So many blessings for year 2008!

Thank God for:

1. God that is ever ready to forgive me and to lift me up even though I failed Him countless time.
2. A few Shomerim brethrens get back their relationship with God that in turn encourages my heart although some still have wrong priorities in life.
3. Church camp that helps me to understand more about Unity in church and that this time I can pay more attention to the preaching of God's Word.
4. Dr. Wee and Mrs. Wee fine example with regards to their love for souls in Kemaman BP Church encourages my heart. Thank God for meaningful mission trip.
5. Giving me the desire to read more Christian materials and bought more Christian books this year.
6. Helping me to pass my Grade 7 piano exams even though I think that I would fail (teacher felt the same thing). Did better in my music sight-reading and having a good piano teacher.
7. Attaining one of the Outstanding Educator Awards in my company. Not a very stressful job and smooth work throughout the year.

8. Being able to serve as a church pianist for God and find delights in doing so.
9. Developing closer friendship with 2 Christian colleagues and even able too attend FEBC together. We had moments of sharing that edify one another.
10. Loving mum that cooks for me regularly.
11. Parents that are relatively in good health.
12. Attending Hermeneutics class and Chinese Sunday school, hence able to understand and interprets the bible better, in turns helps me in my sharing.
13. Giving me the burden for souls in the second half of the year after attending the gospel workshop at Calvary Pandan and hence motivated me to give bibles and testimony to my close friends.
14. Sharing the gospel at church evangelism. It encourages and rejuvenates my soul. By God's grace being able to lead at least two souls to Christ and one to attend church.
15. Testing’s in my life that teach me to be more patience.
16. God's provision of a MacBook after my IBM laptop spoilt.
17. Helping me to recover my HP a few times even though I left it laying around.
18. A Christian friend that forgives me after I sin against her and the relationship is reconcile and rekindled back as if nothing had happened.
19. Sister can come for the Christmas Carolling at Daniel's house.
20. Having a sister like Shuhui who can listen to my problems, gives me encouragements and praying for me.
21. Brothers and sisters in church, who gives me free ride to places, be it prayer meeting, church, home or bus stop.

May God keep me closer to Him in 2009.
Amen! For the Glory of God!

Thank God for wisdom in helping me to write my testimony to my friends

Mr Dear Friends,

So many years had past. In the twinkling of an eye, we have known one another for 15 years. It is truly a long friendship. I am glad that after so many years we are still best of friends. However, I am not your friend if there is something so good in my life that I did not share with you and keep it for myself. I remember a poem that I had read, depicting a soul trapped in hell fire after physical death. It reminds me of the friends that I know. It goes like this:

See Appendix A

At first, I hope to write this letter to each one of you by hand. However, I find that it will be a very tedious process, hence pardon me that I would have to type out this long letter. I plead with you to please do read on to the end of this letter. I have a love letter to share with you all! This may be the last time you see this letter. Life is very fragile; we are just passing through this earth as a pilgrim. (James 4:14) We come into this world naked, naked shall we return to earth one day. (Job 1:21) We may die any time soon. Don’t think that you are still young cause death will strike in no respect of persons. We will not be able to bring anything with us after we die. Many of us can only see and believe in the physical things in this world because they are tangible and real. However, not many of us can see the spiritual realm and the things that is eternal, that last forever, which is invisible to the eye.

Throughout the years I can assure and testify to you that Christianity is real. It is not just a religion that teaches people to do good. It is not just something people seek to sooth their conscience when they feel bad that they had done something wrong. It is not just superstitious or a blind faith. (My parents or love ones believe, so I follow) It is a logical faith because things happening around this world are explained in the Bible. Problems around the world can find their answers in the Bible. Bible prophecies (Matthew 24:3-44) are fulfilled in our very eyes. You must be thinking now, “Come on la, you want to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ to me right?” Indeed that is my intention but what is more important is that I want to share with you my testimony and also the reason why I believe that there is only one God who can save mankind.
When I was young, I saw people offered incense and offering food to ‘gods’. I don’t understand the reason. In fact, nowadays many people don’t know why also. They just followed the traditions. They believed that God would bless them if they do so. During the hungry ghost festival, if you don’t do that, you will receive curse or something bad might happen to you. What kind of ‘god’ is that if it needs offering to ‘feed’ on it? This kind of ‘god’ only instils fear in man! Sometimes we are called to perform meaningless rituals to the dead. You should be filial or doing good to a person who he is alive, not when he is dead! What a contrary!

