God is FOR Us!

My grandma passed away on the week of G12 conference. All my family and relatives are pre-believers except for one distant cousin, who has not been going to church for four years. They planned a Taoist funeral for my grandma, so I was quite concerned if I would be made to go through any of those rituals. I spoke to my dad on the first day, and asked to be excused for the rituals. He told me to participate and he walked away without negotiation.

A tent was built to house an altar full of deities and idols for the procession on the final night. I felt very uncomfortable and do not want to compromise what I believe in. I decided to speak to ask my dad again, praying that he will soften his heart. However, he got angrier with me. In turn, I was also very upset.

To avoid facing my dad and relatives who are gossiping about me, I went for G12 conference on Friday. I know I will be comforted after meeting my cell group and leader. I managed to speak to Pastor Danny and my cell group, pouring out what I had kept for the past 3 days – persecution, gossip, pressure to compromise, etc. They prayed for me and I felt better after that.

Though there was still fear in me to confront the situation when I returned home, I knelt and ask God to make a way for me. I was afraid that my father might chase me out of the funeral.

When I reached home, I asked my mother if I still must participant in the ritual. She said she will talk to my dad. Eventually, my dad agreed that I will not participate though he was still unhappy about it!

My relatives continued to gossip about me on this matter, this caused my mum to be heartbroken. Yet in my heart, I was fully secured in the Lord and was really feeling okay with what they said. They do not know what they are doing.

I believed this is not just a funeral that traditions and practices are enforced on unwilling daughter, but a lesson to teach me and make a stand.

I learnt to stand up for my God and not to compromise when situation seems to be so difficult. If God is for me, who can be against me?

Romans 8:31 – “…If God is for us, who can be against us?”

by Huishan, Ps Evelyn's Tribe (Click here to read full post)

Survivor: Pulau Ubin 2009

On The 21st of March about 120 people gathered at the bays of Changi for an adventure, into Pulau Ubin. By speedboat we stepped on the sands of the shores. There 2 of our actors introduced the island and our adventure to them in a short skit

They taught the teams to design their own flag and put on camo paint! Then the adventure begin for them. They were given guilds in forms of yellow packages like in the show Amazing Race. They trekked through the forest and to the beautiful Chik Jawa and plantations.

To survive the island they had to act out words to their lost friend, crawl through mud, flour, soy sauce and other unknowns, search the rainbow amongst the forest and other tasks.

While at the end of their journey God send a heavy downpour, teams continues to make their way to the final point. Rations of chips, fruits and soft drinks were given to our famished survivors, then prizes were given out to the most accomplished team

Finally everybody there was given a badge to remember this day. For the Survivors they have bonded with their cell and made new friends through the forest and mud and rain.

Photo collage of Survivor: Pulau Ubin 2009

For the Organizers they have worked as a closer as a team and had new friends whom came from other cells and tribes to help in this event.

God smiled on that day and I'm thankful He had imparted something to everyone that day. I'm only grateful to be given a chance to make it all happen =)

by Vernon Chow

(Click here to read full post)

22nd March Sermon Discussion - "A Heart for the Next Generation"

1. We are the Next Generation, let’s Celebrate each other’s uniqueness! Take out one item from your wallet or handbag or knapsack that kind of represent who you are, show it to the group and share why this is so.

2. Read Psalm 127 and recall the 3 key features of the Next Generation as shared from the pulpit last Sunday.

We the Next Generation can…..

• Be a Blessing
• Be a Partner
• Be a Transformer

Which of these 3 would you would like to be in this coming week? Why?

3. Look up 1 Timothy 4:12. As a group, make a list of as many ways as possible how the Next Generation can “set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity”.

From the list made, choose one item that you feel you can do this week to apply this verse. (Click here to read full post)

Impossible is Nothing!

The thing that I brought home (literally, as you will see if you read on) from the conference was a greater impartation of faith. Not just for the multitudes but also for what He can do for my family.

My maid and my mother have a rather disharmonious relationship. Basically their communication consists largely of my mom screaming at her for screwing up and my maid trying hard to understand where she went wrong because of her poor grasp of the English language and my mother’s apparent “accent” (in my maid’s own words). As spectators to this bloody sport, my sis and I will try to stop my mom from going too far, but this usually produces the opposite result, unfortunately.

