These few days passed eventfully...
Let's start with sunday: Sports day in school. Kinda fun because quite a lot of people turned up for it, around 8 in all. Had a good time of fellowship and interaction. Thank God for everyone who turned up. :)
Share a testimony here. While i was on the way to school, the sky had darkened and it looked like it will rain. However, by the grace of God, He answered the prayers and the rain only fell by tiny droplets 2 hours after we started the games. Praise God for adjusting the weather in our favour!
When i reach home, i heard someone playing the song "The time has come" by planetshakers. Wah feel veri joyful about it sia, cos it shows more and more people are coming to acknowledge their identity in Christ! Some more its in my neighbourhood! Praise God for all that He had done, is doing, and will be doing in our lives!
The unit had steamboat on Monday. It was a great time of interaction between the two genders (possibly of a third) and thank God for the affirmations from the sisters. Really very creative and well done! And also wanna affirm the guys who put up a crazy show for the sisters, even though most of us are not completely willing in participating before the actual thing.
I lost some money while on the way home. At first kind of sian-ed, but God reminded me of someone in the Bible, his name is J-O-B, Mr Job. Job was Bill Gates of the Old Testament, he owned a lot of cattles and sheeps. When God allowed Satan to take away everything that Job possessed, Job replied, "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." (Job 1:21)
Indeed, sometimes we are sad, depressed or angry when certain problems befall upon us, and we may react like Job's wife, who asks Job to "curse God and die." But, we should always have this understanding that whatever possessions we have, it belonged to God. Even our lives, our souls. God is the sole Creator who gave so freely to us, even His own son. Do we offer thanksgiving to God for everything that He had provided us with? Moreover, do we give freely to others as well, when we are receiving freely from God Himself?
This week will continue to be a busy week. Randall and Joella are going Dubai this friday night, so let us do what we can to encourage and affirm them their decision on making the trip! After that, its someone's birthday this saturday, look out for it! :)
God bless!
Wednesday, 29 October 2008
Saturday, 25 October 2008
Shepherding!
I had shepherding today afternoon, at some ulu corner in fc1 with my dear shepherd. It was a fruitful one, as i learn quite a bit of things from her. Ya just to share a bit of stuffs that she told me to prepare and take note of...
1) Discouragement
We are currently in the harvest season. As we go around sowing or inviting in the campus, we might face some discouragement, and possibly from all sides as we continue to do our work. Discouragement has an adverse effect on the morale of the sowers; an army cannot fight well when their morale is low, and most probably they will end up losing as the battle drags on.
So, what should discouraged people do? As mentioned by Ps. Jeff last week, one way to stay encouraged despite facing discouragements is to stick with encouraging people. Encouraging people are not necessarily people who can identify with your problems/discouragements. They NEED to be able to offer proper advices and encouragements that will provide a way out for you during dire situations. Examples of such people include your spiritual buddies. Remember, we are being put into the same unit, same church by God. All of us are here for a reason, and i believe we can help each other grow and strengthen our faith in God, for the Lord encourages unity. Pick up anyone who has fallen, for we are not gonna leave anyone behind.
(2 Samuel 10:11-12)
(Proverbs 27:17)
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
(Ephesians 4:2-3, 15-16)
Another source, which is essentially more important in deterring discouragement for all believers, is God himself. There will be times in our spiritual walk when we find ourselves in distress, whether its from discouragements or emotions or bad experiences. We try to find someone to share, to divulge our pain and bitterness amidst the suffering we endure, but we couldn't find the right person, or anyone for that matter. It sounds like a double whammy, a perfect tragedy for such coincidence that all conditions form together and you are being left alone to endure your troubles in solitude. Indeed, those times were bad, and painful. But as children of God, we have an ultimate refuge in Jesus himself.
Imagine this: Little kids are enduring a thunderstorm. When they are overcome with fear, they will run to their parents and hide inside their parent's embrace. Did the storm go away immediately? No. But the kids run to their parents, because they knew they will find comfort and refuge inside their parent's arms. Just like us who may be weathering a storm in our lives right now, are we fearful? Do we feel oppressed? If we do, why don't we run to our Father's arms right now? Seek Him, and you shall find refuge and comfort amidst the loud storms.
