Smells Like Fried Chicken

Last week, I was seriously ill and having symptoms of the all popular and dangerous H1N1 that have been circulating round in the newspapers. I was worried and scared somewhat yet still not really giving much thought to it. It was a really suffering time but as always when I'm not well physically I see things that don't usually catch my attention.

A few days into my illness, I went to the doctor and got some medicines. After taking them for the next few days, I really got weak and tired due to the after effects of the antibiotics. I didn't feel like talking or praying or reading the Bible or worshiping. But there was a period of time after taking a dosage of medicine, I felt alright and I went to read the Bible. After that day, I started getting better and I wasn't worried or fearful anymore. There was peace and I just felt joyful, for awhile.

Often when we talk to God, we're always just asking for something we want or need but we forget we're dealing with a Person and often treat Him like a furniture or a vending machine. We've got to begin to cultivate His presence and be aware that He is near. When we do that, all the goodness of His nature or His "aura" will just rub on to us whether be it healing that we need or finance or joy or peace or faith. Just like having fried chicken in our house. When there is fried chicken there, obviously you'll be able to smell fried chicken right? You don't have to tell yourself "I must smell it, I must smell it", you'll just be smelling it. But when you don't even have fried chicken at home, how in the world are you going to be able to smell fried chicken? Imagine the smell ah? So you can't get the promises of Jesus or the Holy Spirit's attributes if you don't have Him. When you begin to just be aware that Jesus is near and here, the very thing that you need or want will be there too. If you're having a presentation in college and you need courage, just worship Him and just be in His presence, faith will be present with you can we know that faith carries the element of courage. If you need love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness or self-control (or all of the above), just call Him and when He arrives in your house, you'll just be getting all of these. You don't even have to ask for them! If your dumb and do idiotic things that you regret later on and you really want wisdom, read His Word, the Bible, and you'll get smarter.

As you're reading this, you can be anywhere, at work, at school, at home. Jesus is there right now with you. Smells like fried chicken doesn't it?

'WORDS OF FAITH'

The distance around the city shall be 18,000 [4 x 4,500] measures; and the name of that city from that day and ever after shall be, THE LORD IS THERE [Jehovah Shammah]. (Ezekiel 48:35 Amplified Bible)

'FUN FACT'

God desires intimacy, He desires intimacy, He wants intimacy. He's 'into me you see'.

Russell Evans, founder of Planetshakers

The Christian F Word

Faith, the Christian F word. Recently I've been searching for the meaning of this word 'faith', and through some sources these are some definitions I've found.

faith [feyth]

-noun

1. confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability
2. belief that is not base on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact
3. belief in anything, as a code of ethics, standards of merit, etc.: to be of the same faith with someone concerning honesty
4. belief in God or in the doctrines or teachings of religion: the firm faith of the Pilgrims
5. a system of religious belief: the Christian faith; the Jewish faith
6. the obligation of loyalty or fidelity to a person, promise, engagement, etc.: Failure to appear would be breaking faith
7. the observance of this obligation; fidelity to one's promise, oath, allegiance, etc.: He is the only one who proved his faith in recent troubles
8. Christian Theology. the trust in God and in His promises as made through Christ and the Scriptures by which humans are justified or saved

All of the above are somewhat correct translations of the word faith, but which one actually is the real deal? Or in other words, which one is the faith that was described and used by Jesus or Paul in the Bible? Or is it none of the above?

The answer is ....................
Faith has many dimensions. In the Bible we find out that faith is a substance of things hope for the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1). We also know that without faith it is impossible to please God, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Also in Ephesians 2:8, we understand that we are saved by grace through faith, and that not of ourselves, it is the gift of God.

I've learned some dimensions of faith as well through teachings and preachings and also revelation from God Himself. Here are some cool explanations.

1. Persistence isn't faith, neither is patience faith and neither boldness and courage faith, but faith has the elements of persistence, patience and boldness and courage.
2. Faith isn't a feeling but when you have faith, it feels good.
3. When we look at grace (a.k.a Jesus) in any time, whether good or bad times, Grace looks back at us and says that is faith.
4. Mustard seed of faith also can move mountains.

Awesome isn't it? When we start to understand the meanings of what God's actually talking about, we have a new perspective of things (read 'All Eyes On You' post for more insight).

