tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58817485813265893722024-03-06T13:40:52.442+08:00My Record of His FaithfulnessBut you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourself in God's love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Jude 1:20-21Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.comBlogger288125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-19715058857854063312013-09-07T13:31:00.000+08:002013-09-07T13:31:00.621+08:00Walk Care-fully. I suspect atrophy in my literacy, owing to a long cessation from stringing out my thoughts in a clear line, and placing them in text form. I will need to be concise, to serve myself and others better.<br />
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This site is a record of how I've travelled through the course of this life, and there are both embarrassing moments that I retain, and shrines where I magnify myself, and project the outward spiritual health that I have not. It will be a forward movement to <span style="color: red;">expel the pomp and the bad habits gathered over a careless walk</span>.<br />
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1. These days the Word is less fresh in my heart and mind, and it <span style="color: blue;">feels as if uphill to re-enter the track of a disciplined, measured life</span>. It is known that the Christian life needs to be mindfully and prayerfully walked, for if we coast on, we will slide. There are motivating thoughts: that as with any form of training, treading the path of most resistance will help us grow.<br />
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The simple thing to do is to watch and pray and slowly hold on to the things the Lord hath said. But sometimes I feel as if I have not enough fingers or mind to do so.<br />
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So the best strategy is to<span style="color: red;"> cultivate an environment that provokes me to observe positive habits of prayer and reading, and follow it up with my hands, feet, lips</span>. (James 1:22 - <span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.833333015441895px;">But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.</span>)<br />
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2. <span style="color: blue;">Where I mind less the things of the Spirit, the flesh and its trappings come into the foreground</span>. There are legitimate desires of need, and also of substances that do not offend the righteousness of God. But there are also the resurgence of self-absorbed tendencies, where I put myself above God's Word, and the love of others.<span style="color: blue;"> I also yield easily to laziness, unproductive computer distractions, and to unworthy thoughts, when I care little for my spiritual life</span>. The solution is the same as (1), and needs to be applied all the time.<br />
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3. In the 3rd Year of study, I still feel a frequent sense of inadequacy in my field, and inequity when I meet with my peers and sit through close-group sessions. Of course I am sure most persons either have the same sense, or a blinding sense of superiority. But I suppose I can really do more in my study outside of class, rather than seeking to scrape the epidermis off the subject/modules I do.<br />
I'm also wondering how to regard past successes and failures, and to avert the inflated view of my abilities, whether in command and officership, or physicality at Karate.<br />
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4. It still is a daily challenge, and necessary exercise to love and be gracious to others, because the sinful tendency to turn on others and withhold the kindness and forgiveness God has given to us is very deep seated.<br />
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5. Store of Theological thoughts and verses that I reaped today:<br />
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Knowledge does not save, neither does it give us spiritual capital over another person. Rather, the possession of knowledge indicts us, when we neglect to do what we know we should/must/can.<br />
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<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
Psalm 139</h3>
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King James Version (KJV)</div>
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<span class="text Ps-139-23" id="en-KJV-16263"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">3 </span>Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts:</span></div>
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<span class="text Ps-139-24" id="en-KJV-16264"><span class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">24 </span>And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.</span></div>
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a. Both the inward and the outward must be acceptable to the Lord; both acceptable thought and desire, and acceptable action.<br />
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b. Daily deal with the fleshly lusts, that are a many-headed monster.<br />
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c. It is time to start living like a faithful man.<br />
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d. When we have offended God, we are reconciled to Him on His terms, not ours. <br />
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e. How atonement for sin is made: a clean animal is killed, and its blood is offered (sprinkled on the altar of God), on behalf of the man who sinned. He must confess his sin and make right with the acceptable offering (Leviticus 16, Hebrews 9, 10).<br />
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f. The emphasis is not the gore, but the great price of Redemption that God was willing to make.<br />
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g. If we would not have the Lamb bear our transgressions, who else but ourselves will have to account for the unrighteousness of our lives? The wrath of God abideth (John 3:36).<br />
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h. Daily secure audiences with the Lord.<br />
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My body resists the 3 day per week heavy lifting, and I am given to bouts of sneezing, colds and incapacitation from time to time. I suspect that careless bedtimes and poor quality sleep incurs a debt beyond what I can recover. <span style="color: red;">Again, I need to demolish bad habits</span>.<br />
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This place must not be a shrine to myself, but a faithful record of how God deigns to work with sinners, and lead them in His good and blessed way.<br />
<br />Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-80954776786564097992013-05-09T13:43:00.001+08:002013-05-09T13:43:23.475+08:00Another Exercise in Self-ReflexivityWe often have a false and very romantic view of ourselves, that downplays our defects which are actually glaring to others, even when we glaze over them. Social media gives me a space to control the outputs and sustaining a sanitized projection of myself.<br />
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I remember the intervals where I do well (by my own reckoning), splice out the parts where I stumble, default and go astray, and compile these intervals to make a linear transcript.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">Thank God for lucid moments, which I am to remain in, so I may steer my life after Christ. </span>Where I lead myself, I always go wrong eventually or immediately and plunge into some sin, whether in private spheres of the mind, or in speech and action. So it is wonderfully apt that my Shepherd comes to lead me. But at the same time, I need to willingly follow.<br />
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And so I do what I can with what I have, which is God's Word, and use it to frame my life.<br />
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CONDUCT, CHARACTER, DOCTRINE<br />
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<div class="heading passage-class-0" style="background-color: white; color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.833333015441895px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-top: 10px;">
<h3 style="font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
Proverbs 23:7</h3>
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King James Version (KJV)</div>
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<div class="passage version-KJV result-text-style-normal text-html " style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.833333015441895px;">
<span class="text Prov-23-7" id="en-KJV-17052"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">7 </sup>For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Eat and drink, saith he to thee; but his heart is not with thee.</span></div>
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I falsely believe that the man I am is what I seem, but really: who I am is what goes on in my mind and heart. And thus God deals with truly who we are, and not what we make ourselves out to be. In the privacy of our mind, we may be politically incorrect, hateful, racist, vile and downright immoral. We consider it an intrusion when somebody minds what goes on inside our private space, but it is our true character, and it seeps out when we are not so careful with the mastery of our speech and actions.<br />
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So I put in these 3 segments how I need to mind myself, and to realign when I err: CONDUCT, CHARACTER, DOCTRINE<br />
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-My life is a witness to the work of God in me, and where I fail, I discredit Him, and it would be terribly shameful and sorrowful, though I don't know the feeling yet.<br />
-I need to show forth God's love and kindness and win others to Christ.<br />
-My life must be a pattern of good works so I may glorify God and lead men to Him.<br />
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<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
Titus 2</h3>
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King James Version (KJV)</div>
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<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.833333015441895px;">
<span class="text Titus-2-6" id="en-KJV-29915"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">6 </sup>Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.</span></div>
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<span class="text Titus-2-7" id="en-KJV-29916"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">7 </sup>In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,</span></div>
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<span class="text Titus-2-8" id="en-KJV-29917"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">8 </sup>Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.</span></div>
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-I need to be sober minded, lucid and not influenced by any intoxicating substance or fancy.<br />
-My life must consistently be a pattern of good works.<br />
-Doctrine must be pure, serious, and honest.<br />
-I must strive for sound speech that is love mixed with truth. I cannot be combative, but to discuss reasonably and compassionately with others. I must not be penalized for the spirit and the facts which I give. I must have integrity and sincerity.<br />
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It will be the holidays soon where I can choose my reading material, and I would like to be able to explore the following:<br />
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1. Bible's robustness, whether philosophically, archaeologically, scientifically, historically examined.<br />
2. Against Moral Relativism that breaks down any objective poles of right and wrong.<br />
3. Our reliability on Rationality (especially if we subscribe to the evolutionary model).<br />
4. The slippery slope of sexual egalitarianism.<br />
5. How to share the kindness and love of God to others quickly and meet spiritual, emotional needs of brethren and non-believers.<br />
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As I have said, don't swallow the projection, but use what is edifying, particularly God's Word. I know these things, but I need to perform them continually today, tomorrow and beyond.Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-33057427594617885462013-03-16T13:54:00.002+08:002013-03-16T13:54:16.674+08:00<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Galatians 6: 3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For if a man thinketh himself to be something when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.</span><br />
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Today has been an exercise to cleanse my heart and to excise <span style="color: red;">sinful self-importance</span>, where <b>I</b> demand things to go my way, where <b>I</b> must be pre-eminent, and <b>I</b> get upset when conditions thwart <b>my</b> designs.<br />
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When there are things that do not line up for me, I am upset, distraught, and thoroughly dissuaded from doing things right.<br />
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I have been thinking of myself as more spiritual than I was, and over these months the contents of my heart - filled to the brim with things like sinful self-glory and self-love - have been more and more exposed.<br />
It seems that in human relationships, there are particular instances where I just want the comforts from a person who is wholly devoted to pleasing <b>ME</b>, and acquiescing to <b>my</b> wants, <b>my</b> schedule, <b>my</b> preferences. <br />
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This is not the love of Christ. He bore those He loves with patient longsuffering, and gave all for their eternal good. But me, <b>I</b> insist on <b>my</b> good(s).<br />
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It took an uncommon and unnatural strength to decide to deal with a cloudy head and heart first, rather than the Saturday activities I determined for <b>myself</b>.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 Timothy 1: 5</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:</span><br />
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(Paul writes to Timothy that the outcome of the Law is love and faith towards the Lord and to all men.)<br />
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But my heart has been unyielding, impure, and idolatrous, <span style="color: red;">seeking to maneuver myself into being the worship centre</span>. <br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">1 John 2:1 ... And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:</span><br />
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This verse in the same line while pointing to the hope of our advocate who is seated at the right hand of God who intercedes for us (no need for any other intermediate such as Mary), also states that sin is possible for Christians, and that sin should be more and more of a rarity.<br />
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Christ has provided the means for us both to be forgiven, and also, to be able to live the Spirit-filled, Spirit-led life. (Ephesians 1:3)<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">If I do not live as though I have the Spirit of God, I will be in the flesh, which goads me to sin.</span><br />
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To never stop beholding Christ, else I would His love, kindness, holiness and rush to please myself.<br />
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Not to be self-absorbed, but to shed away the love of the self, and to put on the mind of Christ and the peace of God, to live life in the way He's exampled and equipped us to.Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-86694325108907849782013-03-12T12:29:00.003+08:002013-03-12T12:36:37.767+08:00Fatal Forgetting, and Gracious GuidanceWalking after a path requires all footsteps to line up continually in the same way, and when I look at my spiritual life, it seems so much that I stumble and stagger all through the routes I had been through.<br />
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I idealize the intimacy that I have had with the Lord, the sweet fellowship of being in His Word, being encouraged by His Word and so mindful of His sayings, but when I look back, there is so much pomp and pride and sin. <b><i>I</i></b> did well, <i><b>I</b></i> walked well, and it was because God had grace on <b><i>ME</i></b>.<br />
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There was very little fruit of love and gentleness in my intercourse with others, but a whole lot of flaunting my knowledge and my 'good standing in the Lord'. And forgetting that God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble.<br />
