Doing Good vs. Responding in Evil

Proverbs 11:27 He who seeks good finds goodwill, but evil comes to him who searches for it.

This was a verse which Ps Eugene shared last night at the YouthNet Leaders' Meeting and got me thinking quite a fair bit, espacially in line with what I shared last week during cell group about living by the Spirit and not the Soul.

a) Shouting back at our parents, colleagues or superior intentionally to spite them;

b) Backstab, harbor ill-intention thoughts or wanting to take advantage of others;

c) Revengeful thoughts and actions

Aren't these evil ways flowed out of our soulish living? When we are unable to keep out soul (mind, emotion and will) under the check if the Holy Spirit, we often will let it overtake and dictate our lives!

And the consequence? Just like what Proverbs 11:27 mention.. if we search for evil and respond in it, then natural evil will search us back and haunt us!

Do a heart check on ourselves today!

1. Are we harboring any ill-intentions or revengeful thoughts against others i.e. esp those whom have hurt or harm us?

2. Do you find yourself getting easily angered and irritated by people? If so, meditate through Galatians 5 and revew your Spirit man in the Lord and choose to grow in the fruit of the Spirit!

3. Share with an accountability buddy (cell brother or leader) and get him to keep you in check.

Perhaps when we are older, we will understand...

Dear friends, i write this to all so that we can understand our parents better...


I would like to start off that in this year of Loving Our Neighbours, we need to learn to love our parents as well... But before we learn to love our parents, we need to understand their heartbeat... With this, i would like to share another song, Dan Fogelberg - Leader Of The Band


Yet again, this is another non-Christian song... This song is a tribute from Dan Folgerberg to his father, the leader of the band. After listening to it, i finally understand a bit more about my parents


Lyrics of Leader Of The Band:


He earned his love through discipline, a thundering velvet hand..
His gentle means of sculpting souls took me years to understand


I thank you for the music, and your stories of the road
I thank you for the freedom, when it came my time to go
I thank you for the kindness and the times when you got tough
And papa I don't think I said I love you near enough
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Many times we don't understand why our parents discipline us. We feel unjustified, and blame our parents that they do not understand us. I used to complain that my father does not love me at all, then one statement that he made changed my life...


My dad said: "Son, I do not blame you if you do not understand my love for you. Perhaps when you are older, when you have a family of your own, then you will understand all that I've done for you"


My father is a typical Chinese parent, he will not say mushy words such as "I love you", and neither will he kiss me on the forehead or cheeks. But when both of us sit down and eat a meal, we know that we love each other in our hearts, and no words need to be said.


My dad used to discipline me very harshly when I was young, that is why i grow up in an environment of punishment. Now that I'm much older, i appreciate that discipline, because it is his way of sculpting my soul, just as the song goes. The chinese saying goes, those who are able to take hardship of hardships becomes people of great calibre. Without digesting that hardship, I do not think that I will be here today...

Similar to the lyrics: "I thank you for the music, and the stories of the road", my dad used to share his life journey, his mistakes with me... He tell me "Son, if you can avoid making mistakes, then do not make it. People always say that we learn from our mistakes, but certain mistakes are too costly a price to pay..." These impartations are invaluable to me and made me understand the hearbeat of my father more...

"I thank you for the freedom, when it came my time to go" - My dad once sat with me for breakfast and he told me: "Son, I work my life out, so that you can have a better life, so that I can give you all that you need to go out to life and explore all the possibilities out there. I am unlike some parents, who needs their children to be by their side... My hope for you is go out and lead your own life, and lead a good life..." The words are still stuck in my head till today i will never forget.

Epilogue:

We may not understand our parents heartbeat for us at this present stage, but I'm sure in due time, perhaps when we are much older, or until we start our family, then we will come to realize... We will come to appreciate, and we will come to love them just as much as they love us...

Signed with deep apologies for forgiveness,
VaZe

Michael Jackson preaches a sermon we need

Dear friends, I write to you to share a song that touch my heart deeply...

This song is from the late Michael Jackson - Heal The World...

Chorus of Heal The World:

Heal the world,
make it a better place,
for you and for me and the entire human race
There are people dying if you care enough for the living
make it a better place for you and for me...
------------------------------------------

This is the chorus of a secular song, not much Christian at all, yet it speaks of what is needed to be done here...

