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Among the clippings I have in my scrapbook is one from the pen of Velma B. McConnell, in which she tells the story of a small child with whom she was personally acquainted. This little one had a deep love for her mother and a constant desire to show her affection. One day, while the child's mother was visiting a neighbor, little Frances, tired of looking at her story book, spied a linen handkerchief her parent had been embroidering. She picked it up and laboriously hemmed it. The mother, returning later with the neighbor, saw the work of her little girl. As she gazed upon the crude results she beheld not the awkward, uneven stitches, but the deep affection that had prompted her child to "finish" the handkerchief. Her eyes filled with tears. To her the work was beautiful. Says Velma McConnell, "How often, with hearts filled with love and eagerness to please, we too attempt to do something for our Heavenly Father. Though our work is bungled or poorly done, yet He sees the heart and the motive behind it." God who can read our innermost thoughts will reward us for every good motive and each faithful endeavor.
A converted girl of thirteen lay dying. A lady visitor asked, "Are you afraid, my child?" "Oh, no!" she replied; "but what shall I say to Jesus when I meet Him, for I seem to have never done anything for Him. You see, Mother died when I was eight. I tried to do as she had done and took care of the four little ones, kept the house tidy, and then -- I was too tired to do more!" Taking the rough little hand into her own, the visitor, with eyes full of tears, said tenderly, "I would not say anything, dear, but just show Him your hands!"
Do what you can for Jesus today, no matter how small or insignificant the deed may appear. You will reap the rewards of grace when "every man shall have praise of God."
When you have given the best of your service,
Telling the world that the Savior has come;
Be not dismayed when men don't believe you,
He'll understand; He'll say, "Well done!"
"If you praise God here, He will praise you hereafter."
... the Lord... will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.
1-Corinthians 4:5
Posted by Abigail Kyna Lee
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Monday, June 7, 2010
Robb Thompson: True Spiritual Leadership
Posted in: City News
Contributed by Joshua Chang
Founder and senior pastor of Family Harvest Church, Dr. Robb Thompson is an expert in the area of organization, relationship and leadership. Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading teachers on personal excellence and character development, he has trained and coached business executives and mentored government leaders, heads of state, cabinet members, and royalties in over 40 countries around the world. No stranger to City Harvest Church, Thompson began his elective session on CGI-Asia Conference Day One as the crowd listened intently to his every word.
Thompson began by explaining that leadership is essentially discipleship. To lead, one has to first learn how to follow. He elucidated that this concept has been clearly echoed through Scripture—everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher; the Corinthians were told to imitate the apostle Paul as he imitated Christ.
The goal of leadership is not just to see a change in our lives but most importantly, to have an inward transformation. He further elaborated that the problem was not bringing people into the House of God, but rather ensuring that they receive a special touch to change their lives. There may have been meetings with a million people in attendance, but in such meetings it is very difficult to ascertain whether all will have experienced an authentic inward change.
Thompson then began to share seven traits that true spiritual leaders should have. Firstly, they need to embody courage. Courage, as he defined, is the willingness to stand for what is right in the face of wrong—it is not the same as bravery.
Secondly, leaders need to have a committed life-team around them, as a person’s life is determined by those whom he calls friends; to those whom he grants access to.
Self control is another essential trait. He highlighted how characters in the Bible such as Adam and Samson flirted with the temptation of the forbidden, and as a result, disappointed God.
Leaders also need integrity—the inner strength to choose the rejection of men rather than to disappoint God. People often fail in life because of a fault in character, and a lack of integrity often underlies that problem.
Thompson stated that diligence is a quality that all leaders should strive to have, and that it is the mother of promotion. Quoting from Proverbs, Thompson clearly showed that the scriptures highlight the necessity of hard work for greater success and excellence in life.
The sixth attribute is possessing a successful attitude. This is the different spirit which Joshua and Caleb had that enabled them to enter the Promised Land. It is not the negative circumstances that will determine a person’s future but rather how he responds that will decide his destiny.
Finally, a leader must be a good finisher—to endure to the end regardless of the trials and tribulations that he faces. Dr. Thompson followed by sharing three laws of leadership: Never delay a decision which has to be made eventually; be specific when one has to get something done and to make one’s expectations clear of his followers. He further elaborated on four qualifications to be a leader and ended the message with an altar call for those who had fallen short of certain standards to ask God to make them better leaders.
Thompson ended the session with a short time of Q&A. Financial consultant Mary Tan, 43, asked Thompson how he handles betrayal personally. He answered that no one likes betrayal, that even Jesus was hurt by Judas’ act of disloyalty, but that time is the factor which will cause all evil to eventually reveal itself.
National serviceman Jireh Chew, 20, felt that the session was very ‘enlightening’ and was inspired to be the person that God has called him to be.
CHC member Louis Ling, 51, was deeply impacted by Dr. Thompson’s teaching and was encouraged by a greater understanding of leadership principles.
