After the church meeting

John Piper encourages his church to come "on the lookout for God and leave on the lookout for people". Our faith and love for God is always expressed in our love for others. So try to find people who are new in your church or who don't appear to know others. A new Christian named Lynn dropped me a note:" I don't think people who have grown up going to church know how hard it is to walk into a new setting and feel comfortable," she said. She had visited several churches but left feeling lonely every time because no one took the time to greet her or get to know her.

My family loves to use Sundays whenever we can to invite people to our home. It's the perfect day for fellowship with others and a time when you can reflect together on what God spoke through the message. Sunday should be a day we enjoy to the fullest for God's glory. It's a chance to take a breather from all the hectic pursuits of the week and reinvigorate ourselves spiritually. It's a way to prepare our hearts for all the challenges and temptations we'll face as the rest of the week unfolds.

The puritans called the Lord's Day the "market day for the soul". By that they meant that Sunday was a day for stocking up spiritually for the week ahead. Ask what you could do to "stock up" more successfully. Because no matter how you spend Sunday, Monday always shows up before you know it.

For a lot of us the weekly schedule of school, work and the hectic pace of life seems to all but erase what we experienced at church. But this doesn't have to be the case ! Sunday should not only be something we look forward to and anticipate, but also something we draw from as the week unfolds. To get the most benefit from Sunday's worship and message, I encourage you to seek to review and apply what you learned throughout your week. Check out James 1:22-25

Rescuing Sunday Part 2

During the meeting
When you walk into church, remember the eternal significance of what you're joining. You are gathering with the people of God. You've come to worship God, and He will be present by His Holy Spirit.

As the meeting starts, remember that you're not here to be entertained. You're not part of an audience but part of a congregation. What matters isn't whether you have a good voice or whether you like the style of music being played. What matters isn't even what you feel.

Worshiping with song is a chance to sing truth and express praise and gratefulness to God. So don't live by your feelings in this moment. Instead, focus your mind on the truth of what you sing and the Person to whom you're singing. God is observing and receiving your worship.
Be careful how you hear
The sermon is the most important part of the meeting. It has everything to do with the authority and power of the Word of God. When God's Word is preached to us, in a very real sense God is speaking. God Himself is addressing you through His Word. This is why the way we listen to preaching is so important. We shouldn't be passive observers as how we listen and apply what we hear either honours or dishonours God.

Listening to preaching is an act of worship when you listen with an eager mind and responsive heart. It's an act of worship because you listen to God speaks through His Word. Because God is speaking, we need to realize our responsibility as we listen. Hearing the truth obligates us to respond to it. Jesus told us, "Therefore consider carefully how you listen" (Luke 8:18 NIV)

Therefore, I encourage you to express your commitment to listen carefully by bringing your Bible and whatever will allow you to record key points from a sermon. Think of your notes as memory joggers to help you leave church with the big ideas firmly in mind.

(Source:Stop dating the church, fall in love with the family of God by Joshua Harris)

Rescuing Sunday

On Sundays, Christians go to church. Everybody knows that. It's a habit like sleeping, breathing...and all the other things we do without thinking. And I suppose that's the problem. We could do it in our sleep. Some of us do. We have lived through hundreds and thousands of Sunday meetings. On far too many of those Sundays, we have...
- woken up late
- walked into church groggy
- worshiped distractedly (thinking where to go and what to eat later)
- listened occasionally
- left early
- and remembered very little

Is this the kind of worship service God wants us to have? How much more you could have gained if your Sundays had been prepared for in advance, fully enjoyed and engaged in with vigor and purpose? Because the truth is, Sunday for a child of God is the best day of the week. For us, those few hours have a strategic and irreplaceable value. They're meant to be packed with promise, full of surprises and pulsing with life ! Every Sunday is meant to be a great day, and we should approach it expectantly and in full awareness.

BEFORE THE MEETING
So, do we really need to prepare for the service? If we have something to wear and our hair combed, what's the big deal? But getting ready for the service is more than putting on clean clothes and making a quick run past the mirror. We need to get our hearts ready. We shouldn't expect a rich spiritual experience in the service if we're not willing to prepare our hears and minds. Think about other parts of life: Before we play sports, we warm up. Before a big presentation at work, we review our notes. Before we take exams, we study. Why should we assume that we can show up on Sunday with no spiritual preparation?

1. A great Sunday starts Saturday night. One of the wisest decisions you can make is to get to bed early so that you're rested and ready for the next morning.
2. On Sunday morning, wake up early enough to give yourself time to get ready for church and spend some unhurried moments in God's Word and in prayer. Psalm 19 is a good passage to meditate on.
3. Take time to thank God for His Word and for His goodness in saving you. Recount His many blessings in your life.
4. Avoid intrusions and distractions such as news, work around the house, video games, anything that could hinder yourself to be fully prepared to come before a holy and transcendent God.

Do whatever it takes to protect the 'Great Day' ahead and help your family and friends arrive at church with ready, expectant hearts.

So what should you do during the meeting? Stay tuned for next update =)

Source: Stop dating the church, fall in love with the family of God by Joshua Harris

Ensuring sucess in Cell Groups

Soul-winning is essential for a cell group.
There is the danger in CG becoming "inward looking" and existing only to feed themselves, no vision for multiplication.
- You should set goal. i.e. Bring a newcomer every 2 weeks.
- Pray specifically and persistently for the lost souls.

Home visitation.
1. Visitation to invite people who don't attend church service.
2. Visitation to formally welcome church visitors.
3. Visitation to explain the gospel or certain doctrine to newcomers.
4. Visitation to minister to the needs of church members.

