Enjoy!

Burning or burnt out?

Are you burning or burnt-out?

Bringing you a one-time special @ this Sat's Young Adults Fellowship..

AVOIDING BURNT-OUTS

Date: 26 April 08 (Sat)
Venue: Church Office
Time: 4.30pm

Do try and make it, contact Michelle/Esther/Juliana to confirm your attendance..

-carmen

1st YAF Outing

Thank You Michelle, Spencer & William for organising the 1st YAF Outing!

We had fun though we didn't get to eat the much-anticipated steamboat! Ha.. check out on Facebook the full story but here are just some group photos we took!

and the photo of the year! Heroes (FIBC YA version)

haha

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CYNTHIA!

From FIBC youths! =)


May you continue to grow in spirit and in truth!

Drumroll....YAF 001!

Calling all Young Adults in FIBC!!!

You're cordially invited to the first official Young Adults Fellowship!

Date: 26 Jan 08 (Sat)
Time: 3.30pm
Venue: Marina Bay

Join us for a time of bonding, fun & fellowship at Marina Bay. Bowling, soccer and most importantly yummy steamboat dinner awaits you! Let's begin the new year with a great time of sharing of God's goodness to us! We will also share with you the programme for YAF in 2008!

Inform Spencer, William or Michelle on your attendance! See you there!


* Note: Young Adults Fellowship will be on a monthly basis, falling on the last week of the month unless it clashes with church's events or public holidays. Therefore, do slot out this month to come for this special gathering! If you've unchurched or unsaved Young Adults friends (army, university or working young adults below 35), do invite them along too!

Youth Fellowship

YES! Let's put our hands together... to welcome.................

*glitter* The 1st YOUTH FELLOWSHIP in 2008 *glitter*

"Director": God
"Starring": Pastor
"Co-starring": Irving and Shane

Ok, yes.. Enough of nonsense from me, this is a reminder to all! Youth fellowship will be held this Saturday, 12/01/08, at 4.30pm SHARP (*not hitachi*, lols). -_-" And yes, remember to bring along our bibles, writing materials and prepare our hearts to receive God's word and be challenged with Pastor's sharing.

In addition, we'll also have a short time of sharing so do prepare a short sharing with regards to how the new year has began for you.

In His love,
Irving

Recounting 2007!

The last four 2007 happening events for FIBC Youthies! (bear with the long entry!)

SYFC PRC Christmas Party

Though it was not the first time that FI was carolling, we were glad to bring cheer to a group of Chinese nationals (polytechnic students) at this warm (*pun intended) & cosy Christmas party. Amidst the rain, the lack of a good stage, we bravely put up a repertoire of 7-10 Christmas items, including "We Were The Reason", "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" in parts (Woohoo!), "Siyahamba", Derrick aka Huaxing's solo "O Holy Night" and 2 Chinese carols!
Decked in black, the carollers were the stars for the night as many of the audience took pix and videos of their singing! But most importantly, we were glad to be part of an evangelistic programme for the night! Thank God for the good response as the PRCs sung & hum along with us...Kudos to Derrick & Michelle who co-ordinated the pieces & Spencer & Irving for their lovely guitaring and to all the youths who participated in this event!

Christmas Service 2007

This year, we were back with the lovely Christmas lunch at Ferntree Cafe. Thank God for Brother Choon Yee's hard work as we tuck into our favourite Christmas foods! It was a great time of encouragement as we listened to Pastor's sermon and reminded by the carols of God's great love for us... Yes, the youths performed again!

We thank God for the good turnout and for the opportunity to catch up with old friends & also the chance to bring our loved ones and friends to church.. here are some photos to savour the moments!

(Edit: I realised i don't have any photos now...Ha...just imagine k?)

Youth Camp 2007: Waiting For The Best!

Yup, this is probably the highlight of the year for the FIBC Youth Ministry! A total of 27 campers (full-time & part-time) turned up for this exciting camp themed: Waiting For The Best! Through Pastor's preaching, we learned the importance of abstinence from sex before marriage, pros & cons of dating and also personally set standards for our dating relationships.

Check out what happened over the three days of camp...

