Hong Kong 4-8Sept!

It was a really an enjoyable and unforgettable trip to Hong Kong this time. I really enjoyed the contents of this trip, though I wasn't exactly excited about the container (the place itself). Basically Hong Kong really looks like what I see on TV shows!

It was great to know our brothers and sisters from this place. Most of them can speak English and some fluent Mandarin too. One of the things I discussed with a brother called Alex is that we need to have Cantonese praise and worship songs. This might be a way that can attract Hong Kong-ers to church to worship :)

I really enjoyed all of the teachings and worship time as well as times spent talking with the pastors and leaders. I've had the privilege to ask our Hope Manila to pastor out for dinner. We had to miss that night's worship time though.. but it was truly worth it to "suck" as much as I can from him; his spirit, his life, his ministry etc.. Also gotten a few contacts from a few other leaders. Really appreciate their open heart. I really thank God for keeping me focused and my eyes fixed on the LC for the first 3 days yupp. God really spoke alot alot, God indeed moved in the spirit of many people. God touched my heart. How much more should we be faithful to God!

Acts 26:19
"So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.

Paul proved himself obedient and faithful since the day he received that vision from God.

Wow, though we've only been at HK for a few days, I really miss the bros and sis' in Singapore and they were on our mind in prayers. I will think of how is caregroups, service, are they ok, leadership etc... haha but I know in such situations, we can only count on God and commit everything into His hands!

A number of people fell sick during the trip too. Yeah sometimes it is our responsibility to ensure they have rest also and not just being concerned of their fun itinerary because primarily, health is more important than the fun right? Protection. Though this is the first time for most of us to HK but there will definitely be opportunities in the future; this I'm just pretty certain.

There is a lot of work to be done - we r truly excited about the Great Commission. I've seen so many people excited about the vision and they are so serious about it. I no longer feel overly burdened anymore because all of us are determined to finish the cake, the world. There are so many more people who are going through tough times and we all rejoice because "consider it pure joy whenever you face trials of many kinds.." it develops our character, our skill in building the church, our faith and our victory!

A few people asked me about Scotland. It seems like whenever people ask me about my plans after NS or what is the country I have burdened for, it will always link back to Scotland as one of the options. It is an opening door for me. I have never thought of going Europe before because it is really expensive and I ain't particularly drawn to the Western society because I feel the Africans need Jesus more. However if it is really an opened door right in front of me, I think I should not choose but walk into it in obedience to the Great Commission. But who knows? God has great plans and I never say anything is confirmed until it is confirmed. We should not just go to countries we like or cultures that interest us because if we don't book any available country then we'll never be able to finish the "cake". We book the "piece of cake" of first - by prayer, by preaching. If someone goes ahead of us, praise God! If there is no one else but us, then hallelujah we r counted into this great plan of His!

Won't the vision be a piece of cake if everyone thinks this way?

And what we all ought to do is to be faithful in the little things and God will add upon us! Be a shepherd of one to three persons if you are not yet a shepherd. Be a shepherd first! Shepherd and follow up faithfully. Be dilligent and faithful in prayers of people and ministry + our own spiritual life, very important. Samuel as a leader considered it a sin to not pray for Israel! We have to pray!

With God, we can! See u all on the 14th Sept alright!

Obedience

For the past week, I have been sick and it took a turn and have gotten worse on friday, which is the day I am performing for my duty. It was a terrible 12 hours!

Oh YES, obedience is once again reminded to me. On saturday, the verse in 1 Samuel 15:22 kept on ringing on my head.

But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD ? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

Samuel is actually rebuking Saul for not obeying. Saul acted in disobedience even though he says that he wanted those animals for God. Obedience is really something we have to keep ourselves on our toes all the time. It is our natural tendency to disobey, to do what seems "smarter" and more "beneficial" in our eyes than to obey. As our knowledge increases, it can be easy to just depend on our own judgment, analytical and whatever abilities we have instead of turning to the Word and apply obedience to God in whatever situations.

God demands full obedience. God is grieved that Saul(verse11) was made King and did not fully heed the Lord's instructions. Actually, being a leader is not really about talent and skills. Its really obeying God fully. Obedience helps us be more effective leaders as it enables God's blessing to come upon our lives. If our hearts are really true after God, there is no way God can't use us.

So let's really watch out for obedience in our daily walk with God and in ministry. Ask "what God wants?" Not what I want nor what seems good alone but what God really wants. Striving to God's standard should be our ideal. It's so easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing and then we start to compare ourselves to them. Instead of pursuing what God wants in our lives, many leaders have ran after other people's achievements and get caught up in a rat race that don't belong to them. Obedience will make our vision clearer. If we start obeying step by step, more things will be revealed to us yea..

I am not ashamed of the vision God gave to me and I wanna be fully obedient to Him and to the vision. God, help me, I know I have acted in disobedience many times but help me to stand up against it. To act according to Your will, instead of mine. Lord really help me and empower me. In Jesus' Name, Amen!