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Hi all, as you may have already know, all the youths/young adults who belong to the English congregation will be invited to do this cardboard testimony. Any other people from the Chinese congregation are welcome to join as well. This will be used for the concert next year. Details of the concert will be posted later, so stay tuned to the blog!!

Many of you are still in doubt how this cardboard thing works, so I re-posted the video on cardboard testimony here again. Hopefully this will make it clearer on how the presentation will be like; and to feel that this is indeed a very meaningful thing to do. There are quite alot of examples inside the video, as well as other videos online, but it'll be better if you can think of your own one. Treat it as something you want to show to others how God used you, how God enter you life and changed you. I believe everyone have their own experiences, so pls try to think of a personal experience with God and share it with others.

So below is the re-post:

Has God changed your life or have you allow God to change your life? This video has shown different testimony of different people, no matter they are once who have rejected Christ or once they are Christian but have left God for some reasons.



"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation" 2 Corinthians 5:17-18
"若有人在基督里，他就是新造的人，舊時已過，都變成新的了。一切都是出于神，他籍著基督使我們與他和好，又將勸人與他和好的職分賜給我們。”哥林多後書5：17-18

-Wayne_zai-

Thanks and enjoy doing this cardboard testimony item together! =D
-wing

Experienced God @
10:00 PM
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Let's pray for Jeff and Joshua's training..


==> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7E_40sglN7E&feature=channel


(from Edison and Chris)

Experienced God @
12:47 AM
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He said, 'Take now your son...' - Genesis 22: 2

God's command is, "Take now," not later. It is incredible how we debate! We know something is right, but we try to find excuses for not doing it immediately. If we are to climb the height God reveals, it can never be done later - it must be done now. And the sacrifice must be worked through our will before we actually perform it.

"So Abraham rose early in the morning... and went to the place of which God had told him" (Genesis 22: 3). Oh, the wonderful simplicity of Abraham! When God spoke, he did not "confer with flesh and blood" (Galatians 1: 16). Beware when you want to "confer with flesh and blood" or even your own thoughts, insights, or understandings - anything that is not based on your personal relationship with God. These are all things that compete with and hinder obedience to God.

Abraham did not choose what the sacrifice would be. Always guard against self-chosen service for God. Self-sacrifice may be a disease that impairs your service. If God has made your cup sweet, drink it with grace; or even if He has made it bitter, drink it in communion with Him. If the providential will of God means a hard and difficult time for you, go through it. But never decide the place of your own martyrdom, as if to say, "I will only go to there, but no farther." God chose the test for Abraham, and Abraham neither delayed nor protested, but steadily obeyed. If you are not living in touch with God, it is easy to blame Him or pass judgement on Him. You must go through the trial before you have any right to pronounce a verdict, because by going through the trial you learn to know God better. God is working in us to reach His highest goals until His purpose and our purpose become one.

Experienced God @
11:21 AM
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最近我的一些想法得到一些肯定，或者有更多收穫 :D。

我最近從趣靈閣（p.s. pls correct if the Chinese name is wrong) (Soul Garden) 借了一本穎茵介紹的一本書，名為《心靈愛語》(Inner Voice of Love)。這本書可以用十個字來概論-從人的軟弱看神的大能。這本書有趣的地方是它不用你從頭讀到尾(cool right?）也可以得到你想要的東西（最適合我這種懶人:p）。在content page，你可以根據你心裡最切身的問題，找到你要的答案或者方向，正是所謂的“對症下藥”。

Example:
「我的心很煩躁，再找不到一件事物，可以令我滿足和安頓下來」去 Pg.39 標題《歸家吧》
「我發覺自己越來越不喜歡周圍的人。他們需要我的時候，我曾經一次又一次的付出給他們，但現在我需要他們的時候，他們卻離我而去。我心生怨憤」去pg 35. 標題《為你的愛設下界線》

