Remember how we were talking about Rubik's cube? Well, here's a great Christmas gift idea. The post is taken off my blog.
Now, don't you think this will make a really cool Christmas present? You could mass make a couple and give it out to all your friends! It would be a great hands-on project to do with that special person of yours too... if you have one, that is. Ha ha. Aside from that, KS, Daniel, Narash, what say you??? Sounds fun doesn't it?
And here's something else - probably the world's fastest attempt to solve the Rubik's Cube.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Monday, October 29, 2007
A quote that I was reading
"I have walked that long road to freedom. I have tried not to falter; I have made missteps along the way. But I have discovered the secret that after climbing a great hill, one only finds that there are more hills to climb. I have taken a moment here to rest, to steal a view of the glorious vista that surrounds me, to look back on the distance I have come. But I can rest only for a moment, for with freedom come responsibilities, and I dare not linger, for my long walk is not yet ended."
(Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born 1918, South African lawyer, statesman and 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner, from Mandela's inspirational 1994 book, Long Walk to Freedom.)
(Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, born 1918, South African lawyer, statesman and 1993 Nobel Peace Prize winner, from Mandela's inspirational 1994 book, Long Walk to Freedom.)
Relationship and Friendsip
This song from The Fray - How To Save A Life. Sometimes Relationships and friendships are not simple. But what everyone needs is a true FRIEND. There's so much that can go on. But in every relationship there needs to be friendship.
In this song, it say 'how to save a life'. But I reflected on John 15. How a man would lay down His life for His own friend. Jesus gave His life to save OURS...
theTWENTYNINETHofOCTOBERtwoohohseven
Dear friends, although I was very eager to write to you about the salvation we share, I felt I had to write and urge you to contend for the faith that was once for all entrusted to the saints. For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Soverign and Lord. - Jude 3-4
do i take His grace for granted?
do i use it as a license to sin? "aiya, He's already forgiven me anyway.."
those are not God-given thoughts. they are godless thoughts. they are from the devil.
may i not give in to temptation. may i not give in to sin. may i not cheapen his grace.
Lord, i need Your grace. to make it past the bar. i want to be presented without fault and with great joy. amen.
Sunday, October 28, 2007
Oooosh!
I've been going thru a change in my ns life due to my injury. was asking God why did he allow something like that to happen. while i was having cell group last week with zhi hao and george, i was sharing with them abit of my life story and how God changed my life and allowed circumstances to direct me into specific places at different times of my life.
Then i remember Proverbs 16:4
As i was expounding upon it. i felt the Lord speak to me. God has made everything for its own purpose. The oceans, trees, animals, insects, cockroaches?.... so i was sharing with them. who do you think God loves more... You or the monkey? its rhetoric.
If God has made everything and we are part of that everything then SURELY, it is God's faithful promise to us.
So. what is your purpose?
Then i remember Proverbs 16:4
The Lord has made everything for its own purpose, even the wicked for the day of evil
As i was expounding upon it. i felt the Lord speak to me. God has made everything for its own purpose. The oceans, trees, animals, insects, cockroaches?.... so i was sharing with them. who do you think God loves more... You or the monkey? its rhetoric.
If God has made everything and we are part of that everything then SURELY, it is God's faithful promise to us.
So. what is your purpose?
Thursday, October 25, 2007
The Crying Need of the Hour
So the truth is reaffirmed: God has given us prayer because Jesus has given us a mission. We are on this earth to press back the forces of darkness, and we are given access to headquarters by prayer to advance this cause. When we try to turn it into a civilian intercom to increase our conveniences, it stops working, and our faith begins to falter. We have so domesticated prayer that for many of us it is no longer what it was designed to be-a wartime walkie-talkie for the accomplishment of Christ's mission.
We simply must seek for ourselves and for our people a wartime mentality. Otherwise the biblical teaching about the urgency of prayer and the vigilance of prayer and the watching in prayer and the perseverance of prayer and the danger of abandoning prayer will make no sense and find no resonance in our hearts. Until we feel the desperation of a bombing raid or the thrill of a new strategic offensive for the gospel, we will not pray in the spirit of Jesus.
