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Friday, February 29, 2008
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to You!
Happy Birthday to "Who?????????"
to our dear Samantha!
Birthday wishes from us all:
*****
Hey Sam,
Glad to have you join us in the cell group!
So glad to see someone new when I came back to Sg.
Have blessed years ahead and may you continue to grow in the Lord!
Cheryl <3
*****
hello sam! :))
super happy that mich brought you to join us in this family of love!
in the coming year, may it be the best yet year filled with God's wisdom to live life to the fullest to fulfil your destiny in Christ! :)
may you be happy, pretty and healthy healthy!!
loves!
-tab-
*****
yo sista!
happy birthday!
may your dreams and wishes come true this year
may God bless you especially in your studies
and grow more with your spiritual walk with God =)
God bless
and love you lots
grace
*****
heyo samantha tha tha thaaaa~
Happy birthday!! ;) Its really such a wonderful blessing to
have you here in our cell group! you have brought much laughter, joy and fun
into the cell group! Keep on shining for the Lord and keep on growing in Him
in all the walks of your life! Hugs!!
wanxiu
*****
Happy Birthday to u... ( x 2) Happy Birthday to Samantha... (Repeat 1st x 1)
May all ur wishes come truth... LALALA
_D_
*****
Samantha! Happy Birthday to you!
Hope you had enjoyed yourself today.
May the Lord bless and prosper you in every single area of your life
and grow to know him even more.
Be so mightily blessed!
Mingli ***** Hey Samantha! HAPPY BIRTHDAY! You are such a great addition to the cg! :) Can really see that you are passionate in loving God and you are such a great ball of energy!! Thanks for revitalising our cg! haha. Hope you will continue to grow stronger in the Lord and experience how real He is! Anyway, I googled what your name means and it means "Listener of God" so listen out for God - He has a great destiny in store for you! :) :)
Suat Wei
*****
HIYA!! =D
Happy Birthday!!
I love you with the love of God!
Mich
Hi Samantha! Happy Birthday to you! Just wanto take this opportunity to appreciate your faithfulness and hunger for the Lord. I pray that God will continue to guide and take you to your destiny! ShinE for Jesus! =Peien=
Leaving a foot step - 9:43 PM
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Monday, February 25, 2008
Fear not
Rev Dr Ulf Ekman
Is 41:10
"fear not" was mentioned about 365 times in the Bible. .: Fear not everyday!
Fear is the opposite of faith. Faith pleases God, so fear does not please God.
We need to combat fear. Fear causes one to hide in the crowd and not fulfill our potential, so God wants to help us move out of fear and into faith.
Matt 25:24
Parable of the Talents
v 24 The perception of the man of 1 talent of his master was that of "a hard man"
v25 "And I was afraid" Wrong perceptions causes us to react in fear. The man did not know his master, hence fear puts negative ideas into our heads. We need to have faith in our hearts and this pushes fear out of our lives.
"fear of God" does not mean to be afraid and to shun away from God. It means to respect God. He is our Father, so He will make us feel at home, feel a sense of belonging, protection, security, provision.
Romans 8:14-15
"did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear"
When we are born again, something breaks and we receive the Holy Spirit by adoption, which puts our spirit in sync with God's. The Holy Spirit then speaks through within us to our minds. This is unlike the devil, which speaks straight to the mind.
Acts 18:19
"do not be afraid, but I speak..."
The word of God will break the fear in our lives. If God is with us, who can be against us!
Romans 8
Be free of the carnal mind.
2 Tim
We have the spirit of soundness!
Fear is the lack of trust. Fear is the intuitive understanding that my personal power is not enough for what I'm supposed to do, and the lack is where fear comes in.
God loves you, so don't hate yourself! Be who you are. We are not created by Xerox, and not to be a lousy copy of someone else!
You will never lose what you give up. You lose what you hold on too tightly.
We will always be something special to the Lord.
Is 43:1-3
"For I am the LORD your God"
____________________________________________________________
Power of Prayer:
- Michelle - Going for job interview this week, pray that she will be able to secure the job which involves her interviewing selected personnels.
- Wan Xiu - Increasingly better job opportunities to come her way, and bosses that respect her decision to go to SOT. For her to be able to go to Shanghai.
- Paul Jones, Pearl, Grace, ME! - Exams, exams, exams. (I have income tax mid-terms so do pray along the lines of remembering all the small details of different types of taxation and knowing how to apply them. :))
- ... add on?
