Christ’s Ambassadors
As believers of Christ we are His representatives on earth. As we have received the good news (Gospel) – message of reconciliation to God and His favor, we ought to testify of His goodness everywhere we go.
What seeds do I sow in my (heart) garden?
Is it plants/flowers?
Are there sprouting of weeds?
How do I protect it from insects and animals that may destroy what I have planted?
What does my flowers and plants feed on?
Adopted into the Family of God
Romans 8:15 – For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!”
verse 16 – The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God.
(We are tripartite – body, soul and spirit)verse 17a – and if children, heirs also, heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ.
Col 2:10 – and in Him [Christ] you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.
Phil 4:19 – And my God shall supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus.
Romans 8:2 – For the law of the Spirit of Life in Christ Jesus has set you free from the law of sin and of death.
Reconciled to God
Christ’s death bridged the separation between man and God –
1 Timothy 2:5 – For there is one God and one mediator also between God and man, the man Christ Jesus.
Enablement through Christ
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Him [Christ] who strengthens me.
Inherited Blessings
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. – Ephesians 1:3
Blessings of Abraham by faith –
Galatians 3:16-17 – Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us – for it is written, “cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” – in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Privileges
1 Peter 2:9-10 – But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have obtained mercy.
Prayer:
Thank you Lord Jesus for reconciling us to God, for the blessings and privileges we received when you died for us at the cross. Praise, honour and glory to Your holy name.
Amen.
Have you ever wonder about our true identity?
Why are we so precious to God?
How much are we worth?
Whatever circumstances you are in – whether its good times or challenging, do not let it deter you from dwelling in God’s presence. His word says, “in his presence there is fullness of joy”. Let God’s peace, love and joy fill you today. May this song (Eagles Wings) ministered to you as it has for me.
Eagles welcome the storm – they do not hide but with the raging storm they are able to glide higher in the clouds. Let it be so with you – whatever storms you are facing, trust God and let Him raise you up above it. Let’s worship the omnipotent, omniscient God.
Isaiah 40:31 (NASB version):
Yet those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength;
They will mount up with wings like eagles, They will run and not get tired,
They will walk and not become weary.
photo by Eddie C, Sg
Wherever God has placed you. Photo by Eddie C
No matter where God has placed us – we can make a difference whether we are in the marketplace, school, or even working in the church. We are called to be ambassadors, ministers to the Kingdom of God.
Most of us, including myself initially, have the wrong conception that leaving everything and joining the church full-time is more spiritual. The church is not a building – we are in fact, the mobile church. We have a Kingdom agenda – In Mark 16: 17-18 – heal the sick, cast out demons, speak in new tongues…
◦ Has your presence made a difference to the people around you especially those in the ‘marketplace’?
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◦ Are you able to share your faith without any whelms?
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◦ As a believer in Christ – have you segregated what is clergy and laity?
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◦ Are you the solution provider or the problem?
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◦ Why are we called the Light and Salt of the earth?
How have your day been at the office, home, school, or even at home?
Has it too overwhelming or too stressful?
Has Life has been such a drag, drudgery?
Do You need something to unwind yourself?
Does any of the above sounds familiar to you??
“How God saved me by Beatrix Chong
Song – Chorus:
How great is our God
Sing with me, how great is our God
And all will see, how great, how great is our God!
I am here to tell you how true this song, “How great is our God!” is of our Living God whom we worship, admire and believe. How the God who knows our inmost being, who created us in our mother’s womb, has a purpose for each and every one of our lives. How He never let go of His loved ones, nor forsakes you or I when bad things happen to us. Indeed, when we choose to believe in Jesus, His son who was sent into this world to die on the cross for us, we are saved. For by His blood, we are cleansed from all unrighteousness and by His stripes we are healed!
God’s gave towards me unfolded on the 1st day of Chinese New Year on 23 January 2012. It began after our Chinese New Year family reunion lunch with my mum at my sister Helen’s place, when in the middle of that night, I felt excruciating pain in my abdomen and had to keep going to the toilet. At first, I thought I was having my usual gastric attack which brings with it a pain that runs either to the right or left, can be very sharp and makes me feverish; or at most, a tummy upset caused by contaminated water. So, I did what has always worked for me when I am struck with the first – I applied medicated oil, take a panadol and an antacid, and said a prayer. By the grace of God, He has made me a tough person, and I am someone who can usually withstand pain to a reasonable degree. But this time was different.
