The Truth Will Light Your Path

2007-09-24T13:23:00.000+08:00

DO NOT FEAR

Genesis 14: 13-14

“Moses answered the people, “Do not be afraid. Stand firm and you will see the deliverance the Lord will bring you today. The Egyptians you see today you will never see again. The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still.”

Even though this is a year of victory, yet this year spells more battles than victories for many. In fact, some of us find ourselves facing a rougher year than ever in our lifetime. Me myself undeniably had several battles this year and even before the year of victory began. Sometimes we then ask the Lord, “where is my victory?” Despite the battles, I was reminded that there cannot be or will not have any victories till we undergo battles and win them! Think about it. How can there be victory when there is no battle for you to claim victory for? It is when we overcome the battles in our lives then we can come out victorious, shining as God’s light.

As I look at the verse, I found myself like the Israelites, being all afraid and sometimes wavering due to my own uncertainties in life. Today, God reminded me that amidst my fears, anxieties and struggles in life, He wanted me to be still before him. To be still and know that He is Lord over everything (and that includes my fears, anxieties, struggles and all). That He is a God who has gone before me and won the battles in my life. Sometimes, I find myself trying to outsmart God and spend half the time being swallowed by the battles I face. More than often we find it hard to even be still before the Lord and wait on Him to do His work. To us, we may feel that we cannot simply just watch and wait for things to happen. Today, let us not be anxious, know that we are not fighting alone or fighting against flesh and blood, but our battle is against the evil one. Let us stand firm today and not be shaken by our greatest enemy. The battle belongs to the Lord! Amen! Most importantly, let us simply be still and wait on our heavenly father, to do his work at his timing.

Do you fear something in your life today?

Do you feel like you have been shaken and beaten by the battles in your life?

If yes, let us be still in this coming weekend and allow God to deliver us from all our fears and to simply wait on Him.

-Daniel

Guy Stuff

2007-09-24T11:54:00.000+08:00

Guy Stuff

Genesis 22:1-14

What is your most precious possession? Perhaps it’s your sleep or girlfriends, studies or work. Conventional wisdom tells us to hang on to what we value most.

Now think abt the story of Abraham and Isaac. Imagine being put in Abraham’s position, being asked to sacrifice your only son, for whom u waited for 100 years, wondering why God would ask for such a devastating act of obedience. What would u do?

Of course, we knew the end story. Isaac was never in danger. But Abraham was. God tested Abraham’s heart to clarify who came first. The answer came back clearly: “You do. God.”

The truth is that Isaac wasn’t Abraham ‘s to sacrifice.. The doting father didn’t own the son. We don’t truly possess what we have in this life: Our jobs, our homes, etc. Similarly, our families and friends are entrusted to us for a time and it is up to us to influence them towards following God while we have the opportunity. We need to follow Abraham’s example and hold our possession and relationship loosely to be regarded and “used” as God intends.

A simple enough idea, right? But as Abraham proved, what seems simple isn’t necessarily easy. In what ways is God asking you to give up what you might be tempted to think belongs to u?

Yew Fie says: In my tribe, I know some of u are holding strongly to –

- Relationship (finding girlfriend)

- Ur image to others (how ppl see u)

- Status in the tribe

Yew Fie says: Guys, always remember this as what my spiritual father,

Pastor William always tells me:

100% man, 100% God. Put your trust in HIM.

John 14:1

Jesus says: “Do not let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, trust also in ME.”

2007-09-16T23:56:00.001+08:00

leaders' retreat was on the past 2 days.

was good. had a lot of insight. much was gained.
what makes a leader.
strength + faithfulness + humility

i'm running through a rough patch at the moment.
at the moment, there's no solution to resolve it amicably.

only God can intervene.
during the message on strength, it was shared that strength is cultivated as we seek Him, obey Him and press on with our trials and tribulations.

Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish it's work so that you may be mature, and complete, not lacking anything.

just finished watching evan almighty.
and in it, there's a line that struck me.
God doesn't just give things; He gives the opportunity to get things. when people pray for patience, courage or a closer family, they want the end results rather than opportunities to develop those virtues and strengthen character.
how true.
i ask God for a heart that is after His, a double portion of His Spirit.
i ask God for a lot of things.
but they aren't going to happen just by clicking my fingers.
i'd have to go through a lot of trials and tribulations to reach that.
and sometimes the going is tough.
that by our might it is not possible, but to be humble and acknowledge that only by God's strength i'd then be delivered.
i guess, that's like what's been said in James. that we'll face a lot of trials, for these are tests of our faith. our responses to crisis show.
through it all, there'd be victories and failures.
yet all in all, they are experiences that we would have to undergo to be complete in Him.

i'm foolish and stubborn.
at times, to fight God every step of the way just to have things my way.
but God's ways are higher than what i know and He is intimately interested in all details of my life.
i'd submit myself to Him and let Him direct me where to go.
that in times of difficulties, i'd not shake my fists angrily at Him but He be glorified with my response to my trials each and everyday.
=)

-weiliang
taken from my blog 080907

2007-09-13T21:11:00.000+08:00

God's word on Acceptance

My passage:
In contrast to the frustrated man who would run away from his responsibilities stands the redeemed man who feels safe and secure. He can be a shelter to others because he himself is sheltered. He is a man who has accepted himself not only with his strengths but also with his weaknessess. His secret: He knows he has been accepted by the Heavenly Father.

The redeemed man is a whole man. He is a whole first because he belongs to a family, family of God. God, his Father, makes him one of his sons.

He is a whole man because he feels worthy. Christ died to give him birth and therefore he can take as his own the worthiness of Christ.

He is a whole man because he feels competent. This competence comes from the Holy Spirit. "God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline" - 2 TIMOTHY 1:7

Reflections:
Do u belong to a family of God?
Are u humble enough to accept your weakness despite knowing ur great strength?

Verse
Psalm 30:5-7
God's favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night;
but rejoicing comes in the morning.
When i felt secure, i said, "I will never be shaken."
O LORD, when you favored me, you made my mountain stand firm.

Romans 8:16-17
The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs - heir of God and co-heir with Christ.

God Bless,
Yew Fie

2007-08-30T23:58:00.000+08:00

Hey people, it has been a long time since this blog last got updated. Hence, I have decided to do something about it, hehe :)

Well, I was thinking that everyone must be busy in all aspects of their life from work, studies, family, personal life. However, I would like to remind all of us to once again reflect back to this scripture that was shared to us during our last congre.

Matthew 11:28-30

28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."

As I was typing this post, I was thinking of my week and indeed I have found great peace from all the work that was laid down to me from my studies. Nights of reading and endless reading, lack of sleep and rest. But I feel great peace within this period !

Well I just want to share with everyone that in Matthew 11:28-30, the lord want us to take our work in his way. I am not trying to compare or complaint the amount of my workloads from school to anyone workloads. I just want to say that, at all times do not be overly anxious about anything in your work and create your own worries or stress. At all times, leave it ALL to the LORD.

So I will leave these questions for you people to reflect upon:

Is the something in your life now that you are worrying about ?

Are you feeling burden through all that was laid down to you ?

Are you seeing things from your OWN perspective or the LORD's perspective ?

God Bless Everyone !

Your Brother,

Isaac

prepare for glory!

2007-07-11T00:11:00.001+08:00

110707.
operation breakout has begun.
where we are positioned, we have begun to reach out to the multitudes and start blessing the needy. i believed all of us were transformed in the sense, by pastor ed's words.
the passion is kindled, the flame alight, the moment is now.

these 3 days, i've been moving around, blessing the people i meet and whom the Lord has placed in my heart.
listening to their problems, their needs; feeling the emotions that coursed through them as they speak of what troubles their hearts.
and this is just people i know! how many more there are out there in our society!
there's joy not only for the person i blessed for, but myself...i'm glad and overjoyed to bless them as well.
it fills me with courage too to bless more people, people whom i completely don't know. to just go forth and bless them, that there will be miracles happening and prayers answered!
God is able!

