Sunday 30 December 2007
"Give me one hundred preachers,
who fear nothing but sin and desire nothing but God, and I care not a straw whether they be clergymen or laymen; such alone will shake the gates of hell and set up the kingdom of heaven on earth. God does nothing but in answer to prayer."
Tuesday 25 December 2007
Malcolm Muggeridge said this of Christ (listen well, these are brilliant words)
We look back upon history, and what do we see? Empires rising and falling. Revolutions and Counterrevolutions. Wealth accumulated and wealth disbursed. Shakespeare has written of the rise and fall of great ones, that ebb and flow with the moon. I look back upon my own fellow countrymen, once upon a time dominating a quarter of the world, most of them convinced, in the words of what is still a popular song, that the God who made them mighty, shall make them mightier yet.
I've heard a crazed, cracked Austrian announce to the world the establishment of a Reich that would last a thousand years. I have seen an Italian clown say he was going to stop and restart the calendar with his own ascension to power. I've heard a murderous Georgian brigand in the Kremlin, acclaimed by the intellectual elite of the world as wiser than Solomon, more humane than Marcus Aurelius, more enlightened than Ashoka.
I have seen America, wealthier and in terms of military weaponry, more powerful than the rest of the world put together, so that had the American people so desired, they could have outdone a Caesar, or an Alexander in the range and scale of their conquests.
All in one lifetime, all in one lifetime, all gone. Gone with the wind. England part of a tiny island off the coast of Europe, threatened with dismemberment and even bankruptcy. Hitler and Mussolini dead, remembered only in infamy. Stalin a forbidden name in the regime he helped found and dominate for some three decades. America haunted by fears of running our of those precious fluids that keeps their motorways roaring, and the smog settling, with troubled memories of a disastrous campaign in Vietnam, and the victories of the Don Quixotes of the media as they charged the windmills of Watergate. All in one lifetime, all in one lifetime, all gone. Gone with the wind.
Behind the debris of these solemn supermen, and self-styled imperial diplomatists, there stands the gigantic figure of one, because of whom, by whom, in whom and through whom alone, mankind may still have peace: The person of Jesus Christ. I present him as the way, the truth, and the life.
We say Merry Christmas, and rightly so. For unto us was born the joy of the world, the hope of mankind, the Prince of peace, Immanuel. God with us.
Looking at the answers that He has given to us through His coming to the world - His solution for our malady, His explanation of reality, His transcendence over history, His equipment in suffering, His triumph over death - have we any reason not to be merry?
Merry Christmas
Tuesday 20 November 2007
The State of Our Pulpit Today
Joel Osteen, pastor of Lakewood Church, largest church in America.
alittleleaven isnt the most reliable, but in this particular instance I cannot help but agree entirely.
I certainly hope you're as horrified as I am, my brothers and sisters. These are megachurches mind you :/
Monday 19 November 2007
The Cross
i was reading through this passage and i thought it had a rather powerful message behind it. interestingly, the message of the cross is never anything new to us, but it always hits us as a strong reminder to surrender our lives to Jesus everyday.
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Most of us, as the Lord's people, would probably agree that there is at the present day a very great need for the Lord to show His power. That might be a personal confession: we would each say, individually, 'There is a great need for the Lord to do something in my life - to do some new thing, some mighty thing, in me personally, and perhaps in my ministry.' Further, many of us would confess that such a need exists in the circle of believers with whom we are connected and related - a need for the Lord to move in power in a new way. But could we not widen the field to the farthest limit, and say that there is a very great need for the Lord to do something mighty in the whole Church and in the whole world?
The Word of God offers us this one remedy. It is fully and thoroughly documented; it has the most established authority behind it. Again and again, both in individual life and in collective life, it has proved itself to be the answer. The Word of God offers us no alternative, no prospect along any other line. The Cross is the answer.
It is so easy for us to talk or preach about the exaltation of the Lord Jesus. His enthronement, His glorifying - it is wonderful to talk about these things; and of course, this Church of His, the Church of Christ, the Church which is His Body, is a very great thing - the great Masterpiece of God. Yes, we like to talk about it. But the test as to whether all this has a grip upon our inward life is just how much we will let the Cross work in us: for these great things - His exaltation and His Church - are not possible of realisation, except by the work of the Cross in believers.
This is a challenge which arises at once, and it is very searching. It will come to that, sooner or later, in any case, as we go on with the Lord. All our language, all our talk, and all our pretensions, will be challenged by this. The Lord will say: 'Yes - but are you prepared to allow the Cross to work in you in this particular matter, and in that - in that particular relationship, in this thing about yourself, and in that thing in your connections? Are you prepared to let the Cross deal with those things?' The answer to that will prove whether after all we have a concern for Christ's exaltation and vindication. Our concern for these will be shown in our estimate of, and our attitude toward, the Cross.
If, on the other hand, we take the line: 'Oh, we have heard so much about the Cross; it is this one-track thing' - if we can take any such attitude as that, in any way to belittle the Cross, or make it something less than God has made it; if our attitude can be one which under-estimates the importance of the Cross: then that is proof that we have not yet become inwardly gripped by this concern for the exaltation of the Lord Jesus.
Do not forget that He Himself would never have been exalted, but for His Cross. There was that mighty "Wherefore..." Wherefore? "...Becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore... God highly exalted him..." (Phil. 2:8,9). But for the Cross, He would never have been exalted; and, in principle, He never is exalted, except in so far as there is a work of the Cross in His people. It is so clear, is it not, that, if the Cross has not dealt with things in you and in me, the Lord Jesus cannot be glorified in our lives. And as for His Church - the Church would never have come into existence but for the Cross, and, but for the Cross, it can never have a present expression. Its beginning, its continuation, its growth, its consummation, are always by the law of the Cross; and every bit of addition to, or increase in, the Church, whether spiritually or numerically, is by means of the Cross. There is no other way. So it is a very real test and very real challenge to us.
dan <3
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Most of us, as the Lord's people, would probably agree that there is at the present day a very great need for the Lord to show His power. That might be a personal confession: we would each say, individually, 'There is a great need for the Lord to do something in my life - to do some new thing, some mighty thing, in me personally, and perhaps in my ministry.' Further, many of us would confess that such a need exists in the circle of believers with whom we are connected and related - a need for the Lord to move in power in a new way. But could we not widen the field to the farthest limit, and say that there is a very great need for the Lord to do something mighty in the whole Church and in the whole world?
The Word of God offers us this one remedy. It is fully and thoroughly documented; it has the most established authority behind it. Again and again, both in individual life and in collective life, it has proved itself to be the answer. The Word of God offers us no alternative, no prospect along any other line. The Cross is the answer.
The Cross the Only Way to The Exultation of Jesus
It is so easy for us to talk or preach about the exaltation of the Lord Jesus. His enthronement, His glorifying - it is wonderful to talk about these things; and of course, this Church of His, the Church of Christ, the Church which is His Body, is a very great thing - the great Masterpiece of God. Yes, we like to talk about it. But the test as to whether all this has a grip upon our inward life is just how much we will let the Cross work in us: for these great things - His exaltation and His Church - are not possible of realisation, except by the work of the Cross in believers.
This is a challenge which arises at once, and it is very searching. It will come to that, sooner or later, in any case, as we go on with the Lord. All our language, all our talk, and all our pretensions, will be challenged by this. The Lord will say: 'Yes - but are you prepared to allow the Cross to work in you in this particular matter, and in that - in that particular relationship, in this thing about yourself, and in that thing in your connections? Are you prepared to let the Cross deal with those things?' The answer to that will prove whether after all we have a concern for Christ's exaltation and vindication. Our concern for these will be shown in our estimate of, and our attitude toward, the Cross.
If, on the other hand, we take the line: 'Oh, we have heard so much about the Cross; it is this one-track thing' - if we can take any such attitude as that, in any way to belittle the Cross, or make it something less than God has made it; if our attitude can be one which under-estimates the importance of the Cross: then that is proof that we have not yet become inwardly gripped by this concern for the exaltation of the Lord Jesus.
Do not forget that He Himself would never have been exalted, but for His Cross. There was that mighty "Wherefore..." Wherefore? "...Becoming obedient even unto death, yea, the death of the cross. Wherefore... God highly exalted him..." (Phil. 2:8,9). But for the Cross, He would never have been exalted; and, in principle, He never is exalted, except in so far as there is a work of the Cross in His people. It is so clear, is it not, that, if the Cross has not dealt with things in you and in me, the Lord Jesus cannot be glorified in our lives. And as for His Church - the Church would never have come into existence but for the Cross, and, but for the Cross, it can never have a present expression. Its beginning, its continuation, its growth, its consummation, are always by the law of the Cross; and every bit of addition to, or increase in, the Church, whether spiritually or numerically, is by means of the Cross. There is no other way. So it is a very real test and very real challenge to us.
The Cross Positive, Not Negative
Now here, again, the Spirit of God shows that God's ways and means are always positive and not negative. I want to say that with emphasis; let us underline it in our minds. God's ways are always constructive and not destructive; they are purposeful, and not just ends in themselves. And if God's inclusive, comprehensive means is the Cross, let it be understood, once and for ever, that by the Cross He is working to an end - a large end. The Cross is never intended to end with destruction; it is never intended to end with a negative. God is working for some great thing, and He uses the Cross in this positive way.
You see, the weakness in our apprehension of the Cross is largely due to a misapprehension of the Cross. Our idea of the Cross is that it is destructive, it is negative, it is death. We revolt against that; we don't want to be always talked to about this death of the Cross - death, death, death. It is indeed possible so to preach the Cross as to bring in death; but that is a mis-preaching. That is not God's interpretation of the Cross at all. Let me repeat: the Holy Spirit here shows quite clearly that God's ways and means are always positive and not negative; they always have in view something more, and not something less; not an end, but a new fulness.
If only we could really grasp that, it would transfigure the Cross. When the Lord confronts us with the challenge, what do we do? We revolt, we draw back - we don't like it! Why? Simply because we have not seen that, in this application of the Cross, God is set upon securing something more in our lives - in our fellowships, in our companies, in His Church - something more than there has ever been before. That is God's law. God is not a negative God. Other gods are negative gods, but our God is not a negative god. He is not working to bring things to annihilation, He has very large purposes before Him in all His ways and in all His means.
What we really have to see is that, whatever the Cross may negative - and it will of course negative some things - it is God's most positive instrument for securing spiritual, heavenly, eternal values. The Cross is God's most positive instrument for securing the enlargement - not the annihilation - of that which will abide for ever. While it is true that the Cross, in the first place, does represent God's 'No', and that we cannot have God's 'Yes' - the Arm of the Lord - until we have accepted His 'No': yet once we are willing to come and accept God's 'No', then the way is clear for us to come right into His 'Yes'. And, mark you, God's Name is not 'No'! His Name is 'Yea and Amen' (2 Cor. 1:20) - He is "the God of Amen" (Is. 65:16) - the Positive, the 'Verily', the God of purpose.
This new and wonderful prospect, then, is in view. What does it amount to? It says this: God, who ever had in view the building of His wonderful and glorious Church, "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing", looked at the situation among men, in order to find that which would serve as a foundation for His building. But what did He find? He found the state of things that is described in those early chapters of the letter to the Romans. What a description it is - the sin, the corruption, the tangles, the complication - a hopeless picture of human depravity. That is what He found when He came to lay a foundation for His glorious Church, and He said: 'I cannot put a foundation on that; I cannot found My Church upon that. I must clear the ground, clean up this whole situation, burn it in fire' - and so the Cross did that. The Cross, in the intense fires of judgment, like the mighty Brazen Altar, dealt with that twisted, distorted tangle of human nature. Now God has His foundation - Christ crucified. Now He can proceed to build His Church.
This is the interpretation of the Cross. It is God's means of getting rid of everything that makes it impossible for Him to do what He wants to do, to carry out what He has in mind. He has a mighty purpose in view, but He finds things in the way, and He says: 'These must be dealt with.'
Let us, however, in closing this chapter, return to the positive note again. When we hear the phrase, 'The Cross', let us guard our minds against that sudden uprising - 'Oh, the Cross again, the Cross again, the Cross! It is all death, it is all crucifixion, it is all negative!' That suggestion must be resolutely refused - it is Satan's twist given to God's most wonderful instrument for realising His glorious purpose. When we hear 'The Cross', let us say: 'Ah, that means prospect! That means a clearing of the way; that means something more, not less; that means that God's Arm is going to be revealed!' Let us join with Paul in saying: 'God forbid that I should glory in anything, save in the Cross...' (Gal. 6:14).
You see, the weakness in our apprehension of the Cross is largely due to a misapprehension of the Cross. Our idea of the Cross is that it is destructive, it is negative, it is death. We revolt against that; we don't want to be always talked to about this death of the Cross - death, death, death. It is indeed possible so to preach the Cross as to bring in death; but that is a mis-preaching. That is not God's interpretation of the Cross at all. Let me repeat: the Holy Spirit here shows quite clearly that God's ways and means are always positive and not negative; they always have in view something more, and not something less; not an end, but a new fulness.
If only we could really grasp that, it would transfigure the Cross. When the Lord confronts us with the challenge, what do we do? We revolt, we draw back - we don't like it! Why? Simply because we have not seen that, in this application of the Cross, God is set upon securing something more in our lives - in our fellowships, in our companies, in His Church - something more than there has ever been before. That is God's law. God is not a negative God. Other gods are negative gods, but our God is not a negative god. He is not working to bring things to annihilation, He has very large purposes before Him in all His ways and in all His means.
What we really have to see is that, whatever the Cross may negative - and it will of course negative some things - it is God's most positive instrument for securing spiritual, heavenly, eternal values. The Cross is God's most positive instrument for securing the enlargement - not the annihilation - of that which will abide for ever. While it is true that the Cross, in the first place, does represent God's 'No', and that we cannot have God's 'Yes' - the Arm of the Lord - until we have accepted His 'No': yet once we are willing to come and accept God's 'No', then the way is clear for us to come right into His 'Yes'. And, mark you, God's Name is not 'No'! His Name is 'Yea and Amen' (2 Cor. 1:20) - He is "the God of Amen" (Is. 65:16) - the Positive, the 'Verily', the God of purpose.
So it is very necessary for us to move on to this settled basis, that God always comes in with a mind to create (or to recover), to build and to increase. If only we could believe that of the Lord - even in our most devastating times, when everything seems to be taken away, and all is stripped from us, when everything seems to be going, and we think we can see an end coming: if only we could believe then that God is working - not to bring values to an end, but to increase them! That must be our ground - that He is ploughing, He is digging, He intends a harvest; He intends something more. He knows why He is doing it in that way - we don't.
The Central Place of the Cross
This new and wonderful prospect, then, is in view. What does it amount to? It says this: God, who ever had in view the building of His wonderful and glorious Church, "without spot or wrinkle or any such thing", looked at the situation among men, in order to find that which would serve as a foundation for His building. But what did He find? He found the state of things that is described in those early chapters of the letter to the Romans. What a description it is - the sin, the corruption, the tangles, the complication - a hopeless picture of human depravity. That is what He found when He came to lay a foundation for His glorious Church, and He said: 'I cannot put a foundation on that; I cannot found My Church upon that. I must clear the ground, clean up this whole situation, burn it in fire' - and so the Cross did that. The Cross, in the intense fires of judgment, like the mighty Brazen Altar, dealt with that twisted, distorted tangle of human nature. Now God has His foundation - Christ crucified. Now He can proceed to build His Church.
This is the interpretation of the Cross. It is God's means of getting rid of everything that makes it impossible for Him to do what He wants to do, to carry out what He has in mind. He has a mighty purpose in view, but He finds things in the way, and He says: 'These must be dealt with.'
Let us, however, in closing this chapter, return to the positive note again. When we hear the phrase, 'The Cross', let us guard our minds against that sudden uprising - 'Oh, the Cross again, the Cross again, the Cross! It is all death, it is all crucifixion, it is all negative!' That suggestion must be resolutely refused - it is Satan's twist given to God's most wonderful instrument for realising His glorious purpose. When we hear 'The Cross', let us say: 'Ah, that means prospect! That means a clearing of the way; that means something more, not less; that means that God's Arm is going to be revealed!' Let us join with Paul in saying: 'God forbid that I should glory in anything, save in the Cross...' (Gal. 6:14).
-T. Austin-Sparks
(complete passage can be read here)
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(complete passage can be read here)
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indeed, the way of the cross is arduous and painful. but the apostle Paul tells us it is but a light affliction in comparison to the exceeding and eternal weight of glory it worketh for us that we shall receive when Jesus returns. we often ask why the righteous suffer; we do not see what God sees - that like a silversmith He refines the silver ore until it is truly pure. the purification of silver is long, hot, painful. repeatedly, the ore is put into fire, and under the intense heat of the flames all the unwanted dross of the ore is burned off and removed from the silver until it is completely pure. how then, we ask, do we know when the silver is truly pure? by this: when the Silversmith looks directly at the silver and sees a perfect reflection of Himself, then we know that the silver is indeed without flaw and perfect in the Master's eyes. may we always cling to the cross and never turn our eyes away from Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and now is glorified at the right hand of the throne of God (Heb 12). Amen.
i think an apt way to end of this post would be to meditate on the words of a rather precious hymn that has taught me much about the love of God and the life of surrender of which i have treasured most dearly:
Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,in His love,
Save in the cross of Christ my God,
All the vain things that charm me most,
I sacrifice them to His blood.
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were an offering far too small;
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my soul, my life, my all.
dan <3
Thursday 18 October 2007
true faith must be tested
true faith has to be tested. if our faith be worth anything, it will stand the test. gilt is afraid of the fire, but gold is not: the paste gem dreads to be touched by the diamond, but the true jewel fears no test. It is a poor faith which can only trust God when friends are true, the body full of health, and the business profitable; but that is true faith which holds by the Lord's faithfulness when friends are gone, when the body is sick, when spirits are depressed and the light of the Father's countenance hidden.
a faith which can say in the greatest trouble, 'though He slay me, yet i will trust in Him," is a heaven-born faith. the Lord is greatly glorified in the trials of His servants, for where we have been grieved by various trials, the genuineness of our faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:6-7).
we should never know the music of a harp if its strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the wine press; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of the fire if its coals were not utterly consumed. the wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which His vessels of mercy are permitted to pass.
present affliction tend also to heighten joy. there must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. could we be so supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of the earth? will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified?
a faith which can say in the greatest trouble, 'though He slay me, yet i will trust in Him," is a heaven-born faith. the Lord is greatly glorified in the trials of His servants, for where we have been grieved by various trials, the genuineness of our faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ (1 Pet 1:6-7).
we should never know the music of a harp if its strings were left untouched; nor enjoy the juice of the grape if it were not trodden in the wine press; nor discover the sweet perfume of cinnamon if it were not pressed and beaten; nor feel the warmth of the fire if its coals were not utterly consumed. the wisdom and power of the great Workman are discovered by the trials through which His vessels of mercy are permitted to pass.
present affliction tend also to heighten joy. there must be shades in the picture to bring out the beauty of the lights. could we be so supremely blessed in heaven, if we had not known the curse of sin and the sorrow of the earth? will not peace be sweeter after conflict, and rest more welcome after toil? will not the recollection of past sufferings enhance the bliss of the glorified?
For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory, while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal. -2 Cor 4:17-18in His love
Thursday 11 October 2007
Prayer
The act of prayer teaches us our unworthiness, which is a very salutary lesson for such proud beings as we are. If God gave us favors without constraining us to pray for them we should never know how poor we are, but a true prayer is an inventory of wants, a catalogue of necessities, a revelation of hidden poverty [although that isn't all there is to it]. While it is an application to divine wealth, it is a confession of human emptiness. The most healthy state of a Christian is to be always empty in self and constantly depending upon the Lord for supplies; to be always poor in self and rich in Jesus; weak as water personally, but mighty through God to do great exploits; and hence the use of prayer, because, while it adores God, it lays the creature where it should be, in the very dust. Prayer is in itself, apart from the answer which it brings, a great benefit to the Christian. As the runner gains strength for the race by daily exercise, so for the great race of life we acquire energy by the hallowed labour of prayer. Prayer plumes the wings of God’s young eaglets, that they may learn to mount above the clouds. Prayer girds the loins of God’s warriors, and sends them forth to combat with their sinews braced and their muscles firm. An earnest pleader cometh out of his closet, even as the sun ariseth from the chambers of the east, rejoicing like a strong man to run his race. Prayer is that uplifted hand of Moses which routs the Amalekites more than the sword of Joshua; it is the arrow shot from the chamber of the prophet foreboding defeat to the Syrians. Prayer girds human weakness with divine strength, turns human folly into heavenly wisdom, and gives to troubled mortals the peace of God. We know not what prayer cannot do! We thank thee, great God, for the mercy-seat, a choice proof of thy marvellous lovingkindness. Help us to use it aright throughout this day! -Charles Spurgeon
Sunday 7 October 2007
He holds our future
"Because He lives I can face tomorrow,
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives."
As we go through the last week of exams for year 5s, the long studying period for year 6s and exam period for the other levels, let us just remember to place all our trust in God. For alone with our own strengths, we may find it difficult to face tomorrow, but through God who holds our future, everyday of life will be worth living.
So let's press on with God by our side to glorify Him!
<3 minkyeong
Because He lives all fear is gone;
Because I know He holds the future
And life is worth the living just because He lives."
As we go through the last week of exams for year 5s, the long studying period for year 6s and exam period for the other levels, let us just remember to place all our trust in God. For alone with our own strengths, we may find it difficult to face tomorrow, but through God who holds our future, everyday of life will be worth living.
So let's press on with God by our side to glorify Him!
<3 minkyeong
Sunday 30 September 2007
'tis the season to be jolly
i realize that people are starting to crack under exam pressures. just rmb that the Lord taught us to surrender all things to Him and trust Him.
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil. 4:6-7keep the joy and do all things for His glory :)
in His love,
dan
dan
Wednesday 26 September 2007
Keeping Focus
If there's anyone who hasn't started studying already, now would be a great time to start. Like I suppose a few of you out there, I've had the misconception that if we're going to get our priorities right, there's nothing wrong with putting God first and all, even if it means compromising on our academic performance. If we're devoting ourselves so faithfully to the Lord, surely He'll reward in kind, even if its not in terms of examination results?
I guess to some extent that's a flawed belief. As Rev Kenneth Huang reminded Kenneth and I a couple of weeks back, our primary purpose for being here in school is to study. There's nothing wrong with coming for FireAC, or keeping our focus on God. But here we are in school, being testimonies to our classmates, our teachers and our friends. Does it not reflect badly on ourselves as Christians? Who can proclaim to be close followers of God and yet flunk our exams. If you know me I'm guilty of this on all counts, with a less than average mark record to show for it, so this year I'm already working harder than I used to.
An analogy is always nice, and since we could all use some stress relief: -
Which brings us all back down to earth with the common saying: "God helps those who help themselves." Are we hoping for a miracle, that by fervent prayer and dedication to God for these few weeks, He will grant us good grades for the end years? The best way to ensure that happens is probably to dig in ourselves and make the effort to study. It isn't easy to juggle both commitments sometimes, but I'm quite sure the results are a surer bet with that formula. And perhaps this has been overused too, but just look at Tim.
There's also a sad lesson in this. Sometimes we're so caught up in our own way of how God should be doing things, that we fail to recognise His hand working in other ways. Usually in those ways we can't see. Most of us are stressed. Worried. The other extreme doesn't work either; totally forsaking God for our studies ("but God wants us to do well!") might backfire as well. In fact, as I've mentioned before, its when we're lacking time and feeling tired that, all the more we should be coming to God and seeking His help, because He's the one who can comfort and restore, who can grant peace and rest, who can pull us through.
And like Kenneth mentioned this morning, don't neglect your QT. Along with keeping our focus on our studies, let's not forget to keep God in our sights as well. And with Him in the centre of our lives, and with us striving to work for His glory, doing things with Him in control, we'll all find all the strength, the joy, the peace and the resolve to do whatever has been set out for us, and do it well, at that.
So with that weighing on your minds, keep close to Him, and go pwn those exams.
In His Love,
- Fabriz
I guess to some extent that's a flawed belief. As Rev Kenneth Huang reminded Kenneth and I a couple of weeks back, our primary purpose for being here in school is to study. There's nothing wrong with coming for FireAC, or keeping our focus on God. But here we are in school, being testimonies to our classmates, our teachers and our friends. Does it not reflect badly on ourselves as Christians? Who can proclaim to be close followers of God and yet flunk our exams. If you know me I'm guilty of this on all counts, with a less than average mark record to show for it, so this year I'm already working harder than I used to.
