My dearly Beloved of the Lord, 

Tomorrow is Chinese Lunar New Year and we have been busy spring cleaning our homes and shopping for new things for the house and new clothes for ourselves. We want a good start for the New Year with new things. There is nothing wrong with this practice but, there is one thing that is very needful and that is, we have to “spring clean” the "house" – our hearts within us. Are there cobwebs of past hurts and wounds? Is our heart filled with skeletons of our brothers, sisters, men and women of God whom we have “murdered” and “slaughtered” through our slander, gossips, backbiting, etc.  Let us throw out and rid our hearts of all these as we prepare to enter the New Year. The Bible in Isaiah 1:16-17 says “Wash yourself, make yourselves clean put away the evil of your doings from before MY (God) eyes; cease to do evil.”  

As we busied ourselves shopping for new clothes to replace the old ones, let us also not forget to “shop” for new spiritual clothes to replace the old ones. When we shop we pick and choose until we find the best. Likewise, let us also choose the best “spiritual clothes” to put on for the New Year. God always has the best for us and He exhorts us in Col. 3:12-14, “…Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love,”  

Dearly beloved, in the midst of spring-cleaning and shopping, let us take time to reflect on the “clothes” we are wearing. Are they clothes of the flesh or clothes of the spirit?  “Clothes” of the flesh are filthy and hardened by bitterness and anger, wrath, unforgiveness, hatred, pride, malice, strife, envy, and others as mentioned in Gal. 5:19-21. “Clothes” of the Spirit are love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness and temperance. (Gal. 5: 22-23).   

Life is full of choices and God has given us the freedom to choose. Therefore, choose wisely just as Apostle Paul told the Ephesians in Eph. 4: 24 - 25, “And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness…..for we are members one of another.”  The Prophet Isaiah in Isa. 1: 19 - 20 says, “If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken.”

Ps Pauline Phua    

 
Archived Bulletins
   

8 January 2012

LET MY PEOPLE GO!

My dearly beloved,

The call of God to each and everyone of us as we begin this new year is this, “Let My people go!” This message was given originally by God to Pharaoh through Moses. During those days, the Israelites were slaves under Pharaoh. You may ask me, “But I do not have slaves under me so how does this message apply to me?”

When someone sins against you, he owes you a debt (Matt.6:12; 18:21-35). According to the Book of Proverbs 22:7, the borrower or debtor becomes the lender’s slave. In other words, when someone sins against you, he owes you a debt and in the process, becomes your “slave.” Like Pharaoh, you have a choice whether to forgive them and let them go or to continue to keep them as your slaves.

Unfortunately, Pharaoh refused to hearken to the voice of God and instead chose to harden his heart. As a result, the judgement of God came upon him and the whole of Egypt in the form of plagues until eventually the whole nation and his household was devastated, leading to the death of their first-borns. All because he refused to let the children of Israel go.

In the New Testament, when asked by Peter how many times we ought to forgive our brother who sins against us, Jesus spoke a parable in Matt.18: 22-35. In this parable, the king let the first slave go even though he owed him 10,000 talents out of compassion. However, the same slave went out to find one of his fellow slaves who owed him only 100 denarii and seized him and began to choke him. He refused to let this slave go, i.e. to forgive him of his debts even though he had been forgiven of his debts by the king.

As a result, he threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed—he refused to let him go. When the king heard of it, he handed the first slave to the torturers until he repaid all that he owed the king. Jesus concluded by saying, “So shall My heavenly Father also do to you if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart” (Matt.18:35).

Pharaoh hardened his heart against the message of God. Consequently, he suffered under the judgement of God. The first slave chose to do the same and it resulted in him having to suffer under the hand of the torturers. Maybe like Pharaoh and the first slave, you are suffering ill-health and wealth and life is like hell. Why? The reason is simple—you refuse to let God’s people go. You refuse to forgive them of the debts they owe you. Today, God is calling you to “let My people go.”

In His love,

Ps. Daniel Phua

18 December 2011

ARE YOU PLAYING THE FOOL?

My dearly beloved,

Towards the end of his life, King Saul’s assessment of himself was indeed pitiful and miserable, “Behold, I have played the fool and have committed a serious error.” (1Sam.26:21b) As the year is drawing to a close, what is the assessment of yourself? Are you a Saul or a Paul?

Apostle Paul’s assessment of himself towards the end of his life was this, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; in the future, there is laid up for me, the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day.” (2Tim.4:7-8a)

One played the fool but the other was a fool for Christ (1Cor.4:10); a praying tool used by God to impact the known world with the Gospel of Jesus. Because Apostle Paul fought the good fight and had finished the course, he was certain of the rewards that were waiting for him. On the other hand, because King Saul played the fool and committed a serious error, what awaits him therefore is a terrifying expectation of judgement.

The epitaph of David reads like this, “For David, after he had served the purpose of God in his own generation, fell asleep and was laid among his fathers” (Acts13:36). As the year is coming to an end, we need to ask ourselves this question: “Are we serving the purpose of God or are we serving the purpose of the devil? Are we playing the fool or are Christ’s fools and tools used by God to serve His purpose?   

In His love,

Ps. Daniel Phua

"Fear not [there is nothing to fear], for I am with you; do not look around you in terror and be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen and harden you to difficulties, yes, I will help you; yes, I will hold you up and retain you with My [victorious] right hand of rightness and justice" (Isaiah 41:10, AMP)

Beloved,

We may be going through tough times or maybe it seems that our world is falling apart. It's easy to look around at what's happening in the earth today and be tempted to feel afraid or dismayed. Circumstances around us may be overwhelming. During times like these, it's important to remember that God has promised that He will never leave us nor forsake us. In fact, not only is He with us, He has promised to strengthen us and harden us to difficulties.

Despite these promises from God, many of us still do not turn to Him and trust in Him. Instead we find ourselves struggling and allowing the problems to steal our joy and peace. Some of us still continue to worry even after giving our problems to God. Beloved it’s time to change, God’s promises to us are true and for us to claim. Even when we start trusting in God let us do so without thinking of the possibilities as our God is the God of the impossibilities. Let us start to have an attitude that says, "This may be a big problem, but my God is bigger!"

Beloved keep in mind that the enemy is not after our check book; he's ultimately after our peace and joy.

He knows that if he can get our joy then he can get our strength. But when we stay connected to the Father through prayer and studying the Word and declare His promises over our life, we will be hardened to difficulties and stay safe in the palm of God's hand!

Beloved let us not falter but claim the promises of God in our lives when things start to turn wary. Remember that our God is bigger than any of our circumstances. Believe HIM! Let not the enemy steal your joy and peace!

God Bless.

Pastor Pauline Phua

13th November 2011

PERFECT OR PRACTICAL?

My dearly beloved,

The Book of Proverbs is a collection of sayings of wise men on their observations of life. Smart people make a lot of money but wise people make a lot out of life.

The wise man observes in Prov.14:4 that where no oxen are, the manger is clean, but much increase comes by the strength of the ox. The perfect or the ideal situation is to keep the manger clean. However in trying to keep the manger clean, there will be no ox.  This is not practical as the farmer needs the ox to do his work. Therefore in life, we are constantly facing this dilemma - trying to marry the perfect or ideal with being practical. A balance must be struck between the two.

There are couples who want their home to be spick and span (their manger to be clean). As a result, they decide not to have children (oxen) or they do not allow children or guests to visit their house. Others want their cars to be so clean they do not allow children to eat in them. However, they fail to see the other side of the equation; much increase comes by the strength of the ox, i.e. much joy comes from having children and fellowshipping with guests in our home. Others want to maintain such cleanliness that they do not allow any cooking to be done in their kitchen thus depriving themselves of a sumptuous meal in the comfort and privacy of their home.  

The same scenario is being played out in the office. Where no oxen are (illustrious people) the office will be clean. However, this may lead to lower productivity. Likewise in the ministry, we are also faced with this tension - going for the ideal or perfect or being practical. We want more time to practice, better musical instruments and sound equipments but in reality, we have limited time and resources.

