Student Conference is just 2 days away!! Be prepared for a great time of leaning, rocking the hse of God and great fellowship. You just got to be there :)

God has placed many talents in our team. I've just received an email from huiying and she has done our NE tag and it looks really good. Getting our NE T shirt this Sat! Heard so many good feedback about our "NE band". In the begining i was quite hestitant in having a full band. But you guys proved me wrong :) Looking forward to seeing our first ever NE band! This camp will be a glimpse of what it will be like when we have our NE Service. This is so cool! I'm looking forward to great things from God.

"The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,"says the Lord Hag 2:9

If you think what we have now is great, you ain't see nothing yet!
Its only the begining... I'm so filled with anticipation :)

Last night, i read a book "Tuesday with Morrie". Its quite a touching book and some parts of it really make sense. Its a sharing between a dying professor and his student. Its their "last thesis" and the subject was The Meaning of Life. Some meaning quotes

"The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work, don’t buy it." - Dun be caught in the rat race. What our culture says and is pursuing may not be right.

"To know you're going to die, and to be prepared for it at any time. That's better. That way you can actually be more involved in your life while you're living. "

Read Wynnie’s blog. Reminded of a dream I had last night. It was quite bizarre too. I was at RC with all the NEC guys and I was trying to chase them out of RC but they refused. (Seems quite familiar :)) I was so angry that i started to scold them and they began to ............. CRY -_-

Please don’t cry, k? I promise not to scold you if you leave before 8pm :)
I must really be more gentle. (Aiyo, fancy scolding pple even in my dream :P ) God help me!

muhahhahahahhahahahaa.. i am finishing the care discussion lesson. *ecstatic*
This has been giving me headache.

Congrats to our O's and A's level students! They have finished their exams!! :)
Freedoommmm!!

from shirls

Five reasons why you MUSTN’T miss the Student Conference

1) God will be there!! He’ll touch many hearts and renew many souls.

2) The whole Student Group will be there!
We’re a family – and a family means no one gets lefts behind.

3) Expect the Word preached with conviction and vision cast with faith!

4) Praise and worship is gonna be a blast!! Get ready for a rockin’ time with God!!
(There’ll be a surprise on the first day which I obviously can’t divulge yet…)

5) We’re gonna have so much fun!! Expect a combo of games and experiential learning!


This is the LAST week of registration…
So let’s sign up for $30/35 with your UA this Sat/Sun!
And get ready for an awesome time with Jesus!!

Day 21: It Takes Time : )

Phil 1:6
6being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Ecc 3:1
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

There are no shortcuts to maturity

Spiritual maturity cannot be rushed. Spiritual growth like physical growth, takes time. While we worry about how fast we grow, God is concerned about how strong we grow. God views our lives from and for eternity, so he is never in a hurry.

Before Christ is in our lives, he sometimes has to ‘soften us up’ by allowing problems we cant handle. While some open their lives to Christ the first time he knocks on the door, most of us are resistant and defensive.

The moment you open yourself for Christ, you may think that you’ve surrendered ‘all’ your life to him, but the truth is, there is a lot to your life that you aren’t even aware of. Therefore, an expedient would start whereby God will begin to take over more and more territory in your life until all of your life is completely his.

Discipleship is the process of conforming to Christ. Real maturity is never the result of a single experience, no matter how powerful or moving. Growth is gradual.

Why does it take so long?

♪ We are slow learners.
♪ We have a lot to unlearn
♪ We are afraid to humbly face the truth about ourselves.
♪ Growth is often painful and scary.
♪ Habits take time to develop.


We often have to relearn a single lesson lots of time before we get it. Often times, we forget what we’ve learnt very quickly, and soon revert to our old pattern of behavior. Most of our old habits don’t develop overnight. Thus, its unrealistic to expect them to go away immediately either. Sometimes, the misery of seeing our own flaws keeps us living in the prison of denial, making us unable to advance. It is only when we gradually see the light of truth no our own faults, failure and hang-ups can we begin to work on them. Growth also involves change. There is no growth without change, no change without fear or loss, and there is no loss without pain. You must let go of old ways in order to experience the new. However, this fear of change can definitely slow down your growth. Finally the acquisition of a habit, takes time, and practice.



