serve to live and live to serve

2009-01-03T01:09:00.005+08:00

Psalm 1 (NIV)

1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.

2 But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.

3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.

4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.

5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.

6 For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.

A Chess Game

2008-07-25T16:11:00.002+08:00

A Chess Game with the Devil By Bryan Hupperts

A senior pastor was sent a challenge to play a game of chess. The anonymous note said, “Victorious One: You are an undisputed Grandmaster. You’ve beaten your fellow servants frequently. You played against other senior pastors and won. Now, come play me.”

Game day came and the senior pastor found himself seated across a chess board from none other than Satan himself. In this knockout tournament, the pastor drew white winning the right to begin first. The devil grabbed the white piece from him and said arrogantly, “I always move first.”

Each set up their pieces and began to formulate strategy. The senior pastor was nervous but confident and declared to the enemy, “I will win. I have the mind of Christ.” Then the devil smiled a devilish smile and said, glancing at the senior pastor’s side of the board, “I cannot outwit the mind of Christ but you I will easily beat.”

The first match was on. Satan played with cunning and strategy and it became quickly clear the senior pastor was outgunned. Satan moved a pawn in gambit striking from the flank and taking an unguarded rook. Loss piled upon loss. No matter how valiantly he tried to respond, no matter if his moves were rooted in sacrifice or power, the senior pastor blundered. Every move he made seemed to benefit the adversary.The chessboard carnage was brutal and the senior pastor was finally humbled to desperate prayer. The devil laughed as he cried out, “Lord, I need wisdom. I have your mind yet I am being outplayed, outmaneuvered, and beaten at every turn. Why, Lord. Why”They played to endgame and the dreaded word was pronounced: checkmate.The stunned senior pastor watched his king fall as he listened to the enemies’ taunts and, though he felt he had failed God, he humbled himself further crying out all the more for wisdom. How do you beat a master tactician and swindler like the devil?

When the 2 minute warning sounded, he began to reset his side of the board for the next round. He was weighed down by a sickening dread when suddenly the Holy Spirit of God came upon him and said:“Review the board.”The senior pastor looked at the enemies’ pieces: pawns aligned on the front row with rooks, knights, bishops, queen and king in the back. Everything was in perfect military precision waiting for the strategic battle to commence.

The senior pastor then looked at his side of the board. He had the same pieces: pawns, rooks, knights, bishops, queen and king. He noticed, as if for the first time, that things were askew. Mentally reviewing the rules of engagement, he realized he had placed a pawn where a rook should be, a knight in the place of a bishop and, as he thought back on the failures of the first round, he saw that even the queen was occasionally out of place taking over the kings’ role. These foolish blunders were done at his command.And the senior pastor had an epiphany. He had all the right pieces but many were serving in the wrong place on the board in roles they were not empowered to play. “I have played like a fool,” he said aloud. “I am only a servant and not the Master of the game.” He began to rearrange the board setting the pieces, kingside and queenside, into their rightful places. And the chessboard transformed into a battlefield.

The devil looked at the repositioned board in alarm. His eyes narrowed and he said slyly, “Perhaps, senior pastor, your first strategy was right. Move those pieces any way ‘ole you wish. After all, you’re in charge, right? I must have gotten lucky the first round; that’s all it was, just dumb luck. You’ve played your brothers in Christ and beaten them all.”The pastor knew his cagy opponent was only seeking for an opportunity to devour him again, and replied, “I did beat my fellow servants and I was wrong to do so. Today, I repent. Devil, you did not defeat the mind of Christ. You only defeated me. I see now it is not mine to tell a piece how to serve not is it mine to dictate anyone’s destiny or calling. My role is to help all to work together in their unique giftings for the advancement the kingdom of God .”

The devil’s face went ashen and he said, tempting the pastor to pride, “You are the Grandmaster, the senior pastor. You decide what people should do and be!”The servant pastor smiled humbly as he placed the last pawn in correct position. “It occurs to now that to have the mind of Christ in operation in my life and ministry, He must be the senior pastor and I must be the undershepherd. I will rely on his leadings to beat you. And, as you yourself so wisely said, you cannot beat the mind of Christ.”

The devil began to panic and said, “No, go back to your nepotism. Your church has always been run like a family business with you, your family, and your friends in charge. This could go badly for you. You will no longer be the senior pastor. Why give up your power?”And the undershepherd servant pastor said meekly, “Christ alone is the senior pastor and it was never mine to dictate who serves where or how. Each piece must move in the light it is called to just as He himself is in the light. It is his kingdom, not mine.”He continued, “The board was out of order. I was out of order. Christ is now our Senior Pastor and divine order has been re-established. I neither submitted myself to God nor did I resist you at first play which gave you first-move advantage. I will not be so foolish again. And now,” he said, redirecting his attention to the strategically placed pieces on the board, “let us pray for guidance as we play for victory. Christ himself will lead us as our senior pastor and Grandmaster!”

