Heartsongs to Honour and Remember My Lord.

Commander in Chief

2012-01-31T08:43:00.000-08:00

I was reading the book, "Unmerited Favor" by Joseph Prince and I stumbled upon something intriguing.

"Recently, I had a conversation with a medical doctor about spiritual warfare. She said to me, "When there is a condition in your body, you must know what the correct medical name for it is so that you can pray against it accurately." Then, she told me somewhat smugly, "As someone's who's been in the army, you should know this: The most important military strategy is to know your enemy." I smiled at her and said, "Actually, I believe that the most important military strategy is not to know your enemy, but to know your commander in chief and his directives for you." - Unmerited Favor (Pg 65)

I've never seen it that way before. I've always thought (and taught) that to know your enemy is the smartest thing to do. However, if I were to think that way, am I not behaving as if I'm in control. It shouldn't be that way. Jesus is supposed to be in control of my life and if He is in control, shouldn't He be my Commander in Chief?

Get Wisdom - Pr John Piper

2012-01-29T22:55:00.000-08:00

"Get Wisdom, Get Insight." ~ Proverbs 4:5

Preached from the book of Proverbs 4:1-13

    I believe all men have this in common: that they want to be happy. They do not all agree on what brings the greatest happiness, but they do all long to have it. And this longing is not bad. It is good. Evil consists in trying to find happiness in ways that displease and dishonor God. Goodness consists in finding happiness in ways that please and honor God. We can conceive of a world in which we might be called upon to do right at the expense of our ultimate happiness. But that is not the world in which we live. God has established this world in such a way that doing good through faith in Christ always leads to greater happiness eventually. We do not live in a world where we must choose between our eternal happiness and God's glory! God has created this world and its moral laws in such a way that the more we choose to glorify God, the happier we will be.

    Of course this does not mean that there is no discipline, no self-denial. "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it"(Mark 8:34, 35). But it is clear from Jesus' words that self-denial is a means to saving our lives. This means simply that we must stop seeking our happiness in one way and start seeking it in another. Therefore what sets Christians off from the world is not that we have given up on the universal quest for happiness, but that we now seek our happiness from a different source and in different ways. We have learned from Jesus, who "for the joy set before him endured the cross" (Hebrews 12:2), that the joy we seek may require that we choose to suffer for Christ's sake. Yet we must never become self-pitying because "the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us" (Romans 8:18). Nor can we ever become proud since we know that "suffering produces patience, and patience produces approvedness and approvedness produces hope" (Romans 5:3, 4)--hope that God will restore our happiness one hundredfold (Mark 10:30). So you can't boast in your sufferings since they are all bringing about our greater happiness in God.

    So I take it to be a great and wonderful and liberating truth that God made us to be eternally happy. And I find great help in viewing the Bible as God's guidebook to joy. We ought to view the Bible as a divine prescription for how to be cured of all unhappiness. The medicine it prescribes is not always sweet, but the cure it brings is infinite and eternal joy at God's right hand (Psalm 16:11).

    The point of my message this morning is that we should "get wisdom." We should bend all our efforts to become wiser tomorrow than we are today. And I speak not just to students and graduates, but to us all. Graduation today at Bethel gives me an occasion to say something that applies to us all, namely, that formal education is only one stage in the process of becoming a wise person. So much of life has been professionalized and institutionalized that we easily slip into the notion that it is the responsibility of some profession or some institution to impart to us wisdom. You can see this tendency in the fact that continuing education in many spheres is thought of entirely in terms of taking courses from professionals in institutions. The implication seems to be that wisdom and understanding are something you purchase with tuition and class fees rather than being a daily, lifelong process of growth. But what I want to stress this morning is that we should never be content with the wisdom we attained through formal education and we should not think that the only way to grow in our understanding is by taking more courses. When the wise man says in Proverbs 4:5, "Get wisdom, get insight," he does not mean, "Go to school, take more courses." That might be part of God's plan for you. But for most of us it is not. Yet the command comes to us all: "Get wisdom!" What does this mean? How shall we do it? And why is it so important?

    Let's begin by asking why is it so important? We have already seen that all men seek happiness, and that this is not bad but good. Now the reason that getting wisdom is important is that it is the practical knowledge by which we gain this true and lasting happiness. Proverbs 3:13 says "Happy is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gets understanding." Proverbs 24:13-14 says, "My son, eat honey, for it is good, and the drippings of the honeycomb are sweet to your taste. Know that wisdom is such to your soul; if you find it, there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off." In other words, by means of wisdom you can make your way into a hope-filled future. It is the key to lasting happiness. Proverbs 19:8 says, "He who gets wisdom loves himself." In other words, do yourself a favor: Get wisdom! Get wisdom! Proverbs 8:32-36 sums it all up beautifully. Here wisdom herself is speaking and she says, "And now, my sons, listen to me: happy are those who keep my ways. . . . Happy is the man who listens to me, watching daily at my gates, waiting beside my doors. For he who finds me finds life and obtains favor from the Lord; but he who misses me injures himself; all who hate me love death." If we do not make it our aim to "get wisdom" we will suffer injury and finally death. Therefore, the command, "Get wisdom; Get insight," is very important. As Proverbs 16:16 puts it, "To get wisdom is better than gold; to get understanding is to be chosen rather than silver." It is a matter of life and death. The ultimate, eternal happiness that all people long for will only be found by those who first "get wisdom."

    I say that ultimate and eternal happiness is what wisdom will bring, because I want to emphasize that not all happiness comes from true wisdom. Proverbs 15:21 says, "Folly is a joy to him who has no sense." Our thirst for happiness is insatiable in this world, and if we do not have the wisdom to seek it in God, then we will find whatever substitutes we can in the world. Terrorists may find it in shooting presidents and popes. Executives may find it in climbing the corporate ladder. Athletes in breaking world records. Scholars in publishing books. Gamblers may find it in Reno. Musicians in selling a million records. The sources where people seek happiness apart from God are countless: drink, drugs, sex, suntans, television, tubing, eating, talking, walking, etc., etc. But the happiness that these things bring is not true and lasting. It is not ultimate and eternal. It is not the joy for which we were made. And therefore it leaves us unsatisfied, frustrated, incomplete, knowing that there must be something more. But that ultimate and eternal happiness that we crave is only found by wisdom. Therefore it is supremely important that we "Get wisdom."

    Now what is it? What are the characteristics of the person who has it? The first characteristic you all know: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight" (Proverbs 9:10). The wisdom that leads to life and ultimate joy begins with knowing and fearing God. You may recall from two weeks ago in the message, "A Woman Who Fears the Lord Is to Be Praised," that fearing the Lord means fearing to run away from him. It means fearing to seek refuge, and joy, and hope anywhere but in God. It means keeping before our eyes what a fearful prospect it is to stop trusting and depending on God to meet our needs. The fear of the Lord is, therefore, the beginning of wisdom not only in the sense that it is the first step in a wise way to live, but also in the sense that all the later characteristics of wisdom flow from the fear of the Lord like a river flows from a spring.

    Let's look at some examples. Proverbs 11:2 says, "When pride comes, then comes disgrace; but with the humble is wisdom." The wise person is characterized by humility. The person who is proud does not fear the Lord, who hates a haughty spirit, and therefore can't get to first base in wisdom. But the person who fears the Lord is humble, because he depends on God for everything and fears to take credit himself for what God does. Humility in turn is foundational for the other aspects of godly wisdom because humility is teachable and open to change and growth. The proud person does not like to admit his errors and his need for growth. But the humble person is open to counsel and reason and ready to be corrected and follow truth.

    Humility, unlike pride, does not recoil when commanded to do something. And this is essential for the advancement of wisdom because Moses taught us that wisdom consists in knowing and doing the commandments of God. Deuteronomy 4:5-6, "Behold I have taught you statutes and ordinances, as the Lord my God commanded me that you should do them. . . . Keep them and do them; for that will be your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples." And Jesus said the same thing about his own words, "Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house upon a rock" (Matthew 7:24). A good definition of godly wisdom, therefore, would be: hearing and doing God's word. God's word is a divine prescription for how to be finally cured of all unhappiness. Wisdom is the practical knowledge of how to attain that happiness. Therefore, wisdom is hearing and doing the word of God. But the only people who will do this are the people who are humbly relying on God for help and who fear to seek happiness anywhere but in him. Therefore the fear of the Lord is the beginning and spring of all true wisdom.

    But something more has to be said about the nature of this wisdom. It is not enough to say it is a humble hearing and doing of God's word, because God's word does not address itself specifically to every human dilemma. A famous example from Solomon's life will illustrate (1 Kings 3:16-28). One day two prostitutes came to King Solomon. One of them said, "My lord, this woman and I live in the same house and we each gave birth to a son last week. And one night while she was asleep, she rolled over on her son and smothered it. So she got up at midnight and took my living son from me while I slept and left me with her dead son. When I woke in the morning and looked closely I could tell it was not my son." But the other woman said, "No, the living child is mine and the dead child is yours." And so they argued before the king. Then the king said, "You both say the living child is yours. I will settle the matter; bring me a sword." So a sword was brought and the king said, "Divide the living child in two and give half to the one woman and half to the other." But the woman whose son was alive yearned for her son and said, "No, my lord, give her the child and by no means slay it." And the other said: "It shall be neither mine nor yours, divide it." Then the king said, "Give the living child to the first woman. She is its mother." The story concludes with this observation: "And all Israel heard of the judgment which the king had rendered and they stood in awe of the king because they perceived that the wisdom of God was in him, to render justice" (1 Kings 3:28).

    There was no Biblical command to tell Solomon what to do when two harlots claim the same baby. Therefore, wisdom must go beyond knowing and doing the word of God. Wisdom must include a sensitive, mature judgment or discernment of how the fear of the Lord should work itself out in all the circumstances not specifically dealt with in the Bible. There has to be what Paul calls in Romans 12:2 a "renewing of the mind which is then able to examine and approve the will of God. He calls this a "spiritual wisdom" in Colossians 1:9, "We have not ceased to pray for you, that you may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding." Of course the wisdom which follows God's word and the wisdom which discerns the way to act when there is no clear word from God are not separate. It is precisely by saturating our minds and hearts with God's word that we gain the spiritual wisdom to guide us in all situations.

    So in summary when the Bible says "Get wisdom," it is referring to that practical knowledge of how to attain true and lasting happiness. It begins with the fear of the Lord and consists in humbly hearing and doing God's will perceived both in Scripture and in the unique circumstances of the moment. Such wisdom is essential because the person who has it finds life and joy, but the person who doesn't finds death and misery. Therefore, "Get wisdom! Get wisdom!"

    Now finally I want to mention five Biblical instructions for how to get this wisdom. First, desire wisdom with all your might. Proverbs 4:8 says, "Prize her highly and she will exalt you; she will honor you for your embrace." These are not cheap words. To prize something and to embrace someone are signs of intense desire and love. Wisdom must be valuable for us. We must be willing to sell all in order to buy it: "Seek it like silver, and search for it as for hidden treasure" (Proverbs 2:4). Blessed is the graduate who walks through the commencement line more hungry for wisdom than when he entered school, for he shall be satisfied.

    Second, since wisdom is found in the word of God, we must apply ourselves in study and meditation to know the word and do it. "The law of the Lord is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." (Psalm 19:7). Therefore, we must devote ourselves to know and understand the testimonies of the Lord. And here I commend not only faithful Bible study but also regular reading of great books on theology and Biblical interpretation, books that distill the wisdom of the greatest students of the word over the past 1900 years.

    Now, I know what you are thinking: I don't have the time or the ability to get anywhere in books like that. So I want to show you something really encouraging. When this was shown to me about four years ago by my pastor it changed my life. Most of us don't aspire very high in our reading because we don't feel like there is any hope. But listen to this. Suppose you read about 250 words a minute and that you resolve to devote just 15 minutes a day to serious theological reading to deepen your grasp of Biblical truth. In one year (356 days) you would read for 5,475 minutes. Multiply that times 250 words per minute and you get 1,368,750 words per year. Now most books have between 300 and 400 words per page. So if we take 350 words per page and divide that into 1,368,750 words per year we get 3,910 pages per year. This means that at 250 words a minute, fifteen minutes a day you could read about 20 average sized books a year! When I heard that I went home, analyzed my day and set aside the 15 minutes just before supper to read Jonathan Edwards' big book, Original Sin. And I did it in a couple of months. Then I turned to something else. I was absolutely elated: reading that I thought never could get done was now getting done in a 15 minute slot that would have been wasted anyway. Therefore, I encourage you, there is hope. Choose some classics that you've always wanted to read (St. Augustine's Confessions, or City of God; John Calvin's Institutes; Martin Luther's Commentary on Galatians, or Bondage of the Will; John Bunyan's Pilgrim's Progress, Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections, etc.) and set aside 15 minutes, maybe just before you go to sleep, to read. You will not be the same person next year at this time. Your mind will be stretched, your heart enlarged, your zeal more fervent. Above all you will have grown in wisdom. And it may not be long until someone says of you: "the words of his mouth are as deep waters; the fountain of wisdom is a gushing spring" (Proverbs 18:4).

    The third thing we should do to get wisdom is pray. Solomon was not born a wise man. He prayed for wisdom and God said, "Because you have asked this and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold now I do according to your word" (1 Kings 3:11). And Daniel admitted that in himself he had no wisdom (2:30) but he said, "To thee, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for thou hast given me wisdom and strength, and hast made known to me what we asked of thee" (Daniel 2:23). And we have seen how Paul prayed that the churches might be given "spiritual wisdom" (Colossians 1:9) and that they might have "a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of God" (Ephesians 1:17). And finally James puts it as clearly as we could wish: "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God" (James 1:5). The wisdom that leads to true and lasting happiness is not natural or inborn. It is supernatural. It is a gift of God. Therefore if we would "get wisdom" we must pray.

    The fourth Biblical instruction for how to get wisdom is to think frequently of your death. Or to put it another way, think of the shortness of this life and the infinite length of the next. Psalm 90:12 says, "So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom." There is scarcely any thought that will purge our priorities of vain and worldly perceptions like the thought of our imminent death. O how cleansing it is to ponder the kind of life we would like to look back on when we come to die. There is great wisdom in such meditation. Therefore, think often of your dying.

    Finally, there is one last, absolutely essential thing to do if you would "get wisdom": you must come to Jesus. He said to the people of his day, "The queen of the south will arise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and behold something greater than Solomon is here" (Matthew 12:42). What an understatement. Greater than Solomon indeed! Solomon spoke God's wisdom. Jesus is the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24, 30). Others had spoken truth; he is the truth. Others had pointed the way to life; he is the way and the life (John 14:6). Others had given promises, but "all the promises of God find their yes in him" (2 Corinthians 1:20). Others had offered God's forgiveness; Jesus bought it by his death. Therefore, in him are "hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge" (Colossians 2:3). To know and love and follow this Jesus is to own the treasure of ultimate and eternal happiness. Therefore, the command, "Get wisdom" means first and foremost "Come to Jesus! Come to Jesus!" in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom.

I am a Testimony!

2011-12-15T18:09:00.000-08:00

Earlier this year, in a church environment, everyone was testifying of how good the Lord is in their lives. Bogged down by the very fact that Goliath was taunting me physically and spiritually, I whispered, "I am a testimony in the making". I started my semester with, "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."~Phil 4:6-7

Honesty speaks. My programming skill is quite atrocious and I haven't got a single clue on how to get about my Final Year Project. I was expecting a semester extension and God spoke, "So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief."~Heb 3:19 I tarried on.