My dearly beloved, we must strike a balance between the two. We can be so heavenly minded (idealistic) but become of no earthly use. We need to know we are in this world (practical) but at the same time, not of this world.

Forsaking the ideal or the perfect and merely adopting the practical or being realistic will result in mediocrity. On the other hand, pursuing the ideal or the perfect without much thought to practical reality will lead to despair.   

In His love,

Ps. Daniel Phua

My dearly beloved,

 “….Believe in the Lord your God and you shall be established; believe… His prophets and you shall prosper.”   2 Chronicles 20:20;  

Last Sunday God has spoken specifically through our Senior Pastor that He will change our situation. Do you believe it? Are you ready for the change in your situation? The Lord changed the situation of the Israelites. From a life filled with misery, sufferings, poverty, afflictions and defeats to an abundant victorious life filled with His success and prosperity and possessing their possessions. Do you long for a change in your situation like the Israelites? Long for an abundant life filled with success, prosperity and victory? Sadly many Christians today have the wrong concept that it is wrong to have a successful and prosperous life thus living their lives in misery, poverty and defeats.

Deeperlifers, …“Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.” Joshua 3:5

When Moses led the Israelites out of Egypt, the land of their afflictions and bondages, God specially parted the walls of the Red Sea for them (Ex 14:21-22). When Joshua led the people into Canaan, their promised land flowing with God’s blessings and abundance, God specially parted the walls of River Jordan to bring His people to their promised land to possess their possessions (Joshua 3:13-17). God gave specific instructions to Joshua to observe as he took charge to lead Israel across Jordan into Canaan. To succeed Joshua was: 1) To be strong and courageous, 2) To observe and meditate upon the law of God and 3) Not be afraid nor dismayed but be confident that the Lord his God was with him wherever he went. 

Joshua believed the Lord, followed the instructions and had a successful and prosperous ministry. Joshua’s success was not dependent on other people or circumstances. NO! His success was hinged entirely on his obedience to God. Joshua believed what God said and did what God told him to do.             Joshua was put to test: God had given him an unorthodox plan to conquer Jericho. Joshua’s success was conditioned on obeying God regardless of how foolish His plan seemed. Joshua’s success had nothing to do with the circumstances of the battle but everything to do with obedience. Like Joshua, if we believe what God says and do what God tells us to do we shall surely prosper and have great success. Joshua has set a pattern for us to follow for a successful and prosperous life. And like Joshua, we shall have a successful and prosperous life if we believe in the Lord our God and hold on to His promises!

Beloved Deeperlifers, the Lord has spoken!  Believe in the Lord! He has come to part the walls of the Red Sea and River Jordan for you to go to your promised land! Get ready for the change! Be strong and courageous!  Observe and meditate upon the law of God! Do not be afraid nor be dismayed but be confident! For the Lord your God is with you and for you!

God bless you!

Pastor Pauline Phua

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,

You may be oppressed, robbed of what is due to you, bullied, intimidated, threatened and daily living in suspense not knowing what will happen the next minute. You are filled with fear in the day, robbed of sleep at night. Your mind is constantly trying to find peace. How you long for answers and peace!  If anyone would be willing to give a ride to The Sea of Tranquility* or the The Sea of Serenity* you would jump to go because they sound like the perfect pictures of calm and peace that you long for. *(In case you didn’t know these are on the Moon!)

You are not alone. The people of Israel went through a similar situation (Judges 6). Tired of being bullied, cheated and living in fear of the Midianites, they cried to the Lord to deliver them. The Midianites oppressed the people of Israel, robbed them of their food by destroying all the crops. They left no sheep, ox or ass as they came with their cattle, tents and camels without number into the land of Israel destroying and wasting it. The people of Israel made dens in the mountains, caves and strongholds and lived in fear of them. So did Gideon who was beating wheat in the winepress to hide it from the Midianites. The Lord appeared to him and promised to deliver Israel from the Midianites through Gideon. Gideon built an altar to the Lord there and called it Jehovah-shalom, which means “The Lord is Peace”. God brought peace in their troubled state through Gideon for forty years because He is the God of peace.

Throughout the Bible you will find that the source of peace is God. Peace comes from Him. So if you are looking for peace there is only one place you can go and truly find the peace and rest that you need. “You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on You,  Because he trusts in You” (Isaiah 26:3)  You will know the peace of God when you “prop” yourself, lean yourself, sustain yourself, set yourself, rest yourself all on the Lord for that is the meaning of “stayed”.  You will have peace when you surrender your mind, your situation and your inability to stand and manage on your own to the Lord. Jesus says to you, “Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you” (John 14:27). His peace is abiding, His peace will calm your agitated, disturbed, restless heart like no one else or anything else ever can. No one can steal away the peace that He gives. What is God’s peace? “And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison and mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus” (Phil 4:7).

Beloved your outward situations may not vanish overnight or disappear at the snap of your fingers. When you know the peace of God, when your heart is filled with peace from God, no matter what the storm, safe in the hands of the One Whose hands were nailed on the cross for you, you will experience victory, overcoming power and triumph in Christ Jesus for tethis

his is what He has promised you. In John 16:33 Jesus says, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]”

  Surrender yourself to the Lord today and ask the God of peace to fill you with His peace.

In His love,

Sister Elizabeth Daniel

of time, talent, treasures and resources. Do you find

4th September 2011

BE ANGRY AND YET DO NOT SIN

My dearly beloved,

The Bible assumes that everyone of us will be angry at some time in our lives—be angry and yet do not sin (Eph.4:26). It does not say, “if you are angry” but assumes that we will be angry. But at the same time, it raises the possibility that we can still be angry and yet not sin.

How are we to deal with our anger so that we will not sin?

(1)   Control your anger  

A fool always loses his temper but a wise man holds it back so says the wise man in Prov.29: 11. Both the fool and the wise man have a temper—everyone gets angry but the difference between a fool and a wise man is his ability to control his temper (he holds it back).

Likewise in Eph.4:26, God says we can still be angry and yet not sin when we do not let the sun go down on our anger. In other words, God is saying we have some control over our anger—we have the ability to control and shorten our anger.

Anger is an emotion. Like all emotions, we can learn to control it. A child robbed of his favorite food or toy will immediately cry and throw a tantrum. But we do not expect an adult to behave this way because he has some semblance of control over his emotion.

(2)   Channel your anger   

One time, when I was praying for the worship team, the Spirit of the Lord spoke to me and said, “Tell My people, don’t shout at people but shout unto the Lord.” Psychologists tell us that bottling up our feelings is harmful to our health. With this, the Scriptures concur.

What do you think is the most destructive and negative emotion? Most people will say it is hatred. Yet our God also hates. But He hates the right thing—He hates divorces and evil. We are even exhorted to hate evil as well (Ps.97:10). When we don’t shout unto the Lord, we will end up shouting at people. When we don’t hate evil, we end up hating people. The key is to channel our emotion in the right direction.

(3)   Calibrate your expectation

Have you asked yourself why you are always angry? The reason is simply because people do not meet up to your expectation or when your demands are not met. Haman was angry with Mordecai because he did not bow down to him. Saul was angry with David because he appeared to be better than him according to the maidens of Israel.

As a pastor, if I expect every single church member to love and respect me and I expect to be better than anyone else in whatever I do, I will surely be disappointed and angry with some church members. But such expectations are unrealistic. Many a times, we are angry with our spouse, parents, children, maids, bosses, colleagues and friends because of our unrealistic expectations of them. As a result, our demands are not met and we end up being angry.

An angry man stirs up strife and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgressions (Prov.29:22). That is why we should learn to control our anger and not let our anger control us. When we are angry unduly, we give the devil a foothold in our lives (Eph.4:27). Lingering anger and resentment will lead to the devil having a stronghold in our lives which will result in bitterness, wrath, clamor and slander with malice (Eph.4:31). Out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks resulting in unwholesome words which in turn will grieve the Holy Spirit. (Eph.4:29-30).

