Rainbow Life Gem - A Spiritual Journal: February 2017

Sunday, February 26, 2017

Discipleship Series : Are you Connected

Discipleship Series: Are you Connected

Acts 2:42-47

Hebrews 10:24-25

Pr Yi Ping

26 Feb 2017

Connect Group Sunday

Topic: Discipleship Series: Are You Connected?
Text: Acts 2:42-47; Hebrews 10:24-25

- Let's change terminology to CONNECT GROUP

1. It is not good for man to be alone
a) Man's nature to be in a relationship: Ge 2:18 (also Ge 1:27)
b) Man falls easily when alone
- RELATIONSHIP because it's harder to stand firm when no one to urge us or journey with us
- Example of Peter who denied Jesus
- Pr YP's own experience: was very active in Canada and wanted to be low-key when back in KK but was spotted and connected with a young adults' fellowship group because a sister was persistent in connecting; Lesson? One can be very involved in church yet still not connected with church

2. Disciple-making in the Connect Group

- INTIMACY in faith community together

- Ac 1:12-14 after Jesus' ascension the disciples gathered; and in Ac 2:42 we see they devoted themselves to apostles' teachings and fellowship

- Fellowship here refers to koinonia , i.e. participation, communion, sharing in something in common, which is the Great Commission

- Strengthening of the church whenever we gather; a time for self reflection, and together remember what the Lord has done for us

3. Meet together in order to go out
- TRANSFORMATION in maturity and multiplication
- The disciples made disciples together (Ac 2:43-47);
- Not merely lip service, but they lived live together and participated in God's mission, out of their comfort zone; the Lord added to their number because of their lifestyle; they did not live for themselves
- Meeting together in small groups is not an end in itself, but a means for us to make disciples

Connect Groups are just a mean to an end.

How abt the Connect Groups of KKE?
- Revisioning Discipleship - relook into the Word concerning "discipleship"
- As we come together in CGs, learn to establish RELATIONSHIP with God and people; allow safe space for Authenticity, Brokenness and Courage to take place, producing INTIMACY. Empowered by the Holy Spirit we experience TRANSFORMATION of lives, where people mature and multiply!
- Pr YP talked abt what happened to the 12 disciples - 11 out of 12 disciples remained faithful to the Lord until their death; they were an unexpected group sent forth to reach the world yet Jesus used them to form backbone of the Church; and this Great Commission is given not only to the early disciples but to you and me too!
- May this verse (He 10:24-25) and the bookmark remind us all to be connected and make disciples 🙂

Questions:
1. Share one of your AHA moments in the Connect Group (CG), something that you struggle/wrestle with alone and unable to find a solution, but found revelation as you share it with CG member(s).
2. How does the Connect Group help you in your growth as a disciple? In what way can you make disciples within your Connect Group?
3. In two years' time, what kind of disciple do you want to see yourself growing into?

Friday, February 24, 2017

讚美之泉：恩典之路 The Journey of Grace

讚美之泉：恩典之路 The Journey of Grace

你是我的主.引我走正義路.
高山或低谷.都是你在保護.
萬人中唯獨.你愛我認識我.
永遠不變的應許.這一生都是祝福.
一步又一步.這是恩典之路.
你愛.你手.將我緊緊抓住.
一步又一步.這是盼望之路.
你愛.你手.牽引我走這人生路

Sunday, February 19, 2017

Rock or Sand

Rock or Sand

Ps Renny Khoo

19 Feb 2017

Matthew 7:24-27

24 "Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash."

This verse reveals the contrast between the wise and foolish man who built their houses on rock and sand. One would act on the word of God and the other will not act on the word of God. The one who acted on the word of God built on rock and the other on sand. The one who built on the rock did not fall but the one who did fell and it was described as “great was its fall”. The difference between the two was that the one that was founded on rock or firm foundation did not fall.

The illustration of Burj Khalifa had very strong foundation to hold this superstructure which took a year to construct. What are the foundations we are setting for ourselves and families?

The foundation took one year to build. What lies beneath a strong and tall structure ? Are we rooted ?

Are you ready? Vs are you rooted

In today’s fast pace, transient lifestyle and modern gadgets reinforced a lack of capacity for intensity, strength or depth, breeding a culture of “YOLO” meaning You Only Live Once. It is a culture of no calculation of the consequence of our action that it brings to our life. This is in direct contrast to leading a worthy and meaningful life for Jesus as you have only one life to live.

