What is the Gospel

Go around your church and ask this question: "Could you explain the Gospel to me?" You will be definitely be surprised by the diversity in the answers you get. Try explaining the gospel to your friends and see!

I for one had no idea where to start when a friend of mine asked me that question. I didn't really know what to talk about. Do I tell them about church? I think sin comes into the picture somewhere... Do I bring up hell and judgement? What do I say about the Holy Spirit? Most of the time, I just keep quiet and say nothing. "It's been raining quite heavily these few days, hasn't it?" I politely shift the topic.

It wasn't till much later when I picked up this pamphlet at a conference when I realised that the Gospel of Jesus Christ was so much more simpler than I thought it was!

Click here to check out what I learnt. Personally, this has changed the way I understood Christianity as well as the way I approach non-Christians. I now know what my trust is built on, and I can confidently say that I'm not ashamed of it!

Why Hell is Integral to the Gospel

The mention of the word 'hell' is enough to earn you a barrage of nasty comments when discussing Christianity with your friends. "It's harsh, it shows that God is unloving, a kind and gracious God cannot possibly do such a thing, this is the church's way of keeping people under their control." These would be common ideas which pop up when you mention hell. We are so ashamed of it that some people in church even deny its existence.

Despite all that, the hell in the Bible is very different from what most people understand it to be! To read further regarding this topic, go here.

The role of doctrine in a Christian's life

1. Doctrine isn't an end to itself.
You don't get saved because you know your doctrine well. You also don't study doctrine for the sake of pursuing more knowledge.
Doctrine, instead, helps us understand, love, and obey Jesus.

2. A real saving relationship with Christ involves doctrine.
A person in a real relationship with Jesus comes to him and LISTENS to him. It is pretty much impossible to separate doctrinal truth and relational passion. Having amassed a huge store of doctrine, but not having a change in heart is faith without works - dead. On the other hand, you can't tell Jesus: "I'll sit real close to you so I can feel your love. Whoa, don't say anything! Just shhh! I just wanna feel your presence."

3. Knowing right doctrine isn't enough; we need to put them into practice.
If your life doesn't match up to the doctrine you hold, then you're like the fool who built his house on the sand - your life is built on doctrine which you don't believe in, which will collapse when the reality of life hits you.

*Doctrine (Latin: doctrina) is a codification of beliefs or "a body of teachings" or "instructions", taught principles or positions, as the body of teachings in a branch of knowledge or belief system (Wikipedia, 2010).

For a more detailed look at the role of doctrine in a Christian's life, click here.

Who shall tell them?

The word evangelism comes from the Koine Greek word εὐαγγέλιον (transliterated as "evangelion"). The Greek word εὐαγγέλιον originally meant a reward for good news given to the messenger (εὔ = "good", ἀγγέλλω = "I bring a message"; the word angel is of the same root) and later "good news". The term evangelical, which is widely used today also stems from this word. On the other hand, our modern word "Gospel" comes from the Old English word "Godspell". In Old English, "god" with a long "o" meant "good", and "spell" meant "word" (we carry this meaning also in our word "spelling"). So in other words, "Godspell" meant "good word", specifically the good tidings concerning Jesus Christ.

Understanding the etymology of the word Gospel and Evangelism shapes the way I understand how evangelism ought to be done. Evangelism involves proclaiming the good news concerning the atonement of sins made by Jesus Christ on the cross. The power of that Gospel message we believe in should be so compelling that we would want to share it with everyone and anyone - from your family members to the stranger on the street, since it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek (Rom 1:16). True, one's lifestyle does have to support the good news you carry, but living a righteous life while waiting for people to ask why you live as such does not constitute as evangelism.

So one may share the Gospel with a stranger on a bus and never see that person again, or one may share the Gospel with a close friend and continue to follow up on them so that they can witness the reality of the Gospel; Either way, it makes no difference - the seed of the Gospel has been planted, being used by the Holy Spirit to convict them; so long the Gospel is proclaimed.

More cool sites to check out =)

Hey guys,

It seems I've got nothing better to do than to keep recommending Christian sites which I keep calling 'cool'. Hehe. Well, it sure is better than surfing the net for trash, right? =)

A friend of mine introduced me to this blog by this guy called Scotty Smith who is a pastor at Christ Community Church in Tennessee, USA. He's got some pretty good inspirational prayers up there which are well grounded in the Bible. Definitely worth your time and effort!

Click here for the url.

Lessons to be learned!

Dear faithful readers,

There's this blog which I've found - Written by Mark Driscoll, one of the pastors at a fast expanding church in USA. Doctrinally sound, this blog would be a good challenge for those of you out there who are actually interested in seriously knowing more about Christianity. Take a read =)

http://www.theresurgence.com/md_blog

In Christ,

Fly_OnD_Wall

Faithfulness in the end times

It has been a little over 10 years being in my house. The front lawn remained unattended to my dismay, filled with weeds and a cluster of thick baby trunks in the middle. Lying opposite, the back lawn was conquered by a whole array of weeds, contorting and protruding themselves out of the limited space they had, destroying the mural that never was.

I looked around, and there was the steel shovel I had been searching for. I got to work. And I think God showed me something.

As I looked around at the semak samun, I recalled several stories Jesus had told. As I cangkul-ed around, I recalled what Jesus said in Matthew 13:24-30

In this story, Jesus said the Kingdom of God is like a man who sowed seeds in his field, and an enemy came and sowed weeds. Jesus said the man commanded his servant NOT to cut down the weeds while they were growing, if not it would uproot the good seeds, too. He commanded the servant to wait until they were both fully grown, and then only pull them out.

I stared at my papaya tree, towering well over twice my height. A few years back, this piece of land was deemed barren by my mom (or by her poor planting skills :D)

Stepping back a bit about what Jesus said, to the parable of the seeds in Matthew 13:3-9. He had mentioned that there were four types of seeds;

One eaten by birds

One grew on stone

One grew among thorns

One grew on the ground

I managed to cangkul out the weeds and all rather easily, knowing that they grew among thorns. Some, growing by the side of my brick fence also came out very easily albeit their size because they grew on stone. They had no foundation.

Then I had a glance at the cluster of papaya trees, and noticed they werent fruiting despite years growing sluggishly. I recalled what Jesus said in Luke 13:6-9.

