thank You for your wonderful abundance of grace in my life. Truly, how else can I stand if not for you?

Its been a long while since I’ve updated this blog, but God hasn’t stopped showering me with His love, grace and a whole ‘nother level of blessings!

Lord you knew I was afraid to check my results last night. Afraid that I’ll miss the mark.

But Lord, thank You, for You’ve always upheld me by your righteous right hand, and I am your beloved.

Thank You Lord, that You made a way, when in the natural world, it is a sure impossibility.

Thank You Lord, for all that You’ve shown me, for growing me, for loving me, though many a times, I do not deserve it.

Thank You Lord, that You fight the battles for me, that You always awe me with signs and wonders.

Thank You Lord, that You cast out the spirit of lonliness, and gave me the Spirit of life

Thank You Lord, for all You’ve done!

Always loved by You, forevermore,

Mervyn

In this service, Pastor side-tracked quite a bit.

• Transformation is by the Spirit of the Lord
• Peter rose above the storm, when he looked at Jesus, and sunk when he looked at his situation
• Come unto Me and drink- and out of your belly will come rivers of living water
• In the OT (Old Test), the NT (New Test) is hidden
• In the NT, the OT is revealed, substance vs shadow
• Hebrews 9:24 – further points that Jesus is not the shadow
• Hebrews 10:1 – Shadow of good things to come
• The tribes are represented by precious stones in the breastplate
• Hebrews 1 – having purged our sins, Jesus sat down at the right hand of the Father
• Exodus 28:2-14 – holy garments are for glory and for beauty
• The artisans involved were filled with the Spirit of Wisdom and not their own human wisdom
• This is the way of the God, what you lack, He will fill and not by your works
• Also, there is such a thing as being filled with the spirit by impartation (side note)
• The total no. of garments were 7, with the breastplate mentioned first (which represents us in His heart)
• The High Priest represents us to God, therefore, he above all must be sinless (if that is even possible for a human)
• Every part of the garment was carefully constructed for our blessings
• The gold sash on the turban represents sinless thoughts, filled always with holiness
• Thus our acceptance is based on the thoughts of Jesus.
• Blue (heaven, Jesus as God), purple(God merges with Man) and red(Jesus as Man, Adam means red-blooded Man in Hebrew) are dyed into the white linen
• Exodus 39:3 – how they beat gold into the garments
• One way to look at the NT, trace the blue (the God), and red (the Man),
• When Lazarus died, Jesus wept. Why? Perhaps Because He never meant for Man to die. (side note)
• Exodus 28:2-14 – woven band of ephod (belt) is a servant’s apron. Thus all the colours are joined to serve mankind.
• Jesus washes your feet with His nail-pierced hands and He delights in so (side note)
• In the OT, the blood of bulls and lambs only covered the sins of people for a year, but the blood of Jesus cleanses eternally. Note: Covering is not the same as cleansing (eg when you sweep your floor, sweeping the dust into the carpet (covering) and lifting the carpet up and sweeping it (cleansing))
• Mark 10 – 100 fold

• What do we hear???
• Acts 14:8-10 – A certain man born unable to walk, but he had great faith that was observed by Paul, that eventually, he could walk. What did he hear?
• Acts 14:5-7 – Paul preached, and attempts were made on his life. What did he preach?
• ·Acts 13:35-38 –It was the gospel on the forgiveness of sins, which justifies all things
• Romans 1:16-17 – the gospel is THE power of God unto salvation, for in it, the RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD is revealed from faith to faith
• ·So what is righteousness? A measurement of our moral behaviour? Nay…
• Romans 4:1-8 – description of righteousness in the bible (righteousness go hand in hand with forgiveness of sins)
• ·Thus if you believe that you are forgiven, you are righteous.
• For example, where does healing comes from? We know God can, but do we dare ask Him? Are we looking at our own lives? Our faults? That we are undeserving? The biggest hindrance between man and God is sin, and it has been removed by Lord Jesus, therefore, nothing shall stop His blessings upon you.
• Psalms 103 – forget not His benefits, Who forgives all your iniquities
• Notice in the bible that whenever one is forgiven, he is healed.
• Forgiveness of sins is not based on human understanding, i.e. – not just forgiven from the point to the day you’re born again, but ALL THE WAY.
• The forgiveness of sins is the mother of all blessings
• Psalms 103:3 – the full forgiveness of our sins
• Romans 10:17 – if you need a blessing, just keep hearing. For faith comes by hearing and by hearing the Word of Christ.
• Romans 10:14-17 – you need to listen to ‘live’ preaching, not just read your bible. (CDs help too)
• Ephesians 5:25 – ??? love your wife.( For guys here.)
• The Holy oil speaks of Jesus’s finished work.
• Reason: He went to Gethsemane in order to be crushed.

