Elijah's story

If you have read the last post, you might be wondering why did Jon behaving like a wimp... isn't he been blessed enough by God yet? Perhaps God has seen his blog, so He is sending an angel (by the name of Elaine) to tell him the story of Elijah.

1 Kings 19:3-11
(Prior to this Elijah was the only Lord's prophets and he just managed to perform great mircales of God at Mount Carmel, and now Jezebel is hunting for his life)

Elijah was afraid and ran for his life. When he came to beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself went a day's journey into desert. He came to a broom tree, sat down under it and prayed that he might died. "I have had enough, Lord," he said. " Take my life; I am no better than my ancestors." then he lay down under the tree and fell asleep.

All at once an angel touched him and said, "Get up and eat." He looked around and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. He ate and drank and the lay down again.

The angel of the Lord came back a second time and touched him and said, "Get up and eat, for the journey is too much for you." So he got up and ate and drink. Stengthened by that food, he travelled forty days forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God. There he went into a cave and spent the night.

The Lord Appears to Elijah
And the word of the Lord came to him: "What are you doing here, Elijah?"

He replied, "I have been very zealous for the Lord God Almighty. The Isrealites have rejected your covenant, broken down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too."

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." ...

Having heard this story of Elijah, Jon realized that we are humans afterall and we have our fragilities. But Elijah's story is a great testimony of showing "Obedience" as it was written in bible, that if you have been obeying God's guidance, you will one day be taken to heaven just like how God brought Elijah back "home" when the time comes...

Ok, its time to "WAKE UP" and carry on the journey with God!

A Humbled Moment

June is supposed to be the best month for Jon. Here's a summary:

1. Jon's company managed to hit his monthly sales target within the first 8 days of the month.
2. Jon managed to go through the church camp.
3. Jon managed to build a better relationship with his Care Group.
4. Jon's company is appointed to handle a sponsorship photo-shoot for this year NDP Commemorative Magazine.
5. Jon participated his first "volunteer' work last Sunday @ Punggol CC.
6. Jon's company managed to close more sales for the month of June!

But Jon is not happy. Something is missing. Something is amiss. Jon is confused of something. Jon needs to find something. Something is bothering him. But what is that "thing"???

Today is a typical "lethagic" Monday. Follow up on emails, calls, clients and friends. However still have to work till 8pm before he can knock off. Jon is upset to leave office so late, thinking that he can have more rest tonight.

Jon is also upset of having to eat dinner alone. Jon does not know what to eat either. He paused at Eunos market and think for a moment what to eat. Eventually Jon decided to "packet" roti prata for the night.

As Jon was waiting for the prata, he felt really bored eating alone at home, so he decided to eat at the market instead. Jon chose an empty table and decided to have a quick bite instead. As the prata arrived, a blangladeshi came over and shared the table (of 6) with Jon. As Jon grudgyly tore apart his "Telok Bawang Prata" with the oily fork and spoon, the blangadeshi was enjoying eating his 2 "Prata Kesong" with his bare hands. Jon was curious what was so nice of the prata that gave this fellow such joy eating his food? In fact that blangadeshi finished his prata within ten mins and even finished up all the curry gravy that was given to him, before hurriedly left for the MRT station. He did not even had a drink like what Jon has... a hot aromatic "teh terik" as "dessert". Hurrying to go home, or could not afford luxury of a drink as dessert?

Jon observed this blangadeshi with a curious mind... "Here's a guy wearing an oversized polo white shirt, a black dirty old pants and a small torn haversack, enjoying his roti prata opposite someone wearing a smart white shirt with an executive grey pants, a black pvc laptop handbag... & an empty feeling within..."

Just as Jon was still in his daze, an old haggard lady came over to clear away some empty glasses that were laid at the table by the previous diners, she smiled as if to say hello to Jon and took the glasses away. Jon placed his eyes onto this 70s-looking old lady as she moved from table to table clearing the glasses. As she came across empty cans, she would tugged those emptied cans into her big plastic bag that she carried around her armpit. What amazed Jon was at every table this olg lady approached, she would always greet the people around the table a smile before doing her 'trade"...