It's better to do visitation in pairs as how Jesus sent His disciples out as you have:
- Greater boldness and courage especially for girls.
- More topics to talk about.
- Avoid unnecessary temptations and rumours.
- Gather more information about that newcomer.

Prayers

3 kinds of prayers:

1. Upward - we focus on God where we give adoration, thanksgiving for what He has done and given.

2. Inward - we focus on self where you bring your worries and problems to God.

3. Outward - we focus on others where we intercede for others.

James wants to see the outward prayer within the fellowship of Christ. (James 5:13-18)
In v16: Confess your sins to each other, pray for each other so that you may be healed, prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

Do you believe in prayers of power?
- Prayer that is heard by God
- Prayer that is answered by God
- Prayer that brings things to pass

Prayers of power don't come from the person who prayed but come from the God whom the person prayed to !

~ Ask others to pray for you ~
In Col 4:2-3, Rom 15:30, we are told to pray for one another's spiritual needs, insights into God's will, physical health, wisdom, safety and others.

It takes a lot of time, patience, persistence, energy and sacrifice to pray for one another but the end is good when God answered that prayer and we ourselves get closer to God and the person we prayed for!

So brothers and sisters, you need to pray unceasingly for yourself as well as our brothers and sisters in Christ as prayer is the oxygen for our spiritual life !

Speaking in tongues

1 Corinthians 14:4-5
He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church.

I would like every one of you to speak in tongues, but I would rather have you prophesy. He who prophesies is greater than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may be edified.

Where does the gift of tongue come from?
- It's from God as it's a heavenly or aesthetic language where God & angels understand.

Acts 2:4
All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them

-Tongues are known to some tribes or race in the world.

1 Corinthians 14:39
Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophesy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues.

-It's a battle of mind when you pray in tongues.
-Praying in tongues is powerful weapon given by God.
-Satan is afraid of it. That's why he wants to take the gift of tongues away.

Benefits of speaking in tongues

1. A way of expressing your love to God. (communication)
- you bring in the presence of God when you speak in tongues.

2. A way of magnifying God. (adoration)
- It's a worship by bringing praise and adoration to God.
- It's powerful in spiritual warfare where demons will flee as you magnify God.

3. Building up yourself in the faith (edification)
- You achieve a higher level in your walk with God.

If you do speak in tongues, ask God also for the interpretation of tongues so the church may understand and be edified.

NOT EVERYONE OF US WILL RECEIVE THE GIFT OF TONGUES BUT YOU CAN HUMBLE YOURSELF AND ASK FOR IT FROM GOD

We are male by birth but men by choice !

At present, we are teaching a series of “Becoming a Real Man” in Gospel ESPlosion Presbyterian Church Cell Groups. We continually challenge the men in our church to rise up as cell group leaders and ministry heads, leading others in godly wisdom and in the ways of God.

We also want men to be involved in the biblical pattern of discipline other men (2 Tim. 2:22). Men and boys often take professional sports figures as role models of had been a real man. But rare is the positive image of ordinary, hard-working men who are faithful to God, to the Church, to their wives, and to their families and friends. We believe that mature men produce strong families when they begin to guide, govern and guard their households and the community. They are also pillars of support for the church when they serve actively, by then we will have strong local church.


Last week sermon we learned that as a man we have to “Be Responsible” and “Be Punctual”. So let’s “Be a man and do the right thing”.

Through our focus on strong manhood, God has worked in the hearts of the men in our church and has raised them up to be shining examples in the body of Christ. It is the man, and not the organization that makes the church great. Men are always looking for better methods. However, while men look for better methods, God looks for better men! (Ezekiel 22:30)

Remember we are Male by birth, man by choice!

Becoming a real man

1 Corinthians 11:3
Now I want you to realize that the head of every man is Christ, and the head of the woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.

Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church, his body, of which he is the Savior.

There are many roles in the family but the most important role is the man’s role. The bible tells us that the man is the head of the family or the master of the house. Men should lead the family just like Christ leads the church. The head always directs the body where to go what to do and how to react!

The problem is nowadays men are not interested to be actively involved in church and family. Men are interested in golf, share market, car, property, football or spot and money. The church used to be led by men but now the ladies have to play the role of leader in church because men are lacking in commitment in church. We need our brothers to rise up to take the headship in church, family and in society, in order for us to have a strong influence on the world.

4 problems we will have if we don’t have strong men in church:

1. Evangelistic
• A church full of female and women leadership, it’s hard to attract men to come to church.
• Men don’t like to come to a place where there are lots of women and no men around.
• Our evangelism will suffer because we don’t have strong men in church.

2. Relationship
• If a Christian man marry with a Christian woman, which is a leader in church, usually will find it hard and confuse to relate to his wife.
• The man will tend to listen to the wife most of the time; the man will feel like the wife is like a mum to him.
• The man should be the head of the family but if man is weak the wife has to take the lead and the man will feel lousy about himself.
• The man will try to find a girl who is gentler and more obedient, which is where adultery started.

3. Marriage
• If there is no strong man in church, ladies are hard to find a life partner.
• Girls will think that those guys in church are still childish, not responsible enough and not matured in God.
• Now girls have 2 choices, compromise and accept those guys or continue to stay single.
• Some try to accept the guy but the girl will get frustrated because the guy does not really show and maximize his manhood and the relationship does not work out because the guy is not matured.
• Most of the girls are not looking for romantic and macho guys but a man who is strong in the Lord and responsible in life.

