By Selwyn Hughes
For reading & meditation - 1 Peter 1:3-9"These have come so that your faith ... may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." (v. 7)
We turn now to examine some of the ways in which our lives become fractured, and what we can do to become "strong at the broken places." We begin by looking at the brokenness which comes about through failure. Probably someone reading these words is caught up in a vortex of gloom due to a failure. You may be feeling like the man who said to me: "I am stunned by my failure. My life is shattered into smithereens. I read somewhere that 'the bird with the broken wing will never soar as high again.' Does that mean I can never rise to the heights in God which once I knew?"
I reminded him of Simon Peter - a man with one of the worst track records in the New Testament. He was prejudiced, bigoted, stubborn, and spiritually insensitive. Again and again he got his wires crossed, such as the time when he attempted to divert Christ from going to His death in Jerusalem (Matt. 16:22), or his insistence that they should stay on the Mount of Transfiguration (Matt. 17:4). Then, on the eve of Christ's crucifixion, he denied and even cursed his Lord. I can imagine Satan whispering in his ear: "Now you're finished. Burned out. A failure. You'll be forgotten ... replaced."
But by God's grace, Peter rose from failure to success. He became "strong at the broken places." Because he refused to live in the shadow of his bad track record, his two letters are enshrined forever in the Scriptures. Failures, you see, are only temporary tests to prepare us for more permanent triumphs.
Prayer:
O Father, I see so clearly that no failure is a failure if it succeeds in driving me to Your side. All things serve me - when I serve You. Amen.
Wednesday, August 02, 2006
Discipline vs. Punishment
God said, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline."1
Nine-year-old Al had disobeyed his father who, as a strict disciplinarian, sent him with a note to a police station in London. When Al came in late after curfew, his father met him at the door and handed him a note and said, "Take it to the jail house."Al was terrified. "The officer, a friend of his father, opens the note, reads it, and nods. 'Follow me.' He leads the wide-eyed youngster to a jail cell, opens the door, and tells him to enter. The officer clangs the door shut. 'This is what we do to naughty boys,' he explains and walks away.... The jail sentence lasts only five minutes. But those five minutes felt like five months. Al never forgot that day. The sound of the clanging door, he often told people, stayed with him the rest of his life."The fear of losing a father's love exacts a high toll. Al spent the rest of his life hearing the clanging door. That early taste of terror contributed to his lifelong devotion to creating the same in others. For Al--Alfred Hitchcock--made a career out of scaring people."2
True, discipline is important but the "punishment"always needs to fit the crime. Some children are impaired for life because of severe punishment as achild. Others are left terrified if they were beaten severely or abused. It is imperative that parents never discipline out of anger because that is punishment, not discipline. Discipline always needs to be in love. Those whom God loves, he disciplines in love--not punishes in anger. We need to do the same with our children.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that when you discipline me it is always out of your love for me and for my good. Help me to do the same when disciplining my children. May it always be in love and never out of anger. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
Nine-year-old Al had disobeyed his father who, as a strict disciplinarian, sent him with a note to a police station in London. When Al came in late after curfew, his father met him at the door and handed him a note and said, "Take it to the jail house."Al was terrified. "The officer, a friend of his father, opens the note, reads it, and nods. 'Follow me.' He leads the wide-eyed youngster to a jail cell, opens the door, and tells him to enter. The officer clangs the door shut. 'This is what we do to naughty boys,' he explains and walks away.... The jail sentence lasts only five minutes. But those five minutes felt like five months. Al never forgot that day. The sound of the clanging door, he often told people, stayed with him the rest of his life."The fear of losing a father's love exacts a high toll. Al spent the rest of his life hearing the clanging door. That early taste of terror contributed to his lifelong devotion to creating the same in others. For Al--Alfred Hitchcock--made a career out of scaring people."2
True, discipline is important but the "punishment"always needs to fit the crime. Some children are impaired for life because of severe punishment as achild. Others are left terrified if they were beaten severely or abused. It is imperative that parents never discipline out of anger because that is punishment, not discipline. Discipline always needs to be in love. Those whom God loves, he disciplines in love--not punishes in anger. We need to do the same with our children.
