You are currently browsing the monthly archive for June, 2007.
Faith to Impact the World through Ministries (Beattitudes of Ministry)
1 Peter 4:10-11
1. Be a Minister (v10a)
- 1 Peter 2:9
- Psalm 139:13-14
- Matthew 13:31-33
Don’t wait for others to serve, start with yourself.
We are gifted by God.
We are meant to bless others with our gift.
Question: What are you passionate about?
2. Be a committted Minister (v10b)
- Matthew 25:21
a. Be humble (Roms 12:3)
b. Be available (Isa 6:8)
c. Be cheerful (Col 3:23-24)
d. Be tenacious (Zec 4:10)
Serving God is an opportunity, not an obligation
Minister even in times of great inconvenience
3. Be dependent on God (v11a)
- Zec 4:6
- Hebrews 13:21
Depend on God and have faith that He can:
a. Equip (Matt 16:19)
b. Enable
c. Empower (Eph 3:20)
4. Be glorifying to God (v11b)
- 2Tim 4:7
Forget about oneself, let Christ increase in us.
I got the picture off someone’s blog. So do you think it is true?
After seeing this picture, i couldn’t help but be amused by it.
It reminds me that different people
- see things differently,
- hear things differently,
- read things differently,
- think things differently,
- feel things differently.
And these differences are the cause of most problems in the world today. Even in the unified body of Christ, there are differences.
So what can help us put aside our differences and start working together?
Is it to compromise my stand, my convictions in a certain area?
The world says “be an adult, sit down and talk things through (to come to a common agreement)”.
Well, i say, “let your love for Christ work out the differences”.
Selamat Pagi (Malay),
Following the culture of my church, i thought that i will start a record of all my bible/devotional studies – book by book.
Well, Ps B used to say; “if you stay with us long enough, we will finish studying the whole bible together one day”.
Well, i will also say now; “if you stay with my blog long enough, we will finish studying the whole bible together, one day.”
Please do understand that i am not a bible scholar. Therefore, please do check what you read on my blog. If you disagree with what i write, feel free to comment on it. But please note that i am not out to start a debate. Please correct in love.
agape,
A Loud Voice on 29/06/07
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G’day (Australia),
I am trying to figure out what is the best method to read my blogs. So this is my conclusion:
1. Always read this page first.
Reason: This page is like a “what’s new” directory. Whenever i add something new to my blog, i will update this page.
2. If this is your first time reading this blog, i will suggest reading it using the “Categories” section.
3. Well, if this is your second time here, read my “Recent Posts”.
4. As for all the others, just do what you like 
Also, try changing your text size to “medium”. This might help with reading unless it is too small for your eyes :p
Have a Good Sunday and Happy Birthday Queen (Australia Public Holiday).
agape,
A Loud Voice on 10/06/07
(Ps: Just a reminder that i will be commenting on all my past entries from 2003 till 2006.)
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Bonjour (French),
I have finally finished extracting and commenting on my 2003 entries (7 entries). Wow, it sure took a long time for me to extract them all. But i praise God for what He had done in my life through the years. Even when i look at my old self, i know that there are certain things in my life that i will need to change. Just going through the past 7 entries have challenged me so much. And I praise God for the awareness.
Beside extracting the past entries, i have also added “God-tube.com”. I will post some of the best videos i found online for you to enjoy. Well, if you do know of some good videos – God related, do let me know, and i will post them up.
Have fun surfing my blog. I hope that upon entering this site, your life will be touched in someways.
agape,
A Loud Voice
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Aloha (Hawaiian),
I have been playing around with bringing music to the blog and i proudly bring you “Sonific”. Well, nothing new but finally some noise on my blog . I tried to get it to play automatically but whenever i try to change the pages, the song re-start by itself. It finally got on my nerves and i decide to switch it off. So if you want some music while you read, just click “PLAY”.
Also, remember to scroll downwards. As i kept adding new things to the blog, it just gets longer and longer. I might have to find a new interface for my blog real soon.
Enjoy some nice gospel music.
agape,
A Loud Voice
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Sawatdi Khrap (Thai),
I have added two new categories in the blog - ”Quotes” & “Songs”. Often, i will be inspired to create either a quote or a new song. But most of the time, i tend to forget about it and never note it down. By creating these categories, i hope to create a database of my inspirations. I will also be including other good quotes and songs which i come across as well.
