May 25 2012
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Uncategorized

Pentecost Sunday

This Sunday is Pentecost Sunday and the Church worldwide celebrates the coming of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2. Pentecost is actually a fulfillment of Jesus’ promise in John 14:26. Father didn’t leave us as orphans. He sent the Holy Spirit as a seal of our sonship.

I thought it is good to remember that the Holy Spirit is not a thing or just a ‘force’; He is not an ‘it’. The Holy Spirit is a Person and He has a will, a mind and feelings. Because He is a Person we can cultivate a relationship with Him.

There are 3 things I appreciate about the Holy Spirit:

1. He empowers us. Jesus never intended for us to carry out the Great Commission in our strength. He was fully dependent on the Spirit of God that rested on Him on the day of His baptism during His earthly ministry. He saw the sick healed, the oppressed set free and entire villages turning to God. Before Jesus ascended to heaven, He said in Acts 1:8 that the Holy Spirit will fill us with power to be witnesses across the earth.

2. He prays through us. Paul understood this when he wrote in Romans 8:26-27. The Holy Spirit knows the mind of the Father and intercedes in agreement to God’s perfect will when we pray in the Spirit. Believers do not have to second-guess what the will of God. There are many instances when my prayer language changes in my time of prayer and I know Holy Spirit is praying through me. I have often wondered why the third Person of the Godhead would ‘borrow’ my vocal cords but the posture of my heart is “More Lord”!

3. He comforts us. Jesus calls the Holy Spirit “the Comforter”. Now that goes beyond just consolation. The word “Comforter” comes from two words “With” and “Fortify” in Latin. The Holy Spirit has come to “build a fortress around us” whenever we go through a trying season in our lives. There has been times when I thought there’s no more strength in me but He always shows up and build me up from within, either through reminding me of a promise in the Scripture or simply opening my ears to hear an assuring word from Father.

This Pentecost season let us make room for the Holy Spirit. I have been greatly challenged by Bill Johnson’s latest book “Hosting the Presence”. He has made that his life-goal and by God’s grace, may I also become a resting place for the Spirit of God.

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May 14 2012
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Discipleship

“Process” vs “Environment”

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There has been much talk about discipleship in the church. It is a non-negotiable and is part of the mandate that Jesus gave to His church, to “Go and make disciples of all nations.”

I have some preliminary thoughts about how discipleship has been done in most churches today and would like to suggest that a certain shift is needed. Again these are raw and in no way conclusive.

Process

Most discipleship framework in churches today emphasizes processes and pathways – getting a Christian to move from Point A to Point D. It usually resembles an assembly line in a factory and assumes that every believer grows at the same pace. It is often based on how much a person knows. We monitor the ‘growth’ of a Christian by ensuring that he or she is progressing steadily through the system. Software are used to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of the process.

This method has been used for decades now and has produced good fruits. It has helped organized a church, mobilized people for a cause and generate healthy numerical increase.

Environment

However there’s a shift happening in organizations and churches across the world form “process” to “environment”.

I like how one pastor puts it, “thinking in terms of environments for discipleship is acknowledging that people should not just be moved horizontally towards an end goal, but in every direction at once (up, down, sideways, in, out).. This is the perfect recipe for robust discipleship, which in the end is the the type of sustainable growth we ought to be looking for.”

I was in a meeting where Bill Johnson was asked about his discipleship method and he basically implied that he uses words (whether in his preaching, with his staff or through his books) to cultivate the right climate for a disciple of a certain kind to grow.

I saw it firsthand in IHOP-KC where everyone has a prayer life that’s quite extraordinary including young children.

It is essentially “culture creation” and a culture shapes the environment and the environment will ultimate determine the kind of believers it will produce – fearful or bold, proud or humble, idealistic or pragmatic, free or bound, fervent or lukewarm and the list goes on.

Leaders, what kind of environment are you building? Remember this: having a process is good but creating a culture is far more influential and important.

May 13 2012
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Travel

God Loves Korea

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I had a really fruitful week in South Korea. I took a red eye flight and landed in the morning at Seoul. A friend picked me up and we drove from Incheon to Seoul to meet a few of his friends for breakfast. We talked at length about what God’s doing in NK and the different projects that they are involved in.

I got onto a KTX express train that got me to Daejeon in an hour. It was refreshing spending the next two days with John Arnott and Che Ahn. Both men were instrumental in hosting the Holy Spirit during the renewal in the mid nineties. Apparently Toronto Airport Church had nightly revival meetings for 11 years and millions came from around the world and were powerfully touched by the Holy Spirit. I helped ministered in a Pastors Conference and were greatly moved by the hunger of these Korean leaders.

I spent a day in Busan hanging out with a Singaporean family. They had felt the call to move. We broke bread and had a time of prayer in the evening.

I learned three lessons in South Korea:

1. Revival will prosper a nation. I see red crosses everywhere. There are hundreds of church buildings. The growth of the church in the 70s and 80s has a proportion impact on the growth of the economy. Singapore has a similar story.

