Praising God Always

The end of one year and the dawning of a new one provides an excellent opportunity to wipe the slate clean and make a fresh start. Those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour can let go of the past and move ahead with assurance because Jesus provides forgiveness and hope. Remembering God's faithfulness and forgetting past mistakes will make entering the new year a time of joyous antiicipation.

Happy moments, PRAISE GOD.

Difficult moments, SEEK GOD.
Quiet moments, WORSHIP GOD.
Painful moments, TRUST GOD.
Every moments, THANK GOD.

The psalmist's mouth was filled with praise when he wrote Psalm 126. The Lord had done great things for him and his people. Remembering God's blessings, he said "Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy."(v2)

PRAISE IS THE SONG OF A SOUL SET FREE.

A HEART IN TUNE WITH GOD CAN'T HELP BUT SING HIS PRAISES.

HAVE A GREAT & VICTORIOUS YEAR 2011 IN THE LORD.

10-10-10 Good day or Bad day ?

October 10th is the 283rd day of the year in the Gregorian calendar and there are 82 days remaining until the end of the year. And since the date 10-10-10 only comes around once a century, it have created a lot of 'hoo-ha' and many people are taking advantage of the auspicious date to celebrate........ Ten is perfect, so October 10, 2010 should be a pretty great day.

In Malaysia and the world over, there's a rush among people planning to get married or celebrate on the day as they believed something good will happen.

"10" is an important number in Biblical numerics, for example the 10 commandments of God, 10 plagues in Egypt in Exodus, 10 virgins and 10 lepers.

Chinese also believe 10 is an ideal number. It symbolises "completion", "perfection and flawless;" and will bring good luck and marital bliss to couples.
However, according to another source, 10-10-10 is a 癸 巳 (Gui Si) Day. To the Dong Gong system, it is a 危 (Danger – Cantonese: Ngai) Day.
Joey Yap’s ‘Dong Gong Date Selection’ book says this about 巳 (si) days in the month of 戌 (Dog)：

So is it a good day or a bad day ?

To find true happiness, we have to find it in SomeOne who is not from "under the sun.". And that is our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
Lasting satisfaction doesn't come from possessing tangible things like savings account and material goods.

The writer of Ecclesiastes concluded that "all was vanity and grasping for the wind. There was no profit under the sun" Ecclesiastes 2:11

Every day - regardless of the weather or our circumstances - is a gift from God to be used for His glory. Psalm 118: 24 said " This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." In Psalm chapter 74 verse 16 records that God is sovereigns..... "The day is yours, and yours also the night; you established the sun and moon."

Ron Ash, an author said, "We are where we need to be and learning what we need to learn. Stay the course because the things we experience today will lead us to where He needs us to be tomorrow."

So remember WHEN GOD IS WITH YOU, EVERYDAY IS A GOOD DAY

Weeds of Life

Temptation is one of the most familiar experiences of the true child of God, but some seem to be tempted much more than others.

"Temptations are like Satan knocking at our heart and when we see him there we should let Jesus answer the door !"

Working in the flower beds always reminded us of the Christian life, where weeds in our spiritual life grow as quickly as weeds in our flower bed. So what are the weeds in our lives?

Galatians 5: 16-21 So I say, live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the sinful nature. For the sinful nature desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the sinful nature. They are in conflict with each other, so that you do not do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under law. The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

Recently, we have the priviledged to counsel and encourage a young couple facing a 'third party' crisis. Their problems started after the birth of their first son. Initially, it was lack of communication, then it was discontentment, frustation and resentment.

Dr Tim LaHaye, pastor of Scott Memorial Baptist Church lays down the six keys for marital happiness as Maturity, Submission, Love, Communication, Prayer and Christ.