This match was to be played to sudden death. The devil raged for he now knew his time was short. And the battle was on.

INTEGRITY OF HEART

2008-04-04T13:55:00.002+08:00

Psalm 78:70-72 (NIV)
70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;
71 from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.
72 And David shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them.

INTEGRITY : is the basing of one’s action on an internally consistent framework of principles. Depth of Principles and adherence of each level to the next are key determining factors.

What does it take to have “Integrity of Heart”?

When you know that…..

1. You ARE God’s Choice.

Ps 78:70 He chose David….. from the sheep pens;

2. You SERVE God’s Purposes.

Ps 78:70 He chose David his servant and took him from the sheep pens;

3. You HAVE God’s Inheritance.

Ps 78:71 from tending the sheep he brought him to be the shepherd of his people Jacob, of Israel his inheritance.

Conclusion:
This is a Man with Integrity if Heart….Psalm 78:7 (NIV) 7 Then they would put their trust in God and would not forget his deeds but would keep his commands.

A TRANSFORMED HEART

2008-03-23T23:43:00.002+08:00

Have we been to the sanctuary of God and come out with a transformed heart?

What does a transformed heart look like? Pastor Eugene shared these 3 indicators - a transformed heart is tender, teachable and transparent.

A transformed heart from God is truly one that is tender towards God. We will not allow our past wounds or disappointments to harden our hearts towards God or people. A heart that is tender is able to allow God to move freely within, is able to feel and beat with His passion.

A transformed heart from God is truly one that is teachable. We will be willing to hear from God and obey Him. We will not be stubborn and set in our ways nor will we put a condition to our obedience.

A transformed heart from God is truly one that is transparent. We will allow God to search and test our motives, recognising that our heart is deceitful above all things. When there's nothing to hide from God or people, we can walk in true freedom.

Is this your heart today?
If it is, praise God and yearn for more of Him.
If it is not, then cry to God to create this new heart in you.

The Bible says that we are new creations in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new creation would include a new transformed heart. We can all claim this new transformed heart. Don’t settle for any less.

AKAN DATANG - COMING SOON

2008-03-17T23:00:00.002+08:00

Psalm 77:12

"i will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds"

O HOLY NIGHT, O NIGHT DIVINE

2007-12-22T00:34:00.000+08:00

WE'LL DO THIS RIGHT THIS TIME
Heres another song for the season. It was inspired by a message by a very special pastor(: (this is a special gift this Christmas from my son ben.)

If You werent invited
If You werent invited
If You received no invitation
To your own celebration

What if no gift was for You
If no gift was for You
When all you did was give
And got nothing in return

The season crys, for a reason to celebrate
Finding love, in a world full of hate
So don’t let Christmas fold, with its message untold
Cos many need to know, many need to know

O God, help me tell Your story
This day, that they may see Your glory
Come to life, in me this Christmas story
We'll do it right, we'll do it right this time

And if we could be in Your shoes a little while...how would you feel

If You werent invited
If You werent invited
If You received no invitation
To your own celebration

What if no gift was for You
If no gift was for You
When all you did was give
And got nothing in return

We'll do this right this time
We'll do it right this time around..

This year
Its all for You
The world will hear
Hear the good news

This Christmas party
Will not be left empty
Do you hear the sound?
The angels they surround

Are you ready to see?
Will you tremble in fear
Cos the King is here
The King is here

So fall...on your knees
Posted by benseow at 2:40 AM

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS

2007-11-10T15:58:00.000+08:00

Come, Hear and be Inspired

YOU DO NOT WANT TO MISS THIS

"No Hands, No Legs, No Worries"

Tell a Freind, Bring a Friend, Be a Friend

2 December 2007

Sunday, 1.30pm

Max Pavilion @ Singapore EXPO

Hosted by : Faith Community Baptist Church

FREE ADMISSION

100K TRANSFORMERS

2007-07-06T11:25:00.000+08:00

"Transformers" - This is currently the hottest movie in town.Totally awed by the amazing computer animation and special effects. It's the eternal battle of good against evil. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz and Ratchet takes on Megatron. Ultimately, what triumphs is the power of sacrifice. In the famous words of Optimus Prime, "no sacrifice, no victory" Isn't it so true that the blessings of God are often tied to the sacrifices we offer to Him ?

