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I went for my first mission trip today. It is so great a fun. After 4 years, I finally have the chance to step out of Singapore. Though it is a near place, Johor Bahru, I am totally excited. I learnt about assembling the sound equipment though I believe I need more practice and though the people is not many, but I can sense great faith in each and every one of them.

I was helping to entertain a 8 old year old child. His name is Nelson. We talked for some time, played for half hour or so. A creative idea which is to ask him to take 10 pictures and connect it to a story. It is very difficult for him. He could manage up to 3 pictures but it is ok. Because as long as he has fun, that's good enough. I treated him to soup and milo too... Boy, did I not expect that he opened up to me. Told me that his father has a affair and his parents about to divorce. From the mouth of an 8 yr old, I can feel his confusion and troubled within him. At a tender age of 8, I at that time is more innocent than all these. Do pray that he will get stronger.

Pictures -

A bit similar to Aaron, rite?

Nelson ( I asked him to play dead for my story line on the 10 pictures )

City Harvest Outreach JB at Tropical Inn

Louis Koo alike?!

Eujean n I for the first mission trip to JB! Yeah!

Malaysia Checkpoint

Morning wake up veri blurry...

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Someone told me to update my blog and now here it is. This whole entire week, I have been having mock cell group and it is indeed very enjoyable, learning the different ways of doing the different segments of a cell group and also receiving fresh revelations from fellow SOT students.

My sermon:

Halleluah! Who enjoyed the testimonials just now? Before we begin, let’s close our eyes and commit this time to the Lord. Amen. Turn to your neighbours and say, “You will enjoy the Word later.” Friends, in life we have many crossroads. And when you reach the crossroad, do you have the faith to move forward or do you not? So what does it mean to have faith at the crossroads of your life? This is my message title this morning. What does it mean to have faith at the crossroads of your life?

Let’s open the Bible to our first passage this morning. Joshua 2

Now this is a story about Joshua sending two spies and in the midst of spying, they chanced upon Rabab. Because of Rahab’s faith, her entire household was saved from the destruction of Jerico.

(Look with me to Joshua 2: 2-4)

The first meaning - 1) Faith means seeing the Bigger Picture

Rahab was a harlot. She was a prostitute. She could be a materialistic woman. When the king knew about the 2 spies, he was willing to give huge rewards for their heads. In the past, Rehab could have bought a storeroom of Chanel bags but now with the reward, she can buy a palace of Chanel bags for her to even swim into. But did she reveal the location of the 2 spies? No, she did not. She saw a bigger picture than all these material possessions. She knew that these possessions could not satisfy her happiness. She saw God as the solution to her heart. And that is what faith is about. Seeing a bigger picture. Abraham saw the number of descendants he could have. Even though he has no son yet. Moses saw a land beyond the Red Sea though the Sea is preventing the Israelites from crossing over. These are the heroes of faith. The present might not be rosy but they looked on to the future for faith holds on to hope for the future no matter how bad the circumstances may be at the present.

Second meaning -

2) Faith means taking action.

James 2:17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. Rahab is a woman of faith. But as a woman of faith, did she ignore the 2 spies when the king was looking for them? No. She brought them up to the roof, she let them down by a rope through the window. She told them to go to the mountain to hide. She bound the scarlet cord in the window. All these take action. Faith is not just a fact, but it is also an act. What does it mean to have faith at the crossroads?

Third meaning –

3) Faith means trusting and believing.

Ulf Ekman once said, “The day the believer really believes will spell the end of the devil’s influence of his or her life.” Go with me to Joshua 2: 21

Personally, I learnt this lesson from God last year. My parents went to China last year and I wanted to surprise them by welcoming them when they returned. I woke up late. Their arrival time is 8 am. And I woke up at that time itself. I rushed down to take a cab but there are no cabs in sight. After 20 minutes, I went back home, complaining and grumbling to myself repeatedly why I am so stupid that I wake up late. As I am about to step out from the lift, I heard a distinct voice of God telling me that I could step out and spend the whole day grumbling about myself or step back to believe and trust in Him. So I did. I went down again. A taxi stopped in front of me. When I was traveling, I prayed that it will not be a case of I on the journey towards the airport and my parents on the journey back home. I reached the airport at 8.40. At that time, there are no bags on the belt but I still trusted. Somehow my head turned to the wine shop and there my parents coming out from the shop. It is a “coincidence” that my desire is fulfilled. From that day on, I know that faith is really about trust in God. So friends, do you want to step out and venture on your own or step back in to the embrace of God, believing that everything will work out fine? I leave you with this question to ponder upon. Let’s close our eyes in prayer.

Pictures of mock cell group venue: