Where's The Line To See Jesus??

Posted by Eunice | | Posted On Monday, December 21, 2009 at 2:13 PM

Christmas is just a few days away from now.. i believe many of us are busy preparing for christmas right now- buying presents, practising for the performances etc.. but let us not forget about the true meaning of christmas.. here's a very beautiful song about christmas.. listen to the meaningful words as you play this video..



as sung in the song, "santa brought us presents but Jesus gave His life for you and me"

and i found this somewhere :
"SANTA IS A HOLIDAY.. JESUS IS CHRISTMAS. IT'S MERRY CHRISTMAS NOT HAPPY HOLIDAYS OR MERRY X'MAS.. JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON !"

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE !!! Jesus is Christmas...

Carpe Manana Wallpapers

Posted by Deric Lee Yee Yang | | Posted On Tuesday, December 15, 2009 at 4:36 PM

Ignyte Camp 2009 was great.
Thanks to everyone who attended the camp.
It was fun while it lasted. Time flies while you enjoy.

I have came up with a wallpaper in remembrance of the camp,

Enjoy (right click the links below and "Save As")

Normal Ratio 4:3

Widescreen Ratio 16:10

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Monday, December 7, 2009 at 4:48 PM

READ

Acts 14: 8-20

ZEUS was king of the Greeek gods and controller of the weather. HERMES, another Greek god, was the guide of the living and the dead, the god of travellers, and Zeus' attendant and messenger. The people of Lystra must have been crazy to mistake Paul and Barnabas for them. They wanted to worship them like gods!

PRAY

Are you a bit keen on a particular leader at your church or group? They're not gods. If they weren't around would you still be keen on being a Christian? Talk to God about it.

Facing the Giants

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Saturday, December 5, 2009 at 9:37 PM

Hi! we have finally watched the entire film. What is your response? How do you feel after watching the film?

Which scenes impact you the most?

1. I am touched by the "death crawl" scene. Brock Kelley accomplishes something neither he nor his teammates thought possible - all because he commits to give 100%.

2. The revival scene in the school field. Because of one man's persistent prayer - Mr. Bridges, Shiloh's hall-walking prayer warrior, revival broke out in the school.

3. In the scene when Brock was too exhausted and ready to quit in the 4th quarter of the championship game, Coach Taylor reminded him, "It's easy to lead when you're strong. But now is when you lead."

4. Brooke Taylor's prayer of surrender - "I will still love You." - even when it appears that she won't get the baby she longs for. Only then is her longing fulfilled. Not only did she have one baby but another coming on the way. . .

In his post-game wrap-up, Coach Taylor tells his players, "I hope today is a milestone for what (God) can do fo the rest of your life, if you trust Him."

Is there anything impossible with God?

Is there ........?

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Friday, December 4, 2009 at 3:15 PM

When Paul and Barnabas performed miracles and wonders, some people believed in God as a result, and some people didn't.

READ

Acts 14: 1-7

Where's the Holy Spirit in all this? He doesn't actually get a mention in these verses, but you should know enough about him by now to see that his power is clearly visible in these verses.

PRAY

Lord, may my life show that you live in me when where there's no chance to talk about you.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, December 3, 2009 at 11:08 AM

The old Jewish religion, based on keeping God's law, was called "Judaism". God's law was written out in the first five books of the Old Testament and contained all the rules about how God wanted people to live. Jews met together in synagogues to hear the law being read and to worship God.

Sometimes when Jews became Christians and trusted in Jesus - not the law - to bring them closer to God, they left the synagogues. That left the followers of Judaism a little upset. (Well, OK, a lot upset. In fact, they were quite jealous.)

READ

Acts 13: 44-52

The presence of the Holy Spirit will often cause conflict between people.

Your friends may tell you, "Don't go to church (Ignyte) today, come for a game of football." And if you don't, he will say, "Well, then I'm not your friend anymore."

Do these things still happen today?

  • People get jealous of Christians when they've got a good thing going (v. 45)
  • Christians speak the truth and it hurts
  • Christians are persecuted for speaking up for God (v. 45, 50).
PRAY

. . . for anyone you know who is finding it tough being a Christian at the moment. Ask God to give them strength through the Holy Spirit.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Wednesday, December 2, 2009 at 10:35 PM

READ

Acts 13:32-43

Jesus was such good news that God wanted to make sure everyone knew. The Holy Spirit helped Paul explain God's great plan.

Promises to Abraham and Messages from the Prophets Promises in the Psalms
the others (v.32) (v. 34) (v.35)

JESUS CHRIST crucified and risen (v. 36, 37)

Forgiveness and freedom for all believers (v. 38, 39)

The people of Antioch would have known by heart the Old Testament verses that Paul quotes, and they would have made instant sense to them. Today, however, these verses can seem very difficult for us to understand. Paul reminds the people of the Old Testament prophecies and psalms which spoke of the coming of Jesus as God's chosen one - as the climax of God's great plan for all his people.

But even so, not many people believed him (v.41). A few did (v. 42, 43).

God has never given up trying to tell people the good news about Jesus . . . from the Old Testament through to the New Testament, and on to today in the lives of Christians.

PRAY

. . . that the Holy Spirit will help you see God's plan at work where you are, in what you are doing and in the people you meet today.


Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, December 1, 2009 at 10:58 AM

READ

Acts 13:13-16, 26-31

Paul travelled all over the place telling people about Jesus - how he died (v. 29), how he rose from the dead, and how he is alive today (v.31). It was a real message of encouragement to the people of Antioch (v.15)!

The Holy Spirit wants us to encourage people, too. Try some of these sentences out on your family and friends (make sure you mean them!):

  • You're really good at .....
  • I like it when you.....
  • You make me feel good about .......
  • Thank you, you're .........
But the Holy Spirit wants us to encourage people in a much more important way, by strengthening them in their faith and helping them to keep going as Christians.

Have a go at filling this in:

"I'm going to say something encouraging to _________________________in the next twenty-four hours. I'm going to say to them that ____________________________

I'm going to pray for the Holy Spirit to help me."

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Monday, November 30, 2009 at 12:26 PM

Hi! we are at the end of the month of November today. And soon the year will be over. Tomorrow will be December and soon the year will be over.

I was in a Foursquare church, El Shaddai in Permatang Pauh yesterday. It was exciting to be worshipping with a whole group of Sabahans. Except for the pastor and wife, and Ps Henry and I, the rest were all from Sabah.

I have invited myself and our youths to go on a mission trip to this church on 31st January, 2010. Instead of flying to Sabah, we have Sabah just one and half hours journey away.

Will discuss with you all more about this. But just to get you all excited about what is in store next year.

Back to our Bible study on the book of Acts.

FAST FOOD - What is this got to do with the Holy Spirit?

READ

Acts 13: 1-5

Oops, sorry!

It is not Fast Food but it is NOT FOOD = FAST

We read in verse that the Christians in Antioch were "serving the Lord and fasting".

Fasting doesn't just mean skipping a meal or not bothering to eat. It means giving over the time that you would have spent preparing and eating a meal to spend more time with God - praying, listening to God and reading the Bible.

If you have not fast before, take it slowly. Fast one meal at a time. Then extend to one day. You can have a Daniel's Fast which is meatless, or just water fast, or juice fast.

There may be other things that you can give up in order to concentrate on spending more time with God. Jot down here what they might be.

________________________________________________

PRAY

Ask the Holy Spirit to direct and guide you as you spend more time with God.

Facing the Giants

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Saturday, November 28, 2009 at 11:18 PM

Hey guys!

Fourteen more days to Camp! Are you excited?

Sorry that we were not able to finish watching the film due to some technical problem. We will finish watching the film next week.

But I am sure you have been blessed by the film so far.

For some reflections:

At the beginning of the show, Coach Grant Taylor is faced with a series of defeats and humiliations that affected his sense of self-worth and leave him wondering what God is doing. At one point, he refers to his seemingly insurmountable problems as "giants of fear and failure."

Let me ask you:

What are the "giants" in your world?

How does their presence affect your sense of self-worth?

How do they affect your vision of who God is and how He is working in your life?

The Holy Spirit

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, November 26, 2009 at 2:03 PM

THE HOLY SPIRIT

When Jesus left this earth to go to heaven, he promised his disciples that he would leave his spirit - the Holy Spirit - with them to comfort t1hem, to guide them, and to give them power. It would be just like having Jesus himself with them!

