Cell

2008-10-12T22:58:00.002+08:00

HEYHEYS!!!!!!!

i can see spider.spiderwebbs.dustbunnys everywhere!!
the last post was like a year ago and coincidentally im going to post about camps too!

puritycamp updates
50+peeps signup = half the places are gone
only have 100places.
hinthint to those who haven’t done so

camp details are here purity08.wordpress.com
i don't think anyone will read this though!!

do feel free to post anything prayer requests etc. or even random stuffs.
keep me in prayer as i start school tomorrow!!

teri
♥MEYOUEVERYBODY

Speedlight HUNGER CAMP

2007-11-09T23:13:00.001+08:00

Hey all!
'O' Level's over! YAY!! Well, for most of you haha..

Hope the journey has been great for you.. The nervous times.. The anxious times.. Times when you got nothing else to cling on to, and that's when God came into the picture.. really excited to hear your personal experiences with God through this journey, cause I had an intimate time with Him during my Os and As as well! =)

Ok I've done a really bad job in promoting Speedlight Camp to you all.. I can only reach 20 of u all through here, so PLEASE read this ya?

HUNGER CAMP

26 – 29 December 2007

Prince George Park Hall, NUS

Price: $75, or $60 when u sign up in threes!

Our cell is a special one cause we didn't have much Speedlight Camps.. So, this being such a long awaited camp, I really pray that EVEYONE will be able to make it. Not just seeing if the camp fits your schedule, I pray that you'll make yourselves available for the camp. Personally, I've learnt and experience God so much in every Speedlight camp, and each time, it's a life-changing experience.. It won't compare to Speedlight or cell group.. So, GO FOR THE CAMP! It'll be great to see the whole cell there, don't you think?

If price is an issue to you, please come to Carol or me.. we'll see what can be done.. or you can find 2 more person to join with you! If u don't have each other's contacts, just msg me and carol, and we'll fix u up with someone else (if there are).. OK??? Try to sign up by this SUNDAY! PLACES ARE FILLING UP LIKE HOT CAKES!! I'm NOT JOKING!!!

I'll see if I can post the registration form online.. failing which, I will need your parent's consent that I can sign for you (only as last resort.. please refrain from this!) on Sunday.. If that's the case, I might need to call your parents to get a verbal consent to do that..

Yup.. that's all I can say for now.. take action THIS VERY SUNDAY (11 NOV) !!!!!

-yanda, 9 Nov, 11.12pm

Speedlight Camp 2007- Tier 2 Camp

2007-10-02T02:51:00.001+08:00

Dear all,

This year, there'll be 2 Speedlight camps!

Tier 1 (Sec 2 and below) – 13-15 Dec

Tier 2 (Sec 3 and above.. YOU PEOPLE!)- 26-29 Dec

These camps will really be life-changing and powerful. Many of you have not been through Speedlight Camps before, so this is the chance for you to be part of a great time of empowerment and seeking God through these camps! Being involved in a few Speedlight and Pre-Speedlight camps, I can tell you, each of these camps are life-changing..

So, do make 26-29 Dec free for the camp ok? Some of you might be involved in helping out for the Tier 1 Camp.. I will inform you about this also.. If you want to serve in the tier 1 camp, or God has given you a vision telling you to lead His sheeps, do come to me immediately ok?

Yup.. that'll be all..do ask me or Carol questions if you have any!

For now, all the best for the exams!

Rgds,

Yanda

2007-09-08T18:58:00.000+08:00

BACKGROUND

We all build something with the lives we live on earth. But without the proper perspective, everything that takes place under the sun is meaningless. This brief life can be like SAND CASTLES, having the promising external appearance, which gives a false sense of security and stability, but serving no real purpose and crumbles so easily in just a storm.

TALK ABOUT IT

1. What is your experience in building sandcastles? Discuss the emotions that flashed through your mind.

2. Read Ecclesiastes 1:16-18. Why do you think that a person as wise as Solomon would consider wisdom as “chasing after the wind”?

3. What were the “pleasure” and various “great projects” that Solomon undertook in Ecclesiastes 2 that led to frustration? Can you identify any of those in your life?

REFLECT ON IT

After reading the final two verses in Ecclesiastes (12:13, 14), what attitude shall we adopt toward daily living and God?

LIVE IT

Since God will bring every deed into judgment, including every hidden thing, whether it is good or evil, what immediate adjustments need to be made in your life?

2 Corinthians 4:17-18

Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.

So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary,

but what is unseen is eternal

Dumb Dumb :: HOLDING ON WHEN IT’S TIME TO LET GO

2007-08-25T13:46:00.000+08:00

Dumb Dumb :: HOLDING ON WHEN IT’S TIME TO LET GO

BACKGROUND

Jephthah was one of the judges appointed by God to deliver the Israelites from the Ammonites. In fact, he was listed in the Hall of Faith in Hebrews 11:32-33. Yet, in the heat of the moment, he made a foolish vow that he actually fulfilled later, much to his great sorrow.