All through the night and until the next day, despite applying all types of medicated oil on my tummy, taking medicines which I vomited out within half an hour, passing “loose stools”, and praying continuously, the excruciating pain would not subside. I felt weak, giddy and breathless. In the afternoon, when I could not bear it anymore, I told my husband that I needed to be admitted to the hospital. We sped to the hospital, with my son Bryan panicking at the wheel because of my groans, but managing to follow the directions my husband was giving him. My niece, Serena, accompanied me in the back seat … it was indeed a blessing to have her with me.
Once I had been attended to and my condition stabilized, I decided to stay overnight for observation even though most of the doctors were on leave as it was Chinese New Year. In my heart, I prayed that God would send me a good doctor. After a blood test, medication and being put on the drip, I no longer felt giddy, but the pain from the middle of my abdomen suddenly moved to and increased on my right side. The Doctor called for an immediate ultrasound and it was there that they discovered multiple stones and a big 3.17cm stone in my gall bladder. I was given antibiotics and panadol as I had a fever and my blood was slightly infected.
I was scheduled for an operation the next day by another specialist surgeon. Though doubtful and fearful, God reassured me that He is God, He’s in control because He created me and has the power to use the surgeon for His glory. That evening, the surgeon briefed to me the risks and methods of the operation. I prayed to God to take control and committed the surgeon into His holy hands. I asked God to guide and give Him wisdom to make the correct decisions, and to give him good health.
With many of the other surgeons being on leave, my surgeon had to covered their work – so was in and out of the operation theatre the whole day. I had to wait in queue. Finally, I was operated on in the mid-afternoon and it took about three hours. I came out with a four inch wound. I was shocked to hear from the surgeon that the 3.17cm stone was stuck in my cystic duct, and without the operation I may not have survived! Oh, how I praise God for saving me and giving me the chance to share this testimony about Him, so that others may also know our true, living and great God to whom none other can compare!
As I recuperate at home, I can’t stop thanking God for His many blessings, goodness and grace upon my family and loved ones. I thank God for preserving my life so that I can continue to serve Him with joy and good health, and for enabling me to feel His presence and know His guidance, every steep of my life.
photo of Beatrix Chong in Church
taken by Maria Wong
I would like to give God all the glory, majesty, honor, praises and thanks, for only He deserves it! I believe we serve a risen Saviour who is still with us today. He truly is Emmanuel, God with us! To Him alone be all glory, majesty, honor, power, authority, dominion and praise!
Peace with God – Beatrix Chong
Photo by Rosemary Hack
“Truly I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is going to happen, it shall be granted him.
Therefore I say to you, all things for which you pray and ask, believe that you have received them, and they shall be granted you.” (Quotation – NASB version, Mark 11:23-24)
Are you feeling hopeless – give up everything?
Discouraged to the point of your soul being so despair,
Discontented that life is a struggle?
As a believer in Christ we have the answer – the key to our present situations, that is – Faith and hope in God. Not in knowledge of it but applying that truth in our predicaments.
Focus on the bigger picture – God is in control, not our problems.
Life is not a ‘bed of roses’ but a journey. Along the way we may meet with many challenges, ‘storms’. Don’t allow these deter you elsewhere – as believers we press on with God’s help and strength.
We seek His face in prayer and persists in it until the answers come – God will provide a way out of it. Follow the directions He is leading you – be steadfast, unmovable in God’s promises. What He says He will do.
Don’t blame God for your problems but claim that abundant life. (The thief [devil] comes only to steal, and kill, and destroy; I came that they might have life, and might have it abundantly. John 10:10 – NASB version)
Prayer Guide:
Dear Lord,
I thank you that I can call upon You anytime. (share your problems with God…, even though He knows all things, He wants you to tell him).
As the problem at hand is bugging and overwhelming me, help me dear Lord to overcome it with Your help. Guide me out of it.
In Jesus name, I declare that Your word is truth and life – remove this problem which seems as huge as the mountain.
I claim your wisdom and make the right choices in the course of life and I believe this problem is removed by Your mighty power. I release my problems into Your hands and also cease striving to find alternative ways of resolving it other than Your way.
Striving out of life’s situation. Photo by Eddie C, Singapore
You are my strength and shield – help me never doubt Your word or promises.
Thank you dear Lord.
In Jesus name, name above all names I pray, Amen.