Suggested prayer: "Dear God, thank you that when you discipline me it is always out of your love for me and for my good. Help me to do the same when disciplining my children. May it always be in love and never out of anger. Thank you for hearing and answering my prayer.Gratefully in Jesus' name, amen."
Tuesday, August 01, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap 30th July 2006
LESSONS FROM SOLOMON
By Pastor Samuel Hari
Background:
Ecc 1: Solomon towards the end of his life is seen as a totally frustrated man, complaining about life. What made him this way? Are many of us in the same predicament? Frustrated and complaining about everything even though we’ve been Christians for years and know the bible cover to cover? Is more PRAYER and more WORD the answer?
Solomon’s life
1 Kgs 3: Solomon’s early life was full of great promises and answers from God. He had all the wisdom and all the knowledge and honor and riches. He even had a great manifestation of God (1 Kgs 8:10-11). Were all this enough to sustain his walk with God? Sometimes we think that all this is the purpose of our Christian walk. But what did it to do Solomon?
1 Kgs 11: 1-13: Solomon walked away from God in spite of all the great things he had and in spite of everything going great for him.
What keeps us “fresh” and excited about God? Is it more knowledge and more prayer? All these are extremely important foundations for our Christian walk but what keeps us going can be found in the life (and heart) of David.
Ps 51: Gives us a great glimpse into the heart of David. Some of these characteristics are:
The Conclusion of the Matter
We must be careful not to do the above in our own strength. Solomon gives us instruction in Ecc 12:9-14.
The Fear of God is essential in our walk with God. Without it, all of the above will make us not unlike any other religions in the world which is man’s attempt to please God. Let us FEAR GOD and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS though the strength of the HOLY SPIRIT.
By Pastor Samuel Hari
Background:
Ecc 1: Solomon towards the end of his life is seen as a totally frustrated man, complaining about life. What made him this way? Are many of us in the same predicament? Frustrated and complaining about everything even though we’ve been Christians for years and know the bible cover to cover? Is more PRAYER and more WORD the answer?
Solomon’s life
1 Kgs 3: Solomon’s early life was full of great promises and answers from God. He had all the wisdom and all the knowledge and honor and riches. He even had a great manifestation of God (1 Kgs 8:10-11). Were all this enough to sustain his walk with God? Sometimes we think that all this is the purpose of our Christian walk. But what did it to do Solomon?
1 Kgs 11: 1-13: Solomon walked away from God in spite of all the great things he had and in spite of everything going great for him.
What keeps us “fresh” and excited about God? Is it more knowledge and more prayer? All these are extremely important foundations for our Christian walk but what keeps us going can be found in the life (and heart) of David.
Ps 51: Gives us a great glimpse into the heart of David. Some of these characteristics are:
- Submission-“who am I submitted to?” It’s not about the one we’re submitted to but it’s about our own heart attitude.
- Conviction-no amount of reading and praying the word will change us unless we have conviction. Too many times we read the pages without allowing the WORD to read us.
- Repentance is a natural flow over from conviction. It’s no use repenting for the sake of repenting if there’s no conviction. FIRST conviction THEN repentance. Repentance is a total overhaul of the mindset. A renewing of the mind.
- Obedience must follow repentance. Otherwise all we’ll be doing is repenting day in and day out.
- This will lead to humility before God and one another.
The Conclusion of the Matter
We must be careful not to do the above in our own strength. Solomon gives us instruction in Ecc 12:9-14.
The Fear of God is essential in our walk with God. Without it, all of the above will make us not unlike any other religions in the world which is man’s attempt to please God. Let us FEAR GOD and KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS though the strength of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Sunday, July 30, 2006
Wonder what would happen?
