In Bill Bennett’s bestselling The Book of Virtues, he lists work as one of the top ten virtues. Most historians agree that Western culture was built on the work ethic. In the family, much work needs to be done. Clothes must be washed, beds need to be made, food has to be prepared, trash must be stashed. Animals must be fed, cars must be washed, and grass must be mowed.
Who does all of this work in your family? Ideally it is shared by the husband, wife, and children. But the more important question is “With what attitude do you work?” If the road to greatness is serving others, then such work gives me a chance to aspire to greatness.
The Desire to Serve
In a healthy family, members have the sense that as they do something for the benefit of other family members, they are doing something genuinely good - almost noble. Individuals have an internal desire to serve, and an emotional sense of satisfaction with a job done for others. In a highly functional family, there develops the sense that service to others is one of life’s highest callings.
I believe that such an attitude of service must begin with the parents. If Dad is doing things to make Mom’s life easier, and Mom is serving Dad, it won’t be long until the kids want to get in on the fun. For those who don’t know where to start, let me suggest the following question: “What could I do for you this evening?”
The Hallmark of Greatness
In every vocation, those who truly excel are those who have a genuine desire to serve others. The most notable physicians view their vocation as a calling to serve the sick and diseased. Truly great politicians see themselves as “public servants." The greatest of all educators seeks to help the student reach his or her potential.
It is no different in the family. It is in giving our lives to each other that we all become winners. The scriptures say, “Give and it shall be given unto you.” They never say, “Demand and people will do what you demand.” The fact is, most people do not respond well to demands. But few people will reject loving service.
The hallmark of greatness is not the accumulation of wealth, nor the gaining of powerful positions. The hallmark of greatness is service to others.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from The Family You've Always Wanted: Five Ways You Can Make it Happen by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Friday, 17 July 2009
Wednesday, 15 July 2009
God Speaks: Physical Touch
The language of physical touch demonstrated by Jesus and His followers did not end with a physical healing. The physical miracle was to validate Jesus’ claims and convince people to respond to His love—-to establish an eternal spiritual relationship with God. This is evidenced by what Peter said after the crippled man was healed. He urged his listeners, “Repent...and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—-even Jesus. He must remain in heaven until the time comes for God to restore everything.”
Glowing From God's Presence
Moses also encountered God in a way that affected him physically. When he descended the mountain after God had given him the Ten Commandments, his face was radiant, although he didn’t realize it. But it was clearly evident to other people—so much so that he had to place a veil over his face.
Jesus' Public Ministry
The biblical account of the life of Jesus shows that He frequently used physical touch as a love language. As He taught in the villages, parents would bring little children to have Him touch them. His disciples first rebuked the people, thinking that Jesus was too busy for children. But Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Then He took the children in his arms and blessed them. It has always been true that some people are skeptical when others claim to be “touched by God.” But the greatest skeptics become the greatest believers when they personally experience God’s touch.
After Jesus returned to His Father, God continued to work through the believers in the early church. They gladly carried on the serving, touching, and healing ministry of Jesus. Since the first century, thousands of men and women have been touched by God. They, in turn, have touched others as representatives of Christ. They work in hospitals, giving baths and wiping fevered brows. They are in rescue missions, kneeling beside the homeless with an arm draped around the shoulder of a needy person. They serve as “greeters” in their churches to smile, extend a hand, and give an affirming pat on the back as people enter the house of worship. They are channels of God’s love, speaking fluently the love language of physical touch.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Glowing From God's Presence
Moses also encountered God in a way that affected him physically. When he descended the mountain after God had given him the Ten Commandments, his face was radiant, although he didn’t realize it. But it was clearly evident to other people—so much so that he had to place a veil over his face.
Jesus' Public Ministry
The biblical account of the life of Jesus shows that He frequently used physical touch as a love language. As He taught in the villages, parents would bring little children to have Him touch them. His disciples first rebuked the people, thinking that Jesus was too busy for children. But Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” Then He took the children in his arms and blessed them. It has always been true that some people are skeptical when others claim to be “touched by God.” But the greatest skeptics become the greatest believers when they personally experience God’s touch.
After Jesus returned to His Father, God continued to work through the believers in the early church. They gladly carried on the serving, touching, and healing ministry of Jesus. Since the first century, thousands of men and women have been touched by God. They, in turn, have touched others as representatives of Christ. They work in hospitals, giving baths and wiping fevered brows. They are in rescue missions, kneeling beside the homeless with an arm draped around the shoulder of a needy person. They serve as “greeters” in their churches to smile, extend a hand, and give an affirming pat on the back as people enter the house of worship. They are channels of God’s love, speaking fluently the love language of physical touch.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Monday, 13 July 2009
19 JULY 2009
19 July 09
Dr. Siow KW
Terry C.
Siew Pin, Joycelyn C., Richard,
Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee
Anna Sim
Jaemy C.
Colleen, Ken Fhui
Manjit, Tommy
Dr. Siow KW
Terry C.
Siew Pin, Joycelyn C., Richard,
Lydia Sim, Jocelyn Lee
Anna Sim
Jaemy C.
Colleen, Ken Fhui
Manjit, Tommy
Worship Conference on 25 July (Sat)
9am - 2pm
RM15/pax (include 118pgs handbook, lunch & other material)
Breakout classes offered - Five classes for musicians:
> Worship Keyboard
> Wind Instruments
> Drums & Percussion
> Worship Vocals
> Acoustic Guitar
* Music Theory Made Easy - beginning music reading crash course
* Worship Software – exploring free software for use in worship
* Bible Study for non-musicians
(For those who accompany a musician friend/spouse that have no interest in the musical/technical classes)
* Q&A Session hosted by Senior Pastor, Tim Stutts and Worship Pastor, Kenny Lamm (Particularly for worship leaders and pastors.)
* For those who come with spouses/friends,you can choose to buy 1 handbook and your spouse only need to pay for the lunch RM6!!
Choice of fees with handbook (RM15) OR lunch only (RM6)
We look forward to see you soon!!
Please contact Bro Peter Long by this Sunday 19 July 2009
WFA is sponsoring - especially those who are still studying..
If you are willing to pay your way, do inform us..
.
RM15/pax (include 118pgs handbook, lunch & other material)
Breakout classes offered - Five classes for musicians:
> Worship Keyboard
> Wind Instruments
> Drums & Percussion
> Worship Vocals
> Acoustic Guitar
* Music Theory Made Easy - beginning music reading crash course
* Worship Software – exploring free software for use in worship
* Bible Study for non-musicians
(For those who accompany a musician friend/spouse that have no interest in the musical/technical classes)
* Q&A Session hosted by Senior Pastor, Tim Stutts and Worship Pastor, Kenny Lamm (Particularly for worship leaders and pastors.)
* For those who come with spouses/friends,you can choose to buy 1 handbook and your spouse only need to pay for the lunch RM6!!
Choice of fees with handbook (RM15) OR lunch only (RM6)
We look forward to see you soon!!
Please contact Bro Peter Long by this Sunday 19 July 2009
WFA is sponsoring - especially those who are still studying..
If you are willing to pay your way, do inform us..
.
Sunday, 12 July 2009
How Do I Get To Know God Through Prayer
If we are not close to God as we were yesterday, who moved? A cute question, but also a practical one. They keyword is moved. We cannot shift into neutral in our relationship with Christ and coast through life. Each decision we make moves us closer to or farther from God and His perfect will for our lives. How can prayer move us forward?
We do not get to know a person without spending time with him or her, sharing in conversation, activities, even conflict or difficulties. God desires the same attention we give to other important relationships in our lives. Prayer is an opportunity to express ourselves to the Creator, with whom we are building a personal relationship.
Periodically I have the front wheels on my cars aligned. With good tires, the car would actually do fine without the extra expenses. But with the alignment, my car handles better and the tires last longer.
I like to think of prayer as a daily alignment. Without it we can roll through life and try hard to be a Christian examples. We can try to overcome difficult situations and feel good about our relationship God. But in the process we often feel slightly misdirected and maybe chewed up around the edges.
The answer to this tough question, then is do it? The expected and simple answer, yet we often neglect regular prayer. We miss the opportunity to tune in to God and get on the right track. We started the day without renewing our burden for others and offering our availability to God so that he can count on us if an opportunity to use arises.
The Bible encourages us to pray about everything. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7)
Prayer reduces anxiety in our Christian walk. We can see God work through us instead of feeling like the lone Christian taking on the universe. The question of knowing God implies knowledge about Him, but also feeling as if He is really there. Philippians 4:7 is tremendous reminder to us that spending time with God regular, specially including prayer, will bring God's peace. Note the snowball effect: those close to God get continually closer through an active prayer life. "Come near to God and he will come near to you" (James 4:8)
According to Philippians, His peace 'will guard' our hearts and minds. As we go about our daily business, our feelings and thoughts will be aligned with Christ's so we are able to please Him. Relying only on feelings is sure to cause us to be misaligned and sent on the wrong track. Regular prayer can 'guard' our feelings by keeping in balance with our minds, or what we know about God.
Need a prayer alignment? Commit yourself to a daily prayer life with specific requests and goals for your relationship with Christ. Write down special people and needs and pray faithfully for them.
- Trent Bushnell
We do not get to know a person without spending time with him or her, sharing in conversation, activities, even conflict or difficulties. God desires the same attention we give to other important relationships in our lives. Prayer is an opportunity to express ourselves to the Creator, with whom we are building a personal relationship.
Periodically I have the front wheels on my cars aligned. With good tires, the car would actually do fine without the extra expenses. But with the alignment, my car handles better and the tires last longer.
I like to think of prayer as a daily alignment. Without it we can roll through life and try hard to be a Christian examples. We can try to overcome difficult situations and feel good about our relationship God. But in the process we often feel slightly misdirected and maybe chewed up around the edges.
The answer to this tough question, then is do it? The expected and simple answer, yet we often neglect regular prayer. We miss the opportunity to tune in to God and get on the right track. We started the day without renewing our burden for others and offering our availability to God so that he can count on us if an opportunity to use arises.
The Bible encourages us to pray about everything. "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6,7)
Prayer reduces anxiety in our Christian walk. We can see God work through us instead of feeling like the lone Christian taking on the universe. The question of knowing God implies knowledge about Him, but also feeling as if He is really there. Philippians 4:7 is tremendous reminder to us that spending time with God regular, specially including prayer, will bring God's peace. Note the snowball effect: those close to God get continually closer through an active prayer life. "Come near to God and he will come near to you" (James 4:8)
According to Philippians, His peace 'will guard' our hearts and minds. As we go about our daily business, our feelings and thoughts will be aligned with Christ's so we are able to please Him. Relying only on feelings is sure to cause us to be misaligned and sent on the wrong track. Regular prayer can 'guard' our feelings by keeping in balance with our minds, or what we know about God.
Need a prayer alignment? Commit yourself to a daily prayer life with specific requests and goals for your relationship with Christ. Write down special people and needs and pray faithfully for them.
- Trent Bushnell
Sunday Sermon 12 July 2009
Speaker: Elder Lim Swee Boon
White Fields Assembly, Seremban
http://www.fileqube.com/file/wDujtAJy205386
(6MB 48 minutes 16Kbps 16Khz MP3)
Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.
White Fields Assembly, Seremban
http://www.fileqube.com/file/wDujtAJy205386
(6MB 48 minutes 16Kbps 16Khz MP3)
Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.
Saturday, 11 July 2009
God Speaks: Acts of Service
God expressed His love for humankind by sending His Son, Jesus, who in turn expressed His love by the supreme act of service: giving His life for people’s sins. When Agnes Bojaxhiu responded to that love as a young teenage girl, she began a life course of faithfulness and distinction. Her transformation into Mother Teresa seems incredible to many people, yet the God she worshiped is more than capable of such a change. The Bible declares Him to be “the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.” He fluently speaks the love language acts of service.
