Akuou

9May prayer sharing

2009-05-12T00:06:00.004+08:00

Hello everyone!

The 6 of us going to Thailand gathered to pray on Saturday, and we recorded down the visions and messages we heard from God. We're gonna keep track of these things on this akuou blog so we can look back and reflect on God's guidance! :)

On the general message of unity:

A picture of a jigsaw puzzle which has gaps and where the pieces never fit together. But in God's love, as we orientate the jigsaw pieces in the correct direction, the jigsaw paints a picture of God's love.

Also, a vision of different fruits and vegetables (e.g. grapes, potatoes, etc) being peeled layer by layer until the interior is the same for all the fruits and vegetables.

1 Corinthian 12, "one body, many parts".

On love:

To bring God's love there... it's like a big, deep chasm, and what we can do is to at least fill up one part of the chasm with God's love.

A man with open arms looking like he's extending an invitation, with little kids happily jumping around.

Other visions:

God's glory? - There was an endless large field, with a bird pecking at the ground close by. The weather then changed, with lightning streaking across the sky, but the bird still continued pecking at the ground, unaffected. Then the skies cleared and there was a kite flying in the purple sky.

Expecting something unexpected.

Reminder of joy. To relax and be yourself.

Prayer Meeting - 3 April 2009

2009-04-06T23:03:00.002+08:00

Abby
- pls pray for her as she is going to apply for MMS position for Admin manager cum Personal Assistant (hasn't written resumes before)

Chris
- pls pray for sanity, rest & wisdom as her current project is taking a toll on her

Denise
- pls pray for her as she studies as she is quite stressed at times by the competition around her, recently completed her 1st moots last Saturday

Haoguang
- his grandpa passed away due to old age in Canada
- pls pray for his grieving grandma and family back in Canada

Jason
- finding it hard to teach his Express class as they are not used to failure & very grade-conscious (not resilient)
- pls pray that he will continue to pray & read the Word consistently as he has recently become more disciplined as he exercises regularly

Jean
- pls pray that she can find God in a multiple of issues

Joel Lam
- pls pray that he will be able to understand one of his modules (Feedback Control) as he still has trouble understanding it

Jolyn
- frustrations in designing for her Campus Crusade comm camp due to numerous changes from comm members
- taught for the whole of last week & observed little details from the primary school teachers with whom she worked with last week
- her brother quit church recently
- burden for her Sec 2 sg and family
- pls pray that she will be disciplined to pray for them

Lance
- pls pray that he can manage his time well and be ready for Good Friday & Easter

Tengyu
- very busy and tiring in full-time min as a SYFC grad servant
- one of the girls attending a evangelistic BS led by a fellow grad servant is interested to know God
- pls pray for strength and providence from God as he leads

Viona
- quite drained from the long work hrs
- pls pray that she will guard her time with God & how she & Edwin can reach out to their family & friends during their wedding in Nov/Dec (sermon & speaker)

Wanlin
- thanksgiving to God for bringing her thru the week smoothly as she really thought she wouldn't get thru (never been so busy before), she participated in the recent SAJC praise & worship nite
- pls pray for her studies as exams are less than 1 month, for gd time mgt & revision & that she'll stick close to God

Venting - Lysa TerKeurst

2009-03-22T22:20:00.002+08:00

I am recently reminded again by this article... To remain calm in all situations & to remember that I need to hold back all my feelings..

"A fool vents all his feelings, but a wise man holds them back." Proverbs 29:11 (NKJV)

Devotion:
Yesterday, I was just mindlessly looking out the window of an airport watching a few seagulls dart about overhead while airline workers were busy loading bags. Nothing about the scene outside the airport window spoke of danger. But then suddenly I remembered the flight from New York just a few weeks ago that was brought down by a few geese. That seagull that faded into the background just moments before became a point of extreme interest to me. What if?

It's amazing if you stop to think about it that a huge airplane could be brought down by just a few birds. Birds. Who would have thought? It makes me think about other seemingly small things that can cause great destruction as well ... especially when it comes to my marriage.

Words vented in frustration can seem so small.

Slightly disrespectful attitudes can seem so small.

Complaining about lack of finances can seem so small.

Brushing off his desires can seem so small.

Making mental lists of things you wish were different about him can seem so small.

But each one of these seemingly small things can so easily and tragically wedge itself into the core of a marriage and send it screaming toward destruction. Entire families have been ripped apart by things that once seemed so small.

Listen to the heartbreak in this note that was anonymously posted on my blog the other day:

"Girls...I know this seems small...but, it's really not. Take it from someone who has blown it more times in marriage than not. Now I have blown it enough to make myself a single mom. It's too late for me. But, it's not for you. Please be aware of the little things. I wouldn't have you join me for anything in the world. Be on your guard and protect your marriage." - Anonymous

I am challenged by this. I can't just mindlessly assume that my marriage is coasting along okay and that little problems can't topple even the most seemingly stable of legacies. I can't get complacent. I can't get prideful. I can't get lazy. I can't take the gift of my marriage for granted.

I have a great marriage but sometimes I slip into automatic and stop getting as intentional as I should about investing richly and deeply into our relationship. So, I've decided to declare this my get intentional week. Today I'll focus on my words. I'm praying for God to interrupt my mouth at every turn today. I am going to hold my tongue against saying anything careless. I am going to intentionally use my words as gifts to my husband today and nothing else.

Not that one day of doing this can protect my marriage forever - but it sure is a good start. Care to join me? Oh you know there will be challenges ahead sweet sister, but I'm up for it. What about you?

Dear Lord, help me to realize that with each word I speak, I am making the choice to bless or to curse. Please help me to speak words that are pleasing to You - even when my emotions run high and my feelings beg me to betray this commitment. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Identify the areas of your marriage you may be struggling with -- complacency, pride, laziness. Look up verses in God's Word that address each.

Spend intentional time in prayer this week for your marriage and your husband.

Reflections:
What have I said recently to my spouse that seemed so small initially?

What have I done recently to my spouse that seemed so small initially?

What have I thought recently about my spouse that seemed so small initially?

Power Verses:
Proverbs 15:1, A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger." (NIV)

Psalm 19:14, "May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing in your sight, O LORD, my Rock and my Redeemer." (NIV)

Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (NIV)

Prayer List - March

2009-03-22T22:10:00.002+08:00

Abby:
- happy not doing too much work, able to take a break
- pray for God's providence as she has financial commitments despite a big pay cut

Gladwin:
- in transition phase for sg, work -> study
- pray for patience in marriage prep & honoring God through it
- pray that Rachel may be able to settle well in his family home and in marriage
- working on finding a christian community where he feels deeply plugged in

Haoguang:
- building sandcastles part-time job Jason:
- classroom mgt (in area of discipline)

Joel Lau:
- he is applying for architecture studies at NUS this weekend

Joel Lam:
- likes to ponder deeply about things alone
- often struggles in relating to the group
- due to past hurtful incidents with others, has become more guarded (how to be more assertive)
- thank God for getting through his papers
- pray for better communication between him & project mates (who are indirect and have different working styles from him)
- pray that he will meditate on God's word

Jolyn:
- relief teaching at Ahmad Ibrahim
- Campus Crusade commitment
- need for God's direction

Lance & Elaine:
- pray for good health for Elaine as she is sick
- pray that he may be able to complete tasks at school within given time esp setting of maths paper
- thank God that his students are good so far and he enjoys teaching them, has lots of admin in school which leaves him with little time for rest

Rachel:- pray that Gladwin's dad will come for the church wedding and smooth wedding prep- considering a career change from counselling e..g. museum work

Shashi & Jean:
- pray for intimate relationship with God and each other- pray for a less busy schedule
- pray for good weather and God's blessing during Gladwin & Rachel's wedding

Tengyu:
- thanksgiving to God for getting his mum's approval in working at YFC (at least 4 mths) through her unhappiness about this was very mild
- pray for good time mgt at YFC as he is very busy
- wants to find out as he works in YFC where he is heading in terms of ministry work

Viona:
- been feeling very exhausted from much work
- pray that we will persevere in praying for the salvation of our family and friends

Wanlin:
- thank God for getting through mid-terms
- praying for right time to join home ministry with Navigators
- considering whether to major in sociology or psychology
- pray that she won't be distracted by the things of the world

Who Cares? by Hal Runkel, LMFT

2009-01-17T22:23:00.002+08:00

You do.

People tend to fall into two camps when it comes to relationships. Those who care too much about what others think and those who say they don't ... but still do.

The truth is, we all care deeply about people's responses to us. And we should. If a person truly didn't care what type of response their actions created, then they wouldn't be a cool cat worth admiring, they'd be a socio path worth fearing. The trick is to find some sort of balance. It's not easy, but it is possible ... sometimes. Let me give you an example.

A few years ago, I broke down and bought a basketball goal for our driveway. After five years of promises, and one year of my son's begging, I finally bit the bullet. I had no idea how much construction time this purchase would involve; but looking back, I'm glad that I got to spend nine wonderful building hours with my then 6-year-old son,Brandon. We examined the directions together, wrenched the bolts together, and even called each other "sir" the whole time. It was very cool.

We finished as dusk approached on Sunday night, so our playing daylight was limited. But, we did play. We celebrated accomplishing achieving our "goal" with several neighborhood kids, all shooting -- and mostly missing -- with exuberance. As I watched my son's pure joy, I reflected on our weekend together -- man, I loved just spending time with that kid. As I then stopped playing and began picking up all our tools, I realized that the least of what we had built that weekend was this basketball goal. I felt like I had given him a great gift.

That was when I felt the thud -- my adorable, maturing son had jus trifled his basketball at my head. "YOU SAID WE WOULD PLAY FOR A LONGTIME!!!" he whined through ungrateful tears.

How quickly the cherished moments can pass. I was, needless to say, angry. And hurt. Literally. This was not the response I wanted or the success story I envisioned. Even though I had done everything "right,"my son was not responding the way that I wanted him to. It's paradoxical. Whenever we need a particular reaction from our kids, it actually decreases the chances of getting it. The truth is, whenever we're more concerned about their response than our own, we come across as manipulative, controlling, and needy. And this actually serves as an invitation for them to defy us, just so they can retain their own individuality.

So here's the challenge!

It took everything in me to breathe deeply and pause before reacting. In that moment, I had to remind myself that Scream Free Parenting doesnot guarantee anything about our kids' responses. After all, it is not really about your kids' responses. It's about your own. So, I had to focus more on my behavior rather than my kid's to give myself the best chance to be the type of parent he really needed: A parent who can handle any outburst without taking it personally. One who can address misbehavior, not in an effort to control, but in an effort to influence.

It was really hard not to focus on his reaction and take it personally.To be honest, I was tempted to launch the ball right back at him and sentence him to a lifetime in his room ... without food or water!! Then I remembered that it was my job to keep my cool and teach him how tohandle his anger appropriately. Mirroring his immaturity back to him probably wouldn't do the trick.

Thankfully, I was able to calmly inform my son of the consequences, enforce them, and move on. My memory of the day is not about how he may have misbehaved, or how he didn't respond entirely as I may have wanted him to -- no, my fond, cherished memory was about our wonderful Sunday afternoon that we spent building something together.
And, as for my son, he got to taste the price of a lack of integrity. In caring more about getting the response he wanted -- me to play longer with him -- than about how he behaved, he experienced the consequence of losing his basketball for a week and watching his new goal go unused. Hopefully, I ended the day giving my son an even better gift than I intended. I gave him a dad who he could count on to keep his cool and stay in charge no matter what he throws my way.

So here's the challenge for all of us: to care deeply about people's responses to us, and yet to care more about our own responses to those responses. That's what it means to act with integrity. And I believe that's what creates great relationships.

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

It's been a long while since I last did this..

2009-01-10T23:30:00.002+08:00

Hi everyone!!

It's almost Jean's birthday! Jean, do you have any birthday wishes this yr? S That looks like a cake, don't u think? Blow the candles! (I can't find a font I like... ) Anyway Jean, yours is the 1st birthday I'm missing, I'll be missing lots more & missing u pple! Already do! I'll be going for svc tmr, hope to see some of u =D YEsterday was my last day at work, I just want to thank God for the 4 yrs in Hyflux & the friendships made there.

Oh yes, THANK U EVERYONE! For the lovely lovely scrapbk. I LOVE IT!!! Jolyn, the cover is beautiful! U know, this scrapbk is just like what I wld like to make for a friend. Receiving it from you all is like a perfect gift, and it was such a surprise. Good job Akuou! I completely had no idea.

Thanks Chris, for making blogging here easier. How unfortunate that I don't fancy the fonts.. I'm just being picky today. =D Love u sister!

Fresh Start in a New Year - Ben KC Lee

2009-01-07T00:20:00.003+08:00

What changes on the first day of the New Year besides the date? Does God have a direction for me in 2009? Let me share how you can have a Fresh Start in a New Year.

1. Change Your Focus - Stop Looking Behind
If you desire a fresh start, you can't dwell in the past. If you spend all our time looking over your shoulder at the past, you'll miss what God is doing today. Stop looking behind means two things.

Avoid allowing past failures to paralyse you. We all have painful experiences we need to put behind us. Sometimes you give your best shot and you still come up short. Study for a test and still fail. Work hard and still get retrenched. You may have had a financial failure, relational failure or a moral failure. We sinned. God tells us to be free of sin. Until we are free, we are stuck in the past.

This is the key. When we become God's, the old life is over. God makes things new. Christ said in Luke 4:18-19: "The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor."

Christ came to set you free - if you let Him. He's already done everything He needs to do. We can only benefit from what Christ did when we personally trust Christ. New life can't be inherited, it must be experienced. To stop looking behind also means:

Avoid depending on past victories to sustain you. Going forward we also need to deal the good and fun bits of our past. That was then but this is now. God's about to do something better.

You need a new miracle, a new victory for a new day. There is a second pointer for the New Year.

2. Clarify Your Purpose - Start Looking Ahead
A new start is possible because God has a future in store for us. God's done many good things but He didn't stop there. Be clear on God's purpose. God created us to love us and for us to know God. But we went our own way - so God's purpose is to reconcile humanity to Himself. God's working this out in new ways. Know God's purpose and flow with God. Start looking ahead means two specific things.

Look forward to the new things God has for you. God's doing something new in our midst if only we will open our eyes and ears, see and hear what He is doing. God has done a new thing even this morning. He has given you new breath. He has given us new mercies and compassions today. Looking ahead also means:

See possibilities as God sees them. This New Year can be a watershed year in your life. God will make a way when we think it is impossible. Let Him do a new thing in your heart, home, marriage, job, school or community. God's new journey for us will write a new story for our journey of faith.

Perhaps you made unwise choices in 2008. You can stop making wrong choices and start making right choices. You can say no to habits that have trapped you.

I encourage you to seek a new vision and interest in the things of God. Allow God to bring direction and correction into your life. God's in the business of renewing, reviving and restoring people. God has great plans for you. Look forward to your fresh start in 2009. Rejoice - God's with you and He's put you in His family.

Ben KC Lee is the Senior Pastor of Hope Church (Singapore) and Chairman of the Singapore Centre for Evangelism and Missions.

Prayer Meeting - 31 Oct 08

2008-11-01T21:55:00.003+08:00

Abby
- Thanksgiving
1) holiday in Europe
2) didn’t take cab to work for 3 days in a row
- Meeting potential employers for a chat coming Tue
- Pray for situation in office: boss not pleased with 2 employers, vice-versa. Pray for communication, peace.

Chris
- For good & peaceful sleep

Dalton
- Working at Salvation Army, thanksgiving: being paid for 2 days of the week while other days are for training.
- Thanksgiving for family, for sister Yvonne who pays for some meals =) aww..
- Lonely at times

Denise
- Pray for friend whom Denise invited for Annual Teach In camp (did I get the camp name right?).
- Friend interested in bible study. Camp from 7-13 Dec, pray for friend to go
- Thanksgiving: surprised Sam successfully for his birthday yesterday. (happy birthday Sam!!)

Haoguang
- Pray for family, for harmony

Huineng
- Grandma has passed away
- Thanksgiving for harmony in family (evident through the time spent at Grandma’s wake)
- Have been missing a lot of school à a lot of catching up to do & its not the season of deadlines

Jean
- Thanksgiving
1) Trip to melbourne for graduation (congratulations!!) was a good time, fun
2) Wanted mum to meet aunt (mum’s sis) who lives there and they had a good time, mum was happy
3) observed change in dad, made it easier for forgiveness. Jean wants to thank the small grp for praying.
4) thank God for taking care of clients while Jean was away
- Pray for patience towards colleague, vice-versa. Because of audit, proper records are required but not all colleagues see the necessity.

Joel Lam
- Pray for wisdom & strength for parents as they make the necessary arrangements with the contractors to renovate their new flat

Joel Lau
- ORDing soon; 1 more week of work, hoping to get part time job
- Yasmine, his current female YSG leader is leaving next year since Shaocai, her husband, will be pastoring in another church. -> pray for female helper in his YSG, be it from among the youths or a new leader

Jolyn
- Thanksgiving
1) for mum, for reconciliation after a quarrel (jolyn, u have the cutest mum!)
2) interesting subjects in new term (Topography & Italian)
3) for classmates, for a very fun & quirky group of close friends, & Christian schoolmates
– Crusade friends who are great encouragement.
- Burden for unsaved family (only bro, Dave, is a believer, hopes that bro will learn to study hard for God & be a testimony for God to parents).
-Burden for unsaved friends.

Kexin
- Thanksgiving for lessened workload
- Conflict between mum and bro-in-law in USA, sis stuck in the middle. Pray for communication, forgiveness, desire to reconcile

Lance
- Pray for Lance to continue to seek the Lord in every way

Sam
- Has an ulcer.

Shashi
- Thanksgiving for Jean to be back safe
- Pray for parents’ salvation. As he spent more time with them while Jean was away, he realized how they were into Hinduism
- Has a vision to do something big, meaning other things need to be sacrificed.

Tengyu
-Thanksgiving
1) wowed by God in many ways, God answered several prayers as he prayed for friends. Praying for opportunities to share the gospel with friends.
2) Mum & Bro watched “Facing the Giants”, he prayed for God to speak to them thru the show
- Burdened to share the gospel with a close group of friends but there are fears & worries. -> God spoke to Tengyu thru many ways: Saw the words “Go forth in the power of the Holy Spirit” on a tee-shirt while he was pondering about inviting them for My Hope Singapore, thru sermon & experiencing the Holy Spirit at YM last week. (the Lord is with you, bro.)
- Busy with many commitments -> school, FYP, projects, church, SG, Youths for Christ, part time work.
- Pray for rest.
- Pray for unsaved family, friends and relatives

Viona
- Thanksgiving
1) Dad is not upset anymore with Viona
2) thanksful for sister, closest to her at home
- Pray for Viona & sis to be better testimonies for parents
- Pray for parents who’ve not been on very gd terms

Wanlin
- To learn to honour God & love Him
- To do well in studies this semester, find ways to improve essays

Yvonne
- Busy wk
- Thanksgiving
1) For job in claims dept, gets to talk to people
2) For improvement in interview with SIA (wanna be an air-stewardess)
3) For getting along well with ex-boyfriend

Prayer Meeting - 19 Sep 08

2008-09-21T23:24:00.002+08:00

Dear Akuou,
We had a time of sharing and praying on the burdens & issues that God has impressed upon us last night. Abby, Jolyn & Yvonne, could u email us what you may have shared in your groups last night so we can also pray with u? Thanks!

For those who didn't get to share with us last night can also ask God to show u any burdens & issues that He might want u to pray about & u can share them with us too.

(Abby)
- Europe trip from 22 Sep to 13 Oct with Chris & Chris' friend

(Chris)
- Europe trip from 22 Sep to 13 Oct with Abby & Chris' friend
- pray for peace & wisdom when handling issues & for safety for them during the trip

(Dalton)
- his friends are currently too busy to talk to him

(Denise)
- pray for her Christian & non-Christian friends in law school:
- for the Christians to have the heart for God and seek Him for the salvation of non-Christian friends around them
- her exam papers are due on 23 Sep, 4th & 6th Oct, and one paper in school on 8 Oct
- pray for her papers/studies, for focus, understanding, wisdom and strength!
- she is stressed because she needs to do well to keep her scholarship but her first assignment got a bad grade -> pray for peace
- pray for obedience and to challenge herself to be a true disciple
- pray that she will really encounter God in her QTs and discipline in her own prayer life + in setting up prayer grps in sch
- pray for Sam to be transformed by God's Word, and to completely fall in love with Jesus!
- pray for them too that they'll obey God even if it means they have to separate

(Gladwin)
- thank God for recent purchase of wedding bands, a more affordable honeymoon package & efficient wedding planners
- pray for him as he speaks at the YM comm retreat today & at WSCS (30 Sept)
- pray for him to be more gentle with others as he tends to snap very fast when he is tired (has been tired since April)

(Haoguang)
- was reading on a book called "The Assault of Reason" which talked about how one man's fallacies can change the world e.g. wars, economic turmoil
- pray for upcoming US elections
- his non-Christian friends in camp know who Jesus is but are not interested to know Him personally -> hard to reach out- his camp friends who profess Christ but don't live out their faith

(Jason)
- pray for Kelly as she speaks on the end-times to his aunt's sg retreat on 26 Sep (his aunt's sg members are not deep in knowledge)
- pray for his friend, Daniel Leong, who has a 2nd relapse of bone cancer, that he will not be angry

(Joel Lam)
- pray that he may be able to catch up on his studies next week as he will be having his term break

(Joel Lau)
- pray for his heart which he finds is very hard, been struggling with things in his life, not very happy with it but doesn't feel he wants to change it either
- pray that he may know how to respond in an appropriate way to the current situation that churches are doing things, settling for mediocrity rather than living up to its calling

(Keng & Sarah)
- pray that she will learn how to juggle her time
- more commitments this year- one of her personal goals is to remain close to the Lord, and at the same time, focus on her new "family"
- pray that Keng and her will continue to grow closer to the Lord and to each other

(Lance & Elaine)
- pray that his relationship be good with colleagues (Shashi & Jean)
- pray for his faith & discipline
- pray for joy in everything she does

(Tengyu)
- pray for his non-believing family members (Mum & 2 brothers) & friends
- currently in his last semester which will end in Jan 2009 so he wants to share the gospel with his lunch clique, praying for opportunity to speak to each of them one on one (he is more comfortable with this)
- misunderstanding between him & a Christian brother

(Viona)
- pray that we as Christians will trust God & not the security of our earthly possessions in the wake of economic turmoil
- pray for unsaved relatives among our sg families cos we do not know how much time left we have with them to share the gospel

(Wanlin)
- pray for her school work which is piling & too much reading to do
- pray for Jingwen who is still in his room which is the report given when she asked about him
- pray for God's guidance so that she may live a life that pleases God

Thanks!:)iona

Prayer Meeting - 29 Aug 08

2008-09-01T23:37:00.002+08:00

[Abby]
- pray for her as she decides on how to leave her company on pleasant terms (her boss told her that he is folding the company although it's making $ cos he wants to pursue his own interests, she feels let down as she did her best to bring in more jobs for the company)
- pray for her as she considers her next course of direction

[Chris]
- pray for more rest

[Gladwin]
- thanksgiving for his scholarship interview which went well & gaining of momentum in his wedding prep
- pray for his coming YM comm retreat prep- pray for his relationship with God & Rachel
- pray for his grandpa who has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and undergoing chemo
- pray for his uncle who has been accompanying his grandpa daily as he is worn-out from the daily trips but Grandpa doesn't want other relatives to accompany him

[HuiNeng]
- pray for sound time management between school and CCA

[Jason]
- pray for patience with his job that he will be able to see more purpose in what he is doing

[Joel, Jason's friend who is currently serving NS]
- pray for more rest [Jolyn]
- pray that she will trust God and to surrender

[Kelly]
- pray that she will be disciplined to study the Word consistently

[Keng & Sarah]
- pray for Sarah as she is still waiting for her visa to be approved to return to the US
- pray for Keng as he flies back to US today at 4pm and as he starts his new job

[Kexin]
- pray for wisdom to manage her time at work with the increasing workload
- pray for enough rest so that she won't be cranky

[Lance]
- thankgiving for end of 3rd semester
- pray for him as he leads his CCA ministry, WayFarers, as his more-experienced colleague is leaving by end of this year as her term with the school ends
- pray that he may be able to cope well with workload and going for sg

[Shashi & Jean]
- pray for Jean's health as her fever keeps coming back intermittently
- pray for Shashi to experience growth in faith
- thanksgiving for their car
- pray that they will trust God for providence and wisdom in managing finances as with the car, their expenses are likely to exceed their income

[TengYu]
- pray that after his YFC camp he will be able to emerge a stronger Christian with a closer walk with God

[Viona]
- thanksgiving for God's providence in opening a suitable marriage prep course from ETW ministry
- pray that she will guard her time with God despite the workload

[Wanlin]
- pray for time management in her numerous readings for her studies
- pray that she may be focused in her prayer times
- thanksgiving for friends in each of her classes
- pray for her friend Jingwen as he struggles with his purpose in life and their breakup

[Yvonne]
- pray that she will trust God for future relationship
- pray for God's guidance in course selection as she is considering furthering her studies

Prayer Meeting - 21 June 08

2008-06-25T21:50:00.003+08:00

[Abby]
- Pray that she will deal with the disappointments in her job and her boss with the Lord

[Chris]
- Pray for a smooth week ahead as she foresees she may have quite a bad week at work
- Pray for complete recovery from her illness

[Denise]
- Pray for recovery from her illness

[Haoguang]
- Pray for endurance as he marches for NDP because it's very tiring and he cannot come out on Saturdays so it's very disheartening

[Huineng]
- Thanksgiving for her new clinic assistant job
- pray for a safe trip to KL (3days)
- Pray that she will not make mistakes at work and also for her colleagues who comment alot about others
- Pray that she will curb her spending habits
- Pray for her as she takes on the role of pool treasurer as her pool superior is not an easy person to work with

[Jason]
- Pray for him to be able to find favour with his new superiors
- Pray for him that the systems he had revamped & put in place wont have to be changed when his new superiors take charge

[Joel]
- Pray for a peaceful resolution in his relationship with Deborah as they are currently in a cooling-off period and are receiving counselling from Deborah's church
- Pray for his grandmother who was hospitalised for bowel pain

[Jolyn]
- Pray that she may be able to complete and have inspiration for all her assignments

[Kelly]
- Pray for discipline to do the many things that she wants to do
- Pray for her as she desires to teach about the end times to the churches in Indonesia and is preparing the BS lessons

[Keng & Sarah]
- Keng and I will be back in SG on friday. Please pray for journey mercy. We'll be on the plane for 17 hours (direct from new york) minus the flights from boston to new yrork
- Pray that we'll stay warm, and be able to sleep well on the planes.
- Sarah's having a sore throat. Thank God that keng's roommate had medicated lozenges.
- Please pray for wisdom as we do our wedding plans and the seating arrangements on the way back. Pray that we will be sensitive to the Holy Spirit's guidance to sit the "right" people together.
- Pray for peace at home, esp when we've been away so long - it can be rather conflicting with our parents at times when we have different ideas and opinions. Please pray for wisdom on how to handle our folks when conflicts arise.