I am told that I need to do good to people. 好人有好报，积多点阴德，就会有好报. Is this true? Why some people is still suffering? The reason is that all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) As a matter of fact, we are all born in sin. (Psalm 51:5) Nobody teach us to lie, disobey parents and fight with siblings or friends while we were very young (2-4 year old). Unknowingly, we just pick it up on our own! Some of you will argue, “No! I pick it up on myself!” Maybe, you have not take a closer look at the children before! We are all disobedience people; sometimes we just can’t help but do something bad or tell a white lie. A white lie is still a lie! It is still sin! The Bible says that if we lust after a woman, we had already committed adultery in our heart. (Matthew 5:28) God is Holy; he demands a higher standard of obedience to Him. I had set the rules for us to follow; it is the Ten Commandments in the book of (Exodus 20:2-17). We don’t like rules set by God, we even proclaimed, “Rules are meant to be broken!” Such is our unrepentance heart! Even though sometimes people correct our mistakes, we refuse to be corrected! We all had this pride of life. (1 John 2:15-16) The result of sinning against God is death physically on Earth and spiritually death in hell and then in the lake of eternal fire. (Revelation 20:12-15) Don’t be naive to think that you can come out or reborn after that. The Bible states very clearly that there is no more 2nd chance once you are in hell!

However God is merciful, He knows that we cannot followed the standards that He had set for us so He sent His only begotten Son (God the Son), Jesus Christ to come and fulfil all His standards. (John 3:16) He came to this sinful world 2000 years ago, born by a virgin, conceived by the Holy Spirit, which is a miraculous birth. Therefore, he has no sin from birth. After he was born, he lived 33 years of sinless life, fulfilling all the requirements of the commandment and laws of God.

Why Jesus is the only way? (John 14:6) Why other religion cannot? Why is it so exclusive? First three requirements I had already shared in the previous paragraph. In case you miss it, here it is. First of all, this person must be God (John 10:30) because only God himself who can save sinners; He set the rules. Secondly, He (Word) must be 100% Man. (John 1:14) Thirdly, he must be sinless. The Bible says that He is in all points tempted to fall into sin as we are, yet without sin. (Hebrews 4:15) Fourthly, he must die for sinners and blood must be shed. (Hebrews 9:22) He loves us so much that He chooses to die on the cross for us so that His blood can cleanse our sins. (Luke 23:46) You know crucifixion is the most painful kind of death for criminals? Yet he there is nothing wrong found in Him. The Pharisees (Religious leaders proficient in the laws of God) during the time of Jesus were afraid that their position would be threatened; therefore they plot to kill Jesus together. Only the blood of Jesus can wash away our sins. (1 John 1:9) We are supposed to die eternally for our sins but Christ die for us instead! Fifthly, He must resurrect from the dead. After three days, Jesus did rise from the dead and many witnesses saw Him alive. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4) Any religion is able to fulfil all these five requirements? No! Not one is able to fulfil all these.

Talking about my life, do you think I change for the better after all these years? You all know that I failed in almost all my English papers when I was in Sec One to Four. It is a miracle that I had passed my English. Is it a miracle or by pure luck? No! I prayed that God would help me to pass my Exams! I scored a perfect score for my Music Theory Grade 5 exams. Is it by luck or my own ability? No! Music is an art, not many people is able to score a full marks for Grade 5 exams. I took only about 4 years plus to reach to Grade 8 in my piano exams. Is it by my own ability? No! God had given me the chance to serve in church as a pianist and miraculously my piano skills increase tremendously. You might think all these are just coincident. However to me they are not! I acknowledged that all these does not come from my own ability, they are all God given. How do you explain the many prayers that I prayed and God answers them one by one? (Luke 11:9) You have to believe in Jesus yourself to experience all these miracles. Some people said that I have to see the miracles then I would believe. However let me share with you, for Christianity it is that you believed first then you will see the miracles in your life. You will be granted the peace that passes all understanding from God. (Philippians 4:6)

