Have You Ever Wondered..

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The Seven Habits of Highly Defective Dating

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

Is This All There Is?

by Max Lucado

Something is awry—we feel disconnected. We connect with a career, find meaning in family, yet long for something more.

We feel the frustration I felt on Christmas morning, 1964. I assembled a nine-year-old’s dream gift: a genuine Santa Fe Railroad miniature train set, complete with battery-powered engine and flashing crossing lights. I placed the locomotive on the tracks and watched in sheer glee as three pounds of pure steel wound its way across my bedroom floor. Around and around and around and . . . around . . . and around . . . After some time I picked it up and turned it the other direction. It went around and around and around . . .

“Mom, what else did you get me for Christmas?”
Similarly, our lives chug in long ovals, one lap after another.

First job. Promotion. Wedding day. Nursery beds. Kids. Grandkids. Around and around . . . Is there anything else? Our dissatisfaction mates with disappointment and gives birth to some unruly children: drunkenness, power plays, eighty-hour workweeks, nosedives into sexual perversions—all nothing more than poorly disguised longings for Eden. We long to restore what Adam lost. As someone once said, “The man who knocks on the door of a brothel is seeking God.”

Where and when the brothel fails, Jesus steps forth with a reconnection invitation. Though we be “dead in [our] transgressions and sins (Eph. 2:1) and separated from the life of God (Eph. 4:18), whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God (I John 5:1). Reborn! This is not a physical birth resulting from human passion or plan—this rebirth comes from God.” (John 1:13.)

Don’t miss the invisible, inward miracle triggered by belief. God reinstates us to Garden-of-Eden status. What Adam and Eve did, we now do! The flagship family walked with God; we can too. They heard his voice; so can we. They were naked and unashamed; we can be transparent and unafraid. No more running or hiding.

“Because Jesus was raised from the dead, we’ve been given a brand-new life and have everything to live for, including a future in heaven—and the future starts now!” (1 Pet. 1:3–4 MSG).

bookFrom 3:16, The Numbers of Hope
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2007) Max Lucado

On the Road to Reconciliation

Thousands of people experience marital separation every year. Many of them sincerely want to know, "What should I do, as a Christian?" First: Don't assume that separation equals divorce. Separation may lead to a restored, enriched, growing marriage. The individuals involved will determine the outcome of separation. Separation is not permanent. It either leads to resurrection or death. The Christian must always seek resurrection. This week, let's explore the possibilities of seeking reconciliation.

Separation calls for intensive care, much like that given to those in grave physical danger. The condition of the marriage is "critical". Proper mediation is essential. Surgery may be required. That will call for the services of a counselor or pastor.

What you do in the weeks following your separation will determine the quality of your life for years to come. Separation is not the time to capitulate. The battle for marital unity may just be beginning. Be assured, God is concerned about the outcome. You can count on Him for supernatural help. He will not abandon you in this time of pain.

Separation means that a marriage is in desperate straits. Healing will require listening, understanding, discipline, change. But hard work can result in the joy of a restored marriage. I know that some of you are saying: "It sounds good, but it won't work. We've tried before. Besides, I don't think my spouse will even try again. I'm not even sure I want to try."

I understand your feelings, but don't assume that the hostile attitude of your spouse will last forever, or that your own feelings are permanent. One of God's gifts to all of us is the gift of choice. We can change. Your spouse may be saying: "I'm through. It is finished. I don't want to talk about it." But three week or three months from now your spouse may be willing to talk.

Much depends on what you do in the meantime, and much depends on your spouse's response to the Spirit of God. You pray. You work. You leave the results to God.

When we chose to work on our marriages, we have all the help of God. God will not force your spouse to deal with issues and return to the marriage, but He will give you wisdom and strength as you seek to follow His will.

Where do we turn for help when we are separated? For the Christian, there is one stable source to which we turn when we need guidance. That source is the Bible. In the Bible we find not only what we ought to do, but also the encouragement and power to do it. The words of Paul become our own: "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13).

When we turn to the Bible for guidance, we discover that the Bible calls us to seek reconciliation. Divorce is not God's desire. It is true that ultimately you cannot keep your spouse from divorcing you. Even God had to grant Israel a divorce because she refused to turn from her sinful ways (Jeremiah 3:8). But that was after years of seeking reconciliation. And even yet, God has not given up on Israel - there will be future reconciliation.

So we must seek reconciliation. Even if our spouse ultimately refuses our efforts, we will have the satisfaction of knowing that we were faithful to the biblical ideal.



Adapted from Hope for the Separated: Wounded Marriages Can Be Healed
by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

Dating Can Cause Discontentment with God's Gift of Singleness

The Seven Habits of Highly Defective Dating

Sometimes we see children who are more impressed with the gift-wrapping than the gift itself. I can't help but think that God views our infatuation with short-term dating relationships much as some children's love for gift wrapping. A string of uncommitted dating relationships is not the gift!. God gives us singleness - a season of our lives unmatched in its boundless opportunities for growth, learning and service - and we view it as a chance to get bogged down in finding and keeping boyfriends and girlfriends. But we don't find the real beauty of singleness in pursuing romance with as many different people as we want. We find the real beauty in using our freedom to serve God with abandon.
Recreational dating causes dissatisfaction because it encourages a wrong use of this freedom. God has placed a desire in most men and women for marriage. Although we don't sin when we look forward to marriage, we might be guilty of poor stewardship of our singleness when we allow a desire for something God obviously doesn't have for us yet to rob our ability to enjoy and appreciate what He has given us. Dating plays a role in fostering this dissatisfaction because it gives single people just enough intimacy to make them wish they had more. Instead of enjoying the unique qualities of singleness, dating causes more people to focus on what they don't have.

Matt Redman

STAY FAITHFUL & BE GRATEFUL

A Christian

Several years ago, a preacher from out-of-state accepted a call to a church in Houston, Texas.

Some weeks after he arrived, he had an occasion to ride the bus from his home to the downtown area. When he sat down, he discovered that the driver had accidentally given him a quarter too much change. As he considered what to do, he thought to himself, 'You'd better give the quarter back. It would be wrong to keep it.' Then he thought, 'Oh, forget it, it's only a quarter. Who would worry about this little amount? Anyway, the bus company gets too much fare; they will never miss it. Accept it as a 'gift from God' and keep quiet.'

When his stop came, he paused momentarily at the door, and then he handed the quarter to the driver and said,
'Here, you gave me too much change ' The driver, with a smile, replied, 'Aren't you the new preacher in town?'

'Yes' he replied.. 'Well, I have been thinking a lot lately about going somewhere to worship. I just wanted to see what you would do if I gave you too much change. I'll see you at church on Sunday.'

When the preacher stepped off of the bus, he literally grabbed the nearest light pole, held on, and said, 'Oh God, I almost sold your Son for a quarter.'

Our lives are the only Bible some people will ever read. This is a really scary example of how much people watch us as Christians, and will put us to the test! Always be on guard -- and remember -- You carry the name of Christ on your shoulders when you call yourself ' Christian.'

Watch your thoughts; they become words.

Watch your words; they become actions.

Watch your actions; they become habits.

Watch your habits; they become character.

Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

The Will of God will never take you to where the Grace of God will not PROTECT you...
Stay FAITHFUL and Be GRATEFUL

YOU DON'T HAVE TO GUESS!

Many Christians stress out about making a decision because they wrongly believe they have to find God's one "right" answer to the problem. They spend countless hours struggling to determine God's "perfect will" for their lives--something God never told them to do.

"Perfect will"--the idea that God has a specific plan for us and that if we miss it, then we're living "Plan B"--is not a concept that's supported by Scripture. Our responsibility is to make sure we follow God's moral standards. Beyond that, we're free to choose the path for our life.

That's a difficult concept for many Christians to grasp. We want to believe that God must green-light all of our decisions--that he has a perfect will for each of us--one that we must find for ourselves. But is that really consistent with God's character and his interactions with us?

Throughout Scripture God presents himself using the analogy of a good father. Even if you don't have the best biological dad in the world, you know what a good father should be like.

