“and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike.” – Matthew 5:45

I am so thankful that God pour out His grace and sends His rain of love on someone like me. My baptism of love happened in the evening at a particular Church camp. I had walked over to the auditorium early to avoid those dinner small talk. As I sat at the back, surveying the praise band as they did a soundcheck, suddenly, in that space, Jesus embraced me. Not physically, but real enough to almost feel the warmth of His skin, the wrapping of his hands. That enveloping symphony rippled through sinews in my being. I began to tear.

Sporadic tears quickly turned to streams down my cheeks, running along my jawline and blossoming into dark patches on my sleeves as they fell. He had noticed me, even when I desperately tried to remain guarded and inconspicuous. Jesus had met me in the stillness of my auditorium seat. He wasn’t finished with me yet, though. “Follow me,” He whispered on the final day of camp. Perhaps it is no coincidence that I love to fish. My seat became the seaside. Jesus had asked the same thing of Simon Peter and Andrew the fishermen, who were at the seaside and they responded to His invitation of love.

Jesus wanted to use me despite me: a man ensnared in the miry nets of a broken, world. “Follow me” wasn’t a stern command but an invitation to walk with the lover of my soul. I exchanged my PHD for His PHD. A Poly-Halfway Dropout to a Privileged-Happy Disciple. A Redeemed Rebel.

After 12 years of walking in the showers of blessings, God amazingly led the birth 3:16 Church in 2013! Many probably could guessed that the name “3:16” was based on the iconic verse in the Gospel of John. But fewer knew that “3:16” also releases the passionate, mad love of God the Son. For that you need to turn to the First Epistle of John, Chapter 3 Verse 16. “This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.”

Jesus was the Rain of Love that came down from our Heavenly Father and now He wants to flood the nations with the love of the Son through you and I. We are both a receiver and releaser of this passionate, crazy love to people around! After 4 years of pastoring 3:16 with my wife Lilis, and the team of pastors, God brought all of us to the place of Revival, Tung Ling Bible School （Tung Ling means – Eastern Mountain. We could all feel in our spirits that God took us into the ridges of the Eastern Mountain to be strengthened in the LORD. Our hearts were never to merely be a Church within four walls, but an open movement of love creating Grace-ripples in society.

When Dean Guek Ju revealed on the first week of the term that the theme was Revival, my thirsty soul cried out, “More rain, more rain! Soak us and send us, Lord!” God indeed has used the team at Tung Ling to pour out His grace. Dean Guek Ju, Dean Philip and the out-of-the-world class (better than world class) lecturers were truly endued with wisdom and grace and we benefitted so much in this learning journey.

I want to take this opportunity to give a special shout-out to Dr. Joseph Umidi for coaching us on Leadership Coaching and Resolving Leadership Conflict. He gave our team much to think about and incite much rigorous discussion amongst us. A big THANK YOU to our class monitors and all the course-mates! You guys are truly God-sent. We have grown so much because of all of you!

Keep walking with the Holy Spirit.

Keep walking in the rain.

Pastor Ian Toh
Lead Pastor, 3:16 Church

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The struggle with same sex attraction is real. But you don’t have to struggle alone or in silence.

You’ve heard my story. Now, on behalf of my dear friend, Vincent, we are unashamed to share his (LGBT) story with you too.

God has been so good to free Vincent from 29 years of sexual bondage which started from a childhood incident when he was 5 years old. Vincent has chosen to share his story in hope to be a voice of encouragement to others who may find themselves in a similar situation.

If you are a victim of sexual abuse or inappropriate advances, you need to know that you have a voice to change your situation.

It is possible to break out of the shadows of shame and addictions. You don’t have to feel hopeless or powerless.

Take the small step to share your story with someone you trust and let the healing process begin.

Come Out. Come Home.

Pastor Ian

The post The Struggle Is Real first appeared on 3:16 Church.

I believe shame dies when stories are told in safe places.

When I shared my story to my church and Dad, I found myself freed from the bondage and repercussions of being sexually abused when I was 5 years old.

Today I choose to share my story with you. My hope is that it will help many others to experience the freedom and love as I did.

I believe every story counts. It counts to know that you are not alone.

If you are a victim of sexual abuse. If you are wounded and silenced, one of the best things you can do for yourself is to share your story with someone you trust and let them journey with you.

Shame has no place in our purpose, plan and destiny. Be unashamed to speak.

Pastor Ian

The post Come Out. Come Home. first appeared on 3:16 Church.

Meanwhile a large crowd of Jews found out that Jesus was there and came, not only because of him but also to see Lazarus, whom he had raised from the dead. So the chief priests made plans to kill Lazarus as well, for on account of him many of the Jews were going over to Jesus and believing in him. – John 12:9–11

Killing A Miracle

There is a price on Lazarus’ head! The enemies wanted to kill him! Why? Because Lazarus was a walking, talking messianic miracle! And many were coming to know Jesus through Lazarus’ account! And that is freaking out the people with the religious spirit!