4. Ministry
• It will be good for guys to be the leaders of the church ministry, the reasons is sometimes girls have physical limitation. Eg: menstruation (emotion), giving birth & dangerous to meet members till late night.
• Normally when a girl marries to a guy, it’s expected that she will follow the guy back to the guy hometown.
• When the girl is pregnant and after giving birth, as a mum she needs to spend most of the time to take care of the child, you cannot expect her to continually be committed to church ministry like before.

2 characteristics of a “real man”:

1. Reliable

Deuteronomy 23:21
“When you make a vow to the LORD your God, you shall not delay to pay it; for the LORD your God will surely require it of you, and it would be sin to you.”

- Say what you mean and do what you say
- Be punctual, being late is wasting other people's time
- Be responsible, don't put the blame on others.

2. Decisiveness

James 1:6-8
“But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all he does.”

- be decisive, make up your mind and sure of what you need to do.
- make the decision and take up the responsibility of it.

As a man you have to learn from our Savior, Jesus Christ how to be a real man! His words are reliable and He is faithful in His word. He is decisive and firm in His decision.

WE ARE A MALE BY BIRTH BUT A MAN BY CHOICE

Schmolocks of Coffee by Ashlee Wong

When a person cannot do anything about something, earthly efforts seems futile, thus surrenders it to prayer.

Prayer, I have heard it touted as the most powerful weapon on earth and beyond. I have heard it being a comfort. I have heard it being a solace. I have heard it being a way to communicate with God. I have heard that it moves God’s hands.

Prayer is a real funny thing though. One seemed to think that it works miracles and wonders straightaway and everything gets better, rather like waving a magic wand and putting everything right.

But prayer instead, puts things into perspective, sometimes straightaway, sometimes slowly, like a movie being played in slow motion, and you notice every little action of the actors.

Would you believe that no prayer and miracles wrought through prayer works the same way twice? Just as no anniversary is the same like last year’s.

I could be drinking latte at Secret Recipe on the 27^th December last year but I was having a hair cut, attending a church service this year on the same date.

Sometimes it’s just so frustrating to NOT see something work, you know. Take a coffee machine, you know it’s brewing and boiling and making your coffee inside, but how?! It bubbles and whistles occasionally. You want to take off the cap and see that it IS making your coffee for you properly and not just making weird noises. And then, the coffee trickles out, slowly, just letting the aroma fill the kitchen. You inhale it, the smell comforting you and you sit down to enjoy the fragrant cup.

But WAIT, you’ve entirely forgotten about your curiosity of HOW the machine worked that mini miracle. How did the coffee beans, the water, the filter and all those schmolocks in that little machine blend all that and came up with the coffee you’re holding now in your cup, perfectly blended?

I don’t know how accurate that analogy was. But I’ll be the one standing on tiptoes and aiming to peep into the machine. I do know that, somehow, that machine will let me have my coffee.

Just like I know that prayer will work a good thing out in the end. But it’s the process and (all that gurgling around in the coffee machine) the waiting that drives me nuts.

Well now smile, you’re pretty sure you’ll be getting that cup of coffee in the end anyhow.

Jacob speaks:

Hi church, hope you had a wonderful weekend. I want to encourage all of us to embrace the visions that we have and don’t give up and think that it cannot be done. Some of us might not even dare to ask God for a vision in life. Come on my friends, we should have a vision in life. Proverbs 28:18 – “Where there is no vision people perish…” if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Visions drive us to live our lives to the fullest, reveal our hidden potential and give us extraordinary strength to run towards our visions.

This year is going be a very challenging and exciting year. We have visions and goals from heaven, which is to grow our church from 60 to 100 by the month of June and from 4 CGs to 6 CGs. That means we need to rise up more leaders in church to run the CGs and we need to have more time for training and meeting. All of us can sense that lots of things have been changed in the church and CG, but do not worry as they are changes for good. Proverbs 4:18 – “But the path of the just is like the shining sun, that shine ever brighter unto the perfect day.” We need to be progressive in everything, our physical body, our spiritual life, our gifting, our career, our studies and knowledge, our relationship and our church as well. So when there is a progression there are changes. Don’t be afraid of changes and always wanting to stay in the comfort zone.

I know some of you have been scared off by the visions and the things that we are going to do this year in GEPC. I promise you, success never comes easy; it’s always a lot of hard works. There will be more and more meetings, trainings, reports and sacrifices. All of us will give more time and resources for building up our church this year, maybe different amount but equal sacrifices. But do not focus on what you are going to lose if you have to give more time and resources to God, focus on what is going to come. Today’s sacrifice might become a blessing for others.

The strength of GEPC is not our size, asset & structure but the commitment and attitude of our members. I am so happy and encouraged by the commitment and attitude of our members. Our members are so teachable and willing to do anything and everything to see the visions come to pass. You know what, last week we have a breakthrough in our service offering. We collected a total amount of RM 2546.00. That is unbelievable. Our church has only few young working adults and the rest are students and children (Openhands Girls), but we can collect an amazing amount of offering. It shows that our members are willing to sacrifice for God at the expense of their own leisure and CNY clothes. I’m so proud of our members. (You made it, my friend. Thank you!)

How awesome is this place, the gate of heaven, it’s where people find God; it’s where the needs have been met by God. This is where the glory of God dwells and people come into God’s love. A tower of refuge and strength for others, a miracle house where hearts are healed, weak have been strengthened and Christ revealed. I will lay down my life to build this church, the light of the city.

This year, 2009 is going to be an exciting year for all of us, ARE YOU READY?

