3 Jan 10 (C)

CM: Barnabas P.
WL: Foong Yee
BU: Peggy Tan, Tian Sia, Hong Lu
P: Jason Lai
S: Jonathan Long
G:Darren Oi
D: Kai Yew
LCD: Timothy, Jocelyn
PA: Manjit, Hiew FF
-

10 Jan 10

CM: Siow KW
WL: Kai Yew
BU: Gigi Lim, Foong Yee, Chris Lai
P: Grace Lee
S: Jocelyn Lee
G: Kenneth Lai
D: Anna Sim
LCD: Siew Pin, Colleen
PA: Tommy Q, Tom C

Old Age Is Not A Problem For God

"And may He be to you a restorer of life and a nourisher of your old age ... " - Ruth 4:15a.

It is wonderful that we have been praying for the WFA youth and young adults for they are indeed the future of our church. We must thank God their energy, vigour and potential but now that the end of 2009 is upon us, we must not forget about the dear folk around us who are older. They are still a very valuable asset that must never be overlooked, ignored or forgotten. For the dear "senior citizens" in WFA who at times feel depleted, of little use and unable to serve, this thinking and feeling is actually a lie that we must reject! Pastor Rick Warren has emphasized that from a Biblical perspective, God's servants never really retire because God uses His servants in spite of seemingly unfavourable circumstances.

An example of this is the life of Naomi, an elderly lady who was left completely destitute after she lost her husband and her sons. To make matters worse, her life was impoverished by a famine in the land (Ruth 1:1-5). God however intervened through a man named Boaz and provided the 'restorer of life and a nourisher' of Naomi's old age (ruth 4:15a). As her kinsman-redeemer, Boaz married Naomi's widowed daughter-in-law Ruth and by that marriage produced a grandson for Naomi. The birth of her grandson gave Naomi a new position in life, causing the women in her town to declare that the restorer of life and nourisher of her old age had blessed her and changed her life.

Naomi's grandson by Ruth and Boaz was Obed - who was later to become the grandfather of King David. The Hebrew word for 'restorer' is 'shub' which means to turn back, return, restore, reverse, retrieve or to bring back. All these meanings can describe the ministry of Jesus Christ; because of His death and resurrection, Christ can restore life to any person who will turn away from sin and turn to God. The manner in which Boaz rescued Ruth is a model of the story of Christ rescuing His people from sin.

Boaz is therefore often seen as an image of Jesus, our kinsman-redeemer. Jesus became our kinsman when He was born into this world as one like us and became our Redeemer when He paid with His life and blood at the cross to redeem us. Jesus gave Himself to us as our restorer of life and nourisher of our old age. When the restorer of life is in our lives by faith, what we can have lost can be restored (Joel 2:25-26). With the nourisher of our old age in us, our bodies can be gloriously renewed even when we grow old.

That is why when Moses died at the age of 120 years, his eyes were not dim and his natural vigour was not diminished (Deuteronomy 34:7). Caleb, at 85 years of age, could still drive out the giants from the land. God had literally nourished his body, and made it strong for war (Joshua 14:11). Sarah was clearly rejuvenated in her old age by God for she was still desirable to a king at the age of 90 (Genesis 20:1-2). God even renewed her body so she had the strength to conceive seed (Hebrews 11:11), giving birth to Isaac in her old age.

God is beyond limitations of time and as a consequence of this, our faith in Him can bring us into a special place of timelessness. Here, what the years have stolen can be restored. Even as our years increase, by faith we need not become weak, weary and unable to be useful (as seen by the world) because the restorer of life and nourisher of old age is in us.

Sunday Sermon 27-Dec-2009

Speaker: Pastor Malcolm Dennis
Full Gospel Assembly Kuala Lumpur

27 Dec 09

CM: Liong KC
WL:Shankar R.
BU: Foong Yee, Gigi Lim, Kenneth Lai
P: Chris Lai
S: Jocelyn Lee
G: Terry
D: Darren Oi
LCD:Moses, Colleen
PA:Tommy Q, Tom C
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3 Jan 10 (C)

CM: Barnabas P.

WL: Foong Yee

BU: Peggy Tan, Tian Sia, Hong Lu

P: Jason Lai

S: Jonathan Long

G:Darren Oi

D: Kai Yew

LCD: Timothy, Jocelyn

PA: Manjit, Hiew FF

God With Us

"... they shall call His name Immanuel, which is translated, God with us" - Matthew 1:23b

Over the last 2 weeks we have read about the truth and joy of Christmas being based on God's love for us. God loves us so much that He sent Jesus on a mission with a message of love. Christmas is a yearly reminder that God loves you. The Bible says God is love. It does not say God has love - it says God is love because love is His nature. He created the whole universe, He created every thing in this world, and then He created you because He loves you. One could say that the reason you live is because God created you as an object of His love. God made you so He could love you and so that you can love Him.

God's love for each one of us is the reason we can breathe and our hearts beat. God's good news is that He loves you on your good days as much as He loves you on your bad days. He loves you when you can feel His love, and He loves you when you don't seem to feel His love. He loves us whether or not we think we deserve His love. There is nothing we can do that will make God stop loving us because His love for us is based upon His character and not anything you do or do not do, say or do not say, feel or do not feel.

God loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, on a mission into this world so "that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16b). When the baby Jesus grew up to be a man, He was God's missionary to us. His whole life purpose was to serve us and to die for us. God's love is beyond all our knowledge and it is at times hard for us to understand the width, length, height and depth of God's love for us.

God gave the baby Jesus a number of names to tell us about the character of Christ and the purpose of His life. One of Jesus' name is 'Immanuel' which is translated "God with us" (Matthew 1:23b). Hebrews 13:5 tells us the Lord is with us forever for He Himself says God will never abandon us. You may not feel God's presence in your life right now, but that is no indication that God is not there. Matthew 28:20 tells us He is with you - now and "even to the end of age".

God understands loneliness better than anyone of us - even better than a brother in WFA who loves to quote Genesis 2:18 "It is not good that man should be alone". Loneliness is certainly not an issue unique to single people - there are many married people even here in Seremban who are desperately lonely. You feel lonely because God created you to need people in your life - but regardless of how many friends you have - your loneliness will remain until you are intimately connected to God. The good news is that because of the birth of Jesus, you know God is with you and you never have to face another day alone.

God's presence with us removes fear. You don't have to worry and you don't have to be anxious about what is going to happen. You may not feel like God is with you on some days but His presence in your life has nothing to do with your feelings. Through the birth of Jesus, God says, "I love you, I have marvellous plans for you and I am going to give you hope". If you are lonely this Christmas, let Jesus fill any emptiness in your heart and know that He is with you and will come back to this world for you.

Christmas Day Sermon

Speaker: Pastor Benny Mun
Full Gospel Assembly Kuala Lumpur

BAPTISM - 20 December 2009

The Joy Of Christmas

"... for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which will be to all people ." - Luke 2:10b.

Often Christmas stories focus mostly on the baby Jesus and characters like Mary, Joseph, the wise men, angels, etc. But we can also learn important lessons from the account of shepherds mentioned in Luke 2:8-20. They were among the lowest people in society - not held in high esteem. Even today in many parts of the world from India to Siliau village near Port Dickson, people employed to look after animals are usually looked down on in society as they are usually uneducated and live in very humble conditions. Let us consider what the shepherds did when they heard the good news for the first time.

The angels announced that the Messiah had been born and as soon as these angels had gone, the shepherds said to one another "Let us go NOW.." There was no debate, argument or procrastination. They didn't go to a seminary or the Internet to research this. They just believed it - that is faith. The Bible tells us that without faith it is impossible to please God. God is pleased with those who respond to God's gift through faith. Faith means you accept all that God did through Christ - that He is the Saviour of the world - that He came to die for your sins - that you can only find forgiveness and a new life through Him - and that you must follow Jesus Christ as Lord. This is an active embracing of what God had promised in Christ to all mankind and is tied to our own obedience.

