Jesus' Foreigner Friends

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'

(Matthew 25:35-40)

Jesus has great compassion and cares for the poor, needy and the weak. His earthly ministry has reflected His heart. He never turned a deaf ear to those who earnestly call for Him.

God commands us to do the same. To accept them (Num 19:14), respect them (Num 19:34) and see them as one of us (Num 15:15). Treat them justly (Deut 24:17). Be hospitable to them (Deut 16:11). Be kind and compassionate (Deut 24:19-21). Go out of our way to help them (Lev 19:10 / 23:22). Finally to also share our blessings with them. (Deut 26:12-13)

The Lord sees the foreigners (or 'aliens', 'strangers' in different version) as precious in His sight. Jesus knows the deepest needs of those foreigners in our land. And He calls us to pay attention to this special group of people in His heart - The Foreigners.

"Do not take advantage of a hired man who is poor and needy, whether he is a brother Israelite or an alien livingin one of your towns." (Deut 24:14)

You can never ignore them. Neither can you avoid them. They are everywhere. In construction sites, at the coffeeshops, those cleaners for your HDB blocks, supermarkets, ...and the list goes on and on.

Majority of them had left their families and jobs to seek for a higher pay in Singapore. They came to Singapore with great expectations, thinking jobs are easily available. But many ended up doing menial or low-paid jobs. They endure hardship because they have no job security and the needing to pay off huge loan to settle their agent fees.

Three years ago, God opened up my eyes to see the 'foreigners' in a different perspective particularly the China Nationals. He began to speak to me about 'Reaching China without going to China.' As disciples of Christ, what attitude do we adopt towards them? Are we empathic ir scornful; accepting or rejecting? Do we extend helping hands, or do we just ignore them? He started dealing prejudice in my heart and the fear that stands in the way. Slowly and surely, guided by His grace, I begin my first step.

On 21st Jan night, the Chinese Church had our reunion dinner with 10 Chinese Nationals and the neglected folks in a particular block in Pek Kio. A simple dinner that held us together knitted in His love. Everyone of us left the restaurant FILLED and FULLED. Filled with God's love and Fulled in our stomachs.

God has taught me much about His love, His forgiveness, His compassion and His grace. This is not for me to keep but to show and to share. The Chinese Nationals who come to Singapore arrive as strangers in a strange land. These people are on our doorstep. It is time to demonstrate and extend God's love.

"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me." (Matthew 25:45)

Broadcast God

I started journaling since I am a teenager. I love to put my thoughts and feelings into words. Slowly, I began to include lessons learned and principles gleaned into my journal.

I always told my son this: "Do not forget to read mama's journal when I passed on. Every page carries a chapter of mum's life. Behind those pages is a God who never fails to woo me everyday with His love."

I do not want to leave this world with a regret. It will be tragic to realise this - In my living, I am influencing none. In my leaving, I left nothing behind to be remembered. And I know, in any 'tribute' to myself is a tribute to my GOD.

I am certain of my call to God as His child. To know God and make Him known. I seek for opportunities to make Jesus known. As a pastor, this is make more accessible and easier through the sunday pulpit, in funerals, weddings and whatever occassion that allows me to preach Jesus. In my conversations with someone, Jesus is intentionally make known.

Recently, I learned to use Facebook. In short, Facebook is all about communication. Communication that allows me to point back to myself or directly to Jesus. I seek to do the latter. I am really beginning to enjoy Facebook more and more.

On our last Tuesday pastoral meetings, Senior Pastor mentioned this, "Broadcast God in whatever means of communication we can. People need to be pointed back to God." This is not the first time my Senior Pastor emphasis this. But this time, it has driven a stronger motativation in me, especially in this '30 Days to Live' series.

I always want to learn blogging but all legimate reasons and excuses had casued me to proscinate. Last night, I finally sat down and learned blogging from my son. What a sense of achivement! Talking about turning every of my godly intentions to actions IMMEDIATELY!

I am mindful, whether in Facebook or Blog...

"For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." (1 Corinthians 4:5)

30 Days to Live ~ 30 People to Pray for

Before SP started the series on 'Thirty Days to Live', I started with asking myself this question, "If I had 30 days to live, who will be those in my list that I would want and love to meet before I l die"

"Let's say...If I could only allow to meet one person per day, who will be those 30 people in my list whom I want to meet?" As I think through and make a list of 30 people, I realise that it was not very easy to come up with the list.

** 1st Surprise: In fact, I have more than 30 people. To keep to the 'rules', I scale down to 30.

** 2nd Surprise: Those people that matters most and I love dearly make it to the first top priority list. It begins with Matt, Cleff,......

** 3rd Surprise: Those 30 people in my list are not exactly people that I love most, but it matters to me enough for me to meet them before I die. These include people I need to ask for forgiveness face to face. People that need to hear from me saying "I forgive you' face to face.

** 4th Surprise: I began to pray for these 30 people. Dedicating one person to a day each.Today is 19th Jan.

I am praying for the 19th person on the list. Not particularly someone that I love, even like. Someone that is a stranger to me, yet seem so familar. Someone who is distant, yet too near for comfort. Someone who I never truly learn to love as Christ love, yet I do want to love. Someone that had left wounding in me, yet the wound-turned scar had allowed Jesus to make me more like Him.

Thirty Days to Live ~It is not just about hearing much. It is about doing right. It is about turning every godly intentions to actionsIt is about taking back our lost groundsIt is about following Christ and becoming more like Him.

I thank God for this series. I thank God for the added strength and courage to do the impossible and uncomfortable. I thank God for His 2nd Wind.

I pray the same for you too.