The original design of our being is treasure our Maker. We were made to love Him. To worship Him. To cherish Him.To savor Him. To have our lives revolve around Him. To treasure Him above all things. Him alone and nothing else. This desire is hidden and found as we mature in faith.
Matthew 13:44 NKJV
[44] “Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid; and for joy over it he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.
I believe in God. I know Jesus and have accepted Him as my Lord and Savior.
It is so easy for us believers to say these things. Most Christians are confined only with the belief of the Jesus, God and all the truth that the Bible offers. I’m not saying that that is wrong. It is the very foundation of our faith. But is it enough? My question to you right now, my friend is this: “Have you found Him? Have you found Jesus as your treasure?”
The original design of our being is treasure our Maker. We were made to love Him. To worship Him. To cherish Him.To savor Him. To have our lives revolve around Him. To treasure Him above all things. Him alone and nothing else. This desire is hidden and found as we mature in faith.
What is a treasure? A treasure is something of utmost value and deemed with much importance. It is usually kept hidden and safe for the preciousness that it holds.
When we treasure something, we keep it safe. We lock it up. We place it on the throne of our hearts and crown it with the greatest priority. We do not let anything take its place.
I repeat my question: “Have you found Him? Have you found Jesus as your treasure? Do you love Him above anything else? Is He of greatest worth to you? Do you esteem Him that you are ready to give it all up just so you could have Him and more of Him? Is everything else of less importance if it is not about Him?”
Seek Him, I urge you. Seek the things of God. He is delighted to give Himself. He is delighted when He is treasured and valued. Give Him your heart. Let Him have the throne. He will not disappoint. In Him there is fullness of exceeding joy and unimaginable pleasures forevermore.
Have you found your treasure? Let me help you find it. Click here.
“But even if you should suffer for the sake of righteousness, you are blessed and do not fear their intimidation, and do not be troubled” (1 Peter 3:14)
We are taught in school about principles, laws, and even theories in order for us to gain an understanding about many things. While trainings and hands-on activities give us better perspective on how things happen in reality.
Julius Ceasar recorded the earliest version of the proverb, “Experience is the teacher of all things”. Experiences may not be favorable all the time. The bible says in James 1:2-3, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance”.
Therefore, to know something better, it is best for us to experience it and have personal encounters – this involves “willingness” not “readiness”. An anonymous quote goes “How much knowledge you gain depends on your willingness to learn”
In our relationship with Jesus, we need to be “willing” not “ready” – to suffer, to feel intimidated by other’s comfortable life, you will be troubled. No one will be ready and accept being on suffering, intimidated and troubled.
But the Lord said, “You are blessed”
Why do most of us perceive “readiness” as an important factor in knowing Jesus Christ?
1. Most think that competence is a requirement.
Therefore, we desire to prepare ourselves to be competent for Jesus. But the bible says, “Not that we are competent to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God” (2 Corinthians 3:5).
Our relationship with God is not like an employer-employee set-up wherein competency in our field of work is the top requirement to be in, and if we fail to meet competency requirements we can be terminated.
We should be like a child that performs in front of the crowd without fear but with gentleness, our performance may be not as excellent when compared with professional performers, but we must remember that our parents’ love never decline and because we are willing, we make them proud and happy. “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable according to what one has, not according to what one does not have” (1 Corinthians 8:12)
2. Most think that they must be deserving for God.
It is written, “For many are invited but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). We are invited by God for a personal relationship, only few were chosen. Why? Many of us thinks we do not deserve being into such relationship because of our ‘sins’.
Most have the concept of sin which boils down from arguments over right and wrong. Biblically, it is defined as something that falls below the perfect standard of God.
As we receive Jesus as our personal Lord and savior, we must take baby-steps and soon bigger steps as show of reverence to him. It is doing something out of the grace that we receive from God – we must choose to be willing not ready.
Paul is clear with his message to the people of Ephesus about being deserving. He said, “Walk in the manner of calling to which you have been called” (Ephesians 4:1). Same with the Colossians and he said, “Walk in manner worthy of the Lord” (Colossians 1:10).
3. Most focus on ‘status quo’
Status quo is defined as the status on which we are now. We used to conform to the norma of this world, whereas the bible says, “Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will” (Romans 12:2).
