News update by The Star's newsdesk
PUTRAJAYA: Lina Joy lost her final round of appeal when the Federal Court dismissed on Tuesday her appeal against a ruling that the National Registration Department was right not to allow her to remove the word "Islam" from her identity card.
Chief Justice Ahmad Fairuz Sheikh Abdul Halim and Federal Court judge Justice Alauddin Mohd Sheriff delivered the majority decision dismissing her appeal.
Chief Judge of Sabah and Sarawak Justice Richard Malanjum dissented.
On Sept 19, 2005, the Court of Appeal decided that the NRD director-general was right in refusing her application to drop her religious status from her IC on the grounds that the Syariah Court and other Islamic religious authorities did not confirm Linas renunciation of Islam.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Monday, May 28, 2007
Sunday Re Cap (27th May 2007)
Asking the Relevant Questions
By Michael Stubbs
Some points to note:
By Michael Stubbs
Click here to listen (recorded in Victory Fellowship, Emporia, Kansas)
John 4: 1-30Some points to note:
- v7: People want to be INVISIBLE for many reasons i.e. sin. Don’t be INVISIBLE anymore!
- v14: eternal life is supposed to a perpetual spring of living water DEEP inside of us. Not just droplets here and there.
- For real transformation to take place we need to ask ourselves relevant questions. Jesus kept asking this woman; and now to us all these relevant questions.
- Through these questions God wants us to move from superficiality to depth in our believe system and emotional maturity.
- v28: God works many times through a “suddenly anointing”. Sometimes we need to keep pressing on and on for the truth with no apparent results. However, when we think nothing is happening, that’s when God is at work in people’s lives and ours.
- We need to stop making everything a personal issue. We need to ask why? Why? Why?
Sometimes the reason for this goes all the way back to childhood. - There must be a willingness to be vulnerable before God; only then can we change. The Samaritan woman kept being defensive (v20, 25).
- We can be vulnerable before God by being repentant, by opening up ourselves to correction through the Word of God, through prayer.
- When God asked Adam and Eve “Where are you?” it was an opportunity to repent and be vulnerable. However they missed that opportunity and suffered the consequences to this day. It was the same with Cain when God asked him “Where is your brother?” The purpose of the question was not because God did not know where he was but it was an opportunity to repent and to be vulnerable before God.
- Emotions are not evil. They help us be vulnerable before God.
Conclusion
Our Christianity must go beneath the surface. If the heart is right then everything will be right. Let every area of our life be saturated with God-even the good, bad, pain, sorrow, joy-EVERYTHING!
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Sunday Re cap (20th May 2007)
The LORD is My Shepherd
By Michael Lee
Click here to listen to this sermon
2 Chr 7:16
Many are called but few are chosen. Saul, Judas and Gehazi were called but not chosen.
We praise God that when we are called, we make the choice to follow the LORD. How? The key is found in Ps 23: 1-3
The LORD is My Shepherd I shall not want.
Matt 8:22: Instant obedience is required to follow the LORD. Delayed obedience is considered disobedience.
Disciples followed the LORD immediately when they were called.
Mark 8:34: We deny ourselves (self nature) when we follow the LORD.
I shall not want- we can be assured that even when we deny ourselves we will never lack anything.
We shall not have a desire or a need of anything when we have the Shepherd. He alone is all that we need. Seek Him first.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
He desires that we “settle” in a local church.
He is the one who makes us lie down in a place of rest when we have found a “spiritual” home.
We humble ourselves to His leading as He makes us lie down. There is no more agenda of self.
He leads us beside the still waters.
This speaks of our constant relationship with God. He leads us to the place of intimacy.
We can see ourselves when the waters are still. We see ourselves as we are in Christ alone.
He leads us to a place of rest in the midst of the challenges of our day-to-day life.
He restores our soul.
This is not speaking of the restoring that we think it is.
It is a restoring to God’s own pattern and design for our lives.
When we are not fishing, we are fighting. Instead of being fishers of men, we become fighters of men.
If we know we are rich in the LORD, we will not desire to steal.
We become without blame-no one will blame us if we do not blame anyone.
Restoring our soul is a dying to self.
Let’s remember 2 Chr 7:14-16
2Ch 7:14-16 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (15) "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. (16) "For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.
By Michael Lee
Click here to listen to this sermon
2 Chr 7:16
Many are called but few are chosen. Saul, Judas and Gehazi were called but not chosen.
We praise God that when we are called, we make the choice to follow the LORD. How? The key is found in Ps 23: 1-3
The LORD is My Shepherd I shall not want.
Matt 8:22: Instant obedience is required to follow the LORD. Delayed obedience is considered disobedience.
Disciples followed the LORD immediately when they were called.
Mark 8:34: We deny ourselves (self nature) when we follow the LORD.
I shall not want- we can be assured that even when we deny ourselves we will never lack anything.
