Crowns...what are they for?

I've been musing over how I'm going to worship God when I see Him face-to-face. One of the familiar activities that we read from Scriptures, and sing about, is the casting of crowns at the feet of Jesus in worship. The crowns speak of one’s accomplishments or acts done by the grace of God as a result of responding to Jesus in faith and obedience. The elders cast their crowns before God because their crowns expressed their life of faithfulness and thus their reward in eternity.

Revelation 4:9-11 ~ Whenever the living creatures give glory and honor and thanks to Him who sits on the throne, who lives forever and ever, the twenty-four elders fall down before Him who sits on the throne and worship Him who lives forever and ever, and cast their crowns before the throne, saying:

“ You are worthy, O Lord,

To receive glory and honor and power;

For You created all things,

And by Your will they exist and were created.”

I often wonder, why crowns? I want to know... especially God does award his saints aka overcomers with crowns according to how they live and according to the things they will do for His name's sake, in this age, for the age-to-come. I don't want to enter the age-to-come poor and wretched and crown-less, when I could have done something about it. Hey, we are talking about eternity you know! Eternity!! Not just a 2-hour party, but eternity!!!

I reckon that in eternity, it will be crystal clear that Jesus is the most sought after Person by all. Every moment, people will be so consumed by Him, talking about Him... Everyone will be looking for gifts to offer to Him in worship when they meet Him. Like what we watch in those dramas, folks like to offer the most precious and premium gifts to please the king they meet face-to-face. Ooi...don't laugh! I'm trying to comprehend!! Comprehension, Lord! Strike my earthly puny little mind with Your truth!

And crowns will be the most premium stuff to bring. And... everyone will woo and wow cos they can SEE the crowns that you have... Probably you will be quite oblivious with all that attention because you will be in a love-hurry to meet your Beloved.... and when you cast the crowns before Jesus in worship, it's like saying to Him, "Jesus, remember what I (we!) went through and I (You!) kept my faith and I (You!) kept my heart pure in loving You... I remember You were there for me, I remember Your faithfulness and You gave me this crown, and now I say, it is worth it all... You are worth it all..." and then you cast the crown before Jesus... oh...mmm....

The bible talks about a few types of crowns we can receive in this age and the things we can do / walk-out to get it:

1) Crown of Life / The Martyr's Crown

James 1:12 ~ "Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him."

Revelation 2:10 ~ "Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."

This crown is for those who keep on loving God through severe trials and temptations, and yes, even unto death... for the sake of the gospel. So take heart... endure! It's going to be worth it big time in eternity. Endure!! Do not fear! Be faithful...

2) Crown of Righteousness

2 Timothy 4:7-8 ~ "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing."

This is for those who are faithful in the race(s) in their life, not just in completing it, but through it all, loving Jesus and thus so lovesick and longing for His coming again.

3) Imperishable Crown / Incorruptible Crown

1 Corinthians 9:24-25 ~ "Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown."

2 Timothy 2:5 ~ "And also if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned (with the victor's crown) unless he competes according to the rules."

I'm not sure if this can be considered a category of crowns - cos I think all crowns are imperishable. Nevertheless, this verse, it teaches us to live our lives according to God's ways and not according to what we can or what we think we can. If God calls us to live a holy life, we certainly can, cos we have the Holy Spirit and the Word of God! We will be rewarded for gaining significant victories over sin in our life as we resist temptation with endurance.

Many are called, few are chosen (say yes and do it). There will be challenges and sacrifices, but aren't these God's ways to prune us so that we can be more fruitful? Both in character and in ministry... Many have given up in this race, though gifted by the Lord, because they think 'it's too hard' or 'it's not worth it' or they hold on to too many 'baggages'. May we overcome by the grace of God and spur one another to keep going!

4) Crown of Gold / Crown of Glory / The Pastor's Crown

Revelation 4:4 ~ "Around the throne were twenty-four thrones, and on the thrones I saw twenty-four elders sitting, clothed in white robes; and they had crowns of gold on their heads."

1 Pet 5:1-4 ~ "The elders who are among you I exhort, I who am a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that will be revealed: Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly,not for dishonest gain but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock; and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away."

This goes to the ministers who themselves live overcoming lives and faithfully shepherd their flock ...God cares for His people to be discipled and brought up in the way of the Lord! There'll be heartaches and sacrifices made in shepherding the flock, but God sees and He remembers, and your labor is not in vain...(1Cor 15:58)

5) Crown of Rejoicing / Soul Winner's Crown

1 Thess. 2:19-20 ~ "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Is itnot even you in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming? For you are our glory and joy."

This is given to those who faithfully witness the saving grace of God and lead souls to Jesus, turning many to righteousness (Dan. 12:3). God will judge according to our faithfulness and openness in doing this, and not so much how many would respond to Him, for God is the One who will bring the increase and conviction in the hearts of man.

God esteems, remembers and rewards our works. All our obedience is forever remembered by God, therefore, our lives have great dignity even in the midst of the mundane and routine of life. May we live our lives worthy before Him, in a manner that He has exhorted us to live, and not according to the cap we have so subconsciously set for ourselves... Till the day we see Him face-to-face... Will I be facedown? or will I be dancing?... I can only imagine...

