Should I Date Someone Who Doesn't Follow Jesus?

It is never, repeat never, God's will for a Christian to date or marry a non-Christian. There are many reasons for this, but the essence is basic incompatibility on the most fundamental level of life: who, or what, we worship. That's the core issue. Not how handsome of how cute; not how much money or what kind of car he drives. Who, or what, does he or she worship? If you date someone who worships someone or something other than your God, or someone who worships God with only half their heart, sooner or later you will be asked to abandon your convictions. You don't want to do that, do you? If not, don't date or marry anyone who loves anyone or anything more than God, our Father.

Bait Or Believer?

One student asked this question: "If we can't date unbelievers won't they be disappointed with out attitude? Shouldn't we date them so that we can win them to Christ?"

Worship Team 8 May 2011

Chairperson: Barnabas P.

Worship Leader: Terry Choong
Vocalists: Lydia Sim, Lareina, Colleen

Pianist: Lydia Sim
Keyboardist: Jocelyn Lee
Guitarist: Anna Sim
Bassist: Weng Ern
Drummer: Ken Fhui

Projectionist: Daniel

PA Personnel: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

Suday Sermon 1-May-2011 - Elder Sim Say Khim

Speaker: Elder Sim Say Khim
White Fields Assembly Seremban

http://www.mediafire.com/?80hh4e7hyxs8jyp

First Things First

It is always wise to begin at the beginning. If you want to be a successful single and eventually have a successful marriage there is one principle for you to consider first. That principle is total commitment.

Romans, chapter 12, verses one and two, really explains total commitment. Here it is as it appears in the Good News Bible:

"So then, my brothers, because of God's great mercy to us I appeal to you: Offer yourselves as a living sacrifice to God, dedicated to his service and pleasing to him. This is the true worship you should offer." Do not conform yourselves to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God, what is good and pleasing to him and is perfect."

Choosing for Life

In most of youth groups and university student groups where I am asked to speak, the most frequently requested topic is dating and choosing a spouse. Young men and women want to know how to relate, date, and find a mate. They also want some clear answers, not just general principles.

The questions young people ask follow a similar line in all of the youth groups and campus fellowships. What they are looking for is clarity, a commodity not always readily available. Complexity may be fine for chemistry, algebra, political science, but when it comes to Christian principles of dating and courtship clear, practical, applicable wisdom is what we need more than anything.

I'm a New Christian...

Max on Life #62
The following is a one of 172 questions and answers from the new book,Max on Life.


I’m a new Christian who is trying to figure out how to grow closer to God. Friends tell me I need to have a quiet time with God each day, but I can’t figure out exactly what to do.

Denalyn and I like to go to the same restaurants over and over again. You could call our dates predictable, but for us they are special. We like the food. We like the servers. We like the atmosphere. When we’re there, we remember special moments we’ve shared before. Our hearts open up . . . we lose track of time . . . because we’re comfortable in that place. We talk to each other, listen to each other, laugh, and cry. I love those times!

A quiet time with God is very similar to a date. Here are some tools to help you keep your very special date with God.

Decide on a regular time and place. Select a slot in your schedule and a corner of your world, and claim it for God. A familiar place will remind you of similar feelings you experienced before with God. You need to get comfortable.

How much time should you take? As much as you need. Value quality over quantity. Your time with God should last long enough for you to say what you want and for God to say what he wants.

You should bring on your date an open Bible—God’s Word, his love letter to you. You won’t necessarily hear God speak out loud, but you can hear what he has to say through his eternal dialogue with humanity.

You also need a listening heart. Don’t forget the admonition from James: “The man who looks into the perfect mirror of God’s law, the law of liberty, and makes a habit of so doing, is not the man who sees and forgets. He puts that law into practice and he wins true happiness” ( James 1:25 PHILLIPS). Listen to the lover of your soul. Don’t just nod your head, pretending to hear. Your date knows when you’re engaged.

So does God. Just as you wouldn’t miss your date with a loved one, claiming you were too busy, make sure your date with God is on the calendar, and do everything in your power to keep it special.

NEW Book!
MAX ON LIFE: Answers and Insights to your Most Important Questions
Copyright (Thomas Nelson, 2011) Max Lucado

'Koinonia'—A Missing Ingredient in Today’s Church

  J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

A small congregation in Puerto Rico reminded me that we can’t build 
the New Testament church without supernatural love.

Last week I preached for several days at Casa del Padre, a small but growing church near San Juan, Puerto Rico. The congregation meets in a rented facility with tile floors and folding chairs. They don’t have a worship leader yet, so a CD player provides accompaniment for the singing. The pastor, a gentle guy named Luis, keeps a second job to pay his family’s bills. Up until a few weeks ago, the church’s office was in his garage.

Casa del Padre is not a fancy place. But the church’s lack of sophistication is overshadowed by an amazing level of love. When I ministered on Sunday morning, the meeting began at 10:30 a.m. yet I didn’t leave the building until 5 p.m.—not because I preached too long but because nobody wanted to go home.

“We must return to koinonia—but you can’t download it. There’s no app for it, and you can’t fake it. We will have to scrap artificial, event-driven programs if we want to return to the relational Christianity of the Book of Acts.”

Resolving Conflicts: Part 2

continued from here

You will never resolve conflicts if you don't learn to listen.
Many people think they are listening when in fact they are simply reloading their verbal guns. Listening means seeking to understand what the other person is thinking and feeling. It is putting ourselves in the other person's shoes and trying to look at the world through their eyes.

Here's a good sentence with which to begin. "I want to understand what you are saying because I know it is important." One man told me that he made a sign which read: "I am a Listener." When his wife started talking he would hang it around his neck to remind himself of what he was doing. His wife would smile and say, "I hope it's true." He learned to be a good listener.

Can you hear me now?
We are all busy. Often, too busy to listen. And yet, listening is the only way you will ever come to understand your spouse's thoughts and feelings. Listening takes time and requires focus. Many people pride themselves in being able to listen while reading e-mails or watching television. One husband said, "my wife insists that I sit down and listen to her. I feel like I'm in a straitjacket, like I'm wasting time."

When you drop everything, look at your spouse and listen, you communicate, "You are the most important person in my life." On the other hand, when you listen while doing other things, you communicate: "You are one of my many interests." Listening is a powerful expression of love.

Share your questions, thoughts insights, or comments by joining the conversation on Facebook at facebook.com/5lovelanguages

It’s Dangerous for Men to "Follow Their Feelings"

by Mark Gungor

Maleness is under attack in this country and has been for the past 40 plus years. This is true in the culture at large, as well as in The Church, and it is extremely detrimental to male culture and our society at large. For a few years now people have been addressing this issue in books like The Feminization of American Culture by Ann Douglas, and David Murrow’s Why Men Hate Going to Church. The results of this feminization have been disastrous. Men are not real men anymore. Many males themselves don’t even know what it means to be a man because they have no role models. Part of this is due to the fact, that far too many fathers have literally abandoned their children or they are not engaged playing an active role in being a part of their son’s lives. For decades since the industrial revolution, most boys have been surrounded and raised by women who are the caretakers and role models. The message men are getting in spades—consciously and unconsciously– is that they need to be more like women and less like men.

The Character of Punctuality - 2/2

 continued from here

Many people consider Punctuality not worth the effort of study and practice. We live in a time when we are slaves to the urgency of schedules and appointments, where our meetings and outings dictate our use of time, and even our relationships. We over-commit and over-schedule, and do not give it a second glance. Yet, time is important, and our management of time will give others a glimpse of our priorities and character.

Remember, God considers punctuality important. Just look up, “at the appointed time,” in a concordance and see how many passages you find where God is concerned with our being on time. We may not see being timely as important, but God does! We are on this earth for such a short amount of time—compared with eternity—and we need to make the most of our time and opportunities. When we are careless with time, we hold others up, and miss valuable opportunities. Our time is a treasure that is given to us, and we are responsible to dish it out, fairly, in a clear and concise way—to the best of our ability, and accordingly to the situation.

Worship Team 1 May 2011

Chairperson: Dr. Siow KW

Worship Leader: Peter Long
Vocalists: Shankar R., Peggy Tan, Gigi Lim

Pianist: Jonathan L
Keyboardist: Meng Fhui
Guitarist: Weng Ern
Bassist: Darren
Drummer: Jaemy C

Projectionist: Joseph Yap

PA Personnel: Hiew FF, Tommy Q.

