Showing posts with label Arrow Service. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Arrow Service. Show all posts
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Sunday, May 18, 2008
hello everybody!
I thought today's arrow service was really great! What pastor shared was really powerful and I'd just like to share with ya all some of the things I've personally received.
You know pastor shared about how the fear of man can come in the form of shyness? And its because we're very conscious of ourselves, what others will think about us and all? Personally that's a very real fear in my life. Many a times, i wanted to share with others about my life and about my views on things, but somehow the words get choked just when I'm about to speak. And immediately, I'll draw back because I'd think that what I have to say may not be important at all and what if I say something stupid which will make me look totally like a klutz? But my heart wants to share and more often than not, I go home regretting my actions and this is where self condemnation comes kicking in. But today pastor said something which really struck me. He said, 'My acceptance is not in what I've been in the past, but knowing that I am accepted in the beloved.'
Ephesians 1:6 says, 'to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.'
It made me realized that I do not have to be smart/rich/good looking to be accepted in the beloved, but its just purely by His grace and EVERYONE is entitled to it, despite and in spite of our failures or shortcomings. Because then its really by His grace (undeserved, unearned and unmerited favor) by which He has made us accepted. This really opened up my heart because it showed me that its really not about how much i try to gain His approval, but its a gift from Him simply because He loves me.
Even starting to write this post was quite difficult for me and I pondered about it for quite a while because I would think about whose going to read it, how others will feel after reading it and what are their opinions about it. But I'm just reminded about today's service. It doesn't matter about what others will think about me or about this entry after i post it because I know that no matter what I do in the past, the present or in the future, I'm still accepted by my abba father and that's all that matters. I just felt like sharing so here I am. Small faith steps. It's a small part of what I've received from today's sermon and even though it's not a very long entry, I hope this will bless you.
I thought today's arrow service was really great! What pastor shared was really powerful and I'd just like to share with ya all some of the things I've personally received.
You know pastor shared about how the fear of man can come in the form of shyness? And its because we're very conscious of ourselves, what others will think about us and all? Personally that's a very real fear in my life. Many a times, i wanted to share with others about my life and about my views on things, but somehow the words get choked just when I'm about to speak. And immediately, I'll draw back because I'd think that what I have to say may not be important at all and what if I say something stupid which will make me look totally like a klutz? But my heart wants to share and more often than not, I go home regretting my actions and this is where self condemnation comes kicking in. But today pastor said something which really struck me. He said, 'My acceptance is not in what I've been in the past, but knowing that I am accepted in the beloved.'
Ephesians 1:6 says, 'to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He has made us accepted in the Beloved.'
It made me realized that I do not have to be smart/rich/good looking to be accepted in the beloved, but its just purely by His grace and EVERYONE is entitled to it, despite and in spite of our failures or shortcomings. Because then its really by His grace (undeserved, unearned and unmerited favor) by which He has made us accepted. This really opened up my heart because it showed me that its really not about how much i try to gain His approval, but its a gift from Him simply because He loves me.
Even starting to write this post was quite difficult for me and I pondered about it for quite a while because I would think about whose going to read it, how others will feel after reading it and what are their opinions about it. But I'm just reminded about today's service. It doesn't matter about what others will think about me or about this entry after i post it because I know that no matter what I do in the past, the present or in the future, I'm still accepted by my abba father and that's all that matters. I just felt like sharing so here I am. Small faith steps. It's a small part of what I've received from today's sermon and even though it's not a very long entry, I hope this will bless you.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
My little insights
acceptance is in CHRIST. says it all.
today Pastor Benjamin preached a powerful message.. I took this home, above all the other things he said..
Acceptance is in CHRIST, not self.. do not trust in your self effort.. look at the difference in king Saul and David..
Saul was a person who cared about what others said to him.. He was afraid of what others said.. look at 1 Sam 15:24
24 Then Saul finally admitted, "Yes I have sinned. i have disobeyed your instruction and the LORD's command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.
but look at David in 1 Sam 17:28-30
28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. "What are you doing around here anyway?" he demanded. "What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!"
