Untitled list (playlist)

Some Encouraging Verses…

 

INCLINE YOUR EAR TO ME, AND COME TO ME. HEAR, AND YOUR SOUL SHALL LIVE; AND I WILL MAKE AN EVER-LASTING COVENANT WITH YOU.  
ISAIAH 55:3, NKJV

SET YOUR MIND ON THINGS ABOVE, NOT ON THINGS ON THE EARTH.
COLOSSIANS 3:2, NKJV

FOR WHERE YOUR TREASURE IS, THERE
YOUR HEART WILL BE ALSO. 
LUKE 12:34

THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE FLESH
SET THEIR MINDS ON THE THINGS OF THE FLESH, BUT
THOSE WHO LIVE ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT, THE
THINGS OF THE SPIRIT.  FOR TO BE CARNALLY MINDED  IS DEATH, BUT TO BE SPIRITUALLY MINDED IS LIFE AND  PEACE!
ROMANS 8:5-7

THAT CHRIST MAY DWELL IN YOUR HEARTS THROUGH
FAITH.
EPHESIANS 3:17

TO HIM WHO IS ABLE TO DO EXCEEDINGLY ABUNDANTLY ABOVE ALL THAT WE ASK
OR THINK, ACCORDING TO THE POWER THAT WORKS IN US, TO HIM BE GLORY IN THE CHURCH BY CHRIST
JESUS TO ALL GENERATIONS, FOREVER AND EVER.  AMEN.
EPHESIANS 3:20-21

THE PRAYER OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN IS POWERFUL AND
EFFECTIVE.
JAMES 5:16 *NIV

DO NOT BE ANXIOUS ABOUT ANY-THING, BUT IN EVERYTHING, BY PRAYER AND PETITION, WITH THANKSGIVING, PRESENT YOUR REQUESTS TO
GOD.
PHILIPPIANS 4:6 

THE LORD IS FAR FROM THE WICKED BUT HE HEARS THE PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS.
PROVERBS 15:29

BE JOYFUL ALWAYS; PRAY CONTINUALLY; GIVE THANKS IN ALL CIRCUMSTANCES, FOR THIS IS GOD'S WILL FOR YOU IN JESUS CHRIST.
1 THESSALONIANS 5:16-18

“…never feel that God doesn't hear your
prayers because a prayer isn't answered immediately, or because it isn't answered the way you would like.  For your Heavenly Father always knows what is best for you, and; HE WILL NOT LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU. ( DEUTERONOMY  31:6 )”

“…remember to always; GIVE THANKS TO
THE LORD, CALL ON HIS NAME, for He will always hear  the prayers of those who love and adore Him!
( 1 CHRONICLES 16:8 )

BE STRONG AND OF GOOD COURAGE; DO NOT BE
AFRAID, NOR BE DISMAYED, FOR THE LORD YOUR GOD
IS WITH YOU WHEREVER YOU GO.
JOSHUA 1:9 * NKJV

THE LORD, HE IS THE ONE WHO GOES BEFORE YOU.  HE WILL BE WITH YOU, HE WILL NOT LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU; DO NOT FEAR NOR BE DISMAYED.
DEUTERONOMY 31:8

WHEN YOU PASS THROUGH THE WATERS, I WILL BE WITH YOU; AND THROUGH THE RIVERS, THEY SHALL NOT OVERFLOW YOU.  WHEN YOU WALK THROUGH THE FIRE, YOU SHALL NOT BE BURNED, NOR SHALL THE FLAMES SCORCH YOU.
ISAIAH 43:2

"YEA, THOUGH I WALK THROUGH THE VALLEY OF THE SHADOW OF DEATH, I WILL FEAR NO EVIL; FOR YOUR ROD AND STAFF, THEY COMFORT ME.
PSALM 23:4

THE LORD IS MY LIGHT AND MY SALVATION; WHOM SHALL I FEAR?  THE LORD IS THE STRENGTH OF MY LIFE; OF WHOM SHALL I BE AFRAID?  Amen!
PSALM 27:1

LET HEAVEN AND EARTH PRAISE HIM, THE SEAS AND
ALL THAT MOVE IN THEM.
PSALM 69:34 *NIV

PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL; ALL MY INMOST BEING, PRAISE HIS HOLY NAME. PRAISE THE LORD, O MY SOUL, AND FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS.
WHO FORGIVES ALL YOUR SINS AND HEALS ALL YOUR
DISEASES, WHO REDEEMS YOUR LIFE FROM THE PIT AND CROWNS YOU WITH LOVE AND COMPASSION,
WHO SATISFIES YOUR DESIRES WITH GOOD THINGS
SO THAT YOUR YOUTH IS RENEWED LIKE THE EAGLE'S.
PSALM 103:1-5

COME, LET US BOW DOWN IN WORSHIP, LET US KNEEL BEFORE THE LORD OUR MAKER; FOR WE ARE THE PEOPLE OF HIS PASTURE, THE FLOCK UNDER HIS CARE.
PSALM 95:6-7