The shepherds did exactly as they were told. Often we think of Christmas as just another holiday, that it is about a sweet little baby Jesus asleep on some hay - a sweet safe image. But Christmas isn't safe! That baby is the King of kings and the Lord of lords. He came to establish a kingdom that challenges the kingdom of self. This is threatening because He bids those who follow Him to take up their cross daily - to lay aside their right to rule themselves, and to surrender to His rule. The world loves to celebrate the birth of Christ, but they hate to obey Him as the Lord of their lives. Many people want to keep Christ as a cute little baby in a manager - but the manger is meaningless apart from the Cross. Jesus Christ was born to fulfill His Father's mission for Him to be Saviour of the world.

Someone might have said "This little baby, tender as any newborn, has come to crush Satan. The forces of hell will quake at His presence, though for now He lies quietly in a cold manger." The humble shepherds exemplified how the Saviour of the world would be to His people. Acts 17:25 says "He gives to all life, breath and all things" while Job 34:14-15 tells us that if God were to withdraw His breath from us, we would return to dust. In other words, every breath we breathe is a miracle.

Because we have heard the Christmas story so many times, we may forget the amazing miracle it really is. God came to earth in the form of a man. Let's pause a while to take time to absorb the wonder of the miracle. Luke 2:17 tells us that when the shepherds arrived in Bethlehem and saw the child lying in a manger, "they made widely known the saying which was told them concerning this Child." They were not preachers or leaders but that did not matter, they had heard and seen something that meant salvation for the whole world. The angel had said to them that this is good news "of great joy which shall be for all people." Let's share this great joy by being as obedient as the humble shepherds.

Sunday Sermon 20-Dec-2009

Speaker: Bro. Barnabas Param

White Fields Assembly Seremban

27 Dec 09

CM - Liong KC
WL - Shankar R.
BU - Foong Yee, Gigi Lim, Kenneth Lai
P - Chris Lai
S - Jocelyn Lee
G - Terry
D - Darren Oi
LCD - Moses, Colleen
PA - Tommy Q, Tom C
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3 Jan 10 (C)

Barnabas P.

Foong Yee

Peggy Tan, Tian Sia, Hong Lu

Jason Lai

Jonathan Long

Darren Oi

Kai Yew

Timothy, Jocelyn

Manjit, Hiew FF

25 Dec 09

Tom C.
Peter Long
Jason Lai, Chris Lai, Colleen
Grace Lee
Jonathan Long
Darren Oi
Kai Yew
Jocelyn, Siew Pin
Manjit, Hiew FF
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27 Dec 09

Liong KC

Shankar R.

Foong Yee, Gigi Lim, Kenneth Lai

Chris Lai

Jocelyn Lee

Terry

Darren Oi

Moses, Colleen

Tommy Q, Tom C

20 Dec 09 (C)

Caleb R.
Terry Choong
Foong Yee, Hong Lu, Siew Pin
Lydia Sim
Chris Lai
Anna Sim
Kenneth Lai
Lareina, Timothy
Tommy Q, Tom C
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25 Dec 09

Tom C.

Peter Long

Jason Lai, Chris Lai, Colleen

Grace Lee

Jonathan Long

Darren Oi

Kai Yew

Jocelyn, Siew Pin

Manjit, Hiew FF

The Truth About Christmas

"... For out of you shall come a Rule Who will shepherd My people .." Matthew 2:6b

With Christmas just 2 weeks away, let us think about the season called Advent, a name that comes from the Latin word 'adventus', which is a translation of the Greek word 'parousia' that means "coming" or "presence". It refers to the coming of the Messiah and is both a reminder of Jesus' birth (the 1st advent) as well as the second coming of Christ. Sadly, many Christians are not very clear about this and even seemingly spiritual Bible reading folks may celebrate Christmas focused only on the birth of Christ using the images of a little baby Jesus born in a barn. Yet Scripture uses the prophesy of the prophet Micah in Matthew 2:6 to proclaim a "Ruler Who will shepherd My people Israel".

The fact that this baby grew to be a man, ministered for over 3 years, was sacrificed for the sins of the whole world, was resurrected and told his disciples He will come again, is often not emphasized. The word 'parousia' is used only 4 times in the Gospels - once by the disciples and 3 times by Jesus; all refer to His second coming and all are found in one chapter (Matthew 24). This season can therefore also serve as a reminder of the waiting that Christians endure for the 2nd coming of Christ. In a sense, this parallels the Jewish nation waiting for the birth of the Messiah. The Jews await their king to come to deliver them but to Christians, our King is coming again to establish His Kingdom on earth.

Advent is marked by a spirit of expectation, of anticipation, of preparation and of longing. There is a yearning for deliverance from the evils of his world and there is a hope of deliverance by a God who hears the cries of the oppressed and brings deliverance. It is this hope that gives believers the anticipation of a King who will rule with truth and justice over His people and His creation. It is the hope now refreshed in the hearts of Christians, of a Messiah who has brought justice and righteousness to mankind by giving us peace with God through His death on a cross - a Messiah who will come again to rule over us.

Part of the hope we have also anticipates a judgement on sin and a calling of the world to accountability before God. We long for God to come and set the world right, yet as the prophet Amos warned, the expectation of a coming judgement on the "Day of the Lord" may not be the day everyone will welcome since the penetrating light of God's judgement on sin and unbelief will shine just as brightly on all of us. This is a time of celebration but often it is the condition of our heart's relationship with God that determines what we are celebrating. Some feel they have nothing to celebrate - perhaps this may be the case for those who have lost sight of the Cross of Christ in their pursuit of worldly gain.

Through His angels, God tells us that Christmas is good news of such great joy that, if only we truly believe it, we will not be able to keep the celebration in us. This is why some churches begin evangelistic outreach campaign during this season; WFA members may remember doing this in recent years. The real issue is how much of this good news do we really believe. Some people are frustrated with their circumstances and get so busy chasing after their own goals that they lose sight of the real joy. The joy of Christmas is based on three things: 1st God loves us; 2nd God is with us; 3rd God is for us. If we believe this, there will be so much to celebrate. This is the truth about Christmas.

Sunday Sermon 13 December 2009

Speaker: Pastor Gurmit Sigh Jassal

Grace Assembly Petaling Jaya

Ten Lies the Church Tells Women - 6

From HERE


Lie #10: Women who exhibit strong leadership qualities have a “spirit of Jezebel.”

Once I was listening to Bible teacher Cindy Jacobs speak at a prayer conference in Colorado. When she approached the pulpit, two men who were sitting in front of me turned to each other and began to pray softly.

“Lord, we bind the power of the devil from bewitching this audience,” one man said, adding, “We bind the power of Jezebel in the name of Jesus.” These men believed that the crowd would automatically come under a spirit of deception when Jacobs taught them—simply because she was a woman.

How absurd! Was Barak “deceived” when he took orders from Deborah? (See Judg. 4:14.) Did baby Jesus come under a harmful influence when Anna prophesied over Him? (See Luke 2:36-38.) Was Apollos spiritually emasculated when he submitted to the teaching of Priscilla? (See Acts 18:26.) Of course not!

To associate godly women with Jezebel, a wicked Old Testament despot, is unfair and offensive, yet men in the church today often pin Jezebel’s label on strong, anointed women because they feel threatened by them.

Let’s stop the insults. If a woman is using manipulation to usurp authority or if she is spreading heresies, then she certainly deserves the Jezebel label—as do men who do such things. But women who walk in spiritual integrity and preach the Word of God with power deserve our respect.

J. Lee Grady, editor of Charisma magazine, is the author of, Ten Lies the Church Tells Women (Creation House).

Ten Lies the Church Tells Women - 5

From HERE


Lie #8: Women must not teach or preach to men in a church setting.

Since 1 Timothy 2:12 obviously contradicts the overall biblical endorsement of women in authority, how are we to understand it? What is Paul actually saying in this passage?

In their book I Suffer Not a Woman, Richard and Catherine Clark Kroeger explain that certain cultic worship practices involving female priestesses of Diana had invaded the first-century church. These priestesses promoted blasphemous ideas about sex and spirituality, and they sometimes performed rituals in which they pronounced curses on men and declared female superiority.