An analogy is always nice, and since we could all use some stress relief: -
Torrential rains were swiftly flooding the town's streets. A preacher
sat on his porch watching the deluge. As the rising water approached his front
steps, a rescue squad boat motored by. "Come aboard, Preacher!" shouted one of
the officials. "We'll carry you to safety."
"I'm safe enough," the preacher replied. "I'm trusting the Lord to
protect me and my home."
Half an hour later the water was up to the porch floor. Another boat
glided past. "Jump aboard, Preacher! It's going to get worse!"
"I'm not afraid, friends. The Lord will deliver me from
drowning."
Late in the day, the flood had almost engulfed the town's buildings.
The preacher was on the roof, clinging to the chimney, when a helicopter hovered
overhead. A rope was cranked down to the pitiful victim - and astonishingly, the
preacher waved the crew away. "The Lord Himself will save me," he
declared.
And as darkness descended, the preacher was swept to his
death.
The next thing he knew, he was at heaven's gate, waiting at the desk of
St. Peter. The venerable saint looked up from his wrigin. "You!" he exclaimed.
"What are you doing here already?"
"Well, the preacher stammered, "I was down there in the flood, waiting
for the Lord to rescue me, and finally the water just got too high
and..."
"Saints, man! We sent you two boats and a helicopter!"
Which brings us all back down to earth with the common saying: "God helps those who help themselves." Are we hoping for a miracle, that by fervent prayer and dedication to God for these few weeks, He will grant us good grades for the end years? The best way to ensure that happens is probably to dig in ourselves and make the effort to study. It isn't easy to juggle both commitments sometimes, but I'm quite sure the results are a surer bet with that formula. And perhaps this has been overused too, but just look at Tim.
There's also a sad lesson in this. Sometimes we're so caught up in our own way of how God should be doing things, that we fail to recognise His hand working in other ways. Usually in those ways we can't see. Most of us are stressed. Worried. The other extreme doesn't work either; totally forsaking God for our studies ("but God wants us to do well!") might backfire as well. In fact, as I've mentioned before, its when we're lacking time and feeling tired that, all the more we should be coming to God and seeking His help, because He's the one who can comfort and restore, who can grant peace and rest, who can pull us through.
And like Kenneth mentioned this morning, don't neglect your QT. Along with keeping our focus on our studies, let's not forget to keep God in our sights as well. And with Him in the centre of our lives, and with us striving to work for His glory, doing things with Him in control, we'll all find all the strength, the joy, the peace and the resolve to do whatever has been set out for us, and do it well, at that.
So with that weighing on your minds, keep close to Him, and go pwn those exams.
In His Love,
- Fabriz
Saturday 22 September 2007
Salvation- a sermon worth listening to
Paul Washer - Shocking Message (full length)
A powerful sermon
58 minutes long , but its worth a watch/listen if you have the time
it's really touching to see how much love Paul has...
there is a point around 9-10 minutes when the youth start cheering and claping, but he makes a statement that shocks them
and the message he delivers is quite eye opening ...
Excerpts(paraphrases):
we are saved not by 1 "sinner's prayer" we make, but by Faith alone, and faith that is preceeded and followed by reptentance
reptentance, hating your sin
a hatred for the things that God hates
there is no such thing as a carnal christian
God Bless
Emil
Friday 7 September 2007
There are too many bold-worthy phrases in here, so I shan't bother
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a great German (and rather unorthodox) theologian who was martyed for defending the Christian faith during Hitler’s rule over Germany, once wrote these inspiring words in his book “The Cost of Discipleship”
Have we cheapened the grace we Christians (should) hold so dearly in our hearts?
Some food for thought really
After a rather prolonged hiatus,
K
Cheap grace means grace sold on the market like cheapjacks’ wares. The sacraments, the forgiveness of sin, and the consolations of religion are thrown away at cut prices. Grace is represented as the Church’s inexhaustible treasury, from which she showers blessings with generous hands, without asking questions or fixing limits. Grace without price; grace without cost! The essence of grace, we suppose, is that everything has been paid in advance; and, because it has been paid, everything can be had for nothing. Since the cost was infinite, the possibilities of using and spending it are infinite. What would grace be if it were not cheap?
Cheap grace means the justification of the sin without the justification of the sinner. Grace alone does everything, they say, and so everything can remain as before. “All for sin could not atone.” The world goes on the same old way, and we are still sinners “even in the best life” as Luther said. Well, then, let the Christian live like the rest of the world, let him model himself on the world’s standards in every sphere of life, and not presumptuously aspire to live a different life under grace from his old life under sin. That was the heresy of the enthusiasts, the Anabaptists, and their kind. Let the Christian beware of rebelling against the free and boundless grace of God and desecrating it. Let him not attempt to erecy a new religion of the letter by endeavouring to live a life of obedience to the commandments of Jesus Christ! The world has been justified by grace. The Christians knows that, and takes it seriously. He knows he must not strive against this indispensable grace. Therefore - let him live like the rest of the world!
[he goes on to say]
This is what we mean by cheap grace, the grace which amounts to the justification of sin without the justification of the repentant sinner who departs from sin and from whom sin departs. Cheap grace is not the forgiveness of sin which frees us from the toils of sin. Cheap grace is the grace we bestow on ourselves. Cheap grace is the preaching of forgiveness without requiring repentance, baptism without church discipline, Communion without confession, absolution without personal confession.
Cheap grace is grace without discipleship, grace without the cross, grace without Jesus Christ, living and incarnate.
Costly grace is the treasure hidden in the field; for the sake of it a man will gladly go and sell all that he has. It is the pearl of great price to buy which the merchant will sell all his goods. It is the kingly rule of Christ, for whose sake a man will pluck out the eye which causes him to stumble; it is the call of Jesus Christ at which the disciple leaves his nets and follows him.
Costly grace is the gospel which must be sought again and again, the gift which must be asked for, the door at which a man must knock.
Such grace is costly because it calls us to follow, and it is grace because it calls us to follow Jesus Christ. It is costly because it costs a man his life, and it is grace because it gives a man the only true life. It is costly because it condemns sin, and grace because it justifies the sinner. Above all, it is costly because it cost God the life of his Son; “ye were bought at a price,” and what has cost God much cannot be cheap for us. Above all, it is grace because God did not reckon his Son too dear a price to pay for our life, but delivered him up for us. Costly grace is the Incarnation of God.
Have we cheapened the grace we Christians (should) hold so dearly in our hearts?
Some food for thought really
After a rather prolonged hiatus,
K
Tuesday 28 August 2007
YOUR 5 Loaves and 2 Fishes
Hello!
Okay, really short, I think, if you read the lyrics of this song. You'll get what I'm driving. Just remember, your contribution no matter how small can always be amplified by God to do great things.
Five Loaves and Two Fishes by Corrinne May
A little boy of thirteen
was on his way to school
He heard a crowd of people laughing
and he went to take a look
Thousands were listening
to the stories of one man
He spoke with such wisdom,
even the kids could understand
The hours passed so quickly
the day turned to night
Everyone was hungry
but there was no food in sight
The boy looked in his lunchbox
at the little that he had
He wasn't sure what good it'd do
there were thousands to be fed
But he saw the twinkling eyes of Jesus
the kindness in His smile
and the boy cried out
with the trust of a child
he said:
"Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you willI surrender
Take my fears and inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
to feed them all"
I often think about that boy
when I'm feeling small
and I worry that the work I do
means nothing at all
But every single tear I cry
is a diamond in His hands
and every door that slams in my face
I will offer up in prayer
So I'll give you every breath that I have
Oh Lord, you can work miracles
All that you need is my "Amen"
Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
I hope it's not too small
I trust in you
I trust in you
Take my five loaves and two fishes
Do with it as you will
I surrender
Take my fears and inhibitions
All my burdens, my ambitions
You can use it all
no gift is too small
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,
Lin Xunliang
Lin Xunliang
Friday 24 August 2007
A heart of worship
Even as this Week Of Worship(wow), WorsHip Emphasis Week(whew), or whatever you choose to call it comes to a close.
Just some sharing of my thoughts about worship
As you might remember I was sort of leading the sharing and worship for tuesday. Anyway one of the songs that i picked was Hosanna somehow i had a sort of conviction of sort teach and sing it..
Interestingly enough, I never exactly heard the song much, (I haven't bought any Hillsong Cds this year, due to a certain lack of discipline to save money to buy them, The italian food is too tempting) except for twice in church...
I didn't really take note of the lyrics or anything much, however the 2 lines that really struck me
"I see a near revival, coming as we pray and seek"
"Break my heart for what breaks Yours"
-
so while preparing, "What is worship that pleases God?"
The sacrifices of the Lord are a broken and contrite heart, Lord you will not dispise
I guess the words, sort of fitted in of sort, as in Worship that God desires is for us to humble ourselves before Him, its not about us, but it is all about Him
Most of you would know Matt Redman's "Heart of Worship"
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
when its all about You, its all about You Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing i made it
when its all about You, its all about You Jesus
I must confess, when ever I lead worship there has always been a tendency of me to sometimes get distracted by certain things, by the way the people respond, by whether it sounds good etc.
But there is one thing that is most important, is that worship is all about Jesus, its not about us, of of anybody else.
That simple song by Matt Redman was a song brought me to my knees, crying in church a few months ago ...
Worship itself is an offering of ourselfves to Him, yet any offering we bring is never enough to repay what He has done for us
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breathe
I guess i didnt exactly have much time to prepare for tueday, in the sense that I had some IOP thingy to worry about(except after I had finished it, I realised to my utter irritation that my teacher had postponed it), that maybe the sharing was a bit short, but this was the gist of it taken mostly from Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life :
We were made to Worship God
Worship is more than music, God looks at the heart
Worship is abiding in Jesus, it is falling in love with Jesus
God wants us to love Him
Worship is a heart of surrender before Him
-
In His love,
Emil
Just some sharing of my thoughts about worship
As you might remember I was sort of leading the sharing and worship for tuesday. Anyway one of the songs that i picked was Hosanna somehow i had a sort of conviction of sort teach and sing it..
Interestingly enough, I never exactly heard the song much, (I haven't bought any Hillsong Cds this year, due to a certain lack of discipline to save money to buy them, The italian food is too tempting) except for twice in church...
I didn't really take note of the lyrics or anything much, however the 2 lines that really struck me
"I see a near revival, coming as we pray and seek"
"Break my heart for what breaks Yours"
-
so while preparing, "What is worship that pleases God?"
The sacrifices of the Lord are a broken and contrite heart, Lord you will not dispise
I guess the words, sort of fitted in of sort, as in Worship that God desires is for us to humble ourselves before Him, its not about us, but it is all about Him
Most of you would know Matt Redman's "Heart of Worship"
I'm coming back to the heart of worship
when its all about You, its all about You Jesus
I'm sorry Lord for the thing i made it
when its all about You, its all about You Jesus
I must confess, when ever I lead worship there has always been a tendency of me to sometimes get distracted by certain things, by the way the people respond, by whether it sounds good etc.
But there is one thing that is most important, is that worship is all about Jesus, its not about us, of of anybody else.
That simple song by Matt Redman was a song brought me to my knees, crying in church a few months ago ...
Worship itself is an offering of ourselfves to Him, yet any offering we bring is never enough to repay what He has done for us
King of endless worth
No one could express
How much You deserve
Though I'm weak and poor
All I have is Yours
Every single breathe
I guess i didnt exactly have much time to prepare for tueday, in the sense that I had some IOP thingy to worry about(except after I had finished it, I realised to my utter irritation that my teacher had postponed it), that maybe the sharing was a bit short, but this was the gist of it taken mostly from Rick Warren's Purpose Driven Life :
We were made to Worship God
Worship is more than music, God looks at the heart
Worship is abiding in Jesus, it is falling in love with Jesus
God wants us to love Him
Worship is a heart of surrender before Him
-
In His love,
Emil
Thursday 23 August 2007
More than a Week of Worship
Hosanna?
Hey All, I haven't blogged in ages on FireAC or my own blog, so yeah, my blogging skills are really rusty now. Okay, so T3W9 was a "week of worship"(WOW), haha, new acronym, but yeah, its a bad bad acronym i believe.
Why should this be more than a week of worship. Simple answer, but sometimes we just simply forget. Worship is really more than just singspiration, evangelism, prayer and the list goes on. Its about using YOUR LIFE to please and make God glorified. Quite a simple concept, but some times we forget it. We always think we must evangelise, must do 1 hour QTs, but you know what, its more than that, the small things like just short prayers like "thank you God for that tissue my friend passed me when I needed it" count too and we sometimes forget that.
