The Power of the Gospel

Bro Koay Kheng Hin

I asked my bible study class to pray for me because these days we are so politically charged, but just to be clear I am not making a ceramah today.

There are two types of ceramah, one that offers free food and one that does not. It is all about political power and the most famous quotes is from Mao Tze-Tung - "Power comes front the barrel of a gun". Of course this man who is anti God got it all wrong. Today, the power lies in the ballot box so let us prayerfully do our duty.

This morning I want to draw you from this political charged atmosphere to a spiritual atmosphere, to draw you to look to Him and be more heavenly focused.

This morning I am talking about power. But not power drawn from human institutions but power that is divine, the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Romans 1:16-17
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. 17 For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written:“The righteous will live by faith.”

The Dunamis of the Gospel. That's my title for today's message.

I want you to note that Paul writes that "I am not ashamed of the Gospel". You may wonder why. It is because Paul minsters to people across the board. The gospel is not something natural for all to believe. The Jews slight at Him. How can a person crucified be a messiah? For death is a curse.

When he goes to the Gentiles, of which some are learned, asked, how can a person resurrect from the dead? But Paul knows the power of the gospel is salvation to those who believes. And Paul believes this.

This Dunamis is the inward Dunamis. Why, because there is also an outward Dunamis.

My brother got his diploma from bible school and when I told him there is an inward and outward Dunamis, he asked me biblical or not.

Paul saw the gospel of Jesus dying for the sins of men and women. In this gospel lies the pathway for men and women to come back to God. Paul was first and foremost thinking of a power that can make a person who is spiritually dead become spiritually alive. No other power can do that.

In that gospel God proclaim that He can give spiritual life and that the bones that are dead can become alive, and this is what we call born again.

Whatever power there is on earth is human and can only change events. But only one power can change life and bring life to bones. It is by the Holy Spirit that brings you the new life.

And that is what Paul calls the new man.

There is a Chinese proverbs that says it is easier to change an empire than to change a human character. It is impossible to change a man's character and the Chinese got it right. Paul as an example is not a humble man but he was humbled by the gospel of Jesus Christ.

That same power is at work sanctifying you and making you more and more holy. That inner Dunamis is not focusing on the power of human institutions but the power that gives you new spiritual life to free you from the bondage of sin, to help you pursue righteousness.

The work of the Holy Spirit is what caused you to accept him where the gospel became real to you.

John 8:32
Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”
The gospel lies in this word "Truth". It liberates you. Almost all of us succumb to sin because of lies. Truth allows you to have a life that is free from sin. A life God wants you to have.

This truth mentions the content of the gospel. The objective truth. But that is another element to the truth, where the letter needs to be energised and made alive to you. From logos to rhema.

That truth gives you salvation and new spiritual life which first and foremost gives peace in your life. Peace with God is what the new spiritual life is all about. New spiritual life can totally transforms you. That inward power of the gospel to change you. That power changes the human heart and no other power on earth can do that.

If you hear people who are saved, they often say, once I was like that. Now I am like that. When you have peace with God, you can have the peace of God.

Hebrews 2:3-4
how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation? This salvation, which was first announced by the Lord, was confirmed to us by those who heard him. 4 God also testified to it by signs, wonders and various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit distributed according to his will.

The word miracle in the Greek is the same word as Dunamis. It is the divine power of God to work miracles. A miracle is when God breaks into the natural realm and causes wonders, miracles and signs.

This is an outward Dunamis. It is an outward that is the miracle working power of God on you. This is to confirm and testify to the message of the gospel.

John 20:30-31
Jesus did many other miraculous signs in the presence of his disciples, which are not recorded in this book. 31 But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
You will find that these miracles were written that you may believe Jesus is a miracle working God. Miracles are always flowing from the compassion of Christ. When He heals you it is not a dis-compassionate work. He wants to heal you.

The most important fact of the healing is to lead you to Jesus Christ. It is not an end but a means to an end. They are a point of contact but not the point of focus. Do not focus on the miracles but the person who perform the miracle.

