At the beginning of this year, we were challenged by Ps Rick Toh to spend time to plan for another year of Joyful devotion to Christ, to His Body and His Mandate. The Disciple’s Handbook was given out to everyone. Small Groups were specially asked to focus a few meetings in the early part of the year on this and to have members share and form an accountability relationship in our discipleship journey.
To grow in my Joyful Devotion to Christ, I set out to commit scripture to memory. I believe that memorizing God’s Word is a fundamental discipline to a healthy spiritual life. Psalms 119:9-11 say, “How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to your Word. With my whole heart, I seek you; let me not wander from your commandments! I have stored up your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.“ These verses reminded me to arm myself daily with the “sword of the Spirit” that is the Word of God, to triumph over sin.
I had started memorizing from Romans Chapter 8, and to date, I have committed 11 verses to memory. Besides scripture memory, I have endeavoured to devote more time for “interrupted” prayer and reflection. I have set aside my lunch time every Friday to pray for my unsaved family members, the members of my Small Group and the different ministries I am serving in.
With regards to nurturing Joyful Devotion to His Body, I made a note in my Disciple’s Handbook that this year, I would want to actively walk alongside a younger brother-in-Christ. I am grateful to God for the opportunity to walk alongside a young man who newly joined our church about six months ago.
We have completed going through the follow-up booklets and we are continuing to meet up every fortnight to read a book to encourage spiritual growth, discuss the practical applications, and spend time in prayer. God has also graciously provided me a mentor who meets with me monthly to study God’s Word and pray together.
To develop a Joyful Devotion to His Mandate, I am challenging myself to reach out to my siblings who are not yet Christians or have moved away from Christ. I have started to build bridges by texting them and making a point to engage them in conversation during family gatherings. Even though I do not see any outward signs that they are more keen to listen to me share my faith, I believe that God will continue to work in their hearts as I try my best to interact with them.
Besides my siblings, I am reaching out to my Buddhist friend whom I got to know in my early twenties. We lost touch for a while and recently we reconnected and have met up for a meal. I hope we will continue to meet up and that God will provide further opportunities for spiritual interactions and dialogue about our faith.
I pray that God will enable me to keep to the commitments I made to Him at the beginning of the year. In fact, He has given me much joy to pursue my growth in these three areas, as I can see His hands upon me and His grace enabling me when there were days I grew a bit weary. I know that my part is to be faithful and God’s part is to bring about growth.
It is my prayer that you too will find joy in your discipleship walk with the Lord this year.
By Lee Ee Foo, Pastoral Staff (YCKC Bulletin 1&2 April 2017)