BSF leader's sharing (31 Oct 2015)

Session started at 6.30am instead of our usual 5.45am

Took a good 2hrs for all the sharing ....
I had to rush to the JV event at Sarah Activity Centre  (SAC).

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This year there was many events that happended in my life .... looking back on my journey this year as well as the study of the "Life of Moses"  … I learned that

i) like Moses … when he was first called to serve God … he put up excuses … so did I

ii) But in my darkest hour this year …. When I was brought to my knees to pray (for my brother) … God showed his mercy and love … most importantly … that my God is able & mighty (he is a giant that can overcome any obstacles in my life … what God wanted was for me to turn and trust him) … nothing is impossible for Him .... all I needed to do was trust in God's faithfulness & provision
– how wonderfully he answered my prayer for healing brother ….
- The journey of getting me and my family over safely to the US and the many moments of God’s grace and protection (from getting connections on multiple flights, long drives, keeping us safe …. ) … reminds me that God is great!!

iii) The calling to serve came again … I did have concerns …. Availability of time and work commitments …. After prayer, God reminded me of many instance He had cleared days cluttered with deadlines and deliveries of tough assignments … to allow me to be at BSF on Tuesdays evenings.  I only need to trust Him …. He will deliver …. I was putting up excuses (not me send someone else)

iv) After much prayer and reflection ….. I took a step of faith and asked God to guide and the HS to lead me when I take on the GL role … I committed to BSF on 3rd Jul 2015 … I can say that the requirements have been tough … but God had not let me struggle alone .. I can feel that he is with me and guiding me in this new journey that I am taking. I also have new fellow GL who are encouraging and also meet up to be in the company of men of faith ... to encourage each other.

I pray that I can learn from Moses' example and have strength to focus on the end which is to keep my eyes fixed on God and to fulfill his purpose for me. That I can be a faithful servant dispite of my flaws … like what HoweLai said in the last lesson … God do no choose men who are flawless …   God can use me even with my flaws … the important thing is my heart is focused on his purpose and I obey and be faithful for Him to lead me.

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 12

12. What has Jesus done to reconcile you to God?

Jesus lived, died and was raised for me.

Romans 4:25 (NIV)

25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.

Romans 6:5 (NIV)

5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 11

11. Who is Jesus Christ?

Jesus is the eternal second Person of the Trinity, the Son, who became man, born in fulfilment of the prophets’ words, born of Mary as a decendant of David, born under the law.

John 1:1 (NIV)

The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 1:14 (NIV)

14 The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.

Romans 1:2-4 (NIV)

2 the gospel he promised beforehand through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures 3 regarding his Son, who as to his earthly life  was a descendant of David, 4 and who through the Spirit of holiness was appointed the Son of God in power by his resurrection from the dead: Jesus Christ our Lord.

Galatians 4:4 (NIV)

4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law,

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 10

10. What do the Scriptures teach about how you as a sinner can live for God?

I can only live for God if I am united with Jesus Christ.

John 3:16 (NIV)

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 15:5 (NIV)

5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.

2 Corinthians 5:15 (NIV)

15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.

BSF Lesson 29 - Lecture 27 Oct 2015

BSF Lecture: The Death of Moses (Deuteronomy 33-34)

1. Moses’ Blessings (Deuteronomy 33)

Principle 1: God is faithful to forgive & bless all who trust Him

2. Moses’ Death (Deuteronomy 34)

Principle 2: Knowing God is faithful gives the right perspective in every every circumstance.

 

Aim: God’s Grace allows believers to Live Faithfully and Die without Fear!!
 

BSF - 27 Oct 2015 => Covering Albunus's DG

Pray with Thanks that I was able to lead the DG in reviewing the questions this week.

Led the men in prayer for Albunus (their GL) who had undergone his operation that morning and for God's healing hands on his recovery. That God will provide comfort to him and his family as well as wisdom to the medical doctors on his treatment options.

It had been a good experience to help cover various DGs.

