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Christian life is a life of constant dependence. (J N Darby). God has chosen to do things through us by the power of Christ in us. He chose us, the feeble, unlearned and weak ones to show forth this treasure, which is Christ in us, the hope of glory. However, many times, instead of focusing on this treasure, I became very conscious of my own weakness and instead of turning to Him, I may choose to give way to it. "Christianity is not the removal of weakness, nor is it merely the manifestation of divine power, but it is the manifestation of divine power in human weakness. (W. Nee). This is quite contrary to my understanding. No wonder Paul has exclaimed in 2 Cor 12: 8 Concerning this thing (the thorn in his flesh), I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9 And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon

I enjoy the following passage written by Ps Steve Cioccolanti which is extracted from website of Discover Ministries. When we pray, we are entering into a courtroom - the Heaven's throne! ISAIAH 43:26 [AKJ] Put me in remembrance: let us plead together: declare you, that you may be justified. God invites us to "plead" with Him. What does "plead" mean? To plead is to "state or set forth your case ." The picture is one of a courtroom. In court, the best case wins. So build a case for yourself before you come to Heaven’s throne! The more Scriptures and Scriptural reasons we have for what we want, the better the case we build or present before God. God is not only wanting you to agree with Him, but God also wants to agree with you! You've got to give Him something to agree with. Plead with Him, state your case, give Him your reasons, and present Him your Scriptures! People intuitively know how to build a good case in life, but when it comes to talking w

The above song is very inspiring and encouraging. God wants us to cast all our cares upon Him. 1 Peter 5:7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. There are times, we really do not know what to do, but the very encouraging thing is we can trust Him and cast all our cares upon Him - the reason is He cares for us! Philippians 4:6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.

A very nice hokkien worship song - discipleship. It is a very encouraging song! step by step following our Lord.

True Prosperity from Norhaya A Fong on Vimeo . True Prosperity part2 from Norhaya A Fong on Vimeo . True Prosperity part3 from Norhaya A Fong on Vimeo . The above story is very touching!

A very beautiful song which is very inspiring.... God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With love and strength for each new day He will make a way.... He will make a way Oh God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With love and strength for each new day He will make a way..... He will make a way By a roadway in the wilderness He'll lead me And rivers in the desert will I see Heaven and earth will fade But His Word will still remain And He will do something new today Oh God will make a way Where there seems to be no way He works in ways we cannot see He will make a way for me He will be my guide Hold me closely to His side With love and strength for each new day He will make a way... He will make a way NARRATION Oh God will make a way Where there seems t

This is a story of how a homosexual, whose life God has touched and brought back to the right track. God is truly amazing! His breakthrough came about through his parent's earnest prayer to God to show mercy on their son.

This is a story of Harold Everett Hughes, governor of Iowa who had been a drunk, a liar and a cheat in his earlier days. Hitting rock bottom, he decided in his shame and despair to commit suicide. However, before trying to kill himself, he felt he had to tell God why. As he sobbed in distress, something miraculous happened. “Like a stricken child lost in the storm, he had suddenly stumbled into the warm arms of His heavenly Father. And as he experienced God’s forgiving grace, he promised “Whatever You ask…I will do it.” That was the beginning of a new life for Harold Huges, a life really worth living. It remained a memorable turning point throughout the remainder of his life, and which led him to deep spiritual commitments. He began to study the Bible diligently, develop his prayer life, and even considered a career in the ministry. Are you in the same plight as Harold Hughes? Are you struggling through life, feeling defeated and broken that no one can help. Come to God just a

This week I will be sharing with the children on this topic “Be Hospitable”. Some writers have defined Christian’s hospitality as a willingness to share, with discernment, what God has given us, God’s message, love, joy, friendship, finances, and food etc. It is an attitude of stewardship, where we do not own anything because we are merely the caretaker, for the real owner of all things is God. Hospitality is exercised out of gratitude and reverence for God. Am I hospitable? I’m afraid my answer is no. This is because I enjoy seeing familiar faces and are comfortable with them but I shun strangers. However, as I was reading up on this topic, I began to realize that I need to go beyond my comfort zone – it is a christian mission! Even though I may not like to talk to neighbors, meet new people, or greet strangers with a kind word and a smile, but I am called to do so! Do I make an effort to try to make people comfortable, or am I just careless? In fact to God, relationships are pri

The following hymn written by Mildred L. Dillon echoes the earnest desire of many Christians:- I wish you knew my Jesus And loved Him as I do, For if you knew my Jesus, Then you would love Him too. He gave His life at Calvary, The sacrifice for you; If you'll receive my Jesus, Then you will love Him too. For those who still have not know this Jesus, you can invite Him into your heart and you can experience Him too!

