Going Forward -By Rev Leonard Lim

Jeremiah 7:21-24

21 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel: “Add your burnt offerings to your sacrifices and eat meat. 22 For I did not speak to your fathers, or command them in the day that I brought them out of the land of Egypt, concerning burnt offerings or sacrifices. 23 But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’ 24 Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

Two things that God requires.

1.Verse 23 – Obey His voice.
2.Walk in the way that He has commanded us

Three things that God desires.

1.He wants to be our God.
2.He wants everything goes well with us.
3.He wants us to go forward.

Obey His voice.

God speaks – we hear – we obey = this makes us God’s peculiar people.

Genesis 12:1-3 Promises to Abraham.

1 Now the LORD had said to Abram:“Get out of your country,From your familyAnd from your father’s house,To a land that I will show you.2 I will make you a great nation;I will bless youAnd make your name great;And you shall be a blessing.3 I will bless those who bless you, And I will curse him who curses you;And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”

When God spoke to Abraham to depart from his homeland, he obeyed.

Genesis 12:4 – Abraham obeyed.
4 So Abram departed as the LORD had spoken to him, and Lot went with him. And Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran.

It does not matter how old we are when God call. What matter is we obey.

Genesis 22:1-2 God asked Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac and Abraham obeyed.

1 Now it came to pass after these things that God tested Abraham, and said to him, “Abraham!”And he said, “Here I am.” 2 Then He said, “Take now your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I shall tell you.”

God intention was to bless him – to make him a great nation.

Gen 22:16 Because Abraham obeys – the blessings follow. Obedient always come with a great blessings.

16 and said: “By Myself I have sworn, says the LORD, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son.

Walk in the way that God has commanded us.

All that He has commanded us is written in His Word.

Genesis 18:19 God always want us to teach our children to obey Him. And to walk in the way that He has commanded us.

19 For I have known him, in order that he may command his children and his household after him, that they keep the way of the LORD, to do righteousness and justice, that the LORD may bring to Abraham what He has spoken to him.”To obey means to fear Him.

Hosea 11:7 My people are bent on backsliding from Me. Though they call to the Most High, None at all exalt Him.

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.Daniel made up his mind to obey. He purposed in his heart, so that he may not sin against God.

Daniel 6:10 A decree was issued to challenge Daniel’s obedient.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

Jeremiah 7:23 But this is what I commanded them, saying, ‘Obey My voice, and I will be your God, and you shall be My people. And walk in all the ways that I have commanded you, that it may be well with you.’

Jeremiah 7:24 – God wants us to go forward!!

Yet they did not obey or incline their ear, but followed the counsels and the dictates of their evil hearts, and went backward and not forward.

Daniel 6:20 This is how the king described Daniel.

And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

Obey His voice and walk in the way that He has commanded us!

Amen!

The Invisible World @ The Unseen Realm- By Rev Leonard Lim

The unseen realm is more real than the physical realm. It affects us every moment. Whatever we do in the physical affects the unseen realm. The wave of music and movies that received by the television and radio are real, though we do not see them.

Angels

There are angels that protect us and act on our behalf. When we are saved, we are actually entering into the angelic world. Salvation is a package of blessings. Hebrews 12:22 tells us we are surrounded by angels. “But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels.” 2 Corrinthian 5:17 says We become a new creation. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. We were redeemed through the blood “ in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins” Colossians 1:14.

Angels are around us as surely as we stand on the hard ground. The question is, how many time we thank God for the angels He sent to protect us. We may forget God’s goodness and we might not feel the activities of the unseen world. But angels are still there. See Psalm 91:9-12 “ 9 Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, Even the Most High, your dwelling place, 10 No evil shall befall you, Nor shall any plague come near your dwelling; 11 For He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you in all your ways. 12 In their hands they shall bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.”

In the video replay of our life, we will see, not only the physical, but also the unseen activities around us. We shout be aware of the angels around us. Matthew 18:10 “Take heed that you do not despise one of these little ones, for I say to you that in heaven their angels always see the face of My Father who is in heaven.” We have angels specially sent to watch over us. Acts 12: 1-12 – The activity of the angels were affected by the prayers of the church. Prayers affect the unseen world!! In every situation nothing is impossible to God.

2 Kings 6 – The unseen were affected by the prayer of Elisha. Elisha said “So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” (2 Kings 6:16). Elisha was aware of the unseen world. One of the way to be an overcomer is to live in aware of the unseen realm. The angels are for us! The angels are sent to watch over us!!

3 Kinds of Angels

1. Warrior Angels – (Daniel 10)

War in heaven – Rev 12:7-8 And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they did not prevail, nor was a place found for them in heaven any longer.

Michael – The chief angel.

Rev 12:12 -Therefore rejoice, O heavens, and you who dwell in them! Woe to the inhabitants of the earth and the sea! For the devil has come down to you, having great wrath, because he knows that he has a short time.”

Prince – The chief one.

King – The minor @ smaller one.

Our prayer is not just to tickle God’s ears, but rather to move the unseen world into action.

2. Messenger Angel

Gabriel is a Messenger Angel. See Luke 1.

