VOICES Volume 6 Issue 5 Sep/ Oct 2010 YF Camp 2010 turn ye even to Me with all your heart turn unto the LORD your God Joel 2:12-13a

Transcription

1 YouthVOICES Volume 7 Issue 1 Volume 6 Issue 5 Sep/ Oct 2010 For Private Circulation only January / February 2011 YF Camp 2010 "Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mouning: and rend your heart and not your garments, and turn unto the LORD your God." Joel 2:12-13a

2 VÉÇàxÇàá Good Cheer for the Whole Year A feature article by Arthur W Pink Page 3 Sharing by Jayne Chan Page 4 Questions for Personal Examination Taken from Rev Jack Sin s Youth Contemporary Issues Page 6 Give Thanks to God the Lord A hymn review by Valerie Loh Page 10 Attributes of God by AW Pink A book review by Lam Weng Ngai Page 13 The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards <28 Dec 08> pastoral letter by Pastor Isaac Ong Page 16 Up close and personal with Daniel Yap An interview by Lim Wei Yang Page 20 --Page 2--

3 The historical reference is to the land of Canaan, in which a contrast is pointed between it and Egypt, where the Israelites had sojourned in bondage and misery. The contrast is a most striking and instructive one. Egypt was not watered as other countries: Zechariah 14:18 says that, comparatively, it has no rain. Being dependent upon the overflowing of the Nile at a certain season of the year, the waters were, at great cost and labour, stored up in reservoirs and afterwards eked out by degrees for the irrigating of the crops. This entailed much hard work in the making of canals and trenches to carry the waters from the reservoirs to the fields, and in tending the dykes and ditches, working in mud up to the knees. Two verses before our text intimates a man had to bestow as much pains on the watering of his crops as one does on a garden of herbs. But Israel in Canaan were spared such tasks, for the early and latter rains which God sent upon it were so abundant that His people were exempted from such toil: the fruitfulness of their heritage being a special blessing of Divine Providence, a land which the Lord thy God careth for. Now Egypt is a figure of this world and its inhabitants of the unregenerate. Living without God the natural man is his own provider, looking entirely to himself for the supply of his needs. Consequently his cares are many: existence for him is a constant round of anxiety, fretfulness and disappointment. But different far is the lot of the Christian: he is the conscious object of God s loving solicitude, and though he has to labour for his daily bread and endure the same trials --Page 3--

4 and sorrows as the ungodly, yet it is his happy privilege to cast all his care on Another, knowing that He cares for him and makes all things work together for his ultimate good. Though still on earth, his citizenship is in Heaven (Phil. 3:20); though left in a hostile world, he is not left alone; though he is required to make a diligent use of all appointed means, he knows that his bread and water are sure (Isa. 33:16). Canaan and not Egypt is the type of his present portion: the eyes of the Lord are always upon him, from the beginning of the year even unto the end thereof. First, our text speaks of the Lords pleasure in His redeemed. This is an aspect of the Truth, one of the facets of the Gospel gem, which we do not sufficiently dwell upon. Just as we love to look at and constantly eye an object we prize highly, so the Lord God beholds His people with infinite delight. No doubt it is difficult for us to grasp this wonderful fact, yet it is a truth plainly revealed in the Scriptures: For the LORD taketh pleasure in His people (Psa. 149:4), I will rejoice over thee to do thee good (Jer. 32:41), He declares. What a remarkable word is that, the LORD S portion is His people (Deut. 32:9). We are often reminded that the Lord Himself is the Portion of His saints (Lam. 3:24), but how rarely we hear of His inheritance in the saints (Eph. 1:18)! He set His heart upon them from everlasting and therefore does He contemplate them as His precious jewels (Mal. 3:17). He so loved them as to give His dear Son to and for them, and therefore He ever eyes them with complacency and delight. Second, our text tells of the Lord s presence with His People. One day ere long they shall behold the King in His beauty, see Him face to face (1 Cor. 13:12), but that will not be till we are taken into His immediate presence. But the Lord beholds us now, not from afar, but by immediate contact. No far-away God is ours, but one who is with us always even unto the end. The eyes of the Lord being upon us is a figure of speech signifying not only His delight in us but also His nearness to us, as we read elsewhere of the eternal God is thy refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms (Deut. 33:27), --Page 4--

