An Untold Story

Almost four decades ago, my mum went for an abortion and I did not get to have another younger siblings, forty years later, they cite reasons such as we were living on a tight budget and there are also fines imposed by the late Prime Minister “2 child population policy” to prevent an “population explosion”

Four decades later, me and my parents are still coming to grips with that decision, it had affected us , physically , mentally, emotional, spiritually.

Almost like a generation curse, I was also involved in another abortion, almost two decades ago.

I got involved in an affair and it ended with an unwanted pregnancy’s and as I listened to the details of the operation, I was completely taken aback and aghast that I have aided in the murder of an unborn child.

Almost two decades ago, I was in tears as I flew from Singapore to Los Angeles, shortly after than, I received Christ’s Salvation , that took place on a wooden cross, for me, at a little Church at Big Pine Key, Key West, Florida.

A child is the joint effort between a male and a female, for consenting married adults , it is a labor of love , for crime actions involving rapes , it may involved a child growing up without a father figure.

So, a child is an act of love or lust, depending on how the sexual intercourse took place.

And God had already set life to begin inside the womb.

The act of the abortion will take a toll on both men and women,

Abortion is not healthcare. It tears the baby out of the womb and the woman undergoes trauma.

Women are often physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually scarred because of the abortion,

My mental and emotional and spiritual wounds are healing and still being redeemed by the Lord.

And because He redeems our life, I am released of guilt, shame, condemnation, when we repent.

 He made Christ who knew no sin to [judicially] be sin on our behalf, so that in Him we would become the righteousness of God [that is, we would be made acceptable to Him and placed in a right relationship with Him by His gracious lovingkindness].

2 Corinthians 5:21 AMPC

A wise couple continually reminds me, parenting is not for the faint-hearted. I agree and it is so true for me today.

I hope you would choose life and not death.

The unborn have no voice, we are their voice and protectors.

Adrian Tan K S, 27th June 2022/ 28th Sivan 5782.

FINISHER

Just a thought on the running scene here in Singapore and Malaysia, aplenty!

All of us will receive a Finisher tee.

The question is where? Heaven or Hell?

Shining with glory?

Or burning with shame and isolation?

That Finisher tee is our robe of righteousness

And the medal our crown(s)

We may not all started off well in life.

You may have fallen, you may had suffered injuries, ran over, pushed, plodded, ran the wrong course.

Finish well.

To the tune of well done, good and faithful servant.

 

Now faith is the assurance (the confirmation, the title deed) of the things [we] hope for, being the proof of things [we] do not see and the conviction of their reality [faith perceiving as real fact what is not revealed to the senses].

Hebrews 11:1 AMPC

 

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 
fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Hebrews 12:1-2 NIV

 

 

Of Wars and Earthquakes

24 Jesus departed from the temple area and was going on His way when His disciples came up to Him to call His attention to the buildings of the temple and point them out to Him.

² But He answered them, Do you see all these? Truly I tell you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.

³ While He was seated on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately and said, Tell us, when will this take place, and what will be the sign of Your coming and of the end (the completion, the consummation) of the age?

⁴ Jesus answered them, Be careful that no one misleads you [deceiving you and leading you into error].

⁵ For many will come in (on the strength of) My name [appropriating the name which belongs to Me], saying, I am the Christ (the Messiah), and they will lead many astray.

⁶ And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars; see that you are not frightened or troubled, for this must take place, but the end is not yet.

⁷ For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in place after place;

⁸ All this is but the beginning [the early pains] of the birth pangs [of the intolerable anguish].

⁹ Then they will hand you over to suffer affliction and tribulation and put you to death, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.

¹⁰ And then many will be offended and repelled and will begin to distrust and desert [Him Whom they ought to trust and obey] and will stumble and fall away and betray one another and pursue one another with hatred.

¹¹ And many false prophets will rise up and deceive and lead many into error.

¹² And the love of the great body of people will grow cold because of the multiplied lawlessness and iniquity,

¹³ But he who endures to the end will be saved.

¹⁴ And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end. 

Matthew 24:1-14 AMPC

Just do a quick comparison on the world events and you would sense that wars, rumours of wars, earthquakes are increasing.

If there is any urgency at all, it should be now.

Because world events seem to point that we are living towards the end of the age of grace already.

Everything seems to be pointing towards the end times.

Matthew 24 was written for the Jewish audience, but it is also applicable for us.

https://www.rt.com/usa/425890-hawaii-earthquake-volcano-eruption/?utm_source=browser&utm_medium=push_notifications&utm_campaign=push_notifications

https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/israel-hopes-trump-exiting-nuclear-deal-may-lead-to-iran-regime-change-1.6054152

We need to be aware of the times, watch and pray, not withdraw from the world but engage it, so that we may be part of the end times harvest of souls.