Visions and goals of 2009

Proverbs 29:18 (Amplified Bible)
Where there is no vision the people perish; but he who keeps the law --blessed (happy, fortunate, and enviable) is he.


What is vision?
1. It is the act or power of sensing with the eyes (physical).
2. It is the act or power of anticipating something that which will or may come to be, although not actually present, often under the influence of a divine or other agency. (Imagination)

Vision drives people to live their lives to the fullest.

Vision helps us to reveal our hidden potential.

Vision allows us to do great things which are impossible with our own strength.


3 must-do steps:

1. Seek God for the vision!
-If you can see it you can have it. (Genesis 13:14-17)
-When you see a vision from God you will begin to have the desire to wanting the vision to come to pass.
-Joel Osteen says - If God let you see the vision in your heart, it is because He knows that you have the potential to fulfil it and He will prepare the material for you to get the job done!

2. Write the vision down!
-Whatever you want to remember in your mind, pen it down.
-A vision will give you the clear focus to complete your life mission.
-Too often we tend to forget our visions and goals in lives, but when we write it down, this will help us to stay focus.

3. Don’t give up on your vision!
-Sometimes your vision does not come immediately. It takes time. Therefore, do not ever lose hope on your vision.
-Even when you have failed once or twice in your life, never give up. Also, do not think negatively, saying that it is impossible to achieve your vision.

Ecclesiastes 3:1 – To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven.



Set your visions and goals according to SMART!

1. Specific goals
Your goals must be specific. When you set goals, there is a transition from making your dreams into realities.


2. Measurable goals

How are you going to measure your success? Numbers and grade are certainly involved here.

3. Action plan

-Describe the specific steps you want to make to help you to complete your goals and visions.
-You have to discipline yourselves in order to act according to your plans to see yourself successful in life.

4. Realistic goals

Set your goals that are realistic and doable. Like “giving to Openhands RM 100 per month” or “I will bring 1 friend to Cell Group every month”. That’s realistic.

5. Time frame

How long do you need to complete your goals?
Set some time limit for your goals.

Proverbs 16:9 (New Living Translation) - We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.

Letter from Someone who loves you

This is not what I wrote, but what I read in an email. I'm sure some of you may have encountered this letter before, but I'll post it here so that everyone will remember Jesus Christ and the reason we celebrate Christmas Day.

Dear loved ones,

As you well know, we are getting closer to my birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that my birthday is getting closer and closer.

It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of me. As you know, the celebration of my birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration.

I remember that last year there was a great feast in my honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. But, do you want to know something? I wasn't invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .... and I wanted to be with them and share their table.

In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner. They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" .. as if the party were in his honor!

At 12 Midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug me and ... do you know ... no one hugged me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for me.

What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one? I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left.

Every year it gets worse. People only remember to eat and drink, the gifts, the parties and nobody remembers me. I would like this Christmas that you allow me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give my life for you, on the cross, to save you. Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart.

I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party.

I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book. Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside.

Be prepared because when all is ready you will be part of my great party.

See you soon.

I Love you!

Jesus

Unconditional Love

Henri J M Nouwen says, “What can we say about God’s love? We can say that God’s love is unconditional. God does not say, ‘I love you, if. . . ‘ There are no ifs in God’s heart. God’s love for us does not depend on what we do or say, on our looks or intelligence, on our success or popularity. God’s love for us existed before we were born and will exist after we have died. God’s love is from eternity to eternity and is not bound to any time-related event or circumstance. Does that mean that God does not care what we do or say? No, because God’s love wouldn’t be real if God didn’t care. To love without condition does not mean to love without concern. God desires to enter into relationship with us and wants us to love God in return.
Let’s dare to enter into an intimate relationship with God without fear, trusting that we will receive love and always more love.” (Bread for the Journey, Feb 5)

However, we often feel unworthy of His love because we cannot live up to His standard. We feel we cannot please Him enough. We are not good enough. But God loves us not because of what we do. He loves us because He is Love. Love is who He is. God loves every one of us. So He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to the world to reconcile us sinners with Him. By His grace anyone who believes in Jesus is put right with Him and has life more abundantly here and now.
Thus Henri Nouwen says, “Jesus came to us to help us overcome our fear of God. As long as we are afraid of God, we cannot love God. Love means intimacy, closeness, mutual vulnerability, and a deep sense of safety. But all of those are impossible as long as there is fear. Fear creates suspicion, distance, defensiveness and insecurity.
The greatest block in the spiritual life is fear. Prayer, meditation, and education cannot come forth out of fear. God is perfect love, and as John the Evangelist writes, “Perfect love drives out fear.”(1 John 4:18) Jesus’ central message is that God loves us with an unconditional love and desires our love, free from all fear, in return.” (Bread for the Journey, Feb 29)

So, how can we be conscious that God loves us unconditionally and have the faith to believe it? We can help ourselves to be aware of God’s unconditional love when we focus our 5 senses wisely on God by:

1. Listening to what the Bible says when we read (eyes), reflect and verbally repeat out loud what the Bible tells us about God’s love such as:
· "God is love, and those who live in love live in union with God and God lives in union with them"(1 John 4:16 TEV).
· “Whoever loves is a child of God and knows God.”(1 John 4:7 TEV)
· "Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love"(1 John 4:8 TEV).
· “For God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him may not die but have eternal life.” (John 3:16 TEV)
· "God has shown us how much He loves us--it was while we were still sinners that Christ died for us! By His blood we are now put right with God; how much more, then, will we be saved by Him from God's anger." (Romans 5:8-9 TEV)
· "God showed His love for us by sending His only Son into the world, so that we might have life through Him"(1 John 4:9 TEV).
· “I come that you might have life and have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10 NKJV)
· “He gave us His Son---will He not also freely give us all things?” (Romans 8:32 TEV)
· “For I am certain nothing can separate us from His love: neither death nor life, neither angels nor other heavenly rulers or powers, neither the present nor the future, neither the world above nor the world below--there is nothing in all creation that will ever be able to separate us from the love of God which is ours through Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39 TEV)
· “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”(2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV)

