Sunday, 3rd May 2020
Rev Daniel Xi An Poon
Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. (Philippians 4:11-13)
Life is not easy and there will always be challenges coming along the way. Today Rev Daniel shared with us what we can do in a difficult situation.
1) TO BE CONTENT
Like what it says in Philippians 4, we should be content in all situation, it doesn’t happen naturally because it’s human nature to worry when we face challenges and hardship. We need to learn to be content always.
In journeys often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils of my own countrymen, in perils of the Gentiles, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; in weariness and toil, in sleeplessness often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness… (II Corinthians 11:26-27)
A lot of things may happen in life and we may always wonder why certain things happen. In Genesis 39:23, it says “he keeper of the prison did not look into anything that was under Joseph’s authority, because the Lord was with him; and whatever he did, the Lord made it prosper.” Even in the prison, Joseph was able to find favours of God and of people.
We must find gold in the rubbish. There will always be things that put us down, but if we choose to focus on God, we will start to notice there are a lot of treasures He has already given to us in life!
2) TO ADJUST LIFE FOCUS
What is our focus? The focus brings motivation and if we focus on the right things, we will be motivated in going toward the directions God wants us to go! In God there is always hope and if we have the right life focus, we will find hope in God in everything we do. Our focus should not be from our own will but something God wants us to do.
And He said to them, “Why did you seek Me? Did you not know that I must be about My Father’s business?” (Luke 2:49)
Jesus knew well that He needed to focus on what God wants Him to do, even when He was just a child! It’s the same for us, God’s ultimate focus for us should be bearing the fruits from the tree of life and to save souls!
I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. (John 9:4)
When we have adjusted our focus, we will see hope and we will be motivated to work day and night to complete the mission from God! Because we know the night is coming, and we should have no time to lose! This is also why it’s important to have morning prayer and devotions so we can put our focus back to God in the beginning of the day.
Jesus has set an example in Matthew 12:46-50, when His mother and brothers visited Him during His preaching, He knew what His focus was during that time. Jesus loved and respected His mother but He also knows what the Heavenly Father wanted Him to do at that time!
The enemy will play tricks in our mind and tried to take away our focus from where God leads us. We should not give ourselves excuses such as to wait until we are ready, or to wait for the right timing. Everything comes from God and when He said it’s time then we will take the opportunity right away!
The vision God has given to Bread of Life South Auckland in 2020 is to arise and shine. It’s God’s signal for us to walk out of our caves, our comfort zone, build a house on the Rock, which is Jesus, and never be shaken!
3) TO KNOW GOD IS OUR HELP
God has given each of us a lot of talents and gifts, not for us to gamble in this world, but to use them in the right place and the right time. God’s plan is to prosper us and never to harm us, but the enemy will tell us lies, give us worries, and take our focus away from God.
Therefore it’s important to remember all the testimonies we have experienced or heard about God, because if God has done it before, then He can definitely do it again and again!
Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (I Samuel 7:12)
Samuel remembered what God has done for the Israelite, and knew that God will do it again!
Our soul has escaped as a bird from the snare of the fowlers; The snare is broken, and we have escaped. Our help is in the name of the Lord, Who made heaven and earth. (Psalm 124:7-8)
God’s Name is powerful, and we need to know that God is our help! Rev Daniel shared with us three ways we can practice to let God’s help to come in our lives!
A. Rejoice in the Lord EVERYDAY
B. Resist the Devil EVERYDAY
C. Walk with the Lord EVERYDAY
“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” (Deuteronomy 29:29)
The secret of the Lord is waiting for us to unlock, Jesus has overcome this world and we don’t need to be afraid or worried. So let us take this authority boldly and reveal the secret from Heaven!