During the camp we had two plenary sessions where the speaker Jason Fong shared to us regarding the power of God's Word and it's impact in our lives as Christians. Here is a summary of the main points to help you remember and apply:
1) God's Word Sustains Our Spiritual Growth (1 Peter 2:2)
- it is milk, meat, honey & bread
2) God's Word Sanctifies (John 17:17)
- makes us clean and renews our minds
3) God's Word Strengthens Our Faith in Him (Rom. 10:47)
- only way to receive faith is through His Word
4) God's Word Provides Guidance in Our Lives (Psalm 119:105)
- helps us to know God's ways and acts
5) God's Word Gives Us Victory Over the Devil (2 Cor. 10:4)
- helps us to focus on things that we cannot see (the spiritual & eternal)
6) God's Word Reveals to Us Our True Condition (James 1:22)
- it is like a mirror that shows us what we are really like without any compromise
If you want reasons why we should hear, read, study, memorise & meditate Scriptures, then the above six reasons should give be more than enough! I am glad to see some of you taking this seriously. Continue to do so and I can assure you that the blessings you reap will be greater than you dare imagine! Try it and let God's Word do what God has intended it to do! Remember the Word will not return to Him empty but will accomplish what He desires and purposed (Isaiah 55:11) If you have found any of the point(s) true in your life, share with the rest of us.
May God bless the daily reading of His Word in your life. Amen!
Ps. Ben
June 23, 2010
June 18, 2010
Church Camp 2010 Theme Song
During the camp we had our very first theme song composed just for this camp. Just enjoy the song as we sang it for the first time on the first day of the camp! Thanks to Lee Meng and friends (who shall remain anonymous!) for helping us start a new chapter! They lyrics are here below:
The Power of God's Word
When I am lost in my way, O Lord,
I cry and I pray to You.
Just longing for Your touch.
Come to me, Father, draw me close to You.
Chorus:
O Word of God, come speak to me.
Give me strength and hope within.
Let Your word be a lamp to my feet,
And a light to my path.
The Power of God's Word
When I am lost in my way, O Lord,
I cry and I pray to You.
Just longing for Your touch.
Come to me, Father, draw me close to You.
Chorus:
O Word of God, come speak to me.
Give me strength and hope within.
Let Your word be a lamp to my feet,
And a light to my path.
June 13, 2010
Church Camp 2010
Thank you all who helped make this year's camp a success with your presence and support. We had a great time and loads of fun didn't we? My wish and regret (if there is any) is that more people could have come and receive the blessings. But for those who came, remember that God's Word will not return to Him empty. May it accomplish God's purposes in your life as you engage it and apply it faithfully. If you had been touched and refreshed, share with us some of your thoughts and experiences that can bless each other. Here is a picture to remember!
June 8, 2010
Accountable to Whom?
To whom are we accountable to in our lives? Some people say that they are not accountable to anyone and they live their life anyway they like. It's my life, they claim! What about in the church? If someone has committed a sin, is the person accountable to anyone? Will there be some form of disciplinary action? Or do we just let it go and gossip about it. The Corinthian church (1 Cor. 5) had a brother who was having an incestuous relationship with his father's wife (stepmother). What was the church's response? They were proud of it! (5:2) How could they be proud of such a relationship and boast about something that does not even occur in the permissive society they were in? The church seemed to be even more broad minded and inclusive than the world! Something must be really wrong when a church comes to such a state of affairs when she is following the world's values instead of living the truths of God.
When the sermon was preached last Sunday, I just couldn't help but think how the spirit of the Corinthian church is still prevalent today. For example the church is divided over the homosexual issue. Some churches says it's alright and have leaders who openly confess their gay lifestyle and the church says its okay! In the name of being inclusive we have compromised the standards of God. In calling for disciplinary action, was Paul being too harsh or judgemental? Does Scripture not tell us "not to judge"? Obviously not! Paul was making a judgement call because the sin committed was obvious. To walk in the light was to walk in truth. The passage on "do not judge" in Matthew 7:1-5 talks about not being a hypocrite in trying to find fault with others when we do not see our own (bigger) sin.
