07.11.09 - Rev. Dr. Robb Thompson

Rev Dr Robb Thompson


• 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
o He practices STRICT SELF-CONTROL
o How high a standard can be uphold till you break?
o The Bible is a book of standards

• Isaiah 59:19
• Philippians 3:16, 2
• 2 Timothy 1:13
• Revelation 3:11

• If we go higher, the tsunamis of life will never touch us

• John 1:1

• Revelation 19:11-13
o In righteousness, He judges
o We judge everything we do
o But the things we’re supposed to judge, we don’t; vice versa
o Never attempt to take authority over something that God has never made you responsible for.
o When we’re reading the Bible, the Bible is also reading us.
• Jesus came as God’s word, He will return as God’s word.

• Luke 6:46-49
o DIGGING DEEP
o He comes, He hears, He does

o Matthew 16:13-19
• Imagine walking with Jesus all this while, yet not knowing who He really is?
• We can come to Church and not be changed
• Never be ashamed of who you were, nor who you are
• Our faith is not in doing good works
• “Upon this rock (bedrock) I will build my Church”
• You can only be saved when God draws near to you




• 4 things that happened in Peter’s life

o The Confrontation (Matthew 16:13-15, Acts 9:4-6)
• There was a direct person-to-person confrontation between Jesus and Peter because there was no mediator or priest between them.
• Most of the time we don’t want to confront someone about anything.
• But only with a confrontation can things change.

o The Revelation (Matthew 16:16-17)
• Peter received a revelation that was not a product of His reasoning or intellect. The Father revealed it to him.

o The Acknowledgement (Matthew 16:16)
• Peter had to acknowledge the revelation.
• We must acknowledge our faith.
• We’re not going to win the world because we’re nice, but because we’re willing to bow our knees and surrender

o The Public Confession (Matthew 16:16)
• Peter made a public confession of what he acknowledged. Jesus said, “On this rock (this acknowledgement or confession) I will build my Church.
• A person might be a secret believer for a short time, but there must be a public confession.
• Raise the bar
• Go to another level
• 5 thoughts to change our lives


o Never forget: Walking with God requires COMPLETE SURRENDER.
• 2 Chronicles 16:9, Romans 12:1, Hebrews 11:5
• Amos 3:3, 1 Kings 20:4, Mark 8:34

o As God declared His love for us through Jesus Christ, we declare our love for Him by OBEYING His desires.
• John 14:21; 23, 15:14, 14:5
• Understand this: If we go through the Bible, there are 49 commands of Jesus. They’re commands that if we truly loved, they were the things we’d do

o Success becomes a REALITY the moment you choose to walk in the footprints of the successful that have lived before you.
• Proverbs 13:20
• If we walk with wise man, we BECOME wise

o FOOLISHNESS is crowned as king the instant we believe that we determine our future. While WISDOM cries out that the future is determined by those to whom we grant access.
• Psalm 1:1, 1 Corinthians 15:33
• Who’s inside our life? Who are our friends?


• There are 3 people in our lives at all times.

• The compromiser

• The companion
o Neither good nor bad, the fun people who take you no-where.

• The committed
o Those who are undoubtedly committed to your success.
o We need to seek after these people



o In order to achieve the future you desire, you must first be willing to WALK AWAY from your present desires.
• read what’s on the paper sermon notes for all the verses; too many
• Samson was a man that was stronger than any other man, but he was not stronger than his desires.
• Samson wanted a woman and told his parents to do so
• AND HIS PARENTS CAVED IN; THEY GAVE IN
• The woman was to find out where his strength came from
• 3 times she tricked him, 3 times he lied
• But the last time, he gave in.
• Never desire to know where your partner’s power lies.
• God has a future for us
• He has a dream for us
• We must raise the bar, refuse the things of this world, and embrace the things of the world that is to come.



• Lastly, those who’ve been called by God and those that know Him and those that want to be greater in His kingdom, never need to be told about generosity. We kind of think that we need convincing to be generous.

• Poverty is not the lack of money. Poverty is the proof of misguided money.

o It’s not that God never gave us the seed, but it’s because we did something wrong with it.



ZX

06.11.09 - CGM - Ten Commandments

The Ten Commandments


• Exodus 19:1-2
o The chapter before the Ten Commandments were revealed
o Moses went up to the mountains

• Exodus 19:3
o “Moses went up to God”

• Exodus 19:4-6
o God wanted to know if the people wanted to listen to his covenant
o God told Moses His covenant

• Exodus 19:7
o The people wanted to listen

• Exodus 19:8
o Moses’ second journey up the mountain
o Moses reported the words of the people

• Exodus 19:9-10
o God wanted Moses to tell the people that He will come as a thick cloud
o And also to consecrate themselves to wash their garments
• The people just came out of Egypt
• Washing their clothes signified a cleansing – a new beginning

• Exodus 19:11-15
o God will come with a long blow of the trumpet
o No one can touch the mountain
o Be ready for the third day
o Consecrate yourselves

• Exodus 19:16
o A big star deserves a grand entrance – God had to have a big entrace!

• Exodus 19:17-22
o After the coming, God called Moses up the mountain the third time
o Moses was to remind the people again

• Exodus 19:23
o Moses then said that the people already set bounds and already knew

• Exodus 19:24
o God’s response was “Get down, and come up bringing Aaron”.
o It was a situation of repetition.
o God wanted to emphasise how important this was

• Exodus 20:1 onwards
o “Covenant” – refers to the Ten Commandments; it is like a contract in modern times.
o So why was there a “contract”?
• So that He can bring them into Canaan – the Promise Land
• But only if all the “terms and conditions” were met.
• And only He knew the “term and conditions” before Exodus 20
• And he wanted His people to know it so that the people could go into the Promise Land that God has prepared for them.

• Exodus 20:3-17
o The Ten Commandments
• For us to obey so that we may enter into Canaan
o The Ten Commandments were carved into stone, not on paper for us to tear up, but in stone so that it will last forever. Written by the Hand of God


• 4th Commandment:
o Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it Holy
• In Canaan, the blessings of God will flow; there is more than enough
• For 6 days, people sow and reap, but on the 7th day, God wants them to stop sowing and stop reaping.
• Sounds easy? Not really. If we have a “Canaan Machine”, we’d want to put things in to get back 3 fold, 6 fold, 10 fold so that we may get more, every single minute of our lives.
• For the 6 days that we work, God’s with us giving us His strength and His energy. On the 7th day, God sets aside a day to rest – not that He needs rest, but for US to rest. Then He will rest and He will fellowship with us.
• Not serious work all the time, but at least one day of fellowship a week.
• If we trust God on the 6th day, we’d have a double portion so that we do not need to work on the Sabbath day.
• Today, our “circumcision” is for us to go to Church one day a week.
• Meant for parents. If parents are walking with God, the children will follow God as well.
• Don’t be short sighted. E.g. If we have exams this week, studying one more day and not going to church = better results for this exam alone.



ZX

24.10.09 - Pst Tan - True Worshippers

True Worshippers

• Book of Exodus
o The Tabernacle
o We want the blessings…
o But what’s important is whether we know how to wait on Him, to worship Him

• John 4:4-15
o The woman was thinking of drinking water, but Jesus was referring to living water
o She didn’t understand
o Once we understand our eternal need, we shall never want again

• John 4:16
o Call your husband here. Jesus was referring to her lords, her older idols. She worshipped Jehovah God, but she also worshipped other gods as well.
o She was interested in where, who, how, and when to worship.
o And Jesus answered all her questions in such Samaritan language.

• John 4:26
o Jesus explicitly told her that He was Christ.

• John 4:27
o Why was Jesus talking to the woman?
o The answer is found in John 4:23 – God was looking for true worshippers

• John 4:30-34
o Jesus was nourished and satisfied by doing God’s work

• The woman who went into the well never drew water. Jesus never drank water that he asked for. His disciples bought food that God never ate.

• John 4:39
o They believed because of the woman’s testimony

• John 4:42
o Now they believed because they heard of the word themselves
o Our faith is a process. The more we hear, the more we believe and the more we know

• ONE is enough. So lets worship Him!

• “If God is true and real, then ONE is enough”

• John 7:37-39
o The living water is the Holy Spirit



- ZX

Owe $ Pay $$!!! (lol~~)

Lantern Festival Outing “Outstanding” People~~!!
(in no order whatsoever. LOL)

Zexun

Jessica

XiaoJiao

SeanRyan

Lynnette

Jingyu

Felicia

John

 

CG Fund status:

Name	Sept	Oct	Nov	Dec
Magdelyn	5	5	5	4.1
Deanne	5	5	5
Jovian	5	5	5
HuiTing	5	5	1
Andre	5	5
Eugene	5	5
QianJun	5	5
Debbie	5	2.95
Joshua	5	1
Kenneth	5	1
Pauline	5	1
Anthony	5
Joseph	5
Paul	5
SeanRyan	5
Zexun	5
Chinjie	1.2
Adam
Felicia
Jedidiah
Jessica
Jingyu
John
Lynnette
Max
Nick
Timothy
XiaoJiao

17.10.09 - Pastor Kong - Suffering Part 2

Suffering – Part 2 - Pastor Kong

• Seven Kinds of Sufferings

1. STORMS OF LIFE
a. Luke 6:47-48
i. It is the nature of life to be stormy
b. Isaiah 43:1-5
c. Getting cleansed -> repentance -> anchoring yourself
i. The analogy of soap
d. Philippians 4:11-13
i. We must be prepared for blessings and adversity
ii. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me

2. CHASTENING (dealings of God)
a. Job was a servant of God, but God wanted Job to be a son. He was not broken yet. He hadn’t reached the place of total abandonment.
b. Hebrews 12:5-7, 11
i. Son-ship and chastening go together
ii. We have to be able to take correction for the DNA to be passed on.

3. TEMPTATION
a. All temptation comes from the Devil
b. The Devil is the tempter
c. The Devil seduces people through others
d. Job 2:9
e. Job was tempted by his wife
f. Hebrews 4:15-16
i. Jesus was tempted; We can be tempted, but we need not sin

4. SPIRITUAL WARFARE
a. The tool that the Devil uses the most is discouragement and condemnation; He stands accusing us day and night.
b. We must know the power of self-encouragement
c. The Devil can’t do anything unless God permits; God watches us

5. AFFLICTIONS
a. Psalms 34:19
b. Physical sufferings, mental sufferings
c. Job 3:1-3, 11-13
i. Job was in severe depression
ii. Yet even if he was depressed, he could still serve God

6. PERSECUTION
a. Mark 10:29-30
i. “Blessings a hundred fold, along with persecution”
b. Philippians 1:29

7. TRIALS OF FAITH
a. James 1:2-3
b. Patience means the “capacity to endure”
c. Can we keep on enduring and obeying God?
d. Your attitude determines your altitude
• How great a Godly life do we want?
• How much pressure can we take?


o Job 13:15

o Even if God killed Job, he will still trust in God

o If we need to know “why” all the time, we still need to be in control of our lives, and we have not truly trusted in God.

o God does not want us to be weak, every one of these sufferings are made to make us stronger.

o Psalms 84:6-7



ZX

10.10.09 - Pastor Kong

Sermon Notes

• Book of Job
o Oldest book in the bible: written before genesis
o Romans 15:4

• Even if it’s written in Scripture long ago, it’s still written for us
o It’s a book of major suffering

• Life can be difficult, and sometimes it can downright unfair because you’ve done nothing wrong

• Job 1:1
o Job was a man of high moral integrity
o Ezekiel 14:14 – Job was one of the most righteous man in the old testament

• Job 1:2-3
o Blessed with children and possessions

• Job 29:1-6
o He lived by instruction of God
o He had spiritual maturity

• Job 29:18
o He felt that he had arrived and was in his prime, living his dream

Job chap 1 to 29, the prelude to the struggles

• Job 3:25-26
o He never saw the glory of God with his own eyes
o Job had not yet reached TOTAL ABANDONMENT toward God

• Job 1:6-8
o Job was enjoying life on Earth while something was happening in Heaven
o Satan (Hebrew: adversary or accuser)

• Don’t work for Satan; don’t accuse people
o Satan accused Job in front of God, saying that Job feared God only because of his riches

• Job 1:12
o God gave Satan permission!

• Nothing bad can ever happen to you without God giving the permission for it

• God doesn’t enjoy seeing people suffer

• And God was using Satan to complete the work to be done in Job

• Job 1:16-19
o He lost EVERYTHING

• Job 1:20-21
o But Job did not curse God. He worshipped God and knew he was a steward of God’s riches

• Job 2:5-6
o God gave permission to Satan again
o 1 Corinthians 10:13

• God will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able

• Job was stricken with more and more health problems

• Job 23:10
o Yet Job had absolute faith

• What Is the whole purpose of suffering?
o If such things can happen to the best man on the Earth, it can happen to us

• James 5:11
o Capacity to endure is critical to our maturity

• When we get sick, if we develop the immunity in our bodies to fight, we don’t get sick more often from then on.

