Community - A Means of Grace

 "...because you know that the family of believers throughout the world is undergoing the same kind of sufferings." 1 Peter 5:9b

We often feel like the difficulties, pains, suffering, etc we are currently going through are the worst, and no one will understand how much we are putting up with, or hanging in there.

On one hand, it is true. Because you are unique and individual. Your emotions to situations, your blend of difficulties and your triggers to what causes you anxiety, or the straw that breaks ur back is unique.

Yet on the other hand, the situation itself, the fact that there are seasons where a collection of difficult circumstances happen concurrently is not unique.

The Word exposes this lie "that you are alone" or "no one can understand". The Word reminds us that there are others in the world who are undergoing the same kind of suffering (or also having very difficult circumstances), and still holding out their faith.

Be encouraged and find community who can lend you strength when you own strength wanes - Corporate gatherings & Worship in community are also means of grace offered to us for the Journey to Really Live. :)

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.

The God who makes things happen...

 

Photo taken from this post by BroHenson

In this Pentecost season, we ae reminded of how God poured His spirit & ability upon His followers in the book of Acts and they supernaturally spoke in a new language, that is not their native tongue.

The foreigners among them heard and wonder how it is that these jews could speak their language! And in that language, they heard the gospel & praises proclaiming God's works, and came to accept Christ as Lord.

Pentecost for us
This reminded me of the conversation we had in our cell group the week before. We shared about our ideas and hopes to see various improvements in the area where we serve. Whether it is hoping for more capable talents, clearer roles & responsibilities or more efficient structure and work process, we all had our "wish list" and thoughts. 

But in the midst of that discussion, a wise sister shared "that is why we need faith and we need to humble ourselves. If all these "better ways" were implemented, would it not be so easy to say that it was our wisdom and ability that brought success to whatever it is we are trying to achieve? We need to learn to open our hearts, embrace everyone as they are, love them where they are, and trust that if these are the people and resources he has placed here, He can use all of it and bring His work to pass. It is Him to make things happen, not our cleverness or capability." 

Paul shares directly in 1 Corinthians 1:24-30

But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.

Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one can ever boast in the presence of God.

God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him (Christ) to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin. Therefore, as the Scriptures say, “If you want to boast, boast only about the Lord.”

Sure, we need to continue to learn, and equip ourselves in the spirit of excellence to serve the Lord and all He has called us to. But when we start getting frustrated, when our hearts start growing bitter and when we start to linger in complaining, we have departed from Wisdom - Wisdom that is Christ himself. Wisdom that says God has united us with Christ Jesus. 

Collectively as His people, God made us pure and holy. His Spirit has been pour upon us as one, that even in our weaknesses combine, God is still wiser than the wisest of human plans.

This is a call to humility on our part, and a call to abide in the Vine which gives us all the Life we need. It is a reminder that if we want to boast, let us boast about the Lord, His ways, His workings. And if we are frustrated, and when we look at the seemingly "incapable" or "insufficient" situation, let us enter His Presence, draw close, humble ourselves and ask for His Grace, Mercy, Wisdom and Faith, to keep trusting that His plans cannot be thwarted by our lack of ability.

We may not have the best tech, or experts or coordinators in charge. But perhaps it is through these gaps that the Holy Spirit uses to prod others to rise up and offer their talents; and 

in a divinely orchestrated manner, the Kingdom of God advances, in God's fullness of time, in God's way, through God's people where "His power is made perfect in our weaknesses" (2 Corinthians 12:9); that at the end of it all, the world may "see our works, and praise our Father in heaven." (Matthew 5:16)

For all things and in everything, 

May all Glory be unto our Lord alone!

Community is messy business...

Community is messy business.

Picture of drawing of what community means,
put together through the collective effort of
Forerunners Adults & Children in Aug 2012

2 hours ago, a group of leaders met up and shared about how each of our communities are doing, the help needed and sought each other's insights on how we should proceed on various matters. And I left the session overwhelmed about how messy community life is. 

Forget the wonderful picture discipleship books paint about how wonderful and supportive community life will be IF everyone embraces the same principles, put their hands to the plough and regularly come with joy and gladness, ready to love everyone, or extend generous help when someone is in need. 

Reality is not quite so rosy. Many of us come tired, our patience a little challenged, our spirits a little prickly and easily offended (though we may not admit it so readily). 

