That is indeed the ultimate question in our lives today.
Are we living a life for Christ?
Are we living a life like Christ?
Are we living in God's kingdom?
Nowadays we are so caught up in our own daily lives, going about our businesses, that we actually forget who we are living for. Oh, i have fallen short of His glory.
To be IN and enjoying the fullest of His blessings, we need to
1) be scripture filled
the key themes being
a. love and forgiveness
b. purity
c. authority
2) be spirit filled
3) be serving
The message today has hit me hard.
Yes...I choose today to live my life for Christ, like Christ, in God's kingdom.
Just like what my blog heading says: "I have decided to follow Jesus, no turning back, no turning back"
Amazing lyrics of a song. Let me believe in it with all my heart.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
No excuse
Reality has dawned on me that I am not handling all that I have been given these few weeks. Job attachment, score writing, musical practices, SATs, homework etc. are all piling up, giving me the huge task of trying to manage my time properly. Maybe its because I have been doing this on my own strength, living my life each day so blindly. I only turn to You at night when I reflect on the day, and I realised how much I have failed in living each day for You. I need to come back to my first love. Recalling the june holidays reminded me of how much I have drifted. I know being busy is no excuse, and is even a good reason for turning to You even more. Lord, please revive my hardened heart.
Psalms 1:
1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night
Psalms 1:
1Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
2But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Finally over...
Boy am I glad that bio olym is over, at least for now. Solid 3 hours and 30 mins of mcq, 200 mcqs in all.
As i was going through each paper, the song Surrender kept playing over and over again in my head. "And I surrender all to You, all to You... I'm giving You my heart...I'm giving You my dreams."
It meant so much that I was giving it all to Him as I did the papers, for I knew He was right there. At various points where I was about the give up, a voice kept telling me to just give my best. Really tired, but He kept me going at it.
"I lay it all down for the sake of You my King..." It is already a miracle that I even got into through the 1st selection test for bio olym, let alone taking the actual papers. Absolutely amazing how He has worked in my life.
Now, I know truely that even when we encounter failures along the way, His compassion and mercies will hold us up, and He will never let us fall.
Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. —Lamentations 3:22
As i was going through each paper, the song Surrender kept playing over and over again in my head. "And I surrender all to You, all to You... I'm giving You my heart...I'm giving You my dreams."
It meant so much that I was giving it all to Him as I did the papers, for I knew He was right there. At various points where I was about the give up, a voice kept telling me to just give my best. Really tired, but He kept me going at it.
"I lay it all down for the sake of You my King..." It is already a miracle that I even got into through the 1st selection test for bio olym, let alone taking the actual papers. Absolutely amazing how He has worked in my life.
Now, I know truely that even when we encounter failures along the way, His compassion and mercies will hold us up, and He will never let us fall.
Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not. —Lamentations 3:22
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Sums it all up!
1 John 2:15-16
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
"Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
Saturday, November 10, 2007
The Good Fight
Wonderful message yesterday. Just one simple verse explained a great deal about how we should lead our lives in the Christian faith.
1 Tim 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Here, to fight the good fight of faith means to agonize, to put in your best efforts for your belief, which is in the Christian faith.
Why do we have to fight? God created Satan or Lucifer, which was the ultimate creation, perfect in everything. Yet Satan sought to claim God's glory, and will do anything to get it.
Satan tempts us, and tries to go through us, to steal God's power and honour. Thus, when we give in, we bring God's name to shame, and Satan get's the glory. We need to fight, and not give up, in order to give Him all the glory, and to bring shame upon Satan.
The stumbling blocks in our lives are when we conform to the world, and live for the flesh. Indeed, the part about the world really spoke to me. It's so true that everyday, we pray that we will live our lives for God alone, but yet, we still feel judged by people, by things happening in the world.
Yesterday, when worship did not go as it should have, I started feeling bad about how I played, and how others would view it. But, I realised from the message that God's name would have been lifted up no matter how bad the playing was, as long as His people had the heart to worship Him. We should not bother about how the world views us. Only God can judge what we do.
Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
It is indeed all about our mind, what we profess. A friend just mentioned this verse today when I went for a birthday party. People have been mentioning this verse a lot lately, but it hit me hard yesterday. We should never be conformed to the world, but be transformed by our repentance, a change in mindset.
