Because Of Unbelief

Because Of Unbelief

Recently, I have been training J to think, "If you believe, it will be done."

A number of incidents took place and I kept saying to him, "If you believe, it will be done."

It came to a point where he kept saying it regardless of the situation. It reached a place where he had more faith to believe in a situation than me.

And I learnt something from him.

Faith has nothing to do with an amount. Faith is not the issue. It is not the problem when the mountain doesn't move. Since the Bible doesn't talk about the amount of faith, it's not about how much faith you grow into.

Jesus only said, "Oh you of little faith" to the Jews. But He said, "Great faith" to the Gentiles. The former is about lacking trust in Him by people who were supposed to be in a relationship with Him. The latter is about having trust in Him by people who were alienated from Him. Read also Matt 8:26 (to Jewish readers) VS Mark 4:40 (to Gentile readers), which differentiates what Jesus said to people who were in covenant with Him VS not in covenant with Him.

Both cases do not apply to us, since we are a new creation and the epistles do not talk about little or great faith.

The moment when we are in Christ, we have been dealt with a measure of faith (Rom 12:3). The word 'measure' can also mean 'standard'. Since God is impartial, He gives each one a standard of faith. For the Bible doesn't say that He gives each one DIFFERENT amount of faith.

Since faith as small as the mustard seed can move mountains, and that we have been given a standard of faith, every believer has enough faith to move mountains.

My son didn't have to GROW in faith. He already has. He surpassed me quickly when it comes to the principle "If you believe, it is done."

WHY? Because as a child, he has LESS unbelief than me. Unbelief is learnt. It is not what you are born with. Life, in general, has taught us unbelief.

This is why Jesus told His disciples, "Because of your unbelief" (Matt 17:20). See also Matt 21:21 and James 1:6-7. We don't have to work on GROWING our faith. We already have.

We need to work on REMOVING unbelief. That’s what mind renewal is for (Romans 12:2). Unbelief comes from wrong belief (life experiences and wrong teachings). The more we get unbelief out of the way, the more God can have His Way through us. #revelation #unbelief #Jtaughtmetruths

Amazing Strength

Amazing Strength

My wife and I had difficulty opening a cabinet drawer where our important documents are locked in.

No matter how much strength and methods we used to try to open it, we couldn’t. So we left it as it is for a period of time.

When I was in my room earlier, J went to tell my wife, “Mama, let me try to open. I can open it.”

Mama: If Papa and I can’t open, how can you open it?

J: I can open it. Just ask Jesus lor.

My wife left him alone in the room to figure it out.

Suddenly, he exclaimed, “Mama, I did it! It’s open!”

Mama: How did you do it?!!!

J: I asked Jesus.

Well, we were blown away. There was no way we could open it, but The Way has shown the little one the way to open it.

Do not despise the youth (the little children). For the kingdom belongs to such as these. Jesus!

P.S: We are glad that Jesus does not equate to Sundays and church services for him. Jesus is the Way of life.

P.P.S: Apparently, before he went to open the cabinet drawer, he did his journal earlier in the morning and Jesus told him, “Kids can be smarter than adults.” 😱😱

P.P.P.S: He said that Jesus told him to put some weight (downwards) on the edge of the drawer and pull it out simultaneously. It turned out to be effortless for him, while the father and the mother exerted with all their might but failed to pull it out. We almost wanted to get a locksmith.

Count Your Time, Not Money - Part 5

As shared in Part 4, the Parable of the Unjust Steward (or Shrewd Manager) reveals the unrepentant heart of the Pharisees when their wrongs were pointed out. They were unfaithful stewards of God's riches that were entrusted to them.

When the master (in this parable) called the steward to give an account of his stewardship (Lk 16:2), he tried to justify himself before men in order to be esteemed among them (Lk 16:4-7, 14-15).

Note: Some believe that the culture of those days practised interest, and thus, the steward was simply waiving off all the varying interests charged to the debtors. But that's not the point of this parable.