I feel blessed because I do have a great father. My dad is an architect by trade, and his personality suits his chosen career. He's a very orderly, structured, and intentional person. If he weren't, then it would be hard for him to get anything built. (And if he weren't meticulous, then the buildings he designed would most likely fall down.) I see my dad as a significant creator who possesses many of God's attributes of orderliness, purpose, and imagination.

Yet as good a father as he is, my dad doesn't expect me to depend on him to make every decision for me. Can you imagine what my life might be like if he did?

"Hi, Dad, it's me. My friends want to go to lunch. Should I go with them?"

"Yes, son, you should."

"Where should we go?"

"You should go to Wendy's."

"What should I order?"

"You should order a Spicy Chicken Sandwich meal."

"Should I biggie-size it?"

"No, son, you must not biggie-size it."

I think you get the idea. It would be ridiculous to expect my father to have a firm opinion on all of those decisions. My father taught me how to tell right from wrong and how to make good choices. Therefore, I'm free to make decisions within those parameters without getting into trouble.

God, the best Dad we could ever hope for, has done the same thing for us. He's given us the boundaries of his moral standards and the freedom to make our own decisions within those boundaries.


**
stories@heart4teens.com
Taken from "Wisdom On... Making Good Decisions" by Mark Matlock, copyright 2008, Zondervan/Youth Specialties. Used by permission. Release date January 2008.

Developing an Attitude of Service

Before marriage, I dreamed about how happy I would be when we got married. I had visions of all the wonderful things my wife would do for me. Sausage and eggs together in the mornings. Candlelight dinners at night. Holding hands all day long and sex every night. I assumed that she had the same visions.

But, after marriage I found out that my wife didn't do mornings. So much for the sausage and eggs. She anticipated that I would take her out to romantic restaurants for dinner, not as a prelude to sex, but simply because I loved her.

I expressed my disappointment with her and she expressed her disappointment with me. We succeeded in being utterly miserable. Our marriage didn't turn around overnight, but it did turn around. And so can yours. I want to share the secret. It all has to do with attitude.

Jesus' life and teachings focused on sacrificial service to others. He once said, "I did not come to be ministered to, but to minister." It is a theme that all truly great men and women of the past have affirmed. Life's greatest meaning is not found in getting, but in giving. This profound principle made a significant difference in my marriage. Developing an attitude of service is not easy but the rewards are overwhelmingly positive. Few people will run away from someone who is serving them.

My wife was no exception. When I reached out to serve her, it wasn't long before she was reaching out to me. Jesus had it right! Why did it take me so long to learn?

How would a wife respond to a husband who sincerely sought to serve her? In my desperation I was determined to find out. I set myself to discovering her needs and desires and sought to fulfill them. I began quietly and slowly to do some of the things she had requested in the past. You see, by now we were too estranged to talk about our relationship, but I could choose to take action on some of her previous complaints.
I started washing dishes without being asked. I volunteered to fold the clothes. It seemed to me these where the kind of things Jesus might have done had He been married. When she made specific requests, I determined to respond cheerfully and if possible to do them.

In less than three months, my wife's attitude toward me began to change. She came out of her shell of withdrawal and began to talk again. I think she sensed that my days of preaching were over and that my attitude toward her was changing. Genuine acts of service seldom go unrewarded. Before long, our hostility was gone, and we began to have positive feelings toward each other.

You see, if I believe that it is more blessed to give than to receive; that serving my spouse is more important than being served; that my best end is found in making her life better, then it will affect the way I treat her. When she sees this attitude expressed in my behavior she knows that something has changed. If I am consistent, then service becomes a lifestyle.

Most wives and husbands are attracted to someone who shows genuine concern for them. The person who follows the example of Jesus - in serving others, is on the road to greatness and to a growing marriage relationship.


Adapted from The Family You've Always Wanted: Five Ways You Can Make It Happen
by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

Themes for November & December

been thinking about:
since November is White Fields Assembly's Anniversary Month..
why don't we sing praise & worship songs about family and thanksgiving..
and..
since December is Christmas Month..
it would be great to include some carols into the song list in advent of Christmas Day..
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Christmas Celebration Service:
25 December 2009
Friday
10am
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Sunday Service on 27th December will go on as usual..

Walking According To The Spirit

"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit." - Romans 8:1

Excerpts from the letter of Paul to the Romans have been mentioned in this bulletin over the past 3 weeks to draw the attention of God's family in WFA toward His purposes for our lives. Paul's message and mission were based on 2 simple things. First, he was grateful for his salvation and went wherever God sent him to tell him to tell what Christ had done for him (Acts 22:21). Second, his heart's desire was "to do the will of Him that sent"him at all times, and at all cost (John 7:38, Acts 21:13-14).

The Epistle of Paul to the Romans reflects Paul's keen understanding of the wisdom and knowledge of God and is considered the greatest revelation of Christian doctrine or foundational principles in the Bible. This is important to us even in this day in Seremban if we are to walk according to the Spirit in order that we "may dwell in the secret place of the Most Hight" and "abide under the shadow of the Almighty".

The mercy seat covered the ark which contained the three emblems of man's rebellion: the golden pot of manna - man's rebellion against God's provision, two tables of stone on which God wrote the Ten Commandments - man's rebellion against God's standard and Aaron's rod - man's rebellion against God's authority. Once a year on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would sprinkle the blood of a sacrificed animal on the mercy seat in order to make propitiation for the sins of Israel.

For us it's no longer the blood of animals that makes propitiation for our sins, but the blood of Jesus as seen in Romans 3:25 where the word for propitiation in the original text is 'hilasterion' which means "mercy seat" in Greek. Therefore Christ is our mercy seat and His blood speaks for us and results in God being on our side. God no longer sees our rebellion - He sees the blood of His Son and thereby accepts us, allowing us to abide in Him. This is how we can approach the secret place of the Most High in Christ, feeling secure that we have been given the right to be in God's presence. We can boldly approach Him to obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

We are under God's protection because of Jesus Christ is our mercy seat and covers us with His blood. We are in the secret place of the Most High, abiding under the shadow of the Almighty. Psalm 91:9,10 tells us that no evil will befall us, nor will any plague come near our dwelling; we are protected by God and kept safe from all harm when we walk not according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.

It’s Going to Be Okay

by Max Lucado

Bill Tucker was sixteen years old when his dad suffered a health crisis and consequently had to leave his business. Even after Mr. Tucker regained his health, the Tucker family struggled financially, barely getting by.

Mr. Tucker, an entrepreneurial sort, came up with an idea. He won the bid to reupholster the chairs at the local movie theater. This stunned his family. He had never stitched a seat. He didn’t even own a sewing apparatus. Still, he found someone to teach him the skill and located an industrial-strength machine. The family scraped together every cent they had to buy it. They drained savings accounts and dug coins out of the sofa. Finally, they had enough.

It was a fine day when Bill road with his dad to pick up the equipment. Bill remembers a jovial, hour-long trip discussing the bright horizons this new opportunity afforded them. They loaded the machine in the back of their truck and secured it right behind the cab. Mr. Tucker then invited his son to drive home. I’ll let Bill tell you what happened next:

“As we were driving along, we were excited, and I, like any sixteen-year-old driver, was probably not paying enough attention to my speed. Just as we were turning on the cloverleaf to get on the expressway, I will never ever, ever forget watching that sewing machine, which was already top-heavy, begin to tip. I slammed on the brakes, but it was too late. I saw it go over the side. I jumped out and ran around the back of the truck. As I rounded the corner, I saw our hope and our dream lying on its side in pieces. And then I saw my dad just looking. All of his risk and all of his endeavor and all of his struggling and all of his dream, all of his hope to take care of his family was lying there, shattered.

“You know what comes next don’t you? ‘Stupid, punk kid driving too fast, not paying attention, ruined the family by taking away our livelihood.’ But that’s not what he said. He looked right at me. ‘Oh, Bill, I am so sorry.’ And he walked over, put his arms around me, and said, ‘Son, this is going to be okay.’