If our focus is on the healing, He will receive the miracle but not the healer. This is possible, you will realise there are people like that. When not well, they will do anything you ask to get his healing. Even the sinner's prayer. People like these who seek healing and not God will go to other temples to get his healing. That's his focus.

Luke 17:11-17
Ten Healed of Leprosy
11 Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance 13 and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!”
14 When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed.
15 One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him–and he was a Samaritan.
17 Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine?

This story tells us that 10 received the outward Dunamis of God's miracle. Were they all healed? Yes. But only one came back.

But the inward Dunamis is the one that saves. The outward Dunamis is a means not an end. Spiritual maturity does not depend on the outward Dunamis. It is about a relationship with our Lord. It is striking the balance. The gospel call must emphasise the content of the bible and that you can have new life in Christ.

How does Jesus balances this outward and inward Dunamis?

John 9:5-8
While I am in the world, I am the light of the world.”
6 Having said this, he spit on the ground, made some mud with the saliva, and put it on the man’s eyes. 7 “Go,” he told him, “wash in the Pool of Siloam” (this word means Sent). So the man went and washed, and came home seeing.

This is the outward Dunamis.

John 9:35-39
Spiritual Blindness
35 Jesus heard that they had thrown him out, and when he found him, he said, “Do you believe in the Son of Man?”
36 “Who is he, sir?” the man asked. “Tell me so that I may believe in him.”
37 Jesus said, “You have now seen him; in fact, he is the one speaking with you.”
38 Then the man said, “Lord, I believe,” and he worshiped him.
39 Jesus said, “For judgment I have come into this world, so that the blind will see and those who see will become blind.”

And here Jesus talked about the working of the inner Dunamis.

John 11:43-45
When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” 44 The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face.
Jesus said to them, “Take off the grave clothes and let him go.”

This outward Dunamis though powerful was already being prepared for by Jesus in verse 25.

John 11:25-26
Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; 26 and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?”

The greatest miracle is that a man who is spiritually dead can cross over to spiritual life.

I was talking this morning at bible class about the church. And in the Protestant church there is the Pentecostal movement, you find the biggest growth of the church was then. The Pentecostal movement has a very strong outward Dunamis but they also had great emphasis on the inward Dunamis.

On the cross you will receive your biggest miracle. When I became a Christian, the very first question I asked was this. Why nothing happened? Then my brother asked me what did you think will happen. After he prayed for me and said it's finished, I was waiting for something to happen. I read the bible and like Paul, he was blinded by lightning. I was expecting something.

But my brother had wisdom and told me it's not for everyone, you are not Paul. But something did happen, and nothing can compare to that, I became spiritually alive.

Our faith rest in the person of Christ and in that comes the presence of God and in that presence will manifest the power of God. Those who seeks the outer Dunamis often never finds it but those who seeks the inward Dunamis often sees the outward Dunamis being manifested. Seek the Lord. The power that work in you, not just the outward.

To me, many of us do not realise that when you see all the turmoil around the world, you see the outward needs. The outward turmoil does not mean you cannot have inward peace. And there is only one power that can give you peace that surpasses all understanding.

My personal testimony is that I am like you with a lot of problems and obstacles. But I can attest to you that even when things are not well and smooth, you will experience the peace of God in the midst of everything and there you find a rest. That is the power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. It is your spiritual heritage. In that salvation, you who are spiritually dead is made alive and that is the life of God in you. And that is something that money cannot buy. And there you will find a wonderful peace and in that you will find the outward Dunamis of God.

You may ask what is all this about? I am just trying to change your focus. If you have been focusing on the miracles that God does, focus instead on God. Focus on the God of miracles, not the miracles of
God you seek.

I conclude that it is the gospel of Jesus Christ, the only thing that has eternal value. Its greatest power is when you allow the person of Jesus Christ to be lifted up. The positive power of the gospel must come from above.

Paul actually says this very well. And it is my prayer that all of us can identify with Paul, I'm not ashamed of the gospel for it is the power of God for everyone who believes.

Shepherd and Sheep

Rev Gideon Lee

This is probably a portion of scripture that all of you are familiar with.

