Why Does the Church Exist?

We asked a poignant question yesterday in cell. Why does the church exists?

And there were indeed many answers given...

• A community of believers to support, pray for, help, encourage and edify one another
• A place where we can attend Christian Education courses to grow in God
• A place where there's worship services so we can come together and hear God's leaders preach the word
• A place where there are intercession for everyone
• A place where there are programmes such as cell groups, missions, evangelism, discipleship etc
• A place where we, as believers, can exercise our giftings to bless each other

All these are good but as I sat down to prepare for cell and pondered, God brought to me a deeper revelation of what the Church is and why it exists.

God: "Are You Missing the Point?"
The past week had been an emotional roller coaster for me, as I struggled with God and told Him that I wanted to be a mediocre Christian. But from Sunday all the way till Friday, God has been sending me a series of "lessons".

I used to learn a lot from God when I did my QT using Navigator's Discipleship Journal which brought me through the bible each day rather extensively, through passages in both the Old and New Testament. And I remember how it always excites me because, even though the passages are all from 4 different places in the bible, sometimes a consistent message or lesson just pop out at me. But I have stopped using the Discipleship Journal plan ever since completed it some time back, and instead switched to a shorter plan. But, as I went through the "roller coaster" week, there was a desire to want to hear from God clearly again. And as I picked it up on Monday, God brought me to Acts 1:4-8 (NKJV):

⁴ And being assembled together with them, He commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the Promise of the Father, “which,” He said, “you have heard from Me; ⁵ for John truly baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.” ⁶ Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” ⁷ And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. ⁸ But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Here, Jesus was asking the disciples to wait for the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, which would help them to go about His mission for them. But the disciples missed the point and instead asked Jesus if He was speaking about the restoration of the Kingdom to Israel. Jesus quickly brought the disciples back and reminded them that they will be empowered to be His witness, both locally and globally; to the ends of the earth. 


What Perspective?
There was a prompting to share this passage with cell yesterday but I did not know how to go about it. But it became clear to me during worship yesterday that I, just like the disciples, have missed the point when I struggled with God. I was holding on to a worldly perspective rather than a Kingdom perspective. God has helped me to realise that we too can sometimes miss the point e.g. about the purposes and role of the Church.

Yes, intercession, prayer meetings, cell groups, CE courses, missions, Sunday service, Sunday school, all these are good. But have we missed the whole point of why God caused the Church to exist? And it is also true that many of us receive from the Church many good things: teachings, growth, reminders, encouragement, counselling, friendship, peace, new perspectives but yet, why the Church?

God Loves EVERYONE
For this, God again brought me revelation as I read Acts 2: 38-39 (NKJV) for yesterday's QT.

³⁸ Peter replied, “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. ³⁹ The promise is for you and your children and for ALL who are far off—for ALL whom the Lord our God will call.” (Emphasis mine)

These 2 simple verses made me realise that God loves EVERYONE; you and me, He loves us so much that He does not want us to perish.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV) -The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. (Emphasis mine)

God's Restoration Work

And it became very clear to me, once again, that God is going about His restoration work, all the way from the very beginning of time.

Acts 3:21, 25-26 (NIV)

²¹ Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets... ²⁵ And you are heirs of the prophets and of the covenant God made with your fathers. He said to Abraham, ‘Through your offspring all peoples on earth will be blessed.’ ²⁶ When God raised up his servant, he sent him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways.” (Emphasis mine)

Somehow, this was apparent to me after I completed the KAIROS course years ago, but I have since forgotten.  On a sidenote, I would recommend everyone of you to go for KAIROS course, as it is a course which helps you make sense of the bible, as we examine it biblically, historically, strategically and culturally; everything in the past and in the current world will piece together and make sense as you see God's hands in it. 


But I am reminded that, yes, God started His restoration work from the very beginning when Adam and Eve fell.

Genesis 3:15 (NIV)

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your offspring and hers; he will crush your head, and you will strike his heel.”

God was talking to Satan who have caused man to fall away from God and we now know that, from the very beginning, God was setting in motion His Kingdom salvation plan and will ultimately bring a Messiah, Jesus; offspring of the woman. Satan will strike His heel but Christ will crush his head.