TALK ABOUT IT

1. What was Jephthah’s first move to counter the impending attack from the Ammonites? What’s the wisdom in doing so?

2. Read Judges 11:29-31. Why was the vow Jephthah made to God foolish?

3. Why do you think Jephthah went through with fulfilling the vow? What could he have done differently?

REFLECT ON IT

Have you made promises to God or others only to find out later that you could not keep them? Reflect on your experience. What adjustments can you make in the future to improve?

LIVE IT

Let’s not hold on when it’s time to let go especially in the area of sin, bad habits, cutting words etc.

Prov 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Dumb Dumb- It only gets dumber

2007-08-18T19:25:00.000+08:00

Dumb Dumb :: IT ONLY GETS DUMBER

BACKGROUND

There’s dumb, and there’s dumber. Esau is arguably the dumbest biblical character who ever lived! We know him as a reddish, hairy outdoor hunter who got cheated by his very own brother. His story is well-told in Genesis; selling his birthright for a bowl of lentil soup.

TALK ABOUT IT

1. If you were Esau, would you give up your birthright for a bowl of soup? What could you have done differently?

2. God revealed to Rebekah (read Genesis 25:23) specific information regarding Esau & Jacob. What was the Lord trying to convey to her?

3. What were the consequences of the whole ‘birthright saga’?

REFLECT ON IT

Are you facing difficult times at home? What can you do to make things better?

LIVE IT

God has placed you in your family for a special reason. Purpose in your heart to honor your parents & to be a great example for your siblings.

Prov 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

2007-08-11T04:50:00.001+08:00

Dumb Dumb :: THE DUMBEST OF THEM ALL

BACKGROUND

People can do really dumb things. Having watched television programs like America’s Funniest Home Videos or America’s Dumbest Criminals, you know that it’s true. Scripture documents the dumbest decision ever made; Lucifer trying to overthrow God from His throne.

TALK ABOUT IT

1. Share with the group one of the dumbest things you’ve ever done. How did you feel after the incident?

2. Read Isaiah 14:12-15. Explain the downfall of Lucifer.

3. What were the consequences of his failed rebellion?

REFLECT ON IT

Consider your life’s journey. Have you ever rebelled against God?

LIVE IT

The opposite of rebellion is submission. James 4:7 exhorts us to submit to God. Purpose to give Him your life, your all, your everything.

Prov 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,

but fools despise wisdom and discipline.

Week 3 Cell Materials

2007-07-19T23:59:00.000+08:00

HEROES :: FAITH LEAGUE

BACKGROUND

There are heroes all around us. They shape the world through commerce, sports, entertainment and politics. Because of what they can do, admirers view them as indestructible and perfect. God’s people are to be discerning. We define our role models by the standards of the Word of God, and not by the flesh.

TALK ABOUT IT

1. Which is your favourite ‘Faith League’ hero mentioned in Hebrews 11? What makes him a hero in your eyes?

2. Read Hebrews 11:1. How do you explain the nature of faith? Use a ‘Faith League’ hero to illustrate the point.

3. What does ‘submission under God’s authority’ mean? Why should we submit to Him?

REFLECT ON IT

The bible heroes pleased the heart of God with their faith. Have I been living my life in the same kind of faith?

LIVE IT

Purpose in your heart to live by faith. Commit yourself completely unto God.

Hebrews 11:6

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

2007-07-13T01:57:00.000+08:00

hey all, i've just posted the second set of questions for discussion during cell! it's related to last week's sermon. You still can do it even though some of u all didn't attend speedlight. And also, I will agree with u if u think that some of the questions might sound kiddish.. not all are, especially questions like question 2. Do go thru each question prayerfully, and we'll change the topic accordingly during cell.. so dun worry! =)

Blessed week!

Yanda

2007-07-13T01:56:00.000+08:00

HEROES :: THE ULTIMATE

BACKGROUND

The personalities that the world regards as heroes today have something in common – they are safe (from our lives). We can admire them from a distance without having to come too near. Thus, we can afford to have nothing to do with them in reality. JESUS, THE ULTIMATE HERO, however, is uniquely and supremely different from all others, and He rightfully deserves our admiration and trust.

TALK ABOUT IT

1. Name your favorite action hero. What are the qualities that make him/her your favorite? How many of those qualities you can practically emulate in your life?

2. Read Colossians 1:15-18. What can you say about the nature of Jesus Christ?

3. Christ has not only the unique nature to be our hero; He has also done the big things to warrant hero stature. Read Colossians 1:19-22. What is the big thing that Jesus did?

REFLECT ON IT

Is Jesus the hero you have given every aspect of your life to? Or have you substituted Him with other “heroes” of the world?

