The King is Coming

Maranatha!


At the shout of the archangel,
The host of heaven, trumpets resounding,
My Lord is coming, riding on His white stallion,
The Lord of Hosts, with the army of heaven,
To make war and take home His bride

Eagerly waiting, hearts pounding,
Believers rejoicing and the wicked fearing,
Prophecy and promises, peace and goodwill,
Judgment awaiting, Heaven and earth bowing, exalting,
To the King of Heaven who sits on His eternal throne

Extending His scepter of righteousness, glory of Heaven now settled,
He judges the living and the dead, foes, friends, kings and nations,
Every knee falling, fear and trembling, joy and tears, all still, all who trust
Know we are home, so rejoice and praise, clap your hands, dance for joy,
We are home; we are home to live forever with our Lord and King.

SK

Kingdom Dynamics

The King is coming

We are living in interesting times or should I say a crucial time in the ending chapters of History? As I observe the story of nations and individual lives being unfold, I am really glad to be a believer. Compared to a century ago when people lived and died under monarchies, we are pretty much a blessed generation living in countries where democracy is highly valued. No doubt, democracy is the best form of government man has come up with, but we cannot at the same time deny the immoraltiy, injustice and atrocities of this age. Freedom, Liberty, value for life, are still trampled upon mercilessly. In the past, many a times in friendly discussions I have been asked what is my favorite form of Governance...my answer to that is of course democracy ...but I did remind my friends that personally I'm moving away from it and am waiting for Theocracy...where God is King.

Today I read and memorized Pslams 93 a small psalm, five powerful verses, which give us an insight to the relationship, prophecy and kingdom dynamics the psalmist reveals.

1 The LORD reigns, He is clothed with majesty;

The LORD is clothed, He has girded Himself with strength.
Surely the world is established, so that it cannot be moved.

2Your throne is established from of old;
You are from everlasting.

3The floods have lifted up, O LORD,
The floods have lifted up their voice;
The floods lift up their waves.

4The LORD on high is mightier
Than the noise of many waters,
Than the mighty waves of the sea.

5Your testimonies are very sure;
Holiness adorns Your house, O LORD, forever.
(Psalms 93 NKJV)

The Psalmist declares with saying how the Lord who is King, is clothed in majesty and has established the world. The psalmist welcomes us to the knowledge that the Lord's throne is established from old and is eternal. Oh! so beautifully expressed (prophetic too in nature) ...as christians we believe Jesus our King is returning. He will rule the earth and His Kingdom which is eternal is coming soon with Him. It is indeed a folly to think that we can add or deduct to the glory of God's Kingdom. We also see the psalmist's deep devotional love relationship as he puts his trust on God His King.

Let us also not forget that as a right given to us as God's redeemed, His chosen (whoever believes in His son Jesus) we are to welcome the kingdom rule of God in all our life situations. How do we do that you may ask? This is done by Praise and thanksgiving to Him. "In everything give thanks for this is God's will for you" (1 Thess 5:17). In doing so we are welcoming the overruling power of God's presence into the situations we face. The Lord's prayer also has the lines "Your kingdom come" and "Your will be done". Remember God knows all the angles of our life in any given situation, and any day He knows better.

The Psalmist goes on to tell God that the mighty waves of the sea are rising but at the same time reminds himself again that the The Lord in whom he believes is mightier. Just as Joshua's Praise army, Gideon's trumpeter's and Jeoshapahat's choir overthrew their enemies let us also fill our days, and hours with Praises to our King. As my fellow brother Joe in his blogs puts it 'Don't tell God how big your storms are, tell your storms how big your God is'.
Come friends now is the time to learn the kingdom dynamics and welcome His Kingdom rule in our lives.

