Have we ever taken a moment to ponder about the kind of faith we have? Apostle Peter commended the recipients of his epistle for their faith in this way. 1 Peter 1:8–9 (NIV84) Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy. Despite the fact that they had never seen Jesus, yet they believed in Him and loved Him. Peter was referring to the fact they believed Jesus is alive even though they had not ever seen Him physically. So what kind of faith do we have? What kind of relationship is there between what we see and the faith we have? How much does our seeing influence our faith? How much does our faith influence our seeing? Allow me to bring you through a range of types of faith-seeing relationships and perhaps it might inspire you to grow to the next level of faith. 1. Not believing despite seeing Consider the Pharisees who refused to believe even though they saw and interacted with Jesus. Or Pharoah who was at the receiving end of God's 10 supernaturally devastating plagues. They simply refused to believe out of the hardness of their hearts! I once tried to share the Gospel with a girl who absolutely refused to believe. After some time of trying with absolutely no progress, I finally asked her, "If God was to appear right in front of you, would you believe?" She said, "No!" I was stunned by her unmoving heart. This is a negative faith relationship. One that refuses to believe no matter what they see. It arises from a stubbornness and pride deep in their hearts. Woe unto them at the Judgment seat. 2. Believing after seeing There are those like Thomas who refused to believe that Jesus had risen from the dead. Unless he personally touched Jesus. John 20:25 (NIV) So the other disciples told him, “We have seen the Lord!” But he said to them, “Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe it.” Some only believe when they see a vision of Jesus or experience a miracle of God! Thank God that at least they believed! Some will put their criteria upon God to prove His own existence or to prove the veracity of His promises. But there is one major problem with such expectations. God is not obligated to conform to our expectations! God is not begging for us to believe. Some only believe when they see a vision of Jesus or experience a miracle of God! Thank God that at least they believed! If you will only believe on such terms, then you will miss out big time! For you are trying to squeeze God into a test tube! That kind of faith will not get us very far with God because it shows a very limited level of trust in God. 3. Believing despite not seeing When finally, Thomas saw Jesus, Jesus had this to say. John 20:29 (NIV) Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jesus was pointing to a better faith. That is real faith. In fact, faith is defined in Heb 11:1. Heb 11:1 (GWT) Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see. Do we believe in God and His Word, even though we cannot yet see? In the time of Noah in Gen 6 and 7, he was commanded by God to build an ark. A huge, almost box-shaped ship. This ship was built on high ground, far from sea! A huge ship with no sails, no oars. It was immediately ridiculed by everybody else. How will it sail anywhere? How is God even going to flood this earth? They refused to believe that God will flood the whole world. The Bible teaches that we are not to just rely on natural eyesight, but spiritual eyesight! 2 Cor 5:7 (NIV) We live by faith, not by sight. Let us put on our spiritual eyesight. Then you can begin to see and appreciate what God is doing! Many years ago, I told our small fledging church that we will move from our little seminar room in the University of Queensland to a large lecture theatre nearby. And that we will overflow it. Some years later we did. Eventually to the point we could not fit in everyone. We had to run 2 services there. I was confident because I saw it with my spiritual eyes. Let us put on our spiritual eyesight. Then you can begin to see and appreciate what God is doing! Later, I saw spiritually that God will give us our own building on a large piece of land. In 2012, we completed building our facility called Unidus Community Centre on 7.1 hectares of land. God will speak to us about different things. Will we believe even though we cannot see yet? Will we believe that God can use us in areas we cannot even imagine of now? Can we believe for victories that God has spoken about? 4. Believing despite seeing. At times we may see or experience things which may seem to contradict God's character and promises. Yet it is often because we failed to understand God's purposes and intent. Blessed are those who will still trust even everything else seems in contradiction. This is called persevering faith! Blessed are those who will still trust even everything else seems in contradiction. This is called persevering faith! The prophet Habakkuk lamented the difficult situation he saw yet he looked with eyes of faith. Hab 3:17-18 (NIV) 17 Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive crop fails and the fields produce no food, though there are no sheep in the pen and no cattle in the stalls, 18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. All the natural evidence seems to point the other way, but Habakkuk persevered in trusting God that His promises would be fulfilled. Abraham believed God even though he was reaching 100 years