Walking down Moriah

Bible study 28 Sept Monday

Down the Road of Moriah, living the life of endurance.

In a race, there are five stages.

1. Pleasure

2. Drudgery

3. Labour

4. Temptation to quit

5. Endurance/quitting.

à the capacity to finish well is what the New testament calls endurance/perseverance.

Perseverance is the ability to honour commitments when honouring them becomes difficult.

1. In our spiritual lives what phase are we in right now?

Personally, I’m in the drudgery stage. I guess in SSM in June, like all camps, I just really was at stage 1, enjoying EVERY moment, without even a trial at one point. But as the weeks of school began and I returned from that spiritual high, trials and tests both emotional/mental/spiritual that were laid before me make me feel like I’m carrying weights but not to the point of labour. I still enjoy His presence everyday, though the trials are getting increasingly difficult, it helps me magnify Him amidst troubles. (Someone reminded me of this lesson for her own devotions J )

2. What commitments do I have?

1. Son of the most high king
2. Son and brother
3. Studies
4. Cell
5. Friendships/younger ones

Hebrews 12: 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.”

Perseverance through suffering

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

àThe biggest factor formative in spiritual growth was suffering,

1. When we face through suffering, look at how it can benefit us, and not at the problem itself.

2. Look to Him for the solutions, not at the problem.

Road to Moriah

Moriah was the road Abraham took on his way to sacrifice Isaac.

“Take your son, your one and only son Isaac whom you love and go to the land of Moriah and offer him there as a burn offering on one of the mountains.”

à It was a dark road to Moriah because it meant Abraham had to give up what he loved the most in the world

à The road was a lonely road because no one knew how Abraham felt. (God actually gave him a son after so many years of waiting (Sarah was ninety! I think) only for him to lose Isaac!) At times during our trials we feel that no one understands, and that’s normal because only He does.

He understands what it meant because; God took Abraham’s place. In every bible story like David/Job/Daniel they all had good endings but for Jesus, God let him die. There was no thundering from heaven saying “STOP” when the nails pierced his flesh. Yes, Jesus rose in 3 days, but then he endured the pain, and God endured the pain Abraham avoided- watching his own son die.

The role of testing

Testing is only for the people who have a relationship with God. So if you’re going through a trial, it pretty much means you’re enjoying an act of love on God’s part.

Q: How was Abraham able to walk that road up to the mountain to sacrifice Isaac, the road must have been a pretty depressing journey.

à He remembered God’s promise to make him the father of all nations. In our trials, look to the bible for His promises.

Eg. Seek first his kingdom, and all these things shall be added unto you

I have plans for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you.

à Every journey has a beginning, middle and an end. When we’re in the middle, no one is allowed to know what the end will be.

- Abraham chose to walk in faith down the road of Moriah, when you’re in your trial, will you walk in faith?

Q: why does God test us?

1. To teach us to depend on Him
2. Transformation in our lives
3. Glorify Him and be a testament to others
4. To test our faithfulness

What does it mean for YOU to be faithful in the dark land of Moriah?

I.e. What trials are you facing now, no matter how big or small?

“Suffering alone does not produce perseverance. Only suffering that is endured somehow in faith produces it.” John Ortberg

When Jesus was bound, no voice cried out to stay the ropes, when the blade pierced his body, no power held it back. This time, no other sacrifice was provided. This time the Son died on the cross. This time the Father grieved.

But the third day came; as it will come someday for you and me, meanwhile, don’t quit, persevere.

-Sam

"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. ²Let 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. ³Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart."
Hebrews 12 : 1

This was what I heard in the morning, at chapel.
It's that God would not put things he knows we are unable to overcome,
In our path.
The obstacles that sit in our path, is for our own good.
They are there so we grow closer to God and our relationship grows stronger.
The EOYs are nothing compared to the pain Jesus went through on the cross,
It's like comparing a cell to the universe.
Jesus has already gone through suffering on that cross,
To help us overcome the BIGGEST and ONLY real obstacle that we would have had to face,
That is getting to heaven.
And Jesus is the bridge between us sinful humans and Daddy's Paradise.

Lately, I've been scolded alot for not studying.
And lectured alot as well.
And slowly, realization dawned on me.
EOYs is NOTHING.
Everything you need to know is in the textbook.
You just have to understand it and memorise it,
You would do fine.
It's nothing compared to what you would have to face after schooling years.
So why not have fun while you're at it?
Now we look back to Primary School, and we think.
" What. So easy. I could have scored 300 for PSLE."
( Honestly, people do say that )
And it's true.
We could have, but we made things seem as if it was impossible.
I bet, after 16 days, most of our EOYs would be over.
And we'd think, " What? I could have done so much better."
Well, don't let yourself have that kind of regret.
Just focus your energy onthe EOYs,
and as the verse says, " Throw off everything that hinders"
So just let nothing distract you from the EOYs.
See the EOYs as a way to honor God.
Like a way to repay his kindness.
It's the least you could do.
As long as you have Jesus in mind,
He will always be there to give you the extra push.
Right now, my studying time is from 9-10Pm.
I sleep at 10PM sharp.
And then I'm up at 330AM all the way to 6AM.
Revising.
And every time before I start,
I just say a simple prayer.
" God, I know I can do this. Can I do this? I don't knowww. Uhh. I'll try? NO. I must! Okay. Here goes. God, I pray that you will be sitting by my side while I shove this all into my brain. I pray that you will help me to understand."