All these are easy to say, but are we really doing it? Oh Lord, help us to fight the good fight for Your glory. Most obituaries in the newspaper have this verse as the heading - I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, taken from 2 Tim 4:7.
Yes, when we have done all that has to be done on the Earth as God has commanded, we can finally say that we have completed the race and fought that fight, all for Him. Now, let's live our lives the best that we can for Him and Him only.
1 Tim 6:12: Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.
Here, to fight the good fight of faith means to agonize, to put in your best efforts for your belief, which is in the Christian faith.
Why do we have to fight? God created Satan or Lucifer, which was the ultimate creation, perfect in everything. Yet Satan sought to claim God's glory, and will do anything to get it.
Satan tempts us, and tries to go through us, to steal God's power and honour. Thus, when we give in, we bring God's name to shame, and Satan get's the glory. We need to fight, and not give up, in order to give Him all the glory, and to bring shame upon Satan.
The stumbling blocks in our lives are when we conform to the world, and live for the flesh. Indeed, the part about the world really spoke to me. It's so true that everyday, we pray that we will live our lives for God alone, but yet, we still feel judged by people, by things happening in the world.
Yesterday, when worship did not go as it should have, I started feeling bad about how I played, and how others would view it. But, I realised from the message that God's name would have been lifted up no matter how bad the playing was, as long as His people had the heart to worship Him. We should not bother about how the world views us. Only God can judge what we do.
Romans 12:2: And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.
It is indeed all about our mind, what we profess. A friend just mentioned this verse today when I went for a birthday party. People have been mentioning this verse a lot lately, but it hit me hard yesterday. We should never be conformed to the world, but be transformed by our repentance, a change in mindset.
All these are easy to say, but are we really doing it? Oh Lord, help us to fight the good fight for Your glory. Most obituaries in the newspaper have this verse as the heading - I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith, taken from 2 Tim 4:7.
Yes, when we have done all that has to be done on the Earth as God has commanded, we can finally say that we have completed the race and fought that fight, all for Him. Now, let's live our lives the best that we can for Him and Him only.
Friday, November 2, 2007
Prayer works wonders
I am so glad that PW is over. Never to be seen again, until the results come out next year. The oral presentation was held on wed. I was nervous as usual, but that did not stop me from doing my best. I knew, Lord, that You were there with me as I did my presentation, especially durint the Q and A. I was worried about that segment. It being impromptu did not help one bit. It made me twitch on my seat, as I watched my classmates go up one by one to respond to the questions. Since I was the last speaker, right before my turn, I prayed for Your guidance, for a question I could answer. Lord, I knew You anwered my prayers right there as I stood up to have my turn. The question I was given was something that I had prepared beforehand, and answering it was a breeze. I know sometimes that You will put us in difficult situations but You will also bless us with great blessings so that we can glorify You either way. Thanks for everything, Lord.
Friday, October 26, 2007
Amazing Grace
Wow, today's worship was amazing...
Lord, i just want to thank you for helping me to overcome all fear and nervousness as i played today, and for helping me to truly come into your presence and to worship you as i played, Lord. Though i may not be able to sing to some songs while im playing, but i hope that i may glorify your holy name. Lord, i know you inhabit the praises of your people. And i thank you today for being in the midst of them all. Lord, help me to be that greatest man on earth today. I want to follow in the footsteps of John the baptist, and be more christ like. Lord, give me the strength to lead many more unsaved souls to know you, to show them the way to salvation. Lord, grant me a humble and meek heart, like your servant John. Let us not boast, but only boast in the name of the Lord. And Lord, fill me with your holy spirit, let it take control of my life, and guide me all the paths that i take. I thank you for a great message today, Lord. I love you, Lord. Amen.
Lord, i just want to thank you for helping me to overcome all fear and nervousness as i played today, and for helping me to truly come into your presence and to worship you as i played, Lord. Though i may not be able to sing to some songs while im playing, but i hope that i may glorify your holy name. Lord, i know you inhabit the praises of your people. And i thank you today for being in the midst of them all. Lord, help me to be that greatest man on earth today. I want to follow in the footsteps of John the baptist, and be more christ like. Lord, give me the strength to lead many more unsaved souls to know you, to show them the way to salvation. Lord, grant me a humble and meek heart, like your servant John. Let us not boast, but only boast in the name of the Lord. And Lord, fill me with your holy spirit, let it take control of my life, and guide me all the paths that i take. I thank you for a great message today, Lord. I love you, Lord. Amen.
