His Words

Most of us feel guilty once we have performed wrong doings or violated God's law. It was like the feeling of being responsible for the things that caused negative to our life and even to others. The Holy Spirit is giving His full force and a lot of efforts to turn us away from committing sins and lead us towards to our Heavenly Father. I just realized that not all guilt comes from ungodly actions. 

Have you experienced that sometimes you question your performance for not reaching your goals? Or even feel so ashamed of the past events that we can't move forward? Even not fulfilling the expectations and criticisms by others has a big impact to us. Those times of rejection or pattern of abuse from a family member or encountering a power tripper supervisor can lead us to negative feelings. We can think of those ideas such as, 'what did I do wrong?', 'why it isn't enough?', 'why didn't I act on it', 'how did it happen, what was I doing?' These things are great and powerful tool that our enemy uses to spin our heads away from God. Whether false or real, these feelings can lead to the division of our attention. We can't think properly and we might question God's goodness. It also wastes our time and energy and insecurities will enter to overpower us. We might not feel the true love of God as we mingle and entertain those thoughts. Then what's next? It may lead to depression and hopelessness.

To cope up these, others channel their feelings through over shopping, overeating, excessive amount of time watching television and surfing the internet. But in the end, after those things, the feeling of guilt is still there. I admit that before I had the personal relationship with Jesus, I had the tendency to overeat and waste a lot of money just to push away those condemning thoughts and I assure you, those things will not help you at all! We must remember that dealing with guilt quickly is very important.

In Hebrews 10:22, "let us draw near to God with a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water.", it commands us to draw near to God as He will cleanse us. Point your eyes towards only to Him. Also, in Romans 8:1-2 "¹ Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, ² because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death", we must be reminded that there is no condemnation in the Kingdom of God. We must first admit and acknowledge our emotion and surrender everything to Him. Then identify the issue and pray it to God. If you commit sins and violated His commandment then ask for forgiveness and take necessary measures to amend your attitude (1 John 1:9 "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness"). If you have the feelings of false guilt then ask God to adjust your thoughts and let Him guide you and point you to the right thinking. Praise Him because He promises forgiveness and the removal of guilt.

image from bedof65roses.blogspot.com

Yesterday was a roller coaster of emotions for me. I received news about the death of my churchmate's father and the death of a former colleague. First news was very heart breaking as I know how this sister in Christ of mine truly trust and praise God. The acceptance wasn't easy but it was comforting to know that his father accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and saviour. Still, the thought of losing someone isn't easy and needs more time for the healing of the heart. The second news was a shocking one, this cool, hippie Indian friend and was a teammate from BarCap was so young and has a lot of potentials. But these things happen for a reason. Death isn't the end at all for them as I believe that an everlasting peace will be with them, same to my sister who left the Malbas clan eight years ago. They are now in a world where no pain will be felt, no problems need to rectify and will embrace the freedom from suffering and sins.

Jesus has prepared a place for us in that kingdom as stated in John 14:1-4 (Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe also in me. In my Father’s house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you? And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, that where I am you may be also. And you know the way to where I am going.). There is place that awaits for us after our purpose here on earth so we shouldn't worry at all about our relatives and friends who have passed away. If you will notice, description about the heave is very brief. Infact, if you will read the bible, only few details were given about the real atmosphere of heaven and what happens in the afterlife. Maybe God's reason is to keep us excited and for us to wonder about the mysteries of heaven, it's for us to imagine and it's for us to believe.

In Christianity, the assurance that you will reach that world is that you have received Jesus Christ as personal Lord and saviour and by declaration of faith. We should acknowledge Him will full trust, faith and love (Matthew 10:32-33 "Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heave"). Should we be afraid about death? I don't think so. We are assured that He will always be with us thru that journey which reflected in Psalm 23:4 (Eventhough I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me). So, should I say, death isn't bad at all? We have our own opinions and beliefs but whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord in heaven. (Romans 14:8 - If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord).

If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I am a Healer?
If you never had to pray, How would you know that I am a Deliverer?
If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?
If you never felt sadness, How would you know that I am a Comforter?

If you never made a mistake, How would you know that I am a forgiver?
If you knew all, How would you know that I will answer your questions?
If you never were in trouble, How would you know that I will come to your rescue?
If you never were broken, Then how would you know that I can make you whole?

If you never had a problem, How would you know that I can solve them?
If you never had any suffering, Then how would you know what I went through?
If you never went through the fire, Then how would you become pure?
If I gave you all things, How would you appreciate them?