<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: #fffefd; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">James 4: 6 (KJV) But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.</span><br />
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Where I am not careful, I so easily switch into pleasing the flesh. The flesh is proud of itself, even though it doesn't gain but daily suffers irretrievable loss; we decay a little everyday until our time is up.<br />
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And neither can I blame others in my life for "causing me" to do poorly in my personal walk, whether by being inadequate examples of godliness, or by offering outlets for sin.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">James 1: 14 (KJV) - "But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed."</span><br />
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Sin is a personal decision and though others may goad us, we are the ones who make the footsteps.<br />
<span style="color: blue;">And where we quench (starve) the Spirit by continually heading quickly to please our fleshly impulses (to look, to taste, to touch) without the daily accumulation of God's Word, we will empower the flesh, and weaken our strength to do right which is God's will.</span><br />
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These things I know, or rather "knew", because <span style="color: blue;">knowing is in the present tense</span>. <span style="color: red;">One fatal mistake is where we forget, and let go of the important things God has taught us</span>. Previous lessons about overcoming sin, and addressing issues of pride, anger and even lust.<br />
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When I am silent, especially on declaring the things of God, it may very well be that it is an indication that I haven't been bearing much fruit, because the overflow of God's filling in our hearts and mind is thanksgiving and praise.<br />
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We can't be happy in petty things for long, like a meal, a temporary accomplishment, but <span style="color: red;">we may be eternally happy and assured in the Lord. </span><br />
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Being unable to overcome certain patterns of thinking led me to wonder, did I really crucify the old man with Christ?<br />
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I had been led to think:<br />
<i>-I am having no success in overcoming the fleshly impulses. (eating, watching, talking, thinking)</i><br />
<i>-Confession is no good or inadequate.</i><br />
<i>-Continually trapped in having to please what I feel like doing rather than what I must do. </i><br />
<i>-I can't do God's will.</i><br />
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When we forget that we were spiritually insensible, and needed the Word and Spirit of the Lord for life in Christ, persisting only in the flesh is a downward spiral.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">First step is to go back into the Word</span>. There is comfort, and reminders in the Word, and also action sequences.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Psalm 119</b></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
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<div class="reg" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="reftext" style="line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/119-9.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>9</b></a></span>Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed <i>thereto</i> according to thy word.</span></div>
<div class="reg" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="reftext" style="line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/119-10.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>10</b></a></span>With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments.</span></div>
<div class="reg" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="reftext" style="line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/psalms/119-11.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>11</b></a></span>Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.</span></div>
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Reminders from the Word:<br />
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-I am a son, and the Lord has set me free from the bondage of sin.<br />
-The Truth will set us free, and we may be sanctified by God's Truth (Word) (John 17:17)<br />
-Heed God's Word - hear and do<br />
-I have the Spirit of adoption, sonship (Romans 8: 15-16)<br />
-God my Father has put an excellent Spirit within me (Daniel 6:3)<br />
-He has given me all "spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 1:3)<br />
-Let everyone that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">Without the Word of God, we would walk continually in the flesh</span>, because <span style="color: blue;">we would lose sense of flesh and spirit</span>. How do we as 'subjective individuals' tell between the impulse <i>of</i> God, or from our wayward flesh that obstructs us and wars against the soul.<br />
<span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">1 Peter 2:11 (KJV) </span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">Dearly beloved, I beseech </span><i style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">you</i><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"> as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul;</span></span><br />
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If we are to walk in the Spirit, we would walk like Christ, and after His example. However<span style="color: red;"> if we lose sense of what, who and how the Lord is, and stay away from the record of what He is like in the Scriptures, we would forget His</span> zeal for the sanctity of the temple, His rebuke of the Pharisees who proffered a religion they did not live, His speaking of the enemy who seeks to ruin God's work, His speaking of a coming judgement where the righteous will go to life everlasting, and the wicked to eternal punishment.<br />
We would be left with an indulgent, all-loving, unrighteous and unholy Christ who does not care how we live, in sin or not.<br />
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The Bible teaches us,<br />
1. Not to wander from God's commandments, not neglect or lack of care.<br />
2. We clean up our way by doing God's sayings. (there is a record of what God has said)<br />
3. We store up what God has left us to remember and circulate in our hearts and minds.<br />
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Beloved children of God have the resources to overcome sin. By clinging to His Word, we may be cleansed, nourished, refreshed, dealt with under the conviction of the Spirit about our sinful thoughts, behaviours, attitudes, and increase in personal knowledge about who God is, and how He is like.<br />
Thank God for comfort and reminders in His Word, even where human forgetfulness and the failures of the flesh does hinder us most times.<br />
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The joyful thing is that God loves and continually works to perfect us, and we have the spiritual resources to do so.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Philippians 1:6</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a very good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ;</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br />
<span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">2 Timothy 3: 15-17 (KJV) </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/2_timothy/3-16.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>16</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">All scripture </span><i style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">is</i><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"> given by inspiration of God, and </span><i style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;">is</i><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"> profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: </span><span class="reftext" style="background-color: #f9fdff; color: #001320; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; margin-left: 1px; margin-right: 2px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: text-top;"><a href="http://bible.cc/2_timothy/3-17.htm" style="color: #0092f2; text-decoration: none;"><b>17</b></a></span><span style="background-color: #f9fdff; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 22px; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: red;">That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
Now to hold on to these things, and not leak, and also not to be proud that God has brought me to renewed understanding of these. </div>
Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-74026669234763848552012-11-08T13:07:00.002+08:002012-11-08T13:07:29.892+08:00For God so loved the WorldI think that it isn't good to have shelved John 3:16 aside, whether by not thinking on it often and thus being unable to recall the wording of this great verse, or to omit the implications of its great promise.<br />
<br />
I am looking to study the Gospel of John again, in feebly small steps, conscious that I need to also be mindful of the person, life and sayings of Christ as recorded by the credible "eyewitnesses of His majesty" (2 Peter 1:16).<br />
<br />
Pretty words make it appear as it my spiritual life is in good order, but the truth is that I beset myself often, by petty sin in private thought, in attitudes and action. But thankfully there is a means to be cleansed, by the provision of the Lord, although when we sin against others, there is reparation and reconciliation to be made.<br />
<br />
In looking at John 3, I find it strangely familiar that Nicodemus, while affirming the Lord Jesus as a "teacher come from God" and God was indeed with Him, did not ask crucial questions for his own salvation.<br />
<br />
<br />
Like Nicodemus, we acknowledge Christ as a great teacher come from God, but often we do not believe the things He said and taught, and we do not care for doing them.<br />
<br />
<br />
-What must I do to be saved?<br />
-How do I enter into the Kingdom of God?<br />
-What must I do to be pleasing and acceptable by God's Holy standards?<br />
<br />
But the Lord answered these anyway, in first teaching that the <span style="color: blue;"><b>spiritual life cannot be lived by the flesh</b></span>, and that "ye must be born again" (John 3: 7).<br />
At this point, the question to ask would be: How can we be born again?<br />
We, in order to behold the Kingdom of God, <b><span style="color: blue;">must be born of the Spirit</span></b> (John 3:5).<br />
<br />
Luke 19:10 - <i>For the Son of man is come to <span style="color: blue;">seek and to save that which was lost</span>.</i><br />
The ministry of Christ is a form of salvaging, to recover that which was precious, but had been prised from Him.<br />
<br />
Salvation can only be found in the Lord Jesus Christ, who has come from the Father.<br />
Can we not consider His message?<br />
<br />
1. He descended from heaven - John 3:13 <i>And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven</i>.<br />
<br />
2. He knows and hath witnessed heavenly things - John 3:12 <i>If I have told you earthly things, and ye believe not, how shall ye believe, if I tell you of heavenly things?</i><br />
<br />
3. John the Baptist (another eyewitness who pointed Israel to Christ) testified in John 3:27 - <i>A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="color: red;"><b>Jesus is the one who had come from heaven, knowing things pertaining to the Father and salvation, and made it available through preaching</b></span> to all Israel.<br />
<br />
The pivot/hinge is this: to believe on the Person, Word and Testimony of Jesus Christ, that He is indeed come from God, God's Son, who has taught us a way to be saved and to live an earthly life pleasing to Him, in view of the Blessed Hope of eternal fellowship with Him and His Father.<br />
Because He is trustworthy, and we are convinced of the need now to live a life closely in line with the character of Christ, we obey His commandments on how to live our life in relation to God and to men. This obedience is a consequence of our genuine belief.<br />
<br />
We are now labourers for the Lord, because we belong to Him, and we desire like Him, that others come to abundant life in Him also, and not miss His salvation.<br />
<br />
John 3:16 -<br />
<i>For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. </i><br />
<br />
Candidate: whosoever - anyone who would<br />
"Believeth":take Him at His Word, are convinced that He is indeed who He claims to be, and then apply His teachings onto all our lives.<br />
<br />
God's heart towards the world is seen in other Scriptures:<br />
<br />
Ezekiel 18:32 - <i>For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye.</i><br />
<br />
2 Peter 3:9 - <i>The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to usward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. </i><br />
<br />
Acts 2: 38 Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost:<br />
"<i>...Repent , and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the promise of the Holy Ghost</i>"<br />
<br />
God is not spiteful, but is broken-hearted and longsuffering usward.<br />
<b><span style="color: red;">God desires and provides for the salvation of all. </span></b><br />
<br />
Perish: <i>complete decay and ruin, irreversible</i><br />
<br />
Death is defeated, and we have victory through our Lord Jesus Christ, we do not stay dead, either physically or spiritually, but are raised up in power:<br />
<br />
1 Corinthians 15: 42-58<br />
<i>raised in incorruption </i>(v.42)<br />
<i>raised in power</i> (v. 43)<br />
<i>raised a spiritual body</i> (v.44)<br />
<i>bear the image of the heavenly </i>(v. 49)<br />
<br />
Death is liberation from the flesh; are we persuaded of better things?<br />
<br />
God does not condemn people willingly, but that those persons who have rejected Him and His Son, and the clear way to be saved, He honours the decision that they do not want anything to do with His Son and what He offers. Eternal life is found only in Christ, and the two cannot be divorced from the other. We have life, because we have the love and the light of the Lord.<br />
<br />
John 1:3 - <i>All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing that was made.</i><br />
<br />
Our life proceeded from Him.<br />
<br />
John 1:4 - In him was life, and the life was the light of men.<br />
<br />
Why do we not want Christ and His great salvation? Christ Himself tells us:<br />
<br />
John 3: 19 - <i>And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light because their deeds were evil.</i><br />
verse 20 - <i>For everyone that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his deeds be reproved.</i><br />
<br />
Have we been doing good, or evil, and by whose standards? Our individual or societal perception, or the perfect justice and holiness of the God who made us. The Lord who made all things has the best and highest sense of what is truly good and what is evil.<br />
<br />
But <span style="color: red;">we have heard the words of life from the Lord Jesus, and He has told us how to be saved, and told us what is the abundant life, and the love of God for the souls of men.</span> Why do we persist in unbelief?<br />
<br />
And when we have believed, why do we not make good our profession of faith? This, is a daily struggle, of conformity, and of overcoming the flesh and putting off the old man.Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-43113293191630100772012-10-27T13:00:00.000+08:002012-10-27T13:00:10.348+08:00It has been start and stop, for me to give out a satisfactory piece of writing which will be preserved for posterity, and for me to see again the vainglory of the mental faculties I presently take pride in. It's been a quick year, and there weren't that many records of what I did and thought on this site.<br />
So in case I forget, I may recall more acutely how I think and feel then(now).<br />
<br />
In my walk with the Lord, I've grown in some ways, but regressed in some, and the Lord has seen fit in His chastening to bring my thoughts and my actions/ decisions back under submission.<br />
I need to <span style="color: red;"><b>jettison unworthy thoughts</b></span> that harm my spiritual life; thoughts that are selfish, malicious, rebellious against godly authorities, and slothful thoughts, and of course indecent thoughts.<br />
<br />
I learnt again that winning over a person, and keeping the bonds of peace in a friendship is more important than pressing someone else to win an argument.<br />
However, this is not a principle to skimp on truth and focus only on a tolerant "love" that can broadly permit error and sin. <span style="color: blue;"><b>There are outstanding issues that we must all come under the submission of the Bible and deal with, because we love God and we love His Truth</b></span>.<br />
<br />
Paul is right in saying that charity (love) is the "most excellent way".<br />
<br />
