YouthNet - Tell The World!

Our Homes

2008-08-17T09:00:00.000+08:00

Eight days after our 43rd National Day celebrations, we celebrate the 22nd Anniversary of Faith Community Baptist Church (FCBC). Singapore and FCBC are the BIG homes that we are all a part of. God has purposefully planned the place for each one of us to grow up in. Acts 17:26b-27 (NIV), "... and he determined the times set for them and the exact places where they should live. God did this so that men would seek him and perhaps reach out for him and find him, though he is not far from each one of us."

All homes, have the dual characteristic of being both comfortable and uncomfortable. We rest in it's care and comfort; struggle when we see shortcomings. Our loved ones can either make us laugh or cry! Ouch. Perfect and imperfect. Yet altogether precious because God has purposed these homes as the place where you would seek and find Him.

Today, you can choose to view these homes where you are a part of, as some random lot. Or you can choose to embrace God's plan for your life by treasuring your place and the inheritance in the homes He gave to you. Take time to thank God for your own family, your Spiritual family and Singapore!

Why Do I Love Singapore?

2008-08-10T09:00:00.000+08:00

Why do I LIKE Singapore (or, "what she gives to me")?

1. Amazing selection of good and affordable food
2. "Clean and green" - Roads, buildings and people in a huge garden
3. Cheap and efficient transport network
4. Security is so good that we almost never worry about crime

Why do I LOVE Singapore (or, "why I would give my best to her")?
1. Because when I love her, I love myself.
* "Also, seek the peace and prosperity of the city to which I have carried you into exile. Pray to the LORD for it, because if it prospers, you too will prosper." (Jeremiah 29:7 NIV)

2. Because Singapore loved and gave to me long before I ever contributed to her.

3. Because God loves Singapore, I will love her too.
In Hosea 11, God expresses His love for Ephraim (Israel). Imagine these same words of love for our nation, Singapore.
* "It was I who taught Ephraim (Singapore) to walk, taking them by the arms." (Hosea 11:3 NIV)
* "I led Ephraim (Singapore) with cords of human kindness, with ties of love; I lifted the yoke from their neck and bent down to feed them." (Hosea 11:4 NIV)
* "How can I give you up, Ephraim (Singapore)? How can I hand you over? … My heart is changed within me; all my compassion is aroused." (Hosea 11:8 NIV)

God Bless Singapore!

Next Generation Wanted: Dead or Alive!

2008-08-03T09:00:00.000+08:00

Senior Pastor preached a hard message last Sunday. Not the typical comforting message about The Good Shepherd's TLC (tender loving care) for the sheep, but a message that calls for us “To Die, To Dare and To Decide” to have a shepherding heart - not just for your cell nor for your network, but for our nation.

"I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." (John 10:11 NIV)

How does a message about transforming nations affect the average young person, struggling to cope with his or her own little world of studies, exams, work and relationships?

If the response to the altar call were anything to go by, there's hope for the world - our world. We have a generation made up of not just the "average young person". We have a generation prepared to give up their small ambitions to see God's Big Dream fulfilled.

Where do we start? Right where you are, by doing what you're already doing, but with excellence, integrity and extravagant love and service. Be faithful
with the little you have. God's call is not a destination. It is a journey.

"Ministry is what you do to bring your life and your sphere of influence under kingdom rule." - Sunday Adelaja

Eagles Soaring

2008-07-27T09:00:00.000+08:00

If you have been following the 40-Day Prayer Guide, you would have been greatly encouraged by the testimonies of seven godly men and women who have made tremendous impact for God's Kingdom, particularly among the poor and needy: William Wilberforce, George Mueller, Amy Carmichael, William Booth, Jackie Pullinger, Henri Nouwen, and Mother Teresa.

Closer to home, our very own Senior Pastor, Apostle Lawrence Khong, led the Gateway Entertainment team into a very successful run of the MAGICBOX performances at the Esplanade! What an inspiration, these eagles of our faith!

Yet, we aren't all suddenly eagles. Eaglets learn to fly through repeated drops and catches by their parents in the air. These young ones learned to flap their wings wildly and in good time, realised that their wings do work and... they could fly!

How's your life looking like right now? If you are facing challenges that seem beyond you, God the Papa Eagle is allowing the sudden drop, and teaching you to fly above and beyond the comfy nesting days. Don't complain, argue or lament when you are out of your comfort zone. Trust Papa and work hard at flapping your wings!

James 1:2-4 (MSG) says, "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colours. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way."

Eaglets out there, you have seen all the fine role models! Get ready, flying season starts now!

Sabbath is for God-Centred Relationships

2008-07-13T09:00:00.000+08:00

The Year of Sabbath has provided a window of opportunity for us to maintain and repair the relationships in our lives. Pastor Poh Yeang Cherng shares a personal testimony of what this has meant for him:

“In this season of focussing on interdependence, God spoke clearly to me about going back to mend some strained relationships in my life. While these were not full-scale conflicts, the presence of a few of these certainly affected me.

I realised that these unresolved conflicts reduced my capacity for existing relationships because love, trust and compassion were eroded. I also got tired easily, preferring to be alone just to avoid any situation with relational stress. Not good at all.

Repair and maintenance simply meant taking active steps to reconcile. I initiated meetings with a few people and asked for forgiveness for my part in the conflicts. I also rested my expectations and left room for God to convict them about their parts.

Romans 12:18-19 says this, “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord.”

When it was done, I felt so much freer, knowing that I had obeyed the Lord to do "as much as it depends on me".

Will you seek rest from strife in this season too?

Half-Time Check

2008-07-06T09:00:00.000+08:00

We've just crossed the half year mark in 2008.

Do you still remember the key verse in this Year of Sabbath from Isaiah 58:13-14? Which portions do you remember more of? The "If's" of verse 13 or the promises of verse 14?

It is interesting that the LoveSingapore leadership has also chosen Isaiah 58 to be the key focus of this year's 40-Day theme. When our spiritual leaders hear the same thing from the Lord, it is time to wake up and listen!

1st July kicked off the 40-Day season of prayer and fasting. It was a momentous occasion when pastors, intercessors and leaders from different churches occupied all 28 capsules of the Singapore Flyer to pray over our nation. At the highest point of the Flyer, we declared in song, "No Other Name but the Name of Jesus!" - Awesome!

Let us continue with one heart and spirit to pray towards our nation's 43rd birthday, using the 40-Day Prayer Guide. There is power in corporate prayer and we will surely see God's hand at work in the days to come.

"Who R U?"

2008-06-29T09:00:00.000+08:00

This was the question posed by Pastor Wes Richards as he shared from the book of Nehemiah at our staff worship time.

How would you answer this question? It's so important to know who you are, because if you can't answer this question, somebody else is going to answer it for you!

Many of us let other people or our circumstances define who we are, and how we should feel about ourselves. Have you experienced days when you feel like a worm? You know... so small, so insignificant, so easily trampled upon and crushed? Well, hear what Winston Churchill has to say,

"All men may be worms
But I am a Glow-worm!"

Your identity will define your sense of confidence and how you carry out any work assigned to you, whether in your job or studies. Your identity will keep you from going down when facing adversity, and help you achieve your destiny. Pastor Wes brought a timely message for to FCBC as a church, as we press on with our prayers and support for our Senior Pastor and
Pastor Nina for the successful launch of MAGICBOX

Nehemiah knew who he was and what he was called to do - to rebuild the wall of Jerusalem. Let us stay strong and focussed, with everyone working hard at what he or she is assigned to do, and we will see the victory when all will realise "that this work had been done with the help of our God" (Nehemiah 6:16 NIV).

More Than These

2008-06-22T09:00:00.000+08:00

How much do you love? What a question! Is there a way to measure the extent of our love for God? Well, Jesus asked Peter this question in John 21:15 (NASB),

"So when they had finished breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you love Me more than these?" He said to Him, "Yes, Lord; You know that I love You" He said to him, "Tend My lambs."

What is the "MORE THAN THESE"?

Jesus could not be referring to the rest of the disciples nor the fishes, because I believe Jesus had no doubt that Peter would love Him more than these. So what does the word, "THESE", refer to?

I believe it is probably referring to the miraculous catch. You can see the impact of the catch through the fact that the disciples actually COUNTED every fish caught - one hundred and fifty-three (as shown in verse 11).

Jesus knows the conditions of our hearts. He knew, in the case of Peter, that he was attracted to Jesus through the spectacular acts of God. When Peter was called, he was called right after a catch too. It is of no wonder that Jesus created a similar experience to allow Peter to revisit his motivation to love.

