There was a large group of people. On one side of the group stood a man, Jesus. On the other side of the group stood Satan. Seperating them, running through the group, was a fence.
The scene set, both Jesus and Satan began calling to the people in the group and, one by one - each having made up his or her own mind - each went to either Jesus or Satan.
This kept going. Soon enough, Jesus had gathered around him a group of people from the larger crowd, as did Satan.
But one man joined neither group. He climbed the fence that was there and sat on it for whole of his life.
Then, Jesus came and took his people with him. So too did Satan. And the man on the fence sat alone.
As this man sat, Satan came back, looking for something which he appeared to have lost. The man said, "Have you lost something?"
Satan looked straight at him and replied, "No, there you are. Come with me."
"But", said the man, "I sat on the fence. I chose neither you nor him."
"Thats okay," said Satan. "I own the fence."
This story tells about the world and its decisions. These people spent their life choosing to follow what they think is best. Some choose to follow what is up to date, leading to a life that is satisfied by their sinful desires. Have you ever deliberately lied to your parents and felt good that they believed? We've all done that:) thats what I mean by following our sinful desires. There are also people who do not come to Church, some who don't take God seriously even when they're Christians. But you know what? The voice that tells you to do whats wrong will only tell you how good it feels for the moment-it won't tell you the consequence! The Bible says that,we'll all have to answer for every thing we've done wrong. Now, after I've said all these, you must be thinking, "This God is quite unmerciful..."? haha, well, this will be what happens when the world comes to an end:) and those who stand between God and Satan(not choosing anyone to follow) belong to Satan. Now, this is the best part: Ever since Satan tempted Man into commiting the first sin, the world has been bombarded with sins! And God knows that this cannot be stopped unless He sends His son down to earth so that we might be forgiven of ALL our sins. When Jesus died on the cross, He was dying for us. He was taking the whole world's sin upon himself and paid the wages- that is death. And when He ressurrected, He conquered death and He is the way to God! The way to living a life free of guilt and full of joy.God wants for all of us to believe that Jesus died for our sins, but He doesn't want to force us. He doesn't want us to just be robots for Him. So He gave us a choice! A choice to follow whoever and whatever we want in life- and ultimately, Him.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MW6yTPPOOAI
Saturday, October 11, 2008
10-inches deep
A boy was sitting on a park bench with one hand resting on an open Bible. He was loudly exclaiming his praise to God. "Hallelujah! Hallelujah! God is great!" he yelled without worrying whether anyone heard him or not.
Shortly after, along came a learned man who had recently completed some studies at a local university. Feeling himself very enlightened in the ways of truth and very eager to show this enlightenment, he asked the boy about the source of his joy.
Without hesitation the boy answered "Don't you have any idea what God is able to do? God opened up the waves of the Red Sea and led the whole nation of Israel right through the middle."
The enlightened man laughed lightly, sat down next to the boy tried to explain the 'realities' of the miracles of the Bible. Modern scholarship has shown that the Red Sea in that area was only 10-inches deep at that time. It was no problem for the Israelites to wade across."
The boy was stumped. His eyes wandered from the man back to the Bible laying open in his lap. The man, content that he had enlightened a poor, naive young person to the finer points of scientific insight, turned to go. Scarcely had he taken two steps when the boy began to rejoice and praise louder than before. The man turned to ask the reason for this resumed jubilation.
"Wow!" exclaimed the boy happily, "God is greater than I thought! Not only did He lead the whole nation of Israel through the Red Sea, He topped it off by drowning the whole Egyptian army in 10-inches of water!"
Source:'A Collection of the World's Best Christian Jokes'
Shortly after, along came a learned man who had recently completed some studies at a local university. Feeling himself very enlightened in the ways of truth and very eager to show this enlightenment, he asked the boy about the source of his joy.
Without hesitation the boy answered "Don't you have any idea what God is able to do? God opened up the waves of the Red Sea and led the whole nation of Israel right through the middle."
