Secret Believers: What Happens When Muslims Turn To Christ? (2007) by Brother Andrew and Al Janssen, Book Review

My first introduction to the late Andrew van der Bijl or better known as Brother Andrew (1982-2022) was through his life-changing autobiography, God’s Smuggler. If you haven’t read it, I suggest you get a copy and read it before you die. In it, he told the story of how he became a Christ follower and was inspired to smuggle Bibles into Communist Eastern Europe to the persecuted underground churches. It was the start of a great adventure. His famous prayer has been my personal prayer too whenever I entered places where I shouldn’t be to share the Gospel with the not-yet-believers: “Lord, in my luggage I have Scripture I want to take to Your children. When You were on earth, You made blind eyes see. Now, I pray, make seeing eyes blind. Do not let the guards see those things You do not want them to see.” After the Iron Curtain collapse in Europe, Brother Andrew began to expand his ministry to Islamic nations, especially aiming at radical Islam. “We cannot win the war on terror with guns and bombs because everyone we kill is replaced by dozens more who seek revenge,” said Andrew, “The only answer is a total, radical commitment to Jesus Christ.”

Secret Believers is the next important book by Brother Andrew - and Al Janssen - in my estimation. Part 1 tells exciting yet terrifying true stories about men and women who are born as Muslims in strict Islamic states in the Middle East who have chosen - or rather, chosen by the living God of the Bible - to be the followers of Jesus Messiah, Lord, and Saviour. They are called Muslim Background Believers (MBB). The inner joy, living faith, glorious grace, inward freedom, and eternal life that they found in Jesus are not without their external costs and consequences. The Scripture clearly says, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). The MBB worships Jesus daily, and at the same time suffer persecution daily. The stories of Ahmed, Mustafa (killed), Hassan (killed), Kareem, Abuna, Brutos, Nadira, Salima, Layla (abducted and raped), etc. touched my heart, warmed my soul, challenged my faith, and resolved my mind. I was even moved to tears when I read about their situations. Sometimes my anger would arouse due to the injustice done by their own families, communities, and authorities, inhuman treatments, and killing that were done in the name of God (John 16:2b says, “…the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service”). But how the characters engaged with their challenges remind me of Christ’s love for the lost people. “Don’t curse the darkness but light a candle.”

Part 2 of this book is worth the price. Here Brother Andrew presents some Biblical principles, thoughts, and questions on how to respond to the challenge of Islam. “I believe the story you have just read presents us with four challenges,” explains Andrew, “to love all Muslims by giving them the Good News, to forgive when we’re attacked, to live lives totally committed to Jesus Christ, and to engage in the real war - the spiritual war.” These are very difficult challenges because it is very counter-intuitive to human nature. That’s why we need the grace, faith, and love of Jesus. Only He can create in us a new nature to love our enemies and forgive the way He does. As one of the MBBs said to Al Janssen: “Don’t bring Hollywood; bring Christ. Don’t bring power. Don’t bring just your money. Bring love. Bring the kingdom.” Amen!

#ServeToLead #LeadersAreReaders #SecretBelievers #TurnToChrist #TheLoveOfChrist #Evangelism #GoodNews #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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The Power of The Word and words #LeadersAreReaders January 2023

I was doing a house cleaning last week when I discovered my old notes with amazing stories in them. Let me share one about the transforming power of the Word. It is written by Peter V. Deison about a man named Ramad. Ramad was the most dangerous man in all of India. His gang attacked, plundered, and terrified the remote villages of the area. He was wanted dead or alive. While ransacking a small home in one of these villages, he found a small black book.

At first, he started to throw it away, but he noticed that the paper was very thin and just the right size for roll-you-own cigarettes. Each evening after a meal Ramad would relax with a smoke. He would take out the little book, tear a page out, and fold it over for the tobacco. One evening while folding the paper, he noticed the writing was in his own language. So each evening after eating, he would read a page of the little book - presumably the New Testament - and then smoke it.

One evening, by God's grace, over time, he was convicted! He knelt and asked Jesus Christ to forgive his sins and confessed Him to be his Lord and Savior. At once he turned himself over to the police, much to their surprise, and turned from a bandit to an evangelist for Christ in the prison! It became Ramad's first mission field where he led many other prisoners to Jesus.