Despite the fact of ups and downs in life, God's unmerited favor was upon me and He saw me through all the circumstances that were surrounding me. And now, God's fulfilled His promise to me! I'm DONE with my final year project and I would like to give Him due honor and credit. Thank You, Jesus!

P/S Thank You, Lord for Your Grace and Mercy. In Jesus's name, Amen!

Inspired and Aspired to be a Lecturer.

2011-12-13T08:15:00.000-08:00

Personally, it seems to me that God might be raising up a generation of academician for His glory. My thoughts are inclined to furthering my studies, specifically PhD and I can see that God is mightily providing for me and opening doors for me. It is my desire to pursue this path and I pray for His will to be done. Being a lecturer has its perks but to recognize the opportunity to serve Him overshadows the rest.

Prayer: God, I pray for Your unmerited favor to be upon me, as I incline myself towards you. Bless me with a restful increase as I recognize Your Providence and Sovereignty. In Jesus's name, Amen.

Sustenance

2011-10-20T05:52:00.000-07:00

“Restore to me the Joy of Your Salvation and grant me a Willing spirit, to sustain me.” ~ Psalm 51:12

God's Rest

2011-10-19T04:31:00.000-07:00

¹⁸ And to whom did God swear that they would never enter his rest if not to those who disobeyed?
¹⁹ So we see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.

Hebrews Chapter 3

I'm in constant bewilderment whenever the term, "God's Rest" is invoked. As I read through Hebrews, both chapter 3 & 4, I was drawn to run a search on the word, "God's Rest". I would like to thank God for enlightening me by revealing to me a glimpse of what the word means.

"There are 2 types of rest. First, you rest because of your work. In other words, you're tired from a hard day's work. Therefore you rest in order to recuperate your energy to continue working.

The second type of rest, which is God's rest, speak of the rest when your work is finished. Since there is no longer any work to do, you rest in contentment - in constant fellowship and communion with the Creator God"

Hebrews 3 addresses the issue of unbelief that hinders one from entering into His promise. What about you today? Are you believing that God is able to carry you through the land of trials and tribulations and into His rest? Stop doubting and start believing!

Heeding the Call

2011-10-18T02:31:00.000-07:00

For Isaiah the Prophet says, "Arise, Shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you!" This verse struck my mind almost immediately the moment I was approached by Moses.

I have been pondering prayerfully about it previously and I believe the Lord wants me to obey Him in this arena. Though as a vessel, I may be feeling insufficient and not in shape, I believe the Lord will mould me according to His will. Afterall, the Lord takes delight in obedience(1 Samuel 15:22).

Prayer Overcometh!

2011-09-14T08:46:00.000-07:00

An implication from the promise of the Lord through Philippians 4:6-7 has caused a significant twist of event for my undergraduate project. My lecturer has flipped the coin to the other side, or in other words, it means that my project will no longer be system development based but instead be research oriented! Having said that, the Lord has put a vision into my mind of myself graduating.

Alas, it doesn't take long for God to answer my prayer! Truly as how James put it, "...The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective." (James 5:16). I give thanks to God as well for it is His righteousness that is clothing me and that I really have nothing to boast about! If ever I am boasting, I will boast in the the Lord, my God! (2 Cor 10:17).

Theme verse for this critical season

2011-09-10T08:18:00.000-07:00

⁶ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

⁷ And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:6-7

Refreshing Encounter

2011-09-10T08:12:00.000-07:00

Pr Daniel Lim shared a very timely message and I'm very thankful for the blessings that the Lord has given to me. I have to admit that my spirit was dull throughout my time in Penang and that my reliance on the Lord has lessened compared to the time when I was in Johor.

I was hoping to be refreshed by the Lord throughout my service for Him but I suppose I messed up the arrangement. A service of love can be pretty trivial when love is absent. Anyhow, I responded to the altar call given; For those whose spirit has grown dull and for those who wish to discern the time that they're living in. It's been a while since I responded to any altar call and the call given was just specifically accurate! In the end, I was refreshed by the prayer of Pr Sooi Lin and the ministering of the Holy Spirit.

This juncture matters a lot to me because fears and doubts are everywhere but at the same time, I give many thanks because I know for sure that my Lord will deliver me and that my faith will be expanded further.

Psalm 27:4-6

⁴ One thing I ask from the LORD,
   this only do I seek:
that I may dwell in the house of the LORD
   all the days of my life,
to gaze on the beauty of the LORD
   and to seek him in his temple.
⁵ For in the day of trouble
   he will keep me safe in his dwelling;
he will hide me in the shelter of his sacred tent
   and set me high upon a rock.
⁶ Then my head will be exalted
   above the enemies who surround me;
at his sacred tent I will sacrifice with shouts of joy;
   I will sing and make music to the LORD.

Stepping onto the Water

2011-08-14T07:28:00.001-07:00

He told them this parable: “No one tears a piece out of a new garment to patch an old one. Otherwise,they will have torn the new garment, and the patch from the new will not match the old. And no one pours new wine into old wineskins. Otherwise, the new wine will burst the skins; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, new wine must be poured into new wineskins. And no one after drinking old wine wants the new, for they say, ‘The old is better.’” ~ Luke 5:36-39

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. ~ Romans 12:2

“Lord, if it’s you,” Peter replied, “tell me to come to you on the water.” “Come,” he said. Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. ~ Matthew 14:28-29

As I stand at the crossroads, giving serious thought to my future, the Lord revealed these verses to me and I am greatly encouraged and motivated to do what I should do.

I shall take it as a faith challenge to receive new wine from the Lord but prior to that, I shall be discarding my old wineskin - The way I perceive and do things (renewing of my mind), the way I react and respond to situations in life etc. and to take on the ultimate faith test - to get out of the boat and onto water, walking towards Jesus.

Prayer: God, I pray for the infilling of the Holy Spirit because I know that the Holy Spirit will grant me boldness. I pray that your providential hand will lead me to my ultimate calling in life. I cast my faith in You and You alone. Thank you for Your promise which says, "I will never leave you nor forsake you". [Deut 31:6] I commit to you all my plans, bless them I ask and may they bring You glory. In Jesus's name I pray, Amen.

Handles in Handling God's Will

2011-07-13T22:59:00.000-07:00

Walking in the Will of God is an abstract subject, but praise be to God when His servant, Pr Timothy Loh shared some handles in walking in the will of God.

Prayer

Prophecy

Providential

Principles

1. Prayer

Prayer is vital in allowing God's intervention in your life and to maintain a healthy spiritual relationship with God. Personally, when we're walking in the center of His will, I believe that inner peace can be felt when we pray.

2. Prophecy

At some point in life, when one's about to embark in a (significant) journey, God will usually send His messengers in the forms of prophets/prophetesses to give affirmation and assurance. However, sound discretion should be applied as prophecies could be erroneous at times. The bottom line for Christians is that we should not live life by prophecies alone.

3. Providential Hand of God

In all things that we do, in all circumstances that we face, we must believe that it is the Providential hand of God and an expression of His Sovereignty. God is constantly using our environment to move us into His calling in life, that is if we're being obedient to His voice. Some examples from the Bible would be the life of Abraham, Moses, David - all the patriarchs of faith.

4. Principles

The principles of God should always be the underlying foundation to the elements above. Most people regard prophecies very highly, so much so that prophecies have become the foundation of everything. This is incorrect. The principles of God, the synonym to the Word of God have always been the same yesterday, today and forevermore. Any word that is spoken directly from the Lord holds true at all times - till the end of time.

End of June - Start of a New Beginning!

2011-06-29T10:49:00.000-07:00

"Woe to them, for they have fled from Me!..." ~ Hosea 7:13

It's ~NEVER~ a wise decision to depart or turn away from the Lord! I have always been thinking, "Is entering heaven the only goal as a Christian? As long as I don't commit any of the deadly sins, I'm still bound for heaven."

How foolish I was! What are the benefits that await you as you obey the Lord and observe all His commandments?

LONGEVITY
He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you." ~ Ex 15:26

"And if you walk in my ways and obey my statutes and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life." ~ 1 Ki 3:14

GOD'S PRESENCE
If you do whatever I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you.~ 1 Ki 11:38

SUCCESS IN LIFE
Then you will have success if you are careful to observe the decrees and laws that the LORD gave Moses for Israel. Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or discouraged. ~ 1 Chron 22:13

VICTORY OVER THE ENEMY
And Samuel said to the whole house of Israel, "If you are returning to the LORD with all your hearts, then rid yourselves of the foreign gods and the Ashtoreths and commit yourselves to the LORD and serve him only, and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines." ~ 1 Sam 7:3

PERSEVERANCE & SATISFACTION
If you do this and God so commands, you will be able to stand the strain, and all these people will go home satisfied." ~ Ex 18:23

GOD'S TREASURE
Now if you obey me fully and keep my covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine. ~ Ex 19:5

PRAISE THE LORD FOR THESE WONDERFUL PROMISES! THEY SURE ARE A GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT FOR ME TO CONTINUE THE FIGHT OF GOOD FAITH!

"...When a Christian Backslides"

2011-06-24T20:45:00.000-07:00

Backsliding is when a Christian leaves the Way, the Truth and the Life and goes back to the former life. A backslider knows the right thing to do but has decided not to do.

It is very possible to start well on the journey of being a child of God and finish a child of the world. Since the times of the Bible to today, many people have thrown in the towel, left God and gone back to the life of sin.

King Saul was chosen by God but due to disobedience God rejected him. He lost his kingdom and was killed in war. King Solomon too lost his footing when his foreign wives turned his heart from God and his immense wisdom could not save him.

How is the life of a backslider?

Reality #1: A Backslider Cannot Fit Back In The World.

When a sinner becomes a Christian, his address changes. He becomes a citizen of heaven. He becomes a new creature and the marching orders are changed. And so when such a person tries to fit back in the world, things are not the same. What works for the people of the world no longer work for him. He will never again feel at home in the world because he has tasted the life of another wonderful world.

Reality #2: A Backslider Is Worse Off Than Before.

Because a backslider cannot fit in the world, he becomes worse than before he got saved. Apostle Peter says, “And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and savoir Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before.”[1]

In the same passage, Peter likens them to a dog that returns to its vomit or a pig that’s washed and it returns to mud. Such people are reduced to the lowest level of living and will do things that shock even the people of the world.

Reality #3: It’s Hard To Bring A Backslider Back To The Faith

The author of Hebrews states so clearly that it’s impossible to bring to repentance someone who once knew the truth, who shared in the Holy Spirit, who tested the word of God and the power of the age to come. “By rejecting the Son of God, they themselves are nailing him (Jesus) to the cross once again and holding him up to public shame.”[2]

Reality #4: God Will Continue Pursuing A Backslider.

God does not want anyone to perish. Jesus taught that if one sheep out of the hundred was lost, he will leave the hundred to go look for the one that was lost. God never gives up easily on anyone.

Jesus will never let go of a backslider. Because of his love for this person, he will do whatever it takes to bring such a person in the sheep fold. And God is a good parent and will discipline his children. He will allow backsliders to face sifting times that will bring them to their senses – even if it means they eat with pigs like the prodigal son.

But eventually God will not force anyone to come to him. We, in the end must choose which team we shall play on and where we end.

Reality #5: A Backslider Is Never Happy.

Once the truth has entered the heart of a person, it’s very hard to erase it. No matter how much a backslider will want to quench or drown the voice of the Holy Spirit it will not happen. No alcohol, no drug, no pleasure, no person will silence that voice.

A backslider is the most tormented person walking the earth because he knows what he oath to do but does not do it. He knows his fate but cannot bring himself to change it.

“Backsliders get what they deserve.”[3] Life cannot go well for a backslider. Their end in this life is terrible. Ask around and you will be shocked by the stories of backsliders. For a good reason Peter says that it would have been better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life.” [4]

The Bible says, “Finishing is better than starting.”[5] In other words, it matters most how one finishes.

A backslider will do well to remember that God’s arms are wide open to receive him back. His love has not ended and he is always willing to forgive and forget all the wrongs a backslider has done.

A backslider may have gone very far and very deep but not to anywhere God cannot reach. Today is the day of embracing a new beginning. It is possible to finish strong and allow God to accomplish his good purpose in one’s life.
“But we are not like those who turn away from God to their own destruction. We are the faithful ones, whose souls are saved.”[6]

Scripture Reference
[1] 2 Peter 2:20
[2] Heb 6:4-6
[3] Proverbs 14:14
[4] 2 Peter 2:21
[5] Eccl 7:8
[6] Heb 10:39

Source: Christian Articles Resource

While being BURN-ed at PenHOP

2011-06-19T13:57:00.000-07:00

As I was worshiping the Lord in PenHOP and staying sensitive in His presence, these things flashed through my head and I penned them down:-

- Why settle for earthly things? Why pursue good/virtuous character when you should be settling down for God Himself?
- Prayed a prayer of repentance of keeping everything real before God. The Holy Spirit just brought to my attention about cliche prayers.
- To constantly pound the boulder of fear, pride, laziness & anxiety.

Thought: The Lord is not just interested in putting back broken pieces, He wants to make things new.

The lyrics of this song caught my attention:
And I will give you beauty for ashes
And I will give you joy for mourning
And I will give you praise for heaviness
You're my tree of righteousness.

Then while dwelling in His presence, God just brought me back to the time when I was in Form 6, when I was still serving Him as a young guitarist. It was a cute scene. The Lord was pointing out to me, "Look at the passion and the "no worries" attitude of that young lad." =)

Total Dependence & Total Responsibility

2011-05-22T19:57:00.000-07:00

If grace is equated to the resurrected power of God living in You, and enables you to shine forth His light, then I very much prefer the way author Jerry Bridges puts it.

He quoted a nineteenth-century Dutch Reformed pastor George W. Bethune and this is what he said,

"While, therefore, we grow in the Christian life by divine grace, it is our duty to grow in grace. Besides, the quality of grace is such that, though it is strength from God, we must use it. Grace gives no new faculty, but strengthens the faculties which we have...Hence the fruits of the Spirit are the qualities and actions of the renewed man, not produced without him, but wrought (shaped) through him...Let us then be ever mindful of our entire dependence upon the Spirit of God...[but] let us be ever mindful of our duty to "maintain good works."

Personally, I feel that a balance has been struck and that the equation of grace is made full and complete.

Quoting Paul, in his first letter to the Corinthians, "But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me." I like the way Paul ascribes his effort and hard work to the grace of God. It was grace that enabled him to work harder than the rest of the apostles.

Falling In (First) Love

2011-05-16T08:02:00.000-07:00

"Yet I hold this against you: You have forsaken your FIRST LOVE." ~ Revelation 2:4

I was just reminiscing of the time when I first served as an acoustic guitarist in church and the song "It's All About You" by Hillsong came to mind. As I listened to the song and played along it, it seems as though deep within my being, a feeling that has long slumbered sprang to life. The next song came to mind, "Jesus, Lover of My Soul". I followed the trailing of the Holy Spirit and I think the feeling mentioned previously's my First Love for Jesus.

"Intimacy with God, falling in love with God all over again, recall of your first love" are no longer aliens to my ears and sometimes when things are repeated overtime, they lose their weight and momentum. I thank God for He has just introduced a method which is tailored just for my being to fall in love with Him all over again - Worshipping Him with the songs when I first accepted Him into my life =')

I love You, Jesus.

Matters of the Priests (Us)

2011-05-01T10:35:00.000-07:00

¹¹ “Thus says the LORD of hosts: ‘Now, ask the priests concerning the law, saying,
¹² “If one carries holy meat in the fold of his garment, and with the edge he touches bread or stew, wine or oil, or any food, will it become holy?”’”
Then the priests answered and said, “No.”
¹³ And Haggai said, “If one who is unclean because of a dead body touches any of these, will it be unclean?”
So the priests answered and said, “It shall be unclean.”
¹⁴ Then Haggai answered and said, “‘So is this people, and so is this nation before Me,’ says the LORD, ‘and so is every work of their hands; and what they offer there is unclean.

