COHyouth aka COHyoungpeeps

Prayer For a Friend

2010-06-07T10:56:00.009+08:00

Prayer For a Friend - Casting Crowns

Lord I lift my friend to You.
I've done all that I know to do.
I lift my friend, to You.
Complicated circumstances have clouded his view.
Lord I lift my friend up to You.

I fear that I won't have the words that he needs to hear.
I pray for Your wisdom , oh God.
And a heart that's sincere.
And Lord I lift my friend up to You.

Lord I lift my friend to You.
My best friend in the world,
I know he means much more to You.
I want so much to help him,
but this is something he has to do.
Lord I lift my friend up to You.

There's a way that seems so right to him.
But You know where that leads.
He's becoming a puppet of the world.
Too blind to see the strings.
And Lord I lift my friend up to You.

Lord I lift my friend to You.
I've done all that I know to do.
I lift my friend, to You.

© 2007 Reunion Records

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

In moments of s i l e n c e s . . . (Part I)

2010-06-06T16:25:00.000+08:00

Romans 8:18-27

Romans 8:18-19
Romans 8:20-21
Romans 8:22-23
Romans 8:24-25
Romans 8:26-27

There are definitely times of silences that each one of us will face. Two aspects of prayers when moments of silences could be experienced.

1) when you don't know what to pray
From the scripture reading for this entry, what does Romans 8:26-27 tells us?

The Holy Spirit intercedes for us.
Intercession means the prayer of one person for another.
We ought to intercede for one another as well.
Just like in the Old Testament times, people interceding for each other is prevalent. Read 1 Kings 8:22-61. These verses record Solomon's prayer of dedication. In verses 33-34 particularly, it shows Solomon praying for the people of Israel, interceding for them through prayers. How earnest is Solomon in his plead with God!
Another Old Testament scripture in Daniel 9 show's Daniel's prayer from his heart and confession of his sins and the sins of the people of Jerusalem. Daniel fervently asked God to listen to the pleas and the petitions, and to look with favor upon him and his people (v.17). How desperate his prayers and requests! Are we as desperate when we pray and ask God for answers? Daniel's prayer shows his intimate relationship with God. This is most likely the result of constant and consistent prayers (talking to God). Do we have this intimate relationship with God like Daniel? Why not?

We have read about the old times showing people interceding for each other. How about now?
James 5:13-17 talks about the prayer of faith. This kind of prayer offered by Elijah, who is a man just like us. James 5:16 "commands" us to intercede on each other's behalf. However, take note that we do not use what's being entrusted to us for prayers to judge another. For Romans 2:1-2 speaks plainly that we who pass judgment do so ourselves what we judge others. There will be wrath and anger poured out upon those who seek selfish gains (Romans 2:8).

Reflect: What is something you can intercede through prayer on behalf of someone today? Ask five friends for their prayer requests.

Prayer: Dearest heavenly Father, the Creator of all that's on earth, of us all. We thank you for the life You have given and provided for us. This day i want to lift up my friend, ______, to You. I want to pray for...

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

FORT PEACE

2010-06-05T02:11:00.000+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

What if His people prayed

2010-06-04T11:09:00.005+08:00

What if His people prayed - Casting Crowns

What if the armies of the Lord Picked up and dusted off their swords Vowed to set the captive free And not let satan have one more What if the Church, for heaven's sake Finally stepped up to the plate Took a stand upon God's promise And stormed hell's rusty gates What if His people prayed And those who bear His name Would humbly seek His faith, yeah And turn from their old ways And what would happen if we prayed For those raised up to lead the way Then maybe kids in school could pray And unborn children see light of day What if the life that we pursue Came from a hunger for the truth What if the family turned to Jesus Stopped asking Oprah what to do What if His people prayed And those who bear His name Would humbly seek His face yeah And turn from their own way He said that He would hear His promise has been made He'll answer loud and clear, yeah If only we would pray If My people called by My name If they'll humble themselves and pray If My people called by My name If they'll humble themselves and pray What if His people prayed And those who bear His name Would humbly seek His face, yeah And turn from their old ways He said that He would hear His promise has been made He'll answer loud and clear yeah If only we would pray

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Prayer FIR

2010-06-03T01:22:00.001+08:00

Matthew 26:36-46

Matthew 26:36-37
Matthew 26:38-39
Matthew 26:40-41
Matthew 26:42
Matthew 26:43-44
Matthew 26:45-46

Why is Prayer so great?
(Reasons why all the more we should pray! F-I-R)

1) Prayer helps you to focus on God.
When you pray, it helps you to know God better. Like the Psalmist in Psalm 105:4 said, we should seek God at all times, keep looking to Him. And when you pray, you "unplug" your mind from the TVs, computers, and CD players and "plug in" to God.

2) Prayer is intimacy with God.
When you pray, you discover what it means to be intimate with God. The bible says in Exodus 33:11 when Moses entered the tabernacle: "The Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend."
This is what happens in prayers. You become friends with God and He becomes a deep, intimate, personal friend who loves you unconditionally.

3) Prayer is a vital weapon in making right choices.
If you want to stop lying, pray! Praying will add God's power to your desire.
If you want to be more loving toward your brother, pray! This will add God's help to your good intentions.
If you need more patience, more compassion, or more self-control, pray! Prayer will add God's energy to your efforts.

Jesus is the most appropriate example to illustrate these points. Matthew 26:36-46 shows how we ought to be - persistent and fervent in prayer. There are more examples in the Bible that tells us about Prayers: Famous sermon on the Mount, the Lord's prayer (Matthew 6) and Prayer of Jabez (1 Chronicles 4:9-10).

When we pray, God takes action! So, PRAY. Pray for yourself. Pray for your family. Pray for your friends. And watch God work.

Reflect: Are you anxious this day over something beyond your control? Are you fretting over something unresolved by human ability? What does God promise in Philippians 4:6-7? So what should you be doing with the problems now?

Prayer: Father in heaven, I thank You for Your providence of an avenue to direct our thoughts and requests before You. Thank You for Jesus who has torn the veil so that we may now have direct access to You through the Holy Spirit that You have given to each one of us who believes. Lord, thank You for constantly hearing us out as we pray to You. Father Lord, thank You for Your teaching and reminder this day that there is nothing too impossible for me that You and i cannot handle together. Because of Your great power O Lord, that i may have peace in times of anxiety. Lord, thank You for reminding me that all i have to do is to pray and to petition before You in my troubled times and You will, by Your grace, provide peace that transcends all understanding, to guard our faith. Thank You Lord once again for Your promises. Help me to remember them and to live by them, with faith. All because i want to please You in my living, and without faith, it is impossible to please You. In Jesus' name, i pray for Your children to look to You. Amen!

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

COUNT YOUR BLESSINGS

2010-06-02T12:10:00.001+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Prayer and Thanksgiving

2010-06-01T15:02:00.005+08:00

2 Thessalonians 1:3-12

Read (scroll over):
2 Thessalonians 1:3-4
2 Thessalonians 1:5-6
2 Thessalonians 1:7-8
2 Thessalonians 1:9-10
2 Thessalonians 1:11-12

From this portion of the Scripture, what do you gather about 'Prayer'?
Some points we can note are:

We ought to be in prayer with each other, for each other.
Thanksgiving and Prayer goes hand in hand.
We pray for God's power to work through prayers in order to glorify Jesus Christ by the grace of God.

