Tuesday, March 24, 2009

Come Follow Me

As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew. They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. "Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men." At once they left their nets and followed him. - Matthew 4:18-20 (NIV).

Sunday, March 22, 2009

The View From The Mountain

Notice three things: (1) Not everybody gets to go up the mountain. Jesus picked the three who went. He didn't take everybody so nobody would feel slighted. And He didn't explain or apologise to the other disciples who stayed at ground level. God loves us all equally but He doesn't give us all the same assignment or experiences with Him. God makes the call, not us, so trust Him. He knows what He's doing.

(2) Those who go up the mountain aren't necessarily wiser or more Spiritual. After seeing Jesus enveloped in the glow of God's glory, Peter blurted out, "Let's build three tabernacles and stay here" (Matthew 17:4). Peter was sincere, but he was sincerely wrong. Resist the temptation to speak by waiting to hear what God has to say, or to build your ministry around an experience you've had with God that's designed to equip you personally rather than become the theme and emphasis of your life.

(3) God's plan is to feature Jesus, not you. And it's a lesson we keep having to learn over and over. "While He was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, 'This is My Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!'… When they looked up, they saw no one except Jesus" (Matthew 17:5-8 NIV). The greatest challenge in your life is getting to the place where you focus on "no one except Jesus". The most important relationship you have is with Him. The only plan that will work out right is the one He gives you. And the power needed to fulfil that plan comes from Him alone.
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Bible Reading: Matthew 17:1
After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves.

Saturday, March 21, 2009

Pattern Of This World

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. - Romans 12:2(NIV)

Thursday, March 19, 2009

SILENCE AND SPEECH

Extracted from today's Meditation for Lent; Posted by Peter Yong. Meditation Text: Mark 15:1-15. Jesus is Judged by Pontius Pilate.

'Jesus gave no further answer.’ During the time when he was accused and judged by Pontius Pilate. Jesus remained silent most part of the inquiry. He spoke when needed but mostly He was silent. In the case of Christ, silence and speech nurtured each other.

Bishop Robert Solomon in his ‘Feast for the Soul’ talked about God being silent because He had something to say. And we can only hear what he has to say if we join Him in His silence. When he speaks he is often heard in a gentle whisper (1 King 19:12). Silence enables us to face God and ourselves and come to terms with reality. Jesus’ moments of silence were deeply penetrating and prophetic. When he was unjustly accused and tried before His crucifixion, he remained silent. His silence showed a deep trust in His heavenly Father.

Read the passage of Jesus being interrogated again. Notice His silence and how penetrating that is. He chose not to speak to defend Himself.

We live in a world of words, articulation, noise and self-advocacy. The more extroverted and self-confident we appear, the more acceptable we are to the world. Yet the way of Christ seemed to counter the ways of the world.

Stand in the court with Jesus and witness the hearing. Listen to their accusations. Look at Jesus. Pay attention to His words and His silence. What do you feel? What are you drawn towards?

Over to you

Is there something in your life during this Lent that you need to bring before the Lord and sit with Him in silence? Pay attention to what happens to you in the silence? Is there something about your life that you feel the Lord seemed silent about? Will you sit with Him in silence and hear afresh the meaning of His loving response?

Prayer

Lord, may this Lent teach that the sound of silence can penetrate the soul so that I will let you have Your way in me and know that You are with me even in silence.

*************************************************************************************************Further Lent Reading: Jer 7:23-28, Psalm 95:6-11, Luke 11:14-23

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Wednesday, March 18, 2009

Faith Not Doubt

"Have faith in God," Jesus answered. "I tell you the truth, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in his heart but believes that what he says will happen, it will be done for him. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours. And when you stand praying, if you hold anything against anyone, forgive him, so that your Father in heaven may forgive you your sins." - Mark 11:22-25(NIV)

Monday, March 16, 2009

TOUCHED BY LOVE

Filled with compassion, Jesus reached out his hand and touched the man. "I am willing," he said. "Be clean!" - Mark 1:41(NIV)

Sunday, March 15, 2009

Are You Workaholic?

When you experience rejection early in life you feel like you constantly have to 'prove' yourself, so you become a workaholic in order to gain people's acceptance. One woman writes, "I can still hear my father yelling, telling me I'd never be any good, never amount to aytnhing. The more he yelled, the more determined I became to prove him wrong." Do you have voices like that in your head? It's true that you'll succeed by working hard, but to experience lasting satisfaction you must know that you're fulfilling God's will for your life. When all is said and done, what matters most is knowing you're loved and accepted by God. What can top that?