Peter was confronted with this pointed question - Do you love Me more than the miraculous, more than the spectacular, more than the world could offer? And in his brokenness, Peter confessed his love for Jesus and as a result brought the much awaited healing for his soul.

Do you love God more than _________________ (fill in your own blank)?

Only when we truly love God, more than the rival thrones in our lives, can we live out the healed life that God intends for us.

Finally, from the sequence of Jesus' question and prompting, we can see love precedes labour. It matters to God that our service for Him is accompanied by our passion for Him.

So, how much do you love God?

Appreciating You, Fathers!

2008-06-15T09:00:00.000+08:00

Today, our thoughts turn to the first man in our lives... our fathers. It's Father's Day! Amidst all our busyness with life's demands and things that call for our attention, let's pause to give thanks for the fathers we know.

Whatever your emotions may be when you think of your Dad, there is one way to be able to celebrate this day, and that is with thanksgiving and gratefulness in our hearts.

In his book, ‘Touching The Father's Heart’, Pastor Cesar Castellanos said that, "The highest position a man could ever aspire to have in life is to be a father". I know this is the aspiration of my husband and the father of our three children! And I believe that it is the desire of every father to be the best father to his children.

The greatest Father of all is God. He is the Heavenly Father who is LOVE, and who teaches us daily how to love like Him. He wants to deposit that Father's heart into each one of us, so that we can love like Him. When we come to know God as our Heavenly Father, He can fill every empty void in our heart and give you a new starting point in your life.

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! ” (2 Corinthians 5:17). Yes, He makes all things new and that includes your relationship with your earthly father.

Let's pray for all the fathers today! Pray that they will find their joy in the Lord and delight in their roles as leaders, nurturers, mentors, teachers and builders, not just of their children, but of the next generation!

That you may believe

2008-06-08T09:00:00.000+08:00

Starting points are always exciting. After five months of reading Psalms, we have moved to the Book of John. From the Old Testament to the New Testament. From a Poetical book to a Gospel. I believe John's Gospel is the first introduction to the Bible for many of us as it was for me. That's why it remains one of my favourite books of the Bible till this day.

I remember how excited I was to be introduced to Jesus, the Son of God. I had made a decision to follow Christ and I hungered for more of Him. I was taught well. I came to know a God who "became flesh and dwelt among us.... full of grace and truth” and I beheld His glory (John 1:14, NKJV).

My first memory verses came from John 3:16-18. Yes, I was expected to memorise a whole portion, not just one verse! Then I went on to memorise each of the "I am" statements made by Jesus. I thank God for that early foundation because it instilled in me a love for the Word of God.

As you read each chapter of John daily, you have begun another adventure in knowing God. He will reveal Himself to the God Seekers and God Chasers. Let's begin with the end in mind, shall we?

"... That you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name" (John 20:31, NIV).

What Are We Striving For?

2008-06-01T09:00:00.000+08:00

"His pleasure is not in the strength of the horse, nor his delight in the legs of a man; the LORD delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." (Psalm 147:10-11)

These verses reveal God's "unseen" heart in a psalm that contains praise about God's outward "seen" acts.

We usually feel good when we excel in our work and ministry. People around us cheer, celebrate and admire us for our great talents.

Do we play it that way too when we try to win God's pleasure?

We get upset and depressed when we do not "do well" in the ministry, our work and our studies. We think we are less favoured because there are those who are more talented and anointed. We give up and think God likes other people more.
But in the process, we may just lose focus on what really matters to God. Are we barking up the wrong tree?

God is delighted when we revere Him and when we take Him seriously and honour Him in what we do. It is an inward condition of our heart.

God is delighted when we trust Him, especially in difficult situations when He seems absent. It is a deliberate action we can take.

Today, even if you're facing poorer exam results, or disappointments in the ministry, you are no further from delighting God.

Even if you are barely coping with a difficult work situation, you can melt the Father's heart by putting your hope in His unfailing love.

Don't stay outside! Come into your Father's presence!

The Crossing

2008-05-25T09:00:00.000+08:00

"For He has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." (Colossians 1:13-14)

The moment you experienced Christ, you do not belong to this world. You have crossed over from darkness to light, from sin to righteousness, from slavery to freedom. You have a new identity. No longer slaves in Egypt but sons and daughters of the Living God. No longer do you need to "worship from afar", but you can draw near to where your Heavenly Father is, without fear or hesitation. He calls you, just as He called the Israelites - to draw near to Him in worship and intimacy.

Many Christians have accepted God's gift of salvation but are still "flirting with the world". Like the Israelites, they are still carrying Egypt with them in their hearts and minds. When the going is tough, they do not have the tenacity to persevere but kept on looking back at the world they left behind, instead of moving on to claim the promises of God (Exodus 14 and 16).

The greatest freedom you can experience is the freedom to say "No" to worldly temptation and sin. It is still your choice whether to allow sin to continue to rule in your life. Having the power and exercising it are two different things.

Have you crossed over completely?

Who needs Favour?

2008-05-18T09:00:00.000+08:00

Pastor Tommy Tenney's message last Sunday must have been very well received by all, particularly the young people.

First, there was a compelling story to share. Esther's story is a rags-to-riches story, like Cinderella or "Pretty Woman". The kind of story every young person likes. Don't we all dream of that "one day" or that "one encounter" that will change our individual destinies.

Can we believe the same God who was at work in Esther's life is at work in our lives?

Then, Esther's story is a story of favour. Don't we all need that? Especially for that exam, the job interview, the special assignment or window of opportunity ahead of us. Esther "won the favour of everyone who saw her" (Esther 2:15) but more importantly, she won God's favour (v. 17). I'm reminded of the example of our Lord Jesus too.

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and men." (Luke 2:52)

Pastor Tenney pointed out that Esther's obedience gave God a reason to bless her. I thought that was so well put. God wants to bless us, at every chance He gets. But are we making it easy or difficult for Him to do so?

Growing in Interdependence

2008-05-11T09:00:00.000+08:00

"But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh." (Galatians 5:16 NASB)
"If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25 NASB)

In the first quarter of this Year of Sabbath, we got back to basics in our PERSONAL walk with the Lord. We've focused on reading the Word and Prayer, on Fasting and Repentance. Individually, we need to continue walking (Galatians 5:16) in the Spirit, so that we will not carry out the desires of the flesh.

Yet the Greek word for "walking" by the Spirit in Galatians 5:25 refers to a CORPORATE walk in the Spirit. We need to learn to walk in step with one another "in the Spirit".

Consider the following checks and guidelines gleaned from a teaching by Pastor Benny Ho.

3 things that can cause dis-unity in the Body of Christ:

Do we get conceited, "do our own thing" and pull ahead of the Body?

Are we excessively competitive and cause others to pull aside in the ministry?

Do we get envious of others' successes and pull out of the race in order to "save face"?

3 things we must do to keep in step with one another:

Is there someone who has fallen and needs a helping hand?

Is there something you can do to help those who are overloaded?

Is there a place where you need to take personal responsibility to carry your own load?

Let's commit to march as one army, so that we can corporately enter God's rest. A step-by-step walk individually, as well as corporately, into God's glory.

Psalm-thing for you!

2008-05-04T09:00:00.000+08:00

I had an interesting dinner conversation with my daughter the other day. I asked her what the Fear of God means to a youth nowadays. She asked me how I had been able to grow so much in so short a time as a young Christian. Did I find the desire within to read and love the Word of God? Or did I follow what some leader told me to do? We talked about the pressures a young person faces these days and how difficult it is to find good models of those who consistently live out God's truth and the reality of the Christian faith.

My mind went back to Psalm 119 which we've just read for the week. If you manage to read all 176 verses of this longest Psalm in one go, I congratulate you! Psalm 119 is the psalm for a young person. In it, you will find precious nuggets of truth which will guide you in your walk towards a victorious life in Christ. One of my favourite portions is found in Psalm 119:9-11.

"How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."

PS. Pastor Julie will have a little gift for anyone who can memorise these verses and recite it to her in church this week!

Celebrate What's Right with Your World

2008-04-27T09:00:00.000+08:00

There's so much beauty in this world God created. When was the last time this thought crossed your mind? Well, I had the delightful opportunity to have my senses recharged and my tired mind refreshed once again after watching a short video called, "Celebrate What's Right With The World". This is the vision statement of National Geographic, a magazine few of us will have in our range of interests. Through a wonderful collage of images and shots, photographer Dewitt Jones captures beauty so pure and simple, in nature and in people. I'm challenged about my vision, my perceptions and my world view. All these colour my world.

We're caught so often in trying to fix what's wrong with this world, we fail to celebrate what's right with it. Do we believe people can change? That things can change? For the better, of course. If we believe it, we will see it.