Wonder what would happen if we treated our Bible like we treat our cell phones?
Oh, and one more thing, unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!
- What if we carried it around in our purses or pockets?
- What if we turned back to go get it if we forgot it?
- What if we flipped through it several times a day?
- What if we used it to receive messages from the text?
- What if we treated it like we couldn't live without it?
- What if we gave it to kids as gifts?
- What if we used it as we traveled?
- What if we used it in case of an emergency?
- What if we upgraded it to get the latest version?
Oh, and one more thing, unlike our cell phone, we don't ever have to worry about our bible being disconnected because Jesus already paid the bill!
Tuesday, July 25, 2006
Sunday Re-cap 23rd July 2006
Know Your Identity
by Michael Lee
People are moulded and their mould comes from what they see, hear and speak. Hearing, seeing and speaking produces the activities of our lives and works. What Eve heard and saw produced what she spoke through her action that changed her identity (Gen. 3:1; 2:16; 3:2-7)
What we hear enters to our spiritual realm and produces fruits whether good or bad. There is a difference bwtween facts and the truth. It was not what Adam and Eve ate that changed their identity, but rather it was what Eve took heed when she heard the serpent.
Gen 1:26 – Our identity is of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. We were made in God’s Image. This is our real identity.
Gen 3:1-6 – Adam & Eve forget who they were and the followed what the cunning serpent said to them. Adam & Eve gave in to the serpent’s temptation by hearing, seeing, speaking and doing what the serpent wanted them to do. That was to disobey God and forget their identity as the sons of God.
by Michael Lee
People are moulded and their mould comes from what they see, hear and speak. Hearing, seeing and speaking produces the activities of our lives and works. What Eve heard and saw produced what she spoke through her action that changed her identity (Gen. 3:1; 2:16; 3:2-7)
What we hear enters to our spiritual realm and produces fruits whether good or bad. There is a difference bwtween facts and the truth. It was not what Adam and Eve ate that changed their identity, but rather it was what Eve took heed when she heard the serpent.
Gen 1:26 – Our identity is of the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. We were made in God’s Image. This is our real identity.
Gen 3:1-6 – Adam & Eve forget who they were and the followed what the cunning serpent said to them. Adam & Eve gave in to the serpent’s temptation by hearing, seeing, speaking and doing what the serpent wanted them to do. That was to disobey God and forget their identity as the sons of God.
Eph 1:3-6 - If we know our true identity then we will live as a son of the Living God. We will be like a butterfly with beautiful colours being displayed, enjoying the nectar of the flowers (enjoying the Word and the fellowship of the saints), and doing the work of pollination (carrying out the Great Commission).
Many times people do not realize they have a identity crisis and they become like caterpillars, just taking rather being a blessing to those around them.
Eph 3:10 -11 - Saints of God – having the image of God
“to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,”.
~ God sent his Son Jesus Christ to restore our identity with God and know the reason why we were created; and made known the manifold wisdom of God.
~ We are one family and we are called to be here.
~ We are called to read the Word of God and know that we are sons of the Living God and feed on the His words.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.
Eph 3:10 -11 - Saints of God – having the image of God
“to the intent that now the manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church to the principalities and powers in the heavenly places, according to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,”.
~ God sent his Son Jesus Christ to restore our identity with God and know the reason why we were created; and made known the manifold wisdom of God.
~ We are one family and we are called to be here.
~ We are called to read the Word of God and know that we are sons of the Living God and feed on the His words.
1 Chronicles 4:9-10
“Now Jabez was more honorable than his brothers, and his mother called his name Jabez, saying, "Because I bore him in pain." And Jabez called on the God of Israel saying, "Oh, that You would bless me indeed, and enlarge my territory, that Your hand would be with me, and that You would keep me from evil, that I may not cause pain!" So God granted him what he requested.