old that he would be given an offspring. Even though he had waited for almost 25 years! Even though he was too old to bear a child and so was his wife! Abraham persevered in faith! Teresia Wairimu from Nairobi was married to a European missionary, but the marriage failed. She was left to care for a daughter as a single mother. She was devastated as she wanted to serve God. Nevertheless over a few years, she got her life together and began to teach small groups of Christians. But she realised that she lacked power! She did not have the anointing to make the impact she had hoped for. In July 1985, God woke her up and called her specially to His service. After that she began to see some spiritual gifts released in her ministry. In 1988, at Uhuru Park in Nairobi she heard evangelist Reinhard Bonnke and was greatly inspired. She prayed in her heart that she that she could be anointed to reach souls, “Just give me a hundred souls”. Faith arose in her heart that Reinhard only had to pray for her that she would receive the anointing to do so. But no matter what she did, she could not find a way to reach Reinhard. In 1992, Teresia heard that Reinhard will preach in a church in Oslo, Norway. She decided to save up all her money and with some friends help, travelled there. At the end of Reinhard’s message, she queued up with many others to be prayed for. When Reinhard laid his hands on her, there was an explosive reaction to his prayer. Teresia literally flew backwards, out of her shoes. Teresia came back with new power. People got saved. Hundreds came, then thousands. Her ministry grew and some years later she found herself preaching in Uhuru Park to some 200,000 people. Today she leads a large ministry and church in Kenya, ministering to tens of thousands every week. True faith rests upon the promises of God regardless of outward circumstances. True faith does not depend on what our eyes see. True faith does not depend on what our natural understanding conceives. True faith is seeing what God sees. True faith rests upon the promises of God regardless of outward circumstances. True faith is seeing what God sees. Let us mature in our faith relationship with 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.

I don’t have any lower molars in my right jaw. I lost them all some years ago.  Because of that I could not chew food properly on my right side.  I had to get dental implants.  Why did that happen?  I did not brush and floss my teeth properly.  Lots of impurity stuck on my teeth.  Food impurities which caused plaque and decay.  The dentist had to keep patching up decaying molars.  Eventually my lower molars broke up, one after another.   Impurities can have a profound effect in places where there should be purity. Purity is a central characteristic in the Kingdom of God.  Because it is the very nature of God to be pure, to be holy. And hence, God desires His people to live in purity as well.   1 Corinthians is a letter to the church in Corinth.  Corinth was a city full of sexual immorality.  Prostitution, even temple prostitution was rampant.  There were all kinds of sexual perversion.  And these had also crept into the church there.  In many ways our modern Western society share those immoralities and perversions.  And within the Church also has struggled with many of these issues.  Some studies suggest that pornography is almost as prevalent within the Western church as it is in the society.  I am not naïve to think that we are immune to these issues.    As we study the passage of 1 Corinthian 6, we begin to see God’s perspective on purity—and what it means for how we live today. From this text, I want to highlight three key truths that speak directly into our lives.   A KINGDOM FOR THE PURE   1 Corinthians 6:8-11a (NIV) “8 Instead, you yourselves cheat and do wrong, and you do this to your brothers. 9 Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor male prostitutes nor homosexual offenders 10 nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.  11 And that is what some of you were.”   Paul launched a strong rebuttal of the Corinthian church’s misplaced perspectives about the Kingdom of God.  However, it raises some controversial issues.  Does “the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God” imply that believers can lose their salvation if they persist in immorality?  Or as some would argue, Paul was only referring to unbelievers who think they are Christians, but are not?  Firstly, allow me to explain what it really is.     A warning for believers (v9a) “Do you not know…? Do not be deceived.”   The entire segment of v1-8 was directed at believers in the Corinthians church.  For the parties in the dispute were referred to as “believers” and “brothers”.  The recipients of the entire epistle were referred to as “saints”.  So this entire epistle was directed at believers.  Here, Paul was challenging the perspectives of the believers.  “Don’t you know this? The wicked will not inherit the Kingdom of God?  Do not be deceived!”   However, in v9-10 Paul was referring to the unbelievers, to highlight how much God’s wrath is upon the wicked, their orientation, their lifestyles.  Paul contrasted the wicked with the current position of the believers in Corinth.  The Corinthians used to be amongst the wicked, but now sanctified, justified in Christ.  