Therefore, believe that god is working in your life even when you don’t feel it. Be patient with God and with yourself. Remember that god is never in a hurry, but he is always on time. He will use your entire lifetime to prepare you for your role in eternity. Great soul s are grown through struggle and storms and seasons of suffering. Be patient with the process. Don’t be discouraged! : ) Remember how far you’ve come, not just how far you have to go. Keep on moving ahead. Even the snail reached the ark by persevering, so will you! ; )


QUESTIONS:
In what areas of my spiritual life do I need to be more patient and persistent?



Day 22: Accepting your assignment

Eph 2:10
10For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

John 17:4 (MSG)
4I glorified you on earthBy completing down to the last detailWhat you assigned me to do.


♪ We were created to serve God

Eph 2:10b (MSG)
10No, we neither make nor save ourselves. God does both the making and saving. He creates each of us by Christ Jesus to join him in the work he does, the good work he has gotten ready for us to do, work we had better be doing.

Jer 1:5
5"Before I shaped you in the womb,I knew all about you.Before you saw the light of day,I had holy plans for you:A prophet to the nations--that's what I had in mind for you."

♪ You were saved to serve God

2 tim 1:9 (MSG)
9who first saved us and then called us to this holy work. We had nothing to do with it. It was all his idea, a gift prepared for us in Jesus long before we knew anything about it.

1 cor 6:20 (CEV)
20God paid a great price for you. So use your body to honor God.

♪ You are called to serve God

2 tim 1:9
9God saved us and chose us to be his holy people. We did nothing to deserve this, but God planned it because he is so kind. Even before time began God planned for Christ Jesus to show kindness to us.
♪ You are commanded to serve God

Matthew 20:28 (MSG)28That is what the Son of Man has done: He came to serve, not be served--and then to give away his life in exchange for the many who are held hostage."

The mature follower of Jesus stops asking, “Who’s going to meet my needs?” and starts asking, “Whose needs can I meet?” Do you ever ask that question? : )

Evaluate how we’ve used our lives to serve other people and God. Each of us will have to give a personal account to God at the end of our lives. One day God will compare how much time and energy we spent on ourselves compared with what we invested in serving others!

Do these excuses sound familiar to you?
‘I was too busy’, ‘I had my own goals’ or ‘I was too preoccupied with working, having fun, or preparing for retirement’.
These are all excuses for our self centeredness! : (

God wants to use you to make a difference in this world. He wants to work through you! What matters is not the duration of your life, but the donation of it. Not how long you’ve lived, but how you’ve lived!

QUESTION:
What is holdng me back from accepting God’s call to serve Him’?


Day 23: Using What God gave you

Romans 12:5 (MSG)
5The body we're talking about is Christ's body of chosen people. Each of us finds our meaning and function as a part of his body. But as a chopped-off finger or cut-off toe we wouldn't amount to much, would we? So since we find ourselves fashioned into all these excellently formed and marvelously functioning parts in Christ's body,

What you are is God’s gift to you;
What you do with yourself is your gift to God.
Danish proverb


God deserves your best!
He has shaped you for a purpose and he expects you to make most of what you have been given. He doesn’t want you to worry about or covet abilities you do not have, instead, he wants you to focus on talents he has given you to use! Don’t force yourself to serve God in ways which you’re not shaped to be, discover your shape to serve God, then, learn to accept and enjoy it, letting it develop to its fullest potential.

Eph 5:17 (MSG)
17Don't live carelessly, unthinkingly. Make sure you understand what the Master wants

Begin by assessing your gifts and abilities. Take a long honest look at what you are good at and what you’re not good at. Ask around for honest opinions and check out where you have seen the fruit in your life that other people confirmed for you. Spiritual gifts and natural abilities are always confirmed by others. The best way to discover your gifts and abilities is to experiment with different areas of service. Sometimes, one can only see the results of your gift, and receive confirmation, after one began to accept opportunities to experiment in that area of service. Just start serving, experimenting with different ministries, and then you’ll discover your gifts. Until you’re actually involved in serving, you’re not going to know what you’re good at.