If you find it useful, feel free to use them.
agape,
A Loud Voice
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Greetings again,
I have finally got my interface up and running. Of course, more work need to be done to this blog. But for a start, it will do. I will be now be concentrating on importing all my past entries. While carrying out the importing process, i thought that it will be nice to comment on my past entries.
Take a look. I hope it will encourage you even more than the entries itself. It will be a long and slow process but i believe it will be worth it.
Stay tune for more updates.
agape,
A Loud Voice
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Greetings to those who chance upon this site,
I am currently developing this new blog site. Once i got my interface up and running, i will import some of my past blogs here. Let’s see if this site is better than the one i currently use.
agape,
A Loud Voice
Luke 14: 25-33 (The Cost of Being a Disciple)
25Large crowds were travelling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:
26″If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple.
27And anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.
28″Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Will he not first sit down and estimate the cost to see if he has enough money to complete it?
29For if he lays the foundation and is not able to finish it, everyone who sees it will ridicule him,
30saying, ‘This fellow began to build and was not able to finish.’
31″Or suppose a king is about to go to war against another king. Will he not first sit down and consider whether he is able with ten thousand men to oppose the one coming against him with twenty thousand?
32If he is not able, he will send a delegation while the other is still a long way off and will ask for terms of peace.
33In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.
This is a difficult passage to read. Lots of people will try to side-step it and read the easier passages – i did try to avoid difficult passages. But the bible says in 2Tim that “all scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” Therefore, we should not ‘escape’ hard passages, instead, try and draw out the eternal principles behind these scriptures. It will then be rewarding and convicting in our spirit.
When i read this passage, it spoke deeply about where my conviction stands. Will i forsake Christ, when someone takes a gun and put it on my head and ask me to renounce Christ?
Ps W once spoke about a group of Christians having their fellowship in the secret of a house. The nation they are in, have no religion freedom. So everything they do, they have to do it secretly. One day, as they are worshipping God, two soldiers with their face masked, smashed through the door and started pointing their guns at everyone. They shouted “everyone who do not want to die, should renouce of their faith now and you will be allowed to leave this place.” 15 out of 20 people renouced Jesus on the spot and left the place. When they have left, the soldiers pick up the door and fixed it back. They then take off their mask and said “lets’ start the real worship now”.
1. Love for Christ must always be first (v26)
a. 1 John 3:15
b. 1 John 4:20-21
c. Deuteronomy 5:16
d. Matthew 10:37
c. Deuteronomy 5:7-8
Scripture interprets Scripture
We can claim to love God but unless our;
- Love for Christ come first,
- Loyalty to Christ come first, and
- Obedience to Christ come first.
One day, we will leave and forsake God.
2. Suffer for the sake of Christ (v27)
a. Matthew 16:26
The time will come when we have to make some hard decisions.
- To take up the Cross (Hard Choice)
- to forsake the Cross (Easy Choice)
What will be your choice?
3. Give for Christ when needed/called (v33)
4. Count the Cost (v28-32)
We always treasure things more when it cost us, as compared with a borrowed item.
Do you owned the relationship with God or is it on borrowed terms?
I am coughing non-stop and could not sleep.
My nose is blocked and it has become hard to breath.
I lost my voice and i can not bring it to a higher musical note.
The pain in my leg increases with every passing day.
My spirit felt burden and cries out for joy.
My mind are loaded with questions of deepness.
My body weaken by the constant struggle with sickness.
In the mist of all things,
I can sense the strong presence of God.
In the mist of all things,
I can sense the spirit of God stirring my heart.
There seems to be a covering over my life.
Despite any situations, please bring me to Supernatural Sunday.
Sitting in my icy-cold chair, in the icy-cold temperature room, facing my icy-cold computer; Watching a fire-filled worship song, lead by fire-filled leaders, in a fire-filled hall.
My freezing body starts to respond to the pressence of God.
Almighty God >>
Nothing is too hard for Him to resolve, nothing is impossible in His eyes.
He brings forth solutions to resolve issues in my life.
Wonderful God >>
He leads me by hand, He guides me with light.
His pressence fills my being and brings me close to His heart.
Saviour God >>
Joy - He gives freely, Grace – He pours out abundantly.
Love becomes unconditional with forgiveness ready for me at all times.
Majestic God >>
He is the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End.
The creator of all things – including you and me in His image.
Lord of Lord and King of King >>
He comes riding on a horse, clothed in all glory.
He takes His seat on the throne, with all majesty.
He plans His strategies with perfect accuracy.
He issued the command with resounding authority.
There will only be one over all, JESUS;
The Lord of Lords and the King of Kings.