Haggai 2:11-14

In v12, the question "Will it become holy?" was posed to the priests since the role of the priests was to interpret God's law. Haggai asked whether holiness could be transferred by contact. The answer was no.

In v13 and v14, the priests were asked if a religiously unclean person, someone who had touched a corpse, could contaminate someone else by touch. The answer was yes.

To underscore the contrast once more, holiness is NOT transferable while sin (uncleanness) is transferable.

The people had worked hard to rebuild the temple, only to be told that their worship would be unacceptable in the new temple. The existence of the temple itself guaranteed nothing. The hearts of the people had to be in harmony with the sacrifices being made.

Note:

Explanations are paraphrased from the Nelson's NKJV Study Bible.

The Second Song

2011-04-04T07:24:00.000-07:00

The Second Song
The Woman
8 I hear my lover's voice. He comes running over the mountains, racing across the hills to me.
9 My lover is like a gazelle, like a young stag. There he stands beside the wall. He looks in through the window and glances through the lattice.
10 My lover speaks to me.

The Man
Come then, my love; my darling, come with me.
11 The winter is over the rains have stopped;
12 in the countryside the flowers are in bloom. This is the time for singing; the song of doves is heard in the fields.
13 Figs are beginning to ripen; the air is fragrant with blossoming vines.
14 You are like a dove that hides in the crevice of a rock. Let me see your lovely face and hear your enchanting voice.
15 Catch the foxes, the little foxes, before they ruin our vineyard in bloom.

The Woman
16 My lover is mine, and I am his. He feeds his flock among the lilies
17 until the morning breezes blow and the darkness disappears. Return my darling, like a gazelle, like a stag on the mountains of Bether.

~From Song of Songs Chapter 2:8-17~

Which season are we living in?

2011-03-26T09:52:00.000-07:00

The end times teaching is no longer an alien subject/theology to us. However, I do agree with Pr Palan that most of the teachings, although they're biblically sound and bible-based, they're more inclined to speculations from men. I like the way how Pr Palan puts it, "If we wish to learn about the signs of end times, let us learn from the Lord Himself". He backs it up with these:-

The Lamb Takes the Scroll

¹ And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. ² Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” ³ And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
⁴ So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. ⁵ But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
⁶ And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.

The Scroll here denotes the events that will unfold in the future and as the Bible puts it, NOT ONE being in heaven or on the earth or under the earth (v3) is worthy to open/to look at the scroll EXCEPT for the lamb (v7) who is Jesus Himself, the only one who's worthy enough to open the scroll and to teach about the end times.

He (Pr Palan) continues on with Revelation 6 and he cross references with Matthew 24:3-9, the passage where Jesus was teaching the apostles about the signs of the end times.

Revelation 6

First Seal: The Conqueror

¹ Now I saw when the Lamb opened one of the seals;^[a] and I heard one of the four living creatures saying with a voice like thunder, “Come and see.” ² And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.

Explanation: Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. ⁵ For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many.

Deception will be the first sign of end times. The rider as depicted in Revelation rides on a white (purity/godliness) horse and carries a bow. However the catch is that he doesn't carry an arrow and without the arrow, he cannot conquer at all. In other words, false prophets will preach but yet leave out on the most crucial element that is Jesus (arrow).

Second Seal: Conflict on Earth

³ When He opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature saying, “Come and see.”^[b] ⁴ Another horse, fiery red, went out. And it was granted to the one who sat on it to take peace from the earth, and that people should kill one another; and there was given to him a great sword.

Explanation: ⁶ You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. ⁷Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom.

The second rider's purposed to remove peace from the earth, leaving only chaos and here Jesus speaks of wars and rumors of wars. However the end is yet to come.

Third Seal: Scarcity on Earth

⁵ When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶ And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of
barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.”

Explanation: There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. ⁸ All these are the beginning of birth pains.

In common tongue, it can be paraphrased as a whole day's wages being traded for a handful of barley. This speaks of inflation and countries which are poor will be afflicted with famine. In addition, haven't we been hearing earthquakes occuring in various places? Pure coincidence/chance?

Totally blew my mind off.

From Bread to Blessing.

2011-03-25T09:28:00.000-07:00

While I was on my way to buy dinner, I spotted my favorite "Bak Kua" rotiman at Mt Erskine and I decided to patronize his stall since I gave in to my craving. While waiting for my roasted drumstick and roti bak kua to be done, I was initiating small talks with the uncle and I think he gave me discount due of the fact that I was happily chatting with him.

I was pleased of course, but somehow I just felt in my heart that this uncle needs the warmth of love. With that notion, I decided to obey and I settled for a bottle of herbal tea at a nearby Chinese Physician shop. By the time I bought the herbal tea, the sky was already ushering in the grey sky. I was nervous as I really didn't want to miss the opportunity of blessing the uncle and that was my first time feeling anxious over fulfilling an act of kindness. I stepped on my accelerator a bit harder and I managed to reach in time. When I handed the herbal tea to the uncle, he was surprised and was skeptical but I was smiling from my heart within. I merely said in Hokkien, "Uncle, this is for you to drink. Hope you like it." and I went off. The satisfaction acquired from that simple act was simply - wholesome.

P/S God, I don't want my ability and passion to give be crippled and limited by my resources. Amen.

My heart was pinched.

2011-03-01T07:00:00.000-08:00

I was blessed by my ex-colleague's company to a fancy Korean dinner at the Korea Palace at Krystal Point. It was to recognize the achievers in her field and she happens to be one of them. I was particularly quiet then and if you know me well, if I'm quiet, it simply means that I'm observing.

During the dinner, there were some ice breakers and a speech was given by the regional manager to motivate the people who were present. A slide displaying 7 desires of life was screened and each one was required to choose 2. I opted for a Happy Family & Financial Generosity.

However, as he was orating, my heart was suddenly pinched by the fact that without God, all these seem to be worthless. At that point, I came to realize how empty my life would be if I had all that I desired but missed out on God. I feel sorry for those who've only money in their mind. They are truly missing out on what life has to offer.

I read a quote from the slide, "If you don't make your destiny, destiny will create you". I agree to certain extent because I feel that the quote has left out God. And so, quoting Pr Thomas, "Life's Greatest Pursuit is Knowing God". I like the ring of it.

P/S I adore Job, because he had God, God had him and he had possessions and possessions never had him.

It dawned upon me.

2011-02-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

As I was engaging the Lord in the morning's prayer, this passage came to mind and so a Word was released,

Jacob Wrestles at Peniel

^22-23Jacob got up in the middle of the night and took his wives, his eleven children, and everything he owned across to the other side of the Jabbok River for safety.

²⁴Afterwards, Jacob went back and spent the rest of the night alone.

   A man came and fought with Jacob until just before daybreak.
²⁵When the man saw that he could not win, he struck Jacob on the hip and threw it out of joint.
²⁶They kept on wrestling until the man said, "Let go of me! It's almost daylight."
   "You can't go until you bless me," Jacob replied.
²⁷Then the man asked, "What is your name?"
   "Jacob," he answered.
²⁸The man said, "Your name will no longer be Jacob. You have wrestled with God and with men, and you have won. That's why your name will be Israel."
²⁹Jacob said, "Now tell me your name."
   "Don't you know who I am?" he asked. And he blessed Jacob.
³⁰Jacob said, "I have seen God face to face, and I am still alive." So he named the place Peniel.

I just came to learn that the Hebrew word, Peniel actually means, "the face of God". I believe in the entire Bible, Jacob's the only man who'd seen God face to face and continued to live on and who'd wrestled with God and managed to pin God down at the end of the day.

Even as the Lord leads me through this season, which I call, "The purposeful pursuit of His presence", I find it thrilling. In my Spirit, I know that when day breaks, I will be blessed by the touch of God and in spite of the fact that a permanent scar will be left behind, I can be rest assured that my life would have experienced a tremendous transformation.

My Prayer

2011-02-20T06:30:00.000-08:00

God, You've illuminated my mind this night by leading me to this path. God, ~this~ is what I want. I wish to commit this plan into Your hands and ask for You to bless it. If it is not of You, then I am positive that something better is in store. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Serving heartily and merrily.

2011-02-19T07:45:00.000-08:00

I was privileged to be a part of the ladies' "fei-lu-ship" event in church this evening. I served as a sous-chef and was given the license to grill. Anyway, as I grilled, I took notice of aunty Michelle, and there I was, subtly observing the way she managed her utensils and performing her tasks, and it was tremendously motivating. (I did not use the word challenge because she wasn't challenging me per se)

It came to my mind that if ever my help is needed in the future in wherever I am, I want to embrace that attitude convened by aunty Michelle. It's simply - marvelous! It brings to mind too how her attitude of service brings glory to God. One thing that I admire is her authenticity in service. How do I know? I just know. Some things are just plain apparent.

"Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatever ye do, do all to the glory of God" ~ 1 Corinthians 10:31

P/S Aunty Michelle, you've been a blessing to me without you even knowing it. *arches a smile* God, bless aunty Michelle for her genuine service, a service that is birth out of love for You. Amen.

Happiness fused with Gratitude.

2011-02-11T23:11:00.000-08:00

As I reflect upon the days when I led the Christian Fellowship in UTM, I remembered asking myself, "God, I've never walked this path before. Am I astray?" I purposed in my heart and chose to walk different and of course - I led the Christian Fellowship in a whole new direction.

I also remember there was once where I was so crushed because I didn't know whether what I did was right or not. I had to wait up on Time to prove it.

Alas! God certainly has not failed me. If God hadn't convinced me to led the way I did, the picture above wouldn't have come to pass. It brings overflowing joy to my heart to see Christians in UTM, coming under the fellowship of Christian love, putting aside the labels which define them and embrace the sole truth - Disciples of Jesus Christ.

P/S God, I felt like a failure then, but now, I know You didn't fail me. I felt astray then, but You led Christian Fellowship to a glorious path. For that, I thank You.

Money Cash Gold

2011-01-27T04:55:00.000-08:00

“But others fell on good ground and yielded a crop: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty." ~ Matthew 13:8

Praise the Lord! Hallelujah be to my Jehovah Jireh! I remember myself saying boldly in the beginning of the month, I will give the Lord 11.11% of my income and amazingly, today when I checked my pay slip, the Lord miraculously blessed me with an additional 33.33% of what I'm supposed to receive! Working out my not-so-dexterous mathematics, I discovered that the Lord has blessed me with an increase of 30 fold! Coincidental or Biblical? I'm only certain for one thing - My God is ~Real~!

In the World

2011-01-19T08:20:00.000-08:00

Alas! God has plunged me into the vicious world of wolves, figuratively speaking. This Friday will mark the end of third week of me working in AMD as a trainee and I've been very observant and open to witness the working environment for myself.

To cut the long-winded story short, I'll just drop the details and conclude with this verse,
"Remember it is I who am sending you out, as sheep into the midst of wolves; prove yourselves as sagacious as serpents, and as innocent as doves." ~ Matthew 10:16

Theme Verse this Season

2011-01-18T15:52:00.000-08:00

^20-21But you, dear friends, carefully build yourselves up in this most holy faith by praying in the Holy Spirit, staying right at the center of God's love, keeping your arms open and outstretched, ready for the mercy of our Master, Jesus Christ. This is the unending life, the real life!

A Word of Caution

2011-01-17T15:55:00.000-08:00

^1-2 My dear friends, this is now the second time I've written to you, both letters reminders to hold your minds in a state of undistracted attention. Keep in mind what the holy prophets said, and the command of our Master and Savior that was passed on by your apostles.

^3-4First off, you need to know that in the last days, mockers are going to have a heyday. Reducing everything to the level of their puny feelings, they'll mock, "So what's happened to the promise of his Coming? Our ancestors are dead and buried, and everything's going on just as it has from the first day of creation. Nothing's changed."

^5-7They conveniently forget that long ago all the galaxies and this very planet were brought into existence out of watery chaos by God's word. Then God's word brought the chaos back in a flood that destroyed the world. The current galaxies and earth are fuel for the final fire. God is poised, ready to speak his word again, ready to give the signal for the judgment and destruction of the desecrating skeptics.

^8-9Don't overlook the obvious here, friends. With God, one day is as good as a thousand years, a thousand years as a day. God isn't late with his promise as some measure lateness. He is restraining himself on account of you, holding back the End because he doesn't want anyone lost. He's giving everyone space and time to change.

¹⁰But when the Day of God's Judgment does come, it will be unannounced, like a thief. The sky will collapse with a thunderous bang, everything disintegrating in a huge conflagration, earth and all its works exposed to the scrutiny of Judgment.

^11-13Since everything here today might well be gone tomorrow, do you see how essential it is to live a holy life? Daily expect the Day of God, eager for its arrival. The galaxies will burn up and the elements melt down that day—but we'll hardly notice. We'll be looking the other way, ready for the promised new heavens and the promised new earth, all landscaped with righteousness.

^14-16So, my dear friends, since this is what you have to look forward to, do your very best to be found living at your best, in purity and peace. Interpret our Master's patient restraint for what it is: salvation. Our good brother Paul, who was given much wisdom in these matters, refers to this in all his letters, and has written you essentially the same thing. Some things Paul writes are difficult to understand. Irresponsible people who don't know what they are talking about twist them every which way. They do it to the rest of the Scriptures, too, destroying themselves as they do it.

^17-18But you, friends, are well-warned. Be on guard lest you lose your footing and get swept off your feet by these lawless and loose-talking teachers. Grow in grace and understanding of our Master and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Glory to the Master, now and forever! Yes! (2 Peter 3, The Message)

Challenge(s)

2011-01-11T06:39:00.000-08:00

And so, Pr Tom and I had dinner in the evening and we spoke not a little but a lot regarding my life and his ministry. Well, since this is the militant era, I suppose it is time we holler, "Tonight, we dine in Heaven!" It's Spartan mode for me! I'm pumped now!

Interestingly, I was of course challenged to take my relationship with God to a notch higher and deeper at the same time. Similarly to a tree, my root should and must grow deeper as my trunk grows to tower over the rest.

The present season of Life's Greatest Pursuit - Knowing God and aligned with the church intention of Intimacy with God, I was challenged to buck up on the quality of my quiet time, to enrich my love vocabularies towards God, which leads me to the second challenge which is the intensity of prayer. Pastor actually challenged me to devote myself to Him in the wee hours of the morning. That sure is a tough one!

Of the two items presented, personally, I feel for me, it all boils down to spiritual discipline. Not only it applies to me spiritually, but also in the secular context. Striking a balance proves to be a difficult task to me, especially when it comes to justification. What the world throws at me is different than what the church teaches me. But one thing I thank God, "But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you." ~ John 14:26 With my puny mind and the lack of experience, I have this verse or rather the person mentioned in this verse to assist me. That's why Proverbs encourages us to not lean on our own understanding.

Powerful Revelation!

2011-01-08T05:07:00.000-08:00

The Amalekites Defeated

⁸ The Amalekites came and attacked the Israelites at Rephidim. ⁹ Moses said to Joshua, “Choose some of our men and go out to fight the Amalekites. Tomorrow I will stand on top of the hill with the staff of God in my hands.”

¹⁰ So Joshua fought the Amalekites as Moses had ordered, and Moses, Aaron and Hur went to the top of the hill. ¹¹ As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning, but whenever he lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. ¹² When Moses’ hands grew tired, they took a stone and put it under him and he sat on it. Aaron and Hur held his hands up—one on one side, one on the other—so that his hands remained steady till sunset. ¹³ So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword.

