When life is shaken - Nelson Tjiunardi Facebook post on 21/12/2019

A few days ago, my wife broke down after receiving the news from the gynaecologist, “Your baby didn’t grow in size in 2 weeks and I can’t detect any heart beat”. With that sentence, we had to prepare for the worst: another miscarriage after we had one about a year ago. At about the same time, my dad had 2 major health crisis that almost claimed his life. We can choose to remember all the pain and complain about life when life gives us some good shaking, but I remember that when the shaking comes, it doesn't change who we are, it only reveals what is within us. Due to the carbonation within, a bottle of coke will burst of you give it a rigorous shaking. However, that will never happen to a bottle of water, shake it all you like and it remains calm and collected. I am reminded that I should be like water instead of coke, because my sense of peace and security does not lie on my circumstance or what happens to me. The greatest peace and true joy in life is the one that you can have with Jesus in the midst of all your raging life crisis and challenges. I remain secure and peaceful no matter how bad the storm of life can shake our little family, because Jesus is in the boat with us throughout it all. He is the One who calms the storm within, so the storm outside can do us no harm. I choose not to remain focused on my problems and be a victim of all the mishaps, I would rather choose to take responsibility about life and keep responding positively to life's challenges for in there lies our strength. My friend, I wish I have the time to sit down with you one by one and listen to your list of mishap and downturn in life too, for I know that everyone of us is fighting a silent battle that no one knows anything about. Be encouraged knowing that your identity in Christ is secure no matter what the world might do to shake you. You are deeply loved, you are chosen and you are fearfully and wonderfully made even when you were still in your mother's womb (Ps 139).

Anointing - 5 ingredients

Meekness and submission
Humility
Stand for Him, hold to his promises
Inner cleansing
Holy spirit anointing fresh oil

Acts lesson 12 - 6/12/19 The First church council meeting at Jerusalem (Acts 15

Acts lesson 12 - 6/12/19

The First church council meeting at Jerusalem (Acts 15)

Aim : God’s gospel plan unites all believers. 

Div 1

Gospel Question

Acts 15:1-11

********************

According to Abraham law, male circumcision.

Previously Jews and gentiles practise trade separation. 

Romans 

“Gospel reveal righteousness by faith in grace, thru Christ

Ephesians 2:8 New International Version (NIV)

8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Salvation is...something 

Not achieve by received.

Circumcision 

Outward sign 

Shows u belong to God covenant ppl

Judaism spoke to follow circumcision law. 

Paul rebuke Peter. For truth and unity.

The Old Testament law is like mirror. Shows u but cannot save u.

We believe that it’s ***by grace thru faith in Christ*** that we are saved.

Principle 1 

God’s gospel plan is the grace of Jesus, plus nothing.

If we add anything tu grace then it’s no longer grace. 

We are made right with God in Jesus.

Div 2

Gospel unity

Acts 15:12-35

****************

JAMES (Jesus brother) believer after resurrection. 

God ppl are one ppl even upon cultural differences.

Ephesians 4:2-3

Gospel unity is based on biblical truth

And not compromising For unity 

Application: love our brother and sisters

Principle 2

God’s gospel plan include intentional love for others 

Any barrier for u in the community of Christ?

CHp 15 starting w dispute but ending with clarity of gospel.

Acts Lesson 12

BSF ACTS - Lesson 12 on 29/11/19

Sending the 1st Missionaries Acts 13&14

Word either received or reject.

Reject bcoz looking at present not the future. 

I Opposition Targeted at the hearer Acts 13

*************

Fast and pray. Led & filled with the Holy Spirit. 

Paul’s First missionary journey. 

Satan is behind all opposition for God.

Jesus defeated satan at the cross.

Satan limited power, only if God permit.

Sorcerer (satan) turned proconsul away fr faith but God used sorcerer turned proconsul to faith.

PRINCIPLE 1

*************

GOD’S OVERCOME OPPOSITION FOR HIS WORD TO SPREAD

Pray and lean is the Holy spirit. Obedient to the Lord counsel. Flee to another when u r persecuted.

Word procedure faith

Faith brought healing to the man.

Discernment needed.

Satan mission.

Deceiver, tempter

Mission oppose God and his ppl

They experience trial and suffering before entering kingdom of God. Thru Holy spirit empowering

Nurturing and encouragement new believers...?

Preaching gospel....

II. God empowers messengers to overcome opposition 

Acts 14

*************

He’s sovereign, all powerful

Unstoppable 

He already defeated the opposition 

Praise important for believers

He is exalted 

Psalms 22:3

Inhabit the praise

2 chronicles 20:22

Praise, God set ambush

Acts 16:25-26

Paul and silas

Pray and sing hymns

Chains & prison door open 

Isaiah 

Raise a hallelujah 

Every Praise thank our God 

Exalt 

Acts Lesson 7 on 25/10/19 God’s plan for the church includes all people groups

BSF ACTS - Lesson 7 on 25/10/19

God’s plan for the church includes all people groups 

By Denise tham 

Main truth

*************

God’s plan for the church includes all people groups

I God’s plan to Expand 

Acts 9:31-42

*************

Developing, stretching, branching out etc...multi-layer to accomplish His plans.

