cloretsfreshmint

2009 brand new year!

2009-01-01T01:42:00.000-08:00

It's a new year! What's new year resolution? And have achieve your 2008 resolution? Hope you guys had a great fun on the eve of 2009, and well plan for 2009 onwards! And have a good faith with Christ yea! and continue to serve and be faithful! Lastly, happy new year, have a blessed week and God bless you guys always and may he grant you your desire of your heart yea!

Philippians 3:13-14(NIV)
- 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

Walk with Christ

2008-12-15T23:58:00.000-08:00

hello! It's been awhile again since this blog is up to date, well, hope everyone is doing good and well yea. Nothing much here, just a little update with this blog hahaa, need to freshen up this blog as it's about the end of year hahaa..

How's your life so far, since the month of Jan 2008 till today, and how is your Spiritual grow? Is it growing or maybe decreasing? Have God speaks to you now and then? Or have you missed the conversation with Him? Or maybe have you seek Him today? Indeed, it's never too late, God is still waiting for you, and still whispering in your ears...Listen carefully, He is speaking to you. Take a moment to have a good conversation with Him.

We might wonder, how our life need to get back on track after the disaster of work, projects, studies, exams etc. Have you wonder how? Frankly, I use to wonder those things, like how and all. But one good thing is that I have the Bible who put me back on track. The powerful thing about the Gospel is awesome. It guides you well when you are at the end of the cliff. God put you back on track with his words, He loves you, adores you, what more? His love is everlasting and unfailing. Read John 3:16, He sent his one and only Son to die for us.

I encourage you guys to continue to walk with Him. Take opportunity to serve Him, not only in church but everywhere, everything surrounds you, the people, people that you hates, your love ones and those who are in need of God's love. Give thanks and rejoice in the Lord, may our Lord Jesus Christ bless you in every way and the desires in your heart.

Colossians 2:6-7
6 So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live in him, 7 rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

Are we like Jonah?

2008-11-19T04:50:00.000-08:00

hey fellow brothers of Christ!

Just to keep this blog alive, and am here to post a sharing again. Well, I hope it will
be short and nice, as not be too wordy and all. haha.

I was reading in the Book of Jonah yesterday and it struck me with a question "Am I running away from God's work?" Or maybe when God tells you to do something but you tend to turn away. Have you feel that way? Try giving one moment about it, when God gently speaks to your ears, but your response is denying.

Brothers, as I think many would say "Later or maybe some other time and so on", well, what if you miss it? Is there any second chance and all?

I encouraged you guys to read the Book of Jonah. It's encouraging, and it really put you back to path where God wants you to be. And here a little structure in the Book of Jonah..

God speaks to Jonah to go to the great city of Nineveh, but Jonah eventually ran away from God's calling. After which, he went to Joppa and boarded a ship heading to Tarshish. While sailing on the ship, Jonah fell to deep sleep without knowing that there is a raging storm outside. The ship people were crying out to their gods. Subsequently, the ship captain woke him up, and questioned him..

Further more, Jonah was threw out of the ship and a giant fish ate Jonah.. In the fish Jonah cried to the Lord..

As you read further, you will see how merciful is our God. And He gave Jonah a second chance to do His work..

I was in Jonah's shoe last night, when God tells me to go for my dad's court hearing today (as some of you know what happen to my dad). First of all, as I was in the bed, I said to myself that I don't wanna go and I questioned myself what's the point of going. Subsequently, a voice speak thru my ears and ask me to read the Book of Jonah, great thing, God presence felt and he tells me to go for my dad's court hearing. I got up from bed and told my mum to wake me up tmr as wanted to go along. And as for today, I went to the court. I was wondering what if I didn't turn up, would there be a messed? or like the raging storm and all? or even people start asking that is your dad, why don't you go?..

I would like to thank God first of all, He showed the path. Sometimes there's a time when we are like Jonah when God ask you to this and you turn your back. Tell you this, God's calling is not only going out to preach and all, God's calling is all in those tiny little ones which we easily reject, try asking yourself, how are we gonna do the bigger ones if we easily reject those smaller calling? Are we gonna make it for the bigger ones?..

I hope this short post be an encouragement to all. Friends, God is calling you in your tiny little ministry, be sensitive with your ears to God's calling, don't tell God about another time, date or so on. Start doing it today. Pray to God that you will be sensitive to His smaller calling and all, pray for His strength and encouragement, pray for His angels to fight for the spiritual war, pray for His path and light that brings to your desire. It's not easy to fight in this spiritual war by yourself, pray in Jesus name yea. He is the source of strength and guidance, He will..

Philippians 1:9
I pray that your love will overflow more and more, and that you will keep on growing in knowledge and understanding.

Hi Everyone!

2008-10-29T06:37:00.000-07:00

It's been awhile again since this blog is up to date, well, hope everyone is still survive with every circumstances in life, with mugging, exams, projects, work and etc. Seriously, it's been awhile, since nizam and i were off to Aus, missed the days we fellowship and having gathering, awesome! And yea, i have things to share, or maybe it helps you to rebuild in your Christian Life. I strongly encourage you guys or whoever visit this blog, to visit this url:

1. http://www.shanewillard.org/
2. http://www.jdm.org/jdmDefault.aspx

It's more of teaching, preaching and all sorts of things. It's encouraging, seriously, i just watched one of the video about The Authority of the Rabbi, it's awesome! So yea, do give your time to God's word yea, no matter how little you left, it doesn't matter, cause God loves YOU!

I'll catch-up things with you guys again ya, off to bed for now. God bless YOU always and loves YOU and forgives YOU always!

- John 10:10 (NIV)
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

- Ephesians 3:20-21 (NIV)
20 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, 21to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.

Hi!

2008-09-07T00:59:00.000-07:00

hellos to all!
I guess its another long time again for this blog to be updated haha, and apologies to all first of all. Well, ya, SG has yet to be present once again, also most of us is tight with our own schedule like work, school, with outside friends and etc. And SG meeting are occupied with the schedule that we have. I supposed its tiring ya. Like myself quite busy, also with sat or sun occupied with working schedule, and worst still the upcoming F1 deployments around the corner haa!, why in the world, a small country like Spore organized such a thing haha, question?lol, I don't know what to say. Well. let's forget about that, and focus with our purpose in life.

And ya! Oct we will be going for Prawn fishing ya! Maybe I should organize more activities just to ease out from work stress, how about that? Sound relaxing ya? And I have objection to that, I need to work on that date, I'm sound like the spoil-market now hahaha, but no doubt we shall see how it goes eh! Fyi, this month the only sats that I can join for SG is on the 20th which falls on my second off. So i shall take the opportunity to discuss about it, *Johan, I will take the lead! hahaha!

And one last thing, a little word of encouragement to all my brother in Christ. If during this period of time, you feel you are away from God, from His word or from His presence of worship, I shall say, He still with us, with me, you and everyone always, He will never abandon you. Let's keep the faith growing ya!

Philippians 4:10-13
10I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. 11I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. 12I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. 13I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

News!

2008-08-20T08:06:00.000-07:00

Hey bros!

I have a news here for the small group. Recently, a group of my colleagues went for Prawn Fishing at somewhere around Lakeside area, heard from them its not bad kind of outing, somehow chilling kind hahaa. So as I wonder maybe we could go there and do some activity just to ease out our stress-ness, busy-ness, laziness and put us away from work or whatsoever and to chill! The interesting of this prawn-fishing is that you can BBQ the prawn right away after your catch. Yea, there's various places e.g. Bishan, Pasir Ris, Lakeside and Marina South..

Maybe more to small group bonding and all. Also can ask the rest of the small groups to join if they wanna tag along too. I plan it to be some time this or next month, just a rough dates. If you guys have any date that suitable, can get back to me ya! The outing may sound silly as to go for prawn-fishing, but let's not to think about being silly yea! Think of fellowship and bonding with Christ! So yea, I need your response, can ya?

A lot of thankyou for your reply!

regards,
raimy

With Everything

2008-08-10T07:00:00.000-07:00

hey its been great, wonderful and a blessing week I should say yea. With small group meeting, youth service and NDP, its a blessing! Small group we have discussed about taking the lead, who's next? Are we still gonna depend on our brother Johan? Jiayi and Huzaen? Well, I do believed that there's a capable ones among us, indeed everyone of us can lead. Just take a look at how we did Bible Study on the book of Romans? We CAN lead yea! And ofcos, we need to rely onto God's guidance too!

And we supposed to discuss about SIN. What is SIN to you? Lust? Temptation? Or simply anything. Some times I have a thought, why are we keep on sinning, and why sins always knock on our mind? Is it because we are imperfect? Yes, we are imperfect. I do think some times I myself don't deserved God's love. But God always poured His love to you no matter what.

A short testimony:
The other day while I was on my way back from SG, there's this strong thoughts, I was asking myself, am I deserve for Your love? and I replied, Father, I don't think I deserve, someone out there is more deserving than me. Its because I know you Father, but I still fall to sin. Why Lord?.
And the next thing, a voice speaks thru my ears, says its because you are undeserved, that is why My love keep on pouring to you, as you have believed in me the God of love, which I have sent my Son for you. After awhile, I was quite shocked and in my heart I rejoice. In my heart I keep on praising Him, and thank Him. He is Lord. God is good! Its just a shocking moment, God is with me, and He is with you too! He takes away your sin up on the cross, and His love is unfailing.

Its a sharing from me, hope it will give you guys encouragement in what you are doing, well have a blessed week! And remember, God is with you, He loves you! God bless!

regards,
raimy

2008-08-04T06:49:00.000-07:00

After our small group last Saturday, the questions Johan posed us still bore deep within my mind.

IF one day, Christianity gets outlawed, would I deny Christ or will I suffer for Him?

I have to say despite all the thinking, I still really don't know what I would say if such a day was to come. As a rationale human being, it will be extremely insane to admit to the authorities saying I am a believer and submit to the authorities. I believe even the most passionate rationale Christian will probably not know what to say should such day come.

Looking at how easily we people nowadays yield to a little bit of pressure, I guess not many of us would last very long before we start denying Christ.
Even if we managed to pass the test when the authorities came at our door steps, how many of us can still profess our faith for Christ when tortured. (Think the tortures we see in Saw) Even one of Jesus’ disciples, Peter when hunted down by authorities denied knowing Christ not just once but three times. (Matt 26:74-75)

However, there are Christians in the earlier days, when persecuted bravely stood for their beliefs. They were tortured and killed for their faith in Christ. I might dare to say I will bravely proclaim my faith for Christ if I know I will be executed. However, when subjected to torture, I do not know how long I can stay tortured before I yield to the pain. I really don’t know what I might say. I just hope I could stand for Christ till my last breath even when subjected to tortures.

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” Matt 16:24 - NIV

Believing Is Receiving

2008-06-24T07:28:00.000-07:00

Mark 5:28–29
28For she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” 29Immediately the fountain of her blood was dried up, and she felt in her body that she was healed of the affliction.

You have heard people of the world say, “I will only believe it when I see it.” Generally, that is the way the world thinks. But God’s ways are not like the ways of the world. The world says, “If I can’t feel it or see it, I cannot believe the miracle is here.” God says, “If you believe it before you feel it or see it, you will see your miracle.”

Believing first before seeing the evidence of what we are believing for is called faith. Faith is like a spark and Jesus is the dynamite powder. When He was on earth, there were many people who touched Him, but only those who touched Him in faith received their miracle. For example, when the woman with the issue of blood came to Him in faith and touched Him, it sparked off an explosion of healing in her body.

Hearing about how good, kind and loving Jesus was fired her faith to believe that He could and would heal her. So convinced was she (even when the condition in her body was still evident) that she said, “If only I may touch His clothes, I shall be made well.” Did she experience her healing first before she believed? No, she believed first in Jesus’ goodness and power, acted in faith and only then felt the healing in her body.

In the same way, God wants you to believe in His goodness and love towards you. He wants you to know how willing He is to act on your behalf to bless you, and how, with Christ, He has already given you every good thing. (Romans 8:32)

He wants you to declare by faith that all is and shall be well with you, and expect to see just that. And then, no matter how long you have had the problem, no matter how bad the experts say it is, an explosion of healing and restoration will take place, and you will see your miracle!

Reflections: Guess a few of you guys heard about the testimony that Nizam have shared. By reading His word and believed, healing comes from His salvation. And it's all about faith. Think about it, when God is apart from you. Where is your faith? Have you abandoned His love? I shall say continue in your prayers for one another, your love towards your enemies, and your kindness to others. God is working in you. Put your faith in Him, and not only by saying it but believe in it. Faith is all that God need from us. raimy..

Refresh 3.0

2008-06-17T07:16:00.000-07:00

Hey it’s been awhile since this blog is up-to-date again. So here is a little update for the month of June. The very first week of June, we had the Youth Service, which Pastor Vince shared in the book of Joshua 1, and it’s about being strong and courage. Do read Joshua 1, if any of you guys missed the service for the month.
Next it’s a update of what happened roughly in Refresh 3.0 (11th – 14th June), so much fun and joy this year Refresh 3.0, which we get a opportunity to build our relationship with God and new friends. And the theme for Refresh 3.0 is about “Building up Relationship”.

Day One: Wednesday
- Gathering and chit-chatting with new friends
- Getting to know with one another (Grouping: the groups are Pandas, Holy Trinity, Hero and Lady Boxers)
- Games! (Invent cheers, making giant shape with nylon strings(blind-folded), creating mascot and eating weird stuffs)
- Check-in into our sleeping bunks
- Worship Time! (Romans 1:16)
- Lastly, the Night-Walk
- Lights Off!

Reflections: We learnt a lot in the day one indeed, e.g. communicating with one another, putting trust with each other esp. during the Night-Walk.

Day Two: Thursday
- Quite Time and Prayer with our buddies
- Breakfast!
- Worship Time! (Romans 1:17)
- Fun&Games!
- Wash-up and Dinner
- Worship Time! (Romans 3:21-26)
- Lastly, the War Game
- Lights Off!

Reflections: The opportunity of getting closer with God, by having Quiet Time and Worship Time, which is useful to build up relationship with God. Pastor Vince preaching was awesome, about Sacrifices and Justification.

Day Three: Friday
- Quite Time and Prayer with our buddies
- Breakfast!
- Worship Time! (Romans 12:1-2)
- Fun&Games! (Water bombs!)
- Wash-up and Dinner
- Worship Time! (Romans 12:1-2)
- Movie Night! (End of the Spear)
- Holy Communion
- Lights Off!

Reflections:It’s a great chance to participate in the Holy Communion, which I say it’s the highlight of the camp. As we take the opportunity to refresh outside and a wake up call to us, that we are God’s people that bring light to this earth to share the Gospel. And to tell them that I’m not ashamed of the Gospel!

Last Day: Saturday
- Quite Time and Prayer with our buddies
- Breakfast!
- Testimony
- Clean Up
- Lunch!

Reflections: A little bit interesting with the testimony sharing, like how we experienced God throughout the camp and all.

It’s a great opportunity for me to participated in the Refresh 3.0 ever since I came for Refresh 1.0, which the first I put my first step into Newton Life Church. NLYM has been a great youth members that I’ve been to, well, and yea more to come yea, Refresh 4.0. Sharing testimony to the youth and looking forward with Bible Study with my small group. Let’s build up relationship with God together yup! God bless!

raimy(:

2008-05-27T04:27:00.000-07:00

Hi guys, how have everyone been. Sorry have been rather inactive for sometime. Internet connection here have been pretty bad so haven't had a chance to drop by say hi.