I heard and read many real-life stories like this when God's Word - even His servants' words a.k.a. books about the written Word - made a change in people's lives. It's true: "Know it in your mind; Stow it in your heart; Show it in your life; Sow it in the world." Amen!

#ServeToLead #ReadersAreReaders #PrisonMinistry #ThePowerOfTheWord #Repentance #ChangedLife #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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Tortured for Christ (1967) by Richard Wurmbrand, Book Review

 Tortured for Christ (1967) by Richard Wurmbrand

I've read this book many times, on many occasions in my life, and have written a brief review years ago (in my blog). It still impacted me very much, the privilege of preaching the Word on social media, campuses, and small churches, the comfort (so far) of being a Christ follower in Malaysia, and the freedom to own as many Bibles as I want. God, through Mr. and Mrs. Wurmbrand, reminds me to: "Don't complain, pray"; "Rest is for the hard laborers in the Gospel"; "Win souls for Christ by all God-honoring means"; "Don't ask for persecution but always be ready"; and "The Father is on the move!" When I read the Book of Acts and John Foxe's Book of Martyrs alongside this one, I can hear the Spirit says, "Be strong and courageous" (Deuteronomy 31:6, Joshua 1, 1 Chronicle 28:20, 2 Chronicles 32:7, Daniel 10:19, Ephesians 6:10).

Let me share just two short stories from this book: #1 STORY: "A brother* [I suspect that this is the author himself, writing from a third person] was preaching to the other prisoners when the guards suddenly burst in, surprising him halfway through a phrase. They hauled him down the corridor to their 'beating room.' After what seemed an endless beating, they brought him back and threw him - bloody and bruised - on the prison floor. Slowly, he picked his battered body up, painfully straightened his clothing, and said, 'Now, brethren, where did I leave off when I was interrupted?' He continues his Gospel message!"

#2 STORY: "A Christian was sentenced to death. Before being executed, he was allowed to see his wife. His last words to his wife were, 'You must know that I die loving those who kill me. They don't know what they do and my last request of you is to love them, too. Don't have bitterness in your heart because they kill your beloved one. We will meet in heaven.' These words impressed the officer of the secret police who attended the discussion between the two. Afterward, he told me the story in prison, where he had been put for becoming a Christian."

These stories and more. Inspiring and challenging. Good endings, bad endings. But all for the glory of the living God YHWH!

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #RichardWurmbrand #TorturedForChrist #BeStrongAndCourageous #LeadersAreReaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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The Blind Evangelist Who Sees! (China: Chang Shen) #PersecutedChurch

Before his conversion, Chang Shen had been known as a gambler, womanizer, and thief. When he was stricken blind in midlife, neighbors said it was the judgment of the gods for his evil doings. But everything changed when he heard about Christ for the first time. What happened next?

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps.

To watch other stories from this series, CLICK HERE https://bit.ly/LegasiPersecutedChurch

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From Shame To Witness (Vietnam: Brother K'Be) #PersecutedChurch

In this story, the police wanted to shame Brother K'Be, but they actually helped to further spread the Gospel message. A believer can be shamed or imprisoned, or even killed. A church building can be closed. A meeting may be disbanded. But the Gospel lives on. When you're under restrictions, would you still find a way to live out your faith?

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps. 

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Extreme Missionary (Irian Jaya: Stanley Albert Dale) #PersecutedChurch

One by one the arrows struck his flesh, and one by one Stanley Albert Dale pulled them out. The blood flowed from his many wounds and onto the riverbank. The screaming Yali warriors feared that the white man was immortal. When the missionary finally died, is he really dead? Are you heading to the same eternity with this faithful man? 

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps

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Extreme Assassin (Bangladesh: Brother Andrew) #PersecutedChurch

The evangelist, Andrew, stared into the gun, wondering why the man didn't fire. The assassin grew frustrated, then frightened, and finally, he fled from the room. Later he testified that he was offered a big reward to kill the evangelist. Why he didn't pull the trigger? What happened next? #ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #PrayForThePersecutedChurch

The story is taken from The Voice of the Martyrs Extreme Devotion Apps.

