Happy Easter Day!

As Christians, we believe that Jesus resurrected after 3 days from His death.
Through His death, burial and resurrection, Jesus paid the penalty for sin, thus purchasing for all who believe in him, eternal life in Christ Jesus.

YAY! Let's thank God for His Sacrificial Love for us even though we are not worthy and don't deserve it, not even a single bit.

HAPPY EASTER DAY ! :D

-jo

What is Good Friday?

Good Friday, the Friday before Easter Sunday, is a day when Christians remember Jesus' death on the cross.

For Christians, Good Friday is a time to be with Jesus in his time of suffering and wait with him in hope of God's promise, eternal life to all who believe. The "good" in Good Friday reflects the Christian hope of resurrection and new life in Jesus, foreshadowing Easter Sunday, when Christians believe that God resurrected Jesus from the dead.

Why is Good Friday called Good?
The words good and celebrate don’t seem like the right words to explain this holy day but they are.

Good Friday is celebrated the Friday before Easter Sunday. As with Easter Sunday, Good Friday does not fall on the same date each year. This is because Good Friday is a moveable feast and it is based on a lunar calendar similar to the Hebrew Calendar. Most other American holidays, like the Fourth of July, are based on the regular calendar known as the Gregorian Calendar, which is a solar calendar.

As discussed in Chris Armstrong's article titled "The Goodness of Good Friday," dated August 8, 2008 and found on the Christian History website, there are many explanations for why such a solemn day is called good. The Old English word for holy is good, so that translates to Holy Friday. Another thought is that Good Friday comes from “God’s Friday,” just like “good-bye” is derived from “God be with ye.” The simplest explanation is that the day is truly good because in Christ’s death, God had the last word. His people were redeemed by the death of Jesus Christ.

The Cross and Good Friday
Good Friday is the day that Christians focus especially on the cross and Jesus' sacrifice for the sins of the world. The cross is a central symbol of the Christian faith. Christians believe that Jesus, son of God, died to save all believers from sin, all that separates human beings from God. The cross reminds Christians of Jesus' death and their salvation, how Jesus saved them from death by dying in their place.

Jesus' crucifixion, death on the cross, is the source of eternal life for all who believe according to Christian teaching. Jesus put himself in the place of every believer's sins as he suffered for the whole world by sacrificing his own life.

Atonement, Jesus giving himself for the sins of Christians, saves all Christians from hell and suffering. Good Friday is a time for Christians to remember Jesus' sacrifice and reflect on how the cross has saved them from their sins


extract from:
http://catholic-practices.suite101.com/article.cfm/what_is_good_friday
http://protestantism.suite101.com/article.cfm/good_friday_meaning_and_purpose


Christ's death is celebrated by Christians around the world in many different ways but the signifigance of this holy day is universal; if Jesus had not suffered and died, we would not have been saved by his resurrection, so let's commemorate this day in rememberance of our precious Lord Jesus who died for us(:

-jo

Being Optimistic not Pessimistic!

I can do everything through him who gives me strength.
(Philippians 4:13)

I Can Vs. I Can't

He who THINKS he can, very likely can and will! Likewise, he/she who THINKS they can't is right, and surely will not, because they will follow what they THINK.

Some people fail to begin the Christian life, thinking they can't hold out! Some start and drop out, thinking there are too many difficulties! Many, as Paul, under difficult circumstances finish the course (2 Tim. 4:6-8). With the mind set that they could, they did.

Determination comes from having decided that one CAN and thus they will, because God will enable them to do so! Beloved, let us have the mind set that Paul manifested and therefore, we'll achieve good things on earth and be prepared for the blessing of heaven! Let each of us say with the apostle, "I can do all things through Christian who strengthens me."

Christ is the avenue to real spiritual success.

Strength is provided for me, you and anyone who willingly submits! Paul attributed all his success to the strength given him by the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. So, must we all recognize and accept that fact: without Him we can actually do very little or nothing that really counts in the eternal perspective (Jn. 15:4).

Conclusion: Look at Paul, Daniel and others --in difficult situation purposed Not to be defeated; understanding each can succeed!

1. Only in and through Christ!

2. He'll give us strength -- when we are weak enough to depend on Him, we are strongest! Beloved each of us can do all things that REALLY COUNT through Christ who strengthens!

extract from: http://www.bible.ca/ef/expository-philippians-4-13.htm

Fellow brothers and sisters, let's learn to lean on God and His Strength always. Remember that there is nothing that you and the Lord can't handle together today (:

-jo (finally signing off with my name)

praying even when you feel spiritually dry

Why I must pray even when I don’t feel like it

I’m feeling very convicted by what I read in Don Carson’s book, “A Call to Spiritual Reformation“.