Conviction as defined by the dictionary is “The fact or condition of being without doubt”.
Through certain ones’ Action, Speech or Writing, we can actually tell a person conviction in a certain area.
Let me tell of a conviction which God lays in my heart.
There was this one night when i was surfing the tube. I came across this tube which disturb my spirit much. Since then, God slowly brings to light a principle in my dull mind.
The tube shows of some christian guys blasting the ministry of Billy Graham. They were claiming from the bible that what Billy was doing isn’t right. Well, they brought forth great principles but also at the same time, i was troubled with their actions.
I remember when i was a 3-month old christian, one of my army friends ask me.
“Christians are the most un-unified people in the whole world. Why are there so many different churches in the world? Why are Christians condemning one another? It just shows.”
At that time, i have no answer. Well, i did gave a rather vague answer.
“God wants to touch different people from different backgrounds using different kind of Churches and background.”
Today, i will give another answer.
“Because of differing convictions, people think that they are the only one who is right. When their eyes began to fix on themselves, they can’t see that God has a purpose and a plan. Yes, God did say to use the word to teach, rebuke, correct and train in righteousness (2Tim3:16-17) but most people forgot not to judge and condemn. They forgot to do it in love and grace.”
As people who love God, we do not tolerate anything that is displeasing before the eyes of God. But Apostle John also says, if anyone sees his brother commit a sin, he should pray and God will give him life. Most of the times, we want to tell of our views more than wanting to pray for the brother. We totally forgot that God is the only one who can change a person’s life. Thus we end up not saving the person, instead we destroyed the unified body of Christ.
Thanks to Mr Bee’s question; “What do you think of this verse?”
Throughout the whole day, this verse kind of stuck to my head.
Well, i thought i might as well give it a go, to unlock the meaning behind this verse.
Firstly, i took out the verse from NKJV, NIV and NLT;
“Where no oxen are, the trough is clean;
But much increase comes by the strength of an ox.”
Proverbs 14:4 (NKJV)
“Where there are no oxen, the manger is empty,
but from the strength of an ox comes an abundant harvest.”
Proverbs 14:4 (NIV)
“Without oxen a stable stays clean,
but you need a strong ox for a large harvest.”
Proverbs 14:4 (NLT)
Secondly, i did a definition search on the web for the following;
Oxen (noun) – Domesticated bovine animals as a group regardless of sex or age
Ox (noun) – An adult castrated bull of the genus Bos; especially Bos taurus
Trough (noun) – A long, narrow, generally shallow receptacle for holding water or feed for animals.
Manger (noun) – A trough or an open box in which feed for livestock is placed.
Stable (noun) – A building, or portion thereof, for the housing and feeding of horses, cattle, and other domestic animals.
Thirdly, i did a verse search on the web;
Most of the websites which i access, spoke about financing and investing and for some, personal experiences.
Lastly, my thoughts;
“When there are no problems or difficult situations,
life will be good and uneventful;
But i will grow stronger in my character with any given situation,
thus revealing the glory of God.”
Ruth Graham Dies at 87
Billy Graham’s wife of nearly 64 years was a distinguished communicator of God’s power and peace in her own right.
Ruth Bell Graham, wife of evangelist Billy Graham, died Thursday at her home at Little Piney Cove in Montreat, North Carolina. She was 87.
She was born to missionary parents in Tsingkiang, China, in 1920, where she was raised in staunch Presbyterian piety, with daily doses of private and family devotions and being expected to memorize large portions of the Bible. Her high school years were spent in a boarding school in Pyongyang (now North Korea).
In 1940, at Wheaton College in Illinois, she met a classmate who invited her to a performance of Handel’s Messiah. From that first date, the relationship between Ruth Bell and Billy Graham took off. Before they parted for the summer of 1941, Billy asked Ruth to marry him. She didn’t say yes immediately, but within a few weeks, she wrote him to say that she believed their relationship was “of the Lord.”
They graduated from Wheaton in June 1943 and were married on Friday, August 13. Returning from their honeymoon, Ruth fell sick, but instead of calling to cancel his preaching engagement in Ohio to stay by her bedside, Billy checked Ruth into a hospital and kept the speaking appointment, sending her a telegram and a box of candy.
So began her adjustment to her husband’s intense calling to preach, which meant extended times of separation. Yet “I’d rather have Bill part-time,” she often said, “than anybody else full-time.”
Ruth was a student of the Bible. “She knows the Bible a lot better than I do,” Billy was quick to admit. And she provided a measure of grit that complemented Billy’s more diplomatic style.
