Day 23 30/9/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

WE ARE DISCIPLES

What it Means to Follow Jesus

Rick Warren

                          

“As Jesus was going down the road, he saw Matthew sitting at his tax-collection booth.‘COME, BE MY DISCIPLE!,’ Jesus said.  So Matthew got up and followed him.”   Matt. 9:9 (NLT)

 

 

TO BE A DISCIPLE…

 

 (18:26)

1.      I MUST SPEND TIME WITH JESUS.

“IF YOU WANT to be my disciple you must come and follow me, because my servants MUST BE WHERE I AM. And if they follow me, the Father will honor them.” John 12:26 (NLT)

 

3 FACTS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

1) Spiritual Growth is a Choice

 

     2) Spiritual Growth is a Commitment  

 

     3) Spiritual Growth is a Relationship

 

 “The plan was that they would BE WITH HIM and then he would send them out to proclaim the Word.”  Mark 3:14b (MSG)

 

2.      I MUST LOVE GOD SUPREMELY. 

"IF you want to be my follower you must love me more than your own father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, more than your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.”  Luke 14:26 (LB)

Worship is the way...

     

SPIRITUAL GROWTH IS MEASURED BY HOW MUCH YOU LOVE!

                      

"The most important commandment is this… You must love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul, ALL your mind, and ALL your strength.” Mark 12:29-30 (NLT)

 

 

3.      I MUST LOVE ANY OTHER DISCIPLES.

 “IF you have love for one another, then everyone will know that you are my disciples."      

John 13:35 (TEV)

 

SPIRITUAL GROWTH HAPPENS IN COMMUNITY.                                                                  

           

“This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” 1 John 3:16 (NIV)

 

 

4.      I MUST ALWAYS DO WHAT'S JESUS TELL ME

“IF you continue to obey my teaching, you are truly my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." John 8:31-32 (NCV)

                                                   

4 FACTS ABOUT SPIRITUAL GROWTH

 

      It is an Ongoing Process 

 

      It is Measured by Obedience, Not Knowledge

 

      It Is Based On God’s Word

 

      It Sets Me Free 

      Set free from expectation, guilt, bad habit, shame... 

I believe that the thing that I actually do or practice.  

“IF you CONTINUE to live in me and what I say lives in you, then ask for anything you want, and it will be yours. You give glory to my Father when you PRODUCE A LOT OF FRUIT and therefore show that you are my disciples.”   John 15:7-8 (GW)

A plan, guideline, a process... I need. Jesus have it for you!

God love you in every season of you maturity. 

Every stages.... 

1) Know Christ and loving Christ 

2) Love his family

3) Growing 

4) Serving him

5) Sharing the good news

Spiritual growth you must have a good habit.

Partial faithfulness is not faithful. 

5.       I MUST SERVE OTHERS UNSELFISHLY.

“IF you want to be the most important person you must take the last place and be a servant to everyone else." Mark 9:35 (GW)

BEST LEADER is serving others not let the people serving you. 

Happy person, is giving away themselves. 

 

 “For even I, the Son of Man, came here not to be served but to serve others, and to give my life as a ransom for many."   Matthew 20:28 (NLT)       

       

Spiritual exercise when you practice it by giving it out.

Spiritual growth require sacrifice.

“IF anyone wants to be my disciple, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” Matthew 16:24 (LB)

 

6.      I MUST PASS ON THE GOOD NEWS.

“Jesus called out to them, ‘Come, be my disciples, and I will show you how to fish for people!’  And they left their nets at once and went with him.”  Matthew 4:20 (LB)    

 

“Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. And teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you; and be sure of this -– I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

Matthew 28:19-20 (NLT)

 “IF you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose it. But IF you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will find true life.” Mark 8:35-36 (NLT, NCV)

POINT TO PONDER:

It is never too late to start growing.

VERSE TO REMEMBER:

“Let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind. Then you will be able to know the will of God — what is good and is pleasing to him and is perfect.” 
Romans 12:2B (TEV)

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:

What is one area where I need to stop thinking my way and start thinking God’s way?

My future, my dream. 

Day 22 29/9/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST

Rick Warren

 God want us to grow spiritually. The model for us will be Jesus.

      “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to   Him – and He knew who would – should become like His Son...”  Rom. 8:29 (LB)

 

      “God wants us to grow up ...  like Christ in everything.”  Eph. 4:15 (Mes)

 

      MY 3^rd PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST.

      Learning to think, act, speak, love, and serve the way Jesus did.

This is process. That's call discipleship. 

 

 

HOW DO I GROW SPIRITUALLY?

The process of Discipleship includes

 

·         Worship “As the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we becomemore and more like Him and reflect His glory even more.”  2 Cor. 3:18 (NLT)

 

·         Fellowship  ”We are joined together in Christ’s Body and we grow as we get our nourishment and strength from God.”  Col. 2:19 NLT

 

·         Growing (God has gifted teachers) “...so that we will be mature and full grown in the Lord, measuring up to the full stature of Christ.”        Eph. 4:13 (NLT)

 

·         Serving ”Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus, who, though He was God...  made Himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant...”   Phil. 2:5-7 (NIV)

 

·         Sharing Jesus: “I have come to seek and save those who are lost.” Luke 19:10 (NLT)

 

THREE UNEXPECTED TOOLS

      “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”  Rom. 8:28 (NIV)

This is for those who's love him.

Even that's my stupid mistake or decision. 

This is why we never give up, 

Body is older, but Spirit is getting stronger. 

 

1.  GOD USES TROUBLE TO TEACH US TO TRUST HIM. -TRAILS.

      “...troubles produce patience.  And patience produces character, and character produces hope.”  Rom. 5:3-4 (NCV)

 

      “They came to a garden called Gethsemane and Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ ...  Distress and anguish came over Him, and He said, ‘The sorrow in My heart is so great that it almost crushes Me.’  Mark 14:32-34 (TEV)

 

      “Father, everything is possible for You.  Please take this cup of suffering away from Me.  Yet I want Your will, not Mine!”  Mark 14:36 (NLT)

See what's you good at and what's your passion- that's God want you to do.

You not gonna take your career to heaven. God is want you to growing up. 

Every problem have a purpose in your life.

All to help you grow up, look like Jesus, think like Jesus. 

TRUST,is the key... 

Pray this three thing when you have problem.

1. God I know u can take away problems.

2. God I want you take a way this problems.

3. But yet if this is what you want me to learn, I know you will get me through it, let your will to be done. 

This three prayer is call, TRUST.

Trust God completely. 

 Practically you need to :

·         Keep a spiritual journal.

Journal is writing down lesson that you learn. 

      “At the Lord’s direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress.”  Num. 33:2 (NLT)

1. So the lesson you had learn you no need to be learn again.

2. Pass down to your grandchildren. Wise to learn from expericence and wiser to learn from experience from others. 

 

·         Remember the reward.

      “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.”  2 Cor. 4:17 (NIV)

Reward is developing character. Reward in heaven. Trust with patience and love. 

 

 

2.   GOD USES TEMPTATION TO TEACH US TO OBEY HIM.

Temptation is a choice.

      “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” 

       Matt. 4:1 (NIV)

 Temptation is not a sin. Jesus also get temptation.

      “‘Get out of here, Satan’ Jesus told him ‘The Scriptures say, Worship only the Lord God.  Obey only Him.’”  Matt. 4:10 (LB)

God is faithful and give u strength to get through. 

Every temptation is a opportunity to of the right thing.

 

·         Keep focused on good thought.

Refocus... Not to focus on temptation, but is focus on the opportunity to do right. Focus to your passion,feeding your passion.

      “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.”  Phil. 4:8a (LB)

Following the spirit, and you will not following the flesh!

 

·         Get a spiritual partner.