Jesus' Life as Service
Clearly, the God of Israel expressed His love by acts of service to those who called upon Him. And while many people accept this fact about God, a significant number are reluctant to believe the same about Jesus. Yet when we examine the life of Jesus of Nazareth, we find Him identifying with the God of Israel. The claims are so clear and so woven into Jesus’ concept of Himself that many have found them incredible and have concluded that Jesus was a man with delusions of grandeur, one not to be seriously considered as a creditable religious leader.
Jesus' Miracles as Service
The miracles that Jesus performed were never capricious. They were always expressions of His love for people. Healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, calming the storm, casting out demons—those were not only supernatural feats that identified Him with God, but also expressions of His love. On three occasions He even brought a dead person back to life. Such acts of service were reflected in His statement, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.”
Jesus' Death as Service
Jesus framed His own death as an act of service when he said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” His love was further evidenced when He said from the cross as He was dying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
For all who examine the life of Jesus, He becomes a fork in the road of life. Many choose the path of submission—they bow the knee, submit the heart, and arise to walk humbly as His servants.
Many testify that what ultimately won their hearts was His love expressed by miraculous acts of service, from the humility of His human birth to His sacrificial, voluntary death that paid the penalty for their sins. And serving a God who speaks through acts of service is ample motivation for them to serve one another as well.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Jesus' Life as Service
Clearly, the God of Israel expressed His love by acts of service to those who called upon Him. And while many people accept this fact about God, a significant number are reluctant to believe the same about Jesus. Yet when we examine the life of Jesus of Nazareth, we find Him identifying with the God of Israel. The claims are so clear and so woven into Jesus’ concept of Himself that many have found them incredible and have concluded that Jesus was a man with delusions of grandeur, one not to be seriously considered as a creditable religious leader.
Jesus' Miracles as Service
The miracles that Jesus performed were never capricious. They were always expressions of His love for people. Healing the sick, giving sight to the blind, calming the storm, casting out demons—those were not only supernatural feats that identified Him with God, but also expressions of His love. On three occasions He even brought a dead person back to life. Such acts of service were reflected in His statement, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you.”
Jesus' Death as Service
Jesus framed His own death as an act of service when he said, “My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends.” His love was further evidenced when He said from the cross as He was dying, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”
For all who examine the life of Jesus, He becomes a fork in the road of life. Many choose the path of submission—they bow the knee, submit the heart, and arise to walk humbly as His servants.
Many testify that what ultimately won their hearts was His love expressed by miraculous acts of service, from the humility of His human birth to His sacrificial, voluntary death that paid the penalty for their sins. And serving a God who speaks through acts of service is ample motivation for them to serve one another as well.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Love is a Choice
The Five Love Languages has helped hundreds of thousands of couples rediscover warm emotional feelings for each other. Now, this did not happen because someone decided, “I’m going to have warm feelings toward my spouse again.” It began when one person decided, “I’m going to express love to my spouse in spite of the fact that I don’t have warm feelings toward her or him.” Emotional love can be rediscovered. The key is learning the love language of your spouse and choosing to speak it regularly. Warm feelings are the results of loving actions. Love is a choice.
A Powerful Weapon
How can we express love to our spouses when we are full of hurt, anger, and resentment over past failures? Remember the words of Jesus: “Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you.” Why would Jesus say this? Because love is the most powerful weapon to change the heart of the other person. Love doesn’t erase the past, but it makes the future different.
The Full Tank
If I know my wife's primary love language and choose to speak it, her deepest emotional need will be met and she will feel secure in my love. If she does the same for me, my emotional needs are met and both of us live with a full “love tank”.
How do you create this kind of growing marriage? It all begins with the choice to love. I recognize that as a husband, God has given me the responsibility of meeting my wife’s need for love. I choose to accept that responsibility and learn how to speak her primary love language. What happens? My wife’s attitude and feelings toward me become positive. Now she reciprocates and my need for love is also met. Love is a choice.
It May Be Unnatural
What if speaking your spouse’s love language doesn’t come natural for you? The answer is simple: “You learn to speak it!” My wife’s love language is "acts of service". One of the things I do for her regularly as an act of love is to vacuum the floors. Do you think this comes naturally for me? You couldn’t pay me enough to vacuum the house. There is only one reason I do it: LOVE. You see, when it doesn’t come naturally to you, it is a greater expression of love.
The Key to Emotional Warmth
Your spouse has a primary love language, and if you learn to speak it, you will see a radical change in your spouse. The five love languages are words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, physical touch and gifts.
Learn your spouse’s primary love language and you will have the key to unlocking warm feelings. You don’t have to have warm emotions toward your spouse to speak their language. Love is a choice.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
A Powerful Weapon
How can we express love to our spouses when we are full of hurt, anger, and resentment over past failures? Remember the words of Jesus: “Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you.” Why would Jesus say this? Because love is the most powerful weapon to change the heart of the other person. Love doesn’t erase the past, but it makes the future different.
The Full Tank
If I know my wife's primary love language and choose to speak it, her deepest emotional need will be met and she will feel secure in my love. If she does the same for me, my emotional needs are met and both of us live with a full “love tank”.
How do you create this kind of growing marriage? It all begins with the choice to love. I recognize that as a husband, God has given me the responsibility of meeting my wife’s need for love. I choose to accept that responsibility and learn how to speak her primary love language. What happens? My wife’s attitude and feelings toward me become positive. Now she reciprocates and my need for love is also met. Love is a choice.
It May Be Unnatural
What if speaking your spouse’s love language doesn’t come natural for you? The answer is simple: “You learn to speak it!” My wife’s love language is "acts of service". One of the things I do for her regularly as an act of love is to vacuum the floors. Do you think this comes naturally for me? You couldn’t pay me enough to vacuum the house. There is only one reason I do it: LOVE. You see, when it doesn’t come naturally to you, it is a greater expression of love.
The Key to Emotional Warmth
Your spouse has a primary love language, and if you learn to speak it, you will see a radical change in your spouse. The five love languages are words of affirmation, acts of service, quality time, physical touch and gifts.
Learn your spouse’s primary love language and you will have the key to unlocking warm feelings. You don’t have to have warm emotions toward your spouse to speak their language. Love is a choice.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Thursday, 9 July 2009
God Speaks: Gifts
Throughout the Scriptures, from beginning to end, God reveals Himself as a giver of gifts. Moses said of God, “He will love you and bless you and increase your numbers. He will bless the fruit of your womb, the crops of your land—your grain, new wine and oil—the calves of your herds and the lambs of your flocks in the land that he swore to your forefathers to give you.”
Throughout history, thousands of individuals whose primary love language is gifts have been drawn to God because He stands not as a judge to condemn, but as a Father who bestows forgiveness and eternal life to those who will receive His love.
True Joy
The message of Jesus was clear. One of the ways of expressing love to God is by giving gifts to those who need them. It is this truth that deeply motivates followers of Jesus. As one man said to me, “I never feel more joy than when I am giving to others. I feel like this is why God has given to me, and it is the way I can express my love to Him.”
Receiving to Give
How does someone receive God’s gift of love? Some gifts are given indiscriminately by God to everyone, such as the rising and setting of the sun, the gentle rain, spring flowers, and the seasons. God’s abundant gifts to us are yet another expression of His love, and we reflect that love by loving others. We receive the gifts of wisdom, insight, experience, expertise, and material possessions to enrich the lives of other people. God’s gifts are never given because we deserve them; they are given as expressions of His love for us. Thus, our gifts to others are not based upon the person’s performance or what the individual has done for us, but rather flow from our love for the person.
Ministry to Others
In a proper relationship with God, our desire is to receive gifts from Him that will enable us to give to others. Thus a pastor asks for wisdom in shepherding his flock; a parent asks for emotional and physical strength to support his or her children. If we ask for material possessions (which is not discouraged in the Scriptures), it is for the purpose of using them to enhance our ministry to others. Sincere followers of Jesus always ask, “How may I use what God gives me to minister to others?”
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Throughout history, thousands of individuals whose primary love language is gifts have been drawn to God because He stands not as a judge to condemn, but as a Father who bestows forgiveness and eternal life to those who will receive His love.
True Joy
The message of Jesus was clear. One of the ways of expressing love to God is by giving gifts to those who need them. It is this truth that deeply motivates followers of Jesus. As one man said to me, “I never feel more joy than when I am giving to others. I feel like this is why God has given to me, and it is the way I can express my love to Him.”
Receiving to Give
How does someone receive God’s gift of love? Some gifts are given indiscriminately by God to everyone, such as the rising and setting of the sun, the gentle rain, spring flowers, and the seasons. God’s abundant gifts to us are yet another expression of His love, and we reflect that love by loving others. We receive the gifts of wisdom, insight, experience, expertise, and material possessions to enrich the lives of other people. God’s gifts are never given because we deserve them; they are given as expressions of His love for us. Thus, our gifts to others are not based upon the person’s performance or what the individual has done for us, but rather flow from our love for the person.
Ministry to Others
In a proper relationship with God, our desire is to receive gifts from Him that will enable us to give to others. Thus a pastor asks for wisdom in shepherding his flock; a parent asks for emotional and physical strength to support his or her children. If we ask for material possessions (which is not discouraged in the Scriptures), it is for the purpose of using them to enhance our ministry to others. Sincere followers of Jesus always ask, “How may I use what God gives me to minister to others?”
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Distorted Anger
Satan has used many strategies to mischannel God’s intention for human anger. One of the most powerful is to make us think that all of our anger is of equal value; that is, that all of our anger is valid. Two kinds of anger exist: definitive and distorted. Definitive anger is born of wrongdoing. Someone treats us unfairly, lies about us or in some other way does us wrong. This is valid anger.
The second kind of anger, however, is not valid. It is triggered by a mere disappointment, an unfulfilled desire, a frustrated effort. No wrong was committed. This is distorted anger, and learning the difference between definitive and distorted anger is the first step in handling anger in a godly way.
Dirty Dishes
In distorted anger, a perceived wrong leads to the anger. Picture this. I eat dinner and leave for a meeting. I return three hours later to find the dirty dishes still on the table and my spouse on the couch watching TV. I am angry. Why? I perceive that they have been lazy, thoughtless, irresponsible. But If I pause and ask what happened that the dishes are still on the table, I may learn that my spouse has been sick and unable to wash the dishes. My anger is distorted.
Are You a Perfectionist?
Two questions are important in determining the validity of anger. The first is, “What wrong was committed?” The second is, “Am I sure I have all the facts?”
The perfectionist has high expectations not only for himself, but for others. When people do not live up to these expectations, he will often get angry. Such anger is distorted. Don’t allow your perfectionistic personality keep you angry with your spouse. Let your spouse be who he or she is - a little less than perfect.
Get the Facts
Often in marriage we get angry because something our spouse says or does embarrasses us. Something they fail to do irritates us. We start thinking, “I can’t depend on her for anything. She doesn’t love me. If she loved me, she would not let this happen.” When you are angry, think before you act. Make sure you have all of the facts, and pray for wisdom. You may discover that your anger is distorted.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
The second kind of anger, however, is not valid. It is triggered by a mere disappointment, an unfulfilled desire, a frustrated effort. No wrong was committed. This is distorted anger, and learning the difference between definitive and distorted anger is the first step in handling anger in a godly way.
Dirty Dishes
In distorted anger, a perceived wrong leads to the anger. Picture this. I eat dinner and leave for a meeting. I return three hours later to find the dirty dishes still on the table and my spouse on the couch watching TV. I am angry. Why? I perceive that they have been lazy, thoughtless, irresponsible. But If I pause and ask what happened that the dishes are still on the table, I may learn that my spouse has been sick and unable to wash the dishes. My anger is distorted.
Are You a Perfectionist?
Two questions are important in determining the validity of anger. The first is, “What wrong was committed?” The second is, “Am I sure I have all the facts?”
The perfectionist has high expectations not only for himself, but for others. When people do not live up to these expectations, he will often get angry. Such anger is distorted. Don’t allow your perfectionistic personality keep you angry with your spouse. Let your spouse be who he or she is - a little less than perfect.
Get the Facts
Often in marriage we get angry because something our spouse says or does embarrasses us. Something they fail to do irritates us. We start thinking, “I can’t depend on her for anything. She doesn’t love me. If she loved me, she would not let this happen.” When you are angry, think before you act. Make sure you have all of the facts, and pray for wisdom. You may discover that your anger is distorted.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Wednesday, 8 July 2009
Song Story: God Will Make A Way
From Don
05.01.09
(From the devotional book God Will Make A Way)
Late one evening, Don Moen received a phone call with devastating news: his wife’s sister had lost her oldest son in an automobile accident. Craig and Susan Phelps and their four sons were traveling through Texas on their way to Colorado when their van was struck broadside by an eighteen-wheeler truck. All four boys were thrown from the van.
Craig and Susan located their sons by their cries, one boy was lying in the ditch, another in an area wet from melted snow. Nearby was his brother who landed by a telephone pole. All were seriously injured, but when Craig, a medical doctor, reached Jeremy, he found him lying by a fence post with his neck broken. There was nothing Craig could do to revive him.
When Don received the news of this tragedy a few hours later, he recalls, My whole world came to a standstill, but I had to get on a plane the next morning and fly to a recording session that had been scheduled for several weeks. Although I knew Craig and Susan were hurting, I couldn’t be with them until the day before the funeral.
During the flight the morning after the accident, God gave me a song for them: God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. The song was based upon Isaiah 43:19 NASB Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
This song would bring comfort to Craig and Susan when all hope seemed lost. It touched the hurt in their hearts with hope and encouragement. Don received a letter from Susan in which she quoted Isaiah 43:4 NASB: Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.
Susan wrote, We’ve seen the truth of the scripture. When Jeremy’s friends learned that he had accepted Jesus into his life before he died, many of them began to ask their own parents how they could be assured of going to heaven when they died. The accident also prompted Craig and Susan into a deeper walk with the Lord as well as into new avenues of ministry. Craig began teaching Sunday school at their church and Susan became active in Women’s Aglow, sharing with various groups her story and the Lord’s provision in her time of sorrow.
She has since said, “The day of the accident, when I got out of the van, even before I knew our son was dead, I knew I had a choice. I could be bitter and angry or I could totally accept God and whatever He had for us. I had to make the decision fast. I’ve seen fruit come as a result of that choice. If I had to, I’d do it again. It’s worth knowing others will go to heaven because of what happened to Jeremy. God really did make a way for us!”
05.01.09
(From the devotional book God Will Make A Way)
Late one evening, Don Moen received a phone call with devastating news: his wife’s sister had lost her oldest son in an automobile accident. Craig and Susan Phelps and their four sons were traveling through Texas on their way to Colorado when their van was struck broadside by an eighteen-wheeler truck. All four boys were thrown from the van.
Craig and Susan located their sons by their cries, one boy was lying in the ditch, another in an area wet from melted snow. Nearby was his brother who landed by a telephone pole. All were seriously injured, but when Craig, a medical doctor, reached Jeremy, he found him lying by a fence post with his neck broken. There was nothing Craig could do to revive him.
When Don received the news of this tragedy a few hours later, he recalls, My whole world came to a standstill, but I had to get on a plane the next morning and fly to a recording session that had been scheduled for several weeks. Although I knew Craig and Susan were hurting, I couldn’t be with them until the day before the funeral.
During the flight the morning after the accident, God gave me a song for them: God will make a way where there seems to be no way. He works in ways we cannot see. He will make a way for me. The song was based upon Isaiah 43:19 NASB Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
This song would bring comfort to Craig and Susan when all hope seemed lost. It touched the hurt in their hearts with hope and encouragement. Don received a letter from Susan in which she quoted Isaiah 43:4 NASB: Since you are precious in My sight, since you are honored and I love you, I will give other men in your place and other peoples in exchange for your life.
Susan wrote, We’ve seen the truth of the scripture. When Jeremy’s friends learned that he had accepted Jesus into his life before he died, many of them began to ask their own parents how they could be assured of going to heaven when they died. The accident also prompted Craig and Susan into a deeper walk with the Lord as well as into new avenues of ministry. Craig began teaching Sunday school at their church and Susan became active in Women’s Aglow, sharing with various groups her story and the Lord’s provision in her time of sorrow.
She has since said, “The day of the accident, when I got out of the van, even before I knew our son was dead, I knew I had a choice. I could be bitter and angry or I could totally accept God and whatever He had for us. I had to make the decision fast. I’ve seen fruit come as a result of that choice. If I had to, I’d do it again. It’s worth knowing others will go to heaven because of what happened to Jeremy. God really did make a way for us!”
Tuesday, 7 July 2009
God Speaks: Quality Time
The idea that the eternal God desires to spend quality time with His creatures is one aspect of faith unique to Christianity. The gods who have been created by the imagination of human minds have always been far removed from people’s daily lives. The gods of the ancient Greek and Roman myths had to be placated or feared. The idea of having a close personal relationship with those deities did not exist.
Jesus' Prayer
Jesus indicated that the desire of the entire Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—was to “abide” (make a home) with anyone who responds to God’s love. Jesus promised never to leave His followers, and told them that He would be with them forever. In one of Jesus’ prayers, He said, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” Clearly, Jesus desired quality time with all of those who responded to His love.
Love Expressed
The Psalms often speak of God’s love for those He created and His desire to draw near and spend quality time with them. For example, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” The New Testament describes a similar relationship with God as James promises, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Do You Desire Quality Time?
When someone’s primary love language is quality time, uninterrupted times of communion with God are not difficult, but joyous. They are not burden-causing, but burden lifting. Recently a woman told me, “I feel closest to God when I have my daily quiet time with Him. It is the most important part of my day. When I miss that time, my whole day seems empty and I don’t feel as close to God. It is in those personal times with Him that I feel His love.” Not everyone would echo this woman’s sentiment, but it is certainly true of those individuals whose primary love language is quality time. Those who seek time with God will discover that He is ready and waiting to meet with them. Quality time is a love language that He is always prepared to speak.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Jesus' Prayer
Jesus indicated that the desire of the entire Trinity—God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit—was to “abide” (make a home) with anyone who responds to God’s love. Jesus promised never to leave His followers, and told them that He would be with them forever. In one of Jesus’ prayers, He said, “Father, I want those you have given me to be with me where I am, and to see my glory, the glory you have given me because you loved me before the creation of the world.” Clearly, Jesus desired quality time with all of those who responded to His love.
Love Expressed
The Psalms often speak of God’s love for those He created and His desire to draw near and spend quality time with them. For example, “The LORD is righteous in all his ways and loving toward all he has made. The LORD is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth.” The New Testament describes a similar relationship with God as James promises, “Come near to God and he will come near to you.”
Do You Desire Quality Time?
When someone’s primary love language is quality time, uninterrupted times of communion with God are not difficult, but joyous. They are not burden-causing, but burden lifting. Recently a woman told me, “I feel closest to God when I have my daily quiet time with Him. It is the most important part of my day. When I miss that time, my whole day seems empty and I don’t feel as close to God. It is in those personal times with Him that I feel His love.” Not everyone would echo this woman’s sentiment, but it is certainly true of those individuals whose primary love language is quality time. Those who seek time with God will discover that He is ready and waiting to meet with them. Quality time is a love language that He is always prepared to speak.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
What Love Really Means
What does it mean to really love your spouse? If you took a survey among your married friends and asked what it means to really love your spouse, you’d get many answers.
I've heard one response that said, “Love is the feeling that you have when you have a feeling like you’ve never had before.” There is an emotional aspect to love, but when the Bible says “Husbands, love your wives like Christ loved the church,” I don’t think it’s talking about emotions. Why? Because husbands are commanded to love their wives, and you can’t command emotions. Emotions come and go with the circumstances, but love is to be there no matter what. Love is far more concerned with attitudes and actions.
Can You Control Love?
Couples often come to me in the midst of marriage difficulty. They are at the point of separation. When I ask why, they share their points of contention and conclude with the clincher, “We just don’t love each other anymore.” That is supposed to settle it. Or, “It’s beyond our control.” I don’t believe that.
In Ephesians 5:25, husbands are commanded to love their wives. In Titus 2:4, wives are told that they must learn to love their husbands. Anything which can be commanded, taught, and learned is not beyond our control. You may have lost your warm romantic feelings, but love is another matter.
I Corinthians 13 describes love as being patient and kind, not arrogant or rude. It describes love as refusing to keep a score of wrongs and never holding on to grudges. These words are not describing a feeling. They are talking about the way we think and behave. We can love each other without having the “tingles” for each other.
Love Through Words
There are two basic ways to express love in a marriage: words and deeds. Today we look at words. I Corinthians 8:1 says, “Love edifies.” If I want to love, I will use words that build up my spouse. “You look nice in that outfit.” “Thanks for taking the garbage out.” “I appreciate your walking the dog for me Tuesday night.” All of these are expressions of love.
Proverbs 18:21 says “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” You can kill your spouse with negative words. You can give life with positive words.
I’ve never met a man or woman whom you couldn’t find something good to say about them. When you say it, there is something inside of them that wants to be better. Say something nice to your spouse today and see what happens.
Ways to Show Your Love
Last week I suggested that there are two basic ways to express love to your spouse: words and deeds. Today we look at deeds. The apostle John said, “Love not in word only, but in deed.” Do something to show your love.
Love is kind, the Bible says. So, find something kind and do it. It might be an unexpected gift, or washing the car that they drive. It might be keeping the children while they go shopping or hiking. Or, how about a love letter. How long has it been since you wrote your spouse a love letter? Or, perhaps dinner at a restaurant that doesn’t have a drive through window.
Love is patient. So, stop pacing the floor while your spouse is getting ready to go. Sit down, relax, read your Bible and pray. Love is also courteous. The word means court-like. So, do some of the things you did when you were courting. Do you remember, ladies, how you used to reach over and touch his neck? Do you remember, guys, how you used to open the car door for her? Express your love by your actions.
Loving the Unlovely
Now I want to give you a very difficult challenge. It is found in the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew chapter five, “Love your enemies.” Anyone have a husband who qualifies? “Pray for those who persecute you.” You feel persecuted? Pray for the one who is persecuting you. And I don’t think he means pray that the wrath of God will fall on them.
This is the challenge to love an unlovely spouse. It’s fairly easy to love your spouse when your spouse is loving you. But what if they treat you harshly, take advantage of you, and humiliate you? For this, you will need the help of God. God specializes in loving the unlovely. When I say love, I’m not talking about trying to have warm feelings for the person. I’m talking about choosing to see them as a person of worth, as someone for whom Christ died.
Therefore, I will talk to them and treat them with dignity and respect. In so doing, I may be God’s agent of love. Who knows? They may even begin to reciprocate.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from Dr. Gary Chapman on the Marriage You've Always Wanted by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
I've heard one response that said, “Love is the feeling that you have when you have a feeling like you’ve never had before.” There is an emotional aspect to love, but when the Bible says “Husbands, love your wives like Christ loved the church,” I don’t think it’s talking about emotions. Why? Because husbands are commanded to love their wives, and you can’t command emotions. Emotions come and go with the circumstances, but love is to be there no matter what. Love is far more concerned with attitudes and actions.
Can You Control Love?
Couples often come to me in the midst of marriage difficulty. They are at the point of separation. When I ask why, they share their points of contention and conclude with the clincher, “We just don’t love each other anymore.” That is supposed to settle it. Or, “It’s beyond our control.” I don’t believe that.
In Ephesians 5:25, husbands are commanded to love their wives. In Titus 2:4, wives are told that they must learn to love their husbands. Anything which can be commanded, taught, and learned is not beyond our control. You may have lost your warm romantic feelings, but love is another matter.
I Corinthians 13 describes love as being patient and kind, not arrogant or rude. It describes love as refusing to keep a score of wrongs and never holding on to grudges. These words are not describing a feeling. They are talking about the way we think and behave. We can love each other without having the “tingles” for each other.
