KSYF RETREAT 2017

KSYF Retreat 2017 is just round the corner! Have you signed up?

The Calling of a Student

Dear KSers, came across this and thought it would be a good read for us as students. Although the targeted audience is probably American youths (hence the terms 'high school' and 'college') going on to university, I think this article can still act as a timely reminder for any Christian student on what our calling should be!

The article below was written by David Noorman, a member of the Faith Protestant Reformed Church in Jenison, Michigan, who is currently attending the Protestant Reformed Seminary. The article has been taken from the Beacon Lights March 2014 issue. Beacon Lights is a magazine of the Protestant Reformed Young People.

~Song Jia

Students: What is your vocation? Have you made a career choice? Would you consider it your calling? If you are like the typical college student, your answer to that question likely is not a very confident one.

It is not unusual to consider the college years as a quest to find one's role in life. There are many questions that must be answered during that time. Should I major in Business? Biology? History? Am I meant to teach? Research? Run a business? The choices are endless and the decisions are intimidating. Even once a decision is made, the uncertainty may never quite go away. Students might settle on a major or a discipline, but what will they do with it? One way or another, the college student is faced with difficult decisions, with the future seemingly hanging in the balance.

Even if you find yourself in this situation - surrounded by the uncertainty of college, waiting to find your way to your true calling - put aside the tough questions about the future for just a moment. Forget about whether you should drop your organic chemistry class or pick up another Spanish class. Stop worrying about whether you want to go with a marketing or finance concentration. Just ignore, for a moment, that you're really not sure why you're taking that one (terrible) class. The time to answer these questions will come, but there is a more pressing issue at hand.

Let's look at the vocation of the student in a broad sense of the word. Do college students have a vocation, or a calling, even in the limbo of the college years? In some ways, not really - yet. But even at this very moment, in the midst of all the uncertainty of course withdrawals, major changes, and career-altering decisions, the answer is absolutely yes.

In the academic sphere of life, students are called to use their talents to the best of their abilities. "Whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men." (Col 3:23). Do your work well. Prepare for your classes (Make sure you go to class!). Try to do more than just good enough. Do it heartily, as to the Lord!

This is easier said than done. I'll be the first to admit it. After meeting on the first day of class and taking a quick look at the syllabus, the temptation is to see just how many classes and assignments you can skip without drastically affecting your grade. But that is the attitude of men-pleasers. As children of God, we ought to try to live up to a higher standard - even higher than the course requirements on the syllabus - the standard of the Lord.

Another important aspect of taking the college life seriously is developing the skills required to learn. Learn how to read. To listen. To take notes. To study. To persuade. To critique. These are life-long skills that every Christian should develop throughout life and will undoubtedly use throughout life. The years you spend going to school - high school, college, or beyond - are great opportunities to develop those skills.

The vocation of a college student relates to life in the church. Even though students are in some ways waiting to enter the "real world", believing students are never waiting to be a part of the body of Christ. Each student has a role, a calling both in the church universal and in your local congregation. Despite the uncertainty of the college years, a child of God does not enter a state of limbo in the life of the church. The gifts of the student, both now and later, are a valuable part of the body of Christ.

There are other reasons to take part in the life of your church. Not only do you have gifts that can be used for the benefit of the body, but other members of the church will also have their own gifts and talents to help you. To withhold yourself from the life of the church is to forfeit the benefits that others may have to offer to you as a student. Attend Bible studies and discussion groups - see what you can learn about God and about life. Have conversations with other members of your congregation (especially the older ones). You'd be surprised at the wisdom and guidance that they will be able to offer you at this point in your life.

Though in many ways the college years are a search for a vocational identity, there is one identity that is always sure for the believer - his identity in Christ as a child of God. "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God" (1 John 3:1). Our calling as children of God is a daily, life-long calling to live a life of thankfulness. It does not begin with graduation or your first real job; the calling to serve our God is always with us. No matter what it is you might be doing in this life, and whatever answers you find to all those mind-numbing, future-determining college decisions, don't ever neglect that most important calling - the calling to serve the Lord.

CNY Visitation Recap

Recap of what we learnt during CNY visitation last Sat:

(1) At Josiah's house
As God's people, we are a spiritual community (Greek word 'koinonia' [Acts 2:42]), which
- is founded upon our common union with Jesus Christ
- has a common goal: to glorify God in our worship and proclamation of the Gospel
- demonstrates our common love for one another in our sharing of both spiritual and physical blessings with each other.

(2) At Alethea's & Athan's house
Psa 127:1-3
While the world attributes their success to hard work and/or luck, we Christians look to God to bless the work of our hands. Duty is ours, outcome is the Lord's.

KS-KSS Retreat 2013: Shining for Christ in a Time of Darkness

The annual KS RETREAT draws nearer and nearer! Have you booked 23-27 Dec (5-day camp again!!!) on your calendar yet? 

Registration has opened, so do head down to the booth in the carpark after service! There is an early bird discount if you sign up early (with payment)! The camp committee says, "Our accommodation limit is about 40. If however you sign up on time, we are able to make appropriate arrangements for more. Signing up late might mean we are unable to accommodate you (making you a day camper) or you might sleep on the floor in a sleeping bag."

And indeed, it will be completely different because this year it'll be a combined retreat with KSS! Look forward to a time of bonding with the older youths in church! :D

Fear God or Fear Man?

