Sunday Re-cap 18th September 2005

The Rain That Comes From Heaven
by Michael Lee

^10 For the land which you go to possess is not like the land of Egypt from which you have come, where you sowed your seed and watered it by foot, as a vegetable garden; ^11  but the land which you cross over to possess is a land of hills and valleys, which drinks water from the rain of heaven, ^12 a land for which the Lord your God cares;  the eyes of the Lord your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the very end of the year.

These verses speak about 2 worlds i.e. Egypt speaks about the world we were in and "the land which you go to possess" about the new life in Christ.

We were slaves and we used to do things to be blessed ourselves i.e. we used to have a slave mentality and when we enter into the new land, we did not change overnight and still carry some excess baggage. However, we know that Jesus sets us free from this mentality.

The New Land:

1. The main purpose of our lives is to be fruitful and multiply and subdue. Gen 1:28
1. We don't have to depend on our own strength; we depend on the rain the comes from heaven.
2. All through life we are sowing seeds. If we are enslaved, we will sow with a slave mentality but if we are free then we will sow seeds accordingly. What mentality are we sowing from?
2. It is a land of hills and valleys:
1. When we go up the hill, we face exhaustion, hurts, weakness, thirst even sometimes lost.
2. When we go "downhill" into the valleys, we are sometimes discouraged.
3. However, we need not be disheartened as we have our families with us. We are not alone i.e. we go through these experiences together. As sons, we will be sensitive to the needs of other family members but as a slave we will complain about others.
4. We possess this new land together as sons.
3. It drinks from heaven.
1. Rom 12:2. We drink when we are renewed and cleansed by the Word of God.
2. Our mentality will change when we know how to drink of the "rain from heaven".
4. Eze 47:9-12. We are vessels that drink and then pass it on to others. We are blessed to be a blessing in this land.
   
5. Matt 5:3-12. A slave mentality produces slave emtotions ans a son mentality produces son emotions.
6. Is 52:11-12 God will go before us and He will be our rear guard in this new land.
   

Pattaya Trip 05'

Sawadeekarp!

We've posted some photos taken with a phone camera from our Thailand trip on our FLICKr page. More coming soon!

Hint: it's the BOX with PICTURES on the sidebar on the RIGHT!

God Won’t

God Won’t

God won't ask what kind of car you drove,
but He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

God won't ask the square footage of your house, but He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet,
but He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

God won't ask what your highest salary was,
but He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

God won't ask what your job title was,
but He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

God won't ask how many friends you had,
but He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived,
but He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

(Author Unknown)

Sunday Re-cap 11th September

Overcoming the Obstacles…….. Sis. Ann Kok
Ex. 3:6-10; Judges 6:11-24 & Luke 1:26-38

The two obstacles that hinders from doing what God has called us to do are:
Fearfulness
Feeling inadequate.

But the word of God Promises:
Heb 13:5 ~ "I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
2 Tim 1:7 ~ For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind
Pro.28: 1 ~ The wicked flee when no one pursues, But the righteous are bold as a lion.
Phil 4:13 ~ I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
Heb 13:6 ~ So we may boldly say: "The Lord is my helper; I will not fear. What can man do to me?"

A) Moses (Ex. 3:6 -10)
He was afraid when God called him to deliver the children of Israel from Egypt. He said to God, “ who am I...” he felt inadequate to lead the people; but God assured him that He would certainly be with Moses to see the people delivered from the hand of Pharaoh.

B) Gideon (Judges 6:11-24)
God knows the potential in each one of us; yet he uses ordinary people like us to fulfill his purposes. He used Gideon and performed a miracle to save the people of God from the hands of the Midianites

C) Mary (Luke 1:26-38)
When the angel spoke to her concerning the miracles that would happen to her – a virgin would bear a child. Her simple response was “Let it be to me according to your word”.

Conclusion
To do the will of God is far more important than what the circumstances be. Simply depending on God, His Word & the Holy Spirit will lead us to be available, willing and obedient to do His will.

Urgent Prayer Needed for Bro Gerard Wong

Dear family of faith,

Calling all members to kindly lift up our dear Bro. Gerard Wong Koon Seng in your prayers. He had a stroke yesterday (Sept 11) and had undergone an operation to remove the blood clot in the brain. He is now in Lam Wah Ee Hospital Penang (ICU) 4th floor.

Please keep Bro Gerard Wong in prayer for God's intervention for his healing and quick recovery. Also give your full support in whatever area possible to Sis. Joyce Wong & children.

Sis. Joyce contact no: 016-4991477.

God Bless,
Abel
(On behalf of Ps. Sam Hari)

Be The Bible That People Can Read On.

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it,jeans,and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire fouryearsof college. He is brilliant. Kind of esoteric and very, very bright. Hebecame a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservativechurch. They want to develop a ministry to the students, but are not surehow to go about it. One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with noshoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The servicehas already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat.The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By nowpeople are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit and, when he realizesthere are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. (Althoughperfectly acceptable behavior at a college fellowship, trust me, this hadnever happened before in this church).

By now the people are really uptight, and the tension in the air is thick.About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of thechurch, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill. Now the deacon is inhis eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godlyman, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and,as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to them-selves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do. How can youexpect a man of his age and of his background to understandsome college kid on the floor? It takes a long time for the man to reach theboy. The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man'scane.All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing.

The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he hasto do. And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor.With great difficulty he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill andworships with him so he won't be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion. When the minister gains control, he says,"What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you havejust seen, you will never forget. Be careful how you live. You may be theonly Bible some people will ever read."

-Author Unknown

EAGLES

Eagles are the most long-lived bird in the world. By the time theyreach 40 years old, their claws will start to age, losing their effectiveness and making it hard for them to catch preys. The lifespan of an eagle is up to 70 years old. But in order to live this long, it must make thetoughest decision at 40. At 40, its beak is too long and curvy that it reaches its chest. Its wings, full of long, thickened feathers, are too heavy for easy flying. The eagle is left with 2 choices - do nothing and await its death or go through a painful period of transformation and renewal.

For 150 days, it first trains itself to fly beyond the high mountains, build and live in its nest and cease all flying activities. It then begins to knock its beak against granite rocks till the beak is completely removed. When a new beak is grown, the eagle will use it to remove all its old claws and await quietly for new ones to be fully grown. When the new claws are fully grown, the eagle will use them to remove all its feathers, one by one.

Five months later, when its new feathers are fully grown, it will soar in the sky again with renewed strength and is able to live for the next 30 years.

In life, as an individual, in a ministry, even in an organization, sometimes, we have to learn to make difficult decisions so as to make room for changes. Changes bring about renewal. And the only way for us to soar again is to let go old ways, old habits, old lives. For as long as we are prepared to put aside our old baggage - past glory or shame, past success or failure - be willing to become zero, with an empty cup mentality, we will be able to discover our potential and head> towards a renewed perspective in any aspect of our lives.

I am also reminded of Isaiah 40:31: "but they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

I used to wonder why the Lord would associate those who wait upon him with the eagle and not other birds like peacocks, chickens or turkeys. It is only when I read this that I know - God has intended that we should soar on wings like eagles, run and not be weary, walk and not faint. But this could only be possible when we hope and wait in Him to renew our strength and be prepared to be molded all over again - be zero again, be still again, be quiet again. And the journey of renewal will be painful and it requires an attitude of 5 words - I WANT, I AM WILLING. Finally, be bold, be strong and soar like an eagle - for the Lord Thy God is with You.

