Akan Datang

I just ordered these DVDs from amazon.com.

The Lesser Lights of Heaven by ZAO

"The lesser lights of heaven" seems to me like the same as "the other side of glory"

RUSH 30th Anniversary World Tour

YAHOO!!

Keep on praying!

It's a new year and we should not relent our passion to pray. This is my facourite pict I took on the night I visited the youth camp. Pray relentlessly!

Will a Christian fall away?

I read this following statement that jumped right out before my eyes. I thought it's such a blessed assurance to those who really want to know if they are really born-again. It's a book that defends the doctrine of the a saint's perseverance. If you understand what Calvism is about, this book is actually written by a Puritan named John Owen. The book Christians are for ever was written in 1654. The puritans live and die by the revealed Word of God. The power of their testimonies weren't just on their conscience or their life style, but by the Spirit of God confirmed through the Word.

What brought my attention to share about it was a chat I had with with a sister yesterday and she was sharing about the life of her friend who used to have all the things going for her in church and all, but the lack of self-control led to one downfall after another until she felt totally depraved and dejected by the things of this world. Here is something for your soul.

...There are many who think themselves as holy, or who are thought to be so by others, who were never truly converted. In others the gift of common grace by the Spirit so affects their conduct that they seem to have been born again though Christ does not live in them.

How then are the saints, or true believes, to be distinguished?

1. Though they were once spiritually dead, God has given them faith which brings salvation. Their holiness is the result of God's eternal purpose in their election by his Grace (Ephesians 1:4).

2. They Holy Spirit has raised them from their deatrh in sin to newness of life. They obtain the precious gift of faith through the work of the Spirit when theuy are made alive with Christ (Ephesians 2:5).

3. They Holy Spirit is given in order that he maystay with them for ever (John 14:16) because of the death and intercession of Christ.

4. By reason of the Spirit's work in them they cease to be God's enemies and become his loving and obedient people.

The Holy Spirit uses many expressions to illuestrate what perseverance is Examples are:

1. to walk with Christ as we have received him (Colossians 2:6)

2. to be faithful to death (Revelation 2:10)

3. to hold fast our confidence and faith to the end (Hebrews 3:6)

4. to be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation (I Peter 1:5)

...Everyone agrees that believes have the Holy Spirit in them and that they bring forth the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22). If this is so, what could possibly cause believers to lose the Holy Spirit totally? What could cause the utter faulure of the outworking of His grace in them? Could sin? Certainly sin, if cherished, will weaken our ability to live the Christian life. The Holy Spirit is proveked and grieved by sin in the believer but it is unthinkable that sin should prove victorious over the Spirit. The grace which believers have results from their being new creatures in Christ Jesus. It is not obtained by their own efforts. The root is first made good then the fruit is good. Grace is planted in them by that same mighty power which God showed when he raised Jesus Christ from the daed (Ephesians1:19-20). Countinuance in sin on our part certainly deserves that God should take his Spirit and grace from us, but will our heavenly Father allow sin to have the final victory over his sons and daughters? Will he not rather come to their aid? He may chastise them but he will not cast them away forever.

...Believers who have tasted the love and pardoning mercy of God value it above all the world. They want to do the good things which God has prepared in advance for them. Though His Spirit God will grant them continual supplies of grace so that they are able to bring forth the fruit of holiness in good works, to the glory of God. This grace teaches us to say 'No' to ungodliness and worldly passions and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age" (Titus 2:11,12).

If I share everything from the book, I'd have to type out the whole book here. It's really a refreshing view. I very seldom hear such teachings or preaching. I hope we all resolve to live a holy live next year; to set our lives apart for God's glory and service, and have an inward purity that is a given to us by grace through faith. Let's pick up our weapons and fight the good fight!



Have a blessed weekend as we usher in the new year. God Bless You!

Thanks Friends

I hung out with some friends today. Like I shared before, we're actually friends before we became a band. So are all my "band" mates. We're all mates before we form a band.

But for to night, thanks for the great time Liang, Jon and Vern!

Boxing Day

"For I will forgive their iniquity, and remember their sins no more."
Jeremiah 31: 34b

While the world box up their Christmas decorations until the next season, we can choose to commit the trials, failures and hardship of the past year to the God who has given us a new life in Christ. What can we box up and ship out of our lives forever? Do not keep what the Lord chose not to remember forever.

