uno game b4 feast begins
lady of the house!
cell mascot sam!
xmas tree
jasper
scrabble while watchin soccer
green socks
cell mini choir
expressions from watchin "300"
Sunday, December 30, 2007
@ sufern's house
uno game b4 feast begins
lady of the house!
cell mascot sam!
xmas tree
jasper
scrabble while watchin soccer
green socks
cell mini choir
expressions from watchin "300"
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
Jaw-Dropping Results
Just want to thank God for my results. For the final slog, I've found that I was unprepared and unsure for practically every paper even as I sat for each and every one of them. So when I look at the results here, I don't really know what to say except a big 'THANK YOU!' to God. Even as He has shown me much on my trip to Timor, He has shown yet again that my future is really in His hands!
Christopher
Thursday, December 20, 2007
7dec outing @ settlers clarke quay
xmas decor
nice lights
prop of the "police-catch-criminal" game we played
our newest member Priscilla!! with her bro Josiah
Priscilla and Aurelia tracking down the criminal!
cell model of the year!
picture of the model again
a scene from the model's latest movie
Monday, December 10, 2007
Wednesday, December 5, 2007
The man at the Pool
Hello guys,
Time flies, and in about 10 plus days I will finally be back home. Have not been updating any thoughts recently because I have just been stuck at one. I cannot go anywhere other than this one thought, about the man at the Pool. One thing I have learnt is to let His word Brew inside of you, till the point you can literally taste it and experience it and truly understand the essence of it. This is the amazing power of His word. It brings life. The more you read, the more it gets to you. The more you read, the more it taste sweeter and the more the essence (the best part) starts to reveal itself. I never thought I could have learnt from a man at the pool, but obviously, He has proven me wrong. We can learn from anything in the Bible. We just need to sit and listen and be still, and not be too busy with our lives…
John 5 speaks about the Healing at the Pool of Bethesda. And in this story, there is a protagonist. Other than Jesus, it will be the Paralyzed man.
This passage showed me the healing powers of Jesus, but other than this, it showed me something that will stick with me through eternity. I always know that Jesus can heal, and He does all the time. But I never knew, the man at the pool could have thought me one of life’s most important virtues and how Daddy honored him in the end, for this virtue.
The virtue of Patience…
There are so much more “essences” in John 5 that I have yet to share with all of you, but I shall do it a little at a time if you all allow me to. For now, it is the virtue of Patience. The King James Version of John 5:1-7 reads:
“After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”
Many times we read too quickly that we fail to see many hidden meanings in the Bible. “And a certain man was there, who had infirmity thirty and eight years.”
The man, had been by the pool, for 38 years! And look on to what he said later…
“…Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”
This man has been at the pool for 38 years. From time to time, an angel will come to stir up the water and THE FIRST PERSON into the pool after each of such troubling of the water, will be completely healed. This man has been present by the pool for 38 years. He knows that if he could just get into the pool, if he could just be that first one, he will get healed. This man believes he will get healed. All he needs is to be the first person into the pool. For 38 years, this man have been trying. How do I know? Because of his reply to Jesus. “While I am coming, another stepped down before me.”
This man have been trying for 38 years! With one goal. To be the first person into the Pool of Bethesda, because he knows he will get healed. The best part comes when Jesus asked the man, “Do you want to get well?”
Jesus loves to ask Stupid questions. That is the most amazing part of Him. Cause to us it is stupid. If He asked me, I would be like “DUH! I am here for 38 years!! What do you think!!” HAHA… But in Heaven’s perspective, this question holds deeper meaning. That is another sharing hopefully in another time. But right now let us see what is the man’s reply.
“…Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”
That’s the reply to Jesus’ question. It is not a Yes or a No. The man did not even show that he knew Jesus could heal him. He did not even realize that he is talking to the Healer Himself, the One that does not need any water to heal him. All He needs is just to speak out, and the man will be healed. The man did not ask Jesus to heal him; he did not reply that he wants to get healed. All he said was, if only he is the first one to get into the pool, he will be healed.
This man is SO DETERMINED. He blew me away. He has been failing for 38 years!! And he still did not give up. He still takes a tiny step at a time and each time being beaten by someone who went ahead of him. He tried, and tried, and tried each time he failed. And finally, he got his reward that is better than his initial humanly conceived reward. He wanted to get into the water to get healed. In the end, Jesus spoke, and he got healed.
If I was the man, I wonder how would I have reacted. If I have placed my unanswered prayers, my discouragements, in comparison with what this man by the pool has experienced, I wonder if it will even qualify for a comparison.
God uses the simplest people to teach us the most extraordinary virtues.
I know many people who have been discouraged, whose lives suck to the core. I know of people who have not seen any breakthrough in their lives for ages, for years. I know of people who are going to give up anytime soon. I know of the times I wish to give up, I know of the times when I am here and the loneliness was so tough but yet, I know of people who suffers infinite times more than many of us.
DO NOT GIVE UP. Learn from the man at the pool. 38 YEARS! And he gave up.
God honors those that persevere. May all of us learn from this man, whose quality of patience is truly admirable.
“Father, I pray for my beloved cell members including myself and also anyone reading the blog. Lord, I ask for the virtue of patience to be deeply implanted in our hearts. I ask for the “Never Give Up” spirit to be placed in us in Jesus name. I pray against the evil one who seeks to discourage us and I ask that Lord, no matter how the going gets tough, I believe that the tough will get going, when we look to You. Lord I commit every person into Your hands. Continue to shower them with Your love and Lord, I pray, that everyone will seek greater intimacy with You everyday, and never be satisfied with the level of intimacy they are having with you right now, but to ask for more everyday. More of You God, more and more and more…
In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!
Love you guys.
Chris
Time flies, and in about 10 plus days I will finally be back home. Have not been updating any thoughts recently because I have just been stuck at one. I cannot go anywhere other than this one thought, about the man at the Pool. One thing I have learnt is to let His word Brew inside of you, till the point you can literally taste it and experience it and truly understand the essence of it. This is the amazing power of His word. It brings life. The more you read, the more it gets to you. The more you read, the more it taste sweeter and the more the essence (the best part) starts to reveal itself. I never thought I could have learnt from a man at the pool, but obviously, He has proven me wrong. We can learn from anything in the Bible. We just need to sit and listen and be still, and not be too busy with our lives…
John 5 speaks about the Healing at the Pool of Bethesda. And in this story, there is a protagonist. Other than Jesus, it will be the Paralyzed man.
This passage showed me the healing powers of Jesus, but other than this, it showed me something that will stick with me through eternity. I always know that Jesus can heal, and He does all the time. But I never knew, the man at the pool could have thought me one of life’s most important virtues and how Daddy honored him in the end, for this virtue.
The virtue of Patience…
There are so much more “essences” in John 5 that I have yet to share with all of you, but I shall do it a little at a time if you all allow me to. For now, it is the virtue of Patience. The King James Version of John 5:1-7 reads:
“After this there was a feast of the Jews; and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. Now there is at Jerusalem by the sheep market a pool, which is called in the Hebrew tongue Bethesda, having five porches. In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. For an angel went down at a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water: whosoever then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made whole of whatsoever disease he had. And a certain man was there, which had infirmity thirty and eight years. When Jesus saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long time in that case, he saith unto him, Wilt thou be made whole? The impotent man answered him, Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”
Many times we read too quickly that we fail to see many hidden meanings in the Bible. “And a certain man was there, who had infirmity thirty and eight years.”
The man, had been by the pool, for 38 years! And look on to what he said later…
“…Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”
This man has been at the pool for 38 years. From time to time, an angel will come to stir up the water and THE FIRST PERSON into the pool after each of such troubling of the water, will be completely healed. This man has been present by the pool for 38 years. He knows that if he could just get into the pool, if he could just be that first one, he will get healed. This man believes he will get healed. All he needs is to be the first person into the pool. For 38 years, this man have been trying. How do I know? Because of his reply to Jesus. “While I am coming, another stepped down before me.”
This man have been trying for 38 years! With one goal. To be the first person into the Pool of Bethesda, because he knows he will get healed. The best part comes when Jesus asked the man, “Do you want to get well?”
Jesus loves to ask Stupid questions. That is the most amazing part of Him. Cause to us it is stupid. If He asked me, I would be like “DUH! I am here for 38 years!! What do you think!!” HAHA… But in Heaven’s perspective, this question holds deeper meaning. That is another sharing hopefully in another time. But right now let us see what is the man’s reply.
“…Sir, I have no man, when the water is troubled, to put me into the pool: but while I am coming, another steppeth down before me.”
That’s the reply to Jesus’ question. It is not a Yes or a No. The man did not even show that he knew Jesus could heal him. He did not even realize that he is talking to the Healer Himself, the One that does not need any water to heal him. All He needs is just to speak out, and the man will be healed. The man did not ask Jesus to heal him; he did not reply that he wants to get healed. All he said was, if only he is the first one to get into the pool, he will be healed.
This man is SO DETERMINED. He blew me away. He has been failing for 38 years!! And he still did not give up. He still takes a tiny step at a time and each time being beaten by someone who went ahead of him. He tried, and tried, and tried each time he failed. And finally, he got his reward that is better than his initial humanly conceived reward. He wanted to get into the water to get healed. In the end, Jesus spoke, and he got healed.
If I was the man, I wonder how would I have reacted. If I have placed my unanswered prayers, my discouragements, in comparison with what this man by the pool has experienced, I wonder if it will even qualify for a comparison.
God uses the simplest people to teach us the most extraordinary virtues.
I know many people who have been discouraged, whose lives suck to the core. I know of people who have not seen any breakthrough in their lives for ages, for years. I know of people who are going to give up anytime soon. I know of the times I wish to give up, I know of the times when I am here and the loneliness was so tough but yet, I know of people who suffers infinite times more than many of us.
DO NOT GIVE UP. Learn from the man at the pool. 38 YEARS! And he gave up.
God honors those that persevere. May all of us learn from this man, whose quality of patience is truly admirable.
“Father, I pray for my beloved cell members including myself and also anyone reading the blog. Lord, I ask for the virtue of patience to be deeply implanted in our hearts. I ask for the “Never Give Up” spirit to be placed in us in Jesus name. I pray against the evil one who seeks to discourage us and I ask that Lord, no matter how the going gets tough, I believe that the tough will get going, when we look to You. Lord I commit every person into Your hands. Continue to shower them with Your love and Lord, I pray, that everyone will seek greater intimacy with You everyday, and never be satisfied with the level of intimacy they are having with you right now, but to ask for more everyday. More of You God, more and more and more…
In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!
Love you guys.
Chris
Monday, December 3, 2007
marathon testimony
hey cell i have 2 testimonies to share durin my marathon experience...
1. i was abt to have diarrhoea when i juz started the race at abt the 4km mark...
i dun tink i can finish the race if i went to the toilet... so i prayed tat Dad will take it away... and i rem "God is bigger than our problems"... He did take it away but it came back a while later... i can feel my faith decreasing so i prayed and focused on God again... then it went away fer the rest of the race...
2. i was preparin to jog all the way to the finishin line aft i walked past the 40km mark... but when i took off, both legs cramped... then i prayed fer strength knowing tat God didn't bring me to the 40km mark to give up... He answered and i jogged to the finishin line...
last but not the least, pls pray fer a fast recovery fer me =D i'm sunburnt, my lower back, thighs and the part behind the knees are aching like mad... an old man can overtake me easily =p fer those who know Gabriel [bob's cell] pray fer him too he's worse off coz he's havin blisters on his soles... thanz!
all the best to those still havin exams! jiayou! seeya at cell outing this fri!
1. i was abt to have diarrhoea when i juz started the race at abt the 4km mark...
i dun tink i can finish the race if i went to the toilet... so i prayed tat Dad will take it away... and i rem "God is bigger than our problems"... He did take it away but it came back a while later... i can feel my faith decreasing so i prayed and focused on God again... then it went away fer the rest of the race...
2. i was preparin to jog all the way to the finishin line aft i walked past the 40km mark... but when i took off, both legs cramped... then i prayed fer strength knowing tat God didn't bring me to the 40km mark to give up... He answered and i jogged to the finishin line...
last but not the least, pls pray fer a fast recovery fer me =D i'm sunburnt, my lower back, thighs and the part behind the knees are aching like mad... an old man can overtake me easily =p fer those who know Gabriel [bob's cell] pray fer him too he's worse off coz he's havin blisters on his soles... thanz!
all the best to those still havin exams! jiayou! seeya at cell outing this fri!
Caleb
Dear cell, God spoke to me clearly about this when I read about Caleb in the book [my birthday gift] and a daily bread entry http://www.rbc.org/odb/odb-11-30-07.shtml
Caleb's name means "dog", probably a nickname. Dogs back then were not pets but ferocious wild animals. He was a Kenizzite, not an Israelite, meaning he was an outsider saved by the grace of God. The Kenizzites were a wild tribe of nomads who ranged throught the Sinai and southern Palestine.
He and Joshua spoke up while Moses and Aaron fell on their faces when the Israelites "rebelled" [Num 14:1-9]. The Israelites believed in the words of the 10 spies that they can't enter the Promised Land because the enemies are too strong. They doubted even when God has promised to give them the Promised Land. That's why God allowed spies to be sent [Num 13:2] because He knew the Israelites didn't have enough faith. And the worst scenario happened.
Caleb was 40 years old when he spied the land. He received the area he scouted as his reward 45 years later. At the age of 85, he conquered Hebron [Jos 15:14-15]. Hebron was the dwelling place of the giant Anakites.
Hebron wasn't the end of the story. He stirred up his nephew Othniel [Jos 15:16-17] who later became the first judge of Israel [Jdg 3:7-11]
The underlying theme is that Caleb "has a different spirit and follows God wholeheartedly" [Num 14:24, Jos 14:9]. He continued his challenge at the age of 85 years old which may seem daunting to a lot of people.
