exercise

during my exercise last week i managed to have time to take out the gideon bible from my sbo and read for a little while!
so while in prone position i read psalms 66.

it declares:

"Shout with joy to God, all the earth!...

verse 9. he has preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping. For you O God, tested us; you refined us like silver. You brought us into prison and laid burdens over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance."

I really thank the Lord for that word he impressed upon my heart. i felt this was the best exercise so far. the weather was really really miraculous and i testify to God's graciousness towards me throughout this exercise.
indeed He is our fortress and refuge and tho he brings us into hardships but He in his awesome might will show us the way. and we emerge STRONGER!


Amen.

STICKS AND STONES CAN BREAK MY BONES BUT WORDS THEY SURELY KILL

theTWENTYSEVENTHofseptembertwoohohseven

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. - James 3:17

Godly wisdom is qualified by such.
lots of attributes. lots and lots of it. it would take forever to ponder through each of them.
that is why Godly wisdom must come from God. man cannot attain it himself.
but it requires a Godly man.
Solomon asked for wisdom, above all things.
won't i, too?
i could use a little Godly wisdom now.
please, God, thank You.

Friend of God

Many people know/heard of this song.

" I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
I am a friend of God
He calls me friend"

But how many people actually knows how big a deal this is? Actually, this is one of those songs that I would need to think further before singing because of the immense implications that I declare when I sing it.

To begin with, when one says "I am a friend of so and so", immediately a few things must be true for this statement to be true. A very broad definition of friend is someone whom you know, likes and trusts, and probably enjoy each other's company. Furthermore, declaring each other as friends immediately brings one to the same level as each other. Declaring "I am a friend of God" simply means that I am on the same level / talking terms as God! I cannot emphasize how great a deal this is!!

However, is it true that every believer is a friend of God ? Last I read or from what I know, God only ever declares Abraham to be His friend in Isaiah 41:8, and James 2:23. Of course other good guys like Noah, Moses (who happens to be on direct talking terms) and Job are surely friends of God as well, just not recorded only. Anyway the key question here is, what does it mean to be a friend of God?

And this is what Jesus says in John 15:9~17 (emphasis mine)

"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. 11I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. 14You are my friends if you do what I command. 15I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master's business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. 16You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you to go and bear fruit—fruit that will last. Then the Father will give you whatever you ask in my name. 17This is my command: Love each other."

And this is what I learnt:

God calls me His friend if:

1. I do what He commands
2. I remain in His love (since obeying His commands = remaining in His love)
3. Love each other as He loved us. (This is a command!)
4. I know and is deeply involved in His business

Furthermore, God is the one who calls me friend, not the other way round. (I am chosen!)

The double emphasis of the command "Love each other" must be very high up in God's heart and so this shall be my application. Obey Him and to love each other as He has loved us.

Truly, will I be His friend.

WHAT WENT WRONG WHERE WHEN HOW WHY

theTWENTYSIXTHofseptembertwoohohseven

As has just been said: "Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts as you did in the rebellion." - Hebrews 3:15

do i want to hear the voice of the Lord?
then am i willing to obey? or is my heart hardened?

A SOFT HEART is a heart that:
is open to challenge. - let God offend my mind.
is willing to change. - let go of my stubbornness.
is ready to act. - i will be a doer after i hear.

speak to me, Lord.

WATCH THE WORLD TURN ON

theTWENTYFIFTHofseptembertwoohohseven

When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made, that is to say, not a part of this creation. - Hebrews 9:11

Christ was perfect. blameless. even by perfect standards.

how much so will the blood of Christ cleanse our consciences, so that we may serve the living God!

NOTHING ABSOLUTE

theTWENTYFIRSTofseptembertwoohohseven

They will throw their silver into the streets, and their gold will be an unclean thing. Their silver and gold will not be able to save them in the day of the Lord's wrath. They will not satisfy their hunger or fill their stomachs with it, for it has made them stumble into sin. - Ezekiel 7:19

everyone desires to be rich. nothing wrong with that.
but sometimes riches causes us to stumble into sin.

sometimes,
riches seem to solve our problems;
- we turn less to God.

riches seem to empower us;
- we rely less on God.

riches seem to give us joy;
- we seek less of God.

