Theme for 2021 - The God of the Impossible

The theme for our FaithLine Church in 2021 is "The God of the Impossible".

In this New Year, we are feeling like Moses and the children of Israel, taking every step by faith, as we walk into the opened Red Sea.

Our focus is not upon the "Red Sea" or the "Pharoah's armies" but upon God and God alone.

Yes, the sea has parted but we must walk through the narrow path. 

We must trust that God will hold back the two gigantic walls of water until we reach the other shore. 

We must trust that He would continue to block the Pharoah's chariots and warriors until we cross over. 

We must trust that God knows the right timing to put the sea back in place and drown all our fears and trepidations. 

This new year will definitely be a courageous walk of faith for all of us. 

Let's do not hesitate but move on, by the power of the Holy Spirit and in the mighty name of Jesus.

With The God of the Impossible on our side, we already have the victory.

Albert Kang

Christian Hope

Christians are people of hope, and that is the secret of their lives. 

We see believers doing the most menial and wearying work, taking the basin of water, washing and drying disciples’ feet. 

They are strengthened to do so because they see the day approaching. 

They know that there’s soon going to be a complete transformation of themselves and those whom they love. 

That body sown in weakness is going to be raised in might. 

A glory is going to be shown not to them, it’s going to be revealed in them. 

They are going to glorified together with Christ in just a few more years. 

Can you imagine that day? 

An old missionary to Peru named Michael Smith died seven weeks ago. 

He kept hiking into remote villages on narrow jungle trails visiting scattered groups of Christians when he was in his eighties. 

At the end of the summer he was told that he was in a terminal condition. 

An old friend said to him, “Michael, you’ve climbed many mountains in your life and now you have to climb the highest one of all.” 

“Yes, I’ve often thought of it like that,” he replied, “and the best part of climbing a mountain is the view from the top.” 

That is the Christian hope.

Alfred Place Baptist Church 

That I May Love Him

Missionary Jim Elliot

I walked out to the hill just now. It is exalting, delicious, to stand embraced by the shadows of a friendly tree with the wind tugging at your coattail and the heavens hailing your heart, to gaze and glory and give oneself again to God—what more could a man ask? Oh, the fullness, pleasure, sheer excitement of knowing God on earth! I care not if I never raise my voice again for Him, if only I may love Him, please Him.

Mayhap in mercy He shall give me a host of children that I may lead them through the vast star fields to explore His delicacies whose finger ends set them burning. But if not, if only I may see Him, touch His garments, and smile into His eyes—ah then, not stars nor children shall matter, only Himself.

“O Jesus, Master and Center and End of all, how long before that Glory is Thine which has so long waited Thee? Now there is no thought of Thee among men; then there shall be thought for nothing else. Now other men are praised; then none shall care for any other’s merits. Hasten, hasten, Glory of Heaven, take Thy crown, subdue Thy Kingdom, enthrall Thy creatures.””

JIM ELLIOT

Unaffiliated To Any Religions

A 2012 survey of US Millennials—ages 18 to 24— uncovered an interesting trend. The study, led by the Public Religion Research Institute, revealed that one in four young adults chose “unaffiliated” for their religious commitment. But 55 percent of that group had “identified with a religious group” when they were younger. They had simply walked away from the faith they once embraced.

Sadly, many believers in Jesus turn away from their “first love” (Revelation 2:4 NKJV). Knowing that the people of ancient Israel were prone to wander away from God, Joshua called together the “eastern tribes” to commend them and give them counsel. He commended them for faithfully following God’s commands as they helped to clear Canaan (Joshua 22:2-3). The Promised Land had been claimed and was now prepared for God’s people.

But as he sent the three tribes (Reuben, Gad, and the half-tribe of Manasseh) back to their homes on the east side of the Jordan (Joshua 22:4), Joshua also had some instructions for them (Joshua 22:5):

• “Love”—To maintain their relationship with God, they needed to love Him deeply.

• “Walk”—To stay in step with God, they needed to follow His ways completely.

• “Obey”—To honor God, they needed to obey His commands unceasingly.

• “Hold”—To stay strong in their faith, they needed to hold firmly to God uniquely.

• “Serve”—To live out their faith, they needed to serve God sincerely.

