Hey everybody!
Welcome to the Firebrands blog!! I know its been a while since anything was posted here that the editor even tasked me to sweep off the cobwebs here and there *tsk*
So, with super ninja speed, here goes the post on what's up (besides the ceiling, if you have a lame-joke mindset) last two weeks! (minus the cobwebs)
Start!
Prayer was focused primarily on those taking their exams that night
-PMR was one of them.
What happened after prayer was a short break, dedicated to those who had do go. To the loo I mean.
Or rather, a short fellowship time.
So after drumming her fingers impatiently for some time, Eulene had had enough.
Its peanut butter jelly ICEBREAKER TIME!!
Well, its simple. A piece of cloth as the only apparatus, and a everyone as the subjects. A person (or two) is sent to be behind the cloth from each side. Then BOOM, the cloth drops and the first one to shout out the name/age/chinese name wins a point for their side..
What the subjects see.
What the camera sees.
What (or rather, who) the subjects see after the cloth is dropped.
Smile and wave. Smile and wave
And of course, we have a newcomer with us, Charmaine!! (Jin Ji's friend)
So once again, its been a while since fireBrands went back to basics. And once in a while, it is good to just be quiet and just... go back to basics :) Worship led by Leroy and James.
Before we move on to the sermon, here's a quiz (Nope, its not posted on Facebook, so stay where you are!)
-It is on 17th all the way to the 21st December.
-It isn't in plain old Penang.
-It is nothing but God, fun, and distraction-free.
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Its
The
Most
Anticipated
Event
In
FireBrands'
History.
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Its
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FIREBRANDS ANNUAL YOUTH CAMP!!! *WHOOOO*
Alright, it is happening in under TWO months' time and it is themed "INCREASE". Yes, time passes very fast, so get ready for it! Forms will be available and will be distributed soon xD
Next up, we have this man of God taking the next session.
Who is he?
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V
In case you don't know, he's Lim Jin Ji! *cheers*
So here's how it started.
Martin Luther King. Jr.
-Fought for rights of black people.
Malcolm X (Malcolm Little)
-Fought for rights of black people.
They have many things in common. They fought for the same cause. They were from the same era. They even met each other once. Their names even share the same first alphabet.
But in their fight for the same cause, Martin Luther King used peace and follows Godly ways. Malcolm X, unfortunately, used violence to get his point across.
Here's the irony. We can fight for the same cause, but there are many ways to fight for it, such as the case of these two men. Like in football. We can get the ball to be in the goal and score for our team, but that doesn't mean only kicking it toward the goal.
Let's go back in time to when Jesus gave the Great Commission.
Now, how are we to be an irresistible influence to a layman? Or in other words, how are we to show the world?
The answer lies here (keep scrolling down)
Jesus.
He was the FIRST missionary in this world. Look to Him as a perfect example.
Love
- Here's a not-so-fun fact. No one deserves to be saved. No one deserves to be in heaven. None.
- Here's another fact. Jesus died that we may get a spot up there.
Take time to digest these two facts before moving on.
Moving on
Love is described as something that knows no boundaries.
-Jesus loved those who were loved, those who were hated, those who oppressed, those who were oppressed, EVERYONE! (Even self declared foreveralones)
From Mark 2:15, it said that Jesus ate with tax collectors and sinners. (Tax collectors were the hated people then). Would you dine; let alone talk with the one that people hate on or would you hate them too?
For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you - Luke 6:38
Love knows no boundaries, so do not measure your love toward anyone as it has been mentioned in the verse above. Love everyone unconditionally, as Jesus has done. It may be difficult, but everything pleasing in the eyes of God is worth trying.
Knowledge
- Jesus knew and understood the Father's will.
- Jesus used logic with His understanding of it.
Logic
I know, sometimes, the acts of faith may seem illogical to anyone, but God doesn't just do things like *poof*. He uses logic as well that others may understand.
Will/Understanding
Understanding a topic means to be able to analyse and know well about it. Its not just memorizing. You don't memorize answers to a question, but rather, understand a concept that you may answer it. Similarly, we have to understand God's will for us, and not just 'memorise'.
When we have a passion for something, we would want to know more about it. Let grow the passion for God so that we are able to thirst for what He wants us to know.
Faith
-While it is often said that faith is not seeing but still believing, there is another operational definition for it.
-Encouraging. Yep. That's what it is.
In times of trouble, it is God that will intervene to pick you up whether you know it or not. God isn't gonna come in a bright light with angels' trumpets playing majestically. He could. But He usually sends a good friend for us to help out. For that, we have got to have faith in people (Not all, but at least some faith in them). A team stands because each member trusts each other.
-Jesus had faith and believed even when no one else did. Time to refresh your memory. He calmed the storm in the sea calmly when everyone was panicking. We are constantly reminded to be Christ-like, so lets not be afraid and be the light to help others calm their storms.
Another thing about faith is that it is better than being wise.
Relate to this : you have someone you look up to in your field of work/ study/ etc.. Chances are, you're bound to listen to that person more than anyone else right?
What if what the person says/ does is not of God's will? Will you listen to the still small voice screaming in you or to the person in front of you? Seek God's will. Not man's. God asks you to jump, you ask how high.
Devotion
-Jesus devoted time not only to the Father, but also to people (His disciples, strangers, etc)
- Here's another question. If you love someone, will you not devote time for them?
If we love God, will we not devote time for Him? Take this example. If you love someone, but that person ignores you, how would you feel? That heartbreaking feeling is what God feels when we do not devote time for Him.
Spend some to impact someone's lives. The word "impact" may sound like a big thing to do, but its actually the effects of your actions. A simple helping hand may change a person's life and you might not know it.