We shall not have a desire or a need of anything when we have the Shepherd. He alone is all that we need. Seek Him first.
He makes me to lie down in green pastures.
He desires that we “settle” in a local church.
He is the one who makes us lie down in a place of rest when we have found a “spiritual” home.
We humble ourselves to His leading as He makes us lie down. There is no more agenda of self.
He leads us beside the still waters.
This speaks of our constant relationship with God. He leads us to the place of intimacy.
We can see ourselves when the waters are still. We see ourselves as we are in Christ alone.
He leads us to a place of rest in the midst of the challenges of our day-to-day life.
He restores our soul.
This is not speaking of the restoring that we think it is.
It is a restoring to God’s own pattern and design for our lives.
When we are not fishing, we are fighting. Instead of being fishers of men, we become fighters of men.
If we know we are rich in the LORD, we will not desire to steal.
We become without blame-no one will blame us if we do not blame anyone.
Restoring our soul is a dying to self.
Let’s remember 2 Chr 7:14-16
2Ch 7:14-16 and My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (15) "Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer offered in this place. (16) "For now I have chosen and consecrated this house that My name may be there forever, and My eyes and My heart will be there perpetually.
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Sunday Re-Cap (13th May 2007)
Be Faithful & Bring Forth
by Shireeni
We are to bring forth “Christ” in this generation. How? By rising up, being obedient to His leading. The spiritual birthing forth might be in different ways, for different purposes, for each of us. For Queen Esther, it was to rise up and deliver her nation. For Mary, it was to bring forth The Messiah. For Deborah, it was to deliver the Israelites.
What do you think about that with respect to yourself?
Are you one who is thinking yes, this is what I am already sensing?
Are you one who is thinking, not interested? I just want to finish the service and get out of here. Do my own thing.
Are you one who is thinking, I am no Esther, nor Mary, nor Deborah? I am just an ordinary person. How can I bring forth anything? Maybe when things are better in my life.
There are another 3 ladies in the Bible who were special to God. They were not queens, nor judges, nor the mother of the Messiah. They possibly died thinking that they were ordinary people just like you and I. But now we, looking back, can see that they had a mighty destiny and it was not ordinary. They obeyed and they brought forth. They brought forth, not when things were good and fine, but in desperate and overwhelming circumstances.
1. The first is Leah. There are many women today in this world who are in similar situations as Leah was in. Her husband had 2 wives and he loved the other (Rachel) more than he loved Leah. Eventually……. She probably died thinking she was an ordinary person and did not realize this great truth. What truth? She was part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. She was in the lineage of Jesus. Not Rachel, but her. Leah. You see God has the big picture. We have only bits and pieces. She just needed to be faithful where she was, trust Him, obey Him, move with Him. And she brought forth.
2. The second is Ruth the Moabitess. There are many women in this world who can identify in some ways to this woman. The loss of loved ones. The making of difficult choices. She had to make a difficult choice – to stay back or to follow her mother-in-law. Her mother-in-law released her to go back to her home and have a chance at a new life.
She chose to come out of her comfort zone. I believe she followed her mother-in-law not knowing completely her future or what was in store. Ruth stepped out in faith and followed her mother-in-law. And she was blessed. She did get another chance at a new life. She married Boaz and had a son called Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. She became part of the genealogy of Jesus. She was faithful, obedient to make the right choices and she brought forth.
3. The last is Rahab, the prostitute who helped the Israelite spies from being caught in Jericho. She realized the greatness of the God of Israel. She risked her life to hide the spies. Played a part in the victory over Jericho. She was probably an ex-prostitute when she married Salmon, and had a son called Boaz. So Rahab was the great-great grandmother of David. She became part of the genealogy of Jesus. We have to align our thinking to HIS WORD and not the world. I believe God is going to send people into the church who are different from us. Receive them with unconditional love because they are special to Him, because they have been accepted by Him as they come and believe in Him. Rahab – part of the geneology of Jesus. She was faithful and rose above any feelings of unworthiness she had. But she made a difference & she brought forth.
The enemy will lie to you to keep you from your destiny. We have to be faithful, obedient and bring forth what God has purposed for us to bring forth.
by Shireeni
We are to bring forth “Christ” in this generation. How? By rising up, being obedient to His leading. The spiritual birthing forth might be in different ways, for different purposes, for each of us. For Queen Esther, it was to rise up and deliver her nation. For Mary, it was to bring forth The Messiah. For Deborah, it was to deliver the Israelites.
What do you think about that with respect to yourself?
Are you one who is thinking yes, this is what I am already sensing?
Are you one who is thinking, not interested? I just want to finish the service and get out of here. Do my own thing.
Are you one who is thinking, I am no Esther, nor Mary, nor Deborah? I am just an ordinary person. How can I bring forth anything? Maybe when things are better in my life.