To make sure you don’t begin moving away from God—slipping from unashamed believer (Romans 1:16) to unaffiliated nonbeliever—consider the five words Joshua spoke to the people. As we love, walk, obey, hold, and serve in our relationship with God, our hearts will stay rooted in Him (Joshua 22:5).

Godvine

The Rod of Moses

The Rod of Moses

Karen Judd Low

 God appeared to Moses in the burning bush and asked him, “What’s that in your hand?” Of course, whenever God asks questions (i.e. Adam, where are you?), God doesn’t need our information. He asks because he wants to accomplish something in our realization. In other words, identify this thing. Look at it, this dead, unproductive piece of wood. Then God said, “Throw it on the ground.” (Exodus 4) And from these verses, I heard a wonderful message from Jentzen Franklin of Chicago citing three good points about what’s in my hand…

The rod represented his identity. It was a shepherd’s staff.
It represented his income, an occupation that provided his trusted resource and living.
It also represented his sphere of influence, the world around him and where he lived.

He used a star football player from his congregation as an example and showed a slide of this man bowing the knee at the end zone and thanking God when he made a goal. He’s using his influence to point to God. It so happens a football is in this man's hand, but there he was, laying it down for God to get the glory. Some may not understand that, but what a refreshing contrast to the superstars who strut around the endzone thumping their chests like tribal warriors when they can run 100 yards carrying that little pigskin. No, this man was using what he had in humility, recognizing that it all came from God and publicly thanking Him for it. The Word encourages us, “Whatever you do, do it wholeheartedly as unto the Lord and not unto men.” (Col 3:23) This man was truly serving an audience of One.

 I noticed the three I’s in his outline, and it was a triple-punch to the solar plexus, or should I say,soular plexus? This is a solid reminder of the all-encompassing self-life. Me, myself and I. We could say, the mind, the heart and the soul. Or, some think of the will, emotion and being. All that I am needs to be surrendered at the feet of Jesus. How tightly am I holding on? Truly, nothing that is "in my hand" is permanent or dependable forever. All these things can be taken from me in an instant. But the God who gave me life can teach me how to use what He has put in my hand. I only  have to listen.

A popular commercial asks the question, "What's in your wallet?" Usually, a band of rogue warriors is trying to steal it from you. But who has the authority to ask such a question? Certainly the one who gave it to you could do that. God has the right to ask you for what's in your wallet. You wouldn't have a wallet, and there would be no photo on that license. There wouldn't even be a name printed there because you wouldn't have a breath without him! Like the disappearing faces on the old movie, Back to the Future, there would be no YOU! If we could only understand, it all belongs to Him and begins and ends with Him.

In every area of our lives, the Lord asks, "What’s in your hand?" He just wants us to recognize the gifts He's given us. We should have our eyes wide open and thankful hearts. There are bountiful blessings in our hands. There are families and children, friendships and opportunities, abilities, creativity and time! All so precious! Do we see all that is in our hands?

If so, the first step is God's command, "Throw it down!" It was just a dead stick in Moses’ hand, but when he obeyed God, casting it at his feet, it became a living thing! God knew he couldn't really use Moses until this weak and faltering lipped man realized a thing or two. It's as though God had to set the record straight.

Sometimes I wonder, shouldn't the burning bush have been enough? Was  that sight too remarkable, too distant or intangible for him to grasp? God went a step further. He demostrated his power with the very familiar staff in his own hand. Moses probably carved and then carried it for years, possibly for the forty years he had been a shepherd in that distant land. His hands must have known every minute crook and crevice of that staff. In a very real way, that chunk of wood represented his own life. 

It's as though the Lord was saying, Let me come a little closer and show you something you will really understand. You shaped that piece of wood, didn't you? You've used it and held onto it for many years. You think you have power over it? You think you have something special there, do ya? Wait til you see what I can do with that little stick! When it hit the ground it became a live snake and Moses ran from it! Moses had no idea the potential that was in that wooden stick. Potential for life as well as potential for death. In the same way that you carved that stick, I shaped you! Just as you've carried it and know it intimately, I've carried you and know you inside and out. I AM your creator and I'm calling you to trust me with everything that is in you.
 Later on, of course, this same "stick" touched the Red Sea and it opened up so that two million people could walk across on dry ground in one night. I've heard scoffers say things like, "Oh, it was low tide anyway. The water was probably just a few inches deep!" Wow, if that's true, then it is even more remarkable. God drowned the whole Egyptian army in a little stream of bath water and thousands of horses and chariots were covered on a sandbar! No, it's a cute joke, but I think not.

