Foreword

Last week, I talked about the origins of Mingding Destiny, our initial thoughts, and the experiences that led us here step by step. As an engineer by training, I find that engineers share a common trait: if you are capable, you can make it happen; if not, you cannot. This differs from theologians and philosophers. Consider someone like Nietzsche, sitting on a park bench late into the night, neglecting personal hygiene. After a couple of days, disheveled, the park keeper approaches, Hey, where did you come from, you madman? Nietzsche replies, If I knew where I came from, why would I be sitting here? Where is your home? I do not know where my home is.

Philosophers contemplate with their minds. However, our minds are like walnuts, with limited capacity. Some rely on their brains for work, which can be quite effective, certainly more so than relying on hands. But the problem is that relying solely on your brain is insufficient. As an engineer, I encounter various problems. Whether a computer engineer, software engineer, hardware engineer, or construction engineer, a notable characteristic is the need for practical application. It is only valid when it is done. For instance, if someone else’s aircraft cannot fly but mine can, it is because their design was flawed. Conversely, if their aircraft can fly but mine cannot, it indicates my lack of skill. Everyone understands this principle, right? So, today we must adjust our perspective. Read God's Word and then act on it:

Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)

Those who read God's Word and act on it are wise, building their house on the rock. To build the church on the rock means to read God's Word and act accordingly. If you read God's Word but do not act on it, and instead follow your own words, you will be in trouble. But some twist God's Word before acting on it, which is the same as not reading it. Some always choose to accept what they can and reject what they cannot. However, we cannot read God's Word in such a way.

The Bible is a classic text. Those who are well-read understand the difference between a classic text (经) and a treatise (论). The Huangdi Neijing (《黄帝内经》) is a classic text of traditional Chinese medicine. Zhang Zhongjing's Treatise on Cold Damage (《伤寒论》) is a treatise. A treatise is the application of the teachings of the classic text in real-world scenarios. Some say they learned nothing in university, but a clever person would have gained something.

For example, if I thoroughly understand Control Systems Theory, I am quite competent. Control systems are powerful. Similarly, if you master Economic Theory, you are also highly competent. Therefore, I hope that our brothers and sisters do not assume that university education is flawed. The textbooks have been used for decades; how could they be incorrect? The question is whether you can grasp the classic texts.

This world has a characteristic: if you are proficient in a technology, you are highly competent. If we, as Christians, can understand the Bible thoroughly, we are very powerful. What does it mean to understand it thoroughly? It means putting the words of the Bible into practice. Only then does it count. Why? Because if it is not put into practice, it indicates that your understanding is flawed. You may think it is one way, but the interpretation of words can vary greatly.

I used to be a network engineer. After thoroughly studying classic network engineering texts, I became very knowledgeable about networks. When I became CIO, network engineers could not solve problems, so I, as a veteran, had to step in because I had read the classics. Reading the classics does not mean I can solve all problems, but through practice, I deeply understood them. Later, in software management, project management, and enterprise management, I enjoyed reading classic texts and putting them into practice. Putting the teachings of the classics into practice is what constitutes a treatise. So, in the church, what I preach is a treatise. I read the Bible, and the treatise explains how to act. This is how engineers view things.

Once, my son was working on a project for his IB (International Baccalaureate) program. The IB program is well-designed, encouraging children to undertake projects from middle school onwards. I participated significantly in his projects, brainstorming ideas and researching extensively. One project involved designing a cylinder filled with water, gradually reducing the water, and measuring its speed as it rolled down a slope. We wondered if the cylinder's rolling speed would vary. We thought the heavier it was, the faster it would roll, and the lighter it was, the slower. But that was not the case. The results surprised us. I confirmed one thing: what is done differs from what is conceived.

During the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee, Deng Xiaoping proposed the Reform and Opening Up policy. I was just starting university, studying the Theory of the Third Plenary Session of the Eleventh Central Committee, which I found well-written. At that time, there was a heated debate: Is practice the criterion for testing truth, or is it thought? We do not deny that the mind should meditate on God's Word day and night, which is good. But the Bible must be read in its entirety, and after meditating on it day and night, it must be put into practice. Reading God's Word and acting on it matters. So, in the Old Testament, is there a blessing in reading God's Word, or is there a blessing in carefully obeying and following God's Word? There is a blessing in carefully obeying and following God's Word. If you read but do not act, you are a Pharisee. So, we must understand that our church's belief system is: read God's Word and act on it; that is wisdom.

