Warna Warna TOP - Christmas with the Community 2

Warna Warna (means Colours) of Tabernacle of Praise Christmas with the Community.

Happy New Year 2011

Warna Warna TOP - Christmas with the Community

It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. Enjoy some of the photos from Christmas with the Community project.

Blessed Christmas and Happy New Year

Stepping out of the boat

I notice that I have not updated my blog for a period of time. Been going through a busy month with lots of projects that require my time and attention. One particluar project that I am working on with a group of fantastic people is the "Christmas with the Community" project. It is something new and something that we have never done before but we believe this is the heartbeat of God for the community. The whole project is a step of faith - leaving what was familiar and safe and secure, and stepping out into God's great adventure. As Jesus invites Peter to step out of the boat and walk on water with him, I realize just how often Jesus invites us out of the boat and into doing something risky, scary, faith-expanding.

Putting our faith into action is all about taking the first step on an uncertain journey. As others who have made this journey will tell us, it’s not the actual going that is difficult. It is “going without knowing” that is a bit unnerving. There are no maps on a journey of faith. We navigate by the starlight of God’s provision. It’s an off-road adventure that leads us to places we cannot see from the main highway of life. It took great faith for the in preparing for this project. I believe God will honor us when we decide to take that step of faith.

There are times when God wants to take us to the next level in our Christian walk, but we hesitate because of fear and uncertainty. At these moments, we are between two worlds - one in which we understand, and the other that is beyond our comprehension. Instead of launching out in faith, we tend to linger where we feel comfortable and secure. In doing so, we miss the exciting destiny that God has for us. We can never grasp the future blessings if we are still clasping on to past achievements. I realize one of the key of stepping out is to put our dependence totally on HIM. The problem most Christians run into when facing this critical decision of stepping out, is that instead of tapping into the Lord's power for a breakthrough, they depend on their own limited strength, and end up in a breakdown.

Stepping out requires us to put our focus on Jesus. As we step out, the noise, the waves and the wind will distract us but as long as we focus our eyes on Jesus, HE will lead us towards HIM.

Be Blessed.

Christmas with the Community

A Love Jelutong Project by Tabernacle of Praise

Are you knocking?

1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil.

I came across a short illustration that I believe will bless you.

“Teacher”, said a young boy, “why is it that so many prayers are unanswered? I do not understand. The Bible says, ‘Ask, and you shall receive; seek, and you shall find; knock and the door shall be opened unto you.’ But it seems to me a great many knock and are not admitted.

The teacher answered, “Did you ever sit by your fireplace on some dark evening and hear a loud knocking at the door? Going to answer the knock, have you not sometimes looked out in the darkness, seeing nothing, but hearing the pattering feet of some mischievous boy, who knocked but did not wish to enter, and therefore ran away? It is often so with us. We ask for blessings but do not really expect them. We knock but do not mean to enter. We fear that Jesus will not hear us, will not fulfill His promises, will not admit us. And so we go way.”

“Ah I see,” said the boy, his eyes shining with the new light dawning in his soul. “Jesus can’t be expected to answer runaway knocks. He has never promised it. I mean to keep knocking and knocking until He can’t help opening the door.”

Let’s become persistent in our prayer life and expect God to open the door!

Momentum Breakthrough!

1 John 2:5-6 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him. He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

Momentum is simply the force or speed of movement that carries an object to its final destination. If you want to break through, you need to have a certain amount of momentum. In order for a rocket to blast into space, it needs tremendous momentum to break the gravitational barrier – but with the enormous power of jet engines and rocket fuel the ship is propelled faster and faster till it breaks free of the earth’s gravitational pull.

Often our challenge is gaining the spiritual momentum to break through. It requires real power. Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner once remarked that the Lord requires “muscular Christians”. Believers who are serious in their faith-walk are people who stand steadfastly against difficult obstacles, and who pray with great fervency and devotion for the causes of their Lord. This produces spiritual power for significant breakthroughs in the spirit realm.

Sin and self-indulgence will compromise and slow the spiritual momentum required for our break through. But if we nourish the vision and cultivate the habit of pressing on to the higher calling, we’ll be inspired to forsake our sins and focus on the glory and joy of the Lord’s victory.

And one more thing: it is often true that the most ferocious battle, requiring the greatest momentum and perseverance (just like the rocket blast into outer space), will occur just before the breakthrough to victory.

Regain momentum in your spiritual life through repentance toward God, and steadfast perseverance in that specific vision and call He has given you. There is a great victory waiting for you from His heavenly realm and soon enough you’ll see it manifested right here on Earth!

