Pigeonholing

Life is so much easier if we can put labels on people!  Pigeonholing permits us to wash our hands and leave.

“Oh I know him—he’s an alcoholic.

“She’s a liberal Democrat.”

“He’s divorced.”

Categorizing others creates distance and gives us a convenient exit strategy for avoiding involvement.  Jesus took an entirely different approach.  He was all about including people.

John 1:14 says, “The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood.”

Jesus touched lepers and loved foreigners. His Facebook page included the likes of Matthew the IRS agent, and some floozy he met at Simon’s house.  Jesus set aside the privileges of deity and took on the status of a slave.  He became human!

Jesus sends this message: Don’t call any person common.  Don’t call any person unfit! Every person matters to God.

From: GRACE.

D25 : National Day

Although today is Malaya’s Merdeka Day, the holiday is officially celebrated as the day of the nation’s independence from the British. The Federation of Malaya gained independence from the British on this date in 1957. Then on July 22, 1963 Sarawak gained independence followed by Sabah on 31 August the same year. On 16 September 1963, the Malaya, Singapore, Sabah and Sarawak came together to form Malaysia. In 1965, Singapore left the Federation. As an independent nation, Malaysia has made much progress. Today, Malaysia has become one of the leading nations in Asia. While we thank God for the independence and progress attained, we are now being confronted with new threats such as corruption, mismanagement, social ills, power abuse, racial disharmony and religious intolerance. If not kept in check, these threats could take away all that we have gained. Therefore, as we rejoice at what God has given and how far we have come, let us continue to remain vigilant and prayerful against these threats lest we lose this nation.

Prayer Suggestions: • Give thanks for all His blessings on Malaysia. • Pray for His continued transformation of this nation.

Why Pornography Robs a Man of His Humanness

from Desiring God Blog by Tony Reinke

Addiction to pornography is not limited to men, but it is a major problem among men, and Christian men, and even among pastors and missionaries. Not long ago, counselor Harry Schaumburg  shared with us the prevalence of pornography among men in the ministry. It is a serious sin problem that calls for our prayers and our attention.
We recently traveled to the CCEF  in Philadelphia where we asked counselor Ed Welch how he counsels men addicted to pornography. This is what he said:

Ed Welch is a speaker at our upcoming National Conference. Visit the event page  to learn more and register.To find more resources on the sin of pornography, see the CCEF website here .

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• The Blessed Struggle Against Fear and Anxiety  (video)

• Fear, Anxiety, and Growing in Sanctification  (video)

• A Broken Past and the Miracle of Sanctification 

• Power in Weakness: Living Out the Miracle of Sanctification 

Recent posts from Welch related to our National Conference include:

Happy National Day, Malaysia!

Why I Don’t Bash the Younger Generation

from here

I’m encouraged about the future of the church after meeting these upcoming leaders.

Every generation has unique qualities. I’m officially a Boomer—although I think people who grew up in the 1970s with disco, Watergate and Soul Train deserve our own niche. Next we have Gen X, the celebrated “MTV generation,” those who were shaped by the advent of personal computers. They are followed by Millennials (those born after 1992), who were perhaps most affected by 9/11.

"I hear so much negative talk among Christians today about the habits and values of the emerging generation. We are often led to believe that kids today are more apathetic, more immoral and less spiritual than previous generations. But statistics actually show the opposite."

And next we have the iGeneration, today’s emerging teens whose lives have been forever altered by smartphones. The typical teenager sends and receives 3,146 text messages per month. They are texting, tweeting, posting and downloading their way into a new era of 24/7 media consumption.

I hear so much negative talk among Christians today about the habits and values of the emerging generation. We are often led to believe that kids today are more apathetic, more immoral and less spiritual than previous generations. But statistics actually show the opposite. Fewer teens today are sexually active than in the 1990s, teen pregnancy and teen abortion rates are down, and the National Institute of Drug Abuse says alcohol abuse among teens is declining—as is cocaine use.

A Woman Other Women Trust

Sarah, a married woman with two small children, was living and working overseas. She thought she knew why she was there: support her husband, take care of the kids, and help with their community development project with what time she had left.

But something else troubled her. So many women, both expatriate and local, looked lonely and frustrated, as though they had no one they could trust.  In her mind a surprising question grew:  "How can I be a woman other women trust?" This never bothered her when she was in her home country. Now, in this place, she wanted to help these women, but wasn't sure they would let her.

And why should they? When she was eight years old her mother just disappeared,  leaving her with her dad. She never saw her mom again. Her dad did his best, but she had no woman to look up to, ask questions of, or model herself after. After marriage she found that her mother-in-law was not a very motherly type, either. A good woman, yes, but not the kind of woman you felt you could trust with your secret struggles.

Gwen, another woman in her assigned country, seemed like the kind of woman who might have some answers. So she made a lunch date. While they sipped coffee that tasted like motor oil, only sweeter, Sarah told Gwen what was on her mind.

Some Days Never Come

“Someday we’ll take that cruise. . .”

“Someday I’ll have time to call and talk. . .”

“Someday, the children will understand why I was so busy. . .”

 But you know the truth, don’t you?  Some days never come.

Go to the effort.  Invest the time. Make the apology.  Take the trip. Do it.  The seized opportunity renders joy.  The neglected brings regret.

Remember Mary’s extravagance in pouring expensive perfume over Jesus’ head? And Jesus’ disciples criticizing her-  “Why waste that perfume? It could have been sold for a great deal of money and given to the poor.”

Don’t miss Jesus’ prompt defense of Mary in Matthew 26:10: “Why are you troubling this woman?  She did an excellent thing for me.”

Don’t miss Jesus’ message.  There’s a time to pour out your affections on one you love.

And when the time comes—seize it!

From: Cast of Characters

D24 : The Civil Service

The Malaysian public service has 1.2 million employees covering 28 schemes of service. These include the Federal Public Service, the State Public Services, the Joint Public Services, the Education Service, the Judiciary, the Legal Service, the Police and Armed Forces and others. They are the implementation arm of the government performing numerous duties including delivering services, handling public interest, ensuring public security and safety, and community development. As a professional force, the public service should offer impartial and appropriate advice, be loyal to public interests and obedient to the Minister and Cabinet. At the same time, they should be politically neutral which means complete loyalty to the government of the day regardless its political complexion or a change in government. The present Malaysian Public service is predominantly Malay. All other racial groups, including non- Malay bumiputras, are under-represented to varying degrees.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for God’s blessing on the 1.2 million employees in the public service. • Pray for increased efficiency, productivity, accountability and integrity within the public service. • Pray for more opportunities for other racial groups and non-Malay bumiputras to enter the public service.

To God be the glory

Fanny Crosby

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

See By Faith

On the wall of a concentration camp, a prisoner had carved the following words:

“I believe in the sun, even though it doesn’t shine.

I believe in love, even when it isn’t shown.

I believe in God, even when he doesn’t speak.”

What hand could have cut such a conviction?  What eyes could have seen good in such horror? There’s only one answer:  Eyes that chose to see the unseen.

Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 4:18: “We set our eyes not on what we see but on what we cannot see.  What we see will only last a short time, but what we cannot see will last forever.”

We can see either the hurt or the Healer.

Mark it down. God knows you and I are blind.  He knows living by faith and not by sight doesn’t come naturally.  He will help us.  Accept his help.

Either live by the facts or see by faith!

From: Cast of Characters

D23 : Parliament

The Malaysian Parliament comprises the Senate (Dewan Negara) and the House of Representatives (Dewan Rakyat). It is the Federal legislative authority empowered to make laws, raise taxes and authorise expenditure headed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong. The Senators, whether appointed or elected, serve a six-year term, while members of the House of Representative or Members of Parliament are elected for a fiveyear term in a single member constituency system. Presently, there are 70 Senators and 222 Elected Representatives. Since gaining independence from Britain on 31 August 1957, elections to the House of Representatives have been held regularly every five years or less.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for our Senators and elected representatives to enact laws that are just and fair. • Pray for our Senators and elected representatives to be courageous to hold the government accountable to their responsibilities and actions. • Pray for our Senators and elected representatives to speak up against corruption and injustice.