There have been excavations at the site where it happened at Nuweiba, a red granite pillar that was erected by Solomon that is still standing, and the gilded chariot wheels have been found on the ocean floor. The place is ten miles long and up to 5000 feet deep. Though many want to look the other way and pretend it never happened, the Red Sea was a dynamic miracle as God stretched out His bare arm and brought his people out of slavery, just as He promised.

The point is, that little "stick" was seriously promoted. It went from herding a bunch of sheep in the back side of the desert to commanding angels on the front lines of history! Moses' rod in God's hand called down plagues on their enemies and led them to the Promised Land. As Moses learned to listen to God's command, that little stick became the ruling rod of God on earth. From a shepherd's humble staff to a reigning scepter in the hand of the Almighty!
God takes whatever we have and he can do the unthinkable. He can bring things to life! For me it’s writing, speaking and teaching. It might be a bunch of words and the learning and the messages he’s put in my hand. Without his life-giving Spirit, without his blessing, these things would never accomplish a thing. They are just dead things like so many scratchings on pages or so many splinters of wood. But at God's command, even the very familiar can overpower me. Like a slithering serpent, I would run from these same words and be destroyed by them.

So I cast down my identity, I trust you God for the income and resources I need to live. My future, my security, the ability--it all comes from you. I cast the sphere of influence, the readers and writers' groups, the congregations or classrooms, the people I “bump” into along the way… WHEREVER it is and WHENEVER it is, Dear God, I throw it all at your feet in Jesus' Name.

Thank you, Father, for the wonderful things you have put in my hand, but God, help me never to cling to them more than you, or lean on them or trust in them for life. It is the giver, not the gifts that I seek. Like the rod of Moses, these things are powerless without you.
  Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remain in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing." (John 15:5)

Source:http://faithwalkjourney.blogspot.com/2006/09/rod-of-moses.html

Following Leads to Honor

If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor. (John 12:26)

The highest service is imitation. If I would be Christ's servant I must be His follower. To do as Jesus did is the surest way of bringing honor to His name. Let me mind this every day.

If I imitate Jesus I shall have His company: if I am like Him I shall be with Him. In due time He will take me up to dwell with Him above, if, meanwhile, I have striven to follow Him here below. After His suffering our Lord came to His throne, and even so, after we have suffered a while with Him here below, we also shall arrive in glory. 

The issue of our Lord's life shall be the issue of ours: if we are with Him in His humiliation we shall be with Him in His glory. Come, my soul, pluck up courage and put down thy feet in the blood-marked footprints which thy Lord has left thee.

Let me not fail to note that the Father will honor those who follow His Son. If He sees me true to Jesus, He will put marks of favor and honor upon me for His Son's sake. No honor can be like this. Princes and emperors bestow the mere shadows of honor; the substance of glory comes from the Father. Wherefore, my soul, cling thou to thy Lord Jesus more closely than ever.

C. H. Spurgeon

How Can We Finish Well?

The apostle Paul was obsessed with finishing well. 

 He saw life as a race. When meeting with the Ephesian elders for the last time, he said: "However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the gospel of God's grace"—Acts 20:24. Paul was so motivated to finish well, that he challenged the Corinthian believers to "run (the race) in such a way as to get the prize...not...running aimlessly"—1 Cor. 9:24-26. 

In that passage he describes his disciplined training. He says He disciplined his body to make it do what it must, not what it wanted to, so that "having preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize"—v. 27. Then he came to the end of the race. What joy filled his heart as he testified at the end of his life: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith"—2 Tim. 4:7. 

What moved the apostle Paul to press on, to go all the way to the finish line? Whatever it was, 

Recently when I started a study of the book of Daniel, I began in chapter 6, at the end of Daniel's life. I saw how he finished; I saw his resolve, even in the face of a lion's den. Then I asked the question, "What got him to the place of uncompromising faith?" 

