Chapter 112: God Answers Prayer

There was a man who steps into a unfamiliar place.

At his back, he saw no help from people.
At his front, he saw no diretion in the new place.


At that time, he was very panic and stressed. He did not know what to do, but to pray to his God.

"God, since You have led me to a new place, please guide me through Your way. I do not have anyone to depend on. Only You, God, I can depend on."

While he was still searching for a way to stay survived, he prayed, "God, I do not know how to move on my life. What is my next step of life?"

When he looked for his closed one, he prayed, "God, as I wanted to strike the best for you, it seems that my closed one does not seem to care about my future."

When he saw his friends, he prayed, "It seems that they are apart from me, and now I seriously know who my true friends are."

When he met new friends, he prayed, "I found out that the new friends are willing to help me even more than the previous ones. I understand the meaning of Good Samaritan."

When he was finding a way to earn his living, he prayed "God, show me a sign so that I will know what to do. I seriously wanna pursue my goal and conquer my dream to reveal Your Glory."

After he prayed, he saw signs, "God, now I know I need two jobs. I always thought I need one. Show me the way how to move on to the second job."

After he prayed, he saw another sign,
"God, now I know this is true that You had showed me this way. I will pursue it! However, the way You showed me needs a great investment. I need Your provision."

After he prayed, his new friends, his parents, and his real good buddies told him the same thing without asking them for advice. "God, this is not a coincidence. If this is really the way, show me that it works smoothly."

After he prayed, he faced some difficulties which hinder him to achieve his goal. "God, I trust in You. Though I am afraid, though I cannot see the future, yet You are my fortress and my provider. The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not be in want."

After he prayed, he saw helps from God, and it worked in the end! "Oh God! You are truly my God! You are the living God who listens to us. You do not only listen, You act! Lord, we are sinners! Yet You love us wholeheartedly and show me the way of living out faith."

After he prayed, many came to support him and encourage to pursue his goal. "God, now I truly see who my true friends are. They will support me and encourage me. God, You are not only my God, but also my best friend."


In conclusion, God answered all his questions when he prayed.

1) The next step of life - When no one including the closed ones helped him, Good Samaritans came to help him.

2) A sign to know what to do - Two jobs at a time. He thought he only needs a job, but God showed him two!

3) A way to great investement - All came to the same idea, and it worked smoothly!

4) A hardship of depression - God revealed Himself as a fortress, provider and shepherd.

5) A faith to trust in God - God showed His way to prove that God reigns in his life. God revealed Himself as a friend.

6) Receiving God's help - To show that honoring parents is very important.

1 John 4:6
"We are from God, and whoever knows God listens to us; but whoever is not from God does not listen to us. This is how we recognize the Spirit of truth and the spirit of falsehood."

This person who went through this is Jack's Stuff. One of the witness who saw all these incidents is Michael Mok.

Chapter 64: Logic Sense

Yesterday, we had a choir practice in STS. I felt a bit lazy to attend but it is a compulsory subject. Hence, I must go to grab the credit hour. When the choir practice started, Timothy was sitting besides me. We were given a new song “Lord, Help me be your servant”.


When the practice carried on, Timothy was having a great difficulty in listening and knowing to the music notes. He came to ask me, “Jack, can you help me to figure out the notes? I really do not know any of music theory.”

“Sure!”

While other students were still figuring out the third page of the music sheets, I had completed filling all the notes and handed back to Timothy. He was amazed! “Hebat la kamu… Jack!” (You are good, Jack)

Figuring out the notes
“Timothy, actually it is very easy to know the notes. It is actually very logical. If you take some time to use your logic sense, you will understand how the notes flow.”

“No. I can never know how the notes performed. But I can follow the music coordinator. Whatever he taught us, we will just sing. Isn’t it easier?”

I suddenly thought that not everyone has the same logic sense. For example, I am a person who loves to try something different, so trying new things is always my logic sense. However, for others, they might think that this is illogical to them.

Not everyone will think exactly the same way like we do. You may have your own way. I have my own way. There is why many people have conflicts and chaos in their “own” logic sense. From this choir practice, it began to tell us that I need to understand why Timothy may think that music notes are never logical to him. In the end, solve this issue with him by telling him the true logic sense.

Thomas Chin - our music coordinator
Our God, sometimes, does something which we may think it is illogical. However, please believe that our God will plan the best for us though it may look tough and difficult. Instead of blaming God why life is like hell, it is better for you to find the logic sense of living in joy. It will turn your life upside down.

Readers, what I am trying to say… is to understand others first before you start to use your own logic sense and argue the meaningless matters. You might even hurt others unnoticed and unintentionally.

We have hurt God many times.
If you have the logic sense for God now,
I believe you will know what to do next.

Proverbs 2:6
"For the LORD gives wisdom, and from his mouth come knowledge and understanding."

