sion presbyterian student fellowship

A testimonial from Elder Loke SH

2005-06-21T22:44:00.000+08:00

this is a little wordy but please do read it ok?
((:

A TESTIMONIAL FROM ELDER LOKE SIAH WAH

Recently, I was admitted into hospital for an operation and was overwhelmed by the prayer support and phoned-in regards from everyone, as well as Rev Ong, along with several preachers, elders and deacons who personally made trips down to visit me. I would like to thank everyone of you for your concern.

During my stay in the hospital, I went through 3 extraordinary experiences which I would hereby like to share with all:

1.) I ended up needing to go through four operations instead of only one which was initially planned. This therefore prolonged my stay from 7 to 14days.

2.) Despite having to endure greater pain, the grace of God was abundant.
Although I only paid for class ‘C’ ward beds during my time there, there was not even a single day that I slept on a class ’C’ bed. I was warded into a class ‘B1’ room on my first day before I went into ICU. Subsequently my next 9 days until discharge were spent in a ‘A1’ ward.

3.) This is the most unexpected experience I would like to relate:

I was admitted on the 28th April 05. The operation for Parathyriod was scheduled for the afternoon on 29 Apr 05. On 30 Apr 05, I had to undergo a haemodialysis. Having removed both my kidneys seven years ago, I regularly underwent dialysis thrice a week. However, there was an artery blockage this time round, resulting in a 15cm tube being inserted through my neck to allow dialysis to be performed. By the time the process was able to go under way, it was already near midnight.

At about 3am on 1 May, I was being sent back to my ward after the dialysis. That was when the nurse who attended to me noticed my swollen neck and immediately alerted the doctor. An operation was arranged, which was when I became aware of my critical condition. For a moment, I had serious breathing difficulties which later eased away. It was followed by comfort and relief, The pain seemed to have left me and I felt as if my soul was afloat. I was convinced my life had then ended, and I was returning to the Lord. I liken that sense of excitement that overcame me at that point of time to that of a traveller returning home after a long journey. No darkness, nor fear nor any other factors but only joy. It all seemed to occur so fast that I did not even have the opportunity to bid my wife farewell. Empty handed, there was nothing I could bring along with me even if I had wanted to. It was then that I recalled an incident, and I asked God, ‘ doesn’t the agreement for me to return to your home come only when I’m 60years old?’

And so I regained conscious, and noticed I was in the process of being operated on by doctors trying to release blood clogged within me.

It was 5.15am, I was once again sent to the operating theatre,

Just to share a secret, when I learned that both my kidneys failed functioning, I was 48. While confronted with death, I made this prayer to the Lord who had once given additional 15 years of life to King Hezekiah when approached (2 Kings 20:1-11, Isaiah 38:1-9). I begged him for an additional 12 years to live, that I will return to him only at 60 years of age. I recall how peaceful I felt after that particular prayer, and I was certain the lord had already answered me.

And now that I have recovered and am enjoying the company of my family, I am indeed very thankful. And if my time is up and have to leave this world, I know it can only be a good thing. The bible mentions in: (Rev 14:13)
Then I heard a voice from heaven say, "Write: Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on." "Yes," says the Spirit, "they will rest from their labor, for their deeds will follow them."
From the scriptures, it has been stated that 7 people have been brought back to life from death. The son of a widow who attended to Elijah (1 King 17:17-24); the son of a Shunammite (2 Kings 4:17-37); the son of a widow in Nain (Luke 7: 11-16); the daughter of Jairus (Luke 8:49-56); Lazarus (John 11); Dorcas (Tabitha) (Acts 9:36-43); and Eutychus (Acts 20:7-12).

Many whom have read these verses often fail to see something, that is despite being brought back to life and reunited with their family, not one of them was thankful and expressed joy nor praise to God. This is as compared to their home in heaven, they had to return to a world that is temporary and imperfect, where they will be plagued with endless troubles and worries. How then, will they be happy?

It is good to trust in our Lord Jesus, as we are able enjoy his grace and love while we are alive, and join Him in heaven after our death. With the Lord by our side, there will be neither death, nor sorrow, nor pain. (Rev 21:3-4)
And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.
He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

The christian life is one filled with joy and hope.

The experience of returning to our heavenly home was great. For sure there will be a next time for me, when the Lord comes calling for me to return again, I shall answer joyously.

