Weekly Devotion: Child-Likeness & the Kingdom

by Pastor Chan Chong Yew

"Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Luke 18:17

We could almost unanimously agree that children are the most blessed. Children possess the simplicity, the boldness, the obedience that many adults lacked. Even though children don't exactly own anything, yet they seemed to possess all things. I have young nephews and nieces whom I observed gave away their Chinese New Year collections without blinking. They don't seemed to be bothered by how much they have lost, neither do they understand the value of money. They only know the love and security of their parents. It is well-known that toddlers are faster learners in swimming than adults, they are natural swimmers; they learn to float the moment they enter the water. As for skiing, they are fearless, they take to the slopes without hesitation. They are impressionable, they believe whatever their parents say and obey them. These qualities of trust, generosity, boldness and obedience are key qualities for one to experience the blessings of God continuously.

In the passage below:

15 And they were bringing even their babies to Him so that He would touch them, but when the disciples saw it, they began rebuking them. 16 But Jesus called for them, saying, “Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. 17 Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Luke 18:15-17

The disciples prevented the children from coming to Jesus because they felt children were not mature and well mannered enough to deserve Jesus' attention or to connect with Him. People tend to believe that only the accomplished and the wise deserve to enter the Kingdom of God. Children on the other hand do not have the concept of social status nor do they know how to express respect and reverence towards elders. Ironically, Jesus loved the children and was not offended by their childish mannerism. In fact, He went as far as to say that only those who are child-like could enter the kingdom of God.

Jesus taught that unless we have qualities like that of a child, we will not experience God's kingdom. What are these qualities? Jesus was referring to humility; which is to understand one's weaknesses and the need to depend on God. Children's means of survival are dependence and trust in their parents. They understood their own helplessness and were entirely at ease with it. It is precisely this quality of humility that attracts God and causes them to inherit the blessings of God's kingdom. A humble person is one who recognizes that his strength is not sufficient for success. He also recognizes that his knowledge is lacking however knowledgeable he may be. Hence, he sees himself as weak and simple and that he constantly goes to God for strength and wisdom. God imparts power and wisdom to him without reservation because he is humble and obedient as a child. Jesus taught that the psyche of children reflects the relationship between the parents and the child in its purest form. By observing the child's responses and interactions with his parents, we could learn deep and profound lessons of how we as grown ups should relate to God. 

The kingdom of God and its prosperity is descending upon the humble today. What we have accomplished with God's given measure of strength and wisdom for the day, we give thanks in faith and leaving the results to Him. Our part is to be obedient and faithful to the work that was entrusted to us. God's part is to cause our work to bear fruit by His love and power.

Sermon: The Blessings of a True Worshipper - John 4:20-26

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Weekly Devotion: Love Begets Love

By Pastor Chan Chong Yew

Love begets love

"We love, because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19.

One universal principle of life is to reciprocate the love that you received. Treasure those who truly love you and actively return your love to them. Common wisdom tells us that if a tree bears good fruit, you should spend more time caring, fertilizing and pruning it. So that it will bear even more fruit. For a tree that bears no fruit, one should consider giving it some time, then cutting it off eventually. Spend more time with the good trees and at the same time getting rid of the bad ones. The problem is many people gravitate towards those who hurt them. These people are carried away by their wounded emotions and by the darkness of their hearts. They take from those who loved them and give it to those who would destroy them.

We need to identify those who truly love us and make plans to spend quality time with them. Speak words of love, acts of service, and the buying of gifts. Our family, spouse and parents have all contributed much into our lives. Ben Elton said, "If only the strength of the love that people feel when it is reciprocated could be as intense and obsessive as the love we feel when it is not, then marriages would be truly made in heaven." Hence, we must always remember to reciprocate the love we received from our spouse. By reinvesting what we have taken from them, will cause them to amplify the love that they have given to us. Thereby, we create a sustainable energy of love that will not easily die much like a cyclone whose winds recycle and feed into itself. 

Our God in heaven who gave His Son Jesus, truly loves us. In Psalm 139:13-18, the psalmist celebrated the love of God:

13 For You formed my inward parts;

You wove me in my mother’s womb.

14 I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

Wonderful are Your works,

And my soul knows it very well.

15 My frame was not hidden from You,

When I was made in secret,

And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth;

16 Your eyes have seen my unformed substance;

And in Your book were all written

The days that were ordained for me,

When as yet there was not one of them.

17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!

How vast is the sum of them!

18 If I should count them, they would outnumber the sand.

When I awake, I am still with You.

