Sometimes, I have to tell myself not to make CG my Idol. Because I think I do, at times. I really enjoy your company. I like talking about random things and discussing hypothetical situations as if they'd really happen. I like all your lame jokes and embarrassing behaviour.
I know you guys are 8 years younger and all, but I think you've become my best friends in church. Before, I had to bear the awkwardness of having no one to talk to after service; no one to have lunch with. (People would give me pity-talk) Now, I look forward to meeting you all every week. I feel like I'm a part of something. I know that at some point, I have to let go and move on. But in the meantime, I'm gonna appreciate every moment I spend with you.
Germs
Sunday, January 30, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Becoming a New Creation
As Christians, we are new creations. Our hearts of stone have been turned into hearts of flesh. In this metaphor, flesh is used as a positive figure, not a pejorative one. Where once my heart was cold and recalcitrant, dead and inert to the things of God, now it throbs and pulsates with spiritual life. Once I was biologically alive but spiritually dead. Now I am biologically alive and spiritually alive as well. I am a new person.
There is radical discontinuity between my new self and my old self. This radical discontinuity, however, is not total discontinuity. A link between the old man and the new man remains. The old man has been dealt a mortal blow. His total destruction is certain, but he is not yet dead.
The conflict of the Christian life is a struggle with sin. Sin no longer has dominion over us if we are in Christ, yet sin is still in us. Regeneration liberates us from the bondage of original sin, but our corrupt nature is not totally annihilated this side of heaven.
Paul speaks of the warfare that goes on between the flesh and the spirit. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal. 5:17).
Coram Deo
Thank God for the new heart of flesh He has implanted in your spiritual being.
Passages for Further Study
Galatians 5:16–17
2 Corinthians 5:17
Source: http://www.ligonier.org/iphone/devotional/764/
There is radical discontinuity between my new self and my old self. This radical discontinuity, however, is not total discontinuity. A link between the old man and the new man remains. The old man has been dealt a mortal blow. His total destruction is certain, but he is not yet dead.
The conflict of the Christian life is a struggle with sin. Sin no longer has dominion over us if we are in Christ, yet sin is still in us. Regeneration liberates us from the bondage of original sin, but our corrupt nature is not totally annihilated this side of heaven.
Paul speaks of the warfare that goes on between the flesh and the spirit. “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish” (Gal. 5:17).
Coram Deo
Thank God for the new heart of flesh He has implanted in your spiritual being.
Passages for Further Study
Galatians 5:16–17
2 Corinthians 5:17
Source: http://www.ligonier.org/iphone/devotional/764/
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Germaine's life
I believe most of you know by now that I'm on a church internship. But do you know exactly how I spend my time? Let me enlighten you.
I'm now on my third week of my attachment in church. (Can't believe how fast time passes) There are only 2 of us on this attachment, Lloyd and I. Pauline comes in once in a while for our missions class but she doesn't stay in full time with us. Most of our time is spent readings books or notes, doing homework and meeting the pastors for our personal classes.( This personal time with the pastors makes me feel really important... or like I'm going for counselling, hmm) In any case, I'm really enjoying this luxury of time that I get to concentrate on my study of God. And I get an allowance for it, which is such a blessing.
At the moment, we're learning about Missions, studying the book of Romans and reading and discussing the biography of a great Missionary, Hudson Taylor. Actually the story of Hudson Taylor is really cool. You should read about how he sacrificed so many of his priviledges and went through hardships just to prepare himself to be a missionary in China. He couldn't afford a Chinese textbook or dictionary so he started compare brief chinese verses with the English ones and made his own dictionary. He studied Chinese by himself. (SHAME ON ZENAS AND I...) Hudson Taylor lived a simple life also because whatever he didn't spend on himself could be used for God's work. Reading his story made me feel really guilty about wanting an iphone4. I think it made me question whether the way I spent my money was pleasing in God's sight, seeing that any money I have does not really belong to me but to God.