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Words of Counsel: For All Leaders, Teachers, and Evangelists (Updated 2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon, Book Review

 Words of Counsel: For All Leaders, Teachers, and Evangelists

(Updated 2018) by Charles H. Spurgeon

I'm not sure when exactly this book was written since Mr. Spurgeon was born in 1834 and died in 1892. Maybe it is his complete book or a compilation of his short writings and sermons. Regardless, this book - although it's old - is still timely and timeless. Timely because doing ministry in the era of a pandemic is quite challenging and Spurgeon is doing a great job of counseling (not motivating, like many Christian leaders nowadays) ministers of Christ to push forward for the Gospel and to win souls. If we know the WHY, then the HOW will follow through.

This book is also timeless because Mr. Spurgeon draws his writings from the well of the living water, namely, the Spirit-inspired written Word of God. His blood, like what he said about John Bunyan, is Bibline (he made up this word). He said of Bunyan that can be applied to himself: "Prick him anywhere —his blood is Bibline, the very essence of the Bible flows from him. He cannot speak without quoting a text, for his very soul is full of the Word of God." The wonderful thing about reading and listening to Mr. Spurgeon is that you want more of Christ and the danger is that your taste for modern-day celebrity preachers will be lessened. Dangerously good.

If you're a Christian leader, read this book. Equip yourself and don't follow fallen leaders that disgrace the name of Christ. If you're a Bible teacher, listen to this audiobook. I find that these two chapters "Sunday School Ministry" and "Save the Children" are very good for Sunday School teachers. Don't minimize your ministry, your works are crucial! If you're an evangelist, savor this book alongside The Book. People called Mr. Spurgeon The Prince of Preachers but more than that, I perceived that he is "The Soul Winner" after his Master's example (this also a title of his book that I would like to recommend). Of course, some people are called to be evangelists full-time but all of us are responsible to "do the work of an evangelist” just like Timothy (2 Timothy 4:5)

#ServeToLead #PreachTheWord #CharlesHSpurgeon #LeadersAreReaders #GrowingLeaders #LetsMakeReadingCoolAgain

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The Preacher's Portrait: Some New Testament Word Studies (1961) by John Stott, Book Review

 

The Preacher's Portrait: Some New Testament Word Studies (1961) by John Stott

A book like this must be read with a pen and paper at hand. When Stott writes, I better listen. His writings, especially a superb commentary on 2 Timothy, have been parts of God's instruments that changed my life and draw me closer to the God of the Bible and quench my thirst for His Word. Stott writes clearly (not as an academic scholar but as a loving "Uncle John"), biblically (or should I say, exegetically), and humbly (in the preface he reminds his readers, "I do not pose as an expert, I am far from it"). Yes, I realize some controversies surrounding Stott during his lifetime and even after he died in 2011. Most are false, some are questionable, one or two are plausible. I admire Stott but never in my right mind believe what he wrote is infallible. I echo what Peter said to the Lord Jesus Christ, "You have the words of eternal life" (John 6:68). Only Jesus and His words are infallible - and inerrant.

When Stott was asked during an interview, "What do you believe about the state of preaching today?" Without a pause, he said, "Miserable!" (watch the full interview here: https://youtu.be/eXpY0IPYxcE). I miserably agree. Preachers today become celebrities; preaching becomes entertainment, and motivational speaking and marketing strategy filled the pulpits. Or look at our social media ministries. The message of Memikul Salib Kristus have become self-help advice Menjadi Orang Berjaya dan Sukses and minimize into trivial "Bolehkah Orang Kristian Bertatu?" 😒 What a downgrade! What have we become? Since 1961 through this book (then later in 1982, when he also wrote I Believe In Preaching), John Stott keeps urging us to return to Biblical preaching.