Jesus Honors You

You are valuable just because you exist! Remember that the next time some trickster tries to hang a bargain basement price tag on your self-worth.

Just think about the way Jesus honors you—and smile!  I do.  I smile because I know I don’t deserve a love like that.  None of us do.

When you get right down to it, any contribution any of us makes is pretty puny. All of us, even the purest of us, deserve heaven about as much as that crook on the cross did.

It makes me smile to think there’s a grinning thief walking the golden streets of heaven who knows more about grace than a thousand theologians.

No one else would have given the thief on the cross a prayer. But in the end that is all he had. And in the end, that is all it took!

No wonder they call Jesus the Savior.

(taken from: Cast of Characters)

D22 : Putrajaya

Putrajaya is located 25km south of Kuala Lumpur and serves as the federal administrative centre of Malaysia. The seat of government was moved here in 1999 from Kuala Lumpur due to overcrowding and congestion. Kuala Lumpur remains Malaysia’s national capital, being the seat of the King and Parliament, as well as the country’s commercial and financial centre. The main government buildings including the Prime Minister’s office are located in Putrajaya. From this centre, the Federal Government administrates the affairs of the nation. The Federal Government is led by the Prime Minister and his cabinet and is responsible for defence, the police, and the railways, labour, broadcasting, post and finance, health, national security, education and more. Putrajaya’s population is overwhelmingly Muslim with the majority employed in the civil service.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for God to rain down righteousness and holiness upon our government. • Pray for our government to implement righteous and just policies. • Pray for the government to exercise prudent and transparent spending. • Pray for our Government to deliver their promises.

Great is Thy faithfulness

Thomas O. Chisholm

Great is Thy faithfulness, O God my Father;
There is no shadow of turning with Thee,
Thou changest not, Thy compassions they fail not,
As Thou hast been,Thou forever wilt be.

Refrain:
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Great is Thy faithfulness!
Morning by morning new mercies I see
All I have needed Thy hand hath provided
Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me!

Summer and winter and springtime and harvest,
Sun, moon, and stars in their courses above;
Join with all nature in manifold witness,
To Thy great faithfulness, mercy, and love.

We Are Valuable

Value is now measured by two criteria: appearance and performance.  Where does that leave the ugly or uneducated?  Where hope does that offer the unborn child? The aged?  The handicapped? Not much at all. We become nameless numbers on mislaid lists.

This is man’s value system.  But it is not God’s.  His plan is much brighter.  In God’s book man is heading somewhere.  He has an amazing destiny.

We’re being prepared to walk down the church aisle and become the bride of Jesus. We’re going to live with him.  Share the throne with him. We count.  We’re valuable.

Jesus’ love does not depend on what we do for him. If there was anything that Jesus wanted everyone to understand it was this: A person is worth something simply because he is a person. That’s why Jesus treated people the way he did.

You have value simply because you are!

You are His.

From: Cast of Characters

D21 : The Monarchy

Malaysia practices a system of government based on a constitutional monarchy and parliamentary democracy. The head of State is the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong (King) and the head of government is the Prime Minister. As the Head of State, His Majesty has wide powers as provided for in the Constitution. His Majesty has prescribed roles and functions in the three branches of government, namely, the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary. The office of the King is not hereditary. He is elected and appointed by the Conference of Rulers. The current King is Seri Paduka Baginda Yang di-Pertuan Agong Almu’tasimu Billahi Muhibbuddin Tuanku AlHaj Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah Ibni AlMarhum Sultan Badlishah. This is the second time he has been appointed as King of Malaysia.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for God to bless our King. • Pray for our King to rule wisely and justly. • Pray for our King to speak and act on behalf of all.

Sunday Sermon - 26-Aug-2012 - Dr Tan Yee Beng

Speaker: Dr. Tan Yee Beng
White Fields Assembly Founding Chairman Elder

http://www.mediafire.com/?wxgmntxwqamq5vw

D20 : Sabah’s Preparation for the Hope of Jubilee

In preparation for Sabah’s entry into the Hope of Jubilee, several initiatives are being planned by the Project Jubilee Team. Among them are Hope of Jubilee Seminars to be held in various location in Sabah. The objective is to create awareness and educate the churches regarding the Hope of Jubilee. It is also to give a clear and accurate account of how Malaysia was formed. Besides these seminars, regular prayer meetings by the different language groups will be held statewide to pray towards the Hope of Jubilee. On 16 September, a mass meeting will be held in Kota Kinabalu to welcome Malaysia’s Jubilee for Sabah.

Lift up your heads, O you gates; be lifted up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is this King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the LORD mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O you gates; lift them up, you ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is he, this King of glory? The LORD Almighty-- he is the King of glory. Selah. (Psa 24:7-10)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for the Project Jubilee Team as they lead the various initiatives. • Pray for churches in Sabah to prepare and embrace the Hope of Jubilee. • Pray for a mighty visitation of God at the mass meeting in Kota Kinabalu on 16 September

How Great Thou Art

Commonly Used English Lyrics

O Lord my God! When I in awesome wonder
Consider all the works Thy hand hath made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
Thy power throughout the universe displayed.

Refrain:
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee;
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!
Then sings my soul, my Saviour God, to Thee:
How great Thou art, how great Thou art!

When through the woods and forest glades I wander
And hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees;
When I look down from lofty mountain grandeur
And hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze:

And when I think that God, His Son not sparing,
Sent Him to die, I scarce can take it in;
That on the cross, my burden gladly bearing,
He bled and died to take away my sin:

Top Ten Easiest Ways to Express Appreciation to Almost Anyone

1. Give a verbal compliment (say "thanks for ..."; tell them, "I'm glad you are part of the team.")
2. Write an email ("I just wanted to let you know ...; "It is really helpful to me when you ....")
3. Stop by and see how your colleague is doing. Spend a few minutes just chatting and checking in on them.
4. Do something together with your co-worker (like eating together.)
5. Do a small task for someone spontaneously (hold open the door, offer to carry something.)
6. Stop by their workspace and see if they need any help getting something done.
7. Buy them coffee, a drink, a snack or dessert.
8. Get them a magazine related to an area of interest they have (sports, hobbies, a place they would like to visit.)
9. Give them a "high five" when they have completed a task (especially one that has been challenging or they have been working on a while).
10. Greet your colleague warmly, with a smile and a handshake. (Say something like "It's good to see you!"; "How is your day going?")

Visit appreciationatwork.com for more insights on appreciation


Continue the conversation: Share your questions, thoughts insights, or comments by joining the conversation on Facebook at facebook.com/5lovelanguages

What Matters Most

It's been here since they were both born.

The incessant need to constantly compare them to other kids. Are they sleeping like normal kids? Are they crawling or walking when they should? Are they talking when they should be?

And I see this starting to escalate as David is getting to the preschool age. I see some kids his age reading and he barely knows his letters (not for a lack of trying on my part) and I have panic attacks. What if he is behind? I feel like I'm constantly trying to get around other almost 3 year olds and listen to them talk to see where he is. And the same for Fiona. Why is she not talking more? It keeps me up at night sometimes worried about how each of them will do as they grow up.

This has just been on my mind SO much lately, but I am trying hard to set my "momma mind and heart" and focus on this:

I honestly have never had the desire (even before I had kids) for them to be the smartest kids at school. I would love it if they were, but that just doesn't seem like the most important thing to me. I don't need them to be super athletes - but if they were, I would be proud I'm sure. I know kids all develop at different rates.

