Buying from the Right Source

“Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost. Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and you will delight in the richest of fare. Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David. -Isaiah 55:1-3 (NIV).

It's interesting when I read this this morning and realized the word "buy".  Went to search dictionary.com and to buy would also mean to acquire by way of exchange. Webster states to buy is "to obtain in exchange for something often at a sacrifice"

"What are we exchanging our lives, effort, time, resources for?" I feel God reminding us to buy from him, and that He gives not as the world gives (conditional and with money) but He gives so we can acquire life (see v1). He is a faithful God of covenant. "...I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full." -John 10:10b (NIV). And yes, the buying do involve sacrifice, or shall I say--setting priorities. David said that he will not sacrifice a burnt offering that costs him nothing. - 1 Chronicles 21:24 (NIV).

What are you "buying"? Are you seeking and acquiring security, joy and peace from things, obsession/addictions, people, jobs or other things other than God? We need to buy from the right source.

Worship

Hi everyone, in my recent QT, God has been showing me much about devotion and worship. As I pondered on it and after our cell discussion last week, found this video quite nicely helped me to understand about it. So simple but yet, sometimes I can miss it:

Be blessed! :D

Who Am I?

Hi everyone,

Thanks for making the prayer and praise encounter yesterday wonderful with all your participation. As we sing the last song yesterday, "Who Am I", it does reminds us, in a timely manner, why we worship...

We worship because of who God is
We worship because of who we are
Therefore, we worship in spite of our circumstances because it is a declaration from our spirit of this very fact.

John 4:23-24 (NIV)

... the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth.

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth

Would care to know my name

Would care to feel my hurt?

Who am I, that the bright and morning star

Would choose to light the way

For my ever wondering heart?

Not because of who I am

But because of what You've done

Not because of what I've done

But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading

Here today and gone tomorrow

A wave tossed in the ocean

A vapor in the wind

Still You hear me when I'm calling

Lord You catch me when I'm falling

And You told me who I am

I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see our sin

Would look on me with love

And watch me rise again?

Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea

Would call out through the rain

And calm the storm in me?

Whom shall I fear?

Whom shall I fear?

'Cause I am Yours, I am Yours

Once again, it is amazing to see how God worked yesterday once again! Take care!

The Heart of Worship

Hi everyone, was at chapel today and was ministered by the sharing on the heart of worship.
Consider both Saul and David:

In 1 Sam 15, we read that God gave instructions to Saul, as punishment to the Amalekites for what they did to Israel, to attack them and totally destroy everything, even "cattle and sheep, camel and donkeys". But Saul acted in disobedience and tried to justify himself:

• "I have carried out the LORD's instructions." (v13)
• "The soldiers brought them from the Amalekites; they spared the best of the sheep and cattle to sacrifice to the LORD your God, but we totally destroyed the rest." (v15)
• "But I did obey the LORD," Saul said. "I went on the mission the LORD assigned me. I completely destroyed the Amalekites and brought back Agag their king. The soldiers took sheep and cattle from the plunder, the best of what was devoted to God, in order to sacrifice them to the LORD your God at Gilgal."
  

But further down the chapter, Saul's heart was revealed that he had the fear of man more than the fear of God; he chose to honour man and himself over God. Even after being confronted by Samuel and being given a chance to repent, his heart remained hard and distant from God as he again chose to want to be honoured by man rather than honoured by God:

1 Sam 15:30 (NIV)

Saul replied, "I have sinned. But please honor me before the elders of my people and before Israel; come back with me, so that I may worship the LORD your God." (Emphasis mine)

And so God rejected Saul as King and his worship. Even though he began well, he did not end well.

Fast forward to King David, the man who is after God's own heart (1 Sam 13:14). And even though David sinned when he committed adultery and murder, his response to his sin was different from Saul. After being rebuked by the Prophet Nathan, he wrote Psalm 51 and continue to walk righteously with the Lord. When he came to Araunah to buy his land to build an altar to God, Araunah offered him the land and everything else for free but look at David's response... "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."

Though both Kings were called by God to be the leader of His people and started well, only one finished well. Both, on the outward, offered sacrifices to the Lord but yet God accepted and blessed one but yet rejected the other. Kind of reminded me of Cain and Abel.

1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV)

The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.

We can try all we want to look holy, act holy but God is the one who knows us from the inside out and who sees our heart. 

1 Sam 15: 22

But Samuel replied: "Does the LORD delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices as much as in obeying the voice of the LORD? To obey is better than sacrifice, and to heed is better than the fat of rams.

The person sharing at chapel shared a parable of a boy who stole 4 apples from the kitchen and went to the chaplain to confess and pray. The boy prayed "Dear Lord, I come before you to ask for your forgiveness for stealing 8 apples." Puzzled, the chaplain asked the boy why he prayed that he stole 8 apples when he stole 4. The boy answered "Oh, I am praying for tomorrow too." What is our heart's condition for God? Are we like the boy who continues to take God's grace for granted and sin, grieving God and in a way, mocking the work on the cross?

An unchanged life, a divided heart, a hardened heart, an empty worship are not what God desires.

