“The Lord is WITH [your name] and [I am] a successful [man/woman].” -Gen 39:2✨✨🌞
Hey guys!! thought it was timely to start the week with this simple but powerful verse tgt :)) I love what Pastor said about this verse ytd: that successful/prosperous in this verse is tsalach which that being prosperous is a journey 🚸 so I went to read up tsalach’s primitive root; and it says “to push forward, break out, come (mightily), go over, be good”. And it reminded me that sometimes the position which we begin with looks nothing like success per the world’s definition, that fears are real when it comes to the plans, decisions and all the what-ifs. ⛔ But here’s the unshakeable truth⚓, that we have Jesus to carry us through life!! & it is His ever-abding presence that causes us to break out of our chains, our stagnant zones into His grace zone, where we flourish 🌹:))
Joseph’s name means “God will add/increase”🙌 (hurhur), that even when our circumstances says we are in prison, the Lord says the calling I have placed on your life is irrevocable, that you are graced with favour and wisdom that sets you apart, and not a single thing can shut you out from communion with God, or from the throne of grace. 🏰
So today, let's walk confidently and boldly in this: “to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven”, that this whole journey, in and through every season, the Lord is with me, and His presence makes all I do prosperous, and of purpose. You don’t have to be afraid of that responsibility in front of you, that overwhelming topic, the lack of finances, or even your future. In fact, when you feel fear, mediate and declare this verse forth. For the Lord will surely finish what He’s begun in your life. 😊😊☺☺💕
Welcome to part II of #thebentalks! I don’t really like to talk much about my life (no reason for it), so I apologise if you are looking for something juicy.
Back to the story...
Deuteronomy 30:5
and bring you back to the land your ancestors once possessed. It will be yours again. he will give you a good life and make you more numerous than your ancestors.
What do we all share in common (other than being human and being a child of God)? We are GENTILES (not exactly ancestors of Abraham if you are expecting that answer). Pastor Prince mentioned before in the bible that there are 2 times in the bible where Jesus mentioned “you of great faith”. One to a general and another to a housewife. Their commonality? They are GENTILES just like us? They are different from the Jews. Instead of being law-centered, they are Jesus centered.Don’t be bothered who your ancestors are or what they believe. What and who they are will not determine your new found identity. You are a child of God my dear. And whatever they aquire before (no matter how big or small) does not matter because, one thing for sure, you will get much much more than they have. If a wicked man would give their child whatever he ask for, how much more will your heavenly father give to you?
Look at Abraham. Little expectations has he have from God. In a sky full of stars, he only counted 1. He was satisfied to have 1 child. In the end, he was blessed when NUMEROUS descendants that fill up the world today. Imagine asking God, for good results, or maybe a single salvation. Or maybe even some money to bring you through the hard times. Just like His promise to Abraham, He will not only grant you your wishes, but also bless you with so so much more. Don’t give up hope now just because you don’t see the end. Abraham, with only one child, would not have seen the ultimate outcome of God’s promise. BUT, he BELIEVED. Just because you don’t see the outcome does not mean He is not working out for our good. He have the right time and the right place for it. He is God. He already knows what is best for you and what your future will be. Just trust. You will definitely see it come to past.
6
God, you God, will cut away the thick calluses on your heart and your children’s hearts, freeing you to love God, your God, with your whole heart and soul and live, really live.
Ah. Yours and my pursuer.He never gives up doesn’t He? That is why I love Him so much. He really loves us so much that no matter how much we try to run away from Him or even hide our feelings and thoughts from others, He can see us through. Do you sometimes feel a tinge of unrest and insecurity that someone knows your deepest darkest secret even though there is no one there? It is most likely Him. You know, I know, we know, He is the ever knowing God. That is why there is never really that rest until you let Him into your heart to remove the trouble. Stop running away from Him. You will never outrun His love for you. The fact that He sent His son to die in your place,which hurt Him so so much, how much more will He not suffer for you? He yearn for your love. How can giving something simple like your love be so hard? I know how it feels like. Sometimes, when things (always) never go the way you want it to go, it is so hard to trust Him, no to mention loving Him. When I felt that emotional drain when experiencing a family quarrel or when I was betrayed and bullied by friends, I asked God why. Of course, He didn’t answer. That was the most distant I felt from God. At the same time that I felt reluctant to even pray or pick up my bible, I felt the urge telling me to press on. I penned down the whole roller coaster experience in a book, which today I treasure much dearly. As I look at where I am today, I know that it had been Him. He, who never given up on me even though I gave up on Him and myself, loves me so dearly. To remind myself of His love, I just imagine the same feeling or even worse, that I felt when I lost both my grandmas in the same year. Jesus went through the physical torment that we will not go through the affliction that was supposed to be imposed on us. God went through the emotional indescribable agony that we will be at rest in all situations. The father and son have already done it all for us, so why do we still have to fight for peace anymore?