I should not always be so eager to bruise my fellows to show that I have the access to the best truth. If we be faithful students of the Word who abide in Christ, we may have this access to Him.<br />
<br />
A few things I wanted to lay out here, so I may be assured that I have them on record/ archive at later times.<br />
<br />
There are multiple enemies of the Word today, and anti-Biblical philosophies that many people and even some Christians have soaked up.<br />
<br />
These "new perspectives" on the Word are really moves that undermine the authority of the Word of God. If the Bible is neither infallible, verbally and plenarily inspired, or inerrant, then we do not have to obey the Scriptures or the Words of Christ, which He did say, that <span style="color: blue;"><b>our obedience was a response of our love and faith towards Him</b></span>.<br />
<br />
John 14:15 - "If ye love me, keep my commandments."<br />
<br />
Where we cast doubt on the scriptures, and relegate it to reader subjectivity, obedience becomes the least of concerns. And the authority is shifted from God's meaning to the reader's perusal and preferential selection. <br />
<br />
<u>How we see the Old Testament and the Law</u><br />
<br />
There is a growing Christian group that believes that the law is no longer applicable to us, and that we are fully under grace, and that the law is neither applicable to us.<br />
<br />
My question to this teaching is that how come the laws and requirements for Israel are not important, but you may claim to have inherited the material blessings and prosperity for Israel that came from obedience toward God with the very same laws and obedience dismissed here.<br />
<br />
1. The Law and the Scriptures are important because <span style="color: blue;"><b>they testify of God's righteousness and holiness.</b></span><br />
<br />
God's purpose for creation, and His election of the Jewish people, and His love, longsuffering towards them, and His consecration and sanctification of those who bears His Name.<br />
His just punishment of sin and the later atonement were made an example in the Law, to do with moral behaviour and ceremonial worship.<br />
<br />
God's standards are not flushed away by grace, but rather, because of the Spirit that dwells in every believer, we have means to overcome the flesh and follow Him in obedience. Rather than despising the law, we keep the commandments that God hath given to us.<br />
<br />
As students of the Word, we are able then to distinguish which laws are meant for the Old covenant, and for Israel, and also which principles and commandments are for our consideration and obedience!<br />
<br />
2. The Law and the Scriptures <span style="color: blue;"><b>point towards God's Messiah</b></span>.<br />
<br />
Moses, Isaiah, Zechariah, Daniel and so many other prophets and writers wrote of Christ, they foretold of His virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), His place of birth (Micah 5:2), His tribal identity, His Kingship (Isaiah 9:6-7), His ministry (Isaiah 61:1), His triumphant entry into Jerusalem (Zechariah 9:9), His manner of death (Psalm 22, Isaiah 53) and His glorious resurrection (Psalm 16:10).<br />
<br />
3. The Law and the Scriptures are the <span style="color: blue;"><b>New Testament church's basis for teaching</b></span>.<br />
<br />
Jesus and His apostles used the Scriptures and Law as reference for teaching, and the New Testament had not been written yet.<br />
<br />
When Christ had risen, He met with the disciples and explained to them about Himself with reference to the Scriptures.<br />
<br />
Moses wrote about Jesus -<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
John 5</h3>
<div class="txt-sm" style="background-color: white; color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
King James Version (KJV)</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.833333015441895px;">
<span class="text John-5-45" id="en-KJV-26256"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">45 </sup>Do not think that I will accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.833333015441895px;">
<span class="text John-5-46" id="en-KJV-26257"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">46 </sup>For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me; for he wrote of me.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.833333015441895px;">
<span class="text John-5-47" id="en-KJV-26258"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">47 </sup>But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<sup class="versenum" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"></sup><br />
<h3 style="color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin: 0px;">
Luke 24</h3>
<div class="txt-sm" style="color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: normal;">
King James Version (KJV)</div>
<br />
<sup class="versenum" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">25 </sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.833333015441895px;">Then he said unto them, O fools, and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken:</span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.833333015441895px;">
<span class="text Luke-24-26" id="en-KJV-26018"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">26 </sup>Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory?</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 15.833333015441895px;">
<span class="text Luke-24-27" id="en-KJV-26019"><sup class="versenum" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">27 </sup>And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.</span></div>
<br />
<br />
Peter, in his Pentecostal sermon, preached from Joel, the Psalms of David (Acts 2).<br />
Paul in his epistles cited the Genesis account as historical, that Christ was indeed the Messiah, and the atonement for sin once and for all.<br />
<br />
<br />
There are many factions that seek to devalue the reliability and authority of the Word, to declassify sins and to have it endorse their lifestyle and teaching.<br />
A careful study of the Scriptures is absolutely important! Is <i>this</i> or <i>that</i> what the Bible teaches?<br />
<br />
<br />
The Christian is never made more godly or spiritual by the accumulation of knowledge of the Word, but rather by his response to it. Does he skim over the text, or does he take it as the Word of the Lord, and thus for his serious consideration and faithful obedience?<br />
<br />Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-32700221389909749072012-05-23T13:39:00.001+08:002012-05-23T13:39:42.220+08:00<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<!--StartFragment-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Immutability</span></b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I cannot put my love for you in simple tones,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">No words may do justice to the permanence of <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My heart, mind and full person’s<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Tendency towards thee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I have locked eyes on you and thrown away the key;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">You are my best and most complete fit,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I think of you when the moon is lit.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">And when light replaces dark, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Your fair face I hope to quickly see! <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I love to take in your scent, your sound and your smile;<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I’ll adore you for a very long while.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">My words are not in vain, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Not like our country’s faulty trains.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Quite the contrary really—this poem is thy guarantee,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">That Song’s stout heart dances for, and mostly on account of
thee. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">I long for the day you and I will be, <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The bestest picture of man and woman: <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman";">The one our Lord had in mind. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<!--EndFragment-->Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-79440398578392462522012-04-17T13:42:00.000+08:002012-04-17T13:42:50.946+08:00Stucking on this Plane, Waiting for the NextAs persons living in this material world with physical eyes and hears, we are surely engaged in this earthly plane. We have bodies and we feed and dress our bodies.<br />
<br />
We are to engrossed in the present and love the things of this world too much; we have no appetite or concern for heavenly things.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However we Christians should see beyond the physical things that are temporary and passing away, and be always mindful of the things that are presently unseen, but are eternal. </div>
Things of eternity must become clear concerns to us.<br />
<br />
The Word says in 1 Peter 2:11, that we are "strangers and pilgrims" in this world, and we would do well to "abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul."<br />
<br />
We are not here on this earth for long; we are not native settlers who are immersed in this "culture". This is a culture that goads us to participate in a form of living which has no regard for a Holy God. There is another place we are heading to, and this is <span style="color: blue;"><b>a place of permanent residence</b></span>.<br />
<br />
The author of <i>Hebrews</i> is right:<br />
<br />
<h4 style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
Hebrews 12</h4>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30214" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">1</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, <span style="color: red;">let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us</span>, </span><br />
<sup class="versenum" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;"><br /></sup><br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30215" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">2</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.</span><br />
<br />
Anything in between our passage from this place to the better place that becomes an unhelpful distraction must be put off. The things we dabbled in, and ensnared us should no longer have any hold on us, we who are bought by His Blood. We belong to Him and our lives are lived in devotion to Him and in view of His coming.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
1 John 2</h4>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-30568" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: top;">17</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.</span><br />
<br />
I read the newspapers about the men who were involved with the teen prostitute these days, and pick out many things from these stories of sin. Sin is destructive and aims to ruin the person, and war against the person and his/her relationships with their beloved people.<br />
<br />
These disgraced men <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>gave in to the desires of the flesh and brief illicit pleasures, and now have lost their moral stature in society and surely in their families</b></span>. They have been subjected to public shame and grieved their families-wives and children.<br />
<br />
I look at these men, and I am aware that I may not judge them for their weakness, for the same impulses for wickedness are present in my body and if not for the Spirit of God, I have no resistance to any form of suggestion for sin. In the past, I only lacked the opportunity for sin; my desire was not any less.<br />
<br />
Thank God for <b><span style="color: orange;">grace and cleansing in Christ Jesus</span></b>. Now, if I pretend I no longer contend with sin in such forms, I am a hypocrite and a liar. Praise God that I am a recipient of His grace and mercies, that I have been pardoned and empowered to overcome sin in the flesh. My changed heart seeks to please the Lord and dissociate from wickedness.<br />
<br />
Hopefully these men and the girl in question will come to the realization of the need for a Saviour and the love and grace in Christ, who can wash them of their uncleanness with His soul-cleansing Blood.<br />
<br />
<i>Let every one who nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity</i>. (2 Timothy 2:19)<br />
<br />
*<br />
<br />
This is a strange time for me, to make a decisive cross-over, choosing to leave the fellowship of dear people I have been with for about 2 years, and some more than that. I have left my previous Church and moved to another.<br />
<br />
We ought to subject ourselves daily under the authority of the Word and not presume we are fully right all times. I cannot overlook the errors that others hope to tolerate for the sake of Christian unity. True unity is not forged by dimming down the lines of difference between diverse groups.<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="p1">
Rather than the maxim that strives to forge trans-denominational unity: "in essentials; unity, in non-essentials; liberty, in all things; charity", <span style="color: red;"><b>I believe that we must be united in sound biblical doctrine and in the Holy Spirit</b></span>. Many groups today who profess to be Christian are in error.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
We may be able to say that certain conduct and disciplines are not compatible with the Word, by close study. I do not look at disagreements between groups, but disagreements with Scripture.</div>
<div class="p1">
We must be discerning, exercising care to look the Word and judge rightly what are the things that are commended and commanded by the Word.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I have committed to only doing what the Bible, the Word of God commands and commends. We who have the Word of God are accountable because of what we have understood.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
May all Christians not be passive followers, but actively go through the Word to make sure of the things we believe in.</div>
<br />
<br />Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-87705602374794568982012-04-06T22:11:00.002+08:002012-04-06T22:11:24.710+08:00Good Friday<br />
<div class="p1">
I'm really thankful and also very impressed by my God that He is able to weave the decisions I make in these circumstances into so good an outcome. I love to away, fully knowing, understanding and being able to say: this is the place I was meant to be in all of time. I am here by His intention and by my compliance.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
This morning at ABC, I brought my reluctant bones to the North, and to Good Friday service. I was glad to hear the Word and a reminder of the cross; our holy God's saving work, fully completed, once for all. It is huge to meditate upon how huge is this: that Christ is an acceptable sacrifice, without blemish and fully meeting God's standards of perfection. And that His Blood made remission for <b>all</b> sins <i>once for all</i>. At this point, all the sins in all of time were laid upon the Lamb of God: God's Son. He tasted death for every man (Hebrews 2:9). </div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I was introduced to a new person who came for the service and I had the opportunity to share with him about the gospel of Christ, the Word of God and how Biblical church and worship should be. I thought to impress upon this truth seeker that the Word is authoritative and instructive, and our guide for all manners of living. I was able to bring him through the opening verses of the Book of Romans in close reading, to explain the rich information in each line.</div>
<div class="p1">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
I was very encouraged by his sincerity and his openness, and receptivity to the good community at ABC, so different from mainstream Christianity in Singapore. I had hoped to show him that<span style="color: blue;"><b> all men are able to fully understand and study Scripture</b></span>. It was edifying for my person also; that I could point to my own life as a testament to the Word's transforming power. It is not that I found a right drug, but rather I had taken hold of the truest truth early in my life.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Later, at Agnes' place, I got to look at my essay, eat beautiful scrambled eggs with toast, and speak with her father. This heightened the sense that I was in the place I was supposed to be.</div>
<div class="p2">
<br /></div>
<div class="p1">
Agnes and I are 5 months in, and by all considerations we are young, new and hasty. </div>
<div class="p1">
But I'm glad we have entered into courtship with marriage as the goal, and we are increasing our certainty of this, deepening our commitment to one another, and receiving more evidences that this is the Lord's will for us.</div>