      “You’re better off to have a friend than to be all alone...  If you fall, your friend can help you up.”  Eccl. 4:9-10 (CEV)

 

 

3.  GOD USES TRESPASSES TO TEACH US TO FORGIVE

      “People passing by shook their heads and hurled insults at Jesus ...  and the elders made fun of Him...  Even the bandits who had been crucified with Him insulted him in the same way.”  Matt. 27:39-44 (TEV)

 

      “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive these people, because they don’t know what they are doing.’”          Luke 23:34 (NLT)

 

·         Remember God has forgiven me

      “Forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.”  Eph. 4:32 (CEV)

 

·         Remember God is in control.

      “You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of many people, which is being done.”     Gen. 50:20 (NCV)

 

      “We go through exactly what Christ goes through.  If we go through the hard times with Him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with Him.”  Rom. 8:17 (Mes)

The time before I leave Malaysia.

Honestly previously I'm planning to drop everything as I'm tired for the life in Malaysia. I wish to quit everything, including my job, my serving, my church... I'm burn out. In order to get a new vision, new aims and new life, I start on my fasting for 40days. I choose to fast a meal which I am convenience with and my favorite coffee as I think I'm going to addicted to it. 

In this 40days as what I shared before, I draw near to My father in heaven once again. He reveal himself to me more and more. I can feel that God is trying to prepare me for a great purpose which he has planned for me before I was born. I keep knowing and learning about life purpose and dreams. After all, I slowly back to the passion to serve but still I'm thinking to leave. I'm tired still. Everyday my life is like a war, busy working, when back to church I know I should serve, I should love God, so I try to use up all my time to reach out the people around me and bring them back to God. I use a lot of my effort to do it, honestly that's not working most of the time. People which I reaching out maybe can sense the love and caring, but I'm tired and I feel that's something wrong on my serving. That's shouldn't be like this. I asked God, why I can't be enjoy serving, I know that's suppose to be enjoyable. I asked God to use me and give me see the need of the church and I wanna serve his people. My prayer get answered,I really can feel and see the needs more and more. Problems come when I saw the needs, I can't help some of them. I become helpless again. I pray that God can help me to change that people through me. I really got no idea how to change the people. 

I got a lot of questions which I wish to ask God. I put them into prayer again....

My friend's church member invited me to a three days conference about baptism of love. The speaker will be Dr Leif. I know I'm gonna be blessed in this three days if I would to prepare my heart to seek God. I know God is gonna talk to me!!! 

After the last day of my working shift, my church leader Chester date me for a meal as to celebrate which I'm free from "slave" as previously I'm force to work for 5 years in my ex hospital. During the breakfast time with him, I can feel that he is trying to hint me that I might be a full time servant. I really get shocked and started to worry. I know I have have this strong feeling as well before I met him. He hope I can really use my time which I has planned to go New Zealand as a time to prepare myself to be used by God in future. I know that's God plan as well which I have a great passion to know about love language, what's love about... I brought a book reagarding marriage and plan to study it when I come to New Zealand. 

I really hunger to know what's about love. That's really take my interest to know more and more especially love from our father in heaven which able to change a person life. Everything happened in my life I know that's not by accident, I attended this three days fully. Finally I encounter his love once again... I miss those moment very well! It totally changed my life. 

I still remember the first day of the service, I saw the love of my Heavenly Father. I saw how's Dr. Leif pray for each of the people in the hall with different love language. Some he kiss his forehead, some he hug them, some he just speak to them... I know that's lead by the Holy Spirit and he was releasing the love of Our Heavenly Father to all of them. I so scare to step out to receive it, Gosh!!! I'm watching over what it happened. 

Dr. Leif share a message which I'm totally agree and this is what I'm asking as well. That's all about love. He try to let us know about our identity and to receive not to achieve. He was telling us about how's the kingdom of God should be. He use 3 chairs to describe 3 kind of people in this world. 

Chair no 1: Resting in God and know the identity well.

Chair no 2: lost the identity, keep striving to gain the favor of God. 