In v8, the master commended the unjust steward for dealing shrewdly. The Greek word 'shrewdly' means 'mind one's interest'. The steward was only concerned with his own interest (16:4). For this is how the sons of this world act (16:8).

Jesus contrasted this with His disciples (16:1) in verse 9 - "And I say to 𝐲𝐨𝐮, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐟𝐚𝐢𝐥, they may receive you into an everlasting home."

In the Greek, it is not 'when you fail', but 'when (it) fails' ---- referring to finances. In other words, Jesus was saying to His disciples, "𝐌𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭. Use it to reach the lost, that when money eventually 'passed away', these friends will be with you in eternity."

If we are not faithful with the use of resources/finances on earth, we will not be entrusted with true riches of and in the kingdom (16:10-11). The Pharisees (unjust steward) were not faithful with what God had given, because they w̶a̶n̶t̶e̶d̶ ̶f̶i̶n̶a̶n̶c̶i̶a̶l̶ ̶i̶n̶d̶e̶p̶e̶n̶d̶e̶n̶c̶e̶  loved money; thus, they would not be entrusted with eternal riches. Their rewards were already paid in full by men (Lk 16:4, 16:8, 16:15; Matt 6:1-2).

Jesus' heart was always set on the lost and the kingdom. 𝐈𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝, 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞. 𝐈𝐟 𝐰𝐞 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧, 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐮𝐫𝐜𝐞𝐬. (16:13)

Financial stewardship, therefore, is not about counting your money. 𝐈𝐭'𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭.

P.S: This is really a concise 5-part series. It would be good to dig deeper into this parable as there is so much more.

Count Your Time, Not Money - Part 4

Count Your Time, Not Money - Part 4

In Part 1 and 2, we talked about the importance of counting our time and making our money count, instead of counting our money. In Part 3, we shared briefly on the Parable of the Unjust Steward.

The parable is a continuation from the parable of the lost sheep. In other words, Jesus' heart was set on 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭. He wasn't teaching us to grow our finances to become financially independent. He was showing us true  stewardship in the light of the Kingdom.

Right before this parable, the prodigal son squandered his father's wealth 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 the house. He was lost but repented and humbled himself, and is thus found. Now in this parable, the steward squandered his master's wealth 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 the house. He was lost but didn't repent, because of his pride (Luke 16:3), and is thus put out of stewardship (16:2, 16:4).

In the parable of the lost son, Jesus focused on those 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 the Father's house: the 𝐬𝐢𝐧𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬 (Luke 15:1), who were welcomed by the Father. In this parable of the unjust steward, Jesus spoke about those 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐝𝐞 the Master's house: the 𝐏𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐢𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐬 (Luke 16:14-15), whose stewardship was rejected by the Father. They were supposed to be entrusted with God's riches (God's Message) since they knew the Law. But they failed to be His stewards by "wasting his goods" (Luke 16:1).

Note: I know that many of us have been taught on finances with this Parable of the Unjust Steward (Shrewd Manager). But we miss out the main point because we did not read in full context of why Jesus said what He said, as well as the audiences of those days.

𝐑𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫: Jesus' main heart for this parable was set on the Kingdom and the Lost!

The prodigal son loved money. Sinners too. But when he realised his wrong, he did not justify himself before men, so that he could be justified before the Father. That's true repentance. For sinners return to God. 

Jesus is a master story-teller. He contrasted it with the unjust steward. Just as the unjust steward loved money, the Pharisees too, loved money (Luke 16:14). When his wrong was found out, the unjust steward justified himself before men in order to be highly esteemed by them (Luke 16:4-7), the Pharisees did likewise (Luke 16:15). That's an abomination in the sight of God and their end will be as in the story of the Rich Man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).

Note: In the original Greek manuscript, there is no division of chapters and titles. It's a string of messages.

