Okay, scratch that idea. God has His reasons when He picks our leaders. Yes, He who turned the hearts of kings does rule the votes of Singaporeans in our age.
I know most people who will read this paragraph are, like me, too young to vote. However, remember the Singapore General Election 2011 concerns our future too - if the Lord wills us to remain in this land. Now, consider that the future of our country hinges not simply on voting citizens. The voter may wield his vote in any manner he would, be it with prudent wisdom, or foolishly picking a party at random, or perhaps in indecision spoils his vote. Yet this power to 'elect' is ultimately given by God above, and while man is responsible for using this power, victors have already been chosen by divine providence. Therefore it is the Lord's sovereign power which chooses and authorises the men who lead this nation.
The following devotion is brought to you by CH, Spurgeon. Apparently it was in the church weekly bulletin for the Lord's Day Meditation on the morning of July 17. (That was in 2009!) So I kept this devotion for almost 2 years to share it here, hopefully, according to God's timing.
~Timothy•
"Knowing, brethren beloved, your election of God." - 1Th 1:4
Many persons want to know their election before they look to Christ, but they cannot learn it thus, it is only to be discovered by "looking unto Jesus." If you desire to ascertain your own election; after the following manner, shall you assure your heart before God. Do you feel yourself to be a lost guilty sinner? Go straightway to the cross of Christ, and tell Jesus so, and tell Him that you have read in the Bible, "him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out." Tell Him that he has said, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Look to Jesus and believe on Him, and you shall make proof of your election directly, for so surely as thou believest, thou art elect. If you will give yourself wholly up to Christ and trust Him, then you are one of God's chosen ones; but if you stop and say, "I want to know first whether I am elect," you ask you know not what. Go to Jesus, be you never so guilty, just as you are. Leave all curious inquiry about election alone. Go straight to Christ and hide in His wounds, and you shall know your election. The assurance of the Holy Spirit shall be given to you, so that you shall be able to say, "I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed to Him." Christ was at the everlasting council: He can tell you whether you were chosen or not; but you cannot find it out any other way. Go and put your trust in Him, and his answer will be "I have loved thee with an everlasting love, therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." There will be no doubt about His having chosen you, when you have chosen Him.
"Sons we are through God's election,
Who in Jesus Christ believe."
Wednesday 27 April 2011
Monday 11 April 2011
what a coincidence! so..Spurgeon says..
HI KSers! I just did my daily devotions for Sunday :P before starting my work (*waves* to fellow midnight oil burners after this wonderful Sabbath/REST/Remember Christ- day :D) So, anyway, I think that Spurgeon's morning/evening text is rather apt for our last activity at Marina Barrage! :D AHOY!
Check this out before reading the devotion passage below! (which is..quite CHIM aye..)
Act 27:42 And the soldiers' counsel was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim out, and escape.
Act 27:43 But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land:
Act 27:44 And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land.
DONT you think that the soldiers resemble really nasty pirates? They seek to kill Paul, who is by definition, their prisoner..even though he has encouraged them to be of good cheer, prayed and thanked God in front of them for "feeding" them with meat and for bringing them safely to shore.. But, I am encouraged by the deeds of the centurion in verse 44, where in God's wonderful plan, He worked in his heart, that death did not fall unto the prisoners on that very day :) i.e. saved from death. So, don't give up as you are reaching out to others okay? He is with us always, and He'll act according to His will, in ways beyond our expectations, but for our good :) so here goes:
For there stood by me this night the angel of God.” (american standard version)
Acts 27:23
Tempest and long darkness, coupled with imminent risk of shipwreck, had brought the crew of the vessel into a sad case; one man alone among them remained perfectly calm, and by his word the rest were reassured. Paul was the only man who had heart enough to say, “Sirs, be of good cheer.” There were veteran Roman legionaries on board, and brave old mariners, and yet their poor Jewish prisoner had more spirit than they all. He had a secret Friend who kept his courage up. The Lord Jesus despatched a heavenly messenger to whisper words of consolation in the ear of his faithful servant; therefore he wore a shining countenance, and spake like a man at ease.
If we fear the Lord, we may look for timely interpositions when our case is at its worst. Angels are not kept from us by storms, or hindered by darkness. Seraphs think it no humiliation to visit the poorest of the heavenly family (possibly, US :), although we can be RICH in faith if we seek Him). If angel’s visits are few and far between at ordinary times, they shall be frequent in our nights of tempest and tossing. Friends may drop from us when we are under pressure, but our intercourse with the inhabitants of the angelic world shall be more abundant; and in the strength of love-words, brought to us from the throne by the way of Jacob’s ladder, we shall be strong to do exploits. Dear reader, is this an hour of distress with you? then ask for peculiar help. Jesus is the angel of the covenant, and if his presence be now earnestly sought, it will not be denied. What that presence brings in heart-cheer those remember who, like Paul, have had the angel of God standing by them in a night of storm, when anchors would no longer hold, and rocks were nigh.
“O angel of my God, be near, Amid the darkness hush my fear; Loud roars the wild tempestuous sea, Thy presence, Lord, shall comfort me.” |
Blessed week ahead my dear brethren!
