MALAYSIAN CHRISTIANS MUST RISE UP AND FIGHT FOR OUR NATION

At the prayer service last Wednesday night, I felt the Lord saying that it’s time for us to rise up as His warriors.

Civilians occupy but warriors advance.

If we desire to advance in life, we must daily put on God’s armour and take steps of faith (against the comfort of staying where we are) knowing that we will not fail because God is with us.

God is building His end-time army and you and I are part of that massive, powerful, fearsome, advancing battalion that will stand with Him victorious over the power of the enemy.

"So I prophesied, just as he commanded me. The breath entered them and they came alive! They stood up on their feet, a huge army." (Ezekiel 37:10 MSG)

Our nation is under great disarray because the devil, through his principalities and powers is seeking to destroy it.

This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. (Ephesians 6:12 MSG )

It’s up to the church of God to rise and stand in the gap and intercede for our land.

"I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn't have to destroy it. I couldn't find anyone. Not one.” (Ezekiel 22:30 MSG)

God is the source of my strength.

My body is strong.

I am mentally and emotionally at peace.

I am not intimidated but courageous.

God loves me and is powerfully working for my good.

SAY HELLO TO THE NEW YOU

Dear Church,

I want to share with you a secret that will open the realm of the heavens to you so I want you to read this article again and again until you grasp its truth.

The Bible tells us to ‘put on our new man’ who is created in righteousness and true holiness (Eph 4:24; Col 3:10)

I was made a prefect when I was in Form Six and although I was physically puny, I knew the powers of the school was behind me when I put on the blue prefect’s jacket.

Similarly, we must understand that when we put on our new man, the realities of heaven and the resources of the kingdom are behind us.

Col 3:1-3 Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honour at God's right hand… your real life is hidden with Christ in God.

Many, like the prodigal son, still live in the lack of their own strength when the abundant resources of the father’s house is waiting for him.

Folks, if you have asked Jesus Christ to come into your life, your identity has changed.

You are now a citizen of God’s country and you can enjoy its many benefits.

Your new man is now a citizen of the heavenly realms and you can experience its realities and powers.

Eph 2:6 For He raised us from the dead along with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms because we are united with Christ Jesus.

Last Sunday, as I was praying for a brother with a sprained shoulder, the Lord opened his spiritual eyes and he saw me as a huge being and not the size that I am now.

What happened was God opened his spiritual eyes and he saw my ‘spirit man’ who is my real person.

Many of you are housing spiritual giants without being aware of them. It’s time to walk in step with your spirit man.

So when you wake up in the morning, don't just put on your make-up but remember to put on your new man.

It’s time to walk as a citizen in your new country and enjoy all the benefits.

Love,
Pastor Ron Hee

Because of Jesus, I am a new man-

righteous, blameless and holy.
I do not live in guilt and condemnation

but I live by faith that God for me,

not against me.

The resources of heaven are available to me

when I ask boldly in Jesus' Name.

I am blessed.

