The Nature of Ministry

Foundation of Ministry by Hope KL

The Nature of Ministry (Part 1)

Church Ministry stated in the Bible in 

Ephesians 4 : 11-14 

¹¹ So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, ¹² to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up¹³ until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature,attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ. ¹⁴ Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.

Many Christ-disciples have reservations upon 

serving whole-heartedly and committed in church ministries.

Why is that so?

In many disciples' heart are weary and worried

regarding serving in ministry due to

-Lacking of understanding of the ministry

-Feeling inferior

-Young maturity in Christ

-Uncertainty in gifting/area to serve

What's are the reason that causing You

to be fully committed in Church's Ministry?

-Hectic Lifestyle

-Lack of motivation

-Laziness

-Lack of Confident?

**share your thought**

Seek God for advises and directions

Nevertheless,

 let's shall not forget the commandment that Lord Jesus have gave in

Matthew 28:19-20

¹⁹ Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, ²⁰ teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Let's not forget about the value and importance of ministry

It's a way to show God's love to his nation and Kingdom

Thus, we must obtain a biblical perspective and understanding regarding the ministry.

Believing in the values and seeds in the ministry

as an assignment from God

Let's not be a disciple that sit comfortable in seat

but to be the Instrument and Vessel for God!!

It Matters Whom You Marry

My husband and I were once with a youth group. There were three kids sitting across from us at a meal: two guys and a girl. The one guy was a computer geek with glasses. The other one was a college student with slightly cooler hair and no glasses. The girl was obviously with him. But while the computer geek was busy serving everyone at the meal, clearing plates and garbage, the college student got angry with the girl for a small accident and poured red juice over her leather jacket and white shirt. She picked the wrong guy, and the juice didn’t seem to change her mind. She is in for some grief if that relationship continues and especially if it leads to marriage.

So to all the young, unmarried Christian girls out there, listen up: who you marry matters. You might think that the way he treats you isn’t so bad. It’s not going to get better after the wedding. You might think that he’ll change. It’s possible, but most don’t. You might think that you’ll be able to minister to him and help him. Possibly, but if you can’t now, you won’t then, and you will be at risk yourself. A husband should lead and cherish you, not need your counsel for basic personality or behavior issues.

Unless someone married is very frank with you, you can’t understand how much a husband will impact your entire life. Next to salvation there is no other long term event that will change so many areas of your life so deeply. Here are just some of the ways that marriage will impact every aspect of living.

1. It will impact you spiritually. If the guy is not a believer, you can stop right there. You have no business yoking a redeemed soul with an unregenerate one, even if he seems open to change. Christ has bought you with a price and it is not an option to give away that blood bought heart to someone who doesn’t know and love your Lord. It will cripple your spiritual development, open up a host of temptations, stifle your prayer life, make regular church going difficult, and cause massive parenting conflict if you have children.

If the guy is a believer, is he a strong one? Will he lead you in prayer, Bible reading, family devotions, and public worship? Or will you be on your own? Is he going to make spiritual growth a priority or do other things come first? Is he going to ask you how it’s going with your soul so he can help you grow in holiness and love for Christ, or will he leave that to your pastor? Is he going to lead the children in this, or will you have to spearhead that? In church, is he going to help the kids sit well, pray, find the hymn, or will you be the one pointing out what is happening next and helping the family keep up? Many women have married spiritually immature men, thinking that it wasn’t a big issue, or that the man would change, and they were wrong. They bear the scars.

The health of your eternity is at stake. Think carefully.

2. It will impact you emotionally. Is the guy you’re thinking of going to encourage you, love you, be kind to you, and seek to understand you, or will he want to go out with the guys when you’re having a hard night? Will he listen when you are struggling with something or will he be preoccupied with a video game? Is he going to be annoyed when you cry or will he get you Kleenex and give you a hug? Is he going to going to understand that you are probably more tender than he is, more sensitive to issues and comments, or is he regularly going to run rough shod over your feelings? One woman was struggling to breastfeed her new baby, believing that that was the best thing for her, but it was very difficult. Instead of giving support and encouragement, the husband would make mooing sounds whenever he saw his wife working at it. We have to get rid of princess complexes, but we do have emotional needs. Any guy who is uncaring about your feelings and self esteem is selfish and should be left alone.