God measures with a different yardstick. He won't ask what kind of car you drove, but how many people you gave rides to. He won't ask the square footage of your home, but how you raised your children and treated your family. He won't ask about the brand names in your closet, but who you helped to clothe. He won't ask about your salary, but how much you invested into the building of His Kingdom. He won't ask about your job title, but if you tried to perform with excellence and integrity. He won't ask how many friends you had, but how many people you were a friend to. He won't ask what neighbourhood you lived in, but if you loved your neighbour. He won't ask about your politics or the colour of your skin, but about the quality of your character. So don't just work hard, work hard for the right reasons!

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Bible Reading:

in all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make your paths straight.
- Proverbs 3:6
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***Upcoming Events***

Updated for Sunday 9th May, 2010
 

1.           GMC Membership Database Update: As at 04/05/2010, only 368 membership forms have been returned. Those who have not submitted, please complete the form and put in the box provided. If your children were confirmed or baptized in GMC and now they are overseas please help them to fill.
2.          Adult Baptism & Confirmation: Date: 13.06.10 (Sunday).
3.          I-Youth: Date: 15.05.2010. Program: Character Building . Speaker: Rev. Law Hui Seng
4.          Sunday School Vacation Bible School(VBS): We shall be organising a VBS, themed “Prayer Safari” for Primary 1-6 children. Date: 28-30 May, 2010. Fees: RM 25 per child. Registration is now open and the closing date is 16 May.
5.          Sermon Discussion In Small Group On family value: You may like to refer to GMC blog for the sermon starting on 18/4 till 9 May.
6.          Kapit STM to Ulu Balleh and Ulu Kapit areas (11th-15th June,Friday – Tuesday):Brothers & sisters who have the calling or have been called by God to reach out are invited to sign up for the Kapit short-term mission.                For more info, please contact bro. Dasline at mobile 019-815 5225 or email  dasline.sinta@penergy.com.my
7.          LCEC Meeting: Date: Today. Time: 2pm. Venue: Conference Room. Compulsory for LCEC members.
8.          Prison Fellowship Malaysia ( Miri Chapter): Sale of book marks, RM2 each, to raise fund for this ministry. Your support is greatly appreciated. Please contact Jimmy Shih 012-8778118.
9.          District Crime Prevention Talk by SCAC Board of Social Concerns: Date: 21st May (Friday). Time: 7.30pm. Venue: Hwai En Methodist Church. Speaker: Frederick Wong.
10.       District Happy Mother Class Facilitators’ Training (Mandarin): Date: 4th June (7.15pm-10pm) & 5th June (9am-6pm). Venue: Sincere Care Centre. Content of training: Discipline of children & Education. Speaker: Mdm Tan (Degree in nursing, Taiwan; Master of ministry student at MTS; Wife of Rev Ting Diu Kiong, Kuching; involved in Board of Wellness parents & children ministry; major in Family ministry at Malaysia Bible School, KL). Registration Fee: RM30. For registration please contact Sincere Centre-Sis. Paw Eng See 085-433359.
11.       Family Seminar (28-30 May): GMC will be organizing a Family Seminar to be conducted by Rev. Kho on 28 & 29 May. All church members and small groups are requested to join the seminar. Seminar topics will focus on building relationships for singles, husband, wife and children. Time : 7.30pm. Venue: Church Hall.
12.       Praise Dance 5th Anniversary: Date:22 May. Venue City Fan Garden. Time: 6.30pm. All are welcome!
Prayer Points:

1.        Pray for all of us parents to honour our parents, so that we provide good examples for our children to honour us.
2.        Pray for Balingian mission participants that God will empower them to preach, teach and pray to make disciples of the longhouse Ibans.
3.        Pray for the health of: Michelle Chong, Alfred Sim, Uncle Samuel and Jonathan Ting.







    GRACE METHODIST CHURCH
    Purpose Statement: Building a strong and united church where every member is equipped for works of service through whom Jesus Christ is made known.
    Theme: Spreading Scriptural Holiness, Transforming our Nation






    Date:           09/05/2010

    Morning Service 8.30am


    Preacher:                     Rev. Dr. Ling Tung Kiing
    Liturgist:                      Aaron Hii
    Worship Team:            Sii Ling & Team
    Pianist:                        Cheryl Chen
    LCD:                             William Ting
    Sound Control:             Yung Teck Chung
    Ushers:                                    Yew Tiong Hoo-SG

    Evening Service 7.00pm


    Preacher:                     Rev. Dr. Ling Tung Kiing
    Liturgist:                      Charles Ling
    Worship Team:            Natalie Ha & Team
    Pianist :                       Jeremy Yong
    LCD:                             James Ting
    Sound Control:             Jeremy Sim
    Ushers :                       Desmond Lui & Chew          Chui Fong
    Greeters:                      Jeremy Sim & Sara Chee


