Hi Mindy
Thanks for the impromptu sharing and fellowship. I've been richly blessed. GOD convicted and spoke to me on several areas last evening.
I realised I was critical of ABC Church mainly based on the behaviour of those who are not walking rightly with the LORD. I know Pastor Hosea and the leadership of ABC Church are God-fearing people and they seek to glorify GOD. Their messages of affirmation are important in a hurting world, and I'm glad you shared how they ministered to you in your times of need. There will always be people who are just there to listen to the messages, feel good about themselves, and do nothing else, but this does not in anyway imply that the church is not doing right. It can however help to encourage people to take root somewhere. Supporting a church is not just in terms of tithing. GOD's work needs GOD's people & His people's time, not just their money, and it will do well to have these who are straddling between churches be told in a loving way that they need to demonstrate love through actions and commitment.
I don't understand the part about the church going into business, but I believe Pastor Hosea must have sought & obtained GOD's approval and blessings. In any case, time will tell. These are new things happening in a new era, and we don't know whether GOD wants churches to be run like businesses and conglomerates. That's really between the church leaders and GOD, and we are in no position to judge. It will however, do well for all of us to always go back to the Bible and seek the Holy Spirit's counsel at all times, not only when in doubt. In this way, we will be able to discern what we see and hear, because no man or pastor is infallible. Above all, always pray for the leadership in church because they are constantly under attack.
It's my prayer that those who have left my church & other churches to worship at ABC Church take root and walk wholeheartedly with the LORD. Only a tree that's planted by the waters and bearing fruits in season brings joy and nourishment to the weary traveller and to the One who planted it.
May you continue to walk and grow in the LORD. You are on the right track, and I believe He's using you to be a special encourager to others, a female Barnabas of sorts. We are constantly being challenged and transformed by GOD to conform to the perfect image of Christ Jesus, our LORD and Saviour, and we need to spur each other onto love and good works, and to sharpen one another as the Bible encouraged us.
The LORD's blessings be upon you & Benjamin.
Thomas
Note: all names (except the author) have been changed to protect the identities of persons/organizations discussed.
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Sunday, July 12, 2009
The Better Way
He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives. Ecclesiastes 3:11-12 NKJV.
That everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil - this is the gift of God. Ecclesiastes 3:13 NIV.
I've also concluded that whatever God does, that's the way it's going to be, always. No addition, no subtraction. God's done it and that's it.
That's so we'll quit asking questions and simply worship in holy fear. Ecclesiastes 3:14 The Message.
That which is has already been, and what is to be has already been; and God requires an account of what is past. Ecclesiastes 3:15 NKJV.
The Teacher reveals the hand of God in all things, even though there will be times when we may not understand nor be able to handle the cards that life deals us.
In the face of despair; and the last resort is between walking away (from a relationship, situation, or even life), and surrendering completely to a strong and loving God;
I pray that we would choose the latter.
Living is hard enough. No one is born equipped to deal with every situation in life. Despite our intentions and efforts, some things are just beyond us.
And if we insist on carrying these burdens by ourselves, they will be the death of us, both literally and spiritually. We can either get busy living or we can get busy dying.
The choice is ours. It is never too late, not with God. He is always there to receive us when we run to Him. And when we do so, we will find ourselves breathing and alive again.
God is in control and He is for justice, righteousness and wholeness, even though things around us may appear otherwise.
Through every valley of shadow of death, in the midst of every storm, in the depth of hopelessness; choosing to trust GOD and let GOD be God, and He will give us rest for our souls.
"So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honour. Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you. 1 Peter 5:6-7 NLT.
My twin and I always say this every year before the yearend marathon, "If God wills, we will run another race". This one is for you, mate. I love you and I am very proud of you.
Ling ",+
Sunday, July 05, 2009
Amazing Love
Amazing Love, Amazing Love
Amazing Love, Amazing Love
All I know is I once was lost but now I'm found
I was blind but now I see, and I know He will do for you what He's done for me
~ A prayer for my niece, Vanessa
The soldiers assigned to the governor took Jesus into the governor's palace and got the entire brigade together for some fun.