Henri Nouwen says, “Listen to the book. By that I mean read the Bible; read books about the Bible, about the spiritual life, and the lives of “great” saints. I know you read a good deal; but a lot of what you read distracts you from the way that Jesus is showing you. The secondary school and university offer you little in the way of ‘spiritual reading.’ That’s why it’s very important for you to read regularly books which will help you in your spiritual life. Many people are brought to God through spiritual literature that they chance or choose to read. Augustine, Ignatius, Thomas Merton, and many others have been converted through the book. The challenge, however, is not to read a ‘spiritual’ book as a source of interesting information, but rather to listen to it as to a voice that addresses you directly. It isn’t easy to let a text ‘read’ you. Your thirst for knowledge and information often makes you desire to own the word, instead of letting the word own you. Even so, you will learn the most by listening carefully to the Word that seeks admission to your heart.” (Letters to Marc about Jesus, 83)

2. Listening to the Church by attending Church regularly and listening (ears) to the sermons and homilies of the priests, pastors and elders.

Henri Nouwen says, “Listen to the church. I know that isn’t a popular bit of advice at a time and in a country where the church is often seen more as an obstacle in the way than as the way to Jesus. Nevertheless, I am deeply convinced that the greatest spiritual danger for our times is the separation of Jesus from the church. The church is the body of the Lord. Without Jesus there can he no church; and without the church we cannot stay united with Jesus. I’ve yet to meet anyone who has come closer to Jesus by forsaking the church. TO listen to the church is to listen to the Lord of the church. Specifically, this entails taking part in the church’s liturgical life. Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ascension, and Pentecost: these seasons and feasts teach you to know Jesus better and better and unite you more and more intimately with the divine life he offers you in the church.
The Eucharist is the heart of the church’s life. It’s there that you hear the life-giving gospel and receive the gifts that sustain that life within you. The best assurance that you’ll go on listening to the church is your regular participation in the Eucharist.” (Letters to Marc about Jesus, 83)

3. Listening to ourselves singing (mouth) praises to the Lord and having fellowship (communicate) with other Christians. We need to sing especially when we are troubled and weighed down. The singing will uplift our spirit for it is in worshipping God that we feel God’s presence. In His presence, our burden becomes light.

Stormie Omartian says, “One of the most powerful things you can do when you are being weighed down with negative thoughts and emotions is to sing songs of worship to the Lord. I know that may be the last thing you feel like doing. It’s hard to open up your mouth and sing when your heart is heavy. But that is exactly what you need to do. And it is the most crucial time to do it.
Remember, you don’t have to have a perfect heart in order to come to Him in praise. And you don’t have to have a perfect voice either. If that were true, how many people could come to Him? The great thing about the hidden power of praise is that God can purify your heart in the very process of you praising Him. And He can make you forget about your voice too. Your voice will come from a deeper place than your body, or even your soul. It will come from your spirit. It will be inspired and sustained by the Spirit of God in you. And it will be beautiful.
Negative emotions are never God’s will for you. Knowing that is half the battle. Praise and worship is one of your greatest weapons against them.” (The Prayer that changes Everything, 179-180)

4. Listening to God in our prayer (heart). Make use of our interior and exterior silence to listen to God speaking to us.

Henri Nouwen says, “Listen to your heart. It’s there that Jesus speaks most intimately to you. Praying is first and foremost listening to Jesus, who dwells in the very depths of your heart. He doesn’t shout. He doesn’t thrust himself upon you. His voice is an unassuming voice, very nearly a whisper, the voice of a gentle love. Whatever von do with your life, go on listening to the voice of Jesus in your heart. This listening must be an active and very attentive listening, for in our restless and noisy world Jesus’ loving voice is easily drowned out. You need to set aside some time every day for this active listening to Jesus, if only for ten minutes. Ten minutes each day for Jesus alone can bring about a radical change in your life.
You’ll find that it isn’t easy to be still for ten minutes at a time. You’ll discover straightaway that many other voices--voices that are very noisy and distracting, voices which are not God’s-- demand your attention. But if you stick to your daily prayer time, then slowly but surely you’ll come to hear the gentle voice of love and will long more and more to listen to it.” (Letters to Marc about Jesus, 84)



“To make possible true interior silence, we shall practice:
· Silence of the eyes, by seeking always the beauty and goodness of God everywhere, closing them to the faults of others and to all that is sinful and disturbing to the soul;
· Silence of the ears, by listening always to the voice of God and to the cry of the poor and the needy, closing them to all other voices that come from the evil one or from fallen human nature: e.g., gossip, tale-bearing, and uncharitable words;
· Silence of the tongue, by praising God and speaking the life-giving Word of God that is the Truth that enlightens and inspires, brings peace, hope, and joy, and by refraining from self-defense and every word that causes darkness, turmoil, pain, and death;
· Silence of the mind, by opening it to the truth and knowledge of God in prayer and contemplation, like Mary who pondered the marvels of the Lord in her heart, and by closing it to all untruths, distractions, destructive thoughts, rash judgment, false suspicions of others, revengeful thoughts, and desires;
· Silence of the heart, by loving God with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength and one another as God loves, desiring God alone and avoiding all selfishness, hatred, envy, jealousy, and greed.” (A Life for God, 24)

