Here're the things that captured me, and felt that God spoken to me throughout this conference held by FCBC. Although this post might be long, and my thoughts might not be structurally written, but these are my encounters throughout this week.
Sunday July 30th, 2006
We were going to EXPO (Singapore Convention Centre) where FCBC will have their weekend service there. The Kl delegates were all dressed up in our traditional costume. As I stepped into the congregation I was really moved by their worship. All the songs revolved around the theme "salvation". After worship, we received a prayer blessing by Ps Lawrence Kong, the senior pastor of FCBC we left for our prayer booth outside the congregation.
Next, we went into the Chinese service and as I was there waiting (since I can't really understand chinese) the worship band were singing this song called "Listen Closely". Although I didnt understand the content of the song, but I felt that God is asking me to listen closely to what He has called me to do.. What He has called us to do.. that is the make disciples!
Then we attended the youth service which again, the entire worship revolved around reaching the lost, preaching the gospel "Tell the world that Jesus live, tell the world that..." I began to weep. I realised that over the entire 6 months, I wasn't as fruitful as I ought to be. Although I attend church, go for discipleship, attend ENLI, sometimes lead cells and do outreaches, I realise I wasn't as deliberate, I did not go "to the end of the earth" for Him. I have put aside His calling. All that I've said to Him that I will do, but I did not do. I felt I've wasted God's time and effort in building me, in equipping me to be a better minister, to be the salt and the light that give the flavour to other's life & shine the path for the lost. I repented and I asked for His forgiveness.
Col1:10And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, 11being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully 12giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
As we share our encounters at night, I couldn't stop crying. I couldn't resist the thought that I've missed out so much opportunities throughout this 6 months. There're so much things I can do, to share with His gospel to my friends, yet I didnt do it cause of various excuses like "later I'll do it" "it's not the time yet" "tired" "afraid my friends will reject what I've said".... Felt that God began to remind me of what've done throughout this year.....
Monday 31st July, 2006
Pastor Eugene told us that if God ever ask this question "What do you want?" What is our answer? How are we to respond? He told us that, "Be sure that what you want is something what God wants you to do for Him." I told God I want the IMU, I want the people around me to come to know Him. I rededicate my commitment to Him. As Ps Eugene asked for an altar call to those who is seeking for calling... I did not respond and just remained at my seat, kneeling and asking God to seal my dream. But there came a leader who prayed for me, asking God to lift up my worries upto Him.. This leader prayed a prayer regarding this verse:
Mat11:28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
Then he prayed for my parents, for salvation to happen in my family. I was so moved by his prayer because, there I am, not knowing who he is, but he is praying so accurately. I felt that God was speaking to me through Him. Only the day before, I was sharing my concerns to Chris about IMU. I was so moved because God has spoken so clearly at that moment. Really felt relieved and comforted by God.
At night, as Ps Lawrence asked the China and Japan delegates to kneel before each other, and pray for forgiveness for what Japan had done to Asia, I wept as I felt the Holy Spirit filling the entire congregation. That night, I felt that God is speaking unity among all believers there. All past has gone for everyone is a new creation in Christ! We are no longer bonded by our past. This verse came into my mind:-
Eph4:2Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. 3Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. 4There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope when you were called— 5one Lord, one faith, one baptism; 6one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.
Tuesday 1st August, 2006
During worship, as we sang "This is my desire, to honour you...Lord with all my heart, I worship you..." "Lord I give You my heart, I give You my soul, I live for You alone... Lord have Your Way in me".... Although I am so familiar with this song by now, but the word "DESIRE" spoke to me. Felt that God was asking me, how much is my desire to honour Him? How much that I gave my heart to Him? Although I believe I submit my life to Him, trusting Him in everything I do, but here He is asking me, "WEN HAO, HOW MUCH IS YOUR DESIRE FOR ME? IF YOU REALLY DESIRE ME, WHY DIDNT YOU DO THE THINGS I DESIRE YOU TO DO FOR ME?" I felt guilty, I felt I had cheated Him for the past few months. I wept again throughout the worship.
Later, as China was sharing about their city condition, the youth trend and the needs of prayer in area of poverty, all promiscuities, the loss of fathering spirit and their hunger for God to make a change in all these areas I was so touched. In my mind I was thinking, we malaysians are so blessed with God's riches and comforts and we're under tested that we lost our dependancy on Him and many think we dont need a God, whereas the nations of China faces various obstacles that they desperately need God, crying and longing for Him.... Wanting and needing Him to make change in their nation. I felt we need a "wake-up call".....
Wednesday 2nd August, 2006
The last day, I felt that "The time has come" for all of us, for myself to start to go for IMU deliberately. Although we sing this song throughout the conference, but on this day, I felt that God was trying to convey it clearly to me. Whatever I do, I should to it in faith, for God blessed those who is full of faith.
Luke5:17One day as he was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law, who had come from every village of Galilee and from Judea and Jerusalem, were sitting there. And the power of the Lord was present for him to heal the sick. 18Some men came carrying a paralytic on a mat and tried to take him into the house to lay him before Jesus. 19When they could not find a way to do this because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on his mat through the tiles into the middle of the crowd, right in front of Jesus. 20When Jesus saw their faith, he said, "Friend, your sins are forgiven."
"The time has come to stand for ALL we believe it" More deliberate efforts has to be make. I should be bold and be strong and courageous on what I believe in, on my ministry and believing that God will fill in the rest. As I came back to KL, whatever things that I might face and will face, I will not be worry for God has entrusted IMU into my hands. I just gotta claim it!!! In Christ's Name all things are possible!!!