The following is an excerpt taken from a pamphlet created by SYFC (Singapore Youth For Christ) in a series called 'Age of Opportunity'. As it is addressed to parents, I've adapted it so that it addresses us youths.

Do you know the way peer pressure works and the way the pressured responds?

1) Numbers usually win. The more people there are to persuade you, the more easily you will 'accept' what they say.

2) Giving in is the safest (or easiest). Most often, we choose the way of least resistance.

3) Cite no choice as excuse. In Exodus 32:21-24, Aaron insisted he was in no position to argue or turn the situation around.

4) Put the blame on others.

We, teenagers are easily susceptible to peer pressure because we are in the process of taking over the reins of managing their relationships from our parents. When we are young, parents determine who we spend time with. However, as teenagers now, we seek to distinguish our individuality while wanting acceptance from peers, so we are highly sensitive to how others view us and if we are accepted or rejected.

In this transition is much insecurity - we fear how others will view our true self and so will adapt to what we think are acceptable to others. We need to counter this fear or man, by going to God who can change our hearts to fear Him. "O fear the LORD, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him." Psalm 34:9 shows us that when God is the one we live for, the one we seek to please, we will be fulfilled.

We need to treasure God's acceptance over man's acceptance such that we can choose to do what is right over compromising our values to gain friends. Practically, we are to see how we may relate our choices and values to our friends. For example, we can learn how to say no graciously and thus maintaining the friendships will go a long way. While we do not want to be influenced negatively, we hope that we can be the positive influence to our friends. What better way than to share with our friends the hope we have in the gospel!

May we constantly pray that we can rise above peer pressure to do what pleases the Lord. :)

~Song Jia

KS RETREAT 2012 draws nearer and nearer! Have you booked 18-22 Dec (5-day camp!!! :o) on your 

calendar yet? 

Registration will be opening soon in September, so do look out for it! More details (including the theme) will be coming your way soon :) 

KS RETREAT 2012 :D

Official Announcement:


KS Retreat 2012 will be held from 18 - 22 December (Tue - Sat). More information will be coming your way in the coming months. Please inform your parents, siblings, grandparents, uncles, aunties, cousins, nephews, nieces, teachers, classmates, dogs, cats, hamsters, fish, birds, airlines, travel agents, teachers, principals, HODs, CCAs etc. to avoid any conflicts in your schedule. Thank you.

The Rare Jewel

" Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content."
- Philippians 4:11


Paul, the holy apostle of Christ, speaks thus of himself: that he has learned, or rather, has had to learn, to be content. It is learned, for it is not something natural. We all have to learn this skill of contentment by the Word of God and the Spirit's help. This contentment I speak of is specifically Christian contentment, a jewel with which only Christians can be adorned. 


Jeremiah Burroughs (1599-1646) was an English puritan preacher who possessed in his character two seemingly contradictory traits: a fervent zeal for purity of doctrine and worship, and a peaceable spirit. He was outstanding among his fellows in the latter. He wrote the book "The Rare Jewel of Christian Contentment", a most worthy textbook of the uninspired kind (meaning apart from the Bible) on this subject. He did not add an "Epistle to the Reader" as puritan writers like John Owen or John Flavel do, providing glimpses of the author's heart and mind as he presents his discourse to the reader, telling of the motivations of his writing. Doubtless, though, Burroughs had intended to instruct fellow saints who were downcast during the "sad and sinking times" (in his own words) in which they lived. He saw how a contented Christian could scarcely be found, hence the title of his book. I will draw mainly from his book.


We must begin with a definition of what Christian contentment is. I find it meet to quote Burroughs in full: Christian contentment is that sweet, inward, quiet, gracious frame of spirit, which freely submits to and delights in God's wise and fatherly disposals in every condition. Notice it is inward, and not merely an outward calm that remains undisturbed whatever befalls. For it is a very easy thing to achieve, without any learning, to by sheer violence of will restrain outward manifestations of discontentment, while murmurings are festering inside the heart. "Truly my soul waiteth upon God" (Psalm 62:1), your soul must be at peace. It was an easy thing to appear calm when the dismissal time in BMT was continually pushed back and my platoon mates grumbled incessantly, but it was a difficult thing to control my own grumblings inside. Notice too that to be content, one must freely submit to and delight in God's wise and fatherly disposal in every condition. It is not only submission to God's hand, saying with a disgruntled spirit, "this is the Lord's will, He will do as He pleases." but a submission made freely and delightfully, " Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." - (Philippians 4:4). We have to have this joy in the Lord always. It is easy to say that something is of the hand of God when it profits us, but what about when it is something unpleasant? When the stress of examinations was overwhelming me and my results were sub-optimal, I could hardly rejoice in the Lord, for I had not learned contentment. It hardly entered into my mind to see this as from the hand of God, and part of His loving dispensations towards me. Hence, I could not freely and delightfully submit to His disposals.


Very well then, so much for what contentment is, but is it so big an issue? It certainly is. Consider the words of Jude 14-16: " And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, To execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of all their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him. These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in admiration because of advantage." hard speeches spoken against God, murmurers, complainers. These are among the sins that are especially highlighted. What kind of spirit gives rise to these? A spirit of discontentment. Murmuring is a sin of great ungodliness, for it is rebellion against God. It is contrary to the worship of God that is in contentedness. In the worship of God we humbly bow before Him, and declare Him Lord, but in murmuring in our hearts we tell God that He has not done for us as He ought. Must God indeed give you good success? Must He grant you to fulfill the lusts of your heart? Must He make you free from the obligations of school or work? If in any condition we murmur in our hearts, we are accusing God of withdrawing His love (which is eternal) from us. Consider the murmurings of the children of Israel in the wilderness, and the judgment of God upon them.


