Matt 5:14

The wretch that I am

2007-08-22T01:31:00.000+08:00

Have you ever wondered why God would love a person like you?
Or is the fact that you are such a horrible person, the root to your doubt that God truly deeply loves you?

My guess is that this thought is more familiar to you than you realize. To think about it, it really is no surprise that one would think this way. After all, it's the devil's favourite tool since who knows when. First he tries to get you to screw up, or actually more often than not, he doesn't really need to lift a finger to get us to mess things up - we are humans - need i say more? Next he makes you hate yourself for screwing up, then he screams in your head that you have screwed up so bad; promising you that you have never messed up so bad before. And then you shrink in some convenient corner, convinced that you have lost at least some ground in your relationship with God.

Oh no... Am i less loved?

Now, this is where the love of god stands tall in the midst of our wretchedness.

Has it occurred to you that it does not take much to love a seemingly perfect person? No wonder there is no perfect love in this world...Once again i refer to the weary and overused saying: "We are but Humans". But i believe that God does not believe in this saying. I think that when God sent his son Jesus to this world to take my sins, He was not seeing the human that i am. Now don't get me wrong, God hates sin. But He loves me. Before i received Him into my heart, He saw me in Sin (Sin here being a noun - a state of things) But He loved me. From before, till now, and to forever, it will be so... He loves me (Always in the Present tense...the NOW) ...

Jesus came to rescue us from the chains of sin. That we may be prisoners no more to sin but to righteousness. (Again a state of things) So now, even though we still do wrong from time to time - i.e Sin (Verb) - we are still prisonerers to righteousness, because all we who believe in the redemptive work of Jesus, have been translated from darkness into light - ONCE AND FOR ALL.

What i am getting to is this; how is it that before Jesus came, He expected nothing of our behaviour that while we were bankrupt He lavished His love and affection on us. But today we Christians think that we have to earn our dues to retain that very love? I can confidently say that no matter how badly i mess things up, He does not change. He loves me. So great is His love, He died for me. So classical and so ageless His love, circumstances does not change that unfathomable magnitude of love He has for me.

Don't be fooled my friends. Sometimes our actions, our thoughts, are truly truly DISGUSTING. I know. But learn to look at ourselves as our Father does. Because when He sees us today, He sees the blood. The Blood that calls us CLEAN & RIGHTEOUS. And the splendor of it all is this, as we continue to behold His love for us, we simply change from the inside out. We are transformed from glory to glory; and the best part is that we don't even try to change. It just happens. Why? Because our hearts have been touched by that Love so Great.

Who would have thought... He would love a wretched soul like me?...

Purpose Driven Life?

2007-07-12T01:17:00.000+08:00

Today as i was bumming around at home, i was just filled with a cloud of random thoughts about life...

1. We are all unconsciously advancing towards death. - It occured to me that every man has a somewhat similar fight in life. All of us, in this existence, are fighting to stay alive. As kids, we are schooled, because we need knowledge to get ahead in life. And when we are done with education, we get out into the workforce, to finally bring in the rain. And soon we marry and have kids. As we advance in years, that pay cheque prayerfully gets bigger to a point we go no further, we retire. And our kids are big, and we are OLD. And we await Death.

In the most literal and physical sense, this is all life is about in this society we live in. I wonder if anyone stops to ask if there is anything more to life than this...i wonder...

2. Is there a purpose to our existence? - i figured the answer to this question, most definitely depended on whether or not we believe in the existence of a God. If there is no god, then there is no purpose, because life would be nothing more than a struggle to stay alive. though of course, this journey does have its highs and joys involving people with different backgrounds and tastes and careers; their idiosyncracies making this world a myriad of characters and personalities. But that doesn't change the fact that life is but a bid to remain in being and in this existence, find reasons to smile and be happy. Sadly life is still but a time bomb, ticking away towards the inevitable Death. And when we are gone, all that remain are the memories of our prints in this world, and when those who once remembered us are gone too; there is nothing left of us in this world for there is no one left to remember us.

But if there is a god, then life would not be a struggle to BE. For i already am. And my journey here will not be a fight to stay alive, for i know that though my body dies, i have only gone to a better place, and i continue to BE, now here in paradise. Hence life's journey will be a time of discovery, fellowship and communion with my God. And life's "challenges", a platform for Him to BE MY GOD, for Him to lavishly shower His provisions upon me, as i continue to witness and receive His unmerited favour in my life with each passing day. And my purpose will be to live for Him. My testimony as a letter written for its reader, or a song sung for a pair of listening ears - I carry a message of truth. And my presence will leave an everlasting mark, even unto eternalty.

...Thoughts, i thank god for thoughts...

Its time to sleep.

B-E-A-U-TIFUL

2006-10-08T22:17:00.000+08:00

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant,
gorgeous, talented, fabulous?
Actually, who are you not to be?
You are a child of God.
Your playing small does not serve the world.
There is nothing enlightened about shrinking
so that other people won't feel insecure around you.
We are all meant to shine, as children do.
We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us.
It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone.
And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously
give other people permission to do the same.
As we are liberated from our own fear,
our presence automatically liberates others.

a return to love - marianne williamson

Like a Boy Learning to Play the Guitar

2006-07-31T01:03:00.000+08:00

It's amazing how Grace teaches one to want to do the right thing more. Grace does in fact develop discipline, but i reckon it does come more often than not, with a little pain.

Its like when i first learnt the guitar. I dreamt of the day where i would be able to play nice and catchy melodies and tunes just like my dad. I'd seen him do it since i was yet a kid, and it sure didn't look too hard. When the time came for me to have my go at it, it certainly was a lot harder than it looked. I spent a whole day goin at the guitar, playing one simple Chord (it's simple on hindsight). It sounded really bad and inconsistent - way off-tuned. But that wasn't even really the worst part. The hot-red blisters and hurting fingers for the next few days were simple out of this world. Now that was the WORST part!

It was at that time that i really had to decide if all this pain was worth it. I had only begun to play ONE LOUSY CHORD! How much pain would i have to endure for me to even vaguely make out a chorus?? But i'm glad i decided to go on. To persevere. So that now, i am able to play not just 1 song, but as many songs as i knew the chords for, and guess what? MY FINGERS DON'T HURT AT ALL!

I reckon...that's so much like our christian walk. There are so many things we want to do right for God - So many temptations that are thrown at us... and making the right choices always seem to hurt the most! But somehow, when we persevere and keep at it, the pain always fades till it's no more. In fact, it even becomes a joy to do!

Let's keep strumming our guitars and continue to make joyful noises unto the Lord. And He promises that He will be there to take the sting off your fingers, because we do our deeds not with our own strength but with His strength - with His hand in ours!

Because You Love Me.

2006-06-18T22:06:00.000+08:00

For all those times You stood by me
For all the truth that You made me see
For all the joy You brought to my life
For all the wrong that You made right
For every dream You made come true
For all the love I found in you
I'll be forever thankful Jesus

You're the one who held me up
Never let me fall
You're the one who saw me through
Through it all

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cos You believed

I'm everything I am
Because You love me

You gave me wings and made me fly
You touched my hand I could touch the sky
I lost my faith, You gave it back to me
You said no star was out of reach

You stood by me and I stood tall
I had your love I had it all
I'm grateful for each day You gave me

Maybe I don't know that much
But I know this much is true
I was blessed because I was loved by You

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cos You believed

I'm everything I am
Because You love me

You were always there for me
The tender wind that carried me
A light in the dark shining Your love into my life

You've been my inspiration
Through the lies You were the truth
My world is a better place because of You

You were my strength when I was weak
You were my voice when I couldn't speak
You were my eyes when I couldn't see
You saw the best there was in me
Lifted me up when I couldn't reach
You gave me faith 'cos You believed

I'm everything I am
Because You love me

I'm everything I am
Because You love me

2006-05-02T13:16:00.000+08:00

I ran into a stranger as he passed by,
‘Oh excuse me please’, was my reply.
He said, ‘Please excuse me too, I wasn’t watching for you’.
We were very polite this stranger and I,
We went our way and said goodbye.

But at home, a different story is told,
How we treat our loved ones, young and old.

Later that day, cooking the evening meal,
My son stood beside me very still.
When I turned I nearly knocked him down,
‘Move out of the way!’, I said with a frown.

He walked away, his little heart broken,
I didn’t realise how harshly I had spoken.

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While I lay awake in bed,
God’s still-small voice came to me and said,
‘While dealing with a stranger, common courtesy you use,
But the family you love, you seem to abuse.'

'Go and look in the kitchen floor,
You will find some flowers there by the door.'

'Those are the flowers he brought for you
He picked them himself - pink, yellow and blue.
He stood very quietly, not to spoil the surprise
You never saw the tears that filled his little eyes..'

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By this time I felt very small,
And now my tears began to fall.

I quietly went and knelt by his bed,
‘Wake up little one, wake up', I said.
'Are these the flowers you picked for me?'

He smiled, ‘I found them out by the tree,
I picked them because they are pretty like you.
I knew you liked them, especially the blue.'

I said, ‘Son, I’m very sorry for the way I acted,
I shouldn’t have yelled at you that way.'

He said, ‘Oh mum, that’s okay,
I still love you anyway.'

To all ye who are broken hearted..

2006-03-11T02:10:00.000+08:00

Granted that it is not a crime,
I’m not going to resist writing this post in rhymes.
Because I’m never one to dampen creativity,
God’s wisdom always blooms boundless spontaneity.

So many things to say,
Where shall I start?
From the very minor of issues,
Or right from the major part?

Alright,
Having considered all possible merits,
I shall pen this post whilst being led by the Spirit.