Gal 6:4b (MSG)
4Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that. Don't be impressed with yourself. Don't compare yourself with others

Consider your heart and your personality, ask yourself questions. Examine your experiences and extract the lessons you have learned. Consider how God has worked in your life and consider how he wants to use those lessons to help others. And Since God knows whats the best for you, you should gratefully accept the way he has fashioned you. : ) Enjoy what you have and never compare yourself with others. We are to cultivate our gifts and abilities, keep our hearts aflame, grow our character and personality and broaden our experiences so we will be increasingly more effective in our service.

2 Tim 1:6 (MSG)
6And the special gift of ministry you received when I laid hands on you and prayed--keep that ablaze

QUESTION:
How can I make the best use of what God has given me?



Day 24: How Real Servants Act

Mark 10:43 (MSG)
43It's not going to be that way with you. Whoever wants to be great must become a servant.

Matthew 7:16 (NIV)
16By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles?


We serve God by serving others. God determines our greatness by how many people we serve and not how many people serve you. While knowing your shape (talents and abilities) is important for serving God, having the heart of a servant is even more important.

God often tests our hearts by asking us to serve in ways we’re not shaped. Your primary ministry should be in the area of your shape, but your secondary service is wherever you’re needed at the moment! Your shape reveals your ministry, but your servant’s heart will reveal your maturity.

Real servants make themselves available to serve. They don’t fill up their time with pursuits that could limit their availability. They want to be ready to jump into service when called on. If you only serve when its’ convenient for you, then you’re not a real servant. Real servants do what’s needed, even when it’s inconvenient. Being a servant means giving up the right to control your schedule and allow God to interrupt it whenever he needs to. They don’t make excuses, procrastinate or wait for better circumstances. Instead, they seize the opportunity to help others. The size of the task is irrelevant, what they do, servants will work at it with all their heart, to fulfill their responsibilities, keep promises and complete their commitments. They don’t leave a job half undone, and they don’t quit when they get discouraged. They are trustworthy and dependable. : )

Remember, even the smallest service is noticed by God and rewarded. Remember the words of Jesus, “If, as my representatives, you give even a cup of cold water to a little child, you will surely be rewarded.”

QUESTION:
Which of the characteristics of a real servant does it offer the greatest challenge to me?



Day 25: Thinking like a servant

Numbers 14:24 (MSG)
"But my servant Caleb--this is a different story. He has a different spirit; he follows me passionately. I'll bring him into the land that he scouted and his children will inherit it.

Phil 2:5 (MSG)
5Think of yourselves the way Christ Jesus thought of himself.

Service starts in your mind. It requires a mental shift, a change in your attitudes to become a servant. God is always more interested in why we do something than in what we do. Attitudes count more than achievements.

2 chronicles 25:2
2He lived well before GOD doing the right thing for the most part. But he wasn't wholeheartedly devoted to God.

True humility is thinking about others, not of themselves. True humility is losing your life, or forgetting yourself in order to serve others. When we empty ourselves of our own needs, we start to focus on the needs of others.

Servants base their identity in Christ. Because they remember that they are loved and accepted by grace, they don’t have to prove their worth. They willing accept jobs that insecure people would consider ‘beneath them’. One of the most profound examples of serving from a secure self-image is Jesus’ washing the feet of his disciples. Washing feet was equivalent of being a shoeshine boy, a job devoid of status. But Jesus knew who he was, so the task didn’t threaten his self-image. : ) Likewise, if you’re going to be a servant, you must settle your identity in Christ. Only secure people can serve as insecure people are always worrying about how they appear to others. The more insecure you are, the more you will want people to serve you, and the more you will need their approval. :

2 cor 10:18
What you say about yourself means nothing in God's work. It's what God says about you that makes the difference.

“The only really happy people are those who have learned how to serve’. Albert Schweitzer
QUESTION:Am I usually more concerned about being served or finding ways to serve others?


Day 26: God’s power in your weakness

2 cor 13:4 (NIV)
4For to be sure, he was crucified in weakness, yet he lives by God's power. Likewise, we are weak in him, yet by God's power we will live with him to serve you.

2 cor 12:9
9But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.