Ah, some may say, you do not know what a terrible condition I am in, and you tell me to be content! You can most certainly talk about contentment when you are having peace. But be in my place, and you would not be talking about contentment at all. To such I would reply, that holy Scripture tells us to be content, and therefore all are bound to this. We all go through our own sad and sinking times, but even the darkest pits of hell on this side hell cannot excuse us from this duty. The duty to be content is upon us both in good times and bad. When I had to leave church early on the Lord's Day because the army forced me to, I knew I had to be content. No matter how much I was displeased at it, I had to delight myself in the Lord.


As you may now already know, it is a very difficult thing to be content, or else we would not have to learn it. So how may we learn it? By Scripture, and by a proper, Spirit-guided reasoning from the truths thereof. Burroughs gave many directions to the attainment of Christian contentment, I shall here only mention a few, particularly those which I have found most helpful to me in my current difficulty, and I trust that they will be helpful to you too.


The first is to consider the greatness of the mercies of God which He bestows upon us, particularly our salvation and the many spiritual blessings. " Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits:" (Psalm 103:2) Remember His abundant goodness to us in every way, consider how His mercy faileth never. How can we be discontented with lacking what the ungodly can have, when we already have what they cannot have? "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:" (Ephesians 1:3) How ashamed we should be, if we vex ourselves over vain things when we have God as our inheritance! Do not we as Christians already possess so great a treasure? He has blessed us in heavenly places. Should we be angry at losing earthly things, which are so lowly and insignificant in comparison? In my life I have known some losses and wants, some of which put me in a state of depression. We all go through some of this. But why must we cry over losing a few dollar bills when we have a full vault of gold?


The next direction is to consider our lowliness, and how much we deserve to suffer and die. We are so lowly. What are we compared to the glory of God? We are mere mortals, we are weak, and our lives are fleeting moments. We are sinful and rebellious against God by nature. How great is the magnitude of grace God shows towards us by not utterly destroying us! And dare we now be discontented with our conditions, seeing we still have breath? "For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust." (Psalm 103:14) See how Scripture describes us. We are dust. Do you treasure dust? I think not. Yet the Lord takes pity on us in our ever-so-mean conditions, the problem being we do not see it, and think He ought to do more for us. Let us be like Mephibosheth, who said to David, "What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?" (2 Samuel 9:8) Many times in my work I feel so helpless against the winds and waves that toss and buffet, but I remember how I do not at all even deserve to be alive, and that it is ridiculous to be complaining when I am not in hell.


The third direction is to see God's hand of love in everything He makes us go through. We all know what Romans 8:28 says. But do we truly appreciate the meaning of "all things"? Not some things, not most things, but all things. The flood of assignments to finish, the ridicule you suffer for being a Christian, the loss of a gadget you rely on, not being able to be with the guy/girl you like, and so on. Anything and everything that happens to a child of God is going to contribute in some way to his or her final good. That is the precious promise of Scripture, and it is because of God's love for us that He makes all things work out for our good. Seeing this, how can we be murmuring against God in doing something for us out of love? It is difficult to see how a trial can be sent our way because of love. But on this matter, Scripture already tells us why trials are valuable (James 1:2-4). See then how gracious God is, by giving us reason after reason in Scripture to trust in Him and delight in Him. Murmuring on our part, therefore, should be inexcusable.


A final consideration I would include here, is that we have a sure insurance in heaven. Insurers pay us a sum of money (under certain conditions) when we suffer losses against which we are insured, like houses or cars, even parts and functions of our body. Christians have a full insurance, which is in heaven. All losses we suffer here on earth will be more than made up in heaven. "This world is not my home, I'm just a passin' through. My treasures are laid up somewhere beyond the blue." Think about the words of this familiar song I quoted here. We have treasure in heaven, it will pay for all. What good can we possibly lose here that will not be repaid in heaven? An eternity in the presence of God awaits us, free from all evil, all sin, all sorrow! Will you then be discontented with your current state, as if this will be your lot forever? But a little while, and we shall pass through the gates of pearly splendor, into an eternity of joy. "For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;" (2 Corinthians 4:17)


There is yet so much more to be said about this weighty subject, but I trust that this will suffice. I pray that the Lord would help us to learn this skill of contentment, especially in this age of abundance, where people expect much comfort and are apt to show their displeasure at the slightest of trivialities. I trust that you will find contentment to be indeed a very precious jewel, when you meet with sad and sinking times of your own.


"Do all things without murmurings and disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;" - Philippians 2:14-15

Written by: Asaph

New songs!

Dear KSers, in lieu of the past church camp, the songs in the playlist (found at the bottom of this blog) are songs taken from the camp booklet. Hope you enjoy listening to them! :)

If there is any song you find awful and would like it to be taken out, or any other song that you would like to here, please do comment on the tagboard at the side :)

Have a blessed day!

By this we know He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.

Find a friend, and pray for one another!

Read 1John 3:23 - 4:13 together.

