A More Excellent Way - Faithful Love

Love never dies. Inspired speech will be over some day; praying in tongues will end; understanding will reach its limit. We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled. 

 

But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly.

And the best of the three is love. 1 Corinthians 13:8-10, 13 The Message.

 

Trust steadily in God. Trust: To believe in the honesty and worth of (something or someone); have confidence in; to have faith in.

Hope unswervingly. Hope: To wish and expect; want (something) to happen and have some confidence that it will happen. Unswerving: firm and unchanging.

Love extravagantly. Love: To care deeply for; to give of oneself unconditionally. Extravagant: immeasurable.

Consummation: The point at which something is made complete or perfect.

 

Faithful: Full of or showing loyalty; true to the facts or to an original; loyal to one's partner by having no sexual relationship with anyone else.

The measure of faithfulness - You know the next commandment pretty well, too: 'Don't  go to bed with another's spouse.' But don't think you've preserved your virtue simply by staying out of bed. Your heart can be corrupted by lust even quicker than your body. Those leering looks you think nobody notices - they also corrupt.' Matthew 5:27-28 The Message.

 

Why is it important to remain faithful to the one we love (even when they are distant)? Because love is sacred, and true love is pure. Commitment demands honour.

 

Just as rain and snow descend from the skies and don't go back until they've watered the earth, doing their work of making things grow and blossom, producing seed for farmers and food for the hungry, so will the words that come out of my mouth not come back empty-handed. They'll do the work I sent them to do, they'll complete the assignment I gave them. Isaiah 55:10-11 The Message.

 

God is faithful and looks into every detail of our life. Our faith in God, no matter how small, gives God something He can work with, something through which He can make perfect (His will).

(By) looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2a NKJV.

 

 

Shalom,

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God Is With Us

Christ, the Eternal Word

 

In the beginning the Word already existed. The Word was with God, and the Word was God. He existed in the beginning with God. John 1:1-2 NLT.

 

The Birth of Jesus the Messiah

 

So the Word became human and made his home among us. John 1:14 NLT.

 

This is how Jesus the Messiah was born. His mother, Mary, was engaged to be married to Joseph. But before the marriage took place, while she was still a virgin, she became pregnant through the power of the Holy Spirit......And she will have a son, and you are to name him Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 2:18, 21 NLT.

 

All of this occurred to fulfill the Lord's message through his prophet: "Look! The virgin will conceive a child! She will give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel, which means

'God is with us." Matthew 2:22-23 NLT.

 

In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. John 1:4 NKJV.

 

Jesus spoke to the people once more and said, "I am the light of the world. If you follow me, you won't have to walk in darkness, because you will have the light that leads to life."

John 8:12 NLT.

 

I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of. John 10:10 The Message.

 

I tell you the truth, those who listen to my message and believe in God who sent me have eternal life. They will never be condemned for their sins, but they have already passed from death to life. John 5:24 The Message.

 

The Word gave life to everything that was created, and his life brought light to everyone. John 1:4 NLT.

 

So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27 NLT.

 

He came to tear down the walls that we have erected between one human being and the other - between the Jew and the Gentile; the Church and the un-churched; the rich and the poor; the healthy and the sick; the intellectual and the simpleminded; any form of segregation, prejudice, bigotry, ignorance and abuse. He did not create the human race to hate, destroy and fear one another.

 

He created human beings in His image, in Godlikeness, to be in communion with Him. He came to restore what is good to us and in us. He came to give us hope, make our heart clean.

Teach us to live in peace with one another. He came to pay the price for our waywardness - a spiritual darkness which creates blindness in our mind, heart and soul. And He lives in each of us who have asked Him into our heart and life to show us the Way, the Truth and the Life. He came as a restorer. That no one be left out.

 

In Him, we may once again find grace, forgiveness and hope to live. And not just to live but to expect God in our midst, God with us, God in us and God through us. God overflowing!

His goodness knocking out death, decadence, suffering, pain, neglect, inequality, corruption, pride, lust, greed and loneliness. That those who need what man cannot give will find it in the embrace of the One who loves unconditionally. That in meeting us at our worst, He may restore us to His best.

 

Have a blessed new year. Shalom.