Okay, now lets move on to like singspiration. What makes a good singspiration? Is it the good keys chosen, is it the uber guitar rifts that a guitarist can play, is it the crazy range of the worship leader, is it by how well planned out the songs are? Well, they do contribute to a good singspiration in the technical sense, and they do help others to connect with God, but they aren't essential. Sometimes the best singspirations are simply the simple ones, there doesn't even need to be a guitar, a singspiration when everyone is just so bubbly and excited to SING OUT their praises to God is a good singspiration. It isn't the worship leader/musicians that make a singspiration good, its YOU. After all singspiration is about YOU SINGING/CRYING OUT to praise God.
So now, you know songs. Do you notice something? Usually the most simple of songs, the most simple ones that don't have all the crazy guitar rifts, crazy technical stuff, are usually the most impactful songs. Lets take the song "How Great is Our God" written by a well known worship leader Chris Tomlin. How simple is the chorus. Another one, "Blessed be Your Name", such a simple bridge and chorus.
How Great is Our God [Chorus]
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Blessed be Your Name [Chorus and Bridge]
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Well, all these simple yet powerful songs came straight from the heart of the writers as they were writing it. You know, sometimes when I just simply can't seem to love God at times or accept some things, I'll just keep listening to Blessed be Your Name over and over again until I'll be able to really mean the words that keep coming to me. God gave us music, so yeah, use it to minister to ourselves and to praise Him.
So okay, sorry for being so messy with my points. Anyways, here's 3 points or things you should do before any singspiration or worship session.
Lin Xunliang
Hey All, I haven't blogged in ages on FireAC or my own blog, so yeah, my blogging skills are really rusty now. Okay, so T3W9 was a "week of worship"(WOW), haha, new acronym, but yeah, its a bad bad acronym i believe.
Why should this be more than a week of worship. Simple answer, but sometimes we just simply forget. Worship is really more than just singspiration, evangelism, prayer and the list goes on. Its about using YOUR LIFE to please and make God glorified. Quite a simple concept, but some times we forget it. We always think we must evangelise, must do 1 hour QTs, but you know what, its more than that, the small things like just short prayers like "thank you God for that tissue my friend passed me when I needed it" count too and we sometimes forget that.
Okay, now lets move on to like singspiration. What makes a good singspiration? Is it the good keys chosen, is it the uber guitar rifts that a guitarist can play, is it the crazy range of the worship leader, is it by how well planned out the songs are? Well, they do contribute to a good singspiration in the technical sense, and they do help others to connect with God, but they aren't essential. Sometimes the best singspirations are simply the simple ones, there doesn't even need to be a guitar, a singspiration when everyone is just so bubbly and excited to SING OUT their praises to God is a good singspiration. It isn't the worship leader/musicians that make a singspiration good, its YOU. After all singspiration is about YOU SINGING/CRYING OUT to praise God.
So now, you know songs. Do you notice something? Usually the most simple of songs, the most simple ones that don't have all the crazy guitar rifts, crazy technical stuff, are usually the most impactful songs. Lets take the song "How Great is Our God" written by a well known worship leader Chris Tomlin. How simple is the chorus. Another one, "Blessed be Your Name", such a simple bridge and chorus.
How Great is Our God [Chorus]
How great is our God, sing with me
How great is our God, and all will see
How great, how great is our God
Blessed be Your Name [Chorus and Bridge]Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Well, all these simple yet powerful songs came straight from the heart of the writers as they were writing it. You know, sometimes when I just simply can't seem to love God at times or accept some things, I'll just keep listening to Blessed be Your Name over and over again until I'll be able to really mean the words that keep coming to me. God gave us music, so yeah, use it to minister to ourselves and to praise Him.
So okay, sorry for being so messy with my points. Anyways, here's 3 points or things you should do before any singspiration or worship session.
- Pray and ask God to let you be free to worship him in songs of praise.
- Write down anything that may be distracting you like homework, assignments and important things to remember. So hopefully you can be free to worship, and after you're done you can remember the things which you dropped to worship.
- Give your ALL, close your eyes, smile and come into worship as if you've not done so for months.
Lin Xunliang
Wednesday 22 August 2007
people need the Lord
i grew up with this song all my life, but i never really thought about the reality of its message. the world is desperately looking for God, and we are called to be his servants. there is no cost too great, no price too high to tell the word the story of our Savior and the power of the cross.
people need the Lord
dan
everyday they pass me byin His love,
i can see it in their eyes
empty people filled with care
headed who knows where
on they go through private pain
living fear to fear;
laughter hides their silent cries
only Jesus hears
people need the Lord
people need the Lord
at the end of broken dreams,
He's the open door
people need the Lord
people need the Lord
when will we realize
people need the Lord
we are called to take His light
to a world where wrong seems right
what could be too great a cost
for sharing life with one who's lost
through His love our hearts can feel
all the grief they bear;
they must hear the Words of Life
only we can share
people need the Lord
people need the Lord
at the end of broken dreams,
He's the open door
people need the Lord
people need the Lord
when will we realize
that we must give our lives
for people need the Lord
people need the Lord
dan
Saturday 11 August 2007
What defines Christianity?
A short post
Assuming you are talking to some pre-believer friends about God and they ask:
If you were to look at other religions you would see something similar of sort, they all promise almost the same thing, do good, and get a good "afterlife" , based on a set of morals set by some god. they all seem like they could be possible ways to attain salvation of sort....
You can run through the lists, Buddhism, you got this karma concept where you do good so you have good things happen to you, you die, you reincarnate, you continue doing good until you attain this so-called nirvana state
Islam, work out your salvation through your works etc... want an instant passport to heaven? go and be a martyr, or suicide bomber... jihad... and, they also have this single all powerful God, the same God of Abraham , as the Jews and Christians have
What therefore sets us apart as Christians?
The answer?
The Resurrection of Jesus. No other religion ever had its religious founder die and rise again, all of them died eventually...
if the resurrection was a lie, we Christians would be the most pathetic people of the lot...
The resurrection showed that God had truly come down in the form of Man to die for us
We unlike other religions, have our salvation paid for , we are saved by Grace alone
and we cannot earn our salvation, the bible tells us that our good deeds etc, are deemed filthy rags in front of God, because He is holy , we are sinful...
we as such can have a living relationship with God, because Jesus has paid the price, our sins are washed as white as snow, because of what He has done on the cross
We have a God who is both just , and loving and merciful.
The resurrection of Jesus, that God came down in the flesh and died on a cross , laid in the tomb for 3 days before rising again , is what sets Christianity apart...
Taken from what I heard in church today, God bless
In His Love
Emil
Saturday 21 July 2007
Phil's Evangelism Testimony
aha, i post on behalf of my dear beloved brother Phil, who went out valiantly last friday and returned with quite a testimony on his experience with evangelism. i'll keep my words short, and there you go Phil. do the talking. yes kenneth also asked me to post on the past - one year back, and you can find the link here, to take a whiff at the past and how it all began. but enough of that. on to phil (:
I don’t believe that I have been called into the ministry of evangelism; I’m pretty sure that it’s one of those spiritual gifts that I haven’t been blessed with (probably because opening my mouth to talk to strangers is something I’d naturally shy away from).
It should then come as no surprise that my blood nearly turned cold when seeing my name come up first upon the drawing of lots (out of the group of seven). Urim and Thummim it was not (nice pray over the paper and toss into the air, really), but I had to trust that it was indeed God’s will for me to go out and learn something from it. It didn’t quite help that I didn’t have any past evangelism experience to speak of – praying for students having their exams is one thing; having to share the gospel with a complete stranger is another.
And so it was with more than a slight bit of uncertainty that I went out, thankfully with a partner (Christabel) who was willing and able to initiate our conversations.
I must also admit that I did indeed learn much from that short half an hour – both how to handle the initial stage, when the subject still gives you an ^o) and peers at you goggle-eyed in suspicion, and also how to take the conversation from there. Once the hardest part is over, things did seem to proceed a little more smoothly.
And then, I was also reminded that there exist people who acknowledge both their own sinfulness and God’s holiness and still refuse to come to Christ; that there are people who have been to church for years and yet remain unsaved; that there are people who have been in ACS for years and have undoubtedly heard the gospel message being preached and presented many times over, and yet still remain blinded (or worse still, hardened) to their own need for salvation; that indeed, the most sobering reality in the world today is that people are dying and going to hell today. That is the terrifying but sad truth about the situation, both in ACS and in everywhere else around the world.
But it is also a truth which should at the very least shake us into living a life which shows that we truly believe what we claim to believe. And it is a powerful and timely reminder of the work we have been called to here in ACS.
in His service,
Phil
Monday 16 July 2007
God's love
He first loved us...
while we were yet sinners(Romans 5:8)
-
Jesus said: "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16)
-
Even when go astray, He still wants us to come back to Him
-
...I will not forget you,
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands....
(Isaiah 49:15-16)
-
the parable of the prodigal son , the Father does not forget us(Luke 15)
-
We love because He first loved us.(1 John 4:19)
-
Yet there are so many out there who haven't experienced His love... are we going to share God's gift of love to them?
-
a parable(taken from church today)
-
picture this... a terrible famine broke out in part of Africa, an entire village starving.
then the UN sends food to the village and entrusts it to the village chief . However to the horror of the starving people, the chief stockpiles the food in a warehouse and refuses to give the food to the people unless they paid...leaving them to die one by one, while the chief and his family live in luxury. Finally, after a few months, the entire village except the chief and his family has died of starvation. The UN goes over to check to find a warehouse of rotting food and the chief still living in luxury. And the chief gets charged in court...
-
are we like the chief , keeping God's gift of Love to ourselves and not sharing it with others, until all we left is a rotting self? Freely we have received so freely we should give(Matthew 10:8).
How are we going to answer to God for not telling other people about Christ?
-
or picture the escalator analogy , imagine your friends crying out to you asking you why you never told them about Christ?
-
just something to think about.
-
In His Love,
Emil
while we were yet sinners(Romans 5:8)
-
Jesus said: "I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen. I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd" (John 10:16)
-
Even when go astray, He still wants us to come back to Him
-
...I will not forget you,
See, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands....
(Isaiah 49:15-16)
-
the parable of the prodigal son , the Father does not forget us(Luke 15)
-
We love because He first loved us.(1 John 4:19)
-
Yet there are so many out there who haven't experienced His love... are we going to share God's gift of love to them?
-
a parable(taken from church today)
-
picture this... a terrible famine broke out in part of Africa, an entire village starving.
then the UN sends food to the village and entrusts it to the village chief . However to the horror of the starving people, the chief stockpiles the food in a warehouse and refuses to give the food to the people unless they paid...leaving them to die one by one, while the chief and his family live in luxury. Finally, after a few months, the entire village except the chief and his family has died of starvation. The UN goes over to check to find a warehouse of rotting food and the chief still living in luxury. And the chief gets charged in court...
-
are we like the chief , keeping God's gift of Love to ourselves and not sharing it with others, until all we left is a rotting self? Freely we have received so freely we should give(Matthew 10:8).
How are we going to answer to God for not telling other people about Christ?
-
or picture the escalator analogy , imagine your friends crying out to you asking you why you never told them about Christ?
-
just something to think about.