In other words, they have been saved from the wrath of God because the righteousness of Christ covers over them.  Unrighteous living dishonours God and what He has done for us.    But, just as God is not pleased with immorality and unrighteous living, He continues to be displeased with such immorality.  It should not be the lifestyle of believers.  Unrighteous living dishonours God and what He has done for us.  You see, we must understand the second thing, that God has His criteria.   God’s criteria for inheritors of His Kingdom (v9a) “Do you not know that the wicked will not inherit the kingdom of God?”   Paul lists some characteristics of the wicked.  Those who will not inherit the Kingdom of God.  It dealt with immoral behaviour as well as sexual immorality of various kinds. Behaviours and lifestyle which were occurring in the Corinthian church. God will not welcome anyone.  God’s Kingdom is reserved for those righteous before God.    Paul made a crucial point.  God will not welcome anyone.  God’s Kingdom is reserved for those righteous before God.  The unrighteous, the wicked will not inherit God’s Kingdom.  They will not enter in nor participate in its treasures. For God demands righteousness.  True believers are counted righteous in Christ, and therefore welcomed into His Kingdom.  No one outside of Christ will ever be considered righteous enough to enter God’s Kingdom. God transforms people from the inside out—but only those who entrust themselves to Him and choose to follow His way.   Why this distinction?  God transforms people from the inside out—but only those who entrust themselves to Him and choose to follow His way. Every person is corrupted by sin and powerless to change themselves. Those who resist or ignore God cut themselves off from the only One who can make them truly righteous.  It’s like a patient who doesn’t trust their doctor. The doctor prescribes what will heal them, but the patient takes the medicine only occasionally and chases herbal cures, spiritual healers, and old wives’ tales. The doctor cannot help someone who refuses to follow the treatment.   In the same way, God can only transform those who trust Him enough to walk in His way.    A warning for carnal Christians.   Just as Paul sounded a warning, let me sound a warning.  Now I believe we are saved only by God’s grace through faith, as we personally make a choice to trust in Him for our salvation.  Nothing we can do or accomplish can ever earn us merit to get into heaven. I also believe that it is possible to fall away from God, or commit apostasy.  Hebrews 6:4-6 (NIV) “4 It is impossible for those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, who have shared in the Holy Spirit, 5 who have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the coming age, 6 if they fall away, to be brought back to repentance, because to their loss they are crucifying the Son of God all over again and subjecting him to public disgrace.” Salvation has a start point, a journey and a destination to be reached.    It is not what we do or fail to accomplish that causes us to fall way.  Rather it is our choice to wilfully reject Christ.  When we choose to reject God’s grace for salvation.  Salvation is not a once off.  For salvation has past, present and future aspects.  Salvation has a start point, a journey and a destination to be reached.    It is like you have been given a free ticket for a boat cruise with Christ. Until you get to the destination, you can choose to jump off the journey.  The journey itself is guaranteed.  You are in totally safe hands.  But will you trust God enough to reach the destination?  The journey component is the on-going aspect of our lives.  Where God is transforming us, cleaning us up.  Philippians 2:12 (NIV) “Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling…” Every immoral lifestyle leads people away from God.   How does this relate to what we’re looking at? Every immoral lifestyle leads people away from God. It deceives them into thinking they can live however they want, without Him—which is the opposite of trusting Christ for salvation.  The danger is that deception can grow until some believers no longer see their need for Christ at all. In the end, some may even reject the grace offered to them. It’s like throwing away a free cruise ticket with Christ and saying, “Why bother going to the destination Christ promised?”   Sexual immorality can wear someone down until they believe God cannot help them, or shame drives them from Him. Idolatry replaces God with something else. Greed consumes a person until their desires consume their whole life. Immorality puts people on a slippery path toward embracing wickedness and ultimately rejecting the God who calls them to righteousness.   I am not saying that any believer who sins is instantly in danger of losing salvation. But unrepented sin leads to backsliding, and backsliding can lead toward apostasy—unless we turn back to God in repentance.   THE CROSS AND PURITY   1 Corinthians 6:11 (NIV) “And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God.”     Do you realise what God did when you came to Christ? He washed your sins away—completely. He sanctified you, setting you apart as His holy possession. Deuteronomy 14:2 (NIV) “You are a people holy to the LORD… His treasured possession” We are called to a new life—set apart for God.   