Dear God,
Thank God for the many wonderful experience and blessings He have blessed me this year. This year is the most exciting and most happening year for me in my life:
01)Thank God for seeing me through 10 years in Tabernacle. God had helped me to grow spiritually and also giving me opportunity to serve Him as one of the leaders in Shomerim again the coming year.
02)I had received my ABRSM Grade 5 music theory exam with Distinction in January this year.
03)I had received my ABRSM Grade 6 Piano practical exam with a Pass in September this year.
04)Being able to serve God as a church pianist in the Chinese congregation, as a result, I have improved at an incredibly and amazingly speed in my music score sight reading.
05)Being able to serve God in the Church Camp Committee 2007.
06)Able to attend Mission trip, participated in the VBS work in Kuantan and ministered to the children over there.
07)Able to attend the night class and blessed time of learning from God's Word.
08)More love for souls, sharing the gospel and by the grace of God, leading my cousins and friend to pray the Sinner's Prayer. (2 cousins, Tian Geng, and 2 children in Kuantan mission trip)
09)Giving me a tender heart which makes me more emotional when I hear God's Word and Christian hymns. In that also being able to feel more for people and to encourage friends using God's Word.
10)A brethren that I had prayed for a long time, had increased in the love and devotion to God and also attending the same church as me.
11)Another friend who came to youth camp and had touched my heart with his story testifying God's faithfulness. However he had not been attending church for a long time and I seem to lose contact with him.
12)Teaching me and testing my faith in a recent episode in my life. In that, I know how much I love God and I had an experienced to know that the heart is very deceiving.
13)Thank God for my loving mother who never fails to cook for me, wash my clothes and taking care of the house while I can concentrate in working.
14)Pay rise in July and also a less stressful job where I can serve God and practice my piano. I can also buy the things that I want.
15)Family members are generally in good health.
16)My mother, sister and cousins attending church outing.
17)Thank God for His grace, mercy and faithfulness for keeping me in the faith even though I failed Him so many times and always ready to encourage me in the faith with His Words.
All praise and glory to God above!
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
Thank God for Church Camp
Thank God that I have a wonderful church camp in Batu Pahat. Although I hurt my legs while playing soccer, thank God that it heal very quickly. Most important of all, I gain new spiritual insights in the book of Judges. Praise the Lord for his faithfulness in the progressively deteriorating society in the time of Judges and now. He still loves us and hope that sinners will come to repentance. Praise God from whom all blessings flow! Wednesday I am leaving for Kuantan mission trip. God will bring souls into his kingdom!
Monday, December 03, 2007
Church Camp 2007
Yo! Yo! The church camp is finally coming! Finally, a break from my work. I can wait to listen to God's Word and dwelling with brothers and sisters in Christ to have fun! Thank God for opportunity to serve Him in the Church Camp Committee. My prayer for this camp is that I will be stronger and closer to God. As I count my blessing, I am truly a much bless person. God is so good to me!
Saturday, November 10, 2007
Thank God for this week
This week is the week that cause me to have a lot of mood swing. On Thursday, my church is having an outing at Kent Ridge Park. Thank God that my mother, sister and my two cousins when for the outing. For the first time I asked my mother a few days ago, she said that she will consider then after that when she thinks about it, she says she is not going.
I prayed to God again on the night before the outing. I prayed that God will be merciful to them and gave them the chance to hear His Words. Thank God that after I persuaded my sister, they decided to go together. God answers prayer!
On Friday night as I am typing an article, my cousin was seated beside me. I prayed and took the opportunity to share to him the full gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank God that the Holy Spirit convicted his heart and he accepts the Lord Jesus as his personal saviour!
On Saturday afternoon, I received an SMS from a friend that makes me feel sad. I don't wanna share much but as I am typing my heart is heavy. Thank God that I can make use of my blog to count God's blessing. God is already very good, merciful and gracious to me. What more can I ask from Him? I will just have to wait patiently to seek His Will. I considered myself to pass the test that God had given to me but painfully. I know that God mean it to be good because Romans 8:28 says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." and in 1 Th 5:18 " In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Dear Lord, I am yours take me! Help me to discern thy will for me in my life!
I prayed to God again on the night before the outing. I prayed that God will be merciful to them and gave them the chance to hear His Words. Thank God that after I persuaded my sister, they decided to go together. God answers prayer!
On Friday night as I am typing an article, my cousin was seated beside me. I prayed and took the opportunity to share to him the full gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank God that the Holy Spirit convicted his heart and he accepts the Lord Jesus as his personal saviour!
On Saturday afternoon, I received an SMS from a friend that makes me feel sad. I don't wanna share much but as I am typing my heart is heavy. Thank God that I can make use of my blog to count God's blessing. God is already very good, merciful and gracious to me. What more can I ask from Him? I will just have to wait patiently to seek His Will. I considered myself to pass the test that God had given to me but painfully. I know that God mean it to be good because Romans 8:28 says "And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose." and in 1 Th 5:18 " In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you."
Dear Lord, I am yours take me! Help me to discern thy will for me in my life!
Monday, November 05, 2007
Thank God for studying Calvin's Institutes II
Well, just wanna share my testimony here for attending Calvin's Institutes II:
Thank God for yet another opportunity to study the bible. His Words is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Even though I came after work every Monday evening, I felt very blessed to study God's Word with like-minded brethren. It is like a foretaste of heaven and I would not want to miss this opportunity to receive God's blessing. Moreover, in heaven we will be praising and worshipping God all the time! Nothing is more blessed than learning more about God and storing up treasures in heaven! In the second half of the year, I am bothered by an issue but thank God, His Words are always there to comfort my heart and assure me.
I am always reminded of two important lessons in the class. Firstly, God had faithfully preserved His Words to the very jot and tittle, and is kept pure through the ages. If only the autographs are preserved and now it no longer exist, then where is our authority? It is comforting to know the bible was paid by the blood of the martyrs and preserved till now by God's singular care and providence. If the bible has any mistakes, my faith may be shaken and that cause me to have lower view of the scriptures. Therefore, it is utterly important to get the foundation right cause if the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psa 11:3). Another important lesson that I had learnt is that in order to approach God and learn of Him, we must be triply humble before Him. These two principles had been imprinted in my mind sub-consciously. Certain scholars like to invoke criticism about the Bible. Man are so corrupted, what made us fit to correct God's Word. It is literally taking God's Word lightly and again taking a lower view of scriptures. Any doctrine that cause me to have a lower view of scriptures is a false doctrine and any doctrine that cause me to have high view of scriptures and brings me closer to God is the correct doctrine.
Faith is a many splendour virtue. Faith is given by the Holy Spirit and faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17) It is consider as having a blind faith if we only believe in what the church says, our friend says or what our parents say. We ought to based our believed in the authority of the scriptures. The intensity of faith begins as believing faith and then experiential faith and then finally develop into a faith that requires no experience. True faith will cause me to obey God rather than taking advantage of the Christian liberty. It consists of a) Noticia-knowing the gospel and Christ, b) Assensus-Must agree and accept Christ, and finally c) Fiducia-obeying and believing in God. True faith endures to the end and will lead to eternal glory.
Thank God that He gives me the faith to believe in Him cause it is truly by God's grace alone. I have tried to evangelise to my close friends but they does not seem to be interested in the Gospel. If the Holy Spirit will not convict their hearts, there is no way that they can believe in God! Pondering on that, I am exceptionally grateful to God for being so good to me! I will serve Him till the end in gratitude of what He had done for me.
Godly sorrow worked repentance to salvation. I should follow the example of Apostle Peter and not Judas Iscariot whose repentance lead to death. It is a pity that the Roman Catholic believes that they can only make confession to the priest but however I know that I can approached God's holy throne of grace boldly to seek for the forgiveness of sin because He is our Great High Priest. Evil doctrines like confession box, penance, indulgences, purgatory, took away Christ as our advocate who can reconcile man with God. Private sins will require us to ask God privately for confession. However, public sin will have to confess publicly before the church.
When a person is at fault, the biblical church discipline procedure is that we will approached the person one to one privately first. If the person refuse to repent, then we will call for a witness. If that fails, we will call for the church leaders and then finally excommunication. I learnt that the purpose of excommunication is that the person may not be numbered among Christians or even to partake the Lord's Supper. Secondly, the person may not be corrupted by constant association with the wicked. Thirdly, those who are censured or excommunicated, may be led to repentance. Sometimes these measures are required as man needs to be chastened by God's rod so as to bring us back to repentance.
The preaching and written ministry of the Apostles are infallible cause they are inspired by God. However, the Roman Catholics believe that once the Pope pronounced a dogma, he is infallible, this is erroneous! Protestants doctrine of Justification state that after one is saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone, one will produce works of faith. The Catholics state that in order to be saved, faith is not enough! One has to accompanied with good works. Thank God that we are justified not of works, or else no matter how much we do, we cannot have eternal life. We can never match up to God's standards! Justification is a one time act of God at the point of believing in the Gospel whereas sanctification is an ongoing process till we die. Thank God that I am justified by faith in Christ and that He is sanctifying me day by day as I yield to Him daily.
Prayer helps us to penetrate to the riches God has reserved for our use, Our conscience derive peace when troubles are presented before God. Our heart may always be inflamed with an earnest desire of seeking, loving and worshipping Him. We may be more prepared to receive His blessing with true gratitude of soul. Prayer is illustrated as certain children asking for pocket money from their parents, in that they show their dependency towards their parents. The parents will be willing to give money to their children. Knowing that God is happy and ready to receive my prayer items, helps me to find comfort in praying and also urging me to pray more.
A true Church is one where the Word of God is faithfully preached and the two sacraments properly administered. Nowadays, there are many churches that take the preaching of God's Word lightly. Their worship service largely comprises of entertainment fulfilling the fleshly lust rather than dealing with the heart conditions of each individuals. There are limited messages that can really encourage the believers to press on in the faith. Roman Catholic priest even took the Lord's Supper solely by himself saying that layman are not worthy to take it even though the Lord commanded us to take eat as often as we can in remembrance of Him.
Roman Catholic Church ascribe the church as the final authority independent of the Word, however Protestant hold the Word of God as the final and supreme authority, and inseparable from it. It is dangerous to ascribe the church as the final authority, as church may gone apostate. We may believe in the wrong doctrine which will in turn lead to wrong beliefs. However, knowing that the Word of God is unchanging and accurately preserved for me, I will be able to follow the correct path of righteousness.
A sacrament may also defined as an outward signs of the inward grace that God has given us. Baptism signify cleansing and washing of our sins, it shows that we are serious with our faith and we want to make a promise before God and man that we will mortify our sins daily and to read His Word daily for guidance and instructions in our life. It is a testimony towards other and that we are united with the other believers and to be partakers of all His benefits. There is special blessings from God and it fulfils the Great Commission. Because of baptism, I am constantly reminded of the promise that I had made to God when I publicly confess of my sins and indicate that I want to be identified with Him. This helps me to lead a holy life and to read the bible.
The partaking of the Lord's Supper unites me with Christ and I am reminded of His birth, His mission on Earth, His life of obedience, His death and His resurrection. This holy sacrament helps me to prepare my hearts before Him, reconsecrate my life to Him, make right in glorifying God by the confession of my sins, reconcile with a brother if there is any fault, exercise humility and gratitude towards Jesus Christ for what He had done in the redemptive plan. In that, I have confidence and assurance of the resurrection and immortality of my body and soul.
Finally, thank God for helping me to increase in my knowledge of Him again. I hoped that the knowledge that I had received, I will be able to exercise it in my daily life and even to encourage someone in the future.
All glory be unto Him. I am looking forward for the next semester of studying God's Word again if God willing!
Thank God for yet another opportunity to study the bible. His Words is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Even though I came after work every Monday evening, I felt very blessed to study God's Word with like-minded brethren. It is like a foretaste of heaven and I would not want to miss this opportunity to receive God's blessing. Moreover, in heaven we will be praising and worshipping God all the time! Nothing is more blessed than learning more about God and storing up treasures in heaven! In the second half of the year, I am bothered by an issue but thank God, His Words are always there to comfort my heart and assure me.
I am always reminded of two important lessons in the class. Firstly, God had faithfully preserved His Words to the very jot and tittle, and is kept pure through the ages. If only the autographs are preserved and now it no longer exist, then where is our authority? It is comforting to know the bible was paid by the blood of the martyrs and preserved till now by God's singular care and providence. If the bible has any mistakes, my faith may be shaken and that cause me to have lower view of the scriptures. Therefore, it is utterly important to get the foundation right cause if the foundation be destroyed, what can the righteous do? (Psa 11:3). Another important lesson that I had learnt is that in order to approach God and learn of Him, we must be triply humble before Him. These two principles had been imprinted in my mind sub-consciously. Certain scholars like to invoke criticism about the Bible. Man are so corrupted, what made us fit to correct God's Word. It is literally taking God's Word lightly and again taking a lower view of scriptures. Any doctrine that cause me to have a lower view of scriptures is a false doctrine and any doctrine that cause me to have high view of scriptures and brings me closer to God is the correct doctrine.
Faith is a many splendour virtue. Faith is given by the Holy Spirit and faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. (Rom 10:17) It is consider as having a blind faith if we only believe in what the church says, our friend says or what our parents say. We ought to based our believed in the authority of the scriptures. The intensity of faith begins as believing faith and then experiential faith and then finally develop into a faith that requires no experience. True faith will cause me to obey God rather than taking advantage of the Christian liberty. It consists of a) Noticia-knowing the gospel and Christ, b) Assensus-Must agree and accept Christ, and finally c) Fiducia-obeying and believing in God. True faith endures to the end and will lead to eternal glory.
Thank God that He gives me the faith to believe in Him cause it is truly by God's grace alone. I have tried to evangelise to my close friends but they does not seem to be interested in the Gospel. If the Holy Spirit will not convict their hearts, there is no way that they can believe in God! Pondering on that, I am exceptionally grateful to God for being so good to me! I will serve Him till the end in gratitude of what He had done for me.
Godly sorrow worked repentance to salvation. I should follow the example of Apostle Peter and not Judas Iscariot whose repentance lead to death. It is a pity that the Roman Catholic believes that they can only make confession to the priest but however I know that I can approached God's holy throne of grace boldly to seek for the forgiveness of sin because He is our Great High Priest. Evil doctrines like confession box, penance, indulgences, purgatory, took away Christ as our advocate who can reconcile man with God. Private sins will require us to ask God privately for confession. However, public sin will have to confess publicly before the church.
When a person is at fault, the biblical church discipline procedure is that we will approached the person one to one privately first. If the person refuse to repent, then we will call for a witness. If that fails, we will call for the church leaders and then finally excommunication. I learnt that the purpose of excommunication is that the person may not be numbered among Christians or even to partake the Lord's Supper. Secondly, the person may not be corrupted by constant association with the wicked. Thirdly, those who are censured or excommunicated, may be led to repentance. Sometimes these measures are required as man needs to be chastened by God's rod so as to bring us back to repentance.
The preaching and written ministry of the Apostles are infallible cause they are inspired by God. However, the Roman Catholics believe that once the Pope pronounced a dogma, he is infallible, this is erroneous! Protestants doctrine of Justification state that after one is saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus alone, one will produce works of faith. The Catholics state that in order to be saved, faith is not enough! One has to accompanied with good works. Thank God that we are justified not of works, or else no matter how much we do, we cannot have eternal life. We can never match up to God's standards! Justification is a one time act of God at the point of believing in the Gospel whereas sanctification is an ongoing process till we die. Thank God that I am justified by faith in Christ and that He is sanctifying me day by day as I yield to Him daily.
Prayer helps us to penetrate to the riches God has reserved for our use, Our conscience derive peace when troubles are presented before God. Our heart may always be inflamed with an earnest desire of seeking, loving and worshipping Him. We may be more prepared to receive His blessing with true gratitude of soul. Prayer is illustrated as certain children asking for pocket money from their parents, in that they show their dependency towards their parents. The parents will be willing to give money to their children. Knowing that God is happy and ready to receive my prayer items, helps me to find comfort in praying and also urging me to pray more.
A true Church is one where the Word of God is faithfully preached and the two sacraments properly administered. Nowadays, there are many churches that take the preaching of God's Word lightly. Their worship service largely comprises of entertainment fulfilling the fleshly lust rather than dealing with the heart conditions of each individuals. There are limited messages that can really encourage the believers to press on in the faith. Roman Catholic priest even took the Lord's Supper solely by himself saying that layman are not worthy to take it even though the Lord commanded us to take eat as often as we can in remembrance of Him.
Roman Catholic Church ascribe the church as the final authority independent of the Word, however Protestant hold the Word of God as the final and supreme authority, and inseparable from it. It is dangerous to ascribe the church as the final authority, as church may gone apostate. We may believe in the wrong doctrine which will in turn lead to wrong beliefs. However, knowing that the Word of God is unchanging and accurately preserved for me, I will be able to follow the correct path of righteousness.
A sacrament may also defined as an outward signs of the inward grace that God has given us. Baptism signify cleansing and washing of our sins, it shows that we are serious with our faith and we want to make a promise before God and man that we will mortify our sins daily and to read His Word daily for guidance and instructions in our life. It is a testimony towards other and that we are united with the other believers and to be partakers of all His benefits. There is special blessings from God and it fulfils the Great Commission. Because of baptism, I am constantly reminded of the promise that I had made to God when I publicly confess of my sins and indicate that I want to be identified with Him. This helps me to lead a holy life and to read the bible.
The partaking of the Lord's Supper unites me with Christ and I am reminded of His birth, His mission on Earth, His life of obedience, His death and His resurrection. This holy sacrament helps me to prepare my hearts before Him, reconsecrate my life to Him, make right in glorifying God by the confession of my sins, reconcile with a brother if there is any fault, exercise humility and gratitude towards Jesus Christ for what He had done in the redemptive plan. In that, I have confidence and assurance of the resurrection and immortality of my body and soul.
Finally, thank God for helping me to increase in my knowledge of Him again. I hoped that the knowledge that I had received, I will be able to exercise it in my daily life and even to encourage someone in the future.
All glory be unto Him. I am looking forward for the next semester of studying God's Word again if God willing!
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Thank God for messages heard
Thank God, last Friday I heard a message entitled "How to be a good boyfriend and girlfriend?" Unbelievers cannot exercise Agape love. This is a love that is a sacrificial love and you are willing to die for the person. Love willing to suffer wrong, love is kind, love does not envy, love is not proud, love does not behave in an attitude that will detest by others, love is not self seeking, love does not provoke you to be angry easily, love does not think evil of a person. There is so much to learn about love. Not the hollywood or bollywood kind of love, they teach sex and lust. To understand the full extend of love, one has to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour. Do not wait or hesitate anymore, experience the peace of heart and true love yourself by trusting only in Jesus.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Thank God for smooth piano playing
Thank God that my playing was ok yesterday. Although I still felt a bit nervous but everything went on fine. As usual, I have a few mistakes here and there but this time I did not screw up anything:) Thank God that playing piano at the Chinese side really help me to train my sight reading and also confidence in playing in front of large crowd. In turn, I was also like trained to play in front of the examiner. Well all these are really good training for me. Well I am still not good at it yet, I training up to it. Thank God for opportunity to serve Him. Also thank God that I found a great website for piano resource. It is at HERE I am so happy today cause I got to find quite a number of scores that I am looking for! Praise the Lord!
I had also recorded some nice Christian songs. Enjoyed!
I had also recorded some nice Christian songs. Enjoyed!
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
Thank God for a pass in Grade 6 piano exams
Two weeks had passed since I took the exams on 25th August 2007. Exactly two weeks from then, I checked my results online. Thank God that I got a Pass with 117 marks; fall short of 3 marks for Merit. Although it fall short of my expectation, cause I am aiming for Merit, but I remembered "in everything give thanks to the Lord!"
Thank God that at a span of only 3 years of learning the piano seriously, I am now promoted to Grade 7. Amazing! It is God's grace and enabling! I have saved lots of money in this without having to go through the lower grades! Therefore, I thank God for helping me to improve in my piano at such a short period of time! This Sunday, it is my second time playing in the church sanctuary. For the first time, I had screwed it up a bit. I pray that this time I will be better:)
Thank God that at a span of only 3 years of learning the piano seriously, I am now promoted to Grade 7. Amazing! It is God's grace and enabling! I have saved lots of money in this without having to go through the lower grades! Therefore, I thank God for helping me to improve in my piano at such a short period of time! This Sunday, it is my second time playing in the church sanctuary. For the first time, I had screwed it up a bit. I pray that this time I will be better:)
Monday, October 08, 2007
Thank for message on loving your brothers & sisters in Christ
Yesterday, the Lord's messenger Dr Tow shared something that strike a chord in me. He said that before you want to learn what is brotherly love you have to do two things. First of all, you have to love God. If you cannot love God, you don't know what is true love. After that, you have to love your parents. He shared something on showing filial piety to our own parents.
He shared that he once asked an old lady how often does her child visited her. The old lady reply that it is only once a month. When I heard that, I was quite sad. After the children got married, they tend to forget their parents. They are too busy with their work, their own stuffs, their own children and forget that who had brought them up since young. Do we want to wait until our parents are no longer around then we start to regret that we had not done enough for them?
He also shared that if he is her children, he will visit her every week. Which I think is reasonable and that we should. What can be so busy that we forget about our parents who had brought us up? He also shared that filial piety is practical. We have to do something that is different. For example, in the past we don't sweep the floor, we do it out of love for them now. We help our parents to clean up the house. In the past we don't wash dishes, now we do it voluntarily. We do not need our parents to tell us what to do then we do. I am convicted in my heart to I want to do something for my parents. Since they are still unbelievers, I have to show forth the love of Christ in my life. Truly, it is not easy to take up your own cross daily to follow Christ. We have to denied ourselves daily and seek to do God's Will for us in our lives.
Thank God for his message to me. A change of attitude is necessary and will make a difference in your testimony!
He shared that he once asked an old lady how often does her child visited her. The old lady reply that it is only once a month. When I heard that, I was quite sad. After the children got married, they tend to forget their parents. They are too busy with their work, their own stuffs, their own children and forget that who had brought them up since young. Do we want to wait until our parents are no longer around then we start to regret that we had not done enough for them?
He also shared that if he is her children, he will visit her every week. Which I think is reasonable and that we should. What can be so busy that we forget about our parents who had brought us up? He also shared that filial piety is practical. We have to do something that is different. For example, in the past we don't sweep the floor, we do it out of love for them now. We help our parents to clean up the house. In the past we don't wash dishes, now we do it voluntarily. We do not need our parents to tell us what to do then we do. I am convicted in my heart to I want to do something for my parents. Since they are still unbelievers, I have to show forth the love of Christ in my life. Truly, it is not easy to take up your own cross daily to follow Christ. We have to denied ourselves daily and seek to do God's Will for us in our lives.
Thank God for his message to me. A change of attitude is necessary and will make a difference in your testimony!
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Thank God for Grade 6 piano exams finally over!
Cool! I finally went through Grade 6 piano exams. It was a fun experience. This time I managed to greet the female examiner first! Last piano exams, the male examiner greet me first. Foreigners are very friendly. Thank God that for both exams, I was not too nervous that I can't play. Truly thank God for good piano teacher, good preparation and not too nervous at the critical moment. I managed to calm myself down. Probably, playing in the Chinese congregation in the church also helps a lot. Thank God for opportunity this year. Unknowing, my sight reading skills improve quite a lot! All praise and glory to God on high!
This mid autumn festival, I think is a memorial one. I did something that I want to do. Sometimes in life, if there is something you don't do it, you might regret it in the future. Thank God that I made my decision to do it. I don't know what will happen in the future but I know God has always given me the best that I could not imagine. I think the greatest gift that he had given me is salvation. Therefore, I prayed that I will be able to share it passionately to others. May others see Jesus in me! Truly it is not easy but I will try to:)
This mid autumn festival, I think is a memorial one. I did something that I want to do. Sometimes in life, if there is something you don't do it, you might regret it in the future. Thank God that I made my decision to do it. I don't know what will happen in the future but I know God has always given me the best that I could not imagine. I think the greatest gift that he had given me is salvation. Therefore, I prayed that I will be able to share it passionately to others. May others see Jesus in me! Truly it is not easy but I will try to:)
Monday, September 24, 2007
Thank God for encouragement along the way
Yup! It is good to give thanks to the Lord always. I wanna thank God for having Christian friends who care enough, shared with me their experiences, encouraging me along the way and even prayed with me in the midst of testing.
One brother even send an SMS with these verses and words of encouragement:
"Psa 33:16b a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
Psa 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Look at Samson, his strength made him weak. But for David, his weakness was made perfect in Jehovah to defeat Goliath. Amen"
Yup! Truly to go through this testing, it cannot be by my own strength but by God's mercy, strength and power.
Thank God also for the Sunday school teaching on Romans 6.
Rom 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Yes, I was baptised in 23rd December 2001. Did I baptized into Christ death? Did I die to myself and walk in newness of life? What is it that I have promised to God during my baptism? That I will read the bible daily and strive to lead a holy life. Have I failed to do that?
These questions popped up in my mind. Thank God for reminding me the meaning of baptism even as I had answered it myself, I want to obey what I had promised to God before man. There is something that I have learnt in my NS life: "Tough time don't last but tough man do!" Yes, my testing will not last forever, but it is whether I will trust in God to do what is His will for me in life. Pray that God will delivered me soon!
Amen!
One brother even send an SMS with these verses and words of encouragement:
"Psa 33:16b a mighty man is not delivered by much strength.
Psa 33:18 Behold, the eye of the LORD is upon them that fear him, upon them that hope in his mercy;
Look at Samson, his strength made him weak. But for David, his weakness was made perfect in Jehovah to defeat Goliath. Amen"
Yup! Truly to go through this testing, it cannot be by my own strength but by God's mercy, strength and power.
Thank God also for the Sunday school teaching on Romans 6.
Rom 6:3-4 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Yes, I was baptised in 23rd December 2001. Did I baptized into Christ death? Did I die to myself and walk in newness of life? What is it that I have promised to God during my baptism? That I will read the bible daily and strive to lead a holy life. Have I failed to do that?
These questions popped up in my mind. Thank God for reminding me the meaning of baptism even as I had answered it myself, I want to obey what I had promised to God before man. There is something that I have learnt in my NS life: "Tough time don't last but tough man do!" Yes, my testing will not last forever, but it is whether I will trust in God to do what is His will for me in life. Pray that God will delivered me soon!
Amen!
Monday, September 17, 2007
Thank God for small encouragement during testing
Yesterday's daily devotion sharing was a good one. I can see one brother is trying very hard to come back to church. This is a good sign. Another brother was agonising for his sins. Almost everyone is going through some testing or trials now. I think sometimes in order to preserve the purity of the church, the testing of our faith in God is truly necessary. Thank God for this time of testing. I am sure after these testing or trials, we will learnt to trust God more, pray more and be closer to God.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Jas 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Pray that God will be closer to us during this period of time!
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Jas 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Pray that God will be closer to us during this period of time!
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Thank God for a tender heart
I still remember when I was young, when I watched sad show, I will laugh at people who cry. I will wonder why they get so serious about watching a show. After believing in Christ, God seems to open my tear gland. I feel sad when I watched sad programme now. God help me to feel more for people, to get interested with other people's life. This is one way of showing care and concern for people. So far, two girls cried while they shared with me their problems. I felt very sad when I see girls cry. I don't know why but I had more compassion for girls who cry. Although it is their nature to cry but I feel that a girl should not be hurt by any one else. They should be protected.
It has been a long time seems I had cried. This year there had been a lot of occasions that I feel like crying. I don't know why, this year there are a lot of happiness but there are also a lot of sad events that had filled this year. This year is really an exciting year. My mood changes a lot this year. I don't know whether it is good or bad but I know that God will help me to go through all trials.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
It has been a long time seems I had cried. This year there had been a lot of occasions that I feel like crying. I don't know why, this year there are a lot of happiness but there are also a lot of sad events that had filled this year. This year is really an exciting year. My mood changes a lot this year. I don't know whether it is good or bad but I know that God will help me to go through all trials.
Job 23:10 But he knoweth the way that I take: when he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold.
Monday, September 10, 2007
God is testing me again.
I am going through a period of testing now. I think that this is a good sign as it has been a long time since God tested me. The first time is when I was in the naval diving unit. I believe I had passed the test. Although in the process I did not response the way that I could have been. Never the least, God help me to be closer to Him after that.
This time, I believe that the test that I am going through will also bring me closer to God. I had a wrong start in the beginning. Thank God that He had sent a godly counsel to help me to discern God's will. Thank God that by faith I apply it yesterday. The process is painful but I know that God will bring it to pass. I just have to wait on the Lord and see God's perfect plan in action!
During the youth camp, I already sense that God is going to test me. I had already started praying then however the intensity of prayer is not there. I even asked two person to prayed for me. I did a wrong start in the beginning, I let my will dominated me. Thank God that I had put a stop to it yesterday. These few days, the prayer intensity grew greater. Thank God that I prayed more, not just for myself but also for brothers and sisters in Christ. Shomerim and myself is going through some testing period now. Pray that God will deliver us and keep us close to Him at this period. Thank God that God had worked in me again. I believed that I have reached the state of prayer that I prayed to obtain.
