Blessed To Be A Blessing

 

'May our sons flourish in their youth like well nurtured plants

May our daughters be like graceful pillars, carved to beautify a palace.

May our barns be filled with crops of every kind.

May the flocks in our fields multiply by the thousands, even tens of thousands, 

And may our oxen be loaded down with produce

May there be no enemy breaking through our walls

No going into captivity, no cries of alarm in our town squares' Psalm 144:12-14

Today, 22 January 2023 is Chinese New Year, ushering in the year of the Rabbit. Both Pat and I are born in the year of the rabbit which comes along every 12 years in the Chinese Lunar calendar. We wish everyone 新年快乐，万事如意,  xīn nián kuài lè, wàn shì rú yì meaning Happy New Year and May All Go Well With You.

The Lunar New Year celebration is filled with rich customs and meanings. Over the years it dawned on me that these customs are symbols of the passing on of blessings year after year such as in the CNY greeting above. In Chinese traditional thought, there  are the "four blessings" which are happiness (xi 喜), success or prosperity (lu 禄), longevity (shou 寿), and good fortune (fu 福). 

After greeting our elders during Chinese New Year in the Peranakan (Straits-born Chinese) tradition, the elders are blessed by the young ones with the phrase, 'Panjang, Panjang Umur'; best translated by Mr Spock's Vulcan greetings 'Live Long and Prosper.' The elders will in turn wish the younger ones with phrases like '生意兴隆' (booming business), '学业进步' (progress in studies), ' 步步高升 ' (to rise steadily).

Such blessings project the blessings of a Good Life which is from the Lord and well noted in the verse below.

'Yes, joyful are those who live like this!

Joyful indeed are those whose God is the Lord.' Psalm 144:15

Another CNY tradition is the giving and receiving of Ang Paos or red packets of money given to children and youths. More than just the giving of money or wealth this popular tradition connotes the passing on blessings and instilled from an early age, the virtue of generosity. We are blessed to be a blessing!

This requirement for Christians to be generous to one another and especially to the poor and needy, is mentioned several times in the Bible and especially in Malachi 3:8.

Nicky Gumbel wrote in the 'Bible in One Year Day 350,' "The prophet accuses them of robbing God by their failure to get their giving sorted out. He urges them, 'Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,' says the Lord Almighty, 'see if I do not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.' This shows how important your giving is in God's eyes. Prioritise giving to the church you attend. If the church community gives generously, then you can expect that God will throw open the floodgates and pour so much blessing that we will not have enough room for it."

We are prone to think of giving only in monetary terms and perhaps the Ang-Pao of CNY and our tithes and offerings during church service help anchor this thought. But God blesses us with much more than just riches and wealth. Every gift, every talent, every act of kindness comes from God and we are to reciprocate this same kindness to others.

'Each of you has been blessed with one of God's many wonderful gift to be used in service to others. So use your gift well.' 1 Peter 4:10 

“I will bless you,” God says to Abraham, “and you will be a blessing. . . . and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you” Genesis 12:2-3.

God spoke these words to Abraham and laid down a principle for us to follow. Abraham's benefit is not the end of God's purpose. God will bless him so that he might be "a blessing to others." Think about the blessings God has given us and how we can use them to bless others. 

Ask the Lord to 'Make Me a Blessing.' 

Out in the high-ways and by-ways of life,

Many are weary and sad;

Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,

Making the sorrowing glad.

 

Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing --

Out of my life May Jesus shine;

Make me a blessing, O Savior, I pray,

Make me a blessing to someone today.

 

Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love,

Tell of His power to forgive;

Others will trust Him if only you prove

True, every moment you live.

 

Give as 'twas given to you in your need,

Love as the Master loved you;

Be to the helpless a helper indeed,

Unto your mission be true.

Be Strong and Courageous – Defining the Christian Leader

'Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do and He will show you which path to take.' Proverbs 3:5-6 (NLT)

Today 15 Jan 2023 we will install the leaders of Charis Methodist Church, our Local Church Executive Committee. We pray that they will take the advice of the writer of Proverbs not to trust in their own understanding but to seek God's will and guidance always. 

