Remember God

Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, the Nobel Prize-winning author and Russian dissident during the Soviet era, said, “I have spent fifty years working on the history of the Russian Revolution. In the process, I have collected hundreds of personal testimonies, read hundreds of books and contributed eight volumes of my own. But if I were asked today to formulate as concisely as possible the main cause of the ruinous revolution that swallowed up some 60 million of our people, I could not put it more accurately than to repeat: Men have forgotten God.”

These powerful words confirm that when people fail to remember God and do not recognize His presence and authority in their lives, anything goes. They develop spiritual amnesia and are unable to remember what God has done to show Himself faithful and true, not only in their own lives, but also throughout human history. When we forget God, we forget to trust Him.

Have we forgotten God lately??

Take a moment and allow God to examine our hearts.

This is a holiday season for many of us and i'm absolutely certain that many of us have thoroughly enjoyed the trips we've embarked on. I'm quite sure that there's also a higher tendency to forget God. While I'm sitting here on my bed having the hindsight, I'm pondering about where God have been during my trips. 2 weekends away and away from cell & church. Has the position of God changed? Thankfully it hasnt. I'm glad that through diving and lazing on the beach, in witnessing the wonders of His creation, i'm able to worship God. In the love and warmth found being with my family, i'm filled with much gratitude for the works of God in my family. But i must admit, it actually requires a greater discipline to tune in to God as compared to the weeks where we have cell/church scheduled. In cell/church, we gather together singing praises to God, mutually offering encouragement to one another, reading & hearing the word of God, and praying and agreeing in unity. It seems effortless just to stay close to God. However, strip all that and where does it leave you in your spiritual walk?? Say there'll be no cell/church for 2 weeks, 2 months or 2years. Or in the days of tribulation where Christ followers will be persecuted? Will you still be discipline to read the word of God, to give thanks & prayer, to be obedient to His word, to walk according to His will, to stand firm in your faith??

In this aspect, i seriously urge all of us to identify and remove all form of religiousity in our christian walk. Hypothetically speaking, if the physical church structure crumbles, will the building of your faith be destroyed as well? That's why the building of God's church is always referring to His people and not about the expansion of the physical structure. God wants to build His people. He wants to raise up men and women of God. Both you and I. Is not about the service rendered to God in the various ministry, the faithfulness in attending cell/church, the tithe and pledges made to Him.. It is all good but The ultimatum is your spiritual conditon.

To remember God, I would encourage you to consider three things: First, learn how to truly worship God. Second, get to know Him by spending time reading the Bible. And third, create a list together of spiritual milestones—divine acts that exemplify something significant He has done in your life or family. When we rehearse what God has done, we not only remember Him, but we also are more likely to trust Him for what we are facing today.

Let's do this together and be accountable to one another ya =)

By the way, i havent read any new post from anyone except Jia Hui. Do post and share your thoughts, views, etc. You have just received a standing order from the Chief Cell Warden. Please obliged ;)


Cheers!

Post Holiday

It is this time around the year that most of the students go on their semester break. Ahh.. How Envious!!! Which probably explains my intuition to plan my dive trips this season as well. My recent trip to Perhentian was one of the best dive trips i've had ;) It was absolutely gorgeous being underwater especially during my dawn dive and a blessing to have a group of fantastic diving aficionados & beach bummers. Anyway, will share in greater details when i see you guys =p

However, something happened during the trip and i simply cant resist telling you guys. hehehe..

Or perhaps i should refrain from typing??!! hmm..

Ok..wont keep you in suspense. Grant you a sneak preview ler.. =)

I had my first "love bite" underwater

AND...

It looks like this!!!

Prayer of Blessing To All Mothers!!!

Today marks the honoring of Mothers in various places across the globe.

Happy Mother's Day To All The Mommies!!!

I'm not sure how many of you have been guilty of making comparisons of your mothers but honestly, i have. I remember when i was in primary, i used to envy my friends who had such a strong and loving relationship with their mothers. They share their thoughts, have series of intimate conversation from boys to dreams and ambitions, and engage in other 'cool & happening' activities together =) Now, those thoughts persist even when i became a christian in secondary. I began to envy my friends who were brought up in a christian home. I thought to myself,"Wow, wouldn't it be a blessing to have my parents guide me in the ways of the Lord, and not only will they assume roles as my earthly parents but as my spiritual parents. Surely then, i'll be a stronger christian today." With hindsight... "Oh, how immature!!" I was form 2 then.