Edited and co-produced by our beloved and very own grace gifted CONSTANCE ✨✨✨ and starring the blessed and also beloved 🌼CHLOE🌼 and of course our favorite cgl 🙆JUSTIN☺!! watch and be blessed/encouraged by the testimonies :)) my heart was lifted watching this video :)
highlights include
Clarice and Hui Min's little segment featuring a special guest,
Cons and Chloe (duh ;) )
and the ever-thick and luscious brows of TJ's very own CGL! ;)
Catch it all here in the video, and let's be a CG that gives thanks to daddy God in all seasons, as great is His faithfulness and He will surely deliver us out of ALL our troubles💕🙆✨
Ambs Meeting 2016 #OpenJio Edition Numero Uno: Let There Be Light
3/12/16
We had a warm and open sharing during dinner before Thanksgiving Cluster (LAST YEAR HAHAHA)! :)) here’s a lil brief summary of some of the things that was shared! really good stuff man :’) strong and spiritual people you all are :)) have some fun and spot your own answers yeah (if you were not there, see you next open jio!!) ;D
For the question: “What does being an ambassador mean?” we opened it to the floor and got some cool answers :)
Glorifying Jesus and making Him known (telling ppl about Jesus and all He has done in our lives)
Sowing into people’s lives: by being a friend we are actually showing them a picture of Jesus and His unceasing love for us, because we are all made in the image of Christ, and by that definition, are made to love by being loved. :)
Ensuring no one is left out in the House (the Church).
Reaching out to people who are near to us, in our sphere of influence, and really, personally caring for them.
So, how does the Living Word of God (the Bible) define an ambassador? We take a look at 2 Corinthains 5:19-21 to glean more insight.
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ’s behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. (NKJV)
From this verse, we see that anybody can be/are called to be ambassadors, representatives of His kingdom, to be a bearer of good news (that we are made new creations in Christ) and light as His emissary, the moment you accept Jesus as your Lord and Savior :) and what more being an ambassador means being about the business of reconcilation, which in greek is (from Strong’s Concordance) katallagḗ – reconciliation (restoration) as the resulting of Christ exactly (precisely) exchanging His righteousness (blood) for our guilt. Simply put, all ambassadoring means is that as we have tasted and seen the Lord’s goodness in our lives, as Christ has so divnely exhanged his beauty for ashes, for Him who knew no sin to become sin for us, so that we can become the righteousness of God in Christ. And I love how natural it is because it’s so simple, just as we have received His deep and immeasurable love, it becomes so irresistable, so natural to let your mouth tell of His love too! :)
We then moved on to talk about how a CG Ambs looks like practically, which involved everyone thinking back to their first meeting of the CG, and who was their first friend/ person they talked to and how did these friends make them feel. We then noticed that while the people were all different, the feelings of warmth, friendliness, and sincerity in heart to get to know them was what made everyone feel loved. :) As Jesus saw us on Earth, as sheep without a shepherd and His heart was moved with compassion, we are called to be vessels of His relentless love, to love as He loves, as He first loved us.
Some practical tips we gleaned from thinking about these memories, from our friends who took that step of boldness to talk to us include:
Asking questions about our lives (”being kaypoh” as lu yao puts it ;) ) but with a genuine interest to get to know us.
Sitting with me, and connecting with me about common pasts.
Just talking and being friendly and warm!
Wow and I personally thought it was cool that really these moments in our lives are just so everyday, and we won’t typically give these actions a secondary thought, BUT, every moment makes an impact, no matter how small you may think your actions may be, and it really reminded me of this verse: Romans 12:1 (MSG) “So here’s what I want you to do, God helping you: Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering” that when you do things unto the Lord, the Lord takes your two loaves and five fishes and multiplies them :))
We also bible studied: Isaiah 60:1-8 (NKJV)
Arise, shine;
For your light has come!
And the glory of the Lord is risen upon you.
For behold, the darkness shall cover the earth,
And deep darkness the people;
But the Lord will arise over you,
And His glory will be seen upon you.
The Gentiles shall come to your light,
And kings to the brightness of your rising.
“Lift up your eyes all around, and see:
They all gather together, they come to you;
Your sons shall come from afar,
And your daughters shall be nursed at your side.
Then you shall see and become radiant,
And your heart shall swell with joy;
Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,
The wealth of the Gentiles shall come to you.
The multitude of camels shall cover your land,
The dromedaries of Midian and Ephah;
All those from Sheba shall come;
They shall bring gold and incense,
And they shall proclaim the praises of the Lord.
All the flocks of Kedar shall be gathered together to you,
The rams of Nebaioth shall minister to you;
They shall ascend with acceptance on My altar,
And I will glorify the house of My glory.
Here’s what people caught from this verse:
You don’t have to try to be an ambassador, it’s simply God using you as a vessel of His light, to radiate and emanate His love through you. And it doesn’t even have to be words, or actions, but even just your face radiating the glory of the Lord. That as your heart is full of His joy, it would naturally spark a thought in people’s minds like “hey, that girl/boy is different, how can she be so happy/cool/at peace etc?” and then you can say “only jesus.” :)
It’s the Jesus in you that is so attractive, that makes you a testimony of His grace, and all people will see what a joyous heart you have, and say “hey, i want that too.” #hisyokeiseasy #andhisburdenislight
Verse 4 is a picture of growth, and this growth is a manisfestation of His glory and grace in our lives, and in comes from a place of personal spiritual growth as well! that as we behold Him and are transformed into His image of greater glory, as our inner man walks with God, the glory of God is risen upon us, and we step up to receive. And not one fruit (growth of the ministry) will we attribute to the work of our hands. Rather, “we glorify the house of my glory”, we give God all the glory, because it has all been Him and the deep and good works He has done in our lives.
The world is so dark and may be getting darker, but you stand out, like a magnet, they are drawn to the Jesus in you, and all it takes is for you to lift up your eyes and see the people the Lord has put in your spehere of influence, to look out and reach out, that as you give people your time, you will also be given the spirit of wisdom and discernment, to see as He sees, and “ Then you shall see and become radiant, And your heart shall swell with joy; Because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you,” loving people doesn’t become a work, but a joy, and you will not see lack but see the Lord’s provision instead (be it in an enlarged heart, right words at the right time, equipped hands etc!) It is with this joy that we can be ambassadors, as Jesus was moved with compassion for the multitude :)
It is the Lord who arises over you, and not your own contrived glory but reflecting Jesus’ light!