For his case age may seem daunting, what about ours? Are there any issues preventing our faith from rising? How do we go about them? I pray that Dad will speak clearly to each and every one of you reading this =) "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." [2Cor 13:14]
love,
kev
Caleb's name means "dog", probably a nickname. Dogs back then were not pets but ferocious wild animals. He was a Kenizzite, not an Israelite, meaning he was an outsider saved by the grace of God. The Kenizzites were a wild tribe of nomads who ranged throught the Sinai and southern Palestine.
He and Joshua spoke up while Moses and Aaron fell on their faces when the Israelites "rebelled" [Num 14:1-9]. The Israelites believed in the words of the 10 spies that they can't enter the Promised Land because the enemies are too strong. They doubted even when God has promised to give them the Promised Land. That's why God allowed spies to be sent [Num 13:2] because He knew the Israelites didn't have enough faith. And the worst scenario happened.
Caleb was 40 years old when he spied the land. He received the area he scouted as his reward 45 years later. At the age of 85, he conquered Hebron [Jos 15:14-15]. Hebron was the dwelling place of the giant Anakites.
Hebron wasn't the end of the story. He stirred up his nephew Othniel [Jos 15:16-17] who later became the first judge of Israel [Jdg 3:7-11]
The underlying theme is that Caleb "has a different spirit and follows God wholeheartedly" [Num 14:24, Jos 14:9]. He continued his challenge at the age of 85 years old which may seem daunting to a lot of people.
For his case age may seem daunting, what about ours? Are there any issues preventing our faith from rising? How do we go about them? I pray that Dad will speak clearly to each and every one of you reading this =) "May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all." [2Cor 13:14]
love,
kev
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Interested?
1. 
Exhibition - GROOVISIONSSIN, 28 Nov 07 to 6 Jan 08 at the National Museum of Singapore from 10am - 6pm, daily. Free Admission. http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/home.html
2. NParks would like to invite you to our GardenTech 2007 Exhibition from 7 to 11 Dec at HortPark.
For more information, visit us at http://www.gardentech.com.sg
Exhibition - GROOVISIONSSIN, 28 Nov 07 to 6 Jan 08 at the National Museum of Singapore from 10am - 6pm, daily. Free Admission. http://www.nationalmuseum.sg/home.html2. NParks would like to invite you to our GardenTech 2007 Exhibition from 7 to 11 Dec at HortPark.
For more information, visit us at http://www.gardentech.com.sg
just some photos to lighten up the stress of those mugging for exams.
preparing the donut cake...
the two birthday girls
another shot of the 2 birthday girls
i'm so touched! sobz...
the tasty and yummy donuts....
the last donut was used for something else...
no comments....
it wasn't easy to get a shot of aurelia...
featuring the bengs...
preparing the donut cake...
the two birthday girls
another shot of the 2 birthday girls 
i'm so touched! sobz...
the tasty and yummy donuts....
the last donut was used for something else...
no comments....
it wasn't easy to get a shot of aurelia...
featuring the bengs...Tuesday, November 27, 2007
Monday, November 26, 2007
To Still see You even when we are in Valley times...
I was thinking about my experience at Bethel Church in June 2007, and I was thinking of all the conferences that I have attended since I became a Christian, all the camps, the advances, every single mountain top experience that I have been through. I realized that all these mountain top experience simply points to one direction. Down.
From the mountain top, down to the valley. While walking to the bus stop everyday, on my way to school, I will see huge landscapes. There seems to be no end. The entire place seems to be surrounded by huge mountains everywhere. And each day I walked past them. Each day I have seen them till I am pretty much used to the sight. But today, it was different. I saw a picture of the mountains, but my eyes did not just stayed up at the mountain top. They scanned downwards towards the bottom of the mountains. The valley.
God brought me to Psalm 84 today.
"As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains ALSO cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion."
The Valley of Baka (NIV) is also known as the Valley of Weeping (NASB version). One thing I will absolutely hold firm, is that every single word in the Bible is from God. Every word, not one is not from Him. David wrote that as the people passes through the Valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs.
I stared at the mountains but slowly the top of the mountains do not catch my attention anymore. It is the Valley that caught my attention. When the people pass through the Valley, they wept. That is why it is call the Valley of Weeping. But they make it a place of Springs. God showed me a picture, of many crying, many going through enormous challenges. And they just wept and cried and cried. The tears by right should accumulate and become like a pool of tears. But David said, they make it a place of springs. Springs are places where water wells up from an underground source. They do not form pools. It symbolizes life and vibrance.
I stared at this verse and God showed me even more. "The autumn rains ALSO covers it with pools. These people as they go thru valley times, they cried and wept. But their tears, together with the rain that God had sent, the autumn rains, they seeped through the dirt and soil they piles up the valleys and they nourished the soils. The water and the tears, brought LIFE.
That is why there is verse 7. "They go from STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, till each appears before God in Zion."
Our valley times are times when we are marked for great promotion, IF we know and recognize that the tears we shed, are not tears of hopelessness. The mindset that we have MUST change. God has hidden refreshments FOR us, not FROM us. There is a difference. The tears we shed during our valley times, is like Springs, that gushes out and spurts out. And it pushes through the dirts and the soils of our trials. These valley times are some of the greatest moments for promotion.
Why did the people go from strength to strength? Because in their disappointment, in their valley times, they did not give up. We fail to overcome when we face disappointments and we need an explanation to make us feel better about the moment where instead we should be discontented so that we will wage a violent war against all that restrains us to find His solution that will never dissipate.
Valley times will bring great promotion and victory. I know some of us are going through terrible times. I just do not want to say names cause there is no need to do so at all. With what He has shown me, I just wish to share them with any of you that is going thru screwed up times. I can only share with you what I have experienced from Him. But I cannot experience the experience for you. I will be there to pray, to love and support any of you, but I cannot experience this experience FOR you. You have to see it from your own eyes.
His scriptures truly brings life IF we allow it to speak to us. If they are just merely words we read everyday, and not experience a transformation within us, then the bible is simply a book. But it isn't just a book. It is a launching pad for everyone of us, to experience the author. We do not worship the bible. We worship the One that the Bible talks about...
These are just the many thoughts in my mind that are not exactly very organized. But I know, they are my honest thoughts with a simple passion that I wish to share with whoever reads this blog. God bless!
From the mountain top, down to the valley. While walking to the bus stop everyday, on my way to school, I will see huge landscapes. There seems to be no end. The entire place seems to be surrounded by huge mountains everywhere. And each day I walked past them. Each day I have seen them till I am pretty much used to the sight. But today, it was different. I saw a picture of the mountains, but my eyes did not just stayed up at the mountain top. They scanned downwards towards the bottom of the mountains. The valley.
God brought me to Psalm 84 today.
"As they pass through the Valley of Baka, they make it a place of springs; the autumn rains ALSO cover it with pools. They go from strength to strength till each appears before God in Zion."
The Valley of Baka (NIV) is also known as the Valley of Weeping (NASB version). One thing I will absolutely hold firm, is that every single word in the Bible is from God. Every word, not one is not from Him. David wrote that as the people passes through the Valley of Weeping, they make it a place of springs.
I stared at the mountains but slowly the top of the mountains do not catch my attention anymore. It is the Valley that caught my attention. When the people pass through the Valley, they wept. That is why it is call the Valley of Weeping. But they make it a place of Springs. God showed me a picture, of many crying, many going through enormous challenges. And they just wept and cried and cried. The tears by right should accumulate and become like a pool of tears. But David said, they make it a place of springs. Springs are places where water wells up from an underground source. They do not form pools. It symbolizes life and vibrance.
I stared at this verse and God showed me even more. "The autumn rains ALSO covers it with pools. These people as they go thru valley times, they cried and wept. But their tears, together with the rain that God had sent, the autumn rains, they seeped through the dirt and soil they piles up the valleys and they nourished the soils. The water and the tears, brought LIFE.
That is why there is verse 7. "They go from STRENGTH TO STRENGTH, till each appears before God in Zion."
Our valley times are times when we are marked for great promotion, IF we know and recognize that the tears we shed, are not tears of hopelessness. The mindset that we have MUST change. God has hidden refreshments FOR us, not FROM us. There is a difference. The tears we shed during our valley times, is like Springs, that gushes out and spurts out. And it pushes through the dirts and the soils of our trials. These valley times are some of the greatest moments for promotion.
Why did the people go from strength to strength? Because in their disappointment, in their valley times, they did not give up. We fail to overcome when we face disappointments and we need an explanation to make us feel better about the moment where instead we should be discontented so that we will wage a violent war against all that restrains us to find His solution that will never dissipate.
Valley times will bring great promotion and victory. I know some of us are going through terrible times. I just do not want to say names cause there is no need to do so at all. With what He has shown me, I just wish to share them with any of you that is going thru screwed up times. I can only share with you what I have experienced from Him. But I cannot experience the experience for you. I will be there to pray, to love and support any of you, but I cannot experience this experience FOR you. You have to see it from your own eyes.
His scriptures truly brings life IF we allow it to speak to us. If they are just merely words we read everyday, and not experience a transformation within us, then the bible is simply a book. But it isn't just a book. It is a launching pad for everyone of us, to experience the author. We do not worship the bible. We worship the One that the Bible talks about...
These are just the many thoughts in my mind that are not exactly very organized. But I know, they are my honest thoughts with a simple passion that I wish to share with whoever reads this blog. God bless!
Sunday, November 25, 2007
Luke 2:49-52
Luke 2:49-52:
"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Over the pass few days, I am not able to go any further other than being stuck at the above verses. Luke 2:49-52. It has been so overwhelming to me and it has spoken very deeply to me. I am finally able to pen down my thoughts and I just wish to share them with every one of you, my beloved cellmates.
Luke 2 shows a life of Jesus growing up. I believed all of us have read this passage before. Each of us may have different verses that stood out and have special meaning, personal meanings. I would call these verses those verses that we will fight for. Verses that we will even become “jealous” when we hear others speak of it. Why? Because these verses are those verses that changed our perspective and our mindset. Verses that have such precious meaning to us in which God spoke, that we hold on to so tightly forever.
These pass few days as I allowed Luke 2:49-52 to brew inside me, these have become verses that I hold onto so tightly. It is like saying, “these are MY verses.” Why? Cause they have changed the perspective that I have used to see. To sum it up, it has been life changing.
I believe each of you have your own verses that you hold onto tightly. May I be allowed to share a little of what He has taught me.
Whatever He has taught me has never been very difficult to grasp. It is the one and only simple truth that has always revolved around Him. INTIMACY above everything else. Intimacy with the Father.
Jesus understood this since He was young. He has began cultivating a relationship of intimacy with His heavenly Father since He was young. Much more than that of His earthly father. The bible says, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and IN FAVOR with God and men.
Here is why I am stucked these few days. I can understand the part about Jesus growing in favor with men. But it stunned me that the bible says, Jesus grew IN FAVOR with GOD!
This verse brought me to a stop. If even Jesus needs to increase and grow and favor with His heavenly Father, what more me? If the Son of God, who is perfect in character and sinless, needs to obtain favor from His Father, what more me?
Jesus is our example of the greatest privilege that we have been given since we accepted Christ. Intimacy with the Father. Through this, He grew in favor with God, even when He and the Father are One. I know, within my own limited mind and biblical knowledge, that I cannot provide a satisfactory answer as to why the Bible said, Jesus grew in Favor with God. Why does He need to grow in Favor? Shouldn’t He not need to do so?
While I cannot provide you guys with an answer, but in my heart, all I know is, if Jesus, the sinless and perfect one, needs to grow in favor with God, I know I need to even more…
"Why were you searching for me?" he asked. "Didn't you know I had to be in my Father's house?" But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.”
Over the pass few days, I am not able to go any further other than being stuck at the above verses. Luke 2:49-52. It has been so overwhelming to me and it has spoken very deeply to me. I am finally able to pen down my thoughts and I just wish to share them with every one of you, my beloved cellmates.
Luke 2 shows a life of Jesus growing up. I believed all of us have read this passage before. Each of us may have different verses that stood out and have special meaning, personal meanings. I would call these verses those verses that we will fight for. Verses that we will even become “jealous” when we hear others speak of it. Why? Because these verses are those verses that changed our perspective and our mindset. Verses that have such precious meaning to us in which God spoke, that we hold on to so tightly forever.
These pass few days as I allowed Luke 2:49-52 to brew inside me, these have become verses that I hold onto so tightly. It is like saying, “these are MY verses.” Why? Cause they have changed the perspective that I have used to see. To sum it up, it has been life changing.
I believe each of you have your own verses that you hold onto tightly. May I be allowed to share a little of what He has taught me.
Whatever He has taught me has never been very difficult to grasp. It is the one and only simple truth that has always revolved around Him. INTIMACY above everything else. Intimacy with the Father.
Jesus understood this since He was young. He has began cultivating a relationship of intimacy with His heavenly Father since He was young. Much more than that of His earthly father. The bible says, Jesus grew in wisdom and stature and IN FAVOR with God and men.
Here is why I am stucked these few days. I can understand the part about Jesus growing in favor with men. But it stunned me that the bible says, Jesus grew IN FAVOR with GOD!
This verse brought me to a stop. If even Jesus needs to increase and grow and favor with His heavenly Father, what more me? If the Son of God, who is perfect in character and sinless, needs to obtain favor from His Father, what more me?
Jesus is our example of the greatest privilege that we have been given since we accepted Christ. Intimacy with the Father. Through this, He grew in favor with God, even when He and the Father are One. I know, within my own limited mind and biblical knowledge, that I cannot provide a satisfactory answer as to why the Bible said, Jesus grew in Favor with God. Why does He need to grow in Favor? Shouldn’t He not need to do so?