Be Blessed.

This article was provided by Worthy Devotions.

Sow into the Lives of People!

Mark 9:34-35 But they kept silent: for by the way they had disputed with one another, which one of them was the greatest. And He sat down, and called the twelve, and said to them, “If any man desires to be first, he shall be the last of all and servant of all.”

Once there was a king who decided to set aside a special day to honor his greatest subject. When the big day arrived, a large gathering took place in the palace courtyard and our finalists were brought forward.

The first person was a wealthy philanthropist. This man was deserving of the king’s honor because of his great humanitarian efforts. He had given much of his wealth to the poor, building orphanages, schools and hospitals throughout the land. The second was a celebrated physician. This outstanding doctor was deserving of honor for rendering his faithful and dedicated service to the sick for many years and discovering medicines that saved many lives. The third was a distinguished judge. He was noted for his wisdom, his fairness and his many a brilliant decision.

The last person presented before the king was an elderly woman. Her manner was quite humble, as was her dress. She hardly looked the part of someone who would be honored as the greatest subject in the kingdom. What chance could she possibly have, when compared to the other three, who had accomplished so very much?

The king was intrigued, to say the least and was somewhat puzzled by her presence. He asked who she was. Then the answer came: “Well, my king, do you see the philanthropist, the doctor, and the judge over here? She was their teacher!”

This woman had no wealth, no fortune, and no title, but countless lives were helped, healed and changed through her giving.

We never know whose lives we’re touching. I’m sure someone prayed — someone gave — someone shared the Gospel with some of the greatest evangelists, preachers and givers we know.

Let’s serve the Lord by sowing unselfishly into the lives of the people he’s put in our path — so that they may become great in God’s Kingdom!

This article was provided by Worthy Devotions.

A revisit of the parable "The Good Samaritan"

Many of us are familiar with the parable of the Good Samaritan and the background reason why Jesus shared the parable in Luke 10:25-37. The phrase "Good Samaritan" has been used for ages as a common phrase when describing a person who goes out of his way to help another. There are a lot of learning point in this parable but there is one truth that prevail that is we need to love our neighbours as ourselves. The Samaritan saw his neighbour as anyone who was in need. In this parable, the injured man was a total stranger and he might even be a Jew, the very people that hated the Samaritan. The Jews despised the Samaritans so much that they would not have sat at the same table with them and even tried to avoid speaking to them.

The Good Samaritan story teaches us about Agape love. A love that cares even for our enemies and the people we really can’t stand. We are called to a radical love. A love that goes the extra mile, even in the literal sense when necessary. A love that does not retaliate, but responds with kindness. I believe that is what makes Christian different, or at least, that is what it supposes to be.

In 1994, a fifth-grade class at Lake Elementary School in Oceanside, California made headlines when the boys in the class decided by themselves to shave their heads. They did so, without embarrassment, because one of their own, Ian O'Gorman, developed cancer and had undergone chemotherapy. His hair began to fall out. To make their friend feel at home, to feel one with the crowd, all his classmates agreed to shave their heads, so that upon his return, Ian would not stand out from the class. No one would know who the "cancer kid" was. In fact even their class teacher was so moved by the spirit of his class he too shaved his head.

Agape love is about sacrifice. It is about sacrificing our convenience for the convenience of others who are in need. The Good Samaritan had to adjust his plans in order to help the wounded man. It causes him his time, his money and maybe even an opportunity to strike a business deal. In fact it was risky decision that he made especially knowing the road that he is travelling is full of danger.

From the parable above we can also learn that Agape love is about loving others indiscriminately. It can be inconvenient and sometimes risky. And it requires our time and can be expensive. The Samaritan had performed a neighbourly act when two religious leaders had failed in their responsibility. Are Christians to be "do-gooders"? Yes, I suppose. But our motivation for doing good must be love for others, an interest in meeting their basic needs, a heart of mercy that is moved by compassion. And that is only through Agape Love.

At the end of the parable, Jesus commands the legal expert to "Go and do likewise". And this command is still valid today. We are told to "Go and do likewise". We are approaching Christmas soon and it is a time of giving. Why not do something different this year. Maybe go the extra to bless someone who is in need. I love what the Apostle John taught, "If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth" (1 John 3:17-18). Go and do likewise.

Be Blessed.

Interesting Fact: Nepotism

Nepotism is the practice of allowing employment and economic policies that permit favoritism toward one's family. Interestingly enough, nepotism began in the church and gained its name after the church practice in the Middle Ages.