The session truly left the delegates hungry for more of the truth of God’s word.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Contributed by Joshua Chang
Founder and senior pastor of Family Harvest Church, Dr. Robb Thompson is an expert in the area of organization, relationship and leadership. Widely regarded as one of the world’s leading teachers on personal excellence and character development, he has trained and coached business executives and mentored government leaders, heads of state, cabinet members, and royalties in over 40 countries around the world. No stranger to City Harvest Church, Thompson began his elective session on CGI-Asia Conference Day One as the crowd listened intently to his every word.
Thompson began by explaining that leadership is essentially discipleship. To lead, one has to first learn how to follow. He elucidated that this concept has been clearly echoed through Scripture—everyone who is perfectly trained will be like his teacher; the Corinthians were told to imitate the apostle Paul as he imitated Christ.
The goal of leadership is not just to see a change in our lives but most importantly, to have an inward transformation. He further elaborated that the problem was not bringing people into the House of God, but rather ensuring that they receive a special touch to change their lives. There may have been meetings with a million people in attendance, but in such meetings it is very difficult to ascertain whether all will have experienced an authentic inward change.
Thompson then began to share seven traits that true spiritual leaders should have. Firstly, they need to embody courage. Courage, as he defined, is the willingness to stand for what is right in the face of wrong—it is not the same as bravery.
Secondly, leaders need to have a committed life-team around them, as a person’s life is determined by those whom he calls friends; to those whom he grants access to.
Self control is another essential trait. He highlighted how characters in the Bible such as Adam and Samson flirted with the temptation of the forbidden, and as a result, disappointed God.
Leaders also need integrity—the inner strength to choose the rejection of men rather than to disappoint God. People often fail in life because of a fault in character, and a lack of integrity often underlies that problem.
Thompson stated that diligence is a quality that all leaders should strive to have, and that it is the mother of promotion. Quoting from Proverbs, Thompson clearly showed that the scriptures highlight the necessity of hard work for greater success and excellence in life.
The sixth attribute is possessing a successful attitude. This is the different spirit which Joshua and Caleb had that enabled them to enter the Promised Land. It is not the negative circumstances that will determine a person’s future but rather how he responds that will decide his destiny.
Finally, a leader must be a good finisher—to endure to the end regardless of the trials and tribulations that he faces. Dr. Thompson followed by sharing three laws of leadership: Never delay a decision which has to be made eventually; be specific when one has to get something done and to make one’s expectations clear of his followers. He further elaborated on four qualifications to be a leader and ended the message with an altar call for those who had fallen short of certain standards to ask God to make them better leaders.
Thompson ended the session with a short time of Q&A. Financial consultant Mary Tan, 43, asked Thompson how he handles betrayal personally. He answered that no one likes betrayal, that even Jesus was hurt by Judas’ act of disloyalty, but that time is the factor which will cause all evil to eventually reveal itself.
National serviceman Jireh Chew, 20, felt that the session was very ‘enlightening’ and was inspired to be the person that God has called him to be.
CHC member Louis Ling, 51, was deeply impacted by Dr. Thompson’s teaching and was encouraged by a greater understanding of leadership principles.
The session truly left the delegates hungry for more of the truth of God’s word.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone
Monday, May 3, 2010
Do you believe that God would alway respond at the right time? If you ask me, my answer would be an absolute YES! We all face crisis at different times. However I am sure He is always watching over us and we are in His safe hands. I have experienced His salvation for so many times, in the right place, at the right time and I marveled with gratitude. Sometimes we are placing limitations on Him when the limitation is obviously on ourselves. We may be limited in certain ways, but He is never limited.
So yes, He will lift me up once again like He did. I will not be left un-restored. I will wait on You.
Ever wondered why some prayers are left unanswered? I used to ponder about this. Thanks to Joshua Goh for the audio sermons, I listened to Dr Bernard's the art of asking and I got it.
(1) For every effect there's a cause, whatever you are getting, there's a reason why you are getting it. If you don't like what you are getting, you have to identify the cause and change it.
(2) Conditions are effects. Thoughts are causes. Whenever conditions you are experiencing, your thoughts brought it all. Your conditions in your life are expressions of what you are thinking. Thoughts govern behaviour.
Believe that you receive.
1 John 5:14: This is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ASK anything according to His WILL, He hears us. If we know He hears us, whatever that we ASK, we know that we have what we ASK of Him.
The question is:
'Is the real issue receiving or is it asking?'
If we ASK according to His WILL, the condition is always placed on ASKING, not receiving. If we ASK right, we'll receive. The issue is not on receiving, it will take care of itself. We can tell ourselves right in the face 'I believe I'll receive', but if we don't ask right, we won't receive. We need to change the way we ASK. It's always in the ASKING.
If we don't ask right, the application will be rejected.
One of the issues of asking is the TONE. It doesn't matter what we are applying for, the TONE must be right.
James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives generously/liberally to all without finding fault and it will be given. When he asks, he must believe and not doubt. We must believe and not doubt when we ask. We need wisdom in asking.
Asking is the basis for receiving. The better we are in asking, the more likely we'll receive.
The attitude of asking determines the emphasis that we put on it.