God loves to use weak people! : ) everyone has their weaknesses. In fact, we have a bundle of flaws and imperfections, physical, emotional, intellectual and spiritual. Usually we deny our weaknesses, defend, excuse, or hide them. This prevents God form using them the way he desires! Like common pottery, we are fragile and flawed and break easily. But God will use us if we allow him to work through our weaknesses. For that to happen, we must follow the model of Paul. : )

♪ Admit your weaknesses.
Own up to your imperfections. Stop pretending to have it all together and be honest about yourself. Make a list of them! If we want God to use us greatly, we have to understand who God is and who we are. We are only human. : ) If it is going to take a crisis for us to admit this, God wont hesitate to allow it, because he loves you. : )

♪ Be content with your weaknesses.
Though we want to be freed from our weaknesses, being content is an expression of faith in the goodness of God. It says, “God I believe you love me and know whats best for me’. Inborn weaknesses cause us to depend on God, whenever we feel weak, God is remind you to depend on Him! : ) Our weaknesses also prevent arrogance. They keep us humble. With weaknesses, we are also far more likely to be compassionate and considerate to the weaknesses of others. God wants you to have a christlike ministry on earth. That means other people are going to find healing on your wounds. : ) Your greatest life messages and most effective ministry will come out of your deepest hurts. The things you’re most embarrassed about, most ashamed of, and most reluctant to share are the very tools God can use most powerfully to heal others.

♪ Honestly share your weaknesses
Ministry begins with vulnerability. The more you let down your guard, take off your mask and share your struggles the more God will be able to use you in serving others. Vulnerability is emotionally liberating. Opening up relives stress, defuses your fears and is the first step to freedom.

The more honest you are, the more of God’s grace you get.
The most essential quality for leadership is not perfection, but credibility.
How do you build credibility? Not by pretending to be perfect, but by being honest. : )
Sometimes God may even turn our strengths into weaknesses in order to use us more! (eg, Jacobs’ wrestle with the angel)


QUESTION:
Am I limiting God’s power in my life by trying to hide my weaknesses? What do I need to be honest about in order to help others?

take donkey years to load this page :(

Day 18: Transformed by Truth

Matthew 4:4 (CEV)
4Jesus answered, "The Scriptures say: `No one can live only on food. People need every word that God has spoken.' "

Acts 20:32 (MSG)
"Now I'm turning you over to God, our marvelous God whose gracious Word can make you into what he wants you to be and give you everything you could possibly need in this community of holy friends.

John 8:31-32
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free

Abiding in God’s word
♪Accepting God’s authority
♪Assimilating its truth
♪Applying its principles.

Go to the bible for wise counsel, in our decision making, and make it the benchmark for our evaluation! The bible must always have the first and last word in our lives. : )

God’s word is all that we need. It never leads us in the wrong direction. Be determined to ask ‘ What does the bible say?’ when we’re making decisions.

Be receptive to the word, and receive it with a correct attitude, and open heart! Daily bible reading will keep us in range with God’s voice. Meditate on the scriptures and take time to reflect on the example of Christ and God’s truth.

Lastly, apply what we’ve learnt. Sometimes personal application is avoided as it can be difficult or even painful. God’s word exposes us motives, points out our faults,rebukes our sins and expects us to change. It’s human nature to resist change, that is why applying God’s word is such hard work. Thus it is very important to discuss your personal applications with your spiritual family and enable them to keep watch over you.

QUESTION:
What has God already told me in his word that I haven’t started doing yet?

Day 17: Growing up

Eph 4:15 (MSG)
15God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love--like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do.

Eph 4:14
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.

Spiritual growth is not automatic, it takes intentional commitment. You must want to grow, decide to grow, make an effort to grow and persist in growing. Discipleship always begins with a decision. Don’t make half hearted commitments. Nothing shapes your life more than the commitments you make. Make a decision, make a commitment, and stick to it.

Christlikeness is the result of making chirstlike choices and depending on his spirit to help you fulfill those choices. You’ll need to let go of some old routines, develop some new habits and intentionally change the way you think. Spiritual growth, is a collaborative effort between you and the holy spirit.