And He justified you—declaring you righteous because of Christ. The Cross changed your standing before God forever. This is why Paul urged the Corinthians: “You belong to Christ now. You cannot live like the culture around you.” We are called to a new life—set apart for God.  Romans 12:1 (NIV) “Offer your bodies as living sacrifices… holy and pleasing to God”.  This is real worship: a life that is pure, holy, and pleasing to Him.   So how do we live this out?  Romans 6:12 (NIV) “Count yourselves dead to sin but alive to God in Christ Jesus.”  So fix your orientation toward God. Turn your attention toward Him. Respond to His voice above every temptation.  From experience, when I choose God first—right at the moment temptation calls—His presence becomes louder than the pull of sin. And that choice, made again and again, shapes a life that truly honours Him.   CALLED TO PRACTICAL PURITY   Let me share from this passage some practical thoughts on purity.   Purity from addictions   1 Corinthians 6:12-13 NIV) “12 "Everything is permissible for me"--but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"--but I will not be mastered by anything. 13 "Food for the stomach and the stomach for food"--but God will destroy them both. The body is not meant for sexual immorality, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body.”   Paul confronted the Corinthian slogan, “Everything is permissible for me,” because it was only half‑true. Yes, we have freedom in Christ—but not everything is beneficial, and nothing must be allowed to master us. We are meant to be mastered by God alone. Luke 16:13 (NIV) “No servant can serve two masters…”  Anything that masters us will eventually oppose God’s work of purifying our lives.   How do you know something has mastered you? When you cannot surrender it to God. “God, You can have anything… except my phone, my money, my relationship, my comfort.” Those “excepts” become roadblocks in our walk with Him.   How else do you know? When you listen to it more than you listen to God. Some listen more to a spouse, a friend, a habit, or a craving than to the voice of the Lord. Choose today not to be mastered by anything but God Himself.   And how do you know you’re addicted? When you cannot lay it down for a extended time—whether it’s alcohol, drugs, smoking, social media, coffee, or your mobile. I have resolved not to be mastered by anything. So I urge you: Choose today not to be mastered by anything but God Himself. Seek help. Confront the addiction. Take responsibility. Honour God.  Don’t believe the lie of the Devil who whispers, “You can get out of it anytime.  Just enjoy it first.”   Purity of our temple   1 Corinthians 6:15-20 (NIV) “15 Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ himself? Shall I then take the members of Christ and unite them with a prostitute? Never! 16 Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." 17 But he who unites himself with the Lord is one with him in spirit. 18 Flee from sexual immorality. All other sins a man commits are outside his body, but he who sins sexually sins against his own body.  19 Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body.”   The Corinthians believed it was acceptable to visit prostitutes – that it did not matter. But Paul shows why it absolutely matters.   First, our bodies belong to God. He is our Master. We must not use His property in ways that dishonour Him. It’s like scratching your boss’s car—you simply wouldn’t do it.   Second, our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit. They are sacred space. So we must ask: Am I treating my body as something holy and pure before God?   Third, our spirit is united with Christ. How can we join God’s temple to sexual immorality? How can the holy be joined to what is unholy?   Fourth, sexual sin harms our own bodies. It violates their holy purpose and pollutes what God has set apart. Even “casual” sexual relations can create unhealthy emotional and spiritual bonds—leaving unholy marks on the soul.   Scripture is unmistakably clear: Keep God’s temple pure.   Purity by fleeing (v18) “Flee from sexual immorality.”   The best way to avoid sexual immorality is to keep far away from it!  Sexual immorality is not an area where you can say, “I have sufficient self-control.  I can come really close to it.  Examine it, prod it, even live with it and will not fall for it.” But those who do will eventually succumb to it!   The best policy is to get away from it.  Do not allow ourselves to be tempted.  Put some distance between yourself and the temptation. Don’t watch X-rated media.  Don’t click that porn link.  Don’t stay with your girlfriend or boyfriend in the same household – you are only tempting yourselves!  And when you are at your weakest moment – it will pounce on you!   CONCLUSIONS   God’s Kingdom is holy and pure—and His House must reflect His nature. Only those made legally pure in Christ and who actively pursue righteousness will be found in His Kingdom. So let us stay alert to sins that pull us away from God. Instead, embrace your new life in Christ and pursue the holiness He calls you into.   How do we walk this path of purity? Choose today to be mastered by God alone. Guard the purity of His temple—your body. And when temptation comes, don’t negotiate with it. Flee.  Let us honour God with lives that are pure, surrendered, and set apart for His glory.   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.