Anyway just a random thought I want to share after hearing stories of people fighting and dying for what they believe in. It just got me wonder if we human, creatures with extremely high intellect as compared to other creatures God created have been truly been living up to God's expectation.

I don't blame atheists for calling us mindless people who have lost our sense to think. Maybe it's time to start reflecting on why we believe in God. I guess we have so often taken biblical verses and passages from the text without really understanding why such was being said. We have very much been very passive in the way we read the bible. More often than not, we just do our quiet time while leaving our brain elsewhere; hence whatever information taken in does not get processed.

I was thinking maybe we can start by reading the bible while we wear our thinking cap. Maybe all of us can start by writing our thoughts of a passage we read everytime we do quiet time. I will join you guys in this "mindful" spiritual journey in India!

Glory to The Most High

2008-05-16T08:17:00.000-07:00

hey, raimy here, some time awhile that I've since typing on this blog again(: Well, great experienced with the power of the Lord who is at work with me. Working as a civil servant do faced challenges at times but not always, here the sharing that I wanna share.

Before left for home just now, I was approached by a senior officer in my work place, he asked whether is that true I am a convert? yes, i replied to him. He then asked what about your parents background, simply i replied that they are just fine, doing great and all. He proceed to ask what makes me converted? whether because of influences? belief? or simply blind faith? I smiled and said, its great to know that how wonderful the creation of the Lord is and He is great, and that what makes me believed in Him, and yea well enough its up for the individual to decide their own faith. He smiled, and asked religion matters with Islam and Christianity, I simply admitted to him(senior officer) that my family backgrounds are not that good with religion as my dad is half chinese. He then asked so is that why u convert? well, i replied with a smile that it is because of the faith which makes me to convert.

Well, this guy here talking more about the Old Testament with me, but he did not see the New Testament either. Asking if a bible is a version by version, I disagree on that, and told him that Bible is words that are simplified for the nation to know about the passion promise by God himself. This guy then told me to do my fundamental on Islam, I guess I'm living with Christ now, and why should I? haha, After which a colleague of mine B2 came in with the conversation about buddist and a free-thinker, anyway, the friend was a free-thinker. I was quieten down at that moment, and observing words with words battling between the both of them. As it seems to me that I just don't understand why there is a need for that. I smiled, and thank God that He had humble me and watch over the victory that I've won over Christ and by looking at them throwing words against words. After about 10mins, seeing that I just told the senior officer that I need to get home, and walk away smiling.

I guess what's after next, people is gonna start debating about the truth, or maybe they just being jealous because The Truth has yet to be preach to them...I prayed that one day, they still get a chance of knowing the love of God, its unfailing love I supposed. I got home and this verse just pop out from my Bible verse on the monitor:-

Zephaniah 3:17:
- The LORD your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing.

Father, I thank you that you have been in me in time of need, that You are there with me oh Lord, I prayed that those who have heard small things about You, continued whispering into their ears of your love oh Lord. I just prayed that one day they will be saved by your grace oh Lord, may your Holy Spirit be with us and guide us to the most inner thing in life. All I committed into Your hands, in Jesus name I prayed. Amen!

Live The ‘Much More’ Life

2008-05-08T23:31:00.000-07:00

Romans 5:17
17For if by the one man’s offence 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.

When God created man, He did not intend for man to grow old, become weak and powerless, suffer diseases and die — first the physical death, then the second or eternal death.

God never meant for man to go through all this and for death to reign. But because of one man’s offence — that man being Adam — death reigns.

The ultimate death is the second or eternal death in the lake of fire. Before this death is physical death. Before physical death, you have diseases and illnesses. Not all diseases and illnesses lead to death, but these are manifestations of death. One step before diseases and illnesses is tiredness, weakness and powerlessness, which are signs and symptoms of death. Now, all these are forms of death. Death reigns!

But are you resigned to the fact that death can strike whoever, whenever and wherever it wishes? Are you allowing death to reign in your life and in the lives of your loved ones? Or are you allowing God’s Word to tell you the truth about death?

“For if by the one man’s offence death reigned through the one, much more… ” Thank God for the “much more”! What Jesus, the last Adam, did is much more and far greater than what the first Adam did. We are those who have received the “abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness”. Therefore, our “much more” is that we will reign in life through Jesus Christ!

God considers death an enemy. He came to destroy death and give us eternal life. And the more we walk in the grace of God and His righteousness, the more we will reign in life. The more we believe His grace or undeserved favour, and the more we know that we have been made righteous by His blood, and not by our good behaviour, the more we will reign over sickness and death!

Announcement

2008-04-02T08:11:00.000-07:00

Hi brothers&sisters in Christ,

Are you thirst of Worship, Sing Praises or Listening to God's Words? Well, not too worry, this is the second month that we started the One Month youth service, and we are going very well I should say. Sorry that hardly to see you guys over the weekends or even during small groups or even small outings.

Well, I'm here to post because I have a announcement to make...
Jeremy and I had 15 tickets(excluding ours) to distribute for those who are interested with “An Evening Of Worship With Planetshakers + Tim Hughes” on 11 April 2008 @1930hrs, held at Singapore Expo Hall 10. We have 15 priority tickets to distribute, imagined yourself standing in front of the platform singing praises..haha So any interested people please note us, or drop us a sms or even buzz us in the middle of the night, it's gonna be fun worshiping God in a huge worshipers. God bless!

thanks, raimy(:

2008-03-14T03:25:00.000-07:00

Psalms 16:7-11
I will praise the LORD, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me.
I have set the LORD always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken.
Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure,
Because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay.
You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Seek, Praise and Trust in the LORD

Right now I am not sure if it’s really all bad that I came to this place. It is in Mithapur I find time with the LORD and find time to think about things. Every morning and night I will worship the LORD. Sometimes I just feel so sleepy because I kept waking up in the middle of the night. I wasn’t able to concentrate when reading God’s word, but at least I still have time to worship him and praise him. Prayers to God could drag on for a while since there isn’t anything else to do except to pray. With all the distractions away from me, I was able to focus more on Him and less on MSN and my bass guitar.

Trust
Initially, it felt very bad. Though I still miss home a lot, but I guess I am coping so much better than before. I know God has been carrying me all along since I came to India. Even in my darkest moments, He found me and carried me through my darkest time. God will never abandon me nor let me see decay. I do feel that he had guided me to this place and I trust that for whatever reasons He put me here, He must have my well-being at heart.

Praise
Praise God with our actions. It easy to say something but doing it is another thing. To say we love our neighbors and actually loving them is two different things. Talk is cheap; doing it is what gives values to what we speak of. In James 2:17, faith not accompanied with deed is nothing. Praise God not only with our tongue but with our deeds. Let your heart instruct you. Follow your heart and He will guide you to perform His deeds. Through this, we can truly say we are praising God. I personally have been touched by even the smallest kind gestures like greetings in the morning. Be sincere when we do a kind gesture for all these are pleasant in the eyes of the LORD. We never knew when we touch the life of someone through our kind actions.

Seek
Next time even when you think you don’t have time for a little bit of bible reading, I guess the least you can do, instead of shutting your eyes and going straight to sleep. Just drop a short prayer and say hi to God. At least tell Him you haven’t forgotten Him. It won’t take you more than a minute.

Jiayi

Dried Up?

2008-03-09T07:57:00.000-07:00

hey guys, fellow brothers in Christ!

Are you guys tired of schools? Projects? Work? etc..
What about your communication with Christ? Are you tired of it too? Hope it won't happens yea, our communication with Christ is a must to do every day. What about 15mins a day? Isn't that too much of your time of 24hrs a day? It's just 15mins a day, maybe i should say half an hr, morning before you step out of the house and before you close your eyes for bedtime. It will be possible yup, well, let's put that into practice and we see the different how God works in you.

