"Who R U?"

This was the question posed by Pastor Wes Richards as he shared from the book of Nehemiah at our staff worship time.

How would you answer this question? It's so important to know who you are, because if you can't answer this question, somebody else is going to answer it for you!

Many of us let other people or our circumstances define who we are, and how we should feel about ourselves. Have you experienced days when you feel like a worm? You know... so small, so insignificant, so easily trampled upon and crushed? Well, hear what Winston Churchill has to say,

"All men may be worms
But I am a Glow-worm!"

Your identity will define your sense of confidence and how you carry out any work assigned to you, whether in your job or studies. Your identity will keep you from going down when facing adversity, and help you achieve your destiny. Pastor Wes brought a timely message for to FCBC as a church, as we press on with our prayers and support for our Senior Pastor and
Pastor Nina for the successful launch of MAGICBOX

Nehemiah knew who he was and what he was called to do - to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Let us stay strong and focussed, with everyone working hard at what he or she is assigned to do, and we will see the victory when all will realise "that this work had been done with the help of our God" (Nehemiah 6:16 NIV).

More Than These

How much do you love? What a question! Is there a way to measure the extent of our love for God? Well, Jesus asked Peter this question in John 21:15 (NASB),

"So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You" He said to him, "Tend My lambs."

What is the "MORE THAN THESE"?

Jesus could not be referring to the rest of the disciples nor the fishes, because I believe Jesus had no doubt that Peter would love Him more than these. So what does the word, "THESE", refer to?

I believe it is probably referring to the miraculous catch. You can see the impact of the catch through the fact that the disciples actually COUNTED every fish caught - one hundred and fifty-three (as shown in verse 11).

Jesus knows the conditions of our hearts. He knew, in the case of Peter, that he was attracted to Jesus through the spectacular acts of God. When Peter was called, he was called right after a catch too. It is of no wonder that Jesus created a similar experience to allow Peter to revisit his motivation to love.

Peter was confronted with this pointed question - Do you love Me more than the miraculous, more than the spectacular, more than the world could offer? And in his brokenness, Peter confessed his love for Jesus and as a result brought the much awaited healing for his soul.

Do you love God more than _________________ (fill in your own blank)?

Only when we truly love God, more than the rival thrones in our lives, can we live out the healed life that God intends for us.

Finally, from the sequence of Jesus' question and prompting, we can see love precedes labour. It matters to God that our service for Him is accompanied by our passion for Him.

So, how much do you love God?

Appreciating You, Fathers!

Today, our thoughts turn to the first man in our lives... our fathers. It's Father's Day! Amidst all our busyness with life's demands and things that call for our attention, let's pause to give thanks for the fathers we know.

Whatever your emotions may be when you think of your Dad, there is one way to be able to celebrate this day, and that is with thanksgiving and gratefulness in our hearts.

In his book, ‘Touching The Father's Heart’, Pastor Cesar Castellanos said that, "The highest position a man could ever aspire to have in life is to be a father". I know this is the aspiration of my husband and the father of our three children! And I believe that it is the desire of every father to be the best father to his children.

The greatest Father of all is God. He is the Heavenly Father who is LOVE, and who teaches us daily how to love like Him. He wants to deposit that Father's heart into each one of us, so that we can love like Him. When we come to know God as our Heavenly Father, He can fill every empty void in our heart and give you a new starting point in your life.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yes, He makes all things new and that includes your relationship with your earthly father.

Let's pray for all the fathers today! Pray that they will find their joy in the Lord and delight in their roles as leaders, nurturers, mentors, teachers and builders, not just of their children, but of the next generation!

That you may believe

Starting points are always exciting. After five months of reading Psalms, we have moved to the Book of John. From the Old Testament to the New Testament. From a Poetical book to a Gospel. I believe John's Gospel is the first introduction to the Bible for many of us as it was for me. That's why it remains one of my favourite books of the Bible till this day.

I remember how excited I was to be introduced to Jesus, the Son of God. I had made a decision to follow Christ and I hungered for more of Him. I was taught well. I came to know a God who "became flesh and dwelt among us.... full of grace and truth” and I beheld His glory (John 1:14, NKJV).

My first memory verses came from John 3:16-18. Yes, I was expected to memorise a whole portion, not just one verse! Then I went on to memorise each of the "I am" statements made by Jesus. I thank God for that early foundation because it instilled in me a love for the Word of God.

As you read each chapter of John daily, you have begun another adventure in knowing God. He will reveal Himself to the God Seekers and God Chasers. Let's begin with the end in mind, shall we?

"... That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31, NIV).

What Are We Striving For?

"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." (Psalm 147:10-11)

These verses reveal God's "unseen" heart in a psalm that contains praise about God's outward "seen" acts.

We usually feel good when we excel in our work and ministry. People around us cheer, celebrate and admire us for our great talents.

Do we play it that way too when we try to win God's pleasure?

We get upset and depressed when we do not "do well" in the ministry, our work and our studies. We think we are less favoured because there are those who are more talented and anointed. We give up and think God likes other people more.
But in the process, we may just lose focus on what really matters to God. Are we barking up the wrong tree?

God is delighted when we revere Him and when we take Him seriously and honour Him in what we do. It is an inward condition of our heart.

God is delighted when we trust Him, especially in difficult situations when He seems absent. It is a deliberate action we can take.

Today, even if you're facing poorer exam results, or disappointments in the ministry, you are no further from delighting God.

Even if you are barely coping with a difficult work situation, you can melt the Father's heart by putting your hope in His unfailing love.

Don't stay outside! Come into your Father's presence!