Difference Between Grace and Guilt

Difference Between Grace and Guilt

Its something God just said to me while reading a status of a Pastor on facebook. When we based our live on the Law (the last 3/5 of the Commandments)...alone and forget that the mercy giver is on the mercy seat above it, we based our faith on performance and not relationship. There's no grace in performance / works. There's only grace in relationship because JESUS IS not your healer..but your healing..not your provider, but your provisions (providence)..not the giver but IS.
 

The Gospel is the Gospel of Grace..not judgment and guilt. Jesus never made us feel bad about our mistakes and He never sowed guilt into our lives (Romans 8:1). Perfect love covers a multitude of sins..I always believe, if that's how God behaves, we too much behave that way..if God calls us into prayer all the time, it shows He loves spending time with people ..etc..so we too must love spending time with people and not be afraid of them. ..you see if we love out of condition (phileo)..then the agape (unconditional) love of God is not in us...How often when someone hurts us, we want to prove them wrong ? or someone made a mistake, we keep on harping on that mistake hoping that person GETS IT..

esp parents with kids (I know I got 2 boys). Nagging changes nobody.

Can you imagine God picked on every mistake we made ? on the other hand He did not. He loved us inspite of (Romans 5:5). Keeps on forgiving us today.

Grace is all about being in Him..not working to get more of Him. Thank God He did not picked on us. So being Christians (little Christ), that's how we shud behave too. I think Rom 13, love does not harp on past issues (keeps records)..Yah..I hope this helps.

The Gloved One

 The Gloved One

Theme Scripture Passage :- Mt 4

If you have time read 1 Samuel 25..the account of David's encounter with a wealthy sheep shearer called Nabal. David just came from a mighty victory over Goliath and he was the talk of the town. Many of us think walking with God is always glorious and magnificient...void of the pits and the falls. David probably thought the same way too...anointed as heir to the throne, defeated Goliath, cheered on by the citizens, loved more by the people. However from victor, he became a fugitive and a marked man. 

In our walk with God, there will be tough times or challenging times where things just don't go the way or work out the way that they shud. When David approached Nabal for help, he assumed his fame will precede him. Instead, Nabal scoffed at David and ridiculed him. In anger and frustration, he sought to kill Nabal instead. Thank God for His intervention...using Nabal's wife to put sense into David.  What lesson can we learn here ? When we are in situations where things don't go well for us, debts mounting, problems never-ending, and you believe in God..how come all this things are happening ?

Who do people turn to the most in problems ? Others and themselves is probably the most popular choices. That's what David did. In the wilderness, God is still with us ...remember Psalms 23..eventhough we walk through the valley of the shadow of death..we fear no evil ..because God is with us...A shadow of a snake will not kill you likewise...a shadow of death will not harm you. You can see the shadow, because Jesus is with you. He is your light and your life. God has a purpose for you. What is that purpose..Let me tell you this, how long you stay in the wilderness is determined by how well you respond to 3 questions.

The most important lesson we must learn is this. NEVER TURN TO PEOPLE FOR THE ANSWERS TO YOUR MISERY...remember Job and his "wise" friends. Turn to God.

3 questions the devil asked Jesus. This 3 questions must be founded in your hearts not just your lips. God is after only one thing....TO BLESS YOU ! His plans for you is to prosper you and to give you life and life more abundantly ! 

Question 1:-  (Mt 4:3-4)And the tempter came and said to Him, If You are God's Son, command these stones to be made loaves of bread.    ⁴But He replied, It has been written, Man shall not live and be upheld and sustained by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

ANSWER :- GOD MUST SPEAK

 Jesus answered - Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that God speaks. What does this mean ? How many times we chose to rely on our abilities, qualifications, credentials, money, other people, instead of waiting on God, we grab and take whatever we can see. Friends, if we need to take and grab and fight for something, its probably not ours in the first place. You see, God is about restful increase. He adds to us..He gives us the very very best (Psalms 23). Wait on God !Let Him speak into your life ! How does God speak to you ? Through His Spirit. Our communion is with the Holy Spirit. It is the Holy Spirit that will give life to our mortal bodies  and lift us up ! When God wants to lift us to a new level, it takes one thing..empty the old wine skin..renew the wineskin and let God pour new wine in to you ! ONE WORD..SURRENDER 100!

One word of advice, if you turn to people, everyone has 101 advice for your issue. Even your pastors. You need to know what God is saying and stand steadfast regardless and keep on believing. You may need to correct your steps as your walk towards your victory..but weigh each advice and let God's still small voice guide you through. 

Question 2 :    ⁶And he said to Him, If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down; for it is written, He will give His angels charge over you, and they will bear you up on their hands, lest you strike your foot against a stone.   ⁷Jesus said to him, On the other hand, it is written also, You shall not tempt, test thoroughly, or try exceedingly the Lord your God.

ANSWER :- Don't Test God, Let Faith Arise

 

Satan always wants to cause us to doubt God's word to shake our faith, so that we will fall again at question 1. Are you sure, you can trust God's word ?Are you sure, that's good enough ? Friend the mistake we make here is to argue with satan. We always pray, I resist you devil, flee from me...and we use Jesus' name like a M16 riffle..and yet the devil does not run. Why ? You see God does not do miracles to prove He exist. He does not need to prove to anyone who He is. Even if nothing happens in your life, He is still Yahweh ! He is still the Lord. Instead of arguing with the devil and being so devil focused, be grace focused and pray like this...

"Yes eventhough I know I've made alot of mistakes in the past, yet I am not disqualified before God because Jesus, You saved me and redeemed me and by Your blood I stand right before God. Jesus You are my righteousness and by your grace I stand. Fill me with your love and grace again"..Amen ! 

