Mary came back from shopping one Saturday morning. When she entered the house, she found the house to be a mess.  Her 4 children were running all around the house shrieking in delight and chucking clothes at one another, jumping over chairs, leaving furniture overturned, clothes everywhere. Shocked, she was about to shout out to the kids to stop and warn them that Dad will discipline them.  When suddenly, Tom her husband rushed around the corner and threw clothes at the children and her!  She groaned, “Can I have some maturity in the house?”   Have you ever had anyone look at you and ask, “Can I see some maturity here?”  Or perhaps you have asked that of someone else.  When there is a lack of maturity it can be rather frustrating.  Especially in those who should have become more mature.  The same situation can occur in the church.  In fact, immaturity occurs far too often.  But this issue also occurred in the Early Church such as in the church in Corinth.    The context of 1 Corinthian 6 is the occurrence of disputes between members of the Corinth church.  Disputes which are ending up in the secular courts to find resolution. These came to Paul’s attention, including a specific dispute between one brother against another brother.  We do not know about the nature of the dispute, but it was so bad that it required a legal resolution.     The way Paul addressed the problem, opens our eyes to broader concerns.  As usual Paul was not just concerned about the specific dispute alone.  He was much more concerned about what it revealed about the immaturity in God’s house.   He was also very concerned that God’s church should operate God’s way, especially in the light of what the church is called to be.   So, as we study this passage, it enlightens us on 3 key aspects. Aspects which may challenge us as to our own maturity.    WHEN MATURITY IS LACKING IN GOD’S HOUSE   Apostle Paul was horrified to observe that there was so much immaturity within God’s house at Corinth. You can sense that in the language he was using.  The immaturity was clear in several ways.   Widespread carnal behaviour   1 Corinthians 6:1, 7-8 (NIV) “1 If any of you has a dispute with another, dare he take it before the ungodly for judgment instead of before the saints? 7 The very fact that you have lawsuits among you means you have been completely defeated already. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be cheated? 8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers.”   Paul was basically saying, “Why have these disputes got so out of hand?  To the point that you even bring it to the courts of law? The fact that it reached there means all of you have completely failed!  Even the one suing.  If you have been wronged, if you have been cheated, then let it be so rather than letting it reach this extent.”   You mean, just let someone cheat and wrong you?  Well, Jesus taught in Matthew 5:38-41 (NIV) 38 "You have heard that it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.' 39 But I tell you, Do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40 And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41 If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. It is carnal, worldly thinking for believers to fight for their rights and justice by relying on the world’s way, through the world’s systems.    Paul applied the principle Jesus taught to this situation.  He concluded that it is better to be cheated and wronged than to bring it to the secular courts against another brother.  It is carnal, worldly thinking for believers to fight for their rights and justice by relying on the world’s way, through the world’s systems.  Where is the trust in God and His Church to provide justice?    Now I am not suggesting a blanket avoidance of working through the legal system.  Not at all.  And it is not my intention today to expound all the key principles involved in biblically dealing with the courts of law.  But we must ask ourselves, are we simply falling in step with the world’s way of thinking?  Have we stopped to carefully consider what is the biblical, godly way of dealing with such matters?  Have we prayed and sought God?  Rather than simply running to our lawyers? Cheating another believer is like cheating your own father, or mother, or sibling. Because the church community is meant to be like a family!   Paul went on to point out, “It is bad enough that a member is cheating others.  Worse still he cheats another brother!”  It is such a big thing to Paul because cheating another believer is like cheating your own father, or mother, or sibling.  Because the church community is meant to be like a family!  This is terrible carnality!   When there is lots of immaturity in God’s house, we see all kinds of immature carnal behaviour.  For example, immature people get offended easily.  Just because people are not very careful with their words and put things the wrong way – we get offended!  People forget to invite us to their birthday party – we get offended!  People accidentally overlooked us – we get offended!  There are so many believers who get offended all the time in church and even leave the church.  That is so sad!   When conflicts and disputes are occurring a lot in the church it shows there is considerable immaturity in the church.  A church that my brother once used to attend in Malaysia had so much conflict between one congregation to another.  Between elders to elders.  Over money, over property, over who had more rights.  Absolutely sad!  They could not resolve it objectively, amicably, biblically.  When immaturity is widespread within a church, it is an indication how unhealthy the church is.    When believers wrong another by cheating them or mistreating or discriminating against them and so forth, it is carnality and immaturity.  When immaturity is widespread within a church, it is an indication how unhealthy the church is.  That it is not growing as it should.    Problems cannot be resolved in-house   1 Corinthians 6:5 (NIV) “I say this to shame you. Is it possible that there is nobody among you wise enough to judge a dispute between believers?”   Not only was there considerable immaturity within the church, what saddened Paul even more was that there did not seem to be anyone mature enough, wise enough to judge the dispute.  There was none mature enough!  It was not a case where they have lots of new believers in the church, so it would be understandable that there is still considerable carnality.  But by then here should have been some who have matured enough to handle such situations.  Yet there were none!  What a shameful situation! The Church is intended by God to be the answer to this world’s problems.    Why?  Because the Church is intended by God to be the answer to this world’s problems.  The Church was designed by God to be a righteous community, full of love.  A light on the hill, declaring God’s purposes.  A living demonstration of heaven lived out on earth!  