With that question in mind, I began at the beginning of the book where I saw the initial commitments of Daniel and his three buddies, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. It was because they started right and maintained that initial commitment, that they ended well. 

From the example of Daniel, the call is to determine how each of us wants to end up. We can then back up from that point and determine what we need to do, what character we need to develop, what prayers we need to pray, what disciplines we need to establish in order to finish well. 

That remains a challenge, no matter how old or young we may be. 

What about George Mueller? What enabled him to finish well? After establishing an orphanage for 2,050 children, he continued to raise all the support for the orphanages, even while traveling 200,000 miles. The day before he died at age 93, he was still handling orphanage correspondence and protesting that he felt fine. 

What about Oswald Chambers? Up to the end of his 43 years, he served the Lord in Egypt ministering to British soldiers. Oswald often said, "I don't care what God does, it's what God is that I care about." His journals and sermons even after his death, continue to bless people around the world. My Utmost for His Highest continues to sell well even today. 

What about John Sung, a brilliant Chinese student with a Ph.D. in Chemistry? After several years at Union Theological Seminary where his faith was tested, and six months of forced confinement in psychiatric wards, he was released to return to China for 15 years, a highly effective but exhaustive ministry. Thousands were converted, and revival broke out wherever he spoke. 

All of these people provide a call to end well. What is it that enabled these people to finish their courses, in spite of their lack of perfection? Observe:

The characteristics of those who finish well

Heb. 12:1-3—"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2] Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3] Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."

From this passage and the words of authors like Paul Stanley and Robert Clinton, I have observed six characteristics in people who finished well. Here's the list as a preview. We'll view all but the last one. 

They had a network of meaningful relationships with peers and those they discipled, as well as several important mentors during their lifetime—Heb. 12:1a.  

They all had a weight problem and were clumsy, but they were constantly working at it—Heb. 12:1b. Stated another way: They all needed to be honest and confessional about their weaknesses and sins.  

They persevered in difficult times and were disciplined in important areas of their lives—Heb. 12:1c.

They had perspective that enabled them to focus—Heb. 12:2.

They enjoyed intimacy with Christ and experienced repeated times of inner renewal—Heb. 12:3.

They maintained a positive learning attitude and life-style all their lives, and were committed to the Lord and His Word as the main source of that learning —2 Tim. 3:16; Matt. 11:28.

• Note: This last characteristic, is seen best in a complete study of the life Daniel. He models for us how to maintain a learning and praying posture our whole life. 

Extract from an article, "Finishing Well" by Rev Robert C. Stone

Source: http://www.eagleflight.org/Pastor/finishing.html

From Humble Beginning

Chen's background was that of poverty and hard work. During 1960s when Singapore was struggling to survive as a young nation, Chen's parents were among the many who survived as hawkers along North Bridge Road. As the government was taken shape, the police no longer could be bribed, All hawkers had to get a license to hawk their wares. Chen's parents finally managed to acquire a hawking license to sell porridge but their lucrative location had to go. It was deemed to cause obstruction to traffic. Their stall was then moved to a side road and business became slower than normal.

The government school was free but the books, uniforms and stationery were not. All these took a financial toll on Chen's parents, Chen was determined to make it to the top of class and even school. He worked doubly-hard in his school works. In his heart and soul, he knew that he was the only answer out of poverty for his parents and two younger siblings. Being the eldest, the responsibility of the family weighed heavy upon his 16 year-old shoulders. His class results were good and he topped his class every year. His parents did not understand how hard their son had worked until he came back one day to invite them to attend a school function. Chen had graduated first not only in his class but in the school. How proud the parents were when Chen's name was called. As he walked to receive his award and certificate, there were tears in the eyes of his parents.

Every day, after school, Chen was at the stall helping his parents. As a typical filial son, he was concerned about the health of his parents. He wanted them to take a break in the afternoon but they wanted him to go out with his friends. The love between parents and child was most commendable. For a teenager, Chen did not feel that he had missed the activities that some of his classmates and friends were enjoying. Moreover, he did not have the money to go to the movies at South Bridge Road. His joy is listening to English and Chinese music from their little Rediffusion set. When the parents were home, the little cabled radio was turned to Chinese talk programs and narratives. Simple life but rich in many ways.

