1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Here it goes, flying off to Cambodia for missions tomorrow, and had official farewell from NS ministry to transit to SMU today! As I looked back at my NS journey, and look forward to whats ahead, a verse that I’m holding dearly now is this:

However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen,
   what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”—
   the things God has prepared for those who love him—

these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God.

-1 Corinthians 2:9-10

Bon Voyage

Retelling: The Parable of the Good Samaritan

http://loveintruth.com/interpret/parables

In their book How to Read the Bible (p.133), Fee and Stuart present a modern version of the Good Samaritan to help us experience the impact of the first telling. “As an audience it assumes a typical, well-dressed, middle-American Protestant congregation.”

A family of disheveled, unkempt individuals was stranded by the side of a major road on a Sunday morning. They were in obvious distress. The mother was sitting on a tattered suitcase, hair uncombed, clothes in disarray, with a glazed look to her eyes, holding a smelly, poorly clad, crying baby. The father was unshaved, dressed in coveralls, the look of despair as he tried to corral two other youngsters. Beside them was a run-down old car that had obviously just given up the ghost.

Down the road came a car driven by the local bishop; he was on his way to church. And though the father of the family waved frantically, the bishop could not hold up his parishioners, so he acted as if he didn’t see them.

Soon came another car, and again the father waved furiously. But the car was driven by the president of the local Kiwanis Club and he was late for a statewide meeting of Kiwanis presidents in a nearby city. He too acted as if he did not see them, and kept his eyes straight on the road ahead of him.

The next car that came by was driven by an outspoken local atheist, who had never been to church in his life. When he saw the family’s distress, he took them into his own car. After inquiring as to their need, he took them to a local motel, where he paid for a week’s lodging while the father found work. He also paid for the father to rent a car so that he could look for work and gave the mother cash for food and new clothes.

Obviously, this version does not present a completely equivalent situation, but it does shock us somewhat, reminding us of how the lawyer must have felt when he was confronted with a “good’ Samaritan who for him would be virtually the same as an atheist for us.

The parables were not comfortable, “nice” stories. They were intended to provoke a reaction; they should provoke a reaction in us also.

Christian: Set Apart 3

Running The Race

Yes! I ran over 30 mins for the first time in my life tonight :) It’s pretty crazy, my last run was like 3 weeks ago and I only ran about 16 minutes. When I timed, I ran for almost 36 mins in total. I hope that’s 5km xD

As I ran, I decided to run a new route. So I ran a different path in my housing area. As I kept running further, I ended up at a main road with signboards that pointed to Serangoon North, Hougang and even Woodlands! Nothing seemed familiar, but I just continued to run along the main road, ended up among HDBs, and even carparks, but I managed to loop back to my housing area in the end :) It was really refreshing to just run and explore, but yet have this sense that you’ll get back to your house even when you’re venturing on.

When I stopped and started walking, my legs were wobbling quite badly. Thank God they regained posture, as I had a long walk back home. My muscles were cramping up, my knee and my ankle part were painful. I was concerned if it may have been overstressed as I recalled that I failed my NAPFA retake because I overstressed my hamstrings from sprinting. They were damaged for 1 month, and I ended up in BMT Physical Training Phase 10 days after A levels. But well, even if it may be a lil’ overstressed, I still felt the run was so worth it! It was the first time I ran so long and so far! And yes, I can do it again :)

I remembered Paul’s words about running to win a race, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.” -1 Corinthians 9:24-27

Even though my legs may be have been overstressed, I “strike a blow” to it so that I can have such a run as I did for the first time tonight. If I want to get the “prize”, I need to make it more routine and also continue to persevere too. Just as I reached my door steps, I saw a small white light streaked pass the night sky. It happened so quickly, and there were clouds too, but I believed it was a shooting star! Wow.. Just as I took out my phone and checked Facebook, Evangelist Daniel Kolenda posted “A person who is running to win has made a choice to lay everything else down for the sake of the prize.” Man this is really cool!!

