HAVE COMPASSION

HAVE COMPASSION

When I was working in a bank, there was a “care” programme with the purpose of showing more care to the clients by giving them our best service. Besides to retain old clients, the programme is also meant to attract new clients.

I think it can be applied to the lives of God’s children. If we show care to others, we will be able to keep our friends, as well as add new friends. We cannot be a hypocrite if we want to care for others because it has to come from our heart. The care doesn’t come from the outside, but from the inside. The thing that motivates us to “care” for others is compassion. If we don’t have compassion, our heart will not be touched when we see somebody who is in need of help, or those feeling sad, struggling, in pain, abused, and even those who are lost, yet to be saved.

There is a term called EGP (I don’t care). Individualism has replaced “care” for each other, to pay attention and help each other. Each individual has put himself and his family above all things, even God. What important for them is that “I am doing well financially and I’m happy with myself.” On the other hand, if we call ourselves as followers of Christ, we must understand that our lives are not for ourselves: we are blessed to be a blessing for others.

Do you know that having compassion does not make us a weak person? Instead, it describes the strength of one’s character.

In Mat 9:13, Jesus said: “I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Jesus said this because the Pharisees did not like it when Jesus said to a lame man that his sins have been forgiven. The same thing happened when the Pharisees saw Jesus sat with the sinners. Jesus did all of this because He has compassion for those souls, whereas it is the other way around for the Pharisees.

We can care for others by doing things, such as doing social service to the community, helping those in need, praying for them, etc, but if it is not based on compassion, it does not mean anything, there is no eternity value. If we see Jesus’ ministries, they are all based on compassion, for example when He saw many people homeless like sheep without a shepherd (Mat 9:36), when He saw many people and healed them and gave them food (Mat 14:14), and when He saw a mother crying for her lost child (Mat 7:13).

How to have compassion?

1. We need to open our hearts and start learning to care for others.
2. We need to ask God to give us the spirit of compassion
3. Start practicing.

If we care for others, then our lives will be different. We will be happier because we can be the channel of blessings to others. One’s success is not based on how rich we are, how famous we are, or how high our career is. It is based on how much we have given/done to others, in terms of attention, money, time and prayer. If we are sensitive, we would see that there are lots of people around us who need our help and attention. So, in this “caring” month, let’s express our love to God by paying attention and caring for other people.

“I desire mercy, not sacrifice. For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”
Matthew 9:13

Prayer:
Lord Jesus, make me a vessel for your Glory. If there is anything in me that needs healing, heal me so that I can be a vessel, ready to be used by You. Forgive me, if all this time I only think about myself. I want to open my heart now. Pour out Your spirit of compassion to me, Lord.. Thank you Lord Jesus.

PRAY FOR SURINAME

PRAY FOR SURINAME
Population: 566 thousand people

Capital: Paramaribo

Religion: Majority Christian

Unique Feature: Suriname is the smallest sovereign state in South America

1. Suriname is a country that consists of a multi- ethnic population (Indonesians, Africans, Indians and Latin Americans). Pray for harmony among the various ethnic groups, so that all divisions and disputes will be avoided.
2. Pray for the government of this nation, that they will be kept away from the state government dictators, corruption and injustice. Pray for a government that will bring stability in all things (social, economic and political) in the nation.
3. Pray for the revival among the Christians in Suriname. Although the majority of the population are Christians, their lives do not reflect their faith.
4. Pray that the Holy Spirit will blow upon this nation. Restore your church and may the church reach out to more souls, especially the Hindus and Muslims in this nation.

KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD

KNOWLEDGE OF THE GLORY OF THE LORD

(Five Reasons Why We Need to have Knowledge About God)

Ever since the World Prayer Assembly was held in Indonesia (SICC) in 2012, the message from God which we received has been that we should always pray that Habakkuk 2:14 becomes a reality: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.” In accordance to principles in the Bible, we know that there are things that are God’s part and there are also things that are our part. The latter refers to the things we need to do in order to realize the above vision: for us to have knowledge about the glory of God. Knowing about the glory of God means to have a personal encounter with His presence, as well as to have right and healthy knowledge of His truth. We need to learn, explore deeper and have knowledge of God’s truth. Why?

1. HELPS US TO KNOW MORE ABOUT GOD

Proverbs 2:3-6: “Yes, if you cry out for discernment, and lift up your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.”

As children of God, we ought to know GOD whom we worship in the name of JESUS CHRIST. To become a Christian in this world without any knowledge of who JESUS CHRIST is, is like someone who drives a car with its pitch-black-tinted glass windows being fully drawn up. This is very dangerous. Without having knowledge about the truth (i.e. Word of God), we will never be able to live our lives well in accordance to His plan. Likewise, we will not be able to have a good relationship with Him because we will try to understand Him through our own interpretation. We gain the knowledge and glory of God not only through a personal encounter but through a true understanding of His truth.

2. TO HAVE AN IMPORTANT FOUNDATION

Hebrews 6:1-2: “Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.”

