starting off a new study in the new year...
18 January 2008
11.30am @ Top Floor
18 January 2008
11.30am @ Top Floor
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Sunday, 28 December 2008
The Birth of Jesus Christ
And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. - Luke 2:7
We remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ into the world. He being in the form of God, yet humbled himself to take the form of man. There is only one reason why He left His home above. His divine form to take on the sinful and corrupt nature of man. You and me.
1 Peter 2:22-24 says of Him, "who had no sin neither was guile found in His mouth. Who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously; who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree that we being dead to sins should live unto righteousness by whose stripes you were healed."
To have the righteous life you have to believe on the Lord Jesus. The Bible says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." No matter what your background is, what kind of life you have lived so long, the nature of your job, or the manner of life-style, what you have gained in your life in terms of riches or profit, if you want to saved you must believe on the Lord Jesus, you must call upon His name. Romans 10:13 says "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." "Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," Acts 4:12 tells us.
Jesus is the Son of God and beloved, His love knows no bounds. No one can love you like the way He does. In spite of the worst in you, He is the only One who is willing to extend His hands to raise your fallen shameful self unto Himself and hold you in His loving embrace. He is the only one who accepts you and loves you for who you are. He gave His life on the cross so that you can live. He gave Himself as an offering so that you would be acceptable before God. There is nothing that He does not know about you.
Come to Him today, call upon His name, confess the sinful deeds in your life and be set free. Only He is the answer to all the questions in your life. Only He can give you the peace that you have been seeking at all the wrong places. Only He can satisfy the cravings of your heart with His love and presence. He will fill all athe emptiness and give you true meaning to life today.
Consider yours ways. How unfruitful they have been! Don't you wish that you could live life all over again. Take courage and have hope, for now you can have a new life witout the remembrance of all the wicked past. You can have a new life without the guilt and shame because of what the Lord has done for you. All you have to do is confess, believe and pray in faith.
- Daniel O.C
We remember the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ into the world. He being in the form of God, yet humbled himself to take the form of man. There is only one reason why He left His home above. His divine form to take on the sinful and corrupt nature of man. You and me.
1 Peter 2:22-24 says of Him, "who had no sin neither was guile found in His mouth. Who when He was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously; who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree that we being dead to sins should live unto righteousness by whose stripes you were healed."
To have the righteous life you have to believe on the Lord Jesus. The Bible says in John 3:16, "For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." No matter what your background is, what kind of life you have lived so long, the nature of your job, or the manner of life-style, what you have gained in your life in terms of riches or profit, if you want to saved you must believe on the Lord Jesus, you must call upon His name. Romans 10:13 says "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." "Neither is there salvation in any other for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved," Acts 4:12 tells us.
Jesus is the Son of God and beloved, His love knows no bounds. No one can love you like the way He does. In spite of the worst in you, He is the only One who is willing to extend His hands to raise your fallen shameful self unto Himself and hold you in His loving embrace. He is the only one who accepts you and loves you for who you are. He gave His life on the cross so that you can live. He gave Himself as an offering so that you would be acceptable before God. There is nothing that He does not know about you.
Come to Him today, call upon His name, confess the sinful deeds in your life and be set free. Only He is the answer to all the questions in your life. Only He can give you the peace that you have been seeking at all the wrong places. Only He can satisfy the cravings of your heart with His love and presence. He will fill all athe emptiness and give you true meaning to life today.
Consider yours ways. How unfruitful they have been! Don't you wish that you could live life all over again. Take courage and have hope, for now you can have a new life witout the remembrance of all the wicked past. You can have a new life without the guilt and shame because of what the Lord has done for you. All you have to do is confess, believe and pray in faith.
- Daniel O.C
4 JANUARY 2009
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2009!!
~~~
Liong KC
Peggy Tan
Terry C., Hong Lu, Foong Yee
-
Jessica Lee
Jocelyn Lee
-
Anna Sim
Jaemy Choong
-
Tian Sia
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF
~~~
Liong KC
Peggy Tan
Terry C., Hong Lu, Foong Yee
-
Jessica Lee
Jocelyn Lee
-
Anna Sim
Jaemy Choong
-
Tian Sia
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Tuesday, 23 December 2008
28 DECEMBER 2008
Caleb R.
Kai Yew
Shankar R., Phoebe Sim
-
Grace Lee
Joseph Yap
-
Terry Choong
Anna Sim
-
Richard
Tom C., Tommy Quek
Kai Yew
Shankar R., Phoebe Sim
-
Grace Lee
Joseph Yap
-
Terry Choong
Anna Sim
-
Richard
Tom C., Tommy Quek
Sunday, 21 December 2008
25 DECEMBER 2008
CHRISTMAS DAY!!
Thursday
~~~
Barnabas P.
Shankar R.
Jaemy C., Richard, Foong Yee
-
Jun Fhui
Meng Fhui
-
Anna Sim
Kai Yew
-
Siew Pin
Hiew FF, Manjit Singh
Thursday
~~~
Barnabas P.
Shankar R.
Jaemy C., Richard, Foong Yee
-
Jun Fhui
Meng Fhui
-
Anna Sim
Kai Yew
-
Siew Pin
Hiew FF, Manjit Singh
Who Is Jesus Christ To You?
Therefore God also had highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, ... and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2:9-11
Christmas is the time you can get so busy shopping, decorating, planning, packing etc. You may be so involved doing a lot that you lose focus of the main reason for the event: Jesus. When the season is over you might find yourself tired and dry after all the excitement that seemed to keep you happy. It might hit you hard only then, that during Christmas you never spend any time with Lord Jesus.
He is Prince of Peace who came to bring peace to your heart in the midst of your circumstances. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Have you experienced that peace in Christ Jesus today?
He is the Redeemer. "But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His son ... that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us. And because you are His sons, God has sent the (Holy) Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba Father!" He redeemed us so that we can be sons! Are you a son of God? (Galations 4:4-6,9)
He is the Saviour. "... for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) He is your Saviour who saved you from sins. No animal offerings can take the place of the only Son of God through whom we have forgiveness of sins. He came to deliver us from darkness and bondage of the enemy. He paid the price of His own life that we might have fullness of life. Having turned away from your past dead way of human being" (Philippians 2:7)
Martha occupied herself and was busy and distracted with much serving when Jesus came to their house but Mary seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching. Jesus said that Mary had chosen the good portion which would not be taken away from her.
Who is Jesus to you? This is a question that you should sincerely ask yourself and only you can answer it yourself. Do not let Christmas be an event of celebration where Christ is not the centre and where you are distraceted with the fun of it, but like Mary have chosen the good portion of being found in the presence of the Lord?
Have you received Him today to make a fresh start for your life and a meaningful Christmas?
There can be no Christmas celebration without Christ.
Christmas is the time you can get so busy shopping, decorating, planning, packing etc. You may be so involved doing a lot that you lose focus of the main reason for the event: Jesus. When the season is over you might find yourself tired and dry after all the excitement that seemed to keep you happy. It might hit you hard only then, that during Christmas you never spend any time with Lord Jesus.
He is Prince of Peace who came to bring peace to your heart in the midst of your circumstances. John 14:27 says, "Peace I leave with you; My peace I now give and bequeath to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid." Have you experienced that peace in Christ Jesus today?
He is the Redeemer. "But when the proper time had fully come, God sent His son ... that we might be adopted and have sonship conferred upon us. And because you are His sons, God has sent the (Holy) Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, Abba Father!" He redeemed us so that we can be sons! Are you a son of God? (Galations 4:4-6,9)
He is the Saviour. "... for He will save His people from their sins." (Matthew 1:21) He is your Saviour who saved you from sins. No animal offerings can take the place of the only Son of God through whom we have forgiveness of sins. He came to deliver us from darkness and bondage of the enemy. He paid the price of His own life that we might have fullness of life. Having turned away from your past dead way of human being" (Philippians 2:7)
Martha occupied herself and was busy and distracted with much serving when Jesus came to their house but Mary seated herself at the Lord's feet and was listening to His teaching. Jesus said that Mary had chosen the good portion which would not be taken away from her.
Who is Jesus to you? This is a question that you should sincerely ask yourself and only you can answer it yourself. Do not let Christmas be an event of celebration where Christ is not the centre and where you are distraceted with the fun of it, but like Mary have chosen the good portion of being found in the presence of the Lord?
Have you received Him today to make a fresh start for your life and a meaningful Christmas?
There can be no Christmas celebration without Christ.
Sunday, 14 December 2008
21 DECEMBER 2008
Dr. Siow KW
Peter Long
Jocelyn Lee, Peggy Tan
-
Lydia Sim
Jonathan Long
-
Terry Choong
Nicholas
-
Meng Fhui
Tommy Quek, Tom C.
Peter Long
Jocelyn Lee, Peggy Tan
-
Lydia Sim
Jonathan Long
-
Terry Choong
Nicholas
-
Meng Fhui
Tommy Quek, Tom C.
Place Christ Before All Else
But indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ. - Philippians 3:8
Have you been wanting to serve the Lord and do His work but have always felt hindered by your own inadequacies? Do you always keep your eyes on others or compare your abilities to others and think that you will never be able to be used for the Lord because of so many disadvantages in you?
You may be lacking in the outward advantages that you see in those around you. But the Lord determines each one to be used uniquely.
Peter and John were going to the temple to pray, when a man crippled from his birth was being carries to be laid at the gated called Beautiful to get for alms. Seeing Peter and John the man asked them to give him a gift. "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk," Peter said and took him by his right hand and lifted him up. He began to walk and leap and praise God. They were arrested and the next day stood before the council of magistrates, elders and Council. Peter spoke up with boldness and confidence for he was filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8). Verse 13 of the same chapter says, "Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools (common men with no educational advantages), they marveled; and they recognised that they had been with Jesus."
"... they recognised that they have been with Jesus," that was it! Being with Jesus made the big difference in the life of these disciples and the council members recognised it. It was not the learning in the school or any other training that they had received that enabled them to stand up and speak the word of God with freedom, boldness and courage.
Beloved child of God, what you need in your life is to spend time with the Lord Jesus. In His presence you will be transformed. In His presence you will be equipped. In His presence you will be endued with power. The world will recognise the difference in you because they will see that you spend time with Jesus. Your disadvantages will be transformed to God's advantaes. You will be a mighty instrument in the hands of the Lord.
True disciples of Christ are those who consistently follow the footsteps of Christ our Master.
-Daniel O.C
Have you been wanting to serve the Lord and do His work but have always felt hindered by your own inadequacies? Do you always keep your eyes on others or compare your abilities to others and think that you will never be able to be used for the Lord because of so many disadvantages in you?
You may be lacking in the outward advantages that you see in those around you. But the Lord determines each one to be used uniquely.
Peter and John were going to the temple to pray, when a man crippled from his birth was being carries to be laid at the gated called Beautiful to get for alms. Seeing Peter and John the man asked them to give him a gift. "In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk," Peter said and took him by his right hand and lifted him up. He began to walk and leap and praise God. They were arrested and the next day stood before the council of magistrates, elders and Council. Peter spoke up with boldness and confidence for he was filled and controlled by the Holy Spirit (Acts 4:8). Verse 13 of the same chapter says, "Now when they saw the boldness and unfettered eloquence of Peter and John and perceived that they were unlearned and untrained in the schools (common men with no educational advantages), they marveled; and they recognised that they had been with Jesus."
"... they recognised that they have been with Jesus," that was it! Being with Jesus made the big difference in the life of these disciples and the council members recognised it. It was not the learning in the school or any other training that they had received that enabled them to stand up and speak the word of God with freedom, boldness and courage.
Beloved child of God, what you need in your life is to spend time with the Lord Jesus. In His presence you will be transformed. In His presence you will be equipped. In His presence you will be endued with power. The world will recognise the difference in you because they will see that you spend time with Jesus. Your disadvantages will be transformed to God's advantaes. You will be a mighty instrument in the hands of the Lord.
True disciples of Christ are those who consistently follow the footsteps of Christ our Master.
-Daniel O.C
Sunday, 7 December 2008
14 DECEMBER 2008
Liong KC
Terry Choong
Tian Sia, Lydia Sim
-
Jessica Lee
-
Anna Sim
Jaemy Choong
-
Jocelyn Lee
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF
Terry Choong
Tian Sia, Lydia Sim
-
Jessica Lee
-
Anna Sim
Jaemy Choong
-
Jocelyn Lee
Manjit Singh, Hiew FF
God Will Guide You
But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. - Acts 1:8
Does the way ahead of you look blocked? Have you come to a point here before you only see a sea, like the Red Sea, or a closed door, and there is no way for you to go through to make progress, to go ahead? Have you lost all hope that you will never make it?
Can you rejoice in a time like this knowing that the Lord your God is your Helper? Can you like the psalmist raise up your voice and say, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am greatly helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoice; and with my song will I praise Him" (Psalm 28:7).
Every way that is blocked ahead of you will be removed and a straight way made for you to pass through just like He did for the people of Israel across the Red Sea and River Jordan. If He is your help and shield and you trust do not lose hope for He who delivered His people, will deliver those whose eyes are upon Him. For He says in Isaiah 45:2, "I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break on pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron."