As we go forth, let us keep one another in prayer. the evil one is out there lurking to disrupt us but united, we'd denounce all principalities of the air in His Name!
and we'd see every felt need, every request fulfilled, miracles arising and prayers answered.
the moment is now, and as warriors, let's herald the King's Glory!

-wl

Dhillon's 1st Post

2007-07-08T22:07:00.000+08:00

This is my very first post (on this blog). Well this picture was taken quite sometime ago, during our retreat. I decided to post this picture not only to remind us of the brotherly bond that we Christians have, but also that we love each other, (and there's nothing we can do about it.) Pastor Ed Silvoso ha indeed taught us many things that we had never thought of. Making labour our worship, loving ourselves-only then can we love someone else as much as we love ourselves, and the redemptive role of wealth. Honestly, i never thought that we should actually delibearately love ourselves, because of the explicit admonishing that God told us, in 2 Timothy 3:2 onwards, that in the last days, people will become LOVERS OF THEMSELVES...Man. And coupled with Madonna's new song, 'Hey You', which she sang on Live Earth, that had lyrics saying "First love yourself, then you can love someone else. If you can change someone else then you have saved someone else..."Amazing isn't it? Initially it was really confusing and everything seemed very convoluted. Thank God for revealing me the truth, that yes we must love others as we love ourselves. Basically to Love One Another, as God has first loved us. So i thank God for the wonderful people he has placed in my life, my loving fathers, both biological and spiritual, and my band of brothers and sisters. Oh...let the Lord speak to you tonight...I love you, and there's absolutely nothing, you can do about it.

trust

2007-04-16T23:02:00.000+08:00

one of the most important things in our life is our health.
without our physical well-being, it's hard to go about carrying out daily routine.
illnesses, diseases and all sorts of ailments caused us discomfort but as Ps Khong said, that if we trust in Him, we will be healed. That sometimes, we are healed, but without that firm trust in Him, we lose that healing. My body had been broken countless times from my basketball days and when the call was made, I went and all God said to me was: trust.

it's amazing that God re-affirmed this when jennifer from mel side, asked me to give a short lesson to victoriette while we were chilling after service. It was a short story, aptly titled "Peter Trusts Jesus". Well, here's the background of the story, Matthew 14:22-33.

22Immediately Jesus made the disciples get into the boat and go on ahead of him to the other side, while he dismissed the crowd. 23After he had dismissed them, he went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. When evening came, he was there alone, 24but the boat was already a considerable distance from land, buffeted by the waves because the wind was against it.
25During the fourth watch of the night Jesus went out to them, walking on the lake. 26When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. "It's a ghost," they said, and cried out in fear.
27But Jesus immediately said to them: "Take courage! It is I. Don't be afraid."
28"Lord, if it's you," Peter replied, "tell me to come to you on the water."
29"Come," he said.
Then Peter got down out of the boat, walked on the water and came toward Jesus. 30But when he saw the wind, he was afraid and, beginning to sink, cried out, "Lord, save me!"
31Immediately Jesus reached out his hand and caught him. "You of little faith," he said, "why did you doubt?"
32And when they climbed into the boat, the wind died down. 33Then those who were in the boat worshiped him, saying, "Truly you are the Son of God."

Like the disciples, all of us are caught up in storms at one point or another, struggling with problems. In verse 22, it says that Jesus made His disciples get onto the boat and into the stormy sea. When God sends us out into a storm, He has a purpose for us. The Lord will use a storm to help us grow in our walk with Him. Verse 25 tells us that the disciples didn't recognize that it is Jesus, The disciples, even though they have spent much time with Jesus, don't recognize him in the storm. How true, that sometimes we don't recognize the Lord when he comes to us in the middle of our "storms." Peter took a step of faith, came out of the boat and walked on water. I guess Peter realise that it is better to be with Jesus without a boat than be in a boat without Jesus. He obeyed God's command, faith is when it is accompanied by actions. But he began to sink, because he took his eyes off God and instead begin to look at circumstances. The realisation of the winds and waves divided his attention from God. the difference between walking on water and sinking in despair is in our eyes.

