Lessons of the invisible war

207682_origRecently, I had a dream. This was supernatural.

In this room, there was this person whom I can only make out as a figure. He was talking to me, and exposing the ways and trappings of the devil.

This person showed me a friend whom I recognised as a fellow brother-in-Christ. The friend was seated in that room, but it seemed that he wasn’t aware of our presence. From my observation, the friend looked very comfortable and relaxed.

I stepped closer to the friend, and that is when I saw these ‘forces’ moving all around him. The friend didn’t seem to see or feel them.

I was told by the figure that these ‘forces’ were the spirits from the devil and they actually attacking him. Everyday, they were creeping into him bit by bit; influencing him with the devil’s schemes that are aim to “steal, kill and destroy” His purpose, destiny and inheritance for him. And just like the proverbial frog in the boiling water, the friend was not aware nor was he startled by the subtle attacks.

That figure also told me that like that friend, all of us are constantly attacked. We may not really realise or fully understand that we are under spiritual warefare because we have being acclimatised – overly comfortable or complacent living in this world.

At that point, I understood what he was revealing to me and started to pray against the devil and his schemes in my own life and wife’s!

As I prayed, the ‘forces’ were exposed and were now  pressing against me from all sides. I felt the pressure from being pressed. And they were resisting what was being released and preventing His kingdom from advancing!

The more resistance I felt, the stronger I prayed with His authority and the power of the Holy Spirit. I kept declaring and rebuking the devil with God’s truth and promises! And that’s when I woke up.

My wife also woke up. She was awakened by my loud prayers. Shortly after processing what was revealed to me, I prayed for my wife and rebuke every spirit from the devil that could be affecting us.

Ephesians 6:12

“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.”

Lessons I learnt from this dream:

  1. We undermine the devil and his works. Either we are complacent or we view things too natural to avoid overspiritualising things. And this results in us using our own humanly wisdom and efforts to address situations or people in our lives
  2. We need a greater awareness not just of God’s presence, but of the devil too. We need to be aware of his schemes, tricks and weapons that are possibly holding us back from experiencing the full life in Christ
  3. When we are not aware or lack the discernment of the devil’s schemes and trappings, he becomes effective to steal, kill and destroy. Therefore we need to be aware, and also to be alert.
  4. Its only when His kingdom advances through us that the devil comes hard on us in order to guard his territory. But we can and will advance with His authority and power!
  5. Start praying and be vigilant against the devil and the spirits he deploys such as the religious spirit, sickness, pride, strive, fear, poverty, shame, condemnation, guilt etc…

The start of a new season


It’s been one year since I relocated back to Singapore from Vietnam. The landing wasn’t a soft and a smooth one.

On hindsight, it was necessary and purposed to help me get acquainted with the madness that’s comes with living in Singapore.

By faith, I decided to call it quits at a job with a local advertising agency some months ago as I felt I needed to withdraw to get a better sense of what God was doing in Singapore and how I could better operate (in Christ) here.

Whatever that had worked for me in Vietnam will or may not work the same here. And I had to find out how to operate effectively in this land.

Since this April I’d mostly rested, and I made sure I caught up with family and friends. I also got myself familiar with the local food and popular places in Singapore. Very much what I did when I initially landed in Vietnam in order to know the terrain well.

In military terms, one cannot fight effectively without knowing the terrain which could work for your enemy or for you.

What was interesting about that season of rest, was that with whatever attempted efforts in enquiring or securing a job opportunity, I always met with closed doors. It was demoralising.

Eventually, I recognised that God truly wanted me to rest. And to rest was to trust Him. So I rested.

After two months, I was beginning to feel anxious. Especially with my savings depleting. But at the same time I sensed in my spirit that the breakthrough I needed was around the corner. And that I would get the new job by end of the third month – this June.

This was subsequently confirmed by prophecy on two separate occasions by two different persons. But more importantly, there was an alignment with my wife and I where we were now in a new level of agreement as a couple on God’s plans for us.

True to His word and in miraculous fashion, I suddenly started to receive calls to arrange for interviews after submiting my resume. It was like the floodgates bursted open. Now I had at least 5 interviews lined up for the next following week. It didn’t stop there.

Out of the blue, I received calls from two referrals that offered me a role with their organisations. Both needed me to start immediately. I accepted one of them. And I started on the first day of this July!