The Lord, He is still the God of miracles and there you will see His hand in your situation, dividing your Red Sea to make a path, opening a closed door, making a way in your wilderness, if you will hold on and keep your trust in Him. When you have cast your burden onto the Lord, you need not worry about how the circumstances are going to fall into place to make a way for you through the wilderness. Or the sea, where naturally you cannot see some way.
Peter was held in prison by Herod who had earlier killed James. Four squads of soldiers kept watch over him. But prayer was made for him. Acts 12:5 says "The night before Herod was about to bring him forth, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison." No human barrier can stop the Lord from doing His miracle.
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, awakened Peter and told him to get up. And the chains fell off. Following the instructions of the angel, Peter followed him thinking that he was seeing a vision. They passed through the first guard and the second and the iron gate opened of its own accord and they walked on the street where the angel left him. Acts 12:11 says, "Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I really know and am sure that the Lord has sent His angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod..."
Rejoice and praise the name of the Lord as you believe and look for your way, made straight through the sea, the wilderness and prison doors!
- Daniel O.C
Does the way ahead of you look blocked? Have you come to a point here before you only see a sea, like the Red Sea, or a closed door, and there is no way for you to go through to make progress, to go ahead? Have you lost all hope that you will never make it?
Can you rejoice in a time like this knowing that the Lord your God is your Helper? Can you like the psalmist raise up your voice and say, "The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusted in Him, and I am greatly helped; therefore my heart greatly rejoice; and with my song will I praise Him" (Psalm 28:7).
Every way that is blocked ahead of you will be removed and a straight way made for you to pass through just like He did for the people of Israel across the Red Sea and River Jordan. If He is your help and shield and you trust do not lose hope for He who delivered His people, will deliver those whose eyes are upon Him. For He says in Isaiah 45:2, "I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break on pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron."
The Lord, He is still the God of miracles and there you will see His hand in your situation, dividing your Red Sea to make a path, opening a closed door, making a way in your wilderness, if you will hold on and keep your trust in Him. When you have cast your burden onto the Lord, you need not worry about how the circumstances are going to fall into place to make a way for you through the wilderness. Or the sea, where naturally you cannot see some way.
Peter was held in prison by Herod who had earlier killed James. Four squads of soldiers kept watch over him. But prayer was made for him. Acts 12:5 says "The night before Herod was about to bring him forth, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison." No human barrier can stop the Lord from doing His miracle.
Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared, awakened Peter and told him to get up. And the chains fell off. Following the instructions of the angel, Peter followed him thinking that he was seeing a vision. They passed through the first guard and the second and the iron gate opened of its own accord and they walked on the street where the angel left him. Acts 12:11 says, "Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I really know and am sure that the Lord has sent His angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod..."
Rejoice and praise the name of the Lord as you believe and look for your way, made straight through the sea, the wilderness and prison doors!
- Daniel O.C
Sunday, 30 November 2008
7 DECEMBER 2008
Caleb R.
Peggy Tan
Hong Lu, Richard, Gigi Lim
-
Grace Lee
Joseph Yap
-
Terry Choong
Anna Sim
-
Moses Tan
Tom C., Tommy Quek
Peggy Tan
Hong Lu, Richard, Gigi Lim
-
Grace Lee
Joseph Yap
-
Terry Choong
Anna Sim
-
Moses Tan
Tom C., Tommy Quek
Time To Choose
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your father served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. - Joshua 24:15.
Where are you going? Can you hear the still small voice? You can pretend you never heard and walk right into the jaws of sin. Turn back before it is too late. The Word of God says in James 1:14, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." And "the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Death stands before you with this mouth wide open and would you even without blinking your eyes walk right into its jaws?
Do not waver between good and evil, between sin and holiness, between light and darkness, between belonging to the Lord and Satan. You cannot stand with one foot on one side and one the other. For they are worlds apart. One is life and the other death. None of them merges into the other. There is a clear and distinct line drawn between them.
Do you remember the first time you were so nervous and afraid to do wrong? You wanted to hide from everyone, to be in the dark. You did not heed to the still small voice telling you to flee - to flee from lusts, feel from unrighteousness, flee from the works of the flesh, flee from the wickedness and bad company. You could see well that it would all bring ruin and destruction to your life. Still you went ahead. But now it has become so much a part of you that do those things which ought not to be done as if there were the right thing to do, because you have hardened your heart. You chose death instead of life, bondage to sin instead of being free in Christ.
Now however much you try to hide the wretchedness within you and act as if all is normal, you know very well that you are rotten on the inside. You are dying because of your sin, wrong choices, pursuing fleshy desires, giving in to wilful pleasures. You want to be free but you are not willing to give up your sinful ways of life.
Beloved, now is the time to decide. Do not say, "Let me hang in there a little longer just once more". Each time hell is closing up on you and it may be too late.
Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. Come to Him with all your hopelessness, and wretchedness like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24) and say, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee". Seek forgiveness from the Lord and ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life. Do not look back or go to your old ways but walk in the newness of life that He gives you. Be a changed human being in Christ Jesus today.
Anyone who finds God finds life.
- Daniel O.C
Where are you going? Can you hear the still small voice? You can pretend you never heard and walk right into the jaws of sin. Turn back before it is too late. The Word of God says in James 1:14, "But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death." And "the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Death stands before you with this mouth wide open and would you even without blinking your eyes walk right into its jaws?
Do not waver between good and evil, between sin and holiness, between light and darkness, between belonging to the Lord and Satan. You cannot stand with one foot on one side and one the other. For they are worlds apart. One is life and the other death. None of them merges into the other. There is a clear and distinct line drawn between them.
Do you remember the first time you were so nervous and afraid to do wrong? You wanted to hide from everyone, to be in the dark. You did not heed to the still small voice telling you to flee - to flee from lusts, feel from unrighteousness, flee from the works of the flesh, flee from the wickedness and bad company. You could see well that it would all bring ruin and destruction to your life. Still you went ahead. But now it has become so much a part of you that do those things which ought not to be done as if there were the right thing to do, because you have hardened your heart. You chose death instead of life, bondage to sin instead of being free in Christ.
Now however much you try to hide the wretchedness within you and act as if all is normal, you know very well that you are rotten on the inside. You are dying because of your sin, wrong choices, pursuing fleshy desires, giving in to wilful pleasures. You want to be free but you are not willing to give up your sinful ways of life.
Beloved, now is the time to decide. Do not say, "Let me hang in there a little longer just once more". Each time hell is closing up on you and it may be too late.
Call upon the name of the Lord and be saved. Come to Him with all your hopelessness, and wretchedness like the prodigal son (Luke 15:11-24) and say, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and before thee". Seek forgiveness from the Lord and ask Jesus to be the Lord of your life. Do not look back or go to your old ways but walk in the newness of life that He gives you. Be a changed human being in Christ Jesus today.
Anyone who finds God finds life.
- Daniel O.C
Sunday, 23 November 2008
30 NOVEMBER 2008
Barnabas P.
Foong Yee
Terry Choong, Jocelyn Choong
-
Lydia Sim
Joseph Yap
-
Anna Sim
Kai Yew
-
Tian Sia
Manjit Sing. Hiew FF
Foong Yee
Terry Choong, Jocelyn Choong
-
Lydia Sim
Joseph Yap
-
Anna Sim
Kai Yew
-
Tian Sia
Manjit Sing. Hiew FF
Blessings of Obedience
Therefore know that the Lord your God, He is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and mercy for a thousand generations with those who love Him and keep His commandments. - Deuteronomy 7:9
Is your heart grieving over something which has happened in your life quite unexpectedly? Do you wish this accident which has been affecting you so much had never happened? Are you still battling with the reality of a painful incident?
Joseph's life was full of incidents which seemed more like accidents but through it all, the word of God says that, " ... the Lord was with him and made whatever he did to prosper" (Genesis 39:23). Joseph was loved more than all the other children which Jacod had and he gave him a special tunic. One day Jacob sent Joseph to see whether everything was all right with his brothers who were taking care of the flock at Shechem. Joseph's brothers who were jealous of him and envied him took this opportunity and conspired to kill him. However Rueben tried to deliver him and suggested that he be put in a pit which was empty. Later he was sold to the Ishmaelites while his tunic was dipped in the blood of a young goat. Jacob who saw this mourned his son for many days thinking that his son Joseph was dead. Though it seemed everything was against him, the Lord was preparing Joseph for something good.
Joseph sold to Potiphar found favour in his sight and was made supervisor over his house but soon he was accused by his master's wife which landed him in prison. "The Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy and loving-kindness and gave favour in the sight of the warden in the prison. And the warden of the prison committed to Joseph's care all the prisoners.." says the word of God in Genesis 39:21.
The butler who had forgetten Joseph now remembered him to Pharoah and through the wisdom of God he interpreted the dream which none of Pharoah's magicians could interpret. Pharoah recognised that in Joseph was the spirit of God (Genesis 41:38-39). He said to Joseph, "For as much as (your) God has shown you all this, there is nobody as intelligent and discreet and understanding and wise as you are." Joseph was set over all the land of Egypt.
The Lord had chosen circumstances of his life and ordered his footsteps to work good both for himself, his whole family who later came and bowed before him and over the land of Egypt. If your likfe is surrendered into the hands of the Lord even the unexpected painful events, situations which shake you will all turn out to be those which mould you to be ready for something greater.
No destruction of the enemy can stop the good plans of God in your life!
As yourself: what kind of church would mine be if everyone is like me?
- Daniel O.C
Sunday, 16 November 2008
By Grace Through Faith
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God - Ephesians 2:8
"Why are you so fearful? Where is your faith (your trust, your confidence in Me - in My veracity and My integrity) ?" Jesus asked his disciples when they awakend Him in the midst of the storm in the lake of Galilee (Luke 8:25). And that is exactly how most of us behave when the storm winds and the raging waves surround us. We panic, runhere and there, call up the Pastor and every prayer warrior we konw, worry unceasingly about ourselves, instead of exercising our faith.
If you think to yourself that it's alright with you to be just an ordinary Christian attending church every Sunday and going about your way, then you are wrong. The Lord wants you to exercise your faith, to be an extraordinary person and live at a higher spiritual level each day. To every man is given a measure of faith and the Lord desires of you to daily increase your faith.
The Lord is looking for hearts who will step out in faith, believe Him and operate in His power. Sometimes people have so much faith in their prayerful Pastor, but make no effort to grow in their spiritual lives. Today the Lord is calling you to step out from your ordinary way of living, into the extraordinary, from the natural to the supernatural, from living by sight to living by faith.
The ten spies who went by sight and 'saw' the land, said. "we are not able", "they are stronger than we are". "all the people we saw in it are men of great stature (giants)", and "we were in our own sight as grasshoppers". But Caleb and Joshua who walked in faith said, ?we are well able to conquer it", "the Lord is with us", "they are bread for us", "their defense and the shadow (of protection) is removed from over them, but the Lord is with us", "fear them not". And the result was that only Caleb and Joshua who walked in faith entered the promised land (Numbers 13 & 14).
"For truly I say to you, if you have faith (that is living) like a grain of mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, move from here to yonder place and it will move, and nothing will be impossible to you." Jesus said in Matthew 17:20. Desire to be mountain movers and have faith like some of those found in Hebrews 1:1. Let your life be known as a man of great faith and a woman of great faith.
Love restrains you from doing evil and reaches out in selfless service to all.
- Daniel O.C
23 NOVEMBER 2008
Dr. Siow KW
Kai Yew
Shankar R., Peggy Tan
-
Jun Fhui
Meng Fhui
-
Terry Choong
Nicholas
-
Richard
Tom C., Tommy Quek
Kai Yew
Shankar R., Peggy Tan
-
Jun Fhui
Meng Fhui
-
Terry Choong
Nicholas
-
Richard
Tom C., Tommy Quek
Monday, 10 November 2008
WHEN I SAY I AM A CHRISTIAN (Maya Angelou)
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
-
Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. Being a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making appearances, spreading her legendary wisdom.
A mesmerizing vision of grace, swaying and stirring when she moves, Dr. Angelou captivates her audiences lyrically with vigor, fire and perception. She has the unique ability to shatter the opaque prisms of race and class between reader and subject throughout her books of poetry and her autobiographies.
Dr. Angelou has authored twelve best-selling books including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, A Song Flung Up to Heaven and Even the Stars Look Lonesome
In 1981, Dr. Angelou was appointed to a lifetime position as the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.
In January 1993, she became only the second poet in U.S. History to have the honor of writing and reciting original work at the Presidential Inauguration.
Dr. Angelou has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for "Best Spoken Word or Non Musical Album" for On The Pulse Of Morning (1993) and Phenomenal Woman (1995). In 2004, she received a Grammy Award nomination in the "Best Spoken Word Album" category for Hallelujah! The Welcome Table. Dr. Angelou has garnered over 50 honorary degrees from colleges and universities worldwide.
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
-
Maya Angelou is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. Being a poet, educator, historian, best-selling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making appearances, spreading her legendary wisdom.