There are many ‘spirits’ in this world which oppose the Spirit of truth: these are teachers and teachings which reject Jesus Christ as Lord. We encounter them frequently, not only in religions and cults which openly declare that Jesus Christ is not the Son of God, but also in worldviews and ideologies which subtly deny the need for us to believe on Jesus Christ

• What spirits of error have you encountered?
• In trying to follow the example of the prophets, we will encounter false prophets. Do you ‘test the spirits’ by the Word of God? Are you certain of the truth revealed in the Bible?

We are reminded of Jesus’ command for us to love one another, the reason being that love is from God, and because God is love. The hallmark of any Christian body should be love. If we abide in Christ’s love by loving one another, we can be sure that the Holy Spirit abides in us too.

• It is not good enough to know the truth, but we must let our light shine through ‘our acts of love and deeds of faith* ‘. Have we been doers of the Word?
• Do we abide in Christ, and He in us?

God’s love was manifested when Jesus Christ gave His life so that we might live. He said, ‘Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends’ and did it! No other religion or ideology has a founder who did such a thing.

God has given us the Spirit of truth – we do not have to fear other belief systems. Elisha only said, ‘those who are with us are more than those who are with them’. Since the Holy Spirit was given to the church at Pentecost, John could write, ‘He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.’

Note that only those who belong to God will hear the truth. So let us not be disappointed if our evangelism appears to be fruitless at times, as it is only natural for sinful man to reject the truth. Yet they still need to hear it, because they will not find the love of God anywhere else in the world.

1. Pray that God will send the Spirit of truth to convert hearts, and bring them to repentance and faith in Christ Jesus.
2. Pray that our faith may be strengthened.
3. Pray for one another.

* Phrase taken from the song ‘Speak O Lord’.

This is part of a series of prayer guides which was originally written by Timothy for a christian fellowship, to be used when groups of two or three would meet to share and pray. The idea is to hear God speak to us through His word first, and afterwards we speak to God in prayer. It is reposted here in case anybody would like to use it like a devotional, and to encourage us to pray together. Bear one another's burdens in love; cast all your care upon God, for he cares for you.

"Abide in My love"

Find a friend, and pray for one another!

Read John 15:1-17 together.

If we belong to Christ, then we must grow in Him. Just as how a branch of the vine depends on the root to supply water and nutrition, so we must depend on our Lord for grace. This dependence is total, for without Christ, we can do nothing.

• Do we realize that everything we have comes from God? Are we humbled by this?
• The result of abiding in Jesus Christ is that we will bear fruit in our lives, for the glory of God the Father. Do we share this purpose? Then God will answer our prayers.
• Here is a warning that we do not cease to be fruitful, lest God punish us in eternal fire. Since we were, undeservedly, ‘grafted’ into the church, we are to be useful servants of Jesus Christ. Are we ungrateful sometimes, when we forget to honour God? Ask for forgiveness.

For us to abide in the love of Christ, we must obey His commandments. What wonder it is, then, that He gives but one simple commandment: to love one another just as He has loved us! Jesus would go so far as to lay down His life for us, while we were enemies, to make us His friends.

• Likewise, our love should be unconditional – since love covers a multitude of sins. Do we freely forgive our brothers and sisters too? Do we love our neighbour as ourselves?

What privilege it is for us that the Son of God should call His servants friends! Yet even the apostles still called Him Lord, and we should too. For although we now we have peace with God, we recognise that we were chosen out of love. Yea, we had to be redeemed by Jesus’ blood before we could bear fruit; therefore we are forever indebted to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

There is not another government or religious system which is so thoroughly grounded in love. Jesus would have His kingdom founded upon love. As we remember the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ this month, let love become the motivation of our evangelism.

In conclusion, Jesus commanded us to love so that our joy may be full. Rejoice, for we are saved! Rejoice, for if we abide in His love, God will give whatever we ask in Jesus’ name. Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.

1. Pray in thankfulness to God: He loves us, and has given us everything we need, most of all salvation through Jesus Christ.
2. Pray that we might always speak the truth in love.
3. Pray for one another.

This is part of a series of prayer guides which was originally written by Timothy for a christian fellowship, to be used when groups of two or three would meet to share and pray. The idea is to hear God speak to us through His word first, and afterwards we speak to God in prayer. It is reposted here in case anybody would like to use it like a devotional, and to encourage us to pray together. Bear one another's burdens in love; cast all your care upon God, for he cares for you.

“LORD, open his eyes that he may see.”

Find a friend, and pray for one another!
  

Read 2 Kings 6:8-23 together.

God wrought many miracles through his prophet Elisha. In this particular account, we find a glimpse of the war between Israel and Syria, when events led to an army of Syrians becoming blinded upon a word spoken by Elisha.

• Notice first, how the life of the king of Israel was protected by the prophecy of God, as long as he obeyed it. When we feel anxious, do we also turn to God’s word?

Elisha’s servant was scared out of his wits when the Syrians surrounded the city. Yet Elisha prayed for his eyes to be opened, and the servant saw the awesome power of God’s angelic army.

• Sometimes we feel trapped by our struggles in life: although our lives are rarely at stake, do we entrust ourselves to God, believing that if God is for us, none can be against us?
• Elisha already had a calm confidence in God’s power to save, but he wanted his servant to have that comfort too, and so he prayed for his servant. Let us strive to follow Elisha’s example, and always be willing to pray for those who are in distress.