"TRANSFORMERS" . This is our buzzword and password during this 40 day Love Singapore season of prayer and this strategic 100K campaign of FCBC. We're talking personal corporate and national transformation that will save our land. If we believe it, we will see it .... a season of divine visitation, incredible breakthroughs where warriors of God are released into the marketplace, spreading everywhere the fragrance and the aroma of the Lord, changing the spiritual climate through prayers and blessings that proclaim the glory of the Risen King of Kings. We are all Transformers of a different kind !

Let the first transformation begin ! Romans 12:2 " Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of theis world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is -His good, pleasing and perfect will. "

Ed Silvoso puts it so well :

"If not you, then who ?
If not now, then when ?
Go forth and change the world ! "

(YouthNet Buzz 8thJuly07)

ALWAYS A BLESSING - 1 FINAL CHAT

2007-07-06T00:07:00.000+08:00

YOU ARE GOD'S DREAM

2007-06-30T02:13:00.000+08:00

CATCHING THE FATHER'S HEART

2007-05-23T23:57:00.000+08:00

Our God is amazing. Just when you think you've figured out what He's up to in your life, He's moving you to the next big thing in His heart. It's as if He's just waiting for us to catch His passion and excitement for a world transformed. And should we be surprised ? It's the world He loves and gave His Son to die for.

Every inward journey God takes us through must ultimately find it's outworkings in our faith and in our works.

True brokenness takes us out of self consciousness and self limitations and leads us to God's Program and God's purposes for our life. Ed Silvoso puts it well - your life is not about you but about God. And God is about people. That, to me is the secret to happiness - in the words of the song, "when I've found the joy of reaching your heart, when my will becomes enthralled in your love... "

God hasn't forgotten the call to FCBC to serve the nations. Poor and needy or rich and influential. The Gospel is for the nations. But we start from where we are. We save the nations one person at a time.

No need to wait for that big call to pack your bags and head for a foreign land. Can we love the stranger in a foreign land if we can't even like the person we meet everyday ?

By Ps J - Youth Buzz 27May07

WINNING GOD'S WAY

2007-05-15T21:07:00.000+08:00

SMALL THINGS DONE WITH GREAT LOVE

2007-04-26T23:58:00.000+08:00

(youthnet Buzz 29Apr07)

I heard a great testimony of how a small thing done with great love can result in a changed life forever!

Over the Easter weekend, one tribe decided on a simple outdoor activity. The idea was to approach someone and share what Good Friday is all about. Rachel had prayed earnestly for God to lead her to just the right person and even boldly claimed the salvation of this person she would talk to. Well she managed to talk to a young boy who not only listened to her but indicated he would be interested to come to church. Guess what, this boy came to church last week, responded to the altar call and gave his life to Jesus.

Wow! Doesn't that get you all excited to go out there and share Christ immediately or to "just walk across the room" (title of a book by Ps Bill Hybels) to get to talk to someone who may just be waiting for you?

I share this story this week to inspire us as we prepare for the 100K campaign. 5000 Warriors of Light will be mobilized to share a blessing with one person each day for 4 weeks. Sounds daunting? Well, I'm personally challenged and excited about the prospect of touching at least 20 people. Imagine how your one little step can change a person's life forever!

Will you be part of this army?

GRACE BE WITH YOU

2007-04-21T15:36:00.000+08:00

Can i asked the you pause a moment to pray for Sri Lanka. Call unto the Lord to bring peace and stability to this Land and its poeple, a people that God loves, a people that Jesus has given His life for and a people with a Destiny in God to be a blessing to many.

Last week, i recieved this desperate note from a fellow pastor from Sri Lanka who simply asked that we pray for them. It really shook me up that it is not just another piece of news fron CNA or CNN. It is a real note from a real friend of ours in a real situation that is going on right now, in a land that is just about 5hrs flight time from Suingapore. He wrote..

Hi friend,

We need you to pray specifically for Sri Lanka during these gloomy times. The war is raging and people are dying daily due to claymore mines, bus bombs and abduction killings etc. An unofficial report says that there is one abduction every 8 hours in our nation.

One of my deacons had two of his brothers in law picked up for questioning and we haven't heard from them in two months. The military denies of taking them in. Another Deacon has until April 15th Sunday to pay up 1 million rupees or he will be shot by the underworld who operates without any fear, as they have very powerful connections. We have advised him not to pay and pray - but it is hard when you are dealing with another man's life, please pray for this situation.

Last Saturday after Good Friday one of our pastors in the North Central area was travelling in a bus to interpret at a Easter service the next day. The bus was targeted by a claymore mine and he was killed with 8 others and 20 injured. He leaves behind a child of 5 years and his wife who is 8 months pregnant with their 2nd child.

We need your prayers as we travel through a gloomy time in our history with no immediate solution in sight. But we do know that the Lord Jesus Christ is with us and He is alive and not in the grave, so we move with that assurance doing whatever He wants us to do. We had great Good Friday and Easter services with record crowds this year. This is significant given the terrible state our country is in.