Why we don’t see angels?

Perhaps if we see them we might seek relationship with them rather than God.

3. The Worshipping Angels

Rev 5:11-12 – 11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, the living creatures, and the elders; and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice:

“ Worthy is the Lamb who was slain
To receive power and riches and wisdom,
And strength and honor and glory and blessing!”

There are 10,000 x 10,000 angels worshipping Jesus!

Lucifer – used to be the chief of Worshipping Angels.

But God cast him out of heaven due to his rebellion. He wanted to be God.

Ezekiel 28:12 “Son of man, take up a lamentation for the king of Tyre, and say to him, ‘Thus says the Lord GOD:

“ You were the seal of perfection,
Full of wisdom and perfect in beauty

Isaiah 14:13-14 - For you have said in your heart:

‘ I will ascend into heaven,
I will exalt my throne above the stars of God;
I will also sit on the mount of the congregation
On the farthest sides of the north;
14 I will ascend above the heights of the clouds,
I will be like the Most High.’

Revelation 12 – Satan thrown down from heaven.

James 4:7 says, we are to resist the devil (the power of darkness) and submit to God.

“Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you.”

1 Pet 5:9 9 “Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world".

How do we resist?

Speak verbally !!

Mark 16:17
– We have the authority in Jesus name!

Amen!

God's Covering @ Protection - By Rev Philip Lau

God has established 4 authorities on earth to protect His children. And this morning we want to know how we can avoid any loophole from our enemies.

1) Institution of the family

This authority is given to the husband @ father. The children have to submit the father and the wife to the husband. The husband must take the leadership of the family. Many husband have given the management of the home to the wife. If the husband does not play his role, this will cause a loophole. The same goes if the family members do not submit to the head @ the husband @ the father.

Ephesians 5:22-25 - 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything. 25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her.

Wife must submit to the husband in everything. And the husband must love the wife regardless of how the wife is. If the husband does not know how to love the wife and the wife does not know how to submit to the husband, then the children will not know how to submit to their parents.

Children must see the example of the parents.

Disobedient is sin that open door for Satan to attack us. If the family members learn to obey the Word of God, they are blessed.

2) Authority of the Government

It is established to protect its people.

Bad government or good government still better than no government.

Romans 13:1-7- 1 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God. 2 Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves. 3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same. 4 For he is God’s minister to you for good. But if you do evil, be afraid; for he does not bear the sword in vain; for he is God’s minister, an avenger to execute wrath on him who practices evil. 5 Therefore you must be subject, not only because of wrath but also for conscience’ sake. 6 For because of this you also pay taxes, for they are God’s ministers attending continually to this very thing. 7 Render therefore to all their due: taxes to whom taxes are due, customs to whom customs, fear to whom fear, honor to whom honor.

If we go against the authority, we are actually go against God.

We need to pray for our government.

3) Authority of the Employer / School

4) Authority of the Church

The conclusion is, no matter where we are, we are to submit to all authority. Because authority are given by God.

Amen!

God's Identity Crisis-By Bro.Allen Seow of Scripture Union

In our society today, many have identity crisis. Who am I? It is important for us to know who our God is. 3000 years ago Moses was asked to set his people free. But he said “Who am I?” God answered him “ I will be with you.” Man’s problem is not self identity crisis but God identity crisis. If you want to know who you are, you need to know who God is.

The way God moves is powerful. Everything begin by knowing who our God is.

Luke 9:18 And it happened, as He was alone praying, that His disciples joined Him, and He asked them, saying, “Who do the crowds say that I am?”

They have seen Jesus did many miracles. Yet they do not believe that He is the Messiah. We could be sitting in this church for years, yet Jesus will ask “who do you think I am?” We might be attending many meeting such as prayer meeting, bible study etc. Yet do we really know who our Jesus is?

At that point of time Jesus knew He was facing the cross and leaving His disciples. They need to be strengthen. Because they are the one who is going to take our His place to preach the Good News.

Luke 9:20 He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered and said, “The Christ of God.”

Can we really say He is the Messiah!!? Many need our attention. To the extent we have no time to know who our Jesus is. Is He really the Lord in our life?

To the understanding of the Jews. It is impossible for the Messiah to die on the cross. To them the Messiah is suppose to be the one that set them free from the Roman.

Being a disciple means – thinking about life in a totally new way.

Deny yourself – The me, I and myself attitude. The “ I ” problem. In Christ there is no “I” business. Jesus said “ If anyone wants to follow me, he must deny himself.”

Luke 9:23 Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.

Denial – Is not leaving all your richest and live in poverty!

Denial means, putting God first in every decision you make. We have to be in the will of God. Deny all the right in our life. To totally in love with God, not only on Sunday. It means we need to take up the cross daily.

Take up the Cross daily -Some have made the cross out of diamonds and jewels, and also the Rock N Roll accessory. The Cross is actually the instrument of death, the instrument that bring us to God. In the movie “The Passion of the Christ” you could see how brutally Jesus was tortured to death. Jesus has denied himself and took the cross. We need to do the same, deny ourselves and carry the cross daily. Jesus has died for us. Therefore we need to die to self to follow Him. We need to persevere, no matter what.