1. Foundation becomes evident in times of crisis

We are being tested in everyday stresses of life.

Building foundation requires hard work. A successful career, a Golden Marriage Anniversary are some of the testament of hard work on building a strong foundation. The stresses of life contribute to our foundation and when a significant crisis arises, it will reveal the strength of our foundation that we had been building and nurturing. The call to build practical strong foundation includes remaining faithful to worship on Sundays and prayer meetings, faithful in what we have and do and the responsibilities that we embrace. For in being faithful, we are building something solid in the foundation that we were called to build.

2. Foundation is rootedness in the timeless word of God

We were spurred to be hungry for the word of God. So that we can lay timeless material in the foundation we are building in our lives by being rooted in word of God. To be intentional in studying the word of God. The use of a bible reading guide is a good start.

To study the word of God through Christian courses is another alternative to constantly refresh our appetite on the word of God. For when the storm of life comes, our foundation is strong because we are rooted in what the word of God said.

The memorisation of the word of God to be stored in the depths of our heart will further fortify our faith.

3. Foundation means doing the word

We are reminded that it is one thing to know and quite another to carry out what we do know for a wise man act on the word of God.

We are challenged to examined the foundation of our lives. Are we still building strong foundation through our daily devotions and walk with the Lord? It is now a time to reassess and relook our foundation.

Questions

1. “Crisis reveals character”. How do you relate/ understand the above statement to the foundation in our discipleship journey?

2. Share your current journey of your quiet time/ devotional life

3. Share what you have been reading/ hearing recently. How are your acting on them, or otherwise? Any “everyday stressors” that you are encountering?

Some personal reflections :-

This parable also reminds us that we can begin with the same dream and desire, have the same knowledge and resources, but how we choose to build our life which is hidden like the foundation will in the end decides how well we have built our life. For on the surface up and from the outside, the two houses look exactly the same, same design, same materials but what lies underground, unseen by the world, is really what matters.

It is about one person who decides to invest time in the foundation, spend more money on that and not rush it through. And this stands the test of time and storms.

24 Feb 2017

Interestingly, this same Bible passage was chosen for the Opening Devotion by Rev Edmund Chan at IDMC Miri on 17 February 2017 at Miri Meritz Hotel. His devotion notes is Foundation of Your Life by Rev Edmund Chan.

Saturday, February 18, 2017

Devotion during IDMC - Mary & Martha

That One Thing

Devotion by Rev Edmund Chan

18 Feb 2017

During IDMC 2017 Miri (Plenary 3)

Luke 10:38-42

What is that One thing Jesus told Martha?

Luke 10:38-42The Message (MSG)
Mary and Martha

38-40 As they continued their travel, Jesus entered a village. A woman by the name of Martha welcomed him and made him feel quite at home. She had a sister, Mary, who sat before the Master, hanging on every word he said. But Martha was pulled away by all she had to do in the kitchen. Later, she stepped in, interrupting them. “Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”
41-42 The Master said, “Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

Context and Contrast

Context :-

Martha and Mary were Jewish Sisters, brought up to understand Jewish Hospitality. Both love Jesus and welcomed Him and the people into their home. They have been taught how to cook and carry out hospitality.

In summary, two sisters,

Both love Jesus
Both love hosting
Both love hospitality
Both generous

But here were some Contrast:-

#1 Living Room Vs Kitchen

#2 Spiritual Vs Materialistic

#3 Many things Vs One Thing

#4 Working away Vs Sitting at the feet of Jesus

Within the context, the contrast Jesus referred to that one thing. One Bible Commentary even suggested that One thing was referring to One Dish! That having One Dish would be enough for the gathering. So, what is that one thing Vs the many things? The "many things" were mentioned by Jesus in the earlier sentence: "Martha, you are worried and bothered about many things." Verse 42 The one thing - Inner Calm, Inner Peace that Mary had.

Here was the likely scenario for that day, both sisters started quite happily in the kitchen cooking. After Mary has done some cooking, she decided to check out on Jesus and the crowd. So Mary left for the living room and she decided to stay and join in. Whatever Jesus was teaching, it got Mary's attention. Mary had forgotten about the kitchen workloads.

Meanwhile, back in the kitchen, Martha has noticed that Mary has disappeared, she asked the maids where Mary was. The maids reported back to Martha that Mary has gone into the living room and sitting at the feet of Jesus. Martha continued cooking and then felt unhappy that Mary did not return.

