Reach Community Church 2/177 Beavers Road Northcote VIC 3070
Tel: (03) 9481 6889 Email: info@reachcc.org
www.reachcc.org
Pastor: Victor Soo Church Administrator: Sharon Oen
CHURCH SERVICE Celebration Service REACH Kids
Chinese Service
Sunday Sunday
l 10am - 12pm l 11am - 12pm
Saturday l 7pm - 9pm
PRAYER MEETING
Monthly Ministry & Prayer Intercessory Prayer
1st Friday of the Month l 7.30pm - 9.30pm
Tuesday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm
BIBLE STUDY
Young Adults
University & Youth Groups Family
Wednesday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm Friday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm Monday l 8pm - 10pm
Friday l 7.30pm - 9.30pm
OTHER ACTIVITIES Praise Dance
MOPS (Mothers of Pre-schoolers)
Ladies’ Meeting Men’s Breakfast
Thursday l 10am - 12pm Every 2nd & 4th Friday l 10am - 12pm Quarterly Quarterly
From the editorial team: We want to thank God for His guidance and blessings on the production of this quarterly magazine. When we ask the contributors to write an article, we usually do not give them a topic, but allow them to write whatever is in their hearts, and be led by the Holy Spirit. It has never ceased to amaze us how the articles sent to us often come together so well.
In the year of 2020 - a year meant to be for a great vision, and for clarity – it seemed to have started with darkness and confusion. First, Australia was much affected by the worst bushfires, across many states. They were finally contained when torrential rains were sent down from heaven, after many months of burnings. Then came the spread and the fear of Covid-19. There were also multiple natural disasters, from the earthquakes in Turkey, to the floods in Indonesia, claiming many lives around the world. This is the time we need God more than ever in our life. One thing we can be sure of is that God is in control. God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. (Psalm 46:1-3)
In this eighteenth issue of REACH, the autumn edition of 2020, we pray that you will be blessed by what we have in store for you. Let us all Look Unto God (REACH Message, page 4-5), because In God’s Perfect Time (REACH Testimony, page 6-9), we will receive the blessing of
Uncovering God’s Divine Plan for You (REACH Insight, page
12-13) and for me. We know that He Lives (REACH Song, page 10-11). When Christ Lives in Me (REACH Scripture, page 14), I become a Child of God (REACH Teaser, page 19). So Don’t Waste Your Life (REACH Book Review, page 15), get rid of A Sense of Entitlement (REACH Reflection, page 16), and learn to Practise Compassion (REACH Character, page 17). At the end of the day, with God’s blessing, we can enjoy a few Almond Cookies (REACH Recipe, page 18), without guilt.
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WELCOME
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Reach Message
Reach / Autumn 2020
Look unto God The life of Joseph in Genesis has always been interesting to many, to a point that there has even been a musical written about him. If you follow the life of Joseph, you will see that he went through many difficulties, and many ups and downs, yet God watched over him in all he did and where he went. Here are some points from Joseph’s life to encourage you to continue to trust in God and to rely upon Him even though the circumstances may not be in your favour. Genesis 39:2 The Lord was with Joseph, and he was a successful man; and he was in the house of his master the Egyptian. According to Jeremiah 29:11, God’s plan is for us to prosper; and in Joseph’s life, it is no different. Although Joseph was a mere slave in the house of his Egyptian master, God was with Joseph; and as a result, he prospered. Through the ups and downs, we can see that Joseph prospered because God was with Him. Genesis 39:4 So Joseph found favour in his sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under his authority. Genesis 39:22 And the keeper of the prison committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison; whatever they did there it was his doing. We often seek to please those in authority in order to get a promotion. We learn in Genesis 39:4,22 that God is the one who promotes. Although Joseph was a slave, God promoted him to an overseer in Potiphar’s house and the warden put Joseph in charge of all the prisoners, although he was himself a prisoner.
By Johnson Oen
God’s favour promotes so continue to pray and seek Him over seeking to please those in authority. Genesis 37:18,20 Now when they saw him afar off, even before he came near them, they conspired against him to kill him. “Come therefore, let us now kill him and cast him into some pit; and we shall say, ‘Some wild beast has devoured him.’ We shall see what will become of his dreams!” There were some situations where Joseph’s life was in danger. In Genesis 37:18,20, his brothers plotted to kill him. But God is our protector and He protected the life of Joseph. Joseph knew where he stood with God and testified to his brothers that “you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good”. Genesis 50:19-20 Joseph said to them, “Do not be afraid, for am I in the place of God? But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive. Genesis 39:5 So it was, from the time that he had made him overseer of his house and all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian’s house for Joseph’s sake; and the blessing of the LORD was on all that he had in the house and in the field. Not only did God make Joseph prosper, we can see that God’s favour overflows and blessed Potiphar’s house as well. It is amazing to know that by our faith in God, other people or organisations will be impacted positively due to the overflowing nature of God.
