Articles

Special Edition – March, 2019

March 15, 2019 By webcrew

In February this year, we lost our first pastor in NLRC due to his passing to be with the Lord. A hundred and one things passed my mind. In chatting with my wife Susan, it was felt that I should fly directly to Kuching to visit the family. It puts the idea of the church as Kingdom Family in perspective. NLRC Telagus is named among us as a daughter church and all the Pastors know Pr Patrick Rowley as a fellow pastor in our NLRC group of churches. Pastor Rimon of NLRC Kuching explained to me how he comforted the Telagus church on the first night of the memorial services. On the second night, I heard how an Iban pastor friend (his own wife died only a few months before) comforted the family of the late Pr Patrick Rowley. His message was impacting. It is not easy for the Rowley family especially, and the church at Telagus, when their beloved pastor had passed away.

Pr Patrick Rowley seemed to be prepared. He had given instructions to his family on various personal matters before his passing. One important decision he had informed the family and the church leaders is that his brother Arthur Priestley to be the one appointed to look after the church. Patrick’s wife Taria through daughter Elizabeth informed me of that. Although we do not know Arthur, it is only appropriate that we honour what was told to us as Pastor Patrick Rowley requested. Pr Ron had since been over to the church to pray for Arthur to assume responsibility over NLRC Telagus.

I felt a responsibility to inform the NLRC group of churches of the latest as all had been in prayer for Pr Patrick Rowley when he was ill, and all are aware of his passing.

Although Arthur Priestley has been preaching in the Telagus church, assuming the overseer role like a pastor is new territory to him. I ask that our NLRC churches pray for Arthur and Telagus church.

Elizabeth the daughter of Pr Patrick Rowley told me that her dad had built the home with hospitality for visiting brothers and sisters from NLRC semenanjung in mind. At the burial, Taria also requested Pastors and members from NLRC to keep visiting them. I therefore pass this request from them to all at NLRC to think of them and to visit them as they are in the Kingdom Family of NLRC. This is like the current involvement of all churches in visits to orang asli churches by all NLRC. Only inform Pr Lawrence of your intention prior to your visits.

Blessings,

Jeremiah Yap

Kingdom Family Unlimited

March 14, 2019 By webcrew

In my desire to empower NLRC churches to live in the culture of faith to the maximum belief in our God who does even the impossible, we seem to be set back by what happened to a few people close to us who were hit by serious illnesses. Despite much prayer believing for their recovery, they passed on. To some of us, there was disappointment and to others, we realized we don’t understand everything. Only God knows all things including past, present and what lies ahead of us. We have to yield to the Lord, still trusting Him that He knows best.

In the reality of loss of precious saints among us to illnesses, does it mean we do not pray for thesick? It can’t be. Our experience did not match God’s Word, but it does not mean God’s Word is not true. It is a moment of applying my initial three faith principles that I taught in January.

One, our belief in the Lord is greater than doubt. We see our capacity to be victorious like Job in the Bible. Job had received from God a double portion in the end.

Two, establish a conviction that God is God. We yield to Him with a conviction of faith like the biblical Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. All of them were promoted by God.

Thirdly, let us commit to the Lord, entrust Him with our burden, and carry on with what we have to do in the present. I like to enlarge on these points that lead us to where our ultimate commitment lies.

It might be true the enemy was up to no good and afflicting God’s people. But we must hold strongly to the conviction that Christ had defeated the devil. He may discourage God’s people but we’re never defeated. Christ’s victory at the Cross and Resurrection remains absolute truth. The devil seeks often to intimidate God’s people, but we remain committed to the truth that Jesus had ascended to heaven and is seated with the Father, and we’re also seated with him in our spiritual status. Despite what may happen in the physical and natural, eternal and heavenly realities must pre-occupy our minds so that we may not be purely earth-bound. It is in renewing our minds as such that we will arise in faith to set a faith atmospherefor victory and power of the Holy Spirit. When we arise in this way, our heavenly Father finds faith in us. This is commitment with loyalty, honour, reverence and our faithfulness to the Lord despite our circumstances. No matter what, we trust that God is faithful to us by covenant and He continues to guide and lead us in the yet to be accomplished victories of faith that we will have. There are still mountains to conquer. We will move forward because no matter what, in Christ, we are STILL AHEAD!

I believe things that happen at the beginning of 2019 are paving our faith for victory for the rest of the year. Past lids on our thinking and faith are being lifted. Mental veils that obstruct faith are torn. Let us march on in faith. Do not let our feelings get in the way. Most of all, must not keep our minds on negatives about God and people. Empty negatives so that we accommodate positive thoughts about God. See the good around us, in happenings and in people, because with Jesus in us, we can always say, “It is good, it is good!!!”

