The Mercy, Grace, Blessing and Favour of The Lord

Bro Kenny Wong

It is wonderful to be in the house of the Lord. My purpose is to give glory to the Lord. What happened actually happened. What you will hear is the truth. Ps Ronald told me to come and share and I say why not. I want to give all the glory to him.

I grew up in PJ as a very naughty young boy. I hardly listen to my parents. I'm not from a rich family and I'm the youngest of 6. I used to wash plates and clean tables at a coffee shop after school. I was paid 50 cents per night. It's not the 50 cents that I wanted but that I'd pack back unfinished food so that my family can eat.

In 1972, a person in the coffee shop once asked if I want to work at the racecourse when I was 12. He'd pay me RM15 a day, and 2 days a week that's RM120 a month which was a lot of money then. He was an illegal bookie so I'd be asked to run errands  for all the police officers there. This corporal would tell the guard that I am his friend and to let me in, though I was just 12 years old.

Then at 14 someone asked me if I want to run errands for a group of friends. To just buy breakfast, lunch and dinner. And he'd pay me RM10 or RM20 per trip. But slowly from buying breakfast, lunch and dinner, it came to buying heroine. At the age of 14. They don't buy by the tubes but by packets. Later I came to know these group of people were not simple people but very very big time gangsters.

In 1974, at the age of 14 I became addicted to heroine. Guns and money were under their pillow. This went on and my life was all messed up. I did not have to worry about money.

In 1976 on April 5, they robbed Poh Kong, a big goldsmith shop at Paramount Garden. And they went back to their hideout just 200 meters away from the goldsmith shop. House No. 20, 20/7 Paramount Garden. Imagine that. 4 of them were shot dead at that house. The 5th at OUG. In 1980 the last of them was caught  in Penang in 1980 and was hung in 1981. They all come from Jalan Dato Keramat. All has sparrow tattoos on their chest and thighs. They were called the Luku gang. After Botak Chin was caught in February these group of gangsters were shot dead by the police.

My world came apart. No more money or drugs. Don't ask me how I get money to survive from 1976 to July 28 1978. I do not wan to go into the details.

In 1978 I got admitted into a drug rehab centre called Joe's Corner. God has been so merciful to me. I left school at the age of 14. I can't read and I can't write. But God was merciful and I got admitted into Joe's Corner.

I ran away three times and the pastor said if you run away again give your place to someone else. I saw Ps Ronald in a room doing his assignments. He was a Bible school student then. When I was undergoing withdrawal they don't give you medicine. They just pray for you. They just lay hands on you and say Lord, heal him! Heal him! Cold turkey. They bath you in cold water and very fast you come out of withdrawals.

If I had a mobile phone back then I'd probably not be here today. God was merciful because that morning on April 5th, I was so high I couldn't answer the house  phone to go to the house. I was supposed to go and get their passports and foreign currency so they can go over to Penang. These are big time gangsters that have committed murder and robbery. If not I'd have been shot too. By the time I got there, the place was surrounded by police.

I want to thank God for not allowing me to go to that house that morning and for placing me in Joe's Corner. That's the mercy of God.

Now I want to talk about the grace of God. In the programme, they give assignments on Mondays but I couldn't read or write. Ps Ronald would also give assignments but I don't understand what it was all about. I was uneducated. Form 1 and Form 2 I didn't go to school for 108 days.  I messed up my life because I did not listen to my parents. I had to look at the dictionaries for all those words. Obtain, I don't know what it's about. Get I know.

I used to con people during my drug addiction. My father died many times. This mind is a very corrupted mind because I keep telling people my father died to get money. But at Joe's Corner they give you memory verse and it cleanse and renew our mind. It's so powerful. As an 18 year old boy I had so many memory verses.

The government cannot help the drug addicts. It's the word of God that helped so many of us.

We appreciate those pastors because they gave their life for us. Today if you ask for money for old folks home, or children's home or the disabled, they will give but if you said it's for drug rehab, 90% of them will not because they said they deserved it. It's these pastors that gave their life for us. They are paid only RM30. That's why if he invites me I'd immediately say yes, to give glory to God. These are people that gave the most ungrateful people a chance.

I took a part time job because I was uneducated. In 1980, I went for an interview at Hope Computer. Before even the interview, the person asked me if I'm an ex-Joe. And he immediately gave me the job. I was so happy because the biggest challenge I faced was rejection by society and family. And I cannot blame them. It is so difficult to be set free and if society rejects us, so many went back to drugs. I went through a lot of these rejections in my life. Society don't give us a second chance but Christians gave me chance.