I have the experienced of this 15mins thingy due to my shift work, sucks aye? Felt kind of enlightened knowing that He is always there for in time of need. Maybe some times you felt that you are the losing end, maybe struggling with temptation, or even spiritual war.

Well, here a start of it try to memorize this verse;

Matthew 11:28,"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.

how does that verse helps you?

Announcement:
Johan's small groupies will be organizing hiking on the 22nd Mar 08, all the way from Macritchie to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve. Isn't that interesting? Feel free to join us and enjoying the creation of God while hiking. Howabouts or Whereabouts with the errand will be posting soon. Join us while stock lasts!

Evangelism

2008-02-20T05:26:00.000-08:00

Hey, here's a good testimony to be shared with. Well, hope you guys who read will be encourage too, got this mail quite long ago but its an honor for me to share it. Hope it will encourage you guys thru the week, God bless! raimy..

Here it goes..

I sat, with two friends, in the picture window of a quaint restaurant just off the corner of the town-square. The food and the company were both especially good that day.

As we talked, my attention was drawn outside, across the street. There, walking into town was a man who appeared to be carrying all his worldly goods on his back. He was carrying a well-worn sign that read, "I will work for food." My heart sank.

I brought him to the attention of my friends and noticed that others around us had stopped eating to focus on him. Heads moved in a mixture of sadness and disbelief. We continued with our meal, but his image lingered in my mind. We finished our meal and went our separate ways. I had errands to do and quickly set out to accomplish them. I glanced toward the town square, looking somewhat halfheartedly for the strange visitor. I was fearful, knowing that seeing him again would call for some response. I drove through town and saw nothing of him. I made some purchases at a store and got back in my car.

Deep within me, the Spirit of God kept speaking to me: "Don't go back to the office until you've at least driven once more around the square."

Then, with some hesitancy, I headed back into town. As I turned the square's third corner, I saw him. He was standing on the steps of the store front church, going through his sack.

I stopped and looked, feeling both compelled to speak to him, yet wanting to drive on. The empty parking space on the corner seemed to be a sign from God: an invitation to park. I pulled in, got out and approached the town's newest visitor.

"Looking for the pastor?" I asked.

"Not really," he replied, "just resting."

"Have you eaten today?"

"Oh, I ate something early this morning."

"Would you like to have lunch with me?"

"Do you have some work I could do for you?"

"No work," I replied. "I commute here to work from the city, but I would
like to take you to lunch."

"Sure," he replied with a smile.

As he began to gather his things, I asked some surface questions. Where
you headed?"

"St. Louis."

"Where you from?"

"Oh, all over; mostly Florida."

"How long have you been walking?"

"Fourteen years," came the reply.

I knew I had met someone unusual. We sat across from each other in the same restaurant I had left earlier. His face was weathered slightly beyond his 38 years. His eyes were dark, yet clear, and he spoke with an eloquence and articulation that was startling. He removed his jacket to reveal a bright red T-shirt that said, "Jesus is The Never Ending Story."

Then Daniel's story began to unfold. He had seen rough times early in life. He'd made some wrong choices and reaped the consequences. Fourteen years earlier, while backpacking across the country, he had stopped on the beach in Daytona. He tried to hire on with some men who were putting up a large tent and some equipment. A concert, he thought.

He was hired, but the tent would not house a concert but revival services, and in those services he saw life more clearly. He gave his life over to God.

"Nothing's been the same since," he said, "I felt the
Lord telling me to keep walking, and so I did, some 14 years now."

"Ever think of stopping?" I asked.

"Oh, once in a while, when it seems to get the best of me. But God has given me this calling. I give out Bibles. That's what's in my sack. I work to buy food and Bibles, and I give them out when His Spirit leads."

I sat amazed. My homeless friend was not homeless. He was on a mission and lived this way by choice. The question burned inside for a moment and then I asked: "What's it like?"

"What?"

"To walk into a town carrying all your things on your back and to show your sign?"

"Oh, it was humiliating at first. People would stare and make comments.
Once someone tossed a piece of half-eaten bread and made a gesture that certainly didn't make me feel welcome. But then it became humbling to realize that God was using me to touch lives and change people's concepts of other folks like me."

My concept was changing, too. We finished our dessert and gathered his things. Just outside the door, he paused. He turned to me and said,
"Come Ye blessed of my Father and inherit the kingdom I've prepared for you. For when I was hungry you gave me food, when I was thirsty you gave me drink, a stranger and you took me in."

I felt as if we were on holy ground. "Could you use another Bible?" I asked.

He said he preferred a certain translation. It traveled well and was not too heavy. It was also his personal favorite. "I've read through it 14 times," he said.

"I'm not sure we've got one of those, but let's stop by our church and see." I was able to find my new friend a Bible that would do well, and he seemed very grateful, "Where are you headed from here?" I asked.

"Well, I found this little map on the back of this amusement park coupon."

"Are you hoping to hire on there for awhile?"

"No, I just figure I should go there. I figure someone under that star right there needs a Bible, so that's where I'm going next."

He smiled, and the warmth of his spirit radiated the sincerity of his mission. I drove him back to the town square where we'd met two hours earlier, and as we drove, it started raining. We parked and unloaded his things.

"Would you sign my autograph book?" he asked. "I like to keep messages from folks I meet."

I wrote in his little book that his commitment to his calling had touched my life. I encouraged him to stay strong. And I left him with a verse of scripture from Jeremiah, "I know the plans I have for you, declared the Lord, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you; Plans to give you a future and a hope."

"Thanks, man," he said. "I know we just met and we're really just strangers, but I love you."

"I know," I said, "I love you, too." "The Lord is good!"

"Yes, He is."

"How long has it been since someone hugged you?" I asked.

"A long time," he replied

And so on the busy street corner in the drizzling rain, my new friend and I embraced, and I felt deep inside that I had been changed. He put his things on his back, smiled his winning smile, and said, "See you in the New Jerusalem."

"I'll be there!" was my reply.

He began his journey again. He headed away with his sign dangling from his bedroll and pack of Bibles. He stopped, turned, and said, "When you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?"

"You bet," I shouted back, "God bless."

"God bless." And that was the last I saw of him.

Late that evening as I left my office, the wind blew strong. The cold front had settled hard upon the town. I bundled up and hurried to my car. As I sat back and reached for the emergency brake, I saw them... a pair of well-worn brown work gloves neatly laid over the length of the handle. I picked them up and thought of my friend and wondered if his hands would stay warm that night without them.

Then I remembered his words: "If you see something that makes you think of me, will you pray for me?"

Today his gloves lie on my desk in my office. They help me to see the world and its people in a new way, and they help me remember those two hours with my unique friend and to pray for his ministry. "See you in the New Jerusalem," he said. Yes, Daniel, I know I will...

If this story touched you, forward it to a friend!

"I shall pass this way but once. Therefore, any good that I can do or any kindness that I can show let me do it now, for I shall not pass this way again."

Prayer is one of the best gifts we receive. There is no cost, but a lot of rewards. Let's continue to pray for one another.
God bless and have a nice day!

"Father, I ask you to bless my friends, relatives and e-mail buddies reading this right now. Show them a new revelation of your love and power. Holy Spirit, I ask you to minister to their spirit at this very moment.
Where there is pain, give them your peace and mercy. Where there is self-doubt, release a renewed confidence through your grace, in Jesus' precious Name. Amen."