If it was true that Martha just wanted Mary back into the kitchen because there was a lot workload there, then she personally or she could send a maid to go over to Mary and whispered for her to come back and help. But, that was not what Martha wanted, instead, Martha went into the Living Room and interrupted Jesus's teaching and questioned the Lord,

“Master, don’t you care that my sister has abandoned the kitchen to me? Tell her to lend me a hand.”

Martha was clearly seeking to be vindicated. In Bahasa Malaysia, there is a term for this "minta puji / minta kasihan". She wanted vindication, right there at the living room before the crowd from Jesus! This is the main reason why she was wrong!

We could imagine the silence in the room, what would Jesus say? Jesus replied with great compassion towards Martha,

“Martha, dear Martha, you’re fussing far too much and getting yourself worked up over nothing. One thing only is essential, and Mary has chosen it—it’s the main course, and won’t be taken from her.”

Therefore, that One Thing Jesus referred to was the inner peace and not just worried about too many things.

Lets use sanctified imagination:-

That we reverse the story. What if Martha was rested while busy in the kitchen preparing for food and Mary was the one filled with unrested-ness thinking why Martha was not at the foot of Jesus learning like herself until she interrupted Jesus to question him, "Master, don't you see that my sister is busy away in the kitchen and missing your teaching, why don't you ask Martha to come and sit here with me to learn from you?". Then Jesus would have replied to Mary, "Mary, dear Mary, you are worried and bothered by many things but only one thing is necessary and Martha has chosen it - and it won't be taken from her."

In conclusion, many things refer to whatever that can cause bothered and unrested inner self; one thing refers to rested-ness and inner calm. Outward activities we do Vs Inner heart. The heart and space within is the one thing referred by Jesus. Be rested in the heart like Mary.

Personal Reflection :-

I got super excited when Rev Edmund Chan decided to share on this during the devotion on Plenary 3 of IDMC 2017, for so long, I have been hearing Christians teaching one another:-

Don't be like Martha, be like Mary because Mary chose that one thing and Mary was worried over many things.

Don't be like Martha, cooking and sweating away in kitchen, missing Jesus' teachings and be like Mary, sitting at the feet of Jesus and learning so much from Jesus.

Be like Mary because our life is short and we should treasure special time with Him and not spend time cooking in the kitchen.

What I have been hearing was telling me that

1) Working and cooking in the kitchen is ungodly. Being at the feet of Jesus is godly as Jesus praised Mary and said that in future, people would remember what Mary has chosen over the bad choice of Martha of toiling in the ktichen.

2) Its is not good to worry about many things and let things to make us worry. We just need that one thing like Mary and we should be fine.

But, I have been objecting from within :-

1) If Martha did not work in the kitchen, what would they all eat?

2) Someone obviously made the sacrifice so that all could benefit? But why was Jesus so harsh on Martha?

3) What about the Theology of work? Is work not holy or a form of worship towards God?

Through this devotion sharing by Rev Edmund Chan, I found the answers and agree that Martha has been wrong about missing that one thing and allowed the many things to make her worried.

Note :- Pictures here are all from the internet.

IDMC 2017 Miri - Plenary3 : Determine The End-Product

Plenary 3 : Determine The End-Product

" So as to Reproduce Disciples of a A Certain Kind"

Rev Edmund Chan

18 February 2017

Miri Meritz Hotel

The crisis of disciplemaking today is the crisis of product. The compelling question is : "What kind of disciples does God call us to reproduce?"

We must get back to basics. First, we must distinguish between conventional church values and an intentional discipleship church values.

Conventional Values Vs Disciplemaking Values

Discipling the Inner Life:

Red Bar Vs Blue Bar People

Red Bar people are showy type and worldly.

Blue Bar people are Godly and deep.\

Rested-ness and Calmness is needed in discipling disciples of a certain kind. Church is the hope of the watching world.

IDMC 2017 Miri - Plenary 2: Understand the Biblical Strategy

Plenary 2 : Understand the Biblical Strategy

Thru' Authentic Biblical Discipleship and Intentional Disciplemaking

Pastor Ann Chan

18 February 2017

IDMS 2017 Miri

Miri Meritz Hotel

Someone has wisely said, "The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing".

We tend to major on the minors. When we come to the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18-20, Christians have often mistaken the minor for the major and have missed the biblical strategy.

Seven Misconceptions of The Great Commission

1. Missing the Main Focus, Not We but Christ.

2. Missing Main Essence, Not "Message to broadcast" but "Life to live".

Teaching them ALL THINGS !