Last thursday, Lloyd and I went to Evangel Kindergarten to watch Pastor Vernon tell the kids Christian stories. It's really amazing to see how even at such a young age, these kids can get a chance to learn about the true and living God who loves them. It's such a wonderful ministry. Tomorrow, Lloyd and I are getting our feet wet by doing the story telling ourselves. I got assigned with teaching about the birth of Christ and I'm still racking my brains trying to figure out how I'm going to explain the pregnancy of Mary by the Holy Spirit and how Joseph almost divorced her to the k2 children.
Hope you're enjoying school as much as I am enjoying my attachment. (Though highly unlikely, I know) Remember to glorify God in every thought, word and action.
Love,
Germs
I'm now on my third week of my attachment in church. (Can't believe how fast time passes) There are only 2 of us on this attachment, Lloyd and I. Pauline comes in once in a while for our missions class but she doesn't stay in full time with us. Most of our time is spent readings books or notes, doing homework and meeting the pastors for our personal classes.( This personal time with the pastors makes me feel really important... or like I'm going for counselling, hmm) In any case, I'm really enjoying this luxury of time that I get to concentrate on my study of God. And I get an allowance for it, which is such a blessing.
At the moment, we're learning about Missions, studying the book of Romans and reading and discussing the biography of a great Missionary, Hudson Taylor. Actually the story of Hudson Taylor is really cool. You should read about how he sacrificed so many of his priviledges and went through hardships just to prepare himself to be a missionary in China. He couldn't afford a Chinese textbook or dictionary so he started compare brief chinese verses with the English ones and made his own dictionary. He studied Chinese by himself. (SHAME ON ZENAS AND I...) Hudson Taylor lived a simple life also because whatever he didn't spend on himself could be used for God's work. Reading his story made me feel really guilty about wanting an iphone4. I think it made me question whether the way I spent my money was pleasing in God's sight, seeing that any money I have does not really belong to me but to God.
Last thursday, Lloyd and I went to Evangel Kindergarten to watch Pastor Vernon tell the kids Christian stories. It's really amazing to see how even at such a young age, these kids can get a chance to learn about the true and living God who loves them. It's such a wonderful ministry. Tomorrow, Lloyd and I are getting our feet wet by doing the story telling ourselves. I got assigned with teaching about the birth of Christ and I'm still racking my brains trying to figure out how I'm going to explain the pregnancy of Mary by the Holy Spirit and how Joseph almost divorced her to the k2 children.
Hope you're enjoying school as much as I am enjoying my attachment. (Though highly unlikely, I know) Remember to glorify God in every thought, word and action.
Love,
Germs
Monday, January 17, 2011
I don't know how to have QUIET TIME?
One of my biggest worry for the CG is the lack of quiet time we each have with God. Even for myself, it's really a struggle. I know that for some, you may use the excuse of not having enough time or not knowing how to do it. Come on, we know that the lack of time is no excuse because we all have half an hour to spare. You just have to deliberately make time.
For anyone whose excuse is not knowing how, I have a suggestion. Start with the book of John and work your way down the New Testament. Read at least one chapter a day. After reading, pray about it, then write down a summary and reflections in your journal. I can promise you that doing this would be the start of a deepening relationship with God your Father.
If you don't spend your own quiet time with God, no amount of CG is going to help you grow closer to God. You need to start letting God reveal Himself to you rather than depending on the leaders to teach you about Him.
Love,
Germs
For anyone whose excuse is not knowing how, I have a suggestion. Start with the book of John and work your way down the New Testament. Read at least one chapter a day. After reading, pray about it, then write down a summary and reflections in your journal. I can promise you that doing this would be the start of a deepening relationship with God your Father.
If you don't spend your own quiet time with God, no amount of CG is going to help you grow closer to God. You need to start letting God reveal Himself to you rather than depending on the leaders to teach you about Him.
Love,
Germs
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Our Identity in Christ
by Kevin Struyk
Remembering all the personal identification numbers, passwords, login names, ID cards, and the like that are a part of my everyday routine gets tiring. In order to conduct any business on the Internet, enter my residence, pay bills, access email, or enter my gym, I either enter a plethora of keystrokes or flash one of my various ID cards. Despite these little inconveniences, it is a relief to know that there are still a few places such as the homes of friends and family and the church where “secret handshakes,” ID cards, and special personal identification numbers are not required. In these places, my status as a friend or family member is the one thing that allows me access into each particular fellowship.