Forms of asking:
(1) Ask intelligently
Our God is very intelligent. Education is different from intelligence, you can be educated but not intelligent.
When you ask intelligently, you have the understanding of the effects that you are asking for is going to have on the totality of your life. When you ask for one thing, you are asking a lot of other things that come with that.
A lot of times we ask God for something that would wreck our lives, and God in His wisdom puts it on hold. If we keep pursuing, quite often we will get something that will move us out from the perfect will of God into the permissive will of God. Then we have to deal with the consequences of His permissive will. It's not something He wanted us to have but something we insisted on, so He is allowing us to experience the consequences of what we asked for. He hopes that it'll teach us not to ask for it anymore.
(2) Be specific
As we mature in Christ, we become more specific in our conversations and prayers. When we were babes in Christ, we'd ask 'God bless me', but when we start getting things we are not asking for, we realise we cannot give a general term like that. Specificity affects me in the process of asking because when we are general and vague, we cannot be focused in our faith. Our faith loses intensity when we are too general. Like a lazer beam, when we get light concentrated like a lazer, it's more powerful and effective as opposed to it being diffused all over the place. We want our faith to be focused. The more specific we are, the more focused we'll be in our asking. How much, what colour, what kind, by when? The moment we put a deadline on it, it really impacts our activity. Of course when we ask we got to be realistic.
If we really ask begin to ask according to the will of God, it has a radical effect on our lives.
(3) Ask in faith, expecting to receive
What is faith? Faith is the willingness to take intelligent risk. Faith must not become ego. The question is do we have the faith to see through what we are starting? We would rather have a million dollar worthed of faith then a million dollars, because if we have a million dollars and we run out of money, we are broke! But when we have a million dollars worthed of faith and we run out of money, we'd get another million.
Four factors involved in asking:
(1) Attitude - our frame of mind, our way of thinking what we are asking.
We got to have the right attitude, attitude is everything. Our attitude can cost us to not receive what we are going for.
(2) Approach - our tone, how we approach people
Wrong approach will result us to not get what we ask for.
(3) Timing - are we ready to receive?
Faith is in essence the support of things hope for. If our faith cannot support it, to give it to me will create a crisis in our lives. God is not gonna to put on us what we cannot handle
Notice the time when we ask and there's quite a distance between when we ask and when we receive, God is strengthening our support. What happens between the time we ask and the time we receive is the time God deals with us. Quite often, it is to strengthen us in character so that we can support the thing that we are receiving.
(4) Appearance - how we appear
Dress for the right occassion. Appearance is part of asking.
One of the most important thing to ask is yourself. You must ask yourself what kind of person you must become in order to receive what you are asking for. If you don't become the person that you need to become, you won't get what you are asking.
This whole process of asking has an incredible effect on your life!
So yes, He will lift me up once again like He did. I will not be left un-restored. I will wait on You.
Ever wondered why some prayers are left unanswered? I used to ponder about this. Thanks to Joshua Goh for the audio sermons, I listened to Dr Bernard's the art of asking and I got it.
(1) For every effect there's a cause, whatever you are getting, there's a reason why you are getting it. If you don't like what you are getting, you have to identify the cause and change it.
(2) Conditions are effects. Thoughts are causes. Whenever conditions you are experiencing, your thoughts brought it all. Your conditions in your life are expressions of what you are thinking. Thoughts govern behaviour.
Believe that you receive.
1 John 5:14: This is the confidence we have in approaching God, that if we ASK anything according to His WILL, He hears us. If we know He hears us, whatever that we ASK, we know that we have what we ASK of Him.
The question is:
'Is the real issue receiving or is it asking?'
If we ASK according to His WILL, the condition is always placed on ASKING, not receiving. If we ASK right, we'll receive. The issue is not on receiving, it will take care of itself. We can tell ourselves right in the face 'I believe I'll receive', but if we don't ask right, we won't receive. We need to change the way we ASK. It's always in the ASKING.
If we don't ask right, the application will be rejected.
One of the issues of asking is the TONE. It doesn't matter what we are applying for, the TONE must be right.
James 1:5, If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God who gives generously/liberally to all without finding fault and it will be given. When he asks, he must believe and not doubt. We must believe and not doubt when we ask. We need wisdom in asking.
Asking is the basis for receiving. The better we are in asking, the more likely we'll receive.
The attitude of asking determines the emphasis that we put on it.
Forms of asking:
(1) Ask intelligently
Our God is very intelligent. Education is different from intelligence, you can be educated but not intelligent.
When you ask intelligently, you have the understanding of the effects that you are asking for is going to have on the totality of your life. When you ask for one thing, you are asking a lot of other things that come with that.
A lot of times we ask God for something that would wreck our lives, and God in His wisdom puts it on hold. If we keep pursuing, quite often we will get something that will move us out from the perfect will of God into the permissive will of God. Then we have to deal with the consequences of His permissive will. It's not something He wanted us to have but something we insisted on, so He is allowing us to experience the consequences of what we asked for. He hopes that it'll teach us not to ask for it anymore.
