Walking The Second Mile - Kingdom Living

I would like to end the Year 2008 with this Testimony. In our Lunch Time Talks @ Toa Payoh, we were very much encouraged by the testimonies of our invited speakers.

Testimonies and stories of God's working in the lives of His children are a great encouragement to all. The Bible contain 'His' stories of His love and His working in the lives of His children. Stories of faith, love, commitment in the lives of Abraham, Joseph, David ... increases our own faith in the Living God.

Because of the 'sharing' of your personal stories, the Holy Spirit have prompted me to start this initiative - Testimonies of Kingdom Living: Walking The Second Mile. Let us start 'sharing our stories' of the Holy Spirit's working in our lives in walking the second mile.

Transformation of the Marketplace can only take place when we start to walk the "Second Mile".
Matt 5: 41 "If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles."
It is easy to talk but not easy to walk! It is so easy to say "I will pray for you" but it is not so easy to do something about it. We must 'Walk' our 'Talk'. Jesus said, "... if you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that?" What makes People of the Kingdom difference from the People of the World? People of the Kingdom loves their enemies; People of the Kingdom walk the "Second Mile"!

Let me start the first sharing (This is to glorify God who has done a transforming job in our lives)
My wife, Joanna is in the Insurance and Financial Industry. We believe the Insurance and Financial Industry is a great business to be in - it helps protects family against the lost of financial support due to death, disease and accidents. It also helps people to increase their wealth through various investments vehicles. It was with good intention during the 'good times' that she recommended her clients to invest in certain investment portfolios.

When the Financial Melt Down came ... all were affected by it!
There was this dear sister who had made an investment through my wife. She is from the working class and she invested part of her CPF saving into Unit Trusts that were to give her better returns for her retirement.

Because of the money that she had lost, she became anxious and fearful. She lost her sleep, her appetites, she lost her focus. My wife tried to meet up with her to offer her the best solution given her situation but she did not want to meet up with her. She does not want to make any decision - To cut lost or to ride it out. Though I did not see her but I could sense the stress and strain that she was experiencing. I believe she was on the verge of a breakdown.

I told my wife that its no point asking her to make a decision because she cannot come up with any decisions. After praying over the matter, we decided to shoulder her 'Lost'. Her financial lost at that point of time was $26,829. We, ourselves don't have that amount but wrote a letter of undertaking to reimburse her 'lost' by a monthly installment of $200; and when extra funds comes in we will give more.

Through a pastor's wife, Joanna was able to meet up with this dear sister and settle the matter.
My wife said that she could see the relief that came over her when the decision was made and the matter settled! All the stress and strain were lifted from her face.

What we did was to obey Jesus in walking the "Second Mile".
In my book, "Making Money Sense: God's Truth" I wrote about 'Communal Lifestyle'. What we have can be shared with those who do not have so that there is no needs in God's Community. The early church practice this and we (David & Joanna) by the strength and grace of God will seek to practice this.

Hope this 'Sharing' will kick off 'Your Sharing' in 'Your Second Mile Experiences'.
Perhaps I can write another book titled "Kingdom Living: Second Mile Experiences" - a compilation of your sharing!

Thy Kingdom Come!

David & Joanna

Wishing You All A Blessed & Prosperous New Year 2009

My Hope Singapore @ Toa Payoh

My Home Singapore @ Toa Payoh

We thank God for Linda Ong who so graciously agreed to host "My Hope Singapore" on 17th Dec in C & H Realty Office.

About 45 people turned up for this Christmas Celebration ... of which 15 are from C & H itself. Guests started streaming in when the clock hits 5pm. Mingling over some "finger Food", hosts and guests started to get to know one another.

The program officially began with a lively "Ice Breaker" led by MC of the evening - Mr Eddie Eng. What is Christmas without the singing of Christmas Songs and Carols ? Te Ping, Janice with the help of our guitarist from Korea, Pastor Stephen brought us into the mood and spirit of Christmas Celebration. We sang with gusto, "We Wish You A Merry Christmas", "Joy To The World", "O Come All Ye Faithful" and "Mary's Boy Child".

The high-light of the evening was the showing of the video "It's Never Too Late". This is a dramatic testimony of God's Grace in the life of Neville Tan. Neville was a hard-core gangster, living his life in and out of prison. In his moments of desperation, God reached out to him in his prison cell.