In the Sydney Olympics of 2000, a group of women athletes were chosen to be in the last line to carry the Olympic torch.  The line up was a highly kept secret.  It was a moving scene as we saw women athletes of past and present carrying the torch in the stadium.  One by one, different athletes appeared as the torch was passed on to them.  The final and greatest honour was accorded to Cathy Freeman, the 400m gold medallist - who was the darling of Australia at that time.  What an incredible honour it was for her as she represented Australia in lighting the Olympic cauldron.      When we serve God as leaders, we have been chosen of God to represent Him. 1 Timothy 3:1 (NIV) "Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task."  Paul urges us to the work of leading in God’s church, the most important work in the world.  When our motives are right, this work pays eternal dividends.  It is a tremendous honour to be chosen of God to serve Him.   This topic is important to understand why God chooses someone to be His leader and what kind of leader we should aspire to be.  But maybe you do not aspire to be a leader.  But you should, for that is God’s purpose for every believer.  We are all called to be salt and light in this world – to influence it.  That is leadership!  When we become parents – we are to be leaders in the home.  The issue is not whether we are expected to become leaders.  The issue is what kind of leaders we become.    The issue is not whether we are expected to become leaders.  The issue is what kind of leaders we become.  This article helps us understand some of that.  For followers, it is helpful to understand what kind of leaders we should follow.  We can discover 4 key points from Joshua 4:1-10 in relation to that.   CHOSEN TO ACCOMPLISH GOD’S PLANS   Joshua 4:10 (NIV) “…until everything the Lord had commanded Joshua was done...”   It was clearly recorded that God’s commands were carried out fully – not Joshua’s, nor Moses’. God chooses His leaders to accomplish His plans, not the leaders own. Even Moses was giving instructions to Joshua on behalf of God!  The leader should not seek his own agenda, His own dreams – but God’s.  Jeremiah 45:5 (NIV) "Should you then seek great things for yourself? Seek them not. ...”   Like a good CEO who implements the direction and scope set by the Board of Directors, leaders implement God’s agenda.  This is why God chooses certain kind of leaders to accomplish His plans.  We examine 2 qualities here.   Accomplish through faithful leadership (v10a) “…until everything…”   We note that Joshua was faithful in making sure that every part of God’s command was carried out.  As leaders we must be faithful to God and in all that He commands us. 1 Corinthian 4:1-2 (NIV) "1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful." God did not choose us primarily because we were so gifted, God chose us to accomplish His task.   Why is faithfulness so important?  Because when God chose leaders, He entrusted to us His plan, His Great Commission. We must be faithful to carry it out.  God did not choose us primarily because we were so gifted, God chose us to accomplish His task. That’s why unfaithful leaders will be removed by God in due time. King Saul was removed by God. 1 Samuel 15:10-11 (NIV) "Then the word of the LORD came to Samuel: 11 "I am grieved that I have made Saul king, because he has turned away from me and has not carried out my instructions."    Jim Bakker, was a famous tele-evangelist who founded PTL (Praise The Lord ministries).  He started right but got caught up in fame and wealth he was exposed to.  In 1989 he was convicted of fraud and served 5 years in prison.   If you want to be a person that will be used of God in the long-term, we should be faithful in our responsibilities now.  If you made a pledge before God, be faithful in it as best as you can.  Be faithful in little things, then you can be faithful in bigger things in God.  Faithfulness in ushering or reception.    When I was a young Christian, I started to serve in the church.  I was involved initially with the tape ministry where we recorded the Sunday service unto cassette tapes! This was decades ago.  Then later, I got involved in the bus ministry where I bused church goers to and from church. In both ministries, I was faithful and carried it out diligently.  