SATAN ALSO CAN DO GOOD, BE CAREFUL

It is simple...let put example...how Satan can do good deeds.

You are an IT expert and you always do good things. One day, you face financial problems and you pray very hard for God to give you the solutions. Then a man come to you and said that God send me to you....this is the money. Then you settle the debts and you say that man is good and from God. Then your kids need education funds, he come and give again the money to you. One day, he come to you and tells you to hack into National Central Bank and take out all the money out and transfer to my account. Then you said it is wrong, I can't do it. The man said if you don't do it, you have to settle the debts that you borrow from me. Without choice, you did what he asks you to do. Do you think this man from God or Satan...it is from Satan. Only with the Holy Spirit can alerts you. Your spirit must died first (mean surrendering to God), then the Holy Spirit can live in you.

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

TESTIMONIES

I would like to share with you the great testimonies recently happened.

Now I back to Bangkok. It was very successful trip in KL...many supporters + non supporters came and visited me. I shared the Word of God (this year, my theme is Repentance and Revival). The Holy Spirit touched their spirit and some being transformed, other is transforming. Secondly, I was staying in YMCA KL....some senior pastors from Malaysia heard about my sharing...they immediately invited me to preach in their churches. Praise the Lord!

Two days ago, Jenny save one soul as the Lord led...that is her colleague called Sis. Onn. Sis Onn received the salvation in the church. When we were in the church, Onn feel very joyful and cried when the Lord touched her. This morning, she dreamed about an Angel and I (she saw me in the very bright light) was staying in front of her and I was asking the Angel whether you can perform or not otherwise I will perform. The Angel got worry and disturb as not certain at all. Then she woke up. Praise the Lord as the Lord is the planner for our life.

One of my friends who work in US oil fields and he will be planning to come and join us in China. He is planning to quit his job that paid him RM 32,000 per month.

Another sharing testimony...when I was in the plane from Hatyai to Bangkok, I was quite tired as I never have a sleep almost 4 nights and so exhausted. Till the time, I started talking to my next neighbour, a Malaysian, he was so excited to share his products while finish talking...I close my eyes. Then in front of me the Thai man start showing the fast plane and I woke up. Then I started to share about God as well difference between Christianity and Buddhism. It is about 10 mins talk and he accepted the salvation. He told me that he was hinted to go Israel to evangelism with the Israelities. I said go when God is with you and Holy Spirit will guide you. then the Malaysian said I did a good job sharing about God and want to learn from me. Praise the Lord!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

BLESSED CHRISTMAS 2008

Shalom All,

Greetings in the Name of our Lord.

Tomorrow is Christmas Day. What a day of Joy for all of us! So Jenny and I would like to wish you all of you "Khag Molad Samekh and Shana Tova" in Hebrew...meaning "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year". Here also is a simple poem for all of you....

Two thousand years ago the King of Kings was born.
'The Lamb of God' later made to feel the thorn,
If his words are accepted and not scorned,
They will make us all reborn.
Though God's grace, Joseph and Mary presented
A gift to the world that day, which we can all repay,
by living the ten commandments each and every day.
Try to remember and keep in your heart and mind
Jesus's gospel while here on Earth,
Redemption not a life lived in constant mirth.
Peace on Earth, good will toward man
Everyone should try it, whenever they can.
The Lord gave us the option and choice of 'free will,'
Now it's up to us to fit the bill.
So when you’re Christmas shopping for family and friends,
and money is tight at both ends,
Remember that the greatest gift of all,
Is your love of Jesus in the manger stall.

My reflections for this Christmas for all of us....First and foremost, we must continue to thank with joy our God for sending His Son, just like the shepherds of old were recorded to have been filled with joy in Luke 2 v 20: "The shepherds went back to their flocks, glorifying and praising God for all they had heard and seen. It was just as the angel had told them". And now, may I pray for each one of you, as I pray for myself, four very important gifts of Christmas from our Lord:

The first gift is “The Gift of a Renewed Life”, in 2 Corinthians 5 v 17 “this means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun”.

The second gift is “The Gift of Service”. From Isaiah 6 v 8 - ''Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send? Who will go for us?” And I said, “Here I am. Send me!”

The third gift is “The Gift of Worship”. May our heart be filled with joy always as we seek to worship our Lord! just as in Mathew 2 v 11 "They entered the house and saw the child with his mother, Mary, and they bowed down and worshiped him”.