LIVE IT

Jesus died to be your personal hero so that you can express him publicly. How can we express Jesus more evidently in our lives?

Colossians 1:21-22

Once you were alienated from God and were enemies in your minds because of your evil behavior.

But now he has reconciled you by Christ’s physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation.

2007-07-07T20:16:00.000+08:00

hey all!

just for your info, for those who still dunno, we will be changing our cell materials from the current Firm Foundation Textbook and Workbook, to a new type of lessons. Every week, we will be discussing on the previous week's sermon, and we'll do some answering and questionings.. Each week, I will post up the questions up on this blog, and u can choose to write them down on paper, or cut and paste them into Microsoft Word, den print them out to answer.. I will also give out the hard copy each week. Speedlight is moving to a whole new level, be excited abt it! Will update u guys during cell.. be there, or be square! or triangle.. or circle... =)

Yanda

Cell Material for 08/07/07

2007-07-07T13:33:00.000+08:00

HERO

HEROES: OUR INSPIRATION!

BACKGROUND

Heroes are so fascinating because there is something universal about them that represents what ever person should be. Today, we are looking for role models and heroes. A role model is a person whose behaviour is imitated by others. A hero is a person of distinguished courage or ability. This is especially important for young people as they develop skills for successful living.

· “If they could & did it… SO CAN I!” –That’s what Heroes do to us. They inspire us!

TALK ABOUT IT

1. Who has inspired you in your spiritual life? What was the result?

2. Read Hebrews 12:1-3. What is this race that the author is talking about? Why should the great cloud of witnesses be a source of inspiration to us?

3. How do you prepare and finish a long distance race? How do you run and succeed in the spiritual race “marked out for us”?

REFLECT ON IT

What in your life is deterring you right now from your race?

LIVE IT

What adjustments do you need to make in your life to be liberated from it?

Hebrews 12:2

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.

2007-06-08T14:00:00.000+08:00

The Gift of Unanswered Prayer
Sometimes God's "no" is exactly what we need.
By Jerry Sittser

It is every mother's worst nightmare. Her 3-year-old son, Kostya, is dying of an incurable disease. The mother believes that God can heal her little boy. She alternates agonizingly between hope and despair, fighting and giving up. Still, she prays, "imbuing her prayer with all the power of her soul, although somewhere deep within her she feared that God would not move the mountain-that He would act not according to her desires, but according to His own will."


	Strange as it may sound, we need unanswered prayer.

Her little boy dies. Why? she thinks to herself. Why would the God to whom I prayed so much allow him to die?

The great Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy tells this woman's story in a short story titled "Prayer," which he wrote after reading about a shipwreck in the United States in which many children died. Tolstoy wrote the story to explore the problem of unanswered prayer.

I read the story only recently, when I was pondering the problem myself. I once thought that unanswered prayer was either the result of God's sovereign will, which functions like a trump card, making our prayers largely irrelevant, or the result of human failure, which makes our prayers unacceptable to God, however needy we are. In either case, the outcome is the same-unanswered prayer.

A startling idea
Tolstoy put me into a new idea, both troubling and helpful. What would happen, I wondered, if all our prayers were answered?

I searched my memory, trying to recall some of the prayers I prayed many years ago. I thought about the early and heady years of serving as a youth pastor in southern California when I was ready to conquer the world, with or without Christ. Within two years the high school group I led grew from 20 members to 125. It was the group in the area to attend. I was riding a wave of success. I witnessed many answers to prayer and enjoyed the fruits of my labor. Everything I touched turned into gold.


	We pray not only as saints but also as sinners, very much inclined to use prayer to advance our own selfish interests.

Eventually the ministry leveled off and lost momentum. And thank God it did, for I had become insufferably proud, a self-appointed expert in youth ministry. I wonder what would have happened to me had all my prayers been answered during those early years of ministry, if our group had continued to grow, if our program had continued to receive recognition. Perhaps unanswered prayer was good for me.

When we pray, we pray not only as saints but also as sinners, very much inclined to use prayer to advance our own selfish interests, even when we pray out of desperation. Prayer for that reason is highly complex. On the one hand, the very act of praying reminds us that we are children of God. On the other hand, that same act of praying exposes us for the fallen creatures we are.

Thus, there are prayers God won't or can't answer, for our own good.

Winners and losers
We often say selfish prayers without thinking much about them. We pray for parking spaces when we're running late, never considering that ten other people, as late as we are, might be praying, too, for the two remaining spaces available in the parking garage. We pray for victories in elections, forgetting that victory for one party means defeat for another party that might be just as prayerful as we are. We pray for success in business, though increased sales in our business might undermine competitors down the street who are praying for the same thing and need success more than we do. Not that these prayers are necessarily wrong, but we should remember that answers to our prayers might be at someone else's expense.