Love Through Words
There are two basic ways to express love in a marriage: words and deeds. Today we look at words. I Corinthians 8:1 says, “Love edifies.” If I want to love, I will use words that build up my spouse. “You look nice in that outfit.” “Thanks for taking the garbage out.” “I appreciate your walking the dog for me Tuesday night.” All of these are expressions of love.
Proverbs 18:21 says “life and death are in the power of the tongue.” You can kill your spouse with negative words. You can give life with positive words.
I’ve never met a man or woman whom you couldn’t find something good to say about them. When you say it, there is something inside of them that wants to be better. Say something nice to your spouse today and see what happens.
Ways to Show Your Love
Last week I suggested that there are two basic ways to express love to your spouse: words and deeds. Today we look at deeds. The apostle John said, “Love not in word only, but in deed.” Do something to show your love.
Love is kind, the Bible says. So, find something kind and do it. It might be an unexpected gift, or washing the car that they drive. It might be keeping the children while they go shopping or hiking. Or, how about a love letter. How long has it been since you wrote your spouse a love letter? Or, perhaps dinner at a restaurant that doesn’t have a drive through window.
Love is patient. So, stop pacing the floor while your spouse is getting ready to go. Sit down, relax, read your Bible and pray. Love is also courteous. The word means court-like. So, do some of the things you did when you were courting. Do you remember, ladies, how you used to reach over and touch his neck? Do you remember, guys, how you used to open the car door for her? Express your love by your actions.
Loving the Unlovely
Now I want to give you a very difficult challenge. It is found in the words of Jesus recorded in Matthew chapter five, “Love your enemies.” Anyone have a husband who qualifies? “Pray for those who persecute you.” You feel persecuted? Pray for the one who is persecuting you. And I don’t think he means pray that the wrath of God will fall on them.
This is the challenge to love an unlovely spouse. It’s fairly easy to love your spouse when your spouse is loving you. But what if they treat you harshly, take advantage of you, and humiliate you? For this, you will need the help of God. God specializes in loving the unlovely. When I say love, I’m not talking about trying to have warm feelings for the person. I’m talking about choosing to see them as a person of worth, as someone for whom Christ died.
Therefore, I will talk to them and treat them with dignity and respect. In so doing, I may be God’s agent of love. Who knows? They may even begin to reciprocate.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from Dr. Gary Chapman on the Marriage You've Always Wanted by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Sunday, 5 July 2009
You Become What You Worship
All men are worshipers. We are all slaves to worship. We are always worshiping something or somebody. If not, then we are possibly worshiping ourselves. We become what we worship.
It all began when God created all the heavenly beings: the angelic hosts, the archangels, together with one angel called Lucifer, meaning the 'Morning Star'. Lucifer was a very beautiful angel in Heaven. The Bible tells us that Lucifer was created so beautiful that he was the sum total of God's creation. "You were the seat of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty." - Ezekiel 28:12.
But because of his beauty, he forgot who made him so beautiful and so glorious. He questioned why he should lead all creation to worship the Maker, when he himself be should be worshiped. He then declared that he would dethrone the Creator and enthrone himself. That 'self-worship' was the beginning of sin and self-destruction. God cast him down to planet Earth, and then, God took the dust to make man. God said "I will now glorify myself in this creature - man."
When Lucifer fell, worship fell. His name was changed from Lucifer to Satan. Satan means 'the accuser' or 'the slanderer'. Because he cannot stand the beauty of God, and lives in darkness, Satan then accusers and slanders the Light. As he was cast down, he fights for the worship of man. One third of the angelic hosts were deceived by Satan and he led them in rebellion. Because Lucifer was so proud of his body, God disembodied him and all his angels. That's why the Devil (Satan) has to seek a body to dwell in to destroy.
Lucifer, like you and I, was created for worship. As he worshiped God, he began to put on the likeness of God; the beauty of God, the wisdom of God and the perfection of God. You become what you worship. That's why God calls us to worship Him, because when we do, we are changed into His likeness. Here it says that his merchandise - that which he traded, that which he possessed, and that which he had - all began increase, and he become so powerful, so beautiful, and perfect. That's why we should worship God, because we will become like Him, and will put on His likeness. In the midst of our pain and sorrows, God cries out to us, "Worship Me! Worship Me! For when you worship Me, I can minister to you, I can straighten you, and I can heal you. Whenever you are in trouble, worship Me, and praise Me, because it gives Me the legal right to intervene and to interfere in your affairs and lift you up."
It is very easy to tell whom you are worshiping, because you show the same characteristic of whom you worship. Since the early sixties, people idolised the different pop stars, and imitate their dressing and their behavior. They dress like them and had the same hairstyles like them to look like them. Idols distract our worship from our Maker. They cause us to take our eyes away from Him, and to honour, worship and submit ourselves to something other than the Creator. Because we are worshiping something all the time, God had to make Himself visible, took the form of human flesh, so that all our senses can see Him, hear Him, and touch Him. In this ,we can then know how God talks, lives and behaves; and we can then worship Him and imitate Him, so that we become Christians. If we are not following Him and imitating Him, then we are not Christians, though we may call ourselves Christians.
The war is on for worship. As Lucifer worshiped God, he began to put on His likeness and His strength, and God multiplied and increased his merchandise. Then pride came, and he fell. He forgot who created Him.
You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. - Ezekiel 28:15.
In the same way, many of us also forget who made us. We are all made by God to worship Him. That's why Jesus came into this world - so that we can worship Him.
Praising and adoring God is the noblest part of the saint's work on earth As it will be his chief employ in heaven.
It all began when God created all the heavenly beings: the angelic hosts, the archangels, together with one angel called Lucifer, meaning the 'Morning Star'. Lucifer was a very beautiful angel in Heaven. The Bible tells us that Lucifer was created so beautiful that he was the sum total of God's creation. "You were the seat of perfection, full of wisdom and perfect in beauty." - Ezekiel 28:12.
But because of his beauty, he forgot who made him so beautiful and so glorious. He questioned why he should lead all creation to worship the Maker, when he himself be should be worshiped. He then declared that he would dethrone the Creator and enthrone himself. That 'self-worship' was the beginning of sin and self-destruction. God cast him down to planet Earth, and then, God took the dust to make man. God said "I will now glorify myself in this creature - man."
When Lucifer fell, worship fell. His name was changed from Lucifer to Satan. Satan means 'the accuser' or 'the slanderer'. Because he cannot stand the beauty of God, and lives in darkness, Satan then accusers and slanders the Light. As he was cast down, he fights for the worship of man. One third of the angelic hosts were deceived by Satan and he led them in rebellion. Because Lucifer was so proud of his body, God disembodied him and all his angels. That's why the Devil (Satan) has to seek a body to dwell in to destroy.
Lucifer, like you and I, was created for worship. As he worshiped God, he began to put on the likeness of God; the beauty of God, the wisdom of God and the perfection of God. You become what you worship. That's why God calls us to worship Him, because when we do, we are changed into His likeness. Here it says that his merchandise - that which he traded, that which he possessed, and that which he had - all began increase, and he become so powerful, so beautiful, and perfect. That's why we should worship God, because we will become like Him, and will put on His likeness. In the midst of our pain and sorrows, God cries out to us, "Worship Me! Worship Me! For when you worship Me, I can minister to you, I can straighten you, and I can heal you. Whenever you are in trouble, worship Me, and praise Me, because it gives Me the legal right to intervene and to interfere in your affairs and lift you up."
It is very easy to tell whom you are worshiping, because you show the same characteristic of whom you worship. Since the early sixties, people idolised the different pop stars, and imitate their dressing and their behavior. They dress like them and had the same hairstyles like them to look like them. Idols distract our worship from our Maker. They cause us to take our eyes away from Him, and to honour, worship and submit ourselves to something other than the Creator. Because we are worshiping something all the time, God had to make Himself visible, took the form of human flesh, so that all our senses can see Him, hear Him, and touch Him. In this ,we can then know how God talks, lives and behaves; and we can then worship Him and imitate Him, so that we become Christians. If we are not following Him and imitating Him, then we are not Christians, though we may call ourselves Christians.
The war is on for worship. As Lucifer worshiped God, he began to put on His likeness and His strength, and God multiplied and increased his merchandise. Then pride came, and he fell. He forgot who created Him.
You were perfect in your ways from the day you were created, till iniquity was found in you. - Ezekiel 28:15.
In the same way, many of us also forget who made us. We are all made by God to worship Him. That's why Jesus came into this world - so that we can worship Him.
Praising and adoring God is the noblest part of the saint's work on earth As it will be his chief employ in heaven.
Sunday Sermon 5 July 2009
Speaker: Dr. Siow Khim Woon
White Fields Assembly Seremban
http://www.fileqube.com/file/njlexKcO204571
(7MB 55 minutes 16Khz 16Kbps MP3)
Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.
White Fields Assembly Seremban
http://www.fileqube.com/file/njlexKcO204571
(7MB 55 minutes 16Khz 16Kbps MP3)
Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.
God Speaks: Words of Affirmation
Reuben taught his congregation the love languages. He taught that giving gifts to God (tithes, offerings, our time and skills in service) is one expression of love, and that people show love to God by serving others. He acknowledged the discipline of meditation and prayer in which one spends quality time with God. But for Reuben, the most natural expression of his love to God was using words both to affirm God and to encourage others.
Are Reuben’s experiences with God unique? Not at all. The Bible is filled with illustrations of God speaking words of affirmation. The Bible itself is often known as the “Word of God.”
God's Words to Us
The God of the Bible is characterized as the God who speaks. The Scriptures consistently declare God’s words of encouragement:
All of these words from God affirm the worth of human beings.
Words to Praise Him
Many individuals testify that a “God connection” resulted from reading the Bible. As a young monk, Martin Luther sought to find peace with God. Sitting alone in his room, deeply concerned about his relationship with God, Luther opened his Bible and began to read Paul’s letter to the Romans. When he came to Romans chapter 1, verse 17, he read, “The just shall live by faith” (KJV). He paused and pondered. Then unspeakable joy flooded his heart.
Thousands of contemporary followers of Jesus can identify with him. Their hearts have been captured by the words of God, and they reciprocate His love by expressing words of praise. They feel closest to God when they sing praise to Him and during praying. Their prayers flow with praise and thanksgiving to God, telling Him how much they love Him.
But for another significant group, their method of worshiping and expressing their love to God does not focus on words, but on quality time. We will turn our attention to that group next time as we examine another love language of God.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Are Reuben’s experiences with God unique? Not at all. The Bible is filled with illustrations of God speaking words of affirmation. The Bible itself is often known as the “Word of God.”
God's Words to Us
The God of the Bible is characterized as the God who speaks. The Scriptures consistently declare God’s words of encouragement:
* “Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
* “For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
* “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
* “For I know the plans I have for you...plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
* “I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with loving-kindness.”
All of these words from God affirm the worth of human beings.
Words to Praise Him
Many individuals testify that a “God connection” resulted from reading the Bible. As a young monk, Martin Luther sought to find peace with God. Sitting alone in his room, deeply concerned about his relationship with God, Luther opened his Bible and began to read Paul’s letter to the Romans. When he came to Romans chapter 1, verse 17, he read, “The just shall live by faith” (KJV). He paused and pondered. Then unspeakable joy flooded his heart.
Thousands of contemporary followers of Jesus can identify with him. Their hearts have been captured by the words of God, and they reciprocate His love by expressing words of praise. They feel closest to God when they sing praise to Him and during praying. Their prayers flow with praise and thanksgiving to God, telling Him how much they love Him.
But for another significant group, their method of worshiping and expressing their love to God does not focus on words, but on quality time. We will turn our attention to that group next time as we examine another love language of God.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Friday, 3 July 2009
God Speaks Your Love Language
After almost forty years of counseling couples and families, I am convinced that there are five basic languages of love. There may be many “dialects,” but only five languages. Each person has a primary love language, which means that one of the five love languages speaks more deeply than the other four on an emotional level. When someone speaks my primary love language, I am drawn to that person because he or she is meeting my basic need to feel loved.