At 18, Chen had completed his Pre-university education and like all 18 year-old young Singaporean males, he had to serve his National Service. He felt bad that he had become too busy and had to neglect his parents and their porridge business. Then he was offered an opportunity to become a fighter pilot. Without any hesitancy, he signed up. The deal was not just the regular two-year service required of National Service men but a twelve-year contract of a regular servicemen. Chen was attached to a training squadron at Changi Air Base. Initially, during his basic training, his parents, especially his mother, found time to visit him. Later, when he became an officer cadet, he had the time to visit them during the weekends.

The proud day came, when Chen became a Second Lieutenant of the Republic of Singapore Air Force. He progressed rapidly in his career. Most of the Taiwanese flight instructors spoke highly of him. They felt that Chen had the making of a squadron leader. The fact was that he did not only become a squadron leader, he became a base commander. By that time, Chen had gotten married, moved his parents to his new condominium and made them proud grandparents of two adorable children.

When asked what gave him the inspiration to achieve success, he said that it was a friend who shared with him the secret of success. He recalled while he was serving as a trainee pilot at Changi Air Base, an army clerk shared Christ with him. It took him a while to grasp the idea that he was a sinner and needed a Saviour. Initially, he did not feel that he was a sinner but a very good and filial son. He reasoned that he was honest and kind. How could God punish such a good person like him? 

One night, Chen was on night duty. His companion was the Christian clerk. Chen said that he was a good person and therefore, he had no need for any salvation from the so-called sins. The army clerk then asked if Chen would like to take a 'good person' test. Chen jokingly agreed. 

The clerk asked Chen whether the Ten Commandments meant anything to him. Chen said that apart from having watched the movie, 'Ten Commandments" acted by Charlton Heston, he had no idea what these commandments were all about. The Christian clerk explained about the laws of God and if anyone violated them, they will not be able to go to heaven.

Chen wondered why God would be so evil as to punish mankind. The clerk explained meticulously about how God loves mankind and instead of allowing sinful mankind to go to hell, He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to die for fallen mankind. 

Chen was asked whether he had ever lied and he was honest enough to admit that he had lied.Yes, he was a liar.Then the clerk asked whether he had ever stolen. Chen became quiet because when he was a boy, his family was very poor. He was at Yaohan supermarket and he took a candy bar without paying. That had bothered him for a long time. Yes, he was a thief.

Chen also admitted that he had succumbed to lust and read Playboy magazines that belonged to another officer cadet. Yes, he was an adulterer.

What about the sin of murder? Chen was confused. He asked the clerk how could he be a murderer and still served as a cadet officer. The clerk explained that according to the Bible, anyone who hates others has already committed murder.

A heavy load descended upon Chen. He hated one of his maternal uncles who borrowed money from his parents to pay his gambling debts. One day, this uncle came to his house and shouted at his parents for not giving him enough money. Chen was 16 at that time, and he took a stool from the kitchen and attacked that uncle. That uncle never came back ever again. Chen had resolved in his heart that he would kill that uncle if he ever dare to come back again. Yes, Chen admitted to the clerk that he had hatred in his heart.

The clerk then asked, "If you are a liar, thief, adulterer and murderer, then how can you say you are a good person? Do you believe that by what you have done, heaven will be able to accept you?"

Chen hung his head in shame. After about a week of spiritual struggle, he confessed his sins. He told the Lord that he had repented of his sins and to grant him forgiveness.  He invited the Lord Jesus to become his Saviour. It was from then that he was determined to make the best of his life. 

For a moment, he wanted to become a missionary but after talking to his pastor, he realized that he could serve God better as a pilot. In his years as a fighter pilot, he was able to lead many members of his squadron to accept Christ as their Saviour. Even though he was never a full-time missionary, every year, he and his family would go on at least one mission trip. He said that the people whom he served in the mission fields had taught him more than what he had blessed them.

Today, Chen is no longer with the Air Force but flying commercial international flights with the Singapore Airlines. His elderly parents have since retired and enjoying their golden years with Chen and his family. The other two siblings have also grown up and become professionals too. 

The most wonderful of all is that all of them are now believers and attending the same church. Through hard works and persistence, Chen brought his family from poverty to success. But most importantly, Chen had brought salvation to his whole family and they are serving God actively.