230405 - parable of the weeds

2005-04-25T01:07:00.000+08:00

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Bible Study (1): 'The Parable of the Weeds'- 230405

Notes:

This series of Bible Study is on Jesus's Parables. This parables are taken from both books of Matthew and Luke as our BS materials.

We have 4 BS groups in total:
Tr.RongChao's group: Siying, Benjamin, Kangyang, Yanxin, Paul
(age 18 and above, meet in library)
Tr.HweeChin's group: Timothy, Hao En, Haolong, Kaiming, Joel, Meixin, Yimin, Huiting
(age 12 - 15, meet in Student Fellowship room)
Tr.Zhu Fen's group: Jeremy, Shaun, Yile, Desmond, Jiasheng, Xiuqi, Yiying, Yilin
(age 16-17, meet in Sunday School room)
Tr. Huizhen's group: Shanwei, Karen, Lijun, Junsheng
(new christians and friends, meet in Sunday School room)

For the 1st lesson in BS, our teacher have started off with :
The Parable of the Weeds, taken from Matthew Chap 13: v24-30 & v36-43

Chap 13: v24-30, "The Parable of the Weeds"
Jesus told them another parable: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. but while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared. The owner's servants came to him and said, 'Sir, didn't you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?' " 'An enemy did this,' he replied. " 'No,' he answered, 'because while you are pulling the weeds, you may root up the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.' "

Chap 13: v36-43, "The Parable of the Weeds Explained"
Then he left the crowd and went into the house. His disciples came to him and said, "Explain to us the parable of the weeds in the field." He answered, "The one who sowed the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed stands for the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels. "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age. The Son of Man will send out his angels, and they will weed out his kingdom everything that causes sin and all who do evil. They throw them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Then the righteous will shine like the sun in the kingdom of their Father. He who has ears, let him hear.

Why Jesus use Parables in the bible?
It is to help us better relate it personally to our lives and allow us to have a space for imagination to take place, but this space have boundaries, thus we should be careful interpretating the passages. It is also to help us discover the mystery of heaven, which is the kingdom of God.

Q: How do we as Christians live in this world?
In the passage, (refer to the explainations in v.36 onwards)
v24. field, refers to the world
v25. sleeping, refers to when the master is not around and when we are least alert, the enemy will come and attack

This parable have also identified the fact of the existence of sin in this world, as you may find bad things in a righteous person, yet find good things in a evil person.
Therefore, we as Christians should always be alert! v.40, "As the weeds are pulled up and burned in the fire, so it will be at the end of the age."

Q: What should we do when we are angry with someone?
(Read the lessons below, what do you think it will be?)

Some lessons to be learnt from this parable:
1) Always be alert, the enemy (Satan) will come (temptations) when we least expected

2) Cannot expect perfection, but should accept the imperfection in each of us, or else, we will be easily disappointed. As all of us have fall short of the glory of God, it also means that there is no perfection since then when Adam and Eve disobeyed God's instructions. Therefore, only God has the right to judge, not me, not you, or anyone else. Many of us easily tend to judge on the surface, however, after learning this lesson, we should then change our attitude and remind ourselves constantly for not judging others when they have imperfections in they are lives. Also as in Colossians 3:13, "Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you."

3) Accept our own limitations and weaknesses. Acknowledge the fact that only God is able to change anyone from turning away against sin.

4) To constantly reflect on ourselves, like in the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25:v14-30, we are accountable for whatever things He have given to us in our lives. However, we should not condemn and ignore those people whom we did previously, instead we should ask ourselve how can we be like a wheat and provide for others. Both weeds and wheats looks very similar when they are planted, but we will never know whether are we weeds or wheats until the day we meet Christ. Back on the cruxification of Jesus, Luke 23:39-43, the theif was hanged on the cross who live a life full of evil deeds, yet he was saved by Christ in His mercy and grace at his last breathe. Therefore, as Christians, we have to be alert and constantly reflect on our lives. Since we will never know when the master will come back to judge us, we should learn to be ever ready to meet Him when the time comes.

Question to ponder: Have this parable help you to relate it to your lives? Have you discover the bits and pieces of mystery of the Kingdom of God?

