"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)

Farmer

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more, as you see the day drawing near." (Heb. 10:23-25)

Who am I?

Ever asked yourself this question? What on earth are you here for?

In Rick Warren's book 'The purpose driven life", he stated that:
- we are all not here by accident. We were in God's care before we were born and life is made to last forever.

- we were made to glorify God
- we were created to be more and more like Christ
- we were shaped for serving God.

Anyone can serve God as long as he/she is willing to avail himself/herself to God. God is looking for availability not ability.

In order to fulfill God's purpose, Moses remove obstructions that prevented him from following God. He gave up his position as the prince of Eqypt, he gave up position, pleasure and popularity.


It does not mean that having a position in society is not good. It is good to have success, but not for our own satisfaction and not when it compromises our status as the child of God. Our success should contribute to building the kingdom of God. =)

When is the right time to serve God?
- When we finish our studies?
- After we have a stable job?
- After we start a family?
- After our children has grown up?
- or do we wait till we become too old and have no strength to serve God?

Why is knowing God's mind and design important?

*The way God designed the human anatomy affects relationships with the opposite sex.

*God has designed each person with the need for intimacy, and strong temptations will arise to abuse and misuse this God-given desire for intimacy.

*It allows us to develop self-control and patience as we wait for the person whom He has chosen.

*When the area of relationships is left to man’s opinion and the world’s way, the fruit is rotten and the results are devastating.

Why are there problems with relationships?

*Parents and youth don’t consult God’s Word and have a lack of knowledge of God’s mind and principles on this very important topic.
“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.”—Hosea 4:6 (NKJV)

*Temptations abound due to strong sexual desires.
But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
—James 1:14–15 (NKJV)

Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul . . .—1 Peter 2:11 (NKJV)

*The godly concept of a pure relationship has been perverted and twisted by the society we live in.
And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.”—Acts 2:40(NKJV)

. . . that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the
world . . .—Philippians 2:15 (NKJV)

*The meanings of terms such as dating, romance, and lovehave been confused by conflicting voices. The clear meanings of these words have been distorted. Confusion is not from the Lord.
For God is not the author of confusion but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints.
—1 Corinthians 14:33(NKJV)

Why should a Christian’s thinking be different?

The Bible clearly tells Christians not to be imitators of the world. Through God’s wonderful Word, He gives believers a clear picture of what true relationships look like. All relationships should be pure, wholesome, and led by the Holy Spirit.

Courtesy of Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale

Dear all, i'm gonna post a few blogs about relationships as i believe that it is important for us to hold on to God's view on relationships and not get influence by the world. God's intention for love is not the way how society has distorted it into. Guard your heart brothers and sisters and rmb that we can shine for God!

God's View on Relationships

Should Christians handle relationships differently than the world? Yes! When we look to God’s Word, it’s clear; as followers of Christ, we can’t follow the world’s way or our own ideas. Colossians 2:8 (NKJV) says, Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.

Where do you get your wisdom about relationships? Have you consulted God’s Word? If you’ve never looked to God’s Word on this topic, you’re setting yourself up for a fall. You’ve placed yourself in a dangerous position. The Lord desires for you to trust Him and to look to Him for His wisdom and direction. Proverbs 3:5–6 (NKJV) says, Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths. The question is not How will you find a mate?, but rather Who will find your mate?

Over the years we’ve seen teens decide to try to find that “special someone” through the world’s way or following their own way. Instead of trusting and turning to God to choose, teens often take it into their own hands. It has led to destruction of family, friends, and youth groups. Proverbs 16:25says, There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.

1 Corinthians 6:9–11 (NKJV): Do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdomof God? Do not be deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor homosexuals, nor sodomites, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners will inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.

1 Corinthians 6:12–20 (NKJV): All things are lawful for me, but all things are not helpful. All things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the stomach and the stomach for foods, but God will destroy both it and them. Now the body is not for sexual immorality but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. And God both raised up the Lord and will also raise us up by His power. Do you not know that your bodies are members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ and make them members of a harlot? Certainly not! Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For “the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him. Flee sexual immorality. Every sin that a man does is outside the body, but he who commits sexual immorality sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.

