Judah 5

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Do you love me?

2011-09-20T08:27:00.000-07:00

“Simon son of John, do you love me?” John 21:16

Here is another one of the most famous episodes in the bible. Jesus had resurrected from the dead and reappeared to His disciples while they were back in their fishing boats. While they were having breakfast on the beach, Jesus asked Peter one of the most astonishing questions in their entire time together, "Simon, do you love me?"

Many people who read this verse believe that Jesus was confirming Peter's love and dedication for Him. While that is true, most people do not see the underlying conversation going on underneath those three "Do you love me"s.

15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my lambs.”

16 Again Jesus said, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” He answered, “Yes, Lord, you know that I love you.”Jesus said, “Take care of my sheep.”

17 The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.”

To understand what I'm talking about, we have to go back into the greek translation of these verses and look at the word "Love" that's been used here.

Verse 15:
Jesus: Simon son of John, do you love [Agapao] me more than these?”
Peter: “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love [phileo] you.”

Verse 16:
Jesus: “Simon son of John, do you love [Agapao] me?”
Peter: “Yes, Lord, you know that I love [phileo] you.”

Verse 17
Jesus: “Simon son of John, do you love [phileo] me?”
Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love [phileo] me?”
Peter: He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love [phileo] you.”

Can you see the problem now?

In verse 17, it says, "Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?”". Most people think that Peter was hurt because Jesus had asked him the same question the third time. But the problem wasn't that. The problem was the change in the use of words to portray Simon's love for Jesus. It grieved him so. In the first two verses, Jesus asked Peter if he [Agapao-ed] Him. Whereas in the last verse, He asked him if he [Phileo-ed] Him.

What was the difference between the two words that caused Peter to grief so much?

Agapao, in brief, is a love that's commonly associated with God's Love - which is unconditional and sacrificial. It was a love fully surrendered to God and went beyond feeling (though may include feelings as well). Whereas Phileo is usually acquainted with loving affections - that is, its primarily a type of love that springs from emotions.

To understand Peter's grief even more, we find the following scripture in John 13:

Simon Peter asked him, “Lord, where are you going?” Jesus replied, “Where I am going, you cannot follow now, but you will follow later.” Peter asked, “Lord, why can’t I follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.” John 13:36-37

Here, Jesus revealed to His disciples that He was going to die (John 12) and that He will be betrayed by one of them (John 13). Simon then steps out boldly to show his love and devotion to the Lord by declaring that he was willing to lay down His life for the Lord. In saying so, he was trying to imply that his love for Jesus was an Agape type of love - unconditional and sacrificial till death. Jesus knowing the true heart condition of Peter then said to him "Will you really lay down your life for me? Very truly I tell you, before the rooster crows, you will disown me three times!" John 13:38

And as we know Peter did indeed deny Jesus three times while he was being questioned and flogged in the crowd.

Therefore, when Peter was asked the first two times, "Peter, do you Agape me?". Peter could only reply that he Phileo-ed the Lord - that is, his love was limited only to His feelings for Jesus, not the Unconditional, Sacrificial Love that he always thought he had for the Lord. He wasn't truly willing to lay down his life for the Lord.

That's why it grieved Peter so much when the Lord finally acknowledged that Peter Phileo-ed him the third time He asked. Jesus, by one simple question, had revealed to him the true condition of his deceitful heart.

The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? Jeremiah 17:9

Most Christians are like Peter. They are pumped up, loud, extravagant for Jesus and in everything that they do, they try to prove their love for Jesus by their exceptional display of outward devotion. Yes, most of them do have genuine passion and emotional love for God. Yet, the truth is, they too like Peter, do not yet understand the true conditions of their Heart. God however, sees much more than that.

The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7

Peter learnt through this experience to be discerning over his own heart. He learnt not to be driven by his emotional love for God, but rather by the Long-Suffering Grace and Forgiveness that the Lord has displayed upon him - That is, even though he couldn't do what he so boldly declared and that despite the fact that he disowned the Lord three times in His most crucial hour, Jesus not only forgave him, but could still bring himself to use him to shepherd His flock.

This is Love [Agape], not that we Love [Agapao] God, but that He loved [Agapao] us (1 John 4:10).

Agape Love is Sacrificial. It is first of all Fully-Surrendered unto the Lord. It is not defined by feelings and is not attained in split seconds. However, it comes from the understanding of God's Love and Grace in our lives through the revelation from the Holy Spirit. It's only when we fully understand the depth of God's Love and Grace in our lives, that we can surrender ourselves fully to Him in return and love in this way. It is only then, that we can find the strength to truly love [Agapao] God and our enemies / neighbors.

And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. Matthew 6:12

Unless we come to a revelation of God's forgiveness and grace in our lives, we can never forgive or show grace to others. It was never about our love or devotion for God. It's always been about God's Amazing Love and Grace towards us.

Feed my sheep

Until we've learnt to recognise the true condition of our hearts for God, God cannot use us.

When Jesus asked Peter the third time: "Do you love [Phileo] me?" - that is, do you now know that your love for me are just unreliable feelings of affection? Peter could only reply "Lord, you know all things (i.e. only you see the true nature of my heart) You know that I (can only) love [Phileo] you."

It's only then that Jesus would say, that revelation alone is enough, because now Peter finally understood that he couldn't love [Agape] God by his own strength and was finally ready to truly die for Him by the power of the Holy Spirit at work in Him. He then said to Peter, "Feed my sheep. But in doing so, you will be persecuted and die as a martyr."

“Feed my sheep. Very truly I tell you, when you were younger you dressed yourself and went where you wanted; but when you are old you will stretch out your hands, and someone else will dress you and lead you where you do not want to go.” Jesus said this to indicate the kind of death by which Peter would glorify God.

Then he said to him, “Follow me!” John 21:17-20

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Peter died AD67 and was crucified at Rome with his head downwards, as he himself had desired to suffer. This is why an upside down cross is generally accepted as a symbol of Peter, who would not have considered himself worthy enough to die the same way as his Savior.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Peter

First Love

2011-09-15T05:14:00.000-07:00

Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Revelation 2:4

I often hear Christians use this verse a lot. However, whenever they use this verse, the intention they seem to convey is that we have fallen away from God.

I'd like to share my perspectives on this verse. The verses prior to this verse actually says this:

I know your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. I know that you cannot tolerate wicked men, that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not, and have found them false. You have persevered and have endured hardships for my name, and have not grown weary. Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your first love. Revelations 2:2-4

The context of the scripture was targeted at the Ephesian Church. From the scripture, they were noted for their zealousness towards God.

These were their attributes as listed in the verse:

- They were hardworking
- Had great perseverance in doing God's work
- Intolerant towards wicked men
- Tested the word of self-proclaimed apostles like noble Bereans in Acts 17:11
- Obviously strong in the word
- Endured Hardship for the name of Jesus
- Yet remained strong

They seemed like such perfect Christians, serving the Lord to the fullest and careful in all their ways to honor God. Yet, God held something against them - they had forsaken Him.

How is that possible? The Ephesian church seemed so truly respectable in every way as Christians.

The common evaluation of the Ephesians in this verse is that they have focused more on the outwardly deeds of Christianity than on God himself. But their interpretation implies that God has to have the first place in our hearts, otherwise we fall into the category of the Ephesians in this passage.

Though I do not disagree with the fact that God has to be first place in our hearts, I disagree with the condemnation or inception of guilt with intentions to make people love God more. The only thing this achieves is to ultimately prove that we will never be good enough for God.

I believe, the true definition of forsaking "your First Love" is to forsake "the one who first loved you". There is a huge difference between the two. The first interpretation makes you try to love God more with your own human strength, while the other one relies on the revelation of God's Love for our relationship with God.

“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16

This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. 1 John 4:10

We love because he first loved us. 1 John 4 :19

Therefore, not forsaking God is to live and rely on His Love for us. That is, we love God and His people, because He first loved us. In order to love God more, we have to come to the revelation of His Grace and Unconditional love for us.

Many will quote from verses like Mark 12:30-31:

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself. There is no commandment greater than these.”

The truth is, the Greatest Commandment was given to Israel since Deuteronomy 6, yet for the entire history of Israel as a nation, they always fell short of this commandment. That is, by our mere human strength, we can never attain this state of Love for God. This is a condition that can only be attained through the work of the Spirit in us. The Spirit of the Lord in us produces genuine Love for God in our hearts.

...the fruit of the Spirit is love... Galatians 5:22

About Repentance:

The verse after Revelations 2:4 says this:

Remember the height from which you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. Revelations 2:5

God says to the Ephesian Church to repent and do the things they did at first. What does this mean? Was God telling them to do more than they have already done? What else have they not done and what were they doing at first?

To understand this, we have to go back to the book of Ephesians. In Ephesians 1, Paul says this about them:

For this reason, ever since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all God’s people, I have not stopped giving thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers. Ephesians 1:15-16

From the beginning of their journey with God, they were noted for these things:

- Their Faith in the Lord

- Their Love for all God's people

Obviously, in their early years, they've developed such love and passion for God, but over the decades, they lost what was more important (i.e. Faith and Love in God) and became distracted with outward things.

The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:6

At the core of Paul's letter to the Ephesians contains what I believe is God's eventual will for them:
For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:14-19

God's message to the Ephesian Church was that they be rooted and established in Love by attaining the surpassing knowledge of the Christ's Love for them so that they may be filled with the fullness of God (i.e. becoming more like God).

Don't become like the Ephesian church as described in Revelations and become side-tracked with "Perfectionist Christianity" and deviate from what truly matters to God. Continue to walk in God as they have walked in God at the beginning and seek to attain the full measure of the Lord Jesus Christ in your life.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. Ephesians 3:20-21

Seek First His Kingdom and His Righteousness

2011-09-12T06:26:00.000-07:00

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33

Many Christian leaders use this verse to spur their members to serve God harder. The common saying is that by serving and giving God more, He will take care of you and bless you.

Though I truly believe in serving God to the fullest, I disagree with their interpretation in regards to this scripture.

Luke 17:21 says this:
“The coming of the kingdom of God is not something that can be observed, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is in your midst.”

1) The Kingdom of God is not observed

That means its not something that's tangible that you can pin point.

2) The Kingdom of God is in your midst

The NIV footnote and KJV version for this verse says "Within" you. That means the Kingdom of God is not something we need to build externally as if it was a physical building nor is it a ministry (though it does sound much like that).

Looking at the context of this scripture, Jesus was speaking to Jews. They were non-Christians, but no doubt, deeply religious Believers of God. You don't need to tell religious believers to serve God harder.

The truth is, Jesus was talking about Salvation. He was beckoning the Jews to get themselves Saved - to become part of the Kingdom in which He was referring to. Jesus definitely wasn't referring to Salvation by Works. Being part of the Kingdom wasn't something they had to work for. Rather, it is a Kingdom that is received by Faith.

And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory. Ephesians 1:13-14

To be even more precise, I believe Jesus was referring to the receiving of His Holy Spirit - which is a Mark or Seal of Gods' Kingdom within us.

To shed even more light on this scripture, we have to consider His Righteousness. Now the Christian Faith is certainly not one received by doing good. Isaiah 64:6 says: "all our righteous acts are like filthy rags".

So this verse, even though superficially seems to tell us to do good, really talks about the Core of Christian Righteousness - Imputed Righteousness or Righteousness through Faith.

Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin. Romans 3:20

This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. Romans 3:22

Therefore, the simple and most commonly used scripture in all of Christian History has been gravely misused and misunderstood, making Christians serve harder for the wrong motives - resulting in burn outs and disappointments with God.

To truly summarise this verse, Jesus was talking about:

1) Seeking His Holy Spirit

This was the whole reason of the Gospel, that men might be reconciled and receive intimacy with God through the Holy Spirit.

2) Receiving His Righteousness

We will never be considered Righteous in sight of God simply by doing good things. By fulfilling the Law, we have only done our duty.

So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’” Luke 17:10

True Righteousness in God's eyes is to believe that God is our All-Sufficiency and Salvation. This belief shapes what we do and the way we live out lives. The scripture says: "be transformed by the renewing of your mind" Romans 12:2

About Serving God

As mentioned, I do not condone serving God with all we have. In fact, I am a firm believer of serving God will all that we have and in everything that we do.

Nor does this scripture deny the fact that we are to serve God. In fact, the truth of the matter is, the more we develop a soft heart to seek God and fill ourselves with His Holy Spirit, the more we will desire God and His will in our lives.

God is not pleased merely because we are zealously serving Him. Rather, He is more concerned that we are doing His will (zealously).

Many people think that God's will only revolves around church Ministry. The truth is far further than that. Yes, God desires for His church to be glorious. But more than that, He desires Mercy, not Sacrifice (Hosea 6:6). The good Samaritan was not a Jew, but he too performed God's will, by caring for the needs of a wounded man in his path.

In summary, seek the Holy Spirit and Trust Wholeheartedly in the Lord. When Intimacy and Faith is established in us, "all things will be given unto you".

Moody's quotations

2011-09-10T20:35:00.000-07:00

If a Sabbath School Teacher does not love his scholars - if he goes to them as if it was a lesson he wished to get over, it will not be long before they find it out. They will see it in his eyes, in his face, in his actions. And so let us see the necessity of having the love of God in our hearts.

If you go from a sense of duty, you will make no progress with them, but if you go to them and talk of the love of Christ, and show kindness in your actions, they will hear you.

A worker must win the hearts and affections of the people before he can do any effective work.

The world wants sympathy about as much as anything. There are so many we could reach if we could sympathise with them. If we stand upon a higher plane, we won't succeed. The Son of God passed by the mansions and went down in a manger that he might sympathise with the lowly. If we want to reach people, we have got to put ourselves in the places of those people, if we are going to succeed.

The churches would soon be filled if outsiders could find that people in them loved them when they came, and if the elders and deacons were glad to see them and were ready to take them by the hand and welcome them. Such things would draw sinners. Actions like these speak louder than words. We do not want to talk of love and not show it in our deeds; we want something more than "Tongue Love".

- D. L. Moody

Do It Yourself

2011-09-10T20:12:00.001-07:00

. . . bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ . . . —2 Corinthians 10:5

Determinedly Discipline Other Things. This is another difficult aspect of the strenuous nature of sainthood. Paul said, according to the Moffatt translation of this verse, “. . . I take every project prisoner to make it obey Christ . . . .” So much Christian work today has never been disciplined, but has simply come into being by impulse! In our Lord’s life every project was disciplined to the will of His Father. There was never the slightest tendency to follow the impulse of His own will as distinct from His Father’s will— “the Son can do nothing of Himself . . . ” (John 5:19). Then compare this with what we do— we take “every thought” or project that comes to us by impulse and jump into action immediately, instead of imprisoning and disciplining ourselves to obey Christ.

