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"Now faithis being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
-Hebrews 11:1,6
THE STORY THAT CHANGES LIVES:
1: GOD LOVES YOU AND WANTS YOU TO KNOW HIM
HOW CAN YOU KNOW GOD LOVES YOU? 'God loved the people of this world so much that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who has faith in him will have eternal life and never really die.' John 3:16
WHAT IS ETERNAL LIFE? 'Eternal life is to know you, the only true God, and to know Jesus Christ, the one you sent.' John 17:3
Why is it that most people do not know God in this way?...
2: WE CHOOSE TO GO OUR OWN WAY, CUTTING OURSELVES OFF FROM GOD
WE ARE EACH RESPONSIBLE We prefer to go our own way instead of God's; we may openly disobey God who made us, or simply ignore him. It's this self-centred attitude that the Bible calls 'sin'.
WE ARE ALL THE SAME 'All of us have sinned and fallen short of God's glory.' Romans 3:23
WE EACH SUFFER THE EFFECTS 'That way of living leads to certain spiritual death.' Romans 8:13
God is perfect, we are sinful, so there is a great gap between us. We may try to feel better through work, relationships, sport or religion. But all our attempts fail, because we have ignored the real problem - turning our back on God.
The third point gives us the only answer to this problem...
3: BY GIVING HIS LIFE FOR US, JESUS CHRIST OPENED UP THE ONLY WAY TO FRIENDSHIP WITH GOD
JESUS IS UNIQUE 'I am the way, the truth and the life!' Jesus answered. 'Without me no-one can go to the Father.' John 14:6
JESUS HAS THE POWER TO PUT THINGS RIGHT 'While we were his enemies, Christ reconciled us to God by dying for us.' Colossians 1:21,22
JESUS HAS POWER OVER DEATH 'For forty days after Jesus has suffered and died, he proved in many ways that he had been raised from death. He appeared to his apostles and spoke to them about God's kingdom.' Acts 1:3
Jesus took the consequences of our self-centredness by giving up his life on the cross. He proved he had broken sin's destructive power by rising from the dead. Jesus offers us freedom from guilt and a bridge back to God.
It's not enough just to know all this...
4: WE NEED TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST, SO WE CAN KNOW GOD'S FORGIVENESS AND FRIENDSHIP
WE NEED TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST 'Some people accepted him and put their faith in him. So he gave them the right to be children of God' John 1:12
ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST INVOLVES 1 Agreeing with God that we are to blame for turning our back on him 2 Trusting God to forgive us completely because Jesus has paid the price for our self-centredness 3 Choosing to follow Jesus
JESUS GIVES THIS PICTURE 'Listen! I am standing and knocking at your door. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in and we will eat together.' Revelation 3:20
It's not enough just to know or feel that these things are true. We have a choice to make...
These illustrations describe two kinds of people
Self-centred person
Self in the driving seat.
Jesus Christ outside.
Interests centred on self, often resulting in discord and frustration.
Christ-centred person
Jesus Christ in the driving seat.
Self following Jesus Christ, drawing on his life and power.
Interests centred on Christ, resulting in growing harmony with God's purpose.
Which illustration better describes you? Which illustration would you like to describe you?
TO ACCEPT JESUS CHRIST, YOU MUST PUT YOUR LIFE IN HIS HANDS. GOD IS NOT SO CONCERNED WITH YOUR WORDS AS HE IS WITH YOUR ATTITUDE. HERE IS SOMETHING YOU COULD SAY TO HIM:
'Lord Jesus, I am sorry that I have been going my own way. Thank you for paying the price of my self-centredness by dying on the cross. Please come and take first place in my life. Make me the kind of person you want me to be.'
COULD YOU SAY THIS TO GOD AND MEAN IT?
Why not say this to God now? Jesus Christ will come into your life as he promised
Gospel outline taken from everystudent.com.
If you have decided to trust in Jesus Christ to take the punishment for your sin, and follow Him as your Master, do let us know. You can email faith.factor@hotmail.com or kuoyung@kpchurch.org.sg, or sms Pastor Kuoyung at 93891474.