Phil 2:12-13
12Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, 13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose.

We must change the way we think if we want to be more like Jesus. Behind everything we do is a thought. Every behavior is motivated by a belief and every action is prompted by an attitude.
Prov 4:23 (CEV)
23Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life

Eph 4:23(CEV)
23Let the Spirit change your way of thinking

It may be hard at first. It’ll require some force out of you. It’ll create some resistance. But in Christ, we are able to engage the holy spirit to do this together with us. : )

As we mature, we’ll start thinking like jesus, which focuses on others, not on ourselves. Thinking of others is a heart of Christ likeness and the best evidence of spiritual growth. This kind of thinking is unnatural, counter cultural, rare and difficult. Fortunately we have help from God! : )

1 cor 2:12 (CEV)
12But God has given us his Spirit. That's why we don't think the same way that the people of this world think. That's also why we can recognize the blessings that God has given us.

QUESTION:
What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God’s way?

this is funny ;)
A taxi passenger tapped the driver on the shoulder to ask him a question.
The driver screamed, lost control of the car, nearly hit a bus, went up on the footpath, missed a biker, scraped a fire hydrant, and stopped just 3 centimetres from a department store shop window.

For a 3 seconds everything went quiet in the cab, then the driver slowly turned around and said, "Look lady, don't ever do that again. You scared the living daylights out of me!"

The passenger apologized and said, "I didn't realize that a little tap would scare you so much."
The driver replied, "Sorry, it's not really your fault. Today is my first day as a taxi driver. I've been driving a funeral van for the last 25 years."
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does anyone has any idea what happened to our NE website?
Cant seems to get in ... must be really dusty now :(

Day 16: Protecting the church

Eph 4:3
Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

It’s everyone’s job to protect the unity of the church! Unity is the soul of fellowship. : )
♪Focus on what we have in common, not our differences.
Staying focused on what matters most- learning to love each other as Christ has loved us and fulfilling God’s purposes for each of us and his church . : ) There are many issues, rather than our personal differences that we should be concentrating on.

Romans 14:19
19So let's agree to use all our energy in getting along with each other. Help others with encouraging words;
♪Be realistic in your expectations
we mus passionately love the church despite its imperfections! Though Bible talks about the ideal fellowship, reality can be quite different. But don’t be discouraged! : ) Longing for the ideal while criticizing the real is evidence of immaturity. Maturity is living with the tension in reality while striving for the ideal : ) Though other believers will disappoint us and let us down, it is not excuse to stop fellowshipping with them. They are our family. : )

♪Choose to encourage rather than criticize
It is always easier to stand on the sidelines and take shots at those who are serving than it is to get involved and make a contribution. God warns us over and over not to criticize compare or to judge each other.

Romans 14:4
4Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand.

♪Refuse to listen to gossip
Gossiping is passing on information when you are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution. Spreading gossip is wrong, listening to gossip is wrong too!

♪Practise God’s method for conflict resolution

matthew 18:15-17
15"If a fellow believer hurts you, go and tell him--work it out between the two of you. If he listens, you've made a friend. 16If he won't listen, take one or two others along so that the presence of witnesses will keep things honest, and try again. 17If he still won't listen, tell the church. If he won't listen to the church, you'll have to start over from scratch, confront him with the need for repentance, and offer again God's forgiving love.

♪Support your pastors and leaders
There are no perfect leaders, but God gave them the authority to maintain the unity of the church. We protect the fellowship of the church when we honor those who serve us by leading. Pastors and elders need our prayers, encouragement, appreciation and love! : )

Heb 13:17 (MSG)
17Be responsive to your pastoral leaders. Listen to their counsel. They are alert to the condition of your lives and work under the strict supervision of God. Contribute to the joy of their leadership, not its drudgery. Why would you want to make things harder for them

1 thess 5:12-13(MSG)
12And now, friends, we ask you to honor those leaders who work so hard for you, who have been given the responsibility of urging and guiding you along in your obedience. 13Overwhelm them with appreciation and love!Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part.
QUESTION:
Am I protecting my church family right now and keeping unity?

I’m back.