Can we do that this week? Celebrate what's right with your world.

"He (God) has made everything beautiful in its time. He has set eternity in the hearts of men; yet they cannot fathom what God has done from beginning to end." (Ecclesiates 3:11)

How Can I Keep from Singing

2008-04-20T09:00:00.000+08:00

When was the last time you burst into song? You know what I mean... not just because you have to sing but because you want to sing. And it has nothing to do with whether you have a good voice or whether you have an audience listening. It's a song from your heart -- an expression of gratitude, of joy and delight.

Some of us have stopped singing. Maybe you're going through troubled times, maybe you've lost your step, maybe you're just too tired to try again... but you know what? God gives us songs even in the night (Job 35:10). He knows what you're going through and He does not forget His Word and His promises. That's why we can still sing.

Chris Tomlin's song expresses it well with this chorus...

"How can I keep from singing Your praise
How can I ever say enough
How amazing is Your love
How can I keep from shouting Your praise
I know I am loved by the King
And it makes my heart want to sing"

May the Lord "put a new song in your mouth, a hymn of praise to our God." (Psalm 40: 3)

What's on your mind?

2008-04-13T09:00:00.000+08:00

I'm so glad that Senior Pastor is challenging the church to memorise scriptures. Not just a verse or two but whole chapters of Psalms. With a few skipped verses here and there, I have been able to memorise some of my favourite Psalms like Psalm 1, 8, 16 and 23.

I have since been inspired to add Psalms 63, 84, 90, 91 and 103 to the storehouse of my memory. What about Psalm 119? I think I need another big dose of inspiration from hearing Senior Pastor recite all 176 verses from this longest Psalm! But let's take up the challenge of memorising Scripture.

Psalm 16:8 says, "I have set the Lord always before me. Because He is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. "

How can we set the Lord always before us?

Memorising scriptures help us keep God's Word with us all the time. We are thus able to meditate on it day and night, with or without the Bible at hand with us (Joshua 1:8). This is the key to successful Christian living.

Let's revive the interest in scripture memory. It is an indispensable discipline in spiritual formation for a young Christian.

After 40 Days

2008-04-06T09:00:00.000+08:00

40 days of corporate spiritual discipline, of fasting, prayer and reading the Word of God. No games, no TV, these were but samples of the "toys" that frequently threaten to eat up our time.

We gave God total freedom in the one hour set aside each day for Him, shutting out every other competing agenda. This was so that we would begin to develop a taste and appreciation of the fundamental building blocks of Christian life.

So what's next after 40 days? What will our schedules look like after the "corporate campaign"?

Our hour of devotion time is just what we set aside as non-negotiable - we will give it to God, no exceptions. Yet it is important to open our calendar and ask God, "Holy Spirit, tell me what I should do with the other 23 hours?"

The truth of the matter is, ALL of our lives belong to God - every second of it. We do not segment our lives into blocks of which belong to God, and which belong to us. We learn to ask God what we need to do for every second we breathe.

Sleep? Play games? Sure! Let's do it with freedom as we seek God's agenda. We should not live life in a legalistic manner.

Psalm 90:12 says, "Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

As we prepare for the new week ahead, let's open up our calendar and go to God in prayer first to organise our days for us.

Hot For Jesus

2008-03-30T09:00:00.000+08:00

On last night of Sanctification Week, Senior Pastor brought a sobering message to the church.

"How does God see FCBC?" ; "How does God see you?"- were you taken by surprise to be likened to the church at Laodicea, one of the 7 churches in the Book of Revelation?

"I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm - neither hot nor cold - I am about to spit you out of my mouth....." (Rev 3:15, 16)

Ouch! Did we miss the good news first before the bad news? Without first a word of commendation to soften the blow, these words were strong and harsh, whichever version of the Bible we read from.

But wait a minute, here's something from the heart of a loving Father ...and it's not said for any of the other churches...

"Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me."
(Rev 3:19, 20)

Sanctification week may be over but let us continue to press on with the Lord's sanctifying work in our lives. Let us pray that the fires of revival will continue to sweep through our church and turn every lukewarm spirit HOT FOR JESUS!

A Transformed Heart

2008-03-23T09:00:00.000+08:00

Have we been to the sanctuary of God and come out with a transformed heart?

What does a transformed heart look like? Pastor Eugene shared these 3 indicators - a transformed heart is tender, teachable and transparent.

A transformed heart from God is truly one that is tender towards God. We will not allow our past wounds or disappointments to harden our hearts towards God or people. A heart that is tender is able to allow God to move freely within, is able to feel and beat with His passion.

A transformed heart from God is truly one that is teachable. We will be willing to hear from God and obey Him. We will not be stubborn and set in our ways nor will we put a condition to our obedience.

A transformed heart from God is truly one that is transparent. We will allow God to search and test our motives, recognising that our heart is deceitful above all things. When there's nothing to hide from God or people, we can walk in true freedom.

Is this your heart today?

If it is, praise God and yearn for more of Him.

If it is not, then cry to God to create this new heart in you.

The Bible says that we are new creations in Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:17). This new creation would include a new transformed heart. We can all claim this new transformed heart. Don’t settle for any less.

We shall BEHOLD HIM !

2008-03-16T09:00:00.000+08:00

We're more than halfway through our 40 day period of prayer and fasting. Have you lost your weight?

Not just your weight in kilos but your weight in sin and burdens and baggage which have been bugging you, for the longest time perhaps. Some of us have grown so accustomed to all these extra weight that we don't even feel it anymore. I pray you have experienced some measure of personal victory and success in overcoming and conquering self.

We've also read through more than half of the 150 chapters of Psalms - Well Done! Have you drawn closer to the Lord and found Him to be everything David declared Him to be? Our Refuge and Strength, Our Protector and Provider, the Mighty God and our Shepherd King?

For those whom the Spirit of the Lord has been given access, it's been a period of cleansing and deep heart searchings. This is the preparedness we need to enter into for Sanctification Week which crosses Good Friday and Easter Sunday (20-23 March). Let us come with willing hearts and expectant spirits to wait upon the Lord - for Him to deepen His purifying work in each of us, to lead us to the Revelation of the Cross and a Renewed Consecration of our hearts and lives to Him.

"I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory." ( Psalm 63:2 )

In GOD Alone

2008-03-09T09:00:00.000+08:00

"Now I know God calls me to DESIRE for Him and DEPEND on Him alone. But where do I start? How do I even begin to "fix" the condition of my heart?"

Let us ACKNOWLEDGE that it starts with God, that unless the Holy Spirit reveals to us the true condition of our hearts, helps us realize that we need Him, and puts in us a desire to draw near to Him, we cannot even progress. So cry out to God and put our confidence in the Holy Spirit's ability to transform us.

Let us ALLOW God to lead us on His path of transformation. Many times we refuse to follow the Lord's leading even into challenging situations because it's easier to stay in our comfort zones where our competency is sufficient to carry us. Unless we allow ourselves to be led to positions of need, we will not discover God's sufficiency and strength. So surrender and let God lead. Young people, let us die to ourselves and follow where the Holy Spirit leads.

"my soul thirsts for you, my body longs for you, in a dry and weary land where there is no water." (Psalm 63:1B)

Let us ASPIRE towards God's standards and visions. We tend to set goals that are of the flesh and become satisfied with our own accomplishments. Yet it takes God's touch to light up our eyes to see the impossibilities and put in us a desire and hunger for the God-possibilities. This often happens in silence, in solitude and in prayer. Young people, allow God to excite you beyond your wildest dreams!

"I have seen you in the sanctuary and beheld your power and your glory." (Psalm 63:2)

Brokeness

2008-03-02T09:00:00.000+08:00

As a young Christian, I was impacted greatly by the writings of Watchman Nee, a spiritual giant who knew and experienced close intimacy with God. His books like "The Normal Christian Life" and "The Release of the Spirit" increased my understanding of the spirit man by leaps and bounds. "Brokenness" has been the buzz word this last week. I thought I can do no better than share with you some gleanings from his writings on this subject:

"Many of God's servants are not able to do even the most elementary works. Ordinarily, their spirits should enable them to know God's Word, discern the spiritual condition of another, send forth God's messages under the anointing, and receive God's revelations. However, because their outward man has never been dealt with, revival, zeal, pleading and activity are a waste of time. There is just one basic dealing that can enable man to be useful before God, and it is this: brokenness."

"Without the breaking of the outward man, the inward man cannot come forth to bless others because Christ's life is imprisoned by us. It is not that the Lord cannot bless the church, but that the Lord's life is so confined within us that there is no flowing forth. If the outward man remains unbroken, we can never be a blessing to His church, and we cannot expect the Word of God to be blessed by Him through us!"