At the end of the day, if God is for you, who can be against you right ! Hallelujah !

Question 3 :- ⁸Again, the devil took Him up on a very high mountain and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory (the splendor, magnificence, preeminence, and excellence) of them.

    ⁹And he said to Him, These things, all taken together, I will give You, if You will prostrate Yourself before me and do homage and worship me.

    ¹⁰Then Jesus said to him, Begone, Satan! For it has been written, You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him alone shall you serve.

ANSWER :- WORSHIP GOD FOR WHO HE IS.

The devil wants to give you everything at one price..Worship goes to him. Everytime I hear people wanting to help us say, do this for me...I will make the way for you...or the only thing they care to help you is to give you this or that...I am not interested. I'm not after cheap trills and earthly riches. I want to know how to obey God and how to recognise His leading more. I want to love Jesus more ! People have asked me to give up pioneering the church..How can I, when it is God that spoke to me to do this directly. Stay the course. The only place you need to be to get out of the wilderness well, is lift Jesus higher in Your lives !...There was awhile I was afraid of losing my relationship with Jesus when things gets better...Then God said to me, nothing can separate me from His love ! How awesome...I just yielded 100% to the Holy SPirit. My mouth is His, my all is His...The breakthrough really came when I just yielded to the HOly Spirit .

This was my prayer that started the ball rolling forward and upward .

Lord Jesus, my body is the temple of the Holy SPirit and the members of my body belongs to You. I pray, fill me with the Holy Spirit and take over my life. Amen

Do you know, God will anoint your head with oil and your cup will runneth over ! Wait in God . He will lift you up. When you surrender, you can laugh at the NOW problems..because they will become yesterdays problems ..whereas your today onwards is going to be glorious. That's how you get into glorious restful increase ! the Key is flow with the Holy Spirit ! 

You are the glove, He is the hand. A tight fit !

Luv

Edwin Koh (22/8/10)

GOD CAN AND WILL CANCEL DEBTS !

 GOD CAN AND WILL CANCEL DEBTS !

I have been wanting to share this testimony as I realise debt is such a problem with many people today. It is a major factor of strive in relationships and nobody likes to live indebted and pressured . Debt is a problem many people go through it silently...because to many its an admission of guilt and mismanagement of finances. This is where the devil will win if we stay silent and try to fend it off our way. 

You see, since October 2009 when we were forced to take time off to pray and seek God, my wife and I had accumulated debts amounting to nearly RM13,000.00.. This was from the unpaid renovation cost of the previous church premise + carelleslly using our credit cards + owing supplier for our booktable ministry etc. This was where denial came in. Oh it's the Church's debt...not ours. So God will deal with it. 

From then on as God was dealing with us, I had to admit, the debt problem was our own fault and not anyone else's. You see DEBT in the first place is NOT of God. In fact scripture discourages (Rom 13:8) us from owing anyone anything but to love. Why do I say debt is sin ? Matthew 6:12 in the NIV translation interprets Sin as Debt..Forgive us our DEBTS (SIN) as we forgive those..

It showed me one thing. Like unforgiveness, we take on something that is not our right to take in the first place. When we do not forgive, we are no longer doing what God would want us to do..to forgive. We do what we want and how we want it. Debts are like that. We make decisions without instruction and revelations from God. We buy, purchase, deal rashly...we just CAN'T WAIT ! or we Think God CANNOT or UNABLE TO HELP. That's where we went astray...using our credit cards to purchase Church material, petrol etc..thinking it WILL be alright. Or going ahead to rent instead of waiting to hear from God where to rent. Or you sense God's leading, but you rush ahead..instead of letting God go infront to lead. This is where debts come into place..too greedy...too foolish...too impatient...too anxious...SIN.

This is where debt becomes the legal claim of the enemy over your lives as it was over us. Try to pay try to pay..but just does not go away. Now this is where the breakthrough came when I finally admitted to God of my SIN and repented never to repeat the mistakes...but at everytime to seek God first and learn to wait. Manage finances properly.

So how, it was a long drawn out war and determination to get the victory over debts. BTW, my wife and I have not had a proper salary for 6 years now..there was a time when I asked God if I shud work in the early days of ministry, He told me no..learn to trust Him. Through many many experiences, I know Jehovah Jireh in my Heavenly Father. We've learn to pray harder and harder and harder at the same time open to His command if He wanted us to receive the miracle thru normal work or in another way.

It was this year in this battle, I've come to know Bishop Daniels Benny from South Africa. I shared with him our predicament..amazingly found a man that BELIEVED God for miracles.It stirred me to know that someone from South Africa is praying for us and told us that God is going to see us through.

By the way, the Banks, the creditors have been calling and calling and sending us mail after mail. I knew God will do something great...but QUICKLY LORD ! Bishop told me , Hang in there..God will deliver. So we kept on praying and praying and kept on delaying the creditors..amazingly God gave us favour with the creditors too. Some off them just extend the period for us to sort things out.

Through enough, God delivered again and again and again. Not in my timing or in my way..but He did. A friend of mine asked me to help her buy something for her in Malaysia...she is living in SIngapore. So I did. She repay me and even bless us more than enough...WOW..we were making headway with the debts. She blessed somemore...and at the right time too...one debt down !

The word that God gave me when we were praying was " God will make a way where there seems to be no way"...and Psalms 103 - He forgives out iniquities (Sin = Debt) and delivers us from destruction..and will crown us with lovingkindness and mercy...To break the legal claim of the enemy..is Rev 12..we overcame the enemy by the blood of Jesus ! and God has indeed forgiven us..and cleanses us from sin (1 John 1:9)

You see debts are the enemy's way of holding people back and people just cannot go forward. Debt in our lives was hindering us from stepping out to do new things. So when God showed me Debt was sin, and we confessed and repented..wow the change started to come. Instead of using money just for our own purpose...we determined to use whatever resources God gives us to bless others. We become stewards and not owners.

