My Suffering

Job did not hide his overwhelming grief. He had not lost his faith in God; instead, his emotions showed that he was human and that he loved his family. God created our emotions, and it is not sinful or inappropriate to express them as Job did. If you have experienced a deep loss, a disappointment, or a heartbreak, admit your feelings to yourself and others, and grief.

Job had lost his possessions and family in this first of Satan's tests, but he reacted rightly toward God by acknowledging God's sovereign authority over everything God had given him. Satan had lost this first round. Job passed the test and proved that people can love God for who he is, not for what he gives.

Oh Hosana

Hosana Hosana, whats wrong with this world?
Hosana Hosana, do we really have to depend on you for everything?

You showed us Love, but you also teach us Love not the world.
You showed us Love, but you also teach us to be Obedient and Patient.
You showed us Love, but you also teach us to Give Up.
You showed us Love, but you also teach us to Let Go .

We all learn to love the Lord faithfully,
but we have all forgotten to love courageously.
We all learn to believe in the Lord wholeheartedly,
but we have all failed to work out the moments in life.

Let us die.
Let us perish.
Where is the point of living?
For we all breathe to worship you...

O God, Rescue me.

My Cry

And now, Lord, what do I wait for?
My hope is in you.
Deliver me from all my transgressions:
Do not make me the reproach of the foolish.

I was mute, I did not open my mouth,
Because is was You who did it.
Remove Your plague from me;
I am consumed by the blow of Your hand.

When with rebukes You correct man for iniquity,
You make his beauty melt away like a moth;
Surely every man is a vapor.

"Hear my prayer, O Lord,
And give ear to my cry;
Do not be silent at my tears;
For I am a stranger with You,
A sojourner, as all my fathers were.
Romove Your gaze from me,
that I may regain strength,
Before I go away and am no more."

(Psalm 39)

Say YES to sinners

Sometimes Jon wondered if he would go to hell, despite he is already a Christian. Reason is very simple. He has always been very frank on his opinions on Christianity today. Sometimes he wondered if whatever he has spoken was guided by Satan. For yesterday, Jon spoke about the DARKNESS that have befall on our church. And today Jon got a revelation of the cause of it...

It was the day for Jon to bring his mum and sis-in-law to Church Of Saviour for the special service with Dong Fang Billy. As usual there was praise and worship in Chinese. Very unique indeed as it was first time Jon worships in Chinese. No doubt the spirit is the same. Jon can sense the presence of the Holy Spirit and expects many good things to come.

The time came for Dong Fang Billy to testify about God for all the things He has done in his life. Well, many people have more or less known it. But there was something that Billy mentioned today that struck the chord in Jon's heart. He had been judged by many many people during the early days when he first accepted Christ.

A lot of time we, Christians, studied the bible seriously so that we are able to equip ourselves for fulfilling the Great Commisson - which is to make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the son and of the Holy Spirit and teaching them to obey everything "Jesus" have commanded us.

However here's the trap that Satan has created. A trap that many Christians fell unknowingly. And to make matter worse, these people are matured and "well-equipped" Christians who have been serving the church and our Heavenly Father for many years. As they read and understand the bible, they become very good in identifying the good and the bad. The righteous and the wicked. The holy and the stained. And by exceling in this area, they fell deeply by this trap which Satan has camouflaged naturally. These Christians become very good judges themselves. These Christians are quick to identify the flaws. They are quick to share their knowledge of the Words. They are quick to correct others. They are quick to defend our Heavenly Father. And they think that by doing these make them holy...

Now, let Jon the less "matured" Christian tell you the truth. These people have interpreted the bible wrongly. YES, the bible has written everything about the good and the bad. The rights and the wrongs. But NO, the bible is not to be used to become a judgement book for sinners. The essence of the Holy Bible, according to Jon's understanding, should be a testimony of God's GREAT LOVE for His children, despite all the sins (mentioned specifically in the bible) that we earthly people had committed. Remember why our Heavenly Father sent His one and begotten son onto the cross?