Jesus offers his Holy Spirit to all of us too. We can experience his presence and his power through the Holy Spirit each day.

But how do we know if we've got the Holy Spirit in us? Here's how we can be sure.

The Holy Spirit is at work in you when . . .

  • you believe that Jesus is the Son of God and your Saviour (1 Corinthians 12: 3)
  • you begin to pray honestly and expect God to answer (Romans 8:13)
  • your personality becomes more like Jesus (Galatians 5: 22, 23)
  • you experience God's power to do things you never thought you could d0 (Acts 1:8)
You receive the Holy Spirit the moment you accept Jesus as your Lord, but you continue to discover what the Holy Spirit can do in you for the rest of your life: new and exciting things, helping you feel loved by God when you most need it, helping you live a life that's worthwhile.

In Acts 2, you read about the experience that the disciples had when they waited for the Holy Spirit to come upon them. They were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak in tongues. Speaking in tongues is the initial physical evidence that shows that a person has been baptized with the Holy Spirit. Read all the examples in the Book of Acts, that each time the Holy Spirit comes upon the people, they began to speak in tongues.

Being baptized in the Holy Spirit with the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues then becomes the gateway for all other gifts of the Holy Spirit.

If you have received Jesus as your Saviour, you have the Holy Spirit. But you should seek for the subsequent experience, which is to be baptized with the Holy Spirit, with the initial physical evidence of speaking in tongues.
And if you have filled with the Holy Spirit, it is not a one time experience. In Ephesians 5: 18, Paul says: "Keep on being filled with the Holy Spirit." So keep on asking God. Don't give up.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Wednesday, November 25, 2009 at 11:18 PM

FACTFILE

Name: BARNABAS
Birthplace: CYPRUS
Job: MISSIONARY
Religion: JEWISH CHRISTIAN

To find out a little bit more about Barnabas . . .

READ

Acts 11: 19-30; 12: 25

  • The name Barnabas means "son of encouragement."

  • Barnabas encouraged the new Christians in ________________(vs. 22, 23) and later gave up a whole year to teach them with _____________(vs. 25, 26).

  • He was full of the ____________ and _______________ (v. 24) and many people were _________________ through him (v. 24).

For more information on Barnabas, check out Acts 4: 36; 9:27; 15:12.

PRAY

In what ways could you be more like Barnabas? Talk to God about it.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, November 24, 2009 at 10:42 AM

As far as a Jew was concerned, Gentiles were the scum of the earth. Jews wouldn't even eat with them. Gentiles didn't observe the food laws that God had given the Jews, and so were considered "unclean" by the Jews.

So what were the Jewish Christians to do when they heard that Gentiles were also becoming Christians?!

READ

Acts 11:1-18

It was an amazing vision that Peter described to his fellow Christians. The animals described in the white sheet are all "unclean" - not to be eaten - according to Old Testament laws. But here is the voice of God telling Peter to eat them (v. 7)! What can God be getting at?

After three goes at telling him, the vision ends. And Peter wakes up to find three men down at the door waiting to take him to their master, Cornelius, who is - wait - for it - a Gentile . . .

Peter goes with them, meets Cornelius, tells him about Jesus, and Cornelius, tells him about Jesus, and Cornelius becomes a Christian on the spot (and all his family, too!). Wonderful!

But what's God telling Peter through all this? God's message of salvation, and the gift of the Holy Spirit, is for everyone - Jews or Gentiles. So there can be no barriers between Jewish and Gentile Christians.

THINK

The Holy Spirit's hard at work in these verses. Can you spot what he's been doing? Pray that you'll see him working in your life today.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Monday, November 23, 2009 at 12:18 PM

Hi!

We continue our Bible discussion on the Book of Acts. A window. A rope. A laundry basket. Some friends. What do all these remind you of?

READ

Acts 9: 20-31

Can you imagine a grown man escaping over a wall, in the middle of the night, in a laundry basket? Funny, eh?!

I guess Saul wasn't in any mood for laughing. He'd discovered that being a Christian certainly wasn't the easy option - it brought him enemies who wanted to kill him (v. 23). But it also brought him power to speak the truth boldly (v. 20, 22, 28), and it brought him a new bunch of friends who kept him safe when things got difficult (v. 25, 30).

PRAY

. . . for the Christians who are always telling the truth about Jesus, even if it doesn't always make them popular. Pray, too, that the Holy Spirit will keep you safe when the going gets tough.

JESUS: OUR SPIRITUAL MODEL

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Saturday, November 21, 2009 at 10:35 PM

Hi guys! today we have Bro Yit Ti to lead the discussion. This is our last lesson on Discipleship II. Next year we start Discipleship III.

Bro Yit Ti emphasized that we need to grow in Christlikeness - this is Christian maturity.

One thing that strikes me is that he said we can only be obedient and submit to authority if we learn to be humble. And a humble person leads an active prayer life. For the more he prays, the more he is dependent on God and not on himself. An arrogant person does not know how to submit to authority and does not know how to be obedient. How true!

Very interesting in the home cell on Friday, we watched Reinhard Bonkke's Full Flame series. Reinhard also talked about the importance of humility. When we want to share the gospel, we need to have an attitude of humility. People may never open the Bible but Christians are an open book to them.

Our Lord Jesus is an excellent model of true humility. "Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped, but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death - even death on a cross." Philippians 2: 6-8

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that JESUS CHRIST IS LORD, to the glory of God the Father." Philippians 2: 9-11

God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble. Remember pride goes before a fall. Always keep our hearts tender before the Lord. Be careful that pride does not rear its ugly head.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Friday, November 20, 2009 at 12:33 PM

Who in you school would you hate to have to go and talk to about Jesus? Jot down the names of one or two people you are really scared of.

_______________________

________________________

READ

Acts 9:10-19

Just about the last thing in the world Ananias wanted to do was to go and talk to Saul. Everyone knew that Saul wanted to wipe out all Christians (v13). But God doesn't make mistakes. So Ananias did as he was asked (v17). And he found out that God had in fact changed Saul from a persecutor of Christians into a Christian friend.

God can change the "unchangeable" people in your life, too.

PRAY

. . . for someone you know who you think would never become a Christian in a million years. (Maybe one of those people you wrote down above). Pray that the Holy Spirit will help you to break down some of the barriers between you and them.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, November 19, 2009 at 2:58 PM

FACTFILE

Name: SAUL
Birthplace: TARSUS
Job: PERSECUTING CHRISTIANS
Religion: JEW, PHARISEE
Nationality: ROMAN CITIZEN

READ

Acts 9:1-9

Saul hates, curses and tries to destroy Christians (v. 1). A strong and powerful man, a real mean dude -then - BANG! FLASH! - his whole world is turned upside down by one encounter with Jesus. Saul becomes Paul. He's converted (v. 5).

For some people, conversion is Whizz Bang Flash quick change! For other people it takes days, weeks, years, to think it all out - they take small steps towards Jesus rather than one giant leap. Others seem to have known Jesus all their lives.

PRAY

Thank God that, through the Holy Spirit, people can have a complete change of heart. Thank God for the way the Holy Spirit has worked in your own life, to help you know Jesus better.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Wednesday, November 18, 2009 at 6:19 PM

IMAGINE

An angel suddenly appears in front of you and says, "Go to . . . and tell . . . about Jesus." How would you react?

READ

Acts 8: 26-40

Angel: Philip, go south (v. 26)

. . . and Philip did as he was told (v. 27)

Angel: Go over to that carriage (v. 29)

. . . and Philip did as he was told (v. 30)

Because of Philip's obedience, a top government official became a Christian. Have you ever told God that you're willing to obey him, to go where he wants and do what he wants? Yes . . . well . . . but . . .

How do I know it's God telling me to do something special or unusual?

  • It doesn't happen all the time. Just be ready
  • God won't tell you things he wants someone else to do . . So don't say to a friend "God has told me you should . . ."
  • Check it out with an older Christian.
  • God won't ask you to do things that will hurt other people, cause trouble or go against anything he says in the Bible.
PRAY

Lord, help me to be willing to go where you want and to do what you want.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, November 17, 2009 at 10:52 AM

READ

Acts 8:14-25

Peter and John placed their hands on believers and the Holy Spirit came into their lives (v.17). Sometimes the believers would start speaking in strange languages (Acts 2:4). It wasn't magic, but Simon thought it was (v. 18, 19) and tried to buy some to impress people with (v. 19). He just wanted power.