Thanks for your friendship, prayers and love.

Your brother,

(Email Dated 13 April 2007)

Would you join me to pray for SRI LANKA now ? Our God is a prayer answering God....He will hear our prayers.

Howerever, as i began to pray for Sri Lanka.....i could not help but reflect again on the Mercies and Grace of God that He gives to each one of us each day. I often wonder, how much i have taken His Grace and Mercies to us each day for granted, here in Singapore and here in FCBC. How each day, we let the little things in our lives, bother us and hurt us so much whereas in a church not too far from us, there are brothers and sisters, children and family members who may not live to see the next day because of a claymore mine that explodes in their face. Wow, how much we forget the grace of God, in 2Cor 6:1 "we urge you not to recieve God's grace in vain".

I then begin to noticed too how the Apostle Paul, in nearly every letter he writes, ends with that little but powerful reminder, "GRACE BE WITH YOU" (in some form or another - check it out). Do you know that i have come to realised more and more that, it is actually more difficult to live by "Grace" than to live by "Love".... because if given a choice, we prefer to live in LOVE (it is a nice feeling to have) but it is more challenging to know, understand the "undeserve love" we recieved each day from the Lord, that truely brings us into AMAZING GRACE.

i sense that this is so because often "Grace" demands from us a response that is "not so comfortable" and it goes agains the normal grain of things. Grace often rubs us the wrong way and yet requires of us "to give underserved love". Yes, uncodintional love does not make earthly sense but it is God's "Language of Love".

Let's continue to learn to "Walk by Faith" and "Live in Grace".

GRACE BE WITH YOU.

A SPECIAL WORD

2007-02-28T17:08:00.000+08:00

Thank You Lord...i recieve, i believe, i am thankful.

(A Word given 27 Feb 2007)

NEXT STEP - Going Deep in LOVE

2007-02-15T09:05:00.000+08:00

Wow, it was a wonderful Week Of Sanctification and the Lord met us in a Deep way as He deposited in our hearts and spirit again, a deep Passion for His Word of Truth. A Truth that will set us Free, a truth that convicts and confronts but a Truth full of Grace and His Mercies. So then, where do we go from here….what is the NEXT STEP?

John 17:6-11 (NIV) 6 “I have revealed you to those whom you gave me out of the world. They were yours; you gave them to me and they have obeyed your word. 7 Now they know that everything you have given me comes from you. 8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me. 9 I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours. 10 All I have is yours, and all you have is mine. And glory has come to me through them. 11 I will remain in the world no longer, but they are still in the world, and I am coming to you. Holy Father, protect them by the power of your name — the name you gave me — so that they may be one as we are one.

NEXT STEP – Going Deep in Love….Love for One Another.

The Lord wants to move us forward, from SANCTIFICATION to UNIFICATION.
.....From SALT to LIGHT.

John 17:23 (NIV) I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.

Is this “a Prayer that is YET TO BE answered” or is it “a Prayer that is BEING answered”. i believe it is the later but through His Prayer in John 17, it is clear that the UNITY of His loved ones is uppermost and closest to His heart - having encountered and being Sanctified by the Truth of His Word.

John 17:16-17 (NIV) 16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it. 17 Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.

Going Deep in the Word must result in us Going Deep in Love for One another. This really have been the underlying theme and call of the Lord in His last moments on planet earth. Beginning at John 13 the call to wash one another’s feet, having set the example himself. As He continue to encourage His disciples and preparing then for the end picture, He gave a “New Commandment” – to Love one another so that by this will all men know that we are His disciples. ....So how then can we Go Deep in Love for one another?

We can find some key pointers in John 15:1-17, where Jesus spoke about what it means to be “abiding in Him” and how this will help us to grow in this process of GOING DEEP IN LOVE - love for my brothers and sisters in the Family of God.

So how???? How do we handle diversity, differences and disobedience and Go Deep in UNITY.

1. REMAIN IN HIM.
– the Centrality of the Cross, addressing the issue of Direction.

John 15:3-4 (NIV) 3 You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.

A One kind of God…..the Only Savior of the World.

2. REMAIN IN HIS WORD.
– the Consistency of the Word, addressing the issue of Diversity.

John 15:7 (NIV) If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you.

A One kind of Word….the Only Dynamic Living Word of God.

3. REMAIN IN HIS LOVE.
- the Compassion of His Love, addressing the issue of Differences.

John 15:9-10 (NIV) 9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. 10 If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love.

A One kind of Love….the Only Unconditional Agape Love.