Prayer List

2008-02-08T17:00:00.000-08:00

PRAY FOR THESE PEOPLE IF YOU CAN =)

Nissam's Family

Rhimy (His job)

Johan's Girlfriend (Her faith)

Spencer (His studies)

Hussein's Girlfriend

Fa Sheng

Ashley (Her family situation and her faith)

Shane's Dad (His job)

0...0...0...0...0...0...0

Note: I bracketed the reasons for prayer that I know of, however, these may not be the only reasons. So update this post when you can so that we can share all these people's needs in prayer. Also, feel free to add any names that you feel need prayer as well. Remember, God hears our prayers, so feel free to pray anytime, anywhere =)

P.S: I know it's super overdue, so sorry about it, so please update this list as it's probably 3 weeks outdated =P

P.S.S: Here's a video I found that I thought you guys might find encouraging. God bless y'all =)

The Light Of The World Exposes Your Perfection

2008-02-04T20:50:00.000-08:00

John 8:12
12Then Jesus spoke to them again, saying, “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life.”

As a teenager, I heard preachers saying, “Jesus is the light of the world. So don’t think for one moment that you can do things behind His back. His light will expose all the bad things that you have done!” So I was afraid to come near God, fearing that His glorious light would show up my sins, weaknesses and shame.

But is this what “the light of the world” does? No, the truth is found in the context of the verse. Jesus declared that He was the light of the world right after He told the woman caught in the act of adultery, “Woman, where are those accusers of yours? Has no one condemned you?”

When she said, “No one, Lord,” He said to her, “Neither do I condemn you; go and sin no more.” Then, the Bible tells us that “Jesus spoke to them again, saying, ‘I am the light of the world…’” (John 8:10–12)

How wonderful it is to know that when Jesus said, “I am the light of the world…” His light was not to show up the woman’s sin because He had just told her, “Neither do I condemn you...”

This tells us that we don’t have to be fearful when we come into God’s presence. He is not there waiting to punish us for our mistakes and failures. His light is not for exposing our sins and shame, or for condemning us. No, His glorious light is for showing us how perfectly His blood has washed away our sins! That is why He could tell the woman that He did not condemn her — because He would be condemned for her sin as well as ours at the cross.

Beloved, Jesus’ light unveils the truth that our sins have been completely removed. It reveals how perfect and spotless we are because of Christ’s perfect work at the cross. When you know this, you can go boldly into His presence, knowing that you have the light of life that gives you grace and hope!

raimy's says:
hey brothers and etc, just another post by me. Its been awhile since my last post i supposed. Well, and yeah i guess didn't really see a few of you during SG. Hope everything is alright yeah, if there is anything do share yup. Ohh ya, for myself, been busy with work and until fall ill these days, its terrible. See you guys this sat yeah, at Johan's place. Do keep your brothers in your prayer even though you don't see them always, well guys keep your faithfulness to your Lord Jesus Christ yup. God bless! Till then.

2008-01-26T21:56:00.000-08:00

Greetings,

It's been awhile since I last posted. I hope the SG is doing fine despite some of you guys becoming SG leaders. I hope you guys still hang out once a week. Over here I can only hang out with myself.

Anyways, thanks to all the prayers, I got a job related to my course. Though it's not something I am keen to go into, but it's good to know the whole town I will be posted to is an environmentally-friendly town. Despite all, how this town looks like and function is still a huge question mark. Apparently, it's a small town of barely 15000 people living in it. They drink desalinated water and NEwater. It's a self-sufficient town in its own way and please do pray I get to go to a church there. I haven't had church services for the past 3 weeks. Haven't been very consistent with bible study cos' it was really a very draining 3 weeks. Thank God the study component is finally over; though I will be missing some of my friends here.

I guess my 3 weeks here in the "Boston of the East" was really an eye opener. It's really sad that there are so many people in need and yet nothing has really been done to improve the lives of the homeless and people in slum by the governments. With growing affluence, many people have became more oblivious to the people who have barely enough to eat. There are so many of them here and it's not possible for me to buy a bit of food for all of them here. It's really sad to see these kids wearing just a old dirty shirt and a pair of shorts, with nothing more than just skin and bone, walking the streets of Pune in the chilly night when temperature can drop till below 10 degree celsius. It sucks that I have to brush them off cos' there are just too many of them. Poverty is so rampant here, it's just hard to imagine how people can complain they haven't have enough money when they have enough to drive a nice car, wear thick clothing to keep themselves warm during winter and eat 3 or more meals a day.

It's always more fulfilling to travel to a developing nation than to travel in a developed nation. I guess it's time we start counting our blessings and maybe start thinking of the possibilities to help these poor folks. Sometimes, we might think God has a weird sense of humor to allow such sufferings to happen. However, I think what God was really trying to do is to show the darkside of our human nature. If we could really practice the law about loving our neighbour as ourselves, there won't be that many children begging for food in the streets. If people would stop evading tax and government officials will stop misusing public fundings to fund their own selfish interests, there won't be so many poor people around here. I think these people deserves the basic necessites just like anyone of us.

we're Men of Faith

2008-01-15T08:59:00.000-08:00

yo dudes ... happy bday to us ... around this time last year was when we first got together proper after initially being in Old School.

we've had our share of reflection and feedback for the past year ... now, we are going to move forward. like apostle paul said before ... (paraphrasing) while we were children, we acted and spoke like one. but when we are men, we act and speak like one.

we've all grown and now, we become the person God has created us to be.

it is going to be a learning year ahead for us all ... these are the challenges abound for all of us.

being overseas and away from loved ones
being in national service
entering a new phase of education
getting out of education and into the working world
critical examinations
relationship challenges
testing of friendships

&

crisis of faith

we will face these ... but the difference between 2007 and 2008 is this ... we have grown into men of faith and we shall act and speak like one ...

Men of Faith ... rise up and sing to the great and glorious King. this year, the people around us in all our lives will see the testimony of Christ's love and mercy in our lives. and let us be the salt and light of the earth that turns men from their dark and sinful ways and to the forgiveness of God through His Begotten Son.

Don't Let Your Past Rob You

2008-01-01T05:56:00.000-08:00

Philippians 3:13–14
13Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Are you living a life of regrets thinking, “if only…”? If only I had that college education… if only I had married the right girl… if only I had taken up the other job… if only I had not made that stupid mistake… Is your past robbing you of the joy of today? Then you need to forget your past.

You might say, “But Pastor Prince, you do not know what I did in the past!”

Consider Paul. If the devil had anything to bring against Paul, it would be reminders of how he had persecuted the early church, and caused the deaths of many, including Stephen, the first Christian martyr.

Paul had done horrendous things that were hard for him to forget. But he had such a revelation of God’s awesome forgiveness that he could say, “… forgetting those things which are behind… I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Beloved of the Lord, God has forgiven you of all your sins. He has completely forgiven you and declared, “Your sins and lawless deeds, I will remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17)

Like Paul, you can forget your past, the wrongs you have done, and the hurts you have caused others. God can take the tears of yesterday and transform them into the miracles of tomorrow. God can restore in all abundance to you what you have lost. God can cause all things, even the painful things of your past, to work together for your good.

His Word says, “The glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard.” (Isaiah 58:8) It will cover your past. Wherever you go, God’s glory covers your past. It is no longer the same past that you know of because God’s glory has descended on it. Your past is past! It has been wiped out. It is gone. So don’t let your past rob you of the joy of today any longer!

raimy's says again:

What is it like forgetting about your past? What your life is like in the past few years? Hmm, wondering whats in your mind, this devotion it says about forgetting about your past, to forget about it, not to remember about it, and life should move on..

What is your 2008 resolution for the Lord? Just like the same question I posted in the previous entry. I hope today's devotion gives you a clearer picture of what God's plan on you ahead in a brand new year yea. Well, thats all I've got for the brand new entry on this new year, do keep in touch with the rest in your prayers yea, God bless!

What Is Love?

2007-12-27T06:13:00.000-08:00

raimy's says:

hey guys,

I'm just wondering around and came out with this topic "What Is Love?". Whats the word Love means to people nowadays? hmm, I wonder what would came out of their minds.

I just randomly search in the search engine about love, it came out with all sorts of definitions e.g
a) It can describe an intense feeling of affection , an emotion or an emotional state.
b) Many people believe love is a sensation that magically generates when Mr. of Ms. Right appears.