We need to "Heal the cell, make it a better place, for you and for me and the entire cluster"

Heal the cell? Is there a need to? You kidding?

Heal the cracklines and flaws in our relationships with each other in the cell

All from the construction industry will know that buildings are made of concrete, and if there is any hairline cracks in any concrete wall or support, the integrity of the building drops a lot. The building need not lose a pillar before it collapses, just many hair-line cracks will do the job. Thats why from outside we see a perfect building, but yet it is on the bringe of collapse.

Isn't this exactly the same as for our relationships with each other? From afar when we see it, we see it as a perfect building, sturdy and strong... What we fail to observe is the hair-line cracks on the supports and beams... This is dangerous as we overlook the fine hairline cracks, and have the wrong impression that our relationships are strong. In reality, the relationships may be on the bringe of collapsing without us knowing at all...

So what are these "fine looking, hairline cracks" in our relationships? They are hurts that we thought is small, not worthy of our attention. We hurt each other with our words, actions and tone yet we think that it is okay, it is minor, it is a joke only. We even feel that the other party is over sensitive, over reactive. Even if the hurts are there, we are evil (cannot find a better word) to the extent to think that the person will recover from a small wound. If so, we ought to be ashamed of ourselves as Christians.

Just like Paul of the bible, who says "Not that I have attained all these, but am pressing on to achieve and lay hold of it", I come in the same humility, ashamed for all the hurts which i inflicted on the cell group. I recently patch up with a sister whom i hurt, and until now still feel guilty and uneasy for it... (Sorry again to you, if you are reading this). I have a long way to go to be tactful and refined in speech, actions and tone. But I'm willing to say sorry and atone for my mistakes, making sure it will not happen again.

Yes, I am one of them who have hurt a brother/sister. What do I do?

I am a spiritual noob, can't offer that much advice... But I feel that we need to go up to the person and apologise... And yes, we need to lay down our pride just like Paul, who said: "I am less than the least of all God's people"and hence said "I consider everything (including pride) rubbish compared to knowing Jesus Christ".

An apology really makes the difference... I experienced the heart-warming feeling of an apology and I think this is a first step. It doesn't matter who is right or wrong, because God calls us to be peacemakers for they are the children of God. After the apology, there needs to be repentance on our part not to allow such a thing to happen. If we can do that, I feel what Michael sings about making a better place in the chorus will come to pass.

What is the consequence if we do not heal the cell?

Like what Michael sings: "there are people dying, if we care enough for the living", our brothers and sisters will "die" if we do not care about them. They will not die physically, but emotionally and spiritually. These victims of hurt will build defenses against our very own people instead of defending against the attacks of the devil. They will tell themselves that it is useless trying to confront the problem, no one will hear and no one will change. In the end, they will lose hope, faith and love in the cell group and falter away....

Epilogue

Why do I choose to use Michael Jackson's song? It is not that i cannot find a Christian song, but I want to illustrate a point. I want to highlight that even pre-believers understand the importance of care and the healing of souls. My friends, we need to make an "extra mile effort" in our fellowships and meetings to edify, care and understand each other to kill the poison of indifference and the hardening of our hearts. Only then we can really heal the cell, make it a better place for you and for me...

I do not like to share much on bible verses simply because i'm not good with the Word yet. I feel that wherever God place us, He can use the things around to teach us something. Bible scripture preaching will leave to Sunday service and Friday cell group to cover.

As you read to this point, maybe you feel that all this is rubbish, this is not happening, this is not an issue. For me, God says in 1 Peter 2 that it is His will that we do good, love the brotherhood, fear Him and honor the king. This year is a year of Loving Our Neighbours, and I want to heal the cell, make it a better place for you and for me... Who's with me?

Signed with deep apologies for repentence,
VaZe

Stronger

This song meant alot to me through this entire week as I battled with disappointments in ministry and physically impeded in my health.

I know and believe with all my heart that Jesus bore the Cross to give me the victory. And I hold that closely to my heart, so that I can be stronger in Christ!

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! Hallelujah!

