I was pleasantly surprised and happy to read this piece of news about one of my favourite HK actress. Praise God for her public testimony. She has also publicly expresses her wish to marry a Christian. SC took a break from the entertainment circle and that was when she found the true meaning of life. Her new song album entitled "Faith" came about after she came back to the entertainment circle. She claimed that "faith has given her confidence". She is a changed person.
Another HK actress who has changed when she faced a down time in her life is this other pretty actress that I like. GL shared her testimony and how she became a Christian. (See video interview in Cantonese).
A 3rd popular actress has this to say about premarital sex.
I pray that their testimonies will continue to be strong and that they will bear good witnesses to their fans and supporters who do not yet know Jesus.
When I read this article, I wish I could tell JA that what she said about death is quite true but she will find meaning beyond death if she truly knows who Jesus is and what He has done for us. Tomorrow is Good Friday. Why is it "good"? It is because Jesus died on our behalf and He conquered death on Easter Sunday. That is why Christians celebrate - our Saviour Jesus Christ's death and His ultimate victory over death that He came alive! Amen!!
Showing posts with label Evangelism. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Evangelism. Show all posts
April 1, 2010
October 20, 2009
An Encouraging Testimony
A good friend was sharing with me about this man, Nick Vujicic. She showed another of his video to her 4/5 yo daughter to encourage her to not be lazy but use her hands and feet as God has given them for her use.
God loves you and He hasn't forgotten your pain, hasn't forgotten your family. Maybe when you watch this interview, you compare my suffering and your suffering and that's not where hope is, in knowing someone else, in your opinion, is suffering more than you. But that is not where hope is. Hope is in the name of God, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hope is when you compare your suffering with the infinite and immeasurable love and grace of God.
Isaiah 40:31 says "but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will not run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."
I don't need my circumstances to change. I don't need arms and legs. I need the wings of the Holy Spirit. And I am flying, because Jesus is holding me up. Don't give up on God, because God will not give up on you.
I don't need my circumstances to change. I don't need arms and legs. I need the wings of the Holy Spirit. And I am flying, because Jesus is holding me up. Don't give up on God, because God will not give up on you.
I am totally moved at God's work in Nick's life, moved by His love, His power and amazing ability to enable (whom we perceive as) a handicap to be completely whole in his soul and totally glorifying God in His life.
July 8, 2009
The Radical Christian
2 years ago, I blogged about Christians dating non-Christians. Most of my friends (mostly girls) who are dating non-Christians continue to date them. Some became Christians, some did not, some end up marrying the non-Christian. In all of these, my friends really struggled, some have struggled and some are still struggling...
Recently one of my friends, MSIC decided to move out of the place that she was living with her non-Christian boyfriend. MSIC has been dating him for 5 years. She decided to move out because she realise that it is not the right thing to do - to live with her boyfriend before they were married. MSIC has only been a Christian in the recent 1-2 years. MSIC eventually really did move out and their relationship took a turn for the worst. After a short period of time, they really ended the relationship.
MSIC was really heartbroken and is still coping with the loss of the relationship and singleness. But she knew that in God's eyes, moving out was the right thing to do and she wanted to obey and please God. For a fairly new Christian, I am surprised and very encouraged to see her seeking to please God and in her life, demonstrated that God is most important, more important than her 5-year boyfriend whom she was prepared to marry. I did not expect her to break up with her non-Christian boyfriend when she became a Christian. I don't think it is the right thing to do as well. It is different to the cases I know where the Christian decided to date a non-Christian, even though they have the full knowledge that they should not be. I am not unsympathetic to struggles of being single and being tempted to consider dating a non-Christian. I have gone through those struggles personally in the recent years until I met hubby. Nevertheless it cannot be an excuse to give in to temptation and date a non-Christian and hoping that he/she will one day become a Christian.
I pray that MSIC's ex-boyfriend will one day, be able to see and understand MSIC's decision and her testimony of loving Jesus over him (She and his family have been praying and trying to share the gospel with him for the past year or so). May he be curious enough one day, to find out the captivating reasons for MSIC to love this Jesus more than him. I can, only but praise God and the Holy Spirit for working in and through MSIC. She has really shown great Christian maturity and growth and I am privileged to be part of her continuing growth at this period of time. I thank God for allowing me to personally witness Him transforming one of His child. It is a great privilege.
