Very very tired

Well i’m back from brunei and i must say i’m so very thankful to my God that He has again proved that He never fails. Throughout the trip, i didn’t sustain any injury at all except for some small cuts while bashing during swamp walk which couldn’t be avoided.

I’ve seen how God brought me thru the whole trip…provided me the strength to carry on when i feel like i cant carry on. motion in the platoon is building up..and its getting more and more tiring not only to the body, but the soul. I’m really really exhausted from all the motion esp after the 7 days continuous outfield. (but honestly biang wasn’t as scarry as i thought it would be…but it was God that brought me thru)

I yearn to do things that truly mean something to me. But as for now, a lot of it is still motion, though my God is real. My friends my family as well. Now that i’ve gotten back the perspective of my life that im comfortable with, i’m happy. In fact, i couldn’t have asked for more. God has been so good.

So here’s the update. I’ll have a good 1 week off before i book in next monday again before we start heading towards bn exercises now that the coys are validated. This means the support elements like my own platoon needs to step up to be operational very soon. It’s gonna be mad motion…After the first year commanders ord, it’s only gonna build up…from what i can see.

Still, i’ll hold on to the hope that God provided. I don’t know what’s going to happen next nor do i know if training will only get tougher. But i know God is always there by my side bringing me through all the obstacles.

That’s what gives me the assurance of my future. =)

I can't live without God

It's not been too good a past week actually. Stress mounting, disappointment experienced from literally all quarters of my life. The battle was fierce, and it was tough to keep my emotions in check, from ruling my actions. I know it was tough on my boy Ryan too, and i wish i could have done more for him, but i was stretched way too thin with my personal life. I literally snapped, I almost wanted to just throw in the towel and just do nothing.

Too many things have happened recently, none of which was under my control. I felt so helpless, so alone. Trying to remedy the situation on top of my usual commitments had worn me down, which was also on top of my own emotional struggles. I felt taxed, felt drained, felt there were too many things to do to even pray - that's the whole problem you see. I run myself dry as though there'll be no consequence, with terrible implications afterwards. Everything looked dark, everything looked bleak, I felt I had no hope, like it was taken from me.

That's when I knew I had come to the end of myself, into shreds. Totally broken, exhausted and hopeless, I approached the King of Kings once more, where He restored to me strength, assurance and a new hope, and changed my countenance. A broken and contrite spirit, He will not despise. He has changed my mourning into dancing, and once again, I could life my voice in sweet praise of Him. O what a joy! To just worship Him in unrushed time, and let Him minister in my tears.

I've found my joy, and my freedom, for He is my inheritance. Have you found your inheritance recently? And so, because He has such a vast love, that can cover and blot out the depths of my sin, I shall and must, continue to serve Him all the days of my life. What can I do without you Lord?

Nothing, absolutely nothing, and proud of it =)

Well, as David the Psalmist, King of Israel says to the Lord, "I'm poor and needy". Hence I'm unafraid to be poor, to be needy before the Lord. Not as a sign of weakness, but rather, embracing our original design as mere men. Creation to creator, period.

Time for that much needed servicing?



Jared

Magic

Yesterday was good.

Managed to run a new 10 km route around my estate, and I did it close to noon too. Really felt like giving up many parts of the way, but was encouraged at many points to trudge on. The wind, the beautiful sun and the deep and rich greenery spoke to me. The ever rising sun tells of God's amazing grace to His people to always provide for them the strength to grow their crops, and the light to guide their paths, regardless of circumstance. And it was through the wind, that Moses saw the back of God. The rich and lush greenery just made me stand in awe of His Magnificent.

Whenever I needed encouragement, I would just close my eyes and walk into the wind, and the wind, would just blow stronger as though in response to my need. It's magical, and I wouldn't trade anything else for this. God is here, God is holding me together during this critical period of time. For without Him, I would really have crumbled. His strength in my weakness exemplified.

He is teaching me many things, and I know it. And I think i'm beginning to realise what Paul meant when he said all that he has once considered loss, he now considers gain. Though it was a deep loss, absolutely heart wrenching at first, I can also consider it pure gain...

