CREATING AN IMPACT!

Monday, March 21, 2011

Dear all, 

It's been a great weekend in Suntec. Indeed it's a NEW DAY, a NEW chapter for our church. Like what Pst Kong said, he is thankful to each and everyone of the members who stayed throughout the last 10 months despite the things happening in church. Similarly, in the same way, I am thankful to each one of you for staying and playing a part together with me to impact the lives of the little ones. And I appreciate each one of you. Over the weekend, I have learnt that appreciation is not a once a year event, but truly, it's a lifestyle, it's something that we do daily. Appreciate people around you for the things that they have done for you, be it small or big. Appreciate (Thank) God for looking out for you, maybe in ways that you didn't even realize. Learn to count your blessings! 

It's been a really busy week for me in view of the move to Suntec, but it made me draw even closer to God. In fact, as I was meditating, I was reminded of a song "Here I am to Worship" and its lyrics struck me – "Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that You're my God". It reminded me that in my serving, in my life, in everything that I do, I should and I must hold fast to these principles that the lyrics are singing. 


∙         Here I am to WORSHIP

Our worship flows out of your adoration and love for the Lord. It is LOVE that will carry us through our daily struggles in life. In 1 Cor 13: 8, it says LOVE NEVER FAILS! God's love for us far outweighs any burdens in our lives. God takes care of all our needs. Just like Jonah, in order for the big fish to be there to swallow Jonah, God must have prepared the solution many many years back! Friends, I just want to encourage you, that God's love will NEVER fail you. When you are tired and weary, come back into the presence of God and say to Him, "Here I am to Worship"! 

∙         Here I am to BOW DOWN

Bowing down speaks to me of an act of humbleness. As sons and daughters of Christ, this is a every important attribute that one should possess. It's not easy to be humble, especially if we think that we are better than others. But God honors the humble and resists the proud. It's the people who are humble that are elevated before Christ. In our relationships with one another, let's learn to be humble and not be proud. Let our words be seasoned with salt, no matter how nasty or mean the other person might be. Simply because God lives within us! 

∙         Here I am to SAY THAT YOU'RE MY GOD

There's two things that I want to emphasize on over here. Firstly, it's the fact that because God is MY God, who can be against us? Indeed, no weapons formed against us will prosper, but we shall REIGN with Him in time to come. Don't be easily discouraged with short-term setbacks, but focus on long-term victory! The 2nd thing is the word "SAY". It speaks of an action that we need to do, something that we need to confess. Thus, it requires US to play a part, to acknowledge that Christ reigns over every situation, and learn to confess the Word of God over these situations! 

Friends, I was super assured of God's love for me as this song kept playing in my head. That I know and I know, come what may,  I will enter into His presence to worship, to bow down and know that He is my God!

I pray that you will be blessed as well! I choose to Love, I choose God! 

Amen! 

Have a great week ahead!
Sent via BlackBerry from SingTel!


L1v1nG 4 JeSuS at Monday, March 21, 2011

Monday, March 07, 2011

Anyway, I just want to share with you from Rom 12: 2 for this week. It's about renewing of our minds. 

Rom 12: 2 – And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 

What does it really mean to be conformed to this world? From the dictionary, "conformed" means to act in accordance with current customs or modes. Or to comply with acceptable standards or norms. Or follow the crowd, run with the pack. Putting everything together, conforming to this world is simply accepting the standards in the world and acting in accordance of what the world thinks is right, and doing all what everyone else is doing. The bible says that man cannot serve two masters. Conforming to the WORLD means we are not conforming to the WORD! 

Instead of conforming, we need to learn to be transformed! By the RENEW-ING of our mind!

Renewing of our mind allows us to follow God's standard and not the world's standard.

Renewing of our mind allows us to look through God's vision, at situations and issues from His perspective and not the world's perspective.

Renewing of our mind requires us to study the Word of God and hold fast to His promises! 

The word "renew-ing" is in a continuous tense and thus, renewing of our mind is not a one time event. It does not happen only when we receive our salvation. Renewing of our mind requires continuous effort to meditate on the promises of God! Let the Word of God frame your world every day. 

Friends, I just want to encourage you that my God never fails. And I believe that we serve the same God. Through good times and bad times, our God has a plan for us. Like what God says to Jeremiah in Jer 1: 5, He will say to you: "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you". Renew your mind daily with the Word of God and hold fast and trust in His promises!
 
Have a blessed week ahead!
Sent via BlackBerry from SingTel!

L1v1nG 4 JeSuS at Monday, March 07, 2011

Monday, February 28, 2011

Hi guys,

Haven been hearing much from you. Hope all’s fine and you’re excited about the things to come in Suntec. Do reply to this thread and share your revelations with one another, even if you think that yours might not be as ‘interesting’ as Mr Caleb’s sharing! We welcome all!

For today’s sharing, it’s actually a word shared by Johann during our Sat CCH morning prayer meeting and I thought it was really good that I wanna share with all of you too! It’s taken from Joshua 3.

Jos 3: 5 – And Joshua said to the people, “Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you.”