• Same in the spiritual. God doesn’t send us bad things; He merely allows it to build our spiritual capacity to endure.
o Romans 5:3

• “Tribulation produces perseverance”
• “Perseverance -> Hope”
• “Hope -> Character”

• We don’t rejoice in our suffering, yet if we know it was good for us, we should persevere.
o Hebrews 5:7-9

• Jesus had to learn obedience by going through difficult times
o When we can obey the will of God even in the midst of a crisis, you know you have become truly mature.

• True maturity
o OBEDIENT ENDURANCE is the crowning mark of maturity!
o Only true sons can inherit the father’s success
o Job was a servant, not a son, so God had to test him

• Job 42:10, 12
• Job 42:13-4
o He had “better children” so to speak. Their names were mentioned.
o “Jemimia” – Dove – Anointed
o “Keziah” – Perfume – God’s Presence
o “Keren-Happuch”

• Job 42:16-17
o Job lived 210 years
• 7 x 3 x 10


ZX

Living Life For The Kingdom Of God

• Matthew 19:1-2
o “He healed them there” – Not only the sick.
o A healing in the spirit, of our mind, through the healing by the word of God

• Matthew 19:3-6, 9
o MARRIAGES

• Matthew 19:11
o UNMARRIED

• Matthew 19:13-15
o PARENTS AND CHILDREN
• Adults didn’t find that Children were that important
• Parents that don’t grow up loving the Lord will have their children grow up not loving the Lord as well
• Children need direct love, not indirect love
• Leaving church to work overtime so that parents can provide for children = indirect
• Children belong to God! Don’t raise your children up to send them to the devil and make them ‘worldly’.

• Matthew 19:16-22
o THE RICH
• He was looking for a good thing to do
• “Keep the commandments”
• 4 commandments relate to God
• 6 commandments relate to people
• Why did Jesus tell him to sell his possessions?
o Because he trusted his possessions, earned by his sweat, blood and tears
o “This is mine, because I worked for it”
• Matthew 20:11-15
• Matthew 20:15’s “good” – Generosity
• The young man was not generous
• Rich people have 2 blind spots
o Thinking that they earned the wealth on their own, and not by God’s grace
o No generosity

o THE POOR
• Jealousy and thoughts of unfairness

• Matthew 20:20
o PEOPLE SERVING GOD
• The mother asked for her children to have positions in Heaven

o Matthew 20:26-28
• Matthew 20:8-9
o Jesus never spoke of himself highly

• How do we get healed?
o Lay down our lives
o Be willing to serve
o Be willing to forgive
o Be willing to put priorities on children instead of yourselves
o Understand that God is fair to everyone

• Ephesians 2:8-9
• Blessings are gifts of God.

• Ephesians 2:4-11
o Rich in mercy, not wealth

• Matthew 19:23-26
o God will set us free
• A life that is healed is a life that was lived for the Kingdom of God



ZX

Kisser or Cleaver? - Pastor Kong

Kisser or Cleaver?

• 2 Chronicles 16:9
o God is looking for loyal and committed hearts

• Psalm 133:1-3
o We live in a time where loyalty is rare

• Ruth 1:1-2
o A man, his wife and the two children
o They left Bethlehem (the house of God)
o And moved to Moab (a cursed place – a city born out of incest)
• Ruth 1:3
o The husband died
• Ruth 1:4
o Orpah – “stiff necked, stubborn”
o Ruth – “friend”
• Ruth 1:5
o Both her children died
• Ruth 1:8

• Ruth 1:14
o One wept and kissed, then left
o The other one wept and clung onto her mother-in-law
o Every relationship in our lives has to be and will be tested
o We will only know if we are faithful when we are tempted to be unfaithful
o Tests can come financially and with relationships
o For Orpah, she was being tested. If she had gone with her mother in law, would she find a husband? Would she be able to have money? Would she have a future? It was inconvenient. She kissed and she left.
o She was never mentioned in the Bible ever again.
o The spirit of disloyalty is extremely destructive!

o For Ruth, she had loyalty to Naomi.
• “Wherever you go, I will go”
• “Wherever you lodge, I will lodge”
• “Your people is my people”
• “Your god is my god”
o They have built tremendous friendship between them

• Ruth 1:17
o “Till death do us apart”
o Ruth knew that she was going to a hostile land, yet she was willing to go with Naomi because she was loyal
o In the end, her faith was rewarded, and Ruth became the great grandmother of David, the greatest King. And then Jesus Christ, the Messiah
o Whereas Orpah became the great grandmother of Goliath, David’s greatest enemy.

• 2 Timothy 2:13
o He remains faithful

• 2 Timothy 2:2
o “Faithful men”

• Faithfulness is the cornerstone of character
• Similarly, loyalty is the cornerstone of character

• Ephesians 2:21
o “Being fitted together” and thus, “grows”

• Colossians 2:19
o “Knit together by joints and ligaments” and thus, “grows”
• We should be loyal to our:
o Spouse
o Family
o Friends
o And most importantly, God


- ZX

09.05.09 - Sermon by Pastor Tan

• Matthew 22:14
• Matthew 21:12-22

• Jesus went to the temple and drove out the sellers
o Matthew 21:28-32
o “Before” you. The ‘first’ became last, and the ‘last’ became first.
o The ‘first’ were the jews

• They did not have an attitude of repentance
• God is choosing his people.

• Matthew 21:33-41
o When we are not willing to do things for the Lord, others will do it and receive blessings.

• Matthew 22:2-10
o Both “bad and good”
o When one has no wedding garment and yet goes to a wedding, he is not willing to go to the wedding. The servants dragged him there.
o It’s like someone going to church without an attitude of repentance, because he was dragged to church by friends/spouse etc.
o Are we producing fruit?

• Matthew 21:23-27
o Why did Jesus talk about John the Baptist?
• Matthew 3:7
• The Pharisees were already around when John was.

• Matthew 3:11-12
• God is cleaning out the kingdom. He is choosing his own people.
o Matthew 21:13

• If we are in the Church, and we do not render the fruit to God, then we are coming to church to take the resources of God to do worldly things.
o Matthew 21:14
• Blind and the lame: “The last” – and they became first
• God does not look like how man looks. Man look at the looks, but God looks at our hearts.
• God wants us to repent, have faith, and continue to bear fruit.

• 1 Peter 2:9

• John 10:30
o What is God expecting of us?
o Jesus fully manifests the Father.
o God’s original intention was for the Children of Israel to fully reflect him!
• Because of the Word that was given to the Children of Israel.
• But they failed.
• Then God put the Word into Jesus.
o We don’t “attend” church. We “are” the church.
o The Church will outlive us.


ZX

7%

Another email. But this time it's from my friend. (:
I've heard of this before in children church.
So yah! (: Have a great week ahead!



A holy man was having a conversation with God one day and said, ' God, I would like to know what Heaven and Hell are like.'

God led the holy man to two doors.

He opened one of the doors and the holy man looked in.

In the middle of the room was a large round table. In the middle of the table was a large pot of stew, which smelled delicious and made the holy man's mouth water.

The people sitting around the table were thin and sickly. They appeared to be famished.

They were holding spoons with very long handles, that were strapped to their arms and each found it possible to reach into the pot of stew and take a spoonful.

But because the handle was longer than their arms, they could not get the spoons back into their mouths.

The holy man shuddered at the sight of their misery and suffering.

God said, 'You have seen Hell.'

They went to the next room and opened the door. It was exactly the same as the first one.

There was the large round table with the large pot of stew which made the holy man's mouth water.

The people were equipped with the same long-handled spoons, but here the people were well nourished and plump, laughing and talking. The holy man said, 'I don't understand.'

It is simple,' said God . 'It requires but one skill.

You see they have learned to feed each other, while the greedy think only of themselves.'

Its estimated 93% won't forward this. If you are one of the 7% who will, forward this with the title '7%'.

I'm in the 7%.

Remember that I will always share my spoon with you.

Pastor Phil Pringle - 29.08.09

Pastor Phil Pringle
29th August 2009

on

Jeremiah 1:4-12

• Everyone has a “then God” moment – and it’s usually when there is a problem.
• "Then God did / said / showed something" for example.

• God gives his promises from Heaven, so why do we look around 'horizontally' for how He’s going to provide for us?

• Whatever God plans for us, it will always cost us something that we might not want.
o It can happen financially, with relationships, time, opportunities etc
o There is a price for following Jesus
o But the reward is worth it!

• Jeremiah said he was too young and did not know how to speak.
• But God said: “Do not say…”
• Our mouths create things
• Depend on the Bible. Speak, not just think/read, the scriptures.

• Jeremiah 1:11
o Almond trees bud two months before other trees
o What God is saying is that He will accelerate all the promises he has said to Jeremiah.

• Before we build up, we sometimes have to root out some problems.
o Farmland needs to be tilled before crops can be planted for example.



- Zexun :D

God and interesting dialogue‏.

Another email from my mum.
(My mum sends the best emails man. Lol.)
Readread. :D



An atheist professor of philosophy speaks to his class on the problem science has with God, The Almighty.

He asks one of his new students to stand and.....

Prof: So you believe in God?

Student: Absolutely, sir.

Prof : Is God good?

Student: Sure.

Prof: Is God all-powerful?

Student : Yes..

Prof: My brother died of cancer even though he prayed to God to heal him. Most of us would attempt to help others who are ill. But God didn't. How is this God good then? Hmm?

(Student is silent.)

Prof: You can't answer, can you? Let's start again, young fella. Is God good?

Student: Yes.

Prof: Is Satan good?

Student : No..

Prof: Where does Satan come from?

Student: From...God....

Prof: That's right. Tell me son, is there evil in this world?

Student: Yes..

Prof: Evil is everywhere, isn't it? And God did make everything. Correct?

Student: Yes.

Prof: So who created evil? (Student does not answer.)

Prof: Is there sickness? Immorality? Hatred? Ugliness? All these terrible things exist in the world, don't they?

Student: Yes, sir..

Prof: So, who created them? (Student has no answer.)

Prof: Science says you have 5 senses you use to identify and observe the world around you. Tell me, son...Have you ever seen God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Tell us if you have ever heard your God?

Student: No, sir.

Prof: Have you ever felt your God, tasted your God, smelt your God? Have you ever had any sensory perception of God for that matter?

Student: No, sir. I'm afraid I haven't.

Prof: Yet you still believe in Him?

Student: Yes..

Prof: According to empirical, testable, demonstrable protocol, science says your GOD doesn't exist. What do you say to that, son?

Student: Nothing. I only have my faith.

Prof: Yes. Faith. And that is the problem science has..

Student: Professor, is there such a thing as heat?

Prof: Yes.

Student: And is there such a thing as cold?

Prof: Yes.

Student: No sir. There isn't. (The lecture theatre becomes very quiet with this turn of events.)

Student : Sir, you can have lots of heat, even more heat, superheat, mega heat, white heat, a little heat or no heat. But we don't have anything called cold. We can hit 458 degrees below zero which is no heat, but we can't go any further after that. There is no such thing as cold .. Cold is only a word we use to describe the absence of heat

... We cannot measure cold. Heat is energy . Cold is not the opposite of heat, sir, just the absence of it . (There is pin-drop silence in the lecture theatre.)

Student: What about darkness, Professor? Is there such a thing as darkness?

Prof: Yes.. What is night if there isn't darkness?

Student : You're wrong again, sir. Darkness is the absence of something. You can have low light, normal light, bright light, flashing light....But if you have no light constantly, you have nothing and it's called darkness, isn't it? In reality, darkness isn't. If it were you would be able to make darkness darker, wouldn't you?

Prof: So what is the point you are making, young man?

Student: Sir, my point is your philosophical premise is flawed.

Prof: Flawed? Can you explain how?

Student: Sir, you are working on the premise of duality. You argue there is life and then there is death, a good God and a bad God. You are viewing the concept of God as something finite, something we can measure. Sir, science can't even explain a thought. It uses electricity and magnetism, but has never seen, much less fully understood either one. To view death as the opposite of life is to be ignorant of the fact that death cannot exist as a substantive thing. Death is not the opposite of life: just the absence of it.

Now tell me, Professor. Do you teach your students that they evolved from a monkey?

Prof: If you are referring to the natural evolutionary process, yes, of course, I do.

Student: Have you ever observed evolution with your own eyes, sir? (The Professor shakes his head with a smile, beginning to realize where the argument is going.)

Student: Since no one has ever observed the process of evolution at work and cannot even prove that this process is an on-going endeavor, are you not teaching your opinion, sir? Are you not a scientist but a preacher? (The class is in uproar.)

