Personal Encounter

Who is Jesus?

What does Jesus really meant to you? 

What is your purpose in life?

How can you achieve them? 

In the heart beat of every soul lies the complex question of self identity and the concept of purpose and destiny in life. 

When I was younger, I was impressionable. It is easy to influence the mind of the young who have yet to master the art of discernment, who have yet to be confined into molds formed by society and who have yet to subcribe to sceptisim from trials and failings.

When I grew older, I learnt to rely on my own discernment to filter truths from the opinions, and facts from fritions. To know what is perceptions and what is reality. I have learnt to break away from the molds, the mindsets and the paradigm, and to gospel understanding for the rationale and reasoning. To learn to be patience in trials and to rejoice when it is hard; to trust even when I don't understand.

Don't live off others revelations/ experience/ encounters.

Don't believe because others told you to. 

Don't do it out of duty.

Don't live off your yester-years experience. 

It is vitally essential that everyone knows/ experiences/ encounters God for oneself. 

Jesus asked Peter what did Jesus meant to Him, at a personal, intimate level. 

Peter knew and ecnountered God personally for himself. 

From that revelation, he knew himself in Christ's perspective. He received his calling in life. He knew why and what he needs to do. 

Truly God is a God who does above and beyond our expectations. God didn't end there by metely revealing to Peter His destiny, Jesus continued and blessed him with authority and assurance of victory and success in accomplishing the God-given dream.

Who do you say God is to You? 

Find Him, and you find your destiny.

Matthew 16:13-20
Peter Confesses Jesus as the Christ
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “ Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?”
14 So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 He said to them, “ But who do you say that I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
17 Jesus answered and said to him, “ Blessed are you, Simon Bar- Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 
18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the Gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.
 19 And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
20 Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ.

Cross Over

The theme for believers to cross over isn't new and it is mandated by God.

We can track its origins in the garden of Eden all the way to the gospels, and it is still actively being carried out in our modern world.

Garden of Eden

After God created Adam, He said : "...fill the earth and subdue it..."

Man although having the mandate for dominion over all the earth and its creature had to first fill it and thereafter subdue it. The physical boundaries of the garden were meant to be stretched into the dark void places of the earth, as mankind multiplies on earth.

We see the devil himself opposing the plans and the purposes of God.

But note here that Mankind were not created to stay within the garden but were supposed to bring the garden out.


Moses and the Israelites


The oppressed Israelites lived in despair and hardship. They cried out to God who sent them Moses, the great deliverer. Moses backed by God delivered powerful signs and wonders resulting in the Pharoah finally agreeing to let them go, only to change his mind later and sent the army after them. The expectations of the Israelties were crushed when the all powerful Moses led them to the dead end. The need to cross over was clear. And God led the way, parting the Red Sea for their safe passage through, on the start of the journey towards the promised land where God has promised their forefathers. They would not have been delivered if they had not cross over with the pursuing threat behind them.

40 years later, When they finally reached the edges of the promised land. They had to make the choice. Cross over to the other side, subdue the enemies inhabiting the lands and see that God would keep His words with their forefathers or perish in the desert.

They crossed over inspite of the opposition that would come their way.

Jesus

We must not forget the most important Man who ever walked the earth had first crossed over to our world. He had shown the world how to live right, without sin.

Phil 2:7 Tells us that He had put aside His divine privileges and crossed over to our world, and remained faithful even to the point of death.

Opposition/ Problems/ Limitations are always associated with crossing over.

In Mark 4, Jesus was crossing over on a boat with His disciples to the demon possessed man who lived in the graveyards. He was sternly asleep when they had met the opposition- the great windstorm. He calmed the seas and asked His disciples why they were fearful and of little faith. The storm didn't bothered Him because He knew the disciples could have done likewise should they choose to exercise their faith. There are some battles God would allow in our life for us so that we may arise and grow.

In Mark 5, when He crossed over again, He raise a dead girl and healed a women.

In Mark 6, they departed again in a boat and crossed over to a deserted place and were followed by a great multitude. They met a great problem as they were short of food to feed the followers. God supernaturally provided, with 5 loaves and 2 fish. In the greatest problem, often lies the greatest breakthrough this world has ever seen.

Afterwhich They crossed over without Jesus. And Jesus came to them, bending the laws of nature, walking on water. No amount of physical limitation could stop Jesus from the will of God. They crossed safely to preach and heal the multitude of sick and lost. And as many who touched Jesus, were made whole.

