Hearing from Pastor J

To see how one complements the other in a marriage, look at Pastor Patrick and Bee Long. Most are familiar with Pastor Patrick because he is at the front in ministry. Let me introduce Bee Long. Apparently at the back, she is by no means a laid back person. She is a very effective professional teacher and is at the top in her profession. Very thoughtful, stable, faithful and dependable in anything entrusted to her.

Both pioneered our first two NLRC Chinese churches. Both are pastoral at heart and are still at it since their early start with us in 1980’s. Bee Long is one of our first converts in her university days. I still remember how she was “matched” to Patrick in the church that was in Damansara Utama by the Lord in an interesting way. We “gave her away” on her wedding day from our home to be married to Patrick. This is special and it brings back a good fond memory. It is great to see the family has grown up. Enjoy their testimony on kingdom family…….

Love,

Pastor Jeremiah Yap

 

Kingdom Family Culture

By Pr Patrick Lai & Bee Long

In our world, all earthly kingdoms indicate a measure of either past or present possession of real power or control over a domain. And since God called us a “royal priesthood” (1 Peter 2:9), there must be some real substantial power innate in us, his children, and we are called to possess and inherit the nations (Psalm 2:8). In the Kingdom of God, we have only ONE KING – the Lord of Lords and King of Kings- the Lord Jesus Christ, and we are to surrender all our rights and wrongs to his sovereignty. For us, the little ‘royals’, herein lies the work cut out – how do we live out a surrendered life in the kingdom?

As Pr Jeremiah has proclaimed Kingdom annual themes, the deeper one delves into the subject of Kingdom Life, there is no escaping the reality of spiritual power and warfare. When our daughter Grace was born, as a young father, I had to learn to exercise my responsibility as the spiritual headship over the family especially when my first born was very ill while in infancy, very much related to the onset of haze, a new phenomenon in the 1990s. Sensing there was a tussle in the spiritual realm, Pr J and leaders rallied in prayer with Bee Long and me as young parents, fighting and asserting our authority in Christ, and Grace recovered from prolonged bouts of coughs and pneumonia. Those were early days of Kingdom reality.

But Kingdom parenthood was not without some fun in everyday life. In the early days of our bi-vocational ministry, we travelled weekly with our babies, Grace and Elise, in Klang valley and sometimes further afield, on week nights and Sundays. For mobile convenience, we had the biggest and sturdiest baby potty which travelled with us when the girls were young. Although Patrick was not much of a driver, but for family reunions on Chinese New Year, we travelled from Johor to Perak every CNY, and we had worship song sessions in the car as they grew up on those trips and we listened to our favourite cassettes, CDs on songs and musicals. Bee Long was good with babies, remarked some other ladies. It was no wonder the girls had good early childhood. And I (Patrick), on the other hand, had to learn fast as a father as the years flew by, when babies turned into young ladies almost overnight.

On hindsight, we have much to be thankful for, Grace and Elise learnt much about God and his presence in the local body of believers, built friendships,  found their spiritual mooring as they commit themselves to Lord, the church, be it at children church or youth church level. They learnt discipleship through participation and leading. And each has found her niche in church ministry and has her own mission stories to tell. Grace went on mission to Sri Lanka in her teen years without us when the Tamil Tigers were still a real military threat with their suicide bombers, and Elise had one month teaching experience with Peribumi children, living among the Penans in Borneo jungles. Bee Long and I can’t emphasize enough the role of parents – working with the local church leadership and body of believers that has benefited our family – to be found in the family of God.

(Psalm 84:10) Better is one day in your courts than a thousand elsewhere; I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of the wicked.

Application:

1. What do you understand from the verse 1 Peter 2:9 about who we are in God’s eye?

(NIV) But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

2. What are some fun memories for your family when children were growing up?

3. How do you think 1 Peter 2:9 & Psalm 84:10 apply to you personally and in your family life relating to church life? 

 

This month Pastor Jeffrey and Jaecie Lam writes regarding Kingdom Family. I congratulate them on this insightful write-up. Both Jeffrey and Jaecie are our home grown servants of God. Born-again in the house, raised up as leaders in the house and plant our Cheras English church within our New Life Household. They are our son and daughter indeed! I remember their early days of conversion and courtship well, even today.