[Kexin]
- Pray for her as she is applying to Australian schools and is looking for a job as a patient services clerk
- Pray that she will continue to surrender all situations and still give her best in her current job
- Pray that she may be able to spend quality time with her parents before they leave for USA for 6 mths on 6 Jul
- She will be bringing her friend from YM (Iris) to our sg in the near future as she is looking around for a sg
[Updates from Kexin]
- Thanksgiving with her MCAT results : did well for the science sections, but kind of disappointed with the writing & compre components
- Thank God for teaching her about surrender. Guess the lesson is best learnt and internalized when she held something so dearly. This strong desire for her dream made her realise how much more she can desire for God, to love Him & follow Him

[Lance & Elaine]
- Pray that they may be able to cope well with work and marriage
- Pray for good health
[Updates from Lance]
- He have been going through rough patches (after his marriage, new role being a hubby, new working environment).
- At times, he wondered why God places him in His school (Geylang Methodist School (Pri)). A few times, he almost gave up teaching. Pray for prayers to tide through the rough patches

[Teng Yu] (he was introduced to our sg by Kelly and joined us for the 1st time and is currently studying at Republic Poly in his 3rd & final year)
- Pray for strength, discernment and time management to handle his final year projects, tests and his commitments (church, BSF, YFC, work)

[Viona]
- Pray for God's wisdom and strength to handover all her projects by end-Jun
- Pray that she will seek the Lord on what to focus on after she leaves her job in end-Jun

[Wanlin]
- Pray that she will get well soon as she fell quite sick during her mission trip
- Pray that God will lead and guide her & Jingwen in their relationship

[Winnie]
- Due to the many major transitions she went through since Jan (marriage, shifting home, change of church, new CG, change of my NP ministry team members etc.) -- the accumulation of all these transitions coupled with the fast pace of ministry, she found myself spiritually lost, dry and emotionally unsettled (coz, of all the changes--). She sense God leading her to seek Him and rest in Him and center-down in Him once again. She had been struggling with quite a lot of spiritual warfare this season with negative thoughts and she know she must stand firm in this spiritual battle. She spoke to her Crusade leaders and they advised her to take some time-off, so that she can have the space to process her thoughts, seek God and find back her center in Christ. This week was really the hardest-hit, and God really has led her to take time to let Him restore her. As she shared with her leaders, staff and students for prayer coverage, I sense God putting back in a sense of hope, faith and love & yes! Joy ;) (Just a few days ago, the darkness was so dark that she thought she had lost all of it, thank God for His faithfulness!)
- She had received approval from her leaders to take time in the coming week to really come away from ministry matters and seek God. She just want to assure all that she really desire to work on all these issues and return back to serve in ministry with refreshed spirit, renewed vision, recharged energy & lead God's people according to God's ways. As her NP ministry season is moving into a Breakthrough prayer season this term, she sense God wanting her to model it as a leader and then come back to share what she had learnt from Him through it all.

[Yvonne]
- Pray for time management in her work (needs to remember many products and is involved in a project) and her commitment in Children's min
- Pray that she may have a strong belief in financial planning (helping the people she meets up with) rather than wanting to just close a deal
- She is currently dating a guy who is training to be an air steward

Prayer Meeting - 17 May 08

2008-05-21T00:31:00.004+08:00

[Abby]
- Thank God that my boss is increasing my pay due to the inflation issue from July onwards. It's not that much but it'll still help!
- Pray that I'll be diligent to save money for my Europe trip! Need lotsa lotsa cash....but saving plan is poor!! Argh!
- Continue to pray that God will guide me to where I can fulfill my destiny. What is it exactly? No idea as yet, that's why need prayer.

[Chris]
- Pray for strength & rest, both mentally & physically.
- Thanksgiving : unexpectedly to be awarded MVP award among the regional best people who had made outstanding contribution to the company during the past 3 months

[Jolyn]
- Pray for wisdom as she wants to redo her upcoming assignment submission due tomorrow, quite stressed by it and don't have much time as she's only returning to Singapore this evening from KL after visiting her dad

[Keng & Sarah]
- Both of us have been very busy, Keng especially. We'll be back in Singapore 27 June in preparation for our wedding on 6 July. Keng is finishing up his masters' thesis and is very tired and stressed out over all the experiments he has to run alongside writing the paper.
- Please pray esp. that he will get enough rest (he has been sleeping at 4-8am and waking up 5-6hours later!). Also, that he will continue to get inspiration and wisdom from God to finish up. His thesis deadline is 23 May and he is struggling to get the writing done. =( PRAY!! We managed to get more wedding preps completed.
- Please pray that we will continue to find joy with the Lord, and with each other as we do a little more each day! - We also want to thank the Lord for all the friends that He has blessed us with, who have been or are helping us tremendously!
- Please pray for our relationship with Keng's parents. It was recently strained with his mum over a couple of things.
- Please continue to keep our wedding reception and actual wedding day in prayers. We are praying that through our wedding, we can reach out to those who have not known the Lord, and also for Keng's parents to be mutually tolerant (& respectful) towards each other.
- Please pray for wisdom as to how we should seat our guests.

----> Updates from Kah Keng : Just happy news to report, I'm done with my thesis!!! Thanks a lot for praying for me... God really gave me the strength. I didn't sleep for two consecutive nights before the deadline, and then got an extension of 4 days, during which I again had no time to sleep for the last two nights. But God prevented me from falling sick and helped me to finish everything! Great is His love and power. =)Will see you soon next month. Am praying for you guys too!

[Kexin]
- Thanksgiving for answered prayers in many aspects- Went to Benny Ho's seminar "Soul winning made simple", have commited to pray for family esp parents for a mth & share e gospel w them after that
- Bro's wedding banquet on 1 June. Sis-in-law's parents are coming over from Beijing coming Thu (22May). There're cultural differences, there's been some misunderstandings & unmet expectations, pls pray for understanding fr both families & gd communication, patience & love among us all. These few mths have been stressful for my bro & sis-in-law.. I'm so proud of them to have handled it all so well! =)
- MCAT: thanks Jason, for suggesting resources for improving my essays =) time contrains during the test is the gr8est hurdle for me now, pls pray 4 time management & efficient test practices this last wk.
- Pray for her as she takes the MCAT exam on 27 May 2008 at 12pm (5 hours in one seating!)
- praying abt joining CCC's crisis relief team to Chengdu in June. Told my parents abt it last night & they're not too keen on the idea. heh.. i've emailed CCC & waiting for their reply with more info, hopefully that'll help to alleviate my parents' fears.

[Shashi & Jean]
- Thanksgiving in getting a good price for their car
- Pray for Shashi’s final decision to take up new post
- Pray for their relationship
- Pray for Jean’s final essay due on 30 May 2008

[Viona]- Pray for wisdom in managing time for handing over my projects to colleagues and completing all required tasks before i leave my job at the end of May
- Pray for wisdom as she & Edwin look around for a suitable marriage preparation course to take

[Yvonne]
- Pray for her health as her voice has yet to recover completely
- Pray for wisdom and discernment for her company’s 30working hours requirements -> feeling the strain (working hrs only counted if seeing clients and any other form of prospecting. travelling time, training and financial proposal planning not counted)

Prayer Meeting - 05 Apr 08

2008-04-19T00:10:00.002+08:00

[Abby]
- may her behaviour & words through the hardness & reality of life, show others that she is not a hypocrite or going all out to please them but will glorify God for who she really is

[Andrew]
- may he be able to rest properly at night cos have sleeping problems

[Chris]
- may she draw strength physically & mentally from God in her busy work schedule

[Haoguang]
- thanskgiving for a week's rest & catching up with friends after his Thailand training
- may God strengthen him as he has to report for training during the upcoming public holiday and is unable to go for sg retreat

[Huineng]
- may God grant her understanding as she studies

[Jason]
- may God grant him strength & wisdom as he fights fire daily at work

[Kelly]
- may she draw strength from God as she works long hours at school and spend time with Him at night instead of knocking out
- may she have the discipline & perseverance to continue studying His Word intensively
- thanksgiving that her niece has recovered from high fever and has returned to Indonesia

[Kexin]
- may she have the discipline & management of time as she studies
- may she draw wisdom from God on how to lead her YM youths- her MCAT exams start on 27 May

[Lance]
- may God grant him good time management & wisdom on ways to maximise his effort & time at work
- overwhelmed with many school duties & marking with many deadlines
- he wants to go for service and sg but finds it hard because of tonnes of uncleared workload

[Sarah & Keng]
- may Keng draw wisdom from God for his master's thesis due in May
- may Keng draw on God's wisdom & guidance as he chooses between 2 job offers
- may Sarah's working visa be approved by the school
- may they draw on God's wisdom on how to deal with their parents in the issue of wedding preps, for time management & discipline to do the preps- may all their wedding prep decisions glorify God

[Shashi & Jean]
- may God grant them good health as they both are caught in a busy period at work

[Wanlin]
- may she be able to find work soon as her mum wants her to do so
- may she draw wisdom from God on how to lead her YM sg for 2 weeks when her leader is away

[Viona]
- may she have the discipline to spend time with God daily as she works long hours to clear her outstanding projects
- may she draw wisdom from God as she plans her next job direction & also whether she should take up her company's offer to stay on & take up a part-time position for the time-being till they find a replacement

Prayer Meeting - 01 Mar 08

2008-03-04T19:20:00.003+08:00

[Abby]
- thank God for her work, that it is picking up!

[Andrew]
- pray for His mid-term exams for the coming week

[Chris]
- pray for good health
- pray for a smooth planning for her Europe trip in end-Sep with Abby & Chris' friend, Yanti

[Gladwin]
- pray that he may be able to realign his work focus: how to move the ministry forward rather than fight the fire
- pray that the ministry may be able to find a suitable project coordinator soon
- pray for him as he organises the upcoming family camp
- thank God that his parents are now more accepting of his ministry
- he will be settling down in March next year!

[Haoguang]
- pray for him as he leaves for Thailand today at 5pm and will not be back till end of March
- pray for him that he may survive the 1-month training

[Huineng]
- pray that she may be able to cope with her upcoming mid-terms
- pray for discipline to go through her work

[Jason]
- his life in the army is rather monotonous

[Jean]
- pray for the people around her, attended funerals of 7 elderly friends since this new year
- pray for her grandparents' emotional health as they are affected by their friends' deaths
- pray also for Yasmine's grandpa who has suspected cancer
- thank God for the completion of most of her studies requirements (essays & exams), she has just 1 more essay to go before her graduation!
- pray for her workplace as many colleagues are leaving because of her boss

[Joel]
- pray for his tests for the coming week

[Kelly]
- pray for her as she is recovering from illness, still experiencing slight pain in her back and abdomen

[Kexin]
- pray for her & Matthew emotionally as they just broke up, both of them are still serving in YM
- pray for her work as she is converting to part-time to prepare for MCAT exams in May
- pray for her career switch where she will either study locally or overseas as God opens the door of opportunities to train as a doctor or nurse

[Lance]
- pray for his backache

[Sarah]
- Weather has been cold and she is coughing.
- Pray for her roommates are also falling sick one after another.

[Viona]
- pray for her as she or her sister (if Viona cannot go because now coming down with sore throat & cold) will be staying at her grandma's place for 1 week starting this Wednesday as their parents will be away overseas
- pray for her as she just tendered her resignation and is considering the available job options with God

[Wanlin]
- pray that she may be a good steward over her time and whatever God has given her
- pray that God will show and guide her to do what He wants

[Yvonne]
- pray for her as she is currently in a job transition and is tired after working full-speed for 2 weeks

Prayer Meeting - 02 Feb 08

2008-02-10T23:06:00.001+08:00

*Abby*
- glad that she is busier as business is picking up -> upcoming exhibition & more assignments (her boss is giving the company till June 2008 to see if it can pay for itself finally)
- saving up for her Europe trip in October with Chris & Chris' friend

*Andrew*
- pray for him to continue to cling on to the Lord's faithfulness despite the many struggles & challenges he faces as he studies in Singapore alone from his family who are living in Indonesia

*Chris *
- she is sleeping better
- pray for the persecuted churches for relief upon the faithful believers that they will remain faithful

*HaoGuang*
- mentally & physically tired from his 2 back-to-back missions last week- thankful for the break on CNY 1st & 2nd day
- pray for his upcoming overseas training in Thailand for the whole month of March as he is rather scared about it (it's like a final year exam & the weather can be very hot -> causing people to collapse during training)

Jason*
- his high blood pressure may mean less stress at work (a blessing in disguise)
- pray for better communication with his mum, wisdom & patience

*Jolyn*
- pray for her upcoming mission trip to Thailand, Chiangmai

*Kelly*
- loves CNY because she can clear her house of ununsed stuff- her life is a fast-paced monotony but she is contented with her simple life
- this year being her sabbath & educational year, she will be taking time to read up more of things that she has been wanting to do so
- will be heading a group of students for a project competition which will take her back to NUS & NTU for research
- her maid who has been sick is fearful for her health

*Sarah*
- pray for her for wisdom as she deals with the recent challenge at school involving her student who was injured and is in hospital
- pray for her & Keng as they have been asked to lead BS in a mature grouprecently at short notice

*Kexin*
- pray for her to continue to wait on God for her family's salvation
- pray for her to keep up with studying for the MCATs (for God's help as she manages her time & study to put God first in everything & to be a better girlfriend)

*Viona*
- thank God for His grace upon her grandpa who has been discharged from hospital on saturday(Thank you Akuou for keeping my grandpa in prayer)
- pray for opportunities to reach to her grandpa (he usually sleeps for most part of the day), for preparing of his heart to be open to the gospel
- pray for her grandma who is helping to care for her grandpa as she is also old & doesn't know Jesus

*Wanlin*
- thank God for His blessings in her recent mission trip fund-raising at Wesley as she managed to raise enough
- pray for her walk with God to be much closer as it hasn't been good & she wants to breakthrough this
- pray for preparation in her & Jolyn's upcoming mission trips to Cambodia (10 Feb - 21 Feb) & Thailand respectively

*Yvonne*
- pray fo her brother Dalton

Becoming a Patient Woman By Rachel Olsen

2008-01-27T23:18:00.000+08:00

I had been a little impatient these days due to building up pressure to bring some measurements down. All because someone else is not doing their job. Sometimes it makes me wonder why should I try so hard to do an even better job when others thought that I should be doing it and is part of my job. I have to work so extra hard so that someone else can continue with their irresponsibilities. But I guess, God has a reason for it - He wants me to learn to be even more patient. So can you, brother and sisters. =D

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Becoming a Patient Woman By Rachel Olsen

"We also pray that you will be strengthened with his glorious power so that you will have all the patience and endurance you need." Colossians 1:11

Devotion:
In a heart that values instant gratification like mine does, patience seems hard to come by.

In the last several weeks I've raced through a yellow light because I didn't want to wait at a red light. I've looked up my symptoms on the internet because I didn't want to sit in a doctor's waiting room. I've paid extra for an item off the internet because I didn't want to stand in line at the store. I've also eaten dessert first, because I didn't want to wait until it was "time" for dessert. (I think anytime is a good time for dessert!)
Though I can't recall a specific instance, odds are high that I lost my patience at some point and fussed at my kids.

We want stuff and we want it now. We want results and we want them now. Yet the Bible repeatedly says that patience should be a way of life for followers of Christ.

God is love and patience is part of His character. For you and I to love like God loves, patience will be required (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Loving as God loves is the ultimate goal as we walk through this life seeking to please God and become like Him.

Patience could be defined as the ability to endure graciously. We all have to deal at times with people or circumstances that try our composure -- an ungrateful child, an inattentive waitress, a slow moving line at the cash register, a rude boss, a spouse taking our hard work around the house for granted. How graciously do we behave in these circumstances?

The Bible says God will be faithful to complete the good works He began in us (Philippians 1:6). That implies there's going to be some "in the meantime" when we're all less than perfect and less than easy to love. This is where patience comes in. The apostle Paul instructs us to "walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, eager to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace" (Ephessians 4:1-3).

We also have to exercise patience towards God as we wait for His full plan to unfold.

At times we must wait for answers to prayers, for deliverance, for provision, or for Him to dispense justice or reveal His will. We really have no choice but to wait in these circumstances, but a woman developing patience will endure the wait graciously. It helps to remember how very patient God has to be with us on a daily basis (1 Timothy 1:16, 2 Peter 3:8-9).

Exercising patience isn't just an exercise of the human will. The kind of patience Paul is talking about is a fruit of the Spirit developed in a woman's soul in tandem with God. It's a virtue that grows from her confidence in the sovereignty of God and His ability to bring all things to completion, in His timing, in a way that benefits His children and glorifies Him.

This patience thing may take some time to develop, but I've decided to graciously endure the process. I started today by stopping, like I should, and waiting at a yellow light I'm certain I could've made it through safely. As I sat at the intersection, I thought about God and about developing patience. The light turned green a mere minute later, and I went on my way with a smile on my face, happy to be a woman who is embracing patience ... even if starting in a very small way.

Dear Lord, thank You for being so very patient with me. Help me to develop patience, and display that quality for Your glory. In Jesus' Name, Amen

Application Steps:
Pray for patience daily.

Keep the word "patience" in the forefront of your mind today and look for opportunities to be more patient.

Reflections:
Who in my life can benefit from me extending them more patience?

How would becoming more patient change my day, my outlook, my health, or my relationships?

Is my patience stronger than my temper? Or stronger than my longings?

Power Verses:
"Patience can persuade a prince, and soft speech can crush strong opposition." Proverbs 25:15

"Finishing is better than starting. Patience is better than pride." Ecclesiastes 7:8

"May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other -- each with the attitude of Christ Jesus toward the other." Romans 15:15

I Want You

2008-01-20T08:38:00.001+08:00

1Peter 1:18-19

2008-01-19T23:27:00.000+08:00

Came across this in one of the daily devotional newsletters.. Isn't it apt as we had done our first bible study overview of 1 Peter? =)

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VERSE:
For you know that it was not with perishable things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life handed down to you from your forefathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. -- 1 Peter 1:18-19

THOUGHT:
A: "How much did it cost?" B: "What? This old thing? This sack of bones and blood and brain? This heart and mind and soul that live inside?" A: "Yeah! How much did it cost?" B: "It cost the greatest gift of heaven to redeem it and make me whole. That's how much God thinks of me. Incredible, isn't it?!"

PRAYER:
Father, I am bewildered, humbled, and thrilled to know that youvalue me so highly. Forgive me for cheapening myself with sin, fordwelling on things that are petty, and for chasing after things that are worthless. Thank you for loving me so. By your Spirit, please help me live up to the value you see in me and aspire to the lofty life you call me to live. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

A Foundation of Joy - Zoe Elmore

2008-01-09T20:43:00.000+08:00

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds." James 1:2

Devotion:

I've struggled with dyslexia and ADD since childhood, and for the most part I don't allow myself to dwell in the land of defeat and discouragement as I try to concentrate and focus on my home and work responsibilities. However, one day last week everything I attempted was either backward or forgotten about altogether. That may not seem too distressing, but with three part time jobs its imperative I stay on task and do things correctly. It was a day of total frustration and embarrassment; the kind of day you pray that the floor will open up and swallow you whole. I left my office discouraged and defeated, wanting nothing more than to put this day and myself to bed.

After dinner I put on my pajamas, slid under the covers, and settled in for a little bedtime reading. I came across the most interesting story on Thomas Edison, a story that helped put an end to my pity-party. It reminded me that trying times are a normal part of this life, and they present an opportunity to strengthen my foundation of joy.

Thomas Edison invented over one thousand things in addition to the phonograph he is famous for. As amazing as his inventions are, I was particularly interested to discover that this man of genius and invention struggled with dyslexia. Despite this, he found ways to learn from his failures.

Did you know that in 1914 his laboratory caught fire and burned to the ground while eight fire companies watched helplessly? The next morning as he looked at the remaining rubble, Edison said, "There is great value in disaster. All our mistakes are burned up. Thank God we can start anew." What an incredible attitude! This man was able to see beyond the disaster before his very eyes to the potential ahead.

His words pierced me like a knife, as I thought about my defeated and discouraged attitude of the day. Where I had lost one day's work through a computer glitch, this man had lost a lifetime of inventions. Where I had chosen to see the remaining rubble of the day, this man chose to see the future that awaited him. When I longed to hide under the covers, this man took joy in the good that would come about from his loss. Thomas Edison's statement sums up the truth about spiritual growth perfectly: trials are the foundation of joy for spiritual maturity. We grow spiritually only from and through the trials that arrive on our doorstep.

If you're feeling frustrated, defeated and discouraged by the trials in your life today, I want to encourage you to look beyond the rubble to what lies ahead. It can be difficult to face our trials with the kind of spirit that sees great value in disaster, but that's what the Lord expects from us if we are to be women who walk on their foundation of joy. Here is a poem that reflects this attitude so well. While the author is unknown, the poet obviously knows the formula for the foundation of joy.

It's sometimes very difficult
for us to understand
the wisdom and the love behind
the things that God has planned.

But we wouldn't have the rainbow
If we didn't have the rain;
We wouldn't know the pleasure
If we never tasted pain.

We wouldn't love the sunrise
If we hadn't felt the night;
And we wouldn't know our weakness
If we hadn't sensed God's might.

We couldn't have the springtime
or the yellow daffodil
if we hadn't experienced
the winter's frosty chill.

And though the brilliant sunshine
is something God has made.
He knew too much could parch our souls
so He created shade.

So God's given us a balance:
Enough joys to keep us glad,
Enough tears to keep us humble,
Enough good to balance bad.

And if you'll trust in Him you'll see
Though yesterday brought sorrow,
The clouds will part and dawn will bring
A happier tomorrow.

Dear Lord, You are good and everything You bring into my life is for my good and Your glory. I thank You for burning away my mistakes and providing an opportunity to start anew each day, just as Your mercies are new each morning. Help me to see beyond the rubble and to You for the lessons necessary to grow my faith. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:

Ask the Lord to reveal the lessons necessary to grow your faith. Write them in your journal.