I pray that MSIC will grow in her understanding of God's Word and learning more of how to live a life that is worthy of the gospel and that one day (God-willing), she will marry a godly and mature man who pledge to love her just as Christ loves her.
Postscript: Related article to read - "Myths about living together".
December 1, 2008
Burden for our lost families
Read my SIL's email about how her in-laws (her in-laws and BIL's family were visiting from Singapore) did not wanna attend church service with them yesterday and my BIL was feeling discouraged. I fully understood his feelings... My family too, did not wanna come church with me when they were in Brissy last year.
During the church service, as we were singing songs of praise to our God and Saviour, I thought of my unsaved parents and siblings and also the unsaved parents and siblings of my other BIL (hubby's 2 sisters both married Singaporeans too) and how we all have gotten each other to pray for each one of us as we share the gospel with our Singapore families... I praise and thank God that He is our God and one who loves us. If we love our families and want them to be saved, I know that God desires that more than us... and God is also the Sovereign One in control of all our lives. I am thankful that I was reminded through the songs of the attributes of God. If we are burdened for the salvation of our families because we love them, how much more does God feel for them? Yet at the same time, I only can pray for God to be merciful and to help us trust that in His good time and will, they will come to the knowledge of His saving grace.
I wonder how 'coincident' it is for my in-laws to have Singaporean in-laws. Yet I am also thankful for the persevering faith of my hubby, parents-in-law, my sibling-in-laws and that through their witness and prayer, we have the opportunity to be Christ-like to our extended family which is our in-laws' family (i.e. both my Singaporean BILs' families). One by one, they visit Brissy to spend time with my BILs and this also give us opportunity to be Christ's witnesss. It is really nice, I thought, that eg. all my in-laws (parents and siblings) can minister to my parents and siblings when they come to Brissy to visit. I feel so privileged to belong to a Christian family that I never had (even though I have my Christian 'family' in church). Thank God for that.
Now, hubby and I are on our way back to Singapore... and we are mindful of this 'mission'. We seemed like missionaries, going overseas (out of Australia) where we now reside) to share the gospel. Except that we have a specific target group – my parents and siblings. We only can pray that God will work through us to share His love and that they will begin to know and understand who Jesus is and what He has done for all of us. I have to trust that God also love my folks and even more than I do...
November 6, 2008
Once A Slave to Heroin, Now A Chef
I have been reading ieat's blog to get myself familiarised back with Singaporean food, in preparation for my visit back in about 26 days' time... I have also drawn up a list based on the location of the food centre, so that when I visit the centre, I will only eat the specific food so that I will not waste my calories...
As I was searching for the places to eat crab, I came across this recommendation of "Eighteen Chefs". ieat reviewed the food and also the chef, B who was a drug addict but gave his life to Jesus. He now is a chef at "Eighteen Chefs" and the interesting thing was, he spent a few months working at Jamie Oliver's fifteen restaurant. He probably the only Singaporean chef whogot to work there.
The testimony of B was encouraging... I have not really heard nor read his testimony prior to this, although I know/heard of him through a friend in church (who also used to be a drug addict). I think I also heard Ben play the drums (or was it guitar?) at H's wedding. I have eaten at Goshen before and have met Ben... it is true that he looks really fierce and scary but really he is a nice bloke.
Read B's story and food recommendation of Eighteen Chefs and be encouraged :) I will be there to eat lobster mornay and black pepper crab baked rice ;)
August 2, 2008
3rd (& 1st) Year Anniversary
Today marks the 3rd year of this blog. I have been blogging for 3 years. Last year, I shared how blogging has changed my life. Now I am keeping the blog and blogging for similiar reasons: a platform to update folks back in Singapore and to keep myself accountable. I can also think of another reason, that is, to share (good) things/news/recipes with people.
In the past year, I have blogged mostly about my life in Brisbane. I still am doing that, especially sharing about my homemaking days. Speaking of which, this also marks my 1 year anniversary to moving to Brisbane.
