In the past two weeks, I've been reminded once more through meeting up with a few friends in ministry and discussing possibilities: What is God's desire for me? What has He put into my heart to do, and pursue to the ends of the earth and to my very last breath?
Looking back at the last six months, I realised that God has been putting new desires into my heart. Desires that every Christian wants, but rather than simply wanting them, I now have it rooted in my heart such that I cannot shake them easily even if I try. Some, you have already heard of, and some are new discoveries in even the last two weeks.
New Desire #1: Wise Stewardship
Over the last few months, I have become a better steward of God's resources to me. Not just mammon but also my time, my knowledge, my gifts, and my attitude towards financial stewardship. Not only have I started tithing the correct amount, I have also started choosing to be wise with every dollar and checking all my assets and liabilities, to ensure that every dollar and every cent of my past, present and future are accounted for. And when possible, I would actualize benefits that can be used to give God even higher glory. Even in the smallest amounts, such as my Air Miles, if I can be a more knowledgeable steward of these, even when I fly or spend very little, I can definitely gather more flying opportunities and touch lives outside of Hong Kong whenever I can. Or how I eat, how I spend, how I give and how I treat money to represent a generous God, not out of vanity, but out of deeply rooted faith and truth. I believe if I followed the Bible to the dot on how to manage my resources, I will be trusted with even more, and will be able to bless even more people in the process.
New Desire #2: Thirst for the Word
As you know, I've started meditating on the Word seven or eight months ago, and initially, it was just out of curiosity. After learning the revelations that others, Mike Bickle and Andrew Wommack, receive from meditating over Scripture, and seeing the proof in Scripture itself, I decided to take a leaf from their books, and do likewise. The result is eminent. I started loving the Word, desiring the Word even more than anything else in life, and started receiving a deeper understanding of the Word, and clearer revelations and closer partnership with the Holy Spirit. It was a complete breakthrough and spiritual upgrade!
New Desire #3: Unconditional Love
Over the past year, I've learnt to be as obedient as possible to the Holy Spirit, even when there are things that I'd rather do another way, I'd attempt to listen and do as I'm told first, and evaluate the difference, and always, with the Holy Spirit, the results are ideal. So during my trip to Vancouver, I followed every stroke every dot of His instructions, and quickly discovered that He intends to upgrade my love. Up to this point, I had been persevering to love, especially people that require extra grace due to different circumstances; personal differences, communication difficulty, misunderstandings, preferences, attraction, etc. And it's always been a thorn on my side that I don't love as equally and evenly as I should. Well, this time I knew that the Holy Spirit wanted to show me and surprise me, so I persevered and loved exactly who He had instructed me to love. As a result, I was able to see what the Holy Spirit is doing in their lives, what He wanted me to do, and what blessings followed when I obeyed. And needless to say, it was amazing, unbelievable and life-changing. And now, I desire to love more people, more deeply, and less selectively, because I know now that every thing I do is a seed, and every seed I sow will be reaped! And I just desire to love each new person deeply, because I can really feel God's love for them so much more.
New Desire #4: Mentor, Uplift and Breakdown the Word
This is as new as it gets, a revelation that I received only between Wednesday and today, as I have been attending some new Bible studies with completely new people, and as I've explained, there's an insurmountably, overwhelmingly, gushing amount of love that's just flowing out of me to every single person that I'm meeting, that and together with my love for the Word has combined and made a new spiritual gift baby, and the wondrous revelation that I would love for everyone to be as blessed as I have been through understanding the Word. And so, I have the greatest desire to dramatize Bible reading, pray before and during Bible studies and fellowship, etc. in order to ask the Holy Spirit to breakdown and pour out any Word that He may have for each one, and with every Scripture being used, I receive instant revelation and application for various people around me, and has been desiring so much for them to see the beauty in these Words! Reminds me of a Word that I received in March 2016, when a spiritual mentor had discerned for me that I had a pastoral gift, and could possibly consider becoming a revival pastor. On top of this, a Word that I received recently and confirmed over several occasions from different people, is that I generally speak to the heart, and somehow through discernment, knowledge and wisdom, am able to mentor, empower, uplift, complete people through normal mundane conversations. And so this really then, gives me a spark of encouragement and inspiration towards what is to come!
