by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Our Father longs for the hearts and minds of young adults. This generation of youths who have great potential and resources, are the most untapped or un-used as they are busy with their careers or find church not relevant. When they are captured and captivated, they will be world changers, fulfilling God's destiny for their lives and calling for His Kingdom purposes. Daniel 11:32b will be fulfilled when we know God intimately and are moved by God-powered desires! Let this generation's allegiance and priority be aligned to Him. When we place Him continually in the centre of our hearts, we will walk as a generation who makes a difference for His Kingdom's purposes.
Reflection: Col 3:1-2, John 4:34. Jesus came with a mission to do the will of His Father. What is your mission and purpose in life? Commit to the Lord and ask Him for the hunger to know Him intimately. Confess and renounce ways in which other matters have captured our hearts such that our allegiance and priority have shifted from our Lord. Receive His grace and the strength to reorder your life. Seek counsel and support from your elders.
Prayer Points
■ Believers will be awakened to their hope, calling and purpose. Set free from aimlessness and purposelessness.
■ Churches will birth relevant and creative ministries, that spiritual gifts will be uncovered and developed to serve the church and non-believers in our workplace and communities.
■ Spiritual fathers and mothers to arise in churches, to model Christ-likeness for the young adults in family life, work and service unto the Lord. They will submit to the Lord with regards to life partners and honour Him by their purity and faithfulness.
■ Young adults of all races to channel their idealism and passion appropriately and the Lord to harness them to be a mighty force to birth forth prayer cells to impact all realms of influence towards nation transformation!
Wednesday, 18 August 2010
When the Generation Gap Comes to Church
Rachel Boehm Van Harmelen (from HERE)
(Article first appeared in the June 22, 2009 issue of the Christian Courier)
“No longer just a problem for families, the generation gap has donned casual business attire and come to work,” state Beverly Kaye, Devon Scheef and Diane Thielfoldt in their article entitled “Engaging the Generations.” According to these authors, an organization that fails to actively engage across generations fails to thrive. When cultural generations clash in a workplace, the results often include conflict, misunderstanding and miscommunication. Talented workers leave for greener pastures, and those who remain lose their motivation. Workplace morale takes a dive.
It is not only businesses that can suffer from generational disharmony. When the generation gap comes to church, it can wreak havoc with a congregational’s well-being and long-term sustainability.
Rev. Adrian Van Giessen, Regional Team Leader – Eastern Canada for Christian Reformed Home Missions, believes that the church, like other organizations, has good reasons to be concerned about multigenerational engagement. But the church’s reasons are rooted, first and foremost, in God’s Word. “Using the analogy that Paul uses in Romans 12 of the church as a body, a healthy church not only recognizes different spiritual gifts as important but also the experiences and wisdom that various generations bring to the body,” Van Giessen says.
“There is a human tendency for each generation to believe and act like the church exists just for them,” Van Giessen says. Programs like girls and boys clubs, youth groups, women’s and men’s Bible Studies, seniors’ activities and Sunday Schools have sprung up over the years, targeting specific generations with age-appropriate programming. These programs are important and necessary in nurturing people along their faith journeys, but now many churches are seeking a place where they can bring the generations back together.
Multigenerational Worship
“Members representing different stages and ages in their faith journey ought to learn from one another,” says Irene Bakker, a member of Hebron Christian Reformed Church in Whitby, Ontario. Bakker chairs a committee in her church that was established to plan multigenerational worship. Hebron’s leaders identified a need for parents and children, young and old, youth and seniors, to engage in “spiritual conversations” across generations. Worship seemed like a good place to start that dialogue.
“Worship is one setting where we may have as many as four or five generations present in the same space,” says Bakker. “Worship plays a key role in our faith formation, and multigenerational communal worship more accurately reflects the unity and diversity of the body of Christ.”
Bakker and her committee intentionally design worship with all generations in mind. The committee itself has members representing all the different generations in the church, something that Bakker says has led to many interesting conversations as services are planned.
“We have a large range of ages in our congregation and many different musical tastes,” Bakker says. “One of the most challenging aspects has been finding songs that all generations know and sing well. In addition, it has been difficult to engage both children and mature seniors with the same sermon.”
But the intentionality of their worship design is having a positive impact, and the blessings for the church are clear. Bakker says the church has seen a new eagerness in young people coming to worship. From handing out bulletins to collecting the offering and helping to write songs, they participate in worship, are blessed and are a blessing to others. Because the committee incorporates worship activities that appeal to diverse learning styles and life experiences – from drama to art – a broader range of individuals can now use their gifts within the worship service and beyond.
A Common Mission
Van Giessen believes that efforts like Hebron’s to bridge the generation gap can go a long way to strengthening churches. “As a church planter who has spent a lot of time in emerging churches, I’ve seen and experienced the blessings that come when people, old and young, work side by side on a common mission. When people from all age groups are involved in a shared mission and recognize the need for various gifts and experiences to help make that work, ministry flourishes and generational differences seem to melt away.”
The sense of Kingdom completeness that comes when generational boundaries are blurred is rooted in Scripture. “God’s Kingdom includes all ages. From generation to generation – the Scriptures tell us – we are blessed and enriched by each other’s perspectives,” says Rev. Karen Wilk, Pastor of Community Life and Discipleship at The River CRC in Edmonton, Alberta.
A few years ago, Wilk participated in a Sustaining Pastoral Excellence peer learning group with colleagues from other Christian Reformed Churches in her region. Together, Wilk and her peers explored the topic of multigenerational ministry. “This really helped us think through the Biblical, theological grounding for being multigenerational,” says Wilk. The pastors who participated in the group continue to reap the rewards of applying their learnings within their congregations, says Wilk. “It has helped us keep other age groups in mind when planning and thinking about church life.”
Multigenerational ministry is something that comes quite naturally in a newly established church like The River CRC, says Wilk, but it is crucial for any church’s ministry—even older, more established churches. “Multigenerational ministry is in our DNA,” she says. “We have youth in our worship bands, doing audio-visual, leading children’s ministry, and participating with our service projects.”
Mentoring
Connecting old and young across the generations also presents valuable opportunities for mentoring within churches, says Van Giessen. “Especially among the younger generations, like the Millennials, there is a hunger and deep desire to walk and live closely with older folks who are willing to love and affirm them.”
In their article, “Engaging the Generation,” Kaye, Scheef and Thielfoldt suggest that informal mentoring allows for the transfer of new skills and insights—something that is desperately needed in the church today. But the authors warn leaders not to think of cross-generational mentoring as a one-way street. While retired church members representing “The Silent Generation” or “The Boomers” can mentor younger people, youth also have skills to share. For instance, technically-literate Millennials can teach older members a thing or two about harnessing the power of the internet to accomplish ministry goals. Gen Xers may challenge authority and rules but they bring intention to vision and purpose within a congregation’s ministry.