When we keep our eyes on Jesus, we’re able to walk on water. Our is desire is only on drawing near to him and nothing will stand in our way. But when we start looking: at our circumstances, at our situation, at the storms in life, we lose faith and it causes us to sink. Unbelief puts our circumstance between us and God, but faith puts God between us and our circumstances. Taking our eyes off Jesus, and focusing on the difficult circumstances will cause us to get under our problems. But when we cry out to Jesus, he catches us by the hand and raises us above the seemingly impossible surroundings. Peter starts out with good intentions, but his faith falters. This does not, however, end up in failure. Peter, even in his fear, cries out to the Lord, the only one who can help him. When Jesus gets in the boat, the storm ceases. When we have Jesus "in our boat" the storms of life will be calmed.

I have a back problem, that when I sit/stand for too long, my back would 'freeze up' and that sometimes it's so bad that I can only sleep on my stomach. I'm serving as a signaller in the Army and many a times, I am carrying heavy loads that would aggravate my problem. My wrists, knees and ankles are battered and when it's about to rain or if the weather is cold, they would begin to hurt. But I believe God would heal me, eventually, for like Ps Khong said there are many levels of healing and I will trust Him.
Like what I've told victoriette, "For nothing is impossible with God." (Luke 1:37), so brothers and sisters, have you placed your trust in Jesus today?

God is with us

2007-04-14T00:26:00.001+08:00

many days of prayers, many hours of waiting, many minutes of deliberation.
what science and medicine can't explain, faith can.
yat fie's papa need not go for any amputation op. from something that looked like a bleak situation, God turned everything around. that indeed, He is the Cure.
what a testimony it would be, that I would be able to share with those around me. people who are bogged down with physical ailments or sicknesses to put their trust in the Lord, that He reigns over everything and by His will, all shall be restored.
i'm elated, that indeed God is ALWAYS with us. that He is ever present in our family. that He listens to our cries, our prayers. that He is mighty to save.

God is also known as Emmanuel. It means 'God is with us'.
How true this is!
I thank God for everything that He has done.
Indeed, God is with us :)

I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.
He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber.Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep.
The Lord is thy keeper: the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand. The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night.
The Lord shall preserve thee from all evil: he shall preserve thy soul.
The Lord shall preserve thy going out and thy coming in from this time forth,and even for evermore.

- Psalms 121: 1-8

wl

Rise up!

2007-04-11T00:51:00.001+08:00

hmm..many things to write about, of which some I've wanted to but I've decided to wait till the Easter is over.

Last week started with quarrels and tensions in the office, one which led me to call fie. He didn't say much, yet for reasons unknown to me, I wasn't the slightest worried about it. It wasn't the first time that something like that happened, to be hurt like that. What surprised myself more was the fact that I called him; like finally, I'm running to my Dad with bigger steps.

The messages delivered on Good Friday confirmed that something was indeed stirring in my heart and this was the culmination of it. Ps William asked of us to rise up, that God hunts for giants for us to slay; that with no battle nor obstacles, there would be no real victory. It was like a war cry to me; for if these people want me to lay down the values and principles which I live by, then I'd challenge them to come and take them. I thank God for the place I'm in, for indeed, it is a training ground for me, to prepare for God's glory. Feelings welled up inside of me, to take my battalion for Christ alone and to claim every inch of territory that the Enemy has taken from us.

I enjoyed the sharing sessions with my family. It was my first outing with them but it was a great one. we heard a lot from one another and it was really a good session. I guess Clare jiejie is right: this is really the starting of something. To be able to captialise on this fervour buring right here and now in our hearts, we'd be able to even come as one, forging new bonds and unity.
This is the season for our family to rise up!
I thank God for Jin Cai who's going off to Brunei, that he came for the miracle weekend. It brought to mind that last Dec, Melissa asked me how many people I'd like to have and by when. I said 3 and it'd be by next Good Friday. Well, looks like I've only got 1 and even that 1 is leaving soon. But I believe this is a good pot of soil that I'm investing in and that one day, I'd see the harvest. I commit my friend into His hands and that His word would be like a seed planted in his heart, that it would eventually blossom and be fruitful.
A year isn't too long. It's worth the wait. I'm sure.

