Reflection on our Earthly Possessions

by Cindy Hess Kasper

Let us constantly take a moment to ponder that it's easy to take for granted all the material and spiritual blessings that God has given us. That's why we need to stop and remember that Scripture says the true owner of all we possess is God:"All that is in heaven and in earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O LORD, and You are exalted as head over all"
(1 Chronicles 29:11).

Even our bodies do not belong to us:"Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God's.
(1 Corinthians 6:19-20)

Who is this Jesus?

by Pastor David Lim


Matthew 1:1 (Jesus is the Son of David) which fulfills his father Joseph being the Son of David lineage (Matthew 1:20) and his father Mary (Matthew 1:16-17).

Matthew 1:16 (Jesus is call Christ)

Matthew 1:22-23 (Jesus is Immanuel) which fulfills Isaiah's Prophecy in Isaiah 7:14

Matthew 2:23 (Jesus is a Nazarene) which fulfills Isaiah's Prophecy in Isaiah 11:1

Matthew 2:2 (Jesus is King of the Jews)


In all these, Jesus came in the form of infant to show us He was made flesh and dwell amongst us. He was born in Bethlehem, went to Nazareth which both are insignificant towns which tells us He cares even with the least which people considers.

A Healed Blind Man counters the Pharisees!

by Pastor David Lim

John 9:1-5
John 7:37
John 8:12
Daniel 7:13-14 (Jesus is the Son of Man)

......but the works of God should be made manifest in him.


1. The blind man sees (man hopeless & deprived of normal life)
2. The Pharisees won't see
3. See Jesus, get a revelation of who Jesus is. Don't just see your circumstances.
He's bigger than all your trials, difficulties, problems, issues......

# Justice is not measured in this life alone. Be thankful everyday!

# He's got the whole world in His hands.

# Our God is a just God and He will be glorified in my life, regardless of whatever
situation I am in.

# God sends Jesus to you ! :)

# God is in control. He holds the universe in the palm of His Hands, and He holds
my problem in His Hands. :)

# Man's crisis is God's opportunity!

- From Malacci to Matthew there is a span of 400 years!
- Jesus is Light of the world appears 25 times in the Gospel of John!
- Jesus is Son of Man appears 50 times in the Gospel of John!

God's Will : The Attitude of Gratitude

by Pastor David Lim

- God's will is to make you more like Jesus
- Count your blessings daily and especially so when things go wrong physically, emotionally or mentally
- Thank you Jesus, Thank you Jesus for what you've done for me so that I can live out for others

Ephesians 5:20 Always giving thanks to God the Father for everything ...

1 Thessalonians 5:18 Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you ...

Philippians 4:6 Do not be anxious for anything, in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving ...


(1) Gratitude is Based on Who God is
a. God is on the throne - He is a good God !
b. Psalm 23 He walks beside us. He never forsakes us.
c. He carries our burden, we are not alone.
d. Centers on Christ, He is the audience of ONE.
e. Gratitude leads to praise. Rejoice always !

(2) Gratitude Affects How You View Yourself
a. Our strength is in Christ. No inadequacy.
b. Our identity and self-worth are based upon Him. No failure.
c. Greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.
d. Finds healing for hurts. Wholeness.
e. County your many blessings, angels will attend.

(3) Gratitude Affects How You Relate to Others
a. People are precious to God. They sharpen us. We learn from each other.
b. Lifts up others. 360 degree leadership.
c. Put down our rights to help others.
d. People love grateful people. Does not close doors and isolate people.
e. A thankful heart affirms people.
f. Gratitude brings unity, kindness, Fruit of Spirit.

(4) Gratitude Changes Your World
a. Joseph : right and humble spirit, gave thanks, rose to leadership in Egypt.
b. Moses : servant attitude. Pour out to others.
c. David : through sin and suffering, wrote Psalms and prepared for Temple.
d. Syrophoenician woman : "crumbs!" Saw God's healing power !
e. Paul : Theology is grace, ethics is gratitude. We deserve nothing. Lifting him above all trials to change his world !
f. True gratitude does not give up.