Reach / Autumn 2020
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Reach Message
Genesis 41:37-39 So the advice was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants. And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find such a one as this, a man in whom is the Spirit of God?” Then Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Inasmuch as God has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you. One of God’s attribute is that He is omniscience or all-knowing. As we continue to walk with God, God gives us wisdom and discernment through His Spirit. Even Pharaoh acknowledged that God had shown Joseph the meaning of his dreams. In an occasion where you lack wisdom, ask of Him who liberally gives. James 1:5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 2 Corinthians 4:18 while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.
It is human nature to look at the things that are seen. They might include: • Your vocation (baker / chief butler / overseer / governor) • Your employer or school (Potiphar / Pharaoh) • Your circumstances / results (sold to slavery / in jail / falsely accused of rape) • Your possessions • Your knowledge or intellect However, 2 Corinthians 4:18 teaches us to look at the things that are unseen. Temporary might mean if we only trust in our position, company, intellect, talents, finances and not in God, those things may fail us. Temporary might mean that even in our current trials or negative circumstances, God can change things around for us. My encouragement for you, from the life of Joseph, is that you will continually look unto God, trust in Him, seek His favour and wisdom, regardless of your circumstances, because the things that are seen are only temporary.
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Reach Testimony By Zai Ming Phoon
Reach / Autumn 2020
In God’s Perfect Time
Feeling discouraged When I was a university student studying for my Commerce degree, I had the same aspiration as pretty much all of my accounting friends – to begin my career in one of the top accounting firms; or even better, be accepted into one of the big banks’ finance graduate programs. Some might say I was putting my eggs in too few baskets, but for some reason I had the confidence that it was all going to work out. During my time at the university, I had not focused enough on job applications, perhaps due to laziness, or rather, having been a Christian nearly my whole life, I trusted that as one of “God’s precious children”, He will work something out for me! I ended up at my graduation ceremony without a job lined up, and that was the beginning of a two-year journey that would challenge but eventually restore and reinforce my faith. As I discovered that many of my friends had secured jobs upon graduation, many with the big four accounting firms, I started to feel discouraged. I began applying for jobs again for commencement the following year (as most graduate program roles are filled around 12 months prior).
I immediately told God, “Hallelujah! God You’re so good! I knew You were going to come through for me! You brought me all the way to the final stage so I’m sure we’ve got this in the bag!” Unfortunately, I was not successful with the partner interview. This discouraged me as I really thought it was God’s plan, but I told myself maybe the job was not right for me anyway. Facing a dilemma Throughout that year, I continued to apply for jobs, casting a wider net and even applying for jobs that I was not even interested in as I got more desperate. Even then, I got to various stages within the application process but ultimately did not succeed. With time, I grew more discouraged and did not want to meet with people due to the perceived embarrassment of not having a job. Around six months after that failed partner interview, I was eventually offered a role at a relatively smaller accounting firm. At the same time however, I was also offered a role for a call centre sales position (a result of casting a wider net!) at one of the big banks. Facing a dilemma of which offer to accept – neither of which I was particularly excited about – I went for the call centre position. To this day I am not sure what prompted me to choose the more left field option, but I believe that if God did not want me to take that job, He would not have offered it to me in the first place. Fighting disappointment With every passing day, I asked myself if I had made a mistake by not going with the accounting firm instead. Not being satisfied with where I was with my career, I continued applying for graduate roles and made it to final interviews at several of the top accounting firms. With each of those doors that were opened, I kept thinking – okay God, THIS has to be it! I continually updated my testimony of how God gave me my dream job, completing the final pieces of the puzzle before He gave me those jobs. Unfortunately, none of those jobs were meant to be.
Reach / Autumn 2020
There is the usual process of 5-6 stages per job application - initial application, online assessments, assessment centres, video interviews etc., and I found that I usually could not make it past the fourth or fifth stage of these applications. However, by God’s grace I was able to make it to the final interview at one of the big four accounting firms. I was over the moon as the recruiter even advised me that they had a last-minute opening for that year’s graduate intake, and if I were successful with the partner interview, I could start that month itself (instead of waiting until the following year)!
