Lest I forget Gethsemane ;; Build My Life
for today's cell, we had something really new! we went over to pastor jo's house for a combined cell aaaa it was really cool ehehehe. we had pizza for dinner and i ate like such a pig omg i need help HAHAHAHA anyway, today's cell was really so so so powerful!!! really felt so....... idk i just really felt God's presence there and He showed me so many visions of my life.
so today's title for cell was Beware! Lest we forget!
and it was about how satan will make us forget God. he doesn't make us hate God or anything (frankly i think that's quite impossible HAHA) but he makes us forget. he makes us forget God's blessings in our lives and we end up looking at the things God didn't give us rather than all the things He's given us that we don't deserve.
thank God for celz bc she took down notes during the entire time in cell and tbh idk if it can be shared here but hey, since no one really reads this anyways imma just put it up hahahha
Beware! Lest we forget
Pastor Joanna Ong
Satan does not fill us with hatred of God, but with forgetfulness of God.
Forgetfulness is a very subtle thing.
Genesis 2:8-17
What is Satan's strategy to the forgetfulness of God?
1. The Voice of Distraction
Causes us to forget God's provision.
The number one problem with people remembering Eden, we tend to only remember the tree of knowledge of good and evil. We wonder why God told Adam not to eat from that one tree, but we forget that God had already provided a lot of other trees in the garden.
There are about 2,500 fruit trees in the world, and they would most definitely be in Eden. It is so huge, it needs four rivers to water!
God told Adam that he could freely eat from any other tree. It was only the Tree of Knowledge that Adam could not touch. We tend to focus on the exception and forget what God has already provided.
God wants people to choose to be in a relationship with Him.
Satan distracted Eve and diverted her focus away from the many other trees God had already given. Lying that "God did not allow them to eat from every tree", where God has already given so much! Satan distracts us and makes us feel like we are restrained.
But does that make us lose sight and forget His provision?
Be discerning, alert and aware. Are we even aware that Satan is trying to distract us? We need to help each other in the community to discern.
It just takes one person to be distracted and another to be convinced.
2. The Voice of Lies and Deceit
Causes us to forget God's truth.
Genesis 3:4-5
Satan was negating God's command. He tries to refute what God has said. He deceives us with evil disguised as good.
Proverbs 14:12
Our appeared devotion to God can also be corrupted. It is easy for Satan to corrupt us.
Paul's words after he spent 3 years with the Corinthian church: 2 Corinthians 11:3
He still feared about their faith even though he had directly discipled them for so long.
Be aware of every voice of lie and deception that may cause us to forget God's truth. We may be serving, doing devo, etc, but we can still fall into this trap and forget.
God is saying, forget not my truth.
Do you have the ability to discern the voice of truth amidst the voice of lies everyday?
Do we take a step back to discern or do we give in to these voices?
It helps that over time as you grow in the Lord and account to your leader, that you become aware of your thought process and find out that sometimes what you think might not tie in with what God says.
Ask God to renew your mind. God is always telling us to renew our mind constantly everyday. We live in a broken world where corruption comes against us everyday, so it is important for us to remember God's word.
Today's devo spoke about the enemy taunting God's people. They were trying to deceive the people from believing in the king (Hezekiah), and thus God Himself. The people were being tested, but they kept quiet and remained loyal to God.
Silence can be a powerful weapon. When we are tempted, sometimes we may say or do something that we later regret. The people chose to run to God for protection and honour God [lol am I just copying from the devo].
3. The Voice of Doubt
Causes us to forget God's Character
Genesis 3:5
Satan wanted Eve to doubt God. He was perverting the character of God in our eyes. Satan wanted Eve to think that God was trying to keep things from her and not wanting to give her.
James 1:16-17
God's word says that every good and perfect gift is from God. There is nothing good for you outside of God. No matter how it looks/feels, if it is contrary to God, it is not good.
2 Timothy 3:16-17
Some of us are headed in the wrong direction because of the voices we have heard and believed. Sometimes God's word of truth may not come pleasing to our ears. God is the only one who can please us.
We are all on a journey. If we refuse to listen to correction and insist on our own way, we just end up in circles or may never complete our journey.
God's way is one that is accurate and built upon Him.
Some of us may dwell upon these voices and allow these voices to take root in our lives. But these voices have become excuses and has robbed us of our journey in God.
God knows that we are forgetful. Two things He mentioned that can help us:
1. Thanksgiving - Desire new experiences
Joshua 4:21-23
The previous generation had so many experiences with God that they forgot. So God told this new Joshua generation to set up memorial stones so that they could remember. Thanksgiving is the same.
There is no such thing as a thanksgiving too small. When you think that a thanksgiving is too small you are praising the situation instead of God. We are celebrating God, not the situation.
If we were to list down all our thanksgivings, how many are from long time ago? How many are expired? We need to desire new experiences.
