Make My Mouth a Fountain of Life

Topic: Make My Mouth a Fountain of Life

 Pr Lo Yi Ping 

24th Sep 2017

Proverbs 10:11 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”

Galatians 6: 7-8  “Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.”

The content of the spoken message is just as crucial as the skill it was delivered, for the spoken word can bring life or death. A word spoken can change lives, history and destiny. In a marriage proposal, a positive response will bring a new destiny for the couple from being single to a family unit, a successful job interview gives hope and income for the family where the opposite brings despair.

1. Fountain or Cistern? 

Proverbs 10: 11 “The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life…..”

Who are the righteous? Those who have faith in Jesus and our righteousness is from God. God is the one who gives us the fountain of the living water and He refreshes us and gives us life. The illustration of the Niagara Falls as a fountain where its endless flow of water generates hydroelectricity which enhances lives. In contrast, in Jer 2: 13 “My people have committed two sins: They have forsaken me, the spring of living water, and have dug their own cisterns, broken cisterns that cannot hold water.”,  Jeremiah rebuked the people for forsaking God who gave life but chose to depend on the works of their hands ie dug up cisterns that are broken and do not hold water. The original usage for a cistern is to store water to give life to a community but when it is broken it can be used for a different purpose like holding captives converting it from a life giving vessel to something negative. The choice is ours, to be a fountain or a broken cistern.

2. Is your mouth and your heart in sync?

Matt 12 :34 You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.

Matt 15 :18 But the things that come out of a person’s mouth come from the heart, and these defile them.

Our heart and mouth are closely related for what we feel is also expressed accordingly. When they are not in sync, we are not at peace resulting in frustration.

Psalm 19 “May these words of my mouth and this meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer.”

This reinforces that out of the abundance of our heart the mouth speaks. How our heart feels are often released through our mouths. There will be times when we allow our mouths to speak our hearts but there will be times where we must speak forth the truth of God, superseding the feelings of our hearts. We must trust God and declare and claim it first and in time, our heart and mouth will be in sync allowing God to teach us. This was illustrated in the testimony of sister Winnie where she declared Rev 12: 11 and Isaiah 43: 1-3 on her life during a period of her life and family which was very challenging.

 3. Making your mouth a Fountain of Life

Sowing and reaping

Gal 6: 7- 8 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 

When we sow to the flesh, we reap destruction, we sow to the Spirit, we reap eternal life. Speaking life is a daily habit that can be cultivated. We can seek out opportunities to speak words of life and affirmation on all occasions such as birthdays and farewells where we hear from God and as the Lord reveals, the released words into the person will bring forth life. The example of the Golden Joy group where sharing of wisdom gained speaks life to all who receive the testimonies.

Speak out 

Proverb 13 14 The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

Speak out of correction so that will turn from the snares.

Ecclesiastes 7: 11-12 Wisdom, like an inheritance, is a good thing and benefits those who see the sun. Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: Wisdom preserves those who have it. When we speak out it is not just for encouragement and affirmation but there will be situations when we need to speak out for correction so that the snares of death is avoided. Other words for wisdom are insights or perception and when it is released will preserves the lives of those who receives and possesses it.The testimony of the son speaking words of affirmation to those who have contributed to his character and spiritual wellbeing, brings forth life to those whom he affirmed and confirmed what God had placed in their hearts then.The sister who testified of how majestic it was to declare life for those whom she prayed for during her walk up the Bukit Padang hill.In conclusion, Nicky Gumble sums it up that it is with our mouth we speak life or otherwise.“I believe God is using us to heal people, He wants to use you to heal people, I encourage you to be someone who brings healing in your family, among your friends, your work place and community, who prays for the sick and binds up the broken hearted, wipes away people’s tears, lift up the fallen, breaks down division and brings healing wherever you go.”

Questions

1.     Everyone to share an example or situation in the Bible whereby a word is released and it brings forth life, or it tear another person (nation) down.

2.     Share an account where your mouth speak what your heart do not mean, or you kept quiet when you're meant to say something, how did that experience affected you or others?