It is amazing how people move around the globe and years later, you still meet them in another part of the world. The only 2 persons who are my friends (and not originally hubby's) are 2 of my secondary school friends - Y and L. Y used to be my really close good girlfriend from secondary school to junior college days. We parted when she came Brisbane for uni and she stayed here ever since. God has put Y in my life really for good reasons, even though she is not a believer (yet?). I don't know if Y is in God's will to be one. But I know that being here in the same city with her again, gives me that opportunity again. It is hard though, because it seems that after so many years, she cannot really understand God. Sometimes I think that perhaps I have not been a good Christian testimony to her all these years. But really, I don't have that 'power'. Only God can change people. I have to persevere and try and pray for Y.
As for L, I thought she was a Christian... perhaps not. It probably is God's divine arrangement that L and I now live very close to each other. We are just one suburb away about less than 5 mins' drive. We did not live close to each other in Singapore. Anyhow because of that and L's love for basketball (she used to play for school), she and her friend now joins me and hubby to watch Wasabi play on Sundays, somewhere near our homes. On top of that, they are also joining us to play badminton with our (Christian) friends as part of playing sports. Prayerfully, hubby and I can form good friendships with L and her friend through all these interactions and be able to, one day, share the the good news with them.
I have been thinking about it... maybe those reasons are why I am in Australia :) Nevertheless, I am still a Christian, whether in Singapore or Australia, and therefore called to be His disciple to share His word with people around me.
In the past year, I have blogged mostly about my life in Brisbane. I still am doing that, especially sharing about my homemaking days. Speaking of which, this also marks my 1 year anniversary to moving to Brisbane.
It is amazing how people move around the globe and years later, you still meet them in another part of the world. The only 2 persons who are my friends (and not originally hubby's) are 2 of my secondary school friends - Y and L. Y used to be my really close good girlfriend from secondary school to junior college days. We parted when she came Brisbane for uni and she stayed here ever since. God has put Y in my life really for good reasons, even though she is not a believer (yet?). I don't know if Y is in God's will to be one. But I know that being here in the same city with her again, gives me that opportunity again. It is hard though, because it seems that after so many years, she cannot really understand God. Sometimes I think that perhaps I have not been a good Christian testimony to her all these years. But really, I don't have that 'power'. Only God can change people. I have to persevere and try and pray for Y.
As for L, I thought she was a Christian... perhaps not. It probably is God's divine arrangement that L and I now live very close to each other. We are just one suburb away about less than 5 mins' drive. We did not live close to each other in Singapore. Anyhow because of that and L's love for basketball (she used to play for school), she and her friend now joins me and hubby to watch Wasabi play on Sundays, somewhere near our homes. On top of that, they are also joining us to play badminton with our (Christian) friends as part of playing sports. Prayerfully, hubby and I can form good friendships with L and her friend through all these interactions and be able to, one day, share the the good news with them.
I have been thinking about it... maybe those reasons are why I am in Australia :) Nevertheless, I am still a Christian, whether in Singapore or Australia, and therefore called to be His disciple to share His word with people around me.
July 14, 2008
Certainty...
Do you have certainty in the faith that you believe in? Do you know where you will be going if you were to die now? Are you sure that you will go to Heaven?
Be challenged. Find the answers HERE.
June 19, 2008
2 Camps Miles Apart
On the first weekend of June, my friends in Singapore gone to Malacca for the church's annual camp. Meanwhile I was with a bunch of brothers and sisters in Christ at Mount Tambourine for an inaugural Clay retreat/camp. Clay is the name of the fellowship group that me and hubby belong to. It is a group for young working adults (yes, I am still pretty young :p) from my church here in Brisbane. There are also a handful of people who joins us for bible study but attend other churches.
This is the first time Clay has a live-in retreat where we had a speaker to come teach us on God's Word. GK's presentation on 1 Thessalonians was really good and clear. I was really happy and blessed during those 3 days where I could learn God's word and have to know my brothers and sisters in Christ better. I walked away with 2 main lessons and reminder: (1) through a workshop on work that work is a gift and it is something good that God has given man to do (2) how I must live my life in the 'now', having the hope and knowing that Christ will come again at a time when we will not know.