There are another 3 ladies in the Bible who were special to God. They were not queens, nor judges, nor the mother of the Messiah. They possibly died thinking that they were ordinary people just like you and I. But now we, looking back, can see that they had a mighty destiny and it was not ordinary. They obeyed and they brought forth. They brought forth, not when things were good and fine, but in desperate and overwhelming circumstances.
1. The first is Leah. There are many women today in this world who are in similar situations as Leah was in. Her husband had 2 wives and he loved the other (Rachel) more than he loved Leah. Eventually……. She probably died thinking she was an ordinary person and did not realize this great truth. What truth? She was part of the genealogy of Jesus Christ. She was in the lineage of Jesus. Not Rachel, but her. Leah. You see God has the big picture. We have only bits and pieces. She just needed to be faithful where she was, trust Him, obey Him, move with Him. And she brought forth.
2. The second is Ruth the Moabitess. There are many women in this world who can identify in some ways to this woman. The loss of loved ones. The making of difficult choices. She had to make a difficult choice – to stay back or to follow her mother-in-law. Her mother-in-law released her to go back to her home and have a chance at a new life.
She chose to come out of her comfort zone. I believe she followed her mother-in-law not knowing completely her future or what was in store. Ruth stepped out in faith and followed her mother-in-law. And she was blessed. She did get another chance at a new life. She married Boaz and had a son called Obed, who was the father of Jesse, who was the father of David. She became part of the genealogy of Jesus. She was faithful, obedient to make the right choices and she brought forth.
3. The last is Rahab, the prostitute who helped the Israelite spies from being caught in Jericho. She realized the greatness of the God of Israel. She risked her life to hide the spies. Played a part in the victory over Jericho. She was probably an ex-prostitute when she married Salmon, and had a son called Boaz. So Rahab was the great-great grandmother of David. She became part of the genealogy of Jesus. We have to align our thinking to HIS WORD and not the world. I believe God is going to send people into the church who are different from us. Receive them with unconditional love because they are special to Him, because they have been accepted by Him as they come and believe in Him. Rahab – part of the geneology of Jesus. She was faithful and rose above any feelings of unworthiness she had. But she made a difference & she brought forth.
The enemy will lie to you to keep you from your destiny. We have to be faithful, obedient and bring forth what God has purposed for us to bring forth.
Wednesday, May 09, 2007
Sunday Re Cap (6th May 2007)
Enthroning JESUS
By Ps Samuel Hari
Eph 1:17-23
I. THE MORE WE ENTHRONE HIM, THE MORE WE ARE ON THE THRONE (COME INTO A POSITION OF kingship)
We can say JESUS is on the throne but our lifestyle will show if this is true. Just like there’s a battle for the real throne going on in the heavenlies, there’s a battle going on for the throne in our lives. The more we enthrone HIM, the more we are on the throne ; we accurately receive power and move in authority in every situation and circumstance in our lives. We position ourselves in kingship.
1. The spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him, It doesn’t just drop from heaven or simply through the laying on of hands. It requires diligence, passion, and hunger on our part as well as these things. (seeking first matt 6:33; blessed are those who hunger and thirst…they shall be filled).
2.The eyes of your understanding being enlightened. PROVERBS 2:1-6.
a. That you may know (many don’t know, understand, confused, discouraged).
i. What is THE HOPE of His calling (the confident hope he has given to those he called--). Hope does not disappoint. (ROM 5); Abound in hope (ROM 15:13); NLT Hebrews 11:1 Faith is the confidence (the confident expectation) that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.
ii. THE RICHES of the glory of His inheritance in the saints (his holy people who are his rich and glorious inheritance). Phil 4:19 God is able to supply…according to His riches in glory…) God’s view of riches and man’s view of riches are different. Daniel 3:16-18; man- you bless me I praise you. Godly mindset- I praise you no matter what.
iii. The exceeding greatness of HIS POWER, toward us who believe,
According to the working of His mighty power which He worked in Christ when He raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, Far above all principality and power and might and dominion and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
We need to get the whole picture of what God wants to do. Gather everywhere the word is spoken…CG, Prayer meeting, Sunday service. Get all the missing links. Fit the puzzle together. Eph 2:4-10
II. OUR UNITY ENTHRONES HIM.
Notice He
1. Made us alive TOGETHER.
He makes us alive together. Don’t forsake the gathering of the saints. Walk in the light as He is in the light, fellowship and the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all sin.
2. Raised us up TOGETHER.
We go up together. We progress together. We advance together. No fun advancing alone. Use your talents, gifting to build together.
3. Makes us sit TOGETHER in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.
All experience the power of God, the authority of God. All are far above principalities and powers and might and dominion and name in this age and that which is to come!
Its all or nothing for the Christian. For us to be sitting on the throne, we need to get this revelation. We need church, we need UNITY. It’s the place of connectivity. It’s where the throne is; where the church stands united. Endeavoring to keep the unity (Eph 4:1-6).