The cure is to learn how to forgive as Christ has forgiven us and to be kind to one another and tender-hearted (Eph.4: 32).

In His love,

Ps. Daniel Phua

28th August 2011

My beloved in the Lord,

Do you know that God desires to set us free today, free from ourselves, free from self glory and self-protection that keep us self-focused and helpless in the plan of God. The heart of everything Jesus came to do was to restore relationship with God and with each other. He came to tear down the works of Satan which are broken and bad relationships. Sin is the failure to LOVE others. Wars between nations, decay of society, divisions in the Church or divorce between couples are problems of relationship.

When our relationships are right by walking in true intimacy with God and others, we will have a testimony for those who are truly seeking the meaning of life that will point them to our Lord Jesus. It is our genuine LOVE for one another that Jesus mentioned would testify of His life in us (John 13:34, 35). His followers would not only be recognized by healings, nor miracles, signs or wonders, as wonderful and exciting as these are, but by LOVE. God's anointing for the miraculous and the power that breaks the yoke of the devil is poured out in the atmosphere of LOVE:

"Behold, how good and pleasant it is for brethren to  dwell together in unity! It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the bread, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments. It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing - life forevermore" (Psalm 133).

The oil represents the anointing of the Holy Spirit and in UNITY (not conformity) there is anointing and life in the Spirit. In UNITY God commands the blessing! Until that UNITY comes in the Church, it will not have reached its complete fulfillment. It is not by accident that it takes UNITY in the Body of Christ to bring forth life. This is God's design and its absence produces emptiness and barrenness. People will not fully see Jesus until the foundation of the Church is fully restored.

What will be our response as a Church in this day, at this perilous time when God is calling us to be spiritually effective by faithfully following Jesus, our good Shepherd? Let us respond to each other as Barak did: "If you will not go with me, I will not go" (Judges 4:8). God is saying to us that we cannot go without each other. The victory will come from our union, for it is there that God gives His blessing. Be encouraged that what the devil meant for evil, God meant for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose.

Shalom in Jesus' love,
Pastor Brian Chua

21th August 2011

My dearly Beloved,

Be on the alert! RED ALERT! The days ahead are dark, bleak evil and filled with destruction! Destruction!! Destruction!!! Destructions are flooding the earth everyday! And the devil is all out to destroy God’s people like a flood! Like a prowling lion, walking about, seeking whom he may devour! Guard yourself! Just as you take much effort to ensure your home is not broken into by robbers and thieves, be on the RED ALERT to ensure our spiritual “homes” – our lives, our families, our possessions and the ministry the Lord has entrusted to us are not robbed!

The devil is a liar. He came to steal and to destroy your lives and the ministry the Lord has given you. Adam and Eve were robbed of their spiritual inheritance through deception, the serpent’s lies and half truths. They died spiritually because of their lustful desires. They disobeyed what God instructed them and therefore lost everything God had for them. Beloved, do not be robbed of your destiny. Are you being tempted to disobey God? Drawn to worldly pleasures and lustful desires? Drawn also with temptations to deceive in order to get riches and to achieve power and glory?

The devil is all out to rob us of our families! GUARD YOUR FAMILY FROM BEING BROKEN INTO! GUARD YOUR CHILDREN FROM BEING STOLEN BY HIM! He will come in a deceitful and startled manner to steal their minds, hearts and time through worldly influence, the dark world of internet and not forgetting ungodly music. Their mind, hearts and time could have been invested to focus on the Word and the things of God.  Beloved parents, do your children display rebelliousness? Hate anything that concerns the kingdom of God and His church? Do not take rebellious kind of attitude lightly in whatever form it comes. For the Bible says that rebellion is the sin of witchcraft. It will be the beginning of your headaches and heartaches! They will be robbed of their future, God’s destiny and will to be fulfilled in their lives! Watch out too for destruction of marriages! Soured and destroyed through a third party, misunderstandings, mistakes made, lack of finances and even through differences in managing the households and children.

Beloved, watch out for being robbed of your possessions! Are you a ROBBER in the house of God? If you do not tithe, you are robbing God! And YOU WILL BE ROBBED OF YOUR POSSESSIONS! WHY? Malachi 3:8-11: Will a man rob God? Yet you rob Me. But you say, where have we robbed Thee? In tithes and offerings. “You are cursed with the curse; for you robbed Me,…..” Beloved, if we are faithful with His tithes and offerings, God has promised to rebuke the devourer, “OPEN” the windows of heaven (that means it was shut) and pour out blessings till there’s not enough room to receive it.

As the siren of warning goes forth, apply the blood of the Lamb at the door post of your hearts, your homes and your possessions so that when the destroyer passes by, you will be saved from destruction and death.

Pastor Pauline Phua

7th August 2011

My dearly beloved in the Lord,

No one likes to be called a fool. Those of us easily stirred up to be angry, who are given to uncontrollable lashing out of abusive language, actions, emotions resulting in hurting others intentionally or unintentionally as a result of such anger are labeled just that in the word of God: “Do not be quick in spirit to be angry or vexed, for anger and vexation lodge in the bosom of fools” Ecclesiastes 7:9. If you do not change, soon you may not have much friends too for the bible warns: “Make no friendships with a man given to anger, and with a wrathful man do not associate, lest you learn of his ways and get yourself into a snare”   Proverbs 22:24-25. It is so easy to be influenced and learn of the ways of an angry man and ‘copy’ him or her in our behaviour and fall into the trap of the enemy and that is why we are warned.

Anger: There is no human being exempt from this. All of us get angry in one situation or another. The result of being angry can be disastrous. “He who foams up quickly and flies into a passion deals foolishly” Prov 14:17. We may end up saying words we never really want to in our good sense, taking extreme, foolish actions that are unbelievable by others who know us, behaving in a crude, shocking manner, flaring up in a rage….endless….some totally are so enraged that they end up murdering the other.

What leads to anger? We are so preoccupied with personal, sometimes sinful and selfish interests and get angry at the slightest disturbance. When our authority has not been respected our emotions rise as our pride gets injured and we get angry. When we are challenged and our integrity called into question or insecure that our position may be taken, fear that we may lose what we have or a relationship, our sin has been exposed and we lose ‘face’, not being recognized for what we have been sacrificing of our time and talents, frustration at not being understood, or being misunderstood for our good intentions; these are few of the reasons that cause us to be angry.

When we are angry the enemy blinds us to everything. In our anger we forget our standing s a child of God, our faith, the sovereignty of our Lord in the situation and we readily give in to uncontrollable flow of injurious, hurtful, painful words or acts that will cause much damage to the receiver and to ourselves. In our anger we commit much sin. “A man of wrath stirs up strife, and a man given to anger commits and causes much transgression” Proverbs 29:22 The only one rejoicing in that situation is Satan that he has succeeded in achieving his goal in getting us to be provoked, destructible and shaming our Lord God.

 “Good sense makes a man restrain his anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression or an offense” Proverbs 19:11. Yes if we can pause, hold on a minute longer in that situation with a forgiving heart, patience, love and compassion, understanding of the situation and the person, have some regard for the other as the property of God and being His child it will help us to restrain our anger. If we realize that no matter how ‘low’ we have been subjected to, crushed or ‘cheated’ or have had to lose ‘face’, that our Lord God, the Sovereign King is upon the throne and He sees and knows it all, it will calm us and let good triumph over evil in us. God who sees it will reward us, He will comfort us, He will fight our case and cause for us and He will uphold us!

Psalm 37:8 exhorts us to “Cease from anger and forsake wrath.” That is the best way! As we yield our lives to our Father and ask for His Holy Spirit to take complete charge of our lives at the beginning of each day and ask for the prompting of the Holy Spirit in situations that could provoke our anger and if we willingly respond to His gentle touch we will be able to recognize the enemy’s ploy and cease from anger and glorify the Lord in our lives each day.

