Wow, time really flies, its amazing. 2007 (Yr of Victory) is about to be over as we welcome in 2008 (Yr of Sabbath). There are many things we have went through this year, be it victories/breakthroughs or setbacks/defeats. But in everything, let us learn to give thanks to God for it is by grace and mercy that we can even call him Abba Father.
From the Word of God
John 1:14 (The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.) -Resulting in blessing after blessing! John 1:16 (From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another.)
Acts 15:11 (No! We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we are saved, just as they are.)
Romans 6:14 (For sin shall not be your master, because you are not under law, but under grace.)
Ephesians 1:7 (In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace.)
Ephesians 2:5 (made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.)
Ephesians 2:8 (For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God.)
My encouragement to you as you read this is that we not only thank God at a certain point in time, (end of week, end of month, end of yr etc.) but that we learn to give thanks to Him, for his grace upon our lives. Indeed, our salvation, our lives in the Lord was a gift from Him. My prayer is that every morning when we wake up, we will give thanks to God for something He has done in our lives.
Another point that I would like to make is that we thank God for everything, not just our victories or breakthroughs, but I would like to put it that we give thanks to Him for everything including our defeats and setbacks. Why? Because He has wonderful, amazing and spectacular plans for us. (Jeremiah 29:11 - For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.)
Lets learn to recognize that everything is God-ordained/orientated and we can never comprehend it because His ways are higher than ours. Which is why in defeat/setbacks, give thanks for God has a reason for everything. We are assured, from the bible, that the Lord our God has much, much greater plans for us. It is truly by grace that we can be called children of God. Lets start giving thanks today!!! Finally, I would like to leave you with the lyrics of this song, "Give Thanks". This is probably a familiar song to all but lets really learn to Give thanks with a heart that is ever so grateful to our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Bless you!!
GIVE THANKS WITH A GRATEFUL HEART GIVE THANKS TO THE HOLY ONE GIVE THANKS BECAUSE HE'S GIVEN JESUS CHRIST, HIS SON
AND NOW LET THE WEAK SAY I AM STRONG LET THE POOR SAY I AM RICH BECAUSE OF WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE FOR US
Lirong Nic n Daniel Baptism!! Samuel n Dion ( so cute right? ) Sentosa Outing ( almost 3 yrs ago..!! ) Daniel's birthday (remember when was it ) ULTIMATE MACHOS!!
HE WEARS many other hats, along with his polo helmet.
Mr Lawrence Khong (seated), shakes hands with his coach while his family and friends gather around. -- Picture: TEH JEN LEE
Mr Lawrence Khong, 55, the oldest in the Singapore national team, had a jam-packed schedule three weeks before the SEA Games.
He is the senior pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church, chairman of the board of directors of Touch Community Services (which recently won the Outstanding Non-profit Organisation Award from the National Volunteer and Philanthropy Centre), and also a master illusionist.
BUSY SCHEDULE
He shuttled back and forth between Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, the Philippines and Thailand between 15 Nov and 6 Dec.
His activities included going for polo training and competition in Thailand, performing magic for charity and corporate shows in Tokyo and attending a church conference in Manila.
And then he played a fine game on Thursday at Bangkok's VR Sports Club, helping his team trounce the Philippines 10-1.
The next morning he flew back to Singapore to attend an award ceremony. He is to fly back to Bangkok today for the final match against Malaysia.
Polo team manager Ali Namazie, a physicist with the National University of Singapore, said: 'Lawrence has been playing polo with us for 10 years and he always makes time to train.'
Whenever Mr Khong travels, he makes it a point to go to the gym at least every other day for 90 minutes, doing cardio exercises, weight training and working on his leg muscles.
'SPACE-MAKER'
On Thursday, he was elated at being the 'space-maker' for the match.
The commentator was heard saying he 'played a great game', shutting out one of the Philippines players.
Mr Khong, who started playing polo 15 years ago, said it's an 'addictive, exciting game'.
'Once you get into it, you're hooked because it's a blending of several disciplines - it involves horse-riding, hitting the ball with precision, riding off other players as in a contact sport and using strategies to play as a team.'