Finally, we wrote on a piece of paper about the vision we had for the CG in 2017 :)
what a beautiful picture of family :’) and now we are finally in 2017 HAHAHAH and all that you have so preciously sown and declared, the Lord is faithful to fulfill :) I’ll just leave this verse here:
“But in My favor I have had mercy on you.Therefore your gates shall be open continually;They shall not be shut day or night,” (Isa 60:11)
May TJ always be a CG with open gates, so ready to embrace and love the oppressed, the broken-hearted, the captive, but at our roots, at our core, knowing it is Jesus in the centre, holding us together. A CG where evey individual has a personal walk with Jesus and a grows in a greater revelation of his love, a CG that rest, listens, and flows, a CG that sharpens one another as iron sharpens one another, that builds each other, a CG that stands back to back and conquer, a CG like ravenous wolves so hungry for the word of God and on fire for His kingdom, a CG that lets one name and one name be lifted up. AMEN.
and daddy God pours His irresistable favor on all your lives, that all may see the fruits of your hands and roots of your walk and know that it can only be the Jesus in your lives! and grant you open doors to love the people around you too! :))
Looking forward to the rest of 2017 with you all precious kingdom friends and for the new and exciting season ahead!! And look out for another very exciting Ambs meeting coming up! ;)
Sermon notes based on message 8/1/17 by Ps Prince
by Justin
The book of Ezekiel addresses the Prince of Tyre, a burgeoning civilization in its time. But chapter 28 addresses the ‘King’ of Tyre, a spirit being influencing the affairs of Tyre.
Ezekiel 28:14-15
You were anointed as a guardian cherub, for so I ordained you. You were on the holy mount of God; you walked among the fiery stones. You were blameless in your ways from the day you were created till wickedness was found in you.
Cherubim are the highest rank of all angels. There are two cherubim guarding the mercy seat, Michael and Gabriel. God originally ordained for three to guard it, Pastor suggests, as there are currently only two that remain (Exo 37:9) The third one is Lucifer.
God, referring to Lucifer, was anointed as a cherub who covers, who guards — in other words, Lucifer was in charge of enforcing God’s righteousness and holiness over the heavenly beings, in his act of ‘walking back and forth’. In Jude 9, angel Michael does not dare to rebuke Satan by himself, because Lucifer was probably higher in rank than him. Scholars suggest that Lucifer was originally granted the highest administrative authority over all the angels, much like a Prime Minister.
Isaiah 14:12-14
How you have fallen from heaven, morning star, son of the dawn! You have been cast down to the earth, you who once laid low the nations! You said in your heart, "I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon. I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High."
But Lucifer, through His rank and in enforcing righteousness, became proud. He wanted to become like God. And hence he had to be expelled and was cast down to Earth as Satan, the accuser of the brethren.
(SIDE POINT) Scholars suggest that there was a battle (Rev 12:7-9) on a pre-Earth between the factions of God and Lucifer, which is why Earth was ‘formless and empty’.
Genesis 1:1-2
In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.
(SIDE POINT) Interestingly scholars believe that there is a time interval between verses one and two for the simple discrepancy that formless and void are in-absentia qualities (i.e., that which is formless and void cannot strictly be ‘created’), and that the Hebrew word 'hayah' for ‘was formless and empty’ may portray the explicit idea of becoming. There could have been an ‘Earth’ which was destroyed before our earth was created. The creation in Genesis after verse 2 only refers to the creation of our physical world.
Job 38:4-7
"Where were you when I laid the earth's foundation?
Tell me, if you understand.
Who marked off its dimensions? Surely you know!
Who stretched a measuring line across it?
On what were its footings set,
or who laid its cornerstone-
while the morning stars sang together
and all the angels shouted for joy?”
Many of us think that Satan is like God, that he can be anywhere and anytime, and ‘destroy your life’. The fact is that he was made a little higher than the angels, but not at the level of God. In other words, don’t blame everything on the doing of Satan himself. A lot of times its his demonic followers who does his bidding. And that is also why God made man ‘a little lower than the angels’ (Psa 8:5), so that there will not be a repeat of same.
While on Earth, Satan continues to do what God had ordained him to do.
Job 1:7
The LORD said to Satan, "Where have you come from?" Satan answered the LORD, "From roaming throughout the earth, going back and forth on it."
Satan has been seeking to destroy God’s throne and usurp Him (Isa 14:13-14) by knocking down the foundations on which they are built. What are these foundations?
Psalm 89:14
Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne; Lovingkindness and truth go before You.
God’s throne is built on righteousness and justice. Without the two, He does not have the authority to rule over the Universe.
Yet ‘lovingkindness (chesed: grace) and truth’ go before Him. Grace and truth is Jesus Christ (John 1:17). The greatest dilemma is how does God enforce justice and show lovingkind grace at the same time?
The devil knows that God loved man so much:
Hebrews 2:16
For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants.
So the Devil uses this fact to challenge God, and has been doing so since. Will God ‘forgo’ His holiness to show grace to the ones whom He loves dearly? Or will He forgo love for the sake of His throne?
In Job he went before God and tests Him to see what God will do. It is much like when the Pharisees brought the woman caught in adultery to Jesus, in an attempt to discredit Him. (Further reading: John 8:1-11) Back to Job.
Job 1:8
Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil."