I promised the Lord that I will promise to be faithful to God because I got a job. To be honest. I was paid RM250. I managed to save RM10 to save into the bank. But the Lord reminded me to pay back all those that I have cheated. To pay back everyone of them. I never compromised on tithing to the Lord. RM25 I gave to Lord. I never go hungry. I buy boxes of Maggie mee then. They say you'll lose your hair if you eat too much Maggi Mee but look at my head now. Still full of hair.

It was not easy for my wife to marry me. It's not easy for a parent to give their daughter to an ex drug addict. We just celebrated our 31st wedding anniversary and we are blessed with four children. My wife educated me to read and write. Reading the Bible helped me improve my English. I have a lot of dictionaries everywhere. My wife was a very smart girl and she educated me. A wonderful wife. In 1983,I went to a sister's house called Audrey to ask her to pray for me because I was going for an interview at Carnation. I only have Form 2 education yet I got the job. Sister Audrey's son-in-law's brother interviewed me. It was the grace of God. I continue to tithe to the Lord. I tithe gross not nett. That's the grace of God upon my life. In 1985, Nestlé bought Carnation. I went through the back door because Nestlé's minimum qualification is Form 5 Grade 2. That's the blessings of God.

I've worked in this company and I've received 8 promotions. I was given a manager position. Minimum a degree. A lot of people didn't want this position I didn't know. I asked Ps Richard to pray for me as it's a high position job. I was offered head of sales for ice cream. When I changed job they gave me a farewell, someone shook my hand and said I've got guts. Because he said many refused the job.

I knew I was in trouble. I'll never forget 1990. I told the Lord I will work hard and trust in you. People think we will collapse as it was very difficult. In 2009 it was still not easy but from 2010, it has been growing every year. The Lord bless us a hundred fold. My wife said what you're getting is mind boggling. Until today I'm still just Form 2. Now when I told them no one believe. If it's not God and his blessings and favour you would not believe.

In 2010 they sent me to Switzerland to study a course. Everyone was told to speak and all of them has qualifications including PhDs. I told them I don't have a master but I have a master up there. That's the favour of God.

I want to wrap up by touching on a few scriptures.

I grew up as a rebellious boy.

Exodus 20:12 (NIV)

“Honor your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

Deuteronomy 5:16 (NIV)

“Honor your father and your mother, as the Lord your God has commanded you, so that you may live long and that it may go well with you in the land the Lord your God is giving you.

You ask your parents so many questions when growing up and they answer all your question. Now when you ask your children questions they don't answer. I grew up with problems because I thought I know better.

Psalms 46:1 (NIV)

God is our refuge and strength,

an ever-present help in trouble.

Malachi 3:10 (NIV)

Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it.

You trust the Lord and the Lord will provide for you. We should tithe with a joyful heart. Don't compromise.

We serve a merciful God. God is always gracious to us in times of trouble. His blessings and favour are always upon those that put their trust in him.

The Mercy, Grace, Favour and Blessings of the Lord has been real in my life. 

Courage to Move Forward

Sis Melinda Song

Joshua 1:1-9, 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. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

7 “Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. 9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Most, if not all of us, can relate to that exhilarating feeling of anticipation before a major event in life. Often mixed with the feelings of excitement, are other feelings of apprehension and worry concerning what might go wrong. 

Similarly, the Israelites experienced similar feelings of excitement and worry as they camped on the edge of the Promised Land. After forty years of wandering in the wilderness, they can look across the Jordan River and see the land of milk and honey promised to Abraham and his descendants almost 500 years earlier. They are so close—but would it ever happen?

It is a time of change - a new season, a new chapter, a new beginning. It was a critical transition from living in tents as wandering herdsmen and feeding on manna, to living in a land with large, flourishing cities they did not build, houses filled with all kinds of good things they did not provide, wells they did not dig, and vineyards and olive groves they did not plant (Deu. 6:10-11).

In the midst of the excitement and anticipation of this season of change, one of their worst fears was realized. Moses passes away. At this point in the narrative, they had just completed 30 days of mourning for Moses. 

It is time to transition to a new leader and the first thing God said during the commissioning of Joshua was…“Moses my servant is dead”  

Why mention that Moses is dead? 

Because the people could not let go! God took 40 years, a whole generation[MS1] , to take Egypt out of the people and to form a people for himself. God had to raise up a people of faith who are ready to receive the land that God had promised to Abraham hundreds of years earlier. 

Moses is dead BUT God’s not dead!