A mesmerizing vision of grace, swaying and stirring when she moves, Dr. Angelou captivates her audiences lyrically with vigor, fire and perception. She has the unique ability to shatter the opaque prisms of race and class between reader and subject throughout her books of poetry and her autobiographies.
Dr. Angelou has authored twelve best-selling books including I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, A Song Flung Up to Heaven and Even the Stars Look Lonesome
In 1981, Dr. Angelou was appointed to a lifetime position as the first Reynolds Professor of American Studies at Wake Forest University.
In January 1993, she became only the second poet in U.S. History to have the honor of writing and reciting original work at the Presidential Inauguration.
Dr. Angelou has been nominated for two Grammy Awards for "Best Spoken Word or Non Musical Album" for On The Pulse Of Morning (1993) and Phenomenal Woman (1995). In 2004, she received a Grammy Award nomination in the "Best Spoken Word Album" category for Hallelujah! The Welcome Table. Dr. Angelou has garnered over 50 honorary degrees from colleges and universities worldwide.
Sunday, 9 November 2008
WHEN I SAY I AM A CHRISTIAN (Maya Angelou)
-
WHEN I SAY I AM A CHRISTIAN
by Maya Angelou
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I'm clean livin'."
I'm whispering "I was lost,
Now I'm found and forgiven."
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride.
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need Christ to be my guide.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong.
I'm professing that I'm weak
And need His strength to carry on.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success.
I'm admitting I have failed
And need God to clean my mess.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
My flaws are far too visible
But, God believes I am worth it.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain.
I have my share of heartaches
So I call upon His name.
When I say... "I am a Christian"
I'm not holier than thou,
I'm just a simple sinner
Who received God's good grace, somehow!
16 NOVEMBER 2008
Liong KC
Shankar R.
Hong Lu, Foong Yee
-
Jessica Lee
Joseph Yap
-
Anna Sim
Jaemy Choong
-
Siew Pin
Tommy Quek, Manjit Singh
Shankar R.
Hong Lu, Foong Yee
-
Jessica Lee
Joseph Yap
-
Anna Sim
Jaemy Choong
-
Siew Pin
Tommy Quek, Manjit Singh
The Servant of The Lord
Only fear the Lord, and serve Him in truth with all your heart; for consider what great things He has done for you. - 1 Samuel 12:24.
Are you serving the Lord? What is your reason to serve the Lord? Is it because you need the emotional satisfaction? Do you want to make yourself important in the eyes of others and does all the attention make you happy? Or perhaps you are looking for some personal gain?
"And now Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but (reverently) to fear the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with your entire being." (Deuteronomy 10:12). If you are not true in serving the Lord with your whole heart and with your entire being and for the love of the Lord you will find yourself being bitter, unsatisfied and frustrated that your end was not met.
True service can only come from having a good, honest consistent walk with the Lord and by completely yielding yourself to the Lord without looking for any gain but out of love and gratitude. However hard you may try to cover up and hide your motives for serving the Lord, the word of God says that the Lord sees not as a man sees. "For the Lord sees not as man; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
Serving the Lord is a great honour no matter what ministry you are involved in. Most Christians like to be involved in those ministries where they are noticed failing to realise that their true rewards is in heaven not from man. Know the Lord God whom you serve. If you are involved in a ministry but not having an intimate relationship with the Lord, yours will be a job that is no different from others in the world. You will never experience the true joy of serving the Lord and when difficulties and trials come your way, you will easily get discouraged and want to quit.
The word of God encouraged us to "serve the Lord with gladness", "serve the Lord with reverent awe and worshipful fear","... offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship".
What is teh quality of your service to the King of kings and the Lord of lords who gave Himself to die what you should live? The Lord is asking, "Whom shall I send and who will go for Us?" Like Isaiah, can you say, "Here I am, send me" and "I delight to do His will," like David, and serve Him with your whole heart and entire being?
Be a Christian today in words, deeds and actions.
- Daniel O.C
Are you serving the Lord? What is your reason to serve the Lord? Is it because you need the emotional satisfaction? Do you want to make yourself important in the eyes of others and does all the attention make you happy? Or perhaps you are looking for some personal gain?
"And now Israel, what does the Lord your God require of you but (reverently) to fear the Lord your God, to walk in His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with your entire being." (Deuteronomy 10:12). If you are not true in serving the Lord with your whole heart and with your entire being and for the love of the Lord you will find yourself being bitter, unsatisfied and frustrated that your end was not met.
True service can only come from having a good, honest consistent walk with the Lord and by completely yielding yourself to the Lord without looking for any gain but out of love and gratitude. However hard you may try to cover up and hide your motives for serving the Lord, the word of God says that the Lord sees not as a man sees. "For the Lord sees not as man; for man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart" (1 Samuel 16:7).
Serving the Lord is a great honour no matter what ministry you are involved in. Most Christians like to be involved in those ministries where they are noticed failing to realise that their true rewards is in heaven not from man. Know the Lord God whom you serve. If you are involved in a ministry but not having an intimate relationship with the Lord, yours will be a job that is no different from others in the world. You will never experience the true joy of serving the Lord and when difficulties and trials come your way, you will easily get discouraged and want to quit.
The word of God encouraged us to "serve the Lord with gladness", "serve the Lord with reverent awe and worshipful fear","... offer to God pleasing service and acceptable worship".
What is teh quality of your service to the King of kings and the Lord of lords who gave Himself to die what you should live? The Lord is asking, "Whom shall I send and who will go for Us?" Like Isaiah, can you say, "Here I am, send me" and "I delight to do His will," like David, and serve Him with your whole heart and entire being?
Be a Christian today in words, deeds and actions.
- Daniel O.C
Friday, 7 November 2008
Sunday, 2 November 2008
9 NOVEMBER 2008
Caleb R.
Peggy Tan
Tian Sia, Phoebe Sim
-
Grace Lee
-
Terry Choong
Anna Sim
-
Meng Fhui
Hiew FF, Tom C.
Peggy Tan
Tian Sia, Phoebe Sim
-
Grace Lee
-
Terry Choong
Anna Sim
-
Meng Fhui
Hiew FF, Tom C.
Letting God Use You
"Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies, so that God will be glorified through Jesus Christ - to Him be glory and power forever and ever. Amen." - 1 Peter 4:11
Isn't it beautiful that God does not make us all conform to one pattern? There is only one way to salvation, but in other ways, such as the way we are introduced to Christ, He deals with each of us as individuals.
In His own healing ministry, Jesus once reached down and made mud and put it on a man's blind eyes. He said, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam."
Another time, He just spoke the word and a man was healed many miles away. It was discovered later that at the very moment Jesus spoke the word, the man had been healed. On other occasions, He would go into a house and actually touch an individual, as in the case of Peter's mother-in-law.
Peter went one step further than praying in the name of Jesus. He become a point of contact. At the gate called Beautiful, he took a man by the right hand and lifted him up. Immediately, the man's feet and ankle bones received strength and he began to leap and walk.
After the man was healed, he did a terrible thing - he went in and completely disrupted an afternoon prayer service! He seemed to show no respect for the sanctity of the temple at all.
He went in there leaping and jumping and shouting and waving his arms, "I'm healed! I'm healed! I'm healed!"
This man, lame from his mother's womb. now just tore apart the afternoon prayer service! But what was the result? We read in the next chapter of the Bible (Acts 4) that five thousand men were added to the church that day - five thousand because of one miracle!
Not only were those five thousand saved that day but you can imagine the multiplication as they went out and got their relatives, they got their neighbours and brought them into this experience of salvation in Jesus Christ.
There's no telling how many people were won to Christ as a result of that one miracle. None of it would have happened if Peter had just said, "Well, it's just not this time. He does not have the faith. He must have sin in his life. There's something blocking his healing."
But Peter had gone the extra step and was the point of contact for a miracle that brought a great breakthrough to that area.
You must become a point of contact. You must let God use you. You cannot be timid. Christ Jesus' abundant life adds boldness to your personality.
Faith is a fact, but faith is an act. Faith without works is dead!
Be ready to act your faith!
Be a point of contact.
Isn't it beautiful that God does not make us all conform to one pattern? There is only one way to salvation, but in other ways, such as the way we are introduced to Christ, He deals with each of us as individuals.
In His own healing ministry, Jesus once reached down and made mud and put it on a man's blind eyes. He said, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam."
Another time, He just spoke the word and a man was healed many miles away. It was discovered later that at the very moment Jesus spoke the word, the man had been healed. On other occasions, He would go into a house and actually touch an individual, as in the case of Peter's mother-in-law.
Peter went one step further than praying in the name of Jesus. He become a point of contact. At the gate called Beautiful, he took a man by the right hand and lifted him up. Immediately, the man's feet and ankle bones received strength and he began to leap and walk.
After the man was healed, he did a terrible thing - he went in and completely disrupted an afternoon prayer service! He seemed to show no respect for the sanctity of the temple at all.
He went in there leaping and jumping and shouting and waving his arms, "I'm healed! I'm healed! I'm healed!"
This man, lame from his mother's womb. now just tore apart the afternoon prayer service! But what was the result? We read in the next chapter of the Bible (Acts 4) that five thousand men were added to the church that day - five thousand because of one miracle!
Not only were those five thousand saved that day but you can imagine the multiplication as they went out and got their relatives, they got their neighbours and brought them into this experience of salvation in Jesus Christ.
There's no telling how many people were won to Christ as a result of that one miracle. None of it would have happened if Peter had just said, "Well, it's just not this time. He does not have the faith. He must have sin in his life. There's something blocking his healing."
But Peter had gone the extra step and was the point of contact for a miracle that brought a great breakthrough to that area.
You must become a point of contact. You must let God use you. You cannot be timid. Christ Jesus' abundant life adds boldness to your personality.
Faith is a fact, but faith is an act. Faith without works is dead!
Be ready to act your faith!
Be a point of contact.
MARTHA
Martha
by Max Lucado
Every church needs a Martha. Change that. Every church needs a hundred Marthas. Sleeves rolled and ready, they keep the pace for the church. Because of Marthas, the church budget gets balanced, the church babies get bounced, and the church building gets built. You don’t appreciate Marthas until a Martha is missing, and then all the Marys and Lazaruses are scrambling around looking for the keys and the thermostats and the overhead projectors.
Marthas are the Energizer bunnies of the church. They keep going and going and going. They store strength like a camel stores water. Since they don’t seek the spotlight, they don’t live off the applause. That’s not to say they don’t need it. They just aren’t addicted to it.
Marthas have a mission. In fact, if Marthas have a weakness, it is their tendency to elevate the mission over the Master. Remember when Martha did that? A younger Martha invites a younger Jesus to come for dinner. Jesus accepts and brings his disciples.
The scene Luke describes has Mary seated and Martha fuming. Martha is angry because Mary is, horror of horrors, sitting at the feet of Jesus. How impractical! How irrelevant! How unnecessary! I mean, who has time to sit and listen when there is bread to be baked, tables to be set, and souls to be saved? So Martha complained, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40).
All of a sudden Martha has gone from serving Jesus to making demands of Jesus. The room falls silent. The disciples duck their eyes. Mary flushes red. And Jesus speaks.
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42).
Apparently Martha got the point, for later we find her serving again.
“Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:2–3 NIV).
Is Mary in the kitchen? No she is worshiping, for that is what she loves to do. But this time Martha doesn’t object. She has learned that there is a place for praise and worship, and that is what Mary is doing. And what is Mary’s part in the dinner? She brings a pint of very expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet, then wipes his feet with her hair. The smell of the perfume fills the house, just like the sound of praise can fill a church.
An earlier Martha would have objected. Such an act was too lavish, too extravagant, too generous. But this mature Martha has learned that just as there is a place in the kingdom of God for sacrificial service, there is also a place for extravagant praise.
From
Cast of Characters
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008) Max Lucado
Now Available
by Max Lucado
Every church needs a Martha. Change that. Every church needs a hundred Marthas. Sleeves rolled and ready, they keep the pace for the church. Because of Marthas, the church budget gets balanced, the church babies get bounced, and the church building gets built. You don’t appreciate Marthas until a Martha is missing, and then all the Marys and Lazaruses are scrambling around looking for the keys and the thermostats and the overhead projectors.
Marthas are the Energizer bunnies of the church. They keep going and going and going. They store strength like a camel stores water. Since they don’t seek the spotlight, they don’t live off the applause. That’s not to say they don’t need it. They just aren’t addicted to it.
Marthas have a mission. In fact, if Marthas have a weakness, it is their tendency to elevate the mission over the Master. Remember when Martha did that? A younger Martha invites a younger Jesus to come for dinner. Jesus accepts and brings his disciples.
The scene Luke describes has Mary seated and Martha fuming. Martha is angry because Mary is, horror of horrors, sitting at the feet of Jesus. How impractical! How irrelevant! How unnecessary! I mean, who has time to sit and listen when there is bread to be baked, tables to be set, and souls to be saved? So Martha complained, “Lord, don’t you care that my sister has left me alone to do all the work? Tell her to help me” (Luke 10:40).
All of a sudden Martha has gone from serving Jesus to making demands of Jesus. The room falls silent. The disciples duck their eyes. Mary flushes red. And Jesus speaks.