It surely humbled and rebuked me regarding my attitude to work. Just before the retreat, I completed a 3-week full-time work stint. Although I was earning quite good money for the 3 weeks, I carried a complaining, frustrated attitude to work. Perhaps I have been used to homemaking and part-time work and enjoying it, that when I had to be both a homemaker an a full-time worker, I became frustrated at the many things that I wanted to do but could either have no time nor energy to do. At the same time, I was frustrated and full of complaints for the work that I was doing. At some time, I also felt somewhat humilitated, thinking that I am a Uni grad and why am I doing the work that I was doing. But God humbled me and taught me big time, that Uni grad or not, every work is good and given by God. If prayed for God to provide me with work, I must not complain. He must have known that it is something good for me. In fact, it was only on my last day of work that I realised something: God took away my previous job (which I thought was perfect and good) and gave me this 3-week temporary work so that I might have a chance to sow seeds for Him.
In the 3-weeks, I got to meet and interact with more Aussies and it helped me to understand the Aussie culture better. Yet the same time, I saw the sinfulness of human where it is completely acceptable to have 'partners' and you know that they are not referring to their spouses. I also got to know 3 Aussie girls. On my last day, they bought me cupcakes as my farewell. Prayerfully and boldly, I gave them each a card and a evangelistic tract/booklet as my farewell gift to them. To one of them who is a 'sleeping' Catholic, I gave her a book “Nothing in my Hand I Bring” (I will blog about this book next time but you can read the review from one of my friends here) Prayerfully they will read the book/tracts at some point in their lives and come to realise that they need God as their personal Lord and Saviour. I figured that I will not be able to meet these girls if not that I left my previous job. I humbly was reminded that God knows what is better for me in my life and I shall leave it to Him to guide me in my life and provide all that I need. This is a good reminder for me as I consider my next job (which I will begin soon).
At the retreat, GK suggested that we as Christians must not be surprised when Jesus comes again. It will happen like a thief coming into your house at night. The timing is unexpected and it can happen possibly in a time of peace and security. Jesus's coming is inevitatable. In the Bible, we have been warned and hence we should live our lives as if Christ is coming the next hour. Our future is guaranteed. We will live in heaven with God in eternity. How then should I live my life now? This means that I need to constantly make choices that matters in eternity – the work that I do, the words that I say, the areas that I spend my time on, etc. Knowing and reminding myself about this has helped me decide regarding a recent potential job prospect. I am full of thanksgiving, to my God, my provider.
Back on the topic of camps, I still do miss my folks back in Singapore where 680 of them spent 5 days 4 nights in Malacca where they had a Aussie pastor to speak to them about “Strength in Weaknesses” Hubby and I are hoping to go back in June 2010 for church camp and hopefully, my other girl friends all over the world will also meet back there to gather and catch up.
This is the first time Clay has a live-in retreat where we had a speaker to come teach us on God's Word. GK's presentation on 1 Thessalonians was really good and clear. I was really happy and blessed during those 3 days where I could learn God's word and have to know my brothers and sisters in Christ better. I walked away with 2 main lessons and reminder: (1) through a workshop on work that work is a gift and it is something good that God has given man to do (2) how I must live my life in the 'now', having the hope and knowing that Christ will come again at a time when we will not know.
It surely humbled and rebuked me regarding my attitude to work. Just before the retreat, I completed a 3-week full-time work stint. Although I was earning quite good money for the 3 weeks, I carried a complaining, frustrated attitude to work. Perhaps I have been used to homemaking and part-time work and enjoying it, that when I had to be both a homemaker an a full-time worker, I became frustrated at the many things that I wanted to do but could either have no time nor energy to do. At the same time, I was frustrated and full of complaints for the work that I was doing. At some time, I also felt somewhat humilitated, thinking that I am a Uni grad and why am I doing the work that I was doing. But God humbled me and taught me big time, that Uni grad or not, every work is good and given by God. If prayed for God to provide me with work, I must not complain. He must have known that it is something good for me. In fact, it was only on my last day of work that I realised something: God took away my previous job (which I thought was perfect and good) and gave me this 3-week temporary work so that I might have a chance to sow seeds for Him.