This reminded me that this life on Earth is a race. It can be like a marathon, we may even be lost in some new route, our bodies may be battered, but yet it is temporal, even like that shooting star. May my life on Earth not just pass by, but be a beautiful light that streaks pass in the night sky.

I am also reminded that though I’m faced with uncertainties, issues and transitions now, I must not run aimlessly but keep my eyes on Christ, seeking His Kingdom first and the prize that is ahead. One uncertainty would be CPA. God is leading me, yet there are often ethical lines to be concerned about. And I can spend $70 daily but get nothing for consecutive days. I’ve spent about 2.1k and got about $850. Last week, I was really at a point where I did not know if I should continue CPA. I asked God, if it’s something you want me to continue, let me get some conversions/results, even up to $100, or even $200 when I wake up the next day. After praying, I was about to sleep and I refreshed my CPA page. To my amazement, I got exactly $200, which was what I prayed! God, you win lol! I’m continuing CPA, but I barely have funds anymore. So I’m looking for tuition requests and possibly part-time jobs too. Ethical issues in CPA biz is still a concern as there are many grey lines, and it makes me think about how Biz will be like as I go to SMU and then work. Mission trip is in about 10 days, and there’s still much prep and planning to do, there’s also Hope Sem assignments and readings, FTT in June and I barely started studying, I'm also helping in my mum’s biz etc.

However, these uncertainties, issues and transitions are things that I do not go through alone. God knows them and he cares for me. In Matthew 6:32-33, it says “For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.”

It is such a comfort, that though I know not what the future holds, I know who holds it. Furthermore, this life on Earth is like a race. No matter how many twists and turns there are or how tiring it is, let us press on, for we will be reunited with Christ and with our Heavenly Father. So, let it be said again “Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air. No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”

Mother's Day Weekend

The night before Saturday, I knew that my mum had work so she could not join my grandma and aunt to go for the mandarin service together. When I woke up, it happened that my mum’s work was rescheduled. We headed down to fetch my aunt and grandma, but it turned out that my grandma even slept at 8/9am that day, so she only got a few hours of sleep. We were running late, and my grandma was saying she didn’t want to go because she was tired and she thought the Mother’s Day service is on Sunday. Thank God, we still went, ate at Sultan Kitchen, and head in just as service was beginning.

During the service, Rayson Tan shared about his testimony and how his mum also came to know Christ. My grandma was sleeping throughout most of the sharing. However, as we stood up to worship and respond, I asked her “Ahma, 要不要一起接受耶稣的爱?” She said yes! She said yes!! I was shocked! Me and my mum took her hands and walked to the front, my mum was 感动流泪, and we prayed the sinners’ prayer together.

Later on, I met with my friend Wen Hui who was coming for the 5pm service. When he reached, it was already 5+, and he did know that the service was at 5. He haven’t ate too. I met Wen Hui at the CPA Workshop and we got to chat a lot. I found out that he does a private investment and he has been sharing with me more about it. I would be interested, but then no mullah!

We went to MyTube Cafe, and just got drinks as he’ll go off at 6.30 for dinner. I was surprised that he did not share more about the investment with me, as it was our first face-to-face since the workshop. His mother is a Christian, but he doesn’t know God yet. Still, he was open to listen to my sharing of how God led me to CPA and guided me so far. He even bought a Christian T-shirt for me and I like it! Thank God I also got him a gift that I wanted to give for his birthday, though it was a few weeks back. He joined and listened to the discussions with the mothers and children, and stayed for the service before leaving. I’m glad to know him, and am excited as he is open to join for service again :)

So Sunday morning came, and being a night owl, I was still kinda out. However, as it was Mother’s Day, I went with my mother and my dad for the morning service. It was great to be able to go together, as my dad had also been busy with work even on weekends. I wasn’t sure about giving a gift, so I gave my mum a personal card.

