Sunday 31 October 2021

CHRISTIAN VIEWPOINT FEATURE #3

“Through your life, many were saved”: How a secondary school teacher in the 1960s brought more than 200 students to Christ:
Many are familiar with The Clocktower Story at Anglo-Chinese School (ACS), which has been widely recognised to be one of the triggers of the Charismatic Movement in Singapore.
 
Started in July 1972, the ACS Clocktower revival was birthed after a group of school boys began gathering at their school’s clocktower every recess to pray, resulting in an outpouring of the Holy Spirit on many of their schoolmates
 

Archeologists Find Rare Gemstone Near Jerusalem’s Western Wall:
Just north of the City of David (ancient Jerusalem), archaeologists believe they have found the first of its kind engraving on a precious gem of a biblical plant known to many as the balm of Gilead.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.charismanews.com/opinion/standing-with-israel/87198-archeologists-find-rare-gemstone-near-jerusalem-s-western-wall by Julie Stahl – inside CBN News – 26th Oct 2021)

No – A Christian worldview isn’t a code word for ‘whiteness’
Because a Christian worldview is not and has never been about “whiteness;” It’s about being faithful to God’s Word in all of life. And we shouldn’t let any progressive, elitist academic tell us otherwise.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianpost.com/voices/no-a-christian-worldview-isnt-a-code-word-for-whiteness.html by William Wolfe – inside Christian Post – 26th Oct 2021)

Billy Graham's grandson says “sin is fun” but living for Christ is “more fun”:
Billy Graham’s grandson Will Graham told hundreds gathered for prayer and worship over the weekend in Iowa that while sin can be “fun,” the gratification one receives from it eventually wears out and leaves them searching for a more permanent gratification and purpose in their lives.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianpost.com/news/will-graham-says-sin-is-fun-but-living-for-christ-is-more-fun.html by Nicole Alcindor, CP Reporter – inside Christian Post – 6th Oct 2021)

Christianity grows by nearly 1% in Muslim–majority Indonesia:
The Southeast Asian country, which is home to the world’s largest Muslim population, now has 20.4 million Protestants and 8.42 million Catholics, who together comprise 10.58% of the total population of 272.23 million, according to data from the Directorate General of the Department of Population and Civil Registration (Dukcapil) of the Ministry of Home Affairs, International Christian Concern said, adding that the 2010 census data showed that 9.87% of the population was Christian.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianpost.com/news/christianity-grows-by-nearly-1-percent-in-muslim-majority-indonesia.html by Anugrah Kumar, Christian Post Contributor – inside Christian Post – 5th Oct 2021)

Thousands make decisions for Christ during Franklin Graham's Route 66 “God Loves You”' tour:
More than 56,000 people attended the free outdoor events along Route 66 that began in the Chicago area on Sept. 19 and finished outside Los Angeles in San Bernardino, California, on Saturday. Over 5,000 people indicated they made decisions for Jesus Christ at the events, a BGEA spokesperson told The Christian Post.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianpost.com/news/thousands-make-decisions-for-christ-during-franklin-graham-tour.html by Leah MarieAnn Klett, Christian Post Reporter – inside Christian Post – 4th Oct 2021)

Max Lucado urges Christians to live courageously amid cultural upheaval: “God is working in our story”:
Bestselling author Max Lucado understands that the Christian community is emotionally weary following a contentious presidential election, deep divisions within the Church and a pandemic.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianpost.com/books/max-lucado-urges-christians-to-live-courageously-amid-trauma.html by Leah MarieAnn Klett, Christian Post Reporter – inside Christian Post –1st Oct 2021)

Spirit-Filled Pastor Says to Light Your Candle on the Front Porch of Hell:
Many Christians today are unaware of the ongoing battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan. They are woefully ill-equipped to engage in the work of spiritual warfare and they unintentionally open themselves up to demonic forces.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.charismamag.com/spirit/spiritual-warfare/50319-spirit-filled-pastor-says-to-light-your-candle-on-the-front-porch-of-hell by Shawn A. Akers – inside Charisma News – 23rd Sept 2021)

