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! =)