The following dates for the next 5 of the 6 Bible Study lessons:
~~April 23,~~ May 14, Jun 25, July 23, Aug 20, Sept 17

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16April05

2005-04-16T21:27:00.000+08:00

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Sermon: 'Jin Ri Xing Tu Suo Mian Dui De Tiao Zhan' - 160405

Notes:

Our speaker for today was Preacher Liu Jin Qin. It was our first time having combine fellowship with our church Adult Fellowship (Lu Wei Tuan Qi) and having our fellowship at 5pm, 1 hour later than usual, 4pm. We have two new ITE friends in our midst, Shevon and Tian En. Shevon have been joining Youth Fellowship for the past few weeks and this is her first time with her friend, Tian En joining Student Fellowship. This week everyone was brighten up by our beloved little brother, Sister Lifang's youngest son. Hee...do you agree? =D
Back to the sermon, at start, Pr. Liu shared with us quite a few bible verses. Do take sometime to read through and meditate on the verses before you move on, don't rush through.

For Student Fellowship:
Ecclesiastes 11:9-10, 12:1, 12:12 -13 (my bible, pg 1096-1097)
Psalm 119: 9-11, 139:16 (pg 1001 & 1019)

Chap 11: v9-10: Be happy, young man, while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you to judgment. So then, banish anxiety from your heart and cast off the troubles of your body, for youth and vigor are meaningless.

Chap 12: v1: Remember your Creator in the days of your youth, before the days of trouble come and the years approach when you will say, "I find no pleasure in them"

Chap 12: v12-13: Be warned, my son, of anything in addition to them. Of making many books there is no end, and much study wearies the body. Now all has been heard; here is the conclusion of the matter: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.

Chap 119: v9-11: How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.

Chap 139: v16: your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be.

For Adult Fellowship:
Ecclesiastes 5:18-20, 9:7-10 (pg 1088 & 1093)

Chap 5: v18-20: Then I realized that it is good and proper for a man to eat and drink, and to find satisfaction in his toilsome labor under the sun during the few days of life God has given him - for this is his lot. Moreover, when God gives any man wealth and possessions, and enables him to enjoy them, to accept his lot and be happy in his work - this is a gift of God. He seldom reflects on the days of his life, because God keeps him occupied with gladness of heart.

Chap 9: v7-10: Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for it is now that God favors what you do. Always be clothed in white, and always anoint your head with oil. Enjoy life with your wife, whom you love, all the days of this meaningless life that God has given you under the sun - all your meaningless days. For this is your lot in life and in your toilsome labor under the sun. Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the grave, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

After reading the verses, she shared with us that nowadays YOUTHs (young people) trends are highly valued in the market. Many companies have started research on youth trends, attitudes and mindsets because of they are increasing purchasing power. The research was meant for them to facilitate they are marketing strategies for they are company products and services. She then highlighted that YOUTHs between age of 12-19 years old was catergorized as the 1st generation of globalized youth, know as 'X Generation'. Are you fall between this range?

Nowdays, youth are known by this 4 characteristics. Have you identified yours?
Remember what is 'ACES'? Sure it's not ACES day.

'A' = Alienated (Shu Li)
Those who leave parent's guidance and prefer to stay in they are own room and hide. Cannot tolerate they are parents from interferring they are own privacy. Tend to seek they are own life directions of they are wish or from other social influences than listening to they are parents.
meaning of 'Alienated', taken from dictionary.com:
1) to cause to become unfriendly or hostile; estrange: alienate a friend; alienate potential supporters by taking extreme positions.
2) to cause to become withdrawn or unresponsive; isolate or dissociate emotionally: The numbing labor tended to alienate workers.

'C' = Cynical (Fen Shi Ji Shu)
Does not consider on moral values, have extreme mindsets and yearn to explore on they are own than listening to teaching.
meaning of 'Cynical', taken from dictionary.com:
1) believing or showing the belief that people are motivated chiefly by base or selfish concerns; skeptical of the motives of others: a cynical dismissal of the politician's promise to reform the campaign finance system.
2) selfishly or callously calculating: showed a cynical disregard for the safety of his troops in his efforts to advance his reputation.
3) negative or pessimistic, as from world-weariness: a cynical view of the average voter's intelligence.
4) expressing jaded or scornful skepticism or negativity: cynical laughter.