The points in the sermon about the need for accountability addresses why judgement or discipline was needed. First, sin is deadly. Sin destroys - it kills our spirit, destroys our integrity, witness, reputation and family. Second, people need to live right. We are not sinless. But if we do sin then we need to repent and be restored. The goal of discipline is restoration and not punitive. Third, the church is polluted by sin. The witness and harmony of the church will be affected by sin. When people outside the church see in the church behaving the same as the world, then what is the difference? Why do they need to come to the church? There must be a difference in believing and following Jesus. Truth and sincerity must be present. Finally, people need the Lord. We all need God. The people of God need to be accountable so that they reflect the truth and life of Christ. We are witnesses. This is the greatest reason for being accountable. Judgement starts from within the church. Let God judge the world. If the church is the Bride of Christ then she must reflect the character and nature of her husband because He is looking for one that is holy and blameless (Eph 5:27)
Whether we like it or not, we are accountable to one another. We are not alone! God has placed us in a local church for a reason. But if we keep on hiding, resisting and running away (e.g. to another church) how can we deal with the problem of our sins and be restored? How can we be more Christ like? Christ loves His church and He will do whatever it takes to present her as pure and blameless. Come, Lord Jesus and purify us to become more like you. Let us not hide when Your light shines on our sins. Save us and restore us for we need Your healing!
Ps. Ben
When the sermon was preached last Sunday, I just couldn't help but think how the spirit of the Corinthian church is still prevalent today. For example the church is divided over the homosexual issue. Some churches says it's alright and have leaders who openly confess their gay lifestyle and the church says its okay! In the name of being inclusive we have compromised the standards of God. In calling for disciplinary action, was Paul being too harsh or judgemental? Does Scripture not tell us "not to judge"? Obviously not! Paul was making a judgement call because the sin committed was obvious. To walk in the light was to walk in truth. The passage on "do not judge" in Matthew 7:1-5 talks about not being a hypocrite in trying to find fault with others when we do not see our own (bigger) sin.
The points in the sermon about the need for accountability addresses why judgement or discipline was needed. First, sin is deadly. Sin destroys - it kills our spirit, destroys our integrity, witness, reputation and family. Second, people need to live right. We are not sinless. But if we do sin then we need to repent and be restored. The goal of discipline is restoration and not punitive. Third, the church is polluted by sin. The witness and harmony of the church will be affected by sin. When people outside the church see in the church behaving the same as the world, then what is the difference? Why do they need to come to the church? There must be a difference in believing and following Jesus. Truth and sincerity must be present. Finally, people need the Lord. We all need God. The people of God need to be accountable so that they reflect the truth and life of Christ. We are witnesses. This is the greatest reason for being accountable. Judgement starts from within the church. Let God judge the world. If the church is the Bride of Christ then she must reflect the character and nature of her husband because He is looking for one that is holy and blameless (Eph 5:27)
Whether we like it or not, we are accountable to one another. We are not alone! God has placed us in a local church for a reason. But if we keep on hiding, resisting and running away (e.g. to another church) how can we deal with the problem of our sins and be restored? How can we be more Christ like? Christ loves His church and He will do whatever it takes to present her as pure and blameless. Come, Lord Jesus and purify us to become more like you. Let us not hide when Your light shines on our sins. Save us and restore us for we need Your healing!
Ps. Ben
June 2, 2010
Sharing Christ's Love Visually
There are many tools or methods to share the Gospel. Some of them require us to remember a number of Bible verses or draw illustrations that is a challenge for some of us! I came across this tool that requires you to just remember one verse and a simpler illustration. You can now focus on just sharing the love of Jesus with simplicity and clarity. Try it and let me know if it helps you to share with confidence. Read below:
One-Verse Evangelism® is a simple, interactive way to share Christ’s love conversationally and visually. It is based on asking questions and sharing. It’s easy to learn because it uses just one verse. It’s also sensitive to peoples’ busy schedules because it can be shared in just 10 or 15 minutes.
How does it work? Let’s say God’s leading you to share the Gospel with your neighbor. Write out Romans 6:23 on a piece of paper or a napkin: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Then put your Bible away. Ask your neighbor if he would like to see a simple picture based on this verse that will explain God’s relationship with people.