The above verses should be understood correctly. The above verses do not say that foundations are not important, but rather it is the opposite: it is very important. The first few principles about CHRIST, as expressed above, serve as a very important basis for us to understand because it serves as a stepping-stone for us to attain greater spiritual development and growth. Many children of GOD are not able to “rise to the next level” in their spiritual lives because they are still struggling and do not have the true knowledge on the basic principles of Christianity. Why? They try to understand by relying on their own thoughts and strengths. This is why our church encourages everyone to attend KOM classes to gain correct knowledge of the truth, right foundation, and thus, enable them to develop spiritually. How are these being developed? Through the application of the knowledge of the truth, mentorship and ministry in COOL groups. This will help us go up to the next level.

3. GIVING US THE ABILITY TO SERVE OTHERS

Titus 1:9: “Holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be
able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict.”

Amid the many problems that are happening in this world and with so many people requiring help, consolation and strength, we who know GOD and have His truth are called to serve people who are in need. Many are able to help and give advice, but only the Word/Truth of God brings liberty. When we serve others let us do so by the light of the Truth. Words of advice, consolation and strength that flow out of our mouths should be in accordance to the truth of God’s Word. Without having the foundation and truth of God, whatever we say are just ordinary words without any power. Man can say beautiful and kind words but only words that are based on the truth of God will bring full restoration. God’s power is in His Word.

4. PREVENTS US FROM DOING WRONG THINGS

Colossians 2:7-8: “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving. Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Challenges faced by children of GOD today are heretical teachings and understandings of the world which may appear to be fine but in actuality, are not based on what JESUS has taught. If we have knowledge of the Truth (Word of GOD), it will protect us from doing wrong. We will become more aware and sensitive to the things that do not come from GOD. An example of this comes from an officer who was in charge of identifying counterfeit money in the U.S Treasury. Officers are trained to be able to immediately identify the difference between real money and fake. They have to study in detail the real money for at least eight hours a day for one year. Upon completion of the exercise, these officers are able to quickly differentiate between the real and fake money. Likewise for us: the more we know GOD and learn about His truth, we will be protected from doing wrong and believing in false teachings. Knowledge of the truth of GOD will determine what we do in our lives, because what we think and are convinced of determines our actions.

5. CARRY OUT GOD’S COMMANDS

2 Timothy 2:15: “Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Timothy 4:2: “Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.”

To learn and have the knowledge about the truth is the commandment of GOD. Why? This is to enable us to be right before Him, to become children of GOD who live in the light of the truth, and are ready to share the truth to anyone anywhere. This is the duty of all children of GOD, not just a group of workers/servants of the church.

AFFIRMATION
Reflect again on Habakkuk 2:14: “For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.”

This is the prayer/vision that the glory of GOD will fill the whole earth and also for people to have the true knowledge of GOD and as a result, have an encounter with His Glory. We need to learn, explore deeper and have knowledge of the truth because it will bring us to the knowledge of the full glory of GOD. (CS)

COMMITTED TO CARING … CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER

COMMITTED TO CARING … CONNECTED TO EACH OTHER

Introduction

There is nothing more important to us in this life than relationships – a relationship with our Saviour, relationships with our friends, relationships with family, relationships in church -relationships! All of us desire to belong – to be connected to something or someone. As Christians, we are committed to caring, connected to each other! Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 12:12, “The human body has many parts, but the many parts make up only one body. So it is with the body of Christ.”

Friends, once you accept Christ into your heart you have a divine connection with other Christians! Have you ever noticed that a Christian will always find other Christian? And they will almost always greet each other with great affection or a simple ‘God Bless You?’ Why? Because we are connected!

Psalm 95:7 reads, “… he is our God. We are the people he watches over, the sheep under his care.” God has made a commitment to every person in our congregation – to care for you! Now, to me that is a big deal – that the God of creation is committed to care for me and for you, for all of us! And God has placed in our lives certain people who care for us – parents, brothers/sisters, family, friends, pastors and Sunday School teachers. All of them are placed in our lives to care for us because they are connected to us!

Some of you may not have a caring family or caring friends. To each of you in this situation, please be aware that that this Church is committed in caring for you! People look forward to connecting with people who care for them – like when a father who cares for his children returns home, his children drops everything they are doing to greet him.

The Church leadership cares for you. Much time is spent in prayer for each one of you because we care for our people. Our time is committed to care for you, not just because we are called here, not just because we love our ministry, but because we genuinely care for each of you.