All of us can never make right choices without prayers. Regular prayers. Real prayers.

WAIT! Please don't panic. All of us, at some point in time, may think that prayer is a real drag. We may even have thoughts of prayers as hard or boring. These understandings of prayer may arise from one's childhood or from listening to grown-ups talk to God in thee's and thou's or six-syllable theological words one never heard of. But hey, chill.
Prayer, in its simplest form, is talking to God about your thoughts, feelings and concerns. God really does understand modern English (even the most bizarre languages spoken by your younger brother or sister). You can be totally confident that God hears you when you pray. In fact, God eagerly waits for you to go to Him in prayer. You are His own creation, you are His child, and He values every minute you spend with Him!

Reflect: Convinced of prayer yet? It's actually not that tough right? Can you imagine people who constantly say they don't know what to pray, but always have so much to talk about to other people. Are you one of them? This day, have you spent time praying? If you really have nothing to pray for, why not, just simply thank God? (After all, He's the one who took away those troubles and problems thus you have none...)

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Love never fails

2010-02-22T19:41:00.001+08:00

Love Never Fails by Brandon Heath

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Psalm 107 Love that endures forever

2010-02-22T19:35:00.002+08:00

Psalm 107
(adapted from Life Application Study Bible)

Written: NLT
Scroll Over: NIV

This psalm speaks of four different types of people in distress and how God rescues them (in His love):

wanderers (vv.4-9)
prisoners (vv.10-16)
the sick (vv.17-20)
the storm-tossed (vv.23-30)

No matter how extreme our calamity, God is able to break through to help us. He is loving and kind especially to those who are distressed.

Psalm 107:1-3
¹ Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!
His faithful love endures forever.
² Has the Lord redeemed you? Then speak out!
Tell others he has redeemed you from your enemies.
³ For he has gathered the exiles from many lands,
from east and west,
from north and south.

"Let the redeemed of the Lord say..." God has done so much for us, and we have so much for which to thank Him (Psalm 103). He wants us to tell everyone all that He has done. These verses are not so much a mandate/ edict to witness. Rather, it is like a declaration that when we live in God's presence we will not be able to keep this glorious experience to ourselves (see also Acts 1:8; 2 Corinthians 5:18-20).

Reflect: What has God done for you? Is there someone you can tell?

Psalm 107:4-9
⁴ Some wandered in the wilderness,
lost and homeless.
⁵ Hungry and thirsty,
they nearly died.
⁶ "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and he rescued them from their distress.
⁷ He led them straight to safety,
to a city where they could live.
⁸ Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
⁹ For he satisfies the thirsty
and fills the hungry with good things.

Lost, hungry, thirsty and exhausted, these wanderers typify the Israelites in exile. But they also typify anyone who has not found the satisfaction that comes from knowing God. Anyone who recognises his or her own lostness can receive the offer of Jesus to satisfy these needs.
Jesus is the way (John 14:6), the bread from heaven (John 6:33,35), the living water (John 4:10-14), and the giver of rest (Matthew 11:28-30).

Reflect: Have received His life-giving offer? What are you waiting for if you have not? If you have, how has this acceptance of gift changed your life?

Psalm 107:10-16
¹⁰ Some sat in darkness and deepest gloom,
imprisoned in iron chains of misery.
¹¹ They rebelled against the words of God,
scorning the counsel of the Most High.
¹² That is why he broke them with hard labor;
they fell, and no one was there to help them.
¹³ "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
¹⁴ He led them from the darkness and deepest gloom;
he snapped their chains.
¹⁵ Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
¹⁶ For he broke down their prison gates of bronze;
he cut apart their bars of iron.

Do you know anyone who is in prison?
Most people think that those in prison deserve whatever misery they experience as punishment for their crimes. But God loves all men and women no matter how far they have fallen. He wants to reach them with His love and dispel the gloom they face (Matthew 25:34-46). Throughout the world, people are imprisoned for their faith; others suffer as victims of injustice.

Reflect: Can you reach out to them? Pray for those in prison. Pray for ministries Christians chaplains who take God's message of love and forgiveness to prisoners.

Psalm 107:17-20
¹⁷ Some were fools; they rebelled
and suffered for their sins.
¹⁸ They couldn't stand the thought of food,
and they were knocking on death's door.
¹⁹ "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
²⁰ He sent out his word and healed them,
snatching them from the door of death.

Fools and rebels surely bring trouble upon themselves. This psalm offers hope for those who have made a mess of their lives. By receiving God's free gift of forgiveness (Micah 7:18-20; 1 John 1:9), anyone can begin a new life and break the past (see Romans 3:23-26; 2 Corinthians 5:17).
By faith in Christ, we can break addictions, heal memories, and restore broken relationships. If we ask Christ to take control of our lives, He will answer us. "Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know." (Jeremiah 33:3). His love reaches even those who have rebelled against Him.

Reflect: When was the last time you called to Jesus? When was the last time you cried out to Jesus?
Is God sitting on the chair of control, chair of decision making in your life or someone else like yourself?

Psalm 107:21-22
²¹ Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
²² Let them offer sacrifices of thanksgiving
and sing joyfully about his glorious acts.

Psalm 107:23-30
²³ Some went off to sea in ships,
plying the trade routes of the world.
²⁴ They, too, observed the Lord's power in action,
his impressive works on the deepest seas.
²⁵ He spoke, and the winds rose,
stirring up the waves.
²⁶ Their ships were tossed to the heavens
and plunged again to the depths;
the sailors cringed in terror.
²⁷ They reeled and staggered like drunkards
and were at their wits' end.
²⁸ "Lord, help!" they cried in their trouble,
and he saved them from their distress.
²⁹ He calmed the storm to a whisper
and stilled the waves.
³⁰ What a blessing was that stillness
as he brought them safely into harbor!

Psalm 107:31-32
³¹ Let them praise the Lord for his great love
and for the wonderful things he has done for them.
³² Let them exalt him publicly before the congregation
and before the leaders of the nation.

Those who have never truly suffered may not appreciate God as much as those who have matured under hardship.
Those who have seen God work in times of distress have a deeper insight into His loving-kindness, If you have experienced great trials, you have the potential for great praise.

Reflect: Are you praising Him for the wonderful things He has done for you in your life? Have you thanked Him for your life this day?

Psalm 107:33-38
³³ He changes rivers into deserts,
and springs of water into dry, thirsty land.
³⁴ He turns the fruitful land into salty wastelands,
because of the wickedness of those who live there.
³⁵ But he also turns deserts into pools of water,
the dry land into springs of water.
³⁶ He brings the hungry to settle there
and to build their cities.
³⁷ They sow their fields, plant their vineyards,
and harvest their bumper crops.
³⁸ How he blesses them!
They raise large families there,
and their herds of livestock increase.