1 Thessalonians 4:1–8 (NKJV): Finally then, brethren, we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God; for you know what commandments we gave you through the Lord Jesus. For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness. Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

Courtesy of

Calvary Chapel Ford Lauderdale

YOUTH WALK MITCHELL TAN
THE QUEST FOR GREATNESS 180410

GREATNESS IS BEING A LEADER WITH A HEART OF A SERVANT

Is it wrong to seek for greatness? The answer is a definite No. There is nothing wrong with desiring greatness in life and ministry. However, greatness is never just in terms of a position we hold. It is about being the kind of servants that the Lord meant us to be. When James and John sought the Lord to be given special positions at the right and the left hand of His throne in His kingdom, the other ten disciples were very displeased with the two of them. They were angry that James and John had sought for these special positions. The Lord Jesus had to teach the disciples that it is not just about the position that they hold. He taught them that true greatness is about being a leader with a heart of a servant.

1. Rejecting secular ways of leadership

But Jesus called them to Himself and said, You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and those who are great exercise authority over them. Yet it shall not be so among you Matthew 20:25

In the world, leaders use their great authority to rule over others. They lord over their workers by using threats or force. Such harsh means of leadership is to be rejected. When we relate to each other in the ministry, we should not rule over each other. We should reject worldly ways of exercising authority over others.

2. Practising servant leadership

But whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave. Matthew 20:26-27

The best way to lead each other is through servant leadership. The Lord Jesus taught His disciples that if they wanted to be great among themselves, then they should be a servant to each other. The word servant means one who waits on people. If they truly want to be first among themselves, then they should be a slave. The greater the position that we desire, the greater should be our humility in serving others.

3. Following the perfect example of the Lord Jesus

Just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. Matthew 20:27

The greatest example of a servant is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. When He came down to earth, He did not come to be served. His focus in ministry was not self. He humbled Himself to be with us for the sole purpose of serving people. The Lord Jesus came to that He may sacrifice His life to redeem us from our sins. Lets follow the Lord as our ultimate role model in serving others. Lets focus on Him as we serve.

love quote of the day:

"A woman's heart should be lost in God so that a man needs to seek God in order to find her."

Dear all,

We are entering into March and time seems to pass very fast! In the busy-ness of our school work, exam prep, thesis writing or work life, let us not forget to live a life as ambassadors of Christ.

Ps Chia preached about Growing faith in your witnessing about Heb 11:7 where Noah was warned about things not yet seen, moved by godly fear and that he built an ark to save his own family. Let us be like Noah and not be complacent but be vigilant and alert to the spiritual things that happen around us. Let us see what are the exciting adventures that God has installed for us to witness to others!

You may listen to the sermon from the MP3 link at http://publication.bethel.org.sg/default.aspx?moid=5521. Click the download button, Do NOT play the sermon online as it will stop halfway. Instead download the mp3 to listen it full.

By the way, Happy belated birthday Ivana! We have got you a small gift, hope you don't mind. It's with Grace, so she will pass it to you soon. :-)

Prayer requests

1. Jin Yu for her 2 exam papers on Mon and Thurs.
2. Alvin as he is at his last lap of his final year project and busy writing his thesis.
   
3. Marilyn as she is starting her final year project.
   

Announcements this week

1. No cell meeting this week. All to support Extended prayer meeting on Fri 7.45pm at auditorium. Pls update me or Jin Yu with reasons with you cannot make it.
   
2. Please pay Aaron $20 for cell fund.
   
3. 2010 Church camp: We are going to Sunway Pyramid Hotel @ KL from 20-23 June. Registration begins.

Regards,
Kok Sheng

Life is about what we value! What we believe determine our character.

We value and treasure what we believe.

Matthew 6:21 “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

Ps Steven preached a very simple message taken from Luke 21

¹As he looked up, Jesus saw the rich putting their gifts into the temple treasury.

²He also saw a poor widow put in two very small copper coins.

³"I tell you the truth," he said, "this poor widow has put in more than all the others.

⁴All these people gave their gifts out of their wealth; but she out of her poverty put in all she had to live on."

Main Pointers

Through the widow’s two very small copper coins, let’s consider 3 principles to live, serve and lead

1) Value relationship with God

The Jewish widow was required to offer a copper con in their law, but this widow offered 2 copper coins because she valued her relationship with God and she loved God more than her own life and her limited wealth.

2) Value significance over importance and accomplishments

Living according to God’s Word, the significance is in giving & generosity in spirit. The widow sought to give out of her poverty. In poverty, she sought to give rather than to receive from others. True significance in life is not about receiving, inward-looking and self-serving.

3) Value strengths of weaknesses

Many look for beauty and not imperfection; for strength and not weakness; for plenty and not less. The widow glorified her weakness, as a result she found glorified strength in God. She went into the temple to help.

2 Corinthians 12:9 “But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.”

The appeal: we need to change the value if we want to see the hands of God in us.

Application

1) How do we value God in our daily life?

2) Do we find our significance in God or something else?

3) Don’t stop at our weakness. Surrender it to God an give Him the chance to do exploit.

1. Pls take note that for GEC under venue- it is Aaron's house.
2. *28 April is the date where we will have our second meeting with Rangers, this time in a proper cell meeting context. :)
3. No meeting on 3 March, as we have leader's meeting on first week of the month. No meeting on 31 March, all are to support Good Friday service.

Letting God take lordship over our lives.

Romans 14: 7 - 12
Don't judge one another.

1 Cor 6: 12-20
- Our bodies are the temple of Christ. Therefore, honor God with our bodies.
- Flee from sexual immorality.

In life we are responsible to God. In death we are accountable to God as the Lord of our life.

Is the fear of God missing in your life?
The fear of God will not paralyze us, but will strengthen us internally.


Hi friends, i'm really touched by the worship song today. "You are good" by kari jobe.
Sometimes I will think that I am unworthy of God's love because I've strayed from his word. And i'll feel so unworthy to teach the children God's word when i myself am not following his teachings. There's a feeling of cutting myself off from Him so that i will not keep disappointing God, but when i heard this song today, the lyrics just touched me. It shows that no matter how much we have disappointed God, He will never let go of us and He will wait faithfully till the day we return to his side.

" Your kindness leads me to repentance, your goodness draws me to your side
Your mercy calls me to be like you, your favour is my delight"

You can choose to let go of God, but He will never let go of you!

Farmer

Isaiah 7:9
'...if you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all.'

Farmer

TBC= To be confirmed

Pls note that there is an error. 3-4 Feb is Wed and Thu, not Thu and Fri. Thanks! :)

Come join us! :)

Here's some of the many photos of the moments we had in the party!









More photos in Facebook! Look out for that. :)

Joseph shared with us the sermon review on Ps Anthony Phua's message on The value of parties. Before that, he got us to draw what our impression of a party is.


KS's masterpiece


Marilyn's masterpiece


Aaron's masterpiece


Joseph's masterpiece: his party is the evacuation party


Jin Yu's masterpiece. Hers even got notes!

Nice photos right!? Hahaha :)

(click image to enlarge)


Hello pple, anyone interested to attend this short workshop on teaching how to link your daily conversation with pple with the gospel. i will be going. anyone interested can go with me. or those very free on sat can come along and maximize your time. hehex.

JY

Updates as on 23 Oct 09

1. Love your Neighbours day on Sun 1 Nov after Sunday Service. We will be giving out biscuits to the community.

Just yesterday during cell group, we prayed for Bonny's student pass to be approved. It seemed to take a long time and Bonny was worried about the application.

And just today, Jin Yu sent a msg from msn saying that Bonny got her student pass already! :)

Jin Yu also told me that Bonny said now she believes that God is powerful and that she is very thankful.

Thank God for answering our prayers so promptly. This is a great encouragement not only to Bonny, but also to all of us.

Here's ending this short post with two verses that I hope will bless you.

KS :)

Philippians 4:6-7

Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Matthew 18:20

"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them."

Wonderful to be able to get together with the community as we celebrate Mid Autumn Festival early.




Ultraman boy with his ultraman!


A crash course on origami for the facilitators...


minutes before they start teaching it to the kids :) Here is our Alvin!


And then the Lantern Parade that we are in charge of! Thank God for great weather and it went well!






Cell group photo :)

We had a great time k-ing songs! Everyone sang well :-)

(Can't manage to copy the photo, so take a look at the link!)

http://sg.news.yahoo.com/afp/20090911/tts-israel-archaeology-religion-c1b2fc3.html

JERUSALEM (AFP) - - The remains of a 2,000-year-old synagogue where Jesus may have preached were found on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, archaeologists said on Friday.


The synagogue, one of the oldest ever found, was unearthed at Migdal, which Christians believe to be the birthplace of Mary Magdalene, a leading follower of Jesus.

"It is possible that Jesus had preached in this synagogue since Migdal was an important Jewish city at the time," excavations director Dina Abshalom-Gorni, who led the dig, told AFP.

Jesus did much of his preaching on the shores of the Sea of Galilee, also known as Lake Kinneret, where Christians believe he performed several miracles.

Archaeologists were particularly excited by the discovery of an imprint depicting the menorah -- a seven-branched candelabrum -- from the Jewish Second Temple destroyed in 70 AD during the Roman siege of Jerusalem.

Abshalom-Gorni said the imprint was one of only four such reproductions known to exist.

