The B Project

(via morethanblessed)

James 1:11

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

The book of James was written to instruct, correct, encourage and rebuke Christians. It’s definitely not easy being a Christian and it’s easier to be conformed into the ways of the world - which may seem harmless, but is actually not right, according the laws that God had set. And James 1 set out to show how we could act in accordance with our faith. Why must we behave according the law?

If I say I am clever, but if I bank only on my brain and not study, how would others see/identify me as a clever person? Similarly, if I am a Christian, if I do not behave and act in a way of a Christian, how can I truly say that I had believed in God, love him and want to commit my all to him?

Sometimes, I forget and become sinful. I do not take criticism lightly, I get short-tempered and vulgar, I fall into temptation and attempt to take the easy (and wrong) way out of things. Instead of trying to learn to become better, I get deterred by the toughness of the course and give up in order to not face the stumbling block. But, everytime I do that, instead of getting better, I stay at the same spot, not able to taste the fruits of my improvement.

For instance, I am a great volleyball player (not that great, but I can play). However, when face with opponents and better players, I run away and take the shorter route out, choosing to play with the lower division then with the better one. In the lower division, I am one of the better players, but will my skills really improve? It’s possible, but it’s more probable that I will stay stagnant and get proud and deteriorate. However, if I had persevere and went on playing with the better division, seeking to improve time and time again, I would make it into a new stage.

That said, the Faith journey is the same. And, I would really want to persevere and mature and become better for God. And all this could only be done if God gives me the strength because I know I am weak and I will fall somewhere along the journey. Pray for me!

Dear God,

help me be able to be humble so that I am opened to learning and improving and become better for you. Lord, give me the strength and the courage to face criticisms, give me the persistence and concentration to master what I’ve to learn so that I will do things well and glorify your name. Dear God, use me as you please and let me be a good testimony to others. Grant me the wisdom to choose my words and actions wisely, and guide me in choosing the path I take. Father, please guard my heart and keep me with you always, let me not stray away from you because you are the creator and my sole purpose on earth is for you.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen.

James 2:14-17

What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.

Was sharing with Danana just now. It was funny how we started the topic - from sharing one of the doubts raised from my course: “Did God created black people first, since the Aborigines of most lands are black?” Then the other question came out: “How then did the different colour tones of humans come about?” We started talking about the curse of Ham, by which Ham was actually the father of the Africans, no idea if its really true, but check the wikipedia and the reference sites out. We then moved on talking about how its hard to grasp the bible sometimes and how a Christian’s faith can be wavered by persistent unfathomable questions from non-christians. 

And that’s when Danana showed me this new bible verse, which I never had the impression of reading it before (though I’ve read the bible once through - says so much about how much I took in and says a lot about needing to continuously refer back to the bible to keep our lives in check). But the big debate was, “What is faith, without deeds?”

I can say that I am a Christian and being Christians, we are given the gift of eternal life in heaven with our Father in Heaven. Some people say that, we have good deeds and surely we will be saved. But others, they just bank on believing and not acting. So, what is faith, without good deeds? Will we still be saved on faith alone?

Actions are always stronger than words. I can tell you that I am an outgoing person. But, if you do not see that characteristic in me, would you believe? Similarly, when I say I believe and have faith in God, but if you do not see me living it out sincerely, would you believe? There you go, faith without deeds would be, pretty much, a dead faith.

It was funny how the whole topic we were discussing linked back to one point - deeds. The kind of deeds that God would want us to do, the kind of attitude God would want us to have and the kind of behaviour that God would want us to undertake..They were all clearly shown in the bible. Putting the deeds into the very question that we were talking about.. racial and colour differences, though it was really unforseen, it was purposeful to find out that the very first part of James 2 told us to not have favouritism, prejudices or judgements against the different people, be it their colour or ranks, in the world.