In this story Jesus mentions a man whose keeper asks him to have mercy on a plant, although it has not bore fruit yet, he begs his master to give it more time.

That's what Jesus/God is doing, isn't it?

2 Peter 3:9

The Lord is not slack concerning His promise,

as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward

us, not willing that any should perish but that all

should come to repentance.

But I had an urge to cangkul at least one of it off. Logic would say that with about 7 papaya trees crowding around in less than half-a-meter cube in infertile soil, you're not going to get much fruit in a long, long time.

So I proceeded. Tried smashing it a bit. Tried attacking it. Even tried bending it downwards, low enough for me to sit on, but it didn't give. Reminded me on what Jesus mentioned also in Luke 6:46-49.

But why do you call Me 'Lord, Lord,' and not do the things which I say?

Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings and does them,

I will show you whom he is like :

He is like a man building a house, who dug deep

and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the

flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against

that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock.

But he who heard and did nothing is like a man

who built a house on the earth without a foundation,

against which the stream beat vehemently; and

immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great.

Brought me back to point b) where Jesus was talking about seeds being planted in what kind of soil. Got me thinking that this is the kind of faith that we need to have in the end times, coz' Satan is going to come with his cangkul, and he's not going to have mercy. He's going to cut you, bend you, sit on you, butcher you, pull you and do everything. But your FOUNDATION is what's going to keep you holding strong no matter what.

Also take note that I picked on the smallest papaya trunk. Even that did not budge :)

Are we having our roots in Christ? Because all other 'rocks' can do is give you false protection, and when the day of testing comes, the ruin will be great. Proverbs 11:31 states, "If the righteous will be recompensed on the earth, how much more the ungodly and the sinner."

But God is faithful.

2 Timothy 2:13 - If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.

Wake Up Call

Dear all, I'm Daniel Hong Aan Lee, Form 5, Secretary of the SMK(L) Methodist Kuala Lumpur @ MBSSKL's Christian Fellowship and this is my first post on this blog. I would first like to congratulate the Administrators of the NSCF Blog for working very hard on their postings.



Here's my story brothers and sisters,



Today, I coordinated a special prayer activity during my CF meeting at 1.25pm, after splitting the students (aged between 13-17) into three different groups, each led by a ''Senior'', I ''happened'' to have taken a group with many ''rotten apples'' to lead. As the allocation of groups were random, I had no complain, initially. No doubt they are good Christians, decent boys and all. BUT... What made me furious was the attention these ''rotten apples'' gave me throughout my session. Our prayer topics included praying for the world (persecuted Christians in various parts of the earth), the country (the problems Malaysians face and current issues), MBSSKL...etc



And what were these ''rotten apples'' doing? Disrupting my lecture with all sorts of nonsense, while there are still a number of those students who really want to gain benefit from God's message. I being the ''tool of God'' must in some way gain their attention in the importance of praying. The ''rotten apples'' consisted of CF members aged 15 and below (which basically means Form 3 and below). I'm rather disappointed that they didn't give me my due respect and give their utmost attention for God's message behind my lecture. I applaud those boys in my group who made an effort to shut those ''rotten apples'' up and now I appeal to every Christian young and old to show respect to those who lead sessions, be it in CF or YF. EVERY PERSON deserves respect and if anyone wants to be respected, he/she has to GIVE respect.



More importantly, the topic which I referred to was on PRAYER!!! Which in fact, as Christians should value these things with high regard and be serious with these sort of topics. Because God values EVERY SINGLE prayer.



So now, with my most humblest appeal, I urge all those who tend to make a nuisance in CF to please think twice and to

WAKE UP!!!!

Show some respect and compassion for those who lead sermons, church/CF activities, because being funny during serious issues like those stated, is not Christ-likeness. Once again, I would like to praise the hardwork of all you CF leaders out there who work so hard to be the Salt and Light of this world. Don't give up and always keep praying. God bless you all.



ORA ET LABORA,

Daniel Hong Aan Lee

No one can snatch them out of my Father's hand

My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; no one can snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all; no one can snatch them out of my Father's hand. (John 10:27-30, ESV)



I've heard of people who tell me that salvation can be lost. I know disillusioned Christians who aren't so sure anymore. So how exactly affect our outlook on living as Christians if salvation can be lost? Let's take a look.

If salvation can be lost, how sure can you be that you are saved?

If salvation can be lost, what can we do to ensure that we don't lose it?

If salvation can be lost, what assurance do we have in the death of Jesus Christ?

If salvation could be lost, I think we would be working very hard to keep our salvation, without ever knowing whether what we are doing is ever good enough. How different would it make us from our musl!m cousins?

What does the Bible have to say about salvation?

In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory. (Eph 1:13-14, ESV)

What we see here is that when we are born again, we receive the promised indwelling presence of the Holy Spirit that is God's guarantee that He who began a good work in us will complete it (Phil 1:6) In order for us to lose our salvation after receiving the promised Holy Spirit, God would have to break His promise or renege on His “guarantee,” which He cannot do. Therefore the believer is eternally secure because God is eternally faithful.

At the same time, what of people who claim to have believed in Jesus Christ then eventually turned away, even to the extent of denying the existence of God? Will they lose their salvation? At first glance, it would seem so.

What does the Bible have to say about this?

Jesus said that that not everyone who says “Lord, Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 7:21-22). This shows that not everybody who professes to be a Christian, really is. 1 John 2:19 puts things into perspective for us: They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us. What we see here is that these people have not lost their salvation, but rather have not even been saved!

Now having see that we have an assurance in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the He will never let anything separate us from God, we don't have to live in fear of screwing up because of the hope we have: ... you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God. We will be conformed to the image of Christ through sanctification (1 Corinthians 6:11, ESV). When a person is saved, the Holy Spirit breaks the bondage of sin and gives the believer a new heart and a desire to seek holiness. Therefore a true Christian will desire to be obedient to God and will be convicted by the Holy Spirit when they sin. They will never “live any way they want” because such behavior is impossible for someone who has been given a new nature.

How awesome is this assurance?!

Creation to Consummation - The Temple and God-pleasing Worship

Hey guys! It's been a while since I last wrote anything here.

