AVF lesson 2 November 28, 2007
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Yay I had BS today 
We learnt about Lucifer, also known as Satan, and pride. Did I mention that BS is so interesting? Hahaha…
We learnt a lot of things.
The devil is an accuser. And really, I feel so much freer now than I did a year and a half ago, after leaving that sin behind. The devil can’t accuse me of it anymore, Hallelujah hahaha.. And that beats everything. Really…it might seem like it takes a whole lot out of you to let sin go, and it might be difficult even after you do and you’ll be tempted to go back..very difficult. But really, it’s great when the blood cleanses you and you’re free. True freedom can only be experienced in the blood of Jesus.
Pride and rebellion. Pride is the root of rebellion. We learnt that pride is declaring that we can be independent from God. Doing things MY way.
And that God doesn’t have problems giving you what you ask, as long as He’s sure that once He says, “Let go”, you’ll do it.
Do we trust so much in what we have? Our intellect, our planning, our efforts, our finances? So much so that we fail to seek God? Without God, nothing can be done. You can try as hard as you want, but nothing will be of any use without God.
And in everything, it’s either OUR way, or GOD’s way. Yieldedness is very important. The degree you are used by God is the degree you are yielded to Him. Most of the time, your mind and your heart will fight God’s way, because our flesh doesn’t want to yield to God. It’ll be very hard. But in the end, we must decide.
And the beauty of it all is that, we can decide. We have the freedom of choice. Why did Lucifer fall? Because he could choose whether he wanted to obey God or not. Why do men sin against God? Because we all can choose whether we want to believe that God exists or not, whether we want to listen to Him, whether we want to do what He says. And we can choose whether or not we want to love Him.
But wouldn’t it be better if God made us so that we don’t have a choice to sin? Then there wouldn’t be sin in the world. But God didn’t make us to be robots. He didn’t make us into barbie dolls where He could just press a button and we’d say “I love you”. Because, what’s the point? There’s no choice.
The ability to activate your will is so precious to God. God would rather take the risk that you’ll walk away from Him than to force you to love Him. He loves us so much. And it means so so much to Him, whenever we say “I love You” with our own will, and mean it.
Ain’t that beautiful?
Punggol/1st AFV lesson November 21, 2007
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Punggol’s super super ulu. Takes a long time to get there. The buses are super infrequent. There’s nobody on the streets. There’re only buildings and open space. The buildings make it look a bit like Hong Kong, just that they’re not as tall. I went to Yee Ching’s house to mug today, with PJ and her sis. YC cooked for us! We had baked rice, omelette rice, fried chicken pieces and brocolli. 
Oh and I’ve said it and I want to say it again. I love BS! Bible study is just cool man…
Every BS is a chance to be fed by the Word. I’m at Authority For Victory (AFV) now, 6th book. And really, learning a lot of things. It’s so interesting. Brother Darren is teaching the AFV class. He’s also incidentally the person who’s sort of in charge of the NUS cluster. So it’s not the first time I’m seeing him. Today’s chapter was on spiritual warfare, the first chapter for AFV. Yep…
It seems that the message for this season is that the Christian walk is not easy. 2 weeks ago, Pastor Ulf preached about suffering.
Well, we learnt in BS that God is a mighty warrior, and He wins every war. He has armies of angels at His command. And He fights for us! And there’re also a lot of other things which I won’t cover now.
As long as we’re in the world, we’ll experience warfare. The earlier you frame your mind to accept that it’s not going to be easy, the earlier you’ll be prepared. It’s not a bed of roses, BUT we’re not alone.
Once you enlist as a soldier, you can’t live as a civilian anymore. The moment you live for God, you can’t keep looking back and want to live like a non-believer, because it’s not going to work. Don’t allow the devil to smoke you. We have something better. We’re meant to be supernatural, so don’t think just on the natural plane. And only when you come to the end of yourself, that’s when the supernatural kicks in and you start depending on God.
