I believe we do, at some point in our lives, doubted ourselves. We think we are worthless because of the comparisons we've made with others who are way ahead of us. We feel we are sinful and hopeless because of the mistakes we had done and the awful comments we hear about the ugly side of us.
'When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw Him [Jesus] eating with the "sinners" and tax collectors, they asked His disciples: "Why does He eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
On hearing this, Jesus said to them, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." '
Mark 2:16-17
Verse 17 speaks of the core reason why Jesus came: To redeem His people from their bondages. Be it Christians or non-Christians, we do have areas or issues in our lives that is not called to Christ's likeness yet. We know we need healing, but we often turn to other things or people to help perfect this area in our lives. He came to the lowly, to hear the lowly, to release the lowly. He invites you to a personal banquet, with you as the only special guest and His entire attention is fixed on you alone.
Sometimes we set a barrier to Jesus because we feel we are not worthy to be His child, to be in fellowship with Him. I hope Mark chapter 2 will encourage you that it is when we recognised we are worthless, then God can give you His worth, which is much more than any human worth:)
Look forward to!:
One-Bring-One service on 14 Sept! Let's unite our hearts as one as we join our vision for the church in being active in evangelism:) Yes, in every opportunity this period of time to invite your loved ones, dear friends and unsaved friends to come to know God!! We trust that it will be an awesome service with God moving so vividly through the entire theatre! amen:)
This Week @ Detonate:
Expect something this week! We know God is doing a mighty work here, and as we see how God can move through a different manner, come and join us for a time of intimate praise and worship to our God, our Guide:) Cya all at 4.30pm sharp as we seek God as one ministry, as one unified Detonate standing back to back with one another in this spiritual battle:)) We believe He will be here. Also, Detonate Evangelism is going on at 10am sharp:) Trainers do let Eric know if you are able to help by this Friday and be in church by 1130am:)))
Prayers from the Body:
We thank God for bringing our poly students through the entire exam period! Wee:))) And now for your long-deserved break, I pray that you will use it to honour God just as He keeps you through the entire exam period! Not forgetting our O level students in prayers as they commit this preparatory time unto God. May they be faithful in keeping up with their revision. Persevere on people! It definitely will come to an end! Strive onwards for the goal!
Do remember our NS brothers (Joshua, Yu Po, Matthew, Ziyao, Josiah) who are undergoing their basic training. May the presence of God oversee and protect them as they go through the various trainings. Pray also that they will stand strong on God's promises for them and be a living testimony that draws men to Jesus! Strive on brothers!
Although we are geographically separated, but we are not in spirit and hearts. Do remember our brothers and sisters who are overseas as they press on in their trying times. We know it is not easy being away from their homes and comfort zones but for sure they are in good hands of God. So no matter the obstacles, we are proud of all you guys for giving your difficulties a shot:)) For your help comes from the Lord.
Recently as I was asking a brother whether he has a prayer request, he says he needs prayer in changing his belief from "He cannot" to "He can". Many times in our lives, we often have a lot of "what if" questions that pops out from our mind. Sometimes we feel that we are not good enough and wished to be like another person. However, God has made each of us unique and you are who you are for a purpose. No one is born out of an accident.
I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:14
An unmarried missionary had been disparaging herself. She was unhappy with her life in general,but she was especially displeased with what she felt was her low level spiritual growth. One morning she looked searchingly at herself in the mirror. Then, very slowly, she said, "God, I thank You that I'm myself and can never be anyone else."
That was her moment of liberating self-acceptance. She realised that by God's design she was an absolutely unique person, a Christ-redeemed human being who could never be replaced or duplicated.
Do you condemn yourself because you feel that you aren't good enough? Do you see yourself as a second-rate person, not able to do or accomplish what others can do? We can rise above the mood of self-rejection and enjoy grateful self-acceptance when we put our lives into the nail-pierced hand of Jesus.
"In Him we have redemption through his blood, (and) the forgiveness of sins" Ephesians 1:7
If the Lord has accepted us, surely we can accept ourselves! That's the liberating truth. --- Vernon Grounds
Lets strive towards saying " I can" every moment of our lives!