3.     What are some of the deliberate steps you plan to take to make your mouth a Fountain of Life?

Subtle Pride and True Humility

Subtle Pride and True Humility

Rev Renee Khoo

17 September 2017

Proverbs 18:12

12 Before his downfall a man's heart is proud, but humility comes before honour.

Sin of Pride

Wisdom comes from God. Pride is the ultimate sin. Pride is living a life independent of God. Prov.18:12 tells us that pride leads to destruction and humility leads to honor.

Three types of proud people

1) Three types of proud people

i) Obvious proud-Know it all
They are people who talk loudly, very status conscious, showy and think that they are better and smarter than others.

ii) Less obvious proud-easily offended
They are normal but get easily offended if you don't acknowledge them, shake their hands or smile to them because they feel that other people don't regard them as important.

iii) Hidden proud/subtle pride-Life independent of God.
They are people who want to live certain area and time of their lives the way they want independent of God. God is only relevant to them on sundays. After fulfilling their church obligations they leave God in the church from Monday to Saturday and live their lives in the marketplace. Their lives have no reference to God whatsoever believing as if they are God themselves. Their hallmark is independence of God.
We are not autonomous. We need God. When God is not featured in any area of our lives it is subtle pride. 

2) True Humility

True Himility is humble boldness

Matthew 11:29, 21:12, 23:13-36

29 Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.

Jesus said he is gentle.

Yet he turned tables inside the temple. 

True humility is not becoming a doormat or becoming Mr/Miss sorry. Jesus demonstrated to us what True Humility means in three incidents recorded in scripture.
In Matt.11:29 he invited us to take his yoke and learn from him for he is gentle and humble at heart.
In Matt.23:13-36 he condemned the Pharisees by calling them hypocrites, vipers and white washed tombs.
In Matt.21:12 he overturned the tables and drove out the merchants doing business in the temple
It is evident here that True Humility is for the strong. We need the humble boldness to hold the two extreme tensions of submissiveness (enduring quietly) verses aggressiveness (shouting profusely) in balance. The best balance is assertiveness where we speak our mind truely, clearly and firmly for the glory of God.

3) James 4:6
"God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble"
If we want more grace we need to submit our lives and humble ourselves to him. When we draw near to him he will draw near to us.
Some of us need to say the seven hardest words to those we have wronged.
"I was wrong can you forgive me." By this act of humility we will attract God's favor into our lives

Questions:

1) Read and reflect the following ( select those that are meaningful to you) Proverbs 3:34; 8:13; 11:2; 15:33; 16:5; 16:18-19; 18:12; 22:4. What do they say to you?

2) Recall and share an incident in your life where you experienced subtle pride and/or true humility.

3) In light of your reflections, what is one area in your life and one deliberate step you would take to change in regards to humility and pride.

Proverbs in Question 1
Proverbs
3:34
He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble & oppressed
8:13
To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride & arrogance, evil behaviour & perverse speech
11:2
When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom
15:33
Wisdom's instruction is to fear the Lord & humility comes before honor
16:5
The Lord detests all the proud of heart Be sure of this They will not go unpunished
16:18
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall
16:19
Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud
18:12
Before a downfall the heart is haughty but humility comes before honor
22:4
Humility is the fear of the Lord; its wages are riches & honor & life☘

Our discussions :-

Every one of us will have a different level of pride in different environments and settings. There is always this hierarchy and protocol of things at workplace, Brigade, church, it is an understood protocol that seniority in rank or age or longer service will mean they could command greater respects from the juniors.

But then with humility, there also could be three level of humility :-

True humility - Needless to say, or talk about it, you could feel it in their presence and also how other people describe them.

Moderate humility - The persons can swing from being humble to being arrogant depending on the situation. One who would insist on a certain protocol in certain situations but in another time, a very humble soul.

Fake humility - one could brag about being very humble and decline to serve due to self-declared disability or disqualification. One may disqualify himself or herself from serving even when they are able to serve.

Harp and Bowls

Topic: Harp and Bowls

Text: Revelation 5:8-14

Rev Renny Khoo

10 Sept 2017

Rev 5:8-14

 8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song:"You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation.

10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth."

11 Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. 12 In a loud voice they sang:"Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and praise!"

13 Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:"To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honour and glory and power, for ever and ever!" 14 The four living creatures said, "Amen", and the elders fell down and worshipped.