1. Proverbs 18:20 -21 - Power of the tongue. “A man's stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth, From the produce of his lips he shall be filled. Death and life are in the power of the tongue, And those who love it will eat its fruit.” Jabez understood the power of the tongue.
2. Ps. 119:9 - How can a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed according to Your word. Jabez knew that change in his life can only come when he decreases and God increases in his life. He prayed for an enlarged territory to contain more of God's Word.
3. Jabez prayed that the hand of God will be with him, moulding and shaping him to be a blessing.
Know your identity, for we are the product of what we identify with!
Know your identity, for we are the product of what we identify with!
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Enter to worship, depart to serve
"In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: 'Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!' And the posts of the door were shaken by the voice of him who cried out, and the house was filled with smoke. So I said: 'Woe is me, for I am undone! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.' Then one of the seraphim flew to me, having in his hand a live coal which he had taken with the tongs from the altar. And he touched my mouth with it, and said: 'Behold, this has touched your lips; Your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged. Also I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here am I! Send me.'" (Isaiah 6:1-8)
Isaiah had the worship experience of all worship experiences. He came into the very presence of God. He had a vision of God that literally changed his life. I am convinced that our daily walk, our daily service is directly proportional to our vision of God. That our concept of God determines how we much we love and serve Him. That how we worship God has a lot to do with how we live and serve Him throughout the rest of the week. Shallow worship translates into shallow service. And meaningful worship translates into meaningful service.
Enter to worship, depart to serve.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Isaiah had the worship experience of all worship experiences. He came into the very presence of God. He had a vision of God that literally changed his life. I am convinced that our daily walk, our daily service is directly proportional to our vision of God. That our concept of God determines how we much we love and serve Him. That how we worship God has a lot to do with how we live and serve Him throughout the rest of the week. Shallow worship translates into shallow service. And meaningful worship translates into meaningful service.
Enter to worship, depart to serve.
Have a great day!
Alan Smith
Monday, July 17, 2006
Sunday Re-cap 16th July 2006
Obedience Brings the Presence of God
Ps. David Lai
Obey the Word, then the presence of God is there.
Jonah 1:1-3 ~ Jonah received the WOG but not the presence of God because he went on another direction. Man of God can come and go but the WOG remains.
Mark 4:15 ~ Satan will try to snatch the WOG when it is sown. Obey God’s word and enter the supernatural and experience the presence of God in your lives.
- Peter walked on water by obedience to Jesus’ words.
- It’s the WOG that God wants to manifest, that will enable us to move on to the next step in our walk with God. Joseph experienced that all through his life.
- Obedience to God’s word will always bring the blessings.
Jonah 1:10-17 ~ Jonah fled from the presence of God. The sailors prayed and threw Jonah into the sea and he went into the belly of the fish.
Jonah 3 ~ Jonah finally obeyed the Lord’s word and went to Nineveh. God already knew that the people of Nineveh will repent.
No matter what happens even in the hour of our testing, we must persevere and keep the WOG and trust Him. We need to give our hearts to God.
Lucifer, one of the arch-angels was once with God; and Judas was in Jesus’ presence but they both failed because they never fully surrendered their hearts to God.
~ It’s always about what God wants to do in us and through us by the Word of God.
1 Kings 17 – Elijah in obedience to the WOG, received his provision.
When we obey the WOG, the provision is already there.
Receive your provision by what you say!
Ps. David Lai
Text : Jonah 1 & 3
2 Peter 3:7 ~ Heaven and earth are preserved by the Word of God. We can trust that preserved Word of God. The Word of God (WOG) is the real world to us.Obey the Word, then the presence of God is there.
Jonah 1:1-3 ~ Jonah received the WOG but not the presence of God because he went on another direction. Man of God can come and go but the WOG remains.
Mark 4:15 ~ Satan will try to snatch the WOG when it is sown. Obey God’s word and enter the supernatural and experience the presence of God in your lives.
- Peter walked on water by obedience to Jesus’ words.
- It’s the WOG that God wants to manifest, that will enable us to move on to the next step in our walk with God. Joseph experienced that all through his life.
- Obedience to God’s word will always bring the blessings.
Jonah 1:10-17 ~ Jonah fled from the presence of God. The sailors prayed and threw Jonah into the sea and he went into the belly of the fish.
Jonah 3 ~ Jonah finally obeyed the Lord’s word and went to Nineveh. God already knew that the people of Nineveh will repent.
No matter what happens even in the hour of our testing, we must persevere and keep the WOG and trust Him. We need to give our hearts to God.
Lucifer, one of the arch-angels was once with God; and Judas was in Jesus’ presence but they both failed because they never fully surrendered their hearts to God.
~ It’s always about what God wants to do in us and through us by the Word of God.
1 Kings 17 – Elijah in obedience to the WOG, received his provision.
When we obey the WOG, the provision is already there.
Receive your provision by what you say!
Saturday, July 15, 2006
Friday, July 14, 2006
Saturday, July 08, 2006
SRI PELITA SCHOLARSHIPS
A leading, Christian-based private education institution, Sri Pelita, celebrates its 6th year of providing quality education in Penang by offering 10 SPECIAL SCHOLARSHIPS to deserving students, primarily for secondary school from Form 1 to Form 4. (Primary school students may apply too.)
“Sri Pelita School was established six years ago by a community of parents and teachers who believe that learning should be a joyful experience for students. Throughout these six years, they have been resolutely working to establish a conducive environment whereby students studying in the school can reach their highest potential.
Today Sri Pelita School is known for her richness in curriculum and her care for her students. One of the hallmarks of Sri Pelita is its emphasis on the development of Multiple Intelligences. The essence of Multiple Intelligences is to respect the many differences among people, the many ways that they learn and the almost infinite number of ways they can leave a mark on the world.
Thus the goal in Sri Pelita is to create an environment to cater for these individual differences. Our prayer is that through this environment, we will be able to nurture a generation of students who will be independent, confident, ICT literate, well-spoken and well-read.” – quoted from website: www.sripelita.com.my “Welcome from the Principal, Dr Seow Siew Hua.”
SCHOLARSHIP QUANTUM
Scholarships offered at 50% of fees with consideration for up to 100% for deserving students.
BASIC CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
Email address: fgacen@streamyx.com or fgacen@tm.net.my
c/o Pastor Prem Kumar
Fettes Park Baptist Church
15 Jalan Meranti, Fettes Park
11200 Tanjung Bungah
Penang
The Sri Pelita Scholarship Board members are:
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION
Closing Date: 31 August 2006
Note: Scholarships are available for the remaining of the 2006 school year or for the new school year beginning 2007.
Blessings
Albert
On Behalf of Sri Pelita Scholarship Board
“Sri Pelita School was established six years ago by a community of parents and teachers who believe that learning should be a joyful experience for students. Throughout these six years, they have been resolutely working to establish a conducive environment whereby students studying in the school can reach their highest potential.
Today Sri Pelita School is known for her richness in curriculum and her care for her students. One of the hallmarks of Sri Pelita is its emphasis on the development of Multiple Intelligences. The essence of Multiple Intelligences is to respect the many differences among people, the many ways that they learn and the almost infinite number of ways they can leave a mark on the world.
Thus the goal in Sri Pelita is to create an environment to cater for these individual differences. Our prayer is that through this environment, we will be able to nurture a generation of students who will be independent, confident, ICT literate, well-spoken and well-read.” – quoted from website: www.sripelita.com.my “Welcome from the Principal, Dr Seow Siew Hua.”
SCHOLARSHIP QUANTUM
Scholarships offered at 50% of fees with consideration for up to 100% for deserving students.
