Life Changed

I was wondering in the cyber cafe looking for something to read or watch, and I realise that my blog have not been update for almost a year....

A lot of things have changed since a year ago. I drop out from Uni, I started to work, I experience a whole new world by myself. I met people, I like someone, I done things I never done before and I almost killed myself with depression again.

Now, my life is fill with a lot of things that I don't even know whether I should embrace it. I just put my faith in God and just take any opportunity that God will give me in my life. Grab it as soon as I see it. Listen closely to His Voice, and practice and walk with the Word.

Still, sometimes, I think I'm avoiding God in a way. Not attending bible study, not reading the bible, not growing in faith and not preparing myself for Him in the heaven. A year have past, Kai Xin is back from Industrial Training. A lot of friends have been starting to pursue their dreams. People growing up and changed.

Still, sometimes, I still wonder on the past and things that have happen. What do I have now? I have enough money to survive, to pay my debts, to grab my dreams nearer to myself and learn about the model of a business. Financially able to support myself and others.

Still, sometimes, I think there's something missing in my life. God still there? Yes he is. He is always looking at me when I'm down and need some help. He is always giving me courage when I need to show my weakness to others. He is always there when I'm alone, reminding me about things that I shouldn't be doing and comforting me about my loneliness and depressive thoughts.

In the end, I realise that this one year that I have gone through, I'm glad to say that, I have receive a lot more than I deserve to get from God. He gave me a job, a place to stay, a group of friends that never give up on me, someone, and confidence that I have never had before. The confidence to stay alive, the joy to learn and the passion to teach and grow.

Even though late in the night, I still sense that the darkness is drawing me closer to them. The darkness that once took me away, and the darkness which brought the light to me. I'm still strong with God in me, though sometimes doubtful about it. Thank God for everything and every detail that you painted in my life. Thank you for lending me your son to me. I think I might need to find a way to return it back to you. Amen.

James 1:15

An Illustration of James 1:15

Q. Could you please give me an illustration for this verse, James 1:15 
NIV : Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
 
15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.  
Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
I mean how do you explain this verse. I find it not easy though it seems easy.


A. James was talking about taking responsibility for our sins. He said we can’t accuse God of tempting us because He is neither tempted by evil nor does He tempt anyone else. 
(James 1:13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: evil: or, evils )

In verse 14 he said we are enticed to sin because of our own evil desires, which cause lustful thoughts.  When these thoughts are given consideration they become sin, which under the Law is punishable by death.

(James 1:15 Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. )

To illustrate, say I’m walking down the street when I see a beautiful woman coming toward me. This woman is not my wife but I find her desirable to look at just the same.  If I entertain even a momentary thought on what it might be like to become sexually involved with her, I’ve committed the sin of adultery which is punishable by death.

Can I blame God for making the woman so attractive, or for causing her to cross my path, or for making me a healthy man with human desires?   No.  I can only blame myself for entertaining such a thought about a woman I’m not married to.

This is one of the illustrations Jesus used in Matt. 5-6 to show us the need for a Savior, because it’s impossible for us always avoid doing thing like this.  And the same is true of an angry thought, or an envious one, or an untruthful one.

James was making the point that we can’t blame God when we succumb to the temptations of this world. From other passages we know that Jesus died for all our sins so we won’t have to. (Col. 2:13-15)  And even after we’re saved, when we take responsibility for our sins and confess them as such, God is just and faithful to forgive us and will purify us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9) so we won’t become estranged from Him.

9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

Source GraceThroughFaith

Nightmare

  It has been a long time before I have a nightmare. This time, it is really frightening because it was real and related to something that I'm facing. It was about me and my parents. The nightmare freaks me out because this fear of mine have been a drawback for my confident and life in doing decisions. I only realise that it was so important and threatening to my thoughts that I would fear it happen again.
  Fear of being rejected and not recognised by my parents. Fear of being the useless member of the family. Fear of everything from my parents. Dropping expectation of my community and my family. Those are stopping me from breaking down my barriers that is stopping me from open up myself to others and God. The real issues is not on the fear but me myself putting down my pride and barrier. I wouldn't say that the problems lies at my parents but rather, the problems lies on my confession of my sin and surrender and submit myself to God.
  So what is the issue with surrendering myself to God. Denying myself and carrying our cross daily and follow Christ. IT is an issue for my christian living and also my growth in Christ. All this nightmare happen for a reason and I believe it has a purpose in my growth and maturity as a christian.
  What's wrong with this surrendering and submitting myself to God gonna do with my nightmare?
  Does it have to do with my decision that I gonna make for my studies and my addiction & idol & idleness?
  I do think that I have the asnwer. The answer to my surrendering and submission to God. Obedience that I need to follow to GROW in Christ. I really pray that God and me will work out something and I not merely listen to it but follow it.