Well so much had been shared. I had also shared the full gospel of Jesus Christ to you all and why Jesus came into this world. I have also given each of you a Bible as a Christmas gift. I hope that one-day, when you feel down or lost in your life, you will remember the things that I shared with you. There is no end to pursue riches in this world; one day when we all die, we can’t bring anything with us. The only thing that matters in your life is your soul. When you die whether you will go to heaven or hell it is your choice. Salvation is free but you have to accept Jesus as your personal Lord and Saviour. I hope that one day, you all will believe in Jesus as His judgement will come very soon. (Ezekiel 7:2-4) His first coming is to die for us; his 2nd coming is to judge sinners. No sinners can escape God’s punishment. (Book of Revelation) The Bible says that the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23) My friend I plead that you will not hesitate anymore, come and believe in Jesus before it is too late!

With the Love of Christ,


Alan Tan

**Note: Those books that are brackets like (Matthew 24:3-44) is for you all to read from the bible. The bible is not an ordinary book. It tells you your life story, better than a fortune-teller. Every time you read it, you will have a new understanding. It will never be exhausted!

Amen! May God's name be glorified!

Thank God for a soul save during evangelism

Thank God that I had witnessed to a China man named "Jiu Ren". He studied in a Christian school, when he was young in China, before the Chinese revolution. He lived in the hometown of "Mao Ze Dong". When I approached him two weeks ago during one of the evangelism session, I was suprise that he is so friendly. God had already prepared his heart. I shared with him the gospel. After that, I urged him to pray the Sinner's Prayer. He exclaimed, "When I was young, we would stand up and prayed!" Therefore, I stood up with him and prayer the Sinner's Prayer. After that, I invited him to church. He readily agreed! Thank God that on the Sunday that had just past, he did come! I prayed that he will continued to come to church and grow in the Lord. It is a joy to lead someone to Christ. Sharing the gospel is one of the armour of God. God always use evangelism session to encourage me. May God's name be glorified!

My Cute God-Daughter 1st Month

Arielle is growing healthily and she just spent her 1st month celebration happily. Thank God that she is so adorable! Certainly, she is the central of attraction on that day! Just in case I get a scolding from her aunt, I washed my hands before I carried her. A few relatives and friends must be puzzled why she had a 'young' godfather. Well, I was specially requested by the parents to be their child's godfather. I was told that if the parents were to be not around, I have the responsibility of bring up the child physically and also spritually in the fear and knowledge of the Lord. Therefore, it is a huge responsibility. Thank God for the good friendship that I had fostered with Amos and Shuhui. Hence, I enjoyed this honour to have a 'daughter' while I am still single. Tomorrow I am starting work again, how I wish the break would be longer.

Thank God for a Blessed Church Camp

Thank God for the five days of spiritual nourishment from Rev. Jack Sin. This year, I don't feel that stress even though I was approached to be one of the discussion group leader. For the previous year, I felt very stress with the roles that I had in the church camp. Thank God for giving me a clear mind to hear His Words. I also had a wonderful time visiting my friend's grandmother. Although she is already 80+, she is quite jovial and lively. She likes Zoe Tay from Mediacorp. That Monday is a very fulfilling day. I also chair in the first thematic message on Monday evening. Thank God for a wonderful time at Pulai Spring Resort!

Thank God for His Mercy and chance given to my friend

Few days before my mission trip, I saw my friend shocking blog entry. He blog that if his heart valve condition do not improve, he will only have five more years to live. The doctor is looking for possible valve replacement. This friend is another person whose birthday falls on 13th November. Yes it is another 13th November. This date is too special for me. However the sad thing is, the three souls that I know are still not saved. Life is so short on Earth, we are just pilgrims passing through this world. At the blink of your eyes, many years would have already past. Some things would seem like it had just happened yesterday.

This friend of mine is going through a lot of affliction, I really feel for him. He had stroke while he was in his youth; healthy and running. Nobody would think that he would have a stroke. He had at least three relapses of this illness. Recently, the doctor found out that he had some valve problem which will affect his heart. It makes me wonder why he had to go through so many things.

