Devotion by Ps Shufang

Love God with all your weakness
by Jon Walker

“‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind ….'” (Luke 10:27 NIV)

No doubt it sounds strange, but in order to love God with all your strength, you have to admit that you are weak and that your strength is limited.

By doing this, you acknowledge God as the true source of your strength, and that in your weakness, he is strong. You become strong as you become totally dependent upon him, allowing his strength to work through you.

As you allow God to show his strength, you will find yourself doing things you never thought possible. God promises you can do all things through the Father as he gives you his strength (Phil. 4:13). You’ll take steps of faith you never thought possible, and you’ll love others in a way you never imagined as God supplies you with supernatural strength and energy.

God is strong and he wants you strong. He will change you in places where you cannot change yourself, and he will transform the broken places of your life in order to use them for his own glory.

God doesn’t ask you to take steps of faith alone; he is with you in every step, filling you with a grace-charged strength. God only asks you to take one step of faith at a time.

So what?
· Tell God you need his strength – and really mean it this time. Ha! When you try to love and serve others with just your own strength, you’ll inevitably fail. After all, there are a lot of frustrating, unlovable people out there. (Just ask some of my friends!) And that’s OK because God wants you to fail in your own strength so you’ll start to rely upon his strength.

· You can’t love God wholeheartedly – Jesus knows you won’t be able to love God with your whole heart until you become dependent upon his strength to do so. You simply can’t do it through your own energy or strength, but Jesus also knows you’ll come to realize this yourself the more you attempt to love God – and others – on your own. At that point, you’re faced with a very clear but difficult choice: Keep on keeping on in your own strength, wondering why this abundant life thing doesn’t work, or take the “Nestea plunge” into the deep end of dependence on God’s strength.

· One step of faith at a time – Relying on God’s strength doesn’t mean he will require you to take giant leaps of faith. He’s taking you on a lifelong journey, and my experience is that God only asks for one step at a time. The so-called “leaps of faith” you see some people take actually are the culmination of a lot of little steps of faith that you may not be aware of. The first step is to ask God to be your strength as you take your first steps of faith. Willingness to rely on him is a step of faith.

· Question for meditation: How dependent on God am I each day as I walk out my faith? Where am I moving independently of him?

I thought this is a very timely devotion for all of us as the 100k campaign is about a faith journey, depending on God's strength and His strength alone. May you grow in faith as a warrior of light!

Huili's proposal

Walking to the main area (sorry for the super blur picture)
The girls getting ready with the sparklers
The guys getting ready with the cards!

THE PROPOSAL
The super happy couple~
The couple with the super big balloon

The guys~
The cell girls + xide
All the girls

Dinner at FS and Seth's Place

We started off at 4.30 at Fs' house to begin the cooking! Fs wasn't really cooking but she was doing 'housework'. This is what it entails:

Folding plastic bags



5 mins later


And more:

FS said: "Make me look glam hor" (How glam can folding plastic bags be? So, did I succeed?)

After the tedious plastic bag folding, she got up to make us smoothies!

Here's what we had.


Coffee with Raspberry Ice-cream and Chocolate Bits... (Erm. haha. when we offered to Seth, he said, huh? later get stomachache)

So while FS was busy with the smoothie and plastic bag folding, here's what Elicia, Qing and I were up to!





Later on, the cook and photographer got tired, so no more photos. haha.

Global Day of Prayer, 27th May 7 pm at National Stadium

GDOP 2007

Pentecost Sunday. 27 May
7 pm. National Stadium

Hear this. A fitting word from Psalm 122 which Pastor Edmund Chan
of Covenant EFC brought at the Final GDOP Briefing on Saturday May 12:

The 12 tribes were distinct and different -
different tribal sizes
different tribal elders
different tribal leadership
different inheritances
different land allotments
different tribal identities
different tribal loyalties
yet they had ONE thing in common -
A common meeting place "where all the tribes go up"
to celebrate the enormous reality of the Living God in their midst
A God who tabernacled amongst them!

Picture this. There are over 500 congregations here in Singapore.
We all have our different histories, different styles, different sizes, different
church cultures, different languages, different socio-economic mix, different
structures, different philosophies of ministry, and so on. But once a year,
may we arise as ONE for the Global Day of Prayer, uniting with Christians
worldwide on Pentecost Sunday to exalt the Lord our God!