Millenials are now living in a fast-paced, perfect-seeking world to feel the sense belongingness in their outermost being, but full of voids from within.
Most of us think that we can do great things for God by becoming great first on our own. “But God chose the foolish things of the world to shame the wise; God chose the weak things of the world to shame the strong. God chose the lowly things – and the things that are not – to nullify the things that are” (1 Corinthians 1:27-28).
Apostle Paul pleaded three times to God to remove the spirit of being conceited.But this is what the Lord revealed to him, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me (2 Corinthians 12:9)
We must be “willing” not “ready”. God used people who are ‘incompetent’, ‘undeserving’ and ‘ordinary’ for His greater glory:
1. Abraham was old but he is “willing to wait on the fulfillment of God’s promise that he will have a son, and he will be the father of many nations”;
2. David was a young sheperd but he is “willing to show that His trust is in God”, because of this he killed Goliath and became the King after King Saul;
4. Jonah ran away. He was not “ready”. But as God called him, God’s calling will remain still. Isaiah 46:10 says “My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.” He will make us roll over to be “willing”.
5. Peter’s up and down discipleship journey showed that being a disciple is a matter of the heart. But despite this, Peter has been a “willing” disciple – from having shortcomings he became a strong church foundation. When we look at the situation when He encountered Jesus, he may not be “ready” – but who can say know to the Messiah?
6. Matthew persecuted church.
But despite of all their being less, they have one thing in common – they are “Willing” to be used by God for a purpose that will give glory to Him and Him alone.
Will you be willing to know more about Jesus, and have that personal relationship and encouters with Him? Pastor Simon Eng said in one of his preaching at HOPE Church Singapore, “We cannot rely on historical faith and encounters alone. We need to have own fresh, encounter with God”
The first step in having a relationship with Jesus is to accept Him as you personal Lord and Saviour. It does not require ‘readiness’ where competence, being deserving or anyone’s status is being looked up. Come to Jesus with a willing heart that sees no fault nor flaws but love. He was not sent by the Father into the world but to save the world through Him – He is our salvation.
Whenever I read this verse, I always imagine myself trying a new flavor of ice cream. The moment of that first bite and then sweetness and creaminess comes right after. A burst of wonderful flavors in every spoonful, I could taste chocolate chips, almonds, cookie dough. Oh yes! What a pleasure to my palette! Then a signal to my brain will be sent saying “This is really good! I will definitely buy again!” This scenario is the simplest way I could express how this verse means, well, generally speaking.
Taste and see that Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him
Psalms 34:8 (NIV)
Whenever I read this verse, I always imagine myself trying a new flavor of ice cream. The moment of that first bite and then sweetness and creaminess comes right after. A burst of wonderful flavors in every spoonful, I could taste chocolate chips, almonds, cookie dough. Oh yes! What a pleasure to my palette! Then a signal to my brain will be sent saying “This is really good! I will definitely buy again!” This scenario is the simplest way I could express how this verse means, well, generally speaking.
To taste the goodness of the Lord is undoubtedly inevitable but the devil has his ways of making us become blind. Unbelief has always been a part of my daily spiritual battles and to tell you frankly, it has contributed a lot to make me spiritually paralyzed before. I saw myself being tempted with what the world could offer, “The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world; 1 John 2:16”, and it occurred not only to me, but this actually happens to all of us, even our beloved Jesus Christ was tempted. In Matthew 4:8-10, it says that Satan tried to tempt Jesus, “All these things I will give You if You will fall down and worship me.”. Do not get me wrong, God created the world and everything in it displays is glory (Psalms104:24-25; Psalms19:1), but when we put God out of the picture, we give birth to desires leading to pride, greed, self-glorification, and lust that causes us to take pleasure in sin.
They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts. Having lost all sensitivity, they have given themselves over to sensuality so as to indulge in every kind of impurity, and they are full of greed.
Ephesians 4: 18-19
BUT DO NOT WORRY! This is temporary. We were never made to stay in darkness. Tests and troubles will always be here in our midst (John 16:33) but God will ALWAYS provide a way for us to see Him. We just need to do our part. Let me share my devotions about this wonderful word of God.
I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.