(Psalm 18:2)
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
(Psalm 36:7)
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
(Nahum 1:7)
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,
1) Discouragement
We are currently in the harvest season. As we go around sowing or inviting in the campus, we might face some discouragement, and possibly from all sides as we continue to do our work. Discouragement has an adverse effect on the morale of the sowers; an army cannot fight well when their morale is low, and most probably they will end up losing as the battle drags on.
So, what should discouraged people do? As mentioned by Ps. Jeff last week, one way to stay encouraged despite facing discouragements is to stick with encouraging people. Encouraging people are not necessarily people who can identify with your problems/discouragements. They NEED to be able to offer proper advices and encouragements that will provide a way out for you during dire situations. Examples of such people include your spiritual buddies. Remember, we are being put into the same unit, same church by God. All of us are here for a reason, and i believe we can help each other grow and strengthen our faith in God, for the Lord encourages unity. Pick up anyone who has fallen, for we are not gonna leave anyone behind.
(2 Samuel 10:11-12)
(Proverbs 27:17)
As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
(Ephesians 4:2-3, 15-16)
Another source, which is essentially more important in deterring discouragement for all believers, is God himself. There will be times in our spiritual walk when we find ourselves in distress, whether its from discouragements or emotions or bad experiences. We try to find someone to share, to divulge our pain and bitterness amidst the suffering we endure, but we couldn't find the right person, or anyone for that matter. It sounds like a double whammy, a perfect tragedy for such coincidence that all conditions form together and you are being left alone to endure your troubles in solitude. Indeed, those times were bad, and painful. But as children of God, we have an ultimate refuge in Jesus himself.
Imagine this: Little kids are enduring a thunderstorm. When they are overcome with fear, they will run to their parents and hide inside their parent's embrace. Did the storm go away immediately? No. But the kids run to their parents, because they knew they will find comfort and refuge inside their parent's arms. Just like us who may be weathering a storm in our lives right now, are we fearful? Do we feel oppressed? If we do, why don't we run to our Father's arms right now? Seek Him, and you shall find refuge and comfort amidst the loud storms.
(Psalm 18:2)
The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
(Psalm 36:7)
How priceless is your unfailing love! Both high and low among men find refuge in the shadow of your wings.
(Nahum 1:7)
The LORD is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him,
Thursday, 23 October 2008
Growth
Our spiritual growth is just like a thermometer, placed in a cold area where the surrounding temperature is 0 degree Celsius. As we commit ourselves in learning and understanding more about God, we experience spiritual growth, may it be in aspects of faith, trust or desire in God. As a result, our growth sprout upwards, rising just like how the mercury in the thermometer rises in conjunction with rising of surrounding temperature.
However, spiritual growth must be maintained, if not increasing. The moment we fall away, committing less time to God, our growth will stop and thus, becoming stagnant. This stagnancy in growth will bring about a drop in our growth, just like how the thermometer reacts when taken away from a high temperature source. The mercury level will continue to be lowered towards 0 degree Celsius. Therefore, it is important for us to keep growing constantly in the Lord, experiencing growth with Him. Let us always be prepared in serving Him, and guard our hearts towards anything that may distract us.
(Colossians 1:10-12)
And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.
Unit CG!
