"pelayanan" yang sia-sia

"pelayanan" yang sia-sia -> pengkritik, penghasut, pengadu (complainers) .. semuanya mengwujudkan suasana negatism di mana apa pun perkara yang tidak baik, ianya dititikberatkan & dihighlight...seolah-olah hanya itu sahaja yg patut diperbincangkan.

Mungkin ada diantara kita manusia, dalam keseronokan mengutuk, memperlekehkan orang lain (yg paling menyedihkan di kalangan pelayan-pelayan Tuhan). Anda mungkin secara "tidak sengaja" menjatuhkan orang lain yg terdengar...mungkin orang yg mendengar itu bukan yg anda kutuk secara langsung...namun mereka tentunya berfikir & berkata "oh...begini rupanya pengikut Tuhan..." itulah kesaksian yang kita tunjukkan kpd orang lain...betapa menyedihkan ianya diperdengarkan oleh anak-anak Tuhan yang sedang membangun. Saat kita melihat, membincang & mempertikai sesuatu tentang rakan-rakan sepelayan...fikirkan dahulu apa pandangan Tuhan ttg perbincangan kita itu? Adakah DIA akan bangga dengan apa yg dibincangkan?...Tentu TIDAK!

Melalui Rasul St Paul kpd jemaat di Efesus, 4:29 beliau menasihat jemaat pada zaman itu (tentunya ianya masih relevan bagi zaman ini & akan dtg juga) menyatakan ttg perbuatan sia-sia ini. Selagi kita masih mengamalkan / melakukan perbuatan begini...ternyata kita bukan lah manusia baru dalalm Kristus, tetapi manusia sudah BASI...

Nyata menyedihkan kerana rata-rata di mana kita berada, kita sering berjumpa / terserempak & sama-sama melayani dengan "kita-kita" yang sebegini....mungkin kita menyalahkan perwatakan semula jadi mereka yang sememangnya selama ini seorang yang lantang bersuara?!?...menyalahkan pekerja mereka sememangnya memerlukan mereka menilai?! ...ya! memang tidak salah bagi kita untuk lantang bersuara spt Petrus & Yohanes pada zaman awal gereja bertumbuh (Rujuk kepada Kisah Para Rasul)..tetapi mereka bersuara dgn pimpinan Roh Kudus & menyatakan sesuatu yang membangunkan orang lain secara positif & bukannya meletakkan status orang yang sedang "diperbetulkan" pada tahap yang paling rendah sekali. Jika kita menilai cara mereka bersuara tentunya bukan dengan kekerasan (maki hamun) / memerli para Imam Agung...tetapi berulang kali menyatakan ttg kasih karunia Kristus...Jadi apakah begitu "kita-kita" semasa kita menyatakan pandangan?!...Kita juga tidak salah utk menilai kerana sejak zaman Adam lagi...manusia diberi peluang / pilihan utk menilai...namun apakah kebaikannya kita menilai keburukan keadaan & manusia? Waspadalah...saat kita menilai keburukan orang lain, sebenarnya kita sedang menghukumi mereka...kita tahu siapa yang lebih layak menghukum jikalau bukan Tuhan Yesus Kristus sendiri. Satu lagi...harus kita berhati-hati dalam penilaian, kerana penilaian buruk memusnahkan manusia sendiri (semasa Tuhan Yesus dikhianati & dibawa kepada Raja Pontius). Berperasangka buruk terus akan mewujudkan benteng di kalangan jemaat terutamanya di kalangan pelayan & pemimpin. Kurangkan berkata kotor dalam kehidupan kita...aplikasinya cuba kita tidak bercakap buruk / kotor utk tempoh 1 minggu & lihat apa yg berlaku...tentunya kehidupan anda lebih indah daripada pencemaran-pencemaran kata2 ini...

Mari kita berdoa agar pemikiran kita serupa seperti Tuhan Yesus Kristus, percakapan mengikut kehendak Roh Kudus & hidup penuh dgn kepimpinaan Roh Kudus utk kemuliaan Nya dan juga pembangunan rohani saudara-saudari seiman selain menjadi pembukan mata hati mereka yang belum mengenali Tuhan Allah Yesus Kristus kita. Amen.