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Uncle shared with me his values on the things that a Biblical husband and wife, the breadwinner and the homemaker/housekeeper should be. He shared about long term considerations in family planning, where two different people come together as husband and wife, and the types of decision making involved. There is individual preparation before marriage; husband and wife must be able to come to terms and make a committed decision in the household affairs. Building a godly family is aim.</div>
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I think there are amazing blessings when we obey God's direction and order, where we submit and give ear to the counsel of our elders. It is fitting and right to do so.</div>
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While others may be aghast at what they perceive to be premature commitment, I am acting upon surety and increasing confidence that this is what the Lord has in store for me. That this is the woman that I am to love and care for in the Lord and that I do not take it lightly.</div>
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We will respect and involve and defer to her parents in the Lord, that we may be living on principles from the Word.</div>
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It is both comforting and blessed to have her father's oversight and also confidence and approval that we may one day be married in the Lord. </div>
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I was reminded of my responsibilities as a student and also heard of uncle's concerns about managing and raising a godly family. <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>We should be able to raise children who may "intellectually and willingly" come to faith in Christ</b></span>. He also reminded me of the need to pass values down to the next generation. I need some sober self-examination to see if I am able to live the Word, share the Word and make decisions based on my trust in the Lord to provide, and whether I have the skills/ knowledge to take care of a household. </div>
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I had to try not to smile to openly when he spoke of a day in time where we would be "walking down the aisle". Walking down the aisle - that's what we are working towards. Anything other than that is a waste of time, youth, money, a gross disobedience to the Lord, and a disegard for the Word. </div>
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When we obey, the blessings in store for us are sweet and wonderful. </div>
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<br /></div>Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-87950686899422693442012-03-21T12:43:00.000+08:002012-03-21T12:43:43.812+08:00It is still Today.What I read affects me and plagues my mind. <span style="color: red;">If something is to linger in my mind and prompt any action, it had better be God's Holy Word.</span> We know this from the Psalms and so many other scriptures:<br />
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"Blessed is the man who walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and in his law doth he meditate day and night." <b>Psalms 1:1-2</b><br />
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"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in our hearts to the Lord." <b>Colossians 3: 16</b><br />
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"Therefore shall ye lay up these my words in your heart and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand, that they many be as frontlets between your eyes. And ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, when thou liest down, and when thou risest up." <b>Deuteronomy 11:18-19</b><br />
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<br />
The Word is a good and important reference for daily living, and the scriptures are God-breathed and powerfully relevant. Who may say that the Old Testament offers no instruction to us under the New Covenant today? The history of Israel and God's relationship with them shows us the patterns for obedience and the faithfulness of God towards His chosen people. If He may un-choose Israel, how will He be faithful, and how may we say that His love endures forever?<br />
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Can any man hide his sin from the LORD? Can any man veil his mind and heart from the God's sight? I am to be mindful of my subjection to Him, and how my living is an aberration of His goodness, and my mind and heart are offensive to His Holiness.<br />
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My eyes and ears store up resources for sin, and my lips, hands and feet execute these meditated sins. But God did not withhold His Son, the only acceptable sacrifice for sins, from me, and let Him go to shameful and painful death on the cross to bear God's wrath that was to be mine, for my sake. I may be able to be clean by the Blood of the Lamb that was shed for me and for others.<br />
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Our strength is in the Word, to live redeemed lives in view of Christ and for Christ, who purchased us by His Blood, and made us <i>partakers of the Heavenly Calling </i>(Hebrews 3:1).<br />
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I managed to eat with a brother today, without planning for a meeting, and it was good that I was able to know how I may support him in prayer. This week I learned again the importance of encouraging our brethren, that we are to continue to <i>exhort[ing] one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of us[you] be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin</i> (Hebrews 3:13). In the present time, while we are still in the second advent, we are to live carefully and consistently in view of Christ, and in love for others.<br />
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I have observed this trend, that <span style="color: #38761d;">we men do not like to work much less labour; and we also have no delight in what we do. </span>We do not want perspiration, we reserve our strength, and work only to feed our lusts and pleasures, and only sometimes our bellies. Other times we steal.<br />
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Our attitude for work and for life should be this. It is a tall order, but we have inward empowerment to live like this: "And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him." <b>Colossians 3:17</b><br />
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We may live in newness of life, because Christ hath delivered us from sin. We have the means to overcome, and live holy, good lives for His sake. We belong to Him; our lives are made possible only by His grace, and we should live for His purpose and in His pattern - of obedience to the Father and to please and honour our Father.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">We should not just settle for blind optimism, but a sure and defined hope. The hope that our God and Saviour Jesus Christ is coming for us soon. </span><br />
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<br />Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-43267616442858672762012-03-19T00:29:00.004+08:002012-03-19T00:29:44.384+08:00I must not be too proud to admit that God's Word has had an effect on me. I have presumed often that I am doing well, and am standing firm and am in good relation to my God at all times. I have not examined the areas of my life, and minimized why, how and what I lived (for) according to my own good pleasure.<br />
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But it is so blessed that God is faithful and He continually leads, and chastens, restores and comforts. Discipline is not easy to swallow, but God's purpose and wisdom are higher and more lasting than our own time-bound perceptions.<br />
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My parents have provided for me all my life, and I was made to realize that I have very little expressed gratitude towards them. I have barely reassured them that I their son, think of them. And while I have presumed that I have made amends for the ways I was an inadequate and difficult boy prior to saving faith, I had never spoken to them and addressed these things. It will be difficult to pull out these old memories of sorrows I have inflicted on them, but absolutely necessary.<br />
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I think of the times I was rough, rude and put on hateful attitudes towards them, and I realize that these are <i>outstanding</i> issues I must apologize and put to rest. When we are a little older and know some current information, we begin to despise our parents, or dismiss them.<br />
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As the eldest son, I should by example in honouring them, caring for them and obeying them. I have not been consistent in this area, and my sisters are sharp to seize these failures and convict me. While not perfect, I must increase my desire and efforts to love and care for them while I am still under their cover.<br />
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I see my grandmother's deep love for my grandfather even though he dominated her in marriage and was hard on her and on his children. She had tender love and concern for him, even while he was not always easy to get along with, much less love. This strength of love, even in a non-Christian marriage is admirable especially because of the circumstances of the union.<br />
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I am not willing that these precious parents pass from this life without hearing about the grace of Christ. I do not know how many years they will have with me, but I know that my love for them has not matched their love me, even if I have known the love of Christ. And my small efforts to are feeble.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;">There is no one else but me to bear witness for Christ, and I <b>must</b> get ready to tell them in the way they may understand well of this 'foreign God' who first died for men, before any of them knew Him.</span><br />
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There are dear family members and friends that I am to love and care for, but I have neither been attentive or sensitive, but shuttled them to my peripheral view. I am to bringing each person, valuing them as my God values them, before Him and appeal to His great love and mercy to work powerfully in them, to lead them to salvation.<br />
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<span style="color: red;">My confidence in God's love for me is challenged daily.</span> There is a need to return to Romans 5, to remember how God <i>commendeth</i> His love for us, when Christ laid down His life for all men, while we were still sinners, comfortably godless and cruel. God is a perfect Father who loves perfectly. When we doubt His love for us, we will be robbed of our joy and trust in Him. Our powerful God who is intimately concerned with our well-being and the details of our life gives us great comfort and the strength to live this challenging life in this hostile times.<br />
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I must thank God for His deep and sure love for me, even that which I cannot fully grasp, but continually doubt.<br />
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I presume too much, that I will be somebody important or prominent. I am a redeemed person who is much less intelligent and qualified than many others. My pride prises me from the dependence and obedience I am to have on Christ. Whether He uses me as a vessel for noble or common use, I must still be prepared in prayer to wait on His deployment of me. I am not more worthy than anyone to know Christ.<br />
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It is now more than ever that I realize I have a huge burden; that I may have many spiritual dependents who have never heard of the love of Christ, and of His great triumph over sin that may be applied to us all. I cannot lie and enter into rest prematurely while there is work to be done.<br />
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My life has to be lived in reverence of Christ. If I live with a false high esteem of myself, I will seek only to please myself, and place others on a lower plane. But there are people that matter hugely to me that I am omitting now. There must be something done about this.<br />
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We are to esteem Christ, living life in conformity to His Person. To be like Christ: firm and gentle, strong and meek, confident and humble, compassionate and prayerful, zealous for His Father's work.<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;">It is a high standard, but we may have His Spirit inside of us to help us to live the life of Christ, that the flesh is not willing to, and cannot live out.</span><br />
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<br />Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-37695860325437187162012-03-04T16:52:00.002+08:002012-03-04T16:56:07.606+08:00Music and Lyrics<u><b>Music</b></u><br />
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On the car back to the east, a younger brother asked me today about Christian music and what I thought about a particular band. I surprised myself with what I said to him, that these were thoughts I never completely gave words and air to:<br />
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The songs we sing must contain scriptural truth. We are told in the clear words of Scripture in Colossians 3:16 -<br />
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<i>Let the Word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.</i><br />
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We are first told that the <u>Word of Christ must dwell in us richly</u>. We Christians are Word-based people who are to meditate on the Word of the Lord daily and nightly, abiding in them.<br />
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Songs have the tendency to linger in our minds and be replayed over and over. They stick easily to us, and we may sing tunes and words without much thought or much restraint. Should the song that flows out of our heads be a worldly one with carnal concerns and desires or one that contains the Word?<br />
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Songs today are soulish; they bring about moods, emotions and induce-encourage feelings. They have sway over us, and get us to harmonize with tunes in body and movement. We take in the ideals and the philosophies of these songs without much thought over what they say. They advertise irresponsible fun and overt sexuality.<br />
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We have been given good examples of songs we may and should sing. Psalms, hymns and spiritual songs as expressions of praise and adoration. What makes a song spiritual? What are the sounds and the words of the song? I am not musical, but my literary mind will seize hold of the words and place them aside the Scriptures and see if they have any counterpart. <span style="color: red;">For only the Word has lasting value and so much power to instruct His people. </span><br />
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2 Timothy 3:16 - 17<br />
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<i>All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: </i><br />
<i>That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. </i><br />
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God's Word contain the words of <i>wisdom</i>. Modern Christian songs today are doctrinally shallow and contain much emotive expression. It seems as though these songs are designed to train us to feel a certain way and to calibrate our hearts and emotions to feel a certain way. So many lyrics are in the pattern of : "How I love you", "I offer my life to you", "Jesus I love you". Do we <i>need</i> to be conditioned to praise God and love God?<br />
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I am wary that we could be singing lies, because we often do not mean or really feel these things, nor do we yearn very much to be as how we sing of ourselves. We do not really or fully love Him, for we are told in the Word that if we love Him we will obey His commands, yet we fail to do so daily. Nor do we offer our lives, or the large parts of our lives to Him. How much movement do we make to live in such an exemplary manner?<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;">We are singing ourselves into ideal emotional states of devotion that we do not have rightly.</span> We do not love God because the feelings of love is cultivated as per the pattern of worldly romance-I feel and thus I love. Our love of our God comes from Him. We grow in a knowledge of the One True God and in His Son, and we love Him in response to His great and deep and wide love of us. We learn of this love from His Word and not from songs that we sing and get ourselves into.<br />