Yat Fie's papa was hospitalised and we went and prayed for him. It was the first time I ever prayed for somebody i didn't know and in chinese too. But what was supposed to be an amputation just got postponed and postponed! Blood was flowing into a once-dead toe and it has become less swollen and red from Yat Fie's accounts. Praise the Lord, for He's really the Cure! Let's continue to pray brothers, for I'm sure we all want to see more from the Lord. Let there be a testimony of God's awesomeness come from our family that indeed God is good!

On the bus home, victoriette fell on her way up the bus. I guess it was rather painful but I saw nuanyi's hand reach out for her right away. She brushed herself and was all smiles again even though, the cut still hurts. I guess our walk with God is something like that, when we falter, He will immediately rush to us and pick us up. Our God is sometimes One who hides Himself but never One that absents Himself; sometimes in the dark, but never at a distance!
The lashes on His back, the curses hurled at Him and the nail pierced hands..they never fail to amaze me how much God love us, that the One who knew no sin died on our behalf.
And with that love, that strength, am I confident that it's time for us to rise up for tis the year of victory! Let us rise up as champions of Christ and fight the good fight!
The Lord gave me this verse durin yesterday night's QT and it'd be good to end with this:

Righteousness and justice are the foundation of your throne; love and faithfulness go before you.
Blessed are those who have learned to acclaim you, who walk in the light of your presence. O Lord.
They rejoice in your name all day long; they exult in your righteousness. For you are their glory and strength and by your favour you exalt our horn.
Indeed, our shield belongs to the Lord, our king to the Holy One of Israel.
(Psalm 89:14-18)

wl

the road to damascus

2007-04-03T10:13:00.000+08:00

Today's copy of LIFE! section caught my eye. It's titled 'Road to Damascus' and it shows the splendid ruins of Palmyra in Syria.
This brought to mind, Paul in Acts, where he was on the road to Damascus, seeking to decimate the Christian community there.

He had set out from Jerusalem for Syrian Damascus, with the authority to arrest those followers of Jesus and bring them back to Jerusalem in chains for questioning and possible execution. Yet on his way, he was struck blind by a brilliant light from heaven and he heard the Lord asking, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?"
As the chapters go, we see that Paul now blinded and healed through Aanasis by the Lord, restoring his sight and we witnessed the conversion of Paul.

The conversion of Paul let us witness the love of our Lord.
Look at Acts 9:13-15
"Lord, " Ananias answered. "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem. And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel."

Paul's conversion is a testimony to the absolute forgiveness of our sins, shortcomings and trangressions that we are offered by faith and grace through belief in Christ. Paul's persecution of Christians was a grave sin but at the same time it conveys a message that any sinner, no matter how bad his sins, is forgivable.

We're sinful by nature, and yes, at times we stumble and falter. Often, we find ourselves on the road to Damascus; on the way to committing sin that is, be it temptations, anger or negative feelings or harsh words to people around. God meets us where we are at, whether it’s on the road to ruin from drugs, alcohol or any other kind of self-destructive sin. Just as Jesus went to the homes of sinners to share His Good News with them, so does He come to us where we are to offer His salvation. We only have to say yes to His invitation, like Paul did. God calls out to us, to turn our backs on sin and walk with Him.

The 'Road to Damascus" has become a metaphor in reference to a sudden conversion of thought or a change of heart or mind in today's language. Paul was a persecutor of Christians yet God forgave him and made him one of the greatest servants in Christian history. No life is useless or too far gone for God. He has a purpose for all of us and can forgive us no matter what if we are willing to ask for His forgiveness and accept it as His gift to us. What miracle life might He have in store for you?

wl

to love

2007-03-31T23:23:00.000+08:00

More than often, I'm caught between what Jesus asks of me and what the world wants of me. My beliefs and principles are put to test when they clash with worldly values, and even more so, in the Marketplace. It's a battleground everyday, where I fight for every inch of territory that the Enemy has taken from me and to claim back what's lost for the King.

