Dawning of a New Season

Rev Wong Yin Ming

Sr Pastor of Subang Jaya Assembly

I'd like to share with you on the topic the dawning of a new season.

I believe we have different seasons in life. And in Malaysia we have only one season, the hot season and the hot season. And in life we also have different seasons and in organisations, they have what they call life cycles. And the church also have life cycles. God can lead a church from one season of growth to the next season of growth.

And the transition period is very important. I've gone though two churches where they merge to become one. The transition period is crucial and determines the success. If the transition went well, there's a lot of excitement, a lot of joy and a lot of unity. But if the transition didn't work out so well, there is going to be a lot of challenges. But even so, when we go through transitions, we believe that it will be good.

I want to bring to you a historical passage that talks about a transition of leadership and also thr transition of the people of a nation.

1. God is in control of every season.

Joshua 1:1-2 (NIV)

1 After the death of Moses the servant of the Lord, the Lord said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ aide: 2 “Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them —to the Israelites.

God spoke to Joshua, Moses my servant is dead. And when he talked about Moses being dead, he was talking about the passing of an old era. Moses is dead and God now is bringing forth a new leader. The children of Israel was also going through a transition. They have been wandering in the wilderness for 40 years and they are about to now enter into the promise land.

The children of Israel was going through a new season after they left the wilderness. There is also a new leader that is coming. The new season is a season for the new leader. Moses has served his time. In the last 40 years, he has served his time. It's not that Moses was no good, it's just that his era is over. 

I believe the Israelites wanted Moses.  But in God's wisdom he did not allow them to find the body of Moses. Joseph was embalmed but not Moses in God's wisdom. If not they will always look back on Moses. God wants them to look at the glory of the new leader.

When a new leader comes in, there will be uncertainty. They would probably prefer Moses to lead them into the promise land because they are familiar with him. To let Moses bring them in then only appoint a new leader. Now there are two transition, a new leader and a new place.

In the midst of uncertainty God is in control of every season.

God told them to get ready to cross over. It signifies the beginning of a new era. Joshua will be the one to bring upon them the plan and purposes of God. God's presence will be with them.

And God told them that he is the same God of Moses that led them out of Egypt and is the same God that will lead them into the promise land. The leader may change but the plan of God has not changed. Moses is not the one that planned the future of Israel but God.

I want to share something personal. The senior pastor of Subang Assembly announced his resignation after 16 years. It was a very unique situation. He resigned and took on our outreach so I became the sole senior pastor. I came before God and said I do not know how to lead this church and I felt the weight of responsibility.

I remembered God used this passage where Jesus spoke to Peter that he will built his church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it. But God spoke to me that I will build my church and the weight just left me. It is he that will build his church, not me and I knew that I will not journey alone and God is in control.

Churches will have good seasons and bad seasons but he is still in control and will lead the church through the seasons of change. Before God can move the church he has to prepare the leader. And equip the leader.

2. God will raise up a new leader for the new season.

Deuteronomy 31:7-8 (NIV)

7 Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you must go with this people into the land that the Lord swore to their ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their inheritance. 8 The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.”

Just as God was with Moses, God was with Joshua.

Deuteronomy 34:9 (NIV)

Now Joshua son of Nun was filled with the spirit of wisdom because Moses had laid his hands on him. So the Israelites listened to him and did what the Lord had commanded Moses.

The people listened to Joshua. God himself personally encouraged Joshua. Three times. Be strong and courageous. Joshua is much younger and they have not seen Joshua done any miracles yet. They were not so sure but the leader himself must show courage. If the leader is not courageous the people will be shaken in fear. Just like any army, the General must be strong. They will follow. God is encouraging your new pastors to be strong and courageous.

When the leader had to go like Moses, God will raise new leaders. When Elijah had to go the mantle fell on Elisha. Elisha split the water just like Elijah and when the people saw that they recognised him because he did the same miracle as Elijah. They accept not because Elisha told them about Elijah but because they saw him doing what he was called to do. He did it himself. Then the people recognised.

Pastors come and pastors go but the church will remain. Because the pastor is not the church. The people is the church. Pastors are there to equip the leaders to do the work of the ministry.