I have seen them grow through stages of their lives as a couple. Some stages were very difficult. There were moments of great loss and grief, and moments of great transformation in their lives be they emotional strengthening, mental maturing or financial tenacity. Most of all, they grew spiritually through their thick and thin. They have weathered through much and are still on top, serving the Lord faithfully. Now you know why we are proud of them.

I believe they are into a new season of God’s grace and favour. So will be their church in Cheras. The fruit of their ministry is in their people. The quality of the members in their maturity and willingness to shoulder ministry in and out of the church have been visible. They are building kingdom families in a kingdom church.

God bless them and NLRC Cheras and we thank the Lord we are together in the greater NLRC FAMILY.

Love,

Pastor Jeremiah Yap

 

Kingdom Family – Our Perspective

By Pr. Jeffrey & Jaecie Lam

God’s Kingdom Living has its fundamental emphasis in relationships – between us & God the Father, between us & God the Son in Jesus, between one another in the faith and with relating the Great commission to the unsaved people of the earth.

Let us be reminded that we are living in the last days where the evil one seems to be winning – more broken homes, high rate of divorces even amongst believers, unashamed immorality, high suicides rates etc. The point is, it is not the time for ‘business as usual’ for Christians. We must choose where our priority is, for us & our family, and we must choose now. Do not wait for calamity to strike our loved ones before we run after Christ. The challenge Joshua threw to the believers then, is as much in our face even today:

“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.” (Joshua 24:15)

And yet amidst all the challenges, the blessings that come from Heaven’s Kingdom into our families remain overwhelming. Please refer Deuteronomy Chapter 28 for a list of these blessings, albeit a non-exhaustive list.

Our personal experiences of Kingdom Family Living

Role-modelling of fundamental Christian values were more impactful when our two children were still young, probably up to 12 years of age.  Family altars, scripture memorising, bible-story telling & play-acting were well received & left deep impressions then. As they approached their teenage years, there probably were more misses than hits though.

As parents of two teenage children, when confrontation was met with rebellion, we just clung on to the grace of God and be in earnest united prayer and kept trying to help them grow in God. Sending them to Christian youth camps & workshops did help tremendously. Another helpful way was to surround them with godly Christian peers who will be their friends. And reading their Facebook postings helped us to get a glimpse of what was happening in their lives. We tried to be alert to their teachable moments, like conversations over mealtimes, whilst travelling together or watching their TV programmes with them.

On the other hand, our children can help us grow too. We’d seek their reflection of the Sunday service, from their perspective, so as to help correct any misconception, and to help ascertain what point is important to emphasise in our sermon application.

We need to ensure our home atmosphere is always hospitable & a safe-haven for all always – for our kids, their friends & the members of the church & especially the pre-believers.  We are grateful that, by our example, many have felt loved & have become faithful in church. And lastly, with teenagers, be always prepared to forebear broken porcelains … with a wide smile!

Reflection:

1.    What are two Christian values you are still struggling to practise?  Be painfully honest if you would.

2.    Share two disappointments & two successes you encountered in your quest to strengthen ties in your family.

New Life Restoration Centre started with six people. Besides my wife Susan and I, there was Pastor Joshua Lee, now our Pastor of Shah Alam English Church. Out of the six, three left to work in Singapore.

Joshua stayed through the years of early challenges in church planting. He and his twelve string guitar formed our orchestra in our seedling church. He later married Yin Chun, a wonderful Sister whom we appreciate and love. Pastor Joshua, whom we also fondly called Pastor Chin Ban, has been faithful and wonderfully fruitful in the Lord, not only in his career as an Financial Controller in his company, and Pastor, he has also been effective as a family person.

Yin Chun must be acknowledged too. Both have raised a family with two sons having their own careers and also walking closely with the Lord and serving Him. A quality that is most amazing about Joshua is that he never failed to stay positive, no matter what happens. His faith in Jesus has taken him through his entire journey of life with a powerful testimony. He is a great encouragement to many of us in NLRC, and many more out in his world.

