My Olympic

Dear brothers and sisters throughout the world,

I am very excited to write to you my encounter with Jesus again. This time, I experienced it in my dream in Miri last week. I just felt Jesus the God almighty is so real to me. I pray Jesus who is God became a human being is also very real to you.

I called it My Olympic because though I am not there to compete but Jesus used it to give me a reflection that helps me to focus on Him only. Here it goes.

Arrow in the hand of Jesus

I was captivated by the focus of our Malaysian archer Khairul Ahmad at the Olympic who was so calm, steady, courageous and most important of all, so focused. I thought about it and related it to spiritual truths as I watched. Amazingly, Jesus made it better as I dreamt about it. The following picture and reflection came from my dream when I wake up in the morning. I even shared it with my wife, Julia. She listened to me patiently and it helped me to remember and write to you now.

I feel like I am an arrow in the hand of Jesus, my Master, the Almighty God who is my archer. Khairul targeted his arrows at the centre which gave him 10 points for a few times. He was so accurate and it gave me an unforgettable memory that led me to a spiritual dream.

Jesus the Archer

I know Jesus the Almighty God is more than my archer. A human archer targets his arrow to the right goal or the so called ‘destiny’. Similarly, as an arrow, I submit my life to Jesus, the archer, He will shoot this arrow to the right targets (goals, destiny, righteous paths, Christ-likeness, eternal life, right direction in life, right and godly decision, right preaching, right counselling, right parenting, right…). He will make sure our abilities, financial means, characters, spiritual gifts, wisdom and everything we have to point/ target towards the right things/ path. Will you allow yourself tobe the arrow in Jesus’ hand, the archer? You can trust this archer as He has resurrected and living inside you.

On the other hand, if I am careless, I submit my life to my flesh or the devil, it will target the arrow to hit on human greed, adultery, self-deception, dishonesty, jealousy, self-centredness, hatred, bitterness, anger and unforgiveness, blindness about our own problems… I do not want my arrow to go in these sinful directions and head for roads of no return.

Can you allow Jesus to be your archer? I pray that you do.

A Faithful Disciple of Jesus,

Pastor Law Hui Seng

(STS, KK, 3rd August, 2012)

Posted by Teresa Han

The Art of Sacrifice & Jesus’ Sacrifice

Dear brothers and sisters,

I cannot wait to write to share with you my encounter with Jesus after I play 2 games of Chinese Chess with my 96 year old father-in-law.

I experienced a important points which I link to Jesus’ sacrifice and my faith in Him.

1. My father-in-law as usual attack me and as usual I am on the defence. I was losing (I lost the first one) my second game because my cannon and vehicle were finished by him owing to my miscalculations. I thank God that throughout the second game, I kept reminding myself as long the game was not over, I had a chance to come back and beat him. I was not frustrated but I enjoyed it. I am so glad I can play the chess with him as he has the strength to do it with me. He likes to play chess and I love to learn from him. In this way, I experience our close relationship in Christ.

2. My chance did come. I counter attack after he could not finish me. My counter attack actually threatened his game. However, he was willing to sacrifice a cannon in order to brush off my dangerous attack; and counter attacked me and beat me! After the game, he told me the need to make a sacrifice in order to solve a problem in the chess. He said I need to know the timing to make the sacrifice in order to make a difference in the game. I link this to the sacrifice that Jesus made the cross. Biblical scholar taught that Jesus was attacked 5 times and only the last time He allowed Himself to be crucified. He knew the best timing to make a sacrifice that that made the difference of shedding His blood for mankind.

3. In ministry, I also need to learn the art of sacrifice, in the sense of the right timing, the need to do it, and the necessity of allowing others to misunderstand you and hurt you and condemn you. But, in making the sacrifice, I make sure I do not regret and hate others. I believe when I do so, it is in the name of Jesus.

4. My father-in-law also commented about my cannon which was placed in the middle for the purpose of attacking his king. He said once I did not fulfil that function, I must quickly move away and use it for other purpose. Otherwise, it can become a stumbling block. I reflected that in life and ministry, once I serve in a position and if it is not bearing fruit I should quickly allow others who are effective to take over. Otherwise, I become a stumbling block in ministry.