God heard my prayer cause I asked for it for a long period of time. God granted it, therefore He will give me the grace to go through this testing. I just want to pray that God's will be done and not my will be done. If God had granted the desire of my heart in the future, I believe I will cry out and thank God for His marvellous love for me! Praise the Lord!
This time, I believe that the test that I am going through will also bring me closer to God. I had a wrong start in the beginning. Thank God that He had sent a godly counsel to help me to discern God's will. Thank God that by faith I apply it yesterday. The process is painful but I know that God will bring it to pass. I just have to wait on the Lord and see God's perfect plan in action!
During the youth camp, I already sense that God is going to test me. I had already started praying then however the intensity of prayer is not there. I even asked two person to prayed for me. I did a wrong start in the beginning, I let my will dominated me. Thank God that I had put a stop to it yesterday. These few days, the prayer intensity grew greater. Thank God that I prayed more, not just for myself but also for brothers and sisters in Christ. Shomerim and myself is going through some testing period now. Pray that God will deliver us and keep us close to Him at this period. Thank God that God had worked in me again. I believed that I have reached the state of prayer that I prayed to obtain.
God heard my prayer cause I asked for it for a long period of time. God granted it, therefore He will give me the grace to go through this testing. I just want to pray that God's will be done and not my will be done. If God had granted the desire of my heart in the future, I believe I will cry out and thank God for His marvellous love for me! Praise the Lord!
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Thank God for sharing the gospel
On Saturday evening, I shared the gospel with someone. Actually she wants to believe in Jesus but she is counting the cost. She is thinking about the things that she have to give up for being a Christian. She knows what it means to be a Christian. I think that it is good that she is considering. I prayed that God will change her heart and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as her personal Lord and Saviour. Thank God that I manage to share with her why Jesus is the only way and why Jesus have to die for us. Why other religion cannot save us. She is more or less quite convince. Now it is only the Holy Spirit that can work in her. May God be merciful to her soul.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
My tribute to a demise friend
Today, I have received a shocking news. A friend of mine; a good video speciallist, Mr Astley Wong, who had rendered help to me before in various competitions had died in a fatal accident in Malaysia enroute to KL. He passed away in the early hours of this morning and his body is now in a hospital inKL.
I felt sad for my company for losing such a great worker. Through the emails that I have received about him, I know that he is a very responsible and hardworking person. My former 2006 primary six students who involved in SVA, do you all still remember him teaching you all how to shoot a good video and also how to edit videos? He is the man who died. I still remember the help that he had rendered to me last year which I have mentioned in
http://alant80.blogspot.com/2006/11/thank-god-for-completed-entries-for.html
Thank God that I have learnt a lot from him. I even got a ring tone from him. This is the one and only thing that I have gotten from him. I will cherished it in remembrance of him. Farewell my friend! Great man may have gone forever but what left behind are the beautiful memories.
I felt sad for my company for losing such a great worker. Through the emails that I have received about him, I know that he is a very responsible and hardworking person. My former 2006 primary six students who involved in SVA, do you all still remember him teaching you all how to shoot a good video and also how to edit videos? He is the man who died. I still remember the help that he had rendered to me last year which I have mentioned in
http://alant80.blogspot.com/2006/11/thank-god-for-completed-entries-for.html
Thank God that I have learnt a lot from him. I even got a ring tone from him. This is the one and only thing that I have gotten from him. I will cherished it in remembrance of him. Farewell my friend! Great man may have gone forever but what left behind are the beautiful memories.
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
5 Days of Thanksgiving
These five days, I feel that I have been greatly blessed by the Lord. On last Friday night, in the youth camp, I heard a touching story from my friend that make me cry in front of so many members of Shomerim. This friend of mine nearly died in a few occasions but God had saved him from the grip of death. Stroke doesn't kill him, multiples attacks of strokes and related illnesses never stop him from walking or paralysed him, committing suicide from jumping off the building did not happen to him. Were not all these happens by the mercies of God? If he still cannot see it, he deserves to perish in hell.
How about my role in his life? Taking about that, let me tell you, I did not do much things for him. All I did was that I sms him when I feel like it. When God burdened my heart a particularly day, I would pray for him. I did not do this everyday and I did not called him to speak to him for a long period of time. Ultimately, it is the Lord who moved his heart. Cause him to bring to remembrance how God's people has been good to him. Well probably an sms at the right time will encourage someone. However, how can I be so accurate to send the right words at the right precise time? Were not our God is so powerful, great, marvellous, amazing, miraculously and plenteously good? My prayer is that this person will realise God's goodness upon him and that he will not reject God's calling again. If such a person will harden his heart, God's judicial hardening of the heart will come in. God will harden his heart and make it impossible for him to repent and receive the Lord Jesus Christ. Likewise friends, if God moves you to do something good, do not harden your hearts anymore.
On Sunday, I heard a very shocking and sad news from a friend. After the news, I felt very troubled. Miraculously, God's messenger speaks to me about loving one another as Christ love the church. I started tearing in my heart, I know that God wants me to do something for brethren. I decided to yield to the Lord's calling. I don't know how it can be accomplished, but I know that by God's strength and enabling, I will be able to do it.
On Monday, I received a news that I was able to get the ticket for this Friday fireworks festival. Actually, i was too late when I want to get the tickets. At the last minute, one person cannot go so I took the ticket. I couldn't believe that God is so good to me and answer my simple prayer to allow me to go to the festival.
On Tuesday, I was so forgetful that I nearly lost my handphone. At 19:26; Bedok MRT Station, I make a public phone call to my phone. The phone rang for a long time but nobody picks up the phone. In my mind I was thinking, “This is the end, I am going to lose my phone again!” At 19:41, I decided to make a call again. This time, it is a lady who picks up the phone. She told me to meet her at Yishun. At 20:44, I stop at Yishun MRT to make a call again. Thank God that a kind soul borrowed her phone to me. I followed her instructions to take bus service 811 from Yishun interchange and stopped at the 3rd bus stop. I was frantically looking for a public phone but couldn't find any. In desperation, I approached two person to borrow their phone to me but they declined my request. At 20:58, I approached the 3rd person; which is a lady issuing traffic offence notice. I called my phone again and finally got back my phone from a guy.
I am sure this few days are the most blessed days that I have encountered this year. All praise and glory unto God on high!
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Thank God for pay increment!
I am greatful to God that I got a higher increment this year. This job is not very stressful and I can meet with students almost everyday. There will be opportunities to share God's Word. Praise the Lord!
Thank God for sharing the gospel with a friend
Yesterday, I thought of sending an sms to a friend. It is my prayer that this person will come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ soon. Thank God that I share the gospel of Jesus Christ with this friend. I sms this chinese poem below hoping that this person will acknowledge the LORD soon! All praise to God on high!
知心良友不已找，
金玉良言不可少，
费尽心思献良友，
只为博得红颜笑，
不求是否有回报，
只求红颜蒙主恩，
尽早信主得永生，
是我生命大乐事！
Friday, July 27, 2007
Yet another sharing of God's goodness in my life!
When I was at a young age, I heard that my father's godmother was admitted to the hospital for an operation. After that, she recuperates in the ancestral worship place near Pasir Panjang area. We went to visited her quite often after the operation. One day as I was walking around the vicinity, I saw that the apartment next door had a swing. There is a low wall that I can climb over to the swing. I decided to play the swing so I climbed over it often. One day while I was on the swing, an angel like lady walk to me and shared the Christian gospel to me. Not knowing why, after some talk with her, she prayed the sinner’s prayer with me. Salvation is by God’s gift; meaning when God calls you to believe in Him, you will not resist. You will eventually believe if you belong to God. After that, I started to attend church for some time. After some time, I stopped going to church because of parental objection and also that I myself did not have at strong urge to attend church.
However, God was good. He remembers me after so many years. After my ‘O’ Level in my new house; which is my current house, I was staying at home doing something. A lady came and asks me whether I want to attend a church camp. At first, I did not want to. However, my mum finds that I am too quiet and it is not good to always stay at home so she persuaded me to go with this neighbour of mine. Her name is Miriam and she is still in my church now. In the end, I followed her to the church camp. That year, she is the camp mistress; the person in charge of the whole camp. It was there that I heard the gospel the second time. Again, God touch my heart again. I even decided to baptise with Shuhui and Amos. It was at that camp that I met up with two of them. At that time, they are still at young as me. They are not a couple yet. In God’s timing, I started to attend church from then on. As I have told you, I always failed my English in my secondary school, passing it in ‘O’ level, to me is a miracle. I believe God is the one who make it possible.
After a few years, I backslided and did not go to church. However God is good, he sent people to encourage me with cards and visitation. In the end, God bring me back again. My turning point is when I am in the National Service (NS). As I have shared with you the difficulties that I went through, I pray everyday for God to give me strength to go through all the tough training. I even spend time to read the bible even though I feel tired. Why did I do that? This is because the Bible to Christian is a very powerful tool. God can encourage and speaks to you through the bible. Not literally speak to you but what I mean is that the verses that I read will give me comfort and direct my steps in my life. I draw strength from the Bible to endure the hard training in my army days. It is also at this time, my faith in God increase tremendously.
Some time after my NS, I decided to pursue music. God had sent a person, in another church that I have been attending on Sunday morning to teach me. She is a very patient teacher and it was that teacher who had helped me in getting distinction in my Grade 5 practical piano exams. If it were not for God that had made me believe in Him, I would not have known this teacher in church. Well, you might be saying that it is because I am practising hard enough and I have the talent to do it. Let me ask you. I did not even take the lower grades exam; I jumped straight to grade 5. What probability that you think such a person, without the lower grades foundation, can get a distinction in a piano exam? The possibility is very low; I even struggled when I started to learn the pieces. Who make all these things happen? I would attribute all these to God.