Wrestling involes your total being, spirit, soul and body. The devil will fight you in these areas, your emotions, your physical body. And the real fight is not in church but when you go home, in school, at work.
You can put up with a lot of nonsense because you’ve a higher purpose to live for.
And obviously if you’re doing something right, the devil’s not happy. But greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world. Amen.
Allergic to mondays.. November 19, 2007
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I think I’m allergic to mondays, seriously 
Had a bad cold today again..my poor nose
Stayed at home to study today. Ok, not bad, except for the nose. Don’t know what’s wrong with my nose and mondays. It’s like, most mondays, I keep sneezing and sneezing, nose keeps dripping.. It’s only when I wear like double layer of clothes and keep myself warm, then I won’t get a cold. But this doesn’t happen on other days. I so don’t understand why…
Ain’t this pretty?
Pastor Phil painted this on sunday during service. He painted this on sat:
That’s the last supper, with Jesus and the 12 disciples in it.
Well, cool…I get to see the cross painting whenever I drive over to my friend’s house now! Hahaha…
dinner at PJ’s house November 16, 2007
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Praise the Lord. He is good. Haha. Even in this time, He works miracles. Things will happen, it’s just whether we want to be a spectator, or whether we want to be involved in it. And yep, it’s exciting to be involved, tiring at times but I know who I’m living for There are some things, once it’s passed by, it’s gone. Now is the time. Hahaha. Just do it
Went to Peijing’s house after school today and had dinner with her sisters and her mum. You know there’re some people who behave the same way at home and outside? She’s one of them hahaha. I watched her chop the chicken, cabbage, onion, carrots etc, fry fry cook cook. I can’t cook but I think cooking looks just like dispensing prac, without the weighing balance and measuring cylinders Was trying to think of a name for our group, but well, nothing decent came to mind. Hahaha.. the food was quite good. Hope her black guinea pig’s fine… It’s been losing weight, it’s limping, and it’s walking around in circles. They were deciding whether to take it to the vet, or just buy a new one if it dies Hahahaha…
I need to depend more on God. It’s been tiring, and I still have a lot to study. Exam starts next Saturday. I just realised it’s my duty week, the last time I serve with this team. Haha.. oh well, guess I can’t? Oh well… Ya.. Don’t know how I’ll make it if I don’t depend on God, so I’ll have to learn. Still don’t really know how to, but it’ll come… Hahaha
Weekend with Pastor Ulf and Carola! November 11, 2007
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This weekend was a blast. I went for two services and Rev Dr Ulf Ekman spoke two different messages. The first was about the Holy Spirit, and to tell you the truth, I actually forgot all about Him. I forgot who He was. So when Pastor Ulf spoke about the Holy Spirit, it really woke me up a little. And here’re portions of the notes I copied.
The Holy Spirit is the One who makes everything in the bible come alive. When you’ve got the Spirit, you can flow. Without the Holy Spirit, I am nothing! How can I forget Him!!
Human solutions based on human abilities will only give us limited results. There is a presence of the Holy Spirit which can change your life. It’s a choice we make everyday. My way or the Holy Spirit’s way? My strength or the Spirit’s strength? With the Spirit, you’ll be at the right place at the right time doing the right thing. And you’ll feel the difference. With the Spirit, on the inside there is a push.
If you’re outside of the will of God, it’ll feel like putting on wet socks on your feet. Do what it takes to come back if you need to! Sometimes you just have to say you’re sorry! Without the Holy Spirit, you can do nothing. You can’t do anything which amounts to anything. You can’t do anything of eternal value.
The presence of God is a constant assurance that God is with you. The witness inside you who keeps talking into your life. We don’t preach a cheap victory. We need to live a real authentic life, not just smiley smiley. We won’t reach our full potential without the Holy Spirit and we’ll never be truly happy. We’ll never bear lasting fruit.