God's way is always the best way. Many times instead of trusting Him, I often use my own methods, my own ways to solve any problem. When the problem remain unsolved or become bigger, I began to call on Him for help. But though I am faithless, yet He remains faithful. When I learned to release all my fears, my failures, mistakes into His hands, I experienced His peace residing over me, a peace not as the world giveth, but is the peace of God. This peace helps to settle my heart and trust Him to direct my path. (John 14:27) The following verses are very reasurring and encouraging. Our God is a God in whom we can truly place our trust. 1. "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope." (Jeremiah 29:11) 2."The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord … "(Psalm 37:23) 3. "A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps." (Proverbs 16:9) 4. "But

God's word tells us to seek peace and pursue it! 1 Peter 3:11 Let him turn away from evil and do good; Let him seek peace and pursue it. In fact, it is one of the characteristics of the sons of God - Matthew 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called sons of God. I enjoy that our God is peace Himself - 1 Thessalonians 5:23 Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you completely; and may your whole spirit, soul, and body be preserved blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Lately, I have been enjoying the following verses related to peace:- John 14:27 Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. 約 翰 福 音 14:27 我 留 下 平 安 给 你 们 ； 我 将 我 的 平 安 赐 给 你 们 。 我 所 赐 的 ， 不 像 世 人 所 赐 的 。 你 们 心 里 不 要 忧 愁 ， 也 不 要 胆 怯 。 Phil 4:7 and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. 腓 立 比 書 4:7 神 所 赐 、 出 人 意 外 的 平 安

I went to Batam last Saturday with some of the CVSOM students. This was the first time I went for a short ministry trip. It was part of the certificate course in Practical Christian Ministry offered by CVSOM, Covenant Vision School of Ministry. I went there with much anticipation and eagerness to see how our God moved among His people. This was a moment when I witnessed the work of the Holy Spirit, how it convicted the hearts of the people and lifted up their burdens, bondage, difficult moments and there were tears of joy and relief. There was a total of 4 teams and our team comprised 9 members and we were all so different in our disposition. However, it was a fun time, when we learned to bear one another in love and patience. I believed the students knew now by heart that it was not about me but about Him! The things I learned was to trust God from the preparation stage till completion by praying and committing every aspects of the trip under His gracious hand. Preparation wor

The following hymn has never failed to encourage me. God’s mercies are new every morning. We are very tempted to just give up each time we failed. However, God often uses our failure to make us wiser The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases His mercies never come to an end They are new every morning New every morning. Great is Thy faithfuess, O Lord. (x2) Great is Thy faithfulness Instead of dwelling on our failures, mistakes, we can learn to bring them to Him and ask Him to give us strength and wisdom, and thus like Paul, we can boldly say: When I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 12:10b. Just simply get up from where we fall and walk in the newness of life for God is always a God of new beginnings - His mercies are new every morning. Our Christian life is also a series of new beginnings, of falling down and getting up again. Instead of focusing on ourselves, we can refocus on Him. His strength is made perfect in our weakness. His grace is manifested and magnified i

Matthew 11: 3 “Are You the Coming One, or do we look for another?” The above question seemed very familiar to most Christians. When persecutions, sufferings and troubles come into our lives, we begin to question, "Why does God let this happen to me?". "Is God real, have I made a mistake believing in Him?" We have all together forgot or ignore the corresponding clear biblical teaching that the glory of knowing our Lord Jesus is intertwined with the priviledge of suffering with Him (the fellowship of His sufferings). John the Baptist was the forerunner of Christ but yet he was imprisoned. Was it God's juggement on Him? Perhaps Christ was not the Messiah because there were many false prophets in Israel and John could had recognize wrongly. Had he led the people astray? He was confused. He started to question: "Is He the One?" Similarly, when we are in severe trials, we just cannot think straight. When John had heard in prison about the works of Chr