MY DEAR CHILDREN, I WRITE THIS TO YOU SO THAT YOU WILL NOT SIN.  BUT IF ANYBODY DOES SIN, WE HAVE ONE WHO SPEAKS TO THE FATHER IN OUR DEFENSE, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS ONE.  HE IS THE ATONING SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS, AND NOT ONLY OURS BUT ALSO FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD.
1 JOHN 2:1-2 *NIV

IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH
HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RICHES OF GOD'S GRACE. 
EPHESIANS 1:7

FOR I WILL CLEANSE THEM FROM ALL THE SIN THEY HAVE COMMITTED AGAINST ME AND WILL FORGIVE ALL THEIR SINS OF REBELLION AGAINST ME.
JEREMIAH 33:8

"I WILL FORGIVE THEIR WICKEDNESS AND WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."
HEBREWS 8:12

MY DEAR CHILDREN, I WRITE THIS TO YOU SO THAT YOU WILL NOT SIN.  BUT IF ANYBODY DOES SIN, WE HAVE ONE WHO SPEAKS TO THE FATHER IN OUR DEFENSE, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS ONE.  HE IS THE ATONING SACRIFICE FOR OUR SINS, AND NOT ONLY OURS BUT ALSO FOR THE SINS OF THE WHOLE WORLD.
1 JOHN 2:1-2 *NIV

IN HIM WE HAVE REDEMPTION THROUGH HIS BLOOD, THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS, IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RICHES OF GOD'S GRACE. 
EPHESIANS 1:7

FOR I WILL CLEANSE THEM FROM ALL THE SIN THEY HAVE COMMITTED AGAINST ME AND WILL FORGIVE ALL THEIR SINS OF REBELLION AGAINST ME.
JEREMIAH 33:8

For God has said: "I WILL FORGIVE THEIR WICKEDNESS AND WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE."
HEBREWS 8:12

Our Savior said: "EVERYONE WHO SPEAKS A WORD AGAINST THE SON OF MAN WILL BE FORGIVEN, BUT ANYONE WHO BLASPHEMIES AGAINST THE HOLY  SPIRIT WILL NOT BE FORGIVEN."
LUKE 12:10

BLESSED BE THE GOD AND FATHER OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST, THE FATHER OF MERCIES AND GOD OF ALL COMFORT, WHO COMFORTS US IN ALL OUR TRIBULATION, THAT WE MAY BE ABLE TO COMFORT THOSE WHO ARE IN ANY TROUBLE, WITH THE COMFORT WITH WHICH WE OURSELVES ARE COMFORTED BY GOD.
2 CORINTHIANS 1:3-4 *NKJV

God has said; "CALL UPON ME IN THE DAY OF TROUBLE; I WILL DELIVER YOU, AND YOU SHALL  GLORIFY ME."  Also our Savior Jesus Christ said; "LET NOT YOUR HEARTS BE TROUBLED; YOU BELIEVE IN GOD, BELIEVE ALSO IN ME."
PSALM 50:15  & JOHN 14:1

HE WHO IS IN YOU IS GREATER THAN HE WHO IS IN THE WORLD.
1 JOHN 4:4

PEACE I LEAVE WITH YOU, MY PEACE I GIVE TO YOU; NOT AS THE WORLD GIVES DO I GIVE TO YOU.  LET NOT YOUR HEART BE TROUBLED, NEITHER LET IT BE AFRAID." 
JOHN 14:27

"I WILL BOTH LIE DOWN IN PEACE, AND SLEEP; FOR YOU ALONE, O LORD, MAKE ME DWELL IN SAFETY. 
PSALM 4:8

THE PEACE OF GOD WHICH SURPASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, and may it, GUARD YOUR HEART AND MIND THROUGH JESUS CHRIST. 

PHILIPPIANS  4:7

THE GRACE OF THE LORD JESUS CHRIST, AND THE LOVE OF GOD, AND THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE HOLY SPIRIT BE WITH YOU ALL.
2 CORINTHIANS 13:14

WHAT DOES IT MEANS TO HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST?

Scripture Text: Philippians 2:1-11; 4:1-2

Speaker: Ps. Peter Chng

Date: 26 September 2010, Sunday

 

 Philippians 2:1-11

¹ If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others. ⁵ Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
⁹ Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name,
¹⁰ that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
¹¹ and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 4:1-3

¹Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! ²I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. ³Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.

 

1. WHAT DOES IT MEANS TO HAVE A MIND OF CHRIST?

(a) Having an attitude of lowliness (humility)

In the John 13 – Jesus’ washes the disciples’ feet.

Jesus wash the feet of the following disciples:

(i) Peter – who is going to deny Him;

(ii) Judas Iscariot – who is going to betray Him and;

(iii) the remaining 10 disciples – who are going to forsake Him.

 

(b) Having a servitude of loveliness

    - serving people with gentleness & 

      lovingness.

 

2. HOW TO HAVE A MIND OF CHRIST?

Philippians 2:1-4

¹ If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, ² then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

(a) We must be willing to die to self-centredness

Self-centredness means having high regard of oneself and always wants the attention from others (even though they never say it out, but will think in his/her mind. Eg. if this person attends a birthday party, he will think within himself and says “how i wish i am the birthday boy / girl…”).

How to die to self-centredness?