2. It is important to stay relevant to the young. A Korean pastor told me that only 4% of the younger population goes to church. Many of them found Christianity irrelevant in the midst of the prosperity. The second and the third generation don’t fully understand the religious zeal of their parents and grandparents. Now I don’t mean relevance in terms of the style of worship but rather the expression of the church has got to evolve. Jesus actually said we can’t pour new wine into old wineskin.

3. God has a plan and He is the One who is building His church. Interestingly hundreds of the Korean diaspora has moved back to South Korea. I met a few of them on this trip that told me God has spoken to them about the move. Many of them are in their twenties and thirties. They are contending, catalysing and collaborating for a fresh outpouring of the Spirit in Korea. I am looking forward to serving with them to usher in a wave of revival in South Korea which I believe will spill over to NK.

Join me in praying for Korea.

May 01 2012
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God Encounters

Come to Me and Drink

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I used to be a lot more complex in my faith, constantly trying to learn new things and ‘go deeper’ in my understanding of the Bible. I agree that these are worthy pursuits and enjoyed a meaty talk. However I recent months I find myself journeying towards the other end – simplicity – removing all the frills from my walk with God. How does that look like?

I believe John 7:37-39 holds a key to that:

“37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified.”

Within every man’s heart there is a thirst that only Jesus can quench. Just as our human bodies need water to survive; our soul needs a constant replenishment of this life that can only be found in Christ. Earthly things did not satisfy that need. Success at work couldn’t either. There was a time when I seemed to have it altogether outwardly but drying up like a prune inwardly.

I like what new friend Georgian Banov remarked: Jesus didn’t say, “Come to Me and think”. He said, “Come to Me and drink.” Filling our minds with intellectual knowledge of God will not fill our hearts with living water. The Hebraic nature of the Christian faith requires that our life in Christ be experiential – to be felt by our senses.

Some may ask, “What about our ministry to the world?”

As the Scriptures suggest, it is simply an overflow of our drinking. I believe families change, churches grow and multiply, relationships restored, gifts flow, bodies are healed, communities transformed, nations are reached, minds renewed, destinies fulfilled and the list goes on.. when we drink deeply! The book of Acts is a perfect commentary on that.

Apr 27 2012
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Relationships

Relationships in an Imperfect World

I have to come to terms with a few truths on relationships:

(1) There is no way I can please everyone but I must always honor every man regardless. Our best intentions may still be misunderstood but we must always think the best of others.

(2) People may not reciprocate the kindness shown in the way I expected but I must still go the extra mile for others anyhow.

(3) It’s natural for us to be calculative in relationships but we are most like Jesus when we choose to bless everyone – friends and critics alike.

(4) It is easier to put barriers in relationships to protect myself but I choose to give access to people knowing full well that I may be disappointed.

We live in an imperfect world and sometimes our insecurities may hurt others. Nevertheless as followers of Christ we function in a higher order and we become like Christ when we respond to people the way He did.

Apr 26 2012
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Ignite Network

I am a Relational Leader

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God has gifted me to be ‘networker’ in the Kingdom. Now I didn’t like to be called that before. The term ‘networking’ seems to suggest that I am using people to benefit myself. I felt like a telephone operator as times, receiving frequent phone call asking me for email addresses and contact numbers. It’s true that my address book contains details of pastors and leaders from all around the world. Here’s a disclaimer: I do not give out contact details without the prior approval of my friends.

However I have since grown to appreciate that grace on my life.

1. It has opened doors for many emerging leaders to minister and many churches have been blessed by these local and international ministries resulting in growth and impact.

2. Lonely leaders have found life giving and life long friendships. These relationships have produced many initiatives that have encouraged the Body of Christ.

3. Walls have come down between movements and ministries. Many have realised that we have so much in common when they begin to connect with each other.

4. Bridges are built between leaders from different nations and we get to hear what God’s doing from friends around the world.

5. My friends are resources for the Body of Christ and I have the privilege of pairing up needs with people that could potentially meet those needs.

I enjoy connecting with people; and connecting people to people. I value everyone’s uniqueness and hold each individual in the highest regards. I love collaborations and would rather do things with others and on my own.

I am a relational leader.

Apr 17 2012
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God Encounters, Travel

Revival Alliance – Last Day

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Revival Alliance ended with a bang last night with Georgian Banov bringing the spirit of joy and the fire tunnel. It was an amazing week of soaking in God’s presence. I love how free the worship is and much space was given for the crowd to connect with the Lord. I am filled up again to hunger for more!

I didn’t get the opportunity to blog the past few days so I will attempt to give a summary of the past few days.

Heidi spoke again on intimacy with Jesus and our union with the Lord. She reminded us that ministry impact and fruitfulness, as wonderful and precious as these are, pale in comparison to a moment of nearness with God.

Randy shared on impartation and though I have heard a similar message from him a few times, still moved to desire for a greater anointing. What’s interesting is when he prayed for an increased power there was actually a shift in the atmosphere and the place was charged with strong sense of the Holy Spirit.

Bill Johnson reminded us about the need to steward the authority and blessings that we have.

Che Ahn talked about presence evangelism and inspired us with some amazing stories of people coming to the Lord through his life when he simply paid attention.