The Holy Spirit is the power of God. He is our helper. Open your life more to accept Him as Lord!
No Holy Ghost without a sacrifice! There is no christian life on a daily basis without a sacrifice. The process of death will lead to resurrection, power and anointing. Ask God if there’s anything you need to take away in your life.
We can train people to obey, but it doesn’t mean they’ve a willing heart. Obey because God tugs at your heart. Obedience is better than sacrifice.
Are you hearing sermons, suggestions, good ideas, or the word of God? Are you hearing your carnal mind or are you listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit? You’ll live a different life when the Holy Spirit really touches you, grabs you, draws you.
Love is the only thing that produces new life. When you give yourself over to God, new life is birthed and in that intimacy, you hear the voice of God.
Do you dare to listen closely to the voice of the Holy Spirit? Do you dare to walk in an integrity the world does not have?
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The next message was on suffering. Matt 9 shows that the harvest is not the problem. The problem is that there are not enough labourers. Labourers work, and not everyone wants to work. There are people who never grow up, even in the body of Christ.
John 16:33 says that you are in Me and I’ve placed you in the world. Since we are in Christ, we can be of good cheer. Many people are looking for peace, satisfaction. In Him, I can have peace, because He has overcome the world. As your soul is strengthened, you’ll have strength not to give up.
We need to get out of the mentality of avoiding all obstacles in life. Don’t run away, go forward! Paul is our example. We need overcoming faith. It’s all in your attitude.
Acts 9:15-16 says you will reach the lost, but there is a cost. Terrible circumstances doesn’t mean you’re a failure. Rom 8:35 -> Reality of life.
Rom 8:31-37. If we become real, God will become real. Get out of homemade christianity that only preaches a part of the gospel. Phil 1:27-30. 1 Pet 3. There is suffering which is not defeat. It’s victory. Rom 5:3-4. You become bitter or better, depending on your attitude. It’s not what happens to you, it’s how you react to it. Don’t victimize yourself and don’t blame God. God is not the source of your problems. He’s not going to show up, He’s already here.
There will never be any place or circumstance, any person which God cannot handle. There will be no temptation which God will put you through which you cannot bear. Rom 12:1.
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Yep. And the services were also packed, each one lasted more than 3 hours, almost 4. The orchestra and choir performed Hallelujah by Handel, and we had Carola Haggkvist, a swedish singer who won Eurovision 1991. And man, she has a really powerful voice. And her stage presence is fantastic. I love weekends 
I love church I love God!
of burgers and fries… November 10, 2007
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This is cool hahaha
9 Nov November 9, 2007
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These are stressful times. Exams are coming, everybody’s mugging. Well, I was quite stressed during the beginning of the week. There was a dark cloud hanging over my head. Not that it’s raining. Didn’t know what to do again, that feeling. Felt like my spirit went dry, and yes, it’s again, partly my fault. And then it’s quite amazing, it lasted for only about 2 or 3 days. Then on Thurs night, I talked to PJ on the phone and felt much better haha. Not that we addressed any major issue but we just talked about frivolous things like guys and other less frivolous things But it’s good to chat with someone on the same level haha. God is good.
Then on Fri, today, I was encouraged by the meeting. I don’t know, as I played the guitar, I just felt like I wanted to serve God again. And ya… more than just studying, more than having fun, we can really make a difference…
And I’m encouraged when I see my friends staying back with me to wait for the meeting, or rushing back from bugis to come.. when we place God first, before convenience, before studies, I’m sure we’ll be blessed
and they laugh at us for banning chewing gum… November 7, 2007
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Die and you’re under arrest! Britain’s most stupid laws
LONDON (AFP) – Queen Elizabeth II’s speech in the British parliament Tuesday may have been routine but at least nobody got bored to death. That would have been against the law.
Dying in parliament is an offence and is also by far the most absurd law in Britain, according to a survey of nearly 4,000 people by a television channel showing a legal drama series.