'E' = Experimental (Shi Yan Xing)
Wants to try, feel, explore and experience for excitement and something different.
meaning of 'Experimental', taken from dictionary.com:
1) given to experimenting.
2) of the nature of an experiment; constituting or undergoing a test: an experimental drug.
3) founded on experience; empirical.

'S' = Savvy (Zhi Shi Guang)
Have missed this part, anyone can fill in the blanks?
meaning of 'Savvy', taken from dictionary.com:
1) well informed and perceptive; shrewd: savvy Washington insiders.
2) practical understanding or shrewdness: a banker known for financial savvy.

1. Studies
In the past, the youths at our age have two options of what to do to spend their time, either study or to empty the feces (dousai) in they are traditional toilets at home. But in this present age, youth like us have no much choices when we are young. We are all 'born' with the responsibility to study. Helping us to equip ourselves academically. Secondary schools are divided into different streams such as the Express/Special, Normal Academic/Technical. MOE have also build institutions and schools to enhance education in the country. From our local movie "I'm not stupid", it had featured the reality that every Singaporeans are facing since then. Is ITE, it's the end? Our government have also made plans in restructuring ITE (Institute of Technical Education) and promoting a new image to change the public perception of the institution. Eventually, all this plans and system is to help us and to help the country to discover and cultivate talented ones.

Many times as a youth, they like to ask, what is our strength? Instead of asking people, have you ever thought of asking God, our Creator? We know, He knows, as from Psalm 139:16. To understand ourselves is very important. For many adults now in our age, they live in a world which they have to wake up early to study and sleep early. However, as a globalized youth today, we no longer living in a world with no leisure at night or midnight times. We have entertainments available all day long, such as mid-night movies, 24/7 stores, cable TV, computer games, VCDs, internet, etc.

These days, we as youth prefer to study at night, mid-night or even till the morning, we may also need noise and music to help us focus and have concentration to study. No matter what method we can try out with, we have to understand ourselves so as to better optimize our ability to absorb the information and facts that we are studying. She then emphasized that we are in the golden age for studying, not just academically, but also God's words. Thus, we should stay focus, spend our time wisely in studies, and of course, on God's words! To please and know Jesus at our young age help to equip us for the many tough challenges in adulthood.

2. Boy-Girl Relationship
Heard of the TV show, 'The Bachelor?', 'The Bachelorette?', 'Eye for a guy?'. One day when we are at the qualified age, will you join such programs? Long before all this shows, when we are still little kids, Singapore Channel 8 also have similar programs, such as 'Jin Tong Yu Nu Yi Xian Qian' and 'XXX long feng pei' (so sorry, didnt jot down fast enough), till our recent program, 'yuan lai shi ni' from Channel U. All this programs have a obvious common objective, which was to help the participant to find they are suitable life partner.

Apparently, all of us know that the older generation have a different love method and making friends. How much different?
(She shared 12 stages from some foreign guy called "Mao Li Shi")
Stages of a relationship:
1) Eye to body contact
2) Eye to eye
3) Voice to voice
4) Hand to hand
5) Arm to shoulder
6) Arm to waist
7) Kissing (mouth to mouth)
8-11) *incomplete
12) Sexual Intercourse

Compared with the older generation, the maximum stage they will go before marriage is to hold hands. It is also shocking for many that youths now have shorten the stages and jump straight fast from the first few steps to the last which is meant sacredly in a marriage.
Read the article on love

The 3 top priorities of young people for this few years remain about the same: friends, money & parents. Friends are ranked the first consecutively.
At the end of the day, what are your reasons to get into a relationship?
1) For encouragement, support and competitor
2) Help each other, understand each other more
3) 2 is better than 1, a companion and support
4) Understand opposite gender, help to understand to better work with them

Unlike the worldly methods, we as Christians should take note not to have body contacts!!!

In a biblical stand, Christians should:
- avoid physical contact
- have self-control (even though our physical hormones change and stress may lead to a wide range of emotion changes, we cannot allow ourselves to indulge to dis-Christ like behaviours, words and thoughts.

Challenge:
- Live a good testimonial even in our private lifes with full obedience to Jesus.

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9April 05

2005-04-15T03:23:00.000+08:00

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Sermon: Yu Shen Tong Xing - 090405

Notes:

Elder. Yang Da Ming was the speaker for that day. At the beginning, he shared with us two bible verses, as from my bible, Old Testament pg 1509 (1st), New Testament pg 426 (2nd):

1) Micah 6:8 "He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and love mercy and to walk humbly with your God."