Practical work for Christians is greatly overemphasized today, and the saints who are “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity” are criticized and told that they are not determined, and that they lack zeal for God or zeal for the souls of others. But true determination and zeal are found in obeying God, not in the inclination to serve Him that arises from our own undisciplined human nature. It is inconceivable, but true nevertheless, that saints are not “bringing every thought [and project] into captivity,” but are simply doing work for God that has been instigated by their own human nature, and has not been made spiritual through determined discipline.

We have a tendency to forget that a person is not only committed to Jesus Christ for salvation, but is also committed, responsible, and accountable to Jesus Christ’s view of God, the world, and of sin and the devil. This means that each person must recognize the responsibility to “be transformed by the renewing of [his] mind. . . .” (Romans 12:2).

- Oswald Chambers

Missionary Weapons

2011-09-10T19:54:00.000-07:00

When you were under the fig tree, I saw you —John 1:48

Worshiping in Everyday Occasions. We presume that we would be ready for battle if confronted with a great crisis, but it is not the crisis that builds something within us— it simply reveals what we are made of already. Do you find yourself saying, “If God calls me to battle, of course I will rise to the occasion”? Yet you won’t rise to the occasion unless you have done so on God’s training ground. If you are not doing the task that is closest to you now, which God has engineered into your life, when the crisis comes, instead of being fit for battle, you will be revealed as being unfit. Crises always reveal a person’s true character.

A private relationship of worshiping God is the greatest essential element of spiritual fitness. The time will come, as Nathanael experienced in this passage, that a private “fig-tree” life will no longer be possible. Everything will be out in the open, and you will find yourself to be of no value there if you have not been worshiping in everyday occasions in your own home. If your worship is right in your private relationship with God, then when He sets you free, you will be ready. It is in the unseen life, which only God saw, that you have become perfectly fit. And when the strain of the crisis comes, you can be relied upon by God.

Are you saying, “But I can’t be expected to live a sanctified life in my present circumstances; I have no time for prayer or Bible study right now; besides, my opportunity for battle hasn’t come yet, but when it does, of course I will be ready”? No, you will not. If you have not been worshiping in everyday occasions, when you get involved in God’s work, you will not only be useless yourself but also a hindrance to those around you.

God’s training ground, where the missionary weapons are found, is the hidden, personal, worshiping life of the saint

- Oswald Chambers

Obed-Edom: Serving God with a Praiseful Heart

2011-08-14T01:52:00.001-07:00

I want to direct your attention to one man in the bible. His name is Obed-Edom.

In 1 Chronicles 15, you'll find him serving in several ministries in the House of God.

Verse 18: Obed-Edom the Gate Keeper
Verse 21: Obed-Edom the Harp Musician
Verse 24: Obed-Edom the Door Keeper for the Ark of God

In 1 Chronicles 16
Verse 5: Obed-Edom the Back-up Singer

What a servant this man was. He truly loved God so much, he was willing to give to God, his time and energy to serve in His House.

It is interesting to note that this Obed-Edom was the same man who housed the Ark of the Lord when David was afraid to take it in.

David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?” He was not willing to take the ark of the LORD to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.
2 Samuel 6:9-11

I truly believed that this man served so passionately and faithfully because he had experienced God - Both His faithfulness and blessings - while the Ark of the Lord was present in His house for just three months.

With Obed-Edom, His passion did not remain with himself. His passion and anointing spread to all his descendants. Him and his descendants served God in Solomon's Temple faithfully for many generations. Read: 1 Chronicles 26:8

Because of his Passion and Faithfulness, in the later years while David was assigning various duties for the Temple of the Lord, God chose Obed-Edom (by lots) as keeper of the South Gate of Solomon's Temple (1 Chronicles 26:15). This is one of the most important Gate because it is the main gate that was used by Kings to enter the Temple Courtyard.

Experience God and serve Him as a worship with all of your heart. Without the strength and joy that comes from the Lord, your service to Him will only be either duty or routine. But once you've encountered God, your service to him becomes a joy, your life entirely transformed.

Obed-Edom: Serving God with a Praiseful Heart

2011-08-14T01:49:00.000-07:00

I want to direct your attention to one man in the bible. His name is Obed-Edom.

In 1 Chronicles 15, you'll find him serving in several ministries in the House of God.

Verse 18: Obed-Edom the Gate Keeper

Verse 21: Obed-Edom the Harp Musician

Verse 24: Obed-Edom the Door Keeper for the Ark of God

What a servant this man was. He truly loved God so much, he was willing to give to God, his time and energy to serve in His House.

It is interesting to note that this Obed-Edom was the same man who housed the Ark of the Lord when David was afraid to take it in.

David was afraid of the LORD that day and said, “How can the ark of the LORD ever come to me?” He was not willing to take the ark of the LORD to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of the LORD remained in the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite for three months, and the LORD blessed him and his entire household.
2 Samuel 6:9-11

The scriptures also made mentioned that Obed-Edom was a Gittite - a clan not belonging to Israel, but that of Goliath (the Giant whom David had slain. Read 2 Samuel 21:19). In other words, he was a foreigner in the land of Israel - a Philistine. Yet, I truly believed that this man served so passionately and faithfully because he had experienced God - Both His faithfulness and blessings - while the Ark of the Lord was present in His house for just three months.

With Obed-Edom, His passion did not remain with himself. His passion and anointing spread to all his descendants. Him and his descendants served God in Solomon's Temple faithfully for many generations. Read: 1 Chronicles 26:8

Because of his Passion and Faithfulness, in the later years while David was assigning various duties for the Temple of the Lord, God chose Obed-Edom (by lots) as keeper of the South Gate of Solomon's Temple (1 Chronicles 26:15). This is one of the most important Gate because it is the main gate that was used by Kings to enter the Temple Courtyard.

Experience God and serve Him as a worship with all of your heart. Without the strength and joy that comes from the Lord, your service to Him will only be either duty or routine. But once you've encountered God, your service to him becomes a joy, your life entirely transformed.

Love one another

2011-06-06T05:21:00.000-07:00

Some of you may know about this, but Shinyee and I have moved to Melbourne and we are attending a church here called City Life Church. This was the church that Ps Lailing and Wilson and the entire Hope Movement sprang from.

Anyway, we've only been here for about almost two months. We've settled down in the church and attended a life group for youth adults and starting families. The life group happens once every two weeks, so we really haven't had much time to meet and interact with everyone.

However, just in a short span of just eight weeks, after much pouring out of heart matters and talking about personal opinions about matters, Shinyee and I could tell that almost 80% of people (except for its leaders) who are attending have in one way or another been hurt by Christians. YES, CHRISTIANS.

One of the ladies (let's name her C) who was there had been constantly bringing another lady (let's name her K) to the life group. C commented in the life group that for K to even come and step foot into a Life Group again, it was the grace and miracle of God.

How sad is that? To know that the only assembly of people that was meant and called to preach God's Love, ended up to be one of the most dreadful place K wanted to be in.

This cannot be the will of God. This cannot be the church that Jesus died for..... but it is. And it is a sad fact. I look at the Aussies around and I know, that one of the reasons why they are so hard-hearted, was that the church has failed to live up to what it first and foremost stands for - The Sacrificial Love of Christ.

We should be fervent and zealous for God. That's a definite yes. But if our zeal and fervency means that we become ignorant and insensitive to other's feelings (especially those within the church), then we have failed to live up to the commandment of God.

Let us reflect on the true Heart of Christ and start Loving One Another - Inside and Outside the Church!

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you MUST love one another." John 13:34

Serving ungodly leadership (with favor)

2011-06-06T04:56:00.000-07:00

- Daniel (served 3 generations of Babylonian kings who enslaved and occupied Israel)
- Nehemiah (served the King of Persia as a Cup Bearer)
- Ester (became wife of a King of Persia)

Foreign kings in the bible speaks of unbelievingly (Gentile) rulers. We need to recognize that it was God who gave them authority to rule and who made israel subjected to them. Not only that; but also that God has placed us in their service to prospers them - i.e. the Gentile Ruler and their cities, in order to administer God's grace to them in its many forms (1 Peter 4:10).

seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper.” Jeremiah 29:6

God doesn't always appoint leaders who are godly, reasonable or worthy of service. However, it is always his will that we subject ourselves to their authority and to be committed to serving them (within the boundaries of God's uncompromisable will) in order that God's higher purpose be accomplished. Just because your team members don't share the same conviction doesn't mean we hold back our contributions. God establishes us with such people so that we may work as a team. Master and servants serve as one team instituted by God.

All of these prophets/prophetess, served their kings faithfully and received favor in their eyes. They were commended in the bible for their acts and faith in God despite living in a perverted society.

Our service and testimonies to these [kings] are God's way of reaching out to them.

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, [The Gentile King of Babylon,] raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever. Daniel 4:34

Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us. 1 Peter 2:12

God’s Love vs Our Love

2011-06-06T04:40:00.001-07:00

Some people anchor their security on their Love for God. But God desires that we have feed our assurance on His Love for us through faith in the blood that was shed on the cross.

The message that the bible brings forth is that "we love because God first loved us", not because "we loved so much and so God loves us back". Love for God can only be produced through encountering God’s divine love and grace - just as it has been said, "He who has been forgiven much, loves much". Self-Motivated Love for God can never produce the transformation God so desires in us.

God does not desire a generation of sold-out martyrs, he desires children who knows fully that they are well taken care of in His plans – only then, will we be able to walk in stillness before Him.

The other name for Security in our own love for God is called "Self-Righteousness" or "Confidence in the flesh". The Bible preaches "Righteousness by Faith and Salvation by Grace". All these happened while we were still weak to overcome sin and loved God not.

Repentance

2011-06-04T19:27:00.000-07:00

From that time on Jesus began to preach, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." Matt 4:17

Jesus' version of repentance was not simply about living right again or feeling sincerely sorry. Because obviously, even the Jews with high regard of the law could not do so, by their own humane strength or discipline; nor did it make them justified before God

Instead, its simply about turning away from the old ways of thinking and becoming part of a new kingdom - a new rule who's values are not based upon justification by works but rather justification and sanctification by faith. That now, we (not just those who are Holy) can turn to God to receive Forgiveness and Grace to change and heal our lives.

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2

11 days vs 40 years

2010-07-21T17:36:00.000-07:00

Someone once said this to me:

"The Isralites had to go through the desert 40 yrs when it can be done on 11 days."

If they went in in 11 days, they would not have had the faith to take down all the giants in the land. They simply weren't ready. God needed to bring them through a process of 40 years in order to tame and mould them to take on the giants.

Many times we always see what others could have been but not allow God time to nurture others to grow into who they should be. God understood Israel's weakness and made provision for them to grow in their faith by testing and disciplining them to walk in faith in the desert for 40 years. Many times, God deals with us in the same way.

It's not about getting to the destination. It's about truly understanding who God is - sovereign over all our lives.

Love is first of all Patient (1 Cor 13:4) . That is why Love is King. Because Love covers a multitude of Sins (1 Peter 4:8) and God is love (1 John 4:8)

Today, as you look at others and your own lives, are you judgeing the 11 days that they've/you've missed? Or are you trusting God that you will emerge glorious with God after 40 years?

God is not in a hurry to raise you up though he is fully capable of doing so. He's more interested that you will last the journey with Him.

For the revelation awaits an appointed time; it speaks of the end and will not prove false. Though it linger, wait for it; it will certainly come and will not delay. Hab 2:3

Feeding the Flesh

2009-09-06T23:18:00.001-07:00

Feeding the Flesh

The following illustrations are included in my book Dug Down Deep.

Recently, I preached from Romans 13:14 which says, "But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires." In my message, I wanted us to consider what "the flesh" is, and how it functions in our lives. As I was thinking about this, I started doodling on my notes—something that helps me think more clearly (I tend to do it in meetings, which sometimes irritates my friends). Anyway, these doodles gave me the idea of sharing a bunch of the cartoons I drew to try and explain the flesh and how it functions in our lives. So, here goes:

1. This is you. Or us, a human made in God's image. Ladies, sorry you have to identify with a little guy. I'm not sure why he doesn't have a shirt.

2. This is the flesh. He's kind of a Jabba the Hut meets WWF wrestler. The Flesh represents the sinful, corrupted desires of our heart. It's not a reference to our bodies—our bodies are created by God and are good. The flesh represents our sinful cravings to live for ourselves and disobey God's laws and commands.

3. Before Jesus saves us, this is how all of us relate to the flesh. The Bible says that we are slaves to our sinful desires. Our flesh is boss. If you're not a Christian, I'm not trying to offend you. I know this isn't a flattering picture of your current condition but it's true of all of us apart from God saving us.

4. This is what happens when we trust in Jesus. Because Jesus died on the cross and conquered sin and rose again, we are freed from the power of sin. It's no longer our boss. See how the chain is broken? And we get clothes, which is really great.

5. But our flesh doesn't disappear. It still hangs around to entice us. After we're Christians, we're no longer slaves to sin, but the flesh can still tempt us. We can choose to give into temptation and indulge the flesh. This is what theologians call "indwelling sin." Jesus broke the power of sin, but we still live with the presence and influence of sinful desires.

6. That's why the Bible is full of encouragement to fight our fleshly desires. We can't live at peace with it. We have to attack it and deny it. (In hindsight, I guess the "sword of the Spirit" would have been a bit more biblical. Oh well.)

7. The problem is that too often Christians make friends with their flesh. In fact they feed their flesh. We give into our sinful desires. We pamper our flesh. We provide it three rounded meals a day with snacks and dessert. We might think that since we've been freed by the cross it's okay to indulge the flesh. But there's a real problem. When we feed the flesh...

8. ...it grows! And before you know it, the flesh is bigger and stronger than you and starts to push you around. That's why Paul is telling us in Romans 13 that we need to...

9. ...starve our flesh!

That's what we want our flesh to look like. We want the flesh gaunt and feeble.

When Paul says "make no provision for the flesh" he's saying don't feed your sinful desires. Don't do things—don't think things, don't watch things, don't meditate on things—;that strengthen your sinful inclinations.

Hebrews 6:1-3

2009-06-21T20:46:00.000-07:00

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so.

Time to grow my friends. :)

The True Grace Of God

2009-06-15T20:24:00.000-07:00

We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 Corinthians 6:1

Apostle Paul encourages us as workers of God’s kingdom never to take the grace of God in vain. Why? Because there is often a tendency toward “grace abuse.” A third century bishop was shocked to see devout would-be martyrs of the Christian faith devote their last nights in prison to drunkenness, revelry and promiscuity. Since dying a martyr’s death would make them perfect, they reasoned, what would it matter if they spent their last hours sinning? Twentieth century theologian Dietrich Bonhoeffer coined the term “cheap grace” as a way of summarizing grace abuse. Living in Nazi Germany, he was appalled by the cowardly way in which Christians were responding to Hitler’s threat. Lutheran pastors preached grace from the pulpit on Sundays, then kept quiet the rest of the week as the Nazis pursued their policies of racism, euthanasia and finally genocide. Bonhoeffer’s book, The Cost of Discipleship, highlights the many New Testament passages commanding Christians to attain holiness. Every call to conversion, he insists, includes a call to discipleship, to Christlikeness. God’s grace can be “abused” when we do not understand what it is and its purpose in our lives. So let’s understand what is true grace:

(1) Grace empowers you to live in God’s righteousness. It is God’s grace that enables us to live in His righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith (Eph. 2:8). Romans 5:17 adds, “For if by the one man’s offense death reigned through the one, much more those who receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ.”