SUKAR?

Bacaan : Amsal 17:15-20
Suatu hari, Anto didatangi sahabat karibnya. Mau pinjam $$. Sebenarnya Anto keberatan, tetapi sukar menolak. Akhirnya ia memberi pinjaman. Ketika utang itu tak kunjung dibayar, Anto tidak berani menagih. Lagi-lagi karena sukar!
Sukar adalah paduan rasa enggan, segan, malu bercampur hormat, yang membuat kita tidak berani berterus-terang. Kita jadi tidak jujur pada sesama dan diri sendiri. Berkata "ya" padahal "tidak", atau sebaliknya. Di mulut memuji, di hati memaki. Gara-gara sukar, yang salah dibiarkan; yang benar tidak dibela; yang tidak betul dipertahankan. Kita sulit mengambil tindakan tegas.
Rasa sukar bukanlah sikap kristiani. Alkitab mengajar kita berkata jujur dan tulus. Apa adanya. Menghormati orang bukan berarti harus selalu setuju dan mendukung tindakannya, termasuk tindakan yang fasik (ayat 15). Sikap demikian justru termasuk "serong hati" atau "memutar-mutar lidah" (ayat 20). Tuhan memandangnya sebagai kekejian! Jika kita sungguh hormat dan cinta pada seseorang, pasti kita berani menegurnya dalam kasih. Tidak berpura-pura baik, seperti lawan yang mencium berlimpah-limpah (Amsal 27:6). Seorang sahabat menaruh kasih tiap waktu (ayat 17), dan kasih tidak suka kepalsuan, tetapi cinta kebenaran (1 Korintus 13:6).
Budaya sukar jangan dipelihara. Ia membuat kita menjadi terlihat halus, tetapi tidak tulus. Terlihat ramah padahal pemarah. Mulai sekarang, mari bersikap apa adanya. Bukankah kita bisa bicara jujur tanpa menjadi kasar? Atau, menyatakan ketidaksetujuan tanpa mengurangi rasa hormat dan kasih? -JTI

RASA SUKAR BUKAN TANDA KERAMAHAN

MELAINKAN TOPENG KEMUNAFIKAN

i'm back

touchdown on the land of borneo about 10am...yuhuuu~~felt so good to be back...& thinking i'm not going to think about work for 15days!!! (agaagaga)

as usual, my parents was there picking me up...from airport, we straight to ---- Pending (is a place name, not in iban which means "ear / telinga" & not in english as in...pending) .... to meet MV Doulos ( sort of like bookshop on the water~~) the last time the ship arrive kuching was 7 years ago...still remember some of the volunters of the ship visits our church for a fellowship. The volunters are from various countries all around the world...i'm glad & thankful having the chance to visit it again (as this will be the last for MV Doulos to visit...soon they will sold the ship & buy bigger one...) ya...better to...as it can easily see in the ship, sudah tua liao....patut pencen already...Basically the bookshops sells christian books - which is goody for me to search for some books for children ministry...The pics of the visit will come up soon...hvt transfer the file yet....

while this morning (sunday)...having hard time (as usual) to wake up around 5am....have to drag myself to the bathroom. Today, dengan bangganya i've attend 3 different services in 3 languages-> 6:40am - english; 8:30am - bm & 3pm - iban. But feel quite upset with 8:30am service though, the songs it seems like just to fill up the silent moment...self preparation in serving the Lord is important...it doesn't how good you are in singing / preaching / dancing, if without self preparation all that you do will be sia-sia (waste)...i've been to one of christian concery....but if the person is not well prepared spiritually, we as the listner / audience could not felt the power of the songs (no feeling)...hmmmm....being the frontliner in the church, is not about glamour, fame / being well known by the congregation, you have been given big responsibility by God to guide & bringing all the congreration to felt the presence of God...quite sad sometime when seeing some members take things for granted.