Check out more information at http://www.preparehisway.com/weekly_blog/view/484/family_run_churches__nepotism/

Sadly, it still exist today in many churches. I don’t snub the practice of nepotism in church hiring practices completely, but I do believe that those in leadership need to be careful. We must be very sure that the people on the payroll are the best possible man or woman for the job. We ought to hold ourselves to a high accountability—higher than most. After all, the church represent God to the world, and we should be setting the standard especially in the area of good governance.

The Fragility of Life

In the last couple of weeks, we have seen two dramatic events that shocked many of us. One ended up in the untimely death of 13 people after a nasty bus accident together with five other vehicles in Malaysia. The other event ended in one of the most touching and dramatic rescue effort recorded in this decade that is the rescue of 33 miners who were trapped for 69 days in a mine shaft in Chile.

There are tons of articles about this two incidents available in the newsprint and in the internet. Many of my blogger friends jump the band wagon to blog about these two incidents and share their opinion. While reading all these articles, I started to ponder on how fragile life could be and not to take it for granted. We get so caught up in everyday life, we forget how fragile life is; especially on things that last for eternity.

We work hard to achieve success, acquire wealth, fill the aching voids in our heart, and to look good in society. But often times, we give very little thought to what is beyond this life or worst case; we ignore them even after knowing the truth. We get caught up in preparing a comfortable life for ourselves here and now and forget about the comfort of our afterlife. And then one day when it hits us that life is fragile, we find that all we have chased after here on earth will not save us when it comes to eternity.

Ecclesiastes 2: 10-11 says “I denied myself nothing my eyes desired; I refused my heart no pleasure. My heart took delight in all my work, and this was the reward for all my labor. Yet when I surveyed all that my hands had done, and what I had toiled to achieve, everything was meaningless, a chasing after the wind; nothing was gained under the sun.”

Our security and self-worth cannot be wrapped up in the things that we do in life. How many of us have done great things in life and have had many successes yet when we are alone at night we feel so empty and alone? King Solomon said it best in the above verse, “everything was meaningless.” We must live our lives in such a way that our hope, our security and self-worth are grounded in our Lord.

Life is meaningless without our Lord because He give us hope for eternity.

Be Blessed.

Do you want to be honored?

Mark 10:44-45 And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many.

A non-commissioned officer was directing the repairs of a military building during the American Revolution. He was barking orders to the soldiers under his command, trying to get them to raise a heavy wooden beam.

As the men struggled in vain to lift the beam into place, a man who was passing by stopped to ask the one in charge why he wasn’t helping the men. With all the pomp of an emperor, the soldier responded, “Sir, I am a corporal!”

“You are, are you?” replied the passerby, “I was not aware of that.” Then, taking off his hat and bowing, he said, “I ask your pardon, Corporal.” Then the stranger walked over and strained with the soldiers to lift the heavy beam. After the job was finished, he turned and said, “Mr. Corporal, when you have another such job, and have not enough men, send for your Commander in Chief, and I will come and help you a second time.” The corporal was thunderstruck. The man’s name was General George Washington.

We all want to be honored, respected and appreciated. So badly, sometimes, that we try to demand it. The fact is, that these things cannot be demanded or even requested. True honor, respect and appreciation only come one way. When we become servants.

Let’s ask the Lord to help us to become the servants he would desire. After all, He did set a great example by laying down his life for us.



This article was provided by Worthy Devotions.

Learn to Shift Gears!

Romans 15:13 Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.

Every time I turn on the news it seems the new buzzword is – CHANGE! So how can we just shift gears and change? Let’s learn a lesson about basic automotive mechanics. Generally a car has between 4 and 5 gears. The first gear maximizes power in exchange for speed. As you move through the gears, you can continue to go faster, yet without using any more power, and before you know it – you have to look at the speedometer – cause nobody wants a speeding ticket!

So what can we learn from this? Do you want a breakthrough? Do you want a new direction? Then you need to take that first step! You need to put all your focus – all your energy into that first initial gear! Yes, it takes all your strength, and yet it seems like you’re moving sooo slow — but be encouraged, because once you start moving, you’ll be able to shift gears — and before you know it –- you’ll be sailing along, and even need to check to see if you’re speeding!

The first step is always the hardest — but it’s necessary for change! You can breakthrough with the power of God empowering you, so GO FOR IT! Put everything you’ve got into that first start. And just like driving, it’ll get easier; and before you know it — we might even have to issue you a speeding citation, just to slow you down a bit..! With so much work to be done, let’s not stay in neutral — let’s get in gear, and start shifting!

Be Blessed.

This article was provided by Worthy Devotions.