Do you believe that all Scripture is God-breathed? Dr Yu-Lan Zhang firmly believed that God and Jesus of the Bible are true. The following were some facts which convinced him and hopefully it will also convinced you:- 1) The Bible was written by more than 40 authors and had taken more than 1,600 years to complete. Despite the idiosyncrasies in the various authors' professions, state of mentality, birthplaces, opinions and life styles, the scriptures they wrote fitted well into one great master plan. This combination was without any contradition; even the intellectuals believed and received their blessings. If the Bible were not God-breathed and the words spoken by men who were not moved by the Holy Spirit of God, then nothing could explain this great masterplan. 2) The Bible is full of prophecies, confidently predicting the events of the future: the fall of a nation; the vicissitudes and the destruction of the Old City; the birth and the death of the Saviour; His life and wor

Many a time we dismissed things/events as coincidental instead of thanking God for answering our prayer. This is the experience of many christians. However, as you walk with Him, God impressed upon us certain events and they become our landmarks which serve to remind us clearly of God's provision and protection. We can say for certainty that He is the one that answer the prayer because the situation/events are beyond hope and without divine intervention, it is just impossible. Once again we have renewed confidence that He is one we can trust and also one that will take care of us. Our God is eager to demonstrate His power in our lives. Sometimes, He allows us to go through struggles and challenges so that we will learn to turn to Him and experience Him as the one who leads and guides us.

Got this article via email from a friend.... This vegetable is commonly used for Chicken rice, Nasi Lemak, Satay, Tau Pok, Rojak etc. Now it got more uses for the home....... 1. Cucumbers contain most of the vitamins you need every day, just one cucumber contains Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin B3, Vitamin B5, Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Vitamin C, Calcium, Iron, Magnesium, Phosphorus, Potassium and Zinc. 2. Feeling tired in the afternoon, put down the caffeinated soda and pick up a cucumber. Cucumbers are a good source of B Vitamins and Carbohydrates that can provide that quick pick-me-up that can last for hours. 3. Tired of your bathroom mirror fogging up after a shower? Try rubbing a cucumber slice along the mirror, it will eliminate the fog and provide a soothing, spa-like fragrance. 4. Are grubs and slugs ruining your planting beds? Place a few slices in a small pie tin and your garden will be free of pests all season long. The chemicals in the cucumber react with the aluminum to give

The Bible tells us clearly that there is really no excuse for not knowing God (Romans 1:20). Just simply look at the creation - it declares God! Through everything God made, men can clearly see His invisible qualities - His eternal power and divine nature. (adapted from ODJ) Below are some Bible Verses that talk about God's creation:- In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth. Genesis 1:1 When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers , the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; Psalm 8:3 The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth His handywork. Psalm 19:1 By the word of the LORD were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth. Psalm 33:6 I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by my great power and by my outstretched arm, and have given it unto whom it seemed meet unto me. Jeremiah 27:5 All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made. John 1:

We all suffer for one reason or another. Sometimes, suffering can be self-inflicted or sometimes one may suffer from the hands of others due to differing viewpoints. Believers need to determine why they must suffer. One may suffer because of his position or disposition. Because of conscience toward God, one endures grief, suffering wrongfully. Suffering is often a 2 sided coin. It may be viewed, on one side, uses by God to bring out the best in us, but on the other side, Satan may use it to bring out the worst of us. It seems like a battle. There are different ways a believer may react to suffering, below are some possible responses. 1. Despise it, treat it too lightly. 2. Faint under it, that is, treat it too seriously 3. To be exercised by it, that is, receive instruction from it. This is the reaction desired by God. A simple prayer a believer can do: Lord, I am committing my pain and suffering to you, realizing & believing He is faithful to work out all things for our g