In the 3-weeks, I got to meet and interact with more Aussies and it helped me to understand the Aussie culture better. Yet the same time, I saw the sinfulness of human where it is completely acceptable to have 'partners' and you know that they are not referring to their spouses. I also got to know 3 Aussie girls. On my last day, they bought me cupcakes as my farewell. Prayerfully and boldly, I gave them each a card and a evangelistic tract/booklet as my farewell gift to them. To one of them who is a 'sleeping' Catholic, I gave her a book “Nothing in my Hand I Bring” (I will blog about this book next time but you can read the review from one of my friends here) Prayerfully they will read the book/tracts at some point in their lives and come to realise that they need God as their personal Lord and Saviour. I figured that I will not be able to meet these girls if not that I left my previous job. I humbly was reminded that God knows what is better for me in my life and I shall leave it to Him to guide me in my life and provide all that I need. This is a good reminder for me as I consider my next job (which I will begin soon).
At the retreat, GK suggested that we as Christians must not be surprised when Jesus comes again. It will happen like a thief coming into your house at night. The timing is unexpected and it can happen possibly in a time of peace and security. Jesus's coming is inevitatable. In the Bible, we have been warned and hence we should live our lives as if Christ is coming the next hour. Our future is guaranteed. We will live in heaven with God in eternity. How then should I live my life now? This means that I need to constantly make choices that matters in eternity – the work that I do, the words that I say, the areas that I spend my time on, etc. Knowing and reminding myself about this has helped me decide regarding a recent potential job prospect. I am full of thanksgiving, to my God, my provider.
Back on the topic of camps, I still do miss my folks back in Singapore where 680 of them spent 5 days 4 nights in Malacca where they had a Aussie pastor to speak to them about “Strength in Weaknesses” Hubby and I are hoping to go back in June 2010 for church camp and hopefully, my other girl friends all over the world will also meet back there to gather and catch up.
October 2, 2006
Taxi Talk
Early this morning, I took a cab from home to church. The morning, not-fully-awake syndrome left me half dazed. I am thinking how to perk myself up to backup sing for service and how I should sing the song item...
For a Sunday hazy morning, Taxi Uncle was very chirpy. "Good morning! Where do you want to go?" I told him where I was heading and the instructions for the route (being a driver myself, I know the best, fastest and cheapest way to get to your destination :p). Taxi Uncle replied me with a happy and delightful-sounding "Sure mdm! No problem!"
(After some distance) Taxi Uncle: 你这么早，去church吗？
Me: 是的
(I returned to my half-awake mood, thoughts drifting away...)
(Some time later, 3 minutes to my destination, uncle asked me for the exact road that I wanted to take to my destination.) Taxi Uncle: 我很熟这里
Me: 你住靠近这里？
Taxi Uncle: 哦，没有啦。我住East.
(A few seconds of pause)
Taxi Uncle: 我的孩子叫我去他们的church.今天他们的church 有xxx(name of Taiwanese singer) 和 xxx (name of Tainanese DJ working in Singapore)去那里。
Me: Uncle, 你是基督徒吗？
Taxi Uncle: 我? 我不是.我是free thinker.
(I recalled Rust's taxi incident with Mr Chua. I turned to look at the name of Taxi Uncle. Coincidentally, his surname is Chua too! Is it the same Mr Chua? There are so many people with the surname of Chua. But Rust took a cab with a "black door". Mine was a blue door ;))
Me: Uncle, 为什么你不要跟你的孩子去他们的church? 跟他们去啦!
Taxi Uncle Chua: 哎呀,我们驾taxi 的,很难说去就去的.
Me: Uncle, 我church的华文团契,今天有一个中秋节庆祝活动. 有月饼吃,还有的猜灯谜. 如果等一下大概九点你有进过这里,不妨来参加?
Taxi Uncle Chua: 很难讲... 看怎么样先... 我的孩子叫我回家载他们去.可是如果我在West, 很难go all the way下去载他们.
Me: 去啦... 回家载他们, 然后跟他们一起去church啦!