“Martha, Martha, you are worried and upset about many things. Only one thing is important. Mary has chosen the better thing, and it will never be taken away from her” (Luke 10:41–42).
Apparently Martha got the point, for later we find her serving again.
“Here a dinner was given in Jesus’ honor. Martha served, while Lazarus was among those reclining at the table with him. Then Mary took about a pint of pure nard, an expensive perfume; she poured it on Jesus’ feet and wiped his feet with her hair. And the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume” (John 12:2–3 NIV).
Is Mary in the kitchen? No she is worshiping, for that is what she loves to do. But this time Martha doesn’t object. She has learned that there is a place for praise and worship, and that is what Mary is doing. And what is Mary’s part in the dinner? She brings a pint of very expensive perfume and pours it on Jesus’ feet, then wipes his feet with her hair. The smell of the perfume fills the house, just like the sound of praise can fill a church.
An earlier Martha would have objected. Such an act was too lavish, too extravagant, too generous. But this mature Martha has learned that just as there is a place in the kingdom of God for sacrificial service, there is also a place for extravagant praise.
From
Cast of Characters
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008) Max Lucado
Now Available
Tuesday, 28 October 2008
YOUR PLACE IN GOD'S BAND
by Max Lucado
Two of my teenage years were spent carrying a tuba in my high school marching band. My mom wanted me to learn to read music, and the choir was full while the band was a tuba-tooter short, so I signed up. Not necessarily what you would describe as a call from God, but it wasn’t a wasted experience either.
I had a date with a twirler.
I learned to paint white shoe polish on school buses.
And I learned some facts about harmony that I’ll pass on to you.
I marched next to the bass-drum player. What a great sound. Boom. Boom. Boom. Deep, cavernous, thundering.
And at the end of my flank marched the flute section. Oh, how their music soared. Whispering, lifting, rising into the clouds.
Ahead of me, at the front of my line, was our first-chair trumpet. He could raise the spirit. He could raise the flag. He could have raised the roof on the stadium if we’d had one.
The soft flute
needs
the brash trumpet
needs
the steady drum
needs
the soft flute
needs
the brash trumpet.
Get the idea? The operative word is need. They need each other.
By themselves they make music. But together, they make magic.
Now, what I saw two decades ago in the band, I see today in the church. We need each other. Not all of us play the same instrument. Some believers are lofty, and others are solid. Some keep the pace while others lead the band. Not all of us make the same sound. Some are soft, and others are loud. And not all of us have the same ability. But each of us has a place.
Some play the drums (like Martha).
Some play the flute (like Mary).
And others sound the trumpet (like Lazarus).
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were like family to Jesus. After the Lord raised Lazarus from the dead, they decided to give a dinner for Jesus. They decided to honor him by having a party on his behalf (see John 12:2).
They didn’t argue over the best seat. They didn’t resent each other’s abilities. They didn’t try to outdo each other. All three worked together with one purpose. But each one fulfilled that purpose in his or her unique manner. Martha served; she always kept everyone in step. Mary worshiped; she anointed her Lord with an extravagant gift, and its aroma filled the air. Lazarus had a story to tell, and he was ready to tell it.
Three people, each one with a different skill, a different ability. But each one of equal value.
From
Cast of Characters
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008) Max Lucado
Two of my teenage years were spent carrying a tuba in my high school marching band. My mom wanted me to learn to read music, and the choir was full while the band was a tuba-tooter short, so I signed up. Not necessarily what you would describe as a call from God, but it wasn’t a wasted experience either.
I had a date with a twirler.
I learned to paint white shoe polish on school buses.
And I learned some facts about harmony that I’ll pass on to you.
I marched next to the bass-drum player. What a great sound. Boom. Boom. Boom. Deep, cavernous, thundering.
And at the end of my flank marched the flute section. Oh, how their music soared. Whispering, lifting, rising into the clouds.
Ahead of me, at the front of my line, was our first-chair trumpet. He could raise the spirit. He could raise the flag. He could have raised the roof on the stadium if we’d had one.
The soft flute
needs
the brash trumpet
needs
the steady drum
needs
the soft flute
needs
the brash trumpet.
Get the idea? The operative word is need. They need each other.
By themselves they make music. But together, they make magic.
Now, what I saw two decades ago in the band, I see today in the church. We need each other. Not all of us play the same instrument. Some believers are lofty, and others are solid. Some keep the pace while others lead the band. Not all of us make the same sound. Some are soft, and others are loud. And not all of us have the same ability. But each of us has a place.
Some play the drums (like Martha).
Some play the flute (like Mary).
And others sound the trumpet (like Lazarus).
Mary, Martha, and Lazarus were like family to Jesus. After the Lord raised Lazarus from the dead, they decided to give a dinner for Jesus. They decided to honor him by having a party on his behalf (see John 12:2).
They didn’t argue over the best seat. They didn’t resent each other’s abilities. They didn’t try to outdo each other. All three worked together with one purpose. But each one fulfilled that purpose in his or her unique manner. Martha served; she always kept everyone in step. Mary worshiped; she anointed her Lord with an extravagant gift, and its aroma filled the air. Lazarus had a story to tell, and he was ready to tell it.
Three people, each one with a different skill, a different ability. But each one of equal value.
From
Cast of Characters
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2008) Max Lucado
Sunday, 26 October 2008
2 NOVEMBER 2008
*23rd Church Anniversary*
Barnabas P.
Terry Choong
Richard, Peggy Tan
-
Lydia Sim
Joseph Yap
-
Anna Sim
Nicholas
-
Jocelyn Lee
Manjit Singh, Tommy Quek
Barnabas P.
Terry Choong
Richard, Peggy Tan
-
Lydia Sim
Joseph Yap
-
Anna Sim
Nicholas
-
Jocelyn Lee
Manjit Singh, Tommy Quek
Assured of God's Help
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, yes, I will help you. I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. - Isaiah 41:10
Have you ever looked at someone special who has come across your path and wish you shared some kind of fellowship with that person or that you belonged to that particular individual?
The Lord Almighty says to you "... I have called you by your name; you are Mine" (Isaiah 43:1). You are called out, specially chosen, separated from all other people so that you will be the Lord's. And because of that you share a special relationship with your father in Heaven. You are no more an orphan, an outcast person without a name, identity or background. You do not have to look at others with deep longing in your heart and wish that you belonged. You have a belonging, with the Lord God. Your security is in Him.
Loneliness will not plague you neither will you feel that you are an object of scorn if you will fully realize the special relationship that you have been brought into by the blood of Jesus Christ. If the Lord is in all your thoughts and your eyes and mind are set upon Him you will never find that there are hours of boredom in your life. If you seek to separate yourself from every kind of activity to make a special time with the Lord God to build up that special relationship that you have with Him, and to enjoy His presence, you will find that there is never enough time.
In this world where everyone is chasing a great man or woman for an identify or relationship which will not last, the Lord calls out to you that you are His own. "And ye shall be holy unto me for I the Lord am holy and have severed you from other people that ye should be mine" (Leviticus 20:26).
You belong to the Lord, so separated yourself from everyone and everything that will contaminate your life. Will you turn and walk away from all the relationships and attachments of the past that has been destroying you? Will you surrender to the Lord memories that have been holding you in bondage?
Take hold of yourself and go to the feet of the Lord. The Lord God Almighty, the most high God is in the possessor of heaven and earth (Genesis 14:19). Will you give yourself over to Him to be His possession? Know that you have a place in the heart of the Almighty God. It is a place of refuge, a place of shelter, a place which no one can take away and a love which is special which no one break away.
There is your place of belonging which will last all eternity. There is your place of belonging which will last all eternity. There is your place of confidence and rest. Let your heart rest in the blessed love and sweet fellowship that will be yours when you abandon yourself wholly and cast yourself totally into the hands of the Lord.
There is no better resting place than at the feet of the Lord.
- Daniel O.C
Have you ever looked at someone special who has come across your path and wish you shared some kind of fellowship with that person or that you belonged to that particular individual?
The Lord Almighty says to you "... I have called you by your name; you are Mine" (Isaiah 43:1). You are called out, specially chosen, separated from all other people so that you will be the Lord's. And because of that you share a special relationship with your father in Heaven. You are no more an orphan, an outcast person without a name, identity or background. You do not have to look at others with deep longing in your heart and wish that you belonged. You have a belonging, with the Lord God. Your security is in Him.
Loneliness will not plague you neither will you feel that you are an object of scorn if you will fully realize the special relationship that you have been brought into by the blood of Jesus Christ. If the Lord is in all your thoughts and your eyes and mind are set upon Him you will never find that there are hours of boredom in your life. If you seek to separate yourself from every kind of activity to make a special time with the Lord God to build up that special relationship that you have with Him, and to enjoy His presence, you will find that there is never enough time.
In this world where everyone is chasing a great man or woman for an identify or relationship which will not last, the Lord calls out to you that you are His own. "And ye shall be holy unto me for I the Lord am holy and have severed you from other people that ye should be mine" (Leviticus 20:26).
You belong to the Lord, so separated yourself from everyone and everything that will contaminate your life. Will you turn and walk away from all the relationships and attachments of the past that has been destroying you? Will you surrender to the Lord memories that have been holding you in bondage?
Take hold of yourself and go to the feet of the Lord. The Lord God Almighty, the most high God is in the possessor of heaven and earth (Genesis 14:19). Will you give yourself over to Him to be His possession? Know that you have a place in the heart of the Almighty God. It is a place of refuge, a place of shelter, a place which no one can take away and a love which is special which no one break away.
There is your place of belonging which will last all eternity. There is your place of belonging which will last all eternity. There is your place of confidence and rest. Let your heart rest in the blessed love and sweet fellowship that will be yours when you abandon yourself wholly and cast yourself totally into the hands of the Lord.
There is no better resting place than at the feet of the Lord.
- Daniel O.C
Thursday, 23 October 2008
HE IS WAITING IN THE MIDST OF THE STORM
by Max Lucado
Peter knows he is in trouble.
The winds roar down onto the Sea of Galilee like a hawk on a rat. Lightning zigzags across the black sky. The clouds vibrate with thunder. The rain taps, then pops, then slaps against the deck of the boat until everyone aboard is soaked and shaking. Ten-foot waves pick them up and slam them down again with bonejarring force.
These drenched men don’t look like a team of apostles who are only a decade away from changing the world. And you can be sure of one thing. The one with the widest eyes is the one with the biggest biceps—Peter. He’s seen these storms before. He’s seen the wreckage and bloated bodies float to shore. He knows what the fury of wind and wave can do. And he knows that times like this are not times to make a name for yourself; they’re times to get some help.
That is why, when he sees Jesus walking on the water toward the boat, he is the first to say, “Lord, if it’s you … tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)
He is aware of two facts: He’s going down, and Jesus is staying up. And it doesn’t take him too long to decide where he would rather be.
Perhaps a better interpretation of his request would be, “Jeeeeeeeesus. If that is you, then get me out of here!”
“Come on” is the invitation.
And Peter doesn’t have to be told twice. It’s not every day that you walk on water through waves that are taller than you are. But when faced with the alternative of sure death or possible life, Peter knows which one he wants.
The first few steps go well. But a few strides out onto the water, and he forgets to look to the One who got him there in the first place, and down he plunges.
Peter’s response may lack class—it probably wouldn’t get him on the cover of Gentleman’s Quarterly or even Sports Illustrated—but it gets him out of some deep water:
“Help me!”
And since Peter would rather swallow pride than water, a hand comes through the rain and pulls him up.
The message is clear.
As long as Jesus is one of many options, he is no option. As long as you can carry your burdens alone, you don’t need a burden bearer. As long as your situation brings you no grief, you will receive no comfort. And as long as you can take him or leave him, you might as well leave him, because he won’t be taken half-heartedly.
But when you mourn, when you get to the point of sorrow for your sins, when you admit that you have no other option but to cast all your cares on him, and when there is truly no other name that you can call, then cast all your cares on him, for he is waiting in the midst of the storm.
From
The Applause of Heaven
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado
Peter knows he is in trouble.
The winds roar down onto the Sea of Galilee like a hawk on a rat. Lightning zigzags across the black sky. The clouds vibrate with thunder. The rain taps, then pops, then slaps against the deck of the boat until everyone aboard is soaked and shaking. Ten-foot waves pick them up and slam them down again with bonejarring force.
These drenched men don’t look like a team of apostles who are only a decade away from changing the world. And you can be sure of one thing. The one with the widest eyes is the one with the biggest biceps—Peter. He’s seen these storms before. He’s seen the wreckage and bloated bodies float to shore. He knows what the fury of wind and wave can do. And he knows that times like this are not times to make a name for yourself; they’re times to get some help.
That is why, when he sees Jesus walking on the water toward the boat, he is the first to say, “Lord, if it’s you … tell me to come to you on the water.” (Matthew 14:28)
He is aware of two facts: He’s going down, and Jesus is staying up. And it doesn’t take him too long to decide where he would rather be.
Perhaps a better interpretation of his request would be, “Jeeeeeeeesus. If that is you, then get me out of here!”
“Come on” is the invitation.
And Peter doesn’t have to be told twice. It’s not every day that you walk on water through waves that are taller than you are. But when faced with the alternative of sure death or possible life, Peter knows which one he wants.
