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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
Sunday, January 3, 2010
2009 Appreciation Party - Special Performance
"Don't Let Me Go", featuring Benjamin Chan and Peng Ru (aka Penguin). For those who missed it, enjoy! =)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Family of Group 16
Check out the slide show created by our (ex) usher, Huiping for Group16. We wish you all the best in serving in Expo Huiping. Click on the picture above to view!
Enjoy =)
Monday, November 2, 2009
Recruitment Drive '09 - Join Us as an Usher!
Looking for a ministry? Do you want to
a) Serve and minister in the house of God
b) Learn to be a better host, attentive to people's needs
c) Be more confident and learn how to engage people
d) Make new friends and be part of a fun loving and dynamic ministry
e) All of the above
Sign up with Usher Ministry, Group 16 (CHC Jurong West Svc 4) welcomes you.
Email us your details/ querries @ chum.g16@gmail.com or inform your cell group leader or an usher you know in your CG.
Group 16 Ushers
Group 16 Outing @ Night Safari
a) Serve and minister in the house of God
b) Learn to be a better host, attentive to people's needs
c) Be more confident and learn how to engage people
d) Make new friends and be part of a fun loving and dynamic ministry
e) All of the above
Sign up with Usher Ministry, Group 16 (CHC Jurong West Svc 4) welcomes you.
Email us your details/ querries @ chum.g16@gmail.com or inform your cell group leader or an usher you know in your CG.
Group 16 Ushers
Group 16 Outing @ Night SafariTuesday, September 8, 2009
Let's Dance...
Last Sunday, Beatrice (our dearest Assistant Chief Usher who oversees JW usher groups, in case you dunno) was sharing to the SLs and MTLs about Moses and how everytime Moses felt frustrated by his stiff-necked congregation, he would withdraw himself to meet the Lord and refresh himself. And in God, he found renewed strength again and again... again and again... again and again...
The Word spoke powerfully to me and convicted me. During the worship, I sensed God say to me...
It puzzled me but after giving it some thought, it dawned upon me that life is really like a dance... and there is a tempo to this Dance of life... and I thought I knew and understood it very well... And I've tried to dance this Dance very well... I danced to the best of my abilities and my understanding and I thought I was becoming good at it... until God beckoned to me and showed me His version of the Dance...
In that instance, I suddenly understood how little I knew and how little of the Dance I have mastered... the Dance is meant to be a couple dance, not a solo dance... The Dance is to be danced at a tempo I cannot hope to master or grasp very well... And in the Dance, should I try to take the lead in this couple dance, the Dance inevitably becomes uncoordinated and messed up... My moves will become off-beat and awkward... But whenever I let God take the lead in this Dance and follow His movement and tempo, the resultant Dance is inescapably beautiful and elegant...
In this Dance of life, God does the choreography; He leads the dance; He dictates the tempo and He executes the hard moves... Turn to God and find rest in His presence... It is when I try to do everything by myself that I burn myself out... I shall learn to lean on God's strength and directions... Just as Moses did! Although Moses was a very old man when he led Israel out of Egypt, he always had the rigour of a youth because in God, he found the source of everlasting life and strength...
In this Dance of life, it is natural to feel frustrated and disappointed if we had always danced solo or with the wrong partner(s)... Because the Dance was not meant to be danced that way! We cannot hope for the best when we settle for the worse. I shall turn to God and find a new beginning in Him... Although Moses was a criminal with a murderous past, he became the greatest prophet ever to deliver Israel, because in God, he found purpose, vision and hope for the future...
In this Dance of Life, we will be venturing into the unknown... Because every person is different and uniquely shaped by God, so nobody can tell you what your Dance will be like. However, God knows how your Dance is meant to be like and He knows how it will turn out to be... And He assures that His seed in us is imperishable and will bear good fruits! and that He will finish the good work He has started in us! I shall turn to God and be of good courage... Because if God is leading my Dance, what can go wrong? I shall go forth in faith! And dance! and dance! and dance! Although Moses was a mere shepherd, but in his meekness and humility, he became a powerful prophet who performed the most spectacular miracles, because he submitted whatever little that was in his hands (a shepherd's rod) into God's hands... and God turned it into a tool for greatness which left an everlasting legacy!
Moses humbled himself and let God lead in his Dance of life, and God turned the Dance into a masterpiece that we still marvel today... I shall let God take the lead in my own dance. and I can't wait to see how the dance turns out! God is inviting you today to dance with Him... won't you let Him take the lead? Let us all dance this Dance of Life with God...