The crying need of the hour is to put the churches on a wartime footing. Mission leaders are crying out, "Where is the church's concept of militancy, of a mighty army willing to suffer, moving ahead with exultant determination to take the world by storm? Where is the risk-taking, the launching out on God alone?" The answer is that it has been swallowed up in a peacetime mentality.
We are a "third soil century." In the parable of the soils, Jesus says that the seed is the Word. He sows his urgent Word of kingdom power. But instead of taking it up as our sword (or bearing fruit), we "are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful" (Mark 4:18-19).
This is why Paul says that all of life is war----every moment. Before we can even engage in the mission of the church, we have to fight against the "the deceitfulness of riches" and "desires for other things." We must fight to cherish the kingdom above all "other things"-that is our first and most constant battle. That is the fight of faith. Then, when we have some experience in that basic battle, we join the fight to commend the kingdom to all the nations.
Let The Nations Be Glad! by John Piper
The Supremacy of God In Missions through Prayer: page 51www.desiringgod.org/
We simply must seek for ourselves and for our people a wartime mentality. Otherwise the biblical teaching about the urgency of prayer and the vigilance of prayer and the watching in prayer and the perseverance of prayer and the danger of abandoning prayer will make no sense and find no resonance in our hearts. Until we feel the desperation of a bombing raid or the thrill of a new strategic offensive for the gospel, we will not pray in the spirit of Jesus.
The crying need of the hour is to put the churches on a wartime footing. Mission leaders are crying out, "Where is the church's concept of militancy, of a mighty army willing to suffer, moving ahead with exultant determination to take the world by storm? Where is the risk-taking, the launching out on God alone?" The answer is that it has been swallowed up in a peacetime mentality.
We are a "third soil century." In the parable of the soils, Jesus says that the seed is the Word. He sows his urgent Word of kingdom power. But instead of taking it up as our sword (or bearing fruit), we "are those who hear the word, but the cares of the world and the deceitfulness of riches and the desires for other things enter in and choke the word, and it proves unfruitful" (Mark 4:18-19).
This is why Paul says that all of life is war----every moment. Before we can even engage in the mission of the church, we have to fight against the "the deceitfulness of riches" and "desires for other things." We must fight to cherish the kingdom above all "other things"-that is our first and most constant battle. That is the fight of faith. Then, when we have some experience in that basic battle, we join the fight to commend the kingdom to all the nations.
Let The Nations Be Glad! by John Piper
The Supremacy of God In Missions through Prayer: page 51www.desiringgod.org/
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
theTWENTYTHIRDofOCTOBERtwoohohseven
powerless christians in a dark world - also was i pondering over this matter.
i thought, wouldn't it be cool if today someone could be performing miracles on Moses' scale? why isn't it happening?
has God turned His face from us? or is it us?
1. When God wants something done, God will stretch out His mighty hand.
- the problem is not with God; when there are kings of Egypt, God wants to deliver His people.
100% God.
2. When God wants something done, God can use anyone.
- All it takes is a willing man, a man who says, "Here I am."
100% man.
3. When God wants something done, God will be faithful to His vessel.
- Signs and wonders accompanied Moses wherever he went, and he performed some of the greatest miracles known to man.
100% miracle.
ARE there people to be delivered?
WILL I stand in the gap?
AM I willing?
Lord, speak to me. Show me Your heart; send me signs. Here I am, may You lead me to do Your will.
Amen.
i thought, wouldn't it be cool if today someone could be performing miracles on Moses' scale? why isn't it happening?
has God turned His face from us? or is it us?
But I know that the king of Egypt will not let you go unless a mighty hand compels him. - Exodus 3:19
1. When God wants something done, God will stretch out His mighty hand.
- the problem is not with God; when there are kings of Egypt, God wants to deliver His people.
100% God.
2. When God wants something done, God can use anyone.
- All it takes is a willing man, a man who says, "Here I am."
100% man.
3. When God wants something done, God will be faithful to His vessel.
- Signs and wonders accompanied Moses wherever he went, and he performed some of the greatest miracles known to man.
100% miracle.
ARE there people to be delivered?
WILL I stand in the gap?
AM I willing?
Lord, speak to me. Show me Your heart; send me signs. Here I am, may You lead me to do Your will.