“To foster and maintain a prayerful atmosphere of exterior silence we shall:
· respect certain times and places of more strict silence;
· move about and work prayerfully, quietly, and gently;
· avoid at all costs all unnecessary speaking and notice;
· speak, when we have to, softly, gently, saying just what is necessary;
· look forward to profound silence as a holy and precious time, a withdrawal into the living silence of God.” (A Life for God, 25)

5. Listening to our memories (mind) by jotting in a note book the little and major things God has done for us, such as:
· Through the kindness of a stranger.
· Through the curious question of a child.
· Through a word well spoken or a touch well timed.
· Through the commitment of a spouse
· Through the thoughtfulness of our friends
· Through a book that inspires us
· Through the consideration of someone
· Through the support of family and friends in our major sickness
· Through the majesty of a sunset.
· Through the blessings of our friends
· Through the help from unexpected sources
· Through the comfort of words spoken in love
· Through the removal of anger, hate and bitterness in our hearts
· Through the reduction of envy and suspicion in our attitude
· Through the consolation we receive in pain or adversity
· Through compassion we receive
· Through the praises we receive from our loved one
· Through the many encouragements we get.

Joyce Meyer says, “Keep a diary, a book of remembrance, of special things that God does for you. Include little things as well as major things. Read over your list at least once a week and you will be encouraged.” (Beauty for Ashes, 46)

When we use our eyes, ears, mouth, heart and mind to concentrate on God, we help ourselves to become aware of His living presence. In His living presence we become conscious of His unconditional love for us. This knowledge and acceptance of God’s unconditional love will build and strengthen our faith. It also gives us the courage to live our lives loving and serving God and others.

Are you giving excuses?

How many times do we give excuses when we try to escape from our commitments?

How many times do we give excuses when God calls us to commit ourselves?

How many times do we give excuses when there's an urgent need, but we turn away from being a good Samaritan?

How many times do we give excuses when things doesn't work out, we try to put the blame on others?

A simple message from a basket ball player, a power reminder for us on how we carry our lives.

Does God still speak to people ?

A young man had been to Wednesday Night Bible Study.

The Pastor had shared about listening to God and obeying the Lord's voice

The young man couldn't help but wonder, 'Does God still speak to people?'

After service, he went out with some friends for coffee and pie and they discussed the message. Several different ones talked about how God had led them in different ways.

It was about ten o'clock when the young man started driving home. Sitting in his car, he just began to pray, 'God...If you still speak to people, speak to me. I will listen. I will do my best to obey.'

As he drove down the main street of his town, he had the strangest thought to stop and buy a gallon of milk.

He shook his head and said out loud, 'God is that you?' He didn't get a reply and started on toward home.
But again, the thought, buy a gallon of milk.
The young man thought about Samuel and how he didn't recognize the voice of God, and how little Samuel ran to Eli.
'Okay, God, in case that is you, I will buy the milk.' It didn't seem like too hard a test of obedience. He could always use the milk. He stopped and purchased the gallon of milk and started off toward home.
As he passed Seventh Street, he again felt the urge, 'Turn Down that street.'
This is crazy he thought, and drove on past the intersection.
Again, he felt that he should turn down Seventh Street.
At the next intersection, he turned back and headed down Seventh.
Half jokingly, he said out loud, 'Okay, God, I will.'
He drove several blocks, when suddenly, he felt like he should stop. He pulled over to the curb and looked around. He was in a semi- commercial area of town. It wasn't the best but it wasn't the worst of neighborhoods either. The businesses were closed and most of the houses looked dark like the people were already in bed.

Again, he sensed something! , 'Go and give the milk to the people in the house across the street.' The young man looked at the house.. It was dark and it looked like the people were either gone or they were already asleep. He started to open the door and then sat back in the car seat.
'Lord, this is insane. Those people are asleep and if I wake them up, they are going
to be mad and I will look stupid.' Again, he felt like he should go and give the milk.


Finally, he opened the door, 'Okay God, if this is you, I will go to the door and I will give them the milk. If you want me to look like a crazy person, okay. I want to be obedient. I guess that will count for something, but if they don't answer right away, I am out of here.'


He walked across the street and rang the bell. He could hear some noise inside. A man's voice! yelled out, 'Who is it? What do you want?' Then the door opened before the young man could get away.
The man was standing there in his jeans and T-shirt. He looked like he just got out of bed. He had a strange look on his face and he didn't seem too happy to have some stranger standing on his doorstep. 'What is it?'


The young man thrust out the gallon of milk, 'Here, I brought this to you.' The man took the milk and rushed down a hallway.


Then from down the hall came a woman carrying the milk toward the kitchen. The man was following her holding a baby. The baby was crying. The man had tears streaming down his face.


The man began speaking and half crying, 'We were just praying. We had some big bills this month and we ran out of money. We didn't have any milk for our baby. I was just praying and asking God to show me how to get some milk.'


His wife in the kitchen yelled out, 'I ask him to send an Angel with some. Are you an Angel?'


The young man reached into his wallet and pulled out all the money he had on him and put in the man's hand. He turned and walked back toward his car and the tears were streaming down his face.


He knew that God still answers prayers.

This is so true. Sometimes it's the simplest things that God asks us to do, if we are obedient to what He's asking, we can hear His voice more clear than ever. Please listen, and obey! It will bless you (and the world).