For I have taken away many lessons.
1) More than anything else, I've learnt perserverance - to not give up in the face
of mounting difficulty and discouragement
2) I've learnt how one must suffer when fighting for a cause
3) My prayer to grasp the concept of pure agape love was answered
4) I've seen how fear can motivate and how to overcome it
5) I know who I am
5) And many other lessons, none of which we can learn from the classroom

Hence, it is gain.

It was a very trying 2008 which almost threatened to cloud the days of 2009. But it shall not. A new Beginning, a new start, the old has gone, the new has come. I've come to accept the fact that life is going to be tough, and inevitably I will be defeated by my circumstances at times. But, I've decided in my heart and spirit that I will never stay defeated.


Bye 2008, Hello 2009.

Love,
Jared

Tiring but Still God Prevails... :)

Hahas... its my first post here :)

Anyway...being the last week of the term, everything was due! It was a real tiring but amazing week lots of deadlines and not much sleep...(My eyes were like: =.= when i had got to school lol) Had 4 deadlines to meet as well as having 2 tests at the end of week! the earliest i slept was at 2am... (weird cause 2am really is early.. in the morning >.>).

After churning out those reports and case studies... finally it came to the two tests... ugh. French and Japanese. having slept late the night before - which was 3.45am, i didn't study much about French or Japanese. But before i slept, i just skimmed through the different topics for French, and on the bus to school that day, browsed through Japanese. 

Well, 3 quarters of the paper was on language - real easy :) Then came the culture part of the test... lets pause here.

Then came French test... fully on culture. I was wondering how i would fare in the test because i barely studied for it.

All the questions on culture for both Japanese and French... were all that i had remembered! :) All the other topics that i did not go through did not appear at all! Praise God! Except some in the Japanese paper... but thats besides the point (Since thats only about 9 questions out of 50).

I didn't even pray... 

But God knows our hearts cry, even if we do not ask... God still showers us with all the love that he has... Amen!

Oh and lest i forget... I was selected just eariler (along with 2 other classmates) to write game reviews for a well known game magazine! I couldn't believe it! every few months, i will be receiving a yet to be released game and my review would be published in that magazine.

God just opened my eyes to so many things in just one day... God Loves us Dearly and he can barely wait to just shower blessings onto us.

I just can wait to see what else he has in store for me... THANK YOU LORD! :D

Jesus Loves You :)

God bless!

Renqi :)

THANK YOU LORD!!!!

Was actually quite discouraged earlier this morning because I didn't get to revise as much as I would have liked to. Just had an earlier paper on saturday afternoon, which I spent all my time preparing the past week. So I had like, half a sun and some mon morning to revise. I felt quite unprepared.

Just when i started to contemplate the worst case scenario, my mum prayed for me. I also received a prayer sms. Thank you:) These two people helped me to find my peace in God, and that made a WHOLE LOT of difference. With that new found peace, I managed to finish an in-depth revision of a psyche chapter, and half of another chapter. I prayed really hard that the stuff i revised, which wasn't much, would come out.

It did, and it was a 60 MARK QUESTION AT THAT!!! Someone else beside me had nothing else to write and was sighing away, but I was busy scribbling notes and planning my answer and was afraid I didn't even have enough time to finish writing!! THANKS BE TO GOD!!!! He really honours us when we humble ourselves before Him:) Thank you Abba, you saved me!

Well, I hope that this testimony encourages you.

God Bless!
Jared

Jesus’ Blood Is On The Mercy Seat

Leviticus 16:14 14He shall take some of the blood of the bull and sprinkle it with his finger on the mercy seat on the east side; and before the mercy seat he shall sprinkle some of the blood with his finger seven times.