The five love languages are more fully explained in my previous books, but let me briefly review them:
(1) Words of Affirmation
(2) Quality Time
(3) Gifts
(4) Acts of Service
(5) Physical Touch
Feeling God's Love
Susan was my first appointment of the day, and I felt like crying when I heard her story. Her father had committed suicide when she was thirteen. Her brother was killed in Vietnam. Six months ago, her husband had left her for another woman. She and her two small children were living with her mother. I felt like crying...but Susan wasn’t crying. In fact, she was vibrant, almost radiant.
Later the same day I had an appointment with Regina. Her parents had divorced when she was ten years old. She saw her father only twice after the divorce: once at her high school graduation and again at her younger sister’s funeral. Her sister had been killed in an auto accident. She was in my office because she was contemplating a fourth marriage. “I don’t want to grow old alone, but I don’t have a very good track record with marriage. My mother keeps telling me that God loves me and has a plan for my life. Right now I don’t feel God’s love, and I think I must have missed the plan. I’m not even sure there is a God.”
Two ladies, each having experienced enough pain for a lifetime. One feels deeply loved by God; the other feels empty. Why do some people claim to experience God’s love very deeply, while others feel so distant from God that they are unsure God even exists? I believe the answer lies in the nature of love itself. Love is not a solo experience. Love requires both a lover and a responder. If God is the divine lover, why do not all of His creatures feel His love?
God's Languages
God Speaks Your Love Language (to release February 2009) builds on the concepts from my previous books and considers the love languages of God. It is my premise that the love languages observed in human relationships all reflect various aspects of divine love. If people are indeed made in the image of God, and if people have five distinct love languages, then we would expect to find all those love languages expressed in the character and nature of God. Indeed, God speaks every language, so it is not surprising to discover that He communicates fluently through each of the five love languages. In the weeks to come, I'll discuss each of these.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
The five love languages are more fully explained in my previous books, but let me briefly review them:
(1) Words of Affirmation
(2) Quality Time
(3) Gifts
(4) Acts of Service
(5) Physical Touch
Feeling God's Love
Susan was my first appointment of the day, and I felt like crying when I heard her story. Her father had committed suicide when she was thirteen. Her brother was killed in Vietnam. Six months ago, her husband had left her for another woman. She and her two small children were living with her mother. I felt like crying...but Susan wasn’t crying. In fact, she was vibrant, almost radiant.
Later the same day I had an appointment with Regina. Her parents had divorced when she was ten years old. She saw her father only twice after the divorce: once at her high school graduation and again at her younger sister’s funeral. Her sister had been killed in an auto accident. She was in my office because she was contemplating a fourth marriage. “I don’t want to grow old alone, but I don’t have a very good track record with marriage. My mother keeps telling me that God loves me and has a plan for my life. Right now I don’t feel God’s love, and I think I must have missed the plan. I’m not even sure there is a God.”
Two ladies, each having experienced enough pain for a lifetime. One feels deeply loved by God; the other feels empty. Why do some people claim to experience God’s love very deeply, while others feel so distant from God that they are unsure God even exists? I believe the answer lies in the nature of love itself. Love is not a solo experience. Love requires both a lover and a responder. If God is the divine lover, why do not all of His creatures feel His love?
God's Languages
God Speaks Your Love Language (to release February 2009) builds on the concepts from my previous books and considers the love languages of God. It is my premise that the love languages observed in human relationships all reflect various aspects of divine love. If people are indeed made in the image of God, and if people have five distinct love languages, then we would expect to find all those love languages expressed in the character and nature of God. Indeed, God speaks every language, so it is not surprising to discover that He communicates fluently through each of the five love languages. In the weeks to come, I'll discuss each of these.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from God Speaks Your Love Language by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Thursday, 2 July 2009
12 JULY 2009
12 July 09
Liong KC
Foong Yee
Hong Lu, Tian Sia, Siew Pin
Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui
Ken Fhui
Nicholas
Jocelyn Lee, Timothy C.
Hiew FF, Manjit
Liong KC
Foong Yee
Hong Lu, Tian Sia, Siew Pin
Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui
Ken Fhui
Nicholas
Jocelyn Lee, Timothy C.
Hiew FF, Manjit
Wednesday, 1 July 2009
Balancing Work and Family
Is it possible that we may be working so hard to support our families financially that we end up losing our families? Then money becomes empty compensation. This week we’ll talk about the issue of money and marriage.
What is most important in life? If we are given stark choices, the issue becomes clear. If someone offered you one million dollars for your child or your spouse, would you take it? Any sensible parent or spouse would say, “No”. But do we not sell our families for much less when we spend all of our energy working for money and have no time left to enjoy our relationships?.
Balance
Work is a noble endeavor. In fact the Bible says that if a man will not work, neither should he eat. But can we work too much? Is vocational success worth losing a marriage? The Scriptures teach that life’s meaning is not found in things, but in relationships. It is found first in a relationship with God, and then with family and others.
Family relationships are always in process. If we want to keep our marriages alive, our families healthy, then we must find ways of balancing work and family. Thousands of men and women are finding that a growing marriage and a healthy family requires readjusting schedules from time to time. The key question is, “How does my work affect my marriage and family?” Once I answer that question, I will know if I need to change my work patterns.
Integration & Time Management
The answer is not always less work. Sometimes it is integrating the family into my work. For example, does your work allow the opportunity for you and your spouse to have lunch together from time to time? Such lunches can be an oasis in the midst of a dry day.
If your work requires travel, could you take your spouse or one of your children with you? This allows a mini-vacation which you might not otherwise be able to afford. It also exposes your family to your vocation and gives them a little more appreciation for what you do.
Less work and more time at home is not necessarily the answer. Better use of time at home may make all the difference. Do something different tonight with your spouse or with a child. Get out of the routine. Minimize the television and maximize activity and conversation. Keep your marriage alive and growing.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from Dr. Gary Chapman on the Marriage You've Always Wanted by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
What is most important in life? If we are given stark choices, the issue becomes clear. If someone offered you one million dollars for your child or your spouse, would you take it? Any sensible parent or spouse would say, “No”. But do we not sell our families for much less when we spend all of our energy working for money and have no time left to enjoy our relationships?.
Balance
Work is a noble endeavor. In fact the Bible says that if a man will not work, neither should he eat. But can we work too much? Is vocational success worth losing a marriage? The Scriptures teach that life’s meaning is not found in things, but in relationships. It is found first in a relationship with God, and then with family and others.
Family relationships are always in process. If we want to keep our marriages alive, our families healthy, then we must find ways of balancing work and family. Thousands of men and women are finding that a growing marriage and a healthy family requires readjusting schedules from time to time. The key question is, “How does my work affect my marriage and family?” Once I answer that question, I will know if I need to change my work patterns.
Integration & Time Management
The answer is not always less work. Sometimes it is integrating the family into my work. For example, does your work allow the opportunity for you and your spouse to have lunch together from time to time? Such lunches can be an oasis in the midst of a dry day.
If your work requires travel, could you take your spouse or one of your children with you? This allows a mini-vacation which you might not otherwise be able to afford. It also exposes your family to your vocation and gives them a little more appreciation for what you do.
Less work and more time at home is not necessarily the answer. Better use of time at home may make all the difference. Do something different tonight with your spouse or with a child. Get out of the routine. Minimize the television and maximize activity and conversation. Keep your marriage alive and growing.
There are five love languages. What's yours? Take the 30-second quiz.
Excerpt taken from Dr. Gary Chapman on the Marriage You've Always Wanted by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Gary Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Loving Your Child Through Quality Time
Four-year-old Sara is pulling on her mother’s leg. “Mommy, Mommy, let’s go play!” “I can’t play right now,” her mother says. “I’m making potato salad. I’ll play with you as soon as I finish.” Two minutes later Sara returns to ask again.
What can we learn from this scenario? Sara is revealing her primary love language – quality time. What really makes her feel loved is her mother’s undivided attention. However, her mother may see her pleading as irritating. Don’t ignore your child’s irritating behavior. They are giving you valuable information.
Are You Speaking the Right Love Language?
Quality time means giving a child your undivided attention. If you are a parent, do your children feel loved? I didn’t ask, "Do you love your children?" I know the answer to that. It is not enough to be sincere. It’s highly possible that you are not speaking your child’s love language.
If you don’t give them quality time, they will not feel loved even though you are giving them ‘words of affirmation’, ‘physical touch’ ‘gifts’ and ‘acts of service’. If your child is begging you to do things with them, then quality time is likely their love language. If you haven’t read my book The Five Love Languages of Children, I urge you to do so.
How to Give Quality Time
All children love stories. When they are small we read to them, and the story often leads to exciting conversations. Stories often stimulate emotions. Asking a child, “How does that make you feel?” is a way of helping the child learn to express emotions. Children also like to hear you tell stories about your childhood. You can give the child a sense of belonging when sharing your stories.
Reading and telling stories is one way to give a child ‘quality time’. For those brief moments, the child has your undivided attention. If this is the child’s primary love language, then nothing is more important in making that child feel loved. When you meet a child’s need for love, you are laying the foundation for a bright future.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Adapted from The Five Love Languages of Children by Dr. Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
What can we learn from this scenario? Sara is revealing her primary love language – quality time. What really makes her feel loved is her mother’s undivided attention. However, her mother may see her pleading as irritating. Don’t ignore your child’s irritating behavior. They are giving you valuable information.
Are You Speaking the Right Love Language?
Quality time means giving a child your undivided attention. If you are a parent, do your children feel loved? I didn’t ask, "Do you love your children?" I know the answer to that. It is not enough to be sincere. It’s highly possible that you are not speaking your child’s love language.
If you don’t give them quality time, they will not feel loved even though you are giving them ‘words of affirmation’, ‘physical touch’ ‘gifts’ and ‘acts of service’. If your child is begging you to do things with them, then quality time is likely their love language. If you haven’t read my book The Five Love Languages of Children, I urge you to do so.
How to Give Quality Time
All children love stories. When they are small we read to them, and the story often leads to exciting conversations. Stories often stimulate emotions. Asking a child, “How does that make you feel?” is a way of helping the child learn to express emotions. Children also like to hear you tell stories about your childhood. You can give the child a sense of belonging when sharing your stories.
Reading and telling stories is one way to give a child ‘quality time’. For those brief moments, the child has your undivided attention. If this is the child’s primary love language, then nothing is more important in making that child feel loved. When you meet a child’s need for love, you are laying the foundation for a bright future.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Adapted from The Five Love Languages of Children by Dr. Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell. To find out more about his resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Tuesday, 30 June 2009
Song Story: I Offer My Life
From Don
05.03.09
It was 10:30 P.M., and I was still in my office working on the final song list for John Chisum’s new project called “Firm Foundation.” I knew there was something missing on the list and I felt somewhere on this project we needed to say, "Lord I Offer My Life To You … Everything I’ve Been Through," because this particular project was dealing with inner healing believing that God can restore everything that has been broken in your life. It was important to say something like, “God, I believe you can use all that I have been through for your glory, somehow.”
I decided to call Claire Cloninger who I love to write with. She is one of the most incredible lyricists I have ever known. I called her at 10:30 P.M., and after apologizing for calling so late, told her what I was looking for and played a bit of the chorus of the song over the phone. “Lord, I Offer My Life To You … Everything I’ve Been Through," and told her what I think the song needed to say. In 15 minutes she faxed over some lyrics and we spent 10 more minutes on the phone tweaking this and that and by 11:00 PM the song was finished! I still sing this song at almost every concert.
One little bit of trivia here. There is also a pretty nice bridge to this song that we recorded on Firm Foundation but I have never used it when I sing the song live. I think the reason is because it’s a little tricky and a congregation could get lost singing it. I like to get right to the heart of a song and stay there.
