God the Ground of Hope in Our Lives

Pr Malcolm Dennis
22-01-2017

Hebrews 12:25-29
25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”[e] 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”

Psalm 46:1-11
1 God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
2 Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and *the mountains fall into the heart of the sea,*
3 though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging.

4 There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,
    the holy place where the Most High dwells.
5 God is within her, she will not fall;
    God will help her at break of day.
6 Nations are in uproar,kingdoms fall;
    he lifts his voice, the earth melts.

7 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

8 Come and see what theLord has done,
    the desolations he has brought on the earth.
9 He makes wars cease
    to the ends of the earth.
He breaks the bow and shatters the spear;
    he burns the shields[d] with fire.
10 He says, “Be still, and know that I am God;
    I will be exaltedamong the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

11 The Lord Almighty is with us;
    the God of Jacob is our fortress.

We will experience shakings but we will not be shaken in the midst of the shakings. God wants to establish and lay inside us conceretely by the Spirit of the Living God. We cannot put our trust in anything that is in this world. Everything that comes to us is transcient. Nothing cannot eclipse or take the place of God in our hearts. 

Life in this world is very volatile. Ideas, technologies, successes, churches, ministries, our own health and lives... Nothing lasts forever.

When we experience shakings, we experience loss, we experience things taken away from us.

When the shakings come, there is a tendency in our hearts to look for formulas and magic prayers. God will dismantle these kinds of false thinkings.

The psalmist is telling us that our own life is limited, short. 

In 1 John 2, we read that the world is passing away. 

The psalmist is telling us that God is our refuge. The good old days are gone. Let go of the past. What God will do today will be a new thing, a better thing in the sight of God. We have to look to God who is a present help in times of trouble and hear Him. 

God doesn't work the same in each of our lives. It doesn't mean up and up all the time. It could be downard mobility to the grave like Jesus experienced. It doesn't mean that you're not successful or not progressing. God wants to lay in us the solid ground of hope in this season of time. Otherwise we might not be able to reconcile our expectations of God. This is a way of how God matures us, changes the way we were falsely thinking or guided. So that in the midst of these contradictions, we are not shaken and able to hear His voice, turn to the Word and come before Him, and adapt to changes. 

Purpose and direction can only be found in Him. As Paul said, we can be in Christ or out of Him. The only way in is not by reciting verses or through mechanical prayer. He is infinitely holy, pure and righteous. We cannot manipulate our way into the presence of God. We have to go in as we are. We have to come before God as we are without any pretentions. If we pretend, we cannot go far in. 

Luke 18:9-14
The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector

9 To some who were confident of their own righteousness and looked down on everyone else, Jesus told this parable:10 “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’

13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’

14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”

The Pharisee and the tax collector. The former uses mechanical prayer whereas the latter prays what was sincere intellectually. 

Something inside our hearts must be made right so that grace can be parked inside. 

The tax collector came before God to be merciful to him. He regarded himself a sinner. Just because Jesus came into our lives, we are still not good. That's why we can be corrupted and susceptible to the devil. For God to deal with this rottenness in us, Jesus Christ had to shed His blood and die on the cross for us. He is God's gift of righteousness planted in us.

How do we come into the presence of God when we are so full of crap, we are rotten? It is impossible. 

But we can come as we are before God. Like the tax collector. Although he had done many dirty and corrupted jobs and became unclean in his dealings with the Gentiles, yet he was in touch with the depths of his own heart and soul and brought it all to God truthfully and said it as it is.

The big question: Are we as aware like the tax collector of the inward condition of our own soul? Jealousy, greed, power craziness, crookedness etc. We need to listen to what's going on with the depths of our hearts. 

The only way is to feel what we're going through deep inside our hearts eg disappointments, deep jealousy, and other unsettles accounts inside our own soul. 

God wants to lay Himself as a solid ground of hope.

Jesus Christ is perfectly spiritual and fully human but yet on the cross he said, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"

We have the right to express our painful suffering and expressions. It is human to do so. Jesus himself did it.

Like the psalmist in Psalm 139: "Search me, God, and know my heart."

God knows we are rotten. Grace and mercy have been provided so that we can be cleansed and be healed and that we can be stronger. God is our refuge and our strength.

Only by the grace and love of God can He put back the broken pieces in our lives. 

We need Him to help us to put things right. Come as we are to Him. Only He can help us to be a disciple and He can guide us the way forward.

God is a God of Hope

Pr Josephine Lu
15-01-2017

Don't look at the circumstance;
Focus on the Lord.

A lot of people are distracted when we are overwhelmed. 

God can do all things. He is a God of miracles.

God is far greater than any negative pronouncements.