Some time ago I developed a very strange way to evaluate my prayer life that actually led me to pray less. Originally this helped to alleviate my feelings of guilt about not being as prayerful as the giants of the faith, and it ironically arose from a deeper grasp of the doctrine of my salvation by grace alone. Where before I had wrongly viewed prayer as an obligation to earn God’s love and acceptance, yet because I now knew it was not by my prayerfulness or any other good works that I am saved and justified, I find myself less motivated to pray. Why should that be?

I say things like “I’m sure God doesn’t want me to pray out of obligation”, and “praying when I don’t feel like it means I am doing it to justify myself and earn brownie points, thus nullifying the Cross, and that’s wrong”. I was thinking that to please the Lord by praying more is to deny the power of the Cross. But what was good and right was that I came to see I didn’t have to pray in order to get grace and love from God. Whenever I was tired or dry, or just don’t feel like praying I’d simply say “It’s okay not to pray.” I sure thought I was avoiding legalism successfully.

Don Carson writes in the chapter on ‘Excuses for Not Praying” that we are in fact ‘casting a terrible slur on the cross when we act as if the usefulness or acceptability of our prayers turns on whether we feel full or dry’ (pg 114). And then he describes a further error I make, which is ‘to assign to my mood or my feelings the right to determine what I ought to do (which is) unbearably self-centered. It is to act as if the Bible never says, “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer” (Rom 12:12, emphasis added)’ (pg 115)

Of course it’s catastrophic and heretical to think that my prayerfulness earns my salvation, justifies me before God, and is the basis of his love for me. But, on the basis of the Cross alone, now that I am reconciled to him, it would be more atrocious notto seek him in regular prayer, which is essentially communion witth him.

As one preacher I’ve been learning from often puts it: It’s not that we ought to pray, but we get to pray. To the God of the Universe, who loves me not on the basis of my saintliness or prayerfulness but on the basis of his own faithful love! So I should pray even when I feel spiritually dry. It’s my privilege and also a command which I should love to obey, because it’s for my good that he has commanded it.

source: http://www.victorcandy.com/2009/10/why-i-must-pray-even-when-i-dont-feel-like-it/

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So let's apply what we've learnt and start a prayerful life by taking everything to our God in prayer!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

sorry for the lack of updating.
big thank you to all of you who are still checking out this blog!
i have a few announcements to make.

#1: Anshao camp is in 6 days time!!
Remember to pack your bags and prepare your hearts for the camp!
Also, for those who have not pay up, please pay by this Sunday (13dec) to Esther or Grace.

The shirts have been nicely printed, we will be able to get it on Tuesday (15dec) itself :D

#2: Caroling!
For those who have signed up for caroling or are interested, there will be a short practice on Sunday (13 dec), from 11am - 1130am.

Let me know if you guys want the list of songs, i can email you guys. :D

#3: Last day of the year.
Thanksgiving dinner on 31 Dec will be held at Yan Ge Restaurant, situated in Chinatown.
There will be programmes, other than food, lined up for you!
Those who have not paid, please pass the money to Junyan.
If you face any financial difficulties, feel free to look for any Daoshis or Junyan.

After the dinner, everyone is encouraged to go back to church to attend Watch Night Service.
We'll be sharing our thanksgiving for the church and ourselves, praying and counting down together!

Annual Unofficial Anshao Stayover is not confirmed yet. 
More details and information to be released at a later date.

Do check out your Fackbook events and remind your friends to visit this space + fb!

HAVE A BLESSED WEEK AHEAD! :D :D :D

HAPPY 47th BIRTHDAY ANSHAO!

some rights and wrongs

Sometimes we wonder if what we do is right or wrong. Here are answers to some questions which you might want to know.

Question: "Should a Christian listen to secular music?"

Answer: The question of whether a Christian should listen to secular music is one that many Christians struggle with. There are many secular musicians who are immensely talented. Secular music can be very entertaining. There are many secular songs that have catchy melodies, thoughtful insights, and positive messages. In determining whether or not a Christian should listen to secular music, there are three primary factors to consider: (1) the purpose of music, (2) the style of music, and (3) the content of the lyrics.

