hp note 23 (RM - law of grace)

Matthew 5:17-19 - the law has the following purposes:

1. Law as Master.
It shows us we are imperfect. Salvation from God is the transfer from being under the law to under grace. A good example will be from a transfer from a class with a punitive teacher focused only on discipline to a nurturing teacher focused on developing.

2. Law as Moral Standard of God.
James 1:22
Romans 7:7
The law reflects the parameter of God's desire for His people but does not reflect the extent of His Love.

3. Law as Map
Psalm 119:105 - The Word of God shows us the direction to take in life.
God never intended for us to choose between right and wrong. He forbade Adam and Eve to eat from the Tree of knowledge of good and evil.
The law shows us what is good and evil.
The main question or focus should be on what is life and death, and through Jesus, full of grace, we now have the ability to choose LIFE!

4. Law as Measure
The law measures our progress. The Word of God shows us where we are. We should not use it to judge or measure others. The word of God is not a machete we use to cut others down.
We are punished with consequences, but grace is not condemnation. Instead His grace gives us His grade for the test of life.

what Jesus is all about (excerpted from JL Grady)

What Jesus Is All About?, is a classic book written more than 50 years ago by Henrietta Mears, a Bible teacher who helped mentor both Billy Graham and Bill Bright in the 1940s.

Mears explains in her book how each of the four gospels—Matthew, Mark, Luke and John—give us a unique, four-dimensional portrait of the Savior.

According to Mears:

• Matthew was written to Jews to tell of a Promised Savior who is also a King—and it uses the word “kingdom” 55 times.

• Mark was written to Gentiles to tell of a Powerful Savior—and it reports more miracles than any other gospel.

• Luke was written by a Gentile to tell of a Perfect Savior—and it has the most references to Jesus’ humanity.

• John was written by “the disciple whom Jesus loved” to tell of a Personal Savior—and it has the most references to Jesus’ divine nature.

The Holy Spirit who inspired the Bible knew we needed more than a one-, two- or three-dimensional look at Jesus. The Spirit gave us a four-dimensional view so that we could gaze at Him from all sides and become captivated by His magnificence—His supreme kingship, His compassionate mercy, His supernatural power, His perfect justice, His amazing humility and His love for sinners like you and me.

prayer school series 2010 - part 14 (the word as our map and manual in prayer)

-Knowing our position in Christ (spiritually we sit at the right hand of Christ in heavenly places) changes our prayer life.

-Knowing that God has already placed His power in us (as we know His power more and more, we will talk, walk and pray differently)

- 2 Corinthians 4:7-12

-The bible is our prayer manual that gives instructions on how to do/approach things. It is also a map that gives direction for our lives and pointing us in the right directions; what steps to take.

-Psalm 119:105

-Isaiah 50:11

-Jeremiah 10:23

-We are not to direct our own paths but to allow God’s word to do so.

-Ephesians 2:6

-Proverbs 18:21

-We renew our minds by reading the word and as we are being guided by the Holy Spirit

-John 6:63

-Matthew 12:34b-37

-Colossians 4:16

-We trust in the word, we trust in God. We don’t look for steps but instead we seek God.

-It is about relationships with our heavenly Father, beyond rules and regulations; it is dynamic rather than static.

-John 14:15

-1 John 5:1-5

-Because of God’s love, we respond to His love and obey Him.

-John 14:10-14

Students went into a time of worship

-Amazing Love

-Here I am to Worship

hp note 22 (RM - blessed life)

Generosity and stewardship are two legs of a blessed life

1. Extreme Stewardship
Matthew 25:14 - all given by God
Only our sin is ours.
We are born with talent.
Skill is what we do with is.
Stewardship is developing our talent.

2. Extravagant generosity
Matthew 26:4
Frugal to be generous.

3. Extraordinary sacrifice.

hp note 21 (AG - influence)

Influence - shape life
Disciple - from a senior to a junior.
His last command is my first concern - the great commission.

Mentor - greek origin.
- coaching
- change process
- who is the change agent - Holy Spirit!
- the key is what God wants to do in this person

hp note 20 (RM - happy child, happy house)

Proverbs 23:13-14
Submission needs to be learnt so that we can submit to God.

Proverbs 22:15
Rod drives foolishness

Proverbs 13:24
Ephesians 6:4
The responsibility of discipline lies first with the father.
A disobedient child can RULE the house and influence its atmosphere.

1. Be clear in instructions, results and reasons - Bad things happen to people who disobey.

2. Be firm. Get attention. Volume does not mean authority. The goal is not to spank or punish but obedience.

3. Be consistent. Keep guidelines, word and method.

4. Be convicting, not condemning. Say it specifically, repeatedly, differently.

5. Be chastening - correcting, not chastising - punishing. Give correction, not embarrassment. Don't shame. Shame does not produce righteousness. Give covering.