While I cannot provide you guys with an answer, but in my heart, all I know is, if Jesus, the sinless and perfect one, needs to grow in favor with God, I know I need to even more…
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
How Extravagant Will I Be For You Jesus?
Dear cell,
How have everyone of you been? Have not heard from all of you for very long time already. Is everyone doing well? Persevere on as you all study hard for your exams. Mine is coming soon as well, right after the NUS exams.
Just wish to share about 2 words that have been ringing constantly thru my mind this whole day. Never left me till the point it just keep echoing in my mind.
"Reckless Abandonment"
2 Samuel 6:14-16, 23, fully describes the 2 words. King David, stripping off his kingly garments and dancing wildly before God, till the point where his own wife despised him.
WOW! Well it sure caught my attention in that. The fullness of reckless abandonment, lived out right in front of my eyes.
It is truly very humbling to know how a king with status will give up that reputation and dance wildly for the Father. It is yet hurting and painful for me at the same time when I search myself and know there are times I withhold my worship from Him.
To ask for reckless abandonment is not just about asking Him. It is about doing it as well. Thru the doing, you will receive. There will be a shift in our spirits that align what that of the Jesus. I truly believe that. God gives us opportunities for us to see Him work. I like that, rather than merely giving us whatever we want. He knows best and somehow throughout the course of being away, I have come to realize that is usually how He likes to work. He gives opportunities to answers, not answers straight away.
King David knew what it meant to be extravagant for Jesus. He knows that when it comes to Jesus, nothing else actually matters. The pride, and reputation just melts away from Him. Reckless Abandonment brings our faith, our intimacy with Him into another level. Another realm where we will be able to experience how tangible our Father is.
In UCSC, there are lots of forests and trees. And I got to walk very far to go from one lecture to another. He gave me the opportunity to worship Him in the woods, while walking from lectures to lectures. It was fearful because many students walk pass everyday. But there is no breakthrough for me if I choose to be safe all the time. I started putting on my headphones and blasted my worship music in my ears. And I started singing so loudly, many times people just walked pass and stared at me.
Who cares! HAHA. When it comes to the Father, I have realized it ain't going to matter for me. Our Father is an extravagant God, but yet He is not wasteful. There is a big difference. Often times, the things that are reckless, seem wasteful to people. Things that in our humanly minds make us think that we should not do, and it will make us look bad, it is not worth doing this, doing that.
When Mary poured an ointment on Jesus, that ointment costs a full year's income. You can find the story in Matthew 26. The disciples thought it was a waste and it could be put into better use if it was sold and the money given to the poor. To them this is silly. Such a waste!
But to Jesus, it takes delight in Him. Kingdom perspective is very different from earthly perspective. It is about time we see from the Father's perspective, that He longs to see fully abandoned worshippers that when they come into His presence, they will be lost with Him. That they will put aside everything they have and say to the Father,"I just want You. It does not matter what I do, I just want to be in Your presence, soaking up everything. I just want to give whatever I can give to You. Even if it looks silly. I love to do it."
A heart of excellence has no place for the poverty spirit that seeks to make us feel inferior to the world when we do certain things that make us different from this world. We are not from this world in the first place. So there is nothing inferior to feel about. I would like the world to see the joy that is in you and I that overflows when we worship the Father with reckless abandonment.
How have everyone of you been? Have not heard from all of you for very long time already. Is everyone doing well? Persevere on as you all study hard for your exams. Mine is coming soon as well, right after the NUS exams.
Just wish to share about 2 words that have been ringing constantly thru my mind this whole day. Never left me till the point it just keep echoing in my mind.
"Reckless Abandonment"
2 Samuel 6:14-16, 23, fully describes the 2 words. King David, stripping off his kingly garments and dancing wildly before God, till the point where his own wife despised him.
WOW! Well it sure caught my attention in that. The fullness of reckless abandonment, lived out right in front of my eyes.
It is truly very humbling to know how a king with status will give up that reputation and dance wildly for the Father. It is yet hurting and painful for me at the same time when I search myself and know there are times I withhold my worship from Him.
To ask for reckless abandonment is not just about asking Him. It is about doing it as well. Thru the doing, you will receive. There will be a shift in our spirits that align what that of the Jesus. I truly believe that. God gives us opportunities for us to see Him work. I like that, rather than merely giving us whatever we want. He knows best and somehow throughout the course of being away, I have come to realize that is usually how He likes to work. He gives opportunities to answers, not answers straight away.
King David knew what it meant to be extravagant for Jesus. He knows that when it comes to Jesus, nothing else actually matters. The pride, and reputation just melts away from Him. Reckless Abandonment brings our faith, our intimacy with Him into another level. Another realm where we will be able to experience how tangible our Father is.
In UCSC, there are lots of forests and trees. And I got to walk very far to go from one lecture to another. He gave me the opportunity to worship Him in the woods, while walking from lectures to lectures. It was fearful because many students walk pass everyday. But there is no breakthrough for me if I choose to be safe all the time. I started putting on my headphones and blasted my worship music in my ears. And I started singing so loudly, many times people just walked pass and stared at me.
Who cares! HAHA. When it comes to the Father, I have realized it ain't going to matter for me. Our Father is an extravagant God, but yet He is not wasteful. There is a big difference. Often times, the things that are reckless, seem wasteful to people. Things that in our humanly minds make us think that we should not do, and it will make us look bad, it is not worth doing this, doing that.
When Mary poured an ointment on Jesus, that ointment costs a full year's income. You can find the story in Matthew 26. The disciples thought it was a waste and it could be put into better use if it was sold and the money given to the poor. To them this is silly. Such a waste!
But to Jesus, it takes delight in Him. Kingdom perspective is very different from earthly perspective. It is about time we see from the Father's perspective, that He longs to see fully abandoned worshippers that when they come into His presence, they will be lost with Him. That they will put aside everything they have and say to the Father,"I just want You. It does not matter what I do, I just want to be in Your presence, soaking up everything. I just want to give whatever I can give to You. Even if it looks silly. I love to do it."
A heart of excellence has no place for the poverty spirit that seeks to make us feel inferior to the world when we do certain things that make us different from this world. We are not from this world in the first place. So there is nothing inferior to feel about. I would like the world to see the joy that is in you and I that overflows when we worship the Father with reckless abandonment.
Monday, November 19, 2007
Satisfied with Lack. That is the only thing we should be satisfied with...
"One thing i desire, one thing i seek. To gaze upon your beauty, your majesty. God of my Salvation, lifter of my head. Teach me how to live oh Lord, in Your righteousness. So I pray to You, so i pray to You.
Lord Your name, is higher than the heavens, Lord Your name is higher than all created things. Higher than hope, higher than dreams. The name of the Lord.
In the day of trouble, You cover me. In the secret place of refuge, Lord I will sing. So I pray to You. So I pray to You.
Lord Your name, is higher than the heavens, Lord Your name is higher than all created things. Higher than hope, higher than dreams. The name of the Lord.
I will seek Your face, call upon Your name, Jesus. And all I want is You, Jesus, Jesus.
Lord Your name, is higher than the heavens, Lord Your name is higher than all created things. Higher than hope, higher than dreams. The name of the Lord."
What beautiful lyrics! May this words from a song i love, touch you all. He is such a beauty!
"Father, I pray for great breakthroughs in the lives of my cell members. Father teach us to only be satisfied with LACK. This means Lord, teach us to NEVER be satisfied with what we have now, but to seek greater intimacy with You. Lord help us to understand that we can never be complacent with what we already have. We have to always ask for more from You Lord. Greater passion, greater intimacy, understanding, love for others. Father, I ask You be centre stage even during this period of time. Lord I pray against academics now. That In Jesus name, I bind the spirit of academics, that it will not replace You in our lives. Lord, i pray for Quality Time spent with you in the midst of this reading week for my cell mates. I pray for NO COMPROMISING of time when it comes to spending time with You. I pray for discipline, and time management. Father, I pray for the lives of every single cell member now. Those that are going through tough times, those that are giving up, pls Lord, restore them. And please change us from within, that we know how to love, to understand, from Your perspective. I lift up everyone into Your hands. Fill us with the Holy Spirit that will be our guide as we live each day for You. In Jesus name I pray. AMEN!"
Lord Your name, is higher than the heavens, Lord Your name is higher than all created things. Higher than hope, higher than dreams. The name of the Lord.
In the day of trouble, You cover me. In the secret place of refuge, Lord I will sing. So I pray to You. So I pray to You.
Lord Your name, is higher than the heavens, Lord Your name is higher than all created things. Higher than hope, higher than dreams. The name of the Lord.
I will seek Your face, call upon Your name, Jesus. And all I want is You, Jesus, Jesus.
Lord Your name, is higher than the heavens, Lord Your name is higher than all created things. Higher than hope, higher than dreams. The name of the Lord."
What beautiful lyrics! May this words from a song i love, touch you all. He is such a beauty!
"Father, I pray for great breakthroughs in the lives of my cell members. Father teach us to only be satisfied with LACK. This means Lord, teach us to NEVER be satisfied with what we have now, but to seek greater intimacy with You. Lord help us to understand that we can never be complacent with what we already have. We have to always ask for more from You Lord. Greater passion, greater intimacy, understanding, love for others. Father, I ask You be centre stage even during this period of time. Lord I pray against academics now. That In Jesus name, I bind the spirit of academics, that it will not replace You in our lives. Lord, i pray for Quality Time spent with you in the midst of this reading week for my cell mates. I pray for NO COMPROMISING of time when it comes to spending time with You. I pray for discipline, and time management. Father, I pray for the lives of every single cell member now. Those that are going through tough times, those that are giving up, pls Lord, restore them. And please change us from within, that we know how to love, to understand, from Your perspective. I lift up everyone into Your hands. Fill us with the Holy Spirit that will be our guide as we live each day for You. In Jesus name I pray. AMEN!"
Sunday, November 18, 2007
His Creation
Dear all,
I attached a photo of the view I got when I climbed up a cliff today, at Santa Cruz. it was freezing up there but the view of the mountains and seas is just simply majestic and it just reminds me of how great our Father is. Hope to share it all with you all.
There Is Something More Than Mere Survival...
Isaiah 60:1-2 was the verse I read today.
"Arise, Shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you, and His glory appears over you."
It has been 2 months since I left for USA. And in the blink of an eye, I have one month left. As I reflected the pass 2 months, the ONLY reason why I am still surviving, is Jesus. As I thought about everything that happened while I'm here, I can only attribute the reason of me still being here, to His abundant grace.
I found out something amazing as I thought about Isaiah 60:1-2.
The Lord rises upon us, His glory appears over us. His grace fills us and towers over every adversity and trial we face. His love shatters every darkness of the evil one. Often times, I realized, that I just wish for God to help me survive a particular trial. That I will still be ok after the trial. That I will survive it and not be defeated by the challenge.
But somehow my mindset has changed after reading Isaiah 60 and I thank God for the change.
We are NOT destine to SURVIVE a Challenge. We are destined to be OVERCOMERS. We are destined to OVERCOME the challenge.
A challenge is not meant to be survived! If we survived a challenge, it is like the challenge is still present and we are merely sticking our heads out of water and finding our breath. It is like saying a person who fell into a deep swimming pool, is simply floating with his head bumping in and out of water catching breath, instead of holding onto a buoy that is right in front of him. He is SURVIVING, but he has not overcome yet. If he has overcome, he will be holfing the buoy and not constantly struggling to catch his breath.
That is the picture God gave me. We are not meant to just be on the fringe, hanging, surviving. We have a God that will help us OVERCOME the trials we face and when we overcome a challenge, it is not a challenge anymore because God has challenged it and won.
There is a very big difference between survival and overcoming.
We are destined to overcome.
Overcome means to prevail to triumph over something.
Look at Revelations 12:11.
"They triumph over him (the evil one), by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their testimony..."
We are the "They" that Revelations 12:11 is talking about.
We triumph over our situations. We do not merely survive.
As we all enter into a time of exams, desserts (I refuse to say "stressed" because I refuse to agree with the enemy that stress exit. Because I do not have to give satan the authority to carry out his evil plans), and as each of you all have your own trials, battles to fight, either relationships with friends, tension, or whatever situation, remember one thing...
We are Overcomers!! That is clearly stated in the Bible. And we are His sons and daughter, with authority from Heaven.
Satan only has authority when we empower him. He is nothing but a leech. He takes our power only if we allow him to stick to us. We are the ones with the authority. Not satan. Let us stop giving the stupid guy authority!!
I sincerely believe we all will overcome the upcoming challenge and testify that Jesus has brought each of us thru. I look forward to all the wonderful stories from you guys.
"Father, thank You for the authority You have given to us. That we are the established generation. A generation of Youths, that are of royal blood. Father, with You in us, I believe all of us will triumph over our situations. We are for the strength, the power, the wisdom, the joy, to study for You, to serve You, to love You, and to obey You. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!"
Love you all very much.
Chris
"Arise, Shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth and thick darkness is over the peoples, but the Lord rises upon you, and His glory appears over you."
It has been 2 months since I left for USA. And in the blink of an eye, I have one month left. As I reflected the pass 2 months, the ONLY reason why I am still surviving, is Jesus. As I thought about everything that happened while I'm here, I can only attribute the reason of me still being here, to His abundant grace.
I found out something amazing as I thought about Isaiah 60:1-2.
The Lord rises upon us, His glory appears over us. His grace fills us and towers over every adversity and trial we face. His love shatters every darkness of the evil one. Often times, I realized, that I just wish for God to help me survive a particular trial. That I will still be ok after the trial. That I will survive it and not be defeated by the challenge.
But somehow my mindset has changed after reading Isaiah 60 and I thank God for the change.
We are NOT destine to SURVIVE a Challenge. We are destined to be OVERCOMERS. We are destined to OVERCOME the challenge.