    Prayer Meeting Co-Workers:

    Thursday Night 8:00pm
    Prayer Leader
    Worship Leader
    LCD
    13/05/2010
    Sally Tan
    Yvonne Lee
    Wendy Tiong
    20/05/2010
    Ting Kong Yu
    Sii Ling
    Grace Len








    ORDER OF SERVICE
    1.    CALL TO WORSHIP UMH834 Psalm 113
    2.    PRAISE AND WORSHIP*
    3.    PASTORAL PRAYER
    4.    APOSTLES’CREED UMH 881
    5.    SCRIPTURE READING: Genesis 21:17-21
    6.    SERMON: God Heard The Boy Crying
    7.    HYMN OF RESPONSE: UMH 445
    ‘Happy the Home When God Is There’
    8.    ANNOUNCEMENT
    9.    PRESENTATION
    10. COMMISSION: Balingian STM
    11. OFFERING/CLOSING  HYMN: UMH 453
    ‘More Love to Thee, O Christ’
    12. DOXOLOGY*
    13. BENEDICTION*
    14. THREE FOLD AMEN*


    Sermon Outline:
    Family Value Series:
    (4) God Heard The Boy Crying
    Genesis 21:17-21

    Introduction: The story of a son’s cry
    Content: (i) Who is the boy?
    1.        21:9: “the son whom Hagar the Egyptian had borne”
    2.        21:10: “that slave woman and her son”
    3.        21:13a: “the son of the maid servant”
    4.        21:13b: Abraham’s offspring
    (ii) How old is the boy?
    1.        16:16 “Abram was eighty-six years old when Hagar bore him Ishmael”
    2.        21:5 “Abraham was a hundred years old when his son Isaac was born “
    3.        21:8 “on the day Isaac was weaned”
    (iii)Why the boy was crying?
    1.        21:9 “playing with her son Isaac”(RSV); “Teasing”(RBV); “Mocking”(NIV)
    2.        Galatians 4:29 “At that time the son  born in the ordinary way  
     persecuted the son born by the power of the Spirit.”
    3.        21:10 “Get rid of that slave woman and her son”
    4.        21:14a “sent her off with the boy”
    5.        21:14b “wandered in the desert of Beersheba
    6.        21:15a “When the water in the skin was gone”
    7.        21:15b “she put the boy under one of the bushes”
    8.        21:16a “she went off and sat down nearby”
    9.        21:16c “she began to sob”
    10.     21:17b “the boy crying as he lies there”
    (iv) What has God done to rectify the crisis?
    1.        21:17c “God has heard the boy crying”
    2.        21:17b “Do not be afraid”
    3.        21:19a “God opened her eyes”
    4.        21:19b “gave the boy a drink”
    5.        21:20a “God was with the boy”
    6.        21:18a “Lift the boy up and take him by the hand”
    7.        21:18b “I will make him into a great nation”
    (v) Practical reflection questions:
                    1. Have you ever heard someone crying at your home? If so, who are they?
    2. What are they crying for?
    3. Did you feel distress upon your children’s behaviour? If so, in which
         areas?
    Conclusion: The end of human’s struggle is actually the beginning of God’s help.
                                    God please forgive me.

    Co Workers for 16 / 05 / 2010
    Morning Service 8.30am
    Preacher:                     Rev. Law Hui Seng
    Liturgist:                      Michael Lee
    Worship Team:            Tan Kok Chui & Team
    Pianist:                        Elizabeth Musa
    LCD:                             William Ting
    Sound Control:             Johnny Ling
    Ushers:                        Yew Tiong Hoo-SG
    Evening Service 7.00pm  
    Preacher:                     Rev. Law Hui Seng
    Liturgist:                      Alfred Sibat
    Worship Team:            Tan Kok Chui & Team
    Pianist :                       Elizabeth Musa
    LCD:                             Grace Len
    Sound Control:             Herbert Thien
    Ushers :                       Jeremy Sim & Sara Chee.
    Greeters:                      Law Boon Hee, Chai Ching                 Kwang




    Pastor-in-Charge : Rev. Law Hui Seng 012-8770303 email: ourgrace@streamyx.com
    Assistant Pastor: Ps Connie Yong 012-8780300 email: smcgc@hotmail.com
    Church Office: Tel 085-662660 Fax 085-652660 email:gmcmiri@tm.net.my
    Church Address: Lot 2853, Jln Baiduri 6, Pujut 3A, 98000, Miri.
    http://gmc-ministry.blogspot.com

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    Shining as Stars


    "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose." Phillippians 2:12-13

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