Christian leaders are called of God. Many people will not dare to take on a role so demanding of character, time and sacrifice. Why would anyone take on such onerous responsibilities and duties? They are called and commissioned by God and He ensures the transfer of leadership from one generation to the next. We see this transfer from Moses to Joshua as the Israelites were about to cross the river Jordan into Canaan.

'Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise; cross this Jordan, you and all these people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel.' Joshua 1:2

Pastor Clarence Goh, in his book, Called to Soar, expounded on the word, Arise, "It is a call to be counted. It's a call to be more involved and active in advancing the kingdom's work." (Ref 1) It is call to leadership.  

There will always be an enduring church leadership because God will provide. Yes, despite the perennial shortage of volunteers, there are still good Christian men and women who are willing to serve. There are three reasons for this: 

• God selects our leaders
• God guides our leaders
• God promises leaders, success.

The opening verses of the book of Joshua, which described the successful transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua, give us insights into this:

 

'Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them. Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.

Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.' Joshua 1:6-9

God Selects Leaders

Leaders are usually selected because of their business experiences, financial contributions, political connections, professional career, management skills and connections. Holiness and good character which are important traits of spiritual leadership, are not immediately recognisable whilst administrative and organizational skills are more obvious and proven by track records. Hence the marks of spiritual maturity are often ignored in preference for leaders who are glib speakers with the right boardroom and management skills.

However, a wise congregation should quickly learn to leave the matter of leadership to God’s selection. They will seek to find God’s chosen person through prayerful discernment. Whilst we can discern the outward qualities, only God can fully assess the spiritual maturity and character. Such people will be called by Him. By their leadership and example, they should set and preserve the highest standards of ethical conduct. Jesus said,

'You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.' Matt 5:13

God Guides Leaders

God provided Joshua with the much-needed encouragement and guidance he needed. The words “be strong and courageous” were emphasized three times in the passage. Guidance was to come from God’s Word and it will shape his leadership. 

'Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.' Joshua 1:7

God Promises Success

All leaders need resilience, tenacity and endurance. Will the work and efforts of Christian leaders enjoy success so that the church can grow, minister and endure through times of difficulties and blessing?  God promised Joshua, 

'I will give you every place where you set your foot on, as I promised Moses.' (Joshua 1:3).

Charis Methodist Church needs leaders of sterling characters. We pray for them to 'Be Strong and Take Courage.' 

Be strong and take courage

Do not fear or be dismayed

For the Lord will go before you

And His light will show the way

Be strong and take courage

Do not fear or be dismayed

For the one who lives within you

Will be strong in you today

Why don't you give him all of your fears

Why don't you let him wipe all of your tears

He knows, He's been through pain before

And He knows all that you've been looking for

Nothing can take you out of his hand

Nothing can face you can't command

I know that you will always be

In His love, in His power you will be free!

So, be strong and take courage

Do not fear or be dismayed

For the Lord will go before you

And His light will show the way

Be Strong and take courage

Do not fear or be dismayed

For the one who lives within you

Will be strong in you today

Lionel

Ref 1: Clarence Goh, 'Called to Soar - a devotional on the Book of Joshua.' 2022 AdventTransformation.

From Ritual to Relationship

Awe and Wonder - A Starry Night

 'Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear  my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.' Rev 3:20 (NLT)

Have you ever wondered in attending church services how leaders and congregation are more concerned about the conduct of worship than the experience of worship itself? Our Pastor in his opening sermon on the 1 Jan 2023, brought the congregation of Charis back to the basics when he encouraged us to experience worship as a meeting of God's people in God's presence. 

He asked two fundamental questions

1. What is worship?
2. What is needed in worship?

Let's ponder over these questions because many have become rather disillusioned with the way worship of God proceeds in our church worship services today. 