PLEASE make an effort to come down to Newton for Bible study this coming SATURDAY! I am learning so so much, and there really is NO LIMIT to what you can learn from His wonderful word! and can you believe this, this is only a FRACTION that He has chosen to reveal to us, for we recall..O the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! so let us humble ourselves and not question Him wrongfully or before we can actually seek out every single thing that He wants us to know! have an appetite for His word, our spiritual bread :D
Thursday 7 April 2011
Just for...Viewing :D
since I've decided not to collage this...
I'd share this photo here.
this was taken during our 1st workshop session this year! Remember, the one conducted by Mark Chen?
I like this photo very much because.... it's one that speaks a thousand words. The facial expressions are classic. What are each one of them thinking? Could it be that the twins have "smelt" their surprise Birthday cake? and..why so Grumpy Asap? and..Rach, I'm beginning to think this is your permanent expression (check out the Notice Board -under construction- for MORE!) and Nat? well.. CLICK TO ENLARGE! it's essay-worthy :P
I'd share this photo here.
this was taken during our 1st workshop session this year! Remember, the one conducted by Mark Chen?
I like this photo very much because.... it's one that speaks a thousand words. The facial expressions are classic. What are each one of them thinking? Could it be that the twins have "smelt" their surprise Birthday cake? and..why so Grumpy Asap? and..Rach, I'm beginning to think this is your permanent expression (check out the Notice Board -under construction- for MORE!) and Nat? well.. CLICK TO ENLARGE! it's essay-worthy :P
well, that's all folks! :P
AHOY! ks outing coming right UP!
yooohoo!
wow I feel so zesty because of all the CAPS LOCK and Exclamation marks that punctuate the blog! :D
Let's start wrecking our brains and tell Song KIA (ahaha..who's this funny brightsalty person?!) what verses or biblical stories they were enacting! (I know! I remember!) Maybe, you'll get..more stickers, golden stars if you take the initiative to tell her? (no promises though) :D:D
Either way, remembering your memory verses is Way better and it secures you a GOLD *bling bling* star! and no, I am not sounding infantile, but I guess part of the joy and excitement is derived from the nostalgia that complements the gold-star collecting activity, Right?! :) One important thing that Joanna said was : can u imagine a time when you don't have your bible (or your handphone or laptop) with you, and you just wished there was some words of encouragement that you can get INSTANTANEOUSLY? well, I can :) that's when memory verses come into play.
alright, before I scoot off to 6pm class (yes I am in school typing psych and lit essays .....let's chiong ah! chiong together! exams coming! crunch TIME! asaph will update you more on study groups if it comes to fruition), I'd like to say..
JOIN US THIS SATURDAY at Marina Barrage! at the MRT, there is a shuttlebus kinda transport that will bring us to the place! So come on down, PUNCTUALLY! Dinner thereafter is optional, but it is recommended for fellowship :) ps. i think it's nice to eat together with fellow sweaty-friends then becoming the only sweaty one amidst others whom you might meet! Bring..umbrella/poncho..things you might want to sit on?..mini fan or anything that will bring you comfort :) and CASH for dinner, of course. Take care my fellow brethren! :) Any questions, just post it up and someone will answer. heh.
wow I feel so zesty because of all the CAPS LOCK and Exclamation marks that punctuate the blog! :D
Let's start wrecking our brains and tell Song KIA (ahaha..who's this funny brightsalty person?!) what verses or biblical stories they were enacting! (I know! I remember!) Maybe, you'll get..more stickers, golden stars if you take the initiative to tell her? (no promises though) :D:D
Either way, remembering your memory verses is Way better and it secures you a GOLD *bling bling* star! and no, I am not sounding infantile, but I guess part of the joy and excitement is derived from the nostalgia that complements the gold-star collecting activity, Right?! :) One important thing that Joanna said was : can u imagine a time when you don't have your bible (or your handphone or laptop) with you, and you just wished there was some words of encouragement that you can get INSTANTANEOUSLY? well, I can :) that's when memory verses come into play.
alright, before I scoot off to 6pm class (yes I am in school typing psych and lit essays .....let's chiong ah! chiong together! exams coming! crunch TIME! asaph will update you more on study groups if it comes to fruition), I'd like to say..
JOIN US THIS SATURDAY at Marina Barrage! at the MRT, there is a shuttlebus kinda transport that will bring us to the place! So come on down, PUNCTUALLY! Dinner thereafter is optional, but it is recommended for fellowship :) ps. i think it's nice to eat together with fellow sweaty-friends then becoming the only sweaty one amidst others whom you might meet! Bring..umbrella/poncho..things you might want to sit on?..mini fan or anything that will bring you comfort :) and CASH for dinner, of course. Take care my fellow brethren! :) Any questions, just post it up and someone will answer. heh.
Wednesday 6 April 2011
Monday 4 April 2011
KS Retreat 2010 Videos!!! :)
During KS Retreat last year, the last night's activity was for each group to put up a skit that relates to what they have learnt during the whole retreat... Here are the group's videos! :)
Asaph's group!