Tuesday, May 08, 2007
Monday, May 07, 2007
Friday, May 04, 2007
Sunday Re-cap ( 29th April )
Giving JESUS the THRONE in our Lives
By Rev. Samuel Hari
Is Jesus really enTHRONEd in our lives? Is His THRONE in us strong?
Why do we need to ENTHRONE HIM?
Heb 12:2; Jesus is on the THRONE
Satan is afraid of the THRONE 1 Sam 5-7 esp chap 7.
Rev 3:21; We will sit down with Him and rule with Him- a place of power and authority.
What happens when we ENTHRONE HIM?
Rev 7:17 Guide us to the waters of life (refresh, renew us) and wipe away every tear from our eyes (remove every burden, sorrow, pain, sickness).
Ez 47:8,9,12
The river of God flows from the THRONE Rev 22:1-;Ps 46:4; Joh 7:37-38 Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! (38) He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.
This speaks of fruitfulness in evangelism. Fruitfulness has one purpose: that is to bring people to Christ.
How can we ENTHRONE HIM?
Rev 4:8-11: When we give Him the HEADSHIP/LORDSHIP/RULERSHIP in our lives.
When we worship Him. His ATTRIBUTES. Ps 22:3; Rev 4:2 in the spirit we see His THRONE; When we worship we are singing His attributes.
When we recognize the strongholds in our lives and in the lives of those around us and at a higher level in the spiritual realms.
Eph 1:20-22 Jesus is on the THRONE; Eph 2:4-6 We have the power and authority to pull it down.
2 Cor 10:3-5
Eph 6: 10-18: When we take up the whole armor of God.
We give no room to the wiles/schemes of the devil v11.
Whose armor is it? God’s! We need not fear.
Do we put it on partially or WHOLE ARMOR?
Truth/The WORD: Daily Devotion, Bible study, cell group equipping. The counterfeit and the real are so close; rolex watches in Bt Frghi. Familiarize, build a strong foundation Matt 7:24-29
Righteousness: A revelation of JESUS in us.
Gospel of peace: Looking out for opportunities to share JESUS.
Shield of FAITH: Walk by faith and not by sight; whatever that is not of faith Is sin; Faith pleases God Heb 11.
Helmet of Salvation: The battle field of the mind. Constantly protect your mind. Renewing your mind. GIGO.
Sword of the Spirit: Application!
Jesus is seen when we ENTHRONE HIM.
(Rev 5:13) And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the THRONE, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."
Rev 7:9-17
By Rev. Samuel Hari
Is Jesus really enTHRONEd in our lives? Is His THRONE in us strong?
Why do we need to ENTHRONE HIM?
Heb 12:2; Jesus is on the THRONE
Satan is afraid of the THRONE 1 Sam 5-7 esp chap 7.
Rev 3:21; We will sit down with Him and rule with Him- a place of power and authority.
What happens when we ENTHRONE HIM?
Rev 7:17 Guide us to the waters of life (refresh, renew us) and wipe away every tear from our eyes (remove every burden, sorrow, pain, sickness).
Ez 47:8,9,12
The river of God flows from the THRONE Rev 22:1-;Ps 46:4; Joh 7:37-38 Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink! (38) He who believes in Me [who cleaves to and trusts in and relies on Me] as the Scripture has said, From his innermost being shall flow [continuously] springs and rivers of living water.
This speaks of fruitfulness in evangelism. Fruitfulness has one purpose: that is to bring people to Christ.
How can we ENTHRONE HIM?
Rev 4:8-11: When we give Him the HEADSHIP/LORDSHIP/RULERSHIP in our lives.
When we worship Him. His ATTRIBUTES. Ps 22:3; Rev 4:2 in the spirit we see His THRONE; When we worship we are singing His attributes.
When we recognize the strongholds in our lives and in the lives of those around us and at a higher level in the spiritual realms.
Eph 1:20-22 Jesus is on the THRONE; Eph 2:4-6 We have the power and authority to pull it down.
2 Cor 10:3-5
Eph 6: 10-18: When we take up the whole armor of God.
We give no room to the wiles/schemes of the devil v11.
Whose armor is it? God’s! We need not fear.
Do we put it on partially or WHOLE ARMOR?
Truth/The WORD: Daily Devotion, Bible study, cell group equipping. The counterfeit and the real are so close; rolex watches in Bt Frghi. Familiarize, build a strong foundation Matt 7:24-29
Righteousness: A revelation of JESUS in us.
Gospel of peace: Looking out for opportunities to share JESUS.
Shield of FAITH: Walk by faith and not by sight; whatever that is not of faith Is sin; Faith pleases God Heb 11.
Helmet of Salvation: The battle field of the mind. Constantly protect your mind. Renewing your mind. GIGO.
Sword of the Spirit: Application!