Indeed, God is never too early nor too late. He is always on time as my Provider.

Now in my new season, I learnt how important we need to recognise the ordained season that we are in. Doing the right thing, at the right time will lead us to the right people and take us to right place. And it is effortless without striving.

I’m excited for what He has in store for Singapore (and Vietnam) and this time around I will be penning down more of my lessons, insights and thoughts from this new season that my wife and I are in.

Follow my blog, and watch this space!

The potential in a seed

Again he (Jesus) said, “What shall we say the kingdom of God is like, or what parable shall we use to describe it? It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest of all seeds on earth. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants, with such big branches that the birds can perch in its shade.”

Mark 4:30-32

What I’m reminded and inspired:

  • it’s about the Kingdom of God that Jesus is talking about, not an organised church or a church brand name or denomination
  • His kingdom always looks small, starts small. Almost goes unnoticed and undermined. But there’s huge potential in the seeds (that’s you and I)
  • His kingdom, the seed needs to be PLANTED. There must be laying down of SELF with private sacrifices in order for the seed to take root to start spouting with the life of CHRIST. Too often our focus and pursuit is on the public glories
  • And when His kingdom grows, it grows beyond anyone’s imagination and serves the purpose in being part of the environment and culture to be a blessing where we are enjoyed and not endured; we contribute meaningfully and not just merely consume
  • there are laws of the harvest to pay attention as well. Be the right seed; Plant in the right soil; Be patient with the growth process. It is God who causes growth and naturally will grow; We focus on the planting and watering – private sacrifices of communing with Him and leave the fruits – public glories to Him and for Him

Are you willing to be a seed? To rough it out as you begin small but with the big picture in mind? Not just thinking big and avoiding and undermining the seemingly small things.

Jesus said, “…Unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed. But if it dies, it produces many seeds“.

Being a seed is to die to yourself and allow Christ to be King and His kingdom to be established in your life.

Choose faith, not fear

How does walking by faith looks like?

Recently, I participated in a high elements course. There were a couple of obstacles, but all from about 4-5 storeys high. And I had to cross over with nothing but a safety harness.

In spite of the fact of being secured to a safety harness, many including myself were overwhelmed by the fear of falling from that high place. There were some who were crippled by fear and failed to cross over.

However, once I decided to shift my focus on the fact that I would be safe even if I were to fall, I grew confident and  was able to walk across with ease.

So faith is trusting in Father God as your safety harness. He is faithful and is with you. That is a fact. It’s the truth.

Our God will not leave you nor abandon you (even if you fall!). And whatever the situation you’re in, you can rely on Him and walk through it. He’s got you in His mighty Hand!

Having faith does not mean that there is no fear. Fear is real. So faith works not in the absence of fear, but in the midst of it.

Everyday, choose faith over fear. We have a choice. That’s walking by faith. God is bigger than your fears and He will give you the strength to overcome each one of them.

Finally, if you’re wondering, yes that’s me in the photo. Haha…

This day, choose Christ

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My friends, Jesus came to draw us into a RELATIONSHIP and to destroy RELIGION which cannot save us from the dark influence of sin. Only through CHRIST, do we have the power to overcome sin in our helplessness.

So how do we know we are in a religion called Christianity and not in a relationship with Christ?

One word- FEAR.

1 John 4:17-18
This is how love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment: In this world we are like Jesus. There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.

Are you living or practicing your Christianity out of fear or out of love? For ie. do you feel fearful or guilty when you do not pray / read the bible / evangelise / attend your church service / tithe?

I’m not saying we should not have these practices in our walk with God. But the question is “why do we do what we do?”. We are saved by grace to do good works. We do not do good works to receive grace to be saved.

The good works that we do ought to flow from the grace of God in our lives. And that produces faith and TRUE obedience that has power and not just the form.

How do you and I keep our relationship with God strong? 

Seek to know the truth (through the bible) as it reveals the character, thoughts and plans of God. With the Holy Spirit and the fellowship of the saints, He puts the truth into an encounter to experience His tangible love and know His GRACE. This takes place from glory to glory.

As you grow deeper in His love, what you do won’t be determined (or coerced) by rules or law as you understand the principle and flow with His spirit. What you do will be driven or compelled by His love for you.