I asked, why so many different types of crowns? Are they of a different 'function' in worship? Someone said, cos our God is a creative God! Amen!

A Picture of a Tender-Hearted God... who stoops to make us great

Isaiah 42:3, Matthew 12:20

"A bruised reed he will not break, and a smoldering wick he will

not snuff out. In faithfulness he will bring forth justice."

1998...

We were all gathered in the Muar Prayer House for a retreat for the TOUCH NUS ministry leaders and interns. The Lord visited and touched many deeply one night.. The takeaway thought for the day was to keep the fire on the altar of our hearts burning - receive it, keep it (keep walking, keep obeying, keep loving, keep trusting), grow it and give it away..

When the minister walked around to pray for people, I noticed one guy sitting on the floor and leaning against the wall. His head was bowed low and he held his hands over his head as if in despair. He wore his usual jacket. Yes, that jacket... He wore it everywhere, everyday, every moment...

When the minister walked towards him to pray for him, he quickly arose to his feet. Perhaps he thought, oh, it's my turn to be prayed over, let me get into the proper posture to receive... hmm... stand up and open up my palms? That's what everybody does when they receive prayer..

But the minister gently held him and said it's ok, and he bent down to where the guy was sitting, and prayed for him.

I was frozen by the sight of the minister bending over to pray for the guy.... tears filled my eyes...

What flashed in front of me became a picture of a tender-hearted God who stooped down to us, to where we are... yes, He sees us, our struggles, and comes to where we are and touch us. It's as if God showing me that we don't have to do the things that make ourselves 'look right' or be 'cleaned up' and then receive from God, but God comes to us where we are...

He stoops to where we are and lifts us up... He knows our weaknesses and struggles deep within us... and holds us till we are healed, till we experience victory. We can trust Him! He thunders His love over us, over the one whom He loves... (Psalm 18). How not to be touched by a God whose heart is like that?

I continue to wonder why people would say "I've given my youth to ministry, now I can do my own things"... To me, these years of ministry were the best years in my life, for I've tasted and seen that He is good and He is real...

But the best is yet to be... as God, by His grace and mercy, continues to ambush me in the years ahead... May I remember what He has done and keep talking about it, for it strengthens my resolve even as I forge ahead, for the upward call of Christ in my life...

Psalm 18:35... "Your gentleness has made me great..."

Excuse me, did you say... it's a partnership?

The Lord invited us as a House to enter into a period of fasting and prayer for 14 days, pressing in for a few things. On the very first day, I thought very very seriously about giving up a particular assignment that was given me in the House. So much for a good start...hmmph.. I thought over it very seriously and almost picked up the phone and made that phone call... It was quite unlike me to do that - to give up. I would at least try and give my best... nose dive or nose bleed... do first then say... but this time, I really... I really... chickened out.. :-x ah... we all have such moments, don't we? arrgghh....

Then the word of the Lord came... to my rescue!!!

I heard God gently speaking to me in my inner heart, "Did you say it's a partnership? What's with this thought about giving up?" Then I tried to hide (God is reading my thoughts!!! Run!!!! but when is He not listening? What doesn't He know about me? :-} ) but arrgghh... erm, yes.. I guess You're right, Lord. It is a partnership, I erm, sing about it too, I ya, ok... and all I'm thinking is I can't do it on my own. But I'll do it with You... yes, I need to re-configure... it's going to be a partnership... thank you Lord... for coming to my rescue!!!

Probably deep within me, I really don't want to give up....I want to give it a shot... but I just don't know how to... I had no confidence... so outwardly, I find ways to get myself out of it and meanwhile work myself really hard and then try again, but God saw the inward movements of my heart. Oh, isn't He One of a kind? =D I mean, don't our hearts move to know that God sees our heart and works the best for us? And yes, meanwhile, this partner (that's me) will lean on Him and also work very hard - not in a way to earn / prove the ability for any assignment, but in a way that responds to knowledge of how He knows and sees me and still loves me and still wants me to partner with Him! Woosh!

In Songs 2:8-13, God revealed Himself as a sovereign and overcoming King, leaping over the mountains and skipping over the hills, thus beckoning the Shulamite woman (depicting a believer) to arise with Him. He is challenging her out of her comfort zone by showing her the revelation of who He is, so that she can trust Him and run with Him. He is leading her to leap over the mountains of fear and skip over the hills of afraid-to-make-mistakes... Oh, I will leap, I will skip... just to be near You, just to hear Your voice... for I know if I stay where I am, I'll be far from you, behind the wall... so draw me away...

TELL ME [3 October 2011]

Tell me what You're thinking of

Tell me what You're feeling, Lord

My heart, it pants, for the living God

Tell me what You're thinking of

Tell me what You're feeling, Lord

My heart, it yearns for You

I'll leap over mountains

I'll skip over hills

Just to be with You

Just to hear Your voice

I'll leap over mountains

I'll skip over the hills

Just to be by Your side

And run with You

So draw me away...