Giving

- I am God's gift to this church
- My mission is to fulfill the mission of Christ

Malacci 3:8-12
proverbs 3:9-10

- Tithes belongs to the storehouse
- We rob God of honor, respect, faith when we don't tithe

2 Corinthians 8
2 Corinthians 9:6-8

- It's impossible to outgive God

Luke 16
2 Chronicles 31 (offering)

- Give ourselves first to God
- God's ways are illogical

Philippians 4:19
Matthew 25

Rahab

by Rev David Lim & Rev May Lim

"Rahab - from a prostitute to a woman of faith"

Reading : Joshua 2 / Hebrews 11:31

(I) Rahab revered God
(II) Rahab risked her life to save the spies
(III)Rahab requested full redemption for her entire family
(IV) Rahab received her reward

- The opposite of faith is fear (not doubt)

- Faith always ACT

- No matter what is the situation, place it in God's hand

- Rahab begot Boaz who later married Ruth

Forgives and Be Free

Matthew 18:23-34

- When we harbour bitterness, hatred and unforgiveness in our hearts, we suffer more and allow the devil to takeover, obscess our mind and finally possess our soul

- AGAPE love is divine love, it is a love from God when we need it

- When we have unforgiveness, hatred and bitterness, even if God heal us, we'll still get it all over again

- As children of God, we must allow God to renew our mind and transform our mind and emotion daily

Jesus Forgives

John 8:1-11
Leviticus 20:10
Romans 8:1
________________________________________________________

In the story of John 8:1-11, the people brought to Jesus a woman adulteress for Jesus to judge her. There are 3 faults of the people here :

1) They interrupt Jesus while He was teaching
2) An adultery cannot be committed if there are not 2 parties, in this case, where is the male adulteress?
3) Where this matter is concerned, the people should bring the woman to a civil court to try instead of Jesus who is a religious teacher

- By grace Jesus forgives us first then He empowers us to do things
- The world system works this way : you make mistake you get punishment, however, Jesus way is you make mistake you confess to God and He restores you
- The saddest scene is knowing you are a sinner and you walk away (the people who brought the woman to be stoned walked away instead of admitting their sin)

JESUS HAS WASHED ALL MY SINS AND PUT AT THE CROSS, HE WAS AND IS MY JUSTIFICATION.

- We ought to cry for mercy not justice for if we cry for justice, we all die because we are all sinners daily in our frailty (even as believers). God's justice is death sentense so we ought to cry for mercy and grace

- God reach into our old heart and gives us sinner a new heart, we live a reformed life, we hate what the Lord hates, loves what the Lord loves.

- Live in perfection as Jesus is perfect

- Those who have been forgiven much forgives much, those who have been loved much loves much

Keys to a Fulfilling Marriage

by Pastor Raymond Davey

Pastor Raymond Davey is an itinerant preacher from Sydney, Australia. Everybody wants to have a happy and fulfilling marriage. Today's sermon aspires to give you some biblical keys that will help you to establish one.


Scriptures references :
Proverbs 18:19-20
2 Peter 2
Ephesians 5-6


TTTCCCCC

1) Truth is words in body language. Truth in marriage brings freedom(transparency)
2) Trust is words in action
3) Tolerance (patience) is anti-stress. Tolerance is a peace-maker
4) Communication is to be able to share, to talk, to know
5) Commitment is AGAPE love
6) Companionship is friendship
7) Communion is EROS love
8) Completeness is knowing what your spouse is thinking

# How to prioritise our lives?
Number 1 : Relationship with God comes first
Number 2 : Relationship with spouse
Number 3 : Relationship with our family
Number 4 : Relationship with our work concerns
Number 5 : Ministry

Dealing with GUILT

Dr Keith Olson, a psychologist, commented that Christians often have a greater difficulty coping with guilt than non-Christians do. If his conclusion is accurate, today's message will be very helpful to many of us who are struggling to cope with our guilty feelings. When we are able to deal with these feelings, we will become more victorious in our Christian living.