God chose Moses to lead the people out of Egypt but God chose Joshua to lead the people into the promise land. Not that Moses is no good. And God did not intended the people to compare. It is God who decides.

I had high respect for the founding pastor of my church. I never speak ill of our founding pastor because he laid the foundation. But all pastors will be different. You cannot please everyone. When I first took over the church we had two pastors. They must be wondering whether these two jokers can do it. He was so relational while I'm tasked oriented. But together we build the church and the church grew. Together we embarked on our first building we called our own.

One of the debate in church is the gender of the leader. The spiritual gift God has given is never based on gender. There were lady judges and pastors. The spiritual gifts are given to the leaders to his pleasure. It has never been gender biased. The gifting and calling has always been there.

How I became a senior pastor was orchestrated by God. I seldom share this story. I've shared only once in Romania because it was a man-led church.

I had no idea that the founding pastor was leaving. We were both BCM lecturers so we helped teach. We were there with the church before we took over the church. We did not get involved with the church ministry and administration. One day when I went to the church, the Sunday morning a clear voice spoke to me, I want you to take over the church. I could not believe what I heard. I was thinking maybe it's the devil. I brushed it aside and buried it at the back of my mind. I thought it's just a crazy thought.

It was months before the pastor announced his resignation. When he announced that thought came back to me. I told God it was not possible. We are in an urban setting and many are professionals. Well educated professionals. This is a man's world. For them to accept a lady senior pastor is something that will not happen. But there was this stirring within me. The search committee started searching and invited some pastors but none was accepted.

They then called Pastor Lim and he approached me and asked why don't you come in and we do it together. There was a lot of uncertainty and praying. The church was searching for one pastor and how to say we have two? The church called an EGM and we were both voted in. Pastor Lim's wife is also a credentialed minister but Pastor Lim called me and not the wife so it has to be God.

We enjoyed our ministry together to build the church. Of course there are differences but it does not split the church. Because we are different but in the end we worked together.

After Pastor Lim left to lead an outreach, we embarked on the second building. Pastor Lim handled the first building because as a man he knew more. I knew nothing about building a building but when it was decided I went ahead. I didn't know what I was getting into but we successfully completed the building and is enjoying it. No one left the church after the new building was completed.

When God affirms you he will also open doors for you. I moved into the EXCO and also the Council.  During our time a lot of Bible students married each other. But it's rare for a pastor to marry a layman. We had to go for counselling but after us now many lady pastors also marry laymen.

We have a Love Pastor Fellowship just like Penang. When the Chairman wanted to leave they were looking for someone and everyone was looking at me. All of them are men pastors except for another lady also from AOG yet they accepted me as chairman. YB Hannah Yeah of Subang Jaya looked at me and said you lah.

The calling and the gifting of God is not gender biased. Bil Hybels who runs one of the top churches in America recently appointed a lead lady pastor and a pastor/teacher for Willow Creek.

I just shared with you my journey and it is over 20 years and I'm still doing it. Whenever people talk about Subang Assembly, people just say it's a church with a lady pastor. The church has to affirm the new leader.

3. God will bring you over to the new season.

The people had to know that this is the new season. The people must not dwell in the past because Moses is dead. To cross over to Jordan the people has to be prepared.

Be prepared.

Be committed.

Be supportive.

Joshua 1:16-18 (NIV)

16 Then they answered Joshua, “Whatever you have commanded us we will do, and wherever you send us we will go. 17 Just as we fully obeyed Moses, so we will obey you. Only may the Lord your God be with you as he was with Moses. 18 Whoever rebels against your word and does not obey it, whatever you may command them, will be put to death. Only be strong and courageous! ”

Now they support and affirm Joshua. And they say what God said to Joshua. Only be strong and courageous. I pray that you all will be likewise. And Joshua led them into the promise land. Do not be like the people of Moses. They complain and murmur. Joshua generation was different. They supported their leader and crossed the Jordan as a united force.

Affirmation and encouragement motivates our leaders. Give them your ultimate support. Not just verbal but practical. Walk alongside. Not support from behind.