Laughter Is Good Medicine

To All Who Selalu "TENSION"!!! Relax la!!!

"A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones" (Proverbs 17:22, NIV).

Science has finally caught up with these words in the Bible that King Solomon wrote some 3,000 years ago.

The following report is from The Week magazine: "Laughter is good for your health—and now scientists know why. Researchers at the University of Maryland found that when 20 healthy volunteers smiled and guffawed while watching the comedy, Kingpin, their blood flow increased by 22 percent, about the same increase caused by aerobic exercise. But when volunteers watched tension-filled scenes from Saving Private Ryan, their blood flow decreased 35 percent.

"The researches say that laughing apparently causes the endothelium, the tissue that lines blood vessels, to expand, which increases blood flow. Laughter may also improve arterial heath by reducing mental stress, which constricts vessels and cuts blood flow. A healthy lifestyle—researcher Michael Miller tells New Scientist—would include 30 minutes of exercise three times a week, and 15 minutes of hearty laughter each day."¹

It's a pity that so many totally ignore God's directives for healthier, happier living. If we would live by the principles as found in his Word, the Bible, we would not only live healthier and happier lives, but our relationships would improve out of sight. We can't improve on God's plan. The wisest thing is to get in on it.

Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you for the principles given in your Word so that I can know how to live a healthier and happier life, and in so living greatly enhance my relationships. So help me God to live. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer. Gratefully, in Jesus' name, amen."

Sunday Re-cap 4th September

GROWING AS SONS AND NOT JUST AS MEMBERS
By PS. DONNAVEN TEO
Text: 1 Peter 1: 7 - 9

John 1:1
We have more of the Word means we have more of GOD.

Rom 10:17
We have more of the Word means we have more of FAITH.

Heb. 11:1
Now faith is….
If we are only filled by the Spirit we will blow up; if we are only filled by the WORD we will dry up. If we have the Spirit and the Word of God; we will grow up. We have to strike a balance.
We get soaked by the Word, if we get into the Word.

1 Peter 1:7-9
that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, whom having not seen you love. Though now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, receiving the end of your faith--the salvation of your souls.

Ps. 1
We shall be like the tree that is planted by the rivers of water (Jesus).

1 Peter 2:2
Desire the milk of the Word.

Every church should grow sons who make the church as ownership together with the pastor; and share his burdens.

Rom 12:2
Conform not to the world, but be transformed by the renewing of the mind with the Word of God. Mediate on the Word of God just like cows (the curd which was vomited will be chewed again and again) Think, contemplate, and memorize the Word of God.

Conclusion
~We are the light and salt of the world. The kingdom of God is within us.

1 Peter 1:22~Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart.

GROW FORUM

Great news!!!
Our site developers have setup a FORUM site. Please feel free and post your comments. Make sure you read the rules before you start! We have added the FORUM link to the side bar.

Lightouse Youth Conference

cALLING All nORTHERN rEGION yOUTH!




Venue and Workshops will be announced soon!
Block your dates!
Don't miss this Youth Gathering of a LIFETIME.

Flickr Badge

We've added a "Flickr Badge" to the side-bar. When clicked on, you can view the pics from the last 2 main outings of the church. Please feedback if you face any problems. It's in the testing mode now and we've not finished uploading all the pics and put in the descriptions.
Tolong Sabar!

If your photo is missing from this site, please go to Yahoo! Photos for the rest of the pictures.

Hint: Try the "slideshow" mode. It's kinda cool!

Sunday Re-cap 28th August

Sweet Wilderness
by Sam Hari

Who is this coming up from the wilderness, Leaning upon her beloved?
Songs 8:5 (NLT)

The first part of the scripture asks "Who is this?"

• from Scriptures we see that no one is exepted from the "wilderness" experience. Ex: Adam & Eve (Gen 3:23-24; Cain (Gen 4:12-14); Joseph (Gen 37, 39-41); Moses (Ex 2,3); Jesus (Luke 4:1).
• this means we are also not exempt from the "wilderness" experiences such as betrayal, family problems, sicknesses, financial challenges, relationship issues, etc.
• We don't need to go looking for our "wilderness" experiences, it will come to us. Lk 4:1
• Interesting to note that "wilderness" experiences in scriptures came after mountaintop experiences i.e. Joseph (Gen 37), Moses (Ex 2:11-15) and Elijah (1 kgs 18:40 & 1 Kgs 19:1-2).

The second part says "coming up from the wilderness"

• The LORD intends everyone to "come up" from our "wilderness" experience. We need not "go down" or "stay down" in our "wilderness". We are not alone. He will help us! He wants to help us!
• we must be careful not to respond incorrectly when in wilderness experience i.e. blame oursleves, blame others, complain, blame the devil, lean on human wisdom, etc.
• we must be careful not to have a pessimistic outlook of GOD because it will affect the words we say, people around us and ourselves.
• A pessimistic attitude may lead to a stronghold and eventually demonic activity if we aren't careful. Seek help and seek deliverance before it's too late.

The third part says "Leaning on her beloved"

The purpose of the wilderness experience is:

• so that we may worship Him. Ex 7:16, 2 Chr 20:20-25.
• it's in the wilderness that God removes our dependency on everything else but Him alone.
• we worship God for who He is in the "wilderness" and not for what He has done (mountaintop praise).
• God will sometimes allow our lives to go through cycles of mountaintop (praise) as well as wilderness (worship) experiences to make us balanced believers.
• God will move us from our comfort zones to the wilderness to wake us up to His will and purposes (captivity in Egypt, Babylon, Gaza Evacuation).

God Principle

Olden days when there were no motor cars, people used to travel on horse back.One rich man owned 19 horses when he died. In his last will and testament he had written that upon his death, half the horses he owned should go to his only son; one fourth to the village temple and one fifth to the faithful servant.The village elders could not stop scratching their heads. How can they give half of the 19 horses to the son? You cannot cup up a horse. They puzzled over this dilemma for more than two weeks and then decided to send for awise man who was living in a neighbouring village.

The wise man came riding on his horse and asked the villagers if he can be of any help to them. The village elders told him about the rich man's last will and testament which stated that half of the (19) horses must be given to his only son, one fourth must go to the temple and one fifth to the faithful servant. The wise man said he will immediately solve their problem without any delay whatsoever. He had the 19 horses placed in a row standing next to one another. Then headded his own horse as the 20th horse. Now he went about giving half of the 20 horses - that is ten horses to the son. One fourth of 20- that is 5 horses were given to the temple committee. One fifth of twenty- that is 4 horses were given to the faithful servant. Ten plus five plus four made 19 horses. The remaining 20th horse was his own which he promptly mounted, spoke a few inspiring words, and rode back home.The villagers were simply dumb founded, full of disbelief and filled with admiration. And the parting words of the wise man were inscribed in their hearts and minds which they greatly cherished and passed on to their succeeding generations till today.