Philippians 2:2 “…then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose….”

(i) Incorporation of others
     - by accepting others in your life;
     - the recognition & realisation that God  
        uses others and;

     - realise that you can’t do it all by yourself 
       but need to work with others.

(ii) The appreciation of others in Christ

Philippians 2:3-4 ³ Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. ⁴ Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Note: a self-centred person never appreciates others.

- A consideration of others in Christ.

(b) You must be willing to die to self-consciousness

Die to self-consciousness means die to your self-reputation and also you’re forever concern about what others think or say about you.

• Don’t worry about what people are saying about you but be more sure about WHAT GOD IS SAYING OR THINKING about you! This is because what people approve of your ways may not be correct in God’s sight.
• People may be happy with your performance but is God happy with you? Is your life pleasing/transparent before God?
• Philippians 2:6-8 ⁶ Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, ⁷ but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!
• If we take care of our CHARACTER, God will take care of our reputation.

(c) You must be willing to die to self-occupation.

Self-occupation means you are so caught up with your position / status in life. You feel good when others know that you are a CEO or a Manager or someone who has big career name.

• Jesus took upon Himself as a “bond-servant”.
• People are so conscious of “occupation”.
• Regardless of your occupation, as long as you earn a decent income, you are okay.

(d) You must be willing to die to consciousness of self-dedication.

Self-dedication means how oneself serve God. Like taking into account how much effort or time you put into the Kingdom of God.

• If you have no heart for people, you are not serving God in your life.
• Philippians 2:7-8 “…but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.⁸ And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!”
• Jesus died to the consciousness of self-dedication.

IF WE HAVE THE MIND OF CHRIST, NO ONE COULD INTIMIDATE US.

The Book of Job in the Bible

 

(Picture source: http://www.theseason.org/job/jb.jpg)

Recently i started to read my Bible chronologically again, according to the guide, i need to read the Book of Job after a few chapters of Genesis and some other  Books of the Bible. Actually i quite dread to read this Book because i don’t understand why God need to answer Job in a way that is so profound when HE was the One who allows Job to be tested or went through a very painful trial. Well, its the Word of God, so i can’t just skip it, so i read it again. This time i began to see in another perspective. I find it so amazing was that even though we do not know who was the author of the Book of Job, what amazed me was that every single conservation that Job and his friends had was being pen down!

A lot of times we were being reminded that God hears our conversation, but somehow we know it but it just not so impactful to us that God is really hearing our conversation! Imagine that if the Book of Job have a record of the conversation between Job and his friends, how much more God can compile books of our conversations with others – be it words that were good or bad! Well my point of jotting down this reflection is not to bring fear to anyone who is reading this, but to act as a reminder that we need to think before we speak as words have power. It can lift, encourage someone or hurt and tear the spirit of the receiver.

Truly God’s Word is perfect is teaching us to guard our mouths.

PROVERBS 21:23 “HE WHO GUARDS HIS MOUTH AND HIS TONGUE KEEPS HIMSELF FROM CALAMITY”

EPHESIANS 4:29 “DO NOT LET ANY UNWHOLESOME TALK COME OUT OF YOUR MOUTHS, BUT ONLY WHAT IS HELPFUL FOR BUILDING OTHERS UP ACCORDING TO THEIR NEEDS, THAT IT MAY BENEFIT THOSE WHO LISTEN.

JAMES 3:10 “OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH COME PRAISE AND CURSING. MY BROTHERS, THIS SHOULD NOT BE.”

PSALMS 19:14 “MAY THE WORDS OF MY MOUTH AND THE MEDITATION OF MY HEART BE PLEASING IN YOUR SIGHT, O LORD, MY ROCK AND MY REDEEMER.  AMEN.”

May God helps us in our speech and in our actions.

Encouragement cards

The reason i reflect on this topic is because since the day i decided to send my boss an e-card, i began to realise that it has been a long time since i send someone an e-card.

I remembered that more than 10 years ago when the internet was made available to the world, the time when we got so excited when we receive an email as suddenly things got so convenient. Besides receive emails, e-cards was the next hit item on the web. People sending e-cards to wish their friends and loved one having a happy birthday to happy holidays or for some simply disturbing others.

I remembered that i used to print out those e-cards messages and stick it onto my journal book. This is because those words that my mentor or friend wrote to me are so meaningful and uplifting. I find acceptance, hope and love. I thank God for those special memories.

Yesterday, after Sunday Service, one of my cell member talked to me and told me how she was being ‘bullied’ and face some injustice at her attachment. She also shared with me that she found strength and encouragement when she chance upon a card that i wrote to her years ago while she was packing her room to prepare for Chinese New Year. The card that i wrote to her have the title “leave it to God” and through these words she began to resolve in her heart and mind that she will do her best at work and let God do the rest.

Well…i shall make a point to write encouragement cards again to my cell members and my friends.

Note: The birthday card was made by me.

Chinese New Year Spring Cleaning

As usual Chinese New Year (CNY) is a time for my family to spring clean the house with my mom’s help. My brother will take care of his room and i will take care of my room plus the washing of the toilet, bathroom, sweep and mop the floor.