Jesus is seen when we ENTHRONE HIM.
(Rev 5:13) And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the THRONE, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."
Rev 7:9-17
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Friends-A MUST read!!!
Excerpt from Grace@work
Still there is one factor that helps us feel more at home as we journey through this life --- friends. As Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton remind us:
"Great relationships lead to a significant increase in life satisfaction. Noted psychologist Ed Diener found that 'the happiest people have high-quality social relationships.' On the other hand Deiner and other researchers found that lonely people suffer psychologically."
(How Full is Your Bucket? New York: Gallup Press, 2004, p. 96)
The destructive nature of loneliness was appallingly highlighted by the recent killings in Virginia Tech. Why did Cho Seung-Hui shoot 32 people before turning his gun on himself? Sharon Begley suggests various factors that led to Cho's madness including the reminder that "Rates of criminal violence are higher in mobile and heterogeneous societies where it is hard to put down roots and establish the social glue that binds people into a community." (The Anatomy of Violence, Newsweek April 30, 2007, p. 30)
In the same article Begley refers to "the competitive, individualistic aspects of American culture." (p.30) She could have been talking about Singapore or Kuala Lumpur or any major urban centre in the world. With globalisation so many of us are moving out of our communities to live and work in other parts of the globe. How many of us are therefore bereft of the life giving nurture of friends? And even if we stay put how much time does the modern "competitive, individualistic" workplace allow for us to build and sustain friendships?
Way back in 1981 Henri Nouwen already observed:
"Boredom, resentment, and depression are all sentiments of disconnectedness. They present life to us as a broken connection. They give us a sense of not-belonging. In interpersonal relationships, this disconnectedness is experienced as loneliness. When we are lonely we perceive ourselves as isolated individuals surrounded, perhaps, by many people, but not really part of any supporting or nurturing community. Loneliness is without doubt one of the most widespread diseases of our time."
(Making All Things New, New York: HarperCollins, 1981, p.32)
If loneliness was widespread in 1981 it is pandemic today. My "lostness" also serves as a reminder of its violence.
How will I move beyond my present sense of "lostness?" I have to work at rebuilding my network of friends. I have a number of good friends in Singapore. And some new relationships are promising.
Still, there is no instant connectedness. I have to take the first steps to connect and to reconnect. I will. I am. I have to. Like the disciples on the Emmaus road discovered, sometimes, when you walk with a friend, Jesus comes along side and walks with you (Luke 24: 13-15).
And that's home.
Your brother,
Soo-Inn Tan
E Mail: sooinn@graceatwork.org
Still there is one factor that helps us feel more at home as we journey through this life --- friends. As Tom Rath and Donald O. Clifton remind us:
"Great relationships lead to a significant increase in life satisfaction. Noted psychologist Ed Diener found that 'the happiest people have high-quality social relationships.' On the other hand Deiner and other researchers found that lonely people suffer psychologically."
(How Full is Your Bucket? New York: Gallup Press, 2004, p. 96)
The destructive nature of loneliness was appallingly highlighted by the recent killings in Virginia Tech. Why did Cho Seung-Hui shoot 32 people before turning his gun on himself? Sharon Begley suggests various factors that led to Cho's madness including the reminder that "Rates of criminal violence are higher in mobile and heterogeneous societies where it is hard to put down roots and establish the social glue that binds people into a community." (The Anatomy of Violence, Newsweek April 30, 2007, p. 30)
In the same article Begley refers to "the competitive, individualistic aspects of American culture." (p.30) She could have been talking about Singapore or Kuala Lumpur or any major urban centre in the world. With globalisation so many of us are moving out of our communities to live and work in other parts of the globe. How many of us are therefore bereft of the life giving nurture of friends? And even if we stay put how much time does the modern "competitive, individualistic" workplace allow for us to build and sustain friendships?
Way back in 1981 Henri Nouwen already observed:
"Boredom, resentment, and depression are all sentiments of disconnectedness. They present life to us as a broken connection. They give us a sense of not-belonging. In interpersonal relationships, this disconnectedness is experienced as loneliness. When we are lonely we perceive ourselves as isolated individuals surrounded, perhaps, by many people, but not really part of any supporting or nurturing community. Loneliness is without doubt one of the most widespread diseases of our time."
(Making All Things New, New York: HarperCollins, 1981, p.32)
If loneliness was widespread in 1981 it is pandemic today. My "lostness" also serves as a reminder of its violence.
How will I move beyond my present sense of "lostness?" I have to work at rebuilding my network of friends. I have a number of good friends in Singapore. And some new relationships are promising.
Still, there is no instant connectedness. I have to take the first steps to connect and to reconnect. I will. I am. I have to. Like the disciples on the Emmaus road discovered, sometimes, when you walk with a friend, Jesus comes along side and walks with you (Luke 24: 13-15).
And that's home.