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All singing is for worship, not mainly self-expression. So many songs today look to pour out our soul and give public air to how we feel. But we see in Revelation 4 and 5 and in other places that the loud voices of the saints are lifted in praise of our God: "<i>Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God Almighty, which was, and is, and is to come.</i>" and "<i>Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory and blessing.</i>"<br />
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We are to admonish one another and sing with grace in our hearts to the Lord. <span style="color: blue;">Our songs must be able to teach and encourage one another in the faith and in godly behaviour, and exalt our God. </span>We sing in relation to our God.<br />
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David's Psalms poured out his feelings, guilt, shame and also joy and gladness, all in relation to the Lord. None of it were vain expressions he did not feel-when he was besieged by enemies on all sides; when he sinned in adultery and murder and when he gave thanks to the Lord.<br />
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Psalm 111</h4>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-15795" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">1</sup>Praise ye the LORD. I will praise the LORD with my whole heart, in the assembly of the upright, and in the congregation.</div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-15796" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">2</sup>The works of the LORD are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.</div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-15797" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">3</sup>His work is honourable and glorious: and his righteousness endureth for ever.</div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-15798" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">4</sup>He hath made his wonderful works to be remembered: the LORD is gracious and full of compassion.</div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-15799" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">5</sup>He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.</div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-15800" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">6</sup>He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen.</div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-15801" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">7</sup>The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.</div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-15802" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">8</sup>They stand fast for ever and ever, and are done in truth and uprightness.</div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-15803" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">9</sup>He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant for ever: holy and reverend is his name.</div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-KJV-15804" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">10</sup>The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: a good understanding have all they that do his commandments: his praise endureth for ever.</div>
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The songs the Church sings must be wholly different from the songs of the world. How may they sound alike? May what was bred outside of the sanctified Church gain entry to our clean and godly worship?<br />
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I can think of rock music as a good example. It grew outside the church and the genre was led by self-destructive rockers who exemplified the spirit of rebellion, having a lifestyle of drugs, alcohol and sex. The music is disquiet and encourages people to 'follow their hearts' and 'do what they really want'.<br />
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Can we 'clean' it up and Christianize the lyric and feature it in our worship of a Holy God? I do not agree with the introduction of Christian rock into the Church. Do we need to imbibe what is of the world into our worship to make us current and relevant? Our gospel is relevant and powerful, no matter what age and culture! We do not need to amass cultural capital to endear ourselves to the world that is not dying, but already dead.<br />
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Our Spirit is a different spirit. It is unlike the spirit of this world. Songs of the world upset the stillness of our hearts and stir unrest, whereas spiritual songs may bring about a climate of peace to our hearts.<br />
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We have 150 good examples of how we are to sing in praise of our God, and express our adoration for Him, and so many more other songs of old, and also in recent times that are rich in His Word and sound in Biblical doctrine.<br />
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<b><u>Close</u></b></div>
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I am highly demanding of Christians and of leaders especially. While mindful that we fail daily and depend so hugely on His grace and mercy to even get through our day, I could be very severe on these fellow vessels of His love, Spirit and grace. </div>
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I speak before I understand, I judge before I know completely. This is something I need to work on, that I withhold grace and refuse to bear with others who are younger believers in the faith.</div>
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I suppose when I use the upper key "Church" I refer to the universal body of Christ, and not any local body or community, even though the observation is made of the congregational groups of churches. </div>
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An example of a spiritual song and hymn.<br />
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Blessed Assurance</h2>
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<i style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: blue; text-align: -webkit-center;"><i><b>Text:</b> Fanny J. Crosby, 1820-1915 </i></i></div>
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<b>Music:</b> Phoebe P. Knapp, 1839-1908<br /><b>Tune:</b> ASSURANCE, <b>Meter:</b> 9 10.9 9 with Refrain</i><span style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: blue; text-align: -webkit-center;"></span><br />
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<pre style="background-color: #fcfcfc; color: blue;">1. Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine!
O what a foretaste of glory divine!
Heir of salvation, purchase of God,
born of his Spirit, washed in his blood.
Refrain:
This is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long;
this is my story, this is my song,
praising my Savior all the day long.
2. Perfect submission, perfect delight,
visions of rapture now burst on my sight;
angels descending bring from above
echoes of mercy, whispers of love.
(Refrain)
3. Perfect submission, all is at rest;
I in my Savior am happy and blest,
watching and waiting, looking above,
filled with his goodness, lost in his love.
(Refrain) </pre>
<br />Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-44030962963491649722012-03-03T01:47:00.001+08:002012-03-03T01:47:43.474+08:00Friday, 2 MarchI cannot coast on and wrongly assume that I am on the right course at all times. If I grow distant from my firm ground, I will veer into dangerous territory.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">I have been made alive by Christ; I must live <i>in</i> Christ. </span></b>I cannot pretend I knoweth not my Saviour and then turn back to sin. I also cannot pretend I have no way of knowing God and discerning His will. I have His Word.<br />
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I am to be a wholely new creature, with new appetites and new desires. I cannot feed on the same vain things that do not honour God but encourage sensuality and faithlessness.<br />
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Jesus is the Bread of Life. For awhile we eat of the land, taking physical food. <span style="color: blue;"><b>However we who are alive in the Spirit need to <i>feed</i> our Spirit.</b></span> We live "<i>not by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God</i>". (Matthew 4:4) The Word of the Lord brings us life. Outwardly we are decaying, but inwardly we are being renewed daily. (2 Corinthians 4:16)<br />
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Our renewal of this inward (spirit) life comes from partaking in Christ. We must drink His blood and eat His flesh. His body broken for us; His life poured out for us - so that we who were far off, separated by our sinfulness may be brought <i>nigh</i> by His blood. (1 Corinthians 11:24-25; Ephesians 2:13)<br />
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If I do not live my faith, how will I die for my faith?<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>Our faith is not one of convenience. </b></span>When it is easy to obey and go His way, I do. Where it is difficult to, I may or may not have the strength and discipline to go the way in line with His will and righteousness.<br />
<br />
I do not have a good heart attitude when I relate with people, in work and ordinary circumstances. I am grudging, unwilling, and only invest my heart minimally in them, whereas Christ poured Himself out for us.<br />
<br />
We are to observe all things that Christ has commanded us; not some and not just a few. (Matthew 28:20) Our motivation to do so should be that we love Him, we treasure His words, we believe and trust Him; His Divinity, His character, His promises. <span style="color: red;"><b>We are not compelled, but propelled</b></span> by love to live the new life in the Spirit He has given to us.<br />
<br />
I have moved into what Tozer says is the "noble language" of the King James Version. I am an admirer of him and other wise and godly men who defer to the King James. While I am young and my biological RAM can input new verses, and also for FBI, I will go this way. It also does not hurt when an exceedingly lovely and precious lady has gifted me a leather Bible.Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-23477470795143598582012-03-01T22:49:00.000+08:002012-03-01T22:49:08.620+08:00Carried Along in TimeInstead of only living in time, sometimes it seems as though we are carried along the motion of time. We are hustled from week to week and month to month; bleeding hours and minutes. It is now March 1.<br />
<br />
I have had so many points in the last two months to look back and compare my situation this year with the last.<br />
<br />
Last birthday, I went to bed quiet; this birthday, I had someone lovely to tenderly care for me, good friends and a sugary cake. I barely registered the 22 candles. <br />
<br />
Last recess week I was mostly in hall and had much different company and different routine. This time round, while falling behind on work, I was able to take care of the home environment and get rid of the clutter that had crept up on me as I lived past two decades.<br />
<br />
Managed to go to Hakim's to give him a card. Although it was an extension of a long day, it was worth it to convey my love for an important friend on his birthday.<br />
<br />
I enjoyed dinner with Agnes' parents, because it's a good opportunity to spend time with them and know them better. I am not looking to prise her away from them, but rather we should be closer and dearer as we go along.<br />
<br />
Several things that trouble/ bother me:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Biblical Christianity or the lack thereof.</li>
<li>My responsibility at having received the gospel and not sharing the message of salvation with others. Will friends and dear ones say of me, when there is no grace left, "You had light and truth, why did you not share it with us?" </li>
<li>How to live:</li>
</ul>
1. Love the Lord, walk in light, under grace, by faith and in close relationship;<br />
<br />
or<br />
<br />
2. Love the world & sin, hate governance, shun the Word, abuse grace, live by personal feeling, and having no close relationship with the Lord.<br />
<br />
<br />Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-15861375896936312372012-02-22T01:05:00.002+08:002012-02-22T01:05:57.554+08:00Excerpt<br />
<div class="p1">
"I know that you are very important to me and that at this point, I cannot imagine how it would be like not having you in my life. The details of your life, how you feel and what you think matter greatly to me. If you are sad or happy, I will be affected, because we are emotionally and I think in more ways than we know, much closer now. I very much want to continue building our relationship in Christ and take it longer than we see at present. It will not be easy; from another perspective it will even be hard. Sometimes I may be discouraged. But when I look at where we are hoping and praying to be at, I am reminded that our faith and love is being built and refined."</div>Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-36560484549202857012012-02-12T12:54:00.000+08:002012-02-12T12:54:04.456+08:00Our Lives are Purposed.I opted to live today very differently and stay home. The purpose was to have some mental clarity, helped by distance from others, and to clock more sleep, and to spend time in prayer so I may be worked on by His Spirit, and to finish the invisible, but tangible list of to-dos.<br />
<br />
I made a phone call today to Lim Boon Kai, to rouse him from his sleep with a birthday greeting. I know it is very heartening to have someone remember your birthday. I recognize him as a dear friend, and a loved person in the many phases of my younger life, and very hopefully, my longer adult life. I remember how we were in school together and it is very good to have accumulated a close friend as him.<br />
<br />
May every birthday be a landmark, showing much growth and maturity, and very much of God's great blessing in his life.<br />
<br />
It took me a while to get into the Word, but there was a very great reward today after I had gone before it, and studied the clear words of Scripture. We are to learn from the Words of Christ Jesus.<br />
<br />I was reminded that the<b><span style="color: red;"> central theme of my life is my labour for Christ and His gospel</span></b>. This is my life's purpose, to bring glory to His very great Name.<br />
<br />
My attitude to this process of life was corrected.<br />
<br />
While I am struggling with this life and the troubles that come along with it, I read -<br />
<br />
<h4 style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
John 14</h4>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26659" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">1</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">“<span style="color: blue;"><b>Do not let your hearts be troubled</b></span>. Trust in God; trust also in me.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26660" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">2</sup> In my Father’s house are many rooms; if it were not so, I would have told you. I am going there to prepare a place for you.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26661" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">3</sup>And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26662" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">4</sup> You know the way to the place where I am going.”</span><br />
<span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
The Word reminds me to rest my heart and trust fully in Christ Jesus; He is preparing us to dwell with Him forever. He is truthful and faithful, and He will come back to bring us to be with Him. I must not allow this hope to harmed in any way.<br />
<br />
<i>We walk on the same way as Christ did</i>, in Him and through Him, also to go to the Father. We are to be reconciled to the Father, our Father.<br />
<br />
Christ's Words bring us the full measure of His joy in us. And in preparing His disciples for His death, departure, and ascension, He prayed for them this way,<br />
<h4 style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
John 17</h4>