29 "What have I done now?" David replied. "I was only asking a question!"
30 He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer.
David did not care what his brother said.. He was unafraid because he had God's acceptance and man's didn't matter.. He knew his name meant Beloved! moreover, He had all his time to bask and soak in his destiny while he was tending the sheep..
On a little side note.. Apparently, his father rejected him and so did his brothers.. when Samuel visited Jesse and his sons, David was absent! can you imagine that? A father who called his son beloved forgot about his son? an important sacrifice with THE prophet of God.. kinda shows how much his father cared.. But David was unscathed.. he remembered his destiny and that he was the beloved of God.. tt's why God said David was a man after God's own heart.. He knew that he was the beloved of God.. and that's in our ABBA's heart that we know we are his beloved because of Jesus!
today Pastor Benjamin preached a powerful message.. I took this home, above all the other things he said..
Acceptance is in CHRIST, not self.. do not trust in your self effort.. look at the difference in king Saul and David..
Saul was a person who cared about what others said to him.. He was afraid of what others said.. look at 1 Sam 15:24
24 Then Saul finally admitted, "Yes I have sinned. i have disobeyed your instruction and the LORD's command, for I was afraid of the people and did what they demanded.
but look at David in 1 Sam 17:28-30
28 But when David’s oldest brother, Eliab, heard David talking to the men, he was angry. "What are you doing around here anyway?" he demanded. "What about those few sheep you’re supposed to be taking care of? I know about your pride and deceit. You just want to see the battle!"
29 "What have I done now?" David replied. "I was only asking a question!"
30 He walked over to some others and asked them the same thing and received the same answer.
David did not care what his brother said.. He was unafraid because he had God's acceptance and man's didn't matter.. He knew his name meant Beloved! moreover, He had all his time to bask and soak in his destiny while he was tending the sheep..
On a little side note.. Apparently, his father rejected him and so did his brothers.. when Samuel visited Jesse and his sons, David was absent! can you imagine that? A father who called his son beloved forgot about his son? an important sacrifice with THE prophet of God.. kinda shows how much his father cared.. But David was unscathed.. he remembered his destiny and that he was the beloved of God.. tt's why God said David was a man after God's own heart.. He knew that he was the beloved of God.. and that's in our ABBA's heart that we know we are his beloved because of Jesus!
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Arrow Students' Service
Heyz, Beloved Southies
Arrow Students' Service is this Saturday! It's the last chance to get tickets for The Zone before they are released to the public.
We'll be meeting outside the Rock at 1630 for pre-service. Come expectant to receive the Word that is for you in your current situation.
The Theme is SEE... I don't think there's a dresscode for that so no worries about being dressed out of theme. =D
See you Beloveds there!
Arrow Students' Service is this Saturday! It's the last chance to get tickets for The Zone before they are released to the public.
We'll be meeting outside the Rock at 1630 for pre-service. Come expectant to receive the Word that is for you in your current situation.
The Theme is SEE... I don't think there's a dresscode for that so no worries about being dressed out of theme. =D
See you Beloveds there!
Saturday, April 5, 2008
Faith fuelled by the father's love
i thought today's message was awesome. 'cos when you're in the army, faith takes a backseat. It's great having daddy God remind you that each and every person has a measure of faith already placed in him and it's not you trying to work-up that faith but to let God's love.. the sense of God's love just permeate through.
In the army faith takes a backseat, especially when in training. Whatever the Sergeant says, you have to do. And the whole idea is that they want you to learn it the hard way. So it comes with lots of threats and punishments. Of course everyone wishes to have a peaceful and 'slack' training, but well it doesn't always happen. So more or less u don't see any miracles or breakthroughs. you really feel discouraged and small. No feeling of GOD's love. And I can tell that in the workplace, when all the paperwork and deadlines start popping up like dandelions, it's really deflating on your faith.
