Haggai

We will be starting our Haggai series on the weekend. It would be great if we could read through the whole book of Haggai first. It only has 2 chapters and it's easy reading stuff for all :)

Here's the first eleven verses for you...

Haggai 1:1-11
A Call to Build the House of the LORD
1 In the second year of King Darius, on the first day of the sixth month, the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai to Zerubbabel son of Shealtiel, governor of Judah, and to Joshua son of Jehozadak, the high priest:
2 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "These people say, 'The time has not yet come for the LORD's house to be built.' "
3 Then the word of the LORD came through the prophet Haggai: 4 "Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?"
5 Now this is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 6 You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it."
7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. 9 "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands."

Do also pray that God will do a great work in His church and in our hearts as we study through this entire book! Feel free to share your learnings as well.

Steal From Hong Teck's Blog (F1 Accident!)

Was checking out Hong Teck's blog (ragsstudio.com) and found this entry!

Singapore is hosting her first Grand Prix night race. All gear up to be at the race tomorrow and really looking forward to it, I was shocked to be forwarded this email from Pastor Jo.

FI has not started but i got first hand news…. !! Yesterday a serious F1 accident happen. This picture is taken by someone who witness it.














OK guys, coming from Ps Jo, should I take it seriously!

F1 Singtel Singapore

It is finally here! But to be honest, I am not that hyped up about it as I am unable to appreciate it as much. However, I want to learn…

For years now, some of my guy pals around me have been throwing names like Hamilton, Massa, Alonso etc etc. Some of them even have those short sleeves racing shirts that carry lots of advertisements.

I have also watched it on TV before and I do not want is the big deal to simply see cars zooming pass you. It is only exciting when crashes take place but these scenes are better watched on programmes such as “Sports Disasters” rather than F1 racing.

Nonetheless, some have been taking the effort to explain to me the deals with wet and dry weather tires, the amount of fuel to have in the tank, the air pressure beneath the car according to design and the pit stop strategy and some others. These facts have increased my increase somewhat and I have made plans to watched it during the weekend on my tele.

Some have also told me that the thrill comes when we get to hear the roaring sound of the engines as they zoomed pass you at close to 300km/hour. According to him, the sound is reason enough to watch it at live already. One of my friends who lived on the 30 plus floor of the Westin hotel told me that he could even hear it when the car did their rounds months ago!

I hear that one of my friend got a pair of tickets that cost up to $7000 (not sure if it just for one or both) for free! He will be sitting at the VIP seat with dinner and drinks thrown it as the drivers chase down the chequered flag.

Anyhow, enjoy your coming weekend with our first ever F1 race in Singapore and the first ever night race in the world!

My Fave Gift!

This is my fave gift for my birthday. It is from Claudia and she bought it in Hong Kong.

I SIMPLY LOVE IT!

Thank You People!

Today during the services, I must have received close to 200 cards and letters for my belated birthday well-wishes! I took the time and read through them. I am really touched by your love and encouragement.

Through my blog is probably the only way where I get to thank as many of you as possible. I cherish every one of your well-wishes and very kind words.

There are also many of you from all over the church who sms-ed me while I was in Hong Kong. Thanks again!

I am very strengthened by your affirmation to serve with me in His purpose. I am also very strengthened when you mentioned specific encounters that we had when God left something in your hearts. That is really cool!

Let’s run this race together for Jesus. Let’s encourage and watch over one another as we seek to finish this race gloriously.

God and I are on your side!

Receiving Bad News by Os Hillman

Below is a helpful article that I have received in my mail. I am praying that it may help some of you who may be in the midst of receiving some bad news. God is with you!
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"Also our enemies said, 'Before they know it or see us, we will be right there among them and will kill them and put an end to the work'" (Neh 4:11).

I opened the letter from the attorney and began to read the contents. The more I read, the sicker my stomach felt. I could not believe the words I was reading. I literally felt sick with fear. Perhaps you've had a similar experience. Maybe you got news that you've got cancer. Or someone has had an accident. Or you are being sued.

Nehemiah was rebuilding the wall in Jerusalem. The going was tough. As if things were not tough enough, he got a letter from another corrupt government official threatening to kill anyone involved in rebuilding the wall.

"But when Sanballat, Tobiah, the Arabs, the Ammonites and the men of Ashdod heard that the repairs to Jerusalem's walls had gone ahead and that the gaps were being closed, they were very angry. They all plotted together to come and fight against Jerusalem and stir up trouble against it. But we prayed to our God and posted a guard day and night to meet this threat (Neh 4:7-9).

There is but one response we should have to bad news. Pray to our God and take the necessary steps to defend ourselves against the threat. This was Nehemiah's response.

Once you begin to take these actions avoid projecting what might happen to you in the future. This is a sure-fire first step toward depression.

