Her passing left a great mark of inspiration to us. We have been praying for her for a very long time; for a moment we saw she was recovering, and then she fell critically ill, other moments we saw her cheerful and joyful (despite her condition), other times she was quiet, suffering in pain. Yet in all those times, we saw her exhibiting joy beyond her pain, that even through suffering, she had faith to believe that God was going to do something.

A life like hers was truly worth modelling. Though young, she had faith in the One who was greater than the sickness. She didn't give in to fear, she gave birth to faith. She resisted many negative remarks about dying, but pressed on to believe God was more than enough for her every need.

Now even in her passing, she continues to live in our hearts by leaving a legacy of faith. Yes, though we may ask why these should happen, God still is in control. He knows that this will bring Him glory. We may wonder, but truly, God's name is to be praised. He saw fitting to bring her home, and He knows that all things will work together for good because He loves us, and He loves her very much.

Yes, hers is a life truly lived, to the glory of His name!

The Lord Jesus taught us not to fear about tomorrow, because tomorrow has it's set of worries. Though we may be hit with some news of the unexpected, it doesn't mean that there is no good end to things. All things work together for good, to them that love God and are called according to His purpose and plan (Romans 8:28). The Lord cares enough for us to know when to allow us to go through trials, because He knows we are ready to face it, according to our maturity.

So, we don't have to live in fear of the unknown. Live for the present, make preparations for tomorrow, but don't live in anticipation of it's regrets and sorrows. After all, the canvas of life is meant for us to journey as and when we are treading the path. The painter cannot hold 2 brushes at a time, he only makes his strokes one at a time. Thus, we are to live, "one moment at a time".

Yes, sometimes bad things do happen to good people. But remember, life lessons are best taught through difficult times, because the journey of a distance always begins with a first step.

God bless!

How much of what we do carries value that will last when tested through fire? You see, Paul made it very clear, that we as believers, our work will be tested. When we are through, when we finish our journey on earth, what will God say of what we have done? I'd be so ashamed if it comes to nothing, where everything is consumed in the fire of God's testing. I have nothing to bring before my King would be embarassing.

So, what will we do? It's important for us to continue pursuing godly virtues and values, and working out our salvation with fear, according to Phillippians 2:12-13. "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure." This does not mean that we ought to live in fear, but to continually watch our walk and character so that it will bring praise and glory to Jesus, and to center our faith on the finished work of the Cross, as the fuel for us to do good works.

The question here would be, "Are you doing anything that is of eternal value that will last through the fire?" Of the elements spoken of by Paul (gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw), only the first 3 elements will stand the test. The others will turn to ashes when tested with fire. So, what would it be?

My prayer for us that that we'll know how to gauge what activities or efforts we are doing that will last through fire. How do we know? Simple - Matthew 6 is a good key to help us.

May we continue to persevere to walk in godliness, investing in the eternal, or investing in others. We know this will remain when tested by fire.

While 2008 offers many new opportunities, challenges and events, we must never forget how 2007 has built us to be more mature people, and wiser. It will always be that one of our greatest teachers is "time". Only time can show us that the experiences we have gone through has built us to be more durable, versatile and mature. We cannot be who we are without the past as a foundation in building our character.

Hence, beginning this new year, we must not just thrust forward without reflecting back on how God has been faithful. Attending the watchnight service was excellent, we saw so many people testifying of how good God truly is. Indeed, if it hadn't been for Him, we'd probably be suffering, or even died. But surely because of His mercies we are not consumed, for great is His faithfulness (Lamentations 3:22, 23).

2008 promises even greater challenges, maybe corporately for larger groups, or personally/individually, aspirations and ambitions to reach higher. Maybe we are seeking to reach higher in our spiritual walk, or even in our career line, or a deeper journey into education, etc... they all are good things, good intentions, good goals to reach for, but must be grounded by lots of prayer. Perhaps one of the greatest tool we have available to us is the resource of heaven, the Person of the Holy Spirit. John 15 promises that He will be our "parakletos", our Counsellor and Helper, to lead us and guide us into all truth. We can be sure that He will never leave us nor forsake us, but will teach us and fill us.

