Be reliable

If you tell a friend you will do something, follow through and do what you said. If you say you will be somewhere at a certain time, be prompt. Without being able to trust your word, your friends may have a hard time trusting your honesty or your loyalty. Forgetting from time to time is one thing; constantly failing to follow through on your word is another. If you want strong friendships, be true to your word-consistently.

(Friendship by Paige Jeary)

Unity - The key to revival

Sermon title: Unity - The key to revival
Key Scripture: Philippians 2:1-18
Preacher: Apostle Lawrence Khong

Ephesians 3:16-17
Unity gives corporate authority to God's people.
Genesis 11:1 & 6
Acts 2:1
Lack of unity grieves the Holy Spirit.

Why does unity give corporate authority to God's people?
1) Unity delights the Lord
Psalm 133
John 17 - The Lord's prayer
John 17:20-33
2) Unity is walking worthy of the calling of God
Ephesians 4:1-6
Philippians 1:27-28
3) Unity is an eviction order to the devil
Philippians 1:28

How can we have unity of the Spirit?
1) Get rid of selfish ambition and pride
*verses 1- 4
James 3:16
2) Give up your rights
*verse 5-11
Whenever we feel sad and angry, we are being self-centered.

Risk sharing true feelings

We are often pretty good at hiding our feelings. When we keep those feelings inside, they sometimes build into anger, bitterness, jealousy, or depression. We may think our friends will reject us if we tell them how we really feel. But if we trust our friends with our true feelings, we may find that they are good listeners and want to help us work through things. It could well be worth the risk.

(Friendship by Paige Jeary)

Transforming work of the Holy Spirit

Transforming work of the Holy Spirit:

A) Thanksgiving

B) God's righteousness

Transformation = meta-morph

Eg. Caterpillar

Caterpillar - Lava (cocoon) - Butterfly

Old being - With Holy Spirit - New being

During the lava period, the caterpillar go through cell transformation.

We are like the caterpillar which need the Holy Spirit to transform us into a new being.

2 Corinthians 3:17-18

Romans 12:1-2

Philippians - thankful spirit:

Chapter 1 - single mind

Chapter 2 - submissive mind

Chapter 3 - Spiritual mind

Chapter 4 - Secure mind

Romans 1:17

Proverbs 10 (Righteousness)

James 5:16b "A prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

Should I?

Should I stay in this company and continue my career? Should I study diploma in early childhood? Should I continue to stay as an Assistant teacher? Should I give up everything and study on God's word and become a pastor? The last one seems appropriate, but is it God's plan for me? Last time I have already run away from early childhood, now I'm thinking of running again. There is no point in running away. The problem will continue to be there until I face it. Lord Jesus I need Your strength.

My children are so adorable. This boy suddenly said something about showing me something inside his computer. Then don't know why they start saying they have facebook. One of the boys still can tell me the link 'www.facebook.com'! HAHA! I was shocked that they said they have facebook. After some talking, I found out that actually facebook is one of their games in y8! Y8 is a webby for games. HAHA! I love them a lot a lot a lot!!

The manager already asked us to think of a theme for the year end function. And also what to perform. How? I was a bit shock that we need to think of this kind of thing. I thought the theme is the centre will come out with one. Then what to perform we will think of it. Lord please give me some ideas so that I can be a help to my centre.

What's wrong with me?

These few days have been dreading to go to work. What's wrong with me? I thought I like children a lot? But it's not the children that make me so tired but it's the workload. Although I'm an assistant teacher, but I think I do more works than an ordinary AT does. I was planning of quitting at the end of this year and take O level english again. This time hoping that I can get B4. After that I would like to study early childhood at TP.

God please help me! I confess that I'm a bit lazy but I hope that I will not go the wrong way again. Please help me Lord! I need You a lot. I got a feeling I will break down soon. I hope not. I'm tired of working, I just want to concentrate on God alone. But not working and getting money from my daddy is going to give my daddy more burden. Now I'm stuck! LORD JESUS!

