by James Fung (May 21, 2017)
Man, in his arrogance, strives to have the appearance
Of holiness, blessedness and perfection with much vanity;
Falls and stumbles in darkness time and again, till his pride
Is slowly chipped away revealing a tender heart.
Falling to his knees for the last time,
He lowers his eyes from the crown of the throne to the feet,
Where he finds the humility to see and taste and hear
The simple ways of the blessed, walking anew in the favour that he finally sees.
Sunday, 21 May 2017
Wednesday, 12 April 2017
Legacy
I've always sought after God's Will for me. After receiving endless visions, and confirmation for a calling.. I have always sought to find and reach God's final calling for me. That's where I had it all wrong. God's initial and final calling for us is the same, to Love God, and to Love our neighbor as ourselves. And as I examine these facts, and delve deeper into what it means to live for Christ, I came to the simplest conclusion: this life is my calling.
I like to quantify things, even little things that don't need to be quantified, but that's how I am. And so I would say 98% of our Legacy, our calling or primary output in God's kingdom and God's plan for us is how we live this life we are living right now. It's not that 2% which comes in the form of your ministry work, your ultimate ministry accomplishments, your orphanage or outreach organization, the number of workshops you give, sermons you preach, etc. All of that really take up only 2% of your Kingdom efforts. And here's why: the lives you change on a day to day basis take up 25-30% of your Legacy. Lately God's been sending people whose lives I've changed, improved, edified, uplifted back my way, and each of them, with God's help, have become so much more, and each of them thank me in their unique ways. And in the face of my current struggles in ministry, it really shines through to empower me to keep at it. To be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15:58) because our work in the Lord is never in vain. That is the promise. Then how we live our lives, and how people see us, and are inspired by us even without our knowledge.. that takes up another 10-15%. So what is the remaining 50%, you ask me? That is how you discipline your life so that when you have children and grandchildren, what they learn from you and pass on, that is the bulk of your legacy. At my current age and single living, it seems like its 50% because all the other things take up more weight, but I am convinced that when I actually have children, and watch them grow, I'll see my Legacy unfold a thousandfolds. And that's why, I now see this as my ultimate calling. To live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Pet 2:12)
And why must I start now? Well, character takes a long time to grow, and being a diligent parent as we're called to be means that I am to be diligent in growing to be a godly husband and parent for my child to see, to learn, and to also become one in the future. When you are diligent, you'll realise that our growth in God never ends, and if we're willing to receive His instructions and wisdom, He will always bless us. And it is all about having that Kingdom lifestyle tomorrow today.
I haven't given up on having an epic calling either, but that epic calling will sort itself in due time. The most epic of my calling and legacy will still be the life that I live, the testimony that I speak, walk, and breathe. This is my legacy. This life, and that of my descendants.
I like to quantify things, even little things that don't need to be quantified, but that's how I am. And so I would say 98% of our Legacy, our calling or primary output in God's kingdom and God's plan for us is how we live this life we are living right now. It's not that 2% which comes in the form of your ministry work, your ultimate ministry accomplishments, your orphanage or outreach organization, the number of workshops you give, sermons you preach, etc. All of that really take up only 2% of your Kingdom efforts. And here's why: the lives you change on a day to day basis take up 25-30% of your Legacy. Lately God's been sending people whose lives I've changed, improved, edified, uplifted back my way, and each of them, with God's help, have become so much more, and each of them thank me in their unique ways. And in the face of my current struggles in ministry, it really shines through to empower me to keep at it. To be stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord (1 Cor 15:58) because our work in the Lord is never in vain. That is the promise. Then how we live our lives, and how people see us, and are inspired by us even without our knowledge.. that takes up another 10-15%. So what is the remaining 50%, you ask me? That is how you discipline your life so that when you have children and grandchildren, what they learn from you and pass on, that is the bulk of your legacy. At my current age and single living, it seems like its 50% because all the other things take up more weight, but I am convinced that when I actually have children, and watch them grow, I'll see my Legacy unfold a thousandfolds. And that's why, I now see this as my ultimate calling. To live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. (1 Pet 2:12)
And why must I start now? Well, character takes a long time to grow, and being a diligent parent as we're called to be means that I am to be diligent in growing to be a godly husband and parent for my child to see, to learn, and to also become one in the future. When you are diligent, you'll realise that our growth in God never ends, and if we're willing to receive His instructions and wisdom, He will always bless us. And it is all about having that Kingdom lifestyle tomorrow today.
