Goodness. Gracious. Me.

Praise the Lord, school is starting. May my spirit be renewed and the Holy Spirit fill me and make me a tool for God to use. Recently many things happen in church due to the change in the youth fellowship structure. I think traditional church like mine needs to practice more love( don't know why I'm just reminded of the black eyed peas "where is the love" and every time listening to the song i will answer, the love  is in Jesus. )  May God forgive us for our past iniquities and help us to not only know the truth, but also practice the love. For those out there who see my post, I hope u would keep us, Macedonia bible-presbyterian church in prayer. God bless!

Romans 15:13-14 NASB

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that you will abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.   And concerning you, my brethren, I myself also am convinced that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge and able also to admonish one another.

GOODY TWO SHOES! (In Singapore we call them "up-there")

Every school has one.

You know, the teacher's pet, the guy or the girl who never gets into trouble. The kid who likes cleaning chalkboards and erasers. The kid who volunteers for stuff. The one who walks the first grader who fell on the playground to the nurse's office. The one who actually defends Old Man McCracken when the other kids start calling him names and talking about how mean he is. The one who shares his lunch with the hamster in the science room.

When this kid gets to high school, he or she might be on the yearbook staff or student council or the prom committee. This kid actually seems to like school! Does extra credit work. Visits his or her grade school teachers. Seems willing to do anything for anybody. Seems to be happy all the time. The kind of kid who makes you want to throw up!

These kids usually get branded with names like "goody goody," "goody two-shoes" (where'd that come from?), "teacher's pet," or "brown-noser." And although it's true that some kids do all that stuff just to try to earn points with teachers or other people, goodness is a good thing, not a bad thing. Goodness whether it's sharing your lunch with a hamster or being nice to teachers is a godly virtue, one of the fruits of the Spirit.

That's what the apostle Paul said of the Christians who lived in Rome. He praised them for being full of goodness. If they saw a chariot on the side of the road with a flat tire, they stopped to help. If they heard that a neighbor lost her job at the toga factory, they dropped by with a bag of groceries. They even had a cheerful word for those annoying camera-toting tourists from Crete! They had a positive attitude and took every opportunity to help others.

Of course, that kind of attitude doesn't come naturally for most people. It's easier for some people to act that way than it is for others. But it should be true of you, if you're a Christian, because goodness is a fruit of the Holy Spirit, who lives in every Christian's heart.

REFLECT: Do you know anyone who is "full of goodness," as Paul said the Roman Christians were? What can you learn about goodness from them? Like any fruit, goodness needs certain things (like water, soil, and sun) to grow. What can you do to cultivate the growth of goodness in your heart and life?

PRAY: If you're honest, you may want to tell God what Paul said in Romans 7:19. "When I want to do good, I don't." But you can also be glad with Paul, who knew the answer to the dilemma: "Thank God! The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord" (verse 25).

From Josh Mcdowell's youth devotions.

Kindness is right, even if its towards those who are undeserving.

John 13:1-5 NASB

Now before the Feast of the Passover, Jesus knowing that His hour had come that He would depart out of this world to the Father, having loved His own who were in the world, He loved them to the end. During supper, the devil having already put into the heart of Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon, to betray Him, Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into His hands, and that He had come forth from God and was going back to God, got up from supper, and laid aside His garments; and taking a towel, He girded Himself. Then He poured water into the basin, and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the towel with which He was girded.

WASHING FEET.

You've heard the story before. They arrived in groups of two or three, talking loudly, laughing uproariously. They were Jesus' disciples: men of the sea, men of the soil, and a couple of men of the sword. They entered the second-floor room with the low ceiling, where they had occasionally met before.

By the time Jesus entered the room, they were already uncomfortable. Though no one spoke of it, everyone in the room faced the same problem: Who would wash their feet?

You see, the roads and alleys these men traveled on their way to this "upper room" were not paved. Their feet were caked with the mud, dirt, and sweat of their travels. Usually the host of a banquet would provide a slave-equipped with a pitcher of water, a pan, and a towel at the door of his home to wash the feet of the guests as they arrived. Though no one said anything, all had noticed that there was no servant to wash their feet.

The table in the center of the room was surrounded by cushioned couches, and the head of each couch was pushed against the table, like spokes in a wheel. The table was spread with plates and cups, and the fragrance of roasted lamb and herbs and fresh bread mingled with the odor of their unwashed feet.

So Jesus started to wash the feet of his disciples. Tenderly, he washed the feet of James and John and the others. He even washed the feet of Judas.

Jesus knew that Judas had made arrangements to betray him. But he washed Judas's feet anyway. He treated Judas kindly and lovingly, even though he knew the terrible thing Judas planned to do to him.

It's easy to be kind to those who are kind to us. Everybody agrees that treating nice people kindly is a good thing. But kindness is right even when it isn't easy.