I have finally found a way to make people wise. Becoming wise means reading something and then doing it. Empty talk is useless. Later, when I worked with software, I realized that software always has bugs. Bugs are problems. We have good ideas, but when we put them into practice, it is not the same. You think it should be one way, but it turns out differently. Why? Because we did not consider everything when we were thinking about it; we only find out when we are doing it. It is the same with renovations and everything else. So, the engineer's faith is fascinating, it only counts when it is done.

God's Word is Feasible

It is easy to say that it only counts when it is done, but it is difficult to do. For example, I open the Bible to Genesis 1:1, In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. How can I put this into practice? I said, God, I cannot return to the time when you created the heavens and the earth. I was not there when you created the heavens and the earth. Would making a globe count? It would not. Would making a model of the solar system count? It would not. So, what should I do?

Turning to Matthew 7:24 and Genesis 1:1-3, these scriptures are good, but I cannot act on them, which makes me anxious. I have to lead everyone in a study of Genesis in two weeks, but God says to knock, and the door will be opened; seek, and you will find. So, I thank God. I am truly not a presumptuous person, although I am occasionally. Please forgive me. But most of the time, I have some self-awareness. I must seek. So, I knelt down and prayed again and again, and I truly received God's revelation. The Christian faith is a faith of revelation, revealing how to put God's Word into practice.

God says, You are created in my image. You have my image. You do things the way I do things. The Spirit of God continues to reveal: People often encounter situations of darkness over the surface of the deep and emptiness and formlessness. Then you must let my Spirit move there, and then you must declare, and things will be accomplished. Jesus Christ came into the world in the flesh, and he had the image of God. When he spoke, things were accomplished. This is so good; it is a foundational concept of our faith.

The opposite of reading God’s word and then putting it into practice is reading God’s word and not putting it into practice. If you read God's word and then put it into practice, you will become wise. This is one scenario. Another is reading God's word and not putting it into practice, which is common. For example, I know a brother who is quite spiritual and loves the Lord. His wife's leg hurt so badly that she could not sleep, but he did nothing. Why? Because he said, If I cannot kill it instantly, I will not kill it at all.

My approach is: if I cannot kill it instantly, I will kill it in minutes; if I cannot kill it in minutes, I will kill it in hours; if I cannot kill it in hours, I will kill it daily; if I cannot kill it daily, I will kill it monthly, until I eliminate it. Building an airplane is not done in a day or a second. In the Bible, the disciples could not cast out a demon, and Jesus said, This kind can come out only by prayer and fasting. What does this mean? That thing cannot be killed instantly; it requires a long time.

I have encountered such situations. Once, I prayed for a patient with a very stubborn illness. No matter how much I prayed, he did not get better. Then, a scene appeared before me like a movie. The demon looked like a monkey. There were over a hundred of them. One of the leaders said, It is unlucky to see this person; let's go. Then I saw the demons disappear in a flash. That person really got better. After he got better, I told him that demons especially dislike people like me. Demons are not afraid of people who always think about killing instantly or never kill at all.

I also encountered a former colleague from my school who also loved the Lord. He was interesting. He said that sometimes the Holy Spirit would descend upon him, causing his hair to stand on end. When his hair stood on end, he would pray, and he would indeed get better. I asked if he could pray for his wife, but he said no. Could he pray for his mother? No, his hair had not stood on end yet. These people are interesting. I have encountered many strange things like this.

But I am not like that. I pray continuously, because what God wants is faith, and my faith is to put it into practice. Practicing the faith is very important. Acting according to God's Word is very important. That is why it is so good for you to listen to my exegesis on Genesis. I myself enjoy listening because what I am talking about is how to put God's Word into practice, and this must become the foundation of our faith. Because if you want to build your house on the rock, you must be someone who acts on God's Word. There are many ways not to act on God's Word, one of which is called speculation.

Looking at the Fruits of Faith

It is like someone who cannot build an aeroplane lecturing on how to build one. If someone who cannot run a successful company teaches you how to do business, isn't that a joke? So, brothers and sisters, it only counts when you put it into practice. Speculation is very dangerous. In my practice, people often say, This person is an extreme charismatic, but I know one thing: I am acting according to the Word of the Bible. Later, I discovered that those who pursue miracles do not get them, but those who pursue the practice of faith do. I do not have miracles because I pursue them; I have miracles because I pursue the practice of faith. The fruit of faith is miracles.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. (Mark 16:17-18).