Shalom and Blessings,

Travelers

KCR

I live in the part of Hong Kong what is called the New Territories and travel to the main HK Island to work. Hong Kong's excellent transportation facilities ensure that I reach the office in 45 mins. On my way back home the same route takes about 1 hour. To date (even after three years) I have never been able to figure out why it takes 15 mins extra. Anyway, let me not delve into the intricacies of time travel, but come on right to the topic of my post. On the course of my travels I meet many people; being an open and friendly person myself I usually start conversations with strangers I have never met who in turn become friends. Objective for doing so is to get to know a person and an opportunity to tell about Jesus and the eternal life He gives. Though many a times the opportunity to share the message of salvation is not always possible, nevertheless, the experiences have been valuable for me in knowing people from different cultures, races and countries. I will be indebted to these fellow travelers for they have given me a gift of not only friendship, but have shared their experiences, family lives, and an insight to their needs, and an opportunity to keep another traveler in prayer. Among these faces as I recall, a Korean man who works as a General Manager of a company, an African man from Congo living in Shanghai, an Englishman from Durham, a couple from Yorkshire, an Afghani exchange student to Hong Kong, a banker from Taiwan, another African man from Uganda, an Egyptian ...the list will go on, faces of different color, shape and race...all God's children for whom I pray. I think talking to strangers is not a talent, but when one traveler gives the warmth and friendly smile - lasting acquaintances, friendships, impressions, and the possibility for Jesus in you to be made known. All this even on a journey 45 minutes long. I thank the Lord for a job to be done, transportation and fellow travelers.

Shalom and Blessings

Encouragers

In 1 Samuel 14 there is a small story of Jonathan (King Saul's son) and an unnamed young man who was his armor bearer. The scene of this little story begins when Israel is camped at Gibeah in war with its age old enemy the Philistines. Without anyone’s knowledge Jonathan and his armor bearer cross over the valley to attack the Philistines. He resolves to take on the enemy by himself, telling his young servant that it is not by numbers one gains victory but by the hand of the Lord.

Observe - In his quest Jonathan does not go alone, but takes with him this trusted servant, secondly we see he puts his trust in the Lord who alone is able to deliver the enemy into his hands. At the same time the armor bearer willingly follows his master and encourages him to do all what is in his heart. Jonathan attacks the Philistine camp and the brave two, leave twenty men dead within half an acre of the onslaught. Panic strikes the enemy and the Lord Gives victory over the Philistine camp to Jonathan and his armor bearer.

We need a friend who is an encourager like Jonathan’s armor bearer.

Let's move on to another story from 2 Samuel 15 - David is fleeing from his own son Absalom who has usurped the throne. A band of followers and friends follow him into the desert. Did I say friends? Who are these friends who stick by David in the time of his calamity? Surprisingly, many of his friends are foreigners, who were once sworn enemies, against whom David had led military campaigns. Among them worthy to be mentioned is my favorite - Ittai the Gittite, a mercenary from Gath (hometown of Goliath) who had become one of King David's trusted friend and ally. King David tells Ittai to take his family and go back to his own country instead of running away with him to the desert where there is no future and certainty. Ittai's answer is worth noting: But Ittai replied to the king, "As surely as the LORD lives, and as my lord the king lives, wherever my lord the king may be, whether it means life or death, there will your servant be." Oh! What faithfulness. Oh! What an encouraging friend in the time of dire need.

We need a friend who is an encourager like Ittai the Gittite.

These stories remind me that we not only need encouraging friends but also pursue to be a friend who encourages others in the tough walk of our Christian lives.

I am also reminded of the truth that there is a Friend who is closer than a brother (though He is the King of Kings)...He is always there as our constant Encourager. Ittai's answer teaches me that I am servant of the Lord of heaven and earth, and so in death or life, where my Master will be there will his servant also be.

Blessings,

Learning

Think

Living in Hong Kong, Asia's world city, has a charm of its own. It is also a place with highly advanced and fast-paced technology, mad rush for money, and seven million people on the go to get somewhere which can sometimes stress you out. In my case, more than being stressed, I have lately been travelling in a frustration capsule, seems like being in a place of wilderness for a long time. But God is good and He has been teaching me wonderful things in this season. I want to record some things on this post which the Lord has taught me lately and maybe will also bless you in turn as you read.

The first few things the Lord taught me is whatever place or job I am in or wherever I will be, God has good plans for me, plans to prosper and not to harm, plans to give me hope and a future. These words from Jeremiah 29:11 have come time and again from the Lord in these last two years. I also learnt last week that God wants me to know four things in whatever job I am in:

1. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and all your being
2. The Lord is building character and purpose in me
3. God is interested in using my talents and time for His glory
4. God wants to use me to tell about His son Jesus and share the message of salvation

I love the first one because, I believe, when the first one is in place the rest will follow. Loving Him with all your heart will lead you to spend more time with Him, spending more time with Him builds character. We can freely ask from His goodness and His grace riches of His wisdom, knowledge and talents and be assured that He freely gives it to His children who ask. And finally the joy that He gives is so contagious that you cannot help but tell others about the abundant life Jesus gives.

I hope this blesses and enriches your hearts.

In Him,