I recognise that it is the HS that will lead me in encouraging the men to share in their learning. Pray that I continue to have the discipline to do my part to prepare the lessons and make it interesting and think of creative ways to engage the men to share on the questions and also on how the lesson had impacted them and change their lives.

I need to pray for time management to be able to engage the men that are assigned to me and that I can lead them effectively ... that they will come to be closer to God and to encourage each other.

Pray that as we finish on the study of Moses, that I continue with the momentum to prepare for the study of Revelations ....

By Faith

https://youtu.be/fXB8ihepUpE

By Faith

We sang this song which is reminder of 1 of the key foundational doctrine that the Protestant Reformation upheld as essential for Christian faith and practice .... "By Grace Alone"

This is one of my favourite songs ...

BY FAITH (Keith & Kristyn Getty)
By faith we see the hand of God 
In the light of creation's grand design 
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness 
Who walk by faith and not by sight 

By faith our fathers roamed the earth 
With the power of His promise in their hearts 
Of a holy city built by God's own hand 
A place where peace and justice reign 

We will stand as children of the promise 
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward 
Till the race is finished and the work is done 
We'll walk by faith and not by sight 

By faith the prophets saw a day 
When the longed-for Messiah would appear 
With the power to break the chains of sin and death 
And rise triumphant from the grave 

By faith the church was called to go 
In the power of the Spirit to the lost 
To deliver captives and to preach good news 
In every corner of the earth 

We will stand... 

By faith this mountain shall be moved 
And the power of the gospel shall prevail 
For we know in Christ all things are possible 
For all who call upon His name 

We will stand... 

Words and Music by Keith & Kristyn Getty 
& Stuart Townend

Reformation Sunday

The last Sunday of every Oct is Reformation Sunday .... it is to commemorate and observe this important event in history.

31 Oct 1517 .... Martin Luther posted on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg his 95 theses against the practices of the Roman Catholic Church. This was the beginning of the Protestant Reformation ....

Martin Luther is one of the most significant figures God has raised up in recent times. 

This law student turned Augustinian monk became the center of a great controversy after his theses were copied and distributed throughout Europe. Initially protesting the pope’s attempt to sell salvation, Luther’s study of Scripture soon led him to oppose the church of Rome on issues including the primacy of the Bible over church tradition and the means by which we are found righteous in the sight of God.

This last issue is probably Luther’s most significant contribution to Christian theology. Though preached clearly in the New Testament and found in the writings of many of the church fathers, the medieval bishops and priests had largely forgotten the truth that our own good works can by no means merit God’s favor. 

Salvation is by grace alone through faith alone, and good works result from our faith, they are not added to it as the grounds for our right standing in the Lord’s eyes (Eph. 2:8-10). 

Justification, God’s declaration that we are not guilty, forgiven of sin, and righteous in His sight comes because through our faith alone the Father imputes, or reckons to our account, the perfect righteousness of Christ (2 Cor. 5:21).

BSF Leader's Meeting (24 Oct 2015)

Homelitics Deuteronomy 33-34

Area Advisor's Letter to GL

Keeping Perspective – Area Advisor Letter to GL

Dear BSF Group Leader:

I am an area advisor who taught a BSF class for over a decade. Before that I was a GL and before that a class member. Some might look at my years in BSF and say that I have received some “promotions.” But as I look back, I am convinced that from God's perspective, it was my years as a GL that had the most strategic potential.

When I became a Christian, I had many friends. But as far as I know, none was interested in spiritual matters. I asked God for Christian friends and was soon invited to BSF.

Two years later, I was asked to be a GL. God answered my prayer by entrusting me with fifteen people who wanted to talk about God and who wanted to study and apply the Bible. I didn't have to recruit these people – they were “handed to me on a platter”! My job was simply to get to know them, pray for them, encourage them, and as we discussed the lessons, discover together who God is and what He wants us to do.