Putting Christ First
Matthew 6:33
Seek first His kingdom and His righteousness and all these things will be given to you as well.

Courtesy of nakedpastor 

What have I dropped???

Unity

“May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
(Romans 15:5-6)

One heart and mouth is sometimes a struggle for me myself.

Listens and Won.

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.” (Matthew 18:15)

Understanding and listening, makes a difference.

In All Circumstances

“Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18)

Give thanks in all circumstances is a tough decision. Not many people could do that. It was a challenge to a lot of people, and also to me. Looking at God's will for us in Christ, everything seems to be easy to go through, even if it is a tough circumstances. Thanks.

Keeping the Sabbath

Keeping the Sabbath

Courtesy of GraceThruFaith

Celebrating The Feasts

Q. I was at a Bible study recently and the leader of the group is a Messianic Jew and he was talking about the feasts of Israel. He was saying that the early church for the first 300 years celebrated the feasts. I have been around a few Messianic Jews and know that they do continue to celebrate the feasts. My question is – when Paul penned the Galation Epistle and talked about the keeping of the Mosaic Law vs. Faith in Christ – was he also including the feasts? I strongly feel from scripture that there really should not be any distinction between Jew and Gentile because Ephesians and other Epistles make it very clear we are one in Christ and should be in Christ. While I certainly believe Hebraic teaching and understanding the old testament is certainly vital to our walk with God – are we going back under the law in observing the feasts of Israel as Christians? I do not have the material to research to see if what he is saying is true for the early church celebrating the feasts other than scripture and I see no evidence in scripture that they kept any observance other than the Lord’s supper. Could you expound please?

A. I don’t know where your Bible study leader got his information from, but the New Testament clearly made the observance of the Feasts of Israel optional for the Church long before 300 AD. Their primary value for us lies in their historical and prophetic significance. Both can be greatly enhanced by observing the feasts, but we’re under no obligation to do so.

In Romans 14:5 Paul wrote:

One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind.

And in Colossians 2:16-17 he said:

Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.

In saying these things he made all religious celebrations optional, subject to our individual convictions.

Courtesy from GraceThruFaith

Tithing Vs. Paying Debts

Q. I appreciate your insight and thank you for your ministry. If you have the time to help with this question, I would appreciate it.

I am trying to balance tithing vs. paying off debt. My question to you is, do I not tithe at all, and focus all the allowable funds towards debt? Do I split the debt payments and tithing? Or do I tithe 10% and what’s left over pay towards debt?

In addition to money, I give my time to the church teaching two Sunday school classes and buying each of my students a teenage study bible each year. By the way, I rely on your website as a good source of information for my students.

A. This is a much more complex question than it appears to be because it goes to philosophy and motive, not just action.

First, the philosophy. One purpose of tithing is to teach us that God has an abundance of money and is a generous giver to those who give generously to His work. (Luke 6:38) He wants us to have an abundance mentality, which means we believe there’s no limit to His ability to see to our needs. Remember, He said, “I have come so that they can have life and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

Your question reveals that like most people, you have a scarcity mentality. That means you believe there’s only a certain amount of money available to you and you have to find a way to make it go around. This is the opposite of an abundance mentality, and it stems from the belief that you and you alone are responsible for the money you get.

Next comes the motive. Tithing is an expression of our gratitude for what God has already given us. It’s not something we do in the hope of making our future better. If you are sincerely thankful for what the Lord has given you, regardless of your current circumstances, then tithing is your way of saying thanks. Seeing that you’re grateful for what He’s already given you, the Lord will bless you with more.

But withholding our tithe, or giving with an expectation of future blessing, reveals that our true motivation is greed, and short circuits the process.

This is all summed up in Proverbs 11:24-25.

One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.

A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.

If you’re grateful for what you’ve already received, then give generously to the Lord’s work without expectation of future gain. This will release Him to be generous with you in return.

Courtesy from GraceThruFaith

No Backseat Driving

Courtesy of nakedpastor.