Student: Is there anyone in the class who has ever seen the Professor's brain?

(The class breaks out into laughter.)

Student : Is there anyone here who has ever heard the Professor's brain, felt it, touched or smelt it? No one appears to have done so. So, according to the established rules of empirical, stable, demonstrable protocol, science says that you have no brain, sir.

With all due respect, sir, how do we then trust your lectures, sir?

(The room is silent... The professor stares at the student, his face unfathomable.)

Prof: I guess you'll have to take them on faith, son.

Student: That is it sir... The link between man & god is FAITH . That is all that keeps things moving & alive..


NB: I believe you have enjoyed the conversation...and if so...you'll probably want your friends/colleagues to enjoy the same...won't you?.... this is a true story, and the student was none other than......... APJ Abdul Kalam, the former president of India.

This is me checking in today.

I received an email that my mum sent me.
&I think it's really good. Read it & maybe send this to someone? (:



A minister passing through his church
in the middle of the day,
Decided to pause by the altar
and see who had come to pray.

Just then the back door opened,
a man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
the man hadn't shaved in a while.

His shirt was kinda shabby
and his coat was worn and frayed,
the man knelt, he bowed his head,
then rose and walked away.

In the days that followed,
each noon time came this chap,
each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap..

Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
with robbery a main fear,
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
'What are you doing here?'

The old man said, he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time,
For finding strength and power.


'I stay only moments, see,
because the factory is so far away;
as I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is kinda what I say:



‘I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,

HOW HAPPY I’VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH

OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

DON’T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK

ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.

SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM CHECKING IN TODAY.’


The minister feeling foolish,
told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
To come and pray just anytime

Time to go, Jim smiled, said 'Thanks.'
He hurried to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
he'd never done it before.

His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
and met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
he repeated old Jim's prayer:

‘I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,

HOW HAPPY I’VE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND EACH

OTHERS FRIENDSHIP AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.

DON’T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY, BUT I THINK

ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.

SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME CHECKING IN TODAY.’




Past noon one day, the minister noticed
that old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
he began to worry some.

At the factory, he asked about him,
learning he was ill.

The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.

The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.

The head nurse couldn't understand
why Jim was so glad,
when no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.

The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.

Looking surprised, old Jim spoke
up and with a winsome smile;
'the nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
that He's in here all the while


everyday at noon He's here,
a dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:


‘I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,

HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN, SINCE WE FOUND

THIS FRIENDSHIP, AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SINS

ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,

I THINK ABOUT YOU EACH DAY, AND SO JIM,

THIS IS JESUS CHECKING IN..’


If this blesses you, pass it on. Many people

will walk in and out of your life, but only

true friends will leave footprints in your heart

May God hold you in the palm of His hand and

Angels watch over you.

Please pass this page on to your friends & loved ones.

If you aren't ashamed.. Jesus said,

' If you are ashamed of me,' I will be ashamed
of you before my Father.'

If you are not ashamed, pass this on.

But only if you mean it.

So this is me ... Just Checking In

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING WEEKS OF THE YEAR!

AUGUST FIRST WEEKEND!

NOTE! there is correction just made (Tuesday 15:15)

	DAY	STARTING	ENDING
Overnight PM	Thursday (to Friday)	9pm	3am
FOP 1	Friday	730pm	1030pm
FOP 2	Saturday	730pm	1030pm
CHC Thanksgiving	Sunday	9am	1030am
CHC Celebration	Sunday	1130am	130pm
FOP	Sunday	730pm	1030pm

Overnight Prayer Meeting:
Thursday Night: 9 pm – 11pm, 1130pm – 3 am (next day)

CHC 20th Anniversary! :D
Sunday:
i. 9 am – 1030 am: PM + Thanksgiving
ii. 1130 am – 130 pm: Anniversary Celebration

FOP
Friday: 730 pm – 1030 pm
Saturday: 730 pm – 1030 pm
Sunday: 730 pm – 1030 pm

Hey i really really love this song…like, really very very much…

Name: 我獻上自己
(Chinese translation of the Indonesian song “Inilah Hidup Ku”)

Album: 城市之光 Disc2
(Disc 2 of the Chinese Light of the City)

[Verse]

我只愿能更多亲近你，
依偎在你同在里，更贴近你的心意…
我只愿能全心依靠你，
永远不离开你…

是你赐给我生命气息，
赐给我温柔的心，让我能全心相信…
世上无人能够取代你，
一生只愿为你…

[Chorus]

主我献上自己，成为爱的器皿，
来完成你旨意，一生永不放弃…

主我献上自己，求塑造我生命，
指教我你命定，我全人只为你，
一生只愿为你…

18.07.09

The Holy Spirit - Pastor Kong

• We need to work and walk closely with the spirit of the living God.
• “Like a dove” – He is gentle / pure like a dove.
• “Like water” – Likened to a river of life.
• The atmosphere. When the HS comes, he brings a spiritual environment.
• Acts 10:44-46
o Fell – to ‘embrace with living affection’
o To seize with power, to ‘press upon’
• Acts 8:5-8
o To the apostles, crowds and excitement doesn’t mean a thing.
• Acts 8:15-17
• A spiritual atmosphere is the difference between a church service and a lecture.
• The gifts of the HS will be at work among the people when there is a spiritual atmosphere.
• 5 lessons
o In a spiritual atmosphere, the Holy Spirit:
1. Sustains our life in Christ.
2. Presses us closer to Him.
3. Protects us from demonic attacks.
4. Imparts blessings.
John 1:10 – He was in the spirit and heard the voice of Jesus talking to him.
1 Cor 14 – Praying in tongues, our prayer is unhindered. Even the devil can’t understand what we are praying.
5. Reflects the beauty of the Church.
• The atmosphere isn’t just in the Church building. It can be at home & work etc.
• When people come to church, they should be coming here to experience the spiritual atmosphere.
• God responds to our faith in our hearts.
• 2 Corinthians 13:5





• Remember:
a. Prayer
i. Acts 4: 31,33
ii. The HS invaded the meeting and shook it.
b. Praise
i. It’s not a sing-a-long.
ii. It creates a throne for Jesus to sit upon.
c. Hunger for God’s word
i. Luke 5:17.
ii. You don’t love God more than his word.
iii. The Word is life. If there is no hunger for the Word, the HS doesn’t show up.
d. Unity of heart and vision
i. Matthew 18:19-20, Philippians 2


Zexun

Today matters!

Found this somewhere…

If we’re going for greatness, every single day matters… make it the best ever.. ;)

1. Attitude: I choose to display the right attitudes daily.

2. Priorities: I determine to act on important priorities daily.

3. Health: I know and follow healthy guidelines daily.

4. Family: I communicate with and care for my family daily.

5. Thinking: I practice and develop good thinking daily.

6. Commitment: I make and keep proper commitments daily.

7. Finances: I earn and properly manage money daily.

8. Faith: I deepen and live out my faith daily.

9. Relationships: I initiate and invest in solid relationships daily.

10. Generosity: I plan for and model generosity daily.

11. Values: I embrace and practice good values daily.

12. Growth: I seek and experience improvements daily.

CG funds status as at 22 June 2009

Name	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Outstanding / $	Paid / $
Adam	5	5	5				$ 15.00	$ 15.00
Andre	5	5	5	5	5	5	$ -	$ 30.00
Anthony	5	5	5	5	5	5	$ -	$ 30.00
ChinJie	5	2					$ 23.00	$ 7.00
Deanne	5	5	5	5	5	5	$ -	$ 30.00
Debbie	-	-	-	-	-		$ 5.00	$ -
Eugene	5	5	2.5				$ 17.50	$ 12.50
HuiTing	5	5	5	5	5		$ 5.00	$ 25.00
Jedidiah	5	5	5	5			$ 10.00	$ 20.00
Jessica	-	-	-	-			$ 10.00	$ -
Joseph	-	-	-	-	-		$ 5.00	$ -
Jovian							$ 30.00	$ -
Lynnette							$ 30.00	$ -
Magdelyn	5	5	5	2			$ 13.00	$ 17.00
Max	5	5	1				$ 19.00	$ 11.00
Nathaniel						-8	$ 38.00	$ (8.00)
Nick	5	5	5				$ 15.00	$ 15.00
Paul	5	5	5	5	1		$ 9.00	$ 21.00
Pauline	5	5	5	5	5	5	$ -	$ 30.00
QianJun	5	5	1				$ 19.00	$ 11.00
XiaoJiao	-	-	-	-	-		$ 5.00	$ -
Zexun	5	5	5	1			$ 14.00	$ 16.00

Mini Emerge Service & Post Service

Hey everyone. Here are some photos to liven up the blog (:










Cheers,
Zexun

Easter services

Prayer meetings this week..

Tuesday to Friday:

Saturday:

Men United

The first men’s conference of the year was phenomenal.

the “manly competitions” at the start of the conference brought much hype to the crowd.
*Oh one of them you ladies sure wish you didn’t miss is
the one in which men from each service competed to see who can wear and then tear their 10+ singlets in the shortest time.. LOL..
service 2 won the overall competition.
(yeah i know the men in service 2 are just exceptionally strong and manly..
handsome and talented also… and very spiritual.. LOL!!)

then we had praise and worship.. like a man~! haha..
i also didn’t realise until this week that actually CCC youth band had sung really only manly songs. LOL..
No ‘sweet Jesus my Darling~’ (eee-ill~!) or anything of that sort.. LOL~!! love it.

yeah pastor Phil commented we men cannot think that the church is like a woman just because we are the bride for Jesus Christ.
the people of God are to be a mighty army.

so our church environment must not be solely woman oriented.
because the fact is Women feel good in an environment where Men take charge, but Men CANNOT feel easy in a womanly environment.
(lol.. it can’t be more true.. you know how it feels like when you accompany girls go shopping..? lol…)
yeah we men need to rise up. and church needs to be a place when men can feel at ease being a man.

we are grateful we’re a man.
yeap we are men..no apology.

***************************************************************************

= WAKE UP THE MIGHTY MEN =

DISCLAIMER: not so much the sermon’s notes.. just added a bit of what i learnt..

Joel 3:9-10
Proclaim this among the nations:
      “ Prepare for war!
      Wake up the mighty men,
      Let all the men of war draw near,
      Let them come up. 
Beat your plowshares into swords
      And your pruning hooks into spears;
      Let the weak say, ‘I am strong.’”…

there is a mighty man in each of us.
the sad thing is that this might man is asleep in most of us.
some of us are men… but not the mighty men that we could be.

it’s seen in how we handle the giants in our lives…
you see.. the reason we have to go through difficult times is to awaken that mighty men.
but it’s all up to us.
when the giant of difficulties come, you can whine and shun away like a coward,
blame situations, blame the world, blame God! for making it tough for you?
but then you can wake up the mighty man inside of you and fight.
and the fact is that it isn’t so much a choice,
cos’ the problem will never get smaller – you just have to get bigger.
it takes a real man to do that.
and the good news is, all of us can be a real man starting from today if we so choose.

David synthesised Kingship and Worship – he played harps and all for God but he was also a slayer of giants.
if he didn’t confront the bears and the lions that came along, he could never awake the mighty man of war.

1 Samuel 17:33-35

And (King) Saul said to David,
“You are not able to go against this Philistine to fight with him;
for you are a youth, and he a man of war from his youth.”
(that’s why you know you can’t let others define you.)

But David said to Saul,
“Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep,
and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock,
I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth;
and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it.

Your servant has killed both lion and bear;
and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them,
seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”

Moreover David said,
“The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear,
He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.”

so in a God moment, he stood up against the giant that all Israel couldn’t fight.

1 Samuel 17:45-51

Then David said to the Philistine,

“You come to me with a sword, with a spear, and with a javelin.
But I come to you in the name of the LORD of hosts,
the God of the armies of Israel, whom you have defied.

This day the LORD will deliver you into my hand,
and I will strike you and take your head from you.

And this day I will give the carcasses of the camp of the Philistines to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth, that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel.

Then all this assembly shall know that the LORD does not save with sword and spear; for the battle is the LORD’s, and He will give you into our hands.”

So it was, when the Philistine arose and came and drew near to meet David,
that David hurried and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine.

Then David put his hand in his bag and took out a stone;
and he slung it and struck the Philistine in his forehead,
so that the stone sank into his forehead,
and he fell on his face to the earth.

So David prevailed over the Philistine with a sling and a stone,
and struck the Philistine and killed him.
But there was no sword in the hand of David.
Therefore David ran and stood over the Philistine,
took his sword and drew it out of its sheath and killed him, and cut off his head with it.

And when the Philistines saw that their champion was dead, they fled.

what is the giant in your life today?
what is your response?

