Will wonders ever cease? I think not.

As Christians we have the power of God dwelling within us. We have the power and authority of God to create miracles. I'm beginning to believe more and more that every Christian can have access to any of the spiritual gifts. The only difference being the level of anointing, authority and "office" that the Christian has. I recently read a book by Dr David Yonggi Cho (pastor of the largest church in the world, located in Korea) who wrote about this.

To every Christian out there who doubts, I tell you this... I am living testimony that miracles in today's day and age are possible. Not only possible, but like Bill Johnson says, it should be a NORM.

I've slowly trained myself to believe this. Every time I meet a person who is sick, I will often pray for them to be well. Sometimes the miracle is discernible to the human eye, sometimes the miracle happens later or sometimes, God does not want a miracle to occur there and then.

Personally, I am very motivated by the verse John 9:³ “It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins,” Jesus answered. “This happened so the power of God could be seen in him (NLT).

Jesus disciples asked Jesus why a man was born blind. Was it the sin of his parents or his own sin? They had perfectly good Biblical basis for thinking that way. But Jesus said This happened so the power of God could be seen in him.

So I go out into the world and I pray for people with sickness or injury with this motivation. That the power of God would be revealed.

Now just 3 days ago, I visited a friend of mine. He had a pulled hamstring and was in great pain. He could barely walk and he couldn't straighten his leg. I was filled with compassion (just like Jesus, heheh) and I was thinking of different ways to help him. Take him to the doctor? No. Ask Kelvin my physio friend to help him? No. Then just before I left, I realized, what a doofus I am. I should pray. It was hard because my friend was a non-Christian and I had evangelized to him once and it was hands down the WORST evangelism I've ever done as I was a bit too passionate and it made things awkward.

So I asked him if I could pray and he said yes. Then I told him because most people don't realize that I want to pray for him right now. He was a bit confused and asked me if I wanted to kiss his leg or something. I made a joke about how filthy his leg was.

I believe that we should lay hands on the injured part if possible. Speak clearly in English (not in tongues) and speak with authority, commanding the sickness to leave. We shouldn't talk like "beggars" according to Dr Yonggi Cho.

The difficult part was getting my heart right with God. I had boldness in my armory but sometimes my heart isn't right before God. There are two temptations.

1. Cynicism - a position of unfaith thinking that it won't work anyways but I'll give it a shot.
2. Overconfidence/Arrogance - expecting it to work, sort of feeling entitled to a miracle, treating God like a miracle machine/genie

You don't actually intentionally want to think or feel in those ways but the heart is deceitful and desperately wicked. You need to have an imputed faith.

At that moment, I got down on my knees and prayed holding the injured leg with my hands. I had peace and confidence in my spirit. I prayed out loud in clear sentences. Rebuking the sickness and praying for the restoration of the injury. I also made sure that I always said, "In Jesus' name", invoking the power of Jesus' name so that the power is Jesus' and not mine.

I stood up and asked him how he felt. He said, 'thanks so much for praying for me. The pain is still there. But... wait a minute. It actually feels a little better'. I said, that's a good sign. Shall I keep on praying? He said OK.

I prayed again, asking for complete healing. Same procedure. I stood up again. This time his eyes opened wide in amazement. He said, "Wow" with a bit of a stutter. He was amazed. As cool as you like, I asked, 'what happened?'. He said, 'LOOK AT THIS' as he straightened his leg. 'The pain is almost all gone. Its a huge improvement!' as he walked around the room. I said, 'Amen. Praise God'. I asked him to document the rate of healing in percentage. He said after the first prayer it was 5% improvement, after the second prayer - 60%!!! I prayed a third time and he said there was no discernible difference but he was still super thankful and amazed. He said thank you so much. He said, 'Your praying is amazing' which I laughed off and said, no, its not about my prayer. Its about God's power.

Now the door is open. I will bring the gospel to him soon.

I urge you, dear reader, move in the supernatural. Move in healing. Crucify your pride and fear and take a leap of faith. It can open doors and hearts of people to come to Christ.

I praise God and rejoice! He has done a great thing today! He has brought glory and honour to his great name! Amen.

FUN FACT: I've seen three 'clear' miracles in the last 3 years, and they were all leg injuries!!!

2008: I prayed for this non-Christian guy at Monash whilst at his home. I prayed 3 times and his leg got increasingly better. His limp disappeared at the end of the prayers.

2009: I prayed for this guy in my life group when I was mentoring him at his home. He had a leg sprain and limp. I prayed 3 times as well. His limp disappeared and the pain was gone by the following morning.

2010: I prayed for my friend at his home. He had a pulled, possibly torn hamstring had a limp and could not straighten his leg. I prayed 3 times. The 3rd prayer had no discernible effect but the limp disappeared, he could straighten his leg and 60% of the pain disappeared.

Dude, if I can do it. So can YOU!!! There's nothing special about me. I still sin. I still stuff up. My walk with God could be better. But I choose to live by faith. You should try it sometime.

The Reason For God

The Best Book I've Read all year!!!