Quote #1

Many of us can quote bible verses like a bullet train but how many of us live up to the requirement of those verses?

I rather memorize few verses and live up to it than being another playback recorder

~ Vive 23rd Sept 2010

ATTITUDE as I see it.

There once was a woman who woke up one morning, looked in the mirror, and saw that she had only three hairs on her head. “Great,” she said, “I think I’ll braid my hair today.”

So she did, and had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only two hairs on her head. “Hmm,” she said, “I guess I’ll part my hair down the middle.”

So she did, and had a wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that she had only one hair left on her head.

“Wow,” she said, “today I get to wear my hair in a pony tail.” So she did, and had a wonderful, wonderful day.

The next day she woke up, looked in the mirror and saw that there wasn’t a single hair on her head.

“Thank God!” she exclaimed. “I was running out of things to do with my hair!”

David says in Psalms 34:1 "I will bless the LORD at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth." Here David promises to persistently praise His God. David is not promising a marathon praise session, but rather is committing himself to praising God at every opportunity and in the midst of various states of mind, spirit, and body. Just as we are to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thess. 5:17) —to pray consistently and in all circumstances— David promises to praise without ceasing.

Moral of the story, ATTITUDE is everything! Let’s be grateful for the things God has given us and rejoice in HIM always no matter what is the circumstances. That is ATTITUDE as I see it.

Be Blessed.

L.I.F.E - Living in our Father's Expectation

In April 20th 1999, two young men entered Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado and embarked on a massacre, killing 12 students and one teacher. During the last shooting before killing themselves, they reached a 17-year-old girl named Cassie Bernall. Putting a gun to her head, they asked "Do you believe in God?" She paused for a second, and then she said, "Yes." Staring at her, the gunman asked, "Why?" Before she could answer, one of the killers pulled the trigger and shot her, killing her instantly. Her death has sparked a spiritual revival among youth all over America. Four days after her death 73,000 teenagers met in Michigan and remembered her. As a result of this tragedy, many young people have come to know the Lord Jesus Christ. She has become an example, a role model for many young people.

Paul instructed Timothy to be an example to others. In 1st Timothy 4:12 Paul says “1Don't let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” Paul tells Timothy how to get others to respect his authority. It can all be summed up in the word "example." Paul tells Timothy things he can do that will manifest his godly character and authority to others in such a way that will make them respect the position in which God has placed him.

The word “example” mentioned in 1 Timothy 4:12 refers to the Greek word “Tupos” that means “to become a pattern”. Being an example here refers to be a pattern for others to emulate us. In a nutshell, we are called to be a role model.

Paul specifically mention to Timothy five areas where need to set example. They are in – Speech, Life, Love, Faith and Purity. Today, I would like to zoom into the one of are that is LIFE. How can we be an example to others through our LIFE? I believe on of the key area where we can be a example is through living a life that is after our Heavenly Father’s desire and will – Living in Father’s Expectation – L.I.F.E

The original Greek word for life in the context of 1 Timothy is 4:12 is “Anastrophe”. It means manner of life, or conduct or behaviour. Godly living that earns respect has to be more than words. It must include the things we say backed up by consistent actions. I strongly believe a man is what he lives, not what he says. And when a man lives what he says, there is power and authority in his message. Our conduct or behavior or the way we live must be consistent with what we say.

How can we live a life that is in line with our Father’s expectation? Well the same Paul who gave instruction to Timothy also gives some guidelines to us in the last three chapters of the book of Ephesians. Do spend some time to read the Ephesians Chapter 4 till Chapter 6. Paul starts Ephesians Chapter 4 with the statement “I, therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called ...” The word walk in Greek is translated as “daily conduct”. It is amazing how the word Life in 1 Timothy 4:12 is connected with the word walk in Ephesians 4:1. Paul is giving us the guidelines how we can be an example through our life.

Here are 7 principles that we can derive from the last 3 chapters of Ephesians. Since this article is inclined for young readers, the points derived are aligned for the need of young people.

1. We are to walk in Unity (Ephesians 4:1-16)

2. We are to walk in Distinctness (Ephesians 4:17-32)

3. We are to walk in Love and Purity (Ephesians 5:1-7)

4. We are to walk in Light (Ephesians 5:8-14)

5. We are to walk in Wisdom (Ephesians 5:15-17)

6. We are to walk in the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18)

7. We are to walk in Obedience (Ephesians 6:1-3)

There is a outcome/result when we walk in our Father’s Expectation. Hebrew 13:7 says “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” The result of our good conduct will lead others to follow us and follow our God.