What a wonderful encounter I had with Jesus in those few minutes of my father-in-law comments and my linking to Jesus Christ. I pray we all learn the art of sacrifice and letting go of our position if we are not bearing fruit.

A faithful disciple of Jesus,

Pastor Law Hui Seng

(STS, KK, 23rd July, 2012, Monday)

Posted By Teresa Han

Thesis defence on 15th August, 2012

Dear brothers and sisters,

Praise the Lord I have reached this stage of my thesis. Thanks very much for your prayers and support. For many of you I do remember you in my daily prayers. Please remember me and my family in your prayers:

A. My wife Julia who has a heart problem will continue to be healthy to look after the 4 children during my absence. I schedule to graduate on 3rd November, 2012 Saturday afternoon at Sabah Theological Seminary. If you are in KK, do come and join our graduation.

B. Pray that me and my supervisor and 2 readers will keep up with our good communication. Praise the Lord I am learning a lot from them as they correct my thesis. Pray that I am able cut down my total words to about 30,000.

C. Thank God that during my May and June semester break I successfully coached my twins to improve in their studies. They use to fail a few subjects each in their Form 1. As a result of our effort together, they only fail one subject in the last examination. Please pray that they will continue to improve further. I look forward to coach them again in Miri this 26th July to 1st August. I always pray that Jesus will call them to serve Him.

D. Pray that Jesus empowers me to preach on the Supremacy of Christ to Tudan Methodist Iban brothers and sisters this 29th July at Miri.

I pray that all of us always keep close to Jesus our Lord, and love our family members.

A Faithful disciple of Jesus,

Pastor Law Hui Seng

(STS, KK, 21st July, 2012)

Posted By Teresa Han

My gains in 2 weeks of Training


Dear brothers and sisters,

My wife was away to KK for 2 weeks to attend to her mom was not feeling as she learns to honor parents. During her absence, I need to work very closely with my 4 children. I sent them to and from school; prepare meals; do laundry; coach them in studies to prepare for the examination; discipline them in behavior and attitude; get them to pray before school and before meals; bring them for i-youth, etc. In the process, we always had heart to heart talk. I really got to experience what my wife said about the challenges we faced with each child. I faced the challenges head on in the name of Jesus.

Food

I need to train to get them to eat fruit and vegetable which they do not like but it is very important for their health. They are not willing to do it but I have to impose on them. I have not succeeded yet.

Attitude

One child has a negative attitude towards life. Praise the Lord I finally got to pray a deliverance and warfare prayer for him. It helps a bit though he is not free yet. I really illustrate to him what it means to be negative and why it is not good.

Studies

I felt the joy of teaching and coaching them. As I see them understanding my explanation and get the right answers in Mathematics, I was so happy. I realized that they were not as weak in their studies as I think. In fact, I prayed much both for their studies and character.

Character

I had the opportunity to correct their bad attitudes and characters. Take for instance, if their speech is impolite or rude; throwing their tantrum around; get them to say sorry to one another. I also said sorry if I was wrong. I appreciated their help in the kitchen, collecting clothe, obedience and cooperation. I still have to work hard on their characters of initiative and responsibility. I allow them to suffer the consequences of throwing their tantrum around. For example, if one does not like the food I prepare, they have to go without food for that meal. I did not pamper them.

Praise the Lord my mercy was committed to prepare the meals and I can see she was very willing to do it. She would wash dishes also. Then she mentioned that her hands’ skin started to peel. I and the twins came in to help to wash the dishes. We try to help another.

Prayers

Please for me and my wife that we are to train them to be disciples of Jesus. Also pray for Jesus to empower me to preach at Hwai En Methodist church indigenous people Sunday and preaching at Sg Burid longhouse in this coming 2 Sundays.

I pray for you all that Jesus will grant you all strength, good health, joy, faith, and love to help others (including your own family) to become disciples of Jesus.

