah. Amen.
Prayer today: O Father, forgive me when I doubt you and listen to lies. Help me discern truth from falsehood, especially falsehood about you; that I may walk secure in who you are, and whose I am. In Jesus' name, Amen.
When Sennacherib king of Assyria and all his forces were laying siege on Lachish, he taunted the people of Judah and spouted lie upon lie, to make them doubt God. He told them that Hezekiah was misleading them when he said God would be able to deliver them. Sennacherib sounded real convincing, but in fact, it was he who was lying.
In the same way, Satan is the Father of lies. He lies to us to make us doubt God's goodness, His strength, His might, His ability to deliver us. I remember one year when we were engaged in spiritual warfare to push back his kingdom, he sowed this doubt in my mind, "Are you SURE your God can keep you?" When I allowed these thoughts to assault my mind, my faith began to falter ...
That's why we need to keep our armour on - especially the belt of truth and the shield of faith. In the face of insurmountable odds, am I sure my God can keep me? Yes He can. And He will. His word says so. He is a God that cannot lie.
20 King Hezekiah and the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz cried out in prayer to heaven about this. 21 And the LORD sent an angel, who annihilated all the fighting men and the leaders and officers in the camp of the Assyrian king. So he withdrew to his own land in disgrace. And when he went into the temple of his god, some of his sons cut him down with the sword.
Hallelejah. Amen.
Prayer today: O Father, forgive me when I doubt you and listen to lies. Help me discern truth from falsehood, especially falsehood about you; that I may walk secure in who you are, and whose I am. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Sunday, June 7, 2009
To make our King known
Day 3 in Bangkok ... this afternoon, after verifying that the Thai cinemas screen Hollywood blockbusters in English, I decided to take a break from shopping to catch a movie. I was truly impressed by the cineplex at Siam Paragon - it is the ultimate in 'luxe' ... and has tiered pricing for different classes of theatres. I decided to watch "Terminator Salvation" at a digital theatre - with better sound and sharper images - at 170 baht (about SGD8) ... still cheaper than Singapore, and in amazingly grand surroundings.
Before the movie started, there was the usual dose of trailers and cinema adverts. But what was truly interesting was that at one point, among the trailers, there was a screenshot of the Thai king, and all the audience in the theatre stood to their feet. For a while, I continued to sit in my chair (thinking afterall that I was not a subject of this nation) ... then decided that that might be culturally disrespectful. I did a Wikipedia search on this occurrence after I got back to the hotel, and it said: "Before a film, the audience must stand for the "Royal Anthem", which is accompanied by a montage of images of King Bhumibol Adulyadej." Ahhh... so this is a regular ocurrence after all.
Anyway, during dinner, I thought of the Thais who immediately jumped to their feet upon hearing the anthem. They were spontaneous in their reverence. Moi? I was indifferent really. But then, I don't know King Bhumibol. I've read that he's respected as a benevolent monarch - but I have just a passing knowledge of him. It struck me that my lack of knowledge about him is what fuels my apathy. Similarly, how can they who've never known the King of Kings feel anything but indifference towards him? I love my King, but they who don't know about His goodness, cannot be expected to feel the same way. My cinema experience reminded me that men cannot be expected to love our King unless we make Him known.
Prayer today: Lord Jesus, you are the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Help me to make you known, that all men might know your goodness, your love and your greatness in all the earth. To know you is to love you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Before the movie started, there was the usual dose of trailers and cinema adverts. But what was truly interesting was that at one point, among the trailers, there was a screenshot of the Thai king, and all the audience in the theatre stood to their feet. For a while, I continued to sit in my chair (thinking afterall that I was not a subject of this nation) ... then decided that that might be culturally disrespectful. I did a Wikipedia search on this occurrence after I got back to the hotel, and it said: "Before a film, the audience must stand for the "Royal Anthem", which is accompanied by a montage of images of King Bhumibol Adulyadej." Ahhh... so this is a regular ocurrence after all.
Anyway, during dinner, I thought of the Thais who immediately jumped to their feet upon hearing the anthem. They were spontaneous in their reverence. Moi? I was indifferent really. But then, I don't know King Bhumibol. I've read that he's respected as a benevolent monarch - but I have just a passing knowledge of him. It struck me that my lack of knowledge about him is what fuels my apathy. Similarly, how can they who've never known the King of Kings feel anything but indifference towards him? I love my King, but they who don't know about His goodness, cannot be expected to feel the same way. My cinema experience reminded me that men cannot be expected to love our King unless we make Him known.