Love,

Jeremiah Yap

DUMAI MISSION TRIP

November 15, 2018 By webcrew

In NLRC, mission trips are one of the ways of intentional discipleship. Our members learn and grow more when their faith and spirituality are exercised when serving the Lord Jesus on the mission field. There, they testify, preach and pray for people. To do that, they prepare, pray towards and write their script thoughtfully. It is in the field that they overcome themselves and rely on Jesus and the Holy Spirit to fill them and work through them. One mission trip helps us learn more than many classroom lessons. Below is a report on our recent trip to Dumai, Sumatra, Indonesia. This trip is significant for us all. I had opportunities to reflect with the team and learnt much from them. To the Dumai pastors, their remark on the weekend was “Luar Biasa!”

God’s Victory Seminar in Dumai
[22 – 24 September 2018] report by Bee Long

The team on this mission trip to Dumai comprises seven (7) members: Pr Jeremiah Yap (team leader), Joanna Patrick Wee, Celine, Ben Kho and Ryan (all first timers to Dumai) and Geok Choo plus yours truly (our second trip). Each of us went for a different reason. During the final meet up to pray for the Dumai mission, Pr Jeremiah Yap prophesied over those present encouraging us to see what God could do through us.

Pr Jeremiah Yap had prepared messages pertaining to Principles of Life in God’s Victory. Pr Jeremiah Yap wanted the team to minister to the people at the end of all the three services so we had to be charged up spiritually, looking forward to some victories.

The first meeting was with about 300 of the Dumai youths held at GBI (Gereja Bethel Indonesia). The Youth Celebration was led by a local worship leader, pint-sized but powerful. The worship atmosphere was indeed God-charged. Ben recalled being totally soaked in the presence of God as if he was joining the angels in heaven worshipping our Father! Ryan was filled with the Spirit and spoke in tongues for the first time. Praise the Lord!

Ben started by testifying how God helped him realize his dreams, from a life of poverty and scarcity to having a successful career and wonderful life. Next, Celine shared openly with the youths experiences from her “prodigal” past, yet with much contrition. I felt the youths related very well to Celine’s sharing. Pr Jeremiah shared a brief message on the Parable of the Prodigal Son. During the altar call he prayed for the youths who came out in droves, sobbing loudly, repenting before God. God took over sovereignly as our team members obeyed in taking bold steps to pray, comfort and show God’s love by hugging the young ones who responded to the altar call. Many were slain under the power of the Holy Spirit. That night, we saw the story of the Prodigal Son enacted before our eyes as we took on the role of the father going towards the youths embracing them and affirming their status as the beloved children of God. We believe a new generation of youth was birthed and called to serve God boldly in their community and beyond. Ryan said he had never been to a meeting with such a powerful move of the Holy Spirit.

At the second meeting in NLRC Dumai, Geok Choo recalled her conversion experience and shared how she obediently followed her late mother to church and only accepted the Lord many years later as she saw God’s faithfulness and goodness to her family. Pr Jeremiah Yap continued the second installment of the Prodigal Son. At this round of the altar call we witnessed the power of the Holy Spirit working on the church families as the young and elderly came before the Lord to restore right relationship with Father God. Pastor also prayed blessings over the church leaders to empower and release them into greater ministries in Dumai and challenged them to serve even further afield, away from home. Wow!

In the afternoon, we tried to rest before the finale that evening, the city-wide open meeting for the Dumai folks from churches and the community. By 8.00pm about 800 people had gathered. Joanna shared how God answered her prayer for healing and financial provision. Ryan shared how God miraculously provided a much needed job and finance and how God restored his marriage.

Pr Jeremiah Yap gave his all after proclaiming from 2 Chronicles 20 that the battle belongs to the Lord. Pastor called out prophetically a few health issues affecting the congregation and prayed for healing. He invited all the pastors present that night to come out to receive blessings. Half way praying, guess what, showers came! We got the worship team to sing a song, coincidently a line from the song declared that we were trampling on the enemy. When the song ended, so did the rain! Some pastors (from other churches) who had at first displayed a guarded and even hostile front melted and approached us to shake our hands and thanked us at the end of the service. I felt something broke in the spiritual realm and hopefully, the men would take up their rightful leadership; and Dumai churches and leaders will work together for a greater harvest to God’s glory.