Sunday Sermon 24-April-2011 - Pastor David Chan

Speaker: Pastor David Chan
Itinerant Speaker

http://www.mediafire.com/?dr0kx8zn1hu8u7o

Mary Magdalene at Jesus' Tomb

by Max Lucado

Mary had been there. She had heard the leaders clamor for Jesus’ blood. She had witnessed the Roman whip rip the skin off his back. She had winced as the thorns sliced his brow and wept at the weight of the cross.

In the Louvre there is a painting of the scene of the cross. In the painting the stars are dead and the world is wrapped in darkness. In the shadows there is a kneeling form. It is Mary. She is holding her hands and lips against the bleeding feet of the Christ.

We don’t know if Mary did that, but we know she could have. She was there. She was there to hold her arm around the shoulder of Mary the mother of Jesus. She was there to close his eyes. She was there.

So it’s not surprising that she wants to be there again.

Resolving Conflicts: Part 1

What's so bad about arguing?
First, let me clarify what I mean by the word argue. It is a legal term. In a court of law attorneys make arguments designed to show the guilt or innocence of their client. They present the 'facts' with the attitude, "Any reasonable person would agree with my argument."

What works fairly well in the court room, works poorly in a marriage, because there is no judge available to determine when your spouse is 'out of order'. Arguments become charged with emotion and you end up yelling, screaming, or crying. Each feels the other is unreasonable. What's so bad about arguing? It turns spouses into enemies who have feelings of hurt, anger, and resentment.

Jesus Can Redeem Your Denials

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

Peter’s three denials could have marked the end of his ministry. 

But the power of Christ’s forgiveness led to three great victories.

The Easter story is full of gloom. Agonizing prayers in the Garden of Gethsemane. Hostile mobs demanding execution. Betrayal and beatings. A crown of thorns and a bloody cross.

But one of the saddest parts of the story, to me, is what happened to Peter the night Jesus was arrested. Peter was tired, stressed to the breaking point and fearful of the crowd. When the high priest’s servant girl accused him of being a disciple of Jesus, he denied it. When she repeated her accusation to some bystanders, he denied it again. When others questioned him, the Bible says Peter “began to curse and swear, ‘I do not know this man you are talking about!’” (Mark 14:71, NASB)

“This Easter, please remember that after Peter wept in the darkness of his shame, the sun came up and Jesus lovingly restored his faith. He will do the same for you.”

The Character of Punctuality - 1/2

By Dr. Richard J. Krejcir
Here is how you can find out. Take a careful look at this character, this fruit of Punctuality, from God’s most precious Word, by examining the passages below. Now ask yourself:

• How do I exhibit Punctuality in my daily life?
• What can I do to develop a better willingness to be on time, to show that I value people?
• What blocks Punctuality from working and being exhibited in me?
• How can I make Punctuality function better, stronger, and faster, even in times of uncertainly and stress?

Here are positive examples from Scripture 

(1 Kings 19:20-21; Matthew 25:1-13; Esther 4: 9-14; Luke 2:1-12)

Here are negative examples from Scripture 

(Exodus 8:10-11; Matthew 24:48-51; 25:1-13; Luke 9:60-62; Acts 24:24-26)

Worship Team 24 Apr 2011

Chairperson: Liong KC

Worship Leader: Kai Yew
Vocalists: Siew Pin, Hong Lu, Foong Yee

Pianist: Jocelyn Lee
Keyboardist: Jacinta Lee
Guitarist: Anna Sim
Bassist: Ken Fhui
Drummer: Darren

Projectionist: Terry C.

PA Personnel: Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

Sunday Sermon 17-April-2011 - Bro. Caleb Ramachandran

Speaker: Bro. Caleb Ramachandran
White Fields Assembly Seremban

http://www.mediafire.com/?f79ahr2c4kjmxxm

God's Promises in PSALM 23

The Lord is my Shepherd = That's Relationship!
I shall not want = That's Supply!
He maketh me to lie down in green pastures = That's Rest!
He leadeth me beside the still waters = That's Refreshment!

He restoreth my soul = That's Healing!
He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness = That's Guidance!
For His name sake = That's Purpose!
Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death = That's Testing!

I will fear no evil = That's Protection!
For Thou art with me = That's Faithfulness!
Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me = That's Discipline!
Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies = That's Hope!

Thou annointest my head with oil = That's Consecration!
My cup runneth over = That's Abundance!
Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life = That's Blessing!
And I will dwell in the house of the Lord = That's Security!

Forever = That's Eternity!

The Centurion at the Foot of the Cross

by Max Lucado

The day began as had a hundred others—dreadfully. It was bad enough to be in Judea, but it was hell to spend hot afternoons on a rocky hill supervising the death of pickpockets and rabble-rousers. Half the crowd taunted, half cried. The soldiers griped. The priests bossed. It was a thankless job in a strange land. He was ready for the day to be over before it began.

He was curious at the attention given to the flatfooted peasant. He smiled as he read the sign that would go on the cross. The condemned looked like anything but a king. His face was lumpy and bruised. His back arched slightly and his eyes faced downward. “Some harmless hick,” mused the centurion. “What could he have done?”

Then Jesus raised his head. He wasn’t angry. He wasn’t uneasy. His eyes were strangely calm as they stared from behind the bloody mask. He looked at those who knew him—moving deliberately from face to face as if he had a word for each.

Getting the Weirdness Out of the Prophetic Movement

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

Let’s reclaim the simple, profound purpose of prophecy—and reject all sensational substitutes.

When I was a college student, a visiting minister regularly came to preach at our campus meetings. At the end of his messages he would often point at someone in the room, smile and say something like, “You in the blue shirt, I believe the Lord has a word of encouragement for you.” Then he would prophesy.

This freaked me out! How could this man know what God was saying to someone else? What if he was wrong? I loved the gift of prophecy because I had benefitted from it myself. But I remember telling the Lord back in those days that I would never, ever stand in front of a group and prophesy to an individual like that. Way too scary!

“If we focus on spiritual gifts as an end in themselves, our distraction will lead us into deception of the weirdest kind. Let’s get our eyes back on Jesus.”

Worship Team Roster 10-April to 19-Jun 2011

Roster can be viewed HERE

Hugs=Happier Marriage

by Mark Gungor


A recent poll of 4000 couples found that those spouses who described themselves as “very happy” tended to hug one another at least four times a day. Science has found many direct correlations between human touch and physical health…and I’m not even talking about actual sexual intercourse! Just holding hands, hugs, a pat on the back, a hand on the arm or other touches like this have a great impact on our mental wellness, our health and the state of our relationships.

Studies have shown that people who don’t have physical touch don’t fair as well, single people, who generally don’t get as much physical touch, have more health problems, and babies in ICUs and people with chronic health conditions who get touched more heal faster and fair better. We are not designed to be people who are never touched or held. We really do need to have it. See the following article on the connection between touch and the release of oxytocin.

Worship Team 17 Apr 2011

Chairperson: Caleb R.

Worship Leader: Peggy Tan
Vocalists: Gigi Lim, Joycelyn C., Lydia Sim

Pianist: Prisca Sim
Keyboardist: Meng Fhui
Guitarist: Terry C.
Bassist: Nigel
Drummer: Anna Sim

Projectionist: Moses Tan

PA Personnel: Hiew FF, Tommy Q

Sunday Sermon 10-April-2011 - Dr. Siow Kim Woon

Speaker: Dr Siow Kim Woon
White Fields Assembly Seremban

http://www.mediafire.com/?hmkw3p86d97ngah

Thirsty on the Cross

by Max Lucado

Jesus’ final act on earth was intended to win your trust.

This is the final act of Jesus’ life. In the concluding measure of his earthly composition, we hear the sounds of a thirsty man.

And through his thirst—through a sponge and a jar of cheap wine—he leaves a final appeal.

“You can trust me.”

Jesus. Lips cracked and mouth of cotton. Throat so dry he couldn’t swallow, and voice so hoarse he could scarcely speak. He is thirsty. To find the last time moisture touched these lips you need to rewind a dozen hours to the meal in the upper room. Since tasting that cup of wine, Jesus has been beaten, spat upon, bruised, and cut. He has been a cross-carrier and sin-bearer, and no liquid has salved his throat. He is thirsty.