A Faithful disciples of Jesus,

Pastor Law Hui Seng

(29th May, 2012, Miri)

Posted By Teresa Han

Forty Six Years Old

Dear brothers and sisters,

Today is my 46th birthday. If not because of Jesus Christ, I do not think me and my family will live such meaningful life. Today, my wife called and wished me happy birthday. I thank her for willing to marry me and we are blessed with 4 children to make disciples of Jesus. At the same time, I also told my wife I am prepared to see Jesus anytime.

Thesis Writing
I have finished writing 3 chapters out of 6 chapters. Thank God for blessing me with a very good supervisor, who puts in hard work and helps me to improve my thesis in every way possible. I am moving on to write my 4th chapter.

My Prayer Requests:

a. God will call a lot of these recent graduates of 3 month short term mission (Sabah Theological Seminary) 44 students, including 7 from Methodist BM and Chinese churches; to become future pastors and missionaries.

b. My 5th chapter of thesis will be very practical so that it can be materialized at Sarawak Chinese Annual Conference. My thesis is about developing cross-cultural BM pastors in SCAC.

c. Me and my wife have wisdom, faith and love to help my 4 children in their studies, spiritual life and character development. Pray for Tobias to be bold and willing to learn and work hard in all areas of life.
I pray for all of us to love our family members and Jesus in all our undertakings.

God bless.

A Faithful disciple of Jesus,
Pastor Law Hui Seng
(30th March, 2012, KK, STS)

Posted By Teresa Han

My Father-in-law forced a draw

Dear brothers and sisters,

Praise the Lord I finally meet you again in my reflection. I shall share with you my update in my thesis writing, and a wonderful experience of a Chinese chess game with my father-in-law this afternoon.

Thanks very much for remembering me and my family in your prayers. Julia is going to do her heart check again at Kuching this 20th March. I will be visiting my family at Miri this 15th to 20th March.

I visited my family last month, and praise the Lord I was able to visit 3 small groups of Grace Methodist, and I was very encouraged to see brothers and sisters loving Christ in their life.

Thesis Writing

Praise the Lord my thesis proposal was approved last month. I have finished writing chapter 1 (out of 6 chapters). My supervisor did a thorough reading and analysis, I am in the midst of learning to rearrange all the paragraphs of chapter 1 and writing with precision. I have almost finished chapter 2. I will try to finish the correction of chapter 1 and pass up chapter before I go back to Miri this month. My thesis is basically about developing a cross-cultural pastoral care disciple making approach. It is my mission here in STS.

Chinese Chess Game

Praise the Lord I was able to spend a solid 2 hour time with my father-in-law (95 years old) this afternoon in a game of Chinese chess. After the Chinese New Year, I thought he was not able to sit up for long, so I thought I might not have a chance to play chess with him anymore. I think this afternoon he tried to sit for a longer time by playing chess with me, he did it! I am always very keen to play with him as I can learn a lot from him in the midst of playing. I was so happy that we could play again. His mind is very powerful. He calculated every move carefully. He made no careless mistake.

From the beginning, I reminded myself not to be scared of him and I could defeat him though he is much better than me. (I told him the psychology after the game; he laughed and commended me) I played very well and I was confident of defeating him when it came to the end of the game. To summarize the finishing game, he left only one vehicle, the king, one bus, two elephants. I left one vehicle, the king, two buses, two elephants and 4 soldiers! I should beat him with the 4 soldiers and the vehicle.

He moved his vehicle around skilfully to finish my 4 soldiers. He forced a draw. I have to humbly accept it. I learn from this game a few things in sequence of their importance. Firstly, in life, I need to make full use of whatever resource I have to meet the challenges. My father-in-law moved about the vehicle skilfully and resourcefully. I had not made full use of my 4 soldiers and allow him to kill them one by one! Secondly, my father-in-law never gives up even though he seems to be losing the game. In life, I should try my best to do everything for Christ even though things at times may not look good. Thirdly, my father-in-law refused to believe that he could not sit up for long. He came up of the negative mindset and he was able to make it. I learn that I must not remain in my negative mindset. As I decide to come out of it, Christ will carry me through.