Rolland Baker encouraged us not to strive but to delight ourselves in the Lord and that being the key to receiving the desires of our hearts.

My heart is on fire for revival in Singapore and the region. The Holy Spirit spoke to me again about raising up and releasing 7000 laid down wholly given lovers as revivalists into the darkest places in Asia igniting hearts with the presence of Jesus!

Apr 14 2012
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God Encounters, Travel

Revival Alliance – First Day

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The conference is held at the HROCK auditorium in Pasadena and the speakers are some of my heroes in the faith. My previous encounters with the Holy Spirit have left me longing for more of His presence and I can’t wait to plunge again into the river!

The day started with a panel session with leaders. All the speakers shared briefly about what they are felt God was saying to the church followed by question and answer. It is my first time hearing Georgian Banov and Rolland Baker. I am deeply impressed by these men’s knowledge of the Lord, their passion for the church and how hungry they are for God’s presence.

Bill Johnson opened up the conference speaking on “Needs vs Wants”, awakening our ability to dream with God. I have heard him share this a few times and yet the message still spoke to me. I realised how much God delights in getting us involved in shaping the world around.

We had the honour of hosting the speakers at dinner at Beckham’s Grill. The opportunity to break bread with these precious men and women of God who have poured out so much for the Body of Christ is definitely the highlight of this trip. I love hearing them share stories, tell jokes and honouring one another. I love their passion for revival and how that vision has brought them together in covenantal relationship.

Heidi spoke at night and in her usual fashion stirred up hunger in all of us. I was weeping throughout her message as she recounted real life stories of unqualified men and women who made history in Iris Ministries because they had a dream. So what is my dream? I had a download of compassion in my heart and my foster child’s face was before me the whole time. I was travailing for the children in the world and I heard the Father said, “That every child in the world will have a father!” I text Joy and said, “Let’s foster more. If we need space, God will provide.” And I do believe that!

It was a wonderful day and I can’t wait for the next day. “More, Lord!”

Apr 12 2012
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God Encounters, Travel

Revival Alliance – Expectations

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I am in Pasadena for the Revival Alliance conference in HROCK church. Andrew and Lynette flew in to join me at the event after visiting their friends in Chicago. Jason and Adrian have also decided to come along.

The speakers are some of my heroes in the faith and movement leaders. I can’t wait to hear Heidi Baker, Bill Johnson and Che Ahn again; but most of all to receive a fresh impartation of the Spirit from the Lord in an atmosphere of hunger and expectancy. Ever since my encounter with the Holy Spirit in November I have become a ‘Presence-addict’ and constantly wanting more of Him and the good news is I can have as much of God as I want to!

Like the cloud the size of a man’s fist that Elijah saw as a sign of an outpouring of rain, I believe revival is here in small measure. Let’s cry out “More Lord!”

Apr 04 2012
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God Encounters, Travel

Worshipping Missionary or Missional Worshipper

Sometimes I wonder what’s my preferred vocation even in the ministry. If there’s such a thing as a “Worshipping Missionary” or a “Missional Worshipper” I’ll probably apply for the job and enjoy it fully. Worshipping God in the nations of the world and filling every place with devotion for the Lord. You see, growing up as a Christian in Singapore, I have two primary passions in the Church – two things that will always excite me:

1. Worship – I lost my interest in pop music early on in my Christian walk but I developed an insatiable appetite for good and anointed worship music. I can still remember when I was working at Salvation Bookstore as a teenager, I’ll be devouring the latest ‘live’ worship albums from Integrity and CFNI, spending a main bulk of my salary on books and CDs. I thought God has called me into the worship ministry and did have a short stint as a backup singer in the church.

Heartfelt worship ushers in the presence of the Lord and transforms lives. It is more than just a prelude to the sermon. May the Holy Spirit breathe life into the DIVE worship conference that we organize every year to ignite a fresh passion for the glory of God in our churches. We do not despise the days of small beginning and trust that as we are faithful with little, the Lord will entrust us with more!

2. Missions – I didn’t understand the need for missions as a young believer. I didn’t think there’s a need to share the gospel anywhere else when the majority of Singapore still have not come into the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. It was the book “Lilies Among Thorns” that sowed a seed in my heart for nations. I thought I’ll be a missionary in China and be counted worthy to suffer for the Lamb there. As a 17 years old I signed up for a missions course at Theological College of Asia and Ed Pousson fanned the little ember into a flaming fire. I’ve never heard a theologian talked about missions like he did, often with tears in his eyes. Since then I have had the privilege of seeing what the Lord is doing in over 30 nations of the world.

A few places fascinate me at this moment:

India with more than 1.1 billion people and such diverse cultures. Already the Gospel is transforming families and communities in so many regions in the sub-continent. The Church in Mumbai, the city being the pop capital in that part of the world, needs a fresh infusion of creativity and authenticity to be relevant to the young.

North Korea is a nation rich in resources and has a powerful history of revival. We hope to help meet some of their basic needs there like rice, water and light etc. You can love North Korea through prayer on 15 April on Kim Il Sung’s 100th birthday. Take a few minutes to lift up the nation before the throne of grace.

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