The second time Elisha prayed for eyes to be opened, it was for the Syrians. How we ourselves were like them, when our eyes of faith were first opened! We saw God’s almighty power to destroy us, and trembled at his righteous judgement. Yet, just as how the Syrians were shown mercy, God had mercy upon us, and forgave us by the blood of Jesus Christ. So we too are set free, howbeit not to return to our old master, but to serve our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.
~

For it is written in Colossians 1 that the Father has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins … And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of his flesh through death … if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel.

1. Pray, giving thanks to God for salvation.
2. Pray for our friends (if not ourselves) who are struggling to believe or are still unbelievers, that their eyes might be opened so that they may see the light of the gospel.
3. Pray for one another.

This is part of a series of prayer guides which was originally written by Timothy for a christian fellowship, to be used when groups of two or three would meet to share and pray. The idea is to hear God speak to us through His word first, and afterwards we speak to God in prayer. It is reposted here in case anybody would like to use it like a devotional, and to encourage us to pray together. Bear one another's burdens in love; cast all your care upon God, for he cares for you.

Hey KSers!

To relieve memories of the past KS retreat 2011, I've added some songs from the camp booklet to the blog. Couldn't add all, cos some weren't very recognized songs, but hope they bring back the times of SYLO together in the evenings. As you hear 'Onward Christian Soldiers',  be reminded of the school anthem and the school pledge! Shine for Him as a student! :)

P.S. These songs will only be up for a month.

The 'issues' of life!

Hullo everyone! I hope you have been keeping your heart with all diligence..

Anyway, this is the announcement:

Dat KS MEGAzine 2011 Issue 2 is out!

Distribution has begun. This time, it's free, so you don't have to find $2 from somewhere. That also means that anyone else can take a copy, so grab yours while stocks last!

~Timothy

Sola Scriptura

God’s Word is the only foundation of our faith – no other text has the same authority, and certainly not the words of the Pope. Through the ages, Christians have often been martyred because they treasured God’s Holy Word, and it is this same Word that churches should teach in its entirety.
 

(this tract is typed by Timothy, because the Holy Spirit overcame his writer's block)
 

What is the Bible to us? It is more than just another religious document, isn’t it? Yes! The Bible is aptly named so, a Book of Books, written by more than thirty faithful authors moved by the Holy Spirit ^[a]. The fact that men from different time periods, cultures, languages, and social status could put together such a consistent collection of works is almost unbelievable. Unless, of course, they were working under the direction of God.

 

In His wisdom, God chose to present the Bible to us with all its historicity. Through it He reveals Himself to us. The passages in scripture tell of His mighty deeds, they tell of His ways, and above all, they tell of His love. The Bible is a love letter from God to His people! In it we discover ourselves – the wretched sinner that we are; in it we learn about Jesus’ love, and how believing in His death and resurrection allows us to come to God. To the unbeliever the Bible offers good news, and then to the unrepentant judgement is promised. No other book in the world describes the reality of life and death as the Bible does.

 

God’s Word is sufficient, nothing more, nothing less

Throughout history, the devil had attempted to alter scripture. As the father of lies, he sows doubt against the authority of God’s Word. His very question to Eve, in the garden of Eden, began with the phrase “Did God say .. ?” The Bible strictly warns us to reject any attempt to change God’s Word. Moses, the author of the first five books, wrote^[b], “Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it.”  John the Apostle echoed this in the last chapter of Revelations^[c].

 

In the days before the Reformation, the authority of the scriptures had been reduced. God’s holy word was augmented by Papal decrees and the decisions of Councils. The Apocrypha – uninspired works of man – were the foundation of unbiblical doctrines such as Purgatory and Prayers for the Dead.

 

In our age, there have also been attempts to add to the Bible. Joseph Smith, founder of the Mormons, claimed to be a prophet and wrote a few books – he tried to supersede the canonized scriptures. In certain churches, the Bible is treated as an outdated book, where presumptuous prophecies and dreams are supposed to supplement it. 

 

More common are attempts to take out, or ignore, parts of scripture which do not agree with man’s philosophy. People have produced Bible versions by taking out what they do not like: the Jehovah Witnesses have pulled out verses describing the trinity, and other groups have made ‘gender-neutral’ versions. No! The Bible is above man’s ideas. Similarly we cannot throw out Genesis chapter 1 to 11 because secular science denies it. We must not flip over passages which tell of severe punishment upon the wicked, even if we are uncomfortably reminded of God’s justice – otherwise what would we need saving from?

 

The Apostle Paul was bold to declare the whole counsel of God ^[d]. Therefore we must treasure every part of the Bible. Do we ourselves commit the sin of undermining scripture? Let us examine ourselves, do we ignore verses which go against our own ‘personal preferences’? We commit sin twice over if by reading a verse we are pricked in our hearts and still refuse to repent. May God grant us the courage so that we are not only hearers of His Word, but doers too.

 

Every Christian a student of the Bible

Be very grateful for the English Bible which you have. It was difficult for learned men in the 16^th century to translate the scriptures. The Roman Catholic church at that time insisted that the general public was not to read the Bible, because they would misunderstand it. Monasteries and churches only kept Latin Bibles, and thus the common folk were unable to read it. Now a man by the name of William Tyndale had a desire to translate the Bible so that any farmboy in England could read it. By God’s grace, he finished this work, and soon after he was executed (strangled while he burned at the stake). His execution was followed by many others – the authorities searched for anyone who possessed a copy of his translated Bible. Yet God caused the light of His Word to keep shining, so that now more copies of the Bible has been printed than any other book in history.