What Paul was most likely saying to the Ephesians was this: “I do not allow a woman to teach these cultic heresies, nor do I allow them to usurp authority from men by performing pagan rituals.” He was not saying, as some Christians have assumed, “I do not allow godly Christian women to teach the Bible.” In his day, Paul would have been thrilled to have had more skilled women who could teach the truth!

Lie #9. Women are more easily deceived than men.

This idea has been taught by twisting the meaning of 1 Timothy 2:14, which says, “It was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite deceived, fell into transgression” (NLT). Some have suggested that because Eve was tricked by the devil, women have a stronger propensity toward deception. Others have gone so far as to insist that women are to blame for all the evil in the world and are therefore under a greater curse than men.

No respectable Bible scholar in the church today would promote such a view. The Bible clearly states that Adam and Eve were both held guilty by God for their disobedience, and they were both punished. In 1 Timothy, Paul cited the creation account not to place extra blame on Eve but to refute a bizarre teaching that was circulating in Asia Minor.

In the first century, Gnostic heretics were mixing Christianity with paganism. One of their teachings stated that Eve actually liberated the world when she disobeyed God and gained secret knowledge from the devil.

Paul was not teaching that women are more prone to deception. He was explaining that what Eve did was not right, and that the Christian view of the creation was that Adam and Eve sinned when they listened to the serpent.

Women are certainly capable of spreading deception because they have a fallen nature as men do, but there is no evidence that they have greater gullibility. That view is rooted in demeaning stereotypes and prejudice.

Ten Lies the Church Tells Women - 4

From HERE

Lie #6. A woman should view her husband as the “priest of the home.”

Search your concordance. Scripture never describes men as “priests of the home.” This man-made concept was popularized in evangelical churches in the last century. We have one priest, Jesus Christ, whose blood atoned for our sins. It is a mockery of the gospel to suggest that any human being needs an additional priest apart from the Son of God.

The Bible says all believers are priests (see 1 Pet. 2:9, Rev. 1:6); there is no gender restriction. Husbands function as priests when they pray for their families or when they minister the Word of God to them, and wives also function in this role.

My experience in marriage has been that God speaks both to me and to my wife. He doesn’t say to me, “Since you are the head of this house, I’ll tell you my plans for your family, and you can tell the others what I said.” Often God has revealed His plans to my wife before I heard anything!

Christian men need to stop being defensive and recognize that God has called us to function in unity with our wives. We need to listen to their counsel, consider their opinions, and pray together for the mind of the Lord rather than putting our foot down and shouting, “I am the leader of this family, and what I say goes!”


Lie #7. Women are not equipped to assume leadership roles.

The most common mistake we make in biblical interpretation occurs when we take one isolated verse and build a doctrine around it—even if the verse seems to contradict other passages. This is often what we do with 1 Tim. 2:12, “I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man” (NASB).

Most theologians believe that this passage was addressing an isolated situation in Ephesus. They came to this conclusion after studying the myriad of references in the Bible to women in spiritual authority. The Old Testament records that Deborah was a judge over Israel—and God blessed her leadership in battle (see Judg. 4-5). Other women who held authority over men include Miriam, Huldah and Noadiah.

Jesus issued His first gospel commission to women (see Matt. 28:1-10), and both men and women were empowered to preach on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4). Priscilla, Chloe and Phoebe were leaders in the early church, and one woman, Junia, is called an apostle by Paul (Rom. 16:7).

The promise of the prophet Joel was that “sons and daughters” would prophesy after the Holy Spirit was given to the church (Joel 2:28, emphasis added). Yet we have taken one misunderstood verse from Paul’s writings and used it to negate hundreds of other passages that support the full release of women into ministry.

Ten Lies the Church Tells Women - 3

From HERE


Lie #4. Women must obediently submit to their husbands in all situations.

A distraught Christian woman who was regularly beaten by her husband finally gained the courage to seek counsel from her pastor. After she told him about her husband’s fits of rage, the pastor responded, “If your husband kills you, it will be to the glory of God.”

The pastor reached this irresponsible conclusion because of a distorted view of “male headship.” We often portray marriage as a hierarchy, with husbands on the throne and wives at the footstool, and we use Scripture to justify this view: “Wives...submit to your husbands as you do to the Lord” (Eph. 5:22).

We assume this verse means women have no say in family matters or that their opinion is second-rate. In extreme cases, women have been told to submit to abuse in order to honor male headship. But this is not a Christian view.

Paul also told the Ephesians, “submit to one another” (5:21, emphasis added). I have heard teachings by male clergy on the subject of male headship, but I’ve never heard a pastor encourage men to submit to their wives! Yet in a loving marriage, a man and woman will defer to one another as they make decisions.

In my 16 years of marriage, my wife and I have had plenty of disagreements. But when we reach an impasse, I don’t announce, “I am the head of this house, so what I say goes.” Rather, Deborah and I either agree to pray about the matter, or we choose to defer to one another.

The point is never who is in charge. I view my wife as an equal. I am not “over her.” We function as one.

Lie #5. A man needs to “cover” a woman in her ministry activities.

This idea came from a distorted interpretation of the apostle Paul’s words in 1 Corinthians 11:3, “the head of woman is man” (NKJV). People have used these words to bolster the idea that women are subservient to men or that they cannot approach God without a male authority figure in their lives.

Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 11 about head coverings is a difficult passage, and Bible scholars don’t agree on its meaning. However, most teach that Paul is addressing specific cultural concerns in first-century Corinth and that he is calling for propriety and order in a society where immorality and paganism had blurred gender distinctions.

Paul was not placing men in a position of generic rulership over women. Because there is “no male or female in Christ” (see Gal. 3:28), women can pray, worship, study the Bible or minister without a man present. How silly to think that a man, because of his gender, could add credibility to prayer or Spirit-empowered ministry! To believe this would be to trust in the flesh.

Ten Lies the Church Tells Women - 2

From HERE


Lie #2. Women can’t be fulfilled or spiritually effective without a husband.

From the time she was released from a German death camp in 1944 until her death in 1983, Corrie Ten Boom taught the world about a Savior who could forgive the cruelest Nazi. Yet she never married. Did the fact that she did not have a husband make her less “complete”? Some Christians would say yes.

We have spent so much energy defending the concept of the biblical family that we are guilty of idolizing it. We’ve preached that a woman’s primary responsibility is to find a godly husband, have lots of babies and stay home to raise them for Christ.

But marital status is not a qualifier for ministry. The Bible does not even state whether certain key followers of Jesus, such as the 12 disciples, were married or not.

The highest calling of all believers—married or unmarried—is to develop a relationship with Jesus. Any other earthly relationship is secondary, and Christ Himself warned us never to allow people we love to become idols that distract us from Him.

Lie #3. Women shouldn’t work outside the home.

Many evangelical churches have preached that women who work outside the home are breaking a scriptural commandment, but this conclusion can be reached only by distorting the biblical record. The woman described in Proverbs 31 is often used to bolster a traditional view of the June Cleaver-style matron who spends her day baking casseroles while her husband is at the office. But a careful reading reveals that the Proverbs 31 woman, in her ancient Middle Eastern context, functioned as a real estate agent and ran a textile business.

Titus 2:5 instructs women to “take care of their homes” (New Living Translation). But most scholars would agree that this passage simply exhorts married women not to forsake their children.

It is true that, because of ambition or materialism, some Christian women neglect their children even though the Holy Spirit has urged them to put their career objectives on hold. But rather than placing a legalistic burden on women by telling them that having a career is ungodly, we should tell both men and women to submit their career plans to the Holy Spirit’s direction.

Ten Lies the Church Tells Women

From HERE

We live in the 21st century, but if we’re honest we have to admit that in some ways the church is still in the Dark Ages—especially when we look at the way we treat women.

Even though the Scriptures never portray women as secondary to men, our male-dominated religious system still promotes a warped view of female inferiority. Women are tired of this, and as a man, so am I—because such demeaning attitudes don’t reflect God’s heart.

Jesus challenged gender prejudice at its core when He directed so much of His ministry toward women. In a Middle Eastern culture that considered women mere property, He healed women, discipled them and commissioned them to minister. Yet today we spend much of our energy denying them opportunities—and using the Bible to defend our prohibitions.