Here is a joke to highlight this post.

A man was drowning in the sea. He shouted and screamed with all of his heart and might, "God save me!!". A few minutes later, a boat passed by. Men threw life rescue tubes and shouted,
"Grab on, grab onto the tube!". The man answered, "It's ok. Don't worry about me. I've prayed to God and He's gonna save me. My faith is in Him!". The boat left. After some hours another boat passed by and men threw life rescue tubes to him and shouted, "Grab on, we're here to save you!". The man answered, "Don't worry about me. I've prayed to God and He's gonna save me. My faith is in Him!". The man died in the end and went to heaven. He then asked God furiously, "Why didn't You save me? Didn't You hear me?". God answered and said, "I SENT YOU 2 GIANT BOATS YOU BIG DUMMIE!".

Sometimes we want God to show up in the way we want things to happen and finally miss the very thing we actually prayed for. 'It's my life, I'll do what I want' attitude or 'I don't care what people think about me, I'll do it my way' attitude will only lead us to the destruction of ourselves. Sometimes people think that faith is being stubborn, and the truth is that stubbornness is not at all a dimension of faith.

Get in focus people, look at grace (the gift of God, Jesus) and grace looks back at us and says that that is faith and He is pleased in the end because you have just used faith and faith pleases God.

'WORDS OF FAITH'

When Jesus heard this, He was amazed. Turning to those who were following Him, He said, "I tell you the truth, I haven't seen faith like this in all Israel!". (Matthew 8:10 NLT)

'REVELATION'

We look at grace and grace looks back at us and says "That is faith".

Joseph Prince, author of best-selling 'Destined to Reign'

Part Of Something Big!

As we walk this journey called life, we eventually figure that money and fame isn't all to life. We then get into a group or be a part of something bigger than ourselves. Some find a person to be with, some start their own enterprise, some become fans of a football team and the list goes on. Whether poor or rich, young or old, people will have the desire to be a part of something big and significant.

Just last Saturday, I was at a football at our home stadium, Bukit Jalil. A match between the past 3 season English Premier League champions and my home team Malaysia. As we journeyed to the 90,000 seater stadium, me and my friends were all psyched and ready to cheer. We entered the stadium and as the 2 teams began to walk out of the players tunnel, the crowds cheer was enough to cause an earthquake. I soon realise that I was part of the minority supporting our Malaysian team due to the popularity of Manchester United. In my mind I sort of knew we were gonna lose, but I really was positive that night and I knew WE COULD DO IT!

Around 10 minutes and Manchester United scored the first goal. A few years back when they came, we lost 6-0 and flashbacks of our humiliating defeat spoke to me that it was gonna happen again tonight. A few minutes later it was 2-0. I took a deep breath and kept on cheering on for my home team. It was nearing half-time and the 44th minute of the game, my dream since I was a kid came true. A dream to cheer at a goal my home team would score. It was a beautiful goal and the score was now 2-1 as half-time drew in. Second half and just as it got on the way, a fumble by the Manchester keeper gave us a 2-2 scoreline. There was such a cheer in the crowd that it gave the Malaysian team some hope that we could actually win this! As the match drew to a close it was around the 80th minute that Manchester finally sealed the win. The match ended at a close, 3-2 final score.

At the end of everything, things that matter seem to not matter anymore. Like who scored the goals but focus was on how hard the team tried and played. Seeing them just try was good enough for me as a supporter and it really showed me that we can do it if we tried.

Friends, we've got to start to understand that we are already actually part of the biggest thing in the world. We got to know that our life was meant for a purpose and a mission. Just like a watch proves that there is a watch maker and a watch was designed to show us time, the existence of us human beings proves that there is a maker and we must have a purposed for living. This mission is so big and victorious in nature that even the championship cup has already been won by our Lord, Jesus Christ. All we gotta do now is show off that championship cup, our salvation, His grace. So lets do that.

'WORDS OF FAITH'

For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you. (Luke 17:21 NKJV)

'WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT'

Let us continue to bring in the reality of the authentic gospel. God bless and bye bye.

Bill Johnson, Senior Pastor of Bethel Church, Redding

Isn't It Strange

I recently read an e-mail that really was catchy and also with lots of truth in it that we could use to evaluate ourselves. Here is how it goes..........