1 life to live, let’s make it count for Jesus.

 

Prepare your oil (Episode 1)

25 Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went to meet the bridegroom.

² Five of them were foolish (thoughtless, without forethought) and five were wise (sensible, intelligent, and prudent).

³ For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them;

⁴ But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps.

⁵ While the bridegroom lingered and was slow in coming, they all began nodding their heads, and they fell asleep.

⁶ But at midnight there was a shout, Behold, the bridegroom! Go out to meet him!

⁷ Then all those virgins got up and put their own lamps in order.

⁸ And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.

⁹ But the wise replied, There will not be enough for us and for you; go instead to the dealers and buy for yourselves.

¹⁰ But while they were going away to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were prepared went in with him to the marriage feast; and the door was shut.

¹¹ Later the other virgins also came and said, Lord, Lord, open [the door] to us!

¹² But He replied, I solemnly declare to you, I do not know you [I am not acquainted with you].

¹³ Watch therefore [give strict attention and be cautious and active], for you know neither the day nor the hour when the Son of Man will come. Matthew 25:1-13 

This is a parable for the End Times and it is applicable for Christians and Believers.

I use the terms for Christians and Believers because in a cultural context in Singapore, we called a Believer a “Christian by name only” if he/she does not exhibit the qualities and fruits of the Holy Spirit.

In a Jewish wedding, a Covenant is made a year before the actual wedding, the Bridegroom will go and prepare a place in his father’s house for a place to stay after their marriage.

The bride price is paid

And the bride is set apart.

The bride would not know the time of the bridegroom return, usually after midnight.

The bridesmaid, signifying us, would be awaiting the arrival of the bridegroom, to receive his bride and go to the 7 days wedding feast, since this takes place at or after midnight, the bridesmaid need to prepare their oil lamps.

Each one would carry one oil lamp and extra supply of oil.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path. Psalm 119:105 AMPC

There was no street lamps or city lights back then in Israel.

20 My son, keep your father’s [God-given] commandment and forsake not the law of [God] your mother [taught you].

²¹ Bind them continually upon your heart and tie them about your neck.

²² When you go, they [the words of your parents’ God] shall lead you; when you sleep, they shall keep you; and when you waken, they shall talk with you.

²³ For the commandment is a lamp, and the whole teaching [of the law] is light, and reproofs of discipline are the way of life,

²⁴ To keep you from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a loose woman.

²⁵ Lust not after her beauty in your heart, neither let her capture you with her eyelids.

²⁶ For on account of a harlot a man is brought to a piece of bread, and the adulteress stalks and snares [as with a hook] the precious life [of a man].

²⁷ Can a man take fire in his bosom and his clothes not be burned?

²⁸ Can one go upon hot coals and his feet not be burned?

²⁹ So he who cohabits with his neighbor’s wife [will be tortured with evil consequences and just retribution]; he who touches her shall not be innocent or go unpunished. Proverbs 6:20-29 AMPC 

The context in the wise and foolish virgins is that they are not defiled. They have not commit adultery, naturally and spiritually.

It speaks of the Christians in-name-only and the true believers.

It is a sobering thought and statistics, it is a 50-50 equation.

Five are wise, walking circumspectly, knowing the times, living a life of sanctification and consecration.

Five are foolish or double-minded. They did not pay the price to get extra oil for their lamp.

The spirit of man [that factor in human personality which proceeds immediately from God] is the lamp of the Lord, searching all his innermost parts. Proverbs 20:27 AMPC

Isaiah 55:1-2 speaks of buying wine and milk without money and price.

So how do we pay for the olive oil?

May I suggest, only at Gethsemane.

Not my will, but Yours be done.

When we bend our will.

To obey God, often described as painful.

Olives become olive oil.

For Jesus, it was so hard pressing, that the whole weight of our Salvation was upon Him, drops of sweat like blood appeared on his forehead. (Luke 22:44)

For 50% of us, it would properly be some agony and many tears.

This is the part that separates the oil out of the many olives.

The price of oil is more expensive than olives.

Why? Because of the process of pain that it went through.

Because of the crushing that it went through

Because of the weight it went through

And the filtration process before it becomes olive oil

Gethsemane.

Jesus was set like a flint on his mission. (Isaiah 50:7)

TO BE CONTINUE

Current Affairs Summary

Why would North Korea test fires missile in November 2017 if there is no intention to use them? This is a ruse, the pretence of peace while harbouring an evil motive, this is a ruse almost straight from a book on war

If North Korea intends to attack Seoul, Kim would properly attack in May -June 2018 before, during or after the South Korea elections.