Psalm 107:39-43
³⁹ When they decrease in number and become impoverished
through oppression, trouble, and sorrow,
⁴⁰ the Lord pours contempt on their princes,
causing them to wander in trackless wastelands.
⁴¹ But he rescues the poor from trouble
and increases their families like flocks of sheep.
⁴² The godly will see these things and be glad,
while the wicked are struck silent.
⁴³ Those who are wise will take all this to heart;
they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.

Open your eyes to see His wonders at work in your life. Don't miss out the opened door He has given to you. Don't miss the opportunity laid before you. Accept this love, His love and live your live in love by the faithful love of God.

Reflect: Do you see Him at work in your life? Share this with the people around you - how wonderful He has been in showering you with His unfailing love. His love never fails. Will you strive to love Him with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind? How?

Prayer: My heavenly Father, how wonderful and great and unfailing is Your love that you lavish on me. Even when I'm not worthy of Christ's sacrifice on the cross, you still love me so. How can I ever fathom Your love? O Lord, how deep Your love, how abundant Your grace. Thank You so much for what You have done for me. Thank You even for the time to dwell in Your words that teaches and directs my path. Lord, help me to walk in Your wisdom and love. Teach me, Father, to love You more by what I do, by what I say. Help me to not be afraid but rejoices in Your truth that sets me free so much so that I will speak of Your love to the world that is lost out there. They need Your love too O Lord. Your love beyond all measures. May Your mercy fall on Your people of this generation as we await Your glorious arrival. Keep us in Your love and help us fight the good fight of faith in love, in Christ's love. Love You Lord. Help me love You even more. In Jesus' most precious and loving name, Amen!

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

A Love to Last the Ages

2010-02-20T13:36:00.003+08:00

Broadcast Summary

"Former Focus on the Family President Don Hodel and his wife, Barbara, discuss their enduring commitment to marriage in the face of hardships, including their son's suicide and an accident which left Barbara mostly paralyzed."

Focus on the family Podcast - A Love to Last the Ages

may you be encouraged by God's love and faithfulness.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Made to love

2010-02-18T21:55:00.002+08:00

Made to Love by Tobymac

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

LOVE LETTER

2010-02-18T00:23:00.001+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Your So-Called Life

2010-02-18T00:20:00.002+08:00

Matthew 22:34-40
Jesus replied, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.' This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: 'Love your neighbour as yourself.' All the other commandments and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments." (v.37-40)

If your life were a television show, what would it be like? Friends? Baywatch? My So-called Life? The Brady Bunch? Or maybe 3rd Rock from the Sun?
If your life had a theme song, what would it be titled? Maybe something like "Insensitive"? Or "Jealousy"? Or maybe "The Great Adventure"? How about "I Get By with a Little Help from My Friends"? Or "Nobody Loves Me But My Mother (and She Could Be Jivin' Too)"?
If your life were a cable TV channel, would it be more like the Disney Channel, MTV, the Sports Channel, the Comedy Channel, or the boring Documentary Channel?
While it may be fun to come up with answers to those questions, the answers are probably not particularly revealing. But you know what? If Jesus' life were a television show, it could have only one title - Love. If a hit song were written about His life, it would be called "Love". In fact, if His life were a tennis game, every point would be love.

Jesus commanded us to love. He said,

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).

Jesus commanded us to love because He values love. The single greatest characteristics of Jesus' life, His most important theme, the center of everything he did and said, was love. He left heaven because of love. He became a man because of love. He went around doing good because of love. He disciplined because of love. He even died - and was resurrected - because of love.
Jesus' words and life made it clear that love is always right. It is right for all people, for all places,and for all times. It is right not only because He commands love and values love, but also because He ultimately is love. Love is a part of His nature and character as God (1 John 4:8,16). When we love others, even our enemies, we are "acting as true children of [our] Father in heaven" (Matthew 5:45).

Reflect: The paragraphs above refer to the three "steps" in discerning right from wrong (precept, principle, Person). Look back over today's reading and identify the precept, the principle and the person.

Prayer: Father, I want to love You as Your Son, Jesus, has commanded me to do. I want to love the people around me, too. I am so weak and I know, I am unable to love as you do especially the people who are my 'enemies'. Teach me O Lord, to love the way You do, to love unconditionally. By the power of Your Holy Spirit, remind me at times when I slip my mind and go to my old ways of 'an eye for an eye', that You command me to love, even my enemies. Let not the feelings control me but help me to surrender my emotions to You so that I may grow in Your care, molding and shaping. I love you, Lord. Help me, to love You more. In Jesus' name, Amen!

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

FAITH, HOPE & LOVE

2010-02-16T10:29:00.001+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Your love is extravagant

2010-02-15T15:53:00.009+08:00

Your Love is Extravagant by Casting Crowns

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate
I feel like moving to the rhythm of Your grace
Your fragrance is intoxicating in our secret place
Your love is extravagant

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again

Spread wide in the arms of Christ is the love that covers sin
No greater love have I ever known; You considered me a friend
Capture my heart again

Your love is extravagant
Your friendship, it is intimate

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

A Celebration of Love (A more excellent way)

2010-02-15T11:52:00.001+08:00

1 Corinthians 12:31 - 13:13
But eagerly desire the greater gifts. And now, I will show you the most excellent way. (12:31)
And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love. (13:13)

Firstly, a very merry Valentine's Day and happy Chinese New Year to all.
You would have heard this going all around in this period of time - love is in the air. Well, it's Valentine's Day! Of course, love is in the air. To the couples, or attached or married, this day is a day for surprises and celebrating their love for one another. A few days ago, a thought came to mind. How about those without a partner yet? This year probably would be a more fortunate year in the sense that Valentine's Day coincides with the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. (You won't have to spend this day alone.) Still, who won't think about love on this day? Indeed, on this day, most people commemorate and celebrate love. But have you ever thought about how exactly is it to love?

On Sunday, the title of this entry was what was preached at the service - A Celebration of Love (A more excellent way). Here are some points, here are some thoughts...

I) A Proclamation of Love - Message of the Gospel (John 3:16)

A Gospel of Love
"Nothing can separate you from God's love."
Romans 8:35

A God of Love
God is love. (1 John 4:8, 16b)
This is how God showed His love among us: He sent His one and only Son into the world (as an atoning sacrifice for our sins - v.10) that we might live through Him. (v.9)
Reflect: Do you accept the love of God?

A Command to Love

You will love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind. And love your neighbour as yourself. (Matthew 22:37-40(NLT), Luke 10:27)
1 John 4:7-21

What is an unconditional love?
It is not what the person do but how I react. No matter what you do, it changes not.
This is God's love for us, and we ought to love our neighbour (everyone) in this.
Reflect: Are you making 'love' your way of life?

A Way of Love
Ask 1, give 2. --> not by your own strength but by relying on His.
If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other. (Matthew 5:39). If one example is not enough, here's another. If your shirt is taken away, give your coat too. (Matthew 5:40(NLT)). How about a third one: If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. (Matthew 5:41).

Love your neighbour as yourself.

Very often, we associate love with nice things, with sweet stuff. However, we often neglect or forgotten that there is also another form of love. - discipline
God's dealing with us are always out of love.
"slow to anger, quick to forgive"

to love a person ≠ kidnapping the person when he/she rejects/refuse
≠ jump down the building to make him/her feel guilty for not loving in return
Reflect: Are you being a "model of love" to the people of the world?