} riches lower our dependence on God.


an intended blessing could cripple us if we let it disillusion us.
come back to the fact that God is LORD of all.

A Time for Everything

Lord, what TIME is it in my life now? I guess Time never waits for anyone. Its either you seize the moment or it just passes you by. From one time to another time, its called a Transition. I can be caught up in time. Thats when i become a slave in time. 'Oh no, i dont have enough time.' Become a Master of your time. Jesus never said he was too busy. He effectively managed it.

Lord, give me wisdom on how I should spend my time.


Ecclesiastes 3

1 There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

2 a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

3 a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

4 a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

5 a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

6 a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

7 a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

8 a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Rest

So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience.

Hebrews 4:9~11

Rest. It is something that almost everyone I know wanted. Everyone is seemingly always tired. I know I am. Many of us so often tried to find rest by sleeping more, hanging loose with friends, watch tv and even play computer games, and yet we do not find rest. So what can we do about it?

The bible tells us in Matthew 11:28 Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. What does it mean to come to Jesus for rest? How to rest?

Well, it is interesting what this passage in Hebrews had to say about rest.

Hebrews 3 mentioned that God's wrath with the israelites' disobedience and unbelief caused them unable to enter His rest. Similarly, God warns us in Hebrews 4:1 that while a promise of entering His rest is true for us, we should fear that we may come short of it. Rest comes only with faith and obedience.

Later on in the passage, our rest is likened to how God, Himself rested on the 7th day after finishing His works of creation. Furthermore, we are to be diligent in entering that rest, lest we also fall away like the Israelites due to disobedience.

hmmm...so how? what then is rest? Is rest just the recovery from bodily fatigue or does it entails something more than that?

well...

Rest is a geographical blessing in the land of Canaan during the old testament times where there is permanence and security.

Rest is the end goal of creation, since God Himself rested on the 7th day, and is promises us that we too can enter into His rest, even from Joshua's time till now. By faith and obedience of course.

Rest is absence of work.

Rest requires effort and diligence to enter into. Not hardening your hearts, and with faith and obedience.

In this light, I think true rest is spiritual rest in our souls, where we believe God in faith that Jesus has taken away our restlessness due to sin. In Him, we can truly rest from worries from work, struggles knowing that there is eternal rest in heaven.

Be rested my dear brothers, physically and spiritually. =)

A Promise

Romans 10:11-13 (New American Standard Bible)11For the Scripture says, "WHOEVER BELIEVES IN HIM WILL NOT BE DISAPPOINTED."

I so often have said that I have been disappointed. Disappointed because of people, of how things work out, of other situations I cant control. But this simple scripture points me to WHOM I put my trust in?
Then comes the next part, WILL NOT BE. Easy to understand. In other words, will never be disappointed. Wow! Its an absolute statement that applies to whoever.

1. In Him - Promiser
2. Will not be - Promise

In the Amplified version it says, 11 The Scripture says, No man who believes in Him [who adheres to, relies on, and trusts in Him] will [ever] be put to shame or be disappointed.

Why do I feel disappointed? Another way to ask the question is: Whom did I put my trust in? Is it on myself or people or what???!

I want to believe and live this out in my life.

Growing Up

2 weeks ago, part of our G-12 meeting was to go down to ‘visit’ our brothers who were in star encounter. However, when we finally arrived at our destination, pasted on the 2 sides of the door of TESS hall with font size 99 were these words
‘NO ENTRY FOR VISITORS OR LEADERS’
As good Christians who submit to authority, Wei Peng, Miah, Nicholas and I walked around Marine Parade in search of some ‘exciting’ activity (LAN game, Pool) while waiting for the encounter session to end.

As we walked past some of the popular hang out areas (Macdonalds, Parkway builders, dolphin pool hall, roxy, parkway parade) Nicholas and Jeremiah were orientating Wei Peng ‘This was the place we were hanging out when we escaped from cell group last time’ ‘This was the LAN shop where Joshua and Narash came in and caught us red-handed, we had no where to hide!’ ‘This was the coffee shop table where we always got our lectures.’

I saw Nicholas and Jeremiah giggled and laughed in reminiscence of the past. Not because it was ‘fun’ and a cool thing to do! but looking back, they were glad because they have ‘grown up’ physically and spiritually definitely. I hope you're glad that you're not the same person as before too! Remember what Joshua said in our previous meeting. 'If we remain as the same person as before, not only have we backslided, we have wasted the journey that GOD has brought us through!'