Record your spiritual growth on a spiritual doorpost, just like you record your child's physical growth on a physical doorpost.

Reflections:

What rubble is holding you back? What keeps you from displaying a mature spirit?

Why are you focused on the rubble and not the revelation the Lord longs to share with you?

Power Verses:

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness." Lamentations 3:22-23

"Lead me in Your truth and teach me, for You are the God of my salvation; for You I wait all the day." Psalm 25:5

"For You are my rock and my fortress; for Your name's sake You will lead me and guide me." Psalm 31:3

God's Clinic

2008-01-07T23:44:00.000+08:00

Got the below message in the form of a powerpoint from one of my colleagues. Though he always just mindlessly forwards things *which I delete like 90% of the time without even reading them*, this is one of the very few which I choose to take time & read. Hope it blesses you.

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

I went to God's clinic to have my routine check-up and confirmed that I was ill:
-- when God took my blood pressure, He saw I was low in tenderness
-- when He read my temperature, the thermometer registered 40'C of anxiety
-- He ran an electrocardiogram & found that I needed several "love bypass" since my arteries were blocked with loneliness & could not provide for an empty heart
-- I went to orthopedics, because I could not walk by my brother's side & I could not hug my friends, since I had fractured myself when tripping with envy
-- He also found I was shortsighted, since I could not see beyond the shortcomings of my brothers & sisters
-- when I complained about deafness, His diagnosis was that I had stopped listening to God's voice talking to me on daily basis

For all of that, God gave me a free consultation thanks to His mercifulness. So my pledge is to, once I leave this clinic, only take the natural remedies He prescribed through His words of truth:
-- Every morning, take a full glass of gratitide
-- when getting to work, take one spoon of peace
-- every hour, take one pill of patience, one cup of brotherhood & one glass of humility
-- when getting home, take one dose of love
-- when getting to bed, take two tablets of clear conscience

Do not give in to sadness or desperation for what you are going through today.
God knows how you feel....
God knows exactly & with perfection what is being allowed to happen to you in your life at this precise moment.
God's purpose for you is simply perfect.
He wants to show you that only you can understand by living what you are living, & by being in the place you are now.

May God give you....
For every storm, a rainbow;
For every tear, a smile;
For every care, a promise;
And a blessing in each trial.
For every problem life sends,
A faithful friend to share,
For every sigh, a sweet song;
And an answer for each prayer.

Prayer Meeting - 05 Jan 08

2008-01-06T19:52:00.000+08:00

Dear Akuou,

I just shared during our prayer meeting today that we will focus on the suffering church for this year in addition to our normal sharing updates. As we would be studying on 1 Peter which covers suffering as Christians, we can apply what we will be learning in prayer :)
**If there is any particular country / people group that you have a burden to pray for, you can tell me and we will arrange for one of the prayer meetings to focus on them.**

Here's what we can pray for one another about:

[Abby]
- her boss is giving his business 6 months more to pick else the company will downsize
- feeling lost (no direction yet about what to do)
- 1 new year resolution: to stay close to God
- desire to travel to Europe (with Chris & 2 others)
- hope to go for a mission trip in June/July when her parents will be away in Alaska
- during her recent prayer retreat, God showed her that He will bring her to places and deepen her relationship with Him -> this also means lots of cleaning up in her life needed

[Chris]
- for good health
- to be able to have good rest

[Denise]
- for wisdom as she starts serving as AYSGL in YM tomorrow

[Gladwin]
- very stressed like an ant under an elephant & tired because of many things to do & problems
- for God's strength, wisdom & joy

[Haoguang]
- thankful for being able to pull thru the many changes last year as he entered army & being less resistant to change
- looking forward to end of March when most of the major events will end (having tests next week)
- 1 new year resolution: to do more constructive things during his free time in & out of the camp

[Jason]
- quite uncertain about the new year (his army life)
- feeling sandwiched by many time-consuming tasks to be done within a short period & many conflicting instructions from his CSM (Jason wants to be present to help his men with the tasks but have to also complete his other tasks at the same time)
- thankful for small blessings- to be less jealous of others' better situations

[Joel]
- for wisdom for him & Deborah to work things out
- for wisdom on how to help his fren who is having a relationship issue

[Jolyn]
- for God to speak to her- for her relationship with God to be even more intimate & close
- for God to reveal so much to her
- for her mum to allow her to go for the missions trip in TRACKERS
- for her brother & Serene who have just received Christ, that the fire will not die off but they will hunger & thirst for God
- for her brother & Serene who have just received Christ, that the fire will not die off but they will hunger & thirst for God
- for her as she starts serving as AYSGL in YM tomorrow

[Keng & Sarah]
- wedding preparation for 6 Jul 2008: purchase of suit & evening gown in US
- Keng's parents who are going thru divorce
- enough rest for Sarah to adjust back to US timing as she has to wake up early daily to teach
- wisdom for Sarah as a teacher for the new school term
- for a closer bonding/fellowship with their BS group in US which consists of 4 regulars

[Kexin]
- for her brother's ROM tomorrow at Rasa Sentosa
- for good weather & timely arrival of guests including her
- for everyone, esp her brother& sis-in-law, to have a good time tomorrow

[Shashi & Jean]
- his 2 new year resolutions: to do his QT at 11pm daily, based on Oswald Chambers' Utmost for His Highest & to pray for his colleague & 2 youths in Australiato be nicer to his students (esp in CCA) as he wants to be a witness for Christ toward them, to help them be better people)
- having lots of work at school but enjoying it (coaching in CCA & Singapore schools, doing work for his boss efficiently)
- for fruitfulness as Jean leads a therapeutic group today & tomorrow
- for Jean's health as she has been coughing & waking up every night

[Shuying]
- for her job application to be a sub-editor at SPH magazine

[Viona]
- 1 new year resolution: to guard her QT with the Lord
- for her grandpa who does not know Christ as his condition is worsening week by week
- to know how to answer her boss if he wants her to do something unethical in her course of work next week

[Wanlin]
- happy about the new year, enjoying the TRACKERS training (will last for 2 months)
- 8 new year resolutions:
-->to be ready to serve her family
-->wants to serve in YM but is quite scared (probably as AYSGL)
-->to be more organised & stick to it
-->to exercise regularly
-->not to be late for appoinments
-->to memorise the Word
-->to focus more on God
-->to be a fisher of men
- for her & Joyln to encounter God intimately, applying what they learn
- not to worry about her A-level results

[Yvonne]
- for her brother, Dalton, to have a healthy & sound mind, a discerning heart so he won't be led astray by his fren, Eugene, who is still mentally ill & is inclined toward black magic and the dark side
- for good health for her sister, Joyce, as she is busy with school work and will be taking her A-levels this year

May we persevere in prayer for one another!

:)Viona

Blessed 2008!! =)

2008-01-01T21:52:00.000+08:00

Blessed new year! Hope your new year day is good. No matter what had happened in 2007, it is over now! It is time to look forward to the new year - 2008 and make the best out of it. =) Akuou of course have a vision for year 2008 too!!

Akuou Focus 2008 - Foundations of Faith

*Akuou Vision*
Likewise to be strong Christians, our foundations matter. We will be embarking on a journey that focuses on establishing the foundations of faith in ourselves. As such, our small group will be looking into how we can incorporate the element of faith-building into our community time such as bible study, prayer and fellowship.

*Within the Small Group: Desire to grow in God ~ Inspiration & Discipline*
We want to continue to nurture and environment where everyone grows in desire to know God through inspiring one another and encouraging spiritual disciplines. (Examples of spiritual disciplines includes: discipline of silence & solitude, simplicity, submission, study, service etc) There will also be calls to commitment and a need to have more meat in bible study.(Why do we need to have calls to commitment & more meat in bible study? This is in accordance to Matthew 13:3-9 [speaking of the seeds that landed on 4 different soils] & Matthew 13:18-23 [explanation for the seeds & the ground]

*Outside the Small Group: Outreach to unchurched and backslidden ~ Lifestyle Evangelism*
One of the questions we asked is how small group can add a more evangelistic dimension so we can effectively reach out?
We agreed that in order to reach out effectively, we must build faith in the SG first, a faith that leads to transformed lives. We hope that with committed & faithful study of the Word and engagement in spiritual fellowship, we can be more empowered to reach out to our homes and workplace. (like lifestyle evangelism)

With the above in mind, we also have the following fellow akuouians taking up the roles in small group too. =)
Worship IC - Haoguang
Fellowship IC - Kexin, Huineng (Second IC)
Prayer IC - Viona
Treasurer - Jean
Birthday Coordinator - Jason
Blog IC - Chris

Please continue to keep all of the akuouians in prayer and may everyone be inspired to grow in truth & love! =)

--------------------------------------
Here is a short article to share with all of you about leaving the past & living the kingdom by Paul Faulkner.
Hope it will help to change the way you look at life.

Leaving the Past, Living the Kingdom, by Paul Faulkner

As we get older, we have a tendency to look back, and if we aren’t careful, to give in to the selective eyesight that sees only the problems and failures of the past. It's too easy to look for someone in the past to blame or resent and way too easy to stumble around in bitterness and regret.

The best thing to do with the past is to learn from it, while keeping our eyes on today and looking forward to the days to come!

God wants us to live today!

Jesus talks about a man who "looks back" because he is not ready for service in the kingdom of God [Luke 9:62]. Now what that passage is telling us is that the past can be a distraction that keeps us from being what the Lord needs us to be today! The apostle Paul talks about "forgetting what is behind" and moving on toward the things that God has ahead [Philippians 3:13]. We've got to stay centered in today, seeking to honor God and living for his future. Remember what Jesus taught us to pray: "... your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" [Matthew 6:10].

The best way to change the past is to live the way God wants us to live today, rooted in the moment and living for God -- in service to others and in service to the Kingdom.

Prayer Requests & Updates..

2007-10-23T00:04:00.000+08:00

Abby
Her company hasn't been able to get much work recently to sustain the monthly expenses and her boss have been quite stressed. He's been thinking through of the next step of his company's advancement but currently is occupied with the preparation of his exhibition next year. He tried targeting the advertising market but it wasn't his target market after all, so he'll be targeting the PR agencies now. Please pray that the work will come in soon. He is non-christian and sometimes can be quite anti-christianity but please pray for God's mercy upon his life too.

On a personal note, she has been going through some changes in her life. It hasn't been easy for her emotionally to handle things but she's trying her best to look to God always. It might take a while to heal but she's taking life one step at a time. Please pray that God who understands her the most and knows her needs too will provide to her what is necessary at every given point of time. That He will show His love explicitly to her and she will learn to trust Him more and more. That she'll believe that she is loved and treasured by Him and others

Andrew
He has been settling well into university life, his studies are quite ok and the results have been rather pleasant. This time round he doesn't really know anyone close who stays within the same hostel as him or joins the same course, he has been studying alone and all. He is thankful to God for the independence that He is teaching him and hopes that he will continue to excel in his studies. Please pray that God will provide good friends during his university days and that he will always be dependent on God for all things.

He has also been helping to tutor a choir junior of his. She is taking her A's but she has set pretty high expectations for herself and tends to get pretty moody quite easily. She has also been quite burned out in her studies, pray that she'll take time to relax too and to let God speak to her.

Chris
Thanksgiving!! She has been confirmed as a permanent staff of HP. She was tasked to oversee a project when
she just joined HP and her performance was commendable. HP has been sourcing for such a person like her to handle these projects and thus they offered her the business operation planning manager post and she took it up right away. BTW, she says that she would like to give SG a treat after the major exams are over.

Her post needs her to be in charge of the Asia Pacific and Japan countries. There will be more projects coming up for her and she most probably will be sent to Melbourne in Nov for some training and to take the opportunity to meet the bosses of her department. She is pretty happy with how things are working out in her life now, however, the stress level that accompanies the responsibility can be quite high and her sleep has been disturbed quite frequently. For instance, she'll wake up in the middle of the night if she remembers that she forgot to do something at work. She'll write it down and go back to sleep. Please pray that she'll get good rest every night as she really needs it.

Denise
- pray for focus and drive to study hard
- pray for strength
- and that she'll be close to God

Gladwin
- pray for his walk with God, to do BS and to finish his assignments on time
- pray that he'll have a more relational ministry instead of an institutional one
- that he'll hear God more about his personal ministry plans and studies

Huineng
- time
- rest
- more solid friendships in school (I have a lot, a lot of 'hi-bye' friends)
- exams (24 Nov - 1 Dec)
- good financial management. A wedding involves the whole family, how true. On my part I've spent about $400 already.

Jason
He found out that his blood pressure is unusually high. 150/90. He's not sure whether it's due to the stress that he has been experiencing in camp. His parents don't think they have high blood pressure but his uncle has though. He'll be going to see a specialist on Mon to try to find out what's the root cause of this problem.

He has finished his posting in his current camp and have been posted to somewhere else, he is suppose to report there about 2 weeks ago. That camp is not a good place to be in as he'll have to stay in and also the work there is very terrible. However, the superiors in his current unit likes him alot and have been trying to blow up his medical condition so as to excuse him from getting posted elsewhere. He feels blessed that his superiors are willing to do this for him but his friend who was in the same camp as him has already been posted over to the tough camp and he has been calling Jason regularly telling him how terrible the situation is over there. He feels for him alot but he knows that he cannot come out of this manpower struggle now after what his superiors have been doing for him.

Joel
- thank God that he was blessed with a new phone
- thank God for better understanding in the tough subject
- Fluid Mechanics. He has been able to do the tutorials
- thank God for providing helpful friends and the study groups have been very beneficial too - pray for continual guidance in his studies. Discipline and also ability to absorb the concepts better
- pray for better understanding in his Physics subject too

Jolyn
She shares that her first 3 papers are her worst subjects and she's getting nervous and scared about it. Thank God that when she wanted to speak to ppl, that the Lord still provided Glad to even called her from Issan. Also, that the worship she led during GAP went well and other ppl were ministered. She was encouraged when they messaged to tell her that.

Please continue to cover her in prayer for her studies and exams, she is quite fearful. But also importantly that she will be assured by the Lord that His plans for her are beautiful.

Kelly
Referring to her personal and email sharing about stepping down from SG leadership next year, please continue to keep her in prayer with regards to what she wants to do for the Lord. There's alot of things which she has listed and she's waiting upon the Lord to work out the priority of everything.

Pray that she'll continue to live by faith, just child-like and loving Him. You can pray the promises in Colossians & Ephesians over her.

Kexin
Her brother has announced that he is gonna get married. 6 Jan 2008. The family was quite taken aback by that news as they have only been dating for 2-3 months even though they've been friends about 3 years now. However, their reason of getting married so fast is because his girlfriend would be furthering her studies and they need to get a HDB soon before the housing prices skyrockets too badly. She is not a local. Please keep them in prayer for their marriage preparation and wisdom.

Kexin herself has been pretty busy at work, hectic schedule and all. Moreover, she has a colleague who will be going to China and she has been arrowed to take over her responsibilities, which spells more work too. Please pray for wisdom and good time management to cope with the work.

She is trying to look for a suitable medical school to apply for and is planning to take her MCAT next year again. Please pray for discipline and for her to sift through her priorities in life now.

Lance
- pray that everything for marriage will go fine
- pray that he can handle work and the marriage prep
- most importantly that he and Elaine can attend church regularly

Lionel
- thank God for his safe return from Australia

Sarah & Keng
- please pray for all her students whether they are christians or not, especially for the more "problem" students. They are usually late for class, not doing their homework and always disturbing the other students.
- please pray for wisdom from God on how to handle the "problem" students
- most importantly she wants to be an adult in their life that they can trust and work with, hoping that someday they too will get to know Jesus
- pray that God will keep the both of them in good health, the weather has been getting cold, average about 6 degree celsius
- pray for their wedding preps too as they have not been able to do a single thing since the start of school. No planning, no budget consideration like how to much to save per month and have not looked at the various aspects of the wedding
- pray for God's guidance and openings (contacts with ppl) and that they will get down to planning what they need to do in Singapore when they get back in Dec. She wishes to open this up to us and ask formally for help because it's just too hard for them to handle from overseas.

Shashi
Married life is good, school life is stressful. He has been doing alot of work for his boss because his boss is like preparing to leave his job (his boss has been saying that he'll leave for 5 years now). He shares that he's currently focusing on having financial freedom when he retires, trying to work out his investment plans and so on.

Also by 2008, he'll have a new posting in school called Sports Sec. By taking this up he'll be forgoing his floorball club, form class & maths classes. It's gonna be boring as he'll have to handle alot of admin and paperwork but he feels that its important for him to learn to do this job too so that he can gain a better perspective of how the system runs. So he'll be giving it a try.

Please pray that his entire form class will be able to graduate out of the school end of this year. He had promised that he'll personally "kick" them out of the school, he has been with them ever since the start when they came in.

Lastly, he has unwittingly mentioned to the leader in YM that he'll be going back to serve in YM after June 2008. They tried to merge his YSG with another YSG because of the numbers issue and he doesn't want them to do so. Thus he has agreed to go back. Pray that he'll be able to work out his new post well and he'll be ready to go back to YM by then.

Viona
- thank God that she found a good devotion for daily QT
- pray that she'll continue to grow in obedience to God

She updates that she has been settling well in her new place after the move but she might still need to let go of her treasured school books and notes. Her parents are bugging her to do that. However, she also shares that her grandpa is getting weaker and weaker by and by, they can see that his muscles have been weakening/losing control of them and that his mind has not been as active as last time. Her sister has a burden to reach out to their grandparents. Please pray that they will know how to talk to them and even continue to shower God's love on them.

Please pray for his medical condition that it would not be too major and for a peacable resolution from this manpower dispute.

Wanlin
- pray that she'll be super motivated, disciplined and focused able to cover more ground than now
- pray for her 2 friends, gloria & huiru, they'll be able to overcome all obstacles to study
- pray that all 3 of them will be reassured by God that everything is in His hands and He loves them

Winnie
- pray for wisdom & creativity as Daniel and her prepare for their wedding program and renovate their room
- pray for God's guidance & empowerment in ministry.
- it's been a very exciting and growing experience to see students being excited about reaching their friends. Pray that they'll all walk closely to God as they serve together.

Yvonne
She has not been performing well in her sales target for the past 2 months and she was feeling lost. She tried applying for positions in the bank but was not accepted. The tough thing about being in her line of work is that it's not a 9-5 job and it's very easy to lose focus and to slack. God helped her realized that regardless of which line she's in, it boils down to her attitude towards her work. She needs to be consistent in her commitment to her work, not to work so hard for a few months and burn herself out, thus causing her to slack for the next one month. She knows that she cannot take up an admin job for it's too mundane to her.

She's thankful to God for showing her the way and she knows that she'll do well under His guidance

Jolyn, Denise & Wanlin's Exam Schedule

2007-10-22T00:06:00.000+08:00

Hey Akuouians!!

Jolyn, Denise & Wanlin are in an important phase of their life now.. Its the big Os & As.. Please keep them in prayer, wouldn't you? =)

16 Oct - Jolyn (Bio practical)
22 Oct - Jolyn (Add. Maths Paper 1)
23 Oct - Jolyn (Add. Maths Paper 2)
24 Oct - Jolyn (Chemistry Paper 2)
25 Oct - Jolyn (Geography Elective)
29 Oct - Jolyn (English Paper 1 & 2, Maths Paper 1)
30 Oct - Jolyn (Maths Paper 2)
31 Oct - Jolyn (Higher Chinese Paper 1 & 2)
Denise & Wanlin (GP 1 & GP 2)
2 Nov - Denise & Wanlin (Maths Paper 1)
5 Nov - Jolyn (Social Studies & Biology Paper 2)
Denise (Chemistry Paper 3)
6 Nov - Jolyn (Pure Literature Paper 1 & 2)
Denise & Wanlin (Biology Paper 2 & Maths Paper 2)
12 Nov - Jolyn (Chemistry Paper 1)
Wanlin (Literature Paper 1)
13 Nov - Jolyn (Biology Paper 1)
Denise (Chemistry Paper 2)
Wanlin (Econs Paper 2)
14 Nov - Denise & Wanlin (Econs Paper 1)
16 Nov - Denise (Chemistry Paper 1)
19 Nov - Denise (Biology Paper 3)
22 Nov - Denise & Wanlin (Biology Paper 1)
26 Nov - Wanlin (Literature Paper 2)

What the Modern Woman Wants By Amanda Chong Wei-Zhen

2007-10-09T11:05:00.000+08:00

The author is a 15-yr old RGS girl who won the Commonwealth essay prize
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The old woman sat in the backseat of the magenta convertible as it careened down the highway, clutching tightly to the plastic bag on her lap, afraid it may be kidnapped by the wind. She was not used to such speed, with trembling hands she pulled the seatbelt tighter but was careful not to touch the patent leather seats with her callused fingers, her daughter had warned her not to dirty it, 'Fingerprints show very clearly on white, Ma.'

Her daughter, Bee Choo, was driving and talking on her sleek silver mobile phone using big words the old woman could barely understand. 'Finance' 'Liquidation' 'Assets' 'Investments'... Her voice was crisp and important and had an unfamiliar lilt to it. Her BeeChoo sounded like one of those foreign girls on television. She was speaking in an American accent.

The old lady clucked her tongue in disapproval. 'I absolutely cannot have this. We have to sell!' Herdaughter exclaimed agitatedly as she stepped on the accelerator; her perfectly manicured fingernails gripping onto the steering wheel in irritation.

'I can't DEAL with this anymore!' she yelled as sheclicked the phone shut and hurled it angrily toward the backseat.The mobile phone hit the old woman on the forehead and nestled soundlessly into her lap. She calmly picked it up and handed it to her daughter.

'Sorry, Ma,' she said, losing the American pretence and switching to Mandarin. 'I have a big client in America. There have been a lot of problems.'The old lady nodded knowingly. Her daughter was big and important.

Bee Choo stared at her mother from the rear viewwindow, wondering what she was thinking. Her mother's wrinkled countenance always carried the same cryptic look.

The phone began to ring again, an artificially cheerful digital tune, which broke the awkward silence.'Hello, Beatrice! Yes, this is Elaine.' Elaine. The old woman cringed. I didn't name her Elaine. She remembered her daughter telling her, how an English name was very important for 'networking', Chinese ones being easily forgotten.

'Oh no, I can't see you for lunch today. I have to take the ancient relic to the temple for her weird daily prayer ritual.'

Ancient Relic. The old woman understood perfectly itwas referring to her. Her daughter always assumed that her mother's silence meant she did not comprehend.

'Yes, I know! My car seats will be reeking of joss sticks! 'The old woman pursed her lips tightly, her handsgripping her plastic bag in defence.The car curved smoothly into the temple courtyard. It looked almost garish next to the dull sheen of theageing temple's roof. The old woman got out of the back seat, and made her unhurried way to the main hall.

Her daughter stepped out of the car in her business suit and stilettos and reapplied her lipstick as she made her brisk way to her mother's side.

'Ma, I'll wait outside. I have an important phone call to make,' she said, not bothering to hide her disgust at the pungent fumes of incense.

The old lady hobbled into the temple hall and lit a joss stick, she knelt down solemnly and whispered her now familiar daily prayer to the Gods.

Thank you God of the Sky, you have given my daughter luck all these years. Everything I prayed for, youhave given her. She has everything a young woman in this world could possibly want. She has a big house with a swimming pool, a maid to help her, as she is too clumsy to sew or cook.

Her love life has been blessed; she is engaged to a rich and handsome angmoh man. Her company is now thetop financial firm and even men listen to what she says. She lives the perfect life. You have given her everything except happiness. I ask that the gods be merciful to her even if she has lost her roots whilereaping the harvest of success.

What you see is not true, she is a filial daughter to me. She gives me a room in her big house and provides well for me. She is rude to me only because I affect her happiness. A young woman does not want to be hindered by her old mother. It is my fault.

The old lady prayed so hard that tears welled up in her eyes. Finally, with her head bowed in reverence she planted the half-burnt joss stick into an urn of smouldering ashes.

She bowed once more. The old woman had been praying for her daughter forthirty-two years. When her stomach was round like amelon, she came to the temple and prayed that it was a son.

Then the time was ripe and the baby slipped out of her womb, bawling and adorable with fat thighs and pink cheeks, but unmistakably, a girl. Her husband had kicked and punched her for producing a useless babywho could not work or carry the family name.

Still, the woman returned to the temple with hernew-born girl tied to her waist in a sarong and prayed that her daughter would grow up and have everything she ever wanted. Her husband left her and she prayed that her daughter would never have to depend on a man.