He was once furvent in church. However, he may not be His. Through the relapses, I was thinking God may be saying to him, "I am giving you another chance, repent ye sinner!" God may be giving him this last chance; only five years for you to make the decision to trust in Him. As I reflect on myself, God has indeed given us a lot of chance to repent but we just kept on sinning. Even for myself, sometimes I felt unworthy to serve Him because of the besetting sin that I have. Through this incident, I have rekindled the love for souls of man. The Lord is coming back very quickly, I must share the "Gospel-Good News" to people that I get in contact with before it is too late. May God help me!

Thank God for the mission trip (19th-21st Nov 2008)

Thank God for a safe and fruitful mission trip to Kemaman. Thank God for giving me wisdom to teach the children. After the trip, I realised that our church is very blessed compared to the church over there. They don't have a church pianist and they are lacked of Sunday School teachers. I also attended the Friday evening service. I noticed that quite a number of youths are not attending the service even though they attended the fellowship meeting in the afternoon. After a chat with one of the youths there, I realised that some felt bored, some go to Kuantan for entertainment and some just don't want to attend the service. I also came to know that the English service people are getting lesser and lesser. It is really not an easy work over there. Dr Wee and Mrs. Wee are very hospitable people; everyday we ate sumptuous food. I really admired them that for the work of the gospel, they can use their house for Vocation Bible School (VBS). During the VBS, whenever there is a break time, the children will run around the house; as if the house has turned into a mad house! Not to mention, after the children left, they have to clean up the place. Even though there is a maid who helped out, I still admired their kind act. Dr. Wee shared that they hoped that by reaching out to the children, the children can bring their parents to church. This act of sowing the gospel seed really encourages my heart! If God willing, I will be going again next year! May God preserved the church over there.

Thank God for patience

God is really training my patience this few years. He knows that I am impatient in some areas in my life. He wants me to wait patiently for His timing. I believe that His timing is the best, however it is really frustrating sometime when I think that I may be given a false hope. It is a long waiting period. As I say, I know that the Lord is training my patience. I hope that through this testing, I will emerged as a more patient person. Trusting and having faith in God is the key to win this testing. Without faith it is impossible to please God.

Isa 30:18 And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him.
Lam 3:25 The LORD is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him.

I will encourage myself with this verses. I will be blessed if I had faith in God. Yes! He feed the sparrows. How much more He will give the best to His children!

Thank God for that my friend came to church

God works in amazing ways! I had just posted a blog entry two days ago about sending an SMS to my two friends, on their birthday, reminding them to trust in Jesus. Never did I know that God will move in one of my friend's heart to attend church. I thought that this friend will not come to tabernacle church any more. God really surprise me this time! I am sure the gospel was preached on the pulpit again. I pray that their hearts will be soften and will one day really trust in the Lord. Who is the other two persons who is having birthday on the same day as this friend? Well it is my mother and Junfeng. This few days, my daily devotion is on the book of Acts. I was again reminded to proclaimed the gospel. I am leaving for mission trip in Kemaman on this Tuesday night and will be back on Saturday morning. I can see that the Lord is preparing my heart for this Vocation Bible School to share the story of Jesus to the children over there. It has been a long one year since I last taught bible stories using the Chinese language. It had become rusty now. However, I know that God will help me and give me the right words to say. My beloved brethren, if you happen to read this entry during this week, please pray for me that God will use the whole mission team effectively to proclaim the gospel. We heard that the responds over there are not very good, may God's Will be done in this matter.

13th November 2008-Thank God for a nice birthday celebration

Yo! On 13th November 2008, it is a very special day. I have two friends having their birthday on this day. Early in the morning, I sent SMS to greet them. They are still outside the kingdom of God. I reminded them to quickly believe in Jesus Christ soon. Later in the evening, I celebrated birthday with another group of people. Who are they? They are my relatives. My mother is also having the same birthday with my friends. Amazing right? We ate at Bukit Batok Swensen. Those present on that day were my 4th Aunt, her two children, my grandma, my sister and my niece. I took the opportunity to take a photo with my mum. Thank God for the celebration! Like I wrote earlier on, My greatest wish is that they will quickly come to the saving knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!

Thank God my God-daughter was born this morning

After a hard labouring process, my God-daughter Arielle finally came into this world this morning. It must have been a though process for the mother to go through the operation because the baby cannot come out the natural way. Thank God that both the baby and mother are safe now. Baby Arielle must grow up in the fear and knowledge of God to 'repay' her mother's hard work. I was reminded how mothers have to endure the painful child delivery process just to bring us into this world. Mothers are great and they sacrifice a lot for a child. Appreciate your mother and be filial to them!