Oh it's great to be forgiven!

Blessed Christmas!!!

Christmas is all about Christ. I am so glad to be at today's service coz the choir really rocked my Christmas. They made up for the boo boo they did yesterday. Wah siah, apart from the distortion from the speakers, they were pretty impressive! Keep it up, R-age Choir! Eh, time to come up with a cooler name lah!

I also brought a friend that I met from work to Church today. His name is Elton. We had lunch together at the market near the Jurong East Stadium and we were a hit. I mean this is only the 2nd time I met him and since that first meeting, we've been able to share openly about out lives. Elton used to go to church and he still calls Jesus His Lord and I can sense that he is trying to make his walk count now. He is coming again next week to the main service. I might just join him.

I don't deserve such a trust from a "stranger", but I've been greatly blessed by the people that I meet. As much as I try to bless them, their lives is a blessing to me. I always say that I am not the best of examples, but the Lord is gracious and I just want to avail myself to be a channel of His blessing to others. Don't neglect those who seek after your attention. Don't despise them because they are different from you. If you ignore them, u might be dismissing the Lord Jesus. Remember that when u entertain strangers, u might be "entertaining angels unaware". How about the parable of the sheep and the goats? Jesus said that if we do the the little things to our brothers and sisters, we are doing unto him. So if we reject people, we might be rejecting the Lord. What reasons do we have in not showing love to others? Yes, there are exceptions where even the bible stated cases where certain members among the body has to be outcast because of the harm they pose to the body of Christ. These are few and we shouldn't be so quick to look down on others.

I've always been careful. In my life my friendliness had been taken advantaged of and abused by others. But this doesn't stop me from being good to others. My conscience agree with what I do when I do it for Christ. If others abuse my trust, then may the Lord have mercy on them and cause them to be melted by the kindness of God, but it doesn't stop me! It should not stop all of us.

Have u been a blessing lately or a curse to someone? Time to extend love, joy and peace beyond this Christmas day.

Merry Christmas once again!

Merry Christmas

I was at Joey's and many other Youths' Baptismal service this evening. The worship was led by the youth band and choir. My my, they were all good! Praise God! I am greatly impressed. But I hope they refrain from singing that last song. hahaha...

I have many things to share but I'll leave it when I have more time. I've been pretty busy with work lately and I just wish I am more discipline to do the things that I need to do.

Merry Christmas!

Who is Carol?

Merry Christmas, my Peng Yu!

Come and see Carol si simi lang HERE!

Merry Christmas!!

Drums

I bought two awesome drumming dvds in the weekend: Modern Drummer 2005 and Neil Peart's Anatomy of a drum solo. Wow! Wow! Wow! After last week's disastrous jam with Sherwin, I am so inspired by my drumming heroes to practice, practice and practice. There is no easy way to improve than to have patience, deligence and commitment. Very much like our spiritual life, ain't it?

So exciting!

Untitled

It's Saturday evening. Tomorrow is the first Sunday after the Youth Camp. I am looking forward to see many happy faces and I can't wait to encourage those campers to carry on in the faith and to tarry on despite the flames.

Speaking of the camp, I am so inspired by Run to write a song of praise to the Lord. I do not have a tune for it yet, when I have, I bet the lyrics would have gone through a major face-lift. i hope I do not need to make any major change to it just like I didn't make any changed to Run to You.

(Untitled)

Verse 1

My friends may laugh at me

The devil might accuse me

My enemies may scorn me

My family might abandon me

These things may hurt me for a moment

But they'll never take this joy I have in You

Chorus

Cos I'm committed to You

Living life life without You is like living without breathing

I'm so addicted to You

Living life without You is like living without meaning

You tore the veil that blinded me

And by Your Word you set me free

Now life has a new meaning since the day You breathed new life in me

Verse 2

Your goodness sticks to me like glue

Your mercies led me home to You

Your grace is my all sufficiency

Your love is all I really need

For Your promises are true

And nothing can take this joy I have in You

Run

This is pretty awesome! It's a song that Samantha sang to me on Sunday. This is so amazing! Praise God for the talented people we have to express such beautiful words of worship to our God. My fave is, "I've been looking for something real. Something more than i can feel"

Woah!!!!