Before i spring my home, i spend some time with God and prayed that HE will helped me to finish the cleaning early and of course, thank God, HE did. He not only helped me to pack and tidy up my room quickly, i believe HE also helped me to realise that i kept too many things and unwilling to give away those that are in good condition.

Usually when it comes to packing my wardrobe, i don’t feel good in giving away some of my clothes. Most of the time i will have the thinking that “humm…this one i like it, but i seldom wear, but let’s wait and see, maybe i need this some day…” With this mentality i end up having a wardrobe full of clothes and took a long time to pack.

This time while i was packing and sorting my clothes, i realised that i have 2 fleece jackets, 4 wind-breaker, a few clothing that are nice but not so fitting (big) for me. I began to think “do i need so many fleece jackets and wind-breakers and since those clothes did not bring out the best of me why should i keep it, it so nice and by donating out, someone who needs it can wear it.” Without second thoughts, i packed those that i think others can own it to a plastic bag which meant for donation.

Not only giving is a “problem” for me, throwing away old stuff also. This is because i have a “i can’t bear to throw away” mentality. But this time i took out those items, i see the condition and find it even if i keep it, i will not use it and even i give it away, it is too old for others to wear…so i made up my mind, i threw it away.

Praise God for breakthroughs.

Not only that i managed to pack my home wear, outing clothes (for work and for leisure), packed my study table (which clutter with lots of CDs and books and notes…) in no time, thus i can helped to clean the bathroom, toilet, sweep and mopped the floor and after dinner, i ironed my clothes. Finished all these including breaks for dinner by 11pm plus (if i don’t remember wrongly).

Hummm… that’s all….

Thank God for all blessings flow…

Final blog before the close of Year 2009 and usher in the Year 2010.

It’s been an eventful and fruitful year for me, experiencing God’s love and His grace. Truly it is His grace that brought me through this year.

Firstly, I have learnt to trust God and also see how HE leads and guides me into a whole new career and the moment i was accepted to work in JIL Management & Consultancy Pte Ltd, i knew and so sure of God’s promise in my life that HE truly has a plan for me, a plan that will prosper me and not to harm me. It is through this job i began to realise that how my 3.5 years in Zion Gospel Mission really helps. Helps me to submit and to the authority above me and how to plan in the area of my work.

My boss allows me to ask questions and by asking a lot of questions, i learnt a lot. I also signed up for a course to gain knowledge in the area of corporate laws and those business stuff.

Really thank God for helping me to secure this job. Imagine that no experience, no formal qualifications in this field as a Company Secretariat, the boss is willing to employ and train me.

The best part, i got my increment after my probation and my dad is willing to pay for my executive diploma study. Praise for His provision. Truly He is our Jehovah Jireh.

Secondly, I graduated from Bible School after 5 years of part-time study. When i stand and pose for my Bible College graduation photos, i felt proud and honoured that at last this day has come, i am graduating with a Certificate in Theology! Even though i did not manage to graduate with a Bachelor in Theology, i am happy because this is one of the heart desire that i have reached. Besides getting the paper, through the education system, learning how to do research and writing term paper is really a challenge for me, especially i am not good in writing.

Every time when i reflect back from January 09 to now, i will always thank God from the bottom of my heart. God is good, HE truly is my Shepherd who leads me to green pasture and still waters, HE restores my soul and teach me to rest in Him.

Thirdly, my first time organising a cell event – Thanksgiving Dinner on 26 Dec 09. It is like a finale cell meeting before the begin of the new year. As this is quite a last minute event, i thank God for the cell members who put in their effort to attend and also brought sumptuous food with them (it is a pot-luck event).  Praise the Lord that all went well, the food, the songs and most importantly the testimonies that we shared on how good God is.

Okay need to stop her now as i need to prepare myself to go for the thanksgiving service in church.

Thanks for reading….

Happy New Year!

Blog Reflection: Biblical Interpretation Module (BS500)

This is a very special blog entry as this is my first time blogging about my learning experience on my Bible School module on Biblical Interpretation, that is of course required by the Lecturer, Rev. Casey Ng as part of the learning requirement.

Below are some of my learning experiences that I have gleaned when I attended the module:

Interesting Ideas

Submitting our assignment via a wiki and blog. This is my first time submitting my assignments through these means. I agreed with the lecturer that this is the 21st century and we need to be update with the latest technology. We may not be very expert in using blogs or wiki, at least we can get a ‘feel of it’ by trying out. Now i can tell the youths in my church that my lecturer wants us to submit, post and discuss our project work via a wiki and not just emailing to him the final paper as most institution do.

Practices

There is a saying that goes like this: “Practice makes perfect”. After i attended this module, i agreed with my ex Pastor, who was a teacher of the Word. He used to teach us on Bible Study methods and he told us that “Practice don’t make perfect, unless we practice with the right methods”. 

The same here with when we exegete a Bible passage or even to get the real meaning out from a parable, if we do not follow the rules stated, we will not get it right and worst, we will teach the wrong things to our members and even ourselves!