Well back to the guys.
Yes, many a times it was hard, frustrating and painful in gathering these ‘punks’ But because You (Joshua, Luke, Narash) never gave up on them, they’re learning, growing in the LORD and loving Jesus today.

What does it mean for us then? Press in for your sheeps no matter the cost, the pain and the time! Remember, God’s heartbeat is the transformation our lives and their lives!

‘I see a generation
Rising up to take the place
With selfless faith, with selfless faith’

‘Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like you have loved me
Break my heart for what is yours
Everything I am for your kingdom's cause
As I walk from earth into eternity’ – lyrics ‘Hosanna’- All of the above

his love endures forever

another well-loved psalm of mine would be psalms 136.

so every morning i make it a point after coming back from breakfast to read the word of God or just take my guitar and go to the roof top in camp and have a time of solitude. psychologists says 6 weeks is the time needed to make something a habit so im really trying my best to be strict about this time with the lord.

anw if there is any psalm that you would consider cheong hey ( 'naggy' ) in that sense. it would have to be this.

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good.
His love endures forever
Give thanks to the God of gods.
His love endures forever...


Now it rings bells isn't it and i bet a song is playing in your head right now.
this psalm is an awesome expression of God's undying promise to us! that no matter what! His love endures forever.
i used to think that God in the old testament is more of an just, disciplinary God compared to the new testament.

but this psalms hits home the truth. that God's love for his people, for us is still the same.


yesterday

today

forever



Charles
P/S: be praying for me that even as i go back to camp and suffer for another 7weeks that the Lord will strengthen me and keep me safe from harm and that i will be that salt and light to the people around me.

love you guys.

Of Forgiveness

Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: It is mine to avenge; I will repay, says the Lord. On the contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

- Romans 12:17-21


-----------------------


Recently I felt betrayed by a friend of mine.
I was utterly disappointed and angry with him.
My blood was boiling.

But

I decided to make peace with him by talking things out.
It went well... on the surface.
But deep inside there is still anger.
The forgiveness wasn't genuine.
It started not to feel right.

But.

Jesus forgives us.
We can forgive because Jesus first forgives us.
I prayed and forgiven him.
I felt released from the resentment I had.

Thank you Jesus for your love.

FURRY LITTLE BUGS

theFOURTEENTHofseptembertwoohohseven

My feet have closely followed his steps; I have kept to his way without turning aside. - Job 23:11

being righteous is an intentional effort.

it means keeping up with the Lord's pace and His standards.
FOLLOW: our walk with the Lord gives us PACING.
do not go our own way, at our own pace. the Lord is the leader; we follow.

it means focusing on the Lord's direction and not being distracted.
FOCUS: our eyes on the Lord gives us DIRECTION.
do not be distracted by worldy things. the Lord is the only good thing worth focusing on.

Earth shakes

Matthew 24:6-8
6You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains.9"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me.

Mark 13:7-9
7When you hear of wars and rumors of wars, do not be alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 8Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be earthquakes in various places, and famines. These are the beginning of birth pains.
9"You must be on your guard. You will be handed over to the local councils and flogged in the synagogues. On account of me you will stand before governors and kings as witnesses to them.

Luke 21:10-12
10Then he said to them: "Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. 11There will be great earthquakes, famines and pestilences in various places, and fearful events and great signs from heaven.
12"But before all this, they will lay hands on you and persecute you. They will deliver you to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors, and all on account of my name.

Currently are we experiencing the birthpains? A good question to good think about but not to dwell on it.
A great question to think about - If Being a Christian were a crime, would there be enough evidence in your life to convict you?!

1King 19:11 The LORD said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by."
Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. 12 After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.

Everyone is caught up in the tremors of this world but what is Lord saying... Have you sat down to hear Him today?