Even though I shall win the battle, no doubt, it hurts me to know that what I'm doing are labelled as 'siao-on', 'over garang-ness' etc..hypocritical acts by those working with me. The hurt drives me away from reaching out to them, for I felt that I can't be bothered with them and they, with me. My relationship with others was strained.

This persisted, till I heard Pastor's message to be at peace with myself and others as well. God spoke to me, "Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you." (Ephesians4:31-32)
To forgive and to ask for forgiveness was hard, but I took the first step. As to how the other parties would react afterwards wasn't important, but that what the Lord asked me to, I did. I thank God that the outcomes were favourable and this whole week He kept reminding me to 'be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love."

Love is a big word, and to extend it to everybody and everybody, unlovable or lovable alike is a tall task. Yet God's love is in me and I love with God's love, no longer with my own boundary markers.

My heart indeed, is BIG enough for everybody.

wl

How can you cope with stress (part 2)

2007-03-22T20:41:00.000+08:00

The second priniple of stress management in the life of Christ is found in John 5:30, "By Myself i can do nothing; judge only as i hear and My judgement is just for i seek not to please Myself but Him who sent Me."

The priciple is this: Know whom you're trying to please. You just can't please everybody. Even God doesn't please everybody so it's foolish to try to do something that even God doesn't do!!

If i focus on pleasing God, it will simplify my life. I ill always be doing the right thing, the thing that pleases God regardless of what anybody else thinks.

We are not victims unless we allow ourselves to be pressured by other people's demands.

Matt 6:33 - If i seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, then all the other necessary things of life will be added to me.

Prayer: Lord, i know sometimes i try to please man instead of You. Father, forgive me for i had put man before
You. Help me, Lord, to put You first in m life. Amen!

How can we cope with stress?

2007-03-21T23:43:00.000+08:00

Jesus was constantly under pressure. He rarely had any personal privacy; He was constantly interrupted. People misunderstood Him, critcized Him. He had enormous stress.
As we look at the life of Christ, we discover that He remained at peace under pressure. He was never in a hurry. He is always at ease.

How did He do it?
Jesus based His life on principles of stres management.

How can we cope with stress?
By knowing who we are

Jesus said, " I am the Light of the world. whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the Light of the world. Whoever follows Me will never walk in darkness but will have the Life of life ."(John 8:12)
" i am the Door"(10:9, KJV); "I am the Way and the Truth and the Life"(14:6, KJV); I am the Good Shepherd"(10:11, KJV); " I am God's Son"(10:36, KJV). Christ knew who He was!!

First principal for handling stress in your life is: Know Who you are. It is a prinicple of identification.
If you don't know who you are then somebody will tell to tell you who he thinks is you. If you don't know who you are then people will manipulate you and pressure you into someone you aren't.

The first way to balance stress in your life is to get an internal balance of who you are. I know who i am by knowing whose i am. I am a child of God. I was put on earth not by accident but for a PURPOSE. I am deeply LOVED by God. I am ACCEPTED by Him. He has a plan for my life.

TO HANDLE STRESS, WE MUST KNOW WHO WE ARE!

Prayer: Thank you Lord, for setting an example for me to learn. Thank you for the love that You have given and i know i have a purpose in my life.

Question: Who are You? Are You stress?

What have i learn in G12 conference?

2007-03-18T20:55:00.000+08:00

The G12 conference had just pass.... Even as i'm on duty, i caught something from the speakers.

G12 is about a simple vision, a single vision. What is that single vision? It is all about finding your 12 and fathering them. By fathering our spiritual children, we covered them with the Father's love. We also help them in conquering their life, not letting the evil ones to win them.

What have you caught?

This year vision is about being warriors of light. Are you ready to shine for God? Are you ready to be arrows that can be sent out to conquer your market place? If you are ready, join me together to seach for our 12, win the lost and made an impact in our marketplace.