Read John 11 to find out more about the story of Lazarus. [Click here to Bible Gateway]

It is invigorating to me that the name of ‘Lazarus’ means ‘God has helped’. In a way, we are all Lazarus. God has helped us from a destiny of eternal damnation to everlasting bliss in heaven. We are walking and talking miracles just like Lazarus. For in Him, we live and move and have our being! We are create to bring Him praise!

In the name of Jesus and by the blood of the Lamb, we silence the silencer, who is Satan. He seeks to take away our vitality and our voice! We cannot remain silent after receiving such great love from Jesus Christ, for if we do, even the stones will cry out.

Today, have you forgotten that you are a walking, talking miracle?

You are God’s rainbow!

A reminder to the world that He is still faithful and wonderful!

Hear the voice of the Holy Spirit,

“For God so loved the world that He gave His son…”

Pastor Ian Toh
Lead Pastor, 3:16 Church

The post Killing A Miracle first appeared on 3:16 Church.

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.” – John 11:5-6

Love is patient – 1 Corinthians 13:4 NIV

Love never gives up – 1 Corinthians 13:4 MSG

When Waiting = Winning!

Some miracles are more glorious because Jesus Christ moves instantly and suddenly. Time bends her knees and bow down to Jesus. One example was when Jesus and the disciples were teleported immediately from the middle of the sea to the place they were supposed to go in John 6.

Other miracles are more glorious because Jesus waited. In the powerful story of the resurrection of Lazarus, Jesus did what no one had ever witness! The resurrection of someone who has been dead for four days! There were numerous accounts of resurrection in the Old Testament but none beat this account because they were all resurrected shortly after death and certainly not more than three days. In fact, this miracle is received as a messianic miracle because no one could have done it except the Messiah.

“Now Jesus loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. So, when He heard that he was sick, He stayed two more days in the place where He was.”

I was particularly struck by the words Love and So. Jesus loved Martha, Mary and Lazarus so much that he waited for two more days. Why? Because He did not want them to miss the greater glory.

I want to tell you that God loves you no less today! Don’t miss the greater glory!

Are we tired of waiting? Are we impatient?

Can we continue to trust the goodness of God in our lives?

Hear the voice of the Holy Spirit,

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. – John 3:16

Pastor Ian Toh
Lead Pastor, 3:16 Church

The post When Waiting = Winning! first appeared on 3:16 Church.

“I am the good shepherd; I know (ginōskō) my sheep and my sheep know me— just as the Father knows me and I know the Father—and I lay down my life for the sheep.” – John 10:14–15

“The angel said to the women, “Do not be afraid, for I know (eidō) that you are looking for Jesus, who was crucified.” – Matthew 28:5

Ginōskō > Eidō

I was led to recap on a word study that i had done before. It is like the Holy Spirit wanted me to remember how precious it was to know Jesus Christ intimately and experientially. There is something deeply dissatisfying to my soul about just having head-knowledge about the person of Jesus Christ. It is like drinking warm Coca Cola to me! Ewwwww!

I learnt that there were at least 8 different Greek words for the word ‘know’ and the 2 more common occurrences in the New Testament is ‘ginosko’ and ‘eido’.

What struck me the most in my study was that the word ‘ginōskō’ was used to depict of the act of love-making between a man and his wife.

What struck me the most in my study was that the word ‘ginōskō’ was used to depict of the act of love-making between a man and his wife. Deeper in the river of God!

“The man who would truly know God must give time to Him.” ― A.W. Tozer

This 21-day fast is really about having more time to know Him. We can make Him known as we first take time to know (ginōskō) Him.

Let’s know Him and make Him known!

Pastor Ian Toh
Lead Pastor, 3:16 Church

The post Ginōskō > Eidō first appeared on 3:16 Church.

“Walking down the street, Jesus saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked, ‘Rabbi, who sinned: this man or his parents, causing him to be born blind?’

Jesus said, ‘You’re asking the wrong question. You’re looking for someone to blame. There is no such cause-effect here. Look instead for what God can do.’” – John 9:1-2

Asking The Wrong Question

Who to blame? That is always my natural first question whenever problems come knocking on my doors. In the story of the Fall of Mankind in Genesis, Adam blame-shifted to Eve and Eve did the same thing to Satan. Funny that the sly ancient Serpent has no one to blame but himself!

So what is the right question to ask?

How can God bless? I think the right question is not about blaming but blessing. “Look instead for what God can do.” says Jesus. When there is a serious problem, we seriously need to change our lens and language. My mentor used to say, “Garbage in, garbage out.” When we ask the wrong question or look for the wrong things, we will get the wrong answer, which brings more problems. So let the works of God be displayed in us even in the midst of our challenges and crisis.

So let’s try it today.

What’s the single, best question you need to ask to move closer to alignment with God?

Hear the voice of the Holy Spirit,

“Look instead for what God can do.”

Pastor Ian Toh
Lead Pastor, 3:16 Church

The post Asking The Right Question first appeared on 3:16 Church.