AYE BE SEE AXE WHY ZEE

theTHIRTEENTHofseptembertwoohohseven

But now he has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation - if you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel. - Colossians 1:22-23a

because of Jesus' death,
we are now holy in God's sight. without imperfection. free from accusation.

but there is a condition.
all that is only possible.. IF:

we continue in our faith
press on in our faith in Jesus Christ. faith in that it was all finished on the Cross.
do not give up and harbour doubt.
be simple.

established and firm
mature and deeply rooted in Christ. a growing and deep relationship with our Father.
do not be superficial, blown about by the wind.
be steadfast.

not moved from the hope held out in the gospel
undaunted, clinging on to the hope of the gospel. never say die. unwavering hopefulness.
do not lose hope, for the gospel promises.
be sure.

My Skydive Experience in Sydney

1. The prep phase - Key to the experience. Strap yourself and learn the key moves. One of the move is called " Do the banana".

2. The take off phase - Having all the mixed emotions as the plane was rising higher and higher. But the path was being laid for the experience itself.

3. The Leap off phase - Red - Yellow- GREEN. Single mindedly getting ready to jump off to a totally new experience. The only way to taste it. Open your eyes and ENjoy...

4. The Freefall phase - AHHHHHHHHHHHHH! Heart in my mouth. Clouds beneath my legs. I am flying without wings. I am falling actually. When is it going to end. The wind is uncomfortably rushing at my face. Oh ya the parachute! I trust it would open. Well, its a beautiful sight anyway.

5. The Open Parachute phase - What a relieve, it opened. But the gravity is still pulling me down. Lets go to our landing phase. More time to enjoy the scenery.

6. The Landing phase - It would nice and smooth with the proper posture and catching the right wind. Phew! Awesome. Will I do that again?! hmmmm to be answered again.

Clarence's and My (Generalised) reflection:

- Every Cause requires a Cost.

- The Cost can deter you from the Course.

- But the Cause can bring you through the Cost and Complete the Course.

- Conviction to the Cause or Calling is very impt.

Carrot or Stick

2John1: 8 Watch out that you do not lose what you have worked for, but that you may be rewarded fully.

Reward has to be earned.
The word rewarded fully also means can be rewarded partially or no rewards.

2Cor5: 8We are confident, I say, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord. 9So we make it our goal to please him, whether we are at home in the body or away from it. 10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.

This is definately speaking to the Believers. "for things done while in the body" emphasizes that Paul is talking to the believers. Yes, Jesus will judge us. Not our Sins. Then what.....

Judgement/ Decision - Outcome resulting from an investigation.
A decision which would result in Reward / Loss.

Heb 6: 1Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, 2instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. 3And God permitting, we will do so.

And these Eternal decisions will stand forever. The way we live as believers will determine how we will spend eternity.

Believers are Judged:
1. Our involvement in building the kingdom of God
2. How are built individual lives

God wants to reward us. The only thing we can take with us is the people and not material things.

Matt 25:14-28
The story of 3 servants and what they did with the talents they were given.
Servant A: 5 talents ------ 10 talents
Servant B: 2 talents ------ 4 talents
Servant C: 1 talent ----- 1 talent
"talents" is interpreted as gifts.
~ And both servant A and B were equally rewarded.

Luke 19:11-27
The story of the Minas whereby each Servant (10) was given 1 mina to start out with.
Servant A multipies it to 10 minas ----- 10 cities
Servant B mutiplies it to 5 minas ----- 5 cities
And minas were taken away from those who didnt multiply. And were punished.
~ In this story the servants were not rewarded equally.

2Peter 1: 2Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord.
The key word is through...
What does Grace do: God empowers us to do beyond what we can do.
More Grace means: More than what you can do.
Through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord - Relational relationship. That is why we need to do QT, pray and spend time in solitude with him.
Proverbs 9: 10 "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. "

Therefore we can multiply through the Grace of God. And there 3 ways we can multiply ourselves to build the kingdom of God and people's lives.

1. Through Giving
2Cor 8: 1And now, brothers, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. 2Out of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. 3For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, 4they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the saints.
2Cor 9: 8 And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. 9As it is written: "He has scattered abroad his gifts to the poor; his righteousness endures forever." 10Now he who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will also supply and increase your store of seed and will enlarge the harvest of your righteousness. 11You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.

2. Through Partnership
Luke16: 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
Phil 4: 15Moreover, as you Philippians know, in the early days of your acquaintance with the gospel, when I set out from Macedonia, not one church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving, except you only; 16for even when I was in Thessalonica, you sent me aid again and again when I was in need. 17Not that I am looking for a gift, but I am looking for what may be credited to your account.