The enlightened man laughed lightly, sat down next to the boy tried to explain the 'realities' of the miracles of the Bible. Modern scholarship has shown that the Red Sea in that area was only 10-inches deep at that time. It was no problem for the Israelites to wade across."
The boy was stumped. His eyes wandered from the man back to the Bible laying open in his lap. The man, content that he had enlightened a poor, naive young person to the finer points of scientific insight, turned to go. Scarcely had he taken two steps when the boy began to rejoice and praise louder than before. The man turned to ask the reason for this resumed jubilation.
"Wow!" exclaimed the boy happily, "God is greater than I thought! Not only did He lead the whole nation of Israel through the Red Sea, He topped it off by drowning the whole Egyptian army in 10-inches of water!"
Source:'A Collection of the World's Best Christian Jokes'
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Money Goes To Church
Money Goes to Church
A well-worn one dollar bill and a similarly distressed twenty dollar bill arrived at a Federal Reserve Bank to be retired. As they moved along the conveyor belt to be burned, they struck up a conversation.
The twenty-dollar bill reminisced about its travels all over the county. "I've had a pretty good life," the twenty proclaimed. “Why I've been to Las Vegas and Atlantic City, the finest restaurants in New York, performances on Broadway, and even a cruise to the Caribbean."
"Wow!" said the one-dollar bill. "You've really had an exciting life!" "So tell me," says the twenty, "where have you been throughout your lifetime?" The one-dollar bill replies, "Oh, I've been to the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, the Lutheran Church..."
The twenty dollar bill interrupts, "What's a church?"
A well-worn one dollar bill and a similarly distressed twenty dollar bill arrived at a Federal Reserve Bank to be retired. As they moved along the conveyor belt to be burned, they struck up a conversation.
The twenty-dollar bill reminisced about its travels all over the county. "I've had a pretty good life," the twenty proclaimed. “Why I've been to Las Vegas and Atlantic City, the finest restaurants in New York, performances on Broadway, and even a cruise to the Caribbean."
"Wow!" said the one-dollar bill. "You've really had an exciting life!" "So tell me," says the twenty, "where have you been throughout your lifetime?" The one-dollar bill replies, "Oh, I've been to the Methodist Church, the Baptist Church, the Lutheran Church..."
The twenty dollar bill interrupts, "What's a church?"
Thursday, August 21, 2008
To the Father who first loved us,
and to those who are experiencing doubts...in the hope that it might encourage you.
Above all business in life and hectic schedules, I pray for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, for You know our heart. You know how every growing Christian like us, are experiencing doubts. Doubts like "Is this all just coincidence?" seem to hit us even more when we are waring on. Just when we've witnessed God's miracle in our life and shout out "Praise God for what He has done!", the question 'Is this all just coincidence?' stares straight back at us.
Or when we are not thinking of anything in particular, or feeling slightly down one day...when we wait alone for the green man to light...when the grinding noises of vehicles zoom by... Suddenly this question 'Is this all just coincidence?' pops in our head and, sometimes, strikes us hard. Suddenly we think and, for a minute; doubt our faith, doubt God, doubt everything.
Did this happen to you before? Does this happen to you? I believe this a situation that is real to almost everyone. And I believe the enemy is aiming at one particular strategy. Satan wants us to forget. Forget all that God has done for us. By asking us questions, Satan means for us to dwell deeper into the question alone, and forget God's promises.
In Gen2:15 to Gen3:3, God gave Adam a very clear commandment:"You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil..." God told Adam that he was not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Yet when the serpent asked,"Did God really say 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?", the woman forgot God's commandments already. Hearing this question of doubt, Eve started to waver in what she believed in and said, " you must not touch it, or you will die."Notice that God didn;t say, " touch and you'll die."! Instead, He said, "eat and you'll die."! Such a simple question could make Eve forget God's command and even change it! She began to concentrate more on the question rather than on God! And this is exactly what Satan wants by each question He asks. The devil wants us to concentrate on the question of doubt, so much that, we begin to forget God's promises to us and Who He Is.