3 common reactions to guilt :
- rationalize
- rebel
- resign as one's fate in life

# God's prescription is for us to respond in faith
_____________________________________________________

# Where did guilt come from?
Read Genesis 3:1-24 (the temptation of Eve)
_____________________________________________________

# What did apostle Paul say of guilt?
Read 2 Corinthians 7:8-10 (consequence of guilt)
_____________________________________________________

# Background to King David problems and guilt
Read 2 Samuel 11:1-25 (David encounter to temptation to
guilt to evil)
_____________________________________________________

# When Christians can recognize the 3 "P", we can easily deal
with guilt :
- Penalty of sin (nature of sin even before we were born)
- Power of sin (satan has dominion over the earth till today)
- Presence of sin
_____________________________________________________

# King David's response to his guilt :

1) A cry for God's mercy
Read Psalms 51:1-2 (admitting self sin; personal accountability)

2) A confession of sin
Read Psalms 51:3-6

3) A plea for forgiveness
Read Psalms 51:7-12

4) A vow of commitment
Read Psalms 51:13-17

5) A prayer of hope
Read Psalms 51:18-19
_____________________________________________________

1 Peter 3:18
For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the
unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in
the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit
_____________________________________________________

The greatness of a man is not how great he is pastoring his
church but what he does when he made a mistake

True Happiness

Some bible translation use the word "Happy" instead of "Blessed" in the beatitude so you may also say,

Blessed (or Happy) are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven

# God is With me, For me and In me

# 1st Beatitude : Those poor in spirit (Matthew 5:1-3)
When you realised you are far away from God, you are on your first step to richness, your eyes will be especially sensitive to seeing truth

# 2nd Beatitude : Those who mourn (Matthew 5:4)
There are 3 reasons for mourning :-
a) Deep repentance towards God (Luke 18:9-14)
b) Deep concern for the spiritual welfare of others (Galatians 4:19)
c) Deep grieve over personal weakness (Romans 7:18-25)

# A self righteous person is filthy rags in the eyes of God


Scriptural Readings
These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
(john 15:11)

I communed with my heart, saying, "Look, I have attained greatness, and have gained more wisdom than all who were before me in Jerusalem. My heart has understood great wisdom and knowledge."
(Ecclesiastes 1:16)

And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying :
Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted.
(Matthew 5:1-4)

There were also two others, criminals, led with Him to be put to death. And when they had come to the place called Calvary, there they crucified Him, and the criminals, one on the right hand and the other on the left. Then Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they do.” And they divided His garments and cast lots. And the people stood looking on. But even the rulers with them sneered, saying, “He saved others; let Him save Himself if He is the Christ, the chosen of God.” The soldiers also mocked Him, coming and offering Him sour wine, and saying, “If You are the King of the Jews, save Yourself.”
And an inscription also was written over Him in letters of Greek, Latin, and Hebrew:

THIS IS THE KING OF THE JEWS.

Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, “If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us.” But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, “Do you not even fear God, seeing you are under the same condemnation? And we indeed justly, for we receive the due reward of our deeds; but this Man has done nothing wrong.” Then he said to Jesus, “Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.”
And Jesus said to him, “Assuredly, I say to you, today you will be with Me in Paradise."
(Luke 23:32-43)

Also He spoke this parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and despised others: “Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, ‘God, I thank You that I am not like other men—extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.’ And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, ‘God, be merciful to me a sinner!’ I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other; for everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
(Luke 18:9-14)

"My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
(Galatians 4:19)

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. For I delight in the law of God according to the inward man. But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! Who will deliver me from this body of death? I thank God—through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, with the mind I myself serve the law of God, but with the flesh the law of sin.
(Romans 7:18-25)

Looking Back 2009

3rd of January marked the first Sunday of the year 2010.

My hubby and me attended the service after many months of absence. Through the past 6 months we have both learn a very painful and regretful lesson in our lives - Words cannot be taken literally especially in doing business, worst with an unbelievable!

Because of us owing her monies & kindness for years therefore it deems my hubby and myself do not have any power to debate or refute the facts whether in business or personal ground as we are indebted to her. However, although the relationship turned sour now, I choose to praise God and not to speak ill of her to a third party or gossip about it. We forgive her and let God takeover the mess I have created. She has been good to me, my hubby and my family and I truly appreciate her all these years.