Sunday, December 12, 2010

You will know it

4 year-old Jeremiah Liauw "Jerry" was born with spina bifida, a spinal defect which causes his lower body to be especially weak.

The Club Rainbow member's goal was to crawl his way to the finish line for the 750m Kids Dash event.

A really tough 750m on his hands and knees.


"…Jerry wanted to crawl and refused to be carried when everyone was telling me to carry him coz for those of you who knows and are there, the weather was super duper hot and the ground was really radiating IMMENSE HEAT as it was approaching noon but Jerry kept diving for the ground.

If he could have it his way, he would not allow me to carry him at anytime at all. And a last note to share which may sound unbelieving to unbelievers, as I was changing Jerry yesterday, Jerry said, yes Jerry said, these are his exact words which took me aback too…

Jerry: "Actually when i saw the many people, I didn't want to crawl but God told me to crawl."

Me: "God told u to crawl?"

Jerry: "Yes. God told me to crawl."

Me: "Huh? What do you mean God told you to crawl?"

Jerry: "Yes, in my heart, I heard God's voice telling me to crawl."

Me: "Huh? you mean you heard God's voice?"

Jerry: "Yes. I heard God telling me to crawl."

Me: "Huh? What do you mean? How did you know it's God's voice?"

Jerry: "You will know it when He talks to you."

Tuesday, December 7, 2010

The Just Shall Live By Faith

"The Just Shall Live by Faith
I recently attended a make up cell group which was Melvin's cell group

I must say it was a powerful cell group meeting, as it happened to be the multiplication cell group as well.

The praise and worship was really awesome. The guitarist and worship leaders really brought down the presence of God to the place. It was sincere, pure and true. It was as if we were singing amidst the angels of God.

Melvin then when on to talk about a verse in Habbakkul 2:4, in that "The just shall live by faith"

What he meant and explained further, was that no matter what circumstances you may be going through, you need to hold on to that faith you have. What is that faith you have, it is the faith to be a blessing to people. The faith to believe in your visions and dreams and never let go of it.

When Melvin was sharing about the past, I cant help but be amazed at how far this anointed cell group leader has come. He was suppose to be on MC but he spoke with such confidence and anointing, it was as if he was a zone pastor.

Then he went on to talk about how it was in the past as a new Christian, how he was disappointed as a young Christian by the circumstances around him, but he just had that hunger in him. The hunger of God. His main purpose of going to Church was to know Christ more and more. Despite not having a proper cell group, he was still very enthusiastic about God.

What amazed me was these 3 things

1) Patience, he had the patience to believe 'all things work together for the good of those who believe' he was willing to wait. He actually waited about 3 hours just to get Bible study for his baptism class. To many people, they would have left already, but he had this desire in him to want to be baptism, to want to experience the Holy spirit, that he waited, and it was really worth the wait. This all happened because he held on to faith that he was going to be salt and light , especially in the area of cell groups ministry. Turns out this past he experienced, is what helped shape his character and is one of the stories he can use to inspire people about patience and faith in the Lord.

2) Hunger. When he explained on how he took a cab, and he literally RAN after dropping off from the cab, shows how much he yearns and hungers for God. Right from when he was a young Christian. I believe most of us want this hunger, and the good thing is we can. Jacob didn't want to let go of God until God blessed him. Melvin didn't want to miss to opportunity to experience the Holy Spirit, so he ran. Are you running to God today?

3) Vision. Even after setbacks and dissappointments, Melvin kept hold of his vision. He kept working for it and he trusted in the Lord. Yes you need to instill confidence in man but he had absolute confidence in the Lord to carry him true. 'Trust in the Lord with all your heart and all your soul, and He will make your paths straight' His story is truly an epitomy of that

4). Hospitality. Despite me being a new member in a make up cell, he took the effort to actually introduce me, and called me by name. He was also very friendly and approachable when I approached him for a discussion. I believe this is how we should treat all our friends and even enemies. The Bible says that 'a man that hath friends must first be friendly'

Lastly, I would like to say that everything starts small. You need to start somewhere, in Luke 16:10 it says ' if you are faithful in little things,you will be faithful in the large ones' in Zechariah 4:10 it says ' Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin, to see the plumb line in Zerubbabel's hand.

Overall, Melvin's story truly inspired me to believe and have faith in my vision. My vision is to see a great evangelistic movement in Vietnam, and then spreading from Vietnam to mainland Southeast Asia.

I want to start small, but I want to keep running, I want to keep believing, I want to keep having the hunger. This is a problem I face now, I always get enthusiastic about something, but after about a week, my hunger dies, I start procrastinating, and my believe gets smaller. THIS IS ENOUGH! I want constant hunger and faith! And I am believing God for this change in my life~!

Melvin said that Luke was the only gospel that talked about the Birth of Christ, because that was the moment when God sent His son to CHANGE THE WORLD.

Jesus started small as a baby, and as a young child He already said ' I must be about doing my Father's business' He was already clear of His vision and purpose in life from the start, He knew his purpose. He kept praying, and keep reading the word. That's why when He was tempted in the wilderness, He could overcome by the WORD. Even up to his death, He said, 'not my will, but yours be done' He was persistent , He believed, He had faith. And because of Him, our sins are forgiven, and we are saved by grace through FAITH because of the victory that Jesus has already given us when He died on the cross.

Melvin prayed that I would be the connection. The connection for my cell group, and the connection that brings people to God. I will keep praying constantly for this vision, and I do hope you can pray for me too.

Lastly I would like to say looking at Melvin now, and imagining him in the past, how far he has come to leading many many cell groups, I want to be like that too and reach my ultimate destiny of being a blessing to Vietnam and Southeast Asia. I want to believe, accept change and be a great blessing to people.

I want to say a big thank you to Melvin for that wonderful and inspirational message. Its not just about him presenting a message, but I can see it in his life as well that he's not just talking about it, but his life is a living example of it! of the FAITH of GOD to accept CHANGE and to hold on to your VISIONS!

God Bless!

Daniel with a Destiny
Faith in my Destiny "