John 13:35
Ultimately, love always win.
God always win.

II) A Revelation of Love

moved with compassion --> Jesus loves them so much.
His motivation of healing is not to 'show-off' but all out of love.
Let it be the love of Gos in you and not an imitation of God's love.
God's love is not based on feelings but it's a character. You are impatient because it is your character, not a feeling. You are impatient, You don't feel impatient. Similarly, God is love. Not a feeling of love.

Imagine a disease suddenly infects a village. The people of the village who are healthy, fled. There is a group of unaffected missionaries who have the means to move elsewhere, stayed. When nobody wants to stay, they stayed. That's why, through this, the needs of the people in the village were met because this group of people was around to fill in the gaps. That's the love of God. By our love that people will know of His great love. Not our works.

True love of God is not out to save the world but to serve the need of the one next door, anyone in need.
It will then be, "What do you want me to do?" rather than "eee...so...eee..."

Remember the opening of the grave of Lazarus? Jesus wept. (John 11:35-36)
Because of His love, He prayed for His disciples.
Because of His love, He rebuked His disciples. - 打是疼，骂是爱。
God's love knows.
Reflect: What are you conditioned by?

He emptied Himself.
He was despised.
Yet He said, "Father, forgive them."
How could He have said this?
God's love.

There are 4 main types of love:
eros (ἔρως) - sense of 'being in love'
philia (φιλία) - strong bond existing between people who share common interest or activity (friendship)
storge (στοργή) - fondness through familiarity (family affection)
agape (ἀγάπη) - unconditional love (God's love)

Agape:
selfless, sacrificial, characteristics, heart, commitment, lasting, guides, builds, motivates, internal, unconditional
Feeling:
selfish, self-seeking, reaction, head, excitement, temporal, controls, destroys, drives, external, conditioning

The basis for commitment, for relationship.

Out of focus. Sometimes, you just have to play your part well.

Pray
Love
Live
in a way that they see Christ so they realise.

III) A Revolution of Love

anger --> an emotion
feeling --> an emotion out of control that it's driven you
"go by feelings and live in regret" - Ps Mike
emotions are meant to guide and steer you to help you in the right direction
Romans 8:28

He loves.
No matter what.
He loves.
Reflect: Are you acting in love?

Christian army of biblical love--> not appearance, not even the need. not by the outward. Though it works on the outwards. Simply, the love of God inside, the fruits of the Spirit of love inside.
If we reduce love to a feeling, we are corrupting love.
He loved and loved them till the end. When they didn't deserve it.

I'll end with a quote I found:

Who, being loved, is poor? ~Oscar Wilde

Prayer: God, help us not just to love, but to love the way you love - agape love. Teach us to be an army of biblical love so that this love of Yours will be shown in our living as Christians, as Christ disciples to the world who do not know of the unconditional love You have for them. May Your Spirit remind us not to corrupt love but to love all, even when we think they do not deserve it. In Jesus' name, Amen.

i love you because He first loved me. (",)

Have a wonderful time celebrating love this season of spring. =P

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Faithful God

2009-11-20T14:17:00.005+08:00

2 Timothy 2:8-13
If we are unfaithful, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. (v.13)

Look over the following checklist, and check every circumstances in which you think God will be faithful to you or will still love you, still believe in you, and still expect the best from you:

口 If I eat all my vegetables at dinnertime
口 If I don't eat all my vegetables at dinnertime
口 If I eat my brother's vegetables at dinnertime
口 If I join the chess club
口 If I join a bikers club
口 If I join a LD, CD, VCD and DVD club
口 If I sell everything I own and give to the poor
口 If I sell everything my parents own and give the money to the poor
口 If I sell everything my parents own and keep the money
口 If I shave my sister's head while she sleeps
口 If I shave my sister's head while she's awake
口 If I'm kind to children and animals
口 If I'm kind to children who act like animals

Now, score yourself:
If you left any item on the list unchecked, you don't understand God's faithfulness.
If, on the other hand, you checked every single answer, you probably know something about God's faithfulness that most people don't understand.
You see, God isn't like many of our friends and acquaintances. He isn't faithful to us only when we act a certain way. He isn't faithful to us only if we do what He wants. He is faithful to us no matter what, because faithfulness is a part of His nature; it's part of who He is.
That's what the Bible means when it says, :"If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13). He can't stop being who He is, He can't stop being faithful.
That means He will always love you, always believe in you, and always expect the best of you. He will never leave you, He will never betray you, He will never let you down. No matter what you do, He remains faithful - because that's who He is.

Reflect: Have you ever failed God? Have you ever ignored Him? Disappointed Him? If so, did He leave or forsake you then, or was He faithful to you? (Remember that faithfulness isn't just what God does; it's part of who He is.)

Prayer: Look up the hymn "Great Is Thy Faithfulness," and read or sing it aloud as a prayer to God. (If you need help locating the hymn, drop us a note.)

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

What Faith Can Do

2009-11-15T17:26:00.003+08:00

What Faith Can Do by Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes
Gotta find the strength to rise
From the ashes and make a new beginning
Anyone can feel the ache
You think it’s more than you can take
But you're stronger, stronger than you know
Don’t you give up now
The sun will soon be shining
You gotta face the clouds
To find the silver lining

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

It doesn’t matter what you’ve heard
Impossible is not a word
It’s just a reason for someone not to try
Everybody’s scared to death
When they decide to take that step
Out on the water
It’ll be alright
Life is so much more
Than what your eyes are seeing
You will find your way
If you keep believing

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do

Overcome the odds
You don't have a chance
(That’s what faith can do)
When the world says you can’t
It’ll tell you that you can!

I’ve seen dreams that move the mountains
Hope that doesn’t ever end
Even when the sky is falling
And I’ve seen miracles just happen
Silent prayers get answered
Broken hearts become brand new
That’s what faith can do
That's what faith can do!
Even if you fall sometimes
You will have the strength to rise

May the Lord strengthen you as you walk with Him daily.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

LEAP OF FAITH

2009-11-02T12:25:00.000+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

A-Z

2009-11-02T12:18:00.002+08:00

Now I've said my A-B-C's

A is for Adam, the very first man.
B is for Bible, the book of God's plan.
C is for Christ, who died on the Cross.
D is for Death, that Christ came to stop.
E is for Evil, that dwells in man's heart.
F is for Faith, Christ came to impart.
G is for God, Creator of all.
H is for Hope, we'll rise from our fall.
I is for Isaiah, a prophet of old.
J is for Jesus, the cure for our soul.
K is for Knee, we'll bow when Christ comes.
L is for Lamb, the victory's been won.
M is for Moses, who wrote down God's law.
N is for Noah, and the flood that he saw.
O is for Obedience, our desire to please Christ.
P is for Praise, our tears Jesus dries.
Q is for Quicken, Christ rose from the grave.
R is for Repentance, it prepares for the Way.
S is for Holy Spirit, Christ puts in our heart.
T is for Testimony, we confess for our Christ.
U is Upper Room, Jesus meal with his friends.
V is for Victory, Christ won over sin.
W is for Word, Christ dwelt on the earth.
X is for Xmas, the day of Christ's birth.
Y is for Yoke, Christ broke on the tree.
Z is for Mount Zion, eternal life is for me!