The Word spoke powerfully to me and convicted me. During the worship, I sensed God say to me...
"Let's Dance..."
It puzzled me but after giving it some thought, it dawned upon me that life is really like a dance... and there is a tempo to this Dance of life... and I thought I knew and understood it very well... And I've tried to dance this Dance very well... I danced to the best of my abilities and my understanding and I thought I was becoming good at it... until God beckoned to me and showed me His version of the Dance...
In that instance, I suddenly understood how little I knew and how little of the Dance I have mastered... the Dance is meant to be a couple dance, not a solo dance... The Dance is to be danced at a tempo I cannot hope to master or grasp very well... And in the Dance, should I try to take the lead in this couple dance, the Dance inevitably becomes uncoordinated and messed up... My moves will become off-beat and awkward... But whenever I let God take the lead in this Dance and follow His movement and tempo, the resultant Dance is inescapably beautiful and elegant...
"Are you tired? Are you weary? Are you feeling that the yoke is too heavy to bear? Let Me lead the Dance..."
In this Dance of life, God does the choreography; He leads the dance; He dictates the tempo and He executes the hard moves... Turn to God and find rest in His presence... It is when I try to do everything by myself that I burn myself out... I shall learn to lean on God's strength and directions... Just as Moses did! Although Moses was a very old man when he led Israel out of Egypt, he always had the rigour of a youth because in God, he found the source of everlasting life and strength...
"Are you frustrated? Are you disappointed? Are you unforgiving and angry - with youself? with your leaders? with your friends? or even with Me?"
In this Dance of life, it is natural to feel frustrated and disappointed if we had always danced solo or with the wrong partner(s)... Because the Dance was not meant to be danced that way! We cannot hope for the best when we settle for the worse. I shall turn to God and find a new beginning in Him... Although Moses was a criminal with a murderous past, he became the greatest prophet ever to deliver Israel, because in God, he found purpose, vision and hope for the future...
"Are you scared? Are you intimidated? Are you lacking in confidence? Do you feel that you have no more faith?"
In this Dance of Life, we will be venturing into the unknown... Because every person is different and uniquely shaped by God, so nobody can tell you what your Dance will be like. However, God knows how your Dance is meant to be like and He knows how it will turn out to be... And He assures that His seed in us is imperishable and will bear good fruits! and that He will finish the good work He has started in us! I shall turn to God and be of good courage... Because if God is leading my Dance, what can go wrong? I shall go forth in faith! And dance! and dance! and dance! Although Moses was a mere shepherd, but in his meekness and humility, he became a powerful prophet who performed the most spectacular miracles, because he submitted whatever little that was in his hands (a shepherd's rod) into God's hands... and God turned it into a tool for greatness which left an everlasting legacy!
"Let us all dance..."
Moses humbled himself and let God lead in his Dance of life, and God turned the Dance into a masterpiece that we still marvel today... I shall let God take the lead in my own dance. and I can't wait to see how the dance turns out! God is inviting you today to dance with Him... won't you let Him take the lead? Let us all dance this Dance of Life with God...
Monday, September 7, 2009
Saturday, September 5, 2009
Group Outing @ Dhoby Ghaut Exchange
7th September 2009 (Monday), 7:00pm
Dinner and chill-out
Catch Greg with his hair down before his NS enlistment.
Lots of Fun and Enjoyment guaranteed. See you there!
Dinner and chill-out
Catch Greg with his hair down before his NS enlistment.
Lots of Fun and Enjoyment guaranteed. See you there!Friday, July 10, 2009
CHC 20th Anniversary & FOP
Hi all!!! We will soon be celebrating our church 20th anniversary and participating in the Festival of Praise!
Festival Of Praise
For FOP, all shall serve at least 2 out of 3 sessions.
CHC Anniversary Services
As for Anniversary Services, there will be 2 services on sunday itself!
Service 1 - 9.00am to 10.30am (Reporting time for ushers: 7.00am)
Service 2 - 11.00am to 1.00pm (Reporting time for ushers: 9.30am)
Please note that by default all of us will serve both services unless valid reasons are given. Let's go all out to support the running of our anniversary services!
Helpers and above are to report at 6.30am.
Festival Of Praise
For FOP, all shall serve at least 2 out of 3 sessions.
CHC Anniversary Services
As for Anniversary Services, there will be 2 services on sunday itself!
