I have looked into the mirror many times this two weeks and laughed. And I have also declared who I am in Christ, confessing His word over my life. The Bible says,
Rom 10:9 that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.
Rom 10:10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
I found using the acrostic of my name helpful.
I look into my eyes and say, "Khor Hoe Chai - because Christ lives in you...
K - you Know the Father because you have Jesus in your heart
H - you are Humble like the Lord
O - you are Obedient like the Lord
R - you are the Righteousness of God in Christ, you have His Resurrection life
H - you are Highly favoured because of Jesus' unmerited favour
O - you are an Overcomer in Christ
E - you Enjoy God, Enjoy Everything He has freely given; Enthusiastic
C - you are more than a Conqueror, you are Christ centred and Cheerful
H - you are Happy and Humurous
A - you are Anointed by the Holy Spirit
I - you are Inspiring Influencer
Friday, March 11, 2011
The Lord Laughs
A couple of weeks back I met with this Pastor Fan (an American Chinese) and was touched by his radiant, joyful and friendly disposition. We had good fellowship over dinner and he had many wonderful and encouraging testimonies in his ministries in the different nations. Our Chinese congregation was blessed by his ministries with many testimonies of healings and transformations.
He shared with me that he looks in the mirror every morning and laughs and confesses who he is in Christ. He said he has experienced healing, health and greater well being and joy. The Bible says a merry heart does good like medicine. In fact a sorrowful heart dries up the bones. I wasn't sure if that is putting up a show. But he thinks it is faith in action. Jesus has won the victory! We are more than conquerous in Him!
I asked him how he does it and he said he will show me. When we got into my car to go back to the church for service, he held his two clenched first and gave a strong, long, laugh, "ha ha ha ha ha ha".
Well. I have looked up the Bible and indeed the command to rejoice, to sing for joy, to shout for joy are plenteous in the Bible.
Just read the Psalms. Also remember Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Paul was writing this letter from prison and he exhorts the believers to rejoice always. I was reading Matt 28 a few days ago and was struck by the words of Jesus to the woman who came to the tomb to anoint His body. He was risen from the dead and He met the women and said, REJOICE! Matt 28:9
In Psalms we also read about God laughing over His enemies.
Ps 2: 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them (enemies of god's people) in derision.
Ps 37:13 The Lord laughs at him (the wicked),
For He sees that his day (of judgment) is coming.
Ps 59:8 But You, O LORD, shall laugh at them;
You shall have all the nations in derision.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
Phil 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always.
Again I will say, rejoice!
He shared with me that he looks in the mirror every morning and laughs and confesses who he is in Christ. He said he has experienced healing, health and greater well being and joy. The Bible says a merry heart does good like medicine. In fact a sorrowful heart dries up the bones. I wasn't sure if that is putting up a show. But he thinks it is faith in action. Jesus has won the victory! We are more than conquerous in Him!
I asked him how he does it and he said he will show me. When we got into my car to go back to the church for service, he held his two clenched first and gave a strong, long, laugh, "ha ha ha ha ha ha".
Well. I have looked up the Bible and indeed the command to rejoice, to sing for joy, to shout for joy are plenteous in the Bible.
Just read the Psalms. Also remember Phil 4:4 Rejoice in the Lord always and again I say rejoice! Paul was writing this letter from prison and he exhorts the believers to rejoice always. I was reading Matt 28 a few days ago and was struck by the words of Jesus to the woman who came to the tomb to anoint His body. He was risen from the dead and He met the women and said, REJOICE! Matt 28:9
In Psalms we also read about God laughing over His enemies.
Ps 2: 4 He who sits in the heavens shall laugh;
The Lord shall hold them (enemies of god's people) in derision.
Ps 37:13 The Lord laughs at him (the wicked),
For He sees that his day (of judgment) is coming.
Ps 59:8 But You, O LORD, shall laugh at them;
You shall have all the nations in derision.
Proverbs 17:22
A merry heart does good, like medicine, But a broken spirit dries the bones.
Phil 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord always.
Again I will say, rejoice!
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Wrong "Love" Destroys
There is a real life story told to me by a fellow believer.
Her friend who is a very respectable and good teacher in a primary school is at her wits end as to what to do with her one and only 16 years old son.
She and her husband went through much much trouble to have this son. They "love" him so much that they gave him whatever he wanted. During times when she wanted to discipline him, her husband would remind her of how much trouble they went through having him and that she should not "hurt" him. So they kept giving in to him and eventually he always get what he wanted even though it was bad for him.