The fourth and the last gift are... “Thanksgiving Gifts and Offerings” from our heart, for the abundant life we have received from Him...may we imitate what the wise men have brought to Jesus’ appropriate gifts” as in in Matthew 2 v11: “Then they opened their treasure chests and gave him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh”.

On the November 16th, 2008, Jenny and I went to a Tha Yang church in the Province of Petchaburi (two hours away from Bangkok towards the south of Thailand) together with Pastor Prasit, who was preaching that Sunday service....Jenny and I spent time with the children there and helped them watch a Thai Christian Cartoon movie.

On the November 22nd, 2008, I attended a Filippino speaking church service, this service was held on Saturday as on Sunday, the pastor would have to conduct services in Thai. The Fillipino church workers are doing missionary work in Thailand. I was invited to share a short message to the congregation. Praise the Lord for opening doors!

Three days later, I was invited to go to the Lumpini Primary School, together with the Lumpini Evangelism Group. We gave Christmas gifts and The Book of John to the children.

On November 29th, 2008, Jenny and I went to Bang-Pa In and we had a meaningful time fellowshipping with the Full Gospel church leaders. In the evening, we went to a market to distribute Christian leaflets to the local people. The following day, that is Sunday, I preached for almost 2 hours on the topic “The Return of Israel”. Two Myanmar brothers came to me after the service to tell me they believe that they are from the Tribes of Benjamin. God loves His people and has said "Your name is Jacob, but you will not be called Jacob any longer. From now on your name will be Israel”. So God renamed him Israel. Then God said, “I am El-Shaddai - “God Almighty”. Be fruitful and multiply. You will become a great nation, even many nations. Kings will be among your descendants! And I will give you the land I once gave to Abraham and Isaac. Yes, I will give it to you and your descendants after you” - Genesis 35 v 10 - 12.

May the Lord bring you joy and peace throughout this Season and the coming Year 2009 and may His light wash away all the shadows of your life.

God Bless!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

OBEY HIS CALLING

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ....

Shalom! And Greetings in the name of our Lord.

This is the first part (Part 1) of my November 2008 Report.

During the past one month, I was unexpectedly afflicted with fever, diarrhea,mouth ulcers and sore throat for two days in a week, and this pattern continued for the duration of 4 weeks during the month!.... Now why this attack on my health that sent me to a private clinic, as well the hospital, for a check-up??...And all the doctors could say was : food poisoning, or viral infection!.....

Now I recall that some two years ago, God has spoken to me clearly to resign from my job as a computer professional to take up His call to serve him in the mission field...... but I kept on saying “No!” or delayed to do so for another 6 months to a year. ....Then God was quite emphatic and said: “No, you must go do mission work.".

During this period of my vacillation , my car broken down inexplicably many times in a month......then also, the power supply to my room was cut off even though I have paid my electricity bill, and many, many unexpected mishaps came to upset my mundane life!.... These shook me quite a bit and soon, I was made to realise that perhaps I have failed to heed God's promptings to me... and I began to nudge myself, "Should I not take Him more seriously His beckoning and obey His call ?"..... O yes, being human, like everybody else, it is all so natural for us to want to stick to our own seeking and ways, to stay in our comfort zones and do little for God,and to ignore or delay God's call or will for us....but, as often is the case, we too often will find that by our disobedience, we will pay a price for this disobedience, as I certainly have learnt from this since! .......

What a frightening flashback this is for me!

Now coming back to Novenber 2008 now... in early November, the Lord also prompted me to go out from Thailand to serve Him elsewhere.....but I said I would delay this till end of February 2009 ....and what happened to this dillydallying? ...... Answer : this train of sickness and ill health coming upon me!!....

So it is all too clear to me now that I cannot, and should not, delay any further!....I must make a decision to go one month earlier!.....for when God calls us , he means business with us, and we must obey and follow Him without delay and excuses!.Amen to that, yeah?

On the November 10th, 2008, God led me to the vision and the following website: http://faithwithyou.blog.com/4125908/. Tab this, and you will find God's message loud and clear for all of us!

You will recall that I have previously shared with you briefly about the transformed life of Bro. Francis Elijah Kok....you may read his testimony in this link: http://faithwithyou.blog.com/4294325. I hope you will be touched by his story.