Be a man. Take courage.
Jesus carried the cross up Calvary,
and He fought the battle against the power of our sins all the way.
and He gave us a new power from heaven to slay whatever giants you have now.

Marriages Sermons

Time to revive this place.. :)

Marriages: The Needs

The marriage institution is the first institution God created.

1 Peter 3:7
'Likewise, ye husbands,
dwell with them according to knowledge,
giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel,
and as being heirs together of the grace of life;
that your prayers be not hindered.'

3 Things:
(i) dwell with your wife - share your lives together
(ii) dwell with understanding - to be considerate and thoughtful
(iii) give honour to the wife - appreciate and respect your life partner
-- where appreciate = rise in value

God takes this 3 things seriously

1 Corinthians 7:3
'A man should fulfil his duty as a husband
and a woman should fulfil her duty as a wife
and each should satisfy the other's needs.'

Take God for example, He doesn't just say 'I love you', but also offered everything we need to us.
Meeting your spouse's needs is what have to be met in a marriage.

Hosea 4:6
'My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge'

Knowledge is power and we must understand that God created man and woman to be different!
When needs are not met, a thirst grows and people start to go out to satisfy their thirst, thus having an affair.

'Affair' - sexual relationship between two people not married to each other

Sex + Love = Intimacy

If your basic needs are not met in a marriage, you can always be a victim of an affair.

Love Bank
- different accounts for different people we know
- during interactions, deposits and withdrawals are made
- Currency - Love Units (LU)

 

Event	Change in LU	Event	Change in LU
Comfortable	+1 LU	Uncomfortable	-1 LU
Good	+2 LU	Bad	-2 LU
Very Good	+3 LU	Very Bad	-3 LU
Exceptionally Good	+4 LU	Exceptionally Bad	-4 LU

Accounts fluctuates daily.

The Needs of Women:

(i) Affection

It glues the relationship together.

Affection symbolizes:
    (a) Security
    (b) Protection
    (c) Comfort
    (d) Approval

God is an expressive and affectionate God!

(ii) Conversation

Communication is key to a successful marriage.
No communication = No relationship

Man have a lower need for communication as compared to woman.
A man  should spend at least 15hrs/wk talking to his wife.
Communication is a key of life.It helps couples:
   (a) find the need of their partner
   (b) know how much of the need has been satisfied

Woman don't enjoy just any kind of conversation

Philippians 2:4
'Look not every man on his own things,
but every man also on the things of others.' 
Talk about what the woman is interested in.
She wants you to give her verbal attention.

Colossians 4:6
'Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt,
that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.'

Salt brings healing.
We should learn to converse in a healing way.

(iii) Honesty and Openness

Woman wants to trust their husbands wholeheartedly.
Every woman has a deep craving for every detail of every man
Honesty is important for a successful marriage.

Some men lie to 'protect' their wife
but God created marriage such that both husband and wife go through the hard times together

(iv) Financial Support

She needs enough money to feel comfortable

1 Timothy 5:8
'But if any provide not for his own,
and specially for those of his own house,
he hath denied the faith,
and is worse than an infidel.'

Proverbs 12:9
'Better is the one who is slighted but has a servant,
Than he who honours himself but lacks bread.'

Every woman wants a man whom can support them.
Once schooling is complete, woman expects man to get a job.

God gave Adam a job before giving him a wife, so no job = no wife!

While man don't mind if their wife earn little or nothing,
woman doesn't expect their husband to earn little or nothing!

Therefore, having a budget is absolutely vital!

Every couple should have 3 budgets:

   (a) what you NEED
   (b) what you WANT
   (c) what you can AFFORD

A husband's salary should cover at least the 'NEED' budget,
if not he is not providing financial security to his wife.

(v) Family Commitment

Every wife wants the husband to be the leader in a family
A wife ideally marries a man she admires and wants the children to grow up to be like him.

Family Commitment means:

   (i) Spending LOTS OF TIME with your children
   Woman expects man to spend around 15hrs/wk with the kids.

   (ii) Husbands have PROPER PARENTING SKILLS
   Parenting is not about instinct and you may have to take classes.

   (iii) giving WISE DISCIPLINE to children

Ephesians 6:4
'Fathers, do not exasperate your children;
instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.'

“exasperate” = making unreasonable demands

     Be consistent with rules in the family, not according to your mood.
     Woman resents husbands who can't discipline wisely.

     Don’t punish; discipline.
        “punishment” - for past sins
        ”discipline” - to prepare for the future

   (iv) EXPLAIN the rules to your children

   (v) HANDLING ANGER
   Control your anger before disciplining your children, it makes you a more effective father.

The Needs of a Man:

(i) Sexual Fulfilment

1 Corinthians 7:4
'The wife does not have authority over her own body,
but the husband does.
And likewise the husband does not have authority over his own body,
but the wife does.'

If the needs are not met, the partner becomes a frustration

(ii) Recreational Companionship

The goal of a marriage is to be the best friend of your partner,
and man does this through activities.

Women usually lose their interest in what man likes.
but man feel good when they do recreational activities.
Thus, wives who do recreational activities with their wives can cause their husbands to have good memories of them.

Women should spent 15hrs a week on recreational activities with their husbands a week.

A couple that plays together, stays together.

(iii) Attractive Spouse

Every man wants an attractive spouse!

1 Samuel 16:7
'But the LORD said to Samuel,
"Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature,
because I have refused him.
For the LORD does not see as man sees;
for man looks at the outward appearance,
but the LORD looks at the heart." '

Your husband is not God and he can't look at your heart!

Man is stimulated by sight and women by sound.
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

5 Areas to make yourself look better:      =)

(a) Weight control
(b) Makeup
(c) Hairstyle
(d) Clothes
(e) Cosmetic surgery for a certain defect

One's looks can improve one's self-esteem, which is the foundation of life.

(iv)Domestic Support

Every husband needs peace and quietness in his family.

Proverbs 17:1
'Better is a dry morsel with quietness, Than a house full of feasting with strife.'

Titus 2:4-5
'that they admonish the young women to love their husbands,
to love their children, to be discreet, chaste,
homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands,
that the word of God may not be blasphemed.'

The wife's ability to be able to keep a good house shows how good a wife is
Man fantasizes of a worry-free home and a good house.

Domestic support is an emotional need of every man.
Domestic responsibilities may be a time-bomb in a marriage.

Children creates more need for domestic responsibilities.

How to maintain Domestic Support?

(i) Make a list of all the weekly household responsibilities
(ii) Have a fair division of labour
(iii) Deposit Love Units to each other's bank accounts

By doing what your partner appreciated, a marriage lasts.

(v) Admiration

Man needs their wives to be proud of them.

Ephesians 5:33
'Nevertheless let each one of you
in particular so love his own wife as himself,
and let the wife see that she respects her husband.'

Honest admiration is a great motivator to every man.
Every man has male ego which is very fragile and doesn't want anyone to be critical of him.

Behind every great man is an admiring wife
Man thrives on admiration and appreciation.

God doesn't send an affair, but He allowed it.
This is a warning for the couple to start meeting each other's needs again
to built an even stronger relationship than before.

Finally, the series is completed...
haha. girls pls take note of need no.3 of what a guy needs eh!  (Andre: LOL…)
haha..stay tuned for more! ;)

the extremely free with nothing to do one,
Jedi     =)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Summary:

The Needs of Women:

(i) Affection

(a) Security
(b) Protection
(c) Comfort
(d) Approval

(ii) Conversation

We should learn to converse in a healing way.

(iii) Honesty and Openness

Woman wants to trust their husbands wholeheartedly.

(iv) Financial Support

God gave Adam a job before giving him a wife, so no job = no wife!
A husband's salary should cover at least the 'NEED' budget,

(v) Family Commitment

   (i) Spending LOTS OF TIME with your children
   (ii) Husbands have PROPER PARENTING SKILLS
   (iii) giving WISE DISCIPLINE to children (not punish)
   (iv) EXPLAIN the rules to your children
   (v) HANDLING ANGER

The Needs of a Man:

(i) Sexual Fulfilment

If the needs are not met, the partner becomes a frustration

(ii) Recreational Companionship

The goal of a marriage is to be the best friend of your partner,

Women should spent 15hrs a week on recreational activities with their husbands a week.
to cause their husbands to have good memories of them.

A couple that plays together, stays together.

(iii) Attractive Spouse

Your husband is not God and he can't look at your heart!

(a) Weight control
(b) Makeup
(c) Hairstyle
(d) Clothes
(e) Cosmetic surgery for a certain defect

(iv)Domestic Support

He fantasizes of a worry-free home and a good house.
it is an emotional need of every man.

(i) Make a list of all the weekly household responsibilities
(ii) Have a fair division of labour
(iii) Deposit Love Units to each other's bank accounts

By doing what your partner appreciated, a marriage lasts.

(v) Admiration

Man needs their wives to be proud of them.
Honest admiration is a great motivator to every man.
Man thrives on admiration and appreciation.

PRAYER WEEK!! Feb week 02

haha.. how exciting..

ATTENTION please everybody!!
next week (9~14 Feb) is a prayer packed week~~ haha :D

weekdays we have the norm morning prayer meetings
PLUS make up evening prayer meetings
for those who can’t make it in the morning..

THEN we will have our weekend prayer meeting!
before service on Sat.. 4pm to 5pm at Hall 8..
so please reach Expo before 4pm next week. :)

Thank you.

Love,
Andre :)

Andre’s Quote of the Week:

“The Fear of God is NOT being afraid of God,
but rather, being afraid of being away from God.
- it is a fear that makes you run from self-centeredness towards God.”

Happy Birthday Paul xD

Yo everyone! Just some photos to share! Happy Birthday to Paul =D =D =D







Cheers,
Zexun

Messenger International

hey guys.. Messenger International left a comment on our sermon notes. :D
so here it is.. I've bookmark' ed their blog too.. looks good.. yet to read tho..
cheers :D

 Messenger International said...

Hey! Great notes! So cool to hear this message is impacting your life!
We'd love for you to check out and 'follow' John & Lisa Bevere's blog.
www.MessengerInternational.blogspot.com
Blessings!

Wednesday, January 14, 2009 11:29:00 PM SGT

Ronald flew off!! *SOBX~~*

Hey guys!

Yesterday was Ronald's "last" day in Singapore! He came back from Indonesia (his home) on Sunday evening, got his results, and took a return flight back to Indonesia yesterday night.

He was the top scorer in Saint Andrew's Secondary School, scoring 6 points for L1R5!

In March or April, he'll be heading off to UK to further his studies.

We're so proud to have a member like him!
(Andre: AMEN~~!! I'm sure more are coming up, RIGHT~? :D
all you guys catch the genes please.. lol..)

God bless,
Zexun

Driven by Eternity

Svc with JOHN BEVERE

John wrote in his 90s:

2 Corinthians 5:8-10
We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.
Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or BAD.

"Judgement" in Greek = decision as a result of investigation

2 John 1:8

Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward.

"Full rewards" implies that there are a "no rewards" and a "partial rewards".. meaning God will need to decide whether to give you "full" rewards or not depending on something...

and that's the eternal judgement, the first judgement seat.

Hebrews 6:2
of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

what we do with the cross determines where we spend eternity;
but how we live this life determines how we spend eternity.

2 things that God will examine in our lives:

1. our involvement in building the Kingdom of God
2. how we built individual lives
- I.e. what have you done to the people right next to you.

 

1 Corinthians 3:11-15

For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.
Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw,
each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is.
If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward.
If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.

if your works are well done and accepted, it'll be your gain.
otherwise, it's burnt up and it's your loss.

 

Psalm 132:13-14
For the LORD has chosen Zion;
He has desired it for His dwelling place:
“This is My resting place forever;
Here I will dwell, for I have desired it.

1 Peter 2:4-5
Coming to Him as to a living stone, rejected indeed by men, but chosen by God and precious,
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.

"Zion" = God's custom home = believers
and the foundation of this home is Jesus...

Isaiah 28:16
Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: 
“Behold, I lay in Zion a stone for a foundation, 
A tried stone, a precious cornerstone, a sure foundation; Whoever believes will not act hastily.

and a builder's jobs are:

1. plan the building
2. order materials
3. schedule/contract the workers.
- these are what God has already done

and guess what, the builder doesn't build!
it's the contract workers who build.

so we who are called by God, by the Holy Spirit have accepted the contract offered by the blood of Jesus Christ..
(lol yes I've been studying business law.. :p)

 

Ephesians 2:10
For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

and whatever God has offered to us through the contract/covenant of the blood of Jesus, that's the "works" "that we should walk in"

and notice it says "should" - meaning you CAN walk out of it.
there is a possibility you do a lot of things but none are the terms stated by the contract that you've accepted and are bound by.