-
In His Love,
Emil
Monday 9 July 2007
underground operation
(before this starts to sound like some jihad terrorist organization rally message, let us clarify that it is not)
as Christians we live in an upside down kingdom, ruled by the greatest and only King of the universe, but nevertheless it is a kingdom ruled in love, and ruled by morals unheard of to the world: while one takes revenge in the world, another turns the other cheek in the upside down kingdom; while one strives to store up riches, the other forsakes all for the call;
i besiege all belonging to this upside down kingdom today - to remember your citizenship!
start to hold the fort. we're in an underground operation here. persecuted but not completely struck down; hard-pressed on all sides but not giving in; perhaps some of us have not realized the extent of the battle - that ongoing war between the principalities of light and darkness, the fighting going on on the spiritual battlefield - but it is happening, even as we walk to school, partake of the fellowship during recess - it is happening.
and get this. it appears at times, that we are fighting a losing battle. in the light of the happenings of this world, it seems that us, underground operations, will never see the light of day. Yet there is one, one comforting word, that we must all remember. the great commander, whilst He was here beside us said those few words:
and here we are, just occupying the land for this little moment, trying at best to bring others to follow us on the cause, to convince others of the truth of the message, to build up the Lord's army. Have we forgotten the sacrifice He made for us - that life which he gave for us to guarantee us the victory? that moment, when he passed on, and when He returned with the promise, was the moment that we knew, that the battle was already won (:
still. this is not a reason to rest on our laurels. we must continue to be filled with passion for the cause, and be creative in the methods of defence, offence; infiltration of enemy ground - for all those he has taken hostage, we need to steal them back from under His nose.
first. be convicted of the cause.
second. direct the conviction in creative means
third. pray. and rely on the strength of our Grand Commander.
yes pray. because in our base. there are a group of prayer warriors, who fight not physically but call upon the name of our Grand Commander, to cry out to Him for grace and mercy to aid us in the cause. and the best part - He is always listening, always ready to help - and His angels guard us, His army stands before us. and we have Nothing To Fear. absolutely.
so why wait. let's go out. and do this for His glory.
that the Lord may receive the reward for His grand sacrifice on the cross!!
Flame On!
in love and humility
God be glorified
tim
as Christians we live in an upside down kingdom, ruled by the greatest and only King of the universe, but nevertheless it is a kingdom ruled in love, and ruled by morals unheard of to the world: while one takes revenge in the world, another turns the other cheek in the upside down kingdom; while one strives to store up riches, the other forsakes all for the call;
i besiege all belonging to this upside down kingdom today - to remember your citizenship!
start to hold the fort. we're in an underground operation here. persecuted but not completely struck down; hard-pressed on all sides but not giving in; perhaps some of us have not realized the extent of the battle - that ongoing war between the principalities of light and darkness, the fighting going on on the spiritual battlefield - but it is happening, even as we walk to school, partake of the fellowship during recess - it is happening.
and get this. it appears at times, that we are fighting a losing battle. in the light of the happenings of this world, it seems that us, underground operations, will never see the light of day. Yet there is one, one comforting word, that we must all remember. the great commander, whilst He was here beside us said those few words:
"But take heart, for I have already overcome the world!"
and here we are, just occupying the land for this little moment, trying at best to bring others to follow us on the cause, to convince others of the truth of the message, to build up the Lord's army. Have we forgotten the sacrifice He made for us - that life which he gave for us to guarantee us the victory? that moment, when he passed on, and when He returned with the promise, was the moment that we knew, that the battle was already won (:
still. this is not a reason to rest on our laurels. we must continue to be filled with passion for the cause, and be creative in the methods of defence, offence; infiltration of enemy ground - for all those he has taken hostage, we need to steal them back from under His nose.
first. be convicted of the cause.
second. direct the conviction in creative means
third. pray. and rely on the strength of our Grand Commander.
yes pray. because in our base. there are a group of prayer warriors, who fight not physically but call upon the name of our Grand Commander, to cry out to Him for grace and mercy to aid us in the cause. and the best part - He is always listening, always ready to help - and His angels guard us, His army stands before us. and we have Nothing To Fear. absolutely.
so why wait. let's go out. and do this for His glory.
that the Lord may receive the reward for His grand sacrifice on the cross!!
Flame On!
in love and humility
God be glorified
tim
Sunday 8 July 2007
what are we waiting for?
In church today, the pastor asked the question,
"Do you know Jesus?"
He said, all those who know Jesus please stand up.
As expected, almost the entire church stood up. There was no doubt, no denial. It was clear - everyone of us knew Jesus and placed Him as the King of our lives. Then the pastor asked,
"If you know Jesus, why aren't you doing anything about it?"
This question left me pondering and reflecting about myself as I realized I did not have enough urgency in my heart to share the word of Christ with the world. God gave us 24 hours a day, yet sometimes we just let the days slip past. Jesus commanded us "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation". Jesus is our saviour and He exists in our lives...is that a good news to us? Everyday as we pray, we get to meet the most awesome wonderful amazingggggggg God...is that a good news to us?
Let's say one day, you suddenly meet hmmmm.. TOM CRUISE. or JOHNNY DEPP! (i guess this applies more to girls ^_^ ) Not only that, guess what?! You talked to him for a loooong time. WOW. I think I would be calling all my friends and sharing with them my excitement. "Oh my gosh, I talked to TOM CRUISE today!" You get the picture.
Well then, compared to this, what a great joy and excitement do we have in having Jesus as our Lord! Jesus, the King of the entire universe. King of you and me and Tom Cruise and everyone else in the planet. Shouldn't we be sharing with the world our joy of knowing Him personally?
In FireAC, we always ask God to give us a revival, that He would set as on fire for Him.
But the thing is, this fire starts from..... *drum roll*...... YOU. It starts from ME. from each one of us. This revival doesn't just happen one day when we keep waiting, doing nothing about it, and not answering His call to each one of us.
Are we placing God as the most important part of our lives right now? If not, what are we waiting for? Why not start devoting more time with Him and letting Him be the number one in our lives?
Are we sharing the word of Christ to others? If not, what are we waiting for? Why not start now?
Time is running out.
What are we waiting for?
Why not start now?
Right now.
Let us all let God move in us.
Right now.
"Do you know Jesus?"
He said, all those who know Jesus please stand up.
As expected, almost the entire church stood up. There was no doubt, no denial. It was clear - everyone of us knew Jesus and placed Him as the King of our lives. Then the pastor asked,
"If you know Jesus, why aren't you doing anything about it?"
This question left me pondering and reflecting about myself as I realized I did not have enough urgency in my heart to share the word of Christ with the world. God gave us 24 hours a day, yet sometimes we just let the days slip past. Jesus commanded us "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation". Jesus is our saviour and He exists in our lives...is that a good news to us? Everyday as we pray, we get to meet the most awesome wonderful amazingggggggg God...is that a good news to us?
Let's say one day, you suddenly meet hmmmm.. TOM CRUISE. or JOHNNY DEPP! (i guess this applies more to girls ^_^ ) Not only that, guess what?! You talked to him for a loooong time. WOW. I think I would be calling all my friends and sharing with them my excitement. "Oh my gosh, I talked to TOM CRUISE today!" You get the picture.
Well then, compared to this, what a great joy and excitement do we have in having Jesus as our Lord! Jesus, the King of the entire universe. King of you and me and Tom Cruise and everyone else in the planet. Shouldn't we be sharing with the world our joy of knowing Him personally?
In FireAC, we always ask God to give us a revival, that He would set as on fire for Him.
But the thing is, this fire starts from..... *drum roll*...... YOU. It starts from ME. from each one of us. This revival doesn't just happen one day when we keep waiting, doing nothing about it, and not answering His call to each one of us.
Are we placing God as the most important part of our lives right now? If not, what are we waiting for? Why not start devoting more time with Him and letting Him be the number one in our lives?
Are we sharing the word of Christ to others? If not, what are we waiting for? Why not start now?
Time is running out.
What are we waiting for?
Why not start now?
Right now.
Let us all let God move in us.
Right now.
Faith and trust!
Please check out this link if you have 10 mins to spare:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuXpEz34TY8
Why are we still sleeping? GOSH ALL OF YOU GET YOUR BUTTS OUT OF BED, THE SUN IS SHINING ON YOUR BEHINDS! This particular video starts off by saying how "The church of Jesus is largely sleeping, like a great bedroom and you have all the Christians in bed and they're all sleeping... and they're saying "Please, don't wake me up! I want to sleep on!" And of course when God starts to operate a revival people cannot sleep, you can't sleep in church when the spirit of God awakes the people." This clip to me was essentially a powerful one. Try watching it and ask yourself why are we still sleeping? Why aren't we alive and kicking on God, and remember the chairs message? Why are we still sitting on the comfortable grey chair, God hates lukewarm Christians and will PUKE you out. SO ITS TIME TO GET SITTED ON THE RED CHAIR AND BE ON FIRE FOR JESUS, THE ONE WE CLAIM WE LOVE SO DEARLY!
Okay anyway back to my main experience today, yea as you all know i'm in Boy's Brigade, and there's this even called BB cares, it's a event where by the BB people go to the less fortunate people like orphanages and old folks home to bless the people there, and yeap i was given this great task of planning on how to implant this heart of service into the boys. I was told by an officer i actually have an official one hour with the boys on the 7th of July but i thought i heard it was on the 14th of July, and i OVERSLEPT on the 7th. By the time i came to hear of it, i realised how deep trouble i was in. The short 14 days i had had become even shorter with lesser time to impact the juniors! I was so worried... So worried that i couldn't pray.
Then today's message came, it was about faith. Matthes 6:25-34 if i'm not wrong. It was about living each day not worrying about food or clothings as if our Father in Heaven would feed the animals daily then what say us? He loved us so much to give His one and only Son, how then can He not give us our daily bread? Suddenly i stopped worrying any longer, I just stopped and pray and entrusted the entire BB cares into the hands of the Lord knowing that He will guide me through this! What are you waiting for? Trust the Lord! He's there ALWAYS :) I LOVE GOD, HE ROCKS MY SOCKS! FLAME ON FIREAC! RAWRRRR LIKE NEVER BEFORE!
In the Lord's service,
ah lua
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NuXpEz34TY8
Why are we still sleeping? GOSH ALL OF YOU GET YOUR BUTTS OUT OF BED, THE SUN IS SHINING ON YOUR BEHINDS! This particular video starts off by saying how "The church of Jesus is largely sleeping, like a great bedroom and you have all the Christians in bed and they're all sleeping... and they're saying "Please, don't wake me up! I want to sleep on!" And of course when God starts to operate a revival people cannot sleep, you can't sleep in church when the spirit of God awakes the people." This clip to me was essentially a powerful one. Try watching it and ask yourself why are we still sleeping? Why aren't we alive and kicking on God, and remember the chairs message? Why are we still sitting on the comfortable grey chair, God hates lukewarm Christians and will PUKE you out. SO ITS TIME TO GET SITTED ON THE RED CHAIR AND BE ON FIRE FOR JESUS, THE ONE WE CLAIM WE LOVE SO DEARLY!
Okay anyway back to my main experience today, yea as you all know i'm in Boy's Brigade, and there's this even called BB cares, it's a event where by the BB people go to the less fortunate people like orphanages and old folks home to bless the people there, and yeap i was given this great task of planning on how to implant this heart of service into the boys. I was told by an officer i actually have an official one hour with the boys on the 7th of July but i thought i heard it was on the 14th of July, and i OVERSLEPT on the 7th. By the time i came to hear of it, i realised how deep trouble i was in. The short 14 days i had had become even shorter with lesser time to impact the juniors! I was so worried... So worried that i couldn't pray.
Then today's message came, it was about faith. Matthes 6:25-34 if i'm not wrong. It was about living each day not worrying about food or clothings as if our Father in Heaven would feed the animals daily then what say us? He loved us so much to give His one and only Son, how then can He not give us our daily bread? Suddenly i stopped worrying any longer, I just stopped and pray and entrusted the entire BB cares into the hands of the Lord knowing that He will guide me through this! What are you waiting for? Trust the Lord! He's there ALWAYS :) I LOVE GOD, HE ROCKS MY SOCKS! FLAME ON FIREAC! RAWRRRR LIKE NEVER BEFORE!
