A man is destined for a greatness begins his journey. It all started when he shared the dream he had with his brothers and father. A boy who was his father's favorite which was openly displayed by the Multi-colored coat he received from his father. He became a slave sold to Midianite merchants (took him to Egypt) by his own brothers. He was thrown into jail despite his faithfulness and righteousness. Whom I believe have learned that size is nothing; substance is everything. If you are thinking if this is Joseph son of Jacob, you are absolutely correct.
We live in a culture where the greater we are the better, where size or position is the measure of success. I believe Joseph had a great perspectives on life; he did all things in an excellent manner, one who of integrity and served the people around him. From a slave to Chief of the household. From a prisoner to the Head of all those in the prison. From a mere commoner/foreigner in Egypt to a man in charge of Egypt (2nd in command under Pharaoh). His righteousness, in the short run, seemingly was not rewarded.
His life went from lows to small highs. Yet, his faith in God remained remarkably matured. It was clear by the manner he interpreted the dreams of the cup bearer, baker and the Pharaoh when he said 'it is God who can interpret dreams' and gain no credit to himself. He walked in an unwavering faith, a heart which was not filled with criticism, unbelief, and doubt. Could he have been able to interpret his own dream and knew God's destiny for him. Thus holding on to the very promise from God even when all else seems to be at war with him. Has God forgotten suffering Joseph? He was hated, betrayed, sold, seduced, accused and even jailed. God who cares for us never loses track of us. God always made him prosperous/successful where ever he was.
The appointed time came for Joseph to rise up when he needed to interpret the pharaoh's dreams and wisely gave a strategy to save the nation from famine. A man of character formed in the depths of betrayal and conspiracy by his own brothers, ripped away from his own family, falsely accused by his Master's wife, subjected to an unfair punishment by his own master and forgotten by the man he comforted in jail. He never asked 'why does all these happen to me?' He was not depressed, never grumbled or murmured. He never questioned the benevolence of his God. Then one day, he rose to Power, Prestige and Fame. God had vindicated him and raised him up to an exalted position. He stored up corn during 7 yrs of plenty, married into the Priesthood of On, fed people during the seven years of famine, wisely instituted a income tax of one fifth except over the priests, it was he who brought the Twelve Tribes to Egypt, where in time they would grow to nationhood. Thus his entire family had joined him there in Egypt, to share the best of that place. Was this just a remarkable turn around or what God intended from very beginning when Joseph shared his dream. The brothers intended it for evil (selling him as a slave) but God intended it so that many lives can be saved. Yes, God didn't turn the situation around for Joseph, it was exactly how He wanted to bring Joseph into Egypt.
The end of a story signifies forgiveness and grace, family re-united and from which the blessings of God were appropriated and the remarkable fulfillment of God's promises and word. At 110, Joseph displayed a greater act of faith which extraordinary when he believed God's promise about the land inheritance. And his instructions and made the sons of Israel swear an oath to carry his bones out of Egypt to the promised land. He was later put in a coffin in Egypt. Then the next book of bible (Exodus) begins some 400 years later which God spoke of in Genesis 15: 13.
(FAST FORWARD to Joshua's time) Joseph's bones which the Israelites had brought up from Egypt, were buried at Shechem which today is known as Israel (the promised land). Joshua was Joseph's descendant and what a privilege it must have been for Joshua in fulfilling Joseph's desire and witnessing God's faithfulness generations after generations.
The chapters in the book of Genesis also reveals the importance of Joseph not only to the history of Israel, but also to the history of Egypt. That's Joseph's legacy! What legacy are you building?
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
What's Your Legacy ?
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Special FREE Movie Screening of "FIREPROOF" at TCT
Before you think, "Ah, it's just another cheesy Christian movie", let me share that I showed this movie to my cell group of 19-29 year old hot-blooded young men and many of them were in tears by the end of it. They may not admit it, but I certainly saw many red eyes! This is a powerful show which I believe will touch the hearts not just of married couples but also teach our youth how to treat their future partners with love and respect the way God has intended us to. Click on for a short review of the show.