I reckon this will be (rather) long,
So please bear with me,
As I endeavour to avoid any form,
Of deceitfulness or duplicity.

This is firstly an open letter,
Addressed to those whose hearts are broken.
I’ll also interpose my short discourse,
With thoughts that I’ve not yet spoken.

To all ye who are nursing broken hearts,
Borne of relationships that have fallen apart:

Bask not in sorrow anymore,
I implore you, whatever for?
If you earnestly seek recovery,
Read about God’s promises for you in Matthew 5:4.

His Word declares,
That the greatest love,
Is of God & He draws from limitless reserves (Romans 8:39).

If he or she was truly meant for you,
Expect God to bless the relationship through & through.

But if in your heart of hearts,
A settled peace never did transpire (Philippians 4:7),
It’s God’s supernatural way,
Of leading you away,
From the woes that’ll cause you to suffer.

He loves you too much,
To give you up (Deuteronomy 31:8),
To a relationship destined for failure,
Right from the start.

Because you have chosen to honour God,
Your decision is with Him in one accord (1 Corinthians 8:3).

Therefore rejoice,
Because God has promised His people,
That they will be restored with double,
For all their pains & troubles (Isaiah 61:7).

The Chinese language conveys God!

2006-01-22T20:20:00.000+08:00

Perfect timing (in view of the upcoming Lunar New Year) to share these interesting nuggets of truth. Enjoy & be blessed!

In the beginning, Man was created to be eternally blessed!

God said, Let Us [Father, Son, and Holy Spirit] make mankind in Our image, after Our likeness, and let them have complete authority over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, the [tame] beasts, and over all of the earth, and over everything that creeps upon the earth.

So God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created him; male and female He created them.

And God blessed them and said to them, Be fruitful, multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it [using all its vast resources in the service of God and man]; and have dominion over the fish of the sea, the birds of the air, and over every living creature that moves upon the earth.

And God said, See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the land and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. - Genesis 1:26-29

2006-01-22T20:16:00.000+08:00

Then the Lord God formed (the first) man from the [a] dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath or spirit of life, and man became a living being. - Genesis 2:7

2006-01-22T20:15:00.001+08:00

There were two trees specifically mentioned in the Bible: the Tree of Life & the Tree of Knowledge of Good & Evil.

And the Lord God commanded the man, saying, You may freely eat of every tree of the garden;

But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and blessing and calamity you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. - Genesis 2:16-17

2006-01-22T20:15:00.000+08:00

Isn't it interesting to know that the ancient chinese associated Satan with a garden & two trees?

Now the serpent was more subtle and crafty than any living creature of the field which the Lord God had made. And he [Satan] said to the woman, Can it really be that God has said, You shall not eat from every tree of the garden (temptation)? - Genesis 3:1

2006-01-22T20:14:00.001+08:00

And when the woman saw that the tree was good (suitable, pleasant) for food and that it was delightful to look at, and a tree to be desired in order to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate; and she gave some also to her husband, and he ate. - Genesis 3:6

2006-01-22T20:14:00.000+08:00

Then the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves (fruit) together and made themselves apronlike girdles.

And they heard the sound of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God among the trees of the garden.

But the Lord God called to Adam and said to him, Where are you?

He said, I heard the sound of You [walking] in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; and I hid myself. - Genesis 3:7-10

2006-01-22T20:13:00.000+08:00

What punishment did woman recieve for her sin?

To the woman He said, I will greatly multiply your grief and your suffering in pregnancy and the pangs of childbearing; with spasms of distress you will bring forth children. Yet your desire and craving will be for your husband, and he will rule over you. - Genesis 3:16

2006-01-22T20:12:00.000+08:00

What punishment did man recieve for his sin?

And to Adam He said, Because you have listened and given heed to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it, the ground is under a curse because of you; in sorrow and toil shall you eat [of the fruits] of it all the days of your life.

Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth for you, and you shall eat the plants of the field.

In the sweat of your face shall you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for dust you are and to dust you shall return. - Genesis 3:17-19

2006-01-22T20:10:00.000+08:00

Although Man's guilt of sin separated him from fellowship with God, God provided a way for Man's relationship with Him to be restored through sacrifice (hand + spear).

Just as in the Bible, the ancient Chinese knew that the sacrifice of a lamb brought to them God's favour & righteousness (Genesis 4:4).

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world! - John 1:29

Hallelujah!

Blessed New Year!

2005-12-31T23:24:00.000+08:00

Reader,
I command unto you a blessing..

Peace be within your walls & prosperity within your palaces.
- Psalm 122:7

And for our country, Singapore..

This city will bring me renown, joy, praise and honour before all nations on earth that hear of all the good things I do for it; and they will be in awe and will tremble at the abundant prosperity and peace I provide for it.
- Jeremiah 33:9

Blessed 2006 to all!

Emblems and their bibilical origins.

2005-12-31T22:42:00.001+08:00

The rainbow - an emblem of calm & tranquility.

Genesis 9:14

It shall be, when I bring a cloud over the earth, that the rainbow shall be seen in the cloud; and I will remember My covenant which is between Me and you and every living creature of all flesh; the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh.

Note: The tsunami was never an act of God; God swore 'the waters shall never again become a flood to destroy all flesh' (see Revelation: Tsunami Disaster Explained).

2005-12-31T22:41:00.000+08:00

The emblem for peace.

Genesis 8:10 & 11
And Noah waited yet another seven days, and again he sent the dove out from the ark.

Then the dove came to him in the evening, and behold, a freshly plucked olive leaf was in her mouth; and Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth.

2005-12-31T22:40:00.000+08:00

The emblem for medicine (healing).

Numbers 21:8 & 9
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Make a fiery serpent, and set it on a pole; and it shall be that everyone who is bitten, when he looks at it, shall live.”

So Moses made a bronze serpent, and put it on a pole; and so it was, if a serpent had bitten anyone, when he looked at the bronze serpent, he lived.

Christmas - In Christ, many are saved.

2005-12-25T22:08:00.000+08:00

On this balmy Christmas night,
I lay rest to my mind.

For I harbour neither worry nor care,
Because Christ has loosed me from all my binds.

Great abundance yields to me,
My cup overflows.

He has made me a living testament for the world to see,
How I stand greatly blessed by His lovingkindness & manifold mercies.

Indeed, no one can be counted worthy,
Of a privilege such as this.

To be established forever righteous,
And inherit everlasting life & peace.

For this reason Love came down,
To die accursed & hanged on a tree.

So that He might be our Perfect Redeemer,
And bring myriad sons to glory.

Jesus Loves Cambodia!

2005-12-11T00:18:00.000+08:00

On the 26th Nov this year, a team of us set flight for Cambodia on a mission trip. For many of us including myself, it was our very first time. And as our aircraft approached Phnom Penh International airport, expectant hearts pumping with blood and gusto were ready to dig deep and give our best to the people of this land – a land I knew deep in my spirit; could truly be won for Christ! And even as I saw the green pastures of Cambodia, extending for miles out, it was evident that our God had begun a great work healing this land!

This trip was special in that it was essentially purposed to fulfill two primary objectives; the first was to continue with the ongoing discipleship program for the local undergraduates at the training school, and the other was to proceed with some evangelistic outreach in the provinces. As such, it was necessary to divide our team into two groups, to more effectively head on with the missions. Of course, prior to this trip, we were already assigned and informed of the tasking and the eventual groups we would be following during the mission itself, so we could prepare ourselves accordingly. And I was pleased to be part of the evangelistic team to witness some of the on-the-ground action that takes place in the provinces. And thank God for great leaders, both our groups were blessedly headed by Deaconess Magdalene and Elder Richard Toh respectively. Yet still, given the nature of certain events, we spent much of the first few days carrying out activities together as one team. These activities included the performing of some short skits at certain evangelistic meetings, and the officiating of an orphanage, etc.

On the 5th day of the trip, our evangelistic team set off for the province, kampong Thom, on a three hour ride in the van. It was a rather bumpy ride there, but it bothered none of us, as the fellowship we were having with our brothers and sisters in Christ was simply nothing short of wholesome. Some seven of us, iron sharpening iron, were enjoying ourselves sharing with each other the goodness of God in our lives. It was simply uplifting and edifying. And it all climaxed with our in-house guest speaker, Elder Richard, opening up the scriptures to us, sharing with us revelations upon revelations that God had revealed to him. Oh, what a joy and privilege to hear such light-heartening and personal Christ-centered preaching from this passionate man who seeks relentlessly after God’s heart. I sure was blest by his ministering! And I tell you, it certainly didn’t feel like three hours, because before long, we were at our destination. That day, we went to as many as four places in the vicinity, just visiting the church planters with their churches, to encourage them with our presence that they may be reminded that they are not in this business alone! All of us in the team, were given the chance to minister to varying groups of people – just praying and sharing with the children and adults in the province. Honestly, my heart sank as I interacted with them! Just seeing their poverty and their hopelessness, I knew God wanted me to encourage them with the word - the true gospel that is the power unto salvation in all of their lack and loss (Romans 1:16), and to remind them that their days of misery and sorrow was to end if they would just believe that Jesus came to give them life and life abundantly (John 10:10); if they would just believe that God has plans to proper them and not to harm them (Jer 29:11), and these promises were given and will be fulfilled with power in their lives if they would just believe. And I was just going and going, sharing with them about the promises of God! It was fabulous as we just let go and moved with the Holy Spirit. We knew that God was certainly using us to touch His people in His own special way. That day we were no less blest than the people we ministered to! To God be all the Glory!