Time of peace, are u building your spiritual life?

God’s plans are always 

Restore and give eternal life 

Expanding his church.

God’s plans - church

• individual      
• When individual strengthen, church strengthen 

PRINCIPLE 1

*************

GOD’S PLAN TO EXPAND THE CHURCH INVOLVES INDIVIDUAL BELIEVERS 

God’s Salvation open to each individual.

Are u live in the fear of the Lord?

Are u putting him first?

Psalm 27:23

Ordered our steps, meticulous plan. Restored, strengthen, healing, life, timely.

II. God’s plan unifies

Acts 9:43-11:30

*************

God’s plan 

• use right servants / individuals 
• Use right time 

Reconciliation to the heart of the gospel. Fellowship w God broken in the garden of Eden. Reconcile thru Jesus Christ. Therefore we are at peace w God. 

Believers are all his ambassadors.

God is an impartial God. 

• Don’t discriminate 

Unstoppable plan in Antioch. 

Gratitude: Give financially material in serving 

PRINCIPLE 2

*************

God’s plan unifies 

How he change my perspective for his larger plan in His eternal kingdom.

His plan:

vast 

deep 

powerful 

mysterious 

beautiful 

unstoppable 

God plan is always good and help us to trust his plan bcoz He’s always good!

Acts lesson 8 by Toris.

Acts lecture (Toris) 8/11/2019

Lesson 8 

Principle 1

Believers can expect persecution. 

...but God is always presence and in control.

Purpose: Trial draw our attention to the one who is in control. 

Sometimes angels escort us to the cross. 

Your Prayer life...run to him first or others first?

His plans 

His timing

His way....

....is d best!

Principle 2.

Believers enable by God can persecute and flourished 

Human tendency is to run fr persecution. In adversity we run to God, He help us to persevere and flourished thru persecution and suffering. 

God Position us for Eternal impact, for believers. 

BSF ACTS - Lesson 6 PHILIPS MINISTRY And PAUL CONVERSION Acts 8:1-9:30 By TEOH Pooi boon

BSF ACTS - Lesson 6

PHILIPS MINISTRY And PAUL CONVERSION 

Acts 8:1-9:30

By TEOH Pooi boon

Main truth

*************

I Positioned to proclaim 

Acts 8:1-40

*************

Believers in Jerusalem is God seed

Great Persecution spreading the seeds.

Plant to new soil 

Acts 1:8 promise unfolding 

PHILIPS went to Samaria to spread gospel. He reaps the sow Jesus sown 5 yrs ago. Does many signs and wonders. 

SIMON, sorcerer claim himself someone great.

believe first

Outward expression baptism 

PRINCIPLE 1

*************

God perfectly his ppl to proclaim the gospel 

II. Transform to Proclaim

Acts 

*************

Took one Encounter w Jesus 

“Saul Saul why r u persecuting me?”

Persecuting believers = persecuting Jesus.

Blindness for 3 days to reflect.

Ananias has vision to restore Saul.

God give in instruction One step at a time. God choice to proclaim.

Scale fell fr Saul eyes and can see again. 

May God chose me to be witness did his (Aa) Spiritual birth....

PRINCIPLE 2

*************

God’s transformation of ppl advances the gospel 

Dr Hera on emotional pain

https://youtu.be/B8Rf7FEdqGM
Dr Hera on emotional pain
Family life Fgakl

Talk about it with somebody
Nothing shameful to talk
Can fester...eg perfectionist

3 things learned
Mark 2:1-12
4 men Brings paralysed man
JOHN 5:1-15
Similar:  sin / stop sinning
Missing the mark
Reveal himself that He can heals and forgive sins.

What Christian said abt ppl who has disorder?
 unforgiveness , eg

Lesson 2 we need the community
Stretcher bearers

Sermon 13/10/19 Naaman, Elisha & little girl

Sermon 13/10/19

Freely freely

Kubalas...

Why did Elisha shun Naaman when he came?

Elisha wants Naaman to know it’s God that heals. By grace, cannot bought by his talents shekels.

There Is no Power 

But OF God 

Romans 13:1 

How do we see ourselves? 

a) Authority of wealthto buy grace Eph 2:8-9 

Save by grace...

b) Authority of kings of the world 

c) A great man pride; achievements-Isa64:6 

Cannot hide us. Our works are filthy rag.

Cannot be bought w money.

d) Great expectations?

He thot Elisha will come etc...God has his way not our way.

Isaiah 55:8-9 his thot, his ways...

God is working (chess game)

We r playing snake and ladder

God is working in silence

Freely freely we recd, Freely freely give.

Ppl don’t care how much u know until they know how much they care.