 

The concept that anyone has a right to read the Bible was not new, of course. Luke wrote^[e] of the Bereans, who tested and proved the gospel, having “searched the scriptures daily”. The Bible is meant to make sinners wise unto salvation^[f]: Recall the story of the rich man and Lazarus, where Abraham told^[g] the rich man that his surviving brothers could avoid hell by hearing ‘Moses and the prophets’ (i.e. the old testament).

 

If God meant for any literate man to read the Bible for himself, then surely scripture must be clear enough so that the layman can understand it and thus accept Christ. This is true! Where it comes to salvation, the Bible could not be clearer, “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9). We do not need to be a priest to understand that.

 

Now I am going to assume here that my readers learnt to read in school, and therefore you know what it means to be a student. Since God has revealed Himself in Christ, the Word ^[h], do you cherish the truth of the Bible by placing it above all other readings? If you believe in Christ, then the Holy Spirit dwells in you and He gives you the ability to understand it ^[i]. Do you thus prioritise your study of the Bible? Will you be a student of the Bible?

 

References

• A.      2Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
• B.      Deuteronomy 4:2 Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you.
• C.      Revelations 22:18,19 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:  And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
• D.      Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.
• E.       Acts 17:10,11 And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews. These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
• F.       2Timothy 3:15  And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
• G.     Luke 16:29 Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.
• H.      John 1:14 And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth.
• I.        1Corinthians 2:11,12 For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Adressing ANGER

The following is an excerpt taken from a pamphlet created by SYFC (Singapore Youth For Christ) in a series called 'Age of Opportunity'. As it is addressed to parents, I've edited it a little so that it addresses us youths.

The reasons we teens give for our anger or angry expressions are to some degree valid (except the last one listed below)
1. Unreasonable authorities
2. No freedom to make decisions for themselves
3. Inconsistency of adults
4. Parents showing preferential treatment or double standards
5. Having too much to handle, unable to cope
6. AFter a bad day and yet those around are not sensitive
7. People trying to help when they don't know the problem or that they've not heard the whole story or give simplistic solutions
8. Having to clean up the mess that others made
9. When people are rude and inconsiderate
10. God made them with an angsty nature

The problem arises when anger leads to sin. When we are angry, we are in danger and highly vulnerable to do wrong - which is why Ephesians warns us not to "give the devil an opportunity"...

Despite the danger, Paul says it is possible to choose not to sin. Even if one has done wrong, he must change and do good - sharing what he has with others, and edifying those to whom he speaks.

A second danger is holding on to the anger. Paul says "do not let the sun go down on your anger". While we disapprove of Jonah's petty anger, so often, when we ourselves are angry, similar words like "I'm so angry I could die" creep in. THey may not be said aloud but they are repeated in our minds...Anger unchecked can eat away at the heart, affecting the wellbeing of a person as bitterness, wrath and rage develop. We want to "seek justice". The malice of seeing harm come to others surfaces. THese Paul says the believers must work to rid themselves of.

To let go of the anger, Paul turns us to the gospel of forgiveness. The next time the phrase "I'm so angry I could die" comes up, learn to let go of the anger by realizing the Christ has already died ( we don't have to die anymore) so that God's anger against sin is turned away. Since God has forgiven us in CHrist, we can also forgive the hurts we receive, and not fall into sin, from which Christ has redeemed us.

This is all well and good theologically but how do we practically work it out?

Here are some tips...
. Recognize and admit when we are angry.
. Practice restraint...don't react immediately...Replace angry words with gentle words - "A gentle answer quiets anger, but a harshw ord stirs up anger" Proverbs 15:1
. Look at how we are coping with our anger - whether we are repressing (which hurts ourselves) or expressing (wrongfully hurting others). There are people who suggest that the anger be directed to punching pillows or shouting it out, but these methods do not resolve the problem. Work towards resolving the root of the anger...
. Pray...ask God to help us determine whether our anger is righteous or unrighteous. Is our anger motivated by righteous anger or unrighteous, selfish anger? When our anger springs from selfish desires, we use anger as a weapon to manipulate, to get what we want. Throwing tantrums or flying into a rage can be very effective in getting others to bend to what we want, but it is absolutely wrong.
. ...tell God how we honestly feel and ask for His help.
. Work out practically how to use our anger to solve the problem quickly and in a godly and loving way.

A post about God's Tests amidst our academic tests and assignments. YAY!

Dear all :)

Before I begin with the message, I would like to congratulate those who have been through most of their papers by trying their best given the circumstances. I also encourage the rest to press forward! :) Remember, He would never give us a burden too heavy for you to bear, and that His grace is sufficient for thee. His strength is made perfect in your weakness. (2Cor12:9) WOAH. Which is more important? (God’s strength/Glory!)

 Don’t beat yourself up badly (figuratively, or maybe for some, literally!) if you feel overly lousy and inadequate. More importantly, don’t dwell on it for too long, that your mind becomes clouded from God’s purpose for you at the present moment. Move on, seek God in prayer and be resolved to improve.

That is the basis for this sharing, actually ;), concerning God’s purpose.

Disclaimer: Remember the memory verse about how unsearchable His ways are? Well, I am not contradicting that verse nor the bible, No WAY. We may not be able to gain full knowledge and be anywhere near are wise as Him, but we can be thankful for the wisdom and thoughts, for even the ability to read His word, that enables us to pick up truths and know more or less what we ought to do and ought NOT to do.