The first few steps go well. But a few strides out onto the water, and he forgets to look to the One who got him there in the first place, and down he plunges.
Peter’s response may lack class—it probably wouldn’t get him on the cover of Gentleman’s Quarterly or even Sports Illustrated—but it gets him out of some deep water:
“Help me!”
And since Peter would rather swallow pride than water, a hand comes through the rain and pulls him up.
The message is clear.
As long as Jesus is one of many options, he is no option. As long as you can carry your burdens alone, you don’t need a burden bearer. As long as your situation brings you no grief, you will receive no comfort. And as long as you can take him or leave him, you might as well leave him, because he won’t be taken half-heartedly.
But when you mourn, when you get to the point of sorrow for your sins, when you admit that you have no other option but to cast all your cares on him, and when there is truly no other name that you can call, then cast all your cares on him, for he is waiting in the midst of the storm.
From
The Applause of Heaven
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado
Sunday, 19 October 2008
26 OCTOBER 2008
Dr. Siow KW
Foong Yee
Hong Lu, Richard, Gigi Lim
-
Jun Fhui
Meng Fhui
-
Terry Choong
Kai Yew
-
Moses Tan
Tom C., Hiew FF
Foong Yee
Hong Lu, Richard, Gigi Lim
-
Jun Fhui
Meng Fhui
-
Terry Choong
Kai Yew
-
Moses Tan
Tom C., Hiew FF
Reaching Beyond Our Grasp
"Where there is no revelation (or prophetic vision), the people cast off restraint." - Proverbs 29:18
There is a difference between holding on to a principle and having a vision. A principle does not come from moral inspiration, but a vision does. People who are totally consumed with idealistic principles rarely do anything. A person's own idea of God and His attributes may actually be used to justify and rationalize his deliberate neglect of his duty. Jonah tried to excuse his disobedience by saying to God. ".. I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, One who relents from doing harm" (John 4:2). I too may have the right idea of God and his attributes, but that may be the very reason why I do not do my duty. But wherever there is vision, there is also a life of honesty and integrity, because the vision gives me the moral incentive.
Our own idealistic principles may actually lull us into ruin. Examine yourself spiritually to see if you have vision, or only principles.
Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?
"Where there is no revelation (or prophetic vision).." Once we lose sight of God, we begin to be reckless. We cast off certain restraints from activities we know are wrong. We set prayer aside as well and cease having God's vision in the little things of life. We simply begin to act on own initiative. If we are eating only out of our own hand, and doing things solely on our own initiative without expecting God to come in, we are on a downward path. We have lost the vision. Is our attitude today an attitude that flows from our vision of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than He has ever dine before? Is there a freshness and a vitality in our spiritual outlook?
"I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision". - Acts 26:19
"It is essential that we live and 'walk in the light' of God's vision for us." - 1 John 1:7
There is a difference between holding on to a principle and having a vision. A principle does not come from moral inspiration, but a vision does. People who are totally consumed with idealistic principles rarely do anything. A person's own idea of God and His attributes may actually be used to justify and rationalize his deliberate neglect of his duty. Jonah tried to excuse his disobedience by saying to God. ".. I know that You are a gracious and merciful God, slow to anger and abundant in loving kindness, One who relents from doing harm" (John 4:2). I too may have the right idea of God and his attributes, but that may be the very reason why I do not do my duty. But wherever there is vision, there is also a life of honesty and integrity, because the vision gives me the moral incentive.
Our own idealistic principles may actually lull us into ruin. Examine yourself spiritually to see if you have vision, or only principles.
Ah, but a man's reach should exceed his grasp, or what's a heaven for?
"Where there is no revelation (or prophetic vision).." Once we lose sight of God, we begin to be reckless. We cast off certain restraints from activities we know are wrong. We set prayer aside as well and cease having God's vision in the little things of life. We simply begin to act on own initiative. If we are eating only out of our own hand, and doing things solely on our own initiative without expecting God to come in, we are on a downward path. We have lost the vision. Is our attitude today an attitude that flows from our vision of God? Are we expecting God to do greater things than He has ever dine before? Is there a freshness and a vitality in our spiritual outlook?
"I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision". - Acts 26:19
"It is essential that we live and 'walk in the light' of God's vision for us." - 1 John 1:7
Saturday, 18 October 2008
HE CAN HEAL THE HURT
by Max Lucado
Grudge is one of those words that defines itself. Its very sound betrays its meaning.
Say it slowly: “Grr-uuuud-ge.”
It starts with a growl. “Grr …” Like a bear with bad breath coming out of hibernation or a mangy mongrel defending his bone in an alley. “Grrr …”
Remove a GR from the word grudge and replace it with SL and you have the junk that grudge bearers trudge through. Sludge. Black, thick, ankle-deep resentment that steals the bounce from the step. No joyful skips through the meadows. No healthy hikes up the mountain. Just day after day of walking into the storm, shoulders bent against the wind, and feet dragging through all the muck life has delivered.
Is this the way you are coping with your hurts? Are you allowing your hurts to turn into hates? If so, ask yourself: Is it working? Has your hatred done you any good? Has your resentment brought you any relief, any peace? Has it granted you any joy?
Let’s say you get even. Let’s say you get him back. Let’s say she gets what she deserves. Let’s say your fantasy of fury runs its ferocious course and you return all your pain with interest. Imagine yourself standing over the corpse of the one you have hated. Will you now be free?
The writer of the following letter thought she would be. She thought her revenge would bring release. But she learned otherwise.
"I caught my husband making love to another woman. He swore it would never happen again. He begged me to forgive him, but I could not—would not. I was so bitter and so incapable of swallowing my pride that I could think of nothing but revenge. I was going to make him pay and pay dearly. I’d have my pound of flesh.
I filed for divorce, even though my children begged me not to.
Even after the divorce, my husband tried for two years to win me back. I refused to have anything to do with him. He had struck first; now I was striking back. All I wanted was to make him pay.
Finally he gave up and married a lovely young widow with a couple of small children. He began rebuilding his life—without me.
I see them occasionally, and he looks so happy. They all do. And here I am—a lonely, old, miserable woman who allowed her selfish pride and foolish stubbornness to ruin her life."
Unfaithfulness is wrong. Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that, without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.
The state of your heart dictates whether you harbor a grudge or give grace, seek self-pity or seek Christ, drink human misery or taste God’s mercy.
No wonder, then, the wise man begs, “Above all else, guard your heart.”
David’s prayer should be ours: “Create in me a pure heart, O God.”
From
The Applause of Heaven
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado
Grudge is one of those words that defines itself. Its very sound betrays its meaning.
Say it slowly: “Grr-uuuud-ge.”
It starts with a growl. “Grr …” Like a bear with bad breath coming out of hibernation or a mangy mongrel defending his bone in an alley. “Grrr …”
Remove a GR from the word grudge and replace it with SL and you have the junk that grudge bearers trudge through. Sludge. Black, thick, ankle-deep resentment that steals the bounce from the step. No joyful skips through the meadows. No healthy hikes up the mountain. Just day after day of walking into the storm, shoulders bent against the wind, and feet dragging through all the muck life has delivered.
Is this the way you are coping with your hurts? Are you allowing your hurts to turn into hates? If so, ask yourself: Is it working? Has your hatred done you any good? Has your resentment brought you any relief, any peace? Has it granted you any joy?
Let’s say you get even. Let’s say you get him back. Let’s say she gets what she deserves. Let’s say your fantasy of fury runs its ferocious course and you return all your pain with interest. Imagine yourself standing over the corpse of the one you have hated. Will you now be free?
The writer of the following letter thought she would be. She thought her revenge would bring release. But she learned otherwise.
"I caught my husband making love to another woman. He swore it would never happen again. He begged me to forgive him, but I could not—would not. I was so bitter and so incapable of swallowing my pride that I could think of nothing but revenge. I was going to make him pay and pay dearly. I’d have my pound of flesh.
I filed for divorce, even though my children begged me not to.
Even after the divorce, my husband tried for two years to win me back. I refused to have anything to do with him. He had struck first; now I was striking back. All I wanted was to make him pay.
Finally he gave up and married a lovely young widow with a couple of small children. He began rebuilding his life—without me.
I see them occasionally, and he looks so happy. They all do. And here I am—a lonely, old, miserable woman who allowed her selfish pride and foolish stubbornness to ruin her life."
Unfaithfulness is wrong. Revenge is bad. But the worst part of all is that, without forgiveness, bitterness is all that is left.
The state of your heart dictates whether you harbor a grudge or give grace, seek self-pity or seek Christ, drink human misery or taste God’s mercy.
No wonder, then, the wise man begs, “Above all else, guard your heart.”
David’s prayer should be ours: “Create in me a pure heart, O God.”
From
The Applause of Heaven
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado
Wednesday, 15 October 2008
Prophetic Ministry in The New Testament
DATE: Saturday 18th to Sunday 19th October 2008
VENUE: English Church Sanctuary,
SPEAKER: Pastor Beniah Naresh
- He is in ordained ministry for the last 15 years.
- He exercises a teaching ministry with a prophetic edge.
- He holds a Bachelors Degree in Financial Accounting, Masters in Business Administration, and Masters in - Theology.
- He has ministered to churches, conferences, camps and public meetings in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
- He ministers fluently in English and Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia.
- He is the author of the book, Speak Lord, for Your Servant Hears.
SESSIONS AND TOPICS
Saturday, 18 October 2008:
Session 1: 7.15pm to 8.45pm
a) Prophetic Church or Prophetic Personalities?
b) New Testament Prophetic Office: A Chip Off the Block?
Sessions 2: 9.00pm to 10.30pm
a) What is New Testament Prophetic Ministry?
b) The Difference Between Prophetic Gift and Prophetic Office
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Session 3: 9.00am to 11.00am
a) Incorporating Prophetic Ministry in the Local Church
b) Mature Exercise of Prophetic Ministry
Session 4: 11.30am to 1.00pm
a) Sharpening The Prophetic Gift
b) Questions and Answers.
VENUE: English Church Sanctuary,
SPEAKER: Pastor Beniah Naresh
- He is in ordained ministry for the last 15 years.
- He exercises a teaching ministry with a prophetic edge.
- He holds a Bachelors Degree in Financial Accounting, Masters in Business Administration, and Masters in - Theology.
- He has ministered to churches, conferences, camps and public meetings in Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
- He ministers fluently in English and Bahasa Malaysia/Indonesia.
- He is the author of the book, Speak Lord, for Your Servant Hears.
SESSIONS AND TOPICS
Saturday, 18 October 2008:
Session 1: 7.15pm to 8.45pm
a) Prophetic Church or Prophetic Personalities?
b) New Testament Prophetic Office: A Chip Off the Block?
Sessions 2: 9.00pm to 10.30pm
a) What is New Testament Prophetic Ministry?
b) The Difference Between Prophetic Gift and Prophetic Office
Sunday, 19 October 2008
Session 3: 9.00am to 11.00am
a) Incorporating Prophetic Ministry in the Local Church
b) Mature Exercise of Prophetic Ministry
Session 4: 11.30am to 1.00pm
a) Sharpening The Prophetic Gift
b) Questions and Answers.
Monday, 13 October 2008
HE CAN DO THE IMPOSSIBLE
by Max Lucado
The kingdom of heaven. Its citizens are drunk on wonder.
Consider the case of Sarai. She is in her golden years, but God promises her a son. She gets excited. She visits the maternity shop and buys a few dresses. She plans her shower and remodels her tent … but no son. She eats a few birthday cakes and blows out a lot of candles … still no son. She goes through a decade of wall calendars … still no son.
So Sarai decides to take matters into her own hands. (“Maybe God needs me to take care of this one.”)
She convinces Abram that time is running out. (“Face it, Abe, you ain’t getting any younger, either.”) She commands her maid, Hagar, to go into Abram’s tent and see if he needs anything. (“And I mean ‘anything’!”) Hagar goes in a maid. She comes out a mom. And the problems begin.
Hagar is haughty. Sarai is jealous. Abram is dizzy from the dilemma. And God calls the baby boy a “wild donkey”—an appropriate name for one born out of stubbornness and destined to kick his way into history.
It isn’t the cozy family Sarai expected. And it isn’t a topic Abram and Sarai bring up very often at dinner.
Finally, fourteen years later, when Abram is pushing a century of years and Sarai ninety … when Abram has stopped listening to Sarai’s advice, and Sarai has stopped giving it … when the wallpaper in the nursery is faded and the baby furniture is several seasons out of date … when the topic of the promised child brings sighs and tears and long looks into a silent sky … God pays them a visit and tells them they had better select a name for their new son.
Abram and Sarai have the same response: laughter. They laugh partly because it is too good to happen and partly because it might. They laugh because they have given up hope, and hope born anew is always funny before it is real.
They laugh at the lunacy of it all.
They laugh because that is what you do when someone says he can do the impossible. They laugh a little at God, and a lot with God—for God is laughing, too. Then, with the smile still on his face, he gets busy doing what he does best—the unbelievable.
He changes a few things—beginning with their names. Abram, the father of one, will now be Abraham, the father of a multitude. Sarai, the barren one, will now be Sarah, the mother.