So whenever we have some time to ourselves, once in a while, close your eyes... think about how God was there when you felt like nothing was going to get better...how He delivered you in times of need...how Jesus died on the cross, thinking of you...and most importantly, why you loved Him in the first place...the times when you cried or His faithfulness...
Whenever you hear the voice of the enemy prying into your mind, plug in to a Christian song on your phone, or hum your favourite one! Remember what you were like before you knew God, and think of how much God changed you to where you are now.Cry if you feel like, because God's love makes us cry in awe and happiness! Even if you're feeling down and can't speak, let God come into you completely and talk to you in your heart! Allow Him to tell you again how much He loves you and how He is always there for you. Even as I listen to, its as if God is singing this song to me:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EhHrNDWuvj8&feature=related
你問我愛你有多深 我愛你有幾分 我的愛也真 我的情也真 月亮代表我的心 你問我愛你有多深 我愛你有幾分 我的情不移 我的愛不變 月亮代表我的心 輕輕的一個吻 已經打動我的心 深深的一段情 教我思念到如今 你問我愛你有多深 我愛你有幾分 你去想一想 你去看一看 月亮代表我的心 你去想一想 你去看一看 月亮代表我的心
and to those who are experiencing doubts...in the hope that it might encourage you.
Above all business in life and hectic schedules, I pray for my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ. Lord, for You know our heart. You know how every growing Christian like us, are experiencing doubts. Doubts like "Is this all just coincidence?" seem to hit us even more when we are waring on. Just when we've witnessed God's miracle in our life and shout out "Praise God for what He has done!", the question 'Is this all just coincidence?' stares straight back at us.
Or when we are not thinking of anything in particular, or feeling slightly down one day...when we wait alone for the green man to light...when the grinding noises of vehicles zoom by... Suddenly this question 'Is this all just coincidence?' pops in our head and, sometimes, strikes us hard. Suddenly we think and, for a minute; doubt our faith, doubt God, doubt everything.
Did this happen to you before? Does this happen to you? I believe this a situation that is real to almost everyone. And I believe the enemy is aiming at one particular strategy. Satan wants us to forget. Forget all that God has done for us. By asking us questions, Satan means for us to dwell deeper into the question alone, and forget God's promises.
In Gen2:15 to Gen3:3, God gave Adam a very clear commandment:"You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil..." God told Adam that he was not to eat from the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Yet when the serpent asked,"Did God really say 'You must not eat from any tree in the garden'?", the woman forgot God's commandments already. Hearing this question of doubt, Eve started to waver in what she believed in and said, " you must not touch it, or you will die."Notice that God didn;t say, " touch and you'll die."! Instead, He said, "eat and you'll die."! Such a simple question could make Eve forget God's command and even change it! She began to concentrate more on the question rather than on God! And this is exactly what Satan wants by each question He asks. The devil wants us to concentrate on the question of doubt, so much that, we begin to forget God's promises to us and Who He Is.
So whenever we have some time to ourselves, once in a while, close your eyes... think about how God was there when you felt like nothing was going to get better...how He delivered you in times of need...how Jesus died on the cross, thinking of you...and most importantly, why you loved Him in the first place...the times when you cried or His faithfulness...
Whenever you hear the voice of the enemy prying into your mind, plug in to a Christian song on your phone, or hum your favourite one! Remember what you were like before you knew God, and think of how much God changed you to where you are now.Cry if you feel like, because God's love makes us cry in awe and happiness! Even if you're feeling down and can't speak, let God come into you completely and talk to you in your heart! Allow Him to tell you again how much He loves you and how He is always there for you. Even as I listen to
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=EhHrNDWuvj8&feature=related
你問我愛你有多深 我愛你有幾分 我的愛也真 我的情也真 月亮代表我的心 你問我愛你有多深 我愛你有幾分 我的情不移 我的愛不變 月亮代表我的心 輕輕的一個吻 已經打動我的心 深深的一段情 教我思念到如今 你問我愛你有多深 我愛你有幾分 你去想一想 你去看一看 月亮代表我的心 你去想一想 你去看一看 月亮代表我的心
Friday, August 8, 2008
God has been causing me to think quite a lot this week, about my family and my friends...