They stripped him and dressed him in a red toga. They plaited a crown from branches of a thorn bush and set it on his head.
They put a stick in his right hand for a scepter. Then they knelt before him in mocking reverence: "Bravo, King of the Jews!" they said.
"Bravo!" Then they spit on him and hit him on the head with the stick. When they had had their fun, they took off the toga and put his own clothes back on him.
Then they proceeded out to the crucifixion. Matthew 27:27-31 The Message.
After they had finished nailing him to the cross and were waiting for him to die, they whiled away the time by throwing dice for his clothes.
Above his head they had posted the criminal charge against him: THIS IS JESUS, THE KING OF THE JEWS. Matthew 27:35-37 The Message.
From noon to three, the whole earth was dark. Around mid-afternoon Jesus groaned out of the depths, crying loudly, "Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?"
which means, "My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?" But Jesus, again crying loudly, breathed his last. Matthew 27:45-46, 50 The Message.
It must have been the hardest thing He ever done
When God the Father sacrificed His only Son
The one that He most cherished gave his life away
And by His love He made a better way
~ Bob Fitts "Sacrifice"
A pure, faithful, unconditional love. A love that breaks in order to mould. A love that pursues. A love that rises above man-made artifices. A love that sacrifices.
Sv ".+
Saturday, July 04, 2009
Letter to Yang
I first mention Yang in my tweets last week.
Just shared Jesus with a crippled beggar, Yang. Hesitant at 1st but allowed me to pray 4 him. Pls pray 4 his healing & salvation. Jun 27th
Where I can print a free Chinese gospel tract? I'm going back to the market to pass to beggar Yang whom I prayed for this morn. Tks! Jun 27th
Found Chinese gospel tract - Living Stream Ministry http://tinyurl.com/r7sns5 . Praise GOD! Sad that www.chick.com is banned in S'pore Jun 27th
@PatWKirk tks my sister. If he's there next Sat, i'll certainly pass the tract to him. Trusting GOD to reach him in any way:) Jun 27th
Greetings! Pray with me for beggar Yang whom i met last wk, that i can find him & pass him a tract today, that he'll know #Jesus Jul 4th
Yang is a middle-aged man with deformed limbs. I met him at the market last Sat, sitting next to a tree, begging. When I asked him for his name, he replied softly and asked me to call him "Yang". I gave him a little offering, and asked if he knows Jesus. He said, "No". I then asked if I can pray for him.
By this time, he was a little hesitant. Passers-by were keeping a distance from us, as if it was a strange sight that a man should squat down and talk to a beggar.
He gently asked if I meant to pray for him there and then. I replied, "Yes" and we prayed. My command of the Chinese language hasn't been fantastic from the lack of use. Yet, that morning when we prayed, the Holy Spirit gave me words to utter. We did not pray the sinner's prayer, but I told him to keep his heart open for Jesus.
When I came home, I tried looking for a suitable tract as can be seen from the tweets above. When I finally found one, I rushed back to the market but he was nowhere to be seen.
This morning, I wrote a single-page testimony in Chinese, went to the market with the intention of looking for Yang. He wasn't at the spot where I met him last Sat. I scoured the entire market where the crowds are - there was simply no sign of him.
This testimony is now in my wallet. I pray that I can pass this to him one day, and pray with him to accept Jesus.
The following is a copy of my testimony (with English translation). Should it be of help to you, please use it.
Therefore, I hope you will receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and let Him transform your life.
杨 兄 弟 ，如 果 您 想 接 受 主 耶 稣 ，请 您 按 照 以 下 来 做 一 个 祷 告 ：
Brother Yang, if you would like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord, please pray as follows: (the following text is a typical sinner's prayer, taken from http://www.the-sinners-prayer.com/)
谢 谢 您 ， 杨 兄 弟 。愿 神 祝 福 您 。如 果 有 什 么 需 要 ，请 您 跟 我 联 络。我 的 电 话 号 码 是 ： xxxxxxx。
Thanks brother Yang. May the LORD bless you. Should you need any help, please contact me. My phone number is: xxxxxxx
伟 汉
Thomas
2009 年 7 月 4 日
4th Jul 2009
Just shared Jesus with a crippled beggar, Yang. Hesitant at 1st but allowed me to pray 4 him. Pls pray 4 his healing & salvation. Jun 27th
Where I can print a free Chinese gospel tract? I'm going back to the market to pass to beggar Yang whom I prayed for this morn. Tks! Jun 27th
Found Chinese gospel tract - Living Stream Ministry http://tinyurl.com/r7sns5 . Praise GOD! Sad that www.chick.com is banned in S'pore Jun 27th
@squeakmouse73 sad that Yang's not at the market anymore. I'll go back next Sat. If he's there, will hand the tract to him Jun 27th
@PatWKirk tks my sister. If he's there next Sat, i'll certainly pass the tract to him. Trusting GOD to reach him in any way:) Jun 27th
Greetings! Pray with me for beggar Yang whom i met last wk, that i can find him & pass him a tract today, that he'll know #Jesus Jul 4th
Yang is a middle-aged man with deformed limbs. I met him at the market last Sat, sitting next to a tree, begging. When I asked him for his name, he replied softly and asked me to call him "Yang". I gave him a little offering, and asked if he knows Jesus. He said, "No". I then asked if I can pray for him.
By this time, he was a little hesitant. Passers-by were keeping a distance from us, as if it was a strange sight that a man should squat down and talk to a beggar.
He gently asked if I meant to pray for him there and then. I replied, "Yes" and we prayed. My command of the Chinese language hasn't been fantastic from the lack of use. Yet, that morning when we prayed, the Holy Spirit gave me words to utter. We did not pray the sinner's prayer, but I told him to keep his heart open for Jesus.
When I came home, I tried looking for a suitable tract as can be seen from the tweets above. When I finally found one, I rushed back to the market but he was nowhere to be seen.
This morning, I wrote a single-page testimony in Chinese, went to the market with the intention of looking for Yang. He wasn't at the spot where I met him last Sat. I scoured the entire market where the crowds are - there was simply no sign of him.
This testimony is now in my wallet. I pray that I can pass this to him one day, and pray with him to accept Jesus.
The following is a copy of my testimony (with English translation). Should it be of help to you, please use it.
亲 爱 的 杨 兄 弟，
Dear brother Yang
很 高 兴 认 识 您 。
I'm very pleased to know you.
我 名 叫 伟 汉 。从 小 就 失 聪 （耳 聋）。刚 开 始 的 时 后 ，只 是 一 边 听 不 到 ，后 来 连 另 一 边 也 失 去 了 听 觉 。 慢 慢 地 连 说 话 也 受 到 了 影 响 。
My name is Thomas. I lost my hearing from a young age. Initially, I couldn't hear in one ear, but subsequently, even the other ear started to lose its hearing. Gradually, even my speech became unclear.
但 是 很 感 谢 神 ， 这 些 年 来 不 断 的 关 怀 我 ， 爱 护 我 。所 以 ，我 想 与 您 分 享 神 的 爱 。
However, I thank GOD for loving and caring for me through these years. Therefore, I would like to share GOD's love with you.
人 活 在 世 上 ， 总 有 一 天 会 死 。 但 我 们 可 选 择 死 后 要 去 哪 儿 。
Everyone must die one day. But, we can choose where we want to go after death.
圣 经 告 诉 我 们 神 爱 我 们 ， 把 独 生 子 耶 稣 赐 给 我 们 ， 叫 我 们 一 切 信 耶 稣 。 这 样，我 们 就 不 会 灭 亡 ， 反 得 永 生 。 “ 永 生 ” 是 指 在 天 堂 与 神 度 过 的 日 子 。
The Bible teaches us that GOD loves us and gave us His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, with the desire that we believe upon Him. If we do, we will not perish but have everlasting life. "Everlasting" refers to the days we will have with GOD in heaven.