For believers to fellowship with God, His Son — Jesus, had to suffer and die on the cross. After He breathed His last breath and yielded up His Spirit, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matt. 27:51). This curtain referenced in Matthew and Mark probably refers to the inner curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (see also Ex. 26:31ff). On the Day of Atonement, only the high priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place. Here he would sprinkle the blood of a bull and goat on and in front of the mercy seat to atone for the sins of Israel (Lev. 16:14–15). However, once the curtain was torn in half, access to God was no longer for the high priest alone, but for all believers.
Those who trust in Jesus Christ are essentially washed clean from their sins by the blood of Jesus. Not only that, but the benefits of Christ’s perfect life are imparted to the believer. As a result, we have a status as sons of God (Gal. 4:5). I know there are no cards for Christians that identify us as, “sons of God with full access to the Father,” but it might be a good reminder for some if we had them.
It is a tremendous blessing to approach the throne of God in prayer and worship. Too often, however, we forget that the “clearance” we’ve been given came not of our doing but of Christ’s doing. His steadfast love for us meant the giving up of His life — a life lived in perfect obedience to God’s law — so that we would not experience eternal separation but everlasting fellowship with Him. The next time you type in a password or flash an ID card, think of the gift you have been given — full access to God the Father, Ruler over all things.
http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/our-identity-christ/
Remembering all the personal identification numbers, passwords, login names, ID cards, and the like that are a part of my everyday routine gets tiring. In order to conduct any business on the Internet, enter my residence, pay bills, access email, or enter my gym, I either enter a plethora of keystrokes or flash one of my various ID cards. Despite these little inconveniences, it is a relief to know that there are still a few places such as the homes of friends and family and the church where “secret handshakes,” ID cards, and special personal identification numbers are not required. In these places, my status as a friend or family member is the one thing that allows me access into each particular fellowship.
For believers to fellowship with God, His Son — Jesus, had to suffer and die on the cross. After He breathed His last breath and yielded up His Spirit, “the curtain of the temple was torn in two, from top to bottom” (Matt. 27:51). This curtain referenced in Matthew and Mark probably refers to the inner curtain that separated the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place (see also Ex. 26:31ff). On the Day of Atonement, only the high priest was allowed to enter the Most Holy Place. Here he would sprinkle the blood of a bull and goat on and in front of the mercy seat to atone for the sins of Israel (Lev. 16:14–15). However, once the curtain was torn in half, access to God was no longer for the high priest alone, but for all believers.
Those who trust in Jesus Christ are essentially washed clean from their sins by the blood of Jesus. Not only that, but the benefits of Christ’s perfect life are imparted to the believer. As a result, we have a status as sons of God (Gal. 4:5). I know there are no cards for Christians that identify us as, “sons of God with full access to the Father,” but it might be a good reminder for some if we had them.
It is a tremendous blessing to approach the throne of God in prayer and worship. Too often, however, we forget that the “clearance” we’ve been given came not of our doing but of Christ’s doing. His steadfast love for us meant the giving up of His life — a life lived in perfect obedience to God’s law — so that we would not experience eternal separation but everlasting fellowship with Him. The next time you type in a password or flash an ID card, think of the gift you have been given — full access to God the Father, Ruler over all things.
http://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/our-identity-christ/
Monday, January 10, 2011
God in the midst of school
Hi Effervescence,
School has started. Unfortunately. I know things have been tough, and homework piling up. I hope that in the midst of all the stress, you can still allow God to be at the centre of everything. I don't just mean spending some time with Him or thinking about Him once in a while... What I mean is that He should be the very reason why you do anything. If you haven't even been spending time with God, what are you waiting for? Start now!
This year, we're going to try to encourage evangelism as a lifestyle. What this means is that if you are going to share the gospel with the people around you, you've got to make sure you're living a life worthy to the gospel, a life that glorifies God. Please pray about this, ask God to show you all your flaws and work on them. I know some of the common ones among teens are: Laziness, dishonestly, pride, being critical, being unloving... Remember that as Christians, we are to present our members (body) to God as instruments of righteousness. When our friends look at us, we want them to see Christ displayed in us.