I’m only day7 of this book that my neighbor passed to me upon entering a residence in NUS. However, I cannot wait to share some insights with you!

I’ve shared with two of you recently about the 3 T’s that the author mentioned, and how they can help to guide our time here in this temporary “home” (although we should be cautious not to think of this world as a “home” where you belong, where you return to, per se). So what are the 3 T’s?  I’ll cover the first here, with some personal thoughts.

#1) Life is a Test.

Yes life is a test, but don’t be quick to groan at this! It’s written all over the bible and I’m sure you have come across words like trials, temptations, testing and refining. Even from Genesis, we see the test of Adam and Eve’s faithfulness and obedience towards God! So right from the beginning, we are told, and instructed about such tests that will come our way. Not randomly like cannonballs, but as in Romans 8:28, they are given to us by God. 

Certified, confirm PLUS chop PLUS stamp.

As I mentioned earlier:  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” (1Cor 10:13)

So…What kind of tests are these? They are tests of love, faith, hope etcetera, mentioned briefly in the book. They are tests/Opportunities given to you to demonstrate your love to God and others (Two great commandments!), and your DEPENDENCE on God. Note: not all tests are obvious to you, and some may be too easy to pass, or to Fail. I hope that all of us would pray first, for AWARENESS of His presence and His tests, of which we often take for granted.

These are my thoughts:
By bearing this in mind, we know that things and people may be instruments of God, who help sharpen and refine us, and what would a test be without a “marker” or an invigilator? Yes. He is watching over you, every step of the way, even on simple things like picking up something that lies in your path, how you respond to your friend’s swearing and using God’s name in vain etc.

Do you contemplate picking up the litter? Do you continue to smile politely at someone who says “OMG!!”? (I framed this question hoping that the user of such terms is not any of you, I pray to God for that.)? If you are unsure and would argue that “the bible did not say we cannot smile when people take the glory away from God”, maybe you can try thinking, would Paul be smiling? Would God be smiling when you smile politely? I guess not :X

The idea of tests may be scary, and that people tend to tremble before receiving their results as we often heard our primary schoolmates going “I feel like peeing in my pants :S” *look of restraint and effortful control”.

However, many of you have noticed how people LEAP for joy J Don’t we wish we were one of them when we receive our results? And if we have been there before, does it not feel great? But as Christians, we want to leap for joy because we’ve put in effort to please God, not the education system. And if the education system don’t reward you with a “temporary crown” or as well as you expected (peppered with the amount of pride in you), are you ready to humble yourself and seek His kingdom further? Even if it is an innocent wish, I hope and pray that such a wish approximates being like those children of God who have been tried and tested for His Glory, and may have even passed on without getting any earthly rewards, but benefitted those who would follow (Hebrews 11). Their life wasn’t in vain, nor were their tests unreasonable. I learnt and was encouraged by them, and this lesson in itself is precious. Christ’s crucifixion was also a test which worked together for (our/His/God's eternal) good, now would you groan or complain? Accept and relish each test for what it is, seeking the power of the Holy Spirit, trusting God, and looking unto Jesus.

Stay Tuned for the remaining two T’s! PRESS ON!!

A Prayer for Examination (special thanks to Jo for it!)

Lord grant me the right attitude towards my examination,

That even when I study, I want to glorify your name.

Give me the strength that I may press on,

Perseverance that I can endure,

Good health that I may study effectively.

Help me to be single-minded when I study,

Remove all other thoughts, distractions and anxieties,

Give me the power to concentrate,

The ability to understand and to remember.

Show me the way to study intelligently,

To know what is important and what is not.

Provide me Lord with quality time in my studies,

Remove all tensions and fears within me.

Fill me with Thy confidence,

Teach me to draw strength from you each day.

Let me learn to trust you in such times.

In the examination hall, be with me Lord.

Grant me the clarity and shaprness of thoughts.

Let me not get distracted by things around me.

Give me concentration and calmness Lord.

Help me to gather my thoughts of what I've learnt.

Grant me the discipline to space out time equally on all questions.

Most of all, help me to complete the question on time.

Despite examination Lord, continue to grant me

Quality time with you, let me not neglect You.

Give me a balanced diet between my studies and my service for you.

I just want to commit the whole examination into your hands,

Knowing that you are a God who cares and answers prayers.

THANK YOU!

In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ and Saviour, AMEN.

Are we the Masters of our Fate?

^"13Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
 ¹⁴Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.
 ¹⁵For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that."
James 4:13-15


For the past few weeks, or months, (I cannot even recall when it started) my school has been putting the JC year twos through motivational talk after motivational talk, and all the while they trumpet these words to us: "You determine your future! You can succeed if you just believe in yourself!" I find it very easy to slip into that mentality, especially when the children of darkness are all around, and their self-sufficient attitude and pride can so subtly affect us, that we may not realise when we have become like one of them. I admit that there is value in these talks when they teach us to be disciplined and focused on our work, and the humanistic view of fate is, of course, what "works" for the children of this world. It is pleasing to their ears, and the best worldly wisdom has to offer.