Yesterday we read a passage from the Book of Matthew about Jesus healing the paralytic. As the paralytic is not able to come to Jesus on his own, his friends made tremendous effort to bring him before Jesus. "What is the deepest desire of the paralytic?" I believed his deepest desire is to be able to walk again. But Jesus did not heal him immediately. Instead Jesus said to him "Son, be of good cheer; your sins are forgiven you." Jesus knew the actual condition of this man. Many a time, we are just like the paralytic. We are not able to walk before God because we have sinned against Him or perhaps our past sins were hounding us. Sins have a crippling effect. However, through the encouragement of fellow Christians, we are brought before Jesus again, and when we hear Jesus telling us : "Be of good cheer, your sins are forgiven you", it is liberating and immediately we are able to rise up and walk before Him again. Below is an extract of the story: Mat

We love because He first loved us (1 John 4:19). In 1 John 4:8, John says, “God is love.” God’s love is patient, full of hope and endures through every circumstance. It is easy to love someone who is lovable but it can be very challenging when you show love to someone who is trying your patience. However, when we hang in there with people who try our patience, we are mirroring the heart of God. Loving others when it is hard is a response to the affection that God shows us. The truth that “if we love each other, God lives in us” is a major encouragement. When we stay put with difficult people who are ready to press our buttons, we demonstrate the living out of God's love in us. It is God’s enduring love that leads to peace and satisfaction. Extracted from ODJ.

Let the little cell do the talking: Consider one amazing piece of evidence about me: the human cell. In Darwin’s day, I am considered to be simply a blob of protoplasm. Today you know me better. Bruce Alberts, president of the National Academy of Sciences says, “The entire cell, i.e. me can be viewed as a factory that contains an elaborate network of interlocking assembly lines, each of which is composed of a set of large protein machines.” We, the many cells are complex mechanisms. On the surface, there are sensors, gates, pumps, and identification markers. Inside, we are filled with microscopic power plants, workshops, and recycling units. Microscopic “monorails” carry materials within cells. Am I amazing? This is because of the great designer who made me, a small little cell. It is estimated that a human being has about 8 trillions cells. “You (God) made all the delicate, inner parts of my body". (Psalm 139:13). Extracted from ODJ - Our daily journey with God.

John 12:24 Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. In the past, when I read the above verse, I thought that it only applies to our Lord Jesus. He is the grain of wheat that needs to die to bear much grain. Jesus reveals that the message of the grain of wheat involves His followers also. How do we "die"? By surrending ourselves to the circumstances of God's choice, we submit to His will even though we may not like it. God uses people and situation to break the chaff of self that surrounds the life of Christ hidden within us. The real work of God, this real surrender, takes place where men cannot see. Outwardly, it looks as though nothing is happening, but in reality, as in nature, God's greatest work of re-creation is taking place. (BSF notes) Praise God!

Yesterday night, we sang the following hymn: Stanza 1 He leadeth me, O blessed thought O words with heavenly comfort fraught What e'er I do, where e're I be Still tis God's hand that leadeth me Chorus: He leadeth me, He leadeth me By His own hand, He leadeth me His faithful follower I would be For by His hand He leadeth me Stanza 2 Sometimes 'mid scenes of deepest gloom Sometimes where Eden's bowers bloom By waters still, o'er troubled sea Still 'tis God's hand that leadeth me I have sung this hymn many times but tonight I have a different perspective of this hymn. I just felt that as we start to follow God, He seems to be leading us through a roller coaster ride. Is this part of perfecting our faith in him? The writer of this hymn could say whatever he does, whatever he be, it is God's hand that leadeth him. In the past, I chose my own path, I will avoid those paths that I perceive as disastrous or not in my favor, however, the more you learn to

Many times, when I see others, I tend to judge them and paste labels on their foreheads. However, our Lord is so different. When He looked at the woman of Samaria, He saw her as someone who needed the unfailing love of God. Jesus not only see her as who she is but also as who she could be. Many souls were transformed and convicted by His love. He looked beyond our outward appearances and looked into our heart. He wooed us daily to love Him and give ourselves to Him. Similarly we are also given the task of reconciling people to Him. 2 Cor 2:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation. In order to be ambassadors of Christ, when we look at people, we have to learn to look past the appearance and the history to see a person God loves, a person for whom Jesus died and a person He can transform. Adapted from our Daily Journey with God (ODJ)