Marriage is the place designed by God to brings the opposite sexes to complement each other. The daily parts and pieces of marriage do not automatically fall into place as loving and living with your partner takes daily determination and practice - and the giving of oneself for the good of the other. God planned for a man and woman to be more than mates - to be helpmates. Herein lies the secret of a happy marriage. The other secret is - Jesus Christ is the ONLY acceptable 'third party' in a marriage.

Galatians 5:22-26 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Hebrews 12:15 See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many.

YOU WON'T STUMBLE IN THE DARK IF YOU WALK IN THE LIGHT OF GOD'S WORD.

Dwell with Understanding

Marriage is a beautiful, exciting adventure when God is the unifying ingredient.
Today, I'll be married for 24 years to the same person. To my wife, you're the only one for me, through each joy and triumph, spat or fuss. You are the one available when I needed you most; and the one at time, doing what you don't feel like doing. You are the one that interceed for me when I am out of track. You are the one that can read my moods, or deal with all my attitudes. Whether I am all alone, or in a crowd, I know you'll always make me proud.

When I am sad, you will dry my tears; When I am scared, you will comfort my fear; When I am worried, you gave me hope; When I am confused, you help me to cope;

I can truly declared as Genesis 2:23 said, "This is now bone of my bones and flesh of my flesh; she shall be called 'woman, for she was taken out of man."

I have learned to appreciate your unique qualities and take the responsibility to understand you. With you in the house married life is interesting and it stretches our understanding for each others. Your patient understanding and loving tenderness have made our marriage an increasingly joyous experience. Your inner beauty, like your physical beauty, has improved through these twenty-four years.

The love you show throughout the years, and the kindness and the thoughtfulness in everything you do are things that will always mean far more that words can ever say. I'm thankful for the many things and dreams we share. You really makes my world a brighter place to live.

Peter wrote : Husbands, in the same way be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that nothing will hinder your prayers. [1 Peter 3:7]

I want you to know that I feel especially blessed by God to have a wife so dear like you HAPPY ANNIVERSARY with all my love.

James 1:17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

MARRIAGE THRIVES IN A CLIMATE OF LOVE AND RESPECT

World's Highest Paid Professions - Mother

Mother's profession can be categorized as a Research Associate in the field of Child Development and Human Relations. Their job is never done and it never will be until they finished their journey here. They are not paid much in terms of monetary but they are mainly rewarded emotionally. To most mothers, family time is the most important as it is a time of bonding. It is here where their children interact for information and advice.
Most of the efforts, sacrifices, and expressions of love our mother have given us are usually not recognized or appreciated but they are genuine.

Laura Prieto, an associate professor of history and women's studies in Boston said : Mothers Day was meant to be, and still is, an ideal of motherhood, when mothers were supposed to dedicate themselves to nurturing their children and making a cozy, safe home.

On this special day, may we thank God for the mothers who have molded our hearts. As we honour them, we fulfill the truth of Proverbs 31:28 - Her children rise up and call her blessed: Her husband also, and he praises her.

"A MOTHER WILL ALWAYS LOVE HER SON, NO MATTER HOW OLD HE IS"

##@@ H A P P Y M O T H E R' S D A Y @@##

POWER for Living

Every Christian is to grow spiritually. The following POWER acrostic will help you to remember the essential elements to spiritual progress.

PRAY. The Christian who wants to grow, communicates with God through prayer. He expresses his gratitude to Him, confesses his sins, and comes to Him with his requests for himsef and for others. God promises to be near to all who come to Him in prayer (Psalms 145:18)
OBEY. In John 14, Jesus said that our obedience to His commands is an indicator of our love for Him (v v 15, 21, 23). We can't do it in our own strength, however, that's one of the reasons He gave us the Holy Spirit (v v 16-17). As we yield to Him, the Spirit provides the power to walk in obedience (Galatians 5:16-25)
WORSHIP. A Christian's devotion to God is to be continuous. Privately, he should worship God in his thoughts and prayers (Psalms 34:1). Publicly, he should unite with fellow believers in a local assembly to bring praise to God (Psalm 111:1; Hebrews 10:24-25)
EVANGELIZE. The good news of the gospel is to be shared. As we tell others what Christ has done for us, we will find ourselves growing by spiritual leaps and bounds (Matthews 28:19-20).
READ. The most direct source of a Christian's spiritual growth is the Bible. It must be read regularly because it is his milk and strong meat (1 Peter 2:2; Hebrews 5:12-14). It tells us how to live (Psalms 119:105). It is God's word to us today.
[Extracted from Discovery Series - How Do You Live the Christian Life]

