Hi guys, its been awhile! And I believe all of you now are having your exams.. Keep studying alright, I'm sure you will do just fine! :)

Well, Arise & Build is coming very soon and already this week is our vision weekend. I remember the first Arise & Build I had, it was really a heart wrenching yet memorial one. I remember that I was only in church for about one month plus and I was really shocked at the Arise & Build because I had no idea what was it about, and neither have I done it in my old church.

I hear other members talking about this Arise & Build, telling me about how exciting it was going to be, that during this time, there is sure to be lots of encounters and blessings! Also I remember Pst Kong preached during one of the services that really inspired me to do something for our church building.

During the vision weekend, I started to ask God for an amount and really prayed for something that I can fulfill. I remember I had an amount before vision weekend, but during the exact weekend itself, I hear many other members pledging really above and beyond their abilities. And even my leader challenged me to give more than I could to God.. I was very scared and didn't know what to do but I still entered the service. That night, God spoked to me an amount that really beyond my means. I was just a secondary 3 student then, I had nothing but $5 a day. And I really doubted God, and told Him that, 'Hey God.. I'm only a student leh..' But I remember so vividly, that God assured me that night by reminding me about what Pst Kong said during service, 'Where your heart is, there your treasure will be also.' Whatever that was precious to me will be precious to God, and He will never shortchange my precious. So that night, I wrote down the amount God wanted me to give and really know the meaning of this phrase,

'I will not do something that costs me nothing.'

Those days back then was really tough. I remember how I was going through such warfare physically and spiritually, so many times I wanted to give up my walk with God. And even during recess time, I will not eat sometimes. And my friends would make fun of me saying, 'Why? Giving to the church again ah... No use one lah..' It was really a hard time in my family too. I felt really downcasted as I didn't even have enough money to have proper meals. I remember it was also when I got my first job as a surveyor and how tiring it was to study and work at the same time. But really, God's strength is incredible, it was Him who kept me through and stood by me; never leaving for forsaking me. Although it was a time of tiredness, it was also a time of many encounters that truly encouraged me. It was also the period of time where I grew spiritually stronger in the Lord and also received many blessings! I remember my mother would sometimes bless me $50 in a day and that really helped me alot in my Arise & Build. Truly, even in the weakest time, God will always find a way for me.

I managed to fulfill my building fund and after that time, I always look forward to all the other building fund because I know it is going to be a time of renewal. Truly, to me Arise & Build speaks of 2 things:

1. Sacrifice

Your ability to sacrifice is the reflection of how much you're willing to lay down your life for God. Does the amount that you're going to contribute an amount that touches your heart? Does the amount enable you to step out of your comfort zone? It is called sacrifice for a reason. Are you willing to say to your friends, 'No, I need to save for my church's building fund' when they ask you out for a movie? Are you willing to understand this, 'Others can, but I can't' during this season of Arise & build? Even in the hardest time, do you still continue to sacrifice your time and efforts? Because if you do, I'm sure God will find a way.

2. Obedience

Remember I mentioned earlier that I doubted God's voice of the amount He wanted me to pledge? I find it so hard to obey Him because I know that having $5 a day is already quite hard enough. But truly, when I look back now, I realise that if I hadn't increase the amount, I'd have regretted till today. Your ability to obey is a reflection of how much you're willing to lay down your pride before God. As the book of Genesis mentioned, Abraham obeyed God's voice to sacrifice his ONLY son, Issac as a living sacrifice. But God stopped him and truly is pleased at Abraham's obedience and that is why He declared, 'Blessings I will bless you, Multiplying I will multiply you'. Obedience comes with pain, I can assure you that in the season of Arise & Build, you will hear two voices, very distinct voices. One from the devil and one from the Almighty. Which will you choose to listen - one that leads you a shortcut yet destruction, or one that requires a longer and tough path yet leads to fulfillment?

Pst Kong mentioned in last week's service, 'If we give, we make sure we give our best.' We're not church here to match your standards but we're a church that is here to meet God's standards.

Are you willing to meet God's standards?

Deuteronomy 27:10 Amplified Bible
So you shall obey the voice of the Lord your God and do His commandments and statutes which I command you today.

Love,
SC

Labels: Building lives

let the music play; 10:43 AM