Dear brothers and sisters,
Good morning. I will be leaving for Hong Kong and Thailand today. This is mainly a training trip. I will conduct workshop in a Youth Mission Conference in Hong Kong, and in our annual mission internship training in northern Thailand. This is the first youth conference of this nature in Hong Kong. Pray that the Lord will raise up an army of young people like He did in the student movement of early last century. Many missionaries of today are products of this revival movement among college students in last century. I pray that the same Lord of Mission will bring renewal to the lives of many high school and college students, who will dedicate their lives for global missions in wherever God may place them.
Our God is a very personal God. In the book of Isaiah, God reminds His children through the proclamation of Isaiah, “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’" (30:21). This is the promise of the Lord. He will walk with us and remind us of our choices in life. God chooses to speak to us with little small voice if we pay attention to Him and seek His way. The world definitely wants to drown out the voice of God by various sounds and noises. It is our choice to focus on Him and His small voice.
A lot of time, we chose to listen to ourselves or what our body tell us to do. Our body craves for something that our appetite or hormone desires. Sometimes it is the commercial that tells us how we should choose. We forget to ask what the King of kings and Lord of lords wants. Our sweet Holy Spirit is the God who dwells within our souls who constant teach us and guide us in our paths of life. We are too busy to listen. No wonder why we feel like God is so quiet to a point of totally absence within us. God is faithful and kind. He is the heavenly father who will not forget His promises for His children.
We follow Him wherever we may be. We listen to Him in whatever situation we are in. Your God is with you in the marketplace. He uses you to make impact in your school and office. Only if we pay attention to what He has to say to us in gentle small voice, we will not be able to experience Him as a loving Father. It is God who puts you in wherever you are to serve Him. Ask yourself what God wants to speak and bless through you today. Your coworkers and neighbors will experience God by observing how you conduct your lives today. May God glorify Himself through your lives today!
Love you in Christ,
Lawrence
Monday, June 6, 2011
Friday, June 3, 2011
Devotional reading 030611
Dear brothers and sisters,
Good morning. It is so comforting to know that our God is “waiting” to bestow mercy to those who “wait” upon Him. 耶和華必然等候、要施恩給你們．必然興起、好憐憫你們．因為耶和華是公平的神．凡等候他的都是有福的 (30:18)。 What captivated me was the word “wait.” The Almighty Creator of the Universe chooses to wait for His children to repent and wait on Him. Isn’t it amazing that God will limit Himself – limits His divine character as the prime mover or ultimately proactive designer/author of both history and universe, in order to bless those who obey His agenda and timing for humanity. Wow…this is the kind of God whom we worship and walk with each day. Praise His Holy Name…Amen.
When will we need to wait for Him? It was during the time of suffering. We don’t feel like waiting when we are having fun in life. Usually we exercise patience when we don’t feel good or when things did not meet our desires or expectation. We expect our lives to be smooth and prosperous. We expect the economy of our nation to be healthy and strong. But when the economy does not turn around and unemployment continues to dive down, it requires patience to wait upon the Lord for His mercy. Yes, we continue to conduct our lives as everyone else – go to work and do our chores. But deep down inside our souls, we are not restless like those who run around in fear and worry. We rest in Him!
God wants His children to learn reliance through suffering. That’s why Isaiah said, “Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.” Suffering is our teacher of life. It is through suffering that we draw closer to God. No matter how much warning did God proclaim to this generation, people do not repent and follow His way! They may remorse of their rebellion when they fall into the pit of suffering. Have mercy on us O Lord. Help us to see you and the lesson that you want us to learn while we are waiting for your deliverance from our affliction in life. We need you Lord. We need you.
Paul said, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans 8:19-21). Our waiting in suffering is a preparation for eternal glory. If this is the case, we don’t need to feel restless or helpless. We can rejoice in Him at all times.
Please remember me in your prayer as I will depart for Hong Kong and Thailand on Monday. I will be leading different workshops in these two places for the entire month of June. Pray that God will continue to strengthen your walk with Him for your growth and well being.