If you have questions or want to find out more, visit our "answers & reasons" section, or email/sms the abovementioned addresses/number.
Does God exist? The following offers honest, straight-forward reasons to believe in God...
By Marilyn Adamson
Just once wouldn't you love for someone to simply show you the evidence for God's existence? No arm-twisting. No statements of, "You just have to believe." Well, here is an attempt to offer some of the reasons which suggest that God exists.
But first consider this. If a person opposes even the possibility of there being a God, then any evidence can be rationalised or explained away. It is like if someone refuses to believe that people have walked on the moon, then no amount of information is going to change their thinking. Photographs of astronauts walking on the moon, interviews with the astronauts, moon rocks...all the evidence would be worthless, because the person has already concluded that people cannot go to the moon.
When it comes to the possibility of God's existence, the Bible says that there are people who have seen sufficient evidence, but they have suppressed the truth about God. On the other hand, for those who want to know God if he is there, he says, "You will seek me and find me; when you seek me with all your heart, I will be found by you." Before you look at the facts surrounding God's existence, ask yourself, If God does exist, would I want to know him? Here then, are some reasons to consider...
1. Does God exist? The complexity of our planet points to a deliberate Designer who not only created our universe, but sustains it today.
2. Does God exist? The human brain's complexity shows a higher intelligence behind it.
3. Does God exist? "Chance" or "natural causes" are insufficient explanations.
4. Does God exist? To state with certainty that there is no God, a person has to ignore the passion of an enormously vast number of people who are convinced that there is a God.
5. Does God exist? We know God exists because he pursues us. He is constantly initiating and seeking for us to come to him.
6. Does God exist? Unlike any other revelation of God, Jesus Christ is the clearest, most specific picture of God pursuing us.
Who is Jesus? A quick summary on the life of Jesus Christ - and reasons to believe in him...
By Paul E. Little
It is impossible for us to know conclusively whether God exists and what He is like unless He takes the initiative and reveals Himself. We must know what He is like and His attitude toward us. Suppose we knew He existed, but that He was like Adolf Hitler--capricious, vicious, prejudiced, and cruel. What a horrible realisation that would be!
We must scan the horizon of history to see if there is any clue to God's revelation. There is one clear clue. In an obscure village in Palestine, almost 2,000 years ago, a Child was born in a stable. Today the entire world is still celebrating the birth of Jesus.
He lived in obscurity until He was thirty, and then began a public ministry that lasted three years. It was destined to change the course of history. He was a kindly person and we're told that "the common people heard Him gladly." And, "He taught as One who had authority, and not as their teachers of the Law" (Matthew 7:29).
It soon became apparent, however, that He was making shocking and startling statements about Himself. He began to identify Himself as far more than a remarkable teacher or prophet. He began to say clearly that He was God. ...
Jesus Christ - the Son of God?
As we face the claims of Christ, there are only four possibilities. He was either a liar, a lunatic, a legend, or the Truth. If we say He is not the Truth, we are automatically affirming one of the other three alternatives, whether we realise it or not.
(1) One possibility is that Jesus lied when He said He was God--that He knew He was not God, but deliberately deceived His hearers to lend authority to His teaching. Few, if any, seriously hold this position. Even those who deny His deity affirm that He was a great moral teacher. They fail to realise those two statements are a contradiction. Jesus could hardly be a great moral teacher if, on the most crucial point of His teaching--His identity--He was a deliberate liar.
(2) A kinder, though no less shocking possibility, is that He was sincere but self-deceived. We have a name for a person today who thinks he is God. That name is lunatic, and it certainly would apply to Christ if He were deceived on this all-important issue. But as we look at the life of Christ, we see no evidence of the abnormality and imbalance we find in a deranged person. Rather, we find the greatest composure under pressure.
(3) The third alternative is that all of the talk about His claiming to be God is a legend--that what actually happened was that His enthusiastic followers, in the third and fourth centuries, put words into His mouth He would have been shocked to hear. Were He to return, He would immediately repudiate them.