Harp (Praise & Worship) and Bowls (Prayers)

This familiar and beautiful passage of Scripture (Revelation 5:8-14) gives us a glimpse of the worship that takes place in heaven that is also placed side by side with intercession, likens to a marriage between worship and prayer. The harp symbolizes praise and worship, and the bowls of incense symbolize the prayers of the saints. The prayers that come out from our hearts are not in vain because God collects and puts them in golden bowls of incense. In the great old days (Exodus 35), we started by having the Tabernacle of Moses which only the high priests were permitted to enter. In the days of King David, he brought in a new order of worship where the presence of God resides in the Ark of the Covenant above which he set a Tent (the Tabernacle of David) and when dancing, clapping, rejoicing and singing came into place. When Jesus came, he fulfilled the requirements of the Tabernacle of Moses once and for all, the Great Sacrifice replacing all animal offerings and sacrifices. We get a glimpse of this new order of worship when we read through the book of Psalms. There are prophecies that say God is going to restore the House of David in the last days. There is a reason why we begin all our worship services with praise & worship. Before we begin worship, we call one another to worship! When we gather for meals, we call one another to eat. Worship and corporate prayer are intricately related.

1.         God’s Presence is our focus [Presence vs. Petition]

When church prays, the real focus is on what is exactly in God’s heart. When we worship God, it tutors and aligns our heart to focus on Him. Worship ushers us into God’s presence. When God’s presence is our focus, God’s presence means there is change. It is through corporate prayer that we get to experience the manifest presence of God. He is omnipresent (everywhere). God is worthy to receive praise and worship. What are we driven by when we come for corporate prayer? Do we just come with a shopping or Christmas wish list and our petitions? Do we seek God’s face or God’s hand? When we come to honor and worship God, we want His presence, not just petitions. It is in God’s presence that He will show us our rightful petitions that are in His heart.

“God shows what He wants, we stand and ask, and God acts from heaven: this is true prayer, and this is what we must see fully expressed in our prayer meetings.” – Watchman Nee in “Gather in the Name”.

2.   God’s Presence means change is present. [Change in situations vs. change in atmosphere – transformation]

When we come and pray together, we want to seek God’s presence. God’s presence is our focus. When God’s presence is there, change is present. We want to see changes in our spouses, families, nation, etc. We all want changes but we all do not want to change. For great change to take place, the first change that should take place is within ourselves. We ought to be the change we want to see. Change is temporal or temporary. There is a difference between change and transformation. Chameleons change color temporarily (to protect themselves) while butterflies change from egg to larvae to caterpillar to pupae to butterfly permanently (experience transformation through a process called metamorphosis). When God is present, transformation is inevitable. Some places have negative vibes while others have good atmosphere or positive vibes. There is something about the atmosphere. When God is present, there is a change in the atmosphere and that atmosphere changes us as well. Transformation is a dimension shift when change is made permanent. We should not come with our own agenda and seek His endorsement. When we come with an agenda totally in line with His will, He will show us His thoughts. Romans 12:12. There is a call to come for corporate prayer. Some say, “I don’t know how to pray for Malaysia.” We don’t want to come in a very presumptuous manner. We don’t want to pray as if we’re twisting His fingers. We want to first seek His face and worship Him. In God’s presence, our hearts are tutored and our minds renewed. Come not only for 1 day or just for these 21 days. Teaching prayer is like teaching someone to swim. Just come and pray. That’s how we grow in prayer. God hears our heartbeat. Even language has limitations. There is a place for tears and silence in prayer. Tongue speaking can be a language of prayer. God is bigger than all of that. Let’s come every week and pray together. In 2 Chronicles 20:1-20, King Jehoshaphat of Judah sent praise and worship team instead of soldiers to war! Before the battle started, they sang and gave thanks to the Lord! Only the second tier was the army while the first tier was the praise team. The result was that the enemies fought and killed one another. It took Judah 3 days just to collect the spoils of war. The power of praise and worship, and seeking God’s face whenever we come together to pray!

God's presence is our focus. Presence Vs Petition 

David set a new order of worship when he set up a tabernacle where more people could come forth to worship and through his psalms, there were a lot of clappings.