D19 : Religious Freedom

In 2010, the Sabah Islamic Affairs Department (JHEAINS) said it would enforce Islamic apostasy law once its faith rehabilitation centre in Kinarut was completed in 2011. News reports indicate that the centre is now ready. This would mean that thousands of “instant” converts who became Muslims during the Usno era of Tun Mustapha Dato Harun in the late 1960s and early 1970s to secure job promotions and contracts, might have to serve time in the rehabilitation centre. This move by JHEAIN contravenes the first point in the Sabah 20 Point Agreement which says that Sabah will have no official state religion. Religious freedom was also the first item inscribed on the Keningau Oath Stone, erected and unveiled on 16 September 1964 to summarise the guarantees given by the Malaysian government to Sabah while reiterating the loyalty of Sabah’s people to Malaysia. Moreover, Section 64 of Title VI in the Malaysia Agreement states that the establishment or maintenance of Muslim institutions in Sabah should have the consent of the governor of Sabah. This means that the JHEAIN’s enforcement of the law will need to be first passed in the State Legislative Assembly. In addition, Section 65 of Title VI also states that Article 11(4) of the Federal Constitution, which allows for states to prohibit the propagation of non-Islamic religions to Muslims, shall not apply to Sabah.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for religious freedom in Sabah to be protected and upheld. • Pray that those who have turned to the Lord will be preserved and protected. • Pray against indigenous cultures which propagate animistic blood rituals even though many profess to be ‘Christians’. Pray for the blood of Jesus to be effective in cleansing and setting them free from superstitions and compromising values.

Make a Choice

Maybe your past isn’t much to brag about. Maybe you’ve seen raw evil—and now you have to make a choice. Do you rise above the past and make a difference? Or do you remain controlled by the past and make excuses?

Healthy bodies.  Sharp minds.  But retired dreams.  Back and forth they rock in the chair of regret.  Lean closely and you’ll hear them.

If only I’d been born somewhere else. . .

If only I’d been treated fairly. . .

If only I’d had more opportunities. . .if only. . .

Put down the scrapbook of your life and pick up the Bible.  Read Jesus’ words in John 3:6: “Human life comes from human parents but spiritual life comes from the Spirit.”

God has not left you adrift on a sea of heredity. You have a choice in the path you take.

Choose well!

From: Cast of Characters

D18 : Education

Last year, there was an Education Ministry proposal to post some 80,000 teachers from the Peninsula to Sabah and Sarawak. This proposal is baffling given that there are thousands of youths in East Malaysia who are interested and qualified to be trained as teachers, local political leaders have said. Besides, there are 578 attachment teachers in Sabah who are waiting for their contracts to be extended. Fears have been expressed that the transfer of teachers to East Malaysia would include many religious teachers. Education Ministry officials in remote districts such as Nabawan, Kemabong and Telupid have allegedly rejected the applications of local youth who are keen to be teachers. According to the Sabah Education Department, more than 20% of teachers placed all over Sabah are not from Sabah. Sabah is also critically short of English teachers. With regards to infrastructure, about 100 primary and secondary schools in the interior are flooded whenever there is continuous heavy rain, often affecting about 9,000 schoolchildren.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for the Church to challenge more dedicated Christian teachers to serve in interior areas. • Pray for greater support for our Christian teachers and Principals by the Church and society in their endeavour to make a difference in the sphere of education. • Pray for teachers to model good values. • Pray for Christian Fellowships in schools to flourish. • Pray for parents to be willing to release their children to become educators in the state.

Amazing Grace

John Newton, Olney Hymns, 1779

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav'd a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev'd;
How precious did that grace appear
The hour I first believ'd!

Thro' many dangers, toils, and snares,
I have already come;
'Tis grace hath brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis'd good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be
As long as life endures.

Eight Great Big God-Sized Prayers for America

I’m not giving up on this country. Here are my prayer points for a national revival.

Many Christians today are deeply discouraged about the condition of our country. I can understand the concern: We are divided politically, stagnant economically and failing morally—and weird weather patterns, gun violence and global financial fears have darkened the gloom. Some people have thrown up their hands and prayed, “Lord, rapture us out of here!”

But I’m not ready to bail out, and I don’t think God is wringing His hands over Europe’s bank crisis, Obama’s health care plan or the ongoing drought in the Midwest. I’m not ignoring the seriousness of our dilemma, but losing hope is not the solution. God’s plan under the New Covenant is redemption, not judgment. He invites us to agree with Him for that miracle—and when He answers by fire from heaven, America could be changed in a day.

"Instead of fretting about the devil’s strategies, heading for the hills, or condemning America to hell, I’m praying for a miracle of grace. Several big miracles, in fact. Here is my short list of prayer goals."

So instead of fretting about the devil’s strategies, heading for the hills, or condemning America to hell, I’m praying for a miracle of grace. Several big miracles, in fact. Here is my short list of prayer goals. I invite you to agree with these requests. Please add more of your own.

1. Spiritual awakening on college campuses. Today’s younger generation is biblically illiterate, spiritually clueless, largely fatherless, saturated in porn and skeptical of church and most TV preachers. That’s a bleak scenario, but my Bible says “where sin increased, grace abounded all the more” (Rom. 5:20, NASB). When the hippies of the 1960s embraced drugs, sex and rock ‘n’ roll, God unleashed the Jesus Movement—and it marked a generation for Christ. He can do it again. I’m praying that this time it will also touch the 720,000 international students on U.S. campuses today.

You Are His

God’s grace defines you!

Society labels you like a can on an assembly line. Stupid.  Unproductive. Slow learner.  Fast talker.  Quitter.  But as grace infiltrates, criticism disintegrates. You know you aren’t who they say you are.

You are who God says you are:  “spiritually alive.” Heavenly positioned, “seated with him in the heavenly realms.”  “One with Jesus Christ.”

Of course, not all labels are negative.  Some people regard you as clever, successful. But it doesn’t compare with being “seated with him in the heavenly realms!”  God creates the Christian’s resume!

Grace defines who you are.  The parent you can’t please is as mistaken as the doting uncle you can’t disappoint.

Listen, God wrote your story.  He cast you in his drama. You hang as God’s work of art, a testimony in his gallery of grace.

According to Him, you are His.  Period.

“And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus.”  Ephesians 2:6

From: Cast of Characters

D17 : Social Problems

Social problems including incest, promiscuity, prostitution and gambling are issues in Sabah. In 2004, Sabah was ranked second in the number of cases involving incest (44 cases) in the country. The state has some 2,900 registered single mothers and possibly another 300 more scattered around Kota Kinabalu and towns in 17 districts. This makes Sabah one of the states with the highest number of single mothers in the country. Sabah has also been identified as a transit point for human trafficking for prostitution in the country. According to Tenaganita, there are between 30,000 and 32,000 trafficked persons passing through Sabah based on the official figures of 600,000 to 800,000 migrant workers in the state in 2009. There is also a proposal to open a casino as Sabah already has 44 jackpot licences and authorised the use of 425 jackpot machines. As is, more and more Sabahans are borrowing money from loan sharks for gambling, contributing to the problem of broken families.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for political will to address all these social problems. • Pray for churches to arise to help the government address some of these social problems. • Pray for the right kind of welfare homes with Christian values to disciple and transform victims of social ills so that they can be ‘overcomers’ and a positive influence in society.

A Godly Touch

The power of a godly touch. Have you known it? The doctor who treated you, or the teacher who dried your tears?  Was there a hand holding yours at a funeral?

Haven’t we known the power of a godly touch? Can’t we offer the same?

Some of you use your hands to pray for the sick. If you aren’t touching them personally, you’re writing notes, calling, baking pies.  You’ve learned the power of a touch.

But others tend to forget. Our hearts are good; it’s just that our memories are bad. We forget how significant one touch can be.

We fear saying the wrong thing, or using the wrong tone or acting the wrong way. So rather than do it incorrectly, we do nothing at all.

Aren’t we glad Jesus didn’t make the same mistake? Jesus touched the untouchables of the world. Will you do the same?