Day Trip To Padang Besar

On Labour Day, we gathered in front of Wisma Jelutong at 7-30 am before we journeyed to Seberang Jaya to picked up Micheal Ong and his family for our day trip to Padang Besar, a town bordering Perlis/Thailand.

Our bus of 44 [including the tour guide, Bro. Rodney] then journeyed to Sungai Petani for our breakfast. After breakfast, we continued our trip to Kota Kayangan Museum, located about 12 km from Kangar. The museum ground were once a palace under the reign of Sultan Dhiauddin Mukarram Shah (1661-1687). It displays archaeological relics as well as historical artefacts.

Before heading to Gua Kelam Recreational Park, a place tucked away in the town of Kaki Bukit, we stop to collect our lunch (Tua Pau). All of us gathered under some trees in Gua Kelam Recreational Park for lunch before continuing our exploration of Gua Kelam. Gua Kelam [Cave of Darkness] was famous for tin ore cave mining during the middle of last century. Historically, it got its name from the tin ore miners which uses carbide lamp to lighten the caves.

We arrived at Padang Besar, a quaint border town at about 2pm where we spent 2 hours shopping for food and clothing, handicraft as well as household items.
Before heading home to Penang, we detoured to Permatang Tengah, KhunThai Village Restaurant for an early dinner.

Praise God for a wonderful trip.

Kota Kayang Museum

the 'tua pau'

The 'curse' of modern life

Study : US students suffer from internet addiction.

American college students are hooked on cell phones, social media and the internet and showing symptoms similar to drug and alcohol addictions, according to a new study.

Researchers at the University of Maryland who asked 200 students to give up all media for one full day found that after 24 hours many showed signs of withdrawal, craving and anxiety along with an inability to function well wihout their media and social links.

But it seems to be an affliction of modern life. In one extreme example in South Korea reported by the media, a couple allegedly neglected their three months daughter, who died of malnutriction, because they were on the computer for up to 12 hours a day raising a virtual child.

[The Sunday Star dated 25 April 2010]

This 'curse' or addiction are essentially terms that have been applied to those that spend excessive amounts of time online at the expense of and to the detriment of other aspects of their lives.

So this 'curse' is real and to avoid this addiction why not get addicted to JESUS instead. Because only Jesus can fill any vacumn that you have in your life.

We should then cultivate the habits of growing in the Lord through the following :-

The Habit of Prayer as in Romans 12:12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.

The Habit of Study as in James 1:25 But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

The Habit of Fellowship as in Hebrews 10:25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Through all this habits, we can spent our time more fruitful and at the same time grow closer to be Christlike.

A Piece of Clay

Are you willing to be shape by God?
In Psalm 139, David describes God as fashioning his tiny body together in the darkness of his mother's womb. [verse 13]

Genesis 2:7 records the LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

Even as God have shaped us since we are in our mother's womb, let us continue to submit to Him, as he mould us daily in our walk with Him - like clay in the hand of the potter.

We need to regularly read the Bible and pray for the Holy Spirit to help us understand what it says? Nothing is more important than spending time with God each day to allow him to shape us into the person he wants us to be. There is no short cut to spiritual intimacy; ever Christian needs to cultivate a lifestyle of persistent prayer and intimacy with God.

Jeremaiah 18:6 "O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter does?" declares the LORD. "Like clay in the hand of the potter, so are you in my hand, O house of Israel.

