Heart to heart #55 Brick by brick (24th Feb 2013)

Dear...

When a wicked man dieth, his expectation shall perish: and the hope of unjust men perisheth.
                        Proverbs 11:7

Not sure about you, but it is always sobering for me to receive news of the death of someone, even if that person was a stranger to me. It is times like this that I am reminded that being made ready by the Spirit of God for eternity must be our sole imperative, much as the temporal allure of our present world is difficult to resist.
And just this morning, our good Lord deeply impressed upon me in my sleep, the need to prepare for eternity, rather than the temporal. The reminder to invest in His kingdom, rather than the world.

And sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need.
                       Acts 2:45

I must be from Mars to even imagine the above is happening amongst the majority of Earthlings. Or more specifically amongst the privileged minority residing in Mother Earth who have the wherewithal to share their God given blessings, be it material resources or other.
Accumulation is the second nature of most, distribution as in the sharing of God's blessings, that is a distant third. And when one makes an investment decision, it is almost always "is it good for me?" rarely would the criteria be "is it good for others? and "is it in line with the will of God?'

Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself:
                       Ephesians 1:9

Being a committed follower of Christ does not mean the need to shorn oneself of the accoutrements of the present world. To disengage from the world also runs contrary to the example showed by Christ. What is more  relevant is, in our worldly pursuits, have we lost sight of Christ, much as He is very present in our midst?

It is vain for you to rise up early, to sit up late, to eat the bread of sorrows:
for so he giveth his beloved sleep.
                        Psalms 127:2

The "property conundrum," this was the original title that I had intended to be the banner for my present thoughts. " A paradoxical, insoluble or a difficult problem, a dilemma," this is the Merriam-Webster dictionary definition of " conundrum.

"To be or not to be," a good Shakespearean might ponder. "To buy or not to buy," the enamored collector of "brick and mortar," might pause for a moment, in the light of the astronomical prices and punitive measures by the Singapore government, and the like in HK. But tally not, for the ever garrulous specuvestor, ( a term coined in previous property cycles, where one flips a recently purchased property like a coin, for more than a bag of profits, and keeps the property longer term as an investment if prices fall). There are many alternates, be it chasing commercial properties and $6 million prewar shophouses.
And with the increasing array of "choice" properties from UK, Australia, Malaysia and even Japan, we are spoiled for choice.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it:
except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain.
                Psalms 127:1

Have we forgotten that the only house that matters is us, the temple upon which the Spirit of our Almighty God resides? And the church("the people of God")  is the only truly corporate body we should be concerned about, rather than a portfolio of properties.

Have we in our pursuit of not just that dream home, but an entire property portfolio plain neglected our responsibility to be made ready when Christ returns? "Brick by brick," God will lovingly mold us, but how many are willing and have responded?

Psalms 71:1-3
In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust: let me never be put to confusion.
........... Be thou my strong habitation, whereunto I may continually resort:
thou hast given commandment to save me; for thou art my rock and my fortress.

Would we need a personal tsunami to bring us back into perspective?
For much as many subscribe to the dictum "Tomorrow never dies," as in the James Bond movie, real life  can be sobering compared to reel life. For like the song goes, "it takes only a spark" to set the fire going. The world is living on this intoxicating brew of 'cheap monies' and delusion that governments can keep the specter of rising interest rates at bay.
This charade might last a little longer if only the USA is printing alone. But with Japan breaking ranks and its long repressed subservience to their conqueror USA starting to be tenuous, a currency war while not blatantly obvious,  has become a distinct possibility, if not already ongoing.

now may Israel say;
If it had not been the Lord who was on our side, when men rose up against us:
Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:
                   Psalms 124:1-3

And like the Molotov cocktail, a generic term for improvised incendiary bombs, in a totally yet intertwined theater is that of an increasing risk of a major conflict in the Mid-East between a divided Israel and Iran's erstwhile but coalescing allies in Syria, Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.

And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us- ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
                         Ephesians 1:19

No one knows when the "House  of Cards will come tumbling down, but it will.
It is time to break free from the maze of the unholy alliance between our carnal self and the delusive Lucifer. Instead turn to God, be still and know His will. And in your obedience respond as His Spirit leads, and be amazed by His way.

Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.
                   Matthew 4:8-9

God uses the ordinary. Much as the world is enamored with vestiges of success, as is often showcased in the popular media, we are being duped by the devil. We forsake eternity for the temporal. In our pursuit of the world, we not just lose sight of Heaven, but deprive ourselves of the blessings of the omnipresent God in our daily living. And the opportunity to witness the power of the gospel at work.