When God’s Church is done God’s way, it should feel like a piece of heaven has come on earth.  Better than freshly baked bread and freshly brewed coffee!  So continual immaturity is a blight on the church. It ought not to be. 1 Corinthians 14:20 (NIV)  Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be adults. When God’s Church is done God’s way, it should feel like a piece of heaven has come on earth.    The sad problem amongst many believers today, is that we are too focussed on resolving issues pragmatically, just like we learnt in the world. Instead, we need to learn to step back and think about God’s way. Think about how Jesus would do it.  Think about how God would view the whole issue.  If each one of us would do just that, it would revolutionise the way we live.  The God’s way would become increasingly evident in God’s Church.  As it ought to be.   Yet the problem in Corinth continued to get worse.   Immaturity was publicised to the world   1 Corinthians 6:6 (NIV) “But instead, one brother goes to law against another--and this in front of unbelievers!”   Paul was appalled that the dirty linen of the church was brought into the world.  In Corinth, such legal disputes are settled in the magistrate courts which usually are held in the middle of the market square.  So anybody and everybody can hear it all.  Imagine if your children one day publicise the dirty linen of your family, the private intimate family matters to the world!  Just tweet it all!  Reality show style like the Kardashians! When the church fails to address problems within, or addresses it terribly, then it is broadcast to the world, it gives the Devil more means to attack the church.    When the church fails to address problems within, or addresses it terribly, then it is broadcast to the world, it gives the Devil more means to attack the church.  It undermines the credibility of Gospel. This was an insult to the Church.  An insult to God!   I am not suggesting that wrongs within the church should ever be hushed up.  It needs to be addressed.  But not in a way that drags down the name of the Church and the name of God.  Imagine if certain very bad things happen in a local church.  It is when the church rises up and deals with problems in a godly, gracious, fair and wise way.  Then the world will sit up and be amazed!  Did you see how the church dealt with this issue?  Our courts would never have resolved it in such a gracious and fair way!   That should be the way!  God’s Church, God’s way.    WHY MATURITY IS DESIRABLE FOR THIS LIFE AND BEYOND   Here Paul briefly gives a reason to the Corinthian church why wisdom, maturity is so important within the church.  Why it is so important for the age to come and also for the present.  From Paul’s explanation we can gather a couple of key principles.   Reflects who we are in Christ   1 Corinthians 6:2a (NIV) “Do you not know that the saints...”  In Christ, we are saints, justified, sanctified, set apart for God.     Paul made the point of referring to the Corinthian believers as saints (the Greek hagios).  For its meaning emphasizes those who have been sanctified unto God as holy.  In Christ, we are saints, justified, sanctified, set apart for God.  And it is precisely because we are saints, our daily lives are meant to increasingly reflect saintliness, godliness.  We are to mature into the very image of Christ.  Romans 8:28-29 (NIV) 28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29 For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. Because we are saints, our daily lives are meant to increasingly reflect saintliness, godliness.  We are to mature into the very image of Christ.    It is all about growing up!  Not according to the world’s criteria.  But to God’s standard.  To be more like God in character, in our thinking. 2 Corinthians 3:18 (NIV)  And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.   One day, Prince George will be the king of England.  In 2015, Prince George was 2 years old.  As he grows up, he should increasingly understand what it means to be a king and conduct himself more and more in a manner befitting a future king.  But what a disaster if he turns out to be a lazy, unreliable, immature, rascal of a person?  He is meant to be a king, but he is unfit to be a king.   What a disaster when Christ-followers are called saints but live in rather unsaintly ways, or even worse, like the devil.  Ephesians 4:1 (NIV) As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.   We are not speaking about putting up a front, a veneer of respectability. So we appear to be saint-like.  Rather I am talking about genuine transformation inside.  Growing in the fruit of the Spirit.  Galatians 5:22-23 (NIV) 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness and self-control. When we grow in the fruit of the Spirit and in understanding of spiritual matters - that is growing in spiritual maturity.   When we grow in the fruit of the Spirit and in understanding of spiritual matters - that is growing in spiritual maturity.  Let’s aspire to that.  Because that is what God has called you to.    Reflects our call to greater roles   1 Corinthians 6:2-3a (NIV) “2 Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? 3  Do you not know that we will judge angels?”.    Paul pointed out the irony of the whole situation.  The church in Corinth had no one competent enough to judge the dispute between the members.  How can this be?  When God’s intent is that believers will one day be involved in judging this world, and even the fallen angels.  These are celestial beings.  Vast multitudes of mighty angelic beings who back in time past, in heaven above – fell into sin when they joined Satan in rebellion against God.       It requires us to judge creatures we have minimal understanding of, in a context we have not even begun to experience yet, in an era way beyond our time. Imagine you were informed that one day you will be appointed to be a judge at the International Court of Justice of the United Nations.  This court deals with legal disputes between countries.  Yet at present you cannot even deal with a dispute involving a minor traffic violation.  It is all simply too difficult!  How can you possibly prepare to be a judge of international stature one day? God has prepared for us huge roles in the Kingdom of God in the coming age.   We need to understand.  Being called to be judges is simply one of many areas that God is planning for us to take bigger roles in the Kingdom of God.  But this gives us a clue about how big the roles can be.  God has prepared for us huge roles in the Kingdom of God in the coming age.   I don’t know about you.  But I want to prepare myself for such roles.  I like the challenge to grow, to mature, to be wiser and be more ready for such roles!  And as we grow towards such huge responsibilities, it will be easier to deal with the issues we face today!   So let’s aspire to grow in maturity, according to God’s call upon our lives.   