Now some of you who have had some tough times and major let downs by people around you are going to have a hard time understanding real care. We are committed to living out 1 Corinthians 12:24 … “In fact, some of the parts that seem weakest and least important are really the most necessary. And the parts we regard as less honourable are those we clothe with the greatest care. So we carefully protect from the eyes of others those parts that should not be seen, while other parts do require this special care. So God has put the body together in such a way that extra honour and care are given to those parts that have less dignity.” If you are feeling like no one cares for me, just know that we as a Church are committed to give you extra honour and care because you are important! Friends, all of us need to make the commitment to care because you never know what is going on in the mind of the person next to you! Be committed to care for the person next to you because we are connected to each other as a church. Dear Saints of God , I really believe this – if we cannot care for those in our Church today, how can we expect God to give us 1MPFJ to care for? We have been doing a good job in this campaign, but we can do it better … right? If we want our guests and visitors to feel the connection with us and that we truly care about them, connect with them with an attitude of love, confidence, and acceptance! Place them and their needs over your own needs. Move confidently among them and accept them though they may be different. Some of you may be thinking: “Why is this caring and connection so important that our Church is giving a whole month to emphasise on this?” For this reason, “If someone says, ‘I love God,’ but hates a Christian brother or sister, that person is a liar, for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And God himself has commanded that we must love not only him but our Christian brothers and sisters, too” (1 John 4:20-21). John is saying to us … if we truly care for God then we will care and connect with others; and if we are unwilling to connect with others then it shows we do not truly care for God! This month, we are going to share with you some thoughts on caring and connection because we believe that in the months ahead God is going to give us more souls to care and connect with, thus we must be found prepared and ready for this! Everyone needs some kind of connect with someone else! Proverbs 27:10 tells us to “never abandon a friend.” Why? “If one person falls,
the other can reach out and help. But people who are alone when they fall are in real trouble” (Ecclesiastes 4:10). Whether you like it or not … we all need to connect with someone now. One may think – “Me and God, that’s all I need.” But God created us for close relationships with each other – people need people! Why are relationships important today? Relationships are important because they provide a sense of belonging. Relationships also make us feel secure and they provide the only way to establish friendships. Relationships help us to feel needed.

Caring for people takes a lot of hard which can be emotionally draining. It can even exhaust you spiritually! Caring for people you do not like is even harder! In John 21, Jesus asked Peter, “Do you love me?” Peter replied, “Of course I do.” Then Jesus responded, “If you love me, take care of my people (or my sheep).”

As difficult as caring is, connecting requires your life! In the book of Philemon, we read the story of Onesimus and Paul. Onesimus had fallen away from the faith, but Paul poured his very life into this young man. “I think of him as my own son because he became a believer as a result of my ministry here in prison … I am sending him back to you, and with him comes my own heart … give him the same welcome you would give me. If he has harmed you in any way or stolen anything from you, charge me for it.” (vs 10, 12, 17-19) Paul connected with Onesimus so much that he called him his ‘own son’. Paul devoted his life to connecting with people – it was his life’s work!

Caring should not just be said, but shown. We can say we care about someone but they will not believe it until they see that we really care! 1 John 3:18 reads, “Dear children, let us stop just saying we love each other; let us really show it by our actions.” Care is only truly seen in our words and actions!

Some practical ways we can show someone we care – greeting them, spending time with them, sending words of encouragement, pray with them and many more.

Caring should not be only limited to friends or people within our circle. People who genuinely care for others will desire to make some sort of connection with people outside of their circle. You just want to connect with people or at least connect them to people! Ephesians 4:16 says, “Under his direction, the whole body is fitted together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.”

You and I have been placed in BCS to be connected. You are a perfect fit in this group! It is because you are here that BCS is healthy and growing and full of love! You make the difference! It is the desire of the leadership here at BCS that we connect you to Christ that we connect you to each other and that in return will connect you to 1MPFJ for Jesus through your care and the sharing of the Gospel.

Prayer

Our Father in Heaven, we thank you for our Lord Jesus who has saved us and placed us in BCS as a family. We thank you the your Holy Spirit is poured into our hearts so that we can care for each other as well as reach out to 1MPFJ through your love and our caring.

May we continue to grow in your love so that we can care for others. Grant us wisdom so that we can share the Gospel with our friends and neighbours in creative ways.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD AND GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

CONFRONTATION BETWEEN THE PHILOSOPHY OF THE WORLD AND GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS

Each of us is an important part in the Kingdom of God. God is seriously reminding His people to live in the power of His kingdom so as to confront the philosophy of this world which can deviate us from God’s truth.
His second coming is near. God wants man, whom he created acccording to His image, to switch from the misleading system of the world to the system of God’s Kingdom. We have to learn to recognize heresy that the enemy has slipped into the church of God.

One day I asked a servant of the Lord, “Why do we have to bribe?” He answered, “Yes, we have to make use of mammon to build friendship.” That servant of the Lord quoted Luke 16:9 with the understanding that “gaining friends” meant using bribes and collusion.

Another example which we may often hear is “Thrif makes us rich”. At a glance, it seems that this phrase is good; however if it is not accompanied by God’s truth, it will make someone stingy and not care about the difficulties and sufferings of others.

Jesus taught us the way to differentiate between the riches of the world and the riches of God’s Kingdom: “Therefore I tell you: Do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds!” (Luke 12:22-24, 30).

