by Admin | Oct 25, 2024 | Melody Chen Liying, • Timely Word •
The Heart of a Disciple:
Reflecting on Paul’s Teachings
I recently joined the Discipleship Explored series, where we studied the book of Philippians in depth with fellow church members. I am deeply grateful for this eight-week study, which helped me gain insights into what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus and a disciple maker. It rekindled my love and passion for God and the work He has commissioned us to do.
Paul urges us to learn from him, in times of celebration or hardship, to rejoice and give thanks to God, and to be content in all circumstances. How did Paul maintain his unwavering love and passion for Christ? What kept him joyful and hopeful all the time? I will share some practical applications from the study.
- Cultivate a deep relationship with Christ
Paul’s life was centered around knowing Christ personally. He said, ‘I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Jesus my Lord’ (Phil 3:8). This means being rooted in Scripture daily, prioritizing prayer, worship, and constant communion with Him. Let spending time with the Lord become automatic and the most important thing we do in our daily lives.
- Find joy and strength in God’s grace
Paul’s unshakable trust and faith in God’s sovereignty led him to remain joyful even in trials. True joy is not born out of our circumstances but out of the unchanging character of God. When we intentionally fix our eyes on God’s goodness and sufficient grace, our spirits are renewed, and we receive fresh strength to carry on.
- Live with an eternal perspective
In living with an eternal perspective, Paul instructs us to set our minds on things above and not on earthly things (Col 3:2). This means investing in things with eternal value, such as relationships, serving others, and advancing God’s kingdom, instead of temporary things like wealth or worldly success. During tough times, choosing to see them in light of eternity not only shifts our focus but also helps us endure hardship with hope, remembering that there is eternal glory and purpose in our perseverance.
- Embrace my calling and purpose
In living out the calling and purpose God has for us, we are to root our identity in Christ. As a new creation in Christ, our primary calling is to embrace a life that reflects our identity in Him, which is to live in a way that honors God, walking in love, truth, and obedience. Oftentimes, such callings and purposes unfold in everyday situations—our jobs, families, and communities. God places us in specific contexts for a reason; whether at home, at work, or in ministry, we should make it our mission field.
- Keep missions in focus
Paul strived all his life to advance the gospel, regardless of his personal cost. Likewise, let the mission of making disciples and sharing the gospel be rooted in love for God and others, and displayed in our daily living. Whether through small acts of kindness, sharing our faith, or praying for others, we don’t need to wait for the “perfect moment” to engage in our mission—let’s make every day count.
Do you do what you say you believe? It is one thing to know who Jesus is and what He teaches us in the Bible, but we must not stop there. The kingdom of God is not a matter of talking about Jesus, but living like Jesus.
When we live out what we say we believe, it attracts attention and changes lives. Let us all strive to make disciples of all nations, fellow followers of Christ (Matt 28:19-20).
By Deacon Melody Chen
by Admin | Jan 29, 2022 | Melody Chen Liying, • Timely Word •
One of the bible stories that always struck me was the story of the man with leprosy meeting Jesus, in the gospel of Matthew and Luke. The leper, the unclean, the outcast, must have heard about Jesus and believed in His words. Filled with hope and in desperation, when he met Jesus face to face, he fell down, worshipped and cried out “… Lord, if You are willing, you can make me clean.” Before Jesus spoke, He put forth His hand and touched the man. The hand that would calm the sea, raise the dead and eventually be nailed to the cross was put forth to the man. And following that touch was the spoken word made flesh “… I am willing, be clean.”
In this short encounter with Jesus, a desperate but believing and non-demanding man received his healing. The leper, the one who had been rejected numerous times, probably thought he was not good enough to receive mercy, received His immediate blessing. While imagining how grateful and joyful the leper must be, I am reminded that the compassionate and gracious God who responded to the poor leper centuries ago is the same God we are believing today. He is the same God who sees all our needs and hears all our cries, He is still the “ I am willing” God… I then need to ask myself, what is the posture of my heart when I come to Him in prayer?
The leper came with a submissive, humble and expectant heart. A heart open to Jesus, believing that Jesus has the power and authority to heal or to withhold physical healing. In his cry, the Lord hears his helplessness, his pain and his needs. He sees his broken spirit, his contrite and humble heart. That is what I am asking myself when I reflect on the posture of my heart. Prayer can become such a routine thing that it loses one of the most important elements: a sincere, submissive and humble heart to the Lord.
I confess. Truly there is a condition in the heart where all evil resides. My heart is full of selfishness, pride and residue. There were so many times where my heart turned sour and bitter, when my longings and desires were not met, complaining and grumbling were my response to His “unfairness”. But who am I to determine fairness? Is it not the One who was just and merciful, who extended His grace to me and crowned me a child of God?
I am thankful that the posture of the leper reminded me to examine my heart. Jesus is the Great Physician and He can heal all my selfishness and pride if I allow His grace to penetrate to the depths of my soul. Laying down all the requests and desires before Him, not complaining or grumbling when prayers are not answered in my way and by my timeline. Coming with an open, submissive and expectant heart, crying out to the Lord like the leper, “Lord, if You are willing, You can…”, and trusting in Him who knows what is the best for me.