Today (18/6/10)...I receive a legal letter of demand ...demanding me to pay the overdue outstanding on my credit cards or else further action will be taken. Just one day before, a pastor told me asked me if it is right to trust God to cancel our debts knowing debts are not off God and etc...he said from his own experience we cannot trust God for this. I was stun ! How can ! Has God been lying to me and the progress we made thus far..just a mirage ? Its like saying sin cannot be forgiven. God cannot do certain things.

God reminded me of how the Israelites in Exodus cried out to Him..and He delivered them. Whenever people cry out to Him for help...He always comes to their deliverance ! Scripture is full of stories of God forgiving debts / sin and setting people free ! He advice me to get a job to pay it off...but even with a job I will only be paid at the end of the month. The banks want my head now !..Strangely too in a good way..when I was praying few nights ago..God told me alot more money is coming and He even told me how much. I just have to make sure..the monies come, I put it to cancel the debts.

So yah..today..I had to deal with the immediate demand..don't know what to do. So i just prayed and felt led to just ask my parents if they could help. They gave me more than enough. So went to the bank payed off the cards. Now its all up to date.

I came back...look at my wife..and testified to her..God does cancel debt ! Just trust Him and do what He says. God always act for those that trust Him. So from here on..don't be rash with finances ..manage properly and wait.

I believe and love the local Church.

I love and believe in the purpose God birth the local church. I believe she is the hope of our world today. When she functions in the power of the Holy Spirit and lives on the Word she will thrive.

Den of Thieves or House of Prayer

Here are some points of revelation that I've got while preparing this passage of Scripture for a sermon last Saturday. Now I know why Miracles, Healings and Transformation seems to be on a dwindle at times..it is because we have lost our first love...and then revelation stops. For churches to grow and for our lives to flourish, we need to be rooted in our relationship with God thru Jesus Christ. In one word - PRAY.

Check this scriptures out. Isaiah 56:7; Matthew 21:13; Mark 11:17; Luke 19:46

1. House of Prayer or Den of Thieves? Its your decision to make.

2. House of PRayer = Jesus is Present
    Den of Thieves = Jesus is Absent.

3. House of Prayer - God is Lord = Peace and Progress
    Den of Thieves - God is Idol (dead) = Doves and money for peace and security.

4. House of Prayer = The Blind and Lame can find their way in for Miracles
    Den of Thieves = No entrance if you don't fit the bill.

5. In the House of Prayer, men does not have control. Jesus does. People are partners with God to bring about an advancement in God's kingdom. 

6. In the Den of Thieves, men controls alot..Jesus no even welcome..worship is just some verbal gymnastics..and prayer just a part of the entire 2 or more hours of program.

STIR- UP to take hold of God today !.

God's Promise to Word of Life.

Isaiah 60

 ^1-7 "Get out of bed, Jerusalem! Wake up. Put your face in the sunlight.
   God's bright glory has risen for you.
The whole earth is wrapped in darkness,
   all people sunk in deep darkness,
But God rises on you,
   his sunrise glory breaks over you.
Nations will come to your light,
   kings to your sunburst brightness.
Look up! Look around!
   Watch as they gather, watch as they approach you:
Your sons coming from great distances,
   your daughters carried by their nannies.
When you see them coming you'll smile—big smiles!
   Your heart will swell and, yes, burst!
All those people returning by sea for the reunion,
   a rich harvest of exiles gathered in from the nations!
And then streams of camel caravans as far as the eye can see,
   young camels of nomads in Midian and Ephah,
Pouring in from the south from Sheba,
   loaded with gold and frankincense,
   preaching the praises of God.
And yes, a great roundup
   of flocks from the nomads in Kedar and Nebaioth,
Welcome gifts for worship at my altar
   as I bathe my glorious Temple in splendor.

What's That We See in the Distance?

 ^8-22"What's that we see in the distance,
   a cloud on the horizon, like doves darkening the sky?
It's ships from the distant islands,
   the famous Tarshish ships
Returning your children from faraway places,
   loaded with riches, with silver and gold,
And backed by the name of your God, The Holy of Israel,
   showering you with splendor.
Foreigners will rebuild your walls,
   and their kings assist you in the conduct of worship.
When I was angry I hit you hard.
   It's my desire now to be tender.
Your Jerusalem gates will always be open
   —open house day and night!—
Receiving deliveries of wealth from all nations,
   and their kings, the delivery boys!
Any nation or kingdom that doesn't deliver will perish;
   those nations will be totally wasted.
The rich woods of Lebanon will be delivered
   —all that cypress and oak and pine—
To give a splendid elegance to my Sanctuary,
   as I make my footstool glorious.
The descendants of your oppressor
   will come bowing and scraping to you.
All who looked down at you in contempt
   will lick your boots.
They'll confer a title on you: City of God,
   Zion of The Holy of Israel.
Not long ago you were despised refuse—
   out-of-the-way, unvisited, ignored.
But now I've put you on your feet,
   towering and grand forever, a joy to look at!
When you suck the milk of nations
   and the breasts of royalty,
You'll know that I, God, am your Savior,
   your Redeemer, Champion of Jacob.
I'll give you only the best—no more hand-me-downs!
   Gold instead of bronze, silver instead of iron,
   bronze instead of wood, iron instead of stones.
I'll install Peace to run your country,
   make Righteousness your boss.
There'll be no more stories of crime in your land,
   no more robberies, no more vandalism.
You'll name your main street Salvation Way,
   and install Praise Park at the center of town.
You'll have no more need of the sun by day
   nor the brightness of the moon at night.
God will be your eternal light,
   your God will bathe you in splendor.
Your sun will never go down,
   your moon will never fade.
I will be your eternal light.
   Your days of grieving are over.
All your people will live right and well,
   in permanent possession of the land.
They're the green shoot that I planted,
   planted with my own hands to display my glory.
The runt will become a great tribe,
   the weakling become a strong nation.
I am God.
   At the right time I'll make it happen."