During one of the lessons on how to study a parable, the lecturer taught us the rules and gave us "The Parable of The Good Samaritan” in Luke 10:30-37 to try out. All of us got the understanding of passage’s teaching is about “Loving your neighbour”. But to our surprise is not, as we missed the point and followed the diversion. It is actually means “God is gracious”. Jesus answered the question posted by the Teacher of the Law on “What must i do to inherit eternal life"?” or in other words, “How can i be saved?” So the answer is “ Just accept the grace of God.”

Interestingly, after i learnt the steps and rules of studying the parable, i read the required textbook. The author also commented on the Parable of the Good Samaritan, however his understanding is still on “loving your neighbour”.

 

Concept

Besides we learn how to exegete the passage using structure diagramming, we also learn about how to write a story. I learnt that to write a good story we must have SETTING, PLOT and CHARACTERS.

The PLOT consist of either physical, moral or character conflict – as the lecturer said, if there is no conflict then the story will not be interesting to catch the reader’s attention.

The CHARACTERS consist of round, flat and functionary characters.

As i listened to the lecture, how i wish i learnt that last time when i was young. If i did, then my composition will not be that poor or even struggle to get my composition done.

Now when i watch a drama or a movie, i watch it with a new perspective, understanding the concept of a good story line.

 

The lecturer also touched on the Eastern and Western perspective on things. Example: we read about dragons in the Bible, i learnt that dragon to the western people is bad or evil, but to the Eastern (Chinese), dragon is a symbol of good luck, prosperity, etc.

So one day, while i was watching a movie show – MUMMY 3, that was being broadcast over HBO, with my brother, he commented how come Jet Lee, acted as the King (a mummy that became alive), turned into a dragon during a fight. Then i began to show forth some knowledge about the westerners perspective of dragons. As Jet Lee is a bad king character, they use dragon (and is a three headed dragon) to portray the bad character. My brother then mentioned that the dragon is so different from our usual Chinese dragon. Then i told him that it could be the script writer did not do enough research, as they only knew that the China Emperor had dragons motifs on their clothes and other items but they failed to understand what type of dragon, so the producer will use their imagination to make a film.

 

Interaction with others during discussion

As our assignment was project based, we need to get into our groups to discuss. For those who have worked in project groups before will know that we will somehow rubbed shoulders with each other, as all of us have different personalities.

As the project leader, i need to be the mediator too when one or two members have some differences with each other. Thank God my group don’t have members who walked out of discussions or scold one another, but they deal with the situation biblically but approaching the ‘offended’ person and talk it out to try their best to understand their position.

Even though the time is limited, resources are few, i want to thank God for Olivia, who took her initiatives to borrow a lot of reference materials like Bible Dictionaries and Concordances from her church friends. Thus this helps to expedite our search and save us some precious time.

It is during the class projects, i realised that i have improved in dealing with different types of people or it could be God is so gracious to me that the dynamics of my group is still under the ‘easy’ level. No matter what, i still thank God for the tough training that i received when i was working in a local church.

 

My Response 

After attending this module, i have learnt that as a Christian, a church leader, a Bible School student, i need to study the Bible correctly using the right method. Beside using the right method to do Bible exegesis, i need to obey the truths of the Bible and follow God’s way. Let HIS will be done and not my will be done. Amen.

TAKE OFF THE LID AND STEP-OUT

Scripture Texts: Joshua 5:1-3; 6:1-6
Speaker: Ps. Chia Beng Hock
Date: 14 June 09

 

INTRODUCTION:

(1) Investment: $950 per franchise – selling
     hamburgers.

Ray Kroc: Macdonald’s

Ray Kroc took the step of faith to join the franchise and now he has the Macdonald’s chain and earn billions of dollars.

(2) A “C” grade business concept plan

Fred Smith: Federal Express

Fred Smith, invested his life savings to start the delivery business from small and now his company is one of the top delivery company.

Both Kroc and Smith took risks.

TAKE OFF THE LID AND STEP OUT

3 things required:

(1) Commitment Established

Joshua 5: 1 –3 (Israel Is Circumcised) 
1Now it came about when all the kings of the Amorites who were beyond the Jordan to the west, and all the kings of the Canaanites who were by the sea, heard how the LORD had dried up the waters of the Jordan before the sons of Israel until they had crossed, that their hearts melted, and there was no spirit in them any longer because of the sons of Israel. 2At that time the LORD said to Joshua, “Make for yourself flint knives and circumcise again the sons of Israel the second time.”3So Joshua made himself flint knives and circumcised the sons of Israel at Gibeath-haaraloth.

 

(a) Evaluate our relationship with God

• Putting aside risk (circumcision involves pain on the men and as they just cross over Jordan, they need to defend themselves from the enemies), God wanted them to put right their covenant relationship with Him

(b) Repent and Renew our commitment

• Change of mind, heart and direction: turn back to God.

(c) Calculated Risk: Based on our conviction that God can be trusted.

(d) Get right with God so that we can take off the lid and step-out.

 

(2) Consider the risks

(a) What keep us from taking off the lid and step out?