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Our Vision Determines Our Journey

For as long as I have breath, my lips will glorify, I will sing, praise to You, my King.

 

When Jesus arrived in the villages of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, "What are people saying about who the Son of Man is?"

They replied, "Some think he is John the Baptizer, some say Elijah, some Jeremiah or one of the other prophets."

He pressed them, "And how about you? Who do you say I am?" Simon Peter said, "You're the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God."

 

Jesus came back, "God bless you, Simon, son of Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I really am. And now I'm going to tell you who you are, really are. You are Peter, a rock. This is the rock on which I will put together my church, a church so expansive with energy that not even the gates of hell will be able to keep it out. Matthew 16:13-18 The Message.

 

An Event for Everyone

 

The angel said, "Don't be afraid. I'm here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide. A Savior has just been born in David's town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you're to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger." At once the angel was joined by a huge angelic choir singing God's praises:

Glory to God in the heavenly heights, Peace to all men and women on earth who please him. Luke 2:10-14 The Message.

 

Blessings

 

In Jerusalem at the time, there was a man, Simeon by name, a good man, a man who lived in the prayerful expectancy of help for Israel. And the Holy Spirit was on him. The Holy Spirit had shown him that he would see the Messiah of God before he died. Led by the Spirit, he entered the Temple. As the parents of the child Jesus brought him in to carry out the rituals of the Law, Simeon took him into his arms and blessed God: God, you can now release your servant; release me in peace as you promised. With my own eyes I've seen your salvation; it's now out in the open for everyone to see: A God-revealing light to the non-Jewish nations, and of glory for your people Israel.

 

Jesus, the Good Shepherd

 

"I am the good shepherd; and I know My sheep, and am known by My own." John 10:14 NKJV. ~ Jesus.

  

For I know who leads me home and makes me whole.

 

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Thanksgiving speech to Pastor Rev (Dr) Patrick Lau and Sister Evelyn Lau

Pastor Lau, Sister Lau, guests, brother and sisters in Christ,

Greetings and blessings in the merciful Name of our LORD Jesus Christ.

It is my honour to be able to give a short thanksgiving speech to Pastor and Sis Lau on behalf of the Sunday School teachers. May I ask that the teachers, past and present, stand up where you are so that we know who I am representing.

There are two parts to my speech. The first part is a summary from various teachers. The second is just a personal word of thanks from me and my household.

(a) Many of us were still students when we first attended Church, and Pastor Lau taught us during Sunday school at the old church premise (at 635, Upper East Coast Road). Those years attending Sunday School has helped many of us to understand the Word of God better and to apply them in our lives. Some of these students are still in Calvary Assembly today and are holding key layman appointments besides being involved in the Sunday School Ministry as Teachers.

(b) Pastor Lau was supportive of the Sunday School Day camp and on various occasions, he has delivered short but precise message of encouragement during the morning sing- a-along session. Praise God for those words of encouragement to students and teachers alike.

(c) Another teacher recalled that Pastor Lau (a very young pastor who looked boyish then) was her Sunday School teacher for about 2 years while she was in secondary school. He taught them using "The Gateway to Life" and she learnt a lot about the basics of Christian Living such as Baptism and Tithing. This teacher is a product of Sunday School.

(d) Pastor Lau has always been very supportive (in terms of budget and approval) of Sunday School programs and readily gave us his blessings. He has empowered the Sunday School Superintendant and the team of Sunday School teachers fully. We appreciate very much this trust and confidence he has placed on the entire Sunday School Team.

Pastor Lau,

Thank you for being our pastor for the last 20 years. When I first came to Calvary, one of the first things I noticed about you was your booming voice. It evoked a sense of comfort and security for a young man who then new to this church and faith. During those days, Calvary had her services in one of the cinemas in Bedok. Although I couldn't see you clearly from where I was usually seated, your voice and words ministered to me week after week. When I got to know you better, I noticed another thing about you. You never failed to give me a firm handshake whenever we met. The handshake, coupled with your smile, was always pleasant and re-assuring, consistent with your claim that this is a family church, friendliest in this part of Singapore, other parts you don't know.

Over the years, you gave us wise counsel and guidance. Veron and I clearly remembered your advice to us during marriage preparation class - no TV in bedroom, which we have kept till this date. You shared with us the importance of communicating with our spouse, and deciding early on how we want to manage our finances as a family.