... and so on the worldly describe it or used the dictionary to get its meaning etc.

But I think of love is a relationship, yes relationship, but wait to whom should we love to? Money? Things? People? etc. Or one more thing The Creator?

Yup, now I'm talking about love that God given to us that is in John 3:16, Christ died for us because why, God loves us so much. What would this earth be when everyone start loving Christ Jesus as a Mighty Saviour, and learn to love.

Well, hmm, its gonna be a brand New Year, and a brand New Resolution for 2008. What are your commitments gonna be like? Love people? Serving God's people? Taking part in ministry? Or giving a hand to those who are in needs?

Thats all I have for today as I'm crashing for bed tomorrow working in the morning, God bless you thru the week and cheers!

Matthew 5:43 - 44 (NIV) - Love for Enemies
43"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor^] and hate your enemy.' 44But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.

You Are An Heir Of God

2007-12-18T06:51:00.000-08:00

Galatians 4:6–7
6And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

“If you are a Christian, why are you sick?”

“If your heavenly Father is so wonderful, why do you have so many problems?

“Doesn’t your God help you, His child?”

Imagine such questions levelled at you. If you are tempted to ask, “God, I am Your child. Why is this happening to me?” know that Jesus knows how you feel because 2,000 years ago, the devil played the same trick on Him — “If you are the Son of God…” (Matthew 4:3) You see, his intention was to make Jesus doubt His Sonship, and the devil wants to do the same thing to you today.

The devil wants to destroy the Spirit of sonship in you and in the body of believers. He knows that once you really believe that you are a son of God, something happens — you begin to live life as “an heir of God through Christ”.

As a son, you inherit! You inherit all the blessings of God which Jesus died to give you, including salvation, healing, prosperity, wholeness, favour, intimacy with God and answered prayers. And Jesus rose from the dead to make sure that what He died to give you, you get! He is alive today to enforce this rich, blood-bought inheritance in your life!

You are an heir of God through Christ. This means that you are joint heirs with Jesus — what He inherits, you inherit.

What is prosperity when you are an heir of God? All the diamonds and gold came from Him. What is provision when you are an heir of God? God owns every beast in the forest and the cattle on a thousand hills. What is healing when you are an heir of God? God is your Creator and the very breath of your life.

Enjoy every bit of your inheritance in Christ, not because you deserve it, but because it was paid for by Jesus’ blood. It is your blood-bought right!
raimy says:
What comes into your mind when you heard someone pay for your debt?.. Well, in this devotion, as summary, Jesus died for us to full paid our payments (sins) up to the cross as it is finished, past, present and future. He died to give you, including salvation, healing, prosperity, wholeness, favour, intimacy with God and answered prayers. Isn't that more than wonderful? I should say it is more than what we have now. God loves you, and he really did, what else people in this world need to accept a Saviour none other then our Lord Jesus Christ?..

Lastly, Christmas is around the corner yea, so dinner is still on? I'm looking forward for our small group to have one. hehe, God bless you! and He will guide you throughout the week, no worries mate!..

What You Are Conscious Of Will Manifest

2007-12-11T00:13:00.000-08:00

1 John 4:4
4You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

If you have been to a circus performance or watched one on television, you may be familiar with a circus act involving a lion and its trainer. Have you ever wondered why, besides holding a whip, the trainer would arm himself with a stool and point its legs towards the big animal?

The whole idea is to distract the lion. You see, as powerful as the animal is, it can be immobilized by distractions. If this man-eater is not distracted from time to time, it might just maul the trainer to death!

The devil is like the trainer. He knows that you have all the power of God inside you “because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world”. So what the devil tries to do is immobilize you with distractions.

For example, he may bring to your attention a pain in your body, which just refuses to go away, to distract you. And you find yourself going to a few medical journals or the Internet to find out more about the symptoms. You also decide to consult your doctor. And because you know of someone who has the same condition, you talk to him about it.

In the end, you are distracted by the pain, the symptoms, your findings, your doctor’s prognosis and your friend’s experience. And you find it hard to believe and focus on God’s Word about your healing. You have thus been immobilized and have become powerless.

The devil wants you to focus on your condition. When you are conscious of the symptoms in your body and your findings, you will see sickness manifest. But God wants you to focus on who you are and what you have in Christ. When you are conscious that you are the healed of the Lord in Christ, you will see healing manifest.

What you are conscious of, you will see manifest. So when you become conscious of Christ, who is all the power of God inside you, you will see that power manifest! And you will not be immobilized!
raimy says:
hey guys, this devotion is cool, read it yea. It helps you to be conscious of the surroundings. Well, have a great week ahead, good day mate! God bless you! God is good!

God's Love Makes You Strong

2007-11-30T01:18:00.000-08:00

Ephesians 3:19
19to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.

If you were to thank God for something today, what would it be? For me, it’s thanking God for giving us Jesus. For when I see Jesus on the cross, I see the love of God overcoming everything for me. It causes me to say, “Thank you, Jesus! I love you, Jesus! I worship you, Jesus! Bless you, Jesus! Hallelujah!”

And as we worship and celebrate the love of Jesus in our lives, we will find ourselves changed and we will see the mighty power of God displayed for us and through us.

This was the case in the life of David. His personal times of worship, of being absorbed in God’s love for him, changed him from a mere shepherd boy to lion killer, bear killer, giant killer and finally, king over Israel.

Now, no one on earth, no matter how strong he is, can come against a lion and prise open its mouth to snatch back his sheep which the lion had carried away, unless God’s anointing and protection is on him. And this was indeed what happened to David the shepherd boy who went after the lion, caught it by its beard, struck it and killed it, and thus delivered the lamb from its mouth. (1 Samuel 17:34–37)

My friend, no man can truly enjoy living in this world without God’s strength in his life, God’s favour in his work and relationships, God’s protection for him and his family, God’s increase for his finances, and God’s health and healing for his body. Likewise, no woman can survive emotionally, socially or physically without God’s tender touch, God’s loving presence, God’s sweet assurance, and God’s Word of life in times of need.

Beloved, as you feed on Jesus’ love for you, you’ll be filled with the fullness of God. Like David, God’s anointing will begin to operate powerfully in your life. And when spiritual lions come into your life, even the devil himself — when he comes like a roaring lion against you or your loved ones or your possessions — you’ll grab hold of his mouth and you’ll tear him apart!

raimy says:

In the post today, the devotion talks about how if we have God's love in us. This devotion also use David as a example, as he received God's love and overcome fear and threats, and simply he overcome many situation. I should say that we should use His love to overcome our circumstances in life e.g. studies, working, meeting with clients or even exams. Look upon the cross which God sent Jesus as a scarifies while we are still sinners, His love saves many and just last thoughts, what if we put God's love into practice? More than miracles I should say...

See you guys this upcoming weekends during youth service, God bless!

Hope That Does Not Disappoint

2007-11-15T19:29:00.000-08:00

Romans 5:5
5Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.

Today, we express hope as if we can’t be sure what will really happen. We say, “I hope I’ll win that prize… I hope it won’t rain tomorrow… I hope everything works out well...”

But “hope” in the Bible is a confident and positive expectation of good. This is because as His child, your heavenly Father favours you. Because Christ is in you, the hope of glory (Colossians 1:27), you can expect the glory of God to shine into every area of your life, including your family, job, ministry, health and finances!

God’s Word says, “Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.” My friend, you may have experienced disappointed hopes, but there is a hope that does not disappoint when you are conscious of how much God loves you. It is a hope that springs from the heart of God, who loves you very much.

It is interesting that the first mention of the Holy Spirit in the book of Romans is tied up with the love of God. Now, the book of Romans is considered foundational for all Christians. Could it be that the first thing the Holy Spirit wants to do is to establish in your heart that God loves you? Many people think that the Holy Spirit has come to teach us about power, but the truth is that the Holy Spirit has come not to reveal the love for power, but the power of love!