Empower expectation

Sermon title: Empower expectation
Key scripture: Malachi 4:5-6
Preacher: Rev. Pastor Billy Wilson

Acts 2:39
Psalm 90:1
3 challenges that the generation will face:
1) Challenges of provision
No matter what you are struggling with, God will provide.
God is our provider.
When God ask you to do something, He will provide.
You are not going to only see God provide for others, but you are going to experience God's provision.
Will there be a generation to carry on the legacy?

Humorous

Today was my first time to gather the children for lesson. Ms Low has to be out for the second DA so I took over and also learn how to gather the children. I was late because during their outdoor activity, the children play water chalk, so I was diligently cleaning the floor and forgot about the time. When I started to sing, the children just stares at me without doing anything. They were supposed to keep their books and sing along, but they didn't. Probably thinking how come I also know how to sing the song. Plus it was my first time singing it to them. HAHA! The situation was really funny. I just continue to sing until they follow me.

When I want to split them into their respective groups, one of the boy asked Zhou lao shi, "Miss Tan also know how to split groups?" Of course he asked in chinese. HAHA! So naive. During bath time, Grace, Regene, Angeline and Claire was arguing over who should be the first one to bath. In front of Zhang lao shi and I, they still can quarrel. So in the end, I said let's let the other girls bathe first. Let them be the last since they want to fight for it.

The children are starting to be scared of me especially Caleb who is also another one who is very difficult to handle. I'm starting to be able to get their attention. I have to be very firm and do what I said to them. If I said I'm going to reward them then I have to reward them, if I have to punish them then I have to punish them. I'm trying my best to somehow punish them. It's because I don't dare to punish them. I felt a bit like I'm not in the position but actually I can. I have to try my best!

HARD TRUTHS to live by

Sermon title: HARD TRUTHS to live by
Key Scripture: *1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Ephesians 6:10-13
Preacher: Rev. Eugene Seow

Ephesians 3:16-17
-Hard truth #1: There is a WAR - we need to FIGHT.
*verse 6-10
Let's declare war on GRUMBLING.

-Declare war on GRUMBLING:
a) Fight against a grumbling heart
Isaiah 14:12-14
b) Fight for a thankful heart
Philippians 4:8
Psalm 100:4
c) Fight to change the situation
Be the change you want for.

Hard truth #2: There is a VICTORY - we need to STAND.
We do not fight for victory, we fight from victory.
1 John 4:4
1 John 5:4-5

Hard truth #3: There is NO OTHER WAY - we need HIS LOVE.
99.99% of holiness is not God's Holiness.
*verse 13
Ephesians 3:16-19

Busy CNY

Since the first day of Chinese New Year till now. I have been visiting people everyday except for last sat and recent fri. Tomorrow I will be visiting the 2 brothers, Jin Hui and Jin Yew's house. Don't really feel like going but I have already promise them I will go. This year is the year that I am so active during CNY. Last 5 days visit children's house and also went for first aid course. It was kind of tiring. Next week left one lesson and we will finish it off with exam on thursday. I wish that I can get a rest as soon as possible.

Thank God that Mrs Lim finally approved of my off in-lieu from thursday to friday! That means I can attend all the session of G12 conference. Yeah!

Decision

First day of first aid course and I'm very tired already. Actually it's some how refreshing my memory, because last time in nursing learnt before already. Well, I think I'm going to only study this course for this career. I might just stay in this position until I think I want to study. I just want to focus on God and only think about Him and not about work. I want to be able to do more God's work. If not like the G12 conference. If they don't approve my leave then I can't go. Then I will miss out on what God is going to tell me. So this must be from God because I've been praying and talking to God.

Daddy, welcome home

Sermon title: Daddy, welcome home

Key scripture: 1 Corinthians 6:19

Preacher: Rev. Yong Tai Tong

Daddy God loves you deeply!