If you have watched the movie, Raiders Of The Lost Ark, you would remember that when the lid of the ark was lifted, strange-looking creatures floated out and destroyed the people around it. Interesting as it may be, this is biblically inaccurate — the ark of the Bible did not contain strange-looking creatures. What were the things inside it then? There were three items in the ark: the golden pot of manna, Aaron’s rod and two stone tablets on which God had written the Ten Commandments. (Hebrews 9:4) These items are actually symbols of man’s rebellion. The golden pot of manna represents man’s rejection of God’s provision. The rod of Aaron represents man’s rejection of God’s leadership and the two stone tablets of God’s commandments represent man’s rejection of His standard of holiness. But because God delights in mercy, He had these items put away in the ark and covered with the mercy seat, which had two cherubim on it. (Hebrews 9:5) And once a year, the high priest would enter the holy of holies where the ark was and sprinkle the blood of the animal sacrifice on the mercy seat. This means that God’s eyes, represented by the eyes of the cherubim, did not see the symbols of man’s rebellion. As long as the blood was there on the mercy seat, He saw only the blood and accepted the people. Today, Jesus is our High Priest and He Himself has sprinkled His own blood on the true mercy seat in heaven — the throne of grace. (Hebrews 9:23–26) Interestingly, the number of times that the Old Testament high priest had to sprinkle the blood on the mercy seat — seven — speaks of Jesus’ perfectsacrifice. And because His sacrifice is perfect and He is perfect, we who are in Christ have perfect standing forever before God! My friend, as you come to God today, don’t worry about falling short of His standard of holiness. He does not see your sins. (Hebrews 8:12, 10:17) He sees His Son’s blood on the mercy seat. You have perfect standing before Him forever! -abstract posted by vin

Thankful

I just really so thankful to God! At first I thought that I might have hurt my back while helping a dear friend move stuff. But when I woke up the next morning, the pain was no more!! Just normal aching after like a workout alr. Praise God!! Indeed He makes me Whole and Complete EVERYTIME!

I was so happy I went for a run!! Heck the cough, I ran 3.5km! I'm not gg to let the cough hold me back no longer man... I need my long runs:) By God's grace, no harm shall befall me by doing this!! (when you're sick you're not supposed to run)

Now I've got my two last tests and one deadline before my Exams start on the 22nd of November, a saturday. That's my D-Day.

My studies, is where my real personal battleground is. It's also where i get discouraged most of the time. Then, I thought I might be giving up my academic aspirations, till I read this verse.

Pro 12:11 He who works his land will have abundant food,
but he who chases fantasies lacks judgment.

Of course, there's no land to till now, so since i'm a student, i must "work my land" by studying hard - to get abundant food. No mention was made in the bible of how God was going to rate us. God does not rate us the way other men would. But why should we care how others rate us, when God has the depths of the earth, and the heights of the heavens in His hands? He only requires us to work at it, and He shall, and I believe with all of my Heart, provide the abundant food.

Father, I am truly hungry. Feed me!

Jared

The One Thing - Blessed In More Ways Than One

Romans 5:1
1Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,

We are not trying to get peace with God. We already have peace with God, having been justified by faith through our Lord Jesus Christ. This peace with God brings us the peace of God, which guards our hearts and minds. (Philippians 4:7) Then, the peace of God inside us will also translate into the peace of God outside us — in all our outward circumstances.

Firstly, we will find that what would normally cause us much care and anxiety will no longer be the case. Secondly, not only will everything turn out well, but we will also be blessed in more ways than one. This is what happens when Jesus, the Prince of Peace, is our peace.

A church member, though stricken with cancer, enjoyed the peace of God, knowing that He was her healer. She later received confirmation from two different doctors that she had been completely healed of cancer. In addition to receiving her blessing of complete healing, she also received from her insurance company a critical illness claim of S$50,000!

Another church member, upon hearing news of her retrenchment, committed the matter to God, believing that He would work all things out for her, especially her loss of a regular income. Shortly after, she received her retrenchment package — a substantial five-figure sum. And within days of her retrenchment, she received calls from her contacts in the industry, offering her jobs, two of which were jobs in well-known multinational corporations (MNCs).

At that time, she had not yet started looking for a job, so the calls were unexpected but welcomed. She finally opted to work for one of the MNCs — a dream come true for her — at a salary that was 30 per cent more than her previous one! When she simply prayed, “Abba Father, I trust You to look after me,” and rested in His love and peace, she was abundantly blessed.