There's this series of 4 talks at the Luther Centre, PJ on the topic of worship conducted by Rev Dr David Peterson from the 23rd - 26th of June.

Here are the dates and times:

23 June (Wednesday) 8:15pm – 10:00pm
24 June (Thursday) 8:15pm – 10:00pm
25 June (Friday) 8:15pm – 10:00pm
26 June (Saturday) 3:30pm – 5:00pm

The registrations fees are RM10 per session, or RM20 for 4 sessions. Not forgetting to mention that there will be a free shuttle bus service to and from Asia Jaya LRT station, but you have register to enjoy this service.

To register, go to http://www.gospelgrowth.com.my/civicrm/event/register?id=23&reset=1

For more information, contact Shirley at ctc@gospelgrowth.com.my, or 017-385 2319.

Blind

Luke 18:35-43 - Jesus heals a blind beggar

³⁵As Jesus approached Jericho, a blind man was sitting by the roadside begging.³⁶When he heard the crowd going by, he asked what was happening. ³⁷They told him, "Jesus of Nazareth is passing by."
 ³⁸He called out, "Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!"
 ³⁹Those who led the way rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, "Son of David, have mercy on me!"
 ⁴⁰Jesus stopped and ordered the man to be brought to him. When he came near, Jesus asked him, ⁴¹"What do you want me to do for you?"
      "Lord, I want to see," he replied.
 ⁴²Jesus said to him, "Receive your sight; your faith has healed you." ⁴³Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.

-

v.38 - The beggar knew who Jesus was, "the son of David" - a messianic title.
Do we know who Jesus is? Truly, who is He to us?

v.39 - People tried to stop him from getting to Jesus, but he tried harder.
Do we show how much we want Jesus in our lives? Do we 'shout louder'?

v.41 - Jesus asked the man, "What do you want Me to do for you?" when, since he was blind, it was clear that Jesus (being God) knew what he wanted. But Jesus asked him so that He could verify his faith. and the man replied, "Lord, I want to see."
Do we respond to God in the same way the beggar did?

v.42 - Jesus replied, "your faith has healed you"
Do we have faith Jesus can make miracles? Really, do you?


The beggar was blind, and he didn't deny it. Many people nowadays are 'blind' but they do not acknowledge it. They are like 'lost sheep' (Luke 15) who are 'respectable people who think they do not need repentance'.

If you know that you are one, turn back to God. Let us not be blind leading the blind!

Tick-tock

Please don't tell me Kaysha's single comes to mind when you look at the title.

ANYWAYS! Easter is coming in a few days! Excited?

You shouldn't, because you should always be excited about our Lord ;)

Besides that, I was recently going through some rough times, and got so distracted that i left the tap for the kettle on for too long. I sighed as I saw the flooded kitchen, knowing how much work it would require to dry it back up.

When I tried to take the easy way out of the problem (always seems to be first choice), I realized that the vacuum cleaner was broken. So I dragged myself to bring a mop and pail and start my work.

It was pointless, I told myself. The cleaner had just come yesterday to mop the floor, and here I am doing it again. With every swipe and stroke, the floor didn't seem any drier. But soon, slowly, by meditating on God, the water slowly, slowly collected and dried.

Why tell you pointless stories of my life? Well, because shortly after that (had I gone away frustrated, I would not have) noticed that there was a faint smell lingering in the air. Tracing it, i found out that the gas was being leaked out. And my mom was going to cook later.

I don't know a single thing about cooking, but the smell and all just reminds me of those movies where houses blow up because of gas leaks. I know it can't happen but the point was, I discovered the problem after a little perseverance. Even though I had other things to do, God told me to be still and go on doing that 'useless' chore.

Speaking of blowing up, have you ever wondered how short our life can be? As James had stated in the forth chapter of his book, that our lives are like vapour, have we really considered the magnitude of his words?

Pastor said last sunday that yesterday is history, and there MIGHT NOT BE a tomorrow. All we're left with is today.

So thank God for every day you're alive, because you KNOW very well that He can take your life away anytime He wants, whether or not you're ready for judgement.

---

Another thing I thought of while erm..doing my sejarah homework was. : we constantly pray for the nation. We pray for our Muslim friend's salvation. But are we ready for it?

The idea struck me gradually and the more I thought of it the more it makes sense. God placed us here in this very education system so we can learn their language and therefore, preach Christ to them!

Think about it. I'm itching to get my hands on a BM version of the bible, Al-Kitab. Can't find any yet...any ideas on where to look?

Lets continue working together, fighting for change in Malaysia. And let every action count.

Can I say the Lord's Prayer?

I cannot say OUR,

if I live in a watertight spiritual compartment;

if I think a special place in heaven is reserved for my denomination.

I cannot say FATHER,

if I do not demonstrate the relationship in my daily life.

I cannot say WHO ART IN HEAVEN,

if I am so occupied with the earth that I am laying up no treasure there.

I cannot say HALLOWED BE THY NAME,

if I, who am called by his name, am not holy.

I cannot say THY KINGDOM COME,

if I am not doing all in my power to hasten its coming.

I cannot say THY WILL BE DONE,

if I am questioning, resentful of, or disobedient to his will for me.

I cannot say ON EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN,

if I am not prepared to devote my life here to his service.

I cannot say GIVE US THIS DAY OUR DAILY BREAD,

if I am living on past experience.

I cannot say FORGIVE US OUR TRESPASSES AS WE FORGIVE THOSE WHO TRESPASS AGAINST US,

if I harbour a grudge against anyone.

I cannot say LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION,

if I deliberately place myself in a position where I am likely to be tempted.

I cannot say DELIVER US FROM EVIL,

if I am not prepared to fight it in the spiritual realm with the weapon of prayer.

I cannot say THINE IS THE KINGDOM,

if I do not accord the King the disciplined obedience of a loyal subject.

I cannot say THINE IS THE POWER

if I fear what people may do or what my neighbours may think.

I cannot say THINE IS THE GLORY

if I am seeking glory for myself.

I cannot say FOR EVER AND EVER,

if my horizon is bounded by the things of time.

I cannot say AMEN,

if I do not also add "cost what it may". For to say this prayer honestly will cost EVERYTHING.