WHY WE SHOULD DEVELOP IN MATURITY NOW   As part of Paul’s debate with them, he applies it to the present, the now. In effect it gives us a key reason why we should develop in maturity right now!    Present opportunities to mature   1 Corinthians 6:3b-4 (NIV) “How much more the things of this life! 4 Therefore, if you have disputes about such matters, appoint as judges even men of little account in the church!”   Paul made the point that since God intends us to judge the world and even angels, how much more we should be engaged in learning to be competent while we are still in this life.  Let even the men of little stature be given opportunity to learn.  Hebrews 5:12-14 (NIV) 12 In fact, though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God's word all over again. You need milk, not solid food! 13  Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. 14 But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. Our time on earth is our opportunity to learn, to gain experiences, to mature for heaven.    In other words, our time on earth is our opportunity to learn, to gain experiences, to mature for heaven.  The challenges, the struggles we have to face can help us grow up.  What happens to the child who attends school but is too busy playing, day-dreaming, doing their own stuff most of the time?  They will not learn what they were meant to. Have you ever thought about the fact that our time on earth is like a big school?  Now is the season of learning and preparation for the bigger responsibilities in the age to come?  I have developed as I have because I have grabbed hold of every opportunity to learn as much as possible.   So how many of us are taking the effort to learn, to experience, to grow in God?  Or are we too focussed on other things?  Things which do not matter that much in eternity?  Let’s refocus on learning and growing into maturity.  Carpe diem.  Sieze the day.  Today!   Rewards for faithfulness.  God will reward us based on how faithful we have been in this present life.   Do you realise that God will reward us based on how faithful we have been in this present life to Him?  It will be according to God’s measure, not the measure of this world. Colossians 3:23-24 (NIV) 23  Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, 24  since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving.   Hebrews 10:35-36 (NIV) 35 So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. 36  You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.   God’s measure is how faithful we have been to Him.  In our seeking to know Him well as His children.  To serve Him as servants.  To grow in maturity be more like Him. God will reward the faithful!    CONCLUSIONS   God desires maturity in His house, the Church.  For God’s intent is that we mature to the extent that one day in the coming age we will be competent to judge this world and even the angels.  God has incredible responsibilities in store for us but we must prove ourselves faithful by growing up while in this present life.  Will you be one of those today?   Copyright©️2026 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

One day in 1860, a huge crowd were watching the world-famous tightrope walker, Charles Blondin, in his attempt to cross the Niagara Falls.  Blondin crossed the rope numerous times. He even did it with a wheelbarrow!  A 1000 foot trip, 160 feet above the raging water. A fall meant certain death.  The story is told that he spoke to the crowd, asking if they believed he could take one of them across on a wheelbarrow.  Of course, they all enthusiastically gave their agreement.  Then he asked for one of them to volunteer.  Dead silence.  They gave their mental assent, but when it can to the crunch - they did not trust Blondin enough with their own life.   Those who truly trusted Charles Blondin could cross the seemingly impossible.  But those who did not, never crossed the Niagara Falls. Their lacked faith.   Joshua 3:9-17 is a critical moment in Israel's history.  The crossing of the Jordan River.  A momentous occasion.  A challenge of faith.  A faith to cross a seemingly impossible situation.  Just like the Israelites, there are times in our lives that God may stretch us in order that He may work miracles through us!  He may desire for us to cross impossibilities in our lives, our ministries.   I believe it is important for us to understand how we can develop such faith!  To cross challenging situations in our lives!  From this passage we look at the faith of Israelites and the ingredients that enable this faith.   READY TO RECEIVE THE RHEMA   The starting point of crossing the impossibilities is hearing God.  Now, God speaks to us His children all the time.  Isaiah 30:21 (NIV) Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, “This is the way; walk in it.” Rhema relates to the spoken word of God.   But the question is - are we ready to hear His voice?  To help us, we pose a couple of questions.   Whose initiative is it?   Joshua 3:9 (NIV) Joshua said to the Israelites, “Come here and listen to the words of the Lord your God.   Joshua encouraged the people to come and listen to what God had to say.  It indicates to us that we must take responsibility to seek God and to hear Him.  Psalms 81:13 (NIV) “If my people would but listen to me, if Israel would follow my ways…”  When we open our heart and spirit to listen to God, that is when we can begin to receive the rhema word.  The key is to be ready to listen.    We should take the initiative to prepare ourselves to hear from God.  When we purify our hearts - we are more ready to hear from God.  Sometimes, God may take the initiative too - but we have to be ready to receive.  Sometimes God may speak to us in the middle of the night.  Are we ready to receive?  Sometimes God speaks to Lai Ling in the night and she wakes up to pray.  I turn over in my sleep.  So God does not speak to me in my sleep - or rarely anyway.   Is your spiritual mobile phone turned on for God?  Then you are more likely to hear God. Or is it in sleep mode.   How does it sound like?   How does the rhema word from God sound like?  How do we know when God speaks to us?  The key is to become acquainted with the tone of God's voice. Just like a baby learns to understand its natural parents.  For example, Samuel in 1 Samuel 3 initially thought that God’s voice was Eli because he was unable to distinguish the difference.   We can hear God’s voice to us through many ways:   Through scripture. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV) 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.   Through God's servants such as teachers, prophets or visions:  Hosea 12:10 (NIV) I [the Lord] spoke to the prophets, gave them many visions and taught parables through them."   God can speak to us directly as we pray, through burdens, impressions, visions and also through His voice.  