Warriors, let's go!!

my royal wardrobe - the armour of God

2007-02-28T01:05:00.000+08:00

Rough patches started to hit in near the end of my first year as a Christian. It's been a delightful year learning to understand God and the truths of His Kingdom; I thought I knew a bit about the Christian life. Yet ignorant of spiritual warfare, I didn't guard against the perversity of my flesh or against Satan. Situations that I was caught up in and emotions running through my head were struggling to fit in the vision of a Christian life. I was confused: If the Lord is my Shepherd, why would I be in want of His power to bring me peace and strength? If the Lord is my Father, why isn't He gentler with me?

I've always thought the problem was me. But with Pastor's message, it dawned on me that I didn't guard my heart against deception and entrapments of the evil one; a veil lay infront of me that I hadn't see all that He offered me nor applied what my King had shown me. My royal wardrobe had been left untouched and unused!

The armour of God are garments in which He cover me with Himself, protected and united in Him. Not only is He the whole wardrobe, He is also each indiviual part. He is the Truth, Righteousness, Peace, Faith, Salvation and the Word.
The Lord seeks to give me all He has, but He can only do so if I approach Him in humility and submittance. I do not fully understand what God does or does not promise me. If I align His promises with my expectations (which is wrong), I will be despondent and frustrated.
The fact is, even with His armour on, it may or may not protect me from the against the storms of the world (Matthew 5:45), but I know that it'd ALWAYS protect me from the flaming arrows of the evil one. God may not take me out of my circumstances, but He will protect me against discouragement and despair- those of which, would deceive and deny my trust and faith in Him.

If Jesus isolated me from all suffering, I could no longer be His friend and follower. He who is strong and I who am weak must walk together for His purpose. The very sufferings I would avoid, He now uses to make me a testimony of His triumph over the pressures of the world and the powers of Satan. Henceforth, the devastatings storms in my life would now affirm the victory of His armour (I Peter 4:12-13)!
As we go through each day with our spiritual battles raging on, we need brothers/sisters who'd help us check that we're fully dressed and protected. Lifting each other up to God, we can stand together and demonstrate God's victory in every painful, confusing, and challenging situation. SIT TIGHT, WALK RIGHT, STAND AND FIGHT!
I'd like to end on with this verse from Isaiah 61:10-11;
10 I delight greatly in the Lord;
My soul rejoices in my God
For he has clothed me with garments of salvation
And arrayed me in a robe of righteousness,
As a bridgegroom adorns his head like a priest,
and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.
11 For as the soil makes the sprout comes up
and a garden causes seeds to grow
so the Sovereign Lord will make righteousness and praise
spring up before all nations.

: : w e i l i a n g : :
next up, [clothed in truth]. . .

" Are you the same as them? Son, I still love u and forgive u.''

2007-02-25T21:38:00.000+08:00

This week, i have 2 people that did not turn up when i suppose to meet them. Well, my nature reaction was: I'm very pissed off by them! I had wait from 8.30 am till 9.30 am and they did not turn up. During worship in service, God ask me a question.. " Are you the same as them? Son, I still love u and forgive u.''

God's word reminds me of King David. King David knew struggle, sorrow and sin but he experienced God's persistent love. I have forgiven them and i will continue to wait each sun for them to return.

It's Valentine Day!!

2007-02-14T20:34:00.000+08:00

What do Valentine Day means to you and your date? Does Valentine Day reminds you of anything? In this Valentine Day, it reminds me of spending precious moment with Clara. It has been 2 years of dating and it started at a bus stop.....

Valentine Day is also Friendship Day. There is one guy that i wish to ask for forgiveness. I know i always "tekan" him at work, so today i seek for his forgiveness. I also hope that he will return to God soon. Just want let him know that God forgives.

Valentine Day also reminds me of God. He gave me a verse for this day.

Verse: Colossians 3:13
Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against each other. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.

The Key: God's infinite love and forgiveness can help you love and forgive others.

Prayer: O Lord, Thank you for this wonderful day. May You shower me with Your Love and Forgivefulness so
that i can forgive others and love others more. Amen!