It was a tremendous opportunity, but I did not really understand or appreciate it at the time. There are so many things I have thought about over the years that I wish I had more fully incorporated into my leadership. Here are a few. I wish I had:

● Kept in mind that my primary goal was to get my group members to come back next week. If they did not come, nothing else mattered.

● Prepared my lessons more thoughtfully in order to generate interesting discussions on the "thinking" questions.

● Spent more time on my homiletics so that the biblical truths and applications of the passage had been more life changing to me personally.

● Eliminated words like “BSF policy,” “Headquarters says,” “not permitted to . . .” and just explained to people why it works so well to do things the way we do them in BSF.

● Been more diligent about eliminating Christianese words and phrases from my vocabulary.

● Picked up the phone to contact someone in my group even if I had only a few minutes.

● Seized every opportunity at class to stand around with, walk with, and sit with the members of my group, rather than other friends.

● Been more creative with the hard to reach. I wish I had gone for more walks, met for more cups of coffee, written more notes, etc. I'm sure some “fell through the cracks."

● Kept fellowships more relaxed, knowing that when people like each other and have fun together, they are more likely to come, to open up, and to learn from each other.

● Prayed more consistently for my group members so that, empowered with God's love for them, I would genuinely want to know them.

● Realized that there probably were people in my group whom no one truly valued or for whom no one in the world had ever prayed.

What a privilege and tremendous opportunity the GL has! May God give each of you a deep appreciation for the precious lives He has entrusted to your care.

And may He give you the strength to persevere, as you understand the eternal impact He has graciously enabled you to have.

Love to you all,

From an older and hopefully wiser BSFer

CHC leaders found guilty

A reminder to step back and look at what we are doing ..... determine if my / our actions God honoring and a testimony to others of a Christian.
We are the "salt & light" so our actions & conduct will affect those around us.

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All six City Harvest Church (CHC) leaders facing charges including criminal breach of trust and falsification of accounts were found guilty on all counts on Wednesday (Oct 21).

"CONSPIRACY TO MISUSE CHURCH FUNDS"

Judge See Kee Oon – the Presiding Judge of Singapore’s State Courts – said the six “engaged in conspiracies to defraud and falsify accounts”, based on the “extensive documentary evidence” unearthed during a 140-day trial that spanned three years.

He said two sets of bonds from music production firm Xtron and glass manufacturer Firna "were not genuine investments ... and were all wrong uses of CHC's funds". He added: "I do not see how they can be said to have acted in good faith in relation to the charges they face."

Said Judge See in his oral judgment: "I find that the accused persons were variously inextricably entangled in two conspiracies to misuse CHC’s funds. One conspiracy consisted of misusing building fund monies for the Crossover, and the other involved misusing CHC’s funds, a substantial portion of which comprised building fund monies, to create the appearance of bond redemptions and to defraud the auditors via falsified accounts through the various roles they played.

"Each of them participated and functioned in their own way as crucial cogs in the machinery."
The defence lawyers’ arguments – centering on the altruistic motives of the six, who the lawyers argued did nothing for personal gain, but out of a belief in the evangelistic mandate of the church – did not negate their active and knowing participation in their acts, said Judge See.

"They chose to participate in the conspiracy to misuse CHC’s funds, which included siphoning off large amounts from the building fun for Sun Ho’s music career and eventually for the round-tripping transactions to enable the bond redemptions. They chose to defraud the auditors with falsified accounts suggesting a series of genuine transactions for the redemption of bonds and advance rental," he said.

"The evidence points overwhelmingly to a finding that they had all acted dishonestly and in breach of the trust reposed in them and they played their respective roles in a conspiracy with intent to cause wrongful loss to CHC and to defraud the auditors."

Kong and Lam were convicted on three counts of criminal breach of trust; Tan Ye Peng, Chew and Wee each were found guilty of six counts of criminal breach of trust and four counts of falsifying the church's accounts; while Sharon Tan was convicted on three counts of criminal breach of trust and four counts of falsifying the church's accounts.