Be careful – a husband can cripple or foster emotional health.

3. It will impact you physically. Is the guy you’re with going to provide for your basic needs? Will he be able to shelter, clothe and feed you? At one point in our marriage, I was worried that there was no employment opportunity. My husband assured me that he would work at McDonalds, dig ditches, clean up roadkill – whatever it took to provide for the family, regardless of his gifts and training. That’s the kind of attitude you want. A man who doesn’t provide for his household is worse than an infidel (I Tim. 5:8). You might have to help ease the financial burden, but unless your husband is disabled or there is another unusual circumstance, you shouldn’t have to carry it yourself.

Will the man you are with care for your body or abuse it? If he gives you little smacks, kicks, etc. when you’re dating, get away. It’s almost guaranteed that he will abuse you after marriage, and stats show that’s especially true when you are pregnant. Is he going to care for and protect your body or will he hurt it? There are women in churches across America who thought it was no big deal to have little (sort of friendly) punches or slaps from their boyfriends, but who are covering up the bruises from their husbands.

Will the man you are with care for you sexually? Is he going to honour the marriage bed in physical and mental faithfulness to you or will he flirt, feed his porn addiction, or even leave you for another woman? You can’t always predict these issues, but if the seeds or practices are already there, watch out. I recently saw a newly married couple and the husband was flirting openly with another woman. Unless something drastic happens, that marriage is headed for disaster.

Is he going to be tender and gentle to you in bed? An unbelieving co-worker once told my sister that after her first sexual encounter, she had trouble walking for a few days because her boyfriend was so rough. In other words, he wasn’t selfless enough to care for the body of the woman he said he loved.

Watch out. Your body needs care and protection.

4. It will impact you mentally. Is the man that you’re thinking of going to be a source of worry or will he help you deal with your worries? Is he going to encourage your intellectual development, or will he neglect it? Is he going to value your opinions and listen to what you are thinking, or will he disregard your thoughts? Is he going to help you manage stress so that your mind is not burdened that way, or is he going to let you struggle through issues alone? Is he going to care for you and be thoughtful of you if you are experiencing mental strain, or will he ignore it? I know of a woman who could handle pregnancy and child birth very well physically but postpartum depression took a huge toll on her mind. The husband overlooked it, continuing to have more children, until his wife ended up in a mental institution.

You might think that the intellectual or mental side of a marriage is small. It’s bigger than you think. Consider it seriously.

5. It will impact you relationally. How’s your relationship with your mother? Your dad? Do you love them? Does your boyfriend? Fast forward ten years: you tell your husband that your mother is coming for the weekend. Is he excited? Disappointed? Angry? Making snide jokes with his friends? Of course, a husband should come first in your priority of relationships, as you both leave father and mother and cleave to one another. But parents are still a big part of the picture. Whatever negative feelings he has about your parents now will probably be amplified after marriage. Your marriage will either strengthen or damage – even destroy – your relationship with your parents. The people who know you best and love you most right now could be cut out of the picture by a husband who hates them.

It’s the same with sisters and friends. Will they be welcomed, at reasonable times, in your home? Will the guy who you’re with encourage healthy relationships with other women, or will he be jealous of normal, biblical friendships? Will he help you mentor younger women and be thankful when older women mentor you, or will he belittle that?

Don’t sacrifice many good relationships for the sake of one guy who can’t value the people who love you.

So how will your boyfriend do after the vows? Because this is just a sampling of the ways that a husband can bless or curse his wife. The effects are far reaching, long lasting, and either wonderful or difficult. True, there are no perfect men out there. But there are great ones. And it’s better to be single for life than to marry someone who will make your life a burden. Singleness can be great. Marriage to the wrong person is a nightmare. I’ve been in a church parking lot where the pastor had to call the police to protect a wife from a husband who was trying to stop her from worshiping and being with her family. It’s ugly. Don’t be so desperate to get married that your marriage is a grief. If you are in an unhappy marriage, there are ways to get help. But if you’re not married, don’t put yourself in that situation. Don’t marry someone whose leadership you can’t follow. Don’t marry someone who is not seeking to love you as Christ loved the church. Marry someone who knows and demonstrates the love of Christ.