Isaiah 42:16
Taste and See
Then God said “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole Earth and every tree that has fruit in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the Earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground–everything that has breath of life in it–I give every green plant for food.” And it was so. God saw all that He made, and it was very good. And there was morning–the sixth day.
Genesis 1:29-31
I think it is safe to say that it is IMPOSSIBLE for us not to have tasted the goodness of our heavenly Father. In creation itself, the whole Earth was purely made for the our benefit and in our daily lives, we see God providing everything we “need”, may it be asked for or not. Every single thing is orchestrated by God himself so we could see His glory, resulting to our hearts being humbled and admitting that “apart from God, WE ARE NOTHING” (John 15:5)
Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?
Matthew 6:25-27
The Lord is Good
There are no words to express how good our God is. Most of the time, we see His goodness at every successful job interview, in sickness that has been healed, in times of reconciled relationships, in celebrating a new birth and of course, Christmas bonuses. YES! This defines the human perception of “goodness”. It is everything that makes us feel happy, secured, loved and every nice feeling you could come up with. But what about those times when you lose someone you really love or in failed relationships especially in marriages and families, during times of abandonment and betrayal of a friend. Can we consider this a part of His goodness?
In typical movie plot, there will always be a character living a problematic life. His parents are separated, and he lives with his father whose always drunk every single day. He has no money for school, therefore he makes a living through selling drugs. Eventually, he gets involved with the wrong people and because of this, he will live out of shame, then he blames his parents and questions, “GOD! If you exist and if you truly love me, then why do you let these things happen to me?” It is a question that most of us have thought of. I did for sure. I never lived a perfect life. I had those days when I felt like, because I did something, SO WRONG, that maybe God is punishing me. I experienced those sleepless nights where I would cry my heart out to God just so He could take away my pains. Everybody hits rock bottom. No man is an iron man, we all feel pain.
Human nature may never grasp how He works in our lives but by knowing God, we can be assured that in whatever circumstances we are facing, He is always in control and He is always good. What He is doing is MEANT FOR OUR OWN GOOD, therefore, we just need to obey and TRUST Him.
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the Earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Isaiah 58:8-9
The life of Jesus Christ is a perfect example of obedience in times of pain. He never questioned the will of God. He obeyed fully even if He was hated, persecuted, and crucified. It is not because He had superpowers not to feel pain, or that He is invincible and fearless. The bible shows that during the night before He was put to captivity, he was in great distress because he knows how excruciating his crucifixion will be.
And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch.”
Mark 14: 33-34
Further more…
He went a little farther, and fell on the ground, and prayed that if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And He said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will.”
Mark 14: 35-36
If you and I were in that situation, we would be begging for the same thing. Worse, we will be overcome by our emotions. I may have escaped from that garden and run for my own life. This is where “unbelief” and “lack of faith” comes in. It is hard to believe that situations that break and hurt us could be seen as something good. And if we do not know God, the devil comes in like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8) He bombards us with so many lies and deceitful words, we get devoured by our own emotions that lead to depression and anxiety. It causes our heart to turn away from God because we have doubted Him. This is unbelief.
Having said that, it is very important for us to know how to combat unbelief by genuinely knowing the God we serve. It is important for us to know Him as good and perfect, all-knowing, all-powerful, merciful and loving Father. We should do our part as His sons and daughters, to know Christ by accepting Him as our Lord and Savior and by equipping ourselves with his word.
Blessed is the one who takes his refuge in Him
After this, the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision: “Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward.”
Genesis 15:1
What makes you feel blessed? Great health? A successful career? Sixty years of marriage? Seeing your sons and daughters to graduate? Having your own house and a car? Luxury? Being able to travel? All these things, we consider them blessings. But do we count having God as a blessing? The answer is WE SHOULD, and as matter of fact, Him being our refuge is the cherry on top of every blessing we have received in our entire lives.
Merriam-Webster dictionary defines refuge as “a shelter or protection from danger or distress; a place that provides shelter or protection”. So what does it mean when we say that God is our refuge?
I’ve always seen God as my parent. This is how I make Him my refuge. He is my loving Father. A parent loves his son or daughter no matter what (including of all the headaches and problems caused by his child) and I could say that God is my perfect refuge. Here are some reasons why:
He never changes and He is always present. I call to my heavenly Father anytime and anywhere. He is everywhere.
