Young? No problem!

1 Timothy 4:12
v12 Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Does being young give you an excuse to disobey God's Word? Does being young give you an excuse to push all blames away? Does being young means you cannot do great things for God? NO! So what if you are young? You can still do great things for God! You still have to obey His commandments! You will still be judged for your sin! So live your life that pleases God! The younger generation will say what a good example you are. While the older generation will be ashamed of their own behaviour. So who says being young means you are useless? Think about it! Then act! God bless!

Will you?

1 Timothy 2:1-4
v1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone—
v2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.
v3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior,
v4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

v1-2 just shows how prayer should be done. And it shows that prayer pleases God. However, the main point is in verse4.

God our Savior, who wants ALL MEN to be SAVED and to come to a knowledge of the truth. God wants you to know Him! Every single one of you! No matter what you do for a living, no matter how tall or short you are, how fat or skinny, how rich or poor you are, God wants to save YOU! He wants you to be in Heaven with Him! The only problem is, will you accept His help? Will you allow Him to change your life for the better? Will you let Him be your Lord your God?

If you want, say out this prayer with me. If you do not, close this screen NOW! I am serious!

Dear Heavenly Father, i want to accept you as my Lord and Savior today. Please enter my life and forgive me of my sins. Let the Holy Spirit guide me and lead me. I thank you for sending your one and only Son Jesus to die on the cross to wash my sins away. And i also thank you for letting me be your child even though i do not deserve it. In Jesus Name i pray. Amen!

Start the love!

Ever felt you were unloved? Or no one really cares for you? Do you sometimes feel alone? Do you sometimes also people to love you?



If you feel like the above, here is what you can do. Why not start loving others? If everyone were to ask why nobody love me, then who would be the one loving others? Why not YOU start spreading the love? Love others as God has loved you. Love is the greatest commandment from God. Love others because God wants you to, NOT because you want to get attention/loved back or more.

Mark 12:29-31
v29 "The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one.
v30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.'
v31 The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these."

Remember, love others because it is pleasing to God! Not because you want attention! God bless!

Faith.

Faith:
1) belief that is not based on proof: He had faith that the hypothesis would be substantiated by fact.
2) confidence or trust in a person or thing: faith in another's ability.

I have seen a quote before, i can not really remember where. If you know, please tell me so i can give the credit. This quote is NOT mine. "Believing in something unseen is faith, believing something that can be seen is knowledge." This is very true! When you say where is God? I can not see Him. Then where is your faith?! If God were to show Himself to everyone, then it is knowledge and not having faith in God! Then how do we separate those who truly love God and those who do not? So STOP doubting! The Lord our God EXISTS! He is the one and only God! Though we may not see Him, have faith! So stay strong in your faith, because one day, you are going to meet Him in Heaven! God bless you!

2 Corinthians 4:18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

Touched

Today, i have learnt about many things this week and i have seen things in different ways. I have really experienced God's wonderful grace and perfect planning. It is AMAZING how God works everything out. All it does is for me to obey. I learnt a lot, and i thank God for providing me with many sources to walk closer with Him! Thank you!

My question to you is, have you been obeying God? Have you been listening to Him? If not, i encourage you, OBEY HIM! Love him with all your heart. And TRUST Him in everything! Even when we think things are getting bad, TRUST Him!

Praise God! =)

100th post!

2 Thessalonians 1:5-7
v5 All this is evidence that God's judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering.
v6 God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you
v7 and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.

This tells us that God is JUST! God will not judge anyone with favouritism and He is ALWAYS right. It also says that whatever you suffer for Christ, God will reward you for it. So stay strong! Do not give up! It also says that God will always protect you, comfort you and always be there when you need Him. He NEVER fails. You may not feel His presence, but He is there!

God bless!