So remember this. Our job as His Children is to LOVE first His children. Do not be quick to say "NO" to sins committed by sinners, for what sins is sin to the sinner? But say "YES" to them as they are, so that they can experience our love so that they can slowly identify with His Great Love. Only through knowing His Great Love can the TRUTH be slowly revealed to them and thus comes CONFESSION and REDEMPTION.

Having said, Christians, the next time before we next open our mouth, remember to say "yes", just like Jesus Himself has said YES to us first.

So praise the Lord, after this revelation, Jon can at least be assured that the things that he has spoken so far have been guided by the spirit. Amen.

What Darkness means...

This post is going to make Jon a less popular person in church. Seriously who else dare to speak negative things about what the guys in church do? Who dares to challenge the system of higher authorities which according to Jon, they are plainly man of earth?

It was church prayer meet at Touch Community last night and everything was so high when power failure creeps in. True enough as darkness breaks in like a thief in the night, everyone in church continue to worship and pray as if God befalls.

As expected, the MCs or the pastors-on-stage raised their prayers to control the situation. Some prophesied, as expected, about this is how judgement day comes. Out of a sudden and there will be not enough time to bring salvation to your close ones. Some even prophesised that the holy spirit would interrupt in the midst, which it did, after the lights went on. Some even tried to get the whole church to pray for a miracle power recovery which was later found out that the technician will be coming in 30 mins time.

Whatever it is, Jon has got other prophesy. Well, maybe Jon shall not be too holy. It shall call an idea probably. Jon thinks that this church really needs a "wake up" call. Enough is enough, God would say. All we could do is to preach holiness by mouth. Action? You know best yourself. Talking about sacrificial life and serving God wholely? You know what you can't give up... Talking about the Words? You know best how to distort it at your own interest.

Here's the verse for you people:

Psalm 5: 7-12

But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house;
in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.
Lead me, O Lord, in your righteousness because of my enemies-
make straight your way before me.

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted;
their hearts are filled with destruction.
Their throat is an open grave;
with their tongue they speak deceit.
Declare them guilty, O God!
Let their intrigues be their downfall.
Banish them for their sins for they have rebelled against you.
(though it sounded harsh this part, but generally referring to Christians who knows the commandmant yet chose to sin. As such, in chinese there is a saying, 'you should be judged more severely than the commoners")

But let all who take refuge in you be glad;
let them ever sing for joy.
Spread your protection over them,
that those who love your name may rejoice in you.
For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous;
you surround them with your favour as a shield.

Here it is, something that all of us needs to know. The more we think we know God, the farther we are from Him. The more you think you can speak on behalf of God, the more you speak evil. Just how many of us studied the bible as we should. Can anyone recite the 66 books compiled in the bible?

We need a complete shut down. Serious. God wants us to humble ourselves up and learn to get back to the basics. Thats LOVE. Before you preach your next Word, show people what LOVE is. Without LOVE, its without GOD. Without GOD, to hell to all your Words.

So back to last night, the complete shut down brings us to complete dependent on God Himself. No guitar sound, no organ, no drums, no spot lights, no looking around. Complete listening to His Words. Complete dependence on God again. This is the basic commandment which we as Christians, matured Christians and appointment holders of God needs to do. A lot of time we forgotten. A complete shut down to see God again.

Here's the revelation:

Revelation 21: 22-27

I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple. The city does not need the sun or the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp. The nations will walk by its lamp, and the kings of the earth will bring splendor into it. On no day will its gates ever be shut, for there will be no more night there. The glory and honor of the nations will be brought into it. Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Here's the realization. Though serving the church is a demonstration to serving God, as Christians, we need to know what the Words really trying to speak. Some times we thought we have been serving well or growing from strength to strength, but we might be blinded by our own spirituality. When the day comes, it doesnt matter how much you have done for the church but who you are and what have you done for His children as a Christian.

Amen.

My Dong Fang Billy

Frankly Jon is not a fan of this fellow. In fact Jon finds that his mouth is a tat too big for his liking. His action is a bit femine. He talks like an auntie. His songs never even amused Jon at all. But this Sunday, Jon would be "worshipping" him.