The Great Commision

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel..."

"Go therefore make disciples of all the nations..."

Fulfilling the great Commision requires believers to selflessly cross over. We pattern after Jesus and cross over into the hurt and dying world bringing to them hope with the Good News. It is in the core of our fundamentals.

The Apostles

Armed with the Good News at hand, the early church Apostles revolutionized the earth beinging the Gospel and spreading them like wild fire on this earth.

There wouldn't have a global reach if they won't willing to crossing over into the world.

The concept of "Cross Over" is therefore not new to every believer. The message we bring is sacred but the packaging is not. Our Creator is the Lord of new things. In order for us to fulfil the mission to go into all the world, we must first speak their language.

Martin Luther had translated the Holy Scripture (from only Latin) into Native languages of the people which created a revolution for Christ. Now people could gain access to God through His Word freely.

The message is sacred, the packaging is not.

We must guard ourselves against being critical about every new things that God is doing. And remember to test every word and every good works if its from God before we cast our judgment.

Let's cross over!

How our Court work

 In light of the recent saga, its important to know that anyone can be charged. Being charged in court is just the first step of the Justice system. The case must be proven in our legal court(s) if the alleged offender does not plead guilty. 

Some people has equated being charged and being guilty to be the same. This is far from the truth.

The Prosecutor must prove his case before a Judge on why the alleged offender should be charged and where he has done wrong. The Judge will precede and make a fair assessment and decision on the matter as both perspective/ interpretations by the Prosecutor and Defense are presented along with their factual  evidences/ witnesses.

My point is this. Anyone can raise charges, it does not mean that the alleged offender is guilty until the Court define so in the eyes of law. 

Here's an extract of how it works.

"Being Charged in Court

When you are charged in Court, the charge setting out the offence alleged to be committed by you will be read and explained to you. This will take place at the Criminal Mentions Court (Court No. 26 or Court No. 23) located at the Subordinate Courts of Singapore, and should occur no longer than 48 hours after your arrest and remand.

You must tell the Court if you are unclear about the charge. If you need an interpreter, ask for one. The Court will provide an interpreter to translate the charge to the language that you can understand.

Each offence alleged to be committed by you will be listed as a separate charge. You can be charged with more than one offence at the same time. One or more persons can also be charged together with you if they are accused of the same offence(s). However, separate charges may be preferred against you.

The charge should contain details of the date, time, place, names of the victims and/or the property involved in the offence alleged.

After the charge is read and explained to you, you will be asked how you wish to plead to the charge. You can choose to (i) plead guilty (i.e. admit to the charge); or (ii) claim trial (i.e. you do not admit to the charge).


Pleading Guilty

If you plead guilty to the charge, you must admit fully to the offence. You must also understand the nature and the consequences of your plea i.e. you must be aware of the minimum and maximum punishments you face under the charge and be prepared to accept whatever punishment the Court may give.

The Prosecuting Officer will read out the Statement of Facts relating to the charge to you. If you do not agree with what is stated in the Statement of Facts, you must tell the Court. The Court will ask you whether you disagree with the Statement of Facts totally or in part. If you disagree with the Statement of Facts on important issues, the Court will not accept your plea of guilt and will direct you to claim trial to the charge.

If you agree fully to the Statement of Facts, the Court will record your plea upon such admission and convict you.

Claiming Trial

If you decide to claim trial to the charge, your case will be fixed for a Pre-Trial Conference. Trial dates will be fixed when all parties are ready for trial. You may also be required to furnish Court bail. (Please see ARREST & BAIL)

At the trial, you will be required by the Court to state your defence (including calling any witnesses and producing any documentary evidence) after the Prosecution has completed its case against you. If you are do not present any defence, you will be found guilty and convicted.

If you are able to raise a reasonable doubt in the Prosecution's case, then you will be acquitted and released immediately. If not, you will be found guilty and convicted. Alternatively, the Court may consider whether your actions warrant conviction under an amended charge. "


Extracted from The Law Society of Singapore

Finding Life

"He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My Sake will find it."

Matt 10:39

It is important to note that the life that we live not centered on His will and purpose will not bear the fruits He desired. We will be judged by our productivity and the fruit we produce.

The servant who had one talent, feared losing his only talent, hid it. He ended up losing both the talent and the trust the Master has on him. He lost in the end. This world we live in is an assignment, not home.