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Your will, not mine
After uth service last friday, some stuff happened, and i was faced with a dilemma - to serve or not to serve. It made me really confused. Was i doing all these for the right purpose? Was i doing it for men, and not for God? I kept questioning myself about the reality and truth of this matter. But i really prayed for His guidance to make the right decision in the ministry. Was reading the daily bread yesterday, and this portion of the passage really spoke to me. It says: "We can run what appears to be a good race by doing good things for others and obeying lots of rules. But when we arrive at the final checkpoint—heaven—and haven't made sure our name is recorded in the Lamb's Book of Life by putting our faith in Jesus as our Savior, we're disqualified to enter." Was i just going what seemed good? I thank you, Lord, for showing me the way today. I knew that if it was Your will for me to serve in the ministry, then I would. And you provided me that direction. Everything is cleared up now. I am so grateful for Your paths always. I thank you for the way you have closed doors and yet opened so many more. Help me to remember always that its Your will, not mine, Lord.
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. —Acts 4:12
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved. —Acts 4:12
Friday, October 5, 2007
Thank You Lord!
Thank you for a great worship today. Thank you for being there for me, giving me that strength to overcome all nervousness and fear. To tell you the truth, Lord, i was really nervous. I am a natural introvert, Lord, and i find it hard to speak/perform in front of large groups. Yet, you gave me that strength i needed, to get through the first few songs. And then i forgot that You would be there leading me, so my confidence turned to nervousness. I know that happens only when i forget to turn my heart upon you, Lord. But as i continued worship, i know You were there in the presence of thy people. Thank you so much, for helping me all the way, in my promotional exams, in worship today especially, and for all the things You have done for me so far. Yes, Lord, thank you for speaking to Your servant, marcus, and to all the people that came today Lord. We need to trust, praise and thank you Lord. It is not You that is distant, but us, Lord. Help us to come back to thy first love, and revive us. Cleanse us me all my sins. Peel off that artificial layer on me, and empty me of myself, so that Your Holy Spirit can feel me to the brim Lord. I need Your grace and Your forgiveness today. But im really grateful for Your love. Cant thank you more, Lord. You are amazing! I love you, Lord. Amen
Set apart, I want to be,
living for You, my Lord, my Saviour!
Set apart, I want to be,
living for You, my Lord, my Saviour!
Thursday, September 20, 2007
The Withered Fig Tree
Mark 11:20-25 (New International Version)
20In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
21Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"
22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered.
23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
Life may be unfair, but God is always faithful. Having faith = holding onto the faithfulness of God. The measure of a man's faith is by his knowledge of God. A man that knows God so well knows that all his prayers will be answered.
I need to be revived. Help me to know you more, Lord. More of you and less of me.
20In the morning, as they went along, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots.
21Peter remembered and said to Jesus, "Rabbi, look! The fig tree you cursed has withered!"
22"Have faith in God," Jesus answered.
23"I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him.
24Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
25And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins."
Life may be unfair, but God is always faithful. Having faith = holding onto the faithfulness of God. The measure of a man's faith is by his knowledge of God. A man that knows God so well knows that all his prayers will be answered.
I need to be revived. Help me to know you more, Lord. More of you and less of me.
Sunday, September 9, 2007
Your grace is sufficient for me
Lord, as I seek
Your guidance for today,
I find my thought unyielding,
confusion crowds my way.
But then when I bow to to You,
the challenges You guide me through,
Your promises are ever new,
I claim them for today.
Your will cannot lead me,
where Your grace will not keep me.
Your hands will protect me,
I rest in Your care.
Your eyes will watch over me.
Your love will forgive me.
And when I am faltering,
I still will find You there.