Service 1 - 9.00am to 10.30am (Reporting time for ushers: 7.00am)
Service 2 - 11.00am to 1.00pm (Reporting time for ushers: 9.30am)
Please note that by default all of us will serve both services unless valid reasons are given. Let's go all out to support the running of our anniversary services!
Helpers and above are to report at 6.30am.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Material Signs of Maturity
When does a boy become a man? The answer goes far beyond biology and chronological age.
As defined in the Bible, manhood is a functional reality, demonstrated by leadership and the fulfillment of responsibility. One mark of manhood is the economic maturity sufficient to hold an adult job and handle money.
The Christian view of manhood elevates economic maturity even more. A Christian man sees his work as an assignment from God—and as a gospel issue. If he fails in his responsibility by complacency and sloth, he knows that he has done injury to the gospel and the cause of Christ.
This portrait of manhood is not popular with modern advertisers and marketers. They know where to aim their messages—at adolescent boys and young men who are enamored with popular entertainment, sporting events, and material goods. The media extol economic carelessness, self-centeredness, and laziness as the standard of young manhood—easy prey for these hucksters.
A real man, in contrast, knows how to hold a job, handles money with responsibility, and, if married, takes care of the needs of his wife and family. Failure to develop economic maturity leads to young men who float from job to job and take years to “find themselves” in terms of career and vocation.
If we want boys to become men, they must be taught how to work, how to save, how to invest, and how to spend money with care. They must be taught to respect labor and to feel the satisfaction that comes from a job well done, and a dollar honestly earned.
The dignity of work is grounded in creation itself, when God told human beings to subdue the earth, to work the earth, and then to enjoy the produce. But a biblical view of work also takes into account the Fall, where we are told that, as a consequence of sin, the earth will no longer yield its fruit gladly or willingly. The cultivation of the land, the tilling of crops, and the entire process of work is now far more difficult.
But even the Curse does not remove the dignity of work. Work itself is dignified, and so is the produce of one’s hands and the yield of one’s investments. We do not know the specifics, but we do know that even before the Fall, a clear link existed between work and the value of the products of our labor.
Too many boys today are coddled and entertained, demonstrating a laziness that will be highly detrimental to their future prospects as a husband and a father. Slothfulness, laziness, and economic carelessness are marks of immaturity. A real man knows how to earn, manage, and respect money. A Christian man understands the danger that comes from the love of money, and yet he fulfills his responsibility as a Christian steward.
Fathers, we must fulfill our responsibility to inculcate such a vision of personal economics into the heart and soul of our sons, parenting with the hope and goal that this mark of manhood becomes established within the next generation of Christian men.
, president of The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, has been recognized by Time magazine as a leader among American evangelicals. He hosts a daily live radio program, writes a popular blog, and has authored numerous books.
Source: AiG
Source: AiG
Saturday, June 20, 2009
Combined Grp Outing!!!!!
Hope you are all gear up for our combined group outing on the 28th June. Details are all in the poster as attach! Group 15 will be on duty so we will go off together after duty on the day.Do start to give your forecast to your leader!
Yesh! There will be awards given out to Ushers as well as TALENTINE! So wait no more!
Sign up with me now! You can email me @ chcum.group15@gmail.com
Simply email me your Team Name and what are you performing!
Do let us know early if you need minus one sound track!
Hear from you soon!
Grace Euodias Yao (G15)
&
Abby (G16)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
June Prayer Meetings!!!
Do note the following and ensure that these are arranged for our Morning and Evening Prayer Meetings on the 8th Jun – 12th Jun 2009 and our Service Prayer Meetings on 6th and 7th Jun:
Locations and timings as follow:
Morning Prayer Meeting (7am - 8am)
Date: 8th Jun – 12th Jun
- JW
- Heart of God
- Church of Singapore (Kreta Ayer)
Evening Prayer Meeting (6pm - 7pm)
Date: 8th Jun – 12th Jun
- 1. JW
- 2. RW ( Main Auditorium, MPH, LR7, LR1, LR4, LR2, LR3, LR6, LR5)
Date: 6th Jun – 7th Jun
- Service 1 Prayer Meeting (6th Jun, 6pm to 7pm at JW B4)
- Service 2 Prayer Meeting (6th Jun, 4pm to 5pm at Expo Main Hall)
- Service 3 Prayer Meeting (7th Jun, 8.30am to 9.30am at Expo Main Hall)
- Service 4 Prayer Meeting (7th Jun, 8am to 9am at JW B4)
June Prayer Meetings!!!