John 10:22-30
The Unbelief of the Jews
22 Then came the Feast of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, 23 and Jesus was in the temple area walking in Solomon’s Colonnade. 24 The Jews gathered around him, saying, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, 26 but you do not believe because you are not my sheep. 27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and the Father are one.”

Solomon's Colonnade is a covered pathway in the garden and here is when the Jews asked Jesus a sincere question.

When you ask sincerely, Jesus is more than willing to answer. But Jesus said He has already told them many times but they did not believed.

And Jesus said something very important, that my sheep hear me and follow me. And He said here that God is greater than all. And He finally said He and the Father is one and if you read further, the people became angry and wanted to stone Him.

This morning we are going to talk about shepherds and sheep.

I want to start with a story. A retired man wanted to be a rancher. And they had some sheep and when it came to the sheep giving birth, it was an important event and they have to be on high alert. It's called lambing.

One day he met a friend at the market and his friend asked how is his flock and he said it's a good year with many giving birth. So he asked whether he named his lambs. Normally they don't name so that to sell or slaughter they are not attached to them. But this man named his lambs goodness and mercy. From the scripture "and goodness and mercy shall follow you all the days of your life".

Because lambs normally follow their master and this is the characteristics of sheep. They follow.

Some people say sheep are not very smart since they only follow. That's why there is the term "like sheep going to the slaughter."

But I want to say it takes a lot for a sheep to follow the shepherd. The bible describe us as sheep.

If you look at King David and you read Psalm 23, he described his relationship with God as "The Lord is my Shepherd." He did not say the Lord my Lion or Eagle even though it's a common reference.

Even Isaiah said we were like sheep gone astray. This theme of the shepherd and sheep is throughout the bible including the NT where Jesus is the good shepherd and the lamb being slain.

Sheep are very important in the bible with more than 500 times being mentioned, more than any other animals.

It takes a lot for the sheep to follow the shepherd. He has protection, so I don't think the sheep is stupid. They have safety in a flock.

If you watch National Geographic or Discovery, you'll see the wildebeests or zebras that congregate as a group. And when a predator wants to attack it will target, the weak, the young and the old. But as long as they stay within the safety of the flock, they are okay.

So I want to say you all are clever. You do not stray or you will be exposed. Our predator is the devil. That is what the predator does. He separates the target from the flock and that's when they are vulnerable.

What are the qualities that make a good sheep.

John 10:25,26
Jesus answered, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The miracles I do in my Father’s name speak for me, but you do not believe because you are not my sheep.

This tells me that Jesus knows His sheep individually.

The bible says even before you are formed in your mother's womb He already named you.

When Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead He called him by name. That tells me that God cares for me. We are not just a number to God. The bible says many times how He even knows the number of hair on our head.

My children like to play games with me when traveling in the car especially long distances. They'll put their hands on my shoulder and ask who is this? Fortunately they don't put their hands over my eyes or sure accident wan (laughs). But they pakat, like Elena will touch me but Josiah may ask etc. Sometimes I will touch their hands but they sometimes feel the same and I may not recognize whose hand is it. But God is different. He knows you intimately. God knows.

The bible says my sheep listen to my voice.

There was once a case in Australia where a man was accused of stealing sheep. When the defendant was asked why you steal sheep he said no it was my lost sheep which I found. So the judge said "how to know who is right?" So they brought the sheep into the court and they asked the defendant to go outside and call the sheep. And lo and behold, the sheep responded to the call and the judge said case closed. The sheep recognize the shepherd's voice.

The question is do we hear God's voice. Sometimes we talk more than we listen. We have a list of wants for God but have we just listened to what God is saying to us. In order to be a good sheep we need to listen to the voice of our shepherd.

Each shepherd have their own way of calling their sheep. When the sheep from different flocks enter the pen, the shepherds normally sleep across the gate and protect the sheep from predators. The next morning, each shepherd separates the sheep by calling them.

And the bible says the sheep follows the shepherd.

How well we know if it's a good sheep is how well they follow the shepherd. Do we follow Jesus?

If you watch the western movies you'll see the cowboys use dogs to control a herd from behind. But in the Middle East, the shepherd walks in front and calls to his sheep and they follow him. Jesus said no one can snatch His sheep from Him. No one. Not only God loves us but He has the ability to keep us. Our salvation is firm as long as we choose to remain in the flock. Follow God. Nothing can steal you from Him but you can still choose to walk away. Let's be like good sheep to follow Him.