The place, the purpose, and the promise. (Exodus 14:10-18)
He puts us in the valley of the shadow of death, so we may struggle and learn to depend on Him for help. Many a times, when life is gentle, "we turn our eyes away from Him, and soon forget to pray." But when we are put in trials, we will then learn to say "Lord, I need You". His purpose is so that we may be saved, and glorify His Holy name. We need to take the risk for Him. For when we are placed in difficult situations, and He helps us to overcome, we can then praise Him and spread the glorious word. And He will promise us a clear and complete victory over 'death'. We just need to be still, and know that He is there for us TODAY. That is how Moses led the people through the Red Sea and out of Egypt.
Your guidance for today,
I find my thought unyielding,
confusion crowds my way.
But then when I bow to to You,
the challenges You guide me through,
Your promises are ever new,
I claim them for today.
Your will cannot lead me,
where Your grace will not keep me.
Your hands will protect me,
I rest in Your care.
Your eyes will watch over me.
Your love will forgive me.
And when I am faltering,
I still will find You there.
The place, the purpose, and the promise. (Exodus 14:10-18)
He puts us in the valley of the shadow of death, so we may struggle and learn to depend on Him for help. Many a times, when life is gentle, "we turn our eyes away from Him, and soon forget to pray." But when we are put in trials, we will then learn to say "Lord, I need You". His purpose is so that we may be saved, and glorify His Holy name. We need to take the risk for Him. For when we are placed in difficult situations, and He helps us to overcome, we can then praise Him and spread the glorious word. And He will promise us a clear and complete victory over 'death'. We just need to be still, and know that He is there for us TODAY. That is how Moses led the people through the Red Sea and out of Egypt.
Saturday, June 30, 2007
A Reflection in Prayer
Lord, I know that success is sweet, but the process is bitter. But I also know that there are steps that we can take, steps that You provide for us, so that the journey will be endurable, and success be in sight to glorify you. Lord, help me to be dependent on You along and not men. For men are sinners, Yet You are perfect. I know that when I call out to You, You will run to me with opened arms. Lord, help me also, to be strong and of a good courage. I tell myself that I am relaxed, but inside of me, I am fearing. Lord, please remove this feeling of weariness, of fear. For I know that You will say 'Fear not, for I will always be with you.' Only then, can I move on into the plan that God sets out for me, and taste the sweetness of success. Lord, help me to read and digest Your word in my heart. Speak to my heart as I read your word, so that I may take steps of faith in response to it, a step closer to victory. Lord, help me as well, to be not only a believer, but a doer of Your word. For Your word will give me strength to do all things, and I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. I pray that I will glorify You in everything that I do.
Amen.
Amen.
Friday, June 29, 2007
Steps to success
Let us glorify God in everything that we do!
Joshua 1:1-8
The LORD Commands Joshua
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide:
2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west.
5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
1) Be dependent on God and not men (v2)
- all men are sinners
- nobody is perfect except God
- the perfect man on earth is Jesus
- the Lord was with Joshua, which ensured him success
- the oneness with God is our only source of victory (Joshua and Jehovah are one in Hebrew as written in the bible)
Jeremiah 17: 5-8
5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Matthew 26:38-41
38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak"
2) Be strong and of a a good courage (v9), walk in faith
- it is a command by God, not a word of encouragment
- have the power to obey
- every word of God that he commands has the power in itself to be fulfilled (His word is alive, like a hammer and like a fire)
- do not take your eyes of the word, lest you sink
Matthew 14:28-33
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
3) Be reading and study the word (v8)
-let's be digesting the word in our hearts
- Jesus did not operate apart from the word
Job 23:12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
Matthew 4:4 (its on my post below. It was God's plan to lead me to read about understanding His word as written in the book 'The Power of a Praying Teen', such that when the 3rd and 4th point was preached, the message spoke clearly to me)
Psalm 119:33 33 Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.
4) Be doing all that is in your word (fully surrendered) (v8)
- obey things that you know and have learnt in the bible
- the moment you repent, God restores
- let us come back to You, Lord, our first love
John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
James 1:22-25
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
1 Samuel 2:30 "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.
Similar to passage of Joshua:
Isaiah 1:1-6
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
Joshua 1:1-8
The LORD Commands Joshua
1 After the death of Moses the servant of the LORD, the LORD said to Joshua son of Nun, Moses' aide:
2 "Moses my servant is dead. Now then, you and all these people, get ready to cross the Jordan River into the land I am about to give to them—to the Israelites.