She prayed every day that her daughter would be a great woman, the woman that she, meek and uneducated,could never become. A woman with nengkan; the ability to do anything she set her mind to. A woman whocommanded respect in the hearts of men. When she opened her mouth to speak, precious pearls would fallout and men would listen.

She will not be like me, the woman prayed as she watched her daughter grow up and drift away from her, speaking a language she scarcely understood. She watched her daughter transform from a quiet girl, to one who openly defied her, calling her laotu;old-fashioned. She wanted her mother to be 'modern', a word so new there was no Chinese word for it.

Now her daughter was too clever for her and the old woman wondered why she had prayed like that. The gods had been faithful to her persistent prayer, but the wealth and success that poured forth so richly had buried the girl's roots and now she stood, faceless, with no identity, bound to the soil of her ancestorsby only a string of origami banknotes.

Her daughter had forgotten her mother's values. Her wants were so ephemeral; that of a modern woman. Power, Wealth, access to the best fashion boutiques,and yet her daughter had not found true happiness. The old woman knew that you could find happiness with much less. When her daughter left the earth everything she had would count for nothing. People would look to her legacy and say that she was a great woman, but she would be forgotten once the wind blows over, like the ashes of burnt paper convertibles and mansions.

The old woman wished she could go back and erase allher big hopes and prayers for her daughter; now she had only one want: That her daughter be happy. She looked out of the temple gate. She saw her daughter speaking on the phone, her brow furrowed with anger and worry. Being at the top is not good, the woman thought, there is only one way to go from there -down.

The old woman carefully unfolded the plastic bag andspread out a packet of beehoon in front of the altar. Her daughter often mocked her for worshipping porcelain Gods. How could she pray to them so faithfully and expect pieces of ceramic to fly to her aid? But her daughter had her own gods too, idols of wealth, success and power that she was enslaved to and worshipped every day of her life.

Every day was a quest for the idols, and the idols she worshipped counted for nothing in eternity. All the wants her daughter had would slowly suck the life out of her and leave her, an empty soulless shell at the altar.

The old lady watched her joss tick. The dull heat had left a teetering grey stem that was on the danger of collapsing. Modern woman nowadays, the old lady sighed inresignation, as she bowed to the east one final time to end her ritual. Modern woman nowadays want so much that they lose their souls and wonder why they cannot find it.

Her joss stick disintegrated into a soft grey powder. She met her daughter outside the temple, the same look of worry and frustration was etched on her daughter's face. An empty expression, as if she was ploughing through the soil of her wants looking for the one thing that would sow the seeds of happiness.

They climbed into the convertible in silence and her daughter drove along the highway, this time not as fast as she had done before.

'Ma,' Bee Choo finally said. 'I don't know how to put this. Mark and I have been talking about it and we plan to move out of the big house. The property market is good now, and we managed to get a buyer willing to pay seven million for it. We decided we'd prefer acosier penthouse apartment instead. We found a perfect one in Orchard Road. Once we move in to our apartment we plan to get rid of the maid, so we can have more space to ourselves...

'The old woman nodded knowingly. Bee Choo swallowed hard. 'We'd get someone to come into do the housework and we can eat out - but once the maid is gone, there won't be anyone to look after you.You will be awfully lonely at home and, besides that, the apartment is rather small. There won't be space.We thought about it for a long time, and we decided the best thing for you is if you moved to a Home.There's one near Hougang - it's a Christian home, a very nice one.

'The old woman did not raise an eyebrow. 'I've been there, the matron is willing to take you in. It's beautiful with gardens and lots of old people to keep you company! I hardly have time for you, you'd be happier there.'

'You'd be happier there, really.' Her daughter repeated as if to affirm herself. This time the old woman had no plastic bag of food offerings to cling tightly to; she bit her lip and fastened her seat belt, as if it would protect her from a daughter who did not want her anymore. She sunk deep into the leather seat, letting her shoulders sag,and her fingers trace the white seat.

'Ma?' her daughter asked, searching the rear view window for her mother. 'Is everything okay?' What had to be done, had to be done. 'Yes,' she said firmly, louder than she intended, 'if it will make you happy,' she added more quietly.

'It's for you, Ma! You'll be happier there. You can move there tomorrow, I already got the maid to packyour things.' Elaine said triumphantly, mentally ticking yet another item off her agenda.

'I knew everything would be fine.'

Elaine smiled widely; she felt liberated. Perhaps getting rid of her mother would make her happier. She had thought about it. It seemed the only hindrance inher pursuit of happiness. She was happy now. She had everything a modern woman ever wanted; Money, Status, Career, Love,Power and now, Freedom, without her mother and her old-fashioned ways to weigh her down...

Yes, she was free. Her phone buzzed urgently, she picked it up and read the message, still beaming from ear to ear. 'Stocks 10% increase!'

Yes, things were definitely beginning to look up forher... And while searching for the meaning of life in theluminance of her hand phone screen, the old woman in the backseat became invisible, and she did not see the tears.

How Do You Cook Your Pancakes? - Renee Myers

2007-09-25T23:18:00.000+08:00

"The end of a matter is better than its beginning; Patience of spirit is better than haughtiness of spirit." Ecclesiastes 7:8

Devotion:
Pancake breakfasts have become a Saturday morning tradition at our house. One morning, as I prepared a batch, my older son proudly told us he had cooked the pancakes for his Scout Troop on a recent camping trip. He'd never cooked anything at home, so this was a surprise to me. He was also pleased to report that they had liked his pancakes!

Consequently, the next time we made pancakes my younger son wanted his brother to make them. My older son did a great job making pancakes for all of us, and each turned out perfectly! However, we had to wait very patiently for our breakfasts because he cooked just one pancake at a time.

We certainly cook pancakes differently. I cook several at a time, and while waiting for them to cook, I try to multi-task by rinsing out the mixing bowl, pouring drinks, and doing whatever else needed to be done. In just minutes I'd produce a whole batch of pancakes and would have other tasks done, too.

However, I quickly learned that productivity and efficiency weren't the only differences in the way we made our pancakes. The results were different, too. His were better than mine! He had taken the time to tend to each pancake, making sure it cooked just right. I, on the other hand, tried to cook too many at once while juggling other tasks and my pancakes were inconsistent. Some were done perfectly, but others were too done or not done enough.

It occurred to me that results in life often parallel the lesson I learned from making pancakes. Whether tending to my family, church matters, school needs, assisting others, or just doing things for fun, the results are better and more consistent when I allow myself to tend to each task properly, treating it as if I want it to be a perfect pancake -- not over-done and not under-done.

This lesson is especially important to me as I seek to serve the Lord. I want to do my best to serve Him and not compromise my efforts by taking on too much, or distracting myself with other tasks. For me, this is best accomplished by seeking God's will and keeping my priorities in tact as I decide what to do and when to do it.

Payer:
Dear Lord, Help me to serve You and manage my life and family, too, in a way that serves up satisfying and consistently pleasing results. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Choose to better devote yourself to the tasks God puts before you, including the way you tend to your marriage and your family.

Seek the Lord's will for the commitments you make.

Reflections:
What things interfere with your ability to accomplish your tasks?

How can you better manage the things that distract you?

How might your family benefit from better managing your time and commitments?

How might your relationship with the Lord benefit from time better focused on Him?

Power Verses:
"And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect." Romans 12:2

"Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men." Colossians 3:23

"Every work which he began in the service of the house of God in law and in commandment, seeking his God, he did with all his heart and prospered." 2 Chronicles 31:21

The Fern and the Bamboo

2007-09-19T21:23:00.000+08:00

One day I decided to quit...
I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality....
I wanted to quit my life.
I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I said. "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"
His answer surprised me.
"Look around", He said.
"Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"
"Yes", I replied.
"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds,
I took very good care of them. I gave them light. I gave them water.
The fern quickly grew from the earth.
Its brilliant green covered the floor.
Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.
And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.
But I did not quit on the bamboo.
In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.
But I would not quit.
The same in year four.
Then in the fifth year, a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.
Compared to the fern, it was seemingly small and insignificant.
But just six months later, the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.
It had spent the five years growing roots.
Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.
I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle.

"Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?
I would not quit on the bamboo. I will never quit on you.

"Don't compare yourself to others." He said.
"The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern.
Yet they both make the forest beautiful.
"Your time will come", God said to me.
"You will rise high"
"How high should I rise?" I asked.
"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.
"As high as it can?" I questioned
"Yes." He said,
"Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest, realizing that God will never give up on me.
And He will never give up on you.
Never regret a day in your life.
Good days give you happiness; bad days give you experiences; both are essential to life.

Prayer List..

2007-09-17T22:27:00.000+08:00

Abby
- Pray that she'll continually have discipline to do her BS homework
- Pray that God will provide her with company during times when she's doing her BS homework when it's most suitable

Andrew
- He shares that he's doing well in uni and all but it has been quite a busy time for him lately that he haven't had the time to come down for SG
- He would like to request for prayer in guidance and wisdom as he's still uncertain of which activities to join in uni. He hopes his decision will be pleasing to God and above all may they be what God wants him to do for Him

Chris
- She's about 2 weeks in her new job, her colleagues appear nice but most are hypocrites and gossipers. Pray that she'll have patience and not clash with them
- Pray that she'll pick up on learning the system faster. She's been placed in charge of a new project which might need her to work irregular long hours
- Pray for her health too as she's been falling sick, currently down with flu and minor cough

Denise
- Pray that she'll focus on her studies and be disciplined
- Pray that she'll stay close to God- Pray that she'll stay in good health too

Gladwin
- Pray for the spirit for the lost (evangelism) in both his smallgroups
- Pray for good time management as he has many assignments to finish up
- Thank God for working in him about the feelings of rejection he felt before

Haoguang
- Pray for strength and a safe trip

Huineng
- Pray for good time management to cover her 500 page reading soon, she'll be having a test next week and needs to get all this reading done by then
- Pray also for her health, she's currently down with sore throat and cough

Joel
- Pray for understanding on his subject: Fluid Mechanics
- Pray for discipline to catch up with his subjects
- Pray for good time management to complete his lab reports on time

Jolyn
- Please continue to pray for her exams, she had recently gotten not so encouraging results for her Maths and was really disappointed
- Pray for her health too. She's currently not feeling that well, having dizzy spells but have seen the doc. Pray that she'll get well soon

Kah Keng a.k.a. Sarah's fiance
- Pray for good time management as he's at the start of his research. There's a lot of stuff to learn from the guy who was part of the team and leaving (he's kinda taking over)
- Pray for God's wisdom in all his readings and the ability to do his homework quickly
- Pray for favour with his professor and the people he's seeing in his lab everyday (they seem too engrossed in their own work to really talk much to newcomers)

Kelly
- Pray with her on whether she should go for the mission trip in December with SIM to India.
- Pray that she'll be able to handle her daily work load

Kexin
- She got a 2 week attachment (starting this Mon) at TTSH's infectious disease department. Thank God for granting her this opportunity.
- Pray that she'll have a good time of learning and favour among doctors.
- Pray for her colleagues back in Hyflux, they'll have a hectic time at work whilst she's away

Lance
- He recently found out that his contractor had left his company for some time and have been using the name of his company to carry on liaison with Lance for the renovation of his home. When he found out about it, the guy had already ran off and he left quite a number of things undone. On top of that, he did quite a slip shod job. The contractor's company found out about this and agreed to not collect the remainder money that wasn't paid out in exchange to not re-do the renovation or carry on anymore work. Please pray that all this nitty gritty details will be worked out soon
- Pray that he and elaine will be able to settle the wedding stuff nice and smoothly

Lionel
- I recently spoke with him over MSN, he's doing well and adapting well to the environment
- Pray continually for safety in all respects

Sarah
- Thank God for providing her with a job, a great school and great students
- Pray for God's wisdom as she teaches and also during her preparation for lessons as she's really new to the syllabus and materials
- Pray that she'll be a light that shines for Jesus in her workplace, both to the students and her fellow colleagues
- Pray for God's favour as she gets to know the teachers more (especially in the lunchroom where most of the teachers are veterans)
- She also wants to inform everyone that she'll be back in town from 24 Dec - 3 Jan and she can't wait to meet everyone again!!

Shashi
- Pray that he'll fully recover from throat viral infection

Wanlin
- Pray for strength, concentration, motivation and discipline for her studies
- Pray that she'll stay close to God and He will give her His wisdom
- Pray for her health to as she's still down with cough

Winnie
- She needs God's divine strength, guidance and inspiration to lead her NP ministry. Next week will be the student leaders retreat and she's in charge of it. Her desire is that God's presence be totally with them as they seek Him and His will for the ministry
- Pray for her wedding preparation, it's just another 4 months more and they still have quite a lot to prepare. For instance, album, invites, program and helpers' list. Pray for perseverance and the right heart motivation

Yvonne
- She and Viona are scheduled to lead BS next sat. Please pray that she'll be able to finish up her run through of the BS materials so that she can meet up with Viona soon to prep
- Pray that she'll be used by God to deliver the essential message in the lesson

Too Much Rain! By Katha Winther

2007-08-23T23:22:00.000+08:00

We've all heard the expressions: "when it rains, it pours" and "intoeveryone's life, a little rain must fall." Once, I told a friend aboutmy various problems and asked, "What else is going to happen?" She toldme that I should never say that. She explained that an acquaintance ofhers had experienced a sequence of problems, and had asked the samequestion. Shortly thereafter, the woman's mother died. So, I won't beasking that question anymore!

Life is filled with both burdens and blessings, isn't it? Sometimesfrustrations and mishaps come all at once.

This week, the plumber spent two hours at our house -- fixing a clog, a while running errands, I came home to find a surprise. Molly (one of our cats) had inadvertently knocked a stopper into the laundry room's washtub, while the washing machine ran a load of clothes. As a result, the washtub plugged up, over-filled, and flooded the litter box sitting underneath. What a mess!

We recently purchased airline tickets to Puerto Rico -- to join our sonand his family. Our connecting flight was to have been in Dallas, butit was cancelled due to the heavy rain. Because it was near July 4th,we couldn't get another flight to suit our needs, and we had to cancelthe whole trip. We then went to plan B, and drove to a lovely beachcommunity for a weekend get-away. The bathroom sink was clogged in ourhotel room, and there were no other rooms available. At check-out time,they tried to overcharge us for the room and also for a meal that wehad not eaten.

When rainy times come, take comfort!

My computer's e-mail went on the fritz and it was days before Idiscovered the problem. Something that I had shut off had turned itselfback on again. My laptop computer developed a problem, too -- itwouldn't accept its password. Because of this, I couldn't get on theinternet or check e-mail messages. I discovered one of my cats(Priscilla) had stepped on the keypad, and had caused the problem.

I was scheduled to sing somewhere and had reconfirmed two days prior tothe event. When I arrived, the parking attendant told me that thesinger had already arrived. As it turned out, the other singer hadshown up on the wrong night ... probably a miscommunication.

Some of these occurrences were frustrating, disappointing anddiscouraging. However, in the grand scheme of things, they were prettyminor. Actually, they were pretty trivial when compared to the problemsgoing on in our world today, including all of that flooding. A lot of
figuratively. When the rainy times and troubles come, let's remember and take comfort in these verses:

Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you - 1 Peter 5:7

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose - Romans 8:28

We know these are pleasant sayings to simply hang on our walls, butthey are reassuring messages of God's love because our Father showedHis love and care by sending Jesus to share the rainy days and floodsof our human lives. So take comfort from heaven's promises!

Seeing God in All Things - Melissa Taylor

2007-08-15T00:19:00.000+08:00

“You have enclosed me behind and before, and laid Your hands upon me" Psalm 139:5

Devotion:
It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon. I was driving home after speaking all day at a women’s conference. The conference had been such a blessing and I was praising God for His faithfulness in showing up in a mighty way. I had the honor of witnessing first hand how God was impacting the lives of women and their families. Needless to say, I was on a God-high and loving every minute of it. God was so present and it was easy to see Him on this day.

During this time of spiritual bliss, I noticed something rather large darting on to the road ahead of me. It was a deer and she was headed for my lane. The traffic was heavy and my car had nowhere to go but to continue straight. I slammed on the brakes trying desperately to stop, but it was useless. At the moment just before impact, I looked into that animal’s big brown eyes. Why, oh why, did she run out into the road like that? My car hit that beautiful creature full force. She was tossed in to the air and landed, lifeless, in the lane next to mine. I cried, “Oh No! I killed a deer!”

Many stopped to see if they could help, but there was nothing anyone could do. Miraculously, my car was not damaged and no one was injured - except the poor deer.

Anytime something bad happens, I try to see God in it all. I had clearly seen Him at the women’s conference that day. Where was He now? Why did this have to happen and ruin my God-filled day?

When I got home, I ran inside to get my husband. I was crying so hard he could hardly understand me. My four children were also home and quickly became concerned for their hysterical mother. I told them the story. First question from my kids: “Is the deer dead?” First question from my husband: “Is the car okay?” They surrounded me with love and reassured me everything would be fine.

Hours later, I was still shaken. My ultra sensitive and loving son, Dylan, noticed this and offered me a Godly perspective on my situation. He said, “Mom, there are many reasons this could’ve happened and none of them are your fault. God has a plan and a purpose for everything, even that deer’s life. Maybe that deer was very sick and God used you to put it out of misery. Or maybe God was protecting the man behind you, so He used your car as a shield. Or maybe God knew that there are many deer, but only one you. He needed you to be my mom today. Mom, whatever God’s reason, it’s not your fault, but you have to trust Him. He was with you the whole time. He never took His eyes off of you or His hand off of your head.”

Oh, will someone pass the tissue please? How is it that a nine year old boy who suffers with anxiety and communication disorders can put this situation in the proper perspective and show me that it’s not about me but about God? I’ll tell you how.

Dylan was looking for God in this sad accident. I wasn’t. It was easy for me to see God in the events at the conference because I was alert, aware, and looking for Him. When tragedy struck, I took my eyes off of Him. Just like Peter trying to walk on water I, took my eyes off of Jesus, and sank.

Do you look for God in all things? Do you see God in all things? I threw my arms around my precious son and thanked him for being the light in my life that day. Then I turned to the Lord and thanked Him, too—for the conference, for my family, for Dylan’s words of wisdom, and for the deer.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, sometimes it’s hard to feel or see Your presence in every aspect of my life, yet I know You are there. Help me to look for You, even when times get tough. Help me to trust You and believe that You are with me every moment of my life. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
The next time you find yourself in an undesirable situation, instead of asking “why me”, thank God for being there with you.

Reflections:
Do believe God is working in your life only when things are good?

Do you thank God for everything that happens to you, good or bad?

Power Verses:
“And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to hHs purpose.” Romans 8:28

“Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you. He will not fail you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6

Just a Reminder By Melissa Taylor

2007-06-20T23:17:00.000+08:00

“I know the Lord is always with me. I will not be shaken, for he is right beside me.” Psalm 16:8

Devotion:
A few months ago, I went to a weight loss center. Once again, I was ready to lose weight. The first thing my encouraging counselor asked me to do was to write a letter to myself. “Why?” I asked. She replied, “I want you to remember how you feel right now and why getting healthy is a priority in your life. Over time, you may forget. If you do, I’m going to mail it to you to serve as just a reminder.”

I have found that I often need reminders. I’m a visual person, so visual cues are quite useful to me. I have scripture cards on the inside of my cabinets to bring God’s Word to mind during the day. There is a picture of my niece in my car to remind me to pray for my sister’s family. My laundry room is covered with post it notes containing God’s Word reminding me to be thankful for the laundry I am doing and the blessings who wear those clothes.

In our kitchen we have a calendar containing the family’s schedule and my life could not function without the reminders I keep in my daily planner. We need reminders to keep us on track, but we also need to be reminded of how special God is.

A few years ago I went to the store in search of a card for my husband. It wasn’t our anniversary or his birthday; I just wanted to get him a card reminding him of how special he was to me. An unexpected thing happened that day. The first card I picked up read:

In this stressful world,
Yours is the presence that quiets me,
The voice that calms me,
The touch that comforts me…
…the love that helps me remember what is most important in each day.
You’re everything to me.

As I closed this card, my eyes filled with tears. The words were beautiful, only they weren’t meant for my husband. They were meant for my Lord. I did not buy my sweet husband a card that day, and I think he would understand. I bought a card for God instead, to serve as just a reminder.

The words on this card remind me Who I can turn to, Who can comfort me, and Who should be my everything. And that person is not my husband. As great as Jeff is, he can never meet those needs in my life. No one person can - only God can. I need that reminder every day. Not only did I purchase this card, but I wrote a note to God on it and signed my name to it.

Be encouraged today that God wants to be your everything. He desires to be number one in your life. If you are like me, you may forget that at times. I carry that card around with me for that very reason, to serve as just a reminder.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, In this stressful world, Yours is the Presence that quiets me, the Voice that calms me, the Touch that comforts me, and the Love that helps me remember what is most important in each day. You’re Everything to me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Go to the store in search of a card for your Everything, God. Write a note to Him and sign your name to it. Carry this card in your purse or Bible to serve as just a reminder.

Reflections:
Do you remember daily Who your Everything is?

Are you putting your hope in anyone else but God?

Power Verses:
"I love you Lord; you are my strength. The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my savior; my God is my rock, in whom I find protection. He is my shield, the strength of my salvation, and my stronghold. I will call on the Lord, who is worthy of praise, for he saves me from my enemies." Psalm 18:1-3

The Waiting - Zoe Elmore

2007-05-20T22:51:00.000+08:00

“Now Joseph was thirty years old when he stood before Pharaoh, king of Egypt. And Joseph went out from the presence of Pharaoh and went through all the land of Egypt." Genesis 41:46

Devotion:
Our oldest son graduated from college and now lives and works in another state. As parents we are grateful and proud for our son; not to mention relieved by the financial ease of having one less child on our “payroll.” While the benefits of his job are above and beyond what any new college grad could hope for, our son believes God is calling him to a place of service and ministry. When he asked for our opinion we tried hard to balance the love we have for him with the common sense of a parent that says you must be crazy to think about leaving this job. Of course we’d love to see our son serve the Lord in a ministry, but without clear direction and opportunity we have cautioned our son about the dangers of running ahead of God’s perfect timing.

God has gifted our son with the ability to connect with and influence people with his passion for life. While passion is a good thing, left unchecked it will burn out quickly. I’m reminded of David and Joseph from the Old Testament. Just like our son, they too had a passion to love and serve God. We learn from Scripture that God called these men into a place of service for His eternal kingdom; but only after a time of waiting while they experienced God’s refining fire of trial and temptation were they ready to assume the duties and responsibilities these positions would require.

Joseph was 17 years old when his brothers sold him into slavery, and it wasn’t until he was 30 years old that he was promoted into Pharaoh’s service. At 16, David was told of his future as king, yet it took another sixteen years before that became a reality. Both men endured rejection, loneness, and deprivation along the pathway that led to their position of service. It’s interesting to note that there is no record of either man whining or complaining during his years of waiting. I can find no evidence that either man shook his fist in God’s face and demanded his reward. Instead I find men of integrity who learned patience and obedience while totally relying on God to work every circumstance for their good and His glory on their way to assuming the next position God had for them.

If you’re seeking God’s direction in your life, take a page from the life of Joseph and David. Commit your heart and your life to patiently waiting on God. Be obedient to what He has called you to do right now, and do it with excellence. Learn to be content while waiting on God to change your present circumstances. Ask God to show you the lessons He wants to teach you in order to be ready to assume the next position He is preparing you for. Do not run ahead of the Lord. Hurry is the death of trust.

Prayer:
Dear Lord, I long to know Your will for my life. Help me to be content right where You have placed me and teach me the lessons I must learn before receiving the next position You are preparing for me, In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
Ask the Lord to reveal your spiritual gifts and talents and record them in your journal.

Develop those gifts and ask God to reveal how He wants you to practice your gifts for His service.

Reflections:
Are you doing your job with excellence everyday as you wait on the Lord to show you His plans for your life?

Check your attitude. Are you waiting on God with patience and obedience?

Power Verses:
“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways," declares the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.” Isaiah 55:8-9

“I waited patiently for the LORD; and He inclined to me and heard my cry. He brought me up out of the pit of destruction, out of the miry clay, and He set my feet upon a rock making my footsteps firm. He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God;Many will see and fear and will trust in the LORD. How blessed is the man who has made the LORD his trust, and has not turned to the proud, nor to those who lapse into falsehood. Many, O LORD my God, are the wonders which You have done, and Your thoughts toward us; There is none to compare with You if I would declare and speak of them, they would be too numerous to count.” Psalm 40:1-5

You’re the One - MaryBeth Whalen

2007-05-08T11:17:00.000+08:00

“For the eyes of the Lord range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” 2 Chronicles 16:9a

Devotion:
Do you ever long to hear God say, “I choose you”? Maybe you have read that He has a plan for everyone’s life or you have heard a pastor say that He loves you. But in your heart of hearts, you wonder: Am I special? Does God see me?
There are stories from the Bible that illustrate how God calls ordinary people out of their ordinary lives. It is clear from the Scriptures that in each case He was watching them long before He invaded their lives with His holy presence.

