From the Priest-in-charge 11 March 2012
Exodus 18:21 ~ But select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties and tens.
Acts 6:5 ~ This proposal pleased the whole group. They chose Stephen, a man full of faith and of the Holy Spirit; also Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas from Antioch, a convert to Judaism.
These are two of the most quoted passages to look for a leader in a church. I want us to give a good look at these criteria of a chosen and anointed leader who can provide and help the church leadership. We have another three weeks to the 42nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) of Christ Church Likas. At the AGM, we will be looking at the church over the past year and looking ahead of 2012. We will also listen to the budget of 2012/13 and elect the new Parochial Church Council (PCC).
Here, I would like to take this opportunity to advice the church to take a more proactive position in terms of electing the new PCC. I would like to encourage healthy participations/nominations. We should show our concern for the church with actions, not merely talking. We can pray for the church but we also need a group of willing parishioners who can stand between the gap and help lighten the load of the church. I am looking at people who are capable, fear God, trustworthy – who hate dishonest gain, full of faith and of the Holy Spirit. I need a group of people who can support and share the vision of the church. You can start praying for yourself and ask God whether you are the one which belongs to this type of leadership. Some of us will also need to pray and start nominating someone with these leadership for the election. I would like to see representatives from the three congregations who can be part of the PCC.
I know it is not easy to get a perfect leader who can fulfil these leadership qualifications. But I always believe God will add on to anyone who are willing and faithful. Every big thing was once small before. You might think you are inadequate at this moment, but nobody is born a leader. It is through God’s grace that we can serve Him. Brothers and Sisters, you must ask yourself this question: “Am I willing to serve God and His church?” If your answer is “Yes”, response to this call. Remember, we do the best, God will do the rest.
From the Priest-in-charge 26 February 2012
I am starting a new series in this season of Lent with The 10 commandments. It might sound a little bit of an old school for many of us but I am looking at the implication and reinforcement of these commandments in our lives. The commandments represent God’s design to make the human experience the best it can possibly be. Followed correctly, these commandments become healthy foundation for a society or souls.
The 10 commandments deal with two important issues that all human must face, our relationship with God and our relationship with each other. These commandments were written on two tablets of stone, were meant for tablets of flesh. The first tablet probably contained the first four commandments, dealing with our relationship to God and the second tablet probably contained the last six, dealing with man’s relationship with man.
Israel’s problems in their relationship with God were similar in scope to what we are today, God rarely had first place in our lives! Putting God first is the starting point for a healthy relationship. Unfortunately today there is more religion than righteousness; God is not the first passion of people’s hearts. That is why it is so important in this season of Lent that it is not just a time of self cleansing – spiritually; but also a time to get back to our basic or the foundation of Christians’ life.
You might think it is easy to keep the commandments. “Oh! I have learned it in Sunday School! “. Let me ask you this; If we need to ask ourselves who is God of our lives? What is your answer? I believe that if we are honest with ourselves not all of us will be able to say “Jehovah”. Why? Because our lives will tell the truth, through the way we think, talk and how we do things. Our actions will reflect whether we are a Christian who obeys the commandments or not. So, can we consider ourselves Christians who worship God in a right way? Repent and let us make things right in this special season.
From the Priest-in-charge 19 February 2012
24/7 Prayer
I have posted watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem; they will never be silent day or night. You who call on the LORD, give yourselves no rest, and give him no rest till he establishes Jerusalem and makes her the praise of the earth. (Isaiah 62:6-7)
The above passage is one of the intriguing passages of the Scripture. I never cease to wonder how the Creator of the universe would subject himself to the petitions of his creation. Yet our loving God gave us the permission to “give him no rest” until He answers our prayers.
The 24/7 national prayer movement aims to take the challenge of God seriously. Often it is not the inability of God to act but the unwillingness of His people to ask (pray). The prophet Ezekiel recorded for us a tragic turn of events in Israel’s history because of apathy and unwillingness of God’s people to intercede: “(God said) I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.” (Ezekiel 22:30).
I am glad to see the churches in Malaysia rising up and joining hands to pray for our beloved nation. This is a concerted effort to pray for Malaysia every day and every moment. That is why it is called 24/7 because prayers will be lifted up to the throne of grace 24-hours a day, seven days a week, for the whole year! The primary purpose is to pray for God’s favor upon our nation and our churches. Among the focus of prayer are family, education, good governance, justice and peace.
The Anglican Churches in Sabah has been assigned 7 weeks out of the 52 weeks to pray. Here in Christ Church Likas, we have been allocated 2 time slots and 1 time slot especially for KK youths. The time slots for Christ Church Likas are: 22nd Feb (Wednesday) from 12 midnight to 6am and 24th Feb (Friday) from 9am to 3pm. The KK youths time slot is on the 25th Feb (Saturday) from 12 midnight to 6am. Others Anglican Churches have their own time slots that had been allocated to them. In that particular week, the Kota Kinabalu Anglican churches will be praying at the Kokol Prayer Summit. We need you to join us to “stand in the gap” as watchmen for our nation!
Once again, I encourage you to join us in interceding for our family, workplace, church, nation and the world. Come with a desire to see the glory of God permeating through every sphere of influence. Come and believe that God answers prayer and He invites us to do so!