Now at 16, he has stopped going to school. He refuses to come out of his room to see anybody. He only plays with his computer and eats junk food in his room. His parents so called "love", wrong kind of love is destroying his life.
Children are children and they are not wise. That's why they need wise mature parents to guide them, teach them and discipline them. If children get everything they want their lives will be destroyed. Imagine if children get all the sweets they want, all the toys they want, all the TV or Computer time they want, all the "freedom" they want, all the money they want etc., they will surely be destroyed.
It frightens me to see parents and grandparents giving in to their little children when they whine, cry, throw tantrums etc. Children knows how to get what they want. They know how to manipulate and control adults to get what they want. They very much so have a selfish, self-centred heart.
If parents do not discipline their children but give in to them again and again, they are nurturing their selfishness, their greed, their pride and a self-centred life. Imagine being responsible for a child's selfish, rude and rebellious life because you "loved" him into such a life.
So discipline is absolutely vital for a child's healthy development into a caring, considerate, wise, righteous and respectful person.
Hear some of the wisdom of the Bible in Proverds.
Read it carefully and allow God's wisdom to fill your life!
Prov 13: 24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
Prov 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of correction will drive it far from him.
Prov 23:13 Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
14 You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell.
Prov 29:15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
Her friend who is a very respectable and good teacher in a primary school is at her wits end as to what to do with her one and only 16 years old son.
She and her husband went through much much trouble to have this son. They "love" him so much that they gave him whatever he wanted. During times when she wanted to discipline him, her husband would remind her of how much trouble they went through having him and that she should not "hurt" him. So they kept giving in to him and eventually he always get what he wanted even though it was bad for him.
Now at 16, he has stopped going to school. He refuses to come out of his room to see anybody. He only plays with his computer and eats junk food in his room. His parents so called "love", wrong kind of love is destroying his life.
Children are children and they are not wise. That's why they need wise mature parents to guide them, teach them and discipline them. If children get everything they want their lives will be destroyed. Imagine if children get all the sweets they want, all the toys they want, all the TV or Computer time they want, all the "freedom" they want, all the money they want etc., they will surely be destroyed.
It frightens me to see parents and grandparents giving in to their little children when they whine, cry, throw tantrums etc. Children knows how to get what they want. They know how to manipulate and control adults to get what they want. They very much so have a selfish, self-centred heart.
If parents do not discipline their children but give in to them again and again, they are nurturing their selfishness, their greed, their pride and a self-centred life. Imagine being responsible for a child's selfish, rude and rebellious life because you "loved" him into such a life.
So discipline is absolutely vital for a child's healthy development into a caring, considerate, wise, righteous and respectful person.
Hear some of the wisdom of the Bible in Proverds.
Read it carefully and allow God's wisdom to fill your life!
Prov 13: 24 He who spares his rod hates his son,
But he who loves him disciplines him promptly.
Prov 22:15 Foolishness is bound up in the heart of a child;
The rod of correction will drive it far from him.
Prov 23:13 Do not withhold correction from a child,
For if you beat him with a rod, he will not die.
14 You shall beat him with a rod,
And deliver his soul from hell.
Prov 29:15 The rod and rebuke give wisdom,
But a child left to himself brings shame to his mother.
17 Correct your son, and he will give you rest;
Yes, he will give delight to your soul.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Lesson from Highland Tower Tragedy 1993
One of the tower in Highland Tower collapsed in 1993 due to underground water that has sipped into the foundation of the buildings. Due to the cutting of hillslopes for development in the vicinity, rain water has penetrated the cut surfaces and reached the underground soil where the foundation of the building stood. The unseen erosion and softening of the ground eventually weakened the foundation which eventually gave way and the whole building collapsed resulting in the death of many lives and total ruins to the the building.
The Towers have been standing there for many years and to no fault of it's own collapsed due to underground erosion. Similarly our lives may seem well and good, our businesses or marriages may seem well and good. But just as undergound water can wash away the soil on which the foundation lays; subtle "underground" lies can wash away truth, compromise can wash away integrity, selfishness can wash away the commitment to love, disappointments can wash away zeal for righteousness, betrayal can wash away loyalty, hurts can wash away health, success can wash away humility etc.