2) 1 John 5: 1-5 "Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. *This is love for God: to obey his commands. And his commands are not burdensome, for everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. Who is it that overcomes the world? Only he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God."
*He Emphasized on v.3

Later, he posted questions for us to ponder...

Q: Will you be around in church when you are older? Maybe in 10,20,30...>50 years time?

Haha...True, still remember when my mum was much younger at my age she was serving in church but in her age now at near 60, she do attend church services regularly as much as she can, but when it comes to work commitments, she do not have such time allowance to spare her from doing so. Time and youth are precious...what if it was you, will you be around? how about those around you? Do you think they will still be around then? Will you forget them? Will you make them stumble and leave God? Or will you be the one to encourage and help them to walk closely with God?

Q: Why do we leave God?
Many ppl like to question, what did God want me to do in my life? To serve as a Pastor? Should all of us become preachers? Maybe we should all join to be church full-time servants?

Elder.Yang pointed out Micah 6:8, he shared that God has already showed us His will of how we should live as a Christian, which not only have to act justly, be merciful, and be humble, but to also walk closely with our God.

However, very often we find it difficult to keep and fulfil all His commandments. Even though we might have many leaders and matured Christians around to guide and help us, but we may not realise actually the reason for such struggle and pain is because we have forgotten our creator's purposes for us.

Growing up in an organized Church like us has its own pros and cons. Its weakness, for eg, in fellowship, our weekly scripture reading may not be effective if the person who reads treat it as a practice or procedure, "when you ask me to read, then i will read". The main point for all this struggle was actually due to the choices we make. It is very important because ultimately when we get older and claim to have such freedom to make decision to stay or leave, it's common sense that we can choose.

Influence from the world to us
1) The society (democratic,communist,socialist,federation,etc)
2) The mindset (since WorldWar II onwards, the world has changed. All the systems have a common rule, which is becoming 'Consumer No.1', which leads to 'getting job most important!')

Recently, what have closely affected us in Singapore was the building of our future CASINO. Sadly, Elder Yang shared that 2 of his church taxi drivers have told him not to go against government plans to build casino, because it will brings in tourists and customers which will improve they are earnings. But, it's a fact! Eventually, in a economic stand, we will be benefited. Although we might have counselors to off-set the social impact, how are we as a Christian to react towards this matter? Should we go against and cut-down this revenue source? Or should we support in order to have more jobs available with better pay in the market when we graduate? This seems tough! One way is God's pleasing, the other is favourable to ourselves but does not please God. Which will you choose?

Everyday in our lifes, we get to see/read/listen/smell/taste to more than 20 thousand messages. We have many high-tech products available too, be it MP3 player, PDA, digital cam, or many more...we cannot deny that we are all living in a decision making world. E.g. such as the many churches available (FCBC,Lighthouse,Cityharvest,etc) and different stationary available in the shop. Many ppl view things the way like a decision maker, to decide to stay in the church or not, to buy another pen or not even when there are still a lot at home, in our spiritual life many make decisions based on this 4 common questions:

1) do i want to come church?
2) is it fun to come church?
3) is it interesting and exciting?
4) will i be benefited?

Then, he recalled what he have read about the death of the Roman priest leader that week, as many argued that the Roman priest is a controversial because he declared the many things that is not allowed such as gay, avoid prenancy and etc, Elder Yang commented that it's not what he created, he is just following and becoming firm with the rules based on the catholic laws since in his position as the priest leader, he have to be firmed. From the arguements by the reporter have reflected a common mindset our world is heading, the reporters so as the many ppl in the world believed that they have the right to decide for themseleve whether gay is right or wrong, etc. From the divorced rates, many also believed that they have the right to choose they are life parter.

But, in our lifes, we cannot decide to be saved, there are no options available. As a person receives GOSPEL not by choice, but because he/she is appointed by God. Although on surface, it seems like we have make the choice to believe. But, after living with God for a while, you might also agree and understand that it's difficult for us to be God-centered due to our consumer-orientated mindset. However, unlike choices which it have to be make sense to us, gospel can only make sense when we obey God. When we fully understand the meaning and worth of the gospel, our life will be filled with thanksgiving for the grace and peace He have provided, then, our life will no longer be ours but His.