Amen.
Monday, October 22, 2007
^ Man of God
2TIM 3: 1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them.
6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
There are 2 kind of people stated here : 1. Ungodliness and 2. A form of Godliness without power.
Who are Jannes and Jambres ?
Although they are not identified by name in the Old Testament, Rabbinic tradition holds that Jannes and Jambres were, or were among, the magicians who opposed Moses and Aaron at the time of the Exodus. The tradition would certainly be valid, otherwise Paul, while writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would not have made it a part of the New Testament record.
Jannes and Jambres obviously had "miraculous" powers, but unlike Moses and Aaron who were empowered by God, the Pharaoh's magicians were fraudulent and/or Satanic.
And the 3rd Kind of person is described : Godliness
2Tim 3:10You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Tim 4:1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word
Yes, a Godly man. Paul is referring to himself. In the end times, there would people groups that would arise. Which one of the people group I am? That's the main question.
Group 1. Ungodliness
Group 2. People claim that there is a God but they actually live their lives as if God does nothing supernatural on the earth and can do nothing outside of natural laws and the works of man. They keep the God of creation in some box in the heavens where He can accomplish nothing in His own creation. Most in religion today have a form of godliness but they live as if God does nothing supernatural. They live as if God can do nothing outside of the efforts of man. Their God is no God at all.
Group 3: Godliness calls forth suffering.
So which one do you want to be?
6They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over weak-willed women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires, 7always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these men oppose the truth—men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected. 9But they will not get very far because, as in the case of those men, their folly will be clear to everyone.
There are 2 kind of people stated here : 1. Ungodliness and 2. A form of Godliness without power.
Who are Jannes and Jambres ?
Although they are not identified by name in the Old Testament, Rabbinic tradition holds that Jannes and Jambres were, or were among, the magicians who opposed Moses and Aaron at the time of the Exodus. The tradition would certainly be valid, otherwise Paul, while writing under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, would not have made it a part of the New Testament record.
Jannes and Jambres obviously had "miraculous" powers, but unlike Moses and Aaron who were empowered by God, the Pharaoh's magicians were fraudulent and/or Satanic.
And the 3rd Kind of person is described : Godliness
2Tim 3:10You, however, know all about my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, 11persecutions, sufferings—what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured. Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them. 12In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil men and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, 15and how from infancy you have known the holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2 Tim 4:1In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: 2Preach the Word
Yes, a Godly man. Paul is referring to himself. In the end times, there would people groups that would arise. Which one of the people group I am? That's the main question.
Group 1. Ungodliness
Group 2. People claim that there is a God but they actually live their lives as if God does nothing supernatural on the earth and can do nothing outside of natural laws and the works of man. They keep the God of creation in some box in the heavens where He can accomplish nothing in His own creation. Most in religion today have a form of godliness but they live as if God does nothing supernatural. They live as if God can do nothing outside of the efforts of man. Their God is no God at all.
Group 3: Godliness calls forth suffering.
So which one do you want to be?
Sunday, October 21, 2007
sobering truth
I was reflecting upon Second Timothy 3. Verse 5 stands out tall.
...holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.
Have i denied the power of God? denied the power of H.S. ? undermined the importance of prayer?
On monday. my platoon had to go down to this place near my house for a wake. a army fren's mom died from cancer.
it was very interesting as when the family asked for people to attend the service, a few of my non-christian frens joined in. and before the service started, while waiting for the pews to be filled up, the pastor gave out tracts. one of which was entitled. "THE END TIMES"
as i read it. i am absolutely reminded that indeed the end times are coming.
I ask myself what am i doing with my life?
The ministry team training indirectly gave me the answers on how i should be living my life as a Christian even in times like this.
Finally its our WALK that matters most to God.
How is our walk brothers? Let the light pierce through the darkness of our soul and out into the world.
...holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power.
Have i denied the power of God? denied the power of H.S. ? undermined the importance of prayer?
On monday. my platoon had to go down to this place near my house for a wake. a army fren's mom died from cancer.
it was very interesting as when the family asked for people to attend the service, a few of my non-christian frens joined in. and before the service started, while waiting for the pews to be filled up, the pastor gave out tracts. one of which was entitled. "THE END TIMES"
as i read it. i am absolutely reminded that indeed the end times are coming.