There was one evangelistic or revival speaker that went from town to town. And there was this man who asked the preacher to come to his home to pray for his dying son. So he came and talked to the son. He ask the son, Timothy, so you know how to pray? And the boy said Psalm 24, The Lord is my shepherd. But the preacher said wrong. Read again and with each word count with your finger. The Lord is MY shepherd. When you reach MY, notice it's your ring finger and told him the Lord is YOUR shepherd. Hold on to that. The next trip, he passed by and was sad to see a grave with a cross behind the house. The mother said he passed away just after the preacher left but what's strange was when they found the boy, he was holding his ring finger. The Lord is his shepherd.

When the Lord calls we listen. Stay in the flock. We all want Jesus as our savior but many of us are not willing to let Him be the master. I am also talking about myself. Are we listening to our God. When was the last time you heard God? Let's be good sheep and follow our shepherd.

Looking to God for Victory

Rev Gideon Lee

Welcome to church. Today we will be voting for our church board so let's participate in our AGM. And soon we will be voting for our Government.

Nowadays I feel so sad. Everybody just want to see my son Jayden. Everybody say he's so cute and wants to carry him. Nobody wants to carry your pastor. I feel so left out. (Laughs). If he is on Facebook, he will have more friends than me.

Yesterday in the car park I found a piece of paper on the floor. It was RM50. Wow, I thought this is bonus and I can eat better instead of eating at Batu Lanchang. But then I remembered the topic the cell has been teaching on Personal Integrity. So I thought I better try find the owner.

It could be one of the youth and that would be a lot of money for them. So I texted Bro Vive and told him if anyone lost some money to get it from me. I didn't tell him the amount. And later Bro Vive told me it was one of the youth and he told me the amount and it was RM50.

I want to say it is very good to attend cell. In church it's hi and bye and nobody knows you. But in a cell we can interact and know each other better. So I encourage you to attend cell. Amen?

Turn with me to the Book of Exodus.

Exodus 17:8-16
Victory over the Amalekites
8 Now Amalek came and fought with Israel in Rephidim. 9 And Moses said to Joshua, “ Choose us some men and go out, fight with Amalek. Tomorrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in my hand.” 10 So Joshua did as Moses said to him, and fought with Amalek. And Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. 11 And so it was, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed; and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. 12 But Moses ’ hands became heavy; so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it. And Aaron and Hur supported his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. 13 So Joshua defeated Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.
14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “ Write this for a memorial in the book and recount it in the hearing of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called its name, The-Lord-Is-My-Banner; 16 for he said, “Because the Lord has sworn: the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”

I want to give you a little comment before I preach the word of God. The few words before this chapter talked about the Israelites who came to this place but there was no water. This place is called rest but they did not find rest here and the people were beginning to grumble. They said Moses has brought them here to die. They were ready to stone him. But the Lord always have a solution even before our problems occur. God already have a solution. God told Moses to strike the stone and water began to gush out from the rock. God's solution is a supernatural intervention.

If God can do it then, he will do it today. The bible says God is the same yesterday, today and forever. His character remains. Then we came to this portion when the Israelites faced another situation where the enemies were after them. And the Amalekites were no ordinary enemy. They were the descendants of Esau, the brother of Jacob. And you know what Jacob did right? He stole the birthright of Esau. So do you think they will treat the Israelites nicely? If you read in Deuteronomy, you'll know how sneaky they were. The bible says they have no fear of God. The Amalekites were big trouble. They prey on women and children. They don't care. They had no mercy.

So now that they are attacking the Israelites, they know what they were capable of. Maybe some of us is facing our Amalekites. But today that enemy is the devil. He is not going to play fair with you. He will bully the weak and the innocent. He doesn't care.

From this passage I want you to know we are in a spiritual battle whether we like it or not. The enemy attacks our marriage, our business, and our family. We have an adversary but I have good news for you this morning.