Isaiah 30:12-16
12 Therefore this is what the Holy One of Israel says:

“Because you have rejected this message,
    relied on oppression
    and depended on deceit,
13 this sin will become for you
    like a high wall,cracked and bulging,
    that collapses suddenly, in an instant.
14 It will break in pieces like pottery,
    shattered so mercilessly
that among its pieces not a fragment will be found
    for taking coals from a hearth
    or scooping water out of a cistern.”

15 This is what the Sovereign Lord, the Holy One of Israel, says:

“In repentance and rest is your salvation,
    in quietness and trust is your strength,
    but you would have none of it.
16 You said, ‘No, we will flee on horses.’
    Therefore you will flee!
You said, ‘We will ride off on swift horses.’
    Therefore your pursuers will be swift!

God brought judgement due to the pride and rebellion of the people. Even then, He wanted to bring the people back. There was a redemptive purpose. 

God desires us to remain faithful to Him. 

Isaiah 35:1-10
Joy of the Redeemed

35 The desert and the parched land will be glad;
    the wilderness will rejoice and blossom.
Like the crocus, 2 it will burst into bloom;
    it will rejoice greatly and shout for joy.
The glory of Lebanon will be given to it,
    the splendor of Carmel and Sharon;
they will see the glory of the Lord,
    the splendor of our God.

3 Strengthen the feeble hands,
    steady the knees that give way;
4 say to those with fearful hearts,
    “Be strong, do not fear;
your God will come,
    he will come with vengeance;
with divine retribution
    he will come to save you.”

5 Then will the eyes of the blind be opened
    and the ears of the deaf unstopped.
6 Then will the lame leap like a deer,
    and the mute tongue shout for joy.
Water will gush forth in the wilderness
    and streams in the desert.
7 The burning sand will become a pool,
    the thirsty ground bubbling springs.
In the haunts where jackals once lay,
    grass and reeds and papyrus will grow.

8 And a highway will be there;
    it will be called the Way of Holiness;
    it will be for those who walk on that Way.
The unclean will not journey on it;
    wicked fools will not go about on it.
9 No lion will be there,
    nor any ravenous beast;
    they will not be found there.
But only the redeemed will walk there,
10     and those the Lord has rescued will return.
They will enter Zion with singing;
    everlasting joy will crown their heads.
Gladness and joy will overtake them,
    and sorrow and sighing will flee away.

When we wait expectantly upon Him, God will meet us there and come through for us. Sometimes it is so hard for us to enter into the fullness. 

Three areas that we can strengthen to come into His fullness:
1) Strengthen our prayer time with the Lord

Rick Warren: "The more you pray, the less you'll panic. The more you worship, the less you worry. You'll feel more patient and less pressured."

He desires us to seek Him in spite of our struggles. The treasures are found in darkness. In this place of waiting and seeking God, change happens. God can change circumstances. Let the change begin with me. 

Jacob, later given the name Israel.

Jacob: the deceiver

Israel:

Genesis 32:28New King James Version (NKJV)

28 And He said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.”

"He who struggled with God and with humans and have overcome." 

When we make connections with non-believers, we are able to share the gospel.

Pray for others and see things happen.

2) Come to the place of consecration.

Matthew 3:11-12

11 “I baptize you with[b] water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with[c] the Holy Spirit and fire.12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Isaiah 33:14New King James Version (NKJV)

14 The sinners in Zion are afraid;
Fearfulness has seized the hypocrites:
“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”

"Who of us can dwell with the consuming fire? Who of us can dwell with everlasting burning?”

Allow the fire to burn away the hindrances.

When God pours the presence of God tangibly, all of us get blessed.

God is in the process of building His Kingdom in our land.

3) Live a life of faith and expectation because the promises of God are there. 

We need one another to hold each other up. The splendour of God will be shown. There will be people filled up with joy. He gives us that strength to go through and arise from it. Come to the place of seeking Him with all our hearts.

Malaysia is a rainbow nation with different ethnic groups. 

God empowers His church with the Holy Spirit and with fire.

Lord, let me be the channel of peace in our home.

Believe Him as a God who heals.

The Evidence of Revival is Changed Lives

Elder Ho Kien Keong
08-01-2017

There is an appointed time when we need to have a sense of resolve and determination. 

Jesus was very clear of His season and His purpose--to bring the love of God to all.

John 6:38New King James Version (NKJV)

38 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me.

John 6:40New King James Version (NKJV)

40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”

He gave Himself truly to the great purpose that God has called Him to.

It's been a roller coaster ride in 2016. Going into 2017, it will get bumpier--up and down, and a yo-yo year.

For many people, there will be great anxiety--loss of peace. Relationships will be harder. 

Social media makes life superficial and unreal.

Those days in counselling, it's marriage, parenting, work issues.

Today, it is marriage and mental issues.

"We should be prepared for the challenges ahead and not be spectators."

Be like Jesus Christ: Face the world with great passion, commitment and purpose.