What the Israelites were about to learn, and what is so important for us, is that the promises of God do not depend on any individual or on particular circumstances, but only on God. God works through people, yet He is dependent on no one individual to bring about His purposes. 

The fact that Moses was now gone would in no way hinder God’s plans and purposes. The future God promised would still be theirs. On John Wesley’s tombstone is written: “God buries His workmen, but His work goes on.” The people had to learn to release the past and embrace the new thing that God is doing in order to move forward and possess the future.

And all along God had been preparing another man to lead the people into their inheritance. 

“Now then, you…”  

The mantle now falls on Joshua. Imagine the pressure stepping into Moses’ shoes. Not merely the high expectations but also the impossible odds. There are numerous tribes and nations in Canaan. There are heavily fortified cities. There are trained armies with powerful weapons. There are even giants in the hills. 

And Joshua’s army? The Israelites are disorganized, ill-trained and quarrelsome. They won a few battles but they are not prepared to conquer a whole country. The end of this forty year marathon is in sight but the toughest part lies ahead. 

Joshua is clearly overwhelmed. 

Illustration: A sergeant in a parachute regiment was a seasoned jumper and one day he found himself sitting next to a lieutenant in the plane who was fresh from jump school. The Lieutenant looked a bit pale so as they approached their jump zone the sergeant leaned over and said, “Are you scared, sir?”

The lieutenant replied, “No just a bit apprehensive.”

The sergeant asked, “Well, what’s the difference?” 

And the lieutenant replied, “Apprehensive means I’m scared with a university education.” 

Whichever word you want to use, Joshua was it.  

It appears Joshua needed a lot of encouragement. 

·      v. 6 Be strong and courageous

·      v. 7 Be strong and very courageous

·      v. 9 Be strong and courageous

·      In verse 18, the people encouraged Joshua to be strong and courageous. 

·      In Deut. 31:7-8, Moses told Joshua the same thing – be strong and courageous. 

There is work to be done that will take blood, sweat and tears. Ownership of the land depended on God’s faithfulness, but occupation of the land depended on Israel’s faithfulness (cf. Deu. 30:20). 

God said, “I will give you every place where you set your foot” (v. 3). God promises them the land, but they must take it for themselves. Joshua and the Israelites had to step out by faith to possess the land. 

Joshua will need courage to trust God and do as God commanded. Look at verse nine: "Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go." Don’t forget…

2 Timothy 1:7, NKJV

For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

We all stand on the brink of the future. We all have things that are looming on the horizon which may seem to us just as important, as overwhelming, as awesome as anything Joshua had to face. We have our career changes, our educational choices, our treatment plans, our financial responsibilities, our relationship issues, our family plans, maybe even our calling into some kind of Christian ministry lying ahead of us. Like Joshua, we are excited by some of the things that might happen, but also like Joshua, we are sacred stiff of what might happen. 

BUT we can be strong and courageous when we know that it is: 

A. GOD’S PLAN

God’s plans always involve a man. Moses was the Law-giver but God’s man for the hour has to be a military leader to lead the invasion of Canaan.

Although groomed by Moses, Joshua did not presume upon the Lord but waited for his specific summons. God’s calling is our sure anchor when the storms of disappointment, frustration and opposition are unleashed at us.

The first time the command to be bold and courageous appears, Joshua is told that the reason for his boldness is that God is going to use him to lead the people into the land he has already promised their ancestors (v. 6). Joshua is standing at a particular point in the history of God’s people. There are things which have led up to this point and there are things will lead on from it. It’s all part of God’s will and if it’s God’s will, it will be accomplished. Joshua and the conquest of Canaan are all part of God’s unfolding plan. 

Joshua and the Israelites could look to the future with confidence not only because of what God had promised them about that future, but also because they had already experienced the ways in which God kept his promises in the past. 

There’s a future to look forward to, more amazing things in store, great plans that God has for us here and we are privileged to be here at this time, a small part in God’s unfolding plan for this church, a smaller part in His plan for this city, a very small part in his plans for the world.

You are part of God’s will, part of His plan. What are the things God has prepared for you to do? When did you last reassess God's call on your life? What are those things that God has given you a passion for?

Your courage will rise when you have confidence in the call of God in your life, and believe that you have a part to play in God’s plan. There are always going to be things that you, and only you, can do – little parts of His great overarching plans for this world that can be furthered by your participation if you’re bold enough to allow that to happen. 

We can be strong and courageous because it is: 

B. GOD’S PROMISE

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. 3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses. 4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Mediterranean Sea in the west. 5 No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.6 Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their ancestors to give them.