BSF Lesson 28 Lecture (20 Oct 2015) - Numbers 31-32

Aim: God’s faithfulness assures He will accomplish His purposes for His people

Moses Preparation for His Death
1.       God is in Control (Deuteronomy 31:1-29)
Principle 1: Victorious living comes from trusting that God is faithful.
2.       God is Faithful  (Deuteronomy 31:30 – 32:43)
Principle 2: Obeying God deepens & strengthens a believer’s love for Him
3.       God is in Control (Deuteronomy 32:44-52)
Principle 3: God’s Word is light & life and an antidote to disobedience & rebellion against Him.

Lesson learning:
things stands out to me:
-          Moses is what I need to model on => Even as he nears the end of His life, he still focuses on God’s plan for him … he finishes by writing down God’s Word & Law (1^st 5 books of the OT .. The Pentateuch) and teaching the Israelites “The Song of Moses” … I need to have perseverence like Moses to look towards the final unseen goal that is promised by God (God’s eternal kingdom)
-          To remember that we have a responsibility to learn and teach God’s Word to the next generation
-          Deuteronomy 32:46-47 ….. we are to take to heart God’s Word …. These are not Idle words …. They are your life!!
-          From the Song of Moses …. I gain comfort that God is unchanging …. gracious and merciful …. V10-11 … we are the “apple of His eyes”; he is an eagle that protects its young (me) when ever I fall or stumble he will shelter and protect me!!

Prayer: That I will be faithful to God’s purpose for me (draw encouragement from how Moses persevered in faithful obedience) My choice is life  ….. a life of obedience that is centred on God’s Word. As a father, I will pass on the truths that is revealed by God’s Word and to live a changed life that is Christ centered (it is hard but we are set apart from this world).

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 9

9. Who intepretes the Scriptures?
God has not established any infallable intepreter – whether the church or tradition – for the Scriptures. Rather the Scriptures inteprete themselves, as those who are illuminated by the Holy Spirit read and study them in the community of faith. To know God and His truth, I must search the Scriptures.

Matthew 4:7 (NIV)

7 Jesus answered him, “It is also written: ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.”

Deuteronomy 32:45-47 (NIV)

45 When Moses finished reciting all these words to all Israel, 46 he said to them, “Take to heart all the words I have solemnly declared to you this day, so that you may command your children to obey carefully all the words of this law. 47 They are not just idle words for you—they are your life. By them you will live long in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess.”

Acts 17:11 (NIV)

11 Now the Berean Jews were of more noble character than those in Thessalonica, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true.

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 8

8. Why do you need the Scriptures?
As a sinner, I have no reliable and saving knowledge of God and can know God only as He has revealed Himself.

Romans 3:10-11 (NIV)

10 As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one;
11 there is no one who understands;there is no one who seeks God.

Psalm 19:8-9 (NIV)

8 The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart. The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.
9 The fear of the Lord is pure, enduring forever. The decrees of the Lord are firm, and all of them are righteous.

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 7

7. Are the Holy Scriptures reliable?

The Holy Scriptures are true in that all that they teach, infallable and inerrant because they are inspired by God.

 

2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.

Psalm 119:96 (NIV)

96 To all perfection I see a limit, but your commands are boundless.

Psalm 119:138 (NIV)

138 The statutes you have laid down are righteous; they are fully trustworthy.

Psalm 119:160 (NIV)

160 All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.

John 10:35 (NIV)

35 If he called them ‘gods,’ to whom the word of God came—and Scripture cannot be set aside—

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 6

6. What are the Holy Scriptures?

The Holy Scriptures are the canonical books of the Old and New Testaments, inspired by the Holy Spirit through prophets and apostles.

 

2 Timothy 3:16 (NIV)
16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness,

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 5

5. How can you know the truth about God and His work?

I know God and His work clearly and savingly by the written revelation of God, the Holy Scriptures.

Psalm 119:105New International Version (NIV)

105 Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.