Prayer today: Lord Jesus, you are the King of Kings, the Lord of Lords. Help me to make you known, that all men might know your goodness, your love and your greatness in all the earth. To know you is to love you. In Jesus' name, Amen.
So beautiful - by Terry MacAlmon
This is a really ministering song ... just breathtakingly beautiful...!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Spiritual warfare and the glory of God
Still on spiritual warfare...and interceding for cities. We landed in Bangkok yesterday (am here for a 4-day break) - and on the way from the airport to the city, I was struck by how lining both sides of the expressway were small figurines/statues of gods...presumably gods of protection? This lovely nation with incredibly wonderful people are so steeped in their belief of Buddha...this stems from deep-seated beliefs that go centuries back, and which are tightly woven into the very fabric of society. How do we even break through ... I thought.
Anyway, on the plane-ride here, I continued to read John Dawson's book "Taking our cities for God", in between catching Liam Neeson in the movie "Taken" (a pretty good show!). One thing which John wrote about pertaining to spiritual warfare and territorial spirits struck me. Sounding a warning to what intercessors can be prone to do - which is try and delve too much into what territorial spirits are holding a city captive - he says: "God will reveal what we need to know when we need to know it."
"There has always been a danger of either denial of satanic activity altogether or focusing on it too much. If we gain knowledge of the name and nature of an evil spirit and publish it broadly, the enemy will only attempt to glorify himself openly or instill fear among the immature. Joshua warned the Israelites about this temptation. 'You shall not make mention of the name of their gods'. (Joshua 23:7)'
I liked what he continued to say. "After all, the problem is not the presence of the enemy, but the absence of glory. When our sin causes God's revealed presence to depart, the demonic swarm fills the vacuum. Therefore, our focus should be on repentance and priestly meditation rather than on becoming expert on the satanic hierarchy. Morbid fascination is a carnal appetite that can drive us to search out the hidden knowledge of the evil realm... However, the privilege of knowing God Himself should be the centre of our desire."
Prayer today: Father God, when you call us to push back the boundaries of darkness as intercessors, help us focus on the right things ... on repentance, and priestly meditation, and you. After all, even in the darkest places, the problem is not the presence of the enemy, but the absence of glory. May we be the vessels that bring light to darkness, and to show the lost your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Anyway, on the plane-ride here, I continued to read John Dawson's book "Taking our cities for God", in between catching Liam Neeson in the movie "Taken" (a pretty good show!). One thing which John wrote about pertaining to spiritual warfare and territorial spirits struck me. Sounding a warning to what intercessors can be prone to do - which is try and delve too much into what territorial spirits are holding a city captive - he says: "God will reveal what we need to know when we need to know it."
"There has always been a danger of either denial of satanic activity altogether or focusing on it too much. If we gain knowledge of the name and nature of an evil spirit and publish it broadly, the enemy will only attempt to glorify himself openly or instill fear among the immature. Joshua warned the Israelites about this temptation. 'You shall not make mention of the name of their gods'. (Joshua 23:7)'
I liked what he continued to say. "After all, the problem is not the presence of the enemy, but the absence of glory. When our sin causes God's revealed presence to depart, the demonic swarm fills the vacuum. Therefore, our focus should be on repentance and priestly meditation rather than on becoming expert on the satanic hierarchy. Morbid fascination is a carnal appetite that can drive us to search out the hidden knowledge of the evil realm... However, the privilege of knowing God Himself should be the centre of our desire."
Prayer today: Father God, when you call us to push back the boundaries of darkness as intercessors, help us focus on the right things ... on repentance, and priestly meditation, and you. After all, even in the darkest places, the problem is not the presence of the enemy, but the absence of glory. May we be the vessels that bring light to darkness, and to show the lost your glory. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Monday, June 1, 2009
Treasure in all earthen vessels
For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. (Eph 6:12)
Recently, God has been putting on my heart the idea of prayer evangelism. So I've been starting to look at my neighbourhood slightly differently these days. I usually walk down one street from my house to the main road, and the other day, as I did so, I began to notice one neighbour here burning paper money; another worshipping with joss sticks, and wondering... Perhaps its something God is birthing in my heart; I'm still waiting on Him to see where it's all leading ... but in the meantime, am studying more on the subject. Along with it, I picked up a copy of John Dawson's book "Taking Cities For God" at the YWAM talk on Saturday.
