4:8 Principle

Philippians 4:8

New International Version (NIV)

 ⁸ Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.

About 2 weeks has already passed from the D'encounter Camp 2011. One of the things that Pastor Nicky Raiborde shared was to eradicate negative thinking and thoughts about oneself and replace it will the real truths from the Bible. eg: I'm a wonderful creation of God instead of  "I'm Fat" or "Oh look a pimple "


Then i stumble on this book called the 4:8 principle which is based on the verse above. Our whole life is guarded by our thoughts. Being humans, it's natural (due to our fallen nature) to think about the negative things. So, it's a mental discipline to think right in order to act right. I like what the author said, " If it wasn't that important to think right, apostle paul wouldn't have wrote it in the bible" .

We are created in his image so we should have the mindset of Christ. i'm speaking this to myself as i'm typing this out 

 Looking back this 2-3 years ,i think i battered myself the most negatively would be in the area of relationships. I kind think to much or rather too much negatively. I admit i'm insecure in this area.

Eg:
1. I don't have best or close friends. I don't recall sharing lots of secrets or deep-stuff with people. I have a good friends which i sometimes share some secrets or personal stuff, but that's just on the water. I've come to keep a close guard to myself so that people won't judge me and i keep up to the "Pastor's Son" image. Not only that, around the world that is full of gossips, i do not want to be a subject of interest behind my back. It's funny though, i've counselled or listened to many of my good friends personal life ( i don't gossip)
and advise them but no one listend to mine or rather no one is interested?

I've become a wall.....yes a ranting-wall for others. I want to rant but i can't.

2. I often feel like people are my friends because of something? I donno whether it's my personality but i find it hard to find someone who likes me the way i am. Sometimes i really do wonder and from my thoughts i beat myself up thinking that i don't have true friends .

I wonder whether my classmates are my friends because i'm "gifted' so they want to learn from me and get my answers?
I wonder whether my Kuching friends are my friends because i have a car?
I wonder whether my church acquaintances are friendly with me just because i'm a Pastor's Son?
I wonder whether i'm given leadership roles in church or responsibilities because i'm a Pastor's Son or is because i'm really good at it?
I wonder is there anyone who really knows me the way i am?

It's Hard-hitting and i often cry silently in my heart because no one ever calls me up, sms me, or talk to me with a genuine " hey, how are you? " "I really want to know how was your day? " But often it's a Can you help me with my homework? Can you drive today? Can you play the piano for me? Can you do this or can you do that? Go ahead and check my sms. At least half would be that way. I've never had an sms that said " Hey i feel something's not up with you, mind to share with me? "  I kinda get jealous when my other friends do that to each other but not me. Gah, i'm trying not to be self-centered here but i really really really do want to know who are my friends that will last a lifetime, stick with me through thick and thin, bless each other, and support each other when needed. I know someone out there reading this must be like " you need a GF" but to me, if i'm still insecure, a 1000 GF wouldn't provide the calmness and peace for the relationship to last in the future.  I need to know NOW.

Yes, though i'm a guy everyone deserves a little genuine touch from the heart.

3. I judge people before making friends with them. I know it's a bad habit that i need to correct but i really need to learn . I will scan the person from top to toe, their gestures, and their nature of their conversations. If it does not benefit me or is stand-offish from me i will leave or not make a point of talk to them again unless they start it. Hard to believe right? Of course i don't make it obvious. But i need to learn to overcome this as the bible says we should reach out to all and do not judge others. Sigh....

So yeah, to a start of a new year i need to find out these truths and correct my mindset so that i can receive more joy from the Lord. Wish me luck!

disclaimer: I'm still willing to drive , serve, advice, counsel and etc......Pls don't avoid me because of this post. It's just a thought and pondering about my life. Just give me a wave if you are a true friend. I may be wrong in my own thinking. Even if the rest wrongs me, I will choose not to dwell in the negativity. I move on, make new friendships and start again.

D'Encounter Camp 2011

Camp is in 4 days! Can you believe it???!!!

If you haven't know about the enounter camp 2011, here's a video about it. You can still register! For those who are in Kuching of course....

Birthday

Due to popular demand, i shall blog a little

I guess it's only Hannah that read my blog. Haha

Anyway, it's 3 more weeks to my exam. 3 more weeks to my homecoming. 2 more weeks to my birthday .