Basic Truths of Christian Faith - 4

Why is knowing God difficult?
It is difficult to know God because I am a sinner, born guilty and corrupt, and living out the selfishness of my nature in rebellion against God & His Holy law.

Romans 1:18-21 (NIV)
God’s Wrath Against Sinful Humanity
18 The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people, who suppress the truth by their wickedness, 19 since what may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.

21 For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.

Deuteronomy 32 - The Song of Moses

God required the Israelites to learn the Song of Moses in anticipation of their future apostasy in the Promised Land.

God knew that, despite His blessings, Israel would turn their backs on Him and follow other gods, bringing divine judgment. When that happened, the song they had learned generations previous would “be a witness . . . against them. . . . When many disasters and calamities come on them, this song will testify against them” (Deuteronomy 31:19,21).

The Song of Moses had both a prophetic purpose (it predicted the nation’s falling away) and a didactic purpose (it taught the faithfulness of God and the consequences of sin).

The song begins with a universal call to listen, followed by praise of the just, faithful, and upright God (Deuteronomy 32:1–4). In contrast to God’s faithfulness is Israel’s unfaithfulness (verses 5–6).

The song proceeds to recite the history of Israel from their time of bondage in Egypt, through their wilderness wanderings, to their established place in the Promised Land (verses 7–14).

The Song of Moses then becomes prophetic: Israel’s future ingratitude and idolatry are predicted, as are the judgments of God for their sin (verses 15–31).

Then God promises to avenge Israel against their (and His) enemies, showing compassion on His people (verses 32–42).

The song ends on a joyful note, as God’s punishment is past, righteousness is restored, and the land of Israel cleansed (verse 43).

A major theme of the Song of Moses is God’s faithfulness. He is called “the Rock” four times in the song (Deuteronomy 32:15,18, 30–31). Even as God’s people are chasing whims and trusting feeble gods, God remains their steadfast, unchanging Source of Salvation.

The last words of the Song of Moses are a promise that God will “make atonement for his land and people” (Deuteronomy 32:43). This is a significant promise, because the atonement for God’s people is none other than the sacrifice of God’s own Son, Jesus Christ (Colossians 1:20).

5 Reasons Why God Allows Suffering in Believers' Lives

Read the following which i have shortened as a useful reminder when I face obstacles and trials ....

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It's true that sometimes things seem hopeless, even to believers, but the Bible offers clarity and perspective as well as tells us the purposes and reasons for the trials in our life.

If you want to be a growing Christian, you should read, study and love God's Word; you need to have a prayer life; and you must be actively involved in the church.

"Why Does God Allow Trials in the Life of the Believer?"

James 1:2-4, which says, "Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

5 Reasons:

1.  God allows trials in our lives so that we will grow up spiritually.

It is like going to the gym, although I don't like to workout, it strengthens me and makes me grow physically. It is also true in our spiritual lives as well, "Trials are God's gym where you're broken down to be built up. … You won't like it, but you will like the results."

2. Even when things look bleak, all things work together for God's glory and your good

Genesis 50:20: "You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives."

God allows us to be tested, but never more than what we can handle, because even the devil can sometimes serve the purposes of God.

A believer will emerge stronger after the trials, unlike non-believers, who may turn away for God. "Trials can determine if you're really a Christian," 

3. God's ultimate purpose for us is that we might be conformed into the image of Jesus

"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters,"  (Romans 8:28, 29).

The benefits of certain trials we are going through cannot be discovered until we go to Heaven. "Just know that God is at work."

We need perseverance to thrust God.

4. Suffering can bring glory to God.

We can glorify God by remaining faithful to Him and continuing to trust Him despite difficulties and trials.

There are also times when God is glorified through His intervention. God still does miracles today.

5. Suffering can be used by God to prepare us for a special task

 "When you've gone through something in life, and have survived it, you can be a great comfort to someone who's going through it."

Beyond Sunday: The Potter and the Clay

Read this extract .....