After the game, we analysed the game, I told him my miscalculations of his game, and I encouraged him about how he powerfully moved his vehicle. He reminded me that a horse could be more powerful than a cannon when it came to the final stage of the game. I did the right thing to exchange my canon with his horse. We closed the game with a prayer. I really prayed that we would meet and play chess again next Sunday.

I pray that you learn spiritual lessons even through little things in life.

A faithful disciple of Jesus,

Pastor Law Hui Seng (4th March, 2012, STS, KK)

Posted By Teresa Han

I am the way, truth, and the life

Hwai En/ Agape (mandarin) Methodist Church
27th November, 2011/ 5th Feb, 2012
Written By Rev Law Hui Seng
Posted By Teresa Han

John 14:1-15
Main Idea: Jesus is the way to life
Objective: To teach the congregation that Jesus is the way in our life.

A. Introduction
- Have you ever had this experience? Somebody gave you an address, you went the wrong way, you turned the wrong corner, you are supposed to turn right, but you turn left. Subsequently, you lost your way. You get the right way, road, direction, you find the place.

- A series of Singapore drama shows called ‘The Most Fiery Partnership’ in mandarin caught my attention. Especially in the last few episodes I learnt that a boy who was given a wrong indoctrination by his uncle. He was taught by his uncle to grow up to take revenge for his father. Actually, his father was accidentally killed by one of his fellow CIDs (they were 5 in a team). However, he was taught that 4 of them killed his father. Ever since, he studied hard and tried all means to get into police force to take revenge. He did and he killed 3 of them. Before he killed the last one, his plan was discovered and he was arrested. He was told the actual story of his father’s death. 5 of them managed to ambush some drug traffickers and they secretly kept the Singapore dollar 600 thousand. Eventually, when they looked for the money. Each of the 5 denied its where about. The boy’s father was the greatest suspect. He was accidentally killed in a conflict that pursuit. The investigating officer discovered his father was the culprit.
- I want to show that when a person is given a wrong goal, idea, direction in life, like the boy above, he will work hard to achieve that target. But that target is not the truth, the real facts, and most important of all it is something true. He blindly works so hard for it. Whatever action, effort, and all the so called energy he took, he hit at the wrong target. Just because he was shown the wrong way, the wrong road. Given wrong target, the way, the means used to hit the target is also wrong.

- In today’s passage, Jesus says He is the way of life. Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life.” (John 14:6) If we come to Jesus, He will always show us the right way to achieve our target, our goal, or whatever we need in life. It can be problem to be solved, a crisis, etc.

B. The context of the John 14: 6
- Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the father except through me.” (John 14:6) The whole passage before this, starting from verse 1 is about how Jesus comforting His disciples because he was leaving them, they were worried. We can understand the disciples’ anxiety because they had spent 3 years of their lives with Jesus, witnessing Him performing miracles, listening to His best powerful teaching, healing of the sick, prayers and chasing out demons. Now, Jesus said that He wanted to leave them, it was unavoidable that they were anxious, lost in direction, they did not know the way forward. If you were the disciples, will you think so?

- No wonder Jesus needed to comfort them, instructing them that He was going to prepare the place for them. He even said that He was coming back to receive them to go the place He would go. He told them the way and the place he was going. Despite the instruction of where He was going Thomas was still honest to say that he did not know the way Jesus was going. Therefore, Jesus has to answer and say, ‘I am the way, the truth and the life…’

- Jesus is also very clear in instructing that seeing Him is equal to seeing His father. Because Philip once again requested to show His Father, Jesus again said that seeing Him is equivalent to seeing His Father. He further explained that He is in the Father and the Father is in Him. The words He said to the disciples were all from His father. They have such intimacy and close communication.

- In the process of explanation about the way, the promise made by Jesus is very serious. A promise that always challenges and inspires me to do great job for Jesus. A promise that always drives me to prayer to trust Him.

- In verse 12, He simply promises that those who have faith in Him, they will do greater works than Him, as He goes to the father! How to do it? I strongly believe the answer is found in verse 13 and 14. It is in prayer. “And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Son may bring glory to the Father. You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.” I cannot afford to miss this promise. Whenever I do God’s work, I realize Jesus will give me the power to accomplish the impossible task. If I ask anything in His name, He will do it. If I do not ask in His name He will not do it. The crucial question now is “Have I asked in His name?”