- suatwei
Leaving a foot step - 12:58 AM
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Thursday, February 21, 2008
2 Peter 1:5-11 Important spiritual values: If you have them, you will never be barren!
BUILT TO LAST
Nobody starts off something without the intention to last.
Is focus and change contradictory?
No. We need to focus on the right things to experience change.
What is important vs. what happened in the past.
Instead of worrying, seek first the Kingdom of God. Matt 6:33
You need to change your values, your mindsets, need to seek the spirtual aspects.
Story of the rich young ruler: He focused on the commandments like a law, but did not understand the spirit of the commandments, that is to love people and to love God.
.: We need to focus on values that are built to last! Values are needed for long-term growth.
Matt 12: 25
If you want your house to stand, it has to be united - have values that everyone agrees on. The place of agreement is the place of power, while the place of disagreement is the place of powerlessness.
Values
1. Loyalty
- Choose which god we are going to serve, which company we want to work in etc.
2. Commitment - Wives: Commit yourself to your husband and his visions
- Until you are committed, the visions will be just castles in the sky
3. Respect - Speak well to one another
- Whatever you don't guard - like how Adam didn't guard his relationship with God - you lose
- Familarity breds content
- You don't elevate yourself to that person you are taught to serve. You serve!
- Submission to authority is a Kingdom attitude
- Humility: Phil 2:5-11. Note: Jesus is God!
4. Accountability - Maintain connectedness (i.e. communication) witht he one you have a relationship with
- John 15:5
- Be connected to the one who first gave you your ministry
5. Family
- Your family is something that God has entrusted you with
- Live a balanced life!
- The Strength of a Man:
The strength of a man isn’t seen in the width of his shoulders.
It’s seen in the width of his arms that circle you. The strength of a man isn’t in the deep tone of his voice.
It’s in the gentle words he whispers. The strength of a man isn’t how many buddies he has.
It’s how good a buddy he is with his kids. The strength of a man isn’t in how respected he is at work.
It’s in how respected he is at home. The strength of a man isn’t in how hard he hits.
It’s in how tender he touches. The strength of a man isn’t in the hair on his chest.
It’s in his Heart…that lies within his chest. The strength of a man isn’t how many women he’s loved.
It’s in how he can be true to one woman. The strength of a man isn’t in the weight he can lift.
It’s in the burdens he can carry. (Thanks Cheryl! :))
6. Love - Matt 12: 20
- Love is that which motivates us to serve God
- John 15:12
- Is a commandment to love one another just "as I have loved you"
- God loves us too, and in that loving environment, there will be security
- 1 Cor 13:4-5
- Faith moves in an environment of love - people feel accepted, that is, if they fail, there is grace
7. Faithfulness
- i.e. trustworthy
- Luke 16:10, 12
- 1 Cor 4:2
8. Hard work
- i.e. diligence
- 2 Peter
- 2 Thess 3:10
9. Integrity
- Living in truth, speaking in truth, building your life on truth (private & public life)
- John 14:6
- Build your life on truth: Better would be your way and your life
- John 8:44
- By being a liar, you are saying that the devil is your father!
- Matt9:12-13
- Put your life right when it is wrong
10. Generosity
- Don't be a taker, be a giver!
- Acts 20:25
- 1 Tim 6:6-8
- The way to break envy is to be a giver
- James 3:14-15
- Envy is demonic
Where do all these values come from?
Exodus 20:1
- v3: Loyalty
- v4-6: Committment to who you are serving
- v7: Respect
- v8-11: Come beck in connection to God again
- v12: Family
- v13: Whoever has hatred in his heart is a murderer
- v14: Faithfulness
- v15: Hard work
- v16: Integrity
- v17: Don't be envious, be generous
Romans 1:29-30
The world at end times will have values that are a total opposite.
2 Tim3:1-4
Moral laws!
V.A.L.U.E.S. of having Values
Visible: Values give you an identity
Attract: Values attract people of similar values
Lead: Values are like a compass when you are presented with many opportunities - what am I to do? Go back to your values.
Unite: Without committment, we can't build anything
Establish: Values establish a firm foundation especially when there is external pressure
Standard: Values set a form of measurement
Labels: Saturday, Sermons
Leaving a foot step - 7:04 AM
For tab! :)
FAMILY
Human beings are made for relationships!