I haven't given up on having an epic calling either, but that epic calling will sort itself in due time. The most epic of my calling and legacy will still be the life that I live, the testimony that I speak, walk, and breathe. This is my legacy. This life, and that of my descendants.
Sunday, 26 February 2017
Commitment
Dear friends,
I've talked a lot about wanting my own ministry. I've talked a lot about wanting to serve God all my life, but have my actions reflected that sort of commitment? What does my life look like at the moment? It looks pretty mundane, pretty normal as a city dweller. I work 8:30am to 6:30pm, five days a week, then on the weekends, I hit the gym, I attend fellowship, catch up with brothers, and attend church, and catch up with more people. During the week, sometimes I want to catch up with people too. That all seems pretty normal, but the catching up and fellowship takes up a lot of time, and eats into my rest and my time with God. I don't sleep on time on Saturdays because I've been treating it as a free day away from the work schedule, but that affects the rest of my week. I try to hang out with too many friends on the weekend, and that uses up too much energy. As a result, I'm merely hanging on when it comes to growing, learning, and serving. That's not what I want at all. That's not the level of commitment I need to reach the goal that I am running this race for. I'm not running this marathon simply to keep off the bus, I am running it to win. So the longer I serve Him, the more I understand what Paul is talking about through his own life of ministry.
"Know you not that they who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. And every man that strives for self control is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not with uncertainty; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: But I roughly treat my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." - 1 Cor 9:24-27 (KJV)
"Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, since you know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." - 1 Cor 15:58 (KJV)
"Whatever you might do, work from the soul, as to the Lord.." - Col 3:23a (BLB)
I've talked a lot about wanting my own ministry. I've talked a lot about wanting to serve God all my life, but have my actions reflected that sort of commitment? What does my life look like at the moment? It looks pretty mundane, pretty normal as a city dweller. I work 8:30am to 6:30pm, five days a week, then on the weekends, I hit the gym, I attend fellowship, catch up with brothers, and attend church, and catch up with more people. During the week, sometimes I want to catch up with people too. That all seems pretty normal, but the catching up and fellowship takes up a lot of time, and eats into my rest and my time with God. I don't sleep on time on Saturdays because I've been treating it as a free day away from the work schedule, but that affects the rest of my week. I try to hang out with too many friends on the weekend, and that uses up too much energy. As a result, I'm merely hanging on when it comes to growing, learning, and serving. That's not what I want at all. That's not the level of commitment I need to reach the goal that I am running this race for. I'm not running this marathon simply to keep off the bus, I am running it to win. So the longer I serve Him, the more I understand what Paul is talking about through his own life of ministry.
"Know you not that they who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? So run, that you may obtain. And every man that strives for self control is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not with uncertainty; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: But I roughly treat my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified." - 1 Cor 9:24-27 (KJV)
This season, God has been speaking to me a lot about commitment. I've picked up my cross, but am I really carrying it with every ounce of energy I have, or am I merely dragging it from one corner? Am I making the sacrifices needed to get to where God wants me in the short time that I have? Am I taking every step to ensure victory? It's called a partnership for a reason. Am I walking this 3-legged race, or am I the one standing still and yet demanding to win the race?
I need to stay focused, stay committed. And truly have the faith and the character to do His work.
"Whatever you might do, work from the soul, as to the Lord.." - Col 3:23a (BLB)
So pray for me, brothers and sisters, that I may work for the victory of the Lord and not just be tagging along, that I may grow in this work to the point where I can lead a successful ministry. For I know I am called to disciple, to teach diligently that others may come to know God through healing, restoration, and walking with me as I walk with God, as I follow the footsteps of Jesus.
In Christ,
James
Friday, 27 January 2017
Meditation and Godly Character
These past few months have been about growing deeper in my relationship with God, while I hadn't had so much visible progress as I had with my gifts in the past two years, I have been called to grow in 2 primary areas that are even more important to God than how we use our gifts: Character and Relationship with God.