What the Holy Spirit Intends
Bridging generation gaps in the church may seem like a lot of work, but the rewards will be worth it. It will foster unity and provide a purpose that is larger than any individual generation’s hopes and experiences.
“Through multigenerational ministry, the church can begin to experience what the Holy Spirit intends for us all,” says Van Giessen, “to be a body of diverse yet unified people.”
(Article first appeared in the June 22, 2009 issue of the Christian Courier)
“No longer just a problem for families, the generation gap has donned casual business attire and come to work,” state Beverly Kaye, Devon Scheef and Diane Thielfoldt in their article entitled “Engaging the Generations.” According to these authors, an organization that fails to actively engage across generations fails to thrive. When cultural generations clash in a workplace, the results often include conflict, misunderstanding and miscommunication. Talented workers leave for greener pastures, and those who remain lose their motivation. Workplace morale takes a dive.
It is not only businesses that can suffer from generational disharmony. When the generation gap comes to church, it can wreak havoc with a congregational’s well-being and long-term sustainability.
Rev. Adrian Van Giessen, Regional Team Leader – Eastern Canada for Christian Reformed Home Missions, believes that the church, like other organizations, has good reasons to be concerned about multigenerational engagement. But the church’s reasons are rooted, first and foremost, in God’s Word. “Using the analogy that Paul uses in Romans 12 of the church as a body, a healthy church not only recognizes different spiritual gifts as important but also the experiences and wisdom that various generations bring to the body,” Van Giessen says.
“There is a human tendency for each generation to believe and act like the church exists just for them,” Van Giessen says. Programs like girls and boys clubs, youth groups, women’s and men’s Bible Studies, seniors’ activities and Sunday Schools have sprung up over the years, targeting specific generations with age-appropriate programming. These programs are important and necessary in nurturing people along their faith journeys, but now many churches are seeking a place where they can bring the generations back together.
Multigenerational Worship
“Members representing different stages and ages in their faith journey ought to learn from one another,” says Irene Bakker, a member of Hebron Christian Reformed Church in Whitby, Ontario. Bakker chairs a committee in her church that was established to plan multigenerational worship. Hebron’s leaders identified a need for parents and children, young and old, youth and seniors, to engage in “spiritual conversations” across generations. Worship seemed like a good place to start that dialogue.
“Worship is one setting where we may have as many as four or five generations present in the same space,” says Bakker. “Worship plays a key role in our faith formation, and multigenerational communal worship more accurately reflects the unity and diversity of the body of Christ.”
Bakker and her committee intentionally design worship with all generations in mind. The committee itself has members representing all the different generations in the church, something that Bakker says has led to many interesting conversations as services are planned.
“We have a large range of ages in our congregation and many different musical tastes,” Bakker says. “One of the most challenging aspects has been finding songs that all generations know and sing well. In addition, it has been difficult to engage both children and mature seniors with the same sermon.”
But the intentionality of their worship design is having a positive impact, and the blessings for the church are clear. Bakker says the church has seen a new eagerness in young people coming to worship. From handing out bulletins to collecting the offering and helping to write songs, they participate in worship, are blessed and are a blessing to others. Because the committee incorporates worship activities that appeal to diverse learning styles and life experiences – from drama to art – a broader range of individuals can now use their gifts within the worship service and beyond.
A Common Mission
Van Giessen believes that efforts like Hebron’s to bridge the generation gap can go a long way to strengthening churches. “As a church planter who has spent a lot of time in emerging churches, I’ve seen and experienced the blessings that come when people, old and young, work side by side on a common mission. When people from all age groups are involved in a shared mission and recognize the need for various gifts and experiences to help make that work, ministry flourishes and generational differences seem to melt away.”
The sense of Kingdom completeness that comes when generational boundaries are blurred is rooted in Scripture. “God’s Kingdom includes all ages. From generation to generation – the Scriptures tell us – we are blessed and enriched by each other’s perspectives,” says Rev. Karen Wilk, Pastor of Community Life and Discipleship at The River CRC in Edmonton, Alberta.
A few years ago, Wilk participated in a Sustaining Pastoral Excellence peer learning group with colleagues from other Christian Reformed Churches in her region. Together, Wilk and her peers explored the topic of multigenerational ministry. “This really helped us think through the Biblical, theological grounding for being multigenerational,” says Wilk. The pastors who participated in the group continue to reap the rewards of applying their learnings within their congregations, says Wilk. “It has helped us keep other age groups in mind when planning and thinking about church life.”
Multigenerational ministry is something that comes quite naturally in a newly established church like The River CRC, says Wilk, but it is crucial for any church’s ministry—even older, more established churches. “Multigenerational ministry is in our DNA,” she says. “We have youth in our worship bands, doing audio-visual, leading children’s ministry, and participating with our service projects.”
Mentoring
Connecting old and young across the generations also presents valuable opportunities for mentoring within churches, says Van Giessen. “Especially among the younger generations, like the Millennials, there is a hunger and deep desire to walk and live closely with older folks who are willing to love and affirm them.”
In their article, “Engaging the Generation,” Kaye, Scheef and Thielfoldt suggest that informal mentoring allows for the transfer of new skills and insights—something that is desperately needed in the church today. But the authors warn leaders not to think of cross-generational mentoring as a one-way street. While retired church members representing “The Silent Generation” or “The Boomers” can mentor younger people, youth also have skills to share. For instance, technically-literate Millennials can teach older members a thing or two about harnessing the power of the internet to accomplish ministry goals. Gen Xers may challenge authority and rules but they bring intention to vision and purpose within a congregation’s ministry.
What the Holy Spirit Intends
Bridging generation gaps in the church may seem like a lot of work, but the rewards will be worth it. It will foster unity and provide a purpose that is larger than any individual generation’s hopes and experiences.
“Through multigenerational ministry, the church can begin to experience what the Holy Spirit intends for us all,” says Van Giessen, “to be a body of diverse yet unified people.”
The Generations in Your Church Today*
A cultural generation is a cohort of people whose youth was shaped by a particular set of events and trends. Because of these shared experiences, cultural generations develop similar values and approaches toward life.
The Silent Generation (born between 1933 and 1945)
This generation grew up in the years following the Great Depression. The harsh economic climate of childhood taught them discipline and self-sacrifice. Over the course of their lives, this generation saw their affluence increase. They tend to be team players who are loyal to organizations. They have a huge knowledge legacy to share and a strong work ethic.
The Baby Boomers (born between 1946 and 1964)
Boomers grew up in a time of unprecedented economic prosperity and post-war hopefulness. They were typically raised in nuclear families, most often with a stay-at-home mom. Boomers worked hard and were rewarded for it. They tend to be optimistic and driven by success. Because of their sheer numbers (they are the largest generation alive today), they have dominated the workforce for decades. Boomers excel in tackling issues and finding solutions.