I ask myself what am i doing with my life?
The ministry team training indirectly gave me the answers on how i should be living my life as a Christian even in times like this.
Finally its our WALK that matters most to God.
How is our walk brothers? Let the light pierce through the darkness of our soul and out into the world.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Day 1 Ministry trng
Today Ps Senglee started asking us "Must ALL 144 be able to minister?".
- Isaiah - Yes, all believers are called to be able to minister.
- Mark 16: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Question here is - Why is it our Christian experience differnt from the scripture? When is the last time you cast out a demon or spoke in new tongues or people recover when you prayed for them....
Darkness exists because the Light is gone.
Who is the light? - Us (The Church)
The problem is that the Light does not shine in the darkness.
2Tim 3
- When is the last days
- Who are these people (who are lawlessness)
- Did you experience the power? - Godliness without power. Poundless christians to Powerful christians.
verse 10 - Appropriate response
verse 12 -
verse 16 - Live by the word only grantee for a POWERFUL Christian life.
The man is able to stand through persecution if you the one whose foundation
John welsey's prayer : May I be mastered be one book - The book of God
Powerless Christians
- Sins; not living by the word
- Strongholds; denying the word
- Seasons; internalizing the word
The question is Are you willing to pay the price - 2Tim 3:10
Outwardly you die, inwardly you produce life to others....
- Isaiah - Yes, all believers are called to be able to minister.
- Mark 16: 15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.
Question here is - Why is it our Christian experience differnt from the scripture? When is the last time you cast out a demon or spoke in new tongues or people recover when you prayed for them....
Darkness exists because the Light is gone.
Who is the light? - Us (The Church)
The problem is that the Light does not shine in the darkness.
2Tim 3
- When is the last days
- Who are these people (who are lawlessness)
- Did you experience the power? - Godliness without power. Poundless christians to Powerful christians.
verse 10 - Appropriate response
verse 12 -
verse 16 - Live by the word only grantee for a POWERFUL Christian life.
The man is able to stand through persecution if you the one whose foundation
John welsey's prayer : May I be mastered be one book - The book of God
Powerless Christians
- Sins; not living by the word
- Strongholds; denying the word
- Seasons; internalizing the word
The question is Are you willing to pay the price - 2Tim 3:10
Outwardly you die, inwardly you produce life to others....
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Do you Know Your Saviour?
This was written by Diven Laxman, a friend who is a pastor in East Africa. I got to know him many years ago when he came for one of the first few G12 conferences and was attached to us at the then Zone A (under Pastor Yo) for 6 months I think. I thought it was very insightful and a reminder to check our lives and reflect on how we are living for God. May your hearts be convicted by this.
The wisdom of the world would have us to believe that all the religions of the world are basically the same, that all roads lead to heaven, regardless of what or whom we believe in. But is this true?
Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
Acts 4:12 says Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Today, my friends, I must be very blunt. If you do not have Jesus in your heart, you cannot be saved! Without Jesus, there is no Salvation. Period. I'm sorry! But somebody has to love you enough to tell you, and today, I am committed to telling you that truth.
But, you say, Im already a Christian! I was raised in a Christian home. We aren't Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish or Hindu and we go to church on Easter and Christmas, therefore we are Christians!
Did you know the Bible doesn't say anywhere! that you can earn Heaven and eternal life by calling yourself a Christian?
Okay, you answer, but I went to Christian parochial school. I attended Catechism classes (or Sabbath school or Sunday school classes) all my life. I wear a cross (or a St. Christopher) around my neck!
Thats cool, but did you know the Bible doesnt say that you get to go to Heaven and have eternal life by going to church, Catechism, Sabbath or Sunday school classes or by wearing a cross or St. Christopher around your neck?
Well . . . I read the bible and I pray everyday!
Im really glad you do! And since you do, you will already know that the Bible doesnt say you can get to Heaven and have eternal life through prayer and Bible study alone!
Okay. But I love God!
Thats terrific. But did you know that the 19 terrorists who flew the airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, also said they loved God?
