16 July 2010, Friday CG

On CG Friday night, 16 Jul, the CG entered the House of Grace where the Grace of God dwells. After the worship, we had Revelation 6 shown on video in a dramatize version. Then we started the Bible study led by Brother B.

The topic :When Things Fall Apart
The OBJECTIVE: To establish life anchor for adversities in life.

Brother B opened to the floor for sharing the adversities in our life.

Elder sister G shared about she had cancer growth when she was 16 years old. She was new to God then. But God saw her through. The cancer growth was removed. And 10 years ago, the Lord healed her slip disc condition through a successful operation. Before the operation, God flashed the word "resurrection" to her. This gave her courage to go for the operation. When other patients in the ward saw her speedy recovery, they found courage to go for the operation too.

Sister G shared that her current health trial is not as bad as back in year 2006. That time the illness dragged for few months and she was still weak after 1 year. But that time, the Lord assured her during a CG worship time, that even her parents forsake her, He will not forsake her. God is faithful. He is with her and helped her in time of needs.

This time, God is also gracious to her. Despite the pain and diarrhea due to food poisoning and not yet resolve, there are always areas to thank God for. She found it useful to focus on the attributes of God, the Word of God and also look to Jesus. Especially on Jesus nails pierced hands. In this trial, she found herself stronger than 4 years ago. The main reason for that strength is her growth and healing in Christ in this church that she joined 3 years ago. And the Lord also prepared her for this trial through Senior Pastor Edmund sermon title "Sermon on the Mount" which talked about radical discipleship.

Brother B shared that God improved his living condition during a difficult period when he was a student. And God healed his health condition as he prayed to God. He shared Romans 8:28 (ESV) "And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose." is a verse that encourage him.

Sister A also found Romans 8:28 speaks to her during her time of adversities.

Sister L shared that she like Romans 8:28 because she was born in 28th of August.

Elder sister G prayer make me feel that we should claim Psalm 23 into our life. To look to God who is in control.

It is complex to explain about suffering. Especially why good Christians suffer. Brother B shared 3 points on why Christians suffering:
1. Sin or lesson to learn

2. For other person. 2 Cor 1:3-5 (ESV)
"3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort,
4 who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.
5 For as we share abundantly in Christ's sufferings, so through Christ we share abundantly in comfort too."

3. Divine purpose. (Book of Job) Maybe only in heaven then we know the reason.

Elder brother M shared the verse 1 Peter 1:6-7(ESV) "6 In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, 7 so that the tested genuineness of your faith-more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire-may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ."

He felt that trials are so that our faith proves to be real. And for God to receive glorify and honor.

He also shared 2 Cor 12:9(ESV) "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me."

Sister M shared that Revelation gives her different perspective.

Brother S shared 1 Pet 5:6-11. Too long to copy, please refer to your Bible.

Brother B shared that at normal time our Bible knowledge may be just intellect. But in suffering, it involves emotion. Sing Christian songs and prayers helps. We end the Bible study with the song "Above All".

Many years ago, when I was vey sad and in tears in my bedroom, God used this song "Above All" to minister to me on how much He loves me. Jesus who died on the cross for our sake is truly above all.

Then we proceed with supper time. We celebrated the birthday of 1 brother and 2 sisters. The cake is lovely. We took video and group photos with the cake to celebrate this special day.

Oops... Without Elder sister A, the recite MV section is miss out. :O