And who is this Salvation plan for? The Jews? Us? No, it's for all peoples of the earth! Was not all of us in God's mind when He made the Abrahamic Covenant with Abraham when He said: "... and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”

So it's now clear that God is not just concerned, from the very beginning for just a select group of people, but for ALL peoples of the earth. 2 Cor 5: 14a (NIV) reminds us that "one died for all".

The Ministry of Reconciliation
Jesus came to reconcile us to God but left with us the mission to continue this ministry of reconciliation, which Daniel Goh so aptly pointed out in 2 Cor 5:18-20 (NIV):

¹⁸ All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: ¹⁹ that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. ²⁰ We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.

So, from the very beginning, God has you and ALL peoples in mind, to restore us back to Him, away from the work of the Satan, who seeks to "steal, kill and destroy".

So coming back, where does the Church stand in all these? The Church is meant to be the "called out" ones; the ones who have been called by God to restoration with Him and then, to in turn call out others back to Him. This is why the Church exists. And all the cell groups, seminars, Sunday schools, missions, intercession, prayer meetings are the means to the end (not the end) of helping us, on a daily basis, to be restored to God and in turn to help us restore others to God. 


God's Holy Spirit & Empowerment
And God did not leave us alone because He knows we need empowerment. Thus, He gave the Holy Spirit to each of us, just as Jesus had the Holy Spirit which empowers Him:

Luke 4:18-19 (NIV)

"“The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

Yes, there are people who are unlovable, who are resistant, who we might feel do not deserve Christ. But think about it, you and I are also unlovable to some other people and definitely unlovable in God's standards. But someone cared enough to bring us to be restored with God. All the peoples, both locally and globally, are children of God and God cares for them. What are you doing about it? 


Do you now know why the Church exists?

In a nutshell:

• God loves EVERYONE
• God loves EVERYONE enough to begin His Salvation plan from the moment man fell
• Jesus came to bring reconciliation between God and His people
• Jesus gave the ministry of reconciliation to His followers
• The Church exists, not as a building or institution or club, but as a gathering and community of His followers to be about this ministry of reconciliation.
• Missions, cell groups, prayer meetings, services, CE courses all are means to help us be restored to God, on a daily basis, and to help us to restore others to God
• God does not leave us alone but gives us the Holy Spirit to help us
• And ultimately, the Kingdom of God will be established on earth, as it is in heaven
• Amen

Do you now have the Kingdom perspective of the Church?

I have also included the videos which I showed in cell yesterday and hope it helps to further drive the points across.

Thanks for Hosting GSCC Pastors

Hello everyone,

Thanks to all who have helped us to host our first missionaries in our cell! And Onelife 3 will continue to play host to all that God brings through our doors.

Group Photo with Pastor Raju & Pastor Tanda (+ Daniel who is humbly serving behind the scene taking the photo)

I hope that both Pastor Raju and Tanda has blessed you with their testimonies, and sometimes seeing the circumstances that they serve in and yet how their hearts burn fervently for God, it can be quite a humbling experience for me, who can lament over the slightest things. But there, they have to face with lack of resources, having to go on foot for 15km to share the gospel, face rejections and threats from people; actual dangers to their lives. Their heart to serve comes out of gratitude for God who has changed their lives. And we should continue to honor and keep all missionaries in prayers cause it can be a challenging task. God reminds us in 1 Tim 5:17-18 that we are to honor leaders "especially those whose work is preaching and teaching" (v17b); to these people, God says they are worthy of "double honor".

We all can have the privilege of being in God's presence because of our forefather missionaries who worked against all odds. And I believe that Pastors Raju and Tanda will not only come to be a great channel of blessing but will also raise many a great leaders. We are glad to have been a part of the learning journey of these pastors who are here to be trained and mentored. Like Elder Andrew mentioned, thanks for doing something for eternity.

Let's continue to pray for all our missionaries and as this week approach, there will also be more opportunities for you to find out more about missions at the mission night on 9 Mar (Fri), 8.15pm-10pm at Worship Centre and also on 11 Mar, 2pm @ Rooms 214, 215 as we hear from our own local Riverlife missionaries who are going to the field, how God has called them and the work they are going to do. I commend that to you and hope you will join us. I also comment to you to consider going together as a cell perhaps to India for mission trip for the next round.

Lastly, Pastors Raju and Tanda has invited us to their graduation from Tung Ling Bible School, on 22 Mar (Thu), 7.30pm at Bethesda Cathedral, 30 Chai Chee Street S468979. Anyone keen to go?

James

Critical Dimensions

In building the huge Arch of St. Louis, dimensions were so critical that surveyors had to work at night when the temperatures on all three walls were the same. Each measurement had to be exact. In pouring the foundation of either leg, a mistake of only 1/64 of an inch would have been disastrous. That difference in the angle of the top of each foundation would be multiplied until the two fingers reaching toward the sky would have failed to meet. All of the careful work was worth it, and the Arch today is a fitting monument to the opening of the West and the ingenuity of man.

Like the two towers of the Arch, faith and works reach toward each other. In church history, there have been miscalculations as to the importance of each. Some emphasized works so much that the Reformation had to call Christendom back to faith. On the other hand, mere faith is not enough, James said. Both legs of the tower must meet for the structure to be complete.

Theologians will continue to disagree on the proper balance of faith and works. While the battle rages, we laymen merely need to ask God's Holy Spirit to help us maintain a proper balance of faith and works. Faith and works can be combined in proper proportion, making our lives monuments of blessings.

For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26 NKJV)

Love as the Sea

At sunset, a little girl sat with her father at the edge of the ocean watching the tide come in. The waves sent a sheet of molten gold across the dry sand, almost like a caress from the arms of the sea. In that magic moment, the daughter said dreamily, "Isn't it wonderful how much the sea cares about the land?" Telling about the incident, the father said, "She was right. The land was merely passive. But the sea cared--and so it came."

Caring costs. It means reaching out to help when others pass by.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16 NIV84)

As I read this morning's devotion, it caught me by surprise. Especially the part which reads:

"Most of us say to someone in need, "If I can help, please tell me." The loving person does not even ask. He moves to relieve the person's needs and touch him with his concern".

I say that all the time too but then this morning came to realize that Jesus just came in love to help us, even before some of us even acknowledged it; He did not have to wait for us. That's selfless love in action.

May we love like the sea which reaches out to the land
May we love like Christ who loved us even before we understand
Seeking out people to whom our hands could extend
And every broken heart and life to mend. ~ James

Keep Pedaling...

Hello everyone,

These few days, I have been reminded of Emmanuel, God with Us; that no matter what happens, even when it seems that we are all alone and everything seems to be falling apart, He is always still around. 

It is something I am reminding myself.

Also came across a nice story shared during chapel today and hope it blesses you.

Just Pedal

At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things that I did wrong so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn't know Him.

But later on when I met Christ it seemed as though life was like a bike ride. But it was a tandem bike, and I noticed Christ was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know just when it was that He suggested that we change places, but life has never been the same since. When I had control I knew the way. It was rather boring, but it was predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains and through rocky places at break neck speeds. It was all that I could do to hang on. And even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal."

I worried and was anxious, and I asked, "Where are you taking me?" He laughed and didn't answer. That's when I learned that I was going to have to trust Him. I forgot my boring life in every adventure. And when I said, "I'm scared," He leaned back and just touched my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. He gave me gifts to take on my journey, and off we were again. He would say, "Give the gifts away. They are extra baggage, too much weight." So I did to people we met and I found that in giving I received and the journey continued and our burden was light.

I did not trust Him at first, to take control of my life. I thought He would wreck it. But He knows bike secrets. He knows how to make those sharp corners, and how to jump to clear high rocks, and do things I could have never done if I were in control. And I am learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places. I am beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful companion, Jesus Christ. And when I am not sure I can do it any more He smiles and says, "Just Pedal!"

~ Author Unknown

Where are you now?

Are you on the bike?

Are you leading the way or God leading the way?

Are you holding on to God?

Are you receiving His gifts to you?

Are you giving His gifts to others?

Are you trusting in Him and enjoying the ride?