That was foundational to my serving in increasingly bigger roles in the church.   As per the parable of talents (Matthew 25:14-30), the faithful will be given responsibility of greater things.  Gideon was faithful to demolish the Asherah pole (Jud 6:25-28) hence God could use him to overthrow the Midianites. It is a tremendous honour to be chosen of God to serve in a leadership capacity – let’s be found faithful.   Accomplish through motivating leadership (v10b) “…was done by the people.”   Joshua was able to motivate all the people to fulfil God’s commands. Consider this. It is easier to carry out God’s commands ourselves than it is to get many others to carry it out.  The latter requires a leadership that motivates.   As leaders we should seek to motivate others towards the will of God.  That is our responsibility.  That is why leaders should grow in their leadership – so that they can inspire, motivate and lead multitudes to God.  Nehemiah was such a man.  Nehemiah 2:18 (NIV) "I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, "Let us start rebuilding." So they began this good work."  For years no one rebuilt the walls, but Nehemiah motivated them.   But don’t just challenge leaders to motivate us cynically! We should determine to be great followers before God.  Do look at my article “Are You A Great Follower?”   CHOSEN TO PROVIDE CONTINUITY IN LEADERSHIP   Joshua 4:10b “…just as Moses had directed Joshua”.   Note the continuity in leadership.  First Moses, then Joshua – both intent on carrying out the commands of God.     Continuity of God’s purpose despite the leader.   God’s purpose is paramount and He will raise leaders to accomplish it. Judges 2:16 (NIV) "Then the LORD raised up judges, who saved them out of the hands of these raiders."  God will see His purposes fulfilled regardless of the success or failure of the leaders. If a leader is not able to bring it to completion, God will raise another.  Moses was such an anointed leader, yet God raised another who is better equipped, to take his place.  That the Israelites may be led into the Promised Land and to conquer it.  No leaders should think that only they alone could bring God’s purposes to pass.    No leaders should think that only they alone could bring God’s purposes to pass.  We are merely vessels, instruments in God’s hands. God works with and through a leader, using his gifts, qualities and strengths at different stages of His plans.  Moses was important to inspire the people out of Egypt and to lay the prophetic foundations of the nation.  Yet Joshua was better suited to systematically conquer the Promise Land.  Don’t compare Joshua with Moses because God chose them for different purposes. Daniel 2:21 (NIV) "He changes times and seasons; he sets up kings and deposes them..."   Should a leader fail, in due time God will raise another.  For example, Eli the priest failed to maintain the priestly standard in God’s temple, so God raised Samuel instead.  That should give a deep assurance to us, that God’s purposes will continue!   Continuity of God’s purpose is the leader’s responsibility.   We are not in a race to see whether our leadership is better than preceding ones. When new leaders take over a responsibility from a previous leader.  Our primary concern should not be for us to make our mark, bring our particular flavour, etc.  Rather it is to ensure God’s purposes are advanced.  We are not in a race to see whether our leadership is better than preceding ones. The test is how faithful we are to God’s purposes.  Joshua did not set out to make his leadership distinctive.  He set out to make sure it was God-centred.  Thank God when our church leadership is God-centred not ego-centric!    CHOSEN TO LEAD THROUGH CHALLENGES   Joshua 4:12-13 (NIV) 12 The men of Reuben, Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh crossed over, ready for battle, in front of the Israelites, as Moses had directed them. 13 About forty thousand armed for battle crossed over before the Lord to the plains of Jericho for war.   Many challenges lay ahead as they were stepped across towards war in the Promised Land. The Promised Land is theirs to take – if they would face the challenges of war.  What are some challenges leaders faced?   Challenges to unite God’s people (v12).   God calls us to serve Him as a church, not individuals.   