And though the lords were clad in their red and white ermine cloaks and ambassadors from around the world wore colourful national costumes, at least nobody turned up in a suit of armour. Illegal.
Other rules deemed utterly stupid included one that permits a pregnant woman to urinate in a policeman’s hat and murdering bow-and-arrow-carrying Scotsmen within the city walls of York, northern England.
A law stating that in Liverpool, only a clerk in a tropical fish store is allowed to be publicly topless, was also ridiculous, said a poll of 3,931 people for UKTV Gold television out Tuesday.
Nearly half of those surveyed admitted to breaking the ban on eating mince pies on Christmas Day, which dates back to the 17th century and was originally designed to outlaw gluttony during the rule of the Puritan Oliver Crowmell.
The laws and other regulations were culled from published research into ancient legislation that has never been repealed although subsequent statutes have rendered them obsolete.
Respondents were given a shortlist and asked to vote.
Most ridiculous British law:
1. It is illegal to die in the Houses of Parliament (27 percent)
2. It is an act of treason to place a postage stamp bearing the British monarch upside-down (seven percent)
3. In Liverpool, it is illegal for a woman to be topless except as a clerk in a tropical fish store (six percent)
4. Mince pies cannot be eaten on Christmas Day (five percent)
5. In Scotland, if someone knocks on your door and requires the use of your toilet, you must let them enter (four percent)
6. A pregnant woman can legally relieve herself anywhere she wants, including in a policeman’s helmet (four percent)
7. The head of any dead whale found on the British coast automatically becomes the property of the king, and the tail of the queen (3.5 percent)
8. It is illegal to avoid telling the tax man anything you do not want him to know, but legal not to tell him information you do not mind him knowing (three percent)
9. It is illegal to enter the Houses of Parliament in a suit of armour (three percent)
10. In the city of York it is legal to murder a Scotsman within the ancient city walls, but only if he is carrying a bow and arrow (two percent)
it’s a privilege November 4, 2007
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Pauline said on saturday during cell, that it’s a privilege to pray. We don’t have to pay to pray! And when we pray to God, we can move mountains, things just happen. And I’d like to say, it’s a privilege being a christian. It’s a privilege to follow Christ.
What do we have? We have a purpose and a destiny. I know that what I’m doing now will lead to something greater in the future. I always have hope. Even though the devil might try to mislead me and put fear into me, but I know that God is always with me. I know that I’ll have a great future, because the bible says in Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.”
God has placed eternity in my heart. He’s shown me what love is, not the selfish love of the world but a love without conditions. I want to love others like He loves me, still learning, still lacking, but making progress haha. I wish others could know this love, which the world really doesn’t offer.
The past 2 weeks have been quite terrible actually. In the sense that I’ve gotten less rest than I needed. Disappointments, stress, more disappointments. But I learnt that I have to keep my eyes on the bigger picture. Rachel’s right, I should learn to see myself the way an outsider sees me, then I’ll know that some things I focus on are really so so unimportant, that there’re more important things out there to care about.
On a brighter note, when I marry my rich husband in the future, I’ll get a BMW. Took a Lexus to church this morning. Leng kian drove with Jocelin and Jac in the car, and we took only about 15-20 minutes to get to church. Amazing, I didn’t even feel it was that fast. Hahaha…
My future is in His hands. Even though some things may not be going well, but God is in control. He will never leave me nor forsake me, because His word is true. How do you measure the love you have for God? It’s easy to say “I love You”. It’s harder to show it. To the extent you’re willing to obey Him and say “Yes Lord, here I am. Break my heart for what breaks Yours” is the extent of your love for Him. No matter the inconvenience, no matter what the price may be. God didn’t say “Follow Me when it’s convenient”, He just said “Follow Me”.
2 Cor 4:18 “while we do not look at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen. For the things which are seen are temporary, but the things which are not seen are eternal.”
In the end, just to hear You say “Well done”.
