As I've shared before, I've always wanted to be in ministry, and always felt that God has great plans for me, that I will be leading my own ministry, with my own school and orphanage, and shelter.. and it would be BIG. And in the process of being prepared and trained by God, I had thought that I was in my current, relatively small ministry for that very purpose: to be trained.
Now I don't deny that I'm here to be trained, and that God still has great plans for me, but I have come to recognise that some of these thoughts had been in vain and had sought for my own glorification than God. And these delusions of grandeur, I had been walking on an arrogant path. But with much praise to God, I have gotten off of that high horse. As unbeknown to me, this journey of training and pruning that I took this year, started in August 2016, and now almost at its end in June 2017, had been something that God had seriously planned for me. He knew what I needed, and He gave it to me. One would think that's amazing, and it absolutely was, but it was some serious hard work as well as a lot of humbling.
When I started, I felt close to God, I felt privileged, I felt that I was talented and of good character, and boy, was I wrong! In the months to follow, God showed me first my arrogance, then my lack of relationship with Him, then my lack of good character and commitment, and it is all true, and as I walked this painful walk of realisation, I managed to stay on the path from knowing very clearly that this was what God had in mind for me, and I persevered.. to the point of giving up several times, but I did not. I relied on my proof that God had spoken to me audibly about this job, and when it became too hard to just hang onto that, I relied on my desire to grow out of my poor character, and when that wasn't enough, I relied on my knowledge that it will not get easier even if I moved onto the next opportunity. And finally, these past few months, with uncertainty in my future as I am not sure if my contract will be renewed or not, but still desiring to stay.. I relied on the one most important and basic thing that I learnt while serving here, and that is: to choose to do right.
The fact that there may be no tangible reward, that I may not be able to continue, and even though God has already shown me the next phase, I needed to floor the gas in order to give God my best, and to keep my personal growth on the verge. And so, I chose to be committed because I can. I chose to overcome stress by knowing that I can do all things through Christ. I chose to have joy in my overly hectic life because I have the fruits of the Spirit. I no longer sought for a reason or to validate what I was feeling, but rather, made the choice to be. And when everything became a choice, my life sprung to life. I was committed because I chose to be committed. I was full of joy because I chose to be full of joy. I was diligent, faithful, meek, good, loving, peaceful, abundant.. because I made the choice to believe the Word more than what I was experiencing in the natural.
And so now.. I don't know what comes next, but I do know, I have grown closer to be the man that God made me to be, and I know I have much power in my faith and my choices, and that it really doesn't matter to me whether I lead a ministry or not, whether I am known or not, whether I am part of a big ministry or a small one. God is apparent in my life because of the choices that I make, not where I'm situated, or who the world knows me as. So I'm perfectly happy working and staying unknown for the rest of my life, if it brings me even closer to God, and if I can grow as much as I have grown thus far. However, I do believe growth is exponential, especially character growth, good character upgrades every good gift.
Be blessed, my friends. Remember, you can choose to be more than what this world is willing to give, because the King of this world has already given to you in all abundance in life, it just depends on how much of the cookie you have the courage to receive and how much faith you have to believe it.
Friday, 9 June 2017
The Window of Heaven
by James Fung (June 7, 2017)
At the end of each busy day
I just have to lift my eyes
To see your amazing grace
As far as east is from the west
In this multi-colored sky
In this beautiful embrace
At the end of each busy day
I just have to lift my eyes
To see your amazing grace
As far as east is from the west
In this multi-colored sky
In this beautiful embrace
Sunday, 21 May 2017
The Church of Fake-It Till U Make-It
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.
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.
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.
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