Mercy

I recently attended a wedding of one of the couples in church. And i must say it was great one. The message preached during the wedding was that of worship. Marriage as a form of worship. Never thought of it that way, so the theological sermon was an eye opening one. To Worship God by "loving" one another.

Love happens when you find responsibility in someone elses need.

What's The Point?

Ever asked yourself that question? Try it.

Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God. - Psalm 43:5

When the sun shines, We'll shine together ...

"Blessed Are the Poor in Spirit, for Theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven"

She's back. Finally. And she was just telling me about her india trip. About how God has raised up a team of ministers and also about how happy the kids are even though they do not have much. As both sides said their last goodbyes, tears rolled down their cheeks. These tears I say, are not of sorrow but of the Love of God. Indeed the children there have been blessed by the team and I'm sure the team too have been blessed by them.

It brings to mind the first beatitude: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Jesus began the famous sermon on the mount with "Blessed are", meaning " The happy". It is not the diluted word "happy" which we use to describe that which brings a smile to our face. It is more than that, it is a a joy beyond the surface emotions.

Then Jesus went on to say, Blessed are the 'poor in spirit'. How can someone who is poor in spirit be happy? One must have an attitude of humility to be poor in spirit. The word suggests utter spiritual destitution. It is the realization that we are not God and that God is God. It is an understanding of who we really are before Him. "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. " - John 15:5

For Theirs is the kingdom of heaven. The Lord himself invites us to a meeting concerning our immediate and endless happiness. He desires the very best for us because He loves us.

It is the terrifying promise that when we lose our riches and poverty finally comes -- whether it be lost money or status or virtue or respect or confidence or health or security or job -- that the Kingdom of God will draw near. It's when hope gets broken and promises that are forever erode, that God's Kingdom becomes an option.

It is also talking about the times when people we cherish and love, revere and depend upon leave us -- when those whose energy, passion, wisdom and truth inspire, touch, enliven, gladden and gratify us, when those people are no longer here. The poverty truth is that most often it is only after they have left us by dying or departing in despair or abandoning us in anger that we are able, as never before, to discover what they never could be for us -- that is, the person you and I can only be and become without them. And I can personally testify to the latter.

Bringing it back to the kids in india, they have nothing except a few set of clothes, no parents, no shoes for school etc. Yet that smile on their face. Indeed they have been truly blessed by God. Realising that they have nothing, they are empty, and God filled them up.

Why is it that only when a sense of hopelessness and helplessness descends upon us that we look to God and depend on Him? Well, maybe thats why the Gospel is called GOOD NEWS.

Only when we humble ourselves and admit we are sin-filled and hopeless will we have the right heart and mindset to seek and enter the kingdom of heaven through Jesus Christ our Savior. "God gives grace to the humble."

So what is your be-attitude today?

Be Strong In Grace

2 Timothy 2:

1You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others. 3Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer. 5Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not receive the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules. 6The hardworking farmer should be the first to receive a share of the crops. 7Reflect on what I am saying, for the Lord will give you insight into all this.

8Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, 9for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God's word is not chained. 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they too may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with eternal glory

11Here is a trustworthy saying:

If we died with him,
we will also live with him;
12if we endure,
we will also reign with him.
If we disown him,
he will also disown us;
13if we are faithless,
he will remain faithful,
for he cannot disown himself.

The Lord encouraged me again today with the above preached during sermon. I'm feeling less down and more refreshed after today's sermon and small group. Thanks be to God.

Blessed Assurance

I've been feeling down recently due to several things. My mind is flustered by loads of things as well. Worry, disappointment etc. No doubt its not easy to try to forget this emotions as it keeps jumping back at you.

I thank the Lord always for encouraging me and prompting me to look to Him and He will be my refresher, the one who will pick me up, give me strength to carry on. This hymn came to mind, as I was just praying.

Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!

O what a foretaste of glory divine!

Heir of salvation, purchase of God,

born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.

This is my story, this is my song,

praising my Savior all the day long;

this is my story, this is my song, p

raising my Savior all the day long.

Perfect submission, all is at rest;

I in my Savior am happy and blest,

watching and waiting, looking above,

filled with his goodness, lost in his love.

(try singing this like fast with a really joyous and happy tune)

I just came back having spent some time with my brothers in Christ. It's always have been a great time of fellowship with them. Catching up on stuffz and also getting to know one another a lil' betta. Alrights. This is my story, this is my song, praising my Savior all the day long. lalalala

My Love, My Valentine

There are varying opinions as to the origin of Valentine's Day. Some experts state that it originated from St. Valentine, a Roman who was martyred for refusing to give up Christianity. He died on February 14, 269 A.D., the same day that had been devoted to love lotteries. Legend also says that St. Valentine left a farewell note for the jailer's daughter, who had become his friend, and signed it "From Your Valentine". Other aspects of the story say that Saint Valentine served as a priest at the temple during the reign of Emperor Claudius. Claudius then had Valentine jailed for defying him. In 496 A.D. Pope Gelasius set aside February 14 to honour St. Valentine.

Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers.