Revelation 21:9

Song of Songs 2:10 & 13-14

" 4:8-9

Psalm 139:17-18

God is thinking of you every time.

Responding to God:

-Daily devotional

Love is spelt TIME.

Reading the Bible is not a ritual, it is about seeking the presence of God, hearing God and talk to God.

-Meditate on God's Word

Who are You Lord? How shall I live my life pleasing onto You?

-Listen to God's Voice

-Pray in tongues
1 Corinthians 14:2 & 4
" 14:15
-Inquire of God (Ask/Seek)
David inquired of God:
1 Samuel 23:1-5(Keilah)
" 30:8(Analekites)
2 Samuel 2:1(Judah)
" 5:19(Philistines)
" 5:23(Philistines)
-Obey God's Word
Exodus 33:7-11
Make it a daily lifestyle/habit to seek God.

How God speaks:
-Bring to mind scripture or scripture reference
Zechariah 2:8
Isaiah 46:4
-Bring to mind a word, a name, a need, a situation or an idea
-Lay on your heart an impression, and inner witness, a burden, an emotion
-Give you a vision, a dream, a physical sensation
God is constantly talking to us.

Guide on Hearing God's Voice:
-Should never contradict scriptures
-Submit it to your leaders
1 Corinthians 14:29
-Strengthen, encourage and comfort you and others
1 Corinthians 14:3-4
Pray to God after hearing God's Words.(Two way communication)

Lady of patience

Are you patient? Yes I am! I have "Content to wait":

You want to get married, like every other girl, but you realize that anxiously longing for it or aggressively pursuing it will not help you find God's best for you any sooner (and it could actually keep you from finding him at all). You believe in God's plan, not only in your mind, but in your heart too. And your carefree actions show the depth of your trust. You enjoy spending time with friends, family, and especiallywith God so much that you don't think much about when the next date is coming. You know the date will come in God's time and way (if you're meant to marry), and you know that patience will make the waiting period much more enjoyable. God is pleased with your whole-hearted surrender to Him. He invites you, a Lady of Patience, into an even deeper relationship with Him. He longs to show you His glory-and He can because you are patiently waiting on Him rather than running after desire.

Even though God encourages marriage, it doesn't mean you will get married. So live your life focusing of God rather than anxiously waiting for your soulmate.

Blessed CNY

Happy family! Blessed Chinese New Year! Yesterday can't blog because something went wrong in my blogger. Yesterday went to visit Ah Ma and took lots of photos. Didn't get to take with my cousins. Today went to visit Da Gu and family. Didn't get to take photos with my nephew and nieces! Sad:( Hope to take photos with them when I visit them again.

Prayers for the Desolate Church

I found this passage in the 'Living life' devotion book, which is very interesting and nutritious to our spirit:

When you pray, where is your focus? Most of the time, we find ourselves lost in our prayers because we are unaware of where we need to place our focus. But from men like Daniel, we find that we should pray from the through the Word of God. The Word of God is where we find the will of God and when we pray for His will, He is faithful to answer all of our prayers.

According to John Piper, "Without the Bible in our prayers, they will be just as worldly as the church we are trying to free from worldliness." Daniel's prayer begins with the Bible and it is saturated with the Bible. Phrase after phrase comes right out of the Scriptures. There are allusions to Leviticus (26:40) and Deuteronomy (28:64) and Exodus (34:6) and Psalms (44:14) and Jeremiah (25:11). The prayer brims with a biblical view of reality, because it brims with the Bible.

Challenge yourself to pray through the Bible. As you do so, ask that God speak to you in what He desires for you to pray for and experience your prayer life transform. There will be an increase in power and effectiveness in your prayers and you will walk in the power of the Holy Spirit as you allow God's words to guard your mind and light your path.

"No quiet time is complete without engaging with God in prayer."
"Prayer is not overcoming God's reluctance. It is laying hold of His willingness." ~Julian of Norwich