Do note the following and ensure that these are arranged for our Morning and Evening Prayer Meetings on the 8th Jun – 12th Jun 2009 and our Service Prayer Meetings on 6th and 7th Jun:
Locations and timings as follow:
Morning Prayer Meeting (7am - 8am)
Date: 8th Jun – 12th Jun
- JW
- Heart of God
- Church of Singapore (Kreta Ayer)
Evening Prayer Meeting (6pm - 7pm)
Date: 8th Jun – 12th Jun
- 1. JW
- 2. RW ( Main Auditorium, MPH, LR7, LR1, LR4, LR2, LR3, LR6, LR5)
Date: 6th Jun – 7th Jun
- Service 1 Prayer Meeting (6th Jun, 6pm to 7pm at JW B4)
- Service 2 Prayer Meeting (6th Jun, 4pm to 5pm at Expo Main Hall)
- Service 3 Prayer Meeting (7th Jun, 8.30am to 9.30am at Expo Main Hall)
- Service 4 Prayer Meeting (7th Jun, 8am to 9am at JW B4)
Friday, May 15, 2009
Ancient Patriarchs in Genesis
Imagine the possible headlines of long ago:
“Methuselah and Adam Have Long Talk”
“Noah outlives great, great, great grandson Peleg”
“Shem and Abraham go fishing”
Many people are unfamiliar with the historical figures in Genesis. It is sometimes difficult to believe that people lived such long lives, too—although they did. There is much to learn from these patriarchs (an early father of the human race). But let’s simply do some introductions to the group here.
The Great Ages
Many of the ancient people listed in the Bible’s genealogies lived very long lives. Methuselah holds the title of oldest-known man at 969 years old. After he died, the Flood came.
After the Flood, we see the ages of these men declining. For example, Noah lived to be 950 years old, Shem to 600, Shelah to 433, and Abraham to 175.
Patriarch Age Bible reference 1 Adam 930 Genesis 5:4 2 Seth 912 Genesis 5:8 3 Enosh 905 Genesis 5:11 4 Cainan 910 Genesis 5:14 5 Mahalalel 895 Genesis 5:17 6 Jared 962 Genesis 5:20 7 Enoch 365 (translated) Genesis 5:23 8 Methuselah 969 Genesis 5:27 9 Lamech 777 Genesis 5:31 10 Noah 950 Genesis 9:29 11 Shem 600 Genesis 11:10–11 12 Arphaxad 438 Genesis 11:12–13 13 Shelah 433 Genesis 11:14–15 14 Eber 464 Genesis 11:16–17 15 Peleg 239 Genesis 11:18–19 16 Reu 239 Genesis 11:20–21 17 Serug 230 Genesis 11:22–23 18 Nahor 148 Genesis 11:24–25 19 Terah 205 Genesis 11:32 20 Abram (Abraham) 175 Genesis 25:7 21 Isaac 180 Genesis 35:28–29 22 Jacob (Israel) Table 1. Ages of the Patriarchs from Adam to Jacob
Until the Flood (Noah’s day), living to about 900 years old was the norm . . . unless you were Enoch or Lamech. Like Elijah, Enoch was translated without dying (Genesis 5:23; Hebrews 11:5). Lamech, it seems, was a bit unusual by being about a quarter of a century away from making 800.
The Overlaps
It is hard to imagine that Abraham could have spoken to Shem (Noah’s son), who surely talked to his great-grandfather Methuselah, who in turn could have spoken to Adam, the first man, directly. Although the Bible never records that Adam and Methuselah or Abraham and Shem met, that possibility is likely. Consider the other patriarchs that could have talked to one another:
Table 2. Patriarchs from Adam to Israel (Jacob)
Everyone today shares the same lineage from Adam to Noah, since only Noah’s family survived the Flood. After the Flood, Noah’s three sons and wives populated the earth. Noah had three sons: Japheth, Shem, and Ham (Genesis 9:24, 10:21).
The list of men in the table above record Shem’s line to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who is also called Israel. Israel had twelve sons, and through his son Judah, the Bible traces the genealogy of Jesus Christ (Luke 3:23–38). The book of Genesis ends with the death of Joseph at 110 years old, one of Israel’s others sons.