*** we're judged, not according to what we did,
but according to what we're called to do! ***

3 keys to knowing your calling:

1. seek God diligently

2. be PLANTED in your local church
- Ps 92:3

3. Do Not Be Entangled!
- rid yourself of all that is pulling you down.
- esp relationships that don't help you.

WL Thanksgiving - MTV Asia Awards 08

Hey guys! T'was an awesome time at thanksgiving. Here are the photographs! Any other photos, ask Yang Zheng. Don't request other photos from me if possible =)

Click the photograph above to view the entire series.
Cheers
- Zexun's message copied w/o notice by Andre. LOL..

2009-01-01: HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!

N422 rocks my world!

Imagine me and you, I do
I think about you day and night..
it's only right,
to think about the girl you love and hold her tight
So happy together

If I should call you up, invest a dime
And you say you belong to me and ease my mind
Imagine how the world could be, so very fine
So happy together

***I can't see me loving nobody but you, for all my life
When you're with me, baby the skies will be blue, for all my life***

Me and you and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice, it has to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together

Call you up...ease my mind...ease my mind...

How is the weather?
So happy together

Caught it? Go for it.

Everything I am for Your kingdoms cause..

what I remember most about the song is actually the spirit it carries..
the urgency to see revival in the land

"I see the King of glory...
I see His love and mercy...
I see a generation...
I see a near revival..."

it takes maturity to take up this burden for revival
so that you would pray enough to receive a visions..and a passion
and then out of that passion and vision
you'll devote yourself to let God do whatever it takes..

"Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdoms cause
As I go from earth into eternity"

Have you caught it?

I see the King of glory
Coming on the clouds with fire
The whole earth shakes
The whole earth shakes

I see His love and mercy
Washing over all our sin
The people sing
The people sing

[Chorus]
Hosanna, Hosanna,
Hosanna in the highest

I see a generation
Rising up to take their place
With selfless faith
With selfless faith

I see a near revival
Stirring as we pray and seek
We're on our knees
We're on our knees

[Repeat Chorus]

Heal my heart and make it clean
Open up my eyes to the things unseen
Show me how to love like You have loved me
Break my heart for what breaks Yours
Everything I am for Your kingdoms cause
As I go from earth into eternity

[Repeat Chorus]

the Friendship Factor

let me give you some tips for love in this season of love.. haha..

I’ve been reading the book friend factor. So I put together this note.
It’s a compilation of the very deep insights from the books plus some of my own notes.
It’s like a summary of the stuffs I’ve learnt the hard way these past two years.

I love this: Friendship is the most basic foundation of any relationship.
Without the friendship factor, there is really no healthy relationship to talk about.

To cultivate the Friendship factor with the ones you love:
1.    Assign top priority to your relationships
2.    Cultivate transparency
3.    Dare to talk about your affection
4.    Learn the gestures of love
5.    Create space in your relationships

To cultivate intimacy in your Friendships:
1.    Use your body to demonstrate warmth
2.    Be liberal with praise
3.    Schedule leisurely breaks for conversations
4.    Learn to listen
5.    Talk freely about your feelings

To handle negative emotions without destroying a relationship, the primary thing you handle is anger and hurt:
1.    Talk about your feelings, not your friend’s faults
2.    Stick to one topic
3.    Allow your friend to respond
4.    Aim for ventilation and resolution; not conquest
5.    Avoid chemicals as a lubricant
6.    Balance criticism with lots of affection

To salvage a faltering friendship:
1.    Locate the trouble spot
2.    Apologize when you’re wrong
3.    Check to see if your neuroses are spoiling your friendships 
        •    live your current relationship undisturbed by the past ones.
4.    Check to see if you employ old methods of relating that no longer work

To create forgiveness:
1.    Be the first to bury the hatchet
        •    I have to say: it doesn’t mean you brush it all away!
        •    It means you take the initiative even when he/she is at fault
        •    Don’t be the obnoxious who never says sorry.
2.    Forgive proportionately
        •    Know how much God has forgiven you
3.    Finally, forgive prayerfully
        •    There are hurts that are beyond our ability to get ourselves over them.
        •    You need divine power. Just pray for those who offended you.

**Some other important notes:

*Loyalty is an essential ingredient.
*Self-worth is a requirement for intimacy

*Rejection has serious aftermath – be strong / be understanding.
*Subservience is very dangerous.

**To expect yourself or your friend to have unconditional love alone in a relationship is too idealistic for the long-term.
-    Loving your neighbour doesn’t mean pouring agape all your life. It’s showing love to them without expecting returns at the moment when they have no ability to love you back.
-    But in a relationship, you can’t be doing that one-way for long term. In the midst of fulfilling your friends’ needs, you too, need to express your needs and let the friend fulfil you. (And on that friend’s part, if he/she is reluctant to be such a friend to you, you need to pick your friends too.)

*Finally, we all need to learn the art of adaptation
– the paradox of love is that it is the highest degree of awareness of the self as a person and the highest degree of absorption in the other.

Christmas Is Here~!! :D

"It'S CHRISTMAS~!! :D"

it's the season of LOVE~~! :D

Come on what are you doing~!! don't stay home!!! :D
go out and get your gifts!
meet your friends and send some love~~~~~!!
call you best friends to meet up and tell them those words you never dared..
call your mum and dad to tell them how much you love them..

come on it's OK~ it's Christmas!!
man, there are soooo many things to do!! :D

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

***P.S.: and most importantly,
remember the Reason for the season..
cos' Love came down on Christmas day 2,000 years ago..

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Give Love on Christmas Day
- The Company (click to listen)

People making lists, buying special gifts,
Taking time to be kind to one and all.
It's that time of year when good friends are near,
And you wish you could give more than just presents from a store.

1st chorus:
**Why don't you give love on Christmas Day
Even the man who has everything would be so happy
if you would bring him love on Christmas Day,
No greater gift is there than love.**

People you don't know smile and nod hello,
Everywhere there's an air of Christmas joy.
It's that once a year when the world's sincere,
And you'd like to find a way to show the things that words can't say.

2nd chorus:
**Why don't you give love on Christmas Day?
The man on the street and the couple upstairs
All need to know there's someone who cares.
Give love on Christmas Day
No greater gift is there than love.**

What the world needs is love~
What the world needs is love~

ultra chorus:
Why don't you give love on Christmas Day
Every little child on Santa's knee
Has room for your love underneath his tree
Give love on Christmas Day
No greater gift is there than love.

What the world needs is love~
Yes, the world needs our love~
Give love, oh give love on Christmas Day...

SASMB and SAJC band performing!

Yo yo everyone! Saint Andrew's School Military Band and Saint Andrew's Junior College Concert Band are performing a variety of pieces (xmas / chorale / pop / symphonic music) at the Botanic Gardens this Sunday from 5pm to 7pm! It's free, so if YOU are free, come support us yeah!

Cheers,
Zexun

Sentosa Photos!

Rawr! I'm baaaaaaack.

70+ photos. First time I've uploaded so many at once. Please please please don't keep asking about "Can I have the pic of me and so and so??!" cos it's probably not shot properly, blurry, dark, or I'm just lazy. Yupp.

But either way, enjoy the following series! All the photos have my copyright on them, but some are also shot by Leon. Thanks ya!

Click on the following photo to head to the gallery:



Cheers,
Zexun

Saturday, November 01, 2008 - Pledging weekend

“As a man thinks, so is he…”
For breakthrough to happen, you must have faith for it
And faith comes by hearing
In a service like this, your faith arises as you listen
And you receive your breakthrough as you act on that faith
Proverbs 13:12
“hope deferred makes the heart sick;
But when the desire comes…”

Biblical Manifestation:
1. Biblical manifestation in its simplest form:
“Logos becomes Rhema”
2. John 1:14 – Manifestation in the highest form:
“Logos becomes Flesh”

Let’s take a tour back in time:
When God created the world, His spoken word released power for the word to become flesh
Just like “being born again” is like flesh in our spirit

Now let’s go deeper…
Every animal on earth is according to its kind
E.g. Bird’s flesh is not the same as fish’s flesh for example

Man is different
Everything only started from the first which God created
And any species you want to study, you finish when you get to the first created
But as for man, you don’t stop at Adam because we are created in the image and likeness of God, and you can never finish studying man and God because God has no beginning nor end

By instinct you know,
It is immoral to put a creature in an environment contrary to its basic nature
So you know for Satan to put man in a perverted world is wrong!
We are meant to be in God
Beside holiness, you also know God is rich!
So we like good and expensive stuffs because we are created in the image of God!

“It’s an atrocity for you to live in poverty!”

Now, how do you turn the Word into flesh and reality?
Luke 1:26-38
Submission to the Holy Spirit

Isaiah and Malachi prophesied about it
But it’s different thing when it had to be manifested in the reality
Because she was going to be stoned to death!
But Mary gave the most amazing answer – she submitted anyway!
“In the kingdom of God,
It’s always the Unusual Response that brings the Manifestation!
For every biblical manifestation, there is always first an unusual response!
If you continue what you’ve been doing, you’ll only see what you’ve been seeing.

Pastor Kong did all the unusual along the years
Forsook the graduate studies
Founded the church without help from any
Led the church to put up the far west Jurong building during recession
Encouraged engaging culture and led by example by re-entering marketplace

A breakthrough is a sudden burst of power that takes you past the previous point of resistance

Birthdays

Happy Bday to Jovian! (and someone else from E267 whose name I forgot =X )

Excuse the weird format, apparently Deanne's blogskin disallows me to post too wide, oh well.



Cheers
Zexun

F1 Grand Prix!

Hmm.. Many people probably watched the F1 Grand Prix last night, but here's a (sort of) relevant lessons from Matthew 20:16-

"So the last will be first, and the first will be last."

Last night's race was definitely a dramatic and eventful one, but the most talked about one is about how the hopeful #1 racer Felipe Massa (Ferrari) became lost (second last) and how the underdog Fernando Alonso (Renault) became first, and ultimately, the winner of the first ever F1 Night Race.


Alonso Celebrates

- Zexun

Prosperity - Service with Pastor Kong

Principle of STEWARDSHIP (Matthew 25: 14-15)

A steward is "one who actively directs affairs : manager"

Thus, we are God's stewards with regards to our assets (money, materials etc); That is, we are to manage the goods He gives to us.

God is not a stingy god!
He is Jehovah Jaira, the Lord of provision. If he gives us a vision, he will give us provision.
But the question is.. Can he trust us with his provisions?



God never tests you in the MUCH, but in the LITTLE.
--> Matthew 25:20 - He was faithful over the few things, so he became ruler over many things.
--> Luke 19:17 - And he said to him, 'Well done, good slave, because you have been faithful in a very little thing, you are to be in authority over ten cities.'
--> Luke 12:15 - 20, He is not against us of having possessions, but He is against us being possessed by our possessions.
--> Luke 12:21, be a steward for God, not for yourself!

1 Chronicles 29:3-9, They understood stewardship and gave.
1 Corinthians 4:2, A steward must be found faithful by testing.

Tithe: One-Tenth (10%) of your increase. Why 10%? It's an unequal amount over the people, but an equal sacrifice.

1 Corinthians 16:2, Once you get your pay/pocket-money/salary, do set aside 10% for tithing.

If we evade paying taxes in countries, we will go to jail by the law. Thus, we have to be found faithful in our money to the country.
Similarly, we have to be found faithful in our money to God through tithing.

Don't expect God to make deposits in us if he can't freely withdrawn from us - Quote from "John something" (to be confirmed)

Luke 12:21 - 30, Don't be stressed out by what we need. God understands what we need! Very similar to the following advertisement by Adobe company. They understood that students needed to buy a set of software for schoolwork but couldn't afford it, so Adobe gave a special price to them. God knows our problems and will give us provision as long as we are serving the vision set by Him.



Luke 12:31, "All those things" refer to the Basic survival assets. Increase will be ADDED to us , not multiplied. God has to make sure we can handle our assets without being filled with greed.

2 Corinthians 9:6-10
- Multiplication happens to our sowing, not our asset increase.
- God will multiply our offering so we can then give more to God.
- Seek God first, and not the assets! They will eventually come if we keep seeking God first.


Cheers
This sermon summary was brought to you by Zexun ;)

Bday Celebrations - Matthew

THE CAKE! Yummmmie haha..


Happy Birthday to you!


God is blessing you now!


With a Huff and a Puff, he..


..got interviewed


Nice card, eh?

Cheers, photography by Tan Zexun

Happy Birthday, Matthew!! | 25.09.08

Haha, Happy Birthday man!!