Day 01 (29 December 07)

A round of introduction of ourselves cos' some were new to one another...

Then time to make our group identity! You will be surprised at the creativity of the FIBC Youths!

We had a romantic lunch at the boardwalk shelter cos' it rained while we were eating! Ha ha.. After lunch, we proceeded to check-in at the chalet...

Amanda painting the small flowers for Faithfulness. William & Johanna drawing their 3-D sheep!

@ Aloha Changi Chalet M, we had...icebreaker games for you & me!
Demonstration by our models Seth & Glen :)

On the first round, Pastor brought us through fast facts of Sex in Sin City. It was alarming to know that more and more youths were involved in pre-marital sex. There was also an increase of youth seeking help for sex-related diseases. We also presented the kind of qualities we looked for our life partners. It was quite fun seeing traits such as beautiful, > 1.74m tall being presented.

Pastor reminded us that it's alright to have certain kind of preferences when it comes to attraction of the opposite gender. However, we need to remember not to yoke with unbelievers as that will be totally against God's agenda for us.

Two verses that Pastor reminded us were in Psalm 119:9 "How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word." and 1 Thessalonians 4:3-4 "It is God's will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable"

Day 02 (30 December 07)

All sleeply-heads headed off for service...Many caught naps in the bus so that we will pay full attention during Pastor's preaching. After lunch at Zion Food Centre, we zoomed off to camp site again for our group games!













Group Faithfulness' hero Jeriel saved the day by running fast & swift! With little covering, he still managed to keep his "little girl" picture intact! So the winning group was...

FAITHFULNESS!

(Note: prophecy? cos' this was the only group that took photo before the actual games started.....scary!!haa)

our unsung heroes!

we watched a video titled Choices after the sumptuous zichar dinner & roasted chicken (thanks to deacon edwin & auntie lucilla's treat!) A humble local production, it reminded the youths about choices that we all have to make in life, especially about relationships. The abortion images captured our attention greatly. It never occurred to us that the processes of abortion could be so graphic. Never listen to the myths that it's just flushing out of some cells. As long as the foetus is formed, it's a new life in one's body.

We rounded off the night with signing of the abstinence pledge, a covenant between us & God to abstain from sex before marriage.

Day 03 (31 December 07)

Last day of camp! Most of the young adults left for work but we spent time to recap on the camp & also write our testimonies for the night.

During watchnight, we presented the Best Camper award to Ian! Most of us were encouraged by his great attitude during this camp. Faithfulness was the winning group! Pastor also presented our lovely souvenirs to each camper!

we took turns to share our thanksgivings for 2007. the youths were well-prepared with their RBC sheep cards. We also were blessed by Pastor's sharing, watching Bro Wilson's video & also the touching testimony of a nose cancer patient. And as usual, we started the first few moments of 2008 with sparklers!

It was a great 4D3N spent with the lovely FIBC Youths. May we continue to cherish the lessons learnt, reminisce the great moments of 2007. Let's stay united for Christ in 2008!

RE: Youth Camp 2007

Hello people, our e-invite is out! TADAAAA......

Credits to Shane and Spencer!

So do pass around the e-invite to friends or family members! I will be sending out the detailed schedule for the youth camp to everyone in church soon. For now, meeting point is at Tampines Bus Interchange, specifically in front of the bus 29 queue! Do pray for the camp, eg. the weather, for pastor, for the camp committee members etc...

Through this camp, the committee hopes we can start working on the theme set for FIBC in the coming year... Together we Build, United we Grow! By God's grace, I'm sure we'll all benefit from His word and have a great time "fellow-sheeping" and bonding with one another... =P

love came down at Christmas

Came across this song that got stuck in my head.
i listened to it no less than 7 times since i found it.
Hope u enjoy it too.



Love came down at Christmas,
Love all lovely, Love divine;
Love was born at Christmas,
Star and angels gave the sign.

Love shall be our token,
Love be yours and love be mine,
Love from God to all of us,
Love for plea and gift and sign.

He Paid the Price!