What is worship? Rev Lui stressed the point that worship happens when people encounter God. It happens when people meet God and vice versa. Rather than become distracted by the mechanics in the conduct of the service, we should experience the encounter. We should be cautious NOT to create the impression that God can be 'more present' when we use music, sermons, rituals to engender a more inspirational atmosphere. Rev Lui said, "Don't feel pressured to make God show up." The presence of God is entirely of God's doing. 

• God's Promised Presence. This is a gift of God's love for us individually and corporately. In the meeting between God, Moses and the people in the Sinai wilderness, God promised

'My presence will go with you and I will give you rest' Exodus 33:14

• God's Experienced Presence. There is no substitute for the manifested presence of God. Each time we enter a church or be called as a people of God to worship, we should feel or find the presence of God within us or around us, He is always present. How God would meet us is entirely up to Him, we cannot manipulate it. Moses understood this fundamental requirement when he rejected the suggestion to use angels to guide the people's journey in the wilderness

'If Your presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and Your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and Your people from all the other people in the face of the earth?' Exodus 33:15-16

• God's Unveiled Presence. Cultivate a hunger for the Lord and not rely on methods and programmes. There is no substitute for God's presence. Over-polished, entertaining, professional atmospheres and environment  distract and detract from the raw presence of God. Anticipate that God will reveal himself to us as we enter into the worship relationship. Moses was bold when he asked the Lord to show His glory.

'Then Moses said, "Now show me Your glory" And the Lord said, "I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim My name, The Lord, in your presence." Exodus 33:18 and 19a

What is needed in Worship? A hunger for God and an encounter with God. Moses asked God

"Teach me Your ways" Exodus 33:13.  

He was not asking for information or knowledge of God. Moses was not looking for facts but for the real experience of encountering God.

When we next come to Church for worship we should

1. Anticipate God's presence
2. Look for God's hand at work
3. Listen for God's voice
4. Open ourselves to God

Let's move from Duty to Devotion, from Ritual to Relationship. Come back to the 'Heart of Worship.'

Lionel

Ref: Sermon by Rev Lui Yuan Tze on the 1 January 2023 at Charis Methodist Church

Sing to the Dawn

Dawn@WanlapaFarm, Lopburi Thailand

'From the rising of the sun to the place where it sets, the name of the Lord is to be praised.' Psalm 113:3

The dawn and sunrise over Wanlapa Farm, a rice field we stayed in at Lopburi, Thailand on the 28 Nov 2022, was a spectacular experience. The sun rose and suddenly the rice fields became alive as the egrets and birds flew about as if to heat up their wings. The dragonflies and insects started flittering and all life awoke, singing to the dawn.

It is a time to praise the Lord.

Emily Dickinson described a similar experience,

The birds begun at four o'clock

Their period for dawn.

A music numerous as space

And measureless as noon

I could not count their force

Their voices did expend

As brook by brook bestows itself

To magnify the pond

Their witnesses were not

Except occasional man

In homely industry arrayed

To overtake the morn

Nor was it for applause

That I could ascertain

But independent ecstasy

Of Deity and Men

Like Emily, I realised that dawn is a time of freshness, a time to ecstatically praise God.  Early in the morning, life stirs. It is a time when 'all nature sings and round me rings the music of the sphere' A time to celebrate that 'This is my Father's World.' 

This is my Father's world

And to my listening ears

All nature sings, and round me rings

The music of the spheres

This is my Father's world

I rest me in the thought

Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas

His hand the wonders wrought

This is my Father's world

The birds their carols raise

The morning bright, the lily white

Declare their maker's praise

This is my Father's world

He shines in all that's fair

In rustling grass I hear Him pass

He speaks to me everywhere

This is my Father's world

O let me ne'er forget

That though the wrong seems oft so strong

God is the ruler yet

This is my Father's world

Why should my heart be sad?

The Lord is King, let the heavens ring!

God reigns, let earth be glad!

This is 2023 and the new dawn of the New Year will rise with the sun. What will it bring? 2022 has not been a good year with its tragedies, wars, economic downturn, pandemic. 2023 promises hope and better tomorrows. Hopefully the world will be rid of the Covid scourge. Hopefully there will be peace in Europe.

