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
Monday, November 24, 2008
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Jesus’ Blood Is On The Mercy Seat
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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 |
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
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
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:
In His Love,
Jared
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
Saturday, October 18, 2008
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
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
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