Saturday 31 July 2021

CHRISTIAN VIEWPOINT FEATURE #2

UK–based Methodist Church votes to approve gay marriage, recognize cohabitating couples:

The Methodist Church of the United Kingdom passed resolutions to approve the blessing of same–sex unions and recognize cohabitating couples. The London–based Methodist Conference announced Wednesday that it has voted to confirm the resolutions at its gathering held in Birmingham.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianpost.com/news/uk-based-methodist-conference-votes-to-approve-gay-marriage.html by Michael Gryboski, Christian Post Reporter – as featured inside Christian Post Magazine – 30th June 2021)

Prophetic Word: The Lord Wants You to Use Your Voice to Advance the Kingdom:

I was in a time of prayer recently when the Lord began to speak to me about becoming a voice. I believe this word was not just for me but for many in the body of Christ in this hour. As the Lord spoke to me about becoming a voice, He revealed to me that our voice is not just about our words, but also about the influence God has given each of us

(For more info, do click onto this link – https://www.charismamag.com/blogs/prophetic-insight/49169-prophetic-word-the-lord-wants-you-to-use-your-voice-to-advance-the-kingdom by Joe Joe Dawson is the founder and apostle of Roar Apostolic Network and Roar Church Texarkana. He is the author of Kingdom Mindset, Destiny Dimension, Living Your God-Sized Dream and Recipe for Revival, as featured inside Prophetic Insight – 31st May 2021)

Only 6% of Americans have a “biblical worldview” research from George Barna finds:

Only 6% of Americans have a “biblical worldview” according to research from notable evangelical pollster George Barna released as part of a new endeavor with the Christian conservative advocacy organization Family Research Council.

 (For more info, do click onto this link – https://www.christianpost.com/news/only-6-of-americans-have-a-biblical-worldview-survey.html by Michael Gryboski from Christian Post, 27th May 2021)

John MacArthur warns culture “systematically designed weaponized to destroy children”

Pastor John MacArthur has warned that culture is “systematically designed” and “weaponized to destroy children” and stressed that God will severely judge parents who fail to raise their offspring “in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.”

(For more info, do click onto this link – https://www.christianpost.com/church-ministries/john-macarthur-culture-systematically-designed-to-destroy-kids.html? by Leah MarieAnn Klett, Christian Post Reporter, 6th May 2021)

Can One Marriage Support Two Callings?

After suffering a panic attack in a Shenzhen municipal office, I began to ask God why he had brought me to China at all. My husband and I had moved overseas believing we were called to work on his startup. I left a job and friends I loved to support his dream of providing solar products for the developing world. I convinced myself that it was my dream, too.

(For more info, do click onto this link –

https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2015/october/can-one-marriage-support-two-callings.html to read this article by Dorcas Cheng-Tozun 15th October 2015 in CT)

When Women Blame Men for Domestic Stress, They Miss the Big Picture:

TIME recently published a piece on housework and parenting asserting that until men share the “invisible workload that drags women down,” women will never be free. Lisa Wade reports on a study by sociologist Susan Walzer in which “Walzer found that women do more of the intellectual, mental, and emotional work of childcare and household maintenance,” she  wrote.

We have come a long way toward giving women the freedom to build a life outside the home, but the last step may be an invisible one, happening mostly in our heads. To truly be free, we need to free women’s minds. Of course, someone will always have to remember to buy toilet paper, but if that work were shared, women’s extra burdens would be lifted. Only then will women have as much lightness of mind as men.

Wade is exploring a well-known and seemingly unresolvable debate: In a post-industrial society where the home space is often cleaved from the work place, who does the domestic work around the house? How do men and women share (if at all) the tedious work of mopping floors, changing diapers, and dashing to the grocery store when the milk runs out? And for those who work outside the home, how do they balance both?

 (For more info, do click onto this link – https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2017/january-web-only/when-women-blame-men-for-domestic-stress-they-miss-big-pict.html by Anne Carlson Kennedy, 13th January 2017)

 4 Ways to Involve Everyone in Evangelism:

Many people have slipped into the mindset that evangelism is a gift that some believers have and others do not. The reality is that when someone becomes reconciled to God, He sends them out to reconcile others. That’s not a gift – we all have the responsibility to take Christ to others.

