Making The Difference

by Dr. Kong Hee, Founder of City Harvest Church, Singapore

And he stood between the dead and the living; so the plague was stopped.

Numbers 16:48

In Numbers 16, 250 Israelite leaders joined Korah, Dathan and Abiram in a rebellion against Moses. They were jealous of Moses’ authority and leadership. They wanted equal rights for all the leaders. Personally, Korah wanted a position and ministry that God had not given him.

This rebellion was a serious attack, not only against Moses, but against God Himself. The earth then opened up and fire came from heaven to consume the 250 leaders. The next day, the sympathizers of the rebels started murmuring against Moses. They felt that Moses and God were too harsh to Korah and the 250 men. By criticizing them, they were in effect saying that they had more compassion than God.

The Lord immediately spoke to Moses, “Get away from among this congregation, that I may consume them in a moment.” A plague swept through the people and 14,700 men began falling down dead. Aaron quickly took a censer, and with some fire from the altar, ran into the midst of the people and started making atonement for their wrongdoing. He stood between the living and the dead, and the plague stopped (Num. 16:48-49).

Who was Aaron? He was just one man in the midst of a terrible plague that was killing the multitude. He was an elderly man who was too old to exert himself. He was a man who bore the scars of failure in both ministry and life. Yet, he ran to the altar, caught some fire and stood between the living and the dead. And where he stood, the plague stopped.

This simple story was the rhema that launched our “Church Without Walls” ministry to the poor and needy in 1995. The essence of Christianity is simply loving God and loving people (Matt. 22:36-40). If you are willing to go to God’s altar, catch the fire of compassion, and stand between the living and the dead in your community, you can stop the ravages of sin and death.

Can one man make a difference? Aaron was a man of limited abilities. He was a man marked with many public failures. But when he caught the fire of compassion, he stood between the living and the dead and made the difference. With God’s compassion in your heart, you too can make a difference in your world.

(Read the full article at: http://www.konghee.com/www/2010/02/making-the-difference/)

Good out of Evil

We truly praise God for His hand over our nation these past weeks. Good seems to have come out of the evil intents, as we have seen in the response to the attacks on the ten churches and one Sikh temple.

Malaysians from all walks of life, persuasions and faiths were horrified at the attacks and promptly reacted with strong words of condemnation and calls for peace and prayers for calm and for quick, firm action from the Government.

We are thankful that the Government has taken proactive action in handling this whole ugly episode with its promise of a full and quick probe into the attacks. Just days after the attacks, police said several suspects had been identified.

In the meantime, top government officials have been meeting with church leaders to find an amicable solution to the matter. And to assist Metro Tabernacle − the worst-hit church − the Government has pledged a grant of RM500,000. During his visit to the church, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the grant was the Government’s way of showing sympathy and support.

The public also donated to a fund set up by a Muslim blogger for the church and the sum of about RM8,500 was given to the church as a show of support not only for Metro Tabernacle but for the church at large. At the same time, 130 Muslim non-governmental organizations have come together to patrol churches within the Klang Valley. That the Muslim NGOs are extending their hand of assistance and showing solidarity with other faiths at such a time is probably the most heartening and eye-opening news to the nation.

While we quietly rejoice for the positive outcome from these attacks, let us continue to be vigilant in prayer, for God’s sovereign hand to stay on the nation and for the Government to act wisely and courageously in the interest of all Malaysians.

Prayer Focus

Zimbabwe
Once the ‘bread basket’ of Africa because of its large food output, Zimbabwe is now in the grip of long-term poverty and starvation caused by massive inflation and the destruction of the country’s agricultural sector.

Zimbabwe has one of the lowest life expectancies in the world and Christian leaders and congregations have been among the many victims of President Mugabe’s brutal oppression.

Barnabas Fund is supporting Christians in Zimbabwe in a number of ways: providing food parcels to alleviate the starvation among the Christians; supplying seeds and training local people how to farm their land in a more productive way; and providing equipment, uniforms for staff and funding for maintenance at a care home for elderly people.

The feeding project provides parcels of rice and other necessities to thousands of Zimbabwean Christians every month. The agricultural training project assists people who used to receive food parcels to move on to becoming self-sufficient.

Pray for protection for the courageous South African Christians who are driving food in to Zimbabwe to distribute it to the poorest. Pray for Christians being trained under the Barnabas Fund’s agricultural training project to effectively share their skills with the other farmers.