Well friends, I post here to they to share good news.
Brothers & Sisters, Friends and Silentreaders,
IMPOSSIBLE. IS. NOTHING.

Questions.

Well, I’m sure everyone out there has a lot a lot of questions. And sometime we just ask God, “How?” “Why?” “When?” “Who?” And all sorts of things. Well, I think today (Or the whole week) has been caught through a series of events which I must say that some has been good and bad. Some really memorable some worth forgetting completely. Some things I’ve done wrong and some say correct. And my question for God was: “Why did You make me the way I am?” And “How much do You love me?”

And I’m glad to say that my second question has been answered very well and I really felt God’s love so tangibly during worship yesterday and it felt so carefree and as if nothing mattered anymore. I felt so drowned in His love that I didn’t have to ask for anything more. Because He has provided everything I will and would need(:

But my second question really hit me today again, as I was talking to Kegan and Sam. Did God put me here for a reason? What reason was it? (I still don’t know.) Will I be able to face all of the things in front of me or that comes my way? Will I be able to stand the test of time and still be able to thank God when I’m going through so so much? (It may depend. But I want to be able to.) So how?

I just thought of the verse that is applicable to this.
Philippians 4:13- “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.”
The entire chapter of Ecclesiastes 3
Psalms 121

And even though God hasn’t answered all my questions, I’m sure he would in His time. Matthew 6:33- But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

“You are the hand that catches my fall
You are the friend that answers my call
You are my day, You are my night
You are my love and all of my life

You are the love I need
You are the air I breathe
You are my love my life always forever
I would lay down my life
Just to be by Your side
You are my love my life always forever

You are the grace that covers my sin
You’re everything the beginning and end
You have my soul, my heart and my mind
You have my love and all of my life

Hallelujah, Hallelujah, Hallelujah, forever”

Hope the song brings you through the week! Study hard! (:

Jac!

Listen.

Last Wednesday, I was tossing about in my bed, my brain still spinning (I was rushing my mensuration homework, of which all required formulas and tedious calculations).

And after all, it was a Wednesday, the worst day of the entire week (in my opinion), and there was a Math test the next day.

So, I couldn't sleep.

And then I so cleverly went to recall someone saying 'What is tested for Geography test tomorrow?' earlier in the afternoon at school, and so I panicked and jumped out of bed, emptied my bag searching for evidence that there was indeed a Geography test the next day.

Of course, I found none. But being silly, I still wanted to revise to play safe. My textbook and workbook were both in school, so I did the next best thing - worry.

The clock read midnight and I was staring at my ceiling.

I took out my bible and started to read. Another mistake: reading from the depressing chapters of Job. Nothing was helping.

Thinking back, I don't know why I was doing all these stupid things. I'm always a bit xiao at night I guess.

So I asked God to calm me down and let me sleep. I kept calling His name over and over again in my mind but I felt even worse. Giving up, I shut up and didn't say anything anymore.

It was then that I heard Him say, "I'm right here."

Sometimes, we get so caught up in our lives and we forget to listen to Him. But throughout, He will always be beside us - whether we know it or not.

Jess

PS. There wasn't any Geography test the next day.

PPS. God had told me that, so I slept peacefully until the next morning.

Oh, The Temptation from Steve V on Vimeo.

I don't know if this works.

BUTTTT,

I was just watching this video on one of the webs that I usually read on a daily basis.

Besides the fact that the kids are mega-cute!I

think this really encapsulates what I'm facing.

To wait for what's better and trust that it would happen.

We are made royal, so there's no fear of lack and complete trust that God would provide in every circumstance.

Now, I just need to let my heart know that too.

I was also listening to a sermon last night on time. That time demarcates a certain period. And with all time, events always come to an end.

So have faith that whatever you're going through, would one day come to an end.

But, even the good things come to an end. So enjoy where you are, because you never know where this journey with God may take you! ((:

<33>

loving with no boundaries.

You know on Saturday, when Matthew and I were coming back from buying drinks at Anchor, I saw this guy who was younger than us. He was walking up the bus steps really quickly. It seemed so natural you know, but when I looked down at his legs, I realised one of his legs is prosthetic.
I felt so sad for him, he haven't even started his life. Yet, he seemed so strong and determined to overcome this handicap of his. It reminded me of how we should be living our lives. Instead of complaining and ranting about how annoying that guy or girl is, why don't we push it to the limits and love them like you never loved anyone before. Being handicap didn't seem to obstruct the guy from doing anything, why should we let the devil obstruct us from loving people like how God wants us to. We should be like the handicapped guy and be persistent in loving people around us.
thats all.