Special FREE Movie Screening of "FIREPROOF" @ TOUCH Community Theatre
4 July (Sat), 7.30pm (In English with Mandarin Subtitles)
11 July (Sat), 3.00pm (In English)
Dr Ted Baehr of Movieguide wrote this review: FIREPROOF is an incredibly gripping, compelling, heartrending, transformational story about saving a marriage that is on the rocks. Kirk Cameron stars as Caleb Holt, a fire chief in a small town who gets respect from everyone except his wife. Katherine, played by Erin Bethea is the public relations officer of the local hospital. Caleb and Katherine fight about everything. Their marriage seems to have no hope, but Caleb’s father asks him to take 40 days to work through a personal journal to change the way he treats Katherine. Caleb agrees, but Katherine is already interested in a doctor at the hospital. Only faith in Jesus Christ and repentance can save their relationship.
The ending to FIREPROOF is powerful, emotional and in many ways unexpected. The Kendrick brothers, who also made FACING THE GIANTS with help from their church in Albany, Georgia, display an incredible amount of talent. Their story is perfectly plotted. Kirk Cameron does an excellent job turning Caleb into a real person. Despite its low budget, FIREPROOF is a stirring presentation of the power of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the power of God’s amazing grace.
Friday, April 17, 2009
Eunice's Wedding 18 April 09
Weddings are always special as they symbolise the love and commitment that two people are prepared to give to each other till the end of their days. Of course, it becomes even more special when the groom is one's brother, and the bride, a close sister-in-Christ. For both Eunice and Sebastian, I believe weddings are also about the community of friends and relatives. Most of you would have heard Eunice inviting you to her wedding tomorrow. If you didn't, know that you are! (from Eunice) Join me in sharing in their joy and celebration tomorrow. :)
Cheers,
Joshua
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Session 12, Pastor Lawrence Khong
Destined for the throne (the blood of the crown)
Blood at the crossroads
§ Because we believe God for greater things and therefore we choose the blood at the crossroads.
§ Every decision we make to do certain things to glorify Jesus instead of satisfying our own will (which goes in the opposite direction), we’re claiming the power of the blood shed at the crossroads!
Blood of the crown
§ THE CROWN OF FRUITFULESS!
§ Romans 8:30 “And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.” = GOD WANTS TO GLORIFY US!
§ God is exceptionally proud of you! Excited over you! Dances over you! He wants to glory you! He wants to put the crown on you! You are destined for the throne!
§ John 3:17 “For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world.” = GOD DOES NOT WANT TO SHAME US! Never, ever, his intention at all!
§ We have the AUTHORITY AND POWER because Jesus has already shed blood on the crown!
Jesus took the crown of thorns so that he can give you back the crown of glory! So what next?
§ Put it on!
The overcomers! Who are they? These overcomers who are destined for the throne?
§ THE OVERCOMER, WHO DOES NOT GIVE IN TO THE MOMENTARY PLEASURES, TEMPTATIONS, ETC.
§ Revelations 3:21 “To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on m throne, just as I overcame and sat wit my Father on his throne.”
§ Revelations 12:11 “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb…”
1. Destined to reflect God - CHARACTER
§ Romans 8:29 “… that we look more and more like God …”
§ 2 Corinthians 3:18 “…we can be more glorious tomorrow than today! Because we will grow from glory to glory...”
§ Galatians 5:22-23 “…seven fruits of the spirit…”
§ Psalm 8:5 “…God has designed us to share his glory and honour…”
§ Psalm 149:4 “…you are special in the sight of God, sharing his glory…”
§ Proverbs 10:25 “When the storm passed… the righteous will stand firm…”
§ Proverbs 10:29 “The way of the Lord is a refuge for the righteous…”
2. Destined to reign with God - CONTROL
§ Ephesians 2:6 “… God raise us up… IT IS DONE!”
§ FORGET ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN DO WHAT YOU CANNOT DO… It is about God!
§ Ephesians 1:18-23 “I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, 20which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, 21far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. 22And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, 23which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.”
§ NOT IN ARROGANCE, BUT IN CONFIDENCE, BECAUSE I WEAR THE CROWN THAT GOD GIVES ME, BECAUSE I AM A CHILD OF GOD, BECAUSE JESUS HAS SHED BLOOD ON THE CROSS, ON THE CROWN!
3. Destined to revel in his glory – CELEBRATION
§ Paul Billheimer “Destined for the throne” PRAY AND PRAISE ALWAYS!
§ Psalm 149:6-9 “…to praise God is a double-edged sword”
§ PUT ON THE CROWN EVERYDAY!
Ezekiel 36:26 “(God says) I will give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you, I will remove from you your heart of stone, and give you a heart of flesh.”