5 under His wings shalt thou trust (Psa. 91:4). When the Lord said unto Moses, I will send an angel before thee, in effect Moses answered that will not suffice: if Thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence (Exo 33:2,15). See here the goodness of our God: He will not entrust His people to any delegates or subordinates I will never leave thee nor forsake thee (Heb. 13:5). Third, our text announces the power of God toward His people. The eyes of the Lord are always upon it (upon us), and as though that is not sufficiently explicit for such dull understandings as ours, it is added, from the beginning of the year even unto the end of the year. How that brings out His power: none but God could perform such a wonder! There is never a single day or even moment when the Lord our God turns His eyes and heart away from His people in general, but they are constantly fixed upon every one of them individually, though many thousands of miles separate some of them. It brings out, too, His unwearied power: Behold! He that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep (Psa. 121:4). O Christian reader, seek to cherish this thought in your heart throughout this present year: not only will there never be a day nor hour when our God shall forget us, but not a moment when the eyes of His love and favour will be removed from us. For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward Him (2 Chron. 16:9). Fourth, our text intimates the Lord s Protection of His people, for the previous clause says, the land which the Lord thy God careth for. What harm can befall one who is the object of God s unceasing attention and care? How the fond parent wishes that his or her eyes could ever be upon the little ones: what anxiety often burdens their hearts as they think of them crossing dangerous roads on their way to school, and later as they leave home and go out into the world! Their prayers follow them, but their eyes cannot be upon them. Not so is it with the Lord: we cannot get beyond the range of His vision. I the LORD do keep it: I will water it every moment, lest any hurt it, I will keep --Page 5--

6 it night and day (Isa. 27:3). If His eyes are upon me, His hand is also engaged to defend and guard me, and if He is for me it matters not who is against me. Fifth, our text gives assurance of the Lord s providing for His people. This also appears from the preceding clause: a land which the LORD thy God careth for, which refers particularly to the bountiful supply of rain He sends upon it, making it so fertile and the produce so abundant as to be termed a land of milk and honey. So plentiful also is the spiritual provision which Jehovah makes for His people. The same grand truth is also inculcated in the words The LORD thy God. It is not an absolute God whose eyes are upon us, but one who is in covenant relationship with us. He who protects me is my Shepherd: He who cares for me is not only my God by way of power, but my Father by way of spiritual ties. He is the God of His people by nearest and dearest relationship, which ensures that no good thing will He withhold from them. This was what gave the Apostle such confidence unto the Philippians: but my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus (4:19). The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous (Psa. 34:15). Here, Christian reader, is (to borrow an expression from Spurgeon) good cheer for the New Year. We know not what 1942 holds for us, but those who by grace are trusting in the atoning blood of Christ may enter it with the assurance that the friendly gaze of the Lord God is upon them. It is their privilege to enter each day rejoicing in the blessed fact that not for a single second will the Lord their God remove His eyes from them, cease to care for them, or fail to minister to them. Seek to frequently remind yourself that the Lord has pleasure in His people, that His presence is with and His power engaged on behalf of them, that they are assured of His protection and provision for their every need. Then should they not be of good cheer?! Should they not be delivered from worrying care? Should they not go forward in holy confidence and joy? Trials and tests are certain, and so also is their blessed issue. In the darkest hour, remember my brother, my sister, the eyes of the Lord --Page 6--