New season bring new changes. New pastors will have new approach. We must engage the younger generation and raise them to be part of the team. The church have to change with the times. A new leader can bring about new change. But not just new leaders, but the churches now must engage the younger generation.

My encouragement to you is to engage the younger generation to be in the team. To be a part of the team. The church at large must change and we must change with the times. Help the young generation to embrace the new season by involving them and empowering them. You must trust them and have confidence in them. Allow young leaders to have a say. We have a team of young pastors and assistant pastors. Age 29, 30, 36 and 37. All very young. Our church is in a season where we want to empower younger people.

Our young pastors take turns to preach and conduct communion. They do everything we do. But we also wants to embrace the younger members. Because our pastors are young, they see from the millennial point of view. And we baby boomers are trying hard to understand the millennials. We learn from the younger generation. We learn from them how to reach the young.

I took them to a Hillsong event at Subang Jaya and there they talked about how you prepare the people for the service. From the beginning, the moment the visitor enters into the church, right until the service starts and everything has a checklist. And we went back and walked around our church and I asked what do you all think about our church and they say, it's not warm enough. Because our church is a factory building even though it was renovated. The wall is beige colour and after about 7 years you can see patches, more of a very formal environment.

They say young people don't like these kind of colours. They say we don't have a hospitality lounge and our library is under utilised. So I said okay, I give you all a project, you come up with something new. And do a facelift. So I empowered them. Together with a team of youngsters, they came out with a concept that blew my mind.

Their proposal was that the library was under utilised so get rid of the library. They said move the library elsewhere and they said your books will not attract people but your setting and environment will attract people. So the hospitality lounge will take centre stage and the library and visitor's room which nobody want to go is moved to the side.

So I told the young assistant pastor, I said you come and share the concept with the board and I told the board I empowered the young to do this so don't give them any ideas, because our ideas are old ideas. I said let them tell us what they want. I said I empower them but I am not involved because they have a chat group. All the 3 young pastors are in but I am out.

And these are what they came out with. (PowerPoint slides). This is to show you what young people are capable of doing.

I let the young people make changes to attract the young. Like our library and hospitality lounge. We empower them and they come out with ideas. They come out with ideas and we have to foot the bill. And now our young people are excited. And now they are discussing about a mural wall. Another team of young people are on that. I don't even know. And many of them are only college students. They want to make the place vibrant. If not they said looks like factory. All plain colours, white colours. We empower them but we just have to control their spending.

I am encouraging you that even as your church enters a new season with a new pastor, think of embracing the younger generation. You'll be surprised that with a little bit of guidance, young people can do a better job than us. May the Lord bless you.

The Assurance of Providence - the Battle of Wills

Bro Koay Kheng Hin

I'm born in the year of the rooster. I'm going to retire in the year of the rooster. I'm also saved in the year of the rooster, so the year of the rooster is very special to me.

I want to begin with a little bit about the Ang Pow. It's a Chinese New Year tradition. It was started in the Sung dynasty and it was meant to be about the red color of the packet. That was more important than what's in the packet. Today, the symbolism of the red of the packet is less important than what's in the packet. The red symbolises many good things.

For many of us Chinese when we look into the coming year there is that anticipation of prosperity. We have this feeling that it will be more prosperous than the previous year.

The Jews also on the Passover night had the blood of the lamb painted on the doorposts. I want to look at the colour red. The title I want to speak today is on the Assurance of Providence. I want to say we have this assurance not because we are smart or capable but because we are the children of the almighty God.

I have two friends who has GAD (general anxiety disorder). We live in stressful times and in times like these the stress can get to us. The main cause of anxiety is the word uncertainty. It's that uncertainty that bugs each and everyone of us.

What is anxiety? You go to the office and you hear of VSS and you wonder if you still have a job soon. Your children's grades come down suddenly and you wonder what's happening with them. Or you have a pain in your back and you went for a medical check-up but the doctors are still not sure what's wrong. All these are uncertainties that causes anxiety.

Psalms 31:14-15

14 But as for me, I trust in You, O Lord;

I say, “You are my God.”