By Author Unknown

Do you really mean everything you pray?

YiShien

Prayers!

Lately, God has been answering ALL of my prayers SO faithfully, in ways I have NEVER expected!

I prayed for wisdom, and pastor preached of wisdom and humility. And though it wasn't a wonderful change/experience, God gave me what i asked for. Thank you Father..:D

I prayed for strength. I almost had given up on my duties. I almost broke down again. But God, again, being faithful when i am faithless, brought me to PJCF camp on the last day, where I listened to the message brought by Pastor Andy which spoke personally and directly to me. Praise Him...

I prayed for leaders. God is showing me many promising signs. :D

etcetera etcetera. He even answered things I have NOT prayed for.

Example...the props which i was half-panicking about, but did not pray for. I got them ;)

Oh..God can do wonders through prayer. Keep praying, folks! =)

i can't seem to post comments.. *is there anything wrong? :(

CBN would be having their Easter's celebration in school this year, like usual, organized by CF & CSS. (CSS= Catholic Students' Society)

we need prayers.

so far, we've been doing fundraising by selling J.Co Donuts and candies.

sales has been good, Praise God. :)

pray that many would turn up to hear the Gospel; and that their hearts, ears and minds would be receptive to the message.

pray for the speaker, Pastor Lisa, that God would protect her even as she prepares the message (you know, when we are so ever active serving God, the devil would be so jealous and wants to pull us away)

and most important of all, that God would grant us His Holy Spirit's presence in this whole event.

share with us about your CF and let us pray for one another!

God bless! :)

Love,

Kit May.

How are you?

Fellow NSCFL-ers...how have you been? I've not gotten much news from you guys.

Post something up about your CF! Link your CF blogs! Let's not put this effort all to waste.

These few weeks have been very hard on me, and I'm struggling with a different set of new challenges which drain me one by one. I pray that I won't break down...

But let this blog continuously bring testimonies of all our youth around Malaysia. Don't tell me nothing has been happening around your school lately?

I recently read about the revolutionaries around Malaysia doing great stuff in their schools, including sharing and getting support from the most unlikely authorities.

Well, God is definitely doing great things all around our schools. Just recently I contacted a sound engineer who is involved with church work, explaining our situation in St Davids. We want to do an easter performance, but our sound system sucks, and we have no money, so we were wondering if he could help. The very next day, Uncle Lam had a conference with our headmaster and a few other authorities, and decided to order a new set of equipment costing a figure up to 5 digits. Praise God that He has provided, even for things we didn't expect.

Let's continue inspiring and helping each other do greater things for our God. Don't let the spiritual fire burn out when there are so many opportunities to fuel it!

Even if its a small gesture of kindness, like buying water for a construction worker on a hot day (or any day for that matter) because God said that if we do any acts of kindness to anybody, we are doing it unto the Lord Himself.

Lets take an initiative.

A very popular question

that many people ask is, "If God is such a great and loving God, why does He allow all the bad things in the world to happen?"

Let me give my straightforward opinion.

No.1, Acknowledgement

Notice that people credit themselves for the good things that happen, and blame God for the bad things that happen? (referring to majority here).

Take a step back and look. Isn't that just childish? Only taking what you want and cursing what you leave.

Acknowledge that God is an omnipotent God first. YES, He can do whatever He likes. What can you say about it? Before you call Him a cruel God, look at yourself. You're reading this now, meaning you have internet connection. Meaning you are blessed. Take some time to thank God.

As my brother once said, "Ukur baju sendiri" before you start blaming God. Are you (or me, for that matter) more righteous than God? Can you understand the mechanics of holding the world in your hand?

Everybody would end up doing things that eventually benefit themselves. Which brings us to our second point about God.

No.2, Appreciation

God, being a leader of this world, did NOT create us for destruction. He said before that He is the good shepherd that lays His life for us. And He DID do it.

Which leader of this world will actually TOLERATE being accused, tortured, mocked, betrayed and so much more, while being quiet about his sovereign power? Tell me who.

Most of us, being just touched by a small hint of these, recoil in immature outbursts of wrath (myself included).

Jesus didn't. He shut up even though He didn't have to. He could have silenced and transported them all to hell. He could silence YOU and transport YOU to eternal burning flames. But no, He didn't. More often than not people like to dwell and meditate on what God CAN do, rather than what God HAS done.

He HAS died for us. Being a leader, He sacrificed Himself for His followers. Now THATS what i call a leader, not someone self-serving or self-righteous. Jesus didn't even mutter a word.

No.3, Appraise

Check at whatever tragedy had just happened. Even when things seem bleakest, be sure, and you better be, that our God is ever-present to the needy. THE QUESTION IS, HAVE THEY RESPONDED?

Not all things always turn out for the worst. Even mighty tragedies. Look, if Jesus didn't have to go through all that suffering, He wouldn't have saved us all, right?

If there is no rain, there is no sunshine, right?

Same theory applies, no matter how much you might condemn me or God, saying "oh, you never will understand." Truth is, God always does, though humans may not. He understands, He comforts. Can you say that God doesnt understand? Can you see past those nail-pierced hands, that for love's sake, He became poor?

Appraise. Bad things may not always turn out bad. It requires patience, most of the time. God might be using the testing to produce the best testimony.

Until then, God bless, all of you.

Curious

Hi guys. Faithful readers, brothers and sisters in the Lord Jesus Christ, as well as fellow friends and guests who read this blog. God bless you all :)

I'm curious. Have you ever wondered the mysteries of the world? Well, lets expose one of them today.

Ever watched a korean/japanese drama? Or even a malay/chinese/english one? Blockbusters or romantic movies? There's even a movie called Valentine's Day hitting the cinema's now. Ever wonder why people always pay so much to watch those love stories?

Yet, they all almost end up cliche'd. You could tell the ending just before you watch it, yet somehow theres a certain magnetizing force dragging and prompting you to watch it anyway. Its nice to watch love stories; it gives you fuzzy feelings; it makes you feel good, etc, etc.

Why do you watch them? Why do I watch them? I don't know. Just for fun? Entertainment? To fill in the emptiness where love was supposed to be? Or just to pick up some dating skills from the theaters *hint hint*

Well. Mention a well-known love story like Titanic and everybody would know it. People would love it or hate it, but they know it.

Mention a love story like Jesus, and people will either get angry, excited or stare at you blankly.

Why is the most powerful love story ignored when all the other cliched events of life's love being replayed get all the attention?

Sure, we love a good love story where the hero/heroine breaks off from their partner through some manner and for some reason get back together *aww*. But think about it. In Jesus's love story, we are the ones that try to get away from God.

And God, loving us so much, sent His only Son to us. For free. Even when we rejected Him, He died for us.

In movies, we may tear up or cry when a touching scene involving separation or death occurs. In the cross, many people hold contempt or apathy against it. Why?

Is it because the cross is so powerful that it exposes all human intent, yet at the same time displays the purest of love?

People can read fantasy romance novels like Twilight and yet never touch the TRUE love story of our Lord Jesus. He's calling out to you, knocking at your door, waiting for you to respond, as a long-lost lover waits for his partner. He waits patiently. He doesn't fret.

I don't understand why earthly love stories can trump the greatest one ever told. And if it has been told, it deserves much more a place than our minds and our eyes; it deserves our lives and our hearts.

Dear Lord Jesus, please forgive me of my sins, for I have ignored You constantly. Lead me back to Your ways, and help me walk closely to You as a sheep to his Shepherd. Lead me to quiet streams and make me lie down; let my heart not be troubled as I trust in You, my Lover. I thank You and praise You..from the bottom of my wretched heart. Amen...

Blessed conviction

It has been a wonderful and very humbling weekend for me, with God beating every circumstance for my heart's desire to be fulfilled. But trust me, it didn't go without trial and despair and low spirits. But after this great display of love that God has shown me, I finally realized just how much God loves us.

And I know I will never be able to fully comprehend and understand the width, depth and length of God's love for us, but my recent experience opened doors of insight that led to a whole new path of light, shining from our Heavenly Father.

I thought about it. About three years ago, I was nobody. I was a Christian, but only by name. I thought good works could get you to heaven, but even then I didn't make an effort for it. I was game for popularity, self-glory and self-justification, fleeing judgement when it arose and basking in flattery at every mention.

I was destructive, and I was destroyed. I was immoral, I was tainted, but yet I went on in sin. I walked in darkness, away from our Light Jesus Christ. It all didn't change over night, but through camps, through form 2's CF, through all the humbling experiences, God has truly taken me from the miry clay and set my feet upon the rock.

I was utter and complete darkness. I didn't know my Savior. I didn't bother to. I lived for myself. My eyes were haughty and my legs were shifty, my mind constantly plotting sins and devious plans for evil.

What did I do to receive the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, Prince of Peace, King of Glory, Bright morning Star, the Worthy Lamb? What did I do for His crucifixion?

This is love; that when we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

I realized today. Once again, in a whole new light, how God has been giving us 100% before we were even born, and how He still answers our prayers (even though we already have salvation!) and continues giving us 100%, and ONLY asks of our 10%, and even then, many of us don't even give that kind of commitment! I don't! But through my testimony, God has proved Himself to be exceedingly faithful.

When we are faithless, God is faithful, for God cannot go against His faithfulness. Let man be faithless, but God is faithful.

I can testify to His grace. He continuously gave, and gave, and gave. Poured out His heart and His life for me. For ME. A sinner, a lowly servant who deserves to bury his head in the ground and chew the dust for all I'm worth.

Instead of condemning me, my God gave me a second chance, third, fourth and so on. He never gave up on me, always believing that one day I'd turn my heart back to Him. For if we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us.

He took me away from my spiral of destruction, AND put me up high on the Rock of foundation. He strengthened me, put me in positions of power, blessed me, taught me, rebuked me, and above all, loves me.

I feel so, very undeserving. I can only bow my head down low and proclaim that MY LORD IS GREAT.

BLESSED BE THE NAME OF THE LORD. HE IS REAL IN MY LIFE, AND HE CAN BE REAL IN YOUR LIFE TOO.

THE HEAVENS AND EARTH PROCLAIM YOUR GLORY, YOUR MAJESTY, AND YOUR UNFAILING LOVE. TO YOU BE ALL GLORY AND POWER AND KINGDOM, FOREVER AND EVER!

Thank You Lord. Thank You...I just wanted to share how faithful He is in my life. Thanks guys if you have made it this far. I pray that all of us will walk in Christ, being found spotless in times of tribulation, forever praising His holy name.

God, Your name is holy. We beat our breasts and ask for Your forgiveness and Spirit to rain down on us. Let this nation praise Your holy name!

For Those Hungry for the Word

I've found this awesome site where they upload most of their sermons. Good sound biblical teaching, suitable for anyone who is thirsting for the news of the Gospel. Don't hesitate to help yourself!

http://www.smacc.info/29101.html

Taking things for granted?

Hey guys. Been pretty busy/tired so I haven't been blogging much lately, but I just wanna exhort a friendly reminder from the CF here in malacca :)

How have things been going on in your CF? Hopefully things aren't fine.

Things should be AWESOME!

Its already february. Time flies, no? Lets not fall into the deceiving trap of complacency. Its when we're satisfied and happily settled that we fall into ignorance. Lets remember the vow and those songs of commitment we sang during NSCFL, and truly devote our lives to Him, taking the extra step to glorify His name. Even as I am typing, I'm being reminded about how many more things can be done.

There is always someone out there who needs an extra helping hand. That person could be a total stranger, or he/she could be your best friend...

Hmm. I hope we can all come together and fellowship with one another soon. :) Until then, lets not take things for granted, knowing that we are all so very undeserving of God's grace and free gift of salvation, but through Jesus Christ, we are made worthy and accounted for righteousness through faith! Lets work as hardworking servants, remembering that this life is so, very short compared to the exciting eternity we're gonna spend together with Him, showering Him praise!

I can't wait :)

Exalt Him!

Giving :)

How's fourth week of school everyone?

i hope you're doing well. :)

wanted to share this with all of you earlier, but had to really take time and find Bible verses.

i did not have to, as coincidentally my quiet time for yesterday was about what i wanted to share too. :)

have you ever dreamt to be rich, to own everything in this world? maybe not that big of a dream, but dream to make more money day by day, praying that the stock market would go up and make millions on that day too?

i had dreamt to own a bungalow, and praying hard that i would marry a rich husband, as i would not need to work.

foolishness back then.