God chose Noah simply because He lived a righteous life. Genesis 6:8 tells us, “But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord.”

God chose David simply because He saw His heart. Psalm 78:70-73 tells us, “He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens; from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people, Jacob, of Israel, his inheritance. And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.”

God chose Mary simply because He knew she would do what He asked. Luke 1:30 tells us, “But the angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God.’”

None of these people held lofty positions or had received worldly acclaim. They were “nobodies”???nothing special???and yet God saw each of them as they went about their daily lives, doing the most mundane of tasks. He saw their character, their right choices, and their hearts. And He said in response, “You’re the one.”

In Mark 5:21-34, Jesus is walking with a crowd of people, all pressing in on Him, hungry for His attention, His healing, His words. The Bible tells us that the crowd “pressed around him” (Verse 24). I imagine people were clutching and grabbing at Him, desperate for even a small piece of Him. Only one woman, however, pressed in such a way that it caused Him to stop and turn to her. Her touch was different from all the rest. This woman didn’t just touch Him with her hands, but with her heart of faith. He felt the difference as His power went out of Him (verse 30), and He in effect said in response to her: You’re the one. This woman was a “nobody,” with nothing to offer the God of the Universe. Yet, He found her worthy of His time and attention. He chose her.

God wants to find those people whose hearts are desperate for Him. He wants to heal, strengthen, and equip these people. He isn’t looking for the worthy, the intelligent, or the beautiful people. He is looking for the ordinary ones who are simply open to His invading presence in their lives. If He is calling you right now, don’t convince yourself that He isn’t. God sees you, just as you are, and He knows the ones He calls.

Dear Lord, please remind me today that You do notice me and that I am worthy in Your sight. Strengthen me to do whatever it is You have prepared in advance for me to do. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Application Steps:
What verses speak to you specifically today? Write them down somewhere where you will see them often. Cling to the promise that God does see you, and that He can use you.

Reflections:
Do you doubt your worth in God’s eyes?

What has this devotion reminded you of regarding your worth?

Do you doubt that He could ever use you? How can you take captive that thought and turn your thinking around today?

Power Verses:
“And you, my son Solomon, acknowledge the God of your father, and serve him with wholehearted devotion and with a willing mind, for the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever.” I Chronicles 28:9

“And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.” Romans 8:27

“I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, to reward a man according to his conduct, according to what his deeds deserve.” Jeremiah 17:10

The Blessings of Trials - Michael Youssef

2007-04-18T00:29:00.000+08:00

If you are like most people, from time to time you find yourself in difficult trials. Those unwelcome moments of life you and I wish we could escape. In fact, that may describe your life today!

When these trials come, how do you respond? How do you respond when the hurt is real? How do you respond when you feel that the walls are closing in? How do you respond when things happen totally outside of your control? How do you respond?

Allow me to offer some sound biblical direction…and some words of encouragement. I want to show you how those trials can in fact be a tremendous blessing in your life.

The Right Perspective
Seeing life's trials as a blessing starts with having the right perspective. God’s perspective.

That perspective is this: God allows trials in your life to help you grow up…to mature you in Him. In other words, you will never grow in your walk with Christ without trials. God uses them to be your teacher and to make you into the person He wants you to be.

If there was one person who knew trials it was the Apostle Paul. Can you imagine what it must have been like when he was shipwrecked for days? Here he was seeking to take the gospel of Jesus Christ to the uttermost parts of the world, and yet he was shipwrecked and in the water for days.

Why didn't God stop the shipwreck? He could have, but why didn't He?

Because, if He had, Paul would have never become the man and leader God intended! Paul became the great man of God by experiencing these trials and testing. Ultimately, God knew (and knows!) what He’s doing.

Now here's the lesson for you and me. You and I must trust God! He knows what He’s doing with your life and mine. The sovereign God knows what is necessary for us to experience in our lives and how much to permit in order to mature us.

It really is amazing that the moment we fall into a trial that is out of our own control we begin to beg God, "God get me out of this! God what's wrong? God if you'll just take this problem, Lord, I'll be fine!"

What we never stop to consider is what God might be doing…trying to change you and me, not the circumstances! He may (and He will) change the circumstances, but meanwhile He wants to teach you and me a lesson. And you'll miss out on the blessing by constantly begging Him to change the circumstance and not giving Him a chance to speak to us!

Our Responsibility
So what is our responsibility in the process of trial and testing? James tells us in James 1:4 that "Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

How do you do that? James 1:4-12 gives us a pretty clear direction.

1. Don't rebel against your circumstances. Allow the testing process to be brought to completion so that you may receive the maximum benefit of God's teaching.

2. Ask for wisdom. I want to tell you, believer, you have a secret code to a safe that is full of tremendous resources. And the resources go totally unused by so many Christians. That "safe" is God's wisdom. God's wisdom is perhaps the greatest tool for your spiritual growth! God's wisdom is the defogger for our fuzzy lenses. And when you ask the Lord for wisdom…when you pray for wisdom…you are opening yourself up to learn about God's overall purpose and plan. You are beginning to see God's big picture!

3. Rejoice in the midst of your trials. James 1:12 tells us we can truly rejoice in the midst of trials. Why? Because the victories are already won! Our victories are in Jesus and He already won the victory. That's why you and I can claim the victory. Regardless of your circumstances, you already have the victory. The battle is won!

Friend, I don't know what trial you may be going through today, but I want to challenge you to embrace it as God's design to bring you to full maturity in Him. Thank Him today what He is doing in your life, and for the blessing of your trial!

You Can Overcome and Prevent Sin

2007-03-22T00:24:00.000+08:00

So many seem trapped, unable to overcome—to grow in areas of weakness, fault and sin. Instead of overcoming their problems, most are overcome by their problems. This should not be—and need not be! You can overcome. Here is how.

Christ said, "Enter you in at the strait [difficult] gate: for wide is the gate, and broad [easy] is the way, that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait [difficult] is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leads unto life, and few there be that find it" ( Matt. 7:13-14). Most seek the easy, "broad" path.

Overcoming is hard—difficult—it is a life-long struggle. But it is possible. You can overcome. If you are a Christian, you must overcome!

Yet, this world is drifting along, completely unaware of God's great purpose for man, which is to build character in this life. He is preparing a team of those who will qualify to be part of restoring His government to earth at Christ's Return.

The Bible Pattern

The Bible is filled with accounts of God's greatest servants battling to overcome sin. In nearly every case, they had to learn difficult, and sometimes painful, lessons. When examined collectively, Moses, Noah, David, Samuel, Peter and others are seen to have fought every kind of problem known to man.

They battled sins, weaknesses, faults, attitudes, and pulls and temptations of the flesh. David fought sins and wrong attitudes and overcame them. Moses lacked faith and confidence and had a temper that he had to overcome. Yet, he will hold a great office in God's kingdom. Both Job and Elijah fought discouragement and depression, even to the point of wanting to die. But these men endured—they overcame. They slew their problems, rather than being slain by them!

These men were actively trained by God and had to overcome Satan, the temptations of his world and the pulls of the flesh. A Christian is one who overcomes his problems, weaknesses, sins and wrong attitudes, rather than being overcome and defeated by them!

To the Overcomer

Through the apostle John, Christ said, "And he that overcomes, and keeps My works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron…" ( Rev. 2:26-27).

In His instruction to Laodicea, He adds, "To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with Me in My throne, even as I also overcame , and am set down with My Father in His throne" ( Rev. 3:21).

These verses picture Christ re-establishing God's government over all nations of the earth. Christians will receive real power to rule. But first they must overcome. Christians are those who follow—who copy—Christ ( I Pet. 2:21). Then what is the pattern Christ established for us to follow? Did He overcome?

In reference to His own struggle to remain free of sin, perfect in character, Christ said, "In the world you shall have tribulation [how true!]: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world " (John 16:33 ). Christ had overcome both the world and its god—Satan ( II Cor. 4:4). Recall that Christ said, "even as i also overcame, and am set down with My Father in His throne." Christ overcame and qualified to rule. Just as He qualified to replace Satan, so must we!

Such enormous power to rule could never be given to people who are unprepared—who have not qualified to properly use it. God will not hand great authority to people who might rebel and revert to Satan's ways. God's servants must use this life to build His very character, so necessary for those holding offices of great authority.

Updates of Akuou

2007-03-21T23:23:00.000+08:00

We had time after BS to do a bit of sharing and praying for one another. Below are the updates for those who came for BS and their prayer requests for their walk with the Lord. I have typed out everything to the best that I can remember and have written down. Please correct me if I'm missing out anything or have mis-represented you.

For those who would like to update of your happenings via email, you're very welcome to do so. This will really allow us to keep in touch with one another's happenings and to support one another in prayer in our daily walk with God. Remember no man is an island! =D

1) Joel
- Please pray for God's strength to be able to do outreach in the neighbourhood

- More time to pray and seek God for direction.

2) Jason
- His job scope has changed to work in the newsroom instead. He requested it so as to gain more exposure.

- Please pray for more time, discipline & the desire to see God.

3) Haoguang
- He has passed out of his current training and will start the "Airbourne training" whereby parachuting is involved next week.Please pray for safety in the midst of the training, his mum is pretty worried for him.

- Please also pray for resilence in the faith as there are negative influences around him in camp (e.g. his
camp mates are puzzled as to why he doesn't speak any vulgarities and is pressurizing him to do so
because they get a kick out of hearing it coming out of his mouth)

4) Viona
- She is going for a biblical Turkey trip under 2 Tim 2:2 ministry from 28 mar to 9 apr. She has been busy
trying to clear the sudden influx of many projects at a time but thank God that He made the projects quieten
down so she's pacing herself better to handle the workload.

- She has been asking the Lord as to how to handle the different churches issue between she and her
boyfriend. Currently it's very hard for either one party to join the other at his/her church. She's seeking God
whether it's possible to just stay in different churches?

- Also, she's still unsure where might this relationship end up in. Her concern is that her boyfriend is not
feeling very close to God but yet wants to settle down, thus she's concerned and is still considering.

- She is starting to picking up to do the BS homework for 1 Thess and James, please pray that she'll keep
her focus on the Lord.

5) Chris
- Her project at work has launched and currently operative. However, she has been selected to join another
project and she prays that the schedule won't be too hectic like the last.

- She is currently committing herself to a 35 week long course called "Disciple 1" conducted by church and
also MHI tuition and have been coming down to church more frequently nowadays. Thank God that the
schedule has been quite smooth so far.

- She has applied for 2 courses for her master degree in supply chain studies. One is part time and the other
full time, both with NUS. The full time she'll need to get a scholarship.

She received news that she has been short-listed to go for the scholarship interview next week. She found
out that there will be 23 interviewees for this scholarship and there's only 10 places being offered.

- Please pray for God's grace and she is really looking forward to a change soon. Away from her working
environment.

- Thank God that with the bible study, disciple course, commentaries that she has been reading (which she is
making effort to work on them everyday). All this has allowed her to have a more consistent walk with the
Lord. Please pray that she will continue to persevere and carry on, especially for disciple.

6) Denise
- She is continually busying herself with studies, netball and house. She just finished her netball and house
comps.

- The netball season is coming soon and she'll be training every mon, tues, thurs & fri. Friendly matches are
scheduled either wed or sat per week.
- She has changed her position too and need to train very hard. She has about a month to train and perfect her new position.

- Pray for strength and that she will set a good example as vice captain. That she'll not get tired of learning
the new position and to maintain a positive attitude that will rub off on her other team members.

- Pray too for continual surrender to God everyday in her walk with Him. That she will not lose focus and will
always have the correct motive and purpose in all things that she does.

- Pray that she will have the discipline to have a consistent studying plan and not push things to the last
minute for preparation that might be too late.

7) Wanlin
- She has been studying very diligently the past one week as her Common Tests will start next week.
However, she has not been able to finish up the syllabus that she'll be tested on. She is just stress and had a panic attack on Friday. But thank God that after prayer and a rest she felt much better and was able to continue.

- Please pray for God's assurance and peace during her Common Tests. Her heart is that she will not lose
focus that she's studying for God's glory but sometimes its very hard for her once she starts to panic that
she can't finish studying.

- Please pray that she will be able to find the best studying pattern suited for her and that she is assured
that God honours her heart of worship unto Him. That His presence is one of approval and grace.

8) Gladwin
- He has a deadline for YM curriculum materials coming up, a YM workshop to plan, a YM scorecard for
YSG's health, BS teaching for Akuou and Bearers of Christ to plan for. He is really stressed but he knows
that he'll need to spend time seeking the Lord and praying for wisdom to handle these matters.

- He attended the Ignite conference on last sun-tues and it was very refreshing for him. He is going for
another conference coming up next week too. It's been a season of learning for him and he sees the
important need for meditation on God's word to allow this knowledge that we have to live in our hearts and
that we can live it out in our lives too. He encourages for the whole SG to do so.

- A good thing he learnt in the Ignite conference was about saving money and it was rather timely as he
might be changing jobs soon and this will affect his current income.
- Please pray that his family will be willing to accept this change and the impact to be softened.

- Thank God for a time of rest. Please pray that His walk with the Lord will be deepened.

- His sister has been coming back pretty late these days and it's getting worrying. Please pray as the Lord
leads you.

9) Abby
- Thank God that her boss is feeling much happier because there is more work coming in. He is feeling less
depressed.

- Please pray that she'll continue to persevere in doing her BS homeworks for 1 Thess and James. She has
learned that in order to keep her eyes on the Lord is really simply to keep on reading and meditating on
God's Word.

Hellos

2007-03-09T05:05:00.000+08:00

Sarah here. Glad said the blog's pretty quiet so decided to stir up some excitement for a bit. =P Just thought I'd let all know that prayer covers the requests typed out on this blog. In fact, this Sunday, the church that I'm now attending is having an International Day and some of us will be putting up stuff that represent some part of the Singapore culture. Hee. We decided on drinks and have made cards containing some info of those drinks. Behind those cards, we also added prayer requests for Singapore and I took them off our Akuou blog! =)

It's almost mid-March. Couple of months more and I'll be away from Singapore for 1 year. Whoosh, does sound long.. and I miss you guys! Keng and I definitely plan to come back some time this year for a break - just haven't set when. Please pray for us as we decide if we should go on a short term mission trip this Summer or some time this year. Take care & keep those sms-es (I reply up to 500 sms free per month) and emails coming!!

Have you been tuned?

2007-03-09T01:07:00.000+08:00

“EVERY workman knows the necessity of keeping his tools in a good state of repair, for "if the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength." If the workman lose the edge from his adze, he knows that there will be a greater draught upon his energies, or his work will be badly done. Michael Angelo, the elect of the fine arts, understood so well the importance of his tools, that he always made his own brushes with his own hands, and in this he gives us an illustration of the God of grace, who with special care fashions for himself all true ministers.

We are, in a certain sense, our own tools, and therefore must keep ourselves in order. If I want to preach the gospel, I can only use my own voice; therefore I must train my vocal powers. I can only think with my own brains, and feel with my own heart, and therefore I must educate my intellectual and emotional faculties.

I can only ,weep and agonise for souls in my own renewed nature, therefore must I watchfully maintain the tenderness which was in Christ Jesus. It will be in vain for me to stock my library, or organise societies, or project schemes, if I neglect the culture of myself; for books, and agencies, and systems, are only remotely the instruments of my holy calling; my own spirit, soul, and body, are my nearest machinery for sacred service; my spiritual faculties, and my inner life, are my battle axe and weapons of war. M'Cheyne, writing to a ministerial friend, who was travelling with a view to perfecting himself in the German tongue, used language identical with our own:- " I know you will apply hard to German, but do not forget the culture of the inner man-I mean of the heart. How diligently the cavalry officer keeps his sabre clean and sharp; every stain he rubs off with the greatest care. Remember you are God's sword, his instrument- I trust, a chosen vessel unto him to bear his name. In great measure, according to the purity and perfection of the instrument, will be the success. It is not great talents God blesses so much as likeness to Jesus. A holy minister is an awful weapon in the hand of God."

Even in your recreation, rememember that you are ministers.
When you are off the parade you are still officers in the army of Christ.. But if the lesser things must be looked after, how careful should you be in the great matters of morality , honesty and integrity!

Here the minister must not fail. His private life must ever keep good tune with his ministry, or his day will soon set with him, and the sooner he retires the better, for his continuance in his office will only dishonour the cause of God and ruin himself. ”

-Charles Spurgeon-
Extracted from "Lectures to my students: Lecture 1 The Minister's Self-watch"

Prayer Requests

2007-02-11T22:55:00.000+08:00

Late update of prayer requests..

Singapore focus -

1) Praying for the poor & needy
2) People who are slightly more well to do - who could be poor spiritually and emotionally
3) The elderly

Regional focus -

1) Erratic weather
2) Natural disasters
--> Preparation of people, God's mercy & grace, Believers who know about the end times to be ready to reach out to non-believers

Abby:
- Wisdom & God's mercy for people whom she knows are struggling with questions about "faith in God"
- Continual focus to seek the Lord and accomplishing all her bs homework, 1 Thessalonians & James

Shashi:
- Less stress (wedding prep, school floorball, cross-trainer's programmes)
- Prioritisation

Jason:
- Time management
- Prioritisation
- Been arrowed to play Cupid around Somerset MRT on 2 weekdays before Valentine's

Wanlin:
- Stress management
- Time management
- Prioritisation
- CCA in charge of Live Concert for evangelism during Easter (1st wk of Apr)

Denise:
- Time management (unending work)
- That everything be God-centric -> God in the middle of her life's pie chart

Haoguang:
- Health à to be well before 8 day field camp this wk
- Field camp à that he'll be ok (yes, u'll be HG)

Gladwin:
- thank God for rest, for being more firm
- for God's Will in his life
- relationships with maid at home, sister encouraged to lie to maid

Winnie:
- thank God for holidays
- work in holidays à prep for next school time, planning for school
- mission trip in March to Thailand

Jean:
- Discipline in all aspects of her life, especially to spend a proper quiet time with the Lord
- Wedding plans are delayed also due to the lack of discipline leading to procastination. Please pray for Shashi and her to find time to settle all issues asap.
- Also pray that they will have time to even prepare themselves individually & together for a proper marriage life. Being able to settle any mental, emotional & spiritual back lock towards one another so as to start their new life together.
- Pray also for her sister who is assigned by the church to take on a mentoring role. That she'll be able to juggle her time well in school and with her church commitment. She is currently pretty stressed out in school.

Viona:
- Thank God for the opportunity to speak to her guy colleague who she found out was baptised when he was young but he is not following the Lord now and do not know much about Christianity still. Please pray that the book which she's thinking of giving to him (Road to Emmaus) would help him out.
- Previously she was feeling unappreciated by her boss but thank God that He showed her that He has a purpose for her being in the company.
- Time management

Kelly:
- Time management
- Thank God for the follow-up with which God has provided for her good NIE guy friend. He has been posted to ACS Barker for his practicum and one of the YM leaders is there and they share a pretty similar background. She has been praying for this for a while, so this is really an answered prayer.

Chris:
- Thank God that her 2nd x-ray review went well, doctor says that she'll just need to go for therapy and she'll be fine.

Huineng:
- She has been working for a month or so now and the working hours have taken a toll on her physically. Please pray that she'll get accustomed to the working hours soon and have good rest every single night after work.

Shuying:
- seeing a skin specialist. Very very itchy, flaky and bleeds when scratched

Kexin:
- Thank God for more time
- Time management

Sarah: I'm not going back for CNY although I much want to. No money and too rushed. =(
- I did exceptionally well for my last term and I really thank God for the results! -- I will only receive all the grades either in the middle of Feb or end.. will update all then. =)
- I'm sick again -- it's really horrible.. like I'm sick every other week. seems like it's due to the extreme cold on some days and lack of rest on other days (i get to sleep about 7-7.5hours most nights -- I'm aiming for 8 from now..) Please pray for good health and also the discipline to get work done asap and not procrastinate and start when nearing sleep time.
- My family's coming over for my graduation in June. Please pray that I can find cheap accomodation for 6 people

army

2007-01-11T14:17:00.000+08:00

hallo! this is hg... i'll be in camp from tomorrow onwards.. just blogged to say that i'll miss all of you! haha but of course its not the end. see you all in two weeks! please pray for me!

Prayer meeting & requests on 6 Jan 2007 - Updated

2007-01-07T03:47:00.000+08:00

For those who didn't come here's a brief summary of what happened in sg. I hope that it would help you to keep on praying along with us for Thailand, Indonesia and Singapore.

We had a "Listening to God" session and thereafter came up with these 4 main points to pray for Thailand -

1) Pray for God's mercy and grace over the land. For God's salvation to pour out on the land and redeem the people that the ground will be soften. Acknowledge that He is in control!
2) Pray for the safety for the people who lives and works in Thailand who are caught in between this power struggle. Pray for comfort for the victims and their loved ones and their hearts would be soften too.
3) Pray for wisdom and discernment for people who are leading mission groups into Thailand that they will be sensitive to what the Spirit wants to do there. That the christians who are living there will rise up amidst these problems to shine for God.
4) Pray for the people who planted the bombs, that they will repent and see the futility of their actions. Their heart will be concerned for the innocent public who they're hurting.

For Indonesia -

We pray for comfort for the people who lost their loved ones in the Adam Air carrier that is still missing.

For Singapore -

Even though we know that Singapore has been quiet and peaceful. Let's continue to thank God for His blessings and favour and remember to not take that grace for granted.

Thereafter we had a session of personal sharing and prayer, here are the updates for everyone.

Wan Lin
1) Thank God for allowing her to experience Him, pray that she will continue surrender the specific things to Him and find the right balance in seeking Him.
2) It has been a good time, she feels that God is preparing her for something. Pray that she will persevere and keep her faith and trust in the Lord.

Huineng
1) She has been having tiring and long days at her workplace (Microsoft). Pray for strength and courage to carry on her work.

Haoguang
1) Haoguang is going to the army on Fri (12 Jan). Pray that he would use the rest of his time wisely before he goes in.
2) Pray that God will provide godly people in his camp to encourage him in Christ.

Winnie
1) Pray for motivation to do the things that God wants her to do. She has been feeling distracted and need to really focus.
2) Thank God though for a good personal retreat before the new year.

Viona
1) Thank God that her hardware project is finished
2) Thank God for His grace and favour. Her bosses were alright to extend the deadline and etc.
3) Pray that she will find a fixed time to spend time with God, currently it's quite all over the place and as and when she can do it.
4) Pray for her parents, their relationship has been bumpy for the past year. They usually sort out problems with their own human logic. She and her sister have started praying for their salvation as she's unsure.

Yvonne
1) She is currently in Malacca attending NLP till 8 Jan. Pray for her that her main focus in life would be upon the Lord and NLP is just a powerful tool.

Chris
1) Pray for wisdom to make the right decisions, directions for her further studies.
2) Pray for a closer walk with God too.
3) Thank God for the diagnosis that it is only tailbone bruise, that the condition is under control.
4) Please pray for fast healing and good rest.

Kelly
1) Pray that she'll fulfill the tasks that God has given her. Do well at it too!

Shashi
1) Pray for rest and wisdom in decision making.

Gladwin
1) Thank God for a good talk during the leader's meeting earlier today.
2) Pray for strength and wisdom in the workplace.

Kexin
1) Pray for a deeper relationship with God. For a listening and obedient heart.

Shuying
1) She'll be travelling to Bangkok for holiday with her friends from next Tues - Thurs (9-11 Jan). Please pray for their safety.

Jean
1) Pray for continuous good health.

Jason
1) Thank God for the opportunity to work in Channel News Asia
2) Thank God that his neighbour is a christian, which is the only other christian in the office.
3) Also thank God for a cool and funky team

Abby
1) Give thanks to God for good progress and favour in the work place
2) Pray for male colleague to be able to cope with workload, previous colleague who does not like boss has left and male colleague taking over the work. Have archival files to clear before the end of Jan and he's unsure of the processes.