BASIC CRITERIA FOR SELECTION
- Income level of parents will be a significant consideration for selection. (Scholarships designed to provide equal opportunity to financially constrained, deserving students to receive quality education which they may otherwise be deprived of.)
- Academic and extra-curricular merits will also be taken into account to determine quantum of scholarship.
- Good character reference by church pastor.
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
- Electronically – by completing and emailing the attached application form to:
Email address: fgacen@streamyx.com or fgacen@tm.net.my
- Mailing the completed application form to:
c/o Pastor Prem Kumar
Fettes Park Baptist Church
15 Jalan Meranti, Fettes Park
11200 Tanjung Bungah
Penang
The Sri Pelita Scholarship Board members are:
- Dr Seow Siew Hua – Principal
- Pastor Prem Kumar – Member
- Pastor Albert Tan – Member
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATION
Closing Date: 31 August 2006
Note: Scholarships are available for the remaining of the 2006 school year or for the new school year beginning 2007.
Blessings
Albert
On Behalf of Sri Pelita Scholarship Board
Thursday, July 06, 2006
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap 2nd July 2006
Our Weakness God’s Strength
By Ps Dong Campoy
TEXT: 1 Cor 1:26-29
1. OUR WEAKNESS, GOD’S WEAPON
The fact is that God uses those who are dependent upon nothing but Him alone.
He has to removed first our strength and brings us to the end of ourselves so that we will look at the task and say,
“God, I cannot do this without you”.
By Ps Dong Campoy
TEXT: 1 Cor 1:26-29
1. OUR WEAKNESS, GOD’S WEAPON
- One of the clearest principles in the Bible is that God uses weak things. He uses men and women who abandon their reliance on their natural abilities and resources and cast their dependency, totally upon God.
- God uses nobodies from nowhere with nothing but who are willing to depend upon Him for everything. 1Co 1:28, Isaiah 40:29,2 Corinthians 3:5
- The word “strength” is the word “dunamies”, from which we get the word dynamite. It is the same word used in Act 1:8 translated POWER. The word “perfect” is the same word used in John 19:30 translated “finished”, complete in our weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:10 Hebrews 11:34
- Our weakness is the best backdrop for God to display His power.
- A humble man has a proper evaluation of himself. He realizes that all of his intellect, his training, his experience, and his position in life mean absolutely nothing apart from the supernatural enabling of god.
- 2 Cor 12:7
- Humility - means rating ourselves insignificant. Phil 2:5-6 (MSG)
The fact is that God uses those who are dependent upon nothing but Him alone.
He has to removed first our strength and brings us to the end of ourselves so that we will look at the task and say,
“God, I cannot do this without you”.
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap 25th June 2006
When God Speaks
By Ps Kul Bal
1 Sam 3:9-10
- Many times we say “Listen LORD, thy servant speaks..” instead of “speak LORD, thy servant heareth”.
- The Most important thing for a believer is to hear the voice of God.
- We may think our Eli is calling i.e. sickness, depression, poverty, old nature; if we don’t recognize the voice of God.
God will test us in 4 ways (Gen 22)
4 TEST pressure points:
1. Present Reality
- Whatever is happening currently.
- We must realize that God is watching us on how we respond and not our current situation. Many times we focus on the situation when God is focusing on something else.
2. Time
- Test of time.
- Building Faith and Patience.
3. Oppressors
- Oppressing and diminishing our vision.
- Often people who are close to us.
- We have to ignore the opressors and the negative voice within.
- Demonic.
- Stop us in the direction that God is taking us.
- Distractions.
When God Speaks we normally go through 7 stages:
1. Excitement
2. Doubt
3. Fear
At this point we must:4. Remember, Repeat, Rehearse the WORD
5. Apply FAITH
6. Put into ACTION
7. Joy (Gen 22:13-14)
Most of us go through these steps. However many people stop at point 3 and miss their victory. Let us be people who carry it through from steps 4-7. Let us be like JESUS.