Many have tried to save, but end up “trapped” in relying on their wealth which they can see. God is not against our savings account, but He does not want for us to focus on that savings account. He wants us to believe that He is able to fulfill all our needs.

True prosperity is the ability to move the power of God to fulfil our needs in this world, be they the needs of the spirit, soul, body, social or financial.

The kingdom of darkness and the Kingdom of Light

“For he has rescued us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love.” (Colossians 1: 13)

When Jesus became our Lord and Saviour, we moved from the kingdom of darkness into God’s Kingdom, or the Kingdom of Light. Jesus and satan each have kingdoms which are opposed to each other. Satan is the head of the kingdom of darkness, and many have become his agents in this world. Jesus revealed something when He spoke to the Jews: “Even as he spoke, many believed in him. To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” They answered him, “We are Abraham’s descendants and have never been slaves of anyone. How can you say that we shall be set free?” (John 8:30-33).

Satan is making use of religious people to believe that they are already free simply because they are Abraham’s descendants; instead they are actually captive. Many people claim to have the Christian faith or other religions feel themselves to be free, but actually they are still prisoners of the kingdom of darkness but do not realize it. The fact is they are still living with various “lies”, like lying to their partners, parents, leaders, friends, children. Often we find ourselves lying to the government about taxes or permits. Jesus says to you: “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” (John 8:44)

This is why when Jesus was in this world, He often spoke about God’s Kingdom. “After his suffering, he presented himself to them and gave many convincing proofs that he was alive. He appeared to them over a period of forty days and spoke about the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3).

Why is that? Because in His Kingdom, God has prepared all that we need to live in victory on this earth: understanding, wisdom, peace, joy, health, prosperity, provision and protection.

Satan misleads us to adopt the philosophy of this world and end up losing all the power of God’s kingdom, become prisoners, and at the end, be destroyed.

Being in God’s Kingdom

The only way to enter into God›s Kingdom and experience Kingdom life is for us to be born into it or be born again by accepting Jesus Christ as our Lord and personal Saviour. After that we will be able to confront the philosophy of the world with God›s righteousness. Our priority in life has to be right, to do what Jesus has said: “But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33).

It is clear that this is a very important priority in order for us to experience the greatness of God’s power. Many Christians already know that verse, but do not realize that this verse has the power to change their lives. His priority in life is to earn money, gain popularity, and position more than God’s truth, to the extent that his spiritual life becomes cold and weak, easily influenced by misleading teachings. If we do not recognise the ideas of the kingdom of God, we cannot escape the world’s system and enter the realities of His Kingdom.

“Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and Jesus our Lord. His divine power has given us everything we need for a godly life through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness. Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature, having escaped the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.” (2 Peter 1:2-4)

In Matthew 6:9-13 Jesus introduced His righteousness to us: “This is, then, is how you should pray: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one.” (Because You own the Kingdom and power and glory forever and ever. Amen.)”

The words “Our Father” tells us that there is a relationship between us and God as Father. He is the One who is able to, and desires provide all that we need and teach all things so that we experience a happy life.
The words “Hallowed be Your Name” tells us that we have to respect the Name of God and follow His word as absolute truth.

The words “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven” shows that He desires this earth to be like heaven through our lives.

There is power after the Garden of Eden

In the Garden of Eden, God said: “Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” (Genesis 1:26).

To rule means to “have the highest authority” where we become channels of God’s power on earth so that His will be done on earth as it is in heaven.

Since the first man Adam had that power, the devil wants to be their spiritual guide, so as to have access to earth and build his own kingdom through man.

When Jesus paid the price for sin and holds the key of death and hell over the devil, He opened the way for man to restore his relationship with God and come under His leadership again.

Be careful of the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees

God’s kingdom is God’s reign. When we are born again we are actually shifting the laws of God›s kingdom that are written in our spirit. In Matthew 16:6 Jesus said to them; “Be careful and be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and the Sadducees.”

The Pharisees are hypocrites and full of the law, yet do not follow the rules that they made. They put heavy burdens upon others that they themselves do not want to carry. Jesus described them as whitewashed tombs which look clean on the outside but inside are full of the bones of the dead and everything unclean. (Matthew 23:27).

The Sadducees are those who declare that they have received a greater revelation compared to others, feeling that they are the best. They do not understand faith, grace or other principles of God’s Kingdom.

This is the time to shift

To confront the philosophy of this world with God’s righteousness is not through worldly ways like demonstration, debate, violence, etc. We are to make a conscious effort to shift from the system of the world to the system of the Kingdom of God.

To shift, we need God’s power. We will experience this power because of our faith in the Lord. One of the signs of the Third Pentecost is the outpouring of the Holy Spirit or the glory of the Lord in an extraordinary way.
“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).