3 I will give you every place where you set your foot, as I promised Moses.
4 Your territory will extend from the desert to Lebanon, and from the great river, the Euphrates—all the Hittite country—to the Great Sea on the west.
5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
6 "Be strong and courageous, because you will lead these people to inherit the land I swore to their forefathers to give them.
7 Be strong and very courageous. Be careful to obey all the law my servant Moses gave you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, that you may be successful wherever you go.
8 Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.
1) Be dependent on God and not men (v2)
- all men are sinners
- nobody is perfect except God
- the perfect man on earth is Jesus
- the Lord was with Joshua, which ensured him success
- the oneness with God is our only source of victory (Joshua and Jehovah are one in Hebrew as written in the bible)
Jeremiah 17: 5-8
5 This is what the LORD says: "Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who depends on flesh for his strength and whose heart turns away from the LORD.
6 He will be like a bush in the wastelands; he will not see prosperity when it comes. He will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives.
7 "But blessed is the man who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
8 He will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit."
Matthew 26:38-41
38Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."
39Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, "My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will."
40Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter.
41"Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak"
2) Be strong and of a a good courage (v9), walk in faith
- it is a command by God, not a word of encouragment
- have the power to obey
- every word of God that he commands has the power in itself to be fulfilled (His word is alive, like a hammer and like a fire)
- do not take your eyes of the word, lest you sink
Matthew 14:28-33
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus.
30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."
3) Be reading and study the word (v8)
-let's be digesting the word in our hearts
- Jesus did not operate apart from the word
Job 23:12 I have not departed from the commands of his lips; I have treasured the words of his mouth more than my daily bread.
Matthew 4:4 (its on my post below. It was God's plan to lead me to read about understanding His word as written in the book 'The Power of a Praying Teen', such that when the 3rd and 4th point was preached, the message spoke clearly to me)
Psalm 119:33 33 Teach me, O LORD, to follow your decrees; then I will keep them to the end.
4) Be doing all that is in your word (fully surrendered) (v8)
- obey things that you know and have learnt in the bible
- the moment you repent, God restores
- let us come back to You, Lord, our first love
John 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.
James 1:22-25
22Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.
23Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror 24and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.
25But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.
1 Samuel 2:30 "Therefore the LORD, the God of Israel, declares: 'I promised that your house and your father's house would minister before me forever.' But now the LORD declares: 'Far be it from me! Those who honor me I will honor, but those who despise me will be disdained.
Similar to passage of Joshua:
Isaiah 1:1-6
1 In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted, and the train of his robe filled the temple. 2 Above him were seraphs, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying. 3 And they were calling to one another: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory."
4 At the sound of their voices the doorposts and thresholds shook and the temple was filled with smoke.
5 "Woe to me!" I cried. "I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the LORD Almighty."
6 Then one of the seraphs flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar. 7 With it he touched my mouth and said, "See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for."
Thursday, June 28, 2007
Food for our souls
Matthew 4:4 Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.
I pray, Lord, that you speak to my heart as I read your word, so that I may respond to Your word appropriately, and be not only a hearer, but a doer of Your word. And that my soul may never be thirsty or hungry again. Amen
I pray, Lord, that you speak to my heart as I read your word, so that I may respond to Your word appropriately, and be not only a hearer, but a doer of Your word. And that my soul may never be thirsty or hungry again. Amen
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Trust
Exodus 14:14 The LORD will fight for you; you need only to be still.
When a strong voice calls out to me from the depths of my mind, "Trust in me and I will lead the way", a tiny voice at the back of my brain replies "I will!" That's all that is needed to secure a promise with God that He will be there for us. We just need to trust!
When a strong voice calls out to me from the depths of my mind, "Trust in me and I will lead the way", a tiny voice at the back of my brain replies "I will!" That's all that is needed to secure a promise with God that He will be there for us. We just need to trust!
Monday, June 25, 2007
Obedience is key
Psalm 119:165 Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.
Luke 11:28 Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.
Obey His commands, and we will have strength to stand upright, and are blessed. Your grace shall be my strength.
Sunday, June 24, 2007
Running for Him
Let's sprint the last lap and not slow down or give up.