At the R&R Celine shared how she broke out of her shell, plucked up courage and testified before a crowd, prayed for people. She even got healed herself that evening of a backache. Ryan too obeyed and prayed for different ones. He himself was wonderfully gifted with speaking in tongues and a stronger faith in God. Ben put his work challenges aside to serve God on mission and was rewarded with a new connection in the inner man with God through high praise and worship. Joanna sharpened her ministry of interpretation from English to Bahasa. Geok Choo, although from Cheras NLRC joined our PJ team and proved that New Life families in the Kingdom can serve together effectively. As for me, I could see clearly how God’s presence was able to minister to the various people I prayed for. Praise God! On this trip, we learned on the job to pray, release words of comfort and encouragement. More importantly, we learned to rely on the Holy Spirit and stretched our faith to believe for miracles for ourselves and for others. I’m certain Dumai NLRC too experienced a spiritual lift and the pastors are now emboldened to do greater works like never before. To God be the Glory!

Pr. Jeremiah Yap
November 2018

SECOND WIND

September 15, 2018 By webcrew

On May 9thMalaysia saw a new government ushered in. Some called it a “New Malaysia”. Malaysian churches prayed for it. God’s grace and mercy gave the nation a fresh wind. Personally, I believe we are entering a second wind. It is in the air. It is up to us to rise up to move in this second wind. Don’t miss the opportunity, before another storm takes over. This second wind I am thinking of includes these components:

New governance in the nation that is responsible and righteous in God’s sight, and evil abated
New opportunities for blessings and businesses to ride on the new political climate
New responsibilities as missional churches by Asians for Asia; a growing vision among Asian Leaders in recent years. We increase momentum in what we have already started.

Vital for the second wind is a CULTURE of PRAYER. Intensified prayer makes the above realities.

First Call to Prayer: pray for the Nation

It is easy for people to stop praying after GE14. That would be a huge mistake. A pastor friend of mine says ‘Don’t stop now!’We cannot presume that old agendas that had stifled the nation had ebbed away. If the new government is halted after its first term, without the time to correct past ills, the jubilation of newness would be short-lived. If churches intensify prayer, the Lord will finish what He’d started. Pray for the nation whenever you meet, in Life/cell groups or in church meetings.

Second Call to Prayer: pray for leaders

I made this call recently. The call is to pray for lead pastors, pastors and leaders of our churches. I had explained to the Pastors and in one prayer group on ‘why’. Please implement this in your churches.

Third Call to Prayer: pray for heads of families at home and in the marketplace

Here, I make this third call. Please gather as hubs of people to pray for heads of families, business people, and corporate figures who are influential in their respective arenas. As they are covered in prayer, protected from the evil one, they may continue to be a blessing to their families, their church and the society. It is intentional prayer with others for such covering and fruitfulness that lifts us to a higher vision than just the home being blessed and have a happy family. I do wish for happy families. But I wish our New Life Churches to have MISSIONAL FAMILIES: families that are blessed and are able to be in God’s missions in Asia and the nations – our own mission fields, or pioneer others.

Asia Missions by Asians

Asians have characteristics that God can use. Asians excel in hospitality and generosity. Because you sow, you will reap. Malaysians are obedient, communal in culture, and are in God’s end-time harvest of souls in Asia. Malaysians have a definite place in God’s plan for Asia. I am catching this wind. I want to lead all of New Life Restoration Churches in this second wind of God’s revival move in Asia. I hope you will believe this with me and upgrade your spiritual development to a higher and wider vision. Discipleship for God’s higher purpose is needed in your private life.

God bless you all,

Pr. Jeremiah Yap
September 2018

Uplifting the Great Almighty God in the Nation of Malaysia

April 15, 2018 By webcrew

In the upcoming General Elections, GE14, when political speeches and flags of political parties are flying everywhere, we should raise, exalt and extol the standard of God’s Kingdom higher. The Lord Jesus, whose Name is above every name must be exalted high above our nation. Believers in Christ ought to praise and worship the Lord in exuberant faith acknowledging God who is King above all kingdoms. The Spirit of the living God reigns supreme.

To release the work of the Holy Spirit and God’s angels to permeate the uttermost corners of the nation during GE14 so that His righteousness, peace and joy (Rom 14:17) prevail in Malaysia, Jesus and the Father must be exalted by our faith. Below are some pointers I have asked Brother Cheam to give us regarding GE14. I like for all our NL members to take note.

Kingdom Blessings,

Rev. Jeremiah Yap

GE14, WHAT SHOULD WE DO?

