Author andrewong2024

The World is Flat

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“They couldn’t quite describe what was happening, but by 2000 they sensed that they were in touch with people they’d never been in touch before, were being challenged by people who had never challenged them before, were competing with people who they had never competed before, were collaborating with people whom they had never collaborated before, and were doing things as individuals they had never dreamt of doing before. What they were feeling was the flattening of the world.”

Excerpt from The World is Flat by Thomas L. Friedman

The author’s statement sums up what many of us have been experiencing but can’t best describe. Though we know globalisation has spreaded and is spreading rapidly, but we do not really know the full extent of its affects especially us, being consumers (lowest of the food chain order).

I believe most of us do not realise that we have shifted from the Industrial Age to the Information Age. Or for that matter understand what being in this Information Age means for many of us.

In this Information Age, the playing field has been levelled as information is freely available and accessible. No longer it is just the top people who knows and can decide, but even the lower end. The Information Age has challenged hierachies from below to transform themselves from top-down structures into more horizontal and collaborative ones.

As the author explains, “The genesis of the flat world platform now enables more people to author more content, and to collaborate on that content. It also enables us to upload files and globalise that content- individually or as part of self-reforming communities- without going thru any of the traditional hierarchial organisation/institutions” 

And adding further, he explains that , “we now have access/power to upload/ send out products/ ideas for free rather.”

Personally as a blogger, I have to agree completely =p

The questions that beg to be answered by us:

  • What are we doing about it? Are we just ignorant or resistant to change?
  • Are we utilising it in the right manner? Or just using it for pleasure and indulgence?
  • As Christians, how are we leveraging on it to extend His kingdom in reaching out and connecting others to Him? We can influence many through a global marketplace or cyber communities.  

Flexing our spiritual muscles

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Last night during CG time we did something out of the ordinary. We ministered to one another prophetically through our prayers led by the Holy Spirit.

“In the last days, God says,
      I will pour out my Spirit on all people.
   Your sons and daughters will prophesy,
      your young men will see visions,
      your old men will dream dreams. 
 Even on my servants, both men and women,
      I will pour out my Spirit in those days,
      and they will prophesy. “

Acts 2:17-18 (NIV)

It was really amazing witnessing my brothers and sisters prophesising and communicating visions for one another. We were really flexing our spiritual muscles in faith and obedience with God’s love and power.

This experience together not only allowed God to encourage us but also brought our faith to another level in knowing how God could actually used ordinary people like us supernaturally to be His witnesses!

Now we can more bold and courageous for Him!

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Acts 1:8 (NIV)

Divine appointments

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Seated comfortably, I took my eyes off my book to see who was this huge person that was hovering in front.

I looked up and found this person very familiar. I squinted. Unsure, I called out his name.

“Richard”

No response.

“Richard!”

This time, he turned. It was really Richard!

After 7 long years, finally we bumped into each other. He was one of the bosses that I worked with and we lost touch after we left the night scene. And that night, we were reunited. Unbelieveable.

By right I was supposed to be watching a movie at that time, but I had decided not to. If I had, I think I might have to wait another 7 years to see him again =p

Thank God. 

Through him, I also got another contact (also named Richard) whom I was looking for as well. And we met up just two days ago to catch up on loss time (see picture above). And amazingly, through him, I got another contact again. Next week I intend to catch up with him. These are my DJ friends.

I strongly believe that this is no coincidence but God’s Hand and leading which is His response through my fasting and praying.

It is just incredible to experience what God can do when we yield to Him and seek His will.

God’s Masterpiece

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In retrospection of my life in Christ, I got to say that God is good.

7 years ago, I came into His Family with nothing- no proper qualifications (secondary school drop-out), no career prospect (failed DJ business), no home (estranged family relations), no close friends, no character and no life purpose.

Now after 7 years…  

  1. Completed a Bachelor’s Degree programme
  2. Working in a job I could only dream of in the past
  3. Living with my mum; reconciled with my dad; talking with my brothers
  4. Surrounded by great brothers and sisters in Hope
  5. Holy Spirit and God’s word renewing me from within
  6. His vision has become my life purpose of serving others

To me these accomplishments are not just achievements, but more importantly to me, they represent and testify of God’s power, goodness, faithfulness and grace working actively in my life.