"If you are kind only to your friends," Jesus said, "how are you different from anyone else? Even the pagans do that" (Matthew 5:47). But Jesus said we are to be kind even when it's hard because kindness is right whether it's easy or not.

REFLECT: Have you missed any opportunities to be kind to someone recently? If so, is it too late to be kind to that person? Can you think of five different ways to show kindness to someone today? Remember that kindness has very little to do with the person you're being kind to and everything to do with what you are like.

ACT: Keep a towel (like the towel Jesus used to wash the disciples' feet) in your backpack or school locker this week to remind you to be kind to everyone. Or go out of your way to be "a servant" to your family this week.

PRAY: "God, thank you that you'll help me follow through on being kind to... today."

Be God's man! Do the right thing!

Last night while working, I really experienced the difference in my work when I'm closer to God. May the Lord grant me strength to work hard in keeping in close fellowship with God. Our God is faithful and true! Also last night i heard of the news about the death of cambodian missionary Ps Wendy, and I had mixed feelings. Initially i felt sad, but slowly as i begin to ponder, I'm actually happy for her. For she has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith. My prayer goes out to Ps Paul, her husband. May the Lord strengthen him, and may the Lord be with them till they meet again at Jesus feet.

Hebrews 11:24-28 NLT

It was by faith that Moses, when he grew up, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter. He chose to share the oppression of God’s people instead of enjoying the fleeting pleasures of sin. He thought it was better to suffer for the sake of Christ than to own the treasures of Egypt, for he was looking ahead to his great reward. It was by faith that Moses left the land of Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger. He kept right on going because he kept his eyes on the one who is invisible. It was by faith that Moses commanded the people of Israel to keep the Passover and to sprinkle blood on the doorposts so that the angel of death would not kill their firstborn sons.

TRUTH AND CONSEQUENCES.

"Welcome to TV's most popular game show! And now, the host of Truth and Consequences, Tom Foolery!" Wild shouts and applause as the handsome host jogs down the center aisle and leaps onto the stage.

"Thank you! Let's welcome our first contestants, Paul and Susan!"

Two teenagers leap from their seats and jog down the aisle to join Foolery.

"Let's play Truth and Consequences. For our first game, you may choose the prize behind the red door or the one behind the blue door. I'll even tell you what they are."

The sound of a drum roll enters the studio through the loudspeakers.

"Behind the red door are two free tickets to next Saturday's Counting Cannibals concert. You want to go with your friends, but you don't have the money am I right?"

Paul and Susan nod. The audience applauds.

"Behind the blue door is a night with Mom and Dad watching a rerun of Matlock."

"I choose the red door!" Paul and Susan shout their response in unison. Foolery flashes a toothy smile.

"Not so fast. To open the red door, you must agree to 'borrow' sixty dollars from your mother's purse. After all, you didn't think we'd buy the tickets, did you? And, of course, you can always repay the money later. To open the blue door, simply don't 'borrow' the money. What'll it be, the concert with your friends... or Matlock with Mom and Dad?"

Tough choice, huh? Many times, trying to do the right thing is really tough because the wrong thing could be so much fun, while the right choice seems like a drag! Take Moses, for example. He faced a tough choice: turn his back on God and his people to live his life in the lap of luxury, or hang out with a bunch of complainers in the desert. Pretty clear choice, wouldn't you say? But Moses chose the longer lasting rewards of obeying God instead of the immediate gratification of sin.

That's the way it goes. Many wrong choices offer immediate "gain," while right choices often seem to involve short term "pain." To be honest, if we make moral choices simply on the basis of what will bring immediate pain or gain, we will very often make the wrong choice. But if we're willing to choose right, we'll be much better off in the long run. That's the truth.

REFLECT: Note that Hebrews 11:24 says Moses managed to make the right decision by faith. How can someone use faith to make a decision?
Think about the recent choices you've made between right and wrong. Did you base your choice on which way was easiest or on which way was right? How do you know?

PRAY: "God, help me choose right even when it seems easier to choose wrong."

Armor of God.

Hectic week. Work and work and work. Work until blur liao haha. 

"Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared.  In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil.  Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere."
Ephesians 6:11-18

FIRST KNIGHT.

Picture two knights sitting on sparkling white horses. They face a gleaming castle surrounded by mammoth stone walls, which in turn are circled by a wide moat. Archers line the battlements, awaiting the signal to launch their deadly arrows at the pair below.

The first knight wears a shining suit of armor. A heavy helmet protects his head. His body is encased in a massive iron suit; his arms and legs are enclosed by hinged pieces of metal. His armor is completed by heavy "boots" and rigid "gloves."

The second knight sits astride his charger like the first knight, but the only metal he's wearing are the braces on his teeth. A backward baseball hat and sunglasses protect his head from the glare of the sun. His shirt bears a picture of Ren and Stimpy. A pair of shorts, socks, and Reebok shoes complete his attire.