While the leaders were colliding with the Spirit of the Lord, the Lord impressed this upon my heart. It was such a powerful rhema word to me. And so these words began to form in my mind, "Lift high the Lord, get low on your knees, and you will be victorious". Moses sure did lift up his hands, and to me, it's as if he's exalting the Lord (Otherwise he wouldn't say the Lord is my banner, would he?), and while his hands were held high, the Israelites were winning v11.

The second revelation that came to me was about waiting upon the Lord. I came to learn that the way the priests waited upon the Lord was active worshiping or rather an active engagement with the Spirit of God. However, I was reminded that the Lord comes in a gentle manner, giving peace to His people. I believe in my heart that these 2 methods should go hand-in-hand - Engage the Lord first, and He will engage you.

I liked how sis. Wai Wai applied the principle of faith, hope and love in the context of coming before the Lord. See, I've been quoting this verse quite often and I was struck when I realized just now that I've neglected down both elements of Faith and Hope. When we approach His throne of grace, let us come with these 3 elements in mind. However, let love supersede faith and hope for it is the greatest of all. Love the Lord, let your Faith please Him, and Hope will eventually follow.

Awesome stuff man!

I adore a couple.

2011-01-05T05:10:00.000-08:00

It was a usual night, but something unusual happened. I was having dinner with my mom when an old woman came by to greet my mom. I paid no special attention to her until she turned back as she was about to leave and there came her husband, standing alongside her. Both of them were very polite, greeted us and smiled with such warmth only an old couple could afford. Then my mom told me, they're still very loving, despite their age. When I see young people getting into relationship, I'm happy but not amazed. When I see young adults get married, my heart leaps for joy and I'm very excited because marriage is something AMAZING!

When I see old couples who're still passionate for one another just like when they first met each other, my heart is moved and every fiber within me is inspired. =') I truly adore them.

"Love never fails" ~ The Bible

The Words of King Lemuel's Mother - The Virtuous Wife

2010-12-29T10:22:00.000-08:00

The Virtuous Wife

       ¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous wife?
      For her worth is far above rubies.
       ¹¹ The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
      So he will have no lack of gain.
       ¹² She does him good and not evil
      All the days of her life.
       ¹³ She seeks wool and flax,
      And willingly works with her hands.
       ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships,
      She brings her food from afar.
       ¹⁵ She also rises while it is yet night,
      And provides food for her household,
      And a portion for her maidservants.
       ¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
      From her profits she plants a vineyard.
       ¹⁷ She girds herself with strength,
      And strengthens her arms.
       ¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is good,
      And her lamp does not go out by night.
       ¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
      And her hand holds the spindle.
       ²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor,
      Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
       ²¹ She is not afraid of snow for her household,
      For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
       ²² She makes tapestry for herself;
      Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
       ²³ Her husband is known in the gates,
      When he sits among the elders of the land.
       ²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,
      And supplies sashes for the merchants.
       ²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing;
      She shall rejoice in time to come.
       ²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom,
      And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
       ²⁷ She watches over the ways of her household,
      And does not eat the bread of idleness.
       ²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed;
      Her husband also, and he praises her:
       ²⁹ “ Many daughters have done well,
      But you excel them all.”
       ³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
      But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
       ³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands,
      And let her own works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31:10-31

Lemuel's mother must have possessed such qualities for her to be able to educate her son concerning the choosing of a wife. Beautiful one.

Christopher Intertwined with Woody

2010-12-27T08:00:00.000-08:00

"Woody is a passionate guy who throws himself into every action. As soon as he has an instinctive thought like "I have to help them," or "I have to run away," he does it with 100-percent commitment. You gotta love that about anybody. What's great is that I get credit for the way the character and the humor come off. I have kids that are now in college come up to me and say, "when you told that neighbor kid to play nice, that really meant a lot to me." - Tom Hanks

I find it to be rather interesting.

Towards a Healthy Self-Esteem

2010-12-26T23:10:00.000-08:00

I was having lunch when this thought just flashed through my mind. In convincing others, I believe in justification and when an opinion or truth is justified, it carries total weight and will be embraced by others.

Question: "How should a Christian view self-esteem?"

Answer: Many define self-esteem as “feelings of worth based on their skills, accomplishments, status, financial resources, or appearance.” This kind of self-esteem can lead a person to feel independent and prideful and to indulge in self-worship, which dulls our desire for God. James 4:6 tells us that “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” If we only trust in our earthly resources, we will inevitably be left with a sense of worth based on pride. Jesus told us, “You also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty’” (Luke 17:10).

This does not mean that Christians should have low self-esteem. It only means that our sense of being a good person should not depend on what we do, but rather on who we are in Christ. We need to humble ourselves before Him, and He will honor us. Psalm 16:2 reminds us, “I said to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord; apart from you I have no good thing.’” Christians attain self-worth and esteem by having a right relationship with God. We can know we are valuable because of the high price God paid for us through the blood of His Son, Jesus Christ.

In one sense, low self-esteem is the opposite of pride. In another sense, low-self-esteem is a form of pride. Some people have low self-esteem because they want people to feel sorry for them, to pay attention to them, to comfort them. Low self-esteem can be a declaration of “look at me” just as much as pride. It simply takes a different route to get to the same destination, that is, self-absorption, self-obsession, and selfishness. Instead, we are to be selfless, to die to self, and to deflect any attention given to us to the great God who created and sustains us.

The Bible tells us that God gave us worth when He purchased us to be His own people (Ephesians 1:14). Because of this, only He is worthy of honor and praise. When we have healthy self-esteem, we will value ourselves enough to not become involved in sin that enslaves us. Instead, we should conduct ourselves with humility, thinking of others as better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). Romans 12:3 warns, “Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you.”

Reference: GotQuestions.org

Of Sweet Significance.

2010-12-26T08:37:00.000-08:00

Thank You Lord, for this is truly the day that You've made and I am rejoicing in it! Thank You Lord for bringing beautiful people into my life; Joyjoy for she's never failed to make my heart melt and put a smile on my face; Joanne for her uncontrollable domestic violence and her hysterical hilarious laughter; Chit Chit for her high-pitched voice and her constant mission of framing a sumptuous meal from me; and Bernard and Melissa for their generosity in bestowing inspiring godly advice into my life.

My day's made when Joy agreed to take picture with me in the church! The Lord added some spices into my life when Joanne and Chit Chit met up with me for lunch over at Sushi King, GP in the afternoon.

In the evening, the Lord brewed some special ingredient and poured it into my life when He brought me to meet up with Chit Chit, Bernard and Melissa. Bernard shared his life with me and he inspired me with his tales and the godly advices given. His words were subtle but with his appropriate tempo and tone, one would find it easy enough to unwrap the parcel he's trying to deliver with much accuracy. I was blown away with what he shared and the advices he offered were truly priceless.

Ignition in Areas of my Life!

2010-12-23T05:03:00.000-08:00

Praise be to God! I'm very excited and any superlative words can be used to describe my exaggerated excitement! [Thank You, Lord!] Ignite Big-E-Camp was WOOHOO!!!!*Kaboom*

Despite being one of the oldest camper in the camp, I didn't lose the touch of being relevant to the youths and I thank God because I think God used me to touch the lives of the young people especially during the time of supper! [Owh boy, I had tons of fun!] I also thank God because I'm likable to the youths :D I met an Indian boy, Kelvin and I call him 'macha' [could either mean brother-in-law or friend in Tamil, but the meaning refers to the latter one] and a crystal home boy, Adam and I'm very blessed by their presence!

Now, coming to the spiritual side of the camp; the presence of the Lord was simply amazing and it's like I just felt like dancing before the Lord! [Coming from someone who hates and doesn't dance]. I managed to pick up certain intriguing, trivia such as, "We live as if God's done with us; but the truth is we're the ones who're done with God" & "Keep up! Don't give up!" - Pr Sandra Chin. She's certainly a very charismatic, charming, and Christ-like preacher! :D I'm very encouraged by her because she's a professional and she's doing SOOOO well in the Lord! That's my dream! :D

I was challenged in my heart and in my Spirit to be involved even more in the campus cell group and to do whatever things that's been assigned to my best-lah :D I thank God because He's pushed me to a point where I can do things not only based on passion and emotion but also out of discipline. [Thank You Jesus!]

A word in season was also released by Sis Surya, the wife of RGBC's senior pastor, Pr Palan and in her words from the Lord, I was likened to a flower, which's yet to fully bloom. [Honestly speaking, when I received the word, I went -.- because a flower is usually used to describe a lady but HAHA! I'll explain it later] There are 2 elements in this season which I've to focus on; Obedience & Faith. [Indeed, these are words in season] She also mentioned that I'm blessed with a gift of a bright smile that will draw men unto me [in a nice manner]. I was being prayed over for the right people and resources to be channeled to my life. Amen! :D

P/S Reagan released a word of understanding to me, and told me that flower brings joy to people. It will make people go crazy and frenzy and even those who don't like flower will smile when they see beautiful flowers in the field.

Let Your Name be Glorified!

2010-12-09T23:15:00.000-08:00

As I pen down this entry, I am looking back at the torrents of whirlwind I'd gone through in UTM, the ups and downs, the highs and lows, the smiles and tears and the many moments which cannot be articulated in words.

I've sown the seeds of diligence, sacrificed my time in edifying others and as a token of worship unto the Lord and invested into the life of others, in part of fulfilling the Great Commission and true enough-God NEVER shortchanges His people!

I pen this entry with the hope of exalting you, if you feel that you've done TOO much, be certain and let not your faith dwindle or fluctuate, you WILL reap the harvest-in GREAT abundance!

P/S Truly the Lord is AMAZING!!!I served Him with all my heart, soul, mind and strength and He blessed me with results of FIRST CLASS!!!*TWIRLS AND DANCES*

"For the director of music. To [the tune of] "The Death of the Son." A psalm of David. I will praise you, O LORD, with all my heart; I will tell of all your wonders.I will be glad and rejoice in you; I will sing praise to your name, O Most High." ~ Psalm 9:1-2

Let Thy Will be Done

2010-12-06T20:21:00.000-08:00

It's never easy Lord, but let Thy will be done. =)

Lift up Your Eyes, o Downcast Soul.

2010-12-04T09:22:00.000-08:00

"Other people are like the seeds sown among the thorn bushes. These are the ones who hear the message, but the worries about this life, the love for riches, and all other kinds of desires crown in and choke the message, and they don't bear fruit." ~ Mark 4:18-19

As I was spending time alone with God, I was led to this verse and eventually I did some reflection upon myself and to discover that the verse holds certain degree of truth, it feels a little devastating-spiritually speaking.

Again, I give thanks to God for placing godly people in my life; Eric, my cell leader, Joseph and Vincent being my accountability partners. Shared with them and the word in season I received is truly inspiring.

"For this very reason do your best to add goodness to your faith; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness; to your godliness add brotherly affection; and to your brotherly affection add love. These are the qualities you need, and if you have them in abundance, they will make you active and effective in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ." ~ 2 Peter 1:8 [Eric]

"Remember that I have commanded you to be determined and confident! Don't be afraid or discouraged, for I, the Lord your God, am with you wherever you go." ~ Joshua 1:9 [Eric]

"I do not claim that I have already succeeded or have already become perfect. I keep striving to win the prize for which Jesus has already won me to himself. Of course, my brothers, I really do not thnk that I have already won it; the one thing I do, however, is to forget which is behind me and do my best to reach what is ahead. So I run straight towards the goal in order to win the prize, which is God's call through Christ Jesus to the life above." ~ Phillippians 3:12-14 [Vincent]

Having read these verses, it's as if my soul sprang back to life :D It's truly edifying and faith-inspiring. Thank You Lord for a wonderful leader and accountability partners.

For the First Time

2010-11-30T10:55:00.000-08:00

I've landed in Penang and it is amazing that I'm not feeling amazed. Not even excited to say the least. God, please bless my family over there in Johor. I am already missing them dearly...Anyways God, for all I know, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts" as spoken by the prophet Isaiah in Chapter 55:9

I shall pay attention to 3 things of Yours:-

Heavenly Gifts (Spiritual Impartations)
Ways (I'll be open as You lead, Lord)
Thoughts (I'd like to know Your will, Lord)

P/S Again, Lord, I ask that You bless my Johor family. In Jesus's name, Amen!

Grateful in the midst of dilemma and confusion.

2010-11-21T18:26:00.000-08:00

God, You have been really gracious to me for introducing 2 wonderful brothers and accountability partners into my life. Truly there is safety in the multitudes of counselors. When it comes to liking someone, it is SO easily for our judgment to be clouded and I suppose that's where your most trusted and credible accountability partner steps in to point out your blind spots. (What more when I have 2)

Despite me being someone who sees so far into the future and gravitate towards the smallest ounce of impossibility rather than a major chunk of hope and possibility, I failed to see certain basic aspects and truly once again, I'm thankful for them to continuously remind me of the most fundamental thing. (Lessons all taken to heart)

It is baffling, when life throws you down with major decisions and incapacitates you with two and more of it. At this juncture, I'm seriously musing, contemplating, pondering and praying over the options that have been laid before me. If you're reading this, please, do pray alongside me over these matters.

Where to settle down for after I graduate?Johor?Penang?Somewhere else? (Industrial Training next year will be a vital phase)
To further my studies and pursue the ambition of a lecturer?
For God's timing and for His will to be done, if she is indeed the one. (Timing right now doesn't seem to be impeccable, which is troubling me-greatly)

P/S If the Lord quickens a verse inside your heart, or if you've something to share, please do drop me a mail at christeoh.ck@gmail.com.

My time is coming to an end.

2010-11-19T07:58:00.000-08:00

“And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.”~Ecc 4:12

My time is coming to an end in Johor. The 30th of November will mark the commencing of my new life in Penang, as an intern student. Many things are flashing through my mind right now and I cannot seem to wove them into proper threads. God, this is my prayer and my plea. As you lead me through my internship, please reveal to me or affirm me of where I should settle down for. Johor or Penang.

I'm starting to get attached to the cell group and the church over here and considering that the church's just newly established, there is a dire need for more mature Christians. God, I'm seriously crying out to Your name and praying for an answer o Lord.

Even as my time comes closer to an end, all I can do is to make myself worthwhile while I'm still around. In cell group, I really give my BEST unto Eric, my cell leader in my service unto the Lord. Oh God, ='( I'm missing my Johor ~family~ already...

A Relationship Analogy - Compliments of Elisabeth Chua

2010-11-17T19:49:00.000-08:00

A relationship is likened to the experience of boarding a flight.

Suppose you want to fly to Australia, you would have to book the flight in advance. However, you can still choose to backout anytime since you haven't paid. This situation is when one's in doubt whether to enter into a relationship or not. (No money involved, therefore pain is not inclusive)

Suppose you pay after you've booked the ticket, it is likened to you entering into a relationship with someone and are awaiting to fly to the same destination (Australia). BUT, you can still choose to backout anytime, it's only that you'll feel the pinch/heartache because you have PAID for the ticket.

So after that, say you proceed to wait at the terminal. This is likened to the both of you getting engaged. You guys are waiting to board the flight with anticipation (looking forward to marry). BUT you can still choose to backout since you're not on the plane yet. The only problem is that since you've paid and checked in all your luggages, it'll be a hassle and more PAINFUL for you to backout at this point in time, considering that you're already engaged.

Supposedly everything goes well, and you're on the plane with your loved one and the both of you are bound for the same destination. At this point in time, there's no turning back because you're already on the plane (airborne). The only way for you to backout is to jump from the plane and DIE! (That's where divorce leaves a permanent scar in one's heart).