The Amalekites attacked them but Moses told Joshua to choose some men to go fight. They were not soldiers, mainly farmers and shepherd and had no experience fighting. Sure die wan. And Moses said he will go sit on top of a hill to see them. If I were Joshua I'll probably say "What!". You sent me to fight and you just go up there to sit and watch us die?

But Joshua obeyed Moses. And the story says that Moses was carrying the staff of God. It represents the power of God. He first used it when he confronted Pharaoh. The same staff that he used to part the Red Sea. The same staff he used to strike the rock.

You may be under attacked by God and you need God to come in a supernatural way. The bible says the Israelites prevailed. But when Moses got tired and his hands came down, the Amalekites prevailed. Moses had two others with him, Aaron and Hur and when they saw Moses got tired they let Moses sit on a rock and they held up Moses' tired hands. And Israel prevailed and won a great victory that day.

What does this tells me? Maybe some of us is having a difficult time and the only way to win is to lift the name of God up high. Learn to lift Jesus' name up high. The problem is that most of the time we look at our problem and forgot we have a big God.

If today you want God to intervene, lift the name of God high. As long as the staff of God is raised up the Israelites prevailed. Lift the name of God up high. Whatever is your problem, it cannot be as big as God.

As I looked at Moses' problem, friends, I want you to know we cannot go through it without friends. I am talking about good friends, not friends like Job's. Friends who will encourage and pray for you. Everyone needs an Aaron and Hur today. Do you have a friend you can go to to pray and encourage you? If not go and find your Aaron and Hur.

Your pastor also have his Aaron and Hur. Your pastor can also be tired. I need my Aarons and my Hurs. And where can I find them? Where? Everyone of you in this church can be my Aaron and Hur. And when I say pastor, I also say don't forget pastor Grace. And Lin Ken too ya. He needs a lot of prayer. I want you to know when we have each other, victory is on our side.

That day the Israelites got a very big victory. From farmers and shepherd against the Amalekites, it was God who brought about the victory. It was not the hands of Moses that brought the victory that day but it was the staff of God.

After that God told Moses to write it down as a remembrance. Too often we only remember our failures. That's all we think of. That's why the bible tells us to count our blessings one by one. Because they outnumber our failures. We forget the blessings of God sometimes. But when we didn't get what we ask for from God we remember it all our life.

The bible says the devil is like a roaring lion, seeking who to devour. He won't come to you nicely, no. The difference between defeat and victory is the name of Jesus in your life.

As God comes in and bring us that victory, remember to write it down. The bible says God told Moses to write it down as a memorial and Moses built an altar and called it Jehovah Nissi, God our banner. Banner means a standard, a military term. How many of you see in Chinese movies where there is this fellow who bears a flag, the standard.

Friends, aren't you glad that God is your standard? He is our Jehovah Nissi. When you go into battle, God has already gone before you. All you have to do is follow Him. Victory is assured. Today there is no such race as the Amalekites. If God is fighting on our behalf we cannot lose.

The problem is, are we following God? When God says go, are we going? God is fighting on our behalf and victory is certain and assured.

Today we are having our 30th AGM. We will celebrate our 35th Anniversary. If Jesus was not our banner, TOP will not be here. So I encourage you to continue to follow God. As we move in God's direction, support us. Victory is assured. Are you following God today? God has the final victory. Just as how Moses raised the staff of God, the staff represented God's power and presence. God gave them a big victory that day.

In the same way God raised His son on the cross. And he gave us victory over sin and gave us life and life abundantly. The cross represents the power of God. He has given us powers over sin. Victory is ours. God is on our side. Let's follow Him, He says left, we go left. He tells us to go right, we go right. He says stop, we stop.

Remember God is your banner, your standard. Whatever He tells you to do, you do and we will have the victory.

TOP's 30th AGM about to commence. We have a quorum.

Group photo of TOP's incoming and outgoing board.

Voluntary Missionaries

Rev Stephen Thomas and Linda

Rev Stephen came up to the pulpit and started talking in fluent Thai. At least that's how it sounded and the congregation was taken by surprise. It was a pleasant surprise to hear him speak in Thai. He then introduced his wife Linda, to present a slide show on work done in Thailand at Na Si Thong.