 (For more info, do click the link –  https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2015/february/4-ways-to-involve-everyone-in-evangelism.html by Ed Stetzer – Executive Director, Wheaton College Billy Graham Center; Ed Stetzer, Ph.D., is a professor and dean at Wheaton College who also serves as Executive Director of the Wheaton College Billy Graham Center. Stetzer has planted, revitalized, and pastored churches, trained pastors and church planters on six continents, has earned two master’s degrees and two doctorates, and has written hundreds of articles and a dozen books, as featured inside Christianity Times – 18th February 2015)

Can You Believe Which City Is the Most 'Bible-Minded?’

After three years of having the most Bible-minded city in America, Tennessee has relinquished the title to Alabama. Birmingham moved up from the second spot in 2014 to the top spot in 2015 in American Bible Society's annual ranking of America's Most Bible-Minded Cities.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.charismanews.com/us/48132-can-you-believe-which-city-is-the-most-bible-minded by Christine Cape – as featured inside Charisma Magazine – 2nd March 2015)

The Man Who Asked God For More:

On January 20, 1994, an unassuming pastor from St. Louis walked into a small storefront church situated in an industrial park near the Toronto airport. The 42-year-old minister had been invited to preach for a few nights at a series of meetings scheduled by the church's pastor, John Arnott. Little did Randy Clark know that here, in Toronto's subzero weather, God would use him to spark a fire of revival that continues to blaze into the 21st century.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.charismamag.com/site-archives/131-features/igniting-revival/7-the-man-who-asked-god-for-more by C. Hope Flinchbaugh – as featured inside Charisma Magazine – 31st March 2000)

 

Friday 30 July 2021

Peter’s commission

As I did my today’s meditation, I pondered upon how Jesus said, “I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (MATTHEW 16:18-19, NIV), I saw how Jesus gave apostle’ Peter the keys of the Kingdom. And, keys represent authority. Indeed, all Twelve Apostles are part of the Church’s one foundation. All are in perfect alignment with Jesus the Chief Cornerstone (EPHESIANS 2:20; REVELATION 21:14, NIV).

In Isaiah 22, I’m being reminded of how Eliakim was summoned to high office in the kingdom of Judah; as the LORD said, “I will place on his shoulder the key of the house of David. He shall open, and none shall shut; and he shall shut, and none shall open” (Isaiah 22:22, NIV). Just as Eliakim became a steward of the house of David, Peter will become a steward of God’s kingdom.

Today, I pray for Jesus to reveal Himself afresh to this generation in Singapore. And, may our work be an act of worship flowing out of our constant communion with Jesus Word and in prayer (ACTS 6:4, NIV). I pray for a life-changing revelation of Jesus among the unsaved in our city – especially those who are disillusioned with false securities and empty belief systems in their lives.

Indeed, the Apostles of Jesus and their successors have kingdom authority to make decisions, resolve disputes, restore peace, and establish divine order in the Church. And, their decisions when made by revelation

Hence, I pray for Jesus to anoint each one of us that we may:

• Lead by revelation and establish divine order in the Church

• Resolve controversies, settle disputes, reconcile enemies

• Expose pretenders, silence deceivers, correct heresies

• Pioneer new kingdom initiatives that rattle the gates of hell

• Stand together against evil and promote truth, justice and righteousness

• Turn Singapore Godward through Gospel proclamation and united prayer

• Make new disciples among unreached peoples in Asia and beyond

In Matthew 18:15-20, we see how Jesus extends this awesome authority, not only to apostles, but to ordinary disciples who are rightly related to the Body and submitted to its leadership.

Truly, the keys are given to God-ordained leaders who are under apostolic authority and who walk in Peter’s faith and virtues (ORIGEN) as he highlighted this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text. And, binding and loosing is a metaphor for exercising kingdom authority, especially in situations of conflict in the Church.

Come Lord Jesus, build your Church today!

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 9th July 2019)

Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.

 Prayer Response to this featured article:

Jesus, let your kingdom authority flow through us to build and to bless the communities through our good works today:  Jesus, let your kingdom authority flow from your throne into the Singapore Church as you manifest your power through your appointed leaders who bear your mantle, share your suffering, unite your Body, and serve your mission.