Pos Sungai Raya - Gopeng Mission Trip

a day before the mission trip..we have a prayer meeting at church specifically for the mission trip...after the meeting, i was supposed to have a short discussion with Auntie Lim Oi Lan (from Sabah) on the material which i have prepared. But i notice that i left the material back at office. Thank God, my housemate was there to drive me back to office to pick it up (by then is almost 10:30pm)...no one at my floor *of course*... later then i was still bz prepare the material for the kids...man, tell you at the time i really have mix feelings...excited / kamchiong -> you name it.

then next day, i was picked up by church friends...when we reached St Mary, everyone was there...packing their stuffs into 2 vans, we start our journey about 8am...the weather was just nice...no hot sunshine...no rain...we reached tanjung malim to buy our *main food* -> babs hutan...hehe... then we went to nearby foodcourt to have our *brunch*...tell you the food there is really cheap (2 meat + 1 vege -> RM3)...just the slow beverage service...then we proceed to Pos Raya...it felt so nice to those green scenes along the way...so refreshing! when we reach the church, our van got stuck in the mud...gary the drive ask us to *move it move it* in the van...haih, so funny. Compare to Ulu Groh, the place is much bigger...let you see some of scenery...

The mountains

The boy's sleeping camp

From the 1st day, all 11 of us start bz prepare for dinner, registration card & others...really enjoyed as all of us work together regardless what are the task which have been assigned earlier. That nite, we have short meeting with Gopeng AJK on what are the task we going to do...

Overall, this time around the youths are quite naughty with stubborn heart compare to last year. Can see that some of them come was not because of the word of God but to meet their friends & musics. (which is quite dissapointing). From this, it teaches me about the important to emphasize the Word of God rather than P&W...to work in humble way so that when people advice us we will listen to it....not just based on our own judgement which mostly can be quite selfish. This what i see in some of my own friends around, as they've been involved in church activities for quite sometime, they tend to think they are better / very good / experienced in doing it, and when people advice them...they tend to argue back or won't listen & eventually become the opposition of whatever other people are doing as it is against their own way. Very sad to think about it, but that's how satan attack (spiritually).

But overall, from what happen it teach me a lot...

1. Always remember to be humble in work

2. Silent is way better than arguing, Prayer is the best way than ignore them

3. The temptations / trouble that we face while working for God, is a very value learning experience to grow & remind us to always work in humble..

4. God sent me (where i am rite now) away from my family is not by coincident, but because there's something He wants me to do for Him here in peninsular...i really appreciate i got the chance to joined & grow more in this children ministry & now i'm able (although still learning) to teach the kids about Word of God...

Ohya, this time around, meet a few kids which i've met at Ulu Groh...Thank God, the kids are ok compare to youth, they listen & willing to follow the activities *games, songs, coloring etc* here's part of the kids which i able to take photo with...

They really have good memory, they can easily remember the memory verse easily after a few time, and next day when i try to asked them again, they still able to recite it corrently...The word of God that share with them was the story about a boy gave (5 piece of bread & 2 fishes to Jesus to fed 5000 people) Memory verse: Rome 12:1 "Persembahkan tubuhmu untuk Tuhan" ...another story that i share with them is wordless book ( this time around, Auntie teach me to use shoe to teach the kids : Black - sin, Red - Blood of Christ, White - Cleanse by blood of Christ, Yellow- Heaven, Green - to be a christian that grows .:. read bibles, pray, do good things to others)...simple message to the kids but a very good way for them to tell their friends about Christ. The Memory verse: Hebrew 13:6 "Tuhan adalah Penolong ku. Aku tidak akan takut" teach the children, what ever problem that they face, they should not be afraid, as God will be there with them. Overall, i learned a lot as i teach the children about the word of God and Auntie also teach me a lot about the kids too (as she's been very active in youth & children ministry)...

Really love the experience that i gained from this mission trip. A lot!!