My friend, you may have just lost your job, but if you believe that “Jesus loves me this I know”, you can say, “I believe I will get a better job tomorrow.” Your girlfriend may have just left you for your best friend. But because you believe that “Jesus loves me this I know”, you can say, “I’ll meet a better girl tomorrow.”

When you believe that God loves you, you will have a positive expectation of good. You will have hope that does not disappoint, so be careful what you hope for because you are bound to get it!
raimy says:
hey this devotion is awesome, very encouraging for me. what happen next is , i'm going to share with you peeps tmr for small group hahaha, and just to keep reminding that God loves us now and forever which stated in John 3:16, haha it prove true yea. Amen!
well, see you guys on sat, work hard!! God bless!

2007-11-11T07:20:00.000-08:00

Hello all,
As I speak, the clock continues to tick and I am just seconds closer to my exams. I have to apologize for my absence from church this week cos' I wasn't feeling too good and I had a lot of studying to do. All my more worrying paper are in the front. Pls forgive me for my non-attendance. However it's through this dark times when God showed me He's always here with me. I would like to hereby share with all of you.

This semester is probably the worst semester of all. The first part of the semester was really bad as I had something going on with my life and it was probably till mid semester that I really managed to get my life in place again. All thanks to the YW small group - thanks a million.

It is this during this short 14 weeks where I can see God's blessing all around me. You guys have (present tense cos u guys still are...) been wonderful. Also this semester, I managed to find support amongst a lot of my new found friends in my course. I had lots of fun and laughter with them. However, a lot of them were Christians and have since faltered in their faith. I hope you guys will pray for them. I have friends who have heard of Christ but have yet accepted Him, pls pray for their salvation as well. I felt God had made me know these people for a reason. They had been a blessing to me and I really hope that the least I can do is to bring this gift of salvation to them.

As for me, I can say that I have had struggles and I think Satan has been making all the right conditions for me to stumble but I am proud to say I have been putting up a good fight against him. Please continue to pray for my fight against the bondage of sins. Also continue to pray for wisdom, consistency and strength to carry on this fight till the end of the year.

The new year will open new chapters of uncertainties as I make my flight to India. Please pray that God will prepare my heart as for this 6 months trip to India. I do hope that during this 6 months I can show God's goodness to this Indian friend I will be travelling there with.

I hope that u guys had a great weekend so far. Whatever your struggles, keep the faith! Reading Genesis is like a constant reminder by God to tell me to keep the faith. In the first 20 over chapters that I have read and re-read so far, Noah, Abraham and Issac had been put through trial of faith and by faith God had shown them grace. Continue to pray for one another and pray for all these people I talk about as well! May you all have a good week ahead. Peace be with you. Amen!

Flow With Righteousness, Peace And Joy

2007-11-08T21:10:00.000-08:00

Romans 14:17
17For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

If we are supposed to seek first the kingdom of God every day (Matthew 6:33), then we should know what the kingdom of God is in the first place. I used to think that the kingdom of God was the mission fields and that to seek it meant doing missionary work.

Then, I realised that the kingdom of God was not something outside you flowing in — “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking”, but something inside you flowing out — “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit”.

So to seek first God’s kingdom means to make it a priority every day to have your inner man flowing with righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.

Righteousness is not your own righteousness based on what you do. It is not good works. It is a gift from Jesus who is your righteousness. (Romans 5:17, 1 Corinthians 1:30) God wants you to be established in the truth that you are the righteousness of God in Christ. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“Peace be with you” were the words that Jesus spoke to His disciples when He appeared before them after His resurrection. He also showed them His pierced hands and side. (John 20:19–20) God wants you to know that His Son’s finished work has given you peace. Your conscience can be at rest because your sin debt has been settled. You have peace with God, and the peace of God.

Joy will come into your heart when you see Jesus in the scriptures, worship songs or anointed preaching. It is the same joy from the Holy Spirit which filled the disciples’ hearts when they saw Jesus, His hands and His side. (John 20:20)

So every day, make it a priority to see yourself righteous in Christ. Don’t be conscious of your sins, but instead be conscious of your righteousness. And whether you are reading your Bible or listening to anointed preaching, see Jesus with His pierced hands and side, which speak of His finished work. See that your sins are forgiven, and you will flow with peace and joy. When you do this, you are seeking the kingdom of God!

raimy says:
just a little sharing here, just filled up this little blog with some devotion to keep us motivated with God. And remember keep on praying for one another yeah, and just not love by words but thru actions too, God bless and have a wonderful weekends. and yea small group!! haha

2007-11-07T08:37:00.000-08:00

hey guys, other grand ma passed away on sunday night. been busy ... sorry for not keeping up with you guys.
gd day

johan says

2007-11-01T09:32:00.000-07:00

johan says:

hey guys ...

my grandma's funeral was conducted smoothly without a hitch. had good weather too.

tks for your prayers and support for this wk. couldnt have got through the days without them. we're still meeting this week ya? am in the process of putting together the lesson. got any qns or contribution, please do ring or sms ya?

just a reminder: this week's about 'what the Bible has to say about finances' and being smart with what God has given you ... esp. money.

--

hope you guys been contacting each other too. just want to say that your smses throughout the wk, even just to ask how i have been doing, are greatly appreciate and much anticipated. i may not be able to answer (and i tell the truth, i forget also! phone recently cranky also ... :X) but knowing tt someone's concerned for me is always a great feeling. tks man.

gtg. catch u guys soon.

regards.

2007-10-30T07:20:00.000-07:00

I was reading Genesis 13 about Abraham and Lot splitting up to avoid dispute.

In Genesis 13, Abraham let Lot choose the land first. Lot chose the better land for himself and had Abraham take all the bad lands. Doesn't this resemble many times when we try to be kind to a friend we end up getting taken advantage of? I guess, if we look at it in the way the world teach us to see it, it will be as it seems.

However, as we read on in Genesis 13, God spoke to Abraham after the whole episode,

"14The LORD said to Abram after Lot had parted from him, "Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west. 15 All the land that you see I will give to you and your offspring forever. 16 I will make your offspring like the dust of the earth, so that if anyone could count the dust, then your offspring could be counted. 17 Go, walk through the length and breadth of the land, for I am giving it to you.""

It is shown that God will bless us if we had been a blessing to the people around us. Sometimes the grace God show us may not be immediate or very obvious, however, being a blessing to people around us will definitely yield positive result in a long run. We should never stop being a blessing to the people around us.

2007-10-27T03:45:00.000-07:00

all of us here ... this is our prayer requests. add yours ...

other than work, studies, energy levels..

Jiayi - Exams are so near! I am just a couple of weeks away from exams. These couple of weeks before exams are here, I been bombarded with lots of quiz, which I think it's a good thing at least I can start studying. Been lagging a lot in all aspect of my work. Hope I can catch up quickly and pray that I dun compromise time with God.

johan - that i can get bck to connecting with ppl like my sg and church ... been too busy and uncompromising when it comes to meeting up ... and not being relationship-centric and too self-centred instead.

Huzaen- Get rid of the lazy bug bite. Learn to be more loving to the people around me. And to stop judging people.

jared- perseverance and determination for training, prepping for season next year.....continue with qt, erm try to socialise more if it is even possible that is....yep thats about all...cheerios=)

spencer - relationships with people around me. stop slacking?

raimy - able to join-in for youth service again as lacking of time off on sat, preparing for the long working hours at workplace, also be reminded that God is working in me and looking forward what's next in God's plan. thats all cheers!

Fight From Victory, Not For Victory

2007-10-24T05:35:00.000-07:00

Ephesians 6:11
11Put on the whole armour of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

God does not need you to defeat the devil today. Jesus has already done it and given you the victory. (Colossians 2:15, Romans 8:37) Your part is to enforce the victory by simply standing your ground, which is victory ground. In other words, you “fight” from victory ground by standing. You don’t fight for victory.