The power of the Holy Spirit isn't for impressing people. You can't earn it, buy it or just get it by being in the right place at the right time. You see . . .

  • God gives the Holy Spirit to every Christian
  • The Holy Spirit gives you a gift or gifts according to what he thinks is best for you and your church.
PRAY

Lord, if I ask for power to make me a better Christian, let it be because I want to please you and help other people, not because I want to be a show-off.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Monday, November 16, 2009 at 10:46 PM

QUESTION & ANSWER

Q. Are there such things as witches, black magic, and all that?

A. Yes.

Q. But what about horoscopes and Tarot cards and ouija boards and spirit of the coin? They're just a bit of fun, aren't they?

A. Umm - check out these verses for some biblical advice . . .

  • Leviticus 19:26 (second half of verse)
  • Deuteronomy 18: 10-12
Now check out which is stronger - the power of evil or the power of the Holy Spirit?

READ

Acts 8: 4-13

If God's power is stronger than the devil's, who is going to win in the end? So get off the losing side quick if you're on it or helping it!

Here are two pieces of advice. . .

  • If you've ever been involved in ouija boards, astrology, hypnosis or mind reading, etc., PRAY to Jesus, say you're sorry, and ask him to throw out anything harmful in your life. Ask an older Christian to pray with you.
  • If you've never been involved in these things, DON'T start!

STPM and SPM Exam!!

Posted by Fool | | Posted On at 6:54 PM

Dear Ignyte members,

Sue Jane and Mun Teng will start their STPM exam in 30 November below will be their schedule. Please pray

for them at the exact time for the subject they are going trough to support them on the exam!!

23 Nov – 8am till 11am MunTeng and Sue Jane - Pengajian am 2

24 Nov – 8am till 10.30am MunTeng - chemistry 2

25 Nov- 8am till 11am Sue Jane – Mathematics S1 and  Mun Teng  Matematics T1

26 Nov- 2pm till 5pm Sue Jane- Business Study 1

30 Nov – 8am till 1030am Mun Teng – Physics 2; 2pm till 5pm Sue Jane – Economy 1

1 Dec – 2pm till 5pm Sue Jane -  Mathematics S2, Mun Teng - Mathematics T2

2 Dec- 2pm till 5pm Sue Jane - economy 2

3 Dec – 8am till 11am Sue Jane - Business Study 2

9 Dec – 8am till 945am Mun Teng – Physics 1; 2pm till 4pm Sue Jane and Mun Teng – pengajian am

10 Dec – 8am till 9.45am Mun Teng – Chemistry 1

Pls pray for them to have an excellent result that able to get them into any course of the university that they want.

Eunice,

Pls post your brother SPM exam schedule! So we could pray for him!!!

ALL exam candidates!! Ganbate!!!!!!

God Bless You all!!

I want to be a Transformer

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Saturday, November 14, 2009 at 10:22 PM

Hi everybody!

Melanie should be the one to post this since she shared this topic at the Ignyte today.

Just share my thoughts here. Romans 12:2 tells us not to be conformed to this world. The Phillips translation has it as " do not allow the world to squeeze you into its mould." We live in this world and it is so easy for us to be conform to the patterns of this world especially in our thinking. That is why Paul goes on to say that "we need to be transformed by the renewal of our minds."

Our thoughts are so important, for "as the man thinketh, so he is." Our thoughts can affect our emotions, our will and our actions. So we need to think God's thoughts, for the Bible says, we have the mind of Christ. Renew your minds by reading the Word, memorizing the Word and meditating on the Word.

In order to be transformers, we ourselves must first be transformed. Transformation is not an outward change, like people who do cosmetic surgery or do an extreme makeover. But it is an inward change. Not just change in our behaviour, but change in our thinking which will bring about a change in our behaviour and every other aspects of our lives. There will be living streams of living water overflowing out of our lives into the lives of others and into the environment that we are in.

So Ignytes be change agents, not copy cats. You are the light of the world, the salt of this earth!

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, November 12, 2009 at 4:42 PM

What happens when we die?

Wow! what a topic! But it is true, isn't it that all of us will die sometime. Some of us may have had relatives or friends who have died. We don't like to think about death very often but when we do we want to know what will happen.

READ

Acts 7: 54-60; 8: 1-3

Stephen had a very horrible death but also a very special one. As he died he saw Jesus in heaven "standing at the right hand side of God" (v. 55).

Most people when they die, don't see visions of Jesus in heaven. But all Christians can be sure that Jesus will welcome them into heaven. That's what he died for. That's what the Holy Spirit in our lives promises.

The Holy Spirit was with Stephen as he died. In spite of the terrible way he was killed - being stoned by an angry mob - he was still able to pray that God would forgive them.

THANK

. . . God that the Holy Spirit is with us all through our lives and that he will be with us when we die.

God's Promises

Posted by Fiona | | Posted On Wednesday, November 11, 2009 at 9:00 PM

We all need constant reminder of God's promises in our lives for us to continue being faithful and grow deeper into relationship with Him. The video shows some of the many promises that can be found in the Bible. They are a gem. A must see.



Jesus loves us. ♥♥♥

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, November 10, 2009 at 11:37 AM

Will God keep me safe and happy if I trust him and obey him?

READ

Acts 6:8

Stephen
was one of the seven who were appointed to look after the needs of the poor. But he didn't stop at that. Stephen was a great preacher. He worked miracles. He was "full of faith and the Holy Spirit." He trusted and obeyed God. Surely he had a great future ahead of him!

READ

Acts 6:9-15

But Stephen's preaching brought opposition. Stephen was arrested and - as we'll see tomorrow - was put to death. God didn't keep him safe and happy.

Don't panic! Not everyone who lives for Jesus and talks about Jesus is going to be put to death! But God hasn't promised that following him will be easy. You may have found this already at school. Perhaps you've been picked on by other kids. David Lawrence in his book The Chocolate Teapot has got some good advice for people being bullied:

  • don't give in
  • pray for whoever is picking on you
  • don't repay wrong with wrong.
Stephen didn't give in, he didn't repay wrong with wrong, and he prayed for those who attacked him.

THANK

. . . God that his Holy Spirit helps us to cope with difficult times.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Monday, November 9, 2009 at 12:01 PM

Who is the most important person in the church?

Pastor? Treasurer? Youth Leader? Organist? Cleaner?

READ

Acts 6: 1-7

O
ne of the ways in which the early church cared for one another was by giving practical help to widows (women whose husbands had died and so had no one to support them) and others in need. A few people went around collecting money and goods each week, and then they distributed it to those in need.

Would we think this was a very important job? But look at the sort of people the apostles chose to be responsible for it: people "full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom" (v. 3). The apostles needed the Holy Spirit to help them preach the gospel. But those who did the ordinary everyday jobs in the church needed the Holy Spirit's help, too.

THANK

. . . God for all the people in your church who do the "behind-the-scenes" jobs. Thank God that the Holy Spirit can help them do their jobs just as much as he helps those who do the more "upfront" jobs like preaching and teaching.

What happened at Ignyte today?

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 8:59 PM

Today we watched a dvd from Reinhard Bonkke's "Full Flame Series." The titles are Who Jesus calls and equips and The Art of the Impossible.

We learnt that Jesus spent the whole night praying before he chose the 12 disciples. He did not go the best universities in Jerusalem to choose his disciples. But instead he chose ordinary fishermen, people whom the world considered to be nobodies.

Jesus does not choose us because of what we are, but because of what He makes from us.

We may see ourselves as Zero but when we make Christ number one in our lives, He adds value to us. We are valuable in His sight, we are precious.

We did an exercise, where we asked one person to represent Jesus. He is number one. And all of us lined up next to him. We are all zeroes, but when we stand next to Jesus, our zeroes have values, and we numbered ourselves until we reached trillion . . . until infinity (cannot count anymore).

Philippians 4:13 says, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength."

Hey guys! (gals included) if you are struggling and worrying about your exams now, believe that with Christ all things are possible. With Jesus, he can move the immovable, cure the incurable, and make the impossible possible.