After the service, my mum had to do some things in Hope, so me and my dad left. It was the first time me and my dad took public transport together, and we had a time of bonding that we rarely have. We then went for lunch, and my dad bought me a new sports shoes, and the membership registration at the sports shop also came with a water bottle, I just happened to need one :)

We went to visit my dad’s mother, Ahma Koh. Her health isn’t good, and it has been a while since I visited her. I was glad to be able to spend time and talk with her. Though I did not share about God’s love, it was sufficient just to spend that time with her. She is old and frail, so I do pray that God may open her heart, to turn from the religious idols and things to Christ.

After the visit, I rushed off for a time with the “Hope Bball League” guys. Man, I love the new shoes :D We also had dinner and a LAN session (Finally after sooo long). I got to have a good time catching up with my 1st shepherd, my ex-LGL, and brothers who were from Central with me when I first came to Hope. Thank you for such a great weekend Father :)

Testimony of Paul

As I quickly reflected about Paul’s life and ministry on Earth. I realized that He always give thanks, rejoices and exalts Christ, even though he faces numerous hardships, countless rejections and persecutions, even stoning, shipwrecks and whipping.

In my life, I am glad for the grace of God in my life, and it’s because of it, I am who I am today. Because of Jesus, I am no longer condemned, I am set free and changed. From someone who’s socially awkward or even autistic, I spoke up more through the assurance and love of Christ, to even let others know His love. From being self-centered and spoiled, I want to live my life on Earth for others. And even in my studies and future work, He leads and guides me. For my family and friends, I am blessed. For this fellowship with Him and His Word, I am blessed. For even extraordinary testimonies, like healings and knowing and witnessing the salvation of this brother, Etienne, I am blessed.

I still get anxious daily, especially in things like providence, would the CPA Internet Biz work out? There are practices that I do not want to adopt as they are of the flesh. Yet I am “losing out” because people are looking to these methods. And when I go to SMU Biz, how will my future be mapped out from there? I do not want to be self-seeking in Biz at others’ expense, I do not want to adopt bad practices in Biz. My current funds to do CPA are almost out. But I still remember that miraculous day, that I was spending more time just to seek God, and to share with my mentee that I do not want to adopt bad practices in CPA. Then just before I slept, my earnings of $146 in 3 weeks suddenly became a total of $434, almost tripled!! Well, thereafter, the results I’ve got makes me uncertain about what I’m doing again.

But then, I look to Paul. He has learned to be content in whatever circumstances, knowing what it is to be in need or have plenty. In every situation, he can do everything through Him who gives him strength. And what more, to him, to live is Christ, to die is gain.

In his ministry, which was literally his whole life, God performed many miracles, brought forth many deliverance, and lead him in the Spirit. Don’t we want these miracles, these guidance and deliverance, and this favor? But then, this grace is already yours! God poured these things in Paul to build up the early Church extraordinarily and that was Paul’s delight. For Paul says, “If I am to go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. Yet what shall I choose? I do not know! I am torn between the two: I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is better by far; but it is more necessary for you that I remain in the body.”

I do not want to lose sight that I’m here to love people and to give God glory before He returns. So in my life, when I do not have answers to my uncertainties, like with regards to providence and course of work, when there are challenges, let me know that it is nothing to do with whether God favors me. Rather, let me rejoice that I am in Christ. In as much as we suffer with Christ, we are also glorified with Him. This life on Earth is but like a moment outside the Pearly Gates of Heaven, for when they open, we’ll be with God for all eternity. Therefore, whether CPA will be just an experience or an area to steward, it is not of much significance. While I do have to steward my finances well, what’s more is for me to bring the gospel people, and to love those who are in need.

So while I am doing CPA, and am going to Uni. Let me know, these things are not what I live for, like for real. Just as Paul said, “If anyone else thinks he has reasons to put confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eight day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews, in regard to the law, a Pharisee; as for zeal, persecuting the church; as for legalistic righteousness, faultless. But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ.”