God has released something special to us in this place in this season of time. God is showing His power, control and work in our lives.

Why is God doing this in our midst?

1. Revival fire comes to transform our perspective of life and ourselves: Faith, hope and love arises.

2. Revival fire comes to release the presence and power of God through the Holy Spirit: Peace of God and the supernatural breaks through.

3. Revival fire comes to restore relationships: Starting with families in FGA, and then other families outside as they witness the changes in our lives.

Revival refers to a spiritual awakening from a state of dormancy or stagnation in the life of a believer.

It encompasses the resurfacing of a love for God, an appreciation of God's holiness, a passion for His Word and His church, a convicting awareness of personal and corporate sin, a spirit of humility, and a desire for repentance and growth in righteousness.

Revival invigorates and sometimes deepens a believer’s faith, opening his or her eyes to the truth in a fresh, new way. It generally involves the connotation of a fresh start with a clean slate, marking a new beginning of a life lived in obedience to God.

Revival breaks the charm and power of the world, which blinds the eyes of men, and generates both the will and power to live in the world but not of the world.

We realign our lives in 2017.

We step in at this season of revival + Run together with purpose.

The evidence of revival is changed lives.

Great movements toward righteousness, evangelism, and social justice occur.

Believers are one again spending time in prayer and reading and obeying God's Word.

1. What will be the Centre of my life?

We need anchor on the Rock--Jesus Christ, and the love of God.

Matthew 6:21
For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

2 Chronicles 16:9
For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.

Matthew 6:33
But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

2. What will be the Character of my life?

2 Peter 1:5-8
...giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

8 For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.

3. What is the Contribution of my life?

John 15:8
This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.

Ephesians 1:11-12
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will, 12 in order that we, who were the first to put our hope in Christ, might be for the praise of his glory.

For we are all His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus.

All of us have a role to play. We are not in a specialist position.

Examples from the Bible:
1. David

Acts 13:36New King James Version (NKJV)

36 “For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;

For David... served the purpose of God in his generation.

2. Abraham

Genesis 18:14New King James Version (NKJV)

14 Is anything too hard for the Lord? At the appointed time I will return to you, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.”

Is anything too hard for the Lord?

3. Moses

All his mistakes, pains and struggles were burned away at the burning bush.

4. Joseph

Genesis 50:20New King James Version (NKJV)

20 But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.

Real life example:

5. Eric Liddell

Used his youth to honour God with all his life. His purpose was to be a missionary in China. One man, one life influenced a generation and a country.

People with the Fire of God

Elder Dorai Manikam
01-01-2017

The rise of a new generation in the power of the Holy Spirit.

The starting point of the two eras are the same. FGA was birthed in the power of the Holy Spirit--signs, wonders and miracles.

As a new era begins, we are beginning with a revival mode--in the supernatural and signs and wonders.

There is a such a hunger for the power and zeal of the Holy Spirit.

The latter glory of this house will be greater than the former glory.

Zechariah 2:4,5
"I will be a wall of fire around you for I will be the glory within you and you will advance in numbers too numerous to count."

"My revival fire will be a wall around you, the glory within you, and salvation power through you."

FGA = Fire of God Advancing in and through us
Fire is in the Holy Spirit
The secret is simply the Holy Spirit.

Pray in the Spirit.

Fire is protection. God is a wall of fire. 

He is also a consuming fire. When everything is shaking, we who are in the kingdom of God will not be shaken. 

Hebrews 12:28-29New King James Version (NKJV)

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may[a] serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. 29 For our God is a consuming fire.

Fire is Glory
He is the glory within it and we will be strong. We will know Him as  our personal God. We will encounter the Living God because He is in our midst.

Hebrews 12:28New King James Version (NKJV)

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear.

We must be thankful to Him, serve Him, worship Him and obey Him.

Personal encounter is the glory within. His glory is full of holiness.

See to it that you live in peace with everyone and holiness.

See to it that no one falls from grace.

Hebrews 12 is about the purity of your soul. It's not only the pursuit of holiness but also His purpose. There is a strength that comes from being a holy people. Not only moral integrity but also the mission and purpose of God.

Fire is Salvation.
We will be soul winners. 

Isaiah 26:1New King James Version (NKJV)

A Song of Salvation

26 In that day this song will be sung in the land of Judah:

“We have a strong city;

God will appoint salvation for walls and bulwarks.
 
God's wall is a wall of salvation. Fire is power. Power is fire.

You will receive fire and you will be My witnesses.

When you share the gospel and when you pray for the sick, signs and wonders will follow.

AD100
25,000 Christians

AD310
20 million Christians

That's 100,000 people getting saved per year.

The church cannot contain all but the CGs and life groups are able to contain them. 

The fire of God is within you, around you and goes beyond you.