7 your God are upon you: the eyes of His love, of His favour, of His compassion. The eyes of the Lord thy God are always upon you. What should be our response? The perfect example which our Saviour has left us supplies the answer: I have set the LORD always before Me (Psa. 16:18). Yes, our eyes ought ever to be upon Him, and for these reasons. First, we shall only apprehend and appreciate God s sight of us as we obtain a sight of Him. One who is comparatively unknown to us cannot be confidently reposed upon. We must acquaint ourselves with Him if peace is to possess our hearts (Job 22:21); we must eye Him by faith if His mercies are to be spiritually enjoyed. Second, if God looks upon us, much more ought we to look upon Him. When He looks at us as we are in ourselves, He sees nothing but sinfulness and unworthiness; but when we look on Him what a glorious Object do we behold! Third, the more we are occupied with the Lord our God, the more shall we be weaned from this perishing world, the more shall we be delivered from Satan s snares, and the better shall we be equipped for the fight of faith (Psa. 34:5). Fourth, the more our hearts are engaged with beholding our covenant God, the greater and grander foretastes shall we obtain of the bliss awaiting us. The glory of Heaven consists in a beholding of God! God looking upon us, we looking upon Him: that is communion. O let us seek to be conscious each day of this year that the eyes of the Lord our God are upon us, and earnestly desire that our hearts may be fixed upon Him. --Page 7--

8 October was a month filled with stress, anxiety and constant worrying for me because it was the exam season. I had been biting my nails over this matter as my current class position was at stake. If I didn t work hard enough, I d lose it to someone else. No words could even begin to describe how awful I felt over this matter. On the day of my literature exam, the hall was extremely cold. After the two hours were up, I instantly felt dizzy and my head pounded. In general, I felt awful and I had a nagging suspicion that I was ill. Sure enough, the moment I took my temperature, the reading read 38.2 o C. At that moment, I froze. I hadn t the faintest idea how I would carry on with my exams in this state. It was diagnosed as a bad tonsil infection and my fever was hitting 40 degrees in the middle of the night. This carried on throughout the weekend as I studied as best I could. I felt lost and insecure, agonizing over my reputation. How would I face my friends and teachers if I didn t perform up to their expectations? However, this sharing isn t meant to be a long whiny text. Rather, I d like to share my experience with God s wonderful grace and love performing a miracle at this juncture in my life. I insisted on taking my exams, despite my condition and dissuasions from my teachers. I hadn t been performing up to my expectations the entire year and if I didn t take the plunge then, all my hard work would have been in vain. Over the course of the week, I took a grand total of 48 Panadol tablets (which I will never be able to swallow again for the rest of my life), even stronger fever medicine, 2 courses of antibiotics and 8 papers. I completed as many papers as I could and after each one, I would --Page 8--

9 pray, God, thank you for seeing me through this paper. I commit my marks into your hands and I sincerely hope my grade would glorify your wonderful Name. Time flew by and before I knew it, the time came for the returning of the scripts. Anxiously, I sat in the auditorium, praying hard for me to pass. The thing which really touched me was that my marks were so much better than what I expected. Sure, there were a couple of disappointments, but I got the marks I had desired all along! I even got my 90 in math. I retained my class position and all in all, it was a happy ending. What s amazing about the result of all this was the fact that God gave me something I never deserved. I had been depending on my own abilities for the whole year to achieve good grades and I hadn t really turned to God for help. This time, He gave me strength and perseverance to complete my exams. One particularly strong memory was when I was lying in bed, too sick to even move, and I was crying, wondering if I should take my papers at all. I prayed and a phrase from my literature book, To Kill A Mockingbird, popped into my mind: Courage is when you know you re licked (headed for trouble) before you begin. But you begin anyway, and you see it through no matter what. My fear dissipated almost instantaneously and I believe that God placed that phrase in my mind that day, to give me the courage to face my fears. This experience has taught me about the power of prayer and how merciful and gracious God can be. His love knows no bounds and through this trial, I learnt that. Whenever I didn t know the answer to a question, --Page 9--

10 I prayed and through some miracle, the solution would appear in my mind. This has also helped me to forge a closer relationship with God, and understand that He is sovereign and has control over everything that happens, no matter how much we try to create perfect conditions using our own strengths. Without God, we are helpless and surrendering my results to Him made me understand that. Thus, I d just like to end off by saying, whenever you feel powerless or unhappy, turn to God and He will turn things around for you in the end, just like He did for me. God is Love. Love not the world. I John 2:15 Love it not, and yet love it. Love it with the love of Him who gave His Son to die for it. Love it with the love of Him who shed His blood for it. Love it with the love of angels who rejoice in its conversion. Love it to do it good, giving your tears to its sufferings, your pity to its sorrows, your wealth to its wants, your prayers to its miseries, and to its fields of charity, and philanthropy, and Christian piety, your powers and hours of labour. You cannot live without affecting it, or being affected by it. You will make the world better, or it will make you worse. God help you by His grace and Holy Spirit so to live in the world as to live above it, and look beyond it; and so to love it that when you leave it, you may leave it better than you found it. (Guthrie) [Edited by D.L. Moody] --Page 10--