Something that struck me in 1 Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 5:12-18
v12 Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you.
v13 Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.
v14 And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
v15 Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.
v16 Be joyful always;
v17 pray continually;
v18 give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.

admonish
1.to caution, advise, or counsel against something.
2.to reprove or scold, esp. in a mild and good-willed manner: The teacher admonished him about excessive noise.
3.to urge to a duty; remind: to admonish them about their obligations.

v12 says respect those who serve God faithfully in His ministry. And to respect those who are walking closer to God. It does not say age or name or race. It says ANYONE who is closer to God. Respect them, and listen for advice from them. Then you will also grow closer with the Lord.

v13-14 Love one another and be an encourager to your friends. However, i urge you to encourage them appropriately. Giving the wrong type of encouragement can be destructive to the person. Encourage him/her in the right way.

v15 Simple, do not bear grudges. Always forgive.

v16-18 Always pray and always give thanks to the Lord for EVERYTHING good or bad. For the Lord always give you the BEST!

God bless!

Suffer your own actions.

Colossians 3:25 Anyone who does wrong will be repaid for his wrong, and there is no favoritism.

Lately i have realised a trend. One would usually say "That guy/girl hit me for no reason!" or something like that. Then i would ask them, "Does it matter what wrong they did to you?" I agree that you will feel hurt, maybe betrayed and more. But after that, what else do you want to do? Hit them back? Have revenge? If so, what difference are you from him/her who did u wrong? NONE! Let me tell you, God will punish those who did wrong. According to HIS/HER OWN actions. God will do the punishing for you. But, if you take revenge, God will ALSO punish you! THERE IS NO FAVORITISM! For Christians or non-Christians, God will treat all the same! You will have to take the punishment for your own actions! Therefore, i urge you! Forgive! It is OK to be bullied. For you know, God will NEVER forsake you! He will bring you through all your difficulties. Trust in Him and all will be provided for you! God bless!

Slave!

Romans 7:24-25
24What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death?
25Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.


For your info, the writer is Paul. Notice i underlined the word 'slave'. When i read this, i asked myself. "Why did he say that? Was he actually doing God's work out of the sake of doing it? Was he actually reluctant to do?" Then i checked up the definition of slave.

Slave - a person who is the property of and wholly subject to another

The explanation "wholly subject to another" solved my question. Paul was not whining or showing his grudge against God. He was saying that he is totally under God's law. He does not obey the world's law but only God's law. 100% without doubt. He does not care if he is tortured or even killed if he does God's works. He only obeys God!

This made me think, do we obey God's law wholeheartedly like Paul? Or do we give up or surrender when someone tells you that you can be jailed for obeying God or even killed. It made me realise, i am still not a slave to God's law. But i want to be! God, make me a slave of your law! I am willing! Have a God blessed day!

Action!

Philippians 4:8-9
v8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.
v9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Verse 8 says think about everything good. Everything that is worthy of God's name. It does not say think about sin, or unholy things like lust, porn, violence and etc. We usually act according to what we think. If we keep thinking of righteous and holy things, we will be filled with it and our actions will show. If we are filled with violence and lust, our actions will also show (pervert or mad).

Verse 9 says that whatever we learn that is holy and good, we put into action. NOT keep it to our self. It is to put it to ACTION. It means practice what we learn. If we keep what we learn to our self, there is NO point in learning! So practice what we learn! Always be aware of your actions. I will be learning with you! Let us work hard to always practice what we learn. And as we will learn forever, we practice forever. At least till we die. God bless!

What do we first pray about?

What do we first pray about?

What i thought: "Pray for others and the church." Why? "To pray for blessings upon them." Why do you pray? "To talk more to God and be closer to Him."
(notice it is a conversation type)

However i was WRONG! What is the purpose of praying? It is to talk to God and to be closer with Him. Then why do we pray for other things before we can get closer to Him? Why not pray for that first? If you are spiritually weak or your walk with God is not close, how is it possible for you to pray about other things? Only when you are spiritually strong, will you be able to pray for others.

Therefore, pray for YOURSELF first. Build your relationship with God! When your walk with God is close, when you feel spiritually strong. Spread it to those who are in need. Pray for others, pray for your church, pray for your leaders. Pray for those who are hurt and in need. Basically pray for everything! Do not keep anything that God has blessed you with extra. Spread the love to others! God bless u!

Going deeper.

Recently, my spiritual walk was sort of "smooth" and was spiritually filled. Very eager to learn God's Word and so on. However today shavinn said something which was very unexpected yet meaningful. SUPER unexpected (SUPER is an understatement). I learnt to question deeper into things. Learn things not by quantity but quality. Not to question the faith i have in God. It is NOT to question the faith. It is to really to know the true meaning of things and experience it. THAT is when i will grow more deeper. It is time to get out of my comfort zone. Time to take this challenge just to know more about God! God bless!