Chapter 63: Among All Religions…

On the first day of school in Semester 2, I was shocked that the Homiletic lecturer had already given me 8 assignments! The first assignment was to hand up on next Friday. This is crazy, man!


My feeling was a bit odd when I entered the school. I do not know how to describe. However, when the lesson started, I felt very excited again. The Homiletic lecturer was actually from Hong Kong. He was a professor in Theology. The way which he expressed on preaching is very interesting and appropriate. I found that it was quite excited and fun too.

Unlike another lecturer who teaches us the subject “Islam”. I almost slept in class. He was from Germany. He is seriously a professor in World Religions. He studied all kinds of religions: Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Taoism, Hinduism and others. Hence, if you raise your hand and ask him anything… ANYTHING… he will answer you wisely. He was too familiar to all kinds of religions. I respect him with due sincerity, but I almost slept in his class. Wah! The German essence… Forgive me, lecturer.
My German Lecturer - Dr Olaf
I am amazed by his “one” thing. Among all the religions which he had done researching, he chooses Christianity. From this wonderful testimony, we can know that our Lord Jesus Christ is indeed true and faithful. He said that Jesus Christ is the only one who changes his life. This is incredibly a great testimony to me.

Readers, why does he teach us in all kinds of religions? It is because he wants us to understand the hearts of people in other religions. He also wants to make us assured that Jesus Christ is the only one God and one Lord in this world.

Jesus Christ is our Lord, our Savior and our God.

Praise His name forever.

Exodus 18:11
"Now I know that the LORD is greater than all other gods, for he did this to those who had treated Israel arrogantly."

Chapter 31: STS Retreat

The STS retreat was wonderful! I had a great rest and refresh myself greatly. We went to a place called Pace Bene, Papar. It is located with nature surrounding. That was a lovely place to stay. There are a group of sisters who will mainly take care of the food, the accommodation and cleanliness. We didn’t need to do the work, and cook food.

Pace Bene, Papar
To say the truth, I didn’t get to mangle around much with people. Most of the time, I slept. I felt that I was totally pampered. No ministry, no study… The only ministry is interpreting the Chinese sermon into English. Tough Job, anyway. That’s so wonderful to rest in the presence of the Lord. When I slept, I did not need to set alarm to wake up. The sisters will ring the bell to indicate that it was the meal time (breakfast, lunch, tea, dinner and supper). I just kept myself quiet and enjoy the nature, devote myself into the Lord. I spent much time with the STS lecturers and STS friends. They are really good people.

Psalms 133:1
“How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity.”

My STS lecturers
I learnt one thing from the sisters. On Sunday night, it was 1am in the morning. Yet I saw the sisters still cleaning the house of the Lord. They really love the Lord very much.

Psalms 134
“Praise the Lord, all you servants of the Lord who minister by night in the house of the Lord. Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord. May the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth bless you from Zion.”

I felt very touched when I saw them working passionately. In my heart, I thought, “May our Lord, Jesus Christ, bless you and remember your work.”

My STS friends
Before we left the place in the next morning, we thanked the sisters for taking care of us. The thing which touched me the most is that the sister said, “We actually prayed for you all before you all arrived in this place. We really ask God to give you all a successful and meaningful retreat.”

Indeed, that was the best retreat which I ever had among all these years of serving.

I find rest in the Lord

Chapter 19: God’s will

Written on 17 November 2008

“I believe this is God’s will.”


I always hear this sentence from people. Readers, DO NOT say this as if it’s a normal thing. Do you know that you are saying a serious thing? If it is not God’s will, you will be accountable to God. You need to be responsible for what you have said and done, i.e. God’s judgment.

As I had mentioned about Falsehood, many people do many wonders in the name of Jesus. However, not all of them go to Heaven, unless they follow Jesus properly and do God’s will. I believe those people also say this, “I believe this is God’s will.” before they start their “wonder” ministry – healing sick, casting out demons, gifted in music, and many other incredible things…etc


I know people will say, “We pray really hard for this. And I receive confirmation from God. This is God’s will.” Well, be careful on what you have said. It is because I cannot judge for what you have said, I cannot say you lie unless the lie is too obvious. Christians, please be careful.
(I urge you)

I would like to take Jack’s Stuff for an example. I never mention to anyone, saying, “Jack’s Stuff is God’s will. It is because now many people know me even outsiders.” NEVER!

I DO NOT dare to say this. I only say, “If God’s willing, Jack’s Stuff will be famous.” Sometimes, I said to some people, “God allows Jack’s Stuff to happen.”

“God allows…” and “God’s will” are two different matters.

Mark my words. “God allows…” is that when some situations happen exactly to what you had prayed. When people saw miracles happening, they will surely say, “This is God’s will!” In fact, it is NOT. Whether the miracles will happen, God can choose to allow either to let it happen or not. However, it is not God’s will.
_____________

Jonah 1:1; 3:2, 4, 10
"Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me."

"Go to the great city of Nineveh and proclaim to it the message I give you."

He proclaimed: "Forty more days and Nineveh will be overturned."