Worldly wisdom, for all the benefits it may bring in this life, go only so far as this present life is concerned. In this matter of our fate, and success, it exalts man and makes man the master of his own fate. We are told to believe in our own abilities, that nothing we want will eventually elude our grasp so long as we have faith in ourselves. Very seducing. Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. James slams reality right in our faces. How much do we truly control? Do we know what the providence of God shall bring upon us next year? Next month? Tomorrow? Not even in the next hour. Read the verses I quoted at the start again. See how the people James are addressing are making plans for their future, having such certainty about them, thinking that they will most definitely travel to another city, trade and earn profits. Then read his reply. It is almost as if he is telling them "Who do you think you are?" he confronts his readers with a cold, harsh fact: our life is only a vapour, appearing for but a fleeting moment, then vanishing away. Just like that, nothing more. It reminds us of two very pertinent characteristics of our life on earth: It is short, and it is fragile.


It is evident that we are not the masters of our own fate. For all of these people who had faith in themselves and eventually succeeded, there are, I reckon, countless others who did the same, yet ended up with a very different outcome. There is a God, and it is most certainly not you or me. We are subject to Him, for He is our Father, our Master, the Potter who moulds us, the clay. He told us that apart from Him we can do nothing. (John 15:5) This is He to Whom we must submit ourselves, and our goals. If the Lord wills, we shall be rich, and again, if the Lord wills, we shall be poor. Sometimes we go the way of Vanity Fair, and look for worldly success. But by the grace of God, He brings His sheep back. We are frail creatures, yet wilful. We crave and strive with much vanity, till He batters us with affliction, and breaks us, ever gently still, till we see that there are just too many things out of our control, and that our future is really not in our hands. 


I am not saying that we should resign all worldly aspirations. Like James said, if the Lord wills, we shall live, and do these things that we hope to. But we must check ourselves as we go along, whether we are truly aiming to do well for the right reasons; whether we are glorifying God in our deeds and achievements, or for our personal glory. Whatever the case, one thing is clear in James' exhortation: be humble before God. We cannot but be humbled when we truly contemplate on His sovereign power, His infinite grace, His mysterious providence and His perfect justice, and then look at ourselves in our helplessness and dependency on Him for all things, even our very breath.


Our Lord Jesus Christ reminds time and time again, from the words of Scripture, that there is a life to come after this present one is over, and our fate in that next life is the one we should be particularly concerned about. His asks in Matthew 16:26, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" clearly the answer is: nothing at all. We must live this life with the next in mind. We, unlike the heathen, must consider the life to come, and make preparations for it, for regardless of our lot in this life, whether sickness or health, riches or poverty, if we are truly in Christ, we will certainly be gathered unto Him, and experience the joys of heaven forevermore. Such is the certainty that our faith looks forward to. William Guthrie was only forty-five, but his health broke, and his end was very hard. He suffered such violent pains that his friends were forced to hold him down. Between the attacks of pain he summoned the strength to say, "Though I should die mad, yet I know I shall die in the Lord." That is a bit hard to hold together. As if to say, "My pain may drive me out of my mind, but it cannot drive me out of Christ."


Amid the turbulent flood of uncertainties, our fate in this life is simply not in our control. We cannot know now how long we shall live, what we shall do, or what we shall attain to in this life. Yet this one thing is certain: For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10) We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12) and make our calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10). The only certainty in this life is that death will come. (Or that Christ returns before we die. Either way, the effect is the same.) Let us then live with this in mind, and not be sucked into the attitudes of the ungodly, who strive after vainglory and treasures that do not last.

Asaph

It is of the Lord's mercies..

Though we fall, though we fail, the Lord God upholds our spirits. No matter how dim upon our faces the reflection of Christ's glory is, the Lord stays faithful to His promises. This is a word of encouragement.

Proverbs 18:14  The spirit of a man will sustain his infirmity; but a wounded spirit who can bear?

Note (by Matthew Henry),

1. Outward grievances are tolerable as long as the mind enjoys itself and is at ease. Many infirmities, many calamities, we are liable to in this world, in body, name, and estate, which a man may bear, and bear up under, if he have but good conduct and courage, and be able to act with reason and resolution, especially if he have a good conscience, and the testimony of that be for him; and, if the spirit of a man will sustain the infirmity, much more will the spirit of a Christian, or rather the Spirit of God witnessing and working with our spirits in a day of trouble.

2. The grievances of the spirit are of all others most heavy, and hardly to be borne; these make sore the shoulders which should sustain the other infirmities. If the spirit be wounded by the disturbance of the reason, dejection under the trouble, whatever it is, and despair of relief, if the spirit be wounded by the amazing apprehensions of God's wrath for sin, and the fearful expectations of judgment and fiery indignation, who can bear this? Wounded spirits cannot help themselves, nor do others know how to help them. It is therefore wisdom to keep conscience void of offence.


Let's conclude this post with a bit of Hebrew poetry from Psalm 43 : )


Judge me, O God,
     and plead my cause against an ungodly nation:
O deliver me
     from the deceitful and unjust man.

For thou art the God of my strength:
     why dost thou cast me off?
Why go I mourning
     because of the oppression of the enemy?
 
O send out thy light and thy truth:
     let them lead me;
Let them bring me unto thy holy hill,
     and to thy tabernacles.
 
Then will I go unto the altar of God,
     unto God my exceeding joy:
Yea, upon the harp will I praise thee,
     O God my God.
 
Why art thou cast down, O my soul?
     and why art thou disquieted within me?
Hope in God: for I shall yet praise him,
     who is the health of my countenance, and my God!