(2) Grace empowers you to work hard. Paul says, “But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not in vain; but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me” (1 Cor. 15:10).

(3) Grace empowers you to serve God (1 Pet. 4:10). The grace of God doesn’t make you passive, complacent, lazy or apathetic. On the contrary, grace teaches you to do what is right and bear the fruit of it. True grace is the power of God that enables you to live a life that fulfi lls God’s purpose.

Kong Hee

President (Founder)

City Harvest Church Singapore

I want to Sing

2009-05-24T07:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys... Come worship with me and enter God's lovely presence.

Recently God's been speaking to me. Many times, all we want is God's power, His Gifts, His Strength, wisdom, anointing, revival, etc.... but we lose sight of the most important thing... HIM.

God desires your presence more than anything else. He wants us to come, to seek Him first before all these things. To trust Him and lay all our wants, our needs, our fears, our worries at His feet. To get down on our knees and start seeking His face. God is greater than these things in your life. As you seek Him first and Him alone, He will place your life into the right perspectives.

Just like peter and his companions, throw down your net and "Follow Him"...

The True God of Ancient China

2009-05-20T19:25:00.001-07:00

China has a history since 2500 BC. Taoism came during 6th BC, Confucianism and Buddhism came during the 5th to 6th Century BC.

In view of this, who did Ancient China worshipped in the remaining 2000 over years?

Listen to Podcast: Kong Hee - City Harvest Church

Border Sacrifices (郊特牲)
These are Sacrifices of Calves made to the Supreme God. The emperor would have to fast 3 days before the day of ceremony. This ceremony was practiced until 1911 where the last dynasty ended. Muslims and Jews practice the same Sin Offering Sacrifices to God.
http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw03bordersacrifice.htm

Ancient Chinese Characters
Righteousness was defined by a “Lamb” over “Me”. The bible says that Jesus is the Lamb that took away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) and that Jesus has clothed us with righteousness. More such Characters in the links below.

Temple of Heaven
This temple still exists in Beijing, China and was used by emperors to perform the Border Sacrifices. No Idols were ever found in this temple that was used as objects of worship. The Ten Commandment instructs against Worshippers worshipping Gods made of Gold, Silver or wood.
Read More

The original ‘unknown’ god of China
An Ancient pictogram script points to the Bible
Read More

Example:

Tower of Babel
Tower: 塔

Comprises of the following characters:
Soil: 土
Grass: 草
Humans: 人
One: 一
Mouth:口

Interpretation:
Tower is form by Humans as one Language, using Soil and Grass.

Reference:

History of Taoism

History of Buddhism

History of Taoism

History of Taoism

Messages from Water

2009-05-20T19:24:00.000-07:00

Water has a very important message for us. Water is telling us to take a much deeper look at our selves. When we do look at our selves through the mirror of water, the message becomes amazingly, crystal, clear. We know that human life is directly connected to the quality of our water, both within and all around us.

The photographs and information in this article reflect the work of Masaru Emoto, a creative and visionary Japanese researcher Mr. Emoto has published an important book, "The Message from Water" from the findings of his worldwide research If you have any doubt that your thoughts affect everything in, and around you, the information and photographs that are presented here, taken from the book of his published results, will change your mind and alter your beliefs, profoundly.

From Mr. Emoto's work we are provided with factual evidence, that human vibrational energy, thoughts, words, ideas and music, affect the molecular structure of water, the very same water that comprises over seventy percent of a mature human body and covers the same amount of our planet.

The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit. Proverbs 18:21

WATCH PODCAST: Kong Hee - Water Crystals

References:
Wikipedia - Dr Masaru Emoto
Miraculous Messages from Water

禱告 - I Pray

2009-05-13T18:52:00.001-07:00

Hell's Best Kept Secret

2009-05-12T22:25:00.000-07:00

Hi Guys,

Have a listen and learn about true biblical evangelism. You can't convince a person to come to God until you can convict them of Sin.

Hope this helps.

Fat Offerings

2009-04-20T21:26:00.000-07:00

Just something simple I’d like to share from my heart. :

In the course of time Cain brought some of the fruits of the soil as an offering to the LORD. But Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock. The LORD looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering he did not look with favor. So Cain was very angry, and his face was downcast. Genesis 4:3-5

From the passage, we can see that both Cain and Abel made brought offerings to God. The difference between them both was that Abel brought the Fat Portions of the First Born. Now, if you’re like me and you love to eat Chinese Braised Pork (Kong Bah), you know that the Fat portions are the Best Portions. It would be a major struggle for me to give my First and Fattiest Portions to God. But that was the exactly what Abel Offered to God and God looked down upon him with Favour.

Cain on the other hand, gave what was necessary. He merely performed his duty and God saw nothing of significance in his offerings. Now in this same way, we can do life – merely performing our duties to God. Work and studies become a form of Duty. Loving family and people becomes a Duty. Coming to God becomes a duty.

We cannot live like Cain and expect to receive the Blessings of God in our lives. We must actively decide to give our best and the reason we do so must be God, not for our own agenda. It starts first with Honoring God – in Earnest Prayers, in Knowing Him Fully and Worshiping Him with our Lives.

Let’s review of our offerings God today? Is it your time? Your Energy? Your Lifestyle? Your inner most desires? Would you offer these things up to your Heavenly Father this day? Would you trust that God will look upon you with Favour and bless you with True Joy, True Riches and help you live Life to the fullest even as you honour Him with your best?

To end this, I would just like to encourage you: “Don’t short-change God”. Because in doing so, you will only Short-Change yourself. Make the Smart Choice and choose to Live Right today. :)

But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matthew 6:33)

Conversation with God in OC 2009

2009-04-14T03:38:00.000-07:00

With much expectation and prayers waiting for answers, I arrived Philip Island, Melbourne, a place where God changed my life. He revealed to me how small my problems were during OC2007 and I committed my life unto Him during that OC, I got baptised in the Holy Spirit in that OC, I also experienced God's touch during that OC, and seems like God used all these experience trying to tell me something in OC2009.

Earlier this year I have been going through a period of spiritual dryness and I have reached a point where I am almost walking away from God, God as well has been doing surgery in my heart, and I have been going through a time of molding and seeking. Therefore one of my expectation for this OC is to really grow in my relationship with God and to see Him move in our lives, and being a faithful God, He has answered all my prayers in this OC.

During praise and Worship section, I was seeking God as usual, but something unusual happened, seems like God is talking to me.

-> Father, I can't see you, I have been seeking and I can't find you.
->Son you first have to clean your glasses because all this time you have been seeing through all the mud that's on the glasses.

As God was saying that, I started to see shadow before me, and I know it is God.

->here you are...I finally have found you now.
->I have always been with you Son, I have never left you, remember that I told you in a dream before? "I will always be with you and never leave you". remember?
->Yes father, I remember it very clearly...

And since then, I have gained a passion of singing P&W unto God, I have not stopped singing during this 3 days in OC, I sing when I walk, I sing when I sit in the car, I sing when I am bored. And I just love singing P&W!! Hehe...
I also realised how God has been walking with me through my ups and downs, Thank you Lord.

And in another P&W section, I sensed that God was saying to me:
-> Son, remember this room where you first fall in love with me?
and I started praying to God to ask him to renew this feeling of 1st love with God and I just felt so refreshed in Him and the Joy of God filled me! I walked in being a bit emotional, and walked out smiling and singing to God...! How awesome is HE!

The theme of this OC is moving in the spirit, and indeed I have expectation to really move with God's holy spirit, and during one ministering section, I stepped out in faith and started praying for brothers and sisters in Judah5, and I laid hand on people and I could feel what God wants me to say to them, and I confirm with them after my prayer, and almost everyone I prayed for confirmed what I prayed for them was true. Also we have prayed for a sister that has back pain, we prayed, and nothing seem to have happened, but we prayed a second time, and this time I sensed that God has touched her, and I asked her if she is healed, and the answer is yes! no more back pain! And I realise how important faith is in terms of moving in the spirit, with faith, all things are possible with God!

And finally, OC has ended and I have arrived home safely, but I really don't want to just return to my "normal" life, I want to sense God's presence like I did in OC. So Tuesday morning, I put this Dvd I bought previously into my computer, it's a Hillsongs P&W DVD, after singing through 2 praise songs, when It comes to a worship song, I started to ask God for His presence on me, and just when they sing this song "with all I am"-> 'Into your hands, I commit again, with all I am, for you Lord, I'll walk with you, in the palm of your hand, and I AM YOURS, FOREVER' just through the verse, I started weeping in God's presence, as I sing through the rest of the song, I fell down on my knee and face down on the ground, and I became speechless in God's presence, it's so strong and I cried as if I was a baby, I have not cried like this for a very long time...I was just so touched in God's presence that seems like everything else doesn't matter anymore, it's a weird sensation where I feel that I am in awe, yet I am crying, it's like you have lost strength on your body...
And as the Dvd continue to play, I started speaking in tongue and asked God for some answers, and God just told me this "Believe in me, I will give you the best in the best timing" I believe it is true for many of us, we always ask God for directions and stuff, but we don't seem to trust God fully sometimes, for those who are seeking for answers...

Matthew 6:33
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well."

And through all these experience with God, I start to understand what it means to be a friend of God, our relationship with God should be a two way thing, not just you telling God what happened to you, and what you want, but also you should allow God to tell you what He wants, and allow Him to speak into our lives.

God bless

God in Ancient China

2009-03-29T23:20:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

Just like to share these resources that proves that Ancient Chinese worshipped the Israelite God before from 2250BC to 6 BC. The incident at the Towel of Babel was thought to have happened around 2242BC (Genesis 11:1-9).

Border Sacrifices (郊特牲)

These are Sacrifices of Calves made to the Supreme God. The emperor would have to fast 3 days before the day of ceremony. This ceremony was practiced until 1911 where the last dynasty ended. Muslims and Jews practice the same Sin Offering Sacrifices to God.

http://www.hyperhistory.net/apwh/essays/comp/cw03bordersacrifice.htm

Ancient Chinese Characters

Righteousness was defined by a “Lamb” over “Me”. The bible says that Jesus is the Lamb that took away the sins of the world. (John 1:29) and that Jesus has clothed us with righteousness. More such Characters in the links below.

Temple of Heaven

This temple still exists in Beijing, China and was used by emperors to perform the Border Sacrifices. No Idols were ever found in this temple that was used as objects of worship. The Ten Commandment instructs against Worshippers worshipping Gods made of Gold, Silver or wood.

http://www.ttf.org/index/journal/detail/faith-in-the-creator/

The original ‘unknown’ god of China

An Ancient pictogram script points to the Bible
http://www.answersingenesis.org/creation/v20/i3/china.asp

Shang-Di (上帝)

Confucius and Mozi both acknowledged the existences of one Supreme God (Shangdi - 上帝 ) that created the Heavens and Earth and ruled over all spirits.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shangdi

Video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U7syfnuNtW4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azx1Ks7V05k

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhx-UAyDVfQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d82FUfcwMgI&NR=1

Book

http://www.godinancientchina.com/

Hope you find these resources useful.

Eli vs Samuel

2009-01-27T16:28:00.000-08:00

Eli was the High Priest at Shiloh ministering to the people during Samuel's time. Shiloh was where the Tent of Meeting was situated and often where the entire assembly of Israel gathered.

Now Eli had two sons who were also priests, but had not the fear of God in their hearts. They went around treating God's offering with contempt (1 Sam 2:12-17) and sleeping around with the women serving at the entrance of the Tent of Meeting (1 Sam 2:22-25) and the bible said that the sins of these young men were very great in God's sight (1 Sam 2:17).

As a father, Eli had to be responsible for the behavior of his two sons. As High Priest, Eli should have made ensured that the offerings of God were handled in the right way. Eli, however, did nothing to rectify the situation.

As high priest, Eli would have stood out among his fellow Levites in his earlier years to have attained such position. Scriptures showed the he was discerning of God's ways when he instructed Samuel on how to hear from God (1 Sam 3:1-19).

The boy Samuel ministered before the LORD under Eli. In those days the word of the LORD was rare; there were not many visions. (1 Sam 3:1)

However, we need to understand that Sin (and not dealing with Sin) quenches the Holy Spirit in us, no matter how anointed anyone has been. Eli by now would have experienced tremendous dryness in his spirit. The scripture above reveals that he had lost the ability to speak God's word (Logos or Rhema) into Isreal.

Note that the prophecy upon the house of Eli (1 Sam 2:27-36) was given before Samuel began ministering at the Tent of Meeting. God was giving Eli a chance (and seemingly years as Samuel grew up) to repent, yet Eli did nothing in response to this.

Had Eli repented before God after he was prophecised upon, God would have relented and not bring about the Judgement as he did to Eli and his Two sons and Eli could probably still be ministering before the Lord as High Priest.

If at any time I announce that a nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down and destroyed, and if that nation I warned repents of its evil, then I will relent and not inflict on it the disaster I had planned. (Jeremiah 18:7-8)

Samuel on the other hand was faithful, obedient and constantly seeked God through His word.

The LORD was with Samuel as he grew up, and he let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba recognized that Samuel was attested as a prophet of the LORD. The LORD continued to appear at Shiloh, and there he revealed himself to Samuel through his word. (2 Sam 3:19-21)

As we stay faithful to God and His calling, keeping His ways and honouring Him first, He will exalt us above all others. There is nothing to hide, because all men will see and recognise the anointing that is upon us. Yet, on the other end of the spectrum, when we lose God's Spirit, that too cannot be hidden. For in time to come, God will withhold his blessings and anointing from us and even replace us from the establishments that he has allowed us to possess.

In summary, Eli:

- Had not been a faithful in the things that God has called him (Bad Stewardship)

- Allowed Sin to prosper in His time (Procrastination)

- Was unrepentant before the Lord (Hardened Heart)

Samuel, on the other hand was:

- Faithful in ministering God's word

- Had the fear of God above the fear of men (by speaking boldly to Eli, hiding nothing)

- Seeked God constantly through His word

Get right with God today and continue to seek the Lord in Spirit and in Truth.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." (John 4:23-24)

The Frank Jenner Story

2009-01-15T21:00:00.000-08:00

During a time of testimonies at Lansdowne Baptist Church, Bournemouth, England in the summer of 1953, Rev Francis Dixon heard two very similar stories from two British sailors who had never met each other before. Both sailors, while on shore leave in Sydney, were approached by a man who asked the question:"Young man, if you were to die tonight, where would you be, in heaven or in hell?" In the course of time they both returned home, but the encounter with this mysterious man on George Street, Sydney, left such a deep impression on their hearts and minds that they both sought spiritual help when back in England. Later, they both became Christians, Francis Dixon himself having the pleasure of leading one of the sailors, Peter Culver, to Christ.