Acts 11:5-8 (NIV) 5 "I was in the city of Joppa praying, and in a trance I saw a vision. I saw something like a large sheet being let down from heaven by its four corners, and it came down to where I was. 6 I looked into it and saw four-footed animals of the earth, wild beasts, reptiles, and birds of the air. 7 Then I heard a voice telling me, 'Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.' 8 "I replied, 'Surely not, Lord! Nothing impure or unclean has ever entered my mouth.'   Are you hearing God’s voice? Are your spiritual ears open?    What does it inspire?   God's voice inspires faith in those who listen.  It energises for miracles!  Joshua assured that the people would know that has God spoke and was with them. How?  Because God's voice inspires faith in those who listen.  It energises for miracles!  When God's word sinks into our hearts - it inspires faith to believe!  Rom 10:17-18 (NIV) Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.   This is one distinguishing mark of God's voice.  Of course, at other times, other characteristics of God is revealed.  So if you hear a voice in your heart that stirs fear and doubt - it is probably not God.  Faith causes the impossible to happen!  It is impossible to walk into a river at full flood and see it well up like a dam.  But nothing is impossible with God! Jesus said in Matthew 17:20 (NIV) I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you."   Faith can cause mountains to obey us!  Faith has authority over physical limitations and impossibilities.  Indeed, Jesus constantly demonstrated His authority over physical limitations. Mark 4:39-41 (NIV) 39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. 40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?" 41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"   Are you looking at your physical limitations, or do you believe God? Are you listening and believing for a miracle? Mark 10:27 (NIV) "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God."   RESPOND WITH REVERENT CHOICES   Joshua 3:14 (NIV)  So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan, the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them.   After God speaks to us, we are faced with a choice.  How will we respond?  We can respond reverently or ignore God.  A reverent choice will move us one step closer to crossing impossibilities. We look at 2 characteristics of a reverent choice.   Respond with a desire to obey   Joshua 3:14a (NIV) "So when the people broke camp to cross the Jordan…"   After Joshua explained to the people what God had told them to do, what did they do?  Did they have a debate, a discussion, form a committee?  And pondered over such question as: Did God really speak?  Did Joshua hear everything right?  Is Joshua theologically correct in his interpretation?  Should we obey God?   Their very actions reveal to us their attitude.  Immediately they broke camp.  They got ready to cross the Jordan river.  Their heart was to obey God!   There is little point to ask God to speak if our attitude is that we are not going to obey. Or we are only 30% ready to obey. Jeremiah 7:13, 16 (NIV) 13While you were doing all these things, declares the LORD, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer…. 16So do not pray for this people nor offer any plea or petition for them; do not plead with me, for I will not listen to you.    God is looking for those who are eager to obey God.  Whose respond to God, is Yessir!  Joshua was such a man.  We never hear about him complaining to God or attempting to negotiate with God.  Yet how many times have we tried to negotiate with God?  With an attitude that reveals our less than complete trust in God.  “God, don't ask this of me.  It is too much.”   But with Joshua it is, "Right away Sir!"  Because Joshua responded in such faith, full of desire to obey God - God was able to use him mightily to win over the Promised Land!  Pastor Che An shared about a time when God told him to witness to the TV repair man who had turned up at his house.  Turned out he was a backslidden Christian.  It turned the man around!  Ps. Che An just obeyed God and look at the outcome! When God speaks, it is time to make the reverent choice!  Will we trust God? Respond with a godly choice?   When God speaks, it is time to make the reverent choice!  Will we trust God? Respond with a godly choice? By nature I am a cautious man.  But when I hear God's rhema word - I get excited! Because I have learnt that obeying God's word always releases great blessings!   Has God spoken to you?  Perhaps about giving for the church or for someone in need?  Perhaps to take up a different job or even to relocate?  To witness to a stranger?  This is your demonstration of a reverent choice, because you desire to obey God!    Respond with action plans   Joshua 3:14b (NIV) "…the priests carrying the ark of the covenant went ahead of them."   The priests did not just happen to be in front and happen to be carrying the ark. Imagine if Joshua only tried to find the priests to carry the ark on that very day.  “We need 4 priests that usually carry the ark.  Where are they?”  Finally, after getting them ready, they discover the ark is 2 km away from Jordan River.  So they weave their way through the entire camp of Israel, couple of millions of people. Remember no one else is to touch the ark of the covenant!  Imagine the entire trip through the camp, with armed guards around the priests to protect the people.  Slowly, painfully, they finally reach to the river.  It would have taken a whole day or more if they lacked plans.  Why were they able to just move forward?  Because they had a good logistical plan.  Plan for the possible, leave the impossible to God.  Our responsibility is for what we can do.  God's responsibility is for what we cannot do.    Some people misunderstand about moving with God.  They think that if God says so, it means God will do practically everything.  That is not the case.  Plan for the possible, leave the impossible to God.  Our responsibility is for what we can do.  God's responsibility is for what we cannot do.  Prov 16:3 (NIV) Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed.   God wants us to learn how to work things out and to work it through.  God wants us to learn how to work things out and to work it through. God told Joshua to bring the priests with the ark in front of the people and into the river. Yet God did not tell him details. Why? God expected Joshua to work it out.  For example, God may impress you with a certain amount to pledge in faith or challenge you in some way about your giving.  Whatever it is, it is not the end of the matter to make a faith declaration.  You have to work out as much as you can.  You need to work out a basic plan on how you will give.  Plan what is possible and the rest the leave to God.  It is best to plan weekly and monthly to save certain amounts.   Whenever God told Reinhard Bonnke where to hold the next major crusades across Africa, Reinhard Bonnke goes!  