It is said that Martin Luther only had two days on his calendar: this day and that day, that is, the great Day of Judgment." How we want to present ourselves to God on that day will determine how we are this day.


Indeed, life is like running a torch relay where the crucial thing is not about speed (which a lot of people may want us to believe) but about keeping the torch ablaze and finishing well before the Lord. Along the way, there may be "winds of adversity", "gusts of conflicts", discouragements, alternative finishing lines but keep our eyes on Jesus and make effort to finish well.

Hebrews 12:1-3 (NIV)

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

I pray this will bless you. Amen.

Reflections of H1N1

Riverlife 1st eService (28 June 2009) from James Lim on Vimeo.

Hello everyone,

I am sure that you would have "attended" our first e-Service on Sunday. And I was thinking isn't it cool how despite the mini-crisis or major disruption" as SP calls it, our church is still able to rise above the situation and overcome it. As someone has put it, we have victory over the enemy!

I have to admit that when the H1N1 infections in Riverlife Church was first made known over a week ago and when the church was identified as one of the initial few community cluster, it had not been easy. All of a sudden, it seemed that the virus is coming to our doorsteps and affecting people around us; there was worry for people admist us who are working in the healthcare sector, people who have been infected, people who are suspected of infection, people who are unwell and also people who are overseas.

And there was suspicion whether or not I myself had also been infected. People around me were also coming up to me and asking me "you are from Riverlife right?". I even had a friend who was concerned about contact with me that ultimately a gathering was cancelled for peace of mind. There was fear, feeling of being rejected, worry, uncertainty. Though I would have to say that it is not a major crisis, it nonetheless affected me a bit throughout the week.

But, in recent days, I have had the chance to also reflect upon the whole experience and I would say that to me, the mini crisis seemed to brought on positive effects as well. I realised:

• how some were being pulled together in unity through this episode and how some cell, especially the central two cell which had 5 out of 10 infections in Riverlife. Some of us prayed for each other and for the situation as well
• how I can sometimes be inward looking and it took this episode to remind me that I should not take things for granted and only pray when something happens but that God cares for everyone too; that be it whether Riverlife has infections or not, we should also pray for everyone;
• the nature of the Church as people rised up to the occasion and who are willing to bless others by offering their time, effort and giftings for the sake of others; this as SP mentioned, is what Church is all about, not a building but the body of Christ coming together in unison for God and His people;
  
• how God provides for us despite the circumstance; providing us with technology that we are able to continue to be edified by SP and come together as a church in Spirit to worship and hear from God;
• how Riverlife Church is relatively well known now given all that happened, which makes me ask what's next for the Church? Is God positioning us for something that Riverlife could rise up to as we continue to seek Him?

I must say that Sunday's online sermon was powerful and it challenged me. As I sat there to hear from Senior Pastor, God placed in my heart the verse from Romans 8:31 (NIV) "What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us?".

Throughout the weekend, God seems to be asking this question as I did reflection for my foundation for cell leadership course and through the sermon:

"Will you still worship me in Spirit and in truth and trust in me?"

I may not know specifically what God's plans are but I do know He is real. To me, the uncanny coincidence about the second wave of revival starting with the youth and how the second wave of the H1N1 virus (as Minister of Health called it) was caught by our youth, may goes to show either (i) this is coincidence or (ii) something is happening and this is a preview of greater things to be done. Either way, I still think we need to grow in our walk with the Lord and have His power and glory manifest through us.

Within a few hours on Saturday and Sunday, I was also assured from Isaiah 40:31 (NIV) two separate times:

"but those who hope in the LORD
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint."

Will you stand firm and worship God in Spirit and in truth? After all, if God is for us, who can be against us? Will you believe in Him?

God Of This City

You’re the God of this city
You’re the King of these people
You’re the Lord of this nation
You are

You’re the light in this darkness
You’re the hope to the hopeless
You’re the peace to the restless
You are

There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God

For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done
In this city
Greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done
In this city (Here)

We believe, we believe in You, God!

We want to continue to give thanks to God for all His healing and that all the Riverlife cases have been discharged. Let's also thank God for the many staff and volunteers who have worked hard during this challenge. Let's pray for God's favour and restoration and protection over them. Do continue to pray for our leaders as they lead us during the time of the calling to revival and could be susceptible to spiritual attacks.

Remain in me, and I will remain in you

Hello everyone!

Thanks for all your sharing yesterday and for blessing me. Personally, it has been really wonderful seeing God at work throughout the whole week even at cell. And it was also great singing and worshipping the Lord in both English and Mandarin :D

有一位神


一切歌颂赞美


Spirit Touch Your Church


I thank God for showing an object lesson on John 15 as I went about the past week. Sometime during midweek, I had just suddenly felt so tired and weary with ministry that I wanted to give up. I had been holding on and trusting in the Lord for working in everyone and every aspect of cell. And I can see Him work. Frankly, I can see the purpose God has for this cell taking shape but then I was really getting all weary; I asked if I am indeed bearing fruit or if someone else would do a better job. I got so tired I told God I had wanted to call it quits (one more time).