6. Be compassionate - hold, hug and heal them.

7. Release forgiveness. Lead them to ask God for forgiveness. Reaffirm love.

hp note 19 (RM - happy husband, happy home)

Ephesians 5:21-24, 33
Key to spouse's life- submission: take mission of our life and put it under the Lord.
Take the mission of my life and put it under the mission of my spouse.

Man's needs:
1. Companionship.
Genesis 2:18 - playmate. Have fun.

2. Sex
We hear things through our own needs.
All sex outside of the marriage relationship leads to death
James 1:14-15
Men get in touch with emotions through sex.
Women get in touch with sex through emotions
Proverbs 7:21-23
Mark 6:1-5

3. Honour - it's not what you say, but how you say it.
Nothing justifies dishonouring your husband.
You honour your husband, he'll rise as a great man - like a cork in a bucket.
Men like to appear tough but they are not.
Men are sensitive emotionally; women are sensitive physically.
When we dishonour him, it's like he was punched in the stomach.
Men, like God, will live in houses of praise.
Honour him where you want him to be, not where he is.

UPDATED!! My Tribute: birthday reflections - my secondary school years (Year 13-16)

This is a continuation from last year's birthday reflections. You can read last year's post on the following address:
http://adivinepurpose.blogspot.com/2009/11/my-tribute-birthday-reflections.html

Year 13
PSLE was just over, and i remember insisting on going to an all girls' secondary school nearer my place. I also did not want to take Chinese as first language although my results were good enough for me to go. Secondary school was very different from primary school. I took a whole year to adjust to having to study 9 subjects instead of 4. This was something that i began to note later in life, and asked for help from the Holy Spirit to adapt and adjust more quickly to changes in circumstances and situations. And because of the nature of the questions - structured and essay questions, my strong short term memory and quick recognition and understanding skills were no longer that useful. What was required was longer term memory and application and elaboration skills. I was also struggling at art, which had us sketch the human body, and objects in perspective and lighting. The only way i passed that subject was because the teacher gave us the exam questions and i practised over and over under the patient guidance of my mum some scene at the beach.

I joined the school choir and enjoyed it. I much preferred singing to playing the pianica (it was a small keyboard where you had to blow air into in order to produce organ-like sounds - i don't see it around anymore) in the ensemble i joined in primary school. Singing was to become a preference throughout my life - i enjoyed singing more than playing instruments but of course i was often glad that i could play the piano as it provided the accompaniment as i sang and worshiped.

I also joined the church choir, and enjoyed it even more as we sang songs to God and about God.

I started preparing for my grade 8 practical and theory examinations. The pieces had to be memorised and again this posed much difficulty for me. I got away with as little practice as i could. I became slightly more interested in my examination pieces only when my piano teacher complimented me on having some feeling and expression as i played. Talk about the power of praise and encouragement.

I also joined senior sunday school and became closer to my sunday school girlfriends who have now become lifelong friends. We still meet up at least once a year.

I attended sunday school camp for the first time in my life. We stayed overnight. Because of my sleeping habits, i remember trying to stay up was really tough.

I'm not sure whether this was the first year i went carolling, or was it the following year? I always did enjoy carolling, especially the singing part, and the adrenaline spurts for this special christmas eve certainly kept me awake, unlike other nights.

Year 14
Baby D was born in January 2010. He was brought out five minutes after he was born - bloody and wailing. Flat-faced and huge, his red complexion was what got me worried. When the nurse placed him in my arms, i remembered thinking: "oh no! will he be this red all his life!!??" And when he opened his mouth to cry, there was green and brown stuff inside. Ugh! That was my first introduction to my younger brother. The nurse then brought him away to clean him.

A month after he was born, my parents and two brothers were involved in an accident, but God miraculously protected their lives. Satan's assignment against our family was thwarted, and our family continues to serve the Lord passionately even till today. I love my family very much and am so thankful to God for His protection.

This is recorded in another blog entry: http://www.blogger.com/post-edit.g?blogID=2454081468847069015&postID=2617733628467536608

Kong Kong said that baby brother would serve God as he was snatched from the jaws of death at such an early age.
When baby brother turned 22, a woman minister of God marvelled that satan had put such a terrible assignment on him, but a greater Power than his had thwarted that assignment and protected brother's life. She then went on to prophesy that he had a calling to minister to those in society who are different and radical. My parents continue to serve God in their retired or as my dad likes to call it, REFIRED years. They are actively involved in the church choir, prayer ministry and serve as ALPHA facilitators. They also travel to different nations to minister to children. My other brother who is 4 years younger, also serves in the church leadership.