The wise man said: In our daily lives, in our daily affairs, simply add God's name and then go about facing the day's happenings. Ever come across problems in life that are seemingly insurmountable? (Like the villagers, dowe feel that such problems cannot be solved?). The wise man continued: Add the God Principle in our daily lives and the problems will become lighter and eventually will disappear. In the manner ofthe ice which, with the addition of the heat principle will turn into water, and that will eventually evaporate as steam and disappear.

And how do we add God's name (God principle) in our daily lives? Through prayers! through prayers..filled with true love and devotion with sincerity of purpose and dedication that only total faith can bring about. Meditation is a powerful means of directing the mind Godward. But without true love and devotion entering into it, it remains like a boat without water. It is not difficult to push a boat that is floating in water, but extremely hard to drag the same boat on dry land. In the same way, if our life's boat floats on the waters of true love and devotion, we can sail easily in it. The principle of love of God and devotion with total faith (like water), makes easy the voyage of our lives. When the mind is pure and the heart full of simplicity and holiness, such a devotee becomes an instrument in the service of the Lord.

Author Anonymous

WE DO NOT KNOW WHAT WE OUGHT TO PRAY FOR BUT THE SPIRIT HIMSELF INTECEDESFOR US WITH GROANS THAT WORDS CANNOT EXPRESS-Romans 8:26

Sunday Re-cap 21st August

Guarding Our Hearts
by Sam Hari

Prov 4:23
Above all else, guard your heart, for it affects everything you do.

The biggest challenge to guarding our hearts remains no different from the beginning of time. They are all found in Gen 3:6 and 1 Jn 2:16

1. Expectations (the pride of life).
2. Temptations (the lust of the flesh).
3. Deception (lust of the eye).

The strategies of Satan are the same today. Therefore:

1. We must be wary of these strategies to guard our hearts.
2. In order to guard our hearts, we must be able to hear God clearly.
3. In Prov 1:32, we notice two things that prevent us from hearing God clearly.
   

They are waywardness and complacency.

1. Waywardness is....

• leaving the way, getting of the trail.
• It’s an attitude and not just a one-time thing.
• It’s the spirit of the age and completely opposite to the spirit of servanthood.
• It’s really the SLAVE mentality and not the SON mindset. Only the SON gets the breakthrough.
• Should we not benefit? Should we not prosper? We must remember that
  
  Christ died for us not for Ourselves but He died for us for HIMSELF!
  
  

2. Complacency is....

• Taking things for granted. 1 Pet 1:13; 1 Pet 5:8
• Having a “know-it-all” attitude. 1 Cor 10:12
• An attitude of insubordination and insubmission to God. (sons of Korah; Golden Calf).
  o An idle mind is the devil’s workshop.
  o If we’re busy rowing the boat, we’ve got no time to complain!

Some reasons as to why we become wayward and complacent:

• Unfulfilled needs
• Bad love is better than no love at all.
• Wrong company
• Sin Nature
• No information and/or application of it.
• Pride and Arrogance.
  
  

Conclusion

• Waywardness KILLS
• Complacency DESTROYS
• We’re prevented from LISTENING to HIS VOICE.
  

Prov 1:33 says when we LISTEN to His Voice we will:

• Live in safety.
• Be at EASE.
• Have NO FEAR of HARM!

Prophetic Training School

The following is an invitation from Rev. Paul Ang for the coming Prophetic Training School in Penang.

My dear Friends,
I am so excited in my spirit as I prepare for the Prophetic Training School in Penang on 8th - 10th September 2005. I believe strongly that God will do a great work of :-

1) Clarifying the misconception and lack of understanding of the prophetic ministry.
2) Bringing balance to the prophetic ministry
3) Sounding the alarm to warn of the excesses and abuses in the prophetic ministry.

To date, we have 230 registered participants. Some are coming from Brunei, Sabah, Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia and Uganda and many more are coming. I was only expecting 200 to sign up and surely God is doing something powerful in the lives of the participants and in the city of Penang Island.

Those who are still hesitating, please sign up fast because there are limited places left. Do not miss this God's appointed time for your life and ministry. You may log in to our website or contact us for more info. We also have a special guest speaker, Ps. Thomas Cherian (also known as Ps. Samachen) a great prophet from India, to minister in this prophetic school.

Kindly pass the word around and send this email to all your contacts. Looking forward to see you in Penang on 8th September 2005. God has a word in season for you.

At the time of writing, we are preparing to go to Perth, Australia for our Prophetic Training School. Kindly log in to our websites http://www.pagv.org.my

For perth : http://paulang.net/

By His Wonderful Grace,
Paul Ang

View From Diamond Villa, Tanjung Bungah

The following picture was provided by Jeff Padgett from Diamond Villa, Tanjung Bungah last week at the peak of the HAZE. Inset is the picture in "happier times". The view is looking towards the mainland Penang....where is BM ah???!!!

Let's pray:

• That the fires will be put out at the source not just in Indonesia but in Malaysia as well (providentially or otherwise).
• Conviction in the hearts of those responsible for this even if they have "connections".
• Wisdom & Boldness for the Malaysian authorities to deal with this situation.
• Rain in the affected areas.
• Good Health & Protection for our kids and all Malaysians.

Lord, we bless those who are responsible for this and commit them into your loving hands, In Jesus Name.

Family Camp Instructions

Hello Folks!
We know that you are all excited about the camp next week and here are some instructions that will help you have a great time there! Also, we have put in the map on how to get to the jetty and cross the channel to Jerejak Island.

1. Please meet at the jetty by 2pm on Monday, 22nd Aug.
2. There will be no fare charged for the boat crossing.
3. There is also no charge for carpark for those going for the camp. However, we request you carpool as much as possible.
4. Please don't forget to bring the following items:

• enough clothing for 2nights/3days.
• swimming attire, caps, sports shoes, slippers, sunglasses.
• children's floats, beach toys.
• personal toiletries i.e. tooth brush, tooth paste, etc. Toilet paper and soap will be provided.
• sun tan lotions.
• 3 in 1 beverages (extra).
• light snacks i.e. biscuits, crackers, Chinese Tea, etc.
• DRINKING WATER (this is important as water is very expensive on the Island).
• anything else that your family may need i.e. baby food, diapers

The map to get there is as follows:

For any further information, please go to http://www.penang-hotels.com/jerejakpg/

Most importantly, come with the right heart and full of expectation that God is going to do something wonderful in and through our lives at this camp. Also, please come with a servant heart. If you feel that there's something that needs to be done, please help do it and not complain or get worked up about it. We welcome suggestions and solutions. Let's be part of the solution. We are in this together! Enjoy!

God bless!

Sunday Re-cap 14th August

Matters Of The Heart
By Samuel Hari

Scriptures: Pro 11:11 ; Pro 18:20-21

Some Observations from the Scriptures above:

• Words are likened to FOOD! Prov 18:19; Prov 15:1
• “Self Talk” is not all that Bad. 1 Sam 30:6
• Don’t worry about hurting others. Why? Prov 11:17

You Hurt Yourself Through

• Lost Relationships. Pro 18:19
• Lost health. Pro 12:18; 18:21
• Lost Integrity. Pro 19:1 (NKJV)
• Lost Opportunities. Prov 17:20
  

So What do I do?