This year, I’m gonna spend Valentine’s Day …... She’s in India on a mission. Gal on a mission. Cool right. Haha. That means, I get to save money! WOOHOOO. Joking. But seriously, prices during Valentine’s Day is like 1000x more expensive. A stalk of rose which typically cost $0.80 on a normal day would cost a whooping $12 today. Not say its fresher or bigger or more beautiful. It’s the same. Maybe I should just go plant some roses in my garden.

I’m gonna celebrate today enjoying what I have instead of complaining and feeling sad about what I don’t. Though I may not have her with me today, but what I do have is the knowledge that she loves me, always there for me and will never fail me. I’m thinking, maybe I have taken her and other people for granted all too often, and its time for some appreciating to be done.

So it’s the same for our lives, we take too many things for granted; our family, friends, food, shelter, the things that we have etc.. Maybe its time we take some part of today; Valentine ’s Day (supposedly a Christian holiday) to exchange a love message with God. Giving thanks for all that He has done and about to do. It is by His grace that we are saved.

16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16 (New International Version)

You have received mercy, kindness, and unconditional love from our God...
Response: The gift I have received, I will give as a gift.

You have many physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual abilities that can be used to better the lives of others...
Response: The gift I have received, I will give as a gift.

You have people in your life who have believed in you when you did not believe in yourself, people who stood by you in your difficult times...
Response: The gift I have received, I will give as a gift.

Amen




Alrights. *Mushy Alert* not for the weak at heart. Do not look beyond this line if you don’t like those lovey dovey stuffz.


To my dearest:

What is love? Those who don’t like it call it responsibility
Those who play with it call it a game
Those who don’t have it call it a dream
Those who understand it call it destiny
And me? I call it you :)

I asked God for a Rose,
He gave me a garden
I asked God for a drop of water
He gave me an ocean
I asked God for a blessing

He gave me YOU:)

CNY is not over yet ...10 more days

According to legend, in ancient China, the Nián (年) was a man-eating beast from the mountains (in other versions from under the sea), which came out every 12 months somewhere close to winter to prey on humans. The people later believed that the Nian was sensitive to loud noises and the colour red, so they scared it away with explosions, fireworks and the liberal use of the colour red. These customs led to the first New Year celebrations. Guò nián (simplified Chinese: 过年; traditional Chinese: 過年), which means to celebrate the new year, literally means the passover of the Nian.

Well I manage to abstain from some of the new year goodies as I was leading worship last Sunday, and now that all the goodies are gone, I can continue to abstain from them till next year. Haha.

My bro and my beloved gf are away in India on mission. I’m glad that both of them had decided to go for TRACkers. Its evident that God is working in their lives and using them as instruments of His grace to the people around. I remember when I was in SERVE. People said that my face was glowing.

In the Old Testament (Numbers 6:24-26) we find this wonderful blessing, which most of us have heard:

The LORD bless you and keep you;
The LORD make His face to shine upon you and be gracious to you;
The LORD lift up His countenance upon you and give you peace.

Sounds abit like stardust. When the women glows when I don’t know what happens. But I guess that’s the true meaning of being a reflector and walking in and with the Lord. To be radiating God’s Glory.

Missions, people often say, nahz you can do much. You’re only there for like a week or so. How much can your change? How much of an impact or help can you be to the people there?

Missions to me, is an experience that can be describe using this wonderful song:

Open the eyes of my heart - by paul baloche

open the eyes of my heart Lord
open the eyes of my heart
i want to see You
i want to see You

to see You high and lifted up
shining in the light of Your glory
pour out Your power and love
as we sing holy, holy, holy


To everyone going on a mission trip or is already on the mission field, here is a passage which a pastor gave me when i was going on my first trip. May it bless you and keep you.

Isaiah 55:10-13

As the rain and the snow
come down from heaven,
and do not return to it
without watering the earth
and making it bud and flourish,
so that it yields seed for the sower and bread for the eater,

so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
It will not return to me empty,
but will accomplish what I desire
and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.

You will go out in joy
and be led forth in peace;
the mountains and hills
will burst into song before you,
and all the trees of the field
will clap their hands.

Instead of the thornbush will grow the pine tree,
and instead of briers the myrtle will grow.
This will be for the LORD's renown,
for an everlasting sign,
which will not be destroyed.

EXP GOD

Yesterday's youth ministry was on Chinese Customs and Traditions, particularly the upcoming Lunar New Year. I was enlightened by the various meanings of the different symbols of the new year and also how they originated. Well, we were reminded to keep a Christ-like perspective when it comes to the new year. New clothes represents being born again, the old is gone. Once we were yet sinners, now we are victorious in Christ.

The color Red represents the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ while the giving of oranges and red packets symbolises blessings.

We were reminded to God's ambassadors of peace, hope and love to our families and friends. To be friendly always and be different. I challenge my group to do away with their usual CNY routines and make the extra effort to approach an older family member or just to take care of their younger cousins or nieces nephews. Its really encouraging to see this bunch of sec 1 youths willingness to learn. And i pray that God will indeed work mightily in their lives and be real to them.

I just went with eugene to get our small group materials. Its called Experiencing God : Knowing and Doing the Will of God. The book is very comprehensive and intensive bible study material. I pray that this will be a challenge to the younger ones as well as a challenge to us leaders, to increase our level of commitment and desire to learn more about God's word and plan for us.