Some of us may have entered into 2008 with broken dreams, shattered hopes, fears and disappointments that have broken our spirits or passion for the new year. Some of us are not certain if the new year is gonna be a good year, because of the expectations that we built, into ourselves or others on us. We may not be zealous about the year, maybe thoughts of taking a back seat have set in because of major setbacks we had in the past year. Can I encourage you, not everything that has gone bad will continue to stay bad, or repeat itself. You can change that, you don't have to subject yourself to being a victim of mistakes and misery, you can be a victor, because of Him who lives in you. He promises to be your strength, and His grace is always sufficient.

We are at the threshold of something great God is doing. We cannot be at the wayside, just watching as an audience. We have to jump into the bandwagon and take a leap of faith into what God is doing. This could mean that we may have to throw the reservations aside and let God be God. We need to dare believe, because our God is far greater, and nothing is impossible for Him. If you believe that God is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, far and above beyond all that we can ask or even imagine, according to the power at work within us (Ephesians 3:20), we don't need to be so reserved, because our God can do leaps and bounds beyond our imagination. We can take Him at His word.

God never fails. Though we may go through difficult times this year, though we may face opposition, though we may face some giants, God is still faithful. Yes, reality will have us nailed down at times, maybe we have to look at things differently (not all spiritual things all the time), but remember God is a practical God. We can't over-spiritualize things, we must be naturally relevant with the context of our environment. This means, we cannot be heavenly focused with no earthly good. Ephesians 2:10 tells us that we are His workmanship, created to do good works. Only then, can the people around us know that we are a people of earthly good.

I'm confident that 2008 will be an exciting year. After all, it's new, and God is in it. Since God already lived in 2008, He knows the end from the beginning, let's trust Him with our lives, our everything. He knows best.

I pray that you will come and encounter Him in a very special way this year. May you be filled with God's wonderful presence, and His blessings to follow you, and overtake you this year.

God bless our year 2008!

I believe that's what you'll find when you can attach yourself to a group, of vibrant and lively people. They are the people that will just bring out the life in you!

I have not been updating the blog for a long time, but I just want to tell my cell group that I love them. And being a part of this group certainly has been exciting and thrilling. We've shared many moments together, in good and difficult times, just exploring together the facets of life here in Penang.

Oh God, I pray that you will continue to bring the most out from the cell groups, that would glorify Your name and praise You high. Thank You for Your wonderful gift we call friends. In Jesus' name, Amen!

You see, no one knows what the next moment holds. Only God in His infinite wisdom, could have deviced such a schedule to our lives, living one thing at a time. That is possibly why Ecclesiastes 3 says that there is a time for everything, for everything under the sun. Seasons come and seasons go, but as we journey through life, we are called to make the best of the moment we have.

During the fateful morning, I know we had to embrace some change. A family in need, is what we all need to spring into action. That's what the cell group is meant for, to support each other in need. We made plans to head down to Kuala Kangsar to visit Cindy and family over the bereavement. Spent sometime there to just accompany Cindy.

We were so encouraged to see Cindy. Though she lost her mum, she was very strong. Perhaps what kept her strong and courageous was the fact that the family had already accepted the notion that death was coming. And so it happened, and everyone was, calm and peaceful. I guess to a certain extent, we hope to see the suffering end and that one would enjoy the eternal abode in heaven.

We spend a couple of hours in KK. Imagine, trying from 11:15am meeting in church, we arrived in KK about 4:30pm. 5 hours? Ya, the delays in getting stuff, lunch break, some stops for petrol. But thank God all of us arrived safely.

Well, all of us were there to just pay our respect to the deceased and be present with the family during their loss. Cindy's sister (Vivien) had requested us to sing 2 songs for the closing before we left, where we sang "My Life is in You, Lord" and "Amazing Grace". Funny thing, we were stuck with "Amazing Grace", most of us just couldn't remember, or maybe just too stunned over some turned of events, that we could not sing the verses/stanzas. But we did have a good time, and encouraging time, to know that Cindy and all her siblings and father are doing very well.

We will always keep you in prayer, and let us know if you need any help from us. Take care.

I've had the pleasure of attending a friend's wedding, Michelle. Michelle has been a good friend and sister to me, one that helped me back in my college days. Together with her family, they have welcomed me into Ipoh when I was so homesick (first time staying away from home over an extended period of time). Our days in CF, along with so many other brothers and sisters in Christ, really helped made the fellowship sweet and warm. I tasted how wonderful the unity shared in the Body of Christ, and it will certainly take effort.