Isn't it strange

how a 20 ringgit bill seems like such a large amount when you give it to church,
but such a small amount when you go shopping?

Isn't it strange

how 2 hours seem so long when you're at church,
and how short they seem when you're watching a good movie?

Isn't it strange
that you can't find a word to say when you're praying but..
you have no trouble thinking what to talk about with a friend?

Isn't it strange
how difficult and boring it is to read one chapter of the Bible but
how easy it is to read 100 pages of a popular novel or Stephenie Meyer book?

Isn't it strange
how everyone wants front-row-tickets to concerts or football games but
they do whatever is possible to sit at the last row in Church?

Isn't it strange
how we need to know about an event for Church 2-3 weeks
before the day so we can include it in our agenda,
but we can adjust it for other events in the last minute?

Isn't it strange
how difficult it is to learn a fact about God to share it with others
but how easy it is to learn, believe and repeat gossip?

Isn't it strange
how we believe everything that magazines and newspapers say but...
we question the words in the Bible?

If you are a person as described like the above statements, you seriously have a problem. Ask God to reveal Himself to you, which most often than not, He will answer your prayers. Your breakthrough and new beginning starts today. May God bless you with all the riches of heaven and may we continue to impact this world with the reality of the authentic gospel.

'WORDS OF FAITH'
For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. (Romans 6:14 NKJV)

'WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT'

I'm not condemning you, just making you feel a little ashamed.
Kris Vallotton

A Royal Flush

picture by diabos, daviantart

Hey everyone, I'm back blogging again after sometime of being away. Been really exciting and adventurous times in full time ministry, and I'm glad to be back here, writing.

I'd like to start this post by thanking some people that have made things not only interesting but revolutionary in my life. Special thanks to Ps. Bill Johnson, Dan MacCollam, Kris Vallotton, Joseph Prince and David Wong for making clear the things and Person I believe in. Your influence and teachings have really been crucial in my ministry.

A couple of weeks ago I was on a journey of searching the true identity of who am I and who do I preach about. With seemingly endless searching, my seeking came to an end as God revealed Himself in teachings and preachings of the people I've just mentioned above. It's true that when we seek we shall find.

Before the Acts of the Apostles, The Great Commission given by Jesus, told us to preach the gospel and that signs and wonders will accompany the preaching of its gospel.

The gospel is the grace of God and often than not, we Christians have preached a gospel mixed with some of our own definition and perception of who God is and not being plain Bible believing Christians. Another problem we face is that our mentality is not at par level with our identity. This also brings a confusion and have subconsciously made us not confident in our gospel when we witness to friends and people around. We can see this exact thing in the book of Exodus that God told Moses to tell the people that they were His special treasure, but when Moses told the Israelites, they answered with what a slave would answer, "All that the Lord has spoken we will do". God has called us a chosen generation a royal priesthood, but sometimes because of what we used to be in, living in Egypt (which speaks of the world), our ways of survival (which speaks of our way of life), our mentality is not leveled with our identity and therefore we do not succeed and no signs and wonders follow what we preach.

There are some guys I've been discipling for this past year, teaching them about the grace of God and our rightful identity of who we are in Christ. This harvest season they have brought so many people to cell groups and Praise Celebration and I believe this signs and wonders followed them as their mentality have come to the same place as their identity. By the grace of God, we are what we are and that not of works but by the grace of God we're saved.

We are saved by grace through faith and yet sometimes we mix them around and thought that we're saved by faith through grace. These two statements both seem right but if you would look at the sentences carefully you'll understand that these two statements are totally different.

In 1 Peter, our identity of who we are is mentioned yet again, this time describing us as a chosen generation, a royal priesthood. Revival and the supernatural will come when we have grace, Jesus, as our foundation before all the other things that we preach and teach. We are more than a conqueror and truly we are a royal flush!

'WORDS OF FAITH'

The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirits that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs-heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. (Romans 8:16-17 NKJV)

'WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT'

Less hype, more heart

Jason Wong, Ministry Assistant of WHC

All Eyes On You

Have you ever wondered why people can go to church week in and week out, some even serve in the ministry and yet still are unfruitful and defeated? Some do spend time with God yet along the way they somehow get stagnant. In my search of this answer, going through times like what I've just described myself, a verse in the Bible concluded it.