I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.
Revelation 22:13
“Am I a God who is near,” declares the LORD, “And not a God far off? “Can a man hide himself in hiding places So I do not see him?” declares the LORD “Do I not fill the heavens and the earth?” declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 23:23-24
He is Faithful. I have lived 28 years, 336 months and woke up to 10,220 mornings and not one of those days where in God did not renew His love for me. Praise God! Hallelujah!
The LORD’S loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassion never fail. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22-23
There is nothing He could not do. He has no limitations. He is the source of all wisdom and knowledge, strength and power. He makes everything new and beautiful.
Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
Matthew 19:26
He loves us unconditionally. I could give countless testimonies of His goodness in my life. You may or may not agree with me but this is what I chose to believe, that the God I truly serve did not deserve a daughter like me because I am sinner, but that did not stopped Him from loving me first.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16
This is the most significant reason why we are blessed to have God as our refuge. It is because of His unconditional love, and this explains my faith. Jesus loved us so much that he took our place to die at the cross. It brings me to my knees when I think of what He has done for me, despite me being a sinner. I praise Him because He has met my heart and I have come to accept Him as my Lord and Savior. I could not live this life alone. I am weak and fragile and I’m not smart enough to know what’s best for me. The need for a refuge is a must and maybe you are like me. You need someone to rely on, someone who could save you from all the confusion, worries, problems or you just need someone to save you from your own-self.
I would like to share the love of Jesus Christ to you. In Him, we are equal and there is no need to pretend. He sees everything even our deepest darkest secrets, knows our weakness, he keeps track of every tear you have shed and he feels your pain. He will turn you to something new and in His eyes, you are more beautiful than the glorious sky. Genuine Salvation is found only in Jesus Christ.
“He himself bore our sins” in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; “by his wounds you have been healed.”
1 Peter 2: 24
Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
“I believe, whatever desires we may have in our hearts as Christians, the Holy Spirit has a big role to that. He will implant desires in our hearts–for His kingdom and purpose, but it is to Us, who will discern it and put it into Action.”
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Should I write? Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes. No. Yes!!!
I am a bit skeptical, when I started to write my first blog. It was just a trial-and-error kind of thing. When I created this blog site, there was a welcome message and it prompted me, with —‘start to write your first blog’-–that had enticed me to share what was in my mind at that moment.
I can’t think of anything, but a thought came into my mind, was to write whatever satisfies me or urged my instinct to push my finger tips to move on the keyboard of my laptop. It was entitled, “Let me Start👍”; 12 January 2016 was my first ever post.
Blogging or writing a topic, events– and the likes, was one of my long-awaited desires in my bucket-list, and it was mentioned in my first “trial-and-error” blog. BUT my skepticism was drawn from criticism.
“No one is perfect”, as I told myself. But it would not stop me of doing what is in my innermost to do. But after a few months– I found myself of not writing. It lingered to my thought that that there were no subsequent article found from my first and last, as I realized.
What hinders me from writing? Nothing. It came upon my thought that I have the courage to start it off, BUT, I must have the boldness to stay on the course. Boldness is the key for me to continue writing and stay on course, aside from the fact that I have the main topic for my site.
My boldness came from my desire to get the outcome of my goal–from the objective of what I want to happen in this site. Aside from the fact that I want to write, write, and write; I want to share the Word of God. And this desire does not come from the thought that one day I’d like to share the Word of God.
I believe, whatever desires we may have in our hearts as Christians, the Holy Spirit has a big role to that. He will implant desires in our hearts–for His kingdom and purpose, but it is to Us, to discern it and put it into Action.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”
Joshua 1:9 ignites my boldness to write. That the “One” who is assuring me to be strong and courageous, is actually, my Creator Himself. He is telling me that “I AM at your back, at your sides and ahead of you” —full guarded. What a wonderful feeling to have a God who is able to do immeasurably more that all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us (Eph 3:20)
The Holy Spirit that implants desires in my heart to write, had made me bold to continue doing what He had started. He is faithful to complete it ( Phil 1:6). The main thing is, I choose to be bold and write His message.I choose to be a vessel of His Word to explicitly share it through writing. And “choosing” is not my will and power but it is the conviction of the Holy Spirit who lives in me.