Back to what he have shared earlier, an organized church have certain difficulty to understand all the DOs and DONTs, but as we know by obeying God, we will then understand that to be a perfect being is for in eternity with God. By living a life which obeys His words, we will understand that it help us in our lifes, in marriage too (Both his wife and him need not worry about sexual diseases when they obey God by being faithful, thus, they have trust and harmony in the family). Unless we go back to the meaning of the gospel of Christianity, we will never understand and we might also find it even difficult to walk with Jesus each day.

Reminder: understand our status, position, identity, knowing that it's not an experience, but it's a journey when walking closely with God each day such that to mold us to go back to our perfect life. Micah 6:8

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Last week of March

2005-03-27T13:39:00.000+08:00

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Video (13): "The time had fully come" - 260305

Notes:
Recalling back what Bro. Rong Chao have shared that day during the video session, i believed many of us who have accepted Christ was once more re-affirmed of the trustworthiness of our faith which based on His words, the bible. It took us back to a place named, Qumran, in the desert where the dead sea scrolls was found in year 1947.

The discovered scrolls was then compared with the bible that we are using today, little differences was found and it matches with the scrolls copied by the Essenes at that time. This also confirmed one truth! That the bible we used today, which our faith is based on is same as the original copy!!! Although many popular and persuasive anti-christ text can be found today, we should always be reminded and assured of the authenticity of the bible! The first time i heard of dead sea scrolls was in my sunday school days.

But What have amazed me most in my sunday school days was one of the video showed about the discoveries on the ruins of "Noah's Ark" in Mount Everest. I could barely close my eyes from watching the video which evidently before my eyes showed me how real the incident has taken place. It's not just a story, It's history!

Dead Sea
Scrolls (above)

Cave
(above)

Map of Dead
Sea, Cave & Qumran
(above)

Saw the hole
there? It's the cave
(above)

Qumran's
homes in the desert
(above)

The Essenes (ai se ni ren) who does not agree with the rulers for they are evil doings, thus shifted to Qumran to start up they are homes, where they can avoid temptations from the society which does not please God. They fervently live a life which based on God's law and practice community meal which was similar to the time of Jesus (last supper).

They believe they are the New Jerusaleum, 'the way of the road', so that when 2nd coming of Christ, they will be prepared and ready to be receieved by God. Acts 2:17 "In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams."

　
From the Essenes,

1) Realise that what God works in the past, is not through an immediate change, but his way works gradually. Thus, we should not wait for changes to happen, but should follow his will.

　
2) It's a contrast between Good & Evil. We cannot compromise our life and culture with those who are not right. "What is light going to do with darkness", 2Conrin 6:14 "Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?" Therefore, we have to be completely ready to be sons & daughters of light.

3) Christianity belief is that we should bring the special gift God has given us to share it to the community around us, but instead the Essenes community isolate themselves and yet to expect to affect the corrupted community.

　
Lessons learnt:

Galatians 4:4-5, "But when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under law, to redeem those under law, that we might receive the full rights of sons."

1) The Essenes isolate themselves and perseveres on to be the follower of Christ. They seek holiness in they life and a close walk with God. Similar to now, we should also seek holiness to come to church to have fellowship with one another. Though there are a lot of similarities, however, we should learn not to isolate ourselves and seek holiness solely, and also we should learn to be consistent in what we do. To seek holiness in our life, not just in church, but in school, at home, with friends, no matter where we go and whom we are with.

　
2) Back then the Isralites was out from Egypt to the deserts. They were at the difficult situation (desert), in they are 40 years desert life, many turn to idolatry, make complaints and eventually disobey God. However, God provided them with food and water to keep them from hungry and thirst. God teach them lessons of trust! It reflects in our lifes, that when we are facing certain difficulty in our lives, we should learn to depend on Him, learning not to be like the Isralites.

　
(Warnings from Israel's History)

1Corin 10:6-11, "Now these things occurred as examples to keep us from setting our hearts on evil things as they did. Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: "The people sat down to eat and drink and got up to indulge in pagan revelry." We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did - and in one day twenty-three thousands of them died. We should not test the Lord, as some of them did - and were killed by snakes. And do not grumble, as some of them did - and were killed by the destroying angel. These things happened to them as examples and were written down as warnings for us, on whom the fulfullment of the ages has come."

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