BOL1 BAPTISM LOG (2013-2015)

 

Charlene Goh Chaileng: 21 Mar 2013

 

Kristin Chiam QingLing, Rebecca Tan & Violet Ho

17 Jul 2014

 

 

 

 

Gabey Lim & Cheryl Chiam

26 Mar 2015

 

 

 

 

• Sameer, Eng Cheong (TBC)

Bible - inspired word of God [shared by Angeline]

Dear BOL1,

You may find this posting informative, stimulating and helpful in sharing the Gospel... 

Cheers! Angeline

During a question and answer session 
at a recent speaking engagement, a university student asked me, 
"Why do you believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God?"

 
Now, this is a very interesting question, and probably one of the 
       most important questions any Christian could ask themselves. 

What is so special, so unique about the Bible 
       that Christians believe it is literally the inspired word of God?

In answering this student's question, I encouraged him to 
       consider the following facts about the Bible. 
  
First, the Bible is not just one singlebook. This is a more 
       common misconception than many people realize, 
       especially with people who do not come from a Judeo-Christian background. 
  
Rather than being a single book, the Bible is actually a collection of 66 books, 
which is called the canon of scriptures. 
These 66 books contain a variety of genres: 
       history, poetry, prophecy, wisdom, literature, letters, and apocalyptic, 
       just to name a few.

Second, these 66 books were written by 40 different authors. 
These authors came from a variety of backgrounds: 
shepherds, fishermen, doctors, kings, prophets, and others. 
And most of these authors never knew one another personally.

Third, these 66 books were written over a period of 1,500 years. 
Yet again, this is another reminder that many of these authors 
never knew or collaborated with one another in writing these books.

Fourth, the 66 books of the Bible were written in 3 different languages. 
In the Bible we have books that were written in the ancient languages 
of Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic; a  reflection of the historical and cultural 
       circumstances in which each of these books were written.

And finally, these 66 books were written on 3 different continents: 
Africa , Asia, and Europe . 
Once again, this is a testament to the varied historical and cultural 
       circumstances of God's people.

Think about the above realities: 
       66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1,500 years, 
in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents. 
What's more, this collection of books shares a common storyline - 
the creation, fall, and redemption of God's people; 
a common theme - God's universal love for all of humanity; 
and a common message - salvation is available to all who repent 
of their sins and commit to following God with all of their 
       heart, soul, mind and strength.

In addition to sharing these commonalities, 
these 66 books contain no historical errors or contradictions. 
these 66 books contain no historical errors or contradictions. 
God's word truly is an amazing collection of writings!

After I had shared the above facts with this student, 
I offered him the following challenge. 
       "If you do not believe that the Bible is the inspired word of God, 
if you do not believe that the Bible is of a supernatural origin, 
then I challenge you to a test, 
I challenge you to go to any library in the world, 
you can choose any library you like, and find 66 books which match 
the characteristics of the 66 books in the Bible. 
  
You must choose 66 books, written by 40 different authors, over 1,500 years, 
in 3 different languages, written on 3 different continents. 
However, they must share a common storyline, a common theme, and 
a common message, 
       with no historical errors or contradictions." 
I went on to say, 
"If you can produce such a collection of books, 
I will admit that the Bible is not the inspired word of God."

The student's reply was almost instantaneous, 
he emphatically stated, "But that's impossible!"

It truly is impossible, for any collection of human writings. 
However, the Bible passes this test. The Bible contains 66 
       books, written by 40 different authors, 
       over 1,500 years, in 3 different languages, on 3 different continents, 
       with no historical errors or contradictions. 
The entire Bible, from 
       Genesis to Revelation, bears the mark of Divine inspiration.

The next time you encounter someone who asks you why you believe 
       the Bible is the inspired word of God, 
try sharing this challenge with them. Better yet, don't wait until you're asked, 
just go ahead and share this challenge with a friend today. 
       You don't even have to mention  the Bible up front, 
just ask them if they think it would be realistic to 
       assemble such a collection of books. 
After they say, 
"But that's impossible!" you've got a ready-made opportunity 
for sharing the truth!

Bible Brainstorm - By The Skit Guys [shared by Suli]

Do not fret- it only causes harm -Psalm 37:8 [shared by Dexter]

Dear brothers and sisters, thank God it's Friday :)

Truth is that, my mind is filled with so many thoughts about what has happened this week, tallying the score of the week (not World Cup) but what I had my way and what I wish I had my way. How to continue to do well in my work so to gain recognition of competence and what not.

Long story short, tired. 

Perhaps some of you feel the same too. 

Then, somehow end up reading today's entry for my Utmost:

July 4th

 

One of God's Great "Don'ts"

Do not fret- it only causes harm -Psalm 37:8

Fretting means getting ourselves "out of joint" mentally or spiritually. It is one thing to say, "Do not fret," but something very different to have such a nature that you find yourself unable to fret. It's easy to say, "Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him" (Psalm 37:7) until our own little world is turned upside down and we are forced to live in confusion and agony like so many other people. Is it possible to "rest in the Lord" then? If this "Do not" doesn't work there, then it will not work anywhere. This "Do not" must work during our days of difficulty and uncertainty, as well as our peaceful days, or it will never work. And if it will not work in your particular case, it will not work for anyone else. Resting in the Lord is not dependent on your external circumstances at all, but on your relationship with God Himself.

Worrying always results in sin. We tend to think that a little anxiety and worry are simply an indication of how wise we really are, yet it is actually a much better indication of just how wicked we are. Fretting rises from our determination to have our own way. Our Lord never worried and was never anxious, because His purpose was never to accomplish His own plans but to fulfill God's plans. Fretting is wickedness for a child of God.

Have you been propping up that foolish soul of yours with the idea that your circumstances are too much for God to handle? Set all your opinions and speculations aside and "abide under the shadow of the Almighty" (Psalm 91:1). Deliberately tell God that you will not fret about whatever concerns you. All our fretting and worrying is caused by planning without God.

Have a blessed week all :)

 

Don't Give in to Self-Pity by Joyce Meyer [shared by Amilin]

I was reminded by the topic last Friday "Overcoming Failure"

Here's something to share.. 😊 by Joyce Meyer

 

 

Don't Give in to Self-Pity 

Self-pity is a destructive and negative emotion. It blinds us to our blessings and the possibilities before us and it steals our hope for both today and tomorrow. People who pity themselves think, "Why should I try to do anything? I'll just fail." 

Self-pity is actually idolatry because it is self-focus carried to the extreme. When we allow ourselves to fall into self-pity, we are essentially rejecting God's love and His ability to change things. 

I encourage you not to waste one more day of your life in self-pity. When you lose hope and begin to feel sorry for yourself, stop and say: 'I refuse to feel sorry for myself. I may be in a difficult season of life right now, but I will not stop hoping for better things!' 

God has thoughts and plans for your good, to give you hope for your future. If you will hold on to your hope and fight for it when the enemy tries to take it away, you will see amazing things take place in your life.
 

Prayer Starter: God, I refuse to feel sorry for myself. Even if things are difficult right now, I know that You are bigger than my problems and that You have a good future planned for me. I want Your plans to come to pass in my life, and I trust in You to change my circumstances according to Your will.