...click here for the post on the mission trip to Phang Nga. Kalau belum baca lagi.
So then, back to business.
I know you can't wait to read the rest of this post (or skim through the photos, which nullifies all the effort put into writing=/) so c'mon, what're you waiting for?
. . .
Prologue
Behind every great man is a greater woman, they say.
('they' being female chauvinists, of course. Well there're plenty of great men who don't have a lady support.)
Behind every youth service, is pre-service prayer.
('Before' would be more correct, actually. But well it wouldn't sound as cool.)
Led by Sarah Wong, we joined in hands and in prayer for Penang, Malaysia.
Joining hands with not only each other but with God.
Chapter 1
Announcements were announced at the commencement of the just-commenced youth service.
(How redundantly superfluous.)
(And yet again.)
Ah yes, before that, a more pressing matter:
That of the reparation of fuzzy-sounding microphones.
Then was a good time to feel the absence of Mr Reliable Soundtechnician,
Now would be a good time to thank the unsung tech crew of fireBRANDS.
Right then, there was one main announcement (okay I admit I forgot the rest, if any).
"How many of you are planning to visit Logos Hope?"
Superstar Virgo, this is not.
World's largest floating bookfair, this is. And it's currently docked right here at our very own Swettenham Pier.
Opens to public on the 29th of August. Admission fee is only RM 1. If you're not interested in books (how could you?!) well then go to check out the ship, haha.
. . .
Chapter 2
Refreshment time, and if it means Sprite with ice to you, then well you're not far off.
Icebreaker! led by Miss Chew.
The faces of people listening to instructions.
And by the way, that's Sasi:)
You know it's a good icebreaker when there're smiles and laughter;
and when it isn't only the players who're laughing;
and when self-humiliation is good fun for everyone.
. . .
Chapter 3
Surprise, surprise, cause it's more announcements!
Just one actually.
Introducing, the new worship team members! (still on probation)
Joshua Tan, Jonathan Choong, Brian Bian Paul, Ivan Loh, Faith Kung and Samantha Tan.
Praying for them, led by the worship director herself, Eulene Ooi.
. . .
Chapter 4
Praise and worship!
The photos can't tell the whole story of Chapter 4, but words can't really either.
. . .
Chapter 5
The brilliant lady at the pulpit (boom stand, actually) has got 5 letters in her first name.
J-O-Y-C-E.
Time to open up your Bible, notebook and ears; and hear what God has to say.
"hear what God has to say" was exactly what the message was about that night.
Hearing God's Voice
It's basic!
"Sheep follow the Shepherd, not the alpha-sheep."
Take a look at Jeremiah 9:23-24 (The Message).
God's Message:
Why Understand Him?
There're a lot of people who don't want to talk to God cause they don't want Him to ask them to do something they don't want to do. So true.
So, why?
So we know the leader of our lives.
The Shepherd knows where we're going, the alpha-sheep doesn't.
The Shepherd knows the whole big picture, the alpha-sheep just brings us from here to there.
Why know Him?
So that we can reveal Him to others.
We should be hungry for Him as we want others to be hungry for Him.
What does He sound like?
Check out 1 Kings 19:11-13.
11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Point being, God wasn't in the loudness, scariness or the heat of the moment.
God doesn't shout, He whispers.
Why? Cause:
1. those who are really listening will hear.
2. He doesn't want to throw pearls to pigs.
3. He wants to bring us closer - intimacy.
Hearing God's Voice
It's basic!
"Sheep follow the Shepherd, not the alpha-sheep."
Take a look at Jeremiah 9:23-24 (The Message).
God's Message:
"Don't let the wise brag of their wisdom.
Don't let heroes brag of their exploits.
Don't let the rich brag of their riches.
If you brag, brag of this and this only:
That you understand and know me.
I'm God, and I act in loyal love.
I do what's right and set things right and fair,
and delight in those who do the same things.
These are my trademarks."
God's Decree.
Why Understand Him?
There're a lot of people who don't want to talk to God cause they don't want Him to ask them to do something they don't want to do. So true.
So, why?
So we know the leader of our lives.
The Shepherd knows where we're going, the alpha-sheep doesn't.
The Shepherd knows the whole big picture, the alpha-sheep just brings us from here to there.
Why know Him?
So that we can reveal Him to others.