Joshua 1:8 says, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
I have been spending many hours meditating. On Scripture that I don't know, and on Scripture that I do know. And as a result, I've been receiving more and more truth and revelation from God about them. It may not be amazing life-changing revelation, but I believe the more we know about God, the more we can grow in relationship with Him, and thus, the more we can truly be Christ-like.
I have spent 1-4 weeks on average on short passages or even individual verses, and I find that the more I meditate, the more I keep God's Word from departing from my lips, and keep them on my mind all the time, the more I'm able to reflect and grow in my character. I also realise that though it is painfully slow to grow in our character, it is through character growth that God makes us prosperous and successful in lives. By changing our hearts, renewing our minds, transforming us from within, He is guiding our bottom line, when we grow in our character, the stand that we take automatically upgrades. The things we can no longer stand for becomes clear, our desires, passion, what we are willing to fight for increases a thousandfold when we intentionally grow in Christ-like character.
And even though I don't always have my Bible with me, there are times when I just set aside time and intentionally meditate (while on the go) on Scripture that I already know, and because we are intentional and God is always ready to reveal more of His truth, there is always something new, something deeper you can receive from the same verses.
So.. this season is about keeping close to God's Word, growing in my knowledge of Him through meditating on all things good (Phil 4:8), and through keeping His Word close and constant in my heart. And being intentional with character growth.
My other reason for being so intentional about character growth is that our children or our flock tend to copy our flaws, and for the purpose of leading the flock that God entrusts to me, and for bringing up healthy children that love and glorify Him, I am motivated to keep my heart on task. I don't know when I'll have children, but I sure want to be a good example when that happens and not pass on things that will make them suffer unnecessarily.
Joshua 1:8 says, "This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success."
I have been spending many hours meditating. On Scripture that I don't know, and on Scripture that I do know. And as a result, I've been receiving more and more truth and revelation from God about them. It may not be amazing life-changing revelation, but I believe the more we know about God, the more we can grow in relationship with Him, and thus, the more we can truly be Christ-like.
I have spent 1-4 weeks on average on short passages or even individual verses, and I find that the more I meditate, the more I keep God's Word from departing from my lips, and keep them on my mind all the time, the more I'm able to reflect and grow in my character. I also realise that though it is painfully slow to grow in our character, it is through character growth that God makes us prosperous and successful in lives. By changing our hearts, renewing our minds, transforming us from within, He is guiding our bottom line, when we grow in our character, the stand that we take automatically upgrades. The things we can no longer stand for becomes clear, our desires, passion, what we are willing to fight for increases a thousandfold when we intentionally grow in Christ-like character.
And even though I don't always have my Bible with me, there are times when I just set aside time and intentionally meditate (while on the go) on Scripture that I already know, and because we are intentional and God is always ready to reveal more of His truth, there is always something new, something deeper you can receive from the same verses.
So.. this season is about keeping close to God's Word, growing in my knowledge of Him through meditating on all things good (Phil 4:8), and through keeping His Word close and constant in my heart. And being intentional with character growth.
My other reason for being so intentional about character growth is that our children or our flock tend to copy our flaws, and for the purpose of leading the flock that God entrusts to me, and for bringing up healthy children that love and glorify Him, I am motivated to keep my heart on task. I don't know when I'll have children, but I sure want to be a good example when that happens and not pass on things that will make them suffer unnecessarily.
Monday, 2 January 2017
2017
At the beginning of 2017, I would like to spend a brief moment looking back at my memories of God.
1998 - The year I came to Christ, having discovered by proxy how real His love for us is through college students who I had looked up to, crying in prayer for a God so loving, to touch their hearts.
1999 - The year I was wounded in my heart, and found that God can help me with that.
2000 - The year God told me that my life is His, and it is sacred. The year He told me He had a plan for me, it is a plan for good and will give me a hope and a future.
2002 - The year I met with brothers and sisters halfway across the world for the first time. He opened up my world, and showed me a love so rich, so colorful, and so exciting that I yearned to serve Him more. (Went to Germany and Switzerland on my first missions trip)
2002-2010 - The years God assured me that no matter where I am, or what I do, or how bad I do, He is always there for me, helping me in every way I let Him. The years I started to reach out to Him whenever I fell.