South Korea’s elections are properly set in 13th June 2018.

May-June 2018 is a risky time for both Koreas, one spark may be all it takes for NROK to launch what they have tested, on Seoul, as an act of vengeance and defiance. Maybe even jealously or after being cornered by economic sanctions.

They are still technically at war after 27th July 1953. that means it is still a war zone after 65 years.

That means if you were born in 1953 and forcibly separated with your family, you would be 65 years of age in 2018…

The DMZ at the 38th Parallel(Latitude) is an armistice, it is like a tit-for -tat between the 2 Asians countries. I believe if you are standing near the DMZ, you would see the contrast and feel a different spiritual atmosphere, one of freedom, one of oppression.

If and when they do reconcile, hundreds and thousands of Koreans families would be reunited, either in joy or in mourning.

 

Once the sparks of war is lighted, China would and might bear it’s aggression and “Chinese face value” over Taiwan, South China Seas and the disputed islands. It is already starting sea trials for it’s carrier.

Philippines would properly align more with China to protect themselves.

Australia and New Zealand would be looking out for such foreign affairs with great interest, because they would eventually realise, no man is an island, no matter how big their land size may be.

Migrations would also pose a serious threat in Europe.

Hungary and Spain looks like they stands alone and vigilant.

Hungary are not strangers to being oppressed by another empire from another Country.

Singapore would also properly be pushed out of her comfort zone, she have to be friends with both USA and China.

The elections soon in Malaysia would also determine relationship with South East Asia.

The storm is just ahead on the horizon.

And we cannot afford to be asleep.

The Middle East is Prophecy unfolding and History repeating itself. Damascus is prophesied in Isaiah 17:1-2 to ceased from being a City! What an audacious statement to make! It is the City where Saul met The Resurrected Jesus on the road to Damascus.

If Iran get their nuclear ICBMs, they would not hesitate to use it on Saudi Arabia and Egypt. 1 ICBM on Aswan Dam would crippled the entire land of Egypt as written in Ezekiel 29:10

2018 looks like war is imminent, more and more conflicts would takes place, from South China Sea, to the Middle East, the starting of civilisation.

The nuclear clock is ticking.

There is an awakening, have you felt it?

We don’t really have a lot of time left.

To Be Continue.

Prepare your oil(Episode 2)

³ For when the foolish took their lamps, they did not take any [extra] oil with them;

⁴ But the wise took flasks of oil along with them [also] with their lamps. Matthew 25:3-4 AMPC 

The foolish Christians live their lives as if the Bridegroom is not coming back

1 But as to the suitable times and the precise seasons and dates, brethren, you have no necessity for anything being written to you.

² For you yourselves know perfectly well that the day of the [return of the] Lord will come [as unexpectedly and suddenly] as a thief in the night.

³ When people are saying, All is well and secure, and, There is peace and safety, then in a moment unforeseen destruction (ruin and death) will come upon them as suddenly as labor pains come upon a woman with child; and they shall by no means escape, for there will be no escape.

⁴ But you are not in [given up to the power of] darkness, brethren, for that day to overtake you by surprise like a thief.

⁵ For you are all sons of light and sons of the day; we do not belong either to the night or to darkness.  1 Thessalonians 5:1-5 AMPC 

 

The Scriptures are clear. We are to live our lives with a imminency of Jesus’s Return, working out our Salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12)

 

Behold, I am going to come like a thief! Blessed (happy, to be envied) is he who stays awake (alert) and who guards his clothes, so that he may not be naked and [have the shame of being] seen exposed! Revelation 16:15 AMPC

Jesus told us to watch and pray.

To be expectant to be aware of the signs of the times of the end. (Matthew 24:33, Luke 12:54-56, Matthew 16:2-4)

Let us keep watch and pray

 

TO BE CONTINUE

 

 

 

Writings on the sand.

 Now early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him; and He sat down and taught them. ³ Then the scribes and Pharisees brought to Him a woman caught in adultery. And when they had set her in the midst, ⁴ they said to Him, “Teacher, this woman was caught in adultery, in the very act. ⁵ Now Moses, in the law, commanded us that such should be stoned. But what do You say?”  ⁶ This they said, testing Him, that they might have something of which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger, as though He did not hear. 

⁷ So when they continued asking Him, He raised Himself up and said to them, “He who is without sin among you, let him throw a stone at her first.” ⁸ And again He stooped down and wrote on the ground. ⁹ Then those who heard it, being convicted by their conscience, went out one by one, beginning with the oldest even to the last. And Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. ¹⁰ When Jesus had raised Himself up and saw no one but the woman, He said to her,  “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

¹¹ She said, “No one, Lord.”