In His love,

Sister Elizabeth Daniel

1st August 2011

THE PERILS AND LIMITATIONS OF SELF EXAMINATION

My dearly beloved,

On one hand, Apostle Paul encouraged us to examine ourselves in 1Cor.11:28 and also in 2Cor.13: 5. On the other hand, he surprisingly said in 1Cor. 4: 3-4 that he don’t even examine himself but the One who examined him is the Lord. Is Apostle Paul schizophrenic or is he suffering from a bipolar disorder? The answer is obviously no. He cautioned against placing too much reliance on self examination as he understood the perils and the limitations of self examination.

What are the perils of self examination? According to Jer.17: 9, the heart is deceitful above all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it? Our hearts are deceitful, therefore in doing self examination; we can be deceiving ourselves into thinking that we are good or in overrating our talents, skills and achievements, when in reality we are not.

The wise man said in Prov.16: 2, “All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight but the Lord weighs the motives.” The trouble is when we examine ourselves, we consider ourselves right but when we examine others we use a different yardstick altogether. For example, we tend to judge others by their actions but we judge ourselves by our intentions or motives. Furthermore, 2Cor.10: 18 tells us that it is not he who commends himself who is approved but whom the Lord commends.

Prophet Isaiah is a prime example of what we are talking about. Before he had a vision of the Lord in Isa.6, he went around pronouncing “woes” upon the people. In his own estimation and self examination, he was both holy and righteous. Not until he saw the Lord that he really saw himself as the Lord saw him—“…woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips and I live among a people of unclean lips  (Isa.6:5).”

What are the limitations of self examination? Jeremiah the prophet clearly tells us that the heart is not only deceitful but who can understand it? No matter how hard we try, there are limitations in our ability to know ourselves. This is the result of the Fall. With the Fall, we became spiritually blinded and to some extent, there will always be some blind spots in our lives which we are not conscious of. When Prophet Nathan came to King David and told him a parable, King David was quick to condemn the rich neighbor who took the one and only lamb from his poor neighbor without realizing that he was guilty of the same offence. How many times have we condemned people when we have been equally guilty of the same offence?

Jeremiah tells us that it is the Lord who searches the heart and tests the mind (Jer.17: 10). Prov.16: 2 tells that it the Lord who weighs our motive. Paul said the One who examines me is the Lord. No wonder the psalmist prayed, “Search me, O Lord and know my heart; try me and know my anxious thoughts and see if there will be any hurtful way in me and lead me in the everlasting way.” All of them know that it is the Lord who can give a true picture of who we really are.

In His love,

Ps. Daniel Phua

3rd July 2011

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,

Like Cain with envy and jealousy in your heart that seeks a way to destroy your brother would you hear the voice of God ask, “Where is ___ your brother?” (Genesis 4:1-15)

You have been living a life filled with lies-adding a new lie each time to cover the tracks of the old ones thinking no one will know. Like Ananias would you be asked this question: “…why has Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit…?”  (Acts 5:1-11)

“You are the man” (2 Samuel 12) - the man who secretly planned the murder of an innocent man, the man who stole, the man who coveted another man’s wife, the man who committed adultery.  Like David is the word of God come to pierce your heart today exposing your wickedness and sins before the Lord? David devised an evil plan and executed it cunningly to look like it had nothing to do with him, but no evil intention can be hidden from the Lord. “Wash me”, “Cleanse me” was the cry David as he sought forgiveness of the Lord in Psalm 51. Though he had done it to man, David recognized that he had done this wickedness unto the Lord. “Against You, You only, have I sinned, and done this evil in Your sight….” he cried. (Psalm 51: 4)

Whether it is envy, lying, disobedience, stealing, covetousness, adultery or any of those evil habits that have so made us slaves to the devil, we need to recognize like David that we have sinned against the Lord. We need to come to Him, repent, acknowledge our sins, (Ps 51:3) ask His forgiveness (1 John 1:9) for He is a faithful God Who forgives our sins, and we need to ask Him to “Create in me a clean heart O God and renew a steadfast spirit within me.” (Ps 51:10).

It is very vital that we come to the Lord daily and ask: “Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139: 23-24).

When we do so daily any hidden sin or even an intention to sin will be revealed to us and we will become more sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit to stay on the right track.

In His love,

Sister Elizabeth Daniel

19th June 2011

My beloved in the Lord,

A blessed day to all fathers in DLCC! You are precious in the eyes of our Lord and His desire is for you to live in godliness. Every home needs a strong symbol of authority. When you are willing to accept this challenge and be kind in dealing with every member of your family, the home has a good foundation. You cannot be all you ought to be as a father unless you walk in obedience to Jesus Christ.

1. Father of Conviction

Today we see people who once had deep convictions concerning right and wrong have now yielded to compromise. Christians have become discouraged because they looked to leaders and have been disappointed. Instead of integrity, we have seen dishonesty. In our home we need fathers who have convictions concerning the great issues of life and who are willing to practice these virtues daily. When our homes have this kind of fathers and husbands, families will grow up in the knowledge and joy of the Lord.

2. Father of Compassion

To be strong and uncompromising is not enough to make an ideal father. We need men who are tender and compassionate. It takes strength of character to be kind and unselfish. When we are able to feel with people, we develop a tender heart of compassion. There are only two things that really count - one is godly character and the other is human sympathy in the life of a father who is consistently connected in prayer to the heart of Father God.

3. Father who loves his family

A man who genuinely cares and loves his family will be faithful and true to the marriage vows. We know that an increasing number of men are unfaithful to their wives. Unfaithfulness affects their children in a terrible way. Emotional instability and deep scars are present in children because of their father’s infidelity and self-centeredness. We need men today who love their families by showing loyalty in every way to their wives.

Fathers, are you willing to be responsible and exemplary? It is time for fathers to arise to what God desires of us and be His testimony to a wicked and corrupt world.

Shalom in Jesus' love,

Ps. Brian Chua

5th June 2011

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,

Yours? Stiff knees that refuse to bend and bow down to His Sovereign name and power.

Yours? An unbending will that is stubborn and insists on doing its own works and going its own way.

Yours? A proud self always right in your own eyes, exalting the self, justifying all the wicked deeds indulged in.

Yours? An unyielding heart that refuses to acknowledge the Lordship of Jesus Christ over the life. 

Yours? Disobedient feet that continue to run away further each day claiming the right, “I know my way”.

Beloved, how long will you keep running away from the Lord and the work He wants to do in you?

You need to come to the place of dying, laying your life into the hands of your Father. You have to know that there is meaning to life only when the will is completely yielded to the Lord. You need to recognize that you have sinned against your Father. Satan has got us into the trap of believing that “wickedness, evil and sin are good fun and enjoyment we can enjoy, so let’s do it while we live”. We have begun to enjoy our sin. Stop here my beloved! Think about your life. How long will it be before you find yourself heading for HELL?

The Bible tells us in the Gospel of Luke (15:11-24) of the son who demanded his right of his father, thought he knew his way, wandered off and “spent his fortune in reckless and loose living”. Because of the famine he began to be in want and fell behind. When his stomach started to pinch because of hunger and he had nothing left to eat, he came to himself: “I will get up and go to my Father, and I will say to him, ‘Father I have sinned against heaven and in your sight’”. Only when you come to the point of realisation of sin in your life, repent and ask forgiveness of your Father will you find rest and fulfilment. Only when you align your will with the Father’s will for you that you will find joy in your heart. Only when you seek Him as the Only One in your life, yield your heart and life to Him will there be meaning and answers to your life.

Know and declare to yourself:  

I am His.

I am here for a purpose.

My life pleasing Him and bringing glory to Him satisfies my heart.

The more I am yielded to the Lord, the more I grow and bear fruit for Him.

In His love,

Sister Elizabeth Daniel

29th May 2011

TURNING YOUR FAST INTO A FEAST

My dearly beloved,

God told His people in Zech.8: 19 that He would turn the fast of the fourth, the fast of the fifth, the fast of the seventh and the fast of the tenth month into joy, gladness and cheerful feasts for them.