(2) Be specific
As we mature in Christ, we become more specific in our conversations and prayers. When we were babes in Christ, we'd ask 'God bless me', but when we start getting things we are not asking for, we realise we cannot give a general term like that. Specificity affects me in the process of asking because when we are general and vague, we cannot be focused in our faith. Our faith loses intensity when we are too general. Like a lazer beam, when we get light concentrated like a lazer, it's more powerful and effective as opposed to it being diffused all over the place. We want our faith to be focused. The more specific we are, the more focused we'll be in our asking. How much, what colour, what kind, by when? The moment we put a deadline on it, it really impacts our activity. Of course when we ask we got to be realistic.
If we really ask begin to ask according to the will of God, it has a radical effect on our lives.
(3) Ask in faith, expecting to receive
What is faith? Faith is the willingness to take intelligent risk. Faith must not become ego. The question is do we have the faith to see through what we are starting? We would rather have a million dollar worthed of faith then a million dollars, because if we have a million dollars and we run out of money, we are broke! But when we have a million dollars worthed of faith and we run out of money, we'd get another million.
Four factors involved in asking:
(1) Attitude - our frame of mind, our way of thinking what we are asking.
We got to have the right attitude, attitude is everything. Our attitude can cost us to not receive what we are going for.
(2) Approach - our tone, how we approach people
Wrong approach will result us to not get what we ask for.
(3) Timing - are we ready to receive?
Faith is in essence the support of things hope for. If our faith cannot support it, to give it to me will create a crisis in our lives. God is not gonna to put on us what we cannot handle
Notice the time when we ask and there's quite a distance between when we ask and when we receive, God is strengthening our support. What happens between the time we ask and the time we receive is the time God deals with us. Quite often, it is to strengthen us in character so that we can support the thing that we are receiving.
(4) Appearance - how we appear
Dress for the right occassion. Appearance is part of asking.
One of the most important thing to ask is yourself. You must ask yourself what kind of person you must become in order to receive what you are asking for. If you don't become the person that you need to become, you won't get what you are asking.
This whole process of asking has an incredible effect on your life!
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Encourage Yourself in the Lord
Written by : Dan Corner
Permission is granted to reproduce this in its entirety only.
In 1 Sam. 30, we read of events that occurred over 1,000 years before the Lord Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. Much truth and relevancy for our modern age can be drawn from this chapter. [Paul said that the Old Testament Scriptures were written down for us in New Testament times, so we could be TAUGHT (Rom. 15:4) and WARNED (1 Cor. 10:11).] This chapter begins with David and his 600 men arriving at Ziklag from Aphek, three days away, or approximately 70 miles. Instead of finding rest in their homes and joy with their families as they expected, they found their hometown burned, plundered and their wives and children taken captive! They were so HURT by this discovery that these warriors “wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.”
At this point in time all were already EXHAUSTED from their three day journey. Now they were HEARTBROKEN because everyone and everything they loved and valued was gone, and they were ANGRY over this turn of events. Their ANGER was in part directed toward David, whom they felt should have had some of the men stay behind to protect their city from such a fate as this. David’s faithful followers spoke of stoning him for this! (Put yourself in David’s place. Try to imagine the exhaustion, grief, regret and anxiety he must have experienced.)
David, in the face of all this, however, “found strength in the LORD his God,” v. 6! The KJV reads:
“David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
WHO encouraged David to continue on? David encouraged David! It’s great to be encouraged by others when we face adversity, but at times we will have to encourage ourselves like David did. Please notice that he didn’t just “encourage himself,” he “encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
We all face battles in this life with great opportunities to DESPAIR as David did, but instead of self-pity or giving up, he did the brave thing – he chose to continue for the sake of all who would be adversely affected if he quit! He thought of others not himself. Also, he knew his source of strength was God.
Severe Testing on the Brink of Blessing
Bear in mind that David, at this point, had already been anointed to be the next king of Israel (1 Sam. 16:1-13). He had been fleeing from Saul, who wanted to kill him! His lifestyle had been anything but ideal for the last 6 or 7 years, hiding in the desert and caves from the jealous Saul. During this time, he spared Saul’s life twice (chapters 24 and 26). After showing mercy repeatedly to the very one who wanted him dead, he now faced this great test of multiple disappointments as cited in this chapter. This was the LAST test for David before he took the office as king. (His last test was the most severe.) He was on the brink of blessings, even though he didn’t know it!
David was God’s chosen and ANOINTED to lead all of Israel, yet he faced great disappointments, heartaches and problems, over an extended time. Earlier in his life, his faith was great enough to slay that mighty Philistine, Goliath, but now deliverance was nowhere in sight! As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we too are all ANOINTED (1 Jn. 2:27), even though “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). The question is: Will we encourage ourselves in the Lord for our sakes and the sake of others we love the most, as David did? It’s our choice, as it was his!