Heb 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of [our] faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Phi 2:5-11
Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus: Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of [things] in heaven, and [things] in earth, and [things] under the earth; And [that] every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ [is] Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Sunday Re-Cap 18th June 2006
The Christian Father
Text:
Deut 6:6-7
The role of the Christian Father is extremely important in nurturing their children. It is said in a statistic that ~80% of all criminals in one western nation had problematic relationship with their natural fathers. This however should not be an excuse for those of us who did not have good fathers. We now have the greatest Heavenly Father!
The 3 Key Biblical Roles of The Christian Father towards his family in the home which are found in our TEXT today are:
1. Teach The Word
By Ps Samuel Hari
Text:
Deut 6:6-7
The role of the Christian Father is extremely important in nurturing their children. It is said in a statistic that ~80% of all criminals in one western nation had problematic relationship with their natural fathers. This however should not be an excuse for those of us who did not have good fathers. We now have the greatest Heavenly Father!
The 3 Key Biblical Roles of The Christian Father towards his family in the home which are found in our TEXT today are:
1. Teach The Word
- The role of teaching the WORD should not be only the responsibility of the mother. Fathers must take up this primary role except in the event of the father not being physically present or is an unbeliever.
- Fathers must overcome their previous mindsets and talk to their children. We must learn to say words like “I’m Sorry”, “I Love You” to them. It’s not wrong for a Christian Father to hug his children.
- The importance of Family Altars and partaking of the Holy Communion together.
- Affirm our children by encouraging and positive words. Col 3.21
- If we don’t talk to our children, someone else will. MTV, Movies, wrong friends, etc.
- Watching TV, Movies together is not considered spending quality time.
- We should not substitute spending quality time by buying expensive gifts for our children as this communicates a very wrong message to them.
- The way our children relate to their fathers is how they are going to relate to their heavenly Father. Are we approachable or do our children fear us?
- To our children LOVE is spelt as T.I.M.E.
3. When we sit in the house, walk by the way, lie down and rise up.
- these speak of the most intimate times we have with our families.
- Do they see the same person or are we one thing in church and in the public and then another thing at home.
- What do they hear us speaking at home and in the bedrooms?
- Children learn more through examples then through all that we can say to them.
- Help them to thank God for all that He has done before they sleep and show them by example that God has great things in store for them when they wake up in the morning. Help them to plan their day by planning your day.
By Ps Samuel Hari
Friday, June 16, 2006
Thursday, June 15, 2006
Thursday, June 08, 2006
NASA proves that the BIBLE is True
For all you scientists out there and for all the students who have had a hard time convincing these people regarding the truth of the Bible here's something that illustrates God's awesome creation and shows He is still in control.
Did you know that NASA's space programmers are busy proving that was has been called 'myth' in the Bible is true? Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, and a consultant in the space programmes, relates the following incident:
One of the most amazing things that God has for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland. They were checking out the positions of the sun, moon and planets out in space where they would be 100, and 1000 years from now. We have to know this as we do not want a satellite to collide with any of these in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole project will not bog down. Computer measurements and data were run back and forth over the centuries when suddenly it came to a halt, displaying a red signal, which meant that either there was something wrong with the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out, and the technicians asked what was wrong. The scientists had discovered that somewhere in space in elapsed time a day was missing. Nobody seemed able to come up with a solution to the problem. Finally one of the team, a Christian, said: "You know, when I was still in Sunday School, they spoke about the sun standing still......." While his colleagues didn't believe him, they did not have an answer either, so they said: "Show us." He got a Bible and opened it at the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with 'common sense'. There they read about the Lord saying to Joshua: "Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not be a man of them stands before thee." (Joshua 10:8). Joshua was concerned because the enemy had surrounded him, and if darkness fell, they would overpower him. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right ? "And the sun stood still and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Ja'sher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven and hastened not to go down about a whole day." (Joshua 10:13).