The legend theory has been significantly refuted by many discoveries of modern archaeology. These have conclusively shown that the four biographies of Christ were written within the lifetime of contemporaries of Christ. Some time ago Dr. William F. Albright, world-famous archaeologist now retired from Johns Hopkins University, said that there was no reason to believe that any of the Gospels were written later than A.D. 70. For a mere legend about Christ, in the form of the Gospel, to have gained the circulation and to have had the impact it had, without one shred of basis in fact, is incredible.
For this to have happened would be as fantastic as for someone in our own time to write a biography of the late John F. Kennedy and in it say he claimed to be God, to forgive people's sins, and to have risen from the dead. Such a story is so wild it would never get off the ground because there are still too many people around who knew Kennedy. The legend theory does not hold water in the light of the early date of the Gospel manuscripts.
(4) The only other alternative is that Jesus spoke the truth. From one point of view, however, claims don't mean much. Talk is cheap. Anyone can make claims. ...
Evidence from the Life of Jesus
First, His moral character coincided with His claims.
Second, Christ demonstrated a power over natural forces which could belong only to God, the Maker of these forces.
Third, Jesus demonstrated the Creator's power over sickness and disease.
Fourth, Jesus' supreme credential to authenticate His claim to deity was His resurrection from the dead.
Why do I need God to be happy? "I have found happiness in my life. Why do I need to derive a sense of purpose and happiness from the concept of a 'divine being'?"
space for your regular dose of rubbish.
all posts that are deemed too nonsensical for the main blog will be transferred here.
if you want to contribute directly to this section, send your jokes/conversations/silly stories/things to pass the time/whatever to faith.factor@hotmail.com!
EXAMPLE:
hello.
here i am to contribute to the nonsensical nonsense section.
MUAHAHAHAHAHAHA.
hmmmmmmm
what nonsense can i contribute.
hmmmmmmmm
i also dunno.
but i hope this email is nonsensical enough. (:
goodbye
-Jueying, 26 Dec 2008.
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3 July 2009
Evidence of underage drinking.
Tsk tsk Li Sen..
18 June 2009
Justin posted:
Riding on the success and popularity of martial arts instructor Wang Fei something aka Bobby at Playmax, Kim and i have opened a martial arts school just opposite Katong Mall.
If you can reach the black belt, Kim will teach you how to kill someone using only your eyes.
24 Mar 2009
We knew all along that this guy was a closet High School Musical fan...
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28 Jan 2009
Jueying posted:
this is an excerpt from an msn conversation.
fyi out of order is desiree.
she was [edited]trying to complain [/edit] to andrew about something.
out of order. says:
andrew tells me not to complain
out of order. says:
stupid boy
out of order. says:
go away
JUEYING says:
HAHAHA
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17 Jan 2009
Marilyn posted:
NATALIE SAYS HI.
BYE.
FROM MARILYN.
HAHAHHAHAH.
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29 Dec 2008
Jueying posted: I FORGOT. matthew came up with a joke.let me tell you a lame joke:yaoqi
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the blog does say something about regular doses of rubbish. so here i am contributing again.
has the bell gone muthu?
no sir, its still there!
thats marilyn's favourite joke
here's a joke from benjamin goh's super old blog.