People Get Ready

Curtis Mayfield

People Get Ready

People get ready, there's a train comin'
You don't need no baggage, you just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
You don't need no ticket you just thank the lord

People get ready, there's a train to Jordan
Picking up passengers coast to coast
Faith is the key, open the doors and board them
There's hope for all among those loved the most
There ain't no room for the hopeless sinner whom would hurt all mankind
Just to save his own
Have pity on those whose chances grow thinner
For there is no hiding place against the kingdoms throne

People get ready there's a train comin'
You don't need no baggage, just get on board
All you need is faith to hear the diesels hummin'
You don't need no ticket, just thank the lord 

Click here to hear the song 

Piercings and Tattoos.

PIERCING AND TATTOOS

Then you shall take an awl, and put it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your slave forever. And to your female slave you shall do the same. (Deut 15:17)

You shall not make any cuts on your body for the dead or tattoo yourselves: 
I am the Lord.
(Lev 19:28)

Then his master shall bring him to God, and he shall bring him to the door or the doorpost. And his master shall bore his ear through with an awl, and he shall be his slave forever.(Ex 21:6)

This is not an exhaustive study on the topic but just my understanding of things now.

If you are going into OT and trying to apply certain laws etc..you need to understand things in context and why they did that. Piercings and tatooings in OT carries the meaning of being OWNED by certain gods and masters. Remember the Israelites just came out of Egypt...they did not know much of who this God is..

It was more of clearing ones life of old ways and old believes ...so that God can bless them. God was freeing them from slavery and bondage as those piercings and tattoos were signs of their commitment and worship to the past. Till today, there are certain rituals and practices that people do on their bodies to show allegience to their gods. I suppose that's what it meant then.

If you read 1 Corinthians..you see things like Paul asking ladies to keep quiet and not preach ..only man can preach. Or women must cover themselves with head coverings why leh ? does that mean we all have to do that now ?..If it is not mentioned anywhere else in the Bible..then we must be careful on application...Paul was refereing to the need to respect cultures..and cultures is respect. Jesus never destroyed people's way of life..He just love people overflowing till the way of life is influece by Him.

Today, ear piercings for guys..can mean the guy is are or something else. But tattoos are pretty irremovable..so does that mean a new convert with tattoos..cannot be accepted by Jesus ? surely no right..because God sees the heart more. Anyways..the flesh alreayd crucified...

People like to label others as this or that. It is religious people that find differences unaccetable..If there are gays and lesbians in the congregation..or suddenly an unbeliever lights a cigaret in church..will you kick them out ? I won't..I will preach and accept them..let God change them...Get rid of religion brother..Faith is empowering to do the right things.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit = Not an Option.

The Baptism of the Holy Spirit = Not an Option.

¹³ And now you Gentiles have also heard the truth, the Good News that God saves you. And when you believed in Christ, he identified you as his own by giving you the Holy Spirit, whom he promised long ago. (Eph 1:13, NLT)

Some translation like NKJV says everyone that believes in Jesus Christ and has turn their lives over to Him has been sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. Every Christian has been sealed. This is God's proof of ownership of us, hence we always quote Galatians 2:20...I have been crucified together with Christ. It is no longer I that lives...This is our declaration that our lives have been bought at the cost of the life of God's only Son. 

How do we understand this seal ? God gave me a revelation recently. Suddenly I do understand with clarity. Think of a soda bottle lets say "Coke"...as it is widely popular with everyone. We can identify a coke bottle from lets say other colas..as we have become familiar with its shape and label. This is the seal.

For me, the baptism of the Holy Spirit as in Acts 1:8 to Acts 2 is not an option for every believer. It is an imperative. Tongues is not the issue..but the Baptism is. Baptism is an overflowing...Just like water baptism is..we need to be submerged so that the new life of Christ and overflow us. The Holy Spirit in us is the promise of the Father..and as in John 7:38-39..from our hearts will flow rivers of living water...and this is talking about the Holy Spirit !

In Acts 1:8 - Jesus identifies the Holy Spirit as POWER - Dunamis to be witness of His. The Holy SPirit in filling and the life that comes out of the presence of God in us is like that "Coke" bottle...when empty we know its a coke bottle still but it is useless to Coke the company and us the consumers. 

Just as that empty Coke bottle needs to be filled with that oh so delicious cola that quenches thirst and profits the Coke company...That empty container that is our lives needs to be filled with the Presence of God - That is the Holy Spirit filling us up...That in-filling is not a one-off experience but shud happen as we grow in the Lord and as we ask Him to fill us with fresh anointing. 

When God's Spirit is in you...then you are useful to HIm and useful to others as you are being poured out for the blessings of others. So if you are baptised in the Holy Spirit..go pray for someone..ask God to use you..to speak into your desires..etc..only when that bottle cap is removed and that juice is enjoyed..  then we become useful for God's glory !

⁵ You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies;
         You anoint my head with oil;
         My cup runs over (Ps 23:5).

See even in Psalms 23:5, God never blesses and gives by measure..He gives till you overflow ! The Holy Spirit overflowing in us is the resurrection power that raise Christ from the dead (see Romans 8)..and that power of life and creative life is in You..so ask God to baptise you today..