How is your health, spiritually?

Spiritual health is not determined by how we look, but by how we live. It is not enough for us to talk about faith, we must live out our faith. The Lord calls us to be people of inner substance, not just outward appearance - thus we are to demonstrate the reality of His presence in us by an attitude of humility.

Psalm 139:23-24 records "Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Even as we ask God to search us, we need to humble ourselves as God reveal to us our attitude and behavior that need to be change.

Firstly, do not harbor any BITTERNESS, as bitterness only consumes the vessel that contains it. Secondly, avoid clinging to critical attitudes, and thinking too highly of oneself.

Mark 7:21-23 "For from within, out of men's hearts, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and make a man 'unclean.' "

If we allow God to controls our inside, then we will be genuine on the outside.

Warnings !!!

The law of the wise is a fountain of life, to turn one away from the snares of death. - Proverbs 13:14

God has provided us with "warnings" for our protection. The book of Proverbs is filled with warnings about evil and it encourages us to seek wisdom. In Proverbs 13, the principal author Solomon, provides God's instructions for His people to deal successfully with the practical affairs of everyday life.
verse 1 - advices us to heed the instructions and rebukes of our father while verse 3 reminded us to guard our mouth. Verses 7 to 11 cautious us not to occupied ourselves with materialistic things and avoid dishonesty.

In Joel 2:12-17, God used the prophet Joel to encourage His people to pay attention to the warning light on their spiritual life. Prosperity had caused them to become complacent and negligent in their commitment to the Lord. Their faith had degenerated into empty formalities and their lives into moral bankruptcy. So God sent a plague of locusts to ruin crops in order to get His people's attention, causing them to change their behaviour and turn to Him with their whole heart.

First John 1:9 reminds us : "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness."

TO AVOID GOING WRONG, FOLLOW GOD'S LEADING.

TO BUILD A GODLY LIFE, LET GOD BE THE ARCHITECT AND HIS WORD THE BLUEPRINT.

The Pursuit Of Happiness

Everyone is looking for happiness, and people follow many avenues trying to find it. They look for it in money, fancy cars, self-improvement programs, parties, luxurious homes, or promoting a cause.

That's a wrong list. The right one is found in Matthew 5. Jesus taught us that deep and lasting happiness comes from being right with God. He said we are blessed, or happy, when we are :
Poor in spirit - recognizing our desperate need for God.
Mourning - realizing the awfulness of sin and being genuinely sorry for it.
Meek - demonstrating self-control, even when we are mistreated.
Hungry and thirsty for righteousness - longing to be holy and pure.
Merciful - showing mercy to others, just as God shows mercy to us.
Pure in heart - being single minded and sincere in our devotion to Christ.
Peacemakers - sharing the peace Christ offers, and promoting peace with one another.
Persecuted - being willing to suffer for Jesus' sake.

Looking for happiness? Follow Jesus' way.
[Extracted from Our Daily Bread written by Dave Branon]

HAPPINESS DEPENDS ON WHAT YOU ARE, NOT ON WHAT YOU HAVE.

Training For Life

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. - 1 Timothy 4:7

Spiritual fitness takes much more than a relaxed approach to live a God-honoring life. In a culture marked by false teaching, along with extreme forms of self-indulgence and self-denial, Paul wrote : Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. [1 Timothy 4:7-8]

Our bodies and our minds are to be dedicated to God and prepared for His service (Romans 12:1-2). The goal is not spiritual muscle-flexing but godliness - a life that is pleasing to the Lord. Vigorous study of the Word, focused prayer, and bodily discipline are all part of the process. How well we train greatly affects how well we run our race of life.

GODLY EXERCISE IS THE KEY TO GODLY CHARACTER.

[Extract from Our Daily Bread - written by David McCasland]

Can You Hear God ?

John 10:4 .... and his sheep follow him because they know his voice.