• Don’t TALK unnecessarily! Pro 10:19
• Talk is a direct result of what is in the HEART. Luke 6:45
• Guard Your Heart!

Pro 4:23-24
23 Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life. 24 Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.

Conclusion

• You cannot hide what is in your HEART!
• What you SAY will reveal the true condition of your HEART.
• Physical FOOD affects the Physical HEART and Spiritual FOOD affects the Spiritual HEART (GIGO).
• What is in your HEART and not just what is in your mouth affects you and ones around you.

Matt 15:18-20

Stop Whining!

Complaining is the absolute worst possible thing you could do for your health or your wealth. The worst! Why? I'm a big believer in the universal law that states, "What you focus on expands".
When you are complaining, what are you focusing on, what's right with your life or what's wrong with it, and since what you focus on expands, you'll keep getting more of what's wrong.
Many teachers in the personal development field talk about the Law of Attraction. It states that "like attracts like," meaning that when you are complaining, you are actually attracting "crap" into your life.
Have you ever noticed that complainers usually have a tough life? It seems that everything that could go wrong does go wrong for them. They say, "Of course I complain--look how crappy my life is." And now that you know better, you can explain to them, "No it's because you complain that your life is so crappy. Shut up....and don't stand near me!"
Here's some homework that I promise will change your life. For the next seven days, I challenge you to not complain at all. Not just out loud, but in your head as well. But you have to do it for the full seven days. Why? Because for the first few days, you may still have some "residual crap" coming to you from before. Unfortunately, crap doesn't travel at the speed of light, you know, it travels at the speed of crap, so it might take a while to clear out."

Taken from a secular management book.

Let's not only do that but replace all complaining with PRAISE! You can use Ps 145-150 as a guideline. Go ahead and try it. You have nothing to lose ...except complain some more!

Newsflash!!!

Hello Folks

Just to keep all GROW-ers' informed of a couple of events this coming week.

Event 1
This coming week's prayer meeting will be held at our new Hokkien Church premises (see address on the banner on the right) at 8pm, 17th August.
Event 2
Our Chinese Church premises will be dedicated on Sunday, the 21st Aug at 10am. We encourage all members to proceed there as soon as the English service is over.
We would also like to extend this invite to all BM-ites reading this!
Event 3
Please keep the UME Weekend in prayer which is going to be held from the 19-21st Aug.
Event 4
Please keep our Family Camp in prayer which is going to be held from the 22-24th Aug.

Also please note that our BLOG is undergoing major renovation by our site developers. So be patient if you see weird things and stuff flying around...just duck your head!!!

F A M I L Y

I ran into a stranger as he pass "Oh excuse me please" was my reply. He said, "Please excuse me too; I wasn't watching for you. "We were very polite, this stranger and I.

We went on our way and we said goodbye. But at home a different story is told. How we treat our loved ones, young and old. Later that day, cooking the evening meal, my son stood beside me very still. When I turned, I nearly knocked him down. "Move out of the way," I said with a frown.He walked away, his little heart broken .I didn't realize how harshly I'd spoken. While I lay awake in bed, God's still small voice came to me and said, "While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use, but the family you love, you seem to abuse. Go and look on the kitchen floor, you'll find some flowers there by the door. Those are the flowers he brought for you. He picked them himself: pink, yellow and blue. He stood very quietly not to spoil the surprise, you never saw the tears that filled his little eyes. "By this time, I felt very small, and now my tears began to fall. I quietly went and knelt by his bed; "Wake up, little one, wake up," I said. "Are these the flowers you picked for me? "He smiled, "I found 'em, out by the tree. I picked 'em because they're pretty like you. I knew you'd like 'em, especially the blue. "I said, "Son, I'm very sorry for the way I acted today; I shouldn't have yelled at you that way. "He said, "Oh, Mom, that's okay.I love you anyway." I said, "Son, I love you too, and I do like the flowers, especially the blue."

FAMILY
Are you aware that if we died tomorrow, the company that we are working for could easily replace us in a matter of days. But the family we left behind will feel the loss for the rest of their lives. And come to think of it, we pour ourselves more into work than into our own family,an unwise investment indeed, don't you think? So what is behind the story?

Do you know what the word FAMILY means?

FAMILY = (F)ATHER (A)ND (M)OTHER (I) (L)OVE (Y)OU

Sunday Re-cap 7th August

Anger Management
by Bob Kok

Eph. 4: 26 – 32 (The Message Bible)
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life.
Did you used to make ends meet by stealing? Well, no more! Get an honest job so that you can help others who can’t work.
Watch the way you talk. Let nothing foul or dirty come out of your mouth. Say only what helps, each word a gift.
Don’t grieve God. Don’t break his heart. His Holy Spirit, moving and breathing in you, is the most intimate part of your life, making you fit for himself. Don’t take such a gift for granted.
Make a clean break with all cutting, backbiting, profane talk. Be gentle with one another, sensitive. Forgive one another as quickly and thoroughly as God in Christ forgave you.

This scripture commands us not to sin by being angry. We are told to put away or to bring anger under control.

4 Types of Anger

1. Charcoal or pay-back type of anger (Gen 4:1 – 8)
   Cain’s jealousy led him to anger and then to murder his brother Abel. Cain allowed his anger to the boiling point; just like the charcoal, when anger has burned for a period of time, it gets hotter and hotter (out of control).
2. Match type of anger (1 Sam 18:5 -12)
   This type endures for only a moment but causes a lot of destruction. King Saul kept a jealous match on David. He was afraid of David because God was with David, and many times tried to kill David.
   Fear may cause anger to rise up in people and they can act very irrationally.
   Ecc. 7:9 - Don’t be quick-tempered: that is being a fool.
3. Righteous indignation or anger (Mk.3:1 – 6)
   Jesus got angry at the selfish hardness of their hearts (the Pharisees’ indifference to human needs).
   Deut 29:24 – 28- The Lord’s anger was kindled because of the people’s hard-hearted disobedience.
4. The anger of provocation
   1 Col 3:21- Fathers, provoke not your children to anger……
   Eph 6:4 - Do not nag or provoke them to wrath….but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.
   
   Conclusion
   But now is the time to cast off and throw away all these rotten garments of anger, hatred, cursing and dirty language. Col 3:8
   Walk according to the Spirit and always operate through the fruit of the Spirit! Gal 5:16-22

One Solitary Life

There once was a baby who was born to a poor family. His father was acarpenter and never made a lot of money. His mother stayed at home andraised her children.Just before His birth, His parents had to move to a new town and start allover again. They knew no one there and didn't even have a place to stay. Hewas born in a stable because his parents had no where else they could go.Before He was two years old, his family had to flee the country because thegovernment believed that He was a threat to national security.After the old regime fell, His family was finally able to return to theirhome. Their home was a small, out of the way, obscure village. He livedthere for about 25 years. In all His life, he never wrote a book, held apublic office, or attended a college. He only helped his father in his workas a carpenter.At the age of thirty, He decided it was time to b egin His own work and Hebecame an itinerant preacher. He traveled around the countryside on foot. Henever traveled more than 200 miles from the place of His home. He preachedand performed many miracles and had many, many followers.His teachings had a lot of emphasis on love and forgiveness. He loved peoplefor whom they were, not for what they could do for Him, or how well theytreated Him, or how wealthy they were, or how much they tried to find favorwith Him. He knew and understood all the motivations of their hearts, and Hestill loved them and always told them the total truth about everything.After three years as a preacher, public opinion turned against Him. Hisclose friends deserted Him, leaving Him to suffer the mockery of a trial atthe hands of His enemies. He was sentenced to death and was nailed to across between two thieves. As He was suffering and dying, His executionersgambled for His robe ... the only possession He had on earth.Twenty centuries have passed since His death, and today He is still thecentral figure of the human race and the leader of the column of progress.Time is measured from His birth. All the armies that have ever marched, allthe navies that have ever sailed, all the kings that have ever reigned andall of governments that have ever ruled, have not influenced the life of oneman upon this earth nearly as much as that One Solitary Life.