For I am a co-heir in Christ, a Child of God. & what father, if a child asks for bread, will give him a stone? So therefore, let me too live my life more and more for Christ, just as Paul lived his whole life in dedication to Him. I thank God that my grandma and aunt will be coming for Mandarin Mother Day’s Service with me and my mum. May I continue to love them, and may they experience more of God’s love. And may I remember everyday, that I live in His love, and I live to love, for His glory :)

Christian: Set Apart 2

God had also been amazing to orchestrate some things in my life. He led me to spontaneously meet for dinner with my mentee, Etienne and his Kaplan Lifegroup, and then join them for an SMU Uni outreach event after the dinner. Random max!! However, after the event, it was announced that the Kaplan LG will be joining SMU ministry. Etienne just joined Kaplan LG a while back, and God has decided for us to continue to journey together in the same ministry. From being in the same section in Paya Lebar Airbase to now being in the same ministry :) He has also done so by letting me and my previous mentees journey together. Like by letting me and Shaun, be table buddies in KCPSS, and then in same CCAs in JC, and then in the same LG now in NS.

God had also been drawing others to Him during Easter. 4 of my friends came for ESS. One of them did not know much about Christianity and God. He came for 1st service and we even had a great time of sharing after the ESS. 3 of my friends came later. 1 of them is committed to his Buddhist belief since young, but he didn’t mind to join us. Another was unsure, but he said the sinner’s prayer!! Another friend said the prayer too, but he didn’t tell me, and my LG mate told me LOL! I’m really glad that God is drawing these brothers, and I’m sure, He’ll draw more others to Him this year.

I also prepared and took BTT for driving recently. I was quite worried as I did not read the BTT book. I just did test simulators and went for E-trial. On the day before the test, I was even scoring 32/50 on the test simulator D: But the E-trial test before the BTT helped a lot. Jordan from my LG was an ass, he didn’t encourage me but joke that if I fail, it means God thinks I’m not safe enough on the road. During BTT, despite being unsure for some questions I somehow got 50/50, full marks for the first time :) I decided to buy the FTT book, not because I’m scared I may fail. But because I wanted to make sure that I know my stuff well, for driving is an area that I can steward and honor God in, even if driving benefits myself personally.

God also led me to do CPA Internet Marketing. Since I ORD-ed last Dec, I helped my mum in her work, but could also take up a flexible part time job if I really wanted to. But I didn’t. Then at end Feb, my dad told me about CPA, and he even signed me up beforehand for the 3 days weekend workshop. If I did not know what it really was, I would probably not go for it because it was also on Saturday. However, it was an internet marketing that really intrigued me, and it is something I want to know more even as I study Biz in SMU.

It just happened that I’m the only one or two that is doing CPA, and am not working or studying yet. There was someone who already had experience in CPA and she joined my team out of the 12 teams. She helped me a lot. During one of the activities, I was chosen by my group and we got 1st place in it. At the end of the series of activities, my team was suppose to be 1st place, but a careless mistake at the end made us got from highest points to negative points. It was good to experience that mistake during the workshop, so we will not encounter it and make bigger losses when we actually start advertising.

I’ve already spent $900+ in it & only made $146 thus far.. However it’s a biz that you only see more profits as you continue to test and invest. I do not have much left to spend, but as God led me to do CPA, I pray He’ll provide for me to continue doing it. As with many professions and biz, there are practices that are not very ethical. One such example is “R&D”. You would think it’s research & development. Nope, it stands for “reference and duplicate”. It is to take people’s self-designed advertising picture, and use it yourself to advertise. It saves you time. Another would be tools to spy on what advertisement people are doing and how they do it, so you can copy too. I was really really tempted to follow suite as other CPA marketers do. I even bought one such tool. However, after trying to reason that it’s ok, I just said NO, it isn’t right to me and I deleted it. I am a Child of God, I want to delight in God and set myself apart to Him. Now I do not know how I can make profits with my limited $ left, but I want to honor God first.