J-me
copyright 2009 J-me

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

5 ways to develop your faith

2009-10-20T08:38:00.001+08:00

Hebrew 11:32-40
³²And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, ³³who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. ³⁵Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. ³⁶Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. ³⁷They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated― ³⁸the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground. ³⁹These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. ⁴⁰God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

How timely that the previous entry was on going by faith, on Sunday, our pastor preached a message on 5 ways to develop your faith. Here's what the gist of the sermon is about. We hope you'll be blessed!

Luke 17:5
Romans 1:17
Hebrews 11:6
There is nothing that pleases God except faith!

5 Ways to develop FAITH:

1) FEED your faith on the Word of God(WOG)
Faith comes by hearing the WOG.
John 15:7
Matthew 4:4
Romans 12:2
By reading the WOG, it renews your mind (don't be mistaken! NOT removes your mind by the way =P )

A question for you: What is the opposite of faith then?

Many would say the opposite of faith is doubt.

No. The opposite of faith is not doubt; it is UNBELIEF.
Mark 16:14

2) EXERCISE your faith
James 2:17
James 2:20
James 2:26
Romans 12:3

To exercise your faith, you have to test your faith with everyday life, in everything that you do.
Faith in God, not faith in humans, not faith in yourself.

3) SHARE your faith

Think about it:
How much do you know?
How much substance do you have?

James 1

4) CELEBRATE your faith
Colossians 3:16
Romans 12:15
Hebrews 10

We ought to celebrate our faith as it encourages our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ.

5) LIVE your faith!

We all have experiences and through these, we also learn from others.
We have to live by faith.
We need to trust God with every choices we make.
2 Peter 1:3-8

Reflect: Are you feeding your faith with the Word of God daily? Have you been exercising your faith in your life? How? When was the last time you shared your faith with someone else? How was it like? How can you celebrate your faith this week to encourage another person and even yourself? Will you trust God and live your life by faith? Why?

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FAITH FUEL

2009-10-19T08:38:00.001+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

By FAITH

2009-10-17T11:52:00.001+08:00

Hebrews 11

By Faith

¹Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. ²This is what the ancients were commended for. ³By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God's command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible. ⁴By faith Abel offered God a better sacrifice than Cain did. By faith he was commended as a righteous man, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith he still speaks, even though he is dead.
⁵By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death; he could not be found, because God had taken him away. For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God. ⁶And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
⁷By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that comes by faith.
⁸By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. ⁹By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. ¹⁰For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
¹¹By faith Abraham, even though he was past age―and Sarah herself was barren―was enabled to become a father because he^[a]considered him faithful who had made the promise. ¹²And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
¹³All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance. And they admitted that they were aliens and strangers on earth. ¹⁴People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. ¹⁵If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. ¹⁶Instead, they were longing for a better country―a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
¹⁷By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had received the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son, ¹⁸even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring^[b] will be reckoned."^[c] ¹⁹Abraham reasoned that God could raise the dead, and figuratively speaking, he did receive Isaac back from death.
²⁰By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
²¹By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph's sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
²²By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions about his bones.
²³By faith Moses' parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king's edict.
²⁴By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. ²⁵He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a short time. ²⁶He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. ²⁷By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king's anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible. ²⁸By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
²⁹By faith the people passed through the Red Sea^[d] as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
³⁰By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the people had marched around them for seven days.
³¹By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.^[e]
³²And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel and the prophets, ³³who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, ³⁴quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies. ³⁵Women received back their dead, raised to life again. Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection. ³⁶Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison. ³⁷They were stoned^[f]; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated― ³⁸the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.
³⁹These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised. ⁴⁰God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

FAITH can stand for Forsaking All I Trust Him.
Another acronym would be Fantastic Adventures In Trusting Him.

What is faith? Hebrews 11:1 tells us clearly that it is being sure of what we hope (in line with God's plan for us) for and certain (very very sure; absolutely sure; no doubt about it) of what we DO NOT SEE.

In the passage, so many examples of acts of faith were recorded. How true that these people commended for their faith indeed forsake their all and trust God to deliver them. Take for example, Moses. He forsake all the riches and glory as a King's son and gave his trust in God as he led the people of Israel out of Egypt. How much that will take! Imagine yourself in the shoes of Mosses, would you forsake all the 'luxuries' and exchange it for sufferings? Bear in mind that these sufferings are only on this earth, temporal. For these 'sufferings' in the eyes of others are what brings about eternal joy and blessings to come.

Look at all the examples of by faith. Don't they all experience fantastic adventures? Okay, maybe not so at their time. But as we ourselves look back now, don't you think those are really great adventures and experiences that only in trusting God will you receive? Look at each of their situations. They are in a position where they are not in control but they do have a choice. They could have gone the easy way out, but why do they choose to go the other way on the straight and narrow, the "uncertain"?

All of these people are commended for their faith, because they believe and trust God to deliver them. They have great faith, not in themselves or what they can do. Rather, they have faith in the God of all, the God of possibilities. How much is your faith? Is it worth to be commended for at the end of your race?

Have faith in God! Mark 11:22-24

Reflect: Have you been in situation when you cannot do anything about it? What did you do? Have you ever trusted God in situations like this and went with a decision by faith? How was it like? Do you think God is pleased with your actions? Why?

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OBEDIENT CANARY

2009-10-06T08:16:00.000+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Don't Give up!

2009-10-02T23:18:00.004+08:00

Galatians 6:7-10
Don't get tired of doing what is good. (v. 9)

NO SUPERMARKETS. No pizza delivery. No convenience stores. No drive-throughs. No restaurants.
That's what things were like when the apostle Paul wrote his letter to the churches of Galatia. You see, in those days, most people grew their own food in their own fields.
During the spring they would have to work long, hard days plowing the ground and planting seeds. Then all summer they would take care of what they had planted, which involved weeding, watering, and keeping the wild animals from stealing or destroying their crops. In the fall they would harvest and store their food for the winter.
If a man and his family got tired of planting or weeding or harvesting and decided to quit, they would be in big trouble. The only way they could be assured of having something to eat that winter would be to keep going. They couldn't run down to the grocery store or supermarket for a can of creamed corn. They couldn't order a pizza. If they didn't work hard through the spring, summer and fall, they would go hungry all winter.
It's the same with us. Fighting temptation and making the right choices can be hard. It can be a pain sometimes to be the only one in your family (or class or neighbourhood) who's trying to do right. That's why Paul, in today's Bible reading, says, "Don't get tired of doing what is good. Don't get discouraged and give up, for we will reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time" (Galatians 6:9).
No matter how hard it gets, don't give up. No matter who makes fun of you, don't get discouraged. No matter how tough it is, don't get tired. Keep leaning on God. Keep asking Him to help you. Keep making right choices.
It may not be easy, but it will be worth it. God's Word assure us that those who persevere will someday "reap a harvest of blessing at the appropriate time."