There once was a man named George Thomas, pastor in a small New England town. One Easter Sunday morning he came to the Church carrying a rusty, bent, old bird cage, and set it by the pulpit. Eyebrows were raised and, as if in response,

Pastor Thomas began to speak...'I was walking through town yesterday when I saw a young boy coming toward me swinging this bird cage. On the bottom of the cage were three little wild birds, shivering with cold and fright.

I stopped the lad and asked, 'What you got there, son?' 'Just some old birds,' came the reply.
'What are you gonna do with them?' I asked.

'Take 'em home and have fun with 'em,' he answered 'I'm gonna tease 'em and pull out their feathers to make 'em fight. I'm gonna have a real good time' '

But you'll get tired of those birds sooner or later. What will you do?'

'Oh, I got some cats,' said the little boy. 'They like birds. I'll take 'em to them.'

The pastor was silent for a moment. 'How much do you want for those birds, son?'

'Huh?? !!! Why, you don't want them birds, mister. They're just plain old field birds. They don't sing. They ain't even pretty!'

'How much?' the pastor asked again.

The boy sized up the pastor as if he were crazy and said, '$10?'

The pastor reached in his pocket and took out a ten dollar bill. He placed it in the boy's hand. In a flash, the boy was gone. The pastor picked up the cage and gently carried it to the end of the alley where there was a tree and a grassy spot Setting the cage down, he opened the door, and by softly tapping the bars persuaded the birds out, setting them free.

Well, that explained the empty bird cage on the pulpit, and then the pastor began to tell this story.
One day Satan and Jesus were having a conversation.

Satan had just come from the Garden of Eden, and he was gloating and boasting. 'Yes, sir, I just caught the world full of people down there. Set me a trap, used bait I knew they couldn't resist. Got 'em all!'

'What are you going to do with them?' Jesus asked.

Satan replied, 'Oh, I'm gonna have fun! I'm gonna teach them how to marry and divorce each other, how to hate and abuse each other, how to drink and smoke and curse. I'm gonna teach them how to invent guns and bombs and kill each other. I'm really gonna have fun!'

'And what will you do when you get done with them?' Jesus asked. 'Oh, I'll kill 'em,' Satan glared proudly.

'How much do you want for them?' Jesus asked

'Oh, you don't want those people. They ain't no good. Why, you'll take them and they'll just hate you. They'll spit on you, curse you and kill you. You don't want those people!!'

'How much?' He asked again.

Satan looked at Jesus and sneered, 'All your blood, tears and your life.'

Jesus said, 'DONE!'
Then He paid the price.

Be blessed. :)

W.A.I.T. Camp 2007

Help! Everyone in class has a steady except me!!!

Can I hold her hands when we're out?

When love comes knocking, what do you do?

How do you love in God's timing? When is the right age to date?

Seek Godly answers at this year's youth camp!

Presenting ....


W.A.I.T. 2007 - Why Am I Tempted is the theme of this year's youth camp.
We invite all youths and young adults to be part of this camp! Explore together BGR issues such as dating, sexual abstinence and down to the basics of dealing with the opposite gender!

Dates: 29 - 31 Dec 07 (Sat - Mon)
Time: 10am (29 Dec) - 12pm (31 Dec)
Speaker: Rev. Dr. Jonathan Ang
Venue: Aloha Changi Chalet M
Committee Head: Irving & Carmen
Committee members: Shane, Judith & Hannah

Sign up today!

Keep a look-out for more updates on the youth blog!

- Youth Camp Comm -

Faith Independent Baptist Church Invites YOU!

Hymn

O refuge of my hardened heart,

O fast pursuing lover come.

As angels dance around Your Throne,

My life, by capture, fair You own.

Not silhouette of trodden faith,

Nor death shall not my steps be guide.

I'll pirouette upon my grave

For in Your path, I'll run and hide

O gaze of love,

So melt my pride.

That I may in Your House, but kneel.

And in my brokenness to cry,

Spring worship unto Thee.

When beauty breaks the spell of pain,

The bludgeoned heart shall burst in vain.

But not when love be pointed king

and truth, shall Thee, forever reign.

O gaze of love,
So melt my pride.
That I may in Your House, but kneel.
And in my brokenness to cry,
Spring worship unto Thee.