God is whispering the same to you. Those are his arms you feel. Trust him. That is his voice you hear. Believe him. Allow the only decision maker in the universe to comfort you. Life at times appears to fall to pieces, seem irreparable. But it’s going to be okay. How can you know? Because God so loved the world. If God can make a billion galaxies, can’t he make good out of our bad and sense out of our faltering lives? Of course he can. He is God.

The Great House of GodFrom 3:16, The Numbers of Hope
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2007) Max Lucado

25 OCTOBER 2009

CM: Liong KC

WL: Peggy Tan
BU: Kenneth Lai, Shankar R., Siew Pin

P: Chris Lai
S: Jason Lai
G: Chew Weng Ern
D: Kai Yew

LCD: Tian Sia, Colleen Chang
PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF
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1 Nov:

CM: Tom C.

WL: Terry C.

BU: Tian Sia, Gigi Lim, Peggy Tan

P: Lydia Sim

S: Jocelyn Lee

G: Kenneth Lai

D: Anna Sim

LCD: Moses Tan, Timothy Chang

PA: Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

What Man Could Not Do, Jesus Did

What Man Could Not Do, Jesus Did
By Victor King

A story of how the amazing grace of God changes everything
You are about to read the Great manifestation Works of Jesus Christ………
From a gangster to an ambassador of the gospel.

I just want to share with you what the grace of God has done for me in my life.
I was a born in a Christian family. Despite hating to go to church, I was forced to by my parents. They sent me to a Christian school but that didn’t help. When I reached secondary school, that’s when I was influenced by my friends and got myself involved in gangsterism, smoking and skipping school. Things were turning from bad to worse as it became a lifestyle and a bondage to me.

I started stealing, vandalizing, drinking and getting into fights. My folks got to know about it and tried to talk me out of it but it didn’t work as I was very rude, hot-tempered and vulgar. My teachers, the school staff, my relatives, good friends and even counselors tried talking to me but none of them got through me.
My parents wanted to send me to the boys’ home but I was expelled from school because of my attitude and attendance. I became a school dropout at the age of 17.

Being a dropout did not really matter to me. Rather, it gave me more reasons to become a ‘full time’ gangster. I frequented pubs with my gang members daily. I became a heavy smoker and I got hooked on alcohol. I was full of obscenities and I got addicted to pornography. I started womanizing and stayed away from home most of the time.

There were times I got involved in armed robberies. Most of my friends were drug addicts and ex-convicts. It became a bondage to me as I started living this ‘troubled life’. Sometimes, I would worship idols and visit temples to pray with my friends. I was so lost. I became the worst guy in my family. Nobody could change me not even the army.

Many of them thought that I would change for the better when I was drafted into the Singapore Armed Forces but unfortunately, no. I managed to get myself into the army prison (detention barracks) for going A.W.O.L and my bad attitude. I was also brought back to the police station a couple times and my parents had to come and bail me out. I was a burden to them but I didn’t care!

But during those moments, there was a cry within. My lifestyle headed me to the prison many times, but I would always escape without getting caught. I believe God preserved me.

This whole bondage of the devil came to an end just few years ago. I had quite a number of girlfriends in the past and most of them were unbelievers. 5 years ago, I got to know this girl who was a Christian and she brought me to her church at Suntec City called the New Creation Church. It was the third time I felt Jesus touched me in a church, and this time I felt warmth all over me and I started crying. I felt so in love and loved but I didn’t know with whom. All I knew was that it was a love beyond a human’s love. That day, I received Jesus as my Lord and Savior.

Life Transformation
One thing I know, that my life was not the same after that. As time went on, Jesus delivered me from so many bondages. Nine years of heavy smoking was gone, six years of alcoholism was gone and as time went by, God supernaturally took me out of the gang, delivered me from vulgarities, anger, womanizing and many more bad habits like pornography and lust. The Lord made me see women in a different way.

I became a new creation. I was also healed of a 10 year urinary bladder problem. Before this, I would go to the toilet for as many as five to seven times in the night, but by the grace the God, I don’t have this problem today. Now, I can just sleep through the night. Amazing grace! The people around me were shocked. With man it may seem impossible but with God, all things are possible.

For sin shall has no dominion over us for we are not under law but under grace.

I believe that God blessed me to be a blessing. I want to spread this Good News that only Jesus can make a difference in our lives and Jesus died for all our sins. He is merciful to our unrighteousness, sin and lawlessness. He remembers no more and there is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

People are going to the world and things for answers but truth is, Jesus is the answer.

Not only has the grace of God transformed my life, I now have a great relationship with Jesus. Whenever I’m going through problems, the grace of God makes me run to Him. He has delivered and carried me through and from all my problems.

There were times when I felt like giving up and the problems were too big and overtaking me (even to the point of suicide) but He carried me through my storms. Even when I fell in my failures and sin, the Holy Spirit in me Always reminds and convicts me how Righteous I am in Christ and that my sins and lawless deeds GOD does not remember anymore because of the Finished Work of Jesus.

What Jesus did for me is priceless and beyond human strength. Jesus loves you too much and what He did for me by His Grace, He can do the same for you.

Now, I have a good problem, I can’t stop talking and preaching about Jesus. Jesus is so real.

Thank you so much for reading the wonderful Works of Jesus Christ.

Shalom

Dating Can Distract Young Adults from Their Primary Responsibility of Preparing for the Future

The Seven Habits of Highly Defective Dating

We cannot live in the future, but neglecting our current obligations will disqualify us for tomorro's responsibilities. Being distracted by love is not such a bad thing - unless God wants you doind something else.
One of the saddest tendencies of dating is to distract young adults from developing their God-given abilities and skills. Instead of serving in their local church, instead of equipping themselves with the character, education and experience necessary to succeed in life, many allow themselves to be consumed by the present needs that dating emphasizes.
Maintaining a relationship takes a lot of time and energy. Spending countless hours talking, writing, thinking and often worrying about their relationship steals enegry from other pursuits. The relationship could swallow up time that could have been spent developing skills and exploring new opportunities.
Dating may help you practice being a good boyfriend or girlfriend, but are these the skills we need for marriage? Even if you're going out with the person you will one day marry, a preoccupation with being the perfect boyfriend or girlfriend now can actually hinder you from being the future husband or wife that person will one day need.

Dating Often Isolates a Couple from Other Vital Relationships

The Seven Habits of Highly Defective Dating

By it's very definition, dating is about two people focusing on each other. Unfortunately, in most cases the rest of the world fades into the background. If you've ever felt like a third wheel when hanging out with two friends who are dating each other, you know how true this is.
Now, in a relationship where both people are prepared to move toward marriage, giving the relationship primary attention is not wrong. To make a wise choice about marrying someone, it's important to focus on getting to know that person well. But even in serious relationships it's not wise to isolate yourself from others.
For people who are't ready for commitment, this dating tendency can be especially detrimental. Christians need to take this seriously. Why? First, because when we allow one relationship to crowd out others, we lose perspective. In Proverbs 15:22 we read:

²² Without counsel, plans go awry, But in the multitude of counselors they are established.

 If we make our decisions about life based solely on the influence of one relationship, we'll probably make poor judgements.
Of course we can make this same mistake in any number of non-romantic relationships. But we face this problem more often in dating relationships because these relationships involve our hears and emotions. And because dating focuses on the plans of a couple, major issues related to marriage, family and faith are likely at stake.
And if two people haven't defined their level of commitment, they're particularly at risk. You put yourself in a precasious position if you isolate yourself from the people who love and support you because you dive wholeheartedly into a romantic relationship not grounded in commitment. In Passion & Purity, Elisabeth Elliot states:

Unless a man is prepared to ask a woman to be his wife, what right has he to claim her exclusive attention? Unless she has been asked to marry him, why would a sensible woman promise any man her exclusive attention?

How many people end dating relationships only to find their ties to other friends severed?
Perhaps you've done a similar thing. Or maybe you know the pain and frustration of being put on the back burner for the sake of a friend's boyfriend or girlfriend. The exclusive attention so oftne expected in dating relationships has a tendedncy to isolate them from the friends who love them most, family members who know them best and sadly, even God, whose will is far more important than any romantic interest

When the Nest Isn't Emptying

The not-so-empty nest syndrome is on the rise. Adult children used to leave home shortly after finishing high school. But times have changed, and today nearly 20 million young adults still live at home with Mom and Dad.