I can go on and on, because this parable is SO RICH and interconnected with the series of parables Jesus taught! We must not brush off any bible passage as though we already knew it. The key to understanding is to keep asking the Holy Spirit to teach us as though we do not know everything.

Question: Is there something about finances in the Parable of the Unjust Steward? Yes! We will have to look at it in Part 5. I wanted to cover it in this post, but man.... it's just too hard to put everything together.

Count Your Time, Not Money - Part 3

In Part 1 and 2, we talked about the biblical wisdom of counting our time instead of counting our money. We pointed out that money is the only master that can be competed with God. 

The devil doesn't have to give you any warfare. He just needs to tweak a little of your perspective on money (i.e. going after financial independence) and you will be unknowingly worshiping Mammon, which disempowers God's assignment for your life on earth.

In Luke 16, Jesus shared about the parable of the unjust steward (shrewd manager). Many people think that Jesus was teaching about financial stewardship by equating it to growing the money we have. That's how Christian leaders and Christian financial gurus teach, "You got to multiply your income. You got to have passive income. You got to have many streams of income so that you can achieve financial independence! That's stewardship! God is going to look at how faithful you are in managing your finances!"

Disclaimer: There is nothing wrong to have multiple streams of income. But what you pursue will reveal your true heart treasure. You can't run away from what you spend your heart, mind, time and efforts on. 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 ---- 𝐰𝐡𝐞𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐢𝐭 𝐢𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐊𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧.

We cannot read a parable and try to interpret every single line without understanding the context and the punchline. Every parable has an important context and the ultimate punchline. In fact, if we don't understand the parable of the sower, it will be difficult to understand the rest of the parables.

Jesus said to them, “𝐃𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞? 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐬?" - Mark 4:13

The context of Luke 16 did not start in Luke 16. The audiences of Jesus were the tax collectors, sinners, Pharisees and scribes (Luke 15:1). It was after a statement of self-centredness/self-righteousness that resulted in the start of a series of parables.

And the Pharisees and scribes complained, saying, “This Man receives sinners and eats with them.” 𝐒𝐨 𝐇𝐞 𝐬𝐩𝐨𝐤𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐦, saying... - Luke 15:2-3

The parable of the unjust steward is a continuation from the parable of the lost sheep. In other words, Jesus' heart was set on 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐭. Luke 16 is not a parable on how to be a good steward by growing all your finances. That's not kingdom financial stewardship. That's just interpreting the Scriptures from a worldly perspective.

Read the following punchlines and you will roughly know what Jesus is targeting at.

“𝐍𝐨 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐭𝐰𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐬; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon.” - Luke 16:13

Now the Pharisees, 𝐰𝐡𝐨 𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐞 𝐥𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲, also heard all these things, and they derided Him. And He said to them, “You are those who justify yourselves before men, but God knows your hearts. For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God."

And Jesus continued talking about the rich man and Lazarus...

Is there anything to do with growing finances so that you can become financially independent and expect God to say, "Well done, My good and faithful servant; you've been faithful with money, now I'm going to entrust you with true riches?" 

Let me submit to you that you are going to have that bubble burst as we dig deeper. As there is just too much to unpack for Luke 16 in this post, we will try to finish up in the next part.

Count Your Time, Not Money - Part 2

Count Your Time, Not Money - Part 2

As shared in Part 1, biblical wisdom is to count our time, not our money. Counting our money is to pursue an upside-down kingdom, which is of the world. We are to make our money count, instead of counting our money.

Financial gurus say, "Hey, you should first achieve financial independence, then you can pursue what you want to do in life." Is that really in the Bible?

The last I checked... it is still Matt 6:33 - "But 𝐬𝐞𝐞𝐤 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐝𝐨𝐦 of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."

By the time you are done with pursuing financial independence, you probably have missed out much of God's assignment for your life. Furthermore, most of these gurus never stop even after reaching their goal of financial independence. Going after $$$ will often make you want more $$$. It is never enough because it's idolatry.