WHAT KAKA, ADELBAYOR AND KJ CHOI HAVE IN COMMON

I am an ardent sports fan. When studying for my engineering degree in Australia, I would spend hours watching Test cricket and ODIs during the summer holidays. I enjoyed watching the run making skills of Alan Border and Geoff Boycott and the pace of Michael Holding's fast bowling. I was equally excited about the Aussie Rules football and eagerly followed the fortunes of the North Melbourne Football Club.
When my family and I had a brief stint in the USA because of Grace’s job posting, I joined the passionate sports fans there in following the NBA and the MLB. I was and am still a Yankee fan although I was sad that Joe Torres, the manager left.
Now I am a keen BPL fan and I look forward to the weekly football highlights because the live matches are played too late for me.
Folks, this week I want to highlight three sportsmen who have discovered the key to great success, not just in their respective fields of sports but in life itself. To me, these three have discovered how to live Matthew 6:33 and reap its full benefits.
Many of you would have read the feature on Emmanuel Adelbayor in the Star newspaper on 4th Feb 2009. This Togo and Arsenal striker, who is one among the best and most sought after goalscorers in the BPL shared the secret to his success. He said,
“Everything I do in life I put in the hands of God, my creator”
“God gave me the chance to be where I am today and He’s the One that can take it all away from me…. There is nothing more important for me than God”.
Secondly, most of you had already heard me talk about Kaka, the Brazilian and A.C. Milan player who won the 2007 Fifa Footballer of the year.
A devout Christian, Kaka had said in his acceptance speech that God has more in store for us than what we can think or desire.
At another instance, he said, “I learnt that it is faith that decides whether something will happen or not".
Many saw the moment he removed his jersey to reveal an "I Belong to Jesus" T-shirt after the final whistle of Brazil’s 2002 World Cup match.
Indeed, Kaka is open about his intentions. In his interview with Atletas de Cristo, he said:
“To those who already have Jesus: you have made the best choice and are in the best team. Go ahead. Do not give up. The fight is great, but we can only win being on Jesus’ side. To those who have not yet surrendered their lives to Jesus: What are you doing being outside of this team?! Come to learn the Word of God, come to know who God really is”.
The third Christian sportsman is K J Choi, the first Korean to earn a PGA tour card. He earned $900,000 by clinching his third PGA Tour title at Forest Oaks last year and donated 10 percent of his winnings to the church, explaining in a note that it was a tithe.
In Golf Digest, he was asked, “In one of your wins in Greensboro, it has been reported that you gave $90,000 to the local Korean Christian Church which leads me to ask, how important is your faith to you in the way you live and play golf?”
KJ Choi said, “For me, my life as a golfer is like a large tree withstanding wind and rain but still standing strong and tall. Sometimes when I am in a very difficult situation and feel like giving up, I am thankful to know that the Lord is looking over me and holding out his hand to guide me. I give prayers every morning and evening and this brings calmness to my lifestyle. It also allows me to bring the same attitude to the golf course, which results in greater patience during a round. This is how Christianity assists me with my everyday lifestyle".
Folks, the scripture tells that we are all sportsmen/sportswoman placed on this earth to compete for Him. If we want to be successful, let us learn from these exemplary sportsmen and win in this great race of life. Let us put God first in every decision we make in life and we will have great success.
I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us. (Philippians 3:14)
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. (2 Timothy 4:7)
Folks, Matthew 6:33 works in all economic situations. Pray it daily.
Love,Pastor Ron Hee

Fruit buffet. My drink of pineapple and nutmeg was very refrshing and delicious

At Balik Pulau fruit farm

Not everybody is so keen on food

Always fun to share food with a good friend

Penang's version of Hokkien Char with the thin noodle

'Oh Chean' at Swah Tow lane

Breakfast of 'Mee Yoke' with the Angs

The double happiness dinner with the Wongs.

The assam laksa near the Kek Lok Si Temple

We arrived there in time for lunch and guess what? We went straight for the Char Keow Teow.

The Penang Bridge drive is actually quite picturesque except that the authorities seemed to be erecting these dividers to stop people from enjoying the view. It could be that they are doing this to reduce the number of accidents which are quite high on the bridge but it's such a lousy way of doing things.

The new Camry as a pleasure to drive.

We stopped at the Sg Buloh overhead bridge for some nasi lemak breakfast

Our family did an overnight trip to Penang in the new Camry just before CNY. Our purpose was to visit Kong Meng's family- KM celebrated his 50th birthday and Mrs. Wong , her 80th so we thought that we will hold a 'double happiness' dinner for them since Mr. Wong is too weak to travel down. We had the pleasure of meeting up with the Angs in the morning and had some fun driving to the different back lanes for hawker food although many of them were already closed for New Year. The photos must be viewed from bottom to top.

I want to share another testimony of an answer to prayer.