• Fear of uncertainty
• Fear of failures
• Fear of embarrassment
• Not wanting to step out of our comfort zone

Joshua 6:1-6 (The Conquest of Jericho)
1Now Jericho was tightly shut because of the sons of Israel; no one went out and no one came in. 2The LORD said to Joshua, “See, I have given Jericho into your hand, with its king and the valiant warriors. 3“You shall march around the city, all the men of war circling the city once. You shall do so for six days. 4“Also seven priests shall carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark; then on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. 5“It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat, and the people will go up every man straight ahead.” 6So Joshua the son of Nun called the priests and said to them, “Take up the ark of the covenant, and let seven priests carry seven trumpets of rams’ horns before the ark of the LORD.”

Calculated Risk: Based on our conviction that God can be trusted.

• When we take risk, we are stretching beyond what we think are our limits to achieve desired results.

 

(3) Consider the results

• Joshua & Caleb (went into the promise land)
• Ruth (followed Naomi)
• Peter (walked on water)
• Paul (risked his life to preach the Gospel)
• Sta (or Santa) Barbara Church, Philippines (situated among the staunch Roman Catholics, threw stones and blast their music at them when the Service start, survived persecution and grew to be one of the strong church)
• Bethel Community Outreach (TCM, Film Outreach, etc.)
• Mentoring (Youth, Young Adults, Young in faith).

Calculated Risk: Based on our conviction that God can be trusted.

Consider the results: The blessings HE has prepared for you!

Trusting God – Our Heavenly Father

Scripture Text: Proverbs 3:5-6
Speaker: Ps. Patrick Lau
Date: 7 June 09

 

Proverbs 3:5-6
⁵Trust in the LORD with all your heart
And do not lean on your
own understanding. 
⁶In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He will make your paths straight.

 

(1) WE CAN TRUST GOD, OUR HEAVENLY 
     FATHER because HE is a good Heavenly
     Father. 

• Our Heavenly Father is completely different from our earthly father.

 

Characteristics of God, Our Heavenly Father…

1st – HE is our HEAVENLY FATHER

Matthew 6:9 "Pray, then, in this way:
'Our Father who is in heaven,
Hallowed be Your name. 

2nd – Our Heavenly Father is in-charge of all the affairs of this world.

Matthew 6:10 “'Your kingdom come Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.”

 

3rd – Our Heavenly Father is our provider

Matthew 6:11 'Give us this day our daily bread.’

 

4th – Our Heavenly Father is the One who can forgives us and forgives us without hesitation.  As long as we go before Him in repentance, He forgives.

Matthew 6:12 ‘And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.’

 

5th – Our Heavenly Father is a Father who delivers, watches over us by letting us know where are the pit falls and temptation so that we can escape.

Matthew 6:13 'And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. [For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.]'

• All power and glory belongs to HIM. No other powers can stay before HIM.
• Because of HIS characteristics, no matter what we go through, we can trust in HIM.
• Don’t doubt HIM when HE asks you to go to do something or go to some places or do something that seems ridiculous to you.

Example: God ask Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac and Abraham did it and before Abraham can kill his son, GOD intervened and stopped him from doing so. Abraham was willing to obey because he knows who GOD is – Abraham trusted God 100%.

 

(2) GOD OUR HEAVENLY FATHER SHOULD BE
     TRUSTED

• We may have failed to trust God in our past and thus made some mistakes and now living in regrets, but God doesn’t wants us to live in regrets in our lives, that's why we need to trust HIM (because of our relationship with HIM through Jesus Christ).

Example: King Saul who did not learn to trust God in HIS timing. HE took over the Prophet Samuel’s role to offer sacrifices when King Saul didn’t see Prophet Samuel, he began to get anxious and want to please the people instead of God. Thus he lived in regrets the rest of his life.

• God is gracious, He will gives us chance again to learn to trust in HIM, if we failed the last time.
• We need to be humble before God.

 

(3) GOD MUST BE TRUSTED

• When we understand the characteristics of God that HE can be trusted, this will lead to HE should be trusted and must be trusted.
• We must trust God to lead us, guide us in life.

Example: H1N1 Flu

Matthew 24:8 "But all these things are merely the beginning of birth pangs.

Luke 21:26 men fainting from fear and the expectation of the things which are coming upon the world; for the powers of the heavens will be shaken.

 

Conclusion:

God can be trusted, should be trusted and must be trusted.

THE LOST GENERATION

Scripture Text: Matthew 24:9-14
Speaker: Ps. Bernard Foo (Harvester Singapore)
Date: 31 May 09 (Mission Sunday)

All Scripture texts are quoted from New American Standard Bible

Matthew 24:9-14

⁹"Then they will deliver you to tribulation, and will kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. ¹⁰"At that time many will fall away and will betray one another and hate one another.  ¹¹"Many false prophets will arise and will mislead many. ¹²"Because lawlessness is increased, most people's love will grow cold. ¹³"But the one who endures to the end, he will be saved. ¹⁴"This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.