The Age Old Strategy that still Works

Our Daily Bread today reminds us of the age old strategy of Satan which is still at work today, rather successfully at times; setting himself against everything God is and says. "(The) problem is that we, like Adam and Eve, believe Satan’s lies. And when we do, our loyalty (and faith) to God is compromised. Then our enemy slithers off to his next assignment, leaving us alone to face our regrets and the realization that his lies have seduced us away from our truest and dearest Friend. Who have you been listening to lately?". What are some lies you are falling prey to recently?

The Parable of the Pencil (Adapted)

Hi everyone,

Was in chapel today and heard about the Parable of the Pencil. 

I adapted it and hope the below will bless you as it has blessed me:

The Parable of the Pencil

The Pencil Maker took the pencil aside, just before putting it into the box.

"There are 7 things you need to know..." he told the pencil, "...before I send you out into the world. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best pencil you can be."

"One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in Someone's hand."
 

"Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, but you'll need it to become a better pencil."

"Three: The most important part of you will always be what's inside."
 

"Four: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make."

"Five: On every surface you are used on, you must leave your mark. No matter what the condition, you must continue to write."

"Six: Use your ability to erase appropriately, help others to correct mistakes and not to run them down and negate their mark."

"And finally Seven: You need to work alongside other pencils to see beautiful things achieved. There are times when a darker shade of pencil needs to be used and there are times when a lighter shade is essential."

The pencil understood and promised to remember, and went into the box with purpose in its heart.
Now, replace the pencil with YOU. Always remember them and never forget, and you will become the best person you can be.

One: You will be able to do many great things, but only if you allow yourself to be held in God's hand. And allow other human beings to access you for the many gifts you possess. 

John 15:4 (NIV, 1984) "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."

Two: You will experience a painful sharpening from time to time, by going through various challenges in life, but you'll need it to become a stronger person.

James 1:2,3,4 (NIV, 1984) "Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

Three: The most important part of you will always be what's inside. For some of us, we operate out of broken lead inside and no matter how much we sharpen, the tip will always come out broken and break. If you inside is broken, it's time for you to receive God's lead.

1 Samuel 16:7b (NIV, 1984) "The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”

Luke 6: 45 (NIV, 1984) "The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks."

Ezekiel 26:36 (NIV, 1984) "I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh."

Four: You will be able to correct any mistakes you might make.

The bible is full of imperfect people who makes mistakes. The difference is that they did not let them stop them from growing: David, Peter, Moses, Abraham and the list goes on. 

Five: On every surface you walk, you must leave your mark. No matter what the situation, you must continue to serve God in everything. 

Romans 12:11 (NIV, 1984) "Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord."

Six: Use your ability to erase appropriately, help others to correct mistakes and not to run them down and negate their mark.

2 Peter 3:9 (NIV, 1984) "The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV, 1984) "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work."

2 Timothy 2: 25-26 (NIV, 1984) "Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will."

And finally Seven: You need to work alongside other pencils to see beautiful things achieved. There are times when a darker shade of pencil needs to be used and there are times when a lighter shade is essential.

Romans 12:4-8 (NIV, 1984) "Just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. We have different gifts, according to the grace given us. If a man’s gift is prophesying, let him use it in proportion to his faith. If it is serving, let him serve; if it is teaching, let him teach; if it is encouraging, let him encourage; if it is contributing to the needs of others, let him give generously; if it is leadership, let him govern diligently; if it is showing mercy, let him do it cheerfully."

By understanding and remembering, let us proceed with our life on this earth having a meaningful purpose in our heart and a relationship with God daily.

Allow this parable on the pencil to encourage you to know that you are a special person and only you can fulfill the purpose to which you were born to accomplish. You can have a life with a meaningful purpose and a wonderful relationship with God everyday.

Jeremiah 29:11 (NIV,1984) "For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future."

Jeremiah 1:4-5a (NIV, 1984) "The word of the LORD came to me, saying,  “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart;"

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV, 1984) "For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

Life without God is like an unsharpened pencil, it has no point.

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.

The Prayer that Speaks Volume

What Prayer is Not

I remember struggling with prayer in the past when God brought me back to Him years ago. I always remember freezing whenever I was asked to pray because I am not sure about being able to spew out nice sounding "holy" words that could last me beyond just a few seconds. But then God reminded me about prayer in Matthew 6 where He highlighted some things that He does NOT look for in a prayer:

• Pray to be seen by others so that one will be seen as righteous (v5)
• Praying long meaningless prayers so others can hear them and be seen as righteous (v7)

It was a matter of the heart when it comes to prayer. And the bible warns "do not be like them". From then on, it corrected my perspective of prayer. Just as we sing to an audience of One when we have praise and worship, so do we pray to the audience of One, when we pray. 