This was not in the script for many of these midlife parents. They were looking forward to having more time for themselves. They expected to feel a brief time of loss after the children left, but they anticipated increased freedom.

The reasons for staying with parents often make sense, but it still creates new stresses. Once they are out of high school, they expect to be treated differently. But they are still living at home and still have expectations of their parents. These differing expectations often create conflicts.

If your high school graduate wants to continue living at home, it's time for a family conference. You thought they would graduate and move out. They did graduate, but the stay at home may be extended. Perhaps they are going to a local college and stay home to save money. Perhaps they want to take some "time off" from school, but aren't ready to "get a job." Perhaps they are emotionally and financially unable to live apart from you. Whatever the reason, it's time for a family conference.

The big issue is to clarify expectations. You cannot do this without open communication. An open forum where each family member can share ideas and feelings and together you can come to an agreement. You as parents need to listen carefully to the thoughts, feelings, and desires of your child. This does not mean that they have the final word, but it does mean that you take their opinions seriously. On the other hand, you need to be honest about your own thoughts and feelings. Without talking and listening you will never be able to clarify expectations.

Certainly emerging young adults should be given more freedom than high school students, but freedom does not preclude responsibility. If they are to live at home, they must assume responsibilities for the welfare and peace of the family. Living under the same roof means that we must respect each other and learn to work together as a team for the benefit of all. Some of the areas that need to be addressed are: finances, chores or household responsibilities, noise levels, and other common courtesies. You may have to negotiate agreement on these matters, but it is essential that everyone get on the same page. Otherwise, conflict will become a way of life and family unity will be destroyed. Balancing freedom and responsibility makes for harmonious relationships.

Frequently the personal values of young adults differ from those of their parents. However, if your grown children plan to continue living in your house, you have the right to ask them to respect your values. It is appropriate for you to insist that they not bring their "lover" into your house for an overnight sexual encounter. It is also appropriate for you to insist that they not use tobacco, alcohol, or drugs in your house, if these are your values.

In doing this, you are not enforcing your personal values on them, but you are expecting your adult child to respect your beliefs and not to violate them while living in your house. A kind but firm commitment to your own values demonstrates your strength of character. Your child would probably be disappointed in you if you failed to maintain the values you have taught them through the years. You may not always have agreement, but you can have harmony in the house.

Clarifying expectations is also a part of making life better for everyone. Don't just continue in your stress. Call a family conference and negotiate understanding. It's good for your health, your marriage, and the well-being of your child.

Adapted from Parenting Your Adult Child: How You Can Help Them Achieve Their Potential Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

What Passion Litmus Test?

What Passion Litmus Test?
By Rachel Chew

Can we ever measure passion or put a finger on what passion looks or sounds like?

They say that if you’re not loud, you’re probably dead. They say that if you’re not giving your loudest shout, you’re not passionate. They say our King deserves it. Our King also, most probably, deserves a lot more things. Yet we find people who have either left or changed churches because of it. Some get disappointed and confused. They’re left speechless, literally.

We hear from friends coming back from a megachurch in a neighbouring (almost) country. We’ve heard it from the pulpit, even lead worshippers (the worship leader is ultimately the Holy Spirit); if it’s loud, bright, and can be seen and heard from a mile away, it’s definitely passion.

What’s that? I can’t hear you. Oh, you’re probably not passionate or *cough* Christian.

Extreme? Maybe. Out of context? Possibly. But haven’t we felt more ’alive’ when everyone sings their heart out and give their all in worship? Haven’t we felt as though we wanted to grow up and be just like them?

We talk about passion and equate it with how much time we do ‘quiet time’ or how many praise and worship songs we know. Lifting our hands at the right climaxes, clapping in beat and jumping all describe a ‘passionate’ person. It’s all rage and hype. Stepping out of our comfort zone means leaving our seats/pews and going upfront to um, rave… or whatever you call it. While we debate over worship styles and congregation enthusiasm in their responses, people’s needs are still not met and the poor are still poor.

True, passion starts with the individual, but it doesn’t have to end there. True passion always flows out, not clogging up within the four walls of ‘church’. Jesus was (and is) passionate. In fact, the word ‘passion’ came from the Latin word passi?, referring to the sufferings of Jesus or a martyr. He gave passion meaning. Today, being that passionate would be masochism. And no, black leather and whips will never be popular within ’churchy’ circles and neither was that what Jesus meant.

Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me” (Matt 16:24). He calls us to passion, not merely to a passionate worship service, but to a life that follows after Him. It is a life that is uncomfortable, one that shakes us from our little boats and into the water. It means laying down our rights (to a home, money, fame or getting even) and picking up our cross. It’s a divine exchange of your life for His. And it happens daily.

Passion is not passive. Unfortunately, while we are passionate about the idea of passion, Jesus was (and is) passionate because He is compassionate*. We talk about following Jesus, but most of the time, we only follow Him to church and after service, we follow our stomachs. Jesus’ mission on earth was to the oppressed, poor, blind and the prisoners. God is always near the widows and fatherless. We can either take it metaphorically or literally—or better, both. There was a trend back in the 90s when the Christian subculture was famous for the WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) bracelets, way before the current silicon bracelet fad. Catchy phrase, but if we really want to take it further, we should be asking what is Jesus doing and where is Jesus now. The present tense makes more sense because He is already here and all we need to do is join Him.

So where is Jesus? Where is He working? You say you have passion, live it. Leave the warm pews and go somewhere your butt will freeze because you have just given your coat to a beggar. Some may say you should start with the ‘small’ things first, i.e. taking out the trash in church or arranging seats before service, but truthfully, do we all think that God sees these acts as small? If all sin is sin to God, then all ’noble’ acts are equal because it is the Christian way of life. A life of love requires some form of self-giving and no service is smaller or more noble than another. Start with something immediate, do something you’d least likely do; whether it’s cleaning up your colleagues used cups and dishes or arming yourself with plastic bags to clean up your town. (Yes, we pay taxes for a reason. But it’s easier for us to give money than time and effort.)

Living selflessly is not easy, neither is it comfortable or ’natural’ in the worldly sense, but it is Christ’s passion, isn’t it? Having nails driven into His body was definitely not comfortable. Worship styles don’t even begin to describe it. Let’s not just talk about passion, let’s live a passion-filled life. Don’t just preach the gospel, be the gospel—the good news—to the poor, the oppressed and the needy. We’re the Church, the body of Christ, not a building. Jesus is all about the people and we should be too. If Jesus never changed His mission, why should we? It’s time we take the backseat, put the needs of others first and break down the walls that separate us from ’them’.

If it’s comfortable, it’s not passion.

*Compassion comes from the Late Latin word, compati; com (together) + pati (to suffer). Look up ‘passion’.

Changed from the Inside Out

by Max Lucado

When you believe in Christ, Christ works a miracle in you. You are permanently purified and empowered by God himself. The message of Jesus to the religious person is simple: It’s not what you do. It’s what I do. I have moved in. And in time you can say with Paul, “I myself no longer live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

If I’m born again, why do I fall so often?

Why did you fall so often after your first birth? Did you exit the womb wearing cross-trainers? Did you do the two-step on the day of your delivery? Of course not. And when you started to walk, you fell more than you stood. Should we expect anything different from our spiritual walk?

But I fall so often, I question my salvation. Again, we return to your first birth. Didn’t you stumble as you were learning to walk? And when you stumbled, did you question the validity of your physical birth? Did you, as a one-year-old fresh flopped on the floor, shake your head and think, I have fallen again. I must not be human?

Of course not. The stumbles of a toddler do not invalidate the act of birth. And the stumbles of a Christian do not annul his spiritual birth.

Do you understand what God has done? He has deposited a Christ seed in you. As it grows, you will change. It’s not that sin has no more presence in your life, but rather that sin has no more power over your life. Temptation will pester you, but temptation will not master you. What hope this brings!

Hear this. It’s not up to you! Within you abides a budding power. Trust him!