Hebrew Chapter 12, verses 14 - 16 listed three main things that causes us to be separated from God - Bitterness, sexually immoral and godlessness. These three things causes us to be unholy; and when we are unholy, God cannot be near us and be with us. Leviticus 19:2 reminded us ..."Be holy because I, the Lord your God, am holy". Without holiness we cannot see the Lord and hear Him. [Hebrew 12:14]
If a Christian cannot hears from God, his life is without power.

If we are to hear God speaking to our hearts through His Word, we need to pull away from the noise of the crowd. Only when we learn to be quiet can we really understand what it means to commune with the God who cares for us.

To hear from God we need to be HOLY as God can only be found in HOLINESS.
To hear from God we must acknowledge that God is Almighty, thus we need to be HUMBLE.
To hear from God we need to have a HUNGER for HIM.

Psalm 66:18 If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened;

Proverbs 15:29 The LORD is far from the wicked but he hears the prayer of the righteous.

Proverbs 28:9 If anyone turns a deaf ear to the law, even his prayers are detestable.

Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God;......."

TO HEAR GOD'S VOICE, TURN DOWN THE WORLD'S VOLUME.
GOD SPEAKS TO THOSE WHO ARE QUIET BEFORE HIM

Web of Relationship

Mark 12:30 Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.

Spiritual maturity and success in Christian life are not results from how much we know about biblical facts and principles. It comes from loving one another in the same way Christ loved us. God made it clear that we can do this only if we 'abide' in Him [John 15:7]. This means we must stay close to Him through prayer, and that we will obey His commands [v10].

Our web of relationship must first extend to God [i.e vertically] and then to others [horizontally].
How do we extend our relationship to God, if not through prayer and communion. Relationship is build through conversation.

Prayer is the soul of man talking to God.

It should consist of at least four parts - A,C.T.S.
Adoration - Come, let us bow down in worship, let us kneel before the LORD our Maker [Psalm 95:6]

Confession - Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, "I will confess my transgressions to the LORD "— and you forgave the guilt of my sin. [Psalm 32:5]

Thanksgiving - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. [Philippians 4:6]

Supplication - I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone. [1 Timothy 2:1]

As our fellowship with the Lord in prayer and reading of His Words strengthen, this will extend our relationship towards our fellow brethens [1 John 1:3,7]

WHEN CHRISTIANS DRAW CLOSE TO CHRIST, THEY DRAW CLOSER TO ONE ANOTHER.

Fear of God

Ecclesiastes 7:17-19 Do not be overwicked, and do not be a fool— why die before your time? It is good to grasp the one and not let go of the other. The man who fears God will avoid all extremes. Wisdom makes one wise man more powerful than ten rulers in a city.

The first of our five Rukun Negara principles is to believe in God. Apparently, many have not fully lived their pledge. When we pledged that we believe in God, do we realise the enormity of those three little words? We go through life living for the here and now and are just overly concerned about material things but give little thought to our afterlife and the eternal.

When we believe in Him, we obey all His teachings faithfully. We also acknowledge the sovereignty and supermacy of God in all things. There are hypocrites who claim to believe in God. They pledge one thing but live their lives in opposition to what God wants.

A healthy fear of God will deter one from doing evil even when no one is watching.

Dr. C. I. Scofield defines 'fear of God' as 'reverential trust with a hatred of evil'. Fear of God means piety. It is used to expressed our religious duty towards God.

Job 1:1 In the land of Uz there lived a man whose name was Job. This man was blameless and upright; he feared God and shunned evil.

Let us pray that God will teach us to fear Him. Psalm 86 : 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and I will walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart, that I may fear your name. While Proverbs 15:16 reminds us "Better a little with the fear of the LORD than great wealth with turmoil." and Proverbs 19:23 The fear of the LORD leads to life: Then one rests content, untouched by trouble.

This thing called LOVE

Love - it's such a simple word yet it means a lot of different things, and varies from one person to the other. It has no age limit. People discover it at any age.