The first knight looks at the second. He says, "We shall charge yon castle on my signal and bring honor to our families this fair day." He raises the broadsword he holds in his right hand and points it in the direction of the castle.

"OK, dude," the second knight says as he lifts a baseball bat. "Whatever!"

Which knight would you rather be? The first knight is rather confined, of course it gets stuffy and sweaty inside his unwieldy suit, and it's hard to scratch your back or wipe your nose. The second knight is totally free of such restrictive dress. He's got it made, right? Wrong! The first knight may feel restricted by his armor, but he wears it for his own good. The second knight may be more comfortable, more "free," but he's unprotected.

God's commands work like a suit of armor. They're designed to protect you from the "fiery arrows aimed at you by Satan" (Ephesians 6:16). His command not to steal, for example, protects you from the guilt and fear of punishment and the shame, embarrassment, and real punishment that would result if you got caught! His command not to lie protects you from being trapped by a web of your own lies, spun from having to invent new lies to cover up the old ones. It also keeps you from losing the trust of your friends and family. His command to forgive those who have hurt you protects you from becoming a bitter, resentful person.

God's commands are not designed to cramp your style or spoil your fun; they're intended like a suit of armor to protect you from harm.

REFLECT: Do you ever feel cramped by God's commands? Do you ever feel like they limit your freedom? How can you become more aware of the ways in which God's commands protect you from the Devil? Remember that he "prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for some victim to devour" (1 Peter 5:8).

PRAY: "God, thank you for your love and for the way you protect me by demanding my obedience to your commandments. Please help me with the weakest part of my armor right now, which is..."

Man shall not live by facebook alone.

Today I had service, it was good. Led the kid's worship and listened to sermon regarding the rich man who earned the world and God says tonight I will take your soul, what good be it to you. Indeed, our life is not for us to collect-them-all, or anything like that. But rather, we were created to seek for happiness. Since our heart is insatiable infinitely, the only thing or person that satisfies our heart fully is God Himself, because He is infinitely wonderful. We were made to enjoy God. When we are most satisfied in God, He is most glorified. That is our fundamental purpose for living. Anyway, saw this interesting post at www.desiringGod.org, by John Piper. It truly addresses the problems of people nowadays. Do take some time to read it. :)

Are apps a threat to God-focus? Yes. But it works both ways. Fight fire with fire.
If you are reading your Bible on your computer or your smartphone or your iPad, the presence of the email app and the news apps and the Facebook app threaten every moment to drag your attention away from the word of God.
True. Fight that. If your finger offends you, cut it off. Or use any other virtuous violence that sets you free to rivet your soul on God.

"From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been raiding it." Matthew 11:12

But don’t take mainly a defensive posture. Fight fire with fire.
Why should we think of the Facebook app threatening the Bible app? Why not the Bible app threatening the Facebook app, and the email app, and the RSS feeder, and the news?
Resolve that today you will press the Bible app three times during the day. No five times. Ten times! Maybe you will lose control and become addicted to Bible! Again and again get a two-minute dose of life-giving Food. Man shall not live by Facebook alone.I’m serious. Never has God’s voice been so easily accessible. The ESV Bible is free. The Olive tree bible reader is free. And so are lots of others. Let the Bible threaten your focus. Or better: Let the Bible bring you back to reality over and over during the day.

Temptations.

"The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?”" Genesis 3:1

The First Temptation

Let's talk about temptation. Go back to the big one, the first one--the Devil tempting Eve in the Garden of Eden. Have you ever read the passage in Genesis 3? Note what he does.

1. He raises questions about the trustworthiness of God's Word.

2. The seeds of doubt are planted in Eve's mind.

3. When Eve says she's not to eat of the fruit or she'll die, the Devil replies cunningly, "You surely shall not die."

The ultimate liar accuses God of lying. He makes his word seem true and God's Word seem unbelievable.

Think about temptation in your own life. It usually means believing your way is better than God's way. For Eve and for all of us, when we begin to doubt the Bible is reliable for living life the best way, we begin to give into temptation--we buy into the lies and half-truths of the world.

For Eve and for all of us, it leads to spiritual death. Decide to believe God's Word--it is the best way. Ask God to give you strength to live it and resist temptation.

Digital slavery

As a tuition teacher for almost half a year already, I have seen the youths nowdays are digitally bounded to the extend, some tell me they will die without games. I know I was like this too. I do hope to help them break free from this digital slavery they have bounded themselves in.

"But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires. " Romans 13:14

1) The hook of constant curiosity

Digital devices offer a never-ending possibility for discovery. Even the basic operating systems can consume hours of curious punching and experimenting. Then there are the endless apps consuming weeks of your time as they lure you into their intricacies.