耶 稣 也 告 诉 我 们：“ 在 这 个 世 界 里 ， 你 们 有 苦 难 ； 但 你 们 可 以 放 心 ， 因 为 我 已 经 胜 了 世 界 。” 这 表 示 无 论 生 活 是 多 么 辛 苦 ， 耶 稣 都 会 提 供 我 们 所 需 要 的 。
Jesus also said, "In this world, you will have trials and tribulations, but take heart, for I have overcome the world." What this means is that, though life may be tough, Jesus himself will provide all that we need.
钱 不 是 万 能 ，也 永 远 不 够 。但 是 靠 着 耶 稣 给 我 们 的 力 量， 凡 事 都 能 做 。
Dear brother Yang
很 高 兴 认 识 您 。
I'm very pleased to know you.
我 名 叫 伟 汉 。从 小 就 失 聪 （耳 聋）。刚 开 始 的 时 后 ，只 是 一 边 听 不 到 ，后 来 连 另 一 边 也 失 去 了 听 觉 。 慢 慢 地 连 说 话 也 受 到 了 影 响 。
My name is Thomas. I lost my hearing from a young age. Initially, I couldn't hear in one ear, but subsequently, even the other ear started to lose its hearing. Gradually, even my speech became unclear.
但 是 很 感 谢 神 ， 这 些 年 来 不 断 的 关 怀 我 ， 爱 护 我 。所 以 ，我 想 与 您 分 享 神 的 爱 。
However, I thank GOD for loving and caring for me through these years. Therefore, I would like to share GOD's love with you.
人 活 在 世 上 ， 总 有 一 天 会 死 。 但 我 们 可 选 择 死 后 要 去 哪 儿 。
Everyone must die one day. But, we can choose where we want to go after death.
圣 经 告 诉 我 们 神 爱 我 们 ， 把 独 生 子 耶 稣 赐 给 我 们 ， 叫 我 们 一 切 信 耶 稣 。 这 样，我 们 就 不 会 灭 亡 ， 反 得 永 生 。 “ 永 生 ” 是 指 在 天 堂 与 神 度 过 的 日 子 。
The Bible teaches us that GOD loves us and gave us His one and only Son, Jesus Christ, with the desire that we believe upon Him. If we do, we will not perish but have everlasting life. "Everlasting" refers to the days we will have with GOD in heaven.
耶 稣 也 告 诉 我 们：“ 在 这 个 世 界 里 ， 你 们 有 苦 难 ； 但 你 们 可 以 放 心 ， 因 为 我 已 经 胜 了 世 界 。” 这 表 示 无 论 生 活 是 多 么 辛 苦 ， 耶 稣 都 会 提 供 我 们 所 需 要 的 。
Jesus also said, "In this world, you will have trials and tribulations, but take heart, for I have overcome the world." What this means is that, though life may be tough, Jesus himself will provide all that we need.
钱 不 是 万 能 ，也 永 远 不 够 。但 是 靠 着 耶 稣 给 我 们 的 力 量， 凡 事 都 能 做 。
Money is not all-powerful and will never be enough for anyone. However, we can do everything through Jesus Christ who gives us strength.
因 此 ，我 希 望 您 会 接 受 耶 稣 为 您 的 救 主 ，让 他 改 变 您 的 一 生 。Therefore, I hope you will receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour, and let Him transform your life.
杨 兄 弟 ，如 果 您 想 接 受 主 耶 稣 ，请 您 按 照 以 下 来 做 一 个 祷 告 ：
Brother Yang, if you would like to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord, please pray as follows: (the following text is a typical sinner's prayer, taken from http://www.the-sinners-prayer.com/)
亲 爱 的 天 父 ，我 知 道 我 曾 经 是 个 罪 人 ，那 些 罪 将 你 我 分 离。
我 为 我 曾 经 的 过 犯 向 你 道 歉 。
我 希 望 告 别 我 过 去 充 满 过 犯 的 生 活 ，而 转 向 你 的 宽 恕 。
请 宽 恕 我，帮 助 我 远 离 曾 经 的 罪 。
我 相 信，你 的 儿 子 耶 稣 曾 为 了 我 的 罪 而 死 ，又 从 死 中 复 活 ，并 一 直 活 着 。请 你 听 我 的 祷 告。
请 耶 稣 做 我 生 命 的 主 人，从 今 天 起 掌 管 我 的 心 。
请 赐 予 我 您 的 圣 灵 ，帮 助 我 去 顺 从 你 ，在 我 以 后 的 日 子 里 照 你 的 旨 意 行 事。
以 上 祷 告 奉 主 耶 稣 名 求 ，阿 门 !