In the Lord's service,
ah lua
Friday 6 July 2007
heart, mind and soul
when one is led only by the mind - distracted by endless planning, worrying over trivialities, organization and getting structures into place - one finds that there will always be a scarce amount of energy, and our passion, or the construct of it, is easily depleted and difficult to replenish. perhaps for too long our focus has been on the themes, the frameworks, the spiritual technology, that we may have lost sight of the initial purpose of us being here in FireAC. why, a true timely reminder, that it is high time we searched and prayed to rediscover our hearts.
and in all of us, there is a heart - much like the carebears i am tempted to mention, ahhh to much (unhealthy? no rather..strange) influences - but there is a heart, and one that we need to pray that God will help us to discover and unleash. many a time, it is only when we are fully convicted, and not merely convinced of the cause, that God can really start to move through each and every one of us. on a personal note, tim has had a rather fluctuating passion, ups and downs of the sine curve of emotion, and has struggled to keep the flame alive. tim wonders, if there is indeed that true conviction in his heart, but he prays for it, tries to, though sometimes he might not feel like it.
and we need to seek enlightenment; of our purpose in this school. was FireAC merely the product of a group of people who decided to band together and be (for lack of better word) funny? or was it truly, and sincerely, a group that was called by God to glorify Him through evangelism, through love, through service to the school? Do we really feel empowered by the Holy spirit to do His work? or do we live day by day discouraged and feeling defeated, our efforts and seed-planting all in vain? high time we ask ourselves.
and we need to pray like never before. that God will instill that passion in our hearts. beyond the work, beyond the distractions, we need to look at God and say - that we want Him to be glorified! and definitely, through this, there will be infinite joy, and men will certainly be satisfied in God (:
so seek the fire. seek the heart. seek the conviction once again.
send revival. start with me. (yes that's every one of us)
in God's love,
in His strength
tim
and in all of us, there is a heart - much like the carebears i am tempted to mention, ahhh to much (unhealthy? no rather..strange) influences - but there is a heart, and one that we need to pray that God will help us to discover and unleash. many a time, it is only when we are fully convicted, and not merely convinced of the cause, that God can really start to move through each and every one of us. on a personal note, tim has had a rather fluctuating passion, ups and downs of the sine curve of emotion, and has struggled to keep the flame alive. tim wonders, if there is indeed that true conviction in his heart, but he prays for it, tries to, though sometimes he might not feel like it.
and we need to seek enlightenment; of our purpose in this school. was FireAC merely the product of a group of people who decided to band together and be (for lack of better word) funny? or was it truly, and sincerely, a group that was called by God to glorify Him through evangelism, through love, through service to the school? Do we really feel empowered by the Holy spirit to do His work? or do we live day by day discouraged and feeling defeated, our efforts and seed-planting all in vain? high time we ask ourselves.
and we need to pray like never before. that God will instill that passion in our hearts. beyond the work, beyond the distractions, we need to look at God and say - that we want Him to be glorified! and definitely, through this, there will be infinite joy, and men will certainly be satisfied in God (:
so seek the fire. seek the heart. seek the conviction once again.
send revival. start with me. (yes that's every one of us)
in God's love,
in His strength
tim
Wednesday 27 June 2007
Thoughts on Revival
Consider this:
We should call a dog a dog and a cat a cat. Numbers do not make revival and neither does the appearance of some dynamic cell group be called the mark of revival. No Sir, even in 2000, we were in the revival ministry but we never claimed revival was happening. We were never satisfied enough and there was always more to be gleaned. Revival is marked by one distinguishing characteristic- the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Its not preaching, not good music, neither great numbers nor charismatic leadership... No, none of them. Revival preachers in our time have never seen revival, we preach as if we know it but truth be told, when it comes, all of us will be silenced.
In revival, there is a stench of death. Sinners put to death the old man and are born again. In revival, as in the mighty book of Acts, God, pours Himself out without courtesy and sets ablaze the desperate beggars at the altar who thirst for His glory. In revival God makes sons out of sinners and our music stops, our impoverished preaching ceases. Only God can be heard, only Jesus can be the focus of our hearts. This is the revival i read about in Acts, intense, pure, saturated with glory and fiercely precious. In revival, the weak, lonely, destitute, outcast are wrapped in genuine love. In revival, nations are changed, not by arms, but by prayer, courage and love. Up till now, all our ideas of revival are second hand, where is the dissatisfied man who dares to ask to see the Father's glory, who will wage nothing less than his whole being until power and true love blazes across the dying land? The banner of the cross has been laid low, who will reach forth to lift it high?
ACS is not about a building, not even about its people, its about its God. Its about the God who created the institution and sent His created beings into the school, so that they will glorify Him by adorning themselves in purity and love. Yet they are walking through its gates, they are not hearing, the christians are not speaking and the blind wander off into the wider world assured they have understood christianity. Rubbish! if they had but a tenth of the christianity in Acts, but a trickle of its potency and Spirit filled love, the people would be radicaly transformed.
The truth will set men free. We need people who will enter the prayer room and emerge with treasures from the court room of God Himself. People who will pay the price and pray till His kingdom comes. As in really come. I feel wretched as i write, i know i am not up to writing this with a solid conscience yet. Lord give us the nations.... You are a generous God. Give us the nations so that You will be glorified.
I haven't written like this for some time, haven't felt this way about the world for some time. I guess christianity at its core is uncompromising in its demands that mankind repents and confront their poverty with the Love and Glory of God. I am not radical, infact, i find myself mild. I am just christian. Just a simple member of the church, who wants the book of Acts to be real in this lifetime. This is what He has desired of my heart to feel while thinking alone.
We should call a dog a dog and a cat a cat. Numbers do not make revival and neither does the appearance of some dynamic cell group be called the mark of revival. No Sir, even in 2000, we were in the revival ministry but we never claimed revival was happening. We were never satisfied enough and there was always more to be gleaned. Revival is marked by one distinguishing characteristic- the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Its not preaching, not good music, neither great numbers nor charismatic leadership... No, none of them. Revival preachers in our time have never seen revival, we preach as if we know it but truth be told, when it comes, all of us will be silenced.
In revival, there is a stench of death. Sinners put to death the old man and are born again. In revival, as in the mighty book of Acts, God, pours Himself out without courtesy and sets ablaze the desperate beggars at the altar who thirst for His glory. In revival God makes sons out of sinners and our music stops, our impoverished preaching ceases. Only God can be heard, only Jesus can be the focus of our hearts. This is the revival i read about in Acts, intense, pure, saturated with glory and fiercely precious. In revival, the weak, lonely, destitute, outcast are wrapped in genuine love. In revival, nations are changed, not by arms, but by prayer, courage and love. Up till now, all our ideas of revival are second hand, where is the dissatisfied man who dares to ask to see the Father's glory, who will wage nothing less than his whole being until power and true love blazes across the dying land? The banner of the cross has been laid low, who will reach forth to lift it high?
ACS is not about a building, not even about its people, its about its God. Its about the God who created the institution and sent His created beings into the school, so that they will glorify Him by adorning themselves in purity and love. Yet they are walking through its gates, they are not hearing, the christians are not speaking and the blind wander off into the wider world assured they have understood christianity. Rubbish! if they had but a tenth of the christianity in Acts, but a trickle of its potency and Spirit filled love, the people would be radicaly transformed.
The truth will set men free. We need people who will enter the prayer room and emerge with treasures from the court room of God Himself. People who will pay the price and pray till His kingdom comes. As in really come. I feel wretched as i write, i know i am not up to writing this with a solid conscience yet. Lord give us the nations.... You are a generous God. Give us the nations so that You will be glorified.
I haven't written like this for some time, haven't felt this way about the world for some time. I guess christianity at its core is uncompromising in its demands that mankind repents and confront their poverty with the Love and Glory of God. I am not radical, infact, i find myself mild. I am just christian. Just a simple member of the church, who wants the book of Acts to be real in this lifetime. This is what He has desired of my heart to feel while thinking alone.
Saturday 23 June 2007
Sowing The Seed
Church sermon today was rather captivating for me, just thought I'd share some of it. Didn't originally intend for this to appear on this blog so it might appear disjointed at parts, but hopefully it can provide the encouragement we all need at this crucial juncture.
If we expect a crop, surely we need to first sow the seed? We can't just expect miracles to happen or "just have faith", but we need to work on those acts of faith that yield results, hence the saying "God helps those who help themselves." In 2 Kings 4:1-7 there's the interesting story of Elisha and a widow:
The widow is in an incredible situation here. Her husband has passed away, she's destitute, and her sons are about to be sold into slavery. But she chooses to seek God in this situation, and she runs to Elisha. Remember that God never places us in situations to be overwhelmed. He gives us these trials to bring us to a new, higher level of faith in the Lord. He's a good God, and He'll show Himself strong to those who are stedfast in Him.
Elisha however refused to let the widow be passive. He asks, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?". He doesn't do a quick-fix and solve all her problems with prayer and all that, though I'm not saying praying is wrong. But he doesn't do it for her, he lets her come through with an act of faith. The seed is sown, and once that's done we can expect the crop to come.
We never have nothing so long as we're children of God. Even that little bit of oil, God used to show His glory. Even when Paul and Silas were in jail, God used their hymns and prayers and turned it into a mighty earthquake, shattering the foundations of the prison. There's nothing too small and insignificant for God to use and make big. Think of that stone in David's sling. Think of that mustard seed. But for God to intervene, we first need to let go. So difficult for us to understand... to just let go and let God.
This tiny seed has tremendous potential, which would result in an incredible increase in the Lord's hands. But are we willing to give it up, to commit it all to Him? His plans for us are that of liberty and abundance. Sadly we always wait for signs and feelings, which shouldn't be the case. God's power is there, all we need to do is sow that seed. He moves in power when we act in faith.
Because if we seek Him with all our heart, we WILL find Him. Sow those seeds, and be prepared to reap that great harvest of souls originally we set out to do. The more we sow, the more results we'll see. And God too, is the epitome of faithfulness; He will reward accordingly.
Oh and, FLAME ON!
In His Love,
Fabriz
If we expect a crop, surely we need to first sow the seed? We can't just expect miracles to happen or "just have faith", but we need to work on those acts of faith that yield results, hence the saying "God helps those who help themselves." In 2 Kings 4:1-7 there's the interesting story of Elisha and a widow:
1 The wife of a man from the company of the prophets cried out to Elisha, "Your
servant my husband is dead, and you know that he revered the Lord. But now his
creditor is coming to take my two boys as his slaves."
2 Elisha replied to her, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?"
"Your servant has nothing there at all," she said, "except a little oil."
3 Elisha said, "Go around and ask all
your neighbors for empty jars. Don't ask for just a few. 4 Then go inside and
shut the door behind you and your sons. Pour oil into all the jars, and as each
is filled, put it to one side."
5 She left him and afterward shut the door behind her and her sons. They
brought the jars to her and she kept pouring.
6 When all the jars were full, she said to her son, "Bring me another one."
But he replied, "There is not a jar left." Then the oil stopped flowing.
7 She went and told the man of God, and he said, "Go, sell the oil and pay your debts. You and your sons can live on what is left."
The widow is in an incredible situation here. Her husband has passed away, she's destitute, and her sons are about to be sold into slavery. But she chooses to seek God in this situation, and she runs to Elisha. Remember that God never places us in situations to be overwhelmed. He gives us these trials to bring us to a new, higher level of faith in the Lord. He's a good God, and He'll show Himself strong to those who are stedfast in Him.
Elisha however refused to let the widow be passive. He asks, "How can I help you? Tell me, what do you have in your house?". He doesn't do a quick-fix and solve all her problems with prayer and all that, though I'm not saying praying is wrong. But he doesn't do it for her, he lets her come through with an act of faith. The seed is sown, and once that's done we can expect the crop to come.
We never have nothing so long as we're children of God. Even that little bit of oil, God used to show His glory. Even when Paul and Silas were in jail, God used their hymns and prayers and turned it into a mighty earthquake, shattering the foundations of the prison. There's nothing too small and insignificant for God to use and make big. Think of that stone in David's sling. Think of that mustard seed. But for God to intervene, we first need to let go. So difficult for us to understand... to just let go and let God.
This tiny seed has tremendous potential, which would result in an incredible increase in the Lord's hands. But are we willing to give it up, to commit it all to Him? His plans for us are that of liberty and abundance. Sadly we always wait for signs and feelings, which shouldn't be the case. God's power is there, all we need to do is sow that seed. He moves in power when we act in faith.
Because if we seek Him with all our heart, we WILL find Him. Sow those seeds, and be prepared to reap that great harvest of souls originally we set out to do. The more we sow, the more results we'll see. And God too, is the epitome of faithfulness; He will reward accordingly.
Oh and, FLAME ON!
In His Love,
Fabriz
Friday 22 June 2007
Not of This World
the computer's been down for quite some time, the RAM has frazzled out; finally it works proper today, and amidst the exam stress, this time is for encouragement, online encouragement. and a fitting reminder. yes rather than post on my rather sad orange-clad blog, i chose today to divert the (much-needed) attention to this FireAC powerhouse, this blog of testimony and of encouragement (:
we are aliens in this world. somewhere in the bible, in the first sentence of Peter's letters, he writes that this place isn't our home. and yet so often, how often, we get attached to it, and we start to rely on it for joy and for strength and for sustenance. we get carried away with life, with the pursuits of life, with (horrors of horrors) work; why?
how often, do we take tomorrow for granted? plenty (have a look):
"let's meet up tomorrow to study at ______!"
"not free? it's ok, we'll adjourn the meeting to this saturday..."