Generation X (born between 1965 and 1976)
Divorce and working moms became the new normal for this generation, and many in this generation demonstrate characteristics of independence, resiliency and flexibility. Gen Xers came of age during a major recession. They saw their parents laid off after decades of service. Many graduated from university to find few jobs and opportunities. As a result, Gen Xers became loyal, not to organizations, but rather to their work, their team or their boss. Gen Xers thrive in situations that minimize rules and maximize flexibility and participation. They value feedback and are looking for meaning in their work.
The Millennials (born between 1977 and 1998)
Raised in a child-centric world, this generation has been showered with attention and held in high regard by the adults in their lives. As a result, they are self-confident and achievement-oriented. Technology has surrounded them from birth, and they are more techno-savvy than any previous generation. Their parents involved them in many social, sports and school activities, and they are masters in multi-tasking. They thrive in teams and expect structure.
*Adapted from descriptions of generations provided in “Engaging the Generations” (Beverly Kaye, Devon Sheef and Diane Thielfoldt) and “What You Need to Know about Mentoring the New Generations” (Devon Sheef and Diane Thielfoldt)
Tuesday, 17 August 2010
Day 10 (Tuesday 17 August) - Youth Power
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Never before have we experienced a wave of young people rising up in prayer, reaching out in compassion for the welfare of the nation. This is just the tip of the iceberg; we have yet to see the fullness of that which is to come. As we enter this critical hour, may His Spirit accelerate the stirring of His call to these young generations to live out their destiny in pursuit of a lifestyle of holiness that is grounded in His Word and to give Him wholehearted devotion until they come forth into His fullness.
For the church, we need to equip, empower and commission this generation to have, alongside their parents, a passion for Jesus and pursue a supernatural empowering of the Holy Spirit to fulfil His purpose. Let us not stand in the way to hinder them but release them to the Lord!
Reflection: Eph 3:16-20. How deep is your root in Christ? Do you have difficulty in communicating with youths/young adults? Use the verses to pray for the youths and for yourself.
Prayer Points
■ An outpouring of His love and power to come upon this generation that they will set themselves apart for Him and excel in His excellence. An increased hunger for the knowledge of God through His Word. Many secondary students will take up Bible Knowledge in schools.
■ Neutralize all assignments of the enemy and the prevailing trends that seek to corrupt and enslave this generation. Smoking, drug addiction, pornography, homosexuality, materialism, cyber games, gangsterism… etc
■ Godly role model who will lead, guide and mentor them. Uphold youth pastors and workers who work among them.
■ Powerful student movement among Christian youths. Raising up a band of witnesses to champion Christ in schools, colleges, vocational schools and universities . Establishing strong Christian fellowships and prayer cells.
Never before have we experienced a wave of young people rising up in prayer, reaching out in compassion for the welfare of the nation. This is just the tip of the iceberg; we have yet to see the fullness of that which is to come. As we enter this critical hour, may His Spirit accelerate the stirring of His call to these young generations to live out their destiny in pursuit of a lifestyle of holiness that is grounded in His Word and to give Him wholehearted devotion until they come forth into His fullness.
For the church, we need to equip, empower and commission this generation to have, alongside their parents, a passion for Jesus and pursue a supernatural empowering of the Holy Spirit to fulfil His purpose. Let us not stand in the way to hinder them but release them to the Lord!
Reflection: Eph 3:16-20. How deep is your root in Christ? Do you have difficulty in communicating with youths/young adults? Use the verses to pray for the youths and for yourself.
Prayer Points
■ An outpouring of His love and power to come upon this generation that they will set themselves apart for Him and excel in His excellence. An increased hunger for the knowledge of God through His Word. Many secondary students will take up Bible Knowledge in schools.
■ Neutralize all assignments of the enemy and the prevailing trends that seek to corrupt and enslave this generation. Smoking, drug addiction, pornography, homosexuality, materialism, cyber games, gangsterism… etc
■ Godly role model who will lead, guide and mentor them. Uphold youth pastors and workers who work among them.
■ Powerful student movement among Christian youths. Raising up a band of witnesses to champion Christ in schools, colleges, vocational schools and universities . Establishing strong Christian fellowships and prayer cells.
Monday, 16 August 2010
22-Aug-10
Tom C.
Foong Yee
Jocelyn C., Siew Pin, Gigi Lim
Jocelyn Lee, Jacinta Lee
Anna Sim, Prisca
Darren
Terry C.
Tommy Q., Manjit Singh
Foong Yee
Jocelyn C., Siew Pin, Gigi Lim
Jocelyn Lee, Jacinta Lee
Anna Sim, Prisca
Darren
Terry C.
Tommy Q., Manjit Singh
Day 9 (Monday 16 August) - Spiritual Shepherds
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter. The enemy knows where to strike. Pastors, elders and church leaders are often the chief targets of the enemy's attack. Spiritual leaders are not super-beings. They have their needs, limitations and weaknesses. In addition, the ministry has become more and more complex and challenging. To be effective servants of God, they need the affirmation, assistance, support and encouragement from the Body. Their success will in turn result in the success of the Body and the Church! Believers, let us arise and be committed to pray daily for our spiritual leaders to make the difference.
Reflection: Mark 14:27, Hebrews 13:17. As leaders are the prime target of the enemy, how often do you pray for your pastor, elder or leader? Do you hold any grudge, anger or frustration against your spiritual leader? Take this time to confess to the Lord and ask Him to cleanse and heal every offence and hurt.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for pastors, elders, spiritual leaders for their sacrifices to obey the call of God in their lives. Renewing of their passion and intimacy with the Lord. Strengthening of their relationship with their spouses and children.
■ Confess and repent of church disunity; renounce every strife, contention, disunity, slandering, murmuring, envy, jealousy, backbiting, pride and rebellious spirit. Healing, restoration and reconciliation of every broken relationship. Unity, love and forgiveness to prevail in all local churches.
■ Support & strong relationship between shepherd and sheep.
■ Thank the Lord for unity among all denominations that they will continue to stand together as ONE mighty force and voice for the nation. Bless all the spiritual heads of each denomination for greater wisdom and anointing to prepare and empower their churches for what is to come.
- One heart with a united vision and purpose to build God's kingdom.
- A strong network of churches in united effort in sharing resources and manpower in community projects to reach out to the lost.
Strike the shepherd and the sheep will scatter. The enemy knows where to strike. Pastors, elders and church leaders are often the chief targets of the enemy's attack. Spiritual leaders are not super-beings. They have their needs, limitations and weaknesses. In addition, the ministry has become more and more complex and challenging. To be effective servants of God, they need the affirmation, assistance, support and encouragement from the Body. Their success will in turn result in the success of the Body and the Church! Believers, let us arise and be committed to pray daily for our spiritual leaders to make the difference.
Reflection: Mark 14:27, Hebrews 13:17. As leaders are the prime target of the enemy, how often do you pray for your pastor, elder or leader? Do you hold any grudge, anger or frustration against your spiritual leader? Take this time to confess to the Lord and ask Him to cleanse and heal every offence and hurt.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for pastors, elders, spiritual leaders for their sacrifices to obey the call of God in their lives. Renewing of their passion and intimacy with the Lord. Strengthening of their relationship with their spouses and children.
