When will Jesus return? Matthew 24 :36 says, "No one knows about that day or hour, nor even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father." We don't know when Jesus is going to come back, but when Jesus comes back, the bible says we will know.
"For as lightning that comes from the east is visible even in the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man." Jesus is going to come on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory and he will send his angels with a loud trumpet call.
The Bible says this day will come when we least expect it. Like during Noah's time when everyone was eating and partying, the flood came and took all of them away. "Two men will be in the field, one will be taken and the other left." Sometimes, we could be busy with many things in life and forget that Jesus will return any time when we least expect it. If we know that Jesus were to return tomorrow, what difference will that make to our lives.
Matthew 25:42 says "Therefore, keep watch, because you do not know on day your Lord will be coming". So what does keep watch mean? I think there are three things (Matthew 25).
Firstly, I believe it means we must always guard our relationship with God through constant prayer. Like the parable of the ten virgins, we should ask ourselves when Jesus comes back, are we ready to receive Him? Will he say to us, "Well done, good and faithful servant" or "I don't know you."
Secondly, I believe it means to be fruitful. God has given each one of us different gifts. It could be prophesy, healing, prophesy, compassion, musical talent, preaching.. Are we using the gifts God has given to us for the good of other people? Or are we keeping it to ourselves? Freely you give, freely you will receive. I think as Christians, we should always be generous in giving to others because only when we give to others, we will receive more from God. So we should start using our gifts and talents to serve one another.
Thirdly, God wants us to help the poor and weak because God says whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me and whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me. God doesn't want us to associate ourselves only with people of high status, but also the weaker people. So you know when we see those old people on the roadside selling tissue paper and help them, remember we are doing it for Jesus:))
Dick
Friday, July 31, 2009
Relationships shape character
Those with whom we spend the majority of our time shape our character. As an old saying, one bad apple spoils the barrel," is true in relationships as well as in storing fruit. You can tell the character of a man by the friends he keeps. If you want to be a winner, you have to hang around people willing to win.
We must learn the power of right associations and the pitfalls of wrong associations. Right associations are impt because they lift you up and advance you. When you surround yourself with the right kind of people, you enter into God-ordained power and agreement. Two ppl who walk upright with the lord form a threefold cord that is not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one,, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion...if two lie down together, they will keep warm. . . Through one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Gavin Goh
We must learn the power of right associations and the pitfalls of wrong associations. Right associations are impt because they lift you up and advance you. When you surround yourself with the right kind of people, you enter into God-ordained power and agreement. Two ppl who walk upright with the lord form a threefold cord that is not easily broken.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
Two are better than one,, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion...if two lie down together, they will keep warm. . . Through one may be overpowered by another, two can withstand him. And a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
Gavin Goh
Thursday, July 30, 2009
No Weapon
Many people have prayed this verse, but have no idea where to find it in the bible.
It actually resides in Isa 54:17, and if I'm not wrong, it's the only instance where it is said.
The whole of Isaiah is like a mini bible. The first 39 books are like the old testament (judgment), and the next 27 books are like the new testament (hope). Since it's in Chapter 54, this verse is a verse of hope.
It's a prophetic verse spoken to the Israel, and thus by extension to all believers today.
"NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU...", means that in our world today, not everyone are our friends. There will be people, principalities and powers that will be against us, and they will deliberately be all out to come against you. Not only that, they will try all sorts of means and ways to see you fail.
"...SHALL PROSPER", in context, this means that it will never succeed. God's covenant to us is that if we keep walking in His ways, there is divine protection (it's like a heritage to all believers) against the devil, his demons, principalities and powers, human enemies, etc.
In Christ, we have nothing to fear.
Kel Guo
It actually resides in Isa 54:17, and if I'm not wrong, it's the only instance where it is said.
The whole of Isaiah is like a mini bible. The first 39 books are like the old testament (judgment), and the next 27 books are like the new testament (hope). Since it's in Chapter 54, this verse is a verse of hope.
It's a prophetic verse spoken to the Israel, and thus by extension to all believers today.
"NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST YOU...", means that in our world today, not everyone are our friends. There will be people, principalities and powers that will be against us, and they will deliberately be all out to come against you. Not only that, they will try all sorts of means and ways to see you fail.
"...SHALL PROSPER", in context, this means that it will never succeed. God's covenant to us is that if we keep walking in His ways, there is divine protection (it's like a heritage to all believers) against the devil, his demons, principalities and powers, human enemies, etc.
In Christ, we have nothing to fear.
Kel Guo
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Let us not grow weary
“And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” Gal 6:9
While I was reading Galatians 6, I was reminded of God's encouragement on our life as believers. Sometime, we will go through difficult times and situations. However, we must continue to persevere and do what is right and pleasing to God. Though, we may feel dry at some points in our spiritual, but always remember that God gives strength to those who are weak and delivers those who are in the valley. Let’s purpose in our hearts to do good and depend on Him in our daily life, for in due season we shall reap!
- Matthias
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Spiritual Atmosphere
Let me kick off with the sharing.
Last weekend, Pastor Kong spoke to us on Spiritual Atmosphere and the 4 spiritual things we got to have to create a strong Spiritual Atmosphere.
1) Prayer
2) Praise
3) Hunger for God's Word
4) Unity in vision
I was reminded of Matthew 6:33
Jesus says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
You may have been desiring for a breakthrough in the following areas:
1) Ministry
2) Career
3) Finances
4) Relationships
5) Physical Health, etc.
I believe that as we put the 4 spiritual things as stated above as a priority in our lives, all the things that we desire shall be added on to us. As we build on our prayer life, as we begin to praise God even more (especially during trying times), as we hunger more for God's Word, as we get more united with our cell group members, we can change the spiritual atmosphere around our individual lives. This spiritual atmosphere we create will then begin to change the circumstances surrounding the areas in our lives that we desire to have a breakthrough.
God Bless,
jEMk
Last weekend, Pastor Kong spoke to us on Spiritual Atmosphere and the 4 spiritual things we got to have to create a strong Spiritual Atmosphere.
1) Prayer
2) Praise
3) Hunger for God's Word
4) Unity in vision
I was reminded of Matthew 6:33
Jesus says, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you."
You may have been desiring for a breakthrough in the following areas:
1) Ministry
2) Career
3) Finances
4) Relationships
5) Physical Health, etc.
I believe that as we put the 4 spiritual things as stated above as a priority in our lives, all the things that we desire shall be added on to us. As we build on our prayer life, as we begin to praise God even more (especially during trying times), as we hunger more for God's Word, as we get more united with our cell group members, we can change the spiritual atmosphere around our individual lives. This spiritual atmosphere we create will then begin to change the circumstances surrounding the areas in our lives that we desire to have a breakthrough.
God Bless,
jEMk
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