From: Cast of Characters

D16 : Lack of Development

Sabah was recognised as the richest – in terms of resources – of the four states that came together to form Malaysia in 1963. Today, Sabah ranks as the poorest state in Malaysia. Women, Family and Community Development Minister, Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil, said that there are presently 16,753 poor families with income of less than the minimum monthly income of RM3,102. There are also 15,293 hardcore poor households in Sabah. In 2009, 41% of Sabah’s land area was without piped water compared to 10% in the Peninsula, while 23% of areas in Sabah are without electricity compared to only 0.3% in the Peninsula. And yet, under the 9th Malaysia Plan (2006- 2010), Sabah was allocated only 8% of the total national budget resulting in Sabah having the largest number of people below the poverty line in Malaysia. Despite being oil and natural gas-rich, Sabah has been allocated only RM1,520.76 million of federal funds for for development in 2012, which is less than 3% of the total development budget of RM51 billion for the whole country.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray against nepotism and corruption by those in charge of developing the State. • Pray for God-fearing political leaders who are champions of the poor and marginalised. • Pray for Sabahans to shed their ‘laidback’ attitude and make their voices heard and issues addressed.

It Is Well With My Soul

Horatio Spafford (see below for story)

When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll;
Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say,
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Refrain:
It is well, (it is well),
With my soul, (with my soul)
It is well, it is well, with my soul.

Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul.

D15: Land Disputes

The Native Customary Rights (NCR) of indigenous land is protected in some ways in the Land Ordinance of Sabah. However, the Jubilee necessity of fallow land (leaving land to recuperate after several years of cultivation) is seldom recognised. Idle land is considered uncultivated land and is eyed by big companies. The Forest Enactment requires notices of any forested area to be gazetted as forest reserve (for logging or other development) to be posted to nearby communities to allow objections should any NCR lands be involved in the gazette. This procedure is often not followed and indigenous communities only come to know of the gazette when bulldozers arrive. Since 2002, the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) has received 1,098 complaints on infringement of customary lands with 824 complaints received from Sabah. The Sabah Government has proposed the issuance of communal land titles as a solution to disputes. Under this concept, a company will be appointed to develop the land and the natives as title holders of the communal land will get only 40% of profits earned. This proposal was opposed by the indigenous peoples because it is not in the spirit of NCR provided for in the Land Ordinance.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for justice in addressing this issue. • Pray for fair compensation to be given. • Pray for courage and wisdom for the lawyers championing NCR issues.

Nothing Compares With Him

To what can we compare God?  Who is like the Lord?

What you are to a paper airplane, God is to you.

Make one.  Challenge it to race you around the block.  Who’s faster?

Invite the airplane to a game of one-on-one basketball. Will you not dominate the court? And well you should.

The thing exists only because you formed it and flies only when someone throws it.

God asks Isaiah:  “To whom will you compare me?  Who is my equal?” As if his question needed an answer, he gives one: I am God.  I alone!  I am God, and there is no one else like me.

King David marveled, “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Where can I flee from Your presence?” (Psalm 139:7)

You and I may have power.  But God is power. No one and nothing compares with Him!

From: Cast of Characters

D14: Illegal Immigrants

Sabah now has a population of 3.2 million of which some 25% are foreigners. Sabah has called for the setting up of a Royal Commission of Inquiry to look into the gigantic problem of illegal immigrants in the State. The federal Cabinet has reportedly agreed and is working out the terms of reference. In 2009, Sabah was home to about 52,000 stateless children whose numbers are steadily increasing. This is mainly due to the influx of immigrants, often illegal. Majority of these undocumented children are not allowed in government schools and are often found working in fish markets or as shoe shine boys in the streets. The main contributing problem is the lax enforcement by the immigration department. Another cause of concern is the alleged granting of citizenship to illegal immigrants for political purposes.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for the speedy setting up of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into this problem. • Pray for stricter enforcement of border control to stem the influx of illegal immigrants. • Pray against any misuse of power in granting citizenship to illegal immigrants to be exposed and prosecuted. • Pray for effective and fair solutions for existing illegal immigrants in the state.

Your Family

Is your fantasy that your family will be like the Waltons? An expectation that your dearest friends will be your next of kin?  Jesus didn’t have that expectation.

Look how Jesus defined his family in Mark 3:35: “My true brother and sister and mother are those who do what God wants.”

He recognized that his spiritual family could provide what his physical family didn’t. If Jesus himself couldn’t force his family to share his convictions, what makes you think you can force yours?

We can’t control the way our family responds to us. We have to move beyond the naïve expectation that if we do good, our family will treat us right. I can’t assure you your family will ever give you the blessing you seek, but I know this- God will.

Accept God as your Father! Let God give you what your family doesn’t! 

From: Cast of Characters

D13: Hari Raya

Hari Raya Aidilfitri is a Muslim holiday that is celebrated by Muslims all over the world to mark the end of their fasting month. In Malaysia, Muslims start the day by wearing new clothes and congregating in mosques early in the morning for prayers followed by visits to the graves of the departed. The young will ask for forgiveness from their elders and homes will be open to relatives and friends. Plenty of traditional Malay delicacies are served during this festive season. The celebration lasts for a month but most of it is concentrated in the first three days. Muslims also give packets of money to children when they go visiting. Overall, Hari Raya Puasa is a joyous occasion for Muslims.

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for God to bless our Muslim neighbours. • Pray that they will also enter into Jubilee.

D12: Action

2012 is also the Jubilee year for Malaysia. What is it during this season of that God wants to release to the church? What has He anointed us to do? It is to bring good news to the poor, to bring justice to the nation, to be a light to the gentiles, to open the eyes of the blind and to free captives and release those who sit in darkness. To be anointed means we have God’s unction and authority to do all of the above. What has God laid on your heart to do after these 40 days of fasting and praying? In what ways can we bring light to the gentiles or justice and hope to the peoples, especially for those who are sitting in dungeons of darkness? Pray for the Spirit of the Lord to move us into action. Pray, too, for Christians whom God has placed in positions of authority and influence to that they will want God’s anointing for their tasks and never rely on their human strength.

I, the LORD, have called you in righteousness; I will take hold of your hand. I will keep you and will make you to be a covenant for the people and a light for the Gentiles, 7 to open eyes that are blind, to free captives from prison and to release from the dungeon those who sit in darkness. (Isa 42:6-7)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for God to anoint His church into action. • Pray for His church to be the agents and channels of His blessings.

Appreciate Up!

QUESTION:
I really think The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace would be helpful in my office, but my boss isn't interested. Is there any way you suggest I try to introduce them to him?

ANSWER:
This is a common issue raised, especially after I speak to a conference. A lot of people say to me, "My boss really needs this book, but I don't know how to tactfully introduce it to him."

We have found three different approaches that have been successful. First, go to the free resources section of the website and find an appropriate article that could be used to introduce the languages of appreciation, saying something like, "I saw this article and thought you might find it interesting." This often leads to at least a further discussion and allows you to share your thoughts.

A second approach is to talk to your boss and say, "I heard about this book that shows you how to encourage your colleagues without spending any money. I don't know if you are interested, but would you mind if I tried it out with a few of the team members? Then I can tell you if it is worthwhile or not." Almost always, the supervisor agrees - since there is no cost to them.

D11: Justice

How do we pray for Justice? We need two things. Firstly, identification with those who have no recourse to justice. Secondly, we need to agonise in prayer, crying on their behalf because the poor have no voice. An authority to speak out for justice will come as we pray as it is God’s will to bring about justice for his children who cry to him day and night. Will we cry both day and night on behalf of those who need to see the vindication of God upon their land?

And will not God bring about justice for his chosen ones, who cry out to him day and night? Will he keep putting them off? (Luke 18:7)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for the church to identify with those who are suffering and who are marginalised. • Pray for the church to cry for justice. • Pray for injustice to be removed from the land.

Worth Saving

No one believed in people more than Jesus did. He saw something in Peter worth developing, in the adulterous woman worth forgiving, and in John worth harnessing.

He saw something in the thief on the cross, and what he saw was worth saving. And in the life of a wild-eyed, bloodthirsty extremist, He saw the apostle of grace.  He believed in Saul.