This Sunday Billy would be invited to give a talk during the afternoon service during one of the church service in Queenstown. Upon hearing this, Jon decided to invite his family members to attend the service so that they could listen to the gospels, since the talk is arranged as part of a "service" session.

Its been a while now as Jon tried to invite his parents to church. Every Sun morning, they would reject Jon as they would normally meet up with the relatives for breakfast together. After which would swing by one of the relative's house for a day of mahjong session.

So amazingly his mum and his sister-in-law gave in to Jon's invitation (Praise The Lord!). Dad was a little bit stubborn and he would prefer mahjong than listening to some "preaching". Brother is a part-time taxi driver who drives mainly on Sun.

Anyway, this Sunday is one of the rare opportunity and Jon is really praying that God can work wonders through Mr Billy! It doesnt matter if anything could come out of this talk, as long as mum and sister-in-law hears the message and become open to it. God, Jon needs you. Billy, may God be with you!

Amen!

Holy Pool Of Water

Another vision surface yesterday during the worship session.

Jon saw a vision of a pool of water. It was a pool of holy water. It spoke to Jon that for one to really want to repent from his/her sins, one must go into the pool of holy water in order to be fully cleansed, so that he/she could move nearer to God.

In the vision, Jon also saw many people circling around the pool not wanting to jump into the "Holy Pool Of Water". Some simply washed their hands. Others washed their faces. A few of them washed their legs only. However, these people did not realise that such partial washing would not allow them to move near to God.

Is there any difference when you walked towards God with your cleansed hands but unwashed legs? God wants complete commitment to Him. Only total confession and repentence will bring you freedom.

This vision was reaffirmed finally by Pastor Ben during his sermon on the "Spiritual Mysteries Of The Art". Point 3 of the sermon pointed to "The Glory Cloud" which meant Union and Communion. Hebrews 10: 19-22 explained everything about Jon's vision of the Holy Pool Of Water.

Hebrews 10: 19-22

"Therefore, brothers, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, and since we have a great priest over the house of God, let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water."

Sinful people. It is time to realise that we are all just not good enough yet... May Mercy God help us.

Christmas Time Soon...

It’s going to be a year soon. A lot of things had happened over the last 10 months. Church is embarking on a 40 Days fasting & prayers soon. Jon is wondering if he could do it. This Christmas would be the 3rd Christmas he would be celebrating his Christmas with Hope Church, really looking forward to it. Anyway, its time to list out what is important in Jon’s life now. It would serve as a reminder of what he would like to pray about and also to achieve in this new year.

On Business:

1. To double monthly sales target of $20,000 a month.
2. To find another business partner.
3. To find funding for business expansion. Eg a new studio.
4. To hire 1 staff.
5. To be able to pay himself a monthly salary asap.
6. To build at least 5 agencies as regular customers and who would support Stock Xchange no matter what. Eg, Just Media.

On Outreach:

1. To really have a breakthrough relationship with Vincent.
2. To really plant spiritual seeds in my close buddies like Seowliang and his gf.
3. To really hope to bring the guys from JM closer to Christ. Eg Shawn, Cynthia, Ken, Robin & Jasmine.
4. To help Yihong in the new CG..
5. To help DJ build up Bernard as a Christian.
6. To help Pearl get back into spirited life.

On Life:

1. Leaving relationship in God’s hands.
2. To serve the Business Ministry more.
3. To equip himself better in the Word of God.
4. Re-read the bible again with Life Application related bible.
5. To be consistent in private & prayer time.
6. To work on the fruit of spirit: Love Joy Peace Patience Kindness Goodness Faithfulness Gentleness & Self Control

On CG:

1. To pray that CG would be united as one.
2. To pray that everyone would nail the “SELF” factor from everyone’s heart.
3. To pray that everyone really Loves everyone truthfully and wholeheartedly.
4. To have a spiritual time always when together.
5. To pray for each other as one.
6. To care and live as 1 family knitted tightly

May God give wisdom as Jon prays.

Amen.