Chair no 3: non believer

I know I'm in chair no 2 for sometimes. I'm struggling to serve God and gain his favor. I don't know about resting in his presence. I recall back what's the sister I met in the interview. She taught me to rest in God when we feel tired but in that moment I don't have an idea about that at all. I just follow what she has shared to me and tell God, I'm tired, and I just wanna rest in him and most of the time I fall alseep soon after I have done this prayer. I still remember my cg leader Chester also taught me that when he saw my typical tiring face after struggling in work for few days. I don't know about soaking in the presence of God and important of rest in him. 

The next day, some of them had share about some of their ministry in different country. That's pretty interesting. Most of them were able to encounter the love of God and wait upon the Lord during their ministry. During the alter call, I tell God I wish to encounter him no matter how. In my heart, I wish Dr. Leif is the one lay hand on me and I only able to receive the love of God. That's disappointed me as Dr. Leif wasn't there to pray for anyone. I heard a lady voice speak to me just a simple sentence which is "baptist by the papa's love" and I'm laying down on the floor awaiting to receive. After sometimes, there is nothing happened to me, I'm tearing because I feel disappointed why God doesn't make me feel his love by sending his son Dr. Leif to pray for me. After that I get up and back to my seat, that moment I'm crying out as God start spoke to me and asking me "am I wait upon the pastor or me?" "The love is from me not from Dr. Leif" That moment I encounter his presence and accuse by those sentences. 

The next day, when I worship clearly I heard a voice from God " If I did sent you, I will take the responsible" I keep tearing and I know I been filled with the love of God and encounter his love truly. Besides, the pastor also taught us to do soaking and honestly that's the first time I'm able to see God's face. Funny was the image I saw a man look like Jesus ( in cartoon) is carrying a baby. Clearly I know the man was my Heavenly Father and the baby in his hand was Me. I'm pretty safe in his hand. 

I can strongly feel the presence of the Holy Spirit like an electric shock throughout my body. I'm refreshed when I'm soaking and resting in him. I know I'm totally in love with my Father in heaven. 

The next day I'm joining my church one day beach camping at Batu Ferringi. On that night, I feel the flow of his love from me to my bro and sister. I can easily share about the love of God and feel their needs and pray for them. Beside, on that night I can feel the need of praying for my pastor, but initially he rejected me to do it on the spot, anyway he agree that later on but I know the spirit of doing the great thing wasn't there. I still pray for him as I know God has his own timing for doing thing. Early in the morning after chit cheating with Allycia, Philip, Rachel and pastor Chin Ming, we left few more hours to be rest. Four of us (Rachel, Poh Thing, Venice and me) need to share out two single bed and I can't move at all while laying down. I plugged in my MP3 player and started to lye down totally flat without moving. About three hours later, I was awake by a song playing from the MP3 player. "Fill me up fill me up till I overflowing..." Suddenly I saw the image of a red water pouring on me and I feel the presence of God again as my whole body was experienced electric flow again. I know that's the sign where God pour in his love for me again!!! I can't back to rest again, I'm exciting... I wake up and listen to the sermon preach by Pastor Rick Warren. Although physically I'm exhausted, but spiritually and mentally I'm excited and recharge. Praise Lord!!!

I found I'm baptized with God's love and everything I see started to change. I'm willing to serve and enjoy serving!!! I just thinking to serve with keyboard, God grant me by asking Pastor Chin Ming to ask me. Such great work doesn't stop after once, I not realize whatever I'm thinking may comes true naturally without asking. That's beyond my expectation every time!!! I start to back on leading worship confidently in youth service. Some of them might late for serving, I might be angry or disappointed as usual what I did, but that day I don't have such bad feeling yet I appreciate a little thing which they have improved and thank God for that. 

Subsequently I learn how to lean on God and rest in him before everything. I don't want to control things any more. I learn to enjoy every session that God has planned for me. I learn to obey and giving in all the control for him. God, I love you.... as I know you loved me at first. Thank you!!!