So God asks Satan to test Job. Job is the perfect target for Satan, because he boasts in the things he has done for the people around him. In other words, he was self-righteous. At the end of the story, Job repents, saying [Job 42:4-6]
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.
Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.”
To fear God and to shun evil is to repent and abhor self—in other words, when you forsake your righteousness and rely on His, you have feared God and shunned evil. The enemy cannot come against you no more. But God’s law has to be upheld. How do you rely on His righteousness while still having sin? Sin cannot go unpunished. Under the Levitical law, every year on Yom Kipur, the day of atonement, God conceals the sins of the entire nation on account of the sacrifice they make on that day. It’s a temporal thing that does not guarantee blessings and a good life.
Fast forward to the new testament: Jesus Himself demonstrates that the Law is powerless against His love for mankind. When He says to the woman
John 8:11
"No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you,"Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."
It was not a forsaking of His law. Sin cannot go unpunished. Jesus must have said, “Put that to my account, Father.” Jesus has the power to set you free from sin and the curse of sin because He was punished on your behalf! That is how Satan was crushed at the foot of the cross—in essence, Satan no longer has any effect when he comes to you and accuses you of your sin. You see, he is in fact doing what he was made to do, but when he does it, his credibility is affected, because sin cannot be punished twice.
1 John 1:9
If we confess our sins (metanoya: change your mind, turn your attention towards the finished work and not your own or lack of it), He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
This means that He is unfaithful and unjust to punish you for your sins. Why? Because He has already done it once.
When Satan accuses you, he has technically no judicial right to do so, because God has already taken away your sin. The tables are turned against him, and he is therefore powerless against you. Imagine the power that you have knowing that. And when Satan is powerless against you, you live a life of uprightness and holiness: not one that you have to strive to uphold, but one that you live because you know you are already atoned for.
When you confess that “you are the righteousness of God in Christ”, you turn the table against Satan. This is in effect the most powerful confession that you can make.
The Final Cut Pro master file for **Zi Xuan’s Story **is also available, upon request.
Final Cut Pro software will be made available for free, upon request.
Happy creating!
Link to resources: https://1drv.ms/f/s!AqDvSluGV-2DgaVyywzkmdGrBoRaJA Link to image resources: (beautiful, use freely!) http://www.unsplash.com
We are also proud to announce Joey Ho as our new Creative Director in our CG for the first half of 2017.
Joey will be taking over Zi Xuan as he enters into a new season as Assistant Pastoral Server and as a Singapore Police Force enlistee. We wish both all the best in their endeavors for Jesus and the body of Christ.
And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.( Exodus 13:21-22 )
God protects. He goes forth, in front of us, to fight our future battles for us before we even get there. In day (our smooth sailing times), He will be your guide, leading you to walk the right path so that we won’t fall to the wrong one. At night (when we can’t see where we are heading), He is our light. We are able to continue this right path without any obstacles. If you can’t relate, think back to the time where you don’t see God in your situation.
.
Were you crying? Did you feel hopeless? Have you wondered if... is He even there?
He has ALWAYS been with you. See where you are today? Some how, some what, His power is SO great. It may not seems to be the “bright light” as stated. But it is. Hadn’t it found you again in your darkest period? You are here today, all in one piece because He had been your light. You are carrying on with your life today because He brought you back to the right track.
19 And the Angel of God, who went before the camp of Israel, moved and went behind them; and the pillar of cloud went from before them and stood behind them. 20 So it came between the camp of the Egyptians and the camp of Israel. Thus it was a cloud and darkness to the one, and it gave light by night to the other, so that the one did not come near the other all that night. ( Exodus 14:19-20)
The Angel of God is an image of Jesus. He is travelling with and ahead of you. He got our fronts and backs. This daddy of ours is the typical “asian parent”. He go in front of us so He knows what path to pick for us that we can handle and protect our butts in case we fail and tumble (He knows when we will). (reference: Genesis 50:25 “And Joseph made the Israelites swear an oath and said, “God will surely come to your aid, and then you must carry my bones up from this place.””--> Exodus 13:19 Moses took the bones of Joseph (He was probably the ancestor) and this reminds Moses of this oath)
He stand on your side, being your shelter (cloud) and provider (cloud=rain too!) and being a deterrence to your enemies. No enemies shall come near you because He will scare them away. Two-face? More like our glorious double-edged sword.
During the last watch of the night the Lord looked down from the pillar of fire and cloud at the Egyptian army and threw it into confusion. ( Exodus 14:24)
Why last watch? The last watch is said to be the darkest hour (3-6am). It the DARKEST moments, He will show His POWER MANNNNN. In Matthew 14:25 of the New Testament, Jesus is witnessed by his disciples as having walked on the water in the sea of Galilee. You all know that He is there in the midst of the storm. When everything around you is going all wrong, He is FIRST to reach you. He can see you. He is always there in the mountains (for sg is the tall sky scrapers and HDBs) watching your every move. He, the making of time, knows when to step in. Just wait. Don’t give up just yet. The God you always have been believing have not and will never fail you. A word “Jesus” and He is right beside you. He is always beside you. You just need to pass your problems to Him. Humans aren’t suppose to carry so much weight. Let go. Let Him take it away from you. By calling Him, we are surrendering to Him, telling Him that it is not I but Him. He is more than willing to take the burden away from you because He loves you.
“He is my light in my darkest hour.” There’s two meaning to light.
become illuminated
of little weight
By being your light, He will lighten your burden. You will receive both light(s). His face will shine on you and you feel light emotionally (and I pray physically too).