"see you tomorrow! (:"
"biology (or whatever worries you), aiya, can be left for next week. no matter"
and what if tomorrow never came? wonder, what would God find us doing when He returns?
indeed. always set our minds on things above. as Term 3 comes around, let's remember our mission here on earth - to be envoys, tarrying with this message of blessing - this MESSAGE OF LIFE! there's so much to do before with leave, with so many more who may believe. and get this, our final mission will never fail, because Jesus has already overcome the world. (:
there will be (hopefully be (: ) opposition, but be encouraged. and people always tell me that tim you're rather condescending the way you talk - you think you're so great, so whatever, perfect life, perfect grades, perfect everything, go away, you wouldn't understand, think you can help 'fix' me? go away - but you know, that's never true, and all at FireAC, every one of us, are ever so weak, there's no perfection in humanness, it's all God's work
behind every seemingly perfect person, there's a story of sin, and a story of grace (: grace my dear friends (:
so be encouraged. and do well for the exams to glorify Him! Term 3 beckons. Now Flame On! *punches fists in the air with glee* (this i learned from a certain someone (: )
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,
LimClanStrummer (: tim that is
we are aliens in this world. somewhere in the bible, in the first sentence of Peter's letters, he writes that this place isn't our home. and yet so often, how often, we get attached to it, and we start to rely on it for joy and for strength and for sustenance. we get carried away with life, with the pursuits of life, with (horrors of horrors) work; why?
how often, do we take tomorrow for granted? plenty (have a look):
"let's meet up tomorrow to study at ______!"
"not free? it's ok, we'll adjourn the meeting to this saturday..."
"see you tomorrow! (:"
"biology (or whatever worries you), aiya, can be left for next week. no matter"
and what if tomorrow never came? wonder, what would God find us doing when He returns?
indeed. always set our minds on things above. as Term 3 comes around, let's remember our mission here on earth - to be envoys, tarrying with this message of blessing - this MESSAGE OF LIFE! there's so much to do before with leave, with so many more who may believe. and get this, our final mission will never fail, because Jesus has already overcome the world. (:
there will be (hopefully be (: ) opposition, but be encouraged. and people always tell me that tim you're rather condescending the way you talk - you think you're so great, so whatever, perfect life, perfect grades, perfect everything, go away, you wouldn't understand, think you can help 'fix' me? go away - but you know, that's never true, and all at FireAC, every one of us, are ever so weak, there's no perfection in humanness, it's all God's work
behind every seemingly perfect person, there's a story of sin, and a story of grace (: grace my dear friends (:
so be encouraged. and do well for the exams to glorify Him! Term 3 beckons. Now Flame On! *punches fists in the air with glee* (this i learned from a certain someone (: )
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,
LimClanStrummer (: tim that is
Wednesday 20 June 2007
This touched me tremendously
I recommend you allow it to load completely before viewing to allow uninterrupted viewing. by halfway through the video i felt as though there was a connection to heaven.
I had the feeling some of them had forgotten where they were and were simply singing their hearts to the Almighty! God was definitely there, and it's wonderful just witnessing this
Father, hear this my cry!
this post actually came from my own blog, but well:
We bow our hearts, we bend our knees
O Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes from evil things
O Lord we cast down our idols!
I've blogged about this before, you've probably sang/heard this several times too, but it suddenly gripped me (again) how powerful, how absolutely powerful, this cry, this request is, and it left me just amazed, confounded, and awestruck; whatever had led Charlie Hall to write such words? It was then that the tremendous emotions and feelings that were behind the conception of these seemingly simple words came gushing out to me, and i couldnt help but just cry out, to cry out to my Father.
"Oh Lord my God, Almighty Ruler of heaven and earth! I bow my heart, I bow my knees! Father I declare, and I profess, to You, to the world, that this day, I turn my eyes from ALL evil things. Nothing even comes close to You Lord, and Your holiness; I see no point in chasing these evil things, these idols, and I cast them away right now!
Grant this the desire of my heart today Lord, the clean hands, the purest of hearts. One without deceit, contempt, nor hate. Without bitterness, jealousy, evil, or anything that falls short of Your glory Father. For it is my desire, our desire and innermost cry, O Lord, that OUR generation will be the generation that SEEKS YOUR FACE, oh God of Jacob! The generation that chases You with all our hearts, with all our souls, with all our mights, and with all our strengths.
Help us Oh Lord, help us. And implant in us this burning, blazing desire to chase You, to know You more each day. and let that fire incinerate every speck of unholiness in the way.
No more empty words, no more empty worship, no more meaningless prayer!
Hear this Oh Lord my God, hear this my cry.
-----
And reveal it to us, Oh Lord, what exactly You want us to do this upcoming term. Let it be a term of bountiful harvests, for Your glory and honour alone.
May we draw men to You and not to ourselves. Now and always"
Amen
We bow our hearts, we bend our knees
O Spirit come make us humble
We turn our eyes from evil things
O Lord we cast down our idols!
I've blogged about this before, you've probably sang/heard this several times too, but it suddenly gripped me (again) how powerful, how absolutely powerful, this cry, this request is, and it left me just amazed, confounded, and awestruck; whatever had led Charlie Hall to write such words? It was then that the tremendous emotions and feelings that were behind the conception of these seemingly simple words came gushing out to me, and i couldnt help but just cry out, to cry out to my Father.
"Oh Lord my God, Almighty Ruler of heaven and earth! I bow my heart, I bow my knees! Father I declare, and I profess, to You, to the world, that this day, I turn my eyes from ALL evil things. Nothing even comes close to You Lord, and Your holiness; I see no point in chasing these evil things, these idols, and I cast them away right now!
Grant this the desire of my heart today Lord, the clean hands, the purest of hearts. One without deceit, contempt, nor hate. Without bitterness, jealousy, evil, or anything that falls short of Your glory Father. For it is my desire, our desire and innermost cry, O Lord, that OUR generation will be the generation that SEEKS YOUR FACE, oh God of Jacob! The generation that chases You with all our hearts, with all our souls, with all our mights, and with all our strengths.
Help us Oh Lord, help us. And implant in us this burning, blazing desire to chase You, to know You more each day. and let that fire incinerate every speck of unholiness in the way.
No more empty words, no more empty worship, no more meaningless prayer!
Hear this Oh Lord my God, hear this my cry.
-----
And reveal it to us, Oh Lord, what exactly You want us to do this upcoming term. Let it be a term of bountiful harvests, for Your glory and honour alone.
May we draw men to You and not to ourselves. Now and always"
Amen
Saturday 16 June 2007
Encouragments
For the Year 5s, even with the looming midyear exams coming in 1 week, as many of us attempt to study and remember what we need to remember, remember to always trust Him and continue to walk closer with Him.
Just a Psalm of encouragement for some who may be feeling tired and sian of studying
Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
In the His Love
Emil
Just a Psalm of encouragement for some who may be feeling tired and sian of studying
Psalm 121:1-2
I lift up my eyes to the hills— where does my help come from?
My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
In the His Love
Emil
Thursday 7 June 2007
Hello (:
Greetings in the name of our Lord, Saviour, and Almighty God Jesus Christ!
I trust that the year5s have had a refreshing and meaningful time at their various WoW destinations, and are now sobering down to study for their mid year common tests, which are just looming around the corner (unfortunately). rah
As for the year 1-4s, how were your exams? i mean results? :x Good, or not so good, trust that God's in control, my friends. And exam results are only a teeny tiny hurdle in the race of life, so dont get yourself TOO down :/ but of course, if at any point you need prayer before showing your folks your report card or anything, do drop me a call, i'll be more than happy to :)
Kenneth knows how it feels like to face angry/disappointed parents. trust him on that :/
Haha. But whatever the situation you're in right now, do remember to take this time in the holidays to draw near to God. God is not one who's confined to time or location, and just because FireAC meetings are temporarily suspended in the holidays doesnt mean we have to suspend our relationships with God. (can i hear a NO WAY? (:) <-- wow a double smiley face haha
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, is the promise in James 4:8. Claim that promise, and chase after Him ever so strongly during this time.
That's all for now, do drop me a call/sms at any time if anyone needs anything, my phone's repaire so it's back to its 24/7 mode :)
Cheers,
K
I trust that the year5s have had a refreshing and meaningful time at their various WoW destinations, and are now sobering down to study for their mid year common tests, which are just looming around the corner (unfortunately). rah
As for the year 1-4s, how were your exams? i mean results? :x Good, or not so good, trust that God's in control, my friends. And exam results are only a teeny tiny hurdle in the race of life, so dont get yourself TOO down :/ but of course, if at any point you need prayer before showing your folks your report card or anything, do drop me a call, i'll be more than happy to :)
Kenneth knows how it feels like to face angry/disappointed parents. trust him on that :/
Haha. But whatever the situation you're in right now, do remember to take this time in the holidays to draw near to God. God is not one who's confined to time or location, and just because FireAC meetings are temporarily suspended in the holidays doesnt mean we have to suspend our relationships with God. (can i hear a NO WAY? (:) <-- wow a double smiley face haha
Draw near to God and He will draw near to you, is the promise in James 4:8. Claim that promise, and chase after Him ever so strongly during this time.
That's all for now, do drop me a call/sms at any time if anyone needs anything, my phone's repaire so it's back to its 24/7 mode :)
Cheers,
K
Sunday 27 May 2007
On Guard
Prayer support would be very much appreciated for the students of 5.12 who are currently WoWing in ChongQing.
They have been facing what some might consider 'spiritual warfare' for the last couple of days.
Pray for:
1) protection from all sorts of harm, spiritual, emotional or physical
2) a tremendous amount of faith
3) courage and peace that comes from the Lord, such that intimidation will not come their way,
4) that they be able to continue their activities without any more interference or obstacles
Draw closer to God during this period, my friends. Do not let anyone or anything divert your attention from the Father.
And although this may be difficult, do try to enjoy yourselves during this trip, and bond closer as a class still.
They have been facing what some might consider 'spiritual warfare' for the last couple of days.
Pray for:
1) protection from all sorts of harm, spiritual, emotional or physical
2) a tremendous amount of faith
3) courage and peace that comes from the Lord, such that intimidation will not come their way,
4) that they be able to continue their activities without any more interference or obstacles
Draw closer to God during this period, my friends. Do not let anyone or anything divert your attention from the Father.
And although this may be difficult, do try to enjoy yourselves during this trip, and bond closer as a class still.
Sunday 6 May 2007
A Call to Action
It is with a troubled heart that i write this entry (yeah after so long Kenneth's back on the blog).
1.7 terms; 17 weeks; 115 days have passed since we first started off FireAC on the quiet morning of January11. Kenneth and Xunliang, the only two people crazy and foolish enough to take on the impossible dream of seeing Revival take place in ACSi.
We had nothing save a convicting calling that led to an ambitious dream, a whole lot of foolhardiness, and God. no training, no experience, no step-by-step idiot's guide, or anything of that sort. We found ourselves in the deep end of the Atlantic Ocean, with no land in sight.
Were we scared? You bet.
Were we stressed? More than you can imagine.
Were we lost? Every other day.
But did we give up hope? Not for a second, for we had God as our compass.
And boy did we start off with a boom. Although numbers were never a concern, the encouragement of 60+ people turning up every morning cannot be denied. We invested our lives into the cause, and we were beginning to see small fruits of our labour.
The road was by no means smooth nor easy, but we pushed on, and persevered.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
however, i guess we kinda slackened on some fronts.
we became so caught up with everything that we began to neglect our own members. We stopped showing care and love to our very own people. People began to fall away, and we failed to realise that something needed to be done, that we were doing something wrong.
Well we're on it, have my word that we're already doing something to rectify the situation, but hear this appeal from us, from me:
The day will come,
when we will be as one,
With a mighty voice we will
proclaim that Jesus, Jesus is King,
It will echo through the earth,
shake the nations, and the world will see.....
I dont know how many of you recall the words of the song We Will Stand, that i taught everyone quite early in the year. But take a look at the words above.
1.7 terms; 17 weeks; 115 days have passed since we first started off FireAC on the quiet morning of January11. Kenneth and Xunliang, the only two people crazy and foolish enough to take on the impossible dream of seeing Revival take place in ACSi.
We had nothing save a convicting calling that led to an ambitious dream, a whole lot of foolhardiness, and God. no training, no experience, no step-by-step idiot's guide, or anything of that sort. We found ourselves in the deep end of the Atlantic Ocean, with no land in sight.