Verse1
I've been running all my life
I've been looking for something real
Something more than i can feel

Verse2
Till the day You came to me
Gave Your life to set me free
Now i'll live eternally

Pre-chorus
By Your blood
You died just to redeem me
Son of God
I know Your love has saved me

Chorus
I'll run to You (x3)
My Lord
I'll run to You (x3)
My God

Verse3
Now that i've seen Your face
I've been living within Your grace
You leave me so amazed

Written by: R-age Youth Camp Comm 2005 (:

Commitment to Christ

I was at the last night of the Youth Camp. When I arrived they were doing the "Prayer Tunnel" thing. After that CX recapped the lesson about the Tabernacle and then it was the usual testimony time. I really like what Serene (Joey's couz) shared. There are so many things to thank God for and we should be thankful even for the smallest things.

Here is something I read from my daily reading from MacArthur's Hard to Believe. I want you, who went for the camp, to remember this. Don't make that "revival" that you had be a one-off-spur-of-the-moment commitment to the Lord Jesus. Make it last by making your commitment to Christ real.

Becoming a Christian means being sick of your sin, longing for forgiveness and rescue from present evil and future hell, and affirming your commitment to the lordship of Christ to the point where you are willing to forsake everything. I've said if before and I'll say it again: it isn't just holding up your hand or walking down the aisle and saying, "I love Jesus." It is not easy, it is not user-friendly or seeker-sensitive; it isn't a rosy, perfect world where Jesus gives you whatever you want [which he can]. It is hard, it is sacrificial, and it supersedes everything.

The manifestation of true faith is a commitment that no influence can sway. Of course you love your family, your children, your parents, and your husband or wife. But if you're a real disciple, your commitment to the salvation found only in Christ is so deepm profound and far-reaching that you will say no, if need be, to those you love for the cause of Christ.

Akan Datang

Though we have never spoken
I felt I've always known you
I've known you through your walk
I've known you through your talk
Could I put my hands in your heart
To find out who you really are?
I always say this and I'll say it again
Feel free and do whatever you want
Enjoy youself while you are young
Keep close to you the lessons that you have learned
Coz you'll never walked again on the bridges that you burned

Knowing the Word

If you wish to know God, you must know His Word. If you wish to perceive His power, you must see how He works buy His Word. If you wish to know His purpose before it comes to pass, you can only discover it by His Word.
-Charles Spurgeon

I used to have faith that only seeks to to feel the tangible things such as an emotional high and great music. Then one day, the Holy Spirit opened my eyes to "see" His Word. Wow! What a transformation it made in my life. What a way to know the Lord! It tipped the balance for me coz once my faith was so dependent on feelings. Since I've seen with eyes of faith the Words that the Lord has given, I've bever been the same.

Standing on the Word of faith, I found balance in my life. Some people think that the life I live is too far-fetched. Someone once told me that the life I expect from my mentees are too "impossible". That's because he didn't believe people can change that drastically. What a pity that there aren't many real examples that saturates our schools and work places. What's the matter with Christians anyway? Do they have a spiritual life to live?

Observe in our cells, the more sensitive to the Lord are the girls. The guys are still so kiddy. I dun blame them, but while the become more mature, not many are becoming spiritually mature. Poor girls, they may wanna date the guys, but are they the kind that God would want them to marry? Oh dear! hahaha...

What I've been reading

I've been reading MacArthur's "Hard to Believe" and it's the material that I've been leaning on for my spiritual grwoth. There was one point that he warns us about when looking at the qualities of a true believe. He said that we should beware of people who only concentrate on one doctrine, i.e. the second-coming of Christ and nothing else. Then I reflect to see if I am a "one-trick pony". God forbid that I become one! I must have a balanced theological foundation.

Ah yeah, what am I building on? Upon sand or rock? The houses all looked the same, but the foundation shows the reality of the house. MacArthur went on to explain why the Word of God is the foundation. Some may rely on the Word, but still build on a foundation of sand because though they receive the Word, they did not obey the word. However those that build on a foundation of rock reveive the Word and obey them.

In the context of our Youth ministry, we cannot be content with the responses of the youths during service or cell, however we need to encourage them to obey and to live by what they have heard and learn. I have to much to share concerning this. Keep praying and hoping!