Last year mission trip

Ulu Guroh, Gopeng Perak Mission Trip

The whole week before the trip can say as quite hectic moment for all of us. We have our prayer meeting on 20th November 2007 (Monday) as our final preparation (even though, to be honest, I have not finished my own children ministry materials yet). I was having hard time in terms my own self confidence to teach and what materials for the sessions. But I’ve placed all the worries to God, cause I believe Lord will guide me & my friends during the trip.

The rest of the day, me & housemates were busy bought stuffs for the mission. As it is near to end of the month, all of us have limited cash in hand to bought stuffs. Credit card is for sure out of the questions to buy stuffs from the warehouse. But thank God, for His grace, we still have enough cash to buy prizes & gift.

On 24th November 2007, we are supposed to be start the journey early in the morning, but due to my housemate’s job commitment we are not able to do so. On the other hand, it sounds good to me as I have time to do more preparation for children ministry. The 5 “RED” crew members journey starts around 11am from KL.. Before we proceed with our journey, we have our lunch at Jalan Gasing. (Tell you, I was terribly hungry that morning). So off we start the journey. In the car itself I was blessed with “warm sunshine”, which I have to hide myself below my comfort pillow, almost drifted away with dream.

The journey to Gopeng Perak took us almost 3 hours compare to usual 2 hours drive because there’s some road maintenance on going at that moment. But overall the journey still felt smooth for me as compare to Sarawak’s borneo “high way”. We reach Pekan Gopeng around 3pm. We left the car behind as the journey to Ulu Guroh village is very bumpy & “bouncy” as what I called it. So we took off the rest of the journey on Church’s van. Really love the environment in the jungle, so cooling! The tree’s, the jungle smells, the river flashing sounds…fulamak…just amazing. We reach the village about ½ hour later.

When we arrive, the youth conference still going on in the chapel. We just unpack our luggage from the van and proceed to the chapel. The whole chapel was occupied with teens and young adults. That night, we have amazing time dance and sing praise & worship to God. But most importantly, the sermon by Pastor Iben on How to be a transformed Christian.

On 25th November 2007, we “girls” namely me, edina, collin, rose, lilix & Sharon wake up around 6am preparing for breakfast. Wow, it is amazing I can wake up so that early. J During the breakfast time, I get myself talked with some of the kids to invite them to children ministry. At that moment, they are mostly shy kids, hardly to tell their names. So the children class started at 9am. There are about 30 children that morning. Thank God, language is not a problem for me & orang asli’s children. Praise God for they are actually being expose & introduce about God through their Sunday school too so there’s not much problem for me to guide & talk to them. Plus, I have a helpful helper name Auntie Edina with me J. That morning, we do some craft & coloring activities. The kids really enjoy craft & coloring activities. We bribe them with some sweets to make sure they pay attention to the class though. Hehe.

That evening, we have a sports activity for the kids while for the youth they have their own games. The activities was held at near by football field which we need to cross a river without a bridge!!! I have to laugh myself as I’ve experiencing embarrassing moment while try to cross the river I’ve fall into it. While the kids set their foot so easily on the rocks. Damn…my collapse even caught in video too. This gonna make other team mates laugh out loud. I was totally wet up till my thigh… luckily not my whole body. Actually for the kid’s sport activities, I do not have much idea of what to do. As I was last minutes informed about it. But overall, I enjoy myself a lot during that time and really put all my energy to play with the kids.