It was really nice to see them getting married. Michelle, with her husband-to-be, Chris, were definitely a match made in heaven. (Of course, at this point of time, they are already husband and wife). How wonderful a wedding is, a public confession of 2 individuals, vowing to each other, that they belong to each other, never to part, except through death. Truly, it was wonderful, God gave such a fine weather, the place was beautiful (in a Presbyterian church), and the procession was glorious.

Weddings are also nice places to have reunions. Some friends from CF, whom I've not seen in years, were present, and it was just amazing how all of them seem the same they were before. Well, you can say, all of us probably aged a little, but generally all of us looked the same. Perhaps some put on some weight, and some loss them, but all of us knew each other, all of us had a common point of contact.

Anyway, I was really glad to have the pleasure to be at the wedding, both the morning and the evening (dinner). The events were very nice, and it was nice to sit around with old friends, enjoying the occasion.

Marriage is a new phase of life, where it is to be journeyed with perseverance and joy, along with your life partner. The Bible teaches us that a man shall leave his house (parents) and build his own, along with his wife. They are to build their own family institution, where God is the Center of the home.

I pray so for Chris and Michelle. May the good Lord continue to bless your lives, and your relationship, may you continue to blossom in God's richest blessings, and you begin your new life chapter, called marriage. May you have offsprings that will walk godly in the ways of the Lord, and may your home always be of peace and faith.

God bless you both, Chris and Michelle!

Work life seems to carry with it many expectations to drive for excellence. In the career line, if you don't do well, you lose out. And thus, the dog eat dog world, rat race and paper chase label. Everyone wants to get a bigger piece of the cake, and in doing that, we push others down, and fend ourselves from trouble.

I just read an article yesterday regarding the "slow culture". The Swedes live in such culture, believing that it does help bring about better quality through quality analyzing, response feedback and constructive critism to build toward better. They even have "slow food", where in our culture, everything is fast, where we even need "fast food". And do you know, they would park far away so that they can walk? The late comers will then need to park near (as all those far away car-parks have already been occupied). Missed opportunity to enjoy the morning walk.

It certainly helps to have a balanced culture. I'm sure all of us could use a balance in driving expectations, what comes urgent, what can come later. We certainly need to know how to juggle between what's important to us, life of living with the various needs met by our proper planning.

The Bible tells us not to worry about tomorrow, for sufficient is the day's worries. (Matt 6:34) The essence of the message of not worrying is to come back to the knowledge of how much God loves us (verses 25-32). The task (or joy), is to seek first His kingdom and His righteousness. He will then, add all to us (verse 33).

May the message of His love continue to ring deep in our hearts, to know that life is meant to be lived one thing at a time. Yes, the culture may push for us to drive faster and live in a breeze, but sometimes it's good to just take a break and breathe the air and watch the scenary and all of God's beauty, amen?

Lord God, thank You for giving so much, and caring for us. It is a challenge, no doubt to have to race with the expectations, but teach us to live wisely and redeeming the time because the days are evil. May all our days count, as a blessing to You and to others, for the glory of Your name. In Jesus' precious and holy name, Amen!

There has been a steady stream of visitors from everywhere coming to Penang to take a look at my product platform. Most of the visits were here to lay clearer expectations, some of which challenged my current setup and status. Many of them were really hard to catch up - working through changes to accommodate the different needs and requirements.

Setup has always taken much - and it will always. Staying up late, and working through issues, chasing the various needs to have different parties support the setup is indeed a challenge. That's where the challenge is, to find courage to pursue the correct direction, and also find proper support to ensure we make ends meet. This is truly the challenge of leadership; to find the best resources.

God has been truly good. Though I have not been very frequent in updating this, I must say that God has been really good to me, even through the trying times. Yes, there are hard times, there have been times where I'm really tried, but God's love and mercy never fails. He has promised me that He would give strength for every weakness, and mercy every morning.

Lord Jesus, I thank You for always standing with me. Your faithfulness never ends. And my prayer is, that as I face the challenges at work, may I continue to shine for You, through every challenge, through every moment. To the glory of Your name. In Jesus' precious and holy name, Amen!

Jesus Transfigured on the Mount

The Pharisees Seek a Sign

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod

"Seed of Miracle" – Doing ACTS – Monday 11/27/06

Scripture Reading

Mark 8

Feeding the Four Thousand

The Pharisees Seek a Sign

Beware of the Leaven of the Pharisees and Herod

1. VV2 – Do you notice the willingness of the crowd in this passage? They were willing to spend time with Jesus to the point that they went on 3 days without food. How willing are you to spend time with Jesus? (vv2 “I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat.) From this passage, Jesus has compassion for the crowd as they were following Him through the places for 3 days, and they had nothing to eat. Thus, it was clear that the people were desperate for Him. And with such hunger and thirst for God, they went on without food, because they just wanted more of Him.
   
