The bible says in Gal 6:9 (NKJV) "And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
This verse made me think quite a bit although this is not the first time I've read this verse. In fact, I have used this verse before in one of my offering messages. However, strangely, the other versions such as NIV or NLT did not mention "do not lost heart" but rather, they used "do not give up" in those versions.
So what is it about the human heart? Why is it that when we lose heart, it gives a similar meaning as we have given up?
Well, the human heart is about the only organ that knows how to move on its own. Unlike the hand/feet/hips etc, they rely on the brain sending messages to them before they are activated. However, the Human Heart pumps and pumps without any instructions from the brain.. The heart of a vertebrate is composed of cardiac muscle, an involuntary striated muscle tissue which is found only within this organ.
When I was worshipping God that day with this verse stuck in my mind, I begin to understand more about the Human Heart. See, the heart will go on pumping and pumping no matter what. It's like life will go on no matter what. At times, the heart can also pump even if the brain is not functioning. The heart speaks of a Man's ways and life.
Now, the bible says that Christ is the head. We all know that what's in the head is the brains. If Christ is the head, then the brains must be Christ's innermost part. The heartbeat of Jesus, the heart of hearts, the very intentions, thoughts, ideas, direction of God.
To function fully, the heart must be connected to the brain. That is like a man that is well connected to God, knowing His ways, His thoughts, intentions, direction, plans. This man knows not only about God but he knows God. Yea, that's a man destined for success.
There are also other scenarios, such as a man who's heart has stopped pumping. Is he dead? Certainly not. That's why doctors, can declare one to be brain dead but not heart dead. In other words, even if the heart stops pumping, the person is not necessarily dead. As long as God is alive, there's hope for man. There's hope for salvation. Some tried to kill God but on the 3rd day He rose again victoriously. Unless the heart gives up on the brain, the brain will not give up on the heart. So long as the brain is alive, there's still hope.
The bottom-line is that we must come to a point where we know the heartbeat of Christ, the thoughts of Christ, the plans, the desires, the intentions, the directions... Then only are we connected to the Head. Then only will our heart pump normally and still maintain connection to the brain and the whole body functions well.
There are people who are still existing and functioning. However, they are brain dead already as they have lost the connection to the Brain. Though they seems to still have connection to the head (still attending church) but they have lost the connection to the inner part of the head and are clueless with what God is thinking or the way God is moving. These are the brain dead...
-Clara
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Strong Spiritually
As we celebrated the 20th Anniversary at the Indoor Stadium on Sunday, I can’t help but to remember God’s faithfulness and love for His church and His people. As I watched those videos which captured moments of City Harvest, I begin to tear in His presence. My heart is filled with gladness because I am part of this story. I strongly believe that the next twenty years is going to be more glorious. Like the pioneers of City Harvest shared how their lives have changed and their faithfulness towards God over the years. It is the pioneer’s spiritual tenacity that kept them planted in the House of God the past twenty years. Then, how can we stay planted in the House of God? I believe there are three ways that will help us keep our walk with God strong.
Firstly, a strong prayer life is essential in our walk with God. In 2 Chronicle 7:14, God says that “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” How can one maintain a relationship? It’s through communication. Prayer is a powerful thing, its communicating with God. Through prayer, we are able to build strong and intimate relationship with Him.
Secondly, making giving a lifestyle is essential in our walk with God. The Bible says in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This verse is both a biblical and practical verse. We will always be drawn to where we invest most of our time and finances in. Genesis 8:22 says that "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." The Kingdom of God works on the principle of sowing and reaping. Unless one sows, he will never reap. When we begin to participate and sow in the House, we are becoming part of the family and taking ownership of it.
Lastly, we need to recognize that Jesus is not just our Savior but Lord of our life. Our life is in the hand of God and God is always in the equation of our life. When we recognize the fact that Jesus is our Lord, we will begin to depend on Him in every way in our life. Everything that we have belongs to Him and every blessing comes from Him, we are just stewards of it. When Jesus is our Lord, we will not be afraid of any challenges and we will keep going because He is always in control of every situation.
I believe that by embracing some of these ways, we will keep our spiritual life strong and keep our life planted in the House of God. Indeed, those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
More dreams to be realized and more success to be celebrated.
Matthias
Firstly, a strong prayer life is essential in our walk with God. In 2 Chronicle 7:14, God says that “if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.” How can one maintain a relationship? It’s through communication. Prayer is a powerful thing, its communicating with God. Through prayer, we are able to build strong and intimate relationship with Him.
Secondly, making giving a lifestyle is essential in our walk with God. The Bible says in Matthew 6:21, “For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” This verse is both a biblical and practical verse. We will always be drawn to where we invest most of our time and finances in. Genesis 8:22 says that "As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease." The Kingdom of God works on the principle of sowing and reaping. Unless one sows, he will never reap. When we begin to participate and sow in the House, we are becoming part of the family and taking ownership of it.
Lastly, we need to recognize that Jesus is not just our Savior but Lord of our life. Our life is in the hand of God and God is always in the equation of our life. When we recognize the fact that Jesus is our Lord, we will begin to depend on Him in every way in our life. Everything that we have belongs to Him and every blessing comes from Him, we are just stewards of it. When Jesus is our Lord, we will not be afraid of any challenges and we will keep going because He is always in control of every situation.
I believe that by embracing some of these ways, we will keep our spiritual life strong and keep our life planted in the House of God. Indeed, those who are planted in the house of the LORD shall flourish in the courts of our God.
More dreams to be realized and more success to be celebrated.
Matthias
Sunday, August 2, 2009
Batam Emerge 2009
Keep the postings rolling in! I'm loving it (=
A lot of you were wondering what happened in Batam and I told you that you would be shocked by what I did in Batam Emerge. This trip was an ok trip for me overall. I had the chance to get to know more people and know people even more. Just overshadowed by some stuff but that is the story for another time (= I will be posting some pictures of my Batam experience and you will know the area I served in.
A lot of you were wondering what happened in Batam and I told you that you would be shocked by what I did in Batam Emerge. This trip was an ok trip for me overall. I had the chance to get to know more people and know people even more. Just overshadowed by some stuff but that is the story for another time (= I will be posting some pictures of my Batam experience and you will know the area I served in.
This is one of the simpler student some of us had to do.
"The Shoulder Sit"
The more "death defying" "Shoulder Stand"
It was truly a great experience serving with the cheerleaders of our church. A fun loving, cheerful and most importantly God loving bunch of people. I never knew these stunts can be learnt in a short period of time and the whole time training with them changed my perspective towards cheerleading. Indeed they are the cheerleaders for God, the adrenaline I felt right before our turn to be on stage, I so much wanted to pass it on to the crowd out there. I feel proud with what they have done and I thank God for the opportunity to serve with them.
Like every mission trip, I feel most importantly, it is the attitude we bring that matters the most. For some of us, we may be just be amongst the crowd during the whole service, but the way we carry ourselves, the way we support the event, the way we praise, the way we worship, every little thing we do can make a difference in the lives of the people we serve. Other than the Word, the performances and helps that we bring, I believe that we want to impart these attitudes that we have to them. Bring it back home, let us carry this excellent attitude every where we go, be an influence in the marketplace. Let good attitudes be a conviction in your heart too that you truly live it out!
Cheers,
jEMk
Friday, July 31, 2009
When will Jesus return?
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
"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
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
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