Beloved, because Jesus is your peace, you are blessed in more ways than one. Your soul will prosper. Your health will prosper. Your finances will prosper. Your loved ones will be taken care of. Your relationships will flourish. You will enjoy the favor of God. All because you have the Prince of Peace!

-Vin

Possible future directions of our Division

I don't really know what everyone thinks on this issue.

Do you think it's time to step up on our efforts to move out of our current place into proper cell houses? I mean we're prone to constant disruption whenever an event is held there notwithstanding the fact that we really do not have a permit to hold such a large gathering there. Which we have to really be grateful to our Heavenly Father for providing for us!

There are really both pros and cons for being in either Pavilion or cell house. And so, I feel this issue needs alot more thought and discussion since when in doubt, the Bible exhorts us to seek the counsel of believers.

Pro 15:22 Plans fail for lack of counsel,
but with many advisers they succeed.

Let me do a pros and cons preliminary Analysis of this situation

Pavilion
Pros
Combined Worship is possible, more prudent use of resources
Many leaders present, so we can all fill in for one another if the need arises
Our cell members can still have both inter and intra cell group interactions - A dynamism that we will lose if we split up into individual cell houses

intra - within cell inter - between cells

Cons
Can take awhile to get our kids to settle down
Almost impossible to do productive sharing (eg. go one round and share about your week)
Noisy/smelly at times
There are strangers loitering around sometimes and we have no control over this - distracting
We could get chased out, displaced without warning
Leaders sometimes have to compete with each other to be heard during lessons
When our kids are sian during worship, it can be quite infectious and disheartening to see

Individual Cell Houses
Pros
Possibly quieter and more private surroundings to attend to our sheep
Hopefully our members will then be more open to share about their week and connect with one another
Time for members to share Deeply about the issues in their life and still go one full round
Opens up the possibility to harness the AV equipment of the place for screening of related multimedia like video clips or even an entire sermon message, if it's really good:)
Stronger and deeper ties between our cell members can possibly be formed since they now are restricted to intra cell interactions but i realise this can work the other way as well
Possible to go 'paperless' as we can screen lyrics / Qns on TV screen or something
Each CG will have more control over the programme and begin to allocate time for prayer/celebrating of birthdays/time for worship/sharing/chatting/lesson
Possibility of opening more opportunities for ministry among our kids (eg. worship, birthday ICs, Treasurer etc etc)

Cons
Worship Team staffed by our kids has to be nurtured / Leaders take worship & lesson every week
No more divisional dynamism - some kids might drop out of cell cos of this
All Leaders are really on their own and be constantly on their toes
The Divisional Identity among our kids might be lost slowly over time. . .
Can't think of anymore...

In any case, do not look at the length of the pros and cons, but as not all reasons are as important as others, so please help to weigh them and offer your counsel and help add to the list of pros and cons.

Let's discuss this by posting comments on this post when you see this and not going to the tagboard as i think characters that can be typed into that is pretty limited.

Then, it is only right that Alvin as our authority and DL should sum up and conclude this issue for us! Thanks Alvin:)

Cheers!
Jared

Life is indeed a paradox....

To be able to succeed,
One must be able to accept failures.

To be able to strive for perfection,
One must be able to accept imperfection.

To love and be loved,
Sacrifice must be involved.

And of course the Greatest Love and Sacrifice was shown to us on the Cross by our Dear Jesus:)

Acceptance is key to moving forward. The older we get, the more we encounter, the more we have to contend with, the more we have to accept. Only with acceptance, can we see and understand things in its proper perspective. Can then we proceed to come up with objective solutions to remedy the situation, to slowly take a step forward.

These steps, though small, are full of significance and fills our lives with purpose and meaning when taken. Why? Because of the collective sacrifices of everyone to trash out differences and take that same united step forward. Strength in Unity!

Besides, there is nothing that you'll deeply love that you didn't suffer for. Think about what David said when he said, I'll never offer up something that costs me nothing to The Lord. David, in all of his imperfection, knew what love is. Why do you think he was called a man after God's own heart?

2Sa 24:24 But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing." So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen and paid fifty shekels [c] of silver for them.

So let us take those small.... yet BIG steps in our lives and Slay the dragons of our lives!