"We need," states Stott, "to gain in the Church today a clearer view of God's revealed ideal for the preacher, what he is, and how he is to do his work. So I shall be considering his message and his authority, the character of the proclamation he is called to make, the vital necessity of his own experience of the Gospel, the nature of his motive, the source of his power, and the moral qualities which should characterize him, notably humility, gentleness, and love. This, I suggest, is the preacher's portrait, a portrait painted by the hand of God Himself on the broad canvas of the New Testament." In short, the preacher is 1) A Steward, 2) A Herald, 3) A Witness, 4) A Father, and 5) A Servant. At first, I wanted to just share summary outlines of what Stott writes about each word. But then again, maybe I'll pass. If this review sparks your interest, you'll find ways to search for it online or better - buy the book! 😉

I was listening to an interview in Open Book Podcast when Stephen Nichols asked John MacArthur about one of the books that influence him the most in his early years as pastor. Yes, one of them is The Preacher's Portrait. He said, "By the time I was through that book, I knew I could never do anything in a pulpit - in my life - except explain the Scripture." The impact of this book is evident 💪 ✍📖 #1Book1Week #LeadersAreReaders #JohnStott #BiblicalPreaching #PreacherAndPreaching #GodsWordAutority

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Timothy, Keep A Close Watch on Yourself and on the Doctrine (1 Timothy 4:16)

 

“Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by doing so you will save both yourself and your hearers” (1 Timothy 4:16, ESV)

This last verse of chapter 4 is a very powerful reminder for us today – preachers and teachers, especially and all Christians, generally. Previously, the apostle Paul tells Timothy to “devote [himself] to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching” (v.13, bracket mine) and do “not neglect the gift” (v.14) that God has given to him. And now, Paul wants him to “keep a close watch” or “take heed” (NKJV) these two things:

1) His Life, and
2) His Teaching or Doctrine

Nowadays, people are so fearful of the word ‘doctrine.’ Currently, I’m reading Charles C. Ryrie’s A Survey of Bible Doctrine, and one of my friends who saw the book asked me during our coffee hang out if I’m thinking of applying for a pastoral position. I said no and he replied, “Then why are you reading on Bible doctrine?” Once I heard a preacher said to the congregations that he just wants to share ‘practical’ lessons from the Bible and not about ‘theology’ or ‘doctrine.’ Again, during Bible Study, a student shared in the big group that she doesn’t like to study Bible doctrine because “I’m just a regular Christian, not a preacher.” You can find these examples everywhere in Christendom. To most people, the word ‘doctrine’ conjures up visions of technicality, difficulty, and dogmatism. Maybe it’s our fault – preachers and teachers – that give people bad or negative impressions about the word in the pulpit, writings, or social media.

“Far from being dry and abstract,” explains Millard J. Erickson in his well-known book Introduction to Christian Doctrine, “Christian doctrine deals with the most fundamental issues of life: who am I, what is the ultimate meaning of the universe, where am I going?” As such, good doctrine is very essential, critical, and important because it will influence how we answer these fundamental questions. Christian doctrine “deals with general or timeless truths about God and the rest of reality” added Millard. Where to get a sound, healthy and life-giving doctrine? Only in one chief place: The Holy Scripture, the perfect written Word of God. It is God’s special revelation of Himself and the reality of everything in life. Elsewhere Paul wrote: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:16). What happened if we don’t “keep a close watch” on the doctrine? It may cause us and our hearers to “depart from the faith” (4:1a). Instead of devoting ourselves to reading and teaching the Scripture (4:13), we may unintentionally devote ourselves to “deceitful spirits and teachings (or doctrines) of demons” (4:1b).

But don’t forget this: “Keep a close watch on yourself” too. If Timothy only keeps a close watch on the doctrine and not himself, he is a hypocrite. And there were a lot of religious hypocrites during Paul’s time… not to mention ours’ too. Our doctrine can be God-centred, Christ-exalted, and Spirit-filled but if it doesn’t match with our actions, we are deceiving ourselves, being deceived and a stumbling block to others. Preacher’s Homiletical Commentary puts it this way: “1. Actions are more intelligible than words; 2. The language of life is more convincing than the language of the lip; 3. The teaching of the life is available in many cases in which the teaching of the lip cannot or ought not to be attempted.” So, take heed of these two things, don’t separate the two, “persist” or “continue in them” (KJV), for “by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers.” It’s not just about you.