Jialing:)

This Isn't A Lesson, Sorry(:

I just wanted to share with you guys
What I've been going through(:
Because it's with you guys,
That all my troubles fade away(:

You see, my life has been pretty bad lately.
It's been a bad roller coaster ride.
Where you want to get off,
But you just have to stay and puke your guts out.

From the most important thing,
To the Least.

1) I'm a very jealous person.
I'm someone who wants what others have.
And I will forever be envying others.
Even if I don't need it.
I just want it.

2) Rejection
It's really horrid.
The feeling of rejection.
Most of my classmates got into both VJ and NJ,
and they choose to deny the opportunity.
But I got rejected by both schools.
Then I started to think that maybe,
Just MAYBE, God may have plans for me.
And that there was a reason to stay in MG.
So I waited.
And there's this Student Leadership programme,
It's pretty cool.
And 137 people signed up for it,
and 107 got in.
The funny thing is that I met the criteria perfectly.
But I was part of the 30.
I didn't make the cut.
And ALL my classmates got in.
To be rejected by other schools is one thing,
but to be rejected by your own school.
Is just disgusting.
And I got really pissed off.
Because there's so many of my classmates,
Who seem perfect.
They have excellent grades,
Acceptance to JCs,
Teacher's Pets,
Awards and Achievements,
And they got into this programme.
And they choose to deny it.
Which sucks quite bad.

3) Chinese lessons are unbearable
Honestly, my chinese used to be PRO.
In sec 1, I'd top level in Oral.
End Year Compo.
My papers would top too.
My chinese teacher adored me.
I didn't even have to touch the chinese textbook.
I'd be helping my friends with their tingxie during lesson.
And I'd be stoning and doodling during lesson.
This year, I'm in HMT.
Higher Mother Tongue.
And to me, it's hell.
For the first term, I managed to top the class
in the first test.
But it didn't last.
My teacher started making fun of my pronounciation,
And she'd take my homework and be all
" All of you did very well, except Amadea. I have no idea
What she is doing. I mean, take a look? See.
This error here. And here. What is this? It's like shit."
Just in chinese.
And she'd put it up on the visualizer to humiliate me.
So my confidence went from 100 to -100.
And I just can't do chinese anymore.
Which affects my other grades too.
Because chinese used to be a breeze,
Suddenly it's hell.
So I just don't trust my studying techniques,
I didn't trust me.
And my grades just flopped.
Plus, my chinese teacher tells me to
'Go and Die'
On a daily basis.
It's very bad for my moral esteem?

4) The EOYs are coming
My school thinks we're geniuses.
I have ten chapters of History,
Ten for Geog,
Five Essay writing styles for LA,
Merchant Of Venice for Lit,
Four chapters of Bio,
20 Chapters for Math
Three Chapters of Physics,
Three Chapters of chinese and 100 cheng yus.

Plus, I have to know how to write a gong han.
Excuse me?

10 + 10 + 1book + 5 + 4 +20 + 3 +4 + 3 +100
= 167 Chapters

It's not a very happy thing(:
And I just can't have them all memorised,
And in my head.
At my fingertips.
It's horrid.
So little time,
So much to do.

5) My classmates are demoralizing.
Last term, I decided to form a study group.
For the people in the East to gather and study.
I work best in groups(;
This term,
These two girls,
X and Y
( By the way, in Direct Proportion,
If X is varied directly to Y
The equation would be
X=KY)
Who are in the east and was in my study group.
They were planning a study session this Monday.
For the whole day.
And naturally, I thought I was invited.
But then I was sitting infront of Y during art.
And she was inviting non-east people.
So I was like,
"Yeah yah. Invite them, never invite me."
And she was like,
" Sorry la. I can't. My mom said
'If Amadea goes, I won't let you go'"
And that just hurt quite badly.
And she didn't stop there.
This point leads all the way back to the Rejection bit.
But I was whatever with it.
But I honestly hate this kind of poop.
People who dare judge me without knowing me well enough.
And I got quite angered.
So I said VERY SWEETLY,
" You know, Y, it's quit ironic, don't you think?
If I'm so STUPID and can't study,
then why would I be in this class?
THE SECOND BEST CLASS IN THE LEVEL."
Then she was being all cute,
And texted me after school,
To apologize.
I'd forgive her,
But see.
Her text messages were so contradicting
To what she herself said to me that day.
Like
Text: Oh, I'm sorry(: I meant that my mom
says I can't study with more than one person.
Talk : My mom thinks you waste alot of time,
like the last time. So she says you're bad influence.
PLUS RIGHT. She said not more than one person,
but she was totally inviting random strangers.
It's all these lies that she tries to kid me with.
They're repulsive.
But still, I sucked it up and said.
" It's okay(: Really. I get super weird during exam periods(;
It's totally me, none of your fault(: Really. Sorry(: I was mean today."
I don't like the way she judged me.
I don't like the way she acted so high and mighty.
I don't like the way she told everyone in our clique
About what happened.
And got ALL of them to text me with texts saying
"Forgive Y la, she didn't mean it"
"You have to read Y's texts(:"
"Y is really sweet..."
And stuff whatsnots.


I'M DONE(:
Hahaha.
This seems like a ranting post(;
Mhm.