He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. And He said to them, “First, make sure you have financial independence... T̶a̶k̶e̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶h̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶f̶o̶r̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶j̶o̶u̶r̶n̶e̶y̶,̶ ̶n̶e̶i̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶s̶t̶a̶f̶f̶s̶ ̶n̶o̶r̶ ̶b̶a̶g̶ ̶n̶o̶r̶ ̶b̶r̶e̶a̶d̶ ̶n̶o̶r̶ ̶m̶o̶n̶e̶y̶;̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶d̶o̶ ̶n̶o̶t̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶t̶w̶o̶ ̶t̶u̶n̶i̶c̶s̶ ̶a̶p̶i̶e̶c̶e̶." - Luke 9:2-3 (Today's Financial Independence Version)

What about Matt 6:19-21? What about Matt 6:31-34? What about Phil 4:19? What about 2 Cor 9:8 and many other verses?

Disclaimer: There is nothing wrong to have financial abundance. But it cannot be our kingdom priority unless we are of the world. When Jesus returns suddenly, He's not going to ask, "How much finances have you made in your life?"

I have met and spoken to people who are bound by finances (and they can be rich too). By saying that, I'm referring to the decisions that they made apart from what God is showing through the Word. Some even stay stuck in full-time church ministry because they are afraid of not having a stable income or a proper job if they leave (even if God has already spoken). 

Money is a very powerful Mammon. In fact, it is the only thing compared against the Master (Matt 6:24). The Bible doesn't say that you cannot serve God and satan. It says that 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐌𝐚𝐦𝐦𝐨𝐧. The enemy doesn't have to fight with you. He just gets you obsessed with Mammon, which is the currency and the system of the world that controls everything you need IN the world. It is so subtle that many believers fall into his trap without any realisation. (Covid-19 shows us that we are not ready for the persecution that is to come).

No matter how we justify using the Scriptures on the importance of financial independence, it is simply not there. Neither is it in the life of Jesus. Jesus lived in complete (financial) dependence on the Father.

In the final part, we will look at the Parable of the Shrewd Manager and what financial stewardship really is.

Count Your Time, Not Money - Part 1

Over the years in real estate industry, I have met many types of people. Whether the agents, buyers, sellers, tenants, landlords, etc. are Christians or not, it doesn't speak anything about their character and integrity.

How they handle money is the revelation of their character and integrity. How they handle wealth is the confirmation of what they really believe in their hearts, instead of what they say with their mouths.

We must learn to look past religious beliefs and look beyond self-righteousness. The way of life reveals the way of belief, whether the Kingdom is at hand or truly within.

There are some believers who count their money. In fact, they hold their finances very tightly. They have an excel sheet that tracks every flow of finances, including each dollar and cent. They say, "Well, this is practising wisdom and stewardship." They add, "Well, all the financial gurus track dollars and cents and they BECOME RICH!"

The question is... "Are you following financial gurus or Jesus?" Can you find that in the life of Jesus? Can you imagine Jesus telling Judas, "Hey treasurer, our budget today is $500 max, you know? I know there are needs presented before us. If you spend above it, I'm going to screw you with My whip."

Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees t̶h̶e̶ ̶F̶a̶t̶h̶e̶r̶ ̶d̶o̶  in His bank balance; for whatever H̶e̶ ̶d̶o̶e̶s̶, is there, the Son also does in like manner. - John 5:19 TFSV (The Financial Stewardship Version)

Disclaimer: I'm not saying that believers cannot track their finances. I'm referring to the intent, the obsession and the love of money. For the love of money is not simply about pursuing wealth, but also allowing money to have a hold on every decision. It's called slavery. It's called serving the Mammon.

If you look into the Bible, you will see that it doesn't teach you to count your money. In fact, it focuses on teaching you to count your time.