- Don
05.03.09
It was 10:30 P.M., and I was still in my office working on the final song list for John Chisum’s new project called “Firm Foundation.” I knew there was something missing on the list and I felt somewhere on this project we needed to say, "Lord I Offer My Life To You … Everything I’ve Been Through," because this particular project was dealing with inner healing believing that God can restore everything that has been broken in your life. It was important to say something like, “God, I believe you can use all that I have been through for your glory, somehow.”
I decided to call Claire Cloninger who I love to write with. She is one of the most incredible lyricists I have ever known. I called her at 10:30 P.M., and after apologizing for calling so late, told her what I was looking for and played a bit of the chorus of the song over the phone. “Lord, I Offer My Life To You … Everything I’ve Been Through," and told her what I think the song needed to say. In 15 minutes she faxed over some lyrics and we spent 10 more minutes on the phone tweaking this and that and by 11:00 PM the song was finished! I still sing this song at almost every concert.
One little bit of trivia here. There is also a pretty nice bridge to this song that we recorded on Firm Foundation but I have never used it when I sing the song live. I think the reason is because it’s a little tricky and a congregation could get lost singing it. I like to get right to the heart of a song and stay there.
- Don
Monday, 29 June 2009
Loving Children Effectively
Most parents love their children, but many children do not feel loved. I like to picture that inside every child is an emotional love tank. When the tank is full, the child grows up emotionally healthy. But when the love tank is empty, the child will grow up with many internal struggles. Loving children effectively requires parents to express love in a language that the child understands.
Children and the Love Languages
Every child has a special way of receiving love. When Dr. Ross Campbell and I wrote The Five Love Languages of Children, we discovered that children understand love in five basic ways: physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts and acts of service. If you have several children, chances are they each understand love in a different way.
Wrap Your Discipline in Love!
Loving children must be unconditional. Unconditional love says to a child, "I love you no matter what." Don’t withhold your love from a child when they misbehave. A child’s emotional love tank must be filled before any effective training or discipline can take place. A child with a full love tank can respond to parental guidance without resentment. On the other hand, when the child does not feel loved, the discipline seems harsh and unfair. Discipline wrapped in love is the most effective discipline.
The First Eighteen Months
During infancy, a child does not distinguish between milk and tenderness, between solid food and love. Without food a child will starve. Without love, a child will starve emotionally and can become impaired for life. A great deal of research indicates that the emotional foundation of life is laid in the first eighteen months of life, particularly in the mother/child relationship. Speak all five languages to your child the first eighteen months, and you are laying the best possible foundation for emotional health.
Teaching children how to express love to others in all five languages prepares your child for good relationships as an adult. Your example is the most effective method of teaching. Love your children effectively and they will learn to love others.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Adapted from The Five Love Languages of Children by Dr. Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Children and the Love Languages
Every child has a special way of receiving love. When Dr. Ross Campbell and I wrote The Five Love Languages of Children, we discovered that children understand love in five basic ways: physical touch, words of affirmation, quality time, gifts and acts of service. If you have several children, chances are they each understand love in a different way.
Wrap Your Discipline in Love!
Loving children must be unconditional. Unconditional love says to a child, "I love you no matter what." Don’t withhold your love from a child when they misbehave. A child’s emotional love tank must be filled before any effective training or discipline can take place. A child with a full love tank can respond to parental guidance without resentment. On the other hand, when the child does not feel loved, the discipline seems harsh and unfair. Discipline wrapped in love is the most effective discipline.
The First Eighteen Months
During infancy, a child does not distinguish between milk and tenderness, between solid food and love. Without food a child will starve. Without love, a child will starve emotionally and can become impaired for life. A great deal of research indicates that the emotional foundation of life is laid in the first eighteen months of life, particularly in the mother/child relationship. Speak all five languages to your child the first eighteen months, and you are laying the best possible foundation for emotional health.
Teaching children how to express love to others in all five languages prepares your child for good relationships as an adult. Your example is the most effective method of teaching. Love your children effectively and they will learn to love others.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Adapted from The Five Love Languages of Children by Dr. Gary Chapman & Ross Campbell. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
How to Be a Good Listener
You're probably familiar with the five love languages--quality time, words of affirmation, acts of service, gifts and physical touch. Did you know quality time has many dialects? One of the most common dialects is that of quality conversation. By quality conversation, I mean sympathetic dialogue where two individuals are sharing their experiences, thoughts, feelings, and desires in a friendly, uninterrupted context.
Have you ever wondered if you're a good listener? How can you improve in this area? Here are eight steps to becoming a sympathetic listener.
1. Maintain eye contact when you are listening to someone. This keeps your mind from wandering and communicates that the person has your full attention. Refrain from rolling your eyes in disgust, closing your eyes when they give you a low blow, looking over their head, or staring at their shoes while they are talking.
2. Don't engage in other activities while you are listening to another individual. Remember, quality time is giving someone your undivided attention.
3. Listen for feelings. Ask yourself: "What are this person's emotions right now?" When you think you have the answer, confirm it. For example, "It sounds like you are feeling disappointed because I forgot..." That gives the person a chance to clarify his/her feelings. It also communicates that you are listening intently to what they are saying.
4. Observe body language. Clenched fists, trembling hands, tears, furrowed brows, and eye movement may give you clues as to what the person is feeling. Sometimes body language speaks one message while words speak another. Ask for clarification to make sure you know what the person is really thinking and feeling.
5. Refuse to interrupt.
6. Ask reflective questions.
7. Express understanding. The person needs to know that he/she has been heard and understood.
8. Ask if there is anything you might do that would be helpful. Notice, you are asking, not telling the person what she ought to do. Never give advice until you are sure the other person wants it.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Adapted from The Five Love Languages Singles Edition by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Have you ever wondered if you're a good listener? How can you improve in this area? Here are eight steps to becoming a sympathetic listener.
1. Maintain eye contact when you are listening to someone. This keeps your mind from wandering and communicates that the person has your full attention. Refrain from rolling your eyes in disgust, closing your eyes when they give you a low blow, looking over their head, or staring at their shoes while they are talking.
2. Don't engage in other activities while you are listening to another individual. Remember, quality time is giving someone your undivided attention.
3. Listen for feelings. Ask yourself: "What are this person's emotions right now?" When you think you have the answer, confirm it. For example, "It sounds like you are feeling disappointed because I forgot..." That gives the person a chance to clarify his/her feelings. It also communicates that you are listening intently to what they are saying.
4. Observe body language. Clenched fists, trembling hands, tears, furrowed brows, and eye movement may give you clues as to what the person is feeling. Sometimes body language speaks one message while words speak another. Ask for clarification to make sure you know what the person is really thinking and feeling.
5. Refuse to interrupt.
6. Ask reflective questions.
7. Express understanding. The person needs to know that he/she has been heard and understood.
8. Ask if there is anything you might do that would be helpful. Notice, you are asking, not telling the person what she ought to do. Never give advice until you are sure the other person wants it.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Adapted from The Five Love Languages Singles Edition by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Sunday, 28 June 2009
Sunday Sermon 28 June 2009
Speaker: Sis Tan Choon
White Fields Assembly Seremban
http://www.fileqube.com/file/PaTZRQw203638
( 7MB 53 minutes 16kbps 16Khz MP3)
Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.
White Fields Assembly Seremban
http://www.fileqube.com/file/PaTZRQw203638
( 7MB 53 minutes 16kbps 16Khz MP3)
Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.
What Is A Missionary?
A Christian missionary is a person whose passion is to make the Lord Jesus known to the whole world. They are completely under the command of King Jesus, and they will go anywhere, under any circumstances, for no pay, with poor living conditions and food, even though no one ever notices. They know that their Sovereign is watching every minute, and that is the only reward and joy they seek.
We see in the Bible that all Christians should continually be seeking every opportunity to lead the unsaved to Christ no matter where they are, for this is the privilege of every believer. But I believe that too many people use the world 'missionary' too lightly - it's a term that has become misused in our everyday 'Christian vocabulary'. Too many justify their not obeying the call of the Lord to go to the front lines of the battlefield, by saying they are 'missionaries where they are'. I believe that 'being a missionary' in the truest sense of the word is taking the Gospel where it has never been before, or at least to a difference culture or a different language group. A true missionary is someone who will risk everything for the sake of the lost of this world.
Of course, as in every battle, not everyone can be in the frontlines, for there are many things that are needed to aid those who are. But you must be clearly called by the Lord to stay away from the front lines before you can be assured that you are in the will of God. It is obviously true that many Christians are called to reach out to the lost in the ghettos, red-light districts and homosexual communities in their own areas. And there are always those faithful wives and mothers who diligently let Christ be known to their doctors, plumbers, and P.T.A groups. These things bless God's heart, there's no doubt about it. Someone who loves Jesus should always be ministering His love no matter where they are. But every Christian should always be willing, ready and 'on-call' to leave everything at the command of their General, and go to different 'battlefield' to war against the king of darkness, bringing healing and light to 'free the captives'.
The goal of a true missionary is to please and glorify their God by delivering the whole world into His hands and under His rule. It does not matter where they are stationed, for they are always at the home in their Father's arm, no matter what the landscape or the language may be. They are only 'aliens and strangers' (1 Peter 2:11), and they are not concerned with trivial things like location or comfort. They are God's soldiers, perhaps hidden to our eyes, but always evident in His. Please seek Him to see if you might be privileged to take the Gospel to those who never heard it.
- Keith Green
We see in the Bible that all Christians should continually be seeking every opportunity to lead the unsaved to Christ no matter where they are, for this is the privilege of every believer. But I believe that too many people use the world 'missionary' too lightly - it's a term that has become misused in our everyday 'Christian vocabulary'. Too many justify their not obeying the call of the Lord to go to the front lines of the battlefield, by saying they are 'missionaries where they are'. I believe that 'being a missionary' in the truest sense of the word is taking the Gospel where it has never been before, or at least to a difference culture or a different language group. A true missionary is someone who will risk everything for the sake of the lost of this world.
Of course, as in every battle, not everyone can be in the frontlines, for there are many things that are needed to aid those who are. But you must be clearly called by the Lord to stay away from the front lines before you can be assured that you are in the will of God. It is obviously true that many Christians are called to reach out to the lost in the ghettos, red-light districts and homosexual communities in their own areas. And there are always those faithful wives and mothers who diligently let Christ be known to their doctors, plumbers, and P.T.A groups. These things bless God's heart, there's no doubt about it. Someone who loves Jesus should always be ministering His love no matter where they are. But every Christian should always be willing, ready and 'on-call' to leave everything at the command of their General, and go to different 'battlefield' to war against the king of darkness, bringing healing and light to 'free the captives'.
The goal of a true missionary is to please and glorify their God by delivering the whole world into His hands and under His rule. It does not matter where they are stationed, for they are always at the home in their Father's arm, no matter what the landscape or the language may be. They are only 'aliens and strangers' (1 Peter 2:11), and they are not concerned with trivial things like location or comfort. They are God's soldiers, perhaps hidden to our eyes, but always evident in His. Please seek Him to see if you might be privileged to take the Gospel to those who never heard it.
- Keith Green
5 JULY 2009
5 July 09
Tom C.
Kai Yew
Gigi, Jacquelina, Ken Fhui
Grace Lee, Jonathan Long
Darren
Anna Sim
Tian Sia, Moses Tan
Tom C., Hiew FF
Tom C.
Kai Yew
Gigi, Jacquelina, Ken Fhui
Grace Lee, Jonathan Long
Darren
Anna Sim
Tian Sia, Moses Tan
Tom C., Hiew FF
Acts 2:44
NIV
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
KJV
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
In another part of Scripture Jesus was referenced as saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive". This statement became alive in the early church. It implies that they were a community who knew each other enough to discern the true needs of people.
Charity was directly connected to community. It is easier to give to anonymous people than to take the time to get to know our neighbor. The act of giving in community requires discernment, humility, and trust in God and those involved. This is the heritage that God created for us to learn from and practice.
Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC
All the believers were together and had everything in common.
KJV
And all that believed were together, and had all things common;
In another part of Scripture Jesus was referenced as saying, "It is more blessed to give than to receive". This statement became alive in the early church. It implies that they were a community who knew each other enough to discern the true needs of people.
Charity was directly connected to community. It is easier to give to anonymous people than to take the time to get to know our neighbor. The act of giving in community requires discernment, humility, and trust in God and those involved. This is the heritage that God created for us to learn from and practice.
Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC
Saturday, 27 June 2009
Love is Not a Feeling
I really do believe that “love makes the world go round.” Why would I say that? Because God is love. It is His love for us that makes all of life meaningful. So, what does that have to do with marriage? God made us for each other. Husband and wife – designed to work together as a mutual support team to discover and fulfill God’s plans for their lives.
In a word, love is the choice to look out for each other in the same way that God looks out for us. It doesn’t require warm feelings, but it does require and open heart.
Love is not our only emotional need, but it interfaces with all other needs. If I feel loved by my wife, then I also feel good about myself. After all, if she loves me, I must be worth loving. Ultimately, it is discovering that God loves me that gives me my greatest sense of worth. Also, if my spouse loves me, I’m more likely to feel that my life has significance.
Threat or Haven?
Spouses become God’s agent for helping their partners feel loved. Few things are more important than encouraging one’s spouse to accomplish God’s plans. Marriage is designed to help us accomplish more for God. Two are better than one in His kingdom.
If we do not feel loved in marriage, our differences are magnified. We come to view each other as a threat to our happiness. We fight for self-worth and significance, and marriage becomes a battlefield rather than a haven.
Love is not the answer to everything, but it creates a climate of security in which we can seek answers to those things that bother us. In the security of love, a couple can discuss differences without condemnation. Conflicts can be resolved. Two people who are different can learn to live together in harmony. We discover how to bring out the best in each other. The decision to love your spouse holds tremendous potential.
The Power of Love
I believe that love really does make the difference between success and failure in a marriage. Keep in mind that love is not a feeling, but love stimulates feelings. The euphoric feelings of the “in love” experience are temporary; usually two years or less. But when we learn to love each other effectively we keep warm emotional feelings alive. Life is much better when we feel loved.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Adapted from The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
In a word, love is the choice to look out for each other in the same way that God looks out for us. It doesn’t require warm feelings, but it does require and open heart.
Love is not our only emotional need, but it interfaces with all other needs. If I feel loved by my wife, then I also feel good about myself. After all, if she loves me, I must be worth loving. Ultimately, it is discovering that God loves me that gives me my greatest sense of worth. Also, if my spouse loves me, I’m more likely to feel that my life has significance.
Threat or Haven?
Spouses become God’s agent for helping their partners feel loved. Few things are more important than encouraging one’s spouse to accomplish God’s plans. Marriage is designed to help us accomplish more for God. Two are better than one in His kingdom.
If we do not feel loved in marriage, our differences are magnified. We come to view each other as a threat to our happiness. We fight for self-worth and significance, and marriage becomes a battlefield rather than a haven.
Love is not the answer to everything, but it creates a climate of security in which we can seek answers to those things that bother us. In the security of love, a couple can discuss differences without condemnation. Conflicts can be resolved. Two people who are different can learn to live together in harmony. We discover how to bring out the best in each other. The decision to love your spouse holds tremendous potential.
The Power of Love
I believe that love really does make the difference between success and failure in a marriage. Keep in mind that love is not a feeling, but love stimulates feelings. The euphoric feelings of the “in love” experience are temporary; usually two years or less. But when we learn to love each other effectively we keep warm emotional feelings alive. Life is much better when we feel loved.
What's your love language? Take the 30-second quiz.
Adapted from The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.
Friday, 26 June 2009
Acts 2:42
NIV
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
KJV
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
When the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost one of the effects was that the early Christians devoted themselves to the teaching of the Scripture.
There is a difference between devotion and learning. The early believers laid their views on the altar of God's Word. They allowed it to shape them.
How do you view the Scripture? Are you willing to devote yourself to it? To simply learn is not enough.
Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC
They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.
KJV
And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
When the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost one of the effects was that the early Christians devoted themselves to the teaching of the Scripture.
There is a difference between devotion and learning. The early believers laid their views on the altar of God's Word. They allowed it to shape them.
How do you view the Scripture? Are you willing to devote yourself to it? To simply learn is not enough.
Today's Commentary by:
David Whitehead, Pastor, Grace NYC
Wednesday, 24 June 2009
Ephesians 2:10
NIV
For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
KJV
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Tangle Video - "God's Chisel"
When God chisels the dead weight out of our lives it can be very painful. In one of their most requested skits, Tommy and Eddie give a very creative look at a typical believer having to go through the process of discipline.
"God's Chisel" by the Skit Guys:
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For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.
KJV
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Tangle Video - "God's Chisel"
When God chisels the dead weight out of our lives it can be very painful. In one of their most requested skits, Tommy and Eddie give a very creative look at a typical believer having to go through the process of discipline.
"God's Chisel" by the Skit Guys:
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Monday, 22 June 2009
Matthew 5:16
NIV
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
KJV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
There are so many awesome ways to learn about God and make our light shine; through prayer, church, the Bible, friends, the Holy Spirit and the list goes on.
He did not intend that we store up the light of His teachings for ourselves, but that we share it with others! We should let our lights shine brightly, so that when people see our good works, they will glorify our Father in heaven.
In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.
KJV
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.
There are so many awesome ways to learn about God and make our light shine; through prayer, church, the Bible, friends, the Holy Spirit and the list goes on.
He did not intend that we store up the light of His teachings for ourselves, but that we share it with others! We should let our lights shine brightly, so that when people see our good works, they will glorify our Father in heaven.
Sunday, 21 June 2009
Sunday Sermon 21 June 2009
Speaker: Pastor Beniah Naresh
(8MB 62 minutes 16Kbps 16Khz MP3)
Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.
Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.
My Dearest Father ...
But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin. - 1 John 1:7
It is a day when I specially remember and thank the Lord for you, one of the best gifts in my life. With gratitude, and thankfulness in my heart, I want to tell you how blessed I am to have a wonderful father like you. You taught me to look beyond myself, to choose the hard and difficult things in life. And though it was not easy for me to accept such a reason, in the end, it has paid off well. You taught me to aim higher, to reach for the stars so that I would at least make it to the roof-top.
Discipline and hard work which are teh hallfmarks of your life have made a deep impact on my life through and through. WHen I wanted to have my own way in a lot of issues which we did not see eye to eye, I am glad your reasoning prevailed. Through I chose not to see it then, I am now forever grateful. When I did not have enough faith in my own ability, you pushed me to go further than myself by instilling confidence in me, such that trhough the grace of God I could make it. Father, you spent so much time on me and though I have let you down, you did not give up on me. You were there for me and encouraged me to stand up and walk on. THank you for encouraging me to stand up boldly and face the world and its challenges.
All the good things that I have been blessed with came from a lot of sacrifice, and you took it as your responsibility, so that I could have a good life. You paid the price so that I could be happy and enjoy the best of everything. I thank the Lord for you. I ask for grace so that I will never put you to shame or behave in ways that could bring grief and pain to your heart. I have chosen to walk on the long and narrow way that you have showed as the best for me. Though at times, it is not an easy path to tread on. I know that the Lord is with me and you constantly uphold me in prayer.
Father, I have grown through these years. I am now able to see a lot of wisdom in everything which you told me and how you deal with me. As I try to discipline, teach and build good values in my own children, concerned that they should make the right choices in life, I then understood your struggles and patience with me. When they come crying with broken hearts and I hold them close to me, I remember your love for me.
On your speical day today, let me tell you again, father: I love you and you are very special to me. God bless me, my dear father.
Honour your father - God put him there over you.
- Daniel O.C
28 JUNE 2009
29 June 09
Caleb R.
Shankar R.
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Richard
Jun Fhui, Meng Fhui
Terry/Weng Ern
Darren
Ken Fhui, Colleen
Tommy, Manjit
Caleb R.
Shankar R.
Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Richard
Jun Fhui, Meng Fhui
Terry/Weng Ern
Darren
Ken Fhui, Colleen
Tommy, Manjit
Saturday, 20 June 2009
Psalm 127:3
NIV
Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
KJV
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Father's Day! It's a wonderful time to celebrate our Fathers. The Hebrews held sacred that all children were a blessing from the Lord, bringing joy to their parents.
You are a gift from the Almighty to your earthly father. And your own children are special gifts from God, a blessing and a responsibility.
Think of the joy, laughter and smiles you get from your own children. Your Heavenly Father sees you in the same way; your very existence brings Him joy. You make Him smile and laugh.
Today, as you celebrate with your families, praise your heavenly Father. And to those with children, may God show you His love through your kids today, you deserve it.
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Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.
KJV
Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward.
Father's Day! It's a wonderful time to celebrate our Fathers. The Hebrews held sacred that all children were a blessing from the Lord, bringing joy to their parents.
You are a gift from the Almighty to your earthly father. And your own children are special gifts from God, a blessing and a responsibility.
Think of the joy, laughter and smiles you get from your own children. Your Heavenly Father sees you in the same way; your very existence brings Him joy. You make Him smile and laugh.
Today, as you celebrate with your families, praise your heavenly Father. And to those with children, may God show you His love through your kids today, you deserve it.
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Thursday, 18 June 2009
Proverbs 29:7
NIV
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
KJV
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
A person's relationship with God is reflected in his or her attitude toward the needy.
People seeking to follow the Lord want to see justice rather than oppression extended to the helpless and poor.
What can you do for the poor and needy today?
The righteous care about justice for the poor, but the wicked have no such concern.
KJV
The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth not to know it.
A person's relationship with God is reflected in his or her attitude toward the needy.
People seeking to follow the Lord want to see justice rather than oppression extended to the helpless and poor.
What can you do for the poor and needy today?
Tuesday, 16 June 2009
Hebrews 12:1
NIV
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
KJV
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
The great cloud of witnesses is not referring to actual people who are watching us; but witnesses and examples of those who have testified to the truth of the faith.
The Book of Hebrews was an encouragement to the Hebrews, who had left Judaism to follow Christ. They were facing severe persecution. The writer wants to communicate that their suffering is not unique, but part of the great marathon.
The Christian life is a marathon full of hills, bad weather, green pastures, and sharp turns. In order to keep our endurance strong, we need to strip ourselves on anything that separates from God, especially sin. When we free ourselves of the baggage that entangles us, we can stop tripping over our sin and run freely toward the prize of Heaven.
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Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
KJV
Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
The great cloud of witnesses is not referring to actual people who are watching us; but witnesses and examples of those who have testified to the truth of the faith.
The Book of Hebrews was an encouragement to the Hebrews, who had left Judaism to follow Christ. They were facing severe persecution. The writer wants to communicate that their suffering is not unique, but part of the great marathon.
The Christian life is a marathon full of hills, bad weather, green pastures, and sharp turns. In order to keep our endurance strong, we need to strip ourselves on anything that separates from God, especially sin. When we free ourselves of the baggage that entangles us, we can stop tripping over our sin and run freely toward the prize of Heaven.
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Sunday, 14 June 2009
Sunday Sermon 14 June 2009
Speaker: Pastor David Chan
Trinity Community Centre, Petaling Jaya
http://www.fileqube.com/file/IYSzoEVt200505
(10MB, 79 minutes, 16KHz 16kbps MP3)
Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.
Ask God For His Timing and Direction
God is God of timing and direction. He wants us to know what to do an when to do it. Psalm 32:8 says "I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go. I will guide you with My eye." You don't have to live your life ahead of God's will or outside of His will.