Ben Yeo's group!
More videos coming up soon! Meanwhile, you can find some on facebook! Please visit it at http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=146198612113163&oid=123995200996950#!/home.php?sk=group_123995200996950&ap=1...
Saturday 2 April 2011
King of all Kings, Sovereign over all Things (Oo..it rhymed!)
HEY KSers!
sorry for the slow update. Busy busy times, but still, some things must never be neglected. I did enjoy the workshop on WHY we should seek the Kingdom of God first! although we did not have an external speaker like Mark Chen as we had for the first of this series, I feel really blessed that God spoke through Timo and Joanna and we were able to learn together. The role-playing was HILARIOUS! such creative juices and of course, lame thoughts..the non-mechanic FACEbook computer screen; the human clock; the human bar graphs & talking chicken; the really young mother and equally young teacher who were both SO gentle..etc etc (our group's main character : NICK, was supposed to be Nick Carter from BackstreetBoys who quit the boyband eventually, because he was enough of all the expletives (*tuuuuut*) by the "cool group" and he listened to the TOOT girl about 2nd Timothy, chapter Two verse twenty-Two :)). But we kinda left that out.
Some of you might have been embarrassed to stand up and voice your "WHAT?" and "SO WHAT?" at the end of the workshop, but I really like how we all mustered courage and chipped in eventually! It was insightful and encouraging to hear what God has done in your lives and how you guys would want to glorify Him as the days go by. You didn't just speak for yourself, but you spoke for Him and you taught us all other possible routes in seeking His Kingdom in our daily lives. Thank you :)
Remember, He is our King, Master, Commander and Lord.
In every little thing (1Cor 10:31), glorify Him wholeheartedly and He will know, for He is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent! He deserves every bit... even in our eating habits, our thoughts, our studies, our facebook posts, let us encourage one another, obey His word and humbly seek to do our part in reaching out to our fellow man! Stand Up, stand up for...our dear Lord!
and last but not least, TRUST in him. Let us not simply pay lip services by saying "I have faith in You", but let us surrender all our cares upon Him. Do not be dismayed when things appear to be difficult, but once you share it with HIM first, and then your fellow brethren, TRUST that His wonderful plan will deal with it perfectly, in ways that are sometimes, beyond our limited human imagination. Let God be God.
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried" (2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 18:30)
oh yes, before I forget, DO JOIN US FOR NEXT SATURDAY's KS OUTING! :):)
I know that the church's Old Folk's home visit clashes with this, but do inform your CGLs if you're coming alright? it's at Marina Barrage, but more details will be posted soon! See you TMR!
sorry for the slow update. Busy busy times, but still, some things must never be neglected. I did enjoy the workshop on WHY we should seek the Kingdom of God first! although we did not have an external speaker like Mark Chen as we had for the first of this series, I feel really blessed that God spoke through Timo and Joanna and we were able to learn together. The role-playing was HILARIOUS! such creative juices and of course, lame thoughts..the non-mechanic FACEbook computer screen; the human clock; the human bar graphs & talking chicken; the really young mother and equally young teacher who were both SO gentle..etc etc (our group's main character : NICK, was supposed to be Nick Carter from BackstreetBoys who quit the boyband eventually, because he was enough of all the expletives (*tuuuuut*) by the "cool group" and he listened to the TOOT girl about 2nd Timothy, chapter Two verse twenty-Two :)). But we kinda left that out.
Some of you might have been embarrassed to stand up and voice your "WHAT?" and "SO WHAT?" at the end of the workshop, but I really like how we all mustered courage and chipped in eventually! It was insightful and encouraging to hear what God has done in your lives and how you guys would want to glorify Him as the days go by. You didn't just speak for yourself, but you spoke for Him and you taught us all other possible routes in seeking His Kingdom in our daily lives. Thank you :)
Remember, He is our King, Master, Commander and Lord.
In every little thing (1Cor 10:31), glorify Him wholeheartedly and He will know, for He is Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent! He deserves every bit... even in our eating habits, our thoughts, our studies, our facebook posts, let us encourage one another, obey His word and humbly seek to do our part in reaching out to our fellow man! Stand Up, stand up for...our dear Lord!
and last but not least, TRUST in him. Let us not simply pay lip services by saying "I have faith in You", but let us surrender all our cares upon Him. Do not be dismayed when things appear to be difficult, but once you share it with HIM first, and then your fellow brethren, TRUST that His wonderful plan will deal with it perfectly, in ways that are sometimes, beyond our limited human imagination. Let God be God.
"As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD is tried" (2 Samuel 22:31; Psalm 18:30)
His way is perfect, HIs way is perfect.
Though I don’t understand
His wise and loving plan,
His wise and loving plan,
His way is perfect. His way is perfect.
Take my life and make a vessel purified.
God makes no mistakes;
His way is best.
His way is best.
I know that the church's Old Folk's home visit clashes with this, but do inform your CGLs if you're coming alright? it's at Marina Barrage, but more details will be posted soon! See you TMR!
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