How do we know if we've been broken?

"There is one common feature that marks those who have been enlightened and disciplined; they become meek. Meekness is a sign of brokenness. All who are broken by God are characterized by meekness" (Note: not weakness!).

Jesus said, "The Spirit gives life; the flesh counts for nothing. The words which I have spoken to you are spirit and they are life." (John 6:63)

The King Beckons...

2008-02-24T09:00:00.001+08:00

The King Beckons...

What are you doing with the invitation from the King? Go on with life as usual and come back to the invitation when you have the time? We trust not. You drop everything you're doing and you re-schedule your priorities so you will be able to make it to His Presence!

"You will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." (Jeremiah 29:13)

While we can be assured of "finding God", this verse also gives a key condition. The condition is to search for Him "with all your heart". We cannot find God if we are not seeking Him with all our heart. It will be naive on our part to think that we could just experience intimacy without giving God all our heart.

"Then they will call on me, but I will not answer; they will seek me diligently but they will not find me." (Proverbs 1: 8)

"All our heart" does not refer to diligence (in effort or action) alone. It is an issue of complete dedication (heart) to the person. And it is best reflected in our attitude.

"Because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the LORD." (Proverbs 1:29)

The attitude needed would be the "fear of the Lord" i.e. a deep reverence for Him.

Can Intimacy and Fear go hand in hand? Yes, fear of the Lord is the key to intimacy because it ensures we hate sin and all the things that turn the King's face away from us. We cannot enter His presence with a casual attitude and expect God to come near.

Let's press on to the King's presence and find each other there!

Dying To Self

2008-02-17T09:00:00.000+08:00

Somewhere in Senior Pastor's message last week was a nugget of truth worth repeating.

That Delight in the Lord and Denial of self are both sides of the same coin. Did you catch that?

We cannot bring delight or find delight in the Lord if we come to Him like a sugar daddy or a vending machine which can be manipulated at our every wimp or fancy.

Luke 9:23, Jesus said to them all, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up His cross daily and follow me."

I reflected over three counselling cases which I was involved in recently. In all three cases, the problem would have been solved by Jesus’ prescription - to deny oneself. Ahh, the self is too much with us. Selfishness, self-centredness and self-love. What does it take to come to a point where our delight is God's delight, where we desire what He desires and we care for what He cares?

Impossible to do? Absolutely. It calls for death. Someone who understood this cost of discipleship was Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the German theologian and Christian martyr who wrote this prayer, "Make me a captive, Lord, and then I shall be free."

Growing In True Devotion

2008-02-10T09:00:00.000+08:00

Psalm 40:4, "Blessed is the man who makes the LORD his trust, who does not look to the proud, to those who turn aside to false gods."

As we seek God's face by reading the Psalms daily, we can discern differences in how we relate to God, using a structure shared by Ps Edmund Chan at the Love Singapore Pastor's Prayer Summit.

The Psalmist through his writings reveals a FUNDAMENTAL dependence upon God – he cannot live for one moment without being sustained by the breath of God. Not a single day apart from God's guidance and direction, not just when he is under siege. He actively puts aside false gods to turn to the Lord.

There is the person for whom devotion to God is merely ORNAMENTAL. Even though he or she may come to church and read the Bible, life goes on relatively unchanged and independent of God.

Yet there are others for whom devotion to God is INCIDENTAL. From time to time, he runs across an inspiring touch of the Holy Spirit through the word and is encouraged by the grace and goodness of God.

Then there is also the man who reads the word, draws from Him intentionally, but that inspiration is only SUPPLEMENTAL to all other sources of support in his life.

Whatever position we are in, let's press in to drink deeply from God, to have Him as our FUNDAMENTAL source and sustenance. It requires tasting of the deeper things of God and a humble thirsting for it, renouncing all other sources of dependence. We find rest when we find our sufficiency in God alone.

Psalm 27:5, "For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe in his dwelling; he will hide me in the shelter of his tabernacle and set me high upon a rock."

Lights off by 5, Home by 6

2008-02-03T09:00:00.000+08:00

This is February. If you did not get a good start to the New Year on 1 January 2008, you can still claim a new beginning on the first day of the Chinese New Year (CNY) on 7 February 2008. Second chances… how we need it so often in life.

Whether you’re Chinese or not, CNY is a time for family and friends. How do you enjoy the reunion dinners and rounds of house visits? These are great opportunities to renew and rebuild relationships which often get neglected in the busyness of life. This is one key focus in this Year of Sabbath.

In fact many of the things we do during CNY, are in the spirit of the Sabbath.
Like ceasing from work, getting our house in order, preparing special meals, celebrating with family and friends, giving and receiving blessings.

So, for the month of February, it’s lights off by 5 at expo hall 9 and let’s all be home to be with our family by 6.

Be ready to open up your home or embrace anyone who may need a home to go to!

新年快乐,
恩福满堂

Reflection

2008-01-27T09:00:00.000+08:00

By the time you read this BUZZ, we would have almost crossed one month of the Year of Sabbath...

Have you experienced Sabbath yet?
Have you experienced the delight of God?
Are the relationships in your life satisfying?

Personally, I am mindful that we could easily cruise through the year without realising or experiencing the promises of God. Unless we take time to pray and to seek His wisdom, we could easily be discouraged that this year is NO different from the previous years.

Yes I am talking about the need to spend time with God in REFLECTION.

Sabbath gives us time to reflect. Reflecting in the presence of God is different from normal reflection. Reflecting in the presence of God calls for us to reflect in the light of His Word and His Wisdom i.e. seeing our experiences through His lens. Do you see life as full of stumbling blocks or stepping stones? In Christ, every experience can become a stepping stone in our journey to become more Christ-like. Thus, there is a need for us to pause and to reflect, without which we cannot see God’s hand at work in our lives. Let the presence of God tutor us to see Him in all the experiences we go through this week.

Start reflecting in His presence today!

The Road To Intimacy

2008-01-20T09:00:00.000+08:00

"O God! Thou hast made us for thyself and our souls are restless, searching, till they find their rest in Thee. " - St. Augustine

Preparation of Heart: "Be Still, and know that I am God..." (Psalm 46:10)

Obstacles to cross: External Distractions & Internal Chaos

Identify source and remove any encumbrances blocking your way (Hebrews 12:1)

Pathways you must take: Confession of Sin (1 John 1:9)

Forgiveness (Colossians 3:12,13)

Forgetting (Philippians 3:13, 14)

Direction & Focus: "Fixing your eyes upon Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith... " (Hebrews 12:2)

Food for the journey: Word of God. Chew on it - Remember the lesson from the cow?

Motivation to keep you going: Jesus, your Joy and Reward!

"The condition of lostness is not the same as the outcome to which it leads. We're not lost because we are going to wind up in the wrong place. We're going to wind up in the wrong place because we're lost." (Dallas Willard)

Delight & Discipline

2008-01-13T09:00:00.000+08:00

We are almost 2 weeks into our "a-psalm-a-day" corporate effort. How many of us are feeling the strain of DISCIPLINE more than the DELIGHT of hearing God's voice?

His grace to propel us towards seeking Him. Yet our discipline to press in to seek Him is our assurance of continuing delight, towards experiencing the depths in Christ.

"You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart."(Jeremiah 29:13)

As we reach this point, it is so important to know that delight is a promise and eventual certainty. But the only way there, is for us to develop discipline to press in.

Delight drives us to develop Discipline

Discipline drives us to seek breakthrough to the next Delight

Child of God, let's dig in further whenever we feel like giving up, so that we will add self-control and perseverance to our character.

"For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love. For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." (2 Peter 1:5-8)

Finding Your Delight

2008-01-06T09:00:00.000+08:00

We are going to talk a lot about delighting in the Lord in 2008. When was the last time you took delight in something? When you felt the thrill, that sense of pleasure? When was the last time your eyes lit up, your heart rose with eager expectation and you had a song in your heart?

It was a delightful moment for all at the Countdown Party when Senior Pastor led the congregation to read Psalm 1 just after the stroke of midnight on the first day of 2008. We kicked off the reading of 'a psalm a day' and committed ourselves to eat the Word of God first each morning, before food.

Psalm 1 is just the word to start us off in the Year of Sabbath. It gives us the key to a life full of blessings. "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord and on His law he meditates day and night " ( Ps 1:1,2 ) Remembrance and reliance upon the Lord ! It is in reading the Word that we know more about God and it is in knowing Him that we find our delight. Don't lose the impact of the word, "meditate". It is not enough just to read or even to memorise our favourite verses. We need to chew on it! Meditating on the Word takes time and effort but you'll see its transforming power when the Word of God gets into your system.