■ Confess and repent of church disunity; renounce every strife, contention, disunity, slandering, murmuring, envy, jealousy, backbiting, pride and rebellious spirit. Healing, restoration and reconciliation of every broken relationship. Unity, love and forgiveness to prevail in all local churches.
■ Support & strong relationship between shepherd and sheep.
■ Thank the Lord for unity among all denominations that they will continue to stand together as ONE mighty force and voice for the nation. Bless all the spiritual heads of each denomination for greater wisdom and anointing to prepare and empower their churches for what is to come.
- One heart with a united vision and purpose to build God's kingdom.
- A strong network of churches in united effort in sharing resources and manpower in community projects to reach out to the lost.
Sunday, 15 August 2010
Sunday Sermon 15-Aug-2010
Speaker: Sis Ch'ng Kooi Hwa
White Fields Assembly, Seremban
http://www.mediafire.com/?7xkzsx3azyummsx
(5MB 40minutes MP3)
White Fields Assembly, Seremban
http://www.mediafire.com/?7xkzsx3azyummsx
(5MB 40minutes MP3)
Day 8 (Sunday 15 August) - Interdependence
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
We need to seek God and get rid of the pride and loftiness in our hearts and mind. Like Moses, we need humility and strong team unity so that the 'giants' in our nation will be conquered. In Ex 17:8-16, we see the interdependence of all generations for the battle to be won. Moses could have held his hands up like a champion, but if Joshua and his men had not shown up, there would not have been any victory. In this critical hour, how much more do we need to work, not independently but rather interdependently, with all generations for the sake of His kingdom, changing and transforming every realm for His Glory!
Reflection: John 15:5, Exodus 17:8-16. Do you have heart issues working with others or submitting to those in authority or younger leaders at your workplace / ministry or church? Be honest and confess your pride, envy, jealousy, strife…
Prayer Points
■ On behalf of the Body of Christ, confess and renounce our pride, independent spirit and ask Him to clothe us with humility and grace to work with others. Pray for renewed minds and hearts to embrace each generation and to appreciate its strength and gifting.
■ Pastors and leaders to discern their members' strength and gifting; to encourage, affirm, equip and empower them to serve and to position them according to their gift and calling.
■ Church - unity and strong teamwork among all age groups in ministries for the expansion of His work both internally and externally, touching communities and nation.
■ Speak blessings of unity and pray that all extended church organisations, Christian NGOs, ministry networks to be connected, honouring and serving interdependently for the common good of nation building towards national transformation.
We need to seek God and get rid of the pride and loftiness in our hearts and mind. Like Moses, we need humility and strong team unity so that the 'giants' in our nation will be conquered. In Ex 17:8-16, we see the interdependence of all generations for the battle to be won. Moses could have held his hands up like a champion, but if Joshua and his men had not shown up, there would not have been any victory. In this critical hour, how much more do we need to work, not independently but rather interdependently, with all generations for the sake of His kingdom, changing and transforming every realm for His Glory!
Reflection: John 15:5, Exodus 17:8-16. Do you have heart issues working with others or submitting to those in authority or younger leaders at your workplace / ministry or church? Be honest and confess your pride, envy, jealousy, strife…
Prayer Points
■ On behalf of the Body of Christ, confess and renounce our pride, independent spirit and ask Him to clothe us with humility and grace to work with others. Pray for renewed minds and hearts to embrace each generation and to appreciate its strength and gifting.
■ Pastors and leaders to discern their members' strength and gifting; to encourage, affirm, equip and empower them to serve and to position them according to their gift and calling.
■ Church - unity and strong teamwork among all age groups in ministries for the expansion of His work both internally and externally, touching communities and nation.
■ Speak blessings of unity and pray that all extended church organisations, Christian NGOs, ministry networks to be connected, honouring and serving interdependently for the common good of nation building towards national transformation.
Saturday, 14 August 2010
Day 7 (Saturday 14 August) - Curse or Blessing?
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Abraham, the father of our faith, inherited blessings from God that saw the progression of generational blessing passing from one generation to the next. In Gen 27:33, Isaac said to Esau, "I blessed him (Jacob) and indeed he will be blessed!" In Gen. 48-49, Jacob gathered his sons and blessed them and their families and spoke prophetically about their destinies. The words of faith pronounced by the Old Testament patriarchs over their children had great power.
Parents ought to store up treasures of His promises in the Word to bless their children by faith! Today we need to ask ourselves, "What spiritual depth do I have to speak forth His Word in faith to our children or to the next generation that will affect their life and destiny?" Or have we spoken death? We need to sanctify our tongue today!
Reflection: Prov 18:2, James 3:3-11. Confess and repent of any spoken word that has pronounced death and curses, belittled or put down your children. Seek God to cleanse and purify your heart to speak words of life and blessing. Parents, bless your children.
Prayer Points
■ Ask God to heal all wounded and damaged child and youth who are emotionally and spiritually crippled by words spoken over them by their parents, relatives, spiritual leaders, teachers or others. Break every lie and curse upon their lives.
■ Youth and children will be deeply rooted in God's love and in the Word so that they will find their identity and security in Him and fulfil His calling and destiny.
■ Raising up prophetic generations in all age groups, who are deeply rooted in the Word of God to release His rhema Word in season to turn the tide of evil for spiritual breakthrough and transformation of the nation.
■ Positioning of godly believers in high places of authority to be His prophetic voice to influence decisions and policies in state affairs.
Abraham, the father of our faith, inherited blessings from God that saw the progression of generational blessing passing from one generation to the next. In Gen 27:33, Isaac said to Esau, "I blessed him (Jacob) and indeed he will be blessed!" In Gen. 48-49, Jacob gathered his sons and blessed them and their families and spoke prophetically about their destinies. The words of faith pronounced by the Old Testament patriarchs over their children had great power.
Parents ought to store up treasures of His promises in the Word to bless their children by faith! Today we need to ask ourselves, "What spiritual depth do I have to speak forth His Word in faith to our children or to the next generation that will affect their life and destiny?" Or have we spoken death? We need to sanctify our tongue today!
Reflection: Prov 18:2, James 3:3-11. Confess and repent of any spoken word that has pronounced death and curses, belittled or put down your children. Seek God to cleanse and purify your heart to speak words of life and blessing. Parents, bless your children.
Prayer Points
■ Ask God to heal all wounded and damaged child and youth who are emotionally and spiritually crippled by words spoken over them by their parents, relatives, spiritual leaders, teachers or others. Break every lie and curse upon their lives.
■ Youth and children will be deeply rooted in God's love and in the Word so that they will find their identity and security in Him and fulfil His calling and destiny.