Being more matured now, i realised that those times that i focus on those inevitable aspects about my parents that are disappointing or negative—i catch them in a comparison trap. When you tend to compare & contrast, it often spells out discontentment in your life. We complain about parents, at times we wish that their annoying habits could subside, wishing for the time to unwind to change the course of history, etc. Now, arent we all in fact, imperfect in our ways?? ;)

I've learned to appreciate God's plan for me to be in this big & wonderful family and with a fantastic parents. What God has planned for my parents and i is different from the one He has planned for you and your parents.

Instead of complaining about your mom or wishing that things could be different in your family.. Let's take heed of the Word of God which continuosly remind us to do this, ie to Give Thanks!!!

Cheers All

A trip to Cameron Highlands

Hi people! WOw.. my first post on our very own Section 5 blog!! =) Excited-nya!

I just came back from a 3 days 2 nights trip in Camerons with 2 of my friends and it was truly a good and memorable experience. Six hours of bus ride to Tanah Rata without knowing where to stay; with a super flexible schedule of eat, sleep, and lepak-ing around in Tanah Rata, taking pictures, etc. Aha, taking pictures (whether it's vain pots pictures, or flowers and more flowers) is always a therapeutic thing. =) Hmm, I am thankful that we found a good place to stay for these few days in CH, good weather (minus the rainy afternoons) and gooooood, glorious food. And above all, good company!!

The time spent in CH did me good. A getaway from studies and hectic life; to just spend some time with friends and self; to rediscover the things I've gone thru', the things I've gained and lost in the past one semester. It has always been a challenge for me to guard my relationship with God, and not to be swayed by situations in life. The past few months was filled with experiences, the good ones and the bad ones. But again and again, I was reminded that God has His purpose in allowing all these things to happen. It is, in a sense, a hard truth to accept, a struggle to believe that God knows what is best for you, especially when you begin to look at the problems instead of looking unto Him.

The flowers and the bees .. reminded me of Matt 6:28-33. God cares for me. All that concerns me matters to Him. Jesus didn't promise us easy life. In Rom 8:17, we learn that "Now if we are children, then we are heirs—heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in his sufferings in order that we may also share in his glory". If we go thru' hard times with Christ, we are surely going to go thru' good times with Him. Sufferings and glory. With suffering, comes glory. It's indeed something not easy to grasp with our limited understanding.

God is faithful. He has been sending reminders to me through sermons in church, conversations with friends, bible study, etc -- reminding me of my human nature, my weaknesses and how His strength is magnified through my ups and downs; how His strength has sustained me thru all circumstances.

I am truly amazed and humbled by God's works in me, that He chose to use broken vessels like you and me to be Jesus' co-workers. Broken but sealed and healed by His mercy and grace.

Prayer Walking

I thank God for all the college students who turned up for the prayer walk last night. I truly thank God for your commitment and faith. Having previously been in your position as a student, i know i have faltered many times, giving every excuses to avoid cell especially when a special task was summoned ie prayer walking, or tracting. With hindsight, I'd have done it differently and with a change in my lackadaisical attitude. Therefore, i commend all of you on the stand you are taking.. to stand in the gap for the people, your peers, at this young age.

Do not dismiss the significance of such an act of prayer. As we have prayed, we have indeed shaken the spiritual atmosphere ~ chains broken, captives set free, souls claimed. This being my first time leading the cell in prayer walk, i feel my faith has increased by an ounce (if it is indeed measurable =)) Honestly, when you pray with a fervent heart, you speak with authority that Christ has given us, and that is powerful.

Prayer walk doesnt end the moment we're dismissed and headed for supper. It only marks the beginning. I encourage you guys to strengthen your prayer life and definitely put on the full armor of God. There are many gaps in the walls of our families, societies, churches, and nation.. and God is looking for men & women of God to stand guard in the gap, and by prayer to repair the breaches.

Will we be that soldier on guard 24-7??!!

I hope all our answer is a yes =)

Labour Day

Mayday Mayday!!

No no.. it's not a distress call. hehe.. It's synonymous with International Workers' Day, or Labour Day, which celebrates the social and economic achievements of the labor movement.

Happy Labour Day Everyone!!

I've been waiting with great anticipation since the beginning of the week for today. Why you may ask?? Well, for the opportunity to sleep in until noon. Ohh man.. simply luxurious ;) College students, please dont take for granted this luxury that you have now.. once you are in the workforce, you'll truly cherish every moment being at home and in the comfort of your bed.

