The Whole Body Of Christ, doing the Whole Work of Christ.

 J would like to share her testimony as an encourage to those who are wondering if they sowing is making a different.

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Over the past 10 years, a particular colleague S would randomly come to me and ask me about various responses I have as a Christian to different topics. (eg Parenting, conflict management etc..)

7 years ago, when both my parents and grandparents passed away in very close proximity of each other, this colleague was also aware and observed that I was still able to keep a very peaceful and positive attitude at work and in life. She came and asked me how I can still remain hopeful despite the multiple losses and was curious what is a Christian’s perspective on death and living, and I was able to share with her about a concept of Eternity, and how we are spirit beings, not just human beings and how there is no fear of death because it is merely a gateway to become even more present fully with Christ.

Over time, she continues to randomly come to me and ask me questions about my faith, life and decision making from Christian perspective.

I have to disclaimer that I don’t work very closely with her due to different nature of our work and our personalities are very different, so I don’t actively approach her to interact. However she being very extroverted always comes to me, and by the grace of God I was able to engage in conversation with her, despite my limitations. I think it is all God’s work in using what little energy I can give to Him as a worship offering and use those times to do His work in her heart.

Fast forward to Jan 2024, S came very energetically to me and told me she has been invited by another friend to bible study last month and she has been attending that bible study regularly.  She was open to that invitation because of the conversations we have been having & she now has even more questions about God, about sin, and the whole redemption plan, and she feel she really need to find out what is the purpose of life. I invited her to ALPHA in April, which she signed up but was unable to come due to business travels.

However, God is beyond our programs and plans, and God is always at work, not just through 1 person or 1 church but all his people. Between Jan – June, Another colleague happen to attend the same church where S was attending the bible study found out about S’s seeking and continue to encourage her to continue the bible study and explained more things with her.

Now in Aug 2024, S shares she is ready to attend church service in earnest and wants to grow in her belief and faith. She found a church near her home in the West and consulted me and the other colleague to ensure it is a legit church. We are also thankful for this Baptist church for her hospitality to her and setting up a new life class just for her! At the office, S has even set up monthly discipleship lunch meetings to discuss her growth and seek guidance!

I hope this testimony encourage those who are not really experiencing big and miraculous happenings in your outreach efforts. God is not in a hurry, but God is also always at work. Sometimes it is not obvious but every interaction is not out of God’s awareness, but can become a divine appointment even when we don’t see it that way. My journey with this colleague has been over 10 years but on hindsight, every single one of that interaction in those 10 years has been God preparing her heart, but also showing me how He is in every detail of our lives, every moment of every day.

Galations 6:9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.

Also, remember that it’s not about your efforts, but God is working through all the resource and his kingdom people all over to reach individuals and meet them in their lives. Whether we are sowing or reaping what others have sown, we all share in the same rejoicing when there is a harvest for eternal life.

John 4:36: Even now the one who reaps draws a wage and harvests a crop for eternal life, so that the sower and the reaper may be glad together.

Make Every Moment an offering to the Lord...

 

"Our deeds, no matter how insignificant they may feel, are replete with meaning, and of vast consequence, and… they constantly impact upon the unfolding story of the world, whether we know it or not."

~ N. Cave

8 May 2023: 

This is a picture of a rainbow I took while commuting home on a crowded bus yesterday. I noticed it while on a crowded bus, but had to "excuse me" my way to the window to get an uninterrupted shot. 

The thing is, I usually won't whip out my camera, hustle through crowd to take pictures. It's mostly sufficient for me to #savor the beauty with my eyes and soul.

That evening however, I felt led to do this. And as I took the picture, I overhead the pair of friends seated beside the window wondering what I was doing. My actions had interrupted their conversation and they took a #Pause and looked in the same direction as me.

Then they saw the rainbow. 

And I heard one of them comment to her friend: "Oh wow, a rainbow. I guess there really can be rainbow after rain." 

And her friend affirmed and encouraged her. "Yes, and I'm sure you will find your rainbow after the storm too."

I soon alighted the bus. But I was glad that through my choice to deliberately demonstrate my savoring, I was able to #serve others , impact in a small way these sojourners in life, to encourage their moment of #slowdown #savor and be encouraged in their soul. 

This moment, like all other moments in our lives, is an offering to the Lord. He can use every action and decision of His chosen people to seed His Kingdom purposes in every situation. All our moments are part of our #MissionWithTheMaster. 

 

May these friends eventually come to find the promised rainbow, not just for overcoming their immediate earthly problems, but the promise of Abundant Life through our Eternal God and our Savior Jesus Christ.

For "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by human hands. And he is not served by human hands, as if he needed anything. Rather, he himself gives everyone life and breath and everything else. From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands. God did this so that they would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from any one of us. ‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’" Acts 17:24-28

God of Time & Space is Always at work around us

Based on a true encounter, Names masked to protect identity of individuals.

Aunty J  walks out of the cinema hall with her hyped kids after their morning movie outing.

 
"That was awesome mum! Did you see the action in that scene where the bad guys......" 

Her kid's voice trailed off into a muted blur as Aunty J ponders deeply. 

Where should they go for lunch? Should the family hang out the area? She thought.

It was Good Friday and they have a long weekend. They were all looking forward to the break, but now that it's here, she wasn't sure what to do with all that time.

Buzz! Buzz!

Aunty J felt her phone vibrate. It was a text from N.

"Hey! Just wondering if you and the kids are free this afternoon! We're having Good Friday Celebrations at church at 2pm. Would be great to have you! There's also kids program!"

Aunty J was delighted! Perhaps that's just where they need to go! 

Aunty J was not a believer, but she has been to a few churches and they teach good lessons. 
Plus, they were in the building where the event was happening anyway! 

Aunty J replied N, "Sure! We'll head upstairs after lunch!"

"Great! I'll meet you guys out front at the entrance! Then you won't feel so lost in the huge crowd!" N quick responded.

The above is a testimony from a friend who is a seeker, who was deeply blessed by how a Christian youth remembered her and her kids, even though they had only a few encounter. And that God used his text in such a divine moment which turned into an encounter with the message of the cross (which she has been having questions about).

Even as we desire to go on mission with the Master, let us remember God is already & always at work around us. Perhaps a simple invitation at the prompting of the Holy Spirit will be what you need to contribute into this Kingdom Partnership and allow the Spirit to use as resource to reach the hearts of others. 

Mission assignments may not always look like world shaking, spectacular feats. It could be as simple as sending a WhatsApp prayer to bless another who has been prompted in your mind; or having a meal delivered to a neighbor you know isn't in the best health to cook or go out and grab food. It could be saying hi and pausing to find out how a migrant worker taking a break is feeling, or giving a smile to a flustered parent with fussing kid to encourage him/her that you understand that she is giving her best and that parenting is tough. And at times, if the Lord leads, make the choice to extend the grace of hospitality, love and share the good news of Immanual, God with us!

May we all live everyday being on #MissionWithTheMaster in all the creative ways the Master may teach us. :) 

Because some things are too important not to share. (Listen to this message here)

On Reverse Culture Preparation...

Our church is going through a series on Missions currently.

("Basic Training For Mission Teams" by Jerry Rankin & Phyllis Tadlock)

As we talk about preparing ourselves for reverse culture shock (aclimatizing ourselves back to our home country), I'm reminded of my friend and how he protects himself from reverse culture shock.

My friend is from Andra Pradesh, India.

He is a pastor and came to Singapore for a conference.

I was excited to show him the sights, sounds, scent and tastes.

But he was not too eager to accept. (Grateful but not eager)

He requested to eat local indian cuisines, and only asks to see dophins and the national stadium.

I obliged and acceded to his requests.

He explained that he didn't want to indulge his taste and lifestyle lest he begins to seek these that he could not get back in his village.

Reverse Culture preparation.

Our context would be slightly different. But may the Holy Spirit guide us to have a proper and humbling perspective in our preparation for the trips we'll be embarking on. That we grow to have a holy dissatisfaction at the poverty and injustice we see, but not rush into prayerless and powerless committments and frivolous ambitions of our own arrogance.

Prayer Focus 4: A World Evangelised

(Review instructions here)

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
~ Acts 1:8 ~

Pray for greater synergistic partnership among churches, mission agencies, humanitarian networks, international corporations and foundations to transform the nations.

Be bold today and ask the Lord to enlarge your vision and show you a glimpse of His work in the world-at-large. Allow Him to break your comfort walls, enlarge your heart, challenge your mind and stretch your spirit to accommodate the Kingdom He desires to establish in the world, beyond the shores of our home and nation.

God working in India...

Hi folks, Below is a testimony from Jessica's friend in India. His name is Shital Ramteke. May it encourage you as you see how the Lord is moving amongst the people in India, and the children. =)

As a ministry we have been conducting several Sunday school classes all over Yavatmal. This year we collaborated with other organizations in the area to hold a Sunday School Kid's Games Event. This program was held on Nov 4th and 5th. The event officially began at 11:00 AM on the 4th with speeches made by some local leaders.

Nearly 1,000 children attended the program. They competed in some sport activities. There was ball passing and a game called Snake Tail. The children thoroughly enjoyed these games. However, the highlight of the program was the teaching. With manuals provided by Joyce Meyer's ministry the teachers were able to provide exciting and thought provoking messages for the children. Through the Bible story of 'Jesus feeding the five thousand' children learned that the young boy who provided the loaves and fishes had a very important role to play in the miracle. They came to understand that they too have an important role in God's kingdom purposes. In the story, "The Sowing of Seeds', children learned that they must have a teachable spirit and as players they not only should be hearers of the Word but doers. In the story of the 'Persistent Blind Man', children learned that they too must persevere. We learn in the Bible that Jesus was honest and faithful. The children understood that we all must live in honesty and be faithful in order to be good players. Finally, Jesus was victorious over sin and death. We too can be victorious players.

Also, the film, 'The Hope Giver' was shown. Through that film the children were shown God's abundant love towards them and all peoples of the world. Action songs were also taught. The favourite was one that said,' Somebody wants to be like Sharukh Khan (movie star), some like to become like Sachin Tendulkar(cricket player) but I want to become like Jesus.

Many of the children were deeply moved by these stories and how they can apply them to their own lives. Ten children spontaneously shared their testimonies in this regard. Even the parents were enthusiastic about it. They were so thrilled that they expressed their desire to participate in future similar events.

Each day the children were provided with a meal. At the end of the program each participant was given a gift. Certificates and gold and silver medals were distributed to all participants. It ended at five PM on the 5th.

All in all the program was successful. Many children dedicated their lives to Jesus. The teachers and volunteers all did an excellent job. Our appreciation goes out to them. We also thank Joyce Meyer's Ministry for sponsoring the program and DinBandhu Ministries for hosting it. But most of all we give Glory and Honour to God who blessed the event with the power of The Holy Spirit's presence.

shital