Watch and pray that you do not get contended without Christ purpose. Contentment without His purpose is just coexistence with the devil. We are called to live our lives from glory to glory.

Does your life match up to the expectation?

Once I heard my friend said something to justify his own desire rather than keeping the truth , doing the right thing. And it goes something like this:" I don't know if I should live my life satisfying others expectation of me, or just to live and be happy with myself."

I have now found the answer.

This life we live is for the audience of One. Anything that is contrary to what God stands for, to what He said in the word is the "cross" that we must live and learn to die to. It's not about passing others expectation of us, but living our lives right before God through His grace.

Build your life upon the Rock and not sands. For when the storm comes, whatever that is pleasurable, whatever that may seem satisfying...whatever that has no eternal value will fade and pass away.

What's left? Will you be happy with what's left?

Store up treasures in heaven. Do not forget about your heavenly reward. For what is seemingly good here may not last for eternity.

God is a rewarder to those who diligently seek Him and keep His word.

My prayer is that we all learn to live this life for Him. Take a little risk. Move a little close to the edge. Rely a little more on His leading.

Remember this, "Life in this world is a assignment, not home."

Eternity

Ecclesiastes 3:11
"...You have put eternity into their hearts..."

Eternity- that's the real deal for everyone, believers and non believers alike.
Having the right concept of eternity will enable everyone to be better equipped for it.

God has placed 'eternity' into our hearts.
The fact is this...everyone of us will face death and be brought to our final eternal resting place.
Our spirit man knows the value of eternity, the realm where God dwells... being in a realm that is not bound by time.
Everything that we do here is preparing us to live in that realm.
For in that realm of eternity, there is no change.
You can't change where you are at after death.
You can only make the decision here, now, while you're alive on this earth.

Everything that we need to stay there can be found right here.
We carry our character with us when we enter heaven's gate.
And the sum of all our experiences and decisions defines who we are.
When you grasp eternity, it will help you make the right decisions-some of which may cost you here.
Decisions that are not 'eternity-minded' cramps your potential, here and forever.
The price for eternity can only be paid here on the earth.

God wants us to live as "victors" and "more than conquerors" while we are here in the earth
because thats what we really are in eternity- champion over sin, victorious over every curse and bondage.

Yet our hearts can be decietfully wicket.

Its difficult to make the right choices with eternity in mind sometimes.
It requires sacrifices and selflessness.
It requires the need to trust in an invisible God for His perfect unrevealed plans.
It requires discipline, while others are having fun yet you have to keep your faith because your eyes are on the end goal.

Everything you are, everything you have, everything that you have gone through and will be going through are there to prepare you for- ETERNITY.

It is a powerful source of motivation for every believer to carry their cross and follow Jesus... here while on this earth.

Set your eyes on eternity today.
Be eternity and kingdom minded.
Carry your cross here
Enjoy your reign later

finding joy

does it come by having a degree?
does it come with a sucessful job?
is it tagged to the wealth you store?
or is it brought to by the things you got?

so you're little older, married and have kids...
you find the joy seeing your little one grow up
and having your love ones grow old with you
when your little ones are little no more and reached the time to venture life on their own...
and your see your love ones, one by one dropping out...

what then? will you be alone?

is that all there is to life? to get a job, start a family, raise some kids and move on...

life is supposed to be an adventure...
life has little or no meaning, absent purpose.
life will never reach its full potential absent Christ.
a happy life is often one thats rooted deeply into the will of God.
happiness is a choice; to obey, to fear and to seek God.

My little Hope

2Sam 12:23 "...I shall go to him, but he shall not return me."

Losing Hope was one of the hardest thing I had to go through.
Totally helpless, exposed and vulnerable to the call of nature.
Our joy was short lived, for we knew her only for a brief moment.
She went home at week 6 old.

Into Your arms, my little Hope went
I know I shall see her one day
In Your blossom she will be nursed
And be taught Your righteous ways

Wait for me at Heaven's gate my little Hope
On the day that I would come
I long to be able to hold you tight
And give you the kiss you never get

Though I would have asked for longer time with you here
I know you're in a better place
With many Angels as your playmates
With Jesus as your friend

Grow well my girl, my little Hope
Until we meet again
Do know that I have great love for you
And you are just too beautiful, too wonderful,
too perfect for earth

For Heaven is where you belong
My little sweet angel, Hope