So 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐜𝐡 𝐮𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐧𝐮𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬, that we may gain a heart of wisdom. - Ps 90:12

Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. - Col 4:5

Making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. - Eph 5:16

The parable of the unjust steward in Luke 16 is extremely rich in content. Jesus' interjection of verse 9 reveals what true stewardship of money is. It will be too lengthy to look at it in this post.

Hint: Stewardship is not about counting every dollar and cent in our investment and bank accounts. That's called idolatry / serving the Mammon.

And I say to you, make friends for yourselves by unrighteous mammon, that when you fail, they may receive you into an everlasting home. - Luke 16:9

In other words, we are to 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐦𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭, instead of counting our money. That's stewardship and it will determine your eternal rewards and responsibilities.

Wisdom is about 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞, not our money. For the latter must be a slave to us, not a master.

Fathering The Mind With Scriptures & Imagination Part 2

Fathering The Mind With Scriptures & Imagination Part 2

Ministry & prayer may set you free, but only truths will keep you free (John 8:32)

Since my son experienced lingering thoughts that created a lot of fears, I got him to speak out the verses that he already knew and memorised. I said, "Do not stop and keep going."

He said, “But it’s still there.”

So I got him to use his imagination according to the Word. This is to train his mind to be renewed. For each verse that he spoke out, I told him to imagine the scene of that verse. Imagine according to the Word.

He began closing his eyes and imagined. Then I added, “Jesus is now coming to you, riding on a white horse.”

Do you see it? He said “Yes.”

Papa: Now see Jesus slaying satan with a sword, crushing him and throwing him into fire to be burnt.

J: Yes I see Jesus doing that! (eggcited)

Papa: Now Jesus is coming towards you. He’s so close to you. What is He doing?

J: He’s smiling to me.

Papa: He is whispering into your ear. What is He saying?

J: He says “I am always with you. Remember that.”

Papa: Yes!!

Finally, he went back to bed and slept.

You deal with the enemy by building on truths, not by searching out what’s wrong and what’s in the past. You want to be so renewed in the truths that the lies have no place in your mind.

#fathering101 #buildingtruths

Fathering The Mind With Scriptures & Imagination Part 1

Fathering The Mind With Scriptures & Imagination Part 1

For the past two days, my little boy had thoughts from the enemy that kept lingering in his mind. I wonder if circuit-breaker played a part in the life of this little one who loves to socialise and meet people.

He could not repel the fears that were caused by those thoughts. So I got him to read out the Scriptures that I had poured out into him every night. He was initially asking for a quick fix ---- "Papa, can you just pray for me for these thoughts to go away?"

This is how most inner healing ministries practises ---- prayer and ministering to past memories/traumas. And I have seen/heard so many who thought they were set free during inner healing ministry sessions, but because not many really followed up on them, testimonies were often shared as though the people were set free, when in fact, they were only encountering a moment of sensuality and emotions.

There is no way to be truly free unless it is truth believed in the heart.

And you shall know the truth i̶n̶ ̶t̶h̶e̶ ̶p̶a̶s̶t̶, and m̶i̶n̶i̶s̶t̶e̶r̶i̶n̶g̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶t̶h̶a̶t̶ ̶p̶a̶s̶t̶ ̶w̶i̶t̶h̶ the truth shall make you free.” - John 8:32

Prayer can set you free, but only truth keeps you free.

I turned to J and said, "Yes, I can pray. But these thoughts will come back again unless you have truths in your heart."

So I got him to recite out the verses he already knew and memorised. He kept speaking them out while crying... I said, "Do not stop and keep going."

Confession has no power. It is not confession that delivers you. It is truth that delivers you. But confession helps you to engage with the truths, for faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. If you don't believe, speak until you believe. 