Sweet Jesus carry me away

From cold of night and dust of day.

In ragged hour or salt-worn eye,

Be my desire, my well-spring lye.

O gaze of love,
So melt my pride.
That I may in Your House, but kneel.
And in my brokenness to cry,
Spring worship unto Thee.

On Love

Found this on my friend’s blog..

An article by Michelle McKinney Hammond.

The decision for a mate must be made on a spiritual and intellectual basis before its made on an emotional one.

What about love? you ask. I’ll tell you why. “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? (Jer 17:9). The heart is willful and is driven by its own agenda. It does not consider things rationally and intelligently - it just loves to love!

Therefore you have to point it in the right directions: “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23).

Whenever you meet a man, you need to get clearance from God, check out his attributes, and then allow your heart to engage. Dating exists not for mating; it exists for collecting data. I believe that the biblical design would be friendship, courtship and then marriage. Friendship is two people walking together in agreement and accountability, learning and growing together. Courtship follows the mutual agreement to commit to one another exclusively - it is the decisive turning toward the agreed-upon goal of the marriage altar. It is a period of laying foundation and preparing your life together after marriage.

But dating? Well, if you do date, use the time wisely to gather facts. So when you do gather facts, let us compare the process to clothes shopping.

Check out the fabric.
Is the person mate material? Does this man have an intimate relationship with the Father through Jesus Christ? Does he care what God thinks about his behavior? Is he accountable to God as well as another co-laborer in the faith? Accountability is an important factor. It is imperative to maintaining a committed relationship. Is your potential spouse a member of the same family -the family of God? Scripture is clear on this : “Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” (2 Cor 6:14).

You need to have common interest and values and agree on the essentials of living day to day. You have a similar spiritual walk. You eat the same diet. You enjoy a lot of similar things. You have like interests, like goals in life, like opinions on basic life issues. You have had like experiences in your background. Though there is some truth to the idiom that opposites attract, like-minded folks fare better together.

Furthermore, does he want to get married? If you want to be married and your dreamboat isn’t interested, don’t waste your time. Remember, women fall in love and get married. Men decide to get married and then look for a wife. Note the difference in order. So if a guy says he’s not looking for anything serious, take his words seriously. If he’s not going your direction, get off the bus & wait for the right one.

Does this man want you? Is he pursuing you?
The man who is right for you will pursue you and God’s hand in the relationship will be clear. No guessing, no fleeces, no dead ends. Scripture says: “He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord”(Prov 18:22). Note - who finds whom? THE MAN FINDS THE WIFE.

From the beginning of time, God has transported men & women across the world in order to put them together. At the RIGHT TIME, He will bring that man on the scene and he will find you. In God’s perfect design, the man is the one who recognizes his mate. Adam has no problem recognizing that Eve was his missing rib. You do not need to strategically place yourself anywhere. You don’t have to help a guy out because he’s shy.

Men will do whatever they have to do to get what they truly want. The man in your life should recognize you as the pearl of great price in his life and be willing to do whatever he must in order to gain your hand. If he is passive about gaining your affections, take it as a sign that he is not interested.

Many a woman’s mother has suggested that it is a good idea to marry a man who loves you more than you love him. As cold as that sounds, it actually might be scriptural if you stop to think about it: “We love him because he first loved us” (1 Jn 4:19).Until then, take the ultimate chill pill. You don’t need a bunch of men in your life to make you feel all right about yourself. You need only one man - your man, the one God has selected to select you. And trust me, the right man at the wrong time can be just as awful as the wrong man at any time.

So trust God’s timing in this. He is the ultimate matchmaker. Relax, sit pretty and allow yourself to be found. Again - WAIT until the man voices his intentions. He should take the lead in establishing the relationship. You may have an inkling that he is the one, but God will use the man to set the tone of the relationship. Allow him the opportunity to woo you - this is your first act of submission. Jesus set the standard for all men to follow. They should love us first. And they should lead the relationship.