Iran
The Christian population of the Islamic Republic of Iran is estimated at less than 1%. Most Christians are from the historic churches of the region, but there are also churches comprising converts from Islam. Religious freedom in Iran is very limited, and Christians from Muslim background face particular persecution.

One convert was officially executed in 1990 and others have been mysteriously murdered, apparently by government agencies, as have Christians who are active in ministry or outreach. There remains the possibility of further executions for apostasy.

Two young Christian women from Muslim backgrounds, Marzieh and Maryam, were imprisoned last March but were released last November.
It is common for government spies to be present at Sunday services and for the phones of church leaders to be tapped. The pressure is such that many have fled Iran to live in other countries.

Pray for Iran’s Christians, that they may be protected from harm and that the Gospel may be heard and received by all. Pray for church leaders and Christian workers, converts who are the main focus of government monitoring, harassment and persecution.
Pray that they will remain steadfast, never shaken by threats to their lives and that God will meet all their needs.

Pray that a provisionally approved Islamic Penal Code Bill, prescribing the death penalty for those who leave Islam to follow Christ will not be passed into law. At present, Iranian judges have to refer to syariah in order to apply the death sentence for apostasy, but having such a law within the Iranian statute books would make converts even more vulnerable.

Twelve Action Steps to Prayer

Thoughts for the New Year

Church Concerns

Church Activities For This Week

Building Relationships in the New Year by Rev. James Wong

Happy Chinese New Year to all of you.

The New Year reminds us of shopping, celebration, and most importantly, the reunion dinner. Let us put some thoughts on building relationships. As you can recall, sharing the Good News begins with friendship. Remember to use the Book Mark 2010 for this purpose. Let us trust God for spiritual victory and breakthrough this year. This week, let us look at some of the common ways we can build relationships.

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise” (Proverbs 11:30). To win others for Jesus Christ we need to be wise and skillful. “To win” means to accept and to draw others to you. It simply means to build relationships. Sharing the Good News is always relational. To win others for Christ, we must learn the skill of building relationships. Here are a few biblical keys:

1. Serve others.
Remember how Jesus summarized his life? He said: “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). Jesus came to serve and to give. He was known as “a friend of tax collectors and sinners” (Matt. 11:19). Many people were attracted to Jesus because he served them sincerely. He was their friend and he was approachable.

2. Give to others.
People are touched by people who are generous. Jesus touched so many people because he gave his life for them. “A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men” (Prov. 18:16). If you are generous to people, peoples’ hearts will be opened to you. If you are stingy, your friends will avoid you. Live a life of a giver.

3. Be interested in others.
Do not just talk about yourself; your view, your experiences, your hobbies or your preferences. “Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4). Make everyone you meet feel important. When you are interested in others, you make it easy for people to connect with you.

4. Encourage others.
Don’t pour cold water!. “Think of ways to encourage one another to outbursts of love and good deeds” (Heb. 10:24, NLT). Encouragement inspires courage which transforms ordinary people to achieve extraordinary results in their lives.

5. Smile to others.
Smile speaks of friendship. “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart; good news makes for good health” (Prov. 15:30, NLT). People are attracted to friendly people.

THE BENEFITS OF GOD'S WORD

Building the Habit of Time With God’s Word
Rev. James Wong

"Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. ~Acts 20:32(NIV)


1. GOD'S WORD PRODUCES FAITH
"How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?...So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” ~Rom 10:14,17 (NKJ)

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.“ ~Eph 2:8 (NIV)



2. GOD'S WORD PRODUCES NEW BIRTH
"For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.” ~1 Pet 1:23 (NIV)

"As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient."
~Eph 2:1-2 (NIV)

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!" ~2 Cor 5:17 (NIV)



3. GOD'S WORD IS SPIRITUAL FOOD FOR THE INNER MAN
Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'" ~Matt 4:4 (NIV)

"He humbled you, causing you to hunger and then feeding you with manna, which neither you nor your fathers had known, to teach you that man does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of the LORD." ~Deut 8:3 (NIV)




4. GOD'S WORD BRING PHYSICAL HEALTH AND HEALING
"some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities. They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death. Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave."”
~Ps 107:17-20 (NIV)

The centurion replied, "Lord, I do not deserve to have you come under my roof. But just say the word, and my servant will be healed." ~Matt 8:8 (NIV)