Patience will do wonders, but it was not much help to the man who planted an orange grove in Alaska. There is never a right time to do the wrong thing. If you take too long deciding what to do with your life, you will find you have lived it. Time was invented by almighty God in order to give dreams a chance. "Hell is truth seen too late - duty neglected in its season." says Tyron Edwards. Ideas won't keep. Something must be done about them. "There is one thing stronger than all the armies in the world, and that is an idea whose time has come," says Victor Hugo.
WE need to always apply light and not heat to your dreams. Light always revelas, but heat brings forth impatience and impulsivesness. "Your Word is a lamp to my feet. And a light to my path." (Psalm 119:105). The lamp illuminates things we are dealing with now. The light directs our future.
Jumping to a wrong decision seldom leads to a happy landing. Too many people leave the right opportunity to look for other opportunities. Seize today's opportunities today and tomorrow's opportunities tomorrow.
Success always depends on accuracy, and hurrying over decisions never helps. Those who make the worst use of their time are the first to complain of its shortness. The fastest running back is useless unless heading toward the right goal line.
Timing is the vital ingredient for success. "For the vision is yet for an appointed time." (Hab 2:3). There is an appointed time for your vision. Have 20/20 vision; do not be to far-sighted or too near-sighted. Godly leaders have never done anything successfully on their own initiative. They have always waited upon God, diligently seeking His will. Then, they have said finally, "God led me to do..."
What Good is Aim If You Do Not Know When to Pull The Trigger?
21 JUNE 2009
21 June 09
Barnabas P.
Peggy Tan
Tian Sia, Jun Fhui, Siew Pin
Lydia Sim
Jocelyn Lee
Anna Sim
Kai Yew
Meng Fhui, Timothy C.
Manjit, Hiew FF
Barnabas P.
Peggy Tan
Tian Sia, Jun Fhui, Siew Pin
Lydia Sim
Jocelyn Lee
Anna Sim
Kai Yew
Meng Fhui, Timothy C.
Manjit, Hiew FF
Psalm 9:2
NIV I will be glad and rejoice in you;
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
KJV I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
David is praising God with all his heart for deliverance from his enemy, giving Him all the glory. In Psalm 9, David doesn't praise the armor, the weapons, or any other aid in the victory; He solely praises the Almighty God.
In our own lives, when we are blessed in little or big ways, do we praise God with every fiber of our being? David isn't halfhearted with his praise. He is full of gratitude so much that it overflows in this poem of praise.
Think this week how God has blessed or delivered you. Allow that to sink in and overflow with joy to the Lord. It's a wonderful day to reflect on the blessings from our Creator and honor Him with our praise.
I will sing praise to your name, O Most High.
KJV I will be glad and rejoice in thee: I will sing praise to thy name, O thou most High.
David is praising God with all his heart for deliverance from his enemy, giving Him all the glory. In Psalm 9, David doesn't praise the armor, the weapons, or any other aid in the victory; He solely praises the Almighty God.
In our own lives, when we are blessed in little or big ways, do we praise God with every fiber of our being? David isn't halfhearted with his praise. He is full of gratitude so much that it overflows in this poem of praise.
Think this week how God has blessed or delivered you. Allow that to sink in and overflow with joy to the Lord. It's a wonderful day to reflect on the blessings from our Creator and honor Him with our praise.
Friday, 12 June 2009
The Time Factor
God does not care about the things we do not have: He is interested in what we have. We need to understand that what we are today is because of what we sowed yesterday. What we will become is because of what we sow today.
If as believers, we do not know how to sow, then we have no future. Our harvest tomorrow depends on what we sow today. If we are not willing to sow, we will never see a harvest. The future of our loved ones who are not born again depend on our sowing, what we are sowing today. Many of us, having received prophecies, relax and wait for the prophecies to come to pass.
Not so Elijah. When God told Elijah that He would send rain, he went up to the mountain, after the showdown at Mount Carmel, came before God and went into warfare. He then called his servant to find out if he could see what Elijah had heard. What we must understand is what when we hear from God, we must go into warfare until we see what we hear. Many of us heard many things but have yet to see them.
When a word is released over us, it is like a seed. This seed must be sown. We sow the seed of God's word into our womb of intercessory prayer. Elijah instructed his servants to check for rain, seven times, before the rain came.
Why did not Elijah do the checking himself? The answer is that when we engage ourselves in intercessory prayers, we do not look a what others are seeing because it will affect our faith. When we look at the doubts of others, we see doubts, when we look at fear, we see fear.
The Bible says that after each negative report of his servant, Elijah prayed again. I want to encourage you to pray again, for the many things you have prayed for but have yet to see results. What God has said will come to pass.
Pray again. You may say that you have prayed and fasted last year, last month or even yesterday - it is time to pray again. Do not live by the prayers of yesterday.
It is only when we persist in our prayers, relentlessly pounding on heaven's door that answers come. It is a fallacy that once we have prayed for something, we do not have to pray any more but just worship, bless and thank God.
Jesus himself showed us we have to be persistent in our prayers. He spent a long time in the Garden of Gethsemane praying "Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will." (Mark 14:36,39) The Bible says that Jesus spent the whole night praying.
Persistent prayers exert pressure on the enemy and put demands on the promises of God. God told the children of Israel to go round the walls of Jericho seven times. Why seven times? It is because God was teaching them the principle of persistent prayers.
This is the principle believers have to understand and apply. Non believers are very persistent in their pursuit of whatever they desire. Believers unfortunately do not appear to possess this tenacity or staying power. Provers 24:16 says that "For a righteous man may fall seven times. And rise again." This is the principle of persistence.
When we remain and persist in prayers, the anointing of the Holy Spirit comes upon us and we will begin to move, we will overtake those who had overtaken us and gone ahead of us in life, just as Elijah overtook Ahad, on their way to Jezreel.
The nation of Israel was only healed after Elijah spent time in the presence of God. Our nation, our families, our children will only be healed and receive a touch from God after we have spent time in God's presence. Nothing happens when we do not pray.
So what time is it? It is time to pray!
- Ps Johnson Tsakpornu
Isaiah 26:3
NIV You will keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in you.
KJV Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
The mind is hard at work all day long, a powerful organ that keeps your body on the task at hand.
It's easy to allow our minds to focus on worldly activities, places, and people that don't honor God. When we focus on anything that separates us from God and don't trust Him, we can become restless.
Yet when our minds are focused on the Lord and trusting Him with our lives, He keeps us in His peace, His blessed peace.
KJV Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
The mind is hard at work all day long, a powerful organ that keeps your body on the task at hand.
It's easy to allow our minds to focus on worldly activities, places, and people that don't honor God. When we focus on anything that separates us from God and don't trust Him, we can become restless.
Yet when our minds are focused on the Lord and trusting Him with our lives, He keeps us in His peace, His blessed peace.
Monday, 8 June 2009
PURPOSE DRIVEN TALK
You will enjoy the new insights that Rick Warren has, with his wife now having cancer and him having 'wealth' from the book sales. This is an absolutely incredible short interview with Rick Warren , 'Purpose Driven Life ' author and pastor of Saddle back Church in California
In the interview by Paul Bradshaw with Rick Warren , Rick said:
People ask me, What is the purpose of life?
And I respond:
In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.
People ask me, What is the purpose of life?
And I respond:
In a nutshell, life is preparation for eternity. We were not made to last forever, and God wants us to be with Him in Heaven.
One day my heart is going to stop, and that will be the end of my body-- but not the end of me.
I may live 60 to 100 years on earth, but I am going to spend trillions of years in eternity. This is the warm-up act - the dress rehearsal.. God wants us to practice on earth what we will do forever in eternity.
We were made by God and for God, and until you figure that out, life isn't going to make sense.
Life is a series of problems: Either you are in one now, you're just coming out of one, or you're getting ready to go into another one.
The reason for this is that God is more interested in your character than your comfort; God is more interested in making your life holy than He is in making your life happy.
We can be reasonably happy here on earth, but that's not the goal of life. The goal is to grow in character.
This past year has been the greatest year of my life but also the toughest, with my wife, Kay , getting cancer.
I used to think that life was hills and valleys - you go through a dark time, then you go to the mountaintop, back and forth. I don't believe that anymore.
Rather than life being hills and valleys, I believe that it's kind of like two rails on a railroad track, and at all times you have something good and something bad in your life.
No matter how good things are in your life, there is always something bad that needs to be worked on.
And no matter how bad things are in your life, there is always something good you can thank God for..
You can focus on your purposes, or you can focus on your problems.
If you focus on your problems, you're going into self-centeredness, which is my problem, my issues, my pain.' But one of the easiest ways to get rid of pain is to get your focus off yourself and onto God and others.
We discovered quickly that in spite of the prayers of hundreds of thousands of people, God was not going to heal Kay or make it easy for her- It has been very difficult for her, and yet God has strengthened her character, given her a ministry of helping other people, given her a testimony, drawn her closer to Him and to people.
You have to learn to deal with both the good and the bad of life.
Actually, sometimes learning to deal with the good is harder. For instance, this past year, all of a sudden, when the book sold 15 million copies, it made me instantly very wealthy.
It also brought a lot of notoriety that I had never had to deal with before. I don't think God gives you money or notoriety for your own ego or for you to live a life of ease..
So I began to ask God what He wanted me to do with this money, notoriety and influence.
- First, in spite of all the money coming in, we would not change our lifestyle one bit.. We made no major purchases.
- Second, about midway through last year, I stopped taking a salary from the church.
- Third, we set up foundations to fund an initiative we call The Peace Plan to plant churches, equip leaders, assist the poor, care for the sick, and educate the next generation.
- Fourth, I added up all that the church had paid me in the 24 years since I started the church, and I gave it all back. It was liberating to be able to serve God for free.
We need to ask ourselves: Am I going to live for possessions? Popularity?
Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism?
Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?
Am I going to be driven by pressures? Guilt? Bitterness? Materialism?
Or am I going to be driven by God's purposes (for my life)?
When I get up in the morning, I sit on the side of my bed and say, God, if I don't get anything else done today, I want to know You more and love You better. God didn't put me on earth just to fulfill a to-do list. He's more interested in what I am than what I do.
That's why we're called human beings, not human doings.
Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.
Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moment, THANK GOD.
If you do not pass it on, nothing will happen.
But it might be nice to pass it on to a friend....just like I have done.
Sunday, 7 June 2009
Sunday Sermon 7 June 2009
Speaker: Elder Sim Say Khim
White Fields Assembly Seremban
http://www.fileqube.com/file/tSdIqZS200503
(6MB 55 minutes 16Khz 16Kbps MP3)
Note: Audio download link is available for only 30 days from date posted.
Wednesday, 3 June 2009
14 JUNE 2009
14 June 09
CM: Dr Siow KW
WL: Terry C.
BU: Colleen, Lareina, Richard
P/K: Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui
G: Darren
D: Ken Fhui
LCD: Moses Tan, Tian Sia
PA: Hiew FF, Tom C.
CM: Dr Siow KW
WL: Terry C.
BU: Colleen, Lareina, Richard
P/K: Meng Fhui, Jun Fhui
G: Darren
D: Ken Fhui
LCD: Moses Tan, Tian Sia
PA: Hiew FF, Tom C.
Monday, 1 June 2009
The 23rd Channel
The 23rd Channel
The TV set is my shepherd. My spiritual growth shall want.
It makes me to sit down and do nothing for His name’s sake, because it requireth all my spare time. It keepeth me from doing my duty as a Christian because it presenteth so many shows that I must see.
It restoreth my knowledge of the things of the world, and keepeth me from the study of God’s Word. It leadeth me in paths of failing to attend the evening services, and doing nothing in the Kingdom of God.
Yea, though I live to be a hundred, I shall keep on viewing my TV as long as it will work, for it is my closest companion. Its sound and its picture, they comfort me.
It presenteth entertainment before me, and keepeth me from doing important things with my family. It fills my head with ideas which differ from those set forth in the Word of God.
Surely, no good thing will come of my life, because my TV offereth no good time to do the will of God thus I will dwell in the place of the Devil and his angels forever
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