Thank God that for NICA my school won 2 awards.

I had requested prayers from Shomerim and the church to pray for the National Infocomm Club Award organised by IDA this year. There are some occasions that I am asked to lie during the competition period. Thank God that I did not allowed it to happen. If I am weak, I would have fallen. Thank God that He honoured my decision and our school won two awards; Merit Award and Students' Choice Award for the project "National eGame Creation". Truly God is really good to me. This really adds to my porfolio! This year we won three ICT competition awards. All glory and honour be to God above!

Thank God for attending the gospel workshop

Thank God for the Gospel Workshop that I had attended on the Deepavali Holiday. I had learnt how to excuse the excuses when sharing the gospel with other people. This poem that I had read on that day really moved my heart to do something for my 4 close friends. Hope to share it with you all! Live a life without regrets, do something for your friend if God burden your heart. The Lord is coming very soon! I thought you were my friend.... My friend, I stand in judgment now and feel that you’re to blame somehow. While on this earth I walked with you day by day and you never did point the way. You know the Lord in truth and glory but never did you ever tell the story. My knowledge then was very dim, you could have led me safe to Him. Though we lived together here on earth, you never told me of your second birth. And now I stand this day condemned because you failed to mention Him. You taught me many things, that’s true. I called you friend and trusted you. But I learned now that it’s too late, you could have kept me from this fate. We walked by day and talked by night, and yet you showed me not the light. And you let me live, love, and die, and all the while you knew I’d never live on high. Yes, I called you friend in life and I trusted you in joy and strife. And yet in coming to this end, I see you really weren’t my friend. by D. J. Higgins

Thank God for receiving forgiveness from a friend

On last Friday morning, I did something that is really wrong. On that night, I confessed it to this friend. Thank God that my friend forgive me after 2 days of cold silence. On Sunday afternoon, I received this SMS "Apology accepted, mercy released." I am so overjoyed that both God and my friend forgive me. This is a very painful lesson for me. Never will I did such a thing again!

Thank God for a well spend day

Yesterday was Childrens' Day and Hari Raya. Instead of staying at home to "nua". I went to SKS book store with a friend. After that, we met up with another friend and we sat down at Chinatown area to have some finger food. After that, we went to Swensen to sit down to talk. The three of us shared testimony of how God worked in us in each of our lives. It was a very blessed and fruitful session. In the end, we concluded that the verse "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" has been a living verse in our life. Throughout the conversation, I was blessed and amazed with how God work in each individuals. Those who have not yet received Christ in their life will not be able to experience such wonderful encounters. I went home yesterday feeling very blessed. I was reminded of this hymn by Fanny Crosby:

To God be the glory, great things He has done;
So loved He the world that He gave us His Son,
Who yielded His life an atonement for sin,
And opened the life gate that all may go in.

Refrain

Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the earth hear His voice!
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord,
Let the people rejoice!
O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son,
And give Him the glory, great things He has done.

O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood,
To every believer the promise of God;
The vilest offender who truly believes,
That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.

Refrain

Great things He has taught us, great things He has done,
And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son;
But purer, and higher, and greater will be
Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.

Refrain

I was reminded of the great things God has done for me, how could I even delight in sin sometimes when I am tempted. Truly God, I had failed thee so many times, help me to fear thee and to keep close to thee. Amen!

Praise the Lord! God did it again.

On 27th Aug 2008, I took my Grade 7 piano exams in the afternoon. I thought I had prepared well but never did I expect that it is the worst piano exam that I had experienced. The examiner is a composer, and an expert in Choral Singing. To my horror, I played all my piano exam pieces with mistakes. I guess this time I am in trouble! That's not all, I think that I also screwed up in the aural. I don't think I answered the period the piece that was being played correctly. Thank God that the examiner was very lenient, he gave me a manageable sight reading piece. I actually did not expect a pass for this exam. After 23 days later, I checked my exam result on the ABRSM website. Since 15 days after the exam, I have been checking every week day for my result. I have been anticipating how I would react after I got my results. Thank God that He did it again. It is not how much I can do, but how He can bless me with ways that I could not expect!