In His love with you,
Lawrence
Good morning. It is so comforting to know that our God is “waiting” to bestow mercy to those who “wait” upon Him. 耶和華必然等候、要施恩給你們．必然興起、好憐憫你們．因為耶和華是公平的神．凡等候他的都是有福的 (30:18)。 What captivated me was the word “wait.” The Almighty Creator of the Universe chooses to wait for His children to repent and wait on Him. Isn’t it amazing that God will limit Himself – limits His divine character as the prime mover or ultimately proactive designer/author of both history and universe, in order to bless those who obey His agenda and timing for humanity. Wow…this is the kind of God whom we worship and walk with each day. Praise His Holy Name…Amen.
When will we need to wait for Him? It was during the time of suffering. We don’t feel like waiting when we are having fun in life. Usually we exercise patience when we don’t feel good or when things did not meet our desires or expectation. We expect our lives to be smooth and prosperous. We expect the economy of our nation to be healthy and strong. But when the economy does not turn around and unemployment continues to dive down, it requires patience to wait upon the Lord for His mercy. Yes, we continue to conduct our lives as everyone else – go to work and do our chores. But deep down inside our souls, we are not restless like those who run around in fear and worry. We rest in Him!
God wants His children to learn reliance through suffering. That’s why Isaiah said, “Although the Lord gives you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, your teachers will be hidden no more; with your own eyes you will see them.” Suffering is our teacher of life. It is through suffering that we draw closer to God. No matter how much warning did God proclaim to this generation, people do not repent and follow His way! They may remorse of their rebellion when they fall into the pit of suffering. Have mercy on us O Lord. Help us to see you and the lesson that you want us to learn while we are waiting for your deliverance from our affliction in life. We need you Lord. We need you.
Paul said, “The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God" (Romans 8:19-21). Our waiting in suffering is a preparation for eternal glory. If this is the case, we don’t need to feel restless or helpless. We can rejoice in Him at all times.
Please remember me in your prayer as I will depart for Hong Kong and Thailand on Monday. I will be leading different workshops in these two places for the entire month of June. Pray that God will continue to strengthen your walk with Him for your growth and well being.
In His love with you,
Lawrence
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Devotional reading 020611
Dear brothers and sisters,
Good morning. Our Lord is gracious and kind. He cares for all those who seek for Him. When I look back to the brothers and sisters whom we visited in Africa, we can’t cease to give thanks for how the Lord protects and provides for all those who serve Him with obedient heart.
Pastor Melody, the woman missionary from Taiwan, who answered God’s call to Nairobi many years ago, served faithfully among the poorest of the poor. Up to this day, she is still passionate in serving the people in the slum area. She is really outstanding in that area, because she was the only Chinese woman walking through the dirt road to the only school that she founded in the slum.
Pastor Jeff, the missionary from Singapore who was crippled by polio, answered the call to serve God in a war torn Uganda twenty some years ago. Even though the civil war had been ended many years ago, you could still see helplessness on many people face and inner city roads filled with many holes. A common joke in Uganda says, “If you drive straight in Uganda, it means you are drunk.” What is the hope of this country? Our Lord Jesus is their only answer. God used obedient servants like Jeff to bless this country with hundreds of new churches, two seminaries and all kinds of charitable projects among the poor. God demonstrated His power through a cripple in accomplishing all these for His glory. Indeed, it is not by human plans or power for all these good works. It is the work of God through His obedient servants
Again, the proclamation of God in Isaiah 30 proves to be true. This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it" (v15). God is the one who accomplish the impossible. Salvation and strength come from Him. Our busyness is not the way to accomplish His work. Only when we repent from our self-reliance and truly obey Him, we can witness His good work shines through impossibility.
If we are ready to calm down and let God be god, then we realize the source of our strength is in Him alone. God continued to reassure His people in verse 18 of the same chapter, "The LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (v. 18)
Do you believe in this promise that God will bless those who wait for Him?
Love you in Christ,
Lawrence
Good morning. Our Lord is gracious and kind. He cares for all those who seek for Him. When I look back to the brothers and sisters whom we visited in Africa, we can’t cease to give thanks for how the Lord protects and provides for all those who serve Him with obedient heart.
Pastor Melody, the woman missionary from Taiwan, who answered God’s call to Nairobi many years ago, served faithfully among the poorest of the poor. Up to this day, she is still passionate in serving the people in the slum area. She is really outstanding in that area, because she was the only Chinese woman walking through the dirt road to the only school that she founded in the slum.
Pastor Jeff, the missionary from Singapore who was crippled by polio, answered the call to serve God in a war torn Uganda twenty some years ago. Even though the civil war had been ended many years ago, you could still see helplessness on many people face and inner city roads filled with many holes. A common joke in Uganda says, “If you drive straight in Uganda, it means you are drunk.” What is the hope of this country? Our Lord Jesus is their only answer. God used obedient servants like Jeff to bless this country with hundreds of new churches, two seminaries and all kinds of charitable projects among the poor. God demonstrated His power through a cripple in accomplishing all these for His glory. Indeed, it is not by human plans or power for all these good works. It is the work of God through His obedient servants
Again, the proclamation of God in Isaiah 30 proves to be true. This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it" (v15). God is the one who accomplish the impossible. Salvation and strength come from Him. Our busyness is not the way to accomplish His work. Only when we repent from our self-reliance and truly obey Him, we can witness His good work shines through impossibility.
If we are ready to calm down and let God be god, then we realize the source of our strength is in Him alone. God continued to reassure His people in verse 18 of the same chapter, "The LORD longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!” (v. 18)
Do you believe in this promise that God will bless those who wait for Him?
Love you in Christ,
Lawrence
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Reflect upon my Africa trip
Dear brothers and sisters,
Good afternoon. I have returned from Africa and Toronto for over a week now. Praise God for not having jet lag at all. I was fully engaged in ministry immediately after my return. I had international board meeting and several preaching engagements that totally captured my attention. Thanks for many of you who have been praying for me. I sensed the providence of God throughout my trip and ministry back home. Please continue to support me in your prayer.
I have been meditating on Isaiah chapter 29 and 30 in the last couples of weeks. God reminded me to focus on the essential practices in life despite of all the religious activities I conducted.
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it" (30:15). Salvation could be deliverance from any difficulty or evil scheme but not just deliverance from eternal condemnation. As we encounter uncertain future or challeneges, God reminded us to repent from our relying on our own wisdom or value system to handle things, but to rest or focus on God as our ultimate savior. Unless we give up trying to save ourselves, we will not experience God as our true savior. The psalmist said, "rest and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10a).
Another parallel warning that God gave me during the trip was to trust and be quiet before the Lord. These two attitudes or practices are essential in our daily encountering with God.
As I looked back to the all the trips that I made and "accomplishments" that God gave me, I was humbled and amazed with what God had done in and through me. None could finish a doctoral program in 15 months with heavy workload and busy traveling schedule. During those days, one thing I did not stop doing and you could testify to that was my spiritual journaling. It was a time to reflect on God's words and to receive power from above. My experience echoes what our Lord Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). I found it to be so true!! Our God is so faithful and true. Remember to walk closely with him each day for your own good. I will share with you more about my Africa trip in days to come... (see my slide show on my blog).
In Christ,
Lawrence
Good afternoon. I have returned from Africa and Toronto for over a week now. Praise God for not having jet lag at all. I was fully engaged in ministry immediately after my return. I had international board meeting and several preaching engagements that totally captured my attention. Thanks for many of you who have been praying for me. I sensed the providence of God throughout my trip and ministry back home. Please continue to support me in your prayer.
I have been meditating on Isaiah chapter 29 and 30 in the last couples of weeks. God reminded me to focus on the essential practices in life despite of all the religious activities I conducted.
This is what the Sovereign LORD, the Holy One of Israel, says: "In repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength, but you would have none of it" (30:15). Salvation could be deliverance from any difficulty or evil scheme but not just deliverance from eternal condemnation. As we encounter uncertain future or challeneges, God reminded us to repent from our relying on our own wisdom or value system to handle things, but to rest or focus on God as our ultimate savior. Unless we give up trying to save ourselves, we will not experience God as our true savior. The psalmist said, "rest and know that I am God" (Psalm 46:10a).
Another parallel warning that God gave me during the trip was to trust and be quiet before the Lord. These two attitudes or practices are essential in our daily encountering with God.