You invested in us based on our availability, not talents or rather, the lack of, when we were given the opportunity to serve first in Mighty KIDS, followed by Sunday School. Our spiritual growth through the years is a result of your tireless pastoral care and personal concern. As I have shared with brother Dwayne, your labour has not been in vain.

I have come to realize that the pastor needs a good team to support him, even in fulfilling GOD's will and vision for the church. In the Old Testament, when Joshua battled the Amalekites, the Israelites prevailed only when Moses's hands were held up high. We read of Aaron and Hur holding Moses's hands up high when he was tired.

As a new season opens up for you in mission work, and as Calvary enters into a new era, may I urge all to continue to do our part to pray, to serve and to support as GOD enables and directs, so that Pastor Lau and the pastoral team at Calvary will continue to be fruitful in their respective callings. Thank you, once again, Pastor Lau. May the LORD's blessings and favour be upon you. Be strong and be of good courage, for the LORD will never leave us or forsake us.

Sister Lau,

You have been the tireless helpmate to Pastor Lau, selflessly sharing him with the church and needy for decades. Many spouses of servants of GOD often work hard behind the scenes so that their husband or wife can serve GOD wholeheartedly. I believe you are one fine example.

Besides quietly supporting Pastor Lau behind the scenes, you have also raised 2 talented children who have been a blessing to the church ever since they started serving many years ago. Week after week, we have been blessed by the beautiful songs and music in the sanctuary. Year after year, we have been blessed by the many creative productions, through which loved ones and friends have come to know the LORD. As a father of 3 children, I can say with authority that raising up children isn't easy, much less children who grow up to love the LORD.

In the domestic helpers' ministry, I can personally say that you have done well in imparting the love for our LORD Jesus to the helpers. My former helper Yumi, who sang the song El Shaddai earlier, has been tremendously blessed by your teaching and love. I believe she and many others will continue to grow spiritually because of the Word you have sown in their lives. Thank you, sister Lau. May the LORD continue to look upon you with His favour, and continue to bless the work that is being done through you, and those helpers whom you minister to.

The LORD bless you.

Note: The above was delivered at Thanksgiving Dinner for Pastor Lau and Sister Lau at Teochew City Restaurant, Centrepoint on 27th Nov 2011. This event was organized by Calvary Assembly of GOD church, Singapore.

O Wretched Soul!

Wretched - Deeply afflicted, dejected, or distressed in body or mind.

 

O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? Romans 7:24 NKJV.

Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord. So you see how it is: In my mind I really want to obey God's law, but because of my sinful nature I am a slave to sin. Romans 7:25 NLT.

Paul understood the struggles of a fallible human being.

 

For the choir director: A psalm of David, regarding the time Nathan the prophet came to him after David had committed adultery with Bathsheba.

Have mercy on me, O God, because of your unfailing love. Because of your great compassion, blot out the stain of my sins. Wash me clean from my guilt. Purify me from my sin. For I recognise my rebellion; it haunts me day and night. Psalm 51:1-3 NLT. David was a man after God's heart. Yet, he committed adultery and murder.

 

Arresting Jesus, they marched him off and took him into the house of the Chief Priest. Peter followed, but at a safe distance. In the middle of the courtyard some people had started a fire and were sitting around it, trying to keep warm. One of the serving maids sitting at the fire noticed him, then took a second look and said, "This man was with him!" He denied it, "Woman, I don't even know him." A short time later, someone else noticed him and said, "You're one of them." But Peter denied it: "Man, I am not."

 

About an hour later, someone else spoke up, really adamant: "He's got to have been with him! He's got 'Galilean' written all over him." Peter said, "Man, I don't know what you're talking about." At that very moment, the last word hardly off his lips, a rooster crowed. Just then, the Master turned and looked at Peter. Peter remembered what the Master had said to him: "Before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." He went out and cried and cried and cried. Luke 22:54-62 The Message. Peter pledged undying loyalty to Jesus, but caved in under duress.