A challenge is not meant to be survived! If we survived a challenge, it is like the challenge is still present and we are merely sticking our heads out of water and finding our breath. It is like saying a person who fell into a deep swimming pool, is simply floating with his head bumping in and out of water catching breath, instead of holding onto a buoy that is right in front of him. He is SURVIVING, but he has not overcome yet. If he has overcome, he will be holfing the buoy and not constantly struggling to catch his breath.
That is the picture God gave me. We are not meant to just be on the fringe, hanging, surviving. We have a God that will help us OVERCOME the trials we face and when we overcome a challenge, it is not a challenge anymore because God has challenged it and won.
There is a very big difference between survival and overcoming.
We are destined to overcome.
Overcome means to prevail to triumph over something.
Look at Revelations 12:11.
"They triumph over him (the evil one), by the blood of the Lamb and by the Word of their testimony..."
We are the "They" that Revelations 12:11 is talking about.
We triumph over our situations. We do not merely survive.
As we all enter into a time of exams, desserts (I refuse to say "stressed" because I refuse to agree with the enemy that stress exit. Because I do not have to give satan the authority to carry out his evil plans), and as each of you all have your own trials, battles to fight, either relationships with friends, tension, or whatever situation, remember one thing...
We are Overcomers!! That is clearly stated in the Bible. And we are His sons and daughter, with authority from Heaven.
Satan only has authority when we empower him. He is nothing but a leech. He takes our power only if we allow him to stick to us. We are the ones with the authority. Not satan. Let us stop giving the stupid guy authority!!
I sincerely believe we all will overcome the upcoming challenge and testify that Jesus has brought each of us thru. I look forward to all the wonderful stories from you guys.
"Father, thank You for the authority You have given to us. That we are the established generation. A generation of Youths, that are of royal blood. Father, with You in us, I believe all of us will triumph over our situations. We are for the strength, the power, the wisdom, the joy, to study for You, to serve You, to love You, and to obey You. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!"
Love you all very much.
Chris
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Calling
this caught my attention... i pray that we'll wait on Dad always so that we'll hear Him always... and when He calls us to do somethin we'll obey and bring glory to Him!
Calling of Moses -> [Exo 3]
3 So Moses thought, "I will go over and see this strange sight-why the bush does not burn up."
4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called to him from within the bush, "Moses! Moses!
And Moses said, "Here I am."
Calling of Paul -> [Acts 22]
6"About noon as I came near Damascus, suddenly a bright light from heaven flashed around me. 7I fell to the ground and heard a voice say to me, 'Saul! Saul! Why do you persecute me?'
8" 'Who are you, Lord?' I asked.
" 'I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom you are persecuting,' he replied. 9My companions saw the light, but they did not understand the voice of him who was speaking to me.
10"'What shall I do, Lord?' I asked.
Calling of Samuel -> [1 Sam 3]
10 The LORD came and stood there, calling as at the other times, "Samuel! Samuel!"
Then Samuel said, "Speak, for your servant is listening."
Calling of Peter, James, John -> [Lk5]
6When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
...
Then Jesus said to Simon, "Don't be afraid; from now on you will catch men." 11So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him.
Calling of Isaiah -> [Isa 6]
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."
8 Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?"
And I said, "Here am I. Send me!"
Friday, November 16, 2007
What He intends for us is not exactly what we have in mind.
Dearest cell mates,
Today marks the end of my mid-term exams. I finished 6 exams over the course of the last few weeks. It will be 4 more weeks to my Final Year exam before I fly back and I will see you all again. Miss you all very much.
At the end of today, I learnt something from Daddy which I believe is the essence of how Our Father works.
Many times, when we pray, we ask God to grant our requests. "Lord, please help me through this exam." "Lord, please grant me courage to handle this issue." Lord, please grant me the strength and please grant me the love that is from You, to love this person the way You do."
We ask God for many things. But I am not sure if it has ever occurred to all of you, but what I am about to describe to you all, it somehow occurs to me very often...
Often times, the answer from God is very different to what my human mind had originally perceived to be. We often have a perceived answer to what our prayers will turn out to be.
"Lord, if I have asked You for courage, You will give me the courage. I will feel it inside of me right away. Cause You said, ask and You shall receive."
True, but only half true...
Why? Because I believe Our Lord sees much deeper than we do. Very often, when we receive a reply to our prayers from Him, it is often not what we expected it to be. Well guess what, very often, the answer that we get from Him, is the BEST answer to our prayers, and it always contains what we have asked Him for in our prayers. We just need to start seeing it from His perspective. How? Well, that is why we have the Holy Spirit. Let me reveal what He shared with me today.
If we ask for courage to do something, if we say, ask for Faith to carry out something really humanly impossible, do you think God will just give us that courage and faith just like that, OR do you think God will give us opportunities in which our courage and faith will be acted out.
I believe God gives OPPORTUNITIES. If I want more faith, He will provide me with situations where I will be able to see faith being exercised.
Our God is a God of opportunities. And thru these opportunities, we find the answers to our prayers. And we learn and grow from it and become a better person.
There are times where He supplies immediately, but I just wish to provide another suggestion, that there are times too, where He provides opportunities that reveals the very thing we have been asking for.
He never spoon-feeds.
And each time, He Knows Best. What a great God we have. Thank You Daddy. :)
Today marks the end of my mid-term exams. I finished 6 exams over the course of the last few weeks. It will be 4 more weeks to my Final Year exam before I fly back and I will see you all again. Miss you all very much.
At the end of today, I learnt something from Daddy which I believe is the essence of how Our Father works.
Many times, when we pray, we ask God to grant our requests. "Lord, please help me through this exam." "Lord, please grant me courage to handle this issue." Lord, please grant me the strength and please grant me the love that is from You, to love this person the way You do."
We ask God for many things. But I am not sure if it has ever occurred to all of you, but what I am about to describe to you all, it somehow occurs to me very often...
Often times, the answer from God is very different to what my human mind had originally perceived to be. We often have a perceived answer to what our prayers will turn out to be.
"Lord, if I have asked You for courage, You will give me the courage. I will feel it inside of me right away. Cause You said, ask and You shall receive."
True, but only half true...
Why? Because I believe Our Lord sees much deeper than we do. Very often, when we receive a reply to our prayers from Him, it is often not what we expected it to be. Well guess what, very often, the answer that we get from Him, is the BEST answer to our prayers, and it always contains what we have asked Him for in our prayers. We just need to start seeing it from His perspective. How? Well, that is why we have the Holy Spirit. Let me reveal what He shared with me today.
If we ask for courage to do something, if we say, ask for Faith to carry out something really humanly impossible, do you think God will just give us that courage and faith just like that, OR do you think God will give us opportunities in which our courage and faith will be acted out.
I believe God gives OPPORTUNITIES. If I want more faith, He will provide me with situations where I will be able to see faith being exercised.
Our God is a God of opportunities. And thru these opportunities, we find the answers to our prayers. And we learn and grow from it and become a better person.
There are times where He supplies immediately, but I just wish to provide another suggestion, that there are times too, where He provides opportunities that reveals the very thing we have been asking for.
He never spoon-feeds.
And each time, He Knows Best. What a great God we have. Thank You Daddy. :)
Thursday, November 15, 2007
trust <-- tree --> delight
Jer 17
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."
Ps 1
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
somethin to ponder abt the verses...
love,
kev
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."
Ps 1
2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
somethin to ponder abt the verses...
love,
kev
Just a simple quote.
"We must plan as if we have a lifetime to live, but pray and work as though we have very little time left." - Pastor Bill Johnson
How true is this statement. Lord, may You teach us to grasp the meaning of this statement.
How true is this statement. Lord, may You teach us to grasp the meaning of this statement.
The Greatest Man in History
J E S U S
had no servants, yet they called Him
M a s t e r.
Had no degree, yet they called Him
T e a c h e r .
Had no medicines, yet they called Him
H e a l e r.
He had no army, yet
Kings Feared Him .
He won no military battles, yet
He Conquered the World.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet
He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!
AND HE IS COMING AGAIN!!!!
Roshan.J.Thaliath
If we love God sincerely, then all that we do, think & say will be
directed towards pleasing God. But if God is not so important to us,
then we will think & seek Him only when we are desperate. Our love for
God should permeate every aspect of our ordinary life.
- Fr Philip Heng, S.J.
had no servants, yet they called Him
M a s t e r.
Had no degree, yet they called Him
T e a c h e r .
Had no medicines, yet they called Him
H e a l e r.
He had no army, yet
Kings Feared Him .
He won no military battles, yet
He Conquered the World.
He committed no crime, yet they crucified Him.
He was buried in a tomb, yet
He lives today.
I feel honored to serve such a Leader who loves us!
AND HE IS COMING AGAIN!!!!
Roshan.J.Thaliath
If we love God sincerely, then all that we do, think & say will be
directed towards pleasing God. But if God is not so important to us,
then we will think & seek Him only when we are desperate. Our love for
God should permeate every aspect of our ordinary life.
- Fr Philip Heng, S.J.
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Stick to it or give up?
Hebrews 13:11-14
“The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus ALSO suffered OUTSIDE the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood. Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”
If you ask yourself, do you have something that you just wish to do for God inside your heart, but yet you just do not know how to execute it because you feel you are not strong enough, not capable enough, not daring enough, OR even you feel that if you ever mention it to anyone, people will just think you are nuts?
Do you have a passion that has been inside you for so long never daring to say it out for the fear that you will receive reproach? And because of that, you dampened the passion and put it inside you, never releasing it.
I did.
When I studied Hebrews 13 today, I realized many times if I want a breakthrough, often times I have to face some reproach. Let me explain…
I strongly believe God will use each and every one of us in a great way for Him. EVERYONE. Not a single one will be left out.
I am not sure if I assume correctly but I shall go ahead with it. I believe each of us does have things in our hearts, passions, ideas, that are from God and we just WISH we can do it for Him. BUT, often we just fear what others will say.
I reflected upon all my experiences. There are times I know that there are things He dropped inside me but I never dared to say them out cause of the fear of reproach from humans.
I came to realize one thing today. The way Heaven functions is pretty much different from the way we function here on earth. Often times favor from Heaven, is not always so pleasant from our point of view. Maybe that is why Jesus says, my ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not your thoughts.
Jesus suffered OUTSIDE the city gate for the people. To make them holy. The holy of holies did not belong to the MOST HOLY PLACE stated in Hebrews 13. Instead He was outside and He bore the disgrace of human’s sins. How ironic is that right? Of all people, Jesus should be inside the Most Holy Place!!
Jesus was not in there because He came for the sinners, those that do not belong inside the city. Outcasts. He who has no sin is made a sinner so we can become the righteousness of God.
If we read the story of Jesus, did the people understand why He did that? Many think He is nuts. But Jesus knows, deep down in His heart, what He is called to do, BY GOD. For He only does what the Father says.
As followers of Jesus, we too are to carry that reproach. Breakthroughs often take place outside the city gate. People may not understand the intentions you have inside of you. They may ask you, “Are you sure?”, “Maybe you should reconsider again…”. Some may think you are just being extra or doing something redundant. Some may not be as passionate as you.
But please do not back down. IF you know it is clearly from God, keep that flame burning. Always remain true to your call. Do not let that passion or that desire inside of you die because of what others say.
“Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.”
Who is the one person who has been most strongly misunderstood? Jesus.
Who is the person that has been discouraged countless times, but has never given up? Jesus. Look at the number of times Jesus has seen the sins of this world that His creation has fallen away from Him. But yet, He has never given up on each of us.
I know of people that are very close to me, who have been discouraged, and that passion for what they once love doing is slowly dying off. Please hang on. Please do not give up. James 5 talks about, “ENDURANCE!!...Fight till the finish…”
Even when no one understands, even when you are the only one person, keep going. Even if it means to go outside the city gate, away from where everyone else is, where human support is present, GO! Go outside of that city gate. Hang on to your dream and passion. Because we belong to the outside. Breakthrough will come when we exit the place of human support and FULLY ask for Godly support.
Keep fighting. Keep pursuing Jesus and keep doing what He has told you to do, amidst the discouragement. Because HE will honor your faithfulness.
Love,
Chris
“The high priest carries the blood of animals into the Most Holy Place as a sin offering, but the bodies are burned outside the camp. And so Jesus ALSO suffered OUTSIDE the city gate to make the people holy through His own blood. Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore. For here we do not have an enduring city, but we are looking for the city that is to come.”
If you ask yourself, do you have something that you just wish to do for God inside your heart, but yet you just do not know how to execute it because you feel you are not strong enough, not capable enough, not daring enough, OR even you feel that if you ever mention it to anyone, people will just think you are nuts?
Do you have a passion that has been inside you for so long never daring to say it out for the fear that you will receive reproach? And because of that, you dampened the passion and put it inside you, never releasing it.
I did.
When I studied Hebrews 13 today, I realized many times if I want a breakthrough, often times I have to face some reproach. Let me explain…
I strongly believe God will use each and every one of us in a great way for Him. EVERYONE. Not a single one will be left out.
I am not sure if I assume correctly but I shall go ahead with it. I believe each of us does have things in our hearts, passions, ideas, that are from God and we just WISH we can do it for Him. BUT, often we just fear what others will say.
I reflected upon all my experiences. There are times I know that there are things He dropped inside me but I never dared to say them out cause of the fear of reproach from humans.
I came to realize one thing today. The way Heaven functions is pretty much different from the way we function here on earth. Often times favor from Heaven, is not always so pleasant from our point of view. Maybe that is why Jesus says, my ways are not your ways and my thoughts are not your thoughts.