Did you know that the Bible doesnt say anything about getting to Heaven and obtaining eternal life through your love for God alone?
But someone told me once that if I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, I can go to Heaven and have eternal life.
May I again be blunt? The Bible says that even DEMONS believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God (James 2:19), and that SATAN himself believes Jesus is the Son of God! The Bible says that Jesus has prepared an eternal lake of fire for the devil and his angels (Matt 25:41)! Their belief in Jesus certainly isnt going to bring them eternal life in Heaven!
But I have kept all of the Ten Commandments my entire life!
That's great! But did you know the Bible doesnt say that keeping the Ten Commandments will earn you eternal life? My friends, it simply isnt in the Book!
Lets consider the story of Nicodemus for a moment. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a strict observer of the law. He memorized the Scripture, sang the Scripture and taught from the Word of God in the Synagogue every Sabbath. One would have thought that when Nicodemus came to Jesus, the Lord would have patted him on the back and said, Well done, Nick! Heaven awaits you!
But that isn't what the Lord said to Nicodemus at all. Instead, He tells Nicodemus that unless he is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
He told Nicodemus, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN (John 3:3). What does this mean to you? It means you must be born again to go to heaven and have eternal life!
So what does it mean to be born again?
It means that you must give Jesus all of your heart and all of your life. Its that simple! If you have never done so, then you are not saved. (Again, Im sorry! But somebody has to love you enough to tell you.)
From the Genesis 1:1 to the maps at the back of the Book, the Word of God never changes! You must give God all of your heart and all of your life. This means Jesus must be the Lord of your life. It means that you make Him your Boss! If you have never made Him Boss of your life, then you are not saved. It is that simple.
But I prayed that Salvation prayer at a Billy Graham Crusade (or a Harvest Crusade)! I answered an altar call at my church once!
Thats great! But did your life follow the prayer?
Did you know that the Bible doesnt say anywhere that praying a prayer will get you to Heaven?
Sure, the prayer is important, but did you give Him all of your heart and all of your life when you prayed the prayer? Did you make Him Boss of your life? Or was it just some sort of fire insurance that gave you confidence to live your life as you pleased without the fear of going to hell?
Can I tell you something? It simply doesn't work that way. It is an ALL or NOTHING relationship with God. Either you give Him all of you heart and all of your life, and you make Him Boss over your life, or you're NOT saved! (And somebody must love you enough to tell you the truth.)
My friends, now is the time to check up on yourselves! Today is YOUR day of Salvation. In just a moment, Im going to give you the opportunity to become right with God, to give Him all of your heart and all of your life, and to obtain the assurance of life eternal in Heaven.
And just who should respond to this call?
Let me answer by asking you some questions:
Have you ever given Jesus all of your heart and all of your life? If not, then today is your day of Salvation!
Have you ever made Jesus the Boss of your life? If not, then today is your day of Salvation!
Have you been living your life for yourself and not for Jesus? If so, then today is your day of Salvation!
Have you been running from God instead of to God? If so, then today is your day of Salvation!
Do you have Jesus in your head instead of your heart? If so, then today is your day of Salvation!
The wisdom of the world would have us to believe that all the religions of the world are basically the same, that all roads lead to heaven, regardless of what or whom we believe in. But is this true?
Jesus said, I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me." John 14:6
Acts 4:12 says Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."
Today, my friends, I must be very blunt. If you do not have Jesus in your heart, you cannot be saved! Without Jesus, there is no Salvation. Period. I'm sorry! But somebody has to love you enough to tell you, and today, I am committed to telling you that truth.
But, you say, Im already a Christian! I was raised in a Christian home. We aren't Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish or Hindu and we go to church on Easter and Christmas, therefore we are Christians!
Did you know the Bible doesn't say anywhere! that you can earn Heaven and eternal life by calling yourself a Christian?
Okay, you answer, but I went to Christian parochial school. I attended Catechism classes (or Sabbath school or Sunday school classes) all my life. I wear a cross (or a St. Christopher) around my neck!
Thats cool, but did you know the Bible doesnt say that you get to go to Heaven and have eternal life by going to church, Catechism, Sabbath or Sunday school classes or by wearing a cross or St. Christopher around your neck?