GO OUT AND VOTE

Your vote is your most sacred right as a citizen of Malaysia, enshrined in the Constitution. You get to exercise it only once in five (5) years. So go and exercise it.

Do not let anyone tell you your vote is not important and does not matter at all.

Go out and vote. Vote for the future of our beloved Malaysia.

On voting day, go out early in full force to vote to prevent any possible untoward happenings, e.g. like someone misappropriating your right to vote by voting on your behalf without your consent or knowledge.

ENCOURAGE EVERYONE TO VOTE

Do not just vote. Walk the extra mile. Encourage all your family members, your neighbours, your friends, your office mates and everyone you come into contact with to vote. Those who do not have transport, volunteer your assistance. Be a helper. Be an encourager.

COME HOME AND VOTE

Last GE13, I challenged my many overseas friends who were very super vocal to come home and vote. Actions speak louder than words. To my delight many accepted my challenge and did come home to vote. Yes, every vote counts. Come home and make a difference. Make a sacrifice.

How about postal votes?

I would encourage all to cast their votes in person as far as possible.

CHECK AND RECHECK YOUR POLLING STATION

With the very recent redelineation of constituency boundaries please make sure you check and recheck where you are supposed to vote. Many have found their polling stations changed. Check it today. Check again a week before polling date. If possible, check again the night before polling date.

BE A POLLING or COUNTING AGENT (PACA)

Volunteer as a polling or counting agent. Be a watchman for GE14. As a PACA, we can help to ensure a clean and fair election.

How can you assist? Sign up today as a polling and counting agent.

What does a polling agent do? A polling agent observes the electoral process, ensure that every voter that comes in is truly a registered voter in the roll.

What does a counting agent do? A counting agent observes the counting process to ensure that counting process is fair.

In the end, it is up to the voters to make the decision. The politicians have played their role in the past five years but it is the voters who will write the next chapter of Malaysian history.

Vote wisely. Vote for the future of our beloved Malaysia. Vote for the future of our children. We, Malaysian citizens whovote, will write the next chapter of Malaysian history.

“Be the light and give light to everyone in the house” (Matthew 5:15)

God bless Malaysia.

L S Cheam

Year of Kingdom Family Spectrum in Kobe, Japan

December 15, 2017 By webcrew

I see Kingdom Family Spectrum worked out as a blessing to the nations, in this case in Japan. This year, Pastor Lawrence, Lip Yee and team helped the Kobe Bible Fellowship (KBF) in pioneering cell groups. This initiative has been well received. I believe it contributes to the apostolic vision of the Great Commission and helps Pastor Rob’s desire for revival in Japan. Cell group is a key to pastoring revival.

As the year passed, Pastor Rob became very ill again, stricken with cancer. We were told a prophetic word given him in our September 2016 mission trip about his destiny for Japan, sustained him. Pastor Rob said “there was not a wasted word in that prophecy. Every word was fulfilled”. At 9.00am on 23 September 2017 Jesus vindicated for him. He bounced back to life. Apostolic authority in prayer and kingdom destiny overcame cancer and death!

This November trip was an eye opener for my family, Kar Sum and Vivian. We not only saw the spectrum of gifts in operation, we heard many testimonies from Pr Rob, Rachel, Pr Akira, Pr Katsumi and others, of how God was so real. Upon a prophecy on angelic presence, they opened up and shared of angelic symphony in their prayer time with 30 people on February 28th. This stretches our vision for Spectrum of Kingdom Blessings! Heavenly visitation was truly something else! I sense KBF is very much a part of Japan’s revival. Rob told me, his internet sermons are now heard by 10000 listeners. He announced that NLRC appeared whenever they faced difficult times in the last 9 years. NLRC is privileged to be part of all these!

Kingdom Family Spectrum of gifts displayed in the apostolic and prophetic; cultural items and contributions by way of Satay, Bak-kut-teh, etc., forevangelistic outreach; puppetry and wayang kulit for teaching; first visit by Prs. Ron and Lawrence; were all memorable to them. This spectrum of gifts shows the value of NLRC people as they step into our New Life vision of “Blessing the Nations”. But Kingdom Family Spectrum is not only in gifts. It is also the spectrum of relationships formed between Japanese and Malaysians – among NLRC-KBF pastors and our members. I gave them our “R n R” (Reflect and Refocus) pastoral key that has sustained us for 36 years. Now, they start their own “R n R” meetings to build relationship and communication.