 

3 Main clusters of people living in this end times:

(1) The LOST Generation
(2) The LUST Generation
(3) The LORD’S Generation

 

(1) The LOST Generation
Three causes

a) Foolishness
    - Aimless, getting caught up in the world system, 
      lost.
    - Luke 15:1-7

Luke 15: 1-7

The Lost Sheep
¹Now all the tax collectors and the sinners were coming near Him to listen to Him. ²Both the Pharisees and the scribes began to grumble, saying, "This man receives sinners and ^(B)eats with them."³So He told them this parable, saying,⁴"What man among you, if he has a hundred sheep and has lost one of them, does not leave the ninety-nine in the open pasture and go after the one which is lost until he finds it? ⁵"When he has found it, he lays it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶"And when he comes home, he calls together his friends and his neighbors, saying to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost!' ⁷"I tell you that in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who need no repentance.

 

b) Careless
    - Luke 15:8-10

Luke 15:8-10

The Lost Coin
⁸"Or what woman, if she has ten silver coins and loses one coin, does not light a lamp and sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? ⁹"When she has found it, she calls together her friends and neighbors, saying, 'Rejoice with me, for I have found the coin which I had lost!'¹⁰"In the same way, I tell you, there is joy ^(D)in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents."

 

c) Wilfulness
    - Luke 15: 11-24

Luke 15:11-24

The Prodigal Son

¹¹And He said, "A man had two sons.

¹²"The younger of them said to his father, 'Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me ' So he divided his wealth between them.¹³"And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living.¹⁴"Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished.¹⁵"So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine.¹⁶"And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him.¹⁷"But when he came to his senses, he said, 'How many of my father's hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger!¹⁸'I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight;¹⁹I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men."'²⁰"So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him.²¹"And the son said to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'²²"But the father said to his slaves,
'Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet;
²³and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; ²⁴for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.' And they began to celebrate.

(2) The LUST Generation
Two Causes

a) Lawlessness
    - Matthew 24:12 “Because lawlessness is 
      increased, most people's love will grow cold.”

    - Genesis 6:11-13, 17-22

        ¹¹Now the earth was ^(N)corrupt in the sight of  
       God, and the earth was ^(O)filled with violence. 
        ¹²God looked on the earth, and behold, it was  
       corrupt; for all flesh had corrupted their way 
       upon the earth. ¹³Then God said to Noah, "The
       end of all flesh has come before Me; for the
       earth is filled with violence because of them;
       and behold, I am about to destroy them with
       the earth.

 
         ¹⁷"Behold, I, even I am bringing the flood of 
        water upon the earth, to destroy all flesh in 
        which is the breath of life, from under heaven;
        everything that is on the earth shall perish.
        ¹⁸"But I will establish My covenant with you;
        and you shall enter the ark--you and your sons
        and your wife, and your sons' wives with you.
          ¹⁹"And of every living thing of all flesh, you 
        shall bring two of every kind into the ark, to
        keep them alive with you; they shall be male
        and female. ²⁰"Of the birds after their kind,
        and of the animals after their kind, of every
        creeping thing of the ground after its kind, two
        of every kind will come to you to keep them
        alive. ²¹"As for you, take for yourself some of
        all food which is edible, and gather it to
        yourself; and it shall be for food for you and for
        them."²²Thus Noah did; according to all that 
        God had commanded him, so he did.

b) Lovelessness

 

• Because of adversity Christians are not willing to preach the Gospel.
• The Great Commission belongs to ALL BELIEVERS.

 

(3) The LORD’S Generation
      Two Distinction Characteristics:

a) Watchfulness

• not deceived; prayerful; endurance
• know that the coming of the Lord is sure.
• keep awake spiritually
• wants to hear what God is saying and not what the world is saying.

b) Gratefulness

• Grateful people are faithful people, faithful to the plan of God.

Sunday Service @ HIS Sanctuary

Sermon Title: 5 Jewels of Spiritual Transformation
Scripture Text: 1 Samuel 22:1-2; Isaiah 45:3; 
                        Ps. 34:1-7
Speaker: Ps. Monte Lee Rice

 

Introduction:

1 Samuel 22:1-2 ¹So David departed from there and escaped to the cave of Adullam; and when his brothers and all his father's household heard of it, they went down there to him. ²Everyone who was in distress, and everyone who was in debt, and everyone who was discontented gathered to him; and he became captain over them. Now there were about four hundred men with him.

Picture source: http://christianity.about.com/od/symbolspictures/ig/Israel-Tour-Pictures/19IsraelCaveAddullam800x600.htm

Cave of Adullam: This is the cave where David hid from King Saul when Saul sought to kill him. It is a large & deep dark cave.

Isaiah 45:3 "I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden wealth of secret places, So that you may know that it is I, The LORD, the God of Israel, who calls you by your name.

• We can find treasures in the darkness.

1 Chronicles 12:8 From the Gadites there came over to David in the stronghold in the wilderness, mighty men of valor, men trained for war, who could handle shield and spear, and whose faces were like the faces of lions, and they were as swift as the gazelles on the mountains.

Habakkuk 3:19 The Lord GOD is my strength, And
He has made my feet like hinds' feet, And makes me walk on my high places.

• It is during the ‘dark period’ we are being changed and transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ.
• Don’t get too quick to get out of the darkness. But learn to seek out the treasures.

 

5 Jewels of transformation

Ps. 34:1-7
(The LORD, a Provider and Deliverer.
A Psalm of David when he feigned madness before Abimelech, who drove him away and he departed).