I have been praying for you all individually. Please message Wee Theng and I if you have any other prayer requests for yourself or others.
Remember: TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN
In His love and mine,
Germs
School has started. Unfortunately. I know things have been tough, and homework piling up. I hope that in the midst of all the stress, you can still allow God to be at the centre of everything. I don't just mean spending some time with Him or thinking about Him once in a while... What I mean is that He should be the very reason why you do anything. If you haven't even been spending time with God, what are you waiting for? Start now!
This year, we're going to try to encourage evangelism as a lifestyle. What this means is that if you are going to share the gospel with the people around you, you've got to make sure you're living a life worthy to the gospel, a life that glorifies God. Please pray about this, ask God to show you all your flaws and work on them. I know some of the common ones among teens are: Laziness, dishonestly, pride, being critical, being unloving... Remember that as Christians, we are to present our members (body) to God as instruments of righteousness. When our friends look at us, we want them to see Christ displayed in us.
I have been praying for you all individually. Please message Wee Theng and I if you have any other prayer requests for yourself or others.
Remember: TO LIVE IS CHRIST AND TO DIE IS GAIN
In His love and mine,
Germs
Saturday, January 1, 2011
Watchnight 2010
Dear Effervescence,
I was really happy about the watch night session we had yesterday. I never thought we'd have such a long time of worship, prayer, reflection and sharing, but I'm so thankful to God that we did. Wee Theng and I had been praying for the CG the days leading to it, and I do feel that the Holy Spirit was working in the midst of things.
Thank you all for taking the responsibility of leading one song each, it was really heartfelt. Then we had our time of reflection and sharing and honestly, never in my life, has sharing ever taken that long! But it was great to hear your heartfelt reflections. I was really encouraged at how honest you all were, even in things you were not proud of. I thought it was good how you all were willing to humble yourselves and do some honest self-evaluation. I think we were really reminded in the ways that we are lacking and I hope we will press on to improve on those areas with God's help.
We wrote our goals for the next year and put them in a box. I'll wait to collect them from the rest of the CG before sealing it up. We'll be opening that next year to see if we've fulfilled them. Lastly, we ended the year off by writing encouragements in one another's notebooks. (Even for those not around!) I was actually afraid that you were all going to be very half-hearted about it but I was wrong. You really put in the effort to write such encouraging messages...
Our worship wasn't perfect, our sharing was uber long, but I couldn't have asked for a better watch night. I really thank God, with all my heart, for how yesterday went. It's so amazing to see you all grow closer to God, and to want to glorify Him more. I just pray that this zeal doesn't get diminished in the midst of the busy start of school. I will be keeping you all in my prayers.
In His love and mine,
Germs
I was really happy about the watch night session we had yesterday. I never thought we'd have such a long time of worship, prayer, reflection and sharing, but I'm so thankful to God that we did. Wee Theng and I had been praying for the CG the days leading to it, and I do feel that the Holy Spirit was working in the midst of things.
Thank you all for taking the responsibility of leading one song each, it was really heartfelt. Then we had our time of reflection and sharing and honestly, never in my life, has sharing ever taken that long! But it was great to hear your heartfelt reflections. I was really encouraged at how honest you all were, even in things you were not proud of. I thought it was good how you all were willing to humble yourselves and do some honest self-evaluation. I think we were really reminded in the ways that we are lacking and I hope we will press on to improve on those areas with God's help.
We wrote our goals for the next year and put them in a box. I'll wait to collect them from the rest of the CG before sealing it up. We'll be opening that next year to see if we've fulfilled them. Lastly, we ended the year off by writing encouragements in one another's notebooks. (Even for those not around!) I was actually afraid that you were all going to be very half-hearted about it but I was wrong. You really put in the effort to write such encouraging messages...
Our worship wasn't perfect, our sharing was uber long, but I couldn't have asked for a better watch night. I really thank God, with all my heart, for how yesterday went. It's so amazing to see you all grow closer to God, and to want to glorify Him more. I just pray that this zeal doesn't get diminished in the midst of the busy start of school. I will be keeping you all in my prayers.
In His love and mine,
Germs
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