Everything is a spectrum: gifts, relationships, faith for revival and miracles, evangelism and business people in kingdom success and service. My encouragement to KBF and now to us, in a scale of 1 to 10, is to see us growing towards 10. For example, if we have faith to pray for the sick, grow our passion to 10. If families are growing well, go for 10. Growing our spectrums in life experiences gives joy and strength to our family and the Church Family.

Rev. Jeremiah Yap

December 2017

Testimonies from Kobe Mission Team

I went to this trip being encouraged that I should practise hearing the word of God for people. As the Saturday seminar began, a lady caught my eye. I thought to myself that God must have a word for her but I didn’t know what. I did not tell anyone. When the seminar began, my dad (Pr J) started to prophesy on her. Then I knew that was it! Even though I didn’t know what God wanted to say, I felt a little excited that I was on my first small step to hearing God.

During the Sunday international service, Pr. J addressed and acknowledged the Holy Spirit before we sang the song “Holy Spirit”. We sang it very simply but every single one of us in the team and the congregation from the bottom pews to those upstairs told us they felt the tangible presence of the Spirit. Some cried because they felt so touched. He came into our midst as we worshipped God. I learnt how important it was to acknowledge the Holy Spirit. Without Him that service would not be as powerful as it was. Praise the Lord.

~ Eunice Yap

It was my first time to Japan, so I was excited to get a glimpse of the Japanese culture and meet the people of KBF church. Throughout the trip, we had the privilege of hearing from Pr Rob and Pr Akira of their experiences of the angelic visitations during worship and the miracle healing of Pr Rob that took place over this year. I was very uplifted when I heard their stories of the supernatural.

Pr J (my Dad) taught on the importance of understanding and living in the Kingdom of God beyond just doing church. While we each shared our testimonies and also some songs, I felt the presence of God strongly during the worship time. So did our team and the church at KBF.

This Kobe trip showed me the Spirit’s power in connecting the Body of Christ. KBF being a Presbyterian church is different to NLRC. From their testimonies of prayer and prophesies, we saw how the power of the Holy Spirit transcends barriers of cultural and denominational differences, enabling the deeper connections not achievable by any other means. ~ Stephen Yap

On this second trip to KBF, I could feel a deeper level of fellowship with our KBF friends. Pr. Rob shared with the KBF congregation that under God’s divine plan, New Life has been there for them at different junctures of their walk.

All the past mission trips conducted by New Life over the last 9-10 years that began with friendship-building have allowed our team to also to participate and experience the move of God in Japan. I could feel the presence of God tangibly during the worship sessions and Pr. Jeremiah’s messages. Peace and joy have uplifted my whole being with a sense of purpose.

This reminded me of the Book of Acts about Apostle Paul preaching the Gospel, establishing churches and encouraging congregations through visitations and written letters. This mission trip highlighted to me that there is more to God’s Kingdom beyond our own church walls and God could use partnerships and team work to build the Kingdom of God on earth. ~ Wong Kar Sum

This trip allowed me to see God’s healing miracle in Pr Rob. When we were there in Kobe, he was able to eat, stand, walk and drive when previously he was so weak at the hospital ( in July when the other Malaysian team was there). We trust God for his full recovery, Amen.

It was amazing to hear about the angelic visitation in KBF back in February 2017. Pr Rob and some church members experienced the presence of angels in their midst church members experienced the presence of angels in their midst during one of their prayer meetings. Their experience gave me a glimpse of Kingdom of Heaven on earth.

It was evident that the KBF members were very comfortable with our Malaysian team as there were altogether 30 of us during the final night’s dinner and fellowship! ~ Soon Vi Vian

REACHING THE HIGHEST AUTHORITY, TOUCHING OUR CLOSEST LOVED ONES: KINGDOM FAMILY

July 7, 2017 By webcrew

How to use the book KINGDOM FAMILY?

This book tells you…

Kingdom Family is life in God’s Kingdom that pertains to God’s highest authority as the King of kings in the affairs of those who belong to Him, His citizens, ambassadors, royal children (lineage), His Kingdom servants, and enforcers of God’s righteous rule.

This means the dad the authority figure of the family – under God’s Open Heaven, and aligned under it – is in the line of God’s spiritual authority and heavenly blessings that flow into his wife and children in his family. The family is closest to anyone’s heart.

Your family is close to God’s heart too because the existence of your family was His idea. He knew each one of your family. Your family is His Kingdom Family. Satan knows you inherit His kingdom, so he seeks to block your family from prospering in health and in your soul (3 John 2). Imagine what happens when you tap into God’s spiritual authority and power, living to carry out the righteous work of God into your family and your world? Nothing the enemy intends to hinder you in God’s plan and destiny shall prosper. Your life victories and divine favours will make you God’s light!

