Saturday, May 20, 2006

MOVIE :)

(: Movie

Saturday 27th May 2006

Breadtalk@Plaza Singapura 11am

Over the Hedge

Lunch

Cell E Discussion

Let me know if you are coming

Saturday, May 13, 2006

Peace 120506 Cell

"The Peace of God.. Will Guard Your Hearts"

Augustine of Hippo captured a biblical view in his definition of peace as "the tranquility of order". For the Christian, there are three applications of the experience of peace.

1. Peace with God - spiritual order
2. Peace on earth - relational order
3. Peace of God - psychological order

True peace i sthat overall sense of well being that comes from knowing that, our lives are in God's control.

Read Romans 5:1-8
Peace with God - spiritual order
Peace is brought about by God's assurance of our salvation, done by the work of Christ on the cross. We have a restored relationship with God!

We can rejoice in sufferings because He is in charge of our lives. Our sufferings under His guidance, leads to perseverance, which leads to character which leads to hope.

The holy spirit's presence in us is a symbol of God's love. Our response in loving Him back, is to surrender our lives to Him.

Read Romans 12:16-21
Peace on earth - relational order
PEE- Pride, Evil, Ego.
"Do not 'pee' on your negihbour if you want to maintain peace."

"An eye for an eye makes the world go blind"
We remain steadfast in loving the unlovable, because we have faith God is in charge and we have seen the extent to which God has loved us.

Read Philippians 4:4-9
Peace of God - psychological order

Paul's prescription for having the peace of God:
- praying and surrendering to God
- thinking upon qualities of Christ (v8)

Link between havng peace with God and peace on earth & peace of God:
Peace of God and peace on earth does not just happen. As with all aspects of the fruit of the Spirit it comes from our obedience to God's commands and with His enabling.

Saturday, May 06, 2006

Joy 050506 Cell

"In Him Our Hearts Rejoice!"

Some stereotypes of Christians:
- fuddy duddies
- boring killjoys
- unhappening

Definition of joy:
- different from happiness
- happiness is dependent on external factors whilst joy exudes from within

What does God say about joy and Christians?
- last year's camp theme was on the abundant life.
- God does desire us to live our lives to the full, not in sorrow and depression, but joyfully.
- Biblical examples:
> angels proclaiming a msg of joy at Christ's birth. (Luke 10:21)
> David danced before the Lord in joy.
> Israelites came before God with joy in religious festivals.
> beauty in nature and love in relationships stimulate our joy as they reflect the invisible qualities of God.

Read Psalm 33:1-11
- all of us are called to sing to the Lord in praise
- relationship between praise and joy> praise is a natural outflow of joy
- but we are not happy and it is hard to praise the Lord all the time

Read Psalm 33:20-22
- hope and joy
- the source of our hope is the steadfast character of God, a secure promise that never wavers
- from this hope, springs out joy> even when everything falls apart, we can still be joyful

So, what is this hope that we have?

Read 1 Peter 1:3-9
- we are promised an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade
- it is kept in heaven for us, who through faith are shielded by God's power
- the hope is this is a major reason that Christians at the time facing severe persecution could remain joyful in Him

Why does God sometimes allow Christians to suffer? (v7-9)
- to strengthen their faith
- will result in greater praise, glory and honour when Christ is revealed
- Examples:
> Job - Read Job 1
> in the midst of his suffering, he still said:
"Naked I came from my mother's womb,
and naked I will depart.
The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away;
may the name of the LORD be praised."
> Minfeng played Blessed be your Name on the guitar. haha ;)

Shared about various ways we can retain a joyful faith in difficult times and in our every day lives.

Let's make Joy our focus for this week and practise ways we can choose the Spirit's way over our human ones.

God bless ya! (: