If you have been following the 40-Day Prayer Guide, you would have been greatly encouraged by the testimonies of seven godly men and women who have made tremendous impact for God's Kingdom, particularly among the poor and needy: William Wilberforce, George Mueller, Amy Carmichael, William Booth, Jackie Pullinger, Henri Nouwen, and Mother Teresa.
Closer to home, our very own Senior Pastor, Apostle Lawrence Khong, led the Gateway Entertainment team into a very successful run of the MAGICBOX performances at the Esplanade! What an inspiration, these eagles of our faith!
Yet, we aren't all suddenly eagles. Eaglets learn to fly through repeated drops and catches by their parents in the air. These young ones learned to flap their wings wildly and in good time, realised that their wings do work and... they could fly!
How's your life looking like right now? If you are facing challenges that seem beyond you, God the Papa Eagle is allowing the sudden drop, and teaching you to fly above and beyond the comfy nesting days. Don't complain, argue or lament when you are out of your comfort zone. Trust Papa and work hard at flapping your wings!
James 1:2-4 (MSG) says, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."
Eaglets out there, you have seen all the fine role models! Get ready, flying season starts now!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Sabbath is for God-Centred Relationships
The Year of Sabbath has provided a window of opportunity for us to maintain and repair the relationships in our lives. Pastor Poh Yeang Cherng shares a personal testimony of what this has meant for him:
“In this season of focussing on interdependence, God spoke clearly to me about going back to mend some strained relationships in my life. While these were not full-scale conflicts, the presence of a few of these certainly affected me.
I realised that these unresolved conflicts reduced my capacity for existing relationships because love, trust and compassion were eroded. I also got tired easily, preferring to be alone just to avoid any situation with relational stress. Not good at all.
Repair and maintenance simply meant taking active steps to reconcile. I initiated meetings with a few people and asked for forgiveness for my part in the conflicts. I also rested my expectations and left room for God to convict them about their parts.
Romans 12:18-19 says this, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.”
When it was done, I felt so much freer, knowing that I had obeyed the Lord to do "as much as it depends on me".
Will you seek rest from strife in this season too?
“In this season of focussing on interdependence, God spoke clearly to me about going back to mend some strained relationships in my life. While these were not full-scale conflicts, the presence of a few of these certainly affected me.
I realised that these unresolved conflicts reduced my capacity for existing relationships because love, trust and compassion were eroded. I also got tired easily, preferring to be alone just to avoid any situation with relational stress. Not good at all.
Repair and maintenance simply meant taking active steps to reconcile. I initiated meetings with a few people and asked for forgiveness for my part in the conflicts. I also rested my expectations and left room for God to convict them about their parts.
Romans 12:18-19 says this, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.”
When it was done, I felt so much freer, knowing that I had obeyed the Lord to do "as much as it depends on me".
Will you seek rest from strife in this season too?
Sunday, July 06, 2008
Half-Time Check
We've just crossed the half year mark in 2008.
Do you still remember the key verse in this Year of Sabbath from Isaiah 58:13-14? Which portions do you remember more of? The "If's" of verse 13 or the promises of verse 14?
It is interesting that the LoveSingapore leadership has also chosen Isaiah 58 to be the key focus of this year's 40-Day theme. When our spiritual leaders hear the same thing from the Lord, it is time to wake up and listen!
1st July kicked off the 40-Day season of prayer and fasting. It was a momentous occasion when pastors, intercessors and leaders from different churches occupied all 28 capsules of the Singapore Flyer to pray over our nation. At the highest point of the Flyer, we declared in song, "No Other Name but the Name of Jesus!" - Awesome!
Let us continue with one heart and spirit to pray towards our nation's 43rd birthday, using the 40-Day Prayer Guide. There is power in corporate prayer and we will surely see God's hand at work in the days to come.
Do you still remember the key verse in this Year of Sabbath from Isaiah 58:13-14? Which portions do you remember more of? The "If's" of verse 13 or the promises of verse 14?
It is interesting that the LoveSingapore leadership has also chosen Isaiah 58 to be the key focus of this year's 40-Day theme. When our spiritual leaders hear the same thing from the Lord, it is time to wake up and listen!
1st July kicked off the 40-Day season of prayer and fasting. It was a momentous occasion when pastors, intercessors and leaders from different churches occupied all 28 capsules of the Singapore Flyer to pray over our nation. At the highest point of the Flyer, we declared in song, "No Other Name but the Name of Jesus!" - Awesome!
Let us continue with one heart and spirit to pray towards our nation's 43rd birthday, using the 40-Day Prayer Guide. There is power in corporate prayer and we will surely see God's hand at work in the days to come.
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