My previous post was deleted :(
Let me re-type my experience in Bangkok

Day 1
Reached Bangkok at noon. Left our luggage at the hotel and went shopping on our own. We wanted to find a place for lunch and wanted something Thai. We walked for very long and still cant find a place. There were many street food stalls but no “decent” place in which we can sit to eat. In the end, we ended up eating at subway.

And guess what we had for dinner? Japanese food at the hotel :( talk about having something Thai . The traffic in Bangkok was quite bad. Lots of dust and pollution. We then took a coach to Pattaya that evening.

Day 2
First day at the conference. We learnt what administration is and the importance of it. Good to know that administration is more than paperwork. It’s mobilizing people, helping them to serve at their fullest potential and placing them at the right fit. It’s also utilizing all resources to serve God’s kingdom.

We decided to be adventurous and took a truck out to one of their night market that night. Lots of dust, street stalls and pubs. There’s a stall that sells bugs.. yucks.. lots of different kinds of bugs… am to tempted to buy back some for the NE camp *evil*. Of course, would a loving person like me do that? Hee heee hee


Day 3
I’ve learnt about the spirit of excellence. Ps PN preached about the importance of this spirit in an administrative chuch. He modeled it himself. He shared with us his determination in improving his English. There was once he was corrected by one of the LA leader on his pronunciation in the word “balance”. Immediately he applied and change his pronunciation. When others are preaching, he will note down the words that they use so that in time to come, he can use them too. Indeed you can see that his English is so much more fluent now. Also this time leadership conference has improved so much compared to last time. They had nice decorations, good presentations, good bands, opening and closing ceremony. I am challenged not to remain status quo but to improve myself. Improve the way I lead my DMMs, PM, Hosting, ministries, communications …

That day during the break, we went to the theme park. We brought Daniel and Deborah along.




Gwen, Shirls and I took the longest Viking we ever had. While we were busy screaming our heads off, the man was reading a book. For a moment, I thought we gonna stay there forever. He really made our money worth ;)

Then we took the roller coaster and I think its more of a “torture” coaster. It was so rocky that I had two super big bruise after that. I think we screamed more becos of the pain than the height.

That night, we played hide and seek with the twins. Talked about growing up … hee hee

Day 4
Last day in Pattaya.
I was filmed on the MM on what I learnt from the conference. The clip was played during the closing ceremony. So pai sei cos they were all teasing me.

We left for Bangkok and that night we went to the night market again. And we constantly got to haggle the price for taxis and stuffs there. Once they know that we are tourists, they will quote us a price that is sky high. There was a street in which there were many pubs and ehh.. you know … There was a pub in which the door was left ajar and there was a group of men, dancing on the bar top, half naked. *faint*

Finally we had authentic Thai food. The tom yam soup and papaya salad is great! yummy...

Day 5
Shopping day

Walk, walk, walk and walk
Haggle, haggle, haggle and haggle

We walked a lot and haggled a lot. A few Thai brothers and sisters took us out. After which we had our dinner at MK.

Our flight was delayed and in the end we reached Singapore at 4am!
Overall, it has been an enjoyable and fruitful trip :)

Well done NE!

We did very well even in the midst of exams. We grew by about 10 people, last week we had 131 in SS and 120 in CG. Keep it up!

It’s just so amazing when I reflect on God’s grace. I remembered years ago when I was struggling with my group. We wanted to reach 40 then but instead of growing, we dropped quite a far bit. I was really disheartened and it was quite a long period of drought. I remembered crying with my core team in symnar assembly after our service as the turnout was really bad. I started to seek ways to rectify the situation by seeking counsel and so on. Just dun understand what went wrong. To make matters worse, two of my sheep left. I was really devastated.

But God is very faithful. Upon reflection, that was a hard-going time but a fruitful time of pruning. I wouldn’t want to trade this experience for better times. Hee hee.. doubt I will say this then. God purified my motives. I began to question myself “Do I serve God just because I see results?” “Is God a liar?” I also realised that its indeed not me. On my own, I can’t do anything. But in Christ, I can be somebody. I learnt to rejoice in those times and to hang on to God’s word even when things aren’t happening yet. I day dreamed and pictured myself sharing on stage about how God has turned the situation around.