After some time, that piano teacher finds that I should get a better piano teacher so I stopped attending her lessons. I prayed very hard to get a Christian piano teacher because I was thinking of serving in the church as a pianist then. I hope to train up for it and even lead in training the choir some day. After I prayed for sometime, aunty Mee Mee, our church pianist got a contact for me. She is my current piano teacher. She had studied degree in piano and church hymns playing overseas. Again God sent another wonderful teacher. She is the teacher who teaches me song composing in Grade 5 theory exam. She also gives me lots of exercise so that I can be prepared for the exams that I took last year. I agree that I myself have to play a part in doing the practice papers. How often can a person that did not take the lower grades theory exam, and jumps straight to grade 5 theory exams can get a distinction? The possibility is very low, as I have shared that the song composing part and other parts like musical terms are not easy to get full marks unless you memorise very thoroughly. I think if you are taking it yourself you will know that it is not easy to obtain distinction not to mention full marks.
How about my life? How has God changed my life? I am actually a very quiet person. When I just came to the church, I don’t usually talk to people, I always wait for people to talk to me first. Even if I talk, I will only say a few words. Some people may find that I am trying to act cool. I am not because I just find that I don’t really know what to talk about and I am not really interested about other people’s business. However, God had changed me. I find that I cannot remain silent as before. I have to talk to people, encourage people, share concern and pray for people. God did not call me to be silence but to witness for Him, to tell people how He has been so good to me.
However, God was good. He remembers me after so many years. After my ‘O’ Level in my new house; which is my current house, I was staying at home doing something. A lady came and asks me whether I want to attend a church camp. At first, I did not want to. However, my mum finds that I am too quiet and it is not good to always stay at home so she persuaded me to go with this neighbour of mine. Her name is Miriam and she is still in my church now. In the end, I followed her to the church camp. That year, she is the camp mistress; the person in charge of the whole camp. It was there that I heard the gospel the second time. Again, God touch my heart again. I even decided to baptise with Shuhui and Amos. It was at that camp that I met up with two of them. At that time, they are still at young as me. They are not a couple yet. In God’s timing, I started to attend church from then on. As I have told you, I always failed my English in my secondary school, passing it in ‘O’ level, to me is a miracle. I believe God is the one who make it possible.
After a few years, I backslided and did not go to church. However God is good, he sent people to encourage me with cards and visitation. In the end, God bring me back again. My turning point is when I am in the National Service (NS). As I have shared with you the difficulties that I went through, I pray everyday for God to give me strength to go through all the tough training. I even spend time to read the bible even though I feel tired. Why did I do that? This is because the Bible to Christian is a very powerful tool. God can encourage and speaks to you through the bible. Not literally speak to you but what I mean is that the verses that I read will give me comfort and direct my steps in my life. I draw strength from the Bible to endure the hard training in my army days. It is also at this time, my faith in God increase tremendously.
Some time after my NS, I decided to pursue music. God had sent a person, in another church that I have been attending on Sunday morning to teach me. She is a very patient teacher and it was that teacher who had helped me in getting distinction in my Grade 5 practical piano exams. If it were not for God that had made me believe in Him, I would not have known this teacher in church. Well, you might be saying that it is because I am practising hard enough and I have the talent to do it. Let me ask you. I did not even take the lower grades exam; I jumped straight to grade 5. What probability that you think such a person, without the lower grades foundation, can get a distinction in a piano exam? The possibility is very low; I even struggled when I started to learn the pieces. Who make all these things happen? I would attribute all these to God.
After some time, that piano teacher finds that I should get a better piano teacher so I stopped attending her lessons. I prayed very hard to get a Christian piano teacher because I was thinking of serving in the church as a pianist then. I hope to train up for it and even lead in training the choir some day. After I prayed for sometime, aunty Mee Mee, our church pianist got a contact for me. She is my current piano teacher. She had studied degree in piano and church hymns playing overseas. Again God sent another wonderful teacher. She is the teacher who teaches me song composing in Grade 5 theory exam. She also gives me lots of exercise so that I can be prepared for the exams that I took last year. I agree that I myself have to play a part in doing the practice papers. How often can a person that did not take the lower grades theory exam, and jumps straight to grade 5 theory exams can get a distinction? The possibility is very low, as I have shared that the song composing part and other parts like musical terms are not easy to get full marks unless you memorise very thoroughly. I think if you are taking it yourself you will know that it is not easy to obtain distinction not to mention full marks.
How about my life? How has God changed my life? I am actually a very quiet person. When I just came to the church, I don’t usually talk to people, I always wait for people to talk to me first. Even if I talk, I will only say a few words. Some people may find that I am trying to act cool. I am not because I just find that I don’t really know what to talk about and I am not really interested about other people’s business. However, God had changed me. I find that I cannot remain silent as before. I have to talk to people, encourage people, share concern and pray for people. God did not call me to be silence but to witness for Him, to tell people how He has been so good to me.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Thank God for a friend who agrees to attend Youth Camp
There is a friend that I have been working on for a few years. Thank God, that now he is more open up to Christian teachings. He agrees to go to the coming Youth Camp. Pray that God will touch his heart of stone through this camp.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Thank God for my niece growing cute and healthy
One month after she came into this world, this is my niece!
Monday, May 14, 2007
Thank God for my sister smooth delivery
Thank God for my sister's smooth delivery of my niece Mayvia. At first, my sister was a bit worried because the baby vomited the milk that the nurse fed her. Thank God, that after two days, she accepted the milk. Isn't she cute:)
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Thank God for Monday FEBC Night Class on Calvin's Institutes I
Thank God for yet another opportunity to study His Words. His Words are like a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Even though I came after work every Monday evening, I felt very blessed to study God's Word with like-minded brethren. It is like a foretaste of heaven and I would not miss this opportunity to receive God's blessing. Moreover in heaven, we will be praising and worshiping God all the time. Nothing is more blessed than learning more about God and storing up treasures in heaven!
The first lesson already captured my attention and heart. The motto of John Calvin was displayed in his logo in Latin “Prompte et sincere in opera Domin” which means “Promptly and sincerely in the work of the Lord”. His motto really challenge my heart to be on fire for the Lord. We are now in the end times, therefore we do not have much time to work. We should be actively serving the Lord in this apostate period. Near to the last few pages of the book “A Glimpse of the Life and Works of John Calvin” that I have read for the assignment, there is something interesting to be noted. It is written that Calvin's initial is J.C., which is the same as Jesus Christ.
He wrote the Institutes, firstly, is to present it to layman people in a simple and a clear manner so that the basics of Christian faith can be taught and reach out to the people. Secondly, he wrote it to defend the Christian faith. He nearly lost His life for it! Thank God that he wrote this Institute and that it is still applicable till today. Truly he was like Christ in the manner that his life and teaching still serve as an example and learning aid for us. He being dead yet speaketh; which is in a way similar to Christ. Certainly, we can learn a lot more from this person that had laboured fervently for the Lord.
Truly, the study of Theology is much more superior than any other form of worldly wisdom. The study of Philosophy is really “Foolosophy”; it is not able to change a dead man to be alive in Christ. The knowledge of God is born in us. Our mind is corrupted by sin so we cannot define and describe God. It is our sinful nature that blind us, therefore we can only see God if He himself open our spiritual eyes. Thank God that God has opened my spiritual eyes and I pray that I can submit more to His Will rather than my own will. The love for God also ought to make me share more of my faith to other people.
One practical lesson that I learn about sharing the Gospel is that I ought to redirect the questions post from the opposite party back to the acknowledgement of sin. Once they received Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour, all their questions will be answered!
If there is a choice for Man to choose between God and the devil, Man will choose devil. Thank God that it is He who chose me before the foundation of the world and not I choose Him. The doctrine of election will lead me to immense gratefulness to the Lord and to have a more willing heart to obey the commandments. He could have not chosen me but He is so merciful and loving towards me. This magnitude of His eternal grace I cannot repay Him; the least that I can do is to serve Him faithfully all the days of my life.
The knowledge of providence of God in governing this world is a great comfort to me. He knows even the minuet details like how many strains of hair that I have! Without Him in control of everything, I may be injured or died in certain occasions. Sometimes when we are depressed, we may feel that if God is in control why are bad things happening to us. The understanding of this doctrine helps me to put more trust in Him when trouble comes. His special providence protects believers from harm and danger. Therefore, I ought to thank God for everything. In His general providence and common grace, God withhold evil to prevail. If He will not withhold evil in this world, I may not be able to live in this sin cursed world. The doctrine of providence also teaches, firstly, gratitude in prosperity. Secondly, reminded us to have the patience in adversity and finally the hope of wonderful security with respect to the future.
Some people like to correct the scriptures using textual criticism. However, it is the bible who approve us and not we approve the Bible. Certain people do not believe or understand the bible. I thank God that I can believe and understand the bible as the very Word of God. Certain people feel that the King James Version Bible is very difficult to understand. I can testify that it is not so because my English is very poor. When I was a new Christian, I may have found that the Bible is difficult to understand. That is because at that time, God have not given me the wisdom and the spiritual eyes to understand difficult truth. However as I grow in the faith, God gives me the godly wisdom to understand spiritual meat. Thank God for this grace that I am able to know Him better and in that it increases my faith. True faith is an enduring, overcoming, persevering and genuine faith. I pray that I will end the Christian race well. I am able to understand the bible and the messages that was constantly preached to me is sorely by God's given grace. I pray that I will love God's Word more and more and to live out His Words. Now I can truly echo “Psa 19:7-8 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
The bible is written down as public records and preserve for us through the ages, so that we can enjoy the true light of religion. The fulfilment of prophecies in the bible also serve as a warning and light to us so that we can take heed and to be more assured of our faith. Thank God that the bible and the church is indestructible so that believers will never be lost. True doctrine and truth will unites the church and love will divides us from unbelievers. Thank God that the bible is now completed and both Old Testament and New Testament points to Christ. We have a fuller picture now compared to the Old Testament saints. Thank God that because of the new covenant, we do not need the animal bloody sacrifice all the time. We can pray to God directly for the forgiveness of sins through Christ. There is less ritual to perform and that we only kept the Sabbath day. One new Theological truth that I have learnt is that God magnify His Words more than His name. In some countries, the bible is very rare and precious. Therefore, I ought to love and treasure the bible more.