Sarah
1) To have a closer and more intimate walk with God
2) To better balance school and teaching as well as other aspects of life (like going out with friends, doing 'dorm'hold chores - replace 'house')
3) Job after I graduate (pray that I can actually get sth asap, before Igrad so my visa status is more stable and I'll be able to go back toSingapore to visit you guys! I so miss all of you!)
4) Good health

Kah Keng
1) Good health

Joel
1) Please pray that God would enable him to make effort to spend more time with his family
2) He has not been feeling well for the past few days, please pray for healing and speedy recovery

Lance
1) Thank God that Lance's grandfather has returned to the Lord
2) Please pray for comfort for his family, especially for his grandmother who perhaps wasn't around when her husband passed away.
3) Pray also for peace in the family with regards to handling of the funeral arrangements.

Thanks everyone for keeping one another in prayer!! The Lord hears our every single petition! =D

God bless!
Abby

Akuou

2006-12-26T15:37:00.000+08:00

Akuou
An interesting article ~ Kelly

RECORD NUMBER OF EX-MUSLIMS CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS THIS YEAR Spiritual revolution underway in Middle East.
By Joel C. Rosenberg

More Muslims converted to faith in Jesus Christ over the past decade than at any other time in human history. A spiritual revolution is underway throughout North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia. As a result, a record number of ex-Muslims are celebrating Christmas this year, despite intense persecution, assassinations, and widespread church bombings. During the writing of Epicenter, my wife and kids and I lived in the Mideast for three months. During that time, I had the privilege of interviewing more than three dozen Arab and Iranian pastors and evangelical leaders throughout the region. The picture they paint is one of Christianity being dramatically resurrected in the region of its birth. A snapshot: Iraq: more than 5,000 new Muslim converts to Christianity have been identified since the end of major combat operations, with 14 new churches opened in Baghdad, and dozens of new churches opened in Kurdistan, some of which have 500 to 800 members. Also, more than 1 million Bibles shipped into the country since 2003, and pastors report Iraqis are snatching them up so fast they constantly need more Bibles. Egypt: some reports say 1 million Egyptians have trusted Christ over the past decade or so. The Egyptian Bible Society told me they used to sell about 3,000 copies of the JESUS film a year in the early 1990s. But last year they sold 600,000 copies, plus 750,000 copies of the Bible on tape (in Arabic) and about a half million copies of the Arabic New Testament. "Egyptians are increasingly hungry for God's Word," an Egyptian Christian leader told me. Last Christmas, I had the privilege of visiting the largest Christian congregation in the Middle East, which meets in an enormous cave on the outskirts of Cairo. Some 10,000 believers worship there every weekend. A prayer conference the church held in May 2005 drew some 20,000 believers. Afghanistan: only 17 Muslim converts to Christianity before 9/11/01, but now more than 10,000. Dozens of baptisms every week. Kazakstan: only 3 known Christians in 1990, but now more than 15,000. Uzbekistan: no known Christians in 1990, but now more than 30,000. Sudan: more than 1 million Sudanese have converted to Christianity just since 2000, and some 5 million have become Christians since the early 1990s, despite a radical Islamic regime and an on-going genocide that has killed more than 200,000. Seminaries are being held in caves to train pastors to shepherd the huge numbers of people coming to Christ. Why such a dramatic spiritual awakening? "People have seen real Islam, and they want Jesus instead," one Sudanese evangelical leader told me. Iran: in 1979, there were only 500 known Muslim converts to Christianity, but today Iranian pastors and evangelical leaders tell me there are more than 1 million Iranian believers in Jesus Christ, most of whom meet in underground house churches. In December 2001, Sheikh Ahmad al Qataani, a leading Saudi cleric, appeared on a live interview on Aljazeera satellite television to confirm that, sure enough, Muslims were turning to Jesus in alarming numbers. "In every hour, 667 Muslims convert to Christianity," Al Qataani warned. "Every day, 16,000 Muslims convert to Christianity. Every year, 6 million Muslims convert to Christianity." Stunned, the interviewer interrupted the cleric. "Hold on! Let me clarify. Do we have six million converting from Islam to Christianity?" Al Qataani repeated his assertion. "Every year," the cleric confirmed, adding, "a tragedy has happened." One of the most dramatic developments is that many Muslims -- including Shiites in Iran and Iraq -- are seeing dreams and visions of Jesus and thus coming into churches explaining that they have already converted and now need a Bible and guidance on how to follow Jesus. I describe a number of these stories in the book. Having just returned from three weeks in the Mideast, I have heard many more, and will be sharing some of them in the new year. This is in fulfillment of Biblical prophecy. The Hebrew Prophet Joel told us that "in the last days, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days....And everyone who calls on the name of the LORD will be saved." (Joel 2:28-32) Bottom line: It's not being reported by the mainstream media, but the God of the Bible is moving powerfully and dramatically throughout the Muslim world. The number of Arab and Iranian Christians is surging despite wars, rumors of wars, and terrible persecution. These fellow brothers and sisters now need our fervent prayers and our practical help as they seek to reach epicenter with the love and forgiveness of Jesus in 2007. Lynn and I launched The Joshua Fund both to bless the Jews of Israel as well as to communicate the gospel to Muslims throughout the Middle East. If you'd like to learn more -- or to help -- please visit our website at www.joshuafund.net. All donations are tax-deductible.

OCG BS 5 - The Power of Covenant Part III [Chapter 15 - 17]

2006-11-29T01:33:00.000+08:00

Chapter 15 - I Belong To Someone Forever

- John 6:25-71
Why did these people find it hard to follow Christ? Find it hard to accept His words?
· For those who walked away, they missed out on
(1) Salvation
(2) Service for God (missed out on proclaiming the gospel)
(3) Eternal life [John 17:3, John 6:40]
(4) Covenant relationship with God
(5) Oneness with God [John 17:20-22]
(6) Enduring & unchanging love [John 15:13]

- Cost of following Jesus: Luke 9: 57-62
(1) Sacrific of comfort / security
(2) Prioritise (Jesus comes first)
(3) Committment

- Believe in God’s son: Eternal life is promised [John 6:40] “Now, this is eternal life: that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom You have sent.” [John 17:3]

- Enduring love [Romans 8:35,Romans 8:38-39, John 17:20-22]

Chapter 16 - He Will Always Bear My Wounds
- Scars to remember: Jesus as our Covenant Partner - He had been nailed to the cross. He bore the nails. How about us? Where are your brand-marks of Covenant? [2 Corinthians 6:4-10, 2 Corinthians 4:8-9]

- Qns: Does every one need to have a brand-mark?
All these 3 are to have brand-marks…as the above 3 kinds of people:
(1) As Christ’s slave [1 Corinthians 7:22]
(2) As a good soldier of Christ Jesus [2 Timothy 2:3]
(3) As the temple of the Holy Spirit [1 Corinthians 3:16, 1 Corinthians 6:19]

“Yes, we live under constant danger of death because we serve Jesus, so that the life of Jesus will be evident in our dying bodies.” [2 Corinthians 4:11] (NLT)

- Application: Have you chosen HIM to be your “Chief”? – Leader, Lord-Master, God.
What is your personal brand-mark as a slave, soldier of Christ and a temple of the Holy Spirit?

- Isaiah 53:4-6
· Who are the lost sheeps? --> US!!
· What was being beared by God:
(1) Our sorrows
(2) Pierced - trangresions
(3) Crushed - inquities [sin]
(4) Punished - peace [well-beings]
(5) Wounded - healing

Chapter 17 - I Have A Faithful Friend
- Have there been times – or are there times – when you wonder if God has forgotten or abandoned you? (Pg 157 of CG)

- An important truth: you are inscribed on the palms of His hands! “See My Hands”
· Do not depend on your feelings. The promise of God’s Word, not our feelings, is our authority.
· The Christian lives by faith (trust) in the trustworthiness of God Himself and His Word.
· Fact (God and His Word) – Engine
· Faith (Our trust in God and His Word) – Fuel-car
· Feeling (the result of our faith and obedience) – Passenger car [John 14:21]

- “He calls you friend” [John 15:15-16]
· How many of you are willing to truly lay down your life for your friend?
· Who will you be willing to die for?

- “The Striking or clasping of hands”
· But even in cultures where “hand-clasping is unknown in salutation, it is a symbol of the closest friendship” (Pg 162 OCG)
· It has roots in covenant: “pledge his allegiance – literally means gave His hand” [Ezekiel 17:18] (Pg 163 OCG)

- “Now put down a pledge for me with Yourself. Who is he who will shake hands with me?“ [Job 17:3] (NKJV)
“Lay down now, put me in a surety with thee; who is he that will strike hands with me?” [Job 17:3] KJV)

- “Strike” – taqa – taw kah – to slap/drive/pierce

- Application: Are you facing a situation in despair? Will you look to God for comfort and provision? Trust Him to be your sufficiency and caretaker? Realize that flesh can fail- and WILL fail! – Because flesh and its days on earth is limited. God’s promise for Job: – His restoration [Job 42:12]

SO will you strike hands with God as Your faithful Friend?

The Servant King
From heaven You came, helpless babe
Entered our world, Your glory veiled
Not to be served, but to serve
And give Your Life that we might live

This is our God, the servant King
He calls us now to follow Him
To bring our lives as a daily offering
Of worship to the servant King

There in the garden of tears
My heavy load He chose to bear
His heart with sorrow was torn
“Yet not my will but yours”, He said

Come; see His hands and His feet
The scars that speak of sacrifice
Hands that flung stars into space
To cruel nails surrendered

So let us learn how to serve
And in our lives enthrone Him
Each other’s needs to prefer
For it is Christ we’re serving

OCG BS4 - The Power of Covenant Part II [Chapter 12 - 14]

2006-11-29T01:32:00.001+08:00

Chapter 12 - I Have A Defender & Vindicator

- Background of Jonathan and David’s covenant:
Jonathan was son of the king of Israel, Saul. While Saul was rejected as king because of his disobedience, he became jealous of and plotted to kill David, the next anointed king. Despite the animosity between Saul and David, Jonathan and David remained faithful to the covenant and became each other’s defenders.

- Jonathan defends David
Because David was so successful in whatever he did, Saul became angry and jealous of David and plotted to kill David several times. We see how Jonathan came to David’s defend on 3 occasions:

1. 1 Samuel 19:1-6
Saul told Jonathan and all the attendants to kill David. Jonathan warned David and interceded successfully with Saul for him.

2. 1 Samuel 20
David flees from Saul and meets with Jonathan. They plan on how Jonathan will warn David if Saul is truly bent on killing David. Jonathan remains faithful even when faced with his father’s anger and is reminded of the uncertainty of his own future. “… ‘You son of a perverse and rebellious woman… As long as the son of Jesse lives on this earth, neither you nor your kingdom will be established…’ ” [1 Samuel 20:30-31]
Note:
· Usage of covenantal term “kindness” in 1 Samuel 20:8 & 1 Samuel 20:14 as reminders to covenant.
· Involved God as sovereign administrator of their covenant [1 Samuel 20:8,13,23,42]
· Extension of covenant btwn them to family and descendants [1 Samuel 20:15, 42]

[To those who attended BS that day, we were discussing about David also promising Saul himself not to harm Saul’s descendants. The verse is in 1 Samuel 24:20-21 “I know that you will surely be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established in your hands. Now swear to me by the LORD that you will not cut off my descendants or wipe out my name from my father's family.”]

3. 1 Samuel 23:15-18
Saul again seeks David’s life. Jonathan helped David find strength in God, saying “Don’t be afraid. My father Saul will not lay a hand in you. You will be king over Israel, and I will be second to you. Even my father Saul knows this.” And again, they made a covenant before God.

- David remains faithful to their covenant
2 Samuel 9
David has become the king of Israel. Remembering his covenant with Jonathan, he asks if there is anyone left in the house of Saul whom he can show kindness (covenantal term). Mephibosheth, son of Jonathan, is brought before him. He fulfills his covenant promise by –
(i) restoring Saul’s land to him [2 Samuel 9:7]
(ii) providing servants to farm and till the land [2 Samuel 9:10]
(iii) inviting Mephibosheth to eat at his table [2 Samuel 9:7, 10, 11, 13]

- God as David’s Defender
David trusted God to be his Covenantal Defender. Instead of taking revenge his own way, he relied on God for his victories and waited for God’s timing. On 2 occasions, he could kill Saul but restrained from doing so.

1) 1 Samuel 24
· Saul was relieving himself of heat in a cave when David and his men were at the back in the cave. [1 Samuel 24:3]
· Encouraged by his men, David cut off a corner of Saul’s robe, but was conscience-stricken and rebuked his men, “The LORD forbid that I should do such a thing to my master, the LORD's anointed, or lift my hand against him; for he is the anointed of the LORD.” [1 Samuel 24:4-5]
· "May the LORD judge between you and me. And may the LORD avenge the wrongs you have done to me, but my hand will not touch you…" [1 Samuel 24:12]
· "May the LORD be our judge and decide between us. May he consider my cause and uphold it; may he vindicate me by delivering me from your hand." [1 Samuel 24:15]

2) 1 Samuel 26
· David went to where Saul’s army had camped. He found Saul, lying asleep inside the camp with his spear stuck in the ground near his head. [1 Samuel 26: 5-7]
· "Don't destroy him! Who can lay a hand on the LORD's anointed and be guiltless? As surely as the LORD lives," he said, "the LORD himself will strike him; either his time will come and he will die, or he will go into battle and perish. But the LORD forbid that I should lay a hand on the LORD's anointed.” [1 Samuel 26:9-11]
· "The LORD rewards every man for his righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD's anointed. As surely as I valued your life today, so may the LORD value my life and deliver me from all trouble." [1 Samuel 26:23-24]

- David trusted God to deliver and vindicate him, making him the king of Israel in God’s timing.

- God as our Defender and Vindicator in NT

1) Romans 12:14, 17-21
· Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. [Romans 12:14]
· Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. [Romans 12:17]
· If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. [Romans 12:18]
· Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. [Romans 12:19]
· On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." [Romans 12:20]
· Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. [Romans 12:21]

The above verses talks about exhibiting grace to enemies instead of taking revenge into our own hands.

- “heap burning coals on his head” is not an imagery of how God may avenge us, but an act of kindness as according to another culture, providing him warmth when cold.
· Egyptians had a tradition of carrying a pan of charcoal on one’s head as a public act of repentance, suggesting that we should treat our enemies with kindness so that they may be ashamed and turn from their sins.

- When we rely on God as our defender, we emerge as the ultimate victor, because when we emotionally let go, the dependence works itself out practically. (Let God deal with the enemies, we treat them with love.) We move into the driver’s seat of the relationship/ situation, and we are no longer controlled/enslaved by them. The inability to let go of things of the past can cripple us, paralyze us, stopping us from moving on and doing what we can.

2) Matthew 5:43-48
· "You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' [Matthew 5:43]
· But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, [Matthew 5:44]
· that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. [Matthew 5:45]
· If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? [Matthew 5:46]
· And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? [Matthew 5:47]
· Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. [Matthew 5:48]

- love your enemy
- “be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect”
another reminder of God as our covenantal partner as we are called to put on His robe, to be like Him.

“If earthly troubles cause you to dismiss
Believers’ chances in a world of sin,
Take heart, my brothers when I tell you this:
I’ve read the ending of this book
& it says: “WE WIN!”

Chapter 13 - I Have Something Worth Dying For

- Defend your covenant partner (God & the body of Christ)
· Covent is a 2 way street
-->Just as our enemies have become God's, His enemies have become ours
-->Just as God defends/protects us, we need to defend/protect Him (that encompasses His other covenant partners.)
· When you touch one covenant partner, you touch the other as well. [Acts 9:1, Acts 26:10-11]
· In persecuting Christians, Saul was actually persecting God, their covenant partner! [Acts 9:4]
· As Christians, we are God's annointed simply because we are in covenant with God (belong to Jesus by the blood of the New Covenant)
-->Upon beliving the gospel of our salvation / accepting Christ as our saviour, every believer receives an annointing which is the Holy Spirit [1 John 2:20, 1 John 2:27]

- We, as fellow Christians (all annointed by God), form the body of Christ
· We are members of one another, with Jesus as our head
· We are to defend one another, help, admoish, discipline [Colossians 1:28]
· Hurting one another is as good as spritual masochism & this hurts/grieves God as well

- Know the cost of being in covenant with God (God's enemies will be our enemies as well) John 15:18-19

- The world :-
· is the enemy of God
· values, priorities, standards, philosphies are distinctly opposed to God / truth
· does not like righteousness
· does not acknowledge God's sovereignty
· domain of "the prince of this world"

- Why the world hates us :-
· because it first hated God
· because Jesus took away every excuse for sin, by coming to earth as a frail human being, subjected to the emotions, limitations, struggles & temptations that you & I face and yet, walked in obedience to God, totally surrendered to His will, even to cruxifiction on the cross (holy & righteous life)
· therefore we as followers of Christ, who are chosen out of the world / set apart to be consecrated for His purposes, would also be hated/persecuted/ridiculed/snubbed

- "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
· Jesus is warning His followers
· As Christians, we should expect continuing tensions with an unbeliving world that is "out of sync" with Christ / His gospel / His people but at the same time, we can expect our relationship with God to provide peace & comfort because we are "in sync" & aligned with Him
· The disciples & us can take courage despite inevitable struggles & trials because we would not be alone but with the Holy Spirit's empowerment. [John 16:13-15]

- Take a stand against the ways of the world (God's enemy)
· Are we guilty of SPIRITUAL ADULTARY??
· Fidelity / loyalty to our covenant partner leaves no room for liasons / escapades / affairs with the "prince of this world" / Satan who is a murder, father of lies, thief and destroys [John 8:44, John 10:10]
· The gravity of disobedience / independence is highlighted in Paul's analogy of marriage [2 Corinthians 11:2-3]
--> Paul was anxious because the church's love should be for Christ alone, just as a pure virgin saves her love for one man only
--> Over here, "virgin" is meant the one who is unaffected by false doctrines
--> Some examples / things / people / goals / asepcts of our lifestyle that threatens / compromises our committments / allegiance to God are non-Christian boyfriends/girlfriends, hunger for nightlife, over-indulgence in leisure activities, video games - all that takes away our time from God & His ministry

- The apostle John reminds us that worldiness is not only limited to external behaviours, ie: people that we associate with, places we go & activities we enjoy

- Worldlines is also internal because it begins in the heart & is characterised by 3 attitudes [1 John 2:15-17]
(1) "Cravings of sinful man"
--> Preoccupied with gratifying physical desires like food / lust [Genesis 3:6, Matthew 4:1-11]
--> A way to "counter" this worldliness is by self-control
(2) "Lust of his eyes"
--> craving & accumlating things
--> bowing to the god of materialism
--> A way to "counter" this worldliness is by spirit of generosity
(3) "Boasting of what he has & does"
--> obession with one's status / importance
--> A way to "counter" this worldliness is to have a committment to humble service
*** We must be careful because it is possible to give the impression of avoiding worldy pleasures while still harbouring worldly attitudes in one's hearts.

- A powerful way to help us dimisish / extinguish worldly inclinations is found is 1 John 2:17
"The world is passing away, and also its lusts; but the one who (B)does the will of God lives forever"

- God has also provided a powerful tool for overcoming the obstacles to living a godly life [2 Timothy 3:10-17, Romans 8:26-37]

Chapter 14 - I Have His Strength & Power

- Exchanging of the belt in making a covenant symbolises that when one is weak / run out of strength, the partner's strength & ability will be there for him. It is also used in protection that has been seen in
(1) Soldiers in David's time - holding sword & arrows
(2) Roman soldiers - keeping breastplates in place
(3) Modern day soldiers - holding grenades, bullets, knives

- Likewise, God has promised us His strength when we become covenant partners with Him. ·
· Imagine how God's power can be unleashed in our lives if we tap into His infinte resources
· Imagine how differently we would have lived our lives & react to circumstances / trials / tribulations / diffculities if we faced each day with the conscious knowledge & readiness to tap into God's strength & power

- We are to put on the FULL ARMOUR OF GOD when battling against our enemies [Ephesians 6:10-17]
· Our warring opponents are not flesh & blood but are the unseen yet powerful evil forces of fallen angels headed by Satan whose goal is to defeat Christ's church and to turn every man back to sin
· To withstand their attacks, we must depend on God's supernatural strength & to use every piece of His armour
· Although we are assured of the ultimate victory, we must engage in the struggle till Christ returns because Satan is constantly battling against all those who are on God's side

- The 6 Piece of Armour of God
(1) Belt of truth
(2) Breastplate of righteousness
(3) Sandals of the gospel of peace
(4) Shield of faith
(5) Helmet of salvation
(6) Sword of the Spirit

- Unceasing & continous prayers is also important

- "And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness " Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." [2 Corinthians 12:9]

- Perfected = teleioo in Greek which means finished, completed, accomplised

- Sometimes when God does not seems to answer our prayers for His removal of an afflictions whether it is physical / emotional / mental, it is because
· He wants to demostrate His power in us
· He wants to teach us to rely on God solely on our talents, energy, efforts, resources & abilities
· our weakness develops Christian character
· it also deepens our worship in admitting our weakness . human limitations, we affirm God's strength
· it also keeps us from being prideful or doing things or God's work by our own strength
· by acknowledging that we are weak, we then allow God to fill us with His power & we can become stronger than we could ever be on our own & will be truely effective for Him & do work that has lasting values

- Power = dunamis in Greek, which is the same word as ability

OCG BS 3 - The Power of Covenant Part I [Chapter 9 - 11]

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Chapter 9 - I'm Assured Of My Covenant Heritge

- God initiated the rite of circumcision as He revealed Himself as El Shaddai, and changed Abraham's name to Abraham - "father of a multitude" and circumcision was a sign of the covenant, which were to be kept throughout every generation. [Genesis 17:7-8]

- God had made specific promises/covenant to Abraham & these promises were fulfilled as seen in Genesis, Exodus & Psalms 105.
· An heir from Abram's own body [Genesis 15:4], Psalms 105:9, [Genesis 21:1-3]
· Descendants as many as the stars in heaven [Genesis 15:5, Psalms 105:24]
· Inheritance of the land that God will give to Abram & his descendants[Genesis 15:7, Genesis 18-21, Psalms 105:44]
· Abram's descendants will be strangers in a land that is not theirs & will serve them & they will afflict them 400 years [Genesis 15:13, Psalms 105:16-23, Psalms 25, Exodus 12:40]
· The nation whom Abram's descendants serve God will judge; afterward they shall come out with great possessions [Genesis 15:14, Psalms 105:26-38, Psalms 42-43, Exodus 6:4-6]
· Abram will go to his fathers in peace; he will be buried at a good old age [Genesis 15:15, Genesis 25:7-8]
· In the 4th generation, Abram's descendants will return to the land [Genesis 15:16]

- If we walk in God's commandments, keep and perform them, we will receive blessings from Him. [Leviticus 26:3-13]

- However, if we choose to not obey Him, not observe His commandants and break the covenant, then God's curses will be upon us.
[Leviticus 26:14-39]

- Of course, if we confess our iniquity and are humbled to accept our guilt, we will receive grace from Him. [Leviticus 26:40-41]

Chapter 10 - I Have A New Identity

- When we have a covenant partner, we are no longer alone. When we put on our covenant partner's robe, it means that we take on the covenant partner's likeness & values. Also, we will make decisions taking regard for our covenant partner's concerns & interests & well-being. [1 Samuel 18:4]

- We are to put on Lord Jesus Christ & to lay aside the deeds of darkness. [Romans 13:12-14]

12 The night is almost gone, and the day is near Therefore let us lay aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.
13 Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.
14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to its lusts. [Romans 13:12-14]

- When we struggle, we should always take our struggles in sin to the Word because each new truth we learn is liberating. Sin is walking independently from God. That was the was the "old self", "old man" or "old you" lived until you, in faith, drank the cup of the New Covenant in His blood, the same covenant in which you spiritually walked into death and shed the old man. [2 Corinthians 5:14-17]
17 Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. [ 2 Corinthians 5:17]

- In Colossians, this death of old self is the circumcision of your flesh. Circumcision is the cutting away of the old. [Colossians 2:11-13]

- A comparison of the old robe & new robe were made as well.
Old Robe
* Lay aside deeds of darkness [Romans 13:12]

* Behave indecently as in day time, in orgies & drunkedness, in sexual immoralities & debauchery, indessension & jealousy [Romans 13:13]
* Earthly natures: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, greed which
amounts to idolatory [Colossians 3:5]
* In anger, rage, malice, slander, filthy language from lips, lie to each other [Colossians 3:8-9]

New Robe
* Put of amour of light [Romans 13:12]
* Cloth yourself in Lord Jesus Christ and do not think how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature [Romans 13:14]
* Cloth in compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. [Colossians 3:12]
* Bear each other and forgive whatever grievences you may have against one another [Colossians 3:13]
* Put on love, let peace of Christ rule in your heart. Be thankful. [Colossians 3:14]
* Let the love of Christ richly dwell in you. [Colossians 3:16]

Chapter 11 - I Have His Help In Temptations

- Lord Jesus Christ became a man because He wants to put on the robe of man. [John 1:1-3, John 1:14]

- Lord Jesus Christ chose to leave the ivory palaces where the heavenly host constantly sang His praises, to a place where He is confine to our fleshly images and to be despised and rejected by men because:
* He loved us as Himself and wants to enter into a covenant with men & to put on our humanity. [John 3:16-17]
* That He might taste death for every man, ie: pay for our sins, for the wages of sin is death. Through death, He destroys the Satan, that might deliver those who fear death not to be the subject to slavery to Satan. [Hebrews 2:14-15]
* That we can have a high priest who can understand our weakness, sitting on the throne at the right hand of God because He knows that the spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. [Hebrews 2:17-18]

- Thus, we all must know how to deal with temptations like Jesus Christ.
* Through prayer and petitions [Hebrews 5:7]
* Not giving into temptations [Matthew 4:1-11]
* Living on the Word [Matthew 4:4]
* Submit to God & resist the devil [James 4:7]
* Flee from temptations & seek righteousness[2 Timothy 2:22]
* Better to lose one part of your body than for the whole body to be thrown to hell[Matthew 5:29-30]
* Resist & be firm in your faith [1 Peter 5:9]

OCG BS 2 - Covenant: Solemn & Binding [Chapter 6 - 8]

2006-11-13T22:41:00.000+08:00

Chapter 6 - A Bond In Blood
- The ritual steps of making a covenant were explained. Each step is a promise that God gives us when He becomes our covenant partner. [Chap 6, page 49-50]
1) The exchange of robes - I am putting on you..and you me. We are one
2) The exchange of weapons - Your enemies are now mine..and mine yours
3) The exchange of belts - When you are weak, my strength will be there for you
4) Walking through the pieces of the flesh of the slain animal, which is a walk unto death, a death of my Self - I am dying to my independent living.. and to my rights
5) Swore an oath by pointing first to heaven then to the slain animals - God, do so to me.. if I break this covenant
6) Made a cut on their wrists and clasped their hands to mingle their blood - We--once two--have now become one
7) Recited what they owned - What is mine is yours..what is yours is mine
8) Rubbed dirt into their cut wrists - Whereever I am, when I lift my hand and see the scar, I will remember I have a covenant partner
9) Exchanged new names - Because of the covenant, I have a new identity
10) Partake a meal - You are eating me, and I you
11) A memorial was set up, as a testimony of the covenant - Now I call you Friend - my Friend who sticks closer than a brother

- Covenant was a pledge to death, a pledge born of love & a pledge cut in blood.

