Agape Love

Pst. Tan got me totally blown away last saturday by his sermon on True Worshipers.
When Pst. Tan was talking about the Samaritan woman and her 5 "husbands", I was wondering where he was leading to.

Little did I expect the tremendous impact that he was building, slowly but surely.

Questions of the day:
"What is our eternal need (our need forever)?"

"When God gives us the things that we desire (life partner/career/friends/riches etc), leading us to our 'promise land', are we sure we will never thirst again?"

Many people, if not all, have asked God or the gods they're worshiping, to satisfy all the needs of their heart's desire. Be it for a child, bf, gf, husband, wife, career etc. They ask fervently and probably even persistently, day after day without fail. But how many people are actually contended after they got what they want?

Human beings are known to be needy creatures. Needs are never-ending. When one need is satisfied, another will arise. That's just how God created us to be. He wants us to rely on Him always. But many people have abused this benefit that God gives us - to be able to ask of Him. They have come to a point where it's all about "me" and no longer "Him". They have lost the original purpose of having a fellowship with God.

Therefore, when God didn't "satisfy" their needs, people turned to other gods. They started worshiping idolatry and even creating their own gods to worship. Just like the children of Israel who created the golden calf.

I have never understood the rationale behind "creating" your own god and worshiping it as if it is God. But Pst. Tan explained it so explicitly and simply that it amazes me so much.

He says that people worship so many gods (god of fertility, zhao cai mao etc) because they don't trust that there is
ONE TRUE GOD who can do everything for them!
I really love how Pst. Tan puts it - division of labor. Hahaha!

When God doesn't answer them the way they want it to be answered and in addition, seeing non-christians getting their prayers answered when they worship other gods, they start to doubt God and think that the other "god" is not bad too. "At least they get their prayers answered" is what they will think to themselves.

People have lost the capacity and ability to tarry or wait on God. To understand and go after His own heart (like King David).
We pray, expecting God to answer us everytime forgetting the fact that God being GOD definitely knows what is best for us. We "think" we know best, wanting to have control over everything in our lives. In actual fact, we have become our own god. God has now become just a mere "giver". "We want it, we must have it" mindset.

In this generation, more "gods" have emerged and I believe are still surfacing. It's no longer just statues that are called "gods". As how Pst. Tan puts it in the cg sermon few months ago, idolatry is having a "not enough" mindset. One god is not enough. They can be in the form of ANTYHING that requires us to spend the most time, effort and money on.

So, if you're someone who loves partying, clubbing, computer gaming etc, those are your "gods". Even work can be a "god". To workholics! Money can be a "god" to people who are always thinking of getting rich fast. Friends can be a "god" when you put your friends first before God (feeling secure or having more fun being with your friends rather than God). Children can be the "gods" of parents who revolve their lives around their children only. Their children are like their treasures. They become possessive in a sense.

"For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also"
[Matt. 6:21]
So places where your money is spent on the most, there is where your heart is located. Loving God is shown through your commitment towards the things of God.

I like what Dorcas shared.
Bible studies are for us to learn more about God.
Cell groups are for us to experience more of God.
Church services are for us to enter into the presence of God.

God had searched for, have been searching for and IS searching (seeking) for true worshipers in our midst!

"But the hour is coming, and now is, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth; for the Father is seeking such to worship Him. God is Spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth.”
[John 4:23-24]

Are you a true worshiper...?

Labels: True Worshipers

People often wonder, why is it so hard to serve God?

Facing disappointments after disappointments, difficult circumstances or worse, stagnant situations cause us to find serving God so difficult.
In the past, I would have thoughts like "why is serving God so difficult and tiring?" or "I wish I can just drop everything and not care" and even "God, what if I backslide...".

But deep down inside of me, I know that I won't. Cos God has revealed Himself as Yahweh (or Jehovah) to me. He is my everything. It's to the point that I know I can only rely on Him. I can never live my life independent of Him. It's impossible.

Christian life is never a destination. It's a journey. Receiving Christ is just the beginning. It's a constant walk with God. Just like what Pst Kong always says, Christian walk is definitely not a smooth sailing journey. However, if we want to be a true disciple of Jesus, we should learn to take up His cross. (Getting Started lesson 5)

We have to admit that it does get tiring sometimes to constantly sow into people's lives yet not bearing fruits. You can treat them to meals, spend time with them, pray for them, buy gifts for them, go out of your convenience just so you can meet their needs.. Spending so much time and money but they end up disappointing you, hurting you..

Last week's sermon on the 7 kinds of suffering was a word in season for me. I was feeling very discouraged, disappointed with people and myself. Even during the sermon, I was irritated by the distractions around me. But what Pst Kong preached really hit me.

7 kinds of suffering:
1) Storms of Life
2) Chastening (Dealings of God)
3) Temptation
4) Spiritual warfare
5) Afflictions
6) Persecutions
7) Trials of faith

"For whom the Lord loves He chastens..." [Heb 12:6]
Only true sons and daughters are chastened by God.
I definitely wanna be a daughter of God.

Pst Kong mentioned a statement that impacted me a lot.
He said this, "Only GENUINE Christians (Giants of Faith) are WORTHY to be persecuted."

Wow.

As I am typing now, I'm reminded of a verse. God promises that when we're feeling tired, discouraged or burdened, seek Him and He will provide us with the rest that we need.

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light." [Matt. 11:28-30]

Indeed I need more of God each day. I need to learn from Him. I need His wisdom and direction. Just like what Kenrus shared in Psalms 127:1-2 "Unless the LORD builds the house, they labor in vain who build it..." Unless God directs, all my work and sowing will be wasted.

I really like what Brendan shared with me today. In brief, he shared that we got to be like Christ during His earthly ministry-to do what He did. Not only do we look back at the cross and thank Jesus for what He has done for us but more importantly to look FOWARD to His 2nd coming (having the hope and peace that Jesus is coming back for us to bring us to eternity) and while looking FORWARD, we are to fulfil God's calling upon our lives - making disciples, preaching the gospel etc.

God, I am willing...

Lord, thank You for the work You have completed at the Cross. You died so You can give us life. Thank You for this new God-man race that You have created. Your unfailing love has overwhelmed me time and time again. Thank You for not giving up on me. :)