Use Your Faith Energy

A new mind and a new language
By Dr. David Yonggi Cho

(Continue from last week.)
2. AIM HIGH
While I was a child, I heard many times from grown-ups, “When you draw something, start with a tiger in mind, and at least you will end up with a cat. If you start with a cat, the best you can do is a cat and maybe not even that.”

They were telling me to aim high. The Bible says likewise. “Open wide your mouth and I will fill it” (Psalm 81:10)

As I have led my ministry for the last 46 years, I have always aimed high. Because I aimed so high, I prayed more than others, studied more than others, and made an effort much greater than others. I went about with great confidence.

Actually, when you aim high or not, making an effort to succeed is not much different. Isn’t it better then to aim high?

3. LOOK AT SUCCESS
In order to succeed, you must always picture yourself with a successful image. It is the principle of looking. Christian and non-Christian likewise, you must apply the principle of looking in order to succeed.

People who succeed even dress for success. It does not mean you need to wear expensive and flashy clothes. Like a successful person, you must dress cleanly and neatly. From the way you walk and the way you talk, your whole attitude must be that of a successful person. You must foster and develop your self-image.

“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging to God” (1 Peter 2:9)

Rich people are hose who always look upon themselves as being rich. Successful businessmen are those who always look upon themselves as being successful in business. Those who are respected by others are those who always think themselves respectable by others. Those who do not look at success will not find success.

“What is seen was not made out of what was visible” (Hebrews 11:3)

You must always look at the blue print of success in your mind which cannot be seen physically.

(Dr. David Yonggi Cho, Use Your Faith Energy, (Seoul Logos co. 2004), pp 17-19). Dr. David is the pastor of the Yoido Full Gospel Church, Korea. As of 2007, membership stands at 830,000, with seven Sunday services translated into 16 languages.

BB & GB Combined Outing

Church Concerns

Church Activities For This Week

Commitment To A Habit

by Rev. James Wong

The habit here refers to habits that promotes spiritual growth. Spiritual growth must be intentional. There is no such thing as natural spiritual growth though there is such a thing as natural physical growth.

A century ago, Samuel Smiles made this observation:

Sow a thought and you reap an act;
Sow an act and you reap a habit;
Sow a habit and you reap a character;
Sow a character and you reap a destiny.

Everything begins with a thought. If we have an ‘indifferent habit’ in thinking about health, we naturally will not take notice about our health until the day our body breaks down and demands our attention for repair. The thinking patterns of our mind can become known as the habit of the mind. Our thinking will control us to act in a certain way and if we repeat that action long enough it becomes our habit.

It is rightly said that human beings are creatures of habits. We are driven by our habits in our daily living. We either develop good habits or bad habits. When habits are formed they become our natural tendencies and these become our character which will impact our destiny.

For example, if we have a judgmental attitude we will have a habit to criticize others. In the end, others will avoid us. This lonesome destiny is a direct result of our character of being critical of others.

Some habits will cause us to backslide in our spiritual walk with God. One example is the habit of not having fellowship with other Christians.
Hebrews 10:25 says: “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another — and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” Not being in fellowship with the church or other Christians can become a habit that leads us further from the family of God. So, our habits can make us or break us.

What are the spiritual habits that we must form in order to become a disciple of Jesus Christ? That is the focus of this Sunday’s sermon.

Commitment To A Habit

Making A difference in 2010 (2)


The Development of Spiritual Habits

1. The Habits of Time with God's Words
A disciple follows Christ’s Word
To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." ~John 8:31-32

2. The Habit of Prayer
A disciple prays and bear fruits
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be given you. This is to my Father's glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” ~John 15:7-8

3. The Habit of Tithing
A disciple is not possessed by his possession
“In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple.” ~Luke 14:33

“Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, that there may be food in my house. Test me in this," says the Lord Almighty, "and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.” ~Mal 3:10

4. The Habit of Fellowahip
A disciple expresses love for other believers
"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." ~John 13:34-35

When serving God, listen to your heart

by Rick Warren

A man's heart reflects the man. Proverbs 27:19 (NIV)

The Bible uses the term "heart" to describe the bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams, and affections that you have. Your heart represents the source of all your motivations -- what you love to do and what you care about most. Even today, we still use the word in this way when we say, "I love you with all my heart."