The astronauts and scientists said: "There is the missing day!" They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it, but it was not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes ? not a whole day. They read the Bible again and there it was: "about (approximately) a day." These little words in the Bible were important, but they were still in trouble, because another 40 minutes were still unaccounted for, and this could mean trouble 1000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible which said the sun went backwards. The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but once again they opened the Book and read these words in 2 Kings. Hezekiah, on his deathbed, was visited by the prophet, Isaiah, who told him he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for some sign as proof. Isaiah said: "Shall the sun go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?" And Hezekiah answered: "It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; nay, but let the shadow return backwards ten degrees." And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz." (2 Kings 20:9 >?11).
Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes! Twenty-three hours and twenty minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in 2 Kings accounted for the missing day in the universe! Isn't this amazing? Our God is rubbing their noses in His Truth!
Did you know that NASA's space programmers are busy proving that was has been called 'myth' in the Bible is true? Mr. Harold Hill, President of the Curtis Engine Company in Baltimore, and a consultant in the space programmes, relates the following incident:
One of the most amazing things that God has for us today happened recently to our astronauts and space scientists at Green Belt, Maryland. They were checking out the positions of the sun, moon and planets out in space where they would be 100, and 1000 years from now. We have to know this as we do not want a satellite to collide with any of these in its orbits. We have to lay out the orbits in terms of the life of the satellite and where the planets will be so the whole project will not bog down. Computer measurements and data were run back and forth over the centuries when suddenly it came to a halt, displaying a red signal, which meant that either there was something wrong with the information fed into it or with the results as compared to the standards. They called in the service department to check it out, and the technicians asked what was wrong. The scientists had discovered that somewhere in space in elapsed time a day was missing. Nobody seemed able to come up with a solution to the problem. Finally one of the team, a Christian, said: "You know, when I was still in Sunday School, they spoke about the sun standing still......." While his colleagues didn't believe him, they did not have an answer either, so they said: "Show us." He got a Bible and opened it at the book of Joshua where they found a pretty ridiculous statement for any one with 'common sense'. There they read about the Lord saying to Joshua: "Fear them not, I have delivered them into thy hand; there shall not be a man of them stands before thee." (Joshua 10:8). Joshua was concerned because the enemy had surrounded him, and if darkness fell, they would overpower him. So Joshua asked the Lord to make the sun stand still! That's right ? "And the sun stood still and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is this not written in the book of Ja'sher? So the sun stood still in the midst of heaven and hastened not to go down about a whole day." (Joshua 10:13).
The astronauts and scientists said: "There is the missing day!" They checked the computers going back into the time it was written and found it, but it was not close enough. The elapsed time that was missing back in Joshua's day was 23 hours and 20 minutes ? not a whole day. They read the Bible again and there it was: "about (approximately) a day." These little words in the Bible were important, but they were still in trouble, because another 40 minutes were still unaccounted for, and this could mean trouble 1000 years from now. Forty minutes had to be found because it can be multiplied many times over in orbits. As the Christian employee thought about it, he remembered somewhere in the Bible which said the sun went backwards. The scientists told him he was out of his mind, but once again they opened the Book and read these words in 2 Kings. Hezekiah, on his deathbed, was visited by the prophet, Isaiah, who told him he was not going to die. Hezekiah asked for some sign as proof. Isaiah said: "Shall the sun go forward ten degrees, or go back ten degrees?" And Hezekiah answered: "It is a light thing for the shadow to go down ten degrees; nay, but let the shadow return backwards ten degrees." And Isaiah the prophet cried unto the Lord, and He brought the shadow ten degrees backward, by which it had gone down in the dial of Ahaz." (2 Kings 20:9 >?11).
Ten degrees is exactly 40 minutes! Twenty-three hours and twenty minutes in Joshua, plus 40 minutes in 2 Kings accounted for the missing day in the universe! Isn't this amazing? Our God is rubbing their noses in His Truth!
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