Tongues is the just evidence of His presence in You...So wonderful right..Your faith in Him is rewarded in outward expression of that inward presence of God ! You don't have to wonder if you will ever be saved or going to heaven..speak in tongues..and you know ! WOO HOO !

Luv 

Edwin

Until You have Prayed

Until You have Prayed

Jeremiah 33:3 (New Living Translation)

³ Ask me and I will tell you remarkable secrets you do not know about things to come. 

Daniel 11:32 (New King James Version)

³² Those who do wickedly against the covenant he shall corrupt with flattery; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and carry out great exploits.

Every exploit and every thing we step out to do, make sure it is covered with prayer. This is the one thing alot of people struggle with as prayer is Spirit and effort and methods are fleshly. However when we pray, mountains are moved and the impossible becomes possible.

This is because we step into our position in CHrist and our hope of glory is in Christ. Its is not that we are weak and incapable..so we hide in prayer. Sure there are people with problems often find solace and refuge in prayer..It is usually the meek not weak that find strength to restrain our fleshly desires and choose to be led God come through for us. They that put their trust in Him, will never be put to shame. Waiting time is not wasted time.

When we pray, we know who He is and those daily encounters with Him shud never be rushed. Don't just end your prayer time just because you have nothing more to say. Linger more and more in God's presence.  

I discovered the importance of prayer and the power it releases when I was a very young Christian. Don't know much about the Bible then...don't even know the right words to say or pray with. I had an excruciating pain on the left side of my face. Initially thought it was a toothache. So went to a dentist to get the tooth out. After X-rays, it was not tooth problem..but infected sinuses. Was given antibiotics and a weeks rest to overcome.

However the pain was terrible..could not sleep at all. I was watching a Christian program on TV..it was a lady called Maralyn Hickey on TV..She shared that she was sick one day and she had to preach. So she prayed every hour in that day..God healed her. So not knowing anything..I "prayed"..ask God to heal me like He did for her. So every hour of the day, I would pray for 15-20 minutes. Later in the evening, I went to pray..Thank God I found a scripture in Psalms 103 to "remind" God of His promises. 

Started by singing a praise song..then felt I needed to put my hands on my cheek. The moment I did that and kept on praying..felt a warm sensation fill my body. When that experience ended, the pain was totally gone ! WOW ! Hallelujah ! That was the start of a great adventure with God. Till today, He has never failed..He is always on time.

Today I am praying for a RM12,000 miracle to pay off all our past dues because of the church work of the past. Need to clear it ..Believing God for it. He will do it ! 

Oh year one more thing...when you don't know what to do or what decision to make...pray until God speaks (Rhema) to you..Don't move on logos (written word) alone. Because whenever we ask God for directions and confirmations..I tell you all kinds of voices will be heard. Suddenly everybody wants to employ you and use you. Don't budge until you hear His voice and have peace in heart. If there are questions in your heart regarding a certain direction..its probably the Holy Spirit telling you to think it thru somemore or stop. Wait ! When God speaks...Rhema..wait for Him to move you and do it for you. (Read Nehemiah 9). Possess the best not the good.

I will share more of this later on !

Pray..and if you can fast too. Prayer is like turning on the tap and revival bursting forth !

Call on His name today !

Luv 

Edwin

Adultery = Sexual Addiction ?

 Adultery = Sexual Addiction ?

²For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night.

 ³While they are saying, "Peace and safety!" then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape.

 ⁴But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 

(1 Thess 5:2-4)

I was reading through Genesis especially about Sodom and Gomorrah where things people think Adam was created for Steve and not Eve becomes an accepted norm

..I got a revelation about Jesus coming back...He will come back when the world is at "peace".."peace" where people accept things that are wrong and sinful..where people explain away error..for example..adultery as sexual addiction as if its like drinking alcohol.."peace"..when everybody thinks ..the antichrist is in control..

The antichrist would come when the World is in trouble  (Tribulation) and need peace..seemingly he will come portraying himself like Christ..but IS NOT..but somehow able to bring "peace" ...and like the thief of the night..Just when people think all is "ok"..people living in so called peace where obscure is accepted and sin justified....then

Jesus comes back ! then its too late...All this developments of late of Tiger and others..and the seemingly easiness of people to let go and "understand" or even in our country recently..a politician who was caught in adultery ..is voted as leader of the party..Jesus is coming back.

Troubling but Expecting.

Marketplace Evangelism

^{MARKETPLACE EVANGELISM}

¹³for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

 ¹⁴How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? ¹⁵And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!" (Rom 10:13-15)

I always believe that the best thing to invest in is not buildings, or business etc. It is the people that God has entrusted to us. Isaiah 60, tells us to lift-up our eyes...for the people God has for you, is there. It is therefore our responsibility to care and disciple them.

"Lift up your eyes and look about you:
       All assemble and come to you;
       your sons come from afar,
       and your daughters are carried on the arm. (Is 60:4)

We must never disciple and minister to control or to pay your Church maintenance and workers salaries. If this happens, we will fear and tremble when people leave. Churches always goes through renewal and transitions...God cuts and prunes (John 15). We must preach, teach and disciple to see people empowered and become effective in standing in God through everything that pertains to life. When they succeed and grow in faith, then that's the joy of our ministry. 

Marketplace evangelism is not about making money or growing businesses..eventhough the wealth of the unrighteous will be given to us..this kind on greed breeds patronizing and "superior than thou" attitudes in us. We end up gobbling and trempling on people in order to get. We must understand that God's promises is up to Him and His methods to bring it to past. Integrity must be maintained as we wait on God. 