To receive God’s power, we must pray, praise and worship the Lord more, in unity day and night. We shift from depending on ourselves, other people, big names of the church or other institutions, to depending on the Holy Spirit and His Word which will result in miracles. We will do what Jesus has done when He faced challenges and difficulties of life on earth. He wants us to come into His Kingdom with a heart full of our first love, and walk in His righteousness in our spirit, soul and body. Amen. [FM]

“But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” (Acts 1:8).

PRAY FOR EQUADOR

PRAY FOR EQUADOR

Population: 15.2 million people | Capital: Quito | Religion: Majority Roman Catholic Unique

Feature: Ecuador is the second smallest country in South America.

1. Pray for the welfare of the nation of Ecuador, that there will be economic and social recovery in this nation because God has risen in Ecuador. May the government rule with the fear of the Lord.
2. Pray for unity and growth of churches in Ecuador. One Lord, one faith and one Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all (Ephesians 4).
3. Pray also for the younger generation there. The Holy Spirit is transforming their hearts to seek God and His righteousness. Pray that the young children in Ecuador will be changed into an arrow for the Kingdom of God, to change his family, his friends and his people for Christ.
4. Let the nation of Ecuador say that God is their shelter and protection, their rock and salvation, forever!

THE YEAR OF AYIN DALET – PART 2

THE YEAR OF AYIN DALET – PART 2

Sermon by Pastor Dr Niko Njtorahardjo, Sunday – 6 October 2013

These have formed the character of this ministry in the past 25 years. It has developed continuously to what you see today.

Maybe you are asking, “Ps Niko are you still afraid after leading this church for 25 years? Have you gotten used to it?” Many think that I have gotten used to it and no longer tremble as in the past. This is not so. Till today I am still afraid and tremble, especially as we enter a new month. Each month the Lord gives me guidance. When the time is near and the Lord has yet to speak to me, I feel uneasy and question Him continuously, “Lord, what is Your direction? What is it, Lord?” Do not think that I am not afraid, stupid and poor as in the past. Rather, I am still like that.

I remember Moses saying, “Lord, if you do not guide me, do not tell me to go and lead this nation!” That is what I have been saying to God this whole time, “If You do not give me this vision, don’t tell me to continue building this church. Lord. I cannot do it… I can’t, Lord!”

Maybe some of you started a job with fear and trembling in foolishness before the Lord, saying, “I cannot do anything Lord, without You”. But suddenly the company starts to expand and whatever that you do succeeds. It was as if, by itself, everything succeeded. Many servants of God who experienced this forgot what Moses said. Be careful! You as a businessman or a servant of the Lord, always fear the Lord! Without the Lord’s guidance, all of it will be destroyed. I want to say before the Lord, until today I still do feel that I am not able because I am a stupid person. I did not graduate from Bible school. When told to teach about the Tabernacle of David, the Lord gave all of that to me! But now all of these have been recognized. I stand in awe because what we see now has greatly impacted others. Not the other way around! No one wants to recognize or accept a theory that has not been proven. Let us depend only on the Lord. I know this is the message of the Lord as we enter the year of Ayin Dalet, that is to depend only on the Lord!

Five phenomena surrounding the Third Pentecost:

• Extraordinary outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

• Three generations will be used by God in amazing ways

• Great shaking will take place

• Great harvest of souls

• The Second Coming of Jesus will be soon

b. Dalet means “Door”

The true door is the Lord Jesus Himself. John 10:9, “I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.”

If you enter through Jesus, the door, you will be saved and receive abundant blessings. Are you ready to be blessed?

In the year of Ayin Dalet the Lord promises that those closed doors in front of you will open in the Name of Jesus! I know that this is a prophecy that will surely be fulfilled. Who will open it? Definitely the door itself, Jesus. Maybe the door of business, evangelism, or healing will be open. Maybe there is more, like the door to a life partner that sometimes has become a problem. But I believe in this year of Ayin Dalet, the doors to life partners will be opened in the Name of Jesus!

I also believe the door for the Third Pentecost will soon be open by the Lord! I received confirmation about this when we had the revival services in Baltimore, America recently. Those present were Americans because I am now moving a lot among the Americans. Something extraordinary happened. When I started praying for the sick, imparting the anointing, and I stepped down from the stage, Ps Welyar was still on stage worshipping the Lord in the spirit. Suddenly a lady from Nicaragua approached Ps Welyar and asked, “Can you speak Spanish?” Pak Welyar replied, “No, I can’t”, but this lady then said, “But what language were you speaking in just now, because I heard you speak in Spanish and saying, “I worship YOU… I adore YOU!”…” So that was what that lady heard while Ps Welyar was worshipping in tongues.

This is exactly what happened in the first Pentecost. When the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit, the Bible said that they were speaking in languages as given by the Spirit. There were various interpretations. Some said that it was a spiritual language, but there were those who said it was not spiritual but languages usually spoken. Why? At that time, many came from the different areas. When the apostles spoke in the language given by the Spirit, they heard their own ‘mother tongues’ glorifying God. When I started my ministry, I was always ‘hooked’ on all these. They say “No! All the apostles did not speak in tongues like you but in languages we understand!” I still teach that the apostles spoke in tongues, however those who heard it understood it in their own ‘mother tongues’. This has been proven as we wait for the Third Pentecost. Hallelujah!