But before he goes, a lot of planning has to happen.  Often it takes 1 to 2 years to plan.  They scout out the city.  Get to know the local churches and leaders.  Find a suitable location to hold the open-air crusade.  Obtain permits.  Work out the dates and all the preparations, advertising, etc before hand.  They even plan out the precise route where the huge container trucks will travel to get there.  They even scout it out before hand.  Because roads in Africa are notoriously unreliable.  For what you see on the map may not be there.   When we were planning towards our community centre, the building committee did what we could in designing the building, preparing and coordinating reports, etc.  What we could not do, such as the City Council decisions and timing - we left to God!   ACTIVATE BY ACTING UPON THE RHEMA   Joshua 3:15-16 (NIV) 15 Now the Jordan is at flood stage all during harvest. Yet as soon as the priests who carried the ark reached the Jordan and their feet touched the water’s edge, 16 the water from upstream stopped flowing. It piled up in a heap a great distance away, at a town called Adam in the vicinity of Zarethan, while the water flowing down to the Sea of the Arabah (that is, the Dead Sea) was completely cut off. So the people crossed over opposite Jericho.   Often taking the first steps can be challenging.  This is where the rubber hits the road. The key in releasing God's blessings is usually our first steps of faith.  Notice that the Jordan River was in full flood.  The river starts at lake Huleh and runs 120 km through the sea of Galilee to the Dead Sea.  It runs along the lowest depression on earth to the Dead Sea that is 393m below sea level.   The sides of the riverbanks are steep and deep.  During floods the river rises quickly and is deep.  Near Jericho the river current is usually swift, even more so during floods.   For 3 days the Israelites camped near the river and watched it in full flood.  Raging and turbulent – over a km wide. Anyone attempting to cross it at this stage is likely to be swept to their death.  Even when the priests came to the river's edge, nothing unusual was happening.  The river still looked as imposing as before.  Perhaps the greatest challenge for the priests was at that point of stepping into a raging river.  They might be thinking, “If God does not turn up - I am dead!”  When we step into what is impossible by faith, God steps in.     But the moment the priests took the first steps into the river, God began to hold the river back.  All the way back to town called Adam 26 km away, the river piled up!  The further the priests stepped into the water, the more water receded until the river was dry.  Sometimes, some Christians want God to open the doors before they act.  But often God is wanting us to exercise our faith at the point where we step beyond what is possible for us.  When we step into what is impossible by faith, God steps in.  Prov 3:5-6 (NIV)  "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight."   We had an older man called Allan who was healed when one of our leaders acted by faith to pray for him.  2 years ago, he could barely walk a short distance.  After that, he walked for many kilometres!  As you believe even to cross impossibilities, start with the first step!   MAINTAIN FAITH UNTIL COMPLETION   Joshua 3:17 (NIV)  The priests who carried the ark of the covenant of the Lord stopped in the middle of the Jordan and stood on dry ground, while all Israel passed by until the whole nation had completed the crossing on dry ground.   A very important part of obtaining what God has inspired us towards is to understand this principle.  The principle of maintaining faith.  In what way are we to maintain faith?   Maintaining the first steps   These priests stood firm in the middle of the river that they know are being held back by nothing more than the power of God!  If the power of God lapsed for whatever reason, the river would come rushing in.  Like a torrent and they would be dashed to their deaths.  I might have been tempted to sprint across the entire river! Yet they stood firm.   Sometimes we can be quick to raise our hands at an altar call and say “yes! Please send me! I want to do it!” then just as quickly forget our commitment.  Just like in Matthew 13:20-22 (NIV) The one who received the seed that fell on rocky places is the man who hears the word and at once receives it with joy. 21 But since he has no root, he lasts only a short time. When trouble or persecution comes because of the word, he quickly falls away.   Often the Devil attacks us just as we begin to take the first few tentative steps of faith.  He does not want to see us progressing in God.  He will attempt to cause us to doubt.  To be shaken.  So that we might retreat!  Imagine the priests running back from water's edge!  Would that have undone the miracle in progress? Your commitment will be tested. Be steady and continue in God to cross the impossibilities.   So don't be shaken. Your commitment will be tested. Be steady and continue in God to cross the impossibilities.   Maintaining until the task is complete   For the task to be completed, we must maintain our faith in God.  It took a while for every Israelite to cross the river.  During this whole time the priest had to maintain faith.  At various points our faith may be tested.  Unexpected situations may crop up.  Things may take longer than expected.  We get really tempted to give up or to settle for less.  Let us have the attitude like Paul who refused to give up and pressed on until the end. Philippians 3:14 (NIV) I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.   We only obtain the goal of our faith when we reach the end.  So do not give up half-way. We can cross the impossibilities in God!   CONCLUSION   When God has spoken, when we have received it and responded to it in the proper way, when we have acted upon it - the blessing of God will be released.  Then we have to continue to maintain it before God!   Copyright©️2026 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