<span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26762" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">13</sup> “I am coming to you now, but<span style="color: lime;"><b> I say these things while I am still in the world, so that they may have the full measure of my joy within them.</b></span></span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26763" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">14</sup> I have given them your word and the world has hated them, for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26764" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">15</sup> <span style="color: orange;"><b>My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.</b></span></span><span style="color: orange;"><b><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26765" style="font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: text-top;">16</sup> They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span></b></span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26766" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">17</sup> Sanctify<sup class="footnote" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV1984-26766b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=john%2017&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-26766b" style="color: #b37162; text-decoration: none;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup> them by the truth; your word is truth.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26767" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">18</sup> As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26768" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">19</sup> For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified.</span><br />
<span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><br /></span><br />
The disciples received over the Great Commission from the Lord. They were not to be taken or removed from the hostile climate of the world, and instead of being exempted from the human life, they were enabled to do the work for the gospel they had been left with, and were guarded as they were sent out.<br />
<br />
Christ Himself said this -<br />
<br />
<h4 style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
John 12</h4>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26597" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">27</sup> “Now my heart is troubled, and what shall I say? ‘Father, save me from this hour’? No, it was for this very reason I came to this hour.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-26598" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">28</sup> Father, glorify your name!”</span><br />
<br />
I may not be exempted from life, and it is not right to ask that I be taken out of this time and world. My life is purposed.<br />
<br />
In the same attitude of my Lord, while I am troubled and in difficult circumstances, my prayer must be higher and better, to ask God to glorify His Name above my present circumstances.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>My labour is for God's glory. I am not to hope that my life can be passed over quickly, but to work for the gospel, that Christ Jesus and other better men have poured out their lives to advance. </b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
If you are a friend, pray for me, to be wise, loving and faithful to the Lord. That He will make known clearly His will for me in this time and in this life. Your brotherly kindness and love for me is very appreciated!<br />
<br />
<br />Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-31573560563927135322012-02-11T19:29:00.002+08:002012-02-11T19:29:57.811+08:00I will not always have something edifying to share, though I must be careful so my personal expression may not harm the faith of any persons. <div>
<br /></div>
<div>
None of this life is easy, but some things are harder than others. I would like to be doing well in all areas or at least give off the projection that I am, but looking like you are doing well uses up too much effort-energy I do not have. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A year ago today, I was in Hendon Camp, feeling extremely sorrowful because my friends were ORD-ing and I did not have the chance to say goodbye to them because I was in airborne training. I eventually went back to my office on a Sunday and saw their Post-It messages on my wall, bidding me goodbye. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
This means that I have been an Army Regular for over a year, and I look back to wonder if I had made the best/right choice, in staying on with the force. I certainly wondered then, when my friends left service for good. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I see that I was able to do so many additional things in the later part of the year, beyond the 1 Year 10 Month expiry date, and took on assignments, activities that friends envied. Although my decision-making was not made with complete acknowledgement of the Lord, He has been gracious in my placement and my predicament. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
However, I'm growing surer that everything in this life must be based on Biblical principles. How we live and why we live must be in obedience and conformity to Christ. He has redeemed us from wickedness for Himself. Our lives are not our own independent ones, but lived most to the fullest through submission and trust in our God. </div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
The areas of doubt and vexation are new and heavy, but I need to continually acknowledge that my God has sovereignty over me, and that I must be in line with His Word, and that His will be done, on earth as it is in heaven, and especially in, on, through my person. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
While I am unsettled and in some distress, I know what to hold on to, and where my strength and my life comes from. My God is trustworthy, even while men may not be believed easily. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I believe, <i>the powerful Word of God is a powerful authority. We must be as faithful to it as possible. We do not allow so much room for modern culture or changed times to affect the principles and recommendations the apostles imparted and made to the early church. </i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>Must the Gospel be reinvented or re-represented to be relevant to our very much "advanced" society? I do not think we are advanced at all, in the spiritual sense. Rather our civilisation's improvements give room for more wickedness and godlessness. We may not say that now society and culture is different, so we take/use the Word differently.</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<i>If anything, we are more godless today and our human strengths has increased our pride. We stand on our own independence and intelligence now. God is not necessary. We are progressive, but we are more destructive. The Word however, is still accurate about the condition of men even today. </i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I am still vexed, but I will need to continue exercising my trust and dependence on Him, and wait upon Him to direct my paths. He has been good and faithful to me. I am to put my confidence and hope in Him.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-50053326385084357742012-01-31T18:55:00.000+08:002012-01-31T18:55:13.440+08:00Love and ForgiveI had not yet expected the increase in loading with this new year and new season, and I recognize more and more that without God's help, I cannot do any, if not all, of the things well.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: blue;"><b>I need to do well in faith, in school and in body, not neglecting any of my family, friends and my girlfriend. </b></span>I have done poorly in these, one way or the other.<br />
<br />
How may I take up a hobby and suspend my care for these people and affairs? I should not have time to engage in small activities that are small and will be of no consequence when lined up against these.<br />
My best energies cannot be used to please myself alone.<br />
<br />
My eyes ordinarily see only myself. If I live only by what I see and what I care to see, I will neglect and harm others, as I live my day out.<br />
<br />
I must not give in to anger easily, but instead love in tenderness, gentleness and kindness.<br />
<br />
Love covers all offenses; it does not blame or hold wrongs against one another. It does not invoke jealousy or guilt.<br />
<br />
We may not love perfectly, but we may learn more and more from our God, who is Love.<br />
<br />
<h4 style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
1 John 4</h4>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30595" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">7</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30596" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">8</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30597" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">9</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son</span><sup class="footnote" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV1984-30597b" title="See footnote b">b</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20john%204&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-30597b" style="color: #b37162; text-decoration: none;" title="See footnote b">b</a>]</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> into the world that we might live through him. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30598" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">10</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for</span><sup class="footnote" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;" value="[<a href="#fen-NIV1984-30598c" title="See footnote c">c</a>]">[<a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20john%204&version=NIV1984#fen-NIV1984-30598c" style="color: #b37162; text-decoration: none;" title="See footnote c">c</a>]</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> our sins. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30599" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: text-top;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b>11</b></span></sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><span style="color: #38761d;"><b> Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. </b></span></span><span style="color: #38761d;"><b><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30600" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.75em; vertical-align: text-top;">12</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.</span></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30601" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">13</sup> We know that we live in him and he in us, because he has given us of his Spirit. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30602" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">14</sup> And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30603" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">15</sup> If anyone acknowledges that Jesus is the Son of God, God lives in him and he in God. <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30604" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">16</sup> And so we know and rely on the love God has for us.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><b>God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.</b></span> <sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30605" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">17</sup> <span style="color: #38761d;"><b>In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him. </b></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30606" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">18</sup> There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.</div>
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Our hearts must turn to God. Our hearts should be hearts that seek the LORD, even in joy, or in sorrow and anguish. <span style="color: red;"><b>We must bring our feelings and emotions before the Lord, those feelings that we can or cannot help feeling. </b></span>We are not to think of our problems apart/ away from God. We are to pray in all things. <span style="color: blue;"><b>Prayer is our first and best response.</b></span><br />
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<br />We are in human company and we bruise, offend one another daily. We need to forgive and love those who harm us, and even more so if they are our friends.<br />
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We are not to bear grudges or store in our minds and hearts the offenses of others. We do not count their wrongs against them but love them past these. <i>Love keeps no record of wrongs.</i><br />
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<span style="color: orange;"><b>It is necessary to forgive</b></span>, for in Matthew 6:14-15, Jesus said:<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-23297" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">14</sup> For if you forgive men when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><span class="woj" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-23298" style="font-size: 0.75em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">15</sup>But if you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.</span><br />
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And He said this, after having taught us how to pray. We are instructed to pray and ask God to "<i>forgive us our debts as we also have forgiven our debtors</i>".<br />
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Jesus says this <i>absolutely</i>, and in the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant in Matthew 18, Jesus said that <i>unless</i> we forgive our brother who has sinned against us from the heart, there will be no canceling of debts.<br />
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We must forgive others, just as how God forgives us - He has done it first. We are to love uncommonly, with uncommon strength and uncommon motivation, all received from our God, who is Love.<br />
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We are to pray for God to fill us with His love for Him and for others, that we may have the strength and love to forgive others who have done us wrong.<br />
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I may not do this by myself, for I do not have much love. But God will pour His love into my heart by His Holy Spirit, already given me.<br />
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<b><span style="color: red;">Christ lives in us; we must also live in Christ.</span></b><br />
May His love be made complete in each of us.Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-16541659715489734532012-01-13T11:44:00.000+08:002012-01-13T11:44:16.645+08:00The Powerful Word of GodI really enjoyed last night's fellowship, where the few of us were able to pray and cover each other and nourish each other with the Word. Glen wanted to hear if we had any New Year Resolutions, and I shared my principle in which I would try and be faithful to in the year. <div>
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Last year I tried to fit prayer into my day. This year, I mean to <i>fit my day into prayer</i>. There are blessings when we pray fervently, when we go before our Father and seek to know and spend time in Him. </div>
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The Word has to become important to us, for we are those who stand on the Word of God. We hold on to it as our Truth, our food and our guide. We submit and subject ourselves to the living powerful Word. The Book of Hebrews speaks on how potent the Sword of the Spirit is. </div>
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<b>Hebrews 4</b></div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30011" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">12</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> For the word of God is <span style="color: red;">living and active</span>. <span style="color: blue;">Sharper than any double-edged sword</span>, it <span style="color: #274e13;">penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow</span>;<span style="color: orange;"> it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.</span></span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-30012" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">13</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of him to whom we must give account.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: large;">Today's study,</span></span></div>
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<b>Clothe Yourselves With the Lord Jesus Christ</b> instead of (rather than) thinking of how to gratify desires of the sinful nature. - <b>Romans 13:14</b></div>
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We are to go away from observing the desires of the flesh and giving heed to what we feel we would do better with and please our hearts. These things are often harmful things.</div>
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We are to put on His humility, His love for God and for men, His attitudes, His devotion to prayer, His obedience to the Father, and His virtues of compassion, patience, gentleness. </div>
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<b>Philippians 2</b></div>
