I heard about this Global Day of Prayer meet some weeks ago, but it was never my intention to participate in it.

Call me a sceptic but I am not one who do things for the sake of doing when there is no real purpose. And in my opinion, I reckoned that the Global Day of Prayer event would be of any good or use at all.

So what if Christians go there to gather and pray? What happens after the event? Will there be real change in their lives with the situation remaining the same?

And the purpose of those attending? Is it just to be in the buzz and glam of a big event? If so, what’s the point of being part of it?

God had His answer. This was how our conversation went….

God: Go to GDOP 

Me: Huh?? Really must go? Why?

God: Do your little part in unite-ing the body of Christ.

Me: Orh… ok lor… *sheepishly*

And so I went. I laid me (my rights) down for His sake.

Well… I did enjoyed the time with God there. But more importantly, I’m glad I obeyed Him and did my part in building the spiritual walls of His Church for His glory.

“As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ”

1 Peter 2:4-5 (NIV)

When I was still taking my part-time studies, I was craving to be in Hope Sem where I could study His word. Finally, I am able to enrol in Hope Seminary (or Hope Sem for short) and my first class started early this week.

I really love His word. There are just so much wonderful and amazing truths and principles awaiting to be uncovered in the bible. And everytime a truth is uncovered, I understand something new about God!

I never was a book-worm or studious kind of person. My past record speaks for itself as a school drop-out. But after experiencing the transforming power of His word, I can’t get enough of studying the Bible. If it were not for His word, I would not have started studying again. 

In 2001 I enrolled in Hope’s Institute of Leadership Development (ILD) which is now known as Hope Sem. It was there, that God trained and disciplined me as a student. And following that year, I took my private ‘O’ levels with God’s leading.

When the results were out, all my subjects did farely average except for Religious Studies where I received an A2 grade. God was glorified. Ha ha… CMI… =p

Now, I am glad that I am back in Hope Sem where I can deepen my hunger for His word and sustain my spirit of learning.

I was blessed with my visit to Melaka as I attended the Hope Melaka service on Sunday. I think it is amazing that as a Hope member, we are well-connected in almost every corner on the face of this earth.

What connects us deeply all over the world is the vision to fulfill God’s mandate in carrying out the Great Commission (c.f. Matthew 28:18-20).  Our Hope churches bleed, sweat, eat and breathe on it.

And it was great to witness the Great Commission in action with this visit.

 

Since my first visit 6 years ago, I have observed the growth of this sister church. Now they have grown in quantity, quality and diversity.

Really must affirm the serving leaders of this Hope Melaka in pouring their lives out to grow this church family.

From top we have Aaron who is Ah Long’s (from WAM) elder brother. New addition is David from Nigeria who is studying in Melaka in a Multimedia University. Through him, many of his fellow Africans are with us.

The last from the right is Brother David who is the churchplanter from Johore. May God use Hope International to spread His love and truth all over the world, covering every soul that is alive.  

Another faith-related experience…

As the ‘dust’ of the closure of the Breakthrough campaign settles, I realised how God has shown Himself faithful to me in terms of my personal pledge.

When the campaign intially begun, I remember I struggled with the amount (not much lar…) that I was led by HS to pledge. That time I was earning a mediocre income with a charity organisation (I won’t say the name =p), so it was difficult.     

However, God reminded me about having faith in Him in regards to my financial situation; to see beyond the present and what He could do to allow me to give to Him. That gave me confidence that for the next 20 months, He will increase my income in order to give Him. So in faith, I decided to give whatever little/much to Him. 

Now after 20 months, I calculated. My present income has increased by 50%. Wow… God is faithful and true to His word.

And just in case… I am not earning alot now ya… it was because my previous salary is low. Ha ha…

Last night was missions prayer nite with a small group of brothers and sisters. We prayed for Hope Rome and Hope HCMC. It was soul refreshing!

WHY? 

1. Sessions such as this never fails to overwhelm me with God’s love and draw me closer to Him and His will. It is amazing how tangible God and His love is as we engage with Him through earnest prayers over other people.

2. Being involved in this prayer group itself is part of my remarkable journey with God in regards to HCMC since 5 years ago. Though not clear how or where my involvement in this mission prayer group will lead me, but by faith I will go cos I am sure He has something instore. I truly believe.

I do believe that becos I have seen and experienced how from nothing in 2002- no direction; no team; no opportunities, He has brought me to have something now- hope and future to His vision.

Finally, we’ve MADE it! Hope Church Singapore is debt-free!

I can recall when we first embarked on this Building Fund journey, we didn’t meet the initial target of payment in 2002. I was disappointed then, and I believe with many others too. 

That time I was very sure then that we were able to meet the target, given the number of people we had and estimating the gross average individual income. And with His word assuring me (2 Corinthians 2:14) that we would triumph.

I thought we would have made it. But we didn’t.

In retrospect, I believe out of His wisdom, God didn’t allow us to make it then. Why? Probably He wanted us to fully rely and trust in Him as His Church, and not rely on our own strength or possessions only.

Now His word has been fulfilled, in His timing. Glory be to God! =) 

Believe it or not…. I used to be very self-conscious. I couldn’t speak in public confidently, especially when all eyes on me.

No, I am not shy. It is more being insecure of what others might think of me.

“Who is this guy??? CMI”

“So boring… *yawn*”

“Yeee… so skinny”

“Why he talk so lousy???”

Ya lor… this sort of negative thoughts would play in my mind whenever I am in front of people.

However God changed me and still is lar…

Some years back, the Holy Spirit revealed this weakness (insecurity) in me through instances when I needed to share my testimony or announcements publicly. I usually ‘tremble’ in front of others. Through this, He allowed me to see how this weakness actually prevented Him from using me effectively as His instrument.

Eventually I understood that I could not fully be His instrument if I caved in to my self-consciousness. I resoluted to be more God-consciousness so that I could be His obedient instrument for He to use to speak His truth and love to others.

I needed the “Just do it!” attitude.

God used His church to train me in my roles that I played in serving others where it was necessary for me to speak publicly. Every time I needed to speak, I prayed for His spirit to speak through me and glorify Jesus.

At school and work, God placed me in situations where I was required to present to classes and to corporate audiences . He really pushed me to the edge.

Last night, God took me up another level by allowing me to teach His word to my Unit people from the usual CG times. This was my first and I will never forget this milestone with Him.  

Personally, it is a great privilege to be counted worthy to be used by Him. It is my desire to share His Heart and Word to others wherever He places me so that some might respond to Him and be transformed.

JUST DO IT!

One of my pains when I was enduring through my studies was the lack of time to catch up with my friends- old and new. My fear was that I might lose touch with them.

But since completing my studies, I have observed how God has led me to them one by one in His timing. And when I meant His timing, I must say that it really is His will.

After catching up with most of them, I realised that during my time of studies (4 years), some were overseas, others busy with their careers and there were some with their new families. So in fact, I hadn’t really lost touched. 

Even if I had the time then, they wouldn’t have the time. But now, most of us are more or less settled in life. So it’s really His perfect timing as most of us will be thinking about our lives and the meaning behind in all.

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)