Were we scared? You bet.
Were we stressed? More than you can imagine.
Were we lost? Every other day.
But did we give up hope? Not for a second, for we had God as our compass.
And boy did we start off with a boom. Although numbers were never a concern, the encouragement of 60+ people turning up every morning cannot be denied. We invested our lives into the cause, and we were beginning to see small fruits of our labour.
The road was by no means smooth nor easy, but we pushed on, and persevered.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
however, i guess we kinda slackened on some fronts.
we became so caught up with everything that we began to neglect our own members. We stopped showing care and love to our very own people. People began to fall away, and we failed to realise that something needed to be done, that we were doing something wrong.
Well we're on it, have my word that we're already doing something to rectify the situation, but hear this appeal from us, from me:
The day will come,
when we will be as one,
With a mighty voice we will
proclaim that Jesus, Jesus is King,
It will echo through the earth,
shake the nations, and the world will see.....
I dont know how many of you recall the words of the song We Will Stand, that i taught everyone quite early in the year. But take a look at the words above.
(the day will come, when we will be as) One - the 'one' here by no means means one person (Kenneth?), but it means one BODY of people, united in vision, united in purpose. and what is that vision, that purpose, that cry, that is shared by these people? It's that JESUS IS KING!
the cry will echo through the earth, and shake the nations.
Question now is just whether you want to join with me to see that vision come to pass. I can by no means accomplish it on my own.
The Lord once said, that the harvest is plentiful, though the workers are few. I'd like to reemphasise a point, to ask you to reconsider this question:
How big is your mission field in church?
How much bigger is that mission field in your school?
Join hands with me, my brothers and sisters in Christ, and fight for the salvation of ACS. Time is short, Christ is coming back soon. The only question that remains, is whether we're ready for His return.
Yours sincerely,
K
Tuesday 1 May 2007
FireAC@Koinonia on the 26thApril2007
FireAC@KoinoniaRefer to Timothy Lim's Blog. (:
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,
Lin Xunliang
Lin Xunliang
Wednesday 18 April 2007
How to Share the Gospel with Others
How to share the gospel with others 18th Apr. 2007
What did He come to do?
· Save the world John 3:17
· Save the “worst sinners” 1 Timothy 1:15
· Call people out of darkness 1 Peter 2:9
· Give His life a ransom Mark 10:45, 1 Timothy 2:5
· Call sinners to repentance Matthew 9:12-13
· Give His life John 10:10
How do we begin?
Sample A : Using the “Romans Road”
q Romans 3:23 “…All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
q Romans 6:23 “…. gift of God is eternal life……”
q Romans 10:9-10 “….confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus....believe with your heart that God has raised Him from the dead……..…… you will be saved…”
Sample B : Using “John 3:16”
q Jesus Christ – gift from God
q Accept and not reject the free gift
q “For God so loved the world”------> Receive His love
Sample C : Using mini book by Bro. Hagin “I went to Hell”
q Reality of Heaven and hell
Sample D : Using “Taste and See” approach
q Psalms 32:8 “..taste and see that the Lord is good”
q Eg. Taste to see if an orange is sweet
Sample E : Using the “Bridge” Method
q Romans 6:23 – Sin separates us from God
q 1 Timothy 2:5 – Jesus Christ is the mediator (Bridge) between God and men
q John 14:6 – Jesus Christ is the only Bridge to God
3. MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (IN WITNESSING)
(a) The Holy Spirit convicts the world of 3 things:_
John 16:8-11 (TLB)
v 8 “And when He has come, He will convince the world of its sin, and of the availability of God’s goodness and of deliverance from judgment.
v9 The world’s sin is unbelief in me,
v 10 there is righteousness available because I go to the Father and you shall see me no more,
v 11 there is deliverance from judgment because the prince of this world has already been judged.”
(b) Rely and expect the Holy Spirit to lead us to talk to the right person, at the right time and at the right place
Romans 8:14
4. PRAYING THE PRAYER FOR SALVATION WITH SOMEONE
Sample of the prayer:
“Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins. I confess with my mouth now that Jesus Christ is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God raised Him from the dead, according to your word, I will be saved. (Romans 10:9) You said in your word, when I receive Jesus into my heart, You give me the right to become a child of God. (John 1:12) From now on, You are my Heavenly Father. I am your child. Thank you Father. In Jesus Name, I pray.”
-Audrey
What did He come to do?
· Save the world John 3:17
· Save the “worst sinners” 1 Timothy 1:15
· Call people out of darkness 1 Peter 2:9
· Give His life a ransom Mark 10:45, 1 Timothy 2:5
· Call sinners to repentance Matthew 9:12-13
· Give His life John 10:10
How do we begin?
Sample A : Using the “Romans Road”
q Romans 3:23 “…All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…”
q Romans 6:23 “…. gift of God is eternal life……”
q Romans 10:9-10 “….confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus....believe with your heart that God has raised Him from the dead……..…… you will be saved…”
Sample B : Using “John 3:16”
q Jesus Christ – gift from God
q Accept and not reject the free gift
q “For God so loved the world”------> Receive His love
Sample C : Using mini book by Bro. Hagin “I went to Hell”
q Reality of Heaven and hell
Sample D : Using “Taste and See” approach
q Psalms 32:8 “..taste and see that the Lord is good”
q Eg. Taste to see if an orange is sweet
Sample E : Using the “Bridge” Method
q Romans 6:23 – Sin separates us from God
q 1 Timothy 2:5 – Jesus Christ is the mediator (Bridge) between God and men
q John 14:6 – Jesus Christ is the only Bridge to God
3. MINISTRY OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (IN WITNESSING)
(a) The Holy Spirit convicts the world of 3 things:_
John 16:8-11 (TLB)
v 8 “And when He has come, He will convince the world of its sin, and of the availability of God’s goodness and of deliverance from judgment.
v9 The world’s sin is unbelief in me,
v 10 there is righteousness available because I go to the Father and you shall see me no more,
v 11 there is deliverance from judgment because the prince of this world has already been judged.”
(b) Rely and expect the Holy Spirit to lead us to talk to the right person, at the right time and at the right place
Romans 8:14
4. PRAYING THE PRAYER FOR SALVATION WITH SOMEONE
Sample of the prayer:
“Dear Heavenly Father, I thank you for sending your Son, Jesus Christ, to die for my sins. I confess with my mouth now that Jesus Christ is Lord, and I believe with my heart that God raised Him from the dead, according to your word, I will be saved. (Romans 10:9) You said in your word, when I receive Jesus into my heart, You give me the right to become a child of God. (John 1:12) From now on, You are my Heavenly Father. I am your child. Thank you Father. In Jesus Name, I pray.”
-Audrey
Tuesday 17 April 2007
FireAC@Koinonia
FireAC@Koinonia
theme on prayer
Rehearsal/Practice 1
20thApril2007(Friday)
1430 - 1645 hrs (note the time change)
Boarding School Dining Hall
Rehearsal/Practice 2
25thApril2007(Wednesday)
1500 - 1700 hrs
Boarding School Dining Hall
Koinonia(Actual)
26thApril2007(Thursday)
1700 - 2030 hrs
Boarding School Dining Hall
Okay, So these are the rough details for FireAC@Koinonia. Okay so errrs, if you want more details, you can message me at 94|24|80|43. If you are interested in sharing testimonies, singing or something like that, or wanna help, please do drop me an sms. Okay, if you are sharing testimonies etc, please do come on at least one of the rehearsals so that we can roughly hear the testimony in advance first. Thanks!
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,
Lin Xunliang
theme on prayer
Rehearsal/Practice 1
20thApril2007(Friday)
1430 - 1645 hrs (note the time change)
Boarding School Dining Hall
Rehearsal/Practice 2
25thApril2007(Wednesday)
1500 - 1700 hrs
Boarding School Dining Hall
Koinonia(Actual)
26thApril2007(Thursday)
1700 - 2030 hrs
Boarding School Dining Hall
Okay, So these are the rough details for FireAC@Koinonia. Okay so errrs, if you want more details, you can message me at 94|24|80|43. If you are interested in sharing testimonies, singing or something like that, or wanna help, please do drop me an sms. Okay, if you are sharing testimonies etc, please do come on at least one of the rehearsals so that we can roughly hear the testimony in advance first. Thanks!
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,
Lin Xunliang
Monday 9 April 2007
Chapter 4: Passion for His Presence
HEY guys! here's the link for chapter four of Drawing Near. sorry for the late-ness!
http://download.yousendit.com/61D1EDBE63320DAE
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,
Lua (:
http://download.yousendit.com/61D1EDBE63320DAE
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,
Lua (:
Sunday 8 April 2007
Easter!
Have we started getting our hands on those pretty-colored eggs? Chasing those frolicking bunnies in the forever meadows?
- but that aside -
Easter really is a day of celebration! the affirmation of our hope in Christ Jesus. I recall a passage in Romans saying that if Jesus had not resurrected, then our hope is in vain, and we are more pitiful than those who put their hope in nothing - for we hope in a big farce. But - HE HAS RISEN! and that's the truth!
an empty tomb is there to show my Saviour lives! And Because he lives, We can face tomorrow!
None shall separate us from the love of Christ - not even the claws of death can rip us away from our lovely Saviour. Today is the culmination of Jesus' life - from his birth in a little manger, to his ministry across the region, to that fateful day on the cross. And he has arose. the stone is rolled away! let's stand in awe and wonder at this miracle of miracles! and praise Him forevermore - assured of the hope we believe in!
Because I know, I know He holds the future! and life is worth the living just because He lives!
life is worth the living! because of Jesus!
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,
TimLim (:
- but that aside -
Easter really is a day of celebration! the affirmation of our hope in Christ Jesus. I recall a passage in Romans saying that if Jesus had not resurrected, then our hope is in vain, and we are more pitiful than those who put their hope in nothing - for we hope in a big farce. But - HE HAS RISEN! and that's the truth!
an empty tomb is there to show my Saviour lives! And Because he lives, We can face tomorrow!
None shall separate us from the love of Christ - not even the claws of death can rip us away from our lovely Saviour. Today is the culmination of Jesus' life - from his birth in a little manger, to his ministry across the region, to that fateful day on the cross. And he has arose. the stone is rolled away! let's stand in awe and wonder at this miracle of miracles! and praise Him forevermore - assured of the hope we believe in!
Because I know, I know He holds the future! and life is worth the living just because He lives!
life is worth the living! because of Jesus!
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,
TimLim (:
Thursday 5 April 2007
There's a man
there. somewhere behind you. he's looking at you, sneaking a peek now and then. loving you, and loving the way you were perfectly made.
He just gazes upon you, remembering the many blessings he's showered you with, the love which he gave so unconditionally. he wishes you knew.
and he simply wants to draw nearer. showering more gifts. giving more of his time. trying to love you more, trying to get your attention. that you might look back and give him a smile.
and when you smile - he smiles. he's so happy you're happy. yet he hopes - still hopes - that one day you'll smile back at him and love him in return.
and still he waits. sometimes you overlook him. sometimes you unintentionally brush past him. sometimes you intentionally avoid him. but he keeps loving, no matter what the cost. irregardless.
why. why such a fool. because he simply can't help but love.
and when you do smile in return. when one day you realise his love and come running back. he's always ready to receive. and simply overjoyed to see you loving him too.
it's what he has been waiting for.
and this man. is God. He waits for you today -
- to love Him in return. for He has loved you so greatly.
He's missing you.
...
In the Faith of Jesus Christ,He just gazes upon you, remembering the many blessings he's showered you with, the love which he gave so unconditionally. he wishes you knew.
and he simply wants to draw nearer. showering more gifts. giving more of his time. trying to love you more, trying to get your attention. that you might look back and give him a smile.
and when you smile - he smiles. he's so happy you're happy. yet he hopes - still hopes - that one day you'll smile back at him and love him in return.
and still he waits. sometimes you overlook him. sometimes you unintentionally brush past him. sometimes you intentionally avoid him. but he keeps loving, no matter what the cost. irregardless.
why. why such a fool. because he simply can't help but love.
and when you do smile in return. when one day you realise his love and come running back. he's always ready to receive. and simply overjoyed to see you loving him too.
it's what he has been waiting for.
and this man. is God. He waits for you today -
- to love Him in return. for He has loved you so greatly.
He's missing you.
...
draw nearer to Him my friends. Draw near to Him and He will draw near to you. don't ever ever be discouraged. (:
TimLim (:
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