John 10:10 I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly. Many christians have this experience. Just before we started reading the Bible, we might be feeling tired after a hard day work and very unwilling to lift up the pages. However, as we started reading the Bible and spending time before God, we experience life and we are very energized spiritually. Jesus not only came to give believers eternal life but He wants us to experience at present this eternal life to the full - abundantly. In the past, I thought that eternal life started only when I meet the Lord after my death. However, eternal life can be experienced even right now. We can testify that when we literally lives by drawing upon His exhaustless source of joy, peace, love, patience, self-control, power, we possess the strength to endure and the ability to meet every situation. Sometimes we may encounter difficult situations but when we turn to Him, we just have the strength to overcom

Matthew 7:13 “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. 14 Because[e] narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Many times I choose to walk by the broad way because it is easy and comfortable and many people are walking that way. I just follow the wisdom of the world to do things each day without much need to pray but in this portion of the word, we are exhorted to enter the narrow gate. There is a need for us to choose to enter the narrow gate. There is a danger of walking along the broad way. Here it says that the broad way leads to destruction and this is the choice of many. As I was pondering over the Lord’s life journey on earth, He is an example of one that is walking the narrow way. His time is always aligned to God’s timing, John 7. He didn’t do things according to His own time table. However, most of the time, I do things at my o

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. Many times I ask myself what is this good work that God wants us to do. God has foreordained good works for us to accomplish and directs us to them as we ask Him to do so. However, if we do not learn to seek Him, we can become overly busy or doing works, however good, that He has not planned for us. Sometimes, instead of doing the works He wants us to do, we become caught up with the so called "work" and we get out of God's purpose for our lives and fail to do the particular works He has foreordained for us. This is a reminder for me. To learn to seek God's will concerning all activities in my life so that I glorify His name. Nothing happens without a purpose, may the Lord lead us to see beyond the physical realm and learn the spiritual lessons He has prepared for us.

I find the following parable of the centipede very interesting. One day, as a centipede was about to walk, it examined its legs to consider which one should move first. Should the left leg move first or the right one? How about the eighth leg, or the tenth? The centipede was stuck there trying to make a decision. The problem of the mind became a problem of the practice. Eventually, the sun came up. Without thinking, the centipede ran out to see the sunrise without considering which leg should move first. It forgot about how to walk and simply walked. When the problem of the mind was gone, the problem of the practice also disappeared. (Extracted from the Testimonies - Watchman Nee's Testimony & Others' Testimonies) Reflection: Sometimes, we faced many problems in life and some problems can be overwhelming and we think of many solutions and try to figure out which is the best way to solve the problem. However, just like the parable of the centipede, we can simply commit ours

Genesis 2:9 And out of the ground the LORD God made every tree grow that is pleasant to the sight and good for food. The tree of life was also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil . Genesis 2:15 Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. Genesis 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; Genesis 2:17 but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.” In Genesis 2:17 God gave a warning to man, not to partake the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Because the fruit of the knowledge of good and evil uplifts the human soul and suppresses the spirit. When man partakes of this fruit, man's soul life will be stimulated and his spirit life will be stifled. This means man will lose the true knowledge of God and thus be dead to Him. The knowledge of good and evil will puff up t

A brother once observed that God's will is like a train whereas our prayer is like the rails of a train. A train may travel to any place, except that it must run on rails. It has tremendous power to go east, west, south and north, but it can only run to places where rails have been laid. So that it is not because God has no power (He, like a train, has power, great power); but because He chooses to be governed by man's prayer, therefore all valuable prayers (like a train's rails) pave the way for God. Consequently, if we do not take up the responsibility of prayer, we will hinder the fulfilment of God's will. From : "Let Us Pray" by Watchman Nee May the Lord open our eye to see our responsibility in this matter!