Interesting analogy!

P/S At the moment, I'm still looking for someone to fly with me to 'Australia'. Haha, and thus my liberty of selection.

Love is Waiting - Brooke Fraser

2010-11-10T19:33:00.000-08:00

In the autumn on the ground,
between the traffic and the ordinary sounds
I am thinking signs and seasons while a north wind blows through
I watch as lovers pass me by
Walking stories - whos and hows and whys
Musing lazily on love
Pondering you
I'll give it time, give it space and be still for a spell
When it's time to walk that way we wanna walk it well

Chorus
I'll be waiting for you baby
I'll be holding back the darkest night
Love is waiting til we're ready, til it's right
Love is waiting

It's my caution not the cold
there's no other hand that i would rather hold
the climate changes, I'm singing for the strangers about you
don't keep time, slow the pace
Honey hold on if you can
the bets are getting surer now that you're my man

Bridge
I could write a million songs about the way you say my name
I could live a lifetime with you and then do it all again
and like I can't force the sun to rise or hasten summer's start,
neither should I rush my way into your heart

And so, a small smooth round stone sank beneath the forehead of the mighty Goliath.

2010-11-08T22:55:00.000-08:00

Worried I was, but delighted much more was I when I took flight to Malacca, with my pleasant cell group brethrens. Lotsa fun, we had, with laughters, filling the air wherever we were. Pure love was freely given, freely received. To regard it a fantabulous trip, an understatement will it be. Delicacies of local, befitting the royalties were presented, modestly and our tongues, with all buds aroused, savored gleefully upon them. Friday that was, and books were kept away from me.

Saturday, upon UTM, out foots set around dusk, paving through the mad highway in the treacherous storm; thanks be to God, safe and sound were we. Weariness took its toll, and I was beaten down onto my bed. Anxiety and perplexity; into my ears, they whispered, arousing me in the wee hours of the 3. Upon my notes, I laid my eyes, simultaneously struggling with the weight upon my soul's window. Then good morrow came, dedicated to the Lord of Hosts, was purposed in my heart. Alas, in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, 3 brethren were to be baptized in the latter noon. Peace I had, for it was already promised and given unto me. The night marked the commencement of my intense revision, with everything I have given unto it. Suffice I deemed, hit the sack having whispered a prayer and praise be to God, beneath the forehead of Goliath, a small smooth round stone sank.

P/S Geez, haven't written in this way for quite a while. Compliments to Romeo + Juliet.

Not me, but Him.

2010-10-20T04:19:00.000-07:00

Praise be to God for His unmerited favor upon my life. I was struggling to formulate a mathematical model as part of my final year project requirement and in the end, I could not come up with a proper, appropriate mathematical formulation.

Anyhow, I prayed and I went in for presentation; prepared for the worst. I was totally vulnerable and to my surprise, the panel was very gracious to me. No questions beyond my capability were asked and every question asked seemed to be answered satisfactorily - at least to them.

Romans 8:37~"No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us." Indeed the Word of God endures forever and is true.

God..............................

2010-09-21T09:38:00.000-07:00

God, I'm stressed, I'm stretched. When I walk, I can literally feel the weight my heart is carrying. God, I'm tired, exhausted, out of season. However, that's the message my physical body's telling me.

My Spirit, on the other hand, tells me to preach the Word; be instant in season; out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with longsuffering and doctrine (2 Timothy 4:2). My Spirit also tells me that He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform (Romans 4:20-21). My Spirit continues to tell me that when a clear promise's given, cling on to it dearly for you'll be needing in in the time of great sorrow, trials and tribulations. Only those promises will be able to carry you through.

God, I do not wish to wallow in my misery. Spare grace and please deliver me.

*Utterly disappointed with myself*

One of those days...again.

2010-09-17T07:28:00.000-07:00

*inhales deeply and exhales* God, if You're to look into my heart, You'd see how disappointed I am with myself. Your promise suggests to me that "Greater things I will do in Your name", but upon looking at the Christian Fellowship in UTM...*sigh*

God, You're indeed my Saviour and above all else, Lord. You truly know how to deal with me...I am utterly disappointed and morose of the situation in UTM...God, I may look like I'm smiling and looking bubbly all the time, that's because I have to, lest everyone loses their confidence because of me...

How I wish I had a mentor last time o Lord...Why? Why did I have to start all from scratch without the proper training? Oh my God...I feel so unequipped, insufficient and if I may say...useless.

Now that GM and AGM are drawing near, I don't see the stability in leadership Lord...You tell me to have faith, but God, please show me something? My faith is falling apart Lord...*sigh*

Lord, if there's one word to describe me right now it is ~devastated~...But in spite of all the things that I've blurted, thank You for everything You're doing to expand me.

Extracting Precious from the Worthless

2010-09-12T05:43:00.000-07:00

Often, people will attribute emptiness, lack and insufficiency to weaknesses and downsides. However, as I was praying in my church camp's prayer meeting, God brought to mind an e-mail June sent me some time ago and a recent movie I watched recently - King of Fighters. (Laugh if you want, God spoke through KOF movie!)

The wineglass addresses the emptiness that it contains as something vital. Without the emptiness, the wineglass wouldn't be able to function as it's supposed to. (In fact, it cannot be used at all). Read the full story here

The vase represents a vessel and its emptiness makes it useful. I was reminded of John 3:30, "He must increase, I must decrease". Amazing! Try imagining a vase that does not have a hollow space in it. It wouldn't be useful - at all! God is desiring people to flock to him in such brokenness, acknowledging that He is God and Lord. If I were to pray, it wouldn't be "More of you, less of me", it is "All of you, none of me".

Another nugget is the Window. A house that has neither a window nor door is totally incapable of sustaining life because there is simply no flow of air. Such a small feature but yet it totally possesses the capability of life-giving and life-sustaining.

Key Verse: Jeremiah 15:19~Therefore, thus says the LORD, "If you return, then I will restore you-- Before Me you will stand; And if you extract the precious from the worthless, You will become My spokesman. They for their part may turn to you, But as for you, you must not turn to them"

o IK, o CF.

2010-09-07T11:23:00.000-07:00

o Christian Fellowship, how my heart is burdened for you,
With all the meetings that I've been through,
And the promises that will come to pass in due,
I only can have faith in Him who is ever True.

Great people heeded the call,
Rejection only caused my heart to fall,
Why oh why, do You have to make me sore,
Sigh, only You know it best of all.

Faith, Hope, Love,
Greatest of which is Love,
I pray the people will begin to serve,
As the HS descends like a Dove.

How do I prepare myself for the coming of Christ

2010-09-06T23:25:00.001-07:00

Question: "How can I prepare myself for marriage?"

Answer: Preparing oneself for marriage biblically is the same as preparing for any life endeavor. There is a principle that should govern all aspects of our lives as born-again believers: “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind” (Matthew 22:37). This is not a flippant command. It is the centerpiece of our lives as believers. It is choosing to focus upon God and upon His Word with our whole heart so that our soul and our mind are occupied with the things that will please Him.

The relationship we have with God through the Lord Jesus Christ is what puts all other relationships into perspective. The marriage relationship is based upon the model of Christ and His church (Ephesians 5:22-33). Every aspect of our lives is governed by our commitment as believers to live according to the commandments and precepts of the Lord. Our obedience to God and to His Word equips us to fulfill our God-given roles in marriage and in the world. And the role of every born-again believer is to glorify God in all things (1 Corinthians 10:31).

In order to prepare yourself for marriage, to walk worthy of your calling in Christ Jesus, and to become intimate with God through His Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17), focus upon obedience in all things. There is no easy plan to learn to walk in obedience to God. It is a choice we must make every day to put aside worldly viewpoints and follow God instead. Walking worthy of Christ is to submit ourselves in humility to the only Way, the only Truth and the only Life on a day-by-day, moment-by-moment basis. That is the preparation every believer needs to be ready for the great gift we call marriage.

A person who is spiritually mature and walking with God is more prepared for marriage than anyone else. Marriage demands commitment, passion, humility, love, and respect. These traits are most evident in a person who has an intimate relationship with God. As you prepare yourself for marriage, focus on allowing God to shape you and mold you into the man or woman He wants you to be (Romans 12:1-2). If you submit yourself to Him, He will enable you to be ready for marriage when that wonderful day arrives.

Quoted directly from gotQuestions.org

Hard Sermon vs Soft Christians

2010-09-02T11:41:00.000-07:00

The Lord is bringing the word, "Watered Down" to my attention lately. I've been thinking and pondering. Relating it to sermons nowadays, I agree that they've been watered down and has reduced the impact of the gospel.

God has called Christians to be hard and rugged (2 Timothy 2:15), not some soft and sissy Christians! I'd rather hear a crushing sermon from God rather than a sissy sermon from men. To be crushed by God is definitely better to be crushed by the Devil! King David understood the truth when he chose to be reprimanded by God. (2 Samuel 24:14)

God, please don't make me a sissy Christian.

Promises and the Promised Land

2010-09-02T11:23:00.000-07:00

With the passing of a great king such as King David, God raised his son, Solomon to build Him a temple worthy of His splendor. Amen! As much as I lay right the foundation of IK, I could not build Him a temple worthy of His Majesty but nonetheless, Elisabeth will retrieve the baton from me and praise the Lord for the construction has commenced! Hallelujah!

God has promised me through the book of Zechariah and the 3 of us, Ricky, Elisabeth (Upcoming President) and I have faith that He who is faithful will bring all these promises to pass. amen!

^1:3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the LORD of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the LORD of hosts.

^1:16 ‘Therefore thus says the LORD:
“ I am returning to Jerusalem with mercy; My house shall be built in it,” says the LORD of hosts,

^1:17 “Again proclaim, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD of hosts:
“ My cities shall again spread out through prosperity; The LORD will again comfort Zion, And will again choose Jerusalem.”’”

^2:4 who said to him, “Run, speak to this young man, saying: ‘Jerusalem shall be inhabited as towns without walls, because of the multitude of men and livestock in it.

^2:5 For I,’ says the LORD, ‘will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.’”

^3:7 “Thus says the LORD of hosts:
‘ If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among these who stand here.

^4:6 So he answered and said to me:
...‘ Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the LORD of hosts.

^4:7 ‘ Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!”’”

^4:9 “ The hands of Zerubbabel Have laid the foundation of this temple; His hands shall also finish it. Then you will know That the LORD of hosts has sent Me to you.

^4:10 For who has despised the day of small things?
For these seven rejoice to see
The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel.
They are the eyes of the LORD,
Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

^4:14 So he said, “These are the two anointed ones, who stand beside the Lord of the whole earth.”

Prayer~Father, I pray in faith that You will bring all these visions to pass. May You prosper UTM's Christian Fellowship under the reign of Elisabeth. Anoint her and use her mightily-not by might nor by power, but by Your Spirit! Multiply the Christians in UTM o Lord! In Jesus' name, Amen! Hallelujah!

2 Great People - 1 Common Factor - My Friend :D

2010-08-25T10:43:00.000-07:00

I always tell others, "When it comes to best friend, you only need 1". How thankful I am to God for He has been very gracious to me because He brought 2 great people and friends into my life! Hallelujah!

The maiden in the picture is Elisabeth Chua Chia Yuin. A prophetess, worship leader, intercessor, and not to mention a great testimony of our living God, she's been introduced into my life and I've been very blessed to have her around. Speaking to her has always been very uplifting and a great encouragement because she defines what I call a "woman of substance". Spiritual discipline, rightly dividing the Word of truth are but her prominent traits. Her desire is to impact the society through the means of education.Thank you Elisabeth, it is really my honor and pleasure to have you as a friend of mine.

The fine-looking male in the picture is Vincent Lai Hon Jun. He's been a wonderful and great brother (in Christ) to me. He is defined by his faithfulness and diligence in the things that he does. A fine architect in the making, I know that apart from building magnificent buildings, he will build excellent people as well. Both he and I resonate with the same frequency and having conversations with him has always been my most pleasurable moments since we were raised from almost a similar spiritual background and holding fast to doctrines that are similar. A versatile man with great dexterity and ability, I know it in my heart that he will pitch a significant milestone in his life in the future. A great honor to know you as a friend, Vincent.

P/S I enjoy sharing stories of the woman I'm fond of with you bro! Hahaha! :D

I AM SO BLESSED! :DD

WOW! Praise GOD!!!

2010-08-07T00:00:00.000-07:00

So on one very fine afternoon, Chris was having his beautiful nap on his comfy bed when he was awakened by a call. "Is this Christopher? I'm calling from AMD and I just wish to inform you that you've been accepted to do your internship in AMD". With a groggy and blurry tone, Chris replied, "Oh great. Thank you", and he plopped back onto his bed. 5 minutes in his semi-unconscious state, he realized, "Oh boy, did AMD really just call me up?" He sprang up, and browsed his phone's log and YESH! It was really AMD! He wasn't dreaming!

*Laughs Out Loud* How silly he was! But the point is this: Praise the Lord!!! :D

IK likened to Joseph in the Bible.

2010-08-03T09:58:00.000-07:00

A prophecy released by Elisabeth Chua, by the grace and will of the Holy Spirit, in edification of the body of IKUTM. The prophecy of Joseph in Egypt.

Phase I-Joseph is taken to Egypt where he is sold to a wealthy man named Potiphar. Joseph is put in charge of all of Potiphar’s holdings and increases his master’s wealth. But, Potiphar’s wife takes a liking to Joseph and tries to seduce him. Joseph tells her that to do as she suggests would be a sin against God. She pursues him nonetheless and finally Joseph has to run from her to get away. She accuses him of trying to rape her and he is put in jail. (Genesis 39:1-20)

Phase II-One night, Pharaoh has a dream he doesn’t understand and it alarms him. His servant tells him about Joseph and Joseph is brought to the palace and interprets the dream. God reveals to Joseph that Pharaoh’s dream is a prophecy of the next seven years. The kingdom will experience seven plentiful harvests followed by seven years of famine. Joseph advises Pharaoh to store grain from the plentiful harvests to be used during the famine. Pharaoh agrees and puts Joseph in a position of power. (Genesis 42:1-36)

Phase III-The storehouses are filled through the seven prosperous years and then when the famine comes, people from all around begin coming into Egypt to try and buy corn. Among those who came in search of grain were Joseph’s elder brothers. Joseph is now in a position of power and could gain revenge for the way his brothers had treated him. He does cause them some fear, but in the end is able to spare his brothers and his father from suffering the famine as a result of his position. (Genesis 43-47)

Good things are in store for IK, I know it for certain. That's faith. Confirmations upon confirmations have I received concerning IK and I thank God for the things that He is about to do.

At the course of my office as the President, it is truly a time of turbulence as I'm steering into a new path. The path is narrow and it wasn't easy for me to find good footings and a neutral line to straddle upon. This is similar to the sufferings Joseph underwent while he was sold into slavery into Egypt. Praise be to God, for He is good. IK's now come to a place where it is able to function as any other normal Christian Fellowship. Truly the Lord is amazingly awesome.

Truly I believe when the tree(IK) is mature and starts bearing fruits, the fruits will be succulent, sweet and pleasant for all and many fowls of the sky will find rest and refuge in its covering. I pray that the Lord will release abundant grace and anointing to the upcoming committees, whoever they are. I pray that they will reap the fruits of unity from the seed that we are now sowing.

And in the end, IKUTM will be likened to a City on a hill, whose light cannot be hidden, a candle-light in the dark that illuminates all dark areas and will be the salt and light in UTM. That is...my prayer. IKUTM will be like Joseph, one who's able to prosper the entire nation of Egypt by the power of the Lord.