When my oldest son, David, was in elementary school, he played on a soccer team that dominated the city league. However, during the final city tournament, they had to square off against a team that had beaten them badly only a few weeks before. Both teams played well. At the end of regulation play, the score was tied 2 to 2. So they had to go into a shootout, where five players from each team shoot against the opposing goalkeeper from twelve yards out. Whichever team scores the most goals in the shootout wins the match.

The parents on our side turned the match into something akin to a medieval crusade, complete with all the spiritual overtones. I heard several parents mutter, "Please, Lord, let our boys win." One woman said, "God, if they win, I will believe in you again." Not to be outdone, I-a seasoned Christian, an ordained minister, an author of books on theology, a professor with a Ph.D.-joined this chorus and even conjured up several reasons why God should answer our prayers.

Our team won when our goalkeeper blocked the last shot. The kids went wild, leaping into the air and piling on top of each other. It looked like a scene from a Disney movie. One parent said, "I believe there's a God again." Being more modest and pious, I simply uttered a prayer of thanksgiving under my breath.


	When we pray for victory, as sometimes we must, we should always pray with humility.

We had no way of knowing, of course, what was happening on the other side of the field. I learned more about the other team only recently, some five years later, when I met a Christian parent from the opposing side. In the course of our conversation she described a tournament championship in which her son had played years earlier. Their team "needed" that victory, she said, to add the finishing touches to the only winning season they had ever had. But they lost-"in a shootout and on the last shot." Only then did I realize that she was talking about our championship match.

Did God answer our prayers and deny theirs? I don't think so. For all I know, God answered their prayers in a more significant way. Perhaps they had been praying that their sons would grow up well, learning to honor God, to become people of character, and to develop perspective in life. Adversity, after all, probably does more to help people grow up than easy victories. In the end losing might have been better for them than winning was for us.

This is an innocent example. But not every case is so innocent. Sometimes people pray for victory when the stakes are high and prayer seems like the only alternative to despair and defeat. Christians on opposing sides have prayed for victory in conflicts that were-and are-far more serious and deadly. Some Christians in the United States are praying for Israel's victory over the Palestinians, while Christians in Palestine are praying not for victory but for peace. Again, some Christians in Northern Ireland are praying for the defeat of "the enemy," whether Protestant or Catholic, while other Christians are praying not for vindication but for reconciliation. And some Christians in the United States are praying for economic recovery in our nation, while Christians in other parts of the world are praying for enough food to survive another day.

That is the danger of praying for victory. Our cause may be right, in a narrow sense. But we may still be wrong-manifesting pride, gloating in victory, punishing wrongdoers with excessive severity, and excusing sin. The great hazard for people on a crusade is that, however legitimate the crusade, they become blind to their own faults. They oppose abortion but don't care about the needs of women. They fight for civil rights but treat secretaries and janitors like second-class citizens. They uphold the standards of biblical sexuality but show little grace toward their spouse.

So when we pray for victory, as sometimes we must, we should always pray with humility. Otherwise the "victories" we gain will be won at too great a cost. What does it profit, asks Jesus, if we gain the whole world-winning every conflict in which we are engaged-but lose our own soul?

Protection from ourselves
Strange as it may sound, we need unanswered prayer. It is God's gift to us because it protects us from ourselves. If all our prayers were answered, we would only abuse the power. We would use prayer to change the world to our liking, and it would become hell on earth. Like spoiled children with too many toys and too much money, we would only grab for more. We would pray for victory at the expense of others; we would be intoxicated by power. We would hurt other people and exalt ourselves.

Unanswered prayer protects us. It breaks us, deepens us, and transforms us. Ironically, the unanswered prayers of the past, which so often leave us feeling hurt and disillusioned, serve as a refiner's fire that prepares us for the answered prayers of the future.

Unanswered Prayers: The
Most Common Reasons Why

By Dr. Dale A. Robbins

One of the greatest benefits afforded to every Christian is the privilege of answered prayers. In the Bible, Jesus made this tremendous promise, “And whatever things you ask in prayer, believing, you will receive” (Matt 21:22). However, despite the Lord’s willingness to answer prayer, it is obvious that some prayers have gone unanswered. Why is this? The following are the most common reasons why some prayers do not get results:

1. Lack of Fellowship with God and His word

John 15:7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.”

Unanswered prayers are sometimes a result of absence from fellowship with the Lord and His Word. Jesus promised that if we would remain in His fellowship, and allow His Word to remain in us, this would produce results in prayer.

2. Not seeking to Please the Lord

1 John 3:22 “And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

Answers to prayer come when we seek to keep His commandments and please the Lord with our life. This is not to suggest that we “earn” answered prayers, any more than we can earn salvation which comes only by faith (Eph. 2:8-9). He answers our prayers from his “grace” and “mercy” (Heb. 4:16), not merely from our good deeds. However, keeping His commandments and pleasing the Lord is a product of our obedience to His word, which is faith in action (James 2:20). What are His commandments? He commanded that we are to love the Lord with all our heart, mind, and soul, and to love our neighbor as ourself (Mark 12:30-31). Further, Jesus said we are to love our brethren as He has loved us. “This is My commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Lack of love, bitterness, unforgiveness is the root of many unanswered prayers, since faith works by love (Gal 5:6).