I’ve identified 10 erroneous views about women that for too long have been circulated in the church, preached from pulpits and written in the study notes of popular Bible translations. I believe we must debunk these lies if we want to see the church fully released to fulfill the Great Commission.


Lie #1. God’s ultimate plan for women is that they serve their husbands.

How sad that so many Christian men view women from a selfish perspective. This view is often promoted by misreading the account of Eve’s creation in Genesis 2:18-25, in which Adam is provided a “helpmate.” The Hebrew word used here often is translated “companion,” denoting intimacy and partnership. But through the centuries it has been used to imply that Eve was some type of domestic appendage.

We men have assumed that God gave Eve to fulfill Adam’s sexual needs as well as to serve as his cook, laundress and maid. But the Genesis account does not say this.

After Eve’s creation, God did not tell her: “You are Adam’s helper; I command you to serve him well.” She was not created for servitude; she was fashioned to be a co-laborer with Adam so that they might rule together over creation as God commissioned them to do (see Gen. 1:28).

13 Dec 09

Siow KW
Peggy Tan
Lareina, Timothy, Shankar
Chris Lai
Jason Lai
Weng Ern
Jaemy C.
Moses, Kenneth
Manjit, Hiew FF
-

20 Dec 09 (C)

Caleb R.

Terry Choong

Foong Yee, Hong Lu, Siew Pin

Lydia Sim

Chris Lai

Anna Sim

Kenneth Lai

Lareina, Timothy

Tommy Q, Tom C

Sunday Sermon 6-Dec-2009

Speaker: Bro. Chin Teng Lum

White Fields Assembly Seremban

Sunday Sermon 29-Nov-2009

Speaker: Dr. Siow Khim Woon
White Fields Assembly Seremban

6 Dec 09 (C)

CM: Barnabas P.
WL: Kai Yew
BU: Gigi Lim, Foong Yee, Chris Lai
P: Grace Lee
S: Jocelyn Lee
G: Kenneth Lai
D: Anna Sim
LCD: Siew Pin, Colleen
PA: Tommy Q, Tom C
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13 Dec 09

Siow KW

Peggy Tan

Lareina, Timothy, Shankar

Chris Lai

Jason Lai

Weng Ern

Jaemy C.

Moses, Kenneth

Manjit, Hiew FF

DECEMBER IS "THANKSGIVING MONTH"

Let us all reflect on 2009 and find reasons to be thankful for...

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Let us look forward to 2010 and find reasons to be thankful for in advance..

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1. Thank the Good Lord: for good health, providence, guidance, comfort, strength..
   
2. Thank our leadership - Church leaders / CG leaders / Ministry leaders..
   
3. Thank our brothers & sisters in the White Fields Family..
4. Thank our own family..

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What are you thankful for?

Don Moen - Our Father

Youth & Young Adults (YaYA) Slumber Camp

 Dates: 18 & 19 December 2009 (Friday & Saturday) - Friday is Awal Muharam PH

Venue: White Fields Assembly

Time: 9am (18 Dec) - 9pm (19 Dec)

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It is fine if you can only come for one day - of course, the best is to stay for both.
You are welcome to invite your friends and relatives.
Send their contact details (email & phone number) to feedback2wfa@gmail.com
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Contacts:
Bro. Hong Lu & Sis. Foong Yee
Bro. Kai Yew & Sis. Michelle
Bro. Terry
Sis. Lydia
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Sis. Foong Yee will be handling all matters related to food.

Sunday Sermon 22-Nov-2009

Speakers: Pastor Justin and Jacqueline Ryan

One Voice Ministries

29 Nov 09

CM: Liong KC
WL: Foong Yee
BU: Peggy Tan, Tian Sia, Hong Lu
P: Jason Lai
S: Jonathan Long
G: Darren Oi
D: Kai Yew
LCD: Timothy, Jocelyn
PA: Manjit, Hiew FF
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6 Dec 09 (C)

Barnabas P.

Kai Yew

Gigi Lim, Foong Yee, Chris Lai

Grace Lee

Jocelyn Lee

Kenneth Lai

Anna Sim

Siew Pin, Colleen

Tommy Q, Tom C

What if Things Only Get Worse?

by Max Lucado

Christ tells us that they will. He predicts spiritual bailouts, ecological turmoil, and worldwide persecution. Yet in the midst of it all, he contends bravery is still an option. (Matt. 24:4-14)

Things are going to get bad, really bad, before they get better. And when conditions worsen, “See to it that you are not alarmed” (Matt. 24:6 NIV). Jesus chose a stout term for alarmed that he used on no other occasion. It means “to wail, to cry aloud,” as if Jesus counseled the disciples, “Don’t freak out when bad stuff happens.”

“See to it…” Bosses and teachers are known to use that phrase. “See to it that you fill out the reports.” Or “Your essay is due tomorrow. See to it that you finish your work.” The words call for additional attention, special focus, extra resolve. Isn’t this what Christ is asking of us? In this dangerous day, on this Faberge’-fragile globe, with financial collapse on the news and terrorists on the loose, we have every reason to retreat into bunkers of dread and woe.

But Christ says to us, “See to it that you are not alarmed.” (NIV)
“Keep your head and don’t panic” (MSG).
“See that you are not troubled” (NKJV).

And remember: “All these [challenging times] are the beginning of birth pains” (Matt. 24:8 NIV), and birth pangs aren’t all bad. (Easy for me to say.) Birth pains signal the onset of the final push. The pediatrician assures the mom-to-be, “It’s going to hurt for a time, but it’s going to get better.” Jesus assures us of the same. Global conflicts indicate our date on the maternity calendar. We are in the final hours, just a few pushes from delivery, a few brief ticks of eternity’s clock from the great crowning of creation. A whole new world is coming!


From: Fearless
© (Thomas Nelson, 2009),
Max Lucado

Don Moen - Here We Are

The Problem With Self-Sufficiency

READ: Revelation 3:14-22

I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. —Revelation 3:15

The city of Laodicea had a water problem. One nearby town had fabulous hot springs and another had cold, clear water. Laodicea, however, was stuck with tepid, mineral-laden water that tasted like sulphur. Not hot. Not cold. Just gross.

Given those facts, the words of Jesus to the Laodicean believers in Revelation 3 must have stung. Jesus rebuked them for being “neither cold nor hot” (v.15). And when He thought of them, He felt like vomiting (v.16)—like the effect of their drinking water.

What was their problem? It was the sin of self-sufficiency. The Laodiceans had become so affluent that they had forgotten how much they needed Jesus (v.17).

When we say we have everything we need, but Jesus isn’t at the top of the list, He is deeply offended. Self-sufficiency distracts us from pursuing the things we really need that only He can give. If you’d rather have cash than character, if your credit cards are maximized and your righteousness is minimized, if you’ ve become smart but aren’t wise, then you’ve been shopping in all the wrong places. Jesus offers commodities that are far better (v.18).

He’s knocking at your heart’s door (v.20). Let Him in. He will give you all you really need! —Joe Stowell

We must be careful to avoid
All self-sufficiency;
If sinful pride gets in the way,
God’s hand we will not see. —Sper

We always have enough when God is our supply.

Who Cares For Your Future?

"Therefore do not worry about tomorrow for tomorrow will worry about it's own things. Sufficient for the day is it's own trouble." - Matthew 6:34

Earlier this month we looked at what our future is worth under God's plan, so now lets look at how we should see the future as believers of Jesus Christ. The above verse is from Jesus' teaching from Matthew 6:25-34 about trusting God, and is among the most important teachings found in the famous Sermon on the Mount. The media is filled with reports these days on the future of the world's economy and how it is going to affect us.

No matter what the experts claim, nobody can actually predict accurately everything that is going to happen next year, next month or even next week. Their best forecast are merely educated guesses. People worry about the increasing speed and extent of change as well as its unpredictability and conclude that the future is uncertain. When faced with worry, let us note that scripture gives us three principles for facing an uncertain future.