In the words of Neil Armstrong, I'll leave you this quote:

That's one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.

In His Love,
Jared

Oprah's New Age Teachings

HELLO HELLO
here are the videos i was talking about the other day during support group (:
Quite interesting , so take a look!

This is the video of Oprah's 'church' which has an attendance of about 2 million.
Part of this video showed Oprah and an audience in her show having a mini debate on Christianity.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oFDKwvBxv4Q&feature=related

And this video is a debate between leading internet evangelist Bill Keller of LivePrayer (online Christian Website) and Oprah. Keller challenged Oprah to this debate, btw.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3BjL4Y9UOpw&feature=related

Yup, its just puzzling how some people who grew up in a Christian environment can turn against it ):

Love, Vivienne

This Thursday's Support Grp

Ok my dearests, this is it. 

Kindly offer your inputs for this thursday support grp, how we wanna bless and welcome Julia's zone leaders into our circle. Let's take a short while when you are reading this, to recap how we came about with the support group, the purpose and where we are today. 

I think our journey wasn't easy and our hearts can testify to our tasks. However, Jesus has been our constant comfort and strength, always 24/7 available to our cry and call. With Him, are a family of passionate God loving people who just couldn't get enough of Him. In our appointment as leaders, we carry certain burdens but Jesus always lifts it off for us. What becomes our gain is the experiential learning and growth in Christ. Yet, in a spiritual warfare, warriors like us can get injured, tired and even get lost. Hope is not gone in Christ, together with us are a group of supportive leaders who can stand in the gap not only for one another but for the world... In prayers, in words, in deeds, in love, in God's grace, in walking alongside with one another and knowing why we're called to be together in this zone made realized we're not just buddies..

We're one FAMILY. 

When ur tears flow, i'll be your soft tissue. When you're angry, i'll be your punching bag. When someone bullies you, i'll stand for you. When you're lost, i'll take you by your hands. When you're sacred, i'll offer assurance. When you need someone, i'll just sit beside you. I pray when we learn how to love one another in such manner, it will overflow to your members, your friends and even alien and strangers(as the bible puts it). 

So, i propose during worship, we'll walk up to the rest of the leaders, guy to guy, girl to girl and embrace them in a intimate prayer and encourage them. How lovely is the sight! It's not to wayang(put up a show), but can you imagine leaders who have been leading for so many years having people to think they are 'up there' do actually have a need for some encouragement? 

If you're wondering how to love one another, this is one practical example. 

The rest is for you all to suggest. Lol. You guys have turned operational. Yayness!!

-Alvin Chia

God holds all things together

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_e4zgJXPpI4

I realise i can't upload videos in blogspot but do watch it in ur free time. this is a good video portraying the Christ that holds everything together including every organs in our body. I was blown away by this vid.

"For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God." 1 Cor 1:18

Some running stuff ...

Ok, those who are running, hope you've received this information. 

Saucony Shoes
one of my favourite running shoes! its so luscious!
this is furnatic man!!

Asics are quite yesterday, if you're interested in good running shoes with proper support to your legs and knees, Saucony is the way to go. I'm introducing you this brand, of course i'm not selling it, but making a brand awareness and increase your knowledge so you all know there are options available. Asics are still good tho'.. :)

Anyway, those who think i'm all crazy for running, this is my heart cry...

i hate running actually. 

However, i've always remembered what my Wing Commander in OCS always tell us- if we're all human, so as long it pains you, it sure pains the person running in front of you. Running is a lifestyle, it is a change of mindset. I don't love it but i embrace it because i find a purpose in doing so. 

Each and every run i go for becomes a battlefield. I have to win my own war of having to step out of my house, don my running shoes and take pride in perspiration (hardwork). It's all in the mind of an athlete, no matter how small your beginning may be...(i can say this cos i'm 'small' sized..heh..)

May i inspire you all to work out today despite your tiredness from studies. Believe me, we are all busy, who's not, really? However, it is more important thy health remains priority because this is the temple of the Holy Spirit whom God dwells in and for us to take good care of. 

Be it running or any other sports, 

Today is the change

...

myself

feel good

Heads up!