We should be hungry for Him as we want others to be hungry for Him.
What does He sound like?
Check out 1 Kings 19:11-13.
11 Then He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before the LORD.” And behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind tore into the mountains and broke the rocks in pieces before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake; 12 and after the earthquake a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire; and after the fire a still small voice.
13 So it was, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle and went out and stood in the entrance of the cave. Suddenly a voice came to him, and said, “What are you doing here, Elijah?”
Point being, God wasn't in the loudness, scariness or the heat of the moment.
God doesn't shout, He whispers.
Why? Cause:
1. those who are really listening will hear.
2. He doesn't want to throw pearls to pigs.
3. He wants to bring us closer - intimacy.
Meet our entertaining, informative speaker.
How would He speak?
"Religion makes us proud. It says we don't need relationships, just rules." 'Relationship' is spelt 'T-I-M-E'.
Well, firstly, God can speak to us when we read the Bible.
Also through prayer. A six-step guide on praying:
1. Come close to God.
2. Cleanse your heart.
3. Silence the Enemy.
4. Put down own thoughts.
5. Listen to God.
6. Wait on Him.
Next, visions. And through people, even those you don't like.
Songs: whether worship songs or secular music.
Through nature too. Or audible voice.
Dreams, circumstances and emotions; but be careful in interpreting.
Above all, compare everything against the Bible.
Caution: Negative voices don't come from God.
What does it involve?
Waiting, of course.
Waiting:
1. allows God time to change you.
2. says that He's God and you're not.
3. allows Him to test your heart so you'll do His will and not yours.
4. prepares you for His next step.
5. lets Him set up the stage.
6. teaches you absolute dependence on Him.
What happens next?
We obey.
James 1:22-25 (The Message) reads:
22-24Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
25But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
Just like Samuel as a boy at the temple in 1 Sam 3, or Moses (Deut 34:10-12 says "there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses) who obeyed while the Israelites were afraid.
Jeremiah's ministry was to people who he knew wouldn't listen to him (Jere 7:27). Yet, he obeyed.
How to apply?
The message ended with a short time for ourselves to just sit in God's presence and listen to Him.
But it shouldn't stop there, are you still applying it today?
"Religion makes us proud. It says we don't need relationships, just rules." 'Relationship' is spelt 'T-I-M-E'.
Well, firstly, God can speak to us when we read the Bible.
Also through prayer. A six-step guide on praying:
1. Come close to God.
2. Cleanse your heart.
3. Silence the Enemy.
4. Put down own thoughts.
5. Listen to God.
6. Wait on Him.
Next, visions. And through people, even those you don't like.
Songs: whether worship songs or secular music.
Through nature too. Or audible voice.
Dreams, circumstances and emotions; but be careful in interpreting.
Above all, compare everything against the Bible.
Caution: Negative voices don't come from God.
What does it involve?
Waiting, of course.
Waiting:
1. allows God time to change you.
2. says that He's God and you're not.
3. allows Him to test your heart so you'll do His will and not yours.
4. prepares you for His next step.
5. lets Him set up the stage.
6. teaches you absolute dependence on Him.
What happens next?
We obey.
James 1:22-25 (The Message) reads:
22-24Don't fool yourself into thinking that you are a listener when you are anything but, letting the Word go in one ear and out the other. Act on what you hear! Those who hear and don't act are like those who glance in the mirror, walk away, and two minutes later have no idea who they are, what they look like.
25But whoever catches a glimpse of the revealed counsel of God—the free life!—even out of the corner of his eye, and sticks with it, is no distracted scatterbrain but a man or woman of action. That person will find delight and affirmation in the action.
Just like Samuel as a boy at the temple in 1 Sam 3, or Moses (Deut 34:10-12 says "there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses) who obeyed while the Israelites were afraid.
Jeremiah's ministry was to people who he knew wouldn't listen to him (Jere 7:27). Yet, he obeyed.
How to apply?
The message ended with a short time for ourselves to just sit in God's presence and listen to Him.
But it shouldn't stop there, are you still applying it today?
Speaker who did a great job:)
. . .
Epilogue
Service ended with a prayer by Pr Victor, then it's time to stack up chairs, fellowship, perhaps supper for some, and look forward to the next fireBRANDS' youth service.
And look forward to the next blog post.
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