Bridge 1:
Shine Your light, be that city of light.

Chorus:
We’re gonna shout out loud, it’s time to let it out
It’s your life in me for all to see.
‘Cause our God reings always till the end of days
We’re gonna stand strong, stand tall
‘Cause Jesus Christ is Lord of all.

Verse 2:
God colors flowing through my life
I’m not the same now my heart desires
To see the whole world come to know You

Bridge 2:
I’ll shine my light, be that city of light

Chorus

Shout, shout we’re gonna let it out
Shout, shout we’re gonna let it out
Shout, shout we’re gonna shout Jesus is Lord.

What an awesome morning, Lord!!!

Thank You for this blessed morning with You. Ever in the midst of everything, I KNOW YOU’RE WITH ME LORD!

I won’t care what the world says, because You Lord! You have the final say, and I can feel Your power flow Lord

Bless Your name, Lord, for Lord, You are the one who makes the sun rise so beautifully today, even if I were to miss today, You’ll make one more for me tomorrow.

Praise You Lord!

Weeeeee!!!

Sat Arrow Service 7^th March 09 by PS Ben

God gave you a gift, so that you can have the power to influence the world.

How to get out of trials and tribulations?

• · God allowed such tests so that these may become our testimonies, such that He maybe glorified.
• · Romans 8:28-39 – all things work for the good who love God, called upon for His purpose.
• · When God found me, He did not just save me, but to give me life and life more abundantly.
• · Start serving to experience the activation of His gifts in your life. Its the fastest way to grow too!
• · Where you are called, God shall always give you the gifting
• · When you begin to serve and when you’re faithful, God will always give you more.
• · God knew what He was doing and decided to use those situations to shape us (message bible version)
• · Thus, even if bad things do happen, all things work for the good of you! Like an raw diamond, we are shaped, cut, and polished, so that we may shine for Jesus.
• · God and you are One, cos He has justified you through Jesus. Thus, not only do you have holiness, but also the power of heaven! (eg, the laying of hands) In this manner, you will be glorified by God too.
• · Verse 31: Paul was talking about trials, God is still for us.
• · Faith or lack thereof does not disqualify people from God’s blessings.
• · Even if the tribulations are through faults of our own, God is still for us
• · The lifestyle of sin only breeds sin consciousness, and you’ll find it hard to believe in righteousness. Sin has power in law
• · To carry on this sinful lifestyle, means, you do not truly believe the gift of righteousness.
• · God did not spare His Son, thus, how shall He not also freely give you all things??? Therefore, run after Jesus, and not of things in this world. Those things will come along when you believe in Jesus. Because, Jesus, IS THE BLESSING.
• · The voice of accusations stops us short of receiving the full blessings of God. It is not the voice of God. His voice is a voice of love and comfort.
• · I am God’s elect. Thus, no voices of accusation shall bring charges against me. For all wrong that I’ve done, is punished through Jesus. The voice of accusation acts to bring you to looking at yourself instead of Jesus.
• · Only when you look to God, you will no longer worry about your situation, and also turn on the tap of blessings.
• · Another voice of accusation is the voice of comparison. When you begin to compare, it brings you to your self-consciousness again. God never did compare you with others, He sees you as unique and acceptable in His eyes.
• · Let Jesus determine how you stand!!! As Jesus is, so are you! He never did condemn you; let no one else condemn you.
• · Who can separate God and I now? NO ONE! God and I are ONE and His resources are all behind me. Romans 8:35
• · Yet in all these trials and voices, we are more than conquerors, through Jesus who loves us. Reject these voices
• · Numbers 21:4-9 – The people were discouraged that the doors were not opened to them, (when God does not provide, it’s because He’s protecting us) Sometimes, when the journey is long, we lose trust in God.
• · When the people were bitten by serpents, all they had to do was to look at the bronze (judgement) serpent on the pole (standard), (a picture of the cross) and they’ll be healed.
• · Now why a standard? Firstly, a standard is a banner used by armies. Thus, that is the way our God wants us to look. He will fight the battles for us.
• · Isaiah 59:19 – the standard referred here is the banner. Look to God, and see your salvation.
• · John 3:13-18 – as Moses lifted up the serpent, so was Jesus lifted so. Thus, whoever believes in Him, shall receive eternal life.
• · John 3:16 – for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.