3. Unconfessed Sin in One’s Life

1 Peter 3:12 “For the eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, And His ears are open to their prayers; But the face of the LORD is against those who do evil.”

There is no doubt that sin will disrupt the flow of God’s blessings and answers to prayer. The psalmist, David wrote, “If I regard iniquity in my heart, The Lord will not hear” (Psa. 66:18). All acts of rebellion and disobedience to God is considered sin. Sins of “commission,” are those overt acts which are done in disobedience. However, sins of “omission,” are those things we don’t do in obedience, but know we should (James 4:17). The remedy for all sin is to confess it to God, forsake it, and ask Him to forgive you (1 John 1:9).

4. Improper Motives

James 4:3 “You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

Our motives in our prayer requests are of concern to the Lord. He wishes to help us in our time of need, but is not obligated to answer prayers which will merely feed our carnal, worldly appetites and (lustful) pleasures. Our motives and desires can be corrected by humbling ourselves, and drawing near to God (James 4:8-10).

5. Not asking in God’s will

1 John 5:14-15 “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us. And if we know that He hears us, whatever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we have asked of Him.”

God will only answer those prayers that are in “His” will. When we ask anything that is in His will, we can have assurance that those “petitions” (requests) are granted to us. God’s will is revealed through His Word, the Bible. Anything promised by His Word is His will, and we can be confident that He’ll honor our prayers based on His Word.

6. Don’t know how to pray

Luke 11:1 "...Lord, teach us to pray...”

Some lack effectiveness in prayer simply because they don’t know what the scriptures teach about prayer. Jesus gave His disciples an outline for prayer in Matthew 6:9-13. Take the time to study it. Other passages teach that prayer is primarily to be a private, intimate time with the Lord (Matt. 6:6), to be intermingled with praise and thanksgiving (Acts 16:25, Phil. 4:6). Times of fasting with prayer are beneficial to strengthen our faith and power in prayer (Acts 14:23, 1 Cor. 7:5). Jesus often went to secluded places to spend prolonged periods in prayer (Luke 6:12, Matt. 4:2).

7. Lack of Faith

Hebrews 11:6 “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.”

We cannot please God without faith. Prayer is not merely “begging” from God. It is “believing” God and His Word! Faith will come forth and grow as we devote our attention to the Word of God (Romans 10:17). Our faith can also be “built up,” by praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 1:20).

8. Misunderstanding of Faith

Mark 11:24 “Therefore I say to you, whatever things you ask when you pray, believe that you receive them, and you will have them.” Many do not understand that faith is believing in the reality of things, even though we cannot see them (Heb. 11:1). Jesus said that “when” you pray, you must believe that you “receive” your answer at that moment. The word, “receive” comes from the Greek word, LAMBANO, which means “to receive now” (present tense). He then says we will “have” them. "Have" comes from, ESOMAI, which means “to possess later” (future tense).
So, when we pray we must believe in the finished results of our prayer, and we will eventually experience the tangible results sometime later.

9. Wavering faith

James 1:6-7 “But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord;”

There are those who allow every “wind” of feelings or circumstances to influence or discourage their faith. They vacillate back and forth, like the waves tossed about in the sea. One day they believe, but the next, they’re ready to give up, and so forth. Such persons usually base their faith on their feelings or emotions instead of God’s Word. They who waver in their faith cannot expect to receive “anything of the Lord.” Our faith must become stable, steadfast, and consistent to receive from God.

10. Failure to apply spiritual Authority

Mark 11:23 “For assuredly, I say to you, whoever says to this mountain, Be removed and be cast into the sea, and does not doubt in his heart, but believes that those things he says will be done, he will have whatever he says.”

There are times that some prayers may not get far until we incorporate the spoken authority of the name of Jesus. The reason for this is that the problems we face may “sometimes” be a product of an evil spiritual origin. As Paul writes, “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Eph 6:12). In such cases, our prayers may need to engage in what we call “spiritual warfare” to obtain results.

The need for this type of prayer is most obvious whenever Christians deal directly with demonic activity. For this evil operation to cease, our prayers need to include the exercise of spiritual authority against the devil in the name of Jesus, commanding him to leave (Acts 16:18). Therefore, as Jesus indicated, there will be times that we may need to literally speak to mountains (symbolic of obstacles and problems) and tell them to move in Jesus’ name.

11. Lack of Perseverance

Galatians 6:9 “And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.”