Don’t give up on your Saul. When others write him off, give him another chance. Stay strong.  Call him brother.  Call her sister. It’s too soon to throw in the towel. Talk to your Saul about Jesus, and pray.

God is at work behind the scenes. And remember this:  God never sends you where he hasn’t already been.  By the time you reach your Saul, who knows what you’ll find.

God used Saul, who became Paul, to touch the world.

Has God given you a Saul?

From: Cast of Characters

D10: Faith

Unbelief is a hindrance to prayer. Jesus calls unbelief a perversity. When there is unbelief nothing can happen. Many of us may be discouraged because we may be facing personal challenges and unanswered prayers. Prayer always challenges our faith, yet without prayer, faith cannot be built! Jesus told his disciples that the only way the demon would come out is by prayer and fasting. It is only when we keep on praying that our faith grows. And our faith is in the Lord. It is not our prayer that will move the mountain but the God who called us to pray who will do it. If this is so then nothing is impossible! Will we keep on believing even in the face of these personal challenges? Will we allow God to give us a personal breakthrough so that we have faith to see a national breakthrough?

He replied, “Because you have so little faith. I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. (Matt 17:20)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for the Lord to forgive us of our unbelief. • Pray for the church to be tenacious in prayer and faith.

Warning! Beware of ‘Christian’ Con-Artists

A big percentage of ministry funds from the U.S. go down the drain because of corruption. Please use discernment when you give.

They called K.A. Paul “the Billy Graham of India.” During his heyday in the 1990s, some Christian leaders in the United States gave big donations to the evangelist, assuming he was using the money to feed thousands of orphans and widows.

As it turned out, most of the funds Paul raised were used to buy a huge 747 outfitted with a second-floor cabin that contained his own bed, complete with red and gold lamé bedspread. Paul flew the oversized aircraft to Third World nations where he grabbed as much publicity as possible by staging photo ops with politicians. He tried to convince them that his Houston-based organization, Gospel to the Unreached Millions, was alleviating world poverty.

“Missions work can be a deeply fulfilling experience when you work with the right people. Ask the Lord to connect you with leaders overseas who have humility, compassion and integrity, and trust Him to help you avoid religious traitors.”

In actuality, Paul was stealing from Christians to feed his monstrous ego.

When I visited India last week, I learned that Paul was arrested in May and is currently in jail in Andhra Pradesh. Authorities have charged that he hired a man to kill his own brother because the two were having a dispute over ministry properties. Now, this man who claimed to be a counselor to presidents and prime ministers has been placed in a mental hospital while he awaits trial.

To Know the Heart of the Pilot

Three passengers share a row of seats in an airplane. As the plane is taxiing for takeoff, their conversation turns to the topic of the airplane pilot.

Stunningly, passenger “A” doesn’t believe one exists. “No one flies the plane. We are guided by a computer system in the terminal. This plane is an occupied drone.  Why should I believe otherwise? The cockpit door is closed. Who can know? There is no pilot.”

Passenger “B” disagrees. “Oh, there is a pilot. Someone sits at the controls of the plane. But, once we take off, he takes a nap. He gets the plane in the air and then goes to sleep.”

The third passenger is shocked by what she hears. “You don’t know what you are talking about. First, there is a pilot. Second, the pilot is alert, competent and kind. I know; he is my husband. He is seasoned and sensitive and has every intention of a successful flight. We are in good hands.”

D9: Obedience

Spiritual authority comes from God Himself. But it does not come automatically. We gain spiritual authority when we wait, trust and obey God. Like Elijah, we too need to go through a process of trusting and obedience to gain spiritual authority. Why did God send Elijah to the brook that would dry up? Why not send him straight to the widow? Yet, these small steps of faith and obedience was God’s way of training him to move from one level of power to another. First, he faced the drought. Then, he had to face death. (1 Kings 17 : 17-21) As his faith in God grew so did his spiritual authority. When Elijah’s time came, he was ready to face the devil! (1 Kings 18) If we want to move in spiritual authority, we must learn to trust and obey Him even when we don’t understand. Will we continue to walk in obedience even when we don’t see the answers to prayers that we have prayed for?

I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. (Luke 10:19)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for the church to walk in faith and obedience. • Pray for the church to be empowered with authority.

Always Praying

Early Christians were urged by the apostle Paul to “pray without ceasing.” In Romans 12:12, Paul said: “always be prayerful. And in Ephesians 6:18, to “pray at all times and on every occasion.”

Unceasing prayer may sound complicated, but it needn’t be!

As you stand in line to register your car, think, “Thank you, Lord, for being here.”  In the grocery store as you shop. As you load the dishwasher, worship your Maker.

Brother Lawrence was a well-known saint who called himself the “lord of pots and pans.”  He wrote:  “The time of business does not with me differ from the time of prayer; and in the noise and clatter of my kitchen, I possess God in as great tranquility as if I were upon my knees at the blessed sacrament.”

Though a rookie in the League of Unceasing Prayer, I sure enjoy the result! I think you will too.

From: Come Thirsty

D8: Token or Tarrying Prayers

Token prayers are prayers where we set the time limit to pray. We even set the agenda and tell God what we want to see rather than wait upon Him to reveal what He is doing. Then we expect God to perform whatever we have prayed for. It is a man-centred form of intercession. In Luke 24:49 the Lord asks us to tarry until there we are clothed with power from on high. Nothing happens when there is no power from on high. The secret to powerful and effective prayer is tarrying with God in prayer until…. . This is what we call tarrying prayers. In tarrying prayers, God sets the time needed to wait upon Him. We do not know how long it will take but if we tarry, God will show His agenda and prepare us for what is about to come. Then at His set time we will experience a great influx of His power and authority and will have the ability to speak to mountains to be cast into the sea because we have received the authority to do so.

I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high. (Luke 24:49)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray that the church will rediscover the discipline of tarrying prayers. • Pray for a mighty outpouring of His Spirit as His church tarries in prayer.

Acknowledge His Presence

Do you desire power for your life?     It’ll come as Romans 12:18 instructs:  “As you do your part to live in peace with everyone, as much as possible.”

It’ll also come as you pray!

For ten days Jesus’ disciples prayed.  Ten days of prayer plus a few minutes of preaching led to three thousand saved souls.

We’re prone to pray for a few minutes and then preach for ten days! Not the apostles.  They lingered in Jesus’ presence.  They never left the place of prayer.

Sound burdensome? Are you wondering, my business needs attention, my children need dinner, my bills need paying. How can I stay in one place of prayer?

Do this. Change your definition of prayer. Think of it less as an activity for God and more as an awareness of God.

Acknowledge His presence everywhere you go!

From: Come Thirsty

Every Day- Closer to Home

Too seldom do I hear thunder and think “Is that God?”

I’ve been known to let a day pass, even two days, without a glance to the eastern sky. Let’s do better!

Colossians 3:2 reminds us to “Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.”

Blessings and burdens. Both can alarm-clock us out of slumber. Gifts stir homeward longings. So do struggles. Every homeless day carries us closer to the day our Father will come.

The Bible tells us God will wipe away all tears, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain.

All of that gone forever. Write checks of hope on this promise! With Paul in Romans 8:23, we “wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children.”

Every day—closer to home!

From: Come Thirsty

D7: Elijah

Elijah was a man just like us yet when he prayed the heavens opened and the earth yielded its fruits! Heaven responded to his cries, evil was driven away and righteousness was restored. He was powerful and effective because his prayer carried authority! How can we learn to pray with such authority? The first step Elijah took was to pray for his nation even though he was just a man. He never gave up despite of the condition of his nation. He kept on praying for his nation. Let us give ourselves no rest to pray for our nation. Even when the 40-Day Fast & Pray ends, let us continue to pray. Effective prayer requires us to get rid of our unwilling and apathetic spirit. May we repent of this and like Elijah, rise up take hold of the situation and pray! May we seek a total change in our attitude towards prayer and the nation.