I guess this is it. I'm finally going to be 21. I'm a man. I'm a voter. I have assumed responsibilities

BUT sometimes i don't feel like i'm old. I still feel that i'm in high school. Sometimes, i reject responsibilities because i wanna stay young.

But i've made a mental decision to buck up, grow up and man up. Haha. I'm gonna embrace my age and feel happy rather than age sulkily we many shoulda-coulda-wouldas.

I don't think my birthday is gonna be grand(exam) as many of my friends had. I shall not be materialistic and appreciate life ; all 21 years of it. I just want three things, Jesus to fill me up the whole day and his presence that follows me. To study and excel in my tests/exams/projects/assignments. And lastly

The ticket to Perth. God you are a miracle working God. Open the doors if it's meant to be open :).

Assignments

Hi everyone,

sorry for not updating my blog past two weeks. Been so busy chasing after assignments. Basic reasons for everybody i guess. Anyway, had an awesome time in cell group last night and we were discussing hard truths of the Christian faith. Have u ever experienced any? Perhaps some part in the bible , the english terms challenges your modern thinking and culture. Here are some that we were discussing about

1.Submission of women:
Colossians 3:18
Wives, be submissive to your husbands , as it is fitting in the Lord

Hard, aye? Every female species out there would be flaring in anger, calling the human rights and complaining to God. There was an aunty who said that there is one lady who was abused as she taken this verse to heart literally and now she's steering clear of the christian faith. So what does this verse actually mean?

Everything has it's balance. Of course, no way a man should treat his wife badly and abuse her as the bible did say, Husband to love their wives fully too. In that situation of love, a lady has no problem trusting and being submissive to her husband. If the husband is making wrong decision, of course, the wife should not be submissive to the decision being made. Balance is the key.

There is parental leadership and leadership "leadership". In this case, the guy is made to be the parental leader. Wives can have leadership elsewhere in the community, church and etc...

There's the old saying that men is the head and women are the necks.... LOL.... still true to today i guess.


2nd. Hating your family

Luke 14: 26 If anyone comes to me and does not hate his family, yes, even his own life, cannot be my disciple


The greatest debacle i've heard and seen in my whole life. Truly right? If anyone takes this issue to heart and literally in all sense it is wrong. As the commandment did say to love one another and to respect your parents. The verse actually means to give God a higher priority in life and when you love him so much , it almost becomes a degree of hate towards your family. Not hate "hate" as in disliking, animosity or being an enemy but rather the hate as in a lower priority compared to God. God first, family second.

If you think about it, let's say you're in a scale bar of love. A is hate, B is neutral, C is Love . Problem is, Love cannot be defined and it's endless towards infinity. Incomprehendable! So if u keep on working towards love, the neutrality of B seems to much closer to A which is almost hate. Get it?


That pretty much sums it up. So what hard truths have you ever encountered?

A new song

Beauty from your Eyes

When everyone around you starts to stare
When one another starts to compare
The awkward silence of difference
Goes a long way in someone's confidence

They say beauty is in the eye's of the beholder
But what if the beholder is framed by another?
They say true beauty is skin deep
But why can't we see that; just a little peep?

Show me one's true beauty , oh Lord
Like a diamond in a rubble
Like a speck of gold in a puddle
Give me your compassion , oh Lord
To have your heart for others
Even if it goes against my purpose
Show me beauty,
Beauty from your eyes

Help me to give a smile for a mile
When a person is down for awhile
Help me to encourage others
Even if he is not my brother
Help me to love for who they are
When a person is feeling subpar
Show me beauty,
Beauty from your eyes

Beauty, Beauty from your eyes

<sup>Hebrews 11

32-38</sup>I could go on and on, but I've run out of time. There are so many more— Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, the prophets....Through acts of faith, they toppled kingdoms, made justice work, took the promises for themselves. They were protected from lions, fires, and sword thrusts, turned disadvantage to advantage, won battles, routed alien armies. Women received their loved ones back from the dead. There were those who, under torture, refused to give in and go free, preferring something better: resurrection. Others braved abuse and whips, and, yes, chains and dungeons. We have stories of those who were stoned, sawed in two, murdered in cold blood; stories of vagrants wandering the earth in animal skins, homeless, friendless, powerless—the world didn't deserve them!—making their way as best they could on the cruel edges of the world.