Think of it this way. Suppose you, for most of your life, have had a heart condition. Your frail pumper restricts your activities. Each morning at work when the healthy employees take the stairs, you wait for the elevator.

But then comes the transplant. A healthy heart is placed within you. After recovery, you return to work and encounter the flight of stairs—the same flight of stairs you earlier avoided. By habit, you start for the elevator. But then you remember. You aren’t the same person. You have a new heart. Within you dwells a new power.

Do you live like the old person or the new? Do you count yourself as having a new heart or old? You have a choice to make.

You might say, “I can’t climb stairs; I’m too weak.” Does your choice negate the presence of a new heart? Dismiss the work of the surgeon? No. Choosing the elevator would suggest only one fact—you haven’t learned to trust your new power.

It takes time. But at some point you’ve got to try those stairs. You’ve got to test the new ticker. You’ve got to experiment with the new you. For if you don’t, you will run out of steam.

Religious rule keeping can sap your strength. It’s endless. There is always another class to attend, Sabbath to obey, Ramadan to observe. No prison is as endless as the prison of perfection. Her inmates find work but never find peace. How could they? They never know when they are finished.

Christ, however, gifts you with a finished work. He fulfilled the law for you. Bid farewell to the burden of religion. Gone is the fear that having done everything, you might not have done enough. You climb the stairs, not by your strength, but his. God pledges to help those who stop trying to help themselves.

“He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6.) God will change you from the inside out.

The Great House of GodFrom Next Door Savior
Available in Hardback or Paperback
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2003) Max Lucado

Dating Often Mistakes a Physical Relationship for Love

The Seven Habits of Highly Defective Dating

When we consider that our culture as a whole regards the words love and sex as interchangeable,we shouldn't be surprise that many dating relationships make physical attraction and sexual intimacy for true love. Sadly, many Christian dating relationships reflect this false mindset.
When we examine the progression of most relationships, we can clearly see how dating can encourage this substitution. First, as we pointed out, most often, dating isn't a pursuit of commitment. For this reason, many dating relationships begin with physical attraction. The underlying attitude is that a person's primary value comes from the way he/she looks. Even before a kiss has been given, the physical, sensual aspect of the relationship has taken priority.
Next, the relationship often steamrolls toward intimacy. Because dating doesn't require commitment, the two people involved allow the needs and passions of the moment to take center stage. The couple doesn't look at each other as possible life partners or weigh the responsibilties of marriage. Instead, they focus on the demands of the present. And with that mindset, the couple's physical relationship can easily become the focus.
Sadly, many couples gauge the seriousness of their relationship by the level of their physical involvement. Two people who date each other want to feel that they're special to each other, and they can concretely express this through physical intimacy. They begin to distinguish their special relationship through hand-holding, kissing and everything else that follows. For this reason, many people believe that going out with someone means physical involvement.
Focusing on the physical is plainly sinful. God demands sexual purity. And He does this because He is holy. He also does it for our own good. Physical involvement can distort two people's perspective of each other and lead to unwise choices. God also knows we'll carry the memories of our past physical involvements into marriage. He doesn't want us to live with guilt and regret.
Physical involvement can make two people feel close. But if many people really examined the focus of their dating relationships, they'd probably discover that all they have in common is lust.

Dating Tends to Skip the Friendship Stage of a Relationship

The Seven Habits of Highly Defective Dating

One-on-one dating has the tendency to move a guy and girl beyond friendship and toward romance too quickly.
Have you ever known someone who worried about dating a longtime friend? If you have, you probably heard that person say something like this: "He asked me out, but I'm just afraid that if wwe start actually dating it will change out friendship." What is this person really saying? People make statements like that, whether they realize it or not, recognize that dating encourages romnatic expectations. In a true friendship you don't feel pressured by knowing that you 'like' the other person or that he or she 'likes' you back. You feel free to be yourself and do things together without spending three hours in front of the mirror making sure you look perfect.
CS Lewis describes friendship as two people walking side by side toward a common goal. Their mutual interest brings them together. Skipping the commonality stage by going on one-on-one dates focuses on the 'coupleness'.
In dating, romantic attraction is often the cornerstone of the relationship. The premise of dating is "I'm attracted to you; therefore, let's get to know each other." The premise of friendship, on the other hand, is "We're interested in the same things; let's enjoy these common interests together." If romantic attraction forms after developing a friendship, it's an added bonus.

Intimacy without commitment is defrauding. Intimacy without friendship is superficial. A relationship based solely on physical attraction and romantic feelings will last only as long as the feelings last

Love Makes the Difference

I really do believe that "love makes the world go round." Why? 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 are 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 an open heart.

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. We discover how to bring out the best in each other. The decision to love your spouse holds tremendous potential.

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. When we learn to love each other effectively, we keep warm emotional feelings alive.



Adapted from The Five Love Languages by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

One Stormy Night

One Stormy Night
By Sandra Chin

The love bug sometimes hits you at the oddest times. But hey, you don't have to place yourself on the hit list especially when you aren't looking.
Ever had a one stormy night episode before? That day when everything seems to go wrong, you feel depressed, handling the situation all alone. It’s at that very lowest point of your day or life, and in walks… a guy or girl into your “moment” and offers a shoulder to cry on or a listening ear. Wham! Bam! Right there and then you get hit by the love bug! A blinding moment of mixed emotions! Especially, when the other party has been secretly interested in you for a while now(or vice versa).

Well, my one episode happened some eons ago when I had a bad week with my immediate supervisor. Everything I did was wrong, she was losing patience and I was losing confidence every time she gave the “look”. Well, the final straw broke my day and I was left moping in the office wondering how to clear up the mistakes. Right then a call came from a guy colleague who worked at the bank on the ground floor (I was on the 14th floor) who was trying so hard to get my attention and take me on a date. I had on several occasions turned him down saying I was not into any relationships at that time. But on that “one stormy night”, he walked into my “moment” with a listening ear and a packet of  “tong sui”(sweet dessert)!! Oh dear!! I went for it as I just needed to pour my heart out! Looking back, (What was I thinking!), there could have been some other girlfriend, friend or even my mom, to talk to than to talk to an almost stranger.

That “moment” turned into a two year relationship that had its ups and downs and a very controlling boyfriend! As much as he was a nice person, there were several times I asked myself, why am I dating this guy? We were not compatible, and I think most days I was just settling for a man for fear I may not meet another guy! Sound Familiar? That is so not right! Well, the relationship finally ended on note that I had my “calling” to pursue and he was not comfortable to flow with it, so we broke up. Phew! That was a God moment that has brought me years later, to today, happily married to an awesome man and a colorful story to tell!!

My two cents worth of advice for those who may fall into a “one stormy night” moment:
    * never pour your heart to a stranger, especially the opposite sex
    * don’t start any romantic relationship at your lowest point of emotions even if that “someone” is a good friend who has been secretly admiring you
    * don’t allow yourself to think that no one cares because there will be someone in your circle of friends with a listening ear
    * if there is this nice person who just takes your breath away, do give yourself time to recover from your state of lowness, get back to the place of confidence, feel great about things around you then perhaps have that lunch with him or her. Get to know each other better instead of being swept up by both the high and low emotions.
    * if you happen to fall into a romantic relationship that’s not working out, do the right thing, get out of it!
    * don’t SETTLE for any relationship, you are much more valuable and precious than you know. You are worth the wait!

God Is For You!

"What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?" - Romans 8:31

Recently one of our Life Group leaders shared with me how blessed he had been by the verse Romans 8:28. Today let us look at another encouraging verse in Romans 8:31 on confronting challenges in the Christian life. If it sometimes seems like we are swimming upstream against a strong current of multiple difficulties, it may be that we are going against the flow of this world, system, together with this values and belief system. Yet, if we truly understand deep in our hearts that God is for us, we can experience much encouragement.

You may have heard the expression "God plus one equals a majority", that means that even if it seems like the whole world is against us, if God is on our side, we have the strength to come out ahead as winners and over-comers. When Satan throws bad things at us, we need not lose hope. In fact, we can be certain that God will turn it around for our greater blessing because He is for us. When God first made man, He gave man dominion over everything on earth. However, when Adam fell, sin and death entered the world and for a while man lost his authority to the devil.