That night, the session proceed with Deacon Julih sermons and then proceed with altar call. Many youngsters came forward for the calling. From there, I can felt how these youngsters yearn to be renewed and forgive by The Lord. This urged me to continue to pray with them. It is an amazing experience for me. That night after the session, I was informed by other team members there is something weird happen up in the clouds. That night was a full moon night, but the moon is not a round shape but symbolized something which I still could not understand from what I see through the video. The weird shape moon was slowly covered by black clouds but the light of the moon shine brightly stills. It do makes me goose bump though.
The next morning, it’s Sunday. That morning we have a morning service at the chapel. While me & edina proceed with Sunday school after the praise & worship. I was in blurry situation though as their service protocol is different from what we used to. But then the Sunday school did start at the time it should be. That morning, I’m using Wordless Book material which I’ve learned from Gretha (our KBM Sunday School coordinator). The teaching goes well but during the craft time, that’s the most uncontrollable situation for both of us. Basically the craft activity was hard to be conduct, need to have more helper to really helping the children on hand with the craft. The funny thing is I myself confius, seems like I’m colour blind at that time, black become green colour, yellow become white (what da!)…get confius what the colour which I’m holding, makes the children more confius for sure at that time too. J Lesson learned: get more helper on sophisticated craft! AFTER THAT, I was informed by edina that it was announcement time in the chapel, so we all RUSH to the chapel as we should be ready for goodies giving to the children in the chapel. Gosh, how I’m so “Kam chiong” as the emcee for the announcement for Sunday school. Honestly, I’m not good at public speaking. But Thank God everything goes well, though I know my word really kelam kabut at that time. But one very big mistake which I’ve made is I forgot to give away the “certificate” which me & edina have cutely design! OH MAN! Such a waste, by the time we remember about it, the children is not around. All have went back home with their goodies. J Hopefully they’ll love it.

After that, all the team members do their task such as sweeping, cleaning, washing and etc to clean up the place. By the time we finished the cleaning, we’re damn hungry. That day we have Mee Goreng @ Fried Mee as our lunch menu. After that, 2 hours later we all set to go back home. Well, still going through those bumpy road. It was a tiring day for me, I was asleep along the way. Can’t help my eyes no more zzzZZZzzz.

Yesterday

Last Friday evening, i was feeling unsure whether i'll be going to latihan or to amcorp for sony exhibition. Couldn't make fast decision that evening (not the usual me) as i was too occupied with office work...until most of my colleague was not around about 7pm, only then i can think about i'm planned to do...thinking that i won't have the laptop for the latihan anyway...so better still i follow my housemate back home...

That nite, my housemates plan to do surprise bday bash to 1 of our friend, Dwin (polite lil bro)...we went to amcorp, aside from the sony clearance sales, me & my roomate *secretly* bought cake for him, while my housemates took the bday boy to "padang" ->don't know what they doing there....So that nite, while waiting the clock to stroke 12 midnite, we playing UNO *as usual*...then we asked the bday boy to go down to buy some ais & carbonate drink...we quickly took the cake & went to the pool side, waiting for him...then my housemate "tipu" him by saying we playing UNO at the pool side...Now this is the funny part...my housemates says they want to take photo with him by the pool side...so the 3 guys, stands beside the poolside with the bday boy stands in the middle....then while my roomate took the pic...on the 3rd count, the 2 noty guys push the bday boy to the pool. What a terrible awful *girly scream* that the bday boy did! Beside our table, there's a group of guys *lepaking*, how they surprise & jump up from their chair after listening what happen at the pool side...later then they LOL knowing that we only fooling him for his bday. Now, this is what we call a bday bash!

The next morning, met my bro to buy his stuff...but more story abt the stuff -> shall write in the next entry as seems have some problems...Really hope it is not a big problem...

And the next morning (Sunday), we went to church for sunday service...having not so *pleasant* incident actually that morning...not a big deal anyway...but overall, very blessed with the sermon presented by Pastor Iben on Maranatha *which came from aramaic acient language* which is related to hope & consolation...For Christian, it is written in the bible that there will be 2nd coming of Christ...that when the Christ loyal children will be united & "dibangkitkan" with Christ. In 1 Tes 4:13-18, it is everlasting reunion with Christ....as the time comes without our knowing(Matthew 24:43 / 1 Tes 5:3), we must prepare ourselves from the earthly wrong doing...if we keep on with wrong doing, we will be forever sleep in sin *1 Tes 5:6-7* In what way, that we are not prepare of Maranatha -> when we neglect our spiritual life, too occupied with work, family, money, problems until we neglect church, never spent personal time with God, spent time on God's word. Yes, it is not easy becoming a christian...but nothing we can compare of what Christ sacrifice for our sin/ the blessing...
Maranatha will be coming soon, where we reunited with our Father in Heaven & it's time for us to be awake from our sleep!!