As I did my quiet time this morning, I am reminded about prayer again. 

The Necessary Prayer that Speaks Volume

Matt 6 teaches us about prayer. Twice in Matt 6, the word of God reminds us that God knows what we need (v8, 32). But even though so, the bible goes on to teach us about prayer; a prayer that, when spoken from the right heart, speaks volume. Jesus says "This, then, is how you should pray":

• "Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name" (v9) speaks and reminds us of respect and honor for a great and Almighty God in our lives. 
• "Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven" (v10) speaks of submission and surrender of our lives to God, that His will be done. 
• "Give us today our daily bread" (v11) speaks of supplication to the Lord because He knows what we need and provides. 
• "And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors" (v12) speaks not only of asking God for forgiveness for the times we grieved Him but also the commitment to forgive others as the Lord forgives us. 
• "And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one" (v13) speaks of the need to be guided by the Lord in our lives. 

The Litmus Test

• Where are you in your prayer life today? 
• Do you come to the Almighty God with your prayers? 
• Do you trust God enough to come back to Him to commit it and lift it up to Him to handle; a God "who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine" (Eph 3:20a) 
• Do you come with the right heart? 

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land".(2 Chronicles 7:14)

"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matt 6:33). 

Hope it blesses you and have a blessed day!

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

Look Up!

Jesus is ready to pour down His promises on you.

We Are All in the Same Boat

Hi everyone, someone shared this devotion during chapel and thought of sharing it. Rather meaningful. Especially how we are all on the same boat and travelling towards the direction where God wants us to go...

Precursor to a Miracle

Hi everyone, as we talked about miracles the last week, one important character that we see in Jesus is that of obedience and faith, even as He broke the bread to serve the five thousand (Mark 6: 30-44).


Precursor to a Miracle from The Ark Church on Vimeo.

Reflection: A Blessed Life

Was reflecting...

"A blessed life is one where you can see the wonders of God working in and through your life, no matter the circumstances; good or bad, and where you are assured that He is with you always."

Extreme Heart Makeover

What is Peace?

Hi there everyone,

I was doing my Quiet Time this morning and read from Philippians 4:7 "And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Then, at Chapel today, someone shared about about how God gave her peace during a time when both of her only children were down with Meningitis, one after another. The doctors gave a bad prognosis and that she will have to live with her children having brain damage. But through it all, she felt God's peace having seen and treasured up how God has worked in her life thus far. She got a prompting from God and was adamantly convinced that her children would be discharged out of hospital in 2 days. This, despite the nurse telling her she might be in hospital with them for the next 2 weeks and despite how the fever, instead of going down, went higher the next day morning. The miracle of it was that by afternoon, they were well and as God has promised, the children were discharged that very Friday, 2 days later. Hallelujah!

But a poignant question was asked: "What is Peace?"

The story was told how there was once a king who was troubled by the same question. Hence he arranged a contest and called forth the best artists in his land. When they gathered, he said to them “I want you to draw a painting that depicts peace”.

Many considered this as an easy task and immediately started painting. And when they finished, the king was called to inspect the paintings and pick the best among them.

The king inspected the first painting. It was of a lovely garden of flowers of different types and colors. Above the flowers was the blue sky lit by peaceful sunshine. Butterflies and birds went about joyfully in the painting. The artist who drew this said to the king “This is Peace”. The king was not satisfied and so he moved to inspect the next painting.

The next painting depicted people of different walks of life shaking hands and laughing merrily. The king was not satisfied. He moved on.

He came across many paintings but kept moving on until he came to a painting which was different from the other paintings.

In this painting there was great turbulence in the sea; waves were forcefully splashing on the banks and crashing into the rock walls of the cliffs by the shore. The sky was ominous, the lightning was cutting across the sky. But where's the peace? The king looked carefully and finally understood it all. In the midst of all this turmoil, there was a little boat in the midst of the ocean and far beyond it, one can see a little sunshine peeking out from a gap in the cloudy skies, shining on the boat and giving the boat enough light to move forward. The king paused at this drawing and he seemed satisfied.