What comes to your mind when you think of church?  Quiet pews and a solemn altar? A large gathering with vibrant worship and a dynamic preacher? A warm, loving community? A place to worship God?  All of these may be good, but here’s the real question: Are our views shaped by Scripture—or simply by our preferences, traditions, and past experiences?   Paul rebuked the Corinthian church for thinking about church in a worldly way (v1–4). Their attitudes, expectations, and measurements were shaped more by culture than by Christ. And if we’re honest, the same danger confronts us today. Church must never be built by the standards of this world. It must be built by God’s standards. God’s way.   Now imagine what church looks like when it is built God’s way.  Where love isn’t a vague, sentimental “50 shades of grey,” but the rugged, sacrificial love of Scripture.  The kind of love that gives, serves, and lays itself down as Jesus did on the cross.  Where community isn’t a slogan but a lived reality—practiced, experienced, and strengthened through real relationships.  Where godliness and righteousness aren’t just Bible study words, but deep desires of the heart—pursued with humility, shaped through challenges, refined through hardship, and proven genuine even in suffering.   God’s Church, built God’s way, isn’t flashy. It isn’t trendy. It’s authentic. It’s holy. It’s pleasing to Him.  There are many aspects to God’s way of building His Church, but from 1 Corinthians 3 we will focus on three essential elements—three foundations that help us build God’s Church, God’s way.   WHEN WE HONOR HIS BODY   1 Corinthian 3:16-17 (NIV) “ 16 Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you?    17 If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.”   Paul makes a massive statement here—but most of its force is lost unless we understand the Old Testament backdrop. His entire argument rests on the sacredness of God’s dwelling place.  In Moses’ time, God’s presence wasn’t an abstract idea. It was visible. Tangible. Awe‑inspiring. A pillar of cloud by day.  A pillar of fire by night.  The glory of God filling the Tabernacle so powerfully that even Moses could not enter without permission.   Exodus 40:34–38 describes this vividly.  When the cloud settled on the Tent of Meeting, “the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.” Israel moved only when God moved. They stopped only when God stopped. His presence determined everything.  Later, when Solomon built the Temple, the same thing happened.  1 Kings 8:10–11 says the priests could not even perform their duties because “the glory of the LORD filled his temple.”   The message was unmistakable.  Where God dwells is holy. Untouchable. Weighty. Sacred.  Only priests could enter.  Only the High Priest could enter the Most Holy Place—and only once a year.  Anyone who entered wrongly was struck down.  This is the level of holiness Paul is invoking. Now, the Church—God’s people—is His temple   Why does Paul bring all this up? Because now, the Church—God’s people—is His temple.  His Presence no longer dwells in a tent or a stone building.  He dwells in His people. In us. Among us. The Holy Spirit lives in every believer.  The Spirit dwells in the gathered church. God’s presence marks us as sacred.   So the Church is holy.  Sacred.  Precious to God.  Because His very Presence is in the Church.  1 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV)  If anyone destroys God’s temple, God will destroy him; for God’s temple is sacred, and you are that temple.  God gave a stern warning, “Don’t touch My Church. Don’t harm My people. Don’t dishonor My dwelling place.” If we revere God, we must revere His Body the Church.  If we honour God's Body, we must honour His people who make up the Church.    Because the Church, His Body is so holy.  Because it is so sacred.  Because it is God's dwelling place.  We must honour His Church. Do not treat it with disdain.  Not with indifference. Not with carelessness.   If we revere God, we must revere His Body the Church.  If we honour God's Body, we must honour His people who make up the Church.  Give them respect that is due them as people who belong to God.  For His Presence dwells in them too. If we revere God, we must honour our own bodies as well.    If we revere God, we must honour our own bodies as well.  We are to keep ourselves holy precisely because He dwells in us.  When we sin, we sin against God.  When we sin with our bodies, we sin against God and His temple!  Sexual sin especially sins directly against God's temple.  How can we read or fill our minds with lust, pornography and immoral entertainment whether it’s “50 shades of grey” or anything else?  It totally dishonours God! We cannot claim to honour His presence while feeding our flesh with what grieves His Spirit.   If we have sinned against our bodies or against the Church, we must repent, confess, seek forgiveness and cleansing.  Otherwise, we slowly damage God’s temple—His Church, His people, ourselves—“by a thousand cuts.”   Let us honour God, His Body, His people.  May it elevate our perspective about God’s Church, that we may give it the honour it deserves in our hearts and in our actions.   WHEN WE SERVE IN GOD’S HOUSE   In 1 Corinthians 3:1-9 Paul confronts the Corinthian church for their immaturity. They were saved, but still thinking and behaving like the world—full of jealousy, quarrelling, and personality-driven loyalties.  Some said, “I follow Paul.” Others said, “I follow Apollos.” Paul’s response is sharp: “Are you not acting like mere men?”   They had turned God’s servants into celebrities. Paul, Peter, Apollos—great leaders, yes. But Paul insists they are only servants. Instruments. Vessels. Not spiritual superstars.  Not personalities to fight over.  We live in a world obsessed with celebrity culture.  People argue endlessly about who is the tennis GOAT—Djokovic, Federer, or Nadal.  Or who is the greatest female performer—Katy Perry, Taylor Swift, or Beyoncé.  If we’re not careful, we can treat preachers, worship leaders, or Christian influencers the same way.  But Paul dismantles that mindset completely. God grows His Church—but He chooses to work through us.   Paul says, “I planted.  Apollos watered. But God made it grow.”  The message is unmistakable. Only God can produce spiritual growth. Yet—amazingly—He chooses to involve us.  Not because He needs us. Not because we are impressive. But because He delights to work with us and through us. God grows His Church—but He chooses to work through us.   Some respond to God’s call. Some ignore it.  But God uses the willing.  Reinhard Bonnke the German evangelist who was used greatly by God in Africa, once shared that God told him he was not the first choice, nor the second—just the one who said “yes.”  God uses the responsive. God allows our faithfulness—or lack of it—to affect the growth of His Church.   This is astonishing.  God allows our faithfulness—or lack of it—to affect the growth of His Church. It’s like giving our children chores at home.  We don’t assign tasks because we can’t do them. We do it so our children learn responsibility, gain ownership, develop skills and grow in maturity.  Even when the children don’t do it well, we don’t give up. We persevere, hoping our children grows into the responsibility.  In the same way, God invites us into His work—not because we are perfect, but because serving grows us.  God opens the doors of His House wide. He invites every believer—regardless of background, personality, or ability—to participate.   Pastor Bayless Conley, founder of Cottonwood Church in California, once shared a powerful story. A mentally challenged young man in his church would often regularly though awkwardly greet him. One day, the young man brought a beautiful young woman to church. She responded to the altar call and gave her life to Jesus.  