God bless,

Pastor Jeremiah Yap

May 2016

The Value of Kingdom Life & Kingdom Family

By Pr Joshua & Yin Chun Lee

The Value of Kingdom Life and Kingdom Family

Psalm 128
1 Blessed are all who fear the Lord, who walk in obedience to him.
2 You will eat the fruit of your labor; blessings and prosperity will be yours.
3 Your wife will be like a fruitful vine within your house; your children will be like olive shoots around your table.
4 Yes, this will be the blessing

Psalm 128 lays the foundation of Kingdom life and family.  It begins with an exhortation of making a personal commitment, walking in obedience to the written Word with promises of fruitful labor, blessings and prosperity, which are the hallmark values of Kingdom life.

In verse 3, the psalmist begins talking about family. When families are centered on God, the family unit is strengthened. Strong families make strong churches, and strong churches can have a powerful impact on society.

Our Story

In our personal journey with God as a couple, we found marriage courses to be extremely helpful, e.g. United Marriage Encounter, Durrano schools, and various others. We endeavored to pray and read the bible together as a family and took time to go on holidays on a regular basis to strengthen the family ties.

Our children, Jason & Joel, were raised in Sunday school and served in worship, youth and young adults ministries.

The guidance of Christian teachers in school also played a key role in nurturing their faith in God. The school that Jason & Joel attended had a strong Christian fellowship. Coming from various churches, they banded together in early morning prayer and fellowship, and encouraging one another to excel in studies. These Christian kids played active roles in sports and clubs such as the Scout movement, Young Entrepreneur’s Clubs, Red Crescent etc. and made remarkable impact with their Christian outlook and good works.

The strong fellowship among believers in school continued when the boys started working, and many kept in touch and became active in Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship and Graduates Christian Fellowship. Jason initiated a mentoring program (M2- Emerging Leaders Mentoring Program) by connecting successful Christian businessmen with the youth to raise up future God fearing leaders of the nation. Joel in turn did a two(2) year teaching program in Teach for Malaysia, an NGO teaching underprivileged children in low performing schools in Malaysia. It was encouraging to note that a high percentage of those participating in the program were Christian teachers with a mission to make a difference in society.

Challenges

As a couple, some of our struggles include balancing the time between church, family and secular work. Having good mentors and support from the New Life family provided useful guidance. Sharing sessions among fellow believers on issues facing our kids such as social media and internet game addiction also helped.

Questions to Ponder:

i) What do you think is the most important factor in building strong relationships?

ii) As parents, in relation to raising children, what mistakes could you have avoided if you can turn back the clock?

As the year progresses, I feel it more and more, that we grow in developing our families in the purpose and power of the kingdom of God. In preaching the gospel, we often offer Jesus as a helper to meet needs and as giver of eternal life. These are truths. This year, our emphasis is for us to know Jesus as one who helps us and meet our needs plus one who grooms us to be useful people for the kingdom of God. To do this meaningfully, primary focus must be given in building our family to be a KINGDOM FAMILY. Our family is not just saved as a household so that we may all go to heaven, we are saved to serve God’s kingdom in society.

Our marriage, family and children should enjoy church life as a beautiful kingdom community. We should also live a kingdom life in God’s righteousness, peace and joy. Most of all we and our children must live with God’s purpose. Life must be meaningful. The Holy Spirit is the one who makes all these possible. Marriage joy, significant dads, fulfilled mums and successful children are totally within our reach in kingdom life. In turn, they influence others in society, at work and school, leaning others to Christ and discipling them in being equally successful and significant.

Yes, it takes learning skills of communication one with another but nothing beats intentional time sharing life together as a family. This is possible when the children are young. When they are grown-ups, time together is harder. It has to be intentional. Make the effort to form a hub-time together as a family, whether around a prayer time, a Bible discussion time or just a family meal time. When we meet and chit-chat, dynamics of relationships take place. It is a precious hub-time.