So after seeing all of these new desires, I ask myself a question that I have often asked: What would I want to do to impact this world if money was not an issue? What do I think is the desire that God has created in me every since He formed me in His mind? Is it still teaching? Or is it a means to an end? I think New Desire #4 is pretty darn close to what I want to be doing for the rest of my life. I want to be walking with people, loving them unconditionally, and teaching the Word more than anything else in the world. There is at this moment, nothing I love more than this. In fact, there were times when I meet new people, especially Christians who are on fire for God, that I would wonder.. if I'd be meeting my future wife sometime too, but in this past month, this concern did not bother me, but rather the desire to love unconditionally has been so strong that nothing else really did matter, except for me to love on people, and to help them experience that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God through recognizing Him in his Word and in their experiences of Him.
And so, seeking after God's own heart has become my one and only desire and motivation, and it's exciting to see where this leads! I still don't have a solid answer as to what my calling is, but these are some darn good hints! Stay tune for more.
Saturday, 29 July 2017
Sunday, 23 July 2017
Adventuring with God in Vancouver
I recently got to go back to my hometown: Vancouver. The last time I was back I was still a teenager, so clearly a lot has changed. I never had the autonomy of choosing what I wanted to do while I was there, and I never was a adult in Vancouver on fire for God. So clearly.. there was a lot to do in shortly 2 weeks.
A couple of years ago, I had started experiencing what travel means when you're going with God, and as I have grown to walk in the Spirit for ministry, I have learnt that there is no adventure too big for the Spirit, as long as you solely (and souly!) let the Spirit lead you. And thus that is exactly what I did.
In my preparation, I had decided to go to a few meetups and to get connected with the local community, and it's funny, because when I drop by to visit churches, people (even pastors) give me weird looks as to why I'd like to plug in when I'm only visiting for 2 weeks, and really only there for 1 Sunday. It was because I feel that it is important to have global support for what I'm doing in Christ, and clearly, I have already started reaching and touching lives all over the world these past few years. So I am psyched and stoked and thrilled and smashed and totally down for what was coming, what surprises the Spirit was going to give me, and what lessons there were to learn, because surely there will be upgrades for my coming year! And boy, was I right!
Starting in Hong Kong, we were running seriously (1 hour) late for our flight, but got notice that our flight was delayed while we were on the bus, and instead, we had time for dinner, and it was pretty awesome. The flight was really good, and when we landed, the sunset greeted us in an amazing view of the sky. It was like someone took the frame off of God's canvas, aka Hong Kong's high-rise buildings. And it was good.
Second or third day after arrival, I went to my first meetup, but I had arrived 90 minutes before the meetup was to take place, and I had received a lot of warning from my friends on what type of area I was meeting up in, as it was W Hastings and Cambie, and apparently, it wasn't a pleasant street to be on. One look around gave me all I needed to know about it. There were angry people everywhere, people deprived of home, food, and safety, and a guarded drug store, and a rough, if not crazy and unwelcoming crowd. Holy Spirit said I should go on a prayer walk, so I did. I bought an excellent burger from a burger joint nearby, and a drink, and gave them to someone in need, then walked around the whole block praying in tongues and interacting with people that I discerned to be safe but needed love, and stayed away from people who were unsafe, and it was all a new experience for me, but I had timely advice from a missionary friend on how to pray and love in slums, and that's what I did. It was great knowing that every seed I sow will be reaped, and before and after each encounter, I would pray for God's provision, God's love, and their eventual salvation knowing that the God I pray to loves them even more than I. This sort of activity, I continued to carry out whenever possible, and also from this experience and another significant one, I realised that God wanted most to teach me how to love unconditionally in various contexts during this trip. He was going to double, triple, expand, overflow the capacity of my heart.