2.Last friday, I was watching " Shen Zhi Yi Fa" with my grandmother at her house. And when it was commercial time, we were talking. Then she suddenly started beating her chest and frowned. I got worried and asked her what was happening. My grandmother told me that she was having this pain in her heart for a long time. She told me that it was nothing and didn't want to talk about anymore. I sensed that she just didn't want me to worry. But, there and then, a question popped up in my mind:
What if she didn't have many more days to live?
What if I didn't make her a Christian in time?
What if she died without knowing Christ?
What if, on the judgement day, she had to go to hell and I had to go to heaven?
What if I were seperated from her for eternity?
What if..?
Whether we are prepared or not, God is coming very soon. And if we haven't been praying intensively for the salvation of those around us, NOW IS THE TIME. If we haven't been treasuring our loved ones and caring for them, NOW IS THE TIME. If we haven't been seeking God and living up to the Word, NOW IS THE TIME. Now is the time for our friends and families to experience God's love through you! What if you realised you only had 24 hours to live,WHAT WOULD YOU DO? There would be one less Christian on earth to spread the gospel. Who knows, one friend might either go to heaven or hell, depending on you! What you do affects THEIR ETERNITY.
1. During this last semester of the year, God has been teaching me about being a light to my friends in school! About relying on His love alone to continue with the great commision. About checking myself constantly of what I'm doing. About spreading God's wisdom to people around me. He told me, that, whenever someone confided in me and told me her problems, I must think about what the Bible says about that issue before suggesting a solution.
During this last semester, my class also changed our sitting arrangements and I was seated with this nice girl by 'chance'. Ever since we sat together she started telling me about her problems! Big or small, I got to know what problems she went through. For the past few weeks, I've been providing her with solutions from my knowledge of what I thought God would want to say to her. It was like, I was representing God to be there for her and shower her with love and encouragements. As I was unsure about what she would think of the solutions and everything, I didn't tell her that those words were from God. But, just last Friday, she said to me, "I don't know, Valerie, but everytime I tell you my problems, you always give me very good advice."!!! When I heard that coming from her mouth, I was shocked and really happy! Because God was with me and He granted me His wisdom! Praise God for always surprising us with miracles. Now on, I believe its time for me to include God into our conversations and tell her that, all she heard was from God! Sometimes it takes just a step of faith to unlock what God has in store for us! And when you take that step, you'll find that miracles you never thought could have happened to you, will happen :)
2.Last friday, I was watching " Shen Zhi Yi Fa" with my grandmother at her house. And when it was commercial time, we were talking. Then she suddenly started beating her chest and frowned. I got worried and asked her what was happening. My grandmother told me that she was having this pain in her heart for a long time. She told me that it was nothing and didn't want to talk about anymore. I sensed that she just didn't want me to worry. But, there and then, a question popped up in my mind:
What if she didn't have many more days to live?
What if I didn't make her a Christian in time?
What if she died without knowing Christ?
What if, on the judgement day, she had to go to hell and I had to go to heaven?
What if I were seperated from her for eternity?
What if..?
Whether we are prepared or not, God is coming very soon. And if we haven't been praying intensively for the salvation of those around us, NOW IS THE TIME. If we haven't been treasuring our loved ones and caring for them, NOW IS THE TIME. If we haven't been seeking God and living up to the Word, NOW IS THE TIME. Now is the time for our friends and families to experience God's love through you! What if you realised you only had 24 hours to live,WHAT WOULD YOU DO? There would be one less Christian on earth to spread the gospel. Who knows, one friend might either go to heaven or hell, depending on you! What you do affects THEIR ETERNITY.