Heart of worship by Wilfred Chua

WHAT is worship? WHY do we worship? WHO do we worship? HOW do we worship? Many of us, we can come to cell group on Friday night or church service on Saturday afternoon and say that we have worshiped God by singing songs and praises to him . However, many of us do not have the right concept and attitude when worshipping God. That’s why sometimes when we go to church or cell group to worship, we don’t really feel the presence of God. We ask ourselves, why all the others seem to be really into worshipping and enjoying God’s presence but I just don’t feel the worship. How come I feel spiritually dry and lifeless? How come God seems to be so distant and so far away?

WHAT is worship? Worship is the ACT OF MANIFYING GOD. By worshipping God, we enlarge our vision on Him just like how a magnifying glass enlarges the vision of an object. Many times in our life, we are so focus on OURselves, OUR problems and OUR worries until we forget about God. Because of this, He seems to be small and distanT. He seems to be so far away. But the reality is that, God’s status doesn’t change but our perception on Him can. Thus, by worshipping God, we are actually enlarging God’s presence in our lives.

WHY do we worship? There are many reasons why we should worship God. First of all, we worship God because He’s great. We worship Him because His work is awesome. We worship Him because He’s the creator of all things. We worship Him because He is worthy of our praise. Worshipping God whether at church or during devotion time is the climax and best part of my day. After class, whether I’m happy, sad or tired, I’ll just go to my room and sing some worship songs while playing guitar, enjoying His presence and love. By magnifying God with my worship, all my problems and worries will seem to be small because during worship my God will seem big. Because I know that there is no problem in the world too big for Him to solve.

HOW do we worship God? We worship Him by doing any act that magnifies God. For example, we can worship God by singing to him, praying to him, reading his words or attending the church service. Last time during the Old Testament, in the book of Exodus, God gives Israelites the instruction on how to worship. He gives them detailed instruction on how to build the tabernacle and how sacrifices are carried out. But why did God ask them to sacrifice a bull or goat as worship to Him? Is it because He needs it?

Psalm 50:8-10 – the verse states that God owns the cattle of thousands hills and thus, He didn’t really need the Israelites to sacrifice bulls to Him. Then, why did He require this sacrifice as worship? God did this because He was looking at the HEART of those who sacrifice to Him. He wants to see whether the Israelites offer their sacrifice whole-heartedly or halfheartedly.

1 Samuel 16:7 - This is because God doesn’t look at our outward appearance but He looks into our heart. When He looks at us, He will not see whether we are good looking or whether we dress nicely or what car we drive but He’s more interested in the condition of our HEART. When He sees us, He wants to see if our HEARTS are really committed to Him. Thus, from the worship, He will know about our heart.

Micah 6:6-8. He says God has no need for us to give Him what is already His; He wants instead is for us not only to worship Him but to be obedient to His ways by acting justly and be merciful. This is what He required of us instead of ritualistic, half-hearted sacrifice and worship that the Israelites offer Him. If God wants ritualistic worship, He’ll just create zombies that will worship Him day and night. Instead, He wants us to walk and commune with Him, day by day, each moment of our life. When we do this, our worship to Him will come naturally for us. It won’t be like ritual but more like outpouring of our love to God for His love and faithfulness.

HOW to worship God? How often we are like the Israelites that do not take worship seriously. Sometime, we are like the lukewarm Christian in book of Revelation that He wanted to spit out. This lukewarm behaviour can be seen by our action when we lose our enthusiasm to worship and serve God. Sometimes, we even have to drag ourselves to church or CG each weekend because it’s expected from us. In our mind, we may feel that it’s a burden because we feel like using the time to sleep, study or work. When we have this mindset, we may let our mind wander off and we think of some other things instead of focusing on God during worship. Sometimes, when we sing songs or hymns, we don’t even mean what we are singing. When we do all these, worshiping God will feel like a burden and can cause us to be weary. This type of attitude does not please God. He wants us to either worship fully or not worship at all. More often than not, we are like the Israelites in Malachi 1:13 in which they complain that worship God has become tiring to them and they even sacrifice crippled animals to God. How often we did the same when we worship God halfheartedly? When we offer halfhearted worship to God, it is like sacrificing sick and lame animals to Him during the Old Testament time. If God is angry to what they did in the past, why should he be any different now?

What should we do to worship God properly? Let’s ask ourselves, do we come prepared for worship before each church service? Do we worship God with a tidak apa attitude like the Israelites? Suppose if we are granted audience with Yang Dipertuan Agong, can we just see him casually without any preparation? Of course not, it’s disrespectful! How can it be any less for our heavenly king? How would God feel if we treat worship lightly? From now on can we make commitment with God, that we worship him fullheartedly and we will not give Him half-hearted worship anymore? That we prepare ourselves spiritually, physically and emotionally before going to church to worship? That we come to church or CG thirsting for an encounter with God? That our worship to Him will no longer be like a ritual but something that excites us? That we don’t just worship on Saturday and Sunday but all the days of the week? I believe with all my heart, if we commit to do all these, we will have the heart of worship that will really please God. The heart of worship is the HEART that CONSTANTLY magnifying God and a heart that proclaimed that is all about you, God. For the Lord looks at our hearts, not our outward appearance when we worship Him.

Is it so hard to share about Jesus ?

John 20:21
Again Jesus said, "Peace be with you! As the Father has sent me, I am sending you."

- It's the will of the Father making every christian a missionary.
- It's the will of the Father that every soul will be saved that no one will perish without knowing Jesus.
- If you're doing the will of the Father, you will be blessed.
- It's our RESPONSIBILITY to carry the gospel to every nation and creature that breathes on this earth.