David Yonggi Cho, controversial founder of world’s largest church, dies at 85:
Christians mourned publicly across continents Tuesday as news spread of the passing of David Yonggi Cho, the co-founder of Yoido Full Gospel Church, the world’s largest congregation headquartered in Seoul, Korea, which encompasses a network of churches that once claimed more than 800,000 members.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianpost.com/news/david-yonggi-cho-founder-of-yoido-full-gospel-church-dies.html by Leonardo Blair – inside Christian Post –14th Sept 2021)

Did 9/11 Change How Evangelicals See Muslims?
This year marks 20 years since 19 men hijacked four planes, driving two of the aircraft into the World Trade Center, one into the Pentagon, and one into a field in Pennsylvania, after several of the passengers fought back. The attacks killed nearly 3,000 people and left 25,000 people injured and were organized by Osama bin Laden, who used his faith as justification for the attacks.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/quick-to-listen/muslims-christians-evangelicals-september-11-podcast.html by Morgan Lee – inside Christianity Today –10th Sept 2021)

America’s New Civil War – A Battle without Weapons:

In 1776, a pamphlet titled “The American Crisis” opened with the memorable phrase: “These are the times that try men's souls.” In that same year, America officially declared independence, and our great country was born.

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.charismanews.com/politics/opinion/86663-america-s-new-civil-war-a-battle-without-weapons by Shane Idleman – inside Charisma News –9th Sept 2021)

Afghanistan’s underground church is under threat like never before; Christians are fearing for their lives:
As the Taliban tighten their grip on Afghanistan, Release International warns that their swift advance will embolden extremists and attacks on Christians will rise as a result. (For more info, do click the link – https://www.premierchristianity.com/opinion/afghanistans-underground-church-is-under-threat-like-never-before-christians-are-fearing-for-their-lives/5380.article by Andrew Boyd – inside Release International –16th Aug 2021)

Houses of Prayer Everywhere (HOPE) as Day of His Power 2021 livestreams for the first time:

There were no auditoriums and stadiums to fill by the thousands as in years past. Those who gathered to intercede for Singapore ahead of National Day could not clasp hands in solidarity as they had done almost every year since 1994. Yet, there was unity of hearts, minds and spirits as almost 9,000 people attended the first-ever English livestream of Day of His Power 2021 tonight (August 6) to stand in the gap for Singapore and its people.

(For more info, do click the link –
https://saltandlight.sg/news/one-people-many-venues-in-houses-of-prayer-everywhere-hope-as-day-of-his-power-2021-livestreams-in-english-and-mandarin/ by Christina Leow – inside Salt & Light –8th Aug 2021)

“I have a calling” – What Does it Mean?
When we use the word, “calling”, it implies that the particular role or activity calls out to us. Calling moves us to action because it provides us with purpose. (For more info, do click the link – https://embraceourcalling.com/what-do-people-mean-when-they-say-i-have-a-calling/ by Marcus Mok – inside the Embrace our Calling– 20th Dec 2020)

USA: Revival hits army base with 1459 receiving Christ:
Army Chaplain Jose Rondon believes “there is nothing more exhilarating in life than seeing people come to Christ.” In the last six months, he has witnessed 1,459 professions of faith at his U.S. Army base Fort Leonard Wood. He speaks of a spiritual awakening.

Because of his reputation for being intentional in his ministry, many have come to hear Rondon share the Gospel on Sundays. “God is doing great things at Fort Leonard Wood among the hundreds of soldiers who have come to know Christ personally,” Rondon said.

Retired Major General Doug Carver, executive director of chaplaincy for the North American Mission Board, says what is happening at Fort Leonard Wood is not an exception. Right now there are reportedly 1,348 military chaplains in the Southern Baptist Convention at work. “Our troops, who are increasingly hungry for truth and relevancy in their lives, are finding a faith that works through a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ,” Carver said. “The current spiritual awakening at Fort Leonard Wood is indicative of a great move of God taking place within the Armed Services today.”

(For more info, do click the link – https://www.godreports.com/2018/08/revival-hits-army-base-with-1459-receiving-christ/ by Josie Rabbitt Bingham – inside GOD Reports News – 15th Aug 2018)

What is the Difference Between Holiness and Legalism?
Holiness is beautiful; legalism is binding; holiness brings life; legalism brings death. They are as different as night and day, and yet at first glance, they can seem similar, because they both stand against sinful behavior and call for holy living.