- Zexun

20th September 2008 Sermon Review

Saturday Service - Pastor Kong
Galations 4:1
A son is a builder of the family name.
Galations 4:4-7

5 Characteristics Of Sonship

1. A son carries the genetic code of the house
   
   • Genesis 13:2, Genesis 12:5-7, Genesis 12:11
     
   • Honour your father & mother


2. A son serves the vision of the house
   
   • Genesis 14:14
     
   • Philippians 2:22
     
   • Like-minded = Having the same mindset
     
   • Sonship is a dying of your own vision.


3. A son shares the pride in their house
   
   • Proverbs 17:6
   
   
4. A son accepts dicipline in the house
   
   • Hebrews 12:5-7
     
   • Hebrews 12:11
     
   • Psalms 51
   
   
5. A son gives birth to children.
   
   • Love is a desire to give at the expense of yourself
     
   • Lust is a desire to give at the expense of others
     
   • Hebrews 12:2

I think Zexun's one is more precise. :X
Hohoho(:

Updates(:

HELLO EVERYONEEE(:
I've added some new things to the side column(:

1. Upcoming Events
2. Exam Timetable

Upcoming Events are for... upcoming events in church for the month(:
I'll be updating it regularly. Hopefully I'll be able to add a picture to it(:

Exam Timetable is not really that accurate I guess?
Oh, it does not consist of the other standard's exam.
Just the O & N level students(:
Once the exam timetable is out, I'll update the calander &striking off the exams that are already over(:
Let's countdown together!(:

I seriously think that I'm super lame in this post.
Ahwell(:

Emergency Prayer Request

You may have gotten the SMS...

11:05am

"Guys, susan's growth in her leg is bleeding right now. She's on her way to e hospital. Pls pray for a good report and speedy recovery!"

Susan is having an operation at 8pm, which depending on the time when I hit 'publish' and the time you read this, may have started. But whatever the time is, I think we should pray for her safety and recovery, especially at this time when the examinations are approaching.

Susan, if you're reading this, hope you'll get well soon.

New Banner Pic =)

Hmm, just wanna update with our first ever N422-people-only group photo!! Will post up more from the mooncake festival CG meeting soon.

Cheers
Zexun

English translation for the Chinese-deficient.

Well, can't read Chinese? Don't really understand the 'Vomit-blood riddles'? Here's something that may help...

haha.. well done Ronald~! ;)
anyway for those who couldn't read please buck up.. lol
cos' tmr game....... wahahahahah.. LOL

Vomit-Blood Riddles 吐血谜语

1. A Field of grass in front of you 前面有一片草地
-Guess a kind of plant. 猜一植物

2.Yet another field of grass in front of you 前面又有一片草地
- Guess a kind of plant again. 再猜一植物

3. Here comes a herd of sheep on that field 那片草地来了一群羊
- Guess yet another kind of plant 还猜一植物

4. Suddenly, a pack of wolves came. 突然又来了一群狼
- Continue to guess another kind of plant 继续猜一植物

5. A sheep was eating grass, a wolf passed by next to it, but did not eat the sheep. 一只羊在吃草,一只狼从旁边经过，但没有吃羊
- Guess a sea produce. 猜一海产品

6. Yet another wolf passed by, but did not eat the sheep. 又一只狼经过，还是没有吃羊
- Guess a sea produce again.再猜一海产品

7. A third wolf passed by, Sheep charges towards wolf and made loud noises, but the wolf still did not eat the sheep.第三只狼经过，羊冲狼大叫，狼还是没吃羊
- Continue to guess a sea produce. 还猜一海产品

Answer:

1. Rose: mie2 hua1 梅花（没花）
2. Wild Rose: ye3 mei2 hua1 野梅花（也没花）
3. Strawberry: cao3 mei2 草莓（草没）
4. Waxberry: yang2 mei2 杨梅（羊没）
5. Prawn: xia1 虾（瞎）
6. Wild prawn: ye3 xia1 野虾(也瞎)
7. Lobster: long2 xia1龙虾（聋瞎）

What if...?

Hey guys. Here's something I found meaningful. It's something from my old church that I dug up while cleaning my room. Hope it's meaningful to you as well =)


What if?

1. What if God couldn't take time to bless us today because we couldn't take time to thank him yesterday?
2. What if God decided to stop leading us tomorrow because we didn't follow him today?
3. What if we never saw another flower bloom because we grumbled when God sent the rain?
4. What if God didn't walk with us today because we failed to recognise it as His day?
5. What if God took away the Bible tomorrow because we would not read it today?
6. What if God took away His message because we failed to listen to his messenger?
7. What if the door of the Church was closed because we did not open the door of our heart?
8. What if God stopped loving and caring for us because we failed to love and care for others?
9. What if God met our needs the way we give Him our lives?
10. What if God answered our prayers the way we answered His call for service?
11. What if we failed to pass this on? ;)
    

Cheers
Zexun

热身热身~~

Here are some preludes to Friday moon-cake festival
- for you guys to warm up your Chinese skills.. lol..

吐血谜语

1. 前面有一片草地
- 猜一植物

2. 前面又有一片草地
- 再猜一植物

3. 那片草地来了一群羊
- 还猜一植物

4. 突然又来了一群狼
- 继续猜一植物

5. 一只羊在吃草,一只狼从旁边经过，但没有吃羊
- 猜一海产品

6. 又一只狼经过，还是没有吃羊
- 再猜一海产品

7. 第三只狼经过，羊冲狼大叫，狼还是没吃羊
- 还猜一海产品

Answer:

1. 梅花（没花）
2. 野梅花（也没花）
3. 草莓（草没）
4. 杨梅（羊没）
5. 虾（瞎）
6. 野虾(也瞎)
7. 龙虾（聋瞎）

Ok. what I have so far...

Jedidiah, Joshua, Matthew, Nathaniel, Pauline, Ronald, Zexun: OLVL

Subjects highlighted in orange are taken by all.

In addition, almost everyone takes Add Math [except Nathaniel], Bio [except Jedidiah & Joshua], and Hist [except Pauline]

Also,

• Jedidiah takes POA and MT
• Joshua takes D&T and MT 'B',
• Matthew takes MT
• Nathaniel takes MT 'B'
• Pauline takes Geog E [Combined Humanities]
• Ronald takes Art Paper 3 and HMT
• Zexun takes MT 'B'

Schedule:

• 22 Sep: MT 'B' Oral
• 15 Oct: Art Paper 3 [Study of Visual Arts]
• 20 Oct: Chem Paper 2
• 21 Oct: EL
• 22 Oct: Add Math Paper 1
• 23 Oct: Geog
• 24 Oct: Math Paper 1, Add Math Paper 2
• 28 Oct: History
• 29 Oct: Physics Paper 2
• 30 Oct: Math Paper 2
• 31 Oct: Bio Paper 2, POA
• 3 Nov: SS
• 4 Nov: D&T
• 5 Nov: MT / HMT
• 10 Nov: Physics Paper 1
• 11 Nov: MT 'B' LC
• 12 Nov: Chem Paper 1, MT 'B' Paper
• 13 Nov: Bio Paper 1

Lynnette: NLVL

• 29SEP: Phy, Chem, Math1
• 3OCT: Math2, Geog
• 9OCT: D&T Paper 1

HuiTing:

• 25-26SEP
• 3-10OCT

Terence, Damien, Chin Jie, Paul, Yao Guang, Jovian, Craymond, Gerald:

• 29SEP - 10OCT [LINK]

Deanne:

• 25sept - english
• 26sept - chinese
• 3oct - literature
• 6oct - math
• 7oct - geog
• 8oct - science
• 9oct - history &home econs

TBC

Anthony, Christopher, Gabriel, Magdelyn, Max, Natassia, QianJun, Qiuang, Susan, YuXuan, Chin Jie, Jovian, Paul, Craymond, Damien, Gerald, Yao Guang

Phew!

I'll update as I get new updates.

6th September 2008 Sermon Review

So uh, before I write the entire sermon review, I apologise for not writing the past 2 weeks' reviews cos I've been busy with studies yeah =) [ DEANNE, where were you?! >< ]

Changing The Way We Think - Pastor Tan

Jeremiah 29:11
Right THINKING will bring about right LIVING.

We should strive to put away all:
#1 --- Defeated Thoughts eg. What's the least I can do to pass my exams?
#2 --- Critical Thoughts eg. Constantly criticising God. Eg2 Watching a movie just to criticise it.
#3 --- Negative Thoughts eg. Thinking that God will always punish us everytime, everywhere.


Change the way we think about...

1) Who we think of God ( Matthew 14: 25-32 )

--- Disciples saw Jesus walking on water and thought he was a spirit
--- Jesus told them to stay calm, and said that it was Him
--- Peter asked Jesus to call him (peter) to Jesus

++++ If Jesus can walk on water, and since he is the rabbi of the disciples, Peter wanted to walk on water too

--- Peter started to walk on water towards Jesus
--- But then Peter doubted HIMSELF, and started to sink
--- Jesus pulled Peter out of the water and said "Oh you of little faith, why did you doubt?"

What does that all mean? It means that God has faith in us. And if God has faith in us, why do we doubt ourselves then?


2) What is important to God

--- You are responsible for the person you brought to church and get saved to grow up in God.

++++ Conceiving and birthing a baby is a 9month process, but having the baby grow up is a life-long process. Such is the same with someone you bring to Christ.
++++ Remember we were suggested to "adopt" somebody and bring him/her to Christ? It's the same principle, because we'd still need to care for someone we adopt, don't we?

--- You might be busy with other things, sometimes even other good things, but often times there are better and more important things that we'd need to focus on.
--- We should strive to give more time to the people around us, and to constantly have healthy fellowship with them.


3) Our Giving to God

--- Ask ourselves this question: "Why do we do what we do?"
--- Do we give our tithes and offerings out of compulsion (being forced to, in simple English) or guilt?
--- Or do we give them out of happiness, knowing that our Father in Heaven delights in us doing so?
--- Psalm 50:12 >>> God doesn't need our offering, but he delights in us doing so cheerfully.
--- Oh, and God loves a cheerful giver, so give generously within your means and with a broad smile on your face!


So, in conclusion:
--- We should align ourselves to what's important. Remember the see-saw theory that Pst Derrick shared with us? Move the pivot so our lives are balanced!

--- We should spend more time with the people we know, especially the people we brought to church. We should nurture these people like a father would nurture a son, even though both of you might not know everything in the bible. Ever heard of father-and-son learning? Learn together!

--- Change our mindset and be positive! Don't always be the critical person who complains about the bad things of a movie/song/person/situation. Just be kind of optimistic and understanding, and you'd definitely see a change.


-------------------------

This sermon outline has been brought to you by Zexun :D

ATTENTION N422 MEMBERS!

ATTENTION N422 MEMBERS!

As you can see, the above group photo.. is NOT of N422 but of the old E344!!

Maybe we can find a time where *everybody* is present and then shoot a good group photo?

I'll bring my equipment, so we just need to find a time and find a place (I'm thinking at the Expo Coffee Bean) for the shoot.

Cheers!
Zexun

Andre here:
yes I agree.. LOL..

Sorry, no sermon reviews! I'm busy! =X

Okay, firstly I'm sorry that there weren't any sermon reviews for the last 2 weeks. I'm in the mid of my prelims and I was busy in school so I didn't attend the SOT grad service =(

Here's the link to the video sermons, if you peeps want to watch it again.

http://store.attributes.com.sg/tv.php

Cheers!
Zexun

erherm...

The following people: if you are reading this, can you please update me with your study hours for last week? I didn't get your updates...

[for the rest: please update me for this week! Oh, I'm taking the hours updated on the blog for those who keyed in twice for last week as 1 for last week, one for this week.]

If you updated, but your name's still here, please update again, preferably by a different mean, in case the Google Docs thing isn't working for you.]

Anthony

Chin Jie

Christopher

Craymond

Damien Eugene

Gabriel

Gerald

Joshua

Jovian

Lynnette

Max

Natassia

Nathaniel

Paul

Pauline

Qianjun

Qijuang

Terence

YaoGuang

Yuxuan

Festival Winds Concert Pics!

Sorry bout the wait!

Study hours submission!

Hey everyone!

Just want to let everyone know that I updated the study hours thing on the side of the blog. So please remember to key in you study hours!

How about this:

By the Sunday of every week [Sunday, 11.59.59pm], you'll need to submit your study hours for the week to me. And for added convenience, I'm going to let everyone submit by 3 different ways.

1. The n422 blog!
   I'm very glad that the 'beta' we had so far has been very successful. So, we'll keep going with it!
   
2. my emergency email hotline!
   If you prefer using email, just send an email which includes your name, study hours, and the week [preferably, give me the date range of the Monday to Sunday of the week. Meaning, this week will be 11 - 17 August 2008]. Send them all to ron_liong[at]me[dot]com. Replace the 'dot' and 'at' before you send. I'm trying to avoid spam.
3. SMS!
   If you have my handphone number, you can sms me your study hours as well! Just remember to give me your name. My phone's Contacts ID is very unpredictable. Sometimes, it'll give my the ID, but most of the time, no.
4. Before/After* CGM/Service* or when you see me! *-delete accordingly.
   Just say hi, your name, hours, and the day's date. Quite self-explanatory!