From SANCTIFICATION to UNIFICATION:

“A NEW COMMAND I GIVE YOU: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. AS I HAVE LOVED YOU, SO YOU MUST LOVE ONE ANOTHER. BY THIS ALL MEN WILL KNOW THAT YOU ARE MY DISCIPLES, IF YOU LOVE ONE ANOTHER.” John 13:34-35 NIV

SPOTTED IN SINGAPORE TODAY - PTL

2007-02-07T01:02:00.000+08:00

BOGOTA - City of Faith

2007-02-04T03:14:00.000+08:00

GOING DEEPER....its a Matter of Practice.

2007-01-19T23:46:00.000+08:00

This week, the Lord reminded me again, the importance of building an alter whenever we want to meet Him, to hear Him, to know Him, to go Deep with Him and to love Him.
Genesis 12:7 (NIV) The Lord appeared to Abram and said, “To your offspring I will give this land.” So he built an altar there to the Lord, who had appeared to him.
When you build an Altar, HE will meet YOU…..

An Altar of Worship…..who is King?

An Altar of Sacrifice…..what do you value?

An Altar of Transaction….whom will you obey?

An Altar of Remembrance….what & who you celebrate?

Come, let’s build….HE WILL COME!!

FIRES OF REVIVAL
I came to the gathering of the people of the Lord , And found my way among them to His throne
I needed to return unto the altar of my God, To renew again my covenant with Him

And there I built, an altar to His name , And realised my life could never be the same
And then the fires of revival came sweeping through my soul and I touched the Holy presence of my God

Come build an altar unto the Lord , return to worship and hear His Word and the fires of revival
will come sweeping through your soul and we’ll touch the Holy presence of our God

I wanted to discover the first love we once had shared rekindling the fire deep within
I found the lamp still flick’ring in the temple of my Lord And poured a horn of oil onto the flame

O weary wanton pilgrim beaten back by Satan’s power There’s still a place for refuge to be found
Come back to His temple to His altar stained with blood and pour a horn of oil onto the flame

GOING DEEP...its a matter of Prayer.

2007-01-10T21:52:00.000+08:00

My Prayer this week.

Dear Lord, thank you for bringing us into this exciting Year of Victory. I see your sovereign hand leading us as a Faith Community in one accord to Breakout – Go Deep, Look Far and Ask Big. I pray that I will experience in a very personal way a new Depth of Love for You as I walk “faithfully” and “fearlessly” into this Year of Victory - Rising up as a Warrior of light, I asked again, that you will lead me, equipped me, empower me, where you have placed me, to shine for Jesus and be a blessing to all. May it be just to one lonely soul across the room, hungry for you or to the multitudes that you have prepared, even before the beginning of time, that will experience the reality of Thy Kingdom Come and Your will be done. Lord, I am excited about this Apostolic Call to Ask Big of you, to know again that you indeed you will and want to bless your very own children. I sense not just my faith being challenged but also growing with every “Big Prayer” I utter, I become even more aware and rested in you – my God Almighty. O Lord, I am Thankful.

Lord, I asked specifically this week that as I prepare my heart and spirit to receive from you the Word for your people this coming Sunday, that you will build a hedge of protection over me and my family. As you lead us into a greater intensity of spiritual warfare, we pray that you will reign Victorious over every situation that we are called to engage. Lord, I asked again, what is your heartbeat for your children in church this weekend? I know the Apostolic Call has been given to us, I affirm it in my spirit that this is of You and as a Body Lord, we anticipate your strong hand upon us.

Lord, I can see you preparing for yourself a mighty army of the Warriors of Light that will go deep, look far and ask big. Lord, I sense the Warrior’s Call upon us all is a Call to TO FIGHT, a Call to fight TOGETHER and a Call to fight together TO WIN. Lord, it is an Exciting Call, a Challenging Call and a Pressing Call. Lord, how can I bring this word across rightly to the Spiritual Family this weekend? Lord….Help!

Lord your words say to me “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus (2Tim 2:1).” and then “Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer (2Tim 2:3-4).” Yes, I know, this will be my lot this week as I obey the call to preach the Word. But I know Lord, that I am not alone – your very personal and powerful Holy Spirit has been given to me and thank God, I can “be strong in the grace”.

Lord, I pray again for the people, I pray again for everyone, young and old that walks into our weekend services, that you will bless them victoriously. I pray especially for my spiritual children, grand children and great grand children that they will let your light shine strong upon their lives. I pray that they will be hot for you and be set on Fire this New Year of Breaking Out. Bless them with both a “bumperty bump” excitement in their spirit to answer to your Call upon them and a faith-full “assurance in the heart” to know that you care, love and is passionate about each one of them. Lord, come through for each one of them this week and may they find their depth in You.

Lord, I humbly submit this to you, in the Name of Jesus, my Savior,

Amen.