Happy birthday to the beginner and ender to my story. :) Have a merry blessed christmas!
I find it odd how and why did God suddenly maneuver my car to a path heading towards the unknown when I was on a road which i thought was the plan He had for me (ya know what I mean). This is not the first time. Nor the second. Nor the third. My story: He blessed me with a 21 days OBS camp, at which I was later forced to be pulled out due to an asthma attack. This landed me in a state of shock, helplessness, desperation, and confusion. I cried and found my way into the comfort of my caregroup (It’s probably God’s plan) where my kind kind souly godly mates prayed for me and got me back to my feet again. Later that night, I recalled this verse which I had been keeping in my pocket throughout the camp. I bumped into this verse PURELY COINCIDENTALLY when I was searching for verses to bring cause the bible was too sacred to be dunked in mud and rain in pulau ubin. Back to the point. Every line of this verse reflects every single part of my life. Today I will be sharing the first bite size piece to this verse. :) *applause* haha
3 that the Lord your God will bring you back from captivity, and have compassion on you, and gather you again from all the nations where the Lord your God has scattered you.
We are the salt of this Earth.
Jesus made this masterpiece of His (us) to serve Him and thus we have a purpose in life. For all you people out there who is wondering “Why was I even born on this Earth?”, fret not.You are not the only one. Jesus don’t and won’t reveal the entire plan of our future to us, but He did reveal one thing-””For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”” (jer 29:11) We are all special. We are all made to do different things. Some to sing, some to be a service to others, some to lead... the list goes on. Eventually, all this serving is to bring His people back to Him. Through the works He has you to do, and letting his glory shines through your face *blink blink (sound effects)* , you will lure and trap *ehem* attract people. It is then your job to take them to church to proudly introduce them to the Father who made you the person you are today. Because of His compassion and He everlasting grace
4 If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under heaven, from there the Lord your God will gather you, and from there He will bring you.
You will never get lost.
Condemnation is the worst enemy. ‘He’ keeps blaming you or the people around you. The impact: lower self-esteem and self-worth. Yes, the thing that had occurred may or may not be YOUR or OTHERS fault. Or maybe... God’s fault? I had this thought once, and immediately knew that it was the devil trying to make me angry with God. But uh-uh am I gonna listen to that fool. Know that whatever situation you are in, God will see you through it. The Lord God Almighty, the alpha and the omega and the maker of heaven and earth had already saw that this was going to happen to you. It is not that He wants you to go through this but that He knows that you are CAPABLE of going through this because you have Him. Possibly, this could be an opportunity for growth, not only self-growth but growth in the relationship with Him. This will grow us into the people to serve His purpose. Remember, HE LOVES YOU. He is crying with you when you cry (evidence: Mary and Martha). He will take “revenge” for you by making your enemies jealous (He prepares a feast before me in front of my enemies). He counts every single strand of hair on your head (this is abit irrelevant but I just want to put it to show how much He loves you. He loves you more than your worldly parents and friends. I mean, who is saint enough to sit down and count how many hairs your have? I wouldn’t give a thought about it. No offence if you don’t mind). He sees all strays as lost sheeps without a shepherd. Because He is ALMIGHTY, don’t need to care how, but He will bring you and everyone around you back to Him.Just pray and He will lead the way.:)
“If you are feeling like down and despair is all you know, we pray that this song will lead you to experience afresh our Lord Jesus’ amazing love and His grace which is stronger than any darkness you face.”
Be blessed by this amazing song from NCC Worship (with our very own and beloved Angie!!!! glorious angie WEWWEWWEW) and let it minister to your hearts. :)) <3
Deborah's message: Eyes on Jesus = Eyes on the word.
When you're anxious, stop. Turn, and focus on the fixed point in the horizon when you're seasick due to the waves and winds. That fixed point, that anchor of our life is Jesus. He holds your spirit, where even if your soul and feelings are shaken as they look outwardly to the circumstances, it will stabilise as Jesus holds you down. He is closer than you know and we just have to look to Him.
Broadrick's message: Jesus walks on water
Matthew 14:22-31
23 And when He had sent the multitudes away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. Now when evening came, He was alone there.
Take time to retreat and go to the Lord.
When the circumstances of the world comes against us, we should retreat and go to Jesus.
24 But the boat was now in the middle of the sea, tossed by the waves, for the wind was contrary.
25 Now in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went to them, walking on the sea.
There are four watches in Israel's "time" system thing, and the fourth watch, 3-6am, is the darkest. But when you're in those seasons, in the darkest moments of your life, look out for Jesus because He is always there.
27 But immediately Jesus spoke to them, saying, “Be of good cheer! It is I; do not be afraid.”
When you look to Jesus, He tells you to "be of good cheer, it is I", which implies that He wants us to be happy, to not be burdened nor weary for it is Him who will/is taking care of your situation. Jesus is there, in the present time, in your every need. He is your provision.
28-29 And Peter answered Him and said, “Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water.” So He said, “Come.” And when Peter had come down out of the boat, he walked on the water to go to Jesus.
Invitation to participate in the divine. Peter walked on water!!! When you look to Jesus, you can do the impossible. When you look to Jesus, you receive transformation from the inside out, to be more like Him.
30 But when he saw that the wind was boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink he cried out, saying, “Lord, save me!”
Peter took His eyes off Jesus for a bit and doubt crept in his heart. Every time we take our eyes off Jesus, whether to look at our circumstances or ourselves, fear enters our heart very easily and we can't help but wallow in that sea of despair.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and caught him, and said to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?”