Does this man have a vision for his life?
Is he running with that vision? Remember, God decided Adam needed help once Adam got busy DOING his assignment. As we saw Adam, a man doesn’t need help until he is busy doing what he was created and called to do. Is your guy guided by a sense of destiny and purpose, or does he just allow life to happen around him?

A man who is not certain of his mission can be a most miserable person - and you’ll be miserable too if you know where YOU want to go in life. A man who has vision is not intimidated by a woman whose mission statement is clear. He will be your best ally, cheerleader and assistant because he wants you both to make it!

A man who cannot be supportive of your achievements because he is floundering in a sea of uncertainty over his own life is not a healthy partner to have and to hold forever. Creating dependencies or feelings of obligation is not the way to get the best out of your man. Somewhere along the way, he will resent you and flee from the smothering burden of obligation he associates you with.

You want a man who is firmly anchored in his identity in Christ. Remember, we are looking for a man who will be priest and leader of his home. His first instinct should be to want to cover you, redeem you, and provide for you. Your job is to decide if this is the man God has ordained for you to complement.

Complementary.
Do your talents and gifts complement his? Do his gifts complement yours? What about your temperaments? Do you see the two of you as an effective team capable of bringing blessing to the lives of those around you? Do your futures mesh? Can you coordinate your gifts in an attractive and effective way?

This is why knowing your purpose is so important. Make sure your hearts beat for mutual causes. When I go shopping always consider the fabric, the fit and what I already have in my closet. Will my next purchase be a complementary addition to what I already have? If I find that I am going to have to buy shoes and matching accessories to go with a new outfit, I leave it right on the rack. It is too expensive a proposition.

If the man you meet makes you feel that you need to completely reinvent yourself, something is wrong. This is where I ask you to consider the relationship in terms of cost. Is this relationship expensive spiritually, emotionally or physically? Does your longing for a mate make you willing to forfeit who you are in the process? Or does he see you as the gift that you are?

The man in your life should consider you a rare find, a priceless jewel - because of you he is getting ready to get blessed big-time! Any relationship that causes you to feel unworthy, unlovely, unacceptable, undesirable or that you have to work for love, is too expensive!
God has called the man to cover, protect and provide not only materially for a woman, but emotionally and spiritually as well. You should be richer in mind, body and spirit for your union with the man of your dreams. The man in your life should make rich deposits into your heart and spirit, not withdrawals.

Does he have a healthy love & acceptance of himself?
Make sure the man in your life has taken time to heal from past relationships and has made peace with himself. How he cares for himself is how he will care for you. A man’s relationship with God is crucial here. His love for himself will only be as strong as his love for God. This is not something that you can impart. You cannot be his savior or teacher. That is out of spiritual order.

In his rightful place as your personal priest, he should be leading you to a richer relationship with Christ. If he is causing you to compromise your faith and destabilize your walk, if he is leading you into sexual sin or causing you to be distracted from your commitment to Christ, the relationship is too expensive. Offending the Lover of your soul, who promises you eternal love, is too high a fare to pay for a ride that has a limited run.

If you and your man can’t soar in the Spirit, when the force of your love for another is tested by the pull or gravity of the world, your union will not be able to survive. So you decide. How much is your life worth? How much is your love worth?

You will be able to accept only what you believe you deserve. God himself calculated the worth of your love and decided it was worth His life. He now pledges you His love for eternity. Yes, Jesus sets the example for all others to follow when He paid a ransom for His bride. Should you expect less from a mortal man?

Throughout the bibilical age, men were willing to pay the cost for the hand that they desired. The truth of the matter is, everyone knows that anything worth having, costs. And no one gets a ride in this life for free

Ladies, don’t rush. Wait for God’s timing. He wants and has the BEST for you.

Rose Coloured Stained Glass Windows

Another sleepy Sunday, safe within the walls

Outside a dying world in desperation calls

But no-one hears the cries, or knows what they're about

The doors are locked within, or is it from, without...

Looking through rose coloured stained glass windows

Never allowing the world to come in

Seeing no evil and feeling no pain

Making the light as it comes from within, so dim...