HI!!!!! GUESS WAD I'M DOIN NOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WHILE I'M BLOGGIN I'M EATIN ICE CREAM!!!!!!!!!! YUM YUM!!!!!!!!!!! HAHA!!!!!!!!!!! EAT!!!! YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!! SEE WAD DO U THINK I;M GOIN 2 TALK BOUT? U DUN NOE YA!!! HAHAHA!!!!!!!!! ANYWAY I'LL TELL YOU BOUT THIS CHRISTIAN STORY. ITS DAM FUNNY!!!!!!!!!!! HAHA!!!!! OK. THERE'S THIS GUY WHO DOES NOT BELEIVE IN GOD. HE TRIES TO TEACH PPL NOT TO BE;EIVE IN GOD.ONE DAY HE IS HIKIN IN THE WOODS.HE WAS ADMIRING NATURE.THE SOUND OF THE RUSHIN RIVER, THE SOUNDS OF THE ANIMALS!!!!! THEN SUDDENLY, A GAINT GRIZZLY BEAR CAME CHARGIN DOWN THE HILL AND ATTACK HIM!!!! I'M THE TIME OF DISTRESS HE CALLED UPON THE LORD. "LORD HELP ME!!!!!!"HE SHOUTED. THEN SUDDENLY EVERYTHING FROZE AND ALL OF THE FOREST WENT SILENT. THEN A BRIGHT LIGHT APPEARED AND THE LORD SPOKE. "WHY DO U CALL ON ME WHEN U TEACH OTHERS NOT TO BELIEVE IN ME?" THE MAN SAID "TO ASK U TO SAVE ME WOULD BE VERY HYPOCRITIC. BUT COULD U MAKE THE BEAR A CHRISTIAN?" "VERY WELL" GOD REPLIED. THEN TIME WAS UNFROZED. THE BEAR STOPPED. IT PUT ITS HANDS TOGETHER AND SUDDENLY SPOKE "DEAR LORD PLS BLESS THE FOOD THAT I'M ABOUT TO PA-TAKE. A-MEN." U NOE WAD HAPPENED NEXT!!! HAHA!!! FUNNY RIGHT!!!! NO? WHO CARES!!! LAUGH!!!!!!! HAHA!!!!! FUNNY!!!TAG ON THE TAG BOARD
i decided to copy the whole post. (:
ok how about another joke.
let me give you a joke medley! with jokes of everykind!
1. lame joke
once a girl fell down and became lame.
2. dirty joke
once a boy walked and fell down dirt.
3. a corny and dirty joke
once corn flew into marilyn's eye
4. a super cool joke
refriegerator
5. a funny joke
HAHA
6. a horny joke
a goat has horns!
yay ok. thats all for today. i'm scared i run out of jokes. lalala
oh ok 1 more.
QUESTION: HOW DO YOU KEEP AN IDIOT IN SUSPENSE?
ANSWER: I'LL TELL YOU LATER!
-Jueying, 27 Dec 2008.
youths' testimonies.
to contribute your story on how Jesus Christ changed your life, send it in to faith.factor@hotmail.com!
Ben Goh:
I grew up in a Christian family so the Gospel was not new to me. I attended Sunday School from young. So I knew all the stories like Noah's Ark and Adam and Eve. However at that point of time God was just some powerful guy up there to me.
It was only when I attended the Youth Leadership Training Camp in church that God really spoke to me. I remembered how I was just listening to the message in which there was a challenge. The Holy Spirit just melted my heart and I could just hear God speak to me. That was when I first realize how close a relationship I could have with God.
However of course there were sufferings, it was definitely difficult to maintain a Godly character in school and outside church. However God's hand has been slowly moulding me and as I looked back I was truly amazed at how God has made me into a better person. I now have a purpose in my life! To Glorify him in everything I do, to appreciate the many blessings he has showered on me like a loving family and incredible friends. All this in anticipation that little by little he will reveal his perfect will installed for my life.
Indeed I am so grateful for the people who have helped me with my walk with Christ – from my wonderful parents to my knowledgeable Grandmother and all the way to my pastors and all my fellow kias who have truly been a blessing to me! So as I open a new chapter in my life after the O-levels, I am extremely honoured to begin it by being confirmed as a Christian, to continue to enjoy and cherish my walk with God forever.
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Joel:
Being born into a Christian family, I knew all about God, Jesus and the common biblical stories. But I never knew God personally. My mother would read me stories about God. At the age of 8 or 9, I accepted God into my life. However, my life was still not dedicated to Him yet. I could barely feel His presence. The only reason for me to keep remembering Him was my family. Whenever trouble arose within or outside my family, I would pray to God for a miracle.
Most of the time, He would answer my little cries for help. But when he didn’t, I would just think that He was already planning or had already planned my next part in life. To me, life itself is a miracle. Everything was planned by God and not by fate or chance. Eventually when things seemed bad, I would remember that things always turn out good, exactly the way God would’ve wanted it to be. Even if I cannot see it for a few years, always remembering that God is there helps me through the difficult times.