(For more info, do click the link – https://askdrbrown.org/library/what-difference-between-holiness-and-legalism by Michael L. Brown – inside GOD ASK DR BROWN News – 5th Jan 2013)



Friday 29 October 2021

Peter’s conundrum

As I pondered upon how Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man;” (MATTHEW 16:23, NIV), I noted how a disciple like Peter could ever received a harsher rebuke from Jesus, just like the time when Satan set traps for Jesus in the desert at the start of His public ministry. And, he tempted Jesus to take power by the wrong path (LUKE 4:13, NIV).

As such, today’s meditation has prompted me to mind the things of God than the things of men, as the apostle Paul said, “The mind set on the things of men is hostile towards God” (ROMANS 8:7, NIV). 

Hence, I determine to be a disciple who is rooted in Christ’s Word and taught by His Spirit, renewing my mind, and discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God in my life (ROMANS 12:2, NIV). And, upon this personal prayer, I also pray for my fellow believers for them to return to the Word of God, and being taught by His Spirit, renewing their mind, and discern what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God in their lives too, as I did my meditation today;

May we rightly represent Christ in thought, word, and deed – in private and in public, online and offline!

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 11th 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, deliver us from deception that we’ll never play into the enemy’s hand and oppose your purpose in Singapore.





Friday 15 October 2021

Peter’s confusion


As I pondered upon how the apostle’ Peter took him (Jesus) aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you;” (MATTHEW 16:22, NIV), indeed, when the Messiah came, it has been said that He would not suffer and could not fail the mission task that God given Him to do. And in Daniel 7:13-14, it spoke of how the Son of Man would show up and that He would topple Rome, destroy sinners, restore the golden age of Israel, and rule on David’s throne. However, the suffering tortured servant was not seen as a messianic figure by any school of Judaism as depicted in Isaiah 53. And, this was what Peter simply did as to what we would have done. We rebrand Jesus for the market or tweak Him to fit popular expectations. We make Him relevant to our community or tailor Him to suit our culture.

In this way, every generation recreates Jesus in its own image. And, every nation accommodates the Gospel to its own culture. Yet, Jesus Christ does not change to suit our culture. This encourages you & me to let our culture be conformed to His image (Genesis 1:26, NIV) than using Jesus to build our own kingdom, ministry, or career today and this will draw us to receiving the same stern rebuke that Peter got at Caesarea in Philippi, as the Scriptures said, “Get behind me Satan. You are minding the things of men” (MATTHEW 16:23, NIV).

Today, I confess my carnality of flesh to say how my mental confusion traded God’s presence for stage presence sometimes, and that I seek the Lord’s forgiveness and cleansing.

Indeed, the Church Jesus builds impacts culture, not the other way around as I did my today’s meditation.

Let’s pray for a Back to Jesus movement in our city today!

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 10th 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, help us return to the fundamentals of the one, holy catholic (universal) and apostolic Church that Jesus builds upon, to be totally Christ-centered, Word-based, be Spirit-led as we give God all the glory!

Friday 1 October 2021

In God We Trust

If one water faucet is turned off, God can turn on another just as easily. If you lose one job, he can easily give you another. If God closes one door, he can open another. If all the doors are closed, he can open a window.

As I meditated upon what the apostle Paul says, “God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 4:19, ESV), this reminds me that God is my provider & I truly thank God that He has supplied my every need through public training workshop in GrowthBeans Company (Savoir Asia Consulting Pte Ltd) being my former employer so far + trusting God to see me through my vocational work & my future Social Enterprise work via StoryTelling for persons with special needs in advance time to come.

As the apostle Paul also says, “For everything comes from God alone. Everything lives by his power, and everything is for his glory” (Romans 11:36, TLB).

For I’ll mediate upon your unfailing love (Psalm 48:9, NIV) as I trust in God’s plan to help me manage my money by spending them wisely while being prudent while I had done my today’s meditation.

How could you be responsible with your money today?

(Written by Jeremy Koh, 21st January 2020)

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, help us to be responsible with our money as we spend them wisely today.

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...