Well . . . I read the bible and I pray everyday!
Im really glad you do! And since you do, you will already know that the Bible doesnt say you can get to Heaven and have eternal life through prayer and Bible study alone!
Okay. But I love God!
Thats terrific. But did you know that the 19 terrorists who flew the airplanes into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon on Sept. 11, 2001, also said they loved God?
Did you know that the Bible doesnt say anything about getting to Heaven and obtaining eternal life through your love for God alone?
But someone told me once that if I believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God, I can go to Heaven and have eternal life.
May I again be blunt? The Bible says that even DEMONS believe Jesus Christ is the Son of God (James 2:19), and that SATAN himself believes Jesus is the Son of God! The Bible says that Jesus has prepared an eternal lake of fire for the devil and his angels (Matt 25:41)! Their belief in Jesus certainly isnt going to bring them eternal life in Heaven!
But I have kept all of the Ten Commandments my entire life!
That's great! But did you know the Bible doesnt say that keeping the Ten Commandments will earn you eternal life? My friends, it simply isnt in the Book!
Lets consider the story of Nicodemus for a moment. Nicodemus was a Pharisee, a strict observer of the law. He memorized the Scripture, sang the Scripture and taught from the Word of God in the Synagogue every Sabbath. One would have thought that when Nicodemus came to Jesus, the Lord would have patted him on the back and said, Well done, Nick! Heaven awaits you!
But that isn't what the Lord said to Nicodemus at all. Instead, He tells Nicodemus that unless he is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.
He told Nicodemus, YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN (John 3:3). What does this mean to you? It means you must be born again to go to heaven and have eternal life!
So what does it mean to be born again?
It means that you must give Jesus all of your heart and all of your life. Its that simple! If you have never done so, then you are not saved. (Again, Im sorry! But somebody has to love you enough to tell you.)
From the Genesis 1:1 to the maps at the back of the Book, the Word of God never changes! You must give God all of your heart and all of your life. This means Jesus must be the Lord of your life. It means that you make Him your Boss! If you have never made Him Boss of your life, then you are not saved. It is that simple.
But I prayed that Salvation prayer at a Billy Graham Crusade (or a Harvest Crusade)! I answered an altar call at my church once!
Thats great! But did your life follow the prayer?
Did you know that the Bible doesnt say anywhere that praying a prayer will get you to Heaven?
Sure, the prayer is important, but did you give Him all of your heart and all of your life when you prayed the prayer? Did you make Him Boss of your life? Or was it just some sort of fire insurance that gave you confidence to live your life as you pleased without the fear of going to hell?
Can I tell you something? It simply doesn't work that way. It is an ALL or NOTHING relationship with God. Either you give Him all of you heart and all of your life, and you make Him Boss over your life, or you're NOT saved! (And somebody must love you enough to tell you the truth.)
My friends, now is the time to check up on yourselves! Today is YOUR day of Salvation. In just a moment, Im going to give you the opportunity to become right with God, to give Him all of your heart and all of your life, and to obtain the assurance of life eternal in Heaven.
And just who should respond to this call?
Let me answer by asking you some questions:
Have you ever given Jesus all of your heart and all of your life? If not, then today is your day of Salvation!
Have you ever made Jesus the Boss of your life? If not, then today is your day of Salvation!
Have you been living your life for yourself and not for Jesus? If so, then today is your day of Salvation!
Have you been running from God instead of to God? If so, then today is your day of Salvation!
Do you have Jesus in your head instead of your heart? If so, then today is your day of Salvation!
Monday, October 15, 2007
theFIFTEENTHofOCTOBERtwoohohseven
Anyone who lives on milk, being still an infant, is not acquainted with the teaching about righteousness. But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. - Hebrews 5:13
spiritual infants cannot tell right from wrong, or good from evil.
they lack discernment due to their inexperience, or lack of constant use.
WHAT is discernment? - knowing good from evil.
WHO is discerning? - the spiritually mature.
HOW to be discerning? - through constant use.
DOES anyone want to be discerning? - we have to start with constant applications of discernment. it is a growing process. and we cannot discern well unless we rely on God's wisdom. which calls for a close walk with Him.
so let us grow in the Lord and in discernment.
and for goodness' sake, respect the discernment of our spiritual leaders, for most of the time, they are indeed right.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Who is God looking at?