So, please give me your study hours! OTHERWISE...........

Servant-hood (Sunday svc) with Dr Kong Hee

This sermon focuses on Genesis 24.

Gen 24:16 - When someone is beautiful on the inside, sooner or later, he or she will become beautiful on the outside. That's why we dress smartly.

Rebekah chose to be a SERVANT.

7 Qualities of Servant-hood:

1) Servant-hood is WILLING (Gen 24:18)
--- Serving is an issue from the heart.
--- Energy always follows the willing
--- Success comes with willingness from the heart.

2) Servant-hood EXCELS (Gen 24:19)
--- "...until they have finished drinking;" serving all the way.
--- God is a finisher. He won't save you 'halfway'.
--- "Excellence" means exceeding all expectations.
--- It is the attention given to details; which ultimately leads to superior performance, paving the way for our destiny.

3) Servant-hood is SWIFT (Genesis 24:18-20)
--- "Quickly lowered the jar", "Quickly emptied the jar"; Emphasis on the importance of speed.
--- Money spent can always be earned back. Once time is gone, it'll never come back.

4) Servant-hood is NEVER CONVENIENT (Gen 24:20 / Luke 17:7-8)
--- Rebekah went up and down and up and down the well many times to provide for the camels.
--- Camels, like what Pastor Kong said, are smelly, but she still served the camels needs.
--- Serving in a ministry will eat into our time, our effort and sometimes even our finances.
--- "The fruits of our LABOUR"... "No PAIN, no GAIN"... Commonly used quotes.

5) Servant-hood is HONOURING (Like 14:8)
--- "Drink, my Lord"... Rebecca refers to a complete stranger as "my lord".
--- People are drawn to the humble
--- People are drawn to the lovers of hospitality, friendliness, generosity etc.

6) Servant-hood is WORK
--- Destiny is how you serve.
--- Rebekah laboured for Abraham's servant and provided water for him and his camels.

7) Servant-hood is CARING FOR PEOPLE (Hebrews 13:1-2)
--- Rebekah served an outsider (ie someone foreign, from out of our social circle)
--- We can also serve outsiders in our own ways. "Outsiders" could even be people we know that are 'out of place' in society eg. socially awkward people, financially stretched people etc.


In Conclusion:
--- Servant-hood will lead us to greater heights.
--- Be 'outward' looking, not selfish. Put other people before you!
--- Love to know love, SERVE to know SERVANT-HOOD.
--- Be active in our own little ministries, no matter how trivial or difficult our role is.


-------------------------

This sermon outline has been brought to you by Zexun :D

Desert Song - Hillsong

THIS IS MY PRAYER IN THE DESERT
WHEN ALL THAT'S WITHIN ME FEELS DRY
THIS IS MY PRAYER IN MY HUNGER AND NEED
MY GOD IS A GOD WHO PROVIDES

THIS IS A PRAYER IN THE FIRE
IN WEAKNESS OR TRIAL OR PAIN
THERE IS A FAITH PROVED OF MORE WORTH THAN GOLD
SO REFINE ME LORD THROUGH THE FLAME

I WILL BRING PRAISE
I WILL BRING PRAISE
NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST ME SHALL REMAIN
I WILL REJOICE
I WILL DECLARE
GOD IS MY VICTORY AND HE IS HERE

THIS IS MY PRAYER IN THE BATTLE
WHEN TRIUMPH IS STILL ON ITS WAY
I AM A CONQUEROR AND CO-HEIR WITH CHRIST
SO FIRM ON HIS PROMISE I'LL STAND

ALL OF MY LIFE
IN EVERY SEASON
YOU ARE STILL GOD
I HAVE A REASON TO SING
I HAVE A REASON TO WORSHIP

THIS IS MY PRAYER IN THE HARVEST
WHEN FAVOUR AND PROVIDENCE FLOW
I KNOW I'M FILLED TO BE EMPTIED AGAIN
THE SEE I'VE RECEIVED I WILL SOW

08-07-26 Service

08-07-26 service with Pst Derek

**Hebrews 12:1~2
"Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses,
let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,
despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God."

= How to keep running in this marathon =

4 reasons people give up in a race:

1. Dehydration
- lack of the refreshing water from the Holy Spirit

2. Fall and hurts
- inability to get over disappointments and failures

3. Exhaustion
- failure to renew strength in God

4. Lose sight of the end-point
- lose sight of the purpose in life

 

5 keys to finishing the race:

1. KNOW WHAT/WHO FILLS/DRAINS YOU

i)  find out what fulfills your soul - do it regularly
ii) find out who makes you you feel recharged when with you; and make friends with such people
** avoid spending too much time with the thing/people that drain your energy away

2. UNDERSTAND THE LAW OF BALANCE

- balance point is not a fixed point - you got to find your balance every day
- focus on that which needs your focus at the moment

3. LEAD AND SERVE OUT OF REST

- set your Sabbath day and take it as a day of recharging and re-balancing
- Psalms 127:2

4. FIND A LIGHTNING ROD

- Find the right person to share
- Proverbs 11:14
  "Where there is no counsel, the people fall; 
  But in the multitude of counselors there is safety."

5. DAILY DEVOTIONS

- it's to train your spiritual muscles/stamina
- Deuteronomy 17:18~19
  “Also it shall be, when he sits on the throne of his kingdom,
  that he shall write for himself a copy of this law in a book,
  from the one before the priests, the Levites.
  And it shall be with him, and he shall read it all the days of his life,
  that he may learn to fear the LORD his God
  and be careful to observe all the words of this law and these statutes,"

 

How to take your daily spiritual bath?
- applying the washing of God's Word over your soul and spirit

S.O.A.P.
= take a Scripture
+ Observation about the scripture
+ Application
+ Prayer for your life

God is able

God is able
08-07-23 N422 CGM - Wen Ling

God is omnipotent
= God possesses infinite,complete and perfect power

God Almighty = El-Shaddai
= "Almighty" + " Strong/Power"

5 things God is able to do in our lives

1. God is able to save us completely

2. God is able to keep us from sin

3. God is able to supply all our needs

4. God is able to heal our diseases

5. God is able to deliver us from death

**we need faith in order to have God's power released in our lives.
- there's no lack in God's power, it's our faith that needs to increase.

The Time Has Come.

The Time Has Come
Found love beyond all reason
You gave Your life Your all for me
And called me Yours forever
Caught in the mercy fallout
I found hope found life
Found all I need
You're all I need

The time has come
To stand for all we believe in
So I for one am gonna give my praise to You

Today today it's all or nothing
All the way
The praise goes out to You
Yeah all the praise goes out to You
Today today I live for one thing
To give You praise in everything I do
Yeah all the praise goes out to You

All we are is Yours
And all we're living for is all You are
It is all that You are

Hey friends, indeed "The time has come for us to stand for all we believe in".

Revival is drawing closer and closer to us each day.


Don't be ashamed of the Gospel,


nor ashamed of Christ in front of our non-believer friends.


Speak to them about Christ, don't be ashamed or scared.


God is with us and for us.


In the end, whether or not they choose to be followers of Christ,


the decision lies within them.


If they choose not to, don't feel bad.


We can't force them to be Christians,


just like God doesn't force us to have a relationship with Him.


At the end of the day, we can pat our backs and say, "At least I have tried."





So, step up in faith and boldness, face the non-believer friends and tell them: Christ died for our sins.


Do you want to experience His love in an even greater way? Come to church with me.





God bless,


Matthew.

CROSSING - in "the Cross" of "City Harvest"

CROSSING - in "the Cross" of "City Harvest"
We're crossing over to the new level! :D

WE COME BEFORE YOUR THRONE
OUR HEARTS WE GIVE TO YOU
WE LONG TO SEE YOUR KINGDOM COME
AND BRING YOUR TRUTH TO ALL THE EARTH

*NATIONS WILL CRY OUT YOUR NAME
SEND US TO YOUR HARVEST, LORD, WE PRAY

*BY YOUR SPIRIT, O LORD,
WE CLAIM THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD FOR YOU JESUS...
POUR DOWN YOUR RAIN,
HOLY SPIRIT MOVE IN US TODAY!

BY YOUR SPIRIT, O LORD,
WE CLAIM THE NATIONS OF THE WORLD FOR YOU JESUS...
BY YOUR WORD OF TRUTH,
WE'RE CROSSING OVER
TO WIN THE LOST FOR YOU!

YOUR CROSS BEFORE OUR EYES
YOU'VE SET OUR HEARTS ON FIRE
TO GIVE WHAT WE CAN NEVER KEEP
TO GAIN WHAT WE CAN NEVER LOSE

We long to see Your kingdom come...
and to bring Your truth to all the earth...

to give what we can't keep;
to gain what we can't lose.

Spirit move in us today!

hey! festival of praise's round the corner..so i, decided to give you guys a little info about the people comin..

1)Rev. Mark Conner
Mark Conner is the Senior Minister of CityLife Church, a large growing church in Melbourne, Australia.

With excellent communication skills and a depth of wisdom beyond his years, Mark is in much demand for his inspiring and informative messages that empower his listeners to change and grow. As a regular speaker at leadership conferences and seminars, he ministers with relevance, creativity and passion on the subjects of leadership, personal motivation and church growth.

2)Parachute Band
Now, here's somebody most of us are new to I guess. Parachute Band is the worship ministry of the New Zealand-based Christian organization, Parachute Music. Parachute Band collects and records New Zealand-written contemporary worship music, and performs in New Zealand and worldwide. In 2006 all of the original members retired from the band, and five young musicians replaced them.
Carrying on the mission of the previous Parachute Band recordings, they released the album Roadmaps and Revelations, the first album by the new generation of Parachute Band. Personally, I think they have quite a few nice songs, eg: 'Glorified', 'I Belong To You', 'Mercy', and 'The Way'.
Here's their MySpace: http://www.myspace.com/parachuteband
3)Reuben Morgan
This guy shouldn't be a stranger.But to those who din't know, Reuben Morgan is the worship pastor and one of the many worship leaders, songwriters at the Hillsong Church in Sydney, Australia.
In 1999, Reuben Morgan and Marty Sampson formed "United Live." Darlene Zschech, the worship pastor (1995-2007) of Hillsong, had suggested to Reuben that they make an album with the Youth Worship team, and in 1999, they made their debut album called EverydaY with him and Marty leading the team. Reuben continued to make 4 more albums with United Live until 2002. He realized that it was time for him to leave the group and pass the torch on to the next generation. His last album with Hillsong United, for the band name changed when he left, was To the Ends of the Earth .
In 2005, Morgan signed with Rocketown Records and the company released his debut album in the States, but four of the original tracks were removed in favour of cover versions of Hillsong tracks written by Morgan.
He has toured extensively around the U.S., Canada and Europe.
His latest album, Evreyone, contains Morgan's personal interpretation of his music mainly written in the last 18 months, recorded in a big sounding, studio worship version without the congregational elements of Live Worship. Mainly featuring covers of previously released Hillsong songs written by Morgan. He has written many famous songs such as 'Eagle's Wings', 'Through It All', 'Sing (Your Love)', 'Mighty to Save', 'You Saw Me', 'At The Cross', 'For All You've Done', 'More Than Life', and my two favourites, 'Still' and 'With All I Am'.

So that sums it up. Now, back to studying... -.-

- Jedidiah

=D

I really think I'm a useless blog author for this blog... -.-
This is my very first post, unlike some other people. Haha!
I find this very cool, and would like to share... Enjoy...

Emergency Telephone Numbers
These are more effective than 911

When -
You are sad, phone John 14
You have sinned, phone Psalm 51
You are facing danger, phone Psalm 91
People have failed you, phone Psalm 27
It feels as though God is far from you, phone Psalm 139
Your faith needs stimulation, phone Hebrews 11
You are alone and scared, phone Psalm 23
You are worried, phone Matthew 8:19-34
You are hurt and critical, phone 1 Corinthians 13
You wonder about Christianity, phone 2 Corinthians 5:15-18
You feel like an outcast, phone Romans 8:31-39
You are seeking peace, phone Matthew 11:25-30
It feels as if the world is bigger than God, phone Psalm 90
You need Christ like insurance, phone Romans 8:1-30
You are leaving home for a trip, phone Psalm 121
You are praying for yourself, phone Psalm 87
You require courage for a task, phone Joshua 1
Inflation's and investments are hogging your thoughts, phone Mark 10:17-31
You are depressive, phone Psalm 27
Your bank account is empty, phone Psalm 37
You lose faith in mankind, phone 1 Corinthians 13
It looks like people are unfriendly, phone John 15
You are losing hope, phone Psalm 126
You feel the world is small compared to you, phone Psalm 19
You want to carry fruit, phone John 15
Paul's secret for happiness, phone Colossians 3:12-17
With big opportunity/ discovery, phone Isaiah 55
To get along with other people, phone Romans 12

Alternate Numbers
For dealing with fear, call Psalm 47
For security, call Psalm 121:3
For assurance, call Mark 8:35
For reassurance, call Psalm 145:18

All these numbers may be phoned directly.
No operator assistance is necessasry.
All lines to heaven are available 24/7.
Feed you faith, and doubt will starve to death.