But anyway,
I'm sure after all this is over.
There would be a morale to it.
That I could post here too(;

If I die,
Please tell my parents to never look at my phone(;
Thank you(:
(:

So anyway,
If you guys want to study buddy anytime.
Sure(:
We can study together.

Just call me(:
-Amadea(:

Dear all,

Thank you so much for all your prayers and hugs today.
Maybe when you guys get a bit older and more mature, I'll explain what happened.

I'm sorry I've been rather out of sorts lately, crying a lot.
Because of medicine and all the other many things that have left me rather disillusioned.

But hopefully when God is done with me in this season, you guys would be able to see a distinct change in me.
I'm excited to see the end of my transformation too.

And I must say that I feel really really blessed for having every single one of you in my life.

<33 Xue En

commit to God.

I'm having really big problems not talking about this girl.
The thing is, I used to know her and she seemed really nice,
but you know how judging a book by its cover is.
I got to realise through this past 2 months that she's one of the meanest person I've ever known.
The thing that got me pissed was that she's a christian too.
To me, its like, how are you reflecting God's image in your life?

I guess it didn't occur to me how I reflected God image 2 or 3 years ago, or even just last year.
I didn't do all the mean things she does, but profanities escaped my mouth every minute.
People knew there and then that I was a christian.
So, I know that God wants me to know that I shouldn't judge her by what she does,
I have absolutely no right to, cause I was once like that.

The bad thing was, I dragged my friend into this by telling her about it.
So yeah, I asked God to forgive me.

Words kill, words give life; they're either poison or fruit—you choose.
-Proverbs 18:21

it reminds me that what i say can really hurt or just really help someone, and I should be on the mission of saving my friends!

"Commit to the LORD whatever you do, and your plans will succeed."
-Proverbs 16:3

So I plan to commit everything I do to God, including my studies and I know he will be there to help me!:)

Jialing.

Patience when Reaching Out to Others

What do you reply when someone insults our Jesus? Sometimes I'm really left with no words...

It's like when you talk to them about Jesus, they'll be like 'ya right...' or like 'screw Jesus'. It's really hurting la. Most of the time I try to ignore these stuff, and tell myself, "They don't know. They haven't experienced God's love". But really, sometimes it's just... crappy. Like they insult your God, and what. I don't insult them back of course, but what do I do?

And so Christians like me, those who share about Jesus in class, ask people to come to church, yea, we're called 'Enthus'. Like wth.

I'm not dishonouring here, just talking about how I feel about stuff.

Like let's say I share my friend's testimony, they'll be like, "Uh... So what's the point?" which makes me like real pissed. So I ask myself, why bother about reaching out to people who reject God?

But yea. God has called us to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. Jesus died on the cross so that everyone can be saved from sin. Everyone as in those who aren't in Christ too. Not that I'm giving up. I just need some strength from God.

Jesus suffered for all of us. He is the truth. In Proverbs 1, God talks about rejecting wisdom, which in this case I think is real appropriate. It says, when the time of disaster and calamity comes, they will search God but not find him, they will call out and hear no answer.

Do I want that to happen to my friends? Like heck no. I love my friends. We just have some differences that's all. I will try harder to reach out to them. The Bible says that good lyrics only work well with good music. A good message will only be well recieved with good delivery. So I pray God that He'll give me the wisdom to evangelise, The right way. The way God meant for me to.

Alrght. I guess I'll end here(:

Bryan

thanks guys

HELLO SUPER COOL CELL MATEYS! AHOY!:D
YAY. and maybe some non-cell mates. but still the same!:D
Cause you are all nice people!:D
Omg. i sound like some admin clerk.
OKAY.
YAY. You guys are so amazing!:D
Your posts are all so reflecting of just plain cool.
THANKS LIONEL, TRUDY , SAM AND JAC.
Im so proud of you Trudy!:)
& Jac thanks for sharing here too!
and Lionel! for posting your sweet sweet post :)
AS WELL AS SAM FOR STARTING THIS BLOG THING!:D
LOVE ALL YOU GUYS!:D
Really cant wait to see you!

God is our anchor and he'll always keep us steady no matter haw strong the waves may be. :)

have a nice friday!
jialing:)

Proverbs 10 and music

Today, i just felt really lonely being alone at home.

I started my devotions asking God to fill my love tank once again, and i suddenly felt this urge to play my piano. I haven't played the piano for so long that the keys were dusty (yuck) but when i played the first song search me know me try me and see, i just felt Him ministering to me, and as i continued to play your love is deep, and after that here i am to worship i just felt my love tank being filled. It was quite a reminder that my love tank can be filled by God any time, any how, and wherever i ask Him to.

Pro 10:1

"A wise son brings joy to his father, but a foolish son, grief to his mother."

Its such a simple verse but it really makes me wonder which of the two i am. I yearn to be a wise son of course, but i wonder if i truly bring joy to my dad. And on the opposite side, i wonder if i really do bring grief to my mum :( It reminds me of Pst vic's sermon on honouring our parents, and i'm just reminded that honour really starts from home. If i can't even honour and love my own flesh and blood, how can i for other people i'm not related to?