First, we must set our goals according to God's direction because He is the only one who really knows the future and He wants to guide you through it. Jeremiah 29:11 declares that His plans to give us a good future and a hope. Proverbs 16:1 can be translated as "man can make his plans but God has the final word". Planning without praying is presumption. As 2009 is coming to an end soon, we can begin by praying and asking God what HE wants us to do over the coming year.

Second, we live one day at a time. While we can plan for tomorrow, we cannot live it until it actually arrives. Don't spend time regretting the past or worrying about the future that you miss out on enjoying what God has given you today. Someone once said "Life is what happens to you while you're busy making other plans." Perhaps we should decide to make the most of each moment of life. After all in Matthew 6:34 Jesus is saying "Give all your attention to what God is doing right now, and don't worry about what may or may not happen tomorrow." God will help us with difficulties when the time comes.

Third, do not procrastinate - when prompted to do something, do it NOW. Proverbs 27:1 tells us not to boast or depend on tomorrow. We do not know what will happen between now and then. Procrastinating is a subtle trap because it wastes today by postponing things until tomorrow. You want to do something for God "one of these days" but usually it becomes "none of these days". What will God put into your heart in past years that are still not done? When will you get started? Do you trust Him to help you?

In summary, let's remember that anxiety and worry are not meant to defeat the believer in Christ. Jesus gave us a completely new way of looking at life that is designed to overcome the habit of worry. In His Sermon on the Mount He gave simple examples by asking us to look at nature to see how God takes care of the birds, flowers and grass. Then He said that if God can take care of these simple things around us, He can most surely meet our needs. Jesus taught His disciples to have a divine perspective on life. He promised that those who seek God and put His kingdom first will have their needs met. Therefore, you have no need to worry about your future if you walk with Him and obey Him.

Sunday Sermon 15-Nov-2009

Speaker: Rev. Canon Lakshman K. Raj

Bethel Anglican Centre, Puchong

22 NOVEMBER 2009

CM: Caleb R.

WL: Peter Long
BU: Tian Sia, Jacquelina, Foong Yee

P: Chris Lai
S: Lydia Sim
G: Darren Oi
D: Jaemy C.

LCD: Lee Siew Pin, Jocelyn Lee
PA: Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

Fear Not, For I Am With You Always

by Max Lucado

“This is the day the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it” (Psalm 118:24).

“This is the day” includes every day. Divorce days, final-exam days, surgery days, tax days. Sending-your-firstborn-off-to-college days.

God made this day, ordained this hard hour, designed the details of this wrenching moment. He isn’t on holiday. He still holds the conductor’s baton, sits in the cockpit, and occupies the universe’s only throne. Each day emerges from God’s drawing room. Including this one.

From Fear Not PrPost Optionsomise Book
Originally printed in Every Day Deserves a Chance

Don Moen - Two Hands, One Heart

Believe

by Max Lucado

Jairus fell at Jesus’ feet, “saying again and again, ‘My daughter is dying. Please come and put your hands on her so she will be healed and will live’” (Mark 5:23).

There are no games. No haggling. No masquerades. The situation is starkly simple: Jairus is blind to the future and Jesus knows the future. So Jairus asks for his help.

And Jesus, who loves the honest heart, goes to give it…[He] turns immediately to Jairus and pleads: “Don’t be afraid; just believe” (v. 36).

Jesus compels Jairus to see the unseen. When Jesus says, “Just believe … ,” he is imploring, “Don’t limit your possibilities to the visible. Don’t listen only for the audible. Don’t be controlled by the logical. Believe there is more to life than meets the eye!”

“Trust me,” Jesus is pleading. “Don’t be afraid; just trust.”

From Fear Not Promise Book
Originally printed in He Still Moves Stones

Abiding In The Vine

"By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples." - John 15:8

In recent conversations with an old friend known to many in WFA, the topic of Calvinism arose in our discussion. This involves an age-old debate over scriptural issues developed in the 16th century from older doctrinal arguments about whether Christian believers are still saved even if they backslide and lead a sinful life. Those who oppose this view are often said to take the Arminian position that holds that you must continue walking with Christ after receiving Him as your Lord and Saviour.

Calvinists believe that once you are saved, you are forever saved no matter what, using many scriptures to support their view, among which are John 6:37-39, Jude 24,25 and John 10:27-29. Most Church leaders I know understand these scriptures well and embrace them but do NOT agree with the idea that you are totally saved whatever you do and however much you deliberately sin after becoming a Christian. There are of course other aspects of Calvinists thinking that are sound where they hold on to the absolute and unlimited sovereignty of God that is central to their teaching.

The modern day theologian and pastor David Pawson once said "The Arminian position is accurately portrayed by someone throwing a lifeline to a drowning man and saying 'grab hold of this and keep holding on tightly until I pull you to safety'. I would maintain that no one rescued this way would dream that he had saved himself or even made a 'contribution' that merited his rescue. He would be filled with gratitude towards his rescuer." I tend to think that our role as someone being rescued from drowning in the sea is, at the very least, to hold on to that rope with our all!

It is vital that Christians do not become overly caught up in this or any other debate that can cause division in the Church. Sometimes reading strongly worded opinions on this issue can bring on reactions like someone just having enjoyed a meal of very hot spicy Madras style beef curry. Not everyone likes curries too fiery hot and some prefer a fragrant rich spicy chicken korma that is not hot. The important thing is not to insist that everyone agrees with your choice and to make sure all the ingredients used are wholesome and healthy - otherwise you may end up with an upset tummy.

Reading the Bible is in some ways like this because scripture is neither Calvinist or Arminian. It is important not to isolate the issue of the sovereignty of God to the exclusion of other truths in the Bible. John 15:5-7 are clear about a need to abide in Christ since withered branches are cast out and thrown into the fire. "By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples. " (John 15:8) The apostle Paul talks about running a race and discipline in 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 that compares the Christian life to that of an athlete running to win a prize. Just as athletes must give up certain things in life to excel, we too need to be disciplined.

Sunday Sermon 8-Nov-2009

Speaker: Pastor Ang Swee Khim

River of Life Sanctuary

15 NOVEMBER 2009 - communion

CM: Barnabas P.

WL: Shankar R.
BU: Jason Lai, Hong Lu, Lareina

P: Grace Lee
S: Chris Lai
G: Darren Oi
D: Kenneth Lai

LCD: Lee Siew Pin, Jocelyn Lee
PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF
-

22 Nov:

CM: Caleb R.

WL: Peter Long

BU: Tian Sia, Jacquelina, Foong Yee

P: Chris Lai

S: Lydia Sim

G: Darren Oi

D: Jaemy C.

LCD: Lee Siew Pin, Jocelyn Lee

PA: Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

Don Moen - Here We Are

Courage

Courage
by Max Lucado

The disciples were alone in the storm for nine tempestuous hours. Long enough for more than one disciple to ask, “Where is Jesus? He knows we are in the boat. For heaven’s sake, it was his idea. Is God anywhere near?”

And from within the storm comes an unmistakable voice: “Courage! I am! Don’t be afraid!” (Matthew 14:27, literal translation).

From the center of the storm, the unwavering Jesus shouts, “I am.” Tall in the Trade Tower wreckage. Bold against the Galilean waves. ICU, battlefield, boardroom, prison cell, or maternity ward—whatever your storm, “I am.”

Christ comes astride the waves and declares the words engraved on every wise heart: “Courage! I am! Don’t be afraid!”

From Fear Not Promise Book
Originally printed in Next Door Savior

Don Moen - Thank You Lord

Remember

Remember

by Max Lucado

Jesus performed two bread-multiplying miracles: in one he fed 5,000 people, in the other 4.000. Still his disciples, who witnessed both feast, worried about empty pantries. A frustrated Jesus rebuked them: “Are your hearts too hard to take it in?...Don’t you remember anything at all?” (Mark 8:17-18 NLT).

Short memories harden he heart. Make careful note of God’s blessings. Declare with David: “[I will] daily add praise to praise. I’ll write the book on your righteousness, talk up your salvation the livelong day, never run out of good things to write or say” (Psalm 71:14-15 MSG).

