Rev 3:1-6, Rev 2:8-11
I was reflecting on few passage of Revelation. One question I was pondering was... If God decided not to show up at your church next Sunday, would anyone notice?
Would He be missed? Would the congregation immediately enter a time of corporate soul-searching and prayer to find out what was wrong? Or would you be able to go merrily on your way as if nothing had happened?
Many churches continue their routine business week after week completely unaware that the Master of the house is not even there. It is like attending a party and having a great time but never even seeing or speaking to the host.
This was the problem of the church in Sardis . Christ, the Master of the house, had no words of commendation for Sardis because He found nothing commendable there. He told them, “I know your works, that you have a name that you are alive, but you are dead.” No doubt the church in Sardis was very busy. They probably had a full range of ministries and services to their community.. Undoubtedly their worship was proper and correct and perhaps even lively and entertaining. They had a good reputation and may even have had money and prestige in the city.
The church in Sardis had the form of godliness; the appearance of life. They thought they were alive and well - the rest of the city thought they were alive and well. Their only problem was that the Holy Spirit had departed and they never saw Him go. They were dead and didn't even know it!
Contrast this with the church in Smyrna , which received no condemnation from the Lord; only commendation. Of this congregation Jesus said simply, “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich)...” Whatever the Smyrnan Christians lacked in material wealth they made up for in spiritual riches. They may have been poor in the things that the world values but they were rich where it counted—they had the King!
Where does your church fit? Sardis ? Smyrna ? Or somewhere in between? Even more important, where do you fit? God has this incredible idea that church is about Him. Yet so often we try to make it about us . We try to turn church into our own private “bless–me” club. Our entire focus centers on how many chills, thrills and goose bumps we get and on how well we are entertained. Rarely do we even think to ask what our King wants.
It doesn't matter how big your church is or how rich. It doesn't matter how many programs and ministries you have. It doesn't matter how exciting your worship is or how eloquent your pastor. Without the King you have nothing!
Don't settle for artificial worship and dead formalism either for myself or for my church. I have a choice: Sardis or Smyrna . Which am I? Which do I want to be?
Night Safari
Last Sunday, some of poly peeps went to night safari.. Well, someone asked why night safari... the answers is pretty simple.. because we have 50% discount on the entrance ticket. hohoho... anyway, many of us were 1st timer. The sad thing was 4 guys were unable to come because they were called back to serve Singapore... Nel was sick so can't join us....
Nevertheless, it was a fun trip. The 1st experience was the food court pricing.. We all were shocked to see a bowl of Laksa cost $13. A plate of chicken rice cost $17!!!! Daneil, huimei, jen and I order Stingray with rice... Each of us pay $7.. seems reasonable. Colin paid $5.50 for a bowl of Ice Kachiang. whoo!!! Ace paid $4 for a cup of ice milo... hohoho....
Next, the experience was to queue up for a night animal show... We can't believe that we were the 1st few people in the queue. It was the last show at 930pm. When we we went in, you can't believe that the crowd was so big that the host has to encouraged us to squeeze so that we can have more sitting space for those who are coming in.... The show as not bad.
Next we riding on the tram around night safari... It was not a bad ride. It was cooling at night and to see animal at night was our very 1st time... :):):) One unforgetable experience is the bat walk. We got to see food bat and many of them were flying and was really close to us!!!!!!
We ended the tour at 1130pm. some of them left for home. Few of us went to Bukit Batok for a night supper... hoho.... Ezri hasn't ate the whole day so she is given the freedom to eat all she can...:):) thanks to Joel who sent the gals home...:):):)
Here are some pic! I highly recommend night safari who hasn't visited before or to bring some of our international leaders of they visit S'pore. Though the price can be costly... :):)
cols and joel...
Huimei & Daniel
Ezri tried climping up the zebra a few times..
Ouch! finally....
Leanne and Kevin
Jen wat are doing?!?!?
On a night tram...
goodbye all the night animals....hohoho
Exams is coming peeps! - prayer chambers
Alright, August is the last surge of project deadlines and exams for poly peeps! whoo..
So I will open this blog entry for any prayer request for your project or exams revision...
So peeps, do your best as God will do the rest. Get more redbull as you burn midnight oil...
It will be a wonderful period to shine the light of Christ during stree period. It's when you are stress, the more you draw nearer to God and then you can shine the joy and love to those around you!
So you tag me or send me a comment on your prayer request.... :):):)
*shine Jesus shine*, *lalalalala*
Events for this week...
Last Sunday, team evolution was in the semi final. Here are some of the shots of the match that went on... Evolution was a mixture of poly students, uni students and working adults. It was a good fusion and reflects it's possible to gel together when we focus not on the differences but the common goal. :) Personally, I think it's not just the achieving the goal that is most important (though that's is important factor) but most important and treasured experiences is the process and journey of reach the goal.
the team....
wah, this is when guys hugs so happily...goal...
another big hugsssss
united we can stand
CLC has ended last Saturday. I was in the 1st class in CLC2 and also last Sunday CLC1. I'm so blessed by the upcoming CLs in CLC2 and all the new shepherds and core team in CLC1. I think this is one of the biggest class ever. I'm blessed by more students being train to be leaders of their campus.
As I was telling the team and Jen about the October leadership camp, we will see new CLs to be invited to the camp. Last Saturday, we had a UL meeting. It was really great time of praying, claiming what's of the our future, depending on God, praying in the spirit is all we know how to move forward as a team. It was refreshing to me personally and to all of us! We will desire to be like Paul in leading the church and group.
So we will geared up in the next major leadership training in Oct. :) I'm so convinced that it's the students will raise up and lead the campus in taking new grounds and moving forward! stay tuned!