A Sweet Surprise Is Hidden Inside Your Worst Trial

J. Lee Grady

Before you whine, complain or throw a pity party, 

remember that God can bring something good out of something bad.

I’m usually adventurous when it comes to foreign food. But I was leery when I learned about a tropical fruit called durian during a trip to Indonesia. Three things made me highly suspicious of this strange delicacy, which is sold in large quantities on the streets of Jakarta.

First of all, durian looks absolutely deadly. Each of the large, round fruits is covered with massive thorns that stick out four inches or more. I’m sure if you threw one of these things at somebody from a second-story window the victim would die instantly.

“Praise God even when everything in your flesh wants to quit. Be patient. When you rejoice in adversity, the bitterness of life is replaced by the fragrance of Christ.”

Accepting the Past and Changing the Future

You Can't Change Your History
The prophet Jeremiah asked: "Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots?" (Jeremiah 13:23). The obvious answer is 'no'. Some things are unchangeable. Perhaps the most influential unchangeable factor in your life is your history. Your parents, good or bad, dead or alive, known or unknown, are your parents. That fact cannot be changed. Your childhood, pleasant or painful, is your childhood.

Our history is not to be changed, but accepted. We waste our time and energy when we ponder on what might have been. Admit your failures, accept the failures of others, and ask God to help you do something good with your future. No matter what has happened in the past, you can have good relationships in the future.

An Everyday Opportunity
What kind of person have you become through the years? Has your spirit been negative or positive toward life? One wife said, "My husband is so negative that when he wakes up in the morning he either says, "Oh, no, I over slept!" or, "Oh, no, I woke up too early!" Thousands of people choose to live life with just that attitude. Something is always wrong with everything.

Would you like to change? You can! Repeat this scripture aloud every morning: "This is the day the Lord has made; I will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24. If you proclaim this truth to yourself, you will begin to see God's hand. And, your relationships will improve.


Share your questions, thoughts insights, or comments by joining the conversation on Facebook at facebook.com/5lovelanguages

God's Delays Are Not Denials

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

Do you trust God's timing? 

The path to spiritual maturity requires us to surrender our selfish deadlines.

When Mary and Martha sent news to Jesus that their brother, Lazarus, was about to die, Jesus didn't respond the way his friends expected. He actually snubbed their request. The Bible says when Jesus heard that Lazarus was sick, "He then stayed two days longer in the place where He was" (John 11:6, NASB).

For Mary and Martha, those were two very long days.

"When we face frustrating delays, we automatically assume that Jesus is denying us, neglecting us or rejecting us. So we throw a childish pity party. We go in our rooms, close our doors, shut out the pain and stay as far away from Him as possible.”

Worship Team 10 Apr 2011

Chairperson: Barnabas P.

Worship Leader: Shankar R.
Vocalists: Siew Pin, Hong Lu, Foong Yee

Pianist: Meng Fhui
Synt: Jonathan L
Guitarist: Ken Fhui
Bassist: Darren
Drummer: Jaemy C

Projectionist: Joseph Yap

PA Personnel: Manjit Singh, Tommy Q.

How We Short-Circuit the Power of God

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

We can't have New Testament power if we don't walk in New Testament love

The New Testament church was characterized by exciting miracles and supernatural anointing, but it was not immune to division. The earliest churches suffered splits—not only because of doctrine but also because of bitter personal disputes.

Even the apostle Paul, who modeled Christian affection and implored his followers to preserve the bond of love, had an unfortunate disagreement with his close colleague, Barnabas, early in their ministry partnership.

The exact nature of their argument is a mystery. We only know that Paul did not want to take John Mark, Barnabas' cousin, on his second missionary journey because the young disciple had deserted the team in Pamphylia. Acts 15:39 says: "And there occurred such a sharp disagreement that they separated from one another, and Barnabas took Mark with him and sailed to Cyprus. (NASB)"

“Many Christians nurse grudges for years; others collect offenses like packrats. Many people are wounded in one church and then move to another—carrying their resentment and bitterness with them.”

"Father, Forgive Them"

by Max Lucado

The dialogue that Friday morning was bitter.

From the onlookers, “Come down from the cross if you are the Son of God!”
From the religious leaders, “He saved others but he can’t save himself.”
From the soldiers, “If you are the king of the Jews, save yourself.”

Bitter words. Acidic with sarcasm. Hateful. Irreverent. Wasn’t it enough that he was being crucified? Wasn’t it enough that he was being shamed as a criminal? Were the nails insufficient? Was the crown of thorns too soft? Had the flogging been too short?

For some, apparently so...

Of all the scenes around the cross, this one angers me the most. What kind of people, I ask myself, would mock a dying man? Who would be so base as to pour the salt of scorn upon open wounds? How low and perverted to sneer at one who is laced with pain…

Two Extremes of Self-Esteem

Inferiority
Most of us tend to either under-estimate or over-estimate our value. We perceive ourselves as either useless failures or as God's gift to the world. How you perceive yourself greatly affects your relationships. Inferiority often stems from childhood where parents told us that we were dumb, ugly, or clumsy.

How do we overcome feelings of being inferior? Speak truth to your heart. What is the truth? You are made in the image of God. You have a mind, emotions, and the ability to make decisions. You are gifted by God with special abilities. You have a unique role to play in his kingdom. No one else can take your place. Tell yourself the truth and behave accordingly. Then, watch your relationships flourish.

Superiority
Feelings of superiority often lead to broken relationships. It all began in childhood. Few rules were enforced. The child grew up feeling the world owed him a living. He became demanding and impatient with others. As an adult he is domineering and self-righteous. If there are problems in the relationship, he blames the other person.

The first step to recovery for the "I am superior" personality, is to admit that you are human. No one is perfect, so stop playing games. Step down from your pedestal and join the rest of us. You don't have to be perfect to be important. People will respect you more if you will admit your weaknesses. In fact, you will find that confession is the road to good relationships.


Share your questions, thoughts insights, or comments by joining the conversation on Facebook at facebook.com/5lovelanguages

Praise Is God's ‘Reset' Button

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

Are you trapped in a prison of despair, doubt or anxiety? 

Learn to release the power of praise.

The apostle Paul's letter to the Philippians is one of the Bible's most unique books. Some scholars call it "the epistle of joy" because the word "joy" or "rejoice" appear in it 16 times. Yet what is amazing is that this letter about Christian joy was written from a prison cell!

While Paul was under the watchful eye of Roman guards, bound in chains, he wrote some of the most uplifting spiritual words ever penned. In the letter's four short chapters the author continually exhorts us to praise God no matter how dark our circumstances are. He writes: "I will rejoice" (1:18, NASB), "I rejoice and share my joy with you all" (2:17), "I urge you, rejoice in the same way" (2:18), "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord" (3:1) and "Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!" (4:4).

"Paul always looked for the hidden blessing in every trial. Have you been complaining about your situation? Grumbling short-circuits faith, but joy revives it."

Six New Testament Words You Need in Your Vocabulary

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

We've dumbed down the gospel for too long. 

Let's rediscover the Bible and become mature disciples.

I love words. That's why I do a crossword puzzle every day—not just because it is the mental equivalent of a three-mile bicycle ride, but also because I enjoy discovering that a word such as "coulrophobia" means a fear of clowns, or that "jobbernowl" means a stupid person.

Words are especially important to us as Christians, not only because Jesus is the logos—the word made flesh (see John 1:14)—but because our faith rests on the truth revealed by God in the Bible. We can't really know Him apart from the God-inspired words that describe who He is and what He has done for us.

"Countless martyrs died so that we could have the Bible, yet today we are forgetting it. I urge you to rediscover the timeless truths of Scripture."

Worship Team 3 April 2011

Chairperson: Tom Cheryan

Worship Leader: Peter Long Terry Choong
Vocalist: Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Lareina

Pianist: Johnathan Long Meng Fhui
Synth: Meng Fhui Jocelyn Lee
Guitarist: Anna Sim
Bass: Weng Ern
Drummer: Ken Fhui

Projectionist: Moses Tan

PA Personnel: Tommy Q, Hiew FF.

Tinkerbell Christianity

by Mark Gungor

Why does the Church seem to be so impotent today?

As I look at what we Evangelical Christians have accomplished over that last decades, I cannot help but be stunned at how far we have “dumbed down” the Christian message. For the last fifty years, we have spent hundreds of millions of dollars on crusades, television and radio broadcasts, concerts and outreaches trying to get as many people as we possibly can to “believe” in Jesus. We have told millions of people that if they just “acknowledge Jesus as their savior, they will be saved!”

