Receiving examinations results

Last Friday was the release of the GCE 'A' level examinations results. It was certainly a tense moment for the cohort who graduated last year. When the results were announced, especially those who obtained 7 distinctions or more, there were tears of joy and disbelief; at the wonderful set of results. On the other hand, there were also tears of disappointment; at not working hard enough to get better grades. Of course, not everyone would be so emotional as to shed tears. Some would shout for ecstasy while others would calmly accept the results they have. Whatever, it may be,tears are but a means to express our pent up emotional state at that point in time.

When we're sad over a matter, especially when faced with failure or bereavement, tears are inevitable. Jeremiah was known as the weeping prophet who lamented over the destruction of Jerusalem due to her sins and iniquities. He wrote in Lamentations 2:19, "Arise, cry out in the night,as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the Lord. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner." He encouraged God's people to pray travailing prayers for their children; that they do not die of hunger.

In our context today, parents' prayers for their children may not be due to the lack of food. It may be due more to the effects of living in an affluent society. Children nowadays have plenty in terms of food and luxuries. Where food is concerned, it could be due to the ill effects of junk food with its attendant problem like obesity and other related health issues. As for luxuries, a whole host of gaming devices has sprouted to target both young and old. Addiction to gaming (online or otherwise) has caused many children to neglect their studies and be zonked out during lessons. Some of these could be potentially evil in nature and needs the ministry of deliverance. Social networking media is another cause for concern if not reign in properly. Parents should restrict the amount of time children spend on the internet, apart from the need to do research on the net.

Children in their teenage years are easily influenced by their peers and what the media portrays. Many teenagers (esp girls) are crazy over Justin Bieber, the Canadian singing sensation. His coming concert in Singapore has been sold out. My daughter wanted to go but we didn't allow her. Whether we like it or not, our children will change in their mindset when they progress on in life. However, when children start to grow wayward and rebel against parents, it signals that work has to be put in to restore the relationship. Many times, prayer cum heart-to-heart talk is needed. Children who go astray from the Lord signifies that the enemy has found a beachhead and planted a stronghold in their lives. In times like these, the support of prayer warriors is crucial as we may not have the ability to carry the burden on our own.


I accompanied my students to Tanjung Balai yesterday as part of the school's programme to develop service learning skills set. The place harks back to Singapore in the 1950s and 60s. It was certainly an eye opener for many of the students as they interacted with the village children, many of whom were already taking care of their younger siblings when they are only about 6 or 7 years of age. They were a contented lot where simple games and sweets would already make them very happy. They were treated to packet food which many of them shared in order to take back the extras for family members. Living in attap/zinc-roofed houses with pigs, dogs, chickens and goats, their only luxury was a TV set. The fathers of the house are fishermen, earning their keep. I was glad to note that a church has adopted the village and volunteers were bringing good cheer to them through Christian songs.

The village children do not have examinations to sit; only the older ones attend school. Their simple lifestyle is but a breath of fresh air to us city dwellers who are accustomed to all the high tech gadgets. They don't have maids to look after them; only their mothers while their fathers are away. The students left Tanjung Balai with a greater appreciation of what they have and not waste the things that they have. As they say, let's live simply so that others may simply live.

Hope in the face of Cancer

I am currently re-reading a book of the above title that I bought in 2005. It was written by Amy Givler, a medical doctor, who was struck with Hodgkin's lymphoma, a cancer originating from white blood cells with symptoms of painless swelling of the lymph nodes in the neck, armpits, or groin. She chronicled her journey from receiving the news of having cancer to undergoing treatments until her remission. She mentioned that no one really gets "cured" of cancer; doctor usually tells a patient that he is a "survival" or under "remission". This was a kind of book she wanted to have as she went to the library searching for answers when she knew she had the dreaded illness. One that would point HOPE to those who think that cancer sounds the death knell of those who have been struck with it.

Two incidents happened yesterday that prompted me to pick up this book from my shelf again. One sister in church shared with me that her recent regular check up had revealed a growth in her intestine with other nodules around it. She went for an MRI and is awaiting result - could this be a relapse of what she had gone through last year? I prayed for her and told her not to confess negatively, even though relatives had suffered similar fate. Breaking generational curses is so vital in this instance. The other incident was an email from a colleague who shared that her doctor had told her she is most likely to have cancer. Again, she's also awaiting confirmation of report. I've not heard my colleague complaining of anything untowards where health is concerned, so this news comes as a surprise to me. I mentioned that I would be praying for her even though she's not a believer.

And yesterday, I was also reading Isaiah 38 as part of my Scripture reading for the day. Verse 1 tells us that King Hezekiah became mortally ill, so much so that God had to send Isaiah with this message, "Set your house in order, for you shall die and not live." Talk about a death sentence when one hears the word cancer in today's context; that was probably the Old Testament equivalent of receiving a death sentence. But noticed what Hezekiah did; he didn't submit to the word spoken by the prophet. He began to weep and supplicate before the LORD. God answered his prayer by adding 15 years to his life (v 5). Now that's like a remission of the death sentence given earlier.