3. Missing the Main Agent, Not "Some Missionaries" but "All members"!

4. Missing the Main Product, Not "Make converts" but "Make Disciples".

5. Missing the Main Emphasis, Not the "Manner" but the "Mission".

6. Missing the Main Yardstick, Not "Numbers" but "Obedience".

7. Missing the Main Concern, Not "Disciple" but "Disciple the Nations".

It is not just to make Believers but to make Disciples.

Four Convictions from Matthew 28:18-20

1. The Source of the Great Commission : "All Authority"

We have the Power of Attorney to act on His behalf. From powerless to powerful. We can build or tear down. 2 Peter 1:3

2. The Scope of the Great Commission : "All Nations"

All nations, All races, All tongues. We are often conscious of me, mine and ours only. Indulge of self-love and Selfie.

3. The Strategy of the Great Commission : "All Things"

All things pertaining to God and life. 1 Samuel 7:3

Come close to God. We need to come clean to God.

4. The Season of the Great Commission : "Always"

Emmanuel - God with us.

Anytime, Anywhere, Everywhere

In season and out of season , share Christ and gospel.

Eight Marks of A Disciplemaking Church

1. Purpose-Driven

2, Responsible Evangelism

3. Intentional Growth Strategies

4. Leadership Commitment

5. Vision-Casting

6. Vision-Concretising

7. Small-Group Infrastruture

8. Spiritual Multiplication

What An Intentional Disciplemaking Church Looks Like

The desire to be directed. The determination to be true.

Christianity started as Passion in Israel, became a religion in Rome, formulated as an institution in Empire, developed into enterprise in America.

Tragedy of life is not dying young but growing old and have not lived and nothing to show or pass down.

Judges 2:1-10 Four generations mentioned :-

Generation 1 :- Moses served God

Generation 2 :- Joshua walked with God

Generation 3 :- Elders Served God

Generation 4 :- Young generation who did not know God

The elders failed to disciple the younger generations.

Devotion during IDMC 2017 - Psalms 71:17-18

Devotion during IDMC Miri 2017

Rev Ann Chan

18 Feb 2017
Miri Meritz Hotel

Psalms 71:17-18

17 O God, thou hast taught me from my youth: and hitherto have I declared thy wondrous works. 18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

Four things to learn from David :-

1) Don't stray from God

3 things we do when we encountered problem

Fight
flee
Freeze

2) Dont give up or opt out

Don't leave God and don't forget to give Him praise

Praise can change things and most of all, praise vhNges us.

3) Be empowered by God

V18 do not favor sake me

When times are tough, appeal to God, ask Him for new vision, new peace.

JI Packer - I am losing sight but I am now seeing Jesus.

4) Focus on your life purpose .

Until I proclaim your might to the next generation.

Our life is beyond this generation, this is our goal in life, passing on our legacy beyond our life. The most important thing we leave behind is not wealth, it is the spiritual legacy to the future generations.

IDMC 2017 Miri - Plenary4 : Accomplish The Mission

Plenary 4 : Accomplish The Mission
"and to multiply them to win the world for Christ!"

Rev Edmund Chan

18 February 2017

Miri Meritz Hotel

Determining the mission

What the church is not :

A Social Club
A Hospital
An Army Boot Camp
A School

What the church is :

A Cause
A Community
A Corporation - well organised

What the Church is called to BE and to DO :

To be Worshippers
To be Witnesses - live out gospel
To make disciples

5 Steps Towards Building an IDMC -

church built around a personality would not last.

It takes deep convictions, clear strategy and concrete vehicles.

Establish Biblical Foundations - Read the Instructions carefully and thoroughly. Growth takes time!
Champion Disciplemaking Vision
Launch Prototype - Think Big, Start Small, Build Deep. Start with a few leaders.
Concretize Vehicles - Discipleship Training Programmes
Establish the Infrastructure - Testimonies sharing. People must be motivated, must be driven by God. We cannot push people into it.

IDMC 2017 Take Away - Personal Reflection

What have I learned in this IDMC 2017 ?

What are my takeaways from this conference? Was it the bag, the pen, the conference book or the nametag?

I have learned a lot from the past IDMC conferences. I have different take-away lessons for each of them. It does not necessary make me a disciple maker, it caused me to re-align myself to God's mission and vision, it made me realised my true destiny and it helped me to re-postured myself before the Lord.