On the November 1st, 2008, a pastor invited Jenny and me to a presentation of songs and dance by some northern hill tribes in Pathum Thani, about an hour's drive from Don Mueang Airport. This event was organized by the leader of some Hill Tribes from northern Chiangmai who are now Christians. Before the function ended, I was invited to close with a prayer .... it was such a joy for Jenny and me to witness the working of the Lord on the lives of these Thai Christians. Praise the Lord. Truly our God is Great!

The next day, I was invited to preach in the Jaisamarn Full Gospel in Bang-Pa In.. Jenny was my interpretor as I shared God's word about “ End Time prophesies”. In the afternoon, we went to visit the King’s Palace near the church..... In the evening, we went to a village church planted there recently - it is called “Bethlehem House, so appropriately named after our Lord Jesus' birthplace!.

The following Sunday, I was invited to preach at the Navanakorn Church, which is about 1 hour's drive from Don Mueang Airport. My message was based on the Book of Jonah - the importance of fasting and praying for the city of Nineveh. And its relevance today of doing the same for God's Kingdom work for Thailand..

I will be sending the next report for November 2008 (Part 2) next week.

May God Bless all of you.

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok

MERRY CHRISTMAS 2008 AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009

TESTIMONY FROM BRO. FRANCIS ELIJAH KOK

Home – A Dream or a Dream to far?

Hi – To all, as Pastor Steve Kok have mentioned in his blog, my name is Francis Elijah Kok, and I will share my testimony when I am ready. Please read my testimony with an open mind and heart, because this is a testimony from a real life prodigal son. And I chose my birthday today – 30th November to share this and since I am already 41, I intend to something meaningful.

I guess it is time and I titled my sharing as above : Home – or a dream too far?

Where do I start or how to begin? I will use the story of the Prodigal Son to launch my sharing. All should be familiar with the story of the Prodigal son written in the Bible, it is written that the son returned to open arms of his father and mother…….but to me, it have been remained yet still a dream or a wish.

To start, I came from a simple family of four, I am the youngest with an elder sister. Though we were baptized as Christian at the age of 15 in a Methodist Church, I confessed our faith have never been strong – or is it the fear of insecurity that we are poor and not well-to-do as other church members? I really don’t can answer, but as far as I can remember, I find it difficult to fit in during youth meetings or groups meetings.

Guess time passed quickly and I passed my STPM but not able to get into a university and because of financial reason I did not get into any private college at all. At that time, I am still an innocent kid to life, to the streets. I found some work in a paging firm, work10 hours from 10pm -8am everyday and attend a private college in the day-time for my NCC Diploma in Computer Studies. My dream? If can’t be a lawyer, I hope to be a good programmer.

Where did my down fall started? I guess it started when I pushed myself to reach the heart of success. It started when I started resenting my mother when she forbids from this and that, even to the extend of trying out as a junior programmer because the starting pay is low and I have to temporary support the family because my sister resigned from her job to study full-time.

To cut the story short, I change jobs very fast, each time hoping to get a higher and better salary and of course with higher salary I am able to get a credit card and getting to know the wrong parties. I started to fall from grace and I cant blame anyone but myself. I sarted to get big-headed, wanting to start a business and earning big money. I started to get involve in the 3 big WWS : Wine,Women and Song. In time, I get into big debts and started borrowing from loan-sharks……… and this is my biggest down fall. At that time I am married with a nice and beautiful daughter. My parents bailed me out by selling our house.

Here is the beginning of my end….I pray that those who read my testimony, please when or if anyone of your members fall from grace, please pray and try to support them, and also churches, please not to condemn them, pray for them and give them a platform to stand again.

I was never really given the chance, after the sale of the house, everyday it will be non-stop nagging, scolding, condemning, I feel so lost, and I turn to alcohol to release myself. Again, I went deeper into sin…. I can’t find a job, everything I tried failed, even when I want to temporary drive a taxi,, my parents are against it, how to get cash or money? Again I turn to loan-sharks……… but this time I am not able to pay them back. What did I do? My brothers – I ran, I ran as far as I can. I left Malaysia to work in Singapore and it is so difficult to make ends meet.