Underline the word “wages” and ask, “How would you feel if your boss refused to pay you the wages that were due to you?” Deep down, we all know that it is only right that we get what we deserve. Similarly, we earn wages from God for how we have lived our lives.
Underline “sin,” asking your friend what he thinks when he hears this word. You might explain that sin is more an attitude than an action. It can be either actively fighting God or merely excluding Him from our lives. You can ask, “Has God ever seemed far away?” If he says “Yes,” add that that’s one of the things sin does. It makes God seem far away. Now draw two opposing cliffs with a gap in between.
Underline the word “death” and ask what thoughts come to mind. Explain that death in the Bible always means some kind of separation.
While underlining “but,” mention that it is important because it means that a sharp contrast in thought is coming. What we have just looked at is bad news; what follows is good news.
Underline the word “gift.” Ask, “If wages are what a person earns, then what is a gift?” Remind your friend that someone must purchase every gift.
Underline “God” and explain that the gift you are talking about is free. It is from God Himself. It’s so special that no one else can give it. Ask, “How do you feel when someone gives you a special gift?”
Underline “eternal life,” and then ask, “How would you define these words?” Contrast one side of the cliff, death, with the other side, eternal life. Ask, “What is the opposite of separation from God?”
Write the words “Jesus Christ” so they create a bridge between the two cliffs. Help your friend to consider that every gift has a giver, and only Jesus Christ can give the gift of eternal life.
Write “Believe” over the bridge you just drew. Explain that Jesus wants a friendship with your friend. All he has to do is admit that he is responsible for the “sin” of either fighting or excluding God from his life and believe in Jesus’ forgiveness of that sin. At this point, you can ask him if he wants a relationship with God. If he says “Yes,” invite him to pray a short prayer asking Jesus to forgive him.
Close by reminding him that this simple illustration shows what God is like: Someone who really cares about people, especially him. Invite him to read all about it in the Bible, perhaps beginning in the Gospel of John.
How does it work? Let’s say God’s leading you to share the Gospel with your neighbor. Write out Romans 6:23 on a piece of paper or a napkin: “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Then put your Bible away. Ask your neighbor if he would like to see a simple picture based on this verse that will explain God’s relationship with people.
Underline the word “wages” and ask, “How would you feel if your boss refused to pay you the wages that were due to you?” Deep down, we all know that it is only right that we get what we deserve. Similarly, we earn wages from God for how we have lived our lives.
Underline “sin,” asking your friend what he thinks when he hears this word. You might explain that sin is more an attitude than an action. It can be either actively fighting God or merely excluding Him from our lives. You can ask, “Has God ever seemed far away?” If he says “Yes,” add that that’s one of the things sin does. It makes God seem far away. Now draw two opposing cliffs with a gap in between.
Underline the word “death” and ask what thoughts come to mind. Explain that death in the Bible always means some kind of separation.
While underlining “but,” mention that it is important because it means that a sharp contrast in thought is coming. What we have just looked at is bad news; what follows is good news.
Underline the word “gift.” Ask, “If wages are what a person earns, then what is a gift?” Remind your friend that someone must purchase every gift.
Underline “God” and explain that the gift you are talking about is free. It is from God Himself. It’s so special that no one else can give it. Ask, “How do you feel when someone gives you a special gift?”
Underline “eternal life,” and then ask, “How would you define these words?” Contrast one side of the cliff, death, with the other side, eternal life. Ask, “What is the opposite of separation from God?”
Write the words “Jesus Christ” so they create a bridge between the two cliffs. Help your friend to consider that every gift has a giver, and only Jesus Christ can give the gift of eternal life.
Write “Believe” over the bridge you just drew. Explain that Jesus wants a friendship with your friend. All he has to do is admit that he is responsible for the “sin” of either fighting or excluding God from his life and believe in Jesus’ forgiveness of that sin. At this point, you can ask him if he wants a relationship with God. If he says “Yes,” invite him to pray a short prayer asking Jesus to forgive him.
Close by reminding him that this simple illustration shows what God is like: Someone who really cares about people, especially him. Invite him to read all about it in the Bible, perhaps beginning in the Gospel of John.
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