Especially with the recent racial discriminations that I had seen or faced, this verse had shown me really clearly how I should act/react. First, if people discriminate against you, it doesn’t give you the right to judge their characters, hurt as you may. Second, the discrimination you face just might be the lesson you need to prevent you from discriminating against others. Third, you do not have the right to judge or discriminate others because we are all humans and we are faulty. Last, and most important of all, we are all God’s creation and the soverign one is God, not us. How a person is, how an individual is, no matter how good he is or his deeds are, it is all because of our faith and as we all should know, our faith is given freely onto us by God. We humans are imperfect and I guess, the main thing is not to waste our time judging one another, but as the end of the world draw closer, our main concern would be sharing our faith and being a testimony through our deeds.

Shalom!

Alicia.

Tears of the Saint.

Colossians 1:21-24

“And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight: If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister; Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the church.”

The topic we discussed in cell is like a huge alarm clock that jots me awake. The opening question was, “briefly discuss the differences that God made in your life”. The testimonies that my cell mates share were encouraging. There is the one who haven’t made out whether he has changed, but is really thirsty for growth. There is the one who really changed and many of us noticed and were comforted and inspired. Then, there’s me - the one who knows that God forgives, but is stubborn and having a really hard time coming back from “backsliding”.

God made a lot of differences in my life. Without him, I would not have a disciplining, loving, caring family. I would probably become a juvenile; considering all the negative genes I have. We were alienated, but he still gave us the salvation, placed it there for us to accept it so that he will be able to share his love with us, so that we can be reconciled with him forever. SO, what’s making me reject this salvation? What’s stopping me from coming back to God?

Being a born Christian, as most people put it - a child born into and bred in a Christian family, it is easy for me to take my religion and faith for granted. It is easy for me to take God for granted. There was this period, when I was at the peak of my faith, always participating, willingly volunteering, my attitudes changed, I was less short-fused, I was efficient, I had priorities - knew them, and God was the first. But, then I became the kid who went wayward, possibly seeking for attention? When Satan strikes, I fell. I was sure and still am sure that it was Satan who struck, and my falling just proved that I am not steadfast and firm. My “assumed” strong foundation in Christ was tested and I was brought back to the reality that.. I am afterall a human - weak. 

So, the general backsliding story started. I grew tired and kept complaining about everything, about Church. I started turning my back on Christ. I stopped going to church, finding every little fault and excuse that I can pinpoint at to excuse myself from Church and activities. Of course, I met new friends too! Friends who are close to God, friends who are not.

I experienced the politics among people, especially studying in Mass Communications, you get to meet all the top class of people and experience the really materialistic world where all the backstabbing, bitching and cat fighting happens. The calamities of the world blew me away too. The more I see, the more I doubted God’s presence. I doubted his supremacy. All these, especially when Christian friends behave waywardly and slided. But at the same time, THANK GOD, he placed friends who constantly reminded me to keep my faith, especially those non-christian friends whom grew - they always spurs me on.

I am glad of the chance that God gave me to help me see him, to help me experience his love. He never gave up on me. I felt all these really strongly during my overseas experience in China, and in Australia. Last year, I felt like I was back again, that I was ready to face God, that I was close to him again. But, another test came. This time, it tested me on something that I wasn’t ready to give up - my relationship.

Along the way, I made so many mistakes. I got violated. I started feeling dirty and angry that I set my guard down and allow myself to fall into mistakes and temptations so easily. I got easier. I had Christian friends, but my “outside” friends seemed so much more caring and closer than those Christian friends I have - they were like the ones who  really cared when I am down and who were the ones who are always there to share my joy. And then came that special someone, whom Christians deemed “the unbeliever”. I fell so deeply in love, and he gave me everything that I could ever want (of course, I still had my own expectations and like all humans, expectations never cease). 

The debate of being in love with a non-christian has always been in my mind and even up till now, it is. I thought I was ready to separate from him, I thought I would be able to deal with it. But so many things happened in between (that is supposed to be kept within the four walls of my room) and every time I tried, I failed badly. There was a thousand and one reasons why I could not break up and there was that special one that says I must not. But, I gave it a try anyways, again. Things went terribly wrong. Other horrible stuffs came along. I fell out with people, I bitched about people, I caused someone to fall out of cell….