But God sent me people and verses to encourage and also circumstance to make me reflect upon it. He sent me Min Qin to remind me with Jeremiah 29:11 which appeared when I was called back to the Lord after years of backsliding. Do I believe in God's plans for me? Yes! Then, God brought Psalm 1 on Wednesday evening about the tree planted by streams of water and even on Thursday during corporate devotion, reminding me about being staying with the streams of water to be nourished. It seems that I was reminded that, just as trees have seasons, so will my life, but whatever happens, the streams of water is still there to not only sustain me but also nourish me. When I think back, God had been faithful in my ministry and has helped me through.

Then a volunteer came to meet me and we started talking about our spiritual walk. I thank God for bringing a volunteer to come to visit on Thursday and how we talked about our spiritual walk. I thank God for using me to encourage this volunteer and for also using him to show me about remaining in God's word. It was really evident that God used the session because I can tell He is present whenever conversations just flowed and I become amazed at the things I say; things that in the end also blessed me. Though I had not been prepared for the talk, God had helped me share about my own walk and how I had come to see God's word as powerful and also ministering, always at the right time. This young volunteer had shared how he is not part of any church (though he is looking) and how he is inspired by praise and worship music but finds reading the bible rather a chore. He was taught by someone that as long he prays, it will be OK. But I felt a prompting to share with him how I too had struggle to read the bible but over the past 3 years, God had spoken through His word far too many times and soon it became cool to read His word because I had wanted to know what He had to say about certain things in my life and also to get to know Him better. And as I shared, stories of several people like Horatio Spafford, John Newton and Eric Liddell (as portrayed in the movie "Chariots of Fire") came to mind. I personally did not know how blessed he was but I personally was blessed through the words that God had gave me and spoken through my mouth.

Then I shared that earlier on in the week, I was affected when I saw a leader of the Lord, a pastor, reacting in an ungracious manner. I had really been very disappointed by the whole incident. Though I do not know this pastor or work with him, I was frankly affected and decided to write him an email on Monday. I prayed to God that I would type the email with the focus to edify than to vent my anger. I thank God things worked out well and for helping me as I penned the email. Frankly, I had not expected the pastor to respond but he did and emailed to apologise. At the end, I was glad things turned out well and was resolved but most importantly, my disappointment went away because the pastor had humbly acknowledged his mistake. I myself can sometimes be ungracious and this seems to be a reminder that I needed to also remain in God's ways; asking "What Would Jesus Do?" more often to keep myself in check.

I thank God for showing me, before cell started, that what has happened throughout the week, has showed me what it means to "remain in Him" (John 15:4) i.e. to remain in His WILL for me and my ministry and his WORK of reaching out to people, to remain in His WAY from my reflection on the disappointment with the pastor, to remain in His WORD from my reflection on my talk with the young volunteer, to remain in His WORSHIP even through the darkest of moments, remembering His faithfulness, grace, love, hope and promise.

As Jesus said in John 15:4 "Remain in me, and I will remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me.", I thank Joyce for sharing the analogy of the Velcro... that one its own, it proves to be useless but when stuck onto another piece, it can hold things together.

Yes another analogy is that of the "cut-flower Christian" as mentioned in Our Daily Bread:

Cut-Flower Christians

I enjoy buying or receiving a fresh bouquet of cut flowers. After admiring and smelling them, I waste no time getting them into water. Even though fresh and beautiful when I get them, their days are numbered. Because they've been severed from their life-source, they will soon wither and die. I know that one day I will have to throw them away.

Author Lloyd Ogilvie sees in this a picture of the Christian whose spiritual vitality has faded and shriveled. Such a person has become a "cut-flower Christian." Jesus used a similar illustration about a vine and its branches to describe our relationship to Him. Just as a branch can't bear fruit by itself, He explained, we can't bear spiritual fruit unless we abide in Him, the true vine (John 15:4).

If a branch could speak, it wouldn't apologize for its need to depend on the vine for bearing fruit. It would say instead, "For this I was made!" Jesus knew we were made for dependence on Him, our life-source—no apology needed! In fact, such dependence is the only way to avoid becoming a "cut-flower Christian."

Let's embrace His declaration, "Without Me you can do nothing" (John 15:5). As we depend on Him, we will bear much fruit—and for this we were made. —Joanie Yoder — Joanie Yoder
Closer yet I'd cling, dear Savior,
You're the all-sufficient Vine;
You alone can make me fruitful,
Blessed source of strength divine. —Bosch
Fellowship with Christ is the secret of fruitfulness.

Are you a Velcro on your own? Are you a cut-flower Christian? Are you separated from your life-source? The great thing about God is that it is never too late to turn back... remain in His will, His WORK of reaching out to people, His WAY in our daily living, His WORD to guide us in living and living righteously (Ps 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path), His WORSHIP even through the darkest of moments, remembering His faithfulness, grace, love, hope and promise.