01. Let's gather at the National Stadium this May 27 to celebrate the presence of God in our midst!
02. Let the National Stadium resound with the praises and prayers of God's people in Singapore!
This Sunday and next will be the final two weekends to publicise and
mobilize for GDOP in our respective churches. Could you raise the trumpet
to summon your 'tribe'? Every church matters. Thanks.

Official Organizer: Evangelical Fellowship of Singapore
Official Website: http://www.prayforsingapore.org.sg
Phone: 6337-1977. Fax: 6-338-0983

Mother's Day

This is a year of victory for me as God has changed my perspective of what mother's day is all about. In fact, I've experienced a breakthrough after the ups and downs of yesteryears. This, I have to thank all of you.

(More details in my blog. Keep all of you in suspense.) Hehe...

But well, even if you don't read that, what I want to say is simply, "Thank You, my daughters, for I am called blessed because you are the blessings in my life."

(Btw, keep me in prayers. I'm having a throat infection. Had MC yesterday and today. I'm given antibiotics so that I can quickly recover in order that the foetus not be affected.)

Teaching on Jude, by Pastor Benny Ho

Hiya, who's interested? Me going for this. Let me know latest by this Sunday.

Ady

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

Shalom..... Shalom.....

In the month of May, there will only be one teaching seminar,
instead of the usual two seminars. Ps Benny Ho will be teaching
on the Book of Jude - WALKING WITHOUT FALLING .

Below is a brief synopsis:

THE BOOK OF JUDE - "WALKING WITHOUT FALLING"Even though this is one of the shortest letters in the
New Testament, the Book of Jude contains a power-
packed message that challenges us to walk without
falling.

Although Jude was very eager to write on the subject
of salvation, he had to switch to the subject of standing
strong against all sorts of false teachings that were and
still is seeking to infiltrate the Church of Jesus Christ
today.The warnings in this ancient letter become increasingly
relevant as we move into the end-times when Satan
will throw everything he had against the Church.

But the good news that Jude leaves us with is that in the
end, God is able to keep us from falling and present us to
Himself as a perfected Bride without spot and wrinkle.Coverage includes:Uncovering the Darkness of:* Worldliness* Carnality* Lawlessness* Sensuality* Rebellion etc.Preserving the Faith through:* Praying in the Holy Spirit* Walking in God's Love* Depending on God's Mercy* Resting in God's Power* Claiming God's Promises and more...

Come and receive what the Word of God says.
****************************************************************

Date : 26 May (Saturday) 2007

Time : 9.30am to 12.45pm
(Registration starts at 9am)

Place: Church of Singapore, Marine Parade
145 Marine Parade Road S449274

Registration Fees: S$4/- per Participant
(Seminar Materials will be provided)

****************************************************************

WHERE TO PARK?
Parking will not be available within the church, please park your car at Parkway Parade Shopping Centre, multi-storey carpark beside Parkway Parade, or Katong Mall.


HOW TO GET THERE?

Please log on www.streetdirectory.com.sg (key in the church name or postal code, and the map will be shown)



HOW TO REGISTER?

Registration is required to facilitate preparation of seminar materials.

Please reply to this email douglim@singnet.com.sg stating your Name and Contact number. For Group registrations, please indicate the number of attendees in your email.

Upon confirmation of your Registrations, you will receive a Confirmation reply, the print-out of your Confirmation reply will be your entry ticket to the seminar and it must be shown at the registration counter to collect your Workbook.

Appreciate your kind attention and cooperation in this matter.


ADMITTANCE is STRICTLY BY REGISTRATION
ONLY

PLEASE feel free to forward this email and inform your friends of this seminar.

Thank you.

Have a blessed week ahead. SHALOM!

Douglas LimARROWS RESOURCES

Mobile: +65 97484595Mailing Address: Blk298 #06-463 Punggol Central Singapore 820298

When you come to my place....

Since Seth has been pampering me by doing all the housework, I want to do my part to bless him and I need all your help so that he can labour for this family with joy =)

So, here's you can help....