And I’ve never looked back ever since. And why? What’s so special in serving? Isn’t it a waste of time? Don’t you have better things to do? You ask… but are you prepared for the truth?

Let’s first start out about my very own reason for serving.

If you’ve read my previous post, you would have known that God brought me out from the darkness, akin to Him bringing out the Israelites from Egypt in the old testament. To me, He was really like the cloud that shields the scorching sun by day, and the fire pillar that keeps the people warm by night, forever guiding gently, step-by-step.

And thus, He placed a desire in my heart. To show His shining light to the world. To let those in darkness know, there is one true light, the path towards salvation. To help those in need, to offer them a guiding hand, and a gentle smile, like our dear Lord Jesus.

But then I knew not which path to take, where do I go, nor what do I do. That was till I went on to enquire about the RSM Ushers (Roayal Stewards Ministry – sounds grand right? After all, we are serving the Highest King).

Well, so what about the ushers? Basically, the job is kinda like flow control. People queqe for the Word of God. And the sheep are many. As ushers, we just make sure, every sheep has a nice green pasture to munch food on. Like Jesus the shepherd. If you think that’s it and the job sounds easy, you’re sorely mistaken. Average church attendance has already been long past the 18,000 mark each sunday. So that makes an average of about 4500 people per service. We are only a team of 60 plus. You do the math. How is that even possible in the flesh for 60 shepards with a flock of thousands? But somehow, each time, God’s always there. He’ll make sure that there’ll be places for the congregation to rest in His house, and for them to feed on His Word. At this alarming growth rate, we’ll definitely need alot more ushers, but we do not fear. Because God is with us, in all things, and good will only come to those who love Him, amen?

Managing such a crowd each sunday, is already a miracle by itself. And I still haven’t gone through all the small personal things yet. But here, I think it’ll be appropriate to share a little sideline here. We’ll pause this story for a moment and go into a small one.

Sometime in December last year, I remembered my brother too, was facing a dark time. I don’t know exactly what it was, but I invited him to church anyway. It doesn’t matter whether I know or not, as long as He knows, and He does.

We decided to go for the first service that sunday morning. As most of you might already know, in order to secure seats in the main auditorium, you’ve gotta be there by 7.15 am. Already before 7, there’ll be a line queqing already!

But as much a pig my brother was, (note::: was), we reached there at 8.30 am. I wasn’t really expecting much of a chance to get a seat there. When we got there, we tried our luck. At first, we got turned away. And I was like “God…C’mon!!!”. Then, as we were walking away, the usher pulled us back, saying that there were 2 seats left! (prob the only 2 left). Hallelujah! 8.30 am … 2 seats….wow…. Its like specially R.S.V.P for us already. Really..so..amazing…praise the Lord!! By the end, my brother got saved. And I’m thankful for God , and the assistance of that usher.

A few months later, I’ve already decided that I would be an usher, even though I had no confirmation from the Lord whatsoever as to whether this was the right choice. So I went to the usher’s induction programme, on a friday night.