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have n̶o̶t̶  passed away u̶n̶t̶i̶l̶ ̶y̶o̶u̶ ̶h̶a̶v̶e̶ ̶s̶e̶a̶r̶c̶h̶e̶d̶ ̶i̶t̶ ̶o̶u̶t̶ ̶a̶n̶d̶ ̶m̶i̶n̶i̶s̶t̶e̶r̶ ̶t̶o̶ ̶i̶t̶.̶; behold, all things have become new. - 2 Cor 5:17 (Today's Special Inner Healing Translation)

#fathering101 #buildingtruths

Both Masters

Jesus did not say, “You cannot serve God and Satan.” He said, “You cannot serve God and mammon.” (Matt 6:24)⁣

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The word ‘mammon’ is often used for money, wealth and riches. In the Greek, it refers to ‘the treasure a person trusts in.’⁣

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Mammon is used in direct hostility against God. Both are Masters. You either subject yourself to one or the another.⁣

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satan is in direct hostility against God. But he is not known as a master according to Jesus in Matt 6:24. Mammon is.⁣

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What does it mean? satan doesn’t come like those in scary movies. That’s way too easy to recognise. Those are baby minions.⁣

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He comes by using Mammon. The whole world relies on Mammon to function. Money is the currency and the system of the world where men put their trust in, even for many believers.⁣

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With the control of Mammon, marriages break down. Politics happen. Poverty takes place. Pharmaceutical industry gets corrupted. Deception occurs. Even disease can be created.⁣

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The enemy can simply use Mammon to control the whole world, since the world trades and depends on money.⁣

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It’s the strongest master on this side of the planet. Jesus is right when He said that we cannot serve Mammon. For by doing so, we are worshiping the devil and cooperating with him to advance one world order, where nations bow before him.

Fathering In The Midst Of Covid-19

Since all the fathers have to work from home, this may be a good time for us to spend quantity and quality time with our children. No doubt some of us are financially affected by the situation, we can still make the best use of it and take the courage to change what we can in our relationship with our children.

Mothers don’t need a ‘Mums-For-Life” ministry because they naturally know how to mother their children.

Fathers, however, are not wired that way, especially Asian fathers. If we are not first fathered by the Father, we won’t be able to father like the Father.

I’m not a perfect father, but I’m a growing father. In other words, I’m continually reflecting how I can father the way I am fathered by the Father. At times I missed it. Fathering has taught me the most about walking out my relationship with God. Ministry outside the family is way easier than ministry as a father. That’s one of the reasons why a lot of Christian ministers neglect this area but strive to do great exploits outside the family where public recognition gives them a sense of satisfaction.

That is no different from any man without God. For men are naturally wired to strive for achievements and recognition due to a lack of identity (and some also a lack of being fathered) since the Fall of Man.

If we constantly give our full energy out there ministering to others but leave the little and leftover to our own children, we are very likely striving for recognition.

Seeking external recognition reveals a lack of personal revelation on the Father’s everlasting recognition. If your recognition comes from others but not from your own children recognising the presence and the heart of the Father through you, then you have misplaced your recognition and replaced it with your need for approval from the public.

Recently, I was having a conversation with a friend, sharing how we no longer look at a person’s ministry, achievements, or how powerful or influential his pulpit ministry is, etc to determine his godliness. We look at the simplicity of a clearest indicator —— his relationship with his children. That is the decisive factor if the person is godly. Godliness is simply God-consciousness and if you are conscious of God (who is FIRST and FOREMOST your Father), then you will establish that fathering relationship with your children. Fathering reveals spiritual maturity because it reveals the fruit of the Spirit.

During this pandemic, apart from reaching out to those in need, may we not compromise the opportunity we have to reflect, re-evaluate and rekindle the heart of the Father for our children. Because only fathered fathers father.

Kingdom Modeling

Kingdom Modeling

A child learns through modeling. If he sees the parents model the way of living, the child learns likewise.

Then Jesus answered and said to them, “Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner. - John 5:19

Some charismatics take this verse to the extreme and say that Jesus always followed exactly what the Father was saying and doing. In other words, if the Father says, "Walk three steps", Jesus walked ONLY three steps. If the Father is drinking a cup of water, Jesus followed EXACTLY and drank a cup of water.