Jesus in my life

2007-02-13T20:49:00.000+08:00

Today, i receive news that my application for my studies was not successful. It was a moment that i wish it will not happen. I needed it as i'm at a stage where my career is at stake. What can i do? What am i going to do? I ask myself... At that moment, no one came to console me but there is someone whom always by my side. That is Jesus.. I am ministered thru a song...

Jesus in my life

Verse: When things got me down and no one is around, i got Jesus, i got Jesus. When life's a mystery and peace is what i need, i got jesus i got Jesus.

Pre - chorus: Everybody, everywhere, c'mon, c'mon, let me hear you sing.

Chorus: Everything's ok and everything's all right, cause i got Jesus in my life.

Rap: If you got Jesus in your heart come on and let me hear you say Woah. If you've got Jesus in your life come on and let me hear you say Wo Ho. If you got Jesus in your school come on and let me hear you say Wo Ho Ho. If you got Jesus in your heart come on and let me hear you scream!

I'm going to try it again in July. By faith, i claim a place in it.

Have u being trouble, disappointed by something? Something bad happen to u? Remember, u got Jesus in your life.... Rejoice!

Prayer: O Lord, Thank you for being with me. I know everything is all right because u are there. May Your peace fall upon me, guard our heart and mind against the evil ones. Amen!

Philippians 4:7 - " And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your heart and mind in Christ Jesus."

Rainbow

2007-02-12T20:26:00.000+08:00

I came across a song in a CD and this song is cool!!

Verse: It's not a secret, it's not a fairytale. It's not made up Jonah was in a "whale", for three whole days (1,2,3!). The greatest treasure, The word God's people wrote. It's in the bible, where Noah built a boat and it rained and rained.
Chorus: The rainbows in the sky to show God's promises are true. The rainbows in the sky to show the world, he's the only way for your everyday.

Genesis 9:13 - "I have placed My rainbow in the clouds. It is the sign of my permanent promise
to you and all the earth".

Prayer: O Lord, Thank You for the promises You made for me. Thank You for the rainbow reminder that You have sent to me. I love You, Lord! Amen!

"My Grace is sufficient for you"

2007-02-11T23:17:00.000+08:00

GOD'S GRACE
2 Corinthians 12:9-10

He said to me, " My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore i will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that Christ's power may rest on me.That's why for Christ's sake, i delight in weakness, in insults, in hardships, in perescutions, in difficulties. For i am weak, then i am strong.

Are you depending on God?

Although God did not remove Paul's physical afflication, He promised to demonstrate His power in Paul.
Let's turn to God to seek pathways for effectiveness. We must rely on God for our effectiveness rather than on our own energy, effort or talent. Our weakness not only helps develop Christian character; it also deepens our worship because in admitting our weakness, we affirm God's strength.

Dependance on God's power and grace = Lasting value in life

Prayer: O Lord, help me to overcome my weakness in my life. Help me to rely more on You rather than on myself. May You help me to believe that Your strength and Grace is my power in my life. Thank you, Lord. Amen.

God's faithfulness

2007-02-08T22:18:00.000+08:00

The Bible is a veritable mine of information on the fact of God's faithfulness. More than 4000 years ago He said," As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease" (Gen 8:22).
Genesis 15:13-14 records that God declared th Abraham," Know for certain that your descendants will be strangers in a country not their own and they will be enslaved and ill-treated four hundred years. But..... afterwards they will come out with great possessions."
In Galatians 4:4 we read," But when the time had fully come, God sent His Son, born of a woman....."

These are some of the passage that shows you how faithful God has been to His Word. This is the basic of our confidence in Him. The more of God's truth we pack into our souls, the better equipped we are for the road that lies ahead.

Have u tap into God's faithfulness?

Meditation: Hebrews 10:23

Prayer: Gracious and loving Father, the more i learn about Your nature, the more i want to know. Just these glimpses i am getting, make me eager to know You more intimately. take me deeper, dear Lord. In Jesus' name. Amen