Serving 100 has always been a dream but God made it a reality.

Lets believe God for greater things in our lives because we are serving a Great and Unlimited God. Don’t insult him. Don’t be discouraged if things aren’t happening yet. God is not a man that He should lie. If you dare trust Him, He will make them come to pass. You know I often wonder to myself, God’s church will grow from glory to glory, in other words, shouldn’t the church now be even more powerful than the Acts church? Lets allow God to use us to be a blessing and use us to be an encouragement & example to the rest :)

"God, we are trusting you for more. It’s not about us but you working in us. We are just your pencils :) Use us to write history."

Our Fasting and Praying Guide

lets do it together =)

Day 1: It’s not about you.
Col 1:16
For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

Eph 1:11
In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will,

Ø We are born by His purpose, for His purpose
Ø Are you living for YOUR ambitions, YOUR goals, YOUR dreams for YOUR future? Will these be able to fulfill us?
Ø Do we always start with self centered questions about our purposes?
Ø Life = Letting God use us for His purpose.

Question: How do we remind ourselves that we are living for God and not for ourselves?

Day 2: What drives your life?
That man without a purpose is like a ship without a rudder – a waif, a nothing, a no man. Thomas Carlyle

Isaiah 26:3 (TEV)
You, LORD, give perfect peace to those who keep their purpose firm and put their trust in you

Jer 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD , "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.

Isaiah 493 He said to me, "You are my servant, Israel, in whom I will display my splendor." 4 But I said, "I have labored to no purpose; I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing. Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand, and my reward is with my God."

Job 716 I despise my life; I would not live forever. Let me alone; my days have no meaning.

Ø Everyone’s life is driven by something. What’s your driving force?

Many people are driven by
1. Guilt
Regret, shame, allowing their past to control their future, letting their past experiences and memories to manipulate the way they live their life.
2. Resentment/anger
They hold on to hurts and never get over them. This group of people tend to bottle their anguish up, or the other extreme would tend to ‘explode’ onto others. Both are unhealthy and unhelpful ways of dealing with their pain.
3. Fear
Afraid to venture out, avoiding risks, prefers to maintain status quo and play safe.
4. Materialism
Misconceptions of having more will make ‘me’ happy, more important and more secure. Determining life’s values by possessions.
5. Need for approval
Allowing the expectations of parents, teachers or friends to override their lives. This can also stem from a constant worry over what others might think of him/her.

Ø There are many forces that can drive your life but all lead to the same dead end; an unfulfilled life. (Isaiah 49, job 7)
Ø Do you know God’s purpose for YOUR life? (jer 29:11)
Ø It is impossible to do everything people want us to do, please everyone or to guarantee success in all areas of our lives. However, what we can take delight in is that all of us just have enough time to do God’s will.
Ø If we are always living in fear, we miss out on being what God wants us to be.
Ø Our time, talents; are we investing these things in the kingdom of God?

Questions: Am I being focused? Am I keeping the main thing the main thing?
Purpose always produce passion. What is that driving force behind your life? Is it a searing passion to do His will? Or is it……) (let’s pray and open our hearts to God for evaluation!)

Heb 12:2
2Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

Day 3: Seeing life from God’s perspectives (test)
James 1:12
12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.

1 Cor 10:13
13No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.
Life =is a test and a trust
Ø How do you see your life? How you define life determines your destiny as your perspective will eventually influence how you invest your time, spend your money, use your talents and value your relationships.
Ø God allows challenges in our lives for a purpose.
Ø God tests our faith through problems, tests our hope through how we handle possessions, and tests our love through people.
Ø One very important test is how you act when you can’t feel God‘s presence in your life. Sometimes God intentionally draws back so that we don’t feel His closeness. It’s at this crucial point in time that we are left alone to be tested on our character, to be revealed a weakness or to be prepared for more responsibility.
Ø When we realize that life is a test, nothing can become insignificant in our lives. Everyday is an important, and every smallest incident is significant for the development of our character. J

Question: What has happened to me recently that I know realize was a test from God?

Day 4: Seeing life from God’s perspective (trust)
1 Cor 4:2
2Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.