A very interesting cartoon which I always wanted to put JC as the driver of my car. It's so difficult sometimes that putting Him in control of my car. We can't even feel too safe when our we let our friends drive our car, how could we let Him do that? Well, that will happen when I didn't know who is Him. Understanding Him in the past allows me to really know well who should I trust. :D

Hot Hot Hot

The hot weather in my place is really killing a lot of people who is sick and having exams. This hot weather force me to think about global warming and the effects of human civilization done to the earth. Again, it also reminds me about why God wanted to separate people to reach to Him in Babylon. All because of the selfish pride of human trying to move towards the world of evil desires to become Him.

Even though I might be seem as an extremist in disguise, but this speaks my heart out. Ain't we here to protect God's garden of eden and the creature that lives in this earth? Ain't we people that would be sent back to heaven which I think earth itself is a shadow of heaven?

Oh well, all my concern now is about my great grandma, my friends and people whom I think is in need of help. But how about the Earth that God created?

This climate changes doesn't only affects the Earth in terms of temperature but also in other areas such as starvation, war, economic crisis, psychology illness and etc. I started to realise that Global Warming is not only affecting the temperature on the newspaper today. The war is crying out loud now in almost everywhere. Piracy (Pirates), Rebellions and also political changes that is taking over the newspaper seems to be getting more and more. Starvation and lack of food is also another issues that the world is facing now. More and more crimes is getting in our daily lifes. So what can us as a Christian do to help the world?


What will Jesus Christ do as a human in earth?
What's God purpose for human in this earth?
Does earth only meant to be exploited by us as much as we can and eventually death comes to our way?
Too many things is going on either we aware about it or not...
People are struggling on the issues they are facing now....
Will they look at the bigger picture of the issues?
Will they know what's the truth behind all this things that is going on?

I watch watchmen the graphical comic from Jacob. Depressing indeed but it's true. The life of human is getting wicked by days. Not because I saw it but because me myself is getting wicked days by days. God ask us to deny ourselves and carry the cross and our daily worries with Him. I'm sure that it includes our evil thoughts and behaviours.

Well, I have a few ideas.
1. Getting ourself equipped with God's word to prevent any spiritual changes that will affect our heart towards God.
2. Read the newspaper to update ourself with the problems that the world and our community is facing.
3. Take actions that will really benefit the issues and tackle it in anyways you can. For example, as a student, I might not have a lot of money but what I have is time, strength and countless passion that can be pour out to serve the God's creation well.
4. Pray and let God lead us in making any of the decisions that need a balance between 2 choices.
5. Tell others and share about this issue, and who knows, more people will have same faith as you. They might walk with you in this journey.
6. Know our capabilities in dealing with all this issues. If we are only capabilites of donating our money, just do it and pray to God so that He bless us with what we should do.

All this applies to every situation or issues that we are facing. All we need to do is to admit that we are weak, pray for forgiveness of incapibility and ask for help from God.

John 16:24
Assurance of Answered Prayer.

Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive and your joy will be complete. A strong word to start for a prayer.

God I also pray that churches are meant to be a place for us to grow but not to hinder us from you. I also pray that CS, L, A, C will be able to know the true purpose of having a church in our body, soul, spirit and mind. Amen.

Unusual Experience

I couldn't imagine that I would cry for my friend who is getting further and further from God. It was an unusual act of emotional expression. Erm, maybe it is just trying to tell God that I wish something better could happen. It might seems to be  the right choice to choose, but  we  know that  things will be different when God is not  put  first in our life.

The experience that me and others tell me that life is really meaningless without God. Even though you might be picking the right path that the world of desires prefer, but you yourself too knows that it is not completed in holiness and righteous. I always challenge myself by questioning whether God was put first before anything else? Or it is just my own desire or dreams that I put first before God?

Matthew 6:33

Do Not Worry

 ²⁵"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? ²⁶Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? ²⁷Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life^[b]?
²⁸"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. ²⁹Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. ³⁰If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? ³¹So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' ³²For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. ³³But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. ³⁴Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I pray that God, You will provide wisdom and strength to C and L who is struggling to follow you. God I need you in their life. Being able to touch them deep in their heart. Protect them from temptation and the suffering from life itself. God provide them with the promises that you gave to people who believe in you. I also pray that I can more sensitive to people around me especially my friends in Christ which includes friends who is seeking for Christ. God I also pray that prayers itself is sufficient that it gives me peace but God I also pray that my Life would be filled with your Godly peace. Peace that lead me and people around me to You. Life itself take the course, with God guiding us. Amen

Gambling

I went to Genting and had gambled. Temptation and excitement was there. But would it be an issue just to start tasting what is gambling?