Serving & Obedience

Philippians 2:5-8
5Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:
6Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped,
7but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness.
8And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death— even death on a cross!


You may want to read this post before you begin. (click here)

Look at verse 6, Jesus came down to earth as a human being. Though Jesus was also God, He came down in the form of a human being. Not some mystical creature or some bright light. But as a human being, so that He can show us the meaning of humility. Jesus was powerful, yet He became a servant. To serve us. This shows that, we are on this earth to serve and NOT to be served. We should be servants for God. We must act in humility like Jesus Christ and serve others. Putting our pride away. Hard, but necessary.

Verse 8, "... he humbled himself and became obedient to death -- even death on a cross!" Jesus obeyed the Father all the way to death. In the same way, we should obey God, even if it means we have to die. Obedience is very crucial and very important in our walk with God. Obedience is something we all need to learn and apply it in our life.

Have a God blessed day! =D

God's full armor! =D

Ephesians 6:11-17
v11 Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes.
v12 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. v13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.
v14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,
v15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.
v16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.
v17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

When i read verse 12, i really connected with it. When i ask myself "Why am i afraid to spread the gospel to people?" The answer is "Scared i will get rejected, scared they will say i am not being sensitive." It is true i need to be sensitive, yet being over-sensitive or afraid causes me to disobey God. Especially when Singapore is a multi-racial society. It actually provides a lot of restrictions. In this world, we are not trying to 'kill' one another. We are actually fighting against people who have the power to torture/harm us (e.g. put us to jail). This is because we are afraid of being tortured by them! At least i am... And of course, the constant spiritual warfare that is always ongoing.

So how do we stand firm, and not be 'destroyed' by our enemies. We msut have:
1) Truth
2) Righteousness
3) Gospel of peace
4) Faith
5) Salvation
6) Word of God

God bless you! =)

Transparency

Ephesians 5:11-14
v11 Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.
v12 For it is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret.
v13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible,
v14 for it is light that makes everything visible. This is why it is said:
"Wake up, O sleeper,
rise from the dead,
and Christ will shine on you."

Here it says to have NOTHING to do with darkness. It means do not even go near it or even be in it. Stay clear from sin. We WILL continue to sin, but we must do ALL our best to stop sinning. It also says fruitless deeds. Whatever we do will be judged by God when we die. Whatever that we do that is pleasing to God gives us eternal treasure. While everything not pleasing (sins) will NOT give us eternal treasure. Therefore, it is fruitless.

We must be work to be open to everyone. All our dirty secrets should be exposed. If you are afraid of being exposed, you will work hard to stop doing sinful stuff. Simple as that. Jesus Christ has died on the cross and rose again to save us! He gave us life, so that we may shine for Him. Let us shine for God and glorify His precious name! Praise God!

Are our actions showing what is in our heart?

Isaiah 29:13
v13 "These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me"

When i read verse, i had this weird feeling in me. It struck me very strongly. Notice 'Me' is God speaking. We do things for God and we worship Him. We praise Him and give thanks with everything we do. But does our heart feels the same way? One example. When we say grace to give thanks for the food, are we really thankful? When we say 'God, i love you!', does our heart really say that?

Another thing is being involved in the ministry. When we serve God and do many things, are we doing it out of love and passion for God OR is it out of the sake of doing it? Do we serve in a structured and cold way? If you are, you are doing it for the WRONG reason. We should serve God because we LOVE Him!

It is time for me to reflect once again... God bless you!

All you have to do is TRY!

Galatians 5:24
v24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires.

In this verse it just says that if you are in Christ, all your sinful nature has died if you desire to stop sinning. You DO NOT have to totally stop sinning to be saved. In fact, you CANNOT stop sinning! What God really wants is for you to do YOUR best to stop sinning. Do not compare yourself with others. God NEVER judge you by comparing with someone else. God just wants you to have the desire to stop sinning. As long as you do that, God is happy. This is a very simple message, but the question is, "Are you willing to take the first step to stop sinning for GOD?"