~Matthew

Pictures from Today

Just to show all you ladies out there that I'm quite adept at taking solo portraits with handsome hunks! (*cough*!). What more of you beautiful ladies out there? Haha..








1 week old but still funny. Susan got flashed but some light got covered by my paper modification thingyy~


Anthony! Did a photoshop make-over of his face and cleared most of his pimples! Don't know how to get rid of oily-ness though, but he's looking good ^^


Andre sia!

Sat Service 2 with Pastor Tan

Why man and woman have problems with each other?

Genesis 3:1-5
- Being a liar, the Devil tempted Eve to be equal to God (by eating the forbidden fruit), an act of undermining God's authority over all living things.
- God intended man (and woman) to depend on God, not be independent of God.

Genesis 3:11 - (Tear in the relationship between man & God)
Genesis 3:12 (Adam blamed Eve for giving him the fruit to eat)
Genesis 3:16 (Woman wants to control man, but God made man rule over woman from thence)

God wanted man & woman to have dominion over the Earth, but once they ate of the fruit, they started to have dominion over each other.

Life

Adam failed to achieve what God wanted him to do, so Jesus came and fulfilled everything that God wanted of Adam.

Jesus : Church --- Man : Woman (Where Jesus is the bridegroom, we are the bride)

John 15:5 - When Adam lost the life.

Adam lived 930 years
Seth lived 912 years
Enoch lived 905 years
Noah lived 950 years
* (From here on, God further decreased human lifespan)
Terah lived 205 years
Abraham lived 175 years

From above, we see that there is a slow decline of life from Adam to Terah. This is because Adam had been cut off from God.

We are like the branches of a tree. Once we are cut off from the vine (God), our leaves still seem to have some life in them. But after a week, the leaves would all dry up and die. So it is with our lives, if we won't depend on God.

* How then, do we get back this life?
John 3: 3-7 - Humans give birth to HUMAN life. Holy Spirit gives birth to SPIRIT life.

When we are 'born again', the Holy Spirit comes into our life, so the life of God now resides in us.
- We receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit (Word of knowledge, wisdom, faith, healing etc)
- These gifts were with Adam; that's how he named the animals, for example.
- These gifts are tools that God has given to us so that we may have dominion over the Earth, as it is said in Genesis (be fruitful and multiply, and have dominion over the earth..)
- Thus, we should start using these God-given gifts.

2 Corinthians 5:16 - The word "regard" means to see or consider; so we should see things the way God wants us to see/regard. We should operate in the leading and guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Hebrews 5:13-14 - Distinguish Good from Evil. How? By listening to the voice of God.
Prayer is communing with God; thus we should not always be the one talking, sometimes we just have to listen more and we'd hear what He is trying to communicate to us.

Start of Life

John 1:1-5 - The word came first
John 20:30-31 - Jesus performed many miracles which weren't recorded; but those that are written are are there so that we may believe.

WORD | --to give--> | FAITH --to give--> Life --to give--> LIGHT

When the truth (word) is spoken, those that believe (faith) attains eternal life (life); Before Jesus, those that died were all in Abraham's Bosom (Hades), but when the word was spoken to them and they believed, they lived.

However, the Devil often gives 'alternatives' between the period of faith and the hearing of the word (represented by 2 red lines above). He lies to us and tempts us with an easier option in life. The word is a 'vision'; but if there are 2 words (1 truth, 1 alternative), that would mean a 'di-vision'.

Matthew 16:16-18 - Peter received vision from God (regarding Jesus being the Christ)
Matthew 16:23 - Devil offered Jesus the easy way out through Peter. (Not to get killed etc)

This shows that the Devil gives alternatives after a vision has been given to us by God.

* So why do Christians become disappointed in God?

That's because we wait and we wait after the vision of God, but then the Devil comes with the alternative.

Matthew 7:13-14 - Narrow is the way, Difficult is the Path

Not all the time is the God's way the Easy way.

Matthew 16:12 - Jesus was concerned about the doctrine and teaching that affects our lives.
The 10 commandments became the laws of life; It was God's way and not the easy way; so it was narrow & hard.

In Conclusion:

- We shouldn't be double-minded (Peter saw & heard Jesus--> Walked on water; Peter saw wind and waves--> Began to sink)
- We should depend on God
- We should use our gifts from God to shine our light
- We should commune with God through prayer to understand his intentions and get guidance.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

Phew, I'm done =) Have a great week ahead guys!
I also realised that I didn't collect anybody's name for the upcoming concert where some of our cell group members will be performing in. So if you guys would like to attend the concert, please MSN me (tanzexun at gmail.com) or sms me @ 90706463. Scroll down to the last few posts to find some concert details. It's S$16 on 1st Aug, Friday night @ Victoria Concert Theatre.

Cheers!

Magdelyn's masterpieces.. :D

a drawing of Shilin...

and a CG names crossword...

Festival Winds 2008

I'm taking orders for the upcoming sym. band concert with 4 of our guys playing! Tickets are S$16 each. There are many tickets available so we could really help by supporting the bands (and our fellow CG members)!

Details of finalised concert details:

------------------------------------------------------------
Festival Winds 2008
1st August 2008
7.30PM
Victoria Concert Hall
Free Seating
S$16

Expect a wide range of contrasting pieces!!

Pageant by Persichetti
Der Vogelhandler
Postcard from Singapore
First Suite in Eb
Manhattan Beach March
Sundance

and much much more!
>------------------------------------------------------------

CG Meeting that week will probably be changed to another day so that we can go for the concert. Shilin will confirm this soon-ish.

Cheers!

N422 vs E267 in CAPTAIN'S BALL!!

Great job guys! We wonnnn!! Haha!

Here's the pics I took yesterday! Click the picture for more.



Enjoy! Any unglam pics that you dun like, as always, tell me to take it off!

Success - Pastor Kong Hee

God works through man, not methods;
Man shall become successful through the Holy Spirit, not by power & might.

Exodus 17: 8-13
11 As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning.

- If the secret of success was in the rod of God, Aaron or Hur could have taken over and held the rod on their own. But the secret of success was in Moses. So Aaron and Hur helped him.

Abraham Alex Tanuseputra



Miracles:
- Raising of the dead boy (whom he knocked down in a car accident).
- Healing of his own 3rd son with multiple sclerosis.
- Raising of the dying Muslim Land-owner in a coma.

Anointing of God comes through honoring relationships.

Alex Abraham said "God, help me to serve more people", and so God made him build the biggest churches in Indonesia.

*** Alex Abraham will be coming for the School of Theology Graduation Service on the 23th & 24th of August! ***

4 Points to look out for ourselves:

1) Self Image - How we SEE ourselves.
--- be confident yet humble
--- Image = something to do with Imagination
--- We conform to the image that we see of ourselves
--- Thus our minds have to be constantly renewed (by reading the bible, coming to church and praying)
--- Genesis 1:27 - God created us "in his image"; His DNA is in US.

2) Self Worth - How we VALUE ourselves.
--- Our worth to God is not defined by material possessions.
--- Romans 8:31-32; We are worth His son, Jesus.
--- If He is willing to give us His son, why wouldn't he give us other things?

3) Self Esteem - How we FEEL about ourselves.
--- Faith is a FEELING we have.
--- Proverbs 23:7; Process things by feelings of your heart.
--- Something that is DRY = No FEELING.
--- Christianity ≠ Religion; Christianity = Relationship with the Living God; Relationships have FEELINGS.
--- John 4:16; Faith only works by LOVE.
--- We need to know that we are LOVED BY GOD! so we'll experience Him; thus prayer & worship comes into play.

4) Self Respect - How we HONOR our DIGNITY.
--- He is in us. He sits at the right hand of the Father (King). Thus, we can be considered (or we are) ROYALTY!
--- We are nobles; we should live with a higher ideal and morality
--- Vulgar & Crude people for example, are of a low class and thus reflect on our DNA.
--- We are princes and princesses; We are CLASSY. ie don't be vulgar/crude, and be of a higher class!
--- Servant-hood is not being 'servile' ie slave
--- Be ZAI! (haha)
--- We shouldn't humiliate people just to be better
--- No need to be #1 at everything; Jesus also lost at times-- thus we can sometimes lose to win

IN SUMMARY:
We need to be SECURE!
The kingdom of God will go on without us individuals! He "doesn't need us" so to speak, but WANTS us.
We need to become/stay 'zai' =)
We need to upgrade from a small plane to an A380 and 'fly higher'!
For success to come, we need to thirst for the BLESSER, not the BLESSING; ie more of God instead of more material possessions.

Our Boys Performing in Concert!

Hey everybody!

Four of our very own N422-ian boys are going to be performing in a band concert soon! They are Craymond, Damien, Gerald and Terence, playing in Saint Andrew's School Military Band with Saint Patrick's School Military Band, Saint Andrew's Junior College Concert Band, St Andrew's Alumni Band, St Patrick's Alumni Band, and members from SMU band!!

Here are the details!!

------------------------------------------------------------
Festival Winds 2008 (Title to be confirmed)
1st August 2008
7.30PM
Victoria Concert Hall
S$12 - 15 (to be confirmed)

Expect a wide range of contrasting pieces!!

Pageant by Persichetti
Der Vogelhandler
Postcard from Singapore
First Suite in Eb
Manhattan Beach March
Sundance

and much much more!
>------------------------------------------------------------

Do come to support our fellow brothers as they perform their best on this special night!


*EDIT* OH NO. FRIDAY NIGHT IS CELL GROUP MEETING RIGHT?? RAHH!!!~~

- Zexun

N422 blog post

CALLING ALL WHO CAN RUN, THROW, SNATCH & SCREAMMMMM!

 

N422 is declaring war with E267 on SATURDAY, 12 JULY 2008!

At 11am SHARP, we will be pitting against the other cell group in an all out vicious captain’s ball match.

No gimmicks. This is the real thing.

 

See you at TEMASEK POLYTECHNIC’S BASKETBALL COURT.

Bring along a change of clothes and ample water. We don’t want to see you dehydrate ya.

 

PS: We need the “scream-ers” to be our cheerleaders!

 

From yours truly,

Shilin ;)

DEANNE :D

HELLO EVERYONE :D
this is deanne here :D
i've just done up the skin. comments would be greatly appreciated :D
kekeke.
kay. i have to sleep nao.
it's like 01:01 AM. &i have school tomorrow.
aaaah~

Deanne should be our Photoshop in charge! haha...

LOOK AT THAT~~~!

what do you guys say?
I think Deanne did a wonderful job in fixing that photo..
covered the mess on the floor with the art words..
GOOD JOB~! :D

E344 Multiplication CGM Picture Set!

Zexun:

Hey everyone! I've uploaded all the (better) pictures onto flickr to save you all the hassle of getting the DVDs.

You can view them at THIS link.

If you don't want some of your pictures up there, just tell me and I'll delete them =)

Cheers!

Inner Healing with Rev Mike Connell

Jesus' priority ministry according to Luke 4:18:

1. Connecting people to God,
2. healing their hearts,
3. Set them free from demonic oppression,
4. give them a vision, and
5. empowering them to fulfil their life destiny.
so should our focus be...

Disappointment = "dis-appointment"

= hopes that didn't come to pass
**there's a God way to deal with them...
and it's not to 忍 - knife into heart to move it.
but instead God wants you to deal with disappointments face to face.

know this:

**it's OK to express your emotions
- God is an emotional God
- Jesus expressed His feelings freely
- David was very sentimental with God though he was a man of war

Practical steps to receive inner healing
according to Luke 24 - The Road to Emmaus:

1. Allow Jesus in
- v15 So it was, while they conversed and reasoned, that Jesus Himself drew near and went with them.

2. Face the emotions honestly
- v21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, today is the third day since these things happened.

3. Focus on God's Word and promises again
- v27 And beginning at Moses and all the Prophets, He expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself.

Commencement!

2008 July - 4th, Friday

E344 multiplied to give...

N422!!!

To keep the fire burning strong in the CG,
we need to have a love for:

1. God's word
2. One Another
3. Prayer
4. Unity
5. Giving