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Reach Testimony
Reach / Autumn 2020
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Reach Testimony Naturally, my patience, motivation and faith in God started to get stretched. I felt strongly that the call centre role was not what God had planned for me. But if it was not, why had I not gotten the job I wanted by now, despite the many doors that had been opened!? I got really demotivated at work and in life, and I think God saw that my faith in Him was being stretched and I was approaching my limit. I dreaded going to work, but things got interesting. One day, out of the blue, I received a call from HR saying there was a vacant role for the upcoming finance graduate program intake at the bank. They were looking to fill the role quickly, they were only considering internal applicants, and would progress me straight to the final interview if I was interested. “In an organisation with 40,000 employees, what were the chances of me receiving the call?”, I thought to myself. I convinced myself that God knew what I was going through, that He was at work and He was finally going to deliver. Being overly excited, I once again assumed that God was going to give me the job. Unfortunately, after the interview, I was not successful in getting the job. What’s worse is that I found out that there were only three candidates interviewed and two of them were offered jobs! At this stage you could imagine how dejected I was. I felt like God was messing with me. However, one of the interviewers reached out to me as he wanted to help out. Being a Christian, he gave a much-needed Christian perspective on work and life and reminded me that God works in His timing. I told him that I had been waiting for two years now and was dejected after having so many “close calls”, but he reminded me to just trust in God’s process. Final deliverance A few weeks later, HR asked to meet with me. To my utter surprise, I was informed that they had to retract the offer for someone else and hence they were able to offer a graduate role to me, starting the following month! I want to thank God and give Him the glory, not just for giving me this job of my dreams, after what can only be described as an emotional roller coaster journey, but also want to give thanks for the lessons He has taught me throughout the process: 1. When God eventually delivers it happens really quickly! The wait may be long but once it happens, it happens, in the most unexpected way. We might not see it coming. 2. Don’t try to predict what God will do and try to compose the narrative on behalf of Him. Because what God is able to do is above and beyond all that we can ask or think. It is best not to over think how He is going to deliver His plan for us. Out of every possible scenario of how I predicted God would give me the job, the job ended up coming during a time when I least expected it.
In conclusion, my faith and trust had been renewed. I believe God knows my limits (this job search had been a long process!) and He restores things in His timing. This whole journey reminded me of Proverbs 16:9 “A man’s heart plans his way, but the LORD directs his steps.” I thank God for the wisdom He gave me in accepting the call centre sales job, as that was a necessary part of the journey. I also thank God for the people He has placed in my life, including those in church, to support me through this period. If there is something you are waiting on and you believe God has great plans for you, stay patient, stay persistent, and let God do His thing. Do not be afraid of setbacks, because it will all be worth it in the end.
Reach / Autumn 2020
3. When God has a plan for us, He will deliver. God’s timing is divine. Do not compare your journey with others. Trust in God and His process! I thank God that I did not have to wait 40 years like the Israelites or 100 years like Abraham in the Bible. Don’t rush the process.
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Reach Testimony
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Reach Song
He Lives
Reach / Autumn 2020
Composer: Alfred Henry Ackley (1887-1960) Verse 1 I serve a risen Saviour He’s in the world today. I know that He is living, Whatever men may say. I see His hand of mercy; I hear His voice of cheer; And just the time I need Him He’s always near. Chorus He lives, He lives, Christ Jesus lives today! He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way. He lives, He lives, salvation to impart! You ask me how I know He lives? He lives within my heart. Verse 2 In all the world around me I see His loving care, And though my heart grows weary, I never will despair; I know that He is leading, Through all the stormy blast; The day of His appearing Will come at last. Verse 3 Rejoice, rejoice, O Christian, Lift up your voice and sing Eternal hallelujahs To Jesus Christ the King! The Hope of all who seek Him, The Help of all who find, None other is so loving, So good and kind.