For those who don't understand our Mandarin conversation, Taxi Uncle told me that his children invited him to their church today as there were some special guests from Taiwan at their service. I suppose it is an evangelistic service... Uncle says its difficult for taxi drivers like them to decide if they can go because they have to earn a living. I invited him to my church's Mandarin Ministry's outreach event this morning where there are mooncakes, testimony sharing and fellowship but he was non-commital. I later encouraged him to go home to pick his children to send them to their church and he can go along with them too!
I soon arrived at my destination. As I was conversing with Uncle Chua, I prayed for him to have an opportunity to hear the gospel.... pray that his children will share with him and that he will be open to listen and accept Jesus Christ as His personal Saviour. Uncle Chua seems very open to the gospel, except that he was a bit hesitant of how it will affect his life and lifelihood.
One more "Mr Chua" to pray for... I was glad that I was not totally dazed out and had the opportunity to encourage Uncle Chua to attend church so that he can hear and know the gospel. Taxi conversations can be opportunities for us to share and proclaim the good news, isn't it? :)
For a Sunday hazy morning, Taxi Uncle was very chirpy. "Good morning! Where do you want to go?" I told him where I was heading and the instructions for the route (being a driver myself, I know the best, fastest and cheapest way to get to your destination :p). Taxi Uncle replied me with a happy and delightful-sounding "Sure mdm! No problem!"
(After some distance) Taxi Uncle: 你这么早，去church吗？
Me: 是的
(I returned to my half-awake mood, thoughts drifting away...)
(Some time later, 3 minutes to my destination, uncle asked me for the exact road that I wanted to take to my destination.) Taxi Uncle: 我很熟这里
Me: 你住靠近这里？
Taxi Uncle: 哦，没有啦。我住East.
(A few seconds of pause)
Taxi Uncle: 我的孩子叫我去他们的church.今天他们的church 有xxx(name of Taiwanese singer) 和 xxx (name of Tainanese DJ working in Singapore)去那里。
Me: Uncle, 你是基督徒吗？
Taxi Uncle: 我? 我不是.我是free thinker.
(I recalled Rust's taxi incident with Mr Chua. I turned to look at the name of Taxi Uncle. Coincidentally, his surname is Chua too! Is it the same Mr Chua? There are so many people with the surname of Chua. But Rust took a cab with a "black door". Mine was a blue door ;))
Me: Uncle, 为什么你不要跟你的孩子去他们的church? 跟他们去啦!
Taxi Uncle Chua: 哎呀,我们驾taxi 的,很难说去就去的.
Me: Uncle, 我church的华文团契,今天有一个中秋节庆祝活动. 有月饼吃,还有的猜灯谜. 如果等一下大概九点你有进过这里,不妨来参加?
Taxi Uncle Chua: 很难讲... 看怎么样先... 我的孩子叫我回家载他们去.可是如果我在West, 很难go all the way下去载他们.
Me: 去啦... 回家载他们, 然后跟他们一起去church啦!
For those who don't understand our Mandarin conversation, Taxi Uncle told me that his children invited him to their church today as there were some special guests from Taiwan at their service. I suppose it is an evangelistic service... Uncle says its difficult for taxi drivers like them to decide if they can go because they have to earn a living. I invited him to my church's Mandarin Ministry's outreach event this morning where there are mooncakes, testimony sharing and fellowship but he was non-commital. I later encouraged him to go home to pick his children to send them to their church and he can go along with them too!
I soon arrived at my destination. As I was conversing with Uncle Chua, I prayed for him to have an opportunity to hear the gospel.... pray that his children will share with him and that he will be open to listen and accept Jesus Christ as His personal Saviour. Uncle Chua seems very open to the gospel, except that he was a bit hesitant of how it will affect his life and lifelihood.
One more "Mr Chua" to pray for... I was glad that I was not totally dazed out and had the opportunity to encourage Uncle Chua to attend church so that he can hear and know the gospel. Taxi conversations can be opportunities for us to share and proclaim the good news, isn't it? :)
February 19, 2006
Anyone Interested In A New Gospel?
I attended a church service in Australia some 3 years ago where the preacher challenged us to have new revelations from God in this new age and era. I left the service wondering if there was really a new revelation from God and a new gospel...