Then I started forming bonds with people, relating to them with only God's love for them, love that is kind, gentle, patient, that perseveres, hopes, trusts, is not rude, and does not demand its own way. And in the entire time I was there, I constantly prayed for them, asking God to continue to sow and continue to reap these fruits that I have planted even after I leave in shortly 2 weeks or less. And if possible, create opportunities for me to speak into people's hearts, as well as create bonds that would last beyond this visit. And as I had only the desires of God in my heart, they were given to me. I met and touched the lives of 13 individuals whom I connected with on this trip, through various settings, Meetups and churches, and continued fellowship as I made sure to find time to invest and love on them at least 2 times before I left, and thanks to God's grace and provision, I was able to share valuable memories and impart inspiration, love and some wisdom unto them. And it was good.
I went to church events with the agenda to only do what Spirit asks, and speak when the Spirit speaks, and pray for people when the Spirit prompts, and that led to some pretty cool adventures. I first met a Korean girl at CityLights church and somewhat asked a guy at the church to guide us both to the Skytrain, and as we were walking there, we realized that the Spirit had arranged this encounter as this guy had a Korean wife and a daughter who weren't attending church, and so instead of just going to the Skytrain, we went up to visit, and some seeds were planted. Next, I went to Broadway Young Adults service, and there I met a couple of people that I needed to prophesy over, encourage and break down the Word with, and it was also very encouraging for all of us. Despite only having spent 2 days with them, I felt closer with them than anyone else, because we had broken bread and broken Word together. The next church I went to was Coastal Church, and there I was led to pray for a few broken ankles, saw some unbelief and prayed to intercede, and also imparted upon a young girl God's vision or desire for her to go into ministry in the Middle East. And when Spirit leads, it's not about thinking about what to do, even though you often then you need to think to find out. It's more praying and waiting until something catches your eye or something happens. And that's mostly it.
So I had a really amazing 2 weeks in Canada, catching up with friends, and family, and also walking in the Spirit and learning how to love, and I will write more about how this ties into what God has been working on with me these last few months.
A couple of years ago, I had started experiencing what travel means when you're going with God, and as I have grown to walk in the Spirit for ministry, I have learnt that there is no adventure too big for the Spirit, as long as you solely (and souly!) let the Spirit lead you. And thus that is exactly what I did.
In my preparation, I had decided to go to a few meetups and to get connected with the local community, and it's funny, because when I drop by to visit churches, people (even pastors) give me weird looks as to why I'd like to plug in when I'm only visiting for 2 weeks, and really only there for 1 Sunday. It was because I feel that it is important to have global support for what I'm doing in Christ, and clearly, I have already started reaching and touching lives all over the world these past few years. So I am psyched and stoked and thrilled and smashed and totally down for what was coming, what surprises the Spirit was going to give me, and what lessons there were to learn, because surely there will be upgrades for my coming year! And boy, was I right!
Starting in Hong Kong, we were running seriously (1 hour) late for our flight, but got notice that our flight was delayed while we were on the bus, and instead, we had time for dinner, and it was pretty awesome. The flight was really good, and when we landed, the sunset greeted us in an amazing view of the sky. It was like someone took the frame off of God's canvas, aka Hong Kong's high-rise buildings. And it was good.