I'm really encouraged by all your blogposts :) it really makes me smile so much. hope you guys are having your daily bread! :D

Sam

Accomplishments!

Well, today I started the day by just mass sending everyone that they would have a great day and that they would accomplish many great things today. Hmm, then I was really encouraged by Hannah cause after she read my sms she felt like she could do great things. Hahah.

So anyways, I didn’t really bother about what I did the whole day. Except for the fact that I think I made it a point for God to be there every moment in my day (or kinda at least). So yes, as I was walking home at about 9pm, I was thinking to myself what happened the whole day. And I realised that I accomplished many things.

1.Not falling asleep during my Chinese test.
2.Understanding the passage!! (:
3.Doing the video for my seniors farewell.
4.Getting all the prezzie for the seniors. (From Ikea, Daiso and spotlight!)

So these were the things I did today. And then I immediately praised God and thanked Him for the strength even though I was already so super tired after a long long day. And this is a verse that is related to this; Philippians 2:14- Do everything without complaining and arguing. And Philippians 4:13- I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Then I called Hannah and told her all about today! Oh, I told my dear cell leader, Kegan, too! Hahah(: I’m a happy girl!

Yes! That’s all for today(:

Jacqueline!! (:

Friends.

So sorry, but I felt that I just HAD to type this out though this is nothing related to word.
But. Hey, you guys know I do family devotions right?
Well, for today's devotions we read about one-sided friendships, & less-than-perfect friends.
And the book mentioned about someone who had a learning disability & that he couldn't really find the right friends coz everybody just teased him & called him "the stupid kid".
& they also mentioned having four kinds of friends that are bound to leave us disappointed and frustrated.

• Part-time friends. These kind of friends only stick to you when everybody else is occupied. Other than that when everyone else isn't, he treats you like you're nobody & leaves you in the cold.
• Conditional friends. Only if you can provide what he needs, then only will he be friends with you. As soon as you choke, the friendship sputters.
• Careless friends. These are common - they blab secrets, gossips & they break promises. it's tough to have much of a friendship with them coz you never know where you stand.
• Shallow friends. These kind of friends only joke around, so whatever you say don't mean a thing to them. They won't help you seriously.

So I'm here saying that I used to be with careless & part-time friends. Nothing good ever came out just by trying to act cool and trying to be popular like them (part-time friends). They only used people, they only gossiped behind your backs even if you're close to them. & I ended up feeling hurt and lonely being with them. I turned bad, spending money on fast food almost everyday even though I knew my parents wouldn't approve of me doing so & alot of other stuff I was unwilling to do. & I did all these kinds of stupid things just so I could fit in & the whole process of me trying to do so just felt wrong, it just wasn't me.

So, ever since I stopped talking to them, stopped hanging out with them, people from my cca (netball) whom has never EVER talked to me before started talking to me, encouraging me to work harder, laugh with me, & I even thought they'd hate me all my life. Other people also started talking to me more often & when I asked them why, they said I don't have an attitude problem anymore. & all THIS happened because I wasn't with them anymore! It was really encouraging & I realized how much I'd missed out when I was wasting time with friends that didn't truly care about me. I'm now very proud to say I've found my true friends who appreciate me the way I am & who constanly care about me & no matter how big the problem is, they're always there for me. They don't make use of me, & they aren't part-time friends coz they always want to be around. Now that I'm spending time with my new friends, I just watch from afar how ridiculous I used to be like one of those "popular, act cool" people & yes I can call them ah lians (?).

So my mom thanked God tonight for me, that He showed me who my true friends really are. I just feel so... MYSELF when I'm around my new friends now & I come home not feeling lonely or upset coz I'm not the dark person I used to be.

I thank God for showing me the right path once again. (:

Trudy.

Honey is awesome! (By Lionel Wong)

So yah, something totally cool and awesome happened to me yesterday. And anyways, just wanted to share it.

So anyways, I was eating some honey as I had a bad throat. And then a bible verse just popped into my head. Here is the verse, Proverbs 24:13 "Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste".

And I was like WOW! This is psychic stuff!(No lah, maybe just god or something) So yah, thats it. Totally random but interesting!

Having a great week BTW, hope everyone's the same! Bye!

wishy washy :)

I'm so bored I shall just post again! YAY!
HAHA
Let me see. oh yeah, haha Bryan.
Thanks for you super encouragingly awesome words!:D
HAHA.
AND
You know what?
this blogskin looks nice the way it is. :D
YAY.
so no one is gonna change it!:)
YAY!
YES EVERYONE
TOMORROW IS KENZO IS GOING TO THE ZOO'S BIRTHDAY!:D
PLEASE SPAM HIM!:D
He'll be so pleased.
HAHA.
Make sure he doesn't see this! XD

PRAYPRAY!