15 My times are in Your hand;

Deliver me from the hand of my enemies,

And from those who persecute me.

This was at a time when David was being hunted. It speaks of a time when he was hunted by Saul and his friends all abandoned him. It was then he penned this Psalm. The word trust is always connected to trusting God. Verse 15 is where David mentions the Providence. God is in control of human affairs.

For example, I can give you every single incident of your daily lives. Today you are here because of Providence. It is the exact opposite of coincidence. Where it is the permissive will of God, even if the person is not here today, God is still with them. Good or bad, we fall under the sovereign will of God. God is in control but God also permits evil. God has that foreknowledge and control over it.

Today I stand here at the pulpit because he has permitted it or he had prescribed it. God is in total control.

The key is whether  the providence is good or bad for you. By the end at 12.15pm you will know.

In these two verses, King David was asking God to deliver him from his enemies. He was praying for the  providence of deliverance. The certainty come from the believe that God will deliver you from your adverse circumstances.

Matthew 6:30-33

30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?

31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Matthew struck a chord during those times. Many who listened to Jesus are people who are struggling to put food on the table. These are basic provisions. Matthew quotes the words of Jesus and he said don’t worry about food, clothing or shelter. That is the promise of provision.

As children of God most of us have more than enough. Amen? God's promise is that he will fulfill all our needs. That his children will not beg for bread. But God has not promised to satisfy our greed. Most of the times we are so anxious and we worry because of greed.

God bless us but we have to be wise and be good stewards and we will be alright. Two things come out very strongly.

You of little faith. Sometimes we have this uncertainty that things will not turn out well, it is an issue of faith.

When David said I trust in you, he also said you are my God. It's the same here, it says seek first his kingdom. Providence is working in our favour because we are the children of God. But to have that certainty need two things. To be able to believe that God is acting in your favour. But there is another by product of that faith. When you believe in God, it is that faith that draws you to him.

You will find the issue of faith is about where God is and who God is.

Luke 17:17-19

17 So Jesus answered and said, “Were there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? 18 Were there not any found who returned to give glory to God except this foreigner?” 19 And He said to him, “Arise, go your way. Your faith has made you well.”

The compassion of Jesus  was on them and all 10 were cleansed. Only one came back to thank him. What is verse 18 teaching us? God is not an answering or vending machine. Someone you go to, to get whatever you need and then you go away and only coming back when you need him again. He wants to fellowship with you.

The nine who were cleansed but cabut (went away) broke the heart of our Lord. God wants to fellowship with us. The circumstances of life are points where you see his provisions but also points where he wants to meet with you.

When you want to have that assurance of providential favour in your life, the rest in your soul, you must have faith that God is working all the time that all things will work for good but he desires that you come to him not just for his blessings but for who he is.

I've a Christian friend who asked me if he can do Buddhist meditation or yoga to calm himself. The fact that he had to ask this shows he has not found rest in God. Outside the church there are so many who has not the peace of God and today as children of God we are in a position to tell them "let your heart not be troubled" because Jesus can give them a peace that surpasses all understanding.

You can only impart what you have. If you come to me for big bucks sorry I cannot help you. Not that I have no money, but if you're talking about money for business I cannot help you. But if you say you worry or cannot sleep, you can give me a call. Hopefully don't everyone call me.

The peace of God is our heritage. It is something we can only have if we have the experience of that assurance working in our life. I'm a science person so there's the theory and the experience.

Many times in our desperate situation we cry to God but when God deliver us the house become quiet. If you look at faith in Hebrews 12:2, Jesus  is the source of our faith.

Hebrews 12:2

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

He is the perfecter of our faith. It is both an event and a process. The day we accept Jesus  is an event. We are changed from being an orphan to become the children of God. Someone who was helpless to becoming children of God.

That faith should keep on growing. Until the time when you meet with every problem your faith has surpassed it and you remain cool and calm, where the peace of God will rest in you. A peace that surpasses all understanding.

Every time we talk about prayer, there is a place for petitional prayer but have you practiced conversational prayer or have stopped contemplative prayer? That is what Jesus uses to perfect our faith. How do we experience this faith?

Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.

The assurance of providence provides a certainty that will remove any anxiety.

This is only half the story. For non Christians they cannot understand providence. For those who do not believe in God providence does not gel but faith does. They do what they can and then it fails. They say what can be done. It's fate.

But for someone who believes in God, you talk to the person if things don't work out, they will say what to do, it's God's will.

But as a Christian when you talk about the will of God, we may think it's not the best. If the person cannot accept that the will of God is not the best for him, how do you tell the person to rest in the providence of God. I call it the battle of wills.

When a person becomes a child of God, he will have on one side, God's will and on the other side his will or dreams. When a person accepts Christ on Sunday morning don't expect him to be like Paul on Monday morning. He will start with a mix of God's will and his will. But as he grows, God's will grow while his will lessens. Maturity comes with how much God's will is actualized in your life.

Providence will finally overcome and shine above everything else.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Paul says you are struggling but if you still think as the world thinks, you will battle with God's will. Then only you can says God's will is perfect.

Then you will not say "what to do? God's will" and instead say, praise the Lord, God's ways are better than my ways and his thoughts higher than my thoughts.

I want to tell you a little story.

When we talk about the life of faith, we say we have a problem and we pray. No answer. We then ask our cell leader to pray with us. Then another week goes by, we persevere. Then God answers. Your faith is now even more than your cell leader's faith.

When Daniel went into the lion's den you can tell Daniel was praising God. Who has more faith, the man in the lion's mouth or the man who has been delivered from the lion's mouth. Many of us our faith gets a booster when God answers our prayer but not when God has yet to answer. Don't Praise God for the suffering but praise God in our suffering because we believe God has his purposes beyond what we can comprehend.

What we talk about faith the Chinese calls heaven's will. The best illustration is from the Chinese novel, the romance of the three Kingdoms. One of the wisest in the novel at 80 years old, he cornered his enemies and burned the army. The general of the enemy was going to commit suicide and that wise man was smiling with victory in sight. That time was the driest of a 7 year drought and while he was basking in his victory, a heavy downpour came and the fire was snuffed out and the enemy escaped. He looked up to heaven and said heaven's will cannot be opposed. And in the movie he vomited blood, never recovered and he died.

Compare him to our great man Joseph of Genesis. Seventeen years old and was sold as a slave. Met Potiphar wife's and was thrown into prison. By the time he came out of prison he was 30 years old. It was a long long time. And at the end this was how he saw God's providence.

Genesis 50:19-20

19 But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God? 20 You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Joseph was someone who had a strong grasp of the providence of God. What came out of Joseph all the time was God. It is the basis for Romans 8:28. God at times permit it but God did not stop there. He will use the circumstances to turn it around for his propose. The perfecter of your faith. From that incident came David and from David, Jesus.

I want to encourage you that no matter what happens in your life, his providence is not only for your good but because he has a greater purpose.

I'm a chess player and you must have a game plan. God has a game plan. His provisions always have a part in his kingdom. God has his jigsaw pieces all laid up. We cannot see it.

God is not a slave driver. He does not use us and not care about us. He is a king with Kingdom purposes and he cares about his citizens. But more than a king be is also our Father and he cares and his work in our lives is part of that jigsaw that has a far greater purpose than those who don't know God.

The passage about the battle of will is best represented in Matthew 26. Jesus is both a perfect God and a perfect man. The Bible says Jesus was hungry and thirsty. He was 100% man. His humanity at this time shows his suffering was real. He was on the cross as the perfect man. In that perfect humanity Jesus approached God the Father and prayed.

Matthew 26:39

Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

But what is most beautiful is that he said not my will but your will. Your will be done. In KJV, thy will be done shows the graciousness of God's providence in our life. The will be done has brought us to where we are, saved, to be sanctified and glorified. God is always good. You may not understand it but if you can just cry, thy will be done and you will be most blessed.

SaveSave

Confidence in the Midst of a Crisis

Rev Gideon Lee

I'm going to look at Psalms 46, but it must be read with Psalms 47 and 48 to have the proper understanding. We are gong to look at Psalms 46 so you can go back and read Psalms 47 and 48.