As I looked back to the all the trips that I made and "accomplishments" that God gave me, I was humbled and amazed with what God had done in and through me. None could finish a doctoral program in 15 months with heavy workload and busy traveling schedule. During those days, one thing I did not stop doing and you could testify to that was my spiritual journaling. It was a time to reflect on God's words and to receive power from above. My experience echoes what our Lord Jesus said, "I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). I found it to be so true!! Our God is so faithful and true. Remember to walk closely with him each day for your own good. I will share with you more about my Africa trip in days to come... (see my slide show on my blog).
In Christ,
Lawrence
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Graduation Celebration
Dear brothers and sisters,
Thanks for your loving support. I celebrated my graduation on 4/30. When I looked back, it was indeed an amazing journey to finish my doctoral program in 15 months. I could never imagined myself doing so in the beginning. I had planned to finish within 4 years, or the shortest two and a half. But by God's grace, I finished early. One of the possible factors that might contribute to this accomplishment was my journal writing. Since I have developed this jorunaling habit for over 20 years, this might help in putting my thoughts on writing as I wrote my papers and dissertation. Morover, journaling also helps in concentration. This is a discipline that enables me to articulate my thoughts and interaction with the Holy Spirit. So, let me encouage you to do the same.
I will depart for Africa tomorrow morning. Please remember us in your prayer. This is an exploration trip to cover 3 countries (Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania) in Eastern Africa. Since 4 of us are traveling without a guide, we count on the Holy Spirit to protect and provide us. Our field director waits for us in Uganda. We hope to establish a non-profit organization in that part of the world. Please pray for wisdom as I will contact some government official and legal professional in exploring this possibility. Once we become a registered organization in Uganda, it will become a platform for us to apply visa for future M workers into Africa.
I will not be able to write during this whole trip. I pray that God will continue to motivate you to draw close to Him each day for your own growth and nurishment.
Love you in Christ,
Lawrence
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Devotional reading 280411
Dear brothers and sisters,
Good morning. By God's grace, I recovered from jetlag sooner than before. Again, thanks for your prayer. While I was driving to office this morning, I recalled a unified theme being preached by various speakers at London conference, which is "to be real from inside out." This theme became the central message from the Holy Spirit at the conference. These speakers had submitted their sermon outlines ahead of time, and without comparing notes with one another they gave the same emphasis. Yes, in order to seize "the opportunity of this time," we need to seek the lives of obedience under the Lordship of Christ. Dr. George Murray, our last speaker of the conference said, "Great Commission begins with lordship of Christ because Jesus siad, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me...therefore go and make disciples of all nations.'" Without obedience there will be no spiritual revival. Without spiritual revival there will be no Great Commission. A lot of time, we want God to be involved in our plan for ministry and life. But He prefers us to be involved in His plan. We focus so much on what "we want" to accomplish for Christ instead of obeying to what "He wants" to accomplish through us. And the life of obedience is to be expressed in our daily living as a person, and our interaction with other beings in our daily context - to be a real and genuine follower of Christ.
Our first speaker of the conference quoted a phrase from one of another speakers who said in other occasion, "life should be our sermon, and daily living should be our pulpit." Renewal or revival, therefore, should be starting with our genuine relationship with the Triune God on a daily basis. It does not matter how much one knows about the Bible. What matters is how much one obeys the teaching of the Bible. Another speaker echoed, "many Christians ended their lives with many good wishes without being put into practice." They knew what God had intended for their lives, and wished to be involved in His glorious plan for their lives, but they ended their lives with nothing but regrets. Unfortunately, this is a life description of many Christians. We hope to summarize our lives with an inscription on our tombstone as "a good and faithful servant of God." But in reality, many of the inscription on Christian tombstone is "wished to be a good and faithful servant of God."
Have mercy on us O Lord! Help us to be obedience to your plan for our lives and finish well. Let's encourage each other to practice what we preach or know.