Now, even though my colleague said that many have heard this story, this is the first time I hear this story and it did blessed me; a good reminder about God's peace.

My colleague went on to share that peace is not the absence of a storm but hope, peace and assurance that through it all, God is with us. He is our refuge and He will bring us through it all. 

Many think that the Christian faith is about a life that is smooth-flowing. Yet we are not promised a life without storms. In fact we know that there is always the presence of evil in the world. But God has come to bring us peace in ourselves, with each other and with Him. We can overcome "because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." 1 John 4:4.

"Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid." John 14:27.

Only in Christ, can we have "Peace in the Midst of the Storm." 

Even as I pondered and reflected on this, I felt prompted to pen this down and I hope it will bless you as it did bless me... Do you have the peace of God in your heart? If not, it is not too late to draw back to God. Or have you forgot about the peace of God in your life? He is shining His light on you and calling you to come into His refuge.

You Are For Me

Romans 8:31b (NIV):

If God is for us, who can be against us?

So faithful. So constant.
So loving and so true.
So powerful in all You do.

You fill me. You see me.
You know my every move
You love for me to sing to You.

I know that You are for me.
I know that You are for me.
I know that You will never,
forsake me in my weakness

I know that You have come now,
even if to write upon my heart.
To remind me who You are.

So patient, So gracious,
So merciful and true…
So wonderful in all You do.

Reflections of Good Friday 2011

Hello everyone,

The time has come again when we are reminded of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and what He did for us.

And as I ponder on the reason for the season, I would never fail to remember a meaningful story I once read, I am the Cross, about the pain that Jesus bore for me.

This year, at staff chapel earlier, I am again reminded of the pain that Jesus bear, but this time, not only on the cross but when the pain starts being unbearable at the Garden of Gethsemane.

Matthew 26

 ³⁶ Then Jesus went with his disciples to a place called Gethsemane, and he said to them, “Sit here while I go over there and pray.” ³⁷ He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled. ³⁸ Then he said to them, “My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me.”

 ³⁹ Going a little farther, he fell with his face to the ground and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.”

 ⁴⁰ Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. “Couldn’t you men keep watch with me for one hour?” he asked Peter. ⁴¹ “Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak.”

 ⁴² He went away a second time and prayed, “My Father, if it is not possible for this cup to be taken away unless I drink it, may your will be done.”

 ⁴³ When he came back, he again found them sleeping, because their eyes were heavy. ⁴⁴ So he left them and went away once more and prayed the third time, saying the same thing.

 ⁴⁵ Then he returned to the disciples and said to them, “Are you still sleeping and resting? Look, the hour has come, and the Son of Man is delivered into the hands of sinners. ⁴⁶ Rise! Let us go! Here comes my betrayer!”

Someone was sharing in chapel from an article written by Max Lucado, The Passion, the Pain and the Promise, and I have come to realise how how Jesus loved us and how the battle for our lives between God and Satan was won, not on Calvary, but at the Garden itself, when Jesus painstakingly make the decision to die on the cross even, this even though when He could have walked away.

Snippets from the article "The Passion, the Pain and the Promise" by Max Lucado


... History records it as the battle of the Jews against Jesus. It wasn’t. It was a battle of God against Satan...

... And Jesus knew it. Jesus knew that before the war was over, he would be taken captive. He knew that before victory would come defeat. He knew that before the throne would come the cup. He knew that before the light of Sunday would come the blackness of Friday. And he is afraid...

... It will be the last time he sees them (His disciples) before they abandon him. He knows what they will do when the soldiers come. He knows their betrayal is only minutes away. But he doesn’t accuse. He doesn’t lecture. Instead, he prays. His last moments with his disciples are in prayer..

... It’s worth noting that Jesus chose prayer. He chose to pray for us...

... You need to note that in this final prayer, Jesus prayed for you....

... “I am also praying for all people who believe in me because of the teaching.” (John 17)...

... As Jesus stepped into the garden, you were in his prayer...

... His humanity begged to be delivered from what his divinity could see...

