You are a gifted preacher. I bold your last quote: it sums up what I wanted to say about we both agree faith + grace = fruits (works of faith)
but in this sermon that you give, you let me realise one more thing: faith + works still will not work, and this is why I feel unworthy of the righteousness that you ask me to feel - to believe that I am this righteous person. It all inter-connects, flowing beautifully like a music scoresheet.

yeah, i sent it to my friend.

about ur advice to bro alvin on subconscious unforgiveness, I want to to share one of my own experience: the darkest time of my life. It is also this exp that I come to God ever closer than ever, that I understand what is weakness being made perfect in strength (of God)

I was in a relationship only once in my whole life, with a russian girl (extremely beautiful one too) 4 years ago (I study med in rus). It was my 1st year, coming out of a chinese all-boys sch, growing up in an asian env, we are used to guys courting girls. and Girls (jual mahal) and play the tom and jerry game to attract attention. Come here, I would say I am born with good looks (cute, sweet type) and I naturally attract ppl to look at me several glances. But bec of family upbringing (thank my parents), I am not one of those who go and court and want a relationship to get attention or 'glory'. In rus, girls court guys. They marry young (20-22 are prime age for marriage). Unbeknownst, they are also open-minded, outspoken. There was 1 I really like bec of her efforts to gain my attention, and would do all sorts to ask me out and help me in shopping, translating for me to rus in many things. We grew close and we just kissed (I reluctantly give and go for all out romance after her clever ways of indicating to me). At that time, I indulge in a lustful 1st kiss. and soon I am chained in this desire to want more kisses.

God, so love me, did try to warn me many many times, through all little miracles that I only found out after I was hurt (dumped) and I recalled what went wrong.
Most significant 1st miracle I tried to bring her to church, to bring her to closeness with Christ. I am a very cheerful innocent person at that time, as in I thought I can have a most perfect first love-->marriage etc she agree to come to me if not I go to hers. First time just before entering church premise, she hesitates, and kissed me. that was the first kiss where my lips bleed. (I dont know why...until I recall - God wanted me to know this is not the correct person and will lead me away, like the sacred heart of Jesus bleeding) I decided to agree to her not to enter
Other warnings include she walked past the cross and altar of church without glancing, hiding behind me and said she is afraid, during solo walk Holy Spirit tells me she will not wait for me etc etc

Anyway, its full of ups and downs. Bec I felt being used even though we kiss every time theres no satisfaction, once watch movie in room, she hinted want me to stay back and just sit there - God knows what she thinks (no XXX as I very very particular about this, till marriage), to pull myself out before its too late, I said I would get home and then she agreed. and we started to make out less . fast forward to last moments: its Good Friday. we went to christian fellowship (student group) to watch Passion of Christ together. She just refused to look at how Christ got crucified and close eyes or look down. She is afraid..or so I thought and I hold her hands and take down the cross from my neck for her to hold.
During easter, her candle was blown away, while all of us our candles are still lit (despite some slight winds) - and Holy Spirit at that time tells me, her faith is wanting. she will betray me and I will see.

3 weeks later after good friday, i wanted to invite her for authentic Chinese dinner. when I went to her room, I walked past a dark shadowy couple there making out lustfully (I used to maim myself from looking at romances of others for it induces negative thoughts or desires). it was locked, I walked away...and then, suddenly a voice called me from behind: how are u jeffrey? my name
to my horror, she was sitting there with a moroccan guy, That stunned moment: Holy Spirit repeats: she betrays you.

I just said: are you happy? and she nodded and I left , running as fast as i can, and I cried uncontrollably. flashes of memories of Crucifix of Christ and the betrayal of Peter denying 3 times (3 weeks it takes after Easter) and to think back of her refusal to see crucifix scene bec she will exactly do this to me 3 weeks later all make the more I hate her, for everything of this to come true. This is the most cruel way of dumping someone but from it, from this, Christ strengthen me to where I stand today, which I totally be grateful of. I rmb I had a depression of a few months, replacing classes when I feel better, I even think of ____ my life, for there goes my perfect dream. I couldnt bear it, I wish the 2 months faster come, so I can get home to malaysia and at least forget all these for a while. But I rmb, I am the hope of my parents, I cannot be irresponsible.