Second or third day after arrival, I went to my first meetup, but I had arrived 90 minutes before the meetup was to take place, and I had received a lot of warning from my friends on what type of area I was meeting up in, as it was W Hastings and Cambie, and apparently, it wasn't a pleasant street to be on. One look around gave me all I needed to know about it. There were angry people everywhere, people deprived of home, food, and safety, and a guarded drug store, and a rough, if not crazy and unwelcoming crowd. Holy Spirit said I should go on a prayer walk, so I did. I bought an excellent burger from a burger joint nearby, and a drink, and gave them to someone in need, then walked around the whole block praying in tongues and interacting with people that I discerned to be safe but needed love, and stayed away from people who were unsafe, and it was all a new experience for me, but I had timely advice from a missionary friend on how to pray and love in slums, and that's what I did. It was great knowing that every seed I sow will be reaped, and before and after each encounter, I would pray for God's provision, God's love, and their eventual salvation knowing that the God I pray to loves them even more than I. This sort of activity, I continued to carry out whenever possible, and also from this experience and another significant one, I realised that God wanted most to teach me how to love unconditionally in various contexts during this trip. He was going to double, triple, expand, overflow the capacity of my heart.
Then I started forming bonds with people, relating to them with only God's love for them, love that is kind, gentle, patient, that perseveres, hopes, trusts, is not rude, and does not demand its own way. And in the entire time I was there, I constantly prayed for them, asking God to continue to sow and continue to reap these fruits that I have planted even after I leave in shortly 2 weeks or less. And if possible, create opportunities for me to speak into people's hearts, as well as create bonds that would last beyond this visit. And as I had only the desires of God in my heart, they were given to me. I met and touched the lives of 13 individuals whom I connected with on this trip, through various settings, Meetups and churches, and continued fellowship as I made sure to find time to invest and love on them at least 2 times before I left, and thanks to God's grace and provision, I was able to share valuable memories and impart inspiration, love and some wisdom unto them. And it was good.
I went to church events with the agenda to only do what Spirit asks, and speak when the Spirit speaks, and pray for people when the Spirit prompts, and that led to some pretty cool adventures. I first met a Korean girl at CityLights church and somewhat asked a guy at the church to guide us both to the Skytrain, and as we were walking there, we realized that the Spirit had arranged this encounter as this guy had a Korean wife and a daughter who weren't attending church, and so instead of just going to the Skytrain, we went up to visit, and some seeds were planted. Next, I went to Broadway Young Adults service, and there I met a couple of people that I needed to prophesy over, encourage and break down the Word with, and it was also very encouraging for all of us. Despite only having spent 2 days with them, I felt closer with them than anyone else, because we had broken bread and broken Word together. The next church I went to was Coastal Church, and there I was led to pray for a few broken ankles, saw some unbelief and prayed to intercede, and also imparted upon a young girl God's vision or desire for her to go into ministry in the Middle East. And when Spirit leads, it's not about thinking about what to do, even though you often then you need to think to find out. It's more praying and waiting until something catches your eye or something happens. And that's mostly it.
So I had a really amazing 2 weeks in Canada, catching up with friends, and family, and also walking in the Spirit and learning how to love, and I will write more about how this ties into what God has been working on with me these last few months.
Sunday, 2 July 2017
Financial Stewardship
The Gospel is about love, and so is much of the New Testament, but did you know that there are around 500 references on love in the Bible, but more than 2000 references on money and possessions? That's because while love is the heart of the Word, stewardship is the body. The very first and only job Adam was given soon after being created was stewardship over all the resources of the earth. That job has not been taken back from men, we still have this job today.
While without love, all the possessions in the world are meaningless; love is given to us as the Philosophy with which we are to do our work. Our work is stewardship over all the resources God has given us, prayers, time, earthly resources, relationships, and ourselves.
After meditating on this teaching, I have started to live out the Word in my life in various ways. Started counting the seconds I spend in the shower, eating what is necessary but no longer indulging in things unnecessary, squeezing in appointments to do more and connect more than squeezing out time to relax, overcoming stress as a barrier and using it as a motivator to work more efficiently, praying more about stewardship and learning as much as possible about managing the resources given to me already, and this continues to unfold and surprise me as I keep my mind open for ways to be absolutely wise with my stewardship of my time on earth.