STRONGER (by Hillsongs, This Is Our God)

VERSE 1:
There is Love
That came for us
Humbled to a sinner’s cross
You broke my shame and sinfulness
You rose again victorious

VERSE 2:
Faithfulness none can deny
Through the storm
And through the fire
There is truth that sets me free
Jesus Christ who lives in me

CHORUS:
You are stronger
You are stronger
Sin is broken
You have saved me
It is written
Christ is risen
Jesus You are Lord of all

VERSE 3:
No beginning and no end
You're my hope and my defence
You came to seek and save the lost
You paid it all upon the cross

BRIDGE:
So let Your Name be lifted higher
Be lifted higher
Be lifted higher

[Hillsong Lyrics are found on www.songlyrics.com]

Homeless Korean dies with 100,000 dollars in bank

News Report from Yahoo! News

SEOUL (AFP) - - A homeless South Korean unable to withdraw his life savings because he could not remember his real name has died in poverty, officials said.

The man, believed to be aged 56, died of cancer last month, leaving 128 million won (just over 100,000 dollars) in a bank account that was opened in early 1993 under the alias of Na Hae-Dong.

The account was frozen several months later when a law took effect to ban accounts held under false names, as an anti-corruption measure.

Deposits were still allowed but the account holder had to register a real name to withdraw money, something "Na" could not do.

"He didn't know what his real name was or where he was born. We tried but failed to identify him," Yoo Joon-Soo, the senior official of Yongbong district in the southwestern city of Gwangju, told AFP by phone.

The man collected scrap iron and other junk and slept on his cart under plastic sheets before moving in 2007 into a makeshift shelter made from a shipping container.

Though he could not withdraw from the account, he kept putting in savings.

"He used to say he wanted to buy a home with his savings," Yoo said.

"Last month, we applied for court approval to create his new ID and the court procedure was under way."

A local court is expected to order that the savings revert to the state, he added.

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THINKER THOTS

As we read this news report, a good time for us to reflect as well on how we have been spending our time and the purpose of our pursuits i.e. studies, career, money, relationships, results...etc in life?

Matthew 16:6
What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?

Matthew 6:19-20
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal."

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!

History Maker

1 Corinthians 9:19-27

19 Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God's law but am under Christ's law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all men so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

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 forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

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What does it take to be a History Maker?

1. Serve in Humility (vs 19)
2. Desperate / Desire to make Impact (vs 22)
3. Trained with Sharpened Skill Sets (vs 25)
4. Focused & Not Distracted (vs 26)
5. Perseverance & Endurance (vs 27a)
   
6. Always stays close to Jesus (vs 27b)
   
7. Willing to lay his life on the line (vs 19-23)

HISTORY MAKER (by Delirious?)

Is it true today that when people pray
Cloudless skies will break
Kings and queens will shake
Yes it's true and I believe it
I'm living for you

Is it true today that when people pray
We'll see dead men rise
And the blind set free
Yes it's true and I believe it
I'm living for you

I'm gonna be a history maker in this land
I'm gonna be a speaker of truth to all mankind
I'm gonna stand, I'm gonna run
Into your arms, into your arms again
Into your arms, into your arms again

Well it's true today that when people stand
With the fire of God, and the truth in hand
We'll see miracles, we'll see angels sing
We'll see broken hearts making history
Yes it's true and I believe it
We're living for you

Feeling vs. Facts

"... we learn to live not by our feelings about God but by the facts. I refuse to believe my depressions; I choose to believe in God. If I break my leg I do not become less a person. My wife and children do not repudiate me. Neither when my faith fractures or my feelings bruise does God cast me off and reject me.

My feelings are important for many things. They are essential and valuable. They keep me aware of much that is true and real. But they tell me next to nothing about God or my relation to God. My security comes from who God is, not from how I feel. Discipleship is a decision to live by what I know about God, not by what I feel about him or myself or my neighbours." - Eugene H. Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

WHO IS GOD TO YOU?

Hold on to those truths and facts about God and what He has done for you; and DO NOT let your feelings and emotions mislead you. And CHOOSE to live your life based on those facts, NOT feelings!