11 Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. (Psalm 139:23,24) Often the busyness of life prevents us from quiet moments of solitude and profitable contemplation and reflection. There is a time to be still and know that He is God (Psalm 46:10). The hymn writer says, Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy God. We need to heed this advice that is often neglected today. Below are 20 questions for our personal inspection of ourselves as we end the year and begin the next year right with God. --Page 11--

12 Sin is pleasant but unprofitable. Affliction is unpleasant but profitable. By affliction, the Lord separates the sin that He hates from the soul that He loves. He sends affliction to take the dirt of the world out of the hearts of His children! "Before I was afflicted I went astray but now I keep Your word!" Psalm 119:67 As waters are purest, when they are in motion so saints are generally holiest, when in affliction. Some Christians resemble those doltish children, who will learn their lessons no longer than while the rod is on their backs! In the greatest affliction the Lord has sealed the sweetest instruction, "It was good for me to be afflicted so that I could learn Your statutes!" Psalm 119:71 Many Christians are not bettered by the judgments they see when they have bettered by the judgments they have felt. The gold is refined by being in the furnace! Likewise, with the Christian, "I have refined you in the furnace of suffering!" Isaiah 48:10 --Page 12--

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14 This majestic and victorious song Give Thanks to God the Lord echoes the words in 1 Chronicles chapter 16. The theme of this song is remembering God s wonderful deeds - His fulfillment of His promises - and to give thanks to God. This hymn was written by Susan Helen Peterson ( ). Ms. Susan have helped keyboard Bibles and New Testaments that needed to be put into electronic format, so that they could be updated or adapted for other languages. Ms Susan s career as a hymn writer began in 1997, when she set a goal of writing 100 hymns. Her method was to select a passage of Scripture for each song and then find a hymn tune that seemed to fit the passage. She thus combined the enduring Word of God with melodies that have stood the test of time. Her songs were a blessing to her, and she was pleased to be able to share them with others. In 1 Chronicles 16 - there s a thanksgiving celebration going on when Israel brought the ark of the covenant of the Lord. About 3,000 years ago the Hebrew people - under King David have come together to celebrate a tremendous victory and their freedom from the oppression of the Philistines. God s promises have been fulfilled as He delivered them from their enemies. There, they praised God everyday (verse 37 and 40). This hymn expresses the magnificence of God, for The LORD reigneth, He is greatly to be praised, for He is our creator and our Saviour. (stanza 3) We worship Him because of His nature- He is holy and His mercy endureth forever. It is a call for all to declare His mighty works (stanzas 4 and 5) and people are to remember to honour God by giving thanks to Him. We are to remember God --Page 14--

15 as He also remembers His covenant with the people and continue to bless them (stanza 2). When we begin to give thanks, the peace of God, joy, and courage appears. When we give thanks, God is glorified. Therefore, I strongly encourage you to honour God; this can be done through many ways for example, being a blessing to someone and giving your time to Him. "Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." (Proverbs 3:9-10) God promises that as you honor Him through giving, He will honor you through blessings. For Thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. Teach me Thy way, O LORD; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name. I will praise Thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify Thy name for evermore. (Psalm 86: 10-12) --Page 15--