- How to ask in Jesus’ name? Is it as simple as praying and end in the name of Jesus? For some may be so. For those who think Jesus can be manipulated; who replace Jesus just as an idol; who are not submissive to Jesus in our life and live a sinful life; who treat Jesus like a maid; who wants to fulfill our own greed and personal desire; our prayers in the name of Jesus is just speaking to the air, it has no power at all.

- For those who simply come before Jesus, with a repentant heart, admitting our total helplessness; confessing our deepest sin and willingness to do Jesus’ desire; and expressing our total dependence on Jesus and Him alone, our prayers, then, are done in Jesus’ name.

- This is because Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no one comes to the father except through me.” Only when we come to realize that Jesus is the way for everything, only then, we realize do the impossible for Him. Only then, we can even do greater things than Him.

- Therefore, what is the greatest problem, trouble, hurdle, worry, anxiety, sin, sickness, etc bothering you now? Have you come to Jesus as He is the way to your solution?

C. The way, the truth, and the life
- I believe this phrase is not just referring to the way of eternal life. It has a deep meaning. Jesus is the source of the way, the truth and the life. The reason is simple because He is God.

- Therefore, when you and I pray in the name of Jesus, He answers, He will make sure we do greater things than Him.

- The question is why Jesus must first say “I am the way”? Why Jesus does not first say “I am the truth” or “I am the eternal life”?

- E. Stanely Jones, American United Methodist Church famous missionary, a man filled with strong conviction to make disciples among the Indian. He lived for more than 80 years and he spent 50 years in India. He wrote more than 30 books. He wrote in his book called “Word Became Flesh” (in my possession), he asked the readers that question.

- I believe his answer is very revealing. I pray that you will understand his simple answer.

- He said only in Jesus you find the truth and life. This is because Jesus is the source of all truth and life. Jesus is the way that gives the truth and the life. Therefore, the way must be first.

D. Applications
- When we have whatever need (whatever challenges in life), after we are sure of it, ultimately we need to find a method, a solution or a way to solve the problem or meet the need correct or not?

- Today, if you are able to grasp the teaching of Jesus regarding He is the way…, when we have challenges, we will quickly come to Jesus to ask Him to show us the way to meet our needs. This is because He is the way, the source to solve our problems, to meet our deepest needs.

- Then, your understanding of Jesus and His teachings, your relationship with Him becomes very significant. The more you know Him, the more intimate a relationship you will have with Him. A relationship between God and a human being. With that relationship, you will be able to come His way all the time. His way of everything will flow to you! Have you got it?

- A lot of time, we are not familiar with Jesus and His teachings, therefore, it is very difficult for us to talk about an intimate relationship with Jesus. Therefore, we do not know He is the way to everything, and of course, most of the times, we do not come to Him when we have all the challenges in life.

- Take note, human way or method is always full of hatred, revenge, jealousy, selfishness, greed, cunning, hypocrite, etc.

- Jesus’ way is peace, joy, let go, submit our worries to Him, see the success of others and allow others to become our teachers, …

- At the moment, I have brought several needs before Jesus: whether I allow my daughter to go overseas or not? How to help my mother side, the Chieng’s family to come to know Jesus and be saved? Seeking His guidance to develop a cross cultural disciple making pastoral model.

- I still seek the help of Jesus on how to help my 4 children to develop godly characters in their life. I have getting answers from Jesus through reading books on bringing up boys and girls; through listening to my deep inner voice in my time of quietness with Him. He speaks to me when I pray, when I listen to songs or when I praise Him in singing; when I am attending a worship. I am always reminded by Jesus to show good example in my life to my children.

- Recently, as I pray for my children, Jesus reminded me to get the 3 younger children to do one BM sentence again. I obey and I start to do it again this year. Over the phone I get to pray for them again and again.

E. Conclusion
- If we do not, by all means come to Jesus, you see how much we miss in life.
- I pray that you see my point that if you miss Jesus, you miss everything in life. All that you need in life is found in Jesus, so, if you miss Him, you miss everything, really.