as u know we RCC believe in Sacrament of Confession. I have to make confession before I can receive Eucharist (bec its mortal sin to think of ___ life, and not to forgive). I refuse to forgive her I was full of anger, such that the priest ask me before he initiates the rite of reconcillation: do u wish to forgive her? I said no, not within this time. He did it anyway, and somehow I felt lighter, I feel calm and when I try to be angry, I could not during the Mass.
God bore all of it upon Himself. Its also a miracle this one. till now I have no explanation how I stopped to hate her. It is how I started to pick myself up. ''what i can say from this is, I firmly believe, through sacraments of RCC grace of God can be imparted to RCCs apart from what we general Christians practice''

There was even once, shortly after, I went to church after class just to sit and talk with God, crying all over. The bright lit summer day turns grey and then rains heavily when I cried to God. and I felt touched, that God still tells me then: He is always with me.
Following then, I grew closer and love God more, for He saved me, from a disaster that could have been worse. Not just attending and celebrating the Mass, my friends, esp christians encourage me, ask me to attend talks etc, and through that, through the priest who is still very much cares for me and calls me a friend, I now can lead my life happily, in Christ. Each time I think back, I would wept in tears, so after 2 years, I become stronger
Now, after the seniors graduated, I became elected to president of catholic fellowship student group with previous presidents guiding me and moulding me, and I try my best to serve Lord even the Church helps me, sends me to Vatican for free trips, for meetings, shaking hands with Cardinal, Archbishops, celebrating Mass with the Pope, I am thankful for all I have, for with Christ, it definitely is a better, more fruitful life.

we never speak again after that, despite her attempts to (i.e invite me to her house again to eat (alone), want to photostat or need my help in Eng for smtg..) I think the most beautiful love I can gave during that period: is Christ - I gave her a Rosary with the Cross amongst the minor- teaching her chinese, strengthening her english, a chinese b'day celebration with my bare hands amongst, even though I never acknowledge her as my gf publicly - which is the reason my friends laugh at me and pointed to me for the reason she dumped me.

Of course, I thank God for the lesson, it makes me matured in thinking, and in preparing myself for my future bride. I nv pray for love, for I am studying well, my life is full of graces of God. I believe He sets my life in motion and carry me, so I need not be afraid anymore I do however, pray to not be over-passionate (be it rus, lithuanian, polish, italians, spanish, wherever I go they come attracted esp to what I have to say - even though they also say I am long-winded, and hugs, kisses on cheek are norm in EU, even holding hands to not let them slip in winter - so I really have to pray for be loving, but not being too passionate in what I do, but within limits) and I am a bit perfectionist. I do still have russian friends who are good, truthful and loving at the same time, which to me I say exceptional russians, for contemporary rus 80% goes for physical. Something, which I think, I pray for all the time.



oops, another TLDR

This post has been edited by Jedi: Nov 26 2012, 01:14 AM

That's the beauty of God's Grace.

The more unworthy you realize your effort are, the greater the grace flow.

It makes you want to live for the Glory of God.

That is the dunamis power of God working in you to change you.

My Friend, it is the goodness of God, that lead you to repentance. (Romans 2:4)

Not condemnation preaching. Not Brimstone and Hell Fire.

It is the goodness of God! Amen

Yes I agree it makes us feel so unworthy because I've not earn anything by my performance (This is the fallen nature of Man aka we want self recognition thru effort) but see, This is exactly where we can lift up our hands in spirit and in truth to give God all the Glory He deserve. Not our glory aka via our effort.

Do you see it now?

Now I must warn you. The Devil will try to confuse you after this. Mixing Law (Effort) and Grace w regards to righteousness and Salvation.

The Gospel is really all about God's grace. 100% God grace, 0% Us.

I pray that God will use you mightily to set free those who are bound by wrong teachings.

Jesus has done all the work. We just step into it. We don't have to carry the burden of our Salvation or Righteousness.

Amen.

ha long time no see u in here.

Yes the picture is 100% correct.

This is personally my own opinion.

I believe God will bring in the right person to be our life partner in the moment we least expect it to happen.

My advise is, live your life as per normal. Don't get bogged down by this constant craving that you need to meet someone before it's too late.

Because that can mess up our walk with God. And can be painful when disappointed.

I tell you the truth.

The moment we can say this to God, That I don't need to have a life partner until it's the right time, I trust you God.

Whoa. God can work miracles when we let go and let God.

where is the like button?

its true, I also hope Bro Alvin realises this asap, regardless of age.



When God presents that perfect girl for you, Before you know it, you are already the perfect knight in shining armour as you now prepare towards God.

Nope.

Its called subconscious preparation to deal with future political occurences.

This is a learning situation for me and the youth pastor alike. So next time I come across this type of situation, I know how to deal with it.