Alfred Henry Ackley was born in the state of Pennsylvania in the United States, in 1887. He was personally taught by his musician father. Later he studied music in New York City, and then the Royal Academy of Music in London. He was an accomplished cellist. In 1914, he was ordained as a Presbyterian minister after graduating from Westminster Theological Seminary in Maryland. In 1932, when he served in a church in California, two events prompted him to write this hymn “He Lives”, which is also known as “I serve a risen Saviour”. The first event occurred when he tried to witness to a Jewish man, and was told, “Why should I worship a dead Jew?” To this, he responded, “He lives! I tell you, He is not dead, but lives here and now! Jesus Christ is more alive today than ever before. I can prove it by my own experience, as well as the testimony of countless thousands.” The second event occurred on the morning of Easter Sunday that year. Over the radio, he heard a famous liberal preacher speaking, “It really doesn’t make any difference to me if Christ be risen or not… The main thing is, His truth goes marching on!” Alfred was so upset that he threw the radio across the room and yelled, “It’s a lie.” That day, he preached fervently on the resurrection of Jesus Christ at his church. And that night, he wrote this hymn as he re-read the resurrection account of Jesus Christ from the Gospel of Mark. Editor’s note: What I love about this hymn: 1) how personal the composer described his Saviour – “He walks with me and talks with me along life’s narrow way”; 2) how confident the composer was about the resurrection of his Saviour – “I know that He is living, whatever men may say”; 3) how much the composer felt the presence of his Saviour – “His hand of mercy… His voice of cheer… His loving care… He’s always near, He lives within my heart.”
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Reach Song
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Reach Insight
Uncovering God’s Divine Plan for you - by Praying in the Spirit
Reach / Autumn 2020
By Amarachi Nnah-Ogbonda
Have you ever wondered why you were created? Have you ever felt there is more to life and you are not quite sure what to do to unleash your highest potential? Have you ever been at a crossroads and not sure what path to follow? Find courage in the truth that your Heavenly Father has all the answers and has made provision for you to understand and fulfill His divine plan for your life. There is a unique divine plan for your life Before you were born, God knew you and created a unique calling for you. Regardless of your race, gender, nationality, level of skills, talent, natural beauty, and even the circumstances of your birth, you can be rest assured that God put a divine calling upon your life before you were born. Before I formed you in the womb I knew you; before you were born I sanctified you; I ordained you a prophet to the nations. (Jeremiah 1:5, emphasis added) Although you may not be called to be a prophet like Jeremiah was, God promises you that He has a specific calling for you. God says that everyone of us has received a ministry office by His grace. No one was left out in this sovereign allocation of ministry offices.
But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift…And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:7,11-12) This unique plan was developed by God and cannot be amended by man’s desires. It was set before you were born, without your input or that of your loved ones. Therefore, no one should boast or complain about how glamorous or meekly one’s office is. For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. (Romans 12:3, emphasis added) God has made a way for you to uncover His unique divine plan for your life God did not leave you in the dark to stumble upon His divine plan one day. It is His desire that you come into the full understanding of who He has designed you to be. Call to Me, and I will answer you, and show you great and mighty things, which you do not know. (Jeremiah 33:3)
The Holy Spirit was given to you to lead you into all truth, including the truth about the unique plan for your life. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. (John 16:13) But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. (1 Corinthians 2:9-10, emphasis added) God created a spiritual language for you to communicate directly with the Holy Spirit. When you pray in tongues, you speak directly to God and bypass your understanding, allowing the Holy Spirit to communicate spiritual things to your spirit. For he who speaks in a tongue does not speak to men but to God, for no one understands him; however, in the spirit he speaks mysteries...He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church. (1 Corinthians 14:2,4, emphasis added) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us of God. These things we also speak, not
in the words which man’s wisdom teaches but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. (1 Corinthians 2:1213, emphasis added) The choice to uncover this divine plan is yours So, have you ever wondered why you were created? Have you ever felt there is more to life and you are not quite sure what to do to unleash your highest potential? Have you ever been at a crossroads and not sure what path to follow? Would you commit to a lifestyle of praying in tongues frequently? You never have to be confused about God’s divine plan for you. You never have to be overwhelmed about what the future could hold for you. God wants to guide you step-bystep into His perfect plan for your life. When you pray in tongues, the Holy Spirit takes the plan the Father designed and shows it to you. With a lifestyle of frequently praying in tongues, you will build up your spirit to a point that it is impossible not to understand the divine plan and next steps to take to begin accomplishing it. Spend time with the Holy Spirit through praying in tongues and let the Teacher lead you into all truth. As little as ten minutes a day would go a long way! Commit today to a lifestyle of praying in tongues and get on the path to understanding the wild plans the Father has for you. There are many things God wants to show you regarding your future - spend time with the Holy Spirit!
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The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints. (Ephesians 1:18, emphasis added)
Reach / Autumn 2020
Reach Insight
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Reach Scripture
Christ Lives in Me - A scripture that profoundly impacted my life
Reach / Autumn 2020
“It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.”