我讀了好幾個Chapter，但有個Chapter 我是令我深刻的。

「我渴慕親近神，經歷他在的恩澤，但我對自己的教會生活卻不滿意」標題《繼續與大夥兒在一起》。

作者提到各人在靈命成長的旅途上，“當中必有一些時候，你總會因為所發生的事而感到困惑，甚至失望”。我覺得這是真的。耶穌說"在世上你們有苦難" (約16：33上) , 詩歌也有一首“神未應許天色常藍。

他提醒了我們“要渡過這一切，非常重要的是繼續與整個身體在一起，並且知道你的旅程不單是爲了你自己，也是爲了所有其他屬於這個身體的人。”我們都知道基督是我們的頭，弟兄姐妹是肢體。我們每個人，不管是在教會是怎樣的角色，都是靠著耶穌基督的血得救。既然我們是不可分割，一人受苦就是全個身子受苦。如果我們要改變，就需要整個身子改變；如果我們氣餒，這個身子也不能好到那裡去。

在這個靈命成長的旅程，我們要彼此鼓勵，彼此勸勉。這個路程一定不容易走。作者提到耶穌并說“他踏上自己的旅程，又呼召門徒跟隨他，即使到他們不願意到的地方。”我們願意呼召別的弟兄姐妹走耶穌基督的路程嗎？

當我們想再與大夥一起走這個旅程時，我們要對主承認我們的軟弱，承認我們對周邊的弟兄姐妹有不滿，靈命不得成長，甚至被絆倒。但當我們想到主耶穌雖然好的靈命，也願意與靈命低落的門徒同行，我們學到各人靈命成長需要付出……需要接納……需要彼此。

“付出”的行動：想出兩三個靈命低落的弟兄姐妹……關懷他們……為他們靈命輔導。
“接納”的行動：想到耶穌基督要帶他的靈命不濟的門徒到客西馬尼園共度艱苦的時光，我們就學到接納。我們需要接納弟兄姐妹的軟弱，因為我們也有軟弱。

結語：真的，靈命成長不是我們一個人的旅程。付出接納我們周邊的弟兄姐妹，一同彼此鼓勵在真道扎根建立，我們才能有靈命成長。在這幾年來，我感受到什麽是我和弟兄姐妹是同屬一個肢體。每當我得知有弟兄姐妹離開了或要離開我們，不管他是在我們當中多久或親密與否，我是真的心痛，像是被截肢的是。我會覺得也許我的付出不夠，不夠體貼的他們的需要。

如果神要安排我們在一些弟兄姐妹之間學會一些靈命的功課，不管我們到那裡都不能躲避，所以與弟兄姐妹靠著神一同渡過面對困難是靈命成長最佳的方法。

-waynest- 11/11/09






Experienced God @
7:58 PM
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As I turn on my old laptop, I got to the devotion webpage which I had set it to be my homepage. This is so that whenever I go online and open a browser, I will be reminded to do a daily devotion first. Although at that time I only read the main passage of the devotion without flipping through the bible for the verses, but it still reminds me of God each day, which is a good thing isn't it?

Here, I want to share about today's daily devotion, and I've copied out the bible passage (in English) for your easy reference:

Isaiah 12 - Songs of Praise

1 In that day you will say:
"I will praise you, O LORD.
Although you were angry with me,
your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me.

2 Surely God is my salvation;
I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD, is my strength and my song;
he has become my salvation."

3 With joy you will draw water
from the wells of salvation.

4 In that day you will say:
"Give thanks to the LORD, call on his name;
make known among the nations what he has done,
and proclaim that his name is exalted.

5 Sing to the LORD, for he has done glorious things;
let this be known to all the world.

6 Shout aloud and sing for joy, people of Zion,
for great is the Holy One of Israel among you."

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十一月九日　各有其效用
讀經： 以賽亞書第十二章
金句： 「看哪，神是我們的拯救，我要倚靠祂，並不懼怕。」（賽十二：2）
全年讀經： 約翰福音十八至廿一章
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一天，兩位朋友在街上相遇。他們一同走了幾幢大廈的路程。在這段路上的交談中，一人對另一人說：「今天我讀聖經時，發現一節很好的經句。」他的朋友問：「那是甚麼經文呢?