Yo babes, some heads up. Supervisor's meeting was just the day before and i thought it'll be good to update everyone. I hope you guys are still checking up this site up and looks like only a few of us maintaining this blog. Lol. Play a bit here with us ma...

Ok, as you've already known, since we started out our support group, it has always been on the mind of gathering together for a christian fellowship unlike others, where there are prayer support, worship support and word support. There is an initiative now for the Speedlight leaders to have a leaders cell group. 

Actually, it means the same thing. Just that there are a little more element to this. How to say lehz? There are some combining happening. Sister Julia's zone leaders will be joining us and we're in the midst of tying down some details and administration. I'm also unclear if the day would change but trust me to work on the details properly for you all to the best of my ability.

Nevertheless, i hope the integrity of a support group will not fail as certain Bible Study (BS) element would be introduced but only with relative chim-ness. Nevertheless, remember we also mentioned that we would be inclusive group, not exclusive, so i'm welcoming sister Julia's zone leaders to join us in this fellowship. 

Some of you might be seeing your ex-cell leaders so it'll be nice but don't be too overwhelmed by their presence the focus of the group becomes lost and all yea? 

The reason for this move is actually identifying that Speedlight leaders need to be fed (if u got no milk, of course others can't drink rite?:). Other than that, sister Julia and i will take on the roles to guide you guys along your journey as a leader. As for me, fellowship must still form the component of a group because Jesus had a fellowship with his disciples. 

1 John 1:3We proclaim to you what we have seen and heard, so that you also may have fellowship with us. And our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son, Jesus Christ. 4We write this to make our joy complete. (that's the reason why they gathered)

1 John 1:6If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth. 7But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

That's why i choose to love you all, no matter if you're there for support group or not, the support group is there because God is here for us all and we help to support one another. Uniformed groups has this coming: "All for one & one for All!" So all are in the same circle. 
Last but not least, sister Julia's zone will effect most likely in the month of Sep/Oct period. I'm pretty unsure of how this would all go, i'm also uncertain but i have great faith in the Lord He is totally in-charge of all these interesting plans :)

Take good care my dearest(s) in school or wherever you are :)

Joshua 1:5 No one will be able to stand up against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.

With God's love & lots of fluff,

Alvin!

Follow up from our heart-heart session

Yo peeps, 

for those who sat on the hot seat, i'm sure the experience was insane but certainly enriching. I strongly encourage you all to write down in your journal wad others said about you and write down how you can improve from them and build on your strengths. As beings(human), we constantly improve through many various channels and by writing it down, you have something solid to refer back to. It's just so sweet the next time when you see you've overcame certain parts of your life, you just simply smile at those things you've wrote. 

~Life is short. Treasure to savour the moment~

I look forward to the next one where we can be in the hot seat again!

With LOTS N LOTS OF LOVE OF GOD,

Alvin!

Leaders' Retreat plus Run photos...

the bright morning sun with the sunshines!

Lovey dovey!

Ah, wad a sight for the breathtaking morning

Huddle up!

'Rocky' 'mountain'

Covering the face was a pretty sight

Jamie wants to kick me doubly hard

"can you feel the sun?!"

Gymnastics

A bird, a plane?

Kelong feel...

nature God intended for our pleasure

Future olympics winner

"got sand! got sand!"

few days haven't been digging right..

sail boats with some funny hair blown

by e rocky break waters

pressing on

cool down...

hot!

some communication going on back there...

insanity

ah! pretty girlz yo

wads this?

sufferers

retreaties

does flour smoothes the skin?

clean-ies

Selah... you've probably heard this before... Impt!!

What Does Selah Mean
-by Tony Warren

hat does the word Selah mean? There has been much conjecture and speculation by some theologians, and due in no small part to this speculation, Christians are frequently confused as to the true meaning of this word. Having been been told everything from, "the original Hebrew has been lost," to "Jewish scholars agree it means forever," it's easy to understand their confusion. In addition, many are assured that because this word appears only in the psalms and a poetic section of Habakkuk (which is not true), they are justified in "assuming" that it is just a musical term indicating an interlude. I have even read that Selah is from an Aramaic word, and it really means worship. All of which serves not to enlighten the Church, but to confuse the issue.