The reason Joshua could be strong and courageous was because God had bound himself with the promise that He would give the land to the people of Israel. 

Numbers 23:19,NIV

God is not human, that he should lie,

    not a human being, that he should change his mind.

Does he speak and then not act?

    Does he promise and not fulfill?

God cannot NOT fulfil his promise. God must engage to give Israel the victory in all the battles that lie ahead; or if not in all the battles, at least in the most important of them, so that victory for Israel was insured, and the land would be gained for them, and they could possess it. However difficult the opposition, God must ensure Joshua's success. And He did!

Joshua 21:45, NIV

Not one of all the Lord’s good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled.

Joshua 23:14, NIV

You know with all your heart and soul that not one of all the good promises the Lord your God gave you has failed. Every promise has been fulfilled; not one has failed.

Where can we find God’s promises? In God’s Word (vv. 7-8): 

“Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go. 8 Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.”

The Word of God is the secret of being strong and courageous. It is our reliable and constant source for guidance and therefore confidence.

The Hebrew word translated here as “meditate” actually means “mutter”. Joshua and his contemporaries would be constantly reciting bits of Scripture, memorising it, mulling over it. It was to be part of the fabric of their lives. 

Just knowing God’s word is not enough. We ought to also do it. We have to read it and learn it, practice it, weave it into every fibre of your being so that your daily behaviour is entirely influenced by it. 

Fulfilling God’s promises requires us to walk by faith - “every step you set your foot.” God wants us to keep moving with Him. The promises of God may have come from your past, but it is for us claim them today and see them fulfilled in the future. We can't do anything in our own strength. But fear not – we stand upon the promises of God.

We can be strong and courageous because it is: 

A. GOD’S PLAN

B. GOD’S PROMISE

Because it is God’s plan and His promise, we can be assured of:

C. GOD’S PRESENCE

Confidence doesn’t come from looking at what’s inside you; it comes from seeing the One standing beside you. In verse 9, the grace to be strong that is given by the Lord is the assurance of God's presence. "The Lord God will be with you wherever you go." 

The presence of the Lord is not a general concept on the basis of the omnipresence of the Lord, but rather an intimate relationship that marks the believer in Jesus as in a peculiar relationship with his God.

God's presence gives us strength and courage. Think of the way disciples like Peter were transformed by being with Jesus. “How could these simple fisherman speak with such force and power?” the people wondered. Then they remembered they had been with Jesus (Acts 4:13). Being with Jesus changed them. Jesus rubbed off on them. They were scared, they were ignorant, but the presence of Jesus made them bold and gave them the right words to say.

God is no respecter of persons. What He did for them - Moses, Joshua, Daniel - He will do for us. His principles have not changed. He is still in the midst of His people giving victory for every area of life. 

Some two thousand years later, the writer of Hebrews 13:5 quoted Joshua 1: "I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." We often fail to understand the implication of that statement. 

Illustration: A seminarian once shared with his grandmother that the Greek intensive form of this verse in Hebrews was supposed to be repeated three times to say, "I will not. I will not. I will not." In his excitement, he said, "Look, grandma, at this promise. God is saying, ‘I will not, I will not, I will not leave thee nor forsake thee.’" With a smile on her face she said, "Well, for you seminarians, God may need to say it three times; but for me, once is enough."

It has been said that God plus one is a majority. That had been Israel’s experience throughout the 40 years. In Deuteronomy 32:30 Moses sings: 

How could one man chase a thousand, or two put ten thousand to flight, unless their Rock had sold them, unless the Lord had given them up? 

God was ever present with the Israelites as a pillar of cloud by day and a pillar of fire by night ... leading, guiding, teaching. As Psalm 46:1 puts it so eloquently, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.”

Just as God was with Moses, He was with Joshua. And, He will be with you and me. Whether we will be courageous and strong totally depends upon us. Yes, God will be with us, but He is there doing His part. We have to do ours.

TOP is also in transition. Next year is our 40th anniversary. Winds of change are going to sweep through TOP in 2017 and 2018. God is doing a new thing. God is on the move but are we prepared to accept the new things God is doing? 

We need a renewed mindset. Don’t box God in. God is sending new wine and new wine skins. With God we have to expect the unexpected. Circumcision at Gilgal just before the battle? The strange strategy for the Battle of Jericho? How would you have responded?

CHANGE in the hand of the CHANGELESS God is safe and positive, and will yield good fruit to those that respond correctly and embrace it.

