I was just reading a facebook status update from a dear friend whom I got to know when I was doing my seminary studies… and she is one woman of God! In her status, she was going to bring her youngest child for immunization, and there will be a few different jabs… and for a mother, it pains her to see her child cry, but yet it is something she knows needs to be done so that her child’s body can learn how to fight these viruses and hence protect the body in the future.

This is so much like our dear heavenly Father. It pains Him to see us cry when we go through difficult times, but what we go through was not made to destroy us, but to make us stronger… think of it like taking an immunization jab. God’s purpose and plan is always to make us stronger, to grow us into the person who can take on all His purposes and plans for us.

When I look back on this one year, I ask myself, and you should too… has it made me better or bitter? Has it make me stronger or weaker? Have I grow spiritually or not? Have I grown closer to God or not?

Despite difficult times, I can see a growth in those who have committed their ways to the Lord, and committed themselves to Church Arise. It is such a joy when I see some of them growing leaps and bounds in difficult times. As Ps Phil said in one of my conversations with him… this is the leap frog effect. There will be those who will grow far greater than those who are comfortable in their Christian life, and will soon leap frog over them in maturity.

I thank God that there is no trial or temptation that He has put before us that can destroy us if our focus is on Him. No test, no testimony! The greater the promise, the greater the problems/persecution, and the need for greater perseverence! Let us continue to love God, love His Word, love Church Arise, and reach the world! Our focus is on Him! To God be the glory!

In the Chinese calendar, 14 Feb 2010 marks the lunar new year… which happens to coincide with Valentine’s day this year. The Lunar New Year also marks the beginning of Spring, and is also known as the Spring Festival. Not only that, many Chinese households would do spring cleaning of their homes in preparation of the new year.

It is amazing how many things a person can accumulate through the years. I recently cleaned out my store room as it was kind of getting congested, and in sorting things out, I found numerous items which I had not used for awhile now. To throw or not to throw? I decided to set myself a guideline… and if I did not use it for more than 2 years, it would mean that I would likely not need it anymore, and I would get rid of it. Quite a number of items were still usable, so I decided to leave it near the rubbish bin so that when the cleaners arrived, they can see for themselves if they would like to recycle them or even use them. Many of the cleaners are foreign workers, and I saw some of the items were later sorted out and put one side to be reused.

I was very pleased with the end result of how my store room looked… much neater, and more floor space to walk around in. In a sense, there comes a time where the old has to go to make room for the new. Sometimes, parting with the old is painful… some items may hold memories (like a piece of luggage I used in many of my travels), some things may still be useful (like a small sized vacuum cleaner), but in the end, they had to go to make room for the new.

God is a God of new things! He makes all things new! In fact, there is ONE THING which Apostle Paul writes in Phil 3:13-14 which is very applicable in all our lives…

“Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Church… the future is ours to make! So let’s all forget those things which are behind and strive forward to the goal and prize that God has set before us! To God be the Glory!

I went for a one-month sabbatical in January 2010, and returning from it, I know in my spirit that 2010 is going to be the best year yet for Church Arise! I am excited at what God is going to do amongst us. I sense a freshness in my spirit for what God is going to do ahead, and I praise Him for it all! Hallelujah!

At the beginning of 2009, God spoke to me that we are in a season of growth, but there will be growing pains. God is true to His word, and growing pains there was. However, 2010 is when we have turned the corner, and it is going to be the best year yet! God’s promises are yes and amen! And as I went through all the prophecies, we are just beginning…

I thank God for the many men of God that He has sent along our way to confirm and reconfirm what God is doing. When I invite guest ministers to preach at Church Arise, I do not tell them what to preach… but only to preach what God is leading them to. In 2009, God was speaking over and over again through them… and I thank God for Pastors Ed Pousson, Michael Ross-Watson, Phil Buechler, Rick Zachary, and Rupert Lim. They have been such an encouragement to us.

So it is onward, upward and forward church! Church Arise!

Ps Danny Ho is preaching a wonderful series on Change Your Mind to Change Your Life.  Come and join us in this series…

2 Jan 10 - It’s All in Your Mind: What You See Is What You Get

9 Jan 10 - Emotions Are About You: Not About Them Nor About the Situation

16 Jan 10 - Your Past May Sabo Your Present: Be Mindful to Enjoy the Now

23 Jan 10 - People Are Themselves: You Can Only Change You

31 Jan 10 - Life Is Short: Eat the Desserts First

If you missed out on any of these sermons, you can go to the following link to hear them here.

Christmas comes early in Singapore. By November, you’ll see shopping malls put up Christmas decorations, and the streets get decorated to celebrate this festive season. I like the Orchard Road lights this year… and there are streaking lights that look like shooting stars…

Somehow, I feel so much more in the Christmas mood this year… and it is only the start of December! Hmmm… maybe it is from Jacinta decorating the church office and playing Christmas songs? I believe that is part of it… but more than that, as I ponder on why this year’s Christmas seems to come earlier for me… I understand why…

Jesus has been especially near to us all at Church Arise this year. Whether we know it or not, just like the story of footprints… Jesus is carrying us all. The decorations and the songs are all signposts, pointing me to the source of all grace… Jesus! Things are changing for the glory of God… and He is the one at the helm of it all. God did warn me early in the year that it is gonna be tough… and in 2004 gave a prophecy about some of the things that would happen… but what became more evident through it all is His grace!

Jesus is the reason for this season of Christmas! Take time to just sit at His feet and tell Him how much you adore Him, appreciate Him and love Him. As for me… Christmas is in my heart because Jesus is there…