On last night of Sanctification Week, Senior Pastor brought a sobering message to the church.
"How does God see FCBC?" ; "How does God see you?"- were you taken by surprise to be likened to the church at Laodicea, one of the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation?
"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth....." (Rev 3:15, 16)
Ouch! Did we miss the good news first before the bad news? Without first a word of commendation to soften the blow, these words were strong and harsh, whichever version of the Bible we read from.
But wait a minute, here's something from the heart of a loving Father ...and it's not said for any of the other churches...
"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
(Rev 3:19, 20)
Sanctification week may be over but let us continue to press on with the Lord's sanctifying work in our lives. Let us pray that the fires of revival will continue to sweep through our church and turn every lukewarm spirit HOT FOR JESUS!
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
A Transformed Heart
Have we been to the sanctuary of God and come out with a transformed heart?
What does a transformed heart look like? Pastor Eugene shared these 3 indicators - a transformed heart is tender, teachable and transparent.
A transformed heart from God is truly one that is tender towards God. We will not allow our past wounds or disappointments to harden our hearts towards God or people. A heart that is tender is able to allow God to move freely within, is able to feel and beat with His passion.
A transformed heart from God is truly one that is teachable. We will be willing to hear from God and obey Him. We will not be stubborn and set in our ways nor will we put a condition to our obedience.
A transformed heart from God is truly one that is transparent. We will allow God to search and test our motives, recognising that our heart is deceitful above all things. When there's nothing to hide from God or people, we can walk in true freedom.
Is this your heart today?
If it is, praise God and yearn for more of Him.
If it is not, then cry to God to create this new heart in you.
The Bible says that we are new creations in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new creation would include a new transformed heart. We can all claim this new transformed heart. Don’t settle for any less.
What does a transformed heart look like? Pastor Eugene shared these 3 indicators - a transformed heart is tender, teachable and transparent.
A transformed heart from God is truly one that is tender towards God. We will not allow our past wounds or disappointments to harden our hearts towards God or people. A heart that is tender is able to allow God to move freely within, is able to feel and beat with His passion.
A transformed heart from God is truly one that is teachable. We will be willing to hear from God and obey Him. We will not be stubborn and set in our ways nor will we put a condition to our obedience.
A transformed heart from God is truly one that is transparent. We will allow God to search and test our motives, recognising that our heart is deceitful above all things. When there's nothing to hide from God or people, we can walk in true freedom.
Is this your heart today?
If it is, praise God and yearn for more of Him.
If it is not, then cry to God to create this new heart in you.
The Bible says that we are new creations in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new creation would include a new transformed heart. We can all claim this new transformed heart. Don’t settle for any less.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
We shall BEHOLD HIM !
We're more than halfway through our 40 day period of prayer and fasting. Have you lost your weight?
Not just your weight in kilos but your weight in sin and burdens and baggage which have been bugging you, for the longest time perhaps. Some of us have grown so accustomed to all these extra weight that we don't even feel it anymore. I pray you have experienced some measure of personal victory and success in overcoming and conquering self.
We've also read through more than half of the 150 chapters of Psalms - Well Done! Have you drawn closer to the Lord and found Him to be everything David declared Him to be? Our Refuge and Strength, Our Protector and Provider, the Mighty God and our Shepherd King?
For those whom the Spirit of the Lord has been given access, it's been a period of cleansing and deep heart searchings. This is the preparedness we need to enter into for Sanctification Week which crosses Good Friday and Easter Sunday (20-23 March). Let us come with willing hearts and expectant spirits to wait upon the Lord - for Him to deepen His purifying work in each of us, to lead us to the Revelation of the Cross and a Renewed Consecration of our hearts and lives to Him.
"I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory." ( Psalm 63:2 )
Not just your weight in kilos but your weight in sin and burdens and baggage which have been bugging you, for the longest time perhaps. Some of us have grown so accustomed to all these extra weight that we don't even feel it anymore. I pray you have experienced some measure of personal victory and success in overcoming and conquering self.
We've also read through more than half of the 150 chapters of Psalms - Well Done! Have you drawn closer to the Lord and found Him to be everything David declared Him to be? Our Refuge and Strength, Our Protector and Provider, the Mighty God and our Shepherd King?
For those whom the Spirit of the Lord has been given access, it's been a period of cleansing and deep heart searchings. This is the preparedness we need to enter into for Sanctification Week which crosses Good Friday and Easter Sunday (20-23 March). Let us come with willing hearts and expectant spirits to wait upon the Lord - for Him to deepen His purifying work in each of us, to lead us to the Revelation of the Cross and a Renewed Consecration of our hearts and lives to Him.