In her book, Amy said that cancer is conquerable in our day and age, when diagnosed early. In the past, nine out of ten physicians favoured not telling patients they had cancer, as the chances of a cure is very slim. Nowadays, life-prolonging treatments are available for nearly every type of cancer. The trend in cancer is very good news indeed. In the 1950s, only 35% of people with cancer lived for at least 5 years. By 1974, the rate has improved to 50% and in 1998, it was 62%. Many of the 62% will go on to live their expected number of years, with the cancer under remission. What's more, as believers in the LORD, we can pray to God as Hezekiah did and expect Him to answer us graciously.

Do read this book if you want to know how to go about ministering to those stricken with cancer.

Presenting our requests to God

I was reading Isaiah 36 and 37 this morning. Chapter 36 talks about the threat of the King of Assyria against Judah. Sennacherib, the King of Assyria, sent his Chief of Staff, Rabshakeh to put fear in the hearts of the Jewish people. Isn't this what the devil is trying to do all along? He is the master of deception, putting up all kinds of half-truths and lies to make people fearful or anxious. Let's take a look at the deception spoken by Rabshakeh:

1. He equated the high altars that Hezekiah removed with that of the LORD's (36:7).
2. Overstating the strength of the Assyrians (36:9).
3. Putting the LORD on the same pedestal as the gods of the heathen (36:19-20).

I was talking to a Buddhist colleague recently and he was trying to paint me a picture that all religious paths lead to the same God. And certainly we can see this playing out in the internet whereby there are teachings trying to marry the different scriptures of the various religions. So we can see that people in our day and age are putting Christ in the same pedestal as other religious founders.

King Hezekiah did the right thing when he heard the taunts of the Assyrian King - he humbled himself in sackcloth and sought the LORD (37:1). He sent his emissaries over to Isaiah the prophet (37:2). The prophetic word given by Isaiah was very encouraging, "Do not be afraid ... I will make him fall by a sword in his own land." (37:6-7). And that's what we need in times when we are really down and out - to hear a word from the LORD that would strengthen us and keep us going in life. This word can come from the still small voice of the Holy Spirit residing within us or it could come from God's people speaking into our lives or it could come directly from God's Word.

King Hezekiah presented the letter of threat to the LORD (37:4). He praised God as the creator of the heaven and earth and prayed that all kingdoms may know He alone is the living God (37:16-20). Isaiah sent to Hezekiah another word of encouragement, "Because you have prayed to Me ..." (37:21). God sent His angel into the Assyrian camp and destroyed 185,000 people and also the eventual death of Sennacherib (37:36-38). I believe we should also pray like Hezekiah of old that all the nations may know that the LORD God is the only living God, and there's none like Him. I mentioned to my friend that Christ is coming back to judge the world and that's where the separation of the sheep and goat would take place. There are currently wheat and tares growing side by side and we can't tell the difference between one and the other. Many religious people will claim that we are all alike in our outlook, but ultimately judgment day would prove otherwise.

Musical Instruments

The most common musical instrument is the use of our vocal chords to make melody and music. That's why the psalmist is able to say, "I will sing praise to God as long as I live." (Ps 146:2) with the additional exhortation, "Sing to the LORD a new song." (Ps 149:1) Churches all over the world would congregate together either on the Lord's day or other days of the week to sing praises unto the LORD. In some places, where the government regime is oppressive, they sing a capella, without any real musical instruments accompaniment. Whether we sing with or without musical instruments, what's important is that we sing praise songs with praising hearts. I was reading today in Isaiah 29 that we can come near to God with praise in our mouths, but our hearts can be far from Him (v 13).

Apart from our vocal chords, musical instruments like the keyboard, guitar and drums do help to enhance the worship atmosphere. There was a period in time when certain segment of the Christian community view the guitar and drums as instruments from the pit of hell, which should not be used. With the arrival of the charismatic renewal in the 1960s, many churches have been enlightened and warmed up to the use of instuments in their worship services, albeit some traditional liturgical services are still retained. The psalmist in Ps 150 encourages us to praise God with the trumpet, harp, lyre, tambourine, flute and cymbals, a mixture of string and wind instruments.

Not only in praise & worship, the Bible also mentions musical instruments in the context of warfare and prophecy. In warfare, Isaiah mentioned that the blows the LORD lays on the Assyrians would be to the music of tambourines and harps. The psalmist adds, "Let the high praises of God be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand." (Ps 49:6). We must never underestimate the power of praise and worship in routing the enemy of our souls, just like what King Jehoshaphat did when he sent a choir of singers into battle (2 Chron 20). When being inquired about a matter of great importance, Prophet Elisha asked for a harpist before he could prophesy to the three kings who came to him (2 Kg 3:15). Music, as we can see, is very integral to the life of the people of Israel; and it ought to be in ours as well. We have been called to declare the praises of Him who has called us out of darkness into His marvellous light (1 Pet 2:9).