You Have Been So Good

Hi everyone,

Heard this simple but yet meaningful song by Lenny LeBlanc. Reflect upon how God has been good to you:

You Have Been So Good



You have been so good
You have been so good to me
In my faithless hour
You've been my strenth
You are my tower
From the enemy
You have been so good
So good to me

Your hand is always faithful
Your mercy never ends
And when I feel unable
Your grace is there again

You chose me with my weakness
And all my sins forgave
I've nothing to repay You
So all that I can say

So good
You have been so good

Discussion: God Loves Truthful Worship

What Do You Think about Psalm?
What comes to your mind when you think of the Psalms? For me, prior to OTC, when I think of the Psalms, I see boring poems which did not even rhyme and they can be saying the same thing over and over, just in different ways.

God Desires a Genuine Relationship
But this week, as I prepare for CG discussion, I began to see how powerful Psalm can be. I began to see how it is possible to express how we sometimes feel, with genuineness and honestly, to God. As I read Don Moen's article on his song, "I Will Sing", I am reminded that indeed God knows us intimately, so why do we sometimes hold back our feelings and just keep to the "safe stuff" like thanksgiving and praises? He knows everything, He knows your disappointment and anger etc. Putting things into perspective, Christianity is not a religion but a relationship with God, so wouldn't God want to be in a genuine relationship with us where we can cry out to the Lord and express our deepest emotions to Him, just because He cares and He knows.

Psalm 62:8 (New International Version)
8. Trust in him at all times, O people;
pour out your hearts to him,
for God is our refuge.
Selah

John 4:23 (New International Version)
23.Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

My Realization
I have shared that throughout these few weeks as I took on cell leadership, I had been having struggles of my own and God has also been speaking to me in modules. It seems that whatever the sermon is on that week, I will be going through struggles in areas related to that topic. So these 2 weeks, while we were covering Psalm, I struggled with being angry with God. Deep inside me, I was crying out to God "God, you called me here but why are You letting all these happening to me?!" I was angry, I was annoyed, I was disappointed and just did not know how to go about it. I struggle because I mainly struggle with not having the confidence to lead word discussion and also with having to deal with being an introvert and interacting with people. I cried out to him several times but then things just sometimes remain the same.

I got angry and at FOP last Friday, I was ministered to by Don Moen's song, "I Will Sing". The opening words captured my heart and reflected how I felt. Then, sometime earlier this week, I was again "attacked" and again felt horrible. I began to feel very pressured. Then, God sent a series of events to minister to me and also people like colleagues and friends who affirmed me. Frankly, up till late afternoon today, I did not know how I was going to conduct cell. I was angry, I was lost, I felt horrible. My colleague passed me an article titled "Take Courage: You Build More Than You See" and nicely also highlighted a specific part for me to read. Frankly, as I read through the article, there were several times I just went "Ya right! If this is the case, why are You Lord allowing this to happen to me?!" But then the amazing thing was that, by the end of the article, I was refreshed by the God's word, which says in Haggai 2:1-9:

1 On the twenty-first day of the seventh month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 2 "Speak to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest, and to the remnant of the people. Ask them, 3 'Who of you is left who saw this house in its former glory? How does it look to you now? Does it not seem to you like nothing? 4 But now be strong, O Zerubbabel,' declares the LORD. 'Be strong, O Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest. Be strong, all you people of the land,' declares the LORD, 'and work. For I am with you,' declares the LORD Almighty. 5 'This is what I covenanted with you when you came out of Egypt. And my Spirit remains among you. Do not fear.'

6 "This is what the LORD Almighty says: 'In a little while I will once more shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. 7 I will shake all nations, and the desired of all nations will come, and I will fill this house with glory,' says the LORD Almighty. 8 'The silver is mine and the gold is mine,' declares the LORD Almighty. 9 'The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,' says the LORD Almighty. 'And in this place I will grant peace,' declares the LORD Almighty."

God's Reminder
In short, the article was suggesting that two arguments were presented in Haggai to motivate the people rebuilding the temple to say remind them to fear not for God is with them and that despite it seems that what they are building now is nothing, God will bless and bring glory to the temple. It was as if a reminder from God that whatever we do, He can bless it no matter how paltry it seems now, but only we continue to work with Him. I continued to be ministered to by the Lord as I made my way to cell meeting and I thank God that He blessed the session. Today's session was one of the very rare times I did not have to worry about what to say because things just came out naturally. And I can really feel Him blessing it. This week has made me realised how important it is to be honest with God in our hurts, disappointments, anger etc because He already knows. He can only deal with us as honest as we are with Him, just as how the Psalmist were sometimes so frank in their writings and "dealings" with the Lord.

Then came the other question, what keeps us from being honest with God? Some suggest it is because we have not reached the point of frustration as yet (and maybe do not want to "bother" God), some suggest this has been so since the time of Adam and Eve when they hid from God after eating the forbidden fruit, while some say that some of us have a certain perception on how a good Christian should not challenge God, so we keep all the "bad feelings" away. But also, it seems that we need to, at the end of the day, recognise how we view our Heavenly Father. A distant and most high God or one who knows us intimately and would like a relationship with us? Well, in my opinion, God can be both.

Devotional: Are We Honest With God?

Hi everyone.