"your account" is referring to the account to Jesus. Yes, you can impact more lives by partnership.

3. Through Prayer
Yes, praying for the Leaders/ Pastors / Evangelical Events / Reach outs... Just by praying, you are building His Kingdom.

4. Through Serving in Ministries
1Sam 30: 24 Who will listen to what you say? The share of the man who stayed with the supplies is to be the same as that of him who went down to the battle. All will share alike." 25 David made this a statute and ordinance for Israel from that day to this.

Anyone who is a part of a team will get the same reward. Meaning every life that is saved is credited to everyone on the team, not just the Pastor/ Preacher. You have touched the same number of lives as the Preacher that preaches even as you serve Him in any small way.

- John bevere

HAVE THEY THEIR RELIGIONS

theELEVENTHofseptembertwoohohseven

Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. - James 3:13

HOW do u spot a wise man?
it is by the good deeds he has done in humility.

wisdom produces humility;
humility is demonstrated through humble deeds;
humble deeds exemplify a good life.


on DEEDS
again and again it is shown Biblically that genuinity is demonstrated by deeds.
if you truly were, it would show.
actions speak louder than words.

on BEING
why do deeds? it is to mould us into the Christ-like beings that God desires.
we need to move one step further than just doing Christ-like things - we need to become Christ-like.
focus on the BEing rather than the DOing.

on DEEDS and BEING
why do deeds? simply because we only learn when we try.
we cannot start BEing unless we start DOing.


want to BE wise?
maybe we should start by being humble.

AMAZING GRACE

theTENTHofseptembertwoohohseven


God is a God of second chances.
in fact, i think His chances are limitless.

on Sunday, i was running late for a lunch appointment, and to further my dismay, i saw my bus (no. 24) pulling out of the bus stop just as i was walking out of my gate. i thought, die, i'm going to be super late, as no. 24 doesn't come very frequently. and to my surprise, right at that moment, a second bus 24 pulled into the bus bay. WOW! that doesn't happen everyday! a miracle, in my opinion.

today, i didn't do my assignment, and i was filled with dread as i went for tutorial. in class, i tried asking the tutor if i could hand it in at the end of the day, and she said that she would have to mark it as a late submission. i didn't know what that meant, but i was prepared to get low grades for it anyway, as i had no excuse for being late. but during class, she called me over and told me why not i submit the next individual assignment for grading instead? WOW! that lit my whole face up - it was a second chance!

The next generation!

Palsms 45:16-17
Instead of the Fathers, its the sons

Its about the father building the generations that supersedes them.

Predictability Unpredictable
Father- established, knowing, proven and tried
Son - Unestablished, unknown

To have a commitment to the unpredictable.

There were 2 pastors - 1 of the son had exploded the father's ministry and the other was trying hard to keep going.

Jesus was random (unpredictable)
John 4- A Jew speaking to a Samaritan lady! How was moving into the unknown. Jesus was always talking about the practical stories Through the parables he told- Jesus challenged it towards the unpredictable.

Some areas we need to be Predictable
-Loyalty is not skin-deep
Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. - We cant have everybody as a friend. And therefore Loyalty should be predictable.

- Reliability
The people are gracing by us by being there in Time for the service,
'Time of service' - Punctuality expected and must be followed through. It for the start and the End.

-Believe
i know i believe i am persuaded i am committed- says Paul

-Creditability
Living by your own conscious. Very impt as a leader...

-Commitment
Not only Good starters but GOOD finishers as well.
You are built for great things!

- Vision
Commitment to vision is impt. You know what happens when there is no vision.

Predictability is your enemy therefore commit yourselves to unpredictability such as:

- Spontaneity
Too much predictability becomes your enemy

- Surprise
Some people hate surprises becoz their comfort is rattled
Don't like surprises becoz they want to be in control

-Innovation brings life
Go into the untried and unproven

- Creativity
Being artistic and being creative aren't the same things

We come from our fathers. We honor them. We acknowledge their wisdom.
But dont take things back to the fathers.

- Influence
Don't get influenced by the daily things that is always done before.

- Challenge the structure.
Message is scared but the method must change.
Word of God never changes.
Move things towards the sons. there would be freshness, fresh life, newness..