 

They were not men short of purpose, passion or heart. They were individuals driven by a cause. Passionate human beings when pride, lust, evil and lack of moral courage got the better of them and brought out the worst in them. Where they saw their hearts and minds in conditions as they really were; abject, puffed up, falling short of the fullness of God.

Some of us have been there, where we look into our hearts and minds and see only darkness. Darkness where only the light of God can shed light on, where it can pierce through and renew.

 

Grieved over their wrongdoings, they threw their wretched self before God. And God healed their brokenness and washed away their shame. He did not just stopped there, He gave them a new heart, calling and identity. Even as remorse engulfed them, and consequences entailed, they found a second chance in life, in relationships in God's forgiving embrace.

When we come to the end of ourselves, God steps in and turns us around.

 

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Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.

Through Him we have received grace and apostleship for obedience to the faith among all nations for His name, among whom you also are the called of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:1-6 NKJV.

 

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Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit. Then I will teach transgressors Your ways, and sinners shall be converted to You. Psalms 51:11-13. NKJV.

 

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So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, " Feed My Lambs." He said to him again a second time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You." He said to him, "Tend My sheep." He said to him a third time, "Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?" Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, "Do you love Me?" And he said to Him, "Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You." Jesus said to him, "Feed My sheep." John 21:15-17 NKJV.

 

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Thank you, Yumi

Dear Yumi,

Thank you for being part of our family for the past 7 years. We appreciate all that you have done for us, especially the little gestures of love for Deborah, Rachel and Grace.

You have been a source of joy and pride for us. I am personally proud and honoured to have you work for us. Thank you for even taking time to share words of encouragement from the Bible. Thank you for questions pertaining to our faith in Christ, as well as your testimonies and those from Bro. Mok's wife. Your enthusiasm towards Dr Kameel's sermons put me to shame. You have been a good and faithful sister in Christ, far beyond your role as a domestic helper.

Taking care of a household with 3 young children isn't easy. We adults have also been demanding at times. Yet, despite all that you had to do, you were mostly cheerful and even found time to cook dessert for the family and my home cell fellowship group. We appreciate that you woke up early to clean the house on your off days so that we can return to a clean house after church. Thank you for your little gifts of hair clips for Deborah and Rachel, and for the beautiful photos of Grace. You have been a good kakak to them.

Although we are sad to see you go, we know you have much to accomplish in the years ahead. We trust that GOD will continue to lead and equip you according to His will. As you have desired and been faithful with the little things as a domestic helper, I believe GOD will lead you to greater things in the road ahead. For this alone, we are happy for you.

Thank you once again. Do forgive us where we have been wrong or unreasonable towards you in the past 7 years.

We wish you the very best, Yumi.

May GOD bless you and your loved ones, healing those who are afflicted. May your family come to know the saving grace of GOD in Christ Jesus, and may He continue to shine through you, and touch the lives of those around you. May you be as Joseph of the Old Testament, so that even your employers will be blessed because of GOD's favour upon you. May you continue to be the Father's joy as your baptized name Abigail means.

By His Grace,

Thomas

Higher Ground

The Call

 

I think I've heard Your voice before, and I've got to hear You just once more. Cos' the dreams that You have building deep inside, lie broken now before me and I cry.

I don't want another plan, cos' LORD, You know I've made my stand. That I only do the things that You command, so please help me now to hear and understand.

 

Is that really You, O LORD? Calling my name out now. Is that really You, O LORD? Showing me higher ground.

 

You say to gain my life, I must die. To all the dreams I've held inside.

As I give them now and lay aside my pride. Somehow I can hear You calling me to bigger dreams and higher heights.

 

Is that really You, O LORD? Calling my name out now. Is that really You, O LORD? Showing me higher ground.

 

I've never gone that far, I'm just afraid to start. But LORD I know it's true, that voice is really You, calling me, calling me, I hear You calling me.

Yes, that's really You, O LORD. Calling my name out now. Yes, that's really You, O LORD. Showing me higher ground.

 

I believe it's You, O LORD. You, calling my name out now. I believe it's You, O LORD. You, showing me higher ground.

 

~ Bob Fitts, "Is That Really You, O LORD?"

 

The word of the LORD came to me, saying, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations."