*1 Timothy 6 : 6-10

*People who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. (verse 9)

as i grew, parents thought me to set aside $$ to be given away after we receive our red packets during CNY.

and that's what i wouldn't mind doing, after all, think about it : you and i are so blessed to be able to read this out on a computer screen, have a roof to live under, etc etc.

compare the condition of us and the people suffering in Haiti.

don't you want to be a blessing to them?

and what about the people living in poverty in India and many other parts of the world?

i suggest the most appropriate way : giving.

you can give to missions like Barnabas Aid or Malaysian Care or if your church practice this, then join! (there are many. just mentioning few. it doesn't have to be that.)

maybe when you grow up later, you might want to consider missions work? ;)

He also says this in His Word :

2 Corinthians 9:7

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.

Acts 20 : 35 b

It is more blessed to give than to receive.

so, let's make a difference for Him.

be a blessing to others as you're blessed.

CNY is in 3 weeks. share what you've received.

remember : you can never take whatever you have right now to the grave!

Life is not measured by how much we own. (Luke 12 : 15)

have a great week at school! :)

God bless.

Love,

Kit May.

Loss

Recent events happening in Haiti have sparked a global cause. Help is being sent, donations are flowing in from every corner of the earth, all for an area that has suffered loss. I don't know about you, but I think its beautiful.

Sometimes (in fact, most of the time) these things happen, and we constantly question our God, "If You, O Lord, are so gracious, why do You allow all these things to happen?"

I have been asking God that same question too. A certain friend of mine had recently suffered a crushing loss of her sister, in an accident right outside my taman. Why, God?

Although I didn't know her sister, nor was very close to that friend, I felt the impact of the loss, too. Just a few hours before her death, a friend of mine had told me in tuition that she had gotten involved in an accident, and her sister was in a critical condition. I didn't think much of it; brushed it off and continued with my tuition.

What would have happened if i prayed? Would things have changed?

Did she die in vain?

The answer is no. Through her death, the next morning's prayer meeting was the most spiritual one so far. People who had never prayed out loud, cried out to God in sorrow and anguish. Even people who weren't directly involved broke down in tears. "Our God...is too awesome," thats what kept on flashing in my mind. "Though He brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love." - Lamentations 3:32

God takes loss and turns it into something beautiful. As for me, I've learned to be alert, spiritually, never neglecting even a small prompting to pray. We never know when or what that minute prayer can do.

This morning, my alarm woke me up at 8am. I ignored it and hit the snooze button, which caused the alarm to sound 9 minutes later. When I woke up, I realized, how many people have died in those 9 minutes? What prayer could have been done to help them? For our God listens to each one of us; He stays close to us, waiting for us to turn to Him. Before the day of the accident, Daniel and I were praying for an increase in the spirituality of the CF members. God answered that prayer, albeit not in a way we would have desired.

Lets pray. But lets also remember, as my pastor had preached about a few weeks back, that with blessings and gifts come responsibility. The more we are given, the more we are expected to work. So if anyone were to put you down by saying prayer is futile/hypocritical, perfect your faith through works as Paul had commanded.

As for the people in Haiti, God has spread a worldwide lesson, and many have learned from it. We always have a second chance, whether we appreciate it or not. Lets turn back to our God...forever giving thanks that He is gracious and faithful and loving and caring and patient and good.

All these things are only for a little while.

Gospel Growth Fellowship

There will be several upcoming events held by an organisation known as Gospel Growth Fellowship (GGF) which are definitely worth your time and money, especially if you're one of those who are eager to learn more about what God has to say to us through His word.

Here's some of it:

Word Works

Learning to read the Bible better.

April 30 - May 1, 2010

Mark

Sept 10-11, 2010

Isaiah

Info:

Alveen @ 012-213 5957

David @ 017-235 6503

wordworks@gospelgrowth.com.my

Creation to Consummation

Unlocking Christ's wisdom for His church. A biblical-theological day conference for the city, in the city.

June 23-26, 2010

The Temple & God-pleasing Worship

Speaker: David Peterson

Venue: Luther Centre, Jln Utara, PJ

Info:

Shirley @ 017-385 2319

ctc@gospelgrowth.com.my

Thinking Theologically Conference 2010

Thinking theologically, ministering faithfully.

Nov 4-6, 2010

The Bible and God's Word

Info:

Jeremy @ 012-294 1116

ttc@gospelgrowth.com.my

So what are you still waiting for? Start using those persuasion skills to pester you mom and dad to take you there, or beg them for money and go on your own if you're capable! This will definitely be something you will never regret attending, trust me. (^_^)

Disclaimer: I am not to be held responsible if you decide to cabut to the conference without telling your parents, especially if you are below 18 years of age. Please do share this with your parents if you really want to go and pray about it. Ultimately, the Bible still asks us to obey our parents!

2 Corinthians 1:1-12

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, to the church of God in Corinth, together with all the saints throughout Achaia: 2Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

3Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. 5For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. 6If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. 7And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort. 

8We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about the hardships we suffered in the province of Asia. We were under great pressure, far beyond our ability to endure, so that we despaired even of life. 9Indeed, in our hearts we felt the sentence of death. But this happened that we might not rely on ourselves but on God, who raises the dead. 10He has delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will continue to deliver us, 11as you help us by your prayers. Then many will give thanks on our behalf for the gracious favor granted us in answer to the prayers of many.
 

12Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, in the holiness and sincerity that are from God. We have done so not according to worldly wisdom but according to God's grace.

Paul wrote this letter with the help of Timothy to the church in Corinth, between 55 - 57 AD, addressing the troubled Corinthian Christians. 

He starts off in verse 3 by reminding the church about the qualities of the God that they had put their trust in: 'Father of mercies and God of all comfort'. Paul further explains how that through this God, they are are empowered to comfort others.

Paul also speaks about how the church suffers because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, they are also comforted by the same Gospel, giving much assurance to the afflicted church in Corinth because in persecution and in comfort, it is all for their consolation and salvation.

Paul tells the church about how he and Timothy could find assurance even in the midst of persecution because in verse 9 we see that it is because they 'should not trust in (themselves) but in God who raises the dead, who delivered (them) from so great a death, and does deliver (them); in whom (they) trust that He will still deliver (them)...'. Paul also brings this idea up again when he writes to the church in Rome, as we see in Romans 8:18, where he asks them to 'consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us'. 

The reason this glory is something all Christians, in the past, present and future can subscribe to, is because of what Jesus Christ has done on the cross. In His obedience to the Father's will to the point of dying on the cross, Jesus is now 'exalted to the highest place and given the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father' (Phil 2:8-11). How more glorious can you get than that?

Paul also then thanks the Corinthian church for remembering him and Timothy in their prayers so that others may give thanks to God for Paul and Timothy's work. He follows that by reminding the church of their boast in Christ: that they have been a testimony in the World not by worldly wisdom, but by God's grace.

In the light of recent events where the churches all around Malaysia have begun to feel a sense of persecution, this passage provides us with comfort and encouragement. We can take comfort in the fact that the God that we have surrendered our life to remains the 'Father of mercies and God of all comfort', even in such unsure and dangerous days.

Yet at the same time, Paul reminds us that the church of Christ will never be free from persecution because of the Gospel we preach. Jesus also spoke of this as recorded for us in the book of Matthew 10:22.

In spite of all these trials and tribulations promised to us, by looking towards the glory we will find in Jesus Christ when we meet Him face to face, we can find this burden in a temporary world much easier to bear.

As the church in Corinth prayed for Paul and Timothy while under persecution, we should also follow that example and pray, not only for our fellow Christians all around Malaysia, but also for the ability to love our persecutors, and not hate them.

Our nation

Shalom, brothers and sisters in Christ :)

As many of you know, our nation is suffering from many trials and troubles. But as my pastor said today, in James 1:2,

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

We say we follow Jesus. We say we believe in Him. Now is the time to show God's grace in us, when things seem meek, that we rise above all things to glorify God within us.

Often we ask God to charge us with jobs or work, for us to be able to glorify Him. He has shown and given us this amazing opportunity. Let's not disappoint our God by being vengeful or hateful.

God is making a change; He is working. Look around us! New things are happening day by day, continuously proving that our God is mighty and our God is real. Lets pray for the Spirit to open our eyes and our hearts, to be able to see what God sees...to understand that His ways are incomprehensible.

What we see is only a speck of what God has in His plan, but I'm sure you all know that already. Now, are we willing to take that giant leap of faith, accepting things we do not understand and letting our God guide us in the darkness?

Acting for Him does not always mean you always have to be busy or doing things. We can spend time with Him whenever, and idleness could also be a trial to some. Let's not lose hope nor let our confidence in our Lord dwindle. Lets continuously be joyful, knowing that through EVERYTHING, our Savior is that same, unchanging, faithful Savior that died for us on the cross over two thousand years ago, and He is still with us, even to the end of the age.

Malaysia is wonderful. Praise God for blessing such a nation. Lets look into ourselves and start considering what we can do for the nation God has given to us.

Do you believe that if it is in God's will, that it will be possible? Yes? Good.

Joshua 10:8 says

The Lord said to Joshua, "Do not be afraid of them; I have given them into your hand. Not one of them will be able to withstand you."

We have the potential to do great things. To conquer corruption. To destroy racism. Make Malaysia a better place. It's God's will. Lets pray for wisdom, for God will not withhold it from those who ask from Him. Then, lets act.

Peel your eyes on this.

People, I just have to say this to you guys, because I learnt a great lesson today and I don't want you guys to miss out on it. :)


All this talk about the word "Allah" not being used by Christians, and the arsons that has happened, the protests that had came and gone...

Let it behind. Leave it be. It's always easier said and done, true. But yet.

No one said it was impossible.









So some people got angry and messed this all up cause we used the word "Allah".














Guys. (girls too.)































Get a grip.


We're Christians. Let this not anger us. Instead, take this as an opportunity to show love to others. How often do we get the chance to forgive others when they did something REALLY bad that hurt us?


A church got burned down. People were hurt, some killed.

I didn't say its not wrong. But we are Christians. We are different. Are we not?




Stand up for your faith, but don't confuse faith in materialism with the faith in God almighty.


They can destroy churches.

Faith, that they cannot even touch.

Let not our faith be shown and spoken through what we have on earth, but what we have in our God. Take this time, stand for the God you believe in, but do not make a fuss about this. The whole world is watching. (mostly)
We are being watched, Christians worldwide, and in this case, nationwide.
It is not when things are normal where our faith is measured.


Its times like these, in trial and affliction where our faith is put to the test and shown.

Love your enemies. God will do the rest. While the world watches, we do what God wants us to do. You know, I have a feeling God doesn't want us to retaliate. :)





From the one who fears not what man can do but what God WILL DO,






P.

KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein said the Government would not hesitate to use any means necessary, including the Internal Security Act, on anyone who threatens the security of the country.

He also ensured the safety of everyone in Malaysia, including the minorities.

Hishammuddin also said that the Inspector-General of Police has confirmed that three churches have been attacked.

“We have also received a report that a church has been threatened. The police will monitor all churches in the country,” he said.

Fire and Rescue Department personnel at the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati on Friday.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan earlier said police were investigating three cases of arson at churches in the Klang Valley early Friday morning.

The three churches were the Metro Tabernacle Church in Desa Melawati, the Assumption Church in Jalan Templer, Petaling Jaya, and the Life Chapel Church in Section 17, also in Petaling Jaya.

"Police personnel would also patrol churches throughout the country, especially in the Klang Valley, to prevent any untoward incidents," he added on Friday.

Police officers conducting investigations at the Life Chapel Church in Section 17, PJ on Friday.

Musa also reiterated his stern warning to anyone planning to stage protest rallies Friday against the use of the word "Allah" by non-Muslims.

"We will not hesitate to take stern action against them," he told The Star.

Wong Sai Weng, spokesman for the Life Chapel church in Section 17 here, said, "We found a molotov cocktail at the porch at 8.30am.

"We see this as attempted arson, and have lodged a police report," he said.

Umno Youth chief Khairy Jamaluddin is among the public figures, who visited the Tabernacle Church on Friday.