Ephesians 3: 20-21: Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Friday, November 6, 2009 at 10:52 AM

Why are churches always asking for money?

I hesitated to put this question in print.
It is a complicated question and also a question that would be easily misunderstood. But the simple answer is that Christians don't always allow the Holy Spirit to guide them as they ought to.

READ

Acts 4: 32-37

Why were these Christians willing to be so generous? Because they allowed the Holy Spirit to fill and guide them (look at v. 31). They gave and shared because they wanted to, not because they were made to. We don't always think like that.

If we allowed the Holy Spirit to guide us like these early Christians did, the church would never need to ask for money. We would give because we wanted to, not because we were asked.

THANK

. . . God for all the people in your church who are generous with their money, their homes, their possessions and their time. Ask God to help you to learn how to give without being asked. For it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 1:37 PM

We continue our reading on the book of Acts.

What is an evangelist?

Has an evangelist ever come to your town or church? Billy Graham is probably the most famous evangelist in the world.

An evangelist is someone who preaches the good news (gospel) about Jesus and invites people to become Christians - like Peter on the day of Pentecost.

READ

Acts 2: 37-47

Peter's sermon had a big effect on people and they wanted to know what to do about it. So Peter prompted by the Holy Spirit told them. Look at verse 38 to see if you can remember what he said.

1. Turn ........................................

2. Be b .........................................

3. Your sins ......................................

4. You will r ..............................................

If somebody asks "How do I become a Christian?" Peter's four points would be a good summary to remember.

We're not all evangelists. But we can all take opportunities when people ask us about Jesus.

PRAY

. . . for friends you would like to lead to Christ. Invite them for the Ignyte camp 13-15th December. Don't miss this opportunity!

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Wednesday, November 4, 2009 at 11:20 AM

READ

Acts 2: 25-28

Problem

David wrote "You will not allow your faithful servant to rot in the grave" (v. 27). But David died and his grave was there in Jerusalem at the time Peter preached.

Answer

David wasn't writing about himself.

READ

Acts 2: 29-36

Although David was a king, not a prophet like Joel, the Holy Spirit enabled David to prophesy that one of his descendants would be the "Messiah" - God's chosen one, Jesus. And it was Jesus, not David, who was raised from the dead.

Peter didn't have time to sit down and read what the experts said about the Old Testament. The Holy Spirit helped him to understand how the words written hundreds of years before had been fulfilled in Jesus.

THINK

Peter used the Old Testament because it was the sort of evidence that would convince his listeners. What sort of evidence will convince your friends that Jesus is really God?

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at 10:28 PM

What is preaching all about?

When I have to preach a sermon, I sit down with my Bible and other books and prepare what I want to say.

Peter didn't have time to sit down and prepare. The Holy Spirit had come, and suddenly Peter was on his feet and preaching. (Remember, he was a fisherman - not a minister!). He told them about the message of the prophet Joel. But then what should he say?

READ

Acts 2:22-24

The Holy Spirit prompted Peter to tell the people about Jesus. What does Peter say about him?

  • Jesus is the Son of God (v. 22)
  • Jesus was crucified according to God's plan (v. 23)
  • God raised Jesus from the dead (v. 24).
Years later Paul was preaching that same message. Two thousand years later it's still being preached.

THINK

Do you ever wonder what to say to your friends about what you believe? Try to remember the three things Peter said.

Life Lesson From an Empty Jar

Posted by Ben - Chee Lupp | | Posted On at 3:38 PM

Hey guys, how's preparation for youth camp coming along? I know that you all will do the best for God. Anyway, I've just read about this from a book and I know it also has been sent around through emails but I still want to share it.

A teacher brought en empty jar into class. He filled it up with golf balls and asked the class whether is it full. The students reply yes. Then he added pebbles into the jar. The pebbles fill up the gaps in between the golf balls. The students laugh and realize that it is not full yet. Then again the teacher asked whether now it is full. The students said that now only it's full. Next, he took some sand and pour into the jar. The sand, like the pebbles, filled up the gap. Again the teacher asked whether it's full. The students now are not really sure whether to answer it or not. Lastly the teacher took a cup of coffee and poured it into the jar. The coffee filled up the jar. The students were astonished. One of the students asked what does this mean. 'Now,' said the professor, 'I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The golf balls are the important things - family, children, health and friends (things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, Your life would still be full). The pebbles are the other things that matter like your job, house, and car. The sand is everything else -the small stuff. 'If you put the sand into the jar first,' He continued, 'there is no room for the pebbles or the golf balls. The same goes for life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. So, pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Go out with your parents for dinner. Play with your children. Take time to get medical checkups. There will always be time to clean the house and fix the disposal. 'Take care of the golf balls first -- The things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.' One of the students raised her hand and inquired what the coffee represented. The professor smiled. 'I'm glad you asked'. It just goes to show you that no matter how full your life may seem, there's always room for a couple of cups of coffee with a friend.'

I know this article sounds very familiar but it really hit me. We should learn to prioritize. Fill our lives with things that are most important to us. Remember that God is the one who keeps us whole. So treat God and Jesus like tennis balls. Hehe... then only the golf balls comes in. So have you thanked God today or told your parents how grateful you are. Catch a movie with your family. Spend time with your siblings. Above all learn to appreciate everything that God had done for you. Take care

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Monday, November 2, 2009 at 11:37 PM

What is Prophecy?

A prophecy is a message from God. Sometimes it speaks about events that will happen in the future. Way back in the Old Testament the prophet Joel gave a message from God. Part of it was all about the day of Pentecost around 500 years later.

READ

Acts 2: 14-21

The crowd are amazed. But some decide to take the mickey, making out that the disciples are drunk (at 9 o'clock in the morning!). So Peter stands up to explain what is happening. And the Holy Spirit reminds Peter of the words Joel spoke.

The coming of the Holy Spirit was no accident. His coming wasn't a last-minute idea on God's part. He had been part of the plan all along. All through the Old Testament the Holy Spirit filled people so that God could use them in a special way. But from now on he was coming for all Christians everywhere.

THANK

. . . God that we don't have to be extra special people for the Holy Spirit to live in us. We just have to be part of God's family.

What we learnt at our discussion group today

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Saturday, October 31, 2009 at 10:22 PM

Hey guys!

Today we discussed the lesson on Spiritual Relationships. For those who are missing in action, (actually why re you absent from Ignyte ah?) we did Lesson 7 of Discipleship 2 today. One more lesson to go and we finish Discipleship 2 for this year. This will be on the third week of November.

Well, today this statement spoke to me:

"When you come to KNOW God, you will LOVE Him. And when you come to Love Him, you will want to SERVE Him. If you don't want to serve God, maybe it is because you don't really Love Him. And If you don't Love God, maybe it is because you don't really Know Him."

Do you agree with this statement?

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, October 29, 2009 at 11:50 AM

What is Pentecost?

The name "Pentecost" means the fiftieth day after Passover. It was a Jewish feast when people brought the "firstfruits" - the earliest part of the harvest - to the Temple.

READ

Acts 2: 1-13

The disciples were confused. Jesus had been crucified and they'd been in despair. Then he had risen from the dead and they'd been full of joy. They had spent forty days with Jesus, learning from him. Then he had ascended into heaven and they had been told to wait for the Holy Spirit. But what exactly were they waiting for? Would they recognize it when it came?

They noticed all right! Look again at verses 2-4. A rushing wind indoors! Tongues of fire, touching each person, but not burning them. And as if that wasn't enough, suddenly they found they could speak other languages which they hadn't learnt!

THANK

. . . God that the Holy Spirit still works today in exciting and dramatic ways. Thank God that the Holy Spirit also works in quiet ways in our lives, too.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Wednesday, October 28, 2009 at 10:25 PM

Hi! It is great to be home. The cost of living is very high in Hong Kong. Eating out can be very expensive. But it is interesting to note that eating at McDonald's is much cheaper than eating at the food stalls. We are so blessed to be living in Malaysia, where food is good, cheap and yummy.

Now for some spiritual food. Hope you are learning something about the Holy Spirit.

What does the Holy Spirit do in my life?

