Read the hilarious “Talking Cock” story here>>>
Month October 2008
Opportunities in Times of Uncertainty
It is unavoidable that organisations, families and ordinary folks will be taking steps in responding to the winds of change in the economic and market forces.
Manufacturers will be looking into cost-cutting measures to sustain their operations in view of low demands. Our government will be looking at ways to facilitate a vibrant economy and to manage unemployment. Families and people alike will be grimly tighting their belts to brace for the uncertainties that lie ahead.
With the media feeding us with day-to-day news that are reactive and short-sighted, there’s no doubt our future looks bleak.
Catching wind of the Holy Spirit
Apart from reading the news to follow the wind of the economy to determine our steps, I believe it is imperative for us (especially Christians) to keep in step with the wind of the Holy Spirit.
“Therefore I am now going to allure her (Israel); I will lead her into the desert and speak tenderly to her”
Hosea 2:14
Even in these times, the Holy Spirit might be leading us out of our comfort zone to new areas to conquer. There might be some priorities that need re-aligning or wrong fundamentals that need to be corrected.
Staying in the realm of faith, this recession can pose opportunities for stock-taking in our life.
Arising opportunities
A change in industry for our careers might be where the Holy Spirit is re-directing us. Or signaling for us re-train or upgrade our knowledge and competency in our professions.
For businesses, the slowdown will provide more time to take a step back to evaluate and streamline core processes to improve capabilities.
For folks like myself, the situation will “force” us to acquire more interest in being financial savvy in the management of personal finances.
No matter how gloomy and uncertain the road ahead may look, we must not lose heart and keep the faith. And not just hold on to our jobs, but hold on to God.
Just as the sun continues to shine brightly behind every dark cloud, we can also be sure that there is hope and an opportunity for the better in every gloomy and uncertain times.
My Doodling:
Hey! WordPress has created a cool poll feature! I am experimenting with this and would be most grateful if you take 10s to respond to the poll I have uploaded on my side bar. Thanks!
The Different Names of God
Knowing the different Names of God will help us to understand and relate with Him better. When we relate right with God, we also live our lives right.
Jehovah: Comes from a verb which means “to exist, be” and commonly also known as Yahweh (YHWH). This, plus its usage, shows that this name stresses God as the independent and self-existent God of revelation and redemption (Ex. 3:12-14).
Jehovah-Elohim The Eternal Creator (Isa. 17:6)
Jehovah-Jireh The Lord our Provider (Gen. 22:14)
Jehovah-Nissi The Lord our Banner (Ex. 17:15)
Jehovah-Ropheka The Lord our Healer (Ex. 15:22-26)
Jehovah-Shalom The Lord our Peace (Jud. 6:24)
Jehovah-Tsidkenu The Lord our Righteousness (Jer. 23:6)
Jehovah-Mekaddishkem The Lord our Sanctifier (Ex. 31:13)
Jehovah-Sabaoth The Lord of Hosts (1 Sam.17:45)
Jehovah-Shammah The Lord is Present (Ezek. 48:35)
Jehovah-Rohi The Lord our Shepherd (Ps. 23:1)
Jehovah-Hoseenu The Lord our Maker (Psalm 95:6)
El-Shaddai The God Who is Sufficient for the Needs of His People (Gen 17:1-2)
Responding to The Economic Crisis
I believe many are gripped by fear and anxiety from the shockwaves of a worldwide crumbling of our global economy.
Presently, it is very obvious that many (in general) follow the tides and winds of the economy.
Hence, are blown into an emotional turmoil with the fluctuation of the economy.
Staying focus on God
Unlike the economy, God never changes. He is the same today, tomorrow and forever. No one controls Him as He is above the economy.
The story of Joseph is a good example of which we can learn from in responding to this situation.
“The LORD was with Joseph and he prospered, and he lived in the house of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did.”
Genesis 39:2-3
Despite being stripped from his majestic robe and the luxurious life he had as the favourite son of a wealthy man, he experienced an incredible amount of success and prospered.
From a slave in Egypt, he eventually became the second most powerful person as prime minister in Egypt.
Connecting with God
The key factor of Joseph’s success was God; God was with Him and he remained connected with God in spite of his dire situation. He continued to walk in obedience to God’s ways.