The evening closed with a real life testimony from Eddie and an invitation to receive Christ from Kenneth. After prayer, we gather around for a sumptuous dinner and personal sharing. We thank God for the one decision made that evening. We rejoice with the angels in heaven over this one soul saved. Pray for Jeraldyn ... she will be attending church this Sunday (21st Dec )

My Hope Singapore

A Christmas Celebration

On behalf of the Marketplace Ministry Team, we would like to invite you to join us in celebrating the nation wide event My Hope Singapore on the 17th December 2008.

We specially invite those who is seeking to understand the meaning of Christmas to this party; to participate in the carols & watch the screening of powerful testimonies. Out of this, may you be blessed with the joy, hope and spirit of Christmas!

Date: 17th December (Wednesday)
Time: 5.00pm - 7.00pm
Venue: C & H Realty Office
490 Lor 6, HDB Hub
# 06-11

( Light Refreshment and Dinner will be served.)

For more information, please contact David Wong:
email: breakthrough_28@yahoo.com.sg
hp: 90090387

Please respond early for catering purpose.

Lunch Time Talk By Jason Wong

Over the lunch hours of 14 November, some 80 marketplace ministers came and went away with revelations from invited speaker Mr Jason Wong’s message at the Toa Payoh HDB Hub Marketplace lunchtime talk.

Hosted at the C&H realty office, graciously offered for use by Mr Albert Lu, the place was quickly packed with people who were first treated to a simple lunch fare. The meeting soon kicked off with a rousing time of welcome and worship.

Without further ado, Mr Jason Wong, Director of Rehabilitation, Protection and Residential Services Division (RPRSD) from the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports, took over the stage for his message of the day. Citing his key scripture from the passage on the Lord's Prayer, he shared with the participants new insights on "Bringing God's Kingdom" down to earth.

First, he challenged all to receive the ‘Vision of the Kingdom’ from the Lord Himself. This ‘Vision’ is already established in Heaven, but we must be able to see and receive it before we can establish this ‘Vision of the Kingdom’ on earth.

Along the way, Jason also peppered his sharing with personal stories of the struggles and testings that he had undergone to receive the ‘Vision’ for the "Yellow Ribbon" Project and now the "Fathering" Movement. Without the ‘Vision’, he pointed out that all the activities and programmes that we do and organise are but fleshly endeavours. To be fruitful for the Lord, he emphasized that the 'Self' must die. "Unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone..." (John 12:24, NASB). Truly, there will be many occasions for the 'Self' to die before the ‘Vision’ is fulfilled, he added.

"You are the Light of the World…" (Matthew 5:14). Through this verse, Jason also pointed out that before we can light up the “fire” in others, we ourselves must have that "fire". And this “fire” is the 'Vision' that we receive from God.

He also listed at least five things that will hinder us from bringing God's Kingdom here on earth:

1. Worry & anxieties over our daily needs - Give us our daily bread (Matthew 6:11)
2. Sins in our lives - Forgive us our debts (Matthew 6:12a)
3. Unforgiveness - As we forgive our debtors (Matthew 6:12b)
(Relationship problems disrupt ministries and businesses.)
4. Testings - Lead us not into temptation (Matthew 6:13)
(Many testings will come but the Victory is ours!)
5. Attacks from Satan - Deliver us from the evil one
(Those who are serious for God will be prime targets of Satan.)

Jason’s Word of the Lord to us that afternoon was a truly appropriate and relevant message for anyone who seeks to be Marketplace Ministers of God. The meeting concluded with a challenge and a prayer of dedication by Rev Melvyn Mak.

Kenneth, from the Toa Payoh HDB Hub marketplace ministry organising committee, took over next to close the year for 2008, sharing the 'Mission Statement of Marketplace Ministry @ Toa Payoh' and its activities for the new 2009.

Mission Statement of Marketplace Ministry @ Toa Payoh

To seek Transformation of the Toa Payoh HDB Hub Marketplace through the Raising of Marketplace Ministers who will bring God's Kingdom into their Place of Business.Specifically, this is done through:

1
Connecting people to Christ and through Christ in a purposeful way.
2
Establishing Kingdom Values in our Place of Business.
3
Providing a platform to motivate Marketplace Ministers and being a Resource Centre for their ministry in the marketplace.