It is like God’s nimble and careful Hand piecing together the pieces of my shattered life for these passed 7 years.

I remember when God first spoke to me then, to quit my work as a DJ in the nightscene. I struggled…

What else can I do God? I got no paper qualifications and being a DJ is my bread and butter. You sure or not?

Little did I know that then, that was very call from Jesus to be His fishers of men. (c.f. Matthew 4:18-21)

(To be cont’d…)

Let God be the builder of your life

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“Unless the LORD builds the house, 
     its builders labor in vain. 
     Unless the LORD watches over the city, 
     the watchmen stand guard in vain.

In vain you rise early 
     and stay up late, 
     toiling for food to eat— 
     for he grants sleep to those he loves.”

Psalm 127:1-2 (NIV)

The Difference

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Yesterday was Terrence’s last day with us in Singapore and thank God for the extended opportunity that He provided for us to further explained the Gospel to him before he departed.

Now can only pray and await for those sown ‘seeds’ of truth to grow in His time.

There was a moment in our conversation where he threw me a question, “What is the difference now that God is in your life?” 

To be honest, I was caught off guard. Not becos I was unprepared, but there was just too much to share and wasn’t sure where to begin and the aspects to which would have been relevant to him . 

Anyhow I plucked up and shared very briefly…

THE DIFFERENCE:

(1) Addiction: Back then, I was bounded by an unhealthy addiction to alcoholism and smoking, just to name a few. But now, I am addicted to the reading of His word, His love and work. Maybe the only unhealthy one I have now is my morning prescription of brewed aromatic coffee =p

(2) Values: Back then, anything goes. I wasn’t even aware of the word ‘values’ or what I even stood for. But now, love, integrity and holiness are just some of my new found values that have been re-defining and influencing who I am and shaping my life. 

(3) Purpose: Back then, just happy, enjoy my life and dun back-stab people can oredi… But now, He has given me an exciting, global and eternal purpose to live for! Making a difference in the lives of those around for His Great Commission. Now everyday is an adventurous journey in trudging forward towards His goal for me- my destiny/calling. 

Yeah! Sure glad that I could have been a part of God’s saving mission for Terrence and to be used by Him. Now just have to await and see how God will do His part =)   

“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”

2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT)

Read another related entry here>>>

Operating in divine authority

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I have observed thru these sessions of Healing services and workshops on how HOPE Movement operates under divine authority and covering.

For instance, Peter Troung our healing evangelist rose among our Hope International community from Brisbane and has since travelled to many Hope churches in other countries to evangelise and minister from within our international community. I believe this not only a biblical approach, but the right one too.

We have seen many evangelists coming and going where they minister in rallies. However when someone converts or responds to the Lord, there is no proper follow-up or support. The likelihood is that the ‘seed’ will wither and not grow strong.

In our Hope Movement approach, at least we can be assured that converts fall straight into the local church community and those that respond can be discipled effectively.

Wow… that is how God’s love and power truly operates, in divine authority!

God heals…

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[HEALING+MEETINGS+FLYER.jpg]Last week I attended the Healing Workshop (Thurs) and Everyday Evangelism Workshop (Sat). Both were conducted by Peter Truong from HOPE Brisbane.

Don’t be deceived by his diminutive size as this little man of God packs a mighty punch of the Holy Spirit’s power.

As proclaimed by faith in the name of Jesus, many were healed and were touched by God one way or another.

You can read some of the testimonies here>>>

There was a given time where Peter prophesised over me which brought healing to my heart, mind and soul.

This was the prophesy and reminder from God to me:

“There is no limit in God. God’s vision is big for you. Continue to seek and desire Him. Now its only the beginning, His vision is bigger. You are going to be His world-changer and a history-maker in impacting many lives.

Like Abraham, you will receive a spiritual inheritence and a father to many spiritual children.”