2Tim 2:11-13 (NIV) “11 Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us;13 if we are faithless, he will remain faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”

2 Timothy 2:3-4 (NIV) 3 Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs—he wants to please his commanding officer.

GOING DEEP AS A WARRIOR OF LIGHT

2007-01-09T01:48:00.000+08:00

1 Timothy 6:11-12 (NIV) 11 But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Question: What are we fighting for?

“Fight the good fight of the faith” (1Tim 6:12)

The DEPTH MARKERS of a "Man of God" – a Warrior of Light.

(Read 1 Tim 6:11-21)

1. RIGHTEOUSNESS

“Keep His Commands” v14

2. GODLINESS

“Turn away from Godless chatter” v20

3. FAITH

“Fight the good fight of faith” v12

4. LOVE

“To be rich in good deeds” v18

5. ENDURANCE

“Hope in God who richly provides” v17

6. GENTLENESS

“Grace be with you” v21

THE BATTLE BEGINS WITH SELF – Go Deep in Christ.
1 Timothy 6:20-21 (NIV) 20 ......, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.

2 FIGHT 2GETHER 2 WIN

2007-01-06T23:18:00.000+08:00

"Together, Dick & Rick Hoyt have run in marathons, competed in triathlons and once even trekked 3,700 miles across America. What they have accomplished together is simply amazing when you consider that Rick cannot walk or talk."

TO FIGHT
to fight TOGETHER
to fight together TO WIN

2007 "POWER" POINTS

2007-01-04T18:06:00.000+08:00

GO LIGHT THE WORLD

2007-01-03T00:32:00.000+08:00

This is so inspiring......

RISING UP AS A WARRIOR OF LIGHT

“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)

same & DIFFERENT

2007-01-01T17:23:00.000+08:00

A belated CHRISTMAS DAY posting on NEW YEARS DAY…..I have been in Church since I was three and was born in raised in a family that “went to church”, I honestly cannot recall when there was NO CHRISTMAS in our home or family. With an active and serving spirit, I too cannot recall, a Christmas that was not spent in serving or reaching out and sharing the true message of Christmas – whether as a little boy narrating the Christmas story, or play acting my part in the Christmas Pageant or leading a cell outreach or even on a grander scale to reach out and to give to the needy and the poor or even supporting big Christmas productions at venues that were many times larger than my living room. Therefore, if there’s anything to be concern about, it would be that CHRISTMAS can come and go as like it has been for the past many years…another SAME CHRISTMAS, 25 DECEMBER 2006.

However, this Christmas (25 December 2006) morning there was something DIFFERENT. In the quietness of my living room, with an open bible and an open heart I read again the SAME Christmas Story, told some 2000 years ago and I recalled again, how God showed His love to us when He gave us His Son, yes Christmas is really about me (see earlier posting). But suddenly something moved in my spirit, there was a warmth than came upon me with a fresh realization that God did not just SHOW us His love that first Christmas but HE actually GAVE us His love, is there a difference? Yes, because of the SAME-NESS of Christmas each year and the often place of “sharing” the Christmas story, I realized that I can get so easily trapped by the “showing and telling” of the Christmas Story- the message of God showing us His Love that i forget that the real dilemma before us, is that God did not just SHOW us His love but He really GAVE us His love…..and as with any gift that is put into our hands, you have a very immediate "problem" at hand – to receive this gift or to reject it, there is very little in-between. It is a matter that you cannot run away from, it must be confronted and a personal decision is called for.

I realized now that, the mindset of God “showing” me His love, just made me a spectator or an audience in the “Christmas Pageant” and I can then decide with no consequence to self, what I need to do with what I SEE. I can have an “of stage” view of this whole story that is played out before me and then do absolutely nothing about it.

But, this morning, this Christmas, it dawn upon me that Christmas is really not about God just “showing” His love but it really is the “giving” his love to me, a GIFT place into my hands or as some young people would say “in your face”….i am confronted with a very pressing decision to make. Do i want it, will i accept or reject this gift.

Therein in my living room, this SAME Christmas morning, I came to a very DIFFERENT place to receive again His love afresh. “Receiving” His love is more important than just “seeing” His love. This is where, suddenly God came near this Christmas – it was DIFFERENT.

CHRISTMAS 2006

2006-12-17T01:03:00.000+08:00

Recently I heard a jolting observation made by a pastor that “CHRISTMAS IS NOT ABOUT CHRIST, IT IS ALL ABOUT ME”. Now on first thoughts, that really sounded sacrileges, what an insult to Christ and all that God did more than 2000 years ago, when the first angelic choir sang “Glory to God in the Highest and on Earth peace and good will to all men”. Since then each year when Christmas comes around, we celebrate “Joy to the World, the Lord has come”. Christmas must surely be about Christ, without the “Christ” in CHRISTmas, then we only have X-mas.