It is difficult for the lawyer, engineer, doctor to take up the cross daily, to live in integrity. Taking up the cross and saying NO to self.


Follow Him - While I was in India, there was this man, when I asked him “Do you want to accept Jesus into your life?” He reply, “If I were to accept Jesus, tonight I will be kick out from my village, and I will be deserted by my family.” This always remind me, what have I really give up to follow Him.

We have to give until we can’t give. We have to love until we can not love. And we have to forgive until we can not forgive. To love the unlovable is never easy.

The question we need to ask ourselves today “What have I give up for Christ?” Many missionaries have to die for Christ. It is never easy for them to say “Yes Lord” when they were called. Yet they paid the price. They are willing to give up their comfortable life, went to the mission field and risked their life.

Being a disciple begin by understanding that everything hinges on what we think of Jesus.

In Luke 9:26 Jesus said “For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels”.

Many of us can talk about anything under the sun, but not about Jesus. We are very good in gossip, but when come to talk about Jesus we keep our mouth shut!!

Ask this question and examine yourself. Who is Jesus to you?

Amen!

Pray Without Ceasing-By Rev Leonard Lim

Malachi 4:5-6

5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”

The three coming of Jesus:

He was born.
The Rapture.
The dreadful day of the Lord – Reign for 1000 years.

Elijah’s Generation

People who pray and raise and change events of the world.
- The Political
- The Economic.

People who know how to move the heart of God.

This speaks of the Spirit of Elijah. – Prayer and Intercession.

Luke 1:10-17
10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Verse 10 – The hour of incense.
We should be offering fresh incense to God everyday.
Verse 11 – The angel appeared.
What happen when we pray? The angel appears. This speaks of angelic activities as you pray.

Elisha is following Elijah.

If we have this kind of desire, something great is going to happen. Elisha received the double portions of Elijah’s anointing. Elisha received the anointing the moment Elijah was taken up – Vacancy!! And someone has to occupy the vacancy!

The old have to be removed.

Isaiah 43:19 - 19

Behold, I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness And rivers in the desert.

1 Cor 2:9 -9

But as it is written: “ Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of manThe things which God has prepared for those who love Him.”

God is doing something that will surprise you! We must pray to pass. We must pray aggressively!!

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE!!

2 Kings 2:15 – The Spirit of Elijah rest upon Elisha! 15 Now when the sons of the prophets who were from Jericho saw him, they said, “The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha.” And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him.

Luke 1:9-11- according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.Verse 17 – “He will go before him in the Spirit and power of Elijah.” 17 He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, ‘to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’[a] and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”

Verse 19 – It is God’s decision. 19 And the angel answered and said to him, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God, and was sent to speak to you and bring you these glad tidings.

God will not be moved nor is He limited by our physical condition! It is not by our ability but our availability.

Why Zacharias became dump?

So that he will not sabotage God’s prophetic words and speak of his unbelief. Sometimes it is good not to talk too much!

Luke 1:37 – With God nothing is impossible!

God will send you people who have gone through a similar situation.
God mentioned the name of Elizabeth to Mary. Because Elizabeth has experienced it before!

John – Level the mountain, crooked places make straight and valley were filled.
How these happen? John was crying and praying before God in the wilderness.
He was interceding!

CRY – Expression of prayer!
Agonizing prayer!
Heartfelt prayer!

It is time to throw out the things that hinder us.
1) The television
2) The internet
3) Etc

The voice that crying in the wilderness. So that the way of Jesus will be made straight.

Luke 11:1 1 Now it came to pass, as He was praying in a certain place, when He ceased, that one of His disciples said to Him, “Lord, teach us to pray, as John also taught his disciples.”

John also taught his people to pray. This tell us John is also a man of prayer. This is the Spirit of Elijah. The power and the ability to call fire from heaven. To open and to close the window of heaven!

Elijah prayed for the rain to stop and to fall. It happened!

WE ARE THE ELIJAH GENERATION!

James 5:17 17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.

Elijah was a man like us. Meaning he was just an ordinary man. But he prayed earnestly.

John 7:37 – On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink.

Out of your heart shall flow river of living water.

Pray that you will not enter into temptation.

Luke 22:44 – Pray earnestly!
44 And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground. We have not come to blood shed. When you pray heaven will drop something. When you don’t pray heaven gives nothing! Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven. Heaven will not give until you pray.

Matthew 9:38 – Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”

The harvest is not a problem but the laborers.

Luke 3:21 When all the people were baptized, it came to pass that Jesus also was baptized; and while He prayed, the heaven was opened.

When Jesus prayed, the heaven was opened!

Acts 12:5-8 Peter Freed from Prison
5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant[a] prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, “Arise quickly!” And his chains fell off his hands. 8 Then the angel said to him, “Gird yourself and tie on your sandals”; and so he did. And he said to him, “Put on your garment and follow me.”

PRAY YE THEREFORE WITHOUT CEASING!!

Amen!