Religion is cold. It’s about following rules and presents a false sense of salvation and righteousness. What you do (including the good works or church work) is driven by fear. There is no life in religion but death. More importantly, you won’t find LOVE in religion. And certainly, you won’t experience GRACE in religion.

This day, choose CHRIST. Experience His love and know His grace for you.

Galatians 2:19-21
“For through the law I died to the law so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for nothing!

Being at a Place of Rest

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This morning I was at an “all churches in Singapore” gathering to worship our Father as one. I left the place moved and changed! There had been 2-3 testimonies, but I will just share one encounter…

Most of you might know I became one year older recently. I had my usual chat with God just reflecting and thanking Him for the journey this far. And at where I am today with God, I have arrived to a position and place of REST.

That REST is that of being secured of His love for me; that He will never forsake me or fail me. After all the trials and past experiences with Him, I am confident of His everlasting and unconditional love.

That REST is also founded on His grace; that I’m saved and fully accepted in Christ. There’s nothing more or less that I could do which would affect my position in Him. That’s the truth. It’s the cross and His precious blood.

So I was pleasant surprised but encouraged when a brother gave me a prophetic word of encouragement. Nothing bombastic but simply these words: “God takes great pleasure in you. He is pleased with you.”

Wow… Those words were like God Himself talking to me and finishing off the conversation or chat I had with Him 2-3 days ago! Simply amazing!

I hope my less-than-spectacular testimony would encourage you to find your place of REST in Christ; to know how much He truly loves you and the richness of His grace lavished on you.

If you have found that place, guard it tightly. Don’t allow the enemy to deceive you out of it no matter what. Amen.

A rainbow from God

After 4 years in Vietnam, God called me back to Singapore for His next assignment in Singapore. And on my flight back, God gave me a message through a rainbow.

Rainbow 1.jpgAs the plane was in mid air right after take off, I spotted a rainbow (above pic). I thought that was a miracle sighting since its in mid air. I was quite happy to see that although it was a faint glimpse of a rainbow.

Rainbow 2.jpgBut as the plane went higher, I realised what I had seen earlier was just the beginning of the rainbow. In next scenes (above and below pics), I saw the whole arc of the rainbow with full spectrum of colours. It was beautiful!

Rainbow 3.jpgThis was what God impressed upon my heart with what He showed me:

1. He is a covenant keeping God.

He will keep His promise to see Vietnam saved cos He loves His people. That’s why He gave us Jesus as the atonement. So what He started in our church community in Saigon, He will see it to completion. Our group is part of His grand purpose to reach the lost and disciple this nation.

Personally, it was an assurance and reminder that God is in control and He is leading our group with the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

2. The best is yet to come!

Like how I thought my first glimpse of the rainbow which was only the first part was wonderful. And I was quite happy about that but God showed me more than I had expected and beyond.

Similarly, I might think that the first 3 years as a community was the best thing that happened to us. But God is saying that this is just the beginning, we aren’t seen nothing yet.

If we keep trusting in Him and stay on this journey of faith with Him, He will show us even greater things and the full spectrum of what He had planted in this community.

In other words, God has great plans for each of us and for our community. This is just the start of experiencing His love and abundance that will be revealed more to us as we trust in Him!

Rainbow 4.jpgI don’t usually sit at the window seat. But I chose the seat this time as I was returning. So to see this is significant and to have the rainbow over Saigon is even more significant.

God is good!

Follow me as I follow Christ

1 Corinthians 11:1 “Be imitators of me, just as I also am of Christ”

I never quite understood Paul’s words until now where I can relate with his situation in why he said those words and the intense emotions he must felt when he said those words. To know His word is one level, but to see those words coming to life is a whole new level.

Paul planted many churches and I can imagine how it must have been difficult for him when he had to move on to his next assignment. He planted churches not by franchising but for each church community, he personally laid down his life as a seed for God to germinate and develop into a plant to give birth to a church just as Jesus did.

One concern: What happens next?

Would the purity of the gospel be eroded after he leaves. Would people slip back into trusting in the law (religion) over the grace of God for their salvation? Would they live according to their flesh or walk in the Spirit?

He implored, IMITATE ME as I imitate Christ. He meant please do not compromise on the standard of His word that I have set with my teachings and my example lived out during my time with you. That is how you should also live your life sold out for Christ and the gospel.

Second concern: Who will they follow?

After Paul move on, it would be possible for the community to be at lost in the transition. And at such a state, it would be easy for people to follow or look to people or personalties over Christ Himself.