... we do know he asked to get out. We do know he begged for an exit. We do know there was a time when if he could have, he would have turned his head back on the whole mess and gone away. But he couldn’t.

He couldn’t because he saw you. Right there in the middle of a world which isn’t fair. He saw you cast into a river of life which you didn’t request. He saw you betrayed by those you love. He saw with a body which gets sick and a heart that grows weak. He saw you in your own garden of gnarled trees and sleeping friends. He saw you staring into the pit of your own failures and the mouth of your own grave. He saw you in your Garden of Gethsemane—and he didn’t want you to be alone. He wanted you to know that he has been there, too. He knows what it’s like to be plotted against. He knows what it’s like to be confused. He knows what it’s like to be torn between two desires. He knows what it’s like to smell the stench of Satan. And, perhaps most of all, he knows what it’s like to beg God to change his mind and to hear God say so gently, but firmly, “No.” For that is what God said to Jesus. And Jesus accepts the answer....

... The battle is won. You may have thought it was won on Golgotha. It wasn’t. The final battle was won in Gethsemane...

... For it was in the garden that he made his decision. He would rather go to hell for you than go to heaven without you.

This is the love of Christ, the love of God, for you and for me...

I like one of the songs which expresses this in its wonderful simplicity; that He is above all but He chose death and thought of us above all...

ABOVE ALL

Above all powers

Above all kings

Above all nature

And all created things

Above all wisdom

And all the ways of man

You were here

Before the world began

Above all kingdoms

Above all thrones

Above all wonders

The world has ever known

Above all wealth

And treasures of the earth

There's no way to measure

What You're worth

Chorus:

Crucified

Laid behind the stone

You lived to die

Rejected and alone

Like a rose

Trampled on the ground

You took the fall

And thought of me

Above all

One of the songs sang during cell last week captivated me and may we never lose the wonder of the cross; remembering the meaning of the cross not only on Good Friday and Easter but every day of our lives:

THE WONDER OF THE CROSS

O precious sight, my Savior stands

Dying for me with outstretched hands

O precious sight, I love to gaze

Remembering salvation's day

Remembering salvation's day

Though my eyes linger on this scene

May passing time and years not steal

The power with which it impacts me

The freshness of it's mystery

The freshness of it's mystery

Chorus:

May I never lose the wonder

The wonder of the cross

May I see it like the first time

Standing as a sinner lost

Undone by mercy and left speechless

Watching wide eyed at the cost

May I never lose the wonder

The wonder of the cross

Behold the God - Man crucified

The perfect sinless sacrifice

As blood ran down those nails and wood

History was split in two

Yes, History was split in two

Behold the empty wooden tree

His body gone, alive and free

We sing with everlasting joy

For sin and death have been destroyed

Yes sin and death have been destroyed

The Passion, The Pain, and The Promise

By Max Lucado

http://www.maxlucado.com/articles/topical/the_passion_the_pain_and_the_promise

Chapter Two - In The Garden

It’s nearly midnight when they leave the upper room and descend through the streets of the city. They pass the Lower Pool and exit the Fountain Gate and walk out of Jerusalem. The roads are lined with the fires and tents of Passover pilgrims. Most are asleep, heavied with the evening meal. Those still awake think little of the band of men walking the chalky road.

They pass through the valley and ascend the path which will take them to Gethsemane. The road is steep so they stop to rest. Somewhere within the city walls the twelfth apostle darts down a street. His feet have been washed by the man he will betray. His heart has been claimed by the Evil One he has heard. He runs to find Caiaphas.

The final encounter of the battle has begun.

As Jesus looks at the city of Jerusalem, he sees what the disciples can’t. It is here, on the outskirts of Jerusalem, that the battle will end. He sees the staging of Satan. He sees the dashing of the demons. He sees the Evil One preparing for the final encounter. The enemy looks as a spectre over the hour. Satan, the host of hatred, has seized the heart of Judas and whispered in the ear of Caiaphas. Satan, the master of death, has opened the caverns and prepared to receive the source of light.

Hell is breaking loose.

History records it as the battle of the Jews against Jesus. It wasn’t. It was a battle of God against Satan.