Did Satan win? No! God had a marvelous plan of redemption by sending His Son Jesus to die for us and He wants us to know that Jesus' death did more than merely restore us to the position Adam had - it was to place us in a much higher position! When the Father raised Jesus from the dead, we who are in Christ were raised with Him. In other words, we are now seated with Him at God's right hand in the heavenly places, "far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come" (Ephesians 1:21). Adam never had this position. Therefore through Jesus' death and resurrection, we have received much more.

In the books of Moses, we read of how God brought the Israelites out of bondage in Egypt into a land flowing with milk and honey. Satan might have thought he could spoil God's plan by placing all sorts of difficulties in their way but God helped His people overcome them all. He allowed their enemies to build their homes and cities, dig well and cultivate crops until the right time came. God then brought the Israelites into the land to displace those people.

Eventually the Israelites inherited large beautiful cities they had not built, houses full of good things they did not fill, deep wells that they did not dig, and vineyards and olive trees they did not plant (Deuteronomy 6:10-11). Although Satan tried to prevent God's plan for His people from coming through, they ended up receiving much more ... as long as they obeyed Him. The devil may throw obstacles and evil circumstances at you, but God can turn those evil schemes around for your greater blessing because you are His child and He is firmly behind you and surely for you!

Sunday Sermon 11-Oct-2009

Speaker: Pastor William Anthony

Breakthrough City Church, Malacca

18 OCTOBER 2009 - communion

CM: Caleb R.

WL: Peter Long
BU: Timothy C, Siew Pin, Foong Yee

P: Grace Lee
S: Jason Lai
G: Chew Weng Ern
D: Darren Oi

LCD: Tian Sia, Colleen Chang
PA: Hiew FF, Tommy Q.
-

25 Oct:

CM: Liong KC

WL: Peggy Tan

BU: Kenneth Lai, Shankar R., Siew Pin

P: Chris Lai

S: Jason Lai

G: Chew Weng Ern

D: Kai Yew

LCD: Tian Sia, Colleen Chang

PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

Love & Faithfulness

What we fail to see is that the intimacy we experience in out string of emotional hook-ups is counterfeit. Romantic passion is sweetest when it is growing out of a relationship that's deepening in devotion.
The joy of intimacy if the reward of commitment.
Throughout the Bible we see that the Little Relationshi Principle (above) is an important aspect of true love. In the Old Testament, God makes a covenant - a binding commitment - with the people of Israel so that they can know Him intimately. The institution of marriage is founded on the same principle. A man and woman become one flesh and enjoy the deepest intimacy with each other only after they have made a public promise to love each other for life.

Proverbs 3:3 - Let not mercy and truth forsake you; Bind them around your neck, Write them on the tablet of your heart

God wants love and faithfulness to be connected. In His plan, the personal benefits of an intimate relationship - emotional or sexual - are always closely linked to self-sacrificial love and commitment to another person's long term good.
The way of sin is to diverce the two. In Proverbs 7 we read of the seductress, who lures her victim with the offer of romantic and sexual pleasures devoid of responsibility.

18 Come, let us take our fill of love until morning; Let us delight ourselves with love.

This is how sin works. It calls us to "enjoy ourselved with love" without  worrying about the good of others. It offfers intimaacy without obligation.
Pursuing intimacy without commitment awakens desires - emotional & physical - that neither person can justly meet. In 1 Thess 4:6 the Bible calls this "defrauding", ripping someone off by raising expectations but not delivering on the promise. Pastor Stephen Olford describes defrausding as "arousing hunger we cannot righteously satisfy" - promising something we can not or will not provide.

Intimacy without commitment, like icing without cake, can be sweet, but it ends up making us sick.

Specially for Drummers

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Being Changed Into His Likeness

by Max Lucado

The reward of Christianity is Christ.

Do you journey to the Grand Canyon for the souvenir T-shirt or the snow globe with the snowflakes that fall when you shake it? No. The reward of the Grand Canyon is the Grand Canyon. The wide-eyed realization that you are part of something ancient, splendid, powerful, and greater than you.

The cache of Christianity is Christ. Not money in the bank or a car in the garage or a healthy body or a better self-image. Secondary and tertiary fruits perhaps. But the Fort Knox of faith is Christ. Fellowship with him. Walking with him. Pondering him. Exploring him. The heart-stopping reali-zation that in him you are part of something ancient, endless, unstoppable, and unfathomable. And that he, who can dig the Grand Canyon with his pinkie, thinks you’re worth his death on Roman timber. Christ is the reward of Christianity. Why else would Paul make him his supreme desire? “I want to know Christ” (Phil. 3:10).

Do you desire the same? My idea is simple. Let’s look at some places he went and some people he touched. Join me on a quest for his “God-manness.” You may be amazed.

More important, you may be changed. “We all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being changed into his likeness from one degree of glory to another; for this comes from the Lord who is the Spirit” (2 Cor. 3:18).

As we behold him, we become like him.

I experienced this principle firsthand when an opera singer visited our church. We didn’t know his voice was trained. You couldn’t have known by his corduroy coat and loafers. No tuxedo, cummerbund, or silk tie. His appearance raised no eyebrow, but his voice certainly did. I should know. He was in the pew behind mine.

His vibrato made dentures rattle and rafters shake. He tried to contain himself. But how can a tuba hide in a room of piccolos?

For a moment I was startled. But within a verse, I was inspired. Emboldened by his volume, I lifted mine. Did I sing better? Not even I could hear me. My warbles were lost in his talent. But did I try harder? No doubt. His power brought out the best in me.

Could your world use a little music? If so, invite heaven’s baritone to cut loose. He may look as common as the guy next door, but just wait till you see what he can do. Who knows? A few songs with him might change the way you sing.
Forever.

The Great House of GodFrom Next Door Savior
Available in Hardback or Paperback
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2003) Max Lucado

The Joy of Intimacy is the Reward of Commitment

An intimate relationship is a beautiful experience that God wants us to enjoy. After all, He stated that it wasn't good for man to alone and created the woman to perfectly complement him and help him (Gen 2:18). But God has made the fulfilment of intimacy a by-product of commitment-based love. If we want to experience the goodness of His plan, we need to reconnect the pursuit of intimacy with the pursuit of commitment:

the joy of intimacy is the reward of commitment

All of us want intimacy. It means being close to someone. It's being vulnerable, open, and dependent. It's giving to and receiving from another person the deepest parts of who we are - our hopes, our fears, our secrets, our affections. An intimate relationship in which we know and are known by another human is one of the most fulfilling and precious parts of life - it's a gift from God.
There are many different kinds of intimate relationships in life. We can be intimate with a friend, with a family member, with a co-worker, but the deepest, most meaningful of intimate relationships (outside of a Christian's relationship with God) is the one between a husband and wife who share not only their hearts but also their bodies - in sexual intimacy, two people know each other in a profound way.
What each of these relationships has in common is trust. We are intimate with those people who have proven their faithfulness to us, people who have shown over time that they will be careful to guard what we have given of ourselves. We're intimate with people who are committed to us.
You might say that intimacy between a man and a woman is the icing on the cake of a relationship headed toward marriage. And if we look at intimacy that way, then it becomes obvious that most of our dating relationships are all icing. They usually lack a purpose or a clear destination. In most cases, especially when we're younger, dating is short term,serving the needs of the moment. We date because we want to enjoy the emotional and physical benefits of intimacy without the responsibility of real commitment.

"I'm Feeling Angry"

When you are angry, the first positive step is to admit to yourself that you are angry. Say aloud, "I'm feeling angry." The second step is to ask God to help you handle your anger in a positive way. "Lord, help me to do what is right and good with my anger." The third step is to ask, "Did someone sin against me?" If so, the biblical answer is to lovingly confront the person and seek reconciliation.

On the other hand, if you are angry simply because something happened that irritates you, ask "What can I learn from this experience?" If the other person habitually arrives late for your appointment, perhaps you can talk with them and negotiate change. Thus the anger has served a positive purpose. God wants to teach you how to handle your anger in a godly way.