16 The Attributes of God A Book Review by by Arthur W. Pink Lam Weng Ngai Every Christian s greatest desire is to know and be known of God. It is the object of our greatest hopes to one day see our Lord in the fullness of His glory, face to face, and to know even as also [we are] known (1 Cor 13:12). But while our Lord tarries in His return, the only means by which He may be known to us is through His revelation of Himself in the written word. While the person of our Lord is not divided into separate, opposing offices, we may study of his character in his different attributes. The wrath of God is not divided, neither by time, emotion or chance, from His grace and mercy, and yet He has revealed these qualities of His character to us in ways more easily understood by our simple minds. Arthur Walkington Pink is known by many to be one of the greatest Christian authors of the 20 th Century. His timeless works which reflect strong Calvinistic/Puritan theology continue to be printed extensively today and many extracts have been published in this CYV as well. The Attributes of God is a topical study of the individual attributes of our Lord from His Supremacy to His Goodness to His Wrath. The approach is rather systematic, and a faithfully biblical. The short chapters also stand alone rather independently, which is helpful to readers who may not have the luxury of completing a book in long, uninterrupted sittings. As would be expected, such topics as the knowledge, sovereignty, immutability, holiness, patience, mercy, grace, etc. of God are examined. But on top of this, the author chooses also to include in this book a study of the Decrees of God (2 nd Chapter), as well as the Contemplation of God (17 th Chapter) which I felt were interesting topics of consideration. For a more in-depth study of the attributes of God, Pink has also written individual whole books on many of these attributes including but not limited to: The Sovereignty of God (one of his most famous works), The Patience of God, The Decrees of God, etc. John 17:3 says And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. The Attributes of God are the revelation of God himself, and it should be every Christian s desire to study and know these attributes. --Page 16--

17 The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards 28 Dec 2008 Pastoral letter by Pastor Isaac Ong Dearly beloved, Jonathan Edwards is one of the most important Puritan theologians in North America. He was greatly used by God to bring about the First Great Awakening a true evangelical revival in America in 1740 s. There was no secret to Edwards effectiveness as a servant for our Lord Jesus Christ. He gave himself completely to God. One time, Edwards prayed, I feel an ardency of soul to be emptied and annihilated, to lie in the dust and be full of Christ alone, to love Him with a holy and pure love, to trust in Him, to live on Him, and to be perfectly sanctified and made pure with a divine and heavenly purity. As a reminder to himself that he was not his own, but that he was redeemed by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus, Edwards composed set of guidelines for self-discipline and godly living. Edwards began his Resolutions when he was just about 19 years old, and wrote 70 resolutions. Edwards pledged to read them once a week for the rest of his life. But more than just reading them, Edwards lived by them. You will find that these resolutions reflect the heart of a man who was well aware that he was not a finished product, but one that was still in the making. And so it is with every born-again person. The Apostle Paul acknowledged this spiritual struggle For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For --Page 17--

18 the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Rom 7:15-24). With Regard to Commitment to God Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God s glory in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many soever, and how great soever. [Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God (1 Cor 10:31)]. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it. With Regard to Christian Service Resolved, never to do anything but duty, and then according to Ephesians 6:6-8, to do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man: knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord. With Regard to Prayer and Communion with God Resolved, when I find those groanings which cannot be uttered (Rom 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those breakings of soul for the longing it hath, of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the --Page 18--

19 utmost of my power, and that I will not be weary of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this, all my life long, with the greatest openness to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance. Resolved, never to count that a prayer which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept. With Regard to Christian Testimony On the supposition, that there was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely Resolved [that] I strove with all my might to be that one. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken, my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel ad act good-naturedly. With Regard to the Purpose of Life Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life. Resolved, that I will live so, as I shall wish I had done when I come to die. --Page 19--

20 Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust. Resolved, to ask myself, at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly, in any respect, have done better. YouthVOICES Volume 7 Issue 1 With Regard to Relationships with Other People Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God [In lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves (Phil. 2:3)]. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality [It is more blessed to give than to receive (Acts 20:35)]. Resolved, never to do any thing out of revenge. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger towards irrational beings. Resolved, never to do any thing, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him. With Regard to Spiritual Growth Resolved, to live so, at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, --Page 20--

21 and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before. With Regard to Church Membership Resolved, to do always, what I can towards making, maintaining, and preserving peace, when it can be done without overbalancing detriment in other respects. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church. With regard to Speech Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity. Resolved, never to say any thing at all against any body, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor. With Regard to Suffering and Fears Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, and what I might have got by them. --Page 21--