During the time Esther was Queen, Haman, the son of Hammedatha, the Agagite, deceived the king into signing a decree demanding the total annihilation of the Jews living in the Persian Empire. When the command and the decree of the king came to each and every province, there was a great mourning among the Jews, with FASTING, weeping and wailing and many lay on sackcloth and ashes (Esther 4:3).

However, God Almighty heard their prayers and made the king sign another decree countering the first. And when the second decree reached every province, there was gladness and joy for the Jews, a FEAST and a holiday or a good day (Esther 8:17). This tells us that when things and situations appear bleak, our God is able to turn our sadness into gladness, our fast into a feast, our sorrows into joy and our mourning into dancing.

My dearly beloved, maybe you have just received bad news from your employers and your doctors concerning your jobs and your health and you are fasting and weeping because of these. I want you to know that our God is a God who specializes in turning things around.

He turned the bitter water of Marah into sweetness. Likewise He can turn your bitterness into sweetness. Joseph’s brother meant evil for him but God turned the evil into good. In fact, Romans 8:28 tells us that God causes all things to turn out for good to those who love Him and to those who are called according to His purpose. All we need to do is to continue loving Him and to abide in His will so that He can turn all things for our good in Jesus’ Name, Amen!

In His love,

Ps. Daniel Phua

22nd May 2011

Dearly beloved,

In our Singaporean society, many of us have cultivated a mentality “to win” in order to survive, in other words a “kiasu” mentality. We want our kids to do well in their studies and send them for all sorts of tuitions. We aim to get the 5 C’s and live the Singaporean dream. But how many of us aim to attain distinction before God? It is not wrong to achieve excellence in worldly aspects, but how many of us put in the same effort for God?

Beloved, many of us go the extra mile to impress our bosses, colleagues, friends or burn the midnight oil to do well in our studies and work. We would do almost anything to achieve excellence or distinctions in our work. However, when it comes to our response to the Lord, we are lacking in the area of service, obedience, faithfulness or righteousness.  We do not put in our best effort in our service but we offer to God with whatever time we have left instead.

Beloved, God demands from us an excellent spirit and wants us to honour Him by putting in our best. He wants the fat of the offering, the best effort from us. If we do this He will honour us as in Genesis 22:16, “…because you have done this and have not withheld your ......, your only ..... blessings I will bless you and multiplying I will multiply you....possess the gates of your enemies...”

It might be hard to see the blessings of God upon us sometimes and some might not be tangible. However, the righteous are those that do not withhold anything from God. God looks at the righteous people and will bless them abundantly. Those who seek worldly pleasures and the acceptance of man will be led to destruction. Repent if you have done this.

Beloved, many of us have goals, issues or items which we want to pray for to achieve breakthrough in them. Has the Lord not been able to provide for our needs and desires? Let us work on gaining distinction before God and He will honour us just as we honour Him. God bless you!

Pastor Pauline Phua

15th May 2011

My beloved in the Lord,

Do you know that whatever battle we are in is only temporary; it is not permanent. We need to remind ourselves that God, not circumstances are in charge of our lives. For our future is in the Lord. He has promised to give us hope and a future (Jer. 29:11). In our darkest situation we can remind ourselves of God’s plan for our future and draw hope from His promises.

In the midst of warfare, we must know our Lord God more than the enemy. God plans for His people to walk in victory and not defeat even in the midst of warfare. Do we allow warfare to make us better or cause us to become bitter? In the Bible, we see King David as a warrior and frequently, he faced the attacks of the enemy. Time and again, David became discouraged because of what he faced. He experienced suffering and misery, crying until there was no strength left in him. In spite of all these, David was an over-comer. He knew his source of strength:

“My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever” (Ps. 73:26).

He did what we are all called to do in the midst of difficulties – David encouraged himself in the Lord:

“But David found strength in the Lord his God” (1 Sam. 30:6).

In warfare, we must not give up but press on in God’s call. He has destined us for victory. It is amazing that in times of weakness, God longs to show how powerful He is. Some of the most amazing things the Lord has done through me have been when I felt the most inadequate. In those times, I knew in my heart that I must totally lean on His strength and not on my ability.

Deeperlifers, our battle is with Satan’s kingdom. In the midst of the battle we can be assured that we are not alone. The battle belongs to the Lord and He has promised that we are going to see that “the kingdom of the world has become the Kingdom of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever” (Rev. 11:15). Will we allow God to change us and in the process come to know God and His character in ways only adversity can teach? May we acknowledge with gratitude in our hearts through our deeds that we are recipients of His unfailing love and His amazing grace! Amen.

Shalom in Jesus’ love,

Pastor Brian Chua

8th May 2011

Beloved Sister, as Mother’s Day is being celebrated today may you find renewed hope and trust in the knowledge of the name of your God.

EL Roi: The God Who sees me (Gen 16:14). (Gen 16:1-16) God found Hagar when she was running away from her mistress. The Angel of the Lord instructed Hagar to name her unborn son “Ishmael,” which means ‘God hears’- “the Lord had heard and paid attention to her affliction” (Gen 16:11). By telling Hagar about the kind of man her son would be, God assured her that He is the One Who sees, designs and knows the future, purposes of her life and of her child’s. The well there was named “Beer-lahai-roi”- ‘ A well to the Living One Who sees me’.  Hagar called Him, “You are a God of seeing”. A few years later when Isaac was born, Hagar was cast out along with her son. Lost in the desert and without water and not wanting to see the death of her son, she sat a good way off him and “raised her voice and wept”. Here again God heard her boy crying, saw her condition, spoke to her and opened her eyes to see a well of water. EL Roi is the same unchanging God Who hears the cries of your voice and heart raised up to Him. He sees your condition, speaks to you and opens your eyes to miracles. As a mother you are concerned for the well being of your child. Far more than what you know, the Lord knows the future, the plans, the designs for your life as well as your child’s. When you know God as EL Roi and you are praying in this His name EL Roi, you are praying to the One Who knows everything about you, the past, present and the future. You can trust Him with your life and your child’s.

Jehovah Rophe: The Lord Who heals (Exodus 15: 20-27). (Luke 8:43-48) The woman who suffered from a flow of blood for twelve years came up behind Jesus and touched the hem of Jesus’ garment and was healed. Jesus said to her, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole”.  This woman must have seen many who had come to Jesus being healed. How she must have longed to get His touch. ‘If only I can get close to him and touch the fringe of His garment I know I will be healed,’ she must have said to herself. She did and was healed immediately. Today whatever you are suffering physically, hurts and wounds in your heart or relationship, failing strength, weakness in your mind or character, allow Jehovah Rophe to demonstrate His healing power in you. He is Jehovah Rophe, the Lord Who heals you. Come to Him in faith, believing in His healing power for if the woman touched only the hem of His garment and was healed how much more when He touches you wholly. “He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains...He was wounded for our transgression, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities...with His stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole” (Isaiah 53:4,5). There is nothing in your life too big or too hidden that can stop you from calling upon the Lord Jehoval Rophe to heal you.

Jehovah Tsuri: The Lord my Rock (Psalm 144:1). (1 Samuel 1-2:21) When Hannah came to the house of God, she was in distress of soul, praying to the Lord and weeping bitterly as she had no children and was provoked by the one who had. She poured out her heart before the Lord with a vow that she would give the son to the Lord if He looked upon her affliction and gave her one. The Lord blessed her indeed with little Samuel. Hannah returned him back to the Lord knowing that he belonged to the Lord and that the Lord would watch over him day and night. Samuel grew to be one of the greatest prophets of Israel. Hannah knew the faithfulness of God in hearing her, answering her prayer and delivering her from scorn and childlessness. That is why she could sing, “There is no Rock like our God” (1 Sam 2:2). He is firm and can be trusted and counted on. When you declare the Lord as your Rock you are testifying of His strong protection, His firmness and His faithfulness. When you call upon Him as Jehovah Tsuri you are calling upon the One Who is faithful and can be trusted. You can trust the Lord your Rock with your fears, whatever shakes you and whatever brings shame to you. You can praise and worship Him as there is none like Him, there is no Rock like our God!

