As followers of Christ and as people of God, we are called to live a life well and to be of radical influence and impact. The best way to do this is to set an intentional goal for our journey on this Earth and in the right way. Recently, Dato’ Dr. Daniel Ho shared a simple message about this topic. The three fundamental dimensions he presented were foundation and framework, which would direct us to the proper focus in life. When we get them right, our lives will have radical influence and impact.
Foundation of Life (John 14:6, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11, John 8:32)
As Christians, our life should be lived based on truth. Jesus Christ is the Truth that lasts forever, which means His impact is also for eternity. He declared in John 14:6 that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Evidence of this can be found in His resurrection.
Because the resurrection of Christ is a fulcrum of history, there has been much debate throughout the eons we have been on Earth. Many people have tried to debunk the resurrection and instead become believers of Christ after all the research and findings.
What does it mean to set our life on the foundation of Christ as Truth? Only the Truth can give meaning to our life. With this also comes true significance and freedom. Scripture tells us that we are precious children of God. This truth gives us joy, peace, passion, and energy to live a life secured and significant in Christ.
Satan will attempt to shortchange us and cause us to prop and lean our ladders on the wrong walls. Due to this, many, even among believers, have placed their foundations on the imperfect things, on the philosophies and systems of the world. When death comes knocking, many find they have wasted their lives.
Putting our foundation on Christ as Truth challenges us to live a life of legacy not centered on transient things but on the deeper and eternal aspects, such as the dignity of life and our spiritual identities as God’s children. The Christian life comes with a high calling, expressed through privilege and responsibility. How has Christ challenged you to leave an impact on others?
Framework for Life (Exodus 20:1-17)
With Christ and Truth as the foundation, we can build the framework or scaffolding of our Christian life. This framework includes principles, values, convictions, commitment, and, above all, Scripture. It has to be centered on a Godly worldview. Psalm 127:1 reminds us that only the house that is built by the Lord can stand the test of time. Rather than looking upon the 10 Commandments as a set of personal ethics of dos and don’ts, we see it as a paradigm for a transformed society.
Some people may not realise it, but the Ten Commandments are universally accepted. It has shaped nations, and many have incorporated similar criteria in their law and constitutions. We can learn to live a better life through the Ten Commandments. Here are some examples of how.
The first commandment is deeply tied to how we build our foundations. It affirms God as the Creator and that there is no other God we are to base our lives upon. The sixth commandment warns against murder, but not just about the act. The commandment has a deeper meaning about the sanctity of life. It states that all life should be respected, even those most of the world has disregarded, such as the disabled and underprivileged. Other commandments, such as those warning against adultery and theft, facilitates a harmonious society with mutual respect for property and rights. The commandments also place focus on the proper value of hard work and loving and taking care of the people placed under our responsibility.
Focus in Life (1 Corinthians 10:31)
The foundation and framework of a Christian point towards the one and only focus in life found in 1 Corinthians 10:31, So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
In whatever we do, in our speech and action, whether it is private or in public, in all our roles and relationships, we are to honour God. When the foundation, framework, and focus are aligned rightly, we can forge ahead, shaping who we are and what we do, no matter where we are. Dato’ Daniel gave pointers for each of these.
Conclusion – Forging Ahead in Life
1. Who I am
Be an attractive person with good character. Among others, be trustworthy, transparent, humble, consistent, reliable, and personable.
Show competency by being responsible and serious in your work and studies. Do your level best. Go for training and upgrade skills to improve your capacities if you have to.
Practise compassion and care towards others by not brushing them aside. Love genuinely. Have a heart that is concerned for people. Do away with unkind or unjust words that hurt others.
2. Wherever I am
Wherever God places you, be a blessing to others by inspiring them with your support and encouragement. If they need to be heard, be a healing agent by counselling them with kindness and gentleness. Some wounds are deep; some have inner hurts that we may not fully understand. Even children are susceptible to mental disorders and suicidal thoughts these days. Sometimes, the simplest thing we can do for others is to be there for them.
3. Whatever I do
Help people.
Help them stand on your shoulders so that they will feel lifted up. Teach them to fly high, last long, and land well. Guide them to invest correctly and wisely, in terms of finances or time, and most importantly, in Jesus.