But their names aren’t the only things God changes. He changes their minds. He changes their faith. He changes the number of their tax deductions. He changes the way they define the word impossible.
From
The Applause of Heaven
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado
The kingdom of heaven. Its citizens are drunk on wonder.
Consider the case of Sarai. She is in her golden years, but God promises her a son. She gets excited. She visits the maternity shop and buys a few dresses. She plans her shower and remodels her tent … but no son. She eats a few birthday cakes and blows out a lot of candles … still no son. She goes through a decade of wall calendars … still no son.
So Sarai decides to take matters into her own hands. (“Maybe God needs me to take care of this one.”)
She convinces Abram that time is running out. (“Face it, Abe, you ain’t getting any younger, either.”) She commands her maid, Hagar, to go into Abram’s tent and see if he needs anything. (“And I mean ‘anything’!”) Hagar goes in a maid. She comes out a mom. And the problems begin.
Hagar is haughty. Sarai is jealous. Abram is dizzy from the dilemma. And God calls the baby boy a “wild donkey”—an appropriate name for one born out of stubbornness and destined to kick his way into history.
It isn’t the cozy family Sarai expected. And it isn’t a topic Abram and Sarai bring up very often at dinner.
Finally, fourteen years later, when Abram is pushing a century of years and Sarai ninety … when Abram has stopped listening to Sarai’s advice, and Sarai has stopped giving it … when the wallpaper in the nursery is faded and the baby furniture is several seasons out of date … when the topic of the promised child brings sighs and tears and long looks into a silent sky … God pays them a visit and tells them they had better select a name for their new son.
Abram and Sarai have the same response: laughter. They laugh partly because it is too good to happen and partly because it might. They laugh because they have given up hope, and hope born anew is always funny before it is real.
They laugh at the lunacy of it all.
They laugh because that is what you do when someone says he can do the impossible. They laugh a little at God, and a lot with God—for God is laughing, too. Then, with the smile still on his face, he gets busy doing what he does best—the unbelievable.
He changes a few things—beginning with their names. Abram, the father of one, will now be Abraham, the father of a multitude. Sarai, the barren one, will now be Sarah, the mother.
But their names aren’t the only things God changes. He changes their minds. He changes their faith. He changes the number of their tax deductions. He changes the way they define the word impossible.
From
The Applause of Heaven
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado
19 OCTOBER 2008
Barnabas P.
Kai Yew
-
Peggy Tan, Gigi Lim, Jaemy Choong
-
Grace Lee
Meng Fhui
-
Anna Sim
Nicholas Teh
-
Moses Tan, Jun Fhui
Tom Cheryan, Manjit Singh
Kai Yew
-
Peggy Tan, Gigi Lim, Jaemy Choong
-
Grace Lee
Meng Fhui
-
Anna Sim
Nicholas Teh
-
Moses Tan, Jun Fhui
Tom Cheryan, Manjit Singh
Sunday, 12 October 2008
It's All About Him
Our focus can get off in many ways. This can happen when a song leader or worship team talks to the congregation and tells them to try harder, sing louder, move around more, and so on. It happens when the worship leader thanks the congregation for their singing or when they tell them that their singing was particularly good that day. It happens when we applaud after the worship team sings or after a person sings a solo. It happens when the leader comments about the nature of choruses and hymns, giving validity to the one or the other, rather than pointing out how the lyrics call our focus toward God. It happens when we overemphasize the experience of worship and feeling worshipful rather than on concentrating on the words of truth in the songs which testify to the power, majesty and awe of God. Sadly, many contemporary songs do not draw our attention to God because they are about us. Rather than telling God we want to worship Him, that we will worship Him, or that we are hungry for Him, we ought to go ahead and actually praise Him. We sing an entire song talking about the fact that we need Him when we ought to be praising Him in light of that fact.
Another thing that detracts from the awe is breaking up services with announcements or a time of greeting that is really too short to accomplish much that is of real value anyway. This really draws our attention back to ourselves and to our schedules. We ought to try to get the announcement back to ourselves and to our schedules. We ought to try to get the announcement out of the way before the call to worship or just create an expectation that people must read the bulletin. During the Lord's Supper, if we do not regularly explain what it is for and truly take time to remember Christ's suffering and sacrificial death, our minds will wander from the awesome encounter with God. When the pastor preaches, if he makes it too casual, often by joke-telling and story-telling for the first fifteen minutes, we will lose our focus on God. We might become enraptured with God. We need God's Word to encounter God. Stories, jokes, gimmicks, props and vocal inflections will not get the job done. Worship is through truth.
How the pastor approaches the word of God also will affect our ability to see how awesome God is. If he casually references a verse here and there or reads a passage and than talks only on abstract things hardly related, we will likely fail to encounter God because we have journeyed outside of His Word. We begin putting more emphasis on what the pastor says and how he says it then on what the Word says and God says it. We must approach God in reverence, awe and fear. If we could lean to approach Him as such, believing He is such and worshipping as such, then we will likely experience His awe as a corporate body. We are those under authority of One deserving all praise, glory, and honour. When we do anything to put the focus on ourselves, we steal His glory. May it never be, for God will have none of it.
- Brent Barnett
Another thing that detracts from the awe is breaking up services with announcements or a time of greeting that is really too short to accomplish much that is of real value anyway. This really draws our attention back to ourselves and to our schedules. We ought to try to get the announcement back to ourselves and to our schedules. We ought to try to get the announcement out of the way before the call to worship or just create an expectation that people must read the bulletin. During the Lord's Supper, if we do not regularly explain what it is for and truly take time to remember Christ's suffering and sacrificial death, our minds will wander from the awesome encounter with God. When the pastor preaches, if he makes it too casual, often by joke-telling and story-telling for the first fifteen minutes, we will lose our focus on God. We might become enraptured with God. We need God's Word to encounter God. Stories, jokes, gimmicks, props and vocal inflections will not get the job done. Worship is through truth.
How the pastor approaches the word of God also will affect our ability to see how awesome God is. If he casually references a verse here and there or reads a passage and than talks only on abstract things hardly related, we will likely fail to encounter God because we have journeyed outside of His Word. We begin putting more emphasis on what the pastor says and how he says it then on what the Word says and God says it. We must approach God in reverence, awe and fear. If we could lean to approach Him as such, believing He is such and worshipping as such, then we will likely experience His awe as a corporate body. We are those under authority of One deserving all praise, glory, and honour. When we do anything to put the focus on ourselves, we steal His glory. May it never be, for God will have none of it.
- Brent Barnett
Wednesday, 8 October 2008
HE WANTS TO COMFORT YOU
by Max Lucado
My child’s feelings are hurt. I tell her she’s special. My child is injured. I do whatever it takes to make her feel better.
My child is afraid. I won’t go to sleep until she is secure.
I’m not a hero. I’m not a superstar. I’m not unusual. I’m a parent. When a child hurts, a parent does what comes naturally. He helps.
And after I help, I don’t charge a fee. I don’t ask for a favor in return. When my child cries, I don’t tell her to buck up, act tough, and keep a stiff upper lip. Nor do I consult a list and ask her why she is still scraping the same elbow or waking me up again.
I’m not a prophet, nor the son of one, but something tells me that in the whole scheme of things the tender moments described above are infinitely more valuable than anything I do in front of a computer screen or congregation. Something tells me that the moments of comfort I give my child are a small price to pay for the joy of someday seeing my daughter do for her daughter what her dad did for her.
Moments of comfort from a parent. As a father, I can tell you they are the sweetest moments in my day. They come naturally. They come willingly. They come joyfully.
If all of that is true, if I know that one of the privileges of fatherhood is to comfort a child, then why am I so reluctant to let my heavenly Father comfort me?
Why do I think he wouldn’t want to hear about my problems? (“They are puny compared to people starving in India.”)
Why do I think he is too busy for me? (“He’s got a whole universe to worry about.”)
Why do I think he’s tired of hearing the same old stuff?
Why do I think he groans when he sees me coming?
Why do I think he consults his list when I ask for forgiveness and asks, “Don’t you think you’re going to the well a few too many times on this one?”
Why do I think I have to speak a holy language around him that I don’t speak with anyone else?
Why do I not take him seriously when he questions, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)
Why don’t I let my Father do for me what I am more than willing to do for my own children?
I’m learning, though. Being a parent is better than a course on theology. Being a father is teaching me that when I am criticized, injured, or afraid, there is a Father who is ready to comfort me. There is a Father who will hold me until I’m better, help me until I can live with the hurt, and who won’t go to sleep when I’m afraid of waking up and seeing the dark.
Ever. And that’s enough.
From
The Applause of Heaven
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado
My child’s feelings are hurt. I tell her she’s special. My child is injured. I do whatever it takes to make her feel better.
My child is afraid. I won’t go to sleep until she is secure.
I’m not a hero. I’m not a superstar. I’m not unusual. I’m a parent. When a child hurts, a parent does what comes naturally. He helps.
And after I help, I don’t charge a fee. I don’t ask for a favor in return. When my child cries, I don’t tell her to buck up, act tough, and keep a stiff upper lip. Nor do I consult a list and ask her why she is still scraping the same elbow or waking me up again.
I’m not a prophet, nor the son of one, but something tells me that in the whole scheme of things the tender moments described above are infinitely more valuable than anything I do in front of a computer screen or congregation. Something tells me that the moments of comfort I give my child are a small price to pay for the joy of someday seeing my daughter do for her daughter what her dad did for her.
Moments of comfort from a parent. As a father, I can tell you they are the sweetest moments in my day. They come naturally. They come willingly. They come joyfully.
If all of that is true, if I know that one of the privileges of fatherhood is to comfort a child, then why am I so reluctant to let my heavenly Father comfort me?
Why do I think he wouldn’t want to hear about my problems? (“They are puny compared to people starving in India.”)
Why do I think he is too busy for me? (“He’s got a whole universe to worry about.”)
Why do I think he’s tired of hearing the same old stuff?
Why do I think he groans when he sees me coming?
Why do I think he consults his list when I ask for forgiveness and asks, “Don’t you think you’re going to the well a few too many times on this one?”
Why do I think I have to speak a holy language around him that I don’t speak with anyone else?
Why do I not take him seriously when he questions, “If you, then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask him!” (Matthew 7:11)
Why don’t I let my Father do for me what I am more than willing to do for my own children?
I’m learning, though. Being a parent is better than a course on theology. Being a father is teaching me that when I am criticized, injured, or afraid, there is a Father who is ready to comfort me. There is a Father who will hold me until I’m better, help me until I can live with the hurt, and who won’t go to sleep when I’m afraid of waking up and seeing the dark.
Ever. And that’s enough.
From
The Applause of Heaven
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1999) Max Lucado
Monday, 6 October 2008
12 OCTOBER 2008
Caleb R.
Shankar R.
Foong Yee, Siew Pin, Hong Lu
-
Jessica Lee
Jun Fhui
-
Terry Choong
Kai Yew
-
Meng Fhui, Jocelyn Lee
Tommy Quek, Hiew FF
Shankar R.
Foong Yee, Siew Pin, Hong Lu
-
Jessica Lee
Jun Fhui
-
Terry Choong
Kai Yew
-
Meng Fhui, Jocelyn Lee
Tommy Quek, Hiew FF
Sunday, 5 October 2008
It's All About Him
The first Christians were described as feeling a sense of awe (Acts 2:42-47). In Acts, it seems that there was an excitement to assemble together, even on the days besides Sunday. It has been only on rare occasions in my Christian life that I have felt a sense of awe among the community of faith. In each and every occasion when this happen, it was clearly a work of God and devoid of any man-made manufacturing. Every time it was when a group of Christians were gathered together who, more than anything else, wanted to know God, serve Him and love Him more. We all arrived with an attitude of seeking God with all our hearts. I have been in a few churches where there was a clear sense of awe. New conversations were happening, the pastor had an unusual passion and faith, the messages were totally Bible-based which fostered continual learning, and something was in the air. This is how it ought to be. There was an unusual faith and expectation which the people of the church possessed. The awe is something intangible. No program, background music, or other artificial means can generate such an awe. Picking a peppy song to begin worship with to get people 'into it' is not going to create awe. It is the work of the Spirit reviving His people to sanctified lives and then filling them to worship and serve Him that can do this. Having zeal and preaching the Word is a start, but it is insufficient unless the Spirit fills and moves.
I think the biggest thing we do as churches which keeps this awe-inspiring encounter away is that we don't make the service first and foremost about God. We don't approach God in fear and trembling. There is something about how we worship that is much too casual for being in the presence of a holy and all-powerful God. Awe is not merely something that we fell. It is a trembling in our spirits before the wonder and majesty of the King of Kings. It is a joy that overwhelms us because the God who is all powerful loved us and died for us. It is all about Him. When we get consumed with God, we must necessarily be purified and overcome with an awe that He would choose to love us. There are times in Scripture where the apostle Paul spontaneously breaks out into doxology, praising God for who He is and what He has done. Such instances of praising always follow an explanation of theology and doctrine. It is worship in spirit and in truth that draws our hears heavenward toward God. Hearts free from outstanding sin and minds filled with the Word of God are central to encountering the awesomeness of God. How worthy He is of our praise, honour, glory and thanksgiving. This is what we will sing when we are in heaven. We will be utterly taken by His wonder and glory. It will have nothing to do with us, what we can do for God, or any musical rendition that we can conjure up.