I went with my bro-in-Christ, Shun Hua (who’s also an usher, serving in Team Omega). He asked if I would like to serve in the same team as he’s in. But I just told him, let this matter be unto God, and not of myself. I shall let God decide my placement if He so wants me to be in this ministry.

I was allocated to Team Zeta.

Well, truth be told, I was abit sian. But what happened later shocked me.

The time came for the introduction of the team’s leaders. First person that popped up….can you guess? I’m sure you can. So soap opera-ish… Yes it was that very usher who gave us the seats that day!!!! I felt my Spirit SING!!!! That was like the one time I could really feel the flow. Its like God made me go round in a circle for this very day. Truly God has a sense of humour. And honestly I’l always remember the usher’s face, because he has this “constantly pissed” look. But he’s really a nice guy. Sorry my leader!!! But that was me last time.

What was more amazing came later, in the form of my team leader Roland. Now this guy, he looked like my own dad. Not really in terms of looks, but mannerism. My own dad, belongs to the RAMBO and ROCKY era. He’s a tough man, with maybe an ego and pride a little bit too large. But I respect him alot. But Roland, was, somewhat different. He’s a man that’s tough too, but yet, so full of grace, and the Spirit. As he was talking and introducing himself, I felt myself nearly tearing. Its like God was showing me a prophesy, His way of saving my dad one day.

And that was all the confirmation I needed to become an usher. This IS THE PLACE GOD WANTS me to be in.

Praise God eh?

Ok I shall leave the next segment into another post. Time to mug abit.

But seriously, Thank You Lord, for anointing me with your grace and favour, for this chance to serve in Your name.
Amen.

This blog, I hope, and wish, with all my heart, that it glorifies our Father, and the Son,  our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.

If you’re asking why am I writing such stuff, its because God has done TOO MUCH in my life, so much so that I cannot live a life less than extraordinary anymore.

And like the apostle Paul, I shall go about saying His gospel, His good news, to this world that is so desperately searching for Him.

Firstly, I’m gonna say that there’s too many things to start with one shot. So I’ll break into parts

Are you ready?

Here we go!!!

Let’s first talk about the story of how I got reborn once again.

It all began sometime last year, somewhere in July/August, after the humiliating loss to NTU in the Prime Minister’s Cup (a yearly highly anticipated dragon boat race among the universities).

This Cup was the most important, and most sought-after trophy that we as dragonboaters can ever attain. It represents the culmination of one full year’s sacrifice, training and commitment. It represents your honour, your glory, and whatever you stood for. Pretty amazing for a piece of metal eh?

Needless to say, when we lost that cup, the world turned to blackness that very moment, and became darker still in the days to come. You know sometimes, say for example in exams, when you’ve given your 110%, and it just wasn’t enough? And you felt like you’ve gave so much but nothing came out of it? Yea, I’m sure you know that well. That was how it felt, only 500x worse. That was the first time, in a long, long time, I’ve cried that hard. Imagine seeing 20 big men cry. Luckily I got my oakleys on.

For those who don’t know, dragonboat in a varsity team is kinda like a religion, where we train fanatically, 7 times a week if possible, so that we may be strong enough to quash the life out of our opponents. And for a time, in my first year, we were that strong. It requires alot of discipline, time and commitment and a burning desire. Most of us would sacrifice our favourite food (yea no fried stuff), time with family, time for outings, just so that we can be in the best shape we can, ready for anything, anytime.

As for me, that was like a dream for me. During those days, having one common goal, one united purpose, it made me feel….honoured. It felt like those “band of brothers” kinda moments  (I loved that series btw). So throughout my years in NUS, I never did complain that training took too much time, too tough, or too much effort. Everything, I did willingly. And I wished and believed, that everyone would too. Nothing….was too much.