Your life could have been built on solid ground but please do not take your foundation for granted. Others' sins can affect you just like the greedy and foolish developments around Highland Towers affected its foundations. Your own heart can be deceived, corrupted or polluted from its purity in Christ. The enemy knows that his time is short and he is working very hard to bring Christians down especially Christian leaders. Don't think that a Christian leader who is successful now will always stay that way. We need to always stay humble, open, teachable and most of all "correctable". Our foundations are truly faulty if we have a problem when being corrected. Let our hearts always be humble and tender towards God and towards people.
That's why the word warns us to guard our hearts!
Pro 4:23
(ESV) Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
(GW) Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.
(NKJV) Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.(IBIS) Jagalah hatimu baik-baik, sebab hatimu menentukan jalan hidupmu.
Do not let bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness linger there. Do not let pride and selfishness be there. Do not let any lust of the flesh or lust of the eyes be there. Jesus' counsel is so serious and radical.
He said, (Mat 5:29) If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
Today we see big corporations fall due to the erosion of foundations. Such corporations that have given up godly ethics and have embraced the "bottom line value" of monetary profits as their highest goal. They have used unrighteous, corrupt and even wicked ways (that amounts to commiting criminal offenses when caught) to make money.
Dearly beloved, let's seek to walk the way our Lord calls us to walk. It is a way that will lead to life though few may walk in it.
(Mat 7:13) "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
(Mat 7:14) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
The Towers have been standing there for many years and to no fault of it's own collapsed due to underground erosion. Similarly our lives may seem well and good, our businesses or marriages may seem well and good. But just as undergound water can wash away the soil on which the foundation lays; subtle "underground" lies can wash away truth, compromise can wash away integrity, selfishness can wash away the commitment to love, disappointments can wash away zeal for righteousness, betrayal can wash away loyalty, hurts can wash away health, success can wash away humility etc.
Your life could have been built on solid ground but please do not take your foundation for granted. Others' sins can affect you just like the greedy and foolish developments around Highland Towers affected its foundations. Your own heart can be deceived, corrupted or polluted from its purity in Christ. The enemy knows that his time is short and he is working very hard to bring Christians down especially Christian leaders. Don't think that a Christian leader who is successful now will always stay that way. We need to always stay humble, open, teachable and most of all "correctable". Our foundations are truly faulty if we have a problem when being corrected. Let our hearts always be humble and tender towards God and towards people.
That's why the word warns us to guard our hearts!
Pro 4:23
(ESV) Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.
(GW) Guard your heart more than anything else, because the source of your life flows from it.
(NKJV) Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life.(IBIS) Jagalah hatimu baik-baik, sebab hatimu menentukan jalan hidupmu.
Do not let bitterness, resentment and unforgiveness linger there. Do not let pride and selfishness be there. Do not let any lust of the flesh or lust of the eyes be there. Jesus' counsel is so serious and radical.
He said, (Mat 5:29) If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell.
Today we see big corporations fall due to the erosion of foundations. Such corporations that have given up godly ethics and have embraced the "bottom line value" of monetary profits as their highest goal. They have used unrighteous, corrupt and even wicked ways (that amounts to commiting criminal offenses when caught) to make money.
Dearly beloved, let's seek to walk the way our Lord calls us to walk. It is a way that will lead to life though few may walk in it.
(Mat 7:13) "Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.
(Mat 7:14) For the gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Coaching Your Kids to be Leaders 2
How to identify young leaders?
Pat Willaims shared about what to look out for in potential young leaders:-
Pat Willaims shared about what to look out for in potential young leaders:-
- Excellent character traits
- Boldly speak up
- Creative ideas
- Problem solvers
- Courage to take a stand
- People skills
- Passionate
- Effective communicators
- Eager to listen and learn
- Refuse to quit
- Confident attitude
- Show up early
- Cool under pressure
- Eager to work hard
- Mental toughness
- Sense of humour
- Ready to take charge
- Follow directions and obey orders
- Positive uncomplaining attitude
- Spiritual strength
Looks like a good canditate for a Youth Pastor.
Some things to watch out:-- Look beyond "problem behaviour" - expressive youth can be a "problem" but don't rule them out
- The danger of natural leadership ability - they need to be taught, trained, corrected and nurtured to be mature, wise and humble
- Don't overlook quiet young leaders
Coaching Your Kids to be Leaders 1
Pat Williams wrote a book with the title above. Pat is a Christian NBA Executive and leadership guru and he said,
"The best we can do for young people is to train them to be leaders."