Mum needed help to look after my baby brother as her arm was in a cast. We found a Christian neighbour in the same block (whom we have never met before) who turned out to be an excellent care-giver. I also helped to change and feed him when he came home in the evenings. I learnt that i was not supposed to place my chin on the top of a newborn baby's head no matter how comfortable it is as the skull has not hardened yet. I also dropped him once, but thank God it was not from a high position, and being the tough baby he was, he did not cry for long. There was also once he peed right when i was changing his diapers, aiming directly at my face and neck before i could cover him.

This was an easier year where studies were concerned. I began to understand how to answer questions, and enjoyed my lessons more. Our class took part in the drama competition and went into the finals. I think we came in third with our dramatisation of Jane Eyre being dragged into the dreaded Red Room. I was the cruel aunt! I think it was because of my voice, not so much my looks. haha!

I did okay in my grade 8 exams. And my parents said i could stop piano lessons for the time being. I was elated. I only decided to take it up again in JC1, but because of the demands of the diploma programme in pianoforte as well as JC, i decided to withdraw from having lessons after just two months.

I was the treasurer for the school choir. I enjoyed collecting money. :D

Towards the end of the year, I was also interviewed by the Principal and Prefect Mistress for the position of prefect. I cleared the interview, but only after being told by the Principal to study hard for my final examinations. I did, and fared better than in Secondary One, and went to a good class for Secondary Three.

Year 15
i enjoyed literature even more, and science even less. E Maths was okay, but i was stumped by A Math. I started writing journals, and became more passionate about the things of God. God's Word became alive to me. My Sunday School experience was rich, and it helped that the superintendent was intensely excited about the reality of God's existence and love. It became clear to me that God is interested in our everyday lives.

It also surprised me that my parents, especially my papa, would know when i drifted a little from the Lord, or did not spend time with Him. Papa would tell me 'Focus on God and all other things would fall into place'. His wisdom is with me till today.

I was a prefect as well, and enjoyed my weekly duties, either doing rounds during recess or being in charge of the PA System.

I was also selected to emcee a school event. They liked my pronunciation and enunciation, and tonal quality. haha... i remember being elated at being selected. :D

I also became more aware of what other girls talked about - clothes, music, shoes, bags, magazines, boy bands, and boys from a neighbouring school. I found myself not being able to join in all the time as i was not interested in most of these things, though boys, by far, were the most intriguing. Music which appealed to teens at that time was a whole different world from my own exposure to oldies, musicals and classical music.

There was some misunderstanding in school when some choir members complained about my 'bossiness'. The teacher in charge defended me, but i began to see how my good intentions could be thwarted by my over enthusiastic persuasion and tendency to want people to do things a certain way. I certainly tampered down my passion and persuasive ways as it was more important for me that people thought well of me and i interacted well with them, than it was for things to get done. The part about people thinking well about me changed in later years, when i realised that it was more important that i obeyed God. But at 15 years old, i was still more attuned to other people's opinions than God's.

Year 16
Our class took part in a few inter-class competitions. We all gave these events our very best, knowing that it was our final year in the school. The teachers also gave each Secondary Four class an opportunity to put up an assembly programme. We did a song and a couple of dances. I was involved in one dance - the Charleston. The teachers were surprised at some of us as we were conservative till our dance. That's the only dance i know till today. Er... actually, i don't think i know how to dance it anymore.

By this time, i had gone to the National Day Parade at least twice. We had to go for rehearsals, dress rehearsals, and then the actual day itself where we were at the stadium as early as 2.30pm to rehearse one last time, rain or shine. Compared to how the boys had to do national service, our patriotism to our country was less exacting. I had to go once more in JC, and then as a teacher, brought my choir students for 2 more National Day Parades (as well as the rehearsals in those 2 years). From secondary one till i resigned from teaching in 2002, i have attended at least 5 NDPs (each of which had at least 2 full rehearsals which meant 8 hours at the stadium or padang, which meant i attended 15 NDPs!!). I only watch parts of the NDP on TV now.

My two classmates and i who stayed around sims drive/sims avenue area often took the same bus with this boy from a neighbouring school who looked like Kenny Bee. There was once after we alighted at the same stop, we decided to follow him home. I think it freaked him out because at one block, he suddenly turned around the corner and disappeared. We never did it again, though we continued to 'admire' him from afar.

