Sharing Room

The Call To Ministry - Part 1

2009-11-21T00:26:00.009+11:00

Have you ever wondered what God calls you to do? What if God calls you to be involved in a full time ministry? Submission to HIS calling is not an easy one especially when it involves full time ministry.

Imagine for a moment that you have been living at the top, maybe you are at the top of your career, maybe you are earning a very good or high income, maybe you have abundant life (material wise), maybe your business is doing very well and expanding and so on. Or maybe you don't have anything, maybe you are not doing well with your career, maybe you are not doing well with your life, maybe your business is going downhill and so on.

At the end of the day, the question is still the same regardless your circumstances, how will you respond to HIS calling when HE wants you to be involved in a full time ministry? Will you submit?

You know when God calls you to be involved in a full time ministry, I believe it is a privilege but this is also where the test of faith begins. Why? Because it is in this time that you will need to leave behind all your 'self' ambitions and it is in this time that you will start learning more and more everyday to trust HIM and focus in HIS work and this is the journey of faith.

Can you bargain with HIS calling? Perhaps you can, you have what so called 'free will' anyway. But perhaps the question is not so much whether you can or cannot, but perhaps it is about submission to HIS call.

Once God puts the call into your heart, you may reject that call or you may submit to the call. You may continue to pursue your 'self' ambitions but ironically that call will never go away and HE is waiting patiently for you to accept HIS call. However, if at the end you reject that call, will HIS work or plan stop? Certainly NOT. There will be another person who will submit to the call.

At the end of the day, you may wonder in the midst of all the 'worldly' things that you gain by asking the question, have I wasted the gift that God has entrusted me? The gift that is so precious that not everyone been given that privilege. Have I stayed true to HIS calling?

Yes, the battle within (spiritual battle) will no doubt take place, who will win at the end? I leave that to you to answer. It is between you and God.

Prayer 1

2009-04-03T10:43:00.001+11:00

O LORD, my God
Capture my heart and my mind in this noisy world
For often I am distracted not knowing life's direction
that You have called me

O LORD, my God
Hear my cry
Take me into Your refuge
For I am afraid, life is tough and difficult

O LORD, my God
Into Your hands I commit my spirit
For You are my faithful God

Wait for the LORD
Be strong and take courage
For HE will never forsake you

Psalm 4

2008-12-23T12:18:00.011+11:00

A psalm of David

v1
Answer me when I call to You, my righteous God.
Give me relief from my distress;
have mercy on me and hear my prayer.

v2
How long will you men turn My glory into shame?
How long will you love delusions and seek false gods?

v3
Know that the LORD has set apart His faithful servant for Himself;
the LORD hears when I call to Him.

v4
Tremble and do not sin;
when you are on your beds,
search your hearts and be silent.

v5
Offer the sacrifices of the righteous
and trust in the LORD.

v6
Many, LORD, are asking, "Who will bring us prosperity?"
Let the light of Your face shine on us.

v7
Fill my heart with joy when their grain and new wine abound.

v8
In peace I will lie down and sleep,
for You alone, LORD,
make me dwell in safety.

Amen

A Good Heart

2007-11-08T12:51:00.000+11:00

Last night, me and my son were looking at the pictures of houses in the local newspaper. Along the way, my son was so excited, he said to me 'Dad, I will help you circle the houses that are good', I wanted to laugh seeing his enthusiasm and indeed he started to circle the houses. And the way he did it was like an adult, he would read how many bedrooms, toilets, showers, study room and garage in each house. In his excitement, he asked me, 'Dad, is this a good house?' Then, I gave my opinion to him.

After looking at several houses, he would then started to ask me about the prices of the houses, well, he is only six years old and he is not able to read those prices with so many zeros behind the number yet. I tried to explain to him and said that those houses were expensive.

Then, he asked me 'Dad, how much money do we have in the bank?' I said not enough to buy those houses. Surprisingly to me, he said, 'Dad, I will give you my money from my piggy bank so that you can buy the house.' I paused for a moment, thinking how generous he is, and how good his thought is. I smiled and said to him, it still wouldn't be enough, but he insisted. He took the money out from his piggy bank and gave it to me, and he asked me to count it to check if it was enough. I smiled and asked him to keep his money, but somehow he was persistence and really wanted to help me.

In my heart, I didn't know what to say seeing how good his heart is, wanting to help his parents. In fact, I cried in silence not because I was sad, but because I was full of joy and thankfulness to God for giving me this precious gift, a son with a good heart, what a blessing.

A heart that full of goodness that comes from the Lord, it is my hope and prayer everyday.

Thank you my son for teaching daddy a very good lesson in life.

What Is Love?

2007-01-12T12:12:00.000+11:00

Recently, my wife shared the following quote with me:

What is love?

It is a commitment.

It does not depend on good feeling, but rather on a consistent and courageous decision to extend oneself for the well being of another.

