Dedicated to Jonger, @jonger026

Hey bro, just thought I'd dedicate this post to you. I know I said a few words at the steamboat earlier, but I was so caught up in the moment that I totally lost my train of thought. This is a much more comfortable way for me to express my thoughts.

Wow, it's been barely a year since the 2 of us became so close, I remember even back then in Peirce, we weren't very close, and we totally had different lives when we were in poly. I really thank God so much that we managed to re-ignite this friendship, and I'm really glad at where we are as friends today. I will never regret that decision to pick up my phone to you to get you down for The Edge Conference 2010. That was probably the best decision the both of us made that year.

Over this year, we've had our ups and downs, many memorable moments and so many times that we've met up just to chill and have fun. I've really seen you grow a lot, in terms of speech, actions, attitudes. It's so heartwarming to know that you're pursuing God with all your heart, and not holding back. The hunger you have for more of His presence is truly inspiring. And like I said at the farewell, I'm really really really proud of you, and I mean it!

Love all the times we hang out! Especially all the retarded times, like the photo right underneath this :P

Anyway, as you embark of this new journey, this new phase of life, don't ever hesitate to call on me whenever you feel discouraged, lonely, persecuted or oppressed. I'll always be here for you, to talk to you, to pray for you. And I know you'll definitely do the same for me. I know we'll all do the same for each other in B4! #BrothersUnited!

With that, I wish you all the best in NS, 2 years will be over and done with in no time, then we'll have that epic holiday with the gang like we always spoke about, till then, keep the faith, don't stop fixing your eyes on God everyday, I pray that as we both come out of the army, we'll be stronger in our faith then ever before!

God bless you,

Arthur.

Love,

These few weeks have been rather confusing.

A battle of emotions, thoughts, and attitudes.

After a lot of self reflection, and prayer, I came to realise that I've been handling everything wrongly.

I've been harbouring wrong attitudes, I've not been coming to my friends in love, and instead I've been allowing what others say affect my friendships.

In Matthew 7:1, is says "Do not judge, or you too will be judged"

How many times have I been so judgmental towards others?

How many times have I allowed such negative attitudes come in and try to mess up my friendships?

Should I not be working towards being more like Jesus?

Shouldn't I love others, regardless of their faults and weaknesses?

Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. - Ephesians 4:2

“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. - Matthew 5:43-48

So many bible verses stress on loving one another, even loving our enemies.

So why do we, why do I still judge and get angry with people for the things that they do?

Even in the verse in Eph 4:2, it says be humble and GENTLE.

I don't think the way I've been dealing with things have been very gentle, instead it's been rather harsh, blunt and direct.

Thank God for His word.

Without it I wouldn't have noticed all my shortcomings.

Now I must change myself.

Even the way I deal with my friends, whenever they do something wrong, or whenever they do something I don't like.

I pray to God that He'll teach me to be humble and gentle.

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult - Proverbs 12:16

Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing - Proverbs 12:18

A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless - Proverbs 14:16

A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated - Proverbs 14:17

A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly - Proverbs 14:29

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger - Proverbs 15:1

A hot-tempered man stirs up dissension, but a patient man calms a quarrel - Proverbs 15:18

Better a patient man than a warrior, a man who controls his temper than one who takes a city - Proverbs 16:32

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered - Proverbs 17:27

It is to a man's honor to avoid strife, but every fool is quick to quarrel - Proverbs 20:3

Do not say, "I'll pay you back for this wrong!" Wait for the Lord, and He will deliver you - Proverbs 20:22

Like a city whose walls are broken down is a man who lacks self-control - Proverbs 25:28

A fool gives full vent to his anger, but a wise man keeps himself under control - Proverbs 29:11

An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins - Proverbs 29:22

You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, "Do not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment." But I tell you that anyone who is angry with his brother will be subject to judgment ... first go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift - Matthew 5:21-24

Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good - Romans 12:21

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs - 1 Corinthians 13:4-5

The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions - Galatians 5:19-20

"In your anger do not sin": Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry, and do not give the devil a foothold - Ephesians 4:26-27

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you - Ephesians 4:29-32

But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips - Colossians 3:8

My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires - James 1:19-20

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing - 1 Peter 3:9

After the encounter,

You know it's a good net lesson when it speaks to you as you teach it.

Our encounters with Jesus ought to spark these five things in us:

1. Deeper Worship

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” - Luke 7:44-47

When we encounter the love of God, His wonderful grace and His glory, it causes us to want to give God all our worship.

2. Stronger Commitment

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. - Luke 5:8-11

Our encounters with Jesus shows us how powerful God is, and how helpless we are.

3. Greater Relationship With God

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. - John 6:66-68

• Someone who has truly encountered God will understand that there is NO ONE like Him.
• This understanding moves us towards having a greater relationship with God – because He is the only One.

4. Heartfelt Gratitude

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? - Luke 17:11-17

• Jesus dies on the cross for us so that we can be reconciled back with God – this is an awesome privilege.
• Therefore, when we encounter God, we need to be grateful and thank God for the encounter – just as the leper did after he received His healing from God.
• This gratitude will fuel us to worship deeper, love him greater and be committed to Him even more each time.

5. Bolder Witness (Most important to me)

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. - John 4:25-30

• We know from the Bible that every time someone encounters Jesus, they leave to tell everyone about Him and what He has done for them.
• Similarly, when we encounter Jesus in our lives, we are empowered to be a bolder witness for Him.
• These encounters with Jesus are like tools in our hands to share His love and his reality to those around us. These are our testimonies of who Jesus is to us and what He can do for everyone!

Taken from net lesson of 14/10/2011

Desire

And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God - Philippians 1:9-11

The right attitude, the correct mindset, my thoughts, my speech, my actions.

All these have to be right if I want to be a person of influence in this generation.

No more judging others, no more exclusion.

But I gotta be one who leads by example, I gotta be one who fights for righteousness, and not for personal gain.

I gotta be bold enough to correct where correction is due, and not shrug it off and accept it just because they are good friends of mine.

To pursue not riches, not fame, not happiness, but to fix my eyes on Jesus, and focus only on achieving Godliness and purity.

That is my desire, and I hope that you, my friends, share this same vision as me.

That is my prayer.

Note to self

Unstoppable prayer

Things that stop me from praying:

1 - I think too much

2 - I talk too much

3 - I rest too much

Remember to pray in all situations.

Prayer makes me UNSTOPPABLE.

Pray when a season ends.

Pray in a crisis.

Pray for God's will to be done.

Pray to obtain God's promises.

Pray in weakness.

Pray.