Catalog God’s goodness. Meditate on them. He has fed you, led you, and earned your trust. Remember what God has done for you.

From Fear Not Promise Book
Originally printed in 3:16, The Numbers of Hope

Chris Tomlin - Amazing Grace (My Chains are Gone)

Sunday Sermon 1-Nov-2009

Speaker: Bro. Chin Teng Lum

White Fields Assembly Seremban

8 NOVEMBER 2009

CM: Dr. Siow KW

WL: Foong Yee
BU: Shankar R., Peggy Tan, Gigi Lim

P: Jason Lai
S: Jocelyn Lee
G: Kenneth Lai
D: Nicholas

LCD: Moses Tan, Timothy Chang
PA: Hiew FF, Tommy Q.
-

15 Nov:

CM: Barnabas P.

WL: Shankar R.

BU: Jason Lai, Hong Lu, Lareina

P: Grace Lee

S: Chris Lai

G: Darren Oi

D: Kenneth Lai

LCD: Lee Siew Pin, Jocelyn Lee

PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

New Life Group Names

A few hours ago, it was decided that instead of identifying the Life Groups by the Leaders, specific names should be given as to add meaning to the Groups.
As such, here are the results: (in no particular order)

• Bro. Tom & Sis. Romila - FAITHFULNESS
• Bro. Jelson & Sis. Mimi - JOY
• Bro. Hong Lu & Sis. Foong Yee - LONG-SUFFERING
  
• Bro. Michael - KINDNESS
• Sis. Peggy & Bro. Ann King - PEACE
• Bro. Liong & Sis. Karen - LOVE
• Bro. Kai Yew & Sis. Michelle - GOODNESS

Galatians 5:22-23 (New King James Version)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Card Security Advisory

In view of prevailing fraud trends affecting the credit card industry, we hope that this message of caution would help you.

Credit card fraud is a serious crime that can cost you and the issuing bank losses. However, you can also take the following precautionary measures as safeguards against fraudsters and tricksters.

Here's what you can do to minimise the risk of falling victim to credit card fraud:

Precautions:
* Sign on the signature panel of your new credit card immediately when you receive it.
* Keep your credit card in the same place in your wallet or purse so that you will notice it immediately when it goes missing.
* Never lend your credit card to anyone.
* Never provide your credit card details - card number, expiry date, CVV [Card Verification Value for VISA cards] or CVC [Card
Verification Code [for MasterCard] to unknown parties. The CVV/CVC are the last three digits on the signature panel.
* Never write down your PIN number at the back of your credit card or keep it in your wallet; always memorise your PIN number.
* Cut your expired credit card into two [across the chip] when you receive your renewed card.
* Never respond to email, website or phone inquiries requesting your credit card information.
* Don't divulge your account number over the phone unless you're making the call to a Company you know is reputable.
* Don't leave your cards lying around - remember, they are as good as cash!


When you charge your card
* Check the details on the charge-slip before signing.
* Keep your charge-slips to reconcile with your credit card statement as soon as you receive it. If you normally throw your slips away after this, destroy them instead.
* Keep close watch on your card during a transaction and request for it to be returned to you quickly.
* Cross out incorrect receipts to invalidate them, and destroy carbons of transactions.
* Never input your credit card information in a website that is not a secured [https:] site.
* Don't sign a blank receipt. When signing a receipt, draw a line across the blank spaces above and below the total amount indicated to prevent unauthorised additions.

When you receive your statements
* Check the statement promptly and reconcile your transactions.
* Keep the telephone number of your credit card issuer so that you can immediately report the loss of your cards, suspicious transactions or any suspect of PIN information known to a third party. Prompt notification to your bank will enable quicker investigations into any case.
* Notify your card issuer of changes in address or contact numbers - this is to allow the bank to contact you promptly for verification of transactions.

Social Engineering
Tricksters are coming up with new and innovative phone scams to convince victims to part with their money. Some of the ruses used include:

* Kidnap Scam
o Tricksters would claim that the victim's loved one had been kidnapped and demand that a ransom be transferred to a specific bank account. These fake threats are usually accompanied by sounds of cries for help in the background. If you receive such calls, remain calm and try to contact your loved ones immediately. Seek assistance from the police if you cannot contact them.

* Lottery Scam
o Tricksters make calls from overseas, send email or SMS to victims, informing them that they have won prizes in a foreign or domestic lottery. The tricksters would request for an advance payment in order to process the claims for these prizes. A widely publicised domestic scam was the Astro Akademi Fantasia scam. If you receive such calls, ignore them. Do not make any advance payments.

* Impersonation Scam
o Tricksters would impersonate law enforcement, regulatory [BNM] or Association [VISA or MasterCard] officials, advising victims to remit or transfer money to designated bank accounts in order to exonerate themselves from alleged crimes. The common allegations include failure to appear in court in relation to one's involvement in money laundering and unlicensed money lending cases or involvement in credit card fraud.
o Police officers, Court officials, and other government officials do not require any individuals connected to a criminal case to transfer money to any bank account. If any payment is to be made, an official written notice and receipt would be issued.

* What You Should Do
o If you encounter any of the above scams, you should never reveal your personal information, bank account number or credit card details over the phone. Never send money to unknown callers.

In this regard, please stay alert and vigilant always.

The Love Test

by Max Lucado

Have you ever made decisions about your relationships based on your feelings instead of the facts? When it comes to love, feelings rule the day. Emotions guide the ship. Goose bumps call the shots. But should they? Can feelings be trusted? Can a relationship feel right but be wrong?

Feelings can fool you. Yesterday I spoke with a teenage girl who is puzzled by the lack of feelings she has for a guy. Before they started dating, she was wild about him. The minute he showed interest in her, however, she lost interest.

I’m thinking also of a young mom. Being a parent isn’t as romantic as she anticipated. Diapers and midnight feedings aren’t any fun, and she’s feeling guilty because they aren’t. Am I low on love? she wonders.

How do you answer such questions? Ever wish you had a way to assess the quality of your affection? A DNA test for love? Paul offers us one: “Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6 NIV). In this verse lies a test for love.

Want to separate the fake from the factual, the counterfeit from the real thing? Want to know if what you feel is genuine love? Ask yourself this:

Do I encourage this person to do what is right? For true love “takes no pleasure in other people’s sins but delights in the truth” (1 Cor. 13:6 JB).

If you find yourself prompting evil in others, heed the alarm. This is not love. And if others prompt evil in you, be alert.

Here’s an example. A classic one. A young couple are on a date. His affection goes beyond her comfort zone. She resists. But he tries to persuade her with the oldest line in the book: “But I love you. I just want to be near you. If you loved me …”

That siren you hear? It’s the phony-love detector. This guy doesn’t love her. He may love having sex with her. He may love her body. He may love boasting to his buddies about his conquest. But he doesn’t love her. True love will never ask the “beloved” to do what he or she thinks is wrong.

Love doesn’t tear down the convictions of others. Quite the contrary.

“Love builds up” (1 Cor. 8:1).

“Whoever loves a brother or sister lives in the light and will not cause anyone to stumble” (1 John 2:10).

“You are sinning against Christ when you sin against other Christians by encouraging them to do something they believe is wrong” (1 Cor. 8:12 NLT).

Do you want to know if your love for someone is true? If your friendship is genuine? Ask yourself: Do I influence this person to do what is right?

From A Love Worth Giving
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2002) Max Lucado

Chris Tomlin - Let God Arise

The Danger of Celebrating Halloween - 2

from Charisma Magazine
Halloween is much more than a holiday filled with fun and tricks or treats. It is a time for the gathering of evil that masquerades behind the fictitious characters of Dracula, werewolves, mummies and witches on brooms. The truth is that these demons that have been presented as scary cartoons actually exist. I have prayed for witches who are addicted to drinking blood and howling at the moon.

While the lukewarm and ignorant think of these customs as "just harmless fun," the vortexes of hell are releasing new assignments against souls. Witches take pride in laughing at the ignorance of natural men (those who ignore the spirit realm).