What do you face today? This week? Whatever is out there, good or bad, we can meet the adventure and challenge of the unknown with courage because we belong to a faithful God. His faithfulness is demonstrated in His Plan, His Promises, and in His Presence. We can depend on His Word, His love, and His everlasting arms holding us through life. 

Joshua 5:13-19, NIV

13 Now when Joshua was near Jericho, he looked up and saw a man standing in front of him with a drawn sword in his hand. Joshua went up to him and asked, “Are you for us or for our enemies?”

14 “Neither,” he replied, “but as commander of the army of the Lord I have now come.” Then Joshua fell facedown to the ground in reverence, and asked him, “What message does my Lord have for his servant?”

15 The commander of the Lord’s army replied, “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy.” And Joshua did so.

It is not only the people who enter, but it is the Lord Himself who enters leading the people as they go. He is neither friend nor foe. He has not come to fight but to take over. 

The Lord is in the midst of us. I am going to ask you to join me in a prophetic act. We are symbolically going to remove our shoes to acknowledge the presence of the commander of the Lord’s army and invite Him to take over.

Sis Melinda and the young adults praying for Dr Kio who will be leaving for Sandakan this week.

Overcoming the Battles in our Life

Rev Gideon Lee

The Bible often calls us the army of God. And the function of a soldier is to get involved in battles. We all fight battles on different fronts. Some is health or families or finance, but I want you to know the battle belongs to the Lord.

2 Chronicles 20:1-20

Chapter 20

Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir Defeated

1 It happened after this that the people of Moab with the people of Ammon, and others with them besides the Ammonites, came to battle against Jehoshaphat. 2 Then some came and told Jehoshaphat, saying, “A great multitude is coming against you from beyond the sea, from Syria; and they are in Hazazon Tamar” (which is En Gedi). 3 And Jehoshaphat feared, and set himself to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. 4 So Judah gathered together to ask help from the Lord; and from all the cities of Judah they came to seek the Lord.

5 Then Jehoshaphat stood in the assembly of Judah and Jerusalem, in the house of the Lord, before the new court, 6 and said: “O Lord God of our fathers, are You not God in heaven, and do You not rule over all the kingdoms of the nations, and in Your hand is there not power and might, so that no one is able to withstand You? 7 Are You not our God, who drove out the inhabitants of this land before Your people Israel, and gave it to the descendants of Abraham Your friend forever? 8 And they dwell in it, and have built You a sanctuary in it for Your name, saying, 9 ‘If disaster comes upon us—sword, judgment, pestilence, or famine—we will stand before this temple and in Your presence (for Your name is in this temple), and cry out to You in our affliction, and You will hear and save.’ 10 And now, here are the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir—whom You would not let Israel invade when they came out of the land of Egypt, but they turned from them and did not destroy them— 11 here they are, rewarding us by coming to throw us out of Your possession which You have given us to inherit. 12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

13 Now all Judah, with their little ones, their wives, and their children, stood before the Lord.

14 Then the Spirit of the Lord came upon Jahaziel the son of Zechariah, the son of Benaiah, the son of Jeiel, the son of Mattaniah, a Levite of the sons of Asaph, in the midst of the assembly. 15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's. 16 Tomorrow go down against them. They will surely come up by the Ascent of Ziz, and you will find them at the end of the brook before the Wilderness of Jeruel. 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.”

18 And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem bowed before the Lord, worshiping the Lord. 19 Then the Levites of the children of the Kohathites and of the children of the Korahites stood up to praise the Lord God of Israel with voices loud and high.

20 So they rose early in the morning and went out into the Wilderness of Tekoa; and as they went out, Jehoshaphat stood and said, “Hear me, O Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem: Believe in the Lord your God, and you shall be established; believe His prophets, and you shall prosper.”

21 And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who should sing to the Lord, and who should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army and were saying:

“Praise the Lord,

For His mercy endures forever.”

22 Now when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushes against the people of Ammon, Moab, and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; and they were defeated. 23 For the people of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of Mount Seir to utterly kill and destroy them. And when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, they helped to destroy one another.

24 So when Judah came to a place overlooking the wilderness, they looked toward the multitude; and there were their dead bodies, fallen on the earth. No one had escaped.

