I T ' S A L I V E A G A I N !
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Friday, May 30, 2008
devotion30: Pears, Pears, Everywhere.
Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.John 15:5
My family had a tree in our backyard that provided two things: shade and countless jars of pear preserves. One day, I asked my mother why she made so many jars every year. Her response was, “If I don’t, they will start falling off the tree and go bad.” With that, I went outside to take a look for myself. There were pears everywhere—so many, in fact, that the tree branches were beginning to sag and snap under the immense weight of their fruit. It looked to me like my mother’s faithful picking was encouraging the tree to produce even more!
Jesus told his disciples that God acts as a gardener in the lives of those who claim him as Lord. He wants his followers to be abundant producers of good fruit, showing the world that they are children of God (see John 15:8). But this is not enough. Instead of simply harvesting the fruit that is produced, the Lord grabs a pair of pruning shears and begins to trim the branches. A little here, a little there, until he is satisfied with the end result.
This process of subtraction is a good thing. For it is in these times that God rids us of attitudes and actions that limit our effectiveness for the kingdom. In their place, he grants new opportunities to exhibit love, patience, kindness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23). As these values are acted upon, what started out as subtraction becomes addition, and more fruit is produced than before the pruning.
If the branches are not pruned they may become weakened or stressed, and they will eventually snap. Once that occurs, the branches will wither and die because they are not attached to the tree, leaving wasted fruit behind. But the result of a life lived wholeheartedly for Christ will be an abundance of fruit—fruit that will last.
My family had a tree in our backyard that provided two things: shade and countless jars of pear preserves. One day, I asked my mother why she made so many jars every year. Her response was, “If I don’t, they will start falling off the tree and go bad.” With that, I went outside to take a look for myself. There were pears everywhere—so many, in fact, that the tree branches were beginning to sag and snap under the immense weight of their fruit. It looked to me like my mother’s faithful picking was encouraging the tree to produce even more!
Jesus told his disciples that God acts as a gardener in the lives of those who claim him as Lord. He wants his followers to be abundant producers of good fruit, showing the world that they are children of God (see John 15:8). But this is not enough. Instead of simply harvesting the fruit that is produced, the Lord grabs a pair of pruning shears and begins to trim the branches. A little here, a little there, until he is satisfied with the end result.
This process of subtraction is a good thing. For it is in these times that God rids us of attitudes and actions that limit our effectiveness for the kingdom. In their place, he grants new opportunities to exhibit love, patience, kindness, and self-control (see Galatians 5:22-23). As these values are acted upon, what started out as subtraction becomes addition, and more fruit is produced than before the pruning.
If the branches are not pruned they may become weakened or stressed, and they will eventually snap. Once that occurs, the branches will wither and die because they are not attached to the tree, leaving wasted fruit behind. But the result of a life lived wholeheartedly for Christ will be an abundance of fruit—fruit that will last.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Drooling already? HAHAH.
this is just the appetiser. anyway, i'm planning an event : SLEEPOVER at my house in June. Anyone interested? haha. can be open to cfers...but if the turnouts too BIG, then priority comes first to those who can confirm first! :P
It'll be movie night...so, if you have any nice movies to lend/rent, BRING IT alongggggg
Anyone going overseas in june? then we can do it earlier..Do tag if you can COME!(if you have any other ideas, do share!)
all the best for the exams! It'll be over anytime soon. Press on :)
Myrtle
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Devotion TWENTY-EIGHT: The Hungry & Thirsty
Psalm 34:8-10
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear Him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
It has been said that human beings are what they eat. This principle is true not only for the body but also for the soul. The outer person depends upon food and water, and the inner person depends upon righteousness. If the inner person is not satisfied with the spiritual food that God provides, then that inner person becomes weak and sickly. If the inner person is to function well, it must be fed.
The sould has its hunger and thirsts; those desires were built into humans at creation. "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men" (Ecc 3:11)
Augustine said it perfectly: "Thou has made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee." As the deer thirst after water, so its natural for people to thirst after God. They may not know that their thirst is for God, and they'll probably try to satisfy that thirst with a substitute that will only leave them with more thirst.