2. Remember Jesus fed the 5000 in chapter 6:30-44. From v1-5, Jesus was giving the disciples opportunity to respond to a need and wanting them to meet the need based on their previous experience on feeding a huge crowd. (30 Then the apostles gathered to Jesus and told Him all things, both what they had done and what they had taught. 31 And He said to them, “Come aside by yourselves to a deserted place and rest a while.” For there were many coming and going, and they did not even have time to eat. 32 So they departed to a deserted place in the boat by themselves.
   33 But the multitudes^[a] saw them departing, and many knew Him and ran there on foot from all the cities. They arrived before them and came together to Him. 34 And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.)
   
1. What was Jesus feeling towards the crowd? (vv2) – Jesus has compassion on the crowd.
   
2. What might happen if they don’t eat? (vv3) – They might fall ill, faint, due to lack of energy from lack of food.
   
3. What was the disciples’ response? (vv4) – (4 Then His disciples answered Him, “How can one satisfy these people with bread here in the wilderness?”)
   
4. What different obstacle did they point out in the feeding of the 4000 (Mark 8:4)? What obstacle did they feel in the feeding of the 5000 (Mark 6:37)? – Mark6:37 But He answered and said to them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii worth of bread and give them something to eat?” Referring to item c, it seems like bread alone would not satisfy the need of the people, and that they would need something more. The feeding of the 5000 was more the resources (bread and fish), while the feeding of the 4000 seemed to be more than just bread and fish.
   
5. What do you gather from their response? That the disciples still were not convinced from the experience of miracle they seen from Mark 6.
   
6. What was Jesus’ solution to the need? (vv5) Jesus was looking for a seed for a miracle. What was the seed? (Read vv5b) - 5 He asked them, “How many loaves do you have?” The medium in use here is what are the substance available. Jesus asked for what was available – so that He can use it to display God’s miracle. Something must be visible.
   
7. Why is it the disciples did not see the “seed” for a miracle? What is the “seed” around you that you might not notice for a miracle? Look harder! (God to Moses: Exodus 4:2 – What ‘seed’ did Moses have?) - 2 So the LORD said to him, “What is that in your hand?”  He said, “A rod.” They cannot see because of hardness of heart – they were still learning from Jesus, the Miracle-Maker.
   
3. Describe the greatness of this miracle by seeing the outcome of it from vv6-9. 6 So He commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground. And He took the seven loaves and gave thanks, broke them and gave them to His disciples to set before them; and they set them before the multitude. 7 They also had a few small fish; and having blessed them, He said to set them also before them. 8 So they ate and were filled, and they took up seven large baskets of leftover fragments. 9 Now those who had eaten were about four thousand. And He sent them away. There were many leftovers they gathered from the miracle seen. God showed them that there is multiplication when we offer up from a willing heart.
   
4. From v11-12: What is it the Pharisees missed? Why is it they wanted a sign and what would have been their seed to miracle? Read John 20:29 - 29 Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” The Pharisees just couldn’t see, because they were hard at heart. They sought to see miracles that was evident to the eyes, but there wasn’t change of heart, even in viewing the miracle. They missed it.
   

I haven't updated this blog in a long time, have been working on stuff and also spending time with people, and getting lots of expectations at work. Just growing through the phases of life, one by one.

I thank God for my girlfriend, my strong pillar of support and strength. We've been together for slightly past 2 months now, and our 2 months together has been really sweet. We're learning to grown together, share and discover more about each other. But loving her has truly been a wonderful experience, and it's because of God's wonderful love. I know God brought her into my life to help me learn more about His love, and I ask that He would teach me His ways in loving her.

God has been really good to me by bringing her into my life. And I love her so much. And I pray that the challenges we face later on will strengthen our commitment and love for one another.

Thank You, Jesus, for Your wonderful gift to me, in my girlfriend. I am so grateful that You love me so much, that firstly You saved me, then You brought into my life a partner to love me, an evidence of Your continual love for me. Bless our relationship. I thank You Lord, in Jesus' precious name, Amen!