The good thing is, I got back with him (: But, there are times I wonder if he would be able to experience God’s love, if he want to get this free, magnanimous, love. And up till now, I struggle with so many issues with the bible. Why does this happen, why do we have to do this, why do we have to do that?

These doubts are forever stuck in my brain and I cannot get them out. I don’t know who to pour to. And I guess, that was my main downfall, my inability to forgive myself. I am always looking to start afresh - and that was the main reason why I changed church because I always thought that by changing, I could erase the past by not having to face them, but how possible is that because no one can change the course of history, no matter how much we try to bury it. I would always ask myself, “wouldn’t it be easier if I face it straight on, admit it and move on?” Easier said then done.

Right now, I am still trying to pick myself up, to be able to change for the better like the Colossians. It is hard, but I am going to give it a try, because the best difference that I’ve experienced of God making in my life was him showing me that his love lasts forever and without him, live is not liveable without him. I guess that was where the struggle came from in the first place - trying to compromise the world with God. But I am still going to try.

And like what one of my cell mates said, “Stay strong, and may the force be with you.”

I am going to pick up the bible once again.

Once again.

That is if I am not procrastinating! 

Don’t procrastinate!

And please pray for me if you are reading this. For me and my beloved, for our faith and salvation. Thanks loads (:

Shalom!

Alicia

Genesis 1:1.

Isn’t everything that God made just so beautiful?

Easter is just round the corner! How are going to do to celebrate this day? What have you been doing in commemoration of this annual “festival”? Have you been idling? Are you contented with your own salvation? Apostle Paul urges the Thessalonians to “increase more and more”. He follows closely to the instruction(s) Christ has given to all believers - to not only be satisfied with our own salvation but also to “Go make disciple of all nations”.

The question is, “What’s really stopping us from spreading the gospel?” One of the challenges I face is to invite people - friends, to be exact - to join me in services. I often wonder what makes it so hard to ask, afterall it is just a question of a few simple words. I always have the conversation thought out in my head, “Hey, _____ my church is having an Easter service on [day], and I’d like to invite you to join me in the service.” But, it never got further than my mind - the invitation never realised.

Honestly, I’ve struggled and still am struggling with that. I’m afraid of people’s “judgement”. I don’t want them to think of me as “that ‘Holy’ person” and therefore keeping a distance away from me because of their difference in “ideology”. So I prayed for courage during this Easter period. God, with His amazing ways, led me to the key verse that I’m going to share today.

Matt 10:39

Those who try to gain their own life will lose it; but those who lose their life for my sake will gain it.

The important keyword in this verse is LIFE. What exactly is the definition of life? What is your take on life? We revolve our lives around what we deem as important. It may be money, sports, family and etc. Basically, what we consider important determines what our priorities are and how our time on earth will (causally) be spent. That time we spent throughout the span of our breathing moments is life.

Since life is about what matters to us, we could replace the word, life, with what matters to us. For me, my life is about my friends. Their opinions, support and relationships matter tremendously to me.

Those who try to gain their own [friends] will lose it; but those who lose their [friends] for my sake will gain [them].

That sentence freaks me the moment I tried to understand the context. I have always imagined that I would be able to keep my friends if I do not conflict with their intentions, such as preaching to them though they loathe it. But here, God is telling me that if I want to keep my friends (if I generally mean well for them), I’ve got to hand them to Him or I might risk losing them for good!

How often have we lost contact with our friends and thereby gradually drifting away from each other? I’ve a theory. Friends are seasonal. When the time and conditions that nurture friendship varies, the relationship starts rocking. The dominant factor that keeps friendship going is communication. The more we contact each other, the better and closer we become. But the moment we lack communication, we slowly drift apart, this is especially true to friends we meet during events or school. How often have we lost friends because we have graduated and our different work/life schedules make it impossible for us to continue mingling? 