Voted the best apologetics book of the year by Christianity Today as well. I first heard about Pastor Tim Keller from my former pastor in Malaysia, Rev Wong Fong Yang who pastored me for 2 years at City Discipleship Presbyterian Church in Subang Jaya. He went on one of his many trips around the world to Redeemer Presbyterian Church in NYC pastored by Tim Keller. Notice the link (Presbyterian). He raved about Tim and his modern church and how we can learn from Redeemer.

So when I saw the book on the shelves at my local WORD bookstore in Frankston, I picked it up. Interesting cover and he starts the book with a quote from Darth Vader. How cool is this guy? So I bought it. He's as smart as he's cool. As witty, as logical, rational. He quotes so many sources and examples and presents his case immaculately and structured brilliantly. He is the best new writer I've read this year.

The book is divided into two. 1st half he answers the 7 most common questions he faces from non-believers and in the 2nd half he establishes a strong case for faith. He makes us realize that behind every doubt, there is an inherent worldview held by the atheist.

Below is an excerpt from the website



Why does God allow suffering in the world?

How could a loving God send people to Hell?

Why isn’t Christianity more inclusive?

How can one religion be “right” and the others “wrong”?

Why have so many wars been fought in the name of God?

These are just a few of the questions and doubts even ardent believers wrestle with today. As the founding pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City, Timothy Keller has compiled a list of the most frequently voiced “doubts” skeptics bring to his church as well as the most important reasons for faith. And in The Reason for God, he addresses each doubt and explains each reason.

Keller uses literature, philosophy, real-life conversations, and reasoning to explain how faith in a Christian God is a soundly rational belief, held by thoughtful people of intellectual integrity with a deep compassion for those who truly want to know the truth.

This guy is the man.

Myer

I now work at Myer Frankston, the major department store in my town, Frankston. There are interesting people at work. Like, most of the population, most of my colleagues are unbelievers. There are some who believe though. There is a Greek orthodox Christian guy who goes out with a Catholic Australian girl of Malaysian Chinese origin.

In my department, there’s this 17 year old blond kid who told me his mom had him when she was 16. I’m not sure if his parents are married. He told me about how he broke up with his last girlfriend. He asked her out after meeting her once. He told me about how for people his age, a four month relationship is a pretty long one. He’s a nice enough lad. He let me swap shifts with him so I could go for life group and church. I’m not sure how I can reach him, all I know is he needs Jesus.

I’ll tell you a secret. I’m afraid. I’m uneasy about evangelizing to people at work. I’ve conquered the fear of evangelizing to friends but I have not overcome the fear of evangelizing to colleagues or strangers. But yesterday I invited blondie to church for Christmas service. As per usual, a non-committal response typifies our generation. He may have family plans so its justified. I’ve done my bit, now its up to God to bring him to church.

There’s this other guy. He’s 23 like me. He’s worked at the home entertainment department for 2 years now. He’s a nice guy, teaching us how all the processes work. In Myer, I’m the only non-Australian around. There are 2 Chinese Australians and 1 Sri Lankan Australian so you can see how I would stick out. Anyways, yesterday this guy, lets call him spiky, told me he enjoys Christmas because his girlfriend buys him lots of gifts. I asked him if his girlfriend has a lot of money and he said, ‘Of course she does. She’s a stripper’. To say I was unprepared for that was an understatement but I kept my composure and said ‘oh, OK’ in as casual a manner as I could. I lack the boldness to evangelize to him. I echo Paul as I pray.

19Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should. (Ephesians 6)

Witnessing in November

This post was meant to come out in November but I was too busy to write it and post it. Here is a short report about my exploits.


1. I live with this Indian Australian bloke who taught me to watch cricket.

One Thrusday he asked me what happened at CCM the week before. I had the privilege of explaining what I knew about the history of Israel, God’s people, how three religions, Christianity, Judaism and Islam all branched out of father Abraham. I guess you don’t always have to talk about Jesus like a broken record all the time. Occasionally, mixing it up and talking about Israel is good. Who know? God could use the history of His people to lead someone to salvation. We just don’t know, we are just called to proclaim.


2. One Sunday night, I was on a train home and some dark skinned guys (the kind of guys your mom would ask you to stay away from) asked me for some change. I said I had none. As I walked away, I paused because I realized I had some in my bag. Then I remembered what I told God I wanted to do. To give away tracts to people who asked for money.

As I paused, another one of those guys, like a vulture sniffing out rotting flesh, swooped on me. Before I could count my money he was upon me. I asked him how much he needed and what he needed it for. He said he needed 3 dollars for some food because they missed the last train and had to spend the night at the station. I said OK and said, ‘but you have to take this as well. Take it and have a read’. Its not like they are in a position to say no. God only knows what happened in their hearts, whether they read the tract or threw it into the bin. But I rejoice because I was faithful and obedient to the call of God.


3.I got hired by Myer so I had to go for my induction session which was all the way in the city because there weren’t that many Christmas casuals at Frankston so I had to join the city induction session. There were mostly Australians.