■ Raising up prophetic generations in all age groups, who are deeply rooted in the Word of God to release His rhema Word in season to turn the tide of evil for spiritual breakthrough and transformation of the nation.
■ Positioning of godly believers in high places of authority to be His prophetic voice to influence decisions and policies in state affairs.
Friday, 13 August 2010
Day 6 (Friday 13 August) - No Substitute!
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Today, parents are more disconnected and less involved in their children's lives than any other generation. Many parents have entrusted the care of their children to "surrogate parents" - parents or parent-in-laws, day-care centres, babysitters or worse, television and video games which have begun to influence the children's moral and social values.
God Himself gave parents - not Sunday School teachers, schools, youth ministry leaders or anyone else - to nurture and admonish their children in the ways of the Lord. There's no short cut in parenting. Parents need to be responsible for the role God has entrusted to them and not to abdicate that high calling.
Reflection: Deut 11:16-21. Let us search our hearts where we have not fulfilled this command and have abdicated our role in instructing children in the ways of the Lord. Confess to the Lord.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for homemakers and pray for strength and grace that they will be empowered to fulfil different roles, His calling and destiny.
■ Working parents that they will encounter God afresh and to know the perfect will of God for their lives. Despite busy schedules, parents will give priority to God. Imparting strong values and priorities to govern every home so that children will be brought up by strong discipline.
■ Parents to seek the will of God for the plans for their children, to prepare, guide and release them to serve His purpose.
■ Uphold kindergartens, day care centres, Sunday School teachers to teach and impart godly values and principles to the children.
Today, parents are more disconnected and less involved in their children's lives than any other generation. Many parents have entrusted the care of their children to "surrogate parents" - parents or parent-in-laws, day-care centres, babysitters or worse, television and video games which have begun to influence the children's moral and social values.
God Himself gave parents - not Sunday School teachers, schools, youth ministry leaders or anyone else - to nurture and admonish their children in the ways of the Lord. There's no short cut in parenting. Parents need to be responsible for the role God has entrusted to them and not to abdicate that high calling.
Reflection: Deut 11:16-21. Let us search our hearts where we have not fulfilled this command and have abdicated our role in instructing children in the ways of the Lord. Confess to the Lord.
Prayer Points
■ Thank the Lord for homemakers and pray for strength and grace that they will be empowered to fulfil different roles, His calling and destiny.
■ Working parents that they will encounter God afresh and to know the perfect will of God for their lives. Despite busy schedules, parents will give priority to God. Imparting strong values and priorities to govern every home so that children will be brought up by strong discipline.
■ Parents to seek the will of God for the plans for their children, to prepare, guide and release them to serve His purpose.
■ Uphold kindergartens, day care centres, Sunday School teachers to teach and impart godly values and principles to the children.
Thursday, 12 August 2010
Day 5 (Thursday 12 August) - Turn Your Heart!
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Mal 4:5-6. God promised to send us the prophet Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and children to their fathers and together to God. Fathers are to instruct and train their children and grandchildren in the ways of the Lord so that our Christian heritage is not lost in one generation but that the love for God may be passed from one generation to the next. Let us therefore pray for significant breakthroughs for parents and children as we turn their hearts back to our Heavenly Father in repentance on where we have failed, so that the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings.
Reflection: Mal 4:1-6. Are you holding grudges, anger, frustrations, unforgiveness or disappointment against your loved ones? Confess to the Lord, release and seek forgiveness.
Prayer Points
■ Implore the Lord to turn hearts back to our Abba Father wholeheartedly. Parents to children; Pastor/Elders to their flock. Openness, mutual trust and respect to be restored in all relationships.
■ Ask the Sun of Righteousness to bring restoration and reconciliation in families. Family altars to be restored and homes to be His lighthouse as a place of refuge to those who are in need.
■ Fullness of the restoration of fathers to take their rightful role as head of household, leading by godly example, guarding and governing their homes in the fear of God.
■ Ask the Lord for the latter rain outpouring that a great revival will commence over the entire nation and beyond.
Mal 4:5-6. God promised to send us the prophet Elijah to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and children to their fathers and together to God. Fathers are to instruct and train their children and grandchildren in the ways of the Lord so that our Christian heritage is not lost in one generation but that the love for God may be passed from one generation to the next. Let us therefore pray for significant breakthroughs for parents and children as we turn their hearts back to our Heavenly Father in repentance on where we have failed, so that the Sun of Righteousness will bring healing in His wings.
Reflection: Mal 4:1-6. Are you holding grudges, anger, frustrations, unforgiveness or disappointment against your loved ones? Confess to the Lord, release and seek forgiveness.
Prayer Points
■ Implore the Lord to turn hearts back to our Abba Father wholeheartedly. Parents to children; Pastor/Elders to their flock. Openness, mutual trust and respect to be restored in all relationships.
■ Ask the Sun of Righteousness to bring restoration and reconciliation in families. Family altars to be restored and homes to be His lighthouse as a place of refuge to those who are in need.
■ Fullness of the restoration of fathers to take their rightful role as head of household, leading by godly example, guarding and governing their homes in the fear of God.
■ Ask the Lord for the latter rain outpouring that a great revival will commence over the entire nation and beyond.
Wednesday, 11 August 2010
Day 4 (Wednesday 11 August) - Honour God!
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
We may ask, "What is the spiritual state of our nation and why is there so much internal strife in our homes, churches and among people groups in our nation?" The reasons are simple: we have broken the two commandments - loving God and loving one another. All broken relationships are the result of violating these commandments. If we desire to see revival, harmony, unity and order in our nation, we need to address the root issue of "honouring God and honouring one another!" We need to deal with our disobedience, negative attitudes and pride so that all generations, families, churches and nation will be healed, restoring God's order to transform this nation.
Reflection: Mal 2:2-6, Matt 19:19, Pro 15:33. In what ways have I dishonoured God, my parents, neighbours, friends and the authorities. For example, have I honoured God in my giving? Confess and stand in identification repentance on behalf of the church and nation for dishonouring Him by our lives and attitude.
"Faithful and uniform obedience to this royal law throughout the churches of Christ would be of itself an evangelistic power, an aggressive spiritual energy far transcending all the revival meetings ever held." D. Jackson
Prayer Points
■ Honour and respect to be restored in all relationships beginning with our relationship with God, parents and children, husbands and wives, the elderly and the youths, employers and employees, church leaders and members, government officials and the public.
■ Humility to initiate forgiveness in all broken relationships. Believers to live God-honouring lives in all aspects - thoughts, actions and words - and to be His salt and light.
■ Body of Christ to honour God in their substance, that resources will not be lacking in community projects that reach out to the lost, poor and helpless in all states.
We may ask, "What is the spiritual state of our nation and why is there so much internal strife in our homes, churches and among people groups in our nation?" The reasons are simple: we have broken the two commandments - loving God and loving one another. All broken relationships are the result of violating these commandments. If we desire to see revival, harmony, unity and order in our nation, we need to address the root issue of "honouring God and honouring one another!" We need to deal with our disobedience, negative attitudes and pride so that all generations, families, churches and nation will be healed, restoring God's order to transform this nation.