For example, when I got involve in a music ministry, I detected the same clickish politics as that I dealt with at that youth church. So I pulled out. I learn from this, to choose those ministries that are most compatible to my talents and my interests. Also I am able to enjoy the company and enjoy wider cooperation.

From there, I also was able to learn how to deal with people. After that bad experience, I went to another church and decided to behave more conservatively. In the past, I have an open speaking kind of character. I like to talk to people and befriend people. Now I have learn to be careful because it may incur political backlash. When i went to the new church, I became timid and quiet but not anti social. Only speak when there is a chance, don't make myself open too far out. And from thereon, after 10 years at this church, I have gotten well with others.

If we just learn to forgive, forgive. And not go into the underlying reasons then we just go into another myriad of conflicts with other people, not realising what is the underlying cause. WHich is of course, political motivation.

You must learn to forgive and how to deal with the situation better.

You can'[t forget something like this. You must know how to let past experiences shape better in your decision making and getting along with others.

You can never forget because it will happen to you ! The Devil will surely put you through another situation or trial like this. You must face it ! And conquer it !

Yes if I just sit down and believe, its not putting my faith into practice.

If I have a lifespan of 200 years maybe I can do that, hoping somebody nice to come pass by and ask me out.

But I got to go out there and find.

You don't become an insurance agent and hope you can meet your quota by just expecting your friends to come to you and request to buy your policies. You gotta go out house to house, choose right demographics to fit your customer profile to catch the right customers.

Hi unknown warrior,

i have a question here.

let say we already forgive people who hurt us. tat person is our buddy.

should we continue be friend with him? o stop contacting?

what to do to avoid the same person hurting us again? what to do to avoid the same tragedy happening again?

thanks

no one said anything about sitting down and doing nothing. what I try to convey and encourage bro is to work your way towards God, towards love. its on my 1st ever reply to you (the advice part)

have a blessed week ahead.


Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times. (Mat 18:22)

and Luke Chapter 6



For consolation of self,

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. (Jn 15:18) - I always remind myself this when people attack us, Christians or say that we brainwash others. It gives you strength to do more for God.

I hope bro Unknown Warrior has no problems with me doing a little preaching and sharing.

readings are available here: (The 1st reading is OT, 2nd reading and Gospel reading is NT and all are together and related as u know of the OT and NT relations)
http://www.usccb.org/bible/readings/112512.cfm

yesterday we catholics celebrate the Solemnity of Christ the King

In case you have no idea what that means: 'This day completes the Christian journey through the life of Jesus Christ on earth and in heaven which began with the preparation for the birth of Jesus in Advent'
In another words, Catholics now prepare for period of Advent, the birth of Christ



Today we read about Christ, coming as King, the Dominus, the Alpha and Omega of the world. Dominus is the Latin word for master or owner. When we speak about King or Kings, we would not forget Kings that came and conquer: namely Alexander, Genghis Khan, Augustus Caesar, and Adolf Hitler, to name a few. And some kingdoms have lasted a very long time, such as Rome whose Eastern half lingered on for 2000 years.

But despite all their machinations, pretensions, and self-glorifying monuments, the great rulers of the earth all proved mortal like anybody else. The had their day in the sun only to disappear. Their kingdoms, too, ultimately passed away, leaving abundant ruins for generations of tourists and archeologists to explore.

In contrast, Christ's Kingdom: Dn 13 ''His dominion is an everlasting dominion
that shall not be taken away,
his kingship shall not be destroyed.''
Rv 8 "I am the Alpha and the Omega, " says the Lord God,
"the one who is and who was and who is to come, the almighty."

He is not the President or the King you can simply vote in or out, at our pleasures, for he does not belong to the power structures, custom and practices of this world Jn 18 '"My kingdom does not belong to this world.'' Rather, He is 'the way and the truth and the life' Jn 14:6. He is the CENTRE of our private, public, spiritual, intellectual, physical, and the -ships of our lives, the absolute TRUTH. The question remains: Do we submit ourselves to this TRUTH?

My dear bro n sis, in today's world where relativism (Truth does not matter, I decide what I want.) is preached at large, it oftens wrestle against the embodiment within us, the living images of Christ. How so?

Look at the Kings existed on earth, they jealously guarded their glory, sharing it with no one. Their ascent to the pinnacle of power was made over the backs of others, and they did not hesitate to eliminate any and all rivals. Same as Pilate, Governor of Judea where often are unrests, if you look one line further than today's Gospel Reading, he questions Jesus 'Truth? What is truth?", of Latin Quid est veritas?'. Like in relativism, Truth is a matter of indifference. As long as whatever works, power is maintained, the ends always justify the means. Power, Violence, Self-grandiose, these are qualities in relativism, and reflectively, of a worldly King.