I like the idea of activated and energized. it's like faith alone has power, no doubt, but faith with love is ENERGIZED and ACTIVATED. I think why we don't see things happening is that the faith is not ACTIVATED. so it's time to put the spotlight on GOD's love for us: Jesus on the cross for our punishment and redemption. we're back to 1 Jn3:16 tt Christ is the perfection of GOD's love. faith, being activated by the sense of GOD's love. it's like putting the magnifying glass over a sheet of paper. it's like pastor's analogy of ATM and pin-code.
BELOVEDS, focus on GOD's love for this week beloveds, and you'll see that how little your faith may be, it will spring forth miracles in your life. Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith. Jesus is faith. the father's love is Jesus on the cross. It's just Jesus. look to him and find the love you need in him. not only from your colleagues, parents, siblings, peers or even leaders and cg-mates. sense his love this week and let his faith in you take over (:
A little thing to add on, for those of you who like to read on and go deeper into scripture...
Actually if you read on in 1Jn3:18-20 it goes on to talk about doing.
18Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).
6For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
see the words EXPRESSED and WORKING. the love for others in 1Jn3:18-20 is not about us and us trying to love (as a work) again. It's about faith. All to do with Jesus' faith in our lives. The more you sense Jesus' love, the more you see yourself working and walking in faith, leading to works of and in love. Beloveds, Shalom.
In the army faith takes a backseat, especially when in training. Whatever the Sergeant says, you have to do. And the whole idea is that they want you to learn it the hard way. So it comes with lots of threats and punishments. Of course everyone wishes to have a peaceful and 'slack' training, but well it doesn't always happen. So more or less u don't see any miracles or breakthroughs. you really feel discouraged and small. No feeling of GOD's love. And I can tell that in the workplace, when all the paperwork and deadlines start popping up like dandelions, it's really deflating on your faith.
Gal5:6
(NIV) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
(Amplified) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
(NIV) For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love.
(Amplified) For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
I like the idea of activated and energized. it's like faith alone has power, no doubt, but faith with love is ENERGIZED and ACTIVATED. I think why we don't see things happening is that the faith is not ACTIVATED. so it's time to put the spotlight on GOD's love for us: Jesus on the cross for our punishment and redemption. we're back to 1 Jn3:16 tt Christ is the perfection of GOD's love. faith, being activated by the sense of GOD's love. it's like putting the magnifying glass over a sheet of paper. it's like pastor's analogy of ATM and pin-code.
BELOVEDS, focus on GOD's love for this week beloveds, and you'll see that how little your faith may be, it will spring forth miracles in your life. Jesus is the author and the finisher of our faith. Jesus is faith. the father's love is Jesus on the cross. It's just Jesus. look to him and find the love you need in him. not only from your colleagues, parents, siblings, peers or even leaders and cg-mates. sense his love this week and let his faith in you take over (:
A little thing to add on, for those of you who like to read on and go deeper into scripture...
Actually if you read on in 1Jn3:18-20 it goes on to talk about doing.
18Little children, let us not love [merely] in theory or in speech but in deed and in truth (in practice and in sincerity).
19By this we shall come to know (perceive, recognize, and understand) that we are of the Truth, and can reassure (quiet, conciliate, and pacify) our hearts in His presence,
20Whenever our hearts in [tormenting] self-accusation make us feel guilty and condemn us. [For we are in God's hands.] For He is above and greater than our consciences (our hearts), and He knows (perceives and understands) everything [nothing is hidden from Him].
---
6For [if we are] in Christ Jesus, neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith activated and energized and expressed and working through love.
see the words EXPRESSED and WORKING. the love for others in 1Jn3:18-20 is not about us and us trying to love (as a work) again. It's about faith. All to do with Jesus' faith in our lives. The more you sense Jesus' love, the more you see yourself working and walking in faith, leading to works of and in love. Beloveds, Shalom.
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