Probably the greatest reason that some prayers go unanswered is because many give-up praying and believing before they receive their answer. As long as we have the promise of God’s Word, be patient and persistent - keep believing, and don’t quit, no matter how long it takes! God has a “due season” when He will bring the answer to pass.

Jesus' Unanswered Prayers
Even God's Son didn't get an instant reply.
By Philip Yancey

When prayer seems more like struggle than relationship, when I find myself repeating the same requests over and over and even wonder, "Is anyone really listening?" I take comfort in remembering that Jesus, too, had unanswered prayers. Three come to mind.

As Luke records, Jesus spent an entire night in prayer before choosing the twelve disciples. Yet if you read the Gospels, you marvel that this dodgy dozen could be the answer to any prayer. They included, Luke pointedly notes, "Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor," not to mention the pettily ambitious Sons of Thunder and the hothead Simon, whom Jesus would once address as "Satan."

"O unbelieving generation," Jesus would sigh about these twelve, "how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you?" I wonder if, in that moment of exasperation, Jesus questioned the Father's guidance.

Technically, I admit, the particular makeup of the twelve does not qualify as an unanswered prayer, for we have no reason to believe that any other choices might have served Jesus better. Yet I find it comforting that while on earth Jesus faced the same limitations as does anyone in leadership. The Son of God himself could only work with the talent pool available.

Eventually, except for Judas, the twelve underwent a slow but steady transformation, providing a kind of long-term answer. John, a Son of Thunder, softened into "the apostle of Love." Peter, who earned Jesus' rebuke by recoiling from the idea of Messiah's suffering, later urged his followers to "follow in his steps" by suffering as Christ did.

A cup not removed
The second "unanswered prayer" occurred in the Garden of Gethsemane when, as Luther put it, "God struggled with God." While Jesus lay prostrate on the ground, sweat falling from him like drops of blood, his prayers took on an uncharacteristic tone of pleading. He "offered up prayer and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death," the Letter to the Hebrews says, but of course Jesus knew he would not be saved from death.


	When Jesus prayed to the one who could save him from death, he did not get that salvation; he got instead the salvation of the world.

As that awareness grew, Jesus felt distress. He had no community of support—they had all fallen asleep. "Could you not keep watch for one hour?" he chided.

A dramatic change takes place, however, between that scene in the garden and what follows. The Gospel accounts of Gethsemane show a person in anguish. Afterward they show one who, more than Pilate, more than Herod, acts in utter control. At his trials Jesus is no victim; he is serene, the master of his destiny.

What happened in the garden? What made the difference? We have few details about the content of Jesus' prayers, since potential witnesses were all dozing. He may have reviewed his entire ministry on earth. The weight of all that went undone may have borne down upon him: his disciples were unstable, irresponsible; the movement seemed in peril; God's chosen people had rejected him; the world still harbored evil and much suffering.

Jesus himself seemed at the very edge of human endurance. He no more relished the idea of pain and death than you or I do.

"Everything is possible for you," Jesus pleaded to the Father. "Take this cup from me."

Somehow, though, in Gethsemane Jesus worked through that crisis by transferring the burden to the Father. It was God's will he had come to do, after all, and his plea resolved into these words: "Yet not what I will, but what you will." Not many hours later he could cry out, in profound summation, "It is finished."

Hebrews mysteriously concludes that, though Jesus was not saved from death, nevertheless "he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered."

How many times have I prayed for one thing only to receive another? I long for the sense of trust that I see in Gethsemane. God and God alone is qualified to answer my prayers, even if it means transmuting them from my own self-protective will into God's perfect will. When Jesus prayed to the one who could save him from death, he did not get that salvation; he got instead the salvation of the world.

A unity still sought
The third unanswered prayer appears in an intimate scene recorded by John, Jesus' last supper with his disciples. Jesus expands the scope of his prayer far beyond the walls of the Upper Room, to encompass even those of us who live today:

"My prayer is not for them [the disciples] alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me."

Disunity virtually defines the history of the church. Pick at random any year of history—pick today—and you will see how far short we fall of Jesus' final request.

The church, and the watching world, still await an answer.

"Unanswered" Prayer
Theme of the Week: Prayer Isn't Aladdin's Lamp

Key Bible Verse: We can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will (1 John 5:14). Bonus Reading: Ephesians 3:20-21

A couple in our church phoned to ask me to pray about a house they wanted to close on. It was near a preferred school and the price was right. We prayed over the phone. Later their realtor called. Someone else had offered a higher price.

More than the deal collapsed. Faith crumbled too. The couple's disappointment watered previously hidden seeds of doubt that God really cared for them. We countered their crumbling faith by praying repeatedly that God would provide the best. Then we waited to see what God would do.

Two weeks later the local building inspector, also a friend of the home-searching family, called. In preparation for a loan approval, he'd inspected the house they wanted. It was full of dangerous mold and faulty wiring. Thousands of dollars would be required to make it safe. The family now realized that God had spared them from a financial disaster.