¹I will bless the LORD at all times;
  His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
²My soul will make its boast in the LORD;
  The humble will hear it and rejoice.
³O magnify the LORD with me,
  And let us exalt His name together.
⁴I sought the LORD, and He answered me,
  And delivered me from all my fears.
⁵They looked to Him and were radiant,
  And their faces will never be ashamed.
⁶This poor man cried, and the LORD heard him
  And saved him out of all his troubles.
⁷The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.

 

What is Church all about?
It is about becoming more like Jesus and Christ is being formed in us.

The 1st jewel: The Altar of Sacrifice (Worship)
Ps. 34:1 I will bless the LORD at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.

What is worship?
It is about sacrifice.

Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name.

Romans 12:1-2 Therefore urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect.

 

• Offer your dreams & aspirations to Jesus Christ.

 

2nd Jewel: Humility

Ps. 34:2 My soul will make its boast in the LORD;
The humble will hear it and rejoice.

How do i live my life in this world?

• By being humble, just like David who was willing to share his cave with others.
• God gives grace to the humble.

 

3rd Jewel: Seeking the Lord

Ps. 34:3 O magnify the LORD with me,
And let us exalt His name together.

• SEEK and you shall find; ASK and it shall be given to you; KNOCK and the door will be opened for you.

 

4th Jewel: Discipleship (following Jesus)

Ps. 34:5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces will never be ashamed.

• When comes to discipleship we tend to look for so and so to be our mentor, but is Jesus your teacher or coach?
• Jesus wants to disciple us and teach us to be like Him.

1 Peter 2: 21 For you have been called for this purpose, since Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example for you to follow in His steps

• Read, observe and meditate on Jesus Christ in the Gospel.
• To become like Jesus Christ, we must be willing to pay the cost of discipleship.

 

5th Jewel: Fear the Lord (Reverence)

Ps. 34: 7 The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear Him, And rescues them.

What it means to fear the Lord?
By giving God the space to be God.

Ps. 46: 10a "Cease striving and know that I am God…”

• It means that we take our hands off in our situation and let God do the necessary.
• God is the God of surprises.

 

Really thank God for this message that HE reminded me on how to apply Ps. 34 in my life. I remembered this Psalm was given to me by my friend on my 22nd Birthday and i asked God what it means. At first, He did not say anything, so i told God that i will read until i get the ‘answer’.

God is gracious. HE knows when to ‘appear’ in action. I flipped my study bible and in front of me is Ps. 34 and the explanation for this Psalm. It says “What ultimately matters in life is not one’s power and position, but one’s attitude and response to God.” When i get to know of this, i became angry at God because during that age, i want to be famous, status and position are very important to me. But after about two minutes, i calm down and began to told God that HE is right and ask Him to help me to apply Ps. 34 in my life.

Thank you Father God for your grace and mercies upon my life. You not only reminded me and help me on how to grow in Christ and also help me to realise that i can find treasures in deep darkness and hidden wealth of secret places.

Father God, help me to grow stronger in You. Transform me to be like Your Son Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Waffle Time@Gelare on Wed, 6 May 09

Make a Smilebox photobook

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Loved by God

Week after week, every Thursday i will attend my church prayer meeting. However on 19 Feb 09, it is very special. I just sensed that God is asking me in my heart to attend prayer meeting and not to worry about preparing my Friday cell lessons. Inside my heart i have such peace and also feelings of being "missed" (as i skipped prayer meeting last week to prepare my cell lesson), like God is thinking of me kind of feeling. Besides that personally i also felt a longing of getting done with my work and quick go to church to meet up with God.

I really thank God for ministering to me through a song that HE helped me to memorise when I was a young Christian. The song is “I come into this Holy Place”. I felt loved by God, that as if HE is telling me that I won’t be left alone or I will not be left out. Is like telling me that He is watching over me and He will never leave me nor forsake me.  

Prayer meeting ended and I went home. As usual I will check my emails and one of the subscribed scripture verse of the day is “I will never leave you nor forsake you.” Thus this really assures me that God truly is looking out for me and also He takes note of me attending Prayer Meeting.

Thank You Father God for being so loving, gracious and merciful to me. Not only that, thank You for your Faithfulness even when I am unfaithful.

28 Jan 09 Morning pic

This snap was taken after i adjusted my camera phone camera's settings. Little did i know or rather realise that a train is coming by. I knew it when the train head appearred right in front of me and that i know it's time for me to board the train and it will take me a 41 minutes ride. :)

Lunar New Year Day 2

Today is Lunar New Year Day 2 and as my grandma stays at the Kwong Wai Shiu elderly home, my family went to pay her a visit. When we reached there, we met our 4th aunty and stayed their for a while before we went for lunch at Ban Heng Restaurant at Bendemeer Road.

While having our lunch, my brother noticed a girl's standing outside the restaurant, her side view looks like Fann Wong. I take a look also and commented that "yah..really leh..." and happened that she turned her face and i said that she actually is Fann Wong herself. Moments later, she and Christopher Lee walked into the restaurant and greet the waiter and waitresses before walking towards a table where all her relatives are.

That's all for a special day.