God said to Moses: “Stretch your hand to the skies. Let darkness descend on the land of Egypt—a darkness so dark you can touch it.” Moses stretched out his hand to the skies. Thick darkness descended on the land of Egypt for three days. Nobody could see anybody. For three days no one could so much as move. Except for the Israelites: they had light where they were living. – Exodus 10:21-23

When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” – John 8:12

Torch-able Light. Touchable Darkness.

“Forgive and forget? Forget it, I will never forgive …”

“When I get angry, I am like a animal that runs wild… I break everything that my hands can touch.”

“I am so addicted to pornography that I cannot imagine ever not needing it.”

Those were just some of the chains of darkness that have suffocated me for years. A darkness so dark that I can touch it! Or should I say it was touched me! It’s undying grip on me is killing me and my destiny! I thought that this darkness will be permanent… until I hear these words of love, “Ian, I love you and I am not done with you.” says the Holy Spirit. “I am the Light of the World. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Jesus Dispels Darkness

Jesus is my Light that dispels the Darkness that once had me. And there is no fight. The victory is overwhelming! A preacher once said that Jesus is the lighthouse that throws its beams across the dark waters of human guilt and misery and eternity dawned on His hearers while He spake. What was even most amazing to me was that Jesus is saying to us, “You are the light of the world! Go and set others free!” You and I are lights shining in a dark world!

What chains of darkness are we holding on to?

What is the Holy Spirit saying to you today?

Come hear the voice of the Spirit,

“You are the light of the world! Go shine!”

Pastor Ian Toh
Lead Pastor, 3:16 Church

The post Torch-able Lights. Touchable Darkness. first appeared on 3:16 Church.

For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants. – Isaiah 44:3

On the final and climactic day of the Feast, Jesus took his stand. He cried out, “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.” (He said this in regard to the Spirit) – John 7:37-39

Heavy Rain Holy River

Growing up, I spend a lot of time by the Singapore River. I love to watch the rain fall on the surface of the river water. There is a mystical calmness in those magical moments. The sound of heaven touching earth! I love recollecting those memories of strolling by the river with Lilis Toh, fishing and catching crabs with Jeremy Lee or spending time by myself.

There is a another river that is precious to me. The heavenly river of the Holy Spirit that bubbles from my innermost person. This powerful river washes away the toxic and negative emotion building up in me whenever the spirit of offence wants to rear its ugly head.

This powerful river washes away the toxic and negative emotion building up in me.

This River empowers me to move supernaturally. It helps me speak life and love courageously. The source of Singapore River is the rain from heaven. The source of the River in me is from Jesus Christ. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink. Rivers of living water will brim and spill out of the depths of anyone who believes in me this way, just as the Scripture says.” says Jesus. Let the Heavy Rain fall and Holy River flow!

What can help us cope with those bitter emotions and negative imaginations?

Who can help you with the spirit of offence?

Hear the voice of the Spirit of Christ,

“If anyone thirsts, let him come to me and drink.”

Pastor Ian Toh
Lead Pastor, 3:16 Church

The post Heavy Rain. Holy River. first appeared on 3:16 Church.

In the evening his disciples went down to the sea, got in the boat, and headed back across the water to Capernaum. It had grown quite dark and Jesus had not yet returned. A huge wind blew up, churning the sea. They were maybe three or four miles out when they saw Jesus walking on the sea, quite near the boat. They were scared senseless, but he reassured them, “It’s me. It’s all right. Don’t be afraid.” So they took him on board. In no time they reached land—the exact spot they were headed to. – John 6:16-21

The disciples could not recognise Jesus!

Recognise Your Miracle Today!

Many times, God has already answered our prayers and we could not recognised it. Missing our miracles is like watching life through a black and white television. We lose the ability to see the colours of God and live life to the fullest.

“They couldn’t see water that was right in front of them,” – Abel Cruz

The story of Abel Cruz is the story how one man recognised the answer the God has already given and made a big difference in a community in the far-flung areas of Lima, Peru.

Everyday, 768 million people do not have safe water to drink and 1,400 children below the age of five die of water-based diseases. Helping to alleviate the situation, Abel Cruz decided to install the fog catchers after years of living without running water and waiting for the water grid from the city to be set up in their area. This initiative enabled the poverty-stricken locals to have access to clean water!

Stealing A Bit Of The Sky

Teresa, a local resident, says that the innovation is like “stealing a bit of the sky.”

The disciples of Jesus could not recognise Jesus walking on water towards them. The Answer has arrived and yet they got afraid. Don’t miss the love of the Father walking towards you!

Could you recognise one miracle that God has answered in regard to your predicament?

Will you be an answer to someone around you today?

Hear the voice of the Holy Spirit,

“It’s me. It’s all right. Don’t be afraid.”

Pastor Ian Toh
Lead Pastor, 3:16 Church

The post Recognise Your Miracle Today! first appeared on 3:16 Church.