The big question now appeared in front of Jon... "What's up with you, bro?"

In fact, tonight's encountered served as a "wake up" call for Jon. We have been too comfortable and used to our daily life and forget to appreciate our PRESENT!

Comparing ourselves to many people out there, we have almost EVERYTHING! "So what else do we want?!"

God Disciplines His Sons

Just when Jon was talking about the Wind Of Devil, The Holy Spirit is not far away as well. Today's Bible reading brings Jon to:

Hebrews 12: 4-13
"In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding blood. And you have forgotten that word of encouragement that addresses you as sons:

"My Son, do not make light of Lord's discipline, and do not lose heart when He rebukes you, because the Lord disciplines those He loves, and He punishes everyone He accepts as a son."

Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by His Father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone goes through discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live! Our fathers disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, that we may share His holiness. No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. "Make level paths for your feet." so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed."

After reading it, Jon believes that its a good encouragement from the Word Of God for us who are trying to stand firm in the Storm Of Devil... Enjoy the journey!

Wind Of Devil

Got this strange feeling recently.

Jon can sense the wind of devil is getting stronger each day.

It happened in the past whenever Jon gets spiritually high, and the wind of devil will then come to swipe you off your feet.

This time round, after the super-charged Church Camp, this devilish wind is blowing very strong and forcefully. Jon needs special help from the Holy Spirit to stay firmly on the ground. Its very dangerous. Its blowing from all fronts. We have no where to hide as the wind struck our body. So its based on everyone's strength to hold against the wind.

Jon is also sensing this wind blowing across the whole church. Not all will fall, but many needs spiritual help. Those not firm will be swept away. A lot of healing and rebuilding needs to be done.

God has been trying to stengthen me by telling the Nehemiah's stories on how he built the wall of Jerusalem despite so much obstacles, obstructions, interruptions, destructions & all sorts of negative forces going against the construction of the wall, however Nehemiah did not let anything stop him from building the wall.

Nehemiah 6:15-16 says "So the wall was completed on the twenty-fifth of Elul, in fifty-two days. When all our enemies heard about this, all the surrounding nations were afraid and lost their self-confidence, because they realized that this work had been done with the help of our God."

The question now is how can we be more like Nehemiah?

A Short Blog

Feeling really unmotivated to blog recently, dun know y again.

Seen so many long blogs which gave Jon added pressure.

Anyway will do a short one today so Jon can have more time "questioning" God...

Why Jon is feeling this way is very simple, someone made a silly comment but it pierces into Jon's heart...

Though the beginning of bible says God creates Heaven and Earth, Adam and Eve, and the rest... it doesn't tell us what is the BEGINNING anyway. Here are the silly questions:

1. If God creates Heaven and Earth, what else did He create before that?
2. What is ACTUAL BEGINNING?
3. How did God appear?
4. Who created God then?
5. Holy Trinity? God, His Son & The Holy Spirit. Who created what and which comes first?
6. Did God create the universe? Then is there also another Adam & Eve on other planets?
7. Are the other planets also having the similar history of Abraham, Noah, Moses, King David, King Soloman, Jesus & Paul stories?
8. Will there be another Jon in another planet then?
9. Is anyone blogging the same topic at the other planets as well?
10. Back to bottomline, who is the creator of the beginning? Next crunch question, how did it all happen then?
11. Who create the the Creator?
12 Creator first or Beginning first?

ok enough of all the nonsense... I feel so sinful right now. I might have caused a lot of believers to lost faith now. Time to do my QT and hopefully The Holy Spirit will reveal the answers to me...

Problems About Blogging

Dun know why, Jon has got a bad feeling blogging recently...

