Walking by Faith

Hi my name is Logan, I’m from the Darebin centre! I’m currently studying at Melbourne Uni in my final year as a bachelor of computer science and engineering. Today, I want to testify how God has really ordered my steps as I walk in faith with him since I joined the Darebin mission team. Personally I had no prior experience in evangelizing nor am I the most eloquent speaker for that fact. But God still chose me to do his will in me. And I thank him.

My faith journey started at the beginning of this year when I first handed out invitation flyers for friendship discussion nights. I didn’t really know what would happen as a result but I knew something would happen. I just simply trusted in God that he would provide people for that night. Praise the Lord, he brought several people from different nations to come on the night. These nights I could really feel the presence of the Lord working among us and a few comments that I received from the visitors were that they never met so many nice people who were joyful, friendly and loving. One thing they didn’t know is it’s all because of Jesus and how he died for us, his unconditional love for people. At the end of the friendship discussion program, we celebrated by partying at Eric’s house inviting over 15 visitors to come. That night, the first fruit of Darebin was born! Since then, I have had privilege to bear witness to this brother’s faith filled life, since he accepted Christ, baptised in water and HS, and have been healed in his ear for hearing loss when he placed his faith in God.

Just another short testimony of how God provides when we step by faith. On an occasion that we haven’t seen many fresh faces in our meeting, we pushed ahead in evangelism. One Sunday, after church service, a small group of us went to Preston. Looking around, I could see that the markets and shops were closed, parking lots were empty and no one around. It looked really, really gloomy. So we prayed, we prayed that we would walk by faith and not by sight and that God would provide divine appointments. After that we set out and true to his words, God placed people strategically along coffee corners, park benches and the library. One of these contacts later came to know Christ and has since been baptised. A lesson that I learnt from this is, my faith needs to be extended during the fruitful/non and when it does, God compliments faith with answers.

As mentioned it hasn’t all been smooth sailing, I personally can say on behalf the team that we have really been stretched in all direction with late night meetings, work, study and other commitments. Pouring our lives and sacrificing our time towards the visitors care. I know at these times, our hearts are flesh and they grow weary and tired but in our Lord Jesus Christ it is renewed and revamped! And through Jesus, I saw the team rise up to a higher calling in leadership. Those that have not mentored before became shepherds and those that have not lead discussion hosted. Also, I could really see, the team came together by faith and walked together by faith in times of disappointment and joy. Sharing the same heartbeat, Gods heartbeat, striving to do our best for our God. Just updating up until now, we have held 4 water baptisms and God provided close to a dozen salvations from high school students, uni students and young adults. People from Japan, China, Australia, Singapore, and Columbia.

Finally, I’d like to share a verse in 1 Co 3:5-7 that Paul writes, “What, after all, is Apollos? And what is Paul? Only servants through whom you came to believe – as the Lord has assigned to each his task. I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” Personalizing this passage, I realized God is the one doing most of the leg work, I simply needed to walk by faith in following what He says to do. That means, to be obedient and share the good news and the rest is up to God. Therefore, I learnt not to limit myself to my understandings and feelings when reaching out but to claim by faith his promises for his people, only then that God delivers and confirms. Amen!

Before I end, I like to give thanks, this sounds like a Logies award night but here goes, special thanks goes to the support of the church for sending people to invite and follow-up during mission days, the leadership Pastor Mark and Eric for providing direction and prayer, the team for their whole hearted passion and pouring their own lives in mission. And importantly our God which we could have not done nothing without. Glory goes to God! Amen.

(Shared at 17th Anniversay with City, Frankston, Glen waverly and Darebin)

Words from OT

Last week I happen to flip to Isaiah 54 as I was driving to meet David, Leo and Mingxiu. I was praying that I would receive a word from God, and behold he gave me this chapter.
- Promise of a barren woman (fallen Israel) who is not bearing children (bearing fruits/characters/good results) will become with many child. That is we may have seen discouragements, setbacks but the promise is we will see results because our work in God is not in vain. The seeds planted will begin to spurt with growth.
-Promise of enlarge the tent (house of God/his people). Prepare as the promise says more and more people will come to know Christ and we need to make room and prepare for them. Prepare in our hearts that God will stir and begin his work on personal note.
-A reminder that we have been redeemed just as the widow has been by God. Although we may have slacked off and even disobedient, but God has taken us back in because he has deep compassion and everlasting kindness for us.
-Promise that he will not hide his face anymore but he will always be there with us no matter what happens. This is his unfailing love and the covenant of his peace to us.
-Promise that his people will have great victory and the faith will strong, and the church would be greater than before where we walk in righteousness with deep conviction for God.
-God is the blacksmith (the potter/ the creator) who made people for different purposes for his use. The promise that he is in control hence "no weapon formed against you will prevail" transcribes that God has favor on us, we can overcome opposition and disappointments that occurs when we are walking with God. He has given us the giftings and his Spirit empowers us to overcome. This is his promise.

And yesterday I happen to flip to 1 Chronicles 9 again while meeting Eric, but I prayed in my heart a short prayer that he may give me a word again. And this is what I got from the chapter.
-Importance of our genealogy where we come from, the exile of Babylon to the people of God. From a lost person to Gods chosen people. Confidence in our heritage.
-Gatekeepers are people who protect the church of God, allowing those who want to seek God and stopping those who stir trouble. Protecting all corners of the church, from east, west, south and north. The word "to be aware and alert" speaks out. (The word house known as TENT stands out here.)
-It also says that we are accountable and gatekeepers of one another. That is to keep watch of each other with our spiritual walk. They took turns to keep watch of the tent, working as a team and spurring each other on.
-Gatekeepers were stewards entrusted and taking responsibility of their positions given to them. Meaning in all aspects of our Church life/ministries, they should function as their intended purpose. Not only that but with our personal life we should tie loose ends and do our excellence in our responsibility in society.

All this was to Glorify God in his home, as in 1 Chronicles reminded readers the focal point of peoples life and the house of God is to worship him. Worship him is not with just prayers, attendance etc but it is every aspect of our life. This is a life worship. In summary be confident in heritage -> protect hearts of self/church -> good stewards of our life as we develop our relationship with God and expanding the tent of the Lord.