Shortly after this, Francis Dixon departed with his wife Nancy for his first preaching tour to Australia and New Zealand. Deeply fascinated by the coincidence of the two stories of the sailors and recognising that he was heading to the land where these events had happened, he resolved to investigate the matter further. Who was this unconventional street-evangelist? Why had he chosen to act in such a way? And how many other people had been impacted by his ministry?

It didn't take long to get some answers. The tour commenced in Adelaide and, while preaching in a large hall one night, Francis Dixon related the stories of the two sailors from England. At this point, their host - who happened to be sitting next to Mrs Dixon, and to whom they had just been introduced - waved his arms around, jumped up, and said, "I'm another! I'm another!" This man, Murray Wilkes, later told them that during the war the evangelist had approached him while he was running to catch a tram, and that he had given his life to Christ in an army barracks two weeks later.

While in Perth, Francis Dixon again shared the story of the two sailors. This time, a man approached him after the talk to say that he too had become a Christian as a consequence of the single sentence uttered by the evangelist on George Street, Sydney. What's more, he had gone on to lead Christian Endeavour for Western Australia.

And so, Francis Dixon reached Sydney determined to meet the man behind these stories. On arrival, he related the stories to local Christian worker Alec Gilchrist, and asked if he knew the evangelist. "I know him well", said Alec. "His name is Frank Jenner. Like me he works with the Forces and he is a sailor himself. He worships at one of the Christian Brethren assemblies in Sydney".

Later, in Frank and Jessie Jenner's humble town-house, as Francis Dixon told the four stories of the men who had responded to the evangelist's simple question, Frank Jenner, with tears in his eyes, fell to his knees and prayed: "O Lord, thank you for tolerating me". After a time of prayer, Jenner confessed that after speaking to 10 people a day for the previous 16 years, this was the first time he had heard of lasting results. "You know, I never heard that anyone I ever spoke to had gone on for the Lord. Some made professions of salvation when I spoke to them but I never ever knew any more than that", he said to his guests.

Those who knew Frank Jenner testify that his nature was generous and warm, that he quickly inspired trust in others, and that his life was marked by persistence in prayer.

The circumstances of the Second World War - particularly the horrific images of Japan after the atomic bombs - so heightened Jenner's sense of urgency that he felt it necessary to confront others directly about their standing before God. Not that this came easily: Jenner struggled to overcome a gambling habit acquired as a sailor, and he suffered persistent health problems throughout his life. He was so aware of his weakness that before each encounter on George Street he silently prayed: "I can do all things through him who gives me strength". He first coined his now-famous question in 1937, and over the years probably asked nearly 100,000 people.

It is no surprise, then, that his influence extended far beyond Australia. Just a month after meeting Frank Jenner, Francis Dixon spoke at a Methodist Church in Keswick, England. After the service, a man who worked for 'Mission to Mediterranean Garrisons' approached Mr Dixon and said, "I too was challenged by Mr. Jenner and now I am in a soul-winning work myself". Four years after this, while ministering to missionaries in India, Mr Dixon found another convert from George Street, Sydney. She had responded to the evangelist's challenge and offered her life for service in India. In all, Francis Dixon knew of 10 people who had come to Christ as a consequence of the influence of Frank Jenner. I wonder how many more there are?

Frank Jenner, in his own way, and to the embarrassment of some Christians, got to the heart of the issue: he directly challenged sailors about their standing before God. His simple question is not a formula for us to copy, but his life is a wonderful testimony of how God can use those who remain faithful to him.

For further reading:
JENNER of GEORGE STREET
by Dr Raymond Wilson

Obtainable from:
Paul Young
31 Fairmeadows
Cwmfelin
MAESTEG
Mid-Glamorgan
CF34 9JL
UK
E-mail: Paulalisonyoung@tesco.net

Also available from the author:
Dr Raymond Wilson
PO Box 485
Mango Hill
BRISBANE
Qld 4509
Australia
Phone: (07) 33850563
E-mail: redowilson@smartchat.net.au

Choosing a Mate

2008-12-21T15:43:00.000-08:00

We know that it is the Lord's will for people to have a mate if they desire one. In the beginning when God created Adam, God Himself made this statement:

"... It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a help meet for him" (Genesis 2:18 KJV).

"Now the Lord God said, It is not good (sufficient, satisfactory) that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper meet (suitable, adapted, completing) for him" (Genesis 2:18 Amplified).

The Lord wants to bring a mate to those who will ask Him and have the patience to wait for His choice.

There are some single people who are constantly out looking for a mate, and they are miserable because God has not sent them one yet. They have prayed and prayed, yet they still have no mate. Some settle for Satan's provision instead of asking God for the patience to wait for the one whom He would send. If they would look to Jesus and seek to please Him, rather than being concerned about a mate, soon they would find the right one crossing their path. Looking for a man or woman to just keep them from being lonely or just to fill their needs or to be a father or mother to their children should not be the only reasons for desiring a mate. They also need to be concerned about what kind of husband or wife they would be for a mate. These single people are still much in the flesh if they just want their own needs met. They should ask the Lord to fill them with His love and peace.

Being single is an important time to prepare us for marriage. It can also be a time to experience a closer communion with God. As we seek God to cleanse us of the world and help us become the kind of wife or husband that would bless someone, we will soon find that we are not lonely. First, the Lord would begin using us to bless others; then we will find we are content in Him. Eventually, in God's plan and timing, He will bless us with a wonderful mate so that both lives can be a witness for Him. We believe if a marriage cannot glorify the Lord, then it would be better to remain alone. There are worse things than being alone. One of these is to be out of God's will by compromising and marrying someone who does not feel the same way we do about the Lord.

Marriage is the second major choice we make in our lives, and we should never enter into it without much prayer. To rush into a marriage can be disastrous. The most important decision of our lives, of course, is our decision to follow the Lord. This decision is not a one-time declaration, but a daily determination to follow Jesus above all. If we allow the emotional or soulish realm to dominate our lives we become more susceptible to the enemy leading us astray through someone. This area of the flesh should be brought under the Lord's subjection so that Satan does not get the advantage and consequently destroy our lives and ministries. So many have failed the Lord because they chose a man or woman over the Lord.

We find this true throughout the Bible, too. Solomon's heathen wives led him into idolatry. Samson lost his eyes because of a woman, Delilah. David committed murder because of passion for Bathsheba.

Our emotions need to be cleansed as they are not the sign of love. The true definition of love is"God is love." If God is not in a relationship it is not true love. What this world calls love is really lust since it is built on what the other person does for me, not what I can do for him or her. If the other person fails to keep up his end of the bargain, a divorce occurs because the offended mate is no longer pleased. This is the attitude of the world's so-called "love." God's love loves without receiving back; God's love is forgiving and patient. God's love is gentle and kind. God's love waits. God's love sacrifices.

1 Corinthians 13 in the Bible gives us a beautiful definition of real love: (In this King James translation the word "charity" means "love.")

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4 Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5 Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6 Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7 Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11 When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13 And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Man's emotions are not a reliable gauge upon which to establish a marriage relationship. We must know in the Spirit that it is God's will. It is much better to marry for character than for emotion. Emotions fluctuate; character doesn't. Emotions are in the soulish realm, and unless the carnal mind has been renewed, Satan can give us emotions or feelings of love for someone of his choosing. (If he did not have this in his power, he could not split up marriages.) One of his favorite techniques is to suddenly take away the feelings one once had for his mate and give feelings for someone else. When he has successfully convinced a person that he no longer loves his or her mate, then he leads them to divorce, whispering, "You are living a lie." After he has destroyed that marriage, he then leads one to marry again by stirring their emotions for another. Often after their next marriage something happens that they do not expect. Before too long, friction begins to develop with the new mate, then arguing. Finally, they find the same thing has happened again; they feel no emotion for their new mate and the next divorce is in the making. "Falling" in love is Satan's way. The very expression of these words should tell us something. A Christian should not blindly "fall" into any trap. Love is bigger than simply falling for someone. Certainly, the Lord gives us a wonderful emotional feeling for the one we are to marry. However, this "feeling" without God's direction can be disastrous as Satan can tamper with our emotions and feelings too.

Marriage, in a Christian's life, should be based on a decision directed by the Holy Spirit. A Christian's love for another is a commitment. Of course, the Lord will supply the emotions for the mate He sends, but that should not be the criterion for making the decision to marry. The Lord should be sought, and whatever He speaks to us we should do. He knows the future and what is best for us. If we trust Him He will not fail us in this or any other important area. Women or men who allow emotions to rule them will never be victorious Christians. Emotions should always follow, never lead.

During Old and New Testament times, fathers and mothers chose the mates for their children. God's people were very careful to choose those who were "believers." We find this practice still prevalent in India and other Eastern cultures. The parents, being older and more prudent, made wiser decisions than the children in this area. The divorce rate in India is only about 7%, whereas in the USA, at the present, it is nearing 50%. Marriages that are loveless can be saved and restored simply by asking God to restore the love that was once there. Sexual relationships can also be healed by praying for a desire for one's mate. Prayer is a mighty weapon. God's love can mend and heal, providing people are willing to lay down their lives for their mates. His love will not fade, as does the love of the world.

Those who are single and have never been married are cautioned in God's Word to seek a mate who is a like believer. "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)." Many precious people suffer because they are living with unsaved mates. Some did not have Christ when they made their marriage decision, but they have since found the Lord. Those will have God's grace and love to win their mates for Jesus. The Lord always strives to bring the lost mate to Himself through the partner who knows Him. Mighty miracles of deliverance and salvation have occurred when people have endured suffering in order to bring their mates to the Lord. Those people who have the light, but choose to marry into darkness by yoking themselves to unsaved mates find that their flesh has led them away from God.

The Lord wants to bless marriage unions and see His plans fulfilled in both mates' lives. What a glorious plan He had from the beginning for both male and female. We can trust Him in this important decision. If we will totally commit to do His will we will never be disappointed in the one He sends into our lives.

Taken from: http://www.bible.com/bibleanswers_result.php?id=149

Basic Christian Doctrine

2008-12-21T15:36:00.000-08:00

There is only one God - Isaiah 43:10; 44:6,8; John 17:3; 1 Cor. 8:5-6; Gal. 4:8-9
God is a Trinity - 2 Cor. 13:14; 1 Pet. 1:2
There are no Gods before or after God - Isaiah 43:10
God knows all things - 1 John 3:20
God is all powerful - Psalm 115:3
God is everywhere - Jer. 23:23,24
God is sovereign - Zech. 9:14; 1 Tim. 6:15-16
God is spirit - John 4:24
God created all that exists - Gen. 1:1; Isaiah 44:24
Spirit does not have a body of flesh and bones - Luke 24:39
God has always been God - Psalm 90:2
Jesus is God - John 1:1,14; 10:30-33; 20:28; Col. 2:9; Phil. 2:5-8; Heb. 1:8
Jesus became a man - Phil. 2:5-8
Jesus has two natures: divine and human - Col. 2:9; 1 Tim. 2:5
Jesus was sinless - 1 Pet. 2:22
Jesus is the only way to God the Father - John 14:6; Matt. 11:27; Luke 10:22
The Holy Spirit is God - Acts 5:3-4
The Holy Spirit is not a force. He is alive - Acts 13:2
The Bible is inspired by God - 2 Tim. 3:16
All people have sinned - Rom. 3:23, 5:12
Man did not evolve, he was created - Gen. 1:26
Adam and Eve were real people - Gen. 3:20; 5:1; 1 Tim. 2:13
Death entered the world because of Adam's sin - Rom. 5:12-15
Sin separates us from God - Isaiah 59:2
Jesus died for all our sins - 1 John 2:2; 2 Cor. 5:14; 1 Pet. 2:24
Jesus' sacrifice was a substitution, for us - 1 Pet. 2:24
Jesus rose from the dead in His physical body - John 2:19-21
Those who reject Jesus will go to Hell - Rev. 20:11-15
Hell is a place of fiery punishment - Matt. 25:41; Rev. 19:20
Hell is eternal - Matt. 25:46
The unsaved go to hell forever - Rev. 21:8
Salvation is a free gift of God - Rom. 4:5; 6:23; Eph. 2:8-9
The Bible is the Word of God - 2 Tim. 3:16
Jesus will return visibly to earth - Acts 1:11
Christians will be raised from the dead when Jesus returns - 1 Thess. 4:14-17
There will be a rapture (being caught up into the clouds with Jesus) -
1 Thess. 4:14-17
There will be a final judgment - 2 Pet. 3:7
The damned will be thrown into a lake of fire - Rev. 20:15
Satan will be cast into the lake of fire - Rev. 20:10
There will be a new heavens and a new earth - 2 Pet. 3:13; Rev. 21:1

my testimony sharing

2008-11-04T17:15:00.000-08:00

I am so shy to share this haha...so embarrassing.......anyway....here you go...

Below is my script...but I didn't follow exactly

Hi Guys, my name is Robin, I come from HK. I am from this lovely and supporting group of J5, And I am doing veterinary science in UQ, for those who do not know what that is, that means doctor for animals, Today I would like to share even how God have changed my life, but before I start my story, I would like to tell you a little bit about the education system in HK. In HK, there are 7 yrs of secondary schooling, and at the 5^th year, which is form 5, there are a period of open exams called HKCEE, which is similar to O level, and then, if your result is satisfactory to proceed, there is an A level at the end of the 7^th year. And for my case, although I tried very hard, I still wasn’t good enough to proceed to Form 6, I was just a little behind the standard and for that reason I wasn’t able to continue my study in the same school, I didn’t want to study in other secondary school because that is not going to be a good option as I could only get into schools that are worse than the one I used to be in, and I reached a point where I decided to just start working instead of continue on studying, but thank God for my wonderful mother, she pursued her attempt, and she tried every sources just to get information to find a way out for my situation.

With God’s blessing, she managed to find UQ foundation which was willing to offer my enrolment in Brisbane. And that’s why I am in Australia today, And through that I entered Uni one year earlier than my other friends in HK, isn’t that amazing?. And after 1 yr or so, some friends of mine who have been attending Hope Brisbane Christian Church, which is this church, invited me to live group. At 1^st I didn’t want to go, but my dear friends kept inviting me, so one day I decided to just give it a try JUST becoz I feel bad rejecting him so many time, and, this is the interesting bits, because of my poor English back then…….I accepted Christ without truly understanding what it really means….so of coz I didn’t continue to join them and didn’t go to church, however, about 1 yr down the track, God put me in a situation where I was filled with heart-brokenness and regrets. I was walking from my house, which was in St.lucia, to coronation drive bikeway with tears on my face, and that day was when God started to turn my life to Him. And a brother I met in LG b4, whose name is Rayson, he is my dear shepherd now btw, happened to drive pass me and he felt a prompting from God to go back and find me, and amazingly, somehow he knew I was at coronation drive bikeway!! He was waiting in front of me and He came to talk to me, and I talked to him about my situation, I felt so much better after talking to him, and since then I started to give open my heart to God. And from that day onward God kept directing me to Him, the most significant experience with God was at OC 2007, a convention which is organised by our church, I truly experienced God’s love and His presence was so strong, I remember, I couldn’t stop crying during that particular worship night, and from that point onward, I start to come to church regularly and decided to follow Him wholeheartedly.