Questions that popped up in his mind are as follows:

1. Would anyone mis-interprete the post wrongly?
2. Is there someone not suppose to see the blog, looking at it?
2. Did anyone get offended reading the blog?
3. Some strangers putting some stupid comments?
4. No comment on the post?
5. Posts too shallow minded?
6. Posts too intellectual?
7. Posts driving people crazy?
8. Stupid posts?
9. Psycho downloading your's photo for their own "leisure"?
10. Strangers recognising you on the street?
11. Comments in your friend's blog get rebuked offendsively and you could not do anything about it?
12. Comments in your friends blog ended up offending his/her friends?
13. You end up answering/replying to some morons out there who just dun understand what you trying to say.
14. You end up talking to yourself every night.
15. You end up replying to your own posts every night.
16. You jumped off the building for nothing to post.

ok enough for now... its driving me near my window... Sweet dreams.

Posting For A Date?

Last few days seem to be a very busy period in the bloggersphere as many bloggers are trying to post for a date, or to find out who has won a date, or checking out on their “Post-A-Date” comments/replies…

Anyway, all these buzz is making blogging interesting for Jon as Jon was blog-hopping around and was “wowed” by many babes and hunks in-the-net. Indeed there are plenty of “Hot People” out there. From our very own Pris the Princess, to Sandralicious & MOB, to even that sexy babe (Ms M&M) whom Merv is dating, WOW… Jon feels so blessed to be a blogger! In fact, Jon’s life is full of blessings, see further to find out why:

At work, Jon is constantly facing with different talents & models of different races.

In Bloggersphere, Jon has been “surrounded” with the in-the-net babes. Need Jon mention names anymore? Check out SarongPartyGirl (mentioned in Bro Merv site) and you know why… “Gulp!!”

In Church, everyone Jon sees is beautiful! And what Jon means is this; everyone you see in church is not just beautiful on the surface, but each one has a beautiful heart too!

Now with so many “beautiful” choices surrounding our life, why do people still need to “Post a date?”

Stunned by the question?

Let Jon helps you.

Why do you want to restrict your own choice by selecting only from the limited applicants who have nothing better to do but to “sell” their own self to you?

Let Jon asks you, “Who is it that you really want to go out for a date?” Having answered this question, isn’t it easier for you to be able to focus on that “Special One” then to be convinced by people’s “sales pitch”?

Thinking back all those who posted for a date. Isn’t it a waste of time or its just an act of publicity of “HOW POPULAR AM I?”

Perhaps… Good night folks!

SUPER CHURCH CAMP!

The best camp of Jon's life! Hail the Lord!

Jon has just returned home this afternoon after 4 days (since Thursday) of super empowering by the God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Here's some of the highlights of what has happened over the last 4 days as Jon would refresh and summarise into writings in future entries:

1. Business Breakthough - As Pastor PN has envisioned business owners as future "spinal" support for church movements, Jon responded empathically with 2 alter calls.

2. Spiritual Breakthrough - Jon has spiritual bread for 4 days consecutively and is currently super charged with God's spirit! In fact Jon has been practising "prophesying" during this camp and God has been faithful to use his mouth to encourage others as well. May God continue to empower Jon further.

3. Personal Breakthough - 4 days of personal relationship with the CG enabled Jon to build on a different level of fellowship together. In fact, the CG had a FANTASTIC indepth sharing this afternoon that enabled great spiritual bonding within the CG and Jon is excited to see how God continues to use the CG for Greater use.

May God's power be glorified until the end of age! Amen.

The Art Of Durian Selection

Jon wanted to write this post since last Sunday but was too busy to do so. It was inspired by a group of church friends whom Jon met when he first attended Hope Church. They are all from Sarah’s group.