Come to God as u are, humbled your self.

“Go in peace” applied for new believers, why Elisha said like tat?

Bcoz he sees that the Holy spirit already working in Naaman life.

Don’t cheapen God’s grace

Little girl...what happen?

Wherever he put us, there’s purpose 

Kept her faith 

A light in a very dark place

Command not to hate but to bless

1 kings go and read

Dr Hera on Mental health awareness Fgakl

Dr Hera 12/10/19

RECOGNISE 

DISORDER from DISTRESS

DELAY in seeking help

DIVERSE causes (MULTIFACTORIAL)

Distress

1. Has identifiable cause

2. Temporal (time limited)

3. Usual response 

4. Experience 

Disorder

1. May not have identifiable cause

2. Prolonged 

3. Unusual response 

4. Label eg. Depression, specific problem..don’t label, only doc 

DIVERSE causes (MULTIFACTORIAL)

Can be 

biological

Spiritual 

Social 

Psychological 

Avoid all the “over....over..over..

Over-Spiritualising

Over-medicalising 

Complexity and don’t simplified 

Clinical (family heritery)

Therefore....major supporting 

Multi sectorial 

Abt 45% talk to friends.

Be good listeners 

(Not judging)

**Just be there for them....**

Attention NEEDED, they r not “attention seeker”

Listen, accepting

**Someone to listen and offer empathy.**

Not give advice and solution.

**Trust and understanding, empathy**

Looking for someone to understood them...& let it out...abt 50% of survey 

***just be presence for them**

You never alone. 

Caution: confidentiality 

As soon as u feel u need to find out, seek help.

 

Question: 

How to we deal with our young adult child, just finish study and looking for a job. Hv mood swing earlier this year. 

isolate n hide himself fr us, in room most of the time. Not open to talk. But we know he’s talking to friends (May or  not be good company), play online games/watch YouTube. we r concern but can’t reach out as they stay away fr us. He drove out occasionally to hv tea with friends or go gym. Also reluctant to suggestion to see mental or psychiatric doc.

Use ***WE*** (not then, us)

—> We need to Level the ground 

Engage with them , live with them.

Jesus said “Feed my sheep”

JOHN 21:17

Human ***being*** not doing. Don’t worry of doing.

The ground is “level” at the foot of the cross.

If u dont share with others the level is not even.

Book Marva J.Dawn

“Being Well When We’ll ill”

We need recognise our unique roles

We Need Community of mental health care 

- Family 

- medical team

- the person with distress/disorder

- Peers - workplace, school

- church pastor, cg, bro and sis 

ROLE:

Scenario (important of community)

Mark 2:1-12 paralytic man carried him ***(the stretcher bearers)***

Eg. Dad in banquet chair,

Stretcher bearers 4men to Jesus.

***Our job is to take them to where they suppose to go...***

Each community has different roles to play.

What choices depress ppl hv?

Common ways of coping

Avoid or confront 

- distraction 

- numbing

- working

- processing

- solving

Avoid - Short term relieve

It’s helping or not?

If not, MOVE.....

Move beyond yourself.

Who has better mental health?

1. Has caring and meaningful r/ships

2. Encouraged to hv self expression 

3. Opportunity for participation 

4. Engages in faith/religious activities 

www.theosthinktank.co.uk

Religion and well being.

“Love God & love men”

U need both...solution for well being.

Who then?

Authentic connection

Relate authentically 

Top worried do not wanna to talk about problem?

- Don’t understand 

- be-little problem 

- hardly talk

- judge

Priority for the person

- understand them (PRESENCE)

- hear them, listen 👂 

They need a ****SAFE-SPACE:****

1. Safe space has 2 parties

- Taking perspective (difference perspective, mine and yours)

They may focus on theirs problem. 

U need to know and go into their world/cave. It’s not something that the person can control.

We can only see their works as tourist.

Both are enriched- if successful connected. It’s the being.

2. Safe space is EARNED not demanded.

3. Safe space allows us to be VULNERABLE 

4. 

Life is complex

Young ppl are navigating...

Q&A

If they stigma

Get them to go gp 

They always hope, to manage, not necessary w medical.

Harmful pain (relieve, temporal) to ease their internal pain. Alternate to talk to someone to coping mechanism. Brain divert the pain to physical.

Suividal attempt. Ask why? Protective factor, must see hope. Engaging...:can show they matters 

Chemical imbalance.

Off medication, gp exercise 3x a week. Same amount of endorphins release! DANIEL Amon and caroline.

Think positive things, endorphins can increase! 

What causes mental disorder

Abt 200 types. 

Common bipolar, schezphinia ...as we know little 

Lack of positive thinking

Lack of ***exercise.***

***Hv conversation in positive way***

Sexually struggle to wrestle to..

Www. spiritual.friendship.org 

Recognise..Respond, relate...

Strength based relationship 

Connectedness

Activator 

Relator

Restorative 

Ideation