The Lord is is so good and gracious to us. No matter what human problems we are facing, there is nothing that the Word of God cannot solve.

rachoo said...
hey jenn,
i agree with you that we dont want to emotionalize worship,and when i heard u say on sunday and wat u wrote that you "asked the Lord to forgive me for leading a worship session that plays to the gallery" i have to say tt i was moved and i had to agree.but at the same time,another thought crossed my mind: and it is tt every youth is at a different level in their spiritual growth.wat might seem as a session juz to get an emotional high might not be for another.so i believe that even as u lead,do it with all the passion u've got,God works in many ways and yes,it might seem like juz "hyping" up the youths sometimes but as long as ONE youth walks out having a REAL encounter with the Lord tt spurs him on in his spiritual walk,it's worth every bit of energy.

Me replied and blogging said
Wow, guo3 ran2 shi4 da4 xue2 shen1! I couldn't find words to summarise my thoughts and u did it in this comment! hahaha...

Yes, I ought to rejoice. Surely we can rejoice knowing that there are people growing. Sometimes change happens slowly. Doesn't mean that revival happened in Acts or in the past centuries means that it must happen at an instant for us(which is not impossible). I am strongly convinced that our prayer will not go to waste.

I thought about the things that the Cell grp are going to do next year. There's a great bible study coming up for the youths. I pray that the leaders will take time to study for themselves then teach the word passionately. If they could find God in His Word, it definitely elevate their spiritual life to another level. We used to have awesome Sunday School teachers who are really solid in the Word. That is sorely lacking today. We have passionate youth leaders, that's for sure, but how equipt are they in handling the Word? This can be trained. It's a matter of discipline to get down to do it on our own. Spoon-feeding time is over for us leaders. Let's not crave for spiritual milk anymore. Do we give a sword to a baby in his colt? They can't even handle it. In the same way, only the mature could handle a sword and to wield it skillfully. That is what we need to do with the Word of God.

Are u up for it?

I just receive news that something happened to an old friend. I don't know how to react. I know how to actually, but I really need God's wisdom to handle it or to leave things as it is. May be it's best to keep quiet. Opening my mouth will risk me losing any objectivity and reason.

Glad to hear

Vern told me that that the worship on Sunday was really was awesome. "All I want is You" is a new song that Joey led and she said that she could hear the congregation sing which really inspired her to sing even louder! I told her that I didn't feel anything like I shared in my previous post, but I was glad nonetheless.

I am not confused about what I want. I hope that the little show of enthusiasm is not only for a season, but for seasons to come! I am still praying for U, R-age!

Church Growth

I've delay posting this for sometime. But I thought it's a very apt warning. Some might disagree with me by saying that I am "putting God in a box". I didn't put God in a box, but He sure did put Himself clearly in a book.

Click here for the movie on church growth today.

Burdened

The morning prayer time yesterday was awesome. Samantha, Matthew, Grace Ng, Rachoo, Yiting, Suhui and I were there. There were tears-soaked-prayers for the youths. We prayed mainly for the spiritual condition of our youths that they may come into a more personal relationship with God. In short, we prayed for revival. You know how we sometimes try to manipulate a service and build up the climate into frenzy and think that revival has come. Then months down the road, we are back to our old ways again. Real revival tarries. It doesn’t wear off quickly. It affects a generation with a spiritual awakening that causes the hardest heart to cringe, the strongest knees to buckle and the proud person to weep in repentance. When God take that life and turn it around, their attitude towards Him, His Word and His people. Their lives will be a reflection of the inward change. O I pray for such a change! O God! Fall on our service and cause hearts to turn back to you again!

I went home in a rush after the youth service because of some emergency at home (dun worry, it’s not life-threatening). On my way to the MRT with Manrong, she told me that the band did very well. She said that there was a climax in the flow of worship, which I didn’t feel it, coz I was trying to find my rhythm throughout the worship time. Nonetheless if it helped in the service, I’m ok.

Am I really ok about it? So many people in church base their faith on such emotional manipulation. I wonder how many will still feel their faith being strengthened if we didn’t have a full-band set. When I last led worship I was really flattered by the positive comments I get. However I really want to see real change that doesn’t depend on the mood created by music. Faith comes by hearing and hearing of the Word of God. Faith comes to a person whose heart is conditioned by the Holy Spirit not music or any other form of pseudo-religious methods. I asked the Lord to forgive me for leading a worship session that plays to the gallery, i.e. if that’s what they want, they’ll get it. I can deliver what they want because of the way I am. This is why I tend to talk a lot while I lead, coz I believe in preaching and praying people to repentance and not singing them into the Kingdom.