And on the 6th and 7th day, it was simply power-packed as we stormed two more provinces with the evangelistic rallies. The word of God ministered by Elder Richard, was brought forth with clarity and conviction, and many souls thirsting for God, were saved in these rallies, Praise Jesus! And towards the end of each rally, signs and wonders followed with the proclaiming of the gospel. I saw with my own eyes, a happy many people praising God for opening close-to-blind eyes, for healing aching joints and limbs, and for healing splitting headaches and chest-pains (just to name a few). The miracles were just as the word of God promised, that as we lay our hands on the sick, they will indeed get healed of their infirmities. My faith was certainly heightened beyond measure on these rallies. Thank god for the power filled experiences.

We were there at Cambodia for only 8 days. But those 8 days, certainly brought me closer to God than 8 months would have. God truly loves the people of Cambodia! And He has a special place in His heart for the poor and destitute. For the rest of us, so highly blest and favored by our Abba, I would like to encourage us to use our gifts and blessings in obedience and service unto God, being mindful that it is truly He who gives and plans our paths. It is no coincidence or a matter of luck that we are financially and materially self-sufficient whilst people in other parts of the world are struggling with basic needs for survival. Lets all be mindful and especially grateful to God for He has truly blest us, that we may be a blessing to others!

Blessed be the Name of Jesus! Shalom.

~Its Been a While~

2005-12-08T22:21:00.000+08:00

WoOoOoo..Sept 24th...has it truly been this long since anyones written anything here?...

How time flies, it's already Decemeber, and i must say i have so so much to share about our Wonderful Lord Jesus Christ - i honestly don't know where to begin! Well, for those who have been revisiting this blog for new updates or writings from time to time, i do apologise that both Alvin and i, have had nothing for you for so long. BUT..But, its only because both of us have taken time to really experience God in deeper ways, seeking Him for a deeper revealing in our very own walks with Him. And having done so, we hope that we may be able to share with the world, more about our God, in a more compelling yet matured perspective...to bring forth the truth that Our God Lives. And contrary to popular belief - He lives not just in the lives of the preachers we see in churches all around the world on sundays, or only in the old dusty bibles that sits on top of many wardrobes. But truthfully, He lives ever so realistically and practically in the lives of ordinary folks like you and i too!

I look forward to sharing more on this blog..with a shout to all who may read it...that my words come forth to all with clarity, yet only to reveal a simple yet compelling message : JESUS LOVES YOU!

Hang in there People...

Go Light Your World by Chris Rice

2005-09-24T08:01:00.000+08:00

There is a candle in every soul
Some brightly burning, some dark and cold
There is a spirit who brings a fire
Ignites a candle and makes his home

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Frustrated brother, see how he's tried to
Light his own candle some other way
See now your sister, she's been robbed and lied to
Still holds a candle without a flame

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the lonely, the tired and worn
Hold out your candle for all to see it

Take your candle, and go light your world

Cause we are a family whose hearts are blazing
So let's raise our candles and light up the sky
Praying to our father, in the name of Jesus
Make us a beacon in darkest times

So carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, deceived and poor

Hold out your candle for all to see it
Take your candle, and go light your world

Carry your candle, run to the darkness
Seek out the helpless, confused and torn
Hold out your candle for all to see it

Take your candle, and go light your world

+Rest+

2005-09-23T09:35:00.000+08:00

"Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phil 4:6-7

Beautiful!...
This is Abba's idea of true Rest!

"Easier said than done" These might well be the very first words that come to the mind of the average believer. :) Well, i once thought that way too. But that was till i truly understood my position before my Father when i came to Him in prayer - coming before His throne of Grace.

God wants to bless His children! He just wants to freely give us all the good gifts He has prepared for us. But...But...only if we would ask. Jesus said this, " Until now you have asked for nothing in My name; ask and you will receive, so that your joy may be made full." John 16:24. Just ask, and He will come storming through with the supply to your needs. Well, someone once said, "God knows what i need even before i ask Him for help. Why then do i still have to ask?" You see, the answer is simple. Our Father wants us to know that it is He who has delivered us. Why do i say that? Well, think about it, the reason why we pray to Him in the first place, is simply cause we have chosen to place our Faith in Him. And when we see our requests granted unto us, we would know that it was He who has given, because our Faith confirms that. Plus, when we maintain a vibrant prayer life, we have unconsciously developed a beautiful and reliant love relationship with Him. And out of it, only springs forth more faith in Him, as we see our prayers get answered one by one. And last but certainly not least, our Father is greatly thrilled when we pray in the name of Jesus, His precious son who gave Himself up on the cross for us all. So pleased is He with His son's substitutionary work for our sins on Calvary, that our prayers are as a fragrant aroma unto Him. And Our Lord Jesus who now sits on the right hand of our Father, is our High Priest who never ceases to interceed for us. Oh what a blessed Assurance!

I had previously established in my write-up on "Faith", that there is absolutely nothing that is impossible for Our God, and He is not only able, but also very willing to meet you at your needs. And now we are here wondering why is it that sometimes our prayers aren't answered the way we expected them to? Well, His word says that our prayers are answered if we believe. And His word cannot lie. It is important for us to understand that when our prayers arent answered the way we expected them to, God has answered your prayer, but only with much better than you asked. You see, God always wants to give you His best. And very often, when we pray, we tell Him to give us some things, or to put us in some place, but our eyes are short sighted. We make requests that we not based on complete facts. But we know that our God sees the whole picture all the time! He brings our desires, and not just our preference, and lines them up with the big picture, and He sees the best. He sees the beginning from the end. "For {as} the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts" Isaiah 55:9. So it is completely erroneous to think that when u havent gotten some things you prayed for, your prayers havent been answered. They have been! But only with much better things. For Our Father looks at the desire behind the request, and not just the request, and He gives you the BEST!

And with this in mind, we can see why Paul says that we should present our requests with thanksgiving. This is because, WE ARE ALWAYS WINNERS, whichever way we look at it. We are always showered with the best gifts when we go to Our Father in prayer. Whether or not we get what we had asked for, doesnt really matter, but what matters most is that the gift is one with a lasting joy. You see, when our god blesses us, He adds no sorrow to it. He gives not as the world gives. For His gifts are just so full of joy and so full of life, and in it is absolutely no death. He leads you to the path that is stable and full of light, just as you had first desired when you went to Him in prayer.

Now when you have gotten there, the rest is history. You will be so full of His true Rest. And you know why? This is because Jesus guards your hearts and minds with His assurance that His work on the cross was perfect. He guards your mind with the knowledge of His Father's satisfaction of Him that with the mention of "jesus name" in your prayers, they are as a pleasing aroma unto the Father that He cant resist but come down to your needs as a rushing wind. He guards your hearts with an assured abundance of His love for you. "And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." Romans 5:5 .

Such overwhelming assurance have flooded your hearts and minds that faith becomes as Hebrews 11:1 says, "the substance of things hoped for, and the certainty of things unseen" that even though you have not seen the manifestations of your prayer, you know deep down that it is done as your have asked in Jesus Name!

To God be all the Glory! :)

Get rich the sure-fire way.

2005-08-23T18:51:00.001+08:00

The sure-fire way to wealth & prosperity.

A contentious topic, yet something very close to people's hearts.

Firstly, let’s establish a major truth concerning wealth & prosperity.

Truth is, God desires that His people prosper in all things and be in health, just as their souls prosper (3 John 1:12).

The Bible declares in 2 Corinthians 8:9,
For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ,
that though he was rich,
yet for your sakes He became poor,
so that you through His poverty might become rich.

To preach (or believe) otherwise is to undermine (or more bluntly put, insult) the grace & goodness of God & the divine nature of Scripture (as the infallible revelation of God).

The Lord opened my eyes to four compelling reasons why He has earmarked (tremendous) wealth & riches for His people in these last days:

1. So that His people may bear witness to His goodness (which is in super-abundance, the Bible says) for others to come to know & recieve Him.

Then it shall be to Me a name of joy,
a praise, and an honour before all nations of the earth,
who shall hear all the good that I do to them;
they shall fear and tremble for all the goodness and all the prosperity that I provide for it.
- Jeremiah 33:9

2. So that the promise - that His people would be ‘heirs of the world’ (Romans 4:13), be fulfilled. With money (as well as other material possessions) life can certainly be made much more pleasurable for all the right reasons.

For all these things the nations of the world seek after, and your Father knows that you need these things. - Luke 12:30

And the Bible goes on to say in Matthew 6:33, but seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.

Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. - 1 Timothy 6:17

As you may infer from above, God is our only guarantee & certainty (of wealth & riches).

3. To finance the gospel of Jesus Christ, because ‘time is short’ (1 Corinthians 7:29).

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. - Matthew 24:14

4. So that His people are blessed to be a blessing to others.

So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver. - 2 Corinthians 9:7

Wouldn't it be much easier for wealthy people to give cheerfully; to honour their loved ones with their substance? Selah (pause & ponder that)!

That said & done, I’m thoroughly convinced that God’s prosperity for us is Prosperity with a Purpose.

The question remains - why are some not flowing with God’s prosperity plan?

The answer lies in Scripture, as do all answers.

Malachi 3:8 onwards:
8: Will a man rob God?
Yet you have robbed Me!
But you say, ‘In what way have we robbed You?’
In tithes and offerings.

9: You are cursed with a curse,
For you have robbed Me,
Even this whole nation.

10: Bring all the tithes into the storehouse,
That there may be food in My house,
And try Me now in this, Says the LORD of hosts,
If I will not open for you the windows of heaven
And pour out for you such blessing
That there will not be room enough to receive it.

11: And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes,
So that he will not destroy the fruit of your ground,
Nor shall the vine fail to bear fruit for you in the field,
Says the LORD of hosts,

12: And all nations will call you blessed,
For you will be a delightful land,
Says the LORD of hosts.