By Danny Tanyi
In Galatians 2:20, Paul makes this huge statement: “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” Oh! What a statement! “It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me.” When this verse dawned on me, everything made sense. Many scriptures and teachings fit together perfectly in my mind. The doctrine of the Christian’s union with Christ. United with Him in a covenantal manner. United with Him in a vital and living manner. I realised I could have an intimate relationship with Him - walk with Him, enjoy Him, speak with Him all day long; I could express my true feelings to Him. He knows me, He knows my heart, and He is right there with me. In a world full of trials and temptations, how could I remain pure for His glory? This is how: Jesus Christ has overcome. He has won the victory over the devil. The Spirit of the law of life has set me free from the law of sin and death. I can resist the devil and he will flee from me because Christ who defeated him lives in me. Whatever storms I will face, I will be triumphant because He is with me. He, who asked the storm to be still more than 2,000 years ago and it obeyed, lives in me. He is in control. I understood what the conversion experience did to me. I was dead but now I am alive. I understood why and how my desires changed. O, He set me free from the lust of the flesh and the mind. It is all by Him. It is all through Him. He did it all. Now I am His child. I am humbled and grateful. Because I am united to Him in a covenantal manner, I have access to all, yes, to all God’s promises in Christ Jesus. Because I am united to Him in a vital and living manner, the life that lives in the Head, and lives in the body, lives in me who is a part of His body. He gives me strength, joy, and love. Everything I am and have is by Him. I can march on, face today and tomorrow with confidence and faith because He lives. Finally, I have hope and assurance for tomorrow. Charles Wesley (17071788), states it perfectly in one of his hymns: No condemnation now I dread; Jesus, and all in Him is mine! Alive in Him, my living Head, And clothed in righteousness divine, Bold I approach th’eternal throne, And claim the crown, through Christ my own.
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Reach Book Review
Don’t Waste Your Life Reviewed By Danny Tanyi
This book shows the readers how Jesus Christ should be our all satisfying treasure, how we can magnify Him in all things, even in pains and trials, how our joy is rooted in Him, freeing us from the power of greed and fear.
Don’t Waste Your Life shows the readers how a life joyfully lived for the glory of God overflows and extends into the hearts and lives of others, making them glad in God. John Piper explains what this joy in God is, describing it as “gladness that has its roots in God’s eternal decrees. Joy that is rooted in God, bought by the blood of Jesus Christ our Lord, rises up in a new born heart because of God’s Spirit, awakens in repentance and faith, constitutes the essence of sanctification and Christlikeness, and gives rise to a life of love and a passion What is a wasted life? Is it too late not to for redeeming the world after the waste your life? How do I not waste it? image of God”. Don’t Waste Your Life by John Piper is a Christ-centred, God-exalting book that In Philippians 1:21, the Apostle Paul leads the readers to the answers to the says: “For to me, to live is Christ, and above questions, as written in God’s to die is gain.” In Romans 8:37, Paul word. This book is not about avoiding a writes: “Yet in all these things we are wounded life, but avoiding a wasted one. more than conquerors through Him John Piper explains in detail why our single, deep, all-transforming passion should be to glorify God, by BOTH enjoying and displaying His supreme worth, beauty, majesty, excellence, and love in all spheres of life - in our families, church, and workplaces; in our neighbourhoods, countries; and in missions across borders.
who loved us”. This book gave me a comprehensive description and deeper understanding of these verses. These verses came to life, and I saw them with more clarity. The author ends the book with a cry, a plea, and a prayer, that let none say in the end, “I’ve Wasted It.”