Police officers collecting evidence at the Assumption Church in PJ on Friday.

At 12.30am Friday, the Metro Tabernacle Church was damaged after a group of youths threw flammable materials into the ground floor of the church located in a shoplot.

No one was injured in the incident as the church was empty at that time.

It was believed the incident happened after a group of youths on motorcycles rode up to the church, smashed the glass panels on the ground floor of the three-storey building and later threw some materials into the building that started a fire.

Church lay leader Peter Yeow, 62, said witnesses were not near enough to get a closer look at the youths who sped away after the act.

The witnesses then called the police as well as the Fire and Rescue Department, which arrived within minutes and doused the fire.

City CID chief SAC II Datuk Ku Chin Wah confirmed the incident.

Parishioners helping to salvage computer equipment from the Metro Tabernacle Church on Friday.

It is believed that a molotov cocktail was thrown into the church.

SAC Ku said the police were investigating the incident from all angles.

Kuala Lumpur police Chief Datuk Mohamad Sabtu Osman told The Associated Press that a witness saw four people on two motorcycles breaking the glass front of the church and throwing an incendiary object inside before fleeing.

He said police found a wrench, an empty gasoline can and two scorched motorcycle helmets at the scene. The church occupies a corner plot in a row of shops in Desa Melawati, a suburb of Kuala Lumpur.

"We are still investigating," he said. He also urged Muslims not to participate in the planned protests, AP reported.

Pray

Please pray for malaysian churches as Life Chapel is being surrounded by protesters for the use of alah

A Text Without a Context is a Pretext!

I was given this article to read by my father, and I thought it would be a strong reminder not just to all of us posting here on this blog, but also to all Christians out there who are eager in sharing God's Word. The responsibility we hold in spreading God's word accurately is great.

"The other day, Angie and I happened to tune in to one of America’s most popular preachers. I’m usually careful not to jump to judgment when it comes to another man’s message. I know the pressure placed on pastors to invent and deliver the perfect message, but I could not help but become a little upset about the blatant misuse of Scripture.

The speaker quoted Hosea 4:6, “My people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge.” In context, this verse refers to the spiritual ignorance of people who assume they can worship God and other gods at the same time with no contradiction. This preacher, however, applied the verse to eating healthier. His explanation was that because we are ignorant of the content of food today, we are physically being destroyed. His more specific application had something to do with cold cuts, hot dogs, and other processed meats.

Granted, I need to eat healthier, but is it okay to take verses and apply them in the way they sound rather than in the way they were intended? It reminded me of the old saying that “a text without a context is a pretext.” I have no problem with preaching a fresh and relevant Bible-based message about eating healthy, but there are much better texts to be used.

Another popular preacher chooses verses from translations to make applications not according to the literal meaning of the verse, but according to which translation makes his point best. I promise, I try not to be picky. I can get along with preachers from a variety of perspectives, but I’m offended when God’s book becomes our little box from which we draw a word of encouragement for each day. When we handle Scripture in this way, we miss the truth of it.

Great men have endured great persecution to defend a literal, historical-grammatical interpretive approach to Scriptures. That is, we ought to interpret Scriptures according to the historical context and the grammatical meaning rather than simply the context of our modern felt need. Paul admonished young Timothy to be very careful to “rightly divide the word of truth.”

As a surgeon with a delicate procedure, so preachers must approach every sermon as though eternal life depended on it for some lost soul. It is a grave offense to utilize Scripture in a haphazard way. We must handle the word of life carefully. God wants to speak to us today through His word, which is always fresh and always relevant, but we need not help Him out in the task of making it more relevant than it already is."

Reference

Cox, B., (2006). A Text Without a Context is a Pretext! Retrieved 5 January 2010 from the World Wide Web with permission: http://www.brandonacox.com/2006/08/22/a-text-without-a-context-is-a-pretext/

Form Three! What to do?

Firstly, I wish to apologise to everyone for submitting my post at such a late time; about a month after this blog was created. Thanks to Dylan for adding me as an author to this blog, I greatly appreaciate it, thank you so much.

Also, on an early note, pardon me for any grammar mistakes I might make later. :)

To start things off, I want to add that, I'm not a Christian. But, this much is true, I believe in God, have believed ever since I went to Sunday Church School. Many people have asked me why I refused to accept Christ, even when I told them I believed in God and Jesus Christ. It's not that I refuse to accept Christianity as my religion, but I reckon everyone has the right to make these important decisions when they're older, when everything is not based on trying to mimick other friends' cultures as our own. A certain NSCFL camper has given me some useful advice regarding my opinion, and her words will always be remembered in my mind when I make the most significant decisions in my life later on.

So this is me expressing my opinions, mainly directed to tweens my age. And I'm sure everyone was or will be a Form Three student, or what my friends like to call 'The Year of Hell'. Who wouldn't be scared? I'm terrified, because I'm worried I wouldn't be able to exceed everyone's expectations. Through everyone's eyes, I'm the top student who would be most likely to score straight As in any exam. The peer pressure of wanting to get excellent results in PMR is enough to bring down my whole house.

I know, it's only the first day of school and I'm starting to gripe like a know-it-all, but I can imagine the difficult path already laid out in front of me. School, tuition, books, and more tuition. And I also know most seniors would say PMR is a piece of cake, which I get as rebukes very often, but the P to the M to the R feels like this huge time bomb that would drop on me if I don't succeed well enough. Typical me might be bent over books and notes studying all night and day like a crazed kid that would think the world is going to end if I don't get straight As.

But I still feel that way, only less now that I realise getting straight As in PMR, or any public exam at all isn't the main goal in life. Everything is in God's hands, His decisions to make, and whatever he decides, I won't try to disobey. Of course, I will still feel like an epic failure if I fail, but at least I still know that God is watching, and still loves me as of how I love Him as well.

In the end, it all comes down to God's love for all, whether you get 8As or 1A or none at all. We're still equal human beings. Acing an exam doesn't give us a crown or halo to glorify our success.

So, fellow Form Three students out there, let's not get too pressurised over this PMR, kay? The world doesn't revolve around it, and neither should our lives. Even though school life is about exams all the time.

God Bless, everyone, and have a happy new year. <3