Citated from: http://thechristianpundit.org/2012/08/15/it/

90/10 Principal of Life

What is this Principle?

10% of life is made up of what happens to you. The other 90% of life is decided by how you react. What does this mean? We really have no control over 10% of what happens to us. The other 90% is different. You determine the other 90%. How? You can determine by your reactions. You cannot control a red light. However, you can control your reaction to the red light. Do not let people fool you. You CAN control how you react.

Proverbs 29:11

A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.

Here’s an example of how this works. You are having breakfast with your family. Your daughter knocks over orange juice onto your business shirt. You have no control over what has just happened. And what happens next will be determined by how you react.

You curse. You harshly scold your daughter for knocking the cup over. She breaks down in tears. After scolding her, you turn to your wife and criticize her for placing the cup too close to the edge of the table. A short verbal battle follows. You storm upstairs and change your shirt. Back downstairs, you find your daughter has been too busy crying to finish her breakfast and getting ready to go to school. She misses the bus.

Proverbs 19:11

Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

Your spouse must leave immediately for work. You rush to the car and drive your daughter to school. Because you are late, you drive 40 miles per hour in a 30 mph speed-limit zone. After a 15-minutes delay and throwing a hefty traffic fine away, you arrive at school. Your daughter runs into the building without saying goodbye. After arriving at the office 20 minute late, you realize you forgot your briefcase.

Proverbs 16:32

Whoever is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

Your day has started terrible. As it continues, it seems to get worse and worse. You look forward to coming home. When you arrive home, you find a small wedge in your relationship with your wife and daughter. Why? It’s because of how you reacted in the morning. (Remember, when the queen is happy, there is peace in the kingdom by Ed’s note).

Why did you have a bad day? A) Did the coffee cause it? B) Did your daughter cause it? C) Did the policeman cause it? D) Did you cause it? The answer is D.

You had no control over what happened with the coffee. How you reacted in those 5 seconds is what caused your bad day. Here is what could have and should have happened.

Coffee splashes over you. Your daughter is about to cry. You gently say: “It’s okay, honey, you just need to be more careful next time.” Grabbing a towel you go upstairs and change your shirt. You grab your briefcase, and you come back down in time to look through the window. You see your child getting on the bus. She turns and waves. You arrive 5 minutes early a cheerfully greet the staff.

Proverbs 15:1

A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Notice the difference? There were two different scenarios that started the same. Both ended different. Why? It’s because of how you reacted. You really have no control over 10% of what happens in your life. The other 90% was determined by your reaction.”

James 1:19

My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry

Citated from:

http://christianitymalaysia.com/wp/coffees-fault-daughters-fault-policemans-fault-ed-delph/ 

When I am A Christian

When I say that " I am a Christian," 

I am not shouting that " I am clean living."

I'm whispering "I was lost but now I'm found and forgiven"

When I say that "I am Christian,"

I don't speak of this with pride.

I'm confessing that I stumble

and need Christ to be my guide.

When I say that "I am Christian."

I'm not trying to be strong.

I'm professing that I'm weak

and need His Strength to carry on

When I say "I am a Christian."

I'm not bragging of success.

I'm admitting I have failed

and need God to clean my mess

When I say "I am a Christian"

I'm not claiming to be perfect.

My flaws are far too visibile,

but God believes I am worth it

When I say "I am a Christian"

I still feel the sting of pain.

I have my share of heartaches,

so I call upon His name

When I say "I am a Christian."

I'm not holier than thou.

I'm just a simple sinner who

received God's good grace somehow

A short testimonial

"I would like to share with you about my journey with Jesus Christ.