Reflection: Mal 2:2-6, Matt 19:19, Pro 15:33. In what ways have I dishonoured God, my parents, neighbours, friends and the authorities. For example, have I honoured God in my giving? Confess and stand in identification repentance on behalf of the church and nation for dishonouring Him by our lives and attitude.
"Faithful and uniform obedience to this royal law throughout the churches of Christ would be of itself an evangelistic power, an aggressive spiritual energy far transcending all the revival meetings ever held." D. Jackson
Prayer Points
■ Honour and respect to be restored in all relationships beginning with our relationship with God, parents and children, husbands and wives, the elderly and the youths, employers and employees, church leaders and members, government officials and the public.
■ Humility to initiate forgiveness in all broken relationships. Believers to live God-honouring lives in all aspects - thoughts, actions and words - and to be His salt and light.
■ Body of Christ to honour God in their substance, that resources will not be lacking in community projects that reach out to the lost, poor and helpless in all states.
Tuesday, 10 August 2010
Day 3 (Tuesday 10 August) - New Wine for Marriage!
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
Marriage is a holy covenant before God and is constituted by Himself (Gen 2:24). The importance of marriage is demonstrated in John 2:1-11, when Jesus began His ministry by attending a wedding feast and performed His first miracle by turning water into wine. In the Jewish customs, the wedding feast probably lasts a week. When wine runs out during such a long feast, it could bring shame to the host.
Likewise in many marriages today, instead of turning our trials and pain in marriages into the sweetest joy through the years, many marriages have become insipid, sour and even bitter, while others are empty, dry and hopeless. Whatever the state, God is a covenant-keeping God who seeks to restore all marriages and relationships if we turn our hearts back to Him. Let us begin by renewing our covenant relationship with Him!
Reflection: John 2:1-11. For married couples, is there fresh 'wine' in your marriage or are you dried up in anger or bitterness? Confess and renounce. On behalf of the Church and nation, beseech the Lord for forgiveness for the broken faith in our relationship with Him, committing spiritual adultery by pursuing the things of the world.
Prayer Points
■ Couples to place God in the centre of their marriages, restoring their first love to Him and to each other so that joy and freshness will overflow. Couples to submit to each other and for open, transparent communication.
■ Plead for deliverance to set marriages free from destruction, divorce, deception, depression and disillusionment. Pray for release of forgiveness, healing and restoration in broken couples.
■ Pray against all assignments of the Enemy to break down marriages; for protection for all marriages. Pray for the marriages of your pastor, elder and leaders.
■ Protection for our youths against all perversion and distortion of marriages such as same-sex marriages, co-habitation and fornication. Pray for godly couples who
will be good role models to the younger generation.
Marriage is a holy covenant before God and is constituted by Himself (Gen 2:24). The importance of marriage is demonstrated in John 2:1-11, when Jesus began His ministry by attending a wedding feast and performed His first miracle by turning water into wine. In the Jewish customs, the wedding feast probably lasts a week. When wine runs out during such a long feast, it could bring shame to the host.
Likewise in many marriages today, instead of turning our trials and pain in marriages into the sweetest joy through the years, many marriages have become insipid, sour and even bitter, while others are empty, dry and hopeless. Whatever the state, God is a covenant-keeping God who seeks to restore all marriages and relationships if we turn our hearts back to Him. Let us begin by renewing our covenant relationship with Him!
Reflection: John 2:1-11. For married couples, is there fresh 'wine' in your marriage or are you dried up in anger or bitterness? Confess and renounce. On behalf of the Church and nation, beseech the Lord for forgiveness for the broken faith in our relationship with Him, committing spiritual adultery by pursuing the things of the world.
Prayer Points
■ Couples to place God in the centre of their marriages, restoring their first love to Him and to each other so that joy and freshness will overflow. Couples to submit to each other and for open, transparent communication.
■ Plead for deliverance to set marriages free from destruction, divorce, deception, depression and disillusionment. Pray for release of forgiveness, healing and restoration in broken couples.
■ Pray against all assignments of the Enemy to break down marriages; for protection for all marriages. Pray for the marriages of your pastor, elder and leaders.
■ Protection for our youths against all perversion and distortion of marriages such as same-sex marriages, co-habitation and fornication. Pray for godly couples who
will be good role models to the younger generation.
Monday, 9 August 2010
15-Aug-10
Caleb R.
Peggy Tan
Colleen, Foong Yee, Hong Lu
Prisca, Meng Fhui
Terry C., Weng Ern
Ken Fhui
Moses Tan
Hiew FF, Tommy .Q
Peggy Tan
Colleen, Foong Yee, Hong Lu
Prisca, Meng Fhui
Terry C., Weng Ern
Ken Fhui
Moses Tan
Hiew FF, Tommy .Q
Day 2 (Monday 9 August) - Building Blocks
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
God Himself ordained family and marriages as the basic building block of human society. When the family unit crumbles, society will crumble as well. This family unit is most powerful and families need to WAKE UP to the realisation that the family institution is under attack! The war started in Genesis in Adam's family and today, the same destructive force is against families, marriages and children. But God is the Restorer and Master Builder of every broken relationship. If God is for us, who can be against us! Let us look to Him to re-build and strengthen and defend our families.
Reflection: Eph 5:22-33, 6:1-4. Seek God to deal with our hearts if there is anger, rejection, resentment, disappointment or failure to forgive our parents, spouses, brothers and sisters. Confess and reconcile with one another.
Prayer Points
■ Healing and reconciliation in all families. Mutual love and submission to be restored in all levels of relationship within families.
■ Rise up in faith and ask the Lord to free families from every assignment of the Enemy who has come to steal, kill and destroy family unit. Claim Joel 2:25 for families, 'I will give you back what you lost in the years when swarms of locusts ate your crops!'
■ Pray for strong Christian homes. Parents to guide and impart godly values to their children for a future generation of responsible citizens who will love and serve God, family, society and nation regardless of race and religion.
God Himself ordained family and marriages as the basic building block of human society. When the family unit crumbles, society will crumble as well. This family unit is most powerful and families need to WAKE UP to the realisation that the family institution is under attack! The war started in Genesis in Adam's family and today, the same destructive force is against families, marriages and children. But God is the Restorer and Master Builder of every broken relationship. If God is for us, who can be against us! Let us look to Him to re-build and strengthen and defend our families.
Reflection: Eph 5:22-33, 6:1-4. Seek God to deal with our hearts if there is anger, rejection, resentment, disappointment or failure to forgive our parents, spouses, brothers and sisters. Confess and reconcile with one another.
Prayer Points
■ Healing and reconciliation in all families. Mutual love and submission to be restored in all levels of relationship within families.