1 Cor 4:7b (NLT)
7What makes you better than anyone else? What do you have that God hasn't given you? And if all you have is from God, why boast as though you have accomplished something on your own?

Luke 16:10a (NLT)
Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won't be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won't be honest with greater responsibilities.
Ø Our time on earth, along with our resources, opportunities, relationships, energy and intelligence are all gifts from God that He has entrusted to our care and management.
Ø We are stewards of whatever God gives us!


Psalm 24:1
The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it, the world, and all who live in it
Ø Everything we enjoy today is a trust that God has placed in our hands
Ø Because God owns it, let’s take care of what we have to the best that we can!
Ø At the end of our lives on earth we will be evaluated and rewarded according to how well we handled what God has entrusted to us. That means everything we do, even the simple daily chores, bears eternal implications!
Ø There is a direct relationship between how we use our money and the quality of our spiritual lives. How we manage our money determines how much god can trust us with spiritual blessing (true riches).

Questions: Is the way I manage my money preventing God from doing more in my life?
What are the greatest matters God has entrusted to me?
What are some areas which God has entrusted to me and I need to be more faithful in?

Day 5: The smile of God
Numbers 6:25
the LORD make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;

Psalm 119:135
Make your face shine upon your servant and teach me your decrees.

Ø God smiles when we love him extravagantly.
Ø God wants a relationship with us!

Hosea 6:6
For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

Genesis 6:9b
Noah was a righteous man, blameless among the people of his time, and he walked with God

Ø Learning to love God deeply and be loved by him should be the greatest objective of our lives! Nothing else comes close to importance. Jesus called it the greatest commandment

Matthew 22:27-28
37Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'[1] 38This is the first and greatest commandment.

Ø In love, we trust.
Heb 11:7 (MSG)
7By faith, Noah built a ship in the middle of dry land. He was warned about something he couldn't see, and acted on what he was told. The result? His family was saved. His act of faith drew a sharp line between the evil of the unbelieving world and the rightness of the believing world. As a result, Noah became intimate with God.

Ø Noah trusted God completely without a single complain or making excuses. This made God smile.
Ø Trusting god completely means having faith that he knows what is beat for your life.
Ø Trusting is an act of worship.

Heb 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him

Question: In which areas of your life do you need to trust God completely?

Ø God smiles when we obey Him wholeheartedly
Ø Doing it without delay, without reservation or hesitation.
Ø God may not give us an explanation or reason for everything He asks us to do. However understanding can wait, but obedience cant.
Ø Instant obedience can teach us more about God than a lifetime of bible discussions.
Ø Obedience unlocks understanding.

Question: Do we offer God “partial’ obedience? Do we pick and choose the commands we obey?

Day 6: Heart of worship
Romans 6:13
Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. Romans 12:1-2
Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Ø The heart of worship comes when we surrender everything that we have in response to God’s love and mercy. It is natural and we give ourselves to Him not out of fear or duty, but rather, love.
Ø Surrendering ourselves to Him brings about freedom.
Ø Giving our lives calls for us to change what needs to be changed. Many a times, this is the same call for a battle within us.
Ø Surrendering is best demonstrated in obedience.

Questions: What are some of the things inside of us that we need to surrender to God? What are some of the barriers barring us from the heart of worship? (eg, pride, mistrust..?)

Day 7: Jesus is my best friend!
Romans 5:10 (NLT)
10For if, when we were God's enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!

Psalm 25:14a
The LORD confides in those who fear him; he makes his covenant known to them.

Ø The word friend does not mean a casual acquaintance but a close trusted relationship.
Ø We will never grow close to God by just attending church once a week or even having a daily quiet time. Friendship with God is built by sharing al your life experiences with Him.
Ø Everything that we do can be ‘spending time with god’ if we invite god to be part of it and stay aware of his presence.
Ø A second way to establish a relationship is to know God through his word. Meditate on the WOG. When we know God, we can love Him more.

Psalm 119:97
Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long

Psalm 77:12
I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds.

Question: What can I do to remind myself to think about God and talk to Him more often throughout the day?

Reference: Purpose Driven Church by Rick Warren

Phew... have not have such a lengthy entry for a long time ;)