-Empowering the generation (2Nd phase)
Not setting up the new generation to win. letting go is the harder part.
the idea is one of building princes.

-Experiences cant be our master
We overate experiences.
Experiences and wisdom aren't necessarily the same things.

- Textbooks cant build churches
Some people are always looking for the next book.
Let readers be readers of life of people
Books have to be a servant.

- Structure and Programs
Keep the structure under the surface. Not that its not impt.
We need a certain order so that everything runs.
But must understand which should be the master and servant.

-Culture
Who put culture in charge.
EX: Denmark's culture - Is one that tells its people Not to stand out.
It will stop them from doing what which is unpredictable.
Hey culture has its limitations

-Heritage/ backgrounds
Nv allow heritage to bound you.
Be more loyal to your father than the past
Unpredictability - makes history . Yes, we do learn from history
Predictability - Serves history and repeats history


We honor father. Children must obey parents.
My loyalty is to the father outweighs the loyalty to the father's pasts.

Transformed lives- 'George of the Jungle'

Last Sunday during praise and worship, I caught a glimpse of George praying for Zhi hao and ministering to him at the side of my eyes. That scene was just magnificent, I felt so touched and encouraged. I caught the heartbeat of GOD there and then. Transformed lives. Yes, GOD is looking for transformed lives.

I saw how real GOD was in leading George into our tribe.

1. George Mum hunted for ‘Me’ (tuition teacher) on newspaper.
2. I realized we share a similar background, migrated from Hongkong
3. George and I share the same Birthday!!!!
4. George’s Dad was actually my father’s JC classmate in their JC days!!!

All these WOW coincidence aside. The biggest WOW factor is that beyond these coincidences, GOD blessed us with George, not as a coincidence, but He chose him. I could only say that GOD was at work. Yes! My friends, keep reaching out and testify GOD’s goodness to allow HIM to transform lives.

Lastly I believe all of us have developed that ‘culture’ in always being a blessing. No one taught George how to pray during service. I believe he just simply caught it from some of us, and exercised that faith to be a blessing in ministering to people. George, I pray that you’ll rise up to be a man after GOD’s very own heart and allow him to mould you and refine you to become all he wants you to be!

ALL CREATION POINTS TO A CREATOR

theSEVENTHofseptembertwoohohseven

The angel said to those who were standing before him, "Take off his filthy clothes." Then he said to Joshua, "See, I have taken away your sin, and I will put rich garments on you." - Zechariah 3:4

SOMEHOW SOMEWHERE SOMEONE IS WAITING TO EAT YOU UP

theSIXTHofaugusttwoohohseven

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed - not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence - continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. - Philippians 2:12-1

in our leader's absence, what are we to do?
work out our salvation? what does that mean?
and why?


WHAT
working out our salvation. means getting to know God better. means deepening our relationship with Him. means developing our walk with Him. means learning how to live as a Christian. it is a lifelong effort.

with fear and trembling. means we need to take it seriously. means we cannot be flippant about our relationship with God; our salvation. it is a dedicated effort.


WHY
for God to act through us. it requires our willingness. to want to know Him better. to want to do His will instead of ours. to want to handle His purposes seriously. it requires a surrendered posture.


lifelong; dedicated; surrendered. to accomplish God's good purposes.
WILL we still be that way in our leader's absence?
may it be all the more.

True Humility- John bever

1Cor15: 9 was written in 56AD by Paul.
Paul by then was an established pastor. And By 66-67Ad he was beheaded.

False humility is deception. People often react in a humble manner to compliments. When a boss says 'Good work', oh its not me but Jesus la. But inside their heart, they go like 'take a good LOOK at me, yea, me me' . But Paul wasn't like that. He considered himself as the least of the apostles. He was able to separate himself from everything else that he has done. Humility keeps us protected.

Then there's the story of the 10spies and Caleb. 10spies say that the enemy cant be defeated. Number13:30 Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it."
And other spies said in Number13:31 But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are."
Who is the prideful one in this story? Caleb who seems to yayapapaya or the men who made a much more rational judgement. Answer: CALEB whose confidence was in the Lord.

Numbers 12:3
How to cloth yourself with humility... if you don't know what it is.

Eph 3:7-8
What is True humility? When we are completely and utterly dependant on Him.