We know that people will die and the earth will fade. The same applies to relationship. There is no other way to attain immortality other than through Christ. He is the only one who is able to ressurect. He, the one who created all things, is also the only one who has the power to sustain all things. If I really mean well for my friends, if I really care for them and want to be with them forever, the best way to do it is to pray for their salvation. The only way I can be with them forever is to communicate with them and share with them this wonderful present of salvation I’ve received and it all starts with a simple invitation.

Looking back, I am really glad to have friends in Christ who invited me to share this wonderful gift. I am thankful for the person who first brought me to church and the one who gave me my first copy of the Holy Bible. If it wasn’t for their invitation, I would not have come to understand/know Christ. I used to be a staunch “free thinker”, but my friend’s constant invitation and sharing slowly showed me what I am missing out if I do not accept Christ.

Though, we do not have the power to change someone and though it is tough being rejected by friends, but it should not stop our work of spreading the gospel. I realised that if I truly mean well for my friends, I should not be so mindful of the negative perception that people may give me, but I should be proud of doing the right thing.

Thus, let us not stop our work for the Kingdom here. Don’t miss a soul because every soul is precious in the eyes of the Lord. Don’t let your friend perish and die because you did not extend the invitation to them to know Jesus.

Therefore I pray for everyone that my Father will give you insight just as how He has opened my eyes to see what is truly important. I pray that the Holy Spirit will touch you and touch the friends you are inviting to Church this Easter.

Father Lord, I thank You for your provision. I thank you for allowing me to be of service to You. I pray that you will help me (us) continue in the footsteps that Christ Jesus has taken in building Your Kingdom. In the name of Jesus I pray, Amen!

God is Gracious.

(Shawn)

(Source: simplyheavenlyfood)

Colossians 3:23

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men.

The present is awesomely advanced and convenient. Comparing what we have to what the cavemen used to live in in the past, we, are much more lucky, but at the same time, much more complicated.

I can’t help feeling a sense of depression when reading the news or observing the surroundings. Especially with the running of social media, the laws to abide to survive in the society slowly changes - what’s wrong in the past may not be deemed so now - and people slowly conform to the “norms”, gradually losing the ability to differentiate from right to wrong, hence, causing several social problems now.

But, I thank God for Exodus 22:16-31. It showed me, once again, how to live my life right, and I am sure if everyone abides it, the world will be better.

Here are some of the rules (that relates with current affairs) I would like to highlight:

1) v21, “Do not mistreat an alien or oppress him for you were aliens in Egypt”.

The problem of racism and “looking down” of people of different race, culture and denominations are obvious in every country today. In Singapore, it’s the way we treat PRCs, and in Australia, it’s the way they look at Asians. Of course, I feel uncomfortable when PRCs and other foreigners start occupying Singapore. With the increase of population, it becomes more congested, and we “genuine” Singaporeans have to start learning to adapt to these foreigners with a different culture and living habits. It’s hard and sometimes, we loathe them and through the words we put in the social media, especially, we maliciously attack them so that the government would do something about this influx.

The bible clearly states, do not mistreat and alien, for we were all aliens. I may be born in Singapore, but, my forefathers, and many other’s forefathers were from another country, and technically that makes us a foreigner too! We are all humans, and what rights do we have to draw our territorial line so clearly to the extent of oppressing these “aliens” when the world was created by God for all of us to roam and live in. No matter where we are born or where we are after, we are not standing in His territory, not ours; what rights do we have to chase someone our of the land?

I could relate to the foreigners in Singapore. I got the same treatment, or maybe even worse, when I was in Australia, and it definitely does not feel good. It feels horrible in fact, to be looked down or, to be scolded for no good reason and to be even physically threatened.

We are all humans, we all have feelings and no matter our social statuses, it doesn’t give us the right to crush another’s pride and integrity. And, as God said clearly in the bible, we are all foreigners. Instead of attacking each other, we should probably work with each other to try to make this earth more liveable.

