Prayer Alert for SK Chia

Attention Attention!!

SK Chia reported sick to medical centre this morning being down with rather a severe case of food poisoning. SK Chia mentions that, "Must have eaten something wrong during nights out yesterday."

Let's continue to pray for SK Chia and proclaim God's healing over him as he rest in the sick bay.

Isaish 53: 4 Surely he took up our infirmities
and carried our sorrows,
yet we considered him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.

5 But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.

Staying Upbeat All The Time!

This upcoming week ahead will definitely "force" me to move out in faith and tap upon God. Reason being:

• MONDAY: Dating Day
• TUESDAY: Worship Rehearsal for Baptism Service
• WEDNESDAY: Benny Ho School of Ministry Seminar
• THURSDAY: Worship Rehearsal for Sunday Service
• FRIDAY: Lead Worship at Baptism Service
• SATURDAY: Parents' Talk in the Morning & Cell Group Games Outreach in Afternoon
• SUNDAY: Worship Team for Sunday Service
• (Next) MONDAY: Rest & Dating Day
• (Next) TUESDAY: Lead Worship for SP1728 Meeting

Yes, on top of all these above, I do still have a daily 9AM - 6PM job to carry out. =D

Q: WOW! EeJay, how do you feel about your crazy schedule ahead?
A: Honestly, I am really excited and looking forward. It is really a privilege to be able to serve the body of Christ in whatever capacity I can offer or being tasked to. Though it can be stretching and tiring at times, but I always believe in the "Rubber-Band" Principle - stretched beyond the elastic limit which will give me greater capacity to give and serve. =D

Q: How do you keep yourself so "UP" despite having so many things?
A: Well, I apply what I learn from sermon every week. The sermon that really spoke to me a lot in this period was what Ps Khong shared about "Fixing Our Eyes Upon Jesus". Every morning when I wake up, I pray, worship and read the Word to help me turn my attention to Jesus and NOT my problems and worries. That really helps me in staying focused! =D

Q: What was your take back about this week's sermon on "Facing The Giants"?
A: Focus on Giants - You Stumble. Focus on God - Your Giants Tumble!

The Mayonnaise Jar

I don't usually read chain emails. But when I received this from Jessica, I found it rather interesting. May you be blessed and encouraged as well. =D

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When things in your life seem almost too much to handle, when 24 hours in a day is not enough, Remember the mayonnaise jar and 2 cups of coffee.

A professor stood before his philosophy class and had some items in front of him.
When the class began, wordlessly, he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with golf balls.

He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.

The professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar.
He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles rolled into the open areas between the golf balls.

He then asked the students again if the jar was full... They agreed it was.

The professor next picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up everything else.

He asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with an unanimous 'yes'.

The professor then produced two cups of coffee from under the table and poured the entire contents into the jar,
effectively filling the empty space between the sand.

The students laughed.

'Now,' said the professor, as the laughter subsided, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life…

The golf balls are the important things - God, family, children, health, friends, and favorite passions. Things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full.

The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car…

The sand is everything else -- the small stuff.

'If you put the sand into the jar first,' he continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life.

If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you.

So...

Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness.

• Play with children.
• Take time to get medical checkups.
• Take loved ones out to dinner.
• Go for a holiday.
• There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal.

'Take care of the golf balls first -- the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.'

One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented.

The professor smiled.

'I'm glad you asked. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'
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Share this with other "Golf Balls" in your life, like I just did.

And by the way if you have time for a Cuppa Coffee, do drop me a line… Cheers!!
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Updates as of 16th April 2009, 10:30am... I took time out to have breakfast with Daryl this morning. It was a good time of catch up, sharing and informal discipleship too. Thanks Daryl for the time together, a joy to spend the time it with you!

Guys' Discipleship Forum 10 - 11 April 2009

Hi Guys, just want to say a special thanks to all those who came (Alvin, Bobby, Gabriel, Nelson, Wesker, Wayne, Leonard Koh, Jaren & Junjie) for the Guys' Discipleship Forum @ Changi Rise over the Easter Weekend. I hope you guys have benefited from the sharing from myself and also hearing from each other.

Personally I am very encouraged by all your open sharing and I definitely look forward to the next session (maybe end April / Early May) where we get together again. This time round, we will talk about more "deeper" issues and concerns.

I gave some reflection questions to think about over the discipleship forum. Am putting them up here so that we can continue to ponder. Also good for those who weren't there to think through as well. Don't worry, you are not short changed.. more to come in next session... Akan datang! =D

BGR Session
1. Look through your daily SMSes sent/received. Who dominates the most count in your inbox?
2. List down 5 criterias which you would look for in your future girlfriend/wife.
3. What age do you think you would be suitable to get attached/married? (Note: This is a deeper question than you think... think further...)