Having been a Christian for a number of years, I realised that it can be the case where the gospel that I believed in and gave my life to God by believing in His Son Jesus Christ in response to, can be easily put behind my mind. I don't think I am the only Christian who thinks like that. It is very easy to think that the gospel which I had once heard, is enough for me since I am now a believer of Christ, a Christian and I have eternal life. Therefore I need not think of the gospel and know about the gospel any much further, not until and unless I need to share it with non-believers.... Either that or I can know every detail about the gospel but in my refusal to believe and trust in it and without it transforming my life, those will only just be words that run through my mind.
I am thankful that in my church, we will study 1 gospel every beginning of the year. The 4 gospel books in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) will be rotated year after year and our DGs will study the Bible and sermons will be preached according to the book that we cover. I think I only begin to appreciate why a gospel has to be put in every year. This is to remind us that we cannot and should never tire of learning, knowing and being reminded of the truth of God, the word of life, the gospel of Jesus Christ. The good news of Jesus Christ (gospel) is what we as believers heard and responded to and this is the basis of our Christian faith, the only reason why we still continue to persevere to live godly lives. I remembered Pastor always says that if one day we ever get tired of hearing about Jesus Christ, then we are probably in great danger... and if ever one day he stop preaching about Jesus Christ, we would know that he is not very right...
We are now studying the first 5 chapters of John. At the beginning of DG a few evenings ago, my DGL asked us what we have been learning from the last 3 studies thus far. I led the last study in John 3 where a Pharisee Jewish leader, Nicodemus went to look for Jesus in the dark and in their conversation, Jesus told Nicodemus how one has to be 'born again' to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus, a Jewish leader himself would probably think he would know better than anyone about the way to heaven and what it takes for salvation. But surprisingly, him being a religious leader doesn't grant him automatic entry into God's Kingdom. One has to be 'born again' - born of the water and of the Spirit to gain that entry. Born of the water is to be cleansed as how God said in the Old Testament in Ezekiel that He will cleanse His people of water to make them righteous before Him. To be born of the Spirit, Jesus told Nicodemus that only God can give this Spirit to man as He wills. It takes a simple faith and complete belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of Man to be saved and have eternal life.
To me, I am thankful that through God's word, I am reminded of my need for the gospel and I'm glad that I have not tire from hearing the gospel and it is my prayer that I will never take the gospel for granted but ever be gripped by God's love demonstrated for me in that way, and so that the gospel will be lived out in my life...
I remembered that I have a book titled "Believers Need the Gospel". I fished it out from my cupboard and here are some snips of the book to share.... Its true that believers need the gospel and it should never be out of our lives.
Having been a Christian for a number of years, I realised that it can be the case where the gospel that I believed in and gave my life to God by believing in His Son Jesus Christ in response to, can be easily put behind my mind. I don't think I am the only Christian who thinks like that. It is very easy to think that the gospel which I had once heard, is enough for me since I am now a believer of Christ, a Christian and I have eternal life. Therefore I need not think of the gospel and know about the gospel any much further, not until and unless I need to share it with non-believers.... Either that or I can know every detail about the gospel but in my refusal to believe and trust in it and without it transforming my life, those will only just be words that run through my mind.
I am thankful that in my church, we will study 1 gospel every beginning of the year. The 4 gospel books in the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) will be rotated year after year and our DGs will study the Bible and sermons will be preached according to the book that we cover. I think I only begin to appreciate why a gospel has to be put in every year. This is to remind us that we cannot and should never tire of learning, knowing and being reminded of the truth of God, the word of life, the gospel of Jesus Christ. The good news of Jesus Christ (gospel) is what we as believers heard and responded to and this is the basis of our Christian faith, the only reason why we still continue to persevere to live godly lives. I remembered Pastor always says that if one day we ever get tired of hearing about Jesus Christ, then we are probably in great danger... and if ever one day he stop preaching about Jesus Christ, we would know that he is not very right...