At the end of the day, being relevant in the Marketplace is not even becoming like the World. God called us to love (Agape) the World ...without condition..and not love (phileo) (See 1 john) demandingly..Why this so important ? It is because when we become the  Salt and Light...not too salty and not too bright...not too little salt and not too dim..Just right...We stand out and become relevant because God has put in us things that the World has not !..He has given us TRUTH ABSOLUTE and builds in us .Faith, Hope and Love...thru it all He has given us Peace ! To do all this He has given us the Holy SPirit to give us the POWER to be His Sons and Daughters..not just converts partaking at His grace..but SOns and Daughters enjoying His presence !

This the World has not..and wants ! How ? WE MUST PREACH THE GOSPEL..Care Yes..love Yes..but they won't know until we share with them the Hope that is in us. Do everything, live our lives..but in it all make it a pulpit to share the Gospel that saves !...

I see cafes being started...all kinds of business and entrepreneural endeavours being undertaken..good and all..WE MUST HAVE SOMETHING THAT PEOPLE NEED AND WANT..or else it will just be another cafe..another private school..another this and that..SHINE ! FOR HIM ...

That's why I believe in investing in people first..and building a core of leaders in Word of Life that believe and most importantly have a great relationship basking in the presence of God (John 15:1-5) When people excel, and grow in revelation..than whatever we do to reach the lost..becomes second nature....

So You Would Come (Hillsong).

Happy Easter !

Luv
Edwin.

Marriage : Who Shud You Choose ?

^{Marriage : Who Shud You Choose ?
2} So Abraham said to the oldest servant of his house, who ruled over all that he had, “Please, put your hand under my thigh, ³ and I will make you swear by the LORD, the God of heaven and the God of the earth, that you will not take a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I dwell; ⁴ but you shall go to my country and to my family, and take a wife for my son Isaac.” (Gen 24:2-4)

¹⁴ Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? (2 Cor 6:14)

²² He who finds a wife finds a good thing,
      And obtains favor from the LORD.(Pr 18:22)

One of my greatest passions in life...something that developed in me after being 8 years (this year) in marriage to my beautiful and God fearing wife is relationships in families...esp Husband and Wife.

Face it, Holy Matrimony is a slice of what the marriage between Jesus and His bride would be..2 shall become 1...We see in Scripture that marriage never meant to be dictatorial but loving and submissive and most of all REWARDING...I always believe and know as much as I am called by God..so is my wife..not just to bear me children and stay at home..but it is my duty to pray and encourage her to pursue God's call upon her life too. 

I remember reading the story off Smith Wigglesworth..a great man of God. Many would not remember that it was his wife, Polly that taught him to read and her ministry was full on way before his. She even told him that she may be his wife, but she was also called by God. 

When I was seeking for a companion, I was looking for a few things ..of course she must be beautiful, and more importantly was she must be so in love with God and in the ministry too...overall, she must be the one God had in mind for me. Why ? 

Answer is simply this : How can two walk together unless they agree ? If both are always on different page of the book of doing life and never able to agree on anything...how to become 1 ? ...Marriage is NOT just about SEX..if it is just about SEX then we are being self-fish and it is not love but LUST !. Outer appearance is important..but as you age, appearance matter less. But I've seen a godly woman grows more and more beautiful ..whereas a woman that has no God and live life anyhow just gets weary and down. 

Answer 2 :- Do you value your faith ? Faith and love is about giving and not just receiving. Sure love is agape (unconditional)..but it has to be a little give and take too (phileo)..sometimes in giving you have to give-up what you want for yourself...but sometimes you have to take too. That's the fun of life. Faith is like that isn't it..We love God wholeheartedly..but we too want Him to bless us too ! Without agreement how to get prayers answered ?

Answer 3 :- She is my joint heir...without my wife standing with me...how to do anything ? Can you imagine needing support...yet even those at home just don't support you ? Till this day, others have said no to me..but my wife always says yes. 

If you value your life and your salvation, don't go looking for unbelievers..God gave that principle not just for marriage but relationships ...don't even marry believers that cannot lift you up when you are down..Missionary minded relationships...meaning you think your love can bring your partner to Christ is so fool hardy. And marriage is forever...divorce is sin.

What happens if your marriage is all wrong today ?

Ans :- Don't blame anybody..God's word is 2000 years old. You have to make it work. If your spouse still wants to love you and be with you...come to God with repentance..and determine to love your spouse too. Find what works for him or her..not just for yourself...

Everyone has a love bank. .and a need to be loved and appreciated.  Just like our bank accounts..the more we put in as savings, the more interest we get. The more we withdraw, the lesser there is in the long run.  Many relationships run into debts and despair because we've stretched the patience and loyalty of our spouses to way over limit. We taken too much and taken their love for us for granted..We've abused their trust. We think Oh they would understand..or they SHUD understand..Now selfishness kills relationships..What about married couples that cannot cut their purse strings from their parents and stand with their spouse even when under pressure ? Who are you married too ? your mother in-law or father in-law or your spouse ? Stop making withdrawals..and start PAYING BACK..Start investing again ! Put love back into the love bank of your spouse.

SOme prefer gifts...others a compliment..others just your presence and time..find what works..and make that commitment to be consistent..don't be robot about it..make it spontaneous but make it regular too. 

Love your spouse today more than you did yesterday !

For the harvest

Edwin

Faith Heard, Faith Spoken.

 Faith Heard, Faith Spoken.

22 For I was ashamed to request of the king an escort of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy on the road, because we had spoken to the king, saying, “The hand of our God is upon all those for good who seek Him, but His power and His wrath are against all those who forsake Him.” 23 So we fasted and entreated our God for this, and He answered our prayer. (Ezra 8:22-23)

We know very well that faith comes by hearing and by hearing the Word of God...but did you know, Faith is also what we speak and declare when faith is needed ?