4 Purposes intended for us as a family
1. The family is a shelter from storms
- i.e. a refuge, a base to count on
- Provb 14:26
- Storms that I will face in life: Storms of change, of failure, of rejection
- Ecc 4:12
- How to turn E256 into a home: Hear (listen), Hug (physical affection), Help (give people what they need), Hope (build each other up rahter then tear) - Practical ways to show love!
2. The family is a place to play - i.e. kickback, relax, enjoy life
- Healthy families create fun! --> Fun has to be created to happen
And tune into the next 2 during this week's cg!
Labels: Cg, Friday, Sermons
Leaving a foot step - 6:38 AM
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Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Hello my friends!
It's BC (a.k.a Birthday Coordinator) at work.
Who's birthday is it???????????? (On 18th Feb)
It's our beloved Paul (smaller and younger one). :P
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to Paul Jones!
Happy Birthday to you!
WOOOOO~~~~~~
Dear Paul, here's what some of our cell group members has got to say to you~
*****
Really continue to grow more in the Lord,
May you grow in your faith,
Obey God with all your heart,
Most importantly, Happy Birthday!
-Cheryl
Dear Paul,
Happy birthday! this day marks as 16th birthday! You are now an teenager!
Continue to seek the Lord more and more and he will show you your purpose and destiny.
I hope that your studies will always be shining as salt and light around the friends you have.
I also pray that you will have a healthy body!
Take care of yourself, I believe that this year your life will be greatly impacted by God
and will be your best year yet!
Cheers,
Michelle =)
hey dude.
happy birthday. its such a blessing to have u in the cg with us.
keep on growing and shining in your sch
use the gift that God has given to you to bless others arnd u
p/s: pls bring ur bible + NOTEBOOK next time. *griNz.
Wanxiu.
Leaving a foot step - 12:34 AM
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Friday, February 15, 2008
Marriage
Pastor Kong, 10 Feb
Genesis 2 § Marriage is the first institute – it was not an afterthought, it existed before Man fell and salvation was available § It is not part of God’s salvation – You don’t need it to be saved – that is why it is available to all Ecc 9:9 § Marriage is a piece of Heaven on earth available to all, even the lost
Roles & Responsibilities of the Husband Eph 5:22-25 § Marriage is so important on earth because it is a symbol of the relationship between us and God as well § When we say that our marriage doesn’t work, we are saying that our relationship with God will not work. § We need to make sure it works! 1. To be the leader - Christ is the Prophet, Prince and King à likewise husbands to their wives - As the Prophet: Husbands have to show the way - Jesus healed 7 blind MEN. This shows that husbands – MEN – need to be the one with the vision, because the head (king) is where the eyes (vision) are. - .: Men need to grow more and more in the Lord so that he can lead - As the King: Husbands have to carry themselves with nobility - Nobility meaning that husbands should be a gentleman, not abusive, and not curse and swear - As the King: Husbands need to be like the Holy Spirit – To lead, to drive, to rule and reign his household wisely. 2. To love his wife - Love unconditionally, selflessly, sacrificially - Every time we backslide in our hearts, God grieves but because He loves us, He will forgive, that He will be faithful even though we are unfaithful. - Similarly, a husband should love his wife like how God loves us.
Roles & Responsibilities of the Wife Genesis 2: 18 “it is not good that men should be alone” § It was the first time that God said that something is not good § When God created Man, He gave him a job à Men need jobs § But by being alone, Adam will not have a healthy character § God made Eve because God is more concerned about developing Adam’s character than his job 1. To be a helper - In achieving her husband’s visions and dreams - Hence, wives need to be thoroughly familiar with their husbands’ visions and dreams - The wife must believe in the husband - Thus, the wife is the dream enabler, no the dream thief! 2. To submit - Eph 5 - To submit does not mean in a controlling way, but to be supportive and honouring towards their husbands - Women respond positively to agape love - This is seen by how God LOVED US FIRST, so if husbands loved their wives first, wives will see that love and respond positively to it. - .: God holds us responsible for that relationship - Romans 5:12 “through one man sin entered the world” - This “one man” is not mankind as a whole, but A MALE. Because of the husband, it can cause the woman to turn against her true nature and sin. - Genesis 3:6 (NIV) “and gave some to her husband, WHO WAS WITH HER” - Hence, Adam saw Eve talking to the snake and eating the apple, but he did nothing about it - 1 Tim 2:13-15 - Adam was given the revelation, what would happen if one were to eat the fruit, and not Eve.