HI PEOPLE. I'm from mars!:D
YES OKAY. SAMUEL AND JACQUELINE ARE SICK.
WHAT YOU HUMANS NEED TO DO IS PRAY FOR THEM!:D
YAY. LOVE YOU HUMANS!:D
Currently I think im weird. HAHA. JIALING IS A WEIRDO. YES.
MY SCHOOL IS WEIRD.
BUT ACTUALLY JIALING IS WEIRD.
URGH.
OKAY.
I seriously need more Christians around me. School seems so surreal to me.
I feel a sense of joy or peace or whatever it is that is awesome everyday now.
HAHA. YES JIALING. HAHA. just ignore me talking to me.
OKAY. but proverbs 4 is needed in my life like seriously.
JIALING NEEDS TO STOP JUDGING PEOPLE.
SHE NEEDS TO.
OR ELSE. JIALING IS A BAD GIRL, CAUSE GOD SAYS SO.
YES PEOPLE. PLEASE PRAY FOR JIALING TOO.
SHE NEEDS IT!:D

BYE JIALING. :D

Advanced Up! (:

Hello! I shall post this cause I think it can be something learnt by everyone. Well, the thing that I’m going to share is not what I exactly learnt from the bible. But from experience. I think God works in so many ways I couldn’t imagine. God has placed so many people timely in my life to nurture and help me grow immensely.

During the last day of advance, Cheryl asked me if she could pray for me. And I was like sure! (Thinking that it would be a short prayer.) But no. When she started praying, I could really feel God’s presence so tangibly. And it was so amazing! And at that moment, I just broke down and cried and cried. Then she told me that God is that to take all my burdens and that all I needed to do was to give and surrender everything to Him. And He would take care of it and that I Would not need to worry about it anymore because it was in safe hands. She also told me that if I wanted to do this, I would have to give every single thing. And not keeping or holding one back. And that was the most difficult thing to do (being a person which experiences mean a lot, I had to let it go.) I knew I couldn’t hold it back. But yet it was really so hard to let go. All my thoughts, actions, words, feelings, situations and most of all the people in my life.

It took me a really long while to actually make a commitment to give everything to God, knowing that He’ll take care of it. So anyways, I just surrendered it all to him. Which was the most comforting of all. The best thing to do.

Well, after that, I feel much relived and free. Like as if I was a new person and heart. Cheryl also said that I took a big step of faith and courage. And that on Sunday, I not only made a step forward in my walk. But 5 big steps. Which encouraged me to do more! (: And that now, with a different and changed heart. I can do even more great things lined up for me.

So yes. To summarise, I have learnt that:
1. I can trust God in all circumstances.
2. Sometimes all we need is to take a step of faith so that God can work.
3. God’s timings are perfect!

Jacqueline! (:

POP (Prophesying Over People)

Nice one la, Jialing. Don't worry. I'll paragraph this time(:

It's awesome to hear about you and your visions and words of knowledge. I know how hard it is, to tell whether the vision or words you have in your head are plain imagination or from God. I also face that. But I just trust in God and release the word or vision. Nothing to lose anyway(:

I ask myself: What if it was really from God and that guy really needs the word or vision? So that's what like gives me the motivation to dare and release whatever I have for the person. It's actually really fun(:

Sometimes it's just prompts to go and pray for people. That's what I did for Sam on Saturday la. And as I prayed for him, stuff just came out of my head then I just voiced it out as the picture is being drawn in my head la.

To me it's like anyhow whack. But sometimes that's how God works through us(: So ya(:

Bryan

Faith

I was supposed to do on Proverbs 4. My eye bags are killing me.
Anyway, I wanted to post this before I sleep. :D
Worship advance was really really fun. It was like a dream, just that it wasn't.
One of the part that really got to me was morning devotions on Saturday.
Visions and words are things that I never experienced, and to be honest, i just didn't really care after a while. I would always close my eyes and see the inside changing colours because of the sunlight. Its like really discouraging at times to like not be able to do it and practically everyone else can. Yeah, so we were supposed to pray for the person on your left and see what God wants to tell them. As usual, I got super blur and prayed for the person on my right. Then, I realised I was praying wrongly. Basically, my praying was like " God please please please please give me something you want to tell them". My mind was flooded with two things, a rainbow and like some affirmation. Well, the affirmation to me seemed to fit the girl on my right better and so,I told the guy on my left that I saw a rainbow. The weird thing is, he said the rainbow meant something as someone prayed for him and got a rainbow a few weeks back and when the person praying for the girl on my right told her what God wanted to tell her, I was seriously shocked. It matches exactly what I wanted to say to her. The rainbow, i was thinking about the bookmark thing sam gave me about God's promise. Yeah, but I wasn't sure so I didn't really say. Through this, I learned that God really can make use of you no matter how small or lousy you think you are as long as you believe he can do it. He really affirmed me this time and I think I would have more confidence next time. :)
Yeah, so the end, i better go do something else before I faint!
Jialing:D

Breakthroughs

Today, there were 5 breakthroughs.

But i'd just like to share 1.