The answer in a nutshell. And very powerful words indeed.

Posted on Skanque, 23rd August 2005

+ Faith +

2005-08-23T16:48:00.000+08:00

Faith...

Faith is not a product the senses.

It is not a product of the intellectual faculties.

Faith is born of the human spirit.

His word is the only source of strength for the recreated human spirit; the only source of true faith. Faith cannot be built by abstract reasoning. It is only built by my acting on the word of god, letting the word live in me as it lived in jesus.

By my doing the word, i fellowship with the word, and hence build faith in my spirit. I become a doer of the word, a practioner of the word. The word becomes a part of me, and it builds into me the very faith of God.

"Now faith is the substance of things hoped for and the certainty of things unseen" - Heb 11:1.
Hope is not faith. Faith is always now. Hope is in the future. Heb 11:3. "By faith we understand that the worlds have been framed by the word of God, so that what is seen hath not been made out of things which appear." God said "let there be", and the sun, moon and stars came into being. He said "let there be light" and there was light.

Faith is the mightiest force in the universe. It the creative ability of God. And the creative ability of man. Man was created in the image and likeness of God - in the image of faith. Many fail to realise that man's entire life, from the time he becomes conscious as a baby, to the time he breathes his last, is faith life; the only question is to where his faith lie. One has faith is his sense, the other has faith in God.

When man loses faith, life loses its purpose for him.
Faith is the thing that brings success.
Doubt only brings failure.
Ford had faith in an automobile.
Edison had faith in electricity.
Great men live by faith.

The bolder the faith, the greater the success. When faith dies, success fades with it.
Matt 19:26, "But with God all things are possible"
Mark 9:23, "All things are possible to him that believes"
1John 4:4, "Greater is He that is in you, than is he that is in the world."
It is God that is in you. And since God is in you, all things are possible. If you give God within you the liberty, nothing shall by any means be impossible for you.

Believing is acting on the Word. Faith is the result of acting. Jesus acted on the Word of His Father. John 14:10, "The words that i speak to you are not mine but my Father's." All His works were a result of His words. Matt 8:5-13, gives us the account of the centurion. Matt8:8, "But only say the word and my servant shall be healed" Jesus spoke the word. The healer of the leper, the healing of the woman with the issue of blood, and the healing of the man mentioned in Mark 2:3-12 are miracles of His word. Matt 14:23-33, is the story of Peter walking on the waves. Jesus simply said on word, "come." When he did, the waters sustained the weight of Peter. As you can see, Jesus faith was in His word.

Faith then, is acting and speaking the word of God. Faith is standing up to believe that what the Word says about you is the Truth, even when the facts obvious don't agree. You see, The Truth, and The Fact, are not the same things. Romans 4:19 , on Abraham, the Father of Faith, explains this. "And without being weakened in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of sarah's womb; yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God, and being fully assured that what He had promised, He was able also to perform." It was a fact that Abraham and Sarah were no longer able to have a son. But it wasnt the Truth. The Truth was that God had promised the couple that they would have a son. And Abraham saw that. And He chose to believe the truth. Abraham counted that Sarah was able to give birth to a child when she was 90 years of age, and she became the mother of Isaac. Abraham believed that his body would be rejuvenated, and it was. All because God promised. It was good enough for them. The truth was good enough for them even though they could not have any physical signs or evidence to back it up. Sense knowledge can never understand that.

Faith comes by daring to act upon the word. Your fear to act upon the word is unbelief gaining the ascendency. John 14:12-13, "He that believeth on me, the works that i do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because i go unto the Father. And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will i do, that the Father may be glorified in the son". The word "Ask" here in the Greek means "to demand." You are not demanding it of jesus, but you are demanding it of the situation at hand. You are demanding as Peter demanded the man at the beautiful gate to rise and walk. You are demanding sickness and pain to leave in the Name Of Jesus. When you say "In the name of jesus, diseases depart from this body", you have confidence in Jesus' words in your lips as Jesus had confidence in the Father's words in His lips. And the healing is complete.

John 15:7, "If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatsoever ye will, and it shall be done unto you." If you are sick, you simply insist that the thing is not for you. You will not stand for defeat any longer. Let that word abide in your lips and contend with your sickness and you become the master again. It is a fact that you are sick, but remember, in Jesus name, it isn't the truth. You can look the adversary in the face and say with quiet assurance, "In jesus name, i demand my rights, Devil you have been defeated on the cross on Calvary 2000 years ago, and today you still remain defeated!"

John 16:24, "Up till now, you have asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, and your joy shall be made full." What then are you waiting for people? Go and take what belongs to you in that Beautiful Name!

(With Reference to E.W.Kenyon - In His presence)

The 'Rainy Day' Mentality

2005-08-21T18:42:00.000+08:00

Do you believe in 'saving for a rainy day'? Click here to watch.

+ A Love Life +

2005-08-20T12:10:00.000+08:00

We are Love Beings.

Everyday we are growing in love. We mature in our walk believing in love. We believe that love is the solution to every problem in our life. We believe that love is better than force, better than going to the law, better than using the whip, better than argument, better than fighting.

We believe in the love way. The only sure way.

When Jesus said, "I am the way", He meant that He was the love way. The best way!

If we could learn to walk in love and make it the business of our lives, we would solve many problems of human relationships which we thought were impossible.

Jesus lived in love. He lived in the realm of love. He spoke love. His words were love-filled. His acts and deeds were all out of love. He could not help healing the sick. Love drove Him. Love compelled Him.

Christianity is love in our daily contact with people. It is my acting as Jesus did when he walked this earth. 1John 4:7-8, "Beloved, let us love one another; for love is of God; and everyone that loveth is begotten of God, and knoweth God. He that loveth not knoweth not God; for God is love." Jesus brought a new kind of love. He demonstrated it in His daily walk. If He has control of one, Love would dominate in all that he said or did. It would be the Father actually living His life through us.

Right now, i can almost hear you saying..."Andrew, what you're saying is good, but how do i start to love like that? It's hard, i don't know how to love the way jesus loved"

For years, this bothered me too. And then God showed me this. John 15:5, "I am the vine, and ye are the branches." It was then i started to understand that my inability was in trying. I was always trying to love. Trying to love God, trying to bring that Jesus-kind of love to the lost world out there. Trying, trying. Therein was my failure.

You see, The Holy Spirit's real ministry is building the Father's nature into us. We are the fruit bearing part of the Vine. Jesus does not bear fruit. The Holy Spirit does not bear fruit. The branches are the ones that bear the fruit, enabled by the Holy Spirit. Now we see Gal 5:22, "But the fruit of the spirit is Love". The fruit here, is not referring to the fruit of the Holy Spirit, but the fruit of the recreated spirit in every child of God, borned again - the love fruit of the one with Eternal Life. Romans 5:5, tells us this, "For the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit." That means that the love of God comes with the New Birth to the recreated Human Spirit - called the Heart.

It is when we stop trying to bring forth the good fruit of love, but start learning to know in truth, the person of Love (for God Himself is love), and all that He has established for us by the perfect and finished work of Calvary, that our hearts may be consumed by that love shed abroad by the Holy spirit. And thereafter, unconsciously but beautifully become that walking vessel of love seen and felt by all that come into contact with us. You see, the redemptive work of Christ on the cross is a reality, and as we mediate upon this truth as revealed to us in the scriptures, it is the Holy Spirit in us that makes it a reality to our inner man, our spirit being. And this reality then becomes a fruit bore by our spirit - the "branch". It is not forced, it is not tried, it is beautiful truth being manifested in our conduct, becoming a physical reality for all to see and experience. We see in 1John 4:10, "In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son {to be} the propitiation for our sins." Folks, it was never about us, our self-effort and our ability. It was simply because we were unable, that Jesus came, that through Him we would be able. (Phil 4:13, I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me) We know that the greatest expression of God - who is love - is in the finished work of Christ. It is in God the Father who made Him who knew no sin {to be} sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him - 2 Cor 5:21.

We are able to walk in love, because we know Love. We know God. And we know what Jesus has sacrificed to give to us on that cross 2000 years ago - the biggest expression of love.

We are the branches and we have no need to worry about the fruits. It is the vine that bears that responsibily.

And i say to you today, "We who are of Jesus are of a perfect Vine!"

Only Jesus satisfies.

2005-08-20T10:48:00.000+08:00

Since there are many things that increase vanity, How is man the better? - Ecclesiastes 6:11

Why flee youthful lusts?

2005-08-20T10:40:00.000+08:00

In my earlier post on Dating & Relationship Tips, I mentioned 2 Timothy 2:22.

Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Flee: [verb] 1. run away: to run away from something

Let us seek truths in 2 Samuel 13.

2 Samuel 13:1 onwards:

After this Absalom (the son of David) had a lovely sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon (the son of David) loved her. Amnon was so distressed over his sister Tamar that he became sick; for she was a virgin. And it was improper for Amnon to do anything to her.
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Alv's note: Absalom and Amnon were both are sons of David, while Tamar was their sister. Amnon fell so deeply in love (so distressed he was) with his sister Tamar, that he fell ill.

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But Amnon had a friend whose name was Jonadab (the son of Shimeah), David's brother.

Now Jonadab was a very crafty man.

And he said to him, "Why are you, the king's son, becoming thinner day after day? Will you not tell me?"

Amnon said to him, "I love Tamar, my brother Absalom's sister."