Romans 10:12-15
12 For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him,

13 for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."

14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

15 And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, "How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!"

-Thus, everyone not only the pastors should RISE UP and preach the gospel.




How should we cultivate the passion to preach the gospel ?
- a heart of gratitude provokes the desire to preach the gospel. How can you not share what He has done for you when you're so blessed by Him ? It's easy for us to share which cafe offers the best delicacies (Samosa ? One Some ?) and which movie (Transformers ? Dark knight ? Mamma Mia ?) is worth-watching but why it's so hard to share how great and wonderful Jesus is ???

-if you have the right relationship with God, and you allow Christ to help you to reach that level of intimacy with God, your heart will burn with passion to preach the gospel.

-Just imagine if only the gospel has been preached and accepted by every single soul on this earth, the doors of heaven will be opened and God's love will pour down like waterfall and until then, there will be no more crimes, police station and prisons will be unnecessary because there's peace and the power of the Holy Spirit in everyone's heart.


Is something called f-e-a-r stop you from sharing the gospel ?
- Always remember that God gives us the Holy Spirit to be with us and we are to rely on His power to share the gospel.
- SHARING the gospel is your job while CONVERTING is Holy Spirit's.
-When you're facing rejection, remember that people are rejecting the GOSPEL not YOU.
- Every attempt of sharing the gospel is a success as you're obeying the Great Commission.
- Fear is NOT from God but rather something negative directly from the gates of Hades. Throw the fear into the thrash can as it belongs there and start sharing the gospel.

May the gospel reach every single soul on this earth. Amen. God bless you.

Being a witness for CHRIST

Matthew 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Why should I witness ?

- to ARREST evil

- to REDUCE the number of lost souls

- to OBEY the word of God

When a person is lost physically, their loved ones spare no effort to hunt for them. Isn't a LOST SOUL more precious than a missing person ?

What it means to be a witness ? 

Luke 15:8-10

8Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it?

9And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.'

10In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents." 

Luke 15:3-7

3 Then Jesus told them this parable:

4 "Suppose one of you has a hundred sheep and loses one of them. Does he not leave the ninety-nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it?

5 And when he finds it, he joyfully puts it on his shoulders

6 and goes home. Then he calls his friends and neighbors together and says, 'Rejoice with me; I have found my lost sheep.'

7 I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent. 

When & how should I witness ?

Romans 10:14

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?

The Gospel 

- is the good news

- is telling others what God has done in your life

-is your testimony

Sharing the Gospel is proclaiming who God is

- what is your story ?

- how did you come to know Jesus?

- What is God to you after you know Jesus?

To conclude:

-Do you see lost souls the way we see missing persons?

-Will you be his witness ? You have heard the good news, you have believed it and you have experienced it, what else are you waiting for ? 

-Do you have something to share to others ?

Share what God is doing in your life and what He is to you.   

The Gifts Of The Cross

1. The gift of forgiveness

- unilateral forgiveness for everything that was being done to Him. (the lashes, curses, unrighteousness)
- continuously forgave them for what they were doing.
- when God said "I forgive you", have we forgiven ourselves? This point was beautifully illustrated by Ps. Rueben with a story entitled "Grandma's duck"

Grandma has two lovely grandchildren who named Tom and Sally. One day when Tom is happily playing with the sling that his Grandma gives him, he accidentally killed his grandma's duck with the sling and stone. Tom quietly buried the corpse without knowing Sally, his sister saw the whole incident in her eyes.

When it is time to do the dishes, Sally would threaten Tom to do the job by his own or she would tell grandma the duck incident. This goes on for 3 days until Tom could not hold it anymore and he told his grandma the incident. Upon hearing her duck was killed, she smiled and said, " I know, Tom. I was looking at you through the window." Tom was like, " you know ? Why didn't you say anything throughout the 3 days ? Grandma says, " I already forgave you when I saw you burying the duck, I was just curious how long you would let your sister holds you with that guilt"

Similarly, have we forgiven ourselves when our loving father has already forgiven us way ahead?

2. The gift of life

- we're now His companions
- we can freely walk and fellowship with Him.
- The relationship, fellowship and intimacy that once was practiced in the garden of Eden was restored.

3. The gift of compassion

- Jesus did not focus on His pain when He was on the cross.
- He was aware of the cry of His mother and disciple at the feet of the cross.
- We get to consume in the things that happen IN OUR LIVES that we loose the compassion for things AROUND us.

4. The gift of empathy

- sin brings darkness and darkness brings separation
- God is not offended when we ask him why when we don't understand
- He sympathizes with us because he has experienced everything that we go through in our lives, He understands our suffering, pain and inequity.

Hebrews 4:15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin.


5. The gift of truth
- knowing that we can believe in every single word in the scripture
- Jesus wants us to believe in the promises of God and not the deception of the devil.

6. The gift of Pardon
- Knowing the difference between pardon and parole.
Pardon - forgive
Parole - the temporary or permanent release of a prisoner before the expiry of a sentence, on the promise of good behaviour
- we are PARDONED and not on parole
- The Job is done, we are free from guilt, sin and condemnation forever !

7. The gift of peace
- The greatest enemy to man is death for it is unavoidable and incurable.
- no matter what happens in our lives, we should have the peace that we can NEVER be taken away from the will of our father and our lives are safe in His hands.
- the cross is now empty, so as the tomb. Hallelujah !
- the cross is the power of God to those who will believe.