Decorating buildings with Halloween scenes, dressing up for parties, going door-to-door for candy, standing around bonfires and highlighting pumpkin patches are all acts rooted in entertaining familiar spirits. All these activities are demonic and have occult roots.

The word "occult" means "secret." The danger of Halloween is not in the scary things we see but in the secret, wicked, cruel activities that go on behind the scenes. These activities include:

    * Sex with demons
    * Orgies between animals and humans
    * Animal and human sacrifices
    * Sacrificing babies to shed innocent blood
    * Rape and molestation of adults, children and babies
    * Revel nights
    * Conjuring of demons and casting of spells
    * Release of "time-released" curses against the innocent and the ignorant.

Another abomination that goes on behind the scenes of Halloween is necromancy, or communication with the dead. Séances and contacting spirit guides are very popular on Halloween, so there is a lot of darkness lurking in the air.

However, Ephesians 1:19-21 speaks of the authority of the believer and the exceeding greatness of God's power in us (the same power that raised Christ from the dead). It goes on to say that that Jesus is seated in heavenly places far above all principalities, power, might, dominions and every name that is named. The good news is that because we are seated in heavenly places with Jesus, the same demonic activity that is under His feet is under our feet, too!

People who worship the devil continue to attempt to lift him up. But he has already been cast out and down! Many are blinded to this fact, but the day will come when all will know he has been defeated once and for all.

When we accept Jesus but refuse to renounce Satan and his practices, we are neither hot nor cold but lukewarm—and the Word says that God will spit us out of His mouth. The problem with lukewarm is that it attempts to mix the things of the devil with the things of God. It is God's desire that we serve Him alone.

Second Corinthians 6:15 asks the question, "And what agreement has Christ with Belial?" As believers, we need to answer that question in our hearts. We must avoid the very appearance of evil. I would not want a demon spirit to mistake me for an occult worshiper.

There is no doubt in my heart that God is not calling us to replace fall festivals and Halloween activities; rather, He wants us to utterly destroy the deeds of this season. If you or your family members have opened the door to any curses that are released during the demonic fall festivals, renounce them and repent. I already have. Then declare with me: "As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord!"


About the author: Kimberly Daniels is a sought-after conference speaker and preacher. She is the founder of Kimberly Daniels Ministries International (kimberlydaniels.com), Spoken Word Ministries—the church she pastors in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband, Ardell—A Child of the King Learning Center and Word Bible College. Kim is a recognized prophetic voice as well as the author of several books, including her most recent, Prayers that Bring Change (Charisma House).

Special Meeting

Speaker: Sis. Michelle Woods

http://www.mediafire.com/?tuyedznmnml

(8MB MP3)

Don Moen - I Will Sing

The Danger of Celebrating Halloween - 1

from Charisma Magazine
Halloween—October 31—is considered a holiday in the United States. In fact, it rivals Christmas with regard to how widely celebrated it is. Stores that sell only Halloween-related paraphernalia open up a few months before the day and close shortly after it ends. But is Halloween a holiday that Christians should be observing?

The word "holiday" means "holy day." But there is nothing holy about Halloween. The root word of Halloween is "hallow," which means "holy, consecrated and set apart for service." If this holiday is hallowed, whose service is it set apart for? The answer to that question is very easy—Lucifer's!

Lucifer is a part of the demonic godhead. Remember, everything God has, the devil has a counterfeit. Halloween is a counterfeit holy day that is dedicated to celebrating the demonic trinity of : the Luciferian Spirit (the false father); the Antichrist Spirit (the false holy spirit); and the Spirit of Belial (the false son).

The key word in discussing Halloween is "dedicated." It is dedicated to darkness and is an accursed season. During Halloween, time-released curses are always loosed. A time-released curse is a period that has been set aside to release demonic activity and to ensnare souls in great measure.

You may ask, "Doesn't God have more power than the devil?" Yes, but He has given that power to us. If we do not walk in it, we will become the devil's prey. Witchcraft works through dirty hearts and wrong spirits.

During this period demons are assigned against those who participate in the rituals and festivities. These demons are automatically drawn to the fetishes that open doors for them to come into the lives of human beings. For example, most of the candy sold during this season has been dedicated and prayed over by witches.

I do not buy candy during the Halloween season. Curses are sent through the tricks and treats of the innocent whether they get it by going door to door or by purchasing it from the local grocery store. The demons cannot tell the difference.

Even the colors of Halloween (orange, brown and dark red) are dedicated. These colors are connected to the fall equinox, which is around the 20th or 21st of September each year and is sometimes called "Mabon." During this season witches are celebrating the changing of the seasons from summer to fall. They give praise to the gods for the demonic harvest. They pray to the gods of the elements (air, fire, water and earth).

Mother earth is highly celebrated during the fall demonic harvest. Witches praise mother earth by bringing her fruits, nuts and herbs. Demons are loosed during these acts of worship. When nice church folk lay out their pumpkins on the church lawn, fill their baskets with nuts and herbs, and fire up their bonfires, the demons get busy. They have no respect for the church grounds. They respect only the sacrifice and do not care if it comes from believers or non-believers.

Gathering around bonfires is a common practice in pagan worship. As I remember, the bonfires that I attended during homecoming week when I was in high school were always in the fall. I am amazed at how we ignorantly participate in pagan, occult rituals.

The gods of harvest that the witches worship during their fall festivals are the Corn King and the Harvest Lord. The devil is too stupid to understand that Jesus is the Lord of the Harvest 365 days a year. But we cannot be ignorant of the devices of the enemy. When we pray, we bind the powers of the strong men that people involved in the occult worship.

Chris Tomlin - How Great is Our God

Your Kindness Quotient

by Max Lucado

How kind are you? What is your kindness quotient? When was the last time you did something kind for someone in your family—e.g., got a blanket, cleaned off the table, prepared the coffee—without being asked?

Think about your school or workplace. Which person is the most overlooked or avoided? A shy student? A grumpy employee? Maybe he doesn’t speak the language. Maybe she doesn’t fit in. Are you kind to this person?

Kind hearts are quietly kind. They let the car cut into traffic and the young mom with three kids move up in the checkout line. They pick up the neighbor’s trash can that rolled into the street. And they are especially kind at church. They understand that perhaps the neediest person they’ll meet all week is the one standing in the foyer or sitting on the row behind them in worship. Paul writes: “When we have the opportunity to help anyone, we should do it. But we should give special attention to those who are in the family of believers” (Gal. 6:10).

And, here is a challenge—what about your enemies? With the boss who fired you or the wife who left you. Suppose you surprised them with kindness? Not easy? No, it’s not. But mercy is the deepest gesture of kindness. Paul equates the two. “Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Eph. 4:32 NKJV). Jesus said:

Love your enemies. Do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you.… If you love only the people who love you, what praise should you get? … [L]ove your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without hoping to get anything back. Then you will have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God, because he is kind even to people who are ungrateful and full of sin. Show mercy, just as your Father shows mercy. (Luke 6:27–28, 32, 35–36)

Kindness at home. Kindness in public. Kindness at church and kindness with your enemies. Pretty well covers the gamut, don’t you think? Almost. Someone else needs your kindness. Who could that be? You.

Since he is so kind to us, can’t we be a little kinder to ourselves? Oh, but you don’t know me, Max. You don’t know my faults and my thoughts. You don’t know the gripes I grumble and the complaints I mumble. No, I don’t, but he does. He knows everything about you, yet he doesn’t hold back his kindness toward you. Has he, knowing all your secrets, retracted one promise or reclaimed one gift?

No, he is kind to you. Why don’t you be kind to yourself? He forgives your faults. Why don’t you do the same? He thinks tomorrow is worth living. Why don’t you agree? He believes in you enough to call you his ambassador, his follower, even his child. Why not take his cue and believe in yourself?

Be kind to yourself. God thinks you’re worth his kindness. And he’s a good judge of character.

From A Love Worth Giving
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2002) Max Lucado

Why Bother About Israel?