5. GOD'S WORD BRINGS LIGHT AND UNDERSTANDING
"The entrance of Your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple."
~Ps 119:130 (NKJ)

"For these commands are a lamp, this teaching is a light, and the corrections of discipline are the way to life." ~Prov 6:23 (NIV)



GOD' S WORD ENSURES VICTORY OVER SIN AND SATAN
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
~Ps 119:11 (NIV)

"The law of his God is in his heart; his feet do not slip." ~Ps 37:31 (NIV)

"By them is your servant warned; in keeping them there is great reward."
~Ps 19:11 (NIV)


7. GOD'S WORD CLEANSES US AND MAKES US HOLY
"Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.” ~John 17:17 (NIV)

"All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for
reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may
be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work." ~2 Tim 3:16-17 (NKJ)

Serving from the Heart by Rick Warren

From now on if you listen obediently to the commandments that I am commanding you today, love God, your God, and serve him with everything you have within you, he'll take charge of sending the rain at the right time .... Deuteronomy 11:13-14 (MSG)

Repeatedly, the Bible says to "serve the Lord with all your heart." God wants you to serve him passionately, not dutifully. People rarely excel at tasks they don't enjoy doing or feel passionate about. God wants you to use your natural interests to serve him and others.

How do you know when you're serving God from your heart?

The first telltale sign is enthusiasm. When you're doing what you love to do, no one has to motivate you, or challenge you, or check up on you. You do it for the sheer enjoyment. You don't need rewards, or applause, or to be paid, because you love serving in this way.

The opposite is also true: When you don't have a heart for what you're doing, you're easily discouraged.

One characteristic of serving God from your heart is effectiveness: whenever you do what God wired you to love to do, you get good at it. Passion drives perfection. If you don't care about a task, it is unlikely that you'll excel at it.

On the other hand, the highest achievers in any field are those who do it because of passion, not duty or profit.

We've all heard people say, "I took a job I hate in order to make a lot of money, so someday I can quit and do what I love to do." That's a big mistake. Don't waste your life in a job that doesn't express your heart.

Remember, the greatest things in life are not things. Meaning is far more important than money. The richest man in the world once said, "A simple life in the fear-of-God is better than a rich life with a ton of headaches" (Proverbs 15:16, Msg).

Don't settle for achieving "the good life," because the good life is not good enough. Ultimately, it doesn't satisfy. You can have a lot to live on, and still have nothing to live for. Aim instead for "the better life" -- serving God in a way that expresses your heart.

Figure out what you love to do -- that which God gave you a heart for -- and then do it for his glory!

Congratulations to our High Achievers

Use Your Faith Energy

A new mind and a new language
By Dr. David Yonggi Cho

(Continue from last week.)
2. AIM HIGH
While I was a child, I heard many times from grown-ups, “When you draw something, start with a tiger in mind, and at least you will end up with a cat. If you start with a cat, the best you can do is a cat and maybe not even that.”

They were telling me to aim high. The Bible says likewise. “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10)

As I have led my ministry for the last 46 years, I have always aimed high. Because I aimed so high, I prayed more than others, studied more than others, and made an effort much greater than others. I went about with great confidence.

Actually, when you aim high or not, making an effort to succeed is not much different. Isn’t it better then to aim high?

3. LOOK AT SUCCESS
In order to succeed, you must always picture yourself with a successful image. It is the principle of looking. Christian and non-Christian likewise, you must apply the principle of looking in order to succeed.

People who succeed even dress for success. It does not mean you need to wear expensive and flashy clothes. Like a successful person, you must dress cleanly and neatly. From the way you walk and the way you talk, your whole attitude must be that of a successful person. You must foster and develop your self-image.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9)

Rich people are hose who always look upon themselves as being rich. Successful businessmen are those who always look upon themselves as being successful in business. Those who are respected by others are those who always think themselves respectable by others. Those who do not look at success will not find success.

“What is seen was not made out of what was visible” (Hebrews 11:3)

You must always look at the blue print of success in your mind which cannot be seen physically.

(Dr. David Yonggi Cho, Use Your Faith Energy, (Seoul Logos co. 2004), pp 17-19). Dr. David is the pastor of the Yoido Full Gospel Church, Korea. As of 2007, membership stands at 830,000, with seven Sunday services translated into 16 languages.

BB & GB Combined Outing

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