But you know, on second thoughts and deeper reflection, it is very true too that CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT ME, because the real “why” of Christmas is really all about ME. Because from this side of heaven, if there were no ME then there was no need for the God of all the heavens and earth to come into earthly existence, to be born in a lowly manger, to enter into suffering humanity, to give of Himself for ME.

Yes, jarring and selfish as it may sound…..CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT ME and I can just hear God whisper in my ear “Son, you finally got it, I love you so much, Blessed Christmas.”

John 3:16 (NLT) “For God so loved ME (the world) that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

My prayer this Christmas would be that it will not stop with ME. With a grateful heart and with reverent awe I want to celebrate this reality of Christmas with my family, friends and the community……through what I say, do, think and feel this Christmas, I pray it will also point many to this point of realization and confession that “CHRISTMAS IS ALL ABOUT ME”.

Philippians 2:5-11 (NLT) 5 Your attitude should be the same that Christ Jesus had. 6 Though he was God, he did not demand and cling to his rights as God. 7 He made himself nothing (He laid aside his mighty power and glory); he took the humble position of a slave and appeared in human form (and was born in the likeness of men and was found in appearance as a man). 8 And in human form he obediently humbled himself even further by dying a criminal’s death on a cross. 9 Because of this, God raised him up to the heights of heaven and gave him a name that is above every other name, 10 so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

WISHING ALL A BLESSED CHRISTMAS

AND MAY YOU HEAR HIS SPECIAL WHISPER

THIS CHRISTMAS-"I LOVE U".

TIME and TIME again

2006-12-10T10:43:00.000+08:00

Had a discussion with a young man the other day about how important it is for us to grow in Time Management as a life skill. But as we talked, we realized that it was actually quite impossible to “manage time” because as they say “time and tide waits for no man” and whether we can manage “time” or not, “Time” flies and “Time” keeps moving on. Thus it is not so much TIME MANAGEMENT skills that we really need but TIME DISCIPLINE.

Is there a difference and why? I see it this way….

TIME Management tends to puts the onus or blame on “time”. Like “I have no time” “wow, time flies” and “I just cannot find enough time to get it done” – it basically means that we “put the blame” on “Time”, like a commodity or product that we need to manage or like an animal or creature that we need to tame.

Whereas TIME Discipline points the finger back at ourselves. How are we managing ourselves in the context of the “Moving Time” God has given us. I see this paradigm shift as an important perspective that will help us “manage time” as it is therefore "us" that is the issue and not time. This brings us to the root of the issue and a lot more empowering than just blame shifting.

Yes, sometimes it just takes a little shift in our point of view that can help bring about breakthroughs in our lives. Small things DO make Big Differences.

Psalm 90:12 (NLT) “Teach us to make the most of our time, so that we may grow in wisdom.”

The Key Application word here is “Teach us”.

JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM 2

2006-11-29T21:09:00.000+08:00

December is a wonderful time of the year. Holidays, Christmas, Year end celebrations to look forward to and many wonderful opportunities to catch up with old friends and make or discover new ones. I want to pray that God will use us to make a difference to someone’s life for eternity ? And all it takes may be “just a walk across the room”. That’s the title of Pastor Bill Hybels’ excellent book on personal evangelism (see earlier blog post). It’s all about discerning and following the promptings of the Holy Spirit.

In the past few weeks, we have had many wonderful encounters with the Holy Spirit. This Most Dynamic Personality on Earth is not just for the ministry of healing of our bodies and to deliver us from evil but to also point and bring the lost to salvation. Yes, if we stay alert and tuned in to the Holy Spirit, He will supernaturally lead us across the room to maybe someone waiting for a hand of help, blessing or friendship or to point him or her to Jesus.

This is the exciting work of the Holy Spirit. He walked across the “heavenly room” for you and I that first Christmas day….can we not step out of our comfort zone and take that walk across the room for someone else today ?

JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM

2006-11-28T01:29:00.000+08:00

It has been a very refreshing week, as i read -JUST WALK ACROSS THE ROOM by Bill Hybels. The Stories have challenged me, the Strategies have awaken my spirit and the Substance has given me hope. You will not regret, come join me.

"These days, I'm more convinced than ever that the absolute highest value in personal evangelism is staying attuned to and cooperative with the Holy Spirit." - Bill Hybels.

100 WORDS OR LESS

2006-11-25T01:35:00.000+08:00

Why are you so fired up about God?

