“I am free to obey God”

Hebrews 13:17
Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you

What is submission? What does submission mean? Often we tend to link this word “submission” to exploitation and abuse. Many people picture it as a doormat for someone else to step on. But does some of us feel that shouldn’t submission mean something better? Something better than what we perceive it to be? After all, God does call us to submit.

In actual fact, true submission in the kingdom of God is a very powerful and liberating thing.

Submission is God’s idea, therefore true submission should not be oppressive. It should not be to limit or restrict us, but instead, it should be to protect us. Submission as God intended it to be, is to release us into a new level of obedience and faith in God.

In order to become mature in our relationship with God and others, often time we are required to understand the principles of authority and submission and how they operate in the kingdom of God. For since God set up this authority structure, he usually works within this authority structure and does not bypass it often. This also means that he speaks to us, disciplines us and moulds our character through our parents, pastors and spiritual leaders.

what kind of situations do you find it difficult to submit to others? How did you feel when you were expected to submit in that situation?

Luke 2:51-52 Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.
Even though Jesus was the Son of God, how did he behave towards His earthly parents?

Even though his mother knew that Jesus would be the Messiah, she didn't understand his purpose here on earth. Still, despite her not being able to sympathise, Jesus's act of obedience spoke of his love for her more than anything... in relative comparison, how is our relationship with Our parents? does understanding matters? or love come first and thereafter strike understanding? Do our love for them show?

Hebrews 5:7-8 During the days of Jesus' life on earth, he offered up prayers and petitions with loud cries and tears to the one who could save him from death, and he was heard because of his reverent submission. Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered
Even though Jesus was the Son of God, what did he learn as a human being?

In our life situations, does the pride in us stand in the way of submittting to the situations?

1Peter 2:21b-24 …Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps. "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth." When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
Philippians 2:5-11 Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus: Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death-- even death on a cross! Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
What example did Jesus set for us to follow?

Throughout the bible, Jesus models for us true submission. And if Jesus the powerful Son of God was submissive in his life it means that submission is not a sign of weakness. Contrary to what the world thinks, submission is not for wimps, or losers, cowards. Anyone can rebel, but it takes a mature person to submit. Submission does not make you smaller, but bigger. It shows maturity of character. Through your attitude and act of submission, at the same time, you are honoring and pleasing God actually.

Submission is Not:
1)to be a doormat
2)to blindly follow orders
3)to be forced to do something you do not want to do
4)to undermine or diminish your personhood, self-esteem and well-being.

Submission IS:
1)to acknowledge the God-given authority of someone, that God has place him or her in authority over you.
2)to have humility
3)to voluntarily co-operate with authority, even when you disagree
4)to realize that God knows best, that you are not the person to judge those who are in authority over you.
5)An act of faith that expresses trust in God
6)A sign of spiritual maturity. It honors and brings pleasure to God.

When we submit to God and the authorities He has placed over us, we are honoring God. We do not have to gear that we would be trampled upon. And we can definitely be assured that God has our best interest at heart.

In our moments of quiet time with the Lord, commit into prayer that we may learn the true submission. As lessons and testing come our way, in our spiritual walk, pray that the guiding hand of God would be evidently mentoring us, leading us to breakthrough in this area of submission.


Entrusted with a holy calling are we,
The light of the world to be,
To lift up the lamp of the Savior,
That others His light may see.

 

'Come Away': The Practice of Seclusion

“And He said to them, ‘Come away by yourselves to a secluded place and rest a while.’” -- Mark 6:31 (NASB)

One day years ago while I was listening to a book on tape in my car, the cassette’s thin tape caught on a tiny wheel inside the machine and began playing the same few sentences over and over again as it looped around. Try as I might, I couldn’t eject the tape from the player. Neither could I turn the player off, no matter how many times I pushed the “on/off” button. I was trapped inside a car filled with incessant chatter, and I had at least one more hour of driving to go before I reached my destination.

My pulse increased and my concentration decreased as I began to panic, trying in vain to override the tape by switching the player over to the “radio” setting. Finally, in desperation, I turned the volume down to its lowest level. Yet I couldn’t escape the tape’s muffled droning in the background while I drove. A wave of relief washed over me when, at last, I reached a parking lot and was able to shut off the tape by turning off the car.

Do the tapes that play in your life cause you stress sometimes? Maybe it’s the buzz of technology that clamors for your attention every waking moment – your cell phone, e-mail, fax machine, and pager. Perhaps it’s the static of people who place constant demands on you – young children, difficult co-workers, ailing parents, or a friend in a crisis. Do you wish you could turn off your schedule, only to find that it keeps you looping around in a frenzy of activity?