Out on the doorstep lay the masses in decay

Ignore them long enough, maybe they'll go away

When you think you have so much, you have so much to lose

You think you have no lack, but you're really destitute

Looking through rose coloured stained glass windows
Never allowing the world to come in
Seeing no evil and feeling no pain
Making the light as it comes from within, so dim...

Called To Friendship - David & Jonathan

Have you found the Jonathan or Davids in your life?

Well, it should still be fresh in your memory the message that was shared today on pulpit. Just recap a few pointers & i thought maybe we can all share here some thoughts on it?

1 Samuel 17:55-18:3

Introduction: The key problem for most of us is that we don't see friends as a gift from God.

The Difference: David & Jonathan were from incredibly different backgrounds yet they could in modern day context, click very well. One of the key things is because Jonathan didn't need David in his life to meet any needs. He was already complete in Christ. He was not dependent on David...

Now it came about when he had finished speaking to Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as himself. (18:1)

The knitted souls was an act by God...this means that all our friendships are given by God.
And since our sole agenda in life is to respond to calling of God, our friends must help us to fulfill our calling.

The Departure: There comes a day where we have to say "goodbye" to our friends.

42Jonathan said to David, "Go in safety, inasmuch as we have sworn to each other in the name of the LORD, saying, 'The LORD will be between me and you, and between my descendants and your descendants forever.'"

Remember that God is the creative space between you & your friends!

So what do you think of this message today? Tag along or leave comments here :)

- Carmen -

Rockwall Climbing Outing

Hi Guys!

It's been quiet arh...seems like Irving is busy with his special sem? It's okay! Carmen is here to throw in a quick post.

If you guys heard the announcement today, do remember to sign up with Sister Carmen or Michelle for the rock-wall climbing outing..

Date: 25 Aug (Sat)
Time: 10am -1pm
Venue: Emmanuel House, Aljunied
Nearest MRT: Aljunied MRT
Cost: $10 (includes insurance)

Do hope you guys will make it for this k? It's rare that we organise such a outing, oh yes, you're also encouraged 2 bring along unsaved friends, neighbours, cousins, relatives, exclassmates.. okay i think you get the picture.. Haa..

Ta! see ya guys at YF..

(Hap-) *Beep* (py) *Beep* (Birth-) *Beep* (day) *Beep* (to) *Beep* (you) *Beep*....

Hello people,

Wondering what is with all the beeps, censorship? *Nupez* It's Esther's birthday card!!!!We didn't want to embarrass our dear sister-in-Christ with our melodious singing at the airport so we decided to get her a melody card. Yes, Esther is leaving for Jakarta today, and tomorrow's her birthday! In fact, I think she should have reached the place by this time since it's a 2-hr flight. Cindy, Cynthia, Mary and I arranged to meet at the airport to see her off. What is a birthday celebration without a birthday cake! Of course, we didn't get one big cake for her to bring over to Jakarta, just a small slice from Bengawan Solo! While we were deciding on which cake to buy and what colours to use for decorating her card, we realised we didn't know much about her preferences. From pastor's sermon last week on accountability, it reminded us that we can't be just superficial friends, we've got to get to know one another better! So if you guys do not know what's her favourite colour/colours or cake/cakes, ask her when she returns to Singapore! No offence guys but..... *Only Smarties got the answer* (Cindy, Cynthia, Mary and I) HAHAHA. Not funny as usual but never mind! Here's some pictures of the card we gave to her! =) Our group picture is in her camera, so I'll try get it from her when she returns from Jakarta.


PS: Do remember to continue keeping Esther in prayers while she's in Jakarta!

=Irving=

Worship - Tools for spiritual growth

Hello youths, I’m late! Should have posted this way before but yes, I’m sorry! Think it is pretty related to my previous post. It talks about encouraging one another, about worshipping the Lord with our hearts and not only with our lips, renewing of our minds etc (Read on!). We all have Cynthia to thank as she was the one who provided me with the soft copy of the sermon so that I can upload it on the blog. We will be including the schedules for ushers as well as the Youth Fellowship schedule for the next quarter once it has been finalized. So do come back and keep yourself updated on the prayers and praises from our youths and feel free to make any postings!