If I never corrected you, How would you know that I love you?
If you had all power, Then how would you learn to depend on me?
If your life was perfect, Then what would you need me for?
I am everything and everything is in Me.

Ephesians 4:6 - one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

Romans 8:28 - And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.

I think it was last year that I posted these words in my FB account: "It takes true courage to avoid retaliation". It is indeed true! Well, if you ask me, I was known as the king of revenge since high school and college days or even in my previous works. It was very hard not to take revenge after someone caused you pain. My ideal before was very simple, I will not stop until I caused that person same pain or even double or triple. But now, I am proud to say that I have managed to control my anger and not to take retaliation anymore. Instead, I just pray for that person. Eventually, in one of our caregroups, my CL told me she was thinking of me when was about to send our topic, yes! It was my favorite topic as I have a lot to share.

Matthew 5:38-42 - 38) You have heard it was said, 'Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth' 39) But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also. 40) And if someone wants to sue you and take your tunic, let him have your cloak as well. 41) If someone forces you to go one mile, go with him two miles. 42) Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you.

During our discussion, we have enumerated three steps or ways on how to handle retaliation.
1. Learn to give up my rights when facing personal insults. Even Jesus Christ faced insults (Matthew 27:42 - "He saved others," they said, "but he can't save himself! He's the King of Israle! Let him come down now from the cross and we will believe in him) But what did he do? He just prayed for them and take all our sins and He was the one who asked forgiveness from God for our sins (Luke 23:34 - Jesus said, "Father, forvie them, for they do not know what they are doing" And they divided up his clothes by casting lots.) In our daily life, we cannot please everybody, someone will strike you with insults and bad words that will make you anger but what should we do? We just need to forgive and pray for them because if you take negative actions against it, you will just commit sin, we should be more understanding and pray for that person and give them forgiveness that comes from our heart.

2. Learn to give up my rights when facing unreasonable demands. This portion is mostly about submitting to our leaders. For sure we have experienced overload in work and our boss continues to give us more work even if we have not yet done with our current assignment. But Jesus told us to follow your learders as they are the chosen one. No matter how bad they are, just pray for them as they will be the one answerable to Him. We should also pray for more wisdom and strenght in facing challenges of superb demands and expectations from us. Just continue to do the best that we can and try work harder and seek God's guidance and help.

3. Learn to give up my rights for taking revenge. (Romans 12:19-21 - 19) Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20) On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.) In this way, we were taught to love our enemies. 21) Do not take revenge but instead, learn to love them and give them what they need. They need more understanding and encouragement so give them what they lack of.

Truly, isn't it a great feeling that you are loved by everybody and caused no harm to anyone? That everyday we face the morning breeze all is positive? I believe that avoiding revenge is such a big challenge for all of us but if we try harder and put more effort and always thinking His lessons, we can overcome this. Let's continue to pray and seek his guidance and take His leadership and make Him the center of our life.

Last month, senior Pastor Jeff presented this year's ministry theme, Whole City Whole World. The first thing came into my mind was globalization or going international. I was kinda correct but the question was why? Why did he choose such theme? He gracefully explained it and everybody seemed to grasp the main idea.

Acts 9:4-6 - 4) He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" 5) "Who are you, Lord? Saul asked. "I am Jesus whom you persecuting," he replied. 6) "Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do."

As explained by Pastor Jeff, city is like a magnet on which lot of people wanted to come to and experience an urban living. 42% of Singapore's population are foreigners, this city was also described as a cosmopolitan city. The purposes of this year's theme are as follows:

1. Qualitative Growth (more than just an organization). Romans 8:37-39 - 37) No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. 38) For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future nor any powers, 39) neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

2. Quantitative Growth (increase of number of believers) 2 Peter 3:9 - The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance.

3. Ethnicity Growth (more nationalities and culture to be shared). Revelation 21:27 - Nothing impure will ever enter it, nor will anyone who does what is shameful or deceitful, but only those whose names are written in the Lamb's book of life.

Pastor Jeff wanted us to participate to these purposes and this theme by doing three simple things: First is "Discipleship and Outreach", we need to share His words to others, encourage everyone to live a life that is according to His will and teachings. Second was what he called as "Going Going Gone", on which we should also help globally and do the work of Lord to other nations. Third is to "Give" as per Malachi 3:10 ("Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty). Lastly is to "Pray", believe and trust His power and be confident to his love.