When I was a student, we often hear friends say this, "aiyoh ! die lah die lah..surely fail one"..As we will eat the fruits of our confession (Pr 18), we confess our lack of confidence in God, we will bear it too. 

However if we even through the "reality" or "real" issues facing us, we speak God's word and our Confidence in Him...God will surely move the mountains for us. Have faith in God ! God can surely do that which you declare that He can. 

God Bless

Edwin

Word of Life in brief.

 Word of Life in brief.

My wife and I have been serving the Lord "full-time" since 2000..10 years now. For me I have been serving since 1995..never stop serving Him since the time I got saved. It was in 2003-04 that God begin to call us out of the place we were serving and to take this journey of faith with Him. We were at lost than because my wife was heavily pregnant and I was about to be promoted to Assistant Pastor then. But know so strongly God was asking us to obey. The Bible verses and stories that time that I kept hearing was Abraham's step of obedience eventhough he know not where or what awaits him. So we obeyed.
One year of praying and preparations..also taking time to raise our new born boy...we started seeking God for clearer directions.

God led us step by step in pioneering a new work called Word of Life, Johor Bahru.

Word of Life started on May 1, 2005 with a simple vision to disciple people and to empower people to pursue their God given "work" or callings.

For 4 years we went through many lessons in the school of hard knocks which today we realised was necessary to be where we are today- ready to do greater works. One thing we truely realised is God's awesome love and dedication to the people He gave His only Son for. In doing ministry, if we don't have passion for people and wanting to encourage people to walk with God, we are not doing ministry at all. God really really loves people.

It was in October of 2009, that we decided to stop all work to seek God for further directions as WOL was not breaking through. Nearly 5 months of being refreshed and lots and lots of prayer, God spoke to us through prophecies and in our quiet time that He is not done with WOL. He wants us to continue doing it and doing it at Impian Emas.

Impian Emas was where we were...until I got electrocuted and nearly lost my life. We left Impian Emas because the landlord of the premise we were renting could not guarantee us that the power leakage that was detected by the Utility board..was properly rectified. After that to hold the church together, we rented hotel ballrooms, and other facilities. It was a journey indeed..But God kept on speaking of a great future for WOL.

When God finally confirmed WOL again for this next phase, He said, He wanted us to go back to the place of defeat ..as He was going to give us victory (Isaiah 60). I believe WOL will grow and become one of the most dynamic and effective church in Malaysia that will touch nations !

God has called us to

:- LOVE HIM, LOVE PEOPLE AND LOVE LIFE

To Achieve that ...our mission as His Servants is to

:- Disciple every member to obey the Great Commandments and empower them to fulfill the Great Commission.

OUr desire is to reach our generation and those before with the Gospel..show them that they too if they allow God to flow through them, their lives will be transformed and will become purposeful. (Isaiah 60)

Word of Life is a Church of relevance and will be respected and loved by the community. It will be a place people from all walks will experience what LOVE is. Where the WORD is preached, taught and LIVED ..without any religious boredom. WOrd of LIfe is a place where people will discover God and discover their purpose...People will be empowered to LIVE LIFE as NO ONE is a failure..but the head and not the tail. Above only and not beneath..WE ARE BLESSED !

YEHA ! I am so excited at what God is doing and going to do ! Our future is so bright.

Come join us as we push forward into God's plan.

Edwin

WANDERFUL to WONDERFUL : YOURS TO POSSESS

WANDERFUL to WONDERFUL : YOURS TO POSSESS

 ¹⁵ You gave them bread from heaven for their hunger,

      And brought them water out of the rock for their thirst,

      And told them to go in to possess the land

      Which You had sworn to give them. Neh 9:15

I see too many people struggling with financial issues, struggling in lives endeavours and goals. Religion ties us down with this cannot do, that cannot do. This has caused many people serving the Lord to struggle with tonnes of financial issues..and Christians struggling to reach for the stars. My wife and I too know what it means to have very little or none at all or struggle with debts etc and wondering why the God we serve, only provides bits here..bits there...He does provide..but in the Wandering phase where we are not sure of our foot steps in life...just like the Israelites ..God does provide as we see from Neh 9:15...but God wants us to move from Wandering (confused / fear / uncertain)..to the Place of WONDERFUL...How ?..read on.

After coming out from bondage, the Israelites were not familiar with this new found faith and journey. Everything was so new...and unfamiliar. This caused them to move from WONDER to WANDER and they did that for 40 years.

We know that through the report of the spies that went into Canaan, the land that God had for them was WONDERFUL..flowing with milk and honey was their report..but they were sure that they would not be able to overcome the obstacles enough to enjoy the blessings of God for them. They sealed their fate through their confession. 

Caleb on the other hand was of a different spirit (ruach). He declared that if God is for them, they would be able to overcome. But yet the progress of those that believed was held back because only one thing that is needed was lacking in the rest - BELIEVE.

Without BELIEVE WANDERING sets in. Wandering about the whys and the hows. People that try to discipher God's methods will always end up WANDERING and NEVER possessing.

How do you step out of WANDERING phase and step into the WONDERFULness of what GOd has for you?

1. What do you want ? - James 1:8 tells us a double minded person is unstable in all their ways. Receives nothing. Faith is does not confuse..Faith is determined and is focused. Know what you want..or shud I say, know what God wants..this brings me to the next point.

2. Step out of Wandering phase and into POSSESSING phase. - Stop waiting and begin actively acquiring what you aimed for. Start planning..Start praying and speaking God's promises over and into your goal. Do it all the time in prayer until you get it..your spirit picks up and begins to rise in faith.