Look forward to!:
Detonate Evangelism:)) The upcoming wave will start this Saturday 23rd August. Brother Eric (our coordinator) would greatly appreciate you guys who are already trained to help your juniors in DE! Help pass the spirit and passion of evangelism! For more details, do grab hold of Eric or look out for him during annoucements.
This Week @ Detonate:
Discipleship Group Session:):) we are into our part 2 of the 6th quality of learning the Fruit of the Spirit! Congrats for being so faithful in learning! We do hope you have been more developed and shaped by the Holy Spirit! Remember to bring the notes that has been painstakingly prepared by your teachers, it's a practical way to show your appreciation! Cya all at 4.30pmsharp for an hour's time of intense worship and prayer as we seek God as one ministry, as one unified Detonate standing back to back with one another in this spiritual battle:)) We believe He will be here.
Prayers from the Body:
Do keep ourO level studentsin prayers as they commit this entire period unto God. May they be faithful in keeping up with their revision. Persevere on people! It definitely will come to an end! Strive onwards for the goal! And also ourpolytechnic studentswho are also in the midst of their exams. We know it is never an easy period to study but hey! God will honour you when you honour Him with your diligence! Keep the fighting spirit going on:)) You all will be overcomers!
Do remember ourNS brothers(Joshua, Yu Po, Matthew, Ziyao, Josiah) who are undergoing their basic training. May the presence of God oversee and protect them as they go through the various trainings. Pray also that they will stand strong on God's promises for them and be a living testimony that draws men to Jesus! Strive on brothers!
Although we are geographically separated, but we are not in spirit and hearts. Do remember ourbrothers and sisters who are overseasas they press on in their trying times. We know it is not easy being away from their homes and comfort zones but for sure they are in good hands of God. So no matter the obstacles, we are proud of all you guys for giving your difficulties a shot:)) For your help comes from the Lord.
we have a hope.
I'm awed by the first 8 mins of the Beijing Olympics. 2008 men in perfect synergy, hitting the drums in one unison! I only knew my eyes did not leave the screen a single second during that particular item.
'Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever greivances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them together in perfect unity.'
Colossians 3:12-14
I have no exact details what went on exactly for all 2008 men to deliver that item so flawlessly, but I believe it was no small deal. The trainings alone is beyond understanding of those not involved. I guess if you wanna have the exact same arrangement with just 50 people, it's already very laborous. To have each one to hit on the same beat, lifting hands at the same timing, with the same amount of strength and passion, it obviously cannot be accomplished over the night. Sacrifices to come for trainings; the frustrations during failed rehearsals when just one person play a note off the beat; the impatience of waiting for one another to achieve a certain performing standard etc. I would guess they prepared for it for a long long time. That must have gotten alot of endurance outta them!
In the same way, in a Body of Christ, the same mentality applies. We can't accomplish a vision or a God-given mission if all we do is to be a duck that keeps complaining and being irritated by the things that we feel are not the best. God calls His people into perfect unity. If the church today were to be assigned by God to do a mounting task, just like the 2008 men having to perform this spectacular item, would you think we are able to? Do you think if you are one of the 2008 men, you would actually give up because at that time you could not withstand the wearisome practices or working together with the other 2007 men? Yet each one of them is so important in contributing to the opening item. Their unity and perseverance brought honour to China. Likewise, we bring honour to God when we work together.
We have been chosen to be together, in this Body. Are we able to bear with one another and have patience in accepting them? Or do we forsake what God calls you in the spirit of unity and be critical of each other had done? May God be merciful to His people as we learn from Him. One Lord, One Spirit, One Baptism.
Look forward to!:
a personal and ministrial breakthrough.
This Week @ Detonate:
Dearest Pastor Daphne Lau from Calvary Assembly will be in our midst to share from God's tender heart:)) We heart her for being so faithful in ministry and dynamic in worship unto God. Come and be inspired by the Spirit through her! Cya all at 4.30pm sharp for an hour's time of intense worship and prayer as we seek God as one ministry, as one unified Detonate standing back to back with one another in this spiritual battle:)) We believe He will be here.