I have learnt through setbacks in life, that God indeed cannot be replaced by any mere human or material goods. We may enjoy good relationships or luxurious living...but God must NEVER be taken out of our equation. Because in doing so, I realise we are just like running away in a circle, only to return at the same spot. God has put eternity in our hearts, and the temporal cannot satisfy.
He alone can satisfy! "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes on me will never be thirsty"
(John 6:35)
That even when we go our own way
Psalm 34:8-10
8 Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him! 9 Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints, for those who fear Him have no lack! 10 The young lions suffer want and hunger; but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.
It has been said that human beings are what they eat. This principle is true not only for the body but also for the soul. The outer person depends upon food and water, and the inner person depends upon righteousness. If the inner person is not satisfied with the spiritual food that God provides, then that inner person becomes weak and sickly. If the inner person is to function well, it must be fed.
The sould has its hunger and thirsts; those desires were built into humans at creation. "He has also set eternity in the hearts of men" (Ecc 3:11)
Augustine said it perfectly: "Thou has made us for Thyself, and our hearts are restless until they find rest in Thee." As the deer thirst after water, so its natural for people to thirst after God. They may not know that their thirst is for God, and they'll probably try to satisfy that thirst with a substitute that will only leave them with more thirst.
I have learnt through setbacks in life, that God indeed cannot be replaced by any mere human or material goods. We may enjoy good relationships or luxurious living...but God must NEVER be taken out of our equation. Because in doing so, I realise we are just like running away in a circle, only to return at the same spot. God has put eternity in our hearts, and the temporal cannot satisfy.
He alone can satisfy! "I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes on me will never be thirsty"
(John 6:35)
God, How Great is Your Love
That even when we go our own way
You still watch over us
Making sure we don't stray.
We seek you in our afflictions,
And find you when in need
But then we go on our own way
And forget what we should heed.
Father will we ever really know
The deepness of your love?
We see just a glimpse of it
And yet this seems enough.
Maybe to know your love complete
Would clearly blow my mind
And yet I can't help but seek
For all that I might find.
by: Kathie M. Thomas
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Hi guys!
As per communicated during CF meeting, I intend to organize a CF "outing" for..... AHM!!
Well, for those who still don't know what it means, it means Army Half Marathon. Its a yearly event open for the public. The date of the run this year is August 24th, and it falls on a sunday.
The flag off timings are:
Most importantly, the registration is now open! Early bird closes on 30th April. So be hasty if you want to save some cash. There will be goodie bags for participants and I'm sure it will be whole load of fun. =D
The application fees for the categories are:
For those who are interested, you will have 3 options:
1) Register yourself online here if you have credit card or debit card.
2) Sign up on the next CF meeting when I pass you the bulk registration form.
3) If you need more time to think, complete the form and sign up at the following safra clubs -
Please indicate which category you are interested too! If you have any queries, please feel free to ask me thru msn or sms ya? My contact number is 90036260 and my msn is eugenelimkailun@hotmail.com
Take care, study hard, and God bless! =D
-JinLun
As per communicated during CF meeting, I intend to organize a CF "outing" for..... AHM!!
Well, for those who still don't know what it means, it means Army Half Marathon. Its a yearly event open for the public. The date of the run this year is August 24th, and it falls on a sunday.
The flag off timings are:
Most importantly, the registration is now open! Early bird closes on 30th April. So be hasty if you want to save some cash. There will be goodie bags for participants and I'm sure it will be whole load of fun. =D
The application fees for the categories are:
For those who are interested, you will have 3 options:
1) Register yourself online here if you have credit card or debit card.
2) Sign up on the next CF meeting when I pass you the bulk registration form.
3) If you need more time to think, complete the form and sign up at the following safra clubs -
- SAFRA Mount Faber Club, 2 Telok Blangah Way. Tel: +65 6278 6011
- SAFRA Toa Payoh Club, 293 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh. Tel: +65 6259 4000
- SAFRA Tampines Club, 1/A Tampines St 92. Tel: +65 6785 8800
- SAFRA Yishun Country Club, 60 Yishun Ave 4. Tel: +65 6852 8200
- SAFRA Toa Payoh Club, 293 Lorong 6 Toa Payoh. Tel: +65 6259 4000
- SAFRA Tampines Club, 1/A Tampines St 92. Tel: +65 6785 8800
- SAFRA Yishun Country Club, 60 Yishun Ave 4. Tel: +65 6852 8200
Please indicate which category you are interested too! If you have any queries, please feel free to ask me thru msn or sms ya? My contact number is 90036260 and my msn is eugenelimkailun@hotmail.com
Take care, study hard, and God bless! =D
-JinLun
Monday, April 14, 2008
devotion28: The Oyster Man
That the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us. — 2 Corinthians 4:7
In the days of John Wesley, lay preachers with limited education would sometimes conduct the church services. One man used Luke 19:21 as his text: "Lord, I feared Thee, because Thou art an austere man" (KJV). Not knowing the word austere, he thought the text spoke of "an oyster man."
He explained how a diver must grope in dark, freezing water to retrieve oysters. In his attempt, he cuts his hands on the sharp edges of the shells. After he obtains an oyster, he rises to the surface, clutching it "in his torn and bleeding hands." The preacher added, "Christ descended from the glory of heaven into . . . sinful human society, in order to retrieve humans and bring them back up with Him to the glory of heaven. His torn and bleeding hands are a sign of the value He has placed on the object of His quest."
Afterward, 12 men received Christ. Later that night someone came to Wesley to complain about unschooled preachers who were too ignorant even to know the meaning of the texts they were preaching on. The Oxford-educated Wesley simply said, "Never mind. The Lord got a dozen oysters tonight."
Our best may not always measure up to the standards of others. But God takes our inadequacies and humble efforts and uses them for His glory. — Cindy Hess Kasper
The Master can use what you have to offer,Though you may consider it small;His work here on earth is done through His children,So give Him your best, give your all. — Hess
Do what you can where you are with what you have.
Hey REVS, hope you guys are doing just fine preparing for your exams! This is a good devotion as we're in the midst of busy-ness. Do not forget about God and put our books first alright? It will be dumb to do so. So do take some time to pray, to spend some time with God and to talk to Him won't you? Jiayou, and we'll be praying for you! Seeyou soon!
In the days of John Wesley, lay preachers with limited education would sometimes conduct the church services. One man used Luke 19:21 as his text: "Lord, I feared Thee, because Thou art an austere man" (KJV). Not knowing the word austere, he thought the text spoke of "an oyster man."
He explained how a diver must grope in dark, freezing water to retrieve oysters. In his attempt, he cuts his hands on the sharp edges of the shells. After he obtains an oyster, he rises to the surface, clutching it "in his torn and bleeding hands." The preacher added, "Christ descended from the glory of heaven into . . . sinful human society, in order to retrieve humans and bring them back up with Him to the glory of heaven. His torn and bleeding hands are a sign of the value He has placed on the object of His quest."
Afterward, 12 men received Christ. Later that night someone came to Wesley to complain about unschooled preachers who were too ignorant even to know the meaning of the texts they were preaching on. The Oxford-educated Wesley simply said, "Never mind. The Lord got a dozen oysters tonight."
Our best may not always measure up to the standards of others. But God takes our inadequacies and humble efforts and uses them for His glory. — Cindy Hess Kasper
The Master can use what you have to offer,Though you may consider it small;His work here on earth is done through His children,So give Him your best, give your all. — Hess
Do what you can where you are with what you have.
Hey REVS, hope you guys are doing just fine preparing for your exams! This is a good devotion as we're in the midst of busy-ness. Do not forget about God and put our books first alright? It will be dumb to do so. So do take some time to pray, to spend some time with God and to talk to Him won't you? Jiayou, and we'll be praying for you! Seeyou soon!
Friday, April 4, 2008
DevotionTWENTY-SEVEN: Forgiveness is Costly
Forgiveness is free to the person who receives it but very costly for the person who dispenses it. The one who does the forgiving must absorb the cost and let the offender go free.
Paul said that christians should not take other believers to court because it is a poor testimony to the people of the world. Then he adds, "Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?" ( 1 Corinthians 6:7). To forgive someone who has chiseled you out out of your rightful inheritance is costly to you, but its better than going to court before unbelievers.
L. Gregory Jones: "Unfortunately, the cost of forgiveness is too high for many people. Consequently, they invent and turn to cheaper versions of forgiveness, ones that will enable them to 'feel' or 'think' better about themselves - or simply to 'cope' with their situation - without having to engage in struggles to change or transform the patterns of their relationships"
Christian forgiveness requires our death, understood in the specific form and shape of Jesus Christ's dying and rising. That our old selves may die to find a future not bound by past. If God paid our debt at high personal cost, what makes us think we can pay someone's debt without accepting some loss?
People may have wronged us, say or do hurtful things which they may / may not know could have impacted us so badly one way or another. But, havent we done countless things, say words in moment of anger that would have shattered our heavenly Father's heart? When we turn our back on Him, choose to confide in friends instead of our First Love, dont u think our Father up above feels hurt too? Or when we choose not to do the things He instruct us...we have done so many things to make Him tear. But still, Jesus took the first step to die on the cross that our sins may be forgiven.
Its hard when we look at situations and think how we could forgive someone who seem the least remorseful for the things they did to us. But, remember to always focus on Jesus. Lets take the first step to open up and forgive the person. He/she may not be willing to accept it or may still continue to hurt u. But surely, His grace is sufficient and through Him who gives u strength, would He enable you to look at the world/situations with a different perspective only if you would allow Him to.
In time, we'll learn that we have mych more to gain by forgiveness than we have to lose.
To forgive is difficult. To forgive is costly. Thats why Jesus had to die. - Erwin Lutzer
Forgiveness is free to the person who receives it but very costly for the person who dispenses it. The one who does the forgiving must absorb the cost and let the offender go free.
Paul said that christians should not take other believers to court because it is a poor testimony to the people of the world. Then he adds, "Why not rather suffer wrong? Why not rather be defrauded?" ( 1 Corinthians 6:7). To forgive someone who has chiseled you out out of your rightful inheritance is costly to you, but its better than going to court before unbelievers.
L. Gregory Jones: "Unfortunately, the cost of forgiveness is too high for many people. Consequently, they invent and turn to cheaper versions of forgiveness, ones that will enable them to 'feel' or 'think' better about themselves - or simply to 'cope' with their situation - without having to engage in struggles to change or transform the patterns of their relationships"
Christian forgiveness requires our death, understood in the specific form and shape of Jesus Christ's dying and rising. That our old selves may die to find a future not bound by past. If God paid our debt at high personal cost, what makes us think we can pay someone's debt without accepting some loss?
People may have wronged us, say or do hurtful things which they may / may not know could have impacted us so badly one way or another. But, havent we done countless things, say words in moment of anger that would have shattered our heavenly Father's heart? When we turn our back on Him, choose to confide in friends instead of our First Love, dont u think our Father up above feels hurt too? Or when we choose not to do the things He instruct us...we have done so many things to make Him tear. But still, Jesus took the first step to die on the cross that our sins may be forgiven.
Its hard when we look at situations and think how we could forgive someone who seem the least remorseful for the things they did to us. But, remember to always focus on Jesus. Lets take the first step to open up and forgive the person. He/she may not be willing to accept it or may still continue to hurt u. But surely, His grace is sufficient and through Him who gives u strength, would He enable you to look at the world/situations with a different perspective only if you would allow Him to.
In time, we'll learn that we have mych more to gain by forgiveness than we have to lose.
To forgive is difficult. To forgive is costly. Thats why Jesus had to die. - Erwin Lutzer
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