The Bible says what is in your heart is what you really are, not what others think you are, or what circumstances force you to be (Proverbs 27:19). Your heart is the real you. It determines why you say the things you do, why you feel the way you do, and why you act the way you do.

Physically, each of us has a unique heartbeat. Just as we each have unique thumbprints, eye prints, and voiceprints, our hearts beat in slightly different patterns. It's amazing that out of all the billions of people who've ever lived, no one has ever had a heartbeat exactly like yours.

In the same way, God has given each of us a unique emotional "heartbeat" that races when we think about the subjects, activities, or circumstances that interest us. We instinctively care about some things and not about others. These are clues to where you should be serving.

Another word for heart is passion. There are certain subjects that you feel deeply passionate about and others that you couldn't care less about. Some experiences turn you on and capture your attention, while others turn you off or bore you to tears. These reveal the nature of your heart; listen for inner promptings that can point to the ministry God intends for you to have.

When you were growing up you may have discovered that you were intensely interested in some subjects that no one else in your family cared about.
Where did those interests come from? They came from God!

God had a purpose in giving you these inborn interests. Your emotional heartbeat is a key to understanding your shape for service. Don't ignore your interests; consider how they might be used for God's glory. There is a reason that you love to do these things. Listen for inner promptings that can point to the ministry God intends for you to have.

How to be A Friendly Person

-To win others for Christ-

"A man who has friends must himself be friendly,” Proverbs 18:24 (NKJV)

1. Friendliness is doing what makes others feel comfortable. It's not about me; it's about you. When someone says, "Talking to someone I don't know well makes me feel uncomfortable," they are still focused on themselves. Jesus said: "If anyone wants to come with me, he must forget himself, take up his cross every day, and follow me” (Luke 9:23-24 TEV).

2. Smile and take the initiative to speak. Smile and do not wait for the other person to speak first. This might be your new skill. But as you learn this skill it will become second nature. Having friends is about being a friend. This requires time, thought and effort. Take the first step and be a friend to someone.

3. Speak audibly and speak in complete sentences. Speak up. When someone says something to you, say something back. One word answers, like yes or no, kill a conversation. When answering a question, add an explanatory sentence or two. "Yes, we went. It was really good. The best part was …”

4. When you are not sure what to say, ask questions. What have you been doing today? What is that you are holding? Where are you going for the Chinese New Year? Ask a question and listen.

5. Be a good listener. Instead of planning what you are going to say next, listen to what the other person is saying. Ask questions about what is said to gain a better understanding. When the Bible says, "Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep" (Romans 12:15), it is saying, take a genuine interest in the other person's feelings.

6. Always help people save face. Embarrass me or save me from embarrassment – either way – I will remember you. People don't mind having friends who are smarter, but they don't want friends who make them feel stupid. Instead, when someone slips and says something silly that makes others laugh, come to their rescue. "Well, it is true that. . ." Help your friends to save face.

7. Be humble but don't put yourself down. When we put ourselves down, it makes others feel awkward. People don't know what to say. Being humble doesn't mean you need to feel inferior. Humility gives you a magnetic personality. Jesus was known to be friends of sinners.

Religious Harmony

Wild-boar heads found at two PJ mosques
(http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/122973)
Jimadie Shah Othman
Jan 27, 2010. 10:53am

Four wild-boar heads were thrown early this morning into the compound of two mosques along Jalan Klang Lama, a major road in the southwest of Kuala Lumpur.

The heads were found in the compound of Masjid Taman Dato Harun and Masjid Taman Seri Sentosa, both in Petaling Jaya and about 3km apart.

Two severed heads were seen lying inside the main gate of Masjid Jumburiyah in Taman Dato Harun and another two heads near the parking area of Masjid Al-Iman Al-Tirmizi in Taman Seri Sentosa. ...

This is the latest in a string of desecrations of places of worship across the country over the past three weeks involving 11 churches, a Sikh temple, one mosque and two surau.

The attacks were triggered by the High Court's Dec 31, 2009 decision to lift a government ban on non-Muslims using the term 'Allah' as a translation for 'God'.

The ruling in favour of Catholic newspaper Herald, which argued for the right to use 'Allah' in its Malay-language section, was suspended last week pending an appeal after the government argued that 'Allah' was exclusive to Malay Muslims.

Prayer Of Enduring Significance

Use Your Faith Energy

A new mind and a new language
By Dr. David Yonggi Cho


1. THINK SUCCESS
On a daily basis, I dream and pray about the evangelization of Korea and the whole world. I have always thought it to be possible. That is the reason for our Internet webcast ministry which has been spreading the Gospel through the Internet all over the world. Also, in order to facilitate the evangelization of Korea, I have a dream of pioneering 5009 churches in Korea over the next 10 years. Many have told me it would be impossible. However, the Holy Spirit has assured me, and I have been researching and putting the dream into action.

No matter what difficulties you may face, say to yourself, “I can succeed!” Continually think of succeeding. When you do so, you will indeed find success. On the other hand, when you think, “”Maybe I will fail,” your very fear of failure will cause you to fail. I know of no person who thought of failure and succeeded. There are instances where you will fail in spite of thinking of success. Many people have their faith shaken thinking, “I only thought of success; why did I fail?”

A deacon faced a day in court over a real estate matter. He prayed to God for help and only thought of winning the case. He stood before the judge with confidence. Unfortunately, the decision went against him. The devastated deacon said, “If God is alive, how could He do this to me?” His very faith was being put into question. Why did he lose his case in spite of diligent prayer and thinking of success?

When you study at a school, you pay tuition. From elementary to university, you need to pay a certain amount of tuition. No matter what it is you are learning, you need to pay a tuition fee for your education. It is the same in society. In any society, there is a price in learning the ways of survival in a society. When people invest hundreds of thousands of dollars in a business and fail in the business, they lament the loss of their hard-earned money. When people pay thousands of dollars to defend themselves in court but lose, they believe the money was a big waste. That is not so. It was tuition for a greater learning experience, which could lead to even greater success.

Whether in society, at home, or at church, if we are afraid to pay for the cost of learning from failure, we may never find success. Although failure may be a terribly bitter experience, it can be a learning experience leading to success. Rather than despairing over failure, you must be positive. You must consider it as tuition toward success.

You should even accept your failure as part of your future success. You should not think of anything else except your future success. Think and speak only of succeeding. Dream about success, think success, and live a successful life.

“Maybe I will fail,. What if I fail?” If you think like this and despair, you will not have the productive energy to accomplish what you desire. You must not be afraid of failing, but think only of success. Of course that success must be to glorify Christ.

(extract from the book Use Your Faith Energy, pp.14-17)

Church Activities For This Week

Committed To The Vision

by Rev, James Wong

"Advancing the Gospel through Leadership and Discipleship.” This is the corporate vision statement of our church and for the rest of the English congregations in the Basel family.

A vision helps us to have a common focus so that our energy will not be diffused. Diffused light cannot cut steel. Laser beam works on the theory of concentrating light to enable it to cut steel and diamond. When we have a vision, we have concentrated energy to do powerful things. The vision of the ‘Promise Land’ kept the nation of Israel alive in spite of the 40 years of struggle and death in the wilderness. That is the power of vision!

In a church, the vision helps us to be united in our thinking and in the formulation of strategies and goals. It will define what we will do and what we will not do and it will also influence the way we use our resources and finance, our mode of operation and structure. Effective evaluation can only be done when measured against the vision.

It is not enough that the pastors and the leadership of the church know about the vision but oblivious to the rest of the members. In a musical band, everyone must be playing the same song with the same key although many different instruments may be used. The church functions like a musical band. The vision is the song that we sing together and play in the same key frequency.

How can you take part in the vision of the church:
“Advancing the gospel” refers to the mandate that Jesus has given to each one of us: “Go into the world and preach the Good News to everyone” (Mark 16:14 NLT). You will be given a specially designed bookmark with this mandate written on it and at the back it contains this information:

Ask God to give you the names of the persons you would like to reach for Christ in 2010. Focus in building your friendship with them by loving and caring for them in a practical way. Remember to ask God to bless them and pray for their salvation daily. Come to the Thursday Morning Prayer Meeting and pray for them specifically. Extend your invitation to them.

Commitment To A Vision

Making A difference in 2010 (1)
John 4:1-26

1. Reach out to be a friend.
We need to build friendship to share the Good News. Jesus reached out to the Samaritan woman, an act seldom done by a Jew.

When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, "Will you give me a drink?" ~John 4:7 (NIV)

“… A man who has friends must himself be friendly,” ~Prov 18:24 (NKJV)

“There is no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends.” ~John 15:13 (NLT)


2. Love and care for them in a practical way.
A picture speaks a thousand words and an action speaks a thousand pictures. Jesus gave the Samaritan more than what water can do.

Jesus answered, "Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life." ~John 4:13-14 (NIV)

Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples."
~John 13:35 (NLT)

3. Pray for their well-being and salvation daily.
Who we worship determines our destiny and eternity. Jesus told the Samaritan woman what real worship was all about. God wants all to be saved and come to know Jesus.

Yet a time is coming and has now come when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for they are the kind of worshipers the Father seeks. 24 God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth." ~John 4:23-24 (NIV)

"I looked for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand before me in the gap on behalf of the land so I would not have to destroy it, but I found none.” ~Ezek 22:30 (NIV)


4. Invite them to the church, life group or special events.
"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.”
~Matt 11:28 (NIV)

Spiritual gifts for serving God

by Rick Warren

Whoever does not have the Spirit cannot receive the gifts that come from God's Spirit. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (TEV).

You can't earn your spiritual gifts or deserve them -- that's why they are called gifts! They're an expression of God's grace to you: "Christ has generously divided out his gifts to us." (Ephesians 4:7, CEV)

Nor do you get to choose which gifts you'd like to have. Paul explains that God determines that, "It is the one and only Holy Spirit who distributes these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have." (1 Corinthians 12:11, NLT).

Because God loves variety, and he wants us to be special, there's no one single gift given to everyone, and no individual receives all the gifts. If you had them all, you'd have no need of anyone else, and that would defeat one of God's purposes -- to teach us to depend on each other.

Your spiritual gifts were not given for your own benefit but for the benefit of others, just as other people were given gifts for your benefit. The Bible says, "A spiritual gift is given to each of us as a means of helping the entire church" (1 Corinthians 12:7, NLT). When we use our gifts together, we all benefit. If others don't use their gifts, you get cheated, but if you don't use your gifts, they get cheated. This is why God wants us to discover and develop our spiritual gifts.

Whenever we forget these basic truths about gifts, it always causes trouble in the church. Two common problems are "gift-envy" and "gift-projection."

The first occurs when we compare our gifts to others, feel dissatisfied with what God gave us, and become resentful or jealous of how God uses others.

The second problem happens when you expect everyone else to have your gifts, do what you're called to do, and feel as passionate about it as you do. The Bible says, "There are different kinds of service in the church, but it is the same Lord we are serving" (1 Corinthians 12:5, NLT).

Sometimes spiritual gifts are overemphasized to the neglect of the other factors that God uses to shape you for service. So keep in mind, your gifts reveal one part of God's will for your ministry, but not all of it.