The following is an article by Sandy and Pastor Yee Onn. They have three fast growing boys, the eldest Ivan, is now in Melbourne studying his foundation year for tertiary education. They have family altar time. Read their article and glean from their experiences as a family that is strongly involved in shepherding and planting churches, living out their kingdom life, and in the goodness, favour and passion for the Lord.

God bless,

Pastor Jeremiah Yap
April 2016

Kingdom Family Culture

By Sandy & Pr Hiew Yee Onn

Kingdom Life is accepting God’s kingship and yielding ourselves totally to His will on earth as it is in heaven.

Living out values of Kingdom family is only feasible when we consistently gather in His name, acknowledging that He rules with His perfect will for all, especially those who look to Him and pray together.

·       Some of the kingdom family values we strive to practice as a family include:

·       Weekly family altar with full participation from all family members in reading, sharing and scripture memories.  As a result, life is transformed, academic results improved, closer family ties, honoring one another (even when we as parents made mistakes, we ask for forgiveness from our children).

·       Speak prayers of blessings to children daily and they came to depend on it as a token of security and a sign of their parents’ continuing love for them.

·       For children facing exam pressures, we have one great testimony of prayers covering for our children during the exam period. I will obtain their exam schedule and paste it on my notice board in front of my bible reading space. This culture of assuring our children that parents remembering them in prayers in each of their exam slots have shown much confidence and better results thus far. I myself was truly amazed at the outcome. Praise the Lord!

·       The funny thing is they like to sit at my devotion desk to study… uttering this “Mum …this place is truly anointed” …somehow they find that this atmosphere of God’s presence attractive and helps they think smartly!!

·       Engaging Holy Spirit in family relationship and aim to live with no regrets.

Relational challenges are real. I can honestly say that obedience to the scriptures to die to self has always been a big challenge for all of us in the family. We and our children may know the scriptures and we do serve in ministry but our humanness will only be revealed when real challenges surface. We can still get temperamental and impatient with one another. For the children, sibling rivalry amidst making comparisons has always been at the top of list of relational challenges. However, God still reigns. When the dusts settled, apologies, reconciliation, mutual assurance and forgiveness are exercised based on the strong bond of love in the family with Holy Spirit as our holiest guest.

As a couple and family, we are amazed as to how the Lord has used us to serve in  church planting, running multiple services and leading a united team of leaders. Would that the key to living out  New Life’s annual themes – being successful in living a kingdom life and flowing into kingdom family – is honoring the presence of God in our life ? This we can testify, His Presence has empowered us to do what are impossible for us to do.

Application:

1.    How to you draw out the hidden qualities in people around you?

2.    What types of serious consequences have you seen happen as a result of reacting in the flesh?

3.    What are the areas of self denial you wish to deal with?

This year, NLRC aims to build our families as kingdom families. This means not only will we be families that desire excellent relationships we wish to build our families to be in God’s kingdom purpose and destiny. This is a call beyond teaching how to be good mums and dads, teens and adolescents. I desire our families to be strong in the Lord in the power of faith as God’s kingdom children, warriors and generals. Such families are aware of the seasons and snares in the world, and are living in achievement, success and significance. In this way, they shine as light for Jesus, as the head and not the tail.

This article below is by Grace and Ron Hee. They have walked with the Lord for many years. Like some others, they helped me plant NLRC since its inception. They started their working and church life almost at the same time. I recalled Grace testified how she gave her entire first salary as her first-fruit to Jesus. That expression of faith was awesome. It is no wonder they have been financially blessed all these years. Over the years I witnessed how Ron and Grace victoriously fought serious illnesses. They are winners. They know the authority and power of kingdom faith. They are a model of kingdom family. Their article below will be an inspiration to you.

Pastor Jeremiah Yap
February 2016

 

Legacy of Faith – Grace & Pr Ron Hee

“God does not have grandchildren”.  With that truth in mind, it was clear in my heart as a young mother that my greatest mission in life was to ensure that Sarah and Nicholas accepted the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.  They could not rely on Ron’s or my faith to enter the Kingdom of God. It was therefore our greatest joy to lead both of them to accept Jesus at ages 5 and 3 respectively at our SS3 home. Is it possible at such a young age?  Answer is yes.