May your heart be strong in the Lord as you know Him as you experience Him in your daily life not only as EL Roi, Jehovah Rophe and Jehovah Tsuri but also as your Comforter, Counsellor, Redeemer and Friend.

Blessed Peace fill your heart and God’s strength fill your life this Mother’s Day!

Sister Elizabeth Daniel

1st May 2011

24th April 2011

“And when I passed by you and saw you struggling in your own blood, I said to you…, ‘Live!’ Yes, I said to you…., ‘Live!’”  (Ezekiel 16:6-7)

Dearly beloved, God has passed by our lives to give us a new life. He transformed our lives from a life of darkness into His marvelous light, from a life of rejection into acceptance into His royal kingdom and He prospers us.

Today as we celebrate Easter Sunday, the same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead is available to save our lives from eternal death. The Risen Lord is still passing by the Earth to resurrect the lives of people dying in the hands of the devil whose destiny is hell! Beloved, can you hear our Father’s voice today? His heart’s cry is that none should perish but come to the saving knowledge of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. That is why Jesus came to Earth to suffer and die on the cross of Calvary to fulfill our Father’s heart cry. Is that your heart’s cry too? Or is your heart crying for more blessings, more money, more power, a bigger and more beautiful house and the many other “wants” in your life? Are you caught up in just building your own earthly kingdom and fretting about your tomorrow? This is the Father’s promise found in Matthew 6:33-34: “Seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness and all these things shall be added unto you.”

Let the resurrection power resurrect our hearts today to tune in to the cry of our Father. Let us turn away from our own self-centeredness! Let our icy hearts be renewed, revived and be on fire for God! Let it catch the evangelistic fervor and the heartbeat of God. Let the flame and fire of evangelism totally consume us! Look at the lost souls filled with hopelessness and despair passing by you each day! Do you ask if they are going to spend their eternity in hell or heaven? Do you care at all? Come, let us begin to evangelize and do something to bring them into the kingdom of God.

Isaiah 58:6 says: “Is this not the fast I have chosen; To loose the bonds of wickedness, To undo the heavy burdens, To let the oppressed go free, and that you break every yoke?”

Beloved Deeperlifers, as our church is going through the forty days of fasting and humbling of our souls, let us begin to pray and cry for the lost souls, fasting for their yokes of bondages to be broken so that the oppressed may be set free. We cannot and must not turn a blind eye to the people around us, our loved ones, colleagues, neighbors and friends whom we know are heading for hell. Let us plunder hell and populate heaven for God’s glory! As you take heed to the cry of our Father, may the blessings of Easter, the resurrection and the healing power of the cross give you victory over the dead circumstances and difficult situations in your life!

Pastor Pauline Phua

22nd April 2010

My beloved in the Lord,

Do you know that the cross is God’s ultimate demonstration of His love for us? On that Good Friday, the Lord sent His only Son to become a sacrifice for us. Because of His love and the incredible demonstration on the cross, we are here to praise God’s holy name and to recommit our lives as instruments of His love and power to a lost world. Christ emptied Himself so that by committing our lives to Him we are able to receive the abundant life He promised (John 10:10).

The truth of Good Friday is that Jesus Christ bridged the gap between man’s sin and God’s goodness. God exhibits the remarkable power of grace for all to see. There are those who questioned Who Jesus was and is. The truth is in the power of the Resurrection. Hope is eternal and comes from placing trust and faith in the God Who revealed amazing grace through Jesus Christ. The demonstration of God’s grace was in the Resurrection of Jesus. Death holds no power over those who believe and receive Him as Lord and Savior. All people die physically but He died so that we would not have to die spiritually. God has forgiven our sin. When Jesus died on the cross, He sacrificed Himself once for all to do away with sin (Heb. 9:26).

Christ has defeated death for us. Satan seemed to be victorious when Jesus was nailed onto the cross. But God turned Satan’s apparent victory into defeat when Jesus Christ rose from the dead (Col. 2:15). He overcame death and one day we will also (1 Cor. 15:54-56). Death has been defeated and we have hope beyond the grave although the world regards death as defeat and not victory.

We are forever obligated to Christ because He took on the punishment we deserve for our sin. Although we cannot repay Christ for all He has done, we can demonstrate our gratitude by showing His love to others that they too can be saved from eternal death. The Good News of Jesus Christ still sounds foolish to many. But Jesus came as a humble Lamb of God and He offers His kingdom to those with faith, not wealth, power, influence or works. Knowing Him personally is the greatest joy anyone could have. Today, you too can open your heart to Jesus and receive His gift that will last for eternity!

Hosanna in Jesus’ love!

Pastor Brian Chua

WE NEED A SECOND TOUCH FROM THE LORD

My dearly beloved,

This portion of the Scriptures in Mk.9:22-25, tell us that when Jesus came to Bethsaida, they brought a blind man to Him and entreated Jesus to touch him. Taking the blind man by the hand, Jesus brought him out of the village and after spitting on his eyes and laying His hands upon him, He asked him, “Do you see anything?”

The man looked up and said, “I see men, for I am seeing them like trees, walking about.” Unfortunately like this blind man, because our vision is still defective, we see people like trees—obstacles and obstruction to our path which tend to cause us irritation. As a result, we like to cut and chop them down, like trees that block our path.

The problem is not with these people. The problem lies with us because our vision is defective. That is why Jesus said, “Why do you look at the speck that is in your brother’s eye but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?” Unless the log in our eyes is removed, we cannot see clearly like this blind man. (Matt.7: 3-5)

The story is told of a pastor who visited one of his members. Upon arrival, the lady immediately complained to the pastor about her neighbor’s dirty laundry. The pastor was surprised because as he was entering her house, he noticed that her neighbor’s laundry was rather clean. The mystery was solved when they went to her window to view her neighbor’s laundry. The reason was obvious. It was her windows that were dirty and not her neighbor’s laundry.

“To the pure, all things are pure but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure…” (Tit.1:15). A psychiatrist was trying his best to rid a sex maniac of his fetishes and perversion. He began to draw a circle and asked him what he thought it was. To his surprise, he replied, “A couple engaging in sex.” He then drew a triangle and asked him again. This time he replied, “A trio having a sexual orgy.” Flabbergasted, the psychiatrist gave up on him and said, “You are beyond hope.” The sex maniac immediately shot back and said, “Now wait a minute, doc, you are the one who is beyond hope, not me.” Surprised, the doctor asked, “How come?” He said, “You are the one drawing all these dirty pictures, not me.”           

Prov.17: 20 tells us that he who has a crooked mind finds no good. In Mk.8:25, Jesus laid His hand again on his eye and he looked intently and was restored and began to see everything clearly. The second touch of Jesus restored him completely.

Behold, as we enter into our 40 days of fasting, let us ask the Lord to lay His hand upon us again, to receive His second touch so that we can see clearly. Ask Him to remove the “log” that is in our eyes and the crookedness that is in our hearts and mind so that we can see and perceive people and things as they are.

In His love,

Ps. Daniel Phua 

24th March 2011

My beloved in the Lord,

As Christians, we are in the process of being refined. Receiving Jesus as our Lord and Savior is just the beginning of our spiritual lives. God has not finished His work in us when we are saved. His greatest desire is to make us like Jesus and we need to work out our salvation with fear and trembling. God allows us to face difficulties in order to refine and sanctify us – to be set apart and made holy. Sanctification is the process that God uses to make us like Jesus (Romans 8:29).