In a nutshell, we need to guard our way of life. Watch what we do that it mirrors Christ; because I can guarantee others will notice when it doesn't. If we are going to mould others to the image of Christ than our general conduct had best be of godliness – that is Living in our Father’s Expectation.

Be Blessed.

Voice of Truth

The last couple of weeks have been a very challenging week for me especially taking multiple role in my day to day task. Being put into a situation and managing it diplomatically is indeed a challenge by itself. The pressure was so intense. As I look to the Lord and seek His help, He reminded me of the song the Voice of Truth. Based on verses from Corinthians, "Voice of Truth" encourages us to take risks and step away from what we know, listen to Jesus and put our fear behind us. It really inspired me and made me realize that there are things all around you all the time that are going to be telling you "you won't win or you are a loser" and you have to have faith and realize God will help us and He will never forsake us.

There were literally "storms" and "giants" that I have to face in executing my task. But the Lord is faithful especially reminding me that I don't have to be afraid because "Greater is He that is in me". It is really interesting to experience how the Lord minister to us with songs and reminding us He is faithful in every aspect our lives. His word is full of assurance when we are facing the storms and the giants. God's words reminds us to not be afraid and that we can accomplish anything in His name.

Here it the lyric of this beautiful song from the band Casting Crowns:

Oh,what I would do to have

the kind of faith it takes

To climb out of this boat I'm in

Onto the crashing waves

To step out of my comfort zone

Into the realm of the unknown

Where Jesus is,

And he's holding out his hand

But the waves are calling out my name

and they laugh at me

Reminding me of all the times

I've tried before and failed

The waves they keep on telling me

time and time again

"Boy, you'll never win,

You you'll never win

But the Voice of truth tells me a different story

the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

Oh, what I would do

to have the kind of strength it takes

To stand before a giant

with just a sling and a stone

Surrounded by the sound

of a thousand warriors

shaking in their armor

Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand

But the giant's calling out

my name and he laughs at me

Reminding me of all the times

I've tried before and failed

The giant keeps on telling me

time and time again

"Boy you'll never win,

you'll never win."

But the voice of truth tells me a different story

the Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

and the Voice of truth says "this is for My glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

But the stone was just the right size

to put the giant on the ground

and the waves they don't seem so high

from on top of them looking down

I will soar with the wings of eagles

when I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus

singing over me

But the Voice of truth tells me a different story

The Voice of truth says "do not be afraid!"

And the Voice of truth says "this is for my glory"

Out of all the voices calling out to me (calling out to me)

I will choose to listen and believe (I will choose to listen and believe)

I will choose to listen and believe the Voice of truth

I will listen and believe

I will listen and believe the Voice of truth

I will listen and believe

'Cause Jesus you are the Voice of truth

And I will listen to you.. oh you are the Voice of truth

Move On With God

The Spirit of God moved - Genesis 1:2 KJV

Christ's disciples left everything to follow somebody they didn't begin to comprehend. They dreamed of a Messiah who would establish a temporal kingdom and overthrow Rome, so His crucifixion blew their minds. So did His resurrection, because now they had to preach a message that would cost them their lives. Sometimes they didn't know what to make of Jesus: '… the disciples saw him walking on the sea… saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out… ' (Matthew 14:26 KJV). When He ate with them on the shore following His resurrection, '… none… dared ask Him, "Who are You?"- knowing that it was the Lord' (John 21:12 NKJV). If you're going to walk with God get ready to have your faith stretched.

The first thing we read about God in Scripture is that He 'moved'. If you plan to move on with Him this year, you must overcome two things. First, complacency. Scientists conducted an experiment in which they placed an amoeba in a stress-free environment. The conditions were ideal; it had no adjustments whatsoever to make. But it died. Why? Because you need change and challenge just like you need food and water. Complacency can kill you!

Second, you must avoid complaining. Failure to acknowledge God's goodness caused Israel to go in circles for 40 years: 'These things happened to them as… warnings for us… ' (1 Corinthians 10:11 NIV). Two children sat down to lunch. One opened his lunchbox and began to gripe, 'Ham sandwiches again? This is the fourth day in a row. I'm sick ofham sandwiches!' His friend said, 'I bet if you tell your mum you don't like ham sandwiches she'll make you something else.' 'Mum?' replied the first child. 'I'll make my own lunches.' Hello! Have a problem with complaining? Fix it! Make up your mind to move on with God!



Note: The article above is taken from daily devotion email from The Word for Today brought by TheVine in association with The Rhema Broadcasting Group Inc, New Zealand and UCB International Ltd