READ

Galatians 5: 16-21

plain. It shows itself in immoral, filthy, and indecent actions; in worship of idols and witchcraft. People become enemies and they fight; they become jealous, angry, and ambitious. They separate into parties and groups; they are envious, get drunk, have orgies and do other things like these. I warn you now . . .

Draw a line under any of the words in this verse which you think describe the society we live in. People haven't changed much in 2000 years, have they?

PRAY

Think of someone you know or a situation you've seen on the TV which shows these things in action. Pray for that person or that situation.

READ

Galatians 5: 22-26

But the Spirit produces love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, humility, and self-control.

Draw a line under any of the qualities in this list where the Holy Spirit has been helping you to improve. (For example, if he has been helping you to be more loving or more patient). Now put a circle around the qualities where you need help.

PRAY

. . . for the Holy Spirit to help you, especially with those things you've circled.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, October 27, 2009 at 5:42 PM

What is redemption?

Redemption means "buying something back." Suppose your bike was stolen. A few weeks later you see it in a second hand shop. Unfortunately you can't prove it's yours. The only way you can get it back is to pay the price the shop is asking.

READ

Galatians 4: 4-7

In New Testament times, if you couldn't pay your debts you could be sold as a slave. The only way you could be freed was if a friend or a member of your family could find enough money to buy you back.

When Jesus died on the cross he was paying the price to redeem us from slavery. We were slave to wrongdoing because we couldn't live the holy lives that God wanted us to live. No friends or family could buy us back. The price was a perfect life freely given up for us.

But more than freeing us from slavery, God has adopted us as his children (that's what the word "sons" means in verse 7).

THANK

. . . God for sending Jesus to die for us and for sending the Holy Spirit to live in us.

Power to Change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Monday, October 26, 2009 at 7:55 AM

Is the Holy Spirit only for Christians?

The Holy Spirit only lives within Christians. That's one definition of Christians - people who have the Holy Spirit living in them (look at Romans 8:9). But the Holy Spirit also works in people's lives before they become Christians.

READ

John 15: 26-27

When we tell our friends about Jesus it is the Holy Spirit who gives us the power and the courage. But it is also the Holy Spirit who works in our friend's lives to help them to understand the truth of what we are saying.

READ

John 16: 7-11

If we'd asked them, the disciples would probably have said that they would have liked Jesus to stay with them for ever. But Jesus says it's better for the Holy Spirit to come. why? Well, one reason is that Jesus could only be in one place at one time. Imagine if you had to go all the way to Israel to speak to Jesus! But the Holy Spirit is with all Christians everywhere.

THANK

. . . God for the Holy Spirit and especially the help he gives us in telling others about Jesus. Think of your friends who need to know Jesus. Write down the names of one or two of them and pray for them today that the Holy Spirit will help them to know the truth about Jesus.

Power to Change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Saturday, October 24, 2009 at 7:45 AM

Just before he died Jesus celebrated the Jewish festival of the Passover with his disciples. He turned it into a special way of remembering his death which we call Holy Communion. John in his gospel tells us some of the things Jesus taught his disciples on that night.

IMAGINE

. . . being in the room with Jesus that night. Jesus is very serious. He is talking about going away and you don't really understand where or why. How do you feel? Listen as he makes a special promise.

READ

John 14: 25-26

Why did the Holy Spirit come (v. 20)?

To be a EEHLPR ......................................... (feel in the blanks)

To ACEHT us ...................................

To help us to BEEEMMRR ..........................................

Still imagining you are in the room with Jesus, how do you feel about the promise that the Holy Spirit will come?

THANK

. . . God again for the Holy Spirit. Thank him especially for the way in which he helps us to understand the Bible.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Friday, October 23, 2009 at 7:10 PM

Hi guys!

This is the power of technology. Away from home and yet can still connect with you through the virtual world.

We continue our devotion on the Power to Change.

How do you know you are filled with the Holy Spirit?

IMAGINE

You are in a double-glazed room looking out of the window. How would you know the wind is blowing? Jesus used the wind as a way to explain to Nicodemus about the Holy Spirit.

READ

John 3: 7-12

From inside the room you can't see or hear the wind but you see its effects: trees bending, clothes blowing on the clothes line, and so on. That's the way we know that we are filled with the Holy Spirit. We see the effects of his work in our lives. Some of the things he does are:

  • he helps us to read the Bible
  • he helps us to pray
  • he helps us to tell our friends about Jesus.

Can you add some more to the list? (We'll see some of them as we go through this series)

The Holy Spirit doesn't make us instantly perfect. Some of us are very slow learners! But he's still at work in us.

THANK

. . . God for the Holy Spirit.

Power to change

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, October 22, 2009 at 9:32 AM

Today we start a new series called Power to Change.

How do you become a Christian?

By going to church? By being good? By being born in a Christian family? By being christened?

It's not surprising that people don't know the answer to that question. One of the important religious teachers of Jesus' time didn't know the answer.

READ

John 3: 1-6

Becoming a Christian is something God does through the Holy Spirit. It's like starting life all over again. But God doesn't just pounce on us and make us Christians whether we want to or not. We have to play our part. We must . . .

  • want to follow God
  • be sorry for what we've done wrong
  • believe that Jesus died so that we could be forgiven
  • ask God to make us a new person.
God . . .

  • forgives us (and goes on forgiving us)
  • gives us a fresh start
  • fills with his Holy Spirit
THINK

Are you a Christian? Do you want to become a Christian?

ASK

. . . the Holy Spirit to lead you to Jesus.

CHECKS

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Wednesday, October 21, 2009 at 2:09 PM

Here are some things about being a disciple of Jesus we've learnt over the last few weeks:

  • telling our friends about him
  • stopping being selfish
  • treating others well
  • putting Jesus first
  • working hard for Jesus
  • letting others see him in us
  • learning more about him
  • praying as Jesus showed us
  • trusting Jesus to answer
  • remembering God's power
  • thanking God for His love
The list could go on, and if we were always doing all those things, we'd be mega-disciples! BUT - we don't always.

Which do you think you're good at? Tick three of the items which you think need more work - ask Jesus to help you with them next week.

Jesus understands when we don't do as well as we'd like to. He doesn't ever stop loving us, whatever we're like.

Pray about the things that "need more work", and ask Jesus to help you to:

". . . see him more clearly,
love him more dearly,
follow him more nearly,
day by day."

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 11:25 AM

For some reason, it always used to take us longer to do the decorating than we thought it would - we would get started OK but finishing took ages! Others would get fed up waiting . . . .

READ

Luke 14: 25-33

We should have worked out how much time it would take first - like the man in verse 28 did with the money!

Deciding to be a disciple is not something to rush into without thinking about it. Verses 25-27 and 33 remind us that we need to put Jesus first in everything. What might it cost you?

  • Time?
  • Money?
  • Friends?
  • Anything else?
Remember, too, that Jesus knows what we're like - that sometimes following him is hard. But he's always there to help us, his love is everlasting, and nothing can stop him loving us.

PRAY

Tell Jesus how you feel about being his disciple - whether you find it hard or easy. Thank him that he understands and is always with you.

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Monday, October 19, 2009 at 11:57 AM

THINK

What things make you afraid?

  • Open spaces
  • Flying
  • Spiders
  • Heights
  • Something else .......................
In a survey of what people were most afraid of, the biggest fear was of spiders!

READ

Luke 12: 1-7

This reading tells us we should fear God - but that doesn't mean we should be scared of him. God has power over life and death (v. 5), so his power over us goes on after we die, unlike ordinary people's, which only lasts for life (v.4). Someone so powerful deserves our respect and honour - that's what fearing God is all about.

However, remember that at the same time God loves you enormously - he even knows how many hairs are on your head (v.7)!

PRAY

Ask God to help you remember how powerful he is - and thank him that he loves you.

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Friday, October 16, 2009 at 11:59 AM

THINK

. . . of all the things we have to wait for:

  • birthdays
  • Christmas
  • end of term
  • going on holiday
  • anything else you can think of?
Sometimes it seems like they'll NEVER arrive!

READ

Luke 11: 5-13

Waiting for God to answer our prayers can be difficult - we want him to hurry up with the answer, like the man in verses 5-8.

God answers our prayers at the right time and in the right way because he loves us - not to shut us up or stop us asking!