Those who trust in God are like Zion Mountain: Nothing can move it, a rock-solid mountain you can always depend on. Mountains encircle Jerusalem, and God encircles his people — always has and always will. The fist of the wicked will never violate what is due the righteous, provoking wrongful violence. Be good to your good people, God, to those whose hearts are right! God will round up the backsliders, corral them with the incorrigibles. Peace over Israel! - Psalm 125 (The Message)

Growing Faith in Difficult Times

"Faith develops out of the most difficult aspects of our existence, not the easiest. The person of faith is not a person who has been born, luckily, with a good digestion and sunny disposition..... It is Christ, not culture, that defines our lives. It is the help we experience, not the hazards we risk, that shapes our days." - Eugene H. Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

Pause and do a stock take on our spiritual walk. When was the last time we really cried out to the Lord in desperation? When was the last time we felt a really sudden surge in our faith? When was the turning point in our Christian walk where our faith suddenly went one notch higher?

Honestly, it is typically during the rough patches in life that we will cry out to God for help. We can easily get by each smooth sailing or 'nothing much' days without the need for God.

A simple equation can easily look like this:

Difficult times => Faith in God grows

Normal times => Faith stagnates or gradually goes downhill

The truth of the matter is that it is NOT the difficult times that make our faith grow. In fact, it is the desperate crying out during the difficult times that causes our faith to grow.

If God hadn't been for us — all together now, Israel, sing out! - If God hadn't been for us when everyone went against us, We would have been swallowed alive by their violent anger, Swept away by the flood of rage, drowned in the torrent; We would have lost our lives in the wild, raging water. Oh, blessed be God! He didn't go off and leave us. He didn't abandon us defenseless, helpless as a rabbit in a pack of snarling dogs. We've flown free from their fangs, free of their traps, free as a bird. Their grip is broken; we're free as a bird in flight. God's strong name is our help, the same God who made heaven and earth. - Psalm 124 (The Message)

There is that natural tendency within us to cry out to the Father for help during these tough moments because we know in His promise to us that "God's strong name is our help" and we CAN put our faith and trust in Him. God will NEVER fail us.

My prayer is that we all do not need to wait till tough times that we turn to call upon God, but that everyday we can call upon His name in all that we do.

We can do so, because God is a God that 'doesn't go off nor leave us'!

Where is God on Your Weekdays?

"The great danger of Christian discipleship is that we should have two religions: a glorious, biblical Sunday gospel that sets us to free from the world... and, then, an everyday religion that we make do with during the week between the time of leaving the world and arriving in Heaven. We save the Sunday gospel for the big crises of existence. For the mundane trivialities... We use the everyday religion of the Reader's Digest reprint, advice from a friend, an Ann Landers column, the huckstered wisdom of a talk-show celebrity. We practice patent-medicine religion." - Eugene H. Peterson, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction

A Christian faith reality check question which all of us need to constant ask ourselves (especially on weekdays) is this:

"Where has all the knowledge we have learnt from Sunday sermons and cell meeting gone to on weekdays?"

One moment we are all on spiritual highs during the weekends in cell meetings and Sunday services. The next moment (sometimes less than 24 hours later), we are wallowing in the dreadful pits of defeat in life and seemingly God is the last thing on our minds.

We rather go in search for nice hearing advices from friends, cool inspirational motivating speakers, and occasionally flipping through teenage magazines trusting those ever-changing advices! Where is God on our Weekdays?!?! Chucked aside when things starts getting busy?

Christianity is neither a religion nor a CCA... it is neither a "feel good club" nor a "one-stop-solve-all-problems" rehabilitation centre.

Christianity is a life ordained by God. We have direct access to God when we choose to walk in His path and grow in knowing Him more. In His path, we do not need to turn to the world's religion. In God, we have the Master Helper!

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. He will not let your foot slip—he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. The LORD watches over you—the LORD is your shade at your right hand; the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. The LORD will keep you from all harm—he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore. - Psalm 121 (NIV)

Words are Powerful

"Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose." - Proverbs 18:21 (The Message)

How true the scripture sums it up. Every single word that we utter during the day has power to either give or destroy life. And the Bible puts it really well that in all the words that we speak, we have a CHOICE to decide what comes out from our lips.