Nothing is further from the truth, because God did not create robots. He created beings who are alive and have the FREE will to choose and a heart to desire and respond.

This is the same for Jesus. For John 5:19, what Jesus was showing is simply modeling. He saw the Father's model in everything. In modeling, you catch the heartbeat, not just the action. Because many things are caught, rather than taught. Teaching requires only the head, but imparting requires the heart, which comes through modeling.

Moses knew God's ways; Israel knew His works, but Jesus knew His heart. This is why Jesus is the Way to the Father. If we know The Way, we know the heart of the Father.

In John 5:19, Jesus knew the heart of the Father. In providing to those in need, He didn't need to wait and pray, "Father, what are You doing? Are You giving now?" In healing the sick, He didn't need to wait and pray "Father, is it the right time NOW to heal this person?" In living out His life, He didn't need to wait and pray, "Father, what shall I eat today? Rice or noodles?" For His food is to do the will of Him who sent Him.

Jesus moved and did according to the heart of the Father. When you know His heart, you don't have to keep waiting upon the Lord. God is not waiting for you to wait on Him. He is waiting for you to move like Him. The church is still waiting for the move of God, when God is waiting for the church to get up and be the move of God.

Jesus learnt through modeling. A child also learns through modeling. In the Kingdom, we too, learn through modeling.

This is why we need more Christian models in the marketplace. We need businessmen who walk in integrity and live out the kingdom values. The church institution has its place to do equipping, but a pastor, evangelist, prophet, etc. cannot model to the marketplace how to live out Lifestyle Christianity in the marketplace. 

Preaching about it and living from it are completely different. A parent can teach the child how to live right, but if the parent doesn't model and live out for the child to see what he has taught, the child will not be empowered.

Similarly, the pulpit can teach what is right, but it won't empower believers to live out what is right. So many Christians (and I have encountered alot in my industry) in the marketplace are living as though they have never been to church. This is why we need models to model to them what the pulpit cannot do. For we all learn through modeling.

By His grace, may we arise and grow to become the models, and represent Christ in the marketplace. "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few..." Someone said, "Missions is about the state of the heart." You don't need to drop everything and become a missionary in another country. You are already a missionary. You just need to step out and influence your present culture. Jesus!

Child Author

Child Author⁣

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J saw the book that I have authored and he suddenly said, “I want to write a book like Papa. Like an author.”⁣

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Then he proceeded to spend some time writing on his own. I didn’t know what he was doing as I was busy with my work.⁣

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When it was bedtime, after our usual prayer & bible verses, he said, “Papa, let me show you my book.”⁣

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Man... I was blown away. He actually came out with his own story, ‘authored’ this mini-book and drew his own stuff. That completely shocked me.⁣

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Maybe he’s also gifted in writing —— an untapped area that I didn’t know. Yay God! This is the power of homeschooling. Thanks to my wife. #homeschooljourney

P.S: He even left a memory quote like bible memory verse 😆😆😆

Homeschooling Journey Part 8

Homeschooling Journey Part 8

Two months of homeschooling have passed. There were definitely ups and downs in the process. To be precise, there were more ups than downs.

We have yummy home-cooked food made by my gifted wife. It’s a real blessing to have your wife cook great food for you and your son. What’s more? She’s passionate about cooking. I can’t imagine if I have a SAHM who can’t cook. Thank God for her!

We have flexibility. This is a big part for homeschooling. We take J off from “school” for unschooling what school is. He doesn’t get bound by the four walls and rigid classroom environment. We want him to be street smart and grow in wisdom, not studious.

He gets to grow in loving learning instead of forced learning. On some days, he stops earlier than planned when his mind could no longer absorb or when he has a lack of attention. Forcing information down a child when he can’t learn further academically is simply a waste of time. It’s not going to go into his head anyway.