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective. Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. (James 5:16-18)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for the Lord to remove the spirit of slumber and apathy from the church. • Pray for the church to be unceasing in prayer for the nation.

Every Day- Closer to Home

Too seldom do I hear thunder and think “Is that God?”

I’ve been known to let a day pass, even two days, without a glance to the eastern sky. Let’s do better!

Colossians 3:2 reminds us to “Let heaven fill your thoughts. Do not think only about things down here on earth.”

Blessings and burdens. Both can alarm-clock us out of slumber. Gifts stir homeward longings. So do struggles. Every homeless day carries us closer to the day our Father will come.

The Bible tells us God will wipe away all tears, there will be no more death, no more sorrow, no more crying, no more pain.

All of that gone forever. Write checks of hope on this promise! With Paul in Romans 8:23, we “wait anxiously for that day when God will give us our full rights as his children.”

Every day—closer to home!

From: Come Thirsty

D6: The Acceptable Year of the Lord

The Year of Jubilee is also equated with the Acceptable Year of the Lord. When Jesus began his ministry, he read the scriptures from Isaiah 61:1-2. There he declared that the Acceptable Year of the Lord had arrived. Then He went about healing the sick, making the lame walk, the blind to see, setting the oppressed free and offering God’s salvation and forgiveness to all who repented and believed. It was a period of great favour and grace. And that is what we desire for God to pour out throughout our nation during her Jubilee. May our nation experience His Jubilee and receive His salvation.

The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor (Luke 4:18)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for God’s favour to be upon the land. • Pray for a mighty outpouring of His Holy Spirit. • Pray for the manifestation of His power to set men and women free.

Sunday Sermon - 12-August-2012 - Ps. Mike Constantine

Speaker: Pastor Mike Constantine
Itinerant Preacher

http://www.mediafire.com/?319l26ush2j3646

D5: Rest

In the Year of Jubilee, God commands all work to cease. There is to be no sowing or reaping. No work is to be done. People are to rest in the Lord. And the Lord promised to bless the land so that all human needs would be provided. In the last couple of years, we have seen an increase of unrest and frustrations globally and in our nation. On the local front, the political scenario is becoming more and more dicey and dangerous. Irresponsible individuals recklessly use racial and religious issues to incite fear and hatred. All these have created a sense of uncertainty and tension. Let us pray that in our Year of Jubilee, we will find rest in God. Let us pray for the restoration of stability, peace and harmony in the nation.

The fiftieth year shall be a jubilee for you; do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. For it is a jubilee and is to be holy for you; eat only what is taken directly from the fields. (Lev 25:11-12)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for all divisions to be healed. • Pray for all strive, instigation and hatred to cease. • Pray for peace, harmony and goodwill to be restored in land.

Your Supervisor Really Isn't the One Who Wants to Support You

Back in the early stages of developing our materials for The 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace we were focused on managers and supervisory relationships, to the point that our initial "working title" of our inventory was the Managing by Appreciation Inventory (as opposed to the Motivating By Appreciation Inventory). But as we talked to friends, colleagues and clients in the world of work, the feedback they gave to us led us to conclude that focusing on managers and managerial-based relationships was too narrow - partly because many leaders and supervisors do not view themselves as managers (and thus, don't identify with the term.) Additionally, the phrase "Managing By Appreciation" felt controlling or manipulative to some, whereas motivating by appreciation had a less pejorative feel to it.

So we have proceeded to use the Motivating By Appreciation Inventory and model as we have worked with businesses, organizations, leaders and teams across the country. Our work has been well received and is growing in scope and impact (for example, medical practices, large corporations, government agencies, public schools, universities, manufacturing firms, insurance agencies, the military.)

But we also have been getting some interesting feedback as we listen to those with whom we work. One repeated message we are hearing is:

Supervisors are not necessarily the individuals most concerned about supporting and encouraging those with whom they work.

Heaven is Your Home

The dread of death ends when you know heaven is your true home! In all my air travels I’ve never seen one passenger weep when the plan landed.  Never.

No one clings to the armrests and begs, “Don’t’ make me leave! Let me stay and eat more peanuts!” We’re willing to exit because the plane has no permanent mailing address.

Nor does this world.

Paul said in Philippians 3:20:  “But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives.  And we are eagerly waiting for Him to return as our Savior.”

What about you? Is your fear of dying robbing your joy of living?

Romans 14:9 says, “Christ died and rose again for this very purpose, so that he might be Lord of those who are alive and of those who have died.”

In Christ, heaven is your home!

From: Come Thirsty

D4: Release

In the Year of Jubilee, God commands all Israelite slaves to be set free. They are to be released back to their home and family. They are servants of God delivered from Egypt and are not to be sold and oppressed as slaves. Today, slavery is still prevalent in our society. One of the worst forms of slavery is human trafficking. Children, women and men are traded and entered into forced, often sexual, labour. It has been reported that Malaysia is a well known destination and transit point for human trafficking. Poverty is also a form of slavery. Despite rapid national development, there are still many in both rural and urban areas who are enslaved by poverty, unable to provide for themselves and vulnerable to abuse. Slavery is also alive through unjust and repressive laws that deny personal freedom and promotes injustice. Let us pray that God will send release as we enter into our Jubilee.

‘If one of your countrymen becomes poor among you and sells himself to you, do not make him work as a slave. He is to be treated as a hired worker or a temporary resident among you; he is to work for you until the Year of Jubilee. Then he and his children are to be released, and he will go back to his own clan and to the property of his forefathers. (Lev 25:39-41)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for all who are bound in sin and the evil one to be liberated and set free. • Pray for the human trafficking network to be busted and those bound by it to be set free. • Pray for the cycle of poverty to be broken. • Pray for enslaving laws to be repealed.

We’re Made Whole

Sin sees the world with no God in it! Where we might think of sin as slip-ups or missteps, God views sin as a godless attitude that leads to godless actions.

Isaiah 53:6 says, “All of us have strayed away like sheep. We have left God’s paths to follow our own.”  Sin proclaims, “It’s your life, right?  Pump your body with drugs, your mind with greed, your nights with pleasure.”  The godless life is a a me-dominated, childish life, a life of doing what we feel like doing, whenever we feel like doing it.

God says to love.  I choose to hate. God instructs, forgive.  I opt to get even.  God calls for self-control.  I promote self-indulgence.  This is sin.

Jesus took the punishment for that sin, and made us whole. God has piled all our sins, everything we’ve done wrong on him.

Trust his work for you, then trust His work in you.

From: Come Thirsty

D3: Restoration

In the Year of Jubilee, God commands all lands to be restored to their original owners. Regardless of how they are lost, they are to be returned to their original owners. This is God’s way to ensure that the inheritance of each tribe is preserved for the following generation. In our national context, there is a great cry for restoration. Lands and wealth have been robbed, rights have been trampled on, institutions and administrations have been abused, and harmony has been neglected. Our children are at risk of inheriting a bankrupt, corrupt and divided nation. But the spirit of Jubilee presents a promise and opportunity to reverse these circumstances.

‘In this Year of Jubilee everyone is to return to his own property. (Lev 25:13)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray for stolen or lost lands, rights and wealth to be restored. • Pray for the wealth of our nation to be restored for the next generation.

One Scary Place

Here’s a test.   How far do you have to go to hear the reminder, “Be afraid?”

How near is your next, “You’re in trouble” memo? A flip of the newspaper page?  A turn of the radio dial?  A glance at the Internet?  According to the media the world is one scary place!

There’s a stampede of fear out there.  Let’s not get caught in it.  Let’s be among those who stay calm.  Acknowledge threats but refuse to be defined by them.  Let’s be numbered among those who hear a difference voice:  God’s!

Courage doesn’t panic, it prays.  Courage doesn’t bemoan, it believes.  Courage listens to the voice of God calling through Scripture,  “When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic.”

“Let not your heart be troubled.”

Trust these and other words from God.

Trust God and fear less!