Paul implored, imitate me as I IMITATE CHRIST. He meant please follow Christ as your priority like how I have. Paul wasn’t part of the original 12 disciples or apostles of Jesus. Although he submitted to them, but he did not blindly follow any of them. For e.g. when Peter erred, Paul did not hesitate to correct Peter.

I can imagine the clout, reputation and superior status the original apostles such as Peter or John must have had. Almost everyone would have readily followed and obeyed them at a command. But Paul wasn’t into that. He stood his ground on His word and had such an intimacy with God that gave him the strong loyalty and obedience to Christ first to the point even in the face of death (he was beheaded for the gospel).

So today, let the words of Paul not just be a reminder to follow and trust in Christ alone, but also an inspiration to continually challenge you to live your life in such a way that you are able to persuade and convince others to imitate you because those around you can see Christ in you!

5 Lies I used to believe about being a Christian

These are basic truths to grasp, but most of us believe and live the lies instead. Until we believe right, we can never truly live right in effectively represent His kingdom.

Growing up in church, I thought I had just about everything figured out about being a Christian.

That all changed for me one day when I visited a church that was much different than the straight-laced church I grew up in. It was a place where people dressed and acted the same on Sunday as they did the rest of the week. It was a place where it was OK to be honest and open about doubts and struggles. There was even an atmosphere of excitement and celebration that was expressed during worship.

All of this was very new to me. There was such of contrast in this group of believers that I had to question much of what I believed about being a Christian. What I discovered is that some of my “Christian beliefs” were actually misguided and inspired more by worldly religion than the Word of God.

It’s obvious that non-Christians have some misconceptions regarding Christianity, but often those who grew up in church, do too. Here are just a few of the lies I used to believed about being a Christian:

Read what are the 5 Lies here>>>

Living for the Gospel of His kingdom

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This is the exact spot where God revealed to me His vision and Heart for this land as I was prayer walking through the city of Saigon.

It was here that He first showed me how much He loved these people and His plan to lead them out of their spiritual ‘wilderness’.

I was deeply moved and was drawn to play a part in His redemptive plan for Viet Nam. I responded to Him with this prayer: “If you want me here, here I am, send me. I am willing.” 

That was a decade ago when I first visited Saigon for a short missions trip. Subsequently, I continued to make yearly similar short trips to Viet Nam.

I did not know when or how God was going to send me. But I believed He would, and faithfully prepared myself while I waited.

God enlarging my vision

Later in 2008, God re-directed my steps and also challenged my traditional worldview on missions. He expanded my vision and understanding of Him, the Church, and His Kingdom.

God showed me how I could be relevant and equally effective (if not more) by partnering with the Holy Spirit through the marketplace to engage the culture wherever I’m planted in demonstrating His love and power, just as Jesus did during His earthly ministry adopting a ‘tentmaker’ model.

By this, I do not mean that we jump into ANY job that we can get our hands on to secure our livelihood and residency in that country as a ‘tentmaker’. That job or business should be one that I’m designed for in fulfilling His purpose in my life as well.

This is because our secular work is an equally sacred ministry assigned by Him. And it’s His desire for us to enjoy our work, and not endure. Because when we enjoy what we do, we excel. And when we excel, He is glorified.

Secular work is not a means for church ministry. Our secular work is ministry. It is where we can add value and make a positive impact by representing His kingdom and being an influence towards advancing His kingdom.

That is the kind of gospel that needs to be planted. The gospel of His kingdom and not just salvation.

God answering my question

Fast forward to today, I have now lived in Viet Nam for the past 4 years after He sent me by orchestrating a job opportunity that required me to be based in Saigon. Indeed, He is faithful.

Since arriving in Viet Nam, there hasn’t been a day I have not asked God this: “God now that you’ve sent me, what do you want me to do?” 

Ironically, I have finally discovered the true answer as I’m getting ready to return back to Singapore for my next God-assignment. That answer I have now understood is to prepare me for what awaits me ahead.

On hindsight, if God had answered me much earlier, I probably might have questioned the rationale of His directive for me to come to Vietnam.

Why waste time to take me to Viet Nam and bring me back? Huh… come here for such a short time and leave after establishing life here? 

But God being God, He knows best. His ways are higher than our ways and His thoughts higher than ours. May His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.