Jon met Sarah and George (both house-mates staying at Kembangan) at the Somerset MRT on Sunday evening and we decided to go for dinner near their house. It was soon followed by more of their CG friends, Tiancai, Nicholas & Sandra. During the dinner Nicholas was telling us how much he and Sandra loved durians and he started to teach us how to choose delicious durian. We were all excited over what Nicholas shared and started craving for durians as well. Soon we headed to Geylang area and started our “practical lesson” on choosing the right durians and of course eating our “picks”! =)

In fact it was a very memorable night for Jon as it was a very long time since he enjoyed himself so “openly”. We had durians & lychees and so much fun. Jon would like to take this opportunity to share with everyone the “trade” of selecting good durians. There are only 5 steps in the selection process and they are:

1. Shape of the durians. => Normally experts choose durians with a certain arc at the bottom of the durian.
2. Cracks on the durians. => We won’t know how long the cracks are there, as the “taste & smell” would have “evaporated” over time.
3. Weight of the durian relative to its size. => This step needs practices. Too light means the flesh are too dry. Too heavy means the seed are too big, hence flesh are little…
4. Shaking of durian. => This step is to confirm if the flesh of the seeds in the durian is tender enough or not. If the flesh is too watery, the seeds would have stuck on the surface of the shell inside. If you feel that the seeds are shaking too much inside, tendency is that the flesh are too dry.
5. Smell. => Smelling is the last part of the steps to make sure that the durian “smell” fresh. If not, it means that the durian has been “harvested” for too long. The area to smell the durian is at the base of it.

So here are the 5 basic steps to selecting of good durians. Hope you guys can have lots of fun too!

Jon's Prayer Requests

2 more days to church camp, Jon has been praying every day to God for breakthroughs!

Here’s Jon’s Prayers Requests in the areas that Jon hopes to achieve breakthroughs.

Spiritually
1. Gifting Of Tongues => Though Jon was Holy Spirit baptized, Jon still feels that he needs to receive further breakthrough in order to be able to communicate with God in a way that can “connect” with Him.
2. Gifting in Interpretation Of Tongues => Even though it was written in the bible that there is someone would “interpret” tongues, Jon feels that he wants to be able to interpret what God put in his mouth when he “speaks in tongue”.
3. Gifting in Prophecy => Some people are able to receive revelations and thus he “prophesies”, but Jon feels that God is able to use him in “prophesying” through words that He put into Jon’s mouth while he “speaks in tongues”.

Personally
1. Jon likes to pray for his entire family’s salvation. (His dad, mum, elder brother (Jason), elder sister-in-law (Sally), younger brother (Tony) & younger sister-in-law (Christine).
2. Jon’s relatives
3. Jon’s business partner (Seowliang)
4. Jon’s Army buddies (Ah Ho, Chee Teck, Ah Sim & Seowliang GF-Elaine)
5. Jon’s business associates. (Just Jesters & Just Media)
6. Jon’s models (Too many to name…)

Business
1. Jon is praying for Reina’s wisdom in work and in Christ
2. To find working partners within 2005
3. To double sales by 2005
4. To have stable enquiries from large Ad Agencies each month
5. To open a branch overseas in 2005
6. To make Jon’s business an “Entry Vehicle” for overseas outreach.
7. To become a living testimony for Christ in the marketplace.

Many times while Jon is praying for the people around him, Jon always feel a burden to share “Spiritual Words” to them for encouragement. However due to his lack of bible knowledge, many times his heart is willing to share, but the mouth is “unfruitful”. It is until Jon comes across 1 Corinthians 14:13 which says, “For this reason anyone who speaks in a tongue should pray that he may interpret what he says.”, that Jon feels God can help him achieve his little “vision.”

Should anyone who is reading this blog share his heart with Jon, Jon would like to ask a big, big favor that you may intercede for him in your future prayers. May Jon be able to receive his “Spiritual Breakthroughs” ASAP so that he may start to “empower” the people around him.

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit while you pray. Amen.

BREAKTHROUGHS!!!

It is almost 1 full week since Jon posted his last entry. It is not that Jon is becoming lazy, but it is because Jon has been extremely busy lately… Believe it or not, since Jon started doing his “Lunch Fasting” 12 days ago, Jon has been abounded by all sorts of miracles and blessings from God.