The understanding of soul, spirit and body helps me to understand what is the difference between animal and Man. The soul and spirit is used synonymously. Human soul is a spiritual soul, we are able to worship God, reason and invent things. However, animal soul has no immortality; it will destroy once it dies.
God's action in the judicial hardening of the heart also serves as a warning to me. Those people who constantly reject or even make fun of God will face this terrible judgement from God. The frightening thing about this judgement is that there is no way of turning back to God. In a way, I feel quite scary as I pondered on this doctrine. May God keep me in the faith and that I will not come into this situation.
Human reasoning, will or sense is corrupted by sin. I learnt that we are not able to reason with God regarding sin. We are sinful, wretched people. It is only when we acknowledge our sins, acknowledging that we are nothing but dust before Him, then only can we obtain Godly wisdom and true light. The Lord show mercy to us, therefore our response is to live for Him. If God convicts us of our sins, I ought not to find excuses to ignore His Words else He will chastened me to bring me back to Him.
Thank God that we cannot fall out of God's salvation. Once God save us, He will save us to the uttermost. No one is able to pluck us out of God's almighty hand. Therefore, we can be assured of our salvation if we believe in Him. The fact that we are able to do good is because of God's grace. He gives us the ability to do good. All merits that we did belong to Him alone. If our salvation garment requires us to put one stitch of merits or works in order to complete it, our faith is gone. We are all man most miserable. Thank God that He had fulfilled all righteousness by dying on the cross of calvary to be the propitiation of our sins. He appeased God's wrath. When He says it is finished, that settles it. Do not try to add anything to our salvation to bring down God's glory.
Thank God that He has preserved the law of Moses for us. Firstly, the Moral Law function as a sword to slay me of my sin and condemns me of my guilt. Secondly, it functions as a rod to lead and guide me to the path of righteousness. And lastly, it functions as a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. My love for God should make me obey his commandments rather than fearing Him. Now I understand why human still have the conscience in our heart when we did something wrong. The reason is that the law is written in our hearts. Only the divine law can convicts and converts our heart because it shows God's holiness. The divine law is also more superior than the human laws because God deals with the heart condition. All sins start from the mind and heart, our heart is desperately wicked to sin. Man's response towards the law should be faith, love and obedience towards God. Human law only make good citizens but the divine law make good people.
Finally, Christ as my Prophet, Priest and King, the end of all prophecies, had fulfilled the task of purging away my sins and sit down at the right hand throne of God interceding for me. His love for me is depicted in one of my favourite hymns “The Love of God”. Truly, God's magnitude of love can also be seen in how He forgives my sin:
“Psa 103:12-13 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
All glory be unto Him. I am looking forward for the next semester of studying God's Word again if God willing!
The first lesson already captured my attention and heart. The motto of John Calvin was displayed in his logo in Latin “Prompte et sincere in opera Domin” which means “Promptly and sincerely in the work of the Lord”. His motto really challenge my heart to be on fire for the Lord. We are now in the end times, therefore we do not have much time to work. We should be actively serving the Lord in this apostate period. Near to the last few pages of the book “A Glimpse of the Life and Works of John Calvin” that I have read for the assignment, there is something interesting to be noted. It is written that Calvin's initial is J.C., which is the same as Jesus Christ.
He wrote the Institutes, firstly, is to present it to layman people in a simple and a clear manner so that the basics of Christian faith can be taught and reach out to the people. Secondly, he wrote it to defend the Christian faith. He nearly lost His life for it! Thank God that he wrote this Institute and that it is still applicable till today. Truly he was like Christ in the manner that his life and teaching still serve as an example and learning aid for us. He being dead yet speaketh; which is in a way similar to Christ. Certainly, we can learn a lot more from this person that had laboured fervently for the Lord.
Truly, the study of Theology is much more superior than any other form of worldly wisdom. The study of Philosophy is really “Foolosophy”; it is not able to change a dead man to be alive in Christ. The knowledge of God is born in us. Our mind is corrupted by sin so we cannot define and describe God. It is our sinful nature that blind us, therefore we can only see God if He himself open our spiritual eyes. Thank God that God has opened my spiritual eyes and I pray that I can submit more to His Will rather than my own will. The love for God also ought to make me share more of my faith to other people.
One practical lesson that I learn about sharing the Gospel is that I ought to redirect the questions post from the opposite party back to the acknowledgement of sin. Once they received Christ as their personal Lord and Saviour, all their questions will be answered!
If there is a choice for Man to choose between God and the devil, Man will choose devil. Thank God that it is He who chose me before the foundation of the world and not I choose Him. The doctrine of election will lead me to immense gratefulness to the Lord and to have a more willing heart to obey the commandments. He could have not chosen me but He is so merciful and loving towards me. This magnitude of His eternal grace I cannot repay Him; the least that I can do is to serve Him faithfully all the days of my life.
The knowledge of providence of God in governing this world is a great comfort to me. He knows even the minuet details like how many strains of hair that I have! Without Him in control of everything, I may be injured or died in certain occasions. Sometimes when we are depressed, we may feel that if God is in control why are bad things happening to us. The understanding of this doctrine helps me to put more trust in Him when trouble comes. His special providence protects believers from harm and danger. Therefore, I ought to thank God for everything. In His general providence and common grace, God withhold evil to prevail. If He will not withhold evil in this world, I may not be able to live in this sin cursed world. The doctrine of providence also teaches, firstly, gratitude in prosperity. Secondly, reminded us to have the patience in adversity and finally the hope of wonderful security with respect to the future.
Some people like to correct the scriptures using textual criticism. However, it is the bible who approve us and not we approve the Bible. Certain people do not believe or understand the bible. I thank God that I can believe and understand the bible as the very Word of God. Certain people feel that the King James Version Bible is very difficult to understand. I can testify that it is not so because my English is very poor. When I was a new Christian, I may have found that the Bible is difficult to understand. That is because at that time, God have not given me the wisdom and the spiritual eyes to understand difficult truth. However as I grow in the faith, God gives me the godly wisdom to understand spiritual meat. Thank God for this grace that I am able to know Him better and in that it increases my faith. True faith is an enduring, overcoming, persevering and genuine faith. I pray that I will end the Christian race well. I am able to understand the bible and the messages that was constantly preached to me is sorely by God's given grace. I pray that I will love God's Word more and more and to live out His Words. Now I can truly echo “Psa 19:7-8 The law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.”
The bible is written down as public records and preserve for us through the ages, so that we can enjoy the true light of religion. The fulfilment of prophecies in the bible also serve as a warning and light to us so that we can take heed and to be more assured of our faith. Thank God that the bible and the church is indestructible so that believers will never be lost. True doctrine and truth will unites the church and love will divides us from unbelievers. Thank God that the bible is now completed and both Old Testament and New Testament points to Christ. We have a fuller picture now compared to the Old Testament saints. Thank God that because of the new covenant, we do not need the animal bloody sacrifice all the time. We can pray to God directly for the forgiveness of sins through Christ. There is less ritual to perform and that we only kept the Sabbath day. One new Theological truth that I have learnt is that God magnify His Words more than His name. In some countries, the bible is very rare and precious. Therefore, I ought to love and treasure the bible more.
The understanding of soul, spirit and body helps me to understand what is the difference between animal and Man. The soul and spirit is used synonymously. Human soul is a spiritual soul, we are able to worship God, reason and invent things. However, animal soul has no immortality; it will destroy once it dies.
God's action in the judicial hardening of the heart also serves as a warning to me. Those people who constantly reject or even make fun of God will face this terrible judgement from God. The frightening thing about this judgement is that there is no way of turning back to God. In a way, I feel quite scary as I pondered on this doctrine. May God keep me in the faith and that I will not come into this situation.
Human reasoning, will or sense is corrupted by sin. I learnt that we are not able to reason with God regarding sin. We are sinful, wretched people. It is only when we acknowledge our sins, acknowledging that we are nothing but dust before Him, then only can we obtain Godly wisdom and true light. The Lord show mercy to us, therefore our response is to live for Him. If God convicts us of our sins, I ought not to find excuses to ignore His Words else He will chastened me to bring me back to Him.
Thank God that we cannot fall out of God's salvation. Once God save us, He will save us to the uttermost. No one is able to pluck us out of God's almighty hand. Therefore, we can be assured of our salvation if we believe in Him. The fact that we are able to do good is because of God's grace. He gives us the ability to do good. All merits that we did belong to Him alone. If our salvation garment requires us to put one stitch of merits or works in order to complete it, our faith is gone. We are all man most miserable. Thank God that He had fulfilled all righteousness by dying on the cross of calvary to be the propitiation of our sins. He appeased God's wrath. When He says it is finished, that settles it. Do not try to add anything to our salvation to bring down God's glory.
Thank God that He has preserved the law of Moses for us. Firstly, the Moral Law function as a sword to slay me of my sin and condemns me of my guilt. Secondly, it functions as a rod to lead and guide me to the path of righteousness. And lastly, it functions as a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. My love for God should make me obey his commandments rather than fearing Him. Now I understand why human still have the conscience in our heart when we did something wrong. The reason is that the law is written in our hearts. Only the divine law can convicts and converts our heart because it shows God's holiness. The divine law is also more superior than the human laws because God deals with the heart condition. All sins start from the mind and heart, our heart is desperately wicked to sin. Man's response towards the law should be faith, love and obedience towards God. Human law only make good citizens but the divine law make good people.