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<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29377" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">1</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29378" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">2</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and purpose. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29379" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">3</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit, but in humility consider others better than yourselves. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29380" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">4</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.</span><div style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;">
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29381" style="font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">5</sup> Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus:</div>
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We who have been united with Christ, we who have been comforted by His deep love for us, we who have fellowship, if we have any tenderness and compassion, then we should be like-minded as Christ.</div>
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We are to always be concerned with Christ; He is the author and perfecter of our salvation. </div>
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We must have the same love for God and for men, we need to examine our own motivations. </div>
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How much of self is in there, where we work for "myself" and no one else matters? In humility we must not consider ourselves better than others. We should also look out for the interests of others, building up and feeding others. </div>
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We should be more and more humble, more and more obedient, at the cost of injustice, at the cost of painful death, humiliation, torture in the example of our Saviour. The Son of God left His place of glory and let unclean men execute Him. He lived in complete obedience to the Father all His earthly life. <span style="color: red;">His priority on earth, His food was to do the will of the Father. </span></div>
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This is the Christ we must be like; we are meant and enabled now, to be like. </div>
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We must be conscious that the putting on of Christ and being like-minded as Him is continuous and life-long. <span style="color: blue;">We may not put off Christ at any point in time.</span> It is to become a stronger and better fit. </div>
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I am an observer of <span style="font-size: large;">Christianity in Singapore </span>today and also elsewhere in the world. Can I match the work being done in these lands and in these ways to be for the Kingdom of Heaven? </div>
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I am concerned that mainstream Christianity may not be the narrow way at all, that it could really be the easy, comfortable broad way to destruction that we may cruise along. </div>
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What are Churches like to today:</div>
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- The reverence for God is low.</div>
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- Holiness is low, sin is tolerated and not dealt with. </div>
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- There is a lot of flashy spiritual experience and demonstration, but no lasting fruit and no resultant holiness. </div>
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- There is less of the Word and less knowledge in the congregation.</div>
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- There is no strong and deep concern for the poor and the homeless. </div>
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- The love for money is preserved and is fed. </div>
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- There is no impact on the world, no power, no fruit. </div>
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God seeks to purify His people for Him. </div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 16px;"><span style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Titus 2</b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29904" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">11</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29905" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">12</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29906" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">13</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> while we wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of our great God and Savior,</span><span style="background-color: yellow;"><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> Jesus Christ, </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV1984-29907" style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">14</sup><span style="font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.</span></span></div>
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God's purpose for us is very clear in verse 14. It is a simple way to check ourselves and our concerns and directions. We are supposed to be a different people, shining stars who may show others that there is a way to be saved, and there is a Name by which they may be saved. We should do good to <i>others</i>, not just ourselves!</div>
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My point is not a condemnation or to usurp the Spirit's work in conviction. Rather I want to question and identify this mismatch with the power of the Word and the Gospel and how transformative it is. </div>
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The Gospel is not an upgrade to make you a better human being. It is to completely overhaul one person, because he is completely faulty, he needs more than new parts. He needs a new heart, a new mind and a new spirit. If a person is properly changed by God's Spirit, he is a new creature, and he will be more and more godly and less and less of the old himself.</div>
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My knowledge and my understanding is for the glory of Christ, not myself. When I start to think I am better, I begin to displace other men in my mind with my own increasing self importance. I am delighted I may share, but I realize I may have more material to be proud in these instances. </div>
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<br /></div>Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-2200938004468829862012-01-03T00:48:00.004+08:002012-01-03T00:54:31.331+08:002011 in ReviewAnd so we are in the new year, whether we are willing or not. And it is my fashion to take stock of the year past so I may give thanks and be amazed at the ways I have been blessed and I have grown.<br />
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This year turned out so much better than I expected; it seems to have been a rich year of the Lord's favour upon me. It was a time of growing in Christian manhood, on a diet of the Word.<br />
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I became a Regular Officer, jumped by parachute from a plane, went to Europe (Italy), became a student again, met a very special and important girl, and got baptized.<br />
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<span style="color: red;"><u>Phase 1</u>: </span>Assuming command as OC, IPPT Gold, Airborne Course, SAF Paracounselor Course, seeing justice meted out on an underperforming and irresponsible superior.<br />
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I was in my element as an Officer and leader, leading and teaching and moving men.<br />
It was a surprise to receive the opportunity to attend the coveted BAC and also good to have attended the Paracounselor course.<br />
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The last one was to see the last of an individual who was a terrible administrator, officer, leader and soldier all in one flesh. That I had a small part to play in effecting justice. Ah, it was sweet to pave the way for the true facts to come out. I am still struggling to overcome my severe dislike for him.<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><u>Phase 2</u>:</span> Coming out of command into a Staff role, preparing for (and going to) Italy with Hakim and growing in faith and obedience.<br />
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<span style="color: #38761d;"><u>Phase 3</u>:</span> Coming to University and meeting with good friends, Christian brothers and my girlfriend.<br />
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God is faithful, and when I begun to seek His way to live, He assisted me. He provided me with good environment to study the Word and pray in private, brothers and sisters to encourage me and move to Him jointly in worship; He also added to me wisdom and understanding.<br />
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I was barely conscious that I was worked on early in the year. It was when I held to the Word again as my first food that I grew stronger and surer in faith. I matured more, though not completely. I grew more sensible of my thirst and I looked for the Living Water. Time spent in Him and with Him brought change and growth.<br />
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I am so glad that with her, the timing was good and natural, and we were safe-kept in body and in purity for one another. How heartbreaking would it have been if any exclusive affection for each other had been given first to someone else before.<br />
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It was very good that I did not court her for her physical beauty, but that I had first noticed her faith and her loveliness in nature. That there were fruits of good character that I saw above outward qualities. So our relationship may begin on less fickle things like our faith which is to be life-long and sure, instead of tastes and personality.<br />
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Now we look to love each other beyond the flesh. We guard and protect each other in thought, speech and action. We show affection, we think for the other. We are mindful that our love for Christ must be higher and first. If we both submit to God, we would not believe we are always correct and faultless. We would not fan jealousy, but instead when the other is worried, we reassure each other with more love and affection. This is sweet and safe.<br />
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<u>Lessons Remembered and Sealed in Memory</u>:<br />
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<i style="background-color: yellow;">God puts His Christians in fire to refine them</i> - <b>Daniel 3</b><br />
Shadrach, Meshach and Abdenego were thrown in the furnace, and they uncommonly trusted God beyond their lives. They were not consumed, but their faith and their God was proven to be true.<br />
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Am I ready to be put into the furnace? When He judges I am, He will. He has the good outcome in mind. While the furnace is exceedingly hot, He may keep me from being burnt up.<br />
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Christians have no power. Our faith has no power. The Word seems to be ineffective. I see more clearly that <span style="background-color: yellow;">we have no power because we let the Word lie</span>, and we do not fast or pray. We do not know God well because we do not spend much time in His Presence. If this is so, can we bear to spend forever with Him? He occupies all of heaven!<br />
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I may spend a lot of time thinking of and thinking about Him, but <span style="background-color: yellow;">if I do not pray and go to Him, I will not <i>know</i> Him.</span> He is the Person whom I am to love.<br />
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I am to be a faithful man, that's all. Not intelligent, not rich, not physically strong. I am to be faithful to my God and to my wife when I do have one.<br />
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The Holy Spirit is holy. His work is to make holy. If whatever takes place has no resultant holiness or a reverence for Christ, can we be sure it is the Holy Spirit of God?<br />
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We are to grow more obedient, more submissive, and not rebellious. With our parents and with God.<br />
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Proverbs 19: 21 - <i>Many are the plans in a man's heart, but it is the Lord's purpose that prevails. </i><br />
We must not contest God's plans with our own, but instead take on His plan.<br />
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<u>Things I have done poorly, and I need to improve</u>-<br />
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1. I have loved my friends and my family poorly. I did not do well with my family. I lived apart from them, and did not mind them much.<br />
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2. I am not a hard worker. A man must work, and work hard.<br />
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3. I am not a spiritual man, I am one who lives in the body. I wish to roam free outside God's law and Word, but still be credited as righteous and seen as impressive.<br />
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<u>Romans 12: 10</u> - <i>Be devoted to one another in brotherly love. <span style="color: red;">Honour one another above yourselves. </span></i><br />
With this last sentence, I see that I have consistently sought to do the reverse.<br />
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I have accumulated many good days, good meals, good friends and good times. God is exceedingly kind and He continues to be. I have prayed and I am hopeful that 2012 will continue to be a year of His good favour with me.<br />
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Yet if I become poor or sick or hungry, may I turn and say that He is not kind or good? In 2012, how to walk if not crawl, is to have the Word as our constant companion.Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-43611617966220397412011-12-27T22:34:00.000+08:002011-12-27T22:34:53.614+08:00Week 52<br />
I am proud of my humility. I want to shout to everyone that I am humble and that there must be some credit given to me, because I am able to concede I am so.<br />
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My pride has swelled and returned to getting in the way. I did put it to death, but now I have resurrected the old nature and given it a small steady diet to live on. <b><span style="color: red;">My pride magnifies me and steals glory from God's grace.</span></b> That all the good things received were hard-fought and taken by my own person instead of given out of lovingkindness from Him.<br />
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Sometimes when we give thanks for a meal, especially one we make ourselves, we may think: why are we thanking Him when we have made it? But we need to go back and think, Who managed the conditions for the crops to grow? Who permitted the farmer's industry to reap produce? Who caused the seeds and the creatures to grow?<br />
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<span style="color: blue;"><b>Everything on this good earth reflect God's sovereignty and His providence.</b></span> If we do not acknowledge Him or give thanks, we are ungrateful.<br />
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I am borrowing words from Leonard Ravenhill: <i>Isn't it amazing that God gives breath to a man who is going to blaspheme (curse) Him all day?</i><br />
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We are ungrateful most times. When we thank Him, it seems that those times are aberrations- exceptions.<br />
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I have not written because I have not had concrete reflections, or the time to represent them here. I have given a lot of time, mind and heart to my new relationship, which I do not regret in the least, but I have displaced my First Love with my new sweetheart in many ways and times. My relationship with my Father cannot be overtaken by any other, though it is easier/ convenient to relate someone who is corporeal and very near.<br />
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At work and all through life, a challenge is this: <b><span style="color: #274e13;">to be honourable men even when nobody sees</span></b>.<br />
With minimal supervision, we must still strive to be blameless and upright. <br />
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This world has so much stimulus! It recommends, and inflames us with lustful desires, envy, and unclean appetites. The world environment, culture is hostile. It does not permit holiness. TV, advertisements arouse our lust and whet our appetites for violence and other dark things.<br />
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What is my defense against sin, trials, temptations? Only the powerful Word of God.<br />
