A Place of Discovery

Immanuel—God with Us (Matthew 1:23—Preacher: Ps Paw Liang) What does Immanuel—God with us mean to you? Before he breathed his last breath, John Wesley said, “the best of all God is with us!” He had experienced the presence of God throughout the ups and downs. In this perverted world, no one is spared from disaster and calamities. Life doesn’t come easy. But for those who have Christ, we know that God is with us.  Nothing more painful than the pang separation. That’s exactly what sin does, to separate us from God. The Israel was devastated when God was silent. Christ came to end this alienation—to reconcile the creation with the Creator. The Gospel of Matthew opens with "“Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son, and they shall call his name Immanuel” (Mt 1:23) and closes with " Lo! I Am with you always, even to the end of the age ! (Mt 28:20).  The word Immanuel only appeared three times (Is 7:14; 8:8) but God’s promised to be His people (Isa 43:2...

Songs of Joy (Psalm 126, Luke 1:26-45—Preacher: Ps Paw Liang) Psalm 126 is one of the Psalm of Ascent. The song reflects the joy of the captives b3eing brought back to Zion—to the House of the Lord. The joy of those who have been set free. Such a song may arise from our soul when we let Jesus set us free from sin. Joy sometimes may come in the form of laughter. But joy is more than laughter. Not all laughter will bring joy. What kind of joy? The JOY of the Lord is something we RECEIVE, not we take, capture, or catch. For the Ancient Israel—Their freedom is a gift from God. The Lord is in control! We can only have this joy when we open our heart to welcome Him into our life--The presence of Christ brings us the joy of the Lord! “For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy,” said Elizabeth. The baby John leaped with joy. This joy is divine and we can’t make or clone it. The Joy of Christ is not just a good feeling or merely ...

WAITING IN HOPE (Isaiah 64:1-9; 1 Cor 1:3-9—Preacher: Ps Paw Liang) Most of us face a myriad of different pressures and life challenges. For some, it feels like they are living in a pressure cooker. How about you? How do you cope (or overcome) your life-pressure? Difficult marriages? Unending family feuds? Sickness? Bussiness bullies, etc... We can’t wait for all these to end as soon as possible. Advent is a time for waiting. In facing all these we may like Isaiah, to call the Lord to come soon and to put all these unideal life to an end. Isaiah was facing pressures from both sides: the enemies (v2) and the sins of Israel. (v6) In his desperation, he called upon the Lord, “ Oh that you would rend the heaven and come down .” The bigger concern however was the sins of the people of Israel:   (6) All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; we all shrivel up like a leaf, and like the wind our sins sweep us away. ( 7...

WHEN THE MATTER IS TOO BIG Psalm 131 “LORD, my heart is not proud; my eyes are not haughty.  I don’t concern myself with matters too great or too awesome for me to grasp. Instead, I have calmed and quieted myself, like a weaned child who no longer cries for its mother’s milk. Yes, like a weaned child is my soul within me.  O Israel, put your hope in the LORD — now and always.” Psalms 131:1-3 NLT Have you come across challenges and obstacles which are beyond your resources and comprehension? As a child, when facing such a task or trial, (a bully, difficult homework, etc) you may immediately look up to your mom or dad, or some adult you think they may be able to help. As an adult, what do you do when the matters are too big for you to handle! Some may said "I love challenge! Nothing can stop me!" You will try to prove yourself!" That's perhaps the haughty spirit in us is talking. Some may be overwhelmed and paralyzed by the matters (among...

BROTHERS, WHAT SHOULD I DO? ““So let everyone in Israel know for certain that God has made this Jesus, whom you crucified, to be both Lord and Messiah!” Peter’s words pierced their hearts, and they said to him and to the other apostles, “Brothers, what should we do?” Acts of the Apostles 2:36-37 NLT Two things I note in this chapter: Peter was on fire, nothing could stop Him from preaching the good news of salvation, that Jesus is both the Lord and the Christ (Messiah or Saviour) (v36) Second, Obviously people were interested, captivated and "listening" to what people had to say.  What could have captured their attentions? Some possibilities: 1) the Holy Spirit is working in the hearers' hearts 2) Peter was on fire filled by the Holy Spirit (John Wesley said "set yourself on fire, and people will come to see you burnt"), 3) Peter are engaging, contextual, relating to Psalms (16, 110) which were familiar to the people.  The conclusion ...

MY SOUL MAGNIFIES THE LORD Luke 1:46-55 “And Mary said, "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior, for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant. For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;” Luke 1:46-48 ESV Have you experienced such a touch like Mary? That you would say to yourself, who am I that the Lord has shown His favour on me? That your soul just can't stop praising God, magnifying Him? That's call "grateful." Or, in contrast no matter how or what the Lord has been doing "to you" and "for you", you just can't see His goodness nor feel His kindness. Your heart is numb. Instead of gratitude, the soul  appears like a bottomless well, insatiable, always crying "I am spiritually dry". When this happen, it may be a sign you need to be still before the Lord! God has mercy!  Grant us the heart of Mary! Grateful, ready and receptive to the presence of you...

WELCOMING LOVE (Isaiah 11:1-10—Preacher: Ps Paw Liang) The people of Judah was facing leadership crisis. The King from the line of David had walked out from God’s way. They began to follow the way of the surrounding nation. Yet, Isaiah affirmed them that God would keep His  promise.  The Messiah will come from the line of David (the stem of Jesse vv1,10). God’s plan will not be distorted by human depravity. The prophecy will be fulfilled in the last day, yet the reign of the King has started with the first coming of Jesus Christ. Likewise, eternity is not started at the end time, but our life will continue into eternity where God will make everything perfect for us. Advent reminds us that  we need to full anticipation of the second  coming of Jesus Christ. The question is how do we prepare our selves to welcome Him?  First , turn or return to His love. Once we accept Jesus Christ, His Spirit is within us, remains in our soul. As we prepare roo...

HE GIVES JOY (Luke 1:46-55—Preacher: Ps Paw Liang) The JOY of the Lord is something we RECEIVE, not we take, capture, or catch.   “ For behold, when the sound of your greeting came to my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy ,” said Elizabeth. The presence of Christ brings joy into our soul. This joy is “divine” and we can’t create or make it. We can only receive it as the gift of Christ. This joy will happen only when the Spirit of Christ is presence in our lives, as can be seen in the testimony of Mary and Elizabeth. What is Joy?   Joy may come in the form of laughter. But not all laughter will bring joy. Joy is not merely a good feeling. Joy is a serenity deep inside our soul that will not be disturbed by any life storms and  challenges. Joy is more than happiness and optimistic. Joy is not a man-made feeling.  Joy is the assurance that God is in control of every detail of my life. The assurance will calm and still the turbulence in our hea...

YOU CAN ASK "Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:2-3 NKJV James is resounding what Jesus has said before, "And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. " (John 14:13; Mat 7:7-8) Three principles in asking God: First,  Ask what you need(s). For instance, you ask for direction when you get lost. Check on your petirion list: do you ask for something you need? What's your need(s) for 2017? (Note: A need means a neccessity which life will be difficult if you don't have it) Second, ask for help. We ask when "we can't" do it on our own. You won't ask your teacher if you can solve your own maths. Aim for something bigger for 2017 that you can not do with your own resources, that you will need God's help. If your goals are within your own reach, you can do it on your own ...