I may not be able to see God directly, but I can see His works in my life. Everything that He has done for me has an impact on making me who I am today. God gave me an outgoing brother to strengthen me up and make me more “manly-like”, a sister who cares for me, a father to look up to and a mother who shares with me her faith.
My reason for deciding to be confirmed? I just want to see myself continue to grow the way God wants me to. But the reason I choose to be confirmed now is that I want to rededicate my life once again to Him.
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Marianne Hui:
Growing up in a Christian home, I’ve always known who Jesus is. I found it easy to believe in God because I was happy as a child, I loved going to church, and I was loved by those around me. But when I was 10, I remembered some people giving a presentation at Sunday school and when the leader prayed at the end, I broke down, overwhelmed by his grace and love. And that very day, in my heart, I accepted Jesus as my Saviour.
6 years have passed now, and it is my desire to continue seeking the Lord and delighting in his presence. There was a period of time when I was filled with doubts about God, and the emptiness and turmoil within was unbearable. As I called up to God in desperation, He once again filled me with His peace.
I can’t imagine living this life without God leading the way. So I have given my life to Him, trusting in His perfect plan for me, letting Him use me for His glory.
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Melissa:
I was born into a Christian family, thus I grew up going to Sunday School and was taught about the Christian faith and what it meant to be a Christian. As with all children, I accepted what was told to me and believed it to be true. The faith I had was merely the faith that other children had that fairytales were true, and no more than that. I grew up with that kind of faith, and throughout the years of Sunday School I was able to give “model answers” and “correct answers” to Biblical questions.
But as I entered my teen years at the age of thirteen in the year 2004, I started to question the faith I had grown up to believe in. I began to have questions and sought a deeper understanding of the Christian faith, while also praying about the questions I had. I continued going to church regularly, mostly out of duty rather than a passion to hear God’s Word. I felt that I never seemed to receive answers to my questions, so I stopped praying about those questions I had.
In June 2005, I decided to attend my annual school camp organised by the church affiliated to my school, All Saints’ Church. During the last worship service of the camp, I truly felt touched by God as I prayed and worshipped Him, and in that moment, all my questions were answered with this assurance from God through His presence, which nearly felt tangible. For the first time, the Bible knowledge I had known since young seemed so real and I was left in awe of God’s love. As I left the camp that day, I knew my life had changed in a major way and for the better.
Since that incident, my life has changed, by knowing God, loving and trusting in Him. I have faced many challenges since then, especially in my role as a student. My faith has been tested many times, through peers, as well as situations where I had only God to depend on. I am, among countless others, a testament to God’s love, grace and strength.
Saturday, December 29, 2007
2007 was a great year. Isn't it? Because our's a GREAT GOD.
THANK YOU guys for a great 2007!
I would describe 2007 as a year when we (a bunch of clueless youths and adults) just plunched head-first into the Great Commission and share the Gospel like siow.
In the process God taught us much.
Sure, we messed up some things (for we are weak) and got ourselves DEAD-tired.
But guess what, this is what the Bible says:
"My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip - he who watches over you will not slumber; indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep." Psalms 121:2-4
Yup. So what if we are dead-beat tired? Our God don't sleep! (You want to party all night? invite HIM!)
And here's the classic from Paul:
"That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Corinthian 12:10
This is the ULTIMATE mystery that the world will never understand but we believers experience over and over again. The power of God is most obvious when we recognise our weaknesses and depend on Him fully.
God, thank you for a great 2007.
We are going to trust you for a better 2008. (You are there already)
This post might seem too sentimental but it doesn't make it any less valid...
In reply to my brother(Daryl)'s post before this, I just want to say that I think studying God's Word is also merely a means to an end. The end is falling in love with Jesus and having a real relationship with Him. I think that's the key, not having great worship or games or even having super indepth Bible study, but somehow causing our youth to individually fall in love with Jesus and maintain relationships with Him. When people love someone the things they do stem out of the love. If our youth love Jesus they obey Him and they love others as well, so things like coming for Faith Factor and being good etc. is just a result of this passion and love for God.