Victory in Store
After this, David inquired of the LORD regarding direction. He then took his 600 men and went after the Amalekites. He quickly lost 33% of them (or 200 men), because they were too exhausted to cross the Besor Ravine. (They couldn’t face another “valley of disappointment.”) With 33% less after that Ravine was crossed, not to mention their added exhaustion from this, they continued on with David in the lead, for he sought the LORD’S strength and direction.
In the course of all this disappointment and frustration as they searched for their enemies, they found an abandoned Egyptian, who had not eaten anything for three days and three nights. They could have very easily ignored this man’s needs with their ardent desire to be reunited with their loved ones. However, they chose to show mercy on this man, while precious time was ticking by! It turned out that this man was God’s means of providing for David and the others the exact location of the Amalekites! (It’s a good thing for them that they were merciful to that Egyptian. Little did they know the important role he would play in accomplishing their goal.)
David and his men fought the Amalekites from “dusk until the evening of the next day” or about 36 hours. (Victory was in store for David, but he had to fight hard and long to get it!) They recovered everything.
“Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back” (1 Sam. 30:19).
Try to imagine how happy Ahinoam and Abigal, David’s two wives, were at this point! Imagine how happy the other wives and the children were to be reunited with their husbands and fathers. Imagine how happy they all were that David and the 400 endured – that they didn't quit – that they didn't leave them abandoned without hope of escape!
Finally, try to imagine how thankful and glad David and his men were when it was all over. They were now reunited once again with their families and had recovered their own goods. The battles were over. Was it worth ENDURING the many hardships that came their way? If they were here to answer, they would unanimously answer, “YES!”
We Must Endure for the Sake of Souls
(Likewise, when we get to Heaven, we will know that it was worth ENDURING ANY and ALL adversity for the sake of precious souls, souls that belong to our loved ones and others. Then, we’ll look back on our lives that we are NOW living, just as David and his 400 men did.) Thank God they endured! Thank God David encouraged himself in the Lord. David and his men fought a good fight that was most crucial, even BEFORE they entered the actual battle with the Amalekites.
(Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said that he himself "fought the good fight," finished the race and kept the faith, 2 Tim. 4:7.) This life is filled with BATTLES against desires and unseen enemies that would tend to hinder our walk with Almighty God. Job said:
“Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (14:1).
Paul said regarding the Christian life:
“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Cor. 15:19).
This revelation, however, didn’t stop or even slow down this mighty Apostle who wrote approximately 1/2 of the New Testament. It didn’t stop him because he knew there was more – much more – in a “better by far” place (Phil. 1:23). Therefore, he chose to endure the hatred, insults, frustrations, beatings, etc. as he lived godly, for his single goal was to please the Lord (2 Cor. 5:9) and WIN SOULS (1 Cor. 10:33). He said:
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that FAR outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes NOT on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17,18).
In other words, don’t let your earthly troubles overwhelm you. They are only temporary, not eternal! Remember, David wasn’t overwhelmed by his troubles!
One Person With One Decision Can Turn Things Around
Let’s get back to the 200 men that were too exhausted to continue, even for the sake of their loved ones and their own possessions (1 Sam. 30:9,10). After the battle was over and ALL was recovered, including the plunder, David and the 400 men that did continue on happily started back with their families and the wives and children, including those of the 200 men that stayed behind. (What do you think those wives and children thought when they learned that their husbands and fathers weren’t numbered among the 400 who fought the battle that brought about their rescue?)
When the tired, but happy warriors reunited with the 200, the 400 wrongly didn’t want to return their possessions to them. David rebuked them upon the fact that it was God who protected them in battle and gave them the victory. Consequently, their possessions were returned to them also. (Can you imagine the SHAME they experienced for staying behind, instead of going into battle.) So, even the 200 were blessed by those who were persevering. Their lives also could now return to the norm, since their families were reunited. All this began with just one person, at a crucial time, deciding to encourage himself in the LORD, instead of giving up. Things turned for David and his men based upon that single decision!
Five Ways To Encourage Yourself In The Lord
Perhaps at this juncture, you’re wondering HOW you can encourage yourself in the Lord and in so doing be a blessing to yourself and others as well. There are five main ways this can be accomplished.
First, we encourage ourselves through PRAYER. In Phil. 4:6-8, Paul cites this most powerful means of receiving peace, in spite of troubling circumstances. We are to pray about everything that produces anxiety. (Are YOU doing this?) If you are worried about the future, PRAY! Also, see Matt. 6:34.
Second, singing praises to God will bring encouragement. This is not only “a safeguard” (Phil. 3:1), but also the God-given means to “silence the foe and the avenger” (Psa. 8:2)! See also Psa. 149:6-9. In fact, just listening to Christian music will help greatly. Saul felt better, just because he listened to David playing his harp (1 Sam. 16:23).
A third way to encourage yourself is through Christian fellowship. Nothing can replace this important aspect of our race. In fact, in Acts 2:42, the early church placed it on a par with Bible study, prayer and communion! The people you choose to fellowship with in your free time will greatly help or hinder your walk with God. See Prov. 13:20; 1 Cor. 15:33; etc.