^39-40Not one of these people, even though their lives of faith were exemplary, got their hands on what was promised. God had a better plan for us: that their faith and our faith would come together to make one completed whole, their lives of faith not complete apart from ours.

Faith literally defined the whole bible from start to end. The whole Christianity. The whole world!

Have faith Anders!

You wanna impact the world? Have Faith no matter what the circumstance or obstacles along the way

Laminin

Jesus has the whole world in his hands, down to the very muscle cell.

Hebrews 10

Sets the whole view on Christianity in the new testament. Every word spoke to me. Amen

Integrity

One of the things that bug me most is when as Christians , we download Christian Albums or messages that are being sold on9 for free using the internet, p2p sharing and other methods. Is it wrong?

There are several views on it but to me, i think i would buy the original. Some say well it's God inspired, so if God doesn't "sell" his messages/songs , why should his servants too?

Well , even Jesus in the bible was given food to eat and a place to stay. Unless you give the singer food in wherever place he/she is, sponsor his/her stay, or at least help his/her liveliehood , then i say do support them by buying their God-inspired messages and songs.

Still not comfortable? Support local lah. Write your own songs and read the bible. XD

Hebrews 9: 25-28

25 He doesn't do this every year as the high priests did under the old plan with blood that was not their own; 26 if that had been the case, he would have to sacrifice himself repeatedly throughout the course of history. But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin. 27 Everyone has to die once, then face the consequences. 28 Christ's death was also a one-time event, but it was a sacrifice that took care of sins forever. And so, when he next appears, the outcome for those eager to greet him is, precisely, salvation.


O: The scripture speaks about Jesus how he is the final high priest we would ever need and how powerful his blood is.

But instead he sacrificed himself once and for all, summing up all the other sacrifices in this sacrifice of himself, the final solution of sin.

Thank you Lord for that amazing blood.

A: Why do we need to come in guilty conscience? Rejoice, for the Lord has forgiven your sins. Come under his grace and just soak in his Love .

Why be weary? Find rest in him.
Why be sick? Find healing in him.
Why be poor? Come and find his blessings.

P: Lord , i offer my life to you once more. I just want to be under the shadow of your wings. Amen

Hebrews 8.

^6-13But Jesus' priestly work far surpasses what these other priests do, since he's working from a far better plan. If the first plan—the old covenant—had worked out, a second wouldn't have been needed. But we know the first was found wanting, because God said,

Heads up! The days are coming
when I'll set up a new plan
for dealing with Israel and Judah.
I'll throw out the old plan
I set up with their ancestors
when I led them by the hand out of Egypt.
They didn't keep their part of the bargain,
so I looked away and let it go.
This new plan I'm making with Israel
isn't going to be written on paper,
isn't going to be chiseled in stone;
This time I'm writing out the plan in them,
carving it on the lining of their hearts.
I'll be their God,
they'll be my people.
They won't go to school to learn about me,
or buy a book called God in Five Easy Lessons.
They'll all get to know me firsthand,
the little and the big, the small and the great.
They'll get to know me by being kindly forgiven,
with the slate of their sins forever wiped clean.
By coming up with a new plan, a new covenant between God and his people, God put the old plan on the shelf. And there it stays, gathering dust.


The law is imprinted in our hearts BUT the old covenant if forgotten. I can't speak enough about it.

God is my Priest

I love the message bible version of Hebrews chapter 7. Would you make him your priest today?

Hebrews 7

Melchizedek, Priest of God

^1-3Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of the Highest God. He met Abraham, who was returning from "the royal massacre," and gave him his blessing. Abraham in turn gave him a tenth of the spoils. "Melchizedek" means "King of Righteousness." "Salem" means "Peace." So, he is also "King of Peace." Melchizedek towers out of the past—without record of family ties, no account of beginning or end. In this way he is like the Son of God, one huge priestly presence dominating the landscape always.

^4-7You realize just how great Melchizedek is when you see that Father Abraham gave him a tenth of the captured treasure. Priests descended from Levi are commanded by law to collect tithes from the people, even though they are all more or less equals, priests and people, having a common father in Abraham. But this man, a complete outsider, collected tithes from Abraham and blessed him, the one to whom the promises had been given. In acts of blessing, the lesser is blessed by the greater.

^8-10Or look at it this way: We pay our tithes to priests who die, but Abraham paid tithes to a priest who, the Scripture says, "lives." Ultimately you could even say that since Levi descended from Abraham, who paid tithes to Melchizedek, when we pay tithes to the priestly tribe of Levi they end up with Melchizedek.

A Permanent Priesthood

^11-14If the priesthood of Levi and Aaron, which provided the framework for the giving of the law, could really make people perfect, there wouldn't have been need for a new priesthood like that of Melchizedek. But since it didn't get the job done, there was a change of priesthood, which brought with it a radical new kind of law. There is no way of understanding this in terms of the old Levitical priesthood, which is why there is nothing in Jesus' family tree connecting him with that priestly line.

^15-19But the Melchizedek story provides a perfect analogy: Jesus, a priest like Melchizedek, not by genealogical descent but by the sheer force of resurrection life—he lives!—"priest forever in the royal order of Melchizedek." The former way of doing things, a system of commandments that never worked out the way it was supposed to, was set aside; the law brought nothing to maturity. Another way—Jesus!—a way that does work, that brings us right into the presence of God, is put in its place.

^20-22The old priesthood of Aaron perpetuated itself automatically, father to son, without explicit confirmation by God. But then God intervened and called this new, permanent priesthood into being with an added promise:

God gave his word;
he won't take it back:
"You're the permanent priest."
This makes Jesus the guarantee of a far better way between us and God—one that really works! A new covenant.

^23-25Earlier there were a lot of priests, for they died and had to be replaced. But Jesus' priesthood is permanent. He's there from now to eternity to save everyone who comes to God through him, always on the job to speak up for them.

^26-28So now we have a high priest who perfectly fits our needs: completely holy, uncompromised by sin, with authority extending as high as God's presence in heaven itself. Unlike the other high priests, he doesn't have to offer sacrifices for his own sins every day before he can get around to us and our sins. He's done it, once and for all: offered up himself as the sacrifice. The law appoints as high priests men who are never able to get the job done right. But this intervening command of God, which came later, appoints the Son, who is absolutely, eternally perfect.




It's amazing . Jesus is the priest who is interceding for us up in heavenlies. You can visualise the heaven as the tabernacle, Jesus as the priest, we the people outside the temple . What a beautiful picture isnt it?

What's more he poured out his blood for us.

I likes this statement . " If Jesus was on Earth, There would not be a permanent priesthood because like humans and he would die in vain" .So for those who wished he was not dead, there's a divine purpose in everything :)

I had the weirdest dream 15 minutes ago. But i felt like something was speaking to me because i felt so much emotions and i felt like i was in the picture

" It was me coming out of this building familiar to me but i cannot remember what. The whole area was flooded. There was a car which i entered and drove off. Someone shouted my name and start chasing behind me in the midst of the rain. I though i stole a car or something but i knew that that way my car and my carkeys. I drove of nonetheless and parked somewhere else near the building. I got out and that's where i woke up"

It's very odd, feels like a nightmare but it's not. It's different. I asked God about it. I felt in my heart that the flood and rain speaks about God's blessings that are yet to come and overwhelm me. One of the physical way is the car (awesome car btw which i do not know of) . The person running from behind me means that i will set a pathway (by using the car) for others.

So, i'm to be a blessor of God's Kingdom? Hmmmm. I'm excited. :P

Hebrews 6:4-8

The Message (MSG)

^4-8Once people have seen the light, gotten a taste of heaven and been part of the work of the Holy Spirit, once they've personally experienced the sheer goodness of God's Word and the powers breaking in on us—if then they turn their backs on it, washing their hands of the whole thing, well, they can't start over as if nothing happened. That's impossible. Why, they've re-crucified Jesus! They've repudiated him in public! Parched ground that soaks up the rain and then produces an abundance of carrots and corn for its gardener gets God's "Well done!" But if it produces weeds and thistles, it's more likely to get cussed out. Fields like that are burned, not harvested.