Love you in Christ,
Lawrence
Good morning. By God's grace, I recovered from jetlag sooner than before. Again, thanks for your prayer. While I was driving to office this morning, I recalled a unified theme being preached by various speakers at London conference, which is "to be real from inside out." This theme became the central message from the Holy Spirit at the conference. These speakers had submitted their sermon outlines ahead of time, and without comparing notes with one another they gave the same emphasis. Yes, in order to seize "the opportunity of this time," we need to seek the lives of obedience under the Lordship of Christ. Dr. George Murray, our last speaker of the conference said, "Great Commission begins with lordship of Christ because Jesus siad, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me...therefore go and make disciples of all nations.'" Without obedience there will be no spiritual revival. Without spiritual revival there will be no Great Commission. A lot of time, we want God to be involved in our plan for ministry and life. But He prefers us to be involved in His plan. We focus so much on what "we want" to accomplish for Christ instead of obeying to what "He wants" to accomplish through us. And the life of obedience is to be expressed in our daily living as a person, and our interaction with other beings in our daily context - to be a real and genuine follower of Christ.
Our first speaker of the conference quoted a phrase from one of another speakers who said in other occasion, "life should be our sermon, and daily living should be our pulpit." Renewal or revival, therefore, should be starting with our genuine relationship with the Triune God on a daily basis. It does not matter how much one knows about the Bible. What matters is how much one obeys the teaching of the Bible. Another speaker echoed, "many Christians ended their lives with many good wishes without being put into practice." They knew what God had intended for their lives, and wished to be involved in His glorious plan for their lives, but they ended their lives with nothing but regrets. Unfortunately, this is a life description of many Christians. We hope to summarize our lives with an inscription on our tombstone as "a good and faithful servant of God." But in reality, many of the inscription on Christian tombstone is "wished to be a good and faithful servant of God."
Have mercy on us O Lord! Help us to be obedience to your plan for our lives and finish well. Let's encourage each other to practice what we preach or know.
Love you in Christ,
Lawrence
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Mission update 260411
Dear brothers and sisters,
Good morning. Thanks for your prayer support. I had a fruitful trip in London. It was the first Mission conference for Chinese churches in England and Europe. I had opportunity to meet many Chinese Christians and pastors from different countries in Europe. It was an eyes opening experience to find out how God was at work in many Chinese communities throughout Europe. Even though the Chinese churches in general did not feel like they were ready to send out missionaries, many came to pick up our magazines and enquire about our mission fields. Pray that the Lord will revive the Chinese churches in Europe for His mission.
Europe (UK included) is considered to be mission field for Chinese churches. Many churches do not have full time pastors. Among all the Chinese churches in UK, there were less than 5 full time English ministers to serve their second generations. There is indeed a big need for English youth minister in Chinese church. However, a new UK homeland security policy made it harder for religious workers or students from going into the country. They are very tight on granting work visa for religious workers and student visa for seminarians. We need to pray for spiritual revivval in many Christian nations in Europe. Pray that their leaders (including their royal family members) will take their relationship with God more seriously.
I did not sleep well last night because of jetlag. It is therefore difficult for me to focus in meditation and prayer. Pray that I will recover soon. My next trip is a short one to Portland, Oregon. Afterward, I will be leaving for three countries in East Africa in May, and Toronto, Canada as well. Appreciate your prayer for my health and travel...
In Christ,
Lawrence
Good morning. Thanks for your prayer support. I had a fruitful trip in London. It was the first Mission conference for Chinese churches in England and Europe. I had opportunity to meet many Chinese Christians and pastors from different countries in Europe. It was an eyes opening experience to find out how God was at work in many Chinese communities throughout Europe. Even though the Chinese churches in general did not feel like they were ready to send out missionaries, many came to pick up our magazines and enquire about our mission fields. Pray that the Lord will revive the Chinese churches in Europe for His mission.
Europe (UK included) is considered to be mission field for Chinese churches. Many churches do not have full time pastors. Among all the Chinese churches in UK, there were less than 5 full time English ministers to serve their second generations. There is indeed a big need for English youth minister in Chinese church. However, a new UK homeland security policy made it harder for religious workers or students from going into the country. They are very tight on granting work visa for religious workers and student visa for seminarians. We need to pray for spiritual revivval in many Christian nations in Europe. Pray that their leaders (including their royal family members) will take their relationship with God more seriously.
I did not sleep well last night because of jetlag. It is therefore difficult for me to focus in meditation and prayer. Pray that I will recover soon. My next trip is a short one to Portland, Oregon. Afterward, I will be leaving for three countries in East Africa in May, and Toronto, Canada as well. Appreciate your prayer for my health and travel...
In Christ,
Lawrence
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