There were also times when my mom contemplated sending her back. When this happens, I usually get an SMS from her telling me such. Coincidentally, it ALWAYS happens when I’m in church and it will ALWAYS be followed by an SMS by my sister telling me how scared she is and how lonely she will be when the maid leaves. This will ALWAYS leave me feeling horrendously guilty for not being there for my family.

Keeping to that rather morbid pattern, I received several SMSes from my mom and sis regarding the abovementioned topic during the G12 conference. This time it seemed final. My maid was actually packing her bags at that very same time.

I felt very discouraged. It just felt like the Hiroshima end days of my nuclear family.

The subsequent SMS exchange I had with my sister was nothing short of depressing as she shared about what transpired and how she felt about it (she cried). I was all ready to cave in to the belief that in real life things never change, when I remembered one of the pastors saying something like “you can never please God without faith” and thus one should believe.

It was then that I made a desperate prayer to the Lord to resolve my little domestic situation. I cannot remember the exact words I uttered but it was something to the effect of asking God to preserve the sanctity of the familial institution.

What happened next was nothing short of amazing.

The next SMS I received was from my mom telling me that she was keeping my maid.

She added that she talked to my maid and they HUGGED (I expected an exchange of blows actually) and my maid told my mom that my mom was just like a mother to her.

That left me speechless.

It is not one-off too, what happened with my family. I can sense my mother making an effort to be more patient with my maid. She fails sometimes, but it’s a work in progress and I’m thankful.

To shamelessly rip off a certain sportswear label, impossible is nothing to God.

So today, make the choice to hope and believe. There can be change.
If you make that change to keep the faith regardless, everything will change.

Krystle, from Ps Evelyn’s Tribe (Click here to read full post)

He IS the Almighty King!

'When you change, everything can change.'

This is something a lot of people caught during the G12 conference and it has never been more real to me.

I am a first generation Christian in my family and it is often difficult to stand strong because of the many persecutions I face at home. My whole family believes in Buddhism. As if the generation gap between my parents and I was not bad enough, the difference in faith made it worse altogether. All along they cannot accept the fact that I have already converted and deep in their hearts, they cling onto a hope similar to mine- that is to convert the other party to the same faith. This is very evident in my home.

A huge wooden Buddha statue was placed in my not-very-big room, on it hung numerous pendants of idols. From the start, I knew better than to voice out my negative feelings towards the arrangement because my parents are very authoritative- being the traditional Chinese family. So I kept telling myself that “It is okay” but deep down in my heart I know this has shook my faith. It was just disturbing having to wake up seeing the statue and going to bed facing it too. What can I do but to pray?

During the Delirious? worship concert, everyone went forward to worship including me. The music was super loud, and I found myself soaked in the whole atmosphere. But God brought my mind back the situation at home; I started crying out to God. Taking advantage of the loud worship and music, it gave me courage to shout onto the Lord and ask Him to come and change things at home because I am so sick and tired of the constant. I told God I will not stop shouting unless He come and do something, anything in my home. Indeed, God did something.

After the end of conference, I received a message from my mum. It read 'When are you coming back? I've got a surprise for you in your room.' At first, it did not really appeal to me, in fact I started to reflect if I have done anything wrong, like “my phone-bill went out of hand again" or "I left my room in a mess this morning?". When I reached home, I immediately went to my table to look for any phone bill.

Surprisingly, there was none. It took me a few minutes to realize that my room was rearranged. And the big wooden Buddha statue was removed! It was removed without involving any fights or quarrels, but by mere grace, prayer and faith. I was so shocked and pleasantly surprised for I know this surprise came not from my mum, but from God. He answered my prayer! I did not shout in vain! I praise the Lord for everything He has done, from the bottom of my heart and I am sure He is doing something in each and every person's life, its only whether we want to let God or limit God.

Do not ever decide for God by limiting your faith or ceasing in prayer because He is the Almighty King!

Paulina, from Ps Evelyn’s tribe (Click here to read full post)

Choosing to Believe

It was a while back when my school released my cohort’s Industrial Attachment(IA) allocation. I was unfortunately allocated to semester 1, or rather, maybe this was God’s plan. I wanted to do my IA in second semester because I would like to participate in a particular sch program but doing this program in sem 1 was impossible due to various sch commitments. In terms of work in GB, sem 2 is also more ideal. Added on to that was several minor reasons.

