Peace and Joy

Peace and Joy

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.

You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

- Romans 5:1-8

v.1: justified: from guilty to justified. not by works, but by the grace first extended to us… which gives us the capacity for faith. justified through faith.

v.1: peace with God: being redeemed, we are no longer separated from God and don’t have to keep stressing about earning our way into heaven and God’s heart

v.2: grace: grace isn’t only the means by which we are saved, but it is the continued state in where we stand before God. we need God’s continued grace even throughout our walk…it’s hard to get out of the mindset  that nothing comes for free. and to remember that it is by grace that we’ve been saved..and there is no requirement for us to buy grace through out actions.

• makes me wonder… have we fully accepted God’s grace? what does it require to accept God’s grace? is it fully believing that we are unconditionally loved? to believe and allow God to love us while we are  still unworthy?

v.2: we have access: heres what this says:  I’m always here for you. and wow that just makes my heart melt. haha what is it that so many people look for in life? love, acceptance and security i think. and this promise of access to God… it fulfills these needs.

v.2: rejoice in the hope: its like this.. with the perspective that we have God’s love and the hope that comes with that… how can i not rejoice? why is it i find it too easy to let my spirit be weighed down by little things… why is it so easy to forget that amazing hope that i have? so i’ll say unto my heart…rejoice! haha

• rejoice in hope of the glory of God. find joy in God’s salvation, and joy in knowing that despite my inability to see the future, God’s glory will be seen. that God has a purpose for my life… and if i let Him, His glory will shine through in my life.

v.3: but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope.

v.3: tribulations: means a catastrophic event, a time of great distress. wow… how hard it is to be able to glory in even the minor hiccups let alone times of great distress. how can i do it without the grace of God? mmm but how else do we improve our character? how else will God refine me? its through the fire, as the forger requires the heat to make metal malleable so that he can shape it… times of tribulation are to shape me… to make me turn back to God and rely wholly on Him.

v.4: perseverance, character; and character, hope: i think that these words are placed in a specific order. you can’t expect to have more hope or character without having had to persevere through hardship. its just not within God’s plan for us. i’m risking a stagnant relationship with God if i pray that God will prevent me from going through trials and hardship.

v.5: now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us: God pours out his love in huge gushing torrents… not little drips or trickles.

v.6-8: the extent of God’s love is amazing.  i think we buy into a consumeristic view of love these days… we’ll only love someone if they are worth loving. the selfish kind of love… where, i’ll marry you because you make me happy… i’ll divorce you… because you no longer make me happy. i’d love you if you were _____. while we were still sinners God loved us. a love given to people so undeserving.

for: huper the Greek word means ‘for the sake of’

peace and joy. i’m thankful for Your sacrifice. that You love me… You love me despite the fact that i am so undeserving. i’m thankful that You did it all for my sake.

Amy Teh

40 hour famine

40 hour famine

What: 40 Hour Famine

When: Friday 20th - Sunday 22nd August

How: For 40 hours give up something that you depend upon every day. Some food for thought to give up:

• Food
• Facebook, Youtube, MSN or the Internet altogether
• Games, TV, mobile/i-phone/i-pad/whatever it is that you use to call people

How (pt 2): If you don't feel called to fast then please consider supporting people who are fasting by sponsoring them or by prayer.

Why: In giving these things it is an opportunity to depend less upon yourself and more upon God (Psalm 62:6-8 and Hosea 10:12-13). Also, the money that is raised goes towards reaching out to people, families and communities who are not guaranteed one meal a day.

Contact: Darren (dthindle@yahoo.com) or

check out: http://www.worldvision.com.au/40hourfamine.aspx

Francis Chan - I'm in love

Francis Chan - I'm in love

Dinner this FRIDAY!

Dinner this FRIDAY!

A reminder that all are welcome this Friday 30th for coporate dinner.
Let Isaac know!


Time: 6:30pm
Place:same as usual! SCUC Gospel Hall

Devotion: Summary from Chapters 2 & 3 of Prodigal God

Devotion: Summary from Chapters 2 & 3 of Prodigal God

Reference from Luke 15: 11 - 32.

From the Tim Keller's chapters and the parable this summary hit me:

One end, two d i f f e r e n t means.

Let me explore this:

Both sons didn't have the willingness and desire to be in a relationship/get to know the father. With the end point being to gain possession of his "things" instead, whether that be material or non-material things to be used at the son's discretion. They wanted to be in charge; they are boss.

So the being boss part was attempted via two different means:

1. being detached from the father, physical freedom, spontaneous actions/thoughts

or

2. by obeying rules, maintaining/responding to order, in a hope that the son deserves the reward. In effect he would be thinking it's my birth right to have what the father owns but I'd do the right rituals and keep tradition to look good and earn respect for myself along the way.

This parable reminded me of the world we live in. People reach the same ultimate end point position (ie. neglect the Lord) but the means of doing so and how they got there are so vastly different. Some say I had a bad experience with religion, other say you can practise whatever you wish as log as you are happy. But

are they really?

Jesus' parable really highlights that we have missed the point as to how to live life to the full and in the truth. He redefines sin were we rejected God and not let God be God in our lives. We aren't humble but proud, and proud of the fact we are proud! Are we fooling ourselves?

We must be patient and willing to listen to others. To here them out as how they got to such end and hopefully with the guidance of God, may we point them to Him appropriately.

Is the media brainwashing you?

Is the media brainwashing you?

Romans 12:2 says:

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.Two words that stand out to me in this passage are “conform” and “transform”. This verse suggests that we fall into two categories – either conforming or transforming.

I will use an analogy of diffusion and active transport in biology. (How geeky I know – but as a disclaimer it’s been a while since I’ve studied these things so I cannot vouch for the absolute scientific validity or depth of my example!)

Diffusion and active transport are both processes in which cells in the body obtain or release nutrients or waste products. Now diffusion is pretty much a go-with-the-flow type process. For example in a crowded room everyone spreads out – unless you have awkward personal space boundary issues (not looking at anyone in particular). In contrast active transport actually requires energy to actively pump things in against the natural flow - like salmon swimming upstream against the flow of the water.

So if we relate this back to the verse – in our passive state, if we do nothing, we will automatically flick to diffusion mode and conform to the pattern of this world. The call, however, is for us to be transformed (like active transport) to pump in the nutrients (God’s Word!), which we require to know what God’s will is!

It’s almost like our minds and desires are mould-able play dough waiting to take the shape of its surroundings. That’s a scary thought when you think about it! Many of us live oblivious to the fact.

I suppose that’s how advertising works. But on a more non-commercial note what sort of moral values and perceptions about God are we gaining from sources external to the Bible. Whether you like it or not we begin to form our beliefs based on what we surround ourselves with.

You may have heard it said that religion and Christianity brainwashes you – But I would submit to you that we are all being brainwashed period. It is up to you to decide what you want to be brainwashed by: The Word of God or something else.

So the application point here is – what are you allowing yourself to be conformed to? Do nothing and I assure you, you will naturally go with the flow and think whatever TV or magazines tell you to.

I’m not saying that we have to cut media out completely (though it would probably do those who are serious about God some serious good) but I am saying that we need to watch what the predominant conforming agent in our lives is.

So if you are serious about growing in Christ and knowing God’s will; transform your mind and renew it daily with the Bible.

Do it – it won’t happen over night… but it will happen… if you actively transform your mind!

David Cheung

2010 Uni Cell Groups Cook Off

2010 Uni Cell Groups Cook Off

Our 2010 Cook Off winner: Jason and Jacqui's Bananananananza

Click here for more pictures of our 2010 Cook Off.