Fourth, Bible study with meditation upon God and his Word will also help. In Prov. 4:22, the Hebrew teaches that God’s Word is “medicine” for our spirits. Furthermore, God’s Word was directly given for encouragement (Rom. 15:4). We are promised “perfect peace” if our MINDS are steadfast in thinking about God (Isa. 26:3). (THOUGHTS DO create or disrupt our peace. Few realize the importance of their thought life.)
Fifth, try talking to yourself. The sons of Korah used this technique as shown in Psa. 42:5,6. See how they did it.
Now that you know WHAT to do and HOW to do it, the choice is yours, as it was for David! To be victorious, at times, you’re going to have to encourage yourself in the Lord. Victory and blessings followed David’s choice. On the other hand, try to imagine what would have happened if he didn’t!
From Evangelical Outreach
www.evangelicaloutreach.org
Permission is granted to reproduce this in its entirety only.
In 1 Sam. 30, we read of events that occurred over 1,000 years before the Lord Jesus was born of the virgin Mary. Much truth and relevancy for our modern age can be drawn from this chapter. [Paul said that the Old Testament Scriptures were written down for us in New Testament times, so we could be TAUGHT (Rom. 15:4) and WARNED (1 Cor. 10:11).] This chapter begins with David and his 600 men arriving at Ziklag from Aphek, three days away, or approximately 70 miles. Instead of finding rest in their homes and joy with their families as they expected, they found their hometown burned, plundered and their wives and children taken captive! They were so HURT by this discovery that these warriors “wept aloud until they had no strength left to weep.”
At this point in time all were already EXHAUSTED from their three day journey. Now they were HEARTBROKEN because everyone and everything they loved and valued was gone, and they were ANGRY over this turn of events. Their ANGER was in part directed toward David, whom they felt should have had some of the men stay behind to protect their city from such a fate as this. David’s faithful followers spoke of stoning him for this! (Put yourself in David’s place. Try to imagine the exhaustion, grief, regret and anxiety he must have experienced.)
David, in the face of all this, however, “found strength in the LORD his God,” v. 6! The KJV reads:
“David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
WHO encouraged David to continue on? David encouraged David! It’s great to be encouraged by others when we face adversity, but at times we will have to encourage ourselves like David did. Please notice that he didn’t just “encourage himself,” he “encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”
We all face battles in this life with great opportunities to DESPAIR as David did, but instead of self-pity or giving up, he did the brave thing – he chose to continue for the sake of all who would be adversely affected if he quit! He thought of others not himself. Also, he knew his source of strength was God.
Severe Testing on the Brink of Blessing
Bear in mind that David, at this point, had already been anointed to be the next king of Israel (1 Sam. 16:1-13). He had been fleeing from Saul, who wanted to kill him! His lifestyle had been anything but ideal for the last 6 or 7 years, hiding in the desert and caves from the jealous Saul. During this time, he spared Saul’s life twice (chapters 24 and 26). After showing mercy repeatedly to the very one who wanted him dead, he now faced this great test of multiple disappointments as cited in this chapter. This was the LAST test for David before he took the office as king. (His last test was the most severe.) He was on the brink of blessings, even though he didn’t know it!
David was God’s chosen and ANOINTED to lead all of Israel, yet he faced great disappointments, heartaches and problems, over an extended time. Earlier in his life, his faith was great enough to slay that mighty Philistine, Goliath, but now deliverance was nowhere in sight! As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we too are all ANOINTED (1 Jn. 2:27), even though “we must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of God” (Acts 14:22). The question is: Will we encourage ourselves in the Lord for our sakes and the sake of others we love the most, as David did? It’s our choice, as it was his!
Victory in Store
After this, David inquired of the LORD regarding direction. He then took his 600 men and went after the Amalekites. He quickly lost 33% of them (or 200 men), because they were too exhausted to cross the Besor Ravine. (They couldn’t face another “valley of disappointment.”) With 33% less after that Ravine was crossed, not to mention their added exhaustion from this, they continued on with David in the lead, for he sought the LORD’S strength and direction.
In the course of all this disappointment and frustration as they searched for their enemies, they found an abandoned Egyptian, who had not eaten anything for three days and three nights. They could have very easily ignored this man’s needs with their ardent desire to be reunited with their loved ones. However, they chose to show mercy on this man, while precious time was ticking by! It turned out that this man was God’s means of providing for David and the others the exact location of the Amalekites! (It’s a good thing for them that they were merciful to that Egyptian. Little did they know the important role he would play in accomplishing their goal.)
David and his men fought the Amalekites from “dusk until the evening of the next day” or about 36 hours. (Victory was in store for David, but he had to fight hard and long to get it!) They recovered everything.
“Nothing was missing: young or old, boy or girl, plunder or anything else they had taken. David brought everything back” (1 Sam. 30:19).
Try to imagine how happy Ahinoam and Abigal, David’s two wives, were at this point! Imagine how happy the other wives and the children were to be reunited with their husbands and fathers. Imagine how happy they all were that David and the 400 endured – that they didn't quit – that they didn't leave them abandoned without hope of escape!