I want to finish off my testimony with this verse, jeremiah 29:11,” For I know the plan I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you hope and a future.” brothers and sisters, this verse truly is God’s promise, which is never failing, He planned all these things to happen in my life, from 5yrs ago, where I had no choice but to come to Australia to study, from someone who couldn’t get into any Uni in Hk, to someone who is doing this specialist courses in UQ, and Praise God He helped me through my degree, (I am in 4^th year now by the way), and to where I was walking in Coronation drive bikeway and God changed my life, and. Everything was in His plan, and as the verse have said, it is for our good, to give us hope and a future, therefore, bro and sis, you might be complaining about your situation right now, but I encourage you to trust in God’s plan because it is always the best for us!!! Thank you!

little sharing....

2008-10-20T06:57:00.000-07:00

below is article I copied from my xanga which I updated today haha.....thought maybe it's good share with you guys too.......dun blame me if it's boring@@
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In the past 2 months, I have been so fully packed with stuff.....school stuff......church service dinner stuff....etc..
For those who do not know, I was asked to help organising this year's afternoon service service dinner, it is completely something new to me, because i have never organised events, and this event involve about 300 ppl......yet I praise God, that i have such a good team to work with, I learnt much from everyone of them, and praise Him, that the dinner went smoothly, and so far, the feedback was good, it's not by our works, but God's grace and His power that it went so well~!!
Hahaha......my friends in HK must be thinking that I am so weird, talking about this Christian stuff all the time......but God is so real in my life that I can never deny Him, because He set me free from sufferings, and protected me from potential accidents, and provided me with almost everything I needed, and I can see that my life have been so blessed when I walk with God. This is the reason why no matter what happens, I will still put church as my top priroity, I am not saying that I can ingore everything else, things like friends, study, family, etc, is indeed very important, but I believe that as I focus on God, He will help me to do what's right in His sight, and what's right in His sight? serve Him even though you have exam the next day is right, you can always trust Him that He will help you with your exams if you sacrifice your time to serve Him and His people, again, I am not saying that you don't need to study, I am saying that you should manage your time well, so that you can be well-prepared for exam and yet be able to serve God at the same time. One of my experience is, in the last month or so, I have had some exams, yet I have been so busy, but as I serve the Lord, God gave me good results! I got more than 90% in my exam, it have never happened to me before in my whole uni life. It is nothing else but God!
hahaha And now I am facing another "time crisis" I need to complete 3 assignments and study for 2 tests in 5days time.......2 assignments are 3000 words long.....I am really trusting Him for it as it's simply impossible to be done without the strength from God.......hahaha enough typing.........go back to my assignments.....

P&W song list

2008-09-08T18:14:00.000-07:00

Judah 5 song list for P&W:

Let us thank Sunny for putting all these together (i'm sure it wasn't easy). Praise God.

Title	First line
A Pure heart	A pure heart, that’s what I long for.
A Year of Breakthrough (It is now)	Lord as we pray that your kingdom be here. We believe, we believe, it is now!
Above all	Above all powers above all kings
Above all else	Jesus, my passion in life is to know you
All about you	Hear our praises, hear your people sing
All that I am	All that I am, All that I have, I lay them down before you O lord
All the heavens	Holy, holy are you lord. The whole earth is filled with your glory
All things are possible	Almighty God my redeemer. My hiding place my safe refuge
Amazing grace	Amazing grace, how sweet the sound
As the deer	As the deer pants for the water so my soul longs after you
At the cross	O Lord you’ve searched me, you know my way
Awesome God	Our God is an awesome God He reigns from Heaven above
Awesome in this place	Here in this house of the great King. We’ve come together now to Worship Him
Awesome in this place	As I come into your presence, past the gates of praise

Title	First line
Beautiful	All I am I give to you with every breath. I worship you I pray let your will be done
Beautiful one	Wonderful, so wonderful. Wonderful is your amazing love
Beautiful savior	Jesus, beautiful savior. God of all majesty risen King
Better than life	Better than the riches of this world. Better than the sound of my friend’s voice
Blessed	More than I could hope or dream of, you have poured your favour one me
Blessed by your name	Blessed be your name in the land that is plentiful

Title	First line
Celebrate Jesus celebrate	Celebrate Jesus celebrate, celebrate Jesus celebrate.
Come Holy Spirit	Come Holy Spirit fall on me now. I need your anointing come in your power
Come Holy Spirit	Come Holy Spirit, fall afresh on me. Fill me with your power, satisfied my needs
Come on and celebrate	Come on and celebrate. His gift of love we will celebrate
Create in me a clean heart	Create in me a clean heart Oh God, and renew a right spirit within me
Cry Holy	In my loneliness you are there to reveal your righteousness in my despair

Title	First line
Do you feel the mountain tremble	Did you feel the mountain tremble? Did you hear the oceans roar?
Draw me close	Draw me close to you, never let me go
Dwelling places	Lovely are your dwelling places, thirsty I come after you

Title	First line
Eagles Wings	Here I am waiting abide in me I pray. Here I am longing for you
Emmanuel	Together in this place of worship, you great we proclaim
Enough	All you is more than enough for all of me. For every thirst and every need
Evermore	Lost for words with all to say, Lord you take my breath away
Everything that has breath	Praise Him in the sanctuary. Praise Him in the mighty Heavens
Everything that has breath	Let everything that, everything that, everything that has breath praise the Lord
Everything to me	Jesus Christ King of glory, Lord of all we praise you
Exalted	Exalted, you will ever be exalted

Title	First line
Faith	I’m reaching for the prize, I’m giving everything
Fall	I love to worship you my God. I love to worship you my Lord
Find Me at the Cross	Here I stand forgiven. Here I stand Holy and Righteous
For all you’ve done	My savior, redeemer, lifted me from the miry clay
For this cause	Hope has found it’s home within me. Now that I’ve been found in you
Forever	Give thanks to the Lord, our God and King
Forever	I’ll worship at your throne, whisper my own love song
Friends of God	Who am I that you are mindful of me, That you hear me, when I call
From the rising of the sun	From the rising of the sun. To the going down of the same

Title	First line
Give me oil in my lamp	Give me oil in my lamp, keep me burning, burning, burning
Give thanks	Give thanks with a grateful heart, give thanks to the Holy One
Glory	Great is the Lord God almighty, great is the Lord on high
God He reigns	Holy One, Holy One, all creating bows to worship
God is great	All creation cries to you. Worshipping in Spirit and in truth
God is moving	Holy spirit, touch your people. Teach us the ways of God
God will make a way	God will make a way where there seems to be no way
Great in power	Praise Him you heaven and all that’s above. Praise Him you angles and heavenly hosts
Great in the Lord	Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise, the city of our God they Holy place
Greatest thing	The greatest thing in all my life is loving you, my life is loving you.

Title	First line
Hallelujah, Jesus is alive (See Jesus is alive)	Hallelujah, Jesus is alive, death has lost it’s victory and the grave has been denied
He knows my name	I have a maker. He formed my heart before even time began
Hear our praise	May our homes be filled with dancing, may our streets be filled with joy
Heart of worship	When the music fades and all is stripped away and I simply come
Here I am to worship	Light of the world you stepped down into darkness
Holy King	Holy King, our lives we lay before you
Hosanna	I see the King of glory, coming down the clouds with fire, the whole earth shake
How can I say thanks you	I stand amazed at the wonder of Your love. I’ll give You praise for all you’ve done for me
How could I live without you	How could I live without you, how could I survive, without your love, without your touch
How good it is to give thanks	How good it is to give thanks unto the Lord (x2)
How great is our God	The splendor of the King, clothed in majesty, let all the earth rejoice (x2)
How I love you	Here I stand; before you may heart is still. Wanting just to be with you

Title	First line
I simply live for you	Say the word and I will sing for you, over ocean deep I will follow
I worship you almighty God	I come into your courts with praise, I bow before your throne
Jesus we celebrate your victory	Jesus, we celebrate your victory. Jesus, we revel in your love
Love you so much	Here these praise from a grateful heart, each time I think of your praises start
Making a difference	Won’t you Lord, take a look at our hands. Everything we have use it for your plans
I stand in awe of you	You are beautiful beyond description too marvelous for words
I adore	The universe is at your feet, give you praise, evermore.
I belong to you	Open arms welcome me close to your heart and there I long to stay
I choose to worship	I could stand outside your gates and never enter in
I come to you	I swept away by the wonder of your love. How one so great could love this one so small
I could sing of your love forever	Over the mountains and the sea, your river runs with love for me
I give you my heart	This is my desire to honor you. Lord with all my heart I worship you
I just want to be where you are	I just wanna be where you are, dwelling daily in your presence
I live to know you	Standing in Your presence, Lord my heart and life are changed
I love you Lord	I love you, Lord. And I lift my voice. To worship You. Oh, my soul rejoice
I walk by faith	I walked by faith, each step by faith, to live by faith, I put my trust in you
I will run to you	Your eye is on the sparrow and your hand it comforts me, from the ends of the earth
I worship You almighty God	I come into your courts with praise, I bow before your throne
In moments like these	In moments like these, I sing out a song, I sing out a love song to Jesus
It is You	It is you (x2) It is you that I love. It is you my Lord and King
It’s a greatest thing to praise the Lord	It’s a great thing to praise the Lord (x3) Walking in the light of God
It’s all about Jesus	It is all about Jesus, it’s all about the way he changed our lives
Its You	I want to sing, until I am lost in your love. Till I am found in your presence

Title	First line
Jesus we celebrate your victory	Jesus, we celebrate your victory. Jesus, we revel in your love
Jesus is alive (See Hallelujah, Jesus is alive)	Hallelujah, Jesus is alive. Death has lost its victory and the grave has been denied
Jesus lover of my soul	Worship you my Lord until the very end (x2) Jesus, lover of my soul. Jesus, I will never let you go
Jesus shall take the highest honor	Jesus shall take the highest honor. Jesus shall take the highest praise
Jesus we enthrone you	Jesus we enthrone you, we proclaim you are king. Standing here in the midst of us

Title	First line
King of Majesty	You know that I love you, you know that I want to know you so much more
Knowing You	All I once held dear, built my life upon. All this world reverses and wars to own

Title	First line
Lord I lift your name on high	Lord I lift your name on high, Lord I love to sing your praises
Lord we’re asking	Spirit of wisdom rest on me. Counsel and might, flow through me
Love you so much	Hear this praise from a grateful heart. Each time I think of You praises start

Title	First line
Magnificent	Who compares to you? Who set the starts in their place?
Majesty	Here I am humbled by your Majesty. Covered by your grace so free
Making a difference	Won’t you Lord. Take a look at our hands. Everything we have, use it for your plans
More	I will wait, reach out my hands before you. My keeper, I will come running
More of You	I want to know the one who holds my hand in this race that I run
My life is in You	My life is in you Lord, my strength is in You Lord, My hope is in You Lord, In You, it’s in You
My best friend	Have you heard of the one called savior. Have your heard of His perfect love
My greatest love is you	Everything new day your glory unfolds. Filling my eyes with your treasures
My redeemer lives	I know He rescued my soul. His blood has covered my sins. I believe, I believe
My savior lives	Our God will reign forever, and al the world will know His name

Title	First line
Need You here	I need You here, I need You here. You’re like the rain that falls, fall on this heart
None but Jesus (writing lyrics)	In the quiet, in the stillness I know that you are God. In the secret of your presence I know there I am restored
Now that You’re near	I stand before you Lord, and give You all my praise. You love is all I need, Jesus, You’re all I need
Not ashamed of the gospel	When you find me, My whole world changed, I’m redeemed by your life

Title	First line
One day	More than I could hope or dream off, you’ve pour your favour on me
One desire	You gave it all for me, my soul desire my everything. All I am is devoted to you
One way	I lay my life down at your feet, you’re the only one I need
Open the eyes of my heart	Open the eyes of my heart Lord, open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you, I want to see you
Open up the gates	We come into this holy place. To bring a sacrifice of praise, bow down before you and seek your face

Title	First line
Power of your love	Lord I come to you, let my heart be changed, renewed. Flowing from the grace that I’ve found in You
Praise Him	Looking out my window I see the trees blowing in the breeze

Title	First line
Rise up and praise Him	Let the heavens rejoice. Let the earth be glad. Let the people of God sing His praise, all over the land
Running after you	Yeah… (x2) Your word is a light unto my path. Your love guides my through my darkest night

Title	First line
Shout to the Lord	My Jesus, my Saviour. Lord there is none like you. All of my days I want to praise
Send me	Send me I will go, send me I will go. To this city, to this nation.
Shout of the King	I give you praise for you deserve it. I give you praise for what you’ve done
Shout to the north	Men of faith rise up and sing. Of the great and glorious King.
Shout your fame	Some say you’re just a good man, some say you were kind.
Sing of your great love (written lyrics)	All that is within me Lord, will bless your Holy name
Sing (your love)	It used to be darkness without you. I lived my life in blindness. But now I’m found
Something beautiful	Something good all my confusion. He understood. All I had to offer Him was brokenness and strife
Song of freedom	A song of freedom is on my lips today, today.
Spirit touch your church	Lord we need Your grace and mercy. We need to pray like never before
Still	Hide me now, under your wings. Cover me, within your mighty hand

Title	First line
The power of your love	Lord I come to you. Let my heart be changed renewed. Flowing from the grace that I found in You
The time has come	Found love beyond all reason, you gave your life, your all for me
Take me deeper	There is a longing, only you can fill. A raging tempest only you can still
The potter’s hand	Beautiful Lord, wonderful savior. I know for sure all of my days are
There is none like you	There is none like you. No one else can touch my heart like you do
This is how we overcome	Your light broke through my nigh. Restore exceeding joy.
This is my desire	This is my desire, to honor you. Lord with all my heart, I worship you.
This is the day	I will sing of your faithfulness. Of your mercy and your love
This is the day	This is the day, this is the day, that the Lord has made, that the Lord has made
Through it all	You are forever in my life, you see me through the seasons
To live is Christ	I make a vow my life will always. Honor Christ, whether I live or die
To the ends of the earth (Written lyrics)	Love unfailing, overtaking my heart, you take me in
To you	Here I stand forever in Your mighty hand. Living with your promise, written on my heart
To you alone	Every knee will bow, and every tongue confesses. Jesus Christ is Lord, Lord and King
Trading my sorrows	I’m trading my sorrows, I’m trading my shame, I’m laying them down for the joy of the Lord

Title	First line
Undignified	I will dance I will sing to be mad for my king. Nothing lord is hindering just passion in my soul
Unreserved love	I’ve always been told love won’t survive. Promises will turn into lies.
Unto you	I live for you all of my days belong to you. You draw me too your tenderness, You make me new

Title	First line
Victory chant	Hail Jesus you’re my King. Your life frees me to sing. I will praise You all my days, perfect in all your ways

Title	First line
Waves of mercy	Every move I make, I make in You. You make me mover Jesus.
We have a vision	We have a vision for this nation. We share a dream for this land
What you’ve done for me	In the darkest night, You called my name. Beckoned me to come.
With all I am	Into your hands I commit again with all I am for you Lord
Worship forevermore	Oh Lord, You have given to me all I need. And I pray for your will to be done
Worthy is the lamb	Thank you for the cross Lord. Thank you for the price you paid
Worthy to be praised	Lord, I come into your presence. Here I stand in awesome reverence, Falling before the wonder of your name

Title	First line
Yes and amen	God says yes and I know that I’m blessed. Yes got a heart that’s at rest
Yesterday, today and forever	Everlasting God, the years go by, but you’re unchanging.
You alone	You are the peace that guards my heart, my help in time of need
You are awesome in this place	As I come into your presence, past the gates of praise. Into your sanctuary, Till we’re standing face to face.
You are my all in all	You are my strength when I am weak. You are the treasure that I seek. You are my all in all
You are my Lord	When I am weak, you lift me up. I find my strength in You
You are near	In awe of you we worship. And stand amazed at your great love
You are Why	I live for you, all that I am all that I do. My heart beats with you and each day I wake, I think of you
You deserve the highest praise	We come into your presence with singing, come into your presence with praise
You laid aside your majestic	Gave up everything for me. Suffered at the hands of those you had created
You said	You said ask and you will receive. Whatever you need. You said pray and I’ll hear from heaven
Your love	Where can I go from your spirit. How can I escape from your love
Your love is beautiful	You surrounded me with songs of praise. You have brought me to this place

I still believe love can last...