God for IK, IK for God.

2010-08-02T01:38:00.000-07:00

I'm proud to testify of the Lord's movement in IK. It feels superbly fantabulous when you realize that what you do is what He has in mind.

Ever since the Lord has given me the word, "Unity", all the activities and directions of IK are geared towards seeing that vision come to pass. Indeed God is faithful, God has initiated an African Fellowship Movement in UTM, and it is anchored by 2 African pastors! They are veterans in life, Pr David being 50 years old while Pr Zinas being in his 40's. It takes great humility and submission for them to speak to me and I on the other hand, feel puny while speaking to them. However, the Lord is good for everyone stands the same before Him. We've come to an agreement and I praise the Lord because it is beyond ideal! :D:D

I can't wait to announce it to my CF!!!I'm sure many people will applaud for the glory of Jesus!!!

Thank You Lord!!!

IKUTM is going global and expanding locally!!! I feel happy leading the CF. Serious!!! :D

I've found the rightful one!

2010-07-24T08:16:00.000-07:00

I've found it! I've found her! She's one of the rightful one! Christian Fellowship in UTM has hope! It is true that whenever the Lord starts something, He'll see it to completion. Amen!

Meanwhile, I will continue to pray for her and for the Lord to speak to her as she prays. God please help me.

Thank You, Lord!

Battered, Bruised, Defeated.

2010-07-21T10:57:00.000-07:00

God, I feel bruised, defeated and battered to the ground. Please remove this cup away from me o God. *sobs* Let me see the reason to why You have to do all this. Was it my error or it is part of Your plan?

God, I feel crushed. Help...me.

Parallelism of the Spiritual and the Physical

2010-07-18T15:37:00.000-07:00

^{From the Book of Romans.

10}I found that the very commandment that was intended to bring life actually brought death.

Judson once taught me that the Mosaic law was never meant to be obeyed or followed. I think he was true. The Bible addresses, ⁷What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? Certainly not! Indeed I would not have known what sin was except through the law. For I would not have known what coveting really was if the law had not said, "Do not covet."

The Law exposes or introduces me to what sin is, an act that displeases God. It does not mean I'm safe if I were to say, "It's better for me to live in the dark, because if I don't know what sin is, I wouldn't know when I commit it". How can our standards be used as a benchmark for sin? If we could, then God wouldn't have decreed His standards anymore.

²⁵Thanks be to God—through Jesus Christ our Lord!
So then, I myself in my mind am a slave to God's law, but in the sinful nature a slave to the law of sin.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Naturally, my committees would ask me occasionally if I'm displeased with what they've done/will do. Smilingly, I'd say, I know I'm your leader but there's a leader above me and you're hold accountable to Him directly. If you've given your best, all sold out, then you should be able to stand bold before the One. Men can hurl their searing opinions, demoralizing insults BUT we take compliments from the High One. [Responding and not Reacting]

¹⁷Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2 Cor 3:17)

Who am I to stand in what the Lord wants to do? I don't do that. Instead I pray and listen to the Spirit if an act is truly what the Lord wants to do.

P.S Go go go, committee! Live under the grace of God which leads to life and not the law which brings death.

"...And therefore, it was accounted to him for righteousness"

2010-07-16T18:34:00.000-07:00

My devotion is centered around the book of Romans at the moment and in my opinion, the book of Romans is simply filled with substance to the brim. I started reading and to explain faith and faith alone, it takes up 3 chapters of Paul's epistle. It's really some heavy stuff.

Prayer: God, please let my heart receive from Thy Word, not my mind.

What factors constituted to Abraham being accounted for righteousness? It is something crucial for us to understand and comprehend it fully if we're to triumph in our walk with Him.

²⁰ He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God,
²¹ and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform.

Prudent in Speech, Tactful with Actions.

2010-07-09T10:46:00.000-07:00

As I was reading the epistle of Titus, a few things were highlighted by the Lord to me:-

Titus 1
⁷ Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless—not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain.
⁸ Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined.
⁹ He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.
¹⁵ To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

Titus 2
⁶ Similarly, encourage the young men to be self-controlled.
⁷In everything set them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity, seriousness ⁸and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say about us.
¹²It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age,
¹⁵ These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Titus 3
⁹ But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

Footnote:

Whenever discussing about the Law, I thank God for God will bring it to mind for me to foresee til the end line of the discussion - Is it edifying or faith searing. If it is not the latter, it will be interesting to hear other people's opinion and how they bring in the Bible to justify their opinion.

If otherwise, I will throw in my towel and concede immediately. There is no cost of dignity incurred throughout the transaction. God loves the peacemakers [Matt 5:9 and another Proverb verse if not mistaken]

Fresh Manna

2010-07-06T08:22:00.000-07:00

I need fresh manna to feed on...I am so envious of the Israelites, they got to feed on fresh manna everyday! All they have to do is just collect it! It's rained down for them!

I want fresh manna!

7 Molders of Culture

2010-06-30T10:53:00.000-07:00

Family

Religion

Arts

Media

Education

Business

Government

The Bible never disdains the world. The truth is even God loved the world so much as suggested by John 3:16. Even as I[we] am called to bring the gospel to the world, I must understand what constitutes to a society, what are its composition in order for me to effectively penetrate through. I am in one of the influence now - Education.

"There are 7 molders of culture, or seven influences of society: government, business, education, media, arts, religion and family. Every person in a city or nation is shaped by one of these societal spheres..." ~ The Blueprint.

Biblical Significance of Numbers.

2010-06-30T08:22:00.000-07:00

1 Unity; New beginnings

2 Union; Division; Witnessing

3 Divine completeness and perfection

4 Creation; The world; Creative works

5 Grace; God's goodness; Pentateuch (first five books)

6 Weakness of man; Manifestation of sin ; Evils of Satan

7 Resurrection; Spiritual completeness; Fathers perfection

8 New birth; New beginnings

9 Fruit of the spirit; Divine completeness from the Father

10 Testimony; Law and responsibility

11 Disorder and judgement

12 Governmental perfection

13 Apostasy; depravity and rebellion

14 Deliverance; Salvation

15 Rest

16 Love

17 Victory

18 Bondage

19 Faith

20 Redemption

21 Exceeding sinfulness of sin

22 Light

23 Death

24 The Priesthood

25 Repentance; The forgiveness of sins

26 The Gospel of Christ

27 Preaching of the Gospel

28 Eternal life

29 Departure

30 Blood of Christ; Dedication

31 Offspring

32 Covenant

33 Promise

34 Naming of a son

35 Hope

36 Enemy

37 The word of our Father

38 Slavery

39 Disease

40 Trials; Probation; Testings

42 Israel's oppression; First advent

44 Judgement of the World

45 Preservation

50 Holy Spirit; Pentecost

60 Pride

66 Idol worship

70 Punishment and restoration of Israel; Universality

100 Election; Children of the promise

119 Spiritual perfection and victory

7*17=119

120 Divine period of probation

144 The Spirit guided life

200 Insufficiency

600 Warfare

666 Antichrist

777 Christ

888 Holy Spirit; The sum of Tree of Life

1000 Divine completeness and Fathers glory

4000 Salvation of the world through the blood of the Lamb ( Those who chose between Christ and Antichrist)

6000 Deception of Antichrist; Second advent

7000 Final judgement; Zadok

144,000 Those numbered of Israel

Commended And Not Commented

2010-06-28T09:57:00.000-07:00

As I was reading the epistle of Galatians, these words formed in my mind and my heart, "Commended and not Commented"

I was reminded of how Abraham was commended for his faith, how King David was commended for his godly sensitivity, how Enoch was claimed to be blameless before God and many other Bible heroes and heroines which I can't think of right now. They were all commended by God for their deeds of faith.

On the contrary, there also people who were 'commented' by the Lord. Judas was commented by Jesus for his betrayal, Ananias and Saphira who were commented by Peter, the fig tree that was accursed by Jesus and etc

I choose not to be overconfident and claim that I am infallible for I am gullible; that does not put me in a state of lacking of self confident nor self esteem - it's simply an act of meekness. I pray that at the end of my temporal walk on earth, God would look at me and say to me, "You are commendable for the deeds you left on earth"

P.S May the Lord reveal to me the areas in my life wherein He's not Lord yet. I'd rather feel the pinch from the Lord rather than allowing Satan to fill that part and wreck my entire life.

Pre-Requisites that are NOT for the faint-hearted.

2010-06-26T08:55:00.000-07:00

There is a deep longing in me to have another level of significant spiritual breakthrough in my Christian walk with the Lord. I was prayed for the ceiling of limitation to my spiritual life to be lifted away and by faith, it is lifted away and I can tap into greater power and revelation of who He truly is.

However, the catch is this. The tool to that knowledge and experience of who He is requires 12 hours per week of intensive reading of the Word of God all the way until September 18 2010. (Not necessarily 12, but the calling is 12 hours) Indeed what Rev Daniel said is true: Men tend to calculate and then only decide. True enough, I calculated and I added my own ingredient into the dough as well - I foresee into my university life. Geez, this is truly not for the faint hearted people. @.@

With the amount of work and hectic lifestyle that I've to lead, I truly wonder if I could even last 3 hours weekly. (exclusive of church services and prayer meetings)

I'm gonna try anyway, since it's His grace that I'm inclining myself to, not anything else.

Eyes on the Prize: The Promise of Radical Spiritual Breakthrough in My Life!!!

I AM HEALED!!!!HALLELUJAH!!!

2010-06-26T08:40:00.000-07:00

I've heard so many testimonies concerning the divine healing of God, read so much about it from Jaeson Ma and I was so encouraged in my faith BUT that is NOT enough! I cannot say that New Lane's Char Koay Teow is good until I've tasted it myself! (It's superb by the way)

I've TASTED the DIVINE HEALING of God!!!Woohoo!!!My hands are no more shaking!!!WOOHOO!!!!!Glory be to Jesus!!!Hallelujah!!!He is truly indeed my Jehovah Rapha!!!

I remember I told God once, "God, I know there are 2 types of divine healing. The first being instantaneous and the second being a gradual process. God, I want to taste the first and not the latter."

WOOHOO!!! Prayer answered!!! :D

To the Thessalonians.

2010-06-24T10:28:00.000-07:00

¹² And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you (workers and servers), and are over you (my pastors) in the Lord and admonish you (my leaders),

¹³ and to esteem them ~very~ highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at ~peace~ among yourselves.
¹⁴ Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

^5:12-14 (Emphasis Added)

I read this very interesting verse and I really like it:-
¹¹ that you also aspire to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands...

4:11

"...Paul exhorted the Thessalonians to lead a quiet life, not referring to a lack of activity but rather to an inner quietness and peace befitting the Christian faith. They should not be busybodies but should mind their own business...Paul admonished the Christians to be dedicated and productive workers so that they might bring honor to Christ's name."

Nelson's NKJV Study Bible

"...and they seemed only a few days..."

2010-06-23T10:35:00.000-07:00

Genesis 29:15-19 (New King James Version)

Jacob Marries Leah and Rachel

¹⁵ Then Laban said to Jacob, “Because you are my relative, should you therefore serve me for nothing? Tell me, what should your wages be?|” ¹⁶ Now Laban had two daughters: the name of the elder was Leah, and the name of the younger was Rachel. ¹⁷ Leah’s eyes were delicate, but Rachel was beautiful of form and appearance.
¹⁸ Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”
¹⁹ And Laban said, “It is better that I give her to you than that I should give her to another man. Stay with me.”
²⁰ So Jacob served seven years for Rachel, and they seemed only a few days to him because of the love he had for her.

Albert Einstein once said, "Put your hand on a hot stove for a minute, and it seems like an hour. Sit with a pretty girl for an hour, and it seems like a minute. THAT'S relativity."

Romance is always translated to the love of Jesus towards us and that translation is reversible. Whenever it comes to prayer, service, or even dwelling in His presence, it would only seem a while if and only if we really love Him. I struggle in keeping my eyes fixed at Him (whenever it comes to ministry) and I don't feel condemned. It serves only as a reminder to me that I've to spend more time in building my degree of intimacy with Him.

Keynote to remember: Whatever that is true in reality, is true in spirituality.

A Dream of a Lifetime

2010-06-18T18:09:00.000-07:00

I had a dream :) I dreamed of ~her~. The one whom I'm fond of.

The setting of the dream's like this. Sarah threw a night rendezvous at a really beautiful jungle under the moonlight and each guy's supposed to ask the hand of a lady. When the seeking began, I was shocked to find that all the ladies have already pledged their hand to some guy...(Owh man, I'm such a loser)

And so they went on to another place to commemorate their rendezvous. It is an event where singles become non-singles and where couplets become even more intimate with one another. And so I was left lone there, sitting by a tree...all I said were these 2 words..."Owh man..."

And then someone gave me a tap from behind and I reluctantly turned back...and I saw her! O_O I was stunned because truly it was very surprising. The conversation began:-

Garden of Eden: "So...what haven't you done?" *curious look*

Genius Chris: "I haven't written love letters to you and I haven't held your hand". (What a genius answer. Thank God she didn't freak out)

Garden of Eden: "Then what are you waiting for?" *beams a smile at me*

Genius Chris: "I'm waiting for my pocket to be filled up...I err...am no lord at the moment. But I truly like you...all these while."

Garden of Eden: *shocked* "You liked me all these while? I like you too you know. It's just that I thought I'm the only one who's liking you all these while. I thought you never liked me."

Genius Chris: *shocked again* "I was thinking like that too. I thought I'm the only one who's liking you all these while. I thought you never liked me."

*Both continued to smile under the moonlight by the tall tree*

:D I woke up with a wide smile on my face from one end to another. To some it may be a dream, but to me it is but a vision, revelation, prophecy and a hope to which I can cling on to :D Hee Hee Hee! Geez!

Burn the Serpent!

2010-06-17T07:40:00.000-07:00

Acts 28

Paul’s Ministry on Malta

¹ Now when they had escaped, they then found out that the island was called Malta.
² And the natives showed us unusual kindness; for they kindled a fire and made us all welcome, because of the rain that was falling and because of the cold. ³ But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. ⁴ So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.”
⁵ But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm.
⁶ However, they were expecting that he would swell up or suddenly fall down dead. But after they had looked for a long time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he was a god.
⁷ In that region there was an estate of the leading citizen of the island, whose name was Publius, who received us and entertained us courteously for three days. ⁸ And it happened that the father of Publius lay sick of a fever and dysentery. Paul went in to him and prayed, and he laid his hands on him and healed him. ⁹ So when this was done, the rest of those on the island who had diseases also came and were healed. ¹⁰ They also honored us in many ways; and when we departed, they provided such things as were necessary.

Whenever we are being spoken ill of, of the past deeds that we've done as non-believers etc; or perhaps our character and personality are being distorted - just as the viper clung on to Paul's hand...

...Always be ready to cast the viper into the flames viz to have yourself justified with the grace and mercy of the Lord before men.

Having justified, some people ought to say, "Let us just wait a bit longer and see how he stumbles upon his words", just like what the natives expected of Paul - to swell up or suddenly fall dead. I'm suddenly reminded of DAP in Penang to which the chief minister Lim Guan Eng was being hurled of such insults at him. He was true to his throne and people started believing in his leadership.

After the people looked for a ~long~ time and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds and said that he(Paul) was a god. Human nature by default gravitates towards negativity, what more the non-believers out there who don't have their mindset renewed everyday...

As Christians, we must always be ready to parry the attack of the Evil one, because we have God as our Defender. When we resist the Evil one, the Evil one will flee(James 4:7). Once the Devil flees, God's name is lifted up high and only then will we be truly be labelled as credible (wo)man of God!