Finally, try to imagine how thankful and glad David and his men were when it was all over. They were now reunited once again with their families and had recovered their own goods. The battles were over. Was it worth ENDURING the many hardships that came their way? If they were here to answer, they would unanimously answer, “YES!”
We Must Endure for the Sake of Souls
(Likewise, when we get to Heaven, we will know that it was worth ENDURING ANY and ALL adversity for the sake of precious souls, souls that belong to our loved ones and others. Then, we’ll look back on our lives that we are NOW living, just as David and his 400 men did.) Thank God they endured! Thank God David encouraged himself in the Lord. David and his men fought a good fight that was most crucial, even BEFORE they entered the actual battle with the Amalekites.
(Paul, inspired by the Holy Spirit, said that he himself "fought the good fight," finished the race and kept the faith, 2 Tim. 4:7.) This life is filled with BATTLES against desires and unseen enemies that would tend to hinder our walk with Almighty God. Job said:
“Man born of woman is of few days and full of trouble” (14:1).
Paul said regarding the Christian life:
“If only for this life we have hope in Christ, we are to be pitied more than all men” (1 Cor. 15:19).
This revelation, however, didn’t stop or even slow down this mighty Apostle who wrote approximately 1/2 of the New Testament. It didn’t stop him because he knew there was more – much more – in a “better by far” place (Phil. 1:23). Therefore, he chose to endure the hatred, insults, frustrations, beatings, etc. as he lived godly, for his single goal was to please the Lord (2 Cor. 5:9) and WIN SOULS (1 Cor. 10:33). He said:
“For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that FAR outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes NOT on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor. 4:17,18).
In other words, don’t let your earthly troubles overwhelm you. They are only temporary, not eternal! Remember, David wasn’t overwhelmed by his troubles!
One Person With One Decision Can Turn Things Around
Let’s get back to the 200 men that were too exhausted to continue, even for the sake of their loved ones and their own possessions (1 Sam. 30:9,10). After the battle was over and ALL was recovered, including the plunder, David and the 400 men that did continue on happily started back with their families and the wives and children, including those of the 200 men that stayed behind. (What do you think those wives and children thought when they learned that their husbands and fathers weren’t numbered among the 400 who fought the battle that brought about their rescue?)
When the tired, but happy warriors reunited with the 200, the 400 wrongly didn’t want to return their possessions to them. David rebuked them upon the fact that it was God who protected them in battle and gave them the victory. Consequently, their possessions were returned to them also. (Can you imagine the SHAME they experienced for staying behind, instead of going into battle.) So, even the 200 were blessed by those who were persevering. Their lives also could now return to the norm, since their families were reunited. All this began with just one person, at a crucial time, deciding to encourage himself in the LORD, instead of giving up. Things turned for David and his men based upon that single decision!
Five Ways To Encourage Yourself In The Lord
Perhaps at this juncture, you’re wondering HOW you can encourage yourself in the Lord and in so doing be a blessing to yourself and others as well. There are five main ways this can be accomplished.
First, we encourage ourselves through PRAYER. In Phil. 4:6-8, Paul cites this most powerful means of receiving peace, in spite of troubling circumstances. We are to pray about everything that produces anxiety. (Are YOU doing this?) If you are worried about the future, PRAY! Also, see Matt. 6:34.
Second, singing praises to God will bring encouragement. This is not only “a safeguard” (Phil. 3:1), but also the God-given means to “silence the foe and the avenger” (Psa. 8:2)! See also Psa. 149:6-9. In fact, just listening to Christian music will help greatly. Saul felt better, just because he listened to David playing his harp (1 Sam. 16:23).
A third way to encourage yourself is through Christian fellowship. Nothing can replace this important aspect of our race. In fact, in Acts 2:42, the early church placed it on a par with Bible study, prayer and communion! The people you choose to fellowship with in your free time will greatly help or hinder your walk with God. See Prov. 13:20; 1 Cor. 15:33; etc.
Fourth, Bible study with meditation upon God and his Word will also help. In Prov. 4:22, the Hebrew teaches that God’s Word is “medicine” for our spirits. Furthermore, God’s Word was directly given for encouragement (Rom. 15:4). We are promised “perfect peace” if our MINDS are steadfast in thinking about God (Isa. 26:3). (THOUGHTS DO create or disrupt our peace. Few realize the importance of their thought life.)
Fifth, try talking to yourself. The sons of Korah used this technique as shown in Psa. 42:5,6. See how they did it.
Now that you know WHAT to do and HOW to do it, the choice is yours, as it was for David! To be victorious, at times, you’re going to have to encourage yourself in the Lord. Victory and blessings followed David’s choice. On the other hand, try to imagine what would have happened if he didn’t!
From Evangelical Outreach
www.evangelicaloutreach.org
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Chinese New Year *EDITED*
Chinese new year is coming!! In a little less than 4 days, we will be ushering (punt intended) out the cow and welcoming in the Tiger (no loopholes please).
First up, a couple of announcements.