Really??

We have convinced millions of people that all they needed to do was “repeat this prayer after me…” and Christ would transform them from the kingdom of this world to the Kingdom of our glorious God. That “it doesn’t matter what you do – just believe”. That once they let those magic words ooze over their tongue, push past their teeth and bubble over their lips, they would now would become real Christians.

Really???

Sunday Sermon 27-Mar-2011 - Pastor Beniah Naresh

Speaker: Pastor Beniah Naresh
Associate Pastor NECF

http://www.mediafire.com/?5zdyd0ydgjjtk03

Recovering the Lost Gift of True Friendship

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

Last week one of my best friends showed me what it really means to selflessly lay down your life.

Last week one of my best friends, Chris Maxwell, organized a two-day prayer gathering for me in north Georgia, where he serves as the pastor of a Christian college. Chris had listened to me whine for months about how confused I was about my future. He took it upon himself to contact a group of my friends, and they agreed to take time off work to pray with me about some important decisions.

Chris not only gathered nine men for this prayer retreat, but he also solicited counsel from other friends who couldn't attend, and from my wife. When I sat down in that living room on the first night, they put me under a microscope and proceeded to meddle in all my business. It was 48 hours of probing questions, wise counsel, sober warnings, gushing encouragement, brotherly affection and in-your-face honesty.

"True friends pray for each other. The prophet Samuel even wrote: 'Far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for you' (1 Sam. 12:23)."

Uncomfortable? Definitely. Embarrassing? At times. Humbling? Totally. But the pain was worth what I gained in the end.

The Power of Love

Love Heals
Do you have a relationship that you would like to see improved? Then, why not decide to do something for that person that she/he would not expect. I mean an act of kindness that would fall in the category of 'returning good for evil'. That's what Jesus taught. You'll never go wrong while following the teachings of Jesus.

I know it's not natural. We tend to return evil for evil, but that has never been God's way. When Jesus was on the cross, he prayed for the forgiveness of those who were killing him. Our attitude is always to be one that seeks reconciliation. We don't overlook wrong, but we stand ready to forgive. Genuine love is the most healing of all medications. You'll never know the power of love until you love someone who has hurt you deeply.

Simon from Cyrene Carries Jesus' Cross

by Max Lucado

“A man named Simon from Cyrene, the father of Alexander and Rufus, was coming from the fields to the city. The soldiers forced Simon to carry the cross for Jesus” (Mark 15:21)

Simon grumbles beneath his breath. His patience is as scarce as space on the Jerusalem streets. He’d hoped for a peaceful Passover. The city is anything but quiet. Simon prefers his open fields. And now, to top it off, the Roman guards are clearing the path for some who-knows-which-dignitary who’ll march his soldiers and strut his stallion past the people.

“There he is!”

Simon’s head and dozens of others turn. In an instant they know. This is no dignitary.

Is it OK to be Gay and Christian?

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

Charismatic pastor Jim Swilley’s announcement that he is gay 

opened the door wider for a subtle delusion. 

Don’t believe it.

Many people were shell-shocked last week when Atlanta pastor Jim Swilley stood in front of his congregation, Church in the Now in Conyers, Ga., and announced that he is gay. The 52-year-old minister was abruptly removed from his position in the International Communion of Charismatic Churches—a network in which he served as an overseer. Some of Swilley’s members left his church, others stayed, and countless others are now scratching their heads.

We Americans are lost in a moral fog. Two major Protestant denominations (the Episcopal Church USA and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America) have voted to ordain gay clergy. Meanwhile, gayness is celebrated in our media, and anyone who refuses to bow to this idol is painted as intolerant and homophobic.

“The sins we avoid addressing from the pulpit are the sins that will thrive unchallenged in our culture. We must develop some backbone and speak the truth in love.”

What Will You Do With Jesus’ Tattoo?

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

Jesus wears a name that says, “KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.” Don’t mislabel His true identity.

I don’t have a tattoo, and I’m not planning to get any at this point in my life. However I’ve met many young Christians who have bought into the tattoo craze. I’ve seen hearts, crosses and Scriptures (English, Greek and Hebrew) on wrists, ankles, arms and necks. When I meet a young guy who has “JESUS DIED FOR ME” inscribed on his back, I don’t criticize his fashion sense.

Regardless of what you think about tattoos, you can’t ignore Revelation 19. I preached from this passage earlier this month when I spoke at a college in Georgia. I reminded the students that one of Jesus’ many names is written on His body. John said:

The War Is on for the Millennial Generation

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

I know the battle I faced as a teenager. Today’s younger generation faces something more challenging.

It wasn’t easy for a guy to find pornography when I was a teenager. I remember giving into the temptation to buy a Hustler magazine when I was in high school. Inside the drug store I paced back and forth near the magazine rack for at least half an hour. My palms were sweaty. My heart was racing. I finally walked to the front of the store, put the magazine face down on the counter and avoided eye contact with the clerk as I forked over the cash.

I grew bolder in my sin when I graduated from high school. When I turned 18, I went to downtown Atlanta to visit an “adult bookstore” (a strange label, really, since the men who frequented these seedy establishments did not act like mature adults). In 1976, anyone who wanted to see hard-core porn had to visit these awful places with garish signs and painted-over windows.

“Young people today are continually assaulted by temptations that kids didn’t face in the 1970s. The war for a generation is on—and it is intense.”

Worship Team 27 Mac 2011

Chairperson: Caleb R.

Worship Leader: Kai Yew
Vocalist: Shankar R., Colleen, Meng Fhui

Pianist: Lydia Sim
Keyboardist: Jocelyn Lee
Guitarist: Terry C.
Bassist: Ken Fhui
Drummer: Darren

Projectionist: Joseph Yap

PA Personnel: Hiew FF, Tommy Q.

Sunday Sermon 20-Mar-2011 - Bro. Tom Cheryan

Speaker: Bro. Tom Cheryan
White Fields Assembly Seremban

http://www.mediafire.com/?99kajvnx6vi0eod

ARE YOU INVESTING WITH TIMELINESS?

Contributed by Dr. Paul E. Toms
Senior Pastor (Retired), Park Street Church, Boston, MA
-
I. WHAT IS PUNCTUALITY?
"What a way to run a railroad". This was often said derisively when a train got off schedule and ran late. In the old days, trains were famous for running right on time, punctually that is! Today some people seem to lose all sense of time. They meander, they wander, they seem to live in another world - not the one that requires attention and responsibility. Some people always seem to run late. Some cultures even have become known for lack of punctuality, and in the Islands people often joke about "Hawaiian Time". But for others, punctuality is an important characteristic. Some of us are even a bit annoying by always wanting to be "on time", if not a little early.

Punctuality is being on time; timeliness. Punctuality is very closely related to dependability and responsibility, which we have emphasized in earlier sermons. It is related to the stewardship of our time and other resources. It is also related to our love for other people; for lack of it can show disrespect and cause frustration, confusion and interruption of fellowship with others. We need to be punctual.

On Trial Before Pilate

by Max Lucado

The most famous trial in history is about to begin.

The judge is short and patrician with darting eyes and expensive clothes. His graying hair trimmed and face beardless. He is apprehensive, nervous about being thrust into a decision he can’t avoid. Two soldiers lead him down the stone stairs of the fortress into the broad courtyard. Shafts of morning sunlight stretch across the stone floor.

As he enters, Syrian soldiers dressed in short togas yank themselves and their spears erect and stare straight ahead. The floor on which they stand is a mosaic of broad, brown, smooth rocks. On the floor are carved the games the soldiers play while awaiting the sentencing of the prisoner.

But in the presence of the procurator, they don’t play.

A regal chair is placed on a landing five steps up from the floor. The magistrate ascends and takes his seat. The accused is brought into the room and placed below him. A covey of robed religious leaders follow, walk over to one side of the room, and stand.

Pilate looks at the lone figure...

“Are you the king of the Jews?”

When It Comes to the Holy Spirit, Don’t Settle for Less

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

God offers much more than a momentary experience.

Let Him totally fill you with His power and turn your life into an adventure.

Years before the Azusa Street Revival a radical band of zealous ministers crisscrossed the United States advocating a second Christian experience that they called the baptism of the Holy Spirit. These men and women were known as Holiness preachers. They were the spiritual descendants of John Wesley, and like Wesley they taught that sanctification was a work of the Holy Spirit that had to be prayed for and received by faith.