God also led me to go for Hope Sem Mods, for OT1 & OT2. And even for Bible Interpretation even though I was on waiting list. I’m really glad to know so much more about each book of the OT and about a big picture of God’s redemptive plan since the beginning. However, what really caught me is that God is Holy. He is set apart, and the Israelites are to be set apart. Throughout OT, in Judges and the prophets, the people are constantly called to turn away from idolatry and prostitution to foreign “gods” and nations. God took no delight in their “sacrifices, fasting, sabbath and festival ordinances”. God only wants them to acknowledge that He is God, He is the one who provided for them, He is their God.

And I realized that so many things in the Bible, so many messages and promises, just asks us to acknowledge God! Acknowledge Him in all your ways, and He’ll make your paths straight. Jesus says those who believes in Him, will do greater things. Proclaim the gospel, and He’ll be with you always. Seek Him first, His Kingdom and His Righteousness, and He will add unto you these things.. The list goes on. There are just so many things that I have not fully acknowledge in faith, have I truly put Jesus as the center of my life? Do I believe in the Holy Spirit who counsels, helps and leads me? Do I believe that I can have such intimacy with God, that He can speak to me and that I can bless, heal and love others? Do I believe in really putting Him first before anything?

I’m really inspired by Men of God like Todd White, Reinhard Bonnke, Bill Johnson & Billy Graham. They claim God’s Word, who God is, and who God says they are in their lives. They live in intimacy with God, the HS & Jesus, living 24/7 Kingdom lifestyle. They find themselves still far from all God has created for them to be. And they believe that all of us have these access to the Father, all of us can claim God’s Word, and can have these spiritual blessings and authority.

If not for Hope Sem, it isn’t my personal discipline to study the Bible. It really is important, it’s God’s general revelation to us. All that needs to be known is completed in the Bible. It is the Word of Life & Truth. It is powerful and it’s living. It’s said that all scripture is God-breathed, helpful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training. It is said the truth will set you free. It is said that watch your doctrine carefully, so that you save both yourself and your hearers. It is said that those who delight in the law of God will be like a tree planted by the streams, always fruitful.. And more. I want to commit myself then, to study and know the Word, which then helps me to know and acknowledge God. The scale of how much to study and do is crazy, but I can take steps like to join WFL Book Studies later in the year, or to read books in the Bible like Ezekiel that I’m less familiar. The goodness of acknowledging His Word may not be obvious, but by taking time even in the current ministry to invest in it, it can bear fruits in the future ministries. The seeds you plant in this season, will be the fruits you pluck in the next.

If I can only choose between going Uni or investing in God’s Word, I would choose the latter. However, I do feel that God has placed me in SMU for His purposes. While transition isn’t bad, I kinda dread this coming transition to Uni, which will come along with new people, new things, new responsibilities, new environments. I really want to put God 1st, to continue to deepen my intimacy with Him and acknowledge Him even more. I’m so far from all that I’m created to be, I’ve yet to claim so much of His truths, like to know and let the HS lead me more. However, it starts from this desire, it starts from acknowledging him more, even in little things like my CPA biz, in my struggle, in how I relate to my parents, in listening and acting on His Word more.

We are called to be the salt and light of the World. We are called not just to be different, but to be distinguished from others. The pharisees noted that Peter and the disciples had been with Jesus, after seeing their courage and wisdom. David faced Goliath, not with the sword and spear, but the name of the Lord Almighty. Paul, from persecuting Christians, set himself apart as the chosen instrument to suffer and to spread the gospel everywhere he goes. Daniel refused to eat the palace food, but just vegetables, yet He was beaming with more health. Daniel despite being in foreign and enemy ground, chose to devote to God daily, and acknowledge God in all His ways. God poured out His power, His favor, His grace, His wisdom, His Spirit, His love and more on these people. We are called to reign in life through Christ! How do we do so? Maybe it’s just so hard to imagine, but I believe it starts from the faith to want to set ourselves apart, even in the little things, and then big things, to acknowledge and seek God 1st. God bless you :)