Secell enters the second quarter of the year 2007. A year in which we're called to Take Root in Christ, and Reach Out to Others - both individually as well as at a church level. This quarter, after having a successful bridging of some of our new secellites in SCC 2007, Secell will deeply embrace the theme of the Church in the Word, and in Works. Indeed, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, the next 3 months will be an exciting time for every young believer in the ministry! :)



As Good Friday and Easter Sunday draws near, I'm reminded of the deep deep love of Christ that compelled Him to the cross for you and I. It can be a funny statement to most people when Christians declare abold, "I love you Jesus!". Well, for starters a large proportion of such proclaimers are males. Jesus Christ, not coincidentally, was also born a male some 2000 years ago. In present day context, where words such as "lame" and "gay" are now such common connotations in everyday conversation, it is easy for one to feel "lame" or "gay" saying such things as "Oh, I love you Jesus." Indeed, from a society's perspective, you are right. It does feel gayfully lame. In an age where love is commonly portrayed by youthful romance, silver-screen sex and catchy songs, it's no wonder why many youths these days shudder to think about the possibility of finding love in Christ. As that just sounds plain jane lame.

Love was more than just a stirring emotion, a sudden adrenaline rush or a heart melting moment for Christ. It was an all compelling feeling for you and I, that flowed from the heart of the Heavenly Father. The bible records that throughout His lifetime, over numerous occasions, He looked at the people and had compassion on them. He healed, He delivered, He restored and He resurrected. He was given the power to do all He could and all He would have wanted for you and I. And in the most painful gruesome fashion, as if to reiterate His everlasting commitment of love for us, He concluded God's salvation plan by taking 3 nails through Himself upon that cross.

In Luke 7:41-43, Jesus told a story about 2 men who were pardoned of their debts to a certain moneylender. One debtor owed him 50 denarii, the other owed him 500 denarii. Who would love the moneylender more, now that both had been totally pardoned? Clearly, the man who owed the moneylender more will be more grateful and love him more in return. The secret to saying that one loves Jesus is not in the psychology, it is in the realization of who we really are and the depth of which we have been redeemed from. The ones who can truly say, "I love you Jesus" will be the ones that have truthfully come to terms with the immense depth of their sins. So do you love Jesus today?

Luv,
Daniel Yan

My Savior's Love (Hymn)
Charles H. Gabriel, 1856-1932

I stand amazed in the presence of Jesus, the Nazarene,
and wonder how He could love me, a sinner, condemned, unclean.
How marvelous! how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! how wonderful! Is my Savior's love for me!

For me it was in the garden He prayed: "Not My will, but Thine."
He had no tears for His own griefs but sweatdrops of blood for mine.
How marvelous! how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! how wonderful! Is my Savior's love for me!

In pity, angels beheld Him and came from the world of light
to comfort Him in the sorrows He bore for my soul that night.
How marvelous! how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! how wonderful! Is my Savior's love for me!

He took my sins and my sorrows, He made them His very own;
He ore the burden to Calv'ry, and suffered and died alone.
How marvelous! how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! how wonderful! Is my Savior's love for me!

When, with the ransomed in glory, His face I at last shall see,
'Twill be my joy thro' the ages to sing of His love for me.
How marvelous! how wonderful! And my song shall ever be:
How marvelous! how wonderful! Is my Savior's love for me!

Hello my dear Secellites, hope ya’ll have been learning lots about God from the leaders and your walk with God a close one. I really miss being here, attending Secell, as being overseas and finding a church and a group of people to fellowship with is no easy task. (Just ask Jon Wong) Perhaps, the very first tribulation for me was to stay close to God. Imagine being surrounded by 24 other people every waking moment and most of them are non-Christian. It makes it very easy for me to join them in every activity and just forget about God. I can say that I’ve been tempted to do exactly that, but I thank God that my walk with him is still close. I make sure that I spend at least ½ an hr to 1 hr with him everyday, usually in the morning. These moments with God have tide me through difficult days. I’ve met with some obstacles here, some about school, some with the people I’m with.

I am thankful to God that He has been faithful and been showing me things as I go about life here. This group of people that came with me is a special bunch. A few are Christians. Many are lukewarm Christians and quite a few are backsliders. Some are non-believers, but believe in the existence of God. Therefore, I see this important need of letting them see Jesus Christ in me. So, it is necessary that I draw close to God and get support from my brothers and sisters-in-Christ.

To sum up my experience, I want to say that fellowshipping and drawing close to God is really important if we want to be victorious in whatever we do. And I believe that God has sent me with this group for the purpose that I may show them Christ. And I pray that I’ll not disappoint Him.

Dawn.