2008-08-04T17:07:00.001-07:00

The Two Essentials of Sharing Good News (Acts 8:26-40)

2008-08-04T16:53:00.000-07:00

1. Walking with the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:26-30)
Philip was led by the God to the desert road that goes down Jerusalem to Gaza (vs26) and speaks to an Ethiopian. The Holy Spirit asked Philip to go toward the chariot and stay near it (vs28). We need to partner with God and Holy Spirit when we go out to share the Good News. God want to guide and lead us to bring Good News to others

Application: Pray all the time when you go out to share the gospel. Pray quietly while you are looking for lost souls. The Holy Spirit will direct you through continual prayer.

Jesus partner with the God
Jesus had revelation about Nathanael (John 1:47-49)
Jesus told Nicodemus about “Born Again” that open up to sharing Good News (John 3:1-21)
Jesus knew about Samaritan Woman background (John 4:16-19)

2. Walking with the Words (Acts 8:31-35)

Philip was able to explain to the Ethiopian the prophetic words about Jesus’ death given by Prophet Isaiah. Philip had the Word of God inside him and the Holy Spirit was able quicken God’s word when the Ethiopian asked Philip for the interpretation. Memorise some scriptures in the bible as you read the Word of God.

Application: Memorise some scripture such as “Romans 3:23, Romans 6:23, Romans 10:9-10, 13, John 1:12, John 3:16, John 10:10, John 14:6"

Pray

2008-08-03T15:58:00.001-07:00

Latest Judah 5 Videos

2008-08-01T09:49:00.000-07:00

Unreserved Love

Eliza's Farewell

Do I know His word?

2008-06-13T18:44:00.000-07:00

About a year or two ago, I was playing sports at the field where we always held our Saturday Sports Event in UQ and I was approached by two American guys just a few years younger than me. I thought they were students in UQ, but apparently, they were one of a kind.

They were Missionaries from America trying to plant a church here in Brisbane. I shall decline to reveal what church they were from for the sake of not inciting any bad impression upon them. In fact, these two young lads were very nice and friendly. Much taller than me for sure, but they were mild, gentle and very polite.

When I heard that they were here to plant church and preach the Gospel in UQ, I was delighted. They then stayed on to play with us throughout the day. I could tell they really enjoyed it.

A few days later, they wanted to catch up with me. I said ok.

when we met, they brought a friend along. It was their pastor in charge of the Missions work here. After beating a round the bush for an hour playing cards, I got them to come straight to the point. He did.

He began by a straight accusation about my salvation - saying that I was not a saved because I did not go through the right procedures for salvation - especially the way I was baptised. I told him straight with my basic doctrinal knowledge that Salvation is by Faith and not works - no form of rules and regulations or ceremonials can get you saved. It is purely by believing in God and Honouring Him as Lord alone .

He began quoting me scriptures that seemingly contradicted my doctrine. I was kinda defeated in that pit-fight of scriptures. We debated a little while more and we ended the night. He closed it off by inviting me to his fellowship group, implying me to commit to his team because he could see that sense of commitment in me with my current church.

Though that did not shake my belief that Salvation is by Faith, that incident shook me badly. Overnight, I was brought into the reality of my Christian walk. Having being a Christian for 2 or more years, I should have had this basic knowledge about what I believe in at my finger tips. I should have been able to answer and convince these people with God's truth and authority. I've had all the time, what was I doing with it?

I realised a few things that God was trying to teach me during that session:

How am I going to right the Spiritual fight if I do not know God's truth?

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. Ephesians 6:12
My doctrinal knowledge and skill in usage of the word was really weak. Though I knew God and could move in the Holy Spirit, I did not know His word deeply enough.

How am I going to convince and warn others about what I believe in, if I can't preach it?

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15

Have I been too passive in seeking the Lord in Spirit and in Truth?

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:23-24

I thought I knew a lot, but when I met these guys I was deeply humbled. I'm just another poor man in God's house.

And so I've learnt my lesson from God. We have to be Practical in our lives. Not just Christians who stand in awe of God and worship him on the mountain top all day long, but one that is willing to come down to the mountain and fulfill his purposes effectively. Matthew 17:1-18

The way to be effective for God is not just faith alone. Faith helps us take the step, but without the word of God, we have no authority and strength in the things that we do. We have no understanding. Also, our faith would be shaky because we have completely no understanding of God's word.

Another thing I've learnt is that we've got to overcome the fear of debate because the Truth must be proclaimed. We cannot simply shun away from debating of the word. These things will surely come, but we must address them tactfully and lovingly. We must learn to make a stand for God's house like Stephen in Acts 6:8-10.

We cannot be naive Christians. Yes, we must reflect that Child-like Faith and Obedience towards God, but we must not be Child-like in our knowledge and understanding of the word. For all Circumstances and situations in life, we must learn to discern truths and apply the word of God into them so that we may be able to convince and teach others to follow.

Let us not just pass down knowledge that we have gathered from other leaders, but let us learn to discern truth directly from the word of God ourselves. This way, we will not be swayed by any kinds of teachings and doctrines, but that we may learn to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit and test the different spirits of teachings that may come by.

Till this day, I am still friends with those few missionaries and their pastor. They have recently started their church service and even invited me. I couldn't go because it conflicted with our church service.

I did however sent him an email attaching the article I put up about Salvation in the Article Section of this blog. Hope you guys read it.

"Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation?

2008-06-13T18:29:00.000-07:00

This conversation is a good illustration of the need to know more than basic theology when discussing the issue of whether or not baptism is necessary for salvation.

Both Frank and myself had computer Bible programs at our disposal so we were copying text into the dialogue. This made things easier and quicker.

Also, this dialogue belies my belief in infant baptism. I'm Reformed in theology and believe in the covenant aspect of baptism that includes infants. I do not believe it saves infants but I believe that as circumcision was a covenant sign in the Old Testament, baptism is the covenant sign in the New.

My desire is not to convince you or anyone about this position here in this dialogue. Rather it is to establish the fact that baptism is not a requirement for salvation.

Frank: You're from CARM right?
Matt: Yep.
Matt: I'm Matt Slick.
Frank: That's what I thought.
Frank: What do you think of water baptism regeneration?
Matt: It is a false doctrine.
Frank: Still another meaning refers to the sacrament of baptism, which is a spiritual rather than bodily cleansing (Matt. 28:19, Rom. 6:3, 1 Pet. 3:21).
Matt: Correct. It is important, but it is not what saves us.
Frank: event from water baptism (see John 3:5, Acts 2:38, 19:2-3, 22:16, Rom. 6:3, Col. 2:11-12, Titus 3:5, and 1 Pet. 3:21 on the subject of baptism's graces). But something instructive can be learned about the mode of baptism and the meaning of the word 'baptizo' even if they insist on separating Spirit baptism from water baptism. Aren't they the same?
Matt: Water baptism is a sacrament - a physical manifestation of a spiritual reality. Spirit baptism is an anointing, possession, movement of God on a person.
Frank: Isn't it essential for salvation? "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit," Acts 2:38; what about this? Acts 19:1-6 weren't they baptized immediately in this passage of scripture?
Matt: Do you believe baptism is necessary for salvation?
Frank: I don't know.
Matt: Have you got a Bible?
Frank: Yep.
Matt: Acts 10:44, They are baptized after receiving the holy spirit, right? It was after they speak in tongues and glorify God. Tongues is a gift for the church, for church members, for the saved…then they were baptized. If baptism is necessary, then that means those people were filled with the HS, glorified God, and spoke in tongues, but they were not saved. Does that make any sense?
Frank: How do you explain, the baptism 1st in (Acts 2:41)?
Matt: Hold on. One thing at a time. Do you see the point in Acts 10:44ff?
Frank: Luke 3:3; Luke 7:29; Acts 19:4; Rom. 6:4; Eph. 4:5 -- All refer to baptism and I read Acts 10:44 but there are other passages too, that should be looked at like Matt. 3:13. Didn't Jesus give us an example of how we should be baptized?
Matt: First of all, were the people in Acts 10:44ff, saved before baptism?
Frank: Yes, in that particular situation, but how about all these other verses. Why absolutize that passage and not others? Like Acts 1:5, why did John the Baptist give water baptism?
Matt: If they were saved before baptism, then baptism isn't necessary for salvation, is it? Psalm 119:151 says that the SUM of God's law is truth. Let's tackle Acts 2:38, okay?
Frank: Okay.
Matt: What is 'the promise' spoken of in Acts 2:39?
Frank: The promise of the HS and the LORD shall call. But you still have not answered the above passages, that are in reference to baptism.
Matt: First of all, let's stick with one thing at a time. Second, that is not it.
Frank: What do you mean?
Matt: To a Jew what would be "The Promise"?
Gen. 17:7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and you and your descendants after you throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be God to you and to your descendants after you. And I will give to you and to your descendants after you, the land of your sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their God.

Gal. 3:8-14, And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, All the nations shall be blessed in you. ⁹So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer. For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse; for it is written, Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the law, to perform them. Now that no one is justified by the Law before God is evident; for, The righteous man shall live by faith. ¹²However, the Law is not of faith; on the contrary, He who practices them shall live by them ¹³Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us for it is written, Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree ¹⁴in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith. Notice that in verse 8 the promise is called the Gospel being justified by faith. Verse 14 mentions it as THE PROMISE.

Acts 7:17, But as the time of the promise was approaching which God had assured to Abraham, the people increased and multiplied in Egypt,

Acts 13:32-33, And we preach to you the good news of the promise made to the fathers, ³³ that God has fulfilled this promise to our children in that He raised up Jesus, as it is also written in the second Psalm, Thou art My Son; today I have begotten Thee.
Frank: Verse 39 says, "for the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar, even as many as the Lord our God shall call."
Matt: Yes. Very good. The Abrahamic Promise included infants, didn't it? The Abrahamic Promise is that God would justify the Gentiles by faith. Check out Rom. 4:13-16, For the promise to Abraham or to his descendants that he would be heir of the world was not through the Law, but through the righteousness of faith. ¹⁴For if those who are of the Law are heirs, faith is made void and the promise is nullified; ¹⁵for the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there violation. ¹⁶For this reason it is by faith, that it might be in accordance with grace, in order that the promise may be certain to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all.
Frank: "Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name" (Acts 22:16). 1 Pet. 3:21: "Baptism . . . now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Luke 18:15 says, "Now they were bringing even infants to him" (Proseferon de auto kai ta brephe), and following this are the same words as in Matt. 19:14. The Greek word brephe means "infants"-- could you explain these passages?
Matt: We are doing Acts 2:38. One verse at a time.
Frank: Okay.
Matt: Do you see that the Abrahamic promise is still in effect?
Frank: What you mean?
Matt: The Abrahamic promise is THE PROMISE spoken of in Acts 2:39 . THE PROMISE is that God would justify the Gentiles by Faith. That is reiterated by Paul in Gal. 3:8ff, and Rom. 4:13ff. Acts 2:38 is referred to in Acts 2:39 , THE PROMISE. Do you remember what the sign of the Abrahamic promise was?
Frank: I don't know, then how in the world can infants be saved, they do not understand to have faith?
Matt: Were infants included in the Abrahamic promise through circumcision?
Frank: Yes.
Matt: Circumcision was the covenant sign of the Abrahamic promise, right?
Frank: To be honest I don't know.
Matt: THE promise in Acts 2:39 was meant for the children too, wasn't it?
Frank: I guess...
Matt: Gen. 17:11-12, "And you shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be the sign of the covenant between Me and you. ¹²And every male among you who is eight days old shall be circumcised throughout your generations, a servant who is born in the house or who is bought with money from any foreigner, who is not of your descendants." Acts 2 is full of quotes from the OT. Peter was a Jew. He was speaking to Jews. THE PROMISE was understood by the Jews, they knew what it was. That is why Peter said it was for their children as well. That is why entire households were baptized. Don't households have babies in them?
Frank: Yep.
Matt: You see, this is theology. The groups that teach baptismal regeneration don't know this stuff... therefore, they make mistakes. Acts 2:38 isn't speaking about baptism being a requirement. It is a sacramental sign. Circumcision didn't save. Baptism doesn't either.
Frank: I can see that.
Matt: It is a covenant sign and promise for God's people and their children. That is the context. Peter wasn't saying that baptism saves... but he was drawing their attention to the significance of the NEW covenant sign for Christians: baptism.
Frank: What about these passages? "Rise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on his name" (Acts 22:16). 1 Pet. 3:21: "Baptism . . . now saves you, not as a removal of dirt from the body but as an appeal to God for a clear conscience, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Luke 18:15 says, "Now they were bringing even infants to him" (Proseferon de auto kai ta brephe), and following this are the same words as in Matt. 19:14.
Matt: Acts 22:16, calling on Jesus name is what saves us, not water. 1 Pet. 3:21, let's look at it in the NASB.
Frank: Okay.
Matt: "And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ," "And corresponding to that" in the Greek, is the word, 'antitupon.' It means, antitype, representation, etc. The question is then, "Corresponding to what?". For that we need to look at the previous verses.
1 Pet. 3:18-20, "For Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God, having been put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; ¹⁹in which also He went and made proclamation to the spirits now in prison, ²⁰who once were disobedient, when the patience of God kept waiting in the days of Noah, during the construction of the ark, in which a few, that is, eight persons, were brought safely through the water." What was it that saved Noah and his family? The water or the ark?
Frank: The ark.
Matt: Did they enter the ark by faith?
Frank: Yes.
Matt: Then they were saved by faith, weren't they? That is why it says in the rest of 1 Pet. 3:21, "...not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience through the resurrection of Jesus Christ." Peter is stating that it was not the water, but an appeal to God that saves. The appeal is done by faith, right?
Frank: It looks that way.
Matt: Then baptism is actually an appeal to God, a trust in Him by faith, a dying to ourselves (Rom. 6; Col. 3), a public declaration of our identification with Christ. Does that make sense?
Frank: I think. Acts 1:5, why did John the Baptist give water baptism?
Matt: In Matt. 3:13-15 it says, "Then Jesus came from Galilee to the Jordan to be baptized by John. But John tried to deter him, saying, "I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?" Jesus replied, "Let it be so now; it is proper for us to do this to fulfill all righteousness." Jesus got baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He came to fulfill the Law. Quite simply, Jesus was baptized so he could enter into the Melchizedek priesthood so He could be the High Priest and offer Himself as a sacrifice for our sins.
Frank: When believers get baptized is that to show a fulfillment of righteousness?
Matt: No. When JESUS got baptized it was to fulfill righteousness. To be consecrated as a priest, He had to be:
- washed with water (Lev. 8:6; Exodus 29:4, Matt. 3:16).
- Anointed with oil (Lev. 8:12; Exodus 29:7; Matt. 3:16).
Both of these were bestowed upon Jesus at His baptism. Additionally, He may have needed to be 30 years old - (Num. 4:3) Jesus said in John 5:39 that the Bible was about Him. Jesus came to fulfill the Bible prophecies and typologies. He was baptized to enter into the priesthood (Heb. 5-7).
- Exodus 29:1 - "This is what you are to do to consecrate them, so they may serve me as priests: Take a young bull and two rams without defect."
- Exodus 29:4 - "Then bring Aaron and his sons to the entrance to the Tent of Meeting and wash them with water."
- Exodus 29:7 - "Take the anointing oil and anoint him by pouring it on his head." The Holy Spirit anointed Jesus at His baptism. He was 30 years old. THAT is why He was baptized, to fulfill the Law and to be our High Priest after the order of Melchizedek so He could be a sacrifice for our sins.
Frank: Okay, I've got to think about this for a while.
Matt: Save the transcript and read it, okay?
Frank: okay, no problem.