Surrendering our all.

Surrender:
1) to give (oneself) up,
2) to give (oneself) up to some influence, course, emotion, etc.
3) to give up, abandon, or relinquish (comfort, hope, etc.)

When we say we surrender our all to God, it is really giving up everything. It is not only when we are in good times, or being blessed with everything. It is also praising God when God takes everything from us. EVERYTHING. Even to the extend that we lose our close friends/ family members. It is praising God even when you are sad or depressed. Praising God when you lose your job or had a fight with your close friends. It is praising God when EVERYTHING goes wrong in your day. THAT is surrendering your ALL.

For me, it is very hard to surrender my all. Although i have always tell God i want to surrender my all, i always fail. I am still attached to this world. But i am working hard to really surrendering it all. I know that God will not let us suffer for no reason, in fact, God wants the best for us and DO NOT want us to suffer. God allows satan to tempt us and test us so that we will grow closer to Him. Trials and temptations brings perseverance. Perseverance brings out character. Character brings hope. And God NEVER fails. Allow God to mould you and train you today! The only way that can be done is for us to let Him take control of our lives. Which is surrendering our all to Him. Even our lives. Let God take charge, and wait for a wonderful transformation!

My cell GDP (God's Dwelling Place)

My cell... is AWESOME! Some say we are super quiet, some say weird? But i say, it is the best cell i could ask for. Seeing them grow one by one... AHHHHH! So touching! If you are seeing this, I LOVE YOU! xD Seeing them desiring for Christ. Seeing them trying to be more than they are. It is their desire and their love they have for God even if they are unaware. It is really touching. GDP, I LOVE YOU! Let us all grow in Christ together!

Learnings from Prayer & Power Night (PnP) 12/09/09

If we believe in God, we are ALREADY SAVED! No matter what happens, you will be in Heaven. But this is NOT the issue. The issue is, how have we invested our talents/gifts that God has given us? Only by doing God's works can we receive our REWARD! Our reward is given by what we have done on this earth. It is not judged by comparing with anyone in this universe, but by your capabilities + your choice to respond to God + your decisions in life. If we do not live up to God's expectations, we are the LOSERS! Not God, not your friend, not your family but YOU!

Decisions that do not follow God's will = straw
Decisions that follow God's will = precious gems
In your life, every decisions we make determine if our life will be filled with more STRAW or more PRECIOUS GEMS. When we die, God will judge us. He will use a burning torch and burn everything we have done in this world. Those that are made of straw will be WORTHLESS! However, those that are made of precious gems will be REFINED and it will be given as an offering to God. So let us do God's will, let us be obedient and obey His every command. Let us live our life for God so that we will have more precious gems when we account to God. WE WILL ALL ACCOUNT TO GOD!

God never makes junk! When God called you to be His children, He wants to use you! You are not useless, not worthless, not a waste of resources. You are meant to do His works! Remember, GOD NEVER MAKES JUNK! You are precious in His eyes. Do not let Him down.

Another point i learnt today was this. During this week, i kept complaining to God why He did not do this, why He never do that. Why He never listened to me or help me. Then i was convicted today. We are here to please God, NOT here to ask God to please us. Even if we suffer, we must please God! This is our purpose in life. To PLEASE God! Have you been pleasing God? Or have you been like me, complaining to God about everything?

There is one thing that i have yet to fully understand. "There is ONLY this day and THAT day (when we die and are judged)!" I will think through it!

Before i end, i just want to share something awesome! After the sermon, we had a prayer for healing, and my pain really disappeared! Amen! Praise God!

Weakness!

2 Corinthians 11:30

v30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my weakness

This verse is showing that if we have to boast about things, let it be about our weaknesses so that people can see that it is our God that is being glorified and not us. Our weaknesses will show the need for God! So i would like to share some of my weaknesses. Food, soccer, girls -.- , lack of perseverance. I can only think of these few at this moment. I thank God for guiding me since i was born and has continue to guide me without giving me up. THANK YOU GOD! I pray that we will be open with our weaknesses so that God will be glorified and not us. We are nothing without God. NOTHING! God bless you!

Doubts?