Revelation 4:8 says this......... and truly its really a revelation.... haha

The four living creatures, each having six wings, full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying:

"Holy, holy, holy,

Lord God Almighty,

Who was and is and is to come!"

Wow! What kind of creature is that?!? Ridiculous!! Eyes all around AND within? Can you imagine that? Eyes on it's wings, eyes on it's legs, on it's hands, IN it's bones...... My goodness! Why so many eyes??

And as I asked the question earlier in the post, God's answer comes with just one word, perspective.

These four living creatures could keep on saying "Holy holy holy, Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!", night and day, all their lives, because they saw different aspects of God every moment with their many eyes. Perspective. The only reasonable action for us to do now is to be on the constant search of who God is, not to know more about God, but knowing more about God so that we can worship Him in a new aspect and experience that very new expect of Him. We will never run dry or feel "out of steam" as we serve God. It all comes back to worship, which is total obedience and submission to His will.

So since we need to know more about God and who He is, let me just help you with some words that I've come to realise its true meaning. In the bible......

Strength - Perpetual success and impenetrable to temptation

Holy - Different

Word of God - Jesus

Minister/Ministry = Servant/Serving = Shut up and just do it!

Rejoice - Jump up, spin around in the influence of a violent emotion

Hallelujah - (halle) To boast, to shine, to put on a show, to rave (lu) for (Jah - short for Jehovah) God

I hope this helps you a little in your perspective of who God is now. So now when you say or sing, 'You are my strength, Your strength is made perfect in weakness, holy are You God, I'll spend time with Jesus, You rejoice over me or hallelujah', doesn't it give you a totally different picture of the promises of God for us or the greatness of God or how much He longs to spend time with us?

When we worship God in the very essence of what a word means, we not only bring glory to Him, but we also grow in faith + the devil is trembling because we know our identity in Christ. He must be shaking now.... hahaha....

Enough said, let us have all "eyes" on God in these last days of human history. May His "force" be with you.

'WORDS OF FAITH'

The Lord your God in your midst, the Mighty One will save, He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing. (Zephaniah 3:17 NKJV)

p.s. - I'm sure you're really amazed now at what this verse actually means but check out the Amplified Bible version of this verse, its gonna be an additional "eye" for you.

And find out what pleases the Lord. (Ephesians 5:10 NIV)

p.s. - I'd like to just highlight this verse, but whenever a verse in the Bible starts with an 'and', please go and read the verses before it.

The Enemies Camp

Greetings everyone, its been awhile since I last posted something, but I'll be posting at least once a month and I hope to do more. 

These 1/4 of the year has been an unsafe time for our community as we hear and read about many bad happenings in our community like robbery and theft and even murder. This post I'm sending out is so that we the children of God will stop the devil in his pursuit to destroy our community. Some of these victims are people I know personally and please, people of God, we cannot let this unruly events continue anymore. Let us pray for our community, not only cover them with prayers but as well let us be in the attacking position towards the enemies camp. Let us also pray for our MP YB Wee Choo Keong for wisdom and favour as he tackle this issue. I believe that we are the ones who can make a change in this world, TODAY!

Here's a testimony I'd like to share with you, to encourage you to pray for our community and hunger and thirst after the higher things in life. I hope you are blessed : )

Just a year ago, we decided to launch our church's youth outreach toward the secondary schools in our community. We've seen our youth group grow from 0 to around 20+ that we're actively in contact with. Here's a cool mathematical fact........ We're not only seeing things double, triple, quadruple but we're seeing things grow from nothing into something. Just yesterday, some of us celebrated one of these youths birthday and we and he had real good time. Just seeing him so happy as we wished him 'HAPPY BIRTHDAY!' and buying him a cake, made all the sacrifices of money and time and personal leisure totally and absolutely worthwhile. 

Many surprising things have been happening to 'the little darling' recently too. Well as you know part 4 of 'the little darling' was the last part but if you're still interested to follow more on the life of 'the little darling', let me know and I'll starting writing again....... soon.

All these happenings, extremely bad and extremely good must surely be pointing towards the second coming of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. Therefore let us live our lives seeking first His Kingdom and His righteousness.

'WORDS OF FAITH'

Let us hear the conclusion of the matter:

Fear God and keep His commandments,

For this is man's all.

For God will bring every work into judgment,

Including every secret thing,

Whether good or evil.

(Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 NKJV)