To a child, love could just be a cuddling from his parents or his loved one. But to the teenages, love could be spending time with his or her love one. To the elderly, love is everything.

A love that has stood the test of time is one built on trust, loyalty and respect.

Whatever love means to you, it does not matter. For love is universal.

But to God, love is sending His Son to died for our sin as John 3 : 16-18 recorded "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

1 John 4:9-15 This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us. We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God.

LOVE IS THE DOOR THROUGH WHICH WE PASS FROM SELFISHNESS TO SERVICE.

TRUE LOVE IS AN ACTION, NOT JUST A FEELING.

HAPPY VALENTINE to all lovers, couples and everyone.

Job's Principle

Job 2:10 He replied, "You are talking like a foolish woman. Shall we accept good from God, and not trouble?" In all this, Job did not sin in what he said.

The life of Job's is a constant communion with God. Even after God allow Satan to take away his material things [Job 1:13-17], his loved ones [Job 1:18-19], and his health [Job 2:7] he still worship God [Job 1:20] and praised Him. Job 1:21 "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised." The tragedies reduces him economically, physically and emotionally but Job still fear the Lord and has faith in God. [Job 5:8 & Job 13:15]

Satan argues that divine blessing elicit human obedience while Job's friend contend that obedience earns God's blessing and disobedience merits punishment. However, Job teaches that some suffers are saints, that God is always worthy of the love and worship of His creation, whether or not He bestows blessing upon them, and that God always has a purpose in permitting suffering, though one may never fully comprehend it.

The principle is not "Why do the righteous suffer if God is loving and all-powerful? Suffering itself is not the central theme; rather the focus is on what ones learns from his suffering - the sovereignty of God over all creation.

Philippians 4 : 10-13 I rejoice greatly in the Lord that at last you have renewed your concern for me. Indeed, you have been concerned, but you had no opportunity to show it. I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do everything through him who gives me strength.

Bare your love

Female students in higher learning institutes here are being persuaded not to wear panties on Valentine's Day as an expression of true love for their boyfriends. The "no panties promotion"to being held for the first time, has apparently being gaining interest among the students, who are passing the news by word-of-mouth. [The Star dated 29-01-10]

In loving relationships, people warn one another of the inevitable consequences of foolish behaviour. The fact is, when we love, we take risks. People could very well hurt us, disappoint us, or even leave us. We must ask ourselves, why do we do what we do? and, are our actions affecting other people life?

What a demeaning way to show ones love? Are women suppose to sell their reputation to show their love?

Sometimes conservatism has a higher value than liberalism, especially when it protects ones values and ensures ones reputation are unscathed.

Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

The best place to find love is not in another person but in a book, the Bible. The Bible tells of God's great love for us.

Smack of success

Young children smacked by their parents may grow up to be happier and more successful than those who have never been hit, a study has found.
According to the research, children smacked up to the age of six were likely, as teenagers, to perform better at school and were more likely to carry out volunteer work and to want to go to university than their peers who had never been physically disciplined.
Only children who continued to be smacked into adolescene showed clear behavioural problems, said Marjorie Gunnoe, professor of psychology at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
[Extracted from Sunday Times dated 10-10-10 reported by Georgia Warren]

The Bible recorded that a home cannot be happy without children but at the same time parents are to bring their children to the Lord at an early age. Matthew 19:13-14. Parents are also to train and discipline their children for the Lord as Proverbs 22:6 recorded Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it.

Proverbs 13:24 said He who spares the rod hates his son, but he who loves him is careful to discipline him.

Psalm 127:3-5 reminded us that Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him. Like arrows in the hands of a warrior are sons born in one's youth. Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them. They will not be put to shame when they contend with their enermies in the gate.

Even as we love our children we should also teach them to obey God and the laws of the country.