Joshua was able to unite the Ruebenites, Gadites and half-tribe of Manasseh with the rest of Israel in this common task of conquering the Promised Land.  Leaders have a responsibility to unite God’s people so that we may be ready to confront the challenges ahead.  We cannot win world by ourselves. That is why the urgency to make disciples and to unite them in God’s purposes.  God calls us to serve Him as a church, not individuals.  The challenge of leadership is to unite for God’s purposes!   Challenges that shake us (v13) “… to the plains of Jordan for war.”   Joshua was chosen to lead the nation into war!  It was going to be tough!  They will face incredible odds that will shake them to their boots!  Leaders have to confront earth-shaking challenges!  Leaders must not turn tail and run!  Leaders are not primarily called to manage.  They are called to advance.  Leadership is not easy – but challenging.  Yet also exciting and fulfilling.  Do you like the exhilaration of Xtreme sports?  Leadership can be like that! God is looking for people He can raise up to advance His kingdom. Leaders who will not run from challenges but confront it by the grace of God!   God is looking for people He can raise up to advance His kingdom. Leaders who will not run from challenges but confront it by the grace of God! The key is to deal with challenges is the way we see it.  Our perspective often determines whether we give up or rise up to the challenge.  The challenges we face are often not the real problem.  The problem lies with us.  Some people can face huge problems in their life but seem to just whistle along.  Others face small problems but are devastated by it.    Consider the example of David & Goliath. 1 Samual 17:45-46 (NIV) "45 David said to the Philistine, "You come against me with sword and spear and javelin, but I come against you in the name of the LORD Almighty, the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied. 46 This day the LORD will hand you over to me, and I'll strike you down and cut off your head..."   When leaders dare to face their challenges, they pave the way to victory for others.   CHOSEN TO BE A REVERED EXAMPLE   Joshua 4:14 (NIV) “That day the Lord exalted Joshua in the sight of all Israel; and they stood in awe of him all the days of his life, just as they had stood in awe of Moses.   Revered to be followed (v14)   God will exalt His chosen leaders before His people so that the people may honour and follow their leadership. God will exalt His chosen leaders before His people so that the people may honour and follow their leadership. Joshua 3:7 (NIV)  "And the LORD said to Joshua, "Today I will begin to exalt you in the eyes of all Israel, so they may know that I am with you as I was with Moses." God may do this in different ways, to demonstrate His favour upon a leader.  Often it is through some special successes.  We can sense the anointing! It flows into the things the leader touches!   God will choose as He sees fit.  God’s choice is not according to age or experience.  But according to their heart, their availability and their gifting.  God can choose a 20 year old to lead the 60 year olds.  For example,: Timothy in Ephesian church.  Martin Luther and the Reformation, Bill Bright and Campus Crusade, Loren Cunningham and YWAM, Billy Graham and evangelistic crusades.  They were all under 30 when God started to use them mightily.   Revered but humble   Despite God’s exaltation, leaders must remain humble before God.  Despite God’s exaltation, leaders must remain humble before God.  With humility, God will continue to use us.  James 4:10 (NIV) "Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up."  We must always remember – pride unchecked will take us out of the will of God.  Remain humble and we will remain in God’s will.   CONCLUSION   God has an awesome plan for His Church.  And to fulfil His plan, He will choose leaders who will function as His instruments.  It is a tremendous privilege to be called of God into roles of leadership.  Let us be a people that desire to be used of God in such a capacity.  We should not run away from leadership responsibilities but instead seek to be a leader chosen of God – that we may influence others for God.  God will use those who determine to make a difference.  This can be you!   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.