Reflect: Do you ever get tired of fighting temptation and making right choices? Do you ever get discouraged and feel like giving up? What does God's Word promise to you if you keep following God and obeying His Word?

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

ANCHOR

2009-09-30T11:58:00.000+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Be still

2009-09-29T10:20:00.001+08:00

Daniel 3 (New International Version)

The Image of Gold and the Fiery Furnace

1 King Nebuchadnezzar made an image of gold, ninety feet high and nine feet wide, and set it up on the plain of Dura in the province of Babylon. 2 He then summoned the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials to come to the dedication of the image he had set up. 3 So the satraps, prefects, governors, advisers, treasurers, judges, magistrates and all the other provincial officials assembled for the dedication of the image that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up, and they stood before it.

4 Then the herald loudly proclaimed, "This is what you are commanded to do, O peoples, nations and men of every language: 5 As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. 6 Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace."

7 Therefore, as soon as they heard the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp and all kinds of music, all the peoples, nations and men of every language fell down and worshiped the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar had set up.

8 At this time some astrologers came forward and denounced the Jews. 9 They said to King Nebuchadnezzar, "O king, live forever! 10 You have issued a decree, O king, that everyone who hears the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music must fall down and worship the image of gold, 11 and that whoever does not fall down and worship will be thrown into a blazing furnace. 12 But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, O king. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."

13 Furious with rage, Nebuchadnezzar summoned Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. So these men were brought before the king, 14 and Nebuchadnezzar said to them, "Is it true, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, that you do not serve my gods or worship the image of gold I have set up? 15 Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipes and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand?"

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

19 Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual 20 and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. 21 So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. 22 The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, 23 and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace.

24 Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?"
They replied, "Certainly, O king."

25 He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods."

26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!"
So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.

28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. 29 Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego be cut into pieces and their houses be turned into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."

30 Then the king promoted Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the province of Babylon.

A little bit of background about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego which can be found in Daniel 1. Before they were known as Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, they were Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah respectively. They were from Judah, brought in to Babylon to serve King Nebuchadnezzar in his palace. They must be young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king's palace as these were the criteria that the king gave to his court officials for those Israelites to be brought in to the king's service. They had gone for training for 3 years before they entered the king's service.

Of course, Daniel is the main character of the book of Daniel. However, we have to also look at how his friends, that Daniel was with, are in their faith and walk. In Daniel 2, it was mentioned so clearly that when faced with a difficulty at hand, Daniel went to his friends who were just as he was, followers of Christ. They know exactly that they are in no position and power to change or know everything. Daniel urged his 3 friends to plead for mercy from God. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were there in support with Daniel. We need our fellow brothers and sisters as support in our lives in terms of interceding in prayers or even offering the needed help, comfort and encouragement. Are you being one like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to one like Daniel?

Bulk of their names surface in Daniel 3 for that is the test of their faith. They stood still, giving God the control. What really stands out from the chapter is this:

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to the king, "O Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to save us from it, and he will rescue us from your hand, O king. 18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, O king, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up."

They have faith in the Lord so much that even if the Lord does not deliver them from this situation, they will not give up being still for the Lord! They will still hang on to say that their God is the God of all, the real God, the sovereign God. Now, in our context, there are many other gods and religions and so on. What if one day, our governing committee changes and we are obligated to bow down to gods rather than the God we know. If we do not conform, we would all be executed and shamed in public. Would we then continue to be still or would we give up and give in?

Similarly, there are scenarios in our lives that cause us to defend our faith. They may not be life and death issues but they are the stepping-stones. Scenarios like: Friends asking you out for clubbing vs staying at home & watch TV showing cartoons or budget shows, Drinking as every body is doing so vs soft drinks and be named a goody-two-shoes for the rest of your life, and many more examples. The choices presented to us have only a fine line between right and wrong. Right and wrong is not determined by us, but by God. This is something worth pondering about, isn't it?

Reflect: Have you ever been in situations like Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego had? How was your experience like? Did you remain still and chose what is right or did you go with the flow? Will you be still in situations like this to come? Why or why not?

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

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ENDURANCE

2009-09-28T01:58:00.004+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

Don't give up

2009-09-28T01:44:00.003+08:00

Don't ever ever give up......

One day I decided to quit...

I quit my job, my relationship, my spirituality...

In fact, I wanted to quit my life.

I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

"God", I asked, "Can you give me one good reason

not to quit?"

His answer surprised me...

"Look around", He said.

"Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

"Yes", I replied.

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds,

I took very good care of them.

I gave them light.

I gave them water.

The fern quickly grew from the earth.

Its brilliant green covered the floor.

Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo.

In the second year,

the Fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.

And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed. But I did not quit on the bamboo. He said.

"In year three there was still nothing from the bamboo seed.

But I would not quit.

In year four, again,

there was nothing from the bamboo seed.

I would not quit." He said.

"Then in the fifth year,

a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.

Compared to the fern,

it was seemingly small and insignificant...

But just 6months later,

the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.

It had spent the five years growing roots.

Those roots made it strong and gave

it what it needed to survive.

I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

He asked me,

"Did you know, my child,

that all this time you have been struggling,

you have actually been growing roots?"

"I would not quit on the bamboo.

I will never quit on you."

"Don't compare yourself to others."

He said.

"The bamboo had a different Purpose than the fern.

Yet they both make the forest beautiful."

"Your time will come", God said to me.

"You will rise high"

"How high should I rise?"

I asked.

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

"Yes."

He said, "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

I left the forest and brought back this story.

I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you.

Never, Never, Never Give up.

Don't tell God how big the problem is,

tell the problem how Great God is!

Heavens door opened this morning,
God asked me... My CHILD...

what can I do for you?" and I said "Protect and bless the one reading this message.

God smiled and answered ... "request granted ............

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

FAITH CUP

2009-05-04T10:15:00.001+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

The letter to the Philippians from Paul

2009-04-04T22:38:00.002+08:00

Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always offering prayer with joy in my every prayer for you all, in view of your participation in the gospel from the first day until now. For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God. Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else, and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. Some, to be sure, are preaching Christ even from envy and strife, but some also from good will; the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel; the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, so that your proud confidence in me may abound in Christ Jesus through my coming to you again. Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel; in no way alarmed by your opponents--which is a sign of destruction for them, but of salvation for you, and that too, from God. For to you it has been granted for Christ's sake, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, experiencing the same conflict which you saw in me, and now hear to be in me.

Therefore if there is any encouragement in Christ, if there is any consolation of love, if there is any fellowship of the Spirit, if any affection and compassion, make my joy complete by being of the same mind, maintaining the same love, united in spirit, intent on one purpose. Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. For this reason also, God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. But even if I am being poured out as a drink offering upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all. You too, I urge you, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me. But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you shortly, so that I also may be encouraged when I learn of your condition. For I have no one else of kindred spirit who will genuinely be concerned for your welfare. For they all seek after their own interests, not those of Christ Jesus. But you know of his proven worth, that he served with me in the furtherance of the gospel like a child serving his father. Therefore I hope to send him immediately, as soon as I see how things go with me; and I trust in the Lord that I myself also will be coming shortly. But I thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus, my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, who is also your messenger and minister to my need; because he was longing for you all and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick. For indeed he was sick to the point of death, but God had mercy on him, and not on him only but also on me, so that I would not have sorrow upon sorrow. Therefore I have sent him all the more eagerly so that when you see him again you may rejoice and I may be less concerned about you. Receive him then in the Lord with all joy, and hold men like him in high regard; because he came close to death for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was deficient in your service to me.

Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things again is no trouble to me, and it is a safeguard for you. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the false circumcision; for we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, and may be found in Him, not having a righteousness of my own derived from the Law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which comes from God on the basis of faith, that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead. Not that I have already (obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus. Brethren, I do not regard myself as having laid hold of it yet; but one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as are perfect, have this attitude; and if in anything you have a different attitude, God will reveal that also to you; however, let us keep living by that same standard to which we have attained. Brethren, join in following my example, and observe those who walk according to the pattern you have in us. For many walk, of whom I often told you, and now tell you even weeping, that they are enemies of the cross of Christ, whose end is destruction, whose god is their appetite, and whose glory is in their shame, who set their minds on earthly things. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself.

Therefore, my beloved brethren whom I long to see, my joy and crown, in this way stand firm in the Lord, my beloved. I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life. Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; for even in Thessalonica you sent a gift more than once for my needs. Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

KNOCK KNOCK

2009-02-07T21:40:00.000+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

(Blessings) 3- God's Nature is to Bless

2009-01-18T17:43:00.001+08:00

Numbers 6:24-27
The Lord bless you and keep you;... (v.24)

Maybe when you pray you're still talking to a stingy, storybook God you made up when you were little. Maybe the God in your head is a clone of a meanm angry person in your life. Maybe you've never really asked God to introduce Himself to you.
     Moses did.He asked God, "Please, show me Your glory" (Exodus 33:18), and God answered. Listen to how God described Himself:"[I am] the LORD, the LORD God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abounding in goodness and truth" (Exodus 34:6). This is God's self-potrait, and it's incredible, isn't it? He is the most wonderful person to be around in the entire universe. If you took all the best qualities in all your frieends and multiplied them by a thousand, you would just be getting started on having friend like God!
    Jabez had grown up hearing about this God of Moses---the God who had freed Israel from slavery in Egypt, brought them safely through the Red Sea, and given them the Promised Land. If God could doall that, surelyHe could make something out of one boy's ordinary life.
     Because Jabez knew the truth about who his God was, he didn't tell God what to give him. He let God decide what his blessings would be. In the same way, we can confidently ask God to bless us and leave the details up to Him.
     God wants to bless you and me because it is in His nature to bless. That's why you need to make a life-long commitment to ask God every day to bless you---and while He's at it, bless you a lot!
     Maybe you think your name could be just another word for pain or trouble. (Just like Jabez, his mother called him Jabez because she bore him in pain. In Hebrew, the word Jabez means "pain"). Friend, the prayer of Jabez is for you. Jabez---Mr.Pain himself---changed his life because he refused to let any obstacle, person, or opinion loom larger than God's true personality.
     And God's personality is to give---and give again--- to someone just like you!
     With a simple prayer, you can escape your past. You can change what happens, starting now.

The Prayer of Jabez--> 1 Chronicles 4:10.

Reflect: Do you want God's blessings? Ever allow God to bless you? Did you receive His blessings in full measure? Why or why not? Have you prayed the Prayer of Jabez? If yes, how did it affect your life? If not, would you commit yourself to say that prayer?

May the Lord bless you indeed! In Jesus name, Amen!

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(Blessings) 2- You have to ask

2009-01-08T11:02:00.001+08:00

James 4:2c
You do not have because you do not ask.

John 16:23-24
Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete. (v24b)

What if you found out that God had it in mind to send you twenty-three specific blessings today, but you got only one? What do you suppose the reason would be?
     There's a story about a Mr.Jones who dies and goes to heaven. St.Peter is waiting at the gates to give him a tiur. Heaven is quite an amazing place, but in the middle of all the stunning sights, Jones notices a weird looking building---sort of an enormous warehouse. When he asks Peter to see inside, Peter hesitates. "Ah, you really don't want to look in there," he tells the new arrival.
     But Jones can't stand not knowing a secret. What could be waiting for me in there? he wonders. So he argues until his tour guide gives in.
     When Peter opens the door, Mr.Jones almost knocks himself over in his hurry to get in. What he sees is row after row of shelves, floor to ceiling, each stacked neatly with white boxes tied with red ribbons.
     "These boxes all have names on them," Jones mutters aloud. Then turning to Peter he asks, "Do I have one?"
     "Oh, sure," Peter says. Then he tries to get Jones to leave. But Jones won't be stopped. He dashes toward the J aisle. There are only 640 billion Joneses in heaven, so it doesn't takek him long to find his box. Peter catches up with him just as he is slipping the red ribbon off his box and popping the lid. Looking inside, Jones had a moment of instant recognition. Then he lets out a deep sigh like the ones Peter has heard so many times before.
     Because there in Mr.Jones's white box are all the blessings that God wanted to give him while he was on earth, but Mr.Jones never asked.
     Don't miss the big idea in this story!
     "You don't have because you do not ask," the bible says in James 4:2. "Ask," promised Jesus, "and it will be given to you... What man is there among you who, if his son asks for bread, will give him a stone?... If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!" (Matthew 7:7, 9, 11, emphasis added).
     You see, even though there is no limit to God's goodness, if you didn't ask Him for a blessing yesterday, you didn't get all that He wanted to give you.
     That's the catch---if you don't ask for His blessing, you forfeit those that will come to you only by asking. God's blessings in our lives are limited only by us, not by His resources, power, or willingness to give.
     If you doubt that God could be that giving, maybe you need to meet the real God...

Reflect: Have you asked God for His blessings yesterday? If you have not, you have missed it. Do you feel God's blessings being limited? Why? How about today---Have you asked for His blessings?

(to be continued...)

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(Blessings) 1- Blessing is not about Sneezing!

2008-12-22T12:37:00.001+08:00

Proverbs 10:22 (TLB)
The Lord's blessing is our greatest wealth. All our work adds nothing to it!

Do you have an understanding of what the word blessing means? It seems like we hear bless or blessing every time we go to church. We ask God to bless our parents, our day at school, and the food we're about to eat. It's something your teacher says when she hears you sneeze.
     No wonder the meaning of blessing gets watered down to something like "Have a nice day." No wonder so many Christians aren't as desperate as Jabez was to receive it!
     To bless in the blibical snese means to ask for supernatural favor. When we ask for God's blessing, we're not asking for more of what we could get for ourselves. We're sincerely asking for the kind of good things that only God has the power to know about or give. That's why the bible says, "The Lord's blessing is our greatest wealth. All our work adds nothing to it." (Proverbs 10:22, TLB).
     And there's something else about blessings---a blessing from God is something you can feel. When God gives you the desires of your heart, He might give you "stuff," but He's always reaching for your heart.
     Imagine that you are an empty drinking glass sitting on the end of a dock on a beautiful lake. The sun comes up. You're hot and thirsty. "Man! I could drink this whole lake!" you exclaim. Then God comes along and fills you to the brim woth cold, refreshing water. Now you're satisfied. You don't need or want one more drop.
     That's what a blessing from God feels like.
God always blesses for a purpose.
     If you think about it, this explains why some poor people you know are the happiest people you've ever met---their glass if full. Any why some very wealthy people you meet have lots of stuff but are still unsatisfied.
     Truely blessed people go around blessing others. God always blesses for a purpose. He wants Hid goodness to bless you, then flow through you to others. Praying for God's blessing doesn't mean asking for more stuff just so we can spend it on ourselves. It means asking for God's favor so we can serve Him better and be a blessing to others.
     Do you want God's blessings and want them indeed? They are waiting to be yours.