■ Rise up in faith and ask the Lord to free families from every assignment of the Enemy who has come to steal, kill and destroy family unit. Claim Joel 2:25 for families, 'I will give you back what you lost in the years when swarms of locusts ate your crops!'
■ Pray for strong Christian homes. Parents to guide and impart godly values to their children for a future generation of responsible citizens who will love and serve God, family, society and nation regardless of race and religion.
Sunday, 8 August 2010
Sunday Sermon 8-Aug-2010
Speaker: Elder John Lee
Full Gospel Assembly, Batu Pahat
http://www.mediafire.com/?5wkf7s89tfkdbzd
(7MB MP3)
Full Gospel Assembly, Batu Pahat
http://www.mediafire.com/?5wkf7s89tfkdbzd
(7MB MP3)
Day 1 (Sunday 8 August) - Divine Order
by NECF Malaysia 40-Day Fast & Prayer
God is a God of order! In whatever position we may be in, the secret of real peace and joy lies in the maintenance of His divine order in our inner being. Whether in family or church, if we fail to uphold God's order and substitute that with any other for the sake of our convenience and expediency, disharmony and confusion will be the inevitable result. This is what we are facing today individually and nationally! Breakthrough will never come unless we align our lives according to His order and set the right priorities in our lives, with the Lordship of Christ at the helm and all others in submission to Christ as Lord.
Reflection: Isaiah 38:1-4. The Lord sent a prophet to Hezekiah and ordered him to put his house in order. While the context is about the necessary preparation in view of his impending death, we will do well to take heed. In the next 40 days, seek God to reorder your life, family, church and nation, putting our priorities and relationships right. Confess where you have failed and ask Him to correctly order the priorities in your life and ministry.
Prayer Points
* Church and Nation: Identification and repentance - of our disobedience, violation of His Commandments, substituting and abdicating His Lordship.
■ Idolatry - materialism, self, status, success
■ Independence - pride, strife, manipulation
■ Immorality - lust, adultery, fornication, pornography
■ Impurity - lying, backbiting, gossip, half truths, boasting, malice, slander, etc.
■ Injustice - indifference towards the lost, marginalised, poor, oppressed
* Implore the Lord to align the corporate body of Christ back to Him that there will be connection with Him in spirit and in truth. Healing and reconciliation in all broken relationships. Restoring order and unity in churches.
* God's righteousness and justice to prevail in all government and private sectors. Wisdom for PM, DPM and Cabinet to govern the nation in the fear of God. Continual peace, stability, harmony and prosperity.
God is a God of order! In whatever position we may be in, the secret of real peace and joy lies in the maintenance of His divine order in our inner being. Whether in family or church, if we fail to uphold God's order and substitute that with any other for the sake of our convenience and expediency, disharmony and confusion will be the inevitable result. This is what we are facing today individually and nationally! Breakthrough will never come unless we align our lives according to His order and set the right priorities in our lives, with the Lordship of Christ at the helm and all others in submission to Christ as Lord.
Reflection: Isaiah 38:1-4. The Lord sent a prophet to Hezekiah and ordered him to put his house in order. While the context is about the necessary preparation in view of his impending death, we will do well to take heed. In the next 40 days, seek God to reorder your life, family, church and nation, putting our priorities and relationships right. Confess where you have failed and ask Him to correctly order the priorities in your life and ministry.
Prayer Points
* Church and Nation: Identification and repentance - of our disobedience, violation of His Commandments, substituting and abdicating His Lordship.
■ Idolatry - materialism, self, status, success
■ Independence - pride, strife, manipulation
■ Immorality - lust, adultery, fornication, pornography
■ Impurity - lying, backbiting, gossip, half truths, boasting, malice, slander, etc.
■ Injustice - indifference towards the lost, marginalised, poor, oppressed
* Implore the Lord to align the corporate body of Christ back to Him that there will be connection with Him in spirit and in truth. Healing and reconciliation in all broken relationships. Restoring order and unity in churches.
* God's righteousness and justice to prevail in all government and private sectors. Wisdom for PM, DPM and Cabinet to govern the nation in the fear of God. Continual peace, stability, harmony and prosperity.
Tuesday, 3 August 2010
When Is It Adultery?
by Mark Gungor on August 3rd, 2010
Share
Is what Jesus said true? Seems like a pretty straight forward question. Born again Christians who believe the bible is the inspired Word of God would quickly give an emphatic “yes” as an answer. But I would like to challenge believers in an area where they say Jesus’ words are true, but aren’t necessarily living like it. It’s a rather sad indictment on Christianity today that we even have to ask: When is what Jesus said about divorce and remarriage being adultery ever true? What’s more shocking is that almost no one I ask seems to be able to give an answer to the question!
Divorce is common among people in churches today. Statistically, divorce is occurring among believers at the same rate as non-church couples—actually at an even higher rate than atheists! Christians are most often divorcing not because of an affair or sexual unfaithfulness, but for any reason under the sun—everything from “my spouse isn’t meeting my needs” and “he/she isn’t my soul mate” to “we just can’t get along”. Sometimes very strict churches will take a real hard line and say that you can never remarry after divorce or else it’s adultery. They maintain that you must live alone for the rest of your life, no matter the circumstances, even if a person divorced prior to becoming a believer. Undoubtedly, people have been hurt by that rigid stand.
If you read the bible, you’ll see that Jesus was actually very strong on this. He said if a man divorces his wife for any other reason but sexual unfaithfulness and she marries someone else, she commits adultery. That’s pretty strong. The fact that people apply that with no exception, even to those who made the decision to divorce when they were not believers, is pretty harsh. But that’s not the common practice in most churches today.
Most churches are not taking the extremely strict stand on divorce and remarriage. In fact, too many don’t take any stand. What I see as a bigger problem, and occurring more often, is that now you can get divorced and remarried for any and every reason—biblical or not. I think the casualness churches treat marriage with is wrong. People divorce their spouse, then they just move on to the next person and the church remarries them as if it’s no problem. To me it’s like a version of wife swapping and the church just smiles and thinks it’s no big deal. We’ve gone to the other extreme on this and it needs to be dealt with.
So when is remarriage adultery?
Remember, Jesus said remarriage in situations other than when sexual unfaithfulness has occurred, is indeed adultery. My question to churches is: When is that true for Christians today? When is what Jesus said ever true when it comes to the revolving door of marriage among believers? I’m concerned that there are so many excuses and exceptions that divorce and remarriage is not considered adultery in any situation. Today there are so many exceptions that we end up invalidating the very words of Christ. I do think adultery is a real deal breaker and the bible clearly makes accommodation for it. Other than this, I tend to be very conservative on this and in my church, but for a marriage that ended because of adultery committed against them, I will not remarry a person. (Unless it’s back to their original spouse, which I have actually done!) They can go somewhere else and find someone else to marry them.