God will restore the house of worship in the last days. Worship is not limited to songs, it includes our work, services, our doing and being. We always start with praise and worship. 

Calling of one another to Worship

Praise and Worship

This is the beginning of a service, our coming together.

Worship and corporate prayers 

Through corporate prayers, we get to the heart beats and presence of God. Although God is omnipresent, but we are the one who are not tuned in to Him. 

Seek God's face, His presence

Thy Kingdom and Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 

True prayer begins with the heart of God. Him pouring out His desires to us and reviewing to us what is in His heart and we asking Him for it to come to pass. 

God's presence means change is present.

We all want Changes but we all do not want to change. 

God's presence means change is present. 

Change in situations Vs Change in atmosphere 

Languages are very powerful. But there are times, languages are limited and unable to express ourselves before God.

2 Chronicles 20:1-20

Jehoshaphat Defeats Moab and Ammon 

1 After this, the Moabites and Ammonites with some of the Meunites came to make war on Jehoshaphat.

2 Some men came and told Jehoshaphat, "A vast army is coming against you from Edom, from the other side of the Sea. It is already in Hazezon Tamar" (that is, En Gedi). 3 Alarmed, Jehoshaphat resolved to enquire of the LORD, and he proclaimed a fast for all Judah. 4 The people of Judah came together to seek help from the LORD; indeed, they came from every town in Judah to seek him.

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood up in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem at the temple of the LORD in the front of the new courtyard 6 and said:

"O LORD, God of our fathers, are you not the God who is in heaven? You rule over all the kingdoms of the nations. Power and might are in your hand, and no-one can withstand you. 7 O our God, did you not drive out the inhabitants of this land before your people Israel and give it for ever to the descendants of Abraham your friend? 8 They have lived in it and have built in it a sanctuary for your Name, saying, 9 'If calamity comes upon us, whether the sword of judgment, or plague or famine, we will stand in your presence before this temple that bears your Name and will cry out to you in our distress, and you will hear us and save us.'

10 "But now here are men from Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, whose territory you would not allow Israel to invade when they came from Egypt; so they turned away from them and did not destroy them. 11 See how they are repaying us by coming to drive us out of the possession you gave us as an inheritance. 12 O our God, will you not judge them? For we have no power to face this vast army that is attacking us. We do not know what to do, but our eyes are upon you."

13 All the men of Judah, with their wives and children and little ones, stood there before the LORD.

14 Then the Spirit of the LORD came upon Jahaziel son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite and descendant of Asaph, as he stood in the assembly.

15 He said: "Listen, King Jehoshaphat and all who live in Judah and Jerusalem! This is what the LORD says to you: 'Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow march down against them. They will be climbing up by the Pass of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the gorge in the Desert of Jeruel. 17 You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you, O Judah and Jerusalem. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Go out to face them tomorrow, and the LORD will be with you.' "

18 Jehoshaphat bowed with his face to the ground, and all the people of Judah and Jerusalem fell down in worship before the LORD. 19 Then some Levites from the Kohathites and Korahites stood up and praised the LORD, the God of Israel, with a very loud voice.

20 Early in the morning they left for the Desert of Tekoa. As they set out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, "Listen to me, Judah and people of Jerusalem! Have faith in the LORD your God and you will be upheld; have faith in his prophets and you will be successful."


Questions:

1.         Share your questions/thoughts/experiences of God’s presence in your life.

2        Share your responses to the following statement made by Watchman Nee in “Gather in the Name: “True prayer begins at the heart of God, is made known to the hearts of men, is prayed back to God again, and God answers. This is more than a definition; it is, I believe, the principle of God’s working in the universe.”

3.       Share your resolve/action plan for growing in your confidence and participation in praying together with other brothers and sisters in Christ.

Praying Together

Praying Together
Matthew 7:7; 18:19
Rev Renny Khoo
3 Sept 2017

God hears our prayer because His spirit searches our hearts when we pray, while earnestness is imperative to prayer but the content is also important. We should mature and improve skills in prayer, pray knowing who we are in Christ Jesus.