- Significance of blood.
a) Blood represents life [Leviticus 17:11]
11 'For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you on the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood by reason of the life that makes atonement." [Leviticus 17:11]
· Giving of blood represents the giving of life, and that the receiving of blood represents the receiving of life
· Inter-commingling of blood of two organismsis equivalent to the inter-commingling of the lives, of the personalities, of the natures thus brought together; so that there is one life in the two bodies, a common life between the two friends.

b) Blood shedding represents forgiveness [Hebrews 9:22]
22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.· Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission, no forgiveness of sins [Hebrews 9:22] · · Without sheeding of blood, there is no remission , no forgiveness of sins

- 3 characteristics of a divine covenant [Chap 6, page 54-55]
a) A divine covenant is a bond
b) A divine covenant is a bond in blood
c) A divine covenant is a bond in blood sovereignly administered

- Justice is invocated when men made a covenant between themselves
· They called upon God to take holy vengeance should the covenant be broken
· A covenant cut in blood could require the blood of the one who broke the covenant
· And it was God who would to see to that holy vengeance!!

- Being our covenant partner, God has promised never to leave nor to forsake us [Hebrews 13:5]
5 Make sure that your character is free from the love of money, being content with what you have; for He Himself has said, "I WILL NEVER DESERT YOU, NOR WILL I EVER FORSAKE YOU," [Hebrews 13:5]

Chapter 7 - A Walk Into Death
- Faith is taking God at His Word, beliving Him and responding accordingly. Where there is true faith, there is a commitment of yourself to what you believe

- Jesus is calling us, His followers, to a walk into death - death to independent living [Mark 8:35-36, Luke 14:26-33]
35 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. [Mark 8:35]
27 "Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. [Luke 14:27]
33 "So then, none of you can be My disciple who does not give up all his own possessions. [Luke 14:33]

- In covenant, we no longer live for yourself; there is a Covenant Partner to consider, and we must be true to that Covenant Partner. A covenant is a bond that commits us to another. [Galatians 2:20]
20 "I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me. [Galatians 2:20]

- When one has turly come to Christ through the blood of the New Covenant, one has become a new creature in Christ Jesus. One is united with our Covenant Partner in death and raised to walk with Him in newness of life [2 Corinthians 5:17]

- When we acknowledge that Jesus died for our sins, we hear and velieve in our heart and are sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise. The Holy Spirit is in us, and our minds are set on the things of the Spirit. [Romans 8:1-5]

- By being born of God, we can no longer sin & are no longer living in sins [1 John 2:1, 1 John 3:4-6, 1 John 3:9]

Chapter 8 - An Unbreakable Commitment
- A Covenant is a covenant is a covenant. Covenant commitment is menat to be unbreakable

- God takes on our enemies, comes to our defense and commits His weaponary to our side [Chap 8, page 73-78]
· Joshua did not asked for the counsel of the Lord when the Gibeonites disguised themselves before him, asking for peace [Joshua 9:14-15]· Joshua made peace & covenant with the Gibeonites and let them live
· he even made the leaders of the congregation swore an oath to the Gibeonites
· 3 days later, the Israelites realised that the Gibeonites had lied but still did nto strike because of the covenant made [Joshua 9:18-19]
· King of Jerusalem & 4 other kings attack the Gibeonites
· Joshua keeping his covenant, lead army to fight of the kings for the Gibeonites [Joshua 10:7-8]
· God lead the battle for Joshua and won because Joshua kept his promises [Joshua 10:11]

OCG BS 1 - Covenant: The Very Gate of Heaven [Chap 2 to 5]

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Chapter 2 – I Can Be Secure
- God’s covenant promises are unfailing and therefore to be believed and embraced by His people. [Jeremiah 33:20-21, 25-26]

---> Covenant made with David: David's descendants will rule over Abraham's descendants [Jeremiah 33:25-26, Galatians 3:6-7]
25 "Thus says the LORD, 'If My covenant for day and night stand not, and the fixed patterns of heaven and earth I have not established,
26 then I would reject the descendants of Jacob and David My servant, not taking from his descendants rulers over the descendants of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob But I will restore their fortunes and will have mercy on them." [Jeremiah 33:19-26]

Chapter 3 – I Can Trust Him Completely
- First occurrence of the word covenant in the Word of God: Genesis 6:18
18 "But I will establish My covenant with you; and you shall enter the ark--you and your sons and your wife, and your sons' wives with you. [Genesis 6:18]

- God obligated Himself to preserve man in the midst of judgment [Chap 3, page 200 - 23]
· Wickedness of man was rampant
· The Lord was grieved in His heart and decided to blot out all mankind on the face of the earth [Genesis 6:5-6]
· He found Noah to be only one who is righteous & blameless [Genesis 6:9]
· He made a covenant with Noah and everything under his care and instructed him to build the ark
· The Judgment of the Flood came
· When the Flood ended, Noah built an altar to the Lord and sacrificed a soothing aroma to God
· God will never curse the ground on account of man, for man’s heart is evil from his youth
· God made an unconditional promise to Noah [Genesis 9:9-11]
· He set a bow in the clouds to as a sign of the covenant to remember the covenant He has made with Noah [Genesis 9:12-16]

--> The Lord made a covenant with Noah: Never again to destroy all living creatures with a flood [Genesis 9:11]
11 "I establish My covenant with you; and all flesh shall never again be cut off by the water of the flood, neither shall there again be a flood to destroy the earth." [Genesis 9:11]

Thoughts to ponder:
a) Seeing the rainbow in the sky, what does it mean to you?
b) Do you think that the rainbow is meant for God to remember or for us to remember?

Chapter 4 – I Am Loved Unconditionally
--> The Lord made a covenant with Abraham: His descendants will be given land [Genesis 15:18]
18 On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram, saying, "To your descendants I have given this land, From the river of Egypt as far as the great river, the river Euphrates [Genesis 15:18]

- When Abraham asked God how he would know that he would possess the land, God asked Abraham to bring Him sacrifices, and God Himself was the one who was cutting the covenant [Genesis 15:9-21, Chap 4, page 29-33]

- Made a covenant => karath beriyth in Herbrew
· It is a solemn, binding agreement made by passing through the pieces of flesh
· When the word beriyth [covenant] is used between God and man, it is a covenant accompanied by signs, sacrifices, and a solemn oath that sealed the relationship with promise of blessing for keeping the covenant and curses for breaking it.
· When God enters into a covenantal relationship with men, he sovereignly institutes a life-and-death bond.
· A covenant is a bond in blood, or a bond of life and death, sovereginly administered.

· Noticed that there is shedding of blood.

- In the Old Testament/covenant, the one passing through the pieces pledged his faithfulness to the covenant. If that faithfulness was broken, he called death upon himself, or the same fate, which befell the animals.

Chapter 5 – His Promises Will Never Fail
- A new covenant, that offered an exchange of death for life, had began at the Lord’s supper. [Genesis 26:26-28]
· That promised covenant would change forever the awful consequence of the wages of sins – death

- Covenant => diatheke in Greek is used in New Testament/covenant
· Not the usual Greek word for covenant
· It is a testament or an agreement
· Denotes disposition – which is a settlement of one’s property and possessions at death
· It is like the word grace. It means a bond between unequal partners.

- Covenant => suntheke in Greek, which is a more ordinary word to be used
· Suntheke which denotes agreement, was based on such an extent on the legal equality of the parties, that it could not be incorporated in the Scripture system of thought. The idea that the priority belongs to God in the establishment of covenant and that He sovereignly imposes His covenant on man was absent from this word

- A covenant can refer to 2 equal parties or a disposition between 2 unequal parties. The crux is who are the parties concerned.

- In this context, the parties concerned are God and man, which are unequal parties. Therefore God is the Sovereign who stipulates His demands and vouchsafes His promises and we assume the duties imposed upon us voluntarily and thus inherit the blessings.

Thoughts to ponder:
a) Do you feel secure after knowing that God has made a covenant with you? Share your thoughts, quoting from the book or scripture.
b) What areas of my life do I feel/know that I’ll need to trust God more?
c) In your opinion, did God make the right choice to come down to earth and cut the new covenant of grace with man? Share your thoughts.
d) Honestly speaking, do we deserve God’s grace and unconditional love?

Exhortation: We must remember what the Lord has done for us on the Cross, because in the end times, it will be very evil as in the days of Noah.

Prayer Meeting - 28 Oct

2006-10-31T12:54:00.000+08:00

General:
- Praying for North Korea

Abby:
- thank God for her recovery from her abscess removal
- for her workplace atmosphere as her colleague's (she is leaving end of this year) bo chap attitude is angering her boss
- for diligence to study God's Word

Chris:
- for focus at work & for new project system to pick up soon
- for good health as she had been falling sick often & nightly rest
- for closer walk with God

Denise:
- thank God for being able to attend YM prayer ministry GAP meetings on Friday nites again
- for consistent GAP attendance & that her netball training which is starting next week won't clash with it
- thank God for more time with Him now that her exams are over
- for her to still be close to God when it gets busy again next year
- for her diligence to study God's Word so that she can do BS with her schoolmates

Gladwin
- for ability to get back to work next monday despite of holiday mood
- for wisdom to make the right choices 'cos he will be taking up the position of YM Curriculum Head
- to know God's direction / vision for Akuou (& our next BS materials) and YM curriculum for next year
- to understand His Word better

Haoguang:
- thanksgiving for an interesting week where his dad, who just returned from China & is going back again soon to work, brought him to view showflats as they have to move house next Jan
- for his dad to buy a bigger flat so that his sister won't have to live in a really small room
- for his mum who is in Germany (her lost suitcase was returned to her)
- for his studies as his A levels are starting 2 Nov (he's stressed but still coping ok, study progress slow)
- for him to stick close to God & know His will

Jason:
- for him to stick close to God & know His will
- for his studies as his A levels are starting 2 Nov
- for him to find a job after A levels e.g. relief teaching or internship in a publications company as his enlistment date is on 13 April next year

Kexin:
- for God's guidance & wisdom at work & in YSG, to be mindful of words said
- to be able to cope with constant change at work
- for good fellowship on sunday / saturday evening with YSG
- for diligence in next week's YSG BS prep, for her youths to be diligent in their discussion prep on worldview for the Bible history & for God's truth to convince & touch their hearts
- for her sister's chinese wedding prep to go smoothly & smooth flight on 12 Nov
- for her family 's salvation
- thanksgiving for ability to manage time better
- thanksgiving for loving family members (she's excited abt her sister's wedding!)

Lionel:
- for smooth briefing with the air force's 2nd-in-command this monday
- for his walk with God to know Him better & His will

Sarah:
- for good health as it's really getting cold here. She's gonna buy a down jacket (winter coat) this weekend or something
- for strength for the week especially when she's teaching (which is Tuesday & Thursday this semester and everyday for next semester) 'cos she has to wake up early 5am-ish
- for safety & good usage of the car she just bought today (especially 'cos winter conditions might be bad)
- for good time mgt & widsom from God to complete all her assignments (lots of them) which are due these few weeks

Viona:
- to be a gd testimony at home & at work (ability to share the gospel to her colleagues when opportunity arises)

Wanling:
- thank God for her promotion to JC2!
- for people around her who are sick e.g. her cousin, Rebecca, who had leukemia at 5 yrs old & recently had similar symptoms again (she's 14 this year)
- for her overseas Community Involvement Program (CIP) in Udonthani (17 to 28 Nov) where she will be building houses
- closer to God (her deep desire)

Winnie:
- thanksgiving for the recent camps & retreats
- to trust God to set up personal discipleship groups among the nursing & mass comm students
- for a fruitful time of BS prep with Shuying this week

Prayer - 'A' Level Exam Schedule

2006-10-31T12:52:00.000+08:00

Below is the exam schedule for Andrew, Jason and Haoguang. Please keep them in prayer. =)

2 Nov: GP - Andrew, Jason & Haoguang
7 Nov: Maths C Paper 1 - Andrew
8 Nov: Chemistry Paper 3 - Andrew
           Geography Paper 1 - Haoguang
9 Nov: Maths C Paper 2 - Andrew
13 Nov: Physics Paper 1 and 2 - Andrew
             Literature Paper 1 - Jason & Haoguang
14 Nov: Chemistry Paper 2 - Andrew
             Economics Paper 1 - Jason & Haoguang
15 Nov: Physics Paper 3 - Andrew
             Economics Paper 2 - Jason & Haoguang
16 Nov: Geography Paper 2 - Haoguang
             History Paper 1 - Jason
17 Nov: Chemistry Paper 1 and F Maths Paper 1 - Andrew
             Literature Paper 2 - Jason & Haoguang
20 Nov: F Maths Paper 2 - Andrew
             History Paper 2 - Jason
21 Nov: Maths S Paper - Andrew
22 Nov: History S Paper - Jason
             Literature Paper 3 - Jason & Haoguang
24 Nov: Physics S Paper - Andrew

Oct birthday celebrations!! =)

2006-10-21T02:38:00.000+08:00

Sorry guys.. Have to make you guys & gals wait for so long for the video & photos..

Sep fellowship photos & videos!! =)

2006-10-21T01:20:00.000+08:00

Sorry guys.. Late in the photo & video uploading.. Enjoy some of the photos here.. More at the album website.. =)

Prayer List

2006-09-07T00:24:00.000+08:00

Abby:
- for her colleague who is very affected at work by a failed relationship (as a result, her boss will be terminating her service at the end of this year) that she may come to know God
- for easing of tension at her work environment

Andrew:
- A levels prelims starting 11 Sep, to be focused on his studies
- good health

Chris:
- very busy at work in new project, for strength & direction from the Lord

Denise:
- helping her cousin, Valerie, who's taking her O levels prelims in 1 week's time, for wisdom from the Lord to know how to teach her cousin who is very hard-pressed for time to catch up with what she doesn't know (alot)
- for time to study for her promos in the 1st week of October

Haoguang:
- A levels prelims starting 11 Sep, for good time mgt
- good health

Jason:
- A levels prelims starting 11 Sep, to ration his time well
- for his parents not to be worried when he returns home late after sudying outside with his frens
- good health

Lionel:
- for recovery of his voice & daily wisdom

Shaocai:
- for sufficient rest & strength

Sharon:
- for God to change the parts of her that are not pleasing to Him & for joy & contentment

Shuying:
- to return to the Lord & spend time with Him as she hasn't been doing so for some time
- for her father's urinary problem as he will be going for a checkup this week, which will be followed by an operation

Viona:
- for discipline to do what she has to do

Wanling:
- for her brother's O levels that he will focus on his studies instead of BGR, that he may come to know the Lord
- for her studies as she is very busy & stressed, that she may cope well with the increasingly heavy workload

Winne:
- thanksgiving for a new washing machine LG (life is good!)
- thanksgiving for a new start in her ministry at Ngee Ann Poly with her new staff team
- for good time mgt in to do what she has to do e.g. prepare BS etc
- for her upcoming retreats involving lots of ministry planning for the future
- for her room-mate (Sharon Wu)'s wisdom tooth post-surgery recovery (had infection, hence stitches not removed yet after the usual 1 week)

Denise's Birthday Pics

2006-08-24T00:56:00.000+08:00

Hear Ye Hear Ye!

haha these are Denise's birthday pics at Manhattan Fish market.

The lovely birthday girl herself !

Our Covenant God BS Introductory Session

2006-08-18T23:23:00.000+08:00

Hmm.. Saw alot of emails arounds with regards to the introductory session up & coming next Saturday (26 Aug).. It will be an important one.. As Glad & Kel cannot stress the importantance enough.. So.. Here is another reminder.. =)

Did some research online.. And found yet another comment/review by Publishers Weekly.. Apart from the synopsis from Kel.. Hope this will help to let you guys & gals have a better idea of what is up & coming.. =)

From Publishers Weekly
Popular Bible teacher Arthur, cofounder of Precept Ministries, traces the idea of God's covenant from the Old and New Testaments to its meaning for people in the 20th century. She begins by reflecting on the first sign of God's covenant with humankind in the story of Noah and the flood. She then explores the ramifications of the covenant relationship between David and Jonathan, before focusing her attention on Jesus Christ as the mediator of the New Covenant. She notes, "A covenant relationship supersedes all other relationships. If you are in covenant with Jesus Christ, you are in covenant with One who is God." Using anecdotes from her own ministry experiences as well as a deep reading of Scriptures, Arthur explains the seriousness of making a covenant, especially in an age she sees as marked by casual commitments and broken promises. While readers will benefit from the depth of her study, her saccharine and manipulative style will put off many readers. For example, Arthur notes, "Beloved Christ laid down his life for you... His potential covenant partner, and you are to do the same." Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Book Description
SOMEONE LOVES YOU. UNCONDITIONALLY. UNSHAKABLE, UNFAILINGLY. That Someone is God Himself. But how can that be possible? Why would God love you so? Because He has fashioned an unbreakable covenant between Himself and you. And He always keeps His promises. “Everything God does,” says Kay Arthur, “is based on His covenant.” And when you understand how thoroughly the dynamic concept of covenant permeates everything God says in His Word, and everything He does in our lives, you’ll come to experience one of the most stabilizing, most freeing truths you’ll ever know.

In a culture in which unfaithfulness is rampant, God’s “fierce, ferocious loyalty” toward us is difficult to imagine. And yet, through her characteristically warm and wise exploration of the Scripture, Kay Arthur will lead you into discovering the stunning truth of God’s covenant–and help you experience its revolutionary truth in your life.

The Bible reveals the covenant bond to be the highest personal relationship possible. In ancient times, covenants were solemn, binding agreements supremely honored above all others. Making a covenant represented an unqualified, total commitment of one person to another–unconditionally, totally, eternally.
As you follow the thread of God’s covenant woven throughout the Bible, you’ll discover the awesome privilege of getting to know the Lord as your Covenant God.

About the Author
Kay Arthur is perhaps the best-known and most-beloved woman Bible teacher in America today. The co-founder of Precept Ministries, based in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Kay is the author of a number of books and an internationally known Bible teacher and conference speaker. She’s also the host of a national radio broadcast. Each year, Kay reaches hundreds of thousands of people from a wide variety of denominations through Precept Bible Studies held in churches across the U.S. and around the world.

Colossians - Children

2006-08-09T00:01:00.000+08:00

We ought to differentiate b/w commands & wishes of our parents.
We are only told to obey the commands/instructions of our parents AS FAR AS it is right before God. We have no mandate to obey the wishes of our parents. (But we can choose to fulfil their wishes if we love them)

(You are right when you foresee the possible outcomes of such commandment. True, children can turn out to become like their parents if they follow wholesale without any discretion, esp when they don’t know God’s standard. Selfish parents may produce selfish children.)

Due to the potential of undesirable outcomes, it is precisely why establishing a godly family needs 2 individuals who love God, study God’s Word to obey & filled with God’s power to fulfil their duties.

Having said that, I must remind you we are told to pray for our authority (1Tim 2:2).
If our obedience to God is linked to our obedience to our parents BEFORE we get married, then only God can ensure that whatever commands they give you are reasonable &, if not, only God can change their hearts towards you.

Encouraged

2006-07-26T05:28:00.000+08:00

i'm feeling happy. =) *beams*

it's not because my class is doing well - they aren't trust me. failing badly. and acting out big time! but still can find joy in the Lord. so when my prof asked to use one word to describe how i was feeling, i said "happy". =) it's always a joy to know that all of you back home are praying and encouraging me. just come to the blog see the sometimes *lame* jokes and all-so-familiar faces from the pics. i have of course, stuck the picture that sg gave on my wall. =) well, i'm kinda also getting some 'spiritual food' here.. like glad will nicely share what he learnt from his BS. =) i'm still looking around for churches. been to 2 so far. pretty nice. gonna visit one more this coming sunday and wait for keng to come back before deciding on anything.. do continue to pray for us, for wisdom because technically, he's a member for his current church - which makes things kinda sticky. =p

You Donkey!

2006-07-24T23:12:00.000+08:00

Thoughts from a Bible study I attended today:

Did you realise that Christ never calls us donkeys but He calls us His sheeps?

Why is that so?
Think about it, who carries burdens?
The donkey or the sheep?

Beloved ones, our Lord called us to be His sheep because He is our Great Shepherd who will lead us, guide us, tend us to health in our weaknesses, and carrying us on his back when we are tired.
As His sheep, we were intended to carry His burden but never our own.

“Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest.
Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and YOU WILL FIND REST FOR YOUR SOULS.
For My yoke is easy and my burden is light” (Mt 11:28-30)

In His Omniscience, He knows the difficulties and temptations we faced daily in school, at work, home and even in the church.

In His Omnipresence, He is there when we struggle, when we cry and even when we fall.
He has firmly promised, “I will never leave you nor forsake you”

Yet unless we look to Him, we will fail to see His Strength in our circumstances, we fail to realize His Love which faithfully carries us through the difficulty, or even His peace that He has promised if we present our requests to Him.

“Not by might nor by power but by My Spirit,” says the LORD of hosts. (Zech 4:6)

In spite of our unworthiness and cursed state, Christ our great Shepherd bore our sins and paid for our lives. Is there anything in our lives that is too difficult for Him?

Are you still carrying your burdens?
Have you surrendered your cares, your frustrations and your anxieties at His feet Today?

Reach out to Him today!
Da Tou

Akuou

2006-07-20T00:43:00.000+08:00

Hello everyone,

This is your friend updater (sound familiar right) here again, just wanna inform you all of 2 things =)

1) This coming Saturday's fellowship (22/7) is not happening liao. SG will be having a break. However, whoever haven't watch Pirates of the Caribbean, some of us are planning to watch it either Sat afternoon or evening. Do let me know if you're interested. Thanks!

2) Thanks so much for praying for Kexin's colleagues who went to JOH. Kexin shares that her colleagues all went except for the boyfriend. They enjoyed themselves and the preacher was very ministering. We believe that God's seed has been sown on soften hearts. Please pray that in due time, God will bring ppl into their individual lives to lead them to Christ eventually.

Thank you all!

luv abby

JB Dinner Pics..