I have heard many a sermon on stewardship and had never taken it in so seriously as I have now, and much of the time in the past, I had been clinging onto "my" time and "my" money and "my" circumstances, and had not thought it possible to be a steward. But, when seeing more clearly now that finances, tithes, are the first level of faith, for where your money is, truly, your heart is also. When you tithe a significant percentage of your hard earned income, you are released from this scarcity mentality, to acknowledge how much God has provided for and will provide for you, and it creates a shift in your faith, and your heart, and your partnership with Him. He doesn't actually need our money, but it is through this voluntary gesture that our hearts are unlocked regarding stewardship.
We say we want to love, and we say we want to further His kingdom, but just giving mindlessly and loving without intention or goals will not achieve it. It is all about intentionality. When you are wise in your stewardship, for the purpose of expanding His kingdom, you start making choices that qualifies you as a better steward. And as we know from the Bible, when we are wise with God's money, or even when we are wise with other people's money, they too will trust us with more, let alone God who owns everything and desires to let go for us to manage it all.
And He does want to let us manage it. That is why Jesus taught quite a lot on Kingdom Stewardship too, through his parables and teachings. And so does Solomon. If we just seize this truth in our lives, it will change how we live, how we see, and how we win as not just redeemed humanity, but true heirs of God. Living in abundance in faith, in power, and in resources for the sake of loving all, blessing all, and glorifying God.
My eyes have been opened to new and endless possibilities, as I continue to streamline my life to His calling, His mission and His purpose for my life, and as I continue to strip down barriers that prevent me from actualizing the abundant life that He gives. I will continue to move in kingdom power and authority, and be a blessing to all that I am blessed to meet. And truly be a candle in the dark.
While without love, all the possessions in the world are meaningless; love is given to us as the Philosophy with which we are to do our work. Our work is stewardship over all the resources God has given us, prayers, time, earthly resources, relationships, and ourselves.
After meditating on this teaching, I have started to live out the Word in my life in various ways. Started counting the seconds I spend in the shower, eating what is necessary but no longer indulging in things unnecessary, squeezing in appointments to do more and connect more than squeezing out time to relax, overcoming stress as a barrier and using it as a motivator to work more efficiently, praying more about stewardship and learning as much as possible about managing the resources given to me already, and this continues to unfold and surprise me as I keep my mind open for ways to be absolutely wise with my stewardship of my time on earth.
I have heard many a sermon on stewardship and had never taken it in so seriously as I have now, and much of the time in the past, I had been clinging onto "my" time and "my" money and "my" circumstances, and had not thought it possible to be a steward. But, when seeing more clearly now that finances, tithes, are the first level of faith, for where your money is, truly, your heart is also. When you tithe a significant percentage of your hard earned income, you are released from this scarcity mentality, to acknowledge how much God has provided for and will provide for you, and it creates a shift in your faith, and your heart, and your partnership with Him. He doesn't actually need our money, but it is through this voluntary gesture that our hearts are unlocked regarding stewardship.
We say we want to love, and we say we want to further His kingdom, but just giving mindlessly and loving without intention or goals will not achieve it. It is all about intentionality. When you are wise in your stewardship, for the purpose of expanding His kingdom, you start making choices that qualifies you as a better steward. And as we know from the Bible, when we are wise with God's money, or even when we are wise with other people's money, they too will trust us with more, let alone God who owns everything and desires to let go for us to manage it all.
And He does want to let us manage it. That is why Jesus taught quite a lot on Kingdom Stewardship too, through his parables and teachings. And so does Solomon. If we just seize this truth in our lives, it will change how we live, how we see, and how we win as not just redeemed humanity, but true heirs of God. Living in abundance in faith, in power, and in resources for the sake of loving all, blessing all, and glorifying God.
My eyes have been opened to new and endless possibilities, as I continue to streamline my life to His calling, His mission and His purpose for my life, and as I continue to strip down barriers that prevent me from actualizing the abundant life that He gives. I will continue to move in kingdom power and authority, and be a blessing to all that I am blessed to meet. And truly be a candle in the dark.
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