Courage to Stand for what is Right!

2010-06-16T07:13:00.000-07:00

Acts 26

Paul’s Early Life

¹ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You are permitted to speak for yourself.”
So Paul stretched out his hand and answered for himself: ² “I think myself happy, King Agrippa, because today I shall answer for myself before you concerning all the things of which I am accused by the Jews, ³ especially because you are expert in all customs and questions which have to do with the Jews. Therefore I beg you to hear me patiently.
⁴ “My manner of life from my youth, which was spent from the beginning among my own nation at Jerusalem, all the Jews know. ⁵ They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee. ⁶ And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made by God to our fathers. ⁷ To this promise our twelve tribes, earnestly serving God night and day, hope to attain. For this hope’s sake, King Agrippa, I am accused by the Jews. ⁸ Why should it be thought incredible by you that God raises the dead?
⁹ “Indeed, I myself thought I must do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. ¹⁰ This I also did in Jerusalem, and many of the saints I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I cast my vote against them . ¹¹ And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.

I truly salute Paul in adoration! He was a credible Pharisee, and over here, Paul is taruh-ing the people his kin! Not with random words or his eloquence (for we know he's not eloquent) but with the substantial Truth! I LOVE verse 8! Totally Taruh-ed the king!

Paul Recounts His Conversion

¹² “While thus occupied, as I journeyed to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
¹³ at midday, O king, along the road I saw a light from heaven, brighter than the sun, shining around me and those who journeyed with me. ¹⁴ And when we all had fallen to the ground, I heard a voice speaking to me and saying in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me? It is hard for you to kick against the goads.’ ¹⁵ So I said, ‘Who are You, Lord?’ And He said, ‘I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. ¹⁶ But rise and stand on your feet; for I have appeared to you for this purpose, to make you a minister and a witness both of the things which you have seen and of the things which I will yet reveal to you. ¹⁷ I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, ¹⁸ to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.’

Paul’s Post-Conversion Life

¹⁹ “Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision,
²⁰ but declared first to those in Damascus and in Jerusalem, and throughout all the region of Judea, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance. ²¹ For these reasons the Jews seized me in the temple and tried to kill me . ²² Therefore, having obtained help from God, to this day I stand, witnessing both to small and great, saying no other things than those which the prophets and Moses said would come—
²³ that the Christ would suffer, that He would be the first to rise from the dead, and would proclaim light to the Jewish people and to the Gentiles.”

Speaking of elaborate and detailed, Paul truly gives his account, accurate to the minute details before Agrippa. Nothing was added nor removed, God received glory in the end and overall, it was an excellent account and testimony!

Agrippa Parries Paul’s Challenge

²⁴ Now as he thus made his defense, Festus said with a loud voice, “Paul, you are beside yourself! Much learning is driving you mad!”
²⁵ But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus, but speak the words of truth and reason.
²⁶ For the king, before whom I also speak freely, knows these things; for I am convinced that none of these things escapes his attention, since this thing was not done in a corner. ²⁷ King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you do believe.”
²⁸ Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to become a Christian.”
²⁹ And Paul said, “I would to God that not only you, but also all who hear me today, might become both almost and altogether such as I am, except for these chains.”
³⁰ When he had said these things, the king stood up, as well as the governor and Bernice and those who sat with them; ³¹ and when they had gone aside, they talked among themselves, saying, “This man is doing nothing deserving of death or chains.”
³² Then Agrippa said to Festus, “This man might have been set free if he had not appealed to Caesar.”

*Jaw drops* Can you see the picture here? Paul wasn't a man of eloquence. So probably he stammered a bit along the way but God has taken me to look beyond the physical! Look at the content of his defense! Wow! Festus and Agrippa couldn't find no fault with Paul!

Joy Khor & Natasha ^^

2010-06-16T06:32:00.000-07:00

No Words needed. I just HeArT them XD Especially Joy Khor!!!So chubi and lovely XD

Thank You Lord for bringing Joy into my life! Haha! :D:D

I have an angel beside me ^^

2010-06-15T07:01:00.000-07:00

Revelation acquired through the VBS Day 1 Devotion.

"You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel."~Acts 12:15

Reference from Matthew 18:10

"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven..."

I have an angel beside me :D I've more than just my best friends now. I, Me, and Myself; say welcome to your new friend, Mr Angelooo!!! Mwahahahaha!!!!

The Purpose.

2010-06-12T08:11:00.000-07:00

But I said, "I have labored to no purpose;
I have spent my strength in vain and for nothing.
Yet what is due me is in the LORD's hand,
and my reward is with my God."

Isaiah 49:4

I have a confession. I am a perfectionist. It came to me as I was contemplating whether the attitude that I carry when it comes to working is truly worthwhile.

You don't expect everyone to keep up with your pace when it comes to teamwork. Everyone's capacity is different, and the verse which says "Don't Judge" comes into play. All that matters is your dedication to your own part.

As I was pondering, I came to a conclusion that I need to have a firm and solid PURPOSE for the things that I Do, the Attitude that I carry, and my Integrity. Being persistent, an excellent attitude and an inviolable integrity should be based upon ONE reason:-

"My God Deserves The Very Best"

With that truth in mind, I can begin to have my eyes focused upwards instead of the people around me. People always say, "Passion is caught". True enough, it is definitely not taught :)

Why would You die for me?

2010-06-11T04:06:00.000-07:00

Jesus...why would You die for me? Oh my God...I was in your mind all the time when you were being tormented, under those searing whips, leather lashes and condescending mockeries all the time?! Why Jesus...I simply cannot stand it, having to think that a KING, would die for someone who's unworthy as me. I CANNOT TAKE IT O LORD! Why...

Why do you love me that much o God? Looking back, I've failed you SOOO many times, chose to sin when I know that I was not supposed to, and yet You chose to die for me...Forgive me my ~dear~ King of Kings...

Mary & Martha Worship & Serve

2010-06-07T08:23:00.000-07:00

³⁸ Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. ³⁹ And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’ feet and heard His word. ⁴⁰ But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” ⁴¹ And Jesus answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things.
⁴² But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.”

Luke 10:38-42

In a church environment, there bound to be people like Mary and Martha.

Martha is depicted by people who constantly serve and serve and serve and serve and gets choked in the midst of service and become frustrated with God at the end of the day.

On the other hand, Mary is depicted by people who serve with God positioned in the center of their service. These kind of people always know their priority - that is to devote themselves wholly unto God.

I've slipped into the role of Martha before, and at the end of the day, I suffered from being burnt out. Burn-out is a condition where one is simply overwhelmed by stress. When I played the role of Martha, I was also listening to God's word faithfully like any other Christians.

We see that Martha listened to God's word as well. The word 'also' in verse 39 clearly implied that Mary was not the only one who was listening to Jesus - Martha was there at the same time. However I only had logos and not rhema in my life.

When one is in such a state, complaining, throwing tantrum, worrying and feeling troubled are the norm of life. True enough. Jesus said, "Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things".

Enough of Martha before I die of Martha-dom. Mary's life on the other hand showed a distinct contrast from Martha's. Mary was not greedy. She was wise enough to choose that one and only thing that is needed - Devoting herself to Jesus.

Footnote:
Serving is service unto the Lord that is extended from your overflowing love for God.
If one isn't serving, pray for the unconditional love to fill that one.
If one is serving, but with a wrong attitude, pray for forgiveness for that one.
If one is serving, with a cheerful heart, pray for the Lord to lift up His countenance upon that one.

God, make us like Mary - a vessel that is able to serve and listen at the same time. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Overcoming Anger!

2010-06-05T07:58:00.000-07:00

I've come to realize a few things about myself recently and I need to break free from all the bad habits!

i) I tend to get angry (very) easily.
ii) I am never satisfied with what I have until I have to constantly remind myself to count my blessings. (Grr!)
iii) Roadrage! (Stoooo-pid drivers make me sound the honk like nobody's business! Forgive me Lord)
iv) I'm so tired, sick and frustrated of seeing Christians who behave with ungodly behaviours and attitudes.

Rants without Writ in the end never build one up. I was beckoning for the Lord to help me so hard...I needed help...Angry never does one good, and I know if I were to continue to behave like this, one day I'm gonna break my integrity.

1 Timothy 6:3-10 will speak for itself. No explanation/elaboration needed.

Error & Greed
³ If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness,
⁴ he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, ⁵ useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.
⁶ Now godliness with contentment is great gain. ^{(This verse is the HIT! WOOHOO)
7} For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. ⁸ And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. ⁹ But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Love Knows No Boundaries

2010-06-03T09:44:00.000-07:00

Love is patient, Love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth
It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres
Love never fails
And now these three remain: faith, hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love

Quoted from Paul's 1st letter to the Corinthians

Ip Man has made an impact in my life. It is not his fists that captivated me, but his heart. I totally liked it when he said, "In this world, no men are afraid of their wives. There are only men who ~respect~ their wives" With that said, he's totally earned the respect - from (me) sound men.

I totally admire his character, a man of meekness, caring, loving, prudent; qualities of a noble man.

My heart melted when I saw the way he cared for his ill wife.

From PENHOP with Love

2010-05-28T09:24:00.000-07:00

The PENHOP worship leader taught me something. A great mystery was taught to me! He said, "No one can love the Lord the way you do. The way you love him is unique."

"But if anyone loves God, he is known by God"~1 Corinthians 8:3

Jesus, I know it is simply not enough to just say I love you but I pray that You will look into what I'm trying to express. =D I love you Lord! (His love is overwhelming me at the moment. I am in love ^^)

Word of God

2010-05-24T01:37:00.000-07:00

"The foundation of faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God" ~ Rom 10:17 The foundation of faith is the Word of God. Without hearing the Word of God, we cannot have faith in God. The Word of God is eternal, unchanging truth. It is firm, it is sure, it can be trusted and it is powerful. (Heb 4:12)

In Greek, there are two words for "word": One is logos; the other is rhema. In order to have faith, we must understand both of these meanings. Logos often refers to the expression of a thought, a message or a discourse; whereas, rhema often refers to that which is said or spoken - an utterance.

Although the meaning of these two words overlap in the Greek New Testament, we can contrast them in this way: Logos is the message; rhema is the saying Word of God. In reference to the Bible, logos is the Bible in its entirety; rhema is a verse from the Bible.

The distinction can be seen in Ephesians 6:17 ("the sword of the Spirit, which is the word [rhema] of God") where the reference is not to the Scriptures as a whole, but to that portion that the Holy Spirit quickens personally to a believer, like wielding a sword in the time of need. Logos is the general Word of God written from Genesis to Revelation; you can read it and get the knowledge about God. However, just by reading it, you will not receive faith.

In order to receive faith, we read in Romans 10:17 that the substance of faith is not reading the Word (logos) but hearing (rhema) the Word of God. The expression used for "word" in Romans 10:17 is not logos, but rhema. Therefore faith comes by hearing the rhema word - the word of God that is immediately spoken by God's Spirit to be used as His sword. (Eph 6:17) Dr. David Yonggi Cho, pastor of the world's largest church, defines rhema as "a specific word, given to a specific person in a specific situation."

Excerpt from "The Blueprint" by Jaeson Ma.

Waiting Prayer is Silent Trust in God

2010-05-22T07:52:00.000-07:00

~An excerpt from the book, "The Blueprint" by Jaeson Ma~

The first key Hebrew word for "waiting" is damam, which means "to become silent and still" and which is used as in "silently waiting with a quiet trust or of quieting oneself, resting, being silent or being still." The thought conveyed by the word is a strong, calm, quiet trust in the Lord. King David wrote, "Truly my soul silently waits for God; from Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved" (Psalm 62:1-2)

In order to wait upon the Lord, we must be silent, we must be still and we must trust God. Without stillness we cannot know God. We are exhorted in Psalm 46:10, "Be still, and know that I am God." The word "to know" in Hebrew is yada; it means "to know intimately" or as a close friend. The Hebrew word in Psalm 46:10 meaning "be still" also means "to cease, refrain, relax, let go." We are to cease from striving, cease from activity, cease from our worldly desires and cease from distractions.

In practical terms, find a place of solitude each day and take at least 10 minutes to be silent in God's presence. From there, let your time be spent in silent waiting grow.

It came to me.

2010-05-18T10:05:00.000-07:00

I consider myself in a transition period - from a teenage to an adult. I started to develop a mentality of taking ownership and having to lead everywhere I go.

I was reading "The Blueprint" by Jaeson Ma and he prayed, "...Today I am getting out of the driver's seat of my life and into the passenger seat..." I paused for a moment and read that twice. I thought to myself, "You mean you should be taking the driver's seat right?" Then I continued reading, "You take the driver's seat - take this life where You will"

Psalm 31:3 ~ "Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name lead and guide me"

A gentle rebuke from the Lord to realign me from my off course route. When in doubt, let him lead you.

Withering Away

2010-05-17T21:12:00.000-07:00

Who am I, that the Lord of all the earth
Would care to know my name
Would care to feel my hurt
Who am I, that the Bright and Morning Star
Would choose to light the way
For my ever wandering heart

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours, I am Yours

Who am I, that the eyes that see my sin
Would look on me with love and watch me rise again
Who am I, that the voice that calmed the sea
Would call out through the rain
And calm the storm in me

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

Not because of who I am
But because of what You've done
Not because of what I've done
But because of who You are

I am a flower quickly fading
Here today and gone tomorrow
A wave tossed in the ocean
Vapor in the wind
Still You hear me when I'm calling
Lord, You catch me when I'm falling
And You've told me who I am
I am Yours

I am Yours
Whom shall I fear
Whom shall I fear
'Cause I am Yours
I am Yours

1 Peter 1:24-25 ~ For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of the Lord stands forever."

Heaven(s) mentioned in the Bible - With complements from Bro Michael Chow

2010-05-16T22:32:00.000-07:00

At the time of ancient Israel, they did not have as complete an understanding of the universe as we do today. So they wrote in terms with which they were familiar. The Jews spoke of 3 heavens.

The First heaven consists of the earth atmosphere where the clouds and birds are.
The Second heaven is where the sun, stars, and moon are.
The Third heaven was the dwelling place of God.

In 2 Corinthians 12:2, "I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows"

When Paul said he was caught up to the third heaven, he was referring to the very dwelling place of God.

The First Heaven: Earth Atmosphere

1. Deut 11:17 - "Then the LORD's anger will burn against you, and he will shut the heavens so that it will not rain and the ground will yield no produce, and you will soon perish from the good land the LORD is giving you"

2. Deut 28:12 - "The LORD will open the heavens, the storehouse of his bounty, to send rain on your land in season and to bless all the work of your hands. You will lend to many nations but will borrow from none"

3. Judges 5:4 - "O LORD, when you went out from Seir,when you marched from the land of Edom, the earth shook, the heavens poured, the clouds poured down water"

4. Acts 14:17 - "Yet he has not left himself without testimony: He has shown kindness by giving you rain from heaven and crops in their seasons; he provides you with plenty of food and fills your hearts with joy"

The Second Heaven: Outer Space

1. Psalm 19:4,6 - "Their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens he has pitched a tent for the sun; It rises at one end of the heavens and makes its circuit to the other; nothing is hidden from its heat

2. Jeremiah 8:2 - "They will be exposed to the sun and the moon and all the stars of the heavens, which they have loved and served and which they have followed and consulted and worshiped. They will not be gathered up or buried, but will be like refuse lying on the ground"

3. Isaiah 13:10 - "The stars of heaven and their constellations will not show their light. The rising sun will be darkened and the moon will not give its light"

The Third Heaven: God's Dwelling Place

1. 1 Kings 8:30 - "Hear the supplication of your servant and of your people Israel when they pray toward this place. Hear from heaven, your dwelling place, and when you hear, forgive"

2. Psalm 2:4 - "The One enthroned in heaven laughs; the Lord scoffs at them"

3. Matthew 5:16 - "In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven"

4. 1 Kings 8:27 - "But will God really dwell on earth? The heavens, even the highest heaven, cannot contain you. How much less this temple I have built!"