O levels was quite tough. Later i would find out that A levels was tougher still. I did well enough to go to a JC of my choice. My love for literature had increased but because of poor time management, i did not do too well in it. I remember having only 15 minutes left for the last question which i hurriedly wrote two paragraphs and scribbled the rest of the points within just one page. It was a miracle i still managed a b3. I was to use this painful lesson as a teaching point in my lessons when i became a teacher 8 years later - TIME MANAGEMENT IS IMPORTANT!

I became more involved in the worship ministry in church. I started out as an organist in the evening service at 14 years old, but the newly formed band needed a keyboardist. My training was done by a seasoned guitarist who would sing out the chords so that i could get them right as we practised. He also taught me about rhythm. He never got angry with me, though he sometimes sighed in between songs. Sadly that guitarist died in an accident during his honeymoon in NZ about three years later. I remember him fondly as a kind and patient man who gave his all when he served.

hp note 18 (supernatural vs superficial)

If you are not living a supernatural life,

you are living a superficial life.

Ephesians 3:20

Ephesians 1:19

hp note 17 (RM - happy wife, happy life)

Ephesians 5:25-29
Jesus lay life down to meet needs of man.

1. Communciation - word for word; thought for thought.
Feelings assembled by woman.
Marriage mirrors God.
Once a man connects with a woman, deepen in connection with God.

2. Leadership is not domination but initiation, especially in spiritual matters - lead in prayer, discipline of children, romance. Romance is meeting a need before it is spoken. Budget decides.

3. security. Wife can't hear you if you talk in insecure terms whether financially or emotionally.

prayer school series 2010 - part 13 (revelation of God's plans and purposes)

I taught the following on 15 July 2010:

Scripture reference: Psalms 139, Ephesians 3:1-5

Psalm 139:13-16 ... 13 For You formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother's womb. 14 I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well. 15 My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret... 16 Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed. And in Your book they all were written, The days fashioned for me, When as yet there were none of them.

God's plans for us were written even before we were formed (v16). He knows those plans and He knows us thoroughly (v13-15).

Ephesians 3:1-5 1 For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for you Gentiles-- 2 if indeed you have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which was given to me for you, 3 how that by revelation He made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets:

As we spend time with God, praying in the Spirit and reading of His Word, He will reveal His mysteries to my spirit and mind. (v4-5)

Therefore, since God's plans for us have already been written (Psa 139:16) and He will make them known to us through the Spirit (Eph 3:5) , we can 'pray out' God's future plans right now .

A possible way to 'pray out' God's plans

Sometimes words in our known language flow out while we pray in tongues. Set our heart on seeking the Lord, and speak out those disjointed syllabus, or sounds. He will reveal more and those words or sounds may start to become clearer in our mind.

Purpose for God's plans

A colleague prophesied, "Expect great things from the Lord. He wants His plans and purposes to be fruitful in our lives. And He is accomplishing this as we abide in Him. Fruitful lives are for others - that is the purpose of our lives in Him."

prayer school series 2010 - part 12 (reviving dead situations)

I taught the following on 22 July 2010.

Scripture reference: Eze 37:1-14, John 11:38-44, Luke 8:49-60, Luke 7:11-17

God's Word can turn seemingly desperate situations around.

God's Word can bring life.

Ezekiel 37:1-14 ... 1 The hand of the LORD came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the LORD, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. 2 ... and indeed they were very dry. 3 And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?" So I answered, "O Lord GOD, You know."

(v2) "Very dry" bones imply that there was absolutely no life in that situation for a long time. But Ezekiel was ready to believe and wanted to hear God's view of the situation (v3). Despite the fact that the bones could not hear him, naturally speaking, Ezekiel prophesied life over dry bones because God told him to.

It is the very nature or essence of God to speak life. We should proclaim, by faith, what we hear God saying, and not what we perceive with our senses.

John 11:38-44 ... 39 Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of him who was dead, said to Him, "Lord, by this time there is a stench, for he has been dead four days." ... 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead man was lying. And Jesus lifted up His eyes and said, "Father, I thank You that You have heard Me. ... 43 Now when He had said these things, He cried with a loud voice, "Lazarus, come forth!" 44 And he who had died came out bound hand and foot with graveclothes, and his face was wrapped with a cloth.

This passage can be applied to 'dead situations'. The hopelessness in Lazarus' situation was obvious; there was a "stench" and he had been dead for four days (v38). Jesus remained unmoved by what He saw in the natural, but looked to God (v41). He prophesied life (v43) and resurrected the dead (v44).