Time flies really fast. I remember that I just started seriously learning the piano in 2004. In only four years time, I am now at Grade 8! This is not me but God worketh in me. He gives me opportunity to serve Him in the Chinese congregation in my church as a church pianist. Although I am not good enough to serve Him when I just started, day by day God had improved my skills amazingly! I realise that nobody is good enough to serve Him. It is only by God's grace that we can serve Him. I remember that I told people to please give me another five years before I serve God. However, God will not allowed His work to be hindered. There is a need at the Chinese congregation in the Sunday worship service. I took up the challenge with faith in God. Amazingly, I saw the mighty hand of God working in my life!

Praise God again that I got 113 for my Grade 7 piano exams! I must say that I felt overjoyed with God's blessing in me! Amen!

Thank God for good fellowship on Saturday afternoon

It has been a long time since I went to East Coast for cycling and relaxing at the seaside. The feeling is really good. What is most important is that I am dwelling among brethren of like-minded faith. We rent our bicycles for one hour and cycled around East Coast area. It is a really good break from our busy schedule from Monday to Friday. I also saw people building sand castles. They are beautiful. After that, we "buried" Rachel and Edmund alive. We took an individual photo of them covered with sand for their "birthday present". After some time, we get into the waters to have a relax swim. After the whole afternoon of events, at around 5pm, we left East Coast. Although at the end of the day I felt a bit tired, but never the least it is an eventful day!

Thank God for good progress in my piano playing

It is good to give thanks unto the Lord! Recently, I have people commented that I had progressed quite fast in my piano grades. It is really by God's grace. Sometimes, I just forget to give God the glory. Firstly, I thank God for my first piano teacher who had patiently guided me in my first piano theory and practical exams. I think these two exams will be the only two exams that I had done exceptionally well. Praise God for that!

After that, thank God that I had prayed for a Christian piano teacher and I had got one! She is a very strict teacher and she can really point out my mistakes every time I play. Sometimes she will scold me until I correct my mistakes. She is the teacher that reminded me, during a choir and piano playing workshop, that a good church pianist can follow what is written exactly in the score. I heed her advice and started to sight read and play what is exactly written. Thank God by doing that, I improved greatly in my sight reading. She also helped me to improved on my rhythmic and musical expression.

Not to forget, God is the one who help me the most. He gives me a lot of opportunity to serve Him in church prayer meeting and Chinese worship service in church. This really helps me improve so quickly. He use me even though I am still so lousy. In short, there is nothing to glory about finishing my grades at a short time. There is still a lot of things I need to improve in my playing. I still remember that last few weeks I am still struggling with my exam pieces. If it were not for God who had helped me; assuring me that if I just kept on practicing, He will help me, I would not have completed learning all the pieces. Yesterday, my piano teacher commented that if will continue to play in that manner, I would have failed. This few weeks, there is still a lot of work to be done in preparation for the piano exam. I need to improve on my playing. However, I am comforted to God is with me!

Thank God for a friend who still remembers me

Yesterday late night, I received an SMS from a friend that really troubled me. What I need to thank God is that this person remembers me whenever there is problem in life. This friend will share with me either through SMS or in person. What this friend of mine is doing now is very worrying. This person is walking on dangerous ground. Does money really can solve the problem that this person have now? Is this person really happy now? I doubt so! I treasure this friend a lot.

What is important is that we have to focus on Christ in this last days. I hope that this person will see it soon and know the Lord's Will. In a way, I am also disappointed with myself because after so many attempts to help this person to walk to right path, this person choose to make the wrong step. What I pray is that this friend of mine will quickly turn back and cling on to the Lord. As I shared in prayer meeting in church yesterday, the more you 'see' the world, the more you are troubled by the affairs of this world, the more you will 'see' less of Christ. In the end, you might not even see Christ! You will be drawn away by the world's philosophy, standards and the cares of the world. You will love the world because it is so enticing. You can see, feel and touch the world's things. However for the things of eternal, you cannot see, feel and touch it now. No wonder most of the people in this world will choose the world! They cannot see God, some even denied that God ever exist! The Lord will tell you what he had told his disciples in Mark 8:18 "Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember?"

