I was doing my TAWG yesterday, and read Matthew 16:28. It says, "I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom." The truth of this word immediately reminded me that Christ was coming. The signs are here (earlier on in Matthew as it is said.) And at that point, I was reminded of all my sins, and how I have not been the best testimony I can be for him in my school and beyond. I have become distant from God; I attended church, but slowly, I strayed away. Also, yesterday was IGNYTE service. It was about forgiveness. And when I responded to the altar call, I was prayed for by an adult leader (I think) and she said that I have yet to forgive someone from primary school, and teacher or a friend. I gave deep thought, and now I think it is Mrs Euodia Tay because I didn't like the way she was really biased to me after my parents called. But no matter what, I have chosen to forgive Mrs Tay. I have also forgiven my parents for making my young childhood difficult because they kept arguing, especially in P3 where they did that for 3 months continuously. I forgive anyone who has hurt me in anyway, because Christ in the same way has forgiven me.
Here I also want to share with you a blog entry I got from someone, you might not fully understand its context but read anyway. Here goes: "It's been a long time since I posted, almost one month? Even though I'm sure not many people read my posts, nevertheless. Anyway, almost 3 months have passed since Pastor Dowdy broke us into the new year. And in this three months my faith has grown hugely.Last week was Mission week, and Pastor Jay from U.S gave us the sermon. It was great. I mean truly great. It really hit me really hard--all of us were made for greatness, and nothing less. After his sermon was time to pledge our money. They would key in the number from each section into the Excel spreadsheet, and the total amount would increase. Every time the amount increases by another $10,000, the entire Ignyte would give a loud cheer. It was really exciting, to see the amount rising, and then rising, and then continue rising. The altar call was amazing. To be touched by God after a hard trial was just amazing. I knew I had to share this message with RV's next prayer grp meeting. And this prayer grp and its birth was an incredible experience. You want a increase in faith, or a reason to believe God exists? I encourage you to read on, no matter how long the post is.It was only 2 weeks after the new year began. Pastor Gary spoke to us about being a mighty warrior and more than conquerors through him who loved us. It was a great sermon. It was then that I heard a voice, "Start a prayer group in RV". I kinda hesitated. Was that voice from God? I kinda ignored it, until the next day when I was doing my TAWG. I was reading Hebrews and this verse jumped out at me. "If you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts." Even though it was meant to be used in different contexts, it still spoke to me. That's the amazing thing. God called out to me twice. So i called up Livia. Told her what I think God has in store for RV. So she agreed, and then I called up Lois. Soon I called up Cyrus, and then Lin Geng, and then Lois called up Clementine. Soon we were prepared for our first prayer group meeting. It was too be held the following week. We had an expected turnup of 6 people.That Saturday was Mission Mandate. We all came in our school uniform. We all were on the frontlines now, standing in the gap for our secondary schools. I had a truly amazing altar call experience. When Pastor Gary finally prayed over us, breakthrough happened in every one of us. It was to be the recharging point, the final comfort zone, before I continued on. The next week was intended to be the first prayer group.First week. I was hoping for it to turn out well. I had prepared my notes for what I was going to speak on. But it didn't really go according to my hopes. We had to postpone the meeting, because a lot of people couldn't turn up. Never mind, I thought. This is an opportunity to invite more people. And so Kah Yan was invited too. Lin Geng had 7 Christians in his class, yet he didn't have enough courage to invite his friends. And trust me, it needs a lot of courage.Second week. I was really hoping it would turn out well now. This time I had told Bro Rendy about this group. And it gave some kind of encouragement, especially on that night I talked with him alone in the room, where my eyes were tearing and where I felt the presence of God. Everything was going according to plan. Until on the exact day the prayer group was suppose to start. I was informed that I actually had badminton competition on that day. Another delay. I was really beginning to tire emotionally and spiritually. But after a short communion with God, I was ready to go again.Third week. Nothing, I told myself, can possibly go wrong now. I was wrong. It was exactly the first peer support session. I was devastated. I still remember the SMS I sent out to everyone. "For the third time, the prayer grp is postponed because of PSS. I'd expected Satan to throw everything at this group, but not to this extent. Guys, I'm spiritually exhausted. But I press on, anchored in the Word of God. I need you guys to press on with me...." Looking back at the amount of faith I had at that period, I am amazed. There must have been divine intervention.Bro. Rendy received my SMS and met up with me for prayer. It felt good, where someone was actually standing with me and was showing it. The next prayer group meeting was next week as PSS was held every fortnight.It was the final day before the 7th of Febraury, the prayer group meeting. I was having my TAWG, and I told God," Please make this go according to plan. I simply cannot take any more of this." God had other plans. The next day looked smooth-sailing. But then everything went wrong. Cyrus had to go home early for his unexpected change in schedule, Lin Geng also had to go home, Livia also had to leave early, and only Lois and Clementine could come. Nevertheless, I waited in the gallery for them. They didn't arrive. I had pushed past my breaking point for almost 1 month, and that day I snapped. I dropped to my knees and begin to weep and weep. Why, I asked God. Why am I being put through all this? And then God spoke to me through the Bible. "Be still, and know that I am God." Psalm 46:10 "For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future." Jeremiah 29:11 "The Lord your God is with you, and he is mighty to save."Zephaniah 3:17 "Therefore let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning at shame and sat down at the right hand of God." HEbrews 12:2 My weeping was no longer the tears of the hurt, but the tears of the loved. "Spread awide in the arms of Christ, is the love that cover sin. NO greater love have I ever known." That was the first recharging point I had since Mission Mandate, and it did not happen in church, but in a quiet gallery. THat was really an incredible experience.Our next prayer group meeting was now set to 28 Feb. On that day, Lin Geng, Kah Yan and Clementine did not come. But I decided to go ahead, and the first Sec 1 prayer group meeting in the history of RV was held. To think that we are the fulfillment of prayer (from the teachers' prayer group and the Year 4 Christians) was amazing. I know from that day that the prayer group was going to grow, and many souls would come into the kingdom because of it, us. We will see God move in RV.ON 30th of December 2006, Pastor Derick gave us the sermon. That if you make a descision to step up in faith and be a warrior for God, you have to expect storms in your life.(you might remember that post) In my sermon notes, I wrote this down. "Forecast=Storms expected in crossing!" Little did I know the prophetic nature of this statement. I experienced storms on the greatest level I've ever felt. But the reason I think God allowed this. He seeks to demonstrate his faithfulnes and strengthen my own. He took me to another level, from strength to strength through this storm. Sometimes God calms the storm for us. Sometimes he chooses to ride it out with us. Just looking back at the divine positioning, at the faithfulness of God, is bringing tears into my eyes. Man. Amazing love. I'm really struggling for words now. This experience shall be a testimony as long as I have breath. People reading this, Jesus loves you. He demonstrated his faithfulness and love in my life. I serve a God who is faithful and true.Therefore I urge you brothers and sister reading this, in view of such faithfulness, to step out of your comfort zone, into the arena of faith, and trust that the glory of the Lord shall be your rear guard. And for those who do not have Jesus in your life. His love is the constant in your life. He wil change your life. Let him come in.I really can't think of a better way to end this. I now offer my praise to God. "
That was that. I found it to be a very poweful message on the love of God and His faithfulness to us as believers.
Ohno. I gotta go. But one more thing. Don't stop tagging because my board is spoilt OKAY?! Leave comments please. That would be lovely.
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hold me now at 2:37 PM