But because of that, I’ve neglected my precious time with family, with friends, with life itself, all for the sake of this ideal. I fell out with my parents, in a way. I couldn’t spend time with my cute budgie (and he passed away, and I still have deep regret this day). I took special terms …. every….single….holiday…. so that I could have time to train during school term. I sacrificed internships. The list goes on.

It was a horrible, unrestful lifestyle I’ve led. Everyday was just another day to train…everyday was just one step closer to the Cup. That was all I could think about. Not to mention, I still gotta make time for studies.

Well, now that you know the background, back to the main plot, which will go into abit of a sub plot again.

After that loss, there was an election for the next captain/vice-captain. I volunteered, knowing full well the responsibilities, even though I’m going into my final year, with FYPs and all. I felt that I had the power to shape the team. I felt that the reason we lost so bad that season was because we lost some of the old values of the team, values I hold very dearly to my heart then. I was actually kinda prepared to sacrifice whatever was neccessary to get the job done and get the Cup back.

I felt then, that the team lost out because, they talked too much, and did too little, or rather did wrong what they thought was the right thing to do. I’m not trying to be self-righteous here but the thing about appreciating and showing support for one another in times of darkness, just wasn’t there in the team. The previous captain advocated “love” and “family culture” , which quite unfortunately, didn’t quite turn out that way. Training is not just about being there physically to train. It’s also about wanting to train, even in times of your own darkness, your own problems. Its just about sticking it through like a real man and not crapping your way outta things. Its also about your brothers, doing it for them as much as yourself, and they, doing it for you as much as themselves. Belief in the brothers, that through all times, good and bad, they WILL come through for you. Note that all these thoughts were of my old self. So anything I’ve said, is not representative of WHO I AM NOW.

Well then, I thought to myself. This time round, I shall not falter, I shall not fail, in guiding this team that I so loved, that taught me so much, and I shall prevail. (Notice lotsa I’s).

That day, I stood up, ready to be elected. I remembered having the support of most of the seniors too.

I remembered that day, I felt very driven, very sure somehow, that I would be the next captain. That’s cos, I felt that among the candidates, I’ve given the most I could ever give, and what the team needed was an all-out kinda leadership, a different way of doing things. And I felt, I was probably the only one that could get the team back to how it was. At least to some semblance of that powerful past. I remembered on that day, I was supposed to give a presentation on my views, what changes I was gonna make to the team, how I’ll cope with things to come…yar..those PAP stuff.

I threw them away on that day.

I thought that hey, if I’m gonna be the next captain, you will vote me as I am. I believed that the team has already known me well enough to know what my next steps will do. That’s how I went in. Big mistake. Next thing I knew, I felt like I’ve sunk into another black hole. Ripped apart from inside out. Torn asunder. I was so hurt.

I felt that the team I once knew, is now gonna die, with me the only survivor, and there was no way to bring those days back again. It wasn’t so much that I lost the captaincy that I got so saddened. It really was the loss of the old culture and traditions, of true friendship and brotherhood. Those days, whereby, everyone wasn’t so self-centered, where there was such a thing as the common good.

And to make matters worse, the seniors, upon that decision made by the team, decide to leave the team. I was so saddened by the loss of so many good men. Just, so many. It felt like I was coming against a tsunami, all on my own.

For 3 days and nights, I cried in my sleep, if I could even sleep. It was just too much for me. Way too much.

It was then, I seeked God. I was crying. I was wondering and wandering. Why God? Why? I’ve given so much. I loved the team. So why let it die? Why God? Please God, tell me!!!!

I was desperate for an answer. So I’ve finally decided to take the first step, and into the kingdom of heaven. It was then, I was found.

Well that was long…..

PS: Btw guys, I’ve long since forgiven everything, not that you were wrong to start with. And its not that because I’m angry that I refuse to row once more. I believe that my broken paddle then, was a sign from God. He was telling me, its time to stop. And in truth, if I row once again, I fear that I may go back to my old ‘caveman’ style, instead of being the beloved of God. I pray that you understand. In the mighty name of Jesus…

Round 2! Here comes the real part

I remembered on that fateful day, Pastor Joshua was preaching. Now guys, so far that was the one and only time I saw him preach till this day. I remembered…though not much….he preached about anger management. He preached about how when we look our situation in the flesh, we get so worked up over something that may be so small, and cause so much hurt to ourselves and others.