Sometimes these God moments happen on a daily basis, but we do not take time to remember them and note them down. We need to be intentional to take down these thanksgiving and to desire more of God. We should not be content with that. We need to desire more new experiences.
The generation who just crossed the Jordan was experiencing a new miracle for themselves. We should desire to have our own stories to tell.
Are you living in renewed living with God? How are you living your life that enables you to have new experiences with God?
God is one who desires to give us new experiences. We need to step out and be intentional in changing our schedule.
2. Commune with God - Be intentional to rememberso pastor jo was talking about how when the Israelites (??? omg sorry HAHA) crossed the Jordon, they stacked up stones to remind them of God's provision from them and His work in their lives. she told us that everytime we shared thanksgiving, that was what was happening. we are stacking up stones in our lives to remind us of God's goodness. she asked us about the times when we really felt God and we were thankful to God. then she asked "is it recent? or a long time ago?" the things that we feel thankful for; there's always at least one thing in everyday. it shouldn't be expired memories but fresh ones everyday.
Is it a routine to you or do you know its significance? Rely more on God and know that it is not about you.
Jesus knew on the night that He was betrayed that His disciples would forget completely about Him. So He wanted to make sure that they would remember Him when He returned to heaven. And that is the Holy Communion.
Let us not forget. It has been almost 2000 years since that and yet we still do it today to remember Him. God was so intentional in giving us moments to remember Him. Now we must make it our effort to remember Him through these moments.
Do you want to be complete in God?
God is asking us to remember Him.
when we were doing Holy Communion, there was just this moment where it was between me and God and he really really spoke to me so so so much and i'm just so so so thankful???
on tues, the fcbc peeps from rv gathered at matthew's room and we had this mini cell group-ish thing and like daniel was asking like how does Jesus give meaning to our lives and all that. it's not the main point but at the end of it, we were all praying and we were asking God to show us something that we can do in rv since i think there hasnt been so many fcbc people in rv? and like the vision i got from Him was of a large group of people holding hands and praying.
the thing is that all 4 of us are in rv dance. and back then in rag, before we went out to perform, i had really wanted to call everyone to gather in a circle so that we can pray and proclaim God's blessing over our performance. but i was really quite scared especially since i didn't have all that good of a relationship with everyone there so like... i didn't do it.
the second is a vision of my grades. so as yall know, in uni everything is cumulative and there's a bellcurve and really just a stress to try to get as good results as possible. in geq, i think my quiz score was quite bad like 8/15. it was quite a badly done quiz la in all honesty hahah but yeah i mean i always hope to do well i guess? and then for cnm i got 39/52 which is like less than 1 point above average. but it was still quite discouraging because if i can't even do well for an exposure mod what makes me think that i can do well when i start majoring in it? for korean, i got 74/100 for my midterms and at first i thought it was not bad. but then i started seeing a lot of people having like 89.5, 82, 79 and i was like GG. at first i thought maybe i would be at the peak of the bellcurve but nopez i'm below it HAHA saw my grades in the gradebook today and i'm around 1 mark below median mark. and for my written test, well, bc of a stupid mistake i threw away a lot of marks which is really such a bummer. and i am again 1 mark below median mark. it was honestly really so discouraging because it's like nothing it going well no matter what i do? and idk i honestly felt really upset about it.
the vision that He showed me (can it be counted as a vision? idk haha) was that image of when i looked into my korean gradebook. yes. i didn't do very well and i'm below average. but i really just felt God tell me: daughter, is this something you really have to worry about? trust in Me, trust in My goodness and my grace. yes, you didn't do so well this time but hey, have faith. have faith in Me. i will bring you through this.
and i really really just feel so so so thankful?? omg if i wasn't already kneeling i might've just kneeled right there man hahaha. even though i'm still unsure of my results and even though i want to do well to get a scholarship so that my parents would be relieved of the financial burden that is moi, i really just have to trust in God that He knows what's best for me and He will guide me there as long as i follow Him.
the last one didn't really come when we were having Holy Communion but when i was bathing just now. like i really just got reminded of my childhood when i had such strong childlike faith in God despite not really knowing who He is and not really knowing much of the Scripture and everything yet i had SO MUCH faith in God.
so yesterday omw to mod, i was thinking of how, it there came a day, when i was told to die for God, or more specifically if i were gathered in a big group and the people called out "all the Christians, step out now", would i stand up without hesitation? in view of my whole family. would i confidently walk up? or would i hesitate for a while and reconsider my choices? or tell myself "if someone goes up then i'll go up?" or will i just keep quiet? how i wish i could confidently proclaim that i would daringly jump out and say that YES I BELIEVE IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHATCHU GONNA DO BOUT THAT but i can't. there's this part in me - the fleshly part of me that carries that tiny seed of doubt that goes "no la.. i think you stay back for a while THINK PROPERLY HELLO UR LIFE IS ON THE LINE HERE" and yes. my life is on the line. not just my life here on earth but my life in Heaven.