Psalms 46

God the Refuge of His People and Conqueror of the Nations

To the Chief Musician. A Psalm of the sons of Korah. A Song for Alamoth.

1 God is our refuge and strength,

A very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear,

Even though the earth be removed,

And though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea;

3 Though its waters roar and be troubled,

Though the mountains shake with its swelling.

Selah

4 There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God,

The holy place of the tabernacle of the Most High.

5 God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved;

God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.

6 The nations raged, the kingdoms were moved;

He uttered His voice, the earth melted.

7 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Selah

8 Come, behold the works of the Lord,

Who has made desolations in the earth.

9 He makes wars cease to the end of the earth;

He breaks the bow and cuts the spear in two;

He burns the chariot in the fire.

10 Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Selah

It starts out by saying God is our refuge and our strength. There are three things I want to share from these scriptures.

1. He is still God our protector v1-4

2. He is still God our provider v4-7

3. He is still God the proven one v8-11

I mentioned you need to read Psalms 46, 47 and 48 to really understand. God saved the city of Jerusalem miraculously.

2 Kings 19:34-36

34 ‘For I will defend this city, to save it

For My own sake and for My servant David's sake.’ ”

Sennacherib's Defeat and Death

35 And it came to pass on a certain night that the angel of the Lord went out, and killed in the camp of the Assyrians one hundred and eighty-five thousand; and when people arose early in the morning, there were the corpses—all dead. 36 So Sennacherib king of Assyria departed and went away, returned home, and remained at Nineveh.

God protected the city miraculously. The Bible scholars said that these Psalms were written in response to this incident. That night 185,000 of the Assyrians died. No one knows exactly what happened. The people placed their trust in God and the enemy suddenly died. They didn't even to have to go to war for hand on hand combat. It was a miracle and it tells how God delivered them. They also said that most probably the person who wrote this Psalm is the prophet Isaiah. Because some of the phrases he used is the same as in the book of Isaiah. God protected God's people. He protect his people. I don't know what is coming but my message to you is that God protects his people.

1. He is still God our protector

God is our refuge. Some translations say he is our hiding place. Our shelter. He is your refuge. I don't know if you have a situation where you don't know where to turn to except the Lord. There you will find shelter in the storms of life.

I was one of the first in my family to have a bike. I even knew how to ride a bike even before I got a licence. The first time I rode on my motorcycle in the rain, it was painful. I thought it would be more like a shower. In that situation when in a downpour you are desperate for a shelter. In KL you cannot stop anywhere on the highway. So you look for the next flyover to find a refuge. God is that refuge. And what a relief when you find that shelter. When you have nowhere else to go. He's the only place where you can hide.

There are days when you just want to hide under the blanket in your bed. I've had days like that. Reminds me of this story when one man said he's tired and didn't want to go to church. The mother said. You must go and encouraged him. He then said I don't want to go because I have no friends in church. The mother said then must go and make friends. Then the son said, mom, give me one good reason why I must go to church. And the mother said because you are the pastor. I'm not saying that's me ar.

If you look at that word refuge it is followed by a conjunction, the word and. The word and ties refuge and strength together. Not only is God your refuge but he is also your strength. He not only give you shelter but is also your strength. It doesn't mean he is over protective where it becomes detrimental to you. He provides you with a shelter and you receive strength from him. We are strengthened to face the storm. It's like how vaccination works, so that your child can stand that disease. It's the same. He vaccinates so that you have the antibodies to face the enemy. He loves you very much.

Psalms 91:1-4

1 Whoever dwells in the shelter of the Most High

will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.

2 I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.”

3 Surely he will save you

from the fowler’s snare

and from the deadly pestilence.

4 He will cover you with his feathers,

and under his wings you will find refuge;

his faithfulness will be your shield and rampart.

He is God your protector. Your refuge and strength. Someone you can count on to take care of you. God is not protecting us to hide us but to help us. He gets us ready for the battle by giving us his strength. And I like v3, the ever present help in time of trouble. He is present, not past tense or future tense. It's when you need it now. Not tomorrow or a few years back but right there, right now. He is never late nor early. He is always on time. If your miracle have not come to you, then it's not time yet. You can count on him to be right on time. My God is a present tense God. He is an "on time" God.