There was once a Christian who well knew how to pray. He declared this, that all spiritual works include 4 steps: 1. The first step is that God conceives a thought, which is His will: 2. The second step is that God reveals this will to His children through the Holy Spirit, causing them to know that He has a will, a plan, a demand and expectation. 3. The third step is that God's children return His will by praying to Him, for prayer is responding to God's will - if our heart is wholly one with His heart, we will naturally voice in our prayer that He intends to do: 4. And the fourth step is that God will accomplish this very thing. Extracted from the Book "Let Us Pray" by Watchman Nee My Reflection God reveals His will, His thoughts, plan and desires to us through His Word. As I spend time in His word, the Holy Spirit reveals His heart desires, His thoughts and as I learn to seek Him and spend time before Him, His thoughts become my thoughts and His desires beco

Philippians 4:6b ... in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; We can learn to practise drawing near to God’s presence, calm down before Him, lay aside our own thoughts, and enter into His thought. You will then realize the significance of prayer and see in how many matters God is waiting for you to pray. Things around the entire world are to be subjects of your prayer, and matters in all directions are to be touched through your prayer. You do not pray according to your own feeling; you instead bring your own heart desire to the heart desire of God and let His will become your will, your groaning, and your hope in the universe. Nothing of the will of God is ever released without passing through man, and nothing of whatever will of God released through man is ever free from an encounter with the power of Satan. For the realization of God’s will, there is the need for prayer; to remove Satan’s opposition requires prayer. L

In the past, I don't really see the value of prayer. I did not realise that our prayerlessness, may cause God to let many of His resolutions go suspended. I always think that God is so almighty and He will not be limited by our prayerlessness. However, God adheres to this principle : All the actions in heaven are governed by the actions on earth. God in heaven will only bind and loose what His children on earth have bound and loosed. There are many things/situations that need to be bound but God wants His people to bind them on earth first, and then He will bind them in heaven. Many things are there also which should be loosed; but again, God is not willing to loose them alone: He waits until His people loose them on earth and then He will loose them in heaven. May God open our eyes to see this principle that it will change our perspective concerning prayer. Prov. 1:23 .. Pour out Your Spirit upon them and make Your Word known to them. Prov. 2:10 .. Let wisdom enter their h

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” Genesis 1:27 So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them. Genesis 1:28 Then God blessed them, and God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply; fill the earth and subdue it; have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” Genesis 1:29 And God said, “See, I have given you every herb that yields seed which is on the face of all the earth, and every tree whose fruit yields seed; to you it shall be for food. Genesis 1:30 Also, to every beast of the earth, to every bird of the air, and to everything that creeps on the earth, in which there is life, I have given every green herb for food”; and it was so. Ge

Genesis 1:20 Then God said, “Let the waters abound with an abundance of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth across the face of the firmament of the heavens.” Genesis 1:21 So God created great sea creatures and every living thing that moves, with which the waters abounded, according to their kind, and every winged bird according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:22 And God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful and multiply, and fill the waters in the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” Genesis 1:23 So the evening and the morning were the fifth day. Genesis 1:24 Then God said, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature according to its kind: cattle and creeping thing and beast of the earth, each according to its kind”; and it was so. Genesis 1:25 And God made the beast of the earth according to its kind, cattle according to its kind, and everything that creeps on the earth according to its kind. And God saw that it was good. This is a beautiful

Genesis 1:14 Then God said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heavens to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs and seasons, and for days and years; Genesis 1:15 and let them be for lights in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth”; and it was so. Genesis 1:16 Then God made two great lights: the greater light to rule the day, and the lesser light to rule the night. He made the stars also. Genesis 1:17 God set them in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth, Genesis 1:18 and to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good. Genesis 1:19 So the evening and the morning were the fourth day. I see the faithfulness of God in verse 17. God set them (2 great lights) in the firmament of the heavens to give light on the earth. Even while we are experiencing the "nights" in our life, there is still the lesser light to rule the night. God is faithful and trust

Genesis 1:6 Then God said, “Let there be a firmament in the midst of the waters, and let it divide the waters from the waters.” Genesis 1:7 Thus God made the firmament, and divided the waters which were under the firmament from the waters which were above the firmament; and it was so. Genesis 1:8 And God called the firmament Heaven. So the evening and the morning were the second day. As the light came in, my spirit was quickened, it became alive. There is heaven in me, a inner sanctuary...my spirit. A verse came to me: Col 3:2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. Whenever I learn to exercise my spirit to set my minds on the heavenly things, the earthly things/situations become dim and fade away. There are times, we toggle between our spirit and our flesh...we murmur...but however, when we learn to turn to our spirit and trust Him.. He restore us and leads us once again. Genesis 1:9 Then God said, “Let the waters under the heavens be gathered together into one