Even as we prepare to enter into Suntec, God is preparing to do great works and wonders among us. There is a sense of excitement and expectancy in the air, but let us not be overtaken by all these. It is very important for us that at this very point of time, that we will make the effort to sanctify ourselves, and prepare ourselves for the things ahead. A revival is unfolding, just like something is going to burst forth.

So no matter where we move into, what matters most is still the presence of God! Just like the children of Israel when they are crossing the river of Jordan in Joshua 3, God commanded them to cross the river TOGETHER with the ark of the covenant. The ark of the covenant speaks to us as the Holy Spirit. Even as we cross ‘rivers of Jordan’ in our lives, we need to constantly go with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Place your eyes upon Him.

And most importantly, I want to assure you, that as you fix your eyes on the object of our faith, Jesus, we learn to treasure His presence, and His presence will go before us, with us and after us. Just like how it went with the children of Israel as they crossed river Jordan.

• Jos 3: 11 – Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over before you into Jordan

• Jos 3: 17a – Then the priests who bore the ark of the covenant of the Lord stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Jordan,

• Jos 3: 17b – and all Israel crossed over on dry ground, until all the people had crossed completely over the Jordan.

Friends, I want to encourage you that no matter what you are going through, when you begin to look to God and seek Him, His presence will go before you. His presence will be in the midst of everything that you are going through. And most importantly, His presence will be with you till you have gone through everything, to ensure that you’re alright. Our God is a God who cares. Like what it says in Rom 8: 28 that all things work out for good to those who love Him, who are called according to His purpose!

And as we prepare to move into Suntec, let it start with us that we begin to sanctify ourselves and be prepared not just physically, but also spiritually. God is looking for hearts that are ready, that are after Him. I want to challenge you, take some time to fast and pray this week. I’ll be fasting today, join me if you can. 

Amen!! 

L1v1nG 4 JeSuS at Monday, February 28, 2011

Hi guys,

I hope that you had a great start to your week. Hope this week’s devotion will encourage some of you.

As I was worshipping in my Quiet Time this week, I just sense the peace of God in my life. The bible says that God speaks to us in a still small voice. Not only that, there’s a assurance that God gives to us, to “be STILL and KNOW that I am God”!

Very often in our daily lives, we may meet with people who are difficult to handle or insensitive. Or maybe, our plans are going awry and things are just not right no matter what you do. Our very first instinct is to REACT and try to work things out. Instead of trusting in God, we tend to trust more in our own abilities to make things work. This may often lead to frustration. But as I was worshipping, God just reminded me to learn to be STILL in every situation, because of a simple fact. He is my God and if God is for me, who can me against me? Every step of my life has already been directed by Him, for all things work out for good to those who love Him!

It’s not easy to be STILL, but it’s very important for us to cultivate this habit. Learn to REACH out to God, instead of REACT-ing to your situations. Though it tarries, but God’s Word will never return to Him void. Knowing God is an acquired experiential knowledge, and not simply head knowledge. Make an effort, to seek Him and receive a daily encounter, a daily Rhema Word from Him to start your day!

The bible says in 1 Thess 5: 16 – 18

Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

3 things that we need to learn to do:
• Rejoice ALWAYS
• Pray WITHOUT CEASING
• In EVERYTHING give thanks

That’s all for this week! Be blessed and in the week ahead, let’s practice these 3 things in 1 Thess 5: 16-18! Amen!

L1v1nG 4 JeSuS at Monday, February 28, 2011

Dear all,

As I start today’s devotion post, I just wanna say Happy Friendship Day! It’s a bit late, but still, I really appreciate each and everyone of you for giving me a chance to be your friend! 

We are in the season of LOVE, so for today, I want to share with you from Rev 2: 4-5.

Rev 2: 4-5
Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love. Remember therefore from where you have fallen; repent and do the first works, or else I will come to you quickly and remove your lampstand from its place – unless you repent.

Even as we celebrate V-day or Friendship Day with our loved ones, let us also take some time to evaluate our LOVE for our God who so loved us that He gave his only Son to die on the cross for us. As one preacher said, it’s ok if God had many sons, and He just have to give one of His sons to die on the cross. But God loved us so much that He gave His ONLY Son for us! So how much do we love God?

In these 2 verses, it talks about the church of Ephesus who have left their first love. In the same way, let’s also ask ourselves if we have left our first love for God. In the midst of our busyness, in our struggles with our FYPs, projects, assignments, work politics, work stress, have we also left our first love? Do we still enjoy spending time with God? Does this phrase still mean the same to you – “One day in Your courts is better than a thousand days in the world”? Have we forgotten how to trust and believe in God for His promises to us?

It’s very easy for us to leave our first love if we do not guard it well. It applies to me as well. But we must LEARN to remember where we have fallen, to repent and do the first works! If you ask me, what are our first works? It might differ for each one of you. Maybe it’s to pick up the guitar and start to worship. Maybe it’s to serve God more by availing your time for Him. Maybe it’s to seek God in the morning daily when you wake up. But let’s make it a point that we will come back to our first love and do the first works!

