With a blink of an eye, it's now November and the start of Christmas season. Well, perhaps a bit early for some of us, but school holidays are almost upon us and we've already started practising for Christmas plays and plans are in place for parties. Plus, church sermons have already started on the Christmas series, which I find really great because it prepares our hearts for Christmas.
Too often and too easily we become wrapped up in the festivities of Christmas; the presents, parties, carolling, Christmas plays, singing, food (who can forget that?), setting up the Christmas tree, shopping, fairy lights, the list goes on and I bet you can add a few more items. These things are all well and good, but let's not forget the actual reason for Christmas; peace on earth, goodwill towards men. When we actually participate in the festivities, do we actually think about God? Where is God in this?
When we are practising for our Christmas play, do we do it for God? Is there that gratitude in our hearts, that we are able to be a part of the Christmas message to people, that our little part in the play will touch a non-believer? Or do we grumble with tiredness about practising? When we practise our carols, do we sing for the sake of singing, or do we sing from our hearts that God came down to earth to save us from our sins?
Let us remember God this Christmas, in the midst of the merriment of the season, and let us intentionally reach out to other people who may be less fortunate than us. I'm not just talking about people we don't know, but our friends, who may have less food on the table than us, who may have less presents than us. Let us remember others more than we remember about ourselves and our comfort.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Condolences
Our condolences go to our dear friends Mark, Moses and Matthew for the passing away of their cousin, who were very close to them. Our thoughts and prayers are with them at this sorrowful time, and we pray God will comfort them and grant them strength and peace.
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Away From Home - Leon : Maturing / Growing up
Note: Terribly sorry Leon, I only managed to post this up now...
Have you ever asked this question
Why do I need to grow up??
Why do I need to mature??
Can't I choose not to grow up?
I know I've asked this question when I was way way little (but still older than most of you )
Why is it we need to grow up?
Well, I have the answer. Because growing up tells us that we are ALIVE AND KICKING !
The only thing that does not grow is a DEAD thing. You may argue and say well grown ups don't grow.
Yes they do... just not in height hehehehe (maybe in "wideness") but they do grow, mostly in maturity in their mind.
Consider this verse
James 1: 4 (NIV) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
In this context, the verse is not refering to our physical body, for if it was then we would have been "complete" when we finally reach adulthood. This verse instead point towards our spiritual body. Is your spirit man the same as it was before 3 years ago??
Another question .. what does it mean to be "mature and complete"?
Is it to seek perfection?
No.. because if we were to seek perfection.... we'll always come short because
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
But we should try our very best to follow in the foot step of Jesus. That is one of our goals in life.
How do we do it?
1. Spend time with God
You can start by spending 15 minutes a day reading your Bible and praying and slowly build it to 30, 40 even 1 hour.
Jesus often spend hours on end praying to God in the quietness. If Jesus needed to pray to God the Father.. I'm guessing we pretty ,uch should do the same
2. Get a devotional book
Ask your parents or Caroline for a good one like daily bread of the like.
These books are tools to guide you as you read the Bible.
3. Meet in Youth often
I know most of you are doing this but remember the objective of going to Youth is not only to meet up with your friends but also to meet up with GOD. Remember your objective is to worhsip Him.
Well that's all for now.
Remember God wants you to grow up not only in body but also in Spirit. God bless!!
Bro in Christ
Leon
Have you ever asked this question
Why do I need to grow up??
Why do I need to mature??
Can't I choose not to grow up?
I know I've asked this question when I was way way little (but still older than most of you )
Why is it we need to grow up?
Well, I have the answer. Because growing up tells us that we are ALIVE AND KICKING !
The only thing that does not grow is a DEAD thing. You may argue and say well grown ups don't grow.
Yes they do... just not in height hehehehe (maybe in "wideness") but they do grow, mostly in maturity in their mind.
Consider this verse
James 1: 4 (NIV) Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
In this context, the verse is not refering to our physical body, for if it was then we would have been "complete" when we finally reach adulthood. This verse instead point towards our spiritual body. Is your spirit man the same as it was before 3 years ago??
Another question .. what does it mean to be "mature and complete"?
Is it to seek perfection?
No.. because if we were to seek perfection.... we'll always come short because
Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
But we should try our very best to follow in the foot step of Jesus. That is one of our goals in life.
How do we do it?
1. Spend time with God
You can start by spending 15 minutes a day reading your Bible and praying and slowly build it to 30, 40 even 1 hour.
Jesus often spend hours on end praying to God in the quietness. If Jesus needed to pray to God the Father.. I'm guessing we pretty ,uch should do the same
2. Get a devotional book
Ask your parents or Caroline for a good one like daily bread of the like.
These books are tools to guide you as you read the Bible.
3. Meet in Youth often
I know most of you are doing this but remember the objective of going to Youth is not only to meet up with your friends but also to meet up with GOD. Remember your objective is to worhsip Him.
Well that's all for now.
Remember God wants you to grow up not only in body but also in Spirit. God bless!!
Bro in Christ
Leon
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