When Billy warmly recalled his meeting with the president of Mexico—”He even embraced me”—Ruth quickly added, “Oh, Bill, don’t be flattered. He did that to Castro, too.”
Yet she never tried to place herself in the spotlight: “That’s not my wad of gum.”
Much of her ministry was with her 5 children, 19 grandchildren, and more than a dozen great-grandchildren. She personally selected and purchased 150 heavily wooded acres near Black Mountain, North Carolina, where she designed the “mountain primitive” house that became their home.
Ruth authored several books, including One Wintry Night, a collection of her poetry, and Prodigals and Those Who Love Them, which draw on her experience as a mother of two “spiritual wanderers” to encourage others whose loved ones strayed from the faith.
Her ministry also took other forms. After inheriting a tidy sum from her father’s estate, she gave it all away, mostly to an orphanage in Mexico. She also cared for female prisoners, including Velma Barfield, a North Carolina woman who made a commitment to Christ while on death row before her execution for murder. Ruth was also a driving force in creating the Ruth and Billy Graham Children’s Health Center at Memorial Mission Hospital in Asheville, North Carolina.
In 1988, thanks to Ruth’s efforts, the Grahams went on a 17-day trip through China, where she was greeted as “a daughter of China” and Billy as “a man of peace.” Both of them were received by Premier Li Peng.
On May 2, 1996, Billy and Ruth Graham received the Congressional Gold Medal, the highest honor Congress can bestow upon a citizen, in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
In his remarks, Senate Majority Leader Bob Dole said, “When the idea of awarding a Congressional Gold Medal to Dr. Graham was first raised, it received something rare in this building—unanimous approval. So too, did the idea of honoring Ruth Graham, Billy’s remarkable partner of 53 years and a distinguished communicator of God’s power and peace in her own right.
Ruth was known for being a woman of grace but also of outspoken forthrightness and wit.
When asked if she and her husband always agreed on everything, she said, “My goodness, no! If we did, there would be no need for one of us!”
When Ruth answered the phone one day, the caller asked, “Is Billy handy?” She retorted, “Not very. But he keeps trying.”
In 1952, Billy briefly entertained the possibility of running for President. Ruth quickly quashed that notion by calling him to say: “I don’t think the American people would vote for a divorced president, and if you leave ministry for politics, you will certainly have a divorce on your hands.”
Billy once described the secret of their more than 60-year marriage: “Ruth and I are happily incompatible.”
Perhaps the best assessment of her contributions, however, came from the late T. W. Wilson, a boyhood friend of Billy’s who became a trusted member of his evangelistic team.
“There would have been no Billy Graham as we know him today had it not been for Ruth,” he said. “They have been a great team.”
Copyright © 2007 Christianity Today.
Mwahhaahahaaaaaa
Freddy
Hiro
I was just surfing the tube for some good stuffs to add to God-tube.com and i come across a drama put up by some really cute kids. Watching this drama, reminds me of my little cousin. Well, my brother and i brought him to the cinema. I can still remembers him sitting in the oversize cinema chair, with both hands on his ears through out the whole show. He is really very cute in that position.
Kids reminds me of joy and love. I guess when we grow up, we tends to think and worry more. That will be the reason why we find it hard to be joyous in difficult situations. That will be the reason why we find it hard to love another person.
We are no longer as naive and pure in our thoughts. If we want to worry less and enjoy more joy and love, maybe we should think about bearing the characteristic of a child.
A verse pops up in my head.
“Assuredly, i say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3
Here is another tube which touch many hearts including mine. Great Voice.
Psalm 105:1-4
1Give thanks to the Lord,
call on His name;
make known among the nations what he has done.
2Sing to Him, sing praise to Him;
tell of all His wonderful acts.
3Glory in His holy name;
let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
4Look to the Lord and His strength;
seek His face always.
Theme: Focus and Exalt the Almighty God
1. God is Good, All the Time (Praise)
2. Draw me Closer (Worship)
3. Magnificent (Worship)
4. Exalted (Worship)
Objectives:
1. Proclaim the Goodness of God
2. Enter His Presence with Singing
3. To Fix our Eyes on our God.
4. Exalts His Mighty Name.
Prayers:
Oh God, I pray for your children. It might be hard to understand the circumstances we are in at this very moment. It might even be harder to focus on You when everything that surrounds us seems so dark. But Lord, it is at this very moment that we need light. It is at this very moment that we will need to seek and enter your presence even more. So come and change hearts. Let it be soft and willing to come before You.