And Jesus said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and  sin no more.”

¹² Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.” 

John 8:2-12 NKJV

Jesus stood in the line of hurling rocks and defended a woman.

He was truly a defender of the fatherless, hurting and the marginalized.

A hurling rock can kill, it is still happening today in Israel and Gaza Strip.

And Jesus did not had a helmet or protective face shield on Him in those days.

I am turning forty this year. The older I get, the more aware of the failings of my own heart, eyes, and flesh.

Whatever Jesus wrote on the ground, I would like to acquire of it from Him in Eternity.

I love the fact that Jesus does not condemn us and He forgives us continually, and tells us ” Go and sin no more.”

Thank you Jesus , for all that You have done for us. May we not be quick to condemn but quick to love.

Tan Kok Siang

13th March 2016.

 

Sawdust

I was packing and vacuuming our home in preparations for the year end shift.

And I was reminded by The Holy Spirit on dust, dust are irritants , to many .

And I just felt the voice of The Lord said to me, ” many times , we look at others as saw dust(irritants )but we forget the own plank in our own eyes .”

I checked , Matthew 7:3 , Luke 6:42

“Why do you stare from without at the very small particle that is in your brother’s eye but do not become aware of and consider the beam of timber that is in your own eye?”

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭7:3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

Instantly , I knew what The Holy Spirit wanted to remind me about.

Don’t just concentrate on the faults of others but not see the own plank in my eyes.

Jesus was a Jewish carpenter, He knows a thing or two about carpentry working with His earthy Father Joseph.

A beam of timber needs to be worked on, filed , smoothen before it can become a useful furniture, in the process , sawdust comes out, the irritants , the faults.

It is one big piece of log that need work on. If not, it would just be dead weight log.

I believe Jesus is doing a work in me , in us. To make us into pillars and beams. Sturdy supporting structures , useful in The House of God.

And meanwhile, I need to be more loving, more forgiving , less judgmental , less opinionated .

Tan Kok Siang

2nd December 2015

Genesis 22:8 , A Lesson On Obedience

Abraham said, “Son, God will see to it that there’s a sheep for the burnt offering.” And they kept on walking together. Genesis 22:8 MSG

I was reading this chapter in the last week of January 2015

I felt the Holy Spirit told me, “This is not just about an offering, it is about (your) obedience. ”

This story is not just about Abraham’s willingness to offer Isaac.

It was about His obedience to God. When it does not make sense

“I am listening.” It was written of Abraham in Gen 22:1

It speaks of a close communion with God.

When we obey, God will make a way out for us.

It is not by our own efforts

God will do His part, even the hard part of offering up His One and Only Son, 2000 years later on the same hill.

So that Salvation can be available to all.

May we be ever hearing of God’s leading on our lives, and may we be willing to obey

Tan Kok Siang ,

7th February 2015

Life’s Lessons From The Life Of David. (1 Samuel)

Recently for the month of December 2014 and January 2015, I was reading up on the Book of 1 Samuel.

Personally, I felt like it was an instruction book on the subject of leadership.

Leadership is not a form to be filled up and given to your superior or to your pastor

I want to be a C.G.L, a prefect

I am applying for the post of a manager in this prestigious chain of shops.

It is not a title or rank you wear on your epaulette, like in the armed forces.

It is not just a legitimate position, It is more than that.

It is formed in the crucible of life and in your interactions with people.

In the marketplace, in the school, in your family, in your factory.

It is when you realize the value of the lives that Jesus Christ had went to the cross and died for.

It is formed inside you, your convictions, before it is manifested to the outside world by your conduct.

It could be formed during a wilderness season of your life, e.g David before he became a King of Judah,

I list down 11 leadership lessons from the book of 1 Samuel. They are non-exhaustive,

David was faithful in the little things, in looking after his father’s sheep. They were smelly , they were noisy, but he looked after them and fought off bear and lion. 1 Samuel 17:37

God loves a worshiper like David, so should I cultivate His Presence by worshiping and adoring Him.

David was prudent in speech . 1 Samuel 16:18

David gave gifts . 1 Samuel 30:26

David had respect for the Holy things of God. 1 Samuel 21:5

David made his enemies fear him. 1 Samuel 17: 51

David demonstrated loyalty. 1 Samuel 20:4

David was fair . 1 Samuel 30:23

David knew that the enemy of my enemy is my friend. 1 Samuel 27

David showed respect for authority . 1 Samuel 26

And last but not least

David encouraged himself in the Lord. 1 Samuel 30:6

What are your personal leadership guiding principles?

Tan Kok Siang, Singapore.
I hope you are bless.

Picture of the battle in 1 Samuel 17 taken from beyondthefear.com