When you are angry, be sure to get the facts before you take action. You hear your spouse tell someone on the phone, "I'll be there tomorrow night." You know that tomorrow night is your date night, so you get angry. Before you storm in and say something harsh, take time to ask, "Did I hear you promise someone to do something tomorrow night?" Your spouse says, "Yes, I told mom I'd bring her blanket by. I thought we could do it either before or after we go out to eat."

Your anger subsides because you took time to get the facts. Often we jump to conclusions about what someone said or did, and we accuse them in anger. We ruin a perfectly good evening because we failed to ask questions.




Adapted from Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

Knowing What's Best

Philippians 1:9-10: 9 And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, 10 that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of Christ,

The way we love others should constantly grow and deepen in its knowledge and insight. And when our love grows in knowledge, we can more readily 'discern what is best' for our lives. Don't we all desperately need that discernment?
After all, when we engage in guy-girl relationships, we're not always choosing between absolute wrong and absolute right. Often the choice is between what's good and what's best...
... Because there is not biblical command not to date, this is an area that we each need to evaluate in light of our own maturity, our motive and the other person involved. The decision requires wisdom.
This is where it's so important that our love for others be shaped by God's love for us. This kind of love looks beyond personal desires and the gratification of the moment. It looks at the big picture: serving others and glorifying God.

• Stop seeing members of the opposite sex as potential girlfriends/boyfriends - discover the richness of true friendship
• Stop worrying about whom you are going to marry & start trusting God's timing - uncover the potential of serving God as a single
• Stop flirting with temptation in one-on-one dating relationships & start pursuing righteousness - uncover the peace and power that come from purity

This Is Love

I've come to understand that God's Lordship in my life does not merely tinker with my approach to romance - it completely transforms it. God not only wants me to act differently; He wants me to think differently - to view love, purity and singleness from His perspective, to have a new lifestyle and a new attitude.
The basis of this new attitude is God's love for us. John explains the connection between God's love and the way we relate to others in 1 John 4:10-11:

10 In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. 11 Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.

Do you see what John is saying? God's amazing love for us at the cross provides both the example and the power for us to love others. People whose sins have been forgiven through faith in Jesus' death on the cross can't live or love the same ever again. We've been set free from our old self-centred life. We used to be controlled by what felt good, but now, as new creations, we're to be controlled by God's love. In 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Paul writes:

14 For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; 15 and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.

The Bible teaches us that if we truly trust in Jesus Christ, we die to our old way of living. And we can no longer live for ourselves - we now live for God and for the good of others.
Because of that, relationships with the opposite sex can no longer be about 'having a good time' or 'learning what I want in a relationship'. They're not about getting, but giving. Every relationship for a Christian is an opportunity to love another person like God has loved us. To lay down our desires and do what's in his/her best interest. To care for him/her even when there's nothing in it for us. To want that person's purity & holiness because it pleases God & protects him/her.
So whether or not we take a break from dating, if our dating is controlled by Christ's love it will look so radically different than the relationships around us that we'll want to come up with a different name for it!

~ taken from  "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris

So This Is Love?

It was finally here - Anna's wedding day, the day she had dreamed about and planned for moths. The small, picturesque church was crowded with friends & family.
Sunlight poured through the stained-glass windows, and the gentle music of a string quartet filled the air. Anna walked down the aisle toward David. Joy surged within her. This was the moment for which she has waited so long. He gently took her hand and they turned towards the altar.
but as the minister began to lead Anna & David through their vows, the unthinkable happened. A girl stood up in the middle of the congregation, walked quietly to the altar, and took David's other hand. Another gril approached and stood next to the first, followed by another. Soon, a chain of six girls stood by him as he repeated his vows to Anna.
Anna felt her lip begin to quiver as tears welled up in her eyes. "Is this some kind of joke?" she whispered to David.
"I'm.. I'm sorry, Anna," he said, staring at the floor.
"Who are these girls, David? What is going on?" she gasped.
"They're girls from my past," he answered sadly. "Anna, they don't mean anything to me now.. but I've given part of my heart to each of them."
"I thought your heart was mine," she said.
"It is, it is," he pleaded. "Everything that's left is yours."
A tear rolled down Anna's cheek. Then she woke up.

1. How many men/women could line up next to me on my wedding day?
2. How many times have I given my heart away in short-term relationships?
3. Will I have anything left to give my husband/wife?

~ taken from "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" by Joshua Harris

Two Types of Anger

When is the last time you felt angry? How did you handle your anger? All of us have seen people explode. Many of us have exploded. On the other hand, many Christians pride themselves in holding their anger inside. But internalized anger is bad for your health.

The biblical challenge is that when we experience anger, we are to process it in a positive way. That may mean gently confronting the person who stimulated our anger. Or it may mean asking God to forgive us for being so 'bent out of shape' over such a minor matter. Learning to process anger in a timely and healthy way is one of the first lessons for healthy relationships.

Why do people get angry? I believe we get angry when our sense of 'right' is violated. But we have two kinds of anger:

* Definitive anger: When someone has wronged us.
* Distorted anger: When things didn't go our way.


Much of our anger is distorted. The traffic moved too slowly. Our spouse didn't do what we wanted.

This distorted anger is still very intense and must be processed. Here's a question: Would it be helpful if I shared my anger with someone? In sharing it, might I improve things for everyone? Or, should I simply let it go? Whatever you do, do something positive. Don't hold anger inside. Anger was meant to be a visitor, never a resident.



Adapted from Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

A Friend in High Places

by Max Lucado

God has put all things under the authority of Christ.
(Eph. 1:22)

Christ is running the show. Right now. A leaf just fell from a tree in the Alps. Christ caused it to do so. A newborn baby in India inhaled for the first time. Jesus measured the breath. The migration of the belugas through the oceans? Christ dictates their itinerary. He is

the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him.
(Col. 1:15–16)

What a phenomenal list! Heavens and earth. Visible and invisible. Thrones, dominions, rulers, and authorities. No thing, place, or person omitted. The scale on the sea urchin. The hair on the elephant hide. The hurricane that wrecks the coast, the rain that nourishes the desert, the infant’s first heartbeat, the elderly person’s final breath—all can be traced back to the hand of Christ, the firstborn of creation.

Firstborn in Paul’s vernacular has nothing to do with birth order. Firstborn refers to order of rank. As one translation states: “He ranks higher than everything that has been made” (v. 15) Everything? Find an exception. Peter’s mother-in-law has a fever; Jesus rebukes it. A tax needs to be paid; Jesus pays it by sending first a coin and then a fisherman’s hook into the mouth of a fish. When five thousand stomachs growl, Jesus renders a boy’s basket a bottomless buffet. Jesus exudes authority. He bats an eyelash, and nature jumps. No one argues when, at the end of his earthly life, the God-man declares, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth” (Matt. 28:18).

The Christ of the galaxies is the Christ of your Mondays. The Starmaker manages your travel schedule. Relax. You have a friend in high places. Does the child of Arnold Schwarzenegger worry about tight pickle-jar lids? Does the son of Nike founder Phil Knight sweat a broken shoestring? If the daughter of Bill Gates can’t turn on her computer, does she panic?

No. Nor should you.

The Great House of GodFrom Next Door Savior
Available in Hardback or Paperback
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2003) Max Lucado

The Reality of Hardship

Many of us in WFA do not like to talk about hardship and suffering but these are realities that we cannot avoid in life, for our children, our loved ones and ourselves. We recently discussed hardship and read about God's goodness in the 23rd Psalm - a much loved portion of the scripture that contains some of the Bible's most profound truths. It tells us that God is the Shepherd of His people. Jesus refers to Himself as the "good shepherd" who gave His life for us in John 10:11-16. This is a beautiful picture that God is a good shepherd of His people and that we are the sheep of His pasture.

We therefore depend on God to guide us and protect us and even if we walk in "the valley of the shadow of death" we do not have to fear because God is leading us. King David, who once was a young shepherd said, "Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me". In addition to God's supernatural rod and staff comforting His people, the Word of God can be a rod and staff both for protecting and leading us.