A Divine King however, rather than executing his opponents, he forgave them. Rather than dominating his subjects, he exalted them. He even called them not servants, but friends, and bestowed on them a share in his own priesthood and kingship. Though he died, like other kings, it was for a different purpose than Augustus in his bed or Hitler in his bunker. He died willingly to save his people, and his death was not a result of a battle lost or a plan gone awry, but of a glorious victory planned before the world began.

Unlike the wordly Kings and Pilate with his self-justified truth, Jesus comes to testify the Truth. ''For this I was born and for this I came into the world,
to testify to the truth.
Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice."
More often than not, if we follow our own paths, that is, without God, we justify our 'truths' as long as it is intellectually and morally righteous. How ignorant we are! When this 'truth' lose the moral part, tyrants impose their will. Its happened, its still happening, politics (abortion legalised namely) around the world, fell to temptation only to justify in defense: I did not harm anyone - under the aegis of truth.

Hence, if we are to proclaim Christ is our Saviour, we should SERVE the truth. Dn 7 'the one like a Son of man received dominion, glory, and kingship;' If Jews proclaim Israeli high priest to throne of Yahweh (treated like King even now),what more of Christ, the definitive final high priest representing people before God, and with God's grace, be leader of the world. This is the ruling order to the truth! To guide people to God.

and to quote from Pehkay posts back:
Finally, His True Kingship, and at his heavenly coronation, when he ascended to his Father, he was given what all the rest lusted for–a worldwide dominion that will not pass away. This judgment, this kingdom, will have the last word. No election will overturn it in four years or four million years. There is no one stronger who can rest the dominion from his Almighty hand.

Today, amidst the chaos of outside world, the Church instituted this feast Christ the King serves as a reminder to us that we know the end of the story and should not be fooled by the braggarts who strut and the bullies who gloat. They’ll be gone soon. And He’ll be here soon. How soon no one knows.

This post has been edited by Jedi: Nov 26 2012, 03:15 PM

Anybody heard of This CD, Breath of God?

http://www.christianbook.com/chuck-millhuf...75535/pd/CD5302

http://www.myspace.com/chuckmillhuff/music...of-god-16027480

Hi jedi,

what it means? i don get it

i got a problem...
my friend don't believe in Jesus but he believe in God
he dont believe jesus is son of God
he think Jesus is just a prophet only..same like the Muslim Muhammad.
how should i explain to him?
he is a chinese..

Maybe I can start with this:

Matthew 18:21 says, "Then Peter came and said to Him, Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?" It is to our advantage that Peter asked this question. Although his spirit was wrong, his question helps us to clarify the matter of forgiveness. The Lord seemed to be saying, "You have asked how many times you should forgive a brother who has sinned against you. You should have asked instead how many times you should be forgiven when you sin against God." If God said, "I will forgive you seven times," this would be a very low standard indeed.

When we sin against God, His feeling is hurt. Yet our feeling is not that strong. When others sin against us, our feelings are hurt, and it is hard for us to let it go. Yet God is love, and love does not seek for its own gain. Although God is hurt, His forgiving grace is unlimited. Peter's question shows that he was seeking for his own gain. He suffered because he was hurt. The price he had to pay for forgiving others was himself, that is, the suffering of being hurt. This is the reason he asked the Lord, "How often shall others sin against me and I forgive them? Up to seven times?" Peter said this to show that he was quite magnanimous. Two or three times would have been enough to him, but he made it seven times. There was, however, something wrong with his basic premise. He thought God's grace is limited. The fact is that God's grace has no bounds; it is unlimited. It follows that the forgiveness which God's children practice should also be unlimited.