Friday 16 July 2021

Peter’s confession

As I did my today’s meditation, I pondered upon how Jesus asked, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For, flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.” (MATTHEW 16:15-17, NIV), I see how both John the Baptist and Simon Peter knew Jesus by revelation except neither had the full picture. John (pre apostolic person) nearly stumbled when Jesus didn’t break him out of jail as the prophet Isaiah had prophesied (ISAIAH 61:1, NIV). And, Peter (pre apostolic person) tried to squeeze Jesus into the mould of popular expectations.

Whereas, Peter lacks formal education, yet he is both a practical man and a profound thinker. He follows Jesus like a shadow even in the dark. Today, I see how every revival brings a fresh revelation of Jesus except it’s not a new revelation, but a return to the Original Jesus who is often forgotten and cannot be known by human reasoning alone.

Truly, revival brings a fresh revelation of Christ that places him front and centre and above all else.  Indeed, Knowledge is good. Revelation is best. Knowledge is human. Revelation is divine. Knowledge makes you think. Revelation makes you see. Knowledge teaches your mind. Revelation changes your heart. Knowledge is informational. Revelation is experiential (ZACH BURANDT) as he highlighted this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.

Hence, the Private and Public Spheres reported that 86% agreed that religion is as relevant to life today as in the past. About three in four Singaporeans said they followed a religion. The majority of respondents were likely to believe in religious concepts such as heaven, hell, life after death and religious miracles, as mentioned this point inside the 40 Days (2019) devotional text.  Today, I pray for apostle’ Peter’s first-hand revelation of Jesus will become a reality for you & me. And, I pray for apostle’ Paul’s stunning revelation of the Gospel to arrest us today.

Let’s unveil the minds of pre-believers see the light of the gospel of Christ’s glory upon their lives! As the apostle Paul said, “Let them see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God” (2 CORINTHIANS 4:4, NIV).

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 8th July 2019)

Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.

Prayer Response to this featured article:

Jesus, we pray for a divine visitation of revealing Christ as the Son of the Living God in our lives today. Declare this as Jesus says, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life” (John 10:10, NIV).

 

Friday 2 July 2021

Peter’s conviction

As I did my today’s meditation, I pondered upon what Jesus said to the twelve, “Do you want to go away as well?” Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (JOHN 6:68-69, NIV), I pondered upon how Jesus asked a question to His twelve apostles, “Do you want to leave too?” truly, I saw how Peter (pre apostolic person) had to choose among other options between choosing the door to eternal life and going back to normal life such as supporting his family again – taking the boat to catch fishes that are multiplying in the sea.

Today, I choose Jesus + having eternal life through Him and this prompts me to share the gospel of eternal life with pre-believers (able-bodied & PwDs) that they’ll have Jesus eternally. As the apostle Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes” (ROMANS 1:16, NIV).

Do you choose to live your current life or choose to accept the words of eternal life which Jesus gives today?

As the Psalmist said, “Whom have I in heaven but you? And there is nothing on earth that I desire besides you” (PSALM 73:25, NIV)

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 7th July 2019)

Profile Background:

Jeremy Koh is a disabled graduate from Cerebral Palsy Alliance Singapore – formerly known as Spastic Children Association (1987-1997). He graduated with Certificates in Microsoft Office Skills. Jeremy has worked in ServeHope Pte Ltd – Project Assistant/Email Marketing Consultant for 5 years (March 2008 – August 2013). And, Jeremy did a research work for the keyguard at (these)abilites Pte Ltd handling all KeyGuard Operations for 10 months in World United College South East Asia (Tampines Branch). He was Executive Assistant with Vision Strategy Storytelling (3 months, Aug to Oct 2017). Jeremy worked as GB Connector in GrowthBeans Team in Savior-Asia Consulting Pte Ltd (October 2018 to December 2019). Today, he continues to be in GB Youth Organizing Team/as a GB Youth Facilitator in YouthCorps Singapore, a former member of the Special Needs Cluster in YCS, and a Founder in the ground up initiative project called – Project Story for LIFE that serves the Special Needs Community at-large in society today.

Prayer Response to this featured article:

Jesus, give us grace to live enthusiastically take your Truth to heart.

Foot-wash

As I did my today’s meditation, I pondered upon how the disciple Simon Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, do you wash my feet? .... You shall never...