In the above passage, God was there molding us even when we were still in our mother's womb. As for our future, God has ordained His perfect plans me. We reciprocate our love for God by spending quality time and connecting with Him. We want to know His desires and join Him in fulfilling His will on the earth. We want to see Him, feel Him and touch Him. Some gravitate towards the devil through the pleasures of sin knowing their destruction is at hand. By doing good and loving God, we cause Him to reveal more of His love towards us! No wonder the Psalmist say in Psalm 63:3, "Your lovingkindness is better than life itself!"

Sermon: How to Experience More of the Kingdom - Luke 18:25-30

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Weekly Devotion: Doing the Father's Business

By Pastor Chan Chong Yew

Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. Colossians 3:23-24

Companies are competing for top grade employees with the right skill set and most importantly, the right heart. A person with the right skills is efficient in contributing as an individual limited to his direct responsibilities. But a person with the right heart goes beyond that: he is effective in influencing the company's culture and direction towards the common good. As an employee, if we work for an interest beyond our own so called "KPI", God will reward us not just with wages, but with an inheritance fit for a prince. The above passage instructs us not to work selfishly for personal or human interest, but for God's purposes. Hence, whatever sacrifices we make for the greater good of the company, our reward will come from Him. For God is the grand owner of all companies.

One company in their candidate screening strategy leaves waste papers on the floor of the interview waiting room. Those that pick up the waste paper and dispose them in the basket tend to view the interest of the company as his own. People in this category will more likely make decisions considering the impact to the whole organization as well as its long term repercussions. They also exhibit certain resilience and tend to be better team players. They may not stand out from the crowd at the first glance. However, they prove themselves when they deliver the results over the long term. Skillful and savvy people may seem impressive in the short term, but if their motives are for personal gain alone, they may make decisions that could hurt the organization in the long term. The financial crisis that happened in 2008, was partly due to unscrupulous bankers and sales people hungry for profit. Company executives hid losses from shareholders. Government officials misled the public concerning their national debt. 

The world is looking for people who are motivated towards a higher purpose. However tough our job may be, God has placed you there with a divine purpose; that is to become a channel of blessing to the organization. Having that in mind, seeing our circumstances from God's perspective does motivate us to press on. Remember, you are the best person for that seat that you are sitting on. You are anointed for this moment and there is no one in the world more suitable to do the job than you are. Lastly, at the end of the working day, rejoice for the job well done as one who is faithful unto Him.

Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary. Galatians 6:9.

  

Sermon: How to Experience More of the Kingdom - Colossians 1:27

Audio Sermon By Pastor Chan Chong Yew
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Weekly Devotion: I Believe, Therefore I See

By Pastor Chan Chong Yew

"Blessed are they who did not see, and yet believed." John 20:29

There are two kinds of people: those who believe after they have heard the promises of God, and those only after they have seen the evidences. Both lead to an increase of faith in God. However, those who belong to the second category will experience only limited growth. But those who believe purely from the word of God will receive greater blessings and unlimited growth. Those who are in the second category base their trust on physical evidences and reports. They often thrive on other people's energy and successes. But those of the first category will surpass their peers and do things that were never done before. Unlike those of the second category, their thoughts are often unconventional and they root themselves not on popular opinion but on first principles. They have an immovable conviction and persevered in their personal beliefs until they see results. 

In John 20, Thomas a disciple of Jesus proclaimed that he would not believe that Christ has resurrected unless he sees and feels for himself the imprint of the nails on Jesus' hands and side. Why did Jesus single out Thomas? Didn't the rest saw the resurrected Jesus before they believed? The reason is because Jesus had told them of His resurrection before He went to the cross. Based on Jesus' word, they should have believed and expected His resurrection. Thomas was singled out because the disciples responded to the news carried by the women and sought out the tomb where Jesus laid whereas Thomas did not. Thomas' approach to faith is based on evidences. Hence, there is no faith at all. Some of us are moved more by people's testimonies rather than by the word of promise. Such are easily discouraged when things are not moving fast enough. They are often attracted to new methodologies, and admire high profile personalities.

In order to affirm Thomas and protect His faith, Jesus showed Thomas His hands and side (John 20:27). Thomas grew in faith that day because of what he saw. However, like Thomas, we all need to take risks and made bold decisions based on God's word and not on resources we could see. Jesus said, "Seek first His kingdom's vision and work, and all that we need will be given to us." (Matthew 6:33). As we take God at His word, we move into action saving souls and healing the sick. We set up ministry platforms to reach out to the world and God will provide for us the resources needed. We take the first step by faith, God will then provide the results. 

I make it my lifestyle to rejoice at the face of every challenge, for that is proof of my faith in God. I seek to see the vision of prosperity as God would see it in the future, and by faith I persevere and work it out. The bible said in Galatians 6:9, that we ought not to lose heart, but press on in the good work, and in due time we shall succeed.