I met Hudson Lee 17 years ago. I want to thank you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We are here redeemed and we want to proclaim it.

This morning, you are a wonderful group of people here to praise God and to sing to God. And this is why I wanted my daughter to be here to worship with you.

Today I want to talk about what makes voluntary missionaries.

The first reason we have chosen to be in Thailand is based on the poster on your wall. We are here to be oddballs for Jesus. So that all may learn of His glory.

The second reason is found in three scriptures I want to share with you.

In truth I have come to a time years ago when I did not know what God had wanted me to do. I felt like a nobody, not knowing what to do and where to go. That's when I referred to scripture.

Jeremiah 33:3
‘Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know.’

First is that we are to call on God. In prayer, in action and in faith to be His light and His purpose. Call on God and listen. And He said He will show us great and mighty things. Not my will but yours be done. That He will give us something to do for His kingdom.

So if God calls us we have to go. If it's Singapore then we go, if it's Katmandu, then we go. And God called us to Na Si Thong which meant the "Face of Gold". When God calls us, we will go.

The other verse applies to what we do when we get to wherever God called us.

2 Corinthians 4:5
For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake.

So we came back to Thailand to be servants for Him. Not as Americans or missionaries but as volunteers. Servants for Jesus' sake.

When we call on Him, He will call on us. So that His will be done on this earth as it is in heaven. There is nothing in my life to be preached about. My testimonies are all about fears and doubts and a mess. But God did not ask me to preach about myself.

If I preached myself you guys would have walked out the door. We preached for His kingdom and His purpose. We preach as wounded healers.

Let me give you an example.

My father was a righteous man. When he saw my life and what mess I was in, he came to me and said I'm sorry Stephen, let me carry the cross for you. That is a wounded healer. That is what God did for us and that's what God has called us to do.

Drugs are everywhere in Thailand and we can be there to be wounded healers.

1 Corinthians 9:22
to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

God calls on us to be chosen. Too few choose to choose. It is hard hard work but God calls us to be His lambs, to be all things to all people that some may be saved. Chinese to be Chinese, Indians to be Indians and Thais to be Thais.

I become all things to all people. I speak Thai to the Thais and speaks like they do. You wear their clothes, their culture, their customs. It is so important to show respect. We wear the gospel but we wear their customs too. It is very important and I have people who says - I have not met an American as Asian as you.

We have to have the aroma of the culture we live in and at the same time, we can be like Jesus. Like Paul says from glory to glory, from earthly things to the heavenly.

With these three verses, we want to make a statement that there is an extreme cost to discipleship.

Linda went through a difficult young life when her parents died in a plane crash. But at four, Linda gave her life to Jesus and already knew she would be called to missions. The tragedy did not make a difference in her life because she was called. She lost her uncle too to aneurism and in three years she lost most of her family. For a young teen, it could have been perilous to her. But it did not. She had many troubles between the age of nine and nineteen but she is faithful to God's call.

My life was a little different. My dad was preaching for 81 years and one day he just told me to preach. I grew up on the lap of a doctor who spoke to me in mandarin. Maybe from there I knew how to speak the Asian language with the intonation. From a young age I already have a call from God.

But after a while I was living for me. And God spoke to me in a dream. And in the dream I had an accident that was fatal and it was terrifying.

On August 6, 1973, an Englishman asked me to take him somewhere. At an intersection, a truck came at me and I flew through the window, through the steering wheel and out the other window. The Thai doctor said let him die. But there was a Christian who took me to a hospital until I woke up and asked where am I? And that was 40 days after the accident. I have a plastic skull and a metal shoulder now. I was in a very bad shape. But God saved my life.

We may have different tragedies in our life but God calls us to be His servants. We may be broken or shattered but when God calls us, we can do it.

All this talk about our life and purpose is based on these three verses.

We are the called out ones. What is God calling you to do in your life? There are people who are specifically there for you to reach. Be like them to reach them that some might be saved.

You are his chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession.

In Na Si Thong  we have much work to do. It is not a small piece of land, about 4 acres. For the purpose of His glory and kingdom and our hope is that one say He will say well done my faithful servant, welcome home.