A home that provided for the family's needs eventually became available. It wasn't pretty on the outside, but the couple no longer doubted God's care. Seeing how God had spared them from greater pain made them confident of His love and of the power of prayer.

Taken from http://www.christianitytoday.com/

2007-05-05T22:43:00.000+08:00

hey all!

ok.. for everyone, including those who aren't present last week, i know this is the exam period, and it would be difficult to put ur studies away to come church. just want to encourage you all, that God honours our faith, and since it's a sunday, shouldn't it be given to Him, who bless us with all His riches and wisdom? When we pray to Him for wisdom, have we ever wondered what have we given Him, that we even deserve His blessings of wisdom during our exams?

King David, being a king himself, bought a piece of land at a price even though it could be given to him free of charge. 1 Chronicles 21:24 says, "King David replied to Araunah, "No, I insist on paying the full price. I will not take for the LORD what is yours, or sacrifice a burnt offering that costs me nothing." Think of it. If church is a place to go only in times of peace, when we're free and have nothing to do, what kind of service are we giving Him, what kind of worship are we giving Him?

But of course, this would require wisdom from your part. Balance is the word. Either extremes would cause us to fall into deep trouble. So, I leave the decision with you. Remember. "But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well- Matthew 6:33

For those who decides to come, please think of these two topics:
1. Why prayers go unanswered?
2. Christianity vs religions: Why is ours the truth?

Think of questions and doubts that you have, that unbelievers would most probably ask. Then, think of your own answers, supported by Bible verses if you can. We'll do a presentation in two groups, and we'll use this chance to discuss certain issues pertaining these two topics. Any questions can sms me ya =)

Ciaoz for now, see you all tml! =)

In His wonderful love,
Yanda

heLPING HANdsll||

2007-05-01T01:13:00.000+08:00

THis blog is sooo not-alive~.
The whole cell is like having exams(except me & the cell leaders) this week, so GOOD LUCK people!!
Always remember that God is with us anywhere, everywhere even in our DREAMS XD~
So DON`T forget Him.
I forgot to tell you guys(and gals) on Sunday that I can help you guys for this mid-year and for THE O`levels or anytime.
JUST ASK ^^,
Give me a call or sms or msn(even if I`m not online).

Lots of ~~love~~LUCK to you PEoPLE,
LHShuenyTERI(=

Division Meet

2007-03-23T02:39:00.000+08:00

hey cell.. this blog is collecting dust!

i understand that all of you are busy preparing for your O levels, starting with your mid year exams that are coming up. Just want to encourage you all that in all things, do not EVER forget God.

Always remember what God says in Matthew:

25"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? 26Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? 27Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?

28"And why do you worry about clothes? See how the lilies of the field grow. They do not labor or spin. 29Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. 30If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, will he not much more clothe you, O you of little faith? 31So do not worry, saying, 'What shall we eat?' or 'What shall we drink?' or 'What shall we wear?' 32For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. 34Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

I have always shared my personal testimony to vouch for the truth in this passage. So take faith, seek Him first, then your studies. And be assured that God's Spirit will move!

Ok. One news for this sunday. Please remember we have division meet this sunday (25/03/07). Details are as follows:

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Time: 1000am START.
Place: The Aquarius Condo
Activity: Alpha Course DVD on the topic EVANGELISM.

Meeting place 1: 9.15am SHARP at Tampines Interchange Bus Stop 67
Meeting place 2: 9.40am SHARP at entrance of The Aquarius Condo.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Me and Carol have seen the DVD, and we must agree that it is a very powerful lesson on how we can better evangelize to our friends. Coupled with last week's Speedlight Sermon on 'Hell's best kept secret', I'm sure we would be more than equipped with the necessary tools to bring more souls to Christ.

So, for those who think they cannot make it for this division meet, PRAY! You got two full days to pray, and pray you must! Try your best to make it for this meet.

That's it for now. Msg me and Carol if there're any queries!

Ciaoz.

In His Love,
Yanda

2007-02-17T18:22:00.000+08:00

amen to that, joanna

i can't agree more to that.. indeed, in God, there is a different kind of peace we can find, more than how well we're prepared for exams, or in parallel how well we're prepared for circumstances. It can, and should never be done alone.. In God, all things are possible, and in Him, we can do all things..

Like how I always share with you all, during my O levels, I prayed with a friend before each and every paper.. It always gives me a peace and an affirmation that God is seeing us thru the paper. I believe it was the same peace that Joanna had experienced, and I pray that all of us can look forward to that same peace in Him. It's not just for the both of us, or for certain individuals who prepared better than you. God's peace is for everyone, God's peace is for YOU! The admission fee to access this peace can't be any easier.. just pay a word of prayer.. remember: Ask, and you shall receive.. seek and you shall find.. Knock, and the door shall be opened...