2010 - The year God said I have not forsaken you, I have been preparing your way for this. The year God continued to prepare my way for bigger and better things.
2011 - The year God assured me that His plan is perfect and wonderful, and He will reward my faith with more faith.
2012 - The year I lost my way, but God had not stopped working for my good. He continued to prepare my way for when I was to return, but also wept tears of sorrow knowing the pain that I will go through as the consequences of my actions and choices.
2013-2014 - The years God welcomed me back to His side, nursed me when I was down, carried me as I bore my sins.
2014 - The year God rescued me from the depths of my pain, and restored me to where I was before I lost my way, and continued to bless me and pour His knowledge into me as I was willing to hear.
2015-2016 - The years God doubled my portion, released in me gifts, and restored my soul. Blessed me abundantly in every area of my life, and prepared me for ministry.
2016 - The year God brought me back into ministry, but also the year God leveled my poppies, and brought my pride down 10 notches. The year God revealed to me more of my scars from before, and what I must go through to become an even better man of God.
And so.. this is where I find myself at the start of 2017, humbled.. still broken, but knowing that no matter how lost, how hurt, how broken, how far I leave His side, He will never leave mine, and He will nurse me, He will teach me, and He will restore me to even greater things than ever before, as long as I turn to Him.
2017 - The year God restores me to greater glory, closer relationship with Him, and brings me further along His uninterrupted plan for me. The year full of blessings, so much that I cannot count. The year full of joy, and peace, and hope because He is my Lord, He is my Shepherd.
1998 - The year I came to Christ, having discovered by proxy how real His love for us is through college students who I had looked up to, crying in prayer for a God so loving, to touch their hearts.
1999 - The year I was wounded in my heart, and found that God can help me with that.
2000 - The year God told me that my life is His, and it is sacred. The year He told me He had a plan for me, it is a plan for good and will give me a hope and a future.
2002 - The year I met with brothers and sisters halfway across the world for the first time. He opened up my world, and showed me a love so rich, so colorful, and so exciting that I yearned to serve Him more. (Went to Germany and Switzerland on my first missions trip)
2002-2010 - The years God assured me that no matter where I am, or what I do, or how bad I do, He is always there for me, helping me in every way I let Him. The years I started to reach out to Him whenever I fell.
2010 - The year God said I have not forsaken you, I have been preparing your way for this. The year God continued to prepare my way for bigger and better things.
2011 - The year God assured me that His plan is perfect and wonderful, and He will reward my faith with more faith.
2012 - The year I lost my way, but God had not stopped working for my good. He continued to prepare my way for when I was to return, but also wept tears of sorrow knowing the pain that I will go through as the consequences of my actions and choices.
2013-2014 - The years God welcomed me back to His side, nursed me when I was down, carried me as I bore my sins.
2014 - The year God rescued me from the depths of my pain, and restored me to where I was before I lost my way, and continued to bless me and pour His knowledge into me as I was willing to hear.
2015-2016 - The years God doubled my portion, released in me gifts, and restored my soul. Blessed me abundantly in every area of my life, and prepared me for ministry.
2016 - The year God brought me back into ministry, but also the year God leveled my poppies, and brought my pride down 10 notches. The year God revealed to me more of my scars from before, and what I must go through to become an even better man of God.
And so.. this is where I find myself at the start of 2017, humbled.. still broken, but knowing that no matter how lost, how hurt, how broken, how far I leave His side, He will never leave mine, and He will nurse me, He will teach me, and He will restore me to even greater things than ever before, as long as I turn to Him.
2017 - The year God restores me to greater glory, closer relationship with Him, and brings me further along His uninterrupted plan for me. The year full of blessings, so much that I cannot count. The year full of joy, and peace, and hope because He is my Lord, He is my Shepherd.
Friday, 2 December 2016
Fast and pray
Dear friends,
I have come to a new season where I have feasted hungrily on revelations that God has brought to my attention, and as I serve in ministry, and serve in various prayer, healing and ministry settings, I have come to realise that I am indeed close to God's heart, and through the last few years have drawn close enough to see visions and hear His voice, and manifest healing, and all in all, this experience is wonderful, but it is not nearly enough! I have only just tasted and seen that the Lord is good!