I am delighted, that whatever He revealed to me through my devotion or whenever I am soak in His presence, literally, I will “Put Pen to Paper” to let it be shared to anyone who need Jesus. As He Offers Salvation.
Jehovah Shammah is a good name to remember to be assured always of the presence of God. No matter what the circumstances, His Spirit is always with us. It is especially useful to remember for those times when we feel that we are far from Him, or far from His goodness.
What are those times?
1. Failure
2. Defeat
3. Loneliness
4. Pain
5. Suffering
6. Tragedy
7. Loss
8. Injustice
9. Fear
10. And many more
Unfortunately, it’s not difficult to think of these times. We live in a fallen world. Bad things still happen, and will continue to happen to us.
But as people of God, we never lose hope. We have the promises of God, the inheritance that comes from being His sons and daughters. We have something to look forward to, beyond present circumstances, despite how things look like at the moment of our despair.
It does take a certain amount of faith. However, the advantage is on our side. Jesus made sure that this hope is available to us regardless of our faith, or lack thereof. He doesn’t quantify, He doesn’t count, and we will never owe Him anythng for the hope that He provides.
And what a provision it is. This short, unassuming, even pretty, four letter word carries so much more than what it’s appearance implies. There is power in this hope. Might that can smash rocks and move mountains. Strength that can overcome enemies and win battles. Force that can push back diseases, bring forth impossible healing. Miraculous and supernatural. This is the hope that God’s presence brings.
Isaiah 43:2
Jehovah Shammah – God is There. In my country, in my city, in my town. God is in my house. God is in my church. God is in my family, my ministry, my workplace, and my school. God is in my relationships. God is in my life. God is in my heart. Jehovah Shammah. Jehovah. Shammah.
Again and again He will let me witness a miracle that will come to pass. Even though by man’s eye it is impossible for my son to get an extension. His hand will always lead us and an extension will be granted for him.
Zechariah 4:7
“What are you, mighty mountain? Before Zerubbabel you will become level ground. Then he will bring out the capstone to shouts of ‘God bless it! God bless it”- NIV
Have you ever tried to climb a mountain? During my teenage years there is a time that mountain climbing became popular. There are a lot of shops that opened to sell gears and accessories so that your mountain climbing will be at ease. Groups and organization were formed to help and guide for your adventure.
It is supposed to be a thrilling adventure of our life. For those who are beginners there will always be caution while doing the trek. But as they are nearing the mountain top the adrenalin will pump up. They will be pushing harder as they experience muscle ache, breathlessness and fear sets in.
They might think of giving up and just settled to where they are at the moment. But their leader will encourage them to go on for there is feeling of accomplishment once you are at the top. There is a saying don’t give up, just focus on the goal! And true enough for them it is a breathtaking moment when they witness the beauty of God’s wonderful creation.
There will be a time in our life that we have to face and climb the mountain that is set before us.
It was in March 2016 when the mountain that I must climb came to me. My son and my husband’s application for Long Term visit pass was rejected by the Singapore Immigration.
I felt crushed and devastated and fear sets in into my heart and mind. I was confused and asking God why this thing happened? What will happen to my son if he will not be able to have a visa? I cried and called my husband about the news as he was in the Philippines at that time.
Although he has given me encouragement and prayed with me I still feel fearful and devastated in my heart. It was then that I cried out my heart to God ask for his peace to come upon me.
As our God is faithful he has given me peace in the midst of the turmoil that is before me. I have asked for prayers from my spiritual family and they have given me their encouragement and support. God has given me the wisdom to apply for an appeal on my application. I obeyed Him and did a re appeal fully trusting Him that He will make a way.
The months of waiting has taught me to wait upon the Lord and fully trusting Him that He is in charge of the situation. As He has shown me so many times everytime I need to go to the Immigration and get the visa extension for my son.
Again and again He will let me witness a miracle that will come to pass. Even though by man’s eye it is impossible for my son to get an extension. His hand will always lead us and an extension will be granted for him.
Throughout the time that I am seeking and depending on Him , God has led me to this verse in Zechariah 4:7. And every time I will have my devotion I will speak out this verse over my situation. And indeed our God is a faithful God. It was after 5 months of waiting that God has grant me the answer. He has moved the mountain before me. I have gotten the approval for the visa approval for my son and my husband.