In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
                        Ephesians 1:11

God blesses

Eng Hieang
24th Feb 2013

A brick layer's guide
- immerse yourself in the presence of God, be it His Words, prayers or praise
- honor Him in all circumstances and always with a thankful heart
- follow as His Spirit leads
- God will provide

Lately,I have spent a fair bit of time trying to understand the Japanese property market. In the Land of the fallen sun, prices go for US$100-130 psf outside Tokyo, with annual rental yields at 10%. For the same outlay, one could buy a block of flats in Kyushu instead of a shoebox 2 bedder in Central London.
I am looking at Japan not because of these compelling valuations, but rather as a response to the Holy Spirit's leading, for the hard ground in Japan is being softened. There is a need to create places of rest for people who will be sent to minister.
Earthquake, that is the norm in Japan, so investing in real estate seems rather foolish. But there is a spiritual shaking and I believe God has called on the faithful to invest, to make ready for what He is about to wrought in Japan.
Is this a good example of investing in His Kingdom, or man's hallucination?
If our heart is right, God will make it right. Watch this space!!

Heart to heart #54 Dependency (11th Feb 2013)

Dear...

I often struggle with giving. And not just with monies, but time, love, a listening ear or even a thoughtful prayer. It is because much as I profess my desire to follow the Sovereign God, I still find it difficult to fully let go and let Him. In the syndicated comic strip, "Peanuts," there was this young boy Linus who has never outgrown his blanket, his source of comfort and security. Dependency upon God is a liberating experience. "How can it be?" This is the querulous exclamation that will emanate from most. Instead of wondering and wandering every which way, why not turn to God and experience this biblical truth for yourself.

Yea, even when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not, Until I have declared thy strength unto the next generation, Thy might to every one that is to come.
               Psalms 71:18

In our struggles of the moment, much as we know God remains faithful, there will be times of doubt and angst, where our extrapolated fears often take center stage, and the Sovereign and  omnipresent God is consigned to being a bit player.

Trusting and acknowledging that God is truly in total control in all circumstances is often a "rear mirror" experience, only after we attain our desired prayers. And even that thankfulness is but fleeting.

For me, by His grace, I was  moved from believer in name, to a heart that was truly convicted by the Holy Spirit, when I responded to His prompting that fateful night in Bangkok,  to thank God even in the midst of unfulfilled prayers, unlike the past when the grateful ness was post difficult situations.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
             James 4:10

Am I revisiting my past because of this new season that God has brought me into? Older  I  am, gray headed I am too, much as the nicely sprinkled powdery crown of glory does make me look more distinguished. I do struggle with the carnal desire for a quick attainment of a more comfortable perch in my current endeavor, so I can minister from a perceived position of strength, rather than weakness.

For all our days are passed away in thy wrath:We bring our years to an end as a sigh.
            Psalms 90:9

To be free of troubles, that is the desire of most.But man are born to trouble, because we live in a fallen world. From Adam's act of disobedience, man moved from dependence upon God to dependence upon the machinations  of the devil. "To be our own man," is a myth and only in allowing God to reinstate the relationship that was meant to be when He made us in His image, will we be finally freed from the burdens of this sinful world. And trouble does bring many into dependency and into a deeper relationship with our Sovereign God."

And when Jesus saw that he was very sorrowful, he said, How hardly shall they that have riches enter into the kingdom of God!
                Luke 18:24

Financial independence, that is what most hanker over, but rarely achieved. For what is suffice changes when wants become needs. And needs are multifarious, for if it was just material, than wealth should equate health, and less stealth in one's life. There is a hunger that only God can fulfill and it is not dependent upon what you can do, but rather your willingness to let the Spirit of God worked in you.

For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
              Genesis 3:5

Knowledge is the key to independence. That is what the World Wide Web proffers. And connectivity through devices like smartphones and tablets are the means to unlocking this power. Strange how things have come one full circle. A sense of déjà vu, one might have. Lke our wayward ancestors, who realized to their chagrin that freedom from dependency upon God led to a life of bondage to their finite understanding and  the wiles of the devil, most are now a prisoner of connectivity. An enslavement that most cannot do without.

And the apostles said unto the Lord, Increase our faith.
               Luke 17:5

Faith indeed comes from God. A willingness to come unto the presence of  God to be imbued by His sanctifying grace is imperative. But will we be willing to come with no expectations other than knowing that He is Sovereign and that He loves us?
It is often in the abyss that the clarity of God's wisdom is most illuminated. Where what seems so important, as defined by our flawed understanding, pales in the indescribable surge of joy and peace as His Spirit falls upon us. The "umbilical cord" that Adam and Eve severed has now been restored, and no man including the devil can ever torn asunder.

'.....The helpless commits himself to You..'
              Psalm 10:14

Dependency upon God means having a thankful heart in all circumstances. Knowing that God knows not just best, but His purpose is greater than ours.
Dependency upon God is not about Him giving us what we want, but rather we going forth boldly to do  His will. And prayers asked in His will are always answered.

Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
                 James 4:10

A humbled and contrite heart, that is what God looks for. A quagmire often of our own making, but it is often in the quicksand of one's life that one is willing to reach out to the outstretched hand of the omnipresent God. Illogical as it may seem, it is at the nadir of one's life that a new found strength is imbued in us by the Spirit of God, that will lift us into a new plateau, one of total reliance on the Sovereign God.

Jehovah preserveth the simple:I was brought low, and he saved me.
                Psalms 116:6

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles 'doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
                Acts 2:42

God blesses

Eng Hieang
11th Feb 2013