Focus Verse of the Week

Does not the potter have the right to make out of the same lump of clay some pottery for noble purposes and some for common use? (Romans 9:21)

Commentary

If we examine the right that God has over us, in a more general way, with regard to his intelligent creatures, we may consider God in two different ways: as Creator and Lord of all, or as moral Governor and Judge.

a) God, as sovereign Lord of all, distributes his gifts or favors to his creatures with perfect wisdom, but by no rules or methods that we understand—the time when we shall exist, the country where we shall live, our parents, the make up of our body and turn of our mind. These, and numberless other circumstances, are no doubt ordered with perfect wisdom, but by rules that lie beyond our comprehension.

b) But God's methods of dealing with us, as our Governor and Judge, are dearly revealed and perfectly known. Namely, that he will finally reward every man according to his works: "He that believes shall be saved, and he that does not believet shall be condemned."

Therefore, though "God has mercy on whom he wants to have mercy, and he hardens whom he wants to harden," they become hardened in consequence of their obstinate wickedness. Yet his is not the will of an arbitrary, capricious, or tyrannical being. He wills nothing but what is infinitely wise and good, and therefore his will is a most proper rule of judgment. He will show mercy, as he has assured us, to none but true believers, nor harden any but those who obstinately refuse his mercy (Jeremiah 18:6–7).

(Adapted from John Wesley's Explanatory Notes

A Thought to Keep
Our great God has planned the details of our lives according to His perfect wisdom. Walk in faith knowing that He is both in control... and full of unfailing mercy.

Your Child's Valuable Traits

As a parent I am sometimes impatient and worried about why Noah may not be developing or behaving like other kids .... this week's BSF home training lesson reminded me that my child's traits that may seem irritating or deemed a weakness .... should be viewed as an untrained trait ... a diamond in the rough, once developed becomes a strong / good character attribute ... what I need to do is pray and guide Him along to develop then and to remember that each of us are given these traits as God has a plan for each of us.

Pray that we can identify Noah's given traits and guide him to develop them into attributes that are useful for God's plan for him.

Love is the reasons for Charity Giving

Read this article on FB and felt it is a good reminder of what is the intention of the charity .... when we organise events that it truly is meant to be beneficial to the recipient. Also it is important not to do things in the pretence of charity and yo give away stuff we do not like or need!!

Below quote is important to remember:
“Love is not patronizing and charity isn’t about pity, it is about love. Charity and love are the same — with charity you give love, so don’t just give money but reach out your hand instead.” – Mother Theresa

http://themiddleground.sg/2015/09/30/going-beyond-good-intentions/

BSF Leader's Meeting (17 Oct 2015)

Homelitics Deuteronomy 31-32

Beyond Sunday: The Requirement of Justice - And Love

Read below from the daily email from biblestudytools.com ... in line with our church focus on 1 John this season. How true the "Thought to keep"

Focus Verse of the Week

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word has no place in our lives. (1 John 1:8)

Classic Commentary

1:8 -- If we say - Any child of man, before his blood has cleansed us.We have no sin - To be cleansed from, instead of confessing our sins, 1 John 1:9 ,the truth is not in us - Neither in our mouth nor in our heart.

1:9 -- But if with a penitent and believing heart, we confess our sins, he is faithful. After all, he had promised this blessing by the unanimous voice of all his prophets. Just? Surely then he will punish; no, for this very reason he will pardon. This may seem strange; but upon the evangelical principle of atonement and redemption, it is undoubtedly true; because, when the debt is paid, or the purchase made, it is the part of equity to cancel the bond, and consign over the purchased possession. Both to forgive us our sins - To take away all the guilt of them. And to cleanse us from all unrighteousness - to purify our souls from every kind and every degree of it.

1:10 -- Yet still we are to retain, even to our lives' end, a deep sense of our past sins. Still if we say, we have not sinned, we make him a liar Who says, "All have sinned." And his word is not in us - We do not receive it; we give it no place in our hearts.