Everything we do flows from our heart (Prov 4:23). When we pray, may our hearts always be bowed in adoration, gratitude, and humility to our loving God, with an open and submissive posture, knowing that God is gracious and merciful, His ears are always attentive to the prayers of His people and He is always willing to answer our prayers.
By sister Melody Chen
by Admin | Sep 17, 2021 | Melody Chen Liying, • Timely Word •
“Are all believers of Christ called to be missionaries?” I used to think missionaries are only a chosen group of people who God calls to leave their native land and serve overseas. But the word “missionary” simply means somebody who is sent. As followers of Christ, I think we are all sent, we’re all drawn into Christ and we are sent out by Christ to live in the world as witnesses for Christ. In this sense, we are all called to be good witnesses wherever God has placed us.
During this pandemic, for most of us, home has become the place where we spend most of our time. And as we are restricted from travelling (either for holiday or for missionary work), home has become the place where we take notice of needs that have gone unnoticed before in our own land, such as the marginalized, the poor and the homeless.
Maybe this is the time that “missionary work begins at home” speaks much louder than at any other time.
Earlier this year, I opened my house to shelter a teenage girl who sought help through MSF. She needed a quiet and safe place to stay in preparation for her ‘O’ levels this year. She had been moving around different homes but could not find a place where she felt physically and psychologically safe. It was my prayer that my home could be a place of blessing to others. God answered my prayer by bringing her to stay for a short period of time.
However, receiving strangers to stay is not the same as inviting friends, or even strangers home for meals…
Throughout her stay, I came to experience more of what it means for convenience and space to be compromised, many adjustments to be made, patience to be tested, and love capacity to be stretched.
Though the girl left unexpectedly after two months, I am thankful to God for the opportunity to participate in her life, for being able to listen to her stories, pray for her, give her hugs, hold her and tell her how much God loves and cares. As I look back at this “short trial” of house opening, God opened my eyes to see many physical and spiritual needs around me. Matthew 25: 34-40 came to me when I was reflecting on this experience:
34“Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you that are blessed by my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world…’ 37 “Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? 38 And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? 39 And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ 40 “And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’”
We are indeed the blessed sons and daughter of God, we are the righteous when we obey the Word of God, living out our faith in actions and deeds. And the righteous are promised to inherit the kingdom of God.
God has called each of us a missionary. Being a missionary is indeed possible at home if we are willing to open our homes, share all God has blessed us with and embrace brokenness, messiness and homelessness.
Let’s all learn and strive to love like how Jesus loves. And let love begin from home.
By sister Melody Chen
by Admin | Feb 23, 2019 | Melody Chen Liying, • Timely Word •
Many people have asked me how had my work been since transferring to the new hospital. It was just another way of saying “How are you?”. Yet, I often found it difficult to give an answer. This was not because work was busy or tough, which is normally associated with a nursing profession. But it was because of issues like people, culture, a work environment that made it hard for me to fit in. Conflicts, complaints, gossips, hatred seemed rampant here. This led to diminishing work satisfaction, fulfilment and passion, which resulted in more complaining, judging and even condemning.
Do I choose to please God or to please men?
I have no doubt what the correct answer is.
But it was easier to give an answer in words than in action.
Ironically, while I was praying for a friend who was struggling with unfulfillment at work during my personal prayer time, the Lord spoke to me through 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 – “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus”. It did not say be joyful only when things were going well, or pray continually only when things were not, or give thanks only when your prayers were answered. But, “in all circumstances”. No matter how good or bad a situation was, it was His command and will for us, His disciples, who belong to Jesus Christ, to obey.
As I prayed for her to be filled with love, joy, and gratitude at work, it hit me that I should reflect on my own attitude and posture towards the people I was working with, and for the work environment I was in. I constantly found myself bombarded by all the negativity that I ended up in a sour mood rather than deep-seated joy.
We need to remember that nothing should rob our joy, for joy is not based on feelings and circumstances. Instead it is the exhilaration of spirit that comes from deep-rooted confidence in God’s love, power, and the mighty work of His hands in our lives. To have a conscious attitude of contentment and hope that comes from focusing on Christ – the eternal treasure that we have received freely from God.
If I have not been praying intentionally and persistently for my colleagues and fellow health care workers, should I be surprised that the people and work environment are both difficult? The workplace is our mission field. Jesus calls us to be the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Matt 5:13-14). I, a follower of Christ ought to then stand out, to bring about a positive influence – the way salt seasons its food and be a light in the darkness, for others to find their way.
Where there is conflict, be the peacemaker.
Where there is complaint and gossip, confront it with love and turn it into prayer.
Where there is hatred, forgive and exemplify the love of God – returning good for evil.
I recognise that everything listed above is beyond my abilities to fulfil in the flesh, this is why I need to be in “Christ Jesus”, being in union with Him through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit; who will empower and enable me to do so.
Let us all then “rejoice always, pray continually and give thanks in all circumstances” because “this is God’s will for us in Christ Jesus”. Then the world will see the difference coming from us, and give glory to our Father in heaven!
By Sister Melody Chen Liying (YCKC Bulletin 23&24 February 2019)
