Such a Starry Sky Tonight
Happy Year 2019! Praise the Lord for His overflowing grace from the beginning to the end of the year as good news keep pouring in. Over 1700 brothers and sisters took part in year-end prayer meeting of 2018, jam-packed the Mercy Seat and main hall of Wealthy Garden. Together, we counted the many gracious returns from God in “Return 2018”, welcoming 2019 which is forecast to see Holy Spirit flowing freely among us.
At the end of 2018, joined by MG Leaders and the Steering Committee, we went on retreat in Kuching and Sabah in East Malaysia. Warmly received by branch church pastors, MG leaders delighted themselves in an exceptionally abundant and relationship building journey. Great news about Kuching branch church being greatly prosperour and Pastor David Lin’s discipleship going higher level were shared.
The retreat of the 17-member Steering Committee to a small island was truly remarkable as we went through thick and thin together. Due to the sudden monsoon, violent squall was blowing across the sea, bringing all outdoor activities to a halt. The water supply and electricity on the island was problematic. Desperate to leave the island, as the situation started
to get out of hand, yet we were stuck there. Then, I reminded all to fasten life “safety belts” – Don’t be afraid; just believe. Do not be anxious about anything, but give thanks always and complain not. Instead, we shall hold on to God tightly, stay with the team and go forward in unison.
Because of that, we spent all day holding steering committee meeting which was large fruitful, thanks to the leading of the Holy Spirit. The role of each department head of the “steering committee” has been enriched and defined as a “Curator” who is to curate their staff, and not merely a “Manager” who simply manages the department. In this way, they partake our duties to build up and perfect the Levitical staff, shouldering the mission of “equipping of the saints for the work of ministry”. This means a lot to the vision of planting Trees of Life everywhere in 52 years.
Moreover, God rules over the weather. As we submitted to the leading of the Holy Spirit, that night turned out to be of clear sky, full of glittering stars and even the Milky Way was visible to us. Lying down on the pier of the island, seventeen steering committee staff who are now named as curator staff admired the dazzling starry light. Immediately we started to comprehend the meaning of the covenant God made with Abraham, promising him that because of faith, his offspring should be as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand on the seashore.
It is the first year our church goes toward planting Trees of Life everywhere in 52 years. Likewise, we shall hold God’s hand tightly in faith, walk alongside godly people and stay away from those gentiles who are against God. In the beginning of this year, during morning devotion, we read on second chronicles when darkness was covering the whole earth. Had it not been God who held fast to His covenant with David, the house of Judah would have been destroyed because they were close to the wicked, forsaking God.
Praise the Lord, at the beginning of this year, God cautioned us, “ Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers, but whose delight is in the law of the LORD, and who meditates on his law day and night.” (Psalm 1:1-2)
Brother and sisters, let us hold fast to God’s words and follow the leading of the Holy Spirit. He will surely prepare starry hosts to lead you and me onto our destiny.• [2019.1.6]