With this new perspective in studying and doing ur papers, I pray that everyone of you will tap into this new found lesson, and I pray that this year will be a victorious year for everyone of us!

ok.. now for some updates of what's coming up in the following weeks/ months:

11th March: Divisional Meet. Time- 10 am to 12 pm..
16th March: Speedlight Night Of Worship (S.N.O.W.)!!! Time- to be confirmed.

Let's all be present for these two events, apart from the weekly cell meetings.. this year, cells is going to be more exciting.. look forward!

Written with love,
yanda

2007-02-16T22:46:00.001+08:00

I'm so sorry the blog template is not completed yet.

Meanwhile, just wanted to post this:

Just want to thank the Lord Jesus for giving me such results for O level Chinese. He has led me through and I trust that it's by God's grace that I have been provided with the wisdom and peace while I did my paper. It's really been a blessing and I am so glad that it's bringing me so much joy after I received my results.

That is why I BELIEVE!;)
that

1) Through Him, anything and everything is possible. He can do, he can make, he can create, he can cause, he can help, he can give us, he can bless us with so many things that's good for us.

2) I shall not be disheartened with unhappy or difficult things arises because I know he has big and GOOD plans for us. just like the bible says. "plans to prosper us". plans that would make us happy. though there may be plans that make us sad, these may just may be the things that god may put us through for a very reasonable and good reason. In this way, there is definitely no reason why we should be unhappy at all.
3) I've learnt, to do well, work hard, till you do the very very best you can. pray hard, so that he may know that you still have him in your heart. lastly, trust 'hard'. Trust God with everything you've got. Because only through him will miracles happen. If you trust in him, not only may you receive, you may also be blessed abundantly. He will give you peace. Such peace cannot be attained through how prepared you are or any other forms of wealth that you have. Rather, this peace is one of the things that you can only obtain through God if you trust in Him.

And this peace, though just made up with 5 letters, can do much wonders. (:

Joanna (:

2007-02-16T22:32:00.000+08:00

cell outing!

2007-02-04T11:45:00.000+08:00

..... ...... .......*drums rolling*

ta-dah!!!! lol.its mii mii mii!!! haha.lol.lynn!!! w00t.aussie land is ok.lol.i love mii subjects!! hahas...hows every one in singapore....lol.mii and debbies miss u guys lots...i mean seriously!!! dun believe ask us lor...haha!!!!

......... b u r p s ...

lol.anyways!!! have a gre8 2007 dudes[boys]...and dudats[girls]..

btw.check out debbies and my bloggs...lol.TAG!!! haha....

Miss u all lots...

p.s see u guys in 11months time!!! hahas...>.<

2007-01-23T09:54:00.000+08:00

I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH (:

as you can tell, im pretty boreds.

LOVES; deborahs :)

2007-01-16T12:41:00.000+08:00

to constantly keep one another in prayer
to have a closer relationship with Him during this o levels period, instead of drifting away from Him
everyone to be in a ministry to serve Him=)
not be late=D
have e gift of tongues...? =X
to know more abt the word(rmbr some verses in ur heart etc.. which is almost the same as yd's pt) so that we can use it in our daily lives.. not only cell..
more outings!!! fellowship with one another MORE. so we can share our probs w one another and pray etc.. which is actually almost the same as point one. ha!
hehe.. hopefully wats mentioned above is somewat.. relevant. woo!!!

in His everlasting love<3,>

ttt=)

2007-01-07T23:46:00.000+08:00

I'm second to post haha! (:

My Resolutions for 2007.

1. Be cooperative and try my best to attend cell group every Sunday.
2. To be able to work together as one, so that we'll be able to spread the gospel to more of our friends etc.
3. For everyone to be more open so that we can have more productive discussions during cell.
4. Attend cell group outings because I haven't been going.
5. Read firm foundation textbook more often and set aside time to complete questions so that all of us can share our answers during cell.

Joanna

2007-01-06T17:26:00.000+08:00

Resolutions for 2006:
1)For the cell to bond with one another--- Successful to a certain extent =)

2)At least 3 outings--- failed. We had 2? Bowling and ECP..

3)Praise and worship to be more power packed--- I think we've done better as we matured in Him =)

4)For everyone to receive the gift of tongues--- I'm not sure if everyone has received, but we'll pray abt it as we go through Firm Foundation this year (2007) and learn more about the Holy Spirit

5)Maturity--- i think all of you matured a lot.. =)

RESOLUTIONS FOR 2007:
1) For the cell to grow deeper into His word
2) To raise up praise and worship leaders- guitarist and worship leaders
3) For the cell to be empowered by the Holy Spirit
4) 3 cell outings or more
5) For cell attendance to stay constant (12 or more per week). This takes effort from EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU. =)
6) For our cell group total strength to grow back to 24.

Now... will everyone agree to go on this mission with your two dear leaders?
Lord.. i pray..

Yan Da