Dear…
Matthew 4:4 is the fourth verse of the fourth chapter of the Gospel of Matthew in the New Testament. ... 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds. out of the mouth of God.'"
This version of Matthew 4:4 I plucked from Wikipedia. Interesting because of the two 4s highlighted by Wikipedia. 和数字说话。For the Cantonese, it means double death.
Can and should one truly trust in what the Lord our God has commanded us? Is it not suicidal in the eyes of the world to feed on His Words rather than the produce of our own efforts and understanding?
I have just crossed a year of being a free independent traveler(FIT). Independent from corporate life, burdensome as it is, yet there was the perceived assurance of bread on the table.
I have learned to feed on His Word every morning of my new season, and indeed our good Lord has provided for my needs as I depend upon Him more and more.
Less materially I have this past one year, but could I and did I actually do more?
This phrase With less, We can do more, was cobbled together in a discussion with a couple of fellow brothers in Christ in our prayer meeting last Saturday.
More efficient in the usage of my time and material resources I believe I have become.
The question then is What does doing more mean?
In the context of the command of God, to be the salt and light to the world, to be the lamp upon which His light shines forth, to shepherd the sheep to Christ our Chief Shepherd.
On this count, this year has been a great year
- More coverage of fellow journeymen I have done with the time and opportunities our Lord provided.
- And much as I was only in Japan twice this year, I have met more Japanese this past 8 months than I did my entire life. Our good Lord sent most of them to me in Singapore, and it was a great opportunity to share on the vision for Japan.
- Clients as in the commercial business was more than I had envisaged, but more importantly, the inevitable challenges that came along was a great opportunity for us to live out our faith as our good Lord tested us.
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba,Father.” The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children.
Matthew 8:14-16
What about next year, ie year 2017?
Is this not the same question lingering in the minds of many of us, even as we take time off work to take a well deserved rest with the family and friends this festive period.
My work today is a hybrid of corporate life intertwined with ministry, what i term as Business Ministry. Using the marketplace as the platform for engagement to live out and share our faith.
Should I not be concerned about the need for continued commercial success next year in order to sustain my ministry?
Our Lord looks for our obedience, much as we the imperfect man often look at conclusion as the measure of success.
I have come to learn that indeed every day is not just a new day, but a daunting day. But thanks be to our Sovereign God, His grace is indeed suffice for the day.
God knows and always take care of my needs. What is needful from me is to rest and abide in Him, and move only when His Spirit leads, with boldness and the empowerment of His Holy Spirit. And to always honor and acknowledge Him in all my ways.
Is it not wonderful. One no longer need to dwell too much into forecasting the budget for the year ahead, for which many spend undue hours and time, yet in reality becomes a burdensome weight on oneś countenance through the year.
But can one truly achieve much with so little thought and resources?
Having stepped out of the prison of oneś own understanding and instead being determined to follow the leading of our Lord.
I have come to learn that come what may, nothing will hinder me from experiencing the wonderful hands of God at work in the path that He has already laid for each and everyone of us.
And how did I manage to achieve so much? By feeding on His Word. And by letting go and letting Him. Less of me and all of God.
God Blesses
Eng Hieang (18 Dec 2016)
An afterthought
Much as I left the perceived comfort of corporate life by choice. In reality it was after much struggle. And if not for the divine intervention of our good Lord, I will probably still be too afraid to walk into the unknown.
Yet the reality of the present global cyclical and structural disruptions have meant that many more today are out of a job not by choice.
Can one truly think of ministry when one is not even sure of meeting oneś own daily needs?
And for those who are materially better provided, can they truly find the right purpose that God has for them, and the apt platform to execute that obedience?
Each situation is unique, but I have come to know this truth.
That God is the same faithful God for all of us. And difficult as it may seem, the first and always step is, we must be determined to take time with Him and He will indeed provide.