Service Duty (Friday, 12th Feb)
WE (group16) are ON duty this friday. Whether you're anchoring CNY Service 1 (5-7pm) or Service 2 (7.30-9.30pm), do let your leaders know (we will helping out with our fellow ushers from Expo). Do remember to show up atJW B2 Expo Hall ONE on friday.
Support Duty (Thursday, 11th Feb)
Support duty is ON, this Thursday, 11 Feb at our home ground in Jurong West Church, from 5pm to 11pm. We'll be packing CNY goodies, bulletins and mandarin oranges, if you want a preview of what we're getting during Friday's service this is a good chance.
Bai Nai Entourage (Tuesday, 16th Feb) *UPDATED*
Spread the joy of this Chinese New Year, join Ben Chan and gang in theAng Bao grabbing 'Bai Nian' entourage on CNY Day3, 16 Feb. From morning till the evening, Ben Chan and co will be visiting homes in the western side of Singapore, exchanging mandarin oranges and auspicious CNY greetings. Do sign up with Ben Chan (+65 8118 5888) / Peng Ru/ Abby/ Gavin if you're interested.
Current entourage members include Ben Chan, Abby, Genevieve, Peng Ru and Eric.
Chalet \ BBQ (Saturday-Sunday, 20th-21st Feb)
Our fellow ushers Huiping and Quang Yee are having a chalet at Pasir Ris Costa Sands Resorts on the dates stated above. They have kindly extended the invitation to ALL group16 ushers, do let your team leaders/ helpers know if you are keen. Activities lined up include games, BBQ and steamboat.
Lo Hei (Sunday, 28th Feb) *UPDATED*
Lo Hei in Cantonese or otherwise known as "Lao Yu Sheng" in Chinese is a typical celebration in the Singaporean Chinese community. As per tradition, Group16 will be having our very own Lo Hei -cum- CNY gathering next next Sunday evening (BTW it's group 16 duty week)
Venue T.B.C, team helpers/ leaders will be checking with you soon. Let us know if you're coming. Promisesguarantee chop to be a fun affair.
Group16 Zoo Outing (Saturday, 13th Mar) *NEW*
"We're going to the ZOO Zoo zoo, what about YOU You you;
You can come TOO Too too, we're going to the ZOO Zoo zoo."
We're having an outing to the World-class Singapore Zoological gardens. The meeting time is 12.30pm at the entrance to the Zoo. For more information, do wait for the call/ sms/ email from your dearest team leaders/ helpers in the coming week.
So with that, to an auspicious and happy Chinese New Year everybody! Have fun, enjoy the public holidays and all themoney grabbing fun filled reunions this new year. Gong Xi Gong Xi, God Bless.
First up, a couple of announcements.
Service Duty (Friday, 12th Feb)
WE (group16) are ON duty this friday. Whether you're anchoring CNY Service 1 (5-7pm) or Service 2 (7.30-9.30pm), do let your leaders know (we will helping out with our fellow ushers from Expo). Do remember to show up at
[Pls refer to note at the top of the page for reporting timings]
Support Duty (Thursday, 11th Feb)
Support duty is ON, this Thursday, 11 Feb at our home ground in Jurong West Church, from 5pm to 11pm. We'll be packing CNY goodies, bulletins and mandarin oranges, if you want a preview of what we're getting during Friday's service this is a good chance.
Bai Nai Entourage (Tuesday, 16th Feb) *UPDATED*
Spread the joy of this Chinese New Year, join Ben Chan and gang in the
Current entourage members include Ben Chan, Abby, Genevieve, Peng Ru and Eric.
P.S. For those who do not know it yet, our section leader, Ivory, is officially Mrs Chiang!! Congrats =D However, according to certain Chinese traditions, 1st year couples are exempted from giving our Red Packets to the juniors. =(
Chalet \ BBQ (Saturday-Sunday, 20th-21st Feb)
Our fellow ushers Huiping and Quang Yee are having a chalet at Pasir Ris Costa Sands Resorts on the dates stated above. They have kindly extended the invitation to ALL group16 ushers, do let your team leaders/ helpers know if you are keen. Activities lined up include games, BBQ and steamboat.
Lo Hei (Sunday, 28th Feb) *UPDATED*
Lo Hei in Cantonese or otherwise known as "Lao Yu Sheng" in Chinese is a typical celebration in the Singaporean Chinese community. As per tradition, Group16 will be having our very own Lo Hei -cum- CNY gathering next next Sunday evening (BTW it's group 16 duty week)
Venue T.B.C, team helpers/ leaders will be checking with you soon. Let us know if you're coming. Promises
Group16 Zoo Outing (Saturday, 13th Mar) *NEW*
"We're going to the ZOO Zoo zoo, what about YOU You you;
You can come TOO Too too, we're going to the ZOO Zoo zoo."
We're having an outing to the World-class Singapore Zoological gardens. The meeting time is 12.30pm at the entrance to the Zoo. For more information, do wait for the call/ sms/ email from your dearest team leaders/ helpers in the coming week.
So with that, to an auspicious and happy Chinese New Year everybody! Have fun, enjoy the public holidays and all the
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