1. Wash your feet first thing after entering my humble flat
2. Use the coasters/placemats to place your food
3. Throw all rubbish once you are done with your dinner into the rubbish chute (which most of you have been doing already)
4. Clean the table after use

Actually, he has been very sweet to all of you too, clearing the rubbish and cleaning the table, and even vacuuming the floor after you have left. So, bless him the next time with food, drinks, affirmations and your service lor.

I'm sure he won't mind. In fact, tell you a lil secret: He sees all of your as his spiritual daughters and he told me he wants to do his part to help all of you grow in this journey too. =)

And one more thing, from the moment we are blessed by God with our lil home, we see and desire that our home is a blessing to others. And anytime you want to drop by for a chat, for a drink, for a game (but bring your board games), to watch a VCD, feel free to come. You don't have to wait till Thursdays. But, but, but, must inform early or call beforehand hor.... I can't "jump" too much with your surprises cos there's a child in me (pun intended)... =P

Living in Victory with Spirit-filled prayers

Here are the prayer requests we shared during post-service processing. Let's not give up praying for the things that have been set on our heart. And let's continue to encourage and remind one another of the importance of prayer. (:

Grace: Fruitfulness in the ministry
Adeline: Healing from sinus
Yating: Baptism (favour and support of her mother)
Huili: Family Salvation
Sharon: Father's Salvation
Eunice: Gifts of the Spirit - Prophecy
Qing: Family Salvation and Ministry Direction
Elicia: Grandfather's Salvation and NUS Admissions
Tracey: Family Salvation
Choi: Family Salvation
Fang Siang: Growing foetus, healthy baby, who will grow into a child who loves and serves God whole-heartedly

(p.s those of you who weren't around, can you pls just add on to the post?)

Tracey's Rochers

hallo. Tracey shared with me over msn about how she was introduced to Christ in p3. Not your run-of-the-mill testimony. But I thought it was hilarious anyhow. [ oh..and in Heaven, we get endless supplies of GODiva chocs...haha ]

i accepted Christ in my life in p3

then i also dont know what i was doing

they kinda bribed me with ferrero rocher

and they ask me..

do u want to go heaven or go hell

and they have this john 3:16 picture thingy..

and i was smart enough to say heaven

Can I be perfect?

Do you cry, "Can I be perfect?" Have faith in God and say in His name, "If perfect holiness is possible, I will have it. If it can be reached on earth, I will reach it." All that the Spirit of God can make out of such a poor sinner as I am it is my desire that He should make. I gladly submit myself and all that I have to His gracious operation. I would like to hear you say, "I must rise to a higher condition. I must be more Christlike. I must have less and less of self." May we be burning with an insatiable desire to be holy, and may we say with the inspired penman, "I opened my mouth, and panted: for I longed for thy commandments."

A Passion For Holiness, Charles Spurgeon

Anna's Homecoming

Lanying's Birthday!

Ministry With The Poor

Veteran missionary Jackie Pullinger - marvelled by believers worldwide for her remarkable work amongst the poor, the drug addicts and the ex- convicts in Hong Kong - is coming to FCBC to share her burning passion and valuable insight in reaching out to such needy members of society. Tap into her wealth of real-world experiences at this conference and be powerfully enriched to ministrer to those in need of God.

Date: 12 May (Saturday)
Time: 2pm - 9.30pm
Venue: Max Pavillion
Price: $7 for working adults
$5 for students

Tickets are available on first-come-first serve basis at Info & Service Counter

I'm interested to go.. Will most likely be getting the tix this Sun.. anyone else wants to join me? Let me know by start of service.

Worship is...

Even as some of you, prepare your hearts to serve in the tribal choir..
Juz wanna bless you with some quotes.. so that we can focus on what worship is..

"Worship is giving to God the glory, praise, honor and thanks due to him, both for who he is and for what he has done" ~ Leslie B. Flynn

"Worship is to feel in your heart and express in some appropriate manner a humbling but delightful sense of admiring awe and astonished wonder and overpowering love in the presence of that most ancient mystery, that majesty which philosophers call the First Cause, but which we call our Father which art in heaven." ~ A.W Tozer

"Worship is giving honor and respect to God." ~ John MacArthur

"Worship is the process in which we make God first in our lives" ~ Bruce Leafblad

"Worship is knowing and giving what God desires - our obedience." ~ S.Y. Irwin

"Worship involves awareness of God, awe in His presence, adoration of Him because of His excellencies and acts, and affirmation in praise of all He is and does."
~ Dr Vernon Grounds

"Worship is the total response in which spiritual, emotional and physical factors tune together to draw attention to the heavenly Father." ~ Kenneth Gangel

Indeed, may we discover what it means to worship in SPIRIT and in TRUTH!