If so, God invites you to come away with Him to secluded place. There, in the embrace of solitude and silence, you can turn off the world’s voices and tune into the voice of the One who made you. You’ll never hear all He’s whispering in your ears until you meet Him in seclusion.

No one who has ever walked the Earth had more important work to do than Jesus. He was confronted with crowds, demands, noise, and interruptions nearly everywhere He went, and He could easily have been constantly busy. Yet He made seclusion a priority: “In the early morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up, left the house, and went away to a secluded place, and was praying there,” (Mark 1:35, NASB). After He had spent time away in quiet, Jesus returned to His work renewed.

God will recharge your batteries, too, if you make seclusion a daily habit. Here’s how you can do so:

· Give yourself permission to enjoy a daily time of seclusion. Realize that seclusion is a vital habit to have in order to gain the perspective, clarity, and peace God wants for you. Recognize that God designed life’s natural rhythms to include times of aloneness as well as relationships, and times of silence as well as sound. Don’t feel guilty about making time for seclusion. Don’t worry that a habit of seclusion will impair your relationships or make it harder for you to get things done. Trust that, in your time of seclusion, God will strengthen you to deal more effectively with every person and situation in your life.

· Choose a specific time and place for seclusion. Realize that if you don’t schedule a daily appointment for seclusion, the shouts of urgent tasks will overpower the whispers of important ones. Choose a time of day that works best for you, such after you first wake up in the morning, during your midday lunch break, or in the evening before going to bed. Plan to spend a set amount of time – even if only a few minutes – in solitude and silence. Go to a regular place for your solitude: a corner of your bedroom with a cozy chair, your backyard, a break room, or even your car. Whenever you can manage a longer time of seclusion (such as on a weekend or during a vacation), schedule it and go to a special place (such as a park or retreat center) for it.

· Break away from distractions. Don’t compromise your seclusion by carrying your cell phone with you, answering the doorbell if it rings, or sneaking a peek at your “to-do” list or a newspaper. Make a conscious effort to break away from all distractions. Ask God to help you break free of your daily pressures and quiet your spirit.

· Bring vital supplies. Take a copy of the Bible, a notebook, and a pen with you. Have a particular Scripture passage in mind to read and meditate on during your time of seclusion. As you pray about it and other topics, ask God to speak to you, and write down the insights you receive.

· Be honest. If people ask where you’re going when you break away for seclusion, don’t be ashamed to tell them the truth. Simply say you need some time to think and pray about things. They will likely respect your decision.

· Be patient. Expect it to take at least a few moments for echoes of the world’s pressures and noise to stop reverberating in your mind. Relax and sit still. Listen to the silence around you. Anticipate hearing God’s voice speaking to you when the time is right.

· Do it when you need it. Whenever you’re facing a particularly stressful situation and feel the need for some time in seclusion, make time for it however you can. Just excuse yourself and pull away so you can return in greater strength later. Make use of the downtime stuffed into the pockets of your day by turning it into extra seclusion time. For example, while you’re sitting in a line of minivans waiting to pick your kids up from school, turn off the radio and sit alone in silence to clear your mind, then pray.

· Reengage with enthusiasm. After withdrawing for your times of seclusion, be enthusiastic as you reengage with people and activities. Celebrate your newfound peace, strength, and clarity. Thank God for the gifts He has given you during the times you’ve accepted His invitation to “come away” with Him.

Whitney Hopler
Crosswalk.com Contributing Writer

Entrusted with a holy calling are we,
The light of the world to be,
To lift up the lamp of the Savior,
That others His light may see.

The Overcomer

As Christians, it doesn’t matter young or matured in faith, we are all called to be an over-comer of this world, not just merely a survivor. But how far had we been willing to go for this world?

When we received salvation, it is as if God had thrown us a life jacket? And we are rescued from the currents, waves and storms of this life. Now we are on dry land, warmly seated here in this place, comfortably living on earth, where is our life jacket then?

During cell on 24th Apr 2007, we discussed some simple and straightforward truths in the scriptures:

2 Cor 4:4
The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God

This is our Our previous state and The world’s present state

John 3:16-18
"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son.

This is God’s Salvation and The world’s unclaimed promise

However, I think the bible didn’t end here. After Jesus spoke of salvation, he envisioned for us, the saved...

Matt 5:14-16
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.

Mark 5:19
"Go home to your family and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you."

In this world that have darkened understanding and without the good hope that we have, how have we shone the light?

John 3:16, for God so loved the world, that he gave his one and only son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish…
In their situations, in their sickness, in their poverty, in their struggles, in their depression, in all of these they will not perish.
But have eternal life.

This life jacket in John 3:16, is meant to be passed on, used again and again, worn out, torn and tattered.

As human being, we avoid confrontations, yet the bible is confrontational. In the midst of our sensitivity, tact, carefulness, cautious of personal space, professional… have we even allowed Christ a chance to speak through us?