One early Pentecostal pioneer, Benjamin Hardin Irwin, began to teach that a third Christian experience was available to believers. He called it “the baptism of fire” and eventually founded a denomination based on his doctrines—the Fire-Baptized Holiness Church. Irwin eventually stepped into error and began teaching that there are numerous other explosive experiences available to every Christian such as “the baptism of dynamite,” “the baptism of oxidite” and “the baptism of selenite.”

Less Martha and More Mary

Several times on the radio show, we have heard from wives who feel as if they have to be and do everything in their homes and are very upset because their husbands don’t help them. I call this the “Martha Complex”—where wives think they have to be “superwoman”. Now, because Mark Gungor is not a woman and he is not a “Martha”, he asked me to give my perspective speaking as a “reformed” Martha!

We can start with the biblical example of Martha and Mary (Luke 10:38-42) when addressing women about this and see how Mary was sitting at the feet of Jesus just listening to him while Martha was running around taking care of all that she thought needed to be done. Martha ends up getting mad because she’s doing all the work, and thinking Jesus will be on her side, asks Jesus to tell Mary to help her. But Jesus doesn’t do that. Instead, he tells Martha to chill out and leave Mary alone because she has chosen what is better–that which is more important. (The Gungor translation!)

Worship Team 20 Mac 2011

Chairperson: Barnabas P.

Worship Leader: Shankar R.
Vocalist: Lydia Sim, Siew Pin, Lareina

Pianist: Jocelyn Lee
Keyboardist: Jacinta Lee
Guitarist:
Bassist: Weng Ern
Drummer: Anna Sim

Projectionist: Meng Fhui

PA Personnel: Hiew FF, Tommy Q

Intimacy Grows Marriages

The Language of Friendship
A number of years ago, I started the single adult ministry at my church. Do you know the most common complaint of singles: "I am so lonely." There is something about the way we are made that cries out for intimacy with another. It is not normal for a person to live in isolation. When God looked at Adam, He said, "It is not good for man to be alone." The word 'alone' literally means 'cut off' or 'isolated'. God's answer to Adam's aloneness was the creation of Eve and the institution of marriage.

That does not mean that a person must be married to find happiness. It does mean that we need people. Intimacy is the word used to describe a close relationship. Intimacy is also one of our deepest emotional needs. It is the language of friendship.

Don’t Be a Glass-Half-Empty Christian

J. Lee Grady Newsletters - Fire In My Bones

I refuse to be a Christian pessimist. Here are three reasons why I can face the future with hope.

Terrorist bombings. Middle East turmoil. $3.95 gas. Killer floods. Moral breakdown. Fragile economies.
No wonder Charlie Sheen is going crazy!

Seriously, there’s a lot of bad news out there. Negative headlines make people fearful, agitated, addicted or even sick. But from what I’ve read in my Bible, Christians should not freak out every time a gloomy cloud settles over us. We, of all people on earth, should be full of hope.

A few days ago a friend asked me what I thought about a prophecy from a well-known Christian leader. This man has predicted a financial collapse in the United States by sometime next year. Other Christians have foreseen terrorist attacks, assassinations, bread lines and even the total breakdown of society. My friend asked me: “What are you hearing from the Lord about the future?”

Sunday Sermon 13-Mar-2011 - Bro. Thomas Samuel

Speaker: Bro. Thomas Samuel
Jesus Call Prayer Tower, Petaling Jaya

http://www.mediafire.com/?4ka71134iz6xc4n

The Sufferings of His Broken Heart

by Max Lucado

Go with me for a moment to witness what was perhaps the foggiest night in history. The scene is very simple; you’ll recognize it quickly. A grove of twisted olive trees. Ground cluttered with large rocks. A low stone fence. A dark, dark night.

Now, look into the picture. Look closely through the shadowy foliage. See that person? See that solitary figure? What’s he doing? Flat on the ground. Face stained with dirt and tears. Fists pounding the hard earth. Eyes wide with a stupor of fear. Hair matted with salty sweat. Is that blood on his forehead?

That’s Jesus. Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane.

Honey I’m Sorry

“Honey, I’m Sorry” is the apology that Mark has husbands and wives recite to each other at the end of the Laugh Your Way to a Better Marriage Seminar. The PDF download on this page is perfect for printing and framing or hanging on the refrigerator to remind you of the most important words that all of us need to say… Honey, I’m sorry. Please forgive me.

Honey, I’m Sorry:
For not always being the kind of husband I should be to you.
For not giving you the attention you deserve.
For being too caught up in my own world instead of “our” world.
For demanding too much and not giving enough.
For not loving you like I should.
Please forgive me.
With your love, your support, your patience and your prayers, I will strive to be the kind of HUSBAND God expects me to be.


Honey, I’m Sorry:
For not always being the kind of wife I should be to you.
For not always appreciating all that you do.
For not always being the lover I know you need.
For not always believing in your hopes and dreams.
For not loving you like I should.
Please forgive me.
With your love, your support, your patience and your prayers, I will strive to be the kind of WIFE God expects me to be.

I Surrender All

For five years, Mr. Van de Venter wavered between the challenge of the Gospel ministry and that of becoming a recognized artist. Here is how he tells it:

“For some time, I had struggled between developing my talents in the field of art and going into full-time evangelistic work. At last the pivotal hour of my life came, and I surrendered all.
“A new day was ushered into my life. I became an evangelist and discovered down deep in my soul a talent hitherto unknown to me. God had hidden a song in my heart, and touching a tender chord. He caused me to sing.”

A Life in the Spirit

published : Sunday, 28 February 2010
R.T. Kendall Daily Devotionals - By Love Transformed

But as for me, I am filled with power, with the Spirit of the Lord . . .—Micah 3:8

Flowing in the Spirit is the best way to live. This is not to say that one is conscious all the time that he or she is flowing in the Spirit. But one can be fairly certain whether the Holy Spirit resides in a person ungrieved, and when we know this is the case, there is a great peace and an absence of tension and anxiety.

A marvelous example of flowing in the Spirit was the way Paul reacted to a demon-possessed girl who had a gift for predicting the future and kept pursuing him. For days, she kept mocking Paul and his companions and shouting, “These men are servants of the Most High God, who are telling you the way to be saved.” The funny thing was, she was telling the truth. Finally, Paul became so troubled that he turned around and said to the malicious spirit, “In the name of Jesus Christ I command you to come out of her!” At that moment the spirit left her (Acts 16:16–18). When we flow in the Spirit we reflect God’s timing: never too late, never too early, but always right on time. There are, however, unusual times of flowing in the Spirit. That is when God is up to something that is not your usual everyday happening. Most of life is lived not on the mountaintop, but in the valley. We must learn to flow in the Spirit in the valley as well as during those times when God does the unusual.

God has never—ever—let me down or left me with the feeling I had been deceived when I experienced flowing in the Spirit. It was pure joy, although sometimes it can be costly. You may lose some friends because you are misunderstood, but God will never desert you.

Excerpted from The Anointing: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow (Charisma House, 2003).

Just Say Yes, Lord

Cindy deVille

Has God asked something of you? Perhaps to be or do something you just don’t think you can. Many times the things God asks of us are much bigger than we feel we could possibly do. We find a million reasons why we’re just not the right one for the task.

We say things like “I’m not smart enough,” “I’m not strong enough,” “I’m too young,” “I’m too old,” “I’m too short, too fat, too tall,” “I don’t speak well,” “I’m not pretty or poised,” “I’m too poor.” And the list goes on.

It’s time to put your reasons to rest. Although you may have a million reasons why you think you can’t be or do what God is asking of you, God has just one reason why you can, and that one reason is Christ in You, the Hope of Glory! (see Col. 1:27). Not only is He in you and with you, but also His Spirit is your helper, adviser and counselor. He is fighting for you and ever lives to make intercession for you and for His church (see Heb. 7:25).