Wahahaha.... i start a blog liao leh! Ya very late la but that's because i suddenly have an epiphany about the benefits of having a blog. With a blog you can encourage your brothers and sisters-in Christ, as well as sharing some parts of your life with them. Not to mention also to expose some people's secrets and stuffs like that la... Hahaha. I try not to stumble people here ya. :p
Hmmm let's start off with what happened a few hours ago, the unit CG at exHQ carpark. It was a fruitful time of gathering and experiencing God as a unit, and certainly God's presence is there among us! I can feel a deep desire and burden to serve God to a greater extent, and to put nothing but the best efforts for Him! Indeed God has His plans for everyone, and what i am about to undertake in a few week's time will be challenging and tough. But just as what God has been telling me this past few days, HE WILL BE WITH ME. Nothing beats a promise from your father, especially when He is the Almighty. :)
Ya also want to take this time to affirm 2 'mad' people who is in the games planning team with me. Firstly, i will affirm Zhan Hong. Really want to thank God for your serving attitude. Other than making a professional soft copy of the plans for Jorris and the team, i want to thank you for sacrificing your time to meet me in the afternoon, even though you have things to print and fyp stuffs. The efforts you've put in really reflects in the game, which turns out to be fun and exciting. Continue to put God as your forefront priority, for you know that all that you do would not be in vain! You have changed a lot, really, and it is a positive change. Thank you for helping me out with creating this blog also ya.
Next on the firing squad, eh affirmation, is Lai teng. Hmmm... One element that you bring into the planning is your madness. Hahaha. No la, i mean, your creativity. Yup. You are creative in bringing out new and fresh ideas when we got stuck, and come up with some last minute changes to the game's final stage that hypes up the atmosphere of the game. Continue to use your talents and creativity in doing God's work, He will provide plenty of opportunities to let you maximise your fullest potentials de! And also wanna thank you for walking that long long trip from SB to meet us outside FC1, even though you just finished a long and tiring talk.
Its great to see more people getting committed, having the desire and wanting to serve God! To me, its a joyful and encouraging sight. Joyful because what they do shall not be in vain, and encouraging because God's love is spreading in hearts of man! Praise be to God, and i pray that You will bless the unit with an abundant harvest ahead! Let our hearts be prepared, may the serving desire burn strong and lasting in us, and always remember that You Are With Us!
For those who are troubled, or in distress:
(Deuteronomy 31:6)
(Job 23:8-10)
For those who are going to face something big big, may it be evax or any new roles:
(2 Chronicles 20:17)
Hmmm let's start off with what happened a few hours ago, the unit CG at exHQ carpark. It was a fruitful time of gathering and experiencing God as a unit, and certainly God's presence is there among us! I can feel a deep desire and burden to serve God to a greater extent, and to put nothing but the best efforts for Him! Indeed God has His plans for everyone, and what i am about to undertake in a few week's time will be challenging and tough. But just as what God has been telling me this past few days, HE WILL BE WITH ME. Nothing beats a promise from your father, especially when He is the Almighty. :)
Ya also want to take this time to affirm 2 'mad' people who is in the games planning team with me. Firstly, i will affirm Zhan Hong. Really want to thank God for your serving attitude. Other than making a professional soft copy of the plans for Jorris and the team, i want to thank you for sacrificing your time to meet me in the afternoon, even though you have things to print and fyp stuffs. The efforts you've put in really reflects in the game, which turns out to be fun and exciting. Continue to put God as your forefront priority, for you know that all that you do would not be in vain! You have changed a lot, really, and it is a positive change. Thank you for helping me out with creating this blog also ya.
Next on the firing squad, eh affirmation, is Lai teng. Hmmm... One element that you bring into the planning is your madness. Hahaha. No la, i mean, your creativity. Yup. You are creative in bringing out new and fresh ideas when we got stuck, and come up with some last minute changes to the game's final stage that hypes up the atmosphere of the game. Continue to use your talents and creativity in doing God's work, He will provide plenty of opportunities to let you maximise your fullest potentials de! And also wanna thank you for walking that long long trip from SB to meet us outside FC1, even though you just finished a long and tiring talk.
Its great to see more people getting committed, having the desire and wanting to serve God! To me, its a joyful and encouraging sight. Joyful because what they do shall not be in vain, and encouraging because God's love is spreading in hearts of man! Praise be to God, and i pray that You will bless the unit with an abundant harvest ahead! Let our hearts be prepared, may the serving desire burn strong and lasting in us, and always remember that You Are With Us!
For those who are troubled, or in distress:
(Deuteronomy 31:6)
(Job 23:8-10)
For those who are going to face something big big, may it be evax or any new roles:
(2 Chronicles 20:17)
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