It all started last Tuesday since the “Lunch Prayer Meet” when God’s hands lay upon us during our Lunch Prayer, Jon managed to hit his May’s Sales Target with a $5,000 project out-of-nowhere that very last minute of the very last day of May! Even until today, Jon still could not figure out how that client managed to find out about Jon’s company, not to mention how he awarded this project to Jon so “easily” (without bargain and doubts… simply pure trust!). In fact, from getting the enquiry, closing of the deal, planning to coordinating of the project, God's hands has never left Jon...

Since that day, sales has been pouring in every single day, even until TODAY! In fact Jon is currently experiencing what Simon Peter did when he first met Jesus by the Lake of Gennesaret. If you obey by His words, you will be blessed so much that “the net began to break”… Before June, Jon was still very worried on how to meet his June's Sales Target especially that the church camp is coming and the company would have to stop operation for 4 days during this month. Now, less than 1 week into June, Jon has already hit his June’s Sales Target!!! Praise the Lord!

Looking at how Jon’s spiritual life struggled few weeks back to now having spiritual breakthroughs, there is only 1 verse in the bible that best explains Jon’s current situation.

Deuteronomy 30: 9-10 (New King James Version)
9 The LORD your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground; for the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, 10 if you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, if you turn to the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

What Jon learned is that as long as we turn back to God, God's hands will be upon us. Not only Jon has experienced spiritual growth since decided to turn to God earnestly for spiritual breakthrough, God has also provided breakthroughs in Jon’s business!

Who is Jon to deserve such grace? It is only through Christ Jesus that a sinner could enjoy a new “Birth”

May all praises be to the God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Our Waiting Time

It seems a lot of Jon’s Brothers & Sisters in Christ are experiencing many mixed feelings over the last few weeks. Jon initially started to share his “spiritual hiccups” and is surprised to know that Jon is actually not alone.

Guess it is not uncommon to see Christian’s life fluctuates over time. Just to take a leaf of Sis Pris’s testimony last Friday: “As long as the overall fluctuation is moving upwards, we are fine.” Now this statement seems very logical!

In fact, Jon has a burden for his Brothers & Sisters in Christ so let Jon brings all of you closer to find out what God has in stored for His heavenly children:

Most people, including Jon, experienced ups and downs in life. We had a lot of low moments and worse we might have even fall into terrible depressions before. However one should always bear in mind that our God is full of Compassion and we must believe that God will never be through with us. We must always be convicted that our “LIFE PRISON” was part of God’s vision for our life; To Him what we had gone through was called “WAITING TIME”.

What is Waiting Time?

Remember Nehemiah? He had to wait 4 months before he got a chance to speak to King Artaxerxes. Can you imagine if you have a burden for 4 months? It is like been locked in a “prison cell” for 4 months alone. Most people would plunge into deep depression… but not Nehemiah. He used the “Waiting Time” preparing for God’s vision. Eventually when the opportunity struck, Nehemiah knew exactly what to do… The rest you already know.

To God, there can be difficult time. Painful time. Frustrating time. But not wasted time. Waiting Time is not wasted time for anyone in whose heart God has placed a vision.

Brothers & Sisters, God has you where He wants you. He is the master strategist. We are an important component in His strategy. He is the head. We are members of the body. He is in control. We are to surrender to that control. That’s where God can use our circumstances to position and prepare us to accomplish His vision for our life!

Remember, Waiting Time will not be wasted time!!! God is at the center of it all!

Amen.

(Waiting Time is an abstract taken from Visioneering (By Andy Stanley) which Jon is reading now.)

Church Camp is coming, Jon wants to challenge his Brothers & Sisters in Christ not to waste the next 2 weeks time doing nothing. It is time to start preparing... Take the next 2 weeks as the "Waiting Time" to prepare for the "Breakthrough" that God has in stored for you. If you fail to plan in God's vision, then you plan to fail in fulfilling His vision.