We are now studying the first 5 chapters of John. At the beginning of DG a few evenings ago, my DGL asked us what we have been learning from the last 3 studies thus far. I led the last study in John 3 where a Pharisee Jewish leader, Nicodemus went to look for Jesus in the dark and in their conversation, Jesus told Nicodemus how one has to be 'born again' to enter the Kingdom of God. Nicodemus, a Jewish leader himself would probably think he would know better than anyone about the way to heaven and what it takes for salvation. But surprisingly, him being a religious leader doesn't grant him automatic entry into God's Kingdom. One has to be 'born again' - born of the water and of the Spirit to gain that entry. Born of the water is to be cleansed as how God said in the Old Testament in Ezekiel that He will cleanse His people of water to make them righteous before Him. To be born of the Spirit, Jesus told Nicodemus that only God can give this Spirit to man as He wills. It takes a simple faith and complete belief in Jesus Christ, the Son of Man to be saved and have eternal life.
To me, I am thankful that through God's word, I am reminded of my need for the gospel and I'm glad that I have not tire from hearing the gospel and it is my prayer that I will never take the gospel for granted but ever be gripped by God's love demonstrated for me in that way, and so that the gospel will be lived out in my life...
I remembered that I have a book titled "Believers Need the Gospel". I fished it out from my cupboard and here are some snips of the book to share.... Its true that believers need the gospel and it should never be out of our lives.
What is the gospel?
It is the good news about Christ – the message of what God has done in and through the Lord Jesus Christ to deal with man’s sin and to make the guilty sinner acceptable to a holy God. (The gospel) is not about Christ healing our bodily diseases. He may do that but that’s not the gospel. Neither is the gospel solving our marriage, emtional or financial problem. The gospel is about Christ dealing with our sin. Sin involves the cross and the cross is always an offense to sinful man because it accuses us, judges us, condemns us. This is the offense of the cross but the glory of the cross is that its only hope of salvation.
It is the good news about Christ – the message of what God has done in and through the Lord Jesus Christ to deal with man’s sin and to make the guilty sinner acceptable to a holy God. (The gospel) is not about Christ healing our bodily diseases. He may do that but that’s not the gospel. Neither is the gospel solving our marriage, emtional or financial problem. The gospel is about Christ dealing with our sin. Sin involves the cross and the cross is always an offense to sinful man because it accuses us, judges us, condemns us. This is the offense of the cross but the glory of the cross is that its only hope of salvation.
The gospel, in spite of the fact that its good news, is the most hated and opposed message the world has ever heard. That's because it doesn't merely say "God loves you and wants to spend eternity with Him in heaven" That's only half the gospel and to preach only that is to be a false prophet. Its to preach "Peace, peace," when there's no peace... the gospel always starts by talking of mankind in sin. Only then it does say "God loves you and can deal with your sin and save you." People don't like hearing the message of sin. No one likes being told they are wrong on any point, but to be told, as the gospel does, that our whole life is totally wrong is unacceptable.
The gospel is the power of God to save and this is the sinner’s only hope.. Such is the reality of the bondage of sin that man is in and such is the power of sin in every human being’s life, that nothing short of the greater power of God could make any one of us a Christian… it provides men’s and women’s greatest need: a righteousness to make them acceptable to God. It (gospel) alone deals with their greatest problem: God’s wrath upon them because of sin.
John Piper also wrote something about "How Does the Gospel Save Believers" available in part 1 and part 2.
Also see "2 ways to live" - the heart of Christianity and the choice we have to make.
I pray for you and I that we will always remember and be thankful for God's love for us shown through Jesus Christ at all seasons of our lives.... and to respond to Him by surrendering our wretched lives, to turn away from Sin and turn to Jesus Christ, believe in Him and live a life of righteousness and holiness as He desired us to.
The gospel is the power of God to save and this is the sinner’s only hope.. Such is the reality of the bondage of sin that man is in and such is the power of sin in every human being’s life, that nothing short of the greater power of God could make any one of us a Christian… it provides men’s and women’s greatest need: a righteousness to make them acceptable to God. It (gospel) alone deals with their greatest problem: God’s wrath upon them because of sin.
John Piper also wrote something about "How Does the Gospel Save Believers" available in part 1 and part 2.
Also see "2 ways to live" - the heart of Christianity and the choice we have to make.
I pray for you and I that we will always remember and be thankful for God's love for us shown through Jesus Christ at all seasons of our lives.... and to respond to Him by surrendering our wretched lives, to turn away from Sin and turn to Jesus Christ, believe in Him and live a life of righteousness and holiness as He desired us to.