From: Fearless 

D2: Fresh Start

In the Year of Jubilee, God commands three things to be done: Restoration, Release and Rest. All land must be returned to their original owners. All slaves are to be set free. And all work is to cease. In doing this, Israel and her people are re-established and given a fresh start for the next 50 years. Each one begins afresh with equal potential and opportunity to prosper. This is God’s desire. And this is what we need and desire to see happen as Malaysia enters her Jubilee. We want God to intervene and give her a fresh start for the good of the nation as a whole. Let us pray that our Jubilee will bring that restoration, release and rest needed for the nation.

 It shall be a jubilee for you; each one of you is to return to his family property and each to his own clan…. do not sow and do not reap what grows of itself or harvest the untended vines. (Lev 25:10-11)

Prayer Suggestions: • Pray that through this Jubilee God will restore, liberate and give rest to Malaysia. • Pray that through this Jubilee Malaysia will be realigned with God’s will and be changed for a fresh start.

The Day I Touched a Leper

A visit to a leper colony in India brought me face-to-face with my unwillingness to love.

After 10 days in India I was feeling homesick. But my host had arranged for one more important visit before my departure. We drove 45 minutes from Hyderabad to talk with some lepers who live in an abandoned building on the edge of the village of Madhapur. Pastor Paul, who leads a Pentecostal church nearby, invited us to help him give these desperately poor people new blankets to sleep on.

My friends, Raja and Sam, and I sat in plastic chairs in front of the crude concrete building, and the lepers gathered around us—sitting on dirty mats on the porch. I tried to focus my attention on their faces, but I couldn’t help but notice their gnarled hands and feet. Some of them were missing fingers and toes, while others had leathery scars on their necks and arms.

Flies were swarming everywhere. Something in the air made me itch.

"Christians can be as cruelly aloof as Hindus when we judge people rather than offer mercy. My experience in Madhapur made me realize that I’ve often blocked Jesus’ love because of ingrained prejudices or stupid fears."

I tried to hide the sadness I felt by engaging the lepers in conversation. They told me how painful their disease is, and how many years they had suffered with it. They explained why the building was abandoned (a Hindu charity established the home, but then stopped funding it.) Then one infected woman pointed to the man next to her and explained that they met and married while living as lepers—and that their son who was born in the facility does not have the disease.

D1: Jubilee

The Lord commanded Israel to observe the Jubilee every 50th year of their nationhood. On 16 September, Malaysia celebrates her 49th anniversary as a nation but also begins her 50th year. While we are not bound to such observance, Jubilee is a reflection of all that God desires for all people and nation and of what He will eventually establish for eternity. When Jesus died and was resurrected, He made the way for mankind to enter into Jubilee, a rest for all people. Many are still bound by sin and to the evil one in our nation. Corruption, evil and crime are still prevalent in our land. But Jesus liberates and provides for our Jubilee! As God commanded Israel to declare every 50th year as the Year of Jubilee, we believe that it is also what God desires for all Malaysians. So let’s pray and believe for all to experience the blessings of Jubilee as Malaysia enters into her 50th year.

Consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee for you. (Lev 25:10)

Prayer Suggestions: • Thank God for the last 49 years of His faithfulness. • Consecrate the coming 50th year as holy unto the Lord. • Pray that God will release liberty upon all Malaysians.

5 Truths About God’s Will

from Charisma Magazine by info@strang.com (Daniel Kolenda)

The will of God can be simultaneously wonderful and confusing to those who seek after Him—which is why recognizing its characteristics is essential to understanding God’s will. Here’s some help.

A farmer in North Carolina lived on a beautiful farm that his family owned for many decades. When he died, his property—after being in the family for more than 200 years—was sold to one of the neighbors.

As the new owner was walking in the field, he saw a large, unusual-looking rock just barely sticking out of the dirt. He took it home, washed it and took it to a jewelry store. The jeweler confirmed what the owner already suspected: The old stone that had been in the field for thousands of years was a large, uncut emerald that has since proved to be worth several million dollars!

This gemstone was in that field all along just waiting for someone to come along and “discover” it. Undoubtedly, the emerald had been seen thousands of times before, but it was overlooked because it appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary rock.

When we “discover” something, we are finding something that already exists, though we were unaware of it previously. And while many people are desperately seeking God’s will for their lives, the reality is that often what they are looking for is right under their nose—but they continue to look for it because they don’t recognize it.

Life Stinks

Yes, life stinks. But it won’t forever!

As one of my friends likes to say “Everything will work out in the end. If it’s not working out, it’s not the end.”

In the meantime, don’t over-react! Psalm 37:7 reminds us, “Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for Him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes.”

Avoid Pollyanna optimism. But neither do we join the Chicken Little chorus of gloom and doom. “The sky is falling.” “The sky is falling!”

Somewhere between Pollyanna and Chicken Little, between denial and blatant panic, stands the follower of Christ.

Psalm 27:3 says, “My heart shall not fear—though war arise against me, yes, I will be confident!”

Confident in Him.

The Plan For a Gay (Domi) Nation - 3

Understand that the effort to legislate special rights for gays and lesbians has nothing to do with protecting homosexuals in the workplace or elsewhere. Homosexuals are already protected by law, just like everyone else. The push for special rights legislation is, in reality, nothing more than an effort to legitimize and respectabilize (to use Gershon Legman’s word) the homosexual lifestyle.

Wherever governments, corporations or municipalities have enacted measures that grant special rights to homosexuals, those who hold to traditional moral values and Christian beliefs have been subjected to discrimination, physical and emotional abuse, fines, sensitivity training, and in some cases even imprisonment. Make no mistake, civil rights for homosexuals is a one-way street: Freedom for me, but not for thee. And when homosexuality is promoted by society, Christians and other moral conservatives will no longer be able to express their beliefs in public.

You Are Not Born Gay
Let me be quick to say that I do not hate homosexuals. I know there are many caring and well-meaning men and women trapped in the homosexual lifestyle who would give anything to be free of it. I know there are sons and daughters who pray daily for deliverance and forgiveness but can’t break their habits and addictions. I also know there are some who actually do break with the lifestyle for a time, only to slip back; for them homosexuality has become a nightmare with no end. All these men and women have my deepest compassion and prayers, and I hope that my words, while unapologetic in portraying the sin of the homosexual agenda, will not weaken the spirits of those on the verge of transformation but will help spark a renewed commitment and even greater resolve to seek a way of escape.

The Plan For a Gay (Domi) Nation - 2

Overt Operation?
Some might argue that there’s nothing wrong with teaching kids about diversity, just as it’s only fair to include and encourage gays and lesbians in the workplace, where they can make a positive contribution. Though well meaning, that view misses the point entirely. The homosexual agenda has nothing to do with making a positive contribution. Furthermore, gay rights activists will never settle for a “live and let live” role. Their goal is to enforce acceptance and legitimization of their lifestyle and to overpower and overwhelm by sheer force anyone who dares to stand in their way.

This is not merely my opinion; it’s what homosexual activists have said about their own game plan. They have a strategic marketing plan to promote homosexuality and to vilify their enemies. That plan has been outlined and published in multiple places, including Guide magazine in November 1987, and it makes for some pretty eye-opening reading.

In “The Overhauling of Straight America,” homosexual activists Marshall Kirk and Erastes Pill describe several strategies that homosexuals can use to push their way onto center stage. Among their directives:

“Portray gays as victims, not as aggressive challengers. ... Mr. and Mrs. Public must be given no extra excuses to say, ‘They are not like us.’ ... Our campaign should not demand direct support for homosexual practices, but should instead take antidiscrimination as its theme. ... Make the victimizers look bad. ... The public should be shown images of ranting homophobes whose secondary traits and beliefs disgust middle America. These images might include: the Ku Klux Klan demonstrating that gays be burned alive or castrated; bigoted southern ministers drooling with hysterical hatred to a degree that looks both comical and deranged; menacing pugs, thugs and convicts speaking coolly about the ‘fags’ they have killed or would like to kill; a tour of Nazi concentration camps where homosexuals were tortured and gassed.”