We're aware many of you are sharing your meditations and reflections on your blogs. It is exciting to see how the same word can come alive for each one of us in different ways. This is also the joy and delight we will experience in this Year of Sabbath.

Countdown To Zero

2007-12-30T09:00:00.000+08:00

This Christmas, we re-discovered the joy of playing board games with our children. Difference is, now they're teaching us the new games and unlike the old days when we introduced each new game to them. I like those games which allow you a way of escape, those "back to zero" moves that bring all players to the same starting point all over again. All's equal again and you get as good a chance as any other player to try again for a win.

Life's like that in many ways... especially so at the end of each year. When we reflect on the year past, we face both our victories and achievements as well as our disappointments and regrets. We are often stuck for the next move. How wonderful to get the chance to go back to zero again. The score chart is wiped clean and you get as good a chance as everyone else to decide how you want your next year to turn out.

The Bible says in Lamentations 3:22,23, " The Lord's loving kindnesses indeed never cease, For His compassions never fail. They are new every morning. Great is thy faithfulness. "This is the God we worship. He's Alpha and Omega, who directs the beginning and the end.

As we countdown to 2008, let's receive this affirmation from the Lord. Wherever you are and however you've been, you're going to write on a fresh page. Let's wake up to a fresh new morning of our life!

See His Glory!

2007-12-23T09:00:00.000+08:00

So, did you see it? See what? See His glory!

The shepherds saw it, that first time the angel appeared to them, announcing the good news of Christ's birth. “The glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified" (Luke 2:9). But that fear turned to joy and worship, and they returned to the fields in a totally different mood, "glorifying and praising God for all the things they had heard and seen" (Luke 2:20).

We don't have to wait for an angelic visit or a choir of the heavenly host to see the glory of God. It may be in the face of a child, a moment of joy, a word, or a touch. But it will be a moment of connection, when the human spirit touches God's spirit. Isaiah 6:3 says, “The whole earth is full of His glory."

Christmas comes and Christmas goes. What will make this Christmas a truly blessed one is to have seen His glory and to have the opportunity to share His story. Let's not miss out the CHRIST in CHRISTmas…

Look out! I believe you can catch a glimpse of God's glory today!

A Letter From Jesus

2007-12-20T00:00:00.000+08:00

Dear All,

As you well know, we are getting closer to My birthday. Every year there is a celebration in my honor and I think that this year the celebration will be repeated. During this time there are many people shopping for gifts, there are many Radio announcements, TV commercials, and in every part of the world everyone is talking that My birthday is getting closer and closer. It is really very nice to know, that at least once a year, some people think of Me.

As you know, the celebration of My birthday began many years ago. At first people seemed to understand and be thankful of all that I did for them, but in these times, no one seems to know the reason for the celebration. Family and friends get together and have a lot of fun, but they don't know the meaning of the celebration. I remember that last year there was a great feast in My honor. The dinner table was full of delicious foods, pastries, fruits, assorted nuts and chocolates. The decorations were exquisite and there were many, many beautifully wrapped gifts. However, do you want to know something? I was not invited. I was the guest of honor and they didn't remember to send me an invitation. The party was for me, but when that great day came, I was left outside, they closed the door in my face .. and I wanted to be with them and share their table. In truth, that didn't surprise me because in the last few years all close their doors to me. Since I wasn't invited, I decided to enter the party without making any noise. I went in and stood in a corner.

They were all drinking; there were some who were drunk and telling jokes and laughing at everything. They were having a grand time. To top it all, this big fat man all dressed in red wearing a long white beard entered the room yelling Ho-Ho-Ho! He seemed drunk. He sat on the sofa and all the children ran to him, saying: "Santa Claus, Santa Claus" as if the party were in his honor! At midnight all the people began to hug each other; I extended my arms waiting for someone to hug Me and do you know no-one hugged Me. Suddenly they all began to share gifts. They opened them one by one with great expectation. When all had been opened, I looked to see if, maybe, there was one for Me. What would you feel if on your birthday everybody shared gifts and you did not get one?

I then understood that I was unwanted at that party and quietly left. Every year it gets worse. People only remember the gifts, the parties, to eat and drink, and nobody remembers Me. I would like this Christmas that you allow Me to enter into your life. I would like that you recognize the fact that almost two thousand years ago I came to this world to give My life for you, on the cross, to save you.Today, I only want that you believe this with all your heart. I want to share something with you. As many didn't invite me to their party, I will have my own celebration, a grandiose party that no one has ever imagined, a spectacular party. I'm still making the final arrangements. Today I am sending out many invitations and there is an invitation for you. I want to know if you wish to attend and I will make a reservation for you and write your name with golden letters in my great guest book.

Only those on the guest list will be invited to the party. Those who don't answer the invite, will be left outside. Be prepared because when all is ready you will be PART of MY GREAT PARTY.

See you soon. I Love you!

Jesus

Life In The Spirit

2007-12-16T09:00:00.000+08:00

Last week's message on the 'Fullness of the Holy Spirit' brings to a fitting close the series of messages on "Blessings For Your Life ". How good God is, for "His divine power has indeed given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and goodness” (2 Peter 1:3). The Year of Victory does not need to end on 31st December 2007. If we continue to live a life plugged into the power of the Holy Spirit, we will continue to experience new and greater victories as we enter the Year of Sabbath. These victories will come even as we focus on rest and re-creation of our bodies, our soul and spirit man, remembering and relying upon Him, the God of all Creation, who is able to meet our every need. And victories will continue to flow as we focus on rebuilding and restoring the many relationships that God has blessed us with in our lives.

The key to experiencing the true Sabbath rest of God is living life in the Spirit.

"Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit." (Galatians 5:25)

JESUS – Yesterday, Today and Forever !

2007-12-09T09:00:00.000+08:00

Even though we were in Israel, we shared the excitement and joy of last week’s 3rd Service.

News came to us that the service was packed to capacity. A record 5,110 people came for this special service where Nick Vujicic ministered with his powerful life testimony of a life lived without limits, displaying the greatness of a God whose grace is sufficient for our every need and whose power is made perfect in our weakness. Hallelujah to His mighty name!

Indeed, Christmas came early for each of the 152 salvations, 222 rededications and 305 who indicated they wanted to know more about Jesus.

Jesus is the reason for the season and the best Christmas gift is to have Him in our hearts. Jesus, the Saviour of the world, Wonderful Counsellor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6 )

We’re back from the Israel Encounter. Renewed and refreshed with all that we’ve seen and heard. There’s much we need to reflect, meditate and pray through. We left Israel with a new surge of faith, hope and love and awed by God’s eternal destiny and plan for a world He loves.

What God says, He will do

2007-12-02T09:00:00.000+08:00

Shalom from the land of Israel! We are into Day 5 of our journey in the Holy Land. Spent the last few days around the Galilee area, walking in and around the very places where Jesus walked, taught and healed. With help from our knowledgeable guide, we have gained greater understanding of places and events in Bible history. It has inspired all of us to read the Bible more diligently.

As we walked around in Nazareth – a village where nobody thought any good could come out of it (John 1:46) we were reminded again that truly, “Nothing is impossible with God” (Luke 1:37) Mary, a simple Nazarene village girl, when told by the angel Gabriel that she was chosen to be the mother of the boy child Jesus, was ready to respond, “I am the Lord’s servant, may it be done to me as you have said.” (Luke 1:38)

We are praying for the same flow of faith in our service this weekend. We believe many will be stirred and challenged by the inspiring story and life message of Nick Vujicic. His life also echoes the very same refrain, “Nothing is impossible with God.”

God never makes a mistake. He has a wonderful plan for you. What He says, He will do. This is the God we worship.

Israel Encounter

2007-11-25T09:00:00.000+08:00

A team of 46 people, led by Ps Eugene and Ps Julie, leaves this weekend for our first YouthNet Israel Encounter. Ps Melvyn and Ps Linda will lead another team from their networks the following weekend. This trip to the holy land of Israel is an exciting and significant trip for all of us. It is a spiritual journey for believers as we touch the very places where our Lord walked, taught and spent His earthly life 2000 years ago. Tiberias, Sea of Galilee, Nazareth, Dead Sea, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Our God is the Faithful God, who keeps His covenant of love with His people (Deut 7:9). He honours His promises and keeps His Word. Israel is evidence of God's faithfulness to His people. Israel is one big prophetic act of God and the destiny of this nation is interwoven with our Christian destiny.