And so, this past week, as I needed to clear my head and make some decisions in life, I had spent it fasting and praying. I had fasted from meat, from people, from entertainment, from electronic communication and social media, and during the time that I fasted, I spent time praying, soaking, pouring over my Bible, and meditating on all of it, and had done nothing else but to draw close to God. Answers and revelations came easily, and I was able to recenter my life on God, as well as discover several wonderful ways of connecting deeper into the Word. Namely, soaking while reading aloud and going over the same scripture over and over again. As well as personalising the Word, by writing my interpretation of it, visualising it happening, and turning some of it into personal prayers to pray over myself. All of which has helped me grow in my intimacy with God and Jesus. Which is amazing! So amazing, in fact, that I have decided to continue this fast, though I will be eating meat again, but I have now lost interest in much of the ways that I spent my idle or resting time, and am going to dive into the Word whenever I can. Especially having received the message in Mark 4. That every Word I take and plant in my heart will manifest thirty, sixty or a hundred times over! I can't wait to be so firmly rooted in the Word that God himself manifests in my life!
And so, I'm going to spend a lot of time pouring over Scripture and it will help me grow, and at the same time, I will continue to seek to grow in practical ways as I continue my work in ministry.
Much love and blessings,
James
I have come to a new season where I have feasted hungrily on revelations that God has brought to my attention, and as I serve in ministry, and serve in various prayer, healing and ministry settings, I have come to realise that I am indeed close to God's heart, and through the last few years have drawn close enough to see visions and hear His voice, and manifest healing, and all in all, this experience is wonderful, but it is not nearly enough! I have only just tasted and seen that the Lord is good!
And so, this past week, as I needed to clear my head and make some decisions in life, I had spent it fasting and praying. I had fasted from meat, from people, from entertainment, from electronic communication and social media, and during the time that I fasted, I spent time praying, soaking, pouring over my Bible, and meditating on all of it, and had done nothing else but to draw close to God. Answers and revelations came easily, and I was able to recenter my life on God, as well as discover several wonderful ways of connecting deeper into the Word. Namely, soaking while reading aloud and going over the same scripture over and over again. As well as personalising the Word, by writing my interpretation of it, visualising it happening, and turning some of it into personal prayers to pray over myself. All of which has helped me grow in my intimacy with God and Jesus. Which is amazing! So amazing, in fact, that I have decided to continue this fast, though I will be eating meat again, but I have now lost interest in much of the ways that I spent my idle or resting time, and am going to dive into the Word whenever I can. Especially having received the message in Mark 4. That every Word I take and plant in my heart will manifest thirty, sixty or a hundred times over! I can't wait to be so firmly rooted in the Word that God himself manifests in my life!
And so, I'm going to spend a lot of time pouring over Scripture and it will help me grow, and at the same time, I will continue to seek to grow in practical ways as I continue my work in ministry.
Much love and blessings,
James
Monday, 31 October 2016
Majesty (Just Love)
by James Fung, 10/31/2016
Eat your fill, fill
your heart.
Rest, my child. Next to
me
Rest.
I lay my head on His
lap
Looking up at His
Glorious Face
Ten thousand stars,
shining and all
All within those eyes
Uncomparable...
undeniable.
Gentle. I can't..
Can't even describe
This feeling of majesty
Of indescribable peace
and love
So majestic..
Yet, so simple
Your love, Lord
Breaches all barriers
Bridges all gaps
A million miles in the
blink of an eye
Your eyes, Lord
Your love, Lord
I can see.. so crystal
clear
Your voice, your love,
your desire
For my life.
So clearly spoken..
In the silence; in the
vacuum called Space
The twinkle of the
stars; the twinkle in your eyes
Show me more, Lord.
Show me more.. show me
all.
I only want Your best
Your best you will
give.
Daddy, thank you.
Thank you for giving me
Your best love
Bite size love
Fill my heart slowly
Overflow slowly..
Grow my heart more,
Lord
I don’t want to spill
I don’t.
It’s okay, my Child
Let it spill. Let it
spill.
I will give you more
than you’ll ever need
In every
Single
Drop.
So drink, my child.
Fill your heart.
Rest in my presence.
And just Love.
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