I ran away for more than more than 10 years. The first few years it was so lonely out there, my mother refuses to let my wife to bring my daughter to see me, saying it is to punish me for my sins and wrongdoings. My daughter is about 4 then. During the years in Singapore I was lonely, so lonely that alcohol is my only friend. I tried going to a church, a famous church in Singapore, but when I confessed my sins, when I give my testimonial, there is no hands to assists me, I was out-chaste, I was chastise, but never a word of encouragement from members of the church. Because of my hard-drinking, I was never able to send money home. Somewhere along the line, I lost and found a new job. And this job is with the gambling or betting job, soccer betting. Deeper into sin, I invested into this venture also, I travelled to China, Thailand, Macau, Hong Kong and this world of sin is something that makes me fall deeper. All the women, all the drugs and all the sin you can buy with money.

Yet this venture failed. I lost my investment badly, my wife divorced me, and what breaks me is when I return to Malaysia, my daughter refuses to see me, can’t blame her then, for I have not done my part as father. I came back and work as a part-timer selling games for pc. Again I was offered a job work in a Soccer Betting environment. This time I met Pastor Steve Kok in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

We met via Skype many months ago. I still harbour some hope to return and walk again in His path, so as to have the warmth and love of a family again…we chat for quite some time during breakfast, and somehow God work mysteriously. I am on the verge of losing this job of mine again and I will be flying home back to KL, Malaysia soon. God punishing me for time and time falling deeper into sin or God not wanting me to work in this environment anymore. I pray it is the latter.

I have started reading the Bible again, and praying to God again…..it is a struggle everyday to try and walk the right path. Every turn seems to be a wrong turn. At the time of writing this testimonial I am still unwanted back home. This prodigal son returns home to loneliness.

I hope and I pray that when I return home, I am able to find a stable job and use my experience as a programmer yet I feel so at lost now. I pray that to those who have read this testimony, do not give up hope. Continue praying, I am sure the light at the end of the tunnel will appear one day and do keep a small prayer for me. It is so difficult to walk right, and I am coming home to loneliness and emptiness. And I pray that also one day I might be able to see my daughter, she is 12 next year.

Pastor Steve have been an encouragement to me, until today, he never gives up on me, still wanting me to join him on his missions.

I pray that those who read his blogs and his visions, his writings, blogs and visions are not easily accepted by people, including myself, for his heart is true and he have the love of God in him.

Blessing,
Bro. Francis Elijah Kok

MISSION IN CAMBODIA AND HOME CHURCH

Shalom All,

Greetings in the Lord’s Name!

It is always good when we received the Lord’s presence into us as the joy and peace in our heart. Hallelujah to our Great Lord! Jenny has designed tambourines with a cross and we will use these to dance while giving Praise the Lord! The picture below is what the small bell tambourines look like and includes a description of the materials used to make them. In Biblical context, tambourines are one of the musical instruments that are used to celebrate the joy with the Lord as referred to in Genesis 31 v 27, Exodus 15 v 20 - 21, Judges 11 v 34, 1 Samuel 10 v 5 - 7, 1 Samuel 18 v 6 - 7, 1 Chronicles 13 v 8, Job 21 v 12, Psalm 68 v 25 - 26, Psalm 81 v 1 - 3, Psalm 149 v 3 - 4, Psalm 150, Isaiah 5 v 12 - 13 and Jeremiah 31 v 4.

In my past report, I had mentioned about the End Times as what has happened, is happening now and what is going to happen in future. Firstly I want to Praise the Lord, as the Lord pronounced that the prophesy is real and happening now. Secondly, the global economic challenge is increasing each day, global politics are in a mess as well as strange disasters are happening now. Thirdly, some of you are worried about your wealth diminishing and are not ready to face this crisis but Jesus said “don’t panic over all this as everything must take place” (Matthew 24 v 6 - 7 and Mark 13 v 6 - 7). We should remain warm with love otherwise we may go the opposite way (Matthew 24 v 12) as Jesus wants us to keep the Greatest Commandments in our hearts forever, then your Great Reward is with Jesus Christ (Revelation 22 v 12) and He shall pay your reward according to your deeds in faith and love. Hallelujah!

The recent news from Bangkok about the protestors (we called it the ‘yellow group’), after several protests at various government offices, now carry out huge demonstrations in the two airports, namely Don Mueang (domestic) and Suvarnabhumi (International) Airport. We are staying just a few kilometres away from Don Mueang Airport. We hear a lot of news about whatever is happening but never see the situation wherever we go within the Bangkok area! Many of you might not know “how and why” this protest started but that is another story! Anyway, what we can do, is to pray and fast for Thailand!