Like goodness, God's unwavering love and mercy will follow or pursue us like a parent following after a young child (sometimes seen in WFA during Sunday worship!) - an image of God coming after us when we face hardship, helping us to overcome challenges and assuring us that His unfailing love will always be there whatever happens. God's goodness endures even when hardship and disaster occur. He words for our good, giving us good things we do not deserve. Mercy means that because of Jesus, God will hold back the condemnation we deserve for our sin. When God inspired the Psalmist to say "And I will live in the house of the Lord forever," it means that God has prepared a place for each one of us in Heaven. The well-known author Rick Warren says that his is one of the most important connections in the Bible. It connects yesterday with today and then connects them both with tomorrow. The 23rd Psalm ends by assuring us that we are doing to Heaven. With God, things will not only get better but Jesus saves the best until Last. We have assurance in 2 Corinthians 5:1 that the best is yet to come - "For we know that if our earthly house, this tent, is destroyed, we have a building from God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the Heavens."

And Scripture says that it will be forever. Some day our bodies will die, but we will not. Our body is going to end, but it will not be the end of us. All of us are going to end up forever in one of two places - heaven or hell. These are both real places but Christians can be completely confident about the future. 2 Corinthians 5:6-8 reminds us "So we are always confident, knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Lord. For we walk by faith, not by sight. We are confident, yes, well places rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord".

Hardship strengthens us and even death is a promotion placing us in a place better with no more problems. We must all die someday but scripture tells us we are not ready to live until we are ready to die. If you have accepted Christ, you are going to Heaven. You will be released from pain, from sorrow, from suffering, from fear. Revelations 21:4 tells us "And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying ... no more pain, for the former things have passed away."

Sunday Sermon 4-Oct-2009

Speaker: Elder Sim Say Khim

White Fields Assembly Seremban

11 OCTOBER 2009

CM: Barnabas P.

WL: Kai Yew
BU: Jason Lai, Jacquelina, Lareina

P: Chris Lai
S: Jocelyn Lee
G: Darren Oi
D: Jaemy C.

LCD: Lee Siew Pin, Timothy Chang
PA: Tommy Q., Manjit Singh
-

18 Oct:

CM: Caleb R.

WL: Peter Long

BU: Timothy C, Siew Pin, Foong Yee

P: Grace Lee

S: Jason Lai

G: Chew Weng Ern

D: Darren Oi

LCD: Tian Sia, Colleen Chang

PA: Hiew FF, Tommy Q.

Are You Eaten Up With Anger?

Do you find yourself overreacting to little irritations? Your spouse forgot the milk. Your child tracked mud on the new carpet, and you explode. There is a good chance that you are suffering from stored anger. You've held all of these hurts inside and now your stored anger is showing up in your behavior. In my book entitled: Anger, I talk about getting rid of this.

When is the last time someone deeply hurt you? How did you respond? Jesus gave clear instructions: When we are mistreated, we are to lovingly confront the person who hurt us and seek reconciliation.

One of the common problems I encounter in the counseling office is people who are eaten up with anger. In an effort to be good Christians, they've held their anger inside. Anger held inside leads to bitterness, hatred, and often depression.

If you have internalized your anger for a long time, it's time to release it to God. Tell God how much you have been hurt. Then, release the person and your anger to God. When you release people to God, you put them in good hands.

Do you have a long standing offense with someone? Don't sit around the rest of your life letting anger control your life. Go to the person and tell them that you would like to make things right.

If they are open, they will confess their wrong and you can forgive. If they are not, then ask God if there is anything else you need to do. Give that person and your hurt and anger to God. Pray for them, but don't allow their behavior to control your life. God wants you to be free to follow Him.

There is hope for all of us who live with anger. It begins with taking a look at your history. It's never too late to seek reconciliation. Jesus knows all about being mistreated. You can trust Him with your anger.





Adapted from Anger: Handling a Powerful Emotion in a Healthy Way by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.

Special Friday Meeting

Speaker: Prophet Lionel Batke

Vancouver, Canada

He Loves to Be with the Ones He Loves

by Max Lucado

Holiday travel. It isn’t easy. Then why do we do it? Why cram the trunks and endure the airports? You know the answer. We love to be with the ones we love.

The four-year-old running up the sidewalk into the arms of Grandpa.

The cup of coffee with Mom before the rest of the house awakes.

That moment when, for a moment, everyone is quiet as we hold hands around the table and thank God for family and friends and pumpkin pie.

We love to be with the ones we love.

May I remind you? So does God. He loves to be with the ones he loves. How else do you explain what he did? Between him and us there was a distance—a great span. And he couldn’t bear it. He couldn’t stand it. So he did something about it.

Before coming to the earth, “Christ himself was like God in every-thing.… But he gave up his place with God and made himself nothing. He was born to be a man and became like a servant” (Phil. 2:6–7 NCV).

Why? Why did Jesus travel so far?

I was asking myself that question when I spotted the squirrels outside my window. A family of black-tailed squirrels has made its home amid the roots of the tree north of my office. We’ve been neighbors for three years now. They watch me peck the keyboard. I watch them store their nuts and climb the trunk. We’re mutually amused. I could watch them all day. Sometimes I do.

But I’ve never considered becoming one of them. The squirrel world holds no appeal to me. Who wants to sleep next to a hairy rodent with beady eyes? (No comments from you wives who feel you already do.) Give up the Rocky Mountains, bass fishing, weddings, and laughter for a hole in the ground and a diet of dirty nuts? Count me out.

But count Jesus in. What a world he left. Our classiest mansion would be a tree trunk to him. Earth’s finest cuisine would be walnuts on heaven’s table. And the idea of becoming a squirrel with claws and tiny teeth and a furry tail? It’s nothing compared to God becoming a one-celled embryo and entering the womb of Mary.

But he did. The God of the universe kicked against the wall of a womb, was born into the poverty of a peasant, and spent his first night in the feed trough of a cow. “The Word became flesh and lived among us” (John 1:14 NRSV). The God of the universe left the glory of heaven and moved into the neighborhood. Our neighborhood! Who could have imagined he would do such a thing.

Why? He loves to be with the ones he loves.

The Great House of GodFrom Next Door Savior
Available in Hardback or Paperback
Copyright (W Publishing Group, 2003) Max Lucado

Teaching Children Obedience: Part II of II

Are you having trouble teaching your child obedience? Children are moral creatures. They have a strong sense of right and wrong. When you state rules clearly to children and why you have the rule, and you state what the consequences will be if the rule is broken, you're on the way to teaching obedience.

The only other ingredient is to be consistent in letting the child suffer the consequences. If you remove the consequences because the child cries, then you teach the child to cry. If a temper tantrum will change the parents' mind, then the child becomes a terror. Do yourself a favor: learn to discipline fairly and consistently.

Do you want to teach your child not to smoke cigarettes? Then don't smoke yourself, and make it a family rule. In our family, no one smokes cigarettes. If we break the rule we must eat a carrot - the whole thing. This will give the body beta carotene to overcome the nicotine, and chances are the teen will think twice about smoking a second time.

If there is a second violation, a $25 donation to the American Heart Association, picking up 100 cigarette butts from the street and putting them in a trash can, and reading an article on the dangers of nicotine to the lungs will probably be enough to convince him that smoking is for camels and not for children. The third level is spending a day with a man who is dying of lung cancer. Your children are smart. Expose them to the truth.

Discipline is not a dirty word. It means "training." Every child needs it. It begins by helping a child understand that my behavior affects others. If I help mommy set the table, mommy is happy. If I throw the ball on the table, mommy is upset. It continues with the reality that life is filled with rules. Rules are for our good.

Having the consequences for misbehavior set in advance keeps you from being controlled by your emotional state at the moment. When you let it slide one day and come down hard on the child the next day for the same behavior, you create insecurity in the soul of the child. Be consistent and be loving and you will have a child that others will enjoy.




Adapted from The Family You've Always Wanted by Dr. Gary Chapman. To find out more about Dr. Chapman's resources, visit www.fivelovelanguages.com.