Musical instruments can be very expensive, especially the good ones. When my elder daughter graduated from Yamaha Music School, she decided to continue with learning the piano rather than the organ. Because we do not know whether her interest would be sustained, we got her a second hand piano at under $1000. Later, when we knew that she had a passion and interest in learning the piano we got her a brand new one costing $6500. Likewise for our younger daughter who picked up the violin together with another friend when young. The first violin costs less than $200 and subsequently she was given one by her same friend who bought another violin. Just recently, after passing her grade 5 theory test she was asked to get another violin. Due to her physical features being set and recognising that this would be her last and final violin, we invested in a $3000 violin for her. Even though the investment can be quite heavy, apart from the weekly lessons they had to undergo, we are glad that they have put their musical skills to good use in church.

May the LORD bless those who are using their musical abilities to serve Him. As you do so, know that you're helping the people of God to direct their praise and worship unto Him and to be engaged in warfare and prophecy.

ICT Devices

As far as I could recall, our children did not carry a mobile phone until they were in upper primary. And that was for the purpose of communicating with them since they were already taking public transport back from school. Each of them had a hand-me-down phone or one obtained as part of a free gift, with a pre-paid card inside. At that point in time, a $20 pre-paid card could last between 1 to 2 months, before a top-up was made. It eventually reduced to one month when my daughter had to contact her friends frequently due to collaboration in school projects or as a result of CCA involvement.

Subsequently, when the younger one was about to move to secondary school, with anticipated increase in project collaboration, I subscribed to Singtel RedPac plan costing about $10 per month for each of my daughter's line. This plan came with unlimited incoming calls, limited outgoing calls and 150 sms each. I had 500 sms which could be shared with my children, if I don't fully utilise them. With this plan, I still had to top up a fair bit each month, but usually not more than $100. The amount of sms utilised by my children is phenomenal - this is their chief mode of communication, plus of course the excess in outgoing calls used.

Late last year in December, when the Redpac plan has expired, I re-contracted the children's plan to student's plan. That was the only time I bought each of them a new phone (due to their good end of year results) costing a few hundred dollars even with the student's plan. The wonderful thing about this plan is that it comes with unlimited sms but still with limited outgoing calls. Despite each of them getting a smartphone, I didn't sign up a data plan for them because we do not want them to be using the phone to surf the net. It was a great mistake.

When children get their hands on a smartphone, they cannot help but want to connect to the net whether wireless or through 3G network. The former is free when tapping on the home wifi network or wireless@SG, but the latter is charged. Thinking that they were surfing the net through wifi network, our children downloaded many games and went on social networking websites like Facebook. When their bills came, each shot over $300 and needless to say, we were livid. What follows was an intense negotiation with our service provider to waive the charges, pleading ignorance on behalf of our children. To cut the long story short, we managed to sign up a data plan for our elder daughter and had her bill drastically reduced, while for the younger one we paid about $170 and requested that her 3G network be terminated. Her next bill came down to $11, which was a huge relief. The children definitely learnt a painful lesson from this episode.

The elder child has acquired a tablet PC this year for her Integrated Programme in school. This has set us back by $2000. She has been told to ensure the security of her PC as well as to use it responsibly i.e. no gaming in school. Most of the time, it would be used to research information for her school projects. Students are also expected to use mathematical software to help them with exploration and discovery of concepts. We have also recently acquired a Toshiba notebook for our home as our Aspire desktop CPU has "died" and is beyond repair and restoration. Next year, our younger daughter would need to acquire a notebook, and I heard that it's going to be a Mac. Well that's the high cost of raising Gen iY kids, where technology is an extension of their body.

The Chinese Culture

The origin of various cultures is found in the Book of Beginnings, Genesis. In the beginning, there was only one culture or human race (Gen 11:1). Mankind at that point in time thought that they could build an edifice and a name for themselves (Gen 11:4). Little did they realize their arrogance has provoked the God of heaven bringing about the confusion of languages among them (Babel). The diversity of human cultures was part of God’s plan as is also reflected in His other creation where there are an inordinate variety of flora and fauna. The world is a much better place with diversity and diverse cultures fit the pattern. Paul affirmed what God had intended at the very beginning when he spoke to the learned people gathered at Mars Hill in Athens, “From one man he made all the nations, that they should inhabit the whole earth; and he marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” (Ac 17:26 NIV).