The prophet Isaiah proclaimed

'Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.' Isaiah 60:1

Every new year on 6 January, Christians remember the light that shines in the darkness, the Epiphany. It commemorates the Adoration of the Magi, the wise men from the East who were guided to Bethlehem by the bright star to the baby Jesus. This was predicted by Isaiah 

'The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.' Isaiah 9:2 

Epiphany, a light shining in the darkness, assures us of God's guidance as life continues into the new year; new roads appear up ahead. New roads that will lead us into new adventures, new opportunities and new challenges.

The Hymn, 'Morning Has Broken' celebrates the dawn of the new year. It was written by Eleanor Farjeon in 1931 and popularise by Cat Stevens in the 1970s.

Morning has broken like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken like the first bird

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning

Praise for them springing fresh from the world

Sweet the rains new fall, sunlit from Heaven

Like the first dewfall on the first grass

Praise for the sweetness of the wet garden

Sprung in completeness where His feet pass

Mine is the sunlight, mine is the morning

Born of the one light, Eden saw play

Praise with elation, praise every morning

God's recreation of the new day

Morning has broken like the first morning

Blackbird has spoken like the first bird

Praise for the singing, praise for the morning

Praise for them springing fresh from the world

Happy New Year 2023!

Lionel

Peace And Goodwill To All Men

'And the angel said unto them, "Fear not: for behold I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, "Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, good will toward men."  Luke 2:10,11 and 13,14 (KJV)

Merry and Blessed Christmas! 

The first Christmas greetings under the night sky of Bethlehem was proclaimed by the angel and multitude of the heavenly host to the shepherds. There were two messages

• The birth of Jesus Christ, long awaited and a fulfillment of prophecies, 

'For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government shall be upon His shoulders. And He shall be called Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.' Isaiah 9:6-7

• The prayer and expectation of Peace on Earth. Jesus was declared the Prince of Peace.

Christians rejoice at the coming of Jesus, our Saviour who forgave our sins and ushered us into a new and living relationship with God. For more than two thousand years Christians enjoy this reality. But the promise of peace appears elusive; many lament the fact that peace on earth is never experienced even since the birth of Christ. 

Let me share my journey in understanding this Peace.

The first is Elusive Peace. This was most sarcastically commented by this rendition of Silent Night by Simon and Garfunkel over the Seven o'Clock News read by Charles O'Donnell.

That album was released in the 1966, things have not changed. Since then there has not been a Christmas in which there is no war, crisis or conflict somewhere in this world. This Christmas the war in Ukraine rages on and there will be no Christmas truce this time. Is Christmas and its promise of peace on earth good will among men irrelevant today?

The second is Inner Peace. How can we find peace in the midst of dismal circumstances? If peace cannot be found externally, can it be found within us? Having peace within, perhaps we can be at peace with others. A Chinese poem reads,

If there is a light in the soul there will be beauty in the person,

If there is beauty in the person there will be harmony in the house,

If there is harmony in the house there will be order in the nation,

If there is order in the nation, there will be peace in the world.

"Let There Be Peace on Earth" is a song written by Jill Jackson-Miller and Sy Miller in 1955. Jackson-Miller, had been suicidal after the failure of her marriage, she wrote the song after discovering what she called the "life-saving joy of God's peace and unconditional love." The main message is in the refrain, 'Let peace begin with me.' 

The third is Heavenly Peace. There is another kind of peace, not coming from within but peace from above, transcendental peace. This is the peace offered by Christmas, Jesus said,

'Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.' John 14:27

Saint Paul described this as a peace which passed all understanding,

 'And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.' Philippians 4:7

This was the peace Saint Francis understood when he prayed 'Make me an instrument of thy peace.' The peace comes from God and if we can become just instruments, conduits of this peace, there is a chance for peace and good will among men.

Enjoy this Christmas carol, Silent Night. 

Merry Christmas! May the Light of Jesus Christ be the light in your souls!

Lionel