It turned out she was a former Miss California.  When Pastor Conley asked how this happened, the young man simply said: “You always told us to invite someone. I asked God who to invite. He pointed her out at the beach.  So I invited her.”  The young woman, with tears in her eyes, explained that she was going through a terrible season and had cried out to God in desperation, “God if you are real, send someone to me and invite me to church.  Then this young man came up to me at the beach with a big shy smile and said Hi! Do you know Jesus?  Can I invite you to church?  So I had to come and I am so glad I did.”  God used the least likely person—because he was willing. This is how God builds His House.   Serving doesn’t start with a title.  It starts with a willing heart.  Serve in your small group.  Bring lunch.  Help someone.  Don’t just consume—contribute.  Join a ministry. Offer your hands, your time, your gifts.  As you serve faithfully God will reward you. You will grow. You will mature. Your service will rise to God like a fragrant offering—just like the Old Testament sacrifices. God grows His Church. But He invites you to be part of the miracle.   WHEN WE INVEST IN HIS FAMILY   1 Corinthian 3:10-15 (NIV) “ 10 By the grace God has given me, I laid a foundation as an expert builder, and someone else is building on it. But each one should be careful how he builds.    11 For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.    12 If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw,  13 his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man’s work.    14 If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward.    15 If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames.”   Paul didn’t casually build churches. He built intentionally. Skillfully. Faithfully. He invested his best into God’s people—because he knew the Church belonged to Christ.   To illustrate this, think of a master craftsman.  I once watched a glassblower in Murano, Italy create a stunning glass horse.  He pulled a glowing blob of molten glass from the furnace, shaped it with breath and precision with a pincher, pinched out legs, formed a neck, bent a head, sculpted hooves, and flared a tail—all in under two minutes.  Yet every movement was deliberate. Every touch was purposeful.  You could feel the love and mastery in the work.  You can always tell when something is made with care.   The same is true in the Church.  When we invest our time, our heart, our skill—people can see it.  God sees it even more.  Investment always reveals what we value.  We invest in what matters to us. A baker invests love into every cake. A parent invests in their children’s growth. A craftsman invests in every detail of his creation.  In the same way, my wife and I invest deeply into people’s lives.  We invest financially into our church building and Kingdom projects—not because we have to, but because we believe in what God is building.  Investment is a declaration of value. God is not only interested in what we do, but how and why we do it.   God cares deeply about how we build His House.  Jesus taught this in Matthew 25.  Each servant received talents to invest.  Some multiplied what they were given. One buried it.  The master rewarded them accordingly.  The point is this.  God watches how we invest what He has entrusted to us.  Right motives produce lasting fruit.  Wrong motives produce empty results.       Faithful investment brings eternal reward.  Neglect brings loss—even if we are still saved.  God is not only interested in what we do, but how and why we do it.   Lai Ling and I had the privilege of seeing the ceiling of Sistine Chapel.  It is simply a marvel of art.  It is said that once someone noticed Michelangelo painting away in a little corner of the ceiling and said to him, “Why do you bother to spend so much time on a corner that no one will notice?”  He replied, “But God will see it!”  That is the heart of true investment.  We don’t serve for applause.  We don’t give for recognition.  We don’t build for human approval. We invest because God sees.  We invest because God values His Church. We invest because Christ is the foundation.   Paul challenges us: “Be careful how you build.” So the question becomes: •     Will we invest our time? •     Will we invest our talents? •     Will we invest our treasures? •     Will we invest through tithes and offerings? •     Will we invest in people, relationships, discipleship, the next generation?   CONCLUSION   When we invest in God’s Church, we are investing in what is eternal.  Gold, silver, costly stones. Not wood, hay, and straw. May we build in a way that lasts.  May we invest in God’s family with love, excellence, and faith—because His Church is worth it.  Let’s build God’s Church, God’s way.   Copyright©️2026 by Wilson Lim. All rights reserved. Materials are free to be distributed in whole or part as long as proper acknowledgement is given to the author and not sold for profit.

Welcome to Wilson & Lai Ling's ministry website! We aim to provide practical ministry and biblical insights. To empower Spirit-filled ministry. Our immediate focus will be on leadership, Bible, intercession and prophetic. Wilson & Lai Ling CONNECT Practical Biblical Anointed Practical Biblical Anointed We aim to provide practical ministry and biblical insights. To empower Spirit-filled ministry. Our immediate focus will be on leadership, Bible, intercession and prophetic. About Us Latest Episode I029 Intercessors Contending For Spiritual Births Intercession Lai Ling Intercessors are God's spiritual midwives—standing in the gap, labouring in prayer until lost souls cross from darkness into His marvellous light. 'I planted, Apollos watered, but God causes the growth' (1 Cor 3:6-7). Who's God calling you to contend for today? Download Leader Guide More episodes Leadership Prophetic Leadership Listen & Subscribe Wilson Lim Podcast Available On Listen & Subscribe Lai Ling Lim Podcast Available On Latest Blog Posts Maturity In God’s House Wilson Lim 1 day ago 12 min read Faith To Cross Impossibilities Wilson Lim Mar 3 12 min read God’s Church, God’s Way Wilson Lim Feb 17 9 min read Subscribe for updates! Be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, blog posts, and more! Your generosity helps further our mission to equip leaders. Ask us anything related to our ministry focuses. Ask Us