In Ephesians 6:10–18, the passage on spiritual warfare, the word “wrestle” appears only once (verse 12), while the word “stand” appears four times — “… stand against the wiles of the devil…” (verse 11), “… withstand in the evil day…” (verse 13), “… and having done all, to stand…” (verse 13), “Stand therefore…”. (verse 14) Four times the Holy Spirit tells us to “stand”. Yet, many Christians are focusing on wrestling their way to victory!

My friend, you are already on victory ground. You already have everything in Christ. (1 Corinthians 3:21, 23) You are already blessed with every spiritual blessing in Christ. (Ephesians 1:3). The devil knows this. And that is why his tactic is to deceive you and make you think that you don’t have the victory.

So when he attacks you by saying, “Look at that meagre balance in your bank account! How are you going to pay the bills?” stand your ground. Declare, “I am not trying to be rich, I am rich. In Christ, I am rich!” It doesn’t matter how much you have in the bank. You are rich because you are in Christ. And as the need arises, the supply will be there if you believe you are rich.

It is the same with healing. The devil will try to attack you with symptoms in your body. He will try to put pain in your body, and make you feel weakness here and there, so that you think that you are still sick. He is trying to make you believe that you don’t have your healing. Call his bluff there and then. Say, “No devil, I am not trying to get healed, I am healed! I am standing on the victory ground which Jesus gave me!”

My friend, it makes a world of difference when you fight from victory and not for victory!

raimy here again haha...

God has reminded us once again to put on His armour and to stand firm in all battles with satan. May God bless us in all our doings, esp school work, work area, friends, and the surroundings. Hope the week its been great for you guys as we're busy with things that occupies in us. God is good! and He is always there! see you guys in small group sharing this sat.

Shalom..

Prayer List & Seminar!

2007-10-18T09:23:00.000-07:00

johan here!

we have a load of prayer requests that we have yet to upload here. but let's see what i can remember so far ...

nizam - financial shalom ... work hard, save enough and take care on tt bike!
jared - thanksgiving for results & pray for -wink wink- ... in His time dude
huzaen - tt he gets spiritual chicken soup for cure his physical flu ... hang in there dude
raimy - thanksgiving that he got his off days! esp in time to celebrate Christ's birth
jiayi - stress levels shooting up and purity ... keep each other accountable guys!
spencer - oops ... havent caught up with him ... but i know he aint having the best time
shane - no replies to smses ... help guys? but his practical exams have started and o lvls start next next wk. his number is nine seven nine seven three six seven O.
me - stress! God's guidance! aching shoulders from stress and studying at the high table

we are gonna be starting Genesis, guys! we will this wk. was also asking nizam about the idea of conducting a short sharing seminar on financial advice and see what the Bible says about being financially prudent. think most of us could do with some advice on managing money ...

what do you guys think?

Your Words Carry Power

2007-10-16T06:56:00.000-07:00

Ecclesiastes 8:4
4Where the word of a king is, there is power.

In biblical times, a king’s word carried tremendous power. What he decreed would come to pass. If he said, “Raise taxes,” the taxes were raised.

Do you know that we are kings? The Bible tells us that Jesus has washed us from our sins with His blood and made us kings. (Revelation 1:5–6) And as kings in Christ, our words carry power too.

When we place our hands on a sick person and say, “Be healed,” the person is healed! When we lay hands on our children and say, “Be blessed,” our children are blessed! For there is power in our words — the words of kings!

When I was a young Christian in my teens, I wanted to practise what I had learnt about the power of my words. There was this plant near my home and whenever I passed by it, I would say to it, “Be cursed in Jesus’ name!”
Many days passed. And I will never forget the day when I noticed that the leaves of the plant had turned brown! You may want to try this at home with your potted plants. But bless them instead!
Since our words carry power, can you imagine the harm we do when we say to our loved ones things like “You are always so careless”, “You are good for nothing” or “You are so stupid”? We are cursing them!

The devil is happy when you use the power of your words against your loved ones or even yourself. He wants to see you defeated. So instead of saying, “I am always short of money,” say, “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” (Psalm 23:1) And stop saying, “I am so useless. I don’t think I can do it.” Instead, start saying, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13)

Beloved, remember that as a king, what you say will come to pass because where the word of a king is, there is power. So learn to say what God says about you and see His promises come to pass in your life!

Daily Devotion by New Creation Church.
p/s: Just to fill up the empty post to assure that this blog is not empty and visited always. hehe

Remember: God is always there when you are in need of Him. Keep Him in touch with your prayers. In everything you do, do it in the strength of Christ. God bless!

posted by raimy(:

Are we being sensible?

2007-10-06T08:58:00.000-07:00

Ever wonder, what happens life after death?

Frankly speaking, I don't know.

My pastor tells me I go to heaven if I believe in Jesus.

My mom tells me I go to hell whether or not I believe in Jesus.

My friends tell me when I die I don't go anywhere 'cos there's no hell nor heaven.

One of them gotta be right.

But...

IF I die, where would I rather be?

I wanna go to heaven or just die and .

Jesus teaches me to be a good man and bring peace to the world. Be a good neighbour so I could be a blessing to people around me. He promises me salvation 'cos He has died for my sins.

Though other gods teaches me to be a good man, but they do not promise me a promising future.

Jesus says if I repent and be a good man on earth he would bring me to a place called paradise. He promises me peace and promises to be my friend when even when all my friends turn their back on me. He promise he will never forsake me.

IF right now YOU have a choice.
You can either...
1. Lead a hedonistic life, have lots of casual sex, risking getting STD, getting pregnant and getting abortion, get high, ruining other's life and your own life and just die a horrible death. Imagine a world without law and order because everyone just wants to be happy and have some irresponsible fun. After which we still die, whether it's hell or a fullstop. After everything you know there is no place for you in this place called heaven.

2. Lead a life not worrying about ruining other's life. We know we won't get STD 'cos we don't go around screwing every other girl we see. We get don't get high and lead a pretty good life( minus the getting high part). We know life is much more pleasant in this world because we don't need to worry about junkies or drunks attacking us for money for dope. All we do is to believe in God and do what he teaches. We know there is a place called heaven. Even if there is no heaven, my karma will probably do me some good 'cos I don't live an irresponsible life. Even if life ends with a fullstop, at least I know I haven't been a pest to the society.

It's your choice. I made mine. Have you made yours?

Thanksgiving, confessions and requests............... 6/10/07

2007-10-06T08:34:00.000-07:00

Maiden post for the very new small group website! Don't we just love modern technology... Let's start with a cheerful note. We sure got lots of things to thank God about.

Thanksgiving.......
1. Shane L1R5 was improved from 20 points to 14 points after moderation.
2. Johan had a great presentation; got an interview from British American Tobacco Company (I know it's bad to make people smoke, but he's not doing advertising... Nothing wrong with that huh); trust in the Lord more
3. Jared finished promos... finally time for a break.
4. Huzaen had his friend play cello for his symphony band! He also got his specialization in Bioinformatics
5. Nizam got his riding license and he's got his nice hulky bike.
6. Jiayi made more friends in his course. He has become generally more happy now.

Have we been a good boy??? Confessions... confessions...

Generally, we have all been bad this week. Inconsistent bible study and looking at naughty stuff... sigh...

Ask & Receive

Nizam wants Financial Shalom and hopes to get enlisted in quickly so he can get on with life

Huzaen wants discipline in all aspect of his life... (bible study, prayer, orchestra, studying and cutting down on playing so much PSP)

Johan finally got his break. He wants to rest and be disciplined in doing his work and spending time with God.

Jiayi hopes auntie's mission will succeed. Hope he gets his GIP placement in CPG Environmental Co. or any company...

Everyone wants to fight our struggles with temptations and inconsistencies. We also want to bring friends to know God.