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Weekend in Berastagi, Indonesia 🇮🇩 – Part 2

A Full and Blessed Sunday Sunday was a full and busy day, but also a deeply blessed one. The first service began at  7:30 AM . As usual, the worship was vibrant and full of life. Jonathan also had the opportunity to lead a worship song during the service, and it was wonderful to see how naturally he connected with the congregation through worship. I shared the Word on the topic  “When You Don’t Know What to Do” , from  2 Chronicles 20 , the account of King Jehoshaphat and the great multitude that came against Judah. The message was about those moments in life when we come face to face with situations that are beyond our ability to handle. Like Jehoshaphat, there are times when we simply do not know what to do- but we can still look to God. At the altar call, many people responded. As I looked at those who came forward, I could sense that there were many different needs represented—people carrying burdens, facing uncertainties and perhaps going through battles that others ...

Weekend in Berastagi, Indonesia 🇮🇩 - Part 1

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This weekend, Jonathan and I had the privilege of travelling to Berastagi to minister at  Kairos Community Church (KCC) . Bishop Ezra was away in Australia for ministry and had asked me to stand in for him. This was Jonathan’s first trip to Berastagi and only the second time we have ministered together, just the two of us. It was a special opportunity not only to serve together, but also to spend time building our relationship in ministry. I arrived in Medan on Friday night and stayed overnight. Jonathan arrived on Saturday morning. Pastor Daniel and his daughter, Hadasah, kindly picked me up from the hotel, and together we went to the airport to welcome Jonathan. It was such a joy to see Pastor Daniel again, a man of humility, sincerity and great passion for the Lord. During our journey to Berastagi, he shared with us about his experience at the Haggai Leaders Experience in Port Dickson, which I had encouraged him to attend. It was encouraging to hear how deeply the Haggai se...

God's Word - Life for the soul

Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. - Matthew 4:4 When reading and meditating on God’s Word becomes merely an option, something we do when we have time, when we feel like it, or when we are facing a crisis, something may be wrong with our spiritual walk. We cannot expect to remain spiritually strong while neglecting the very Word that gives us spiritual nourishment, direction and strength. Just as our physical bodies need food, our spirit needs the Word of God. God’s Word is not an accessory to the Christian life, it is the Christian life.

Sunday evening at ALFC

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It was another privilege for Jeya and me to attend the worship service at ALFC. This time, the church held its service at another church in Yishun as their own premises are currently undergoing renovation. It was wonderful to see so many familiar faces again. Almost 300 people gathered for worship, and by now, many of them have become friends and some, partners in the ministry. We are grateful for the relationships God has allowed us to build over the years. I am especially thankful to Senior Pastor Allan Ang for his passion, faithfulness and the way he continues to mentor and encourage us. His life and ministry challenge us to remain faithful and to keep doing our part for the Kingdom of God. His encouragement always inspires us to go further and serve Him more faithfully. I felt impressed by the Holy Spirit to share on  “The Power of Unity” , from Psalm 133: “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!” Unity is more than simply being together...

Pray first, not last

Philippians 4:6–7 -  Do not be anxious about anything,   but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.   7  And the peace of God,   which transcends all understanding,   will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. We make countless decisions in life. Some are major decisions—about our family, ministry, finances, career, relationships and future. Others seem insignificant—what to do today, whom to call, what to say, where to go, what opportunity to pursue. If we are honest with ourselves, our initial reaction when faced with a decision is often  anxiety . We think: “What if I make the wrong decision?” “What if this doesn't work?” “What if I choose wrongly?” And because we are anxious, we often rush into making decisions. We use our intellect. We draw from our experience. We ask our friends and colleagues. We have discussions. We weigh the pros and cons. Then we make our decisio...

The privilege of Grace

Romans 5:1  —  “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Paul begins with  “Therefore.”  He is drawing a conclusion from everything he has said about justification by faith. We are not made right with God because we have become good enough.    We are made right because Christ has done for us what we could never do for ourselves.   1. JUSTIFIED — I have been made right with God   “Having been justified by faith…”   To be justified means that God declares us righteous because of what Christ has done. We sometimes explain it as  “just as if I had never sinned.”  That helps us understand the wonder of forgiveness, although justification is even greater than that: God doesn't merely pretend our sin never happened; Christ has paid for it, and God declares us righteous because of Christ.   What a privilege!   Psalm 103:12  says: As far as the east is fro...