Luke 8:49-60 49 While He was still speaking, someone came from the ruler of the synagogue's house, saying to him, "Your daughter is dead. Do not trouble the Teacher." 50 But when Jesus heard it, He answered him, saying, "Do not be afraid; only believe, and she will be made well." ... 52 Now all wept and mourned for her; but He said, "Do not weep; she is not dead, but sleeping." 53 And they ridiculed Him, knowing that she was dead. 54 But He put them all outside, took her by the hand and called, saying, "Little girl, arise." 55 Then her spirit returned, and she arose immediately.

Jesus spoke out based on what He saw in His Spirit (v50, 52) despite what others saw in the natural (v49), and he was not moved by the ridicule of others (v53). Again, He prophesied life (v54) and resurrected the dead. We can do the same when we see with spiritual eyes, prophesy life, and "only believe" (v50).

(Additional reading: Luke 7:11-17 Jesus Raises the Son of the Widow of Nain)

Listen to what God says about any situation, and do or say what He says. Many times He will tell us what He wants us to proclaim about a matter. Our obedience to speak in accordance with His Word plays a part in bringing life into the situation.

(Prayer time)

prayer school series 2010 - part 11 (watchmen do not keep silent)

Hubby taught the following at prayer school on 19 July 2010

* Especially when it comes to praying, we have to ask God, what to pray for.

* Memorised Scriptures are for the purpose that, they can eventually be dropped from my mind to my heart. (Not for just staying as mind knowledge)

Isa 62:6 I have set watchmen on your walls, O Jerusalem, who shall never hold their peace day or night.

You who make mention of the LORD, do not keep silent,

* We all believers are watchmen. All churches, are connected. Criticising churches, is speaking against God Himself.

* There may be times when God may give us prayer assignments. Do not keep silent. We may not be aware of a situation, but this is the time we declare our rights.

* Watchmen are on high towers; bell & drum will sound – whatever they see, they announce out. Be liberal , & pray It out.

Eze 3:17 Son of man, I have made thee a watchman unto the house of Israel: therefore hear the word at my mouth, and give them warning from me.

* We, become His watchmen. God says, “Hear, a Word, from : My Mouth” – the WORD of direction is originating from God, not from ourselves.

Take Heed to what the HolySpirit wants to say

Mar 13:33 Take ye heed, watch and pray: for ye know not when the time is.

* Be ready , to hear from the HolySpirit; If I want to be used as a vessel in daily life, I CAN hear very clearly.

Joh 16:13 Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not

speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come.

* Whilst praying in the spirit, don't switch off my mind – be alert to what the HolySpirit wants to say to me.

* As I pray in the spirit , my spirit-man will become sensitive to the HolySpirit.

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Prayer Time.

* Supplication, for churches in Singapore.

prayer school series 2010 - part 10 (God-initiated prayer)

Hubby taught the following during prayer school:

1. God initiates
2. Man receives
3. Holy Spirit leads us to pray the most effective prayer
4. God answers

• Isaiah 55:8-11 “ For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” says the LORD. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.“ For as the rain comes down, and the snow from heaven, and do not return there, but water the earth, and make it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater, So shall My word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, But it shall accomplish what I please, And it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”

• It starts from God, when we pray we know our prayers will be answered.

• 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.”

• “according to His will”
• the important thing is knowing God’s will
• "show us things to come'
  

• John 16:13 “However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come.”

prayer school series 2010 - part 9 (watch and pray 2)

When we commit ourselves to God, we are committing to a good God who watches over us.
When He calls us He gives us gifts that enable us

Our prayers must come from God; from His word.

Why are things not coming to pass or happening? When we speak forth the word of God, something happens immediately in the spirit realm. Hold fast to your confession of faith and do not let go. It will manifest in the natural realm.

If you do not know what to pray, don’t speak it yet. Watch and pray till it is revealed.

Scriptures quoted to pray and proclaim over our lives and over others:

Phil 9:1-11

Colossians 1:9-13

Ephesians 1:16-23

James 3:13-17

Matt 8:17

1 Peter 2:24

Isaiah 53:3-5

Isaiah 21:6

Paul exalted us to pray continually, we can do that when we take our positions and be watchmen at our posts, day and night, watching what the Lord say to us with faith and confident expectation. And then when we receive, we begin to proclaim and speak forth the word; it will send the ministering angels to go forth and pave the way ahead.

Ephesians 2:6, 10– We sit at the right hand of God in the heavenly places (spiritually), therefore we can see as He sees and know as He knows, not all that He sees and knows but what we need He will reveal to us when we ask of Him.

Isaiah 62:6-7

He is preparing us on top of preparing the circumstances, divine appointments, people, establishing of foundations and so on.

We are to wait upon the Lord in patience.

Isaiah 61:1-7