Ask God's grace for one day at a time only.

"Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?" (Luke 12:24-26).

Turn your bad news over to the Lord. He specializes in turning crises into opportunities.

Memorising & Meditating On God's Word

Since I was a young believer, I was taught the importance of having a rich repertoire of God’s Word stored in my heart. My leader taught me that it would keep us safe and strong as I seek to walk closely to Jesus. At the appropriate time, the Holy Spirit will birth these truths for the kiaros moment.

I once asked a respected leader who has walked with God for many years if memorizing God’s Word is an old school practice for our time and age. She pushed back rather swiftly to say that God’s Word isn’t old school. She added memorizing God’s Word will hold us steadfast and strong no matter what time and age we may be residing in.

Psalm 119:11
I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

So here’s a listing of verses that I have given to the Adults Group to memorize and mediate on for the next 6 weeks. Let's aim to memorise the first 8 verses first. The last 8 are for those of you who wants greater challenge.

Experiencing A New Beginning
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!

Experiencing Intimacy with God
Jeremiah 33:3
'Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.'

Experiencing Supernatural Power
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."

Experiencing His Truth
2 Timothy 3:16-17
16All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Experience Helping Friends Experiencing God
Matthew 28:19-20
19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

Experience Community of Another Kind
Hebrews 10:25
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

Experiencing Identification with Christ
Acts 2:38
Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Experiencing the Joy of Giving
Proverbs 11:24-25
24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more; another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty.
25 A generous man will prosper; he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.


The additional 8 verses...

Discover God’s Character
Ephesians 1:13-14
13And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, 14who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God's possession—to the praise of his glory.

Discover How to Worship
John 4:22-23
22You Samaritans worship what you do not know; we worship what we do know, for salvation is from the Jews. 23Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks.

Discover Victory in God
1 Corinthians 10:13
No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand up under it.

Discover Faith in God
Hebrews 11:6
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

Discover the Significance of The Lord’s Supper
1 Corinthians 11:26-28
26For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.
27Therefore, whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of sinning against the body and blood of the Lord. 28A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup.

Discover Why We Obey Leaders
Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Discover the Basic Principles of Your faith
1 Timothy 4:16
Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Discover Why You should Serve in a Church
Ephesians 4:12-13
12to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

Sunny's Sent Off

After the JUMP Concert on the 22 August, some of us went to the airport at around midnight to send our friend and leader Sunny Kong off to his work in an overseas place.

It was a sad moment for many of us as we bid farewell to our friend and co-laborer in the Kingdom. However, we know that Sunny will be a greater blessing to the new place where God has led him to.

Just this evening, I received an extremely long update of the happenings in his life. Sunny will not only survive but he will certainly thrive in his new environment.

Our hearts and prayers go out to your family and you fully!

My Hong Kong Experience

Had arrived in Hong Kong since Tuesday. Had spent some tremendous time with some wonderful people. We have walked the street of Hong Kong till dark, tasted some exotic food (like smelly toufu & some spare parts of some animals), laughed our hearts out, visited Macau and ate some more.

I really enjoyed my self very much. Although this is my 4th or 5th trip to Hong Kong, it is the company that made the difference.

I learnt quite a fair bit from th teaching on “An Indigenous Church” as well. The key learning for me was the distinction between contextualization and indigenization. It was helpful to me.

Then on Sunday, I was put in a most unusual position when quite a number of the delegates at the conference celebrated my birthday with me. I was completely caught unaware when the chairperson announced that there was a special segment from the Hope Singapore team. I honestly thought that it was some missions testimony or presentation.

And lo and behold, when a cake was brought forth, I really did not know how to respond. I appreciate the love and the gesture very dearly in my heart. I am really thankful for the many friends that God has placed in my life. I am truly blessed!

On the other hand, I am really not good at such situations. Suddenly, I did not know where to place my hands or how I should be standing or I should even be breathing!

Thanks people for making my day a most memorable one! I appreciate all you well wishes and friendship and partnership in the Kingdom so very greatly!

The evening was spent having dinner with the many of the pastors from all over the world. It was a most refreshing time for me to eat and hear stories from other leaders.

Thank God and thank you all!

Hope KL Uni Camp

The past 3 days was spent with Joshua and the University group in Hope Kuala Lumpur. It was a fulfilling time as I watched Joshua soared to greater heights in helping and serving the university students there.

It was also a fun time of networking with the next generation of leaders for me. Needless to say, we ate a lot along the way too.

It was positioned to be a boot camp for the students. There were plenty of physical activities coupled with the usual teaching and praise & worship. They even had a countdown as Malaysia celebrated their 51st year of independence. There was a flag raising ceremony as they belted out their national anthem in full voice.

It is indeed wonderful to serve Jesus in this global movement.