I truly praise God for his faithfulness and love for us. I am thankful that Jesus has called me to his loving arms. I have a personal relationship with Jesus that I know His voice that led me to obey and be encouraged. He is faithful and a loving God. He wants to prosper us not just materially but spiritually as well and have a future that is blessed.
I want to encourage you to accept Jesus in your life as your Lord and personal Saviour. For He is a loving and faithful God. His name is Emannuel, Our God is with Us. He is JESUS. He is offerring us SALVATION!
Blessed are you, Hope Church Singapore! I am proud to say that this is my Church, our Church. This is where my family and I belong. I couldn’t agree for more on the 3rd point of Ps Jeff’s preaching, God is With Us— The Church Embodies it —The Life Group, the Church. God lives among His people, corporately and individually”
At the beginning of this article, I mentioned that UNITY is evident in this conference. Because each individual embodies it. As a member of Hope Church Singapore, I believed that one of the special gifting and anointing of this Church, is to qualify each individual with UNITY—and that is the works of the Holy Spirit, and if there is UNITY, Excellence will follow to quantify it. Thus it manifests in Life Groups and Ministries that we are in—- to collaboratively serve God. Let us explore more widely.
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Emmanuel, God is With Us! What a wonderful name!
In the recently concluded Hope Church Singapore Conference 2017, God With Us held on 03 and 04 June 2017 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. Many had been blessed, revived and renewed with the anointing of this conference has. It really lingered on the theme itself.
The name of the theme is God With Us, thus, tangibly, could feel His presence and vividly, could hear the clarity of His voice that speaks loudly. Surely, He will meet us in our need.
What I like about this conference, was that, God is really With Us! His sovereign omnipresent is evident! He is in our hearts; In our Life Group; In our Family; In our children; In our Ministries; In our Church.
UNITYmakes us clear that He is with Us. An unexplainable and indescribable feeling that I have after conference had been wrap up with a bang! — These unexplainable and indescribable feeling— the Joy in our hearts, was the assurance that we cannot Fathom out His plans, thoughts and ways for us, as Isaiah 55:8-9 says,
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the Lord. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.
Session One preaching was delivered by our very own, Senior Pastor, Jeff Chong. The message of the Lord had been clearly cascaded to us through him by delivering, Fact, Not Feeling. The assurance, as Believers, should know by heart and not to be skeptical, whether the message is from God. Thus, the message that we receive is a Fact or a Feeling?
I am delighted to share it with you, as, I am delighted too, when I heard it preached by our beloved Senior Pastor, Jeff. Let me summarizes it… (Resource Session 1: Fact Not Feeling)
Feeling is unreliable, subjective, and deceptive. Sometimes, we feel that God is far away. We must make far beyond feeling. As Believers, how can we assured that God is with Us? And Is more than a feeling. Three Facts that God is With Us:
1. The Word of God Declares so.
God is With Us because the Bible tells us so..God is with us in our Vision and Mission. He is with us, Always, and that is His promise.
Matthew 28:19-20
Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Our assurance that God is With Us, is when we confess to God that we sinners. As believers this is very important tat we understand it.
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”
Do not give up! In any situation of our lives, When we faced rejection, do not give up. God Is With Us!
Joshua 1:9
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Perhaps, for some of you, you feel that God is not With you; With a bad reports from the medical reports, you feel that God had abandoned you…
Psalm 23:4
Even though I walk through the darkest valley,
I will fear no evil, for you are with me;
your rod and your staff,
they comfort me.
Unsure that God is With you. You feel unloved…
Zephaniah 3:17
The Lord your God is with you,
the Mighty Warrior who saves.
He will take great delight in you;
in his love he will no longer rebuke you, but will rejoice over you with singing.”
God sings over you. God rejoices over you with singing. I encouraged everyone to be deeply rooted and groundedin His Word. Because if you are rooted and grounded in His Word, you are able to know that God is with You. Not Just how you feel. I would like to encourage you to read your Bible daily. Don’t need to spend the whole hour in reading the Bible, just only 15 minutes, everyday of reading the Bible.
2. The Spirit Assures Us.
The Spirit assures that God is with us. Not only the Word declares us, but the Spirit assures Us that God is with us.