What about…
People will come up with all kinds of scenarios and ask me the question, “What about domestic violence or abuse? Or alcoholism?” Look, I’m not God and everyone has to deal with their own conscience on this. But again, here we get into this area of excuses and exceptions. Do you really think there was no such thing as men hitting their wives in Jesus’ day? Then why didn’t he mention that excuse? Women say, “I’m divorcing my husband’s because he’s an alcoholic”. Do you really think people we’re alcoholics in Jesus’ day? Come on, we’re talking about over two thousand years ago when people were pretty barbaric. You think our culture is bad now? It was worse then! According to Jesus, there was only one excuse…that was sexual unfaithfulness.
Now, all kinds of people have been remarried in these types of “non-adultery” situations—do I think they’re all doomed? No. Are they supposed to divorce the new spouse because it’s not according to the bible? Certainly not. There is no way to go back and unscramble all the eggs, but I think as Christians the ideal is to follow God’s word, stop all the divorcing, and do it right in the first place. Then it wouldn’t even be an issue!
People make mistakes
I totally understand that people make mistakes, often times before they were saved and came to Christ. Then later they become born again, have repented, they are part of the church, and are serving Jesus. That’s a completely different scenario and of course God’s love and grace are greater than virtually any situation. My concern is that Christians use grace as a license to do what’s wrong and then they think, “God will just forgive me.” Yes, God forgives, but Paul writes in the bible and says we should not use grace as an excuse to do the wrong thing. I’m afraid that’s where we’re at in the church today.
A standard needs to be set
Truly, at some point, a standard needs to be set. I think churches have virtually no standard anymore and we need to start taking this very seriously. When you say “I do”, it means you did—till death do you part. We must realize that there is a biblical standard that has been ignored and it’s time for the Church to quit treating it so casually and answer the looming question: When is what Jesus said ever true? If we can’t even answer the question, we are in a really bad place.
Share
Is what Jesus said true? Seems like a pretty straight forward question. Born again Christians who believe the bible is the inspired Word of God would quickly give an emphatic “yes” as an answer. But I would like to challenge believers in an area where they say Jesus’ words are true, but aren’t necessarily living like it. It’s a rather sad indictment on Christianity today that we even have to ask: When is what Jesus said about divorce and remarriage being adultery ever true? What’s more shocking is that almost no one I ask seems to be able to give an answer to the question!
Divorce is common among people in churches today. Statistically, divorce is occurring among believers at the same rate as non-church couples—actually at an even higher rate than atheists! Christians are most often divorcing not because of an affair or sexual unfaithfulness, but for any reason under the sun—everything from “my spouse isn’t meeting my needs” and “he/she isn’t my soul mate” to “we just can’t get along”. Sometimes very strict churches will take a real hard line and say that you can never remarry after divorce or else it’s adultery. They maintain that you must live alone for the rest of your life, no matter the circumstances, even if a person divorced prior to becoming a believer. Undoubtedly, people have been hurt by that rigid stand.
If you read the bible, you’ll see that Jesus was actually very strong on this. He said if a man divorces his wife for any other reason but sexual unfaithfulness and she marries someone else, she commits adultery. That’s pretty strong. The fact that people apply that with no exception, even to those who made the decision to divorce when they were not believers, is pretty harsh. But that’s not the common practice in most churches today.
Most churches are not taking the extremely strict stand on divorce and remarriage. In fact, too many don’t take any stand. What I see as a bigger problem, and occurring more often, is that now you can get divorced and remarried for any and every reason—biblical or not. I think the casualness churches treat marriage with is wrong. People divorce their spouse, then they just move on to the next person and the church remarries them as if it’s no problem. To me it’s like a version of wife swapping and the church just smiles and thinks it’s no big deal. We’ve gone to the other extreme on this and it needs to be dealt with.
So when is remarriage adultery?
Remember, Jesus said remarriage in situations other than when sexual unfaithfulness has occurred, is indeed adultery. My question to churches is: When is that true for Christians today? When is what Jesus said ever true when it comes to the revolving door of marriage among believers? I’m concerned that there are so many excuses and exceptions that divorce and remarriage is not considered adultery in any situation. Today there are so many exceptions that we end up invalidating the very words of Christ. I do think adultery is a real deal breaker and the bible clearly makes accommodation for it. Other than this, I tend to be very conservative on this and in my church, but for a marriage that ended because of adultery committed against them, I will not remarry a person. (Unless it’s back to their original spouse, which I have actually done!) They can go somewhere else and find someone else to marry them.
What about…
People will come up with all kinds of scenarios and ask me the question, “What about domestic violence or abuse? Or alcoholism?” Look, I’m not God and everyone has to deal with their own conscience on this. But again, here we get into this area of excuses and exceptions. Do you really think there was no such thing as men hitting their wives in Jesus’ day? Then why didn’t he mention that excuse? Women say, “I’m divorcing my husband’s because he’s an alcoholic”. Do you really think people we’re alcoholics in Jesus’ day? Come on, we’re talking about over two thousand years ago when people were pretty barbaric. You think our culture is bad now? It was worse then! According to Jesus, there was only one excuse…that was sexual unfaithfulness.
Now, all kinds of people have been remarried in these types of “non-adultery” situations—do I think they’re all doomed? No. Are they supposed to divorce the new spouse because it’s not according to the bible? Certainly not. There is no way to go back and unscramble all the eggs, but I think as Christians the ideal is to follow God’s word, stop all the divorcing, and do it right in the first place. Then it wouldn’t even be an issue!
People make mistakes
I totally understand that people make mistakes, often times before they were saved and came to Christ. Then later they become born again, have repented, they are part of the church, and are serving Jesus. That’s a completely different scenario and of course God’s love and grace are greater than virtually any situation. My concern is that Christians use grace as a license to do what’s wrong and then they think, “God will just forgive me.” Yes, God forgives, but Paul writes in the bible and says we should not use grace as an excuse to do the wrong thing. I’m afraid that’s where we’re at in the church today.
A standard needs to be set
Truly, at some point, a standard needs to be set. I think churches have virtually no standard anymore and we need to start taking this very seriously. When you say “I do”, it means you did—till death do you part. We must realize that there is a biblical standard that has been ignored and it’s time for the Church to quit treating it so casually and answer the looming question: When is what Jesus said ever true? If we can’t even answer the question, we are in a really bad place.
Monday, 2 August 2010
8-Aug-10
Barnabas P.
Prisca
Siew Pin, Jocelyn C, Lareina
Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee
Darren, Ken Fhui
Kai Yew
Meng Fhui
Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.
Prisca
Siew Pin, Jocelyn C, Lareina
Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee
Darren, Ken Fhui
Kai Yew
Meng Fhui
Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.
Sunday, 1 August 2010
Sunday Sermon 1-Aug-2010
Speaker: Dr Siow Khim Woon
White Fields Assembly, Seremban
http://www.mediafire.com/?rw9nbooawiotinm
(6MB MP3)
White Fields Assembly, Seremban
http://www.mediafire.com/?rw9nbooawiotinm
(6MB MP3)
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