There were a couple of Australian Chinese and there was this huge, hulking guy next to me who looked like The Great Khali.

I found out he was from Bangladesh. He was a gentle giant, speaking kindly and courteously. His name was Hasham. God presented an opportunity to talk about religion and I dived in. H was interested and open to know what Christians think. He spoke reverently about Jesus, talking about Him with an admiration one would think a Muslim would reserve for Muhammad. He even told me something I never knew before, that Muslims believe that Jesus, not Muhammad would return as judge on judgment day. How cool is that? But I knew I had to get to the point. To let him know that however wonderful he thinks Jesus is, its not enough. He has to call Him Lord. So I used my opening gambit, the ‘did you know that Jesus claimed to be the Son of God?’ which he heard before and countered with ‘but nowhere in the Bible is it written that Jesus explicitly said ‘I am the son of God’ ‘. I wasn’t armed with a Bible but I knew there would be plenty of conversations where its apparent that Jesus is referring to himself as the unique son of God. Quite a few in John, I think. But the Spirit quickened me to the passage where Jesus calmed the storm.

After he did that, the disciples worshipped him. I told H that in the Bible, no character would ever accept worship from another person. Even angels ask people to stop worshipping them for it is a sin. The only instance of a guy accepting worship that I know of is in Acts where Herod acknowledges the worship of people calling him god. Immediately, the angel of the Lord struck him dead and worms proceed to eat his corpse. How incredibly gory and awesome is that? I don’t know if H will be saved. I think there is a chance as he is open. I will probably never see him again but I am confident that I played my role in his journey and I praise God for using me and making me obedient to His call.

My Favourite Book of the Year 2009

I try to read as much as I can. I wouldn't call myself a voracious reader but I think reading is essential to life. The book I read the most every year is the Bible so it is excluded from contention. Most of the books I read are Christian literature. This year, my favourite has been a book I've only bought recently.

SPURGEON GOLD
compiled by Ray Comfort



This is a book of quotes by one of the finest preachers ever to walk this earth. Charles Haddon Spurgeon. Known as the Prince of Preachers. He was a British minister who lived in the 1800s.

In this book, Ray Comfort compiles nuggets of Spurgeon's wisdom specifically about evangelism. It is some of the most inspirational words I have ever read. When I lack zeal, I read this book and it fires me up.

Its almost like a book of quotes. I used to read CS Lewis quotes a lot. They would be packed with reason, wisdom and insight. Spurgeon's are packed with passion, zeal and inspiration. Any person serious about winning people to Christ has to read this book.

The Need To Get Your Heart Broken

Its funny. I just wrote another post about a broken heart for my other blog. But that was a more worldly and carnal post. Right now, I’m talking about witnessing to our friends. I was witnessing to a friend who I’ve been trying to reach all year. Her heart is cold as stone and she’s pissed off with God who she doesn’t believe in because her greatest sin is ‘not believing in Jesus’. I think I made a big mistake by trying to explain things to her in a certain way, it just made things more confusing. Well, I’ve tried so many ways so I just kept trying different ways to explain things. Maybe I’m not in tune with the Holy Spirit enough. Maybe my prayer life sucks. I don’t know. I just try my best.

What was good was that she finally revealed her ‘secret blog’ to me and I read what she really thought about God. It was a no holes barred, full-on catharsis. Quite frankly, it was heartbreaking. I guess its just a small glimpse of what prophets like Jeremiah felt as they mourned the unbelief of their hearers. The danger is that it would drive some Christians to discouragement and inactivity because they lose hope and think their actions are futile. Instead, what we should feel is deep compassion and concern about the doom that people are facing.

It may sound simplistic but the greatest tragedy is dying without Jesus. Many of your friends, hundreds of people you know are heading that way. Do you care enough to at least warn them?

Sharing with Friends

Sharing your faith with friends isn’t something that is so difficult that it is untenable. Think about it. You recommend good places to eat to your friends all the time. You recommend good movies to your mates all the time. Is it really so hard? In a sense it is, but in a sense, its not. One of the main deterrents is probably the fear of man. Fear that others would think you are weird. But that is pride. That is like saying that the work that was done by the apostles and Jesus himself is beneath us. It is like saying the work of evangelism is not worthy of our time.

Another main deterrent that is equally horrible is apathy. Ray Comfort calls it ‘depraved indifference’. As Charles Spurgeon once put it, God save us from living in comfort while sinners are sinking into Hell! Our compassion for others should overwhelm our apathy and pride so that witnessing becomes something we do on a constant basis! Not once in a blue moon! If we pray, sing, read and do church regularly, why do we not witness regularly?

I have set myself the goal of witnessing to as many friends and acquaintances as possible in Frankston by the end of the year. I had to start in my own home. I have two housemates who are open to listening about Jesus but yet to receive him. I ‘reasoned with them about righteousness and self-control and the coming day of judgment (Acts 24:25)’ but as of yet there is no fruit. Hope springs eternal. I just found out an acquaintance of mine listens to indie music. Maybe that can be a springboard to a witnessing opportunity.