Nothing happens by chance and everything that happens comes by the permissive will of God. He does not cause it all, but He allows it to happen. Everything in our lives is within the boundary of God’s permission. What He allows will serve the purpose of our sanctification. Everything including trouble, work together for our good (Romans 8:28), because God uses them to transform us into the image of His Son. It pleases God to make our salvation perfect through suffering (Hebrews 2:10). In order to be like Him, we must be refined in the fires of affliction, testing and difficulty.

It is never enjoyable to endure the pressure of disappointment during difficult times. What God sets out to do, He will accomplish and be assured that nothing can stop His good work in our lives (Phil. 1:6). When everything is well, we tend to drift from God. When trouble comes, we turn back to God. Trouble often draws us to Him and causes us to reflect on His love for us and His will for our lives. This in turn will help us to take God seriously by committing ourselves anew to Him. Trouble can also reignite our love for Him. He allows us to face difficulties for the purpose of rekindling the fire of His love. God is not able to use us because we allow our love to grow cold and our passion for the things of God to fade away. We think we can get along without Him and once we are comfortable and self-sufficient, we serve God only as long as it is convenient. We do not realize that spiritual work is not working for God, but God working through us! Without a right understanding of what God’s work is all about, we tend to use and manipulate God for our own prestige and benefit.

Remember, anything that God does to revive your commitment to Him is worthwhile. And anything that drives you to your knees is good for you. He promises that if you turn to Him, He will not turn you away. Acknowledge in your heart that God alone knows the way by taking the step to follow Him without wavering. The choice is left to you.

Shalom in Jesus’ love,

Pastor Brian Chua

20th March 2011

Dearly Beloved in the Lord,

Are you prepared for the day the Lord will come? The Bible tells us how to be prepared and be ready for the rapture. Since that day will come as a thief in the night we are to be alert and watchful, cautious and ready. Let us be equipped and ready with the helmet-the hope of salvation and the breastplate of faith and love. Salvation maybe jeered upon by some, not understood by many but there is no other way into heaven but by confessing that Jesus is Lord and Saviour of your life. (vss 8-9)

1 Thessalonians 5 also gives us guidelines about other areas of our lives and serves as a check –list for our getting ready for the coming of the Lord:

1)            Our attitude to one another: Edify-which is to strengthen and build up one another encourage one another. (vs 11)

2)            Our attitude to co-workers, leaders and teachers: How should our attitude be to those who labour with us, are over us and those who warn and encourage you in the Lord? The Bible tells us that we should get to know them, recognize them for what they are, acknowledge, appreciate, and respect them and hold them in very high and affectionate esteem. We respect and give more honour to those in the world because we want favour in their eyes but the word of God exhorts us to esteem those who labour for the Lord highly for they do His work. (vss 12-13)

3)            Our attitude to others around us: Warn the unruly and disorderly, encourage the timid and fainthearted and help and support the weak souls. We should be patient with everyone always keeping and watching our temper. (This is not very easy for most of us and we really need discipline in this area.) We should also show kindness, seek to do good to one another without repaying evil for evil but good for evil. (vss 14-15)

4)            Our attitude to spiritual matters: Be happy, rejoice and glad-hearted always. Be unceasing-constantly in prayer. Pray every time, whenever you can. Thank God in everything-no matter what the circumstances are for this is the will of God. Do not quench-suppress of subdue the Holy Spirit. Do not spurn the gifts and utterances of the prophets. Do not despise inspired instruction, exhortation or warning. Test and prove all things and hold fast to that which is good. Abstain from all forms of evil and keep aloof from it in whatever form or whatever kind it may be. (vss 16-22)

5)            Purity and holiness: Keep your body, mind and soul sound and complete and blameless at the coming of the Lord. The very God of peace sanctify you through and through-separate you from all profane things and make you wholly consecrated to God. (vs 23)

Beloved the enemy is all out to catch hold of you, distract and ‘derail’ you from your walk and commitment with the Lord so that you will not get to heaven but dwell eternally in agony with him in hell. Beware of his ways. Be always ready, equipped in spirit and body so you will be ‘caught’ up at the rapture if the Lord comes in your time or that you will be dead ‘in Him’ so you will be resurrected at the trumpet call when he comes.

Remain ‘rapturable’ always!

Sister Elizabeth Daniel

13th March 2010

Dearly Beloved in the Lord, 

Grace will increase upon our lives when we stay away from the counsel of the ungodly. God has made available all resources necessary for our growth in grace and Christ-likeness. Still it is our responsibility to appropriate these divine resources. To maintain Christ-likeness, we must regularly read the Bible and meditate on it.

Joshua was instructed to meditate on the Word of God to be victorious in all his battles. When he obeyed, victory was assured. Believers who are rooted in God’s Word will do well to resist temptation and experience victory upon victory. We must also be in regular fellowship with born-again Christians (Hebrews 10:25) When fellowshipping, do not gather to argue about doctrines, but seek to encourage one another on our heavenward journey. We must be diligent to keep on the right track in praying and communing with the Lord (Luke 18:1). They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength (Isaiah 40:31). Look unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:2).

Remember that feeling miserable always leads to derailment. People who feel despondent often create their own doctrines. Jesus is always at hand to help those who acknowledge Him as their Lord and Saviour. He has promised us His blessed presence even to the close of the age. Trust Him, follow Him, walk in His will and we will never miss our steps on the highway to heaven. When we allow Jesus to be our all in all, angels will rejoice at the mention of our names. When we carry the image of God in our lives, we will not miss our heavenly journey. The Lord does not want us to miss heaven. He who has ears let him hear what the Spirit of God is saying to the Body of Christ.

Dr. Daniel O. C.
(An extract from “The Power of Grace Divine”)

6th March 2010

HOW TO DEAL WITH PEOPLE

My dearly beloved,
Whether you are a parent, a school teacher or a leader in church or in your office, you have to deal with children and people who are under you. The question is, “How do you deal effectively with them?” Unfortunately, in dealing with people, we behave like civil servants offering a blanket policy to the people we meet. The truth of the matter is all of us are different. Consequently, we have to treat and deal with people according to their make-up and personality traits. In 1 Thess.5:14, Paul taught Timothy how to deal with the people in the church. This principle can apply whether you are a parent, a school teacher or a leader in your office or in the church.

(A)  Admonish the unruly
The Greek word for “unruly” is Ataktos, from the negative, “a,” which means without order. These people will behave disorderly, irregularly and without discipline. We find such people almost everywhere, in church and in the office and even in school. They are the ones who will always test the “limit.” The way to deal with such people is to admonish. The Greek word is, “Noutheteo,” from nous (mind) and tithemis (to put). It means to put to mind, instruct, warn, rebuke and to reproof to get them in line.

(B) Encourage the fainthearted
In Greek, the word, “fainted hearted” is “oligopsuchos” from oligo (small or little) and psuche (soul or mind). It means people who are feeble minded or weak hearted. They are mentally weak. In dealing with such people, the biblical injunction is to encourage because these people lack courage. Admonishing them will only serve to dampen their spirits and to make them to quit ministry all together.

(C) Help the weak        
The Greek’s word for “weak” is “asthenes” from the negative, “a” and sthenoo (strength). These are people without strength, powerless and without ability. They are weak physically. We are told to help these people. The Greek word is “antechomai” from anti (against), and echo (hold). We help them by holding them firmly, to support, to prop up as we lead them through the ropes of the ministry. Using criticism or sarcasm on them will only cause them to give up completely. And finally……..

(D) …..Be patient with all men
The Greek word for patient is “makrothumeo” literally meaning “long temper.” It is to suffer long. Bible tells us that love is patient. In other word, in dealing with all people, we ought to exercise love because love is being patient with people.

Do you find your children and people under you rebelling against you like the unrest that is happening in the Arab world? Perhaps you have used a wrong approach in dealing with people. Trying to counsel the unruly will get you nowhere. On the other hand, rebuking the faint hearted and weak will almost always lead to disaster. The biblical exhortation is for us to treat each person as individual according to the way God has made them and not to use a blanket approach.