Matthew 10:33 (NLT) - but everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in Heaven.
so what did i want to save? my life on earth? or life in Heaven? i mean as i think and think and think about it, i know that i will go up and say that yes i believe in Him. but i don't think i can say that i will go up on command - i'll only go up after a brief moment of hesitation. i long for the day that when i'm reminded of this question again, i will 二话不说地 say yes.
and i was just reminded of how i came to know Christ 12 years back in primary 1. i remember how the teachers (?) were sharing about Christ and something in me just went YES I BELIEVE. I BELIEVE IN JESUS CHRIST. HE IS REAL AND HE IS MY SAVIOUR. without even knowing what a saviour meant, or what death meant, much less death my crucifixion. when i think about it, i think it's literal childlike faith. like i had absolutely no idea what anything meant but something in me just went YES JESUS IS LORD. and subsequently i just proclaimed that i was Christian to all my friends without having ever been to church or attended service. but one thing that i really thought about was how there was once they were sharing about Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego when they were thrown in the fire and an angel came to save them and bring them out. back then i think they told me the person that came was Jesus but i'm not sure la hor hahah >< (but then it says son of the gods so hm maybe ya the person that brought them out was Jesus) BUT ANYWAY i had this vision back then? like i just like to imagine stuff and idk why i imagined 2 people instead of 3 but yeah. then i imagined how fearless they were about being thrown into the furnace and how Jesus came to protect them from the fire.
Daniel 3
Daniel 3:5-6 (NIV) - As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuhadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will be immediately thrown into a blazing furnace."
Daniel 3:12 (NIV) - But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon - Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego - who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up."
Daniel 3:15-29 (NIV) - Now when you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, if you are ready to fall down and worship the image I made, very good. But if you do not worship it, you will be thrown immediately into a blazing furnace. Then what god will be able to rescue you from my hand? Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, "King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from Your Majesty's hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up." Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace.The king's command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, "Weren't there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?" They replied, "Certainly, Your Majesty." He said, "Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods." Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here!" So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of the heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. Then Nebuchadnezzar said, "Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Therefore I decree that the people of any nation or language who say anything against the God of Shadrach, Mesach and Abednego be cut into piles of rubble, for no other god can save in this way."
sorry that's really long HAHA
well, as you can see, this is where that imagery of mine came about. except i remembered it as Jesus bringing them out after walking the in the fire for a while and not the king calling them out.
this is where the part of even if God doesn't save me, i will still go ahead and do it is. they had so much faith and trust in Him and yeah, even if God was gonna let them become vapour, they'd still do it! God doesn't always save all His martyrs. some are really killed for a reason and it's never an accident or God showing favouritism when one is saved and the other is not. He has all the plans to our lives and He is sovereign over any and every situation in our lives.
when i was typing this, i just thought: was it really necessary? as if the three would back down and suddenly say that they'll worship that gold idol. i believe that when they were being tied up, they were super chill and zen about it. like huh oh u wanna tie me up ah. sureeee. even when they were thrown into the furnace, i bet they were like oooooo fire. wew scary but it's kay cos we have God.
THIS IS WHERE THAT IMAGERY COMES FROM!!!! can you just imagine??? four people walking around in FIYAH
this is the result of their faith in God. they managed to lead a whole nation to Him. and who knows? if this situation ever happens to us, maybe our sacrifice can show a whole nation (and maybe more) just who our God is?
so back then, i remember thinking to myself: if someone really said that they would throw me in the furnace because i believed in God, what would i do? and i so very very confidently said yeah sure! it was really what i said about very confidently going up without hesitation. i remember that feeling. and i want to feel it again.... but yes back on point, i remember imagining how if someone said that they wanted to kill me for saying that i was a Christian i'd be like sure bro go ahead. and i just imagined how Jesus would save me, how He would bring me out of the fire unscathed.
and the question right now really is, do we have that childlike faith? even at this age when we have seen the horrors of the world and have so much time to wrestle with our own thoughts and thinkings? are we still so faithful and trusting to Him that if we were to be persecuted we would go forth boldly knowing that God is there for us? or will we still hesitate? i want to be able to have that childlike faith again; where i just knew that God is there for me and there was nothing to worry about. as i grow up, the worries of life, the stresses of life and the things of the earth just cloud my mind and i think it's really tainted that childlike faith i had as a child. excuse u satan how dare u distract me from God? how dare you take away that pure childlike faith i had 12 years back? excuse u lee xian how can you be so distracted? how can you forget God sometimes? how can u start to lose faith? how could u have let this childlike faith you so strongly possessed 12 years ago be tainted by the enemy?
Daniel 6:22 (NIV) - My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty."
just another verse of God's power and how He is always there to protect us (:
here's to the quest to regain my childlike faith
Hope™
ps. super super SUPER thankful that amanda's parents sent me and celz from pastor jo's house back to our respective places!!! like legit all the way!!!! omg praise God man they've shown me and celz so much love!!!!
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