Prayers from the Body:
Do keep our O level students in prayers as they commit this entire period unto God. May they be faithful in keeping up with their revision. Persevere on people! It definitely will come to an end! Strive onwards for the goal!
Do remember our NS brothers (Joshua, Yu Po, Matthew, Ziyao, Josiah) who are undergoing their basic training. May the presence of God oversee and protect them as they go through the various trainings. Pray also that they will stand strong on God's promises for them and be a living testimony that draws men to Jesus! Strive on brothers!
I believe all of us have gone through periods of time whereby things are just not going the way you want it to be. Perhaps in times like these the first thing that comes into our mind is : ''Why is this happening to me?" We start comparing ourselves to others and wonder why must we go through all these. Sometimes we will wonder what if these things didn't happen, wouldn't it makes our lives easier? Worse still, we may even come to a point when we blame God for doing this to us. Perhaps there is only one thing that God want us to do in such circumstances, that is to put our absolute faith and trust in Him alone.
"No temptation has seized you except what is common to man. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can stand under it.''
1 Corinthians 10:13
It is always human nature for us to worry about things that we cannot see. When things starts to go wrong or go against the way we want it to be, we are not able to overcome it. However, the word of God said it clearly that faith is being certain of the what we cannot see. Faith is the opposite of sight. Perhaps in times where there are things that our mind cannot understand and our eyes cannot see, it is time for us to put our faith into action.
These worries and trials are experiences that all of our us have to go through. Perhaps we may face different problems but the bottom line remains the same; that we need to put our faith in God. Personally, from the past week until now, I have been facing setbacks, uncertainties and worries. I spent lots of time being "emo" and in a way, it affected my relationships with others and with God. I'm not able to overcome these. As I look into the mirror, there is only one thing that came into my mind when i saw my own reflection, and that is, "You are so weak!" Until then I realised I have been trying to overcome my problems with my own strength. On that night, I prayed to God that I'll depend on Him alone and He helped me and gave me a way out. This verse kept ringing in my mind:
''For I have plans for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you. Plans to give you a hope and a future.'' Jeremiah 29:11
Problems and worries will always be present in our lives. Even now, I'm worrying about something. However, it is up to us how we want to deal with these issues. Do we want to remain "emo" about it or we want to surrender them to God and be joyous? The process of trusting may not be easy but I know for certain that we'll emerge victories and grow even stronger after that. May God help us.
Look forward to!: NATIONAL DAYPRAYER DRIVE! It will be on this coming Friday 8th August and we will be out to 3 significant locations in Singapore to pray for our nation. Cya all prayer warriors who have signed up already at 7.30pm sharp for a session of praise and worship before we set off for a breath-taking night! Celebrate the Singapore spirit!
This Week @ Detonate:
Discipleship Group Session:):) we are into our 6th quality of learning the Fruit of the Spirit! Congrats for being so faithful in learning! We do hope you have been more developed and shaped by the Holy Spirit! Keep persevering as you allow God to strengthen the quality that He has given to everyone of you:):) Cya all at 4.30pm sharp for an hour's time of intense worship and prayer as we seek God as one ministry, as one unified Detonate standing back to back with one another in this spiritual battle:)) We believe He will be here.
Prayers from the Body:
Do remember our NS brothers (Joshua, Yu Po, Matthew, Ziyao, Josiah) who are undergoing their basic training. May the presence of God oversee and protect them as they go through the various trainings. Pray also that they will stand strong on God's promises for them and be a living testimony that draws men to Jesus! Strive on brothers!
Our final year poly students are on their FYPs and they do appreciate every prayer from you guys! May God give them wisdom, strength and joy to work through this entire period, from the beginning to the end. We also pray for patience as they work with their project mates to deliver the work that they will be satisfied with. Keep pressing on peeps!