Worship - Tools for spiritual growth

The roles of a prophet include predicting events as well as confronting people when they are not living right with God. As in the case of Isaiah, he was a prophet from a noble family. He preached for a long time before finally dying a terrible death. Sodom and Gomorrah was being judged because of their sins. Although they approached God as they were being told, because they were not living right with God, these offerings were meaningless to the Lord. In fact, their sacrifices for Him were a burden.

Isaiah 1: 14 (KJV)
14Your new moons and your appointed feasts my soul hateth: they are a trouble unto me; I am weary to bear them.

However, there is still hope for us. As mentioned in Isaiah 1:18 (KJV),

18Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

Therefore, as long as we are willing to repent of our sins, through Christ we will be washed whiter than snow, presentable unto the Lord. In our lives, God give warnings and choices. We have to make the right choices and heed the warnings so that our lives will be acceptable and pleasing unto God. If we are not repentant, He will not loosen his iron grip and will punish us accordingly. As in the case of Israel, the lives of the people are evil, but they continued worshipping God on Sabbath day. As they are not living right, the prayers and sacrifices made were of no use. We need to stop doing wrong and learn to do right. Committing evil acts do not require much of an effort. In fact, sinning may even give us temporal pleasures. Doing right on the other hand requires effort and it is definitely not a natural course of action most of the time. We have to resist doing evil and persist making the right choices.

Food for thought: Was there a time when we’ve sinned, but did not apologize or repent of our mistakes? Instead, we try to make up for our wrong actions by serving more?

When we are worshipping, we give the object of worship its worth and do so by exalting the person. Praise is a natural human response to anything excellent, beautiful or awesome. When we see something fantastic, we marvel and are often caught breathless. God is the most excellent, beautiful and awesome of them all. If worshiping Him is not natural for us, it simply means we have not experienced Him like He wants us to. When we read and learn more about Him, as we grow closer to Him, we should want to praise Him even more.

Food for thought: How we know what is true worship really is?

Worshipping the Lord is not about us, but about knowing God. As we are worshipping, we ask of Him to convict me when we sin and encourage us when we are down. True worship starts in the heart. It is important that we are worshipping with our hearts and not with our mouths.

This is clearly stated in Matthew 15: 8-9 (KJV),

8This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.

9But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.

Food for thought: Do we obey God or the tradition of men?

Jewish men were wicked in the way they handled their finances. They declare that their money is dedicated to God with the intention so that they did not need to support their parents. This is an example of not living right and worshipping God in vain as they are clearly not following the commandment of honoring their parents.

In Romans 12: 1-2 (KJV),

1I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service.

2And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

We are reminded that God wants our bodies to be living sacrifices and this is expected of us as a reasonable service. We are a step closer to imitating God when our minds are changed. Through the renewing of our minds, we will then be able to discern God’s will for us. By separating ourselves from this sinful world will we then be able to discover His will for us. There is no need for us to be afraid to seek His will as it is good and perfect for us. Our actions are outward portrayal of our inward states. Therefore, it is important to be concerned about our internal change such as the renewing of our minds.

True worship is both private and public. As in Exodus 34: 22-24 (KJV),

22And thou shalt observe the feast of weeks, of the firstfruits of wheat harvest, and the feast of ingathering at the year's end.

23Thrice in the year shall all your menchildren appear before the LORD God, the God of Israel.

24For I will cast out the nations before thee, and enlarge thy borders: neither shall any man desire thy land, when thou shalt go up to appear before the LORD thy God thrice in the year.

In this instance, God promises that if the men followed His command to worship him thrice in the year, no enemies will attack the nation whilst the men are away. He fulfilled His promise to them and the nation was preserved during these periods of time.

In Luke 4: 16 (KJV),

16And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up: and, as his custom was, he went into the synagogue on the sabbath day, and stood up for to read.

It is the custom of Jesus to pray and go to the synagogue habitually. As a child of God, we should be walking in the footsteps of Jesus and follow this “custom” as well.