Worship Team 13 Mac 2011

Chairperson: Dr. Siow KW

Worship Leader: Foong Yee
Vocalists: Jocelyn Lee, Lydia Sim, Peggy Tan

Pianist: Meng Fhui
Keyboardist: Jonathan L.
Guitarist: Terry C
Bass: Ken Fhui
Drummer: Darren

Projectionist: Moses Tan

PA Personnel: Tommy Q., Manjit Singh

Sunday Sermon 6-Mar-2011 - Bro. Christopher Cheah

Speaker: Bro. Christopher Cheah
Scripture Union

http://www.mediafire.com/?lg87pl4xqmdrnv1

Anger Can Be Bad For Your Health

When is the last time you felt angry? How did you handle your anger? Was it a pleasant experience for you? How about the people around you? All of us have seen people explode. Many of us have exploded. On the other hand, many people 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.

Teach your children & their friends about "God's Plan of Salvation"

John 14:6,
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Romans 3:23,
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

Romans 6:23,
For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

I Peter 3:18,
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit,

Love is Patient (1 Corinthians 13:4)

by Max Lucado

Patience is the red carpet upon which God’s grace approaches us.

The Greek word used here for patience is a descriptive one. It figuratively means “taking a long time to boil.” Think about a pot of boiling water. What factors determine the speed at which it boils? The size of the stove? No. The pot? The utensil may have an influence, but the primary factor is the intensity of the flame. Water boils quickly when the flame is high. It boils slowly when the flame is low. Patience “keeps the burner down.”

Helpful clarification, don’t you think? Patience isn’t naive. It doesn’t ignore misbehavior. It just keeps the flame low. It waits. It listens. It’s slow to boil. This is how God treats us. And, according to Jesus, this is how we should treat others.

He once told a parable about a king who decides to settle his accounts with his debtors. His bookkeeper surfaces a fellow who owes not thousands or hundreds of thousands but millions of dollars. The king summarily declares that the man and his wife and kids are to be sold to pay the debt. Because of his inability to pay, the man is about to lose everything and everyone dear to him. No wonder “the man fell down before the king and begged him, “Oh, sir, be patient with me, and I will pay it all.” (Matt. 18:26–27 NLT, emphasis mine)

Psalm 90:12 - So teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.

The Day I Said Goodbye to Oscar Logan
Wednesday, 02 March 2011 11:50 AM EST J. Lee Grady

When someone dies right after you shake his hand, you realize how close we all are to eternity.

Last Saturday, in between two sessions at a ministers conference in Virginia, I noticed an older black man sitting near me. Everyone else in the hotel lobby was chatting and drinking coffee, but this man was sitting alone—and he seemed troubled. It was time to go to the next workshop, so I walked over to the guy, said hello, shook his hand and added, “God bless you, sir.”

No big deal—just a casual gesture. Or so I thought.

Breaking Free of the Matrix

by Mark Gungor on March 1st, 2011

Many people have seen the 1999 movie The Matrix, starring Keanu Reeves and Laurence Fishburne. It’s a really cool movie with all this action and cool special effects that most guys really love. One of the great things about the movie is the theme of the “chosen one” or “messiah” coming to save the race—a theme common to lots of literature and movies because of it’s universal appeal to the human soul.

For those of you who haven’t seen it, or in case you have forgotten, the basic gist of the movie is that these humans think they are alive and carrying on their normal lives, but in reality, they are not actually living. They exist in cocoons where their bodies are used to generate energy to run the giant computer program that simulates their lives—the matrix. All they are doing is living a virtual life in their heads and the movie is about trying to break out of the matrix so they will live a real life, rather than the one generated in their minds by the computer.

Worship Team 6 Mac 2011

Chairperson: Liong KC

Worship Leader: Kai Yew
Vocalists: Shankar, Colleen, Lareina

Pianist: Prisca Sim
Keyboardist: Meng Fhui
Guitarist: Anna Sim
Bass: Weng Ern
Drummer: Jaemy C. Ken Fhui

Projectionist: Joseph Yap

PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

Sunday Sermon 27-Feb-2011 - Rev. Dominic Chan

Speaker: Rev. Dominic Chan
Executive Administrator, Assemblies of God

http://www.mediafire.com/?5hvr2abhzigxouw

When Your Adult Child Struggles

With Depression
Depression is the most common hurdle faced by young adults. Symptoms include feelings of helplessness, despondency, and despair; problems with sleep either too much or too little); problems with eating - too much or too little; and lack of energy. This in turn will affect the young adult's performance and may result in flunking out of college or being fired from a job.

Often when they reach this point the young adult will turn to parents for help. May I encourage you, don't try to help them alone. Insist that they see a counselor, medical doctor, or a pastor. Let them know that if they want to talk, you want to listen. Look for life-threatening symptoms such as suicidal talk or actions. Inform the counselor of such talk or actions. Invite them to do things with you. And pray for them daily.

When You Are Low on Hope

by Max Lucado

Water. All Noah can see is water. The evening sun sinks into it. The clouds are reflected in it. His boat is surrounded by it. Water. Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the west. Water.

He sent a raven on a scouting mission; it never returned. He sent a dove. It came back shivering and spent, having found no place to roost. Then, just this morning, he tried again. With a prayer he let it go and watched until the bird was no bigger than a speck on a window.

All day he looked for the dove’s return.

Now the sun is setting, and the sky is darkening, and he has come to look one final time, but all he sees is water. Water to the north. Water to the south. Water to the east. Water to the …

Don’t Change the Guy

by Mark Gungor on January 19th, 2010

Way too many women are dating guys thinking they can change or morph them into the man they want him to be. It would be far better to just find a guy that is more of what you want. If he’s a frog, you aren’t going to turn him into prince charming. You need to move on. I don’t know what it is in the female psyche that makes women think that the bum will be different when they are married.

If you don’t like the fact that he isn’t a devoted follower of Jesus, or that he smokes or is a slob, or whatever—you fill in the blank—but think by some “magical cosmic force” he’ll be different once you are married, you are fooling yourself. Women will say they want a solid Christian man, someone with a good job and a wonderful mother but date a guy who stays in bed and watches TV rather than going to church, can’t hold a steady job and whose mother is a banshee. Then they think these things will go away, won’t matter or that they can change him. These ladies are in for a ton of misery.

The Lukewarm Church

Revelation 3

¹⁴ “And to the angel of the church of the Laodiceans^[a] write,
‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God: ¹⁵ “I know your works, that you are neither cold nor hot. I could wish you were cold or hot. ¹⁶ So then, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot,^[b] I will vomit you out of My mouth. ¹⁷ Because you say, ‘I am rich, have become wealthy, and have need of nothing’—and do not know that you are wretched, miserable, poor, blind, and naked— ¹⁸ I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see. ¹⁹ As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. ²⁰ Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. ²¹ To him who overcomes I will grant to sit with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne.
²² “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’” (Revelation 3:14-22, New King James Version)

Footnotes:

1. Revelation 3:14 NU-Text and M-Text read in Laodicea.
2. Revelation 3:16 NU-Text and M-Text read hot nor cold.

A Call to Prayer for the Middle East

from HERE

Like you, I am greatly distressed about the situation in the Middle East. Below is a word to the Christians in the Middle East and the worldwide church, along with a prayer guide for Egypt and the Middle East.

There are certain things that I have not written to all, but I believe that the Muslim Brotherhood is behind much of this, or at least taking advantage of it. As you may know, Mubarak just announced today that he will not seek re-election. We must continue to pray for stability in Egypt, for a peaceful transition that will not result in leadership by the Muslim Brotherhood and Sharia law.

Pray for Jordan as well, that the people will stand with the king and that this unrest across the Middle East will not result in an Islamic Caliphate being established.

Music & Worship Department Meeting

Sun Feb 27
11:30am – 1pm (MYT)
Hospitality Room

Worship Team 27 Feb 2011

Chairperson: Caleb Ramachandran

Worship Leader: Peggy Tan
Vocalists: Hong Lu, Foong Yee, Gigi Lim

Pianis: Lydia Sim
Keyboardist: Jocelyn Lee
Guitarist: Terry C.
Bass: Ken Fhui
Drummer: Anna Sim

Projectionist: Moses Tan

PA: Hiew FF,Tommy Q.

Because He Lives

In the late 1960s, while expecting their third child, Bill and Gloria Gaither were going through a rather traumatic time in their lives.
Bill was recovering his strength from a bout with mononucleosis. They, along with thseir church, were the objects of accusation and belittlement. Gloria was experiencing a time of torment, including fear of the future and of bringing children into such a crazy, mixed-up world.