Check this web and i realise, it might be an issue.

Is Gambling A Sin?

"Everything is permissible for me"—but not everything is beneficial. "Everything is permissible for me"—but I will not be mastered by anything.
1 Corinthians 6:12

Flee the evil desires of youth, and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.
2 Timothy 2:22

Avoid every kind of evil.
1 Thessalonians 5:22

So, is it an issue? You make the conclusion. :D

Untitled

I was once a loving person but now I start to wonder into the darkness.
I asked myself, what makes it so?
Heart broken, directionless, the harden of my heart or the sin that I used to justify my weaknessess...

I was a person who cares, but now I'm selfish and insensitive.
I asked myself again, what makes it so?
Poverty, untrustworthy,  or my own harden heart that prevents me from moving on...

Who cares whether I'm a good or a bad person?
Only God cares.

So do I need to care about what others have to think of me?
Yes I do, because our purpose of life always include people around us who think, critisize, challenge, praise and work with me. God created them not because of me, but because of God. They are the kingdom of God in earth and in heaven. Without them, our purpose of life doesn't seem to "click" with God's purpose for us.

A lot of times, my depression was caused by people and myself. It was never something non-human . Is there a meaning to this chronic depression of mine? What does it means to have a thought that really triggers my thought? Does it means like what Job's friend said when they trying to give advice to Job, too many things happen for a reason?

But one thing for sure, God used our weaknessess to tell us something. Something that is important, or I would say, something that really mean strength to us. That is where we withdraw strength from God himself, by looking at our weaknesses and thanks God for telling us, and provide a way out so that we can stand up under it (1 Corinthians 10:13).

Isaiah 55:11

"so is my word that goes out from my mouth:
       It will not return to me empty,
       but will accomplish what I desire
       and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. "

Every word that we as a human said is accomplish with their own purpose rather than God's purpose. I know that human is never perfect, it was always God that make it perfect and allow us to enjoy his joy. His promises never comes empty, something that a human can't do. I like to talk but those are not promises that will return to me for what I desire. For God, every word that He said is infinite and works all the time. Just the timing that makes the difference and the way it is presence in front of our eyes.

Given me a chance to make promises, I dare not to try again.
Given me a chance to drop dead into something that I wanted to, I dare not to touch it.
Well, life ain't as smooth as what I see. The only way to go through it again is to draw strength from God himself where there's infinite strength that no one can provide.

I pray that God will give everyone around me an opportunity to experience His presence through me and people around me. It was our personal experience that makes a believer of Christ different from others. Others who have try so hard to achieve a portion in their life to be success. God bless.

Faith Tester

Our faith and relationship will only show their true colour when there's a temptation or problems going on. We won't really know the strength of our faith with God when there's no struggling and incongruence in our heart. This was something that really strike me during my jog in the rain at Bukit Gasing.

Through jogging that I realise, life is full of temptation, limitation and also weaknesses that I do not wish to see. A good example would be the discipline that I have to hold on to myself when I go jogging.  I planned to go for a jog regularly since I came to UTAR. It didn't work out because my plans didn't hold on well to something that motivates me. Well, now I have something in my mind for me to hold on to when I go for jogging. It can be my struggling with some issues, it might be my problems that I face currently, it can also be some happy moment that I need to release out without anyone realizing it.

Again, God gave me this opportunity to apply the Word that He taught me. Through struggling in my life, I learn a lot of the Word from God. It was never that hard anyway, I just need to go on with my life and understand the meaning behind God's Word.

A regular jogging is like the best prevention for heart attack.
It is the same for God's Word in our heart, it is the best medicine and also prevention for anything that will happen in our LIFE.

My faith on God's relationship and me was always a struggle for me. Sometimes, I just wish that I will give up myself to the world around me. It would be a lot more easier than holding on to God's Word. Well, I pray that I will always remember God's Word better than I thought I am.

SLOPI a lot.

Define The Relationship (DTR)

We had our bible study discussion in Keng Yin's house with Crystal from New York, Lance from the friendly neighbourhood, Jacod the deep thinker and Mong Ping.The topic we had is DTR.

There's 2 important relationship in our life. One relationship is the relationship with the people in the world and another one would be the relationship with God. Both are important relationship that both plays a different role in our life.