Remember Daniel and the three Hebrew boys? When in the fire, there was a fourth, so he is right there, right on time. He is our ever present help in time of trouble.

V2 and 3 it says therefore. I like therefore, like in conclusion, a lawyer's term, that we will not fear. The conclusion is that because he is our refuge and help we will not fear. How many times we have let fear overpower us? The antidote is to look at the Bible and what it says. God is able to show up in your circumstances. He is able.

2. He is still God our provider

In ancient times rivers are very valuable resources. Water sustains life. Jerusalem actually don't have a river. For the city to flourish, they must have a river nearby. But there is a spring that is nearby, the spring of Gihon and it spring leads to a place call Shalom. That water can be cut of so King Hezekiah channelled the stream underground right straight into Jerusalem. That underground tunnel provided water supply to Jerusalem whenever they were under sieged. The river because so important even when they are under sieged. It's the river of living waters.

He is the provider during our crisis and we need to tapped into him. He may be our protector and provider but we need to learn how to tapped into God's resources. Has God been your provider? He had been my provider for so long but he is not my ATM or vending machine.

I remember in Bible school when I was much younger. I quit my job from Reader's Digest and I went from 10,000 a month to zero. And God was our provider. Some may say I have savings but actually no, you can ask my wife. And they wanted to collect Faith Promise, but how much can we give? But God spoke to me to give 300.00 to that mission. That was like impossible for me as a bible school student. So I said God I'm going to trust you for it. So I put 300.00 and at the end of the trimester, I still don't have the amount yet. So I asked God that he said he will provide. I was in class when I received a text on my phone from a friend I've not met for a long time.

I'm in class so I waited till the break to call him. He said wait for me and that he's coming to see me. He came and he said he felt that God spoke to him to bless me with this amount and he said he just want to do it. He passed me an envelope of money, said God bless you and he left. I counted the money and it was 300.00. I went to the chapel and gave it to missions. God is your provider and not just your protector.

3. He is still God the proven one

He is someone who has an impeccable and unblemished record. We are praying to the one who created heaven and earth by his word. That's how powerful he is. He can do anything. Someone asked me where did God come from? Someone asked who created God? He is that he is. He exists. If someone created God then he is not God. He is God the proven one. Not just to reflect on his power but to rest in it. Be still.

Psalms 46:10-11

10 Be still, and know that I am God;

I will be exalted among the nations,

I will be exalted in the earth!

11 The Lord of hosts is with us;

The God of Jacob is our refuge.

Selah

Be still literally mean let God take over. Rest in him.

2 Chronicles 20:17

You will not need to fight in this battle. Position yourselves, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord, who is with you, O Judah and Jerusalem!’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out against them, for the Lord is with you.”

This verse is for someone here. Be still. Coming to the end there were three words I did not read our loud. Selah. It's a musical word. When you play music, Selah means it tells the singer to stop and reflect. And in this chapter there are three Selahs.

After verse 3 God says reflect. After God our protector. Then after verse 7, stop and reflect because God is my provider and after verse 11, God says stop and reflect because God is the proven one.

What a wonderful God we serve and it results in that he deserves our praise and worship. This morning let God be your protector and provider because he's the proven one. Then go back and read chapter 47 and 48 and it will encourage you and let it results in praise and worship for him.

God is Still In Control

Rev Gideon Lee

This morning I want to talk to some of you and I think you need to hear this message. That God is still in control.

Haggai 2:21-23

21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying:

‘I will shake heaven and earth.

22 I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms;

I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms.

I will overthrow the chariots

And those who ride in them;

The horses and their riders shall come down,

Every one by the sword of his brother.

23 ‘In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

Note that the word used here is the Lord Almighty.

There are many things in this world where we have no control over. Like the stock market. Whether it goes up or down. 