That evening, we have another sports day for the church member...not much people turned up *maybe the it was raining* but it was a happening...For the guys, they're playing football..while for the ladies as there's not much team member to play netball, so some of us joined the basketball *with the kids* & some joined the volleyball game. Me? of course, i'm not joining the volleyball *try not to torture my hands*...so i play basketball...then after tired of playing the game, some of us play badminton...Thank God, one of the member bring along shuttercock as initially we only have *newspaper ball* as the shuttercock. It has been quite a decade i last played badminton *back in primary school, i usually play it with my neighbour*..so i was not really good at *opening* the ball...but it was fun indeed...jumping/stretching/screaming...started to love play the game *we play it almost 1 hour...really get all my sweat out, as i hardly get sweated though* Loved it...

God is there with us...

Critics...how to confront them

Last saturday night, we have bible study again & was lead by Pastor Iben on "How do we confront critics?"

He asked all of us to read 1 Pet2:3-15
Taken from New International Version
" 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.
The Living Stone and a Chosen People 4As you come to him, the living Stone—rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him— 5you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6For in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame."[a] 7Now to you who believe, this stone is precious. But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has become the capstone,[b]"[c] 8and, "A stone that causes men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall."[d] They stumble because they disobey the message—which is also what they were destined for.
9But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 10Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.
11Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul. 12Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Submission to Rulers and Masters 13Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, 14or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men."

Then he asked us to summarize the whole paragraph into 1 word. My group answer to the question is Kesaksian...on how we behave to other. But Pastor summarize the answer as Submission. To confront people's critics on us is by submission / Obey (Tunduk / Taat) and do good regardless how bad they treat us.

The he asked another question, what are the things that people (who against us) see in us to critic ?
-> all of us answer : our weaknesses & wrong doing

Yeap, we human usually like to critic people based on their weakness & wroing doing. The passage teaches us what ever / how abt the critics people made on us, we must not against them as what they do to us. But submit it to God & do good to them. That's what Christ value which we should instill in us. This makes me recall my own wrong doing which after the incident makes me really down for last 3 days of feeling guilty of what i've done. Really a good lesson of life which i experience. I do bad & at the end i'm the one "yang malu!!" such foolish of me.

Here's another versus which we learned regarding the above passage:
Book of Ephesians 6:5-6
5Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ. 6Obey them not only to win their favor when their eye is on you, but like slaves of Christ, doing the will of God from your heart.

God Bless

'till next line

Ku hidup bagi Mu

Last week sunday, was Lynell who lead us in Praise & Worship. Here's 1 really nice song...

Yesus Kau kebenaran
Yang menyelamatkan ku
Kau membrikan ku hidup dan pengharapan

Ku ikut kehendak Mu
Ku perlu anugerah Mu
Kau nyatakan janjiMu kepada ku

Kalau ku hidup, ku hidup bagi Mu
Hati ku tetap, tetap menyembah Mu
Dunia tak bisa menjauhkan ku dari kasih Mu

Slama ku hidup, ku hidup bagi Mu
Mata ku tetap, tetap memandang Mu
Dunia tak bisa menjauhkan ku dari kasih Mu

Very meaningful lyric to express our love & gratitute to our Lord Jesus.

Gagal - a signs of improvement?

I was feeling a lil down last week...after the *incident*, i was trying to be optimise of what have happen. I couldn't asleep that night thinking of what had happen.

Little that i know some people can over react at a point that they could argue & being rude to other (just because we are younger than them) who we treat them as brothers & sisters in C. Was frustrated and ashamed, seems like there's no JC in them from the way they act. I'm not going to spell out loud what has been happen here.
*fullstop*

Last Sunday evening, was having great fun with the Student Fellowship from BM Ministry. They've organize a farewell & welcoming gathering for nursing students. It was full of funny ice breaking activities. There's montage presentation by their senior which shows their 3 years studies experince. Yup! every students face the same problem, but i'm sure those who have to be apart from family and study else where sufferes more. (well, i'm glad all my studies years, i was with my family, eventhough now *working* have to be apart from them).