(Adapted from John Wesley's Explanatory Notes, 1 John 1

A Thought to Keep

God love does not negate his justice. Instead, his love is so great that it satisfies the requirements of justice. 

Life of Moses

This picture captures all the essence of what I have been studying.

BSF Lesson 27 (13 Oct 2015) - lecture

Curses & Blessings (Deuteronomy 27-30)

1. Covenant Lord (Deuteronomy 27-28)

Principle 1: The Lord lavishes His goodness on all who obeys Him.

2. Covenant Restorer (Deuteronomy 29:1-30:10)

Principle 2: The Lord restores & renews a repentant heart.

3. Covenant Life (Deuteronomy 30:11-20)

Principle 3: The better we know God, the better we can make the right choices.

God's Immeasurable Riches

The story Daryll used in the Sermon today

--------------
Baron Fitzgerald was a wealthy Englishman who had an only child, a son whom he dearly loved. The son became very ill. After many sleepless nights, the baron buried his son.

Through the years, Baron Fitzgerald had acquired a masterful art collection from around the world. Since he had no heir, the baron left instructions in his will that an auction should be held at the time of his death to sell his entire collection.

After the baron passed away, his collection was displayed in preparation for the auction. One piece received little attention. It was a painting of low quality by an unknown, local artist--a portrait of the baron's son.

The first painting to be auctioned was the portrait of "my beloved son." The auctioneer asked for a bid. After many uncomfortable moments, a thin voice broke the stillness. An old servant who had known the son and loved him offered the sole bid.

The auctioneer rapped his gavel and asked the attorney to read again from the will. The crowd hushed. To the astonishment of everyone, the attorney read these words: "'Whoever buys the painting of my son receives my entire art collection.' The auction is over!" Because that old servant simply loved his master's son, he received an inheritance worth millions.

We too have received a bountiful inheritance through God's beloved Son---Jesus. If we love Jesus and give Him our lives, we will obtain the immeasurable riches of an inheritance in heaven and a supernatural life on earth.

BSF Lesson 26 (6 Oct 2015)

Was not able to attend BSF today due to GT townhall event that was held.

Blessed that Ricky can send me the divisions and principles of the lecture.

Review of Israel's History & the Law

1. Introduction & Setting (Deuteronomy 1:1-5)
                                         
Principle 1: God's revelation of Himself demands a respond.

2. Review of God's Faithfulness (Deuteronomy 1:6-4:40)
                                                
Principle 2:  Remembering God's faithfulness in the past motivates God's people to remain faithful in the future.           

3. Review of Covenent Obligations (Deuteronomy 4:41-26:19)

Principle 3: To love God with all your heart is to obey and keep all His commandments.

CG learning - 1 John 4

We are called to Love ... so that we can make the invisible God visible through us ......

"Be kind to everyone you meet; as you do not know the struggles or battles that they are fighting!!"

Blessings & Protection

Had been blessed & protected by God with safety on the road this Monday (5th Oct) morning .... when I did my normal routine to send Noah to school

1st incident on Kings Road which was narrow , shocked when the oncoming vehicle had been on the divider lane and his and my wing mirrors brushed each other ....

The 2nd incident was that I had to do an emergency break when a Q5 SUV jammed it's break at the amber lights ... not his fault but mine the I had assumed he would pass it.

At lunch had managed to have a wonderful fellowship lunch with Terry, Chi Loong & Alfonso. Feeling wonderful to be able to reach out and bond with fellow believers. Thankful that God had placed me in the company of others who faces struggles and challenges in their walk of faith and that we can strengthen each other.

BSF Covering Wee Seng's DG ( 29th Sep 2015)

2nd time covering this group as Patrick is only back today.

Found it a challenge this week:
# to manage the discussion from being occupied by 1 GM.
# Also the question on why God allowed the vengeance on the Medianites did generate some emotional discussion.

Thank God that we managed to go through the questions and meet the "T"s and that the HS guide me during the discussion.

Pray that the discussion and the lecture and notes will help the men understand God’s Word and his will for us.