DOGS VS CATS

Have you ever realized that children are like dogs-loyal and affectionate, but teenagers are like cats?..

It's so easy to be a dog owner. You feed it, train it, boss it around. And yet it still puts its head on your knee and gazes at you as if you were a Rembrandt painting and bounds indoors with enthusiasm when you call it.
Then around age 13, your adoring little puppy turns into a cat. When you tell it to come inside, it looks amazed, as if wondering who died and made you emperor.
Instead of dogging your doorsteps, it disappears. You won't see it again until it gets hungry.
Then it pauses on its sprint through the kitchen long enough to turn its nose up at whatever you're serving.
When you reach out to ruffle its head, in that old affectionate gesture, it twists away from you, then gives you a blank stare, as if trying to remember where it has seen you before.
You, not realizing that the dog is now a cat, think something must be desperately wrong. It seems so antisocial, so distant. It won't go on family outings. Since you're the one who raised it, taught it to fetch and stay and sit on command, you assume that you did something wrong. Flooded with guilt and fear, you redouble your efforts to make your pet behave.
Only now you're dealing with a cat, so everything that worked before now produces the opposite of the desired result.
Call it, and it runs away. Tell it to sit, and it jumps on the counter. The more you go toward it, with open arms, the more it moves away. Instead of continuing to act like a dog owner, you should learn to behave like a cat owner. Put a dish of food near the door, and let it come to you. Sit still, and it will come, seeking that warm, comforting lap it has not entirely forgotten.
Be there to open the door for it.
And just remember... One day your grown-up child will walk into the kitchen, give you a big kiss and say, "You've been on your feet all day. Let me get those dishes for you."

Then you'll realize your cat is now a dog again!

Received from: Just For Grins

THE PRETTY LADY

Once upon a time, a big monk and a little monk were traveling together. They came to the bank of a river and found the bridge was damaged. They had to wade across the river.

There was a pretty lady who was stuck at the damaged bridge and couldn't cross the river. The big monk offered to carry the pretty lady across the river on his back. The lady accepted.

The little monk was shocked by the move of the big monk. "How can big disciple brother carry a lady when we are supposed to avoid all intimacy with females?" thought the little monk. But he kept quiet.

The big monk carried the lady across the river and the small monk followed unhappily. When they crossed the river, the big monk let the lady down and they parted ways with her.

All along the way for several miles, the little monk was very unhappy with the act of the big monk. He was making up all kinds of accusations about the big monk in his head. This got him madder and madder. But he still kept quiet. And the big monk had no inclination to explain his situation.

Finally, at a rest point many hours later, the little monk could not stand it any further, he burst out angrily at the big monk. "How can you claim yourself a devout monk, when you seize the first opportunity to touch a female, especially when she is very pretty? All your teachings to me make you a big hypocrite."

The big monk looked surprised and said, "I had put down the pretty lady at the river bank many hours ago, how come you are still carrying her along?"

We encounter many unpleasant things in our life, they irritate us and they make us angry. Sometimes, they cause us a lot of hurt, sometimes they cause us to be bitter or jealous. But like the little monk, we are not willing to let them go away. We keep on carrying the baggage of the "pretty lady" with us. We let them keep on coming back to hurt us, make us angry, make us bitter and cause us a lot of agony. Why? Simply because we are not willing to put down or let go of the baggage of the "pretty lady". We should let go of the pretty lady immediately after crossing the river, immediately after the unpleasant event is over. This will immediately remove all our agonies. There is no need to be further hurt by the unpleasant event after it is over. It is just that simple.


Matt 11:28
Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

- Author Anonymous

MAKAN TIME!!!

No it's not the "AB type" or the "Nasi Kandar" type of makan...we're talking about Spiritual food!

1st MAKAN
Yes, he's back! Ps. Anthony Perkins (not the psycho one!) will be ministering @ GROW again. Don't miss the heartfelt, genuine and sincere man of God from Pattaya, Thailand. He will be praying for the sick; so don't forget to bring your friends, relatives and come and be touched by God through this wonderful servant of God!

Date: 29th July (Friday)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: GROW BM

Invite Someone!!! Call Someone!!!sms Someone!!!They might just COME!!!

2nd MAKAN
The man of prayer from France, Daniel Anthony, will be ministering @ GROW on our Wednesday night prayer meeting. Come and be inspired to pray and pray and pray some more. Daniel doesn't just talk about prayer, he lives it! Come and let your prayer life be resurrected into a resurrection powered prayer life!

Date: 3rd August (Wed)
Time: 8.00pm
Venue: GROW BM

Sunday Re-cap 31st July

WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
by Daniel J.

Psalm 39:4-5 - Be reminded that our days are numbered. Don't waste the days that we have, everyday is precious and we don’t know what tomorrow brings.

Today is the day of SALVATION....

Now FAITH is....

1. The biggest hindrance to change in a person’s life is PROCRASTINATION – ‘the act of putting off or delaying or deferring an action needlessly to a later time.
   A procrastinator loves starting a sentence with the phrase ‘One of these days I will…… One of these days I’m going to spend more time with my family.
   One of these days I’m going to get serious about being a Christian.
   One of these days…..The problem with one of these days is that it never comes.
   
2. If we only had 24 hours to live, what would you do? Many people respond that relationship & people are most important.
   So what have you been putting off? How about starting with something very dear to God's heart. Forgiveness! Is there someone we need to forgive that we haven’t yet? The focal point of our whole faith is forgiveness which we receive from the cross.
   
3. We are saved only by grace.
   Eph 2:18 - Salvation is a gift; you can not work for it.
   Phil 2:12 – ‘work out your salvation with fear and trembling’ Not work for. Salvation is not by works because we definitely won’t get salvation then. If we choose not to forgive then we walk is rebellion – sin of witchcraft.
   
   So, what are you waiting for?

John 4:35, Jesus points that the fields are already white for harvest. Do not wait or procrastinate! Let’s commit ourselves to:

Plant seeds, Water & Harvest a Bountiful Crop!

Will You Run Through The Rain?

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Wal-Mart. She must have been 6 years old, this beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Wal-Mart. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the world. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day.
The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said. "What?" Mom asked.
"Let 's run through the rain!" She repeated. "No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated:
"Mom, let's run through the rain," "We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said.
"No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm. "This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet? "Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!"
The entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith.
"Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said.
Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories...
So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday.
To everything there is a season and a time to every purpose under heaven.
I HOPE YOU STILL TAKE THE TIME TO RUN THROUGH THE RAIN.
Take the time to live!!!