"Ah, Sovereign LORD," I said, "I do not know how to speak; I am only a child." But the LORD said to me, "Do not say, 'I am only a child.' You must go to everyone I send you to and say whatever I command you. Do not be afraid of them, for I am with you and will rescue you," declares the LORD.

 

Then the LORD reached out his hand and touched my mouth and said to me, "Now I have put my words in your mouth. See, today I appoint you over nations and kingdoms to uproot and tear down, to destroy and overthrow, to build and to plant." Jeremiah 1:4-10 NIV.

 

The Man

 

Jeremiah was a priest, a member of the household of Hilkiah. His hometown was Anathoth. Although timid by nature, he received the Lord's assurance that he would become strong and courageous. In his "confessions", he laid bare the deep struggles of his inmost being, sometimes making startlingly honest statements about his feelings toward God. On occasion, he engaged in calling for redress against his personal enemies.

 

The Prophet - Pronouncement of Divine Judgment

 

Jeremiah began prophesying in Judah halfway through the reign of Josiah (640-609 B.C.) and continued throughout the reigns of Jehoahaz (609), Jehoiakim (609-598), Jehoiachin (598-597) and Zedekiah (597-586). It was a period of storm and stress when the doom of entire nations - including Judah itself - was being sealed. Ashurbanipal, last of the great Assyrian rulers, died in 627. His successors were no match for Nabopolassar, the founder of the Neo-Babylonian empire, who began his rule in 626 (the year of Jeremiah's call to prophesy).

 

In 605 B.C., the Egyptians were crushed at Carchemish on the Euphrates by Nebuchadnezzar, who succeeded his father Nabopolassar as ruler of Babylon. Neco returned to Egypt with heavy losses, and Babylon was virtually given a  free hand in western Asia for the next 70 years. Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem in 605, and again in 598-597.

 

Jeremiah was ever conscious of his call from the Lord to be a prophet. He lashed out against the sins of his countrymen, scoring them severely for their idolatry. But Jeremiah loved the people of Judah in spite of their sins, and he prayed for them even when the Lord told him not to.

 

Called to the unhappy task of announcing the destruction of the kingdom of Judah, it was Jeremiah's commission to lodge God's indictment against his people and proclaim the end of an era. The Lord was about to inflict on the remnant of his people the ultimate covenant curse (Leviticus 26:31-33; Deuteronomy 28:49-68).

 

He would undo all that He had done for them since the day he brought them out of Egypt. It would then seem that the end had come, that Israel's stubborn and uncircumcised (unconsecrated) heart had sealed her final destiny, that God's chosen people had been cast off, that all the ancient promises and covenants had come to nothing.

 

The Intercessor - Promise of Restoration

 

But God's judgment of his people (and the nations), though terrible, was not to be the last word, the final work of God in history. Mercy and covenant faithfulness would triumph over wrath.

Beyond the judgment would come restoration and renewal. Israel would be restored, the nations that crushed her would be crushed, and the old covenants (with Israel, David and the Levites) would be honoured.

 

God would make a new covenant with his people in which he would write his law on their hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-34) and thus consecrate them to his service. The house of David would rule them in righteousness, and faithful priests would serve. God's commitment to Israel's redemption was as unfailing as the secure order of creation (Jeremiah 33).

 

The very God who compelled Jeremiah to denounce sin and pronounce judgment was the God who authorised him to announce that the divine wrath had its bounds, its 70 years. Afterward forgiveness and cleansing would come - and a new day, in which all the old expectations, aroused by God's past acts and his promises and covenants, would yet be fulfilled in a manner transcending all God's mercies of old.

 

~ Introduction: Jeremiah, The NIV Study Bible, New International Version, Zondervan Bible Publishers, Grand Rapids, Michigan 49506, U.S.A. Copyright 1985 International Bible Society.

 

Before Jeremiah was born, God had it in his mind how Jeremiah would be formed; where he would be born; the family he would be borne to; which chapter in history his life would be a part of; what purpose the prophet's life would fulfill in the divine scheme of things. Jeremiah was but an ordinary priest in the kingdom of Judah, called into the presence of an extraordinary GOD, who then began to pour out His heart to Jeremiah. His heartaches, anguish, love; pending wrath, followed by promise of restoration for his people, Israel.

 

To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven. Ecclesiastes 3:1 NKJV.

 

 

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