As Gloria sat alone in a darkened living room, tormented, and fearful, the Lord sent a calm and peaceful rest to her. The power of the resurrection of Christ seemed to affirm itself in their lives once again. Gloria remembers the realization that it was LIFE conquering death in the regularity of my day. The joy seemed to overcome and take precedent over frightening human circumstances.
And the song Because He Lives came out of their personal bout with darkness:

Sunday Sermon 20-Feb-2011 - Elder Dr John Lee

Speaker: Elder Dr John Lee
Full Gospel Assembly Batu Pahat

http://www.mediafire.com/?5n15fn9lf0w89gn

Being Punctual as Christians

An English professor wrote the following words on the blackboard and directed his students to punctuate it correctly:

"Woman without her man is nothing."

The men wrote: "Woman, without her man, is nothing."

The women wrote: "Woman! Without her, man is nothing."

What's the difference between Punctuality and Punctuation? Punctuation concerns itself with the specific points in a sentence, Punctuality concerns itself with the specific points of time. Now that I have your attention I'd like to "gently" encourage our congregation about the importance of being Punctual and give some practical advice for being on time to church services. We've all heard the old saying, "better late than never." Yes, when genuine reasons keep one from being on time, it's better to see them show up late than not at all. Still, the goal for all of us should be, to be Punctual for church services. Perhaps a good definition of punctuality is, "arriving a little before the starting time." So, being a bit early to church makes sense. It will give you time to say hello to visitors (who, by the way, are almost always seated long before the service starts). It will cut down on coming to worship all stressed out because you've been rushing around. It will give you a chance to help with any last minute needs, etc. When it comes to being Punctual, the business world "expects" it, but the Lord "DESERVES" it.

Getting the "I" Out of Your Eye

by Max Lucado

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. (Phil. 2:3–4 NASB)

Love builds up relationships; selfishness erodes relationships. No wonder Paul is so urgent in his appeal: “Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit” (Phil. 2:3 NASB).

But aren’t we born selfish? And if so, can we do anything about it? Can we get our eyes off of self? Or, better asked, can we get the little self out of our eyes? According to Scripture, we can.

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind. (Phil. 2:1–2 NASB)

When Your Child Moves Home

Who's eating my chocolate?
There is a T-Shirt that boasts, "It's not an empty nest until they get their stuff out of the attic." For you, that may not seem even remotely funny.You aren't thinking about emptying the attic, but about what you are going to do now that your adult child has moved back into your house. They are called the boomerang generation. They leave, but they come back.

Certainly you love them, but you had not anticipated this. It has thrown your life and perhaps your marriage into a tail spin. Most parents are greatly frustrated when their children move back home and one of the most common problems is that spouses often disagree over how to treat the boomerang child.

Seven Things I’ve Always Wanted to Say to Worship Leaders

from HERE

We would honor God if we applied these principles to our praise.
I consider myself open-minded about worship. My tastes in music are eclectic, so I love everything from Hillsong choruses and black gospel anthems to classic hymns and Spanish worship artists Marco Barrientos and Jesús Romero. My playlist even includes Native American, Nigerian and Iranian worship.

I love any music that stirs my soul and points me to heaven, so worshipping the Lord with other believers is one of my favorite pastimes. But there are a few things I’d like to say to worship leaders. Please don’t take these comments as criticism but as encouragement from a brother who has “seen it all” when it comes to the Sunday morning drill.

The Faithful Church

Revelation 3

⁷ “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write,
‘These things says He who is holy, He who is true, “He who has the key of David, He who opens and no one shuts, and shuts and no one opens”:^{[a] 8} “I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it;^[b] for you have a little strength, have kept My word, and have not denied My name. ⁹ Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you. ¹⁰ Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth. ¹¹ Behold,^[c] I am coming quickly! Hold fast what you have, that no one may take your crown. ¹² He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And I will write on him My new name.
¹³ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’ (Revelation 3:7-13, New King James Version)

Footnotes:

1. Revelation 3:7 Isaiah 22:22
2. Revelation 3:8 NU-Text and M-Text read which no one can shut.
3. Revelation 3:11 NU-Text and M-Text omit Behold.

Be Thou My Vision

This ancient 8th century hymn text from Ireland is still meaningful for us today with its expression of a yearning for the presence and leading of God in our lives.

The earnest prayer is enhanced by such quaint but tender phrases as “Lord of my heart, Thy presence my light, and heart of my heart.” The text states that when we allow God to have first place in our lives, He becomes our treasure. And we no longer care for the pursuit of riches or man’s praise.

The entire Irish poem was first translated into English in 1905 by Mary Bryne, in Dublin, Ireland.

Several years later, Eleanor Hull, a writer of English history and literature, [enned the prose into verse form and included it in her book of poems, The Poem Book of the Gael. The melody for this hymn is a traditional Irish tune.

Worship Team 20 Feb 2011

Chairperson: Barnabas Param

Worship Leader: Peter Long Terry C
Vocalist: Lydia Sim, Lareina, Colleen

Pianist: Jonathan Long Prisca Sim

Guitarist: Anna Sim, Weng Ern

Drummer: Ken Fhui Jaemy

Projectionist: Joseph Yap
PA: Manjit Singh, Hiew FF

The Power of the Blood of Jesus

• Acts 20:28 - Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God[a] which He purchased with His own blood. 
• Romans 3:25 - whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, 
• Romans 5:9 - Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. 
• 1 Corinthians 10:16 - The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ? 
• Ephesians 1:7 - In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace

And Can it Be, that I Should Gain

Not many hymns begin with a question as does this one. However, it is not an expression of doubt but of wonder and awe.
· How can it be that the shedding of Jesus’ blood 1900 years ago is relevant to me today?
· How was it possible for the Song of God to have died for me?
· Why should our Lord empty Himself of all His divine glory and become a man, in order to save “Adam’s helpless race?”

There is considerable evidence that this hymn was written by Charles Wesley soon after his own conversion. Charles Wesley’s crisis experience occurred on May 20, 1738. He had been sick in body as well as in spirit. It seemed that God spoke to him through a vision. According to his Journal, this confrontation took place after reading the bible for some time.

Sunday Sermon 13-Feb-2011 - Dr. Sandra Nair

Speaker: Dr. Sandra Nair
Eagle Heights Network

http://www.mediafire.com/?a72t0t25b37ywyj

A Call to Common Courtesy

by Max Lucado

Perhaps you’ve never placed the word courteous next to Christ. I hadn’t until I wrote this chapter.

But you know how you never notice double-cab red trucks until your friend says he wants one—then you see a dozen of them? I had never thought much about the courtesy of Christ before, but as I began looking, I realized that Jesus makes Emily Post look like Archie Bunker.

He always knocks before entering. He doesn’t have to. He owns your heart. If anyone has the right to barge in, Christ does. But he doesn’t. That gentle tap you hear? It’s Christ. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock” (Rev. 3:20 NASB). And when you answer, he awaits your invitation to cross the threshold.

The Love Language of Gift Giving

Gift Giving is Universal
As a student of Anthropology I have studied the advanced cultures of the Mayans and the Aztecs. I have studied the tribal peoples of Melanesia and Polynesia; the Eskimos of the northern tundra and the aboriginal Ainus of Japan. I discovered that in every culture gift giving was a part of the love-marriage process.

The attitude of love is always accompanied with the concept of giving. Gifts are visual symbols of love. From early years, children are inclined to give gifts to their parents. What mother has not received a dandelion from a child? So, let me ask you a personal question. When is the last time you gave a gift to someone you love?

The Woodcutter's Wisdom

by Max Lucado

Once there was an old man who lived in a tiny village. Although poor, he was envied by all, for he owned a beautiful white horse. Even the king coveted his treasure. A horse like this had never been seen before—such was its splendor, its majesty, its strength.

People offered fabulous prices for the steed, but the old man always refused. “This horse is not a horse to me,” he would tell them. “It is a person. How could you sell a person? He is a friend, not a possession. How could you sell a friend?” The man was poor and the temptation was great. But he never sold the horse.

One morning he found that the horse was not in the stable. All the village came to see him. “You old fool,” they scoffed, “we told you that someone would steal your horse. We warned you that you would be robbed. You are so poor. How could you ever hope to protect such a valuable animal? It would have been better to have sold him. You could have gotten whatever price you wanted. No amount would have been too high. Now the horse is gone, and you’ve been cursed with misfortune.”

All Creatures of Our God and King

From the grateful heart of a devoted Italian monk in the year of 1225 came this beautiful message.