For me, when God wanted us to rebuild Word of Life Church..I started actively reading God's Word (Joshua 1:8)..I ask God to speak to me regarding the Church. Sooner than later, He gives me promises in the Bible - Psalms 125, Isaiah 60 and Nehemiah. Whenever I pray for the church, instead of whinning and crying..I pray using those promises and literally personalise and speak prophetically.

You see God's word is His souce of Creation..The Holy Spirit is the Power that turns the Word into matter !

So instead of waiting and wandering..START by knowing what is it that you want God to do. One issue at a time...begin to pray it into being..and also if you can take practical steps lets say..if you are looking for a house..start looking for a house..faith is like that..sometimes we have to correct our steps going forward...at least you are moving forward !

Now He has made you more than a conqueror ! so start Possessing His promises for you !.

Luv 

Edwin.

Wealth and Cares of the World...throw them away?

^{Wealth and Cares of the World...throw them away?}

¹⁹ The seed that fell on the footpath represents those who hear the message about the Kingdom and don’t understand it. Then the evil one comes and snatches away the seed that was planted in their hearts. ²⁰ The seed on the rocky soil represents those who hear the message and immediately receive it with joy. ²¹ But since they don’t have deep roots, they don’t last long. They fall away as soon as they have problems or are persecuted for believing God’s word. ²² The seed that fell among the thorns represents those who hear God’s word, but all too quickly the message is crowded out by the worries of this life and the lure of wealth, so no fruit is produced. ²³ The seed that fell on good soil represents those who truly hear and understand God’s word and produce a harvest of thirty, sixty, or even a hundred times as much as had been planted!” 

 (Mt 13:19-23)

Lets get this straight from the start. The Word of God spoken to us at Church, at home, by ministers or even unbelievers..(hey ! God can speak through donkeys right ?), is not the the source of being unfruitful. In fact ! we may not know this...but the devil does..that's why in verse 19, we see the devil stealing the seed that fell on the footpath...because he knows that God's Word is powerful and is a double edged sword...even the footpath can have cracks and the Word goes in and does a tranformation ! How many times we reject people just because they are hard nuts to crack ! This inspired me to realised hey instead of rejecting 75% of people in church, now we can have possible 75% more of growth.

1. Footpath - In Jesus' time, footpaths were probably not bitumen type. It was probably those dusty kind of paths or even pebbled / rock paved pathways. What we do know here is ...the surface is hard and unyielding. People can be like this..they have no place for God's word due to unbelieve, ignorance or just life has been unfair to them. Is that too hard for God to work...yes but not impossible ! I believe we just need to connect with people better. Do life with people ! get to know them on the surface and take a sincere interest in their interest..Listen for a change. Don't always be in the hurry to PREACH !...Love first.  Be an active listener. Who knows, the more you do life with people, the more you grow too ! hey even unbelievers have spoken things to me that God used to make a difference in my life. Listening is respect and may open more doors because you took the effort to care.

2.Rocky Soil - They receive the Word but no stickability. Hey sometimes in our life too, we do have rocks in us too...Rocks not the granite kind...but habits, lifestyle, stubborness, things we like or dislike, etc..that stops us from accepting God's Word. The best example of all is the need to forgive...Many of us like to hang on to hate because we think it makes others feel worst than us but actually we are for worst not them. Its like drinking poison and thinking it will kill your enemy. It could even be the way we were brought-up. God is not saying He wants us to change or else ! ...NO ! He said, we need to give-up what is not healthy for us, so that He can BLESSED us even more ! I think here, proper pastoral care and discipleship can aid in people being positioned for more blessings ! Helping people to stick and go deeper. Remember Jesus asked Peter to go deeper to catch fish ?...I think Jesus could have done a more powerful miracle..example like causing fishes to fall from the sky ! haha or swim into shore...or appear from the ground !...but why did Jesus ask Peter to go deep ? it was not for Jesus' ...but it was more for Peter. Lets go deeper with Christ today and see the exceeding abundance of God !

3.Thorns - This are people are caught-up by the lure of wealth and cares of the world. Does this mean, we have to forget about making money and whatever pressures and stresses of life, we imagine they are not there ? Some Christians resort to telling themselves, these things are not real or they are a test of faith ! IS THAT IT ? What is so wrong about money ?

Actually there's nothing wrong. 1 Timothy 6:10, tells us the "love of money" is the root of all evil. Love is something close to the heart. That means instead of telling the rich to part with their wealth or the poor to give-up working because wealth gain's nothing...it is more of a matter of the heart - a matter of PRIORITY !. Matthew 6:33 tells us to put God and His Kingdom's purpose first in our hearts...no longer we work to be rich , but we gain a new purpose in life...God's pleasure and glory. Riches (true riches), salaries, bonuses are rightfully yours but no longer what you work so hard for ! You begin to trust God more...and realise Jehovah Jireh is Your FATHER !

What about those with cares? Family, children, marriage, education, car, house, debts, etc.. are cares of the world. Even if you live in the jungle you will be also find stresses too. These are real issues, people in the real world faces. Discipleship and pastoral care can guide people to trust God more by teaching God's word in faith and not to control. Best thing of all is not being a solve all problems super hero..but to be a brother that sticks with people and encouraged them to step-up.

Finally is the good soil. Good soil is good only because it is teachable, but it is a person that is abiding in Christ and obedient to His Word. To be willing and obedient to God is the key of eating of the good of the land (Isaiah 1:19). Don't let issues cloud your senses. Always always, keep yourself in God through prayer and constant meditations of God's Word. Be open. When fellowship is deeply entrenched in your life, that whatever you ask in His name, it will be done !

I pray that you will be blessed ..exceedingly abundantly according to the power that is at work in you ! That truely as you address the condition of your life, and be open to God...amazing things will happen for your good !

Luv Edwin