So Jonadab said to him, "Lie down on your bed and pretend to be ill. And when your father comes to see you, say to him, "Please let my sister Tamar come and give me food, and prepare the food in my sight, that I may see it and eat it from her hand."
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Alv's note: Jesus says in Matthew 10:16, Behold, I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves. Therefore be wise as serpents and harmless as doves. Bottomline - Be discerning, be in good company. You don't need friends like Jonadab. Jesus is your best friend.
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Then Amnon lay down and pretended to be ill; and when the king came to see him, Amnon said to the king, "Please let Tamar my sister come and make a couple of cakes for me in my sight, that I may eat from her hand."

And David sent home to Tamar, saying, "Now go to your brother Amnon's house, and prepare food for him."
So Tamar went to her brother Amnon's house; and he was lying down. Then she took flour and kneaded it, made cakes in his sight, and baked the cakes. And she took the pan and placed them out before him, but he refused to eat.
Then Amnon said, "Have everyone go out from me." And they all went out from him.

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Alv's note: As mentioned in Dating & Relationship Tips, Never place yourselves in a situation (‘just the two of us in a locked room’ situation) that just might evoke close, overly-passionate encounters of the carnal kind.
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Then Amnon said to Tamar, "Bring the food into the bedroom, that I may eat from your hand." And Tamar took the cakes which she had made, and brought them to Amnon her brother in the bedroom.

Now when she had brought them to him to eat, he took hold of her and said to her, "Come, lie with me, my sister."

But she answered him, "No, my brother, do not force me, for no such thing should be done in Israel. Do not do this disgraceful thing! And I, where could I take my shame? And as for you, you would be like one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, please speak to the king; for he will not withhold me from you."

However, he would not heed her voice; and being stronger than she, he forced her and lay with her.
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Alv's note: Yes, Amnon raped Tamar. And Amnon could have asked for Tamar's hand in marriage. Notice Tamar used strong words (commonsense) in an attempt to convince Amnon out of this great sin, but to no avail.

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Then Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her.
And Amnon said to her, "Arise, be gone!"

So she said to him, "No, indeed! This evil of sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me." But he would not listen to her.

Then he called his servant who attended him, and said, "Here! Put this woman out, away from me, and bolt the door behind her."
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Alv's note: After Amnon raped Tamar, the Bible says Amnon hated her exceedingly, so that the hatred with which he hated her was greater than the love with which he had loved her (Read: My entry on Pre-maritial sex). And the Bible vividly describes (in Tamar's spreech) Amnon's next (greater) act of cruelty - "This evil of sending me away is worse than the other that you did to me." Definitely sounds familiar.
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Now she had on a robe of many colors, for the king's virgin daughters wore such apparel. And his servant put her out and bolted the door behind her.

Then Tamar put ashes on her head, and tore her robe of many colors that was on her, and laid her hand on her head and went away crying bitterly.

And Absalom her brother said to her, "Has Amnon your brother been with you? But now hold your peace, my sister. He is your brother; do not take this thing to heart."

So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house.

But when King David heard of all these things, he was very angry.

And Absalom spoke to his brother Amnon neither good nor bad. For Absalom hated Amnon, because he had forced his sister Tamar.
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Alv's note: And if you read on, Absalom murdered Amnon out of hatred (& righteous indignation) for the latter's sin against Tamar.
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In a word - Consequences.

Posted on Skanque, 13th June 2005

The Prodigal Son

2005-08-20T10:38:00.000+08:00

There was a man who had two sons.

The younger one said to his father, "Father, give me my share of the estate." So he divided his property between them.

Not long after that, the younger son got together all he had, set off for a distant country and there squandered his wealth in wild living.

After he had spent everything, there was a severe famine in that whole country, and he began to be in need. So he went and hired himself out to a citizen of that country, who sent him to his fields to feed pigs. He longed to fill his stomach with the pods that the pigs were eating, but no one gave him anything.

When he came to his senses, he said, "How many of my father's hired men have food to spare, and here I am starving to death! I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired men."

So he got up and went to his father.

But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.

The son said to him, "Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son."

But the father said to his servants, "Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let's have a feast and celebrate. For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found." So they began to celebrate.

Meanwhile, the older son was in the field. When he came near the house, he heard music and dancing. So he called one of the servants and asked him what was going on. "Your brother has come," he replied, "and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has him back safe and sound."

The older brother became angry and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him. But he answered his father, "Look! All these years I've been slaving for you and never disobeyed your orders. Yet you never gave me even a young goat so I could celebrate with my friends. But when this son of yours who has squandered your property with prostitutes comes home, you kill the fattened calf for him!"

"My son," the father said, "you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found."

Luke 15:11-32

Posted on Skanque, 2oth April 2005

Signs of the end times

2005-08-20T10:37:00.000+08:00

In 3 out of 4 Gospels of the Bible (Matthew 24:7, Mark 13:8, Luke 21:11), the signs of the end times are mentioned (for God to have mentioned these more than once, it must be of critical significance).

Taken from Matthew 24:6 - 9, 14:
And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars, see that ye be not troubled, for all (these things) must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places. All these (are) the beginning of sorrows.

Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you, and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name's sake.

And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.

This passage of scripture in the Bible mentions,
01. wars
02. rumours of wars
03. nation shall rise against nation (translated from the original Greek, ethnic conflicts)
04. kingdom against kingdom
05. famines
06. pestilences (epidemic of disease: an epidemic of a highly contagious or infectious disease such as bubonic plague)
07. earthquakes, in divers places
08. martyrdom (the original 12 apostles were all martyred)
09. persecution of Christians
10. tremendous growth in the number of believers ( a worldwide phenomenon),

and much more if you read on, in the Bible.

Recent history (and you will not need to be a history buff to know this) will prove all the abovementioned.

So what are the odds that these prophecies were fulfilled by chance?

Let's do some math.

Let's consider only 10 prophecies.

There are 40 years to a bibilical generation. So there arer 50 generations from Christ till today.

Thus,
The odds are 1 in 50 of any of these prophecies occuring in our lifetime,

1 event = 1 x 50 (1 in 50 chance)
2 events = 50 x 50 (1 in 2,500)
3 events = 50 x 50 (3 times) (1 in 125,000)
4 events = 50 x 50 (4 times) (1 in 6.25 million)
5 events = 50 x 50 (5 times) (1 in 312.5 million)
6 events = 50 x 50 (6 times) (1 in 15.6 billion)
7 events = 50 x 50 (7 times) (1 in 780 billion)
8 events = 50 x 50 (8 times) (1 in 39 trillion)
9 events = 50 x 50 (9 times) (1 in 1,950 trillion)
10 events = 50 x 50 (10 times) (1 in 97,500 billion)

Amen! I thank God for divine revelation, that I might be blessed to be a blessing.

Posted on Skanque, 15th April 2005

A Word-confirming miracle.

2005-07-31T18:26:00.000+08:00

An except from one of Pastor Prince's sermons when the chimes started playing by itself. Truly a man after God's heart. Click here to watch.

~Eternal LIfe~

2005-07-04T18:33:00.000+08:00

The church has made more of the manner of living than it has of the Life that would make our living like the Master's. Our teachers have never majpred the Greek word, "Zoe", which is translated - Eternal Life. They have never realised its place and significance in the plan of redemption.

Jesus majored it. He majored the Life - the nature of God. The very reason why Jesus came was so this Life would be brought to the world. John 10:10: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly". Man needed Eternal Life because they were spiritually dead. This Eternal Life is the very nature of God, and Man had a need for it!

If we go back to Genesis, we remember that God placed two trees in the Garden Of Eden. One was the Tree of Life. It would have united Man with God. He had the opportunity, but he did not partake of it. Then Jesus came bringing the thing that Adam ignored in the Garden. John 3:16:"For God so loved the world that He sent His only begotten son, that whosoever believeth on Him should not perish, but have Eternal Life." And John 5:24, tells us very clearly that when we believe in Jesus, we pass out of death into life. "He that heareth My word, and believeth Him that sent Me, hath Eternal Life, and cometh not into judgment, but hath passed out of death into life." You who believe are no more in death, but in life! Zoe - Eternal Life!

Perhaps the most outstanding scripture is John 20:30,31: "Many other signs therefore did Jesus in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book: but these are written, that ye may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the son of God; and that believing ye may have life in His name." This is referred to by many as the little Gospel. The reason for Redemption, all that God did in Christ, was to give to man Eternal Life, and yes, with an abundance!

John 6:47: "Verily, verily, i say unto you: he that believeth hath Eternal Life" We receive Eternal Life by accepting Jesus as our saviour. Another word which is used, which means - manner of life, conduct, or conversation - is the Greek word "Anastrophee" Eph 4:22: "That ye put away, as concerning your former manner of life (anastrophee), the old man, that waxeth corruption after the lusts of deceit." We have majored conduct, conversation and habits, because they are in the sense realm. They have always appealed to the babes in Christ. We like to be told what we can do, and what we cannot do. And this is why, even with the death of Jesus and the victory that comes only by grace, many still seekth after the Law, though long forsoke and void. These many do so not knowing that they are yet embracing the yoke that Jesus came to free Man from. Gal 5:1: "Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage."

The Gospel of John opens with the Greek word - Zoe. John 1:4:"In Him was Life; and the Life was the light of men. This is significant when we realize that no nation has ever developed mentally beyond a barbaric existence until they received Eternal Life; that no nation ever produced an age of invention, discovery, art, music, or philanthropy until they received Eternal Life. The people of India, for instance, have as many fine intellects as the people of England or Germany, and yet until Christianity was carried to her, India never invented anything. She used the same method of tilling ground that She had conceived four thousand years ago. Japan is yet another example of a nation which falls in the same category. She never had any inventive abilities until Eternal Life was given to her.