Finally, Christ as my Prophet, Priest and King, the end of all prophecies, had fulfilled the task of purging away my sins and sit down at the right hand throne of God interceding for me. His love for me is depicted in one of my favourite hymns “The Love of God”. Truly, God's magnitude of love can also be seen in how He forgives my sin:
“Psa 103:12-13 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.”
All glory be unto Him. I am looking forward for the next semester of studying God's Word again if God willing!
"Strictly for Hymn Appreciation Personnels Only"
“Thank You, Lord-TSMS No. 264” is the first hymn that I have come across which I love very much. It was written by D. Burgess. When I sing this song, I was like being brought back to the December church camp in 1997. The theme of the camp was “He must increase and I must decrease” I was reminded of Shuhui and a few brethren who had gathered together to sing. It was during this church camp that God brought me back to His fold. The first stanza reminded me to thank God in times of trials for the trying of my faith worketh patience-James 1:3. In the process of growing, I learn to care for brethren. The second stanza reminded me of another wonderful promise in:
1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
There is no trials that are too hard to bear. Stanza three reminded me of Romans 12:1-2 that we must present our bodies as a living sacrifice; holy and acceptable for the Lord's use. When everything is put in place, you will be able to see the final destination; that is to be with the Lord forever. The chorus also reminded me not to yield to the flesh but let the Holy Spirit take control of my life. Sometimes we cannot hear God's voice because the human flesh takes precedence over the Holy Spirit indwelling in each believer. We ought not yield to the flesh but rather quieten our spirit to listen to God's soft prompting voice.
1Corinthians 13:4-8a Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:
Psalm:103-12-13 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
“The Love of God-TSMS No. 45” reminded me of God's Agape which is written in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a and also God's forgiveness of sin in Psalm 103:12-13. Although the forgiveness of sins is not clearly shown in the hymn, I will explain why I relate these two verses together. These two portions of the scriptures speak of God's perspective of love and His display of love that can be seen in how He forgives our sins. Coincidentally, these two verses are my favourite verses and are very dear to my heart. It speaks of God's love that is so great that if anyone were to write of His love, even the ocean of ink would not be enough to finish the writing of it. Such great love really melts my heart and brings my devotion to Him, guiding me on how to show love to others and also pledging to serve Him till the end! This hymn was written by F.M. Lehman. Not only is the hymn very catchy but the lyrics are so meaningful and devotional! Two years ago, in the mission trip to Kuantan, I managed to get the Chinese lyrics for this song. The lyrics are equally meaningful.
I want to side track a bit, giving an analogy of the life of a Christian; which will bring me to the next hymn. Christian walk is like swimming against the current. No one else in our church can experience that more than me because of the National Service vocation that I have gone through in two-and-a-half years. Swimming countless 2km almost every week in the sea swim during my trainee days makes me feel and realise that if I am not swimming fast enough and using the correct techniques with my fins; I will be swept away by the current. All your efforts that you have tried to propel forward will be in vain. Likewise in our Christian walk, you have to be quick enough to realise your sins or even backsliding before it is too late. However realising it is not enough; what you need is the Word of God and prayer (correct techniques) that will propel you forward in your Christian life. Therefore your Christian life is not stagnant but dynamic. You will not stay at the same spot all the time. You either backslide or you will increase in the knowledge of God.
However in the process of seeking God's knowledge and wisdom, we may be discouraged, spiritually down and lose our focus in our day-to-day responsibilities or even our service in Church. These problems are like the opposing current that you need to swim against. Therefore I need the hymn “Turn your eyes upon Jesus-TSMS No. 405/RHC No. 284” to remind me to focus on Christ alone and to read His Word daily. This hymn was written by Helen H. Lemmel. God had called us out of darkness into His marvellous light -1 Peter 2:9. In our difficulties, if we focus on the one and only true light; our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, our life will be more abundant and free. In the second stanza, he had conquered death, absent from the body and to be present with the Lord - 2 Corinthians 5:8. Sins no more have dominion over us. Third stanza gives the assurance that his Word shall not fail. Believe in his Word when trouble comes and share the gospel to fulfil the great commission.
Lastly, the hymn “For All My Sin-TSMS No. 175” reminded me of Christ dying on the cross for my sins. This hymn was written by Norman J. Clayton. It contains words of love and devotional lyrics that touch my heart. The high point of this hymn is at the last part of the chorus. “... His love can never decline and He loves me.” makes me feel good when I sing it. It is like proclaiming God's love that will never decline and that He will love me forever. This hymn also reminded me of my worthlessness as a sinner, saved only by the grace of God who died for me on the cross. This is the hymn that I hope to sing during the Lord's Supper to remind myself of God's Agape. It is a very reflective hymn that speaks of Christ’s passive obedience on the cross. Passive obedience speaks of Christ's sufferings on the cross in obedience to the Will of God the Father.
There are still a lot of hymns and choruses that I like. However, the above mentioned are the few which I love most. Hope that as you sing hymns and choruses, you do notice the words as they may suddenly pop up in your mind when trials or temptations come. One thing that I heard from Elder Seah that really encourages me is that he and his wife memorise the lyrics in the hymns so that they can sing to people as they evangelise to them. Music is next to Theology. I truly believe and can experience that. When you come to a point of time when you cannot have a bible with you, the memory verses that you have remembered and the hymns and choruses that you have memorised seem so very precious! I believe that there will be a time of great persecution where bibles will be scare. This is when the hymns that you and I have learnt and memorised come into great use. May the hymns of praise that we sing be as a sweet savour sacrifice unto God. Praise ye the Lord! Amen!
Psa 33:2-3 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
1Corinthians 10:13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
There is no trials that are too hard to bear. Stanza three reminded me of Romans 12:1-2 that we must present our bodies as a living sacrifice; holy and acceptable for the Lord's use. When everything is put in place, you will be able to see the final destination; that is to be with the Lord forever. The chorus also reminded me not to yield to the flesh but let the Holy Spirit take control of my life. Sometimes we cannot hear God's voice because the human flesh takes precedence over the Holy Spirit indwelling in each believer. We ought not yield to the flesh but rather quieten our spirit to listen to God's soft prompting voice.
1Corinthians 13:4-8a Charity suffereth long, and is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up, Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil; Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth; Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. Charity never faileth:
Psalm:103-12-13 As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him.
“The Love of God-TSMS No. 45” reminded me of God's Agape which is written in 1 Corinthians 13:4-8a and also God's forgiveness of sin in Psalm 103:12-13. Although the forgiveness of sins is not clearly shown in the hymn, I will explain why I relate these two verses together. These two portions of the scriptures speak of God's perspective of love and His display of love that can be seen in how He forgives our sins. Coincidentally, these two verses are my favourite verses and are very dear to my heart. It speaks of God's love that is so great that if anyone were to write of His love, even the ocean of ink would not be enough to finish the writing of it. Such great love really melts my heart and brings my devotion to Him, guiding me on how to show love to others and also pledging to serve Him till the end! This hymn was written by F.M. Lehman. Not only is the hymn very catchy but the lyrics are so meaningful and devotional! Two years ago, in the mission trip to Kuantan, I managed to get the Chinese lyrics for this song. The lyrics are equally meaningful.
I want to side track a bit, giving an analogy of the life of a Christian; which will bring me to the next hymn. Christian walk is like swimming against the current. No one else in our church can experience that more than me because of the National Service vocation that I have gone through in two-and-a-half years. Swimming countless 2km almost every week in the sea swim during my trainee days makes me feel and realise that if I am not swimming fast enough and using the correct techniques with my fins; I will be swept away by the current. All your efforts that you have tried to propel forward will be in vain. Likewise in our Christian walk, you have to be quick enough to realise your sins or even backsliding before it is too late. However realising it is not enough; what you need is the Word of God and prayer (correct techniques) that will propel you forward in your Christian life. Therefore your Christian life is not stagnant but dynamic. You will not stay at the same spot all the time. You either backslide or you will increase in the knowledge of God.
However in the process of seeking God's knowledge and wisdom, we may be discouraged, spiritually down and lose our focus in our day-to-day responsibilities or even our service in Church. These problems are like the opposing current that you need to swim against. Therefore I need the hymn “Turn your eyes upon Jesus-TSMS No. 405/RHC No. 284” to remind me to focus on Christ alone and to read His Word daily. This hymn was written by Helen H. Lemmel. God had called us out of darkness into His marvellous light -1 Peter 2:9. In our difficulties, if we focus on the one and only true light; our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, our life will be more abundant and free. In the second stanza, he had conquered death, absent from the body and to be present with the Lord - 2 Corinthians 5:8. Sins no more have dominion over us. Third stanza gives the assurance that his Word shall not fail. Believe in his Word when trouble comes and share the gospel to fulfil the great commission.
Lastly, the hymn “For All My Sin-TSMS No. 175” reminded me of Christ dying on the cross for my sins. This hymn was written by Norman J. Clayton. It contains words of love and devotional lyrics that touch my heart. The high point of this hymn is at the last part of the chorus. “... His love can never decline and He loves me.” makes me feel good when I sing it. It is like proclaiming God's love that will never decline and that He will love me forever. This hymn also reminded me of my worthlessness as a sinner, saved only by the grace of God who died for me on the cross. This is the hymn that I hope to sing during the Lord's Supper to remind myself of God's Agape. It is a very reflective hymn that speaks of Christ’s passive obedience on the cross. Passive obedience speaks of Christ's sufferings on the cross in obedience to the Will of God the Father.