Like Joseph, even if we might lose our jobs or have no increment or bonuses in this recession, we can still experience success. The key is in cultivating a strong sense of God’s presence in our lives just as Joseph. One way is by reading and applying His word daily.
True success should always be sustainable and unshake-able because it is found in a Person, not in things we possess.
When we are focused and connected to God, we will have access to an abundance of everything we need in our God who is the Creator God- Elohim.
Trusting in our Sovereign Lord
“Though the fig tree does not bud
and there are no grapes on the vines,
though the olive crop fails
and the fields produce no food,
though there are no sheep in the pen
and no cattle in the stalls,
yet I will rejoice in the LORD,
I will be joyful in God my Savior.
The Sovereign LORD is my strength;
he makes my feet like the feet of a deer,
he enables me to go on the heights.”
Habakkuk 3:17-19 (NIV)
A Christian View of the Economic Crisis
Is the economy really driven by greed?
CHRISTIANITY TODAY
By Al Mohler
Christians should think seriously about this economic crisis and ponder what it would mean to come to a Christian understanding of what it means to be participants in this economy.
As Adam Smith recognized, the economy is a moral reality. Human beings actualize their moral selves in making economic choices and through participation in the economic system — and we are all participants.
Indeed, one of the defining differences between the current crisis and the crisis of the 1920s and 1930s is that the vast majority of Americans are now, in effect, investors. Our retirement accounts are, by and large, mingled with the investments of the titans of industry.
Through their pension funds, school teachers are investors right alongside Warren Buffet. This was not the case in the run-up to the Great Depression. We all want and need the stock market to do well, and the outcome of any market crisis effects both Bill Gates and the worker in the local medical clinic.
Christians should look at the economy as a test of our values. The Bible values honest labor and dedicated workers, and so should we. The Bible warns against dishonest business practices, and we must be watchful. False valuations are, in effect, lies. Dishonest accounting practices are just sophisticated forms of lying. Insider information is a form of theft.
Read the full article here>>>
Christianity: A Practical Faith
Even within the Christian circles, Mr Kong’s teachings have come under fire: Many frown on his prosperity preaching which focuses on financial blessings.
But he makes no apologies.
‘Christianity is a practical faith of meeting human needs. We address issues pertaining to all aspects of a person’s development and needs.
Besides, we encourage our members to give their time and finances to charitable works which requires them to first better themselves financially.’
Read the full article here>>>
10 Reasons Why God Wants You to Prosper
“Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful“
Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
“But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth, and so confirms his covenant, which he swore to your forefathers, as it is today.”
Deuteronomy 8:18 (NIV)
- God wants you to prosper because it is His nature (Gen. 17:1-2)
- God wants you to prosper so He can establish His covenant in the earth (Deut. 8:18)
- God wants you to prosper so that you can provide for His church (Mal. 3:10)
- God wants you to prosper to keep finances out of the devil’s control (Mal. 3:11)
- God wants you to prosper so that you can help the poor (Pro. 19:17)
- God wants you to prosper so you can honour and glorify Him (Pro. 3:9-10)
- God wants you to prosper so that you can leave an inheritance for your family (Pro. 13:22)
- God wants you to prosper so that you can prove the sincerity of your love (2 Cor. 8:8)
- God wants you to prosper so that you can lead and influence society (Deut. 28:11-13)
- God wants you to prosper because He is a good God and He wants to bless His children (Ps. 35:27)
A New Creation Church Member Responds…
Below is a letter that was published on ST Forum written by a New Creation Church member in response to the flak drawn by their $660 million lifestyle hub project in Bouna Vista. An interested read for added perspective.
Churches are not buildings. We are a body of worshippers, whose first and primary objective of gathering, is to worship our god. We build communities and social and support networks around our faith.
We gather at least twice weekly: Adults into care groups and main worship, babies and toddlers into childcare, Sunday school for the children, as well as separate programmes for teenagers, singles and the under-30s.
It is a logistical nightmare for us because we gather to a size of 17,000 to 20,000 people, and we are growing at the rate of some 15 per cent to 20 per cent annually.
Unfortunately in Singapore, there are no pastures or land for us to pitch a tent legally for all these activities regularly and consistently. The Singapore Expo or the Indoor Stadium costs $150,000 to $200,000 to rent and equip per session. And this is just for the main service. We have to keep the children at home and suspend all other activities.
Read the rest of the letter here>>>
Andrew: Inside & Insights 