Story of Judah and Tamar Genesis 38:1-26 Show the failure of a group of husbands that led to a woman to do desperate things. Judah had 3 sons. Er had to be a terrible husband to Tamar for God to kill him. Dhan, had to marry Tamar by “Levirate marriage” (Lavir lat: husband’s brother) for Tamar to produce a son to have a heir to his brother’s lineage. However, Dhan did not give Tamar a child on purpose. He was greedy and plotting. He took advantage of Tamar (Note: Lust is the desire to get at the expense of others) without taking responsibility. “Maturity does not come with age. It comes with responsibility” – Dr Edwin Cole Husbands, if you do not give your wife what is due to her –her security etc. – she is going to get it with or without your help. (v14) Man can cause women to compromise on their virtues and integrity, to be a manipulative woman, to demean herself to get what is rightfully hers. Like Tamar, women do not expect men to be perfect – she wanted them to be responsible. (v19) Tamar had to keep changing personalities – righteous woman, widow, prostitute. (v20) Judah will keep a promise to a prostitute rather than to Tamar. And this is true in today’s world – men will provide nice houses and buy jewellery for their mistresses but not keep their promise to their wives. (v26) Turning point. Judah knew why Tamar did what she did and took responsibility at last. Although Judah had failed, he repented. And because he repented, centuries later, Jesus was born from this lineage.
Leaving a foot step - 4:16 AM
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Friday, February 8, 2008
alo... i'm reading pastor ulf's "the spiritual leader" and just wanna share something.
what is a team?
a team is a group of people who have come together, forming a deeper relationship for a common purpose. first of all, they are committed to a purpose - a goal- and because of this, they have devoted themselves both to the purpose and to each other in a personal and working relationship. there may not be, except in marriage and the family, a deeper, more radical and more exciting relationship than that of being part of a spiritual teamwork. and its effect can be immense. consider how the disciples Jesus trained were sent out into the world to plant the gospel everywhere. the effectiveness of a team is tremendous, and the dynamics very strong. often, pride and fear can hold us back from joining a team. but you will never prove your strength by trying to cope alone. in the long run, the effect of being isolated can be devastating.
firstly, the purpose - the goal - is always before your eyes, creating a constructive and productive atmosphere. secondly, the group provides protection and mutual edification. therefore, it is the members' responsibility to help and exhort each other, not to criticise or look down on each other's weakness. Jesus never sent out the disciples alone but always in teams of at least two.
in a church situation, the ideal is for the whole church to be one big team. this is how the first church functioned. the more realistic solution, however, is for the church to have smaller group, cell groups, work groups, leadership groups and evangelism groups. thus, there can be various kinds of teams in one and the same church, which work in different ways but under the same vision. the result is greater efficiency and better relationships. however, it is important that one thing does not exclude each other. in a church, both the small groups and the big gatherings are necessary. we need both intimacy and fellowship, meetings and great manifestations. saying that you would rather join a small church because it offers more fellowship is an indication of selfishness. a large church has the capacity to reach out so much further. and in a large church, there are individuals and groups that can fulfil the need of fellowship if you are open and loving, and not closed and self-centred.
grace
Leaving a foot step - 1:00 AM
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Wednesday, February 6, 2008
! 新年快乐！
身体建康
万事如意
学业进步
年年有余
恭喜发财
龍馬精神
心想事成
大吉大利
五福臨門
出入平安
快高長大
生意興隆
盤滿砵滿
笑口常開
天天向上
Leaving a foot step - 4:24 PM
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Saturday, February 2, 2008
Fortitude Pastor Tan, 2 Feb 08 What is Fortitude?
- 2 Cor 6:4-6
- Fortitude is the strength of mind that enables a person to encounter danger or bear pain and adversity with courage.
- Simply put, fortitude is endurance. When the Bible says that we require Faith and Patience, fortitude is that patience.
- 2 Cor 6:4-6 (NLT): "true ministers of God"
- 2 Tim 3:10: "I never give up"
- God has given us big plans and dreams, we cannot be quitters, we have to have fortitude in our lives! That is how we show ourselves to be true servants of God.
- "Success is going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm" - Winston Churchill
- "I am not called to be successful. I am called to be faithful." - Mother Teresa
- God has called us to be faithful, especially in our faith!
- A Champion is not someone who never fails; A Champion is someone who never gives up!
How then do we increase fortitude in our lives?