We can be sure of two things:

  • God will answer (vv. 9, 10)
  • the answer will be the best possible thing for us (vv. 11-13)
I am waiting for an answer to something I've been praying for a while. It's hard to wait - but I'm sure that God will answer in the right way and at the right time.

Remember God's phone number is : 333. Can anyone guess? (Waiting for your comments)

PRAY

Thank God that he hears and answers in the best way possible.

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, October 15, 2009 at 10:55 PM

READ

Luke 11: 1-4

The disciples wanted to learn to pray because they saw Jesus praying. The prayer he taught them is often called "The Lord's Prayer" or "The family prayer."

We can learn from this prayer what kind of things to pray about.

We can:

  • praise God's name because it is holy
  • pray for God's work on earth
  • ask God to provide for us
  • say sorry for what we have done wrong
  • ask God to protect us.
Write down some things you'd like to pray about
















Jesus said we should talk to God as Father (v.2) - He is our heavenly Father and He loves to hear us.

PRAY

. . . about what you wrote down.

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 10:50 AM

READ

Luke 10: 17-24

It can sometimes seem that believing in Jesus is a very hard thing to do. But if we really want to, then Jesus will show us who he is and what he wants to do in our lives. Anybody can know Jesus - he wants us to know him and won't hide himself away. And when you do know him, and see his power at work, it's wonderful - lots better than being able to juggle!

If you've discovered who Jesus is and about how he wants to be part of your life, then that's more important than anything else you'll ever learn.

PRAY

Ask Jesus to help you find out more about how he wants to be part of your life.

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, October 13, 2009 at 10:46 AM

Hey everybody!

It is great to be back again to connect with all you in this site!

READ

Luke 10:10-16

The people in Chorazin and Bethsaida had seen Jesus do lots of miracles, but they didn't stop doing wrong things or turn to Him. Instead, they rejected him.

Jesus said the consequences of rejecting Him would be severe (v. 13). It's just as severe for people who reject Jesus today, too. That's another reason why we need to show people how Jesus loves them - so they will turn to Him.

We have heard phrases like, "She's got her mother's eyes," "He looks like his father," said about us before. We are all like our parents in some ways - it's called "family resemblance."

People who follow Jesus should resemble him in the way we care about others and in the values we hold, so that those who meet and get to know us can get to know Jesus in us, too.

The question that we need to ask ourselves today is this: How can we carry this message of love unless we are truly willing to love people?

If we were measured by our love, what size would we be?

PRAY

. . . that others will see Jesus in you.

Praise You In The Storm

Posted by Ben - Chee Lupp | | Posted On Wednesday, October 7, 2009 at 6:45 PM

Hi all! It was nice to meet you all during the holidays. First of all, I want to wish the youths all the best in your exams. No matter what exams is it, PMR, SPM, STPM or even final examination, remember that God will always be with you. Remember to pray and also study. Have no fear during the examinations. I know all of you can do it.
Here's another song to help encourage you all. It's called Praise You In The Storm and it's also from Casting Crowns. Hopefully it will you all. Those who are feeling down, sick, heart broken or think that God is so far away from you, just remember that God will never leave you nor forsake you. Everything that happens, He is always by your side. So always praise Him no matter what, not only during the happy times but also in the hard times.
Praise You In The Storm
I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”,
and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You
As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Waiting is harder than marching!

Posted by Fool | | Posted On Monday, October 5, 2009 at 11:52 AM

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in His word I do hope. Psalm 130:5

It may seem to be an easy thing to wait, but it is one of the postures that a Christian soldier does not learn without years of molding and discipline. Marching is much easier for God’s warriors than standing still. So often, instead of standing firm on God’s Word, we retreat in fear, turning to the right in rebellion or rushing forward in presumption. God’s end-time army must have the ability and tenacity to wait in prayer, to stand firm on His promises and hope in His deliverance!

Hold on to your unwavering confidence in God. Believe that if He keeps you tarrying even until midnight, He will come at the right time. “Though the vision tarries, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry” (Hab. 2:3). Wait in quiet patience, and don’t complain when you are under affl iction. Instead, adopt the right attitude by blessing the Lord at all times. Never murmur as the children of Israel did against Moses. Never wish you could go back to the world again, but accept the situation and commit yourself into the hands of a faithful God. Say, “Lord, not my will but Yours be done. I do not know what to do. I will wait, even if You keep me waiting for many days, because my heart is fixed on You alone, O God. My spirit waits for You in the full consolation that You will be my joy and my salvation, my refuge and my strong tower.”

Living by faith

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Saturday, October 3, 2009 at 2:12 PM

We mentioned before that the disciples were living by faith. But what does it mean?

In one way, we all do it! We have faith that what we sit on will hold us up, that the bus we get on will take us to the right place, and so on.

More importantly, faith is about believing in Jesus. If we are his followers then we have faith in him - we trust him.

But it can also describe people who believe God has a special job for them to do, perhaps like a missionary or a church minister, but who aren't paid in the normal way. They have faith that God will give them the money they need through other Christians.

It can be hard to live like that - and exciting too! My church sends money regularly to a couple who are missionaries abroad. Sometimes it's a lot - sometimes it's not! But God always provides what they need.

Whatever we trust God for - big things or small - we can be sure he will NEVER let us down.

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Friday, October 2, 2009 at 10:15 AM

READ

Luke 10:1-9

Jesus describes all the people who haven't heard about him as a harvest waiting to be gathered in - and he sends out disciples to begin to do it.

How much was there to do (v.2)?


Would it be easy (v.3)? YES/ NO

What couldn't the disciples take (v.4)?



How would they be looked after (vv. 7,8)?


THINK

It looks like what it was - a whole lot of hard work! And they were doing something called "living by faith" - relying on God to provide what they needed through other people. That takes courage, too - it can be a risky business!

Sometimes being a disciple is hard work - and being a "lamb among wolves" is a bit off-putting, to say the least! I used to feel like that when some girls in my class made fun of me for going to church. But when we begin to see results (v. 8,9) it makes the hard work worth doing.

PRAY

Ask Jesus to give you courage to work for Him.

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, October 1, 2009 at 12:34 AM

Write down three people and three things you'd miss if you went to live in another country.

1.
2
3

1.
2.
3.

READ

Luke 9:57-62

The people in this story hadn't thought about what it would mean to follow Jesus. The first had forgotten what Jesus' life was like (v. 58) and the second two were concerned more about family matters (v. 59, 61).

It's easy for things to get in the way of following Jesus.

How important are these things to you? Circle the number that best sums up how you feel.

Very Not at all
Family 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
School 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Friends 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
TV 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Jesus 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Money 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Jesus isn't saying that the people we love and the things we enjoy doing aren't important at all, but that he is the most important. He has to come first and, when he does, everything else will have the right amount of importance.

"If He is not Lord of all, He is NOT Lord at all."

PRAY

Ask Jesus to help you put him first in your life.

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, September 29, 2009 at 12:12 PM

READ

Luke 9: 51-56

THINK

A few days ago we read about telling other people good news. Sometimes though, people aren't interested in listening to you, or they think your news isn't important.

How does that make you feel?

  • Disappointed?
  • Pleased?
  • Hurt?
  • Confused?
  • Let down?
  • Angry?
Were the people in the Samaritan village interested in Jesus (v. 53)?

Yes No

Jesus was a Jew, and at that time there was a lot of bad feeling between the Samaritans and the Jews. But, whatever the reason, it made James and John angry (v. 54)!

Sometimes our friends won't want to listen when we talk about Jesus, or they might say things against him that make us sad or angry, like the disciples were. Jesus is important to us, and it hurts when others don't want to know.

PRAY

Thank Jesus that He understands how we feel when people don't care about Him.

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Monday, September 28, 2009 at 11:57 AM

READ

Luke 9:46-50

Jesus isn't saying that young people are more important than old people, or the other way round. He's talking about how we treat each other - that when we're kind and loving, or unkind and hurtful to someone, it's as though we're behaving like that to Jesus.

WRITE down the name of:

  • a close friend
  • someone you don't get on with
  • someone you think is less important than you are
  • someone you think is treated better than you are
We're all equally important to Jesus too, so we should try to treat everyone - even people who don't seem to be on Jesus' side - the same.

PRAY

. . . for the people whose names you wrote down. Ask Jesus to help you treat them the same.