We can see the imperative need to receive Eternal Life. It is a crime that the Church has never majored this. In Eternal Life, Man received the very Nature and Life of God which puts him into God's class of being. This is something greater than the forgiveness of sins, baptism, joining the church, or confirmation. It is receiving God's Life into our spirits. It receiving the Creative ability of God.

Col 1:13-14: "Who delivered us out of the authority of darkness, and translated us into the kindgom of the Son of His love in whom we have our Redemption, the remission of our sins." This verse shows us that to pass out of death into Life is being "translated out of the kingdom of Satan into the kingdom of the Son of His love" It is becoming a partaker of the Divine Nature.

John 5:26: "For as the Father hath life in Himself, even so gave He to the Son also to have life in Himself." In other words, God is the fountain of Life, and Jesus brought it to the Human race. It is a remarkable thing, when we think of it; that God is the fountain of Eternal Life, and that Jesus came to bring this Life to you and I.

Do you have Eternal LIfe yet?

Initial D - More than just about Racing Cars

2005-06-28T23:41:00.000+08:00

Just came back from watching the much talked about movie - Initial D, and i must say i was immensely entertained. It was worth my watch not just because of the thrilling car racing action or vivid humour (and certainly not because of jay chou or edison chen) though these attributes alone would have been reason enough for most to catch the movie on a tuesday night, where movie tickets are most affordable. But above and beyond all these, I was greatly blessed because through the movie, Our Daddy God showed me much to be learnt from an apparently totally secular movie.

The storyline basically goes something like this : For five years, 18-year old Takumi has been delivering tofu in his father’s obsolescent Toyota AE86 every morning. Not only has he become an outstanding racer, but he has also unwittingly perfected the art of drifting. He was never partial to hill racing until he is nudged by his father to drive his AE86 in a David and Goliath race against RX-7 FD. A glorious but unexpected victory awakens the competitive genes in his body, while his overnight fame inevitably leads to hell-raising races one after another, each one more perilous and exciting than the previous one.

So you see, the story basically circles around an obsolete Toyota AE86 which in a carnal and natural sense of reasoning, has got absolutely no chance when racing against much more impressive looking racing machines like the RX-7 or the Evo, just to name a few. Most people wouldnt even take a second look at the AE86, with its small and frail looking frame and would certainly find the idea of using it as a racing tool totally foolish. But you see, its frame might have been unimpressive, but the engine that was driving it was specially and thoughtfully modified and calibrated to bring about its outstanding performance. The truth was, tremendous efforts and time, had been spent experimenting and trying out the various technical possibilities of the car, both internally(engine) and externally(tyres, suspension,rear and front balances, etc)

Now, how can we learn from this?

Well, you and i all live in a physical body. One that we sleep, eat and work in. A man makes judgement upon another with his sight - taking into consideration his physical qualities, whether he be big or small, strong or weak, young or old, beautiful or ugly...We are judged to a significant entend by this frame of ours, but such judgements can only carry one this far. This is because the very essentials of a man's expectations, lie not just in the physical body, but more importantly in the giftings and talents that drive this body. Now the word of god tells us this in Psalm 139:14-15 - I praise you because i am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, i know them full well. My frame was not hidden from you when i was made in the secret place. When i was woven together in the depths of the earth. God made you and i wonderfully. So let us never look down upon ourselves as if we were any less. You may think that on the physical, you may not be as impressive as others, just as in the AE86. But when God made you, He said "it was good". He made each and everyone of us different and special in our own way, and His way is a wonderful and perfect way. We are wonderfully made! Know this, when God made you and i, He must have most definitely thought out in His infinite wisdom and knowledge all the technical possibilities that would best suit us and drive us. Our God thought it all out in creation.

So now, it really just leaves us to find out what sort of "engine" we have been wired up with. Every engine has its limitations - there are strong and weak elements to every engine. There is no such engine that is perfect in every way. So it is for you and i, God gave all of us unique giftings - giftings that He has willed for us to live in, and excel in. We must never belittle our gifts or even compare them with others, because God has given these gifts to us, and it is exclusive to the individual. There is totally no basis of comparison.

The last factor to the outcome of a race, has got to be the driver himself. All of us know that the best car, with the most sophisticated and efficient engine, is of no use if handed to a hopeless driver. Let us be comforted in this fact, that all of us are never driving our racing cars alone. Never! The word of God says in 1 cor 1:30 : "But of Him are ye in Christ Jesus who was made unto us wisdom from God". Now, we know that Jesus is our wisdom. How we live our lives, how we drive this race, Jesus will give us His wisdom so we know when to step on the accelarator, and when we ought to change gears, or even when we should take the step to overtake the car ahead of us. Who could be a better instructor than jesus Himself? He was the one who put our parts together! He knows exactly how to make the most out of this engine, because He knows its specifications at His fingertips - the way to crank the engine so that it reaches 100mph in the quickest time, yet knowing full well how much pressure the tyres can take at its max speed before they go bust..."For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways And my thoughts than your thoughts." Isa 55:9
Learn to let Him guide you through our living manual - the Living Word Of God. When we meditate upon the word of God, we are led and instructed by Jesus Himself so we would be victors and conquerors in our lives.

To end of, it is written in the word of God in Col 1:27 : "To them God has chosen to make known among the Gentiles the glorious riches of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory" Christ is in you, all the days of your lives. And this is your very hope which would never disappoint you in all that you do. (Romans 5:5) He loves you and He wants you to be a winner in life. And you can well do it, because He has calibrated you to optimum perfection, and He will continue to advise you and train you to be the best driver in His way through Our Lord Jesus Christ!

Rejoice, for your redemption draws near!

2005-06-27T18:44:00.000+08:00

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away - Revelation 21:4

Jesus in the First Genealogy

2005-06-27T18:08:00.000+08:00

The first genealogy we see in the Bible is ADAM to NOAH (Genesis 5).

In this genealogy, there is a dramatic evidence of design based on the Hebrew roots of these ten names.

ADAM (adomah) means 'man'. This one makes absolute sense, since he's the first one.

SETH means 'appointed'. Eve said, 'For God has appointed me another seed instead of Abel, whom Cain slew.'

ENOSH (anash) means 'mortal', 'frail' or 'miserable', used in the context of incurable grief, sickness, woe or wickedness. It was in the days of Enosh that Man began to defile God.

KENAN means 'sorrow', 'dirge' or 'elegy'. Again, this was a dark period of history, and parents traditionally used names that referred to circumstances at birth, etc.

MAHALALEL (mahalal) means 'blessed' or 'praise' and (El) was the name for God. Therefore, Mahalalel traditionally means 'the blessed God'. (Side note: you'll see that many Hebrew names include El, such as Dani-el, 'God is my Judge', Nathani-el, 'Gift of God', etc.)

JARED (yaradh) means 'shall come down'. Many scholars attribute this to the time when the 'sons of God' 'came down' to Earth to corrupt the daughters of men, resulting in the Nephilim ('fallen ones').

ENOCH means 'teaching' or 'commencement'. Later in the Bible, we find that Enoch was the first of four generations of preachers.

METHUSELAH (muth) means 'death' and (shalach) means 'to bring' or 'to send forth'. Therefore, his entire name means 'his death shall bring'.

LAMECH (root still evident in today's English meaning 'lament') means in Hebrew context here 'despairing'.

NOAH (nacham) means 'to bring relief' or 'comfort'.

Now, if we line it all up, here's what we get:

Hebrew - English
Adam - Man
Seth - Appointed
Enosh - Mortal
Kenan - Sorrow
Mahalalel - The Blessed God
Jared - Shall come down
Enoch - Teaching
Methuselah - His death shall bring
Lamech - The despairing
Noah - Rest, or comfort

Man (is) appointed mortal sorrow; (but) the blessed God shall come down teaching (that) His death shall bring (the) despairing rest.

God's plan of redemption appears right from the beginning of the Bible.

Hallelujah!

Posted on Skanque, 2nd April 2005

Isaiah 11:6

2005-06-27T18:03:00.000+08:00

The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.

Do good people go to Heaven, and bad people to Hell?

2005-06-27T17:57:00.000+08:00

Dear friend,

I do concur with you on most of your points, save for that last bit (quote: good people go to heaven and the rest belong in hell).

'It is only an ideal dream that people do good and not bad things because they want do and people admit to crimes and seek forgiveness. No doubt there are people living this dream, but the bulk of society practices goodness because they are rewarded for their efforts and also because that there are laws empowered by punishment to keep us in check.’

I’m glad that I’m not subject to the arduous precepts of (secular) meritocracy. For as the Bible declares, “Ye shall be in the world but not of the world”.

‘..the bulk of society practices goodness because they are rewarded for their efforts and also because that there are laws empowered by punishment to keep us in check.’

It’s ironical (but a necessary evil-cum-weakness) that we can trust imperfect Man to decree (likewise imperfect) laws, statutes & ordinances.

In the world (the secular), people (without God) will only attain natural results, i.e. to say they justify themselves only by as far as their self-merit (self-effort) can take them.

Because we (human beings) are imperfect (we most definitely are, engineering students should understand the concept of ideality), we cannot completely justify ourselves by our works (which are imperfect). Totally logical.

So, following this line of thought, we can conclude there are none good. ‘Mostly good’ just doesn’t cut it.

The Bible says, ‘if ye fall short of one, ye are guilty of all.’

A perfect God demands (or to more aptly put it, deserves) perfect standards.

So do we then say that none shall enter heaven? Obviously not!

True believers (in God) expect to attain supernatural results because they merit themselves (or are perfected, made perfect) by God. They place their faith and trust on the Creator & not creation (e.g. animal, human worship, etc.). These believers are truly the heaven-bound ones.