Life and Lifestyles of Godly Man

Matthew 5 : 3-12 "Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted. Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth. Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy. Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God. Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God. Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven." Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

As Christians, we are to honour God with our righteous character and morally correct conduct, which include adhering to the principles of love, peace and good neighbourliness, even to peoples whose faiths are different from ours. We should never resort to violent actions to promote, propagate or protect our faith as we believe that we are created in the image of God who is holy, loving, kind, compassionate, merciful and forgiving.
We also believe the governing authorities are appointed by God as part of his sovereign design to ensure the proper operation and functioning of the civil society.

We have been taught to submit ourselves to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established (Romans 13:1). Hence, we expect the authorities, to whom we pay tax (Matthew 22:21), to be just, fair, transparent, accountable, and be held responsible for our well-being.

In times of calamities, Christians need only to pray and trust God because He control everythings, as Matthew 8:25-27 recorded.

Metro Tabernacle's senior pastor Rev. Ong Sek Leang said the church did not condone such acts[arson attack] but would forgive those responsible. [The Star dated 09-10-2010]
Romans 12:21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

WE CAN STOP FORGIVING OTHERS WHEN CHRIST STOPS FORGIVING US.

Don't worry, Be Healthy

Matthew 6:28-29 "And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these".

See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not worry. They do not toil (which means to perform hard labour). They do not spin. The Lord uses the word 'spin' to refer to clothes. We do not need to toil or spin and God will still give us healthy bodies...

Do not worry. God knows what we need. The people in the world seek health and wealth but our heavenly Father knows our needs and we are not to get them as the world gets them as His Word says in Matthew 6 : 31-33 So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

Is it hard to seek His kingdom ? No. Luke 12:32 says, "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. So, how can we miss it when our Father gives it to us?

If we want things added to our life, then we need to seek His kingdom. What is God's kingdom ? Paul said that the kingdom of God ".... is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit" (Romans 14:17).

Once we have Jesus in our life, we will have righteousness. Peace and joy of God will then follows. When we are at peace, worry will not dwell within us.

THE SECRET OF PEACE IS TO GIVE EVERY ANXIOUS CARE TO GOD.

What are you seeking for ?

Matthew 6:33 But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

What are you seeking for as the new year starts? Gold or Glory? Health or Wealth?

People sometimes became so obsessed with making money that they did not form healthy relationships. This made them go through life without purpose or meaning, never satisfied with all they had worked for [Ecclesiastes 4:8]

To counter our natural tendency toward covetousness, Christ urged us to be rich toward God and to trust Him for all our needs. He commands us to "seek first His kingdom", and He promises that "all these things"(life's necessities) will be added to us [Luke 12:31]

Contentment must come from a source other than wealth and fame.

Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 Whoever loves money never has money enough; whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with his income. This too is meaningless. As goods increase, so do those who consume them. And what benefit are they to the owner except to feast his eyes on them? The sleep of a laborer is sweet, whether he eats little or much, but the abundance of a rich man permits him no sleep.

It is not material prosperity but "godliness with contentment" that the apostle Paul called "great pain" (1 Timothy 6:6)

God give us life to enjoy things But the world give us things to enjoy life.
CONTENTMENT COMES NOT FROM GREAT WEALTH BUT FROM FEW WANTS.

New Wine in New Wineskin

Luke 5 : 36-38 "No one tears a patch from a new garment and sews it on an old one. If he does, he will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the new wine will burst the skins, the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. [Matthew 9 : 16-18 & Mark 2:21-23]

Praise God - The theme "New Wine in New Wineskin" is going to be a good start for the year 2010.

New Wine because God is going to pour down new anointing so that we can have the courage and strength to continue His Great Commission. "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." [Matthew 28 : 18-20]

New Wineskin as in 2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Old thoughts, routine ways, normal standard are now God's thought, God's way and God's standard.

So let us trust God for the next 365 days of 2010. Let His Holy Spirit guide us and His Word lead us as Psalm 119:105 said "Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path."