"He is no fool . . . "

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Saturday, September 26, 2009 at 11:40 AM

Hey guys,

Yesterday, we came across some hard sayings of Jesus about "dying to self" in Luke 9: 18-27. Here is a powerful testimony of five guys who literally "die to self". They gave their lives for the gospel sake.

"He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep . . . to gain what he cannot lose."

That's a strange saying - what do we give? And what do we gain?

It was written by Jim Elliot, who was a missionary to people in Equador. He very much wanted the Auca Indians there to hear about God's love, even though they were dangerous people. He and four other men began to make contact, but before they got very far they were all ambushed and killed by the Aucas. Jim was only twenty-nine when he died - but he knew that it was very important to give his life to God (giving what he couldn't keep). He also knew that whatever happened to him, he had everlasting life with God (gaining what he couldn't lose).

Look back at Luke 9:24. Do you see the connection?

Dying to Self

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Friday, September 25, 2009 at 5:22 PM

READ

Luke 9: 18-27

There are some hard things to consider in the last part of the reading (vv. 23-26).

  • Forgetting ourselves
  • Taking up our cross
  • Saving our lives by losing them.
How do they make you feel?

  • Scared?
  • Happy?
  • Worried?
  • Other?
A person carrying a cross was on his way to die. Part of following Jesus is about "dying to self". That's a strange phrase, but, to put it simply, it means that the selfish things in us that don't please God have to die so that there's more room for him. Things like bad temper, always wanting our own way, showing off, or not telling the truth.

Because Jesus overcame everything sinful and death itself, and then came back to life, he can help me - and you - to "die" to the selfish things in our lives, and live more like him. We can't do it by ourselves, but the living power of Jesus in us can.

That is good news!

PRAY

Thank Jesus that He can help you live in a way that pleases Him.

Hey! Have You Heard . . .?

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, September 24, 2009 at 9:59 PM

What's the best news you've heard recently? Who was the first person you told?

_______ Mum or Dad?

______ Your teacher?

______ A close friend?

Whenever I get good news, I ring my mum up straightaway!

READ

Luke 9: 1-6, 10

Good news is hard to keep to yourself. What two things did Jesus send his disciples to do (v. 2)?

1. ___________________________________

2. ____________________________________

what did he them to help them (v.1)?

1. ___________

2. _____________

Although we might not be doing what the disciples did, it's good to know that the power and authority of Jesus are for us, too. Jesus wants us to tell our friends about Him. Sometimes it will be easy - sometimes not (vv. 4,5), but he will help us, and we should tell him how we get on (v. 10). Jesus is the best news we can ever tell anybody!

PRAY

Ask Jesus to help you tell somebody about Him.

Following Jesus

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Wednesday, September 23, 2009 at 9:06 PM

Hi!

Over the next two weeks we'll be reading from Luke and learning about being a DISCIPLE. Christians - people who follow Jesus- are called His disciples. Each day's readings will help us to find out more about what Jesus wants from us - and how to be faithful disciples.

READ

Luke 5:27-32

THINK

. . . about your best friend. Write down some of the reasons why you like them and want to spend time with them.




Levi was obviously so impressed with Jesus that when Jesus called him, he "left everything and followed him" (v.28). No ifs or buts or maybes - he just went!

What did Levi do next (v.29)?



The feast was held so that Levi could introduce his friends to Jesus, too. That's what part of being a disciple is about - being so impressed with Jesus that when we get to know and follow him, we want our friends to know and follow him, too - like Levi did.

What things do you like best about Jesus?



Levi followed Jesus when he was alive on earth, but we can't do that. So how can we follow him? One of the things I do is what you're doing now - I try to read a little bit about Jesus every day so I can find out what he's like.

PRAY

Ask Jesus to help you follow him day by day.

Answers to crossword puzzle

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, September 22, 2009 at 10:51 PM


Hi everybody,


Are you all ready for the answers?


RIGHT THINKING

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Saturday, September 19, 2009 at 10:16 PM

Today at Ignyte we discuss about how to break free from the lies of the devil. I came across this illustration which is very powerful and especially for those who are computer savvy out there you will understand this very well.

Our minds are like the Central Processing Unit (CPU) of a computer. Satan's lies and God's truth are like the program or software that run the computer. The computer's operation depends on the software being used.

If the software is defective (Satan's lies) the output will also be defective (ungodly feelings and deeds). But if the software is perfect (God's truth) the output will be as well (godly feelings and deeds)

So Right Thinking produces right feelings which poduce right actions.

So beware of the 'software" you put in your mind! "You are what you THINK!"

"For as he thinks in his heart, so is he." (Poverbs 23:7)

CHECKS

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, September 17, 2009 at 8:19 PM



Hi!


How much have you remembered from our readings in Job? Here's a crossword puzzle to test your memory power!




Hope that this is clear and you can read it.


Sorry too small. It goes like this:-


CLUES


ACROSS


1. He sent all the disasters on Job (5)


4. Job's body was covered in these (5)


6. God said of Job: "He is careful not to do anything . . ." (4)


7. the number of friends Job had (5)


9. Job had seven of these (4)


. Job . . . . . . . in God (7)


DOWN


1. Lighning struck these animals of Job (5)


2. Job had 500 of these (7)


3 and 8 - Job was the . . . . . . . man in the . . . . (7, 4)


5. In spite of everything that happened, Job did not do this (3).


8. See 3 down.


10. Job worshipped Him (3).


The numbers represent the number of words.


Answers will be given tomorrow

Why Do People Suffer Day 8

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Wednesday, September 16, 2009 at 7:27 PM

SCENE EIGHT

Setting: After the storm

READ

Job 42: 1-6

Job has learnt his lesson. Asking God questions is fine. But listening to him is essential if he wants to understand God better (v. 4).

THINK

Are you too busy thinking of questions to hear God's anwers?

ENCORE

The story doesn't end with Job saying sorry to God (v.6).l God made it a very happy ending for Job (v. 12)!

PRAY

Help me, Lord, to have a faith that goes on trusting you through thick or thin.

Why do People Suffer? Day 7

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, September 15, 2009 at 10:10 AM

SCENE SEVEN

Setting: A Storm

READ

Job 38: 1-11, 19-21

Asking questions is easy. Answering is usually much harder. And understanding the answer can be almost impossible! Sometimes you just have to believe the expert, even though it doesn't seem to make sense.

That's what God was telling Job (v. 5). After all, He had been there a lot longer than Job had!

THINK

All the time we are accepting things we don't understand. I don't really understand electricity, and I certainly don't understand how my computer works. But I still use them. Fortunately, someone else understands them better than me.

Job was learning the hard way that God knows the best thing for us, even if it is hard to take.

PRAY

. . . for anyone you know who is doubting God's love because of the bad things that have happened to them.

Why do People Suffer? Day 6

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Monday, September 14, 2009 at 11:06 PM

SCENE SIX

THINK

. . . of all the things that had happened to Job. In the end he had lost everything. No wonder he was angry and frustrated (look back at the last scene). But what did he think about God? Had he stopped believing? Had he given up on his faith?

READ

Job 19: 23-27 (Ya, we fast forward to chapter 19)

Job wasn't dead yet, but he wanted to be remembered by more than his name (vv. 23, 24).

He knew that the worst thing that could happen to him would not stop him seeing God (vv. 26, 27). That was more important to him than all the things he had lost.

PRAY

Thank you, Father, that you will still be there, even if I lose everything that matters to me. Help me to follow you whatever happens.

THINK

Job's request was answered (v. 24, 25). We are still reading his words now!

Why do People Suffer? Day 5

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Friday, September 11, 2009 at 11:00 AM

Have you ever done that? If you open a can of drink that's been shaken up, it goes everywhere! You can't keep the pressure in. That's like what happens to Job in the next scene of the play.

SCENE FIVE

Job speaks.

READ

Job 3: 1, 11-26

You can't bottle up the pressure for ever. When things are at their worst, you have to be able to say how you feel. That's why I like this passage! It show that it's all right to be completely honest with God.

Some people think that they can't say these kinds of things to God. Perhaps they think he can't cope! But he is the one person who we can be sure will be able to cope with the way we feel. And anyway, it's pointless hiding it from him - he knows how we feel already!

PRAY

Is there anything which is making you frustrated right now? Tell God how you feel about it.

Why do People Suffer? Day 4

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Thursday, September 10, 2009 at 11:42 AM

SCENE THREE

Setting: Behind the scenes.

READ

Job 2: 1-6

There was more happening than Job realised. Satan still didn't believe what God said (v. 3). So once again God gave him permission to test Job.

SCENE FOUR

Setting: The local rubbish heap.

READ

Job 2: 7-10

Job must have felt awful (vv. 7,8). No wonder he went to sit by the rubbish heap!

THINK

What people say can sometimes be even worse than the things we suffer. For example, they may say, "You're still a Christian? God didn't even get you through the exam!" Job's wife didn't seem to be much help (v. 9). But Job's answer was good (v. 10).

READ

Job 2: 11-13

Job's three friends were stuck for words (v. 13). But that can be the best thing of all when someone is suffering. Words don't always help.

PRAY

. . . for someone who is suffering now. You don't have to use lots of words!

Why Speaking in Tongue or Praying In Spirit!

Posted by Fool | | Posted On at 8:26 AM

opr01TBV

When I am a young Christian, I am like most of the youth in our church. At that time, I know nothing about praying in spirit! When people are praying in spirit… I stand straight and dont know what to do, then i notice a lot of peoples was healed physically and spiritually….. But there is an urge in my heart which i wish to be part of them…

So, one day a pastor pray for me (forget who di) in tongue, i feel that my spirit have an urge to pray like the pastor… Then, I let my holy spirit to take control of my mind and my mouth start to flow out tongue like the pastor… This is the first time i pray in tongue…. It is a good experience.

Pray in tongue is a simple and totally a spiritual acts. You can not use your mind to think how you could do that. When you use your mind to think how to speak in tongue what is the following “pronunciation” for my tongue then you are not speaking in tongue…. because speaking in tongue is praying in spirit which is means just let your spirit to speak what He want to speak!! Let your spirit take control then let your mouth flow out what your spirit wish to speak!! It is so simple; nothing complex; just let your holy spirit take control!

839820 

But you, beloved, building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Jude 20

Jude encouraged the Christians to build themselves up in the faith by praying in the Holy Spirit. Praying in the Holy Spirit means praying in tongues and speaking the words that the Holy Spirit gives to your spirit-man (1 Cor. 14:2, 14-15). Like an athlete who builds muscles through regular disciplined workout in the gym, a Christian can grow strong spiritually through praying in the Spirit.

839814

What happens when you pray in tongues?

(1) Your prayer becomes Spirit-empowered. “Likewise the Spirit also helps in our weaknesses. For we do not know what we should pray for as we ought, but the Spirit Himself makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God” (Rom. 8:26-27). All believers without the Holy Spirit have the weakness of not knowing how to pray in accordance with God’s will. But the Holy Spirit helps us by praying and interceding through us. This kind of prayer is far above the level of the believer’s own natural understanding or ability.

(2) You refresh yourself. “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” (Eph. 5:18-19). Paul advocated the believers to be constantly fi lled with the Spirit, praying and singing in the Spirit. Praying in tongues can revive that dryness and thirst of the spirit. “If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water” (John 7:37-38).

(3) You become spiritually active for battle. Ephesians 6 tells us that the only way to withstand in the evil day is for every Christian to put on the armor of God. For the armor of God to be complete and effective, Paul said that we are to pray always in the spirit. “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (Eph. 6:17-18). To live a life of victory, it is inevitable for a believer to discipline and train himself to pray always in the spirit. Take sometime now to focus on the Lord and pray in the spirit.

opr01TME

Why Do People Suffer? Day 3

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Wednesday, September 9, 2009 at 1:06 PM

SCENE TWO

Setting: Job's home.

READ

Job 1: 13-22

DISASTER ONE

Your oxen and donkeys have been stolen! The servants have been killed!

DISASTER TWO

Your sheep and shpehred have been killed!

DISASTER THREE

Your camels and more servants have been killed!


DISASTER FOUR

Your children have been killed!

THINK

Was Satan right? Did Job give up on God when things went wrong? Find out from verses 21 and 22.

Why Do People Suffer? Day 2

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On Tuesday, September 8, 2009 at 11:56 AM

SCENE ONE

READ

Job 1: 6-10

Job didn't know it, but he was about to become the centre of attention.


But let's find out what was going on behind the scenes . . .

Satan, God's enemy, once one of God's best angels, couldn't believe that Job could be loyal to God no matter what happened to him. He told God that Job was in it just for what he got out of it (v.9). When things began to go wrong, Job would soon forget God.


Not surprisingly, God knew better! So he gave Satan permission to find out. But he also put a limit on what Satan could do to Job (v. 12)

THINK

Are people really as selfish as Satan said? Try to think of people you know who are generous to other people. You could be an example of one yourself!

PRAY

Dear God, please help me to serve you because I love you, and not just for what you give me. Amen.


Word Of Encouragement

Posted by Ben - Chee Lupp | | Posted On Monday, September 7, 2009 at 11:35 PM

Hi guys, thanks for letting me post things onto our youth blog. It's good to see a blog to inspire the youths. Hopefully more of the youths will look at it though. Haha.. anyway, how's things in Ignyte. I know about youth camp and most probably I'll be going. Haha... Actually the reason I wanted to post this was to introduce you guys to a song. It's called 'Voice Of Truth' by Casting Crowns. This song has been speaking to me lately and it helped a lot. I hope it will help you too.

VOICE OF TRUTH
Oh what I would do to have
The kind of faith it takes
To climb out of this boat I'm in
Onto the crashing waves
To step out of my comfort zone
Into the realm of the unknown where Jesus is
And He's holding out His hand
But the waves are calling out my name
And they laugh at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The waves they keep on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy, you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"

Chorus:
But the voice of truth tells me a different story
The voice of truth says, "Do not be afraid!"
The voice of truth says, "This is for My glory"
Out of all the voices calling out to me
I will choose to listen and believe the voice of truth

Oh what I would do to have
The kind of strength it takes to stand before a giant
With just a sling and a stone
Surrounded by the sound of a thousand warriors
Shaking in their armor
Wishing they'd have had the strength to stand
But the giant's calling out my name
And he laughs at me
Reminding me of all the times
I've tried before and failed
The giant keeps on telling me
Time and time again. "Boy you'll never win!"
"You'll never win!"
Bridge:
But the stone was just the right size
To put the giant on the ground
And the waves they don't seem so high
From on top of them looking down
I will soar with the wings of eagles
When I stop and listen to the sound of Jesus
Singing over me

This song is from the movie Facing the Giants. I hope maybe you all could watched that video. Anyway, I hope this song will encourage you all to continue to believe in Jesus no matter what. Though you think that you cannot do it alone, just remember that God is always by your side telling you what to do. He's the Voice of truth. Dont let circumstances pull you down. Just continue to choose and believe in God. Take care!!!
P.S. I posted the link whereby you can listen to the song. I tried uploading the video but it couldn't. If you want the song, ask me and I'll send it to you through email. Hehe...

Why Do People Suffer?

Posted by Ps. Jenny | | Posted On at 11:31 PM

Hey everybody! If you are following the reading chart, you should be reading the book of Job. Thought I should write something about this book. I came across these articles from a bible study book by Scripture Union. So . . . .

Some people think that the book of Job is more like a drama than a story. In fact, it was once produced as a radio play. It's all about one of the hardest questions people ever ask.

Why do bad things happen to people? Why do good people suffer? why does God allow terrible things to happen? Well, Job is about all of these things. And it's not just theory, either. It's the story of a man who loved God, and how he felt when suffering came along.

Reading Job probably won't answer all your questions. But it will help you to understand a bit more. So, settle back in your seat . . . the play is about to begin!

THE CAST

Let's start with the main character - we'll meet the others later.

READ

Job 1: 1-5

Job was one of the richest man in the East. He seemed to have it all. He was rich (v.3). He had more animals and servants than anyone else. And he had a wonderful family (v. 4). Most important of all, he was a good man who worshipped God (v. 1)

THINK

It's easy to forget God when things are going well. But Job didn't. Even though he was rich, he wasn't too proud to say sorry to God. In fact, he even said sorry for what other people had done (v. 5)!

PRAY

Follow Job's example - say thank you and sorry to God.