Went to church to study with my cell, GDP (God's Dwelling Place), and ate dinner with them. We talked about the issue on doubts.

Some questions like "Why was Israel first specifically blessed by God?" "Why are there contradictions in the bible or things we do not understand?"

I just thought of this, there are doubts in our minds, but it is because we are using our own understanding and knowledge to read the Word of God. Who are we to question God's plans? Who are we to say that God is showing favouritism or anger or His actions are unholy? God judges us, and NOT we who judge God. Remember that God is perfect, He makes NO mistake! Some doubts are given from the devil, just cast it out and have faith in the Lord our God for He is PERFECT!

CAM Musical 2010

WOOTS! My church is having a Musical Concert on 1-2 April 2010. Long way~~~ But preparations have started :D I have joined as STAGE CREW a.k.a. manual job labourers. HAHA!

There is a few things that I hope we can all pray together about:
1) God's covering on everyone involved as we are doing His works and the devil will try to stop us.
2) Pray that we will not crash and burn.
3) There will be no internal conflicts. United we stand, divided we fall.

For Christians who are still not serving in any ministry, i urge you to join one and serve God. The church needs you regardless of how small you think you are. Without the cleaners, the church is dirty. Without the ushers, who will guide you to the correct place. Without the teachers, who will teach you about God's word? No one is too small for anything. God has made you perfect to serve in whatever ways you can. Stop being shy and do your best for God! God deserves it! God bless!

Illusions

Image by: www.boreme.com/boreme/funny-2007/face-illusions-p1.php

In this world, there are many illusions. Some things may look good, but it is not. So how do we know what is correct and what is wrong? What is good and what is bad? Simple! Just PRAY! Pray and God will guide you and lead you on the right path. Do not see things your way and do not say what is right and wrong with your knowledge. Only God knows what is right and wrong. Ask Him to teach you and mould you. You can start by saying a simple prayer now and wait for your life to change!

I will!

2 Corinthians 7:1
1Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.

It simply just means this: We are given God's promises. We are given salvation and we will have eternal life in heaven! We will never die, NEVER! But, it asks us to purify ourselves from anything that contaminates body and spirit. It means staying away from sin. Like vulgarities, fights, pornography, lying, cheating and etc...

Note: The last part, 'perfecting holiness out of reverence for God.' It is perfectING and not perfect or perfected. It means we are NEVER perfect and we will never be. However, it is a daily process where we have to strive to be as holy as possible. So let us keep on going together! We shall not lose to the the devil!!! Praise God!

Update...

Hmmm i will know explain why i wear until very nice today for those who are curious. I just felt like it. HAHA!

In confusion. I have NO IDEA what God has for me. Now i am just waiting (something i do not like). So yea... My life so far has been kinda weird yet fun, really like a roller coaster (another thing i do not like). So yea.. that is all about it. Love you God! :D

Never out!

2 Corinthians 4:7-12
v7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.
v8 We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;
v9 persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
v10 We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body.
v11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that his life may be revealed in our mortal body.
v12 So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.

I may always fall in the race, but i am never out unless i give up or when the race ends. Well, only when the race ends actually. Because I am NOT going to give up! The world may break my body into pieces but i am constantly growing INSIDE!

God bless you! :D

It is FREE!!!

There is no free lunch in this world! Do you agree? or disagree?



Friendships are not necessarily free. Family love is not necessarily free either. There is nothing in this world that is 100% free EXCEPT God's love! His love is free! It is just there waiting for you to take. The question is, "Do YOU want to receive it?"

I have received it and i am loving every second of it! God bless you! :D

Day 1 of prelims:

Woots today went quite well. At least i hope... I have God! So i am fine with any result i get :D

2 Corinthians 1:7
v7 And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort.


This verse gave me encouragement in a way. It is because from now on, i know that God not only go through with me the happiness/joy of life, He also goes through with me the pain and sufferings i have. He is ALWAYS there!

I hope this has also encourage you. God bless U!

Prelims!!!

Haha! Tomorrow will be the start of the prelims~~ Weeee~~ Will most probably start blogging about the process to see if i am still walking with God. I DO NOT want to neglect God! I need Him so much now! God, i leave my results into your hands! Your will be done your way! Love you God! :)