Contributed by Jasmine Emmanuel

Help Needed!!!

Please take note that our Chinese Church is in the process of "pindah rumah" and require some assistance. The more the merrier and also faster.
The time is around 11.30AM this Sunday after Bible study. Meet in GROW BM. Please try to come "beramai-ramai" so that we can do the work fast.

God bless!!!

A special call is made to the "Fellowship of the Brethren" ALIAS "Kaki -kaki AB".

Tsunami Prophecy

To all NECF Member Churches

Dear Pastor/Elder/Leader,
Greetings in Jesus’ Mighty Name!
We have received news from a number of pastors in Penang and also news reporters that a prophecy has been given concerning a major tsunami to hit Penang. The prophecy apparently originated from a pastor of an independent church in Penang, which is not a member of NECF.
Some pastors in Penang met to pray over this matter and corporately feel that the prophecy is not of God. In the interest of the credibility of the Church, the authenticity of truth and well-being of the state of Penang and the nation, we feel the necessity to communicate our concern. In the past, such prophecies have caused unnecessary alarm to many. We ought to tread cautiously here as we believe our God would reveal what He is about to do to His Body at large. Scripture teaches us to test all prophecies. Besides, natural factors – geological, meteorological, etc. – while not absolute, should be taken into account.
Please advise your congregation to be very careful what is believed and spread. There can be serious implications for the Christian community and all inhabitants of Penang, and the whole nation, if panic results from the rumour. Let us rather be watchful and prayerful, and continue to hear from the governing authorities. Let us implore the Lord for grace and mercy. Especially during 40-day fast & prayer, we trust that the Lord will hear and answer our prayers.
Thank you. May God bless you.

Yours Sincerely,
Rev. Wong Kim Kong

Another GROW-ite in the NEWS!!!

THE STAR

North
Wednesday July 20, 2005

Club anti-drug drive to target students

THE Lions Club of Kulim will embark on a long-term campaign to eradicate the drug menace among students in rural areas in the district.
Newly installed club pre-sident Patricia Mirnalini (our Aunty PAT!!!) said the campaign would kick off at a boys school, adding that several schools in Kulim had been identifed for the campaign.
“Our focus is to inculcate in students on the importance of leading a healthy lifestyle and emphasize on ill-effects of drugs among rural folk,” she said at the club's 28th anniversary dinner, which also saw the installation of its board of directors for 2005/2006.
Mirnalini was also one of the four members honoured by the club for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the club.
The others were Venugo-palan Nair, who received the Lion of the Year award, past president Anamary Francis, and former treasurer Cheah Kok Poh.
Earlier, Mirnalini said the club had organised various community-related projects in the past, including health talks and medical camps, with the latest one being an anti-drug campaign in schools.

Freedom From the Religious Spirit

" . . . This 'religious spirit' is not just an attitude or religiosity . . . It is actually an evil spirit that must be resisted, bound, and cast out!"

From the Foreword:
Life should be filled with joy. Nehemiah 8:10 reads, "The joy of the Lord is your strength." One of the great joys of my life has been to work alongside C. Peter Wagner. Peter is a man filled with joy. He enjoys life, people, ministry, his family, food, and even his own jokes. He is full of joy, for one, because he never lets life get stale. I believe that a key to his life is his love for embracing change. When God decides it is time to bring change into the earthly realm through new thought processes, Peter seems to be one of the first on this earth to raise his hand and say, "Use me!" That is why he could write this book, Freedom from the Religious Spirit.

What is a religious spirit and how does it work? This book boldly explores and explains how this deceptive force has labored to stop the progress of the Church throughout the ages. Religion is linked with worship. Religion, when pure, is very powerful. However, religion is also defined as an organized system of doctrine with an approved pattern of behavior. Behavior has to demonstrate a proper form of worship. This is where we move from pure and undefiled religion to ritual. Demons of doctrine rob individuals of their freedom to worship a holy God in purity by instituting rules and regulations for their worship.

In compiling Freedom from the Religious Spirit, Peter Wagner has gathered a wonderful team of contributors around him. The truths contained in this book unlock revelation for today and release keys. I want to encourage you, as you read this book, "Fear not." Fear not change! Fear not embracing the paradigms that need to be expressed today to bring change. Fear not confrontation. Fear not the next great move of the Spirit of God. Fear not letting go of worship methods in the Church that have caused us to become comfortable. Defy the spirits of religion around you and move with boldness into your future!

Chuck D. Pierce
Vice President, Global Harvest Ministries
President, Glory of Zion International Ministries, Inc

Sunday Re-cap 24th July

Come To Me
by Ps. Sam Hari

Matt 11:28 (MSG)
“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

A person may be carrying heavy burdens of

(1) sin (Heb 12:1)
(2) excessive demands of religious leaders (Matthew 23:4; Acts 15:10),
(3) oppression and persecution, or
(4) weariness in the search for God.

Jesus frees people from all these burdens. The REST that Jesus promises is love, healing, and peace with God, not the end of all labor. A relationship with God changes meaningless, wearisome toil into spiritual productivity and purpose.

1. Many times we are unable to come to Him because we don't really know who He is. One way we can know Him is through His various Names.

2. The Fear of the Lord enables us to know Him. It is the beginning of wisdom.
+Prov 1:7; to NOT despise wisdom and instructions
+Job 28:28; to depart from evil
+Ps 111.:10; to do His commandments
+Prov 9:10; to come into the knowledge of the Holy One

3. Jesus urges us to come alongside Him. He is humble and gentle and so we find rest when we do as he does. Phil 2:7-8
+this is something that takes place supernaturally i.e. in a Christian home when the Head of the household is in the home, there is calmness, comfort, security and a sense of stability. Something beyond explanation.

Child's Ten Commandments To Parents

1. My hands are small; please don't expect perfection whenever I make a bed, draw a picture, or throw a ball. My legs are short; please slow down so that I can keep up with you.

2. My eyes have not seen the world as yours have; please let me explore safely; don't restrict me unnecessarily.

3. Housework will always be there. I'm only little for such a short time--please take time to explain things to me about this wonderful world, and do so willingly.

4. My feelings are tender; please be sensitive to my needs; don't nag me all day long. (You wouldn't want to be nagged for your inquisitiveness.) Treat me as you would like to be treated.

5. I am a special gift from God; please treasure me as God intended you to do, holding me accountable for my actions, giving me guidelines to live my, and disciplining me in a loving manner.

6. I need your encouragement, but not your praise, to grow. Please go easy on the criticism; remember, you can criticize the things I do without criticizing me.

7. Please give me the freedom to make decisions concerning myself. Permit me to fail, so that I can learn from my mistakes. Then someday I'll be prepared to make the kind of decisions life requires of me.

8. Please don't do things over for me. Somehow that makes me feel that my efforts didn't quite measure up to your expectations. I know it's hard, but please don't try to compare me with my brother or my sister.

9. Please don't be afraid to leave for a weekend together. Kids need vacations from parents, just as parents need vacations from kids. Besides, it's a great way to show us kids that your marriage is very special.