During past two weeks, I have been sharing to Christians (including pastors) about Jonah (Book of Jonah) who travelled to Nineveh to ask the people to repent and fast for 40 days. They did exactly that including the King, just as Jonah instructed. The Kingdom of Nineveh was to be destroyed, but God saw their heart and sincerity and protected them. Today, many people don’t see God in their first sight anymore, but rather say the event is normal. For example tsunami, hurricane, earthquake or floods happened recently, did they really repent like what Nineveh people did? Fasting and praying to God for mercy? When one disaster happens, the churches, organisations or the people will firstly do to the end plan, which is to raise funds rather than do fasting and praying. We need to ask God for mercy for all things that happen in the world.

On October 11th, 2008, I brought Bro. Mathaikutty (the brother I mentioned in my last email who worked in Sisaket as an English teacher) to the Lumpini Park in Bangkok as we evangelize, preach and pray for the people every Saturday. When he saw what we were doing, he was really touched and amazed at the work being done. He said that in India, they can’t do it at the public park otherwise they will be prosecuted and arrested. He was pleased and by God’s will, he plans to come frequently to join us even though the distance is not near (8 hours train journey from Sisaket to Bangkok).

I left from Bangkok around 5am and arrived at Phnom Penh, Cambodia around 7.30pm on October 13th, 2008. It is a long journey although India was even longer (3 days 2 nights journey). I was staying in the guest house near the French Embassy which cost about USD 5 per night, so the following day, I downgraded the room to one without a bathroom which cost me USD 3 per night. I had breakfast with Bro. Francis Elijah Kok who is a born again Christian. When I met him last September 2007, he was referred by a couple from New Zealand. We communicated through Skype (internet messenger) and we only met each other during this breakfast meal together. It is amazing how God has used me to bring him the encouragement, love and faith. Praise His Glorious Name! He will share his testimony through website/blog when he is ready and you will touch you by his testimony! As well, I met two Cambodian pastors and spent some quality time together sharing my thoughts on fellowship, as the Lord asked me to contact them even without knowing them first.

We met Sister Esther Ding from Cambodia Mission Services and visited her shop known as Khmer Life where they sell all kinds of handicrafts made by the villagers. It is amazing on how God is using her expertise in this mission for 14 years in Cambodia as she works in a different manner as compared to other missionaries. She believes in creating work opportunities for poor villagers such as doing handicrafts and providing services of homestay to the foreigners (in Khmer language, foreigner is Barang). The next day, Sister Esther and I went directly to Baray (near Kampong Thom) to visit the mission centre and the journey took us around 4 hours. When we reached there, we met a missionary couple from London who are doing a 6 months mission here and teach English for the primary and secondary school children while teaching them on what the Bible teaches on human relationships such as boy/girl relations. We also met a volunteer Christian doctor who provides a no-fee service for the villagers and we shared the same room in the Medical House.

During our mission visit, we had fellowship with a few pastors and shared the Word of God with them to encourage them and help them to move forward with God. God has really worked some amazing things here and I’ve even heard that some churches in Malaysia have given Praise Reports over my work done abroad. Though it may appear that I am fishing for credit, it is not myself alone who has done the work, but rather it is God who has done this work through me and we give all Praise and Glory to the Lord for touching lives.

For the readers who are involved in school, church or company camp, I would like to invite you to this Khmer Homestay to experience the village lifestyle as it will also benefit the mission work in Cambodia. It helps to provide employment to the poor villages and also to buy the general items such as foods, medicines and etc. The link to their website is “http://www.khmerhomestay.com” . Praise the Lord!

On the October 23 rd, 2008, we were invited to launch a new Home Church at Minburi and be the guest speaker, as such I shared about “What is Home Church and Evangelism with people around the area?” When it came time for prayer, I felt the Holy Spirit working in me and started to pray for everyone. Without touching them, they began to fall down and feel the presence of the Lord moving in them. Hallelujah and our God is always Great, Amen!

I am praying for Jenny to join me as a full time mission worker starting in the month of January 2009 as the Lord has called me to go to Cambodia for one month, Vietnam for a few months and China for 6 months or more. Currently, my mission funds are only able to support 1 person and we are seek the Lord to provide us with additional funds. Please continue to uphold us in your prayers.

Looking forward to writing the next report as there is more exciting news to share! Our God is a living God and Jesus is the Truth to our Life!

God Bless!

Blessing,
Pastor Steve Peter H S Kok