In Luke 17:3-4 the Lord said to the disciples, "If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him. And if he sins against you seven times in a day and turns again to you seven times, saying, I repent, you shall forgive him." After the Lord spoke, the disciples followed with a prayer asking the Lord to increase their faith. They found it hard to believe in the Lord's word. They felt that it was hard to believe that a brother could sin against another seven times a day and then repent seven times. They thought that it was inconceivable that such a one could be forgiven. Hence, they said, "Increase our faith." Under such circumstances, God's children should still forgive. Whether or not those who ask for forgiveness are genuine is not our concern. As long as a man asks for forgiveness, we should forgive him. Matthew says that we should forgive our brothers not only seven times, but seventy times seven times. Luke says that if a brother sins against us seven times a day and then repents, we have to forgive him irrespective of his motive. Whether or not his repentance is genuine, we have to forgive him. As long as he comes to us, we have to forgive him. In Matthew, Peter's conversation omitted the words "in a day" and somewhat changed the meaning. Luke speaks of the same incident related to the same person, but he speaks of a man sinning seven times in a day, repenting, and then being forgiven. Peter changed the same story around. He asked the Lord if it was enough to forgive seven times. By framing the question this way, he made love, grace, and forgiveness all qualities that are limited in nature. In Luke 17 the Lord indicates that love, grace, and forgiveness are all unlimited in nature. Peter's question in Matthew 18 made love, grace, and forgiveness all limited in nature.

The Lord Jesus realized that Peter had changed the wording of the question. His answer about forgiving one's brother revealed that this was not a matter of sufficiency. It was not a question of seven times, but of seventy times seven. God's love, grace, and forgiveness are unlimited. Humanly speaking, thirty-five times of forgiveness would stretch a person to his limit. Seventy times seven is something beyond the reach of human power. It is too heavy a burden. This shows us that the power to forgive is something beyond man. At the same time, those who receive forgiveness are not receiving it from man. They receive forgiveness from another power. Matthew 18:22 says, "Jesus said to him, I do not say to you, Up to seven times, but, Up to seventy times seven." The Lord indictes that forgiveness has nothing to do with the number of times one forgives. If anyone wants a number, let it be seventy times seven.

Cheers!

to help, first u must HEAR. if just explaining the Christian doctrines and ways it will be grounds for them to think: yala u try to impose your belief on others etc

Ill briefly explain so no TLDR

HEAR

goes backwards

R - Respect. First you must respect him as a person regardless of his religion and beliefs. then you will have no presumptions and assumptions about him, in a negative way.

A - Attention. 2nd, You must give attention to the person - meaning no answering phone calls, no looking sideways but maintain eye contact with the person so he or she feels secure and have your attention, then gain your respect in return, first by asking him or her: Why do you think so? How have you come to this conclusion?

E - Empathy. Listen attentively and while doing so, not staring at him or her uninterestingly or at her pretty face his handsome face. Try to be empathetic to what they have to say. responses like 'I see, I understand why you think so, etc' is apt.

H - Help. After you get to why and how they came to their beliefs, this is how you can help him or her.

lastly, I present you a very good article about Divinity of Christ - http://www.peterkreeft.com/topics/christ-divinity.htm
There, if you go to general topics, Peter Kreeft explains excellently about Core of Christianity, Existence, Arguements etc, bookmark and read. Its really good! For Christians.

Take some time to read and digest, and then, maybe u can help your friend Also refer my post no 3565 on the previous page.

This post has been edited by Jedi: Nov 26 2012, 10:21 PM

Hi bro,

thx for ur advice..

if we refuse to befriend with that buddy again, is it mean we din really forgive that person? o is jus a normal human reaction?

anything folo our heart is corect rite?

ha, it's unavoidable sometime that people hurt people.

And sometime we can't avoid them because they could be our office colleagues, Church members or just good friends.

We see them everyday or every week.

That's why Jesus says Love your Enemies.

I believe what Christians should do is, to be professional towards those who hurt you. Don't allow your emotions to control you.

Don't hold grudges. Love them. Forgive them. Talk to them. See them from a perspective that they need to be loved.

But don't be naive either. If you know friends who takes advantage of you, learn to say no, if there's any decision that involves both of you that makes you uncomfortable.

But let say if it involves that they need money or really desperate stuff like no food, if you have extra, learn to share.

But one thing Patrick.

You yourself must have the right foundation of knowing that God loves you intensely.

You can only give love when you yourself received love from God. U understand?

It's a bit hard for people to love if they have not receive love.

So learn to receive the abundance of Love from God to empower you to love others.

Practise this. It will help you to love others.

Just know in your heart that God has forgiven all your sins and is not angry at you and He loves you very much.

I will have no problem as long as it abides by the truth of scripture. by all means, please share.

this forum is public, is not mine and we need to help each other and to encourage each other in the body of Christ.

The devil already has some foothold in some of the people's life, if you're lead by the Holy Spirit, do not hesitate.

I was lead to do this because there was burden in my heart and I know there are many Christians who needs spiritual help.

Sometime people are sincere but just don't know how and what to do in their Christian life.

This post has been edited by unknown warrior: Nov 27 2012, 12:58 AM