As a family, we included the children in all our church activities and commitments, whether it be Sunday, cell or prayer meetings. Family was church and church was family. When I reflect on all of these now, I just sense joy because it was our family journey together.

In the Hee family, our highlights were always fun in the bed – playing steam rollers (where we took turns to roll over each other), playing ‘snort’ the front loader (where the children get slowly lifted up from our ankles) and reading stories. Initially, it was us parents who did all the reading. As they gained ability to read, we changed the bed time children’s books into family devotionals where each one took turns to read, share and to pray. Those were precious times.

While there were typical stresses of balancing family, church and work life, we were careful to ensure God was in the center of our decisions and activities.  Prayer was central and I recall a night when we had an electricity black-out at home. After lighting up with candles, we started to pray for the lights to return. Nicholas (still toddler) burst into tears. Why?  He didn’t want the electricity to come back because it was fun. His faith in prayer was amazing.

Imparting a legacy of faith required us to constantly pray that God gave us wisdom to guide the children to His destiny purpose, and not to what we as parents wanted.  We were blessed to see our children encounter God in visions, through prophetic words, through Youth camps and through their relationships with church peers.

In their University and career choice, I recall distinctly the Holy Spirit telling me not to make decisions on the children’s future especially studies based on finances. God was clear that he would provide. Provide he did through scholarships for Nicholas’ medical degree, and extraordinary bonuses for Sarah’s degree course in Australia.  While the trend was to seek PR status to get cheaper education overseas, God’s call for us was to live out Philippians 4:19 : my God shall supply all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.

Raising a Kingdom family demands faith, extreme faith to make God real in all that we teach, preach and do.  And I thank God that He never failed us. He kept us in his loving arms through thick and thin. God is good, and He is with us to the 2nd and 3rd generations.

Reflection:

1.    Share your strategy of leaving a legacy of “first hand” faith to your spouse and children

2.    Have you ever asked God about his calling and purpose for each of your family members?

Neglect puts Israel into Lack

The children of Israel neglected building God’s house and focused on their own homes and yet they sowed but did not reap the harvest; earned money but there were holes in their wallets. In their self-focus the spiritual condition shifted against them. They were in slavery, under foreign king and governor. Even the calendar reflects the then foreign rule.

Shifting Time and Season

In the first chapter, Haggai prophesies to Zerubbabel in the second year of King Darius. Zerubbabel was of the lineage of Babel (Babylon). By the second chapter, Haggai’s message was in the feast of tabernacle (October) and reminded them of God’s presence when they got out of Egypt (Hag 2:5).  In the exodus, they were laden with gold and silver. God says there will be shakings, but do not be afraid because God was with them. Silver is His and gold is His. Haggai’s call to build God’s house was well received by Israel and Zerubbabel. I believe this is true of many in God’s church today. There is a spiritual shift for us. So long as we prioritise building His house, even amidst shakings, God will supply gloriously.

Harvest is on, Faith has shifted

In 2015, I notice that increasing number of our churches and our business people experience shift positively from difficulties to results and rewards. There are churches that increase the number of converts and finance. There are some that decrease in number but finance did not decrease. Come end of the year, both types of churches have a witness that God’s blessings are already on. They are anticipating harvest in the New Year. Businesses are also on the path of increasing. While it is not convenient for names to be listed here but these are real. There is a shift in faith and there is confidence of what will come. New endeavours will start by 2016. Seeds of kingdom miracles are sprouting. These seeds grow even though are hidden but come next year all will see the greater glory of God. Harvest is on.

Families protected and blessed

As God’s house is built, His household is blessed. Our physical families partake of the flow of glory in God’s house. We can expect families to be saved for discipleship in our churches. By faith we access God’s protection and blessing according to His promises. We receive from God as He responds to our relationship with Him and our faith in Him.

Pastor Jeremiah Yap