Today when Bryan walked up to the altar, i thought he was going to come to me for prayer, but God had something else in mind, and it somehow astounded me when he said Samuel, God wants me to pray for you. And i think what really touched my heart was how he dared to come up, and how every guy cell member from my cell walked up behind to support, and Bryan released a vision that was fully accurate. And when i thought that was it, Kenzo offered to pray too. Sharing this testimony isn't to boast to any other cell leader that HEY MY CELL IS BEARING FRUIT, but it is to encourage those who don't feel that there is any result from what they do. And in a sense, my cell's victory is a victory throughout the church that deserves to be celebrated. Because it was not a long while ago when i couldn't see beyond the wall.

Hope this encourages everyone just like how, reading other peoples testimonies encourage and inspire me.

Proverbs 4

Proverbs 4

Pro 4:23 "Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life."

There are 27 verses in proverbs 4. But guess what, on the day i did devotions, this was the only verse that spoke to me specifically.

Love tank
Someone once asked me, who fills your love tank? Are they your boyfriend/girlfriends? Are they your parents? Are they your friends? Or is it God? No one can completely fill your love tank except Jesus. Our hearts can only love once our love tanks are full, or else we find ourselves tired at relationships (whether parents/friends/bgr).

Guarding
Who do we guard our hearts from or for? Our hearts are all breakable and this is just advise to not give your love away cheaply to someone else. Always consider think/consult parents/older people in church. Especially since we're only 14 18 and 19 years old, marriage is still really far off 12 years more for the 14 year olds if you're marrying at 26, 8 more for me, 7 for xue en. Unless you think your love can last in a bgr for that long, please rethink.

I'm really glad everyone's posting yay! haha :)

Hello all, it's nice seeing you all update! ((:

I don't really know what has been happening to me the last two days. Perhaps for so long as a leader, I pick out things that would minister to others and always miss out the all important fact that whatever good word I see is meant for myself as well. For the last two days, I feel like I've just lost sight of God in the midst of the many things that I have planned to do but never really got down to doing. Honestly, the feeling sucks. I am going to do something about it tonight!

Hope you guys are all getting on fine!
But here's a reminder to Sam and Zhong-En, remember to feed yourselves first. (((:

<33 Xue En

Random but heartfelt stuff. Just kidding. But seriously.

Wow... It's really cool being able to see, in words, your (you guys') walks with God and your testimonies. Really really cool. But i also kinda makes me feel bad cos i couldn't even remember the URL of the blog... Anyway. Yea. I read the Bible, not daily but once every two days i think. Seeing these posts I feel that, you know, I'm not doing enough, making enough time with my walk with God. As I'm typing this it's also like a prayer to God. That was random but yea. Like how I've neglected the importance of quiet time. I'm sorry, God. Like Sam said, daily devotions are our daily bread and without it we'll starve. But what I really like about this blog thing is that I get to know your lives not only on saturdays but like the highlights of your everyday. If you catch my ball. Right. So I'm supposed to do this report by today but I'm always getting distracted. Well, I don't see how the stuff i say is related to each other but really I'm just typing out whatever comes to my mind. You prolly don't know who this is anyway. Or maybe you do. My name will be at the end of this post. So whatever. There's this word that really spoke to me yesterday when the non-newbies were praying for us, the newbies in the worship min. It came from 1 Tim 4:12. "Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity." Even though that was the word for Matthew, it really spoke to me. Then the guy who was praying, I'm not sure who cos my eyes were closed, said, "Because you are young, you will do greater things." That's a good word right there! So anyway. Me and a few other guys in school actually meet together every once in a while, like twice a week, to fellowshipanise and get together to pray for the school. It's really cool. Well, moving on. I think we can trust God on everything. There was one week where they gave an altercall on giving up everything to follow Jesus. The angmoh guy and his indomissions sermon. I went up. So there, I just said. I give up everything. Then i decided to be a bit more specific. Like a prompt telling me to name the things that mattered a lot to me. Like a lot a lot. At that point, I began to think. What really mattered to me. So I thought of a few. Yea. Number one, my pride. Not arrogant kind of pride but the kind of pride where you are always conscious of what people think about you kind of pride. More like face actually. So yep.I laid my pride down. So next, I said, "I give up my grades." And then i just broke down and cried. What I elt then was like um. You know when you give up something that matters a hell lot to you, but you're giving it up for God. Just like God gave Jesus, for us. That's how much He wants us. Honor = value. What I have, what I am good at I gave to God. Not that I don't care about my studies anymore, but there isn't that urgh to be the top in class. It's just the do your best and I'm proud of you kind of feeling. So the exams came. I just spent normal revision time. No must get top no nothing like that. Just study. I'm still typing out whatever comes to my head. Ok I lost my train of thought. Oh right. So I took my exams. Was like any other exam. Some easy some hard. Then the exam results came back one by one. Some were decent some were not that good. But whatever result I got back. I did not regret. I didn't go like shit i could have got this mark screw me screw me. no... i did not. so i just thank God for everything. So the other high achievers in the class were like taking every mark got back divide by 30 times 100 add add add find out their average and it'll come out some nice high number. then they'll come to me and ask how much i get. and usually, i would say go away. and yes as usual i said go away. but usually when they leave i will secretly calculate my average so far and see if i pwned them or not but this time i didn't(: awesome right? it didn't really matter to me anymore after i surrendered it all. So i got back my report card. or report slip whatever you call it. yea. and i found out i was first in class. haha. not boasting. just saying. blah. i don't even think anyone's reading this cos it's just random typing. did i say i'm supposed to be finishing up report? if i didn't say that earlier, well. I'm supposed to be doing some report by today cos i'll be having worship adv the next 3 days. excite man. yea. i really should stop crapping already so ok. bye(:

Bryan(:

Reflections by Lionel Wong

I am not really a reflections type of person but I have been reading Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. I was interested in Moses stuff so yah, it is quite interesting and I learnt a lot from Moses. He was a very wise and humble man who loved his people and God. He really thanked God for everything and even when things were not going his way, he still trusted and had faith in God.