My friends Russell and Carolyn gave me this testimony last Sunday. Their business had not done well toward the end of last year. Learning this power of speaking blessing over their business, it grew and income increased. They had submitted to the KING and allowed Him to use their faith, faithfulness and voice to speak God’s intention of Kingdom victory over their business. They praised the Lord for the power of blessing over their business by their utterance as heads of the family.

My dream is for our NLRC churches to be in the highest rung of spiritual significance with God in the spiritual realm. KINGDOM FAMILIES are in the vision of human welfare in God’s economy, and in a love-empowered Christian community which serves God together fruitfully. Everyone have storms in life but with the KING in your faith, and the power of authoritative prayer, you will have peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Roman 14:17).

Pastor David Keys asked me how he can use this book KINGDOM FAMILY with his church. My response is for our church members to read the book for themselves. The church may select only eight chapters to focus on, for example, the chapters on destiny, family as emotional units, 5 aspects of Kingdom Family Culture, and Hubs of God’s Presence. If they can implement these dimensions in the church members’ families, they will grow to be a Kingdom Church!!! NLRC churches, you can apply yourselves in the same way.

Love,

Pastor Jeremiah Yap

July 2017

Kingdom Family Spectrum defined

January 31, 2017 By webcrew

Kingdom Family Spectrum defined

The church is God’s manifold wisdom (Ephesians 3:10). His glory is diverse and colourful, and He wants to shine through us. Spectrum is used here to mean diversity of God’s colourful glory.

This is possible especially when we live in His Word. The Word of God is like a mirror (James 1:23). It is also like cleansing water (Ephesians 5:26). His word is living water (John 4:10). When God’s pure light casts upon a mirror or a body of water, a spectrum is established. When we have the Word of God hidden in us, God’s light creates a spectrum of His technicolour glory in His blessings, favour, miracles, goodness and mercy, in and through our life. These glorify Him. On the contrary, when our life is dull and pale, He is not glorified.

The Bible shows us things that are described as a range. (‘spectrum’)

For example, love is described in a range/diversity of meanings: agape (God’s love expressed by action, obedience, not feeling; example John 3:16, as in Christ’s sacrifice), phileo (friendship love, emotional; example John 11:3, as in Jesus and Lazarus), eros (marriage love, emotional), and storge (family love; example Romans 12:10 as in brotherly love).

Another example is prayer. In the Bile, we see prayer is asking God for needs met. We also see prayer as petition to a righteous judge to vindicate against the evil one; as meditative thoughtful yearnings in the heart when even words are unable to utter; and then there are occasions when prayer comes out as declarations, proclamations or decrees.

God is shown to us as Creator of the Universe, Husband to Israel, Judge that spares no evil in the Old Testament, God of grace in the New Testament, God of all good at Eden, a friend to Moses and Abraham, King of kings, Father of Jesus, our heavenly Father and provider.

Jesus is shown to us as Saviour, Emmanuel (God with us), advocate, redeemer, Christ the Messiah, the coming King, Son of God, and the firstborn of all creation, our brother and friend to us, healer, deliverer, Word made flesh, wonderful counsellor, prince of peace, mighty God, everlasting Father.

The Holy Spirit is shown to us as helper, teacher, guide, power, God, counsellor and comforter.

There are so many facets of God and diversity of His works that await manifestations in and through us. I believe God’s Kingdom is manifested most in relationships. That is why God brings about His Kingdom by referring to Himself not only as King but also Father in heaven (as in the Lord’s Prayer). God’s Kingdom is executed on earth through the family and the church (which incidentally, is also a family, God’s Family).

Through acceptance and appreciating one another as in a family, God is able to release the gifts and talents, personalities and uniqueness of everyone to fit into His giant jig-saw puzzle of His big, grand picture of His Kingdom purposes on earth.

Everyone is born with God’s intentions and destiny. There is a book of our destiny pre-determined in heaven even before we were born. It is our duty to know and live out our destiny. Being saved and go to heaven is too basic and insufficient. Being blessed just to attend church and have a religion is too uninformed. You have a purpose in God that only you can fulfil. Together with others, we fit into God’s plan for the ages for His Kingdom of heaven to come upon earth in the fullness of His technicolour glory. He wants to glorify Himself in and through you. You are important to His divine purpose.

Love,

Pastor Jeremiah Yap