I quickly sms-ed quite a number of my friends asking them if any of them wanted to change. I was rejected. It was difficult to change because even more wanted sem 2 IA than sem 1.

During this time, I kept praying to ask God to let me find someone that I can swop with.

I’ve already done what I could have done physically. Then, there was a glimpse of hope that I thought I could change because my friend wanted to take a break from sch. My hopes went up. However he needed to get approval from the sch first, before he could swop his IA allocation with me. I was gittery as the deadline drew nearer and nearer. Prayed that the sch will approve his application so that I could take his IA slot. Deadline came, but still no news from the sch for his application.

I had gone to consult my prof on the IA and he said that I could don’t register for sem 1 IA, but that would mean I would not be allocated to sem 2 either. So I either had to bank on the school program that I wanted to go for, or source for my own IA which would be difficult. If all else fails, I had to do industrial orientation which wasn’t what i wanted.

Since the deadline had past, I started praying and asked God, then how? Do i take the risk of not registering for sem 1 and pray that God will help me to be accepted for the sch program? Before long, i totally forgot all about my IA and hence i also forgot to pray.

Recently, a sms caught me by surprise. A pleasant surprise asking if i wanted to still change my IA if prof allows. I was on cloud nine but tried to contain the joy for the fear that my hopes would be dashed once again if prof said that it was too late to change. Called my prof after our lesson and he said that we could still change but we need to send him our details. JOY is what described my mood that day.

Even when I forgot, God remembers me and my prayer.

My day ended late so by the time i got back to send him the email, my prof had probably left the office. I waited 1 day, 2 days for his email before someone mentioned that he was on leave for 10 days!!! I needed him to approve asap for fear that the letter from career office might come and this would mean i will no long be able to change my IA.

I tried checking my email several times a day hoping to receive a reply even while he was on leave. It was futile. I kept praying that the letter wouldn’t come. I started to doubt too.

Then it dawned on me that why am i so panicky over this matter when its a blessing that God has given me? There shouldnt be any reason to. I started to claim victory over this issue by
faith!

It was also by God’s planning that pastor preached about doubts during the time of waiting. Some may say its by coincidence but I choose to believe this is God’s planning.

The 10 long days of waiting finally came! My IA allocation change to sem 2 has been approved! God is my Answer.

We cant run or hide when God chooses to test us, but we can always turn to God in times of trial. Bless you to know that God remembers you even when you forget Him.

He remembers your prayers even when you forget them. Prayer is powerful!

By Adeline Wee (Click here to read full post)

Prayer Alert! - Pray for your friends studying in NUS, NTU, SMU & SIM!

Mugging season opens. Term papers, projects, thesis deadlines to meet, examinations to be studying hard for.

1. Take a minute to pray for anyone you may know from the campuses or if you are undergoing a stressful time on campus, call your cell leader and ask him / her to pray for you.
2. Pray that the Lord lift away every burden and anxiety and that the students will experience God’s peace in their hearts in the next two months.

Philippians 4: 6 & 7 “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (Click here to read full post)

Open Letter to Ps Nina from Jhee

Hello Ps Nina,

Firstly, I want to thank you for speaking into my life at this Conference. I saw in you a life example of FAITHFULNESS and OBEDIENCE to the Lord. You did this by just standing up to speak, on platform, despite the obstacles you have to face personally, and that to me was a great learning point. You have demonstrated FAITHFULNESS and OBEDIENCE.

I did not just see that from the words you spoke, but from a LIFE that demonstrated it.

Secondly, I am very proud of you as the Spiritual Mother of this church. Many times it was said, on pulpit, that you have and will release women into the ministry. I want to add on to that, I believe that you have released MEN into believing in God, to top us up in our weaknesses.

My spirit is changed. I may be doing the same thing, but now with GREATER depth of faith.

Thirdly, I processed with some of my cells about my learning (not cognitive learning but more affective), when you stood up to speak, many shared that they felt the same way too. There are many who are impacted by the fact that you stood up to speak.

I pray that this would encourage you - when you speak, you demonstrate a life submitted to the Lord. That speaks to me POWERFULLY.

Thank you Pastor, and may God continue to use you mightily. :)

Hee Jhee (red t-shirt in photo above)
Ps Eugene Seow's 12 (Click here to read full post)

15th March Sermon Discussion - "Living in God's Divine Purpose"

Scripture Reading: Genesis 2:7-9 & Ephesians 2:10

1. Share 1 thing (item, song, card, etc) that you have “created” that you were really proud of. Explain why you were so proud of it.