At the very point in time where Peter said “Lord, save me!”, it was IMMEDIATELY that Jesus STRETCHED out His hand (Jesus used his strength and effort) and caught Peter (note the intimacy, the image of Jesus holding His hand). When Jesus said unto Peter, He couldn't have been using an angry tone as it's not consistent to the content and the character of Jesus. Jesus was probably saying it with a smile, with compassion.
32 And when they got into the boat, the wind ceased.
This is the miracle. The first time Peter walked on water to Jesus, the second time Peter walked on water with Jesus. The first time, Peter was walking on water towards Jesus. After Jesus picked him up from where he fell, they walked a second time on water back to the boat. But this time, Jesus walked WITH Him. Against the strong winds and waves. The situation and circumstances are still so real. They walked above the sea, the storm, the situation, because of Jesus. Even when you doubt, Jesus can still pick you up, there are second chances, and you can walk on water again. Don't pry His hand away, let Jesus pick you up and move against the circumstances once more. He doesn’t scold you for taking your eyes off Him, but saves you and rises above the situation with you.
The story is not about Jesus walking on water, the story is about Jesus walking to His disciples. The water was just in the way. He saw His disciples struggling, He saw them even before they saw Him, and He was moved with compassion.
This is a story of infinite chances. The same man who doubted, who took his eyes off Jesus, was used by Jesus to preach to thousands.
Hebrews 12:1-3
1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,
2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.
His heart wells up with compassion for you. To see your life whole, to see you happy, when He was on the Cross, it gave Him joy. Even if you keep failing Him, He still wants you and can still use you. He sees through the façade you put on, He sees your weary heart. He sees through your sin, your lack, your situation and delivers you. He will save you.
Psalms 139:16-17
16 “Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.
17 How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them!”
His eyes of love and compassion never leaves you. Will you allow Jesus to pick you up? Wherever you have fallen, wherever you are, He will pick you up. Jesus holds on to your hand the second time. When you are intimate with the Lord; no distance, there is no veil in between. The closeness, intimacy => supernatural living. Even though you can still sink despite having your eyes on Jesus in the first time, He will save you and walk WITH you, holding your hand, closer than ever.
Hello precious sons and daughters of the most high God! :))
We had the most blessed time of ministering at CG last friday! But no worries if you weren’t able to make it. Here’s a short #dabao of what fed our hearts :))
Angie, Chloe and Cons (thanks for serving!!) brought heaven down with worship. These are the songs we sang (have a mini worship session and let his peace that surpasses all understanding settle in your heart today).
No longer slaves
What a beautiful name
Jesus i need you
Good good father
You make me brave
Justin then led us into a time of Holy Communion and Baking Bread, as we remembered His finished work and that we were bought with a price.
“Who are we that the Lord of all the earth would care for us? In this great universe, we are just like a flower that fades, a vapour in the wind. Yet our Father loves us so much, that He came down to this Earth to die for our sins. You are bought with a price, beloved. Let that sink into your heart. You are bought with the most high price.”
Afterwhich, we had a special guest, Pastor Joseph Prince himself!! Press play, and let the Word minister to your hearts.
The Happiness of Those Who Trust in God
A Psalm of David when he pretended madness before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he departed.
Psalm 34
I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
2 My soul shall make its boast in the Lord;
The humble shall hear of it and be glad.
3 Oh, magnify the Lord with me,
And let us exalt His name together.
4 I sought the Lord, and He heard me,
And delivered me from all my fears.
5 They looked to Him and were radiant,
And their faces were not ashamed.
6 This poor man cried out, and the Lord heard him,
And saved him out of all his troubles.
7 The angel[a] of the Lord encamps all around those who fear Him,
And delivers them.
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good;
Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!
9 Oh, fear the Lord, you His saints!
There is no want to those who fear Him.
10 The young lions lack and suffer hunger;
But those who seek the Lord shall not lack any good thing.
11 Come, you children, listen to me;
I will teach you the fear of the Lord.
12 Who is the man who desires life,
And loves many days, that he may see good?
13 Keep your tongue from evil,
And your lips from speaking deceit.
14 Depart from evil and do good;
Seek peace and pursue it.
15 The eyes of the Lord are on the righteous,
And His ears are open to their cry.
16 The face of the Lord is against those who do evil,
To cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.
17 The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears,
And delivers them out of all their troubles.
18 The Lord is near to those who have a broken heart,
And saves such as have a contrite spirit.
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
20 He guards all his bones;
Not one of them is broken.
21 Evil shall slay the wicked,
And those who hate the righteous shall be condemned.
22 The Lord redeems the soul of His servants,
And none of those who trust in Him shall be condemned.