But there's a catch.

Reflect: Have you been blessed by God? How was it like? How did you feel? Are you satisfied? Do you want to be blessed by God? In what ways?

(to be continued...)

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DON'T OPEN THAT DOOR

2008-12-17T19:12:00.000+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

(Choices) Shine

2008-12-02T14:13:00.001+08:00

Philippians 2:12-15
You are to live clean, innocent lives as children of God in a dark world full of crooked ans perverse people. Let your lives shine brightly before them. (v15)

A WEALTHY MAN BUSINESSMAN in India was preparing to retire. He called his two sons into his office and told them of his plans.
     "Now, you are both good sons and capable young men," he said. "I can't decide who I should put in charge of my business and my property. So, I have chose a test for you." He gave a coin to each son and said, "Take this coin and buy something that will fill this house."
     Now, the coin he had given each of his sons was of little value and his house was large with many rooms. Each son knew the task would be difficult.
     The older son wasted no time. He hurried to the marketplace and began pricing all sorts of bulky materials. He soon decided that the cheapest and bulkiest thing he could buy was straw. So he bought as much straw as his coin would buy and carried great bundles of it into the house. But the straw barely covered half the floors in the house.
     The younger son stopped to think about his father's test. He knew that only a most unusual purchase would pass his father's test.
     When the younger son returned, he carried only a small package. His brother laughed. "You expect to fill this house with that?" he said, pointing to the package.
      The younder son said nothing. He opened his little package and took out an assortment of candles. He placed one candle in each room. When he had lighted them all, the entire house was filled . . . with light!
     Every day you face the same choice those brothers faced. Every morning a new day stands open before you. You can fill it with wrong choices, selfish choices, choices that bring only darkness and disappointment. Or you can fill your day with right choices with good and decent actions that will shine like a light to everyone around you.
     Make it your goal today -- and every day -- to fill your day with right choices and let your life shine like a light in a dark world.

Reflect: What did you fill your day with yesterday -- light or darkness? Right choices or wrong choices? What do you think will happen as people see you making right choices? How can you "shine" like a light to everyone around you today?

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DON'T WORRY

2008-12-01T18:20:00.000+08:00

1 Timothy 4:12 (NIV)
Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.

(Directions) Jukebox Way

2008-11-28T23:32:00.001+08:00

James 1:19-25 (NIV)
Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. (v.22)

YOU'RE ON VACATION with your parents. You wanted to go on a two-week tour of the best amusement parks in the world, but your mom and dad overruled you. You're going to the International Jukebox Museum instead.
     You've been in the car with your parents and your little sister for four days, and if she sings "If You're Happy and You Know It" one more time, you'll knock yourself inconcious against the window. Your dad has stopped the car only in four days announcing as you poured yourself out of the car, "We'll leave in 3minutes." Lately, however, you've noticed that the scenery seems to be repeating itself.
     "Are we lost?" you ask.
     "No," Dad says in a voice of exasperation. "We're almost there."
     "Daddy, I have to go to the bathroom," your little sister says.
     "Why don't you just ask for directions?" your mom suggests.
     "I don't need directions. I know where I'm going."
     "That must explain," your mom says, pointing out the window, "why we've passed by that little park 4 times now."
     "Alright, alright," your dad finally says. He jerks the car into a gas station and asks the attendant for directions to the International Jukebox Museum.
     "Right at the light," the man answers, popping his chewing gum in his cheek.
     "2 miles, hang a left at the bottling company. The next left is Jukebox Way." Your dad thanks the man, pulls out of the service station, and turns left at the next light.
     "Dear," your mom says, "the man said to turn right at the light."
     "I know."
     "But you turned left. You're going the wrong way," Mom says.
     "No," your dad answers, "I'll still get there. I'll just go my own way."
     You slump back in your seat. Your sister starts singing again. You eye the window, wondering how hard you'd have to hit your head to knock yourself unconcious.
     That's pretty unrealistic, isn't it? No one would get directions from someone who knows the way and then choose to ignore them.
     But we do that all the time. God has given us directions -- lots of them! He has told us, point blank, how to live a holy and joyful life. Yet we often choose our own way rather than follow directions from someone who knows the way. It's not enough to know right from wrong; you must also choose right or your knowledge is useless.

Reflect: When was the last time you knew the right thing but did the wrong thing anyway? What made you choose wrong? How can you choose differently the next time?

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CARRY YOUR BOOKS?

2008-11-17T19:43:00.001+08:00

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(Temptations) Steer Clear!

2008-11-16T20:29:00.001+08:00

Proverbs 4:14-15
Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way.

A WEALTHY MAN was once searching for a chauffeur to drive his limousine. Many people applied for the job, but the millionaire picked only a few to take a driving test.

     The millionaire sat comfortably in the back of the limousine and told the first applicant to begin driving. As they drove along a narrow mountain road, the millionaire called to the driver, "See how close you can steer us to the edge of the cliff without falling off." The driver, eager to show his skills, steered the expensive car within few feet of the dangerous bluff. When they returned to the mansion, the millionaire said, "Thank you. We'll let you know."

     The second driver then slipped behind the steering wheel. Again, the millionaire said, "See how close you can steer us to the edge of the cliff without falling off." The driver, who was determined to outdo the first applicant, steered the long limousine within inches of the cliff! When they returned to the mansion, the millionaire told the second driver, "Thank you. We'll let you know."

     Another driver then took the second driver's place and was given the same instructions. But the third driver answered, "No way! I wouldn't go near the edge of the cliff no matter how much money you paid me!" The millionaire smiled and answered, "You're hired!"

     The millionaire's request was not intended to test the driver's skills; it was intended to test each man's wisdom. When he found a man who would steer clear of danger even if it meant losing a potential job, he knew he had found a safe driver.

     God is looking for young men and women who will steer clear of danger, too, because He knows that making right choices begins with avoiding temptation. He doesn't wabt His children to see how close they can get to sin without giving in. He wants you and me to look at temptation and say "No way!I'm not getting near that!"

     Many wrong choices can be avoided if we just steer clear of temptation. The bible says:"Run from all these evil things and follow what is right and good" (1 Timothy 6:11). If you're tempted to steal cookies, stay out of the kitchen! If your friends are trying to get you to try cigarettes, get some new friends! In other words, if you avoid the temptation before you're tempted, you're less likely to be tempted. And that will make it easier for you to make the right choice.

Reflect: Do you usually steer close to temptation or do you tend to steer clear of temptation? Think of your three strongest temptations. How can you steer clear of them?

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