Previously I thought God would like me to be a full-time Christian worker. Later He revealed to me that He wants me to be a “tent-maker” for the current period of time. Then I moved to Toronto at the beginning of 2008. A brand new life started with exciting new research work and challenging new campus ministry. Together with family, church, and friends, my life has been super-busy. I need to learn how to manage my time and Project Contempo 2008 became a big help.
It is quite comforting to realize that “we have enough time” from Paul Stevens’s first session. Yes, whatever God wants us to do, He will give us enough time to finish. The key is to know what God wants us to do. Mr. Stevens also changed my view of the new life through Jesus’ death. He said “we are not changed to a totally different person, but ourselves being released from sin”. This statement helped me to love myself as a human being more and hate the sin in me more. So I am having more confidence in my life and the confidence is from God.
I attended the workshop of “Apologetics in the Workplace” given by Pastor Tim Quek. He gave a whole set of biblical instructions and used apostle Paul as an example for illustration. To me, the most impressive part was the principles regarding the defense of our faith. He told us to “engage the heart not just the mind”. I cannot agree more because God is love and we need to worship God with our heart and honesty. If we defend our faith not out of love, then it is not from Jesus and not for Jesus.
The time of career track networking groups gave people opportunity to get to know each other and share with each other. I attended the healthcare group. Most of us need to deal with two groups of people at workplace: colleagues and patients. Dr. Clement Yeung gave a humorous and concise quotation: “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words”. I am encouraged to serve others mainly with good deeds and good attitude.
Project Contempo 2008 provided much needed fuel for my spiritual journey. I really appreciate the beautiful work done by the brothers and sisters in Christ who sustained the whole process from the every beginning of planning to the last minute of wrapping up. I look forward to the next season.
On September 26-27, City In Focus, together with City Axis and BC Christian News, sponsored a Financial Conference attended by about 250. The keynote speaker, Norm Franz, is a former monetary economist, an investment company executive, and a recognized authority on the world’s financial system. He is also author of the highly acclaimed book, Money & Wealth in the New Millennium. Norm shed some prophetic light on the crisis that is plaguing the global economy today and provided some practical biblical solutions for overcoming the great end time financial shaking. For those who were unable to come, I would recommend that you read Norm’s book which contains most of what was discussed during the conference.
I’m sure most of you have been following the recent events in the financial markets with great interest and some trepidation. It was great timing for the Financial Conference. Norm Franz referred to the following Scripture passage to explain the current situation: “At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, ‘Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.’ The words ‘once more’ indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.” (Heb. 12:26-27)
This passage is saying that before this age is over, God is going to shake every “created thing” that can be shaken, so only that which cannot be shaken will remain. Since God Himself is the only thing that is not created, everything that is not of God will fail. Norm emphasized that this is not the wrath of God, but a time when God tests everyone and everything in preparation for His coming.
Part of this great shaking is taking place in the world’s financial system today, where the purifying fire of God’s Word is testing every investment and financial institution. In other words, every financial investment that is built upon God’s biblical standard of “honest scales” will remain, but every “unjust” investment will not.
The recent financial shakings are serving to uncover the true nature of each investment. I believe that God is using the current financial shakings to show us which investments are built upon the principles of His Word and which investments are not. He is showing us that debt-based paper investments are unstable because they are built on “dishonest scales” and not part of His Kingdom. [Norm’s book explains “dishonest and honest scales.”]
The world financial system has allowed speculators to create and multiply investment debt out of thin air, and this debt is used to leverage other investment segments (currencies, bonds, stocks, commodities, etc.) up or down according to a predetermined purpose. This is what Norm calls “unjust gain” based on “dishonest scales.” The result is a debt bubble that eventually collapses and forces the markets into a major sell-offs, as evidenced by the huge drops in both the Dow Jones Industrial Average and the Toronto Stock Exchange Indices.
So, what are we, as Christians, to do during these times of uncertainty? In a nutshell, this is what Norm offered. First, do not be seduced by the love of money: “A faithful man will be richly blessed, but one eager to get rich will not go unpunished.” (Prov. 28:20). Secondly, examine your investments as to whether they are based on “honest scales” or not. If they are not, switch them over to “honest scale” investments. Lastly, as you see the world getting worse and worse in terms of the fulfillment of Bible prophecy, don’t be afraid. Trust in the Lord with all your heart and remember that Jesus said: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)