At the tower of Babel, there was the confusion of tongues bringing about a scattering of people. However, in the upper room where the 120 disciples prayed, it brought about a uniting of people from different races through a powerful act of the Holy Spirit (Ac 2:7-11). The day of Pentecost foreshadowed the work that God would do to bring people from different nationalities to His saving grace. John the apostle confirmed this in his vision: “After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb. They were wearing white robes and were holding palm branches in their hands.” (Rev 7:9). God loves the world – the Chinese, Indians, Malays, Eurasians, Arabs, Jews and so on. And as the song goes, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight.

Culture is defined as the sum total of ways of living built up by a group of human beings and transmitted from one generation to another. Human culture is therefore a part of God’s creation. Culture in and of itself is good; it was designed to bring glory to God. Each culture or people group makes a contribution no other can make. However, cultures over the years have been corrupted by the evil one. For example, art forms and architecture once used to glorify God have become objects and edifices that glorify the principalities and powers of this world (Ac 17:29). To restore God’s original intention for each culture, we need to find out the redemptive gift of each culture. For instance, the Chinese culture is known for her industriousness and filial piety. These are biblical values enunciated by Paul, “Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the food they eat.” (2 Th 3:12) and “Honor your father and mother — which is the first commandment with a promise.” (Eph 6:2).

As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, we need to learn how to appreciate our cultural heritage without compromising our faith. The issue of funeral rites and Chinese festivals would pose a great challenge to believers whose loved ones are non-believers. There are no easy answers to many of the issues that believers would face living in a time when there are many counter kingdom culture onslaughts. And as what Jesus said to the believers during times of persecution, we ought to rely on the wisdom of the Holy Spirit (Lk 21:14-15). Filial piety ought to be shown when our loved ones are around and helping them in the house, or taking care of them when they are old. The gospel of Christ ought to be seen and heard.

The lunar New Year is round the corner and many Chinese would be celebrating the spring festival. Many of the pagan practices whereby food and joss-sticks are offered to deities should have no place in a believer’s life. The giving of red packets and mandarin oranges would serve as a good leverage point to pay respects and make conversations. This encourages family bonding and togetherness, albeit it could be once a year for some families. One thing for sure, even though it’s the year of the rabbit in the Chinese zodiac, to us it’s the year of the Lord’s favour, because of the very fact we are living under grace.

Have a blessed lunar New Year!

The Call of God

I was meditating on Isaiah's commission in Isaiah 6 today. This event occurred at the end of the reign of King Uzziah around 740 BC. Uzziah, king of Judah, was generally considered a good king. However, towards the latter half of his reign, he grew powerful and proud, leading to his downfall. He wanted to assume the priesthood by burning incense in the temple of God till he was struck with leprosy and had to quickly vacate the temple (2 Chron 26:16-21). He remained leprous till the day of his death.

When Isaiah saw the Lord, He was seated on a throne, high and exalted. Though earthly kings and rulers may pass away, the Lord continues to rule on His throne in heaven. Isaiah was transported to the temple in heaven in a vision to capture this divine sight. God's self revelation of Himself was followed next by the sounds that Isaiah heard. It was the heavenly choir by the seraphs (a kind of angels) singing "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty ..." bringing a realisation to Isaiah that he was terribly unclean in the presence of a Holy God. He immediately confessed his sins and unworthiness, resulting in his cleansing by an angel.

The work of the Lord requires vessels that have clean hands and pure hearts. God has called all His children out of darkness into His wonderful light (1 Pet 2:9), and this entails our sanctification. The general will of God for every believer is
i) our sanctification (1 Th 4:3-8) - being set apart for His use.
ii) our joyful, prayerful, thanksgiving attitude (1 Th 5:16-18) - we can take everything to the Lord in prayer; a powerful weapon God has put in our hands.
iii)our acts of kindness and obedience to God's laws (1 Pet 2:13-21) - if we live under God's authority we will walk in a higher plane of spiritual authority on earth.
iv) our witness of God (2 Pet 3:9) - He desires us to shine for Him wherever He placed us.

Despite the above, there is still a specific will of God for individuals called by Him to accomplish His purposes on earth like Moses, Isaiah
and Jeremiah. Such a call of God is clear and distinct, often being confirmed through many ways. Our Senior Pastor had no less than two prophetic word to confirm the vision he saw in the clouds. But rest assured that when God calls you, He would empower you for every good work. One of the ways we can equip ourselves is to read the Word of God daily (2 Tim 3:16-17) and to pray (Jn 16:24).

The call of God requires a response from us and Isaiah spoke simply, "Here am I send me!" Would you be willing to respond positively, if He calls you into His service? It could be into so-called full-time ministry like serving in a church or para-church organisation, or it could be to serve as a tentmaker like the apostle Paul in the market places where God puts you. The world in its various fields like government, media, education, family, religion, military, etc. needs servants of God to not only shine for Him but be effective in their area of influence. May you be such a person as you answer the call of God.