Many might think that Christianity is just a religion or a belief, but I will testify to you, it much more than that. It’s ultimately about Grace and Love that never fades

I grew up as an independent kid and as the eldest of my family, many responsibility lies on my shoulder. I was a perfectionist in regards of what I do but yet there’s lots of unheard story and loneliness in my heart that no one understand nor comply.  As I grew up, I became quiet and lonely as no one can understand my feeling nor able to cope up with my perfectionist and thriving desire in things I do.

    In 2011, I came to Brisbane as an international student with solely a purpose to graduate and leave as soon as possible because lacking of sense of belonging and it was difficult to be in a foreign land.

However, it was all God’s plans that I got to know him through a friend (whom I called sister now) from UQ8. As times past, my heart was still determined to leave, but God show me little by little his revelation in my life. He shown me Grace and Love through the people that he placed in my life.

 A group of people, whom I called brothers and sisters in Christ; A place which I call Home; A community filled with awe-inspiring and passionate people in Hope Brisbane and most of all, an unfailing God that love and know me more than anyone does.

My life completed changed as I personally accepted Jesus Christ into my life as my Lord and Saviour. My life filled with expectation to experience his goodness from day to days and most importantly, I find a purpose in my life that filled with joy and love that I could never had before. Once who was a lonely quiet person, became one who passionate and bursting in joys to testify his goodness to others.

You must be pondering how my life changed, and would it occur to you? Yes, it will. It’s all about personal relationship with God. If you are yet to know the Lord, I pray that your heart is open up to experience his love. For it’s a treasure that none can take away from you and it’s love and grace given from God unto you. God is able to change my life from inside out as I took a step of faith to seek Him. All it takes is just a small little step of faith and experience the awe-loving grace and plans that yet to come. God bless you!"

Yesterday, a sister (Talisa) asked me to prepared a short testimonial to share on a handout given out on Campus Light

It reminded about the times that i used to shared gospel during Campus Evax and coming back to Malaysia, i hardly shared much. 

Again, hereby thanks this precious sister for reminding me about my servanthood heart to share god's love and she is an inspiring and passionate sister whom always eager and steadfast to share about the gospel!

Contentment

At all time, God have speaking right to you,

that what lies ahead is not important,

For he have planned your life in His Way,

A way to sharpen, strengthen our ability

God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect. (Hebrew 11: 40)

Would you have worry what coming tomorrow?

The troubles that your mind and thought foresee

But find peace in the Lord for what seem burdensome to you

Guard yourself from the scheme of the devil

but be blessed by the Glory of God that protect you

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints, and also for me, that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak. (Ephesian 6: 10 - 20)

Submit everything to the Lord

Casting what troubles you to the Mighty one

He will make you able

For the Lord, have never forsaken you

nor will allow you be harm

Cast your burden upon the LORD, and He will sustain you; He will never allow the righteous to be shaken. (Psalm 55:22)

God Bless ! 

Church without Wall

20/01/2013
Hope Serdang
-First Church Service

Then I looked up, and there before me was a man with a measuring line in his hand. I asked, “Where are you going?” He answered me, “To measure Jerusalem, to find out how wide and how long it is.” While the angel who was speaking to me was leaving, another angel came to meet him and said to him: “Run, tell that young man, ‘Jerusalem will be a city without walls because of the great number of people and animals in it. And I myself will be a wall of fire around it,’ declares the Lord , ‘and I will be its glory within.’ “Come! Come! Flee from the land of the north,” declares the Lord , “for I have scattered you to the four winds of heaven,” declares the Lord . “Come, Zion! Escape, you who live in Daughter Babylon!” For this is what the Lord Almighty says: “After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you—for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye— I will surely raise my hand against them so that their slaves will plunder them. Then you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me. “Shout and be glad, Daughter Zion. For I am coming, and I will live among you,” declares the Lord . “Many nations will be joined with the Lord in that day and will become my people. I will live among you and you will know that the Lord Almighty has sent me to you. The Lord will inherit Judah as his portion in the holy land and will again choose Jerusalem. Be still before the Lord , all mankind, because he has roused himself from his holy dwelling.” (Zechariah 2:1-13 NIV)