E-N-D-U-R-E!
1. Embrace God's purpose in that situation
- When you go through difficulty, ask yourself: For what purpose is God allowing me to go through it?
- 1 Peter 1:7
- Trials are in place to test your faith - Is your faith pure?
- What is God's purpose? YOU! Your faith, your character, your salvation!
- Once you find God's purpose, it will be greater than the trials you are facing in your life.
- Trials train our faith muscles so that we will be saved right to the end.
- James 1:3-4: "endurance" --> "mature and complete"
- Thus, our lives have a meaning and focus!
- Let's trust in God, in His heart, knowing that He will never let me down
- Romans 5:3: "rejoice" --> "endurance" --> "develop character"
- We don't rejoice about the problem. We rejoice in what the problem can develop in us.
2. Nurturing your spiritual roots
- Mark 4:17 (The parable of the Sower - The 4 different types of heart)
- (CEV) "as soon as life gets hard or the message gets them in trouble, they give up"
- (Mes) "shallow soil of character"
- We need to have a compass in life - something to trust in even if my gut feeling says otherwise. What is our compass? The Bible!
- Luke 8:15
- Romans 15:4
- What is the significance of the Bible? For us to receive patience (=endurance) and comfort (=encouragement).
- We will have victory eventually! Victory with patience!
3. Direct our attention to Jesus Christ (God)
- If when in trouble we look to the world, we will be in distress. If we look to ourselves, we will be depressed. If we look at God, we will be at rest.
- The more we look at God, how BIG He is, the smaller our problem is.
- Hebrews 12:2: "fix our eyes on Jesus"
- Jesus looked beyond the cross to see the purpose of God. This was how He managed to endure the cross and the shame.
- Testimony of Neivelle Tan.
4. Use your experience to help others
- God doesn't waste our experiences, both good or bad.
- 2 Cor 1:6-7: "we in turn can be an encouragement to you"
- Our greatest life message come out from our weaknesses.
- 2 Tim 2:1o: "willing to endure anything"
4. Rely on God's power
- We are not able to make it on our own power.
- God has not meant for us to go through life using only our own strength either.
- "for I will overcome the world"
- Col 1:11
- Romans 12:12: "don't quit in hard times, pray all the more harder".
5. Expect God to bless you
- To give you a breakthrough. After all, the Gospel is GOOD News!
- Similarly, our lives will end off positive!
- James 1:12
- James 5:11
- Job
- By our faith, we determine how much God can do for us in difficult times.
- Hebrews 10:36
Let's end with a story! From here. When the winner crossed the finish line in the 1968 Mexico City Olympic marathon, officials thought the race was over. Then, an hour later, John Stephen Akhwari, a runner from Tanzania, entered the stadium. Bloodied and bandaged from a fall, he limped painfully with every step. As Akhwari made his way around the track, the crowd began to cheer loudly. When he crossed the finish line, you would have thought by the roar of the crowd that Akhwari had been the victor. Later, when asked why he had not dropped out, Akhwari replied, "I don't think you understand. My country did not send me to start the race. They sent me to finish the race." At the end of the race, you'll then be able to say like Paul did of old: "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day" (2 Timothy 4:7-8). ________________________________________________________________
C'mon people! Let's continue to run with endurance the race that is set before us! Let us not, like what Pastor Tan says, one day say: I was ONCE a Christian. I ONCE went to church. Let us not forget the God of our youth. Have you seen those old people sitting in service, still rocking to our contemporary praise songs? Let us be like them! Old, funky and still on fire!
Also, I think there will be a tendency for people to read to the end of this sermon and only remember the words "Expect God to bless you" in their minds, because we only want God to bless bless bless us. But let us remember all the E-N-D-U-R-E points when we are going through hard times. Even if it is not applicable to you now, I hope that by typing and organising this sermon into something that is more reader-friendly, you know that you can fall back on the archives for Bible-tried-and-tested outlooks into your situation.
If you are facing a time of difficulty or disappointments in your work, or in school, E256 would love to pray for you. Post COMMENTS or just post a new post. Because if there is one thing I can give to you other than a listening ear (and Pei En's 24/7 Hotline), it would be my time spent on praying for you. :)
P.S. MICHELLE can you do me TWO favours: Activate comments (tried but I don't see a link) and do up a category thingy to chuck all the sermons into. Xie le! Labels: Saturday, Sermons
Leaving a foot step - 9:29 PM
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