 Patrick Ong, Associate Minister Hearing Impaired MinistryRegular Feature |
Patrick Ong, Associate Minister Hearing Impaired MinistryRegular Feature |
God Doesn’t Need MeLord willing come 2012, I’m going to be introduce and share a series of lessons called “the Fear of the Lord”. As I am into my 27 years in church ministry and look back on a lifetime of ministry I realize there are some important principles I have learned. I’d like to share some of these with you. I’m sure God is teaching you these same truths, but perhaps explaining them from my perspective can benefit you. As I’ve been reflecting about my spiritual life. God doesn’t need me but I need Him. While that may seem obvious, and while it’s something we have always known in our heads, it seems to take awhile for us to really plunge the depths of this truth. When I started in ministry I was very excited at the opportunity to use my gifts and talents for God. There was so much I wanted to accomplish. I was “expecting great things from God and doing great things for God.” I knew I needed His help to carry out these desires but I had no doubt with God’s assistance they would happen. Truly it’s not about me, it’s all about Him! As I slowly but surely mature spiritually I find God keeps getting bigger and bigger. I, by comparison, keep getting smaller and smaller. And that’s not a bad feeling! There’s something freeing about “letting go and letting God.” While I’ve chased quantity in ministry, God is more interested in quality. When I think I have nothing to offer but a bad example He does something to encourage me to keep on going. There’s a real peace that comes with letting God be God, with recognizing He doesn’t need me to run His Kingdom down here, to humbly come to the conclusion that I can’t do ANYthing without Him. When that becomes more than words but takes on reality in my life then I start listening to Him more. I spend less time asking Him to help me with what I am doing and more asking Him what He wants me to do. I see some of my biggest plans lying in ruins by the wayside, but I find He has used me to touch lives at times and in ways I didn’t expect. I’m learning that people come before program. I’m here to serve my people, they aren’t here to serve my program. I’ve got more peace and more patience because I know that if I am in His will then He will bring whatever results He wants whenever He wants them. God doesn’t measure success by numbers (people, dollars, books published, etc.) but by faithfulness. So I spend more and more time making sure I am doing what He wants and less and less trying to get Him to prop up and bless my plans. I’m sure you are already learning this and can add to what I’ve said. It’s important to keep it foremost in your mind, though – God doesn’t need any of us but each one of us totally needs Him. Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Romans 12:1-2 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God — this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is — his good, pleasing and perfect will. Questions to Consider: If God withheld His grace and help from your ministry, what would it be like? What could you accomplish for Him on your own, without His help? How often do you try to do this? How natural is it for you to give credit to God for EVERYthing that happens? God bless, keep vigilant and shine for Christ always Patrick Ong Click here for HI Monthly Newsletter: [January 2012] [December 2011] [November 2011] [October 2011] [September 2011] [August 2011] [July 2011] [June 2011] [May 2011] [April 2011] [March 2011] [February 2011] [January 2011] [December 2010] [November 2010] [October 2010] [September 2010] [August 2010] [July 2010] [June 2010] [May 2010] [April 2010] [March 2010] [February 2010] [January 2010] Click here for: [Summary of HI Work] [HI Care Teams] Church Wide Activities 20129:30am Sunday, 8 January - BC will study Hebrews for the first quarter 7:30pm Wednesday, SPC will do “Spiritual Maturity” series by dean Brandi 10 January, Awareness Meet 12 January, Care Team Cordinators Leaders Meet 13-15 January - Young Adults Getaway Saturday, 28 January - CNY Elder's Open House 11 Feb. Coaching for Parenting Teens 25 Feb. Church Equipping Lab 1 - God's Heart (for MIG & Care Team) 25 Feb. Leadership Crisis - Calling godly men & women on Wall-building Outing & Conversational Sign LanguageEvery 3rd Sunday of Each MonthTime: 1:30pm-5pm Venue: HI Outing & Sign Language Session Lunch boxes are provided, please confirm by sms Rudy @ 97764239 1:30pm-5pm Outing & Conversational Sign Language Every 3rd Sunday of each month 1:30pm Alternate Sundays - Men & Ladies' Care team For more details and updates, please contact Rudy @ 97764239 or Click Here to email Rudy   
Sign Language Class Every 3rd Sunday of Each Month from 1:30pm-3pm SCHEDULE OF WEEKLY SERVICES
Every Sunday:HI Bible class at 9:30am Worship Assembly at 11am All services are interpreted in Sign Language. Men and Ladies Care Team meeting at 1:30pm on Alternate Sundays Lunch Fellowship and Sign Language Class every 3rd Sunday of each month 
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