A. Eph 3:7-8 Paul is speaking 3 years before he was beheaded.
He could not have written false humility in the bible. Unless of course it has been sowed that way. He must have been a humble man. It is inspired of the Spirit. Can't be a lie.

B. 1tim1:15 - Paul says he is the bottom of the barrel. He is pressing on.......... He did'nt let pride creep into his life.

C. Psalms 25:9 - We can be Humble. out of the intimate knowledge of God, Israel knew his acts but Moses knew His ways.
Could this be the reason why Moses, Abraham, David, Paul knew Jesus so intimately.

D. The more we see Him the more we transform like Him.
Isaiah 57:15 - Those with a Humble spirit, dwells in Him
James4:8 - with word 'humility' sandwiched in it

"You are Creative genius" - Ed Young

Creativity -You've got it Now use it! You've got it now use it. Yea...
Creativity is from God. Being Creative means being Comfortably Uncomfortable.

Why must we be Creative?

Gen 1:1 - Father created/invented it
Eph 5:1 - We are called to imitate the Father

If you wont be you there will be a gap in God's Creative order.

Matt 13:34 - Son modeled it (The creative way he taught the gospel, only now we are discovering it)
2Cor 3:17- Holy spirit empowers creativity

How do we do it in a whole another level?
We have to ride on the raggard edge of creativity IN THE LOCAL CHURCH.
like in Act 2.

John 6:35 - Church is like the table on which the Bread is served.
What must a church look like?
1/3 of those who are hell bound
1/3 of those new believers
1/3 of those who are mature and fired-up

Its about being Consistently inconsistent.
So that we can be comfortably uncomfortable.
Comforted by Christ Uncomfortable for Christ

But Every time you hit a whole new level- you will meet a whole new Devil. Because change is involved.

Change - Conflict - Growth

Story of the biggest flea market in Kent, taxes
They were eating at a picnic table (shaded area) and there was a lady giving them a sample of what they were already eating. And she went to the other people who were already having their lunch. Instead of just going out of the shaded area to give the sample to those who haven't eaten yet. Out the people were many people walking.

Ironically thats like our the church today.

We should be feeding the hungry outside.

Jesus said "Go" - sending us in twos as sheep among the wolfs.
He said "go" and It is not to be comfortable.

HOW to apply Creativity?

1. Prayer
"God unleash the creativity".

2. Be willing to go through labour and delivery

3. Make time for the faded waves
We are busy. Over-committed. Over the top.
Dive into things that match God's rhythm. "Breaks" our schedule that is important.

4. Install the confusion principle
Change your workout every month - with that principal it confuses the muscle so that it grows.
Same way. Creatively pray, do QT, do something else.


Application: To be creative in the way I run cell. How????

Ice-Breaker (Continued.....)

Yes! this would be a better representation of
the ice-breaker we had the other day.
For those who missed DG, I look forward to your drawing soon! HAHAHAH

TaKeAwaYs

this is the verse that i would like to share with everyone.

a passage from the bible that i have been reading over. Let us turn now to 1Peter chapter 5.

verse 5-9:
"Young men, in the same way be submissive to those who are older. All of you clothe yourself with humility toward one another, because,

"God opposes the proud but give grace to the humble"

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you
Be self controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, standing firm in the faith, because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the same kind of sufferings."

this is one of my favourite verses. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
Think with me. God cares for us. He is a personal God. There is absolutely no other religion in the world that claims that a God would care for us. unconditional. You are blessed.

be self controlled and alert. watch out for those pit holes we tend to fall into. lets all not be the someone that the devil devours.

Charles

MORNING COMES AND I WANT GO HOME

theFIFTHofaugusttwoohohseven

Listen! I am going to put a spirit in him so that when he hears a certain report, he will return to his own country, and there I will have him cut down with a sword. - Isaiah 37:7

the Lord is in control.
even when the times are bad.
even when the situation seems hopeless.
even when the circumstances are dire.
the Lord can orchestrate a solution we have never dreamt of.

NOBODY CAN HAVE LUNCH WITH ME ON TUESDAY

theFOURTHofaugusttwoohohseven

I will bring them back to live in Jerusalem; they will be my people, and I will be faithful and righteous to them as their God." - Zechariah 8:8

I take it as God's promise that the people who have left us will be coming back.

amen.