- Brent Barnett
Friday, 3 October 2008
PERFECT LOVE
by Max Lucado
Isn’t it good to know that even when we don’t love with a perfect love, he does? God always nourishes what is right. He always applauds what is right. He has never done wrong, led one person to do wrong, or rejoiced when anyone did wrong. For he is love, and love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6 NASB).
God passes the test of 1 Corinthians 13:6. Well, he should; he drafted it.
So where does this leave us? Perhaps with a trio of reminders. When it comes to love:
Be careful.
Until love is stirred, let God’s love be enough for you. There are seasons when God allows us to feel the frailty of human love so we’ll appreciate the strength of his love. Didn’t he do this with David? Saul turned on him. Michal, his wife, betrayed him. Jonathan and Samuel were David’s friends, but they couldn’t follow him into the wilderness. Betrayal and circumstances left David alone. Alone with God. And, as David discovered, God was enough. David wrote these words in a desert: “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.… My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods” (Ps. 63:3, 5 NIV).
Be prayerful.
What if it’s too late? Specifically, what if you’re married to someone you don’t love—or who doesn’t love you? Many choose to leave. That may be the step you take. But if it is, take at least a thousand others first. And bathe every one of those steps in prayer. Love is a fruit of the Spirit. Ask God to help you love as he loves. “God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love” (Rom. 5:5 CEV). Ask everyone you know to pray for you. Your friends. Your family. Your church leaders. Get your name on every prayer list available. And, most of all, pray for and, if possible, with your spouse. Ask the same God who raised the dead to resurrect the embers of your love.
Be grateful.
Be grateful for those who love you. Be grateful for those who have encouraged you to do what is right and applauded when you did. Do you have people like that in your world? If so, you are doubly blessed. Be grateful for them. And be grateful for your Father in heaven.
From
A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
Isn’t it good to know that even when we don’t love with a perfect love, he does? God always nourishes what is right. He always applauds what is right. He has never done wrong, led one person to do wrong, or rejoiced when anyone did wrong. For he is love, and love “does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6 NASB).
God passes the test of 1 Corinthians 13:6. Well, he should; he drafted it.
So where does this leave us? Perhaps with a trio of reminders. When it comes to love:
Be careful.
Until love is stirred, let God’s love be enough for you. There are seasons when God allows us to feel the frailty of human love so we’ll appreciate the strength of his love. Didn’t he do this with David? Saul turned on him. Michal, his wife, betrayed him. Jonathan and Samuel were David’s friends, but they couldn’t follow him into the wilderness. Betrayal and circumstances left David alone. Alone with God. And, as David discovered, God was enough. David wrote these words in a desert: “Because your love is better than life, my lips will glorify you.… My soul will be satisfied as with the richest of foods” (Ps. 63:3, 5 NIV).
Be prayerful.
What if it’s too late? Specifically, what if you’re married to someone you don’t love—or who doesn’t love you? Many choose to leave. That may be the step you take. But if it is, take at least a thousand others first. And bathe every one of those steps in prayer. Love is a fruit of the Spirit. Ask God to help you love as he loves. “God has given us the Holy Spirit, who fills our hearts with his love” (Rom. 5:5 CEV). Ask everyone you know to pray for you. Your friends. Your family. Your church leaders. Get your name on every prayer list available. And, most of all, pray for and, if possible, with your spouse. Ask the same God who raised the dead to resurrect the embers of your love.
Be grateful.
Be grateful for those who love you. Be grateful for those who have encouraged you to do what is right and applauded when you did. Do you have people like that in your world? If so, you are doubly blessed. Be grateful for them. And be grateful for your Father in heaven.
From
A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
Monday, 29 September 2008
5 OCTOBER 2008
Siow KW
Peter Long
Phoebe Ong, Peggy Tan, Joycelyn Choong
-
Lydia Sim
Jonathan Long
-
Anna Sim
Jaemy Choong
-
Tian Sia, Moses Tan
Hiew FF, Tommy Quek
Peter Long
Phoebe Ong, Peggy Tan, Joycelyn Choong
-
Lydia Sim
Jonathan Long
-
Anna Sim
Jaemy Choong
-
Tian Sia, Moses Tan
Hiew FF, Tommy Quek
Sunday, 28 September 2008
Will You Lay Down Your Life?
"Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends... I have called you friends..." (John 15:13,15)
Jesus does not ask me to die for Him, but to lay down my life for Him. Peter said to the Lord, "I will lay down my life for your sake," and he meant it (13:37). He had a magnificent sense of the heroic. For us to be incapable of making this same statement Peter made would be a bad thing - our sense of duty is only fully realised through our sense of heroism. Has the Lord ever asked you, "Will you lay down your life for My sake?" (John 13:38). It is much easier to die than to lay down your life day in day out with the sense of high calling of God. We are not made for the bright-shining moments of life, but we have to walk in the light of them in our everyday ways. There was only one bright-shining moment in the life of Jesus, and that was on the Mount of Transfiguration. It was there that He emptied Himself of His glory for the second time, and then came down into the demon-possessed valley (see Mark 9:29). For thirty-three years Jesus laid down His life to do the will of His father. "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). Yet it is contrary to our human nature to do so.
If I am a friend of Jesus, I must deliberately and carefully lay down my life for Him. It is a difficult thing to do, and thank God that it is. Salvation is easy for us, because it cost God so much. But the exhibiting of salvation in my life is difficult. God saves a person, fills him with the Holy Spirit, and then says, "Now you work it out in your life, and be faithful to Me, even though the nature of everything around you is to cause you to be unfaithful." And Jesus says to us, "... I have called you friends ..." Remain faithful to your Friend, and remember that His honour is at stake in your bodily life.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. - James 1:2
Jesus does not ask me to die for Him, but to lay down my life for Him. Peter said to the Lord, "I will lay down my life for your sake," and he meant it (13:37). He had a magnificent sense of the heroic. For us to be incapable of making this same statement Peter made would be a bad thing - our sense of duty is only fully realised through our sense of heroism. Has the Lord ever asked you, "Will you lay down your life for My sake?" (John 13:38). It is much easier to die than to lay down your life day in day out with the sense of high calling of God. We are not made for the bright-shining moments of life, but we have to walk in the light of them in our everyday ways. There was only one bright-shining moment in the life of Jesus, and that was on the Mount of Transfiguration. It was there that He emptied Himself of His glory for the second time, and then came down into the demon-possessed valley (see Mark 9:29). For thirty-three years Jesus laid down His life to do the will of His father. "By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren" (1 John 3:16). Yet it is contrary to our human nature to do so.
If I am a friend of Jesus, I must deliberately and carefully lay down my life for Him. It is a difficult thing to do, and thank God that it is. Salvation is easy for us, because it cost God so much. But the exhibiting of salvation in my life is difficult. God saves a person, fills him with the Holy Spirit, and then says, "Now you work it out in your life, and be faithful to Me, even though the nature of everything around you is to cause you to be unfaithful." And Jesus says to us, "... I have called you friends ..." Remain faithful to your Friend, and remember that His honour is at stake in your bodily life.
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. - James 1:2
LOVE ALWAYS PROTECTS
by Max Lucado
Genesis 3:21 has been called the first gospel sermon. Preached not by preachers, but by God himself. Not with words, but with symbol and action.
“The LORD God made clothes from animal skins for the man and his wife and dressed them” (Gen. 3:21).
God covers them. He protects them.
Love always protects.
Hasn’t he done the same for us? We eat our share of forbidden fruit. We say what we shouldn’t say. Go where we shouldn’t go. Pluck fruit from trees we shouldn’t touch.
So what does God do? Exactly what he did for our parents in the garden. He sheds innocent blood. He offers the life of his Son. And from the scene of the sacrifice the Father takes a robe—not the skin of an animal—but the robe of righteousness. And does he throw it in our direction and tell us to shape up? No, he dresses us himself. He dresses us with himself. “You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ” (Gal. 3:26–27).
God has clothed us. He protects us with a cloak of love. Can you look back over your life and see instances of God’s protection? I can too. My junior year in college I was fascinated by a movement of Christians several thousand miles from my campus. Some of my friends decided to spend the summer at the movement’s largest church and be discipled. When I tried to do the same, every door closed. Problem after problem with finances, logistics, and travel.
A second opportunity surfaced: spending a summer in Brazil. In this case, every door I knocked on swung open. Two and one half decades later I see how God protected me. The movement has become a cult—dangerous and oppressive. Time in Brazil introduced me to grace—freeing and joyful. Did God protect me? Does God protect us?
And you? Did he keep you from a bad relationship? Protect you from the wrong job? Insulate you from _______________ (you fill in the blank)? “Like hovering birds, so will [the LORD Almighty] protect Jerusalem” (Isa. 31:5 JB). “He will strengthen and protect you” (2 Thess. 3:3 NIV). “He will command his angels … to guard you” (Ps. 91:11 NIV). God protects you with a cloak of love.
From
A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
Genesis 3:21 has been called the first gospel sermon. Preached not by preachers, but by God himself. Not with words, but with symbol and action.
“The LORD God made clothes from animal skins for the man and his wife and dressed them” (Gen. 3:21).
God covers them. He protects them.
Love always protects.
Hasn’t he done the same for us? We eat our share of forbidden fruit. We say what we shouldn’t say. Go where we shouldn’t go. Pluck fruit from trees we shouldn’t touch.
So what does God do? Exactly what he did for our parents in the garden. He sheds innocent blood. He offers the life of his Son. And from the scene of the sacrifice the Father takes a robe—not the skin of an animal—but the robe of righteousness. And does he throw it in our direction and tell us to shape up? No, he dresses us himself. He dresses us with himself. “You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ” (Gal. 3:26–27).
God has clothed us. He protects us with a cloak of love. Can you look back over your life and see instances of God’s protection? I can too. My junior year in college I was fascinated by a movement of Christians several thousand miles from my campus. Some of my friends decided to spend the summer at the movement’s largest church and be discipled. When I tried to do the same, every door closed. Problem after problem with finances, logistics, and travel.
A second opportunity surfaced: spending a summer in Brazil. In this case, every door I knocked on swung open. Two and one half decades later I see how God protected me. The movement has become a cult—dangerous and oppressive. Time in Brazil introduced me to grace—freeing and joyful. Did God protect me? Does God protect us?
And you? Did he keep you from a bad relationship? Protect you from the wrong job? Insulate you from _______________ (you fill in the blank)? “Like hovering birds, so will [the LORD Almighty] protect Jerusalem” (Isa. 31:5 JB). “He will strengthen and protect you” (2 Thess. 3:3 NIV). “He will command his angels … to guard you” (Ps. 91:11 NIV). God protects you with a cloak of love.
From
A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
Tuesday, 23 September 2008
HAND DELIVERED BOUQUETS
by Max Lucado
A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
Through Christ, God has accepted you. Think about what this means. You cannot keep people from rejecting you. But you can keep rejections from enraging you.
Rejections are like speed bumps on the road. They come with the journey. You’re going to get cut, dished, dropped, and kicked around. You cannot keep people from rejecting you. But you can keep rejections from enraging you. How? By letting his acceptance compensate for their rejection.
Think of it this way. Suppose you dwell in a high-rise apartment. On the window sill of your room is a solitary daisy. This morning you picked the daisy and pinned it on your lapel. Since you have only one plant, this is a big event and a special daisy.
But as soon as you’re out the door, people start picking petals off your daisy. Someone snags your subway seat. Petal picked. You’re blamed for the bad report of a coworker. Three petals. The promotion is given to someone with less experience but USC water polo looks. More petals. By the end of the day, you’re down to one. Woe be to the soul who dares to draw near it. You’re only one petal-snatching away from a blowup.
What if the scenario was altered slightly? Let’s add one character. The kind man in the apartment next door runs a flower shop on the corner. Every night on the way home he stops at your place with a fresh, undeserved, yet irresistible bouquet. These are not leftover flowers. They are top-of-the-line arrangements. You don’t know why he thinks so highly of you, but you aren’t complaining. Because of him, your apartment has a sweet fragrance, and your step has a happy bounce. Let someone mess with your flower, and you’ve got a basketful to replace it!
The difference is huge. And the interpretation is obvious.
God will load your world with flowers. He hand-delivers a bouquet to your door every day. Open it! Take them! Then, when rejections come, you won’t be left short-petaled.
God can help you get rid of your anger. He made galaxies no one has ever seen and dug canyons we have yet to find. “The LORD … heals all your diseases” (Ps. 103:2–3 NIV). Do you think among those diseases might be the affliction of anger?
Do you think God could heal your angry heart?
Do you want him to? This is not a trick question. He asks the same question of you that he asked of the invalid: “Do you want to be well?” (John 5:6). Not everyone does. You may be addicted to anger. You may be a rage junkie. Anger may be part of your identity. But if you want him to, he can change your identity. Do you want him to do so?