Your brother,
Soo-Inn Tan
E Mail: sooinn@graceatwork.org
Tuesday, April 24, 2007
Sunday Re Cap (22nd April 2007)
The Second Coming of the LORD
By Rev Albert Jebanayagam
Rev 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
But we say “not too soon!” as we have many more things to be accomplished and set right with the FATHER.
Mt 24 gives us several signs of the last days especially
Mat 24:24-25 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (25) Behold, I have told you before.
2 Tim 3:1-5 describes the last days even further.
Mt 23:13-39 especially
Mat 23:36-39 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! (38) Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. (39) For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Rev 13:16-18 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.
How do we respond?
1. Build a strong foundation of the Word of God.
2Ti 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2. The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Pro_1:7; Pro_1:29; Pro_2:5; Pro_8:13; Pro_10:27; Pro_14:26; Pro_14:27; Pro_15:16; Pro_15:33; Pro_16:6; Pro_19:23; Pro_22:4; Pro_23:17; Pro_29:25;
3. Preach the Gospel.
Rom 10:13-17 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (14) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (15) How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" (16) However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" (17) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
By Rev Albert Jebanayagam
Rev 22:20 He who testifies to these things says, "Yes, I am coming quickly." Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.
But we say “not too soon!” as we have many more things to be accomplished and set right with the FATHER.
Mt 24 gives us several signs of the last days especially
Mat 24:24-25 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if [it were] possible, they shall deceive the very elect. (25) Behold, I have told you before.
2 Tim 3:1-5 describes the last days even further.
Mt 23:13-39 especially
Mat 23:36-39 Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, [thou] that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under [her] wings, and ye would not! (38) Behold, your house is left unto you desolate. (39) For I say unto you, Ye shall not see me henceforth, till ye shall say, Blessed [is] he that cometh in the name of the Lord.
Rev 13:16-18 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: (17) And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. (18) Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and] six.
How do we respond?
1. Build a strong foundation of the Word of God.
2Ti 3:14-17 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned [them]; (15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. (16) All scripture [is] given by inspiration of God, and [is] profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
2. The FEAR OF THE LORD is the beginning of wisdom.
Pro 9:10 The fear of the LORD [is] the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy [is] understanding.
Pro_1:7; Pro_1:29; Pro_2:5; Pro_8:13; Pro_10:27; Pro_14:26; Pro_14:27; Pro_15:16; Pro_15:33; Pro_16:6; Pro_19:23; Pro_22:4; Pro_23:17; Pro_29:25;
3. Preach the Gospel.
Rom 10:13-17 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED." (14) How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a preacher? (15) How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!" (16) However, they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, "LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?" (17) So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.
Friday, April 20, 2007
Speaker on 22nd April 2007
PRAISE THE LORD!
We're having ALBERT V. JEBANAYAGAM ministering at our church this Sunday. Don't miss it!
We're having ALBERT V. JEBANAYAGAM ministering at our church this Sunday. Don't miss it!
Sunday Re Cap (22nd April 2007)
THE THRONE OF GOD
By Rev Gilbert Carthigasu
By Rev Gilbert Carthigasu
Rev 1:1 It is PRIMARILY the REVELATION of JESUS CHRIST.
Rev 4:1-11 Has numerous mention of “throne” and “thrones”. Why the THRONE?
Rev 1:12-17 In exile, John saw a new JESUS; THE ONE WHO IS TO COME.
The current popular eschatology is that we will be in heaven with JESUS forever (John 14:23; 1 Thess 4:13-17).
The eschatology according to the book of Revelation is that we will rule and reign with JESUS on the earth in HIS kingdom. (Rev 11:11-16; esp v15).
II. THE THRONE ON EARTH
God’s ultimate desire is to dwell with man. (Rev 21:3).
God has A THRONE ON EARTH where this can happen (Ex 25:21-22)
The TABERNACLE on Earth was a copy of heaven. (Hebrews 8:3-6)
That THRONE is in
III. THE EFFECT OF THE THRONE IN THE WORLD
NO THRONE (605-515 BC) and
IV THE STRUGGLE FOR THE THRONE
Satan wants GOD’S THRONE! (IS 14:12-15).
There are 12 gates around the new JERU
Which is THE GATE that JESUS will return? Ez 43:1-5; Zech 14:4-5). THE EASTERN GATE which is also called The GOLDEN GATE.
The region facing this gate is one of the most turbulent places in the world (Terrorism, pestilence, bombings, etc).
THE LAND belongs to the LORD (Lev 25:23-24; Joel 3:1-2) and HE promised it to
WHAT MUST WE DO?
- Give JESUS the Throne in our lives by
- RECOGNIZING who He is through His ATTRIBUTES (Revelation 4:8-11).
- FEAR the LORD.
- WORSHIP HIM by living our daily lives as pleasing unto Him.
- Give Jesus The Throne In The Church
- Give Jesus The Throne In The Nation.