Let's Forgive

2006-11-15T12:49:00.000+11:00

Recently, I attended BSF (Bible Study Fellowship) which the lessons are taken from the whole book of Genesis for this year, 2006.

I have heard so many times the story of Joseph in the past, but somehow this time the story (lesson) which was discussed at BSF has a huge impact on me. The more I read about it, the more I realize of how rich the story was.

In the midst of the unjust, suffering and painful circumstances as follow:
1. Sold as a slave as a result of the jealousy of his brothers.
2. Being imprisoned as a result of the lies of Potiphar's wife.
3. Being forgotten by the cupbearer (the prisoner who was helped by Joseph).

Yet, Joseph hold on on his faith, persevere and trusting that God is always with him. Indeed, the Bible recorded so many times throughout the life of Joseph that the LORD is with him ( LORD's hand is with him ).

The thing that challenge me in the story of Joseph that there is this 'reconciliation' process that takes place between Joseph and his brothers at the end. Joseph did not hold grudges, instead embracing his brothers and save their lives from the severe famine that took place in the region at the time. The bad things that happened to him in the past are no longer matter now, all he wants to do towards his brothers is to FORGIVE and to RECONCILE. Let gone be by gone ...

Perhaps this is the beauty of the story in which at the end God's grace transforms Joseph in a such away that he could say as follow to his brothers:
"You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives." Genesis 50:20

Perhaps it is very difficult to share honestly about the pain that we go through in life and yet to forgive towards a person or a group of people that involved. In having said that, by God's grace and His love in Jesus Christ who died to reconcile between man and God so that everyone of us can have eternal life, let that transforms each of us as in Joseph.

Go and gently share the hurt and the pain that we go through especially with the person involved and let's forgive and reconcile towards one another while we still have the chance.

Indeed, the book of Genesis opens my eyes to see the faithfulness of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and Joseph himself, and most importantly the faithfulness, the sovereignty and the love of God towards His people.

May God be with all of us ... Amen

Change My Heart, O God

2006-08-28T15:39:00.000+10:00

Change my heart o God
Make it ever true
Change my heart o God
May I be like You

You are the Potter,
I am the clay
Make me and Mould me
This is what I pray

This is one of my favourite songs which often reminds me to be true to God, also the longing to be like Him, and to follow His footsteps faithfully.

No matter how long you have become a Christian or perhaps involved in the church ministry as a pastor, elder, worship leader, usher, and much more; One cannot deny as the song said, to always check your heart.

It is so easy for christians to be caught up in becoming self righteous and somehow are no longer in the need of Him because perhaps we feel that we have all the knowledge ( intelectually ) inside out, or perhaps we boast on our own effort in growing the church, or perhaps we are too busy with the church program(s), and perhaps still much more ...

In the midst of all these, have we ever taken a time to sit down quietly and to reflect on our hearts sincerely and in prayer asking God to constantly transform our hearts and mould our hearts while we continue this journey as His followers ?

A heart that reflects on Jesus to become a blessing for others and bring glory to Him.

Do we long for this ?

Church in 21st Century

2006-07-11T14:56:00.000+10:00

Lately, I have been wrestling a lot on the subject of 'Church in the 21st Century'.

I have seen many varieties on the development of Churches in this 21st Century particularly dealing with the 'physical' nature of a church. Starting from the subject of the church building until the use of multimedia/technology. Some churches remove the 'cross' symbol as part of the new building project, some introduce 'cafe' style kind of building where people can buy a cup of coffee or cakes or other hot food inside the church, some will have a Christian bookshop, and perhaps much more which I may not be aware of. Multimedia technology has also been used as part of the worship time, projecting the announcements, songs and perhaps much more. The lighting also plays a role in this 21st century churhes, so many lighting projecting to the centre of the pulpit with so many varieties of colours, even the chairs also play a significant role.

Why does a church need to remove the 'cross' where it is the symbol of Christianity ? Not saying that we worship the 'cross' but one cannot deny it is the identity of Christian faith.

Why does a church need to introduce a 'food bar' or 'cafe' ? If the church is really serious about this in order to reach out to the community, then why the church doesn't provide this service for free not even receiving a single cent ?

Why is there so much colourful lighting as if it is an entertainment centre?

I honestly couldn't stop thinking why the church needs to do this drastic changes. Is it to keep up with the changes in the society on how they perceive what a church is ? Is the church afraid on losing its relevancy to the community ? Is the church afraid losing its congregation (ie. numbers) ? Thus, it needs to do this drastic changes.

Sometimes, I wonder in the midst of this drastic changes, has the church lost its focus? Has the church lost its identity ? Has the church really placed God as the only head ?

I wonder whether there is still 'reverence' to God with all the hypes of this drastic changes.

I wonder if the church becomes the same as the world in this century, the only difference perhaps adding the name/label 'Jesus' or 'Christ' but the way it has been managed/run is no difference with secular organisation.

