Blessed Chinese New Year everyone! Today, I would like to share on something that I have been striving about in my walk with God.. i.e the area of dying to self.. and living by the spirit.

I have been receiving teachings about life in the spirit and it is not impossible for us to live by the spirit.. but to crucify the flesh? Umm.. that's a different matter right? Our self always seem to "resurrect" everytime we want to live for God.. but thank God.. by His grace and by the power of the Holy Spirit, you and I are able to live as sons and daughters of the living God.. not merely children of God - and there is a vast difference.

Only sons of God receive spiritual inheritance from the Heavenly Father and are able to fulfill His Kingdom's purposes. The Bible tells us that in Romans 8: 14 "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God." How then are we "led by the Spirit of God"? By yielding our mind, will and emotions to the Holy Spirit.. Maybe you feel led by God to call up and encourage someone, or feel led by God to head somewhere instead of where you initially planned to go.. being led by the Spirit means to follow that leading - call up that person, and to head to the place that God led you.. hmmm... does not seem to easy right? You and I really need to be able to "die to self" in order for us to do that.

Question: is the church living a life of the spirit today, or has the Spirit of God left the church? Unless the church is willing to crucify the flesh and submit herself to the leading of the Holy Spirit, the church is not able to advance God's Kingdom and fulfill His purposes. Let us re-examine ourselves this new year and determine to allow the Lord to help us live a life that is fully and totally yielded to His Spirit.

True Discipleship

Friends..

It's the new year of 2006. Just want to wish you "Blessed New Year!"(sorry about delay again!)

I remember during the PDL (Purpose Driven Life) last year, the third purpose we looked at was "Discipleship" and want to share a personal thought with you on it.

When I think of discipleship, I thought of someone whom I knew at school (I shall call her "MK"). MK was a senior during my schooldays. One day, I passed by a christian meeting at school, and MK approached me and introduced herself. She befriended me and welcomed me to join the school christian fellowship (I later found out she was the president).

MK encouraged me to join the fellowship meetings every week.. and I attended. Before long, MK asked me if I would like to visit her church (a chinese gospel hall church).. and she offered to drive me to church and to the youth fellowship meetings every week. She demonstrated christian love and care towards me and I agreed to visit her church. Being non-chinese educated, I was at a loss during the church service but MK would invite me to sit with her at the front few (MK plays the piano for her church, and her father was the elder).

Knowing that I was non-chinese educated, MK took the trouble to interpret the message to me every Sunday during service, and she would turn the Bible to the relevant scriptures that the speaker refers to... and this would happen every Sunday after she plays the piano.

I believe the Lord used MK to disciple me in that brethren church as she also made the effort to answer any questions that I may have after church service. After some months of attending her church, she offered to do a personal bible study with me.

This is what true discipleship is all about - to be able to love and show concern towards another, and to teach biblical truths so that our sheep will become true disciples themselves.

For those of us who are in leadership, I hope this sharing will bless you. May the Lord continue to use us to be true disciplers of Jesus!

Meng Choo