Please pray with us that as we walk, pray and seek God during this trip, we will develop a greater appreciation and understanding of our Christian roots and heritage. We need the Spirit of revelation so that we will not miss what God wants us to see, hear or do.

We will be praying for you too, especially for the special celebration service next week with the extraordinary Nick Vujicic. Remember to invite your friends!

God Speaks!

2007-11-18T09:00:00.000+08:00

I was reflecting on the call of Jesus' first disciples. Jesus saw Matthew. "Follow me," he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him. (Matthew 9:9) No questions asked. No big debate. No calculations of risk and pondering over "what if".

Similar experiences with the other disciples Jesus called. Simon and Andrew left their nets at once and followed Jesus. James and John did not hesitate to respond to Jesus' call.

Ahh, we sigh... if only knowing God's direction for our lives and for our next step were that simple. But the fact of the matter is... it is that simple when it's the only thing in your life. No competing demands. No rival throne in our hearts....and we serve only Him. Did we complicate things or did things complicate us?

God is a great Communicator! He will get His message through to you, one way or another. He desires to speak to us much more than we desire to speak to Him. So, if we're not hearing Him, where's the problem?

A Time To Rest

2007-11-11T09:00:00.000+08:00

A bad bout of stomach flu forced me into rest for two days. Two days of catching up on sleep, taking my time to slowly get out of bed, lingering over each meal and savouring the joy of just being able to eat.

I breathed more deeply, thankful to regain health and life. Simple chores I do everyday take on a new meaning when I do them with appreciation. Opening up the windows to the sky and the fresh air and watching my two resident mynahs pecking away in the garden was a joy to behold. Whether sparrows or mynahs, they remind me of Matthew 6:26-27, "Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your Heavenly father feeds them. Are you not more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? "

In the busyness of life, where stopping to rest has become a luxury, I'm glad for the daily reminder to place my priorities right as a citizen of the Kingdom of God where Jesus our Lord reigns as King !

I'm looking forward to 2008, the Year of Sabbath. It may take us some adjustment to enter into the spirit of the Sabbath. But we are going to enjoy the year with many opportunities to stop and thank God for creating the world as well as providing for His people, so that we can find freedom to enjoy the rest that He prescribes for us.

New Beginnings

2007-11-04T09:00:00.000+08:00

We celebrate many new beginnings this past week.

Chew Hiap Iuh ( from Ps Jeffery Lee's tribe ) testified at his baptism on 26th Oct as to how God has changed him from a self-centred young man struggling to find meaning and purpose in life beyond excelling in Tae Kwon Do, to one committed to pursue God. Woken up by a life threatening experience in a whitewater paddling trip, Hiap Iuh found his way to FCBC. He has since experienced the reality of God in restoring his relationship with his mum and in a new walk with God which gives him a future and a hope.

We had our first YouthNet Marriage Encounter Weekend which gave 30 couples a new beginning in their marriage. Some have been married for more than 10 years; a few just barely a year into their marriage. Nonetheless, all were refreshed by the time out for each other and the teachings as well as many practical lessons of how to make a good marriage better.

We congratulate Ps Lawrence Tan and Ps Fei Fei on the arrival of the 3rd child, Jonas on 23rd October.

It was also a new beginning for Ps Roland & Ps Laifun as they celebrated the birth of their first born, Reuel on 30th October. Many more new births to come!

What wonderful new beginnings in this Year of Victory!

Where Are You?

2007-10-28T09:00:00.000+08:00

This was the first question God asked. (Genesis 3:9).

Did God not know where Adam was? It was a searching question for Adam who was faced with the first impact of sin and disobedience. Adam was hiding from the Lord and was soon to be expelled from the place of paradise.

In the Old Testament, much of God's blessings for His people are tied to the place they were to be in or to go to. Three blessings follow us when we are in the place where God has called us to be.

Firstly, it will be a place of Faith. You will find faith and you will be able to exercise your faith. Faith is what helps us to activate the promises of God for our life.

Secondly, It will be a place of Freedom. You will be able to grow with God's purposes for your life and be released to use your talents and your giftings to be a blessing to others. You will enjoy the anointing, authority and the resources to do your work well.

Thirdly, it will be a place of Fruitfulness. You will be like a "tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers." (Psalm 1:3)

So... Where are you ?

IT’S ALL ABOUT YOU JESUS

2007-10-21T09:00:00.000+08:00

"When the music fades, all is stripped away, and You simply come
Longing just to bring, something that's of worth, that will bless your heart
I'll bring You more than a song, for a song in itself it's not what You have required
You search much deeper within, through the way things appear,
You're looking into my heart
I'm coming back to the heart of worship when it's all about You
It's all about You, Jesus
I'm sorry, Lord, for the thing I've made it, when it's all about You
All about You, Jesus"

This song was penned by accomplished song writer and worship leader, Matt Redman, after a season of deep reflection about his heart and attitude each time he leads worship. He was convicted that because of his musicianship and competency in "doing" a good worship, his heart and spirit were sometimes not in the right place and he did not experience his worship as a true encounter with the presence of Almighty God.

I sensed the Lord also wants to hit the pause button with us in our worship here at The MAX Pavilion. We need to take a moment to reflect on, where our heart and spirit is as we come into our time of celebration and worship. I pray that our #1 concern each Sunday is not just that we got the sound right, or the lights synchronised, or that the songs were good and the beat was cool; but really, what kind of heart are we presenting to the Lord?

Worship is not just another experience. We must come with a sacrifice, "something that's of worth". I believe this is a key attitude that will keep our hearts and spirit at the right place.

It's all about you JESUS.

What is your boast?

2007-10-14T09:00:00.000+08:00

It's that time of year when budgets, plans, reviews and appraisals fill my thoughts.

I certainly need wisdom and strength to go through this yearly exercise. And I also need riches... (actual and projected ) to try and balance my income and expense budget!

I was glad the Lord brought me to this passage of Scripture in Jeremiah 9:23-24,

"Let not the wise man boast of his wisdom
or the strong man boast of his strength
or the rich man boast of his riches, but
let him who boasts boast about this:
that he understands and knows me,
that I am the Lord, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth, for in these I delight,
declares the Lord."

I don't want to wait till the Year of Sabbath to find my joy and delight in the Lord.

Let's take a little pause right now to focus our thoughts on what we must finally account for and to pray that we may grow in our knowledge and understanding of the Lord our God.

"A Fresh Touch from the Lord"

2007-10-07T09:00:00.000+08:00

The Re-encounter Weekends on 22nd and 29th September brought a fresh touch from the Lord to the 203 participants. Spiritual Warfare is an integral part of the life of a believer. Participants were taught through practical sessions on moving in the Holy Spirit, discovering their spiritual gifts, praying in tongues, releasing of prophecies and praying for healing. Here are some exciting testimonies...

Joshua Chong (Chua Seng Lee Network)

"God reminded me of how much he loves me and wants me to spend more time with him. I thank God for setting me free and taking away my chest pain and the tightness of chest."

Karen Woo (Ps Debra Toh's Tribe)

"I have been ministered to and I was given the chance to minister to others. Many testimonies were shared during the training and I could witness God's power first hand. I have been given opportunities to practice speaking out in faith during the sessions on Prophesy and Healing."

Cynthia Odelia Ho (Ps Lily Chu's Tribe)

"My faith had increased. I learn how to partner with the Holy Spirit and looking forward to learn how to minister. I have stepped out of my comfort zone to release words & visions."

Charles Wong (Ps Poh Yeang Cherng's Tribe)

"It made me eager to use all the gifts of healing and prophecy to bless others. It humbled me that I need to rely on God and surrender more to Him. My faith has grown!"

Cheryl Tan (Ps Evelyn Lee's Tribe)

"Through this training, a new faith was released unto me. There was renewal in my spirit. Each time I came into the worship, there was a strong touch from the Lord. I thank God for the prophecy that was given to my life. It brought new hope and encouragement to me."

Who Do You Run To?

2007-09-23T09:00:00.000+08:00

This series of sermon messages based on "Blessings For Your Life" provide us with a great opportunity to check our knowledge of God. To the extent that you know who God is and what He has said, will be the extent you will be able to appropriate God's promise of blessings for your life.

Where do you run to in time of need? When troubles, worries and fears threaten you, who will be the first person you turn to? Is God your first recourse or your last resort? Proverbs 18:10, "The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe."

Last week, Pastor Melvyn Mak mentioned four names of the Lord found in Psalm 91 alone when he preached about God's Blessing of Protection.

God Most High - "El Elyon";
God Almighty - "El Shaddai";
God Our Provider - "Jehovah Jireh";
God My Refuge - "Elohim".

Do you know any other names of the Lord in the bible?