Guy Sexuality Session
1. God's desire for us is "not even a hint of sexual immorality" (Ephesians 5:3).. What other areas in our sexuality do we still struggle in?
2. Learn to establish your boundaries of defense i.e. no second look, pre-ampt and look away, computer in living room...etc
3. Pursue an active relationship with God through worship, prayer and reading His Word

As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. - Proverbs 27:17

I also face trials & temptations everyday....

Galatians 5:1

1 It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.

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Let me first of all debunk the myth that cell leaders/pastors/church leaders are super humans who do not face trials and temptations. In fact, we are just like any normal person and we are challenged and tempted as much... so honestly there is no difference.

Example of things which I face daily in the past and present:

1. During NUS days, temptation to copy my lab reports or programming codes because I was lazy to do.
2. During Army days, temptation to "chao keng" through skiving for "Attend B" so I can excused from morning PTs, lie about my leaves and off-in-lieu to my officers, lie about my medical appointment (half day, but I say it is full day)...etc
3. Everyday I have to remind myself to speak words of faith and words that edify and not hurt people. Trust me.. it is so so easily to speak prickly words of condemnation out of coarse joking.
4. Lust of the eyes (the trouble for every guy out there) is major problem too with sexuality explicit advertisements everywhere.
5. My attitude when I am at home.. How do I talk to my parents?

Phew! Honestly, it may sound like living everyday is a big challenge. But what makes it easier for me is that everyday I under girth myself with the Word of God before leaving the house. Which means that whatever "attacks" I face outside, my first defense is the Word of God!

I know I can stand firm and be set free because of what Jesus did on the Cross! And with that knowledge and conviction in my mind and heart, I live my life around that. Period.


Want to be set free? The easiest way is to take the Word of God seriously at face value. =D

PS: Bless ya all with the lyrics of this song "Set Me Free" which I love. =D

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"Set Me Free" lyrics by Paradise Church

It's only by Your blood I am saved
Your power washed away the stains that blemished me
How can I even start to repay
The price You paid at Calvary
You paid for me

How can I deserve this love
What can I do that's enough

If I could shout one thing to the world
It would be to know You
If I could give my life to a cause
It would be for You
If I had just one reason to testify
It would be about the way
You set me free
You set me free

What Do I Do When I Struggle to Walk in Faith?

Hebrews 12:1-4

1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. 2 Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

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1. Be reminded & inspired by great man of Faith (in the Bible and people around whom I know)
(vs. 1a) Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...

2. Repent of sins that I struggle with and desire to get out of the entanglement it causes.
(vs. 1b) ... let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangle...

3. Know that it is not easy, but make a pre-determined choice to persevere
(vs. 1b) ... and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

4. Stay focused on Jesus
(vs. 2a) Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith...

5. Remember what Jesus did on the Cross for me
(vs. 2b) ... who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

6. Be encouraged by what Jesus did
(vs. 3) Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

7. The price I have to pay is nothing compared to what Jesus gave for me
(vs. 4) In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood.

Victory can only be found through Jesus Christ and I can walk on everyday on the Winning Team because God is the strength of my Heart.

Great Faith is a Product of Great Fights,
Great Testimonies are the Outcome of Great Tests,
Great Triumphs Comes out of Great Trials.
~ Smith Wigglesworth

Rejoicing In Tough Times

Philippians 4:4-13

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

10 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11 I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12 I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13 I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

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Two challenges that I am facing today:

1. Speaking @ lunchtime talk to a group of about 70 high-level banking staff team. Honestly, I do feel inadequate (both in experience and also my rank status - programme executive speaking to managers).
2. Seemingly at this wrong timing, the flu bug finally kicked in to me. I have been battling it for the past few days since coming back from Batam. Now am down with drippy nose, body aches and headache.

However, according to the scripture in Philippians, this is what I am going to do (I take the Word of God at face value):

1. Rejoice! (vs. 4)
2. Not be anxious! (vs. 6a)
3. Pray & give thanks! (vs. 6b)
4. Put all I learned from scripture into practice! (vs. 9)
5. Be contented in the situation I am in and trust God to provide for me! (vs. 12)

At the end of the day, I am trusting God for:

1. Peace in my heart as I go and speak at the lunchtime talk (vs. 7)
2. Contentment in my spirit - Knowing and trusting that God has a reason for putting me through this (vs. 12)
3. That He hears my pray and heal my sickness (vs. 6)
4. Great engagement at the lunchtime talk later (vs. 13)

Indeed! It is all about Faith in God! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! I believe!! No doubts.. I just believe!!