Do you have a better option? Like moving to a rejection-free zone? If so, enjoy your life on your desert island.
Take the flowers. Receive from him so you can love or at least put up with others.
FromA Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
Monday, 22 September 2008
28 SEPTEMBER 2008
Liong KC
Peggy Tan
Gigi Lim, Foong Yee, Richard
-
Jun Fhui
Meng Fhui
-
Terry Choong
Anna Sim
-
Richard, Jocelyn Lee
Tom Cheryan, Manjit Singh
Peggy Tan
Gigi Lim, Foong Yee, Richard
-
Jun Fhui
Meng Fhui
-
Terry Choong
Anna Sim
-
Richard, Jocelyn Lee
Tom Cheryan, Manjit Singh
Sunday, 21 September 2008
Prayerful Inner-Searching
May your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless . . . —1 Thessalonians 5:23
"Your whole spirit . . . ." The great, mysterious work of the Holy Spirit is in the deep recesses of our being which we cannot reach. Read Psalm 139 . The psalmist implies— "O Lord, You are the God of the early mornings, the God of the late nights, the God of the mountain peaks, and the God of the sea. But, my God, my soul has horizons further away than those of early mornings, deeper darkness than the nights of earth, higher peaks than any mountain peaks, greater depths than any sea in nature. You who are the God of all these, be my God. I cannot reach to the heights or to the depths; there are motives I cannot discover, dreams I cannot realize. My God, search me."
Do we believe that God can fortify and protect our thought processes far beyond where we can go? ". . . the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7 ). If this verse means cleansing only on our conscious level, may God have mercy on us. The man who has been dulled by sin will say that he is not even conscious of it. But the cleansing from sin we experience will reach to the heights and depths of our spirit if we will "walk in the light as He is in the light" (1 John 1:7). The same Spirit that fed the life of Jesus Christ will feed the life of our spirit. It is only when we are protected by God with the miraculous sacredness of the Holy Spirit that our spirit, soul, and body can be preserved in pure uprightness until the coming of Jesus-no longer condemned in God’s sight.
We should more frequently allow our minds to meditate on these great, massive truths of God.
- Oswald Chambers, from My Utmost For His Highest
Search me, O God, and know my heart; Try me, and know my anxieties; And see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting. - Psalm 139:23-24
Thursday, 18 September 2008
TAKE EVERY THOUGHT CAPTIVE
by Max Lucado
Today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions.
Today’s jealousy is tomorrow’s temper tantrum.
Today’s bigotry is tomorrow’s hate crime.
Today’s anger is tomorrow’s abuse.
Today’s lust is tomorrow’s adultery.
Today’s greed is tomorrow’s embezzlement.
Today’s guilt is tomorrow’s fear.
Could that be why Paul writes, “Love … keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Cor. 13:5 NIV)?
Some folks don’t know we have an option.
Paul says we do: “We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).
Do you hear some battlefield jargon in that passage—“capture every thought,” “make it give up” and “obey Christ”? You get the impression that we are the soldiers and the thoughts are the enemies.
It was for Jesus. Remember the thoughts that came his way courtesy of the mouth of Peter? Jesus had just prophesied his death, burial, and resurrection, but Peter couldn’t bear the thought of it. “Peter took Jesus aside and told him not to talk like that.… Jesus said to Peter, ‘Go away from me, Satan! You are not helping me! You don’t care about the things of God, but only about the things people think are important’” (Matt. 16:22–23).
See the decisiveness of Jesus?
What if you did that? What if you took every thought captive? What if you took the counsel of Solomon: “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (Prov. 4:23).
You are not a victim of your thoughts. You have a vote. You have a voice. You can exercise thought prevention. You can also exercise thought permission.
Change the thoughts, and you change the person. If today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions, what happens when we fill our minds with thoughts of God’s love? Will standing beneath the downpour of his grace change the way we feel about others?
Paul says absolutely! It’s not enough to keep the bad stuff out. We’ve got to let the good stuff in. It’s not enough to keep no list of wrongs. We have to cultivate a list of blessings. The same verb Paul uses for keeps in the phrase “keeps no list of wrongs” is used for think in Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (RSV). Thinking conveys the idea of pondering—studying and focusing, allowing what is viewed to have an impact on us.
Rather than store up the sour, store up the sweet.
From
A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
Today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions.
Today’s jealousy is tomorrow’s temper tantrum.
Today’s bigotry is tomorrow’s hate crime.
Today’s anger is tomorrow’s abuse.
Today’s lust is tomorrow’s adultery.
Today’s greed is tomorrow’s embezzlement.
Today’s guilt is tomorrow’s fear.
Could that be why Paul writes, “Love … keeps no record of wrongs” (1 Cor. 13:5 NIV)?
Some folks don’t know we have an option.
Paul says we do: “We capture every thought and make it give up and obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).
Do you hear some battlefield jargon in that passage—“capture every thought,” “make it give up” and “obey Christ”? You get the impression that we are the soldiers and the thoughts are the enemies.
It was for Jesus. Remember the thoughts that came his way courtesy of the mouth of Peter? Jesus had just prophesied his death, burial, and resurrection, but Peter couldn’t bear the thought of it. “Peter took Jesus aside and told him not to talk like that.… Jesus said to Peter, ‘Go away from me, Satan! You are not helping me! You don’t care about the things of God, but only about the things people think are important’” (Matt. 16:22–23).
See the decisiveness of Jesus?
What if you did that? What if you took every thought captive? What if you took the counsel of Solomon: “Be careful what you think, because your thoughts run your life” (Prov. 4:23).
You are not a victim of your thoughts. You have a vote. You have a voice. You can exercise thought prevention. You can also exercise thought permission.
Change the thoughts, and you change the person. If today’s thoughts are tomorrow’s actions, what happens when we fill our minds with thoughts of God’s love? Will standing beneath the downpour of his grace change the way we feel about others?
Paul says absolutely! It’s not enough to keep the bad stuff out. We’ve got to let the good stuff in. It’s not enough to keep no list of wrongs. We have to cultivate a list of blessings. The same verb Paul uses for keeps in the phrase “keeps no list of wrongs” is used for think in Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is gracious, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things” (RSV). Thinking conveys the idea of pondering—studying and focusing, allowing what is viewed to have an impact on us.
Rather than store up the sour, store up the sweet.
From
A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
Sunday, 14 September 2008
21 SEPTEMBER 2008
Barnabas P.
Terry Choong
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Jocelyn Choong
-
Grace Lee
Jun Fhui
-
Anna Sim
Kah Yew
-
Moses Tan, Tian Sia
Tommy Quek, Manjit Singh
Terry Choong
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Jocelyn Choong
-
Grace Lee
Jun Fhui
-
Anna Sim
Kah Yew
-
Moses Tan, Tian Sia
Tommy Quek, Manjit Singh
Vicarious Intercession
"...having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus..." - Hebrews 10:19
Beware of thinking that intercession means bringing our own personal sympathies and concerns into the presence of God, and then demanding that He do whatever we ask. Our ability to approach God is due entirely to the vicarious, or substitutionary, identification of our Lord with sin. We have "boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus."
Spiritual stubbornness is the most effective hindrance to intercession, because it is based on a sympathetic "understanding" of things we see in ourselves and others that we think needs no atonement. We have the idea that there are certain good and virtuous things in each of us that do not need to be based on the atonement by the Cross of Christ. Just the sluggishness and lack of interest produced by this kind of thinking makes us unable to intercede. We do not identify ourselves with God’s interests and concerns for others, and we get irritated with Him. Yet we are always ready with our own ideas, and our intercession becomes only the glorification of our own natural sympathies. We have to realize that the identification of Jesus with sin means a radical change of all of our sympathies and interests. Vicarious intercession means that we deliberately substitute God’s interests in others for our natural sympathy with them.
Beware of thinking that intercession means bringing our own personal sympathies and concerns into the presence of God, and then demanding that He do whatever we ask. Our ability to approach God is due entirely to the vicarious, or substitutionary, identification of our Lord with sin. We have "boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus."
Spiritual stubbornness is the most effective hindrance to intercession, because it is based on a sympathetic "understanding" of things we see in ourselves and others that we think needs no atonement. We have the idea that there are certain good and virtuous things in each of us that do not need to be based on the atonement by the Cross of Christ. Just the sluggishness and lack of interest produced by this kind of thinking makes us unable to intercede. We do not identify ourselves with God’s interests and concerns for others, and we get irritated with Him. Yet we are always ready with our own ideas, and our intercession becomes only the glorification of our own natural sympathies. We have to realize that the identification of Jesus with sin means a radical change of all of our sympathies and interests. Vicarious intercession means that we deliberately substitute God’s interests in others for our natural sympathy with them.
Am I stubborn or substituted? Am I spoiled or complete in my relationship to God? Am I irritable or spiritual? Am I determined to have my own way or determined to be identified with Him?
- Oswald Chambers, from "My Utmost For His Highest"
"If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hea from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." - 2 Chronicles 7:14
Thursday, 11 September 2008
GOD BELIEVES IN YOU
by Max Lucado
The tale involves a wealthy father and a willful son. The boy prematurely takes his inheritance and moves to Las Vegas and there wastes the money on slot machines and call girls. As fast as you can say “blackjack,” he is broke. Too proud to go home, he gets a job sweeping horse stables at the racetrack. When he finds himself tasting some of their oats and thinking, H’m, a dash of salt and this wouldn’t be too bad, he realizes enough is enough. It’s time to go home. The gardener at his father’s house does better than this. So off he goes, rehearsing his repentance speech every step of the way.
But the father has other ideas. He “had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
We don’t expect such a response. We expect crossed arms and a furrowed brow. At best a guarded handshake. At least a stern lecture. But the father gives none of these. Instead he gives gifts. “Bring out the best robe … a ring … sandals.… And bring the fatted calf … and let us eat and be merry” (Luke 15:11–23 NKJV). Robe, sandals, calf, and … Did you see it? A ring.
Before the boy has a chance to wash his hands, he has a ring to put on his finger. In Christ’s day rings were more than gifts; they were symbols of delegated sovereignty. The bearer of the ring could speak on behalf of the giver. It was used to press a seal into soft wax to validate a transaction. The one who wore the ring conducted business in the name of the one who gave it.
Would you have done this? Would you have given this prodigal son power-of-attorney privileges over your affairs? Would you have entrusted him with a credit card? Would you have given him this ring?
Before you start questioning the wisdom of the father, remember, in this story you are the boy. When you came home to God, you were given authority to conduct business in your heavenly Father’s name.
When you speak truth, you are God’s ambassador.
As you steward the money he gives, you are his business manager.
When you declare forgiveness, you are his priest.
As you stir the healing of the body or the soul, you are his physician.
And when you pray, he listens to you as a father listens to a son. You have a voice in the household of God. He has given you his ring.
God believes in you. And, I wonder, could you take some of the belief that he has in you and share it with someone else?
You and I have the privilege to do for others what God does for us. How do we show people that we believe in them?
Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged. Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down! Speak words that make people stronger. Believe in them as God has believed in you.
From
A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
The tale involves a wealthy father and a willful son. The boy prematurely takes his inheritance and moves to Las Vegas and there wastes the money on slot machines and call girls. As fast as you can say “blackjack,” he is broke. Too proud to go home, he gets a job sweeping horse stables at the racetrack. When he finds himself tasting some of their oats and thinking, H’m, a dash of salt and this wouldn’t be too bad, he realizes enough is enough. It’s time to go home. The gardener at his father’s house does better than this. So off he goes, rehearsing his repentance speech every step of the way.
But the father has other ideas. He “had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him.”
We don’t expect such a response. We expect crossed arms and a furrowed brow. At best a guarded handshake. At least a stern lecture. But the father gives none of these. Instead he gives gifts. “Bring out the best robe … a ring … sandals.… And bring the fatted calf … and let us eat and be merry” (Luke 15:11–23 NKJV). Robe, sandals, calf, and … Did you see it? A ring.
Before the boy has a chance to wash his hands, he has a ring to put on his finger. In Christ’s day rings were more than gifts; they were symbols of delegated sovereignty. The bearer of the ring could speak on behalf of the giver. It was used to press a seal into soft wax to validate a transaction. The one who wore the ring conducted business in the name of the one who gave it.
Would you have done this? Would you have given this prodigal son power-of-attorney privileges over your affairs? Would you have entrusted him with a credit card? Would you have given him this ring?
Before you start questioning the wisdom of the father, remember, in this story you are the boy. When you came home to God, you were given authority to conduct business in your heavenly Father’s name.
When you speak truth, you are God’s ambassador.
As you steward the money he gives, you are his business manager.
When you declare forgiveness, you are his priest.
As you stir the healing of the body or the soul, you are his physician.
And when you pray, he listens to you as a father listens to a son. You have a voice in the household of God. He has given you his ring.
God believes in you. And, I wonder, could you take some of the belief that he has in you and share it with someone else?
You and I have the privilege to do for others what God does for us. How do we show people that we believe in them?
Do not withhold encouragement from the discouraged. Do not keep affirmation from the beaten down! Speak words that make people stronger. Believe in them as God has believed in you.
From
A Love Worth Giving
© (Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2004) Max Lucado
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