Jesus suffered OUTSIDE the city gate for the people. To make them holy. The holy of holies did not belong to the MOST HOLY PLACE stated in Hebrews 13. Instead He was outside and He bore the disgrace of human’s sins. How ironic is that right? Of all people, Jesus should be inside the Most Holy Place!!
Jesus was not in there because He came for the sinners, those that do not belong inside the city. Outcasts. He who has no sin is made a sinner so we can become the righteousness of God.
If we read the story of Jesus, did the people understand why He did that? Many think He is nuts. But Jesus knows, deep down in His heart, what He is called to do, BY GOD. For He only does what the Father says.
As followers of Jesus, we too are to carry that reproach. Breakthroughs often take place outside the city gate. People may not understand the intentions you have inside of you. They may ask you, “Are you sure?”, “Maybe you should reconsider again…”. Some may think you are just being extra or doing something redundant. Some may not be as passionate as you.
But please do not back down. IF you know it is clearly from God, keep that flame burning. Always remain true to your call. Do not let that passion or that desire inside of you die because of what others say.
“Let us, then, go to Him outside the camp, bearing the disgrace he bore.”
Who is the one person who has been most strongly misunderstood? Jesus.
Who is the person that has been discouraged countless times, but has never given up? Jesus. Look at the number of times Jesus has seen the sins of this world that His creation has fallen away from Him. But yet, He has never given up on each of us.
I know of people that are very close to me, who have been discouraged, and that passion for what they once love doing is slowly dying off. Please hang on. Please do not give up. James 5 talks about, “ENDURANCE!!...Fight till the finish…”
Even when no one understands, even when you are the only one person, keep going. Even if it means to go outside the city gate, away from where everyone else is, where human support is present, GO! Go outside of that city gate. Hang on to your dream and passion. Because we belong to the outside. Breakthrough will come when we exit the place of human support and FULLY ask for Godly support.
Keep fighting. Keep pursuing Jesus and keep doing what He has told you to do, amidst the discouragement. Because HE will honor your faithfulness.
Love,
Chris
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
Am I Blind?
In Matthew 13, Jesus taught about the parable of the sower. The disciples asked Jesus why does he speak to the people in parables. Jesus provided the reason in verses 11-12.
He then proceeded to speak about the prophecy of Isaiah. In verse 15, Jesus mentioned, “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. OTHERWISE, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I WOULD heal them.”
Jesus carried on and said in verse 16-17, “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. Truly, I tell you, many prophets and RIGHTEOUS people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear but did not hear it.”
When I read these verses, the word Blindness came to me. And slowly, those words I have written in Uppercase, just popped up in front of my eyes.
We are all redeemed, we have been saved. Often times we will say that those people that have yet to come to know Jesus, are blind. They are spiritually blinded, or they are blinded by the things of this world. I guess we have said this many times yeah?
It is true. These people are blinded by the evil one. But I realized today, as Christians, we are also blind. But it is different from what the non-believers are suffering from.
I walked down the streets in downtown Santa Cruz, and I saw many homeless people. Many! Everyone of them are so dirty, they have no place to stay, and they beg for food on the streets. I asked myself what can I do? I prayed, I gave them money but there’s more than I can do. So much more…
When you see these people, many of them do not know Christ. How do I know that? Because I stood near them and listened to their conversations. I observed from afar what they did, what they talked about.
But, if you ask them what they need, what they want, they know the answer to give. They need money, they need HOPE. The world to a certain extent, does know its needs. These people, even though they are blinded spiritually, they know what they need. They need HOPE.
You see, when I read the verses I stated above, I realized that for us Christians, I wonder are we still realizing our need. I do not wish to point arrows so I will speak about myself. I wonder to myself, I am born again. I have been redeemed. But am I slowly stopping to recognize my need anymore?
What is the need that we Christians need? It is desperation. For what? For GOD!
I realized today, that I have forgotten they I need desperation for Jesus. I have hope, I have clothing, I have a place to stay, but, I as His son, have slowly forgotten that I need to be desperate for Him CONSTANTLY, DAILY.
I am not spiritually blind, cause I have found Jesus. But I am blinded because I am content with what I have now. And that itself, has become a form of blindness.
As I continue to ask Him to reveal more, He showed me, that “many prophets and RIGHTEOUS people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear but did not hear it.” I believe we are righteous people yeah?
Why did Jesus say even the righteous, they long to see but they did not see it? They long to hear but they did not hear it? WHY??
If I ask everyone, including myself, have we been on fire for Jesus before? I believe many will say, YES, many times. I asked myself that too. And Daddy just softly spoke in my heart, when I asked Him, “Dad have I been on fire for you?” He said, “What do you think?” I replied, “Yeah, many times Daddy.”
He gently said, “Son, how come it is not ALL the time?”
That broke me. I think I know why. The NLT translation of Matthew 13:15 reads, “For the hearts of these people are hardened…”
You know, I believe I have a history in God, with God. BUT, I guess many times I did not keep track with the current doings of God.
How does a sharp blade maintain its sharpness? It has to be constantly sharpened. Likewise, to maintain that fire, we have to always RECOGNIZE our need, and earnestly pursue Jesus.
We have to constantly pursue what I believe has been said thousands of times…OUR FIRST LOVE.
You see my dear brothers, when we fail to recognize our need for our first love, we cannot reach the fullness of what God wants us to become.
This kind of blindness does not lead us to hell. But, it stops us from fulfilling our full potential in what Jesus wants us to do, in what He has destined for us to do.
When the passion for Him dies, we will not shine as bright as what we are made to do so.
“Lord, may we as the righteous people who have come to know You, be earnestly seeking You everyday, passionately, even when things are bad. Because we just wish to hear You say, to us, “Thank You for being passionate ALL the time.” AMEN.”
Love you guys. Everyone of you. God bless.
He then proceeded to speak about the prophecy of Isaiah. In verse 15, Jesus mentioned, “For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed their eyes. OTHERWISE, they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn, and I WOULD heal them.”
Jesus carried on and said in verse 16-17, “But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. Truly, I tell you, many prophets and RIGHTEOUS people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear but did not hear it.”
When I read these verses, the word Blindness came to me. And slowly, those words I have written in Uppercase, just popped up in front of my eyes.
We are all redeemed, we have been saved. Often times we will say that those people that have yet to come to know Jesus, are blind. They are spiritually blinded, or they are blinded by the things of this world. I guess we have said this many times yeah?
It is true. These people are blinded by the evil one. But I realized today, as Christians, we are also blind. But it is different from what the non-believers are suffering from.
I walked down the streets in downtown Santa Cruz, and I saw many homeless people. Many! Everyone of them are so dirty, they have no place to stay, and they beg for food on the streets. I asked myself what can I do? I prayed, I gave them money but there’s more than I can do. So much more…
When you see these people, many of them do not know Christ. How do I know that? Because I stood near them and listened to their conversations. I observed from afar what they did, what they talked about.
But, if you ask them what they need, what they want, they know the answer to give. They need money, they need HOPE. The world to a certain extent, does know its needs. These people, even though they are blinded spiritually, they know what they need. They need HOPE.
You see, when I read the verses I stated above, I realized that for us Christians, I wonder are we still realizing our need. I do not wish to point arrows so I will speak about myself. I wonder to myself, I am born again. I have been redeemed. But am I slowly stopping to recognize my need anymore?
What is the need that we Christians need? It is desperation. For what? For GOD!
I realized today, that I have forgotten they I need desperation for Jesus. I have hope, I have clothing, I have a place to stay, but, I as His son, have slowly forgotten that I need to be desperate for Him CONSTANTLY, DAILY.
I am not spiritually blind, cause I have found Jesus. But I am blinded because I am content with what I have now. And that itself, has become a form of blindness.
As I continue to ask Him to reveal more, He showed me, that “many prophets and RIGHTEOUS people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear but did not hear it.” I believe we are righteous people yeah?
Why did Jesus say even the righteous, they long to see but they did not see it? They long to hear but they did not hear it? WHY??
If I ask everyone, including myself, have we been on fire for Jesus before? I believe many will say, YES, many times. I asked myself that too. And Daddy just softly spoke in my heart, when I asked Him, “Dad have I been on fire for you?” He said, “What do you think?” I replied, “Yeah, many times Daddy.”
He gently said, “Son, how come it is not ALL the time?”
That broke me. I think I know why. The NLT translation of Matthew 13:15 reads, “For the hearts of these people are hardened…”
You know, I believe I have a history in God, with God. BUT, I guess many times I did not keep track with the current doings of God.
How does a sharp blade maintain its sharpness? It has to be constantly sharpened. Likewise, to maintain that fire, we have to always RECOGNIZE our need, and earnestly pursue Jesus.
We have to constantly pursue what I believe has been said thousands of times…OUR FIRST LOVE.
You see my dear brothers, when we fail to recognize our need for our first love, we cannot reach the fullness of what God wants us to become.
This kind of blindness does not lead us to hell. But, it stops us from fulfilling our full potential in what Jesus wants us to do, in what He has destined for us to do.
When the passion for Him dies, we will not shine as bright as what we are made to do so.
“Lord, may we as the righteous people who have come to know You, be earnestly seeking You everyday, passionately, even when things are bad. Because we just wish to hear You say, to us, “Thank You for being passionate ALL the time.” AMEN.”
Love you guys. Everyone of you. God bless.
Zoo Volunteer?
For those who have a passion in wildlife preservation and are interested in volunteering at the zoo. Needs a lot of commitment though :P
http://www.szdocent.org/about/about.html
Ohya, and Chris..we have not decided on a name yet i think...but here are a few suggestions:
1. the it cell ('dot your i's and cross your t's' which basically means that we try to finish whatever we have started; and to stay committed)
2. f.a.m.i.l.y (smtg like f.r.i.e.n.d.s haha... so, we are like a family..brothers and sisters in Christ, children of our Father in heaven)
3. anyone else has suggestions?
http://www.szdocent.org/about/about.html
Ohya, and Chris..we have not decided on a name yet i think...but here are a few suggestions:
1. the it cell ('dot your i's and cross your t's' which basically means that we try to finish whatever we have started; and to stay committed)
2. f.a.m.i.l.y (smtg like f.r.i.e.n.d.s haha... so, we are like a family..brothers and sisters in Christ, children of our Father in heaven)
3. anyone else has suggestions?
Monday, November 12, 2007
With God in the presence of satan
yo chris! thanz fer all ya sharing...
the most recent post abt feasting with God in presence of satan reminds me of
Job 1:8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
i feel tat Dad place us in the presence of enemy also becoz he wants us to know tat with Him, everythin is possible, including safety in the midst of enemies... and also a sense of Daddy pride towards us, His children, when we are obedient, able to depend and trust in Him totally...
by the way Pastor Jennifer doin a book study on Nehemiah fer youth sermons now... first session was gd... abt rebuilding walls in Neh 1 but the podcast on church website is not up yet...
your previous posts led me to certain foundational issues... like temptations not the same as sin, conviction is not condemnation, "falling forward" when we fall and tat we are each uniquely made =)
did a simple bible study on armour of God so i'll juz share...
"belt of truth" -> belt holds everythin together hence God's truth holds all the other parts in place
"breastplate of righteousness" -> breastplate fortifies the heart against the attacks of satan
"readiness from the gospel of peace" -> feet muz be ready to stand their ground or to march forward in rugged paths
"shield of faith" -> faith applying the word of God and the grace of Christ will protect us from tempations [flaming arrows of enemy]
"helmet of salvation" -> head knowledge of salvation and Word of God will protect us from ungodly thoughts from the enemy
"sword of Spirit" -> only weapon needed: Word of God
"pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" -> allows renewing/maintenance of armour... armour may get slightly stained or damaged from each battle...
anyone wanna discuss it further? =)
love,
kev
the most recent post abt feasting with God in presence of satan reminds me of
Job 1:8 Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
i feel tat Dad place us in the presence of enemy also becoz he wants us to know tat with Him, everythin is possible, including safety in the midst of enemies... and also a sense of Daddy pride towards us, His children, when we are obedient, able to depend and trust in Him totally...
by the way Pastor Jennifer doin a book study on Nehemiah fer youth sermons now... first session was gd... abt rebuilding walls in Neh 1 but the podcast on church website is not up yet...
your previous posts led me to certain foundational issues... like temptations not the same as sin, conviction is not condemnation, "falling forward" when we fall and tat we are each uniquely made =)
did a simple bible study on armour of God so i'll juz share...
"belt of truth" -> belt holds everythin together hence God's truth holds all the other parts in place
"breastplate of righteousness" -> breastplate fortifies the heart against the attacks of satan
"readiness from the gospel of peace" -> feet muz be ready to stand their ground or to march forward in rugged paths
"shield of faith" -> faith applying the word of God and the grace of Christ will protect us from tempations [flaming arrows of enemy]
"helmet of salvation" -> head knowledge of salvation and Word of God will protect us from ungodly thoughts from the enemy
"sword of Spirit" -> only weapon needed: Word of God
"pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests" -> allows renewing/maintenance of armour... armour may get slightly stained or damaged from each battle...
anyone wanna discuss it further? =)
love,
kev
Shall We All Feast With God In The Presence Of satan?
To my beloved cellmates,
I guess the title may seem very shocking. I was thinking of a title that can help to express my level of shock and enlightenment with regards to something I really wish to share with you all.
I read Psalm 23 today, and something struck me as I read the passage. It is a verse that is of no stranger to many of us. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down on green pastures..." and the passage continues. 6 verses in all. Not a very long Psalm, but it changed the way I think. And I guess I am shifting my mindset now towards something pretty exciting.
The verse that struck me is in verse 5.
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
I paused there and I just thought about what God is trying to say in this short verse. Verse 5.
Why does God prepare a table for me, in the presence of my enemies? Who are my enemies? Who are your enemies?? And why is there a table prepared by God, IN THE PRESENCE of our enemies??