22 Up close and personal with YouthVOICES Volume 7 Issue 1 Interviewed by Lim Wei Yang So Daniel, tell us about yourself! I m a very different person unlike people from my school, because people from my school are also diff. I guess we re all different! *Laughs* So, do you have any ambitions? What do you be when you grow up? I want to be a singer, but I also want to remember that everything has to be done to the glory of God. I understand you go to SOTA (School Of The Arts). So what s your school life like? Do you ever see God work in you in school? Sadly no! I don t see God work in me in school. But school is very tiring. Although we don t have a lot of work but we stay back till 4 or 5. Since we don t have CCAs, it s made up with music lessons, such as theory and music and other things such as concerts (we stay back till 7 to 9), and I reach home very late. Does that affect your QT? If so, how do you adapt to that? Yes! I m always too tired to do anything! But thankfully we don t have concerts very often. Do you have a lot of Christians in your school? No, my school generally tries to avoid religion in general. Do you see it as a hindrance? To a certain extent maybe, because sometimes my friends around me will be like eh what re you doing? oh I m going to pray oh come with us to eat stuff and go Plaza Sing! so there are a lot of distractions I guess. Also, you cannot really concentrate on God while you re in school. Although I have a friend from Pandan BP. --Page 22--

23 So how long have you been in the YF, and do you think you have grown a lot? About 1½ years. I have grown and known what the daily manna is, at first I thought it was a book with deep meanings that I wouldn t understand but now I know that it can be used for quiet time. Have you ever felt God working in your life? When I was primary 3, I had a very bad stomachache, and I couldn t move. So my parents prayed for me and my stomachache went away, and I called it a miracle. I haven t had any more miracles ever since, although it would be nice, then I wouldn t have to go and see a doctor! I understand you recently went on a mission trip, how was it? Most of the time we went visiting churches and staying to see their fellowships and prayer meetings and visitations. And when we visit their church, we know what they need and we can pray for them better, and know what we re praying for more clearly. And of course there was a lot of time to play. A lot of weird things also happened. *laughs* What kind of weird things? Like, Wan Hui went, so I don t have to explain right! What did you learn the most? That we should be thankful for what we have, like, we have a nice church, 3 stories high, a big sanctuary, nice carpet and big fellowships with a lot of members. But the churches up there are small with not many people and some of the churches do not have big buildings and not much facilities, but they can still come together and I m very thankful that I stay in Singapore where I have so many privileges and blessings from the Lord. Is there any special message to tell the YFer? Yes! I want all to go for mission trips! It s very fun, and we get to see what they do there! --Page 23--

24 YouthVOICES Volume 6 Issue 5 Sep/ Oct 2010 January 9 Matthew 16 Chia De Zhong February 2 Keene 7 Jeremy Lu 14 Rachel 18 Wan Xian 20 Joni 23 Wanhui 26 Wei Yang May your birthday be blessed by God s goodness Filled with His joy Warmed by His love News and Announcements Youth Fellowship Calendar (2011) Date Message Speaker Chairing 1-Jan Year Dawn Message Dn Kenny Exco 8-Jan The Attributes of God: His Knowledge & Power Eld Willie Low Daniel 15-Jan The Attributes of God: His Pr Quek Keng Sovereignty Khwang Elijah 22-Jan Old Paths(I): Narrow the way, Pastor Isaac Few that find Ong Isaiah 29-Jan Old Paths(II): New Covenant, Pastor Isaac Old God Ong Jeremiah 5-Feb The Attributes of God: His Rev Charles Immutability Seet Ezekiel 12-Feb The Way of Man is not in Himself (Jer 10:23,24) Eld Foong Daniel 19-Feb The Attributes of God: His Faithfulness Not Confirmed Elijah 26-Feb Old Paths(III): Faith of the Pastor Isaac Fathers Ong Isaiah The Calvary Youth Fellowship meets every Saturday at 7.00pm in room 3.4/3.5. CALVARY BIBLE-PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH To Know Christ 1 Tao Ching and Road to Make Singapore Him Known Tel: Fax: Page 24-- Website: