Blessings for your life - Wisdom and Intelligence by Rev Melvyn Mak

Proverbs 30:24-28 (this chapter is not written by Solomon but by an elderly man).

So much intelligence but very little wisdom. Now there is an explosion of information. Lawyer Razid run away. Wisdom is the ability to know what is true and right.

Wisdom is a skill for living and what God intended for our life. God wants to bless us with wisdom. James 1:5-8, 1 Cor 1:27-29

#1) ANT - Strategic Preparation - It's about timing! v35

#2) CONEY - Secure Place - It's about obedience

#3) LOCUST - Strong Purposes - It's about teamwork

#4) LIZARD - Special Position - It's about Grace

#1) Ants are hardworking, they are able to overcome. Ants prepare for winter. The ant creature of little strength yet the store up in summer for winter. Someone who is wise,will prepare himself. Luke 16:8, Matt 5:25-26

#2) Prov 30:26 Coneys are creatures of little power, yet they make their home in the crags. Matt 7. All of us will hear the word of God - some will choose to build the house on their rock, and some to build it on the sand.

Building on the rock = more costly for obedience and wise

Building on the sand = short cut and foolish

Psalm 62:6-7, Prov 9:10

#3) Locust - Strong Purpose v27. Locust have no king, yet they advance together in ranks. When they have a fix focus and power, nothing can stop them and they move in power.

Lev 26:8 Certorn - Lie low and stitch. Family means nobody left behind.

Group - just gather together to meet. Team has a goal, will run together, locust have ownership of their purpose and there is always one person where God will identify to lead with a strong purpose.

#4) Lizard - Special Position Prov 30:28

Creature that can be caught with the hand, yet it is found in King's palace. A lizard and a palace is about grace.

A Place to Be - by Ps Eugene Seow

4987600 - Last Tues - Singapore Population as at June 2009. Are you just one of them.

Question - Why am I here in Singapore? Is Singapore save forever? Is this the PLACE to be? Acts 17:28. God has determined who you are and where you are. God has a wonderful place in your life.

Matt 22:37-40, Gal 5:14 = 'To love Your Neighbour is the Place to be." How can I fulfilled God's greatest commandment / purpose in the place He has placed me. The Place to be Acts 17:26

#1) When you ACCEPT your Place in God's Plan. Gen 1:28, Gen 12:1-2. Gen 35:11-12. God is concerned about the land. 1 Chron 4:10, Jer 29:4-7. God wants them to appreciate where He has placed you.

Destination => Destiny and Nation

Committed to your land - pray for your neighbour, pray for your land.

#2) When you ALIGN God's Plan in your place Acts 17:27

If you want to live in God's purpose, you need to align to HIM. Matt 5:13. Not so much about salt but it is being salty.

Step 1 - They would seek Him - be a bridge of Blessing (make a difference). Ps 16:5,6 - Ps Julie's favoriet

#3) When you ACT in faith - believe God for transformation.

Acts 17:28 Luke 5:17-26

Jesus does not respond to need, but respond to faith. God will move on your faith. All this God is moving us from being salt to light in this land. Matt 5:16

Sermon by Pastor Ashley Evans

Leah => Ruben

Gen 29 - Leah had another son - Simeon where it gives birth of the Levites tribe

Gen 29:35

Praise always come first before breakthrough. God's divine order - praise comes first. Blaming others about her circumstances. Focus on alot of things - your career, being a parent, your studies.

4th Child - Judah, it is not man's first but God's first choice. Gen 37 - Judah is the one who protects his brother, Joseph.

1) Praise Protect the dreams and dreamer

2) Praise protects you when you are vulnerable Gen 44:14-18

3) Praise puts pressure on the problem. Praise begins to put pressure on the problem, issue.

4) Praise changes you

5) Praise was chosen by God to welcome a new day Ps 118:4

6) Praise was chosen to attack the enemy first - Judges 1:1-2

7) Praise says you expect to win

8) Praise declares that my destiny is in good hands

9) Praise is the cure for discouragement and depression Eph 5:4, Be thankful for all things

10) Praise releases the power of God

Staying Fresh For God - Daniel 6

Sermon by Ps Lawrence Khong

Daniel Chapt 1 to 6 talks about life of Daniel

Chapt 7 till end => message from God, concerning the end time.

God is concerned about men before the message. God prepare the man, so he can be the vessel for God.

1) We can learn from Daniel's sensational success in his career, v3 Daniel has excellent qualities

2) We can learn from Daniel's impeccable integrity, Chapt 6 v4-5

3) We can learn from Daniel's unshakeable faith even when he is in the Lion's Den

4) The most important lesson is found in Daniel's spiritual freshness for God!

Daniel 1 = reference back - Daniel is about 14 to 16 years old and you can tell his committment to God is the same as Chapt 6 even when he reaches age 80.

Daniel's success and faith is always fresh = 66 years of unshakeable, integrity, etc

We can have a week, a month, but for a man / woman of God can live for 20 years, 30 years, 60 years freshness for God, Spiritual freshness is doubling charming.

God is ready to give us a freshness. We can stay fresh for God by staying fresh with God. If we draw close to Him, enjoy intimate relationship with Him, He will stay close to you. Chapt 6:10-11

Daniel prayed 3 times/day just as before => lifestyle, Luke 5:15-16

Matt 5:6 => We are not hungry enough but if you are hungry, you will search for your food.

On a Dark and Stormy Night

Matthew 14:22-36, Matt 5:45

How can I survived in a dark and stormy night?

a) Recognising the voice of God - There is security

b) Responding to the voice of God - There is salvation

Passing to the next generation - is recognising the voice of the Lord. How?

1) Voice of Comfort - You can count on Him - Matt 14:25-27, Ps 8:3-4, 1 Peter 5:7

It is I, God is there. 2 Cor 1:3-4

2) It is a voice of communion. You can COME to Him. 1 Thes 5:19-22. James 3:17, James 4:8, Rev 3:20

3) It is a voice of Compassion. You can cling on to Him Matt 14:30-31

4) Matt 14:28,29 - He humanly stepped out. This is responding in faith. He honestly called out. He humbly cried out.

Normally during storm, we want to defend and take control. What is the best antidote for PRIDE is HELP. Matt 14:32-33

How to run a fishy business - Rev Melvyn Mak

Luke 5:1-11

How can we become effective Fishers of Men?

1) Overarching calling will define who our Master is

2) Obedient Attitude - Delivers God's Miracles

3) Overwhelming Encounter - Declares Our Message

Luke 5:10b Catch Men, Mark 1, Matt 4 - a word implies Evangelism. Rom 10:13-15

v4,5 Similar passage John 21:1-6

What are these obstacles?

a) Fixed Mindset

b) Fear

v6-9 To do is something that should be driven from inside out

Acts 4:18-20

2 Kings 7v9

Even if you have overwhelming experience, you can still keep within ourselves. Real compassion is more than feeling but just do it. We need to serve direct from our heart.

Success in life is finding a need and meeting it. Matthew 9:37-38

Youth No Take 2 by Rev Eugene Seow

Ecclesiastes 12:1. 1 Timothy 4:12

Fear God and keep your commandment Ecc 12:13

3 Words

----------

- Opportunity Ecc 12:1

- Responsibility

- Destiny

OPPORTUNITY

--------------------

13/30 Windows => These age group are the Gen Y. If only the church will know what MTV will know. Why can't the church see the MTV see.

- open and flexible, impressionable

- idealistic, capacity for faith

- this generation is a treasure, MTV sees it as generating. Prov 4:23, Prov 4:20-22

RESPONSIBILITY 1 Tim 4:12

-------------------------------------

I am a transformer!!

This age group - Over blessed under tested, over entertained under challenged

Matt 25:14-30

Age of youth is a age of responsibility. Joseph, David and Jeremiah, Josiah, Mary and Timothy = God uses the above. Salvation army - William started age 15. Charles Spurgeon started age 19. John Wesley started aged 26.

"Consider this fact that 90% of all professing Christians come to Christ before reaching 30 and 75% before the age of 25."

"Where there is no young people, there can be no lasting change." Eces 11:9

Youth age is age of learning responsibility. James Dobson - age of transfer from parents to the children.

Destiny - Jer 29:11

Don't ever say There is No You. Destiny .... In God's Plan = COOL. Faith Factor Acts 2:17

What Do You See?

Today's sermon on What Do You See? by Ps Eugene Seow is very enlightening. He links back to National Day Parade and when I reflected back to the preview that I watched 2 weeks ago, I felt alot of Singaporean cannot see.

He also mentioned about helping the needy. Then I recalled my lunch with Thurga, I remembered she shared that she is very happy that I brought her out that day as this is the first time she went out with friends. Having an autoimmune - multiple sclerosis at 21, life can be very unkind to her.

Due to her sickness, she draws away from her young and healthy friends. Daily, her tears will flow down her eyes and she always ask herself if she has a future. Glad I told her there is and encourage her to give God a chance to heal her.

Glad the 2 topics Ps Eugene mentioned today, I am there to witness it. I pray and hope there are many harvesters in Singapore willing to extend their hand to many needy out from their heart.

NDP Parade

I thank God for the priviledge to be able to watch the NDP Preview. I went with Clarinda and Daryl.

I must say, the preview is very abrupt for chapters connection, but the last chapter, ie Chapter 10 I was filled with emotions. I remember the reflection questions on the 40-days booklet, dated 15 July 2009 :-

God love the imperfect Singapore, do you?

Honestly I do not love Singapore as much as God loves Singapore. Though me being a party member, I don't seem to flow very well with the party vision. Infact I believe alot of Singaporeans are not connected heart to heart with the government. Here in this show, they are trying to demonstrate the love of our government had for his people, but the people are not connecting with them. I felt very sad and I can only pray that God will open the eyes of Singaporeans and grant our government a more shepherding heart.

Oh Lord, forgive me when I did not love Singapore enough to care for her and do my best to help when needed.

Band-Aids and Bail-Outs

Today I decided to bring Thurga out. Part of my key purpose I want to do is to minister to people in need.

Wow, when I turn to the 40-day booklet, on 9 July - jackpot!

- PRAY that every day, every where in Singapore, Christians will seize the opportunity to minister to the sick and hurting. Are you personally involved? Or have you conveniently left it all to your church social worker or our benevolent government? Ask God to move your heart with compassion.

YES, on 9 July 2009, I took Thurga (the 21-year old Indian girl out) for lunch and minister to her. Prayed for her and she being young, she was very encouraged that I am willing to help her to chart her career. So I did not leave it to the church, to the government :)

Mad Church Disease

From the Book - Mad Church Disease by Anne Jackson

Overcoming the Burnout epidemic - Anne Jackson (flowerdust.net)

- I loved Jesus, but his church was wearing me out.

- Since I had allowed spending time with God to be replaced by spending time doing things for God, my spiritual tank had been sucked dry. When that happened, I began to lose perspective on almost every area of my life. My defenses were down, and I allowed myself to start believing the little lies the enemy would throw into my path.

- John 10:10

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come that they may have life, and have it to the fullest.

- By taking our focus off the dysfunctions of our past, and changing it to how God can work through us as he uses our life journey - our history, our present, our future - we are less likely to burn out. Anytime we become less and God becomes more, it's his power being perfected in us.

Oswald Chambers - My utmost for His Highest

The people who influence us the most are not those who detain us with their continual talk, but those who live their lives like the stars in the sky and "the lilies of the field" - simply and unaffectedly. Those are the lives that mold and shape us.

- If you want to be of use to God, maintain the proper relationship with Jesus Christ by staying focused on him, and he will make use of you every minute you live - yet you will be unaware on the conscious level of your life, that you are being used by him.

Another night of Interesting Stories in MPS

Today is exceptionally crowded as minister is around to see the residents. Last week, ministeris not around and alot of people didn't want us to write letter. However today minister came in around 9pm to meet up with the residents. Believe he is away for meeting with Roland.

I have several interesting cases today and it is worth recording of its manner...

Case 1

An uncle who walks in and wants to look for job in Civil Service. Uncle age 56 but looks like 66. He is really old looking. He shared that he is currently working as a taxi-driver and find it difficult to cope as it is very tiring for him to drive 12 hours especially he just recovers from a minor stroke. This is understood but I asked him if he could find relief drivers. He didn't want to answer me direct but keep saying it is difficult to find and wants the government to help him look for a job.

My conclusion for him is that he did not put in enough effort to look for relief drivers so he can cover his cost at least.

Anyway, decide to write to CDC to ask for Employment Assistance for him.

Case 2

This guy came and insist I have to record everything he says. I told him that I will summarise for him after he shares what he wants. He started off saying he had sexual relationship with this lady Amy Wong several times and now he wants to get intouch with her as he could not reach her. I want you all to give me her address.

With this starting paragraph, I suspect he is not quite sane. Then he continued to ask me to write down 2nd point. I have something very important to tell the Top Leaders and is confidential. Thus I need to see minister.

For sure I can conclude this - this man is XIAO. The volunteer on my right look at me and both of us smiled as this is really funny.

Anyway, alerted the body-guards and Branch Secretary. Straight away BS talk to this man. Thereafter, this man gave BS 2 letters. BS after reading was laughing and said a set of rubbish.

I read thru the letter and this reminds me of someone else I know who always has something important to tell the PM and wants to meet him personally. I could only laugh it off and thank God that I manage to discern thru such cases.

Case 3

When I see this lady, I remembered I wrote her case the last time - court proceedings due to her unpaid summons. This time she came with a different court case. In my heart, I was thinking, why another court case. She seems to be always encountering court cases.

She started telling me a long-story in which I couldn't even understand what she is trying to tell me. Partly I was very distracted because of the earlier 'MAD' resident wanting to see minister and I have to watch over him at the same time because today it is very crowded.

For this lady, I only can ask her to go for legal adviser as we are not judge and can't command the judge to revoke the case or issue a mediation. She refused to go to legal adviser but I insist that it is better for her to go to a professional. Ultimately she has no choice and still wants to see minister.

Looking at her, reminds me of that similiar someone else who always facing law suits. Personally I find they are a problem and not the law. To make matter worse, that case is like 9 years ago and she still wants to pursue. One of a kind!

MPS Interesting Stories

Case 1
This 62 year old man introduce to me the lady besides him is his girlfriend. I was shocked to hear that at such age, there is still such scenario of boyfriend and girlfriend. Just incase you think the girlfriend is a dragon lady, no. She is a 50 year old well spoken lady.

After knowing abit of their background, I respected that lady because she had taken care of this man for 2years when he was down with stroke. Not only she takes care of him, she also takes care of his nephew who is also down with stroke.

Definitely not after his money as both came to seek financial help and rented flat.

Case 2
This 18 year old boy came to seek for re-admission back to the school. He was apprehensive to share initially but when his mother walks away, he begin to share more from his heart. When I encouraged him not to give himself up, he was really surprised and you should see that lightbulb turn on his face. I suspect his mother is an issue in his life as the reason he gave was not very motivated to go to school. However when I encouraged him, he gave me a smile and I can tell that he is very encouraged.

His mother, another issue. She wants to pursue Psychology Diploma as she believes that it helps in her career. To me maybe more for her managing her family. Her purpose is asking the government to pay the $5000 Diploma course fees. Wow, where got such kind of priviledge in Singapore??

Neighbour's Case
Overheard one resident telling Dr Yong that he will kill himself if government refuse to release CPF funds to them. He will make sure all the reporters are there before he kill himself so that the reporters will tell the world that the government refused to help him. What a threat!

Next is a police case and had written many instructions telling what our ministers should do. Perhaps she should be sitting at the Parliament directing rather than coming here and ask for help.

Summary
Today I had served 2 HDB cases which I hated most, 2 ICA cases asking for PR, 1 Town Council cases asking them to relocate the chairs, 1 youth pleading to return back to school and 1 asking for sponsorship for her course.

Not too bad, with 7 different cases...

Retirees are not any wiser - Extracted from TODAY 09 Jan 2009

Retirees are not any wiser ESTHER NG estherng@mediacorp.com.sg:

EVEN highly educated people can fall for scams — proof that financial literacy alone is no guarantee against bad economic decisions. Mr Stephen Greenspan, a professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Colorado, came to this conclusion after personally falling victim to Mr Bernard Madoff’s Ponzi investment scheme.

That is why a psychological understanding of how individuals make decisions is important, in the view of economist Mukul Asher — and it should be taken into account in financial counselling, as well as embedded in financial literacy programmes. The Professor at the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy was one of the panel speakers on “Financial Education and Literacy”, at the Reinventing Retirement Asia Conference.

According to Mr Greenspan, said Prof Asher, many people made their decision to invest withMr Madoff on the recommendation of friends or relatives.

“Financial education is required not just in terms how to accumulate it in the best possible manner, but also how to ‘de-cumulate’ the payout in a financially sound manner,” Prof Asher stressed. This is critical because studies around the world show that most retirees spend their pension money within three to five years, he noted.

It is why he disagrees with how pension boards in South-east Asia allow lump-sum pension payouts, because he feels individuals do not have the self-control to make their savings last into advanced old age.

“These funds were set up in the first place because it is assumed that the individual will not save for retirement, because the cost of saving is immediate and the benefits are long term. Now, at retirement, you tell them to take the money (as if) suddenly, when you’re 60, you become wiser. I can tell you from my own experience that I’m older but not wiser,” quipped Prof Asher.

He recommends a one-time payout of between 25 and 30 per cent instead, and subsequent phased withdrawal of pension funds.

He also pointed to shortcomings of provident fund schemes set up by some governments in South-east Asia — such as the fact that these funds do not factor in inflation risk and life expectancy.

In addition, none of these funds have an independent financial board as a “check and balance”. “There is no robust database. Most of the civil service pension schemes do not have actuarial studies that they put on their board. How many of us know independently verified replacement rates in South-east Asia for our provident and pension funds?”

In his speech earlier, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong noted how some CPF members have complained that investing CPF savings in risk-free Singapore Government Securities yields “too low returns”.

“But in the current unstable financial markets, I believe many are relieved that the Government has been prudent rather than adventurous with their retirement nest-eggs,” said Mr Lee.

To allow members to grow their savings beyond the board’s interest rate, in 1997, the CPF Investment Scheme was set up. Part of their Ordinary and Special Account funds could be placed in shares, bonds or other investments. In 2001, the Supplementary Retirement Scheme was launched, where members could put their money into a wide range of shares, bonds, unit trusts and other investments.

Psalm 20 - Faith's Commanding Position

Today's daily devotion is from Psalm 20.

Psalm 20 has always a very special attention in my heart. Primary reason is when I go thru the darkest moment of my life, during the crisis of my dad's medical condition and subsequently his passing on, God's encouragement to me is Psalm 20. It is so dear in my heart that I literally cling on to it daily and praying for God to answer when I am in distress.

4 years had passed. Looking back, God indeed answered my prayer when I am distress though at that time in distress, you just couldn't see it. Infact as per verse 2 - May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion, He did send alot of support from everywhere he could bring especially friends from FCBC, Barker Road Methodist and all the Christian friends from my Counselling Class. More importantly, all these years of being faithful as a servant of God is being recognised.

He will reward his anointed one and I believe I belong to that category humbly. God indeed is good and He turned my adverse situation to my advantage. After my dad's passing on, my whole family came to know Christ within 1 year and this is the greatest GIFT I have ever received in my life.

Psalm 20
For the director of music. A psalm of David.
1 May the LORD answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.
2 May he send you help from the sanctuary and grant you support from Zion.
3 May he remember all your sacrifices and accept your burnt offerings. Selah
4 May he give you the desire of your heart and make all your plans succeed.
5 We will shout for joy when you are victorious and will lift up our banners in the name of our God. May the LORD grant all your requests.
6 Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed; he answers him from his holy heaven with the saving power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.
8 They are brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm.
9 O LORD, save the king! Answer us when we call!