Was at Festival of Praise last week and although I must admit that I am getting old and not really taking to the loud music and even for the message, (frankly) I was a little bored because it was on Saul and David, what we had covered for OTC in the past few weeks. But I must really admit that the Lord works in wonderful ways. I was (or rather still am) feeling at a loss with everything from my work, to my spiritual walk and also cell leadership. I am frankly feeling I am quite at the bottom of the pit and several times I "cry" out to the Lord why this is happening to me.

Then, the pastor began to say something which made me "spring" up from my seat. He reminded that David, a man after God's own heart (Acts 13:22), also constantly asked the Lord for a fresh anointing. It reminded me that I can do that too. Then much later, Don Moen came on stage and sang the song "I Will Sing" and it ministered deeply, reminding me how much God is in control. Incidentally, the past two weeks, I thank God for sending people to affirm me that God is in control. Ultimately, I am a man of few words and sometimes really don't know what to say and the song and a few other Psalm did help me to become more clear about how I am feeling and help express these emotions to God. It is OK even if some of these feelings are anger, hurt, disappointment (of the Lord) because God knows our feelings but are we honest with Him? Even as I write this article now, I have this deep headache throbbing in my head and I am not sure if it is spiritual attack, but I will speak forth what the Lord has helped me to realise and share.

I found the following which was written by Don Moen about this too. Taken off Integrity Music's website, he speaks about being honest with God in our worship, which I found meaningful and would like to share.

Let's Be Honest!
by Don Moen
©2000 by Don Moen

Imagine this scene with me. It's Sunday morning about 10:35. You have just entered the sanctuary of your church after the usual hassles of getting everyone out the door and in the car. You were running a little late, so all the good parking places were taken. (You were tempted to park in the visitors parking space, but you resisted, hoping God noticed.) Finally, you walk into the service already in progress. The worship leader is introducing a new song. You notice the words in your bulletin and as you try to learn the melody, you began to feel a little uncomfortable with the lyrics. This is not what you're used to singing. You begin to wonder if this song is scripturally accurate.

The first verse says, "Do not keep silent oh God of my praise! For the mouth of the wicked and the mouth of the deceitful have opened against me. They have spoken against me with a lying tongue. They have also surrounded me with words of hatred and fought against me without a cause. In return for my love they are my accusers, but I give myself to prayer. Thus they have rewarded me evil for good and hatred for my love." (NKJ) You are beginning to feel uncomfortable singing these words in a worship service of all places, but the worship leader begins with the second verse and says, "Let's just lift our voices this morning and sing verse two together."

Before you realize what is happening, you are singing along with him. "Set a wicked man over him, and let an accuser stand at his right hand. When he is judged, let him be found guilty, and let his prayer become sin. Let his days be few, and let another take his office." "Good grief! What are we singing?" you ask yourself. "This has to get better." It doesn't, but you continue singing along. "Let his children be fatherless and his wife a widow. Let his children continually be vagabonds and beg. Let them seek their bread also from their desolate places. Let the creditor seize all that he has and let strangers plunder his labor. Let there be none to extend mercy to him nor let there be any to favor his fatherless children. Let his posterity be cut off and in the generation following let their name be blotted out." (NKJ) Whoa! "Enough already!" you say. "What's going on here? We can't sing songs like this in our church. God might be listening!"

As you probably know, this is a Psalm (song) of David. (Psalm 109:1-13) There is still a lot more to sing in this Psalm. David was not finished writing what was on his heart yet. Can you imagine singing this in your church on Sunday morning? Probably not. We usually prefer the "safer" Psalms! Ones that we think God is comfortable with, such as, "Oh Lord our Lord how majestic (excellent) is your name in all the earth." (Psalm 8:1) "I will bless the Lord at all times, His praise shall continually be in my mouth." (Psalm 34:1) "This is the day that the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24) "I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart, I will enter His courts with praise." (Psalm 100:4), etc. Don't misunderstand me, I love these Psalms and I sing them quite often when I am leading worship, but I believe there is more that God wants to show us in the area of worship and it has to do with honesty. In John 4: 23-24 Jesus told us "the Father is seeking worshipers who will worship Him in Spirit and Truth." Our Heavenly Father is not afraid of honesty in worship! Quite the contrary, He is longing for us to be truthful in our worship.

Do we put on another face when we come to church or go to a Christian conference? Sometimes I feel there are a lot of games being played among Christians and I believe our Heavenly Father longs for us to get past this and get to the next level in worship. Remember it is the Father's desire for us to worship Him in Spirit and Truth.

Truthfulness. He desires our worship to be full of truthfulness. Too many times when it comes to worship, we hold back from telling the truth! Instead, we compromise our true feelings and sing songs with "safe" lyrics that won't offend God. Do we really think that He is not aware of how we really feel? There is something that God wants to show us here in the area of true and honest worship. I believe there is another level that God wants to take us to in Praise and Worship. It's not going to replace what we have done, but augment it and open up a new dimension in worship for all of us.

In October, my new Hosanna! Music project will be released. It was recorded at CBN with a small audience of about 60 - 70 people. As you may realize, the dynamics of a worship service with this many people are certainly different than they are in a crowd of several thousand. But the worship experience during the recording and video taping was very powerful and very intimate. I wrote a song for this project that I decided I couldn't record because of the honesty of the lyrics. I was shocked when I started writing down the lyrics while driving my car one day:

Lord You seem so far away
A million miles or more, it feels today.
And though I haven't lost my faith
I must confess right now,
That it's hard for me to pray.