Psalms 34: 18-19
Indeed. God is looking out specially for people who fear him and who do not put their hope in the things of the world. but puts their hope in his unfailing love.
I ask myself after reading these verses. Do i really fear God? in what way am i showing that? and what do i put my hope in? do i rely on my own strength?
Pray that the word of God will take root and go deep in my heart and well as yours dear brothers!
CHiong ah!!
"But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine"
Indeed. God is looking out specially for people who fear him and who do not put their hope in the things of the world. but puts their hope in his unfailing love.
I ask myself after reading these verses. Do i really fear God? in what way am i showing that? and what do i put my hope in? do i rely on my own strength?
Pray that the word of God will take root and go deep in my heart and well as yours dear brothers!
CHiong ah!!
Thursday, October 11, 2007
blessing continously
This 100k challenge has really set me thinking about the motivation to bless others. I thank God that we had this whole 100k campaign. I felt on hindsight this has been a WAKE UP CALL for me. Wakie Wakie. What is my motivation behind blessing others. Shall it be not just hitting the targets set before us. But the right spirit is truly truly one of blessing others.I was reading Matt 25:40 and reflecting. I found that the Righteous and Cursed asked the same questions - They didn't know as to WHY they were either being rewarded or punished. And secondly the bigger question - HOW was Jesus involved in this?
Firstly, I believe the Lord is asking me 'when I am in the capacity of being able to bless another person, did I?
Second is that of seeing. Both the righteous and the cursed didnt know when did they see the Lord. I see it as an issue of pespective. Do we see others who needs a blessing or do we shut our eyes to them? Jesus puts it that the act of blessing to others is like worship unto Him.
Lastly, the question is what am I doing about it? I must continue blessing others.
Matthew 25: 31"When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory. 32All the nations will be gathered before him, and he will separate the people one from another as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. 33He will put the sheep on his right and the goats on his left.
34"Then the King will say to those on his right, 'Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. 35For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, 36I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
37"Then the righteous will answer him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? 38When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? 39When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?'
40"The King will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.'
41"Then he will say to those on his left, 'Depart from me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the devil and his angels. 42For I was hungry and you gave me nothing to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me nothing to drink, 43I was a stranger and you did not invite me in, I needed clothes and you did not clothe me, I was sick and in prison and you did not look after me.'
44"They also will answer, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry or thirsty or a stranger or needing clothes or sick or in prison, and did not help you?'
45"He will reply, 'I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me.'
46"Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life."
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
I BELIEVE THOSE WERE MOUSE DROPPINGS
theNINETHofoctobertwoohohseven
do not try to change what you cannot.
who are we to challenge God's working? if it has been done, then so be it.
no point in whining or complaining, instead we should ask ourselves
why did it turn out that way?
God cannot be wrong, it must have been us.
therefore,
BE CONTENT. and maximise your happiness.
BE AWARE. and realise your mistakes.
Consider what God has done: Who can straighten what he has made crooked? - Ecclesiastes 7:13
do not try to change what you cannot.
who are we to challenge God's working? if it has been done, then so be it.
no point in whining or complaining, instead we should ask ourselves
why did it turn out that way?
God cannot be wrong, it must have been us.
therefore,
BE CONTENT. and maximise your happiness.
BE AWARE. and realise your mistakes.
Sunday, October 7, 2007
Jesus Loves Me This I Know
I was just thinking about during the week while on the rooftop in camp just worshiping along with my guitar. and this song came to my mind. so i was stun when we sang it for cell group.
And Psalms 139 is a passage of scripture that always reaffirms that.
How it talks about us not being able to run away from His presence. And how he formed us right before we knew we existed. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. as i thought about it. we always recite that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. but wad exactly does it mean that we are fearfully made? hmm. mum mum for thought.
I end with the last part of the Psalm which is a prayer:
Search me O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there are any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
We are all a chunk of clay that needs to be shaped into something beautiful. and without the potter we are just spinning lump going round and round.
May he search all our hearts today!
Amen.