“When God saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, he had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction he had threatened.”
_____________


In Book of Jonah, you can see that God has a choice to destroy the city of Nineveh. God chose to take away the destruction because the people repented.

The word “will” means a fixed and persistent intent or purpose. God’s will is always the same now and forever. We must understand this. Wanna know God’s will? You need to cultivate a habit of reading bible yourself to find out. An example of God’s will is listed below.
_____________________

John 3:16
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
_____________________

“God’s will” is fixed. God’s will never change. It always remains the same. Before the world was created, God has already set His will from the beginning, now and forever. If you say, “I believe this is God’s will”, yet this is not, you had committed a serious sin.
__________________

Exodus 20: 7
"You shall not misuse the name of the LORD your God, for the LORD will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name."
__________________


Do not simply use the name of the Lord by saying, “This is God’s will.” Instead of God’s will be done, it is our will be done. Be careful. Some cheaters are even worse, “I come in the name of Jesus to tell you this…” And I warn those who love to say, “The Lord says…”, “I sense the Lord is telling me…”… etc. God knows everything. Do not deceive yourself and God.
________________________

Ephesians 5: 17
“Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord's will is.”
________________________

So, please... I urge you. Do not simply say,
“I believe this is God’s will.” Instead, you should say, “If God’s willing…” or “God allows this to happen.”

Get the point?

Chapter 18: Falsehood

Written on 7 November 2008


“Hi, Jack!” Eugene said in Msn.


Yesterday, I received a message from my Singapore friend in MSN. It’s been a long time that we have not contacted with each other. At first we talked about business and IT matters, then suddenly he asked me a question,

“Which church are you in?” He asked.
“Anglican.” I replied.
“Is your church charismatic?” He asked again. Thinking for a while, erm… Our Sabah Anglican is more on balanced. So I answered, “Yes, kinda...”

Then he laughed "LOL". Before he went offline, he sent me a Bible verse:

Matthew 24: 24
“For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect — if that were possible.”


___________________________________

Obviously, he is saying that I am one of the falsehoods. If you ask me whether I am offended, the answer is definitely “Yes”. However, I didn’t hate him. I began to think why he will show me this verse. There must be some reasons why he is against it. Frankly speaking, I should thank God for Eugene. I believe God used Eugene to remind me whether I am on the right path with Him. Think carefully, readers. Ask yourself this, “Am I doing the will of God in my daily life?”

I prayed hard to God, kept asking,
“God, am I still walking in the right way which you had showed me? I just want You, Jesus Christ, to tell me only. No other gods but You… Please tell me my mistakes, which I do not pay attention to. Please refresh my heart and search me whether I am still in tuned with You.”

To me, I do not really care how talented I am. Between Talents or Righteous, I rather choose Righteous. What God wants is not seeing us being gifted – performing miracles, healing, and casting out demons and interpreting the speaking in tongues… etc. We must be aware of what God wants. God wants a person who truly follows and understands what He thinks – to do His will.

Matthew 7: 21 - 23
"Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?' Then I will tell them plainly, 'I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!'”


Scary, isn't it?

Nowadays, many called onto God, “Lord! Lord!” Many use His name to do many wonders, but they MAY NOT be the ones who do the will of God. These people MAY BE false Christs, false prophets in Matthew 24:24. These people MAY NOT enter the kingdom of Heaven. These people MAY NOT even know they themselves are one of the falsehood. DO NOT think, "Once I received Christ, I will surely go to Heaven."

I am so scared that I am actually one of the people who are mentioned in these verses. In fact, I should thank Eugene for reminding me of Matthew 7:21 – 23. Why will God say, “Away from me, you evildoers!”? In my opinion, I think it is all about the relationship between you and God.


So what is God’s will? How close are we to God? Do we really follow what God has told us to do? Do we follow what He wants? Often we pray, “Your will be done!”, yet mostly it is our will be done. Agree?

I have read many blogs from some Christians. They only talk about their life, they never share about God who has done great things in their life. When we talk to them about God, they will rather talk about Soccer player or some famous celebrities or others. I ask you, “Are you sure that God is in your first place?”

In future, I will try to find out: What is God’s will? What kind of relationship between you and God? What is your meaning of LOVE… etc. If you have any question or doubt, you may ask me too. I will be more than willing to find out and we learn together. Please do not hesitate to ask me too.

Though I am Anglican, I will be loyal to Anglican. However, to me, whether I am Anglican, whether I am Charismatic, this is NOT the primary matter. The relationship between God and me is the primary reason why I am still in this world. I would rather stop all arguments whether who is right or wrong. This is pointless. To me, the most important thing is searching for the Great Glory of God – a life after God’s own heart.

Thank you, Eugene, for reminding me to be ALERT. However, Eugene… Those who call “Lord, Lord”, yet NOT is doing the will of God…

YOU MAY BE ONE OF THE FALSEHOOD TOO.