"The artist apparently went to Jerusalem to see with his own eyes this sacred candelabra," she said.

The synagogue built sometime between 50 BC and 100 AD is one of only seven known to date back to the Second Temple period.

Its 120-square-metre (143-square-yard) main hall has a mosaic floor and a square stone adorned with the menorah set atop a pedestal with a triangular base, which is flanked on either side by amphoras, the antiquities department said.

Farmer

Updates as on 28 Aug 09

1. Please take note all events in September have been re-arranged (except for karaoke gathering)

2. The leader list for the the two months has been adjusted as well.

This is a touching song that I like a lot. It reminds us of our purpose in living on this earth. May it minister to you too!

KS



There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a Spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes His home

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, go light your world
Take your candle, go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

So Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, go light your world
Take your candle, go light your world

We are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, deceived and poor
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, go light your world
Take your candle, go light your world

run to the darkness
Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn

Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, go light your world
Take your candle, go light your world
Take your candle, go light your world

Feel free to invite your unsaved family and friends as well!

Please click to enlarge or save the image for printing.


17th July 2009 Page 1


17th July 2009 Page 2


31st July 2009 Page 1


31st July 2009 Page 2

Q: OK! I see my name there! So what is "3+9"?

A: 3+9 is an adaptation of Christ's model of discipleship. We can't refute that Jesus came to earth to give His life a ransom for MANY to become the Saviour of ALL mankind. We won't find in Scriptures that He spent all His time with those He ministered to. Instead, we find Him frequently with His original band of 12 in tow. Yet only 3 of the 12 found their way into His inner circle, viz., Peter, James and John. From this we infer that Jesus, while having "management" of 12, only paid special attention to the 3; and hence, the 3+9 principle.

Q: What are the objectives of "3+9"?

A: 1. Everyone in S12 is correctly identified and placed in the niche where he can contribute effectively to the overall growth of the Cells;

2. Everyone in S12 is being cared for and cares for someone return so that none will be without some "pastoral" oversight or accountability;

3. Everyone in S12 does what is reasonably expected of him to be done so that no one will be burnt out in the process of being involved in the Cells.

Q: What are the biblical contexts for "3+9"?

A: Let's look at some instances of caregiving in NT.

1. Jesus with the Three

Jesus spent the most time with Peter, James and John. Each of them was honoured in their time, and each is still known for the work and contribution to Church History,

2. Paul and Timothy

3+9 owes its origin to the pattern seen in Paul and his three closest proteges, viz. Timothy, Luke and Mark. In 2 Tim 2:7.2, we see Paul relating to Timothy in a very intimate way. He calls Timothy "my son". He charges Timothy with these words in v.2, "And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also." This verse lays down the germinal concept of 3+9.

• Paul with his three "faithful men", viz. Timothy, Luke and Mark
• Timothy, Luke and Mark, as faithful men, with their three "others

Q: So tell me why our cell has to adopt "3+9"?

A: 1. It's Biblical

As shown, Jesus had His 12 but He concentrated His energies on the 3. Paul also had his three — Timothy, Titus and Silas.

2. It's Practical

Jesus was successful in not only caring for but also developing the 3 to become heroes of the NT Church. Each of them was honoured in his time; but each is still known for the work and contribution to Church History. Jesus — Peter, James & John.

3. It's Essential

We must provide pastoral care, and to provide it at the most effective level. We feel that, among the many options available, 3+9 is our preferred way of providing pastoral care. We opt for it because we believe sincerely that it's crucial for being accountable for those entrusted by God to our care.

Q: What must I do if there are other members entrusted with me?

A: First and foremost, 3+9 is not a family tree where the person at the top level is better than the one below, or those that you are entrusted with. It is a system where we can help and support each other in our walk in Christ. Those four that are under the cell leader in this context are those that are undergoing Assistant Cell Leader course, so it will be a good platform for them to take ownership of the cell as they learn how to execute pastoral care.

In summary, remember to be ready at all times to communicate, contact, provide pastoral care and impart spiritual life to your “3”. Communicate and contact involves passing down of information, pastoral care involves accountability of the well being of your "3" and impart spiritual life include many aspects including prayer support for your "3" and as well as the person that is looking after you.

Feel free to raise and questions to Kok Sheng or discuss it in this blog! :-)

The birthday surprise on our birthday boy!


Sabotaged to pick up the candle embedded deep in the cake.


The two good books that Alvin is blessed with to read. :-)


And finally a group photo!

All photos taken by Marilyn. Thks!