The people of Nicaragua speak Spanish, so the lady from Nicaragua approached Ps Welyar and asked whether he could speak Spanish, because what she heard was Ps Welyar saying, “I worship YOU, I adore YOU..”, in Spanish, even though Ps Welyar was speaking in tongues.

Brothers and Sisters in Christ, the doors to the Third Pentecost have been open in the Name of Jesus. Amen! Do you desire for the doors before you to be open? Listen to these conditions:

Revelation 3: 7-8, “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens. I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name.”

Out of the seven churches in the book of Revelation 2 and 3 where the Lord spoke to them, only the door for the church in Philadelphia was open. If you want the door to be open, be like the church in Philadelphia. What was the secret? The secret is also the key for us, that is: They obeyed the Word of the Lord and persevered in waiting on Him, it meant they were always ready. If that is you now, I believe the Lord Jesus will say to you, “Closed doors, be open!” And it will happen. Amen!

c. Dalet means “Ear”

We are asked to pray Isaiah 50:4. You have to pray like this, “The Lord God has given Me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him who is weary.” Amen!

Let us examine ourselves. Have our words made those who are weary gain new strength? Or have we made people who are enthusiastic suddenly become weary? Let us pray, “Lord give us a tongue like a disciple so that with our words we can give new enthusiasm to those who are weary. Sharpen my listening so that I can listen like a disciple!” So that when you hear the Lord’s guidance, watch earnestly so that you can fully understand it. You will rejoice because you will be guided by the Lord. Do not listen without understanding. Since the beginning of this year I have been telling you this. Every morning I never forget to say, “Lord, give me more understanding to listen to Your voice, the sensitivity to listen to Your voice!” That is what I ask for these days!

In the beginning of the year I was in Hawaii for the Empowered 21 Global meeting. I met with Loren Cunningham, founder or ‘father’ of Youth with The Mission. He is 78 years old but still healthy. He has a teaching about listening to God’s voice. At the end of that event God told to ask him to pray for me. Since then I feel that I understand more because God has given me an increased sensitivity to hear. Once again, listening to God’s voice is most important.

When Jesus came to the house of Martha and Mary, Martha received Jesus in another way. She immediately mopped the floor, washed the bed linen and cooked. “Wow, what food does Jesus prefer? ‘Rawon’, ‘Soto’ or something else?” Martha started to get busy with cooking, but what did Mary do? Mary just sat at the feet of Jesus to listen to His words. After a while, Martha started to complain because she was already perspiring uncontrollably and said, “Lord, what about my sister? I am perspiring like this, working so hard, but she is enjoying herself, Lord!” Martha thought that surely the Lord will defend her, but what did Jesus say instead? “Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things, but few things are needed – or indeed only one. Mary has chosen what is better and it will not be taken away from her”

Listening to God’s voice is the most important thing compared to mopping, cooking and all that. Not that you cannot mop or cook, because if no one is doing all that, what will happen? But the problem here is which is more important? Is your hustle and bustle more important than listening to the voice of God? But you still have to also do those chores. Amen!

d. Dalet means “Becoming a witness for Jesus”

You have to witness for Jesus. The characteristics are: To be strong and mighty soldiers with a lifestyle of prayer, praise and worship in unity day and night and to do the will of the Lord in this generation. Amen! If you do this, the promise of God upon entering 2013 is, “The year of complete restoration. Entering the next level. Creative Miracles still exist!” Amen!

Creative miracles still happen. You will see many more creative miracles. Sometime ago, a servant of God brought his son to me. On the left side of his neck, there was a big red lump. Doctors said that it could be tumour or cancer, and they were unable to do anything. When he came to me, the Holy Spirit told me, “This is ferocious!” I laid hands on him and said, “In the Name of Jesus, creative miracles still exist. Be healed!” What happened? Not long after, the swelling that was like a mountain, that big lump, suddenly burst and all the blood oozed out and the lump deflated. Now the child is perfectly healed. Creative miracles still exist. Hallelujah!

JESUS WASHES THE DISCIPLE’S FEET

A MONTH OF CARING

JESUS WASHES THE DISCIPLE’S FEET

We believe this is a great season of harvest and as God’s people in Bethany Church Singapore (BCS); we are being called to unite with Him to work together to reach out to our families, communities, cities and nation to win ONE MORE PERSON FOR JESUS (#1MPFJ). The bible says ‘there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents’ (Luke 15:10), one soul to God matters a lot to Him, so we need to do our best to please our Lord by caring for others as God also cares so much for them. Jesus wants to use you and I in reaching out to people with the love of Christ. He is longing for a world filled with people who worship Him and are preparing the way of His second coming!