O: A strong word and revelation for today. This passage mainly continues from yesterday's reading where Paul questions one who has experience God's power, the word, and manifestations yet still sin and has wrong practices. Have we taken God's grace and mercy for us lightly? I like how the passage above describes people who does so with that paradox description.

We can experience the fire of God, We can feel that electric in the air, We can worship God with all our hearts , We can experience his intimacy, We can attend every church meeting, cell group youth group, ministries and prayer meeting. It doesn't matter if we have secret sins and disobeying God. Certainly we do not want to repudiate Jesus in public. We certainly want to be that soil that is so fertile with God's goodness.

A: Perhaps you have a secret sin ? I know i did. I caught myself lying alot of times. Not those mega huge lies but a sin is still a sin. I'm aware that i have this natural reflex to lie when i do not feel like meeting someone or attend something. I'm learning daily to stop that in my life as it isn't a good testimony. Rely on God's grace and start to change today! I certainly dont' want to take Jesus' Blood for granted anymore

P: Open my eyes to the things i've done that is displeasing in your sight. Help me to be a good testimony. Amen!

Hebrews 5:13-14

The Message (MSG)

Re-Crucifying Jesus

^11-14I have a lot more to say about this, but it is hard to get it across to you since you've picked up this bad habit of not listening. By this time you ought to be teachers yourselves, yet here I find you need someone to sit down with you and go over the basics on God again, starting from square one—baby's milk, when you should have been on solid food long ago! Milk is for beginners, inexperienced in God's ways; solid food is for the mature, who have some practice in telling right from wrong.

O: Basically the whole chapter speaks about how Jesus, came into the earth as the perfect priest to atone for our sins. But towards the end of the chapter, Paul began to reprimand the church for being like babies for they need to drink milk (simple truths) , and not solid food (revelations of God's Word)

Interesting aye?

The church didn't see the death of Jesus Christ and his grace because Paul said in v.11 that they have become dull in their spiritual hearing and sluggish. In other words, they are slothful (lazy) to receive spiritual insight. Have we in some ways forget about our spiritual hearing? Have we in some ways become lazy and sluggish in achieving spiritual insight? Paul says the failure of achieveing maturity in God will prevent us from the divine will in the purpose of God .

A: To me the most important thing is to be always in tune with God's spirit and always having the desire to achieve spiritual insight/truths. If you've been having a dry period, continue to press in for more. If you have been on plateau and not moving on continue to listen and press on. Always desire for more so that we would always feed on the solid and not milk. ALWAYS GROW in HIM.

It's with solid food we would in V.15 distinguish what is morally good and evil and contrary to human law of the divine. In this world with full of corruption, lies and deception , your guard is God's word and the Holy Spirit. Stand firm. So with you, so must I!

Of course, young christians would need the milk. But not for a lifetime, there must be a growth.


P: Lord, help me to grow with you daily, day by day . Amen

Hebrews 4:10-11

Amplified Bible (AMP)

¹⁰For he who has once entered [God's] rest also has ceased from [the weariness and pain] of human labors, just as God rested from those labors ^[a]peculiarly His own.

¹¹Let us therefore be zealous and exert ourselves and strive diligently to enter that rest [of God, to know and experience it for ourselves], that no one may fall or perish by the same kind of unbelief and disobedience [into which those in the wilderness fell].

Based on the commentary is speaks that those who strive and rest in Him, when their time is up , will receive eternal life , rest and the benefits like God is having now. However, I like to think it in a literal sense. That we should strive to be in his rest at all times so that when we labour on earth, it won't be a job but rather rest through work?

I donno how to explain it but taking exams for example we strive so hard by our own hands but still get a B. But often when i rely on God's grace and strive once more , i find myself getting A+ or excelling more in everything i do.

I feel that this passage is reminding me once more and not to shut Jesus out of my student life and keep him to the spiritual box. For HE is indeed interested in everything we do and unto him , let everything we do be worshipful and re-mindful of him.

Prayer: Lord, Help me to trust and rest in you more so that i will spur on and have the energy to serve you.

Hebrews 2

This verse really spoke to me today.

Hebrews 2:17-18

The Message (MSG)

^16-18It's obvious, of course, that he didn't go to all this trouble for angels. It was for people like us, children of Abraham. That's why he had to enter into every detail of human life. Then, when he came before God as high priest to get rid of the people's sins, he would have already experienced it all himself—all the pain, all the testing—and would be able to help where help was needed.

O: It's indeed very touching to see that Jesus, who was made lower than all angels during this period of time in order to understand the plight of trials and temptations of us humans. Jesus could have just died in heaven for us but no ......he took a step further and experienced the world.

Isn't it interesting in biology, the blood of the infant and the mother do not mix at all? Hence, when Jesus came into Mary the baby was not carrying the trait of sin from the blood and remained PURE.

A: Sometimes we forget that God does cares for your situations/problems and in mine. Often, we complain and accuse that He, the God above, doesn't understand because we are different. If you take a look back , he was so human in extreme ways

1. Tempted with money

2. Tempted with power

3. Tempted with human basic needs - food

4. Accused and hurt verbally

5. Feared death- The shedding of blood at the Garden of Gethsemane. I wonder, what power was there in that blood at the garden:)

And the list goes on. Sometimes we need to realize, Jesus knows us more than anyone can. So , why not cast our burdens and problems to him? He has overcome sin for us and that's more than enough for me. He can bring you through the darkest moments in life, temptation and toughest trials.

P: Lord Help me to overcome the trials in this semester !

Irrational Fear

Ps. Ben's prayer still resonated in my spirit that i'm not too compare myself spiritually and in my talents. But to trust in him , be faithful in serving gladly and continue to walk with him.

Reflecting about it, it's very true what God has said to me through Ps.Ben. I've been battling with a jealousy and irrational fear of being unused back in EBC. Especially in the Sat Night Service during the long holiday breaks, not once did i serve. In the English service i served only once. I was bitter and confused. Did i do something wrong? Did i hurt anyone? I even tried, mind my derogatory term "suck-up" to people so that maybe the leaders would notice me.

No avail........

It's when during my latest holiday, i expected nothing, and just let go and let God suddenly i got a message from Wilson to ask me to serve. I was really surprised.

Another thing i have to mentally stop doing is to also not compare my skills level with another. Eg: I'm bad in hearing chord progression in minor/major especially when the note is a MINOR and you have to play a MAJOR chord. It's very confusing. I practiced hard but nothing seem to change much. I will always judge another pianist's skill on stage and sometimes being a little bitter if they are better. So yeah it's really my fault.

It's when i let go and let God take over , the anointing comes, and i play smoothly and with "better hearing" .

Conclusion: Stop being kiasu and kia-God. Lol.

It's still a stage 1 on the learning curve but it's necessary to move on. The silver medal vision that Mark gave me the other day was a description of what i really felt when i'm just all Gold from God's perspective.

Don't compare
Just prepare
Don't be bitter
Be a worshipper.

Proverbs 1:7

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,
but fools^[a] despise wisdom and instruction.

fools here means morally deficient.

³³ but whoever listens to me(wisdom of God) will live in safety
and be at ease, without fear of harm.”


Have you feared the Lord today? :)

Hi all ,

I've decided to change this blog into my personal bible journal and just to write down verses and ocassionally expound on the things i've learned. I was really impacted by Ps. Ben and i figured i need to do this again and grow. :)

An issue that have been bothering or though-provoking to me is on the issue of Grace as mentioned several times by Ps. Ben. No, i'm not going to debate or write a full series about it but rather go back to the foundational truths that are found in Hebrews.

S:Hebrews Chapter 1

O: It's in this chapter that we can see the evidence of God, Jesus' position, the angels and the people of the Earth. Everything created is controlled , made , maintained and etc by God himself yet he chose Jesus to come and save us. Jesus who is worship by angels came down and died for our sins.

I shed a tear reading this passage. How many of us are willing to die for another? He has all power, all wonders , all knowledge and etc yet chose me and you. A true way to start of Hebrews with that wonderful picture of Grace. It's basic but always a great reminder to all

A: To me the best application is to always acknowledge the work of the wonderful cross and ressurection power in our lives. Often we take it for granted but we must not. I'm just in awe...I can just imagine the powerful worship of the angels up in heaven. Hallelujah!

P: Lord i pray that your reminder of your grace will always be ingrained in me. Amen