Kudos to my wife.... for some subjects like Math, he is way in advance. Homeschooling allows your child to learn faster in the area where he can go faster, and slower in the area where he can’t catch up. It’s a customised and child-directed learning to boost up his confidence and identity. Why are children suffering from mild depression and stress nowadays? It’s often the parents and the school that induce these on the little ones. We almost forget that they are still growing cognitively and emotionally.

There are many other ups to talk about but it won’t be truthful without the downside.

1) Homeschooling is actually much easier if you have more than one child. When there are two or more kids, they get to motivate one another. They get to play with one another. They don’t need as much attention from the parents because they have their own playmates right at home.

It is in fact, harder to homeschool when you have only one child. Ask me how I know 😂 On some days, he needs so much of our attention that we can’t focus on doing other things.

2) Whether you are tired or not, esp for my wife, she has to stick with extended parenting, which means that you can’t have a long break (unless I am free and  step in to help on that day). Your child will BE with you forever and ever more. If you put him in school, you have a few hours’ break daily. If you put him at home, there is endless work 🤣 This is why I respect all homeschooling mums. It’s an amazing job that requires full dedication. A homeschooling mum cannot just decide what she wants to do. Not all wives can take it, hence many won’t choose homeschooling, not because they can’t, but because they prefer not. I’m so proud of my wife!

3) It takes a different approach when you are teaching your own child. In school, your kids will listen to the teachers either because the teachers shouted and screamed, or because the peers are doing so. Therefore, it’s about monkey-see-monkey-do. In a classroom setting, any child also can appear listening but is actually daydreaming. Well, no one knows.

But when the parent is the one teaching the child, he will interrupt, voice out his opinions, together with scores of questions. My son happens to like to talk a lot (unlike the father who is a man of few words 😂). This makes going through a lesson long and sometimes draining. This requires lots of patience and understanding.

On side note, asking questions is a good thing, because the child gets to process his thoughts. It’s about learning to manage the questions and help the child stay focused. It’s a journey of learning for all of us. #homeschoolingjourney

Fathering Through Trust & Obedience

In the last few days, J had been refusing to listen and obey to us immediately. He had his own thinking concerning some stuff. Thus, he would try to reason (argue) with us.

There is a place for reasoning, but there is a place for obedience. Not everything requires a clear understanding before obedience. Obedience must supersede understanding, for this is the way when it comes to the kingdom. We must not parent in a way that contradicts the kingdom values. There will be times when he doesn't understand why God wants him to do some stuff, but he has to act on obedience above understanding.

After disciplining him, we spoke to him while lying on the bed. He was pretty upset. We gave him a hug and said, "Papa and Mama love you."

Then we continued, "Is being disrespectful something Jesus would like?"

J: No. That's what satan wants.

Us: Is being disobedience something Jesus would like?

J: No. That's what satan wants.

Us: To refuse to listen... is it something Jesus would like?

J No. That's what satan wants.

Us: If you know that is the case, why do you still keep doing that?

J: But I'm trying... I'm trying not to.

Us: J, it's not about trying. You can't try to become better. It's not about using your own effort. You can try and keep trying, but you will not be able to change by trying.

Us: Do Papa & Mama love you?

J: Yes.

Us: Do we love you more than teachers and friends?

J: Yes.

Us: Then trust us. We love you and we want what is good for you. You can't try to obey... you can't try to listen to us by yourself. You cannot change by trying. You have to trust our love for you.

Us: Don't look to your ability to change. Look to Papa and Mama. Remember how much we love you. When you realise that, you will trust us naturally. And when you trust us, you will obey. You can only obey us IF you trust us and our love for you.

J nodded before he was put at ease to go to bed.

We are fathered by the Father through His love. We learn to trust Him because of His love. Obedience is born out of that trust. In the same way, we teach our child to trust us (his earthly father/mother) and our love for him. We need to break that self-effort and 'try-try-try' to change. It's impossible for a child to change by trying. It will get him exasperated or frustrated in the long run. #fathering101