In Hebrews 10: 24-25 (KJV),

24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

25Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

We should be considering one another not to anger but to provoke unto love and to good deeds. As ye see the day approaching, we should learn how to love God more each day and should be encouraging one another as well. Worshipping is also more than just words and lip service, it is deeds

Leviticus 27: 30-33 (KJV)

30And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the LORD's: it is holy unto the LORD.

31And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. 32And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the LORD.

33He shall not search whether it be good or bad, neither shall he change it: and if he change it at all, then both it and the change thereof shall be holy; it shall not be redeemed.

Malachi 3: 7-12 (KJV)

7Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?

8Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.

9Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.

10Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.

11And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. 12And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts.

One of the things we can do is giving tithes faithfully as commanded in the verses above. God told the people that they had been disobedient since the days of their fathers. The people were not able to realize what they have done wrong. They were trying to rob God by not giving tithes faithfully. Under law, they were supposed to be giving 10%; under grace, they should be giving even more. Since God wants us to give and if we do not give faithfully, we are robbing Him as mentioned in the verses above.

Matthew 6: 1-4 (KJV)

1Take heed that ye do not your alms before men, to be seen of them: otherwise ye have no reward of your Father which is in heaven.

2Therefore when thou doest thine alms, do not sound a trumpet before thee, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may have glory of men. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.

3But when thou doest alms, let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth:

4That thine alms may be in secret: and thy Father which seeth in secret himself shall reward thee openly.

When we are helping the needy as mentioned above, our intent should not be getting notice by men. We should be doing it in secret, not announcing and making it known to all. If we do so, we will not receive our rewards in heaven.

Colossians 3: 17 (KJV)

17And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

We must also understand that we are doing all these deeds in the name of the Lord Jesus and not for ourselves. When we are through doing it, and in the process of doing it, we must remember that ultimately, God gets the glory.

2 Corinthians 8: 5 (KJV)

5And this they did, not as we hoped, but first gave their own selves to the Lord, and unto us by the will of God.

Christians should always think of giving themselves first to the Lord, and by living a life consecrated to God, we are able to give everything we have. Before we give our resources to Him, we must be sure to give ourselves to Him first and keep in mind that true worship focuses on who God is.

I will be still, know you are God...

Still

by Hillsong United

album: Hope (2003)

Still
Words and Music by Reuben Morgan

Hide me now, under your wings
Cover me, within your mighty hand

When the oceans rise and thunders roar
I will soar with you above the storm
Father you are king over the flood
I will be still and know you are God

Find rest my soul, in Christ alone
Know his power, in quietness and trust


Yes, before I start making any comments! Let me clarify something, this is not a hymn. Therefore, in any case, if anyone feels uncomfortable with contemporary Christian music, do inform me and I'll take this post off the blog IMMEDIATELY. It is very important that what we are doing do not stifle the spiritual well-being of a fellow brother or sister-in-Christ in any ways! Instead, we should be encouraging and challenging one another as we are "Running the Race" while we are constantly in battle with this sinful world made up of sinful people like you and I. Also, we will also be sticking to hymns during praise and worship in church as set out by our church leaders. I would also like to share on a personal note that there are many times where I lose focus on meditating on the lyrics of some of these music, absorbed in self-gratification instead of exalting the Lord. Therefore, be it a hymn or a contemporary Christian song, it is important to note that there are times we do not set our hearts on the Lord during worship and it is important that we should refrain from doing so, albeit we are prone to do so because of our sinful nature.

Full credits go to Spencer for summing up this whole song. I was practically nodding my head as he types out how he feels about the song during my conversation with him on MSN. Storms are inevitable in our lives. One moment we might be experiencing peace, but the next moment, we might be caught in a thunderstorm. We must be reminded that, in any case, we have a God who's Lord above all, and we can rest assure to stay still and be calm in any storms because we know that He is Lord.

I will be adding the sermon which was discussed last Saturday during youth fellowship too. Credits goes to Cynthia as she will be sending me the sermon! I lost my worksheet, a clear indication of a bad student once again. I will be working on it! By the grace of God, may we be changed as we try to imitate Him in every aspects of our lives. Do spend time praying for one another and feel free to add in any praises and prayer items. I will end of with this verse from

Psalms 19:14 (KJV)
14Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.

=Irving=