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In self-reflection, I am surprised at how I can hate a man in a matter of minutes! It is so easy and so natural to hate and to harm. Not even with weapons, but with harsh words. We need to put our hearts right and ask for Him to shed His love abroad in our hearts by His Holy Spirit. </div>
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May we relate to the world with clean hands, and to God with pure hearts. </div>
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I am not persistent in prayer. I presume that having addressed it once or twice, it has been taken up for action by Him and that I can ease off. It is recommended to pray <i>without ceasing</i> and I have not been able to keep at this.<br />
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I am pessimistic about people and the quality of their profession of faith, and the activities of Church communities. But I am so hopeful that those who belong to Christ and are assured in Christ will be secure in His love and grace. That their endeavours are sanctioned and helped by Him, and not vain human efforts to move people.<br />
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I hold on to this,<br />
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<h3 style="background-color: white; color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">
Titus 2</h3>
<div class="txt-sm" style="background-color: white; color: #5c1101; font-family: Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">
New International Version (NIV)</div>
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<br />
<sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29920" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">11</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people.</span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29921" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">12</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> It <span style="color: blue;">teaches us to say “No”</span> to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to <span style="color: red;">live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age</span>, </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29922" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">13</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> <span style="color: #38761d;">while we wait for the blessed hope</span>—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, </span><sup class="versenum" id="en-NIV-29923" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 0.65em; font-weight: bold; vertical-align: text-top;">14</sup><span style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Charis SIL', charis, Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px;"> who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good.</span><br />
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-What His grace offers and how it transforms us, and what we are all waiting expectantly for.<br />
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Next post will be a close, to record, what I have learnt, how I have been blessed, and who have helped me in all ways of my living this year in 2011.<br />
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Ravenhill said this: <i>Are you wiser in God (now) than you were last year this time? Peter says we are to grow in the grace and knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ.</i><br />
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Where may I say that, yes I have!Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-42579664452503366292011-12-05T21:58:00.001+08:002011-12-05T22:55:33.065+08:00The awkward merger between Soldier and StudentI returned to the use of my old Nokia phone today, because the new red one that cost me $65 was a useless blend of plastic and unknown substances that could not make audible phone calls.<br />
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It was good, because it was a reminder of where I was in August and it preserved the numbers of important friends from before NTU and during Army. I also made several short reflections in the saved messages, while I had not grown sensitive to the power of the Blackberry:<br />
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- <i>I am looking for someone to share a life with, raise children and worship God together. </i><br />
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- <i>Why do we read the Old Testament? Because the LORD our God is the same yesterday, today(and forever). How He deals with men is always out of His righteous justice, love, mercy and kindness. </i><br />
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-<i>Flew over Greece, Lebanon, the mountains, Naples and other landforms, over oceans and all.</i><br />
(while en-route to Rome, Italy)<br />
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And today, I met a new person who was neither a commando nor a commander, but a private soldier and he was so arrogant and severely deficient in the department of respect; for even the seasoned Warrant Officers and the Officers. I suspect S3 picked on him because of his irreverential posture.<br />
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My thoughts were these: <i>is there a need to compete egos with proud people? What is the basis of his constructed ego? Is it competence, popularity or public affirmation? </i><br />
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Pride or the lack of humility is mostly ignorance. One does not know his proper place relative to his seniors, his betters, and his elders and while having a false view of himself, behaves as if the rest are beneath him.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">We are a generation who lack respect</span> for those who are our elders, our peers and those who are placed socially lower than us.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;">My baptism was not spectacular nor especially special.</span> It was a necessary obedience. But it was significant, and according to my mother, it was "irreversible" and that I could not offer incense to my grandparents later in time. I believe she had more to say and mourn about, but they will come later, when she can find the words to say.<br />
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Like Jimmy says, sometimes non-believers have a better sense of how significant something like this is. I was not expecting a party or a swarm of well-wishers. But I was glad to have my OCS buddy Ahbi, my spiritual brother Jeremy Loh and my elder brothers in faith, Tze Liang and Daniel Lim come to the service.<br />
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I'm really glad Jeremy took a good HD video, that I could re-visit in later years to see the amazing growth in Christ since Dec 2011 and give thanks appropriately. Tze Liang and Daniel were good Christian brothers when I was in the BB that showed me the amount of patience, kindness and gentleness a man can have, learning in the pattern of Christ.<br />
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My aunt and cousins and my sisters came as well. It was a good time to be with family, and we had many laughs after at the Soup Spoon, especially now that we were more grown up and understood humour better. We talked about forming committees in the family for feasts, and taking over the decision making for birthdays and mothers' day. I think these days will come soon. Leticia and co. helped me pick out cards that I would use to write to friends.<br />
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I really appreciate the good gifts that add to my Christian library and how my cell mates came to the later service out of their usual schedule. I am glad we may fellowship and grow together. It was a good day and I realized that it was the proper timing and proper place to be baptized. To wait no more, but be baptized!<br />
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In so many ways, I do not expect God to help me. And this way, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">I forget He cares, and undermines His deep love for me.</span> There is a need to remember He loves us and that we are now worthy because He has loved us. The Lord is my first love and I must return to Him, and remain with Him.<br />
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Lastly, I was also dreaming of the disconnected future and succumbed to imagining events that were not due for a long time. Today, I could almost hear the Lord say, "these things I am preparing for you. You must not think about them before time".<br />
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I need to learn to obey and ask for His help in so many ways. Although many times I am so unwilling to pray, I know enough that so many (all) things are subject to Him and I must recognize and plead for His grace. I also know that prayer has the power to bring about change.<br />
So we must pray.<br />
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<br />Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-36167918200858218062011-12-03T16:46:00.001+08:002011-12-03T17:09:25.938+08:00Stole some time to write before I would get ready to leave the house and go for part 2 of the wedding at Four Seasons Hotel's Ballroom.<br />
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This is the most happening week in a long time - reporting back to the army, a wedding and my baptism make up one weekend. I do not have time to see the people I love, and for long also because I have been claimed by so many engagements.<br />
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I still have to adapt to this foreign pace of things and spend time with the parents, with my brothers in the faith and with Agnes. It does not help that my phone is going to become a dummy phone with no internet capabilities. On that the day in Singtel when I settled for a Blackberry Bold with camera, I suspected I'd feel the backlash on some day. That day is here.<br />
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I came across the tagline multiple times, <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">"live fast, die young"</span>.<br />
It sounds cool, detached and uninterested. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;"><b>However it is a terrible carelessness</b></span> and captures the irresponsible living of people who use this as their maxim.<br />
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Often, they live to please their own persons and they leave out God. Our lives are not lived for ourselves and our individual pleasures. We live with others, and we live lives before God. We are accountable for how we have lived, why we have lived and if we have known Him and walked in His ways.<br />
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Daily, I need to reconfigure my entire person - Who to hope in and what to hope for? Only good things or to continue in Him?<br />
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"Am I doing well" - I find it hard to answer this question. There are so many parts of me that are inconsistent and to correctly represent where I am in all these parts is difficult. I am teetering on the edge of sickness, I am hardly mentally sharp and I am not as in shape as I would like.<br />
I am vulnerable to weakness, temptation of all forms and mild depression. But in my living, I have His grace with gives me the ability to go on, because His grace enables me to stand and stand against all these parts that bog me down.<br />
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I will do better, because He is still at work to make me like Him. Although it takes time to get to completion or anywhere near.<br />
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<br />Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-40561078120712420162011-12-01T21:08:00.001+08:002011-12-02T00:10:00.306+08:00On the Cusp of Soldierhood AgainI am on the other side of time, looking back on the past November and it is clearer that God is good and closely present in all parts of my life.<br />
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I am returning back to service, and comparing with when I was leaving, I'm returning to the army so much better off! I did not imagine that I would return with someone special in my heart and that I would do so much better in His grace.<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: orange;"><b>Ikea Wednesday</b></span> was a simple and sweet outing, and it was unexpected that I actually ended up doing the bulk of the buying. Things that were good and cheap could not be let off! Wednesday was a good food day, and I managed to eat a great deal. There were so much good food that had to be savoured, and at her place, we were blessed with a steamboat dinner. It was time well spent, and with a very excellent group of people, and of course, a single delightful person.<br />
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;">Meeting her parents</span></b> was not easy, but very important. We are not in a secret relationship, and we need to be accountable to those that love us. It was necessary for me to meet with her father and share with him my faith and my life. It is good to be in a proper, official relationship where her parents are involved and they approve. I am not to enter into a close relationship with someone's daughter without letting him know. But now, we have their parents praying for us, and looking out for us. This is a good and safe way to go.<br />
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I think He brought us together certainly not only for our individual joy and pleasures. We are to grow in love and faith, and edify others. We are members of the body of Christ, and we are not the only members.<br />
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We are to come together and honour God, and we should seek that God will continue to confirm that this is His will that we join together not casually, but with stronger and stronger commitment to each other. There is a need to be careful, because we see that it can be exceedingly good if we obey Him.<br />
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There is timely goodness in store for both of us.<br />
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After the <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: blue;">exams</span></b>, a man needs to take a good look at himself. We must be capable of reflection and self-examination. Paying attention and writing notes helped seal the lessons into memory, and revisiting them helped build more onto the roots for recall.<br />
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I must not squander free periods, recess week and the weekends. There are a few good work habits that must be cultivated. Books not read, lessons placed aside and hasty revision instead of gradual increment of knowledge were the methods I resorted do this time. They likely will not reap good rewards. Thankfully the small measure of consistent class-attending helped. I will still be able to keep the head above the water.<br />
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I understood that Pride coerces me to act hastily, in a showy kind of way. At my last paper, I finished quickly and was able to astound others by leaving the exam venue with a swagger. Modern contemporaries call it 'like a boss'. While I was pleased that I did well, it was illuminating to understand more of my own proud person, and how it is so deeply a part of me - <i>I must do well, and I must have others see. </i><br />
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We need to<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #38761d;"> grow in our relationship with our Father</span></b>. I am not just a child asking my Father for gifts on His lap; I am to grow into a son and a man who obeys His Father and pleases Him.<br />
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In praying: If I had not spoken to Him regularly, it will be awkward for me to address Him, to find the words to say to Him.<br />
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There is a lack of effective Christian men in the church. What does God do when this happens?<br />
He raises men up. Hopefully, we are counted among those He is calling and preparing for His use.<br />
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In all, this year and semester has been truly and thoroughly blessed, in ways I did not expect. I do not see what is ahead, but if I follow Him, I have security. Even if life lived is hard and unpleasant.<br />
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I belong to Christ, I am to be more and more His. God's grace given to us has us live and respond differently, passionately and reverentially to Him. We must not resist Him in any way.Bart Churchmanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14212860250499041796noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5881748581326589372.post-44274954086527619792011-11-18T01:05:00.001+08:002011-11-18T01:08:17.563+08:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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