- Work for unity – Psalm 133, Acts 2:1
- Connect with
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Sunday Re-Cap (8th April 2007)
Resurrected Power
by Rev Phillip Jayabalan
Click Here to listen to this message.
We don’t just celebrate the resurrected power one day a year but each and every day.
Is it manifesting in and through our lives?
by Rev Phillip Jayabalan
Click Here to listen to this message.
Easter is the experience of the resurrected power in our life.
One word in our mouth can change and transform people’s lives. Ex “Auto-Raja’s” life in Bangalore, India was transformed by one girl's word.
Our life must change, can change.
Peter called by the LORD, walked on water.
And the last year of the ministry, Peter committed to follow Jesus even to prison and death. Lk 22:33
- Lk 22:54-60 the same Peter denied Jesus.Many of us make commitment to the LORD and don’t keep it.
- Js 1:22 says, "Be doers of the Word".
- Everyone has problems and this is time to see whether or not we have the resurrected power in our lives.
- Before we have Christ we don’t have resurrection power but after we have Jesus we have the resurrection power.
- Jn 21:2-3 Peter and disciples went back to fishing. Many run away from the ministry saying we can’t serve. Go back to share market, 4 digit, TOTO etc.
- Acts 2:14-17 (Joel 2:28) After Easter things happened. Are we BE (Before Easter) or AE (After Easter) Christians?
- The same Peter after the resurrection power was not afraid to proclaim Jesus.
- Acts 1:8.When we receive the Holy Spirit, we receive the resurrection power.
- Without resurrection power, we cannot reach out to the lost.
We don’t just celebrate the resurrected power one day a year but each and every day.
Is it manifesting in and through our lives?
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
Sunday Re-Cap (1st April 2007)
The Name Of JESUS
by David Lai
Mt 16:15-18 These signs shall follow those who believe…in HIS Name…
Mt 8:5-10 The healing of the Centurion’s servant.Col
by David Lai
- ALL authority and power in the Name of JESUS.
- Evangelism in the Name of JESUS.
Mt 18:19-20
Mt 16:15-18 These signs shall follow those who believe…in HIS Name…
Mt 8:5-10 The healing of the Centurion’s servant.
v8: …but speak the word only, and my servant shall be healed....
- When we say IN THE NAME OF JESUS…JESUS is there personally.
- The Centurion, like Adam only had authority in the natural realm. However, the Name of Jesus has authority over all realms i.e. the natural and the spiritual realms.
How did Jesus get this NAME?
- He received this Name by INHERITANCE. (Lk 1:31; Jn 6:32-35).
- He was CONFERRED this Name (Phil 2:9).
- By CONQUEST (
Saturday, March 31, 2007
Faithful
Mark Hatfield tells of touring Calcutta with Mother Teresa and visiting the so-called "House of Dying," where sick children are cared for in their last days, and the dispensary, where the poor line up by the hundreds to receive medical attention. Watching Mother Teresa minister to these people, feeding and nursing those left by others to die, Hatfield was overwhelmed by the sheer magnitude of the suffering she and her co-workers face daily. "How can you bear the load without being crushed by it?" he asked. Mother Teresa replied, "My dear Senator, I am not called to be successful, I am called to be faithful."
Beyond Hunger, Beals
It was a stormy night in Birmingham, England, and Hudson Taylor was to speak at a meeting at the Severn Street schoolroom. His hostess assured him that nobody would attend on such a stormy night, but Taylor insisted on going. "I must go even if there is no one but the doorkeeper." Less than a dozen people showed up, but the meeting was marked with unusual spiritual power. Half of those present either became missionaries or gave their children as missionaries; and the rest were faithful supporters of the China Inland Mission for years to come.
W. Wiersbe, Wycliffe Handbook of Preaching and Preachers, p. 242.
Norman Geisler, as a child, went to a DVBS because he was invited by some neighbor children. He went back to the same church for Sunday School classes for 400 Sundays. Each week he was faithfully picked up by a bus driver. Week after week he attended church, but never made a commitment to Christ. Finally, during his senior year in High School, after being picked up for church over 400 times, he did commit his life to Christ. What if that bus driver had given up on Geisler at 395? What if the bus driver had said, "This kid is going nowhere spiritually, why waste any more time on him?"
Max Lucado, God Came Near, Multnomah Press, 1987, p. 133.
One stormy night an elderly couple entered the lobby of a small hotel and asked for a room. The clerk said they were filled, as were all the hotels in town. "But I can't send a fine couple like you out in the rain," he said. "Would you be willing to sleep in my room?" The couple hesitated, but the clerk insisted. The next morning when the man paid his bill, he said, "You're the kind of man who should be managing the best hotel in the United States. Someday I'll build you one." The clerk smiled politely. A few years later the clerk received a letter from the elderly man, recalling that stormy night and asking him to come to New York. A round-trip ticket was enclosed. When the clerk arrived, his host took him to the corner of 5th Avenue and 34th Street, where stood a magnificent new building. "That," explained the man, "is the hotel I have built for you to manage." The man was William Waldorf Astor, and the hotel was the original Waldorf-Astoria. The young clerk, George C. Boldt, became its first manager.