1 John 4:13
“This is how we know that we live in him and He in us: He has given us of his Spirit.”
The Spirit assures us, that we belong to God and that God is With Us. The Holy Spirit help us to experience the tangible reality presence of the Father.
John 14:26
“But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you.”
The Holy Spirit will help us be reminded what all had Jesus had taught us. The Holy Spirit is the very present of Christ, while are still here on earth. He let us know that God is with us!
When you COME TO KNOW CHRIST, YOU HAVE A SEAL OF THE Holy Spirit. WHEN you baptized in the Water, you jumped in the water, BUT when you baptized in the Holy Spirit, you are now in the Water (Living). God want us to have the experience of the fullness of the Holy Spirit.
Ezekiel 47…
The Bible tells us that we have to go deeper, first ankle deep, then knee-deep, then shoulder deep, until the Holy Spirit overwhelms us.
Because God loves us more, we want every member to experience the power of the Holy Spirit.
One key reason why someone did not get Holy Spirit baptized, is passiveness.
The Holy Spirit works with us. Holy Spirit baptism is not a one-time off kind of thing. We need to continually commune with God.
3. The Church Embodies it. (The Life Group, The Church Embodies it)
In the Old Testament, God live in a tabernacle of temple. In the New Testament, God live among His people, corporate and individually.
1 Corinthians 3:16-17
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in your midst? If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy that person;for God’s temple is sacred, and you together are that temple.”
You are God’s temple! We could know that God is With Us, through our Life Group, our Church. We feel the encouragement, the love, the care. Through the Life Group, we know that God is Real!
Ephesians 3:10-11
“His intent was that now, through the church, the manifold wisdom of God should be made known to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms, 11 according to his eternal purpose that he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
When we come together through the Church, we know that God is Real!
Therefore, as believers, when we realized that we need Jesus in our lives, and it was the time for us, to be Born Again. That when we accept and believe in Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, we surrender our lives to Him and we confess from our mouth that we are sinners, and declare that Jesus Is Lord (Romans 10-8-9). We genuinely believed, that He died and rose again— He promised us, that the Holy Spirit will live in us, in our hearts, forever.
John 14:16 says, “And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever— What a wonderful promise of God! An assurance that we are in Good Hands, (Secured Forever)
Blessed are you, Hope Church Singapore! I am proud to say that this is my Church, our Church. This is where my family and I belong. I couldn’t agree for more on the 3rd point of Ps Jeff’s preaching, God is With Us— The Church Embodies it —The Life Group, the Church. God lives among His people, corporate and individually”
At the beginning of this article, I mentioned that UNITY is evident in this conference. Because each individual embodies it. As a member of Hope Church Singapore, I believed that one of the special gifting and anointing of this Church, is to qualify each individual with UNITY–and that is the works of the Holy Spirit, and if there is UNITY, Excellencewill follow to quantify it. Thus it manifests in Life Groups and Ministries that we are in—- to collaboratively serve God. Let us explore more widely.
UNITY in Life Group
Psalm 133:1-3
How good and pleasant it is when God’s people live together in unity! It is like precious oil poured on the head, running down on the beard, running down on Aaron’s beard, down on the collar of his robe. It is as if the dew of Hermon were falling on Mount Zion. For there the Lord bestows his blessing, even life forevermore.
How sweet it is that every individual exemplifies unity, thus, the Life Group exemplifies it as it consists of individuals. I’ve seen them came together and seat together to feel a more cohesive and in an intent Spirits. Eagerly to listen and to be fed by the Word of God, Spiritually.
They also, eat together, for the nourishment of their physical bodies. That inculcates, happiness and joy that surrounds them. The more happiness evolves in them, the more health is promoted =)
They even had a sharing session of what they’ve learned in the conference thus far, while everyone could learn from one another. They sing praises unto God, while waiting for the next session of the conference to begin.
They even prayed for one another, that uplifts spirits and sharpen one another .
Brothers praying for one another as they’ve learnt to be the “ISH”, the Man who will Stand in the Gap.
How precious and marvelous of harmony and like-mindedness in the fellowship of God. In His presence of each individual. Hence, unity in Life Group is prominent.