Why pray together?
Nothing wrong with private prayer, but there is biblical basis and power in corporate prayer. 33/37 references of prayer in gospel, Jesus addressed prayer, YOU in  the “plural” setting. Matthew 7:7 & 18:19, refers and emphasize the importance of group praying together. Acts has also numerous examples of people praying together.

1. Why pray?
i) Establish afresh your relationship with God. Praying is more for our sake and not God’s sake. Asking deepen the relationship, because communication is involved in relationship. Emotional tank is filled when affirmation given in communication.

ii) Declare your full dependence on God. John 16 “ask and you will receive, and your joy will be completed”,  ask in context of your relationship with the Lord, not only when in need. The posture of asking should be in all season, not only when in need. Learn talking to God. Learn to pause and ask and not making decision quickly. Sharpening our ear to hear Him.

iii) Experience anew God’s presence. Just be there, the power of “presence”. Keeping company with God.

2. Why pray together? As a community of faith.
When praying together, it takes away the individualistic assumption that Christianity is only about God and me. As we participate in corporate prayer, we becomes aware that our lives are tied up with one another, we become aware of what is happening in the community of faith. Do you know the desires of the church both local and nationwide? When praying together, the desires of the churches across the nation become obvious and we cry to God together. When coming together, we learn to worship God and honor Him.

Conclusion
1. Corporate prayer is on par with preaching and teaching in a healthy church.
2. Take one step forward in your participation and confidence in corporate prayer.

Currently, West Coast Parish churches coming together in prayer, though there may be differences in language, style of prayer, but what is important is everyone is coming together to pray. An urge and invitation is again extended to all to come and join the corporate body in prayer. We must learn to put aside prejudices, unfamiliarity, preferred style of prayer, style of worship and choose to come. This will be an expression of unity. It is ok that we are not “perfect” because God is bigger than all. God loves His church.

Questions :

1. Share about your prayer life. Who and what do you often pray for?
2. What are some of your experiences praying corporately?
3. Prayer is about a relationship with God. It is about “keeping company” with God. What are some “harmful” practices to that relationship?
4. As a CG, refer to NECF booklet and pray together on some of the issues listed. End the session by praying over someone, make it short.

What others and God see in us

In life, some may walk, others may run, but remember the Lord gave the tortoise and the horse the same days to reach Noah's ark.

Your journey might be rough and tough but you will definitely get to your destination.

Jacob looked at Joseph and saw a good son!

The ten brothers looked at Joseph and saw a useless dreamer!

The travellers looked at Joseph and saw a slave!!

Potiphar looked at Joseph and saw a fine servant!!

Potiphar' s wife looked at Joseph and saw a potential boyfriend!

The prison officers saw in Joseph a prisoner!

 How wrong were all of them!

God looked at Joseph and saw a Prime Minister of Egypt in waiting!!

Don' t be discouraged by what people see in you!!

Be encouraged by what God sees in you!!

Never underrate the person next to you because you never know what the Lord has deposited in that person.


(Remember David got the anointing of becoming a King while he was a simple child herding sheep.

Esther was a simple orphaned girl yet she was a Queen in waiting).

Let's share God's love and make the world a better place to live.

Show that love by sharing this message with those you love.


IT DOESN'T MATTER HOW PEOPLE SEE YOU,

IT MATTERS HOW GOD SEES YOU


 God is God:
He doesn't care about age, no wonder he blessed Abraham.

He doesn't care about experience, no wonder he chose David.

He doesn't care about gender, no wonder he lifted Esther.

He doesn't care about your past, no wonder he called Paul.

He doesn't care about your physical appearance, no wonder he chose Zacchaeus
(the shortest one).

He doesn't care about fluency in speech , no wonder he chose Moses.

He doesn't care about your career, no wonder he choose Mary Magdalene; a prostitute.

All I know is that my God never changes

He never made a promise he wouldn't keep👌
He never saw a person he wouldn't help👌

He never heard a prayer he wouldn't answer👌

🖼He never found a soul he wouldn't love👌

He never found a sinner he wouldn't forgive👌

This is the kind of God I would like to commune with every day the moment I wake up.

What a privilege to belong to such a mighty God and call Him Abba Father.

Note :- I got this from Whatsapp message and thought it is worth to keep.