Note: This is an adaptation of a sermon shared by Dato’ Dr. Daniel Ho at Damansara Utama Methodist Church on the 11th of June 2023. You may access the full sermon from DUMC’s YouTube page at https://www.youtube.com/live/KE3IV6wvqa4?feature=share
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Vision – The Army of God
At the beginning of October 1995 God gave me a vision of the Army of God. I had been to a Rodney Howard-Browne Revival meeting in which the presence of God was awesome! After leaving the meeting the presence of God was still strong, and I just kept praising Jesus the whole time. When I was in my room at home the room suddenly began to fade out until all I could see was a vision of the Army of God.
As far as my eyes could see into the distance, I could see the Army of God marching in pairs through a city, marching in unity to the beat of a drum. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit, shone with the glory of God and were full of joy! Then the Spirit of God focused on the man who was at the front of the Army. He was a very tall, strong looking man with shoulder length wavy hair and ruddy complexion. He like all the others had on the armor of God, the helmet of salvation, breastplate of righteousness, loins girded with truth, sandals of the gospel of peace, shield of faith and sword of the Holy Spirit. The Army was marching from one battle victorious marching into another battle knowing they were already victorious! They were advancing the Kingdom of God. They were going into enemy territory and taking back what the enemy had stolen! There was a crowd watching and cheering like it was a victory parade.
I felt that God was telling me to put this picture of the Army of God into print so that all Christians could see a picture of who they really are in Christ Jesus. A mighty Army marching, shining with the glory of God and victorious! The Holy Spirit also gave me these words to put at the bottom of the print.
“The Army of God – from strength unto strength, victory unto victory, glory unto glory!”
Several months later I was thinking about this vision and began to ask the Lord some questions. I wanted to understand what was keeping the Army walking in unity and why to the beat of a drum? I believe the Holy Spirit revealed to me that the beat of the drum was the leading or unction of the Holy Spirit. The Army of God was sensitive to the Holy Spirit and his gentle prompting, leading and teaching. Also, that they were walking in the fruit of the Spirit therefore in unity.
I also asked the Lord who was the first person at the front of the Army which the Holy Spirit focused on? I again believe the Holy Spirit revealed this person was the Apostle Peter. On the day of Pentecost Peter spoke out about what was happening to the followers of Jesus who had been filled with the Holy Spirit and were all speaking in other tongues. That day Peter preached the gospel message and led over three thousand people to Christ. (Acts 2:1-47). “But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you shall be My witnesses in Jerusalem and all Judea and Samaria and to the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
I also believe that the Holy Spirit was showing me that the Army of God each had a revelation of what it really meant to be saved and that the Armor of God was a key to this. The helmet of salvation was like having a revelation of what was bought for them by the blood of Jesus and that it is only by the blood of Jesus, a free gift. They also had a renewed mind. The breastplate of righteousness was having a revelation that the blood of Jesus has made them righteous and as white as snow. Loins girded with truth was having a revelation of the truth of God on the inside so that they would not believe the lies of the devil. The sandals of the Gospel of peace, was having a revelation of the Gospel message and resting in their salvation. The shield of faith was having a revelation of our Lord Jesus and what he has done for us and who he is. The sword of the Holy Spirit was being full of a revelation of the word of God and using it. the most significant thing about the Armor of God is that every piece points to Christ Jesus. I believe this is part of what it means by putting on Christ Jesus and that the only way we can receive this kind of revelation is through the Holy Spirit. (Ephesians 6:10-19)
I was born again in January 1994. Pastors from our Church in Brisbane, Australia travelled to Toronto Airport Church and caught the fire, “The Toronto Blessing” and bought it back to our Church. The result was glorious! There were so many salvations, healings and deliverances. But the most significant result of this sovereign move of God was the release or outpouring of the Father heart of God for his children. The love of God the Father through the mighty and precious presence of his Son Jesus! It was life changing for so many! There was also such a liberty of the Holy Spirit in the worship and the meetings. It was glorious!
Please keep in mind when reading this vision that I was still a relatively new Chistian at the time the Holy Spirit gave me this vision, and I wrote it down on paper. In saying that though this is exactly what the Holy Spirit impressed on my heart at that time.
I also sense it is relevant to share that at the time the Holy Spirit gave me this vision and I was seeking the Lord with my whole heart! I would race home from work and go into my room at home where I was living with my parents at that time. I would read the word, worship and pray. The presence of the Lord would come into my room so strongly that I would end up on the floor prostrate before the Lord. The power and infilling presence of the Holy Spirit would come into my room so strongly and at times fill me until I felt like my body was going to come apart from the inside out! This is the atmosphere the Holy Spirit released this vision into.
Please feel free to share this vision as it is for the whole body of Christ!