This Psalm was written in one of David’s lowest moments, in the cave of Adullam, after he feigned madness to king Achish so that he would be deemed foolish and incapable of treason (as he was also running away from a vengeful King Saul). Can you imagine what feigning madness does to a person? and the whole cave were full of dejected, distressed and deafeated men, His men. Surrounded by so much negativity, what did you think David did? No, he didn’t succumb to the defeat of the world but turned his eyes to the Lord! He saw the goodness of his heaven father, his Abba who is rich in mercy, tender in love, his savior, deliverer and protector of ALL his troubles!! even in times of heat, his mouth praised the Lord and His goodness. David turned his eyes to Jesus and held onto hope and in sure confidence and assurance that His God delivers. What giants are you facing today beloved? It could be A Levels J2s, or the thought of an intimidating year ahead for the J1s. But, turn your eyes away from your circumstances and lift up your eyes to see your heavenly father pouring out his rest and refreshing, his soul-drenching rain of provision, blessing, grace and every good thing!! Beloved, you are of a different spirit. That as you lift up your praises to him, the walls of Jericho are tumbling down and chains are being broken. When the world is afraid, you can have faith and peace because you know your God is GREATER than all your troubles, all your lack. and all the people around you will see God’s glory on your face, and know, it can only be the Lord. :) J2s, go out and conquer your promiseland!! it is surely yours, because Abba is faithful and He will bring your journey to perfection and completion. In Jesus Name, Amen!! Rest, beloveds. Rest in His finished work and submit every care and burden to the Lord. Lay it down at His feet. Let Him take care of you. <3
Joel 2:23,24
Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you – the former rain🌧, and the latter rain in the first month🌧🌧. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat🌾🌾, and the vats shall overflow with new wine🍷 and oil.🍯
Revising, making notes, practising OP, practising papers, all these actions are like sowing academic seeds, sowing your time, sowing your energy, your effort. But what causes your seed to grow, bear fruit and become a harvest ("full of wheat")? 😃 Is it only because of the seed? 🌱What is is that determines the harvest? Answer: Optimal growth conditions bring in the harvest!! In particular, (just enough) RAIN 💦and Sunshine☀!! it's not your sowing that determines your reaping, but rain that brings in the bountiful harvest!!🌽🍎🍇🍊🍉🍑🍒
As you go about sowing seeds of work, know that it is the rain of your Good Heavenly Father who will cause your work and results to bear fruit🍍, and be such a bountiful harvest + testimony of the grace of the Lord. even if you feel like you are in a drought friends, rejoice anyway and see the rain of His ABUNDANT blessings pouring forth, that will bring the thirty, sixty and hundred💯💯 fold for the seeds you've sown! 😃
and I love how the verse says former and latter rain. The former rain refers to the heavier rain which ploughs the soil, and the latter rain refers to spring rain which bring the crops to the maturity. It is all in His hands, His PERFECT timing💓💓 in due season. Furthermore, in Hebrew, the former rain refers to "teacher of righteousness" and Prov 16:15 refers to a cloud of latter rain to the King's favor. ☁You can study, you can sow, but it's not the work of your hands🙌 that brings the breakthrough/multiplication. It's the rain of His blessing (first, as you listen to teachings about your righteousness in Christ, as you know your identity as His precious child), the rain of His grace, the rain of His unmerited favor that causes your vats to overflow with wine and new oil!! :))☺☺ Children of Grace (Zion), Look up and see your Father's fresh supply of rain as each new day arrives, He gives you the grace anew to do what you need to for the day. By His spirit, you will conquer As and PW! :)🏆 the harvest is here! 🙆
John 6:23
however, other boats came from Tiberias, near the place where they ate bread after the Lord had given thanks
There is power in thanksgiving.
John 11:41-43 — Jesus raises a man to life AFTER giving thanks to His father. The secret is in looking up and seeing the father. God is a god who does not want a people who have no relationship with him. Thanksgiving is the crux of this relationship.
Luke 17:15-19 shows how much God wants to have a relationship with those whom He has healed (the other 9 people just went away after being healed. The one who came back to thank Him received an extra portion of wholeness)
Thanks in Greek:
1. Eulogeo (good speak)
2. Eucharisteo (good grace) — John used this word instead.
What he saw was that Jesus was communing with a god of grace. Because he saw that grace is being poured down. Looking up is seeing the grace of god being poured down on you.
We're quick to thank others only after they have given us what we want. But god's way is for us to thank Him before we receive our miracle. Why? Because true thanksgiving is looking up and seeing His grace.
Philippians 4:6-7
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, (not begging or pleading) let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.
Pray with thanksgiving, pray and look up seeing His grace. Otherwise you'll be anxious when you don't see your miracle yet.
2 Chronicles 20:12—”we don't know what to do, but our eyes are on You.”
The Paradox: 2 Chronicles 20:15-26—"the battle is not yours, but the Lords. Tomorrow go down against them."
He didn't say, don't do anything and let me fight. He said, go about your life, go to work, go to school. I will fight the battle you face. You will prosper through me.
Stand still and see the salvation of the lord. (Yeshua in Hebrew)
...like you asked something like you don't know if you'll be able to do really well etc bc you're not v sure of the will of God right haha. But yknow like today's verse
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask Him!” (Matthew 7:11)
if you know how to give good things to those you love how much more Jesus right HAHA and poor grades are definitely not good things! And really like bc of His finished work on the cross we can receive all good things and there's nothing more we can do to deserve them Bc like in and of ourselves we'll never make it haha.
What's important to you is what's important to Him Bc you are His beloved so if grades and medicine are important to you it's important to Him! And the desires He put in your heart has purpose as well! The work that He has first begun in you, He (not me not you) shall also finish and bring to pass!!
“When He had stopped speaking, He said to Simon, “Launch out into the deep and let down your nets for a catch.” But Simon answered and said to Him, “Master, we have toiled all night and caught nothing; nevertheless at Your word I will let down the net.” And when they had done this, they caught a great number of fish, and their net was breaking. So they signaled to their partners in the other boat to come and help them. And they came and filled both the boats, so that they began to sink.”