2) v28, “Do not blaspheme God or curse the ruler of your people”.

I read an article recently, talking about people being born in a generation where everything works. Things are all easily available that people slowly start taking what they have for granted. When the SMRT broke down, people started complaining and blaming the government and the authorities. It’s true that we need feedback to constantly improve and grow, but on the other hand, if we were the authorities, how would we feel, and would we be able to do a better job?

PAP, the opposition parties and Lee Kuan Yew did a great job in raising Singapore from zero to the current bustling hub. We should be grateful, and glad that we have what we have today. Instead of faulting, we should co-operate and try to make our country, a betetr place. It’s our countries, not only theirs. It’s true that leaders are to serve the people, but the people have the responsibility to contribute if they want their country to prosper. Our leaders are nominated by God, just like our parents were. We should learn to embrace them.

Just some food for thought after the long hiatus.

Being really defiant right now. Till I find THE WAY again…

Homesick - MercyMe

Homesick (adj): Experiencing a longing for one’s home during a period of absence from it

Everytime I go overseas, I would get homesick, especially when I meet with trouble overseas or I meet with dissatisfactory conditions.

I would question God, “Why all these pains and sufferings?”

I would even stoop low to think that God might be a sadist, WHEN HE REALLY IS NOT.

Life is a temporary assignment… In order to keep us from becoming too attached to the world, God allows us to feel a significant amount of discontent and dissatisfaction in life.

- Purpose Driven Life, Rick Warren

Have you ever felt that what you did was never good enough, and that there are just some things you will never be able to get or meet in this earth?

Have you ever felt that this earth is really hard to live in?

When I am overseas for a long period of time, which I have so often been for the past 5 years of my life, I get seriously homesick.

This year in Melbourne, was one of the worst overseas experience EVER - money scams, racisms, housing issues, friendship problems, financial problems, school problems, most importantly, relationship problems.

It made me wonder… Why.. WHy.. WHY.. am I so unlucky as to have to go through all these?

It made me question… why is it that things can be so tough and why can’t certain things just have a happy ending?

I nearly turned my back on God.

Everytime I faced problems, I wanted to go home sooooo badly, because that is where, I can find comfort from my family and friends. Other than helping me grow (because I know that if I am faced with the same troubles, I would be able to overcome them more easily having already experienced them once), the problems helped me appreciate my family, friends and loved ones even more.

When I was in China, I had so much fun over there that at a point of time, I did not want to go home. I forgot what it was like to be home. I lost contact with a few of my friends, and a few friendships went *POOF* when I went back home eventually. But, when I did go home, I realised, nothing, seriously NOTHING, beats having your family and your friends beside you. I didn’t even know what made me so attached to a foreign land in the first place. Home is really the best place to be at.

I am kind of glad that I have experienced all these problems and hardships and I really thank God for them because as much as it had beaten me down, drained me or tortured me, they helped me learn a lot more and they helped made my life easier as I am now able to live life without being as bothered as before by the tribulations.

God is really awesome. He knows our weaknesses and the perfect remedy to help us with it. He will not place us in a position he knows we will not be able to overcome. At the same time, he is constantly helping us and leading us home.

Being overseas is tough and going home is always a joy. Imagine, this earth is just a temporal place, a foreign land, just like being overseas. And one day, we will all return home to our Father in heaven, to the place where (like my mom always say) it is overflowing with milk and honey, where there is no sadness and hatred, but only love, peace and joy.

We will all be home one day. Question is.. would you want to go home?

Lord, remind me how brief my time on earth will be. Remind me that my days are numbered, and that my life is fleeing away (Psalm 39:4).

I am here on earth for just a little while (Psalm 119:19)

2 Corinthians 4:18

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.

I want to go home. I am going home.

Question: Why is it so hard to smile sometimes?

Answer: Because we keep smiling. We do not show it.

Smile radiantly. Have fun. Live life.