Relationship with God is definitely something that none of us should forget because it is the greatest relationship that you would want to have. A perfect relationship where there's perfect love which cast away fear. The fear of losing, the fear of unknown, the fear of rejection and also the fear of death. All this came from God himself when we are in relationship with Him. God give us without anything in return and there's no expectation, that's really something precious to hold on to.

Another relationship is human relationship, it can be boy gal relationship, or family and friends relationships or any relationship in this world. For me, relationship that I'm really looking for now would be a boy gal relationship.

A moment in DTR, erm...
It was like a dream when I look back at the night I talk about relationship with someone that I know. Someone that only exist in my dreams. It happen during, before and after a movie.

We talk about life and death. We talk about things that happen in the past and future. We talk about everything.
I wrote the 3 special word on the palm of her during that movie night, hoping that she will understand the emotions and feelings that I put upon my heart. She was excited but also confuse. I was excited and happy. Well, I forget the details but I know I can't really sleep that night.
A few days later, I confront with her again about defining the relationship. She was not ready for a new relationship and she don't wish to use me as a replacement for her ex.
At the end, things work out well for both of us. We had some great time together. Working together, eating together, watching together, hang out together and also laughing at something that we both think is cute and funny.

God plays an important role in this relationship of mine with her. It was a duty for me to become better and learn more about God through her. Partly from her personality and also her background. God send an angel to let me realize His importance and His existance. It is the same as an angel who came to tell us about the news of a saviour and also an angel who bless us with their faith. God has His own way to get things done. My motivation was always externally affected. Whether or not it is something important, I always change according to the environment.

Well, she was something different, something that I wish God told me earlier so that I can enjoy it now. God I pray that she will learn her way of living in your presence and I pray that You will guide her in her spirit to search for you.

Start to feel sleepy and tired because of cellfood. Night.

Wes from Kentucky

Wes from Kentucky visited us who is in Malaysia. This is what happen during his visit and we enjoy being with him.

We celebrated Andrew's Birthday.

We had a SMALL chat before we go to sleep.

 

  

We had our English class together and we played MAFIA. I'm totally a psychotic MAFIA.

We hang out in some of the famous places among the student.

 

  

 

We had our Batman: Dark Knight in TGV. A freaking cool movie.

I forced him to finish the ugliest food you can find in Malaysia.

He told us about the slumps in Philippines.

He was a person like me, maybe slightly better. A person with clear goals but lack of motivation and discipline. High flexibility and adaptation skills.A person that God will definitely bless and uses. My prayers to him is that he learn about God in the stricter way and being able to excel better than me. Hopefully that the next time I met him, he will grow in the way of a excellent Christian in God's eyes. Amen.

A Busy Relationship

Imagine, you're in a relationship where one of the partner is busy and another is a lepak kaki, do you think this kind of relationship will work out?
Imagine again, if your partner is too busy to response to you, what would you feel?
Imagine another scenario, if breaking up because of your busy life, will you regret?

People tends to think that since there's no more commitment in each other, there's no more relationship in it.Everyone is busy with their own stuff. There's no time for commitment. But would you think in that way too?

The victim of a bully tends to become the bully in another relationship.
Will the cycle comes back again when the victim is the bully?

I believe that human are gifted with a creative and imaginary mind that can help us to imagine and understand the problems faced by bullies and victims. If this is the case, I believe that the cycle will stop in it's own way. Will the bully understand and appreciate experience that a the victim faced? Will the victim prevent themselves from being a bully? I don't know, but I believe that there's always hope in it.

Our faith is tested with things that we are going through in life. A faith that have not been tested will not much of an impact in our life. Even if we are tested, God will always be there to lead us to a way, a way that our faith can grow stronger. A busy life definitely will not take away our faith towards God, but the ignorance definitely will affect our faith.

I always thanks God for giving me a second chance in everything I have prayed for. I prayed and I received, it might be in something that I didn't expect, it might be a way of life that I need to change, but I definitely receive it. Thank you la. Next time I thank you more. :D

Actually, I'm pondering on some question that I faced and think about recently. Would it be wise to make a conclusion that based on the things I had observed? Would it be fair to people I care? Should there be something better in mind that I should mingle with? Would this be a test for my faith? I do not know, but I'm sure I need to hold on to the things that I believe.

Phrase from Tom.
Tom said this to P, "Try imagine the things that Tom is going through with the experience that P had before. There's definitely something that is making P frustrated about..."

SLOPI a lot.