I had a great time talking with Pst Kevin from 2:30 pm all the way
to 6:30 pm! Thats 4 hours! Haha! I really thank God for divine appointments which caused me to meet Pst Kevin again since I last met him 3 years or so ago. He still plays soccer as he used to. He used to be coaching Isaac and me while we're still in His church back then. Now, he's my upline in World Connection International! Its really great to have such an upline like him guiding me. Thanks man Father! =D
As we were talking about how great the opportunity it is in WCI, he added that we should not be putting our trust in the the company but rather in God! Just like I read in Psalm 20 yesterday where some boast in chariots and some in horses but blessed are those who boast in the Lord! It really points us towards putting out trust in God for our needs to be met than on our own intelligence or maybe a very good opportunity that we think will take care of our finance the rest of our lives. I guess thats what happens sometimes when we're not careful, we tend to put our trust in material things and stuff other than God! Just like what happened to Sunshine, many were putting their trust in the company as they were making big bucks from there. And guess what now? They screwed up and now the company is about to close down soon. Just like proverbs says, those who put their trust in their riches shall fall. I pray that I'll never put my trust in anything but in the One true God that I serve! Like how Pst Kevin puts it," once you put your trust in your own strength and all those, you're finish!" =)
It was really cool talking to Him. He really helps me to put things in perspective and use the bible and illustrations to answer my struggles. I really love the way he explains the Identity crisis that many are going through. He linked to the 3 temptations that Jesus faced after the 40 days in the wilderness. Many of us were taught that it was the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life that Jesus was being tempted on.
Guess what? There's another perspective which Pst Kevin brought to me.
1st- Satan asked him," If you are the Son of God, command that these stones become bread." Thats a test of who he is! If Jesus wasn't assured of His identity, then probably he'll try to prove. But, He was certain of His identity. Remember after being baptized by John, what happened? The heavens opened and the Father said,"This is beloved My Son, in whom I am well pleased." Woow! That sure gives Jesus a 100% assurance of who He is!
So, sometimes like Jesus we're tested on our identity too. If we're unsure of who we are, we'll fall into the devil's trap of trying to prove who we are. What did John 1:12 says? "As many has received Him, He gave the right to be call Children of God, even to those who believe in His name." Look, if some one were to commit a crime, does it mean that he's no longer the citizen of that country anymore? Absolutely NOT! In the same way, our identity don't change no matter how great our sin may be. Sadly, sometimes many are tricked into believing that they are no longer worthy of God. Thats really insulting what Christ have done on the cross man. Look, who's the greatest sinner on earth? You might be shocked, its JESUS! Why? Simply because He took all our sins upon himself! What does that makes us then? Righteous, worthy, valuable, clean, and the list goes on and on...
Sometimes people struggle with their self-esteem, believing that they are some nobody, unworthy, good for nothing... Hey, would God pay so a big a price for something that is not worthy and valuable? would you pay a million bucks for something that is of no value? NO! So what does that say? We're so so valuable in God's sight that He was willing to send His son Jesus to pay the price on calvary for us! Thats how worthy we are! If we were to grab hold of this truth, I believe we'll live our life very differently and having such great impact on others! Thank you Lord for making me worthy with your blood! :)
2nd- "If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, He'll will command angels concerning you..." There satan challenges Jesus of His identity again, asking him to prove what God could do for Him.
Sometimes we're challenged by people around us too, to show them what our God can do for us and all. It would be really foolish to play along with them. Rather, let our lifestyle prove to them!
3rd- "All these things I will give You, if you fall down and worship me."
Haha! Here satan tries to trick Jesus into believing that he(satan) possess the world rather than His father. Like I said, Jesus was so certain of who He is! He already possess the world. Since God is the Creator of the universe and God told Jesus that whatever is His is his(Jesus) too! There can be no doubt that the world already belonged to Him!
Same for us, perhaps its in the case of salvation. Many times, we're being tricked into believing we need to earn our place in heaven which leads us into works again- old covenant. But what's the truth? Salvation belongs to those who put their faith in Jesus! Thats it! Since you've accepted Jesus as your Lord and believed that He has paid your sins on the calvary, you've already received your salvation! So, there's no doubt salvation belongs to us. I like how Pst Kong Hee puts it- "We're not saved by good works but we're saved for good works." And like the bible say that those who confess with their mouth,"Jesus is Lord" and believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead, they will be saved.(Romans 10:9) But the bible also says work out your salvation.(Phil 2:12) It doesn't say work for, it says WORK OUT! You already have it!
Thank you Lord, that I no longer need to struggle with my Identity since the day You've found me! I'm forever Yours and You're forever mine! Amen! =)
GOOD MORNING EVERYONE! Aww man.. I just got DRUNK last night man! Hey, please don't get me wrong. I didn't got drunk on some johnny walker, whisky or anything like that but I got DRUNK IN THE HOLY GHOST! C;
Yesterday's special service in church was indeed very SPECIAL! It was a service like never before in all my years of attending church! Pastor Victor(from the states) is really an anointed man of God who just goes with the leading of the holy spirit. And he sure has a way to get our attention and make us REAL EXCITED for what God has in-stored for all of us!
Every now and then in the midst of his message, He'll get us to tell our neighbor something- "We're going for a ride!" "God don't want to change your diapers anymore."(this is a funny one) "Its tapping time!" And then He'll ask us to go around and give one another a great HIGH FIVE! Hahah! He's really fun!
One part of his message that really caught me was when he shared from Daniel 3:16 onwards. It was when King Nebuchadnezzar had asked everyone in the land to bow down to the image that he has set up and the 3 men of God stood firm and refuse to bow down. Then came verse 15 when King Nebuchadnezzar challenged the 3 of them asking what god will be able to rescue them if he were to throw them into the blazing furnace. And in verse 16-18, they replied saying that they need not defend themselves but the God that they serve will rescue us and they also said that even if God does not rescue them, they'll still not bow down to the image. What great faith man.
I believe thats the attitude we need to have when we're in times of difficulty or crisis, it really doesn't matter if things will work out the way we want it to. If things work out the way we want it, we ought to praise God. And even if it does not, we're still gonna praise God. Because just like that 3 guys who've already surrendered the situation to God, we can be assured that we're in the good hands of God already if we've surrender everything to Him. Whatever the outcome maybe, He knows best for us! We may not understand why God allow things to work out that way at the point of time, but later on when we look back I'm sure we'll look back and say, "Hey thanks man God for allowing that to happen so that You can bring me to where I am today!" And what's more, God don't change if our circumstances change. He is the same yesterday today and forever.(look at the image on top) We may be in a 'jia lut' situation, but guess what? HE'S STILL GREAT! For that, we can still praise God! =D
Oops. sidetracked a bit. So at that point when the 3 guys responded that way, the king Nebuchadnezzar was really furious and ordered the furnace to be heated 7 times hotter and to throw them in there.(v19-20) And how Pastor Victor interpreted this part was really funny. Pastor Victor said that at the moment the king Nebuchadnezzar ordered the furnace to be heated SEVEN TIMES, the KING OF KINGS and LORD OF LORDS rose from His throne and must be saying, "Did someone mentioned my NUMBER?" Pastor Victor put in a way where God was saying something like that-"thats my call to rescue my children!" Hahah! ohyea. You guys know why NUMBER 7 was God's number? For those of you have yet to know, from what I know its because God created the world in 6 days and on the SEVENTH day, He rested! C:
So what now? The soldiers threw that 3 fellas into the SEVEN times heated furnace. It was so hot that the flames killed the soldiers who carried the 3 fellas. Its rather comical, the 3 fellas haven't die but the soldiers die already. hahaha! And now, guess what king Nebuchadnezzar saw? He saw FOUR men walking in there! Woah! Trust me man. When you PUT YOUR TRUST in the Lord, He'll never fail you! I can testify for that! He never fails to amaze me!
I think I better stop being so 'loh soh' if not you guys won't read my blog liao. HAH!
The greatest highlight of yesterday's service was this-
During the altar call, Pastor Victor spoke to the hindu(the only non-believer) that came and He decided to give his life to Jesus at that very moment. Pastor Victor then asked someone to bring out a pair of scissors to cut off that hindu string on his hand. At first I thought he might turn defensive and give pastor Victor a punch of anything like that. But he willingly allowed the string to be cut off! Woah! I guess he's really making the decision to be like the 3 fellas to not bow down to other gods anymore but only to the ONE TRUE LIVING GOD! Praise God man! I thank God I made that decision years ago too. If not I wouldn't be living in this exciting life that God has in-stored for me! Thanks man God! C=
Coming next friday, Pastor Victor will be coming again, please let me know if you're interested to come hear him out yea? :) Come and discover what God has in-stored for you!
Another great news! PASTOR VICTOR is conducting our YOUTH CAMP in September! ALRIGHT MAN! LETS ROCK! :D
Philip
9:28 AM
Monday, February 25, 2008
Woah! Just yesterday and today, God showed me how He directs the plans that I have. Just yesterday morning, I was thinking if I should go to Glenn's(my church mate) place to stay or go ask Isaac to play soccer. Cos I think I really need to spend some time with them to help them get their lives back on track with God like they used to be, on fire for God . So I send a msg to ask Glenn if I could stay over his place. And I was telling God if I can't go Glenn's place then I'll know He wants me to spend time with Isaac. So I waited for a couple of hours and there was no reply. So I was thinking I'll contact Isaac to go play soccer with him later. But as I stayed home and do my stuffs, I fell asleep.
The moment I woke up, I saw a miss call from ISAAC! Aww... I should have called him earlier! Then I heard from my brother that he was actually intending to ask me to go play soccer but I was asleep so he just came to take the ball. I went like "SHIT, I missed my opportunity to spend time with Isaac!" I felt rather 'sian' at that moment. But I thank God for answering me! =)
Today, I was deciding if I have to work tomorrow then I won't go to Glenn's place today alr cos still have to go home take stuff. But my friend still can't confirm with me yet. And I was also intending to cut my hair today and the shop closes at 7pm. As I was troubled with that decision, I received a msg from Glenn saying he has some gathering at his place today so I can't go over today. And there God help me made a decision! =)
Guess what? On my way home, ISAAC msg me and ask me if I wanted to PLAY SOCCER! Haha! And we really had fun playing soccer with some malays just now! Isaac and his tricks! Haa! Through out the soccer match, I could somehow hear God speaking to me through that simple soccer match! Damn Cool!
"Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails."
-Proverbs 19:21
Philip
12:48 AM
Sunday, February 24, 2008
Greetings! Before i write my FIRST ENTRY here, i would like to thank GUI HAO for helping me create this template, and I also like to apologize for delaying my blogging though this was created ages ago. Hehe.. THANKS MAN! C=
Well. As my blog says, "Out of my heart, my hand types..." I'd like to commit my blog to record down the Awesome things that God is doing in my life and other inspirations that I have! So... Welcome to my life! C;
Philip
11:19 PM