Reflections Wilson Lim 6 May 2026 The Right Order of Love How then should we love? The correct priority was given by Jesus Himself in Matthew 22:37 - 39 (NIV) 37Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38This is the first and greatest commandment.  39And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ So, first love God with all that we are. That is the highest priority. Then love our neighbour as we love ourselves. In The City of God, Augustine wrote, “Two cities have been founded by two loves, the earthly by the love of self, even to the contempt of God. The heavenly by the love of God, even to the contempt of self. The former, in a word, glorifies itself, the latter the Lord.” We should examine our own hearts carefully and honestly. Do we love ourselves more than God? If so, we need to repent of this misdirected love and turn our love to God instead. Otherwise we may find ourselves amongst the unholy lovers. Facebook X (Twitter) WhatsApp LinkedIn Pinterest Copy link Recent Posts See All From Low Self-Image to Divine Purpose The Right Order of Love What is your perspective of God ? Self-Love or God-First Love? You carry the Power of Holy Spirit

Sermons by Wilson Lim Sermons Not Found Search using single words or Boolean operators AND/OR i.e. "God AND faith” ALL Wilson Lim Lai Ling Button 5 May 2026 | Lord, Beyond Just Lineage Mark 12:35-37 Prophecies promised David's eternal King (2 Sam 7, Jer 23). Jesus fulfills it fully—as a legal descendant via Joseph and biological via Mary. But He's more: 'Mighty God' on David's throne (Isaiah 9:6). Jesus fulfilled the prophecies to the fullest extent! Wilson Lim Button 7 Apr 2026 | God Can Do It Again Mark 8:1–10 Nothing is impossible for the God who feeds thousands with crumbs of resources. Our lack doesn’t limit His power; it only sets the stage for His miracles. Bring your ‘seven loaves’ and watch Him satisfy the crowd again (Mark 8:1–10). Wilson Lim Button 3 Mar 2026 | Press Forward in Faith (and Let Go of What Hinders) Mark 11:22-26 Mark 11:22-26 God isn't limited by our faith—He can work anytime. But He invites us to partner through mountain-moving belief. The catch? Our delegated authority only flows when we walk in unwavering faith, righteousness, purity of motive, alignment with His will, earnestness and perseverance. Wilson Lim Button 3 Feb 2026 | True Faith is Not a Formula Mark 7:31-37 Are we coming to God only for solutions, dependent on formulas or are we seeking the One who holds the solutions? Mature faith goes beyond asking for quick fixes — it longs to know the heart of the One who is the solution. Wilson Lim Button 5 Jan 2026 | Let the children come to Jesus Mark 10:13-16 Jesus reminds us that the Kingdom of God belongs to those who come with child-like hearts. Not childish, but child-like—trusting, humble, and obedient. Children matter to God: they are His heritage, His reward, and His hope for a godly next generation. So don’t just talk about Jesus at home—bring your children to Him, model His relevance in your life, and surround them with people who will help them grow in faith. Wilson Lim Button 2 Dec 2025 | How Will Your Life Count? Revelation 7:9-17 Our choices today echo in eternity. Let’s live in such a way that our faithfulness, obedience, and sacrifice bring eternal reward and eternal joy. Wilson Lim Button 18 Nov 2025 | Foolish vs Godly Priorities The world says, ‘Build bigger barns, store more, live easy.’ But Jesus reminds us that life does not consist in the abundance of possessions. Real success is being rich toward God. Wilson Lim Button 5 Nov 2025 | True Faith is Not a Formula Mark 7:31-37 Are we coming to God only for solutions, or are we seeking the One who holds the solutions? Mature faith goes beyond asking for quick fixes — it longs to know the heart of the Healer. Wilson Lim Button 21 Oct 2025 | Suffering: Face It or Flee It 1 Peter 4:12-16 We often think pain means something is wrong, but 1 Peter reminds us: trials are part of God’s plan to refine us like gold. They bring impurities to the surface and shape us into the image of Christ. This sermon challenges Christ-followers to trust God and His purposes in the midst of suffering. Wilson Lim Button 7 Oct 2025 | Purpose Over Preference Matthew 6:28-34 We all have our preferences. Is it possible that this is part of the problem? Our insistence on our preferences may be causing us unnecessary burdens, anxieties and worse of all, blind us to God's greater purposes for us. Ps. Wilson expounds Mark 6:28-34 to reveal why purpose should have priority over preference. And how it will impact our families, teams and churches. Wilson Lim 1 2 3 4 5 1 ... 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 ... 9 Now available on Apple and Spotify podcast services Wilson Lim & Lai Ling Lim Messages Listen on:

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 L064 Adaptive Leadership For Varying Situations (Part 1) Leadership Wilson Lim Why One-Size-Fits-All Leadership Fails: Adaptive Leaders Flex between high-control Telling, persuasive Selling, collaborative Participating to trust-based Delegating modes. Learn some practical insights to diagnose readiness & accelerate follower growth from insecurity to ownership. Discover more in this podcast. Download Leader Guide More episodes Prophetic Leadership Intercession Listen & Subscribe Wilson Lim Podcast Available On Listen & Subscribe Lai Ling Lim Podcast Available On Latest Blog Posts Faith and Seeing Wilson Lim 8 hours ago 6 min read Purity In God’s House Wilson Lim Apr 22 10 min read Leaders Chosen Of God Wilson Lim Apr 8 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