My daughter Sarah is into the final year of her HR degree course in Uni SA in Adelaide, Australia. Two weeks ago, the classes were opened for sign-ups but by the time she came back from work, all the places in the classes that she wanted were already taken up and she was forced to take one of them externally.

Why would we want to send her to Adelaide to take an external course (from the web) makes no sense but what can you do? She submitted in her request and I told her not to give up hope but to pray. I believed God can open doors that are closed.

She checked a couple of times after that but was disappointed that there was change in her status. I did not give up hope despite the silence and sure enough, the answer to our prayer came soon after that and she was granted a place in the class that she wanted.

Praise the Lord!!! There is power in the Name of Jesus!

One of the very hospitable Japanese who hosted us. Mr Inamura san.

THE POWER OF THE NAME OF JESUS III

Two weeks ago, a 'Loh Sang' was planned for the supervisors in my house in the evening. The CNY period has always been hot and dry but for some unusual reasons, it has been raining every evening. I did not want the rain to spoil our gathering so I decided to ask my Heavenly Father to stop the rain that day. I asked in Jesus' Name. On that day, the rain came extraordinarily early (early afternoon) and cooled the whole place down and we had a wonderful gathering.

I experienced the power of Jesus' Name again.

I want to testify of the power of Jesus' Name.

At the staff devotion a couple of months ago, Pastor Raymond shared a dream that he had. In that dream, many were coming to him for answers to the turmoil that is going on in the world- earthquakes, hurricanes etc. In the dream, he told them that he can't help them and just as he woke up, he heard the Lord telling him that there is power in the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and to use that Name.

The following day, some church folks took me out for lunch in the city. The roasted pork rice was one of the best that I have ever eaten. The pork was juicy and I had more than my fill. Just as we were finishing, there was a huge downpour and we had to scramble to get into the car to avoid being drenched.

At that moment, I remembered with horror that I had wound down the windows to my car which was parked in church. It would take at least half an hour to get back to P.J. and in my mind, i already saw pictures of the rain flooding the inside of my car.

I then recalled what Ps Raymond shared the previous day and my faith rose to apply the Triune name to my desperate situation. I look to the sky and with a voice below my breath, commanded the rain to not fall where my car was.

Things did not look good at all throughout the journey as the rain was incessant and as we reached P.J., there was no letting up and my faith plunged. Doubts began to assail my mind.

As we turned into the church compound, I was shocked to see the place dry. As i got out of the car to run up to the office to retrieve my car keys, drops of rain started to fall and as my car windows are wound up, the downpour came.

I experienced the power of the Name of Jesus that day.

When I ask anything in Jesus' Name,

it is as good as Jesus asking the Father.

The request is granted.

Jesus gets the honor.

The Name of Jesus is empowering me to do great things.

I will heal. I will cast out demons.

I will walk in victory.

I am a blessing.

Here are four (4) truths from Joshua 1 that will empower you and New Life to reach the fullness of God’s promises this year.

1. You are an object of God’s immense possibilities.

Jos 1:3-4 Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, I have given that to you, as I said to Moses. From the wilderness and this Lebanon even to the great river, the river Euphrates, all the land of the Hittites, and to the Great Sea toward the going down of the sun, shall be your border.

2. God is on your side. You will not fail.

Jos 1:5 No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not fail you nor forsake you.

3. Don't be discouraged no matter what your circumstances are because God is always fighting your battles.

Jos 1:9 Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage. Do not be afraid, neither be dismayed. For Jehovah your God is with you in all places where you go.

4. Be humble, teachable, obedient and submitted to God’s leadership.

Jos 1:16-18 They answered Joshua, "We will do whatever you command us, and we will go wherever you send us. We will obey you just as we obeyed Moses. And may the LORD your God be with you as He was with Moses. Anyone who rebels against your orders and does not obey your words and everything you command will be put to death. So be strong and courageous!"