UNITY in Ministry
I could be biased, as I will feature my ministry, CHILDREN MINISTRY. Every Ministry in Hope Church Singapore are with, and in Excellent Spirits. Not mentioning, Ushering and Security Ministries and all frontlines. They were fantastic and awesome. Level up in service excellence in their hearts, as they Serve with a H.E.A.R.T (Hospitality, Empathy, Accuracy, Respect and Time) with Excellence from the Heart . We could see that the God-and-His-People-first mindsetwas conveyed to all through their Character, Commitment and Work. Good Job, frontlines! =)
I could say much in Children Ministry, as I am one of them, thus I’ve experienced it first hand that everyone in this ministry is united and of with excellent spirits— to give the very best to God that manifest to children in building them up.
A month ago, before the conference begins, teachers and builders were busy in planning and preparations for the program flow and teaching. Sure enough, God is With Us, as He provides us with Strength, Wisdom, Resource and Manpower. In the program, Carnival is incorporated, and could see from the children their happiness in their faces.
Builders and Teachers were gathered in assembly area. Briefing was cascaded. They’ve been ra-ra with games and after which positioned them in their station field.
Children were stationed in their level of category. They were divide into 3 groups Tots (toddler); Jump (4-6yo); JAM (7-12yo)
Just a quick view what had happened in Tots. They also had Praise and Worship and Activity to do…
Jump experienced Brendon and Cathie Clancy in Session 2, first hand. Kids where excited when The Clancys where out, for Praise and Worship to Teaching. They’ve been with us in every conference for 4 years in a row. Who are they? Meet The Clancyshere.
Children Ministry is their core anointing. I was inspired by these couple, as they lead children to Christ in a fun way. How awesome they are! God is With Us in Kids Conference. Children start to feel the JOY in their hearts…
Kids felt the Holy Spirit tangibly. Daniella explains that she could not understand the feeling of numbness in her hands and hotness in her ears… Hallelujah!
Glory to God for the lives of Brendon and Cathie Clancy as they lead our HopeKids in a heavenly realm. Little by little, the faith of our future leaders will be inevitably strong to lead their generation.
On the other hand, Our carnival in Hall 1 of OCBC arena, were successfully liken by our children that manifests in their smiles and happiness.
Human PacMan was fun! As commented by children =)
Builders behind the scenes of Human PacMan.
Children enjoyed the fun in the Carnival field that much. Good Job to all the builders and volunteers in the Carnival field.
Let me introduce some of the Home and Femme behind the scenes of the Kids Conference. From Praise and Worship Team, To Multi-Media, To Lights, To Sound and To Programming:
Session 1 team:
Session 2 team:
As God With Us is nearing the end, some children of HopeKids performed in Adult Conference. It was a gesture of them while performing, as future leaders in Praise & Worship.
Hallelujah for our future leaders who will “stand in the gap”. They are the future “Ish & Isha” (men and women – who will stand in the gap for God’s kingdom)
UNITY in Congregation
Ephesians 4:11-13
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
This Congregation is United. As Leaders were called, to receive the anointing in leading, the congregation intercede for our Senior Pastor, Jeff Chong. Ps Choco led the prayer. As we lift up our Senior Pastor unto God that He will be the vessel favored carrier of God’s Anointing, Blessing and Wisdom in leading the Church— that will manifest –to the congregation. The anointing will flow from top to bottom, from the head leader to the congregation.
What a wonderful Unity in this Church!
Reverend Wilfredo De Jesus (Ps Choco) lead the prayer for lifting up Ps Jeff to God. And the congregation says, Amen! =)
After the Conference, our Life Group were delighted to take group photo with our very own, Sr Ps Jeff Chong.
What a Joy in Unity. One God- One Goal-Same Spirits.
God is good! All the time. Unity in Christ will help us not to wander. This #GodWithUs Conference has ignited my spirit to do more for Him. Taking Ps Choco’s insight in one of His preachings, “God has “more” beyond blessing” -Rev Wilfredo De Jesus (will blog his teaching soon!)
Indeed God has More beyond everything that we could imagine or think of what He can do for Us. He has more beyond Faithfulness, Love, Blessings.
We are more than blessed, anointed, favored. — We are Children of God and that is our IDENTITY! Thus, we have to be Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.
Taste and see that Lord is good; blessed is the one who takes refuge in Him 
Zechariah 4:7 
