True Fasting and Prayer

It was a great time of fasting and praying these few days for me! On my last day of fasting(which was wed), i was just praying in the locker room during my lunch break for my oikos, for Radics, for ignyte ministry and 30mins just flew by and I couldn't even finish what I wanted to pray. Its amazing how God stirs up within us a burden for the things around us and shows us what to pray for as we declare our dependency on Him!

Some things to thank God for :)
1. Two people so far from my department have agreed to come for 4 ONE! (Though it must be noted that I must follow up on this. We all know how often people have something "cropped up" at the very last min)
2. One of my former jc section-mates, who backslided about a year ago, will most probably be coming back to ignyte service this weekend!

Let me elaborate on the second point :)
A few of us were hanging out in the office(in fact we were hiding from the watchful eye of our boss) and one of the guys plugged in his ipod. Then this guy called dino(pronounced dee-know) walked over and chose the song "Heart of Worship" and we started singing along hahaha. Actually come to think of it, all of us gathered there happened to be christians.
After about 2 mins, my old friend walked in and joined us. He chose the song "With All I am" and started reminiscing about the old times he was active in church, how he used to be an SP an how God spoke to him in his TAWG through this song.
At that very moment, I knew God was doing something special :)

I am just so filled with awe and wonder at the way God works in our daily lives. Lets not underestimate the power of prayer! Because when we call upon His name, pray against the work of the devil and intercede for our workplaces/schools, it paves the way for God to open the floodgates of heaven and do His work wherever we are!

"if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways. then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place." 2 Chronicles 7:14

If any of you have any other testimonies to share, feel free to post! :)


- Bro Nic

And I know that I can find You here
'Cause You promised me You'll always be there
Times like these, it's hard to see
But somehow I have a peace, You're near
And I pray that You will use my life
In whatever way Your name is glorified
Even if surrendering
Means leaving everything behind

My life has never been this clear
Now I know the reason why I'm here
You never know why You're alive
Until you know what you would die for
I would die for You

And I know I don't have much to give
But I promise You I will give You all there is
Can I possibly do less
When through Your own death I live?

No greater love is found
Than of those who lay their own lives down
As sure as I live and breathe
Now I know what it means to be free

I was look for the song I would die for You by Mercy Me, the song played during chapel, and I came across this video using the song as the music. It really touched me, the things in the video. I hope you guys have the time to watch the whole thing, and it is my prayer that this video will impact you.

Going beyond religion

Surely children weren't made for the streets
And fathers were not made to leave
Surely this isn't how it should be
Let Your Kingdom come
Surely nations were not made for war
Or the broken meant to be ignored
Surely this just can't be what You saw
Let Your Kingdom come
Here in my heart

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

Surely life wasn't made to regret
And the lost were not made to forget
Surely faith without action is dead
Let Your Kingdom come
Lord break this heart

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

Your Name
Is a shelter for the hurting
Jesus Your Name
Is a refuge for the weak
Only Your Name
Can redeem the undeserving
Jesus Your Name
Holds everything I need

I will live
To carry your compassion
To love a world that's broken
To be Your hands and feet
I will give
With the life that I'd been given
And go beyond religion
To see the world be changed
By the power of Your Name

"I am not going to be religious."

Does that statement shock you? I think the song is very apt for what God calls us to do, and especially the line in the chorus, go beyond religion.

Are we just being religious Christians who go to church, pray everyday and do our TAWG? Or are we being true Christians who are living for God, reaching out for the lost and broken around us?

Especially now since we're having SPA, since we're getting closer to promos, since we're all slowly but surely feeling the pressure of JC life. Are we letting these unimportant things get in the way of what God is trying to do in our lives, or through them?

This line was shared during chapel in school, "You are not truly alive until you know what you would die for."

The answer definitely isn't our grades, but God. Are we making that extra effort as Christians, as IGNYTErs, as God's tools, to impact those around us and bless them? Let's continue to pray for the strength to do so, even as we juggle our schoolwork. Let's not lose sight of God's plans for us!

In His service,
Xiang An

Some thoughts for the day.

When I say..." I am a Christian"
I'm not shouting "I am saved"
I'm whispering "I get lost"
"That is why I chose this way"

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I don't speak of this with pride
I'm confessing that I stumble
and need someone to be my guide

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not trying to be strong
I'm professing that I'm weak
and pray for strength to carry on

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not bragging of success
I'm admitting I have failed
and cannot ever pay the debt

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I'm not claiming to be perfect,
my flaws are all too visible
but God believes I'm worth it

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I still feel the sting of pain
I have my share of heartaches
which is why I seek His name

When I say..."I am a Christian"
I do not wish to judge
I have no authority
I only know I'm loved

This poem was shared by a teacher during morning Scripture reading in school :) Let us never forget God's grace and love working in our lives, and trust in Him as our guide!

I know a lot of Christian friends who get emo over failure and making mistakes, but I believe as Christians we're not called to be perfect or "holier than thou" to others, but to live our lives the best we can to glorify God and be a good testimony to His name. Let us continue to encourage each other and our friends around us. Our Father in heaven never judges us by our mistakes and failures, but by our hearts, so let's keep our hearts pure and do our best!

Have a great week ahead!

Xiang An

This week is SPA week for some of us.

May we carry out our experiments with faith and precision.

May we be able to answer the questions with wisdom and accuracy.

May we be able to finish the practical on time.

May we continue to trust in God for good results in our Science Pratical Assessment.

All the best guys.

Joel

Your Hands and Feet

I was just looking at the Radics cell vision:

Dare to be Different
Look at things from God's point of view
Step out of comfort zone
Intensive Care Unit
To be a light and build people up

I might not have been here when this vision was birthed, but I really believe in it! 8 months have passed since the start of the year and the question i have is whether every single person in this cell has been embracing it. Many of us have been caught up in the whole busy-ness of jc life, of tutorials and projects and cca practices and new friends and new love and the list goes on.
I've been through it! And its really not easy.

But you know, one solid truth that I've learnt through those times was that when we take care of the Father's business, He will take care of yours.

Isaiah 41:10
"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."

God never fails you, sometimes we just need to take that step of faith before He begins to pour out His miracles into your life.

So, remember His promises and hold on tight to your vision for the cell! We're going to make the last quarter of this year 2009 count for Jesus! :)


-Brother Nic (to val: I am niclam haha!)