All this is very deceptive, giving the illusion of power and effectiveness, but leaving you with a feeling of emptiness and nervousness at the end of the day.

Resolution: I will strictly limit my experimental time on the device and devote myself more to the truth than to technique.

2) The empty world of virtual (un)reality

How sad to see brilliant, creative people pouring hours and days of their lives into creating cities and armies and adventures that have no connection with reality. We have one life to live. All our powers are given to us by the real God for the real world leading to a real heaven and real hell.

Resolution: I will spend my constructive, creative energy not in the unreality of “virtual reality” but in the reality of the real world.

3) “Personal” relations with a machine

Like no other invention, a computer comes closest to being like a person. You can play games with it. It will talk to you. It will always be there for you. The great danger here is that we really become comfortable with this manageable electronic “person,” and gradually drift away from the unpredictable, frustrating, sometimes painful dealings with humans persons.

Resolution: I will not replace the risk of personal relationships with impersonal electronic safety.

4) The risk of tryst

“Tryst \’trist\ noun: An agreement (as between lovers) to meet.” Sexual affairs begin in private time together, extended conversation, and the sharing of soul, which can now be done in absolute seclusion through digital devices. You can think that “it’s just nothing” — until she shows up in town.

Resolution: I will not cultivate a one-on-one relationship with a person of the opposite sex other than my spouse. If I am single I will not cultivate such a relationship with another person’s spouse.

5) Porn

More insidious that X-rated videos, we can now not only watch but join the perversity in the privacy of our own den. Interactive porn will allow you to “do it” or make them “do it” virtually.

I have never seen it. Nor do I ever intend to. It kills the spirit. It drives God away. It depersonalizes women. It quenches prayer. It blanks out the Bible. It cheapens the soul. It destroys spiritual power. It defiles everything.

Resolution: I will never open any app for sexual stimulation nor purchase or download anything pornographic.

Magnificent God, magnificent salvation.

Today is sunday, church day. Went to church, injured my toenail. So happy my dear came to my service today! Really appreciate her efforts! She drove alone to church i was so worried! Today's sermon is on salvation. Message was preached by 梅牧师. Today is also the Holy Communion. So message is very apt. Oh yea, talking bout 梅牧师，something quite funny happened few days ago. I was eating dinner with my sis at tampines basement, tepanyaki stall. They would normally ask whether u want any drinks before u enter to sit. So they were asking (fyi, my back is facing the counter so i don't see anything.) someone, whether they wanted drinks. And i heard this reply, "水我们家里有得喝，不用了！ " and the voice sounds familiar! So i turned around and to my surprise! Its 梅牧师！He's so funny. Haha. But he's a nice guy. Good pastor.

Salvation

Salvation is for everyone and we all need salvation. We are like people who cannot swim, drowning in the middle of a vast ocean. Jesus who is on a boat, stretches out His hand, and says, believe me! I can save you! He is the only boat around. Its no wonder Jesus wants to make us fishers of man! After we're up the boat, we should be striving to fish and reach out to more people to board the boat!! Just like David says, like a deer panteth for water! Despite the dangers, the deer seeks the water! What more after we are saved! If we are on the boat, we should not be idling, should start fishing man!

"Even though the fig trees have no blossoms, and there are no grapes on the vines; even though the olive crop fails, and the fields lie empty and barren; even though the flocks die in the fields, and the cattle barns are empty, yet I will rejoice in the L ord ! I will be joyful in the God of my salvation!"

Habakkuk 3:17-18 (p.s this is also the verse of the day for my bible app.)

Decided to start blogging after 3+ yrs.

Finally decided to start blogging again. I realised how great it feels to be able to look back in time and see what you've thought and done. Precious thoughts, sometimes forgotten due to the hustle and bustle of everyday life. Let me always pause a second to reflect on myself and reflect all the glory to God alone.

The Busiest Man Who Ever Lived

He was exhausted, completely worn out from dealing with people and their problems. What He needed was a rest. He got away to spend some time alone with God. When He did, His spirit was renewed and refreshed. When the crowds came, He was able to respond, to care for them and meet their needs.

His name was Jesus Christ and He was the busiest man who ever lived. He accomplished more than anyone did before or since His time here.

We live in a fast-paced world with great demands on our time, yet no one has ever been busier than Jesus when He walked on this earth. Why not learn from Him when you're frazzled, exhausted, and burned out? Take some time to be with God. If Jesus needed some time alone with God, surely we do as well.

"Jesus also did many other things. If they were all written down, I suppose the whole world could not contain the books that would be written." John 21:25

"Immediately after this, Jesus insisted that his disciples get back into the boat and head across the lake to Bethsaida, while he sent the people home. After telling everyone good-bye, he went up into the hills by himself to pray." Mark 6:45-46