2006-07-14T23:03:00.000+08:00

hey guys, the long awaited dinner pics from our JB trip!

Food!Abby & Lionel !

See no Evil ..
Hear no Evil ..
'EAT' no Evil !

Ready, Set Go!

2006-07-12T11:49:00.000+08:00

Recently, I was listening to Jacob Prasch's message "Are people ready?'
Although he didn't use Luke 12. The Lord guided me to this particular passage.

Thoughts from Luke 12

Jesus spoke about the promise of His provision for our daily needs with these promises;
- "But if God so clothes the grass in the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the furnace, how much more will he clothe you? You men of little faith!” v28
- But seek His kingdom , and these things will be added to you. v:30

It is interesting that immediately after this, our Lord, continues with the following verses;
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Be dressed in readiness, and keep your lamps lit.” v34,35
“Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he come” v:37

And when the disciples asked for clarification, Jesus said,
“Who then is the faithful and sensible steward, whom his master will put in charge of his servants, to give them rations at the proper time? Blessed is that slave whom his master finds so doing when he comes.” v42,43

“Lord, I have enough of them. I’m tired.”
“Father, let me finish this project first”
“Lord, she just won’t stop!”
“Abba, what about getting my qualifications?”

We have a common enemy, the devil.
And we know that he uses such thoughts as these to discourage us from stepping up to serve Him.

Of course, we have moments of burnt out and hence we need rest. But what after we’ve rested? Are we still going to silence our ears to the needs of His people? Have we forgotten His words when He called you to step up? Or who are you serving for?

Comeon, lets stop being Christian bums. Let's not be satisfied with merely marking our attendances in church and smallgroup, enjoying His blessings of fellowship and achievements in work/school, getting our hands messy with the trivial matters and yet neglecting his Commission.

Isaiah was sawn into two pieces, for faithfully preaching His Word.

Stephen was stoned to death.

James the Less at the age of ninety-four, he was beaten and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller's club.

Bartholomew, another one of the apostles, preached in several countries, and having translated the Gospel of Matthew into the language of India, he propagated it in that country. He was at length cruelly beaten and then crucified by the impatient idolaters.

Look at the Bible you now hold. It came with massive volumes of bloodshed.
John Wycliffe was persecuted for translating the Bible into the English.

Have they suffered for nothing?

We are now in the age of great technological advancement where information travels at the speed of light; where we can be at the other end of the earth within 1 day etc.
Our libraries are filled with stories of many great people. Our bible alone, speaks of many Giants of Faith.

Have the blood of these faithful men been shed in vain?

What is our generation doing?
Are your ready for His return?

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be required; and to whom they entrusted much, of him they will ask all the more.” Luke 12:48

“Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the alert when he come”

Glad

Romans 8:14

2006-07-10T13:21:00.000+08:00

Came across this verse & prayer and would like to share with all..

"... those who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God." -- Romans 8:14

THOUGHTS:
The Holy Spirit is God's seal on us. The Spirit lives in us and his presence in us means we are God's temple. The Spirit works to transform us to be more like Christ. The Spirit helps us produce the virtues of Christ -- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, self-control, and faithfulness. The Spirit intercedes for us when we pray, communicates the groaning of our hearts when we don't have words, and fills us with power when we worship. In addition, the Spirit is our assurance that we are God's children. We are his. His future, his blessings, and his grace are ours.

PRAYER:
Dear Father, thank you so much for living inside me through your Holy Spirit. Thank you for the assurance of your love, your presence, your power, and your guidance as I try to make the decisions and face the challenges of my daily life. Dear Father, as I yield my heart and my will to your Spirit's transforming grace and power, please help me develop more of your character and more completely display your grace today, and every day, as I face the tasks before me. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

2006-07-08T02:05:00.000+08:00

Yo!

I'm finally back from my In Camp Training!
haha Here's some pics from the chilling out session with Abby and Pearl!

Hee
Glad

24th June’s BS Notes

2006-07-07T19:10:00.000+08:00

Yo.. Here’s my contribution for the last BS.. Erm Don’t shoot me if I got it wrong!
Hee

Colossians 3:8-13 : The New Man (Lesson 9)

We had a debate on the topic “Christians are weak” with the younger Akuouians winning the debate. hee

A. Review of Chapters 1 and 2

B. Historical Setting of the Church in Colossae and how this relates to Paul’s instructions on v 8-13.
- V8 contained instructions regarding watching of your tongue eg malice, slander, abusive speech. False teachings were prevalent in the church. In the midst of these arguments over who were right and wrong, they faced the tendency to fall into sins such as this and hence Paul’s instructions.

C. Definitions and cross references of each word in v8 were revised with some verses added/emphaized.
- Wrath: the Anger of Man does not achieve the righteousness of God (James1:19-20)
- Outbursts of Anger: Deeds of the Flesh
- Abusive Speech: Bridle your tongue

etc

D. Definitions and cross references of each word in v12-16 were revised with some verses added/emphaized.
- Kindness – 2 Sam 9:1 King David’s kindness to Mephibosheth in retrospect to the destruction of Alexander the Great’s family after he died. Etc

E. Historical Setting of the Church in Colossae and how this relates to Paul’s instructions on v 12-16.
- It is not enough that the Christian must endure grief and provocation, and refuse to retaliate; he must also forgive the troublemaker. If he does not, then feelings of malice will develop in the heart; and these can lead to greater sins.
- The Extent of Forgiveness and practicing it in our lives.
- Put on Love, the Perfect Bond of Unity (cf Historical setting in Colossae again!) hence the need for love.
- The Peace of God needed to continually decide as your umpire/referee (think soccer referee) in your hearts amidst the conflicts of life to help you decide what is right.
- Finally the Word of God called to richly dwell among them in all aspects of their life (cf to Historical setting again!) We need to always turn back to His Biblical truth when in doubt!

God Bless you, fellow bros and sis…
Da Tou

JOH

2006-07-06T14:31:00.000+08:00

Hey everyone,

Kexin invited her colleagues to JOH this sat leh. Let's keep them in prayer k.

Her colleagues are - Jilina, Jessie, Shuzhen and Shuzhen's bf. Let's pray that the seed of the word will be planted on good soil and they will respond positively to the events shared during the seeker's service.

That the pastor sharing the Word will be used powerfully by the Holy Spirit. =)

Thanks everyone! God's blessings be with you all.

Prayer Requests

2006-07-03T13:32:00.000+08:00

Below are the prayer requests from all from last Saturday's prayer meeting.. For those who didnt send in your requests, pls do feel free to blog it in here, or send me your requests. I will put it up for you.. =)

Abby
- for ability to adapt to her new job as office mgr & producer on Monday (3 Jul)

Chris
- thanksgiving for ability to finish her exam recently
- for more faith & discipline

Denise
- that she will continue to study even after mid years
- that she will get her fitness back
- that she will stay close to God
- that she will discover & use all her talents to serve God & hear His voice!

Gladwin
- for safety on his diving trip as he leads a team with a few others

Haoguang
- effort in his studies to come to fruit
- to still have time for God

Jason
- to be able to love unconditionally & to be able to give without receiving
- focus in studies
- thank God for His faithfulness too when he gets distracted

Jean
- for faith

Kelly
- that she may be able to sleep better
- that her overactive mind may be able to rest in God & His Word
- for her recovery from viral flu

Kexin
- for recovery from cold & cough
- for ability to cope at work as her colleague's last day is on friday

Lance
- for his grandpa's recovery who is hospitalised with pneumonia & lung infection

Lionel
- for ability to adapt to early working hours & new working environment

Shaocai
- for ability to adapt to his theological studies starting on Monday (3 Jul)

Shashi
- for proper rest- thanksgiving for what God is still doing in his life

Shuying
- for recovery of her ankle, still feels alittle tight around the knuckle

Viona
- for her sister's fren who is a postgrad student from China who asked her about Christianity & is looking for a church near her home
- for her love for God to deepen & be a better testimony at work

Wanlin
- that she will put in alot of effort in studying
- to be consistent in her QT

Winnie
- for God's protection & courage that she won't tremble during her wisdom tooth surgery on Monday (3 Jul)
- for speedy recovery as she will be recuperating at home for a week

Yvonne
- for her mgt accting exam on Thurs (6 Jul) that she may be able to finish her revision

** Edited:
Sarah
- for continued perseverance in readings, writing briefs and lesson plannings (stressed)
- for teaching team: partner asked for change in team so it might upset the current 3-pple dynamics (mentor seems upset about it too)
- 37 registered students in the class i'm teaching.. pray for strength and wisdom as i get to know each student individually
- frustration in trying to adapt to keng's church (Berkland Baptist Church) here: the differences in practices, traditions and values (discourage BGR to a point like almost dont allow)

joel's updates and prayer requests for june/july06

2006-06-30T01:46:00.000+08:00

Hi everyone,this is my first time posting something on this blog so i guess it is time to provide some updates on my life.Havent been doing well both spiritually and mentally for the past few weeks,somehow i guess im getting burnt out due to ns-related issues and to a certain extent,ym-related stuff.I don think i can or should share much details but im trusting the Lord to guide me through this tough patch.I will be taking a short break/retreat from ns and ym sometime during july/august to help me recharge and seek the Lord in prayer.
Prayer requests
1.Thank God for the comfort and the assurance that God has provided so far.
2.Pray that God will give me the strength to persevere on as i seek Him in prayer
3.Pray that my upcoming retreat will be a meaningful one.
Agape,
joel

Hei...Brother...

2006-06-21T15:50:00.000+08:00

1. "Brother," in Hebrew, can mean both brother and sister.
Any masculine word in Hebrew includes both male and female
unless context says otherwise.

2. Brothers and sisters are God's gift for times of trouble.
...and the brother is born for adversity (Prov 17:17)

3. There are friends that become like brothers and sisters.
...there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother (Prov 18:24)

4. God hates those that weaken or destroy the relationship
of brothers and sisters.
...the Lord hates... he that soweth discord among brethren (Prov 6:16,19)

Winnie JOY wanna say a BIG thanks :p

2006-06-21T00:08:00.000+08:00

Yeah, as I turned a Quarter Century old... "as old as Jean" hehe... I've begin to realize n identify more things that I value in life and also experienced the love of many around me. I am so touched when people bothered to remember my birthday... usually, my birthday goes by quietly... but these 2 years... I am touched to have Akuou SG to celebrate with me. Though not with the full-strength of our whole SG, but I've received your well-wishes. Thanks dear Kexin too for thoughtfully buying the "Safe in a Crazy World" CD by Corrinne May for me... it's really an amazing CD with songs that inspire me to draw nearer to the Lord and depend on Him. Thanks for being a blessing :) I desire to a JOY and Blessing unto all of you too...

Love,
Winnie JOY :p

Intro to Akuou

2006-06-20T23:35:00.000+08:00

Hmm.. think our sg needs a little introduction…

Here it goes! (courtesy of Kelly and me..)

avkou,w when used of in discipleship is to listen to, pay attention to and obey. This word when practiced includes inner comprehension where the disciple understands his master’s teachings and practices it actively.

At least 2 people have asked me what the Akuouian lifestyle is.

The Akuouian conscientiously upholds the Word of God as the source of key guiding principles by which he lives his life by. The Akuouian lifestyle involves living life in active submission and obedience to God’s Word. God’s love for us compels the Akuouian to know God more and more (John17:3) and to make Him known in his community.

Glad

photo!

2006-06-19T14:09:00.000+08:00

hello!

hmm, seems like our small grp's average age is decreasing steadily.. the "younger ones" were at ps macs studying (?) and we took a photo b4 we left.. yepp! here goes! =)

hopefully we'll be able to bring much joy and laughter to the group! =)

love, denise

El Shaddai - God Almighty

2006-06-19T00:05:00.000+08:00

Jason chose a very nice worship song for worship. It is entitled El Shaddai. El Shaddai means God Almighty. It is not a commonly used name for God, and this question was asked during worship. What is the meaning of El Shaddai? I know it is a name for God but didnt know the excat meaning, until Denise had kindly explained to all of us. *Thanks Denise!!*

Had made some search online & found the meanings for some of the names of Jesus here.
El Shaddai - God Almighty
El-Elyon - The Most High God
Adonia - My Lord
Elohim - Almighty God
Sar Shalom - Prince of Peace *my personal favourite =)*
Potentate - Great authority, mighty

Of course there are much more commonly used, like Christ, Messiah, Jehovah, Lamb of God, Saviour, which are really too many for me to list all here.

As I read the articles *tons of them, only managed to complete a few*, it dawned on me that there is really alot of names for God. The places where they are mentioned & their meanings.
I also came across articles on saying which is the true & original name for Jesus. Seems to be a big topic. Maybe we can explore this after we finish our bible study on Colossians. A back to foundation to our Lord maybe? =)

El Shaddai - by: Michael Card and John Thompson

Chorus:
El Shaddai, El Shaddai
El-Elyon Adonia
Age to age You're still the same
By the power of the name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai
Erkamka Adonai
We will praise and lift You high
El Shaddai

Through your love and through the ram
You saved the son of Abraham
Through the power of your hand
Turned the sea into dry land
To the outcast on her knees
You were the God who really sees
And by Your might
You set Your children free

Chorus

Through the years
You've made it clear
That the time of Christ was near
Though the people couldn't see
What Messiah ought to be
Though Your Word contained the plan
They just could not understand
Your most awesome work was done
Through the frailty of Your Son

Chorus

Age to age You're still the same
By the power of the name
El Shaddai, El Shaddai
Erkamka Adonai
I will praise and lift You high
El Shaddai

Prayer Meeting....

2006-06-18T22:40:00.000+08:00

Had our usual prayer meeting with not so usual attendance. Why did I say so? Because I think this is one prayer meeting that has the largest attendees *at least when compared to all the other prayer meetings that I had attended before. =p* We had Viona *thanks for organising & coordinating!!*, Winnie, Denise, Wanling, Lionel, Jason, Haoguang & me, so that is 8 of us!! Haoguang was leading the worship, together with Jason as the guitarist this week. Lively duo. =)

Okie, below are all the prayer requests from all, not in order of any merit but just the order that is on my list. =p *WARNING: Looooooooooong list!!* Here goes!!

Jason
- To be focus on both studies & God
- To be able to have better time management
- Discernment & wisdom in all things
- To have the opportunity to reach out to fellow school mates

Haoguang
- To be focus on studies
- To be able to study effectively
- Pray to have the wisdom to discern & avoid unnecessary conflicts among his friends

Lionel
- Thanksgiving for : the 1 week break given
: the transfer to Changi East tower
- To be able to bless with the ability to adapt to the new environment in short timee
- To have the opportunity to reach out to the people in the new workplace

Wanling
- To have better health as has been falling sick
- To focus on studies

Dennis
- To have better health
- To focus on studies & God
- Pray for holiness & able to seek after God so that she can answer to God's call to be a prayer warrior, which she had been trying to avoid / shrug it off

Winnie
- Thanksgiving for : God bringing her through the hectic week
: clearing up all the bad things in her life which allows her to start off again clean
- Pray for courage when she plucks her wisdom tooth in July

Viona
- Thanksgiving for : for the wakeup call to the every single thing in her life.
: for the relationship between Edwin & her because she had learnt alot from it
- Pray for patience & courage that she can tell the security guard who smokes in the corridor to smoke elsewhere
- Pray for the new collegue who is a chain-smoker to stop smoking / cut down on smoking
- Pray for discernment with regards to if Edwin is THE ONE that God intended for her
- Pray for Edwin that his broken family will be heal and that he will seek God even more than ever

Chris
- Thanksgiving for : the project that was pushed back for the past 2.5 yrs to be on scheduled
: the upcoming new role & responsibilities in the project

Soon Ann
- Pray for safety as he, together with 6 other collegues are setting off for Hungary for business trip

Yvonne
- Thanksgiving for : the ability to finish her papers
- Focus on the paper next week

Jean
- Pray for more faith
- Pray that she will not be penalise for the essay that was submitted 1 day late

Shuying
- Pray for recovery as she had sprained her leg

Sarah
- Pray to be able to find pernament lodging
- To be able to find company & make new friends

Abby
- Currently in Paris, enjoying herself
- Pray for safety as she is travelling alone
- Pray for the ability to listen to God

Lane & Elaine
- To have a closer walk with God

Kelly
- To be focus on God
- Pray for her uncle's salvation
- For the ability to finish her work

Gladwin
- Pray for patience, wisdom & character developement
- To have wisdom in scheduling his hectic work schedule

Shaocai & Yesmin
- Wedding preparations

Shashi
- Wedding preparations
- Youths in YM

Kexin
- To have motivation at work
- To seek God more

Apart from praying for the share group members, we also did not forget about our country, church & neighbouring countries who are in tumoil. *Thanks Kel for the gentle reminder!!* Prayer requests are as follows. =)

Singapore
- Wisdom & ability to discern what is the best for Singapore to be bestow onto the leaders
- Wisdom & ability to discern what is the best for church to be bestow onto the leaders
- For the broken families in Singapore to be heal
- To the lower end families that do exists in Singapore that will be seek out & aids to be given to them

Neighbouring countries
- East Timor : for political stability
- Yojakarta : for earthquake victims
- Indonesia : for volcanic victims
- Thailand : for flood victims

Phew!! Finally finished the long list of prayer requests. If I missed out any or anyone have new prayer requests, pls feel free to blog here or let me know. I will put it up for you. =)

abby from paris

2006-06-13T19:02:00.000+08:00

hey everyone!!!! i read the blog!!! everybody's doing well i believe!!!

i miss all of u so much! it has been such a wonderful experience here man...taking things real slow and enjoying myself in sightseeing and all...thanks so much keeping me in your prayers. i'll remember you in my prayers too...so fast i have ended my trip in london...it has really been an eye opener, my friend even brought me to the clubbing scene. i'll share more when i'm back in town.

i'll be loading some pictures for you all to see. there wouldn't be much of me becoz i travelled most of my time by myself. hee........enjoy yah!!!

i'll see you all very soon k!!! love everyone of you!!! keep the updates coming in k and thanks so much chris for upkeeping the blog!! you have done a wonderful and superb job!! i believe all of us would agree with me. i was very amazed when i visited the blog...it looked cool!!

oh and happy birthday winnie!!! early for now....but it looks like you were very surprised during sg celeb and very happy too!! may God really bless you with wonderful gifts and blessing thru out the rest of this year!! hugs

till the next time everyone!!!

xoxoxoxo abby

Prayer Requests

2006-06-11T22:29:00.000+08:00

As I am typing this, Kelly is away in Hong Kong. She is there to visit an uncle of hers who is in the last stage of cancer. Pls pray for her that:
- she will be able to communicate well in chinese
- able to turn conversations around to be Christ-centered
- gain support from the christian believers
- pray for the family to be strong in the times of trials

Also, we have other share group members still / will be going away.
We have Abby still in Europe visiting her friends. Pls pray for her that she:
- will be safe throughout the remaining of her trip
- will have enough rest & ability to enjoy God & His creation
- will be alert in the Spirit too if God takes this time to speak to her

Sarah heading to North Cascades National Park over the weekend & to Boston in a few days time. Pls pray for her that she:
- will have a safe journey back & fro from both locations
- will be able to have all the help she needs when she flies to Boston on her own

Jean & Shashi will be heading for Thailand on Monday. Pls pray for them that they:
- will have a safe journey
- will have the long awaited rest
- will be able to enjoy God's creation

Pls also pray for the rest of the share group memebers that they will continue to seek the Lord in all ways & always.

Winnie's Birthday & BS

2006-06-11T22:24:00.000+08:00

This week's scheduled to be bible study, Colossians Lesson 8. Instead of doing Col. 3:1-7, we did the whole chapter summary. Below is a short summary of what we had done. *Hope that I had got all the things correctly. Glad, please correct me if I am wrong, thanks!*

Col v1-4 Seeks things above
Col v5-11 Putting aside your old self
Col v12-17 Living out in church
Col 18 -21 Living out in family
Col 22-25 Living out in workplace

Our past demeanour (Col 3:5):
Immorality
Impurity
Passion
Evil
Desires
Greed
Idolatry

Our Past Disposition (Col 3:8):
Anger
Wrath
Malice
Slander
Abusive speech

Our New Self (Col 3:12-16):
Compassion
Kindness
Humility
Gentleness
Patience
Bearing with one another
Forgiving each other
Put on love
Let the peace of Christ rule in your heart
Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you

When will Christ be revealed?
- Restrainer removed (2 Thess 2:7)
- Appostasy arrives (2 Thess 2:3)
- Man of lawlessness revealed (2 Thess 2:3)
- Takes his seat in the temple of God (2 Thess 2:4)
- Displays himself as God (2 Thess 2:4)
- Sun will be darken (Mat 24:29)
- Moon will not give its light (Mat 24:29)
- Sarts will fall from the sky (Mat 24:29)
- Power of heavens will be shaken (Mat 24:29)
- Tribes of the earth will mourn (Mat 24:30)
- Son of Man coming on clouds of the sky with power & great glory (Mat 24:30)
- Sent forth His angels with great trumpet (Mat 29:31)
- Gather together His elect from the four winds (Mat 29:31)
- The Lord will slay the lawlessness with the breath of His mouth ad bring to an end by the appearance of His coming (2 Thess 2:8)

Actually, before bible study started, we had a mini surprise for Winnie. It will be Winnie's birthday on 15 June. Kexin had bought a nutella favoured cake from Polar and it was very nice! Check out the pictures below! There were more than the 5 of us, but somehow, the photos was very blurred, so, guys, sorry you are not featured. =p

We had this song as one of the worship songs today & thought that it would be nice to share with the rest who were not here.

I'd Rather Have Jesus
I'd rather have Jesus than silver or gold
I'd rather have Jesus than have riches untold
I'd rather have Jesus than houses or lands
I'd rather be led by His nail-pierced hand

Chorus
Than to be the king of a vast domain
Or be held in sin's dread sway
I'd rather have Jesus than anything
This world affords today

I'd rather have Jesus than men's applause
I'd rather be faithful to His dear cause
I'd rather have Jesus than worldwide fame
I'd rather be true to His holy name

He's fairer than lilies of rarest bloom
He's sweeter than honey from out the comb
He's all that my hungering spirit needs
I'd rather have Jeusus and let Him lead

Global Day of Prayer....

2006-06-06T22:19:00.000+08:00

This week saw almost no activities for Akuouians with Gladwin & Abby out of town, while fellowship was held on Sunday - at the Global Day of Prayer, or GDOP for short.

Let's see who attended GDOP: Shashi, Jean, her best friend *don't know how to spell her name, so, she will remain known as Jean's best friend =p*, Winnie, Kelly, Viona, Kexin *thanks for organising this!!*, Joel & me!!

It was definitely an eye opener, the stadium filled with christians, from different churches across the island, who came to pray together. *There are photos to proof - see below* Those who were seated earlier, worshiped along with the musicians, who, btw, played wonderfully.

The event started with confession & repentance, then consecration & reconciliation and finally, commission & dedicating Singapore's youths for God's mission. Overall, I supposed it was a good effort to bring christians together. Praise the Lord!!

For those who might be interested to read up more about the event, you can go to this website: http://www.prayforsingapore.sg/. =)

Oh yah, before I forget again, Sarah sends her greetings & says that she misses all at Akuou. =)

"...If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land" ~ 2 Chronicles 7:14

Kexin was here on 18 May 06!

2006-05-18T12:29:00.000+08:00

Hi fellow Akuouns!

This is my first time creating a post if this succeeds. *hee* All previous blog experiences were just adding comments. Thanks Chris, for the very clear step-by-step instructions. Truly a CBLC webmaster who has handled many com-idiots like urs truly. haha..

It's Thursday! And this means that tmr is Fri and I just need to work half day cos I'll be going for a seminar in the afternoon.. woohoo.. then it's the weekends! God bless your weekend, Kexin's-1st-post-readers! I'm so looking forward to see how the guys will turn up at Kelly's on Sat. *hiaks* Seeya!

luv,
Kexin

Akuou Photo Collection!!

2006-05-16T22:34:00.000+08:00

Tioman photos are finally out.. =) Now you can view them at http://www.imagestation.com/members/akuou.. Enjoy!!

updates

2006-02-26T22:22:00.000+08:00

seems like everyone is very busy these days. pls do call/sms or drop me (sarah) a massage to let us know what's going on in your life.. this is what the sg blog has been created for. to leave massages and also prayer requests, if need be. =) i'm working on how i can disseminate info better but bear with me.. =)

wanna encourage all to keep the sg in prayers.. *smiles*

birthday photos

2005-11-18T23:17:00.000+08:00

sorry for the really late upload of photos. :p