1 Corinthians 9:24-25
24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last for ever.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Your name
Your name,
is a strong and mighty tower.
Your name,
is a shelter like no other.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
is a strong and mighty tower.
Your name,
is a shelter like no other.
Proverbs 18:10 The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
He holds my future
Psalms 37
23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
1. God will guide our steps.
God has a specific plan in mind for each of us, suited to our own individual talents, abilities and sphere of influence. God delights when His children follow His path. I bet He even smiles. Won't you ask God for direction for each step of your journey today?
2. God will break our fall.
Even the best of us get tripped up from time to time - even if we are following God's directions. We get tripped up from our insecurities. We get knocked down by being overwhelmed at all that we have to do. God will break our fall so that when we do hit the ground we will also be able to get back up again. Where are you today? Have you fallen? Have you gotten back up? If not, why not?
3. God will hold us up.
In spite of our failings, we are guaranteed by God's word that we will not remain down for good: we will not be utterly cast down. Isn't that a great promise? We will not be utterly cast down because the LORD will uphold us with His hand. In what way can you let God hold you up today?
23The steps of a good man are ordered by the LORD: and he delighteth in his way.
24Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the LORD upholdeth him with his hand.
1. God will guide our steps.
God has a specific plan in mind for each of us, suited to our own individual talents, abilities and sphere of influence. God delights when His children follow His path. I bet He even smiles. Won't you ask God for direction for each step of your journey today?
2. God will break our fall.
Even the best of us get tripped up from time to time - even if we are following God's directions. We get tripped up from our insecurities. We get knocked down by being overwhelmed at all that we have to do. God will break our fall so that when we do hit the ground we will also be able to get back up again. Where are you today? Have you fallen? Have you gotten back up? If not, why not?
3. God will hold us up.
In spite of our failings, we are guaranteed by God's word that we will not remain down for good: we will not be utterly cast down. Isn't that a great promise? We will not be utterly cast down because the LORD will uphold us with His hand. In what way can you let God hold you up today?
Wednesday, June 20, 2007
Great things He hath done
Romans 11:36 Yes, God made all things. And everything continues through God and for God. To God be the glory forever! Amen.
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
Evangelistic Night
God's grace knows no boundaries
Forgive and forget
Let Go, Let God
God gave us our being
Be grateful for what we have
Do not crave for what we dont
Man is saved by grace, the heart is established by grace, and we are justified by grace (Eph. 2: 5, 8, Heb. 13: 9, Tit. 3: 7).
Forgive and forget
Let Go, Let God
God gave us our being
Be grateful for what we have
Do not crave for what we dont
Man is saved by grace, the heart is established by grace, and we are justified by grace (Eph. 2: 5, 8, Heb. 13: 9, Tit. 3: 7).
Saturday, June 9, 2007
Combined service with children's church
Uth service 8/7/07
Are you ready for the RAPTURE?
God is coming.
He may come today, tomorrow, or 100 years from now.
No one knows!
But if He comes today,
have you done anything shameful that makes you afraid to meet God
To cover your face, and cower in fear,
Or are you going to say: "God am i Glad to see you!"
Be ready.
Give up all your transgressions to God,
so He may forgive you of all your sins.
And trust and believe in the Saviour, Lord Jesus Christ!
I am not sure if Im ready.
I have a lot more to learn.
I pray for You to give me the guidance.
So i may follow You without turning back!
Those who do not believe
and will not learn to believe
shall regret
when they have to suffer 7 years of tribulations.
God will not be there for them
It is too late to say, "Im sorry!"
So start today.
Make your promises with God.
A new heaven and earth.
Eternity begins.
What more can we look forward to,
then the Coming of our Lord!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Are you ready for the RAPTURE?
God is coming.
He may come today, tomorrow, or 100 years from now.
No one knows!
But if He comes today,
have you done anything shameful that makes you afraid to meet God
To cover your face, and cower in fear,
Or are you going to say: "God am i Glad to see you!"
Be ready.
Give up all your transgressions to God,
so He may forgive you of all your sins.
And trust and believe in the Saviour, Lord Jesus Christ!
I am not sure if Im ready.
I have a lot more to learn.