His book has 3 parts:-
Part 1 - To build leaders, start early
Part 2 - The 7 keys to effective leadership
Part 3 - How to mentor and motivate
Amongst some things he said that's very enlightening and challenging:-
"I challenge everyone to take an active role in educating, encouraging, equipping and empowering young people to become leaders"
"Young people who are given leadership responsibility are rewarded with increased self-esteem and confidence that will carry them throughout their lives"
"I believe in giving young people a lot of opportunities to gain the experience of leadership"
"Everyone should be given a chance to lead in something. We should never assume that someone can't be a leader."
"The more chances they have to lead, the more their abilities and confidence will develop and grow"
"At the same time we give them opportunies to lead, we also need to give them training and instruction on how to lead so that they can improve their basic people skills, organisational skills and communication skills."
" We should approach every youngster with an attitude that says, " I believe in you. I know you can be a leader. Go out and lead, and I'll be here to help you and support you."
"Young people need to know that good leaders are important in their community - and there are great rewards for being a good leader"
"Leadership is not for the few; it is for everyone"
"We must operate on the assumption that every youth has the capacity for leadership in one way or another"
"Leadership is a set of learnable skills"
" Leadership is about empowering others to achieve the goals and vision of the team"
"People hate to be bossed. They loved to be inspired and motivated; in other words they love to be led"
"The best we can do for young people is to train them to be leaders."
His book has 3 parts:-
Part 1 - To build leaders, start early
Part 2 - The 7 keys to effective leadership
Part 3 - How to mentor and motivate
Amongst some things he said that's very enlightening and challenging:-
"I challenge everyone to take an active role in educating, encouraging, equipping and empowering young people to become leaders"
"Young people who are given leadership responsibility are rewarded with increased self-esteem and confidence that will carry them throughout their lives"
"I believe in giving young people a lot of opportunities to gain the experience of leadership"
"Everyone should be given a chance to lead in something. We should never assume that someone can't be a leader."
"The more chances they have to lead, the more their abilities and confidence will develop and grow"
"At the same time we give them opportunies to lead, we also need to give them training and instruction on how to lead so that they can improve their basic people skills, organisational skills and communication skills."
" We should approach every youngster with an attitude that says, " I believe in you. I know you can be a leader. Go out and lead, and I'll be here to help you and support you."
"Young people need to know that good leaders are important in their community - and there are great rewards for being a good leader"
"Leadership is not for the few; it is for everyone"
"We must operate on the assumption that every youth has the capacity for leadership in one way or another"
"Leadership is a set of learnable skills"
" Leadership is about empowering others to achieve the goals and vision of the team"
"People hate to be bossed. They loved to be inspired and motivated; in other words they love to be led"
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Youth Leadership Training Programme
How can we train our young people to be leaders of tomorrow?
What should we train them in?
Firstly let us look at what kind of leaders we want for tomorrow.
We want leaders who:-
What should we train them in?
Firstly let us look at what kind of leaders we want for tomorrow.
We want leaders who:-
- know God and love God; who have a personal and growing relationship with God; that means the leaders must have a good grounding on the Word, have a meaningful and consistent Quiet Time with God, seeks to honour God and obey God
- fear God; that means they hate evil, live godly lives and are wise in God
- know their identity in Christ; that means they have deep roots in God's love and truth; who knows their uniqueness and their giftings and calling
- are prayerful; that means they are humble and God dependant, they know how to look to God in every situation (good or bad) and pray for themselves, for their challenges and for others
- are loving; as love is the greatest and the highest goal for disciples of Jesus and also that "by this all people will know that we are Christ's disciples".
- have a humble servant's heart; willing to help others whether it is at home, in school, in church or in the the workplace.
- know how to relate to and work with others; that means that they respect other people and treasure teamwork; they recognise that people are all gifted differently and they need one another
- seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness; that means they have learned to honour God first, they are consistent to pay their tithes, to submit ot His ways (they will not compromise corrupt and unrighteous practices) and to give Him glory
- have a heart for people; to see people saved, grow and discipled
- have a balanced wholesome life; that means they understand they are spiritual beings, emotional beings, social beings, physical beings etc. They know how to handle all aspects of life and are not lopsided. They know how to take care of their health, build their relationships, manage their money and use their time wisely.
Feel free to share the things that are vital for leaders of tommorow to have.
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