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Lessons from Moral Failings of Christian Leaders (#LEGASItv Discussion S.2 E.1) with Bro Richard Angelus, Ps. Kelvin Felix and Ps. Ivan Ong

 

On 4th November 2020, Hillsong founding pastor Brian Houston sent an email to Hillsong East Coast informing them that Carl Lentz had been fired as the lead pastor of the New York City location. Houston cited “leadership issues and breaches of trust, plus a recent revelation of moral failures” as reasons for Lentz’s termination. In his Instagram post, Lentz admitted to being “unfaithful in my marriage, the most important relationship in my life.” This is not the first case nor the last one. It’s not so much about Carl but it’s about you and me too. We all have the potential and exposes to moral failure.

Jadi, dalam LEGASI.tv Discussion (S.2 E.1) ini, saya bersama dengan Ps. Ivan Ong and Ps. Kelvin Felix membincangkan tentang isu ini, memberi respon dan komen, melihat contoh-contoh Alkitab dan petikan Firman, bercerita kisah benar dalam pelayanan dan perkongsian peribadi. Begitu juga, kami ada memberi beberapa langkah untuk terus setia dalam iman dan integriti dalam pelayanan. Selamat menonton! 😊⚡🔥 #ServeToLead #MoralFailure #MoreFaithful

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Bribery and Corruption: Biblical Reflections and Case Studies for the Marketplace in Asia (2018) by Bishop Hwa Yung, Sort-of-Book Review

 

Bribery and Corruption: Biblical Reflections and Case Studies for the Marketplace in Asia (2018) by Bishop Hwa Yung

Hwa Yung was the bishop of the Methodist Church in Malaysia from 2004 to 2012 and was the Honorary President of the IFES when he wrote this book. I have met Hwa Yung a few times during camp and conferences. He is a very smart, articulate, quite humorous, and passionate man. It is no surprise that he wrote this book because he - consistently and compassionately - cares about the Christian witness in the world. About this book, he wrote: "This short book is one attempt to respond to the need to help Christians in Asia find a biblical response to the real pressures they face in the marketplace, which takes seriously both the Scripture and the context in which Asian Christians function."

I love this book because the context is in Asia (especially, Malaysia) and not some foreign Western countries. Although both the West/East guilty of the same sins of bribery and corruption, the complexity (or uniqueness) of our culture, socioeconomic, and even theology make a vast difference. The practice of giving 'duit kopi', for example, has been part of our culture. Is it a love gift or bribery? My friends who work in JKR and constructions often face this dilemma. As I read Hwa Yung's thesis, I can't help but to think that corruption has gone too deep in the Malaysian systems that I wonder is there any hope to reverse the order? Maybe not. Or at least, not fully.

The goal is not zero-corruption but calling the Christians to be "salt" and "light" in the marketplace. "God calls His people, not just to save individual souls, but also to bring Kingdom values to bear on the sociopolitical issues of the day," said the bishop. Instead of giving us step by step guidelines, which is impossible due to the complexity I have mention, he provides us with a Biblical framework, fundamental principles, and (what I call) self-awareness evaluations (Bishop might disagree). Three case studies at the end of this book are very interesting too 

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No More Apostolic Succession But There Are 'Apostles' (Colossians 1:1)

“This letter is from Paul, chosen by the will of God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus, and from our brother Timothy” (Colossians 1:1, NLT)

Paul was qualified as one of the unique apostles, “chosen” and called by Jesus Christ (“the will of God”) personally and an eye witness of His resurrected majesty (read Acts 9:1-31). Paul was able to “proof that [he is] an apostle” (2 Corinthians 12:12) and as well as being inspired to write most of the books/letters of the New Testament. In my own reading and conviction, God has NOT authorized any apostolic succession since Paul was called, so there are no new apostles living on earth today. Timothy was not an apostle but one of Paul’s converts and a fellow missionary.

Question: If there are no apostles today, is there then no representative of God for our times? Hey, yes! There are! In mission and evangelism, God always puts His witnesses in the world. The word ‘apostle’ means ‘a sent one, a missionary’, and certainly this calling has not ceased just because the initial, unique apostles during the time of the New Testament are now no more with us. The Bible says that every believer has been sent to share the Gospel to others - through living and preaching - which has now been given to us. All of Christ-followers are commissioned as messengers and missionaries for God. Our Lord Jesus said, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere… to the end of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

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