A Life Lived by the Grace of God

TOPIC : A Life Lived by the Grace of God - Testimony of Stephen Fung

Text : Jeremiah 29:11-14 

Bro. Stephen Fung 

14 JULY 2019 

Our lives are seasonal and each season brings different touches of God in our lives. The picture of the flowing river depicts a live lived by the grace of God, with us as the stones and God the water. The water may move the stones gently or aggressively, depending on the time and season. The illustrations of cyclists cycling down a slope in a peloton, the runner going down a hill, and the rafters paddling with the flow of the current, seem to show the people exerting minimal effort. However, the participants in these activities still have to exercise care, caution and discipline, and do their part so as to avoid any mishaps or accidents. In the same way, although we know that God has a plan for us in our lives, we have to do our part and live our lives (whether in the workplace, in the family or in finances), faithfully trusting and believing, under the grace of God. 

1. God will provide your needs (Mathew 6:33) I graduated in 1987 when the country was facing recession, yet I was determined to come back to serve God and my country. I was provided with a job under the government’s ‘unemployed graduate scheme’. At the end of the scheme, I was given a contract post in the civil service. From zero income, to a few hundred ringgit, I knew that God honoured my desire to serve Him and my country 

2. Walking in humility and integrity (Micah 6:8 & Ps 41:11-12) When I reported for duty, my section head told me that I had to work under a Technical Assistant. In the same breath, he advised that although the TA may not have the same level of education, he was very experienced and I could learn a lot from him. It was the first lesson in humility. And that was God’s providence in providing me with good mentors that set a good foundation of my career. There were tough situations that challenged my integrity as an engineer. I was threatened and I had to make a police report. And I was transferred to another section (cold storaged) and in times like this, I felt like a failure in my career. But that act of integrity led me to a better job. A public listed company sought me out as they needed someone they could trust and I was recommended as such. 

3. Believe in divine appointment (John 4:4-9) I was unhappy and discouraged in the situation I was put in and I was looking for different career options. One day I decided to drop in at a colleague’s place, whom I had previously shared the office. At that moment, the phone at my previous desk rang, and I picked it up. It was a friend. He asked me to meet up with his colleague who was looking for someone to fill a vacant position. It was a divine appointment for me! Likewise in our lives, believe in divine appointments for God loves to surprise us with the good things we have been praying for. The encounter of the Samaritan woman with Jesus was by divine appointment. Jesus chose to take the route through Samaria and that the Samaritan woman came out at that certain time to draw water from the well. Her life was changed after this encounter with Jesus. 

4. The discipline to tithe (Malachi 3:10) I was taught the principle of tithing while still in the university and I choose to be obedient and adhere to it from my 1st paycheck. As time goes by, as a wage earner, I sometimes question those verses. I asked God, ‘How come your flood water of blessing has not inundated me yet?” God answered me in a Christian Financial Seminar, whereby the speaker shared the story of a Christian farmer in USA, whose wheat fields were spared from locust attacks. God had honoured his faith in tithing by preserving his livelihood. In 1997, at the time of another financial crisis, many of my friends lost their jobs or suffered pay cuts. My boss refused to cut the pay of his staff. It settled upon me, once and for all that the discipline of tithing had preserved and protected me from the financial crisis. 

5. The Word of God in our lives (John 21:11) A few years ago, I was stressed out by the accumulated workload that it caused me sleepless nights. One day, at a Connect Group meeting, John 21:11 was read and after hearing the verse, I felt peace and assurance and believe that God has used this verse to encourage and assure me that I would be able to contain the abundant blessings that He has bestowed unto me. The Connect Group was one of the places where I was ministered to during this time. I urge those who are yet to join a CG to be a part of God’s extended family. 

6. The Potter’s hands on my life (God has a plan in your life) (Jeremiah 29:11) In 1997, I attended a God Encounter retreat. I felt I had not given myself to God as I should have. I wept uncontrollably as the minister prayed for me.. In the flood of tears, I heard God’s gentle voice assuring me that “it was all right and He understands”. A burden was lifted from my heart and there was hope and life to be lived out again in Christ. But God was not done with me yet. He knew there were areas in my life that needed to be addressed. From 2000, for the next 3 years, I went through a series of events that would be spiritual milestones in my life. Like a potter, God was molding and shaping me. My career took a turn for the worst. I was emotionally and financially strained, I was living in a rudimentary site accommodation, away from my family. I was verbally abused by my employer. The pride in me had to be stripped off. I borrowed and read every book related to intimacy with Christ. Throughout this time, my CG was there to support me. At the end of the 3rd year, God brought me out of my spiritual tutelage. I set up my own consultancy, starting from scratch. God had chastised me through this period so that I can contain the blessings He is to bestow on me later. (Like the painting of “The Prodigal Son”, I felt I was not worthy but God’s chastising hand and gentle loving hands were there to enfold me in His loving embrace.) 

7. Conclusion Living a life by God’s grace is like to us as stones in the river. The water is God’s grace over us. It moves and align us according to the direction of His flow. In the process, as we come in contact with other stones in the river, the abrasion will smooth out our rough edges as we continue in the journey of discipleship. God has our best interests in His heart. His plan is good and His burden is light. “Jesus loves you, Jesus died for you, He gave himself up for you. If you have been the only person in the world, Jesus would have died for you. God loves you unconditionally, wholeheartedly and continually.” God is calling you to return to your first love. The invitation is still on as it always has been for He longs to restore us to the plan that He has for us. 

Questions : 

1. The above B to G, please share one of the area that God is currently teaching you in your life. Share your struggles, and / or lessons learnt in this experience. 

2. If you are facing challenges or difficulties in your life (discipleship journey), are you able to share your burden freely with your CG, for them to support you in the process. How can they share your burden? If not, what is preventing you from doing so?