He led me to Ephesians 6:12. The famous verse that I believe we have read many times. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul under the influence oh the Holy Spirit, said, that "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
When I read this, I came to a conclusion. Our enemies is satan and his dark forces. So why, does King David says that Our God prepares a table in the presence of Satan and his dark forces, for us?
A table I believe, in the past, during the times of Jesus, it was used as a gathering of people, a time of feasting, of meetings and fellowship. And I continued to dwell along this line and I realized that God has prepared a table for us, to fellowship with Him, in the presence of the evil one. WHY??
BECAUSE, He wants us to fellowship with Him, to have intimacy with Him, in front of the devil's eyes, BECAUSE God knows, the devil cannot take it!! Satan cannot stand seeing us having intimacy with God. He hates it. The more Satan hates it, the more God will do.
Our Father is in no way, scared or intimidated by satan's plans. Satan on the other hand, trembles when he is in God's presence. So when we fellowship with God in the presence of our enemies (Satan and his "cannot-make-it" dark forces), he trembles.
Intimacy with our God is our armor of protection from the evil one's distraction. Never let this intimacy be far away from you. Satan is stupid but not that stupid. He knows your weakness, he knows when you are so stressed up or when you are jaded and he will plan an attack. But, intimacy with Jesus, is the key.
May we all spend great times with our Father, even when things seems to pile up every single day in our hectic life. And may we feast and fellowship with Him at the table, as the evil one looks on and trembles and cannot do anything about it because Our God is great!! Praise You Lord for You are mighty and You are so strong.
God bless you all dear brothers and sisters.
I guess the title may seem very shocking. I was thinking of a title that can help to express my level of shock and enlightenment with regards to something I really wish to share with you all.
I read Psalm 23 today, and something struck me as I read the passage. It is a verse that is of no stranger to many of us. "The Lord is my Shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down on green pastures..." and the passage continues. 6 verses in all. Not a very long Psalm, but it changed the way I think. And I guess I am shifting my mindset now towards something pretty exciting.
The verse that struck me is in verse 5.
"You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies."
I paused there and I just thought about what God is trying to say in this short verse. Verse 5.
Why does God prepare a table for me, in the presence of my enemies? Who are my enemies? Who are your enemies?? And why is there a table prepared by God, IN THE PRESENCE of our enemies??
He led me to Ephesians 6:12. The famous verse that I believe we have read many times. In Ephesians 6:12, Paul under the influence oh the Holy Spirit, said, that "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms."
When I read this, I came to a conclusion. Our enemies is satan and his dark forces. So why, does King David says that Our God prepares a table in the presence of Satan and his dark forces, for us?
A table I believe, in the past, during the times of Jesus, it was used as a gathering of people, a time of feasting, of meetings and fellowship. And I continued to dwell along this line and I realized that God has prepared a table for us, to fellowship with Him, in the presence of the evil one. WHY??
BECAUSE, He wants us to fellowship with Him, to have intimacy with Him, in front of the devil's eyes, BECAUSE God knows, the devil cannot take it!! Satan cannot stand seeing us having intimacy with God. He hates it. The more Satan hates it, the more God will do.
Our Father is in no way, scared or intimidated by satan's plans. Satan on the other hand, trembles when he is in God's presence. So when we fellowship with God in the presence of our enemies (Satan and his "cannot-make-it" dark forces), he trembles.
Intimacy with our God is our armor of protection from the evil one's distraction. Never let this intimacy be far away from you. Satan is stupid but not that stupid. He knows your weakness, he knows when you are so stressed up or when you are jaded and he will plan an attack. But, intimacy with Jesus, is the key.
May we all spend great times with our Father, even when things seems to pile up every single day in our hectic life. And may we feast and fellowship with Him at the table, as the evil one looks on and trembles and cannot do anything about it because Our God is great!! Praise You Lord for You are mighty and You are so strong.
God bless you all dear brothers and sisters.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Power Spotlight - Jesus
"Jesus is the only Spotlight that is powerful enough to shine into the inner most parts of our hearts and reveal the things that we need to change. Yet at the same time, He alone can give us the grace to change for the better, and become more and more like Him."
"Lord, as You continue to bring all of us thru this season, this time where everything just piles up on us, this period where the academics take its tow on us, be gracious to us Lord. Watch over us and give us the passion to want to spend time with You, daily. Father, I pray that the fire that You have placed in us, keep flaming it. If it can be like a forest fire, Lord I pray for that to happen in all our hearts. Not just a bush fire. Lord I ask for a forest fire in all of my brother's and sister's hearts. That even when exam periods come, studies is still NOTHING, when it compares with intimacy with You. Lord, I ask that You will honor those who seeks You first for You said that if we seek You first, the Kingdom of God and all Your righteousness, ALL these things will be added unto us. I lift up everyone in the cell to You Lord. Bless them and watch over them as they enters into their last week of school and as reading week begins. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!!"
"Lord, as You continue to bring all of us thru this season, this time where everything just piles up on us, this period where the academics take its tow on us, be gracious to us Lord. Watch over us and give us the passion to want to spend time with You, daily. Father, I pray that the fire that You have placed in us, keep flaming it. If it can be like a forest fire, Lord I pray for that to happen in all our hearts. Not just a bush fire. Lord I ask for a forest fire in all of my brother's and sister's hearts. That even when exam periods come, studies is still NOTHING, when it compares with intimacy with You. Lord, I ask that You will honor those who seeks You first for You said that if we seek You first, the Kingdom of God and all Your righteousness, ALL these things will be added unto us. I lift up everyone in the cell to You Lord. Bless them and watch over them as they enters into their last week of school and as reading week begins. In Jesus name I pray, AMEN!!"
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Following Jesus... Half way, or All the way?
Blessed day dear cellmates,
I was just reflecting this day (It is Friday over here, which means Saturday afternoon for you all), have I followed Christ all the way or half way only? I will confess, it is only half way and I am still learning to follow Him all the way. Allow me to explain...
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus told the disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
When you read this verse in the Bible, may I humbly ask, what comes into your mind? For me, when I first read it, I ask myself, "Yes, I will deny myself, I will give up the pleasures of this world, and I will have self-denial, in which I will be broken before the Lord and I will just deny all the pleasures of this world."
That itself, I believe that many of us may have thought about it. That as Christians we must lead a life pleasing to God, to deny ourselves the worldly pleasures of this world. That is true, we must be a shining light for Jesus. BUT...
I am convinced that is not all Jesus is trying to say.
Being here in USA, I have seen the twisted moral values, I am come into contact and conversation that I have never joined in before when I was in Singapore. The morals and beliefs that they have is shocking, and there are many times where I know I have to stand firm in my beliefs and not be swayed. I thank God I manage to do so. That is good BUT...I started thinking a little more.
Yes, I have followed what He taught me, Yes I have followed the principles to lead a life pleasing to Him. BUT it is not my all. Pls read on...
When Jesus said to take up the cross and follow Me, to many, like me as well, I took it as to follow His life of self-denial, and i stop short at His life of power. To pick up the cross and walk with Him, for me, it was to crucify my sin nature on the cross and embrace a joyless brokenness as an evidence of the cross. Is that really what He is FULLY trying to say? Or is there more?
I believe there is more. And I am convicted inside me to share it with you all. We must follow Him, and what was written above is true. We must deny ourselves and confess our sins and embrace the cross. But we must FOLLOW HIM ALL THE WAY, and that includes a lifestyle that is empowered by the RESURRECTION!!
For me, I realized I have focused on the Cross, before the Resurrection and not after it!! I remembered pastor Bill Johnson, who shared something that says, "RELIGION IS UNABLE TO MIMIC THE LIFE OF RESURRECTION WITH ITS VICTORY OVER SIN AND HELL."
That is a powerful statement!! It is important to constantly reflect. It is good to "introspect" oneself. But if we are always filled with introspection and if we are constantly telling ourselves, "OH I am weak, I am not good", we are embracing an inferior cross!!
If i make a harsh statement, please forgive me. If we are always focusing on our weakness, then we will always be trapped in this counterfeit. You see, if the stupid devil knows we, as Christians will not be interested in anything that is EVIL, he is smart enough to then get us focus on our unworthiness and our weaknesses. Because if he successfully does that, we will become so introspective that we will keep looking at the weak points of us and totally forgot the very reason why Jesus is in our lives (His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses). Satan is not that dumb as I thought he is to be after all.
I learnt this while I was in Bethel Church and while I am here in UCSC, it just triggered me to think about my days back in Bethel Church. You know dear brothers and sisters, if we always focus on our weaknesses and our bad points, and think that it is a very humbling thing to do, we have completely deceived ourselves. I totally respect Pastor Bill Johnson and he has taught me that such an act, is the ultimate subtleness of PRIDE! Cause it is always about ME ME ME, about MY own weaknesses. Where is the ONE who has died for me and paid for everything? Somehow, He has disappeared from the picture and I became centre-stage.
I must reemphasize that I am not saying that denying the world and carrying the cross is bad. IT IS GOOD AND WE ALL HAVE TO DO THAT. I just wish to share a "second half" that I realized when Jesus said to Follow Him.
I guess it is pretty heavy yeah? But guess what, it is getting heavier.
Allow me to quote something that i have read. It completely made me rethink about what Matthew 16:24 said.
"By being SOLD on my own unrighteousness, the enemy has disengaged me from effective service. It is a PERVERSION of true holiness when introspection causes my spiritual self-esteem to increase, BUT my effectiveness in demonstrating the power of the gospel to decrease." - from the book, When Heaven Invades Earth
Following Christ includes being in this world but not OF it. But it also includes receiving the POWER that He has given to us. I believe each of us, our weaknesses, have been replaced by His strength. And we will focus on this strength of His to lead life that is truly for Him. And even in the midst of every situation we face, however tough, and however incapable we THINK we are, We will still be capable because He is working in us, for us, thru us.
May all of us proudly declare that we have been redeemed by Him and we will focus on the GOODness that He has given to us. And truly follow Him ALL THE WAY. I am glad you are all walking together as one family. Love you all.
I was just reflecting this day (It is Friday over here, which means Saturday afternoon for you all), have I followed Christ all the way or half way only? I will confess, it is only half way and I am still learning to follow Him all the way. Allow me to explain...
In Matthew 16:24, Jesus told the disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me."
When you read this verse in the Bible, may I humbly ask, what comes into your mind? For me, when I first read it, I ask myself, "Yes, I will deny myself, I will give up the pleasures of this world, and I will have self-denial, in which I will be broken before the Lord and I will just deny all the pleasures of this world."
That itself, I believe that many of us may have thought about it. That as Christians we must lead a life pleasing to God, to deny ourselves the worldly pleasures of this world. That is true, we must be a shining light for Jesus. BUT...
I am convinced that is not all Jesus is trying to say.
Being here in USA, I have seen the twisted moral values, I am come into contact and conversation that I have never joined in before when I was in Singapore. The morals and beliefs that they have is shocking, and there are many times where I know I have to stand firm in my beliefs and not be swayed. I thank God I manage to do so. That is good BUT...I started thinking a little more.
Yes, I have followed what He taught me, Yes I have followed the principles to lead a life pleasing to Him. BUT it is not my all. Pls read on...
When Jesus said to take up the cross and follow Me, to many, like me as well, I took it as to follow His life of self-denial, and i stop short at His life of power. To pick up the cross and walk with Him, for me, it was to crucify my sin nature on the cross and embrace a joyless brokenness as an evidence of the cross. Is that really what He is FULLY trying to say? Or is there more?
I believe there is more. And I am convicted inside me to share it with you all. We must follow Him, and what was written above is true. We must deny ourselves and confess our sins and embrace the cross. But we must FOLLOW HIM ALL THE WAY, and that includes a lifestyle that is empowered by the RESURRECTION!!
For me, I realized I have focused on the Cross, before the Resurrection and not after it!! I remembered pastor Bill Johnson, who shared something that says, "RELIGION IS UNABLE TO MIMIC THE LIFE OF RESURRECTION WITH ITS VICTORY OVER SIN AND HELL."
That is a powerful statement!! It is important to constantly reflect. It is good to "introspect" oneself. But if we are always filled with introspection and if we are constantly telling ourselves, "OH I am weak, I am not good", we are embracing an inferior cross!!
If i make a harsh statement, please forgive me. If we are always focusing on our weakness, then we will always be trapped in this counterfeit. You see, if the stupid devil knows we, as Christians will not be interested in anything that is EVIL, he is smart enough to then get us focus on our unworthiness and our weaknesses. Because if he successfully does that, we will become so introspective that we will keep looking at the weak points of us and totally forgot the very reason why Jesus is in our lives (His strength is made perfect in our weaknesses). Satan is not that dumb as I thought he is to be after all.
I learnt this while I was in Bethel Church and while I am here in UCSC, it just triggered me to think about my days back in Bethel Church. You know dear brothers and sisters, if we always focus on our weaknesses and our bad points, and think that it is a very humbling thing to do, we have completely deceived ourselves. I totally respect Pastor Bill Johnson and he has taught me that such an act, is the ultimate subtleness of PRIDE! Cause it is always about ME ME ME, about MY own weaknesses. Where is the ONE who has died for me and paid for everything? Somehow, He has disappeared from the picture and I became centre-stage.
I must reemphasize that I am not saying that denying the world and carrying the cross is bad. IT IS GOOD AND WE ALL HAVE TO DO THAT. I just wish to share a "second half" that I realized when Jesus said to Follow Him.
I guess it is pretty heavy yeah? But guess what, it is getting heavier.
Allow me to quote something that i have read. It completely made me rethink about what Matthew 16:24 said.