But I don't know what to say
And I don't know where to start
But as you give the grace
With all that's in my heart;

I will sing, I will praise,
Even in my darkest hour
Through the sorrow and the pain,
I will sing, I will praise,
Lift my hands to honor You,
Because Your Word is true,
I will sing!

After playing this for a few people, including my wife, Laura, I decided to put this song on the project. In fact, it is the title cut! Everyone who heard it seemed to identify with the lyrics. Everyone has had a day when it seemed like God was far away. During those times, He is always close by our side but it is hard for us to believe it. I think an honest lyric like this can be an important step in helping us through any difficult circumstance.

As I mentioned earlier, David wrote many of these "honest" songs, yet he was called "a man after God's own heart." (Acts 13:22) He was also called the "apple of God's eye." (Psalm 17:8) What does this mean? How can this be? How can a man who is called the "apple of God's eye" write something like Psalm 109? Could it be that God loves honesty? I think the answer to that is obvious. Open up your heart to Him today and be honest about the way you feel about a situation. Perhaps God will give you a Psalm like He gave David. As you begin to be totally honest and vulnerable with God in worship, (and I'm not talking about singing the blues) I believe He will help you become the kind of worshiper He is looking for - one who worships Him in Spirit and in Truth.

Do meditate on the lyrics and let God speak into your heart as you speak into His:

CG Worship: Amazing Love, Amazing Grace

How Great is Our God

The splendor of the King,
Clothed in majesty
Let all the earth rejoice,
All the earth rejoice
He wraps himself in light,
And darkness tries to hide
And trembles at his voice,
And trembles at his voice

CHORUS:
How great is our God,
sing with me
How great is our God,
and all will see
How great, How great
Is our God

Age to age he stands
And time is in His Hands
Beginning and the End,
Beginning and the End
The Godhead, Three in one
Father, Spirit, Son
The Lion and the Lamb,
The Lion and the Lamb

BRIDGE:
Name above all names
You are Worthy of our praise
and My heart will sing how great
Is our God
(x2)

Amazing Love

I’m forgiven because You were forsaken
I’m accepted, You were condemned
I’m alive and well, Your Spirit is within me
Because You died and rose again

Amazing love, how can it be
That You, my King, would die for me?
Amazing love, I know it’s true
It’s my joy to honor You
In all I do, To honor You

You are my King
You are my King
Jesus, You are my King
You are my King

In all I do, To honor You,
In all I do, To honor You,
In all I do, Let me honor You.

Amazing Grace

Amazing grace! (how sweet the sound)
That sav’d a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

’Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
And grace my fears reliev’d;
How precious did that grace appear,
The hour I first believ’d!

Thro’ many dangers, toils and snares,
I have already come;
’Tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
And grace will lead me home.

The Lord has promis’d good to me,
His word my hope secures;
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.

Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease;
I shall possess, within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
The sun forbear to shine;
But God, who call’d me here below,
Will be forever mine.

In Christ Alone

In Christ alone my hope is found
He is my light, my strength, my song
This Cornerstone, this solid ground
Firm through the fiercest drought and storm
What heights of love, what depths of peace
When fears are stilled, when strivings cease
My Comforter, my All in All
Here in the love of Christ I stand

In Christ alone, who took on flesh
Fullness of God in helpless babe
This gift of love and righteousness
Scorned by the ones He came to save
'Till on that cross as Jesus died
The wrath of God was satisfied
For every sin on Him was laid
Here in the death of Christ I live

There in the ground His body lay
Light of the world by darkness slain
Then bursting forth in glorious Day
Up from the grave He rose again
And as He stands in victory
Sin's curse has lost it's grip on me
For I am His and He is mine
Brought with the precious blood of Christ

No guilt in life, no fear in death
This is the power of Christ in me
From life's first cry to final breath
Jesus commands my destiny
No power of hell, no scheme of man
Can ever pluck me from His hand
'Till He returns or calls me home
Here in the power of Christ I'll stand

Discussion: Developing a Heart for God

Hi everyone, so sorry for the delay in getting this up. This is last week's cell discussion. Feel free to comment and share :)

Chariots of Fire


Where Walk = Run As Well
Many have described the Christian walk as a race:

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (New International Version)
24. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
25. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.
26. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

To me, I read this as suggesting to us the attitude we should approach the race with. KK put it in a very nice way, that what is important is making the decision to run the race and running it (KK, I hope I got you correct:D). It also tells us how we should train for it; not to be disqualified in the whole process. And even as we train ourselves and even train others, we should not do so in such a way which would get ourselves disqualified.

Hebrews 12:1-2 (New International Version)
1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.

Here, I learnt about how we should run the race; with perseverance.

Yes, I have read somewhere that when we have accepted Jesus Christ as our Lord and saviour, we are already in the race. It is not whether we will run the race but how we run the race.

Main Ingredient for Victory in the Christian Race?
So does it mean that once you are called to the race, you will be victorious? My views? Nope! Your run and your heart matters.