On that day, Pastor shares about God's word in Psalm 107 "Give thanks unto the Lord"....Why we should give thanks? because God is good, from the creation of the universe, the sacrifice on the cross and the TODAY that God gives us. When we faces temptation? We all must remember this:

James 1:12 -16 "12Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13When tempted, no one should say, "God is tempting me." For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14but each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. 15Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16Don't be deceived, my dear brothers."

So when we face temptation, we should seek guidance from God on how we could stands & win over the temptations that we are facing. We wouldn't win over the battle of temptation without God's guidance.

'till next line

Finding Time - unknown

I knelt to pray but not for long,
I had too much to do.
I had to hurry and get to work
For bills would soon be due.

So I knelt and said a hurried prayer,
And jumped up off my knees.
My Christian duty was now done
My soul could rest at ease.

All day long I had no time
To spread a word of cheer
No time to speak of Christ to friends,
They'd laugh at me I'd fear.

No time, no time, too much to do,
That was my constant cry,
No time to give to souls in need
But at last the time, the time to die.

I went before the Lord,I came,
I stood with downcast eyes.
For in his hands God held a book;
It was the book of life.

God looked into his book and said
'Your name I cannot find I once was
going to write it down
But never found the time'

-- Author Unknown

Received this email attachement from my church friend. A good reminder for you and me.

Why me?

Have you ever experience when you face a failure or problem, at that moment you feel like your whole world is trumbling down, end of the world, "sei lo", "mati la kali ini"...bla bla bla...yeap, honestly, i'm stupidly always feel that way sometimes...eventhough after the end of the day, you may nagging yourself "why i must too worried over a small problem"

In Psalm Chapter 6, King David wrote abt how he was so depressed (feeling that God have left him without help). But at the end of the Chapter 6, he realised and knows that the God have heard his prayer and none of his enemies can defeat him by God's grace. From the reading, it shows that living in this world, there are times when we will having problem, but we must have faith in God that He will help us & give us the strength that we need to overcome it.

Yet, as human...we still asked "why? why me?....what i've done?".

In James, Chapter 1:2-7, "2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. 4 Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. 6 But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That man should not think he will receive anything from the Lord; "

When i read this chapter, i believed that's God's promise to us as His children that when we facing any temptation, He is with us. The temptation that we face, teaches us to be strong "perseverance". So, my friend, if we having problem right now, TALK to Him and have FAITH in Him.

'till next line

Don't be seduce by satan (Sharing By Hubabalian72, July06) - translation

Have you ever receieved an email which written like this: "if you destroy this email after you've read it..you'll having bad luck for a year" or an email which says like this: if you send this email to:
1 ppl - your wish will be granted within 1 year
3 ppl- your wish will be granted within 6 months
5 ppl- your wish will be granted with 3 month & etc..........
"if you don forward this email, you'll be having a problem soon..." Becareful my friends....!!

Such statements can bring negative impact upon us if WE BELIEVED. Such email containts intimation to freak us out. DO NOT get fool by such statement which says we will having bad luck, problem, sickness, death etc if we don't forward such email. We should know that OUR Lord never try to scared us *His creation* except the satan who is behind this. Maybe some people will say, "The email containts spiritual messages, containt the picture of the cross, or even containts Biblical wording." But as a christan we must remember this: "We must not being fooled by a wolf under the skin of a lamb." If the email carry & using the name of the Lord but at the end of the statement it tries to scare & force us to forward the email, that's the work of a wolf under the skin of a lamb (satan). Besides that, such email gives the picture that the Lord is bad because He giving people bad luck of not forwarding the email. We must remember that the Lord is Good, Our Saviour & Helper. Don't you know that each of our dream & wishes which happened are gift from the our gracious Lord if you asking in faith? The Lord always cares about our needs and wants. His blessing is not depend how many emails which we send / forward. Believed in Him and we shall be bless in His Grace.

In Jesus, we are freed human being. Don't put ourseleves under slavery of such emails or statement. (Rm 8:2 & 2 Kor. 3:17). He loves us forever. Amen