The Plan For a Gay (Domi) Nation - 1

LOUIS P. SHELDON

Despite representing only 2 percent of the population, the radical homosexual agenda continues to change America. Can the church stem the moral tide?

Last year alumni from Wheaton College—what used to be the heart of conservative evangelicalism—made headlines for forming an organization to not only support the gay community, but also to promote the belief that homosexuality and Christianity are compatible. As on Christian college campuses throughout the United States, they have once again succeeded in convincing believers that Jesus’ command to “love your neighbor” means turning a blind eye to what the Bible explicitly calls an “abomination.”

“They” aren’t just Wheaton alumni or those who have formed similar groups—both official and unofficial—at Baylor, Harding, Samford, Seattle Pacific and a host of other universities and colleges. They would be the activists who have masterfully driven the gay agenda for more than 30 years and, with remarkable success and precision, changed our nation’s cultural mindset on homosexuality.

In 2008, Newsweek Religion Editor Lisa Miller wrote about “Joining the ‘Out’ Club” and wondered if Christian colleges might be “the last bastion of traditional values” standing amid these cultural changes: “As homosexuality ceases to be a cultural taboo, evangelicals increasingly have had to grapple openly with the question of how to deal with the gays and lesbians in their midst. Now, even on very conservative Christian campuses, there are gays who are ‘out’ and who want their authority figures to recognize them—and their sexuality—as deserving of God’s love.”

Chapters in Life

Certain chapters in this life seem so unnecessary—like nostrils on the pre-born. Like suffering.  Loneliness.  Disease. Holocausts.  Martyrdom.  Hurricanes, earthquakes and monsoons.

If we assume this world exists just for pre-grave happiness, these atrocities disqualify it from doing so!  But what if this earth is the womb?  Might these challenges, severe as they may be, serve to prepare us, equip us for the world to come?

The apostle Paul wrote in 2nd Corinthians 4:17:  “These little troubles are getting us ready for an eternal glory that will make all our troubles seem like nothing.”

Eternal glory?  I’d like a large cup of that,  wouldn’t you?

Everything in this life is preparing us for the next.

What Matters Most

It’s been here since they were both born.
 

The incessant need to constantly compare them to other kids. Are they sleeping like normal kids? Are they crawling or walking when they should? Are they talking when they should be?

And I see this starting to escalate as David is getting to the preschool age. I see some kids his age reading and he barely knows his letters (not for a lack of trying on my part) and I have panic attacks. What if he is behind? I feel like I’m constantly trying to get around other almost 3 year olds and listen to them talk to see where he is. And the same for Fiona. Why is she not talking more? It keeps me up at night sometimes worried about how each of them will do as they grow up.

This has just been on my mind SO much lately, but I am trying hard to set my “momma mind and heart” and focus on this:

I honestly have never had the desire (even before I had kids) for them to be the smartest kids at school. I would love it if they were, but that just doesn’t seem like the most important thing to me. I don’t need them to be super athletes – but if they were, I would be proud I’m sure. I know kids all develop at different rates.

Pastors’ Prayer Shield

Praying Daily For Our Pastors & Leaders

Jesus promised in Matt 16:18 ‘I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it’. He has entrusted the Church into the hands of our Pastors and Church leaders. He is ever jealous of His Church and He has given pastors and leaders authoritative anointing to raise a Church that glorifies His name, and to be a strong army that does not break ranks. They are our commanders - our shepherds, pastors, teachers, friends, counsellors, mediators, mentors, advisors - with Jesus as chief. Indeed, they are a unique people; people of power and of praise. They move in love, speak in peace and rejoice in hope. Yet, as much has been given, much is required.

The signs of end-times cannot be ignored. There are wars and rumours of wars; further challenges and persecution await. And yet our pastors must remain strong, vigilant, unshakeable and unmoveable. Everything rises and falls on leadership. Zech 13:7 says ‘Strike the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered’. Just as rice is our staple food, so prayer for our pastors should also be part of our everyday prayer. 2 Thess 3:1 reminds us to pray for them. We need to pray for them and we will see God’s hand shaping our pastors.With the anointing that God has given them and our prayers backing them up, may they lead an “army of God” to push every spiritual frontier and see God’s kingdom come and His will be done in our land.

By Nicole Tang, SIB KL

From Poverty to Pride

There’s a predictable progression from poverty to pride.  The poor man prays and works; God hears and blesses.  The humble man becomes rich and forgets God.  The faithful, poor man becomes the proud, rich man.

As God said through Hosea, “When I fed them, they were satisfied; when they were satisfied, they became proud; then they forgot me.” (Hosea 13:6)

How can a person survive prosperity?  Scripture says, do not be haughty!  Don’t think for a moment that you had anything to do with your accumulation.

Scripture also makes clear that your stocks, cash, and 401k are not yours.

1st Timothy 6:17 warns us, “do not put your trust in uncertain riches.”

Money is an untrustworthy foundation.

Have you noticed that the word “miser” is just one letter short of the word “misery!”

How a Little Girl From India Rocked My World

I always get my biggest attitude adjustments when I see Third World poverty.

The Lord often provides me with a big, fat dose of reality when I travel overseas. It happened this week in India when I looked into the frightened face of Divya, a frail 4-year-old girl. Just a few days ago her poor parents abandoned her in Tanuku, in eastern Andhra Pradesh, because they already had three daughters. They wanted a son.

So they dumped their child on the side of a road.

"I believe God is calling all of us to renounce our self-absorbed American prosperity religion so we can hear the cries around us. Let’s stop whining and be thankful."

When I met little Divya she would not smile no matter how much I coaxed her. She was traumatized. My friend Raja, who found her and took her to the girls’ home he runs with his wife, said Divya had not spoken in four days.

“She usually cries herself to sleep at night,” Raja said. “She doesn't understand what is happening.”

There are already more than 30 girls living in Raja’s house—and all of them have similar stories. Some were orphaned when their parents died, but many were abandoned because they live in a culture that devalues females. Two of the girls were found alive in trash bins when they were infants.Raja has also found a few dead baby girls in roadside trash piles. Pigs had eaten parts of their bodies.

Hope of Jubilee

Forward by Rev. Chan Theam Lai, NECF Secretary General

The Jubilee celebration for Malaysia begins on 16 September 2012 and Christians are looking forward to a great year of divine intervention to bring forth multiple blessings to the nation. From historical records and the study on Leviticus 25, Jubilee is the 50th year under God’s covenant with the people for the release of debts, the return of those in slavery, and the restoration of land back to its original owners. Jubilee is thus a system within Israelite society for transformation, renewal and blessings that will bring forth hope and rest to the nation.

Having faced one contentions issue after another regarding the Christian faith over the last 12 months, we await a refreshing touch from God to lift us up beyond our human concerns. Equality and religious liberty are the missing factors that cause many citizens to examine the constitution to seek fairness against injustice and an oppressive system. Nevertheless, in the midst of our frustrations as we face unending attacks on our faith, God is good as He rains the hope and promises of Jubilee upon the Christian community. We look to God knowing that He is sovereign and will intervene as we submit and obey His call to us in this nation.

Giving Characterizes God

Scrooge didn’t create the world—God did!

Giving characterizes God’s creation. From the first page of Scripture, God produces in pluralities. Every gift arrives in bulk, multiples, and medleys.

Psalm 104 celebrates this lavish creation with twenty-three verses of blessings: the heavens and the earth, the water and streams and trees and birds and oil and bread.  It continues by saying God is the source of  “innumerable teeming things, living things both small and great.  These all wait for Him, that He may give them their food in due season.”

 And He does.  God is the great giver.  The great provider.  The fount of every blessing.  Absolutely generous and utterly dependable.

 The resounding and recurring message of Scripture is clear:

God owns it all.  God shares it all.  1st Timothy 6:17 says we’re not to trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God.

Trust Him—not stuff!