In 1 Samuel 16:7, it says that:
7. But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart."

If we were to look to a example of person who had a heart for God, it might be Eric Liddell. You will find him in the movie, Chariots of Fire, which I only found out recently, is a true story about this person, Eric Liddell, who refused to run the heats for the Men's 100m, his best event, in the 1924 Olympics because of his conviction not to run on the Sabbath. It was said that the Prince of Wales himself pressured Eric to honour King and country above God but to no avail. He later took an unexpected bronze in the 200m sprint and clinched the gold medal and a world record for the 400m dash. Just as Eric was at the starting blocks of the 400m race, someone slipped a piece of paper into his hands with a quotation from 1 Samuel 2:30, "Those who honor me I will honor". You can read more about Eric Liddell by doing a google or searching the wikipedia on him. But he later returned to North China where he served as a missionary from 1925-1943. he was ordained as a minister in 1932 and later died while being interned in Weihsien Internment Camp by the Japanese in 1945, due to brain tumour.

Lessons from People who seemed to be Disqualified
I think we can all cite examples of people in the bible who were disqualified from the race. People like Moses, who because of a moment's folly and disobedience to God, ended up not being to enter the Promised Land despite how faithful he was in carrying out God's will.

Then there is Eli, whose family God chose to be His priest but because of him honouring his sons more than Himself, Eli and his house was punished (see 1 Samuel 2:27-36).

King Herod in Acts 12:20-24, was exalted by his people who said that shouted "this is the voice of a god, not of a man" when he gave his public address. He was struck down, eaten by worms and died because he did not give glory to God and praise Him.

God looks at the heart for Him not outward observance of His laws and commandments.

In Matthew 3, John the Baptist used harsh words on the Pharisees and the Sadducees. As I read the devotional for the 40-day fast by Love Singapore, the devotional for July 4 described the Pharisees like "President's scholars of Jesus' day... knowledgeable men who studied the Law of Moses... deeply religious, known for following the Law carefully" and the Saudducees as "known to be stricter and drew support from the wealthier classes". They were all respectable, influential and often admired. But they were self-conceited and they missed the messiah altogether.

Jesus also rebuked the teachers of the Law and the Pharisees in Matthew 23, saying specifically in Matthew 23:25-26:

25. "Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.
26. Blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and dish, and then the outside also will be clean.

So God looks at your heart. The very fact that these people can fall from God's favour really really made me worry and reflect upon my heart for God. We all have the revelation of God's salvation plan for us though the first coming of the messiah but do we sometimes take it for granted so much so we miss him sometimes daily?

What Happens When You Have a Heart for God?
Looking at the OTC readings, what happens when we develop a heart for God. Let's look at Saul and David:

God has plans

In 1 Sam 9:5-10 we were being told how Saul was to be the first king for Israel, how God brought Saul to Samuel when Saul travelled with his servant to look for his father's lost donkeys. The servant had suggested going to see Samuel to get advice on "which way to take" and when Saul asked him what they are going to give to the man, isn't it amazing that the servant replied the young master that he had a quarter of a shekel of silver for Samuel. When God sets His plans for you, it is set and there is no running away from it.

What about David? After Saul has stopped honouring God, God, through Samuel, anointed David as the next king. David was later brought into Saul's service to help provide relief with the harp whenever he was tormented by evil spirits. Speak about God's anointing.

God changes people

Look at Saul, he started as a person who was felt not confident and inferior. In 1 Samuel 9:21, he asked Samuel why he said that he has been chosen as king for Israel and in 1 Samuel 10:22, he hid when Samuel came to chose the king in front of the people of Israel. But in 1 Samuel 10:9-10 we saw how God changed his heart, his spirit came upon him and he started to prophesy:

9. As Saul turned to leave Samuel, God changed Saul's heart, and all these signs were fulfilled that day. 10. When they arrived at Gibeah, a procession of prophets met him; the Spirit of God came upon him in power, and he joined in their prophesying.

God blesses and protects

In 1 Samuel 10:26, we were told that after Saul was made king, he went home Gibeah, accompanied by valiant men whose hearts God had touched. Even for David, we see how God continues to protect him in 1 Samuel 18 when Saul again and again plots to kill him.

What Happens When You Don't Have a Heart for God?
We saw how Saul started drifting away from God and started to let his pride get the better of him:

• 1 Samuel 13:3-4 - Tried to take credit from his son Jonathan
  
• 1 Samuel 13:6-15 - Burnt an offering sacrifice himself rather than waiting for a priest, Samuel to do so Nothing wrong with burning sacrifice to God but he took matter into his own hands and disobeyed Samuel and most importantly God i.e. he did it the wrong way. God has anointed people for different purposes.
  
• 1 Samuel 15:12 - He built a monument in his own honour
• 1 Samuel 15:3-9 - He failed to obey and destroy everything as instructed and kept the "good stuff" and kept alive the king of Amalekites. He even tried to lie that he was keeping it to offer to God when the instructions was to wipe everything out (for the protection of the Israellites from harm and corruption)
• 1 Samuel 15:30 - He "repented" and asked Samuel to go back with him to honour him before the elders of the people and before Israel. It was not true repentance but a "repentance of convenience", for his own interests.