Oh God, allow your people to respond. We need to respond! We must respond! Let it be our heart cries. Do not let us depart from the very words which give us life. Draw us close and bring us nearer. For Lord, let Your joy fill our lives. Hear our very heart cries.
Amen.
Faith to Impact the World through Mission – Joshua 1:6-9
Attitudes of Faith that impacts the World:
1. Courageous & Strong (v6)
- Courage: state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear with confidence and resolution.
- Strong: to fasten upon, withstand, having force of conviction, uncompromising.
Courage to step out of our comfort zone.
Strength to stand firm on the mission.
“Mission 238″
2. Complete obedience & devotion to God (v7-8)
- Numbers 14:24
- 2 Chronicles 16:9
- Gensis 15:1
By obeying Him, prosperity and success will follow.
Looking for: (a) Heart for Him, (b) Obedience to Him, (c) Faith regardless of times
What moves you to worship God?
What motivates you to pray?
3. Called by God (v9)
“I have but one passion – it is He, it is He alone. The world is the field and the field is the world; and henceforth that country shall be my home where I can be most used in winning souls for Christ.”
Nikolaus Ludwig von Zinzendorf und Pottendorf
Let us All Proclaim
Verse1
A song i have,
And this song i sing,
About His love and ma-jesty.
A song of praise,
And this song i give,
About His grace and mer-cy.
Pre-Chrous
Ex-alts His wondrous Name,
Cries for His love.
Ex-alts His glorious Name,
Let us All Proclaim.
Chrous
Let us all shout His Name
Let us all embrace His grace
Let us all sing His praise
Let us All Proclaim
Bridge
Proclaim His Love
Proclaim His Grace
Written by
Steven Lee
on the 10th June 2007 at 12:08AM
Mwaaahahahahahhahaaa ……………….. i am actually trying to imagine what goes through your minds right now. Well, a lot depends on how you view the title to this post. I guess i am going to disappoint some people here .
The title is based on a movie i just watched – “DreamGirls”. This is the second best movie in my life right after “Apollo 13″. I have drop “Coyote Ugly” to third place. So, what is different about this movie? I will say that the plot and the music makes this movie. Here are some of my thoughts of the movie.
“Message Music” – This is my kind of music. It is personal and it speaks life. It makes much sense because it delievers a message into my heart, into my life. It just reminds me so much about God’s music – words which touches and changed my life.
“The Group” – Well, a group can only succeed when all are involved. Whether in a small or big role, it doesn’t matter. Everyone are needed in order for a group to work. When one decided to look at “What about me?”, a group will not be able to be formed. Even when the person is able to suppress that thought, the time will come when it will come back and huant the person again. And when it happens, the group will be destroyed. In order for a group to work, remember this; the group needs everyone because everyone is family.
“The Dream” – Never gives up your dream. It can come to pass.
“The Return” – It is never too late to turn around and walk on the right path. Understand your mistakes, and CHANGE. Understand your behaviour, and CHANGE. Undertand your character, and CHANGE.
I pulled out of Youtube, 2 songs from the movie. It sound even more meaningful when you watch the movie.
Listen – Beyonce Knowles
One Night Only
“If you don’t have an attitude of gratitude,
all you have left is attitude.”
Kenny Luck
President and Founder of Every Man Ministries;
Men’s Pastor at Saddleback Church
Faith that Impacts the World – Matthew 5:14-16
1. Made for World Impact (v14)
- 2 Tim 3:13
- Jer 17:9
- Eph 5:13-15
Modern man has invented more ways to corrupt and destroy himself.
The solution to darkness is light.
a) Made for the whole world (v14b)
- Gen 1:28
- Matt 28:19-20
- Luke 13: 20-21
The light in His church is too valuable, too precious, too essential to be limited.
There is power in multiplication.
There is power in teamwork.
b) Made for nothing less (v14c)
We cannot be less than light nor aim for less than the world.
2. Called for World Impact (v15-16a)
a) Called to time (v15a)
- Eph 5:8
b) Called to believe (v15b)
- Heb 11:1
- Roms 12:6
Begin with faith today and impact with the world tomorrow.
c) Called to act (v16a)
Small faithful beginnings can lead to greatness.
3. Glorifies God throught World Impact (v16b)
- John 8:12
- 2Corin 3:18
Jesus is the light
“When God is Glorified, Satan will be Horrified.”
Ps Wilson
03/06/07 @ 17:00pm
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