Songs 2:8-13

Revelation of the sovereign and overcoming God

8 The voice of my beloved!

Behold, he comes

Leaping upon the mountains,

Skipping upon the hills.

9 My beloved is like a gazelle or a young stag.

The believer sees God standing behind the wall, where she is actually the one standing behind the wall, in her comfort zone...

Behold, he stands behind our wall;

He is looking through the windows,

Gazing through the lattice.

10 My beloved spoke, and said to me:

Jesus challenges her out of her comfort zone...

“ Rise up, my love, my fair one,

And come away.

11 For lo, the winter is past,

The rain is over and gone.

12 The flowers appear on the earth;

The time of singing has come,

And the voice of the turtledove

Is heard in our land.

13 The fig tree puts forth her green figs,

And the vines with the tender grapes

Give a good smell.

Rise up, my love, my fair one,

And come away!

To Worship You I Live

Have you ever witnessed a loving father or mother cooing to their baby? awww... Sometimes, I mean, most of the times, one can't quite figure out what they are singing or saying to their baby, but from the giggling response of the tickled infant, you know that it is a love language that transcends age and our human understanding...

Very often, our moments with the Lord are found to be so. Either we still our hearts and let God sing over us with love, or we sing to Him with the affections of our heart... and it goes on and on... May we have many of such endearing moments with the One who loves us deeply!

p/s: the chorus line of this song is crafted by our dear brother Darren. Simple and Beautiful! I always remember him telling me, just use your heart when you worship God, and I took heed.. heh...

While humming the chorus line to the Lord one day, inspiration for the lyrics of this song came. Truly to worship God is a response, not a doing. Worship is a response to the revelation of who God is, who we are to God and what He has done. Every time God wows our heart with revelation, we bow down and worship Him... and this goes on and on... both now here on earth and in eternity...

TO WORSHIP YOU I LIVE [October 2011]

I am Yours, You are mine

I am bought at a price so costly

I am Yours, You are mine

I'm the treasure You long for

I'm the treasure You seek

Pre-chorus: - can't decide if this sounds better as a bridge or pre-chorus... hmm...

You came, for love

Looking for a bride

You came, for love

Overcame the grave

So I'll live to worship You

And I'll live to worship You

Chorus:

To worship You I live

To worship You I live

I live to worship You

(All my days...)

Galatians 2:20 ~ "I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me."

Romans 12:1-2 ~ "Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up (Psalm 69:9)

I remember the encounter vividly till this day.

As the words were spoken, there was no lightning nor thunder. There were no shaking of tables, chairs or the floor. In fact, the words were spoken right into my face by a friend in the midst of a fast food outlet, over a cuppa coffee.

I felt my whole body being flung to the end of the room (while I was still physically and calmly seated where I was as the conversation continued). I don't think my friend sensed anything amiss.

I couldn't understand what happened, or why that happened. I did not dismiss it for it was very real to me. I could not utter it to another, as yet... So I cherished it in my heart in the Lord.

Eight years on, I saw some light to that encounter.

"Take some time to feel how God feels about the House of Prayer." These were the words that were spoken over the microphone in the House of Prayer, before we gathered in groups to pray. I was like, ok, that's heavy duty stuff. Let me mull over it more...

And so the pieces began to form together...

When I continue to muse over how God feels about the House of Prayer over the next few days, that same encounter came. No, I wasn't flung this time (we should not overtly put attention on our encounters per se)... It was a similar encounter - that kind that you know it is so huge it could almost destroy you, that the encounter will burst deep within you and you just can't contain it. By God's grace, I felt 0.00000000000000000000000000000000001% of it, and knew it was something really really really big time on God's heart. An understatement! Arrghh... can't even find the right words to describe it!

Flashback to the fast food outlet... my friend was sharing with me what God wanted him to do in Singapore - to establish a 24/7 House of Prayer in Singapore. At that time, I was at the crossroads in my career - I had just applied to a two-year overseas posting that could propel me further in my career path. I was subsequently offered the job and was taking some time to make a decision.

I reasoned - two years will pass by quickly. And I could still join in building the House of Prayer when I return to Singapore. Then he said, as a matter of fact-ly, not so much to appeal for me to stay, that the starting years of the building process is a journey that nothing can be compared with. That it would be in the formative years that we grow in the Lord, with one another and in understanding God's heart for the House. This reply, was the very thing that flung me to the end of the room. Eight years on, my heart testifies that it is true...more than what the experiences and journey had brought me (including the heartaches), it was the knowledge that God sees, and that this is something on His heart and He appreciates every builder... woosh... this is enough for me...

God feels intensely towards His house. Psalm 69:9 ~ "Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up."

I want to remain ruined, undone, eaten up... I want to go on holding close to my heart what matters to His heart. It's so easy to forget. It's so easy to sidetrack. It's so easy to let it all go in the name of valid reasons. But O Lord, according to Your tender mercies and faithfulness, never let me go... let me remain... eaten up...