YWAM's Dean Sherman reminded us in his spiritual warfare class of Eph 6:12 - that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. People are not the problem. I've heard that teaching before. But while reading John Dawson's book, I learnt another nugget of truth: that not only are people not the problem, God has placed in each one of us a piece of Himself. Everyone, even unbelievers, has the potential to be used greatly for the kingdom, if only they might be saved.
Writes John Dawson: "It is easy to to identify the motivational gift of unsaved individuals and to see what their ministry would be if they were saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. For example, John Lennon would have been a minstrel-prophet like King David, and rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix could have been an excellent worship leader."
"I once set out to convert the manager of a local pornography store. We had breakfast together on Wednesday mornings for several weeks. He believed everything I had to say about Jesus, but he would not take the final step of committing himself to follow the Lord. One morning, I said "Ron, you're a tough guy on the outside, but inside, you're soft. You have what the Bible calls a gift of mercy. If you would allow Jesus to take over, you would become the kind of person to whom others would come for healing and comfort." For the first time he looked at me with real hope in his eyes, and that was the day he made Jesus his Lord.
I can identify with that. Someone I know was the most fervent idol worshipper for years. When she was saved, she became one of the most fervent lovers of God I know. I believe firmly with all my heart, when fervent idol-worshippers come to know Christ, they are super-potent instruments in the hand of God, because they KNOW how to worship. They just changed their allegiance.
What this has taught me is that we really need to recognise that God sees beyond the flaws, weaknesses, and depravity of people. Instead, he takes note of their potential and destiny in Christ Jesus. The lesson I need to learn is to see people the same way God sees them. To recognise that even when they are difficult, God loves them and so should we. Because our war is not against flesh and blood.
And there is treasure in all earthen vessels.
Prayer today: Father God, teach me not to be quick to judge others who are flawed, or difficult, or adversarial. Help me to love them, and not to be provoked by them. Help me to see them as you see them. For our war is not against flesh and blood. And there is treasure in all earthen vessels. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Recently, God has been putting on my heart the idea of prayer evangelism. So I've been starting to look at my neighbourhood slightly differently these days. I usually walk down one street from my house to the main road, and the other day, as I did so, I began to notice one neighbour here burning paper money; another worshipping with joss sticks, and wondering... Perhaps its something God is birthing in my heart; I'm still waiting on Him to see where it's all leading ... but in the meantime, am studying more on the subject. Along with it, I picked up a copy of John Dawson's book "Taking Cities For God" at the YWAM talk on Saturday.
YWAM's Dean Sherman reminded us in his spiritual warfare class of Eph 6:12 - that our struggle is not against flesh and blood. People are not the problem. I've heard that teaching before. But while reading John Dawson's book, I learnt another nugget of truth: that not only are people not the problem, God has placed in each one of us a piece of Himself. Everyone, even unbelievers, has the potential to be used greatly for the kingdom, if only they might be saved.
Writes John Dawson: "It is easy to to identify the motivational gift of unsaved individuals and to see what their ministry would be if they were saved and filled with the Holy Spirit. For example, John Lennon would have been a minstrel-prophet like King David, and rock guitarist Jimi Hendrix could have been an excellent worship leader."
"I once set out to convert the manager of a local pornography store. We had breakfast together on Wednesday mornings for several weeks. He believed everything I had to say about Jesus, but he would not take the final step of committing himself to follow the Lord. One morning, I said "Ron, you're a tough guy on the outside, but inside, you're soft. You have what the Bible calls a gift of mercy. If you would allow Jesus to take over, you would become the kind of person to whom others would come for healing and comfort." For the first time he looked at me with real hope in his eyes, and that was the day he made Jesus his Lord.
I can identify with that. Someone I know was the most fervent idol worshipper for years. When she was saved, she became one of the most fervent lovers of God I know. I believe firmly with all my heart, when fervent idol-worshippers come to know Christ, they are super-potent instruments in the hand of God, because they KNOW how to worship. They just changed their allegiance.
What this has taught me is that we really need to recognise that God sees beyond the flaws, weaknesses, and depravity of people. Instead, he takes note of their potential and destiny in Christ Jesus. The lesson I need to learn is to see people the same way God sees them. To recognise that even when they are difficult, God loves them and so should we. Because our war is not against flesh and blood.
And there is treasure in all earthen vessels.
Prayer today: Father God, teach me not to be quick to judge others who are flawed, or difficult, or adversarial. Help me to love them, and not to be provoked by them. Help me to see them as you see them. For our war is not against flesh and blood. And there is treasure in all earthen vessels. In Jesus' name, Amen.
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