Beyond Expectations

My experience at the May Encounter Camp far exceeded my initial expectations. The truth is that I went to the Encounter with a heavy heart and many misgivings on whether I will encounter God. After all, I did encounter Him in the G12 Conference as I wept continuously and after that, doubted that experience will ever come again. I was so wrong

I went to the encounter with Christian, Zhen Rong and Ashlegh. Not surprisingly, we bonded easily with Alvin as our Guide. We did have our fair share of fun and laughter but we gathered there mainly for one sole purpose and that was to encounter God.

For me, I did not see many miracles materializing on the first day. However, the presence of the Holy Spirit was there touching our hearts but I only encountered God on the second day. From young, I have a low self-esteem and have been fighting a losing war with my inferiority complex. I was constantly compared to others in the past and words like how unworthy I am have been said to me. This continued for more than six years and this low sense of self-worth kept growing that I was so certain for a fact that I was inferior. Whenever someone praised me, I would think that he/she is lying. But it all changed at the Encounter. When Alvin prayed for me, he said something that really caught my heart: “You are worthy of His love”.

Jesus will not die for an unworthy person. Otherwise, His death will be in vain. That was the last thing I wanted in this world. I cried and asked for His forgiveness, realizing that every time I condemned myself, I am slapping Jesus in the face and telling Him that He died for the wrong person. I felt that I could not live my life like that anymore.

One the most memorable moments of the encounter was nailing our sins to the cross. Through the cross, we have already won the battle against Sin. A lot of demons were cast out during ministry. And the presence of the Holy Spirit was so strong that many of us fell under the power of the Spirit. Ashlegh and I thought how fun it was and so we kept accepting its presence again and again. God definitely touched everyone’s lives that day.

Even though the Encounter exerted a heavy physical and mental toil on us, God gave us so much strength that Zhen Rong and I were energetic enough to run to Sentosa Bridge and back to Siloso beach. We were still able to stand and worship God throughout the Encounter sessions despite all that physical exertion.

Lord, I am grateful that all of us who were at the Encounter could commit three days for You without any distractions from work or studies. I am even more grateful that through this procedure, we grew spiritually and still there’s so much more for us to learn. Finally, thank you Father for clearing my sins through Jesus and banishing the inferiority complex within me.

You truly are a God of change and of miracles, capable of destroying the walls and moving the mountains in our lives.

Written by:

Sky Kwah

Josh's 12

April 29th Livingstones Network Meeting

Every Livingstones network gathering is a time for bonding, having fun and getting a fresh touch from the Holy spirit!

"Forgetting what is behind and striving toward what is ahead. I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." - Phillipians 3:13

Worship started off with this verse being shared which reaffirmed what God spoke to me earlier this week. I used to strive really hard to achieve in secondary school and even one of my close friend called me an "over-achiever". When I came to JC, I guess it was probably due to the overwhelming number of activities I had which made me decide to take a break and not join so many activites. I thought that I could enjoy school just as much even when I am not as involved as in the past. However, things didn't go very well after I got "a break". I began to feel an emptiness within and sometimes, even inferiority.

I tried to ignore this feeling for a long time but it just got worse each time I thought about it. I did not share this with anyone because I did not see a need to and I thought that I could just ignore it. The burden got even heavier and finally, I decided to bring this issue to God. I didn't really know what to pray about but I knew that God knows how I felt. I was prompted to read Ecclesiastes and God told me to read the Chinese Bible study guide I found at home as well.

Here are some translations from the study guide: Although the book might seem pessimisstic and despairing at first, yet he (Soloman) did not end negatively. He stated clearly that whoever believes in God will have hope. The phrase "Everything is meaningless" is actually for those who do not know God. In chapter 12, Soloman calls out to us to remember our Creator in the days of our youth, because decisions made in those days will affect our future. "Remember our Creator" too is for men to know that we are not our own creator! Without God, everything is meaningless! There is practically nothing under the sun which can give us real happiness forever, not even achievements or wealth! Only a life which fears God can be filled with joy and God's plan is for all men who fear Him to be full of joy! (Ecc 2:24-26, 3:10-15, 5:18-20, 9:7-10)

Even though we often strive so hard just to store up our earthly treasures, achievements and wealth, yet ended up being so bitter and painful, what good does it bring? I thank God that I can have real joy because I have Him in my life. I promised God that I will continue to strive towards what is ahead, build His Kingdom and store up more heavenly treasures!

And even from pastor's teachings, I learnt so much about the interlinked relationship of faith, hope and love and that it is necessary for all three to come together. God responds to faith and not needs! Just like how Jesus constantly sees the faith of the people in the gospel. I thank God for His goodness and His reassurance. Finally, I thank God for this family and for who He is.

Written by:
Lijuan
Meijin's cell