More often than not, I find myself reacting to the circumstances of life rather than responding to the knowledge of God. Like Paul, I want to know God more (Philippians 3:10) so that I can run to Him more and more and the run becomes easier and easier each time. Run with me?

Storehouse of Blessings

2007-09-16T09:00:00.000+08:00

Do you find it hard to believe God wants to bless you ?

Whenever I feel doubt creeping in on me, I would read again Deuteronomy 28. It's the storehouse of blessings which the Lord promised the Israelites through Moses. Just savour some of them :

"The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hand to. The Lord your God will bless you in the land he is giving you." ( v 8 )

"The Lord will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands." ( v 12 )

"The Lord will make you the head, not the tail." ( v 13)

God's blessing is complete. He wants to bless you spiritually, physically, financially and in every area of your life. God will answer any prayer for blessing asked in faith. But the fullness of His blessing is enjoyed "if you fully obey the Lord your God and carefully follow all His commands..." ( v 1 )

Would it make a difference to you this week if you take God at His Word and claim these promises for yourself ?

ASK BIG....IN FAITH !

2007-09-09T09:00:00.000+08:00

Wonder how many of you still remember the Warrior of Light matrix? Huh??

Personally for us, it's been an exciting Year of Victory thus far. The 3 attitudes, "Always Thankful, Always victorious in Christ and Always a Blessing to all" have kept us on the winning side of life. Amidst all the busyness in the ministry and serving the community, we did our major house renovation project. It was a venture to "look far in vision" for our family. Seven months in a rented apartment and now, we're ready to go home...hurray!

So, we're taking this chance to remind everyone of the 3rd action goal for this last 4 months of 2007 - Ask Big ... in Faith ! Yes, the Year of Victory is not over yet ... have you experienced breakthrough in your personal life, in your family and in your marketplace? This is the time of preparation for exams and end of year job reviews and appraisals. It is also a time where many of us are starting to plan for 2008. If you feel just a bit out of focus, may we remind you to take out your Warrior of Light Matrix, reflect on all that has happened in your life this year and after you've given thanks, accept God's precious invitation to come to Him and in great faith ... ASK ... SEEK ... KNOCK ( Matthew 7:7,8 )

Testimonies from Gateway Cities Youth Convention 2007

2007-09-02T09:00:00.000+08:00

Emelia Wilinda - Indonesia

“I have gained a lot from GCYC. God changed my mindset. He taught me not to focus on myself. He reminded me to pray for the nations, especially for my nation.”

Armando Da Silva - East Timor

“It is a great time for the nations to come together in unity to worship God. As a new nation, we know that we have a lot of problems. But I am proud to be from East Timor and I am very happy because many nations wanted to pray for my country and bless us. This is the greatest time of my life.”

Cildo C. Algabis – Philippines

“My eyes were opened and I’m so amazed to see what God is doing. God has put a passion in me to love and pray for my nation, more than ever before. And I believe God will bring restoration and revival to my nation.”

Ho Lien An – Vietnam

“On the way home, a Vietnamese lady sat next to me on the plane. I wanted to share about Jesus with her and took out the ‘100k Blessing’ pamphlet and prayed to bless her. This is the first time I am speaking to another person about Jesus and prayed to bless her. Now, I want to start talking about Jesus to other people.”

Paul Wu – FCBC (YouthNet)

“When people from different tribes & tongues come together for God’s work, there is so much synergy and power. This is powerfully demonstrated when we blessed the families in Bukit Merah.”

Light To the Nations

2007-08-26T09:00:00.000+08:00

The blessing flows. The ‘100K Blessing’ campaign is over but what a privilege for FCBC YouthNet to host the 3rd Gateway Cities Youth Convention and to see the blessing flow to the nations. It is God's desire that the nations be blessed. GCYC is our way of involving FCBC youths and the youths from gateway cities in the region to serve and be a blessing to the nations. We thank God for each of the 123 foreign delegates from 12 countries all over Asia. What thrills us greatly is to have close to 1000 of our FCBC youth sign up for this convention. This is a tremendous encouragement to us.

We want to see a generation of youth who are not just passionate to see God's destiny fulfilled in their lives but who want to be part of God's destiny for the nations. God saves individuals but He wants to reach nations and each one of us can be a part of God's kingdom strategy.

As we catch a glimpse of the nations worshipping together in our 3 services today, let us release a mighty chorus of prayer that each of them will rise up to be a Warrior, bringing light to the nations they come from.

Happy Birthday, FCBC!

2007-08-19T09:00:00.000+08:00

Today, you must be interested in History.

FCBC celebrates its 21st Birthday! It is a marker of growth, of maturity.

FCBC began as a result of the faith of one man, our Senior Pastor, Apostle Lawrence Khong and his wife, Pastor Nina. God richly blessed us and made us a faith community of believers. He blessed the church with great leaders, many of whom are your pastors today, who built on this foundation of faith.

You have a rich heritage. You have inherited a legacy of faith. From generation to generation, we will be blessed.

Our prayer for FCBC :

May we grow from faith to faith,
from strength to strength,
From victory to victory,
As we continue to look to our Lord, Jesus Christ,
"the Author and Finisher of our faith." (Hebrews 12:2)

Thus Far Has the Lord Helped Us!

2007-08-12T09:00:00.000+08:00

I hope you were there on the Day of His Power on the eve of National Day! It was everything it was meant to be, "a prophetic milestone of citywide prayer, a beautiful confluence of revival streams, a visible statement of our unity in Christ, a public declaration of our faith in God and our love for Nation and a worship tribute to the King of Glory!"

Of special significance was the prophetic declaration in the last segment of the night. It was led by 12 representatives from 3 generations, each carrying a stone and together building an altar unto the Lord. If you have been following the 40-Day prayer guide, you must know by now that stones do cry out and mean a lot of things. Each milestone is a mark of God's faithfulness which is from generation to generation. As He helped us then, He helps us now and He will help us in the future! What a powerful declaration!

For us in FCBC, the completion of the month long 100K blessing campaign also falls on the Day of His Power. It is a milestone of victory. Our stone speaks of God's help and God's ability to see us through a bold step of lifestyle evangelism. This will be the spirit that we will have with us as we move on. We press on till we finish. We refuse to give up. We keep our eyes on the finishing line. We keep on going till...it is done! Hallelujah! Give yourselves a pat on the back...Well Done, young warriors!

LoveSingapore 40-Day Prayer - Week 6

2007-08-05T09:01:00.000+08:00

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Altogether ... Now!

2007-08-05T09:00:00.000+08:00

It has been an exciting week of hearing testimony after testimony of how the 100K Blessing has spread and how a simple act of blessing someone can be so impactful.

How contagious the blessing is! It's positively infectious ... once you have tasted the joy of blessing another and being blessed, you want to pass it on. An old chorus comes to mind,

It only takes a spark ...to get the fire going.

And soon all those around will warm up in its glowing.

And so it is with God's love.

Once you have experienced it,

You want to sing, it's fresh like spring

You want to pass it on.

C'mon warriors, it's the last push before the finishing line. You can do it! But more important, you can help someone do it too! No matter how many you've blessed so far, let us consider how we may spur one another on towards love and good deeds. (Heb 10:24) The greater joy comes from doing it TOGETHER ...You are not just winning for yourself but as part of a great team of warriors of light!

LoveSingapore 40-Day Prayer - Week 5

2007-07-29T09:01:00.000+08:00

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GOD LOVES YOU!

2007-07-29T09:00:00.000+08:00

The '100K Blessing' has become such a buzz that we are hearing of people who are actually upset that they haven't been approached to be prayed for.

Like the taxi driver who felt kind of left out because he had heard about the 100K from his fellow taxi drivers who have been blessed. "Kiasu" for a blessing! That's a good kind of spirit!

So how are you doing personally? Do you have a story to tell? Some of us just took off from the word 'Go!' but for some of us, it has not been so easy. Does this make one better than the other? Definitely not. God has given to us the spirit of sonship and not the spirit of slavery. The blessing is an act of love and not an obligation of service. God is sovereign. All He asks of us is to be available and willing to step out and He will do the rest.

Jesus had a most important life mission and call. He had a weighty destiny. Was He ever discouraged? Was He ever fearful? I believed humanly He had His moments. In fact it got to a point where He said, "If it be possible, Father, let this cup be taken away from me."

So what kept Him going? He clearly heard the Heavenly Father say, "You are my Son, I love you and I approve of you."

Go Warriors, in the light of this truth… that God loves you.