Extra-biblical Support
Other ancient cultures have legendary periods or ancient kings lists that support the vast ages of the patriarchs. For example, the Sumerian kings list has eight kings whose lives span a great period of time. Then, accordingly, the Flood came. Removing Enoch, who was translated, and Noah, who survived the Flood, these eight could easily “match up” with remaining pre-Flood patriarchs.1
Greek myths point to the patriarchs as well, equating Zeus and Hera as deified corruptions of Adam and Eve.2 The Chinese also have a legendary period with various rulers. Some researchers have said:
Could it be that the Legendary Period recalls a time when the ancestors of China’s first dynasties were indeed kin to Noah’s descendants before the great dispersion of mankind over the earth?Since all peoples of earth are descended from Noah or his sons, the early Chinese ancestors were likely contemporaries of Noah, who lived 350 years after the flood (Genesis 9:28). Therefore, information could have been passed to them by word-of-mouth, even Noah himself. He in turn, obtained historical data from his father Lamech, who was 56 years old when Adam died.Thus, all the details of creation and life before the flood could have been passed to the Chinese from Adam with only two intermediaries, Lamech and Noah.3Such recollections support the idea that information passed from Noah to his descendants who then spread across the globe. (though other accounts were prone to corruption).
Are There Gaps?
The genealogies are very specific in giving the age of the father when the son is born.4 However, in some translations of the Bible in Luke 3:36, there seems to be an extra Cainan. Because of this, some have proposed that there may be gaps in the genealogies. However, one needs to understand this specific instance better. Expositor Dr. John Gill points out:
This Cainan is not mentioned by Moses in #Ge 11:12 nor has he ever appeared in any Hebrew copy of the Old Testament, nor in the Samaritan version, nor in the Targum; nor is he mentioned by Josephus, nor in #1Ch 1:24 where the genealogy is repeated; nor is it in Beza’s most ancient Greek copy of Luke: it indeed stands in the present copies of the Septuagint, but was not originally there; and therefore could not be taken by Luke from thence, but seems to be owing to some early negligent transcriber of Luke’s Gospel, and since put into the Septuagint to give it authority: I say “early,” because it is in many Greek copies, and in the Vulgate Latin, and all the Oriental versions, even in the Syriac, the oldest of them; but ought not to stand neither in the text, nor in any version: for certain it is, there never was such a Cainan, the son of Arphaxad, for Salah was his son; and with him the next words should be connected. . . .5This appears to have been one of a few copyist mistakes that have crept into the manuscripts after Luke wrote the original, inspired manuscript.6 Others have pointed our how this error could have occurred rather easily.7 There is no legitimate reason to introduce gaps into the genealogies—other than the desire to extend the dates based on extra-biblical ideas.
Conclusion
The book of Genesis spans nearly one-third of world history, but sadly in today’s church, much of it is overlooked. Perhaps if we realized the heritage that each of us have from these ancient patriarchs, we would gain a better understanding of where we came from and where we are going. Romans 4:3 says:
For what does the Scripture say? “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”Surely, there is much to learn from our ancestors.
Source: answersingenesis.org
Updates on Work
Have started work for 2 weeks already and I am happy... I think after slacking for one whole year (including the time spent in army), one grows to appreciate the pleasure of work.
My team leader and colleagues have been very loving and patient in teaching me the ropes and initiating me into the firm... The firm has an excellent structure and system in place - everyone has defined roles and responsibilities and is non-exploitative of one another. The structure also helps very much to prepare newcomers to familiarise themselves with the firm. The hierarchy of the organization is very flat - everyone treats one another with respect and nobody has airs (i think I am the most "dao" person around).
Above all else, the firm has a wide and extensive portfolio of projects covering various scale and typologies. I love it! I am slowly being exposed to the "drudgery" that my peers have been complaining about, but well, I remain thankful that I got the job.
Beautiful morningSomething I got to see when I decided to go to office early to check email and start work early...
a snapshot - my office
the Water Cycle at One Raffles Link (taken with spoilt digi cam, so...)A favourite sight I look forward to seeing every morning I go to work... If there is one "Heroes" ability I would like to get, it would be Sylar's Intuitive Aptitude - I love to see how every single thing work and come together... In many ways, I share Sylar's endless hunger to know and understand more... LOL... I'm talking geekish here... Pardon me =P
Will try to find time to write about the 1-year testimony I shared with Wanyun's cell group and also BLTC - in which I have been involved over the past month or so...
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Pst Kong is Following Us on Twitter!
Was surprised when I saw this in our g16 email account. Really honoured!
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