As a great lover of nature, Saint Francis of Assisi saw the hand of God in all creation. He demonstrated through his own life all the tender, humble, forgiving spirit and absolute trust in God that his hymn urges others to have. At the age of 25, St. Francis left an indulgent fife as a soldier, renounced his inherited wealth, and determined to live meagerly and to imitate the selfless life of Christ.

Throughout his life Saint Francis appreciated the importance of church music and encouraged singing in his monastery. He wrote more than 60 hymns for this purpose. The beautiful expressions of praise in All Creatures of Our God and King have endured throughout the centuries.

The Dead Church

Revelation 3

¹ “And to the angel of the church in Sardis write,
‘These things says He who has the seven Spirits of God and the seven stars: “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead. ² Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die, for I have not found your works perfect before God.^{[a] 3} Remember therefore how you have received and heard; hold fast and repent. Therefore if you will not watch, I will come upon you as a thief, and you will not know what hour I will come upon you. ⁴ You^[b] have a few names even in Sardis who have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. ⁵ He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.
⁶ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’ (Revelation 3:1-6, New King James Version)

Footnotes:

1. Revelation 3:2 NU-Text and M-Text read My God.
2. Revelation 3:4 NU-Text and M-Text read Nevertheless you have a few names in Sardis.

Get Off the Island!

by Mark Gungor

There is a very troubling phenomenon in churches today and it’s having a terrible and very destructive effect on marriages. Far too many couples are living on their own “islands” and are actually living a lie. Millions of Christians husbands and wives are experiencing struggles and trials in their marriages, yet they are going through life in isolation, refusing to tell anyone or to bring their pastor, their friends, or family into it. They come to church and go about their business acting like everything is just hunky-dory, when the reality is, they are miserable and going through hell. What on earth makes people think that they can just be dishonest and lie and pretend that nothing is wrong? They are deceiving others and they are lying—that is sin! It sounds harsh, but it’s true!

Why are so many people lying when church community and family surround them? These are the people that we should go to, ask questions of, talk things out with, and get wisdom from so we can effectively handle the challenges of life. But instead, we end up being on an island. It’s just the two of us and all the stuff we’re dealing with. We are playing Survivor and trying to see who gets voted off and who stays on the island—the problem is pretty soon we destroy our marriage in the process!

Worship Team 13 February 2011

Chairperson: Siow KW

Worship Leader: Terry Choong Peter Long
Vocalists: Shankar R, Peggy Tan, Gigi Lim

Pianist: Meng Fhui
Keyboardist: Jonathan Long
Guitarist: Weng Ern
Bass Guitarist: Darren
Drummer: Jaemy C Ken Fhui

Projectionist: Jocelyn Lee
PA: Hiew FF, Tommy Q
-
Dear Worship Leaders,
The members who join the pre-service prayer meeting would like you to highlight any changes to your slot. This is to enable them to pray for the right worship leader at the prayer meeting.
Also, kindly learn to assemble your song list using the PDF Builder.

Dear LCD Operators,
Please ensure you have an assistant. One person will control the BeamIt program, the other will assist in noting the Worship Leader's indication.
It would be advisable to come for practice on Saturday to familiarize yourself with the song choices.

Marriage Mentoring

Marriage mentoring is important for marriages in that it gives couples a place to turn to when they experience the struggles — normal and otherwise — in their relationship. There is great benefit when you get with another couple to help you walk through the issues that they themselves have already successfully navigated. It can really help bring insight and perspective to the situations most all couples encounter. The links on the right are resources that give information on how to start a mentoring program. Mature and established couples who have “been there, done that” need to step up to the plate and start a mentoring program in their church.

Having another couple to speak to about your marriage and work with you is often a much better route than seeing the pastor (who is already very busy!) or even going through marriage therapy. Marriage mentoring really works and has significantly reduced the divorce rates in churches that have such a program in place. Couples should not sit in silence and suffer through their problems alone. That’s what a church community is for.

Sunday Sermon 6-Feb-2011 - Rev Dr Isaac Yim

Speaker: Rev Dr Isaac Yim
First Baptist Church, Petaling Jaya

http://www.mediafire.com/?ukbc6097l6ohm81

When Grace Goes Deep

by Max Lucado

The prodigal son trudges up the path. His pig stink makes passersby walk wide circles around him, but he doesn’t notice. With eyes on the ground, he rehearses his speech: “Father”—his voice barely audible—“I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am not worthy to be called your son.” He rehashes the phrases, wondering if he should say more, less, or make a U-turn to the barnyard. After all, he cashed in the trust fund and trashed the family name. Over the last year, he’d awakened with more parched throats, headaches, women, and tattoos than a rock star. How could his father forgive him? Maybe I could offer to pay off the credit cards. He’s so focused on penance planning that he fails to hear the sound of his father…running!

The dad embraces the mud-layered boy as if he were a returning war hero. He commands the servants to bring a robe, ring, and sandals, as if to say, “No boy of mine is going to look like a pigpen peasant. Fire up the grill. Bring on the drinks. It’s time for a party!”

The Nature of Marriage

The Intimacy of Marriage
At the heart of marriage is the idea of unity. The Bible states, "The two will become one flesh." Intimacy is the opposite of 'aloneness'. God said, "It is not good for man to be alone." Something deep within man cries out for the companionship of a woman, and the woman has a similar desire for intimacy with a man. Marriage is designed to satisfy that deep search for intimacy.

But this intimacy is not simply the joining of two bodies in a sexual experience. It is the joining of two souls in the deepest possible way. Intellectually, emotionally, socially, spiritually and physically we join our lives together. This intimacy grows with each passing day, if we take time to talk and listen; pray together, and seek God's guidance.

Great is Thy faithfulness

In 1923 Thomas Chisolm birthed one of the greatest modern hymns regarding the faithfulness of God from this golden text.  In stanza one he writes of God's unchanging character and unfailing compassions.  In stanza two he writes of God's faithfulness in maintaining the order of His universe.  In stanza three he writes of God's faithfulness in forgiving our sins, providing strength for today and hope for tomorrow.  Each stanza leads to the great culminating chorus that declares the victorious words of Jeremiah, "Great is Thy faithfulness."

May we all be transported through prayer and faith from our difficulty to a tranquil state of mind where we too can confidently and gratefully proclaim this to be our personal testimony, "Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord unto me."

The Corrupt Church

Revelation 2

¹⁸ “And to the angel of the church in Thyatira write,
‘These things says the Son of God, who has eyes like a flame of fire, and His feet like fine brass: ¹⁹ “I know your works, love, service, faith,^[a] and your patience; and as for your works, the last are more than the first. ²⁰ Nevertheless I have a few things against you, because you allow^[b] that woman^[c] Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess, to teach and seduce^[d] My servants to commit sexual immorality and eat things sacrificed to idols. ²¹ And I gave her time to repent of her sexual immorality, and she did not repent.^{[e] 22} Indeed I will cast her into a sickbed, and those who commit adultery with her into great tribulation, unless they repent of their^[f] deeds. ²³ I will kill her children with death, and all the churches shall know that I am He who searches the minds and hearts. And I will give to each one of you according to your works.
²⁴ “Now to you I say, and^[g] to the rest in Thyatira, as many as do not have this doctrine, who have not known the depths of Satan, as they say, I will^[h] put on you no other burden. ²⁵ But hold fast what you have till I come. ²⁶ And he who overcomes, and keeps My works until the end, to him I will give power over the nations—
²⁷ ‘ He shall rule them with a rod of iron;
They shall be dashed to pieces like the potter’s vessels’^[i]—

as I also have received from My Father; ²⁸ and I will give him the morning star.
²⁹ “He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”’ (Revelation 2:18-29, New King James Version)

Footnotes:

1. Revelation 2:19 NU-Text and M-Text read faith, service.
2. Revelation 2:20 NU-Text and M-Text read I have against you that you tolerate.
3. Revelation 2:20 M-Text reads your wife Jezebel.
4. Revelation 2:20 NU-Text and M-Text read and teaches and seduces.
5. Revelation 2:21 NU-Text and M-Text read time to repent, and she does not want to repent of her sexual immorality.
6. Revelation 2:22 NU-Text and M-Text read her.
7. Revelation 2:24 NU-Text and M-Text omit and.
8. Revelation 2:24 NU-Text and M-Text omit will.
9. Revelation 2:27 Psalm 2:96