Baptism is a very important ordinance for the Christian. But it is not what saves us and it is not part of salvation. We are justified by faith (Rom. 5:1), not faith and baptism.

[Read this article here]

Unit Snapshot

2008-06-08T22:28:00.000-07:00

Judah 5 5B

My experience with God through P&W practice.

2008-06-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

Dear Bro & Sis,

Although i am not good with words i'd still choose to share this lesson God taught me. Yesterday was P&W practice for our livegroup, and as you all know it is exam peroid, however, i have still spend a lot of time practicing, trying my best to make it work, then when the time comes to the actual practice with the team, i failed to meet the standard the leader wants, i felt so discouraged and i almost lost temper, it's not because of what people said to me i believe, but because of the time i have spent seems to be in vain, i went home discoraged, sad and hurt, although my fellow bro and sis encouraged me, it wasn't sufficient to stop my heart from bleeding.

That night I wasn't able to sleep until late, so i spent time thinking and thinking, i asked God, "why?", "Am i not doing it with all my heart? Am i not doing what you want me to do? Am i not doing it for you?, i cried out to God from my heart, i said "God, i want to give up, no matter how hard i try, i am just not good enough....i might just stop serving you in guitar, I might just take a break from Livegroup...and have the time spent in other things..." but then suddenly in my head, this thought came in, "If I run away and give up now, I am truly not doing it for God...." So i continued thinking....until a point where i felt so stressed that I went to read my bible, i went to the website biblegateway, and the verse of the day was from Thessalonians, so i opened the Thessalonians chapter 5, and the 1st verse that came into my sight was verse12, and i read on until 15, it says "12Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. 13Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. 14And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else." through this verse I understand that God knows how hard you have worked for Him, and he didn't say respect those who did well, but instead he said respect those who work hard, so result isn't the most important thing God's looking for, it is the heart that God sees, and God as well reminded me later on of this verse, 1 Corinthians 15:58"58Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain." Therefore, do not be discouraged in times like this, things won't always work out, but as long as we have done our best, we are right before the Lord!

On the actual Lifegroup on friday, i was still a bit discouraged, simply because i haven't fully recovered from the thing happened the day before, i just didn't have the confidence to play my guitar in front of all the people in J5, yet during the prayer Cintia said before the practice on Friday, she said "Let nothing stops us from serving the Lord", at that moment i was stunned, wasn't able to say anything, thinking that God is encouraging me here, so we proceed to practice, the leader didn't really require the same standard anymore, the leader has lowered the standard and I felt discouraged, but not because of anything the team has said or done, but because I haven't met the standard, although people don't say it out, but i know i am still far from the standard required previously. So my confidence dropped once again.

Then during the real P&W session, I did even worse, because of my nervousness, because of my lack of confidence, i felt really down, all the way to the point that i can't even play the songs where I normally can play, and towards the end of the P&W session, Joey came out and said something about hurt, and i know that the Lord is speaking to me through him.

After the teaching for the day, Joy asked people to write something to one another, and Joey, Yvonne and Sunny wrote something for me, in the msg i can really see the encouragement, I believe God is showing me through this that people can see your heart for God and people will be encouraged by you when you work hard for God, and most importantly, God knows how much effort you have put into it, why bother with this little things? And my encouragement didn't just end there, after I went home, I saw my shepherd and I told him I messed up during P&W, and He said "Me too" with big smile on his face, I instantly felt encouraged, not because he messed up too of course, but because of the way he sees it, he never focused on the outcome, but his focus is always God, so even if the outcome isn't good, he knows that he has done his best.

Brothers and sisters, I know it is a bit long and naggy..haha...but i wrote this, not because I want to tell you my feelings, but because i want you to know that God knows how much effort we have put into his work, and truly He cares for us, He knows our human limitations and He will encourage and empower us in His timing, so when you are facing some challenges, good, because you are having an opportunity to test your heart! Remember, look to God in difficult time!

watch night 31/12/2007

2008-05-15T08:00:00.000-07:00

membership

2008-05-15T07:44:00.000-07:00

Judah 5......

2008-05-05T07:14:00.000-07:00

Dear Bro & sis,
From the beginning of this semester until now, I realise that Judah 5 has been a bit scattered, with little unity, we argue about little things, we upset about things that are unworthy for us to be upset with, our love towards one another seem to have deminished, did God not ask us to "Love your neighbour as yourselves?", did God not ask us to care and pray for one another? We are in the family of God, and it ought to be a family of love, there is no excuse not to love one another, busyness,ministry, and new believer for you to take care of, they are all excuses, I urge all of you to step out of your comfort zone, to show love to one another, sometimes showing love is easy, you can show love by one simple sentence,you can show love by saying "is everything OK" to someone who seem to be having a hard time with life, etc. '
Brothers and Sisters, let's pray for J5 daily and to take a step of faith and take action now!!!!!!
I do not know how many of you will see this, and i do not know when will you see this, But i do believe that God will start to change you the moment you started reading this post!!!

Let's keep J5 in prayer!
"Lord I pray for J5 that this love toward one another will grow stronger and stronger daily and we'll all be united once again, and i pray that we will truly care for and love one another unceasingly, Lord, pour out your overflowing love in us and help us to have a caring heart, and take away all self-centredness that's in us. In jesus' mighty name i pray, Amen!!"

Barbeque @ The Park

2008-04-20T21:56:00.000-07:00

Do join us for this indescribable experience that's about to come! We yearn to see you there!!!!
(P.S: Rest assured, this BBQ ain't just sausages with onions and sauce.)

Hope KL/Manila Crusade

2008-01-31T03:26:00.000-08:00

Hi Guys,

Just wanted to share with you guys about what happened while I was gone overseas.

As you all know, I took 2 weeks leave to follow Peter as we went about the Hope Churches, preaching about God and his Healing upon each and everyone of us.

When we arrived in Manila, we did our fasting and quiet time and I spoke to Peter that I believe God was going to call him to Crusades this year. We arrived at the meeting ground the that evening and we were surprised that the Hope Manila Church had built a stage in an open air community centre and that they had invited more than 500 people to attend. Peter preached and we saw 144 received Jesus into their hearts on the first day.

Many healings and miracles of God were also being poured out on that day. I personally prayed for one old man who suffered from a stroke and had not been able to walk or talk for six months. After prayer, I led him up to walk. He stood up and began taking the step of Faith. As I supported him lightly, we slowly advanced and I was able to almost let go while he made his way step by step to his wheel chair. The crowd was cheering and praising God even as they saw this sight. I myself, just felt like crying at the awesome power and love of God.

The old man kept praising God (by waving his hands) even as he was sitting down. He later came up the stage and suddenly began to testify about what God had done, that was when his family members found out that he was able to talk too. God is good.

There was another man who also had a stroke. We prayed for him and I got him to try and walk. He walked, but still with much pain and needed a lot of support. He wasn't healed. But after prayer, he still grabbed hold of my hand and thanked me with deep sincerity. I felt sad for him. I really wanted for him to walk again. Still, I got one of the members to ask him for a decision and he too gave his heart to Christ. Before he left, I held on to his hand till the truck drove off. We didn't say much, but in our hearts we felt the love of God. I sensed that he had found peace and hope in his heart.

There were too many healings on that day. People with blurred vision saw clearer, a girl with a deaf ear could hear clearly again. The lame walked off as we threw their crutches to the ground. Satan's power had been broken over the people's lives. Christ has crushed him under His feet.

As we saw an outpouring of God, we felt compelled to extend the meeting for another day and because of this, we saw another 98 decisions for Christ on the second day.

In all, while I was with Peter Truong in KL and Manila for 2 weeks, we saw 320 Decisions for Christ (11 in KL and 309 in Manila). It was truly an awesome and unforgettable trip.

Here are some of the videos I took for Peter Truong while we were in Kuala Lumpur and Manila. Feel free to take a look at the videos.

Bible Resources

2008-01-03T23:41:00.000-08:00

Memory Verse

2007-11-30T01:19:00.000-08:00

Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Hebrews 10:23-25

Season of Goodbyes

2007-11-25T04:31:00.000-08:00

It has once again come to a season in our lives where people leave and go. At this point of time, our heart breaks and our tears flow.

Of late, I have been able to see one of my life long principles – to treasure every single person in my life. I’m thankful for God’s grace to show me this invaluable principle, and to date, it has taught me to treasure every single person in my life.

But this time, with God in my life, it has helped me to even broader my views. It is not just about the person leaving, or treasuring the person. But to know that every single detail and person in our life has been placed there for a reason and a purpose to fulfill.

And with this I realized that in all that we do, it matters a lot to the other person, and us in time to come. If we follow God’s plan closely and be constantly sensitive to His Holy Spirit, we will come to the realization that many things and situations are meant to deepen our relationship (with friends and God), and our character.

Today I just sent a really close friend off... My housemate to be exact. And a couple of days before I left, all the packing and moving of accommodation got both of us frustrated and weary. However, I would like to praise God and thank Him for all the people He have placed in my life, people who came to pray for me and people who came to help me. I knew that with my own strength alone, nothing would be solved. I desperately sought God's help together with the help of my wonderful brothers and sisters who came to my room to pray for us.

God saw all our hearts and He answered our prayers. A day before she left, she actually had a wonderful day at Sunnybank which she had never been before in her two years in Brisbane. She got to eat great Chinese food, tour Sunnybank, visit the Soy Cafe and other places. Seeing her so happy, I felt really happy. I really thank God for providing us with such a wonderful time and journey, and weather. Thank you, Robin, so much… and Eliza for all the wonderful jokes and fun. I’m sure seeing her so happy actually made us feel blessed for blessing others.

Blessing others is actually a blessing to us too, isn’t it?

It was hard to part. Today was the day she had to leave and as we waited in the hot sun for her cab to come, none came but praise God, for Rayson (an angel that appeared suddenly) happened to come by and offered to send her to the airport. More than answering my prayer, He even gave us more than what I expected. And praise God even more that Eliza managed to come together… it just makes me wonder about the amazing power of God, and His plan. We had a wonderful journey there, and I never thought I would be with her on the journey to the airport. The parting was horrible, and there were tears…. And I will really miss her...

Thank you so much Da ge. I’m sure you have touched Rosie’s heart by the way you blessed her and I’m sure she will be able to pass on the love to others in future. She was really touched… (I guess this is how love spreads... we can't return it to the same person, but we can always pass it forward...)

I really want to thank God for such a wonderful time, and for Him answering my prayers. Brothers and sisters, do keep in constant prayer with God, and He’ll give you favour and so will your life too, be filled with content and joy in all things that you do with Him. Nurture this everlasting relationship with Him, for it will take us to eternity.

Many are going to come and go again, especially in near future. But I will trust in His plans and learn to treasure everyone I have now so much more. Especially in our Church where people come and go so frequently, I have began to learn to treasure every single moment with each person to the fullest.

Our Father has never failed me, and neither will He will fail our friends and relationships, should we seek His plans and purposes in our daily walk. Draw close to Him, and He will too, draw close to you.

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11

Even as my dear friend leaves Brisbane and continues in her walk in life and God, I pray and trust that God will continue to work in her life. Although I won’t see her, not in near future, but I know God will still work in her. And this will always remind me to trust in God’s timing. Just these two days, my faith have risen a lot.

Everything is appropriate in its own time. But though God has planted eternity in the hearts of men, even so, many cannot see the whole scope of God's work from beginning to end. – Eccl 3:11

Thus, I want to say that knowing God has broadened my perspective a lot, and that now I am not ashamed or afraid to walk in Christ, for He has done great to my life. Yes, blessed is he who has found the light of God.

Father, I thank you so much… You took away my regrets and gave me hope. Love you, Father.

The Fire of the Lord Part I

2007-11-21T19:42:00.000-08:00

Written by: Reinhard Bonnke
Monday, October 01, 2007

God on Fire

“Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire?
Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?”
(Isaiah 33:14)

The Bible contains over 500 references to fire, linking it with God ninety times. God in action is like a blazing fire, we are told. “The people shall be like the burnings of lime; like thorns cut up they shall be burned in the fire” (Is 33:12). Lime burns slowly and thorns quickly. The fire of God has the same effect on all it touches. Fire is His essential characteristic: “The Lord your God is a consuming fire” (Deut 4:24).