And Psalms 139 is a passage of scripture that always reaffirms that.
How it talks about us not being able to run away from His presence. And how he formed us right before we knew we existed. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. as i thought about it. we always recite that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. but wad exactly does it mean that we are fearfully made? hmm. mum mum for thought.
I end with the last part of the Psalm which is a prayer:
Search me O God, and know my heart;
Try me and know my anxious thoughts;
And see if there are any hurtful way in me,
And lead me in the everlasting way.
We are all a chunk of clay that needs to be shaped into something beautiful. and without the potter we are just spinning lump going round and round.
May he search all our hearts today!
Amen.
Friday, October 5, 2007
PANDEMONIUM NOW
theFIFTHofoctobertwoohohseven
many today neglect the reality of God. even while acknowledging His existence, they conveniently chuck Him away, supposing they can live their lives without Him, and apparently so - they seem to be doing ok.. or are they?
does fearing the Lord these days have any worth? it may seem a futile effort, but do not despair, for the Lord hears and the Lord remembers those who fear and honour His name.
am i fearing the Lord? - be righteous
am i honouring his name? - be excellent
for a true son fears and honours his father.
Then those who feared the Lord talked with each other, and the Lord listened and heard. A scroll of remembrance was written in his presence concerning those who feared the Lord and honored his name. - Malachi 3:16
many today neglect the reality of God. even while acknowledging His existence, they conveniently chuck Him away, supposing they can live their lives without Him, and apparently so - they seem to be doing ok.. or are they?
does fearing the Lord these days have any worth? it may seem a futile effort, but do not despair, for the Lord hears and the Lord remembers those who fear and honour His name.
am i fearing the Lord? - be righteous
am i honouring his name? - be excellent
for a true son fears and honours his father.
Thursday, October 4, 2007
TRY HARDER FASHION IS FUTILITY
theFOURTHofoctobertwoohohseven
flesh is contrary to the spirit.
what really matters in life? it definitely isn't about beauty. or dressing up.
not that we have to dress down, we just shouldn't be too concerned over it.
am i chasing after the right things?
am i placing importance on things that matter?
why are we so caught up with ourselves?
the pride of life chucks the reality of God away into a corner, forgotten.
may i cling to the things that matter. worldy things are peripheral. they are but temporary possessions.
He grew up before him like a tender shoot, and like a root out of dry ground. He had no beauty or majesty to attract us to him, nothing in his appearance that we should desire him. - Isaiah 53:2
flesh is contrary to the spirit.
what really matters in life? it definitely isn't about beauty. or dressing up.
not that we have to dress down, we just shouldn't be too concerned over it.
am i chasing after the right things?
am i placing importance on things that matter?
why are we so caught up with ourselves?
the pride of life chucks the reality of God away into a corner, forgotten.
may i cling to the things that matter. worldy things are peripheral. they are but temporary possessions.
Wednesday, October 3, 2007
WITH MUCH APLOMB I VERILY SUBMIT
theTHIRDofoctobertwoohohseven
the world has cheap imitations, and lo - some of them work!
but do not be deceived, for the genuine work is superior.
am i intimidated?
maybe the pressure in NUS is high. everyone's so hardworking. why are they so driven?
should i be intimidated?
maybe i could succumb to peer pressure and be extra studious, but i don't think that's the way i was built. study i still should - but with God - and by faith, the results shall be excellent.
will i be intimidated?
by all means, no. God's agenda is number one. a degree pales in comparison. the idea of reward through hard work just doesn't cut it for me, because i believe in a God of the impossible.
Each one threw down his staff and it became a snake. But Aaron's staff swallowed up their staffs. - Exodus 7:12
the world has cheap imitations, and lo - some of them work!
but do not be deceived, for the genuine work is superior.
am i intimidated?
maybe the pressure in NUS is high. everyone's so hardworking. why are they so driven?
should i be intimidated?
maybe i could succumb to peer pressure and be extra studious, but i don't think that's the way i was built. study i still should - but with God - and by faith, the results shall be excellent.
will i be intimidated?
by all means, no. God's agenda is number one. a degree pales in comparison. the idea of reward through hard work just doesn't cut it for me, because i believe in a God of the impossible.
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