Read aloud Genesis 2:7-9 and Ephesians 2:10.

Go around to at least 5 persons and say, “I am God’s workmanship, I am happy to be me!”

2. To live in God’s purpose, we must first recognize that we are God’s Workmanship

Read again Eph 2:10. What does this passage tell us about the purpose that God created us for?

Share with one another the good works that you think God has prepared for you in advance to do.

3. Discover the Garden of Blessing

Before sin came into the world, the Garden of Eden was a garden of blessing.

Do you know that God has given you every blessing you need to live in His purpose?
See Ephesians 1:3 “Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ.”

What is one spiritual blessing that you need today, share it and pray for one another? (Click here to read full post)

Taking the I M out of the IMpossible

In every journey of life all have our milestones to climb, giants to kill, storms to face. Having so much to say, so much thanks to give. Here is my account how Christ has brought me through all. Bearing witness that this is My God...

With a tendency enjoying tough challenges, I took up the possibly the ultimate physical endeavor ever and thats the Ironman Triathlon last year. 3.8km Swim 180km Bike 42km Run. Its a race that test your limits, stretches your body and mind. With a reason, desire and my God, I beat my body, disciplined in not just training, but also to love, hope, trust more. My journey wasn't just a personal thing but one that was connected to the community and the people I love.

At the age of 18, I wanted to be among the youngest Ironman in the country. But on 23 Feb 2008, at Langkawi Ironman, I raced my hearts out and it almost came out literally. My kidney failed, as high potassium in my body. Leaving me to puke 12 times and came close to heart attack. I was asked to give up and I did. It hurt more to stop than to keep going. But as those words left my lips, Christ caught me in his arms and held my heart. It was so intense that I know He's closer than I think, He's with me, He's not some theological concept or a belief but its the real deal.

Coming back discouraged and broken, it was painful to even give thanks. But as I pour out my heart, I remembered that I am to give thanks in all circumstances and not for all circumstances. I grew grateful, strong and know the best is yet to be.

Being diagnosed with Bronchospasm, a breathing disorder, having exams one day before the race, fear, past defeats were just a few of the things against me. If impossible could get more difficult this was it. Sometimes in life we do not need a guarantee but just an assurance that He is with us. I once again embrace the truth and build myself up not just to be an Ironman by name but by spirit. Having that steel within. Being a man of resilience and strong character. To conquer fears and discouragement. I learnt that strong character is never given, but always forged. Heated and hammered in challenges of life. Growing in deep dependence of Him. I committed to race with open hands, surrendering all expectations, pressure to someone whose faith and strength is more than me. How can I not let go? When someone stronger holds my fists.

Slowly it became not just another race but something so much more.

Finally, the day came. I slept little, realizing I forgot my goggles didn't help at all. I had to be discipline to let go of the anxiety because the way will be made. Its an insane mistake, but thank God He provides, I managed to borrow a goggles from a Japanese. Having high degree on both eyes, I couldn't see. But it was good enough to get the salt out of my eyes.

Conquering each loop of the bike, each turn on the run. Singing, talking to God, people, lifting my eyes to the hills, meditating Psalm 121. The focus I got into engaging with Him, the stronger I was, more certain and confident I was. As I reach to the point where I given up before, more fear came. It was an constant effort to let it go, to hope, to trust that He is my help, He will sustain me, He will protect me from harm. Holding fast onto his word and Him. We ran it together. Indeed, we have a God we can depend and NEVER fails.

With no one in front or the back. The finish was staged for me. Raising my heart speech and hands to the heavens. Committing it all to Him and the people I love. Finishing at 14 hrs 9 mins. I rejoiced in His name, truly my God with the name of I M (Exodus 14:3) has taken the IM out of the word IMpossible in the IronMan Triathlon (IM is the short form for Ironman). He qualified me to face the IMpossible and made it possible.

Looking forward for my next milestone in life as I grow from strength to strength.