Unknown.
Fred Craddock, in an address to ministers, caught the practical implications of consecration. "To give my life for Christ appears glorious," he said. "To pour myself out for others. . . to pay the ultimate price of martyrdom -- I'll do it. I'm ready, Lord, to go out in a blaze of glory. "We think giving our all to the Lord is like taking $l,000 bill and laying it on the table-- 'Here's my life, Lord. I'm giving it all.' But the reality for most of us is that he sends us to the bank and has us cash in the $l,000 for quarters. We go through life putting out 25 cents here and 50 cents there. Listen to the neighbor kid's troubles instead of saying, 'Get lost.' Go to a committee meeting. Give a cup of water to a shaky old man in a nursing home. Usually giving our life to Christ isn't glorious. It's done in all those little acts of love, 25 cents at at time. It would be easy to go out in a flash of glory; it's harder to live the Christian life little by little over the long haul."
Darryl Bell.
An elderly preacher was rebuked by one of his deacons one Sunday morning before the service. "Pastor," said the man, "something must be wrong with your preaching and your work. There's been only one person added to the church in a whole year, and he's just a boy." The minister listened, his eyes moistening and his thin hand trembling. "I feel it all," he replied, "but God knows I've tried to do my duty." On that day the minister's heart was heavy as he stood before his flock. As he finished the message, he felt a strong inclination to resign. After everyone else had left, that one boy came to him and asked, "Do you think if I worked hard for an education, I could become a preacher--perhaps a missionary?" Again tears welled up in the minister's eyes. "Ah, this heals the ache I feel," he said. "Robert, I see the Divine hand now. May God bless you, my boy. Yes, I think you will become a preacher." Many years later an aged missionary returned to London from Africa. His name was spoken with reverence. Nobles invited him to their homes. He had added many souls to the church of Jesus Christ, reaching even some of Africa's most savage chiefs. His name was Robert Moffat, the same Robert who years before had spoken to the pastor that Sunday morning in the old Scottish kirk. Lord, help us to be faithful. Then give us the grace to leave the results to you.
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Wednesday Night Prayer 21st March 2007
Aligning Our Heartbeat to the Father's Heartbeat
by Angelina Boots
Click here to listen to this INSPIRING & LIFE CHANGING message!
by Angelina Boots
Click here to listen to this INSPIRING & LIFE CHANGING message!
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Seberang Perai Prophetic Conference 2007
First time in a long time! Don't miss it! Tell everyone in Seberang Perai.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Sunday Re-cap (18th March 2007)
THE RELEVANCE OF THE NAMES OF GOD IN THE NT**BELIEVER
by Pastor Sam Hari
Click here to listen to this message
I. JESUS IS THE FULLNESS OF GOD IN BODILY FORM.
V16-All things were created IN HIM, THROUGH HIM, FOR HIM.
V18-He is the head of the body, THE CHURCH.
V19-IN HIM is ALL the FULLNESS of GOD.
II. HIS FULLNESS IS IN US!
Eph 1:22-23 And He has put all things under His feet and gave Him to be Head over all things to the church, (23) which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all.
Eph 3:14-21
V14,15-we are HIS family with HIS NAME (the NAMES of GOD, HIS nature, attributes, power is now IN the NT believers unlike the OT** believer who only encountered HIM externally).
V17-Christ now dwells in the NT believer’s hearts!
V18, 19-we now come to a place of knowing the love of Christ that passes knowledge (beyond the OT believer and the law; beyond intellect and theological knowledge).
That LOVE acts as a bridge between the OT and the NT. Without that
God’s intention in revealing HIS fullness was HIS LOVE for us. We are GREATLY LOVED! HIS NAMES dwell in us for HIS love’s sake.
V20-according to the power that works in us. The power of HIS NAME.
What is that power?
1Jo 4:13
1Jo 4:4 … because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.
Application
- Unlike the OT, the Names of Jehovah are no longer for external application only. They are to be applied internally.
- Jehovah Rapha does not just bring healing, HE is in us! Meaning healing is in us.
- Jehovah Jireh is not just one who sees and bring provision, He is seeing and HE is provision and HE IS IN US!
- Jehovah Nissi is in us…Tsidkenu, Makkadesh, Rohi, Sabaoth, Elohim, etc.
- Don’t just ask Jehovah to manifest His nature for our situation, ask Him to manifest the nature of His name IN US and through us to the world around us.
- The Names of God unlocks God’s treasures for us and IN US and through us!
**OT-OLD TESTAMENT NT-NEW TESTAMENT
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