Connect Journal: Day 25

Matthew 6:25-34

Timeless Principles
v25 The word worry comes from the word 'merizo', which means 'to divide into parts'. The word suggests that there is a distraction that preoccupies the mind, and causes anxiety, stress, and pressure. Jesus is saying that it is sinful to let our mind be distracted by the things that we want, or even need, because God looks after our best interests (Rom8:28).
v33 Seek FIRST God's kingdom, and everything WILL be added unto you. Again, the priority is God. Focus on God. Be refined. God knows our needs, He promised that He will provide for you.

Exposition
In 1943, Abraham Maslow came up with the Hierarchy of Needs which shows that in our sinful nature, we tend to seek our own needs first before we can come to God. While there are basic flaws in the theory, there's a major element of truth in what he said. Jesus knew that too, and He knew better (Luke 4:4). We tend to worry about the physical, and neglect the spiritual. But Jesus is saying that we must not neglect the spiritual, and God will take care of the physical instead. Now, that's radical. But God proved to us in Deu 8:2-3 that He does indeed take care of us.

Discipleship
Now, how can we tell whether we are putting God's kingdom first? Look at your bank statement, personal budget, diary, journal, or any other personal records, and see the proportion that you spend on God, in terms of time, money, and other resources. Do we give tithes to God? How much quality time do we spend with God daily? Are you spending any resources that grieves God?

Devotion
This passage is an encouragement for me because I know that God is taking care of me even as I trust Him for daily needs. He has been true and faithful to His words.
Sometimes God stretches our faith over and beyond what we have experienced before, and we start to question God. But true faith (Heb11:1) like that of a child prevails in these circumstances, with the assurance that God has plans to prosper us, not to harm us, but to give us a hope and future (Jer 29:11).

Applications
In the past few weeks, I have been asking God for a lot of basic needs, and getting very anxious about it. But God knows my struggles, and He constantly reminds me that He has already given the provisions. And true enough, day by day I see that God continues to provide. I always have enough. Then I question myself again, since God is taking such good care of me, how should I spend my time? Instead of worrying and trying to fix problems my own way, I can spend this time on other things that will please God! How great is our God!

Spiritual Experience
Today, at worship practice, Jessica shared about God's consuming fire, a fire that refines us and the same fire that brings judgment on sins.
The bible talks about baptism of Holy Spirit, then Baptism of Fire. After we get baptised in HS, then what? This fire is meant to refine our character. We should allow God to have His way in us. When the fire burns, it's hot and painful. But as a result, we will qualify as a radiant bride for God.
Just some quick verses before I sleep:
Daniel 7:9, talking about flaming throne
Isaiah 33:14, consuming fire, judgment, holiness
2 king 6:17 God's protection
Deu 4:24 God's jealousy
Isa 50:10-11 fire that guides men

God desires holiness because He is holy. Do we reflect God? How can the church lead, or have revival, if we are not refined? Is there anything in your life that grieves God?

God reminded me of the roast pork that I ate for dinner last night. It was the fat portion. Then God reminded me that all the fat portion belongs to God (Lev 3:16-17). So, don't eat the fat, it's not good for you anyway. I thought that was it. Pretty tough word. But not only that, God also convicted me that I must give the best portions in my life to God. Now, that's very hard! But I know that's the best for me :)

Last night I received a prophecy from a dear brother:

I would like to tell you that God is in the process of
healing you. and after the healing, you will experience the mighty works of the Lord. But in no distance time the healing will be completed and you will see the wonders of the Lord

Amen! Glory to God!!

Man of Vision

At first I didn't think highly of this brother (Joseph/Ong)who waited for me at the lobby this morning. He was supposed to pick me up and escort me to Ascension University, one of the most glamorous university in Bangkok. Seriously, it looks like another Vatican!

On the way to the uni, we shared about our vision, and guess what? God has brought us together miraculously. He didn't know my vision, and I didn't know any better. I thought that he was just another student leader. But I learnt that God has called him to use business to impact the world through a vision fund.

We spent the whole day in local and international mini church. The idea is to provide persecuted students a church on weekdays, at the same time giving non-believers a taste of sunday church. In between sessions, we shared deeper about the plans that God has laid in our hearts. The result is a refining of our vision, and a refreshing of our call. We talked about practically anything, and we couldn't stop talking. I think we talked like 2 aunties who has not met each other for 20 years, gossipping about everything, non-stop.