This made me think about whether I was doing that, and I wasn't.(This was around a month ago) Well, I prayed about it and God didn't talk back but I just felt GOOD. So now, I really try to thank God for even the Littlest things like helping me to pick an awesome cookie recipe and stuff like that. And even when stuff like failing Chinese happens, I continue to be thankful.

So yah, through studying these books, I think that I have gained something and learned more about Moses. Not really a "spiritual" book or anything but a filled with interesting stories with something important to learn. Like that time Miriam got leprosy when she said bad things about Moses (I forgot what place its at). This teaches us stuff like never criticize leaders appointed by God...(pastors, presidents etc.)

Okay, thats about it.

Patient trust.

As I did my devotions today on being patient, I felt terrible as I feel that I've been lacking in it in many aspects of my life.

I had failed to see that being patient is not only about waiting to get what I wanted but it is also about waiting for God to accomplish whatever He has planned for me in my life; waiting to experience answers to prayer,the fulfillment of his promises, the development of his divine character in our lives.

I didn't realise either that being patient is also showing God that I trust Him.
The quicker we become uptight about life and our predicaments,
the less we really believe that He is with us and that He is in control.

And for that, I feel extremely disappointed in myself.
I'll try very hard to be as patient as I can be as I want to trust God
and to be closer to Him(:

"Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him ...
Wait for the Lord and keep his way, and he will exalt you." -( Psalms 37 : 7, 37)

Natasha.

Proverbs 3 (v2.0)

I feel so disappointed in myself. Argh.
After reading proverbs 3, i just felt like smacking myself.
I haven't been living like God wants me to.
This week for me is just many mixed emotions.
Somehow, I think a little of the old me is coming back.
I have so much hatred in me that I didn't realise.
It seems like I fit into all those things that reject wisdom.
It was like God telling me something.
I haven't been respecting God by listening to him, and by that, I reject wisdom.
I took me so long to realise. but I did.
I'll try to be a better person and I know God would help me.
I'm not going to be that fool anymore, and I'll be a wise person!:)

Proverbs 3:6
in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight.

Jialing

Thanks Sam.

I always remember Sam sending messages which encourage me & it really helps me through the week. I've been feeling out of place lately, not going to mention why but I feel that after praying and spending some time with God, I feel way better.
Another problem that's been bothering me's that my friend has leukemia. He's been having problems finding a donor, and the last time he got into the hospital, the operation was unsuccesful coz his body rejected the bone marrow. It was painful to hear that he was gonna go in two years time. He's a close friend. And I've been praying hard for him to find a donor asap.

Amazingly, my friend's found a donor again and will be having the operation in two weeks time. I really pray that it will be successful this time. It's not a painless experience.

So I guess getting closer to God in an intimate way really does helps. Makes me feel like I'm behaving more like a christian now because I've always felt like God doesn't love me and that I'm definitely not acting like a christian. I want it to change, I don't want to drift further from Him anymore. I just want to be closer.

Trudy.

Proverbs 3

Today i read Proverbs 3, and verse 3 really spoke to me.

"Never let loyalty and kindness get away from you. Wear them like a necklace, write them deep into your heart"

- Friends
Its honestly hard sometimes when you're so passionate about an idea and your friends just pour cold water on it. Its tough when they don't encourage. And honestly, what i used to do was to go to other friends and share with them my passion and sometimes even dishonouring my old friend by telling my new friends about him/her.

---> It reminds me that loyalty the faithfulness or a devotion to a person or cause. (according to wiki) is truly devotion! meaning you devote time and effort no matter how much you think this friendship is a lost cause.

-Family
Pastor Vic sharing about honouring my parents was very strange for me, because i seemed to have learnt that lesson 2 weeks ago the hard way. But it is true that sometimes i think God gave me the wrong family to be in. How can it be that things are always so tough? But God says He knows. And whenever i think of other families being more "perfect" than mine, though i can't do anything about it my thoughts are always "i wish i had that family" andit reminds me to be loyal.

-Beggars
Whenever they come i always used to question, are they really telling the truth about their supposed husbands in hospital etc. But i realized, kindness does not care. And thats why i always spend the one dollar to buy the tissue though the lady might lie/cheat me. Its only a dollar, if i am not kind in singapore, how am i supposed to be kind elsewhere (that isn't my homeland)

It is really an encouragement to see everyone post :) i hope that more will do so. :D


Sam