10.Please take me to Sunday school and church regularly, setting a good example for me to follow. I enjoy learning more about God.

With thanks to Elzeth Badenhorst

Sunday Re-cap 17th July

Entering into His Rest ….. by Ps. John Kirby
(Heb 4:1-6; Heb 3:11-19, Matt 12:12—4, 1 Jn. 5:12-14, 1 Cor. 2:2)

Heb. 4: 1 Paul reminds us that we can again enter into the rest of God. Don’t allow our failures to upset our conscience but have faith and enter into His Rest. The people didn’t enter because of unbelief.

• As Christians we face challenges but we can still be in a position of rest and peace. Crisis – CHRIST IS! Sacrifices can’t make us perfect, only Christ can: In Him, With Him and Through Him.
• God can only bless us through His Son. We can enter His Rest through Jesus.
• An entered Relationship brings us into a place where we do not condemn others. Like King David did not condemn King Saul.
• 1 John 5:12 -13. He that HAS the Son has life; a possessive term – not believing only but about having.
• Eternal life begins here (not in heaven); when we die, it is Eternal Rest.
• 1 John 5:13-14 -states there are believers and there are also believers who believe and obey.
• 1 Cor 2:2. How much of a crucified Christ can we see in the church or in ourselves? When we struggle with issues, we are not laboring in the Rest.

It takes a decision (of the will) to obey and dwell in His Rest.

God-Waves by John Fisher

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. Day after day they pour forth speech; night after night they display knowledge. There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard. Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. (Psalms 19:1-4)

Wow. That’s a lot of noise. Imagine if you could hear all that speech and all those voices all the time. You would probably go nuts. As it is, people who are really tuned into God run the risk of being locked up.

Think of the traditional hymn, “This Is My Father’s World.” It has a line in it: “This is my Father’s world; He shines in all that’s fair. In the rustling grass I hear Him pass; He speaks to me everywhere.” Now think about it: this guy is either a nut case or he is so aware of God that he hears him everywhere—even in the wind that ripples through the grass.

I think a good analogy here would be the invisible presence of radio waves in the air. Imagine what we would hear if suddenly our ears were tuned into frequencies shared by AM and FM radio. Imagine the noise of hearing all those stations all at the same time. We would walk around mad, covering our ears all the time, and pleading for the noise to stop. It’s a little like this for the psalmist, David, when he tunes into God in the universe. He is deafened by the sound of God speaking in the heavens—through space and time, past stars and worlds beyond. What he’s hearing is a display of God’s creative handiwork that pours out continual truth about the presence and the nature of the God who created it. And if we could hear all that all at once, we would be overwhelmed. So we can’t. Our hearing is limited to a very narrow frequency band so as to allow us to function day by day in the world.

But that’s where worship comes in. Worship is tuning into the sound of God if even for a moment, to remind us of His presence and power. The important thing about this is that the sound, like radio waves, is always going out. It’s there all the time. We just don’t hear it because we haven’t trained our ears to hear it.

You don’t have to go anywhere to hear God today; just tune in. But beware. You might want to cover your ears, because the sound is deafening.

John Fischer is the Senior Writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily Devotionals. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Marti and son, Chandler. They also have two adult children, Christopher and Anne. John is a published author and popular speaker.

Abraham Lincoln

Don’t let failure make you fearful of trying again. Turn your trials into triumphs; your stumbling blocks into stepping stones; your tests into testimonies.
Any time you are tempted to become discouraged by setbacks in life, remember the following ‘highlights’ of Abraham Lincoln’s career:


1831 - Failed in business
1832 – Defeated for legislature
1833 - Again failed in business
1835 - Sweetheart died
1836 - Suffered nervous breakdown
1838 - Defeated for Speaker
1840 - Defeated for Elector
1843 - Defeated for Congress
1848 - Again defeated for Congress
1855 - Defeated for senate
1856 - Defeated for Vice – President
1858 - Again defeated for Senate
1860 - Elected President of the United States

Even if you have been on losing streak lately, don't lose heart. Discouragement comes when we realize that it is beyond our ability to handle things.
In times of failures and inadequacy a key is to look at our Creator and our all sufficient one. People who refuse to do this sometimes are deceived into thinking that they are helpless and rush to commit suicide.
Jesus says " Call unto me in your days of trouble and I will help you".

Extracted from www.isaacjoe.org

UME LATEST!!!

We are glad to report that the numbers have hopped, skipped and jumped to 31 couples as up to today!

Derrick has graciously informed this blogger that there will be places for just a few more couples. So, whaddya waiting for??!!! Get in!

email demuang_y2k@yahoo.com.sg

If you've been abducted by aliens and have been in Mars these last couple of years and haven't a cluie what we're jabbering about, please click to our posting on UME Weekend.

Mystery couple from GROW going to UME

Sunday Re-cap 10th July

Nipping It in the Bud
by Ps. Samuel Hari

How do we lose our FIRST LOVE? It starts with small compromises that need to be nipped in the bud before it becomes idolatry as in the referred scripture.

Notes on Numbers 25
-It wasn’t the hostile armies that were the major threats; it was compromise. It’s not the big battles and deliverances, it’s the small compromises.
-It started out as plain carnality not idol worship.
-Then things started progressing along. We don’t lose our FIRST LOVE overnight.
-It was part of Balaam’s trickery Num 31:16 and Rev 2:14.

How do we nip it?
1.Fear of confrontation. We must confront it earnestly..
2. We must do it quickly. We think time and distance will take care of it.
3. Overcome the fear of man; human wisdom. (Jer 17:5-10)
a. In Balaam’s case; we must weigh the words and the deeds who offer spiritual help. Everything seems fine on the surface but sorcery, trickery, pagan witchcraft were involved in the background.
b. This also applies to secular music, books, movies that seem fine on the surface but involves deception and witchcraft below it!
4. We think it’s harmless fun.
a. The Israelites desire for fun and pleasure loosened their spiritual commitment.
b. Have we relaxed our standards to justify our desires
5. We think it’s good in the “overall” picture.
6. Is it an excuse saying that worldliness helps make balanced Christians?

We need the Holy Spirit to bring conviction and empower us to overcome!

"Ambassadors of Truth" by Victoria Boyson

Throughout my life I have periodically received a "word of knowledge" from well-intentioned, but misguided people which has brought great turmoil to my soul. Pressed by their own personal woundedness or an unrealistic desire to see me "perfected" overnight, they have given me what they felt was a word from God. They have rightly seen areas in my life that are not perfect, and viewing me through eyes clouded by religious idealism spoke, "There's something wrong with you!"
Well, in all fairness to them I have to say that they were right. What they were seeing was true - there is something wrong with me. To be sure, there are a lot of "somethings" wrong with me. I am very much a work in process and I will be the first to admit that I am not what I need to be or what I desire to be.
I know that as I grow in the Lord, I am being transformed into His image. But frankly, I have a long way to go before completely attaining His likeness. That is my pursuit; however, I do not think that I will perfectly bare His likeness while on this planet. This is not an attempt to justify my failings, but simply a realistic expectation of my own human nature.

