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

TOday!

Today, I watch Boltz 3d at GV! Its not too bad, but not as good as I expected. Cause I went to popular Imax theatre before and it was amazing. But overall, its still good la. HAHA. Then at night, went to prayer meeting. Hmm, it was great too. I shall go to prayer meeting every tuesday from now! haha.

2009 first blog.

Stopped blogging for quite some time. (reason : LAZY) hahaha. This year, I will be the Tuan Zhang for Mac YF le. Launching Mac-Score needs lots of planning and preparations. And Deacon Yong Chin's expecting high standards, so no more slipshod work! I will put my heart and soul into the Mac YF! And this is my repeat year in JC, wa |stresss|---> ( new classmates,first time retain x.x and need to meet YC to discuss YF things ) haha. Hmm, tidied up my room on the 1st of Jan! its the first time I so hardworking sia! work overnight for the new look in my room. Liked it alot. Next aim is to get rid of my current wardrobe and look out for ikea promotion wardrobes! :D

Bible Verse:Genesis 12 : 1 -- 14 : 24
Daily Devotion: I've experienced alot of blessings recently. God really is a merciful and graceful God! Even though my results last year was a total disgrace to His name, He continued to bless me and protect me. I'm really greatful to Him. In this verses, the story of Abraham , the father of faith, is being written down. When Abraham went to Egypt with his wife Sarah because there was serious famine everywhere. Sarah was very pretty and Abraham was afraid that they will kill him and take Sarah as wife by force, so he told Sarah to act like his sister. So the Pharoah summoned for Sarah and wanted to take her as wife because he thinks that she is Abraham's sister. Then God sent plagues to pharoah and he realised his mistake. So he gave gold and cattle and livestock and lots of things to Abraham and sent him off. Sometimes, we may encounter troubles. However, if we fully trust in the Lord and gains His favour, nothing will be able to harm us. We will stand to gain no matter what. Let us count our blessings and always give thanks to the Lord! :D