§ Remove your old heart, cold heart, stony heart, old desires, your old habits
§ STONY HEARTS
- Slow to action even if you do hear God
§ HEART OF FLESH
- Submissive - obedient to God’s will
- Sensitive - to sins and dangers
- A heart that can enjoy no matter what circumstances
- A heart that can love all man no matter how fallen they are
§ New spirit + new heart = new life = renewed by the Holy Spirit
§ New spirit + new heart = new will, passions, desires, and even sorrows too
Session 14, Pastor Lawrence Khong
There is power in the blood of Jesus
Revelations 12:11 “They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”
Ÿ When we’re hiding in Christ, the Devil’s attacks cannot reach us!
Ÿ Because Jesus will take in all the attacks from the Devil!
Ephesians 1:7 “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace”
Hebrews 12:24 “and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.”
Spiritual warfare is NOT you yourself fighting the dragon, the Devil. You will die, man!
It’s by the BLOOD OF JESUS, to redeem yourself, and to redeem the people and situations you pray for!
Session 13, Daniel Khong
Chasing after the wind makes life meaningless!
Ecclesiastes 1:1-11 “Meaningless! Meaningless!... Utterly meaningless! Everything is meaningless.”
§ The more we pursue the things that this life can offer, the more we find that it is empty, and meaningless.
§ You can never be satisfied!
3 reasons why life is meaningless / Chasing after the wind
1. Without a purpose in God, life is meaningless.
2. Without the fear of the Lord, life is meaningless.
3. Without the cross, life is meaningless.
1. Without a purpose in God, life is meaningless.
Colossians 1:16 “For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him”
§ Only the inventor can tell you what the invention is for…
§ The invention itself can never tell you what its own purpose is for!
§ God, our inventor and creator, sees the COMPLETE picture of our lives
§ We as the inventions, we just see little pixels of our lives!
§ SO WHAT SHOULD WE DO? – We should realign our lives with God’s planned destiny and purpose for us
2. Without the fear of the Lord, life is meaningless.
Fear of the Lord -> Gives us wisdom & leads us in the direction that God wants us to go to
§ Ecclesiastes 12:13 “..we must fear God and keep his commandments…”
§ Proverbs 1:7 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
§ Psalm 111:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom”
§ Proverbs 10:27 “The fear of the Lord adds length to life...”
§ Proverbs 14:27 “The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life…”
§ Proverbs 16:6 “…through the fear of the LORD a man avoids evil”
§ Proverbs 19:23 “The fear of the Lord leads to life: THEN ONE RESTS CONTENT, UNTOUCHED BY TROUBLE.”
§ Proverbs 15:16 “Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil.”
Hence, choose to fear and follow the Lord?
§ YES = you’ll have the protection and covering of the Lord.
§ NO = without God, we seek our own direction but we will somehow, never find it! Even if you have success, not the full potential, not the entire success that God has planned for you to have.
3. Without the cross, life is meaningless. – THE SIGNIFICANCE OF THE CROSS
§ He COMPLETED THE WORK and gave us the POWER TO DO THINGS WE NEED TO DO and reminds that no matter what happens HE HAS GIVEN US HIS LOVE = John 3:16
Session 11, Pastor Lawrence Khong
Paradigm Shift -> How to do evangelism? (PART 2) – cont’d from Session 9
3. EQUIPMENT – are we equipped?
§ Put everyone in cell groups – in a community of love and protection
§ Each of us should have a personal testimony to share
§ Share the John 3:16 diagram
§ Everyone should know the simplest prayer to lead people to the Lord
4. GET GOING – how do I get it going and keep it going?
§ Initiate a structure, environment and culture
o Focus of evangelism should be built AROUND THE HARVEST CYCLES:
§ April – “Let’s have a Good Friday!” (CELLS)
§ May – “QQS and banquet for internationals” (BLESSING)
§ August – show? (CELEBRATION)
§ December – “I’ll be home for Christmas” / “My Hope Singapore” (CHRISTMAS)
§ Give a nudge to leadership and planning
5. FINALLY – there is a need to unlearn the “E” word…
§ Matthew 4:18, 19 “…They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 19 Come follow me and I’ll make you fishers of men”
§ Matthew 13:47, 48 “… the Kingdom of heaven is LIKE A NET that was let down” – so that we can have all kinds of people in our community, because God loves all Man, and not just a certain category of people.i
§ “I caught ya!” / “I got ya!” à SCARY YA KNOW!
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