So lets all continue to war on for God and live each day like its the last! And don't forget! We are not alone!Every other Christian on earth is experiencing what you experience too! Most importantly, God is there for us and His light will shine through the darkness! So turn to him for HE HOLDS YOU BY YOUR RIGHT HAND :)
Monday, June 16, 2008
Water Baptism
On the 10th of May, I got water baptised on the fourth floor of my church's auditorium. The joy and magnificence of it cannot be expressed by words alone. All I can say is that this feeling makes you grit your teeth in silence and stand in awe of the Lord's glory. Along with me, there were about 20 other people of different ages. As they shared their testimonies, I almost cried at every one because it was so amazing how the Father can touch lives. Some testified of how God cured their illnesses, others shared their personal encounter with God. Somehow, my heart ached with thanks unto the Lord.
Not before long, the Pastor called my name and beckoned me to come up. This was the first time I was going to bless a few hundred people with my testimony. Finally, I was doing something about God's love, I was shouting it to the world. Even before I got to the first half of my speech, I broke down, crying. Have you ever felt it? Those tears of joy were shed, knowing that my God remembered me when I forsaked Him. My life before this was so aimless and I didn't carry any excitement to school or wherever I went. Yet, God constantly sent people to keep me in contact with Christianity! Looking back at those days, I would never want to go back again. My God first loved me, so I want to love Him too.
" Why do I need God? Why do I waste time for a God when I don't need anything right now? I am happy with my life, where I am now!" This was the kind of feeling I felt before witnessing God's love. Most non-christians will most probably think this way. What I believe is that we do not know about the true form of happiness. We think we are happy, but we don't know that happiness can go far beyond that.
Picture yourself on this island that has plenty of peaches to eat and rivers to drink from. We may think that we are the happiest person already, but what we fail to see is that there is a much bigger and better island over the horizon! And on that land, there are unlimited fruits and delicacies to eat, rivers of milk, fruit juice and even chocolate! All we have to do is to take our desire one step further: hop onto a boat to reach that place. Just like the abundance of the second island, God wants to shower all His blessings on you, but you have to make a choice to let Him come into your life. You will not know how good chocolate is unless you give it a try.
Who is stopping you from giving God a chance?
Not before long, the Pastor called my name and beckoned me to come up. This was the first time I was going to bless a few hundred people with my testimony. Finally, I was doing something about God's love, I was shouting it to the world. Even before I got to the first half of my speech, I broke down, crying. Have you ever felt it? Those tears of joy were shed, knowing that my God remembered me when I forsaked Him. My life before this was so aimless and I didn't carry any excitement to school or wherever I went. Yet, God constantly sent people to keep me in contact with Christianity! Looking back at those days, I would never want to go back again. My God first loved me, so I want to love Him too.
" Why do I need God? Why do I waste time for a God when I don't need anything right now? I am happy with my life, where I am now!" This was the kind of feeling I felt before witnessing God's love. Most non-christians will most probably think this way. What I believe is that we do not know about the true form of happiness. We think we are happy, but we don't know that happiness can go far beyond that.
Picture yourself on this island that has plenty of peaches to eat and rivers to drink from. We may think that we are the happiest person already, but what we fail to see is that there is a much bigger and better island over the horizon! And on that land, there are unlimited fruits and delicacies to eat, rivers of milk, fruit juice and even chocolate! All we have to do is to take our desire one step further: hop onto a boat to reach that place. Just like the abundance of the second island, God wants to shower all His blessings on you, but you have to make a choice to let Him come into your life. You will not know how good chocolate is unless you give it a try.
Who is stopping you from giving God a chance?
Sunday, April 27, 2008
Standing Up for Christ
God is building a new chapter in today's generation as we witness many people around us rise up with authority. For such a time as this, God is calling us to expand his kingdom for the kingdom of God is near. But how should we go about doing this?
Equipping yourself with God's word
The last thing we want to happen to ourselves, is to give in to the devil's 'inviting' temptations. You see, he is furious with how much we love and obey God and he wants to destroy that! So now, he is more often heard saying things to our ears like," Aww, come on! There's no way you can be so nice to her when she's not gonna notice it! Are you sure God told you to PRAY FOR HER?!"
Or even worse, he tries to manipulate God's word to make it easier for us to believe in his lies. In the book of Luke 4, Satan challenged Jesus to throw himself down a temple to prove that He was the Son of God, for it was written:
In such circumstances, it is vital to remember God's word and apply them to situations in our life. Remember, whenever you are in a dilemna, always think about what GOD would want you to do. And when you have done that, God will bring you to higher level of faith.
You make an impression by the WAY YOU SPEAK
Throughout the life of Jesus, many people were amazed at the gracious and wise words that came from his lips and praised Him. If you speak vulgarities, people recognize your rude nature. But if you speak like a man of faith, you will be regarded differently. Always align your language to what the Bible talks about and do not let your friend's languages influence the way you speak.
When Others accuse or reject you
Equipping yourself with God's word
The last thing we want to happen to ourselves, is to give in to the devil's 'inviting' temptations. You see, he is furious with how much we love and obey God and he wants to destroy that! So now, he is more often heard saying things to our ears like," Aww, come on! There's no way you can be so nice to her when she's not gonna notice it! Are you sure God told you to PRAY FOR HER?!"
Or even worse, he tries to manipulate God's word to make it easier for us to believe in his lies. In the book of Luke 4, Satan challenged Jesus to throw himself down a temple to prove that He was the Son of God, for it was written:
"He will command his
angels concerning you to guard you carefully;
they will lift you up in your hands,
so that you will not strike
your foot against a stone."
But Jesus answered, "It says:'Do not put the Lord your God to the test' "In such circumstances, it is vital to remember God's word and apply them to situations in our life. Remember, whenever you are in a dilemna, always think about what GOD would want you to do. And when you have done that, God will bring you to higher level of faith.
You make an impression by the WAY YOU SPEAK
Throughout the life of Jesus, many people were amazed at the gracious and wise words that came from his lips and praised Him. If you speak vulgarities, people recognize your rude nature. But if you speak like a man of faith, you will be regarded differently. Always align your language to what the Bible talks about and do not let your friend's languages influence the way you speak.
When Others accuse or reject you
As we allow Jesus to live in our decisions and our hearts, there will be a group of people who'll say, " Wow, there's something different about her/him nowadays..maybe I should get to know this God that he/she has.."
Another group of people will probably say, " I can't stand him/her nowadays, she/he is acting so holy and all that!"
And almost everyone will be hurt if someone rejects you this way. But listen to what God has to say to all of us in Luke 2:34-35:
" Then Simeon blessed them and said to Mary, his mother: This child is destined to cause the falling and rising of many in Israel, and to be a sign that will be spoken against, so that the thoughts of many will be revealed.."
Jesus was destined to be a sign that will be spoken against. When we are rejected because of God, we have suffered for God. Jesus Christ was crucifed so that we could be with God. Compared to the pain He went through, what does that little remark even amount to?
2nd Crinthians 12:10
That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
1st Peter 2:12
Live such good lives amomg the pagans that, though they accuse of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.
Carrying the Authority of Christ
Luke 4:36
..With authority and power he gives orders to evil spirits and they come out!
Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth, given to him by his Father the Lord God. And in all things we should submit to Him because he has the power to save any situation. He can even drive out evil spirits! What more the various situations in our life?
Luke 4:34
"..Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are- the Holy One of God!"
The evil spirits know Jese and are afraid of Him. What if you are faced with an evil spirit tonight? Will you freeze in fear and wait for it to move? Or will you remember that Christ has all authority over everything and drive it away in Jesus' name?
God is calling this generation to rise up with audacious fervour, so much so that we will be able to venture out for the impossible and leave the rest to our mighty God.
The Bible says, in 1st Corinthians 14:1, " Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy" because one who prophecies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort.
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