After I have invited God into my life through that one prayer which was made more than 20 years ago, the first thing that is wrought in my soul is light. God said let there be light. There is an enlightenment in my understanding which never had before. As I continue reading, verse 4 : And God saw the light, that it was good; and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness He called Night. So the evening and the morning were the first day. Then I was curious and I asked Him, why is there still darkness? I was brought to look at my own situation. Isn't darkness still in me, some dark moments in my life: my pride, my selfish desires, failures and hidden sins and many others. God just made a distinction, I believe he allows it there for a purpose. He just divided them. I recalled when I have sinned against Him and was far from Him, I learn to come back to Him, learn to walk by faith and cling to His promises. Sometimes He hid himself s

Just went for a silent retreat. The purpose of this retreat is to tune out the world and other distracting thoughts by spending time to hear God. We were told to fight the urge to plan. Inititally I came to the retreat with just one agenda, Lord, shows me the "BEATITUDE". However, I was told to just relax, don't try too hard. Just welcome the silence and let the Spirit leads you. Thus after the worship lesson, I told God that I will just allow Him to take over. I decided to take a nap, relax and set my watch alarm at 12.00. Then I went for my lunch, not knowing how the Spirit will lead me. While eating lunch, I saw two sparrows, and I told God, "I wasn't there when you create the earth. How about telling me about your Creation?". I take a walk and open the Bible and read from the Book of Genesis. v1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. v2 The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spir

Nobody like sufferings. I was pondering over the incident which happened to my church sister. She slipped and fell and fractured her ankle. The fall was so bad that she had to undergo an operation. After the operation, she had to remain in bed for 6 weeks. It causes me to think about sufferings that befall on Christians and how do we face it. We all know that true faith will be tested. " Christians do not court suffering, but we do expect it. A disciple, after all, is not above His master." Dr. Norbert Mueller, The Lutheran Witness, July 1995 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. James 1:2-3 When I visited my friend in the hospital, she did not murmur or complain over the fall but instead she experienced the grace of God and the Word of God was timely to strengthen her for the whole ordeal. She was grateful that after the operation, the pain was manageable. The Bible has a d

We can learn to give thanks in all situations because God is sovereign, He is in control. When difficulties come our way,God uses them to show that when we put our trust in Him, His goodness we will know. —Sper I love these verses which are very helpful when we are going through trials:- Eccl 3:11 He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time.... We just need to look to Him & trust Him, Prov 3:5-6 Trust in the LORD with all our heart, And lean not on our own understanding; 6 In all our ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct our paths. Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Reflection : When we learn to bring situations and all things to Him, God actively causes all things to work together for good. When all you have is God, you have all you need. So be thankful!

The "Refiner's Fire" is one of the song that we will be singing on this coming children's camp in June 2010. The lyrics of the song go this way: Purify my heart Let me be as gold and precious silver Purify my heart Let me be as gold, pure gold Refiner's fire My heart's one desire Is to be holy Set apart for You Lord I choose to be holy Set apart for You my Master Ready to do Your will Below is a story I came across on Refiner's Fire. Some time ago, a few ladies met in a certain city to read the scriptures and make them the subject of conversation. While reading the third chapter of Malachi they came upon a remarkable expression in the third verse. "And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver." One lady's opinion was that it was intended to convey the view of the sanctifying influence of the grace of Christ. Then she proposed to visit a silversmith and report to them what he said on the subject. She went accordingly and without tellin

What happens when we put our trust on God? "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths" (Proverbs 3:5,6). "Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!" (Psalm 34:8). "Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him" (Proverbs 30:5). "Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us" (Psalm 62:8). "In God I have put my trust; I will not be afraid. What can man do to me?" (Psalm 56:11). "And those who know Your name will put their trust in You; For You, Lord, have not forsaken those who seek You" (Psalm 9:10). "You will keep him in perfect peace, Whose mind is stayed on you, Because he trusts in You'" (Isaiah 26:3). What happens when we put our trust on the wrong things? When you put your trust on weapon &qu

The above is the topic we need to teach in the children’s meeting. The story is taken from Numbers Chapter 13-14. It is about the spies sent by Moses to discover the good land which God had promised to give to the Israelites. As I was thinking about the story, it dawns on me that actually the 12 spies are in us. The ten spies represent the spirit of fear which are not from God and the 2 spies, Joshua & Caleb represent the spirit of power and of love and of a sound mind and is given by God. Christ is our good land and as we take time to discover Him, we realized that it is truly a good land flowing with milk and honey but at the same time, we saw giants and great and fortified cities.. I see these giants as tall as my pride, my very self, my own desires and some of the inhabitants in this land live in tents and some in these great and fortified cities. I see those inhabitants that live in the fortified cities are those strongholds that I have builded through the years, my co

John 15:5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing.