God brought me to Sampan, a drummer, a new believer. He is so cool, like my dear brother Billy Simpson in Melbourne. Very talented in music, even though he's young. He loves Sonic Flood, Planet Shakers, and Hillsong. He's got a good artistic nature, especially in story telling and song writing. I love the way he dress up, very relevant for reaching out to the youth.

I was pleasantly surprised to see sister Pern preaching on the international mini church. It was her first time preaching in english.

On the way back, I dropped by a Pad Thai stall outside my hostel, it was supposed to be the best Pad Thai because they won stir frying competition. I knew about them from Google Earth. How convenient :) The food was allright. Worth winning a competition.

Apostolic Businessman

In 2003, God called me to be an apostolic businesssman. He gave me the calling to use businesses as a way to help missionaries gain access to other countries and fund their mission and church planting work. Some businesses will be used to fund community work, such as orphanage, senior homes, community centres and hospitals.

In the past few weeks, God has refreshed this vision. I visited a language school at Sri Sa Ket, set up by a foundation to finance orphanages in Thailand. In the last few weeks, I've read a book about the efficiency of financing native missionaries. Today I visited a businessmen care group near my hotel. Some members own a business, some are managers, some have business background, but may be serving in church or at home full time. They told me about their regular activities. Now the pieces are starting to make sense.

By the way, I had some inside information that if your church wants to be effective in Vietnam, you can consider having a native english speaking pastor. They will love you.

Another central theme for today: The end of the world is very near. You don't only learn about this from movies, but also from the signs of the end times. Many pastors are confident of reaching every nation by 2050, and even 2015. I hope that you will catch the urgency of the hour.

Prophecy

The Oceania Convention during Easter break was amazing! I got a prophecy from John Jacks scribed as follow:

You are the one.

I really feel the Holy Spirit want you to begin to apply yourself very diligently and very methodically to the Word of God. You have a very enquiring mind. You are a very alert person. You are an observer of what's going on, you are very keen to learn and understand. But God wants you to learn whatever it is that you're learning elsewhere, but really give yourself to scriptures and perhaps even take on some courses to equip yourself for your future. God wants you to have the ability to teach others the Word of God. And so you need to have the Word of God in order to be able to TEACH the Word of God and to instruct others. So use the alertness that you have and that keenness and that tenacity that's naturally there to pursue God's Word
and to have it hidden in your heart, so that when He need to use you there will be this reservoir there that He can draw from to bless other people.

Praise God! This confirms what God told me a few months back about going to bible college. Ps Mark advised me to apply the scriptures in whatever I am already doing, such as in my cell group discussions, counselling friends, learning to write my own sermons, and daily devotion.

I've just finished a book, A Fragile Stone by Michael Card. He's one of my favourite authors. I've also read Scribbling in Sand. He is a great thinker, and he really goes deep into the bible. He's my role model for someone who is able to expound the scriptures, narrate a compelling story out of it, and compose a song to amplify God's message. Anyway, this book is highly recommended, it tells about how God changed Simon Peter from a fisherman, breaking him into bits and defining his future as the ROCK, on which He will build His church. Through this book, I've learnt about God's call for me, in line with the prophecy, to be a shepherd of His flock. Right now God is breaking me as well. I'm learning to put my faith in Him despite of my desperate circumstances.

Currently, I'm reading Revolution in World Missions by K P Yohannan. This is a life story of the author, whose mum prayed for 3.5 years so that one of the boys would be a preacher. Now he supports native missionaries in Asia preaching the Gospel to the unreached regions. A touching story about how God used a little kampung boy to humble the wealthy nations and bring a call of repentance for their sin, pride and worldliness.

This week I came to one conclusion (again): Jesus is coming back very soon, definitely before my generation ends. Already, at least 3 pastors have gut feelings about the urgency of the end times. They have expressed the heartfelt goal of their churches to fulfill Mat 28:18-20 by 2015-2050. And I know that the time is coming, earlier than what most people think. I may be raptured as well, if I haven't died in the mission field. Now, who's with me to plunder Hell and populate Heaven?