Well, to commemorate this occasion, i decided to search the net for more info. It is found that the celebration of Labour Day has its origins in the 8 hour day movement, which advocated 8 hours for work, 8 hours for recreation, and 8 hours for rest. All around the world in the 1800s, groups in various part of the world protested through staging demonstrations. Many of the direct action protest was a success, and managed to achieve an eight hour day with no loss of pay, which subsequently internationalizes the celebration of Labour Day and May Day across the globe.

Amazing! I'm truly grateful to these protestors who fought to make a difference. Hence, we can now enjoy the holiday =) Let me detail to you my appreciation by sharing with you a little something about my work. In the finance team, this period (3 days before and after month end) is considered peak. There are reports to be submitted to our counterparts in NY, headquarter, and other month-end matters to deal with. The whole week i was in doubt whether i could be exempted from returning to work. Partly because my work has been completed and other nitty-gritty can be backed-up by another colleague. Well, just before my manager leaves on that wednesday night, i asked her if i could be dismissed on labour day, and you guessed it right, she gave me the approval nod. Praise God!! =)

Now that's not my conclusion.

In fact it was the start of my exploration to this Labour Day & Sabbath Day... the connection??

Ahhh.. Read on bloggers =)

I began to ponder why doesnt our US counterparts observe this labour day?
Most countries observed Labour Day on the 1st of May. However, interestingly Labor Day is a United States federal holiday that takes place on the first Monday in September. The holiday began in 1882, originating from a desire by the Central Labor Union to create a day off for the "working man". It is still celebrated mainly as a day of rest and marks the symbolic end of summer for many.

Now that we know, US celebrates on the 1st Monday in Sept. We have gained additional general knowledge. But what i'm interested to ponder is on its significance.

Rest.. isnt that the meaning behind Sabbath as well?! Sabbath is the practice of observing one day in seven as a time for rest & worship. It orginated in creation, because God created the universe in 6 days and rested on the 7th (Genesis 1). Thereafter, the formal institution of the Sabbath became part of the Mosaic Law system - the moral law (Ten Commandments), the civil law (Ex 31:14) and ceremonial law (Lev 23:3). During the old testament period, the strict observation of Sabbath signifies God's sovereign ruling over the Israelites. Penalty was harsh to those who disobeyed this law. The prophets however did condemn those who made much of external observance and ignored the heart and moral issues to which the Sabbath bound them.

Jesus, like the Old Testament prophets kept the Sabbath and urged others to observe. And He too did condemn the pharisaical attitude that missed the deep spiritual truth behind Sabbath observance.

So what is the spiritual truth you may ask? Well It is our submission to God's lordship over our lives and our way of living. Ex 20:11-12 "I gave them my decrees and made known to them my laws, for the man who obeys them will live by them. Also I gave them my Sabbath as a sign between us, so they would know that I the Lord made them holy."

So is observing Sabbath constitutes us attending church period?

Not at all. Yes God did declare that His Sabbath was a day of public convocation (Lev 23:3), a special time we gather together in a public worship. It is one thing to practice worship privately and another to do it publicly and corporately. So going to church is not a simply a law/tradition we're following. And it's certainly not the external observance that we're concern with. Your heart matters. Similar to the baptism in the water - a declaration of our faith in Christ, Observing Sabbath, is also a declaration of our submission to Christ's lordship.

How about holiness? I Peter 1:15-16 "But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy. " Therefore, we pursue holiness on a daily basis and not just on Sabbath.

Let me direct your attention to the meaning of rest once again. So are we to laze around doing nothing on Sabbath? Interestingly, the Bible offered another interpretation of Rest. Look with me to Hebrews 4:1-13.

A Sabbath–Rest for the People of God

1Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.2For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith.[1]3Now we who have believed enter that rest, just as God has said,“So I declared on oath in my anger,‘They shall never enter my rest.’”[2]And yet his work has been finished since the creation of the world.4For somewhere he has spoken about the seventh day in these words: “And on the seventh day God rested from all his work.”[3]5And again in the passage above he says, “They shall never enter my rest.”
6It still remains that some will enter that rest, and those who formerly had the gospel preached to them did not go in, because of their disobedience.7Therefore God again set a certain day, calling it Today, when a long time later he spoke through David, as was said before:“Today, if you hear his voice,do not harden your hearts.”[4]
8For if Joshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later about another day.9There remains, then, a Sabbath–rest for the people of God;10for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his.11Let us, therefore, make every effort to enter that rest, so that no one will fall by following their example of disobedience.

Pretty self explanatory verses isnt it?? =) Here, the idea of Sabbath includes as a sacrament. A gift of God that allows us to participate in the intent of His Salvation. It is entering His Rest, and resting from our own works.

Have a Good Rest everyone!!!