Monday, March 31, 2008
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team-work.
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I think im addicted to blogging. haha.
Today after school i had this inter-class tug-of-war competition. Still thinking why my classmate chose me to play. I so weak. Haha. We lost all the way except for 1 sec 5 class. Just for fun. Anyway I just want to share a few verses on teamwork and morale (cos only we decided later to shout pull when the match started).
"The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them...."Genesis 11:6
"For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them." Matt 18:20
That's all i can think for now. Maybe anyone would want to suggest any verses about good morale?
God bless,
Aaron
[[[Context Genesis 11:1-8
The Tower of Babel
Now the whole world had one language and a common speech. As men moved eastward, hey found a plain in Shinar and settled there.
They said to each other, "Come, let's make bricks and bake them thoroughly." They used brick instead of stone, and tar for mortar. Then they said, "Come, let us build ourselves a city, with a tower that reaches to the heavens, so that we may make a name for ourselves and not be scattered over the face of the whole earth."
But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower that the men were building. The LORD said, "If as one people speaking the same language they have begun to do this, then nothing they plan to do will be impossible for them. Come, let us go down and confuse their language so they will not understand each other."
So the LORD scattered them from there over all the earth, and they stopped building the city. That is why it was called Babel —because there the LORD confused the language of the whole world. From there the LORD scattered them over the face of the whole earth.]]]
aaron chua thanked jesus at10:24 PM
Sunday, March 30, 2008
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leftovers.
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Firstly i would like to ask for your opinion if you think jokingly lying is considered lying? Cos during cell group yesterday i was jokingly said that someone paid double for the last bang cards in the whole entire world! (well probably...) ya and when i reached back to church, they were like asked me to confess my sins and if my conscience were bothering me. I know that they were joking and I am not offended but it set me thinking if it is considered lying if you are joking. If you ask me, after thinking for a while, I think it is not considered lying cos the bible said in exodus 20:16 that "do not tell lies about others"(CEV) or "you shall not give false tesimony against your neighbour"(NIV). But i thought i remembered that we learn in sunday school its just "thou shall not lie". That means my "may I borrow $2?" trick for BB week is not "lying" in biblical terms isit?
K now I want to talk about what I heard about yesterday during cell group.
Title: Giving to God
Very simple and common title, but do not be fooled.
The Widow's Offering
"Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins,[j]worth only a fraction of a penny.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on."
[Mark 12:41-43]
Jesus annointed by a sinful woman
"Now one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to have dinner with him, so he went to the Pharisee's house and reclined at the table. When a woman who had lived a sinful life in that town learned that Jesus was eating at the Pharisee's house, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume, and as she stood behind him at his feet weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears. Then she wiped them with her hair, kissed them and poured perfume on them.
When the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would know who is touching him and what kind of woman she is—that she is a sinner."
Jesus answered him, "Simon, I have something to tell you."
"Tell me, teacher," he said.
"Two men owed money to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. Neither of them had the money to pay him back, so he canceled the debts of both. Now which of them will love him more?"
Simon replied, "I suppose the one who had the bigger debt canceled."
"You have judged correctly," Jesus said.
Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—for she loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little."
Then Jesus said to her, "Your sins are forgiven."
[Luke 7:36-48]
THINGS WE CAN SEE:
(1) It doesn't matter how much you give to God. God said that the poor widow's 2 copper coins is worth more than the rich men's large amounts of money. God also rebuked those who said against the woman who broke the alabaster jar of perfume. It doesnt matter what the cost is, it is WHAT IT COST THE GIVER that matters. The poor widow gave everything, all that she had (100%) and the woman who led a sinful life, walked into a parisee's (aka law-abiders) house and broke a very expensive jar of perfume on Jesus' head. Imagine the courage it took her to do that. Maybe she felt guilty and worth lower than the parisees thats why the weeping and her actions. God supported her because she DENIED herself and knelt down and kissed Jesus feet and wept and used her hair to clean the tears off the floor.
(2)GOD DESERVES YOUR EVERYTHING, not just your leftovers. When you give your leftovers it mean nothing to you right? After all it is your leftovers.
"But the king replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying you for it. I will not sacrifice to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing."" [2 Samuel 24:24]
This does not only applies to your offering and money but also to everything else like your quiet time, the time spent in your ministry. We should not give God according to our selfish ambitions.
This sermon/last night's worship hit me on 4 areas:
(1) After singing the song Jit's friend composed, I realised that the way to me having a closer relationship with God is MORE OF HIM AND LESS OF ME. That statement just says it all.
(2) My quiet time with God and my weekly prayer have been suffering because I always study study first then whatever LEFTOVER TIME i have then i do my quiet time. Usually by then I would be too tired or too lazy.
(3) Every month I always decided to give 10% of my allowance, but I would tell myself to only give it on the last week so if I need the money then I can use. Meaning I will use my LEFTOVER MONEY for the offering. And by then either no money or forget. That's why I soooo long never give offerings. This week I didnt give because I want to receive my next month's allowance then decide how much I should give.
(4) Easter sunday performance is over (which was very well-done btw). My mum and aunt asked me to stop the ministry till after O-levels. After listening to this sermon, I started to think. If I give God something that it is not going to cost me anything, what good would it make? We will be meeting up this tue night for evaluation. Please pray for me.
So yup, hope you were blessed by my post.