John 13:1-17 (Jesus Washes the Disciple’s Feet)

The Holy Spirit has inspired my heart to share what is on His heart for our church in this season of care (#1MPFJ). He has lead me into the book of John 13:1-17; the Lord was teaching His disciples how to care for others, however He is wanting to teach His followers today the importance of caring for others because through our care for others God will bring many into their salvation.

1. ‘Jesus knew that His hour had come’ – John 13:1

In the context of this Scripture Jesus knows that He does not have very much time left, He was about to be betrayed by one of His own disciples (Judas) and from there we know what happens to Him. However I believe this experience also teaches us today that our time to be with the Lord is also not too far away. In context Jesus is going to the Father in heaven, however we are in a time where Jesus is coming back for us. I believe the Lord is trying to reach out to the church to let us know that His second coming is near. Knowing that our time here on earth is ticking, the Lord is asking you and I if our hearts desires are in unity with the heart of Jesus? He gave Himself for the world (John 3:16), and His desire is to see all saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4). Let winning souls for God be our hearts desire.

2. ‘Having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end’ – John 13:1

Our love for God and our love for others will be revealed by our actions. Jesus teaches us that the only way to really care for someone is through love. It is only through the love of our Father in heaven that we can inherit eternal life (John 3:16). Our God is love (1 John 4:8) and we love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). But how can we say we love God but we hate our brother? And how can we love God that we have yet to see, and hate those who we can see in our life today (1 John 4:20)? Since we now belong to Him, God wants us to pour out the love of God in us to reconcile others to Him (2 Corinthians 5:18- 19).

3. ‘He had come from God and was going to God’ – John 13:3

Just like our Lord and Savior Jesus, we also are on our way to our heavenly home. Apostle Paul reconfirms this in the book of Hebrews ‘For this world is not our permanent home; we are looking forward to a home yet to come’ (Hebrews 13:14 NLT). The Lord is trying to teach us to keep our eyes on eternity. We have to understand that the fruits of all our good deeds will not be seen here on earth. However one day we will see that our good deeds of caring for others will be rewarded unto us in eternity.

‘But to do good and to share, for with such sacrifices God is well pleased’ – Hebrews 13:16

4. ‘rose from supper and laid aside His garments, took a towel and girded Himself’ – John 13:4

When Jesus girded Himself with a towel to wash the feet of His disciples, It showed not only His humility, however it showed He understood His divine purpose, that His life was not His own, but for the better of others. This is the very purpose for us Christians too, to live a life that is not focused just on ourselves. He rose and laid aside his own things (garments) not thinking of Himself only, and decided to be a blessing for His disciples. The Lord is also calling you and I to follow in His footsteps to stop prioritizing on our own needs and wants.

Jesus Himself was in a time of great suffering as He was coming close to the time of being whipped, imprisoned, mocked, and then crucified, He had every reason to focus on just Himself, but He didn’t. Followers of Christ cannot complain or make any excuses not to give our lives as a blessing to others. We can never say we are too busy, or have nothing to give because God won’t accept this as an excuse. Apostle Paul who also was physically beaten like our Lord Jesus (Galatians 6:17) was still able to write these very words to the churches of Galatia, can we say the same for ourselves?

“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me”- Galatians 2:20,

5. “For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you” – John 13:15

Showing our care to others is an act of obedience to God; we have been commanded by our Lord Jesus to do as He has done unto us. Our love towards others lets people know that we are His disciples (John 13:35). Jesus wants to use you and I to be a channel of His beautiful blessings, which allows His love in us to overflow with joy and compassion to win one more person for Jesus!
“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another” – John 13:34.

PRAY FOR PHILIPPINES

PRAY FOR PHILIPPINES
Name of the infected area: Tacloban, Leyte and Ormoc
Total of victim : at least 10.000 people
Name of tornado : Haiyan, one of the world’s worst typhoons
Prayer :
May grace and mercy of the Lord be upon this country. Through natural disasters let this nation remain strong in their faith. Pray that God’s help through social agencies and foreign aid will be channeled to the victims soon. Out of the darkness comes the light, let it happen to the Philippines, in particular those who are suffering as a result of this typhoon. May the light of God shine upon the hearts of those who are struggling and may Heaven sing a song of hope, let hope from God be their strength.
Hosea 2:21-23 “It shall come to pass in that day that I will answer,” says the Lord; “I will answer the heavens, and they shall answer the earth. The earth shall answer with grain, with new wine, and with oil; they shall answer this nation. Then I will sow her for Myself in the earth, and I will have mercy on her who had not obtained mercy; Then I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ and they shall say, ‘You are my God!’”

A CARING HEART

A CARING HEART

Introduction
Man and woman are created according to God’s image (Gen 1:26). God’s image is inside every man but when man fell into sin, he lost the image of God. As a result, man and woman have a tendency to think and care about themselves. They look at things from their own needs and wants’ perspective, ignore others, pursue their own self benefits, self-centered and only think to satisfy their own desires without love and the fruits of the Holy Spirit.