Pause. Let this simple scripture speak to our hearts. When was the last time we actually pause and think before letting those words come out from our mouths?

How often is it that we regret what we have spoken in a haste of anger or unhappiness?

Yes, it is true we can quickly attribute it to "a lousy day we had", or "He/she started it first" or the ultimate classic excuse "I am just like that, I can't help it"

Do these reasons sound familiar? Honestly, I am also guilty of it at times. But the point I am making here is that we should not just sweep everything away from our own responsibility and blame it on our genes, our day, the other party..etc. We should stop playing the blame game. The Word of God clearly tells us that the CHOICE is up to us. He gave us the will to choose as well as control our emotions.

So before we get swamped with our hectic schedule ahead, pause and decide now that we will CHOOSE to speak words of life rather than poison to the next person whom we talk to.

Answering before listening is both stupid and rude. A healthy spirit conquers adversity, but what can you do when the spirit is crushed? - Proverbs 18:13-14

With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. - James 3:9-10

Think Relationally? Let's learn to Speak Relationally as well. =D

Heart Check 101

Hi guys, as we hear Ps Khong share about "The Blood for the Heart", let's learn to guard our hearts and prevent ourselves from developing a hardened heart. Here are some symptoms of a hardened heart which I have observed in my journey as a leader over the years. Let's be watchful and vigilant because "our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour" (1 Peter 5:8 NIV)

Symptoms of a Hardened Heart

1. Critical Attitude - Skeptical and always critical instead of having a humble attitude in dialoging or seeking.
2. Blaming God - Ungrateful for blessings from God, but constantly finding faults in life and blaming God for being unfair.
3. Faithless - Disappointments and failures in journey of life caused one to developed that faithless despondent spirit.
4. Pride - Thinking you-know-it all. Something to be watchful of especially for older Christians.
5. Closed-Open Decision - Already made up decisions in heart and refuse to give in. Only come before leaders to make it seem religious or politically correct, but actually no intentions to be open for other options.

Where is your CROWN?

Even as Ps Khong shared about the what it means to put on the crown (let's have a quick recap):

1. Destined to Reflect God (Character)


2. Destined to Reign with God (Control)


3. Destined to Revel in His Glory (Celebration)

I am sure we are really excited to claim these blessing which God wants to bless us with.

BUT... let's take a step back and ask ourselves this question today.. "Where is our CROWN in the first place?" To put on the crown, we first need to locate our crown! Because in the everyday living, many of us may have misplace, lost or thrown away our crown!

Have we:

1. Misplaced our Crown? - Haven't been having quality Quiet Time with the Lord, no passion in prayer or feeling dry always in our spiritual walk.


2. Lost our Crown? - Always falling into the vicious cycle of sin.


3. Thrown away our Crown? - Giving up hope and living a defeated life. Lost the fighting spirit to believe God for breakthroughs in our lives.

May I encourage you with the Word of God today:

Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. - James 1:12

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life. - Revelations 2:10

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 forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. - 1 Corinthians 9:25-26

So where is your CROWN today?

Jesus replied, "The kingdom of God does not come with your careful observation, nor will people say, 'Here it is,' or 'There it is,' because the kingdom of God is within you." - Luke 17:21

God has already given us the crown of life, which is the Kingdom of God that lives within us. We just need to make a deliberate choice everyday when we wake up to wear it.

Would you repeat this prayer together with me today wherever you are:

"Dear God! Today I declare and believe with all my heart that the Kingdom of God lives within me! I choice to put away all the previous crowns of bitterness, anger, fear, defeatedness...etc. And today I choose intentionally to put on the crown of righteousness because I am a Child of God. A victor and an overcomer in Christ! Amen!"

EeJay

Do You Drag Your Feet to Work / School?

Last year at work, I remembered I went through a period what I would call "The Trainer's Nightmare". I had started the year passionate about engaging, connecting and reaching out to young people through the work I do. As the workload piled up and things started bottlenecking, I began losing joy in the work that I do.

All i could remember about training then were (1) Scolding students; (2) Handling spoilt brats; (3) Can't wait for lesson to end.