I pray for You to give me the guidance.
So i may follow You without turning back!
Those who do not believe
and will not learn to believe
shall regret
when they have to suffer 7 years of tribulations.
God will not be there for them
It is too late to say, "Im sorry!"
So start today.
Make your promises with God.
A new heaven and earth.
Eternity begins.
What more can we look forward to,
then the Coming of our Lord!
1 Thessalonians 4:16-17
16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven, with a loud command, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet call of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.
17 After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever.
Saturday, June 2, 2007
Facing the Giants, a Christian film
Uth service 1/6/07
For all those who are not saved, are fearing, weary of life and wanna be lifted up, this movie will definitely touch your hearts and inspire you. The show was created by a church, with only volunteers as cast and crew, but it turned out to be a great success, with His grace, in bringing people to God, . The main theme in the show is: DO NOT FEAR FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!
The movie spoke right into my heart, especially a bible verse from Revelations 3:7-9 - What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
As my mum put it so succintly, God has closed one door, but opened another for me. Yes, this year has indeed been a tremendous challenge for me. But, whatever happens, i will still love, praise and worship you. And i will never give up. You alone hold my tomorrow and You hold my hands. God has closed doors that He doesnt want me to open - council, exco, team, but He has opened doors as well - CT rep. I am really grateful for this opened door, Lord. Yes, now i know that life is never smooth-sailing, but NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE with YOU.
Amen
For all those who are not saved, are fearing, weary of life and wanna be lifted up, this movie will definitely touch your hearts and inspire you. The show was created by a church, with only volunteers as cast and crew, but it turned out to be a great success, with His grace, in bringing people to God, . The main theme in the show is: DO NOT FEAR FOR NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE WITH GOD!
The movie spoke right into my heart, especially a bible verse from Revelations 3:7-9 - What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.
As my mum put it so succintly, God has closed one door, but opened another for me. Yes, this year has indeed been a tremendous challenge for me. But, whatever happens, i will still love, praise and worship you. And i will never give up. You alone hold my tomorrow and You hold my hands. God has closed doors that He doesnt want me to open - council, exco, team, but He has opened doors as well - CT rep. I am really grateful for this opened door, Lord. Yes, now i know that life is never smooth-sailing, but NOTHING is IMPOSSIBLE with YOU.
Amen
Sunday, May 27, 2007
1 Kings 17:7-16
Uth service 18th May 2007
Overcoming the wimp in you (part 2/3)
7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.
8 Then the word of the LORD came to him:
9 "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."
10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?"
11 As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."
12 "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die."
13 Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.
14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.' "
15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.
16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.
1) God can take away so that there may be greater blessings to come
2) God has his plan for you
- be willing to give up and move
A. God reveals his plan step by step, so take the step
B. God's timing is perfect (obedience is vital)
3) God ways are not ours
- they are higher than ours
Isaiah 55:8-9 - 8
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.
Job 1:19-22 -
19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing
- take the step and He will show you the next one
4) God wants you as a blessing
- think less of yourself and more of others
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
4 each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those of others.
5) God always honour faith
- you can be a blessing to others if you take the steps of faith
Overcoming the wimp in you (part 2/3)
7 Some time later the brook dried up because there had been no rain in the land.
8 Then the word of the LORD came to him:
9 "Go at once to Zarephath of Sidon and stay there. I have commanded a widow in that place to supply you with food."
10 So he went to Zarephath. When he came to the town gate, a widow was there gathering sticks. He called to her and asked, "Would you bring me a little water in a jar so I may have a drink?"
11 As she was going to get it, he called, "And bring me, please, a piece of bread."
12 "As surely as the LORD your God lives," she replied, "I don't have any bread—only a handful of flour in a jar and a little oil in a jug. I am gathering a few sticks to take home and make a meal for myself and my son, that we may eat it—and die."
13 Elijah said to her, "Don't be afraid. Go home and do as you have said. But first make a small cake of bread for me from what you have and bring it to me, and then make something for yourself and your son.
14 For this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'The jar of flour will not be used up and the jug of oil will not run dry until the day the LORD gives rain on the land.' "
15 She went away and did as Elijah had told her. So there was food every day for Elijah and for the woman and her family.