The struggles that we are facing now is not forever. Whether it be financial, relationship or health problems, they are all temporal. Are we able to have the faith and trust in God that He is the Jehova-jireh ( God will provide)? If we kept on getting bitter about our past and wallowing in self-pity, refusing to put the past behind and move on, we cannot be a happy person. God had helped this friend of mine in the past, I believed that God will help my friend again. I prayed that I will continue to show care and concern, and to help my friend to focus on Christ.

Thank God for Church 21st Anniversary

Thank God that yesterday we just commemorate Tabernacle BP Church 21st Anniversary. Thank God for helping me to play for the choir. I must say that I still play rather badly. However, thank God that 2 brethren commented that I play okay. I still have much to improve on. Thank God for keeping me faithful to Him till now as it is sad to see people falling away. If it is not God who preserve me, I would have left the church. Also thank God for helping me to encourage a friend who had stroke 4 times in his life. I really feel sad for him. He got this illness when he was in his youth. Till few weeks ago, he had another relapse again. Sometimes I wonder why God had allowed this thing to happen to him so many times. Everytime, he is able to get back on his knees and God never took his life away. I think that God is really showing mercy to him. God wants him to know that he needed Christ. He told me before that he was depressed and even had the thought of ending his life. He finds no meaning in life. What more He needs God. However, no matter how many times I shared the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ to him, he did not believe. He is one of the 13th November person that I hope to see in heaven. Another person is my beloved mother and lastly, a girl that makes me regret of what I say to her. Never the lest, if I remember them, I will still pray for their salvation. May God be merciful to them.

Thank God for the Youth Camp

Thank God for the Youth Camp that had just passed last week. Truly, God's choice is the best choice. 15th Jun had finally past. I think I know what is God's Will in a particular area in my life. Even the QT sharing yesterday, God had spoken to me through a sharing that I heard. I know that I had to be patient in waiting for God's Will to be reviewed in my life. Often times, we are impatient and we want to see the results quickly whereas God wants us to wait patiently for Him. A friend reminded me that this is a test given by God and I know that it is to see whether I am faithful to Him. I pray that God will help me to be patient and wait for Him.

I also rejected a service in a church which I think I am not ready yet. I don't know whether it is the right choice cause I may miss a chance that God can help me to grow. However, I know that I are some problems I have to fixed it myself before I can serve God better. May God help me to grow in Him as I cling on to Him.

Thank God for In Camp Training

Thanks God for a good 10 days reservice! I thought this time I won't get silver for IPPT. The Lord had been gracious to me; that I run better than last year even though I put on some weight. (11:08) Thank God for keeping me safe while diving. I have two more to go before I got the M.R. Cert. Next week, is the Youth Camp. I hope that I will be very much strengthen and encourage by God's Word and dwelling in the midst of like-minded brethren.

Thank God for long time friends that have celebrated my birthday

This year's birthday was quite a special one for me. First of all, the person that I hope to remember my birthday did not forget it. Even though I am not very on into celebrating birthday, I feel that it is a very good time for friends to gather together to have some catch up. In this busy world, everybody is busying working and doing their own things. It is hard to find time to gather together to talk.

Thank God that this year two person gave me a present. Some brethren also gathered together after the Thursday night class to have a simple makan session to celebrate my birthday. On Sunday, there is one aunty also brought a cake for the April babes in the church to celebrate our birthday. Then on last Saturday, four of my close friend celebrated my birthday at City Hall, New York New York! with two of their girlfriends. They even bought a cake and then requested the waiters to sing the birthday song for me. It is the first time I have this kind of celebration. Interesting but really thankful to have such thoughtful friends.

However, it is sad that they are still not in the kingdom of God. I have been trying to evangelise to them but failed a few times. Maybe I did not try hard enough. This year, thank God that He had made me more evangelistic. By God's grace, I think this year because of the hospital evangelism, I have led three people to say the Sinner's prayer. For all three occasions, I did not really have the spirit. However, God is so gracious to use me to be just a tool for His kingdom. What a privilege!

My greatest hindrance to be closer to God is my besetting sin. If this year, I am able to get rid of this sin. I believe I will be closer to God. May God help me.

Thank God for preserving my faith

One more year had passed, thank God that I am still clinging unto Him. Thank God for friends who had remember my birthday and also giving me free treats! Thank God also for last week evangelism session at Changi Hospital. Again God had been gracious to me in using me and Jiannan to shared the full gospel to two patients and one Catholic. One of them was led to say the Sinner's Prayer. All praise and glody to God above!