"I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed." - Genesis 12:2,3

Last Sunday we heard about a journey to Israel. You may have heard or read in newspaper of how harshly some Malaysian leaders speak of this nation. Christians may wonder what role Israel has with the church and why leaders in some churches (including WFA) pray for the peace of Jerusalem. Scripture tells us that Israel as a nation and a people are chosen by God and are called the 'apple of His of eye' in Deuteronomy 32:10 and Zechariah 2:8. Early on God said to Abraham in Genesis 12:2,3 "I will make you a great nation; I will bless you and make your name great; and you shall be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed."

The country Israel takes its name from the patriarch Jacob whose name was changed by God after an all-night wrestling match described in Genesis 32:24-32. The name is believed to mean either "he struggles with God" or "God preserves" and either one would be a fitting name considering its people and history. In the Bible, Israel is the only nation set apart by God. "For you are a holy people to the Lord your God; the Lord your God has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth." - Deuteronomy 7:6.

In Psalm 122:6-9, God's people are instructed to seek Jerusalem's prosperity and well being, to inquire earnestly about its welfare, pray for its peace, and to ask with concern about its condition... for the sake of the Lord's House. The word 'pray' in verse 6 is not the usual Hebrew word 'palal' for 'pray', but rather 'sha'al', a Hebrew word meaning to ask, inquire, request, desire, wish for or demand. This is clearly a serious instruction of all of God's people today.

Paul speaks about a mystery concerning an olive tree in Romans 11:17-27 that relates to other verses in the chapter showing the certainty that God will eventually reclaim His chosen people. All of us in WFA are in fact now part of that olive tree - as branches grated on that tree. Ephesians 2:11-19 clearly affirms that the Gentile church has not replaced Israel but has now actually become part of Israel. We thus cannot ignore the fact that Israel's history is actually the history of the church - our own history!

And finally, in Matthew 23:39 we see a prophesy by the Lord Jesus Christ Himself as He lamented over Jerusalem "who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her ... for I say to you, you shall see Me no more till you say, 'Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord! (Baruch haba b'shem Adonai)". Here Jesus is evidently addressing the Jews and He is talking about His return to take up His Millennial reign. In other words, Jesus' return is clearly stated to be dependant on Israel's salvation and recognition of Christ.

Sunday Sermon 25-Oct-2009

Speaker: Rev. Dominic Chan

Assemblies of God Council

1 NOVEMBER 2009 - communion

CM: Tom C.

WL: Terry C.
BU: Tian Sia, Gigi Lim, Peggy Tan

P: Lydia Sim
S: Jocelyn Lee
G: Kenneth Lai
D: Anna Sim

LCD: Moses Tan, Timothy Chang
PA: Tommy Q., Manjit Singh
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8 Nov:

CM: Dr. Siow KW

WL: Foong Yee

BU: Shankar R., Peggy Tan, Gigi Lim

P: Jason Lai

S: Jocelyn Lee

G: Kenneth Lai

D: Nicholas

LCD: Moses Tan, Timothy Chang

PA: Hiew FF, Tommy Q.

Dating Often Becomes an End in Itself

The Seven Habits of Highly Defective Dating

I once talked to Marty, a guy in his mid-20s who enthusiastically told me about his girlfirend, Claire. They'd been dating for four years. She was a wonderful girl, he said and they had a terrific relationship.
I assumed sonce they'd been together so long that engagement must be on the horizon and asked, "When do you think you guys will get married?"
Marty was shocked that I'd even mentioned marriage and began to vigorously backpedal. "Well, gosh, we're just dating," he stammered. "That doesn't mean.. well, I don't know if I want to marry her,"
I wouldn't encourage anyone to marry someone just because they'd dated a long time. But I wondered what Marty needed to learn about Claire after four years together that would help him decide. I suspect that, like many relationships today, Marty and Claire were stuck in what I call "dating limbo". Instead of acting as a bridge between friendship and marriage, dating becomes the destination - not ending but not moving on, either.
Singles who grow accustomed to dating limbo often find it difficult to leave. It's so comfortable! Because they acn experience many of the emotional and, sadly, even physical privileges of marriage in their dating relationships, many people (men in particular) find little motivation for commiting themselves in marriage.
For the mans or woman who is ready to get married, the dating scene and the habits it encourages aren't helpful. It can seem like you're making something happen but you might just be getting into a holding pattern of one short-term relationship after another.

Matt Redman

Have You Ever Wondered..

Romans 8:38-39 (New King James Version)
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, 39 nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
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Colossians 1:16 (New King James Version)
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him.

According to medieval Christian theologians, the Angels are organized into several orders, or Angelic Choirs
The most influential of these classifications was that put forward by Pseudo-Dionysius the Areopagite in the 4th or 5th century, in his book "The Celestial Hierarchy". However, during the Middle Ages, many schemes were proposed, some drawing on and expanding on Pseudo-Dionysius, others suggesting completely different classifications (some authors limited the number of Choirs to seven). Several other hierarchies were proposed, some in nearly inverted order. Scholars of the Middle Ages believed that angels and archangels were lowest in the order and were the only angels directly involved in the affairs of the world of men.

The authors of The Celestial Hierarchy and the Summa Theologica drew on passages from the New Testament, specifically Ephesians 1:21 and Colossians 1:16 (considered by modern scholars to be very tentative and ambiguous sources in relation to the construction of such a schema), in an attempt to reveal a schema of three Hierarchies, Spheres or Triads of angels, with each Hierarchy containing three Orders or Choirs.

From the comparative study of the Old Testament and New Testament passages, including their etymology and semantics, the above mentioned theological works (which contain variations), and esoteric Christian teachings, the descending order of rank can be inferred as following:
The Assumption of the Virgin by Francesco Botticini at the National Gallery London, shows three hierarchies and nine orders of angels, each with different characteristics

    * First Sphere (Old Testament sources)
          o Seraphim
          o Cherubim
          o Thrones (Gr. thronos) (New Testament sources)
    * Second Sphere (New Testament sources)
          o Dominions (Gr. Kyriotetes)
          o Virtues (Gr. Dynamais)
          o Powers (Gr. Exusiai)
    * Third Sphere
          o Principalities (Gr. Archai)
          o Archangels - Archangeloi
          o Angels - Angeloi

St. Bonaventure of Bagnoregio refers to these three, respectively, as the Epiphania, the Hyperphania, and the Hypophania. The Choirs in the second and third spheres, of the present hierarchical list, appear to be also united in pairs. The existence of these pairs of Orders is inferred through their etymological proximity and the apparent affinity in the description of their work-activity

    * Thrones and Dominions (Might, Dynamais);
    * Principalities and Powers (Powers, Exusiai; Ephesians 6:12);
    * Archangels and Angels (Angels, Angeloi).

Note, however, that several variations of the hierarchical order may be found published through the last two millennia.

Dating Can Create an Artificial Environment for Evaluating Another Person's Character

The Seven Habits of Highly Defective Dating

Although most dating relationships don't head towards marriage, some - especially those among older singles - are motivated by marriage. People who sincerely want to find out if someone is potential marriage material need to understand that typical dating actually hinders that process. Dating creates an artificial environment for two people to interact in. As a result, each person can easily convey an equally artificial image.
Taking the example of a basketball hoop that can be adjusted to different heights. When lowered three feet from its normal setting, anyone can look like a pretty good basketball player. But the skill exists only because the standards are lowered - not playing in a real environment.
In a similar way, dating creates an artificial environment that doesn't require a person to accurately portray his or her positive and negative characteristics. On a date, a person can charm his or her way into a date's heart. He drives a nice car and pays for everything; she looks great. But who cares? Being fun on a date doesn't say anything about a person's character or ability to be a good husband or wife.
Part of the reason dating is fun is that it gives us a break from real life. For this reason, when I'm married I plan to make a habit of dating my wife. In marriage, you need to take breaks from the stress of kids and work; you need to just get away for a bit. But two people weighing the possibility of marriage need to make sure they don't interact only with the fun, romantic settings of dating. Their priority shouldn't be to get away from real life; they need a strong dose of objective reality! They need to watch each other in the real-life settings if family and friends. They need to watch each other serving and working. How does he interact with the people who know him best? How does she react when things don't go perfectly? When considering a potential mate, we need to find the answers to these kinds of questions - questions that dating won't answer.