There are still a lot of hymns and choruses that I like. However, the above mentioned are the few which I love most. Hope that as you sing hymns and choruses, you do notice the words as they may suddenly pop up in your mind when trials or temptations come. One thing that I heard from Elder Seah that really encourages me is that he and his wife memorise the lyrics in the hymns so that they can sing to people as they evangelise to them. Music is next to Theology. I truly believe and can experience that. When you come to a point of time when you cannot have a bible with you, the memory verses that you have remembered and the hymns and choruses that you have memorised seem so very precious! I believe that there will be a time of great persecution where bibles will be scare. This is when the hymns that you and I have learnt and memorised come into great use. May the hymns of praise that we sing be as a sweet savour sacrifice unto God. Praise ye the Lord! Amen!
Psa 33:2-3 Praise the LORD with harp: sing unto him with the psaltery and an instrument of ten strings. Sing unto him a new song; play skilfully with a loud noise.
Does listening to worldly Music harmful to a Christian?
I am a music lover. By now, everybody should know that. However, do you know which are the hymns and choruses that are close to my heart and why I like them? In this short sharing, I will tell you a little bit more and why I love them in a personal way. I strongly recommend that you have the Revival Hymns and Choruses (RHC) and Then Sings my Soul (TSMS) song books with you as you continue reading.
Before I start, I want to address one problem that we may have but we just choose to ignore it. That is the problem of listening to worldly songs. In my sharing, I will not comment on Charismatic Songs or Hill Songs as they are not so serious. Well, how do we define worldly songs? Worldly songs are tunes and lyrics that contain the philosophy of the world. Some of us will argue that “Come on la, it is OK! I WILL NOT be affected by the lyrics! I KNOW MY LIMITS! I CAN CONTROL myself!” Notice the words in BOLD. I have a few questions to post to you:
1)Are you really sure that it is OK? What happens when the Lord suddenly returns, will He be pleased with what you are listening to? (it is OK)
2)How many times have you sung these songs knowingly or unknowingly? (WILL NOT be affected)
3)Do you feel like dancing to the tempo of the music sometimes? (KNOW MY LIMITS)
4)Do you watch pop concert, Singapore Idol, American Idol or Superstar on television and waste such precious time when you can read a christian book or the Bible? (CAN CONTROL myself)
Dear brethren, stop deceiving yourself! I have been through all that! In your sub-conscious mind, you are already affected. You will discuss what you hear with your friends. You will sing the songs unknowingly when you pass by a shopping centre playing the song. You will satisfy your flesh and feel good about the worldly songs. You will think that watching concert is just a form of relaxation. It is written in 1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” and in 1 Peter 1:16 “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” and in Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” and in 1Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” If you know that it is going to affect you, why put yourself to such a test?
Well I have said enough, godly advice given but the decision lies with you. Thank God that I have decided to stop listening to Chinese Pop Music 93.3 FM and have switched to Classical Music 92.7 FM instead. I decided to put a stop and I do not want to deceive myself. It is my sincere plead that you will stop listening to such music if you are still doing so. Thank God that this decision has greatly improved my appreciation of sacred music. Now I tend to avoid such worldly music so as not to be affected by it. Thank God also that I can appreciate hymns and choruses better as I practise playing them on my piano.
Before I start, I want to address one problem that we may have but we just choose to ignore it. That is the problem of listening to worldly songs. In my sharing, I will not comment on Charismatic Songs or Hill Songs as they are not so serious. Well, how do we define worldly songs? Worldly songs are tunes and lyrics that contain the philosophy of the world. Some of us will argue that “Come on la, it is OK! I WILL NOT be affected by the lyrics! I KNOW MY LIMITS! I CAN CONTROL myself!” Notice the words in BOLD. I have a few questions to post to you:
1)Are you really sure that it is OK? What happens when the Lord suddenly returns, will He be pleased with what you are listening to? (it is OK)
2)How many times have you sung these songs knowingly or unknowingly? (WILL NOT be affected)
3)Do you feel like dancing to the tempo of the music sometimes? (KNOW MY LIMITS)
4)Do you watch pop concert, Singapore Idol, American Idol or Superstar on television and waste such precious time when you can read a christian book or the Bible? (CAN CONTROL myself)
Dear brethren, stop deceiving yourself! I have been through all that! In your sub-conscious mind, you are already affected. You will discuss what you hear with your friends. You will sing the songs unknowingly when you pass by a shopping centre playing the song. You will satisfy your flesh and feel good about the worldly songs. You will think that watching concert is just a form of relaxation. It is written in 1 Corinthians 3:16 “Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” and in 1 Peter 1:16 “Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.” and in Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.” and in 1Corinthians 10:23 “All things are lawful for me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but all things edify not.” If you know that it is going to affect you, why put yourself to such a test?
Well I have said enough, godly advice given but the decision lies with you. Thank God that I have decided to stop listening to Chinese Pop Music 93.3 FM and have switched to Classical Music 92.7 FM instead. I decided to put a stop and I do not want to deceive myself. It is my sincere plead that you will stop listening to such music if you are still doing so. Thank God that this decision has greatly improved my appreciation of sacred music. Now I tend to avoid such worldly music so as not to be affected by it. Thank God also that I can appreciate hymns and choruses better as I practise playing them on my piano.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Thank God for peace in my mind
Thank God that one of my students that I have accidentally offended is no longer angry with me. It really gives me a peace of mind.
Friday, January 12, 2007
Thank God for extremely good exam results
All glory be unto God! Today, I just checked my Grade 5 Theory exams online. To my surprise, I got the full marks 100 for my Theory exams. I couldn't believe it! Why do I say that?
The song composing part in the Grade 5 Theory Exam is quite subjective; just like Art. It is quite impossible to obtain a full mark at that section. I only pray for distinction but the Lord granted me exceedingly more than what I have asked for! My heart is overjoyed and I can't wait to share the good news with everyone. The Lord never fall short in His blessing for me. Even though, on Monday I received a bad news that my father may be contracted cancer or infection of the nose, the Lord gives me the peace in my heart. I was reminded not to worry about the things that has not yet happened. Pray that in 2 weeks time, the results out will be favourable.
The song composing part in the Grade 5 Theory Exam is quite subjective; just like Art. It is quite impossible to obtain a full mark at that section. I only pray for distinction but the Lord granted me exceedingly more than what I have asked for! My heart is overjoyed and I can't wait to share the good news with everyone. The Lord never fall short in His blessing for me. Even though, on Monday I received a bad news that my father may be contracted cancer or infection of the nose, the Lord gives me the peace in my heart. I was reminded not to worry about the things that has not yet happened. Pray that in 2 weeks time, the results out will be favourable.
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Thank God for year 2006
As I look back at 2006, below were the items that I want to Thank God for:
1) Helping me to improve in my piano as I serve Him in this area.
2) Giving me the grace to complete the two semesters of studying "The Life of Christ" in FEBC.
3) Giving me the strength and the wisdom in my work as there are more teaching and competitions to handle.
4) His merciful hands that have moved quite a number of my students to come to church and other church activities.
5) Helping me in leading one soul to say the "Sinner's Prayer".
6) Sending a video specialist to help me in the School Video Award this year.
7) Good HOD IT that is not so demanding.
8) Joy and grace in service; especially as a Church Pianist.
9) Consistency in attending Church prayer and fellowship meetings.
10) Helping me in the preparation for my Grade 5 Theory Exams.
11) Getting a Christian piano teacher where my piano skills can be improved.
12) God's messages heard in Camps and worship service that keep me close to Him and not departing from the faith.
13) Being able to teach my students piano.
14) Caring mother that cooks for me frequently.
15) Good Christian colleagues at work.
16) Good health and that I did not take any sick leave this year.
17) Contentment in the things that God has given me.
18) Being able to serve in the Church Camp as Assistant Camp Master and Leader.
19) Being able to serve in the Mission Field at Kuantan and Kemaman and also to share God's Word in Chinese for the very first time. God's grace in able to play the piano in the worship service there.
20) Getting the Majesty Hymns as a gift from a sister-in-Christ.
21) Not losing my handphone as I am a careless person.
22) Having the money and to buy things that I want.
23) Being more caring this year although I offended one person because of that.
24) Having a sprain ankle during a combine fellowship outing that reminded me to be patient for the process of recovery.
25) Many other blessings that I have missed out.
Praise the Lord! May He continued to keep me close to Him!
1) Helping me to improve in my piano as I serve Him in this area.
2) Giving me the grace to complete the two semesters of studying "The Life of Christ" in FEBC.
3) Giving me the strength and the wisdom in my work as there are more teaching and competitions to handle.
4) His merciful hands that have moved quite a number of my students to come to church and other church activities.
5) Helping me in leading one soul to say the "Sinner's Prayer".
6) Sending a video specialist to help me in the School Video Award this year.
7) Good HOD IT that is not so demanding.
8) Joy and grace in service; especially as a Church Pianist.
9) Consistency in attending Church prayer and fellowship meetings.
10) Helping me in the preparation for my Grade 5 Theory Exams.
11) Getting a Christian piano teacher where my piano skills can be improved.
12) God's messages heard in Camps and worship service that keep me close to Him and not departing from the faith.
13) Being able to teach my students piano.
14) Caring mother that cooks for me frequently.
15) Good Christian colleagues at work.
16) Good health and that I did not take any sick leave this year.
17) Contentment in the things that God has given me.
18) Being able to serve in the Church Camp as Assistant Camp Master and Leader.
19) Being able to serve in the Mission Field at Kuantan and Kemaman and also to share God's Word in Chinese for the very first time. God's grace in able to play the piano in the worship service there.
20) Getting the Majesty Hymns as a gift from a sister-in-Christ.
21) Not losing my handphone as I am a careless person.
22) Having the money and to buy things that I want.
23) Being more caring this year although I offended one person because of that.
24) Having a sprain ankle during a combine fellowship outing that reminded me to be patient for the process of recovery.
25) Many other blessings that I have missed out.
Praise the Lord! May He continued to keep me close to Him!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)