我 为 我 曾 经 的 过 犯 向 你 道 歉 。
我 希 望 告 别 我 过 去 充 满 过 犯 的 生 活 ，而 转 向 你 的 宽 恕 。
请 宽 恕 我，帮 助 我 远 离 曾 经 的 罪 。
我 相 信，你 的 儿 子 耶 稣 曾 为 了 我 的 罪 而 死 ，又 从 死 中 复 活 ，并 一 直 活 着 。请 你 听 我 的 祷 告。
请 耶 稣 做 我 生 命 的 主 人，从 今 天 起 掌 管 我 的 心 。
请 赐 予 我 您 的 圣 灵 ，帮 助 我 去 顺 从 你 ，在 我 以 后 的 日 子 里 照 你 的 旨 意 行 事。
以 上 祷 告 奉 主 耶 稣 名 求 ，阿 门 !
谢 谢 您 ， 杨 兄 弟 。愿 神 祝 福 您 。如 果 有 什 么 需 要 ，请 您 跟 我 联 络。我 的 电 话 号 码 是 ： xxxxxxx。
Thanks brother Yang. May the LORD bless you. Should you need any help, please contact me. My phone number is: xxxxxxx
伟 汉
Thomas
2009 年 7 月 4 日
4th Jul 2009
Thursday, July 02, 2009
Dialogue in hell No.2
Cough! Cough! What the HELL is this place?
[this is hell...]
Hell is real?!?
[does this feel fake? let's see... ouch! it IS hot...]
Are you the devil?
[hell no! i'm just an innocent guy like you...]
Why are you here then?
[beats me...]
Can anyone HELP us please? I'm burning to death!!
[fear not, we won't die...]
We won't?? Can you help? Quick!!
[we hellish don't die. look over there...]
*turns to look*
Arghh!! What are those?
[they are your GAY friends...]
NO WAY!!! My friends are beautiful! This can't be!!
[yes, my dear. look...]
*whips out a mirror*
Arghh! What IS THIS thing??!
[*sniggers* That THING is you...]
Nooo...OOO!! This is a dream!!
[call it a dream if you like, but you'll never wake up from it. it's forever...]
Someone HELP me!! GOD! JESUS! ANYONE! HELPPP!!!
[god? i am god...]
No, you are not. JESUS! HELP!! JESUS!!!
[jesus? why would he be in this god-forsaken place? he is probably in heaven...]
What?! Heaven?? Heaven is REAL?!?
Don't find out too late. Heaven is real, so is hell. Jesus is waiting.
What are you waiting for?
Thomas
[this is hell...]
Hell is real?!?
[does this feel fake? let's see... ouch! it IS hot...]
Are you the devil?
[hell no! i'm just an innocent guy like you...]
Why are you here then?
[beats me...]
Can anyone HELP us please? I'm burning to death!!
[fear not, we won't die...]
We won't?? Can you help? Quick!!
[we hellish don't die. look over there...]
*turns to look*
Arghh!! What are those?
[they are your GAY friends...]
NO WAY!!! My friends are beautiful! This can't be!!
[yes, my dear. look...]
*whips out a mirror*
Arghh! What IS THIS thing??!
[*sniggers* That THING is you...]
Nooo...OOO!! This is a dream!!
[call it a dream if you like, but you'll never wake up from it. it's forever...]
Someone HELP me!! GOD! JESUS! ANYONE! HELPPP!!!
[god? i am god...]
No, you are not. JESUS! HELP!! JESUS!!!
[jesus? why would he be in this god-forsaken place? he is probably in heaven...]
What?! Heaven?? Heaven is REAL?!?
Don't find out too late. Heaven is real, so is hell. Jesus is waiting.
What are you waiting for?