Sometimes I feel we put a lot of emphasis on doing things or taking steps to "improve our spiritual life" or to "glorify God", when as a ministry we should be focusing a lot more on the person of Jesus and who He is, what He's like, how He relates to us, how He reveals God's love, His personality, beliefs, ideals... so that we all grow to love Him more and more. Imagine a ministry with youth that are sold out for Jesus, knowing He was first sold out for us!
Yeah, so I think the beautiful thing about being a Christian is that I'm not subscribing to a religion or a set of political or moral ideas, rather that I'm in a relationship with my Creator. When all our youth pick up on that, when they all start relationships of their own with their Creator, we don't have to worry much about the other things like how to ensure they are "good Christians" or whatever. I don't know about you guys but I imagine if we're all in love with God as a ministry and as individuals, people will be drawn to us and will stay, simply because there is just so much love. And they'll discover God for themselves and the cycle continues on and on.
Right now, we've got almost everything going for us. The Plug 'In and Teenstreet camps have just ended, and Christmas and Thanksgiving are just round the corner. Then it'll be Watchnight and the New Year! With so many things going on, isn't it just happening? Everyone seems to be so high and crappy and can't stop worshipping/praising God and wanting to do awesome things for Him.
But what happens after everything ends, when school resumes, when our annual leave runs out, and when life returns to normal? What happens when the music fades and reality hits you like an MRT train?
More often than not, we tend to get easily carried away by the temporary enthusiasm and morale boosts from immersing ourselves in a "Christian" environment, singing praises, listening to sermons and simply spending hours and even days together with other kias. That's why camps are so fun. It's almost as if we were in a world of our own, completely cut off from the realities of outside life.
If only life could be this perfect.
Unfortunately, it isn't. After we wake up from the perfect dream, we are once again confronted by the harsh realities of life - tons and tons of schoolwork, a million and one distractions in the form of negative peer pressure, various enrichment classes, tuition sessions, CCAs, holidays, work attachments, project work, and did I mention, more schoolwork? There will be an infinite number of things that we have to do within a short period of time. And that's where our "fire" for God starts to wane and burn out. Where all our commitments to serve can turn out to be empty or half-fulfilled promises. Why then, do you think that Faith Factor attendance starts to drop, within a few months after such major events?
If such power-packed camps with happening worship bands and songs, and super-fun games, can't retain our youths? What can? Let's see.
We all grow up. Some of us mature faster than others. But all of us will one day outgrow the kiddish games that we so enjoyed in our younger days. Like, do you still play marbles or hopscotch, or block catching for that matter? Yes! Says Samuel Soon. But the vast majority will tire of the rah-rah stuff after a while, and poor Fellowship Com will have to keep thinking of exciting new games to capture the attention of our ever fickle minded youths. Games will not retain people forever. Even so, that's not the main purpose of the ministry. If you want non-stop fun without the seriousness of God's Word, join a community centre or a CCA. Really, you'll enjoy yourself much more.
Having a happening band that can truly help our youths to worship God through song and music can only well, happen if each and every one of the members lead a life of true worship to God. Singing of the latest songs from the best Christian bands with the most meaningful of lyrics and the nicest of music won't help, if the band does not know who they play for, or why they exist to play in the first place. Or if the youths themselves cannot understand the purpose of worship or the underlying meaning of the songs they sing. It'll be like attending a rock concert where they get high on singing songs and jumping around.
I don't know much about music, but I can say that worship songs alone will not enable youths to get to God more intimately. Worst still, without proper explanation, our non-Christian friends may be confused and misinterpret our actions. That's why worship is only meant for Christians. For us to express our gratitude and appreciation for Him through song and music. I don't have many creative ideas on how to plan games, but I can say that the real purpose for these games is for bonding and to attract newcomers to the youth ministry, so that they can get to study God's Word and know more about Him. In essence, worship and games are means to an end, not final objectives by themselves.
Ultimately, thorough, regular studies of God's Word and consistent thoughts, words and deeds that uphold our faith will prevail. Understanding and appreciating the Good News will be the first step in changing our selfish motivations to altruistic ones that truly glorify God. Faith without deeds however, is dead faith, so action is needed. These actions can include, but are not limited to, keeping in touch with our newcomer friends and making them feel welcomed not only during their first visit, but everytime they come. It also means that your life outside church should be the same as when you are in church - not equally atrocious, but equally good - treating each other with respect, serving actively in the community, obeying your parents etc. etc. It's the little things we do that count. It's the little things that outsiders or newcomers/new believers take to heart. It's how we live our daily lives for or without God, that help make or break Faith Factor.