Episodes Not Found Search using single words or Boolean operators AND/OR i.e. "God AND faith” ALL Leadership Prophetic Intercession Button 17 Mar 2026 | Intercessors Contending For Spiritual Births Intercessors are God's spiritual midwives—standing in the gap, labouring in prayer until lost souls cross from darkness into His marvellous light. 'I planted, Apollos watered, but God causes the growth' (1 Cor 3:6-7). Who's God calling you to contend for today? I029 Lai Ling Intercession Button 3 Mar 2026 | Signs and Wonders with Dr. Jerry Stott (Part 1) What an amazing interview with Ps. Jerry who shared his unexpected journey with experiencing God's miracles. And how it eventually led him to pray for divine miracles over others. Be touched and inspired. L062 Wilson Lim Leadership Button 17 Feb 2026 | Continual Growth in Spiritual Sensing (1 Corinthians 12:1) Scripture teaches us not to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. Paul urges us to "fan into flame the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6) and reminds us that "you can all prophesy" as we learn to hear from the Lord Himself (1 Corinthians 14:31). Let's step out boldly, pursue God's gifts actively, and not let fear or doubt immobilize what He's placed in us. P028 Lai Ling Prophetic Button 3 Feb 2026 | Keep Your Focus Or Lose The Game Focus is not optional for leaders—it is a discipline. Distraction slowly drains vision, energy, and effectiveness. Like an archer silencing every noise or Nehemiah refusing to leave the wall, leaders who finish well are those who guard their focus fiercely. What we give our attention to today determines what we build tomorrow. L061 Wilson Lim Leadership Button 18 Jan 2026 | Intercessors praying against injustice God is raising a generation of intercessors who refuse to stay silent while injustice prevails. They carry His heartbeat, pray His Word, and stand in the gap until His righteousness is revealed. I028 Lai Ling Intercession Button 6 Jan 2026 | Candid Thoughts on Leadership Leadership is beautiful — but it can also be weighty. In this honest and raw episode, we talk about what happens when passion fades, joy ebbs away, and leaders quietly grow cold. From repentance to self-care, from fellowship to processing our hearts, this conversation is full of practical wisdom for staying spiritually alive. L060 Wilson Lim Leadership Button 2 Dec 2025 | Longevity in ministry with Ps Simon Eng 45 Years of Faithful Service: Lessons from Pastor Simon on Longevity in Ministry. Discover how staying rooted in God, having a clear sense of purpose, and equipping yourself can sustain a life of impact. L059 Wilson Lim Leadership Button 18 Nov 2025 | Impartation The anointing flows where hearts are ready. Impartation isn’t magic—it’s partnership with God’s purpose. Let what’s been planted in you take root and grow! P027 Lai Ling Prophetic Button 5 Nov 2025 | Transforming Lives Together "Together, we can transform lives—everywhere God sends us.” As we step into 2025, our call is clear: INFLUENCE—Transforming Lives Together. Let’s unite as one family, one body, to win souls, make disciples, and plant churches for His glory! When we think, feel, and act like family, God’s love becomes tangible. Let’s build life groups where people can Do Life Together, God’s Way! L058 Wilson Lim Leadership Button 21 Oct 2025 | Thriving Prayer List Intercessor Learn how a thriving prayer list intercessor prays with love, discipline, and grace — and why it makes all the difference. I027 Lai Ling Intercession 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 ... 12 Your generosity helps further our mission to equip leaders. Ask us anything related to our ministry focuses. Ask Us Subscribe for updates! Be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, blog posts, and more!

Episodes by Lai Ling Episodes Not Found Search using single words or Boolean operators AND/OR i.e. "God AND faith” ALL Leadership Prophetic Intercession 17 Mar 2026 | Intercessors Contending For Spiritual Births Intercessors are God's spiritual midwives—standing in the gap, labouring in prayer until lost souls cross from darkness into His marvellous light. 'I planted, Apollos watered, but God causes the growth' (1 Cor 3:6-7). Who's God calling you to contend for today? I029 Intercession Lai Ling Button 17 Feb 2026 | Continual Growth in Spiritual Sensing (1 Corinthians 12:1) Scripture teaches us not to be ignorant about spiritual gifts. Paul urges us to "fan into flame the gift of God" (2 Timothy 1:6) and reminds us that "you can all prophesy" as we learn to hear from the Lord Himself (1 Corinthians 14:31). Let's step out boldly, pursue God's gifts actively, and not let fear or doubt immobilize what He's placed in us. P028 Prophetic Lai Ling Button 18 Jan 2026 | Intercessors praying against injustice God is raising a generation of intercessors who refuse to stay silent while injustice prevails. They carry His heartbeat, pray His Word, and stand in the gap until His righteousness is revealed. I028 Intercession Lai Ling Button 18 Nov 2025 | Impartation The anointing flows where hearts are ready. Impartation isn’t magic—it’s partnership with God’s purpose. Let what’s been planted in you take root and grow! P027 Prophetic Lai Ling Button 21 Oct 2025 | Thriving Prayer List Intercessor Learn how a thriving prayer list intercessor prays with love, discipline, and grace — and why it makes all the difference. I027 Intercession Lai Ling Button 16 Sept 2025 | Prophetic Insights with Ps Denis Lu In this episode, we sit down with Pastor Denis Lu, Senior Pastor of Hope Kuching, Malaysia, to explore his exciting journey into the prophetic ministry. From his baptism in the Holy Spirit as a young believer to life-changing moments of hearing God’s voice, Ps. Denis shares testimonies that reveal how the prophetic works in real life. P026 Prophetic Lai Ling Button 19 Aug 2025 | Discovering sphere of influence in prayer We are all called to pray—but each of us carries a unique sphere of influence in prayer. What’s yours? Discover it. Develop it. Use it for God’s glory. Join us for the new intercession series: Standing in the Gap. I026 Intercession Lai Ling Button 15 Jul 2025 | Understanding Spiritual Senses God has given us spiritual senses—not just to know about Him, but to experience Him. 👀👂💡 As we tune in to His voice, He invites us into deeper partnership in the supernatural—through prophecy, healing, discernment, and more. Are you ready to activate your spiritual senses by faith? P025 Prophetic Lai Ling Button 17 Jun 2025 | Intercession Insights with Ps Mayette Alkuino What a privilege it is to glean from Ps Mayette, the Senior Pastor of Oasis Bangkok Church in Thailand. She has been involved in the intercessory ministry for over three decades. Be encouraged and built up in God as we learn from Ps Mayette's experiences in prayer and intercession. I025 Intercession Lai Ling Button 20 May 2025 | Death To Self You’ve had dreams of what you could do for God—and you’ve followed Him through the highs and lows. But what if He asks you to lay those dreams down? Let’s talk about what it really means to die to self. P024 Prophetic Lai Ling Button 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 ... 6 Your generosity helps further our mission to equip leaders. Ask us anything related to our ministry focuses. Ask Us Subscribe for updates! Be the first to hear about new podcast episodes, blog posts, and more!