"I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory." ( Psalm 63:2 )
Sunday, March 09, 2008
In GOD Alone
"Now I know God calls me to DESIRE for Him and DEPEND on Him alone. But where do I start? How do I even begin to "fix" the condition of my heart?"
Let us ACKNOWLEDGE that it starts with God, that unless the Holy Spirit reveals to us the true condition of our hearts, helps us realize that we need Him, and puts in us a desire to draw near to Him, we cannot even progress. So cry out to God and put our confidence in the Holy Spirit's ability to transform us.
Let us ALLOW God to lead us on His path of transformation. Many times we refuse to follow the Lord's leading even into challenging situations because it's easier to stay in our comfort zones where our competency is sufficient to carry us. Unless we allow ourselves to be led to positions of need, we will not discover God's sufficiency and strength. So surrender and let God lead. Young people, let us die to ourselves and follow where the Holy Spirit leads.
"my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (Psalm 63:1B)
Let us ASPIRE towards God's standards and visions. We tend to set goals that are of the flesh and become satisfied with our own accomplishments. Yet it takes God's touch to light up our eyes to see the impossibilities and put in us a desire and hunger for the God-possibilities. This often happens in silence, in solitude and in prayer. Young people, allow God to excite you beyond your wildest dreams!
"I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory." (Psalm 63:2)
Let us ACKNOWLEDGE that it starts with God, that unless the Holy Spirit reveals to us the true condition of our hearts, helps us realize that we need Him, and puts in us a desire to draw near to Him, we cannot even progress. So cry out to God and put our confidence in the Holy Spirit's ability to transform us.
Let us ALLOW God to lead us on His path of transformation. Many times we refuse to follow the Lord's leading even into challenging situations because it's easier to stay in our comfort zones where our competency is sufficient to carry us. Unless we allow ourselves to be led to positions of need, we will not discover God's sufficiency and strength. So surrender and let God lead. Young people, let us die to ourselves and follow where the Holy Spirit leads.
"my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (Psalm 63:1B)
Let us ASPIRE towards God's standards and visions. We tend to set goals that are of the flesh and become satisfied with our own accomplishments. Yet it takes God's touch to light up our eyes to see the impossibilities and put in us a desire and hunger for the God-possibilities. This often happens in silence, in solitude and in prayer. Young people, allow God to excite you beyond your wildest dreams!
"I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory." (Psalm 63:2)
Sunday, March 02, 2008
Brokeness
As a young Christian, I was impacted greatly by the writings of Watchman Nee, a spiritual giant who knew and experienced close intimacy with God. His books like "The Normal Christian Life" and "The Release of the Spirit" increased my understanding of the spirit man by leaps and bounds. "Brokenness" has been the buzz word this last week. I thought I can do no better than share with you some gleanings from his writings on this subject:
"Many of God's servants are not able to do even the most elementary works. Ordinarily, their spirits should enable them to know God's Word, discern the spiritual condition of another, send forth God's messages under the anointing, and receive God's revelations. However, because their outward man has never been dealt with, revival, zeal, pleading and activity are a waste of time. There is just one basic dealing that can enable man to be useful before God, and it is this: brokenness."
"Without the breaking of the outward man, the inward man cannot come forth to bless others because Christ's life is imprisoned by us. It is not that the Lord cannot bless the church, but that the Lord's life is so confined within us that there is no flowing forth. If the outward man remains unbroken, we can never be a blessing to His church, and we cannot expect the Word of God to be blessed by Him through us!"
How do we know if we've been broken?
"There is one common feature that marks those who have been enlightened and disciplined; they become meek. Meekness is a sign of brokenness. All who are broken by God are characterized by meekness" (Note: not weakness!).
Jesus said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words which I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63)
"Many of God's servants are not able to do even the most elementary works. Ordinarily, their spirits should enable them to know God's Word, discern the spiritual condition of another, send forth God's messages under the anointing, and receive God's revelations. However, because their outward man has never been dealt with, revival, zeal, pleading and activity are a waste of time. There is just one basic dealing that can enable man to be useful before God, and it is this: brokenness."
"Without the breaking of the outward man, the inward man cannot come forth to bless others because Christ's life is imprisoned by us. It is not that the Lord cannot bless the church, but that the Lord's life is so confined within us that there is no flowing forth. If the outward man remains unbroken, we can never be a blessing to His church, and we cannot expect the Word of God to be blessed by Him through us!"
How do we know if we've been broken?
"There is one common feature that marks those who have been enlightened and disciplined; they become meek. Meekness is a sign of brokenness. All who are broken by God are characterized by meekness" (Note: not weakness!).
Jesus said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words which I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63)
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