And Jesus knew it. Jesus knew that before the war was over, he would be taken captive. He knew that before victory would come defeat. He knew that before the throne would come the cup. He knew that before the light of Sunday would come the blackness of Friday.

And he is afraid.

He turns and begins the final ascent into the garden. When he reaches the entry he stops and turns his eyes toward his circle of friends. It will be the last time he sees them before they abandon him. He knows what they will do when the soldiers come. He knows their betrayal is only minutes away.

But he doesn’t accuse. He doesn’t lecture. Instead, he prays. His last moments with his disciples are in prayer. And the words he speaks are as eternal as the stars which hear them.

Imagine, for a moment, yourself in this situation. Your final hour with a son about to be sent overseas. Your last moments with your dying spouse. One last visit with your parent. What do you say? What do you do? What words do you choose?

It’s worth noting that Jesus chose prayer. He chose to pray for us. “I pray for these men. But I am also praying for all people who will believe in me because of the teaching of these men. Father, I pray that all people who believe in me can be one . . . I pray that these people can also be one in us, so that the world will believe that you sent me.”

You need to note that in this final prayer, Jesus prayed for you. You need to underline in red and highlight in yellow his love: “I am also praying for all people who believe in me because of the teaching.” That is you. As Jesus stepped into the garden, you were in his prayer.

As Jesus looked into heaven, you were in his vision. As Jesus dreamed of the day when we will be where he is, he saw you there. His final prayer was about you. His final pain was for you. His final passion was you. He then turns, steps into the garden, and invites Peter, James, and John to come. He tells them his soul is “overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death,” and begins to pray. Never has he felt so alone. What must be done, only can he do. An angel can’t do it. No angel has the power to break open hell’s gates. A man can’t do it. No man has the purity to destroy sin’s claim. No force on earth can face the force of evil and win—except God. “The spirit is willing, but the flesh is weak,” Jesus confesses. His humanity begged to be delivered from what his divinity could see. Jesus, the carpenter, implores. Jesus, the man, peers into the dark pit and begs, “Can’t there be another way?”

Did he know the answer before he asked the question? Did his human heart hope his heavenly father had found another way? We don’t know. But we do know he asked to get out. We do know he begged for an exit. We do know there was a time when if he could have, he would have turned his head back on the whole mess and gone away. But he couldn’t.

He couldn’t because he saw you. Right there in the middle of a world which isn’t fair. He saw you cast into a river of life which you didn’t request. He saw you betrayed by those you love. He saw with a body which gets sick and a heart that grows weak. He saw you in your own garden of gnarled trees and sleeping friends. He saw you staring into the pit of your own failures and the mouth of your own grave. He saw you in your Garden of Gethsemane—and he didn’t want you to be alone. He wanted you to know that he has been there, too. He knows what it’s like to be plotted against. He knows what it’s like to be confused. He knows what it’s like to be torn between two desires. He knows what it’s like to smell the stench of Satan. And, perhaps most of all, he knows what it’s like to beg God to change his mind and to hear God say so gently, but firmly, “No.” For that is what God said to Jesus. And Jesus accepts the answer.

At some moment during that midnight hour an angel of mercy comes over the weary body of the man in the garden. As he stands, the anguish is gone from his eyes. His fist will clench no more. His heart will fight no more. The battle is won. You may have thought it was won on Golgotha. It wasn’t. The final battle was won in Gethsemane. And the sign of conquest is Jesus at peace in the olive trees. For it was in the garden that he made his decision. He would rather go to hell for you than go to heaven without you.

Been Thinking - Our Choice

Been thinking - Who we are today is largely determined by what we give entry into our lives. God made us wonderful biological life systems with choice. So we choose: positive & negative thoughts, love & unforgiveness, friends & influences, wholesome & flawed perspectives, emotions, decisions, food, exercise etc. All our choice & consequences will largely determine who we are today…

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. " (Romans 12:2)

ONELife Pre-Easter Event: Dragon Boating on 16 April 2011 (Sat)

Click poster for larger version

 

Hi everyone,

 

Here's the upcoming ONELife activity and eInvite. Do invite your friends to this pre-Easter event. Details for signup will be released soon.

 

Meanwhile, do mark this down in your calendars and invite your friends along :D