(1) Building a church without wall

-church shall not be limited to be just within the four wall but then be a church which would reach out to the community

-god honor church that fulfill his Great Commission

-Church without wall = a church that only God is the limit, for he proclaim he is the wall of fire

(2) God show direction and vision

-God use Zechariah to reach out to people
-God will provide vision and direction
-God use 2 prophets to reach out to the community
-A vision inspired even at the low-spiritual

(3) Don't limit yourself (v4, v10-11)
-The church has unlimited potential
-Jerusalem will be city without walls
-Assure that the city of Jerusalem doesn't limited to its size of the city

-God can breakthrough limit
-We as human, couldn't breakthrough the wall/ limit of our ability
-but The Lord can make breakthrough in limitation

-no one shall be restricted , for The Lord never limit us to breakthrough
-one shall not measure others/yourself within the wall you have set
-boundary can be breakthrough, but be limited in God's way/law
-your limitation is God
-wherever you go, God is the cornerstone, the King of the Storm
-Your life does not restricted to time/situation/career/family/ wealth
-Setting your priority right upon The Lord
-Limitation/Restriction limits your potential for The Lord

-Blessed is the one that put The Lord as the priority

(4) Take Heart - God will Lead and Guard his Church and People (v5-9)

- God is the fire wall that guard and protect his church and people
-Regardless of what attack, whether a not is spiritual attack/ emotion attack

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. (Ephesians 6:10-13 NIV)

-one shall never fear, for God promise to protect you in all circumstances
-be armed and equipped with armor of God

-All Glory to The Lord

No one shall boast about what they have done
-For The Lord made all possible

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. (1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NIV)

-One shall humble upon The Lord , for its all from God that it was given/provided

Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. (James 4:10 NIV)

-Life a live without limitation
-God is the boundary

-Breakthrough the stronghold
-God is your firewall
-God is your strength

Here I am to Worship

Testimonial November (Final Semester of Degree)

Dear Brothers and Sisters
Today I would like to share
One of the faith-challenged testimonial in my walk in Christ while I'm here

For many years of studies
-I have been excelling in my studies all the while without much worries regarding my grade
-till the last semester of my degree

-a storm hit me hard that nearly drowned my faith

-there was an elective paper that I had, which I have frustration upon it
-I seek prayers from many people around me , just to pray that I could get pass it

-but sadly to say, it didn't come to pass

-eventually I actually failed my final by just one mark with a grade of 6

-during that time, I hustle with my faith in Christ, asking why do this happen to me on this very last semester which I'm graduating

-to top up the stress and knowing that,
my family and relatives whom had high hopes on me whom will be the excelling graduates to come back with good grades

-during that time, I felt embarrass and disappointed with what have happened as I couldn't face anyone whom knew Im graduating or even asked about my semester result

- but during that season, God whom a loving father and gracious one covered me in his embrace remind me of a verse

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight. (Proverbs 3:5, 6 NIV)

-and during that time
I learn to how to submit my life to The Lord in all circumstances that comes forth and even try to grasp my faith to stand faithfully and still in him

-for he told me that, I'm was never alone by myself for him is always there for me

-I actually felt very blessed for that season of time in my life for God's plan is greater than mine

-I receive lots of blessing from the brothers and sisters whom knew of it

-I learn to be still in The Lord as he is King over the storm

-miraculously many blessings come upon me, even my family whom I expect that they will be upset but instead they encouraged me to press on and i felt loved by them even though I failed to impressed them. For I, see love is starting to grow in my family relationship with myself

-and then I remember I made a prayer to God that to make my faith still in Him and let it be another life changing event to see how he shape and build me as his son
-and break through In my family relationship

The Lord did answer my prayer by challenging my faith and even have such awesome plan for me up ahead

And now, I learnt to be still In The Lord for he had declared

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord , “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. (Jeremiah 29:11 NIV)

Which have became one of verse that kept in my heart
that for what ahead no longer matter for I do not know the plan of The Lord but to follow him in faith that Im no longer lost
With abundant hopes to be seek in future

That my soul could always rest in him alone