Then I felt that the Word spoke so loudly to me. It felt like “is this sermon for me???”  He preached about Romans 7:13 – 25

What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, “Do not covet.”^{[b] 8}But sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, produced in me every kind of covetous desire. For apart from law, sin is dead. ⁹Once I was alive apart from law; but when the commandment came, sin sprang to life and I died. ¹⁰I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

¹¹For sin, seizing the opportunity afforded by the commandment, deceived me, and through the commandment put me to death. ¹²So then, the law is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good. ¹³Did that which is good, then, become death to me? By no means! But in order that sin might be recognized as sin, it produced death in me through what was good, so that through the commandment sin might become utterly sinful.

¹⁴We know that the law is spiritual; but I am unspiritual, sold as a slave to sin. ¹⁵I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. ¹⁶And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. ¹⁷As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. ¹⁸I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature.^[c] For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. ¹⁹For what I do is not the good I want to do; no, the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. ²⁰Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it.

²¹So I find this law at work: When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. ²²For in my inner being I delight in God’s law; ²³but I see another law at work in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind and making me a prisoner of the law of sin at work within my members. ²⁴What a wretched man I am! Who will rescue me from this body of death? ²⁵Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!

To sum up, it basically says: when men TRY, and when there is a I WILL, we are letting sin into our lives, because its all by human effort.

When we get mad, we WILL ourselves to be patient, but of course anything human-led is bound to fail eventually.

In verse 24, apostle Paul then says who shall deliver me??? Thanks be FOR JESUS!!! Cos a way has been made through Him. He has taken away all these bitterness and anger. (Thanks to ShunHua for reminding me)

If you need any further clarification, just ask k?

Therefore the solution is not the steps to take, nor what to do, its in the form on a person, Jesus. In practical situations, if we get angry, just say something like this ” I thank you Lord, for You are my patience. You are my coolness, You are my graciousness, because You are the person who will deliver me”

After that service, for the first time in a while, I felt….free….life….joy!!!

Ps Joshua ended off very nicely.

It was the story of somebody who refines silver . We are all like raw pieces of unrefined silver. Super tarnished, not any where near shiny. Therefore the refiner drops the raw piece in fire and the refiner knows that piece of silver is ready when he can see his reflection in it.
Much as the same we are in this fallen world.
Judgement fire may reign all around us, the challenges we face may be like the fire burning through
but guess what, even admist this fire, we grow shinier and shinier for Daddy God is like the refiner
He keeps a constant look out for you.
Our challenges may continue to trouble us, but know what, our Daddy God will be the first to pick us up and glorify us
When He sees the image of His son in us, the complete, flawless pieces of silver, it reflects the image of our Lord Jesus Christ

(*REALLY THANKS TO SHUN HUA…THANKS BRO!!!*)

Yes…that was the beginning. From that point, I said to myself, if the next 2 sermons that I go to, may not even be on conscutive sundays, if the message speaks so loudly to me, I’ll truly… acknowlegde that Christ is my Saviour.

The rest is history.

So my friend….Have you met Jesus today? He loves you so…so much that He’ll willingly take it all (bad stuff) from you. Pinned on the cross, whipped, pierced, burned, beaten, scourged till you can see His bones. All your sins were imputted unto Him, and all chastisement of your peace fell upon Him. I pray that you have, and if you know me, come talk to me, and I shall gladly share more.

The rest of His power, His glory, shall be shared once again soon. Its just too much.

And if you’re reading this, I pray that as Jesus bestowed His shalom peace to His disciples, I pray that you receive it too. In Jesus’s name…Amen

Mervyn Khoo …. Caveman no more…. but now the son of the Lord Most High….. co-heir with Jesus….seated alongside the right-hand of God… greatly favoured….highly blessed…deeply loved…

Shalom