Luke 5:4-7
Idk if you were there for the sermon where pastor was talking about ^ hahaha but see when they caught no fish Jesus told them to let down the nets but they only let down the net and Jesus filled it till they couldn't pull it up. God's dream for you is greater and larger than you can conceive!! And His supply will ALWAYs be greater than your demand!! With God there's no scarcity. If you bring a cup to Him He will fill it till it overflows and if you bring a bathtub to Him, still, He will fill it till it overflows! And even when things seem bleak, trust and know that God is faithful, His promises He will not break and He is working all things out for your good 😊
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11
The Lord is out to prosper you in all your ways including your grades! Not to harm you :) so take hold of your possession (of good grades) 🙂
study but study knowing that your victory is in Christ, and Christ alone! 🙆🏻🙆🏻 (restful studying)
Servers’ Session 271016 Pt. 2 Jesus, our Servant King
Pt 2 Here's the sermon notes from what Alvin preached!! hope it blesses y'all :) even though it may feel like such a time of heat, your heart is planted in His refreshing word friends!! Look unto Jesus, the author and finisher of your faith. :))
Breakout of the Blahness! sometimes, we may not be conscious that the fatigue and monotony we feel is spiritual warfare. Nothing's gonna stop you with the Lord on your side, live the abundant life (#soulcondition), as children of God we fight the good fight of faith 😃
More productivity doesn't equals to godliness, but where there is godliness, when Jesus is at the center of our lives, there will be productivity! it's not about activity or "how much we do" but spirit-directed activity!
1 Corinthians 15:10
But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace towards me was not in vain but I labored more abundantly than they all, yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me :))
Such a privilege that "we get to" serve, to receive the word of the Lord. Recognize and embrace the grace of God in your life friends, not by your own labor but Christ abiding in you as you abide in Him and His word 😃
Take time with God as priority, as your spirit man is filled, you can't help but impact that friend who needs a word, whose heart is troubled, because it ain't striving but the grace of God working in you!!
1 Tim 4:12-16
Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
Let no one despise (think little) your youth ... in 1) word 2) conduct 3) love 4) faith 5) purity, spirit was not in the original greek script, so actually as you all know the number 5 represents grace so you can be an example in your life BY the grace of God!! how sweet is that?
If you want to boast in anything, boast in the grace of God! That you live by more grace and more grace in every area of your life, even when you all you see is lack, boast in that you have received grace for your every need :)
"Till I come give attention to reading" Reading also means be acquainted as one!! (wow) Let the word=Jesus abide in you and spend time walking in ever-increasing intimacy with your heavenly Abba :)
Where you are the Lord wants to minister to you, more than you want to be ministered by Him! He knows every detail of you life, every situation you are in 😃
For leaders (which we believe you all are and are growing in#everyyouthaleader) : 'to the doctrine' : teach, share and speak to your people 😃 even if you don't know about the word, Jesus will come, and when you teach His word, the Holy Spirit draws near :)
Don't forget the gift of praying in tongues! As you meditate on all these things, you grow in the Lord 😃
Take heed to yourself.. save both yourself and those who hear you. Don't give up when reading devotionals, it may seem like so obscure to understand or you may feel tired, BUT as you read, something IS happening, your spirit is receiving. And as the word takes deep roots in your life, not only will His word and hope be a firm unshakable foundation for you in times of night seasons and trials, it will also bless and minister to the people around you :)
Alvin then shared his testimony about how when he shared at Arrow a few months ago that he was feeling disappointed about how all his friends were becoming fathers but he wasn't seeing the breakthrough yet but he held onto hope!! and Daddy God is so amazing because 8 days later, his wife told him they were going to have a child!! 8 Days!! He encouraged us to don't give up on believing 😃 You can look to no where else but to the Lord :)) your breakthrough is coming even though you don't see it yet because He is faithful, and He gives in perfect timing 😃
And this was his core message for the day!:
You are a WINNER, not a whiner!
Don't complain, be content!
As servers, it's so easy to analyse which part of the service went wrong but have you encountered Jesus in the service? In every service, CG, Cluster, every chance we get to be here is to encounter Jesus our Lord 😃 To pour out our every burdens to meet the Lord himself. There's a God right here, with arms open loving you. Let's never close our eyes to that.
A whiner is someone who lets his circumstances rule over him, a winner is someone who lets his spirit rule over his circumstances. Who do you want to be?
Alvin then drew a comparison with the complainers in the bible and Jesus.
The Complainers in the bible:
Children of Israel (an entire generation did not enter the promise land 😔)
Brother of the prodigal son (didnt step into the party or witness God transforming his brother)
John the disciple whom Jesus loves (when the samarians rejected Jesus, asked Jesus to call down thunder on them)
The Disciples (when feeding the 5,000, "what are they (5 loaves, 2 fishes) among so many?")
Pharisees
Yet every time there is a fresh complaint, it is over compensated by the grace of God. Look at feeding the 5000, it was the grace of the Lord that allowed them to see His sure goodness and mercy 😃
Now, let's look at Jesus and his responses 😃 He ignored the complaints and focused on meeting the needs of the people.
Man with the withered hand
Woman with the issue of blood: in the middle of chaos, she was focused on one person, Jesus and reached out to touch his garments, and Jesus stopped to meet her at her need.
Daughter of Jesse: He chased out all the unbelieving people in the room, and resurrected her to life!
Blind Man (when all his friends told the blind man to shut up, Jesus stopped, turned around and ministered to Him.)
The Disciples (John 13: 1-5, the disciples were all discussing "who will wash each other's feet?" but as the people were busy and complaining, Jesus is a #ManofAction, "Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God;so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him." 7 actions! which also means rest :)
Jesus wants to wash your feet, to minister rest into your heart, to love you where you're at. Put aside all that you have to do, and let's rest at the feet of Jesus, as he came not to be served, but serve :'))