1 Peter 3:15
“in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect”

Are we willing this day to take our life jacket out from the cabinet that it is often nicely hung, and start saving lives? While carrying Romans 1:16 in our hearts...

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.

What are you packing for THE JOURNEY?

A reality check.

Vacations. Trips. I was just thinking because my highly-anticipated trip to Bangkok is postponed indefinitely. I've already made up a list of what to pack, and where to go, when I'm there. For most people, making lists is definitely a must, when they decide to go on trips. Like, if I go to a backpacker's inn, I would have to bring my toothbrush and towel along. Whereas if I'm going to be in a hotel, I'd not need to bring those items.

What are some things that you will always take with you no matter where you go?
For a long time now, it used to be my bunny, Anastasia.(stuffed with love from Marks and Spencer.) When I am feeling a little homesick, just looking at her face and silly ears made me feel much better. Every church camp without fail, she would be one of the first things I'd pack, on my list. So I think all of us have little things, particular to us that we have to bring, just to remind us of who we are, or to remind us of home. Maybe it's that special shampoo your hair cannot survive without. Maybe it's the perfume you always use, or the chain you wear around your neck. Like it or not, we have to recognize that we form attachments to little things around us that gives us some normalcy or stability, familiarity in our lives. And so we pack these little things into every journey.

But what is the destination?
For almost all journeys, we will most likely be aware of our destination. And if you look at it this way, Life is one big journey, too. We pack and throw away our books, notes and stuff from the time we graduate. And we make plans, either to study again or to work. If we decide to study, we need to pack for the journey. Buy school clothes, books, stationery. The list goes on and on. And then, we pack and unpack again. And sometimes the stuff can be reused for other journeys, so we keep them. Some stuff have to be chucked out. Mum's doing a spring-clean of the storeroom, so the stuff is now sitting in my hall. Lots of my past art stuff that I can never bear to throw away, but it's been years, and they do take up a lot of space, so maybe some of it has to go. I have 3 guitars in the storeroom. 2 of which are slightly damaged but the cost of repairing it might not be worth it; the other one just needs some restringing and knob replacement. But no one wants to see them thrown away, or has the heart to bring them downstairs, at least not yet. So maybe they will sit in my hall for a week or two. Is it time to move on in your spiritual journey? Maybe there are some things you are carrying in that heavy backpack of yours that you need to throw away. Hurts from your past relationship. (Yes, I do need to throw away some things, delete some photos, and memories.) Work-related stress? I don't think you need that. So why not put it down for the moment. Leave it by the pavement, here. If you decide that you need it again, you can always pick it up later. How about your Pride? The "I used to do things this way" thinking. Maybe that doesn't work for the NEW place you are going to. Unpack it too, and buy some new thinking on the way to your new place.

To know where is your destination hugely determines your choice of what you are going to pack for the journey. For long journeys, you need to bring along a Bible. Unlike physical journeys where we are sure of where we are heading (to Thailand, to a new school, a new workplace, parenthood, etc), in YOUR spiritual journey looms a more important question: Wait a minute... Just exactly where am I heading to?

Not many people know. Some people choose to remain ignorant and sort of stagnate. They think: Oh, since I don't know the destination, just let me be here. So they become pew potatoes, some people who are 'there' but never really going anywhere. Some have lost the fact that they are packing for their spiritual journey. So they just waste their lives away, never really making an impact to anyone or doing anything really worthwhile. Some know the destination (Eg I have a full time call) but are unsure how to get there, or when, or why.

But God knows. That's a comforting thought ain't it? And a more comforting verse, in Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the plans I have for you", declares the Lord.

Plans to prosper us and not to harm us.
Plans to give me hope and a future!...WOW. You mean God actually has plans for my life?

Last cell, I shared that there are seasons for everything. Almost like the four seasons - for me it's a time of spring, new things. Renewal! And not so cold anymore, too. In Ecc 3: God has made everything beautiful in His Time. And later, it says: I know that everything God does will endure forever. Isn't that the best promise from our Abba Father?

Every answered prayer... lasts forever.
Every miracle of healing...lasts forever.
Every thing you did to show God's love to someone...lasts forever.

Every plan God has for you lasts forever.






Let your spiritual journey be determined by God. God will lead the way for you. You don't have to worry.

HAPPY PACKING AND BON VOYAGE!

Reading for deeper perusal: Ecc 3

Remember His Love

Lead me to Calvary...Lead me back to His Love.