It is sad to see brethen slowly falling away. 2 Thess 2:3 "Let no man deceived you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;" Well I just got to pray for them. If they are God's children, may the rod of chastening be upon them. God will draw them back to Him.

Some people have asked me, there are seven days in a week why I spend so many days on the things of God? Well there are two reasons. One is that I am not attached so have a more time for the things of God. Secondly, the reason is in Heb 10:25 "Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching." As we see the signs of time in Matt 24. The end is nearer than you think. I can only grab this little bit of time to be prepared for the Day of the Lord to come.

May God keep me and also those whom I loved dearly to be close to God in the last days.

Amen!

Thank God that my Mother attended the Easter Worship Service

Well, yesterday was a really happy day for me. God is so good that He encourages me not to give up for evangelising to my love ones and friends. Since the beginning of the year, God already burden my hearts for the souls of man. Strangely on two occasions in the Changi Hospital, I was actually quite tired of evangelism. I have no strength and love for souls. However I pray to God that even though my flesh is weak, Lord please use me to speak to someone. Strangely after that, I just shared the gospel plainly on these two occasions. The Lord gave me the grace to pray the Sinner's Prayer with the two souls. My heart is greatly encourage! Going for evangelism is not your strength. Some of us will feel very awkward to talk to strangers. Of course it will! For me, I am a quiet person but I force myself to share God's Word. God loves me so much, how can I just keep quiet to allow souls to perish in eternal hell! Therefore, I urged all of us to attend regular evangelism. It is a training ground for speaking boldly to your love ones. If you can overcome the fear, then God will be able to use you mightily. Remember God does not need an expert in preaching the gospel, God just need a willing heart! Amen!

元宵节感谢主

此诗是献给我在主里的知心朋友。
感谢主有他们，基督道路不孤独。

新的一年新气象，
新的恩典新希望，
旧的恶习不留下，
旧的不去新不来，
难得结识知心友，
基督道路不孤独，
唯有时刻亲近主，
今年才能更爱主！

A Great Day to thank God for His love

Today is Valentine Day. This day, I am reminded of God's love towards me. Lord help me to be in love with you every moment of my life. I had failed thee so many times but thou art good to me always and ready to lift me up quickly with thy loving hands.
Mar 12:30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.
Help me Lord to obey the verse above given by thee.
Dear Lord, this song is for you:)

Thank God for the Message heard

Thank God that I have heard the message about being patient with God and Man. Being patient with God reminds me to wait on the Lord and being patient with man reminds me to be patient towards my students. The Lord is testing me again. This time He wants to test my patient. Since I know the test, I have to be prepared for this test. Thank God for the thought provoking message!

Lord help me to wait on you

This week again to me was like a bit of ups and downs. Well thank God that I am still trusting in Him and praying more. Ever since the beginning of the year, I have been praying for my fellowship members individually. Sometimes, I may not have the strong burden for some people, but what I did is to pray for them. Praying helps me to think of them and sometimes reminds me that I need to do something. As in when I do it, that's God timing. I believe in prayer more now as I see God as a powerful being able to answer many of my prayers; prayer strengthens me. Some things happen this week that makes me think a lot. Makes me feel whether I am too eager to do something. Am I doing something wrong? Am I willing to wait patiently for God's Will to be done? May God help me!

Spirit of Thanksgiving

Since July last year, my heart was strangely warmed by how God is working in my life. It is truly amazing that God had seen me through quite a number of episodes in my life. At the end of last year, God gave me another surprise which I had not expected. It is to me a miracle but God make it happen. I have been praying almost everyday that God's Will be done in this matter. On 15th June 2008, I will know the answer. Meanwhile, may God help me to wait patiently for His leading in my life. It is not easy to wait but I have to do it. God also called us to wait; to wait for His direction. Therefore, I prayed that God will grant me the patience as I wait upon Him. Meanwhile, allow me to thank God for the happiness that He had granted me so far these few months. Truly, I felt very blessed to feel God's presence with me. If you ask me how I can feel God's presence. I would answer that He kept on answering my prayers and also give me the joy and peace in my heart. Praise the Lord! May I grow closer to Him this year.