I still believe in the use of music to edify and to evangelize. It’s a gift from God that we should use wisely. It does help in uplifting the spirit of the weary and encouraged the downcast. There is definitely a place for music in the Kingdom of God. Some might even come to faith thru the ministry of music. I do not doubt that. What I am concerned about is the over-dependency on music and what I see as the lack of dependency, trust and knowledge in the Word of God.

We had RL meeting after the service which I managed to attend. Pls pray for me. I want to do a better job next year than this. I really didn’t do a good RL job this year due to my work. There are so many things to learn from all the other RLs. I’ll be taking over Suhui’s region and she has done a great job there. It’s a big shoe to fill, but I look forward to it. Dang, I am never good at being an administrator and now I have to be more organized. “Jenn … organized?” What an oxymoron! Oh, I must pray against that thought! Bring it on!

Before I go and pray

It's 6.30am. Three things are on my mind; 1) I must go buy "Jui Qway" from the market coz SW said she's been craving it for sometime, 2) I want to check the Man U vs Portsmouth scores from the net and 3) I want to blog this.

It's very apt that I read this from Spurgeon Gold last night. It puts my focus on what to pray for specifically among all the needs that we have. One thing is constant and one thing remains for all whether they go to church or not, that is praying for the lost.

Love your fellowmen, and cry about them if you cannot bring them to Christ. If you cannot save them, you can weep over them. If you cannot give them a drop of water in Hell, you can give them your heart's tears while they are still in this body.

Now we have a focus. To me it's always been this since I read Ravenhill's "Why Revival Tarries". If there is revival, everyone will be changed; he climate of every services would change; the lives of every believer would change for good; souls will be saved; there will be unity in Christ; there will be change!

Dun beam me up until I see your fire touch every heart in R-age, Lord!

Spurgeon on Genuine Conversion

Today's PnP was dot dot dot... I kinda like to listen to such testimonies, but it becomes one to many for one night. And about playing for the PnP tonight, I tried not to look at Jon's direction coz I know he sure gimme funny faces. Oh man, I just play lah! Play as if the band around me is rocking. Sigh... I kept my head down most of the time, so embarassing!

Here is another Spurgeon quote from "Spurgeon Gold". It's one of those that would make u consider what real conversion is really about.

If we labor for souls, we must not be content unless souls are really saved, for the apostle says, "For I bear them record that they have a zeal o God." Well, does not that satisfy you, Paul? They are zealous for God. They are red-hot. "No," says he, "not unless it is in the right way. They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." We feel very thankful when we see tears stream down the cheek, but you know, people cry at the theatre, and there is not much in it. Pray God it may not end in a shower of tears; but that the heart may bleed as well as the eyes that weep. It may happen that we have induced our hearters to give up some outward sins. So far, so good. But it is written, "You must be born again;"and if this vital change is not experienced, all outward reformation will land them short of Heaven.

Prayer this Sunday

I was so disappointed when I was told that the leaders' prayer meeting is cancelled this Sunday. I was told that they will do it at the Leaders' Retreat. Why can't we still have it this Sunday and then have another one at the retreat? Liang was looking fwd to it, so was I. I know that we're not the only one who wants to pray and intercede. Where are the people of passion? Where are the people of prayer? Where are the people who are burdened to stand in the gap between the living dead and the eternal God.

Heh, but no one is stopping us from praying still, rite? There is still the usual prayer group at 9am every Sunday morning. I'll be there for that this Sunday. In fact, why don't we use L5 since we're not using it?
I'll be there this Sunday, L 5 at 8.30am... Meet me there...

And I love You

Last night's worship practice was a blast. I had a good time just hammering those 6/8ths on the drums. It's just the sort of emo-energy that makes me go nuts. I know I was loud, I was really loud and I wasn't apologetic about it. I know that when I use my own cymbals, it will be more controlled.

Nonetheless, it was an awesome experience. I really miss pounding on the drum kit man!

And I never imagined that You would come into my life

You have always been faithful eventhough I stray far away

O... and I love You.