Reach / Autumn 2020
Author: John Piper
A sense of entitlement
Reach / Autumn 2020
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Reach Reflection
By Lee Chyi Lam
It is ironic that as our society becomes more affluent materially, the population becomes more depressed mentally. We have more resources but less resilience; more education but less endurance; more expectation but less empathy; fewer siblings but more selfish. We are taught about our rights, what we are entitled to as a student, as an employee, as a citizen, as a tax payer. This sense of entitlement expects to receive, right here, right now! I want to share a story1 with you, which illustrates a sense of entitlement very well - how it can cause ungratefulness and unhappiness. It is about a man who lived in a neighbourhood, somewhere: Every morning, this man passed by a big mansion on his way to work. One morning, as he walked past the mansion, the owner greeted him and gave him $50. The man was overjoyed and went to work happily. On the second day, the owner did the same; the man felt blessed and blissful. This continued not just for a week, not for a month, but for one whole year. By then, whenever the man walked past the mansion in the morning, he expected to receive $50. Every now and then, he entertained the thought that with the inflation, the gift might be increased to $100. One day, the man walked past the mansion as usual. The owner stood in front of the mansion and greeted him, but did not give him any money. The man walked away feeling disappointed and dejected, but hopeful that he would receive $100 the next day. The next day, he was greeted again, but no money was offered. He felt indignant and injured, but held his tongue. On the third day, still no money. By now, the man was furious and started to insult the owner of being stingy and selfish. The owner replied, “During the past year, apart from the first week, you had not thanked me for the gift I gave you. Receiving the money daily doesn’t turn the gift into an entitlement.” “A sense of entitlement” is one of the diagnostic criteria for Narcissistic Personality Disorder2, it is all about Me! Me! Me! Do you think it does not apply to you? How about the time that you called your spouse or parent and demanded to be picked up at 2am at a party, without prior notice? The time that you were angry because you did not get the promotion you think you deserved? Do you treat God like the man treated the owner of the mansion, expecting blessings and not being grateful for them? Or do you believe that your intellect and achievement are simply a result of evolution and diligence? For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but become futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. – Romans 1:20-21
1 I heard this story at the Basic Life Principles Seminar, which I attended many years ago. 2 Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fifth Edition (DSM-5)
In this world of brokenness, compassion is never been more needed. Let us follow the example of In this world of brokenness, compassion is never been more needed. Let us follow the example of Jesus Christ and practise compassion. “And Jesus, Jesus Christ and practise compassion. “And Jesus, when He came out, saw a great multitude and when He came out, saw a great multitude and was moved with compassion was moved with compassion for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He for them, because they were like sheep not having a shepherd. So He began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34)
began to teach them many things.” (Mark 6:34)
Comfort and care for those who
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God. (2 Corinthians 1:3‐4)
Open our hearts to the sufferings
But whoever has this world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? (1 John 3:17)
Manage our resources wisely to
Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10, NIV)
Practise random kindness.
For I was hungry and you gave Me food; I was thirsty and you gave Me drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in, I was naked and you clothed Me; I was sick and you visited Me; I was in prison and you came to Me… And the King will answer and say to them, ‘Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.’ (Matthew 25:35‐36,40)
Advocate for the less advantaged
Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world. (James 1:27)
Seek to understand, not to judge.
Judge not, that you be not judged. For with what judgement you judge, you will be judged; and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you. (Matthew 7:1‐2)
Slow down to see the needs of
When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said to her, “Do not weep.” (Luke 7:13, emphasis added)
Involve ourselves in charity works.
Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and the darkness around you will be as bright as noon. (Isaiah 58:10, NLT)
are in need, through words and deeds.
around us.
serve and bless others.
people in our society.
others.
Obey the Holy Spirit.
The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon Me, because the LORD has anointed Me to preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound. (Isaiah 61:1)
Nurture those who are weak among us.
We then who are strong ought to bear with the scruples of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1)
17 Reach / Autumn 2020
Reach Character Practise Practise Compassion Compassion
9.
Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until brown.
Reach / Autumn 2020
18
Reach Recipe
Almond Cookies By Emily Ooi
Ingredients: • 4 cups • 1 cup • 1 1/2 cup • 1 tsp • 2 tsp • 1/2 tsp • 1 • 100g
Plain flour Icing sugar Vegetable oil Salt Baking powder Bicarbonate soda Egg (beaten) Almond meal Almond slivers (optional)
Method: 1. Preheat oven to 190 º C. 2. Sift flour, icing sugar, baking powder and bicarbonate soda into a large bowl. 3. Add ground almond meal and salt, mix well. 4. Add vegetable oil. 5. Knead well until mixture comes together. The mixture will feel quite oily. 6. Mould into small balls and place on a baking tray, allowing enough space for the cookies to expand slightly. 7. Place almond sliver on top of each ball (optional step). 8. Brush with beaten egg. 9. Bake for approximately 15 minutes or until brown.
Reach / Autumn 2020
Child of God Crossword
19
Reach Teaser
Answers: Across: 2. SEARCH 4. DARKNESS 6. WICKED 9. PRAISE 10. PSALM Down: 1. THOUGHTS 3. BEGINNING 5. ALWAYS 7. DETAIL 8. SPECIAL 1 This crossword is taken from the website http://www.dltk-bible.com/. This crossword is taken from the website http://www.dltk‐bible.com/.
Answers: Across: 2. SEARCH 4. DARKNESS 6. WICKED 9. PRAISE 10. PSALM Down: 1. THOUGHTS 3. BEGINNING 5. ALWAYS 7. DETAIL 8. SPECIAL