16 For the jar of flour was not used up and the jug of oil did not run dry, in keeping with the word of the LORD spoken by Elijah.
1) God can take away so that there may be greater blessings to come
2) God has his plan for you
- be willing to give up and move
A. God reveals his plan step by step, so take the step
B. God's timing is perfect (obedience is vital)
3) God ways are not ours
- they are higher than ours
Isaiah 55:8-9 - 8
8 For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the LORD.
9 As high as the heavens are above the earth, so high are my ways above your ways and my thoughts above your thoughts.
Job 1:19-22 -
19 when suddenly a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you!"
20 At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship 21 and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."
22 In all this, Job did not sin by charging God with wrongdoing
- take the step and He will show you the next one
4) God wants you as a blessing
- think less of yourself and more of others
Philippians 2:3-4
3 Do nothing out of selfishness or out of vainglory; rather, humbly regard others as more important than yourselves,
4 each looking out not for his own interests, but (also) everyone for those of others.
5) God always honour faith
- you can be a blessing to others if you take the steps of faith
1 Kings 17:1-6
Uth service 11th May 2007
Overcoming the wimp in us (part 1/3)
1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."
2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah:
3 "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan.
4 You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there."
5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there.
6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
1) The Man that God uses
- He was a nobody, no qualifications: You do not need qualifications to be used by God to serve HIm
- Uncompromised preaching of His Word: to dare to stand up and preach God's word, to help others, to salvage a situation
- Living sacrifice to God: Jehovah is our saviour means to let his spirit fill our heart (spirit controls your actions and your doings, like wine controls a drunk man), surrender everything to Him
2) The method that God uses
- Read His word
- Study His word: think and absorb (like mugging), memorise verses
- Humility: start from the most fundamental ways of serving God, do not talk big. God does not work though proud people
3) The manner that God uses
- Day by day dependence on Him: let Him rule your life
Overcoming the wimp in us (part 1/3)
1 Now Elijah the Tishbite, from Tishbe in Gilead, said to Ahab, "As the LORD, the God of Israel, lives, whom I serve, there will be neither dew nor rain in the next few years except at my word."
2 Then the word of the LORD came to Elijah:
3 "Leave here, turn eastward and hide in the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan.
4 You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there."
5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there.
6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.
1) The Man that God uses
- He was a nobody, no qualifications: You do not need qualifications to be used by God to serve HIm
- Uncompromised preaching of His Word: to dare to stand up and preach God's word, to help others, to salvage a situation
- Living sacrifice to God: Jehovah is our saviour means to let his spirit fill our heart (spirit controls your actions and your doings, like wine controls a drunk man), surrender everything to Him
2) The method that God uses
- Read His word
- Study His word: think and absorb (like mugging), memorise verses
- Humility: start from the most fundamental ways of serving God, do not talk big. God does not work though proud people
3) The manner that God uses
- Day by day dependence on Him: let Him rule your life
Revelations 2:1-7
My 1st Uth service on 27th April 2007
2:1 To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: "He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among of the seven golden lampstands says these things:
2:2 "I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can't tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.
2:3 You have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake, and have not grown weary.
2:4 But I have this against you, that you left your first love.
2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent.
2:6 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.
Have you forgotten your First love?
- Christ's Church
- Christ's criticisms
- Christ's counsel
Remember the first time you received God into your life!
2:1 To the angel of the assembly in Ephesus write: "He who holds the seven stars in his right hand, he who walks among of the seven golden lampstands says these things:
2:2 "I know your works, and your toil and perseverance, and that you can't tolerate evil men, and have tested those who call themselves apostles, and they are not, and found them false.
2:3 You have perseverance and have endured for my name's sake, and have not grown weary.
2:4 But I have this against you, that you left your first love.
2:5 Remember therefore from where you have fallen, and repent and do the first works; or else I am coming to you swiftly, and will move your lampstand out of its place, unless you repent.
2:6 But this you have, that you hate the works of the Nicolaitans, which I also hate.
2:7 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies. To him who overcomes I will give to eat of the tree of life, which is in the Paradise of my God.
Have you forgotten your First love?
- Christ's Church
- Christ's criticisms
- Christ's counsel
Remember the first time you received God into your life!
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