Ezekiel, for example, often uses the language of fire to talk about God, e.g. “I will pour out my wrath on them and consume them with my fiery anger, bringing down on their own heads all they have done, declares the Sovereign Lord” (Ezek 22:31, NIV).

Is your God like that? A God of fire is the only one there is. Our God is like a forest fire, not an iceberg. He is never likened to the moon with its cool light, but rather to the sun, radiating warmth. His dwelling is the light of rising suns. What He does He carries out with intense desire and blazing purposes. He cannot abide anything tepid. There is nothing pastel pink in His presence, pale or anemic, neither one thing nor another.

That is God. Can you take it? Isaiah asks, “Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” (Is 33:14). Who indeed?

Elijah presents us with a real challenge: “The God who answers by fire, He is God” (I Kgs 18:24). Well, if you want to be another Elijah you have to have the God who answers by fire. Can you get along with that sort of religion – incandescent Christianity, hot Gospel, the “fire in your bones” type of faith? Or do you want a casual, easygoing God? The God of Elijah and of Isaiah is never half-hearted, but a God of tireless vigor and total commitment. He is an enthusiast! What He does, He does with fervor: “The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this” (2 Kgs 19:31).

Isaiah 33 speaks of God’s consuming anger against wickedness; God being a devouring fire to Israel’s enemies. Then comes the crunch: the fire will have widespread effect. “The sinners in Zion are afraid; fearfulness has surprised the hypocrites. ‘Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? Who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings?” (Is 33:14). Either in or out of Zion He is a devouring fire.

God Does Not Change

God is the same God to everybody, both in the church and in the world. The God who is angry with sinners every day is the God we deal with. He does not change. True partnership with the Lord means being on fire; the God of fire has no fellowship with icicles. He does not get on well with mild, cool, flabby folk who are undisciplined and haphazard and who work in fits and starts, blowing neither hot nor cold. No matter who we are, God does not adapt to please us; we always have to adapt to Him. Is God too much for you? Too zealous, too unremitting in His activity?

Church leaders and pastors represent God, the God of fire. Our ministry is to bring that God into people’s lives, putting fire into their hearts.

Jesus baptizes with fire (Mt 3:11-12, Lk 3:16-17). John the Baptist said, “I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance, but He who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.”

Scholars question whether John the Baptist ever said such words, and if he did what he meant. Some say that his words about Jesus baptizing in the Holy Spirit and fire refer to cleansing Israel and judgment. I am sure they are wrong. When John spoke of a baptism of the Spirit and fire, it was a promise, not a threat, although it was also a kind of forewarning of things to come. Throughout Scripture the fire of God comes both to purge and to bless.

The fire of God is not given to make us cozy, but holy, and to stir us up. When Moses saw the burning bush God first warned him that he was standing on holy ground, and then told him of the great thing He was about to do, to release Israel from the captivity of Pharaoh (Ex 3). When Isaiah was in the temple and it filled with smoke of the burning holiness of God, his awareness of being unclean preceded God’s equipping him to be His messenger.

If the God of fire takes over, it will not be a comfortable experience for those who sit at ease in Zion. The idea of being filled with the Spirit is not to give us nice emotions and lovely church meetings, but to set us going for God. In giving power, Jesus makes His purpose clear: “You shall be witnesses to me” (Acts 1:8). It is glorious to be anointed, but it is for service, not for nice services.

Life Without Fire

Can we live without fire? Not on this earth. Primitive people believed fire was a gift of the gods, and we can certainly appreciate that. As part of God’s preparation of this world for human habitation, fire is as essential as water or air. Without essential warmth, half the population would freeze to death. Without fire there would be no cooking, no metals, no gold and silver jewelry, no glass, no sunlight, and no manufacturing; we would never have seen a steam train or steam ship. We could not imagine a more terrible world. Nobody would want to live on this planet, and in fact nobody could.

The universe is full of fire. The sun is a great globe of incandescence, every star shines by its own fires, and even the center of our planet is fire – a molten iron core. Every volcano is a dynamic illustration of God’s character. He is a Vesuvius of goodness, life and energy.

Some think God is extinct and have published books which claim to demonstrate just that. What happened to God? They may as well ask what happened to the stars. If they are not visible it is because of modern pollution in the atmosphere. That is the price we pay in our great cities – lots of lamps but no stars. These days, the Magi would be hard put to find a star to guide them to Bethlehem. But this is a modern-day parable. People are not finding their way to Jesus because of pollution. We are too clever by half. Nobody can see God through a polluting cloud of doubt and sin. But He is still there, shining for ever.

On the day of Pentecost there was not only fire but also wind. Wind disperses fog and mist. It clears the atmosphere just as surely as fire warms it. The disciples had doubts galore even after Jesus had risen from the dead and spoken to them. We read that Jesus appeared to the eleven as they sat eating a meal together. Some had believed reports of His appearance but others had doubted; Jesus rebuked them for their hardness of heart. But when the winds of God tore the heavens open and swept into the Upper Room, no doubts were left. The tornado and the tongues of fire on every head were no hallucination. Jesus had reached the power center of the universe, just as He had said. He had kept His promise.

Power Beyond the Grave

Jesus did all these things after He had gone from the earth. What a Jesus! Dead? Forgotten? How can a dead man set 120 living people aflame all at once – and first thing in the morning, too? However, He did not come back, stand among them and say, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” You would have thought that for such a historic, vital occasion He might personally have supervised the event. In fact, He did not. The Holy Spirit had come in His place – the Other Comforter. He could be and do all Jesus was, and did. In fact, all Jesus had ever done was by the Spirit.

That is the scale of Pentecost. It is not an insignificant or minor event. Jesus was born in Bethlehem, the coming of the Comforter took place in Jerusalem, and the coming of the Holy Spirit occurs in each individual as a personal experience. It is as if Jesus Himself was back again and we are His disciples.

London Bridge is falling down....

2007-11-08T05:42:00.000-08:00

Dear all, this was the wonderful video captured by our Judah 5 Adventure Team. Brave ppl who went through Earthquakes and falling Bridges to bring us such heartwarming footages.

Pray that you will enjoy the video. :)

To God be the Glory...

2007-11-07T20:54:00.000-08:00

I cry everytime I see the Glory of God touch so many lives....
Jesus died to save sinners... lest we forget that...

UP and DOWN

2007-11-03T01:14:00.000-07:00

I was walking home from school on Friday when I felt this from God. It had been a tiring week. Endless shepherding. Screwed lab research results. Having to rush from a place to another.......(haha, you get the idea)

So there I was, trudging and dragging my feet when a gust of wind stirred thousands of tiny yellow blooms from the trees. They floated briefly, dancing and swaying before gently setting like a carpet before me. I looked up to see where they had came from, and saw dark majestic trees, their leaves and branches draped with golden blooms. A thought came to my mind: Why haven't I noticed this before?

I have taken the same route each day. The trees had always been there. And yet I have never noticed that they were......beautiful. I had been too busy staring at the ground, at some unfortunate possum lying in the middle of the road, at some piece of gum stuck on my shoe, at some litter on the roadside.

I had been looking DOWN. No wonder I missed the nice trees. No wonder I never noticed the nice view. But on the occassion when I looked UP, I saw the beautiful things.

Very often we tend to look DOWN, and see our bare hands, bare legs, bare wallets, bare pockets, bare whatever, and that is all we see. But look UP and you'll see something better. Trees in bloom, birds flying. A beautiful God. UP there.

Jesus, Beautiful Saviour

God of all majesty, Risen king

Lamb of God, Holy and righteous

Blessed redeemer, Bright morning star

All the heavens shout your praise

All creation bow to worship you

How wonderful, how beautiful,

Name above every name, exalted high

How wonderful, how beautiful

Jesus your name, name above every name, Jesus

- Planetshakers: Beautiful Saviour-

Tough Course up the Mountain

2007-11-02T08:06:00.001-07:00

Is this my 'mountain series'... going concurrently with my 'lamb chop series'? LOL~

Ever since my great 'mountain top' experience... a lot has been going through in my spiritual walk. Yes, being up the mountain top is great. But where our duty is, is down the valley.

Having accepted that... or commanded by our dearest Father, I eventually obeyed. But back down this valley ain't no easy walk at all. Lately, I have been experiencing a series of questions and problems that was halting my spiritual journey.

Turning to Him day and night, committing everything to Him didn't seem to work. As life got worse, my prayers got more desperate. Although certain things seemed to be working out great for me (having my experiments finally working and going home early daily), this major problem could not be solved. Still, all I could do was to soak myself in God's presence (advice from Elysaa), and trust that He will take it from me in His own timing.

However, days passed and signs were shown. And I began to believe much greater in the power of prayers. I used to never understand the purpose of praying... but now I do. Each time a prayer is said, the effect can be seen immediately. Could be a huge effect, or a minor effect. But somewhere, somehow, you will feel the tiniest change, probably in the depths of your hearts.

This whole week, no matter how I sought that 'mountain top' experience, it never came. I became more desperate and dejected.. until Elysaa told me, "There are many different mountain tops. Also, sometimes we are unable to meet God due to certain un-resolved issues within us..."

That struck me. This major problem I was facing could be the reason why I couldn't meet God once again on that 'mountain top'. On Friday during worship once again, I was brought to see a certain vision from God. He showed me a mountain, but not the mountain top. Then as the vision was zoomed into me from a 'first person view', I saw the steep slope that I had to climb. This mountain depicted my spiritual journey and the task I had at hand.

Probably I have been avoiding this task for half my life. And right now, I sense that God is telling me, "Enough avoiding and I've heard your prayer. This is the way to solve it. OVERCOME this problem.... because if you do not overcome this problem, you will never progress. And not only that you won't progress, you will start to slack off, and slide back down the path you came from. Over come this, and the road ahead will be much easier than before, with all the goodness packed for you."

However, I looked up at the task right ahead of me... and this is what I saw:

An inverted slope that I had to overcome. How was I to climb such a slope? I don't know.

But this time, it felt like God telling me I had to do this. Having overcome this is going to open the doors to His purposes for me.

I couldn't confirm if this was also part of my own imagination or a message from God. But after praise and worship, out of the blue, Elysaa was inspired to depict the rice and mountain 'scenario'. That got me to receive the second 'mountain' message from God. How was I to overcome that inverted cliff? With faith... I guess. All I can do now is trust in Him to pull me up, because with only my own power, I don't think I can do this.

And the third confirmation came after we were dispersed into our bible discussion groups. Elysaa gave each and everyone of the girls little notes of encouragement and on the one she gave me showed a man standing on top of a mountain with VICTORY. I was so shocked to see this, for it confirmed what I saw and heard from the vision God was showing me.

"Overcome this, and the road ahead will be much easier than before...."

Much to my amazement, I happened to turn the paper around and what I saw was a picture almost exactly the same as the vision I saw. The INVERTED slope.

What more can I say, but confirm that this is God's message? In my prayer, I asked for an obvious sign... and our faithful God has never ceased to be faithful... I'm am so touched by this, and I'm writing this to share with all of you out there... how faithful our God is, and this wonderful message He is telling me.

Although right now I'm not able to go up that 'mountain' to enjoy the feeling I once did, I feel that there is another peak of the mountain that the Lord is keeping for my journey once I overcome this inverted slope. And of course even overcoming this does not signify that the journey after will be easy, but it will be without the weight of the current burden I am carrying.

With that once again, I've would like to testify for the faithfulness of our God... and the mercifulness that He has shown to me over and over again, despite my numerous occasions of doubt.

Thank you, Lord.

The Trial of Faith

2007-10-31T16:13:00.000-07:00

If you have faith as a mustard seed . . . nothing will be impossible for you —Matthew 17:20

We have the idea that God rewards us for our faith, and it may be so in the initial stages. But we do not earn anything through faith— faith brings us into the right relationship with God and gives Him His opportunity to work. Yet God frequently has to knock the bottom out of your experience as His saint to get you in direct contact with Himself. God wants you to understand that it is a life of faith, not a life of emotional enjoyment of His blessings. The beginning of your life of faith was very narrow and intense, centered around a small amount of experience that had as much emotion as faith in it, and it was full of light and sweetness. Then God withdrew His conscious blessings to teach you to "walk by faith" ( 2 Corinthians 5:7 ). And you are worth much more to Him now than you were in your days of conscious delight with your thrilling testimony.

Faith by its very nature must be tested and tried. And the real trial of faith is not that we find it difficult to trust God, but that God’s character must be proven as trustworthy in our own minds. Faith being worked out into reality must experience times of unbroken isolation. Never confuse the trial of faith with the ordinary discipline of life, because a great deal of what we call the trial of faith is the inevitable result of being alive. Faith, as the Bible teaches it, is faith in God coming against everything that contradicts Him— a faith that says, "I will remain true to God’s character whatever He may do." The highest and the greatest expression of faith in the whole Bible is— "Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him" ( Job 13:15 ).

What happens in heaven

2007-10-31T05:31:00.000-07:00

This is one of the nicest e-mails I have seen.

I dreamt that I went to Heaven and an angel was showing me around. We walked side-by-side inside a large workroom filled with angels.

My angel guide stopped in front of the first section and said, "This is the Receiving Section. Here, all petitions to God said in prayer are received."

I looked around in this area, and it was terribly busy with so many angels sorting out petitions written on voluminous paper sheets and scraps from people all over the world.

Then we moved on down a long corridor until we reached the second section.

The angel then said to me, "This is the Packaging and Delivery Section. Here, the graces and blessings the people asked for are processed and delivered to the living persons who asked for them."

I noticed again how busy it was there. There were many angels working hard at that station, since so many blessings had been requested and were being packaged for delivery to Earth.

Finally at the farthest end of the long corridor we stopped at the door of a very small station. To my great surprise, only one angel was seated there, idly doing nothing. "This is the Acknowledgment Section," my angel friend quietly admitted to me. He seemed embarrassed.

"How is it that there is no work going on here?" I asked. "So sad," the angel sighed. "After people received the blessings that they asked for, very few send back acknowledgments."

"How does one acknowledge God's blessings?" I asked.

"Simple," the angel answered. Just say, "Thank you, Lord."

"What blessings should they acknowledge?" I asked.

If you have food in the refrigerator, clothes on your back, a roof overhead and a place to sleep you are richer than 75% of this world. If you have money in the bank, in your wallet, and spare change in a dish, you are among the top 8% of the world's wealthy.

And if you get this on your own computer, you are part of the 1% in the world who has that opportunity. If you woke up this morning with more health than illness ... you are more blessed than the many who will not even survive this day. If you have never experienced the fear in battle, the loneliness of imprisonment, the agony of torture, or the pangs of starvation ... you are ahead of 700 million people in the world. If you can attend a church without the fear of harassment, arrest, torture or death you are envied by, and more blessed than, three billion people in the world. "

If you can read this message, you just received a double blessing in that someone was thinking of you as very special and you are more blessed than over two billion people in the world who cannot read at all.

Have a good day, count your blessings.

"Thank you Lord, for giving me the ability to share this message and for giving me so many wonderful people to share it with.