(My story “Before and After”)

“My encounter with Christ was no “drama mama”, it happened many years ago. Before Jesus, I was a very insecure “little” boy, with an inferiority complex that was never good enough for anyone. This affected everything in me, my grades then was a reflection of this state - near the bottom. After Jesus, things begin to change, beyond just the grades but also my attitudes and aspirations. I realized I am valued and life has meaning and purpose. Today, many years later, I can see how this life turning point made all the difference and still makes today.” (97 words)

2 Timothy 4:2 (NIV) “Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction.”

Take the Challenge – write down in 100 words or less your personal story in a brief, focused and compelling way how your life was like before and after knowing Jesus. I would love to hear from you, send your 100 word or less story to my100wordstory@yahoo.com.sg. Try it.

SERVE TO LIVE AND LIVE TO SERVE

2006-11-23T21:01:00.000+08:00

.......... a King, a Savior, a Friend, a Father, a Mother, a Brother, a Sister, a People, a Family, a Community, a Nation, ……..a Cause.

Matthew 20:28 (NIV) "...just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

What is my choice today?

Matthew 6:24 (NIV) “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

EYESCREENING

2006-11-21T17:04:00.000+08:00

What do you see?
Give some thought to this and how would you complete this line?

We serve a .................... .

"Without a Vision the people perish"

ANTICIPATION - A FRAGRANCE OF LIFE

2006-11-19T21:42:00.000+08:00

“Anticipation” is a reflection of the condition of our hearts, a hint of the state of our inner being and a indicator lamp of who we really are. “Anticipation” shows what we value, what we want, what we desire and what we celebrate. My prayer for myself this coming season (which is also the Christmas season) is that I would grow in my “anticipation” of God. There will grow in me an eagerness for God, a fresh anticipation of His love and His hand upon my life. “Anticipation– a Fragrance of Life”….think about this.

2 Corinthians 2:14-16 (NIV) “But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumphal procession in Christ and through us spreads everywhere the fragrance of the knowledge of him. For we are to God the aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are the smell of death; to the other, the fragrance of life. And who is equal to such a task? “

THE SECRET PLACE

2006-11-17T11:55:00.000+08:00

Ps 91:1 (NKJV)
“He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High. Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.”

What does it take to dwell in the shelter of the most high?

1. I will REST in HIM and give Him my Trust.
Ps 91:2 (NKJV) “I will say of the Lord, “ He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.””

2. I will CALL on Him and give Him my Hope.
Ps 91:15-16 (NKJV) “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

3. I will ACKNOWLEDGE Him and give Him my Worship.
Ps 91: 14 (NIV) ““Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him; I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.”

IN HIS SECRET PLACE THERE IS NO SECRETS.
Mark 4:34 (NIV) “He did not say anything to them without using a parable. But when he was alone with his own disciples, HE EXPLAINED EVERYTHING.”

Let's meet HIM there.......MSN (My Saviour is Near)

WHAT I SEE TODAY?

2006-11-16T23:32:00.000+08:00

Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV)
He a who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”

What do I see today?

Had one of those busy and draining day today, began the day with news of death - death in families and challenges that we do not have ready answers to…. But then what do I see?

Seeing is an intentional choice you make - a choice to reflect, a choice to pause, a choice TO SEE and so when I come to the end of a day, Oh Lord, what do I see?

I see GRACE, I see Amazing Grace, the grace of God given to me, the grace of God freely given to me and my family, the grace of God so wonderfully free. Totally undeserved, totally not entitled, totally given…..MY GRACE is sufficient for you, no more no less – sufficient.

I just want to be grateful, I just want to be gracious, I just want to live in restedness but yes…..

ALWAYS RESTLESS FOR THE KINGDOM BUT RESTED IN THE KING.

Psalm 91:14-16 (NKLV)
“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will 5 set him on high, because he has m known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, And show him My salvation.”

TODAY IS GOOD NEIGHBOUR DAY

2006-11-13T01:52:00.000+08:00

"TRY A LITTLE KINDNESS TODAY - YOU WILL NOT LIVE TO REGRET IT"

Here's wishing one and all a HAPPY GOOD NEIGHBOUR DAY, let's spread the message and pass the word.....TO FIND A GOOD NEIGHBOUR - BE ONE.

HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD

2006-11-10T00:49:00.000+08:00

"Now to him who is ABLE TO DO immeasurably MORE than what we ASK or IMAGINE, according to his power that is at work within us...."

Special Blog helps!

2006-11-09T17:56:00.000+08:00

For slideshow: http://www.slide.com or http://www.rockyou.com

For Photo upload: http://www.photobucket.com

2006-11-09T17:21:00.000+08:00

When the Spirit COMES
......... wow!!!

Blogpost 101

2006-11-09T16:35:00.000+08:00

Hi....i am in blogsphere,

COME JOIN ME !!!