Studying God's Word may also be a means to an end - that is, getting to know God better and thus living in appreciation of what He had done for us. But it is a means that forms the foundation for all other means. It is a means that will make a true difference in the lives of our world-weary youths. When they see that God's Word holds the answers and solutions for life's questions, troubles and choices, (not all, but most. Only God has all the answers) they will be encouraged to stay on to learn more. They will be spurred on to take biblestudy more seriously. They will be more motivated to maintain that special relationship with God all the more. They will be more motivated to show love to one another because they now know why they should be doing so. That is what will keep our youths attending regularly. That is the power of the Bible - something that the temporary highs of playing games and singing "inspirational" worship songs cannot match. That's why Faith Factor group leaders have the awesome responsibility not only as discussion facilitators, but also as spiritual mentors to their members.
In essence, let's continue to come for Faith Factor and church service regularly, keep our dates with our mentors, and put our knowledge and understanding of God's Word to good use. Jesus' birthday is coming soon! Tis' the season to be jolly indeed, so let's learn to love one another just as Christ has first loved us. Then only, can we see a consistent flame burning for God - not one huge bonfire that eventually burns out.
Some of you kias may have heard from Jonathan Ma about his junior who had meningitis and passed away recently. I'd prayed for him (Jon Ma's junior) and was pretty hit by the news, since he was, well, just a boy. And he hadn't accepted Christ into his life.
Initially I was feeling sad for the family/friends of the boy, but later that sadness turned to anger as I tried to figure out why God didn't save his soul. So many questions ran through my brain.
Why didn't You soften his heart, when You can soften the heart of stone? Why didn't You touch him, so that he accepted You? Why couldn't You have just drawn him close to You, then at least his soul would be saved? Why didn't You make him want to accept You? Yes, free will, choices, but why couldn't You just make him choose You?
I told myself that God is just, and He has His plans.
But why couldn't You have just saved him? Why didn't You reach out? I thought You were fair, just, loving. Then why didn't You save him? Why did You allow his soul to perish?
As I sat in my room, crying, I stopped thinking and was still before the Lord. And He brought this to me:
In the very beginning, man was in fellowship with God. There was a relationship between man and God, until man turned away from God - until man sinned against God. That relationship was broken. Yet God sent Jesus Christ to die for our sins, so that we may once again be reunited with Him. And that salvation is offered to all, and it's up to us to accept it. And if we don't while we walk this earth, it's not for us to blame God, or anyone else (for that matter).
What can I do, but thank the Lord for His grace and sending His Son to save us.
I don't understand why He took the life of this boy, but I'll trust in Him to fulfil His plans and use them for His glory. I'll trust in Him who sees the big picture, rather than my own foolish judgement that doesn't go beyond 1 metre of me.
Sad to say, Plug' In ended at about 1500 hours yesterday.
It seems that for some of those who didn't go up to Malaysia for TeenStreet are suffering from post-camp withdrawal symptoms. These include but are not limited to, boredom, sleepless nights, early wake-up timings and the pressing need to communicate with friends, play euro-board games and worship God through praise and daily devotions (but the latter two aren't symptoms - they're necessary for spiritual growth!).
But fret not. The Next Big Thing is just round the corner. Christmas and Thanksgiving are in less than three weeks' time! Sure there'll be the usual fun, food and celebration. But we here in Faith Factor will be commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ in a much more meaningful way. How? There will be the usual Christmas Service on the 25th this month, followed by the annual Thanksgiving Dinner on the 29th.
Now when I say annual, I don't mean we do this just for the sake of filling up the calendar or following tradition. We hold Thanksgiving every year, as the name suggests, to give thanks to God for the whole year. Of how He has been our Provider - the One who enables all, sustains all and makes what we've been through for the past twelve months possible. Of how He has touched each and every one of our lives so much so that we would like to share the joy with our friends and parents.
This time round, the graduating class of eighteen year olds will be organising what will be one of the biggest events of the year. It will be held on Saturday, 5 to 8 p.m., on the 29th of December. Highlights include a worship of thanksgiving, photo/video presentation of the year's events, sharing of testimonies, vision casting and a glimpse of the coming year's major happenings and changes to the leadership and group structure. In doing so, it will give our youths and their parents/families a better idea of what lies ahead, and ensures accountability. Of course, there will be the dinner that everyone looks forward to at the end of it all!
More details will be out as the day draws nearer, but in the meantime, start getting all excited about The Next Big Thing. It's time to start inviting our newcomer friends whom so recently joined us at the Synod Youth Camp, not forgetting our parents too!
From the second half of responsive reading 665, based on 1 Corinthians 13:
Love is very patient and kind, never jealous or envious, never boastful or proud, never haughty or selfish or rude.
Love does not demand its own way. It is not irritable or touchy.
It does not hold grudges and will hardly even notice when others do it wrong.
It is never glad about injustice, but rejoices whenever truth wins out.
If you love someone you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost.
You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him.
All the special gifts and powers from God will someday come to an end, but love goes on forever.
There are 3 things that remain - faith, hope and love - and the greatest of these is love.
As I was reading, I started thinking of how impossible it is to love. How impossible it is to "fulfill the criteria" and hence say that yes, I do love this particular person. It seems as though everything about love goes against human nature, goes against wanting the best for self.
And yes, that's what it's about. Love is about self-sacrifice, about giving, about wanting others to have the best, and you settle for something less than that. But no, that's not what the world teaches. So, just because the world tells us to do things for ourselves so we'll benefit, do we choose to go along with it, or do we choose to obey Christ, and follow His example, His definition of the Perfect Love?
Many times, it's easy to do the contrary of what God wants us to do:
Instead of being patient and kind, we're easily annoyed or irritated by those we love most.
We are envious of even those we love, when they get something better than what we have, or if they seem to be better people than we are.
We look down upon those we love when they do wrong, and instead of correcting them in love, sometimes we tell them off in pride.
We want our way, we want the best, and we wouldn't give it up, not even for those we love.
We judge people by their actions, not looking beyond the surface and understanding the intentions.
We're smug when somebody we don't like gets punished, or ticked off by a higher power.
We lower our expectations just because we don't think that someone is "up to standard", or we think that someone is "not as good as us", instead of accepting that someone for who he/she is.
But is this love? Is this what God wants? If our God were to do all of the above, imagine how painful life would be. If God were as unloving as we are, where would that leave us? Had He not chosen to save us, in His grace and mercy, we'd be living a life of emptiness. A life without grace, a life without knowing what true love really is.
No man can truly love, unless He has the love of Christ in His heart. Man's definition of love doesn't cut it at all, doesn't match up to God's standard of love. It is impossible to love the way Christ wants us to love, without Christ there helping, guiding and leading us.
And many times, we need examples. We need someone to demonstrate, before we can follow. And we do have that most perfect, flawless demonstration, all described vividly in the Bible for the 33 years Christ walked this earth. And He has sent His Holy Spirit to dwell in us, so that we can live like Christ, and grow to be more and more like Him, if only we're willing to obey.
Impossible to love? Not anymore. Not with Christ in the picture. Not when Christ has shown us what love is. Not when God continues to shower love on us each and every moment of our lives.
So the next time you want to judge, be angry, look down on someone else, or want the better choice for yourself, just remember what Christ has done for us, and let the Spirit lead you into loving the way Christ would love.
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I can see the headlines now: Jesus Converts Santa. Even the Primers/Cornerstones know who's better. =)
God is perfect, we are sinful, so there is a great gap between us. We may try to feel better through work, relationships, sport or religion. But all our attempts fail, because we have ignored the real problem - turning our back on God.
Jesus took the consequences of our self-centredness by giving up his life on the cross. He proved he had broken sin's destructive power by rising from the dead. Jesus offers us freedom from guilt and a bridge back to God.