5. Deuteronomy 10:14 - "To the LORD your God belong the heavens, even the highest heavens, the earth and everything in it"

Being a man-a godly man.

2010-05-07T08:38:00.000-07:00

"Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me"~John 15:4

And so he cupped his face with his hands, gazed straight into the horizon in a pensive manner. "God, do you know you just pitched another flag upon the land in my heart?", he asked.

And the soothing voice, a tune so pleasing to the ear as though making merry melodies resounded, "It is but my desire to be the King and Lord over the entire land of your heart, if only you'd render them unto me willingly. An iron rod, I could use, a studded leather whip, I could use but will it not cause only dissatisfaction and rebellion. Render unto me as you would, as you please and I promise you, life of abundance is yours to have."

"I will devote myself unto you wholly, to be versatile and vigilant in Your ways, for You've never failed me-not even once! I will lift my heart and my countenance to You for the days to come and for as long as how You have numbered my days", uttered the young lad with his hands clasped. As the moon kissed his fair pallid complexion for the last time, he breathed a soft and faithful 'Amen' and turned in.

Jacob Wrestled with God

2010-05-04T08:19:00.000-07:00

18 So he went to his father and said, “My father.”
And he said, “Here I am. Who are you, my son?”
19 Jacob said to his father, “I am Esau your firstborn; I have done just as you told me; please arise, sit and eat of my game, that your soul may bless me.”
~Genesis 27:18-19

27 So He said to him, “What is your name?”
He said, “Jacob.”
~Genesis 32:27

Jacob's life wasn't pleasant per se. He was fleeing most of the time, from his brother Esau and Laban. It was when he was at Jabbok that he finally chose to stand his ground and wrestled God, which was the pinnacle of his life transformation.

When Isaac asked Jacob who he was, Jacob told a lie, saying that he's Esau in order to attain his father's blessings. He betrayed himself and totally lost his sense of identity and for that, he was tormented by his brother Esau.

Later on, when Esau was pursuing him and he had to flee from his brother, Jacob was left all alone at the ford of Jabbok. There, God engaged him till the breaking of day.

In verse 27,God asked Jacob a question and this is a very significant milestone to Jacob. God knew what his name was but that's not the reason. It's to stimulate his thought. When God asked Jacob what his name was, immediately Jacob was reminded of Isaac him asking the same question and the consequences that he's reaped from that incident. (I think I can safely say that Jacob was weeping bitterly when he was asked by God)

And when Jacob's mustered all his courage to be who he is and answered, "Jacob", God totally transformed him and changed him to be the prince of God(Israel).

Is God asking you a question now? Check your heart, search deep within your soul, muster your courage to answer God and expect for a transformation today!

God asking Questions.

2010-05-03T07:53:00.000-07:00

Jesus Restores Peter

15 So when they had eaten breakfast, Jesus said to Simon Peter, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me more than these?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Feed My lambs.”
16 He said to him again a second time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?”
He said to Him, “Yes, Lord; You know that I love You.”
He said to him, “Tend My sheep.”
17 He said to him the third time, “Simon, son of Jonah, do you love Me?” Peter was grieved because He said to him the third time, “Do you love Me?”
And he said to Him, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”
Jesus said to him, “Feed My sheep.

~John 21:15-17~

Has it ever crossed your mind why the Lord, who's been existing since the beginning of time, the Alpha and the Omega, the one who's predestined you and who knows how many hairs you have on your body - asks questions?

Think back of the incident where Jacob wrestled with God and God, in the midst of a wrestling match asked him, "What is your name?" Did God not know what His name was? The Lord wills, I'll write an entry to it.

Coming back to this passage, did God not know the condition of Peter's heart? Did He not apprehend Peter's feelings of love and embarrassment at that time?

Three times the Lord asked Peter if he loved Him. The first two times, Christ used the word agapao, signifying a love of commitment/will. Peter responded with the word, phileo, indicating his strong emotions for the Lord as a friend.

When Peter acknowledged that He loved Christ, the Lord gave him the task of feeding His lambs and taking care of His sheep. Expressing love for Christ implies accepting a duty to do the work of God and to be faithful. Peter had some difficulty with such faithfulness during Christ's earthly ministry. As Christ was getting ready to depart, He wanted to elicit a commitment from Peter.

The third time Jesus asked Peter if He loved Him, He used the word phileo, indicating a strong friendship. Christ had taught that a friend who loves will lay down his life for a friend(John 15:13). Peter instead, had denied Christ 3 times. With Peter's final response, “Lord, You know all things; You know that I love You.”, Christ had drawn a commitment from Peter and assured the other disciples of the bond between Himself and Peter.

With this exchange, the Lord restored Peter to a position of leadership in the ongoing ministry of the gospel.

The Will(s) of God.

2010-05-02T22:36:00.000-07:00

Receiving the baton from Wai Wai, God reminded me to search for the truth concerning His types of Will.

When speaking of God’s will, many people see three different aspects of it being revealed in the Bible. The first aspect of it is known as God’s decretive, sovereign, or hidden will. This is God’s "ultimate" will. This facet of God’s will comes out of the recognition of God’s sovereignty and the other aspects of God’s nature. This expression of God’s will focuses on the fact that God sovereignly ordains everything that comes to pass. In other words, there is nothing that happens that is outside of God’s sovereign will. This aspect of God’s will is seen in verses like Ephesians 1:11; where it tells us that God is the one “who works all things according to the counsel of His will” and Job 42:2, "I know that You can do everything, And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.” This view of God’s will is based on the fact that because God is sovereign, His will can never be frustrated. Nothing happens that is beyond His control.

This understanding of His sovereign will does not imply that God causes everything to happen. Rather, it acknowledges that because He is sovereign, He must at least permit or allow whatever happens to happen. This aspect of God’s will acknowledges the fact that even when God passively permits things to happen, He must choose to permit them, because He always has the power and right to intervene. God can always decide to either permit or stop the actions and events of this world. Therefore, as He allows things to happen, He has “willed” them in this sense of the word.

While God’s sovereign will is often hidden from us until after it comes to pass, there is another aspect of His will that is plain to us. That aspect is what is known as His perceptive or revealed will. As the name implies, this facet of God’s will simply acknowledges that God has chosen to reveal some of what His will for us is in the Bible. The perceptive will of God is God’s declared will concerning what we should or should not do. For example, because of the revealed will of God, we can know that it is God’s will that we do not steal, that we love our enemies, that we repent of our sins, and that we be holy as He is holy. This expression of God’s will is revealed both in His Word as well as in our conscience, through which God has written His moral law upon the hearts of all men. The laws of God, whether found in Scripture or in our hearts, are binding upon us. We are accountable when we disobey them.

Understanding this aspect of God’s will acknowledges that while we have the power and ability to disobey God’s commands, we do not have the right to do so. Therefore, there is no excuse for our sin, and we cannot claim that by choosing to sin we are simply fulfilling God’s sovereign decree or will. Judas was fulfilling God’s sovereign will in betraying Christ, just as the Romans who crucified Him were. That does not justify their sins. They were no less evil or treacherous, and they were held accountable for their rejection of Christ (Acts 4:27-28). Even though in His sovereign will God allows or permits sin to happen, we are still accountable to Him for that sin.

The third aspect of God’s will that we see in the Bible is God’s permissive or perfect will. This facet of God’s will describes God’s attitude and defines what is pleasing to Him. For example, while it is clear that God takes no pleasure in the death of the wicked, it is also clear that He most surely wills or decrees their death. This expression of God’s will is revealed in the many verses of Scripture which indicate what God does and does not take pleasure in. For example, in 1 Timothy 2:4 we see that God desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth,” and yet we know that God’s sovereign will is that “no one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day” (John 6:44).

If we are not careful, Christians can easily become preoccupied or even obsessed with finding the “will” of God for our lives. However, if the will we are seeking is His secret, hidden, or decretive will - we are on a foolish quest. God has not chosen to reveal that aspect of His will for us. What we should seek to know is the perceptive or revealed will of God. The true mark of spirituality is when people desire to know and live according to the will of God as revealed in the Scripture, and that can be summarized as “be holy for I am Holy” (1 Peter 1:15-16). Our responsibility is to obey the revealed will of God and not to speculate on what His hidden will for us might be. While we should seek to be “led by the Holy Spirit,” we must never forget that the Holy Spirit is primarily leading us to righteousness and to being conformed into the image of Christ so that our lives will glorify God. God calls us to live our lives by every word that proceeds from His mouth.

Living according to His revealed will should be the chief aim or purpose of our lives. Romans 12:1-2 summarizes this truth as we are called to present our “bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” To know the will of God we should immerse ourselves in the written Word of God, saturating our minds with it, and praying that the Holy Spirit will transform us through the renewing of our minds, so that the result is what is good, acceptable and perfect—the will of God.

Sourced from http://www.gotquestions.org/Gods-will.html

Broken-by-God

2010-05-02T08:02:00.000-07:00

Jeremiah 18:1-11

1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying:
2 “Arise and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear My words.”
3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and there he was, making something at the wheel.
4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.
5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying:
6 “O house of Israel, can I not do with you as this potter?” says the LORD. “Look, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in My hand, O house of Israel!
7 The instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, to pull down, and to destroy it,
8 if that nation against whom I have spoken turns from its evil, I will relent of the disaster that I thought to bring upon it.
9 And the instant I speak concerning a nation and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it,
10 if it does evil in My sight so that it does not obey My voice, then I will relent concerning the good with which I said I would benefit it.
11 “Now therefore, speak to the men of Judah and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, ‘Thus says the LORD: “Behold, I am fashioning a disaster and devising a plan against you. Return now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.”’”

Today marks a very significant milestone in my spiritual life. I was BROKEN by the Lord.

I just returned from my Campus Retreat(Awesome!!) and at the last session, I received a tight slap from God(again) for I knew what was wrong with me-I screwed up my priority and the direction I'm headed towards. In the entry, The Onion in Me I spoke of the layers which I've acquired and God had to bring me ALL THE WAY DOWN with it. (It's like God literally saying To Hell with It!!!)

My spiritual man's been shrinking since the day I got to Johore, and eventually, certain standards were compromised-I became a more people driven person; rather than a God-driven person. I've almost left him out of the picture and I'm taking everything there as ministries and obligations. Topped with the fact the church's undergoing some crisis, I was sucked into the struggle and I depended on my wisdom and I forgot to seek His will. What happened to my spiritual ears? What happened to my inner sensitivity towards Him? "The degree of how much God responds to you is how much you respond to Him" and I've stopped responding! My senses became dull and it had to be sharpened!

By His Amazing Grace, God's ways are surely higher than mine. There wasn't ministering time during Pr Thom's session because if there were, I'd be on my guitar, complementing Pr Thom and would not be sensitive to Him.

Eventually, God used Pr Palan's sermon to HIT ME DOUBLE THE HARD! Imagine someone slapping you once...and he slaps you again...and again...(it rattles on). I couldn't take it no more. At the end of his sermon, when the presence of the Lord came upon me, I held back my tears and when His presence overwhelmed me, I simply dropped down onto my seat and started weeping like never before. I simply couldn't take it anymore when God penetrated my inner man, my inner thoughts, the things I've been standing on, my beliefs, my stands, my principles etc and simply wrecked everything! All I could say in my mind was simply..."Jesus..."

Altar call was given, and I responded immediately. I was prayed over, and thanks be to God for the healing waters, I feel light headed now and has grasped my sense of direction.

IK! You just wait! God will surely slap you when I return!! You wait!!

The Onion in Me

2010-04-18T09:22:00.000-07:00

Proverbs 4:23~"Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life"

I was doing my laundry when the Lord brought me back to think of the layers that I've put on for these 2 years in university.

I will be honest before the Lord:-
i) I agree that I'm more willing to confront other people whenever an issue arises to iron things out.
ii) I will make my stand when someone oversteps their boundary.
iii) I will not back off in expressing my opinions.
iv) Am more firm when it comes to dealing with people and matters.

But above all those, I checked deep into the core of my 'onion' once more. Jesus said,"For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?". Did I lose my soul in the process? Something worth contemplating.

The Parable of the Wheat & the Tares

2010-04-11T23:30:00.000-07:00

The Parable of the Wheat and the Tares

24 Another parable He put forth to them, saying: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field;

25 but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way.

26 But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared.

27 So the servants of the owner came and said to him, ‘Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?’

28 He said to them, ‘An enemy has done this.’ The servants said to him, ‘Do you want us then to go and gather them up?’

29 But he said, ‘No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them.

30 Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, “First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn.”’”

~Matthew 13:24-30~

Personally, this verse seems very practical to me. Inevitably, there bound to be imperfections, flaws, and disappointments in life and since I'm part of the world, I ought to 'grow' together with it and in it.

I believe that these imperfections in life are not removed for a purpose. Jesus said if the tares were to be uprooted, it'd damage the wheat. In other words, the 'tares' in my lives are meant to build me up!

How true does that statement stand true? As I stand at this juncture in life, looking back in retrospection, I can see that the failures that I've undergone and the embarrassing moments of my life had molded me to be the person I am now.

God truly has a purpose to everything in life. What the world perceive as failure, God could manipulate it to be our success, what seems to be embarrassment, God could turn it to be glorification.

Have I missed out on anything?

2010-04-04T18:12:00.000-07:00

I've a friend who shared with me about his experience, interviewing Dr M a few weeks back. He received a reward of RM5000 and prior to the interview, our vice-chancellor texted him to encourage him. (exclusive of the hostel principle, lecturer etc).

It brought me to a point of questioning God, "God, where and what is my reward then? Being an IK president does not yield any tangible reward. Where are mine?" It was very selfish of me but I just felt dissatisfaction overwhelming me at that particular moment. I've many friends who are now very successful in their respective organisation viz AIESEC etc.

Though crushed, I choose to cling on to the promise that if I were to pursue the Kingdom of Heaven first, all those things shall be added to me in life in the future.

Palm Sunday

2010-04-01T18:04:00.000-07:00

"Rejoice greatly, O Daughter of Zion!
Shout, Daughter of Jerusalem!
See, your king comes to you,
righteous and having salvation,
gentle and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.
I will take away the chariots from Ephraim
and the war-horses from Jerusalem,
and the battle bow will be broken.
He will proclaim peace to the nations.
His rule will extend from sea to sea
and from the River to the ends of the earth"~Zechariah 9:9-10

I just came to learn about the significance of Palm Sunday this morning. Never knew that this event bore any significance until I read up on it. I only know about the significance of Good Friday and Easter Sunday, so Palm Sunday is very intriguing to me.

This event signifies the triumphant entry of our Lord Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. People threw palm leaves (only done to those worthy of the highest honor) to carpet the donkey's feet as an act of reverence unto their King. Since a triumphant entry should look glorious, why did He chose a donkey instead of a black stout horse? The answer lies within the culture then. Kings of ancient times would ride on a horse during war times and proclaim destruction. However Jesus's entry signified the proclamation of peace (since a donkey is a symbol of peace) and salvation. The act of riding a donkey also suggests that Jesus was meek and lowly in his heart.

This event eventually led to the death of Jesus on Good Friday and His resurrection on Easter Sunday, establishing the cornerstone of our faith.

Thank You Lord for your Passion!