I wonder if the church becomes 'commercial' driven rather than 'humility' driven as the servant of Christ ?

Time Flies

2005-01-28T14:28:00.000+11:00

Twice a week every morning, I used to take my son to his 'Kindy'. As soon as we arrived at his classroom, he waved good bye to his daddy and not long after that he started to mingle with other kids, or I should say his friends.

I looked from a distance, outside his classroom, thinking to myself how time has flown very quickly. Seems that not long ago he was still a baby, but now he is already at 'school' playing with his friends, telling stories, running around, and so on. Somehow, deep inside my heart, I have to say I am kind of miss his 'babyhood', thinking if I have been spending quality time with him all this time.

Not long after this, he will go to prep-school, then primary, then high school and so on, and there will be time when he will become a grown man and independent and I guess, by that time me and my wife will not be able to carry him again as if he was still a baby.

Time has flown very quickly for sure, and perhaps is a reminder for us that time is such a precious thing, once is gone, it cannot come back again, once a child has grown up, he or she cannot come back as a baby anymore, and perhaps it is at this time, that none of us should take 'Time' for granted but instead use it wisely and hopefully full of quality moments, because every moment counts ...

The Game of Chess

2005-01-19T17:20:00.000+11:00

The chess players must think through on the next move, must be able to see the opportunity, and hopefully make the right move so that the opponent will lose at the end. All the pieces need to be placed in a strategic position, so the opponent will not be able to find the loophole, or if there is a loophole it won't be found easily. It's a mind game which requires patience, endurance, and motivation to keep moving.

Perhaps one may wonder if life is also like the game of chess, where every move and decision that are made need to be carefully thought and need to be a wise one. It is crucial since every decision that is made is affecting how a person survives. Life is about survival, I guess, where each person is in a race. A race that requires training, patience, endurance and motivation because it won't be an easy race. Rest assured that one will face lots of obstacles in this race, because life never meant to be easy.

The question is: Are we going to be consumed in facing the obstacles of life? Is there anybody that one can turn to in the midst of chaos?

Is God Silence?

2005-01-13T13:33:00.000+11:00

The day after Christmas in year 2004, the world particularly in the Asia region was shocked by the nature's act - earthquake event called 'Tsunami', hundreds of thousands people died, children lost their parents, some are still being identified, and some are still being searched until now in the new year of 2005. Nobody expect this to happen as the year 2004 approaching to its end. Another tragedy that people have to suffer and is a very bad one.

One cannot stop thinking in the midst of this tragedy, where is God and why is He silence? There is no easy answer to this, perhaps there won't be any 'satisfaction' answer to comfort those people in the tragedy.

Job in the Old Testament of the Bible experienced the most painful moment in his life, a good man, but somehow must face a painful reality which he lost everything - family, wealth, even he, himself did not escape from what so called 'disease'. His agony was very painful, searching for an answer why it happened to him. At the end, did God answered his question? Well to make things more dissapointed the answer is 'No' instead God's answer was somehow a unique one - taking Job to a tour of 'creation' but yet it is at this time that Job's faith was strengthen, and that he could see the sovereignty of God even though his question is not being answered. God is still in control.

When Jesus was crucified on the cross, He cried out 'Father, Father, why have You forsaken me?' Did Jesus get an answer from His question? Again, no. And He died. Is God silence and in control? On the third day, Jesus rose up from the death, and His dead, resurrection were nothing less God's purpose so that mankind can be saved from the sins of this 'fallen' world and have eternal life.

Is God silence?

People from all over the world are now united helping those who are in the 'Tsunami' tragedy. The sun will always come out after the cloudy/rainy day. Perhaps if God is silence, we will never exist, the whole creation may never exist in the first place.

Keep praying for those who are in the 'Tsunami' tragedy that God may give them encouragement, comfort and strength in this troubled time.

Christmas

2004-12-23T14:55:00.000+11:00

Christmas is very near, it's only 2 more days to go. While it's getting closer and closer, people are rushing to do the shopping, some shopping centres even open for 24 hours. It's like madness looking at people do the shopping.

While people are rushing for buying gifts, or perhaps looking for any bargain, one may wonder if the meaning of Christmas has disappeared.

Thinking about the word Christmas: 'Christ - mas', I wonder if we have forgotten the word 'Christ' which what the Christmas is all about. His birth in a very simple manner, in the manger, and later followed by His death, and His resurrection is such a precious gift for all mankind.

Perhaps, this Christmas may remind all of us in the midst of 'chaotic' world, that the precious gift has been given unto us in which we can find hope, peace and eternal life in the person named Jesus, saviour and the Lord of lord.

Word of the Day - 1

2004-12-22T16:42:00.000+11:00

"What you are is God's gift to you, and what you can become is your gift to God."

Welcome To My Sharing Room

2004-12-22T14:59:00.001+11:00

I will use this Sharing Room as a place to put down my writings. Hopefully, the writings can be source of encouragement for lots of people.