Thomas
Wednesday, July 01, 2009
Dialogue in hell No.1
Say, this place burns. Where the HELL am I ?
[you are in hell...]
Hell is REAL ??
[yes...]
But no one told me !
[oh, that's too bad...]
I want out !!!
[be my guest...]
.....
.....
.....
Why the HELL am I still here ?!?
[you just arrived actually. a very warm welcome to you...]
Who are you ?!?
[i'm your friend...]
But I don't know you !! Where's the door ??
[beats me. have been searching for that too...]
Is this a joke ? A dream perhaps ??
[PERHAPS? Perhaps you don't understand. hell is forever...]
HEEELLPPP ! I want out !!!
[tsk tsk tsk...]
*looks up*
Wait !! What's that thing over there ??
[that must be heaven, i think...]
What? Heaven IS REAL ?!?
Don't find out too late. Heaven is real, so is hell. Jesus is waiting. What are you waiting for?
Thomas
[you are in hell...]
Hell is REAL ??
[yes...]
But no one told me !
[oh, that's too bad...]
I want out !!!
[be my guest...]
.....
.....
.....
Why the HELL am I still here ?!?
[you just arrived actually. a very warm welcome to you...]
Who are you ?!?
[i'm your friend...]
But I don't know you !! Where's the door ??
[beats me. have been searching for that too...]
Is this a joke ? A dream perhaps ??
[PERHAPS? Perhaps you don't understand. hell is forever...]
HEEELLPPP ! I want out !!!
[tsk tsk tsk...]
*looks up*
Wait !! What's that thing over there ??
[that must be heaven, i think...]
What? Heaven IS REAL ?!?
Don't find out too late. Heaven is real, so is hell. Jesus is waiting. What are you waiting for?
Thomas
Monday, June 22, 2009
Letter to a brother in Christ
Dear Jeremy
I believe you received my SMS this morning.
I have been praying for you since I noticed that you stopped attending the church service altogether. Initially, I did not want to broach this topic as I thought you may have missed services due to your studies or on occasions when someone in the family was sick. As it became more apparent, I can only bring this up in love, as one who was brought to this church by you, who was discipled by you during my campus days and early years at Zion. I have told Johnny, James and others whenever the opportunities arise that I owe my growth as a Christian to the encouragement & the books you gave me, and more importantly, the example you set for me when I was still a young believer.
Bro. Jeremy,
I write out of concern for you, Katherine, Bonnie, and Johnny whom I teach in Sunday School. As you probably know more than me, a Christian's lifelong growth comes not merely from reading the Bible, but also from essential areas such as corporate worship, praise, prayer, sermons, fellowship with believers, sharing of testimonies, and service to the LORD and body of Christ, among others. As Christian parents, we have an additional responsibility to be a role model for our kids to emulate in this increasingly turbulent world of conflicting values, so that we may train them up the way that should go, in the instructions of the LORD. Our children are a blessing from the LORD. The Bible exhorts us to testify to our children the goodness and mercies of the LORD, so that they are constantly reminded of, and are able to appreciate our personal encounters with GOD as first-generation Christians. I believe that Johnny and Bonnie are a heritage from the LORD, and they need to walk as they see you walk, and grow as they see you grow, in the LORD Jesus Christ, so that this heritage can continue to their children and their children's children.
I hope that I'm mistaken. I hope that you are at least attending services in other churches on the weeks that you miss the services at Zion and having home cell fellowship elsewhere if you are not able to join the groups at Zion.
As Pastor Lim has always shared, it doesn't matter that people leave Zion for other churches. We are all mature Christians and can be trusted upon to make responsible & prayerful choices which honour GOD. We know that this can only lead believers to grow at whichever church they choose to go with, and when we meet again in heaven, we have every reason to rejoice.
Being a Christian is certainly not about earthly church membership, but about honouring GOD, putting Him first, and belonging to & supporting the universal church, which is the body of Christ. No matter which church you choose to grow with, the body of Christ will rejoice as you commit your life to GOD and give Him your very best. After all, we have only a few more decades to do this before we go home to meet with the LORD. I'm sure we can put the right focus on this and that future generations will be blessed because we have been found to be faithful and obedient to GOD, as Abraham has been.