On some days we come because....it's a commitment we made to our leaders - we need to come and support, boost the numbers, because, well...we are the regulars you know. 

On other days, we secretly wish in our hearts the meeting will be cancelled so we can take a break, have a night to...well... just rest. There are days & seasons where the weight of life become too heavy for us and we no longer have capacity to engage with any more social interactions. I get it. Because I feel that too.

Community can be frustrating, because we are all very different individuals, and very human; and

Community is messy, because... life is messy.

We, and others bring all our wonderful self, as well as our messes into our interactions. So it is hardly surprising that we frustrate each other (some more than others... 😆 - and myself included.)

Community is God's business

Then I read 1 Corinthians 3...

"Brothers and sisters, I could not address you as people who live by the Spirit but as people who are still worldly—mere infants in Christ. I gave you milk, not solid food, for you were not yet ready for it. Indeed, you are still not ready. You are still worldly. For since there is jealousy and quarreling among you, are you not worldly? Are you not acting like mere humans?..." (1 Cor 3:1-3)

How exasperated Paul might have felt. How frustrating that after the years of leading, teaching and encouraging, the Corinthians were still acting so... childish!

Still he reminds them (and us!) that "What’s important is that God makes the seed grow. The one who plants and the one who waters work together with the same purpose." (1 Cor 3:7-8) We labor & advocate for meeting in community, speaking into each other's lives, praying for & prodding one another for the same purpose - that the Lord will make seeds grow, and the people of God will build their lives upon the foundation of Christ Jesus (v11), and that God's temple - the church of Christ (v16) - will be Holy (v17) and their hearts will belong to Christ wholly (v23). 

Paul reminds the Corinthians & us, that Community is God's business.

"Don’t you realize that all of you TOGETHER are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God lives among you" (v16). 

And God is jealously guarding His Temple and ensuring it's completion in the Fullness of His time. Anything that comes against the growth, maturing and glory of His temple, he will destroy. His temple (the community of His people, His church) is precious to Him!

"God will destroy anyone who destroys this temple. For God’s temple is holy, and you are that temple." (v17)

We're not struggling to hope things will happen. We are praying & laboring to proclaim to those in our community, the Truth, that "It has happened! It is Finished! Christ is Risen! Arise! Shine! The light has come!"

So:

to the passionate ones: Do not let your heart be weary. Christ has won the victory and He has a sure end for His Church, one that is a glorious bride, a Holy Temple. Come and follow Him. Let His Spirit enfold you and strengthen your hearts. For You belong to Christ. That is your (and our) assurance and peace.

to the ones laboring: Labor in Christ and remember we are in this TOGETHER. You are not alone.

to us all who are TOGETHER, the temple of God, who have the Spirit of God dwelling among us: let us press on in our pursuit of holiness, and be hungry for more of His Glory in our lives and in our communities. And let's encourage each other to keep doing this TOGETHER.

Because Community is God's Business. 

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)

Christ in our midst...

We (FF4) recently had a new couple join us for cell.
The topic of the evening was "Justice - a people for others" from Tim Keller's book "The Gospel in Life"

As the discussion progressed, the Lord divinely lead the conversation to a much lesser talked about topic in life. As it turned out, that was exactly the topic that weighed on the hearts of our new friends. While we had not known, the Lord knew exactly what the needs were and provided faithfully the answers that needed to be heard.

We praise God for his faithfulness to us and to our new friends. Truly when God's people gather in His name, Christ is in the midst of us. And the Holy Spirit will speak and touch the hearts of those who would lean in and listen for His voice.

To those who are leading cells - our encouragement to you is been strong in the Lord. Pray and draw close to Him. He is the one who will direct his people. You are His partner so walk close with Him that you will not miss his voice.

To those who are attending cells - our encouragement to you is seek the Lord each time you gather. Never grow weary in meeting and doing good. Never let your heart become tire of worshipping together, learning together and pressing into God's presence. To those who lean in, you will surely find the grace you need from the Lord.

To those who are considering cells - our encouragement to you is trust in the Lord. Yes it is men facilitating and people who are talking. But it is the Holy Spirit who orchestrates the forming of the group and He knows your needs. Take a step of faith and explore with an open heart. We pray you will find a community that connects with you deep in the spirit.

May Christ be glorified in all of our various group meetings. :)

Auntjess - on behalf of FF4