(1) The purpose of music. Is music designed solely for worship, or did God also intend music to be soothing and/or entertaining? The most famous musician in the Bible, King David, primarily used music for the purpose of worshipping God (see Psalm 4:1; 6:1; 54:1; 55:1; 61:1; 67:1; 76:1). However, when King Saul was tormented by evil spirits, he would call on David to play the harp in order to soothe him (1 Samuel 16:14-23). The Israelites also used musical instruments to warn of danger (Nehemiah 4:20) and to surprise their enemies (Judges 7:16-22). In the New Testament, the Apostle Paul instructs Christians to encourage one another with music: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). So, while the primary purpose of music does seem to be worship, the Bible definitely allows music to be used for other purposes.

(2) The style of music. Sadly, the issue of music styles can be very divisive among Christians. There are Christians who adamantly demand that no musical instruments be used. There are Christians who only desire to sing the “old faithful” hymns. There are Christians who want more upbeat and contemporary music. There are Christians who claim to worship best in a “rock concert” type of environment. Instead of recognizing these differences as personal preferences and cultural distinctions, some Christians declare their preferred style of music to be the only “biblical” one, and declare all other forms of music as ungodly at best or at worst, satanic.

The Bible nowhere condemns any particular style of music. The Bible nowhere declares any form of musical instrument to be ungodly. The Bible mentions numerous kinds of string instruments and wind instruments. While the Bible does not specifically mention drums, it does mention other percussion instruments (Psalm 68:25; Ezra 3:10). Nearly all of the forms of modern music are variations and/or combinations of the same types of musical instruments, played at different speeds or with heightened emphasis. There is no biblical basis to declare any particular style of music to be ungodly or outside of God’s will.

(3) The content of the lyrics. Since neither the purpose of music nor the style of music are determinant as to whether a Christian should listen to secular music, the content of the lyrics must be considered. While not specifically speaking of music, Philippians 4:8 is an excellent guide as to what we should listen for in the lyrics of music, “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.” If those are the things we should be thinking about, surely also those are the things we should invite into our minds through music and lyrics. Can the lyrics in an entirely secular song be true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy? If the answer is yes, there would be absolutely nothing wrong with a Christian listening to a secular song of that nature.

At the same time, it is abundantly clear that much of secular music does not meet the standard of Philippians 4:8. Secular music often upholds immorality and violence while demeaning or belittling purity and integrity. If a song glorifies what opposes God, a Christian should not purposefully listen to it. However, there are many secular songs that have no mention of God, but still uphold godly values, such as honesty, purity, and integrity. If a love song promotes the sanctity of marriage and/or the purity of true love—but does not mention God or the Bible—such a song can still be listened to and enjoyed.

It is a fact that whatever a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and his actions. This is the premise behind Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2,5: establishing wholesome thought patterns. Second Corinthians 10:5 says we should "take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ." These Scriptures give a pretty clear picture of the kind of music we should not listen to.

Obviously, the best kind of music we can listen to is that which praises and glorifies God. There are very talented Christian musicians in nearly every musical genre, ranging from classical, to rock, to rap, to reggae. There is nothing inherently wrong with any particular style of music. It is the lyrics that determine whether a song is “acceptable” for a Christian to listen to. But if a style of secular music, whether in the music itself or in the lyrics, leads you to think about or get involved in something that does not glorify God, it should be avoided.

Question: "Is it a sin to cuss / swear / curse?"

Answer: It is definitely a sin to swear (curse, cuss, etc.). The Bible makes this abundantly clear. Ephesians 4:29 tells us, "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen." First Peter 3:10 declares, "For, whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech." James 3:9-12 summarizes the issue: "With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water."

James makes it clear that the lives of Christians—the “brothers”—should not be characterized by evil speech. By making the analogy of both salt water and fresh water coming from the same spring (which is uncharacteristic of springs), he makes the point that it is uncharacteristic for a believer to have both praise and cursing come from his/her mouth. Nor is it characteristic for us to praise God on one hand and curse our brothers on the other. This, too, is uncharacteristic of a true believer.

Jesus explained that what comes out of our mouths is that which fills our hearts. Sooner or later, the evil in the heart comes out through the mouth in curses and swearing. But when our hearts are filled with the goodness of God, praise for Him and love for others will pour forth. Our speech will always indicate what is in our hearts. “The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45).

Why is it a sin to cuss / swear / curse? Sin is a condition of the heart, the mind, and “the inner man” (Romans 7:22), which is manifested in our thoughts, actions and words. When we swear and curse, we are giving evidence of the polluting sin in our hearts that must be confessed and repented of. Thankfully, our great God is “faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). When this happens, we receive a new nature from God (2 Corinthians 5:17), our hearts are transformed, and our speech reflects the new nature God has created within us.

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Hope this helps to clear up some doubts.

Lets cont to leave a life that is pleasing and glorifying to God! :) Have a blessed week ahead!