With all of these "experts" making such contradictory statements, one tends to wonder, "can we even really know what Selah means?" The answer to this question I believe is yes. And the answer really shouldn't be subjective or left to conjecture, for there is much we can learn about this word from the Hebrew in which it is written, from allowing the scripture to be its own dictionary, and from comparing scripture with scripture and allowing God to be His own interpreter. All of these things can give us a solid illustration of this word's true meaning.

Selah, [celah], is from the primary Hebrew root word [calah] which means 'to hang,' and by implication to measure (weigh). This is readily understood because in Biblical history, money, food and other valuables were 'weighed' by hanging or suspending them on a type of balance (the equivalent of our measuring scale) to determine their value. We find an example of this word [calah] as it is literally translated 'valued,' in the book of Job, indicating that which is measured.

Job 28:15-16

• "It cannot be gotten for gold, neither shall silver be weighed for the price thereof.
• It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire."

The word translated valued is the exact same Hebrew word [calah], and it quite obviously means "measured against." In this context, God is telling us that wisdom "cannot be measured against the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire." Here the translation 'valued' is to illustrate the measuring of something for an exchange. i.e. wisdom cannot be measured with the gold of Ophir. It is beyond that value. In verse nineteen we see this very same illustration again.

Job 28:19

• "The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither shall it be valued with pure gold."

Again, this word translated valued is the Hebrew word [calah] meaning measured. This passage is declaring of wisdom that, "The topaz of Ethiopia shall not equal it, neither can it be measured against pure gold." In other words, it is beyond comparison or measuring against. And by these type examples of comparing scripture with scripture, noting a word's context, and how it relates to other words, we can very easily begin to see the true meaning of words. And in this context, this means "measured" against something else, illustrating that wisdom cannot be measured, not even with with pure gold.
What does Selah Mean
So seeing that this Hebrew word [calah] means to 'measure,' as in weighing something in the balances, we better understand how the word Selah [celah], which is derived from it, is illustrating that we should measure or value what has been said. In other words, just as we would say today, the diplomat should, "weigh what he says carefully." Or if we were to say that, "The lawyer measured his words to the Jury." Or again, if we said, "we should consider the Professor's words wisely." All those sentences are speaking of the very same thing. And the word [celah] is used in this very same way. It is an illustration that we should 'measure' or value carefully what has just been said. And you may not realize this (because it's so seldom brought to light), but it is not only in the Psalms and Habakkuk, it is also a word which is used in the lamentations of Jerusalem. And of course, it is 'hardly' illustrating a musical stop or poetic notation there.

Lamentations 1:15

• "The Lord hath trodden under foot all my mighty men in the midst of me: he hath called an assembly against me to crush my young men: the Lord hath trodden the virgin, the daughter of Judah, as in a winepress."

The four words translated 'hath trodden under foot' is actually the very same Hebrew word Selah [celah]. Here in the lamentations or mourning of Jerusalem, God is illustrating that the Lord has "measured" or weighed all the mighty men in the midst of her. In other words, it is an illustration that they were weighed in the balances, and found wanting (Daniel 5:27), thus their judgement is required. So again we see the word is illustrating measured. And just so that there is no confusion, note carefully that the second part of that verse where it says the Lord hath "trodden [darak] the virgin," is an entirely different word, and indeed means to tred. No doubt in this context, this is why it was thought the word [celah] should also be translated trodden.
What does Selah Mean
As we know, this word is extensively used in the Psalms. And the reason is because the psalms are a prayer book, divinely-inspired songs of the people of Israel, often messianic, allegorical, and historically parabolic. That is to say, history, replete with spiritual meanings. The Selah is there to signal the believer to 'measure' carefully the meaning of what has been said. i.e., here is wisdom, reflect and understand. Just as the Hebrew word Amen [amen] is an exclamation of confidence or truth and certainty of what has been said, so Selah [celah], is an exclamation that we should measure and reflect upon what has been said.

Psalms 4:4

• "Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah."

Psalms 9:20

• "Put them in fear, O LORD: that the nations may know themselves to be but men. Selah."

Psalms 57:6

• "They have prepared a net for my steps; my soul is bowed down: they have digged a pit before me, into the midst whereof they are fallen themselves. Selah."

Psalms 62:8

• "Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah."

Psalms 89:3-4

• "I have made a covenant with my chosen, I have sworn unto David my servant,
• Thy seed will I establish for ever, and build up thy throne to all generations. Selah."

Whether of urging our meditation upon our sinfulness, declaring God is our refuge, or speaking in 'types' about Christ, this word is an exhortation for us to be wise and measure or weigh what has been said that we understand. It is used in the Psalms seventy-three times, and is also used in Habakkuk three times. Each time it is illustrating that we should measure wisely or 'weigh' solemnly what is said.

Habakkuk 3:13

• "Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, even for salvation with thine anointed; thou woundedst the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah."

This is not a passage to pass over lightly as just a simple narrative. Here is wisdom and spiritual understanding. Whenever we see this word in scripture, we should understand that the Lord is exhorting us to 'weigh' these things thoughtfully, and to reflect and consider in good sense judgment, what is 'really' being said.
What does Selah Mean
And despite claims to the contrary, there is no substantive Biblical evidence that Selah is an interrupter to pause the music while voices continue, nor is there sound evidence that it is for the pausing of voices while the music continues. These ideas are based upon the conjecture and theories of it being a music stop. It is a presupposition rather an well researched conclusion. But what we do know is that it is a word which means to weigh or measure. And in these contexts, to weigh the preceding Word of God and wisely consider them. It is a signature exhortation from God for our thoughtful reflection and weighing of what we have just read.

Selah

..may the Lord who is gracious above all, give us wisdom and understanding, and guide us all into the truth of His Holy Word.
What does Selah Mean
Amen!

Peace,

Copyright ©2003 Tony Warren
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Created 7/01/03 / Last Modified 7/13/03
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What We didn't Notice while the World goes by...

Went for a 7.3 km run earlier and as I was walking to the lift, this sunset in its infancy, yet nevertheless breath-taking, greeted me. Sometimes we're so busy and caught up in living the nitty gritty of our lives, getting stressed and burnt out we forget to just pause, and put EVERYTHING on hold, even if its just for a few seconds to just Stand In Awe of our Creator and Behold His Creation. As the song Still goes "... I will be still and know you are God"

Let us all continue to still our hearts to His purpose and Call on our lives, and not be drowned in the sea of distractions this world represents for us. As Jesus went to pray before his betrayal at Gethsemane (see Matt 26:36-45, Mark 14:32-42, Luke 22:40-46), he prayed three times "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" - Luke 22:42

I love this verse because we can at once see that though our Jesus is God, He is also very Human as well. Mark 14:34 says that "My(Jesus) soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death", and so overwhelmed our Lord was that in Luke 22:44 it says that "being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground." Which one of us have prayed with such anguish we bled blood? That was the pain our Saviour went through.

And though His calling was a hard and difficult one, He NEVER let his own feelings/pride/will take over. But rather from His prayer, was Fighting to be in Constant Submission to God at all times. He prayed "Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done" - Luke 22:42 and when it was not enough, he went back, prayed the exact same prayer AGAIN. He found it not enough still, he went back for the very third time, and prayed the same EXACT prayer he just prayed.

What we learn here is that, if we're unable to reach a point of submission to God, praying and re-praying the same Sincere prayer with all of our hearts will bring us to that point. If we seek Him with ALL of our Hearts. Let us be still and walk softly before Him our King.

Have you been Still today?

A Fresh Beginning...

These pictures were taken during a divisional morning run at Changi Board walk led by who else but by the fit and i-epitomise-the-army Alvin? The sun rise was simply amazing, and reminded us of the beauty and glory of our Magnificent God and His Mercies that are simply renewed every new day only by His Amazing Grace.

This reminds us of where would be the perfect place to seek God, in the midst of His Creation, untouched by man, in the Wilderness where we can be found by No one, yet if we seek, we will find The Only One who matters...

Have you been in your Wilderness?

Jared