In the process of acting on God's Word and practicing faith, I know that I am just a kindergarten student. There are many things I do not know. I cannot try to run before I can walk, or try to jump before I can run. I cannot try to go to university before I have finished elementary school. Many Christians do not want to be down-to-earth. Look at the beautiful things that carpenters and painters can create so quickly, but it takes ten years of work offstage for five minutes on stage. Jesus healed with a touch because He was filled with the Holy Spirit, and Jesus is unlimited. However, I like to talk about what I have done; I don't like to talk about what I haven't done. That's why everyone finds what I say to be practical. I do it every day, so it is clear when I talk about it, because you only know after you have done it.

Therefore, I have found that if the Bible says you must do something, then you must do it. If you cannot do it, then we do not do it. If it doesn't say whether you can or cannot do it, then we do it by faith. I thank God that He constantly guides me on the path of acting on His Word. Those who act on God's Word will not go astray. You can tell by the results. I think that the results should be like Jesus. If they are not like Him today, then they will be like Him tomorrow, and I will continue to do it constantly. Seckill was also achieved step by step through practicing God's Word and fighting battles. Your name in the spiritual realm is earned step by step. God will make your name great. If the person being ministered to does not have faith, Jesus cannot do anything for them. If we understand God's Word, then in the process of practicing it, we can verify whether we have any deviations in our understanding of God's Word.

The key is, does your ministry resemble the Apostle Paul or Jesus Christ? During Martin Luther's time, when God was restoring the truth, it was an initial stage. Many truths in the Bible were erased. Today, God is still constantly restoring His truth. Our theological concept is a theological concept of acting on God's Word. The concept of acting on God's Word looks at the results, to see if it is like Jesus. In the process of constantly striving, I am more like Jesus this year than I was last year. If I am not very like Him, then I constantly pursue being like Him. We have God's image on us. By constantly acting on God's Word, we will restore God's glorious image, because God created us in His image.

Restoring the Destiny God Gave You

Brothers and sisters, begin to understand and constantly implement the Chinese Mingding Destiny. Why is it called Mingding Destiny? Because the entire Bible highlights why you are alive. If you live for God, you have a destiny. If you live for God, you constantly pursue God and constantly restore the glorious image He created you with. The Apostle Paul said, I speak in tongues more than all of you. I imitated him. A day passed, and nothing happened. Two days passed, and nothing happened. A year passed, and signs and wonders began to manifest in the church in large numbers.

The Apostle Paul said, My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s power, so that your faith might not rest on human wisdom, but on God’s power. This gospel is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes. If you want to act, you have to be like Jesus. It is not very useful to just talk without acting like Jesus. Jesus spent half of His time preaching and training, and the other half healing the sick and driving out demons. Jesus said, If I drive out demons by the Spirit of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you. If you do not drive out demons, the kingdom of God cannot come.

Jesus trained the first group of disciples, twelve of them, training them to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and drive out demons. The second group of disciples, seventy of them, He told them to preach the gospel, heal the sick, and drive out demons. If you are my disciple, I will definitely do this. We must be like Jesus and like Paul. Paul's thorn was because his height was high enough. If your height is not high enough, what is the point of that thorn? How many myths are there in this generation that must be removed? This is a very fundamental thing in our theological concept.

Conclusion

Read God's Word and then act on it. These signs will accompany those who believe: In the name of the Lord Jesus, they will drive out demons and speak in new tongues. Do it, and one day you will become more and more like Jesus, and one day you will become more and more like the Apostle Paul, like the painting hanging on Carnegie's wall depicting a large ship stranded on the beach, with the words One day the tide will rise.

There was an entrepreneur who asked me what I thought about going to heaven after death. I said, I don't know about going to heaven, but I know one thing: if you live like a ghost, you will go to the place of ghosts when you die; if you live like Jesus, you will go to Jesus' place when you die.

So, while we are alive, we strive to be like Jesus. It doesn't matter if we are not like Him today; one day we will be like Him. We pursue with this aspiration, constantly seeking, and one day we will be like Jesus. Amen!