I try not to achieve something by striving, I learn to rest in him and get his wisdom, love and strength to make all things possible. My relationship with those youth slowly improved and I know I'm leaving them soon. I really miss them so much! I know I really in God's favor which people start draw near to me naturally. Previously I am the one who trying so hard to reach out the people on purpose, but now I feel like God is drawing them to me naturally and I'm just obey and waiting the lead of the Holy Spirit. Praise Lord. Everything changed. I no longer trying so hard to achieve something and yet I'm enjoying and waiting God's great plan in me. That's full of excitement and surprise. 

Day 21 10/9/2015: What's on earth am I here for?

LIVING BY YOUR CONVICTIONS

Leaving A Lasting Legacy

Rick Warren

       

CONVICTIONS THAT SHAPE MY DECISIONS

1.  CONVICTION: IS ALL ABOUT GOD

      “For everything comes from Godalone, everything lives by His power, and everything is intended for His glory.”  Rom. 11:36 (LB) 

      IMPLICATION: 

      “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment.”  Matt. 22:37-38 (NIV) 

      OPPOSITION: 

      Jesus: “People will do to you exactly what they did to Me.  They will do it because you belong to Me,and they don’t know the one who sent Me.”  John 15:21 (CEV) 

 

2.  CONVICTION: ONLY CHURCH WILL LAST FOREVER 

      Jesus: “I will build My church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.”

      Matt 16:18 (NLT) 

      IMPLICATION:

      “Brothers and sisters, I appeal to you by the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ to stop arguing among yourselves.  Let there be real harmony so there won’t be divisions in the church.  I plead with you to be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”  

      1 Cor. 1:10 (NLT) 

      OPPOSITION: 

      “Look out for those who cause people to be against each other and who upset other people’s faith.  They are against the      true teaching you learned, so stay away from them.”  

      Rom. 16:17 (NCV)

God want us to thank him for each other.

3.  CONVICTION: GOD EXPECTS ME TO LOVE EVERYBODY ELSE 

      “The second most important commandment is: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. There is no other commandment more important than these two.”     Mark 12:31 (TEV)

Everybody is my neighbor 

We need to love those who is most difficult to love.

 3 kind of people which difficult to love:

• people who are different 
• people who are difficult
• people who are dangerous

      “Love your enemies and do good to them; lend and expect nothing back.  You will then have a great reward, and you will be children of the Most High God.  For He is good to the ungrateful and the wicked.”  Luke 6:35 (TEV) 

      

      IMPLICATION:

      “Show respect for everyone.  Love your Christian brothers and sisters.  Fear God.  Show respect for the king.” 1 Peter 2:17 (NLT)

      OPPOSITION:

      “When the world hates you, remember it hated Me before it hated you.  The world would love you if you belonged to it, but you don’t.”  John 15:18-19 (NLT) 

4.  CONVICTION: THE WHOLE WORLD NEEDS JESUS

  I must share the good news.

    Jesus: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.     Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.  And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”        Matt. 28:18-20 (NIV)

      IMPLICATION:

      “Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died forall ...  And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for Him who died for them and was raised again.  So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view.”  

      2 Cor. 5:14-16 (NIV) 

      

      OPPOSITION:

      “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.  Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”   Matt. 5:11-12 (NIV) 

               

5.  CONVICTION: EVERYTHING IS POSSIBLE WITH GOD

      “Jesus looked at them and said, ‘With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.’”  Matt. 19:26 (NIV) 

      IMPLICATION: 

      (Jesus) “According to your faith will it be done to you.”  Matt.  9:29 (NIV) 

OPPOSITION:

“Because of their unbelief, He couldn’t do any mighty miracles among them...”  

Mark 6:5 (NLT)

6.   CONVICTION: HISTORY'S CONCLUSION IS INEVITABLE 

“The Good News about God’s kingdom will be preached in all the   world, to every nation.  Then the end will come.”  Matt. 24:14 (NCV)