」「詩篇五十六：3」他答道。「經文說：『我懼怕的時候要倚靠祢。』」對方面露笑容說：「這很好。不過今天我讀經時，讀到一節更好的經文，就是以賽亞書十二：2『我要倚靠祂，並不懼怕。』」 其實二者各有其效用！有時我們會忽然被驚心喪膽的環境所包圍，遇到這情形，我們應怎樣應付呢?

聖詩作者說得好：「我常處鬥爭中，被仇敵壓迫，我就逃到避難所（神），傾吐我的苦情。」征服恐懼之鑰是立即信靠神！ 但我們是否每遇困難叢生，我們的反應就是懼怕呢?

不是的。耶穌說：「你們心裏不要憂愁，你們信神，也當信我」（約十四：1）。持續不斷信靠主，就等於豎立一面盾牌，抵禦向我們襲擊的恐懼了。所以，在危急關頭，我們可以向神求助；或者我們可以抱著信靠的心，接受每一種景況，視之為從神而來；而經常與人同在的救主，必賜予我們充足的平安，遠超我們所想所求。二者各有其效用！

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「救主所賜的平安，以往我未認識過。 自從信靠祂更多，我前途更顯光明。」
注目仰望耶穌，你的恐懼必然消失。
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Before I share my thoughts, maybe you want to do a short reflection on yourselves first. :)

My Sharing:
Actually, if you know me, I'm really someone who is worried and anxious about practically everything. I'm those kind who can worry about teeny winy stuffs for like one whole day; easy peasy. But why do I worry so much? If God were to allow these "disaster" or "unhappiness" to happen, can it be really that bad? God must have used these big or small things in our lives to come together for a greater purpose; and if so, why should I have worries or sadness?

God will equip us with the relevant skills to handle whatever situations that God allows in our lives, we shouldn't be fearful. God wouldn't bear to torture us; He is our Father and He loves us. Would a father really like to torture his children? Although this kind of journey of faith may take quite some time to build up, to have total submission and true faith in God, let us be brave to stand strong even in times of weakness. Each trial we face can build up a little faith. And as time goes by, our faith will be stronger. So don't give up hope!
-w.y.

Lastly, I urge all of you who go online often to set your homepage to be a devotional webpage, be it the one I provided above (which they copied from my daily bread) or the RBC one. This will remind us to think of God first before we play or surf net. =) Hope this will benefit you! Cheers!

Labels: Devotion

Experienced God @
9:03 PM
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We do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered - Romans 8: 26

We realize that we are energized by the Holy Spirit for prayer; and we know what it is to pray in accordance with the Spirit; but we don't often realize that the Holy Spirit Himself prays prayers in us which we cannot utter ourselves. When we are born again of God and are indwelt by the Spirit of God, He expresses for us the unutterable.

"He," the Holy Spirit in you, "make intercession for the saints according to the will of God" (Romans 8: 27). And God searches your heart, nit to know what your conscious prayers are, but to find out what the prayer of the Holy Spirit is.

The Spirit of God uses the nature of the believer as a temple in which to offer His prayers of intercession. "... your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit..." (1 Corinthians 6: 19). When Jesus Christ cleansed the temple, "... He would not allow anyone to carry wares through the temple" (Mark 11: 16). The Spirit of God will not allow you to use your body for your own convenience. Jesus ruthlessly cast out everyone who bought and sold in the temple, and said, "My house shall be called a house of prayer... But you have made it a 'den of thieves'" (Mark 11: 17).

Have we come to realize that our "body is the temple of the Holy Spirit"? If so, we must be careful to keep it undefiled for Him. We have to remember that our conscious life, even though only a small part of our total person, is to be regarded by us as a "temple of the Holy Spirit." He will be responsible for the unconscious part which we don't know, but we must pay careful attention to and guard the conscious part for which we are responsible.