Last thanks to Ming, Syl for being there for me. Sam, Sebas Teo and Pastor Yong Howe for advice and prayers. Josh Kwah for being my good all trusting brother, cell leader, mentor. Not to forget family and friends of their prayers. We did it.

by Sky Kwah

(Click here to read full post)

8th March Sermon Discussion - "The Spirit and The Blood"

Hebrews 9:13-14

1. Warm Up: On a blank sheet of paper, draw pictures or images that come to your mind when you think of the Holy Spirit. Share with one another what those pictures or images mean to you.
2. Who is the Holy Spirit?
3. Why do we need the Holy Spirit? Review the 3 reasons from the sermon as to why the Holy Spirit is so important.

a) The Spirit of God illuminates God's perspective.
(John 16:13 The Spirit of God opens our eyes and helps us understand the reality of God's truth.)

b) The Spirit of God ignites God's passion
(Acts 2:1-4 The disciples of Jesus who were fearful of men and cowardly became courageous and God-fearing when the Spirit of God came upon them on the day of Pentecost. The disciples were set on fire for God. They began to speak in other tongues and Peter even preached the word of the Lord fearlessly and led the people to repent.)

c) The Spirit of God imparts God's power
(Acts 5:12 The apostles performed many miraculous signs and wonders among the people. Many sick were healed, those tormented by evil spirits were set free and more and more men and women believed in the Lord. These were all done through the power of the Holy Spirit.”)

Out of the 3 aspects of the Holy Spirit, which one do you need the most now in your life? Share with the group and minister to each other in the area that was shared.

4. As a cell group, what breakthroughs or miracles can we trust God for together? Let's pray together in anticipation for this to take place. (Click here to read full post)

1st March Sermon Discussion - “The Blood on the Table”

1. What is one interesting present that you have received before? How did you feel and why?
2. Read 1 Cor 11:17-34 and state the 3 reasons why we take the Lord's Supper?
3. Are there relationships/activities in your cell group that do not represent the Body of Christ well? What would you do differently? Share and pray for one another.

(Click here to read full post)

Shining in Campus Superstar - Rachael Chang

In this round when I got eliminated.. I really wanna thank God because he gave me peace in my heart. He touched my heart & took away my sadness...I thought I would feel sad or down but in fact I never felt any pain.

All I would like to say is that I let everyone down.. but it's ok.. God gave me the confidence & motivation to do my best in the revival round..

I will do whatever it takes & do my utmost.

Anyway, I wanna thank Mamag, Shiying..JWSS school mates... Colin, last year's classmates.. and dorothy for all the never ending support & presense for my rounds through this whole thing..

I will not let all of them down & those that voted for me at home too..

Thank you so much..

I hope you'll will await to hear my improvement & my revival round song..

I will do it for the glory of God, my mum.. all my supporters & myself !

Catch Rachael in the "Revival Round" on Campus SuperStar on Channel U, TONIGHT @ 8:00pm. Vote for her too @ http://css2009.mediacorptv.sg/

Photo source: http://rachaelfc.blogspot.com/(Rachael's Fan Club Blog) (Click here to read full post)

With Jesus, my life has so much more meaning!

Before I trusted Christ, even though I was born in a Christian family, I did not know anything about Christ. When I was little, my parents did mention to me about the story of Jesus. Being small then, I was not very interested about it. I kept wondering 'Why do I need Jesus in my life?'; I thought that as long as I maintained a good attitude in life and did well in my studies, that was all I needed. But I was wrong.

My friend Yan Zhi invited me to his church (FCBC) in 2008. At first I hesitated because I remembered going to my first church and feeling not too belonging there. After much consideration, I attended FCBC's service and followed the pastor in saying the sinner's prayer for the first time in my life. Continuing to attend service with my cell, I even went for the Encounter Weekend with a few sisters. Never had I known so much about Jesus and God's truth and allowed Him to work so powerfully in my life. I began to better understand that sin had separated me from God and the victorious life He has for me.

God continued to shine light into the areas of my life that He wanted to work in - many of which I never thought were important to change. But they have been very important to Jesus all these while! I thank God that He never lets go of me all these years. After knowing Jesus in a deeper way and belonging to a family of God, I have learnt how to forgive people, like how Jesus had forgiven me of my sins. I also became more confident of myself and do not feel overly worried about my problems anymore. My relationships with my family and friends have improved a lot too. With Jesus with me, my life has had so much more meaning.

Have these ever happened in your life? :)

Cassandra Lee
(Testimony dated 27th February 2009)

(Click here to read full post)