I do not know about it but then I noticed that as Samuel and Saul exchanged words, Saul kept using "Lord your God", "Lord your God" and this kept coming up in 1 Samuel 15:15, 32 and 30). Not sure if this is indication of how Saul's heart for God has hardened.

So what happened?

• 1 Samuel 28:5-7, 15 - God left Saul and he became desperate so much so he engaged a medium to bring up Samuel, who rebuked him to say that the Lord had turned away from him.
• 1 Samuel 16:14, 18:12,15,28-29 - Bitter and had evil spirit
• 1 Samuel 28:17 , 15:28 - Achievements taken away
• 1 Samuel 31 - Lost his sons and kills himself, dismembered

How to Run the Race?
So how to run the race? I am not an expert in this topic because I am also learning through the hard way but then there are scriptures to show us the way.

Psalm 101:

• Verse 3: Look away from wickedness
• Verse 4: Reflect on your associations and friends
• Verse 5: Avoid slander and pride
• Verse 6: Learn from those who model Christ

Some more from 1 Corinthians and Hebrews:

• 1 Corinthians 9:24 (Approach the race with the right attitude)
  24. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
  
  
• 1 Corinthians 9:25 (Stay motivated, in shape and in strict training)
  25. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.

• 1 Corinthians 9:27 (Obey the rules, be honourable so as not to become disqualified)
  27. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
  
  
• Hebrews 12:1 (Run light)
  1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
  
  
• Hebrews 12: 1 (Persevere)
  1. Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
  
  
• Hebrews 12:2-3 (Focused on the finish line and be motivated)
  2. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
  
  

I was also sitting through my corporate devotion at work and a devotion on Nehemiah spoke to me as well on how to run the race. Frankly, I never have thought that this devotion will come in handy and I have never thought of using it for cell but somehow God brought the devotion to speak about running the race to me on the very day. I thank God for continuint to speak to me week after week for cell discussion. OK, back to it. We read about how Nehemiah started the task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem and how he completed the difficult task in 52 days, a feat!

Lesson: God can do great things with you, even though all He has to start with is rubble

Then we learn how Nehemiah appointed gatekeepers, singers and Levites, each with a specific task. Now that the wall is complete, much also needs to be done to "fortify" the city from both external and internal strife:

• Gatekeepers (Watch) - The gates are the most vulnerable part of the city walls. So how are you keeping your gates and what are you allowing into your lives?
• Singers (Worship) - Once the walls are up and the gate kept, there is also a need to prevent internal strife and what better way to for the people to be aware of what they have been blessed with and be thankful? How have you been thankful in your spiritual walk? What characterise your talk with God, is it dominated by troubles, lamentations and anger?
  
• Levites (Workers) - People need to work in the city as well so as to earn their keeps and prevent the city from decaying from laziness. How have you worked and are you working for God as the Levites serve God?

Now that the "head" message has been deposited? How do you translate that to the "heart"? We usually know in the head that we need to do this and do that but how often do we really do it?

Song: Above All Else

Hi everyone!

I remember coming across this local youth's webpage some time ago and was so inspired by his testimony. Apparently, God has used his talents and he has written many meaningful worship songs, some of which has personally ministered to me like "One Thing I Ask of You".

And recently, when I visited the Love Singapore website, I came across yet his song "Above All Else", the English rendition of his song "感谢你上帝" (Thank You Lord) which is also a wonderful song on God's love for us. And the amazing thing is that he provides his music free for all to listen and be ministered to. Galvin is a strong testimony on how God uses people and their skills to also be a blessing to others.

Above All Else


感谢你上帝 (Chinese Rendition of "Above All Else")


ABOVE ALL ELSE
Galvin Sng

How wide is Your great love
That You would come and die for me
The Lamb that’s been given
So I may come receive

Your grace it overflows
Your mercy fills me in my soul
Such a wonderful Saviour
Who knows me like my own

What a privilege for me to come depend
on a God who calls me by my name, my friend

Above all else
I want to love You like You do
Lord I will worship like I should
I will give my all to You
Above all else
I want to live my life each day
Pleasing in every single way
Jesus I will offer up my all to You

There’re times when I would fall
When I can’t seem to hear You call
But I know that You’re here Lord
You’ll never let me go

You’ll always stand by me
For who I am and used to be
Don’t deserve any of these
The things You freely give

Song: By His Wounds

Somehow, happen to hear this song quite a bit these few days... nice song, meditate and focus on the words... simple but meaningful :)

Picture"+) It is Finished (+" (Right) by VinnyPrime

Glory Revealed - By His Wounds Lyrics
(Feat. Mac Powell, Mark Hall, Steven Curtis Chapman and Brian Littrell)
Isaiah 53:5

He was pierced for our transgressions
He was crushed for our sins
The punishment that brought us peace was upon Him
And by His wounds, by His wounds we are healed

We are healed by Your sacrifice
And the life that You gave
We are healed for You paid the price
By Your grace we are saved
We are saved

What can wash away my sin?
Nothing but the blood of Jesus