Expectations

I remember when I realised that I had the desire to enter full time ministry. There was a conviction, an understanding that the call would require much from me.

Ezra 7:10
For Ezra had set his heart to study the Law of the Lord, and to do it and to teach his statutes and rules in Israel.

Setting my Heart
When I read those Words, I was stirred into action. Together with the account of the Road to Emmaus, I decided that I will enter the full time ministry. I would give up my guitars and serve!


But I didn't do that.

In reality, I continued to feed my personal desire to perform with my little spoken-word band. My desire to play guitar and to play live did not abate. It would not since I provided sustenance.

Deny Myself
I recall the words of the Lord in Luke 9:23 -

And he said to all, "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

That runs with Ezra ya?

I have come to see that the guitar and performing are hindrances to my calling.

It was a dream - to rock out with the guitar and play for crowds. I love the sounds and the stage. These things are not evil in itself... But the call was issued and I committed.

Remember the Call
Time to give to God what is His; my heart and my self.

Thank God for showing me this through the efforts of my lovely fiance. If not for her warnings and steadfast insistence (that I remember my calling), I would have jeopardized my commitment. She is truly the help meet for me.

Ah, now to get on and do it. Dear Lord, this will hurt. A lot. But the reward will be all satisfying. It will be.

John 12:26
If anyone serves me, he must follow me; and where I am, there will my servant be also. If anyone serves me, the Father will honor him.

"but they must first WANT to be helped... grace can't flow to where itis not wanted or needed..."

ARGH!, a photo by Shredcow on Flickr.

The last comment on this Facebook post made me jump.

Which god is this person referring to?

Surely not the God described in the Bible. The Lord who said that "no one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him..." (John 6:44)

Guitar Speak - The Toneczar Halophaze

Here's one of my favourite effect pedals - the Toneczar Halophaze phaser. Capable of a myriad of useful phaser sounds, this thing is a tone tool. I don't know what Ed (the maker) added into this black box but the throb and complexity of the tones are unmatched by anything I've tried/heard.

Pretty cool.

Lord's Day Sermon (22 July 2012)

Ephesians 6:11-17
Building an Unyielding Defence II
by Pastor

1. The 2nd Armour: the Breastplate of Righteousness (v14)

We are always told to have the armour always on - never taken off.

A breastplate protects the vital organs but the ancient Jewish thought is that,
a) The heart represents the mind and the will. (Mark 7:21)
b) The stomach represents the emotions.

Hence, the Breastplate of Righteousness is a guard on the practical aspects of righteousness - holy living.

2. The 3rd Armour: Feet shod with the Gospel of Peace (v15)

Perhaps the reason why this is the 3rd Armour is so that people wouldn't downplay the importance of boots. Still, there is no indication that one Armour is more important than another.

"gospel of peace" - means what?

The context of Ephesians is about spiritual warfare, not preaching the Gospel.

Hence, see Romans 5:1 -

Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.

It is the Gospel that gives us endearing, enduring, enabling peace.

3. The 4th Armour: the Shield of Faith (v16)

"Faith" means the basic, fundamental in the living God!

"Fiery darts" - has reference to the ancient practice of dipping arrows wrapped with cloth into flammable liquid.

This Shield can extinguish ALL the fiery darts of the Devil.

Lord's Day Sermon (15 July 2012)

Joshua 9:1-27
What's the Smartest Thing to Do?
By Bro Lim Chien Chong

Today, we have many book-smart people... but are they street-smart?

Being both... is insufficient though valuable.

We need to be governed by wisdom from above. Our learning and experiences must be shaped by wisdom from above.

1. When a decision has to be made (v1 - 15)

See how the Gibeonites knew about God's mighty work in Egypt. (v1 - 7)

What about us?

See how Joshua and Co. checked the Gibeonites' claims (v8 -15).

But they did not seek God's counsel (v14).

Are we prayerful in our decision making?

2. When a Mistake was Made (v16 -27)

True wisdom follows though obligations faithfully despite misjudgments (v16 -21)

Despite what the leaders faced from the purple of Israel and the exposure to external pagan culture - they still honoured the agreement.

A modern example is the marriage covenant... We stay together primarily because of the covenant. God is a covenantal God.

3. The Covenant that was Made

Compare the covenant made by the leaders of Israel to the salvation covenant made by God Himself.

God's covenant is so much better!

Ratified by God Himself thru the oaths that He undertook.

We are truly so much better off!