25 When Jehoshaphat and his people came to take away their spoil, they found among them an abundance of valuables on the dead bodies, and precious jewelry, which they stripped off for themselves, more than they could carry away; and they were three days gathering the spoil because there was so much. 26 And on the fourth day they assembled in the Valley of Berachah, for there they blessed the Lord; therefore the name of that place was called The Valley of Berachah until this day. 27 Then they returned, every man of Judah and Jerusalem, with Jehoshaphat in front of them, to go back to Jerusalem with joy, for the Lord had made them rejoice over their enemies. 28 So they came to Jerusalem, with stringed instruments and harps and trumpets, to the house of the Lord. 29 And the fear of God was on all the kingdoms of those countries when they heard that the Lord had fought against the enemies of Israel. 30 Then the realm of Jehoshaphat was quiet, for his God gave him rest all around.

The End of Jehoshaphat's Reign

31 So Jehoshaphat was king over Judah. He was thirty-five years old when he became king, and he reigned twenty-five years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. 32 And he walked in the way of his father Asa, and did not turn aside from it, doing what was right in the sight of the Lord. 33 Nevertheless the high places were not taken away, for as yet the people had not directed their hearts to the God of their fathers.

34 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoshaphat, first and last, indeed they are written in the book of Jehu the son of Hanani, which is mentioned in the book of the kings of Israel.

35 After this Jehoshaphat king of Judah allied himself with Ahaziah king of Israel, who acted very wickedly. 36 And he allied himself with him to make ships to go to Tarshish, and they made the ships in Ezion Geber. 37 But Eliezer the son of Dodavah of Mareshah prophesied against Jehoshaphat, saying, “Because you have allied yourself with Ahaziah, the Lord has destroyed your works.” Then the ships were wrecked, so that they were not able to go to Tarshish.

Note that it's not just one army. If I'm in a battle, I'd be worried if it's just one army but here it's more than one army. It's three armies joining forces. The Bible described Jehoshaphat as being alarmed. Not afraid.

It's okay to be afraid or be alarmed in some of the battles you are going through. But what's more important is your reaction. He was alarmed but he decided to enquire from the Lord. The people responded to come together to pray and to fast.

As king Jehoshaphat stood among his people he gave a word of encouragement. How good has God been to us. To remember how God has helped you in your past battles. Remember his promises. He reminded the people to remember how good God has been to them.

King Jehoshaphat was not denying the situation. He said he does not know what to do but our eyes are upon God.

I don't know what battles you are going through, friends where is your eyes fixed upon?

The families were together. By the way, starting March, the children will be worshiping together with us. After that they'll go back to their classes. Just worship God and let them see you worship God. When we set good examples our children will he grow up right. Children learn by example so they need to see and learn.

Coming back, the children and little ones stood before the Lord. And here, in the midst of them the prophet stood up and said "Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God's."

When we make the battle the Lord's we don't have to stress it. God will know what to do. The Lord just tell us to stand firm. No point putting on the armour of God and then run. God wants us to stand firm. Stand firm whatever comes your way.

1. Identify your enemies

King Jehoshaphat knew who the enemy was. As a child of God who is our enemy? The devil. We do not wrestle against flesh and blood. From the on start, our enemy is the devil. Therefore our weapons of battle is not carnal. But I want to make this caveat. Sometimes we are the worst enemies because the problems is caused by you. Sometimes it's our fault. Sometimes it is us. Don't blame the devil when you go to work late and you say your boss persecute you.

2. Don't be driven by emotions

When three of the enemies joined together against King Jehoshaphat, he was alarmed but his emotions do not control him. If he was emotion driven he wouldn't have called for a meeting and prayed. Control your decisions. Your emotions will change. If you trust your emotions it will be like a yo yo. The only thing that don't change is the word of God. Sometimes in a fit of anger we throw our resignation letter. Don't let your emotions control you.

3. Take your problem to the Lord

Instead of calling his generals and warlords, he said to enquire of the Lord. But sometimes when we face a problem we try to do it in our strength and wisdom. Maybe that's me. But God wants us from the onset to come to the Lord in prayer. We bring it to God first. When he called for fasting and prayer, the prophet stood up and gave them a word from God. Before anything else bring it to the Lord. No matter how clever we are, his ways and thoughts are always higher than ours.

4. Admit that you need help

We sometimes are very prideful. We don't want people to help us. We don't want people to know because it's shameful. We don't want to admit we have a need. If you don't admit how will others help you? Like my children we give them pocket money and I always tell them if you run out ask. But they don't ask so I think they have enough. But as concerned parents sometimes I just ask if they have enough in mid week then only they tell me they don't have enough. How would I know if they don't ask? When you have a need we need to ask. God knows you have a need but you still need to ask. When you ask and God supplies your needs it builds up your faith. God will not push into your situation until you ask him. Of course sometimes God in his wisdom supply our needs.

