Questions in Cell

Hello! Just addressing some questions that were raised in cell on Sunday. A bit late but I hope will help!

Jo's Question: v1 - What does 'know' mean?

John 15:18, 21.

"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

To refresh your memory, Lu said that the main difference between the world and us is our values, and so we are called to be the salt of the earth. I couldn't agree more, but let's dissect it further. We've actually talked about this a lot in chapter 2, so this is really just reiteration.

Coincidentally, in main service on Sunday, Pastor Rony talked about being the salt of the world. Don't worry, I'll summarize as much as possible! There are 3 function of salt:

1. Salt creates thirst.
We are thus to create a thirst for the Living Water. This should be done by i. having an exemplary conduct, 2. extend a hand to help, and 3. pray.

2. Salt preserves.
Gen 18:23-33 In this passage we see Abraham interceding for Sodom & Gomorrah (which hereafter will be renamed S&G, to sound cool), for the sake of Lot! Although Abraham only bargained until 10 righteous people,
["Then he said, "May the Lord not be angry, but let me speak just once more. What if only ten can be found there?" He answered, "For the sake of ten, I will not destroy it."], the principle here is that God will never judge the righteous together with the wicked. Even if there is just ONE righteous person, God wouldn't destroy S&G.

As the story famously goes, S&G eventually got destroyed because
(i) Abraham wasn't a citizen in S&G
(11) Lot wasn't worth his salt.

Compare this to Moses' intercession for Israel. Now his prayer worked because he was part of the Israelites, and he was "salty".

This shows the importance of being the salt of the earth and the light of the world, where we are placed especially when there is none around you to be found, because for your sake, multitudes will have that glimmer of hope that prevents God's judgment upon them.

We all know what Lot's wife turned into when she looked back, defying God's orders - a pillar of salt. Isn't it ironic? It serves as a reminder as what we should be while living like on earth. Lot and his family just weren't worth their salt.

So, be salty!

3. Salt gives flavour.
2 levels at which we can spice up the life of others
a. We make our life more meaningful to those around us. Can you think of how this applies to us?
b. we make the earth acceptable to God. 2 Thess 2:3-7.

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Cheryl's question

Remember the long debate about Satan in heaven? Well I don't claim to know all about it, after all, I don't think anyone will know for sure since no human beings were alive then. I also don't remember the question exactly, but I know what I wanted to say about this then: I believe that heaven was all it should have been before Lucifer fell. It was precisely because such a foreign thing called sin, in the disguise of pride, could enter Lucifer's mind and overcome him when he was even in the presence of God, that makes it a grave offence. That is why Satan and his minions have been given the death sentence.

So, if that was possible then, is it possible in the future, when the new heaven and earth are created? I believe not, because we have all gone through this mortal life, and hell, as we will know it in eternity, will serve as a grave reminder of sin against God, such that none of us will ever dare to rebel against Him anymore. This is what I read somewhere.

But of course, these are just hypotheses, and we can never ever know for sure.

________________________________

Okay I have 'talked' a lot,and in this time of typing this, 2 flying cockroaches took a tour of my room, FREAKING scary. And BIG. Thank God I can even calm myself down to write this. Phew.

Jess

the memory span of an Israelite

Recently, it seems like I’ve forgotten how good God is, and now that I’m reminded of it, through little things, it drives me to tears and regret over things I’ve said to Him in the dark of the night, and the thought of abandoning Him that surface every now and then.

The past weeks haven’t been easy. It was hard to find something to thank God for. Just when I thought I was picking up on prayer, I slumped into recession of faith. My family learnt last week that my uncle is terminal, cancer of the liver, and has only 3-6 months to live. Last week, I honestly thought he’d be gone by this weekend. His kidneys started to fail, water entered his lungs, and his mind was exhausted from the operation and from the fight to stay alive, to keep breathing. Mid-week, my mom said some stuff that made me, at that point of time, really hate her. Then I turned my anger to God. I’ve been praying for my family, and there haven’t been any results, or improvements. I was angry at Him for not doing anything, for allowing things to happen this way. But, reluctantly, I was forced to submit it to His sovereignty again.

Apparently, being ‘forced to’ wasn’t good enough for Him. He wanted to make me to see that He didn’t want me to be forced into trusting and loving Him, but He wanted to make me do it out of my own accord. And today’s cell opened my eyes to this, and now I happily and willingly trust in Him to answer my prayers. They may take years to realize, but God is my strength.

In the Bible God says that He will answer prayers when,

1. they are in God’s will,

2. they are according to faith,

3. they are asked in Jesus’ name, and,

4. they will glorify God.

In other words, complete God-centredness, which requires us to look away from our needs to the needs of the people around us, at the big picture. And I believe that what I’m asking for, reconciliation in my family first, then their salvation, is fully in His will and all of the above, so I have full faith it will happen.

I thank God for restoring my uncle’s health such that he can even converse with us and tell jokes now.

I thank God for taking care of my bidding for me, so even though I missed the announcement of the cancellation of lecture and went to school for nothing, I got all the mods I want for 1 point each only!

I thank God for friends who have been there to tide me through - Alina, Vic, Amanda, Van, Cheryl, Joanna.

And finally I thank God for other things that I cannot say here publicly, but assures me of His plans. :)

So, if you're like me, feeling lost and helpless, don't be an Israelite who keeps forgetting God's goodness to you before. Know that He has helped you through, and He will carry you through the present and future!

-Jess

Watch this!!

It's amazing how God left His fingerprints and signature on each and everyone of us human beings. We are indeed His creation, people, doubt no more. =] Watch and be amazed at how awesome and magnificent is our God!

norms

P.S.-PostScript(by Jon Li)
   Went for a 'dive' and found some images for you guys! In order not to bump norm's post down, I'm adding them in P.S..
*Rmb to click image to view in full size(Opens in new window)

-Wallpaper, Dimensions 1024x768 pixels-

-Structure-

-Electron Microscopic-

End Note
-Background coding for images to quote source(on MouseOver) & make them open in new window(on Click).
-Validity of P.S. will be decided by norm.

Signed Wed Aug 6, 3.30am