Just as oil is immiscible in water, so are the secular (natural) & the supernatural (God, heaven, hell, etc.). Because I trust God completely & am kept in His love constantly (supernatural), I have no need to place my faith on self-effort (the natural).

P.S. There are people (though lacking in paper qualifications) reaping salaries double (or triple, quadruple) that of graduates.

This is an example of God’s supernatural favour, in a nutshell.

God has worked wonders in my life, I have experienced tremendous blessings & miracles (some of which are naturally impossible), and in turn I’ve been blessed to be a blessing to others.

Right-believing precedes right-doing (or behaving).

Surely, if people love much ( the Bible says, God is love), then there will be less strife.

God’s forgiveness is manifest in His Son’s perfect sacrifice, that through His Son we are saved & redeemed by His grace.

Thank God, by His grace I’m able to type this in 5 mins, post-Cobra Challenge.

Amen!

Posted on Skanque, 25th Feburary 2005

Our Responsibilities

2005-06-27T17:49:00.001+08:00

Have you ever wondered why God gave us freedom to make our own choices? He certainly knows all about our potential for evil, cruelty and selfishness. He could have made it impossible for us to decide between right and wrong, good and evil. The world would be a much better place if humans only did what was right!

Many have wrestled over the problem of evil.

For example, when a child was killed in a hit-and-run accident, the parents refused to allow God’s name to be mentioned at the funeral. They were angry at God for letting their child die.

In reality, God did not kill their child – a man (the drunk driver) was responsible for the death. The man had chosen irresponsibility.

Was God responsible for the man’s choice?

Of course not.

Let’s imagine God made us without the ability to make choices. This limitation would have made it impossible for us to love at all! In order to love, we must first have the ability to make choices. This is because love is always a choice.

And the Bible declares that love is the fulfillment of the law.

God gave us the freedom to choose between loving and not loving. Because the ability to love was so important, God gave us freedom. Along with freedom, He made us accountable for our choices.

How do you feel about ‘hit-and-run’ drivers, who abandon their crushed and broken victims? Something inside us cries for justice, doesn’t it? That sense of justice within us is put there by God, right along with our freedom. We cannot run away from our wrong choices. Our own inner conscience condemns us if we try to do so.Whenever and wherever humans choose to be evil or irresponsible, they become the source of pain and sorrow.

The only way such pain could be avoided would be for us not to have the power of choice.

However, this will cost us our freedom.

Even creation suffers as a result of Man’s selfishness & irresponsibility (Read: animal abuse, poaching, animal extinction).

More answers:
God did save animals from extinction (Noah’s Ark).

Prayer has helped curb starvation in Africa and brought progress to the continent. (Missionaries, Christian aid & relief organisations are some of the largest financial, logistical & manpower contributors to relief efforts worldwide, e.g. The Salvation Army, Touch Community Services, City Harvest Community Services, YMCA, World Harvest etc.)

Praying to God would not have reversed or prevented the tsunami from happening (Read: Revelation: Tsunami Disaster Explained).

And all these were predicted 2,000 years ago, as ‘birth pains’, and ‘signs of the end-times’ in the Bible.

All these were appointed (or destined) to happen.

Even clearer, are the exact signs predicted: ‘And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring’.

God reveals these to believers and readers of the Bible and forewarns them, so we can take heed and have courage.

Prayer has definitely made the devastation more bearable (See above: Christian aid & relief work), and God’s hand of protection was there for believers. There are scores of testimonies (worldwide) that will attest to this.

To Anonymous:
You say you can do (or have done) 'what you can to protect animals despite their distrust towards you'.

Pardon my mild insolence, but what have you done, and what can you exactly do?

You meant to say you have done your utmost, so what about others (believers included) who have done much more than you have, & martyred themselves even? Can you do better? When and how will these comparisons end?

There can be no end to these, and thus we are not (and cannot be) justified by our deeds!

Let you in on a little secret, you cannot (and will never be able to) do any better than a good number of animal activists (believers included), I'm sorry (let alone God). No comparison, hands down.

How shall imperfect Man compare with their Creator, the Creator of the heavens and the earth, & all its inhabitants?

Did you think God was not around when the tsunami happened (aftermath also)?

So many were saved, and even more received Christ and were baptised into God's presence!

All because God works for them. So why not you?

Has not God done, (and He will continue to do) in your words, 'what He can for you, despite your distrust towards Him?'

How do you know that God 'is not parallel' to your standards? How do you judge someone you do not believe in (His existence included)? Is it fair to do so?

Are you being fair to God?

If you must hate someone (not advisable), do it for the right reasons (and then there are none).

I hope you do not harbour any hatred for believers (there are a vast majority worldwide).

You have seen how God has positively-affected so many in your midst, I'm sure. Me included.

The Bible says, our righteousness are as filthy rags.

You are being self-righteous.

Not that I'm complaining, but I'm worried.

This won't bode well for your lifestyle or your relationships. I say this because I'm genuinely concerned as a friend. Your salvation in Christ works solely for you, not me. I benefit nothing in telling you all this. I do so because I want to. I defend my faith, I do not preach otherwise.

God won't (will never) work in your life if you do not let Him. God is a perfect gentleman. He will not impose His will on you or any other person who is unwilling to receive.

Have you ever believed right? Did you respond accordingly to His word? Be honest. Are you responding positively now? Is God not speaking to you?

Be frank.

Before you should point fingers, search your own heart, and be fair. Before it's too late.

If God can work for me (and so many others), He can work for you. On God's part, He can keep any promise. The rest is up to you.

Posted on Skanque, 15th January 2005

The meaning of Grace.

2005-06-27T17:40:00.000+08:00

Then as one man's trespass led to condemnation for all men, so one Man's act of righteousness leads to acquittal and life for all men. For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by one Man's obedience many will be made righteous - Romans 5:18 - 19

Revelation: Tsunami Disaster Explained

2005-06-27T17:39:00.000+08:00

Anonymous said... so u still tink that those who died deserved it cuz there was NO farking singaporean christians singing praises along orchard road or whereeveR?

I don't quite seem to get your question. It doesn't make sense.

And I think you have misunderstood me the last time we talked.

Truth is, the Bible says God desires that none shall perish.

And recall, there were worshippers out at full force in Orchard Rd. Remember that this occured the before & during X'mas, before the disaster i.e. December 26th.

So there WERE Singaporeans performing, singing praises and re-enacting the gospel as well as shedding light on the true meaning of X'mas (which is about Jesus, not Santa Claus).

I said it before, that Singapore, on the whole, was 'blessed to be a blessing'. Just look at our involvement in relief efforts overseas, and I say this from first-hand knowledge.

And why not?

I'm certain there were similar activities in other countries, possibly in Sri Lanka, Indonesia etc.

The main crux of your concerns hinges only on 1 central issue: your unbelief of the existence of God and/or His true nature.

How can it be possible to love/befriend someone whom you think is against you all the time?

My beliefs are not unfounded; they have strong foundation like deep tree roots in the soil. I’m constantly kept in God’s love and have personally (& am continually) experiencing His goodness, peace and blessings.

Surely if you believe right, and see the true nature and heart of God (which, by the way, is good: The Bible declares, God is love), you will find your peace and no more doubt will reign in your heart.

All truths are parallel; as much as there is goodness in this world, there is also evil, i.e. the work of the Devil.
This is not mythology nor is it soothsaying, if it were than Satan would not be central (the antagonist) to so many of the world’s belief systems. We know consciously good from bad, and vice versa. We have an inborn conscience that makes us feel great when we do good, and awful when we sin. And many a-times, we don’t need reminding; these feelings are an innate response to our actions.

Once we acknowledge the existence of the Devil (and this won’t take a while, believe me), we see now the culprit and harbinger of evil in the world.

So why did God ‘allow’ so many people to die?

In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth. Then he created Man, in His own image, and gave him dominion over all the land and animals, i.e. all of creation.i.e. to say, God handed the keys over to Adam; gave him dominion over all of creation.

When Man sinned (when they ate from the tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil), their eyes were consciously opened to behold good as well as evil.

Knowledge is empowering. Therefore if one knew evil deeds, he / she is predisposed to committing sin. This is perfectly logical.

Such empowerment is akin to Man handing the keys (i.e. dominion over all creation) over to the Devil, the antithesis of God (though not as powerful) and the author of all evil.

So who is now (and for now only) holding the keys (following the abovementioned example)?

Thus, God is not in full control (at least for now) of this world, nor can He prevent the Devil from taking away innocent lives.

No, unless you are in His love, and therefore under His perfect care (under His wings of protection) and jurisdiction!

The world (all of creation, for that matter) was condemned together with Adam and Eve; condemnation brought sickness, disease and death, and there was no escaping it. The keys are (or were, I will explain in a short while) now in the Devil’s hands and so are the passing ways and things of the world; they are all perishable.

Until the Saviour of the world came, to deliver the truth, and the Bible says the truth will set you free.

God did not ‘allow’ people to die. If only your eyes were opened to the tremendous numbers (those) in Christ that were miraculously saved from this disaster! There are so many testimonies of this around the world.

We need God, more than ever, to place us at the right place, at the right time in times of imminent tragedy. Only God can do this!

How can you expect help, much less love, from someone you hate and distrust?

I implore you to think through this clearly, and carefully. Do not jump to conclusions and critique too soon. (I welcome that, for I know that absolutely nothing can go wrong when you believe right in God.) Instead, be receptive and logical. God is absolutely logical and scientific.

What if I were right all along?

Luke 21: 25 - 28
"And there will be signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars; and on the earth distress of nations, with perplexity, the sea and the waves roaring;

signs in the sun, in the moon, and in the stars: cosmic abnormalities, e.g. unusual cosmic activity, solar flares, the ‘Red Moon’ phenomenon, etc. This has been particularly more prevalent in recent times.

distress of nations, with perplexity: much like the current situation now, isn’t it? Interestingly enough, the word ‘perplexity’ was used. Perplex: 1. puzzle somebody: to puzzle or confuse somebody, especially causing doubt, 2. complicate something: to make something overly complicated or intricate. You only have to be observant to be astonished by the remarkable accuracy of this prophecy. (By the way, all prophecies in the Bible have already been fulfilled or are waiting to be fulfilled. Historians & mathematicians will tell you that it would be a near impossibility if the prophecies were human-fabricated, and this is infallible proof of God’s existence.)

the seas and waves roaring: Some biblical translations put this as ‘abnormal tides’. What do you think?

"men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth, for the powers of heaven will be shaken.

Simply put, recent events are part of the Devil’s bigger master-plan; he knows his time is running short. His long-term strategy: to sow as much fear (Read: post-September 11) and discord (unbelief in God) as possible, to polarise the world and create enmity amongst humankind.

"Then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory."now when these things begin to happen, look up and lift up your heads, because your redemption draws near."

The message is clear. We are living in the end-times, God’s promise to His people and martyrs will soon be fulfilled. The last two lines remind believers to be reverse in thought to the world; to await expectantly for the ‘blessed hope’, rather than despair and live in fear (men's hearts failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth).

The Devil knows his time is running short, and his fury will be unleashed in ways never seen before (history will be rewritten), for men's hearts to be failing them from fear and the expectation of those things which are coming on the earth.

What if God was right all along?

I thank God for revealing to me this wisdom, and I thank God for you, Anonymous, who made this article possible. I regret that you were not given the opportunity to believe right when you were younger, but now you have it.

We do not blame God for what ever that might have gone wrong in our lives. Instead we should ask ourselves, why have we not invited God into our lives, for everything to go the right way.

The reality of God is so strong, you can't escape it. It's all around you (the wonders of creation) and it's in you (even your disdain for God is, after all, still about Him).

God has preserved you and kept you in good health to this very day, that you might come to realise His everlasting goodness.

And now, you cannot blame God for not telling you the truth, before it is too late.

Posted on Skanque, 14th January 2005

James 5:16 - The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

2005-06-27T17:23:00.000+08:00

Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. - James 5:13

The Diamond Ring: Explained

2005-06-27T17:19:00.000+08:00

It's amazing how God's footprints are in everything secular, even songs.

You said that you would not have me last summer
And you said that you would not have me last spring
But I hoped that you would change your mind by August
Especially when I bought that diamond ring

The reality of God dwells in each and every one of us. We might try to deny this time and again, but the matter never ceases to tug at our heartstrings. No matter if we love God, hate Him, or are apathetic towards Him, is its ALWAYS about Him. Amen to that.

A diamond is forever. It is the rarest, strongest, most precious and most dazzling and brilliant of all gems. Metaphorically speaking, it is the best a man can offer as a token of his love.

And God offered to us His Diamond, His only begotten Son.

But you still said no, you wouldn't have me
You wouldn't have me You still said no, no, no

Isn't it remarkable how an omnipresent, omniscient & all-powerful God has bestowed upon us (Man) the freedom and liberty even to reject Him? Indeed, this liberty has been our inheritance ever since we were first created (the time of Adam and Eve), but with freedom (power to make choices) comes great responsiblility (a principle Peter Parker learnt, albeit the hard way, from his Christian uncle).

Imperfect Man can never bear the consequences of all his misendeavours, touch your heart and let that truth resound in your mind.

Only God's Perfect Diamond could.

I heard that you've been sleeping with your old friends
And I heard when each one left and broke your heart
I told you then that I would never leave you
And I told you that I loved you from the start
You still said no
You would not have me
You still said no, no, no

God being, by definition, omnipresent, omniscient & all-powerful, knows us personally (the Bible declares, He calls you by you name) & loves us wholeheartedly.This explains why I will give my diamond to the girl i would eventually marry (hopefully it happens soon) , and why Jesus calls the Church His Bride.

Even though you haven't any answers
Still think that you don't need anyone
To save you from the mess that you've created
And even when I gave my only song
You still said no
You wouldn't have me
You still said no, no, no

It would be a great travesty of justice to deny the infinite love and kindness of a Perfect Being who has purchased for us a blood-bought right to happiness, health, wholeness, prosperity and success.

Imagine drawing limitlessly all the blessings you desire from you Father's banks in Heaven!

Your Heavenly Father, a Father who speaks only good things to your ears, wants you to know your rightful, blood-bought inheritance! Hallelujah!

John 3:16
For God so loved the world,
He gave His only begotten Son,
That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish,
But have everlasting life.

God.. the Greatest Being,
Love.. the Greatest Virtue,
The world.. the Greatest Inclusion,
His only begotten Son.. the Greatest Sacrifice,
Believeth.. the Simplest Requirement,
Everlasting life.. the Greatest Gift.

Thank God for this supernatural revelation, Andrew and I claim it in Your Name. To God be the glory!

I hope it blesses you, Anonymous. You are the reason why this message was made possible.

Posted on Skanque, 30th December 2004

Pedro the Lion - Diamond Ring

2005-06-27T16:34:00.000+08:00

From the album "Only Reason I Feel Secure"

You said that you would not have me last summer
And you said that you would not have me last spring
But I hoped that you would change your mind by August
Especially when I bought that diamond ring

But you still said no, you wouldn't have me
You wouldn't have me
You still said no, no, no

I heard that you've been sleeping with your old friends
And I heard when each one left and broke your heart
I told you then that I would never leave you
And I told you that I loved you from the start
You still said no
You would not have me
You still said no, no, no

Even though you haven't any answers
Still think that you don't need anyone
To save you from the mess that you've created
And even when I gave my only song
You still said no
You wouldn't have me
You still said no, no, no

God wants to speak to each & every girl who has lost her way in life.

Do say 'hi'?

Thank God for Andrew who shared this song with me.

Posted on Skanque, December 29th 2004

Jesus died for all of us.

2005-06-18T18:22:00.000+08:00

He was led as a lamb to the slaughter. And as a sheep is silent before its shearers, He did not open His mouth - Isaiah 53.7

The Untouchable

2005-06-17T09:49:00.000+08:00

A phenomenon, a fantasy, a beauty so rare
Such elegance and style, i can hardly bear
Your sweetness and perfection, they make me cripple
That face so pretty, i'll never miss that dimple
Still i dare not forget, you are but the untouchable

The word has spread, and eyes have seen
The goodness and virtues, of this lady in pink
Heaps of men with hearts filled with lust
Just stand in line, like a pile of dust
On their knees, they serve as your loyal pawns
Doing their best to win your applause
Still they fail to see, you are but the untouchable

Your simplicity is getting complex
Cause really it's making me perplexed
It seems to me you're wearing a mask
As reading your mind is quite a real task
It truly is no wonder, you are but the untouchable

Too much has been wasted on this endless game
I'm sure you enjoy watching the worthless tamed
Affection and passion, they live not in this time
Will you please stop messing with my mind?
I need to move on, the road is long
Though sadly i can't see you in your thongs
But i must remember, you are but the untouchable

Rose Of Pain

2005-06-17T09:41:00.000+08:00

A Jar of wine, a broken glass
With tears of sorrow, my tales i blast
Once they all said, a gift i had
A mind of wisdom, of potential and depth
Then came the tests and all the stares
I had failed to live to their humble requests

Sure i did fall, man it hurt bad
The bruises, the blood, they were driving me mad
Still i stood up, and fought my way up
My point i did make, with two thumbs up
And for awhile, my life was in bliss
Then my head got big, and out came the thief
It robbed me off all i ever believed
I'd thought i'll never live to see my relief

Back into the river of darkness and pain
I saw the light that made me feel sane
He lifted me up and said unto me
"Do not lose heart, you always will be
My precious son, as dear as can be"

The tears then streamed
was it a dream?
My God He cares
My burdens He'll bare

So with strength i took my pains
And soon did live to see my gains
My dear friends please do not refrain
Take time to enjoy, your rose of pain

Just For You

2005-06-17T00:58:00.000+08:00

Slap me that you may silence my screams
Poke me to wake me from these dreams
I’m in too deep, drunk too steep
Looking at myself, just gives me the creeps
All these mess and the noisome pests
This time I’ve really failed the test
Dear Lord, I hope you know I’ve tried my best

“While your ink leaks, my wounds still bleed
Your silly thoughts, shatters me to bits
All the riches of this world once placed at my feet
Yet this, I thought nothing of it”

“For you, yes, all just for you
I gave myself, all just for you
A cross of that size, I met my demise
To see you smile, I paid such a price
I did it all, so you may have it all
I never wanted to see u toil
Rest on me, and I’ll give you peace
Now dry your tears my little prince”

“For you, I could give it all again
You, yes you, all just for you.”

Path

2005-06-16T02:01:00.000+08:00

I have trudged this road all so many times before
Know the path too well, learnt the turns by heart
Yet I could never walk it off

As I bleed my way through this narrow & rocky path
I battle against the falls of legality
Reminding myself that I’ve been bought in His generosity
Yet I wonder how much longer I can persist in my simplicity

And from beyond the hills
I hear the voice of my hero call
And my heart goes all stall

I cry in fear
I lick my wounds
I have nothing to give
For my crooked walk
Could never please…

In his bosoms I find my rest
Though its I, whose failed the test

“My precious boy
Toil no more
All these gifts in your arms I lay
For My Beloved Son was tried all day
Just so now
You may come out to play.”