"By being SOLD on my own unrighteousness, the enemy has disengaged me from effective service. It is a PERVERSION of true holiness when introspection causes my spiritual self-esteem to increase, BUT my effectiveness in demonstrating the power of the gospel to decrease." - from the book, When Heaven Invades Earth
Following Christ includes being in this world but not OF it. But it also includes receiving the POWER that He has given to us. I believe each of us, our weaknesses, have been replaced by His strength. And we will focus on this strength of His to lead life that is truly for Him. And even in the midst of every situation we face, however tough, and however incapable we THINK we are, We will still be capable because He is working in us, for us, thru us.
May all of us proudly declare that we have been redeemed by Him and we will focus on the GOODness that He has given to us. And truly follow Him ALL THE WAY. I am glad you are all walking together as one family. Love you all.
Friday, November 9, 2007
Greetings
Dear everyone,
I may not post here often but it doesn't mean I don't read the blog. I think you guys have used it really awesomely. You have redeemed technology for Christ by sharing your thoughts and life here.
So I thought I should drop everyone here a line to say, keep meeting up in whatever forms. Use every moment to encourage and edify one another in love and towards good deeds for the glory of Christ.
I missed seeing some of you at All Night Prayer. I know this is exam and crunch time for most of you so it doesn't mean that if you weren't there meant you missed out on something. No you didn't, because you were thought of and prayed for.
Keep focusing on Jesus.
Love, Charissa
Daddy is NEVER Biased.
Hello dear cell,
Can someone pls refresh me about the name of our cell? Is it call "The Cell"? It slipped my mind. So sorry.
I am so happy when Kevin told me about what happened at overnight prayer. It is truly an exciting moment that God is moving in COOS and in each of our lives. I pray that all of us will catch the wind of the holy spirit as it flows through each of us.
May I humbly extend a simple sharing with you all today? I am not sure how busy everyone of you are right now, but I believe all of you guys are extremely busy with a lot of work and final exams coming. Likewise over here for me. Just had 4 mid-terms and I got another 2 more next week and 2 reports and assignments to submit. But all these are just secondary in our lives. That is what I choose to believe and have been convicted about because everything here is temporal. If He rewards us by honoring Him first, everything else can take a step back. I am "greedy" for the reward that is in Heaven and it is the one thing I will pursue, above all the things of this temporal world we are in.
I know Daddy is looking after every single one of you and I am very thankful for that. I wish to share something that I just feel in me, that will encourage all of you as much as it has encouraged me tremendously. Something in me just clicked and directed my attention to our cell when I read this passage from the Bible.
In Acts 10, the entire chapter, we witness something very amazing. It is the story of Cornelius calling on Peter. But the part that caught my attention is the part whereby Peter realized the fairness our God has. In Acts 10, we know very clearly that Jews never mix with the Gentiles. But in the eyes of our Father, He sees it differently. In verse 34, Peter is enlightened. "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right."
In verse 45, it reads, "The circumcised believers (OUCH!) who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles."
The Jews were stunned by God's acceptance of Gentiles into His eternal plan and kingdom. When we all get right down to it, God's selection factor and standards are totally different from ours. If we realized the people He picked to become man and woman of God, we will realized that among them there are Murderers (Moses and Paul), there are Scheming people like Jacob, there are people that commit adultery (David) and many more. Look at the 12 that He chose. None are perfect. In His eyes, who cares Jews or Gentiles?
Applying this to us today, God is forgiving in a way that makes Him and equal-opportunity God. You and I are people that are created in His image and guess what, we are then re-created to live FOR Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).
I wish to tell you from the bottom of my heart, our cell is made up of every kind of people. Some lack this, others lack that. Can I find someone in our cell that is perfect? I guess I just asked a rhetorical question. Of course not! And I would not even bother to look for one perfect person when I have already found the One that I can follow and learn from for eternity. Each of us are made the way He made us, and it does not matter whether we have this or we lack this and that person has this and we do not have. What matters is how much can we give of what we have to Him.
I am glad to be in a cell where everyone's goodness complement the other person's weakness. That is what brothers and sisters are for. May we practice the same kind of graciousness and acceptance that our Father shows.
I am not with you guys back home now, but I sense in me that there are people that may need a reassuring reception, an open heart and maybe even, just an open arm and an open ear. Praying for all of you. And I will be here to offer mine to you all as well.
With Love,
Chris
Can someone pls refresh me about the name of our cell? Is it call "The Cell"? It slipped my mind. So sorry.
I am so happy when Kevin told me about what happened at overnight prayer. It is truly an exciting moment that God is moving in COOS and in each of our lives. I pray that all of us will catch the wind of the holy spirit as it flows through each of us.
May I humbly extend a simple sharing with you all today? I am not sure how busy everyone of you are right now, but I believe all of you guys are extremely busy with a lot of work and final exams coming. Likewise over here for me. Just had 4 mid-terms and I got another 2 more next week and 2 reports and assignments to submit. But all these are just secondary in our lives. That is what I choose to believe and have been convicted about because everything here is temporal. If He rewards us by honoring Him first, everything else can take a step back. I am "greedy" for the reward that is in Heaven and it is the one thing I will pursue, above all the things of this temporal world we are in.
I know Daddy is looking after every single one of you and I am very thankful for that. I wish to share something that I just feel in me, that will encourage all of you as much as it has encouraged me tremendously. Something in me just clicked and directed my attention to our cell when I read this passage from the Bible.
In Acts 10, the entire chapter, we witness something very amazing. It is the story of Cornelius calling on Peter. But the part that caught my attention is the part whereby Peter realized the fairness our God has. In Acts 10, we know very clearly that Jews never mix with the Gentiles. But in the eyes of our Father, He sees it differently. In verse 34, Peter is enlightened. "I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism, but accepts those from every nation who fear Him and do what is right."
In verse 45, it reads, "The circumcised believers (OUCH!) who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on the Gentiles."
The Jews were stunned by God's acceptance of Gentiles into His eternal plan and kingdom. When we all get right down to it, God's selection factor and standards are totally different from ours. If we realized the people He picked to become man and woman of God, we will realized that among them there are Murderers (Moses and Paul), there are Scheming people like Jacob, there are people that commit adultery (David) and many more. Look at the 12 that He chose. None are perfect. In His eyes, who cares Jews or Gentiles?
Applying this to us today, God is forgiving in a way that makes Him and equal-opportunity God. You and I are people that are created in His image and guess what, we are then re-created to live FOR Him (2 Corinthians 5:17).
I wish to tell you from the bottom of my heart, our cell is made up of every kind of people. Some lack this, others lack that. Can I find someone in our cell that is perfect? I guess I just asked a rhetorical question. Of course not! And I would not even bother to look for one perfect person when I have already found the One that I can follow and learn from for eternity. Each of us are made the way He made us, and it does not matter whether we have this or we lack this and that person has this and we do not have. What matters is how much can we give of what we have to Him.
I am glad to be in a cell where everyone's goodness complement the other person's weakness. That is what brothers and sisters are for. May we practice the same kind of graciousness and acceptance that our Father shows.
I am not with you guys back home now, but I sense in me that there are people that may need a reassuring reception, an open heart and maybe even, just an open arm and an open ear. Praying for all of you. And I will be here to offer mine to you all as well.
With Love,
Chris
Thursday, November 8, 2007
overnight prayer
hey chris, overnight prayer was great... Pastor Derric and Darren went to Redding too so they gave us some pointers and catered time to soak in the presence of God... juz relax and hear His voice...
then we prayed fer church, each other and others... there was also art ministry... ppl drew according to wad HS spoke to them... confirmations of God's love keep appearing and also opening of heaven and pouring out of HS... mainly a time of refreshment and revival... worship was great as well... snacks were gd also =p wish u were with us =)
love,
kev
then we prayed fer church, each other and others... there was also art ministry... ppl drew according to wad HS spoke to them... confirmations of God's love keep appearing and also opening of heaven and pouring out of HS... mainly a time of refreshment and revival... worship was great as well... snacks were gd also =p wish u were with us =)
love,
kev
Serving Our King...
Hey dear cellmates,
How was overnight prayer? Oh man so exciting!!! Did u all pray up a storm? I am so excited to hear about the things that you all presented to Daddy. Share with me if you guys are willing ok? Guess many are still sleeping yeah? Wish I can join you all at overnight prayer man, but yeah, will pray over here in US for now. It is 12 degrees now as I am typing this entry. Hope many of you are doing well. May His love, joy, peace, blessing continue to overflow in your lives.
Speaking of prayer, a thought came to me. Do we all love to pray and intercede for others? Intercede means to intervene on behalf of another person. And I believe sometimes and in fact many times, it is because the other person has lost his or her own capability to pray for himself or herself, or does not even want to pray for himself or herself at all or maybe doesn't even know Christ. I was wondering, why does Daddy give us a privilege to be intercessors, to intervene on one's behalf? If God is so big, so strong and so mighty and that there is nothing our God cannot do, then why does He still make use of us to help intervene and pray for the other person? He could have easily just handle it Himself. God could have just solve the other person's issues with a click of his hands. He is God.
But I believe it is the manifestation of Him to others, THRU us that delights Him most. That when we all pick up the privilege to partner with Him, and thru us, people see the love of Christ that flows out of us for them. A helping hand, a quiet prayer for someone in need, a request to pray for the other person, or even praying up a storm for issues of this world and His people, I believe He delights in giving us the privilege to partner with Him. After all, we are His Sons and Daughters for a reason.
I think Daddy God chose to let us have the privilege to pray for others for the same reason that He chose not to preach the gospel, but instead to have us do so. He chose to let His creation enjoy the privilege to serve Him and thru this service, we ourselves see His miracles and powers when He partners up with us.
Pastor Bill Johnson said something so true. "Service with purpose affirms identity." We are indeed called to be at His service and thru this service we have found our identity. We are of Royal Blood. And the best part is, often times, we not only just serve Him, we work WITHHim and serve WITH Him.
That is the best part of this Service. We get to serve WITH the person we serve...for eternity. What a privilege...
How was overnight prayer? Oh man so exciting!!! Did u all pray up a storm? I am so excited to hear about the things that you all presented to Daddy. Share with me if you guys are willing ok? Guess many are still sleeping yeah? Wish I can join you all at overnight prayer man, but yeah, will pray over here in US for now. It is 12 degrees now as I am typing this entry. Hope many of you are doing well. May His love, joy, peace, blessing continue to overflow in your lives.
Speaking of prayer, a thought came to me. Do we all love to pray and intercede for others? Intercede means to intervene on behalf of another person. And I believe sometimes and in fact many times, it is because the other person has lost his or her own capability to pray for himself or herself, or does not even want to pray for himself or herself at all or maybe doesn't even know Christ. I was wondering, why does Daddy give us a privilege to be intercessors, to intervene on one's behalf? If God is so big, so strong and so mighty and that there is nothing our God cannot do, then why does He still make use of us to help intervene and pray for the other person? He could have easily just handle it Himself. God could have just solve the other person's issues with a click of his hands. He is God.
But I believe it is the manifestation of Him to others, THRU us that delights Him most. That when we all pick up the privilege to partner with Him, and thru us, people see the love of Christ that flows out of us for them. A helping hand, a quiet prayer for someone in need, a request to pray for the other person, or even praying up a storm for issues of this world and His people, I believe He delights in giving us the privilege to partner with Him. After all, we are His Sons and Daughters for a reason.
I think Daddy God chose to let us have the privilege to pray for others for the same reason that He chose not to preach the gospel, but instead to have us do so. He chose to let His creation enjoy the privilege to serve Him and thru this service, we ourselves see His miracles and powers when He partners up with us.
Pastor Bill Johnson said something so true. "Service with purpose affirms identity." We are indeed called to be at His service and thru this service we have found our identity. We are of Royal Blood. And the best part is, often times, we not only just serve Him, we work WITHHim and serve WITH Him.
That is the best part of this Service. We get to serve WITH the person we serve...for eternity. What a privilege...
Wednesday, November 7, 2007
uploadin pics
hey chris... when u create a new post u can find this icon:
click on the one pointed by the red arrow and follow the instructions aft tat...
well done fer being sensitive to Dad, the ppl ard u and also prayin fer the 2 guys =)
love,
kev
click on the one pointed by the red arrow and follow the instructions aft tat...
well done fer being sensitive to Dad, the ppl ard u and also prayin fer the 2 guys =)
love,
kev
His Smile...
Hello dear cellmates,
How's it going for you all today? I guess you all are in the heat of projects and deadlines right now yeah? Getting ready for reading week and final exams already too I presume? Likewise over here in USA, it is the same. Lots of pop quizzes and mid-term exams. I just finished 4 exams and 2 more coming up next week. Then it is left with 3 more assignments, 2 more reports and then Final exams before I fly back to see you all again. Persevere for the last leg ok? You all can do it. Praying for all of you from here in US.
Today, while taking the bus home, I stood behind 2 down-syndrome guys. They were sitted with each other and they were basically behaving not very normally because of their deficiency. I sat eyes on them and at that moment, a voice spoke in my heart. I started looking around and I saw everyone on the bus not looking at them and just having blank faces on them. Some were reading, some were chatting, some were just staring into blank space. I looked back at the 2 guys and I saw the 2 of them smiling away. They were playing with each other's fingers and snapping away, and one was digging his nose. And laughing away.
Sounds a bit weird I suppose? Not to God at all. In my heart, I heard Him say, "I love them a lot you know". I fought hard to contain the tears in my eyes. In a bus filled with people, many having empty faces and blank faces, there are 2 guys, most likely looked down upon by everyone, yet it is them who have the most beautiful smiles. I smiled with tears in my eyes, when I saw them smile cause I know our Father in Heaven is smiling down at them too.