We have no control over the rising cost of living or wages that are stagnant. We have no control over what's happening around us even our own security. Like hand grenades being tossed into a new eating outlet. Or the shootings that's happening right, left and centre. Or the recent news that ISIS is coming here.

Many things happen where we have no control over.  A world in turmoil and uncertainty. Maybe some of you are dealing with some personal issues. Like bills you can't pay or issues at work. Or health issues.

But matter what you are going through I want you to know there is one who is totally in control and his name is Jesus. When we see what's happening fear creeps in. And we forget who is in control.

My outline is like this.

1. He has a sovereign plan for you and me.
2. He possesses supreme power.
3. He has selected you and me for this special plan.

He is omniscient. He is all knowing. He knows all things. He is omnipotent. He is all powerful. And he is omnipresent. Always present, everywhere all the time. This is the God that we serve. This is the same God that we call Abba father.

Matthew 10:29-31

29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care. 30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.

The sparrows are one of the most common bird. They are not really pretty. They don't sell sparrows into he bird shop. God says even if one of them falls to the ground God knows. Are you not more valuable than sparrows. God even knows how many hairs are on your head. We don't tak count of our hair but God knows. Some this unimportant as this God knows. Are you not more valuable than sparrows?

It also tells me that God is control because he knows how many sparrows died yesterday. What a comforting knowledge to know that he is concerned for us. He has a sovereign plan.

Our government is not in control. Our prime minister is not in control.

God has a sovereign plan.

He has a sovereign plan for your life. The word of the Lord came to Zerubbabel not one but twice. God spoke to Haggai that God has commissioned him to build the temple. God is in control because he has a plan. If God has a sovereign plan for us, then what is our response.

We need to be a willing vessel so that God can use us. God want to do that in our church. For each and everyone of us. All he ask is that we avail ourselves. Here am I, use me.

This morning when I went to the Hokkien service I was pleased to see a new worship leader. This morning I am also quite please to see Ephraim Song leading with Alvin. We need to avail ourselves.

God's plan is good but our response has to be here am I Lord, send me. We need more people to serve here. Church do you here me?

The plane and nothing if God has no power to accomplish it.

He possesses supreme power.

Haggai 2:21-23

21 “Speak to Zerubbabel, governor of Judah, saying:

‘I will shake heaven and earth.

22 I will overthrow the throne of kingdoms;

I will destroy the strength of the Gentile kingdoms.

I will overthrow the chariots

And those who ride in them;

The horses and their riders shall come down,

Every one by the sword of his brother.

There is great debate when is that day but it doesn't matter because it will come to pass. God has the power to shake the heavens and the earth. Who can do that? Only God can do that. The same God that says to the storm be still. Only God has power over nature according to the Jews.

He will overthrow rulers and government according to the scripture. How many of you are praying for your country. I want you to know God can turn things around. He possesses a sovereign plan for us and only him can dictate it. He has supreme power.

Pray for our chief minister Lim Guan Eng but understand that God is in control regardless of the outcome.

Romans 8:31

What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?

He is in control of our situation. We may not see his hand on it but let's trust his heart. That he is in control.

Because we have no need to fear because God is powerful. We need not fear those that may come and persecute us because he is powerful. We can be comforted by his power. He will work all thing out for good to all those that love him and is called according to his purpose.

He has selected you and me for this special plan.

v23 ‘In that day,’ says the Lord of hosts, ‘I will take you, Zerubbabel My servant, the son of Shealtiel,’ says the Lord, ‘and will make you like a signet ring; for I have chosen you,’ says the Lord of hosts.”

A signet ring is use to authentic an instruction by using the ring to seal the letter. So that you know it comes from the emperor or king. It shows the authority given by the bearer. He has given us the authority. God has called each and everyone of us. We are to make disciples and he has given us the authority to do it. What has God called you personally to do? He did not save us to just come to church and look pretty.

Be brave enough to say here am I, use me. God gave us instructions through the word. Your instructions are found in the he word of God. He is telling you there is something he wants you to do.

God's calling contains a purpose and privilege. All of us will be rewarded with some crown that we can lay before the Lord and I hope all of us will have something for him.

We may all not start well but we should all end well. That's what's important.

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