LoveSingapore 40-Day Prayer - Week 4

2007-07-22T09:01:00.000+08:00

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Thousand Linking Hands (Qian Qian Shou)

2007-07-22T09:00:00.000+08:00

It was a joy for us to join the 2nd Shanghai Summer Camp this July. Qian Qian Shou started from a seed of an idea. Link the youths from China and Singapore together through friendship and the common vision of serving the less fortunate in the community; empower them through the use of magic as a tool and service learning as a framework; challenge their creativity and resourcefulness as they design and implement various community service projects at the end of the camp. And all this in a bilingual setting.

The 300 youths we saw this year gave us hope that we will see the Thousand Linking Hands in 2008, reaching out to bring a smile to those in need of one in China. It will be the climax of 3 years of "Linking Hearts, Linking Minds and Linking Hands", a special expression of FCBC’s vision of serving the nations. As many of the youths from the project have testified, they were the ones who were touched even as they came, with many different agendas and with perhaps a grandiose idea of volunteerism. The real magic, like they say, is LOVE.

Some wise man once said, "You can count the number of seeds in an apple, but you cannot count the number of apples in a seed."

Ps Eugene used this quote when he spoke at the closing ceremony of this year’s camp. We look forward to QQS in 2008 but the impact of this special project will go deeper and wider than what we can imagine. Although out of Singapore, it was great to know we can carry the spirit of the 100K blessing campaign to Shanghai.

How are you doing mid-course in the 100K?

LoveSingapore 40-Day Prayer - Week 3

2007-07-15T09:01:00.000+08:00

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Moving Out....Big Smile

2007-07-15T09:00:00.000+08:00

Remember our codeword for this season of the I00K campaign?

Exciting testimonies are coming in as our warriors move out on the campaign trail. I hear of a number of you who are close to reaching the target of blessing 20! One young man has prayed for so many of his colleagues, word has gotten around and more are coming to him for prayer. What is common is to hear many share that they're doing something new for the first time in their life. Like plucking up enough courage to talk to a stranger or the person sitting next to you in the train, on the bus, in the foodcourt or in the queue. Many are blessing people they've never thought they'll get the chance to.

Just starting to think about others more than we think about ourselves is a good start. So many of us allow what we think we cannot do to dissuade us from doing what we can. We then end up doing..... nothing! You will remember what Ed Silvoso repeatedly said,

"If you want to see God do something new in your life, you've got to start doing what you've never done before. For if you continue to do what you've always done, then you will see what you've always seen."

Jia You ... Warriors!

LoveSingapore 40-Day Prayer - Week 2

2007-07-08T09:01:00.000+08:00

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“Transformers”

2007-07-08T09:00:00.000+08:00

This is currently the hottest movie in town. Totally awed by the amazing computer animation and special effects. It’s the eternal battle of good against evil. Optimus Prime, Bumblebee, Jazz and Ratchet take on Megatron. Ultimately, what triumphs is the power of sacrifice. In the famous words of Optimus Prime, “no sacrifice, no victory” Isn’t it so true that the blessings of God are often tied to the sacrifices we offer to Him?

“Transformers”. This is our buzzword and password during this 40 day Love Singapore season of prayer and this strategic 100K campaign of FCBC. We’re talking personal corporate and national transformation that will save our land. If we believe it, we will see it …. a season of divine visitation, incredible breakthroughs where warriors of God are released into the marketplace, spreading everywhere the fragrance and the aroma of the Lord, changing the spiritual climate through prayers and blessings that proclaim the glory of the Risen King of Kings. We are all Transformers of a different kind!

Let the first transformation begin! Romans 12:2 “Do not be conformed any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is -His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

Ed Silvoso puts it so well:

“If not you, then who?
If not now, then when?
Go forth and change the world! “

Let’s Be Transformers for Our Amazing God!

LoveSingapore 40-Day Prayer - Week 1

2007-07-01T09:01:00.000+08:00

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1/Jul/2007
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Trusting Each Other

2007-07-01T09:00:00.000+08:00

When we grow in our trust in God, we will see a corresponding growth in our trust in people.
God meant us to live not just in relationship with Him, but in relationships with people.
Without trust, we cannot develop strong and healthy relationships with those who lead us and with those we lead.

How do we know if there’s trust?
If there’s trust, there will be transparency in relationships, a willingness to be open and real with each other. Accountability and submission flows freely and lovingly in an atmosphere of trust.

Trusting people empowers them. It brings out the best in them because it expresses your belief in them.
All of us want people to trust us and we want to be trusted. Unlike God whom we can trust wholeheartedly because of WHO HE IS, we must build trust in our relationships. And trust is built not just on CHARACTER but on COMPETENCE. Keeping commitments, delivering results, making effort to get better, all contribute to the trust account with our family and friends, our leaders, our cell members.

We want to encourage all of you, young warriors, to cultivate exemplary godly character and at the same time be diligent and competent at whatever task or assignments you are given to do. This is all part of God’s preparation for you as you pursue the journey of your dream.

Growing In Trust

2007-06-24T09:00:00.000+08:00

Joseph’s story taught us not to give up on our dreams even when life isn’t working out the way we planned. He trusted “the Lord who was with him “. There’s a lovely saying that goes:-

God is too good to be unkind.
God is too wise to be confused.
When I cannot trace his Hand,
I can always trust His heart.

How is your trust in God?
Is it a Limited Trust - only for a time and season? Or a Partial Trust - only for emergencies and exigencies of the moment? Or a Revocable trust - to be withdrawn when your agenda is not served?

I pray we are able to trust the Lord “with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding ” (Proverbs 3: 5) We can trust God wholeheartedly simply because HE IS GOD - Faithful God (Deut 7:9) who keeps His covenant of love with us and delivers on every promise He makes (Ps 145:13) He’s not only the Dream Giver but the Dream Fulfiller!

Is this the God you trust?

Happy PAPA’s Day!

2007-06-17T09:00:00.000+08:00

My father passed away sixteen years ago. Of all the memories I have of him, one little nice memory was calling him, “Papa”. Not “Dad” or “Daddy” but “Papa”. My father would have been described as a distant father by good parenting standards. But no matter how strained our relationship was, no matter how disconnected I felt from him or what my mood was, I always felt a connection with him when I call him “Papa “. I cannot be upset with him for long or carry negative feelings for him and call him “Papa” from my heart.

It was only recently that I started reflecting on the significance of this word. Maybe I was inspired from reading Larry Crabb’s book, “The PAPA Prayer “. It’s about relating to God as our Papa and being able to pray and talk to him on the basis of a relationship with him. It’s about attending to our picture of Him in our minds and purging ourselves of everything that blocks our coming to him as his child, before we start asking him for blessings for ourselves or for others.

As Father’s Day is celebrated this weekend, let us appreciate, first and foremost, our Heavenly Papa who first loved us (1 John 4:19) and who is the perfect Father for all of us. And let us give thanks for His precious gift to us in our fathers, in life and in faith.

Happy Papa’s Day!

Make Room In Your Heart For People

2007-06-10T09:00:00.000+08:00

At the close of the YouthNet leader’s Re-Encounter last week, the word of the Lord to us drawn from 2 Cor 7:2 was to “make room in our hearts for people.” This is the crux of the 100k campaign. It is not another evangelistic campaign. It is not about numbers. It is about people. God’s heart is always about people. And if we want to grow anywhere close His heart, we have to say “yes” to people and make room for them in our busy overcrowded lives.

God is relational. He created human beings to relate to Him first and to relate to each other. Every person you will have the opportunity to bless during this campaign matters to God. God wants them to relate to Him, to find their way back to Him, where they belong as a child of God. Some may take a bit longer than others but what a wonderful opportunity for us to be able to leave footprints in their hearts to lead them home to Jesus.

Start praying for divine appointments to bless someone each day.

Together In The 100k Campaign

2007-06-04T00:00:00.000+08:00

Today, Senior Pastor will be dedicating the “YouthNet 144”to set them apart as the trailblazers of the 5000 warriors for the 100K campaign. Everyone of them is committed to finding 12 other warriors to join them in this campaign. We have signed up together with them as we look forward to an exciting month, from the 8th July to the 8th August, of asking God for 5 persons a week whom we can pray a blessing for.

Signing up to be a 5000 warrior is both a personal decision as well as a corporate commitment. No one can force you to do what you don’t want to do. You have to decide to take this step of faith and see the reality of God in your life as He answers your prayers. This campaign is also a corporate call to stand together with the church and to move together in unity. An army can only be as strong as each warrior is strong on his own.

E Stanley Jones once said, “It is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking than to think yourself into a new way of acting. “

If you still have questions as to what this campaign is all about, do talk to your leaders about it.

Moved from previous blogging platform

2007-06-03T21:00:00.000+08:00

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