Genuine faith puts its letter in the mailbox and lets go. There is one evening that our church sister asked the group to pray for one of her colleagues. After praying, I was contemplating whether is the prayer sufficient or do I still need to continue further. However, I have a deep sense that it is enough - God has heard it! After a period, we heard that our prayer is answered. As the statement goes - Geniune faith puts its letter in the mailbox and lets go.

I love to listen to Bible’s story and one of them is the story of the Roman Centurion in Matthew 8:5-10. In this story, we learn about authority. This Roman centurion was a man who knew authority and one day he came to Jesus to plead for Him to heal his servant. When Jesus was about to go to heal his servant, he immediately replied, “Lord I am not worthy that you should come under my roof. He knew about authority for he was a man under authority, having soldiers under him. As a commander, he exercised authority over his soldiers : And when he said to this soldier, “Go” and he goes; and to another, “Come.” And he comes; and to his servant, “Do this, and he does it.” He asked Jesus to speak a word, and his servant will be healed. Jesus was marveled and commented on his great faith. We can also learn to speak God's language: Truly I tell you, whoever says to this mountain, Be lifted up and thrown into the sea! and does not doubt at all in his heart but believes that what he say

Matthew 12: 36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. In the past, whenever I read this verse, I am very much afraid because I am always guilty of saying many worthless words. However, now I began to see this verse in a different perspective. This verse is meant for our protection, a reminder and also our guiding principle in the way we talk and relate to people because there are consequences in our spoken words. In Proverbs 18:21 we see that Death and life are in the power of the tongue. There is power in our words, it may either bring life or death to the hearer. The Psalmist also knew there are consequences in men's spoken words and thus they sought God's help:- Psalm 141:3 Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips. May this be our prayer : "Let my speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that I may know how I ought to answer every man. Col 4:6

In Luke Chapter 8, Jesus told a parable on the Sower who sowed the seed. When the disciples asked Him the meaning of this parable, He began explaining to them. Now the Parable is this : The seed is the Word of God. Luke 8:11. The Word of God is just like a seed that needs to be planted. As the seed does nothing until it is planted in a proper place, so the Word of God will have no impact in me unless it is planted in my heart and in my mind. I found that the best way to plant the seed of God's Word in my life is by speaking the Word and by declaring it in my life. Romans 10:10 For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation.

As Christians, we desire to please God and would like to do the work of God. However, we may be very busy doing the so called “works” and missed the main point and all the so-called works will not be counted in His sight. In John 6:28 The multitude also asked Jesus the same question, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” In effect, Jesus is revealing to them that there is only one "work" that God now requires and without which no "works" are acceptable in His sight. This work is to take His gift - to believe on His Son. v29 impressed upon me deeply that the work of God is actually all about Jesus Himself, believing in Him whom God sent. I need to live by believing, by receiving, by appropriating God's gift of Christ, in regard to both His person and His work on my behalf. Everything we do must always be in Him, through Him and by Him. Apar

Below hymn, "Just as I Am" is written by Charlotte Elliott in 1835 and it is a very encouraging hymn and hope it encourages you too. Although we are poor, wretched and blind, we can come to Jesus "Just as we are" and in Him we are made complete. 1. Just as I am, without one plea, but that thy blood was shed for me, and that thou bidst me come to thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 2. Just as I am, and waiting not to rid my soul of one dark blot, to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 3. Just as I am, though tossed about with many a conflict, many a doubt, fightings and fears within, without, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 4. Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind; sight, riches, healing of the mind, yea, all I need in thee to find, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 5. Just as I am, thou wilt receive, wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve; because thy promise I believe, O Lamb of God, I come, I come. 6. Just as I am