Sincerely,
Thomas
Note: All names (except Thomas') have been changed to protect the identity of the persons & church in this letter.
I believe you received my SMS this morning.
I have been praying for you since I noticed that you stopped attending the church service altogether. Initially, I did not want to broach this topic as I thought you may have missed services due to your studies or on occasions when someone in the family was sick. As it became more apparent, I can only bring this up in love, as one who was brought to this church by you, who was discipled by you during my campus days and early years at Zion. I have told Johnny, James and others whenever the opportunities arise that I owe my growth as a Christian to the encouragement & the books you gave me, and more importantly, the example you set for me when I was still a young believer.
Bro. Jeremy,
I write out of concern for you, Katherine, Bonnie, and Johnny whom I teach in Sunday School. As you probably know more than me, a Christian's lifelong growth comes not merely from reading the Bible, but also from essential areas such as corporate worship, praise, prayer, sermons, fellowship with believers, sharing of testimonies, and service to the LORD and body of Christ, among others. As Christian parents, we have an additional responsibility to be a role model for our kids to emulate in this increasingly turbulent world of conflicting values, so that we may train them up the way that should go, in the instructions of the LORD. Our children are a blessing from the LORD. The Bible exhorts us to testify to our children the goodness and mercies of the LORD, so that they are constantly reminded of, and are able to appreciate our personal encounters with GOD as first-generation Christians. I believe that Johnny and Bonnie are a heritage from the LORD, and they need to walk as they see you walk, and grow as they see you grow, in the LORD Jesus Christ, so that this heritage can continue to their children and their children's children.
I hope that I'm mistaken. I hope that you are at least attending services in other churches on the weeks that you miss the services at Zion and having home cell fellowship elsewhere if you are not able to join the groups at Zion.
As Pastor Lim has always shared, it doesn't matter that people leave Zion for other churches. We are all mature Christians and can be trusted upon to make responsible & prayerful choices which honour GOD. We know that this can only lead believers to grow at whichever church they choose to go with, and when we meet again in heaven, we have every reason to rejoice.
Being a Christian is certainly not about earthly church membership, but about honouring GOD, putting Him first, and belonging to & supporting the universal church, which is the body of Christ. No matter which church you choose to grow with, the body of Christ will rejoice as you commit your life to GOD and give Him your very best. After all, we have only a few more decades to do this before we go home to meet with the LORD. I'm sure we can put the right focus on this and that future generations will be blessed because we have been found to be faithful and obedient to GOD, as Abraham has been.
Sincerely,
Thomas
Note: All names (except Thomas') have been changed to protect the identity of the persons & church in this letter.
Her name is Love
A mate of mine told me that love is about giving, not receiving. Give until it hurts. Give so that those who are loved may in return make a difference in this world we live in.
True love is unconditional. It remains even if unrequited. It risks rejection, survives misunderstandings and stands the tests of time and trials. Love is a force.
Love bears many names. More than just passion, her name is commitment, faithfulness, family, values, honour, sacrifice, courage, abiding.
Ever evolving and versatile, she takes on different forms and plays different roles in kinship, friendship, relationships and worship.
We grew up together. I met you when I was but a teenager. As you revealed who you are, I discovered who I am.
Right from the start, it has never been easy. But because of you, I have found courage, clarity, hope and dreams.
Lovers have come and gone, but you still remain. Over the years, you have replaced pain with strength; setbacks with tenacity; shame with grace.
You have transformed a child into an adult, whose life you have enriched with lessons from love and life, whose character you are still shaping on the anvil.
Then Moses said to the LORD, "See, You say to me, 'Bring up this people.' But You have not let me know whom You will send with me.
Yet You have said, 'I know you by name, and you have also found grace in My sight.' "Now therefore, I pray, if I have found grace in Your sight, show me now Your way,
that I may know You and that I may find grace in Your sight. And consider that this nation is Your people. " Exodus 33:12-13 NKJV.
His name is Jesus. Her name is Love.
Sv ".+
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