He is grateful to his wife, Dr Nina Khong, for being his space-maker - she helps to manage his tight schedule by arranging his flights and lending a hand with the packing.
Dr Khong, who was a medical doctor before she became a full-time pastor, said: 'Although his schedule was very tight, it all seemed to fit.'
Does she ever worry her husband would hurt himself in polo because he is tired from keeping his intense schedule?
After all, she has broken her wrist, and he his collarbone while playing polo.
She said: 'I don't worry, but I do remind him: Safety first. It's good to play well, but don't be rash.'
He said: 'It is an honour to play for Singapore in this SEA Games.
'So for this whole year, I take every opportunity to play polo competitively. We're going to go for gold on Saturday.'
MY VERY 1st POST! Will post on what I have learned from the quiet time I spend just now. (Luke 11:1-4) One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, “Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples.” He said to them, “When you pray, say: “Father, Hallowed be your name, Your kingdom come. Give us each day our daily bread. Forgive us our sins, for we also forgive everyone who sins against us And lead us not into temptation."
Notice the order in the prayer? 1stly, Jesus praise God, then He made His request and needs. I believe Jesus did that by praising God 1st is to put God in the right frame of mind to tell God about our needs. Often when we pray, we just usually straight away pray and get on our needs, more like a shopping list than conversations with God. So brothers/Sisters, DO REMEMBER to praise God 1st!
"Give us each day our daily bread" I believe this statement or prayer is said means God's provision is daily, not all at once. We cannot store it up for once and then cut off communication with God. If you are running low on strength, ask yourself this, "How long have I been away frm the God?" If we daily claim from God our bread, there will be no reasons why we will be tired and weary!
Lastly, Jesus taught his disciples to pray, He made forgiveness the cornerstone of their relationship with God. God has forgiven our sins, we must now too forgive those who have done wrong to us. To remain unforgiving shows we have not understood that we ourselves are deeply need to be forgiven too! Family, think of some people who have wronged you. Have you forgiven them? How will God deal with you if he treats you as you treat others?
I pray that as you read this, renew ur prayer and always recall "WWJD"
This clip Daryl ask me to post it here. It speaks alot. Have a blessed time watching :)
14 What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food.
16 If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it?
17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. 19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish man, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless? 21 Was not our ancestor Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, "Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness," and he was called God's friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.
Faith in this context means “trust and confidence in God”. In this passage, we see 2 clear instances of “faith and actions working together”. Firstly, Abraham (Genesis 22:1-19) and Secondly, Rahab (Joshua 2:1-22).
At times, we just feel that we are incapable, unable and of no use. Feelings of inferiority and even jealously may result from these negative feelings. I can assure you that we can seek our identity, security and assurance in God, which is only possible if we have faith. If we have that little faith as seen in Matthew 17:20 and Luke 17:6, it will spark off wonderful revelations.
On the other hand, some of us do have the faith, but we lack the action. This will most likely leads to unfruitfulness in the area that we have the faith in. Family, it is made extremely clear that without the action, faith is considered dead. You will find that the salvation of your family and friends depends wholly on you. Yes, we have to pray heartedly for it. But they will come to nought if we lack that very action of stepping out of your comfort zone into the battle zone of the world. Without this action, your faith and mine, is considered dead, unfruitful, and unproductive. No doubt, in the ministry, the process will take time and effort on your part. But, we have hope in God, that our actions combined with our faith, will touch and move the people around us, James 5:19-20.
Nothing can be accomplished without the action. Family, I pray that from today on, we’ll be constantly troubled, in the sense that we’ll never be in our comfort zone again. Let’s step into the battle zone, where the harvest is plentiful and the workers are but a few. Remember, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. Bless ya.
Lirong Nic n Daniel Baptism!!
Samuel n Dion ( so cute right? )
Sentosa Outing ( almost 3 yrs ago..!! )
Daniel's birthday (remember when was it )
ULTIMATE MACHOS!!
2) Notice the "TMD" wording on the dustbin?
4) Mr (Tua) Ong looked pretty nervous huh?
5)And so, we walked..
And walked..
7) The Onglets had fun @ the outdoor theme park!
Precious memories of yesteryear