Experienced God @
11:26 AM
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"... but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ's sufferings..." - 1 Peter 4: 13

If you are going to be used by God, He will take you through a number of experiences that are not meant for you personally at all. They are designed to make you useful in His hands, and to enable you to understand what takes place in the lives of others. Because of this process, you will never be surprised by what comes your way. You say, "Oh, I can't deal with that person." Why can't you? God gave you sufficient opportunities to learn from Him about that problem; because it seemed foolish to spend your time that way.

The sufferings of Christ were not those of ordinary people. He suffered "according to the will of God" (1 Peter 4: 19), having a different point of view of suffering from ours. It is only through our relationship with Jesus Christ that we can understand what God is after in His dealings with us. When it comes to suffering, it is part of our Christian culture to want to know God's purpose beforehand. In the history of the Christian Church, the tendency has been to avoid being identified with the sufferings of Jesus Christ. People have sought to carry out God's orders through a shortcut of their own. God's way is always the way of suffering - the way of the "long road home".

Are we partakers of Christ's sufferings? Are we prepared for God to stamp out our personal ambitions? Are we prepared for God to destroy our individual decisions by supernaturally transforming them? It will mean not knowing why God is taking us that way, because knowing would make us spiritually proud. We never realize at the time what God is putting us through - we go through it more or less without understanding. Then suddenly we come to a place of enlightenment, and realize - "God has strengthened me and I didn't even know it!"

Experienced God @
9:15 AM
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If you love Me, keep My commandments - John 14: 15

Our Lord never insists obedience. He stresses very definitely what we ought to do, He never forces us to do it. We have to obey Him out of a oneness if spirit with Him. That is why whenever our Lord talked about discipleship, He prefaced it with an "If", meaning, "You do not need to do this unless you desire to do so." "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself..." (Luke 9:23). In other words, "To be My disciple, let him give up his right to himself to Me." Our Lord is not talking about our eternal position, but about our being of value to Him in this life here and now. That is why He sounds so stern (see Luke 14: 26). Never try to make sense from these words by separating them from the One who spoke them.

The Lord does not give me rules, but He makes His standard very clear. If my relationship to Him is that of love, I will do what He says without hesitation. If I hesitate, it is because I love someone I have placed in competition with Him, namely, myself. Jesus Christ will not force me to obey Him, but I must. And as soon as I obey Him, I fulfill my spiritual destiny. My personal life may be crowded with small, petty happenings, altogether insignificant. But if I obey Jesus Christ in the seemingly random circumstances of life, they become pinholes through which I see the face of God. Then, when I stand face to face with God, I will discover that through my obedience thousands were blessed. When God's redemption brings a human soul to the point of obedience, it always produces. If I obey Jesus Christ, the redemption of God will flow through me to the lives of others, because behind the deed of obedience is the reality of the Almighty God.

Experienced God @
5:50 AM
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Do you not know that... you are not your own? - Corinthians 6: 19

There is no such thing as a private life, or a place to hide in this world, for a man or woman who is intimately aware of and shares in the sufferings of Jesus Christ. God divides the private life of His saints and makes it a highway for the world on one hand and for Himself the other. No human being can stand that unless he is identified with Jesus Christ. We are not sanctified for ourselves. We are called into intimacy with the Gospel, and things happen that appear to have nothing to do with us. But God is getting us into fellowship with Himself. Let Him have His way. If you refuse, you will be of no value to God in His redemptive work in the world, but will be a hindrance and a stumbling block.

The first thing God does is get us grounded on strong reality and truth. He does this until our cares for ourselves individually have been brought into submission to His way for the purpose of His redemption. Why shouldn't we experience heartbreak? Through those doorways God is opening up ways of fellowship with His Son. Most of us collapse at the first grip if pain. We sit down at the door of God's purpose and enter a slow death through self-pity. And all the so-called Christian sympathy of others helps us to our deathbed. But God will not. He comes with the grip of the pierced hand of His Son, as if to say, "Enter into fellowship with Me; arise and shine." If God can accomplish His purposes in this world through a broken heart, then why not thank Him for breaking yours?

Experienced God @
9:07 AM
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