God bless,
Aaron
aaron chua thanked jesus at1:49 PM
Friday, March 28, 2008
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trust in the midst of troubles and worries
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hi i know its a little unusual for me to update so soon but listen here.
I dunno if i should call it a prophesy but i have this recurring picture in my head that Singapore is going to fall soon. This may be a little sensitive to all those govt people or even the police. But its not like im involved in this operation or whatever. But i can just imagine that the HDBs that house 90% of us will collapse one day, just like putting faith on the wrong things instead of God.
Last thursday, Mr Koh showed us a video of 911 and the other terroists attacks. After I saw that video it just so affected me that i feel for all those innocent people. Just imagine that one day you just happily go to work, say good-bye to your family, and the next thing you know it will be your last time. I find the activities of the terrorists to be so terrible. Please. Stop. It.
Recently I have like had quite an experience with 2 people. The first one hate the other guy, then I dont know why I was so kpo, but in the end, instead of turning him 180 degrees, I ended up offending him. The second one is one that I recently felt guilty for the way I treated him. It was like, I made friend with him, then I tao him. How would you feel? It only occured to me when another friend said something to him, hit a raw nerve in him, and made him feel very sad for the rest of the day. It is like the whole is revolving around me. I cannot take these changes like someone having negative feelings towards me, and another one Im trying to accept him as a friend. I cannot take all these changes! But I know I can continue to trust in God, and when you trust in God, you are never disappointed.
The recent escape of Mas Selamat is also another issue here. It could mean the upcoming potential of the terrorists or the complency Singaporeans have. I really hope the police find him. With him lurking out there, something is just not right anymore. Imagine Mas Selamat connecting himself with Singaporeans here, just think how great the damage would be.
You know about the persecution of christians I have preached about. If the time ever comes, I dont know if I can ever do it. Im serious. My knees would probably be shaking, and i'll close my eyes and say yes. I think there is a message behind all these that we should only trust in God, for He is the only one who sees all, knows all and wants the best for all.
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." Psalm 9:10
"It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man." Psalm 118:8
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." Proverbs 3:5-6
"Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation." Isaiah 12:2
aaron chua thanked jesus at8:46 PM
Sunday, March 23, 2008
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Good Friday/Easter Sunday
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wanted to post this on good friday. but it must have slipped off my mind or i must have been busy.
sermon on good friday.
Title: Are you the Son of God? by Rev Alvin Chan (for those who know him)
Luke 22:66-71
Jesus Before Pilate and Herod
(v66)At daybreak the council of the elders of the people, both the chief priests and teachers of the law, met together, and Jesus was led before them. (v67)"If you are the Christ," they said, "tell us."
Jesus answered, "If I tell you, you will not believe me, (v68)and if I asked you, you would not answer. (v69)But from now on, the Son of Man will be seated at the right hand of the mighty God."
(v70)They all asked, "Are you then the Son of God?"
He replied, "You are right in saying I am."
(v71)Then they said, "Why do we need any more testimony? We hacve heard it from his own lips."
2 things to look out for:
1) did Jesus really say it?
2) why did Jesus say what he said?
1) Yes he did.
The soldiers asked him twice (v67, 70) and Jesus asked them in 2 different ways (v69, 70b).
2) why?
[why did Jesus say v67 - 68? cf to matt 21:23-27. If they believed that Jesus was the son of God, they wouldnt crusify him but instead worship him for they were so many prophecies abt 300< years before this and so much anticipation happening and about accuse him of blasphemy.]
this is a question that all christians should be able to answer. All christians must fully understand and mean it in his heart as this is the fundamental to our christian faith.
Mark 14:55 "The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for evidenc against Jesus so that they could put him to death, but they could not find any."
Jesus knew that if he says he is the son of God, he will be put to death. He could just said no and get off scot-free. But why did he say that?
This is because God loved us so much, that he gave his one and only son to die for us
so that we do not have to die (eternal death in hell)for our sins.
"...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Jesus Christ. God presented him as a sacrifice of atonement through faith in his blood. He did this to demonstrate his justice, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished - he did this to demonstrate his justice at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus." Romans 3:23-26
"...,faith without deeds is dead." James 2:26
"For God so loved the world that He gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16
So since God gave his all, how can we make a lesser sacrifice than to give Jesus our all? Our Lord's command is to "take up our cross daily" and learn what it means to follow in His footsteps. (Luke 9:23)
There was this story told that in Malaysia, the officers found a whole group of abt 50 christians worshipping God in a room. They all led into a room with no windows, nothing. After some time, the officer-in-change came into the room with a wooden cross in his hand, put the cross on the floor and said,"Im giving all of you this chance to get out scot-free. Just trample on this cross, and you are a free man."
So the 1st stood up, trampled, and went. So did the 2nd. The 3rd stood up, walked up to the cross, held the cross in her hands and said "How can i stoop so low and trample all upon the cross?" and she walked into the execution room. All the other 47 did the same and they all perished that day.
Another story was told in China, last time, a soldier handed a civillian a sword and asked "Are you a christian?" and he said yes. If a general was walking pass, he would have ordered that man to be killed. But the soldier asked him, "Why can you say that with so much conviction to the extent of losing your life?" He replied,"I have read about what Peter went through when he denied Jesus, and I dont want that to happen to me." The pastor didnt continue the story, but I think he got scot-free.
I think you get the point.
aaron chua thanked jesus at3:17 PM