5. Rely on God's power

v12 O our God, will You not judge them? For we have no power against this great multitude that is coming against us; nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”

We have no power but have you relied on God's power? Rely on him today, at present. Have you relied on God's power? Then you can say when I am weak he is strong. When I am poor he is rich. Are you relying on your own power?

6. Learn to rest in God

v15 And he said, “Listen, all you of Judah and you inhabitants of Jerusalem, and you, King Jehoshaphat! Thus says the Lord to you: ‘Do not be afraid nor dismayed because of this great multitude, for the battle is not yours, but God's.

When we learn how to rely on God, then we can learn to rest in God. Many times this is what happens. God speaks to you in his still small voice. Instead of learning to rest in his words, you ask God really ar? You really love me and will not forsake me ar? Many times we doubt and question him. Rest in his promises. The Lord has promised that he will do good for you and he will not leave you nor forsake  you. Rest in his promises when he assures us.

This brings me to the last point. What did Jehoshaphat did? He sent his worshippers in front of the enemies. That is not a military decision. You would send your best warriors. This also happened with Joshua. He sent his worshippers to march round the wall. Same tactic. He responded by thanking God.

7. Learn to thank God in all your circumstances

We need to thank God for what he is doing. You know you have a problem and you rely on God, then thank him. Deliverance may not have taken place but you still thank him. Learn to thank God in all circumstances.

And I'm going to close with this. When they came to the place of battle, all they saw was dead bodies. That's the best battle, you come the enemy is all dead. All you need to so is to collect the blessings. The plunder was so much it took three days to collect. When God blesses it is always more than enough. How many of us would like to do business that way. When God blesses us.

Come early to church. The praise and worship is not an interlude time or buffer time to come to service. The service starts from the praise and worship to the offering and announcements, to the word and altar ministry. All of it is worship. The whole service is worship. Come early and be excited and come prayerfully.

When we learn how to worship God you know what happens? When we learn how to minister to God he delights to meet our needs. When we honour and adore him he will do that for us. But often we come to service we treat God like an ATM. We expect God to do likewise, just to meet our needs. God is not our ATM. He is our provider but he wants  you to worship him first. To have a relationship with him like a father and a child. Your needs are met as a by product of your relationship with him. It is our walk with him.

Whenever anyone handles the word of God much is required of the Lord. One day I will stand before God and is answerable to God for all that I preach. This worship.

How do we handle the Battles of our life, you

1. Identify your enemies
2. Don't be driven by emotions
3. Take your problem to the Lord
4. Admit that you need help
5. Rely on God's power
6. Learn to rest in God
7. Learn to thank God in all your circumstances 

Leave your Calculators at Home

Rev Gideon Lee

Matthew 22:15-22

Paying Taxes to Caesar

22:15-22pp – Mk 12:13-17; Lk 20:20-26

15 Then the Pharisees went out and laid plans to trap him in his words. 16 They sent their disciples to him along with the Herodians. “Teacher,” they said, “we know you are a man of integrity and that you teach the way of God in accordance with the truth. You aren’t swayed by men, because you pay no attention to who they are. 17 Tell us then, what is your opinion? Is it right to pay taxes to Caesar or not?”

18 But Jesus, knowing their evil intent, said, “You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me? 19 Show me the coin used for paying the tax.” They brought him a denarius, 20 and he asked them, “Whose portrait is this? And whose inscription?”

21 “Caesar’s,” they replied.

Then he said to them, “Give to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.”

22 When they heard this, they were amazed. So they left him and went away."

Once a wise man said there are two inevitables in life. One is death and the other is paying taxes. 

Jesus is now at the last week of his life. He was going to the cross very soon and he is preaching his heart out. His preaching has offended the religious teachers and they wanted to find a way to arrest him. They wanted to get rid of Jesus. They planned to lay a trap at Jesus by putting an issue that is controversial and trap him with his words. The intention is with malice. They wanted to destroy him. 

They said that they know Jesus is a man of integrity. Sometimes when we want to trap someone, we say all sorts of nice things and this is what they did. Sometimes people say nice things so that we lay out guard down before they spring the surprise. 

They asked Jesus is it right? They know according to the law, they have to pay taxes. But they were asking Jesus from a spiritual point of view. The denarius was the coin that is used to pay taxes. If you look at the coin on one side will be the image of the Roman emperor. And the other side is the inscription that the emperor is king and god. 

To the Jews they cannot bow down to another God. The Ten Commandments says you cannot bow down to any graven image. So they were asking Jesus from the religious and spiritual term whether they should pay taxes. 