But after a person receives a new life in Christ and accepts Jesus as his Lord and Savior and turns from his wicked ways and worships the Lord, he is enabled to leave his self-centeredness and start caring for others.

How could we, who have been saved, live not for ourselves but for Christ who has given Himself for our salvation? Let us see what the Word of God says for His church.
Loving God and loving people

God calls us to be like Jesus, to care and think about others more than we think and care about ourselves. The more we love God, the more we love other people.
Jesus replied: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39)
Jesus answered the questions asked by Pharisee that the first and greatest commandment is: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.” And the second commandment is: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

Jesus’ answers are summarized in a statement that says that the greatest commandment is loving God and loving people.” There are 10 commandments that God gave to men in Exodus 20:11-17.

The first four laws give explanation about our relationship with God, while the 5th to 10th commandments talk about our relationship with others. The word ‘love’ is a commandment from God. It means we have to obey it. Not doing it is the same with committing a sin. Loving others is life’s choice that must be done by us, because Jesus has given His life for us, therefore we ought to give our lives to others. (1 John 3:16): ‘This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down His life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters. “And this is His command: to believe in the name of His son, Jesus Christ and to love one another as He commanded us.” (1 John 3:23)

Seeing others around us with compassion

‘When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd’ Matthew 9:36.

If we see around, there are people who need love, hope and the knowledge of Lord Jesus. Even though we are not able to solve all of their problems, we could show our care to them. Some of you might say: “I’m not ready and worthy to care for others.” If we are waiting for the time until we are ready to care for others, when will we learn to care for those who need help? We might feel like this, but we can give ourselves by showing them that we care and think about others in need.

Listening to their experiences and burdens faced by them, their problems, sickness, their family that is almost destroyed, the difficulty to look for job, worldly sins that bind them, and financial problem. More than that, they are like sheep without shepherds. The devil is trying to destroy their lives by offering many things to them so that they will be his followers. Start taking a step in prayer and fasting or sending blackberry messenger to encourage them. We can testify about Jesus, invite them to join COOL (community of love) and Sunday service, and with love and care encourage them to know God. With God’s mercy, we take the steps to care for others by encouraging them to believe that there is hope, solution and victory in Jesus.
Think about people who live for themselves, who always try to take advantages and look for personal pleasures. Compare them with those who are willing to share their lives with others. Which one has the mercy, joy, peace, and love? Find God’s blessings by caring for other people who need God’s help.

One soul is precious in God’s eyes

Jesus told us a story about one shepherd who had 100 sheep and lost one of them. What did this shepherd do? Did he say, “Oh…I only lost one sheep; it’s ok, because I still have the other 99 sheep.” No. He left the other 99 sheep to look for the lost sheep.
It shows that for God, the most important thing is not the number, because every sheep or soul is precious. God respects one soul. Let us have a heart like Jesus’. The word of God says, “If one person repents, then thousands of angels will shout for joy in heaven.” What is the benefit if one person owns the whole world but lose his own soul? Jesus is God who became man, so that he could feel the things felt by man, including the suffering experienced by the lost and sinful man. Likewise as believers we should also have the mind and feeling of Jesus, a feeling for the souls that have not been saved.

Luke 15 is talking about the lost sheep, the lost coins, and the prodigal son. All of these things point us to a conclusion that Lord Jesus loves us very much and thinks that we are precious in His sight, regardless of our situation and conditions. One soul is precious in God’s eyes.

Encouraging each other in love

‘And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds’. Hebrew 10:24

From this verse we can see that caring for other people is an expression of our seriousness to God that comes from our thanksgiving to Christ who has redeemed His church. Caring for others has a deep Biblical meaning.

Caring is a step when we step out of our comfort zone and do something for other people around us. Our heart and mind must be focused to other people around us or others who need our presence. We should have care that comes from our heart, from a sincere desire to want to give the best so that other people could become better. Caring for others means that we help them to develop and be themselves. We couldn’t have a relationship with others if we do not try to care and understand them.
We should have mercy that moves us to do something when we see others in need. Having mercy means that we want to be involved in others’ suffering, because they are not able to help themselves and need others to set them free. Mercy comes from a heart that is focused to God and others.

Jesus’ story about a kind Samaritan was ended by one commandment for us: “Go, and do likewise.” (v. 37) Jesus looks at every person with a mercy look, and He calls us to do the same.

We have heard and read about “Beatitudes” on the mount (Matthew 5:1- 10). Psalm 41:2 is “Beatitudes” from the Old Testament. “Blessed are those who care for the weak! God will deliver them in the time of calamity.”
In Hebrew, the word ‘care’ means ‘thinking about others.’ The word ‘weak’ means those who have needs. There are many people with needs around us. They need love, hope, and knowledge of God.

Let us start to show our care and love for the souls around us, just like Jesus that has love, mercy and care for the lost souls.

Welcome to November, the month of care. Let us have a caring heart for others.