Honestly, I really saw the students just like landscape scenery (like what Ps Melvyn shared yesterday)... sometimes even worst than that! There wasn't any joy in doing what I used to so passionately believed in. Work was like toil and the students were just like thorns in my flesh!

And then the Lord just spoke to me during one of my Quiet Time on this scripture:

Servants, do what you're told by your earthly masters. And don't just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master, for God, confident that you'll get paid in full when you come into your inheritance. Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you're serving is Christ. The sullen servant who does shoddy work will be held responsible. Being a follower of Jesus doesn't cover up bad work. - Colossians 3:22-25 (The Message)

That totally changed the way I thought about work and I began to open my eyes to see the need for Jesus in everyone of the students I taught onwards. When I renewed my mind with the Word of God, my attitude started to change and I began smiling more and was definitely more cheerful in my trainings with more convictions. i was back with Passion!

How about you today?

Are you toiling in the work / studies that you do?

Do you spend more time comparing, complaining and sulking at what things should have been?

Do you find no joy in the work / studies that you do daily?

Open your heart and mind to be renewed by the Word of God daily. Once you know that everything you do is not for yourself first, but the Lord... then you will give your best and all with a joyful heart. =D

Psalm 1 (The Message)

1 How well God must like you— you don't hang out at Sin Saloon, you don't slink along Dead-End Road, you don't go to Smart-Mouth College.

2-3 Instead you thrill to God's Word, you chew on Scripture day and night. You're a tree replanted in Eden, bearing fresh fruit every month, Never dropping a leaf, always in blossom.

4-5 You're not at all like the wicked, who are mere windblown dust— Without defense in court, unfit company for innocent people.

6 God charts the road you take. The road they take is Skid Row

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Two of the challenges which Ps Eugene gave to us as we crossed over the new year was:

1. To hang out with the right people 2. To read the right books

So what is the practical outworking for us towards these two challenges?

1. Importance of meeting regularly as a cell and church

Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

2. Make reading a Habit

I fully agree that apart from the Bible, one should always read other books (both Christian and some non-Christian books) to enrich ourselves in depth.

Some of the Christian books which I would to recommend to you guys (most of which I have already gotten for you guys as Christmas presents). I will introduce some non-Christian books in the upcoming posts.

Boy Meets Girl by Joshua Harris

A book which I read during my university (after my 5-year BGR breakup) and spoke volumes to my life on preparing myself for relationship and marriage. It was also through reading this book afterwhich I began penning down the criteria which I look for in my potential girlfriend.




I Kissed Dating Goodbye by Joshua Harris

This was the first BGR related book that I read as a Christian. I read it while I was still with my ex-girlfriend. The joke was that after reading this book, I broke up with her. Hahaha... some truth to that because there was alot of conviction in my heart as the Lord spoke to me through this book. Great book to read for those who are thinking of or think that you are ready for relationship. Think twice! haha.. you will understand the principle of Project25 after this. keke...


Drawing Near by John Bevere

In the crowded and busy society of today, how do we hear the voice of God clearly and draw near to Him? This book gives good classic principles to help us in the journey of drawing near into an intimate relationship with the Lord. A deep and reflective book, but definitely worth investing time and effort to read and chew upon it. =D



Listen To Me, Satan by Carlos Annacondia

The first book that I read as a Christian, and it was a book about deliverance. Blew my mind as I read and open my spiritual eyes to understand much better the world of demons and angels. On the other hand, also equips me with better knowledge and understanding on the power of God and how He can use us in a mighty way! Great book to read for young Christians and also those whom are passionate about moving in gift of deliverance.

Stay tuned for more updates! =D

Self-Evaluation

Dear family,
despite my busy schedule, i had a strong prompting from the Lord to even share this in the blog. Sorry for not blogging on what I promised on Perseverance. Will find time to do so very soon.
Short post here, but a rather important and urgent one. Do take time to read this.

2 Timothy 4:3-4
"3For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. 4They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths."

2 Timothy 3:1-4
1But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God

Dear family, let's all evaluate our walk in this life. We all know that this is not right, however, have we unknowingly fallen victim to any of these traits which have been stated in the Word of God? Let's re-evaluate our lives once again, and commit our lives to the Lord's hands once again.

Love,
Cornelius