At that moment I prayed for healing for them in Jesus name, that this syndrome will be gone in Jesus name. I believe the healing has taken place in their lives and thru this, our Father showed me today, that when the world thinks you are different, our Father still love us for our difference. The smile on the faces of these 2 guys, spoke deeply to me. As we all go thru our daily lives, as we encounter lots of stress and trials, especially right now for many of us, whether in work, or studies, do take some time to remember the smile on God's face when He sees His children still loving Him and loving others. To people, these 2 guys may be weird, but to Jesus, they are His treasure.
Keep loving the people around you. Whether if it is the "hard-to-work-with" project mate, the irritating friend, someone who made you frustrated, even someone whom totally betrayed you, He still loves them. And as His disciples, we can too with Him with us.
God smiles too from Heaven...at us, each and everyday. When He knows we all are doing things that make Him happy, He smiles. When our gifts illuminate Him and help His people, He beams! When we love those that this world thinks do not deserved to be loved, He gleams!
May we spend a lifetime making Him proud.
Love,
Chris
How's it going for you all today? I guess you all are in the heat of projects and deadlines right now yeah? Getting ready for reading week and final exams already too I presume? Likewise over here in USA, it is the same. Lots of pop quizzes and mid-term exams. I just finished 4 exams and 2 more coming up next week. Then it is left with 3 more assignments, 2 more reports and then Final exams before I fly back to see you all again. Persevere for the last leg ok? You all can do it. Praying for all of you from here in US.
Today, while taking the bus home, I stood behind 2 down-syndrome guys. They were sitted with each other and they were basically behaving not very normally because of their deficiency. I sat eyes on them and at that moment, a voice spoke in my heart. I started looking around and I saw everyone on the bus not looking at them and just having blank faces on them. Some were reading, some were chatting, some were just staring into blank space. I looked back at the 2 guys and I saw the 2 of them smiling away. They were playing with each other's fingers and snapping away, and one was digging his nose. And laughing away.
Sounds a bit weird I suppose? Not to God at all. In my heart, I heard Him say, "I love them a lot you know". I fought hard to contain the tears in my eyes. In a bus filled with people, many having empty faces and blank faces, there are 2 guys, most likely looked down upon by everyone, yet it is them who have the most beautiful smiles. I smiled with tears in my eyes, when I saw them smile cause I know our Father in Heaven is smiling down at them too.
At that moment I prayed for healing for them in Jesus name, that this syndrome will be gone in Jesus name. I believe the healing has taken place in their lives and thru this, our Father showed me today, that when the world thinks you are different, our Father still love us for our difference. The smile on the faces of these 2 guys, spoke deeply to me. As we all go thru our daily lives, as we encounter lots of stress and trials, especially right now for many of us, whether in work, or studies, do take some time to remember the smile on God's face when He sees His children still loving Him and loving others. To people, these 2 guys may be weird, but to Jesus, they are His treasure.
Keep loving the people around you. Whether if it is the "hard-to-work-with" project mate, the irritating friend, someone who made you frustrated, even someone whom totally betrayed you, He still loves them. And as His disciples, we can too with Him with us.
God smiles too from Heaven...at us, each and everyday. When He knows we all are doing things that make Him happy, He smiles. When our gifts illuminate Him and help His people, He beams! When we love those that this world thinks do not deserved to be loved, He gleams!
May we spend a lifetime making Him proud.
Love,
Chris
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
STEPHEN.
Hello beloved Cell.
I am not sure if this is alright with you all but I just wish to share with you guys, some insights that Daddy gives me every day while i am here in USA. I mean I believe it is the least I can do while I am here and still stay connected with you all. And it is something that is really in my heart, to just share the things He has taught me to bless you all and in anyways I can be of help to you all, do let me know ok? SMILES
I was reading Acts 6-7 and the verses from chapter 7 verses 54-60 really spoke to me. It is the stoning of Stephen. If you do a study on Stephen, he is a man of dignity and guts. This guy has guts. He understood the situation he is in when he makes his speech to the Sanhedrin. Yet he has a deep trust in God. In the light of this confidence in Him, death seems like a small matter. He spoke with conviction, and most likely he knows what he is getting himself into. He is risking his own life when he made the speech in Acts 7. Why did he do that? I propose, that clearly he knows this message is worth the risk. So much so that he placed his life on the line.
And he paid the sacrifice. The members of the Sanhedrin reacted to his speech in Act 7:54-60. He made them very angry and he knew he will be facing the consequences. What did he do? He looked up to heaven. Stephen did not back down, he did not try to appease the people and hope to soften the blow that was about to come. He stood his ground. He looked beyond his immediate circumstances to what lay ahead. He knew his reward is in heaven. That is what gave him the courage to move ahead.
I noticed in verse 58, there is a man watching. SAUL, who later became the apostle Paul. I propose that when Stephen prayed and said, "Lord Jesus, do not hold this sin against them", I believe Saul was listening. And it had an impact on him too.
Do we stand up for Jesus in times when our faith is being challenged? I wonder when will our moment of truth come, where we are placed in a situation, be it standing up and walk away because some of our friends are talking about things that are really not correct, or when we are in the middle of gossips, or to bigger issues like defending our faith. I wonder when it does, will all of us be able to face it with the courage and faithfulness of Stephen, regardless of the personal cost that will be incurred upon us.
We are all in the same boat. Daily, we will face times when we have to stand firm and not backdown. May we all learn from Stephen with the strength that our God in Heaven has given us.
Love you all,
Chris
I am not sure if this is alright with you all but I just wish to share with you guys, some insights that Daddy gives me every day while i am here in USA. I mean I believe it is the least I can do while I am here and still stay connected with you all. And it is something that is really in my heart, to just share the things He has taught me to bless you all and in anyways I can be of help to you all, do let me know ok? SMILES
I was reading Acts 6-7 and the verses from chapter 7 verses 54-60 really spoke to me. It is the stoning of Stephen. If you do a study on Stephen, he is a man of dignity and guts. This guy has guts. He understood the situation he is in when he makes his speech to the Sanhedrin. Yet he has a deep trust in God. In the light of this confidence in Him, death seems like a small matter. He spoke with conviction, and most likely he knows what he is getting himself into. He is risking his own life when he made the speech in Acts 7. Why did he do that? I propose, that clearly he knows this message is worth the risk. So much so that he placed his life on the line.
And he paid the sacrifice. The members of the Sanhedrin reacted to his speech in Act 7:54-60. He made them very angry and he knew he will be facing the consequences. What did he do? He looked up to heaven. Stephen did not back down, he did not try to appease the people and hope to soften the blow that was about to come. He stood his ground. He looked beyond his immediate circumstances to what lay ahead. He knew his reward is in heaven. That is what gave him the courage to move ahead.
I noticed in verse 58, there is a man watching. SAUL, who later became the apostle Paul. I propose that when Stephen prayed and said, "Lord Jesus, do not hold this sin against them", I believe Saul was listening. And it had an impact on him too.
Do we stand up for Jesus in times when our faith is being challenged? I wonder when will our moment of truth come, where we are placed in a situation, be it standing up and walk away because some of our friends are talking about things that are really not correct, or when we are in the middle of gossips, or to bigger issues like defending our faith. I wonder when it does, will all of us be able to face it with the courage and faithfulness of Stephen, regardless of the personal cost that will be incurred upon us.
We are all in the same boat. Daily, we will face times when we have to stand firm and not backdown. May we all learn from Stephen with the strength that our God in Heaven has given us.
Love you all,
Chris
Monday, November 5, 2007
Something to encourage everyone...
Hello my dear beloved cellmates,
Greetings from USA! :)
I have something to share with you all that really struck a chord in me, and I pray it will do the same in you all too.
Do all of us have desires and wishes deep inside our hearts? Desire to see things change, desires to improve and be a better person etc etc?
Well, let us see our desires as gifts to heed rather than longings to suppress, and we will feel the joy to pursue our desires. We must learn to constantly ask ourselves, what have we always done WELL and what have we loved to do? Many may find this question rather simple. Many may ask, don't we need to measure something or take some tests in order to find out what we are go at? Yes that may be true to a certain extent. Yes, people may consult teachers, take many "discover your gifts" kind of tests. I do not deny that many of these might aid us in our search for what we do best and what we love to do. But while these may aid us, I believe a simpler answer lies before us. Or should I say, it lies WITHIN us.
Max Lucado said "The oak indwells the acorn. Read your life BACKWARDS and check your supplies." What has Daddy placed in you? Re-relish your moments of success and moments when you find satisfaction. For in the merger of these 2, we all will find our uniqueness.
I believe each of us have that unique gift God placed in us and many of us have the potential to exercise that gift. May all of us turn that potential into reality and may that potential become actions of Faith. Love you guys.
Regards,
Chris
Greetings from USA! :)
I have something to share with you all that really struck a chord in me, and I pray it will do the same in you all too.
Do all of us have desires and wishes deep inside our hearts? Desire to see things change, desires to improve and be a better person etc etc?
Well, let us see our desires as gifts to heed rather than longings to suppress, and we will feel the joy to pursue our desires. We must learn to constantly ask ourselves, what have we always done WELL and what have we loved to do? Many may find this question rather simple. Many may ask, don't we need to measure something or take some tests in order to find out what we are go at? Yes that may be true to a certain extent. Yes, people may consult teachers, take many "discover your gifts" kind of tests. I do not deny that many of these might aid us in our search for what we do best and what we love to do. But while these may aid us, I believe a simpler answer lies before us. Or should I say, it lies WITHIN us.
Max Lucado said "The oak indwells the acorn. Read your life BACKWARDS and check your supplies." What has Daddy placed in you? Re-relish your moments of success and moments when you find satisfaction. For in the merger of these 2, we all will find our uniqueness.
I believe each of us have that unique gift God placed in us and many of us have the potential to exercise that gift. May all of us turn that potential into reality and may that potential become actions of Faith. Love you guys.
Regards,
Chris
Sunday, November 4, 2007
Internship!
Hi guys I begin my internship tmr and would appreciate if u guys could pray for me! For God's favour, for lovely colleagues and for me to enjoy what I do. I'm kinda nervous right now so yeah please pray for me THANK YOOOOOOUUUUUUUUUU :-D
To every beloved cell mate
Dear Cell,
This is my first entry, right here in USA. I am not really into blogging. Prefer writing and sharing in person but something just stirred me up to write this entry. First of all, I just wish to say from the bottom of my heart, I miss you guys a lot. It has been 2 months since I am here. How time really fly by yeah? By His grace, I am still going strong but believe me, being here accepting His challenge and coming here out of obedience is one of the toughest challenges I have faced. But God has showed me so many things here and even when my walk with Him is really low, He never stopped pursuing me. Life here is extremely different from life in Singapore. Without familiarity and being placed here in a foreign country has indeed made me lot more independent and mature in my thinking. The molding process is tough and it is getting tougher but His mercies are always new every single morning. He taught me what it really means to FAST from familiarity. To be brought out from my familiar world and see the world that His heart is beating for. The morals here are just really bad. He showed me things that made me understand, what He meant when He said, we are in this world but not of this world. To truly stand firm in your beliefs in Him costs you a price. My price, is being outcasted. But still I will always stand firm and challenge their mindset and beliefs, of simple issues like "Is it ok to have sex before marriage?", "Must 2 person really be married?", "Gay & Lesbian" Issues, to other issues like "Is there really a God?". Each day brings new challenges for me, each day I realized how tough it is to love someone that does not deserve to be loved, and each day, the meaning of worship becomes deeper and deeper. By His grace, He held onto me and He still does every single day.
To everyone of you, thank you for your prayers and for being there for me. I have an immense amount of things to share with you all and if I have that privilege, I will humbly do so. I am excited to come back and join you guys again, excited to continue the process of caring for you all and growing friendships with you all once again. May His blessings be poured out upon every single one of you each and everyday. Remember, never ever sway a single bit from the values and beliefs that Jesus has taught us ok? Even if it costs you a big price cause no price is bigger than the one He has paid, for us. Love you all. You are in my prayers. God bless!
Love,
Chris
P.S: I just have a simple picture I took in my hostel room for you all. Bless you!
This is my first entry, right here in USA. I am not really into blogging. Prefer writing and sharing in person but something just stirred me up to write this entry. First of all, I just wish to say from the bottom of my heart, I miss you guys a lot. It has been 2 months since I am here. How time really fly by yeah? By His grace, I am still going strong but believe me, being here accepting His challenge and coming here out of obedience is one of the toughest challenges I have faced. But God has showed me so many things here and even when my walk with Him is really low, He never stopped pursuing me. Life here is extremely different from life in Singapore. Without familiarity and being placed here in a foreign country has indeed made me lot more independent and mature in my thinking. The molding process is tough and it is getting tougher but His mercies are always new every single morning. He taught me what it really means to FAST from familiarity. To be brought out from my familiar world and see the world that His heart is beating for. The morals here are just really bad. He showed me things that made me understand, what He meant when He said, we are in this world but not of this world. To truly stand firm in your beliefs in Him costs you a price. My price, is being outcasted. But still I will always stand firm and challenge their mindset and beliefs, of simple issues like "Is it ok to have sex before marriage?", "Must 2 person really be married?", "Gay & Lesbian" Issues, to other issues like "Is there really a God?". Each day brings new challenges for me, each day I realized how tough it is to love someone that does not deserve to be loved, and each day, the meaning of worship becomes deeper and deeper. By His grace, He held onto me and He still does every single day.
To everyone of you, thank you for your prayers and for being there for me. I have an immense amount of things to share with you all and if I have that privilege, I will humbly do so. I am excited to come back and join you guys again, excited to continue the process of caring for you all and growing friendships with you all once again. May His blessings be poured out upon every single one of you each and everyday. Remember, never ever sway a single bit from the values and beliefs that Jesus has taught us ok? Even if it costs you a big price cause no price is bigger than the one He has paid, for us. Love you all. You are in my prayers. God bless!
Love,
Chris
P.S: I just have a simple picture I took in my hostel room for you all. Bless you!
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