Deadly Idealism
Idealism guided by religious zeal and pride can be very destructive to others. We, our ministries, and the church as a whole are all a work in process. We are all changed little by little, from glory to glory. We are all at different places in our walk with the Lord. It is immaturity to judge each other through idealistic eyes, seeking perfection overnight and usually results in frustration and hopelessness. We must stop judging each other through the unrealistic expectations of idealism and grant each other the grace to fail. As we all will fail, we must grant each other the grace to fail and offer an abundance of forgiveness to one another or we will become a stumbling block to them.
It is very easy to see what is wrong with our brother and point out his problem, but it is another thing altogether to become the means by which our brother can be helped and changed. We must become each other's cheerleader!!! And as we fail and fall, let us be the true voice of God on earth and encourage one another that we can become all that God has dreamed we would be.
Although we do indeed have a long way to go before we are made perfectly into His image, we need to be reminded of how far we have come. To be encouraged that God is changing us, working on us and as we humbly surrender to His will, we will bare His likeness. Idealism wounds the church, but the grace of God flowing through one another will liberate us and set us free to fly - to soar over our past and live in Jesus! We will soar with wings as eagles as we forgive and are forgiven, as we cover each others faults with the unconditional love of Christ (see 1 Peter 4:8).
Church, we need to repent of judging each other through eyes clouded by idealism and ask the Lord to show us His creation clearly through eyes of love! We are all together in this and there is no one who is unredeemable. We must grant each other the grace we need to become who we are in Christ. We must put an axe to the root of the tree of idealism and unrealistic expectation and become ambassadors of truth, hope and love; conveying the truth delivering it in love, giving hope to others.

The Truth Is
The truth is, dear ones, your Creator loves you! He is your true Father and He loved you with an overwhelming love even before you were born. He loved you before you even knew Him. He loved you as much from the start as He will ever love you and He saw in you then what you will become to Him and in Him - He is proud of you.
You are His beloved; the child of His heart. He has given you all that you need to live for Him, which is indeed Him! He is all you need! And as you keep your eyes focused on Him, not on your faults or the faults of others, you will truly become like Him. You will become one with Him and bare His likeness.Things may not always go the way you would like them to go, but you can know without a doubt your wonderful heavenly Father, your Creator and Almighty God loves you unconditionally.

Thank you, dear Father, for your wonderful love. Fill us with a renewed sense of Your love for us, and give us hope and revitalize our faith that our joy would be overflowing! Help us to keep our eyes on you! Help us hold fast to the hope that we will become the promised bride of our Lord and King, made spotless by His blood and perfected by His righteousness. Liberate Your church, dear Father, and help us to soar!

by Victoria Boyson
Victoria Boyson, Inc.
www.boyson.org

10 Things You Never Hear in Church

1. Hey! It's MY turn to sit in the front row!
2. I was so enthralled that I never noticed that your sermon went 25 minutes over time.
3. Personally, I find witnessing more enjoyable than GOLF!
4. I've decided to give our church the RM500 a month that I used to spend on entertainment.
5. I volunteer to be the permanent teacher in our Sunday School.
6. Forget the minimum salary. Let's pay our pastor so that he can live like we do!
7. I LOVE it when we sing songs that I've never heard before!
8. Since we're all here, let's start the service early.
9. Pastor, we'd like to send you to a Bible seminar in Hawaii.
10. Nothing inspires me and strengthens my committment like our annual pledge for missions and building.

Let's PRAY that we will hear this in churches more and more!

GROW Family Camp 2005

DE PLACE



Where is this LAAA?!!!

A. Langkawi Island Resort (5 STAR)
B. BM Country and Recreation Club (5 Moons)
C. Pangkor (3 EGGS)
D. Mauritius (10 STARS+3 Masala Tosai)
E. None of DE Above...you think we sooo stupid ah?!!!

The Winner will be well rewarded!!! Try and guess la!

10 PRINCIPLES FOR EFFECTIVE FASTING & INTERCESSION

Greetings! As we should already be aware of, the Nationwide 40 day FAST and PRAYER is approaching. The prayer booklets are currently being sold in church for RM3.00 per copy. To help us keep ourselves in focus, here are a few familiar pointers and scriptures offered by Ps. Abel. Please take note of them and keep them in a familiar place so that this would be THE most meaningful FAST that we have undertaken in our Christian life.

God bless!

1. WORSHIP AND THANK GOD for the privilege of engaging in the same ministry as that of Jesus. Heb 7:25.
2. ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU CANNOT REALLY PRAY without the help and the direction of the Holy Spirit. Rom 8:26, Eph 5:18.
3. ASK GOD TO CONVICT YOU of any un-dealt sin in your life and repent immediately. Ps. 66:18; Ps 139:23, 24.
4. PRAY IN TONGUES A LOT. Spend a lot of time praying in the Spirit. We have the example of Paul doing that. 1 Cor. 14:18; 1Cor 14:2,4a; Eph 3:16; Jude 20.
5. DEAL AGGRESSIVELY WITH THE ENEMY. Resist him with God’s word & with authority. Use the ‘Sword of the Spirit’ against him. Jas 4:7; Eph 6:17.
6. SURRENDER YOUR WILL, DESIRES & IMAGINATIONS TO HIM. Commit all plans, desires & burdens to Him & bring all of it, to the obedience of Christ. Pro 3:5,6; 28:26; 2 Cor 10:3-5.
7. WAIT BEFORE HIM for direction and guidance as to what to pray to Him. Hab 2:20; Isa 40:31.
8. HAVE YOUR BIBLE WITH YOU should the Lord want to give you direction & confirmation of what He is going to do in the near future. Ps 119:105
9. DECLARE ALOUD IN FAITH what the Lord had impressed in your mind, and believing that you are going to have them. Jn 10:27; Mk 11:23-24.
10. END YOUR DAY OF FASTING & PRAYER, WITH THANKSGIVING, praising Him for what He is going to do in the next few days, weeks, and months. 1 Thess 5:17-18; Col 4:2
    

Contributed by Ps. Abel Phillips

Sunday Re-cap (3rd July)

What is FIRST LOVE?
by Ps. Abel Phillips


Giving God the highest priority in our lives; and loving others as Jesus has commanded; it's commitment and not just emotional feelings.
How do we know when we have lost our first love of the Lord?

1. We don't pray as much.
2. We don't spend time with the Lord anymore. No devotional or personal time of worship.
3. We don't spend time with the Lord's people. How is our church attendance?
4. We aren't able to get along with others because we can't get our way.
5. We spend more time talking about people and their faults than you do praying for them.
6. We aren't able to forgive people. We continue to hold grudges against others.
7. We aren't accepting and loving of people who are different or those who hold different opinions than ours.
8. Don’t care if our lives do not glorify God.
   

HOW DO WE REGAIN OUR FIRST LOVE THAT IS LOST?

In verse 5, Jesus gives us a prescription that is very simple & very direct. "Here is what you need to do," Jesus says, "Remember the height from which you have fallen!"

a. Be aware that we have lost our first love.
b. Recall, or think of where we fell and how far we have fallen.
c. Repent, or turn away from our sins.
d. Do what we did at first.

Let us not wait for God to sadly say, “Because of this I come to you and remove your lamp stand from its place.” Rather, as Christians, let us constantly desire and commit ourselves to sustain our first love for God.