If Jesus says yes, all the religious Jews will be offended by what Jesus say and that he is teaching heresy and will arrest him. But if Jesus says no, they will go to the Roman authority and he will get arrested. It was a situation where do also die don't do also die. 

Like husbands who are often caught in this situation. When your wife buy a new dress and ask you if she looks fat in the dress. Yes or no also has problems. 

Jesus asked them to bring him a coin. He asked whose image is on the coin? And they said Caesar. So he said render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's. But I'm glad he did not stop there. He also said render to God that which is God's. 

I am not saying I'm supporting the government where taxes are concerned. I'm still confused about the GST. I just know prices will go up. 

Taxes we have to pay. We have no problems paying taxes. Our issues is how the taxes are being used. How the money is being used. If it's to build better roads, schools and hospitals we have no issue. We are to pray for the government. Praying for the sick, for your family or even for your pastor is not a problem. But to pray for the government is a problem. But we should pray for our government. The government requires our prayer. As citizens we should also exercise our right to vote. We need to vote. 

There are things that belongs to Caesar which we need to give. But that which belongs to God we need to give to God. We are citizens of a higher nature, citizens of heaven and therefore we have responsibilities to the things of God. In fact even more responsibility as we will be citizens of God for eternity. 

Like our talents. Talents to sing and play the guitar. Talents to play the keyboard. We need to arise and shine. It's an action. We need to do something. We need to give back the talents God gave us back to God. 

I appreciate the fact that we have talents that are serving at Teluk Kumbar. Bro Sean Hooi worship leading and Sis Joy. Bro Johnny playing the guitar. You don't see them serving here. 

TOP is celebrating our 36th Anniversary and I know that someone told me we are actually older than that. We will be celebrating our 40th anniversary soon and it's a significant number. The Israelites went into the promise land after 40 years so we will be entering into a new season at our 40th anniversary. Four years will come and pass very quickly. 

We need to serve more in the church. Our talents need to be given to God. It is said that 20% of the church is actively serving. How I wish it's the 80% that is serving the 20%. 

Whose image is in the coin. Caesar. Whose image are we made from. God's image so we belong to him. All that we are we give it back him. There is a certain joy as we give to him. It's a term called radical generosity. 

How many of you know Mark Zuckerberg. The founder of Facebook. He donated 25 million USD. How much is that is ringgit. Over 80 million ringgit. He donated to the CDC to combat Ebola. It's a disease that kills. We cannot think that it will not touch us. This is the last days. We will see pestilence and diseases. How many of you remember the JD. We faced that crisis before. 

Let's give our best and all to God. The reality is that the world will get worst. More natural  disasters. Our citizenship is not on this earth but in heaven. What are we doing? Only when we learn how to give can we experience the joy. When we give to significant things. 

There was once an old lady from a poor family. One day she received a call from a man. Their child were playing football in a field. The ball flew into the man's house and broke a window. The boys wanted the ball back and he said to get the ball back you have to pay for the window. He asked who broke the window and a boy said it was him. So he said he wanted to talk to the mother. The moment he heard it was this lady, he knew of her. So the man said she still had to pay for the window and she asked for some time to pay back. 

So near Christmas, this man called her up to pay for the window. But before he could say anything God convicted his heart. That he didn't need the money. So instead of asking for the compensation of the window, he asked what can I do to help you. He felt the urge to be generous. The lady said she needed some groceries for Christmas so he bought some groceries and some presents for the children. He went to the house and gave these things to her. She was so happy because that was the time she needed it most. The joy that this man felt cannot be felt if we don't give. Jesus gave his all and best to us. 

This is a real life story. Last week I was at BCM and went to the chicken rice shop to have lunch. I saw two students whom I knew at bible school. They were the cook at bible school. They left their lucrative catering jobs to be cooks at BCM. Mr and Mrs Wong. Humble people. They were almost finishing and I went to greet them. I sat at a different table and I thought I'd buy them lunch. I was well fed at bible school and put on weight then. So I wanted to do that as I really appreciated them. So I thought when the person came to take my order I would pay. But they went to their table to collect the money and instead they paid for my lunch. It should have been the other way around. I almost wanted to fight with the person taking the money as I wanted to pay for their meal. 

One day I received a love offering from a widow. She was easily 80 something. She walked up to me and gave me an ang pow. I said no and thank her for her intentions but God spoke to me that the money is for her not me. So I humbly took that love offering and it’s 50 ringgit. She needs it more than me. People give not because they have to but it's because of how they handle what God has given them. 

We are citizens of heaven so let's be radical with what we do.