I want to share this real life example with you. Pst Bill Wilson – If you have not heard about him, do pick up his books and read. Pst Bill started his children’s ministry with driving the bus around to fetch the children to church. He believes in staying where the action is (he stays in a ghetto, with all the drug addicts, the outcasts of society etc), to stand in the gap between the living and the dead. Over the years, even as his ministry begins to grow, he never leaves this first work of driving the bus to fetch the children to church. To him, this is one thing that keeps him sane, and remind him of why he is doing and continuing this work of God. To put things into perspective for you, last Christmas, Pst Bill’s church had a total attendance of 150,000 children, in 3 different locations. Despite all that, he always chose to make it a point that whenever he can, he will drive the bus around to fetch these little ones to church before he rushes off to preach.

In a lunch that he had with Pst Eileen and some of the staff last Monday in Singapore, he was asked what kept him going all these years (and he’s already 60 years old, survived 3 gun shot wounds coz he was mugged, while staying in the ghetto, beaten up, thrown off a building, survived a plane crash before). Something he said really made an impact on me.

“Our commitment must be STRONGER than our emotion!” – Pst Bill Wilson

And this is so true for us. Our commitment to God must always be stronger than our own emotion. As much as our flesh tries to come against us, we must learn to crucify our flesh and be committed to God, to do the first works and come back to our first love! And friends, I want to encourage you, let’s choose to be committed to God in everything we do! Amen!

L1v1nG 4 JeSuS at Monday, February 28, 2011

Hi guys,
For this week, I just want to share with you this chapter that I’m meditating on. I feel that in our daily challenges, this is a good reminder of how God wants us to live our life and handle situations in our lives, especially in Vs 9-16. We always say that “it’s easier said than done”, “you wouldn’t understand what we are going through”, “you can’t believe what happened” etc, but I want to assure you that God knows what you are going through. And God says in verse 3 that He has given to each one of us a measure of faith. And with this faith, we can learn to trust God that He’s in control. We simply need to obey and play our part (Vs 9-16). And Vs 21 sums it all, let’s be OVERCOMERS in Christ!
Romans 12
1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3 For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4 For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5 so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7 or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8 he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. 10 Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; 11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; 12 rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; 13 distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality. 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. 16 Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion. 17 Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. 18 If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,”[a] says the Lord. 20 Therefore

“ If your enemy is hungry, feed him;
If he is thirsty, give him a drink;
For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head.”

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Be blessed!

L1v1nG 4 JeSuS at Monday, February 28, 2011

Hi all,

For this week, I would like to share with you 1 Pet 5: 2-4. I’ve been thinking what does this really mean to be a shepherd. All of us can be a shepherd if we choose to be. Who are our ‘sheep’ then? For some of you, it’s the people that you’re leading in your service, in your visitation. For the helpers, you are a teacher/shepherd to the little ones. And we know from Pro 22: 6 that we are meant to be the one that leads the child in the right way.

Pro 22: 6 – Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it.

So what does it mean to be a shepherd? It’s takes maybe about 6-9 months to be a leader (serve regularly, be faithful, accountable and willing to be discipled), but it takes a much longer time to be a shepherd! We are not perfect and it’s not easy to be a good shepherd, but we have our Chief Shepherd, Jesus. And we can learn from Him.

In Vs 2 -3, it say, “Shepherd the flock of God which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but willingly, not for dishonest gains but eagerly; nor as being lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock”

Focus on the sheep that is among you first, even if it’s just 2-3 kids, be faithful in the little things, and God honors that. Most importantly, as we serve as overseers, as their shepherds, we should not do it out of compulsion, but willingly. To me, this is the most important criteria of being a shepherd. We were sinners, but Jesus our shepherd died on the cross for us willingly. Did we deserve it? Definitely not, but He still did it willingly. I pray that in all your works, that you will do it out of a willing heart.

“Not for dishonest gains but eagerly” – In all that we serve/do, we are not seeking to gain gratitude, favors or blessings. But in all that we do, serve eagerly, going the extra mile. That’s being a shepherd! Serving beyond expectations!

“Being examples to the flock” - To be a shepherd, we need to lead by example to our flock!

Delegating work works, provided the one delegating works, too! – Robert Half

In the same way, if we do not lead by example, how would the flock know how to follow? Thus, I would like to challenge each one of you, be a good role model to your flock! It’s easy for me to tell you to study the Word more this year, but I must first challenge myself to do it. That’s the very reason why I choose to commit to writing devotions to you!

Finally, in Vs 4, it says “and when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away”.

Every often, when we serve, in our own natural mind, we wish that there will be people who appreciates what we do. I always think in this manner too. But deep down in my heart, I know that even if no one appreciates me, God does. And I know as long as I continue to do what I can to be a good shepherd, one day, I will receive the crown of glory that does not fade away!

I pray that you will be blessed by this sharing! Looking forward to hearing from you guys! 

L1v1nG 4 JeSuS at Monday, February 28, 2011

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