Enjoy this little narration.. may we pay attention to the ppl around us..
and choose to make a difference!

http://www.makeadifferencemovie.com/

Lalalalala Lalalala Lalalalalalala

Now I manning our drop-in centre and have time to do rubbish. I managed to post yet another blog...these are my colleagues. I thank God for my workplace and the flexibility/freedom at work. God has indeed been with me. He sees me thru the seasons. We get to do devotion at work everyday. We get to talk about God everyday. I'm thinking of doing DTS (Discipleship Training School) one day - or is it almost like what we do in FCBC? God be with you always...

Mom's new blog

Dear all,

Check out our mom's new blog. I've edited the link :) Just click on it!

Jesus loves the little children

Hi all,

Just thought I would like to share about the past weekend:

YSP (youth study programme) fell in btwn Good Friday and Easter Sunday. Thus, the volunteers at YSP decided to come up with something to share the meaning of Good Friday to the kids.
we managed to come up with something:

A series of scenes that journeyed through the crucification and resurrection and we got the children to role play the different characters that came up for eg: the soldiers, the robbers that were crucified with Jesus, Mary Magdalene).
This was to be followed by an altar call for the children to receive Christ (actually we were not sure if this were materialise or how to do it. We were just going to play by ear and see how the children would response.)


At YSP, we were so excited about the whole thing, we decided to just have the sharing and role playing first before tuition time. After the role play, the children started to ask many questions such as:
How did Jesus die?
Why did he have to hang on the cross?
If Jesus is alive now, where is He?
If Jesus died a painful death on the cross, why is it that christians like to wear the cross as necklace?

As the Holy spirit led, altar call was given to children who want to receive God's love into their lives. And Praise God, 7 out of 9 children accept God's love into their lives. out of the 7, 2 are already attending FCBC, 1 is a christian who is not attending any. 4 are from non-christian background.

And so........ the volunteers have decided to split up the kids so that we can each concentrate on 1 or 2 to share more about this wonderful God to them. Praise God!

Deuteronomy 11:18-20

18Therefore you shall lay up these My words in your [minds and] hearts and in your [entire] being, and bind them for a sign upon your hands and as forehead bands between your eyes.
19And you shall teach them to your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you rise up.
20And you shall write them upon the doorposts of your house and on your gates

Deuteronomy 11:18-20 (Amplified Bible)

Wesley's notes:

Lay up - Let us all observe these three rules,

Let our hearts be filled with the word of God. Lay up these words in your hearts, as in a store - house, to be used upon all occasions.

Let our eyes be fixed upon the word of God: Bind them for a sign upon your hand, which is always in view, and as frontlets between your eyes, which you cannot avoid the sight of.

Let our tongues be employed about the word of God, especially with our children, who must be taught this, as far more needful than the rules of decency, or the calling they are to live by.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lately, I've been reading Brother Yun's autobiography about how he was persecuted for God's work and how he worked through his struggles. I was impressed by how he really hid God's word in his heart such that each time when he was in trouble, he could quote scripture as his weapon. Through his story, God has been encouraging me to also hide His word in my heart and to commit His word to memory.

The above verse in Deuteronomy 11 is actually first mentioned in 6:6-9 of the same book. I was struck by the details God gives of the different ways we are to lay up His words. Not just in our heart and in our soul, but also in visible ways, as a sign upon our hand and on our forehead and to be hung on our lips, to pronounce and pass on.

All of these should work together, which means it isn't enough to just have His word in our heart and soul but we also must proclaim and pass it on. Also, His working in our life has to be visible, to be seen on "the doorposts of our house and of our gates".

We must allow God's word to permeate our lives, to be visible and real in every way! When we do that, He will cause His blessings to fall in great abundance! :)

For when you are bored...

Morocco - Land of Hamsup men

Morocco

London - Where I want to stay!

London

Kusu Island - Nature reef walk turned 'Fright Fest'

Kusu - Never underestimate your power to be grossed out!