On the last day of IDMC 2017 at Miri, we were asked to pen down what is our take-away from this conference. I wrote the following prayer in a breath. I wrote down the first line and had no idea what to write for the next line. It was like the Holy Spirit downloaded to me what to write. As I penned the thoughts down, towards the end I was thinking to write about my home-coming to heaven and enjoying eternal life but instead, I was moved to tears. I wept as I wrote the last few lines.

This prayer is like my heart-beat prayer to God. I realised that after half a century, I have many flaws, I have failed time and time again. Would I be able to make a difference? Would I be able to rise up tall?

What I have in this one life,

the little time that I spend on earth,

loving the few people God brings to me,

solving problems related to my living on this land,

leaving a mark, a legacy for the next generation,

a testimony of His glory,

how God could use one life

to bring about transformations

that have eternal and Kingdom values.

Friday, February 17, 2017

Devotion during IDMC - Foundation of your life

Foundation of your life

Rev Edmund Chan

17 Feb 2017

Miri Meritz Hotel

2017 Miri IDMC Devotion during Opening Session

Foundation of your life

Matthew 7:24-27

To Jesus, The most important thing is our foundation, In fact, there is nothing more important than the foundation.

This is a parable of Contrasts - to appreciate Contrasts, first note the similarities :-

Similarities :-

Similar men - both are equally good, clever and resourceful
Similar desire to have a house - it was not one wanted a temporary shelter or half-hearted
Similar focus to have a house - both were very sure and very focus
Similar design of the house - from the outside, the houses looked the same
Similar skills - both are capable
Similar Knowledge - they both know how to build a house
Similar resources to build the house - it was not one has less finances

Up till this point, we realise that the "foolish" man is actually not "foolish". He has the resources to do things and has the same desire and same focus as the first man.

Contrasts :-

One decided to invest in the foundation in terms of time and money. He built carefully from the bottom up.
One decided to spend litte money and little time in building the foundation. He wanted to build the house really fast and took little care about the foundation.

Faster to build on sand and cheaper to build on sand and from ground level up, it looks the same.

Watch your foundation.

As we know it, there were two totally different Results :-

Major Implications - 3 Critical Paradign Shifts :-

1) From Beautifying the Facade to Building the Foundation

"a wise man and a foolish man" V 24, 26

Rev Edmund Chan told the story of the Great Tree of Singapore planted by the Senior Founding Premier The Late Lee Kuan Yew that was featured by the newspaper front page, asking the people to be like "The Tree planted by Lee Kuan Yew". A young tree expert took notice of the photo and realised that it was actually dying. He went to the site and investigated and found out that was true, they put cement to surround the tree as "support" but it has caused the root unable to spread out and it was dying from the inside. Outwardly, it was a gorgeous green living tree.

We all could look like that tree :- from ground level up, we look good and great, we are doing many good things, But from ground level down, it is dying from mal-nutrition. Take care of our root and foundation!

2) From Knowing the Word to Doing the Word

Those who hears these words of Mine and put them into practice. V 24

Knowing, loving, serving and becoming more and more like Jesus. Become a disciple of Jesus and share with others. This it the key thing to do.

3) From Seeking a Storm-free life to having a Storm-proof life

"it did not fall beacuse it has its foundation on the rock" V 25

Learn ther truth and apply the truth - transformed and pass on the substances. Speak with substance or vacuuum ?

We cannot do God's Word without first reading God's Word. But after reading it we must be committed to doing it.

Conclusion : What is the Foundation of your life ? Upon what are you building ?
Bible is the foundation of our life. Word of God is the foundation. To witness the faithfulness of God and pass it on.

Steps in Mentoring :-

Discover the truth
Do / walk the truth - Apply the truth
Reap the benefits
Pass it on - reproduce our kind

Sad facts :-
60% of Christians do not evangelise
70% of Christians do not have devotions.

The Lord is saying : I care for your foundation in life and want you to be firm and sure so that I can use you in the kingdom of God. Kingdom mentality for this earthly living. Work on the Foundation.

My reflection :-
We have heard it before in Sunday Schools, this is the parable of the Two Builders - one wise and one foolish. We sang the actions song and still sing it today. I always thought how foolish was the builder who built on the sand. He has no wisdom and he probably lacks finance or doing it half-heartedly. But it is about two similar men having similar desire to build similar house with similar resources and one failed because he did not pay attention, he did not spend time and finance on building the foundation. We can build on the sand or rock, the foundation is the most important.

Interestingly, on the 19 February 2017, Pastor Renny shared on the same passage during our Sunday Sermon on Rock or Sand.