In cell yesterday, we shared about L-O-V-E again...
Because love is important - not only important. It is essential. Some shared that falling in love gives me a fuzzy feeling inside, you feel happy - overjoyed, silly with anticipation, and having the pleasant feeling of knowing that there is someone who wants to listen to you. Love is meaningful, for some it gives the purpose of life. And TzeYang shared, "Ït is the reason he wakes up every morning!" And for those of us who have fallen in love before, some of us have done really stupid things for the person we love! One guy shared that he met his love at the bus stop (this was way back in sec school) and on v-day, gave her a big bunch of silvery, heartshaped balloons (and she had to carry it around the whole day). For me, the most romantic thing I ever did was to fold a whole box of those tiny paper cranes for my boyfriend. I'm not good in origami, but I remember for the whole period before v-day, I would fold those cranes. It is super tiny and it takes me 5 mins to fold just one. So, during math lesson, chinese lesson, watching tv... I was folding, folding, folding. I wanted to fold up to a thousand cranes but... could only manage 400+.

After we broke up I wanted it back but he wanted to keep it, so... ...
After that, I was so tired of origami that I never folded a single crane again. =P

In my last sojourn overseas, I met a Swede. Actually I spent v-day with him, because I travelled, as a birthday gift to myself and it overlaps the day. He bicycled from BKK to SG to Melaka. Way cool! I really admire him for that. During our conversation, we talked about family, and I asked him about his. Actually, his wife was supposed to join him but she had died of cancer. I was sorry to bring it up and asked him if he was okay. He said something that I think I will remember for the rest of my life.

"LOVE is like LIFE itself. Sometimes you wonder why you have chosen this life with this person. Other times, you cannot imagine a life without. I do miss her, but it's okay, life is like that. As long as I know there is ALWAYS a place in my heart for her, it's okay."

This year, Spring comes late for many countries. I know in Korea, and Sweden, it was still snowing, up to 2 weeks ago. In our spiritual lives too, all of us have seasons. Ups and downs, births and deaths. New phases of life. Changing jobs, positions, graduations. For myself, I believe I am going through a season of renewal. I feel like I've gone through long months of winter. Cold! Even though I've never doubted God's love for me. He still answers my prayers. But through last year, I don't feel that I had a heart for God. Maybe, I was too distracted by my relationship. Maybe, my priorities shifted. Maybe... I'd never know the reason. But you know what? Don't kill yourself because you are experiencing winter right now. Think of it as though you are waiting for Spring.

Do you know that God loves you?
Which season are you now in, spiritually?

In all my doings I realise one thing. If you really want God, you got to get a touch from Him. No amount of counseling, encouragement or scolding will help. You have to reach out to Him.

Remember the FIRST TIME you met the person you love?
Remember the first time you fell in love... with God.

After Easter, as we remember the cross,
we remember the road to Calvary...

I hope all of us, will also remember His love.


Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
Yes, Jesus loves me
for the Bible tells me so.

Developing our Relationship with Other Christians

Read Whoever loves God must also love his brother. – 1 John 4:21

Developing my Relationships with other Christians
Do you think it is essential to develop relationships with other Christians? Why?
Small group is a platform where we can grow in our relationship with God and others. As you observe and learn:
· How others overcome their problems with God’s help
· How God heals and transforms people,
· How God uses the cell to reach out to those who do not know Jesus (TCC: Trinitarians Care and Connect!)
Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another. (E.g. teaching one another how to play musical instruments)

In what ways, are you developing your relationship with other Christians?
· Being regular in cell and cell activities(Hebrew 10:25)
- God’s words says that in the last days, people will fall away and abandon their faith, being in regular fellowship with other Christians helps us to be encouraged in our Christian walk.
· Being humble, gentle, patient and bearing in love (Ephesians 4:2-3)
· Interested in others’ needs (Philippians 2:3-4)
· Carry each other burdens (Galatians 6:2)

What is one thing that you think the cell or yourself can improve on so that we/you can develop our/your relationships with other Christians in our cell/Share one thing how being part of the care-cell has benefited you
· Support in times of need and crisis.(E.g. Being there in funeral, hospitalization)
· Forgive one another’s faults
· Be an encourager
· Let's be involved in support ministry, serving as host, as serving is a privilege!

Being regular in carecell benefits us a lot as God’s people we should love one another and forgive each other faults. And from this comes a powerful effect in John 13:35 By this all men will know that you are My disciples if you love one another.
Acts 2:44-47
This is the visual picture of what a care cell is like. It was a community that touched lives- people were edified, released and transformed. And as a result, many more became Christians because of the lives of the community.
Let us continue to love one another and to forgive one another faults and also to have fun and laughter as a cell!

Ask yourself:
What motivates you to come for cell? Or do you struggle to come to cell and if so, why?
Have I committed myself to a community of believers (carecell)?
Is there any Christian brother or sister that I need to forgive and love?
(1 John 4:21, 1 John 2:9,11)
What can I do to show my love for my carecell members in a practical way?