Hullo's and Goodbye's.

Hello people, if you're reading this fast and updated enough, today's literally the last day of this awesome year 2009! Truly its been an eventful year, right? Nobody in Malaysia didn't have a rough year. :)



Well I'm not going to be talking too much or taking verses from the bible today, but I just want to recap this year to each and everyone of us. Not individually though, I don't know what happened to each and every one of us. :/

Lets look at the things we've done this year. We'll start with the things that mattered the most to us. Could be an IU night at school, a date with a certain someone, an A1 for a certain subject, winning a game of football/basketball/badminton/tennis or such for the school?

It could be the most humble thing, per say I saved a rabbit on the road. (its my pet now,Batman)
heh.


Lets remind ourselves that all these things we have held close to our hearts, held so tightly, because all these mean so much to us it seems important, isn't so important in God's eyes after all.




God doesn't care how much you gave during offering time.
God doesn't care how many times you went to church.
God doesn't care how many events you helped to pull off.
God doesn't care whether you did good or not.






God doesn't care if you're just labeled a Christian.



What God cares is that you love him.
God cares that you gave what you can give for offering.
God cares that the fact you bring NON-CHRISTIAN friends to church.
God cares that you served willingly in anything for him.
God cares that your heart is set straight for loving him, and not just being a "Christian".



I could say many of us made the mistake of being a "Christian" this year. I could say I did, pretty much.
What does it mean to be a Christian? No text-book answers please, like in Pendidikan Moral.
Those questions don't make you think. You find 50 bucks on the floor, obviously dropped and lost. Sure la you give back, you get 2 marks.


but guys, think.

What does it mean to be a Christian?
I'm not going to go further than that.
You decide yourself, for the upcoming year of 2010.










Let's say goodbyes to the things we have done, that will hold us back from God when we want to meet him.

Throw away the sins.
Temptation can only do so much.


(argh I can't help it but add a verse here, sorry. Broke my promise. :/)

1 Corinthians 10:13 says ; No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful, he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.


I've got this memorized, and I hope you guys do that too. It's a really strong verse that helps me all the time. :)




Cast aside those idols in your lives, those things that you "cannot live without".

All you need is God. Believe me.
Believe me, but above all, have FAITH IN GOD.


Let the year 2010 be the year you try this out. Put God first in everything you do, regardless of PMR SPM BF/GF all that.

You'll see wonders happening in your life then. 2010 will be the beginning of a miraculous life if you allow it.
Try it. :)


Say hello to the person God wants you to be. :D



















Cheers,
Pee.

Glorifying God in Our Relationships

Ok, so I made a mistake with the date. It should be 2010. hehe.

The last time we covered Godly friendships and relationships, and this time round we will be increasing the seriousness level and move on to what the Bible has to say about courtship and marriage. 
A definite must go for all those who eventually want to get married. Those who swear they won't are also welcome. hehe.

Time: 1400 - 1600 
Date: 24 January 2010, Sunday
Venue: Puchong Grace Church

More details to come, and those who are interested can contact me at operabuff_ron@hotmail.com 

Food for Thought

Hello there readers! I'm new on this blog and I thought I'd break the ice with some food for thought.

Open your Bible with me and let's take a look at the book of Judges 6:11-18. This is the calling of Gideon, a well known Man for God. Let's take a look at his character:

1. He was a hard-working man, in spite of his fear, as seen in verse 11.

2. He was also strong and courageous as Gideon was called a 'Mighty Warrior' in the following verse, though verse 13 shows us he was more of a worrier than a warrior. However, God see potential in His grace and addresses Gideon as a hero!

3. He was distressed that the Lord had left Israel.

4. Verse 15 shows us that Gideon was also a very humble man.

In spite all his qualities, Gideon found it really hard to believe that God was actually calling him. He was blind to his own strengths, and saw only his weaknesses and flaws. His humility was outstanding, but perhaps he was too slow in responding to God's calling.

Do you think you are a nobody? God uses people with weaknesses! This excerpt shows us that the Lord sees us differently from how we see ourselves. If He called Gideon, why shouldn't He call you? Don't let your low self-esteem hinder you from responding to chances to serve God! See what the Bible has to say in Jeremiah 1:4-10!

Take a look at Judges 6, verses 12, and 16. What is the recurring theme? It was the Lord reassuring Gideon that He will be with him. With this assurance, Gideon's flaws meant nothing! However, we have to examine our own 'strong' faith and readiness to get to work; are we so quick on our feet because our confidence is in our own ability, rather than that deep dependence on God's work in our lives? In Exodus 33:12-17, especially v15, Moses shows us the right attitude we should carry!

Therefore, come rain or shine be not discouraged, for we carry out God's work not by our own strength, but rather the Lord's.

A reminder:

Hey guys!
just a short one to remind all who reads this to:

1. Pray for our Country, and all those in authority
2. Pray for God to raise up more Christian teachers in our generation

Revival.

Just had an awesome evening with the SBC guys, and the main event was an inspirational talk by Hannah Yeoh. If you haven't met her yet, I strongly advise you to attend any of her meetings/events.

She is striving for justice, fighting for a place in politics that can be used to glorify God. If you are one of the people complaining about our corrupted nation, why not start making a change, in our hearts, then with our actions? Hannah defied human possibilities to allow God to work in her life, sacrificing her desires and crucifying her passions to allow the power of God to overshadow her.

We pray for revival. We pray, but do we act? Remember what we learned in camp? Faith without actions is dead, actions without faith is disaster. Faith + Actions = Dynamic. Its time to start doing dynamic things for God, time to start living on the edge and trusting in His strength, for in our weakness He is glorified. It starts now. It has already started in many places. Have you started?

God is great...Hannah is an example of what God can do to us, to transform us to be vessels that glorify Him. When I listened to Hannah, she reminded me of Isaiah 40:30

Even youths grow tired and weary,

and young men stumble and fall;

but those who hope in the LORD

will renew their strength.

They will soar on wings like eagles;

they will run and not grow weary,

they will walk and not be faint.

And so, she challenged us to make a change. No matter how minor, all of us can make a collective effort striving towards revival. Time to throw away everything on this earth that clings on to our hearts, our treasures "for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matt 6:21)

Lets work together, lets give up all on this earth; let us stop envying, stop the deceitfulness. Let us stop the anger, the lust, and the sinful emotions and thoughts that run through our mind. Let us ask for the Spirit to take full control, and let our actions prove that we are willing. Stand up and tell our Father that we are ready to accept the challenge. Do not be afraid; after countless testimonies and proofs that God is real, what excuse do we have left? What can you gain from this world that has not already been obtained? What is there in this life but God to worship?

There is none like you, O Father.

Things are happening all around Malaysia. Open your eyes and ears to see, then open up our hearts to let the Healer set us free; free from sin, that we may break free from the shackles that constrain us oh so tightly from fulfilling the will of God. Jesus has broken your chains; why get back into them? Jesus has opened the door; why stand and wait in the darkness? LET'S DO THIS TOGETHER! That's what this blog is for!

Thank you, Hannah Yeoh, for sharing with us today. You are such a great example of what Christians should become, fully dedicated to the will of God, holding tenaciously to the promises of our Father and never losing hope, running forward unafraid with the knowledge that our Father will protect us from any evil.

I've just received news that my headmaster, Mr. Chay Yew Choon, who is a Christian, refused promotion to another school because he believed that there is still many things to be done in our school. If you were in his position, you would know that the higher authorities will make your life hard for you after that decision. Why make it when it would cost you?

Mr Chay donated RM3000 to us for the attendance of the SU camp, and now he's forsaking a privilege just to stay with us. He has made his move. Have we? Have you? Have I?

A car engine does not start without ignition.

Our revival does not start without us.

Every Christian counts. After all, aren't we each the children of God?

Christmas already?!

Time flies whether you're having fun or not, and well, its time to shout,

"FOR THE 2009th TIME, ITS CHRISTMAS ALREADY!!!" (:

YES! It has been a little over two millenniums since our Savior was born and was crucified for our eternal salvation. CAN I HEAR AN AMEN AND A SHOUT FOR JOY?! We're all secured to Heaven!

Hmm, if you have no boxers about what I'm talking about (yes, I make my own phrases) then please consult the blank box at the click of a comment! (:

I'm sure I'll reply.

Well! All the tension and excitement of buying and wrapping gifts, getting trees and lights done up, rehearsing carols and learning recipes, and Christmas is...here? At the time I'm posting this, and probably when YOU read this, it would already have been over and done with.

Gone is the turkey

Gone is the snow

Gone are the presents

and gone is their glow

Gone with a day

Gone, all the say

When everything's gone away

Then we can start to pray

Christmas has lost its meaning so deep into people's pockets that even I doubt I know what Christmas is. If you've read Luke 2, you should know that Christmas is a day when we celebrate the greatest show of love on earth. The eternal Father, all mighty, all powerful, omnipotent, omnipresent, He didn't have to give a mosquito's thought for us, yet He wrenched His whole heart out for us. For YOU. Yes, reader, you are now liable to feel guilty and go and pray now. :) He's listening. All the time.

Continue in doing your good work, guys, never be discouraged or give up, thinking that 'sin is bound to happen', because sin stops when YOU want it to stop! It all starts from you. Whether you want God to control your life, whether you want to get out of your comfort zone, whether you want to...or not. God does not use force. He uses love. "The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, You will not despise." - Psalms 51:17

Have you given your heart back to your Lover? Lets not wait till valentines to decide to give a one-day gift to a person we love; Lets make this day an eternal commitment to the unchanging Lover of our souls.

Now, where was that Christmas cracker?

We Can Believe The Promises With God

Once again I would like to thanks to Bro. Dylan Lim for inviting me and helping me share my word.

At this time, I know many of us wonder whether God will keep His promises. But I tell you...

Jesus' death an resurrection are our guarantee that God is faithful, that He hears our prayers, and that all His promises are true. Paul clearly explains this to the Corinthians because if they have any doubts about his integrity as God's messenger, they probably doubt God's messages too.

I have a hunch that many Christians today, like the Corinthians, ocassionally have trouble believing God's promises. (I am one of them) Oh, the promises sound so nice. Sometimes they even cheer us up. Yet I think many of us have, at least unconciusly, questioned whether God is faithful to keep His promises. We'll sometimes catch ourselves thinking, "Are the promises of God really true?"

None of God's promises ever has failed! Eg. The great evangelist D.L. Moodly confidently stated, "God never made a promise that was too good to be true." Think about that! No wonder Jesus says not to worry about tomorrow. (Matthew 6:34) God did not created us to be self-sufficient but to depend on Him. We don't have to rush around trying to solve our problems and trials in a few seconds or minutes. We don't have to exhaust all of our human problem-solving options before we turn to God as a last resort. Every trial we face is an opportunity for God to demonstrate His loving faithfulness to us.

God has been faithful to His people in the past and promises to be faithful in the future. (Remember what did Jason said "From the eternal past, to the eternal future" ) Thus, we have no need to worry. We can rest assured that the God who is faithful will fulfill every promise we claim in the name of Jesus.

Lastly, let us all say this to our Heavenly Father who is always listening our prayers...

HEAVENLY FATHER, THANK YOU FOR ALL YOUR PROMISES.
WHEN WE PUT OUR TRUST IN YOU, WE KNOW YOU WILL KEEP EVERY ONE OF THEM.
WE DON"T KNOW WHY YOU LOVE US SO MUCH. IT MUST BE YOUR GRACE. AMEN