In His love,

Ps. Daniel Phua

27th February 2010

My beloved in the Lord,

What kind of friends do you have? Job’s friends came to comfort and console him, but ended up criticizing him. They concluded that Job was in such terrible state because of his sin. Although some may suffer as a result of their sin, this was not true in Job’s case. His suffering was not due to a broken relationship with God.

As Job defended himself, he demonstrated a most exciting truth – the presence of God is involved in every experience and in every circumstance (Job 12:7-10). This truth can change our attitudes and give us victory in the midst of difficult circumstances. We must know that everything in life comes to us through the hand of God. God does not cause everything, but He permits everything that comes to us. Although we cannot always recognize His presence, God is with us and guiding us. In every time, in every place and every event of our lives, God is fully present in power. The power of God – the hand of God – is in everything (Job 12:9). This tells us that He will never leave us or forsake us.

We often take our health or prosperity for granted until we lose it. Sometimes we are not grateful for our families until we lose them. Divorce or death or some other tragedy comes and then we learn to appreciate the family unity. During good times we may take our loved ones and our blessings for granted. We may not even give them a thought until something bad occurs. While things are going well, we often do not give God a thought. In Joseph’s most difficult experiences, God’s sovereign hand was working out His wonderful plan. Joseph was aware of the presence and the power of God during the trying times as well as the happy times (Gen. 45:5-8). If God only answered us when we were in trouble, we would be pitiful indeed. He is the provider and sustainer for every experience of life and can we count on it (Job 12:10)?

Man was created to give glory to God. As we fulfill that purpose, we have the privilege of being in fellowship with Him. We were made to fellowship with our Creator. Job went through very difficult times but he learned to trust God. Recognizing the hand of God in his life, he affirmed a tremendous confidence in Him: “Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him (Job 13:15). Nothing could stop him from trusting God. Even if God were to take a sword and cut off his head, he would still trust Him.

Why was Job able to speak with such confidence? The answer is simple – he knew God and had committed his life to Him. Job believed God because he knew Him personally and experientially. How can we develop such confidence? To trust God wholeheartedly, we must know Him personally (Ps. 9:10). When you know God personally and commit your life to Him, you will trust Him regardless of what He allows to come into your life.

Shalom in Jesus’ love,

Pastor Brian Chua

20th February 2010

FOR ALL WHO ARE LED BY THE SPIRIT OF GOD

My dearly beloved,

Rom.8: 14 tells us, “For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are the sons of God.” Therefore, we see that the distinguishing mark of all Christians is that we must be led by the Spirit of God. Unfortunately, in reality, we are more likely to be led by our bodily lusts and desires and by our soulish emotions rather than by the Spirit of God.  

When Jacob wanted to pass on his leadership to his children in Genesis 49, his eldest son, Rueben, was supposed to inherit it since he was the first born. However, he disqualified himself because he was led by his bodily lust when he went to sleep with one of Jacob’s concubine.

Next in line were Simeon and Levi. They however also disqualified themselves because they were led by their emotional outburst of anger and wrath when they took revenge for their sister, Dinah who was raped.

Reuben lost his leadership position because he was led by his bodily lust and passion. David lost his kingdom temporarily for the same reason. Tiger Woods lost his marriage also for the same reason. Esau lost his birthright because of the lust of the flesh, selling his birthright to his brother to satisfy his fleshly appetite. These people were led by their bodily lusts and passions rather than by the Spirit of God. Consequently, they lost something that was important to them. The question is, “What will you lose?”

Simeon and Levi’s outburst of anger cost them the leadership. Moses was told by God to speak to the rock. Anger, instead led him to strike the rock. As a result, he was barred from entering the Promised Land. Being led by anger, cost Simeon and Levi the leadership and Moses the chance to enter the Promised Land. The question is, “What is it going to cost you?”   

My dearly beloved, as children of God, we are supposed to be led by the Spirit of God and not by our bodily lust or our soulish emotion. The people of this world are led by all these but as children of God, we have the Spirit of God to lead and guide us.

In His love,

Ps. Daniel Phua

13th February 2010

My dearly beloved in the Lord,

Are you afraid? Does God seem silent? What happened to the promises that God has given you? Has God forgotten? If you are feeling like that, you are not alone! Abraham too was afraid and fearful when God made him a promise that He would bless him with a son when he and his wife are at their ripe old age and that he would be a father of many nations. It took a long time before Abraham could see God’s promise fulfilled in His life (Isaac). These comforting words that God assured Abraham are the same words that God is assuring us today – do not be afraid, move on…continue and be faithful in the work God has entrusted into your hands.

1. DO NOT BE AFRAID – FEAR CAN MAKE US DO WRONG THINGS. From all appearances, circumstances and situations around him, Abraham had every reason to believe that God’s promises would not be fulfilled in his life. Abraham had little to give him hope that God will be faithful to His word. Then, fear set in and caused him to listen to his wife’s advice to have a child through Hagar. Fear can also make us think that God is too slow and He needs some help from us.  When we try to “help” God we are opening doors for disasters to come in.  God’s plan has to be done in God’s way and in God’s timing. God does not need our help! If we put our hope in man and believe in the circumstances around us, we will end up like Abraham and allow fear to push us to try and fulfill His promises in our lives and end up with “Hagars” and “Ishmaelites” who have till today brought nothing but much heartaches, headaches, sorrow, fears and terrorism to the world. When we try to help God to fulfill His promises in our lives we will inevitably bring nothing but pain and sorrow in our lives.

2. I AM YOUR SHIELD – PROTECTION

Ps 91:4, His truth shall be our shield and buckler – our defensive armor. What will make God to be our shield and buckler? Are we truthful? Are we living a life of truth or a lie? If we are living in truth, we do not have to be afraid of man’s schemes and wicked devices, lies and manipulations for God’s word and promises to us will be our shield against them. Others may resort to lies, manipulations, relationships or clever words as their weapon. Let us not be afraid but let us put our trust in God. Prov 30:4 says, “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him.” Let us not allow the wickedness of man to drive us to wickedness but let us continue to walk in righteousness and uprightness in our ways.  Only then can we claim the following promise in Ps 84:11; “For the Lord God is a Sun and shield; The Lord will give grace and glory; No good thing will He withhold from those who walk uprightly.”

3. I AM YOUR EXCEEDINGLY GREAT REWARD

“Seek the Giver, not the gift.” If we seek God, He becomes our “exceeding great reward” because He is all in all for us. When we have God, we have everything. God Himself becomes our treasure, not just our rewarder. Let us not be faint-hearted or grow weary concerning His promises in our lives. Let the verse in Genesis 15:1 bring assurance and be a source of comfort to us in the face of apparent unfulfilled promises of God in our lives. Just as the promise given to Abraham was fulfilled it shall be fulfilled in our lives in Jesus’ name, Amen and Amen!               

Pastor Pauline Phua

6th February 2010

There was a young female student who attended a Christian meeting. She was a nominal Christian who never really received Jesus as her Lord and Saviour.

When the salvation call was made, she left the church. She got into a tricycle cab and wrote in her Bible: “I will accept the Lord Jesus tomorrow.” The cab hardly travelled any distance before a lorry smashed into it.

Her body could only be identified through her name written in her Bible. This student wanted to wait till tomorrow. Sadly, tomorrow never came for her. She would have gone straight to hell. Even though she was holding the Bible, she did not qualify for heaven as she did not accept Jesus into her life.

Have you accepted the Lord Jesus in your life? Have your children done so? Singing, clapping and dancing in church will not make you a Christian. Jesus needs to be your personal Lord and Saviour. Remember